I came back from my business trip and found my five-year-old daughter Lily home alone, eating expired bread. My heart broke. I rushed over and pulled her into my arms. “Where’s your dad?” Lily started crying. “Daddy’s downstairs getting married to Vanessa. He told me to stay home by myself… Mom, I’m so hungry…” After I settled Lily down, I ran downstairs to the hotel banquet hall. And it was true! Ryan stood there in a full tuxedo. When he saw me, panic flashed across his face. He quickly pulled me aside. “Miranda, this isn’t what it looks like. I’m just helping Vanessa put on a show. Her mom’s been pushing her to get married. I had no choice…” I laughed bitterly. “Congratulations to you both.” Later, at my wedding to his brother Dylan, Ryan got on his knees and begged me to take him back. And I made him listen to Dylan and me having sex all night long. “Congratulations! I wish you both a lifetime of happiness!” Everyone at the wedding thought I was just a late-arriving guest. They all smiled at me warmly. Only the groom, Ryan, stared at me in disbelief. He thought I was joking. When he saw my serious expression, he reluctantly let go of Vanessa’s hand and pulled me into a corner. His brows furrowed. “Miranda, what the hell are you doing?” He had some nerve asking me that. Last week, I went on a business trip overseas. I was worried about their safety at home, so I took a shortcut to get back early. I almost died in a foreign country. And what did I come home to? My five-year-old daughter eating expired bread by herself while Ryan was busy having a wedding ceremony with his first love, Vanessa. When I walked into the hotel, I saw them kissing sweetly and making sincere vows. “Whether in poverty or wealth, in sickness or in health, through good times or bad, I promise to spend my life with Vanessa…” He looked so devoted. I could see the focus in his eyes. But when we got married, he asked the officiant to skip the vows entirely. Said it was too much trouble. Turns out it wasn’t the vows he had a problem with. It was the person he was making them to. When he greeted Vanessa’s parents, he called them “Mom and Dad” so naturally, so smoothly. Like it was the most normal thing in the world. But in our six years of marriage, he’d never once called my parents that way. If this thing with Vanessa was just an act, then what were all these years with me? My heart turned to ash. I said flatly: “I made myself perfectly clear. You two should be together. I’m bowing out.” Ryan frowned and scoffed. “Miranda, can you stop being so damn dramatic? My patience has limits.” “I already explained everything. Vanessa and I are fake married. It’s just to put her parents’ minds at ease. And you’re making this into some huge thing!” I smiled coldly. “Don’t flatter yourself. I really am done. Don’t worry, I’ll file for divorce as soon as possible. I won’t hold you back.” Ryan looked shocked, like he couldn’t believe I’d actually say that. “You…” Before he could finish, I turned to leave the hotel. But Vanessa grabbed my arm. Her eyes were red. She kept apologizing. “I’m so sorry, Miranda. Please let me explain.” “My parents have been so worried about my marriage. I didn’t want them stressed anymore, so Ryan and I staged this. We should have talked to you first. I’m really sorry.” Ryan pulled the apologizing Vanessa close. His voice was ice cold. “Why are you apologizing to her? She’s just petty and loves to throw tantrums. Let her be mad. Ignore her!” I knew from the day I married Ryan that he still carried a torch for his first love, Vanessa. I thought after we got married, I could win him over with my love. But what did he do? He took everything I gave him for granted. I was done with this one-sided relationship. If someone else wanted to keep it going, they were welcome to it. Faced with his shameless behavior, I felt nothing anymore. No anger. No excitement. I just wanted to cut ties with this man completely.

When I didn’t respond, Vanessa put on a pitiful act. “Miranda, how about this? I’ll tell all the guests the truth and apologize to you in front of everyone.” “It’s no big deal for me. I’ll just never be able to show my face in front of my family and friends again. My elderly parents will worry themselves sick. But as long as it doesn’t hurt your marriage, I’m willing to make that sacrifice.” She sounded so tragic, but all I heard was fake nonsense. Ryan ate it up though. He glared at me, about to lay into me, when Vanessa’s dad walked over. “Ryan, what’s going on? Why are you arguing with some woman at your wedding?” Ryan immediately switched to obedient mode when he saw Vanessa’s parents. “Dad, this is just a friend of mine. She was passing by and wanted to congratulate me.” He could introduce me like that without missing a beat. All for Vanessa. I guess in his mind, I was just some stranger who happened to live under the same roof. I looked at him, and for a split second, I saw panic in his eyes. Whatever. I’d let them have their moment. Facing the confused looks from Vanessa’s family and friends, I decided to play along. “That’s right. I’m just his friend. I came to say congratulations. I’m leaving now. You all have fun.” Maybe my decisiveness got to Ryan. For a moment, it looked like he wanted to chase after me. But Vanessa held him back. “Ryan, don’t go. Everyone’s waiting for us to greet them.” “After the ceremony, I’ll come with you to talk to Miranda. Once she calms down, everything will be fine.” Ryan stopped in his tracks. I walked out of the hotel without looking back. When I got home, Lily threw herself into my arms. “Mommy, you’re finally home! I don’t have to sleep alone tonight.” “Mommy, the wind was so scary at night. I was so scared hiding under the blankets by myself.” Looking at Lily’s sweet little face, my heart ached. I regretted going on that business trip and leaving her alone with her useless father. I saw that all the food I’d prepared for her was gone. I praised her: “Wow, you ate everything I made for you. Good job!” Lily pouted. “Mommy, I’m so hungry. Daddy hasn’t made me food in three days. He said he was busy with that lady…” My nose stung. Guilt washed over me. I stroked Lily’s head and pressed my cheek against hers. “Then Mommy will cook for you right now. I’ll make you something really good for lunch.” Lily jumped up and down with joy. “Yay! Mommy’s home, I can eat now!” Hearing her words made my heart ache. I turned and went into the kitchen to make something good for Lily. But when I opened the fridge, it was empty except for two eggs. Clearly, no one had cooked here in days. I had no choice but to make Lily some simple egg noodles. Even so, it made her beam with happiness. “Mommy’s the best! The egg noodles are so yummy.” Looking at Lily’s innocent smile, I felt a mix of emotions. Just then, the door clicked open. Ryan walked in with a long face, carrying a takeout container. He tossed it on the table and glared at me. “What’s this? This is all you’re feeding Lily? What kind of mother are you?”

I didn’t want to fight in front of Lily. I just gave him a warning look to back off. Seeing my expression, Ryan seemed to remember our rule about not fighting in front of Lily. He didn’t say anything more, but his eyes still looked defiant. Vanessa followed him in. She quickly inserted herself between us with a big smile and opened the takeout container. “Miranda, we had the hotel save this for you. We knew you and Lily hadn’t eaten, so we brought it up.” I glanced at it. A fish with nothing left but bones and a few chili peppers. Clearly leftovers from the banquet. Lily was allergic to fish. I was worried she’d react even being near it, so I pushed the container away. Seeing this, Ryan assumed I was deliberately trying to humiliate Vanessa. He lost it. “Vanessa, ignore them. Eat it or don’t!” I didn’t want to say another word to him, but I couldn’t help myself. “Ryan, did you forget that Lily’s allergic to seafood and fish?” Ryan’s brows furrowed slightly. He seemed to remember something. Everyone in my family breaks out in hives from fish. Lily was the same. I’d repeatedly told Ryan not to let Lily near fish, but he never took it seriously. And of course, Vanessa loved fish. Whenever they went out to eat, they’d order it. Sometimes they’d even bring Lily along. Every time they came back from those meals, Lily’s face would be covered in red hives. I’d apply medicine to her, heartbroken, and criticize him for taking Lily to eat fish. He’d just shrug it off. “A few hives, a little itching. It’s no big deal.” Until one time, Lily’s allergic reaction got so severe her throat swelled up and she couldn’t breathe. We got her to the hospital just in time. After that, Ryan seemed to learn his lesson. He stopped bringing Lily along when he went out to eat with Vanessa. But that didn’t last long. To keep eating out with Vanessa, he started leaving Lily home alone with a pile of snacks and toys to keep her occupied. Once, Lily choked on a snack while home alone. Luckily, I came home from work just in time to save her. And now he was bringing fish home for Lily again. Clearly, Lily and I both mattered less to him than a single finger of Vanessa, the woman who’d abandoned him once before. Vanessa saw Ryan’s embarrassment and quickly came to his rescue. “Oh, I’m so sorry. I was the one who packed it. I forgot Lily was allergic to fish…” Ryan looked at Vanessa gratefully. His tone softened. “Vanessa meant well, Miranda. Don’t make a big deal out of it.” “Today was my fault for not thinking things through. Tomorrow I’ll cook a big meal at home to make it up to you and Lily. That should be fine, right?” Just then, a commotion came from outside the door, followed by the sound of keys in the lock. I was confused. Who else besides Ryan and me had keys to our place? The answer came in the form of Vanessa’s parents bragging to their friends and family. “This is my baby’s new home. Over 1,400 square feet!”

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After the car accident, I saw words written by my long-deceased mother floating before my eyes. “Baby, Declan slept with another woman before he married you!” I was completely stunned. Mother’s words continued appearing before my eyes. “In your past life, he destroyed you. After you married him, you were kidnapped and nearly killed, but he was too busy celebrating Rain’s birthday with her!” “Sweetheart, this time don’t choose Declan. Choose the heir of the Pierce family – steady and loyal!” The next second, Father walked into the lounge and laid out photos of heirs from several major families in front of me, asking me to pick a husband. Without hesitation, I chose my sworn enemy, Adrian Pierce. I’d always listened to Mother. If Mother said Declan didn’t love me, then I didn’t want him anymore. My father, the Don of our mafia family, looked at me hesitantly. “Faye, you and the Harrington boy have always been at each other’s throats. Are you sure you want to marry him? Think carefully – this determines control of the entire organization. There’s no going back.” He’d established a rule: whichever family’s heir married me would gain complete control of the Giovani family’s power and resources. Mrs. Harrington was also shocked and quickly tried to dissuade me. “Faye, even though Declan lost his memory and forgot about you, didn’t you love him the most? Why won’t you wait for him? Maybe once you two are married, he’ll remember everything.” Words from Mother appeared before my eyes: “Nonsense! In your past life, that mistress Rain broke my baby’s heirloom necklace, and my child didn’t even complain much, but Declan threw her out of the family banquet. Poor thing almost got kidnapped outside!” “It was Adrian who came to put a coat over my child and took her somewhere safe to rest. Sure, his words are harsh, but his heart is good.” At those words, my heart clenched painfully. I didn’t understand why Mother kept talking about a past life, kept mentioning things that happened, but her words felt like I’d lived through them myself. They made my chest tighten, like a boulder was crushing it. Besides, Rain really was Declan’s first love. They had a deep history, and I was just the one who came later. “Father, I’ve made my choice. I want Adrian Pierce.” Father put away the photos and patted my shoulder. “Alright, I respect your decision. In two days, I’ll announce your engagement to Adrian to our world.” Words appeared before my eyes from Mother: “That’s right. This time my baby will definitely be happy.” Father went to discuss business with some senior members. I changed my clothes, wanting to go out for a walk. But I didn’t expect to find three tall young men with distinct temperaments standing outside the door. They’d all grown up with me and were candidates for my husband. Declan was there too. Only Adrian was absent. Jason walked over to me with a grin, curious. “Faye, I heard the Don wants to choose one of us to marry you. Who did you pick?” Marcus teased. “Do you even need to ask? It’s obviously Declan. Everyone in our world knows Faye is crazy about him, considers him her soulmate.” Declan glanced at me coolly. “I don’t remember what happened these past three years. I only remember that Rain is the love of my life.” “But I know that in those three years I’ve forgotten, we were together. Even though I don’t love you now, I won’t disobey orders. Once the marriage is arranged, I’ll fulfill my duty.” Words from Mother appeared before my eyes: “In your past life he used fake amnesia to openly mess around with Rain while stealing my baby’s family territory and business, until he left my child with nothing and she died! Bad man, get lost!” Looking at Declan’s indifferent expression, without Mother’s warning, I probably would have believed his lies. I really did like him. I’d even thought he liked me back. Like three years ago when he held that grand fireworks show for me. His gaze was so full of feeling, his words so touching. “Faye, I want to marry you. I want to make you the happiest woman alive.” I was so moved. I committed to him, and for three years our families grew close. But I never imagined that from the very beginning, he’d never cut ties with Rain. He just couldn’t afford to offend me, so he put on an act of loving me.

Now he probably couldn’t keep up the performance, so he simply faked amnesia and openly declared he only remembered Rain, reluctantly agreeing to marry me to get my family’s power and resources. There’s no such free lunch in this world. I wanted to argue with Declan, but seeing how confident he was that I’d chosen him, I swallowed my words. Let him be smug for two more days. When he hears Father publicly announce the truth at the banquet, I’m curious to see his reaction. Seeing my silence, Jason lightly bumped my shoulder. “Faye, so is Declan the one you chose?” I said calmly, “You’ll all find out at the family banquet in two days.” With that, I turned to leave. Behind me, Marcus clicked his tongue twice. “Declan, she definitely chose you. Let me tell you, back when your family’s business was in trouble, Faye searched everywhere for connections. When she heard there was an opportunity up north, she went alone to negotiate and almost got herself killed. She’s crazy about you.” “Is that so?” Declan laughed softly, his voice magnetic. “I had no idea she was so devoted to me.” My heart twisted painfully, but I held back my tears. My obsession with Declan was an open secret. Everyone laughed at how blind I was, but I didn’t care. I lost my birth parents young, and my adoptive parents were constantly traveling for family business. I became an easily overlooked legitimate heir in the organization. Only Declan would step up to defend me when other family heirs challenged me. I’d depended on him since childhood. When he proposed to me, I was overjoyed and swore to support him with all my family’s power. But all his protection had ulterior motives. He didn’t deserve my sincere feelings. “Faye, wait.” Someone called out behind me. I turned to see Declan. He walked up to me arrogantly. “I know you just chose me. I’ll fulfill the marriage contract, but my heart belongs only to Rain. I hope you understand and won’t interfere too much between us.” I stared at him steadily. “Aren’t you suffering from amnesia and forgot a lot of things? Why are you so sure I chose you?” Declan frowned. “Everyone says your heart beats only for me. Who else would you choose besides me?” I smiled bitterly. So Declan knew about my complete devotion to him. Did he have to trample on my sincerity like this? “Don’t worry. From now on I won’t maintain our relationship one-sidedly anymore. I’ll let you two be together.” And I figured if he knew I’d chosen Adrian, he’d probably be thrilled. Hearing my quick agreement, Declan froze for a moment. I continued walking toward the main hall. He instinctively reached out to grab me. Suddenly there was a commotion. A clumsy server rushed over with a tray, and scalding soup splashed onto my leg. I stumbled and fell, my palm scraping against the rough floor. Pain instantly swept over me. Rain’s face changed. She quickly put down what she was holding, trying to help me up. “Faye, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to. Please don’t be mad at me.” Before I could speak, words from Mother appeared: “This bad girl is so awful! In your past life she did the same thing – either playing weak or making accusations, wrapping Declan around her finger. Neither of them is any good!”

Seeing Rain’s eyes turn red with distress, Declan was predictably heartbroken. “It’s okay, Rain. It’s just a small accident. With me here, no one will blame you.” He helped Rain up, then looked at me with a warning in his eyes. “You just got scalded a little. You’re strong – you won’t make a big deal out of this, right?” My leg was red and still hurting. I struggled to stand up. Rain looked at me pitifully. “Faye, I’m so sorry. I wasn’t watching where I was going. I’ll punish myself to apologize.” She was about to scratch her arm with her nails. Declan quickly grabbed her hand and looked at me with displeasure. “Faye, Rain didn’t do it on purpose. Can you stop using your status to bully people?” Words from Mother appeared: “Idiot! My child hasn’t said a single word, and that bad girl is putting on a show herself. Why is he saying my child is bullying her? So infuriating! Baby, stand up straight! Teach him a lesson!” At those words, I simply and decisively raised my hand and slapped her hard across the face. Then I looked at Declan. “See that? That’s what bullying looks like.” Rain froze. Declan also froze, his eyes turning cold. “Faye, you’ve gone too far…” I raised my hand and slapped him hard too. “That’s what going too far looks like.” All these years, I’d devoted myself to following him and never confronted him directly. My action shocked him completely. Declan stared at me in disbelief, his teeth clenched. “Fine. Very good. But you dared to hit me, so don’t regret it.” “Rain, let me take you to see a doctor.” Words from Mother appeared: “He won’t check on his future wife’s injury but feels sorry for another woman. Marrying someone like this is what you’d regret! My poor child, that must have hurt.” I looked down at my still-painful wound. The sourness and grievance in my heart could no longer be suppressed. In the past, whenever I got hurt and showed even a bit of pain, Declan would be frantic with worry. Maybe that concern was fake, but at least the company was real. Now he turned a blind eye to my injury and even blamed me, afraid I’d make things difficult for his precious one. What Mother said was becoming more and more real. Even if I married him, it would just be repeating the same mistakes and suffering the same consequences. I went to find a doctor to treat the scrapes on my hand. Many people around me were looking in a certain direction. I looked too. On the patio beyond a wall, I saw Rain and Declan nestled together intimately. I heard her say softly, “Declan, if Faye found out you’re only pretending to have amnesia so we can be together openly, she’d go crazy.” Declan stroked her hair. “So what if she knows? Everyone knows Faye’s heart beats only for me. Even with my ‘amnesia,’ she’ll still beg to marry me so I can get all the Giovani family’s power.” Words from Mother appeared: “In his dreams! My child didn’t choose you this time and won’t marry you. Hmph, wait until the engagement banquet when it’s announced publicly. Let’s see how smug you are then!” I laughed too, though my pale face held no trace of amusement. Not wanting to hear more, I held my treated hand and prepared to leave. Just then, terrified screams and gunshots came from outside: “Someone’s broken in! They have guns! Everyone run!” The shouts hit the crowd like a bomb. I instinctively ran with the panicked crowd, but an intruder grabbed me and raised a club, swinging it at me!

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Five years after my firefighter husband supposedly died saving me from a burning building, I accidentally walked in on him celebrating his child’s birthday party with his childhood sweetheart. Daniel froze when he saw me. His friends immediately crowded in front of him like a human shield. “Clara, don’t do anything crazy. Daniel had his reasons for faking his death.” His childhood friend Summer begged through tears: “I’m sorry, Clara. The baby needs his father. Please, just let us be together. I love him too much.” July 23rd, 2019. Seven days after the fire that supposedly killed Daniel. That day, everyone who knew us said I was the one who killed him. The fire department’s investigation report stated: Due to family member’s emotional breakdown and unauthorized entry into the fire scene, rescue team member Daniel sacrificed his life protecting her. His parents collapsed at the funeral, cursing me: “Why aren’t you dead? Why wasn’t it you instead?” I thought I truly deserved to die. So after Daniel’s funeral, I swallowed an entire bottle of sleeping pills. But my neighbor found me and called 911. As they pumped my stomach in the ER, I heard the nurses whispering: “That’s her… the one who got her husband killed…” No one knew why I suddenly ran into that fire. That day, I received a call from an unknown number saying Daniel was trapped on the second floor of the warehouse and running out of time. I rushed in like a madwoman, only to see a burning beam crash down. The fire was too intense. The fire department said nothing was left of his body. But what I didn’t know was that at that exact moment, Daniel was at the hospital with Summer for her prenatal checkup, taking this photo together. I took a glass of champagne from the server and walked straight toward the main table, meeting everyone’s shocked stares. Summer instinctively pulled the baby closer to her chest. Daniel practically jumped up to block her: “Clara, let me explain…” Those friends who once comforted me now stood up in unison, forming a wall between us. “Clara, calm down. Daniel had no choice back then. That fire was suspicious. Someone was after him… He faked his death to protect you, really!” I laughed. Did they actually think I was going to throw champagne in a baby’s face? How amusing. I casually picked an empty seat at the next table and raised my glass toward Summer and Daniel: “The baby’s adorable. I wish him a healthy life.” I downed the champagne in one gulp. The cheap alcohol burned my throat, making me cough until my eyes watered. “Enough! Clara, if you have a problem, take it up with me. Don’t make a scene here!” Daniel pushed through the people blocking him and strode over, his brows knitted tight. “Five years, and you’re still the same. Do you have to embarrass people at an event like this?” He thought I was here to cause trouble. The disgust in his eyes was practically overflowing. I didn’t know how to explain. I really had just walked into the wrong room. I was here for my company’s year-end dinner in the hall next door. I could only helplessly point at my business suit: “I was at a meeting next door. Wrong room.” But Daniel didn’t believe me. He grabbed my wrist, so hard my bones ached. “Stop being stubborn. About what happened back then… I wronged you. After the party ends, I’ll take you home.” Summer’s face went pale. She stood up holding the baby: “Daniel…” Daniel turned back, his tone softening: “Summer, I just don’t want her emotional state to affect the baby. Don’t worry.” But his grip on my hand didn’t loosen. I pulled free forcefully and stepped back, forcing an ugly smile: “That wouldn’t be appropriate, Mr. Hayes. Your wife and child are watching.” He acted like he didn’t hear me and reached for me again. I found it absurd. Five years apart, and he’d changed this much?

Memories flooded in like a broken dam, a dull pain spreading through my chest. This champagne was cheap but packed a punch. My vision started to blur. Daniel’s face split into double images. I didn’t want to stay any longer. I turned to leave but stumbled. The next second, I was airborne as he scooped me up in his arms. “Drunk like this and still acting tough!” He was actually carrying me out in front of everyone. The guests erupted in shocked murmurs. Summer’s parents shot to their feet, their faces dark. Summer’s father barked: “Daniel! Put her down! Do you realize what day this is? Have you lost your mind?” Summer’s mother started crying: “Summer just gave birth to your child, and this is how you treat her? Are you even human?” Summer held the baby, tears streaming down her face, but she bit her lip and said nothing. She just looked at Daniel with heartbroken eyes. Anyone watching would curse us as cheating scum. Daniel’s steps faltered. He looked down at Summer, something flickering in his eyes. I seized the chance to struggle: “Put me down!” He only held tighter and said to Summer’s parents: “Mom, Dad, Clara’s had too much to drink. I’ll take her home and come right back.” Summer finally broke down crying: “Daniel… you’re choosing her, aren’t you? Fine. I’ll leave. I’ll take the baby and leave…” She turned as if to rush out with the child. The scene descended into chaos. Daniel’s face went white. He called out urgently: “Summer! Don’t do this! I’m just taking her home. You’ll always be my wife!” Such familiar words. He used to say: “Summer’s just like a sister. You’ll always be the one I love most.” I closed my eyes, feeling exhausted. Home? I didn’t have a home anymore. When they shoved me into the car, my stomach churned and I started dry heaving. It was a physical revulsion, a conditioned reflex accumulated from five years of waking up screaming from nightmares. The cause of Daniel’s supposed death was that warehouse fire. That day was our third wedding anniversary. I’d made a reservation early and waited for him to get off work. But by 9 PM, he still hadn’t shown up. His phone went straight to voicemail. At 10 PM, I got a call from an unknown number. A man’s voice, breathing heavily: “Daniel’s trapped in the old warehouse on West Street. The fire’s too big. He told me to tell you… he loves you…” In the background, I could hear the crackling of flames and Daniel’s muffled shouts: “Clara, don’t come!” I rushed there like a madwoman. Fire trucks surrounded the building. Police tape blocked the perimeter. I heard someone yelling: “Daniel’s still inside!” I didn’t think. I just ran in. Through the thick smoke, I saw Daniel collapsed by some shelving. I lunged forward to pull him up when a burning beam came crashing down… He shoved me away with all his strength. The blast wave threw me backward. When I looked back, all I saw was a sea of flames. Later, the investigation report said my unauthorized entry interfered with the rescue, causing Daniel to sacrifice himself protecting me. His parents tore up our marriage certificate and threw me out of their house. My mom called, crying: “Clara, honey, I know you’re hurting. But your brother’s got a girlfriend now, and her family heard about what happened… They think it’s disturbing. Could you… maybe not come home for a while?” Even my own family didn’t want me anymore. So I started trying to kill myself. The first time, I slit my wrists in the bathtub. My landlord found me after a leak from upstairs alerted him. They rushed me to the hospital. The second time, I jumped into the river. The winter water was freezing. As I sank, an old man on his daily swim pulled me out. The third time was sleeping pills again. This time I was smarter. I went to a small motel in the suburbs. But the owner noticed something was wrong and called the cops. When they pumped my stomach, the doctor looked at me with complicated eyes: “Miss, the person who died for you would want you to live well.” But no one wanted me to live. Except Rachel.

Rachel was Summer’s cousin and my college classmate. When she found me, I was running a high fever in my rental, hadn’t eaten in three days. She didn’t lecture me. She just made me some soup, sat on the bed, and said calmly: “Clara, if I were you, I’d live well. I’d live better than everyone else and make those who wronged me watch. Show them I’m fine without them.” “Dying is easy. Living is hard. Do you dare to choose the hard way?” I looked at her and suddenly started crying. After that, Rachel visited often. She took me out to eat, forced me to leave the house, even helped me find a new job. She said: “You need to stand up, Clara. Not for anyone else. For yourself.” I thought I’d finally found a lifeline. But just as I was getting better and preparing to start a new life, something happened to Rachel. A car accident. The other driver was drunk. Hit her car head-on. She died instantly. I went to the morgue to identify the body. The police handed me a charred phone, said they found it in the car. The last message was to me, never sent. It read: “Clara, I found something wrong with Daniel’s fire. It might be connected to Sum…” The rest was never typed. I gripped the phone, my whole body turning cold. At Rachel’s funeral, Summer came too, crying so hard she nearly fainted: “Cousin… how could you just leave like this…” Daniel’s parents patted her back consolingly: “Summer, dear, stay strong. You’re still young. You have to look forward.” In that moment, I suddenly felt like there was an invisible net that had trapped me long ago. And every time I struggled, it only tightened. “You okay? Why are you throwing up so much?” Daniel handed me a bottle of water, then pulled at his expensive suit sleeve, trying to wipe the corner of my mouth. His movements were as gentle as a considerate husband. I found it bitterly ironic. He was indeed a husband. Just not mine. “Clara…” Summer had followed us out. She’d changed into comfortable postpartum clothes, her hair messy, tear stains still on her face, the baby in her arms. “What happened back then… we wronged you. You can hate me however you want. Hit me, yell at me, I’ll accept it all…” She choked up, her voice soft as cotton. “Even… if you still want to be with Daniel, I… I can step aside. I’ll raise the child myself.” I opened my mouth, wanting to say I never thought that way. Five years later, I couldn’t even muster the energy to hate anymore. But Daniel interrupted first, his tone stern: “Summer! What are you saying!” “That’s all in the past. Clara’s doing well now. Stop bringing it up. You’re only making it harder for her.” Summer looked relieved, wiped her tears, and reached for my hand with concern. “Actually, I’ve been worried about you these five years. Afraid you’d do something… I…” She stopped mid-sentence. Her gaze fixed on my wrist, where several pale white scars crisscrossed like ugly centipedes. Daniel’s breathing suddenly became heavy. He silently pulled out a cigarette pack, lit one, and took a deep drag. In the swirling smoke, no one spoke. I remembered he didn’t used to smoke. Summer said softly: “He smokes when he’s stressed. Just never let you know. It’s… a habit between us.” She looked at Daniel, her eyes tender and affectionate. Between them, there were always so many habits I could never be part of. When we got back in the car, Summer and the baby took the front, so I was squeezed into the back seat. “Sorry, Summer can’t be in a draft.” The window slowly closed. I had severe claustrophobia. Ever since that fire, enclosed spaces made me feel like I was suffocating. The car drove for a long time in deathly silence. Daniel finally spoke, trying to break the awkwardness: “How are your parents? Haven’t seen them in a while.” “Mom died of a heart attack last year. Dad moved back to his hometown. Said the city made him uncomfortable.” My voice was so calm I could’ve been talking about strangers. The car screeched to a halt. I nearly slammed into the front seat. Through the rearview mirror, I saw Daniel’s hands shaking. Cigarette ash fell onto his pants without him noticing. My parents had opposed our relationship at first, thinking firefighting was too dangerous. It was Daniel who visited repeatedly, changing light bulbs and fixing pipes for them, playing chess with my dad, massaging my mom’s shoulders. When my dad finally relented, he said: “This kid really cares about you. Fine. As long as you’re happy.” When my mom was dying, she held my hand and said: “Clara, Mom’s sorry. We shouldn’t have pressured you back then… You’re alone now. Take care of yourself.” Daniel didn’t dare ask more. Because he knew. My mom’s illness came from years of anguish, from her daughter becoming “the murderer who killed her husband,” from being unable to hold her head up among the neighbors. It killed her slowly. The air froze. Summer quickly jumped in, her voice trembling: “So… where are you living now? We’ll take you home.” “Riverside Psychiatric Hospital. Inpatient ward, third floor. Bed 307.”

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Mason broke up with me again. This time, I packed my bags and moved out in a flash. Day one: I canceled the wedding planner. Day two: I turned off the automatic payments for his mother’s treatment program. Day three: I accepted my boss’s transfer offer, ready to settle down in a new city down south. The moment the plane took off, a sudden curiosity hit me. Without me, his free, live-in housekeeper of ten years. Without me, his ever-available ATM. How would Mason Blackwood manage to care for his paralyzed mother, handle his materialistic sister, and deal with the female secretary he kept on a pedestal? Last month, I turned thirty-three. I hinted, full of hope, that I wanted a lipstick. Mason looked at me, utterly surprised, and scoffed. “At your age, no lipstick will look good on you.” But then he turned around and bought his secretary twelve different shades. Now, it was time for me to leave. As soon as I canceled the wedding planner, Mason’s message popped up. [Pick up my sister from the station tonight at 8:30 PM.] This was the first time Mason had contacted me since our cold war started. I sneered and deleted the message. That night, I arrived back at the Blackwood house. Shoes and suitcases were strewn across the floor, catching my eye immediately. Chloe Blackwood poked her head out of the bathroom and rolled her eyes at me. “Audrey, where the hell were you? Do you know how long I waited at the station? I had to take a cab back! If anything had happened to me on the way, my brother would kill you!” “I’m hungry! I want takeout! Hurry up!” I calmly looked at Chloe, my gaze falling on her feet. She was wearing a pair of two-thousand-dollar shoes—a gift I’d bought her for college. She dressed better than I usually did. I had spent so much money on her, yet I never received a shred of kindness in return. And yet, I’d endured this exact routine for ten years. I pulled out my phone in front of her and messaged Mason. “I’ve already told your brother you don’t have money for food. If you don’t mind waiting, then wait. He’s got jet lag, after all, being overseas.” Chloe stared, stunned by my words. I said nothing more and walked into the master bedroom. The next morning. I was woken by a chaotic racket outside the door. Chloe had trashed the kitchen and living room. Water had overflowed from the bathroom, making the tiled floor a slippery mess. When I emerged, Chloe not only showed no remorse but defiantly flicked soapy water onto the floor. I watched her actions in silence, neither stopping her nor, as I usually would, obediently grabbing a mop to clean up. Instead, I calmly returned to my room to finish packing my remaining items. It was pretty funny, really. This wasn’t my house anymore. Why should I rush? With my last few things packed, I wheeled my suitcase out. “Where are you going?!” Chloe blocked my path. I brushed her off casually, “Business trip for half a month. I’m taking my things to the office.” Chloe pursed her lips, crossing her arms with an arrogant expression. “Some people go abroad for academic exchanges, brilliant minds, while others are just corporate drones, slaving away on late-night business trips. You know what that means? Some people just have it rough.” “I’m meeting friends for dinner this afternoon. Transfer me some cash, or I’ll tell my brother you’re abusing me!” Her defiant, clawing gesture made her seem absolutely certain I couldn’t do anything to her. It was laughable, really. I had played the dutiful, fawning partner for Mason for ten years. For him, I had even sucked up to his family for a decade. Now that I stopped, they were furious. I suddenly burst out laughing, pointing at her and looking her up and down. “Your mom’s medical bills? I paid them. Your brother’s tuition? I covered it. Your college education? I funded it. Your entire family of three lived off me, and even the clothes you’re wearing right now? I bought them…” “Next time you want to be disrespectful, consider if you can afford to pay me back.” Chloe’s face turned scarlet. Speechless, she spun around, ran back to her room, and slammed the door shut. Back in my new apartment, a notification popped up on my phone. I opened it. It was the payment reminder for Mason’s mother’s treatment. The hospital informed me the payment was due in five days and urged me to ensure sufficient funds were in the account. After Mason and I started dating, I couldn’t bear to see him juggling work and studies while also caring for his paralyzed mother and young sister. So, I offered to help. I thought if I treated people sincerely, I’d get the same in return. Too bad I encountered an ungrateful leech. With that thought, I didn’t hesitate. I canceled the automatic payments and unlinked my card. Let someone else be the sucker. I’m out.

Late that night. Mason’s international call came as expected. The moment I picked up, his angry shout erupted, like a gunshot to my eardrums. “Chloe says you didn’t pick her up! She had to take a cab home alone, and then you didn’t even make her dinner? And you complained about her spending too much on takeout?” “Audrey, I’m not home, and this is how you treat my sister? If you don’t change your attitude, I’ll have to rethink our relationship!” At that, I simply hummed. “Then when you get back, let’s meet up and talk things out.” My unexpected reaction made Mason fall silent for a moment. “What ‘things’? Is it that wedding planner again? Why don’t you use your free time to enrich yourself instead of always thinking about getting married? Aren’t you ashamed? I’ll be back the day after tomorrow. We’ll see how well you convince me.” He softened his tone, but his words were visibly perfunctory. He’d probably forgotten. The first year we were together, he’d sworn he’d give me the grandest wedding the day he became a Ph.D. I waited seven years for him to finally achieve it. So, I had excitedly compared wedding planners. The first year, I presented him with carefully chosen plans, and he, slightly apologetic, said he was too swamped with his studies to think about marriage. The second year, he finally finished his busiest period and even agreed to try on wedding dresses with me. But that day, I waited 24 hours in a wedding dress, only to get a message that he’d overslept. The third year, I canceled the wedding planner. I took a deep breath and slowly began, “Mason, it’s not about the wedding…” Before I could finish, I heard a girl’s gasp from his end. Mason hung up without another word. I stared at my phone, not calling back. Time quickly passed to the day Mason was due back. He messaged me in advance to pick him up, but I ignored it. He called again, saying he only had time on the day he arrived. The next day, he had to go back to the lab and wouldn’t be available for days. To avoid a difficult conversation, I still went to pick him up. Traffic was heavy, and I didn’t arrive until eleven PM. The airport exterior was brightly lit at night. Through the glass, I saw Serena Hayes resting her forehead against Mason’s broad back, swaying her head from side to side, acting playful. I leaned on the horn. The two lovebirds scattered like startled pigeons. Mason saw my face, walked over, and slapped the car window, making loud thuds. “Didn’t I tell you to be here at seven? Look at the time now!” I lowered the window slightly, seeing his face pale from the cold. “Traffic.” Mason was seething, about to say more, but I cut him off. “If you don’t get in the car, your secretary is going to freeze solid.” Mason paused, no longer looking to pick a fight with me. He quickly opened the back door for Serena to get in first. Then he looked at me, silently urging me to get out and help with his luggage. I was on my phone, replying to a colleague’s message, ignoring his gaze. Inside the car, Serena peered at me through the rearview mirror. I calmly met her gaze. My eyes landed on the very familiar scarf around her neck. It was Mason’s scarf. He wore it constantly every winter. Last Christmas, Mason finally agreed to watch a movie with me. After the movie, I was shivering in the cold wind. A guy next to us wrapped his scarf around his girlfriend, telling her not to take it off. I felt a pang of envy and nudged Mason, hinting. He immediately frowned, stating bluntly that I shouldn’t even think about it. “I don’t like sharing my scarf with others.” But now, his scarf was securely wrapped around Serena’s neck. It turned out he didn’t dislike sharing with others; he just disliked sharing with me. Serena noticed my gaze and offered an embarrassed smile, her voice soft. “It was so cold waiting for the car earlier. Mason gave it to me. Audrey, please don’t get the wrong idea.” I smiled back. “It’s just a scarf, no big deal. But Mason really doesn’t know how to treat people. It’s so cold; he should have just called you a cab instead of making you wait for me. What’s the point of saving a few bucks on fare if you end up catching a cold and needing to see a doctor?” “Wouldn’t you agree, Serena?” Serena’s smile faded.

The streets were nearly empty in the dead of night, and I sped up. Following Mason’s instructions, I dropped Serena off first. In a blink, only two of us remained in the car. I glanced at the steering wheel. “Let’s talk.” Mason pinched the bridge of his nose, his voice impatient. “What’s so urgent that we have to talk now?” “I’ve been on a plane for over ten hours. Can’t you let me rest?” Unlike before, I didn’t show any sympathy. I simply refused. “No, some things are better cleared up now.” Mason scoffed. “What could you possibly want to talk about with me? It’s just that wedding stuff, isn’t it…?” Mason’s sarcastic remark was cut short by his phone ringing. He picked up, his expression changing. “Okay, wait for me!” Mason hung up and, without a word, moved to get out of the car. I called out to him. “We haven’t finished talking about us.” Mason looked at me incredulously, as if I were some cold-blooded monster. “Serena fell in the bathroom! This is a matter of life and death! I have to go see her!” I let out a breath. “If she fell, she should call a doctor. Wait for the doctor to arrive. If it’s serious, and she’s broken a bone, do you really think you’ll be more… professional than…” “Enough!” Mason roared impatiently, “You’re just jealous, aren’t you? You’re just afraid I’ll leave you! Fine, I’m saying it now: we’re breaking up! I, Mason, don’t want you anymore! Is that good enough?!” Mason finished speaking, then turned and ran towards the entrance of a nearby apartment complex. I silently watched his retreating back, forming words without a sound. “Yes, it is.” Perhaps it was losing out in love, but gaining in career. Two days later, I received news from my boss, Mr. Davies. I had been recommended to a new company to expand their market, with a significant increase in salary. It was a promotion. I didn’t think twice before accepting. I booked a flight for the next day. That evening, some close colleagues organized a farewell party for me. The venue was a well-known restaurant in the city. I walked in with the crowd. I saw Mason’s figure disappear into a private room nearby. I calmly looked away, treating him like a stranger. But later, passing by the room on my way to the restroom. I heard Mason’s arrogant voice from inside. “Marriage? When did I ever say I wanted to get married?” “I’m academically successful, with a promising future. Would I ever look twice at a woman who has no looks, no culture, and no family background?” Someone, egging him on, spoke up. “But Mason, weren’t you with Audrey for ten years? If you break up, won’t she make a scene?” Mason was silent for a moment, then laughed twice. “That’s easy, just string her along. She’s been with me so long, she’s practically used goods. She’s not getting any younger, so she’ll do whatever I say.” “Like for her birthday this year, she was practically begging me for a lipstick. I chewed her out for it, and she didn’t dare say a single peep. But later, on her birthday, I still got her a lipstick—a $7.99 knockoff of a high-end brand. She treasured it like it was something priceless, hahahaha.” Laughter and shouts of encouragement erupted from the room. The emotions I thought I’d smoothed over felt like freshly torn wounds. The pain spread, relentless. I clenched my fists tightly and turned back. After the dinner. I contacted Sarah, a colleague who had a lawyer in her family. I handed the ten years of expense records to the lawyer. She glanced at them, raised an eyebrow, and promised she’d help me get every penny back. The next morning. I boarded the plane to City B. When I landed and turned on my phone, I received a call from Mason. His accusatory voice was more urgent than ever before. “Audrey, what’s going on? You forgot to pay for my mom’s treatment! How could you forget something so important? You almost killed my mom!” “And you haven’t visited my mom this week, have you? Is that how a daughter-in-law acts? I’m giving you one more chance: renew the payment within three minutes, or we’re done!” Listening to the grating voice on the other end. At this moment, all I wanted to do was laugh out loud. It was his mother lying in that hospital bed. If he truly cared, why would he need anyone else to remind him? If he were a truly filial son, he would have paid the bill himself long ago. Why wait for me? I flagged down a taxi, taking one last look at the call screen. “Then, as you wish. We’re done.”

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The entire preschool was under lockdown, held by kidnappers. “No cops! We release children based on who pays the most!” a voice roared through a megaphone. In my previous life, I paid double the ransom, desperate for my daughter, Lily, to be the first one safe. But my husband, David, the leader of the rescue team, insisted on “fairness,” placing her last on the list. Lily died. After I was reborn, one of David’s teammates stopped me, bowing deeply. “Sarah, you’re truly selfless, agreeing to swap your child with the one at the very end of the list.” I cried, yelling, “Don’t you dare switch them!” But David slapped me hard. “As the team leader, I can’t let people think I’m playing favorites and deliberately saving my own child first!” I was on the verge of a breakdown. “What if something happens to Lily?” David remained unmoved. “Nothing will happen. Don’t be a jinx.” My body trembled with rage. “David, you don’t deserve to be Lily’s dad!” “Lily is only five! Watching all the other kids get rescued one by one, leaving her alone at the end, how terrified she must be!” “What if the kidnappers get agitated? Have you even thought about what could happen to our daughter?!” The memory of her pleading eyes just before she died in my previous life made my heart ache, stealing my breath. David was still unyielding. “I’m the rescue team leader. Lily might be my daughter, but she has to be treated fairly.” “What would people say if Lily was released first?” “David!” I tore my hand from his grip and slapped him across the face. “Our daughter’s life is hanging by a thread, and you’re still thinking about your reputation? Are you even human?” The slap echoed sharply, making David’s teammates turn their heads. That blow ignited David’s fury. He grabbed my hair and slammed my head against the ground. “You have no sense of the bigger picture!” “What about my reputation if Lily is saved first?” I froze. For the first time, I saw his true colors. Turns out, from beginning to end, in his eyes, Lily’s life was never worth as much as his ridiculous reputation! I struggled, crawling towards the other team members, my voice choked with sobs, but every word was clear. “I paid double the ransom precisely so my daughter could be out of danger sooner!” “But my husband secretly changed the list! He swapped Lily with the little boy whose family paid the least!” Everyone froze. After a brief silence, an older team member, John, spoke first, his voice filled with disappointment. “Sarah, we truly overestimated you.” “Captain David is doing this for the greater good!” Another teammate, Kevin, immediately chimed in, his brows furrowed tightly. “He’s sacrificing his own daughter for the rescue team’s reputation. How selfless is that? Why can’t you understand, Sarah?” “Exactly, Sarah,” a younger team member muttered, his tone dismissive. “If you keep making a scene, you might anger the kidnappers. Not only will Lily be in danger, but all the other kids will be affected too! How can you be so selfish?!” “Selfish?” I looked at them in disbelief, shaking with anger. “So I’m supposed to be ‘great’ enough to sacrifice my daughter’s life to uphold your reputation?!” “Enough!” David roared. “Take her to the back. Don’t let her cause trouble here and hinder the rescue!” The teammates immediately responded. Several of them surrounded me, ready to grab me.

“Get away from me!” I fought back with all my limbs. “David, you cold-blooded monster! You’ll get what’s coming to you!” The kidnappers heard the commotion. A coarse roar came through their megaphone. “What’s all that noise?! If you keep making a goddamn racket, nobody’s leaving today!” David’s face paled. He clapped a hand over my mouth. “Shut up! Do you want to kill everyone?!” Consumed by rage, I bit down hard on David’s hand. “You bitch!” David kicked me in the stomach. “Ugh! You… you actually dared to hit me!” I curled up in pain. He showed no hesitation, looking down at me. “That’s a lesson for you. If you cause trouble again, don’t blame me for being ruthless!” Then, he turned towards the megaphone and yelled. “Sorry! My wife is worried about our child, she’s having a mental breakdown! I’ll handle it right away!” The kidnappers’ voice came back, full of disdain. “You better handle it quickly! If you don’t, the kids’ release will be delayed!” At those words, the surrounding parents instantly erupted. “What’s wrong with Sarah? Her child is precious, but ours aren’t?” “Exactly! Delaying our kids’ release, how selfish!” Accusations and curses, like countless sharp knives, stabbed into my heart. I fought desperately. “No, the order is wrong! My daughter is supposed to be released first—” The people around me cut me off. “The list has been announced! Whoever paid more gets their child released first, it’s not up to you!” “If you keep delaying and anger the kidnappers, what if they kill all the kids?” Just as I was about to explain, a burly man grabbed my throat. “You bitch, I’m telling you, if anything happens to my son, I’ll make sure you die a terrible death!” I couldn’t breathe, casting a pleading look at David. But he was completely unmoved. It was as if I, his wife of six years, was a stranger! Cold tears streamed down my face. The grip on my neck tightened, and I was on the verge of blacking out. I faintly heard my daughter’s voice. “Mommy, Mommy, help me!” I snapped my eyes open, seeing Lily being pushed forward. A grim-faced kidnapper held up a megaphone and shouted. “To prevent anyone from secretly calling the police, the child last on the list will now serve as our hostage!” Just like in my previous life, I could almost see the kidnapper’s sharp blade slice across my daughter’s pale throat— “No—”

I let out a desperate wail, tearing myself free from the crowd. The whispers around me started again. “Oh, so she’s the hostage’s mother. No wonder she’s so emotional!” “Pfft, whose fault is it if she wasn’t quick enough with the ransom? Just don’t drag our children into it!” “One daughter dying to save all our other kids? Worth it!” I trembled with anger, charging forward and grappling with a passerby. Suddenly, a sharp pain shot through my back. David, who had been watching coldly, couldn’t sit still anymore. He hit me with a stick, knocking me down, then apologized to the people around him. “I’m so sorry, everyone. My wife is being unreasonable. I’ll take her away right now!” The anger of the crowd subsided by half. “Her man really knows how to prioritize the bigger picture!” “If anything really happens to your child, we’ll all pay our respects to her.” David put on a look of profound sorrow. “If my daughter’s death can pave the way for other children to live, then her death will have meaning!” I lay on the ground, my consciousness fading, tears silently falling. “Tie her up and take her to the back room!” David stood up and instructed his teammates. They immediately complied, turning to grab some rope. I struggled frantically, flailing my arms and legs, hoarsely screaming. “Let go of me! David, you beast! You’ll get your comeuppance! Lily is your daughter!” But how could I, a powerless Sarah, possibly resist several strong team members? The rough rope cut harshly into my wrists, the pain nearly making me faint. “Take her away!” Two team members grabbed my arms, dragging me like a dead dog towards the back room. I looked at the tightly shut preschool gate, And could almost hear Lily’s heart-wrenching cries. “Lily… Mommy is so sorry…” I choked, a metallic taste rising in my throat. I was dragged into a dark room, the door slamming shut with a “bang.” My wrists were raw and bloody from the rope. I twisted my body desperately. “Let go of me! I need to save Lily! David, you animal!” The force on my wrists suddenly intensified. David himself stepped forward, Snatching an electric baton from a teammate’s hand and unhesitatingly jabbing it into my side. Current surged through my limbs, making me convulse, my bones feeling like they were being pierced by countless needles. I curled up on the ground, foaming at the mouth, but my eyes remained fixed on the closed door, In that direction, was where Lily was being held.

“Sarah, I advise you to calm down.” David’s voice was icy. “If you keep making a scene, not only will you not save Lily, but you’ll ruin the entire rescue team’s reputation.” “Reputation?” I laughed, tears streaming down my face from the effort. “Your reputation, it needs my daughter’s life to uphold it, does it?” David’s eyes turned vicious. He raised his hand and landed another brutal slap across my face. A sharp “smack,” and my cheek instantly swelled. “Hit her! Hit her until she can’t make any more trouble!” The teammates exchanged glances. Seeing me covered in blood, yet still glaring defiantly at David, some subconsciously recoiled. “Captain, if we keep hitting her, Sarah might…” “What are you waiting for?!” David snarled. “She’s a lunatic right now! I’m her husband, I’ll take responsibility if anything happens.” At his words, the teammates had no more reservations. Fists rained down on my back and legs, The pain almost made me pass out. I bit down hard on my tongue, my consciousness blurring, All I saw was Lily lying in a pool of blood in my previous life. I can’t faint! I can’t faint! If I collapse, no one else can save my daughter. I suddenly lifted my head and spat a mouthful of bloody foam onto the face of the nearest teammate. “You bunch of accomplices! If Lily dies, I’ll never forgive any of you, not even in death!” The teammates were enraged and hit me harder. Someone picked up a steel pipe from the corner and smashed it onto my knee. A soft “snap,” the sound of bone breaking. The excruciating pain made my vision go black. David walked forward and pinched my jaw. I gathered all my strength and bit off his finger. “Ah— you bitch!” David clutched his finger and kicked me away. “I’m telling you, everything you’ve done today, I will expose it to the public! I’ll make sure everyone sees that your rescue team is nothing but a bunch of beasts!” David sneered, turning to his teammates. “Get that thing out.” A teammate rummaged through a toolkit and pulled out a glass bottle. It contained a pale yellow liquid, emitting a pungent, sour odor. My pupils contracted sharply. A chill shot straight from my feet to the top of my head. “David! What are you trying to do?!” “What am I trying to do?” He sneered, stepping closer to me. “You’re so good at yelling, aren’t you? I’d like to see how you’ll spread rumors outside once your throat is ruined!” The teammates swarmed me, pinning down my arms and legs, covering my mouth. I struggled desperately, tears mixing with blood, streaming down my face. But my strength was pitifully small against these strong men.

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I rushed home at 3 AM. The moment water sprayed from the showerhead, I knew the temperature was wrong. My husband, Captain Lucas Thomas, was an instructor at the military academy. He was strong, fit, and always took cold showers. But today, the water was hot. “Finally decided to warm things up for me?” I asked him. He paused, then gave a playful salute. “Copy that, ma’am. Won’t forget again.” I smiled. As I stepped toward the shower, I saw two overlapping handprints on the glass door. On the floor lay a strand of dark, glossy hair. It was not mine. It was obvious. My husband was cheating. And he had brought her into our bathroom for…sex! I fought back nausea and sent a photo to my cousin Brooke at the academy. “Dark hair. Around five three. Find her. Fifty grand.” She replied instantly. “I’ll drag that bitch out myself!” Staring at those overlapping handprints, I could almost see them there. For five years of marriage, Lucas Thomas had been perfect. He came from a military family, was charming, and treated me like his only mission. No matter what, I never thought it would come to this. My phone chimed softly. checked it almost without thinking. It was a photo from my cousin, Brooke. Lucas stood surrounded by students, a girl crouched in front of him. She was petite, with long hair, a youthful face, and wide, round eyes. Even through the grainy photo, her radiant youth was unmistakable. She was smiling, head tilted, gazing up at Lucas with open adoration. I took a sharp breath, but the air was cold as needles, piercing my lungs and making my chest burn. Brooke’s messages kept coming. “That’s Summer Hayes. A senior in the Medical School’s surgery program. She’s in Lucas’s class this semester.” “Disgusting. Just goes to show you can’t judge a book by its cover.” I swiftly transferred the money to her. “Don’t do anything reckless. I’ll handle this myself.” By the time Lucas woke up, I had already composed my expression. He looked at the dark circles under my eyes, his face full of concern. “Didn’t sleep well last night?” How I wanted to just blurt out Summer’s name. But in the end, I just gave a slight smile. “No, jet lag’s hitting me hard.” Lucas gently pushed me back onto the bed and pressed a kiss on my forehead. “I shouldn’t have bothered you last night. Get some more sleep; I’ll call you when breakfast is ready.” Still the perfect Lucas Thomas. It wasn’t until we were sitting at the dining table that his hurried movements made me pause, and I couldn’t help but ask. “Don’t you have the day off today?” “There’s a drill at the medical department. I need to oversee it.” Lucas quickly finished his breakfast and stood up to leave. But I spoke softly. “Are you forgetting what day it is?” He froze, glanced at the date, and immediately looked remorseful. “I forgot, Ava. I’m so sorry, we said I’d go with you to visit your father’s grave.” “But the medical department drill was scheduled a long time ago…” A cold laugh echoed in my heart. “You go. I actually want to talk to my dad alone today anyway.” Lucas immediately rushed off to the academy. After quickly visiting the cemetery, I coincidentally arrived as the medical department was conducting a first-aid drill on the sports field. Lucas blew a whistle. “Alright, everyone, find a partner and practice your first-aid techniques.” Students quickly paired up, but one girl was left standing alone in the center. Teasing shouts rose from around them. “Instructor, who’s gonna give Summer CPR?” “Who else? If it were anyone else, wouldn’t the Instructor absolutely lose it?!” Amidst the laughter, Summer made a face at her classmates. “ou’re all perverts! My conscience is clear, I have nothing to hide!” “It was just a trauma assessment drill! Totally innocent, okay?!” Lucas cleared his throat. “Alright, alright, it’s just a demonstration, don’t fuss!” With that, he gestured for Summer to lie down in front of him. Then, he actually bent down and kissed her lips!

In an instant, my whole body went cold. My gaze was locked onto Lucas Thomas. He casually stood up, his hands clasped and pressed onto Summer Hayes’s chest. “After artificial respiration, you need to apply pressure rhythmically…” A mischief-maker laughed loudly. “Summer, didn’t you say CPR was pure?” “Why are you blushing so much?” Summer, lying on the ground, shot back. “You’d blush too if Lucas touched you, wouldn’t you be gutted if he hadn’t?” Amidst the uproarious laughter, Lucas didn’t defend himself. Instead, he flashed a doting smile. My fingers gripped the steering wheel, trembling uncontrollably. I waited until dinner time to finally spot Summer. She was giggling and playing around with her roommates, their laughter audible from afar. “He invited you to dinner and you didn’t go? Why are you playing innocent, Summer!” “What do you know? Summer’s just playing hard to get!” Summer coughed, transparently trying to deny it. “That’s not true! I’m not close with him, don’t spread rumors!” I couldn’t help but sneer. Not close? Not close enough to roll around in my bathroom, on my bed. If they were close, would they invite me to watch them get a room? I avoided the crowd and walked straight to a table opposite theirs. My makeup, hair, and clothing – Summer knew at a glance I wasn’t a student. A flicker of nervousness crossed her eyes, then she smiled. “Who are you? The cafeteria isn’t crowded; we don’t need to share a table, do we?” I ignored her feigned ignorance and stated directly. “Summer Hayes, you must know that Lucas Thomas is my husband, right?” Lucas was thirty. Most men his age were married, unless they were not interested in women or had a serious illness. Not to mention, our wedding photo hung above our bed. I refused to believe Summer was some innocent young girl. Her roommates instantly fell silent. Summer, however, maintained a clueless expression. “Is there something I can help you with?” Seeing that I didn’t speak, she then feigned sudden realization. “Did you perhaps see our CPR drill? You might not understand, but it was just a very legitimate exercise.” Who was she trying to mock with those words? Did she think I was a jobless, clueless housewife? I gave a soft laugh. “You’re in clinical medicine? As a senior, you must have taken ‘Surgery.’ Turn to the cardiovascular section. My name is on the editorial board..” “I’m Dr. Ava Reed. Associate Professor of Cardiothoracic Surgery.” “I look forward to the day you intern in my department.” Summer’s face paled. My gaze fell on her wrist, where a stunning bracelet, smooth and shimmering, made from a beautiful, polished stone, gleamed softly. “Nice bracelet,” I said casually. “But that’s my father’s heirloom. I’d appreciate it if you’d return it.” Summer looked up in disbelief. Her lips trembled, and her face flushed crimson. In the end, I retrieved this old item, which I had once believed lost. Four years ago, my father passed away after a serious illness. Before he left, he pressed the bracelet into my hand. “Ava, this bracelet is an ancient heirloom of our family.” “Lucas loves you enough. This bracelet is for you to pass down. Your dad will die without regret…” At the time, Lucas’s eyes were red, and he swore he would take good care of me. But I had lost this bracelet and regretted it for a whole year. I could barely eat or sleep. Lucas comforted me, promising to buy me more beautiful jewelry. I never imagined that he had already been messing around with Summer so early on. Summer liked my bracelet, and he just gave it to her! When I arrived home, I had just finished extracting the dash cam footage and was getting out of my car. Lucas stormed over, his face filled with impatience. “You went to the academy today?” “Ava Reed, why didn’t you talk to me directly? Why did you humiliate Summer in front of so many people?” “Do you think you’re acting like a normal adult?”

I didn’t back down an inch, looking up at him and saying coldly. “Oh? How interesting. So, Summer isn’t an adult?” “I recall she’s a senior, but she does look quite underage.” “Didn’t realize you liked that type. Must be thrilling to mess around, perfectly legal and all…” Lucas’s pupils contracted. He raised his hand and harshly slapped me, cutting off my unfinished words. My head snapped to the side, and the taste of blood immediately filled my mouth. “Ava!” Even though he was the one who hit me, his cry sounded incredibly heartbroken and pained. Lucas’s face was full of remorse. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to, but you shouldn’t say such things to a student!” I laughed. Without another word, smack, I slapped him back. “Lucas Thomas,” I said coldly, “she’s your student, not mine.” “To me, she’s a homewrecker who interfered in my marriage, a thief who stole my father’s heirloom. Got a problem with that?” Lucas’s face instantly changed, his eyes sharp as razors. “I’m saying it again, Summer is not a mistress!” “Ava Reed, where’s your trust in me? Why have you become so disgusting!” A lump caught in my throat; I was about to tell him to get lost. But then the front door opened. Summer poked her head in, saying playfully. “Instructor, please don’t fight with Ava because of me anymore. I came to apologize.” She bowed gracefully towards me. “It was raining heavily before, and I came to Instructor’s house to change clothes. I thought that bracelet wasn’t worth anything, so I just took it casually.” “Ava, please don’t blame him. He didn’t give it to me; I apologize to you.” Lucas’s gaze softened, and he stroked her head. “It’s not your fault, Summer. I didn’t make things clear.” Watching this scene unfold before me. My face turned green, and I felt on the verge of throwing up. Taking something without permission is theft. How dare Lucas forgive her on my behalf? He roughly pushed me aside and spoke gently to Summer. “I’ll handle my own family matters, Summer. You’ve already apologized; don’t get involved.” “I’ll take you back.” Watching his car speed away, I trembled with rage. Just then, my phone chimed with a text from Brooke. “Sis, did you go see Summer yesterday?” “Everyone on the campus gossip site is trashing you right now!” I opened the two screenshots she sent, and in an instant, my blood ran cold. “BIG SCANDAL! Dr. Reed, Associate Professor of Cardiothoracic Surgery at a prestigious hospital, bullying innocent female student! Word is, this woman is notorious for being harsh on interns; future junior doctors, good luck to you! Is that old hag just jealous of a young, pretty girl? Can’t keep her own man, so she takes it out on students?” The text was highly inflammatory. In just a few words, it painted me as a psychologically disturbed, menopausal old woman. Brooke’s call came immediately. “Did you see it? That little bitch Summer must be behind this!” “I know,” I interrupted her, my voice unnaturally calm. “Brooke, do me a favor. Trace the IP addresses of the posters and dig up all the dirt on Summer Hayes for me.” It was just a public opinion war. When I was pulling these kinds of tricks, Summer wasn’t even in elementary school yet!

As I expected, Summer Hayes’s internship was assigned to me. Regardless of personal feelings, I wouldn’t neglect any student when it came to teaching. During an emergency surgery I was leading, I routinely arranged for interns to observe. And I specifically assigned Summer to be the instrument assistant. “Why me?” she mumbled softly, her tone clearly resentful. “Dr. Reed, isn’t this an abuse of power?” I glanced at her through my sterile mask. “If your scholarship is based on merit, then you should prove it in practice.” The surgery reached a critical step. I gave the instruction for a 2.5mm balloon. But Summer, fumbling nervously, handed me a 3mm one! “Wrong size! Vasopressor, now!” I barked the order, immediately directing the team to compensate. After the surgery, we exited the operating room. Summer followed me, her face deathly pale. I stared at her, enunciating each word. “In cardiothoracic surgery, you are literally holding lives in your hands. Any minor mistake can lead to a major disaster.” “The carelessness and incompetence you displayed today can kill patients in a clinical setting!” Summer’s body swayed, tears instantly welling up in her eyes. “Ava Reed! Do you have to be like this?!” Lucas Thomas’s voice, laced with anger, came from the doorway. He strode in quickly, placing himself in front of Summer without a moment’s hesitation. “She’s still a student! It’s normal to be nervous and make mistakes the first time! Who hasn’t been there?” “Do you really need to use such harsh words to attack her? Are you teaching, or just using this as an excuse to make trouble?” I looked at this man, my husband, who once stood by my side. Now, he was twisting facts for another woman, challenging my professional ethics. My heart sank into an icy pond, completely numb. “Instructor Thomas,” I used his formal title. “There is no room for error in surgery. As her supervising doctor, it is my duty to point out her critical mistakes.” “Duty? I think you’re mixing business with your personal vendetta!” Lucas’s anger flared even more. He grabbed Summer’s wrist. “Summer, let’s go! We won’t stand for her abuse here!” He left furiously, with a tear-streaked Summer in tow. Several interns looked at me with a mixture of fear and dissatisfaction. Just then, my phone rang. I put it on speaker directly. Brooke’s clear voice was exceptionally audible. “Sis, the IP addresses for the posts slandering you have all been traced! The source is Summer’s dorm!” “I’ve also posted the evidence online, and it’s going viral fast. And I sent copies to the military academy’s oversight office and the faculty complaint box.” I acknowledged with a hum and hung up the phone. The room was so quiet you could hear a pin drop. Those who had just been looking at me with questioning eyes were now all staring down at their phones in shock. Soon, a commotion erupted outside. Several people stormed in angrily, led by the girl who had previously teased Summer and Lucas-Summer’s best friend. She pointed her phone camera at my face and shouted furiously. “Dr. Reed! What do you mean by this?!” “Even if Summer made a mistake, do you have to be so extreme, trying to completely ruin her? And you reported the Instructor too!” “Just because you and Instructor Thomas have issues, others aren’t allowed to silently care, to truly love? You’re just jealous!” After her passionate accusations. Several interns also became indignant. “Apologize! You falsely accused a female student of being a homewrecker, aren’t you shameless?!” “Go find Summer! Hundreds of thousands of viewers in the livestream are waiting for her to confront you face-to-face!” I gave a slight smile. “Summer? Fine, I know where she is.” I led these young people directly to a little-known fire escape staircase. The closer we got, the clearer the indecent sounds became. It was Summer’s breathless purr. “Instructor Thomas, how do I compare to that old hag Ava?” Immediately followed by Lucas Thomas’s lust-filled grunt. “She’s not even worth one of your fingers. I’ll divorce her soon!” “Summer, if you get pregnant this time, don’t get rid of it. I only want children from you…” Outside the staircase, there was dead silence. I took my time. Watching their faces turn pale, then green, completely stunned. The livestream instantly exploded!

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The zombie outbreak began, and my new husband Julian died right before my eyes, killed while trying to protect me. I fled in panic, taking desperate refuge in a desolate, abandoned construction site. But the very next day, my parents called out of the blue. My mother Sarah had been hospitalized with a heart condition, and they insisted I come care for her. I immediately told them about the zombie outbreak, urging them to find a safe place to hide. Instead, my parents lashed out, yelling at me. “What kind of zombie nonsense are you talking about? Have you been watching too many horror movies? Come up with a better excuse!” I knew something was off. I wanted to go to the hospital where my parents were, just to check. But I hadn’t gone far before I was spotted by zombies on the street, and I was bitten to death! When I opened my eyes again, I was back at the moment my parents had just called. I carefully asked. “Mom, Dad, are you safe? Is everything okay where you are?” My parents swore it was. “What could possibly go wrong at a hospital? Just hurry up and get here!”

Covered in blood, huddled in that cold, abandoned building, I froze for a moment at their words. Their tone on the phone grew more anxious. “Your mom and I only have you, our one daughter. You can’t just abandon us when something happens to the family!” “Oh, and bring some cash. We’re still three thousand short for your mom’s hospital bills.” I looked out the window at the shuffling zombies, my fingers trembling as I gripped my phone. What was going on? My parents and I lived in the same city. How could there be a zombie outbreak here, and they were acting like nothing was happening? Besides, they said they were at the hospital, and hospitals should be ground zero for a zombie apocalypse, the first places to get completely overrun! I glanced at the zombies lurking below and forced myself to speak. “Mom, Dad, it’s not safe outside!” “There are zombies everywhere here, Julian was even bitten to death by them!” “Are you sure there’s absolutely nothing wrong on your end?!” There was a two-second silence on the other end, then my dad, David, roared. “Audrey, what nonsense are you spewing?!” “I think you just don’t want to deal with your mother, so you’re making up these ridiculous stories!” My mom’s weak sobs reached my ears too. “My dear, your mother is barely holding on. How can you be so heartless?!” Tears welled up in my eyes. “Mom, I’m really not lying to you!” “There are truly zombies outside, blood everywhere!” “Please, find a safe place to hide!” But my dad only grew angrier. “Still trying to argue? Your mom is in the hospital with a heart attack, and instead of rushing over, you’re making up such a crazy excuse!” “I’m telling you, if you don’t come now, we’ll disown you, you ungrateful wretch!” I stared blankly at my phone screen, my mind a chaotic mess. Was I going crazy? But the zombies downstairs were clearly right there! I opened a news app on my phone, only to find the headlines were all about celebrity gossip, everything seemed peaceful and normal. There wasn’t a single report about a zombie crisis. All the social media platforms were tranquil, no one mentioned zombies. It was as if I was the only one who saw this disaster. My dad delivered his final ultimatum on the phone, “Your mother and I slaved away, scrimping and saving to put you through college. Now your wings are strong, and you’re just going to abandon us, huh?!” “I’m laying it out for you now. If you don’t take care of us, your old parents, we’ll have nothing to live for. Your mom and I will just go home and end it all, so we don’t have to be a burden to you!”

I had no choice but to try and calm them down, begging them not to do anything foolish. “Mom, Dad, wait for me. I’ll figure out a way to get there right away.” “Please, don’t be impulsive, I’m really not lying to you…” Just as I finally managed to stabilize them, the family SnapChat group exploded. A swarm of relatives started taking jabs at me. My aunt, Martha, was the first to lash out. “I heard Audrey won’t even pay for her mother’s hospital bills?” “That child has always been selfish; she’s even worse now that she’s grown up!” My uncle, Robert, quickly chimed in. “And her parents treated her like gold! Now that she’s successful, she abandons them.” “That ungrateful wretch, she has no conscience!” My cousin, Tiffany, said sarcastically. “She’s married a rich husband now; why would she care about anyone else’s life?” Other family members took turns, absolutely ripping me apart with their criticism. I trembled with rage, looking at all these accusations. To prove my innocence, I suggested a video call, trying to point the camera at the zombies downstairs for them to see. Just then, a few zombies were tearing at a corpse below. The gory scene made my stomach churn. But the relatives on the other end of the screen burst out laughing. “Audrey, do you think we’re toddlers?” “Isn’t that just some horror movie from the internet?” “You think we’ll believe you if you play a movie clip?” “To save a few thousand bucks on medical bills, she’s pulling such a pathetic stunt to fool us.” “Do you take us for idiots?” Tears were streaming down my face. “This isn’t a movie! It’s real!” “There really are zombies outside!” But no one believed me. Robert sneered. “Alright, stop the act. Just get to the hospital and pay the bill.” “Your mother’s having a heart attack right now, and you’re wasting time making up lies?” Furious, I poked the camera out the window, aiming it at the street. “Look closely! These are real zombies!” The streets were littered with shambling monsters, cars were parked haphazardly, some still smoking. The ground was covered in blood and dismembered body parts. But my Robert angrily lectured me about being inconsiderate. “Enough! You’re going to make your mother die of anger!” “What are you messing around with now?” “Get to the hospital immediately, or you’ll be waiting to claim your mother’s body!” With that, he hung up the video call. I slumped to the ground in despair. Why did no one believe me? Was I truly going crazy? I posted these scenes online through every channel I could. Facebook, Ins, TikTok – everywhere I could post, I did. But soon, a colleague from work messaged me. “Audrey, your prank is pretty funny.” “But is it really appropriate to post stuff like this during work hours?” My boss also called me. “Audrey, you’ve been absent for two days. Were you watching horror movies?” “Someone even tried to vouch for you, saying you were overworked and suddenly fell ill, without time to request leave. But now, it seems we were wrong.” “The company has decided to terminate your employment. Pack your things and get out!”

I explained that a zombie apocalypse had broken out and I was trapped in an abandoned building, but my boss absolutely refused to believe me. He even called me insane. After my boss hung up, I still wasn’t ready to give up. I called my best friend, Chloe, asking if she’d seen any zombies on the streets. My friend, however, said it was a beautiful day and everything was perfectly normal outside. “Audrey, have you been under too much stress lately?” “Do you want me to go with you to see a therapist?” “What you’re saying is really scary…” I hung up the phone, feeling helpless. Chloe was my best friend; she wouldn’t lie to me. But I was truly being hunted and bitten by zombies! What’s more, I had personally witnessed Julian being bitten to death by zombies, and his splashed blood was still clinging to me. All of this told me that the zombie crisis was real! But everyone else insisted everything was normal, that the world was peaceful. Why was this happening? My phone rang again. It was my mom. “My dear, your mother is begging you, please come to the hospital.” My mom’s voice was terrifyingly weak. “My heart hurts so badly right now, and the doctor says I need surgery immediately.” “But we don’t have enough money, so the hospital won’t do it.” “Darling, your mom is counting on you, you can’t abandon me!” My mom started crying as she spoke. Hearing her sobs, my own tears couldn’t be stopped. “Mom, I really haven’t lied to you.” “It’s really dangerous here!” But my mom only cried harder. “My dear, do you hate your mother?” “Are you blaming me for being too strict with you before?” “Mom knows she was wrong; I won’t push you anymore.” “Just have pity on your mother, and come see her one last time at the hospital.” I bit my lip, trembling all over. My mother’s words pierced my heart like knives. I started to wonder if I was truly having a breakdown. Maybe I was sick? Maybe there were no zombies outside at all? Maybe Julian was still alive, and I was just hallucinating? I pinched myself hard. It hurt. I looked out the window again. The zombies were still there. They were real. But why was I the only one who could see them? To find out the truth, I decided to risk my life and go to the hospital. If I was sick, at least I could get treated. If not, I wanted to die knowing why. I took a deep breath and said into the phone. “Mom, wait for me. I’m coming right away.” Hearing this, my mom’s sobs gradually quieted. “Good. Your mom will wait for you.” Before I left, I gathered some tarps and wrapped them around myself for protection, making myself as safe as possible. I also found an iron pipe to use as a weapon. In normal people’s eyes, my attire at this point would definitely make me look like a lunatic who had escaped from a mental institution. But I firmly believed I wasn’t crazy!

I slowly emerged from the abandoned building. The air was thick with the smell of blood. With every step, I carefully scanned my surroundings. Zombies had acute hearing, and any sound could attract them. I cautiously navigated through the streets and alleys, using my memories from the previous life to avoid many dangers. But as I approached the city center, the number of zombies grew, making avoidance nearly impossible. Just as I was about to be cornered by zombies in a small alley, a manhole cover suddenly lifted. I encountered another survivor. At that moment, several zombies lunged at me, clawing and snarling. He quickly pulled me into the sewer, saving me from certain death. The manhole cover closed above my head. I heard the grating sound of zombies scratching above. I leaned against the damp wall, gasping for breath. The man looked at me, puzzled. “Are you crazy? Running towards the city center alone?” “That’s where most of the zombies are!” He looked to be in his thirties, wearing dirty work clothes. I looked at him, a wave of relief washing over me! My mind was fine; the world I was in truly was experiencing a zombie crisis! At least one other person saw the same thing I did. “You see the zombies too, don’t you?” I grabbed his arm, agitated. He was startled by my reaction. “What kind of question is that? Those monsters are everywhere outside, who wouldn’t see them?” I was almost in tears. “But I called my parents, my friends, and they all said everything was normal outside!” “They said there were no zombies, that I was lying!” The man frowned. “Where are your family members?” “At the city hospital.” “My mother is hospitalized with a heart condition; I have to get there.” I wanted to show him the messages from my parents, but my phone had run out of battery. The man was silent for a moment, then shook his head. “Hospitals were the first places the zombies broke out, there’s no one alive there anymore!” “I advise you not to go and die for nothing.” But I couldn’t give up. “I have to go.” “My mother is still waiting for me.” The man looked at me, his eyes full of confusion. “Didn’t you hear what I said? There are no living people in the hospital!” “Your mother is either dead or she’s turned into one of those monsters!” “You can’t save her if you go!” I only smiled bitterly, then bid him a firm farewell, resolved to reach the hospital and uncover the truth. Using the sewers, I made my way toward the hospital with surprising ease. But just as I climbed out and rushed for the main entrance, a horde of zombies in patient gowns erupted from the once quiet building. The stench flooded my senses as they surged toward me. I faltered, torn between retreating into the sewer or facing the same gruesome end as in my last life. But then, I suddenly noticed the dried bloodstains on their bodies. My mind seized the truth in a flash of cold clarity. I finally knew why my city had fallen!

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On New Year’s Day, my husband Liam Reed posted a family photo online. But in the picture, Liam stood in the center with his arm around his intern, Chloe. I was nowhere in it. “We should get a divorce,” I told him. He barely glanced up. “Over a photo? How long are you going to sulk this time?” Three years of marriage, and he still didn’t believe I’d actually leave. But this time, I was serious. Minutes earlier, I’d gotten a text from Leo Sterling, the biggest movie star in the world. “Wrapping up my show. Flying in to get you. ETA around midnight.” I immediately typed back, “Okay.” … On New Year’s Day, Liam insisted on bringing his intern, Chloe, to his parents’ house. All the family were gathered for lunch when someone suggested a family photo. Without a pause, Liam nudged me out of the frame and told me to take it instead. He arranged everyone, then pulled Chloe to stand right beside him. It was a family photo of over a dozen people, and I was the only one missing. Seeing how upset I was, Liam signed. “Fine, I’ll delete it. Happy now?” “Can you send it to me first?” Chloe cut in, settling into the seat next to Liam as if it were hers. She noticed my grim expression and immediately asked, “What’s wrong? Liam, did you make Daisy mad again?” Liam pursed his lips but didn’t say anything. Chloe quickly chimed in, “Daisy, don’t be mad at him. I should have been the one taking the picture.” I let out a cold laugh. “You’re so fond of my husband, you even have to show up at my family’s holiday gathering. You can have him.” Chloe bit her lip, tears welling in her eyes. “How can you say that? You’ve misunderstood. There’s a blizzard back home, all transportation is cut off. I can’t go back.” Liam shot me a reproachful glance. “Take your anger out on me. Why are you picking on her? If you want a divorce, fine, but don’t drag others into it.” Liam patted Chloe’s shoulder and took her outside for some fresh air. Our conversations about divorce were always so casual. That afternoon, I had a card game scheduled with Liam’s old friends. I didn’t want our issues to affect everyone else, so I bit the bullet and went. As I reached the door, my friends were already complaining about me. “Is Daisy not coming? Did you two have another fight?” Someone laughed dismissively. “She’s mad about this? Well, someone has to take the holiday family photo, so they’re not in it. Daisy is just too petty.” “Exactly. If I were looking for a wife, I’d prefer someone gentle and even-tempered, like Chloe. She’s perfect.” Liam sighed dramatically. “What can I do? That’s just how she is. I’ve spoiled her since we were kids, so I just have to deal with it.” Someone else laughed. “You need to be firm sometimes, or you’ll end up completely henpecked, with no say in the family.” Chloe spoke up. “Daisy is truly so lucky. If someone pampered me like that, I’d never argue with them.” Liam’s friends immediately started egging them on. “Then let Liam pamper you today, Chloe!” “Really? Can you get me a New Year’s gift, honey?” she asked playfully. I heard Liam’s cheerful reply. “I already had a gift for you anyway.” Then Liam warned everyone, “Jokes are fine, but don’t say anything like that in front of Daisy, okay?” I let go of the doorknob. The laughter inside sounded so sharp, so piercing. Liam knew perfectly well that I disliked his ambiguous relationships with others. He’d say he was afraid of upsetting me, yet he let Chloe call him “honey” in front of everyone and even bought her a holiday gift. It was all because he was so certain that I’d get mad, then eventually forgive him. But this time, he miscalculated. A little while later, Chloe posted an Ins story. “Received a New Year’s gift from my boss! It feels so good to be spoiled!” The photo showed their fingers intertwined. I called my dad. “Dad, I want to spend the holidays in Chicago.” He paused, a little surprised. “Why the sudden change of heart? Aren’t you going back to Liam’s parents’ place?” I fought back my emotions, not wanting him to hear the sadness in my voice. “I miss you. I’m thinking of relocating to Chicago. I’ll stay there with you after the holidays.” My dad immediately heard the disappointment, but he didn’t call me out on it. “Your dad supports all your choices. Do you want me to pick you up?” Hearing my dad’s loving voice, my heart finally settled. “No, someone’s already coming for me.”

When Liam brought Chloe home, I was with his relatives, watching TV. “Daisy, you and Liam have been married for three years now, right? Why haven’t you had kids yet?” “Yeah, hurry up and have one!” Mrs. Reed chuckled. “Daisy used to run that vet clinic, and I was worried about her being around all those cats and dogs, you know, germs. But Daisy closed the clinic this year. So, she should have a baby soon.” At that moment, the popular actor, Leo, appeared on TV. I looked up sharply, his familiar face on the screen. A reporter interviewed Leo. “How will you be spending New Year’s Eve?” Leo smiled gently. “With the most important person, of course!” Mrs. Reed couldn’t help but exclaim, “That actor is so handsome!” Chloe interjected, “He’s every girl’s dream guy! I’ve binge-watched so many of his shows.” They had no idea that Leo’s “most important person” was me, and he was coming for me tonight. A long time ago, Liam had also told me I was the most important person to him. On my seventh birthday, my mother died in a car accident. My father was lost in grief, sometimes sitting at home all day, completely oblivious to me. I didn’t dare cry at home and often found myself spacing out alone in the park. Liam would always find ways to cheer me up. Later, my dad’s business relocated to Chicago, and after college, I chose to marry Liam. But last year, he missed my birthday. That day, Chloe had made a huge blunder, and he stayed late to clean up her mess, then took her to dinner to comfort her. It wasn’t until he saw the unopened cake on the table late that night that he realized he’d forgotten my birthday. That was our first real fight. After that, our conflicts grew more frequent. Liam always complained that I was petty and jealous, unable to tolerate even an intern next to him. Time and again, he left me behind to help Chloe move, celebrate holidays, or take her to the doctor. My phone vibrated, pulling me back from my thoughts. Someone in my group chat posted a photo, asking if the person in it was me. I clicked on the photo. It was a recent Ins post from Leo. “Family Photo,” the caption read. The accompanying picture was a large group shot of volunteers, and I was standing right next to Leo. In front of us was a group of abandoned cats we had rescued. Before I could respond, Liam replied to the group. “No way! It’s just someone who looks a bit like her. How could Daisy possibly be in a celebrity’s family photo? Impossible.” Seeing him so flustered and angry, I found it almost laughable. He finished his message and tossed his phone onto the table, accidentally knocking over a can of soda and soaking his pants. Chloe quickly grabbed some tissues and, without thinking, gently dabbed his leg. Liam cleared his throat awkwardly, and she finally stopped. I let out a soft laugh. “Why don’t you just wash them for him?” Chloe’s face instantly flushed. “Daisy, what are you saying? I treat Liam like a big brother. Don’t get the wrong idea.” I ignored her, simply explaining a few things in the chat. I’d been helping out at an animal rescue, and a celebrity doing charity work happened to be there. Unexpectedly, the group chat became even more frantic. “Oh my god, Daisy actually met Leo!” “What kind of cologne does he wear? I need to know!” I was so overwhelmed, I stopped typing. Just then, Leo messaged me: “Finished recording. Heading to the airport now.”

At dinner, Chloe flirted with Liam. “Liam, pass me the lemon juice.” Then I noticed the bracelet on Chloe’s wrist. I said sarcastically, “Nice bracelet! Did Liam give it to you?” Chloe said awkwardly, “It’s nothing expensive. If you like it, I can give it to you.” Liam stopped Chloe. “That’s my gift to you. How can you give it to her?” Then he turned to me. “Daisy, what do you want for a New Year’s gift? Anything you want, just name it.” Chloe suddenly tugged on Liam’s arm and exclaimed, “Oh no, what time is it? Are we going to be late? We promised the team we’d go pray at a church in the suburbs. Shouldn’t we be leaving?” Liam’s eyes darted nervously, and he stammered an explanation to me. “I promised my colleagues I’d go with them. If you’re not too tired, you can come with us too.” Chloe quickly cut in, “Daisy doesn’t know your colleagues well, it would be awkward for her.” I sneered, declining the invitation. Liam patted my head, like comforting a loyal dog. “You’re right. It’s pretty cold out. Just wait for me at home, I’ll buy you a New Year’s gift.” Chloe leaned in, deliberately showing me a condom box in her purse. Don’t worry, Daisy,” she said with a smile. “I’ll take good care of Liam.” Liam hurried her out and drove off with her. I sat by the TV, watched Leo’s show, then went to my room and printed the divorce papers. When Leo called, I kept my voice low. “I’ll see you at the airport.”

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My husband Derek bought his secretary Bella a diamond-studded lingerie set. Bella immediately posted on Ins to show off: “My boss gave me a reward. I’ll work even harder!” I commented: “Work harder in bed?” Derek called me right away to accuse me. “I just bought Bella some lingerie. Did you really have to make her cry? Why don’t you reflect on why I’m giving gifts to Bella and not you?” Before I could say a word, he hung up. I untied my apron and threw it on the floor. I’m done with the housework. And I’m done with this marriage. The first thing Derek did when he got home was yell at me: “You left the mop by the door. Are you trying to make me trip and die? I’m so sick of you!” My stomach hurt so badly I couldn’t stand up. I was bent over, but he didn’t even notice. He just walked right past me and sat on the couch. Derek tossed something in a red plastic bag onto the table. “Here’s some lingerie for you. You’re just old and jealous of younger women.” I looked at the price tag. $9.99. I touched the fabric. It was rough and cheap. I said: “I don’t want the lingerie. Give it to your secretary.” Derek froze. “Claire, who are you giving attitude to? Don’t be so ungrateful, okay? Don’t you know your own body…” He saw the look on my face and stopped talking. Did he really not know why my body had changed? Six months ago, I had a miscarriage after fighting with him about staying out all night. The hormone imbalance from the medication made me gain weight. And he was willing to spend over a hundred thousand dollars on diamond-studded lingerie for Bella, but bought me cheap $9.99 garbage. I looked at him with mixed emotions. “Derek, take this junk and get out of my sight, okay?” He practically roared: “Claire! Don’t push your luck. This is from Bella and me!” I laughed softly. “I don’t want this so-called gift.” Derek angrily threw the lingerie in the trash. “Since you don’t want it, I’ll throw it away for you. Don’t come begging me later!” He stood up and pointed at me: “And you need to apologize to Bella!” “I won’t.” My flat refusal made him angry again. Derek said sternly: “Tomorrow I’m bringing her home for dinner. You need to make a nice meal for her!” My body still hadn’t recovered from the miscarriage. And he wanted me to cook for his mistress as an apology? “Derek, I won’t apologize!” He said coldly: “I don’t care. You made Bella cry, so you have to apologize!” Then he slammed the bedroom door behind him.

When Derek started his business, he had no capital. I sold the house my parents gave me to raise money for him. The moment he got the startup funds, he knelt down and proposed to me. He said he would never let me down for the rest of his life. Now, he was cheating with his secretary. The next day, when he brought Bella home and saw nothing on the table, he was furious. “Claire! Didn’t I tell you to make dinner?” Bella’s little hand stroked Derek’s chest soothingly: “Don’t be angry. Claire doesn’t like me. I should just leave…” “Bella, don’t go. She’s the one who should leave!” Derek quickly grabbed her hand. “Claire! You’ve really disappointed me!” It seemed Derek wanted to kick me out so his mistress could feel better. I sighed. “Don’t forget, this house is my prenuptial property.” Derek’s expression changed. Then he said: “Since you’re my wife, when we have guests, you should at least pour some water, right?” I said calmly: “You’re the man of this house. You can pour it too.” “Claire, can you stop being so petty?” Derek pulled Bella to sit down. “This is Bella’s first time at our house. Can’t you be a good host?” Bella said shyly: “Derek, if Claire doesn’t mind, I can come visit more often to chat with Claire.” Derek nodded with satisfaction, then looked up at me: “Well? What’s your attitude?” I sighed. “I’m not feeling well today. Help yourselves.” I went into my room and closed the door, shutting out Derek’s scolding. Soon I heard clanging sounds and the laughter of Derek and Bella playing around together. Two hours later, I heard the front door close. I came out of my room to find the kitchen and dining room a complete mess. Leftover food and unwashed pots and dishes were just sitting there, waiting for me to clean up. Past midnight, Derek still hadn’t come home. I didn’t call him. I used to call him before 10 PM to urge him home. After doing it too many times, he got annoyed. We fought about it constantly. This time was different. Derek didn’t stay out all night. He even brought me a late-night snack. I said: “Tomorrow I need to go to the hospital for a follow-up. Can you drive me?” Seeing my pale face, Derek agreed. “If it weren’t for the fact that you’re sick, after your attitude today, I definitely wouldn’t forgive you.” He paused. “Don’t treat Bella like that again.” In the end, he came home early for Bella, not for me. The next day, there was thunder and heavy rain. Derek was driving me and we stopped at a red light. He watched the windshield wipers irritably: “I don’t know why you chose a rainy day to go to the hospital! The traffic is terrible!” I explained: “I made an appointment with the doctor. You know Dr. Harrison is hard to book…” Derek’s phone rang: “Your caring little secretary is online! Derek, you have a call~” Derek glanced at me awkwardly. “Bella’s being playful. Don’t be mad.” I smiled indifferently. He seemed surprised by my attitude. “You’re not angry?” “Why would I be angry?” Derek answered the call, confused. After connecting to Bluetooth, Bella’s sweet voice came through the speakers: “Derek… my stomach hurts so much…” Her breathing sounded especially suggestive. Derek unlocked the car doors and said to me: “Take a cab to the hospital yourself. I need to pick up Bella from the office.” I grabbed the door handle tightly and refused to get out: “Derek, are you crazy? It’s impossible to get a cab in this rain!” He pushed me out of the car without discussion: “Bella’s period pain makes her faint. I have to pick her up!” Derek didn’t care that I was getting soaked in the rain. He locked the car and drove away. He accelerated so fast that I didn’t let go in time. I was dragged several meters before falling heavily into a puddle…

That day I developed a high fever and ended up in the hospital. The doctor called Derek a dozen times. He didn’t answer any of them. I called my lawyer Marcus to the hospital. Seeing my condition, he was shocked. “How did you end up like this? Is a man worth this?” I shook my head mockingly. “Not worth it. Is it too late to regret now?” Marcus sighed and took out his notebook from his bag. “I know no matter how much I tried to persuade you before, it was useless. You had to figure it out yourself before you’d turn back…” I showed Marcus the photos of Derek and Bella kissing. Marcus frowned. “Why does this homewrecker look so much like you?” Actually, he wasn’t the only one. The first time I met Bella, I thought she looked somewhat like me too. But none of that mattered anymore. I’d been married to Derek for five years. The first few years, we had a great relationship and were very much in love. But everything changed after Bella joined the company as Derek’s secretary. Derek and she were inseparable. They even shared hotel rooms on business trips. I told him countless times, but he kept crossing my boundaries. He would even go to Bella after fighting with me. My patience and communication became unreasonable trouble in his eyes. Gradually, I got tired. I became numb. “Claire, I’ll help you get back what belongs to you.” Marcus’s words pulled me back from my thoughts. I nodded. “I’m counting on you for the divorce papers.” On the day of the company’s fifth anniversary gala. I entered the venue in a black mermaid dress, immediately becoming the center of attention under the spotlight. “Didn’t they say Mr. Derek’s wife was fat? I don’t think she’s fat at all!” “Exactly! Who spread that rumor? That hourglass figure is what I dream of having!” “Those waves, that black lace… total bombshell!” “I heard it was Derek’s secretary Bella who said it. We don’t really know…” The company employees were buzzing with gossip. I walked forward without looking sideways, a faint smile on my lips. When Bella saw me, she dropped her glass. It shattered on the floor. “Bella, what’s wrong…” Derek was about to speak when his eyes fell on me. His pupils dilated in shock. Derek was so stunned he couldn’t speak. He stared at me blankly. In that moment, I saw in his eyes the same passionate devotion from five years ago. Bella snapped back to reality and quickly stood in front of Derek, blocking his view. “Derek, I’m not feeling well. Can you help me…” Before she could finish, Derek pushed her aside. Derek walked up to me: “Claire, uh no, honey, you look so beautiful tonight…” Bella grabbed Derek’s hand stubbornly. “Derek, my chest really hurts. Don’t believe me? Feel it.” She tried to put Derek’s hand on her chest. Derek pulled away awkwardly. “No.” I ignored them both and walked straight to the stage. Bella shouted from below: “Claire, today is the company’s fifth anniversary gala. That’s not your place to stand!” I laughed softly. “Should I come down so you can stand there?” Laughter erupted from below. I added: “Would that be appropriate?” The laughter grew louder. Bella’s face turned red with humiliation. She wanted to crawl into a hole. Derek came up on stage, took my hand, and proudly introduced me to everyone. “Claire, my beloved wife.” Amid the enthusiastic applause, I smiled slightly and spoke into the microphone: “Not for much longer.” Derek froze, thinking he’d heard wrong. “What?”

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New Year’s Eve, the ER buzzed. A patient came in with a severely injured penis, bleeding heavily. He was my best friend. And the one who brought him? My fiancée, Chloe. Her hands were drenched in blood, trembling as she clutched my white coat, begging me to save him. I glanced at the wound. Shards of the sex toy I’d bought Chloe just two days prior were still embedded there. She stammered, frantically trying to explain, “He was just drunk, it was an accident…” I calmly put on my gloves, cutting her off. “Go pay the fee. Sign as the responsible party.” There was a time I’d get furious if she just had dinner with a male colleague. Now, watching her bring my best friend to the hospital after they cheated, my heart felt unsettlingly calm. Chloe stared at my placid face, her eyes suddenly welling up. “Why aren’t you angry?” Angry? What’s there to be angry about? Something dirty? You just cut it off. 1 I expressionlessly pulled down the blinds. Turning around, Blake was groaning on the operating table. The anesthesiologist had just given him a shot, but it hadn’t fully kicked in. Blake was drenched in cold sweat, yet seeing me, he smirked smugly. “Liam, go easy. If you can’t fix me, Chloe will be heartbroken.” I probed the wound with a hemostat. “Endure it if it hurts.” The tweezers extracted a blood-soaked sex toy fragment. Blake flinched, letting out a pained shriek. “Quite the thrill you had, huh?” I said, my voice dripping with sarcasm. Blake gasped, his eyes defiant. “Chloe said she wanted some excitement. I didn’t want to, but she insisted. She said you’re a nerd and I’m more fun.” I looked at his penis, a wave of disgust washing over me. Half an hour later, the surgery was over. I peeled off my blood-stained gloves, packing the fragments as medical waste. Along with my last shred of feeling for these two, I tossed them into the biohazard bin. Stepping out of the operating room, Chloe rushed towards me immediately. “Liam, let me explain.” She stammered incoherently, her eyes bloodshot. “You’re the only one in my heart, really.” I forcefully pulled my hand away. “I’m a doctor,” I cut her off. “I only care if the patient’s sexual function can recover, and if there will be any lasting complications. How you two ended up like this, I couldn’t care less.” Chloe looked at me in disbelief. “You don’t love me anymore?” She actually had the nerve to ask that. I chuckled. “As a doctor, the surgery was a success, though it might not be fully functional going forward. As your ex-fiancé, I wish you both happiness.” Chloe’s face instantly went ashen. I stepped back, checking my watch. “I have three more emergencies waiting. Don’t block me from saving lives.” 2 The next morning at 7 AM, my clinic door was pushed open. Chloe stood there, holding a takeout bag. “Liam, this is your favorite burger. I waited in line for an hour to get it.” In the past, I would have been touched and hugged her. Now, I just felt sick to my stomach. “What happened last night, it was my fault. I won’t ever see him again. Please forgive me this one time, okay?” she continued to apologize. I said nothing, taking the burger and handing it to a security guard. Chloe’s smile froze, then twisted into shame and anger. “Liam, I’ve humbled myself to come apologize to you, what more do you want? Blake and I were just drunk. Last night was an accident!” Just then, the nurse station bell blared. A young nurse frantically ran over. “Dr. Liam, the patient in room 16 is making a fuss. He says his wound hurts, claims the nurse who changed his dressing was too rough, and insists you go personally.” Chloe immediately grew anxious at the mention of Blake’s pain. She grabbed my arm, her tone softening again. “Liam, you’re a doctor, go take a look. He is your best friend after all, and it would be terrible if it leaves a scar on his penis.” I almost laughed out loud. It was such a mess, and he cared about how it looked? I picked up the dressing tray. Chloe breathed a sigh of relief, following me into the patient room. Blake was lying in bed, whining and groaning. Seeing me enter, he immediately stopped. “Dr. Liam is finally here.” His eyes flickered towards Chloe, his voice becoming overly delicate and fake. “Chloe, I’m in so much pain, please tell Liam to check on me.” I put on my gloves and pulled back the blanket. The wound was red and swollen, and the exudate hadn’t dried. When I stitched him up last night, I definitely held back. I didn’t use absorbable sutures; I used the cheapest silk thread. It would hurt more when removed and was prone to pulling. “That toy was Chloe’s New Year’s gift to me,” Blake whispered. “Was it?” I replied coldly. Then, with a forceful twist of my wrist, I pressed a cotton swab firmly onto his wound. Debridement. Removing necrotic tissue. “AHHH!!!” Blake let out an agonized scream like a stuck pig. Chloe, who had been standing by the window, rushed over at the sound. “Liam! What are you doing!” She pushed me. Caught off guard, I stumbled back a few steps. My lower back hit the sharp corner of a metal cabinet with a heavy thud. Chloe shielded Blake, pointing at me with a furious face. “How can you be so vicious? Is this your medical ethics?” Blake cowered in her arms, playing the victim. “Chloe, he’s doing it on purpose, he wants me to suffer to death…” Chloe’s heart ached for him. I gave up entirely. Because the old Chloe, the one who loved me, was dead. The Chloe now was just a manipulative bitch. I leaned on the cabinet, straightening my body. “Cleaning a wound naturally hurts. If you can’t handle it, then don’t bother with treatment.” I tossed the dressing tray onto the table. “Frankly, I find it disgusting.” 3 Before noon, rumors spread through the hospital. “Did you hear that Dr. Liam in the ER is retaliating against a patient!” “I heard he’s fighting with the patient over a woman. It’s terrible.” The head nurse looked at me with a hesitant gaze. In the afternoon, the director called me into his office. “Liam, this incident is having a bad effect,” the director said gravely. “Ms. Chloe has filed a complaint. While the surgery itself wasn’t problematic, a doctor’s poor attitude is unacceptable. You’ll be suspended for a few days. Ms. Chloe said that as long as you apologize, this matter will be dropped.” I tightened my grip on the coffee cup. I had helped so many patients, and now, because of accusations from this cheating couple, I was being suspended. Stepping out of the director’s office, Chloe was waiting outside. She leaned against the wall, lighting a cigarette. Seeing me emerge, she stubbed it out and approached. “Liam, just apologize to Blake. I’ll withdraw the complaint. I know you feel wronged, but Blake is a patient right now, so humor him.” I looked at her hypocritical face. Suddenly, I found it utterly ridiculous. How could I have ever loved such a pathetic excuse for a human? “I’ll apologize to him, just don’t let me be suspended.” Chloe nodded, satisfied. “That’s right. Come on, Blake’s waiting for you in his room.” Back in my office, I pulled out a file from the deepest part of my drawer. It was from three years ago. I’d never been able to bring myself to throw it away, and now, unexpectedly, it was finally useful. I arrived at the patient room door. Inside, not only was Blake there, but also several of Chloe’s shady friends, and even a few colleagues. “That nerd, Liam, Chloe must have been soft-hearted to put up with him for so long.” Chloe pushed the door open and cleared her throat. The room quieted. All eyes turned to me. I walked to the center of the room. Then, I bowed deeply to Blake. “My apologies. My medical skills were lacking. I couldn’t perfectly stitch up that rotting hole down there.” Everyone stared at me, wide-eyed. Blake’s face instantly turned beet red. “Liam! Shut up!” he roared, grabbing a pillow and throwing it at me. I sidestepped, dodging it. Chloe’s face was ashen. “Liam, are you crazy? What are you talking about!” “I’m not talking nonsense,” I blinked innocently. “Didn’t you ask me to apologize? I’m just stating the facts. Everyone’s here, so you can all be witnesses.” I pulled out a yellowed pathology report from my pocket. I gently placed it on the bedside table, underneath a fruit basket. “Chloe, let’s settle the score from three years ago today.” Chloe’s pupils constricted sharply as she saw the paper. 4 That pathology report stopped Chloe dead in her tracks. Memories from three years ago flooded my mind. We had only recently moved in together. That day, I suddenly suffered from acute testicular torsion, writhing on the floor in pain, curled up on the sofa as I called Chloe. I told her I wasn’t feeling well, experiencing severe lower abdominal pain, and asked her to come back and take me to the hospital. Chloe impatiently replied on the phone, “Blake’s cat is sick, I need to help him. Can’t you just take a cab yourself? Don’t be so dramatic, you’re a grown man.” Then she hung up. I forced myself to get up and try to call a cab, but I passed out at the apartment complex entrance. By the time the security guard got me to the hospital and I woke up, it was already the next day. The doctor told me I was brought in too late; the lack of blood flow had been too prolonged, my left testicle had necrosed and had to be removed. When Chloe rushed to the hospital, she knelt by my bed, sobbing hysterically. She swore she’d only be good to me for the rest of her life, and that she’d never speak to Blake again. I believed her. Now, I slammed that blood-and-tear-stained report in front of her. “Chloe, do you see it clearly?” I pointed to the date on the report. “That day, you were at Blake’s house ‘saving a kitten,’ while I was here having a necrotic organ removed. Last night, you were on Blake’s bed playing some wild game, while I was in the operating room cutting away his rotten flesh.” “Liam… stop talking…” Chloe’s voice was hoarse as she reached for the report. I slapped her hand away. “Don’t touch it.” “It’s dirty.” In front of everyone, I unpinned my ID badge from my chest. Thwack! It landed by Chloe’s feet. “This doctor, I’m not being anymore. This woman, I don’t want anymore. Blake, Chloe, good luck to you both.” With that, I turned to leave. Chloe seemed to finally react. She lunged forward like a maniac, trying to block me. “Liam! You can’t leave!” she shrieked behind me, her voice filled with panic. A hand suddenly cut in, blocking Chloe. It was Dr. Scarlett Smith from our department. Usually a quiet person, Scarlett’s face was frighteningly cold. “Ms. Chloe, please respect yourself.” She pushed Chloe, sending her stumbling back a few steps. Chloe hit the doorframe, utterly disheveled. Blake cried out Chloe’s name from the bed, telling her not to chase me. The scene was chaotic. I didn’t look back. Walking out of the hospital building, I took out my phone and blocked Chloe on every contact platform. Even her parents, her friends. Then, I dialed a number. “Hello, Captain.” “It’s Liam.” “Is it still possible to sign up for the medical aid mission in the remote mountains?” A surprised voice came from the other end. “Yes! We desperately need a surgeon! You leave tomorrow!”

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