After being separated from my wife for a year, I finally saw her again, and she was already five months pregnant. My anger and questions only brought her defensive retorts. “I’m an independent woman, and I have the right to control my own body!” “Why are you so upset that I’m having a child for a childhood friend?” Her childhood friend chimed in, explaining that the child was conceived via IVF, and they weren’t romantically involved. In the streets of France, they mocked me with, “When in Rome, do as the Romans do,” and kissed right in front of me, calling me a backward bumpkin with outdated beliefs. “Don’t let him know I intentionally aborted the last child. The first child I give birth to can only be yours,” my wife whispered to her friend, unaware that I had already learned enough French to understand her. I grabbed my wife Sophia’s arm, fury boiling over. “You said you came to France to further your studies, but it seems you were studying in bed!” I glared at Sophia’s belly. We had been apart for a year, so this child couldn’t possibly be anyone else’s but Liam’s. The two of them were stunned by my sudden appearance, looking at me in disbelief. “Ethan, since you know everything, there’s no point in hiding it. The child is indeed Liam’s.” “Bro, actually, Sophia knew my mom wanted a grandchild, but I’m not interested in marriage. She just wanted to help me. This is our IVF child, and we’re innocent.” Despite my shock, they quickly put on a show of innocence. Ha, the way they were hugging and kissing was far from innocent! “Ethan, we’re married, and you should understand me. I can’t handle any major emotional upheaval now that I’m pregnant. Let’s settle everything after the baby’s born.” Her words made me laugh in disbelief. So, she was having a child for someone else, and I not only couldn’t be angry, but I had to be understanding and supportive? Sorry, I can’t accept that. “Sophia, I don’t even want to be with you anymore, so why would I protect your child?” I looked at her, my tone unwavering. To Sophia, all she saw was jealousy. “No matter what you say, I won’t abort this child just because you’re jealous!” Hearing this, Liam immediately dropped to his knees in front of me. He crawled a few steps forward, keeping his head very low. “Brother Ethan, please don’t make Sister Sophia abort the child. She’s quite far along, and an abortion would be harmful to her.” Liam whispered to me, in a voice only I could hear, delivering a truly cutting remark. “Sophia already aborted the last pregnancy to have this child. If she aborts again, she might never be able to have children.” Last pregnancy? Aborted? Those words left me momentarily speechless with rage. Sophia had told me our last child was an accidental miscarriage. At that time, I said I would drop everything to be with her, but she insisted I complete my project, saying she also wanted to study abroad and relax. Not only did I comply with her wishes, but I also transferred millions to her out of guilt. Turns out she intentionally aborted the child just to make room to have a child for another man? How am I supposed to swallow this?

“Sophia, you’d better explain clearly what happened to our child.” I turned and demanded answers from Sophia. Liam, who was still on the ground, quickly attempted to cover for his words. “Ah, I misspoke… I meant miscarriage. I was trying to say Sophia can’t have another miscarriage; it’s bad for her health.” I never thought Liam, a man, could be so duplicitous. Besides, I had met him before, and he wasn’t like this. “I don’t want to hide it from you. I did abort the child. Liam’s father is critically ill, and I wanted to have a child for Liam to continue their family line and give the old man some hope. How can you have no empathy?” Sophia’s words made me laugh out of anger. So she was overflowing with empathy, rushing to have a child for someone else? “Don’t give me that moral high ground nonsense, making cheating sound so noble! Just one thing, I want you back home for a divorce!” As soon as I mentioned divorce, Liam’s eyes lit up. Sure enough, a homewrecker always wants to ascend, regardless of gender. He had deliberately let me know about Sophia’s abortion to provoke a divorce between us, didn’t he? “You’re just bothered that the child isn’t yours, right? After I have Liam’s child, I’ll give you one. If we end up divorcing, you’ll have to leave Anderson Corporation, so what’s in it for you?” I underestimated Sophia’s shamelessness. She even threatened me with that tone. She doesn’t know that Anderson Corporation has been a shell since her father passed away. If it wasn’t for my investment and takeover, it would’ve gone bankrupt long ago. But she did remind me, after all my hard work, why should I make it easy for others by getting a divorce now? So I pretended to soften my stance, wanting to hear Sophia’s plan to have a child for someone else abroad. “I can avoid divorce, but you have to take care of this child!” “Don’t worry about the child. I’ll find a private hospital to give birth, and there won’t be any record. But you’ll have to be the one to sign off on the surgery. So for the time being, let Liam return home to manage the company while you take care of me until the birth.” Hearing her plan, I couldn’t help but take a deep breath. She intended to keep me informed until the child was too far along to be aborted, and I’d be the one to care for her during labor. Meanwhile, Liam would return home under the guise of managing the company for me, effectively sidelining me. What a plan to discard the donkey after exploiting it! “Don’t worry, you’re still my husband. Liam is just helping take over temporarily; nothing will go wrong.” Sophia made it sound so reassuring. “Alright, it seems like the best plan now, but you have to promise I can return to the company immediately after you give birth.” I turned and gave advice to my confidant at the company back home. Once Liam arrives, they’ll be sure to treat him well. With Liam gone, Sophia continued nurturing her fetus in France. But every day, she would spend a long time on the balcony, talking on the phone. “What are you chattering about out there every day?” I pretended not to understand her. “Just talking to some friends in France.” After testing several times and thinking I really didn’t understand, Sophia openly started speaking in French on the phone with Liam in front of me. “Liam, it’s alright if he deliberately makes things hard for you at the company. Just hang in there; everything will be fine after the baby is born.” “Remember my grandfather’s will? All of Anderson family’s entire estate will go to my first child.” Sophia’s words were laced with malice, as if she was already planning to discard me once she was done using me. What she didn’t know was that I had already learned French to find her. I understood every word she said these days. After all, knowing your enemy is the key to victory. She has her tricks, and I have my plans.

With two months left until the due date, Sophia eagerly moved into a private hospital. Since she didn’t want any record of her having a child for the Liam family, she devised a foolproof plan. Not only did she have me, her nominal husband, accompany her, but she also paid a hefty sum to bribe the doctor to alter the medical records. She changed the pregnancy period to four months and the type of surgery from a natural birth to an induction. With this switcheroo, even if I eventually confronted her or if a business rival dug up this dirt, she could claim this child was ours, but it was aborted due to poor development. As for the child in her womb, it really was developing poorly. The doctor said it was a Down syndrome child and advised against giving birth. But Sophia stubbornly chose to do the opposite, saying a child with an intellectual disability would be easier to manipulate. She needed a piece that would allow her to reap the benefits effortlessly. She always treated me like a pawn, but how could I let her manipulate me any longer? I looked at the altered surgical application form and silently clenched my fists. I decided to respect the doctor’s advice and not let the child come into this world. “Ethan, your French isn’t good, so you’ll need to use a translator to communicate with the doctors and make sure the surgery process is correct. Don’t mess it up!” Before entering the operating room, Sophia kept emphasizing to me. “I got it. I’ll communicate well with the doctor. You just go in and relax.” Maybe my calm tone aroused her suspicion. “Ethan, you’d better remember. If anything happens to me or the child, I won’t let you off easily!” Even at this point, she didn’t forget to threaten me. I had already confirmed the procedure with the doctors. They all agreed with my decision, and considering Sophia’s extreme personality, the child had inherent defects. If born, it would only be used by Sophia and then discarded. Rather than let that happen, I could stop the tragedy now. From the ward came Sophia’s heart-wrenching screams. “What did you inject me with? Why do I feel like the child isn’t moving?” She tried to get up but was anesthetized and could only lie on the bed. “Ethan, get in here and tell the doctors the child must survive!” “Ethan, even if I cheated and had a child for another man, you can’t do this to me. You’re my husband, and you must witness this child’s birth!” Sophia yelled for me from the ward, but I found it noisy and left, going further away. Just as I reached the first floor, I ran into Liam, who had rushed over. “Where’s the child, my child?” “You, what exactly did you inject me with? I can’t feel the baby moving anymore!” She tried to get up but was sedated and could only remain on the bed. “Ethan, come in here! You have to tell the doctor that the baby has to survive!” “Ethan, even if I was unfaithful and had a child with someone else, you can’t treat me like this. You’re my husband, you need to be here for the birth of this child!” Sophia was calling me from the hospital room, but the noise was overwhelming, so I stepped out to get some distance. Unexpectedly, as soon as I reached the first floor, I ran into Liam, who had arrived in a hurry. “Where is the child, where is my child?!” In his haste, Liam hadn’t properly concealed what he was carrying. It was the will established by the old patriarch of the Anderson family years ago. Through recent conversations between Sophia and Liam, I finally realized I had been ensnared in a massive scheme from the start. Back then, the old man of the Anderson family knew his daughter was unreliable, so he wanted to find someone to help manage the family business. He orchestrated a plan for Sophia to deliberately win over my family’s favor and secure my goodwill, while also setting up an ironclad will. No matter how I developed the company, the profits would always belong to the Anderson family. But it seems his plans are about to unravel now. “The child has already been terminated.” I smiled with a hint of detachment. Hearing this, Liam completely lost control. “You deceived me, didn’t you? The child was fine; it must have been born already!” Liam lunged to grab my collar. I snatched the documents from his hand and pulled him upstairs. “See for yourself!” When we got upstairs, Sophia had already been wheeled out, unconscious, with no child beside her. This sent Liam into a complete frenzy. He urgently pulled the doctor aside to ask. “Where’s the child? Which room was it sent to?” “The child has been dealt with according to your instructions. Here are the surgical records, and here’s the signed family consent.” When the doctor placed the surgical records in front of him, Liam saw his dreams shatter and collapsed onto the floor. “Didn’t we agree? Just write ‘termination’ on the record, but actually have the child!” “Ethan, it had to be you! You tricked us! You understood French, so you knew about the will. After I left, you secretly bribed the doctor. How dare you ruin my plans!” Just as Liam was about to charge at me, I tore the will to pieces and threw them in his face. The paper fragments fluttered down, just like his shattered dream of wealth. “Save your energy; you’ll need it to take care of her.” With that, I turned and left without looking back. “What do I do now? My billions!” “Sophia, wake up!” “Get up and think of something!” Liam’s wailing behind me was almost laughable. Weren’t they supposed to be in love? Why was every word from Liam’s mouth only about money? I had no time for this drama. There’s a tough battle waiting for me back home. Since Liam’s return, he’s overhauled the company’s staff, inserting many of their people. Operations are in chaos, and the stock keeps plummeting. I have to intervene. Back at Johnson Corporation, rumors were already spreading. They said Sophia and I secretly divorced, which is why Liam took over the company recently. As for me, I could be kicked out at any time, and those who support me would be cleared out too. These rumors were undoubtedly orchestrated by Sophia and Liam. Failing to use the child to oust me, they now want to use public pressure. It’s not going to be that easy. I identified several key figures spreading rumors and fired them, regardless of their position. I also rehired a few confidants who had been forced out under Liam’s pressure. With the staff cleaned up, I immediately called an emergency shareholders meeting. Exhausted after dealing with everything, I finally had time to go home, only to run into Sophia at the door. “Long time no see. I didn’t expect you’d change the locks.” Sophia spoke first, clearly with ill intentions. “But you didn’t change our mom’s nursing home location, did you?” Sophia waved her phone in front of me. It was a photo of her and my mom. I am committed to ensuring the content retains its original meaning while being expressed in a way that’s closer to English norms, making it easier to understand. Throughout this process, we will maintain the original formatting, keeping the line breaks and paragraph divisions intact.

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I am the only son of the nation’s wealthiest family, back home to prepare to take over the family business. I never expected that simply attending a banquet with my sister would lead to being mistaken as her lover by her “boy toy,” Asher. In my past life, he severed my hands and tortured me in a basement for three days and nights. “My family’s darling is of high status; how could a poor guy like you ever hope to reach that high?” Asher’s sister, Adeline, knelt before my sister, Phoebe, begging her to avenge me, but she remained indifferent. “Even if he is my brother, if his death could make Asher happy, then it’s worth it.” To help Asher cover up his crime, she even ran over Adeline at the police station entrance when she was seeking justice for me. When I opened my eyes again, I found myself back at the moment Asher was about to cut off my hands. This time, I decisively hung up the call to my biased sister and turned to call my mom. “Mom, I want to revoke my sister’s inheritance rights and expel her from the family. Also, help me prepare the engagement banquet with Adeline.” I want to see who ends up in the mud pit this time. 1 “Taking advantage of my illness to seduce my girlfriend, Declan, you’re despicable!” “If you like holding other people’s girlfriends’ hands, I’ll make sure you can’t do it again. Let’s see if you can keep seducing others with crippled hands!” With familiar voices, I felt something sharp stab into my wrist. The sharp pain snapped my muddled brain awake. Opening my eyes, I saw Asher grinning as he twisted a scalpel in my wrist. Seeing this familiar scene, I instantly realized I had been reborn. Reborn to the day Asher kidnapped me to the abandoned factory to cut off my hands. From the Bluetooth earpiece blocked by my messy hair, I heard my sister Phoebe’s cold voice. “Stop pretending, Declan. Asher is upright. How could he kidnap you?” “Even if you’re jealous of Asher, don’t use such vile means to frame him. He’s my future husband; it’s not worth dirtying his hands for you, understand?” Feeling my right hand gradually lose sensation, I closed my eyes, not uttering a word to Phoebe for help. Recalling my past life, I frantically explained to Phoebe that I wasn’t jealous of Asher, dropping all dignity, crying and begging for her to save me. But Phoebe still coldly refused, and my unusual behavior was noticed by Asher. Thus, my secretly hidden phone was smashed, cutting off my only hope of rescue. Asher pulled out the knife from my wrist and swung it fiercely at my face. “Stupid loser, keep pretending. Let’s see if you can still act after this!” With one slap, I felt half my face go numb, warm liquid flowing down my face, numbing it with pain. Asher, seeing my miserable state, left in a good mood. But I knew this wasn’t him letting me go; he was just tired and going to find thugs to continue for him. Watching Asher’s disappearing back, I struggled to bite open the rope on my hand. Pulling out the phone hidden in my pocket, I hung up on Phoebe and called my mom. As the call connected, I heard Asher’s scream from behind. “Declan, what are you doing?!” My heart raced, instinctively wanting to run, but the call connected at that moment. Seeing Asher approaching with three thugs, the nightmare of my past life overwhelmed me. Frozen in place, I used my last bit of strength to speak into the phone. “Mom, hurry and save me.” The next second, Asher was in front of me, smashing the phone to the ground. But this time, I wasn’t worried. I knew Mom would come save me. I am the Harper Family’s only biological son, the only child left by the person she loves most. From a young age, I was strictly protected by the family, and anyone with ill intentions towards me met with a miserable end. If Mom knew I was hurt like this, she would be furious and make those who dared to harm me pay a thousandfold. Asher shoved me to the ground, fiercely grinding his shoe into my wound. Pointing at the three thugs behind him, he looked at me viciously and said, “I knew you weren’t honest. Beat him until he calls me daddy!” At Asher’s signal, the three thugs with fists like sandbags approached me. I racked my brain, thinking of how to save myself. Suddenly, a slender figure blocked me. I looked closely; it was Adeline, who in my past life sought justice for me but was killed by Phoebe. Chapter 2 “I’ll hold them off, Declan, you run!” I couldn’t say what I felt inside, not even having time to think about why she appeared, struggling to shake my head at her. “No, you go! Don’t worry about me!” I was severely injured and lost too much blood. Even if I stood up, I couldn’t run far. I already involved her in my last life; I can’t drag her down again. But it was too late. Adeline was kicked to the ground by the three thugs, fists raining down on her. My heart twisted into a knot, desperately trying to get them to stop to no avail. Asher grabbed my hair, speaking viciously. “Declan, I didn’t expect your simp to be so devoted, daring to come save you.” “Then I’ll send you both to die together!” Blood loss blurred my vision, but I still glared at Asher. “You better let me and Adeline go. You can’t afford the cost of hurting me!” Asher laughed disdainfully, slapping me across the face again, mocking in his tone. “Who do you think you are? Phoebe is the daughter of the nation’s wealthiest family. Do you think even if I kill you, the police would dare trouble me?” Asher glanced at Adeline on the ground, eyes filled with disgust. “You little wench dare come to save him. Truly devoted.” He grinned maliciously, telling the three thugs, “She’s yours, do as you please.” The three thugs approached Adeline again, leering. “Asher, are you crazy? Adeline is your sister!” I used all my strength to try to drag their legs but was mercilessly stepped on. A clear sound of bones cracking reached my ears, and I trembled with rage, no longer caring to hide my identity. “Enough! Phoebe is just my mom’s adopted daughter. I’m the Tycoon’s only son!” “With one word, I can make Phoebe leave the Harper Family. If you don’t stop now, I guarantee your fate will be a thousand times worse than mine today!” Asher paused, then laughed even louder at my words. “Declan, are you mad because you can’t be Phoebe’s lover?” “Who doesn’t know the current Tycoon is a Harper, and there’s no son. You should check your facts before lying.” My heart sank. The Harper Family shielded me too well; even stray dogs passing by were investigated. My information never appeared publicly. Plus, using my late father’s surname, who died in a car accident shortly after marrying in, and going abroad at five due to severe illness. Until now, the outside world didn’t know about a Harper son with the surname Lin. I endured the pain in my wrist, gritting my teeth as I looked at Asher. “I’m telling the truth. If you don’t believe me, ask Phoebe!” Though I knew Phoebe wouldn’t help, it was all I could say to stall until Mom’s people arrived… “Lies, do you think I’d believe you?!” Asher slapped me again, pulling me up by the hair. He squeezed my face, the thugs holding my hands, signaling another to pick up the ax in the corner. I understood his intent, struggling fiercely, banging my head against Asher. Caught off guard, Asher’s nose shattered, enraging him. He turned and slapped me again. My face burned with pain, a chilling numbness spreading. Am I doomed to lose my hands even in this life? Despair gripped me as the ax was about to fall when the factory doors burst open. An SUV sped in, hitting the thug with the ax. Startled, the thugs released me. Sensing danger, Asher tried to flee but was pinned by bodyguards. My mom’s secretary rushed over, calling for people to send Adeline and me to the Harper Family’s private hospital. Chapter 3 Just after getting bandaged and moved to a VIP ward, my mom’s call came. Answering, I briefly explained what happened. Thinking of Adeline’s selfless protection warmed me inside. My mom couldn’t sit still after hearing. “What?! That Asher wanted to cripple your hands? Does he not know the Harper Family’s power?” “And that vile Phoebe, I’ll make them regret ever living.” I nodded in agreement. “Mom, I want you to cancel Phoebe’s inheritance rights and kick her out of the Harper Family.” “And Adeline, if not for her, I wouldn’t have escaped. I’ll introduce her to you later.” My mom firmly promised. Thinking of Adeline, who risked everything to protect me, filled me with warmth. Mom was instantly on edge after hearing what I had to say. “What did you just say?! That Asher wants to damage your hand? Clearly, he’s unaware of how the Harper Family operates!” “And Phoebe, that ungrateful brat, I will make sure she regrets ever being born.” I nodded in agreement, “Mom, I want you to strip Phoebe of all inheritance rights and kick her out of the Harper Family.” “And Adeline, if it weren’t for her help, I wouldn’t have made it out. I’ll introduce her to you when the time is right.” Mom gave me her firm promise. “Don’t worry, from the moment he dared to harm you, he ceased to be a member of the Harper Family.” “I’ve already instructed my secretary to come and pick me up. Wait for me, I’m coming back to support you!” Once I hung up, I felt a wave of relief and wanted to visit Adeline in the next hospital room. Just as I got out of bed, the door swung open. I looked up to see Phoebe entering with a group of bodyguards. Without saying a word, she kicked me hard in the stomach. “Who do you think you are to mess with Asher?” The blow knocked me to the ground, leaving me in too much pain to speak. I couldn’t understand what right Phoebe had to attack me. She was merely an adopted daughter my parents had taken in. Without them, she might still be scavenging for food on the streets. Before I went abroad at five, I treated her like my own sister. Even after returning, I suggested to Mom that she should inherit the family business alongside me. It was my family that gave her a new life, yet she was the one dragging me down to hell. Asher, who should have been detained and awaiting my decision, stepped out from behind Phoebe. He looked at me in my miserable state and mocked me. “Let it go, sister Phoebe. Declan said he’s the Tycoon’s only son, and we can’t afford to offend him…” Phoebe sneered, her gaze filled with contempt. “There is indeed a young master in the Harper Family, but it’s not you—a loser who schemed his way into becoming the godson.” “I grew up in the Harper Family. How could I not recognize who the true heir is?” Phoebe’s words left me bewildered, but I am indeed the Tycoon’s son. At that moment, a middle-aged man stepped out from behind Phoebe. I recognized him as Liam Parker, my mom’s assistant, and felt a glimmer of hope once again. I’m sorry, but I need the text that you want me to translate in order to proceed.

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The tenth time I attempted to have the wedding, my boyfriend was, for the tenth time, called away by a phone call from his so-called childhood sweetheart. I was left alone on the stage, becoming a complete laughing stock. I swallowed my pride and contacted my boyfriend, begging him to return and at least go through the motions. But he wouldn’t even pick up my calls! His childhood sweetheart smugly sent me a photo of them lying in bed together, flaunting, “I won!” My heart turned completely cold. The wedding had been scheduled ten times, yet postponed ten times. The master of ceremonies looked at me with sympathy, “Do you still want to continue with the wedding?” I smiled, “Yes! It must be completed!” I sent a message to the boy-next-door, and upon receiving his affirmative reply, I breathed a sigh of relief and informed the master of ceremonies to wait a little longer. This was already my tenth wedding attempt, and I couldn’t let it be ruined again. Declan arrived quickly, his tailored suit accentuating his tall and long-legged frame, drawing quite a bit of attention. He walked directly to the center of the stage, standing beside my solitary figure, smiling nonchalantly. “Miss Quinn, have you figured it out?” I nodded. It was just a marriage to appease family elders; it didn’t matter who I married. Besides, Grandma’s illness couldn’t be delayed any longer. Her condition has been rapidly worsening for half a year now. Every time I visited her, she would talk about wanting to see me get married before she passed. As someone who had been closest to me all my life, Grandma’s only wish was for me to find someone trustworthy. That way, after she was gone, I would have someone to rely on and wouldn’t be bullied. Watching Grandma grow thinner day by day, I couldn’t bear to see her leave with regrets, so I set my mind on getting married. Boyfriend Kieran had also promised me we would marry. But for ten whole weddings, he missed every single one, leaving me to become the laughing stock of all Seaside City. And all his excuses for missing were because of his childhood sweetheart, Phoebe. Phoebe was fine on ordinary days, but on my wedding days, she either couldn’t handle the stress due to her depression or was too scared after watching a horror movie and needed company. The most ridiculous time was when she wanted to take wedding photos on a whim while shopping and called Kieran to be her partner. I couldn’t express a bit of dissatisfaction at these ridiculous reasons. If I dared to ask, I would get a barrage of scolding. “Quinn, can’t you be more understanding? Phoebe is like a sister to me, she needs me now. The wedding can happen any day, don’t be so petty, okay?” But after ten times of abandonment and betrayal, my patience finally ran out. This time, I wouldn’t stand in place and wait anymore. After completely letting go, I found that my heart didn’t hurt as much. Maybe it was numbness. Or perhaps Grandma’s words gave me strength. “Our Quinn is so good, Grandma hopes that after Grandma leaves, you’ll find someone who loves you and won’t let you suffer.” Recalling Grandma’s aged face gave me firm confidence. I couldn’t let the people who loved me down. So I took Declan’s arm and walked down the aisle with him. I needed to face the wedding in my best state so that Grandma would be at ease when she saw the video. As we exchanged rings, my phone chimed. It was Kieran. He hadn’t realized his mistake at all, still speaking in a casual tone. [Ning Ning, be good. Phoebe’s stomach hurts today, I really can’t leave. The wedding can be any day, I’ll make it up to you later.] Seeing such words again, my heart ached uncontrollably. I clenched my phone. Declan raised an eyebrow slightly. “Do you still want to wear the ring?” I looked up with determination, “Yes!” After going through all the procedures, I was already exhausted. Thanks to Declan for supporting my waist all the time. Before leaving, he looked at me seriously. “Quinn, I’ll give you two days to change your mind. I hope you think it through before we get the certificate.” His words gave me enough dignity, but I had already made up my mind to end things with Kieran. “Don’t worry, I won’t regret it!” After Declan left, I received a message from Kieran. [Quinn, buy painkillers within ten minutes and bring them over, don’t make me angry.] The address below was a famous couple’s hotel in Seaside City. Then, the phone chimed again. It was a photo of two people lying in bed. The sender was Phoebe. And my boyfriend was one of the main characters in the photo. [I won again!] Compared to the pain of being betrayed and abandoned, I felt more disgusted. On my wedding day, my groom was at a couple’s hotel with another woman. I clenched my fists unconsciously until they bled. Chapter Two In the end, I went to the hotel. This relationship was completely over for me. Afterward, I didn’t want to have any more entanglement with Kieran. So I wanted to break up with him face-to-face and get the house key back. After all, the place he was living in now was a house I bought with full payment! When I arrived at the hotel, Kieran was angry when he saw me empty-handed. “Quinn, what’s wrong with you? Where are the painkillers I asked you to buy?” Phoebe sat at the edge of the bed, pouting pitifully: “Brother Kieran, don’t be mad. After all, Sister Ning Ning has been busy with wedding preparations all day, maybe she’s just too tired.” She knew full well that the groom had been called away by her, yet she still spoke so nonchalantly. Being ridiculed like this, even with my heart already in tatters, I couldn’t suppress the sting. My fingers slowly clenched, nearly digging into my palm. Disappointment reached a certain level where I no longer had the desire to be angry. The couple’s hotel room was so cramped and ambiguous, I was almost suffocating. My relationship with Kieran started back in college. At first, it was his passionate pursuit that made me gradually fall for him. When we were together, he remembered every holiday better than I did, always surprising me with gifts. Even if I threw tantrums, he would take all the blame and patiently comfort me. My best friends often marveled that I found such a great boyfriend. I thought the same, which is why I wanted to marry right after graduation. But everything changed when Kieran’s childhood sweetheart, Phoebe, returned from abroad. Since then, Kieran’s heart completely leaned towards her. Between me and Phoebe, I was always the one left behind. Kieran affectionately ruffled Phoebe’s hair. “Ah, you’re the understanding one.” Then he walked towards me, frowning in displeasure. “Why didn’t you reply to my message?” My repeated concessions only made Kieran push his limits further. He abandoned the wedding and me, yet blamed me right away. I tried to calm down, speaking coldly. “I forgot.” Kieran was stunned, seemingly shocked by my tone. I looked at Kieran coldly. “Kieran, today you missed the wedding again.” Hearing this, guilt flashed in his eyes, and he angrily defended himself. “I didn’t do it on purpose. Phoebe wasn’t feeling well. I can’t just ignore her, right?” “We can reschedule the wedding, can’t we? Stop making a fuss, Quinn, be reasonable, okay?” He was the one who did wrong, yet he turned the tables on me. I had no desire to argue further, holding back my disgust, I coldly said one sentence. “But I don’t want to wait for you anymore, let’s break up!” With that, I turned and walked away decisively. “Quinn, what the hell did you just say?!” Kieran shouted, immediately chasing after me. At this moment, behind me, Phoebe exclaimed, “Oh no!” Followed by a crisp shattering sound that stood out. I stopped, puzzled, and turned to look. The next second, my eyes widened. The broken jade pendant on the ground was the one Grandma had prayed for my safety with every step! I was completely stunned, an immense anger almost bursting out. Realizing this, I pushed Kieran away and rushed to carefully pick up the jade pieces. “Why is my jade pendant here!?” I stared at Phoebe, loudly questioning. Kieran came over, grumbling with dissatisfaction. “Quinn, what’s wrong with you? You’re scaring Phoebe.” I couldn’t believe I met Kieran’s gaze. He knew well how important this jade pendant was to me, yet he could casually say such a thing. Suddenly, a sense of helplessness crawled all over my heart. The soft flesh of my palm was pierced, bloody and mangled. Indeed, when it came to Phoebe, I was always the one who had to give in. But this time, it concerned Grandma, and I didn’t want to endure anymore. I raised my hand and slapped Kieran hard. “If you’re blind, go see a doctor!” “She stole the jade pendant Grandma gave me without my consent and broke it. What right do you have to forgive her for me?” The room fell silent. I had never hit anyone before, no matter how angry I was. Now, it was Kieran’s turn to be dumbfounded. “You dare hit me? Quinn, I’m your boyfriend, and you dare lay a hand on me?!” He rushed up, grabbing my throat, applying pressure until I could barely breathe. He glared at me, eyes filled with malice and hatred, as if looking at an enemy. I couldn’t help but think, when did the person who once looked at me with love change? I remember when we hadn’t started dating, I posted a photo of a less than two-millimeter cut on my finger on SnapChat. Kieran was waiting downstairs at 4 AM just to bring me a box of medicine. The boy’s eyes were bright and full of concern. “You dare hit me? Quinn, I’m your boyfriend, and you actually hit me?!” He lunged forward and gripped my neck so tightly I could barely breathe. He glared at me, eyes filled with malice and hatred, as if I were his enemy. I couldn’t help but wonder, when did the person who once looked at me with love change? I remember when we weren’t even together yet; I had just posted a photo in my Moments of a tiny cut less than two millimeters long. Kieran waited outside the dormitory building at four in the morning just to bring me a box of medicine. His eyes were bright and full of concern. It was then that I was moved by his sincerity and agreed to his pursuit. But only half a year later, he could hurl insults at me for another woman. Only then did I understand… True feelings can change in an instant. After love is gone, no matter how much you argue, it’s pointless. The sharp pain in my neck reminded me of how ridiculous my efforts over the years have been. I just curled my lips into a self-mocking smile. Phoebe peeked out from behind Kieran. Caught off guard, I met her mocking gaze. It felt like a needle had pierced my heart, making it hurt even more. The next second, her eyes turned red as if she were a frightened rabbit, and she said to me: “Quinn, don’t be mad. I just found the jade pendant and wanted to return it to you.” She playfully shook Kieran’s arm. “Kieran, stop blaming Quinn.” Only then did Kieran calm down and reluctantly let go of me. “Phoebe, you’re so sensible.” “Quinn, can’t you learn a little?” The pain of near suffocation made me tremble all over. Phoebe pretended to help me up. “Quinn, will you forgive me?” Her tone was slightly ingratiating, but I clearly saw the provocation and mockery in her eyes. It was like she was saying, “Yes, I took it, yes, I broke it, what can you do about it?” I felt a chill of disgust and avoided her touch. Phoebe took the opportunity to let out a sharp scream and fell backward. “Ah—” She clutched her wrist, looking at me in fear. “Quinn, I just wanted to apologize…” I hadn’t even touched her, yet I became the villain bullying her. Seeing Phoebe fall, Kieran quickly crouched to help her up and turned to scold me. “Quinn, didn’t you hear Phoebe say she found the jade pendant? Is it fun to take out your anger on an innocent person?” I almost laughed at his words. The jade pendant my Grandma gave me has always been precious. Carefully kept in the drawer of my bedroom. Found? Did Phoebe accidentally enter my home, then accidentally walk into my bedroom, and finally accidentally find the jade pendant in my most private nightstand? I couldn’t be bothered to expose this poorly crafted lie and smirked. “Fine, I will call the police and let them investigate how Phoebe found my jade pendant!” “And I will hold you accountable for laying hands on me today!” Phoebe panicked and immediately clutched her heart. “Kieran, my heart hurts…” Hearing this, Kieran dropped everything and carried Phoebe to the hospital. “Phoebe, don’t be afraid. I won’t let anything happen to you!” As he passed by me, he glared at me with gritted teeth. “Quinn, just you wait! If anything happens to Phoebe, you’ll pay!” He deliberately bumped into my shoulder. The impact knocked me to the ground. But Kieran didn’t spare me a glance, snorted coldly, and left. After they left, I remained sitting on the ground. That familiar face, now twisted, unfamiliar, and terrifying. My throat was dry. Tears fell unconsciously, one by one. As my emotions gradually calmed, my phone rang. It was a call from the hospital. I didn’t hesitate for a moment and answered. Grandma’s condition had worsened, and she was already in surgery. I didn’t care about anything else and staggered to my feet, running outside. As I stepped out of the hotel, I saw Declan. The man, cool and dignified, leaned against the car door, his eyes lighting up when he saw me. It seemed he was there just to wait for me. Without time to wonder why he was there, I got in the car and asked him to take me to the hospital. When we arrived, Grandma had already been saved by the doctors. I breathed a sigh of relief and stayed by her side from the operating room to the ward. With Declan by my side, I decided to tell Grandma about our marriage to make her happy. Grandma flipped through the wedding photos on my phone, smiling genuinely. “Good, good, good! Our Quinn finally found a good match!” Declan sat beside us, answering all of Grandma’s questions politely and without a hint of impatience. It wasn’t until the nurse reminded Grandma it was time to rest that I took Declan and left. Before leaving, Grandma whispered in my ear. “Quinn, Declan is a hundred times better than that what’s-his-name you found before!” “No doubt you’re my granddaughter; you know how to pick them!” My cheeks flushed instantly. I mumbled a response and quickly left the ward as if escaping. The next second, I bumped into Declan’s chest. Declan’s amused voice sounded above my head. “Did it hurt?” Blushing, I didn’t dare look up at him. I just shook my head dumbly: “No…” Even after Declan took the payment slip from my hand and went to pay, my heart kept racing. I couldn’t help but scold myself for being spineless. We’d only met three times, and now he’s my fake husband, how could I have improper thoughts about him? I took a few deep breaths, finally calming down. But I never expected to run into Kieran and Phoebe holding each other at the corner! Seeing me, they quickly separated, a guilty look flashing across their faces. But I just glanced at them coldly, with no emotion, and turned to leave. Kieran rushed over and grabbed my hand. “Quinn, it’s not what it looks like, don’t misunderstand!” I looked up calmly. “You don’t need to explain. We have nothing to do with each other anymore.” Perhaps my unwavering gaze made Kieran uneasy, and he scratched his head in frustration. “Ugh, is there any point in saying that? Phoebe’s upset, I was just comforting her.” He leaned in and whispered in my ear, so only we could hear: “I promise, we’ll make up for the wedding next week, okay?” “But Phoebe’s in poor health, I don’t want to upset her, so let’s not tell her yet.” I couldn’t help but laugh sarcastically. If you have to hide and cover up even for a wedding, what’s the point? I smirked and shook my head: “No need.” I’ve already been married. I left the last part unsaid. Because the man in front of me wasn’t worth any more of my energy. But my indifference made Kieran anxious. He blocked my path and demanded, “What do you mean no need?” “Quinn, weren’t you the one who always wanted a wedding? Why not anymore?” The next second, a familiar scent of sandalwood enveloped me again. Declan pulled me into his embrace, asserting his claim. “Because we’re already married!” “She’s mine now, and some filth should just disappear!” I’m sorry, but it appears there is no specific Chinese text provided for translation in your request. Could you kindly supply the exact Chinese content you wish to have translated? Once you do, I’d be more than happy to assist you, ensuring that the translation maintains the desired format and follows the guidelines you have outlined.

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I’m married to a brilliant pharmaceutical scientist. After our marriage, we were deeply in love, and everyone envied me for having a wife who was both devoted to the family and successful in her career. I believed our marriage was perfect and couldn’t resist showing off my wife to the world. But one day, I overheard her talking to a student at the lab entrance. “Jude and Finn have the most similar physical conditions. I’ve spent years researching. If I don’t deceive him into letting Finn test the drug, and Finn gets hurt, how could I live with myself?” It turns out, the drugs I tested for her were all for nothing… If that’s the case, anyone who wants to be the test subject can go ahead! “Professor, isn’t this too harsh? Jude just got a new artificial heart, and you’re making him test a new drug. What if something happens to him…” Before the student could finish, Adeline’s stern voice came from the lab: “It’s not your place to lecture me!” Though I couldn’t see her face, just hearing her voice, I knew she was truly angry. Sure enough, the next second, there was the sound of things being thrown. “He must test the new drug. Finn’s too weak and can’t wait any longer.” The student didn’t dare say more and was about to leave when Adeline called out, hesitating: “To be safe, let’s postpone the drug testing to next week and run a few more trials to ensure Jude won’t be harmed.” Adeline’s words felt like a knife stabbing into my heart, almost making me feel unbearable pain. Has she loved Nash all these years? And I’m just a test subject. I returned to my room, heartbroken. The chest pain from the artificial heart nearly made me bend over, but the physical pain was nothing compared to the emotional agony. I collapsed on the bed and glanced at the flowers and medicine bottles on the table, finally bursting into laughter. I’ve been married to Adeline for five years, always cherishing her. I thought I was the happiest man in the world, so I willingly became her test subject for her pharmaceutical career. For five years, I’ve coughed up blood countless times, developed numerous incurable diseases, and even my heart began deteriorating from frequent drug testing. But I never regretted it. For her, I was willing to risk my life. I never expected it was all a facade, a lie she meticulously crafted. “Honey, why do you look so pale?” “Are you feeling unwell?” Seeing my pale face, Adeline hurried over, gently cradling me in her arms, massaging my chest with eyes full of concern. In the past, I would have felt happy, grateful for marrying such a caring woman. But now, I only felt coldness. “It’s all my fault for not being by your side.” Adeline’s voice was full of guilt. I looked into her sincere eyes, pleading, “Adeline, I just got this new heart. Can I stop testing the drugs?” A hint of hesitation flashed across her face, and I quickly added, “I’m afraid if there’s any rejection, I won’t be able to stay with you.” Adeline’s gaze fell on my chest, and she sighed, deliberately saying, “Jude, but this drug is crucial for my future.” Her determined look made my nose sting, and my heart felt like it was being torn apart. To her, my life was less important than that person. Seeing my distressed face, Adeline quickly assured, “I promise I’ll keep you safe.” She pressed her nose to mine, her voice gentle and indulgent, “You’re my life; how could I bear to let you get hurt?” Every word was just a lie. I felt hopeless, “It’s okay, Adeline. I can take it.” Adeline’s face lit up with joy, but she said, “This is the last time, honey. I won’t let you be in any danger again.” Held in her warm embrace, I felt nothing but cold. That night, I couldn’t sleep. At dawn, Adeline’s phone rang. The man on the other end sounded jealous and sarcastic. Adeline gently reassured him and left without hesitation. Listening to the door close, I recalled last night’s conversation. She must be going to see that man, the one I risked my life to protect. Chapter

After she left, I immediately went into Adeline’s study. Her bookshelves were filled with my photos, and on the balcony, there was a large portrait she painted of me. Even the study’s layout was designed according to my taste. Anyone would think Adeline was deeply in love with me. But only I knew there was a folder on her computer with a password I didn’t know. Adeline once drunkenly told me it was the most precious thing in her life, her everything. I thought it was her research, so I didn’t pay much attention. Now it seems things aren’t as I thought. I hesitantly entered Adeline’s phone password, and to my surprise, it opened the file. The phone password with no special meaning was another person’s birthday. The file was full of photos of someone named Nash, all taken by Adeline. The camera doesn’t lie; every photo told me Adeline deeply loved him. The ridiculous part was Adeline once told me she didn’t know photography. They traveled together, read together, and even raised a cat together. But Adeline told me she was allergic to cat hair, so I even gave away my eight-year-old cat. In the photos, Adeline’s eyes were cautious, passionate yet timid, something I’d never seen. With me, she was always composed and serious; I thought it was just her personality. But it was because she didn’t love me. The last page was a letter she wrote to Nash. [Finn, I finally found someone with a physical condition like yours. He thinks I love him and eagerly tests drugs for me!] [He doesn’t know his heart has deteriorated. He volunteered to test drugs for me and got cancer. But that’s not my fault; he volunteered!] I forced my eyes open, stubbornly refusing to let tears fall. Turns out, the one she truly wanted to spend her life with wasn’t me. In her heart, I was just an experiment. What I thought was a chance meeting, falling in love, was all her deliberate arrangement. All because my condition was similar to Nash’s; she was using me. I shut down the computer and returned to the room, finally crying out loud when I collapsed onto the bed. I couldn’t stop recalling the time I nearly died from a heart attack. I took the pills Adeline gave me, and soon after, the pain was unbearable, and I vomited blood. Terrified, I called Adeline, but she never answered. Naively, I thought she was busy. In the hospital room, I nearly bled to death. Adeline comforted me, saying she’d always be by my side, ensuring nothing would happen to me. I was deeply moved but also felt guilty, thinking my carelessness let her down. So even when doctors told me my body couldn’t handle drug testing, risking a heart attack, I still agreed to try for her. But little did I know, what I thought was redemption and deep love were all her manipulation. The chest pain was so intense I could hardly breathe, a side effect of long-term drug testing for Adeline. I never told her, afraid she’d worry. Maybe she knew I was tormented every night but just didn’t care. Every moment with Adeline flashed in my mind. For seven years, I tested drugs for her, facing life and death countless times. Every time, she’d do everything to save me. Her fear of losing me was real. But only because without me, there wouldn’t be someone like Nash to test drugs for him. I trembled as I picked up my phone to check Adeline’s financial records over the years. She had a large sum saved in a Swiss bank and bought many insurance policies. But all were in the name of Nash. Chapter

Adeline’s every income was given to Nash unconditionally. For years, I thought she was modest and had no savings, so while testing drugs, I worked hard to support her dreams. How ridiculous! Just then, someone added me on Snapchat. I opened the profile picture, and my intuition told me it was Nash. Because the interlocked fingers in the photo, one belonged to Adeline. She had a burn scar on her hand from a lab accident. I checked Nash’s social media; the latest post was a photo of someone in an apron. The caption read: [How lucky to have a woman willing to cook for you!] Adeline once told me she couldn’t cook and hated the smell of oil, so even after my surgery, I cooked for her despite the pain. But with Nash, her principles, likes, and dislikes vanished. It’s not that she didn’t like cooking; she just didn’t want to cook for me. I kept scrolling. This Valentine’s Day, Adeline took Nash to France and took photos of million-dollar artwork for him. They kissed in front of the Louvre, rowed on the Seine, and read together in a library. And that day, Adeline casually ordered me a cake, even writing my name wrong on the card. Adeline once told me she doesn’t cook and despises the smell of grease. So even while recovering from surgery, I had to bear the pain and prepare meals for her. But around Nash, all her principles, preferences, and dislikes seemed to vanish. It’s not that she dislikes cooking; she just doesn’t want to do it for me. I continued scrolling. This Valentine’s Day, Adeline took Nash to France and purchased million-dollar artworks for him. They shared a kiss in front of the iconic Louvre, rowed together on the romantic Seine River, and read side by side in the library. Meanwhile, Adeline casually ordered me a cake, even misspelling my name on the card. For Nash’s birthday, Adeline organized an extravagant fireworks display. That same night, I suffered my second heart attack, almost dying in the hospital. Tears blurred my vision as I clutched my chest, curling up on the bed, each breath coming with heart-wrenching agony. To Adeline, I was nothing more than a test subject, a stand-in for Nash. She gave everything to Nash, leaving me with hollow concern. I didn’t sleep all night. Adeline sent me countless messages. I once thought she shared her life with me out of love, but she merely feared I’d notice something was awry, afraid of losing her test subject. This time, I’m afraid I’ll disappoint her. I contacted a staged death agency to help me disappear as soon as possible. Adeline returned home in the early morning, eagerly embracing me. Her voice was weary, eyes bloodshot. “Honey, I’ve been doing experiments all day. I’m exhausted. Did you miss me?” In the past, I would have felt sorry for her. But now, I only felt disgust. She doesn’t love me, yet she pretends to be deeply in love. “Are you mad?” She playfully pinched my nose. “I’m not going anywhere today, just staying with you, okay?” I stayed silent. I was about to leave her. There was no need to keep up this charade. My phone suddenly rang. Adeline looked puzzled at the message. “What service will be effective in five hours?” I quickly grabbed the phone. It was a message from the staged death agency. Everything was arranged, effective in five hours. I forced a smile, “Nothing, just some company business.” Though a flicker of doubt crossed Adeline’s eyes, she was confident in my love for her and didn’t press further, just holding my hand, saying, “Honey, I miss you every minute we’re apart. Don’t ever leave me, okay?” Bitterness welled up in my heart. I nodded. Adeline, soon there will be no more Jude beside you. I’ll be leaving you forever. We should never see each other again. Before Adeline could change clothes, she got a call. “What? Finn is in trouble? I’ll be right back!” Adeline left in a hurry, without even a glance in my direction. But my heart remained unmoved. Before faking my death, I needed a plausible reason. So, I opened Nash’s chat box. [I’m Adeline’s husband. Let’s meet.] When Nash came to meet me, he was still on the phone with Adeline. He deliberately put it on speaker, letting me hear Adeline’s soft, loving voice. “Finn, why are you wandering around when you’re not well? What would I do if something happened to you?” Nash wore a triumphant smile. “I miss you so much. When will you give me the medicine you promised? Are you getting feelings for that guy and don’t want to anymore?” Adeline paused, then laughed helplessly. “You’re the only one in my heart. But someone needs to test it first. I can’t risk you getting hurt.” Under the table, I clenched my fists, a bitter smile on my face. After hanging up, Nash looked at me tauntingly. “Adeline really goes to great lengths for me.” His face was full of smugness. His skin was rosy, not at all like someone sick. I turned to look at myself in the mirror, pale and gaunt. Years of testing drugs for Adeline had left me weak. “Honestly, I’m not sick at all. She had you test the drugs just because I said so.” I should have known. Adeline is a genius pharmaceutical doctor. How could she not see through Nash’s act? She just loves him too much, enough to let me die. “I’m not here to fight over Adeline. I’m leaving her, but you need to fulfill one request.” Facing Nash’s mocking gaze, I said firmly, “I just want her laboratory’s new medicine. Since I’m the one testing it anyway, what’s the difference if I take it a little sooner?” After leaving the hotel, I felt much more relaxed. For the past few days, I stayed close to Adeline. At first, she tried to deal with me patiently, but soon she grew impatient. But I didn’t care, as long as I got the medicine. Three days later, Nash delivered Adeline’s new medicine to me. After swallowing the pills, I finally felt relieved. Before the staged death agency staff arrived, I packed up everything at home. I shredded all my photos, replaced every frame with pictures of Adeline and Nash. I was leaving, so nothing would stand in their way. Just before I lay on the hospital bed, my phone rang. Adeline sent me a long voice message, saying she couldn’t spend New Year’s Eve with me because the laboratory was too busy. But in the background, there was the unmistakable announcement of an airport boarding call, reminding her to board the flight to the Maldives. I knew without asking, Adeline was going on a vacation with Nash. It’s been like this for years. No matter the holiday, she spent it with Nash. Even when I nearly died in the hospital, she still celebrated Nash’s birthday. But now, she didn’t even bother to make excuses. I smiled bitterly, then closed my eyes as instructed by the staff. I silently told myself. Jude, soon you’ll completely leave Adeline. At the same time, the moment Adeline landed in the Maldives, she received a call from the hospital back home. Her student’s voice was shaky with panic. “Professor! Jude found out about you and Mr. Nash. He took the new drug from the laboratory. His heart stopped, and he didn’t make it!” There’s no text here. Can you provide the text for translation? ———-此处为截断点———-

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The day I learned I was terminally ill with stomach cancer, Kieran was in Paris attending a ballet with his old flame, Nadia. Three years ago, he promised me with a ring, “We’ll face everything together.” Now, he’s oblivious to the fact that I’ll be gone in three months. Or maybe he’s not so unaware. Just last night, he broke into my lab, stole the core data for the anti-cancer drug, and called Nadia with glee: “We’ll own all the patents soon.” “And then, I’ll ensure she’s out of the picture.” At the Charity Gala, I confronted Nadia and demanded the data back. Kieran tightened his grip on my chin and warned, “Don’t push me.” After I fainted, I called my lawyer: “I want to amend my will—all my assets, donate to the Cancer Center.” And I sent the FBI the surveillance footage: him stealing sensitive data and poisoning me. If I can’t survive, I’ll make sure these two scoundrels pay for it behind bars. The word “terminal” on the diagnosis hit me like a dagger to the heart. The doctor’s words faded into a blur, leaving only “three months” clearly imprinted in my mind. I wiped the blood from my mouth mechanically. My phone buzzed. It was a message from Kieran: “There’s an international conference tonight, don’t wait up.” His assistant’s text followed: “Mr. Kieran has arrived at the Paris Opera House with Miss Nadia.” In the photo, he was gently tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. The scent of Edelweiss Perfume suddenly filled the air. I turned sharply to see his black suit jacket casually draped over the sofa. It still carried that faint scent—the exclusive perfume, with only a hundred bottles in existence. How absurd. For our anniversary last month, he gifted me a sample of the very same perfume. He said, “You rarely use perfume, try this sample.” In retrospect, it feels like a mockery. Is this how he dismisses me? A sharp pain twisted in my stomach. I staggered to the bathroom, vomiting blood mixed with bile. When I looked up, my reflection was ghastly pale, with blood still lingering at the corners of my mouth. Apollo was crouched at the door, his amber eyes silently watching me. He was a birthday gift from Kieran last year, meant to keep me company when he was away. Now I realize, it was just to make his absences more convenient. I petted the scar behind its ear—a mark from protecting its previous owner in an accident. Even a dog knows loyalty, what about people? The phone buzzed again. It was an encrypted file from the private investigator. After decompressing it, a surveillance video appeared. Late last night, Kieran broke into my lab, used my access to log into the system, and copied the core data of the anti-cancer drug onto a USB drive. The video froze on him saying into the phone: “Nadia, we’ll soon have all the patents.” “And then, I’ll ensure she’s out of the picture.” A flash of lightning outside illuminated our wedding photo on the bedside table. Once, he knelt and told me, “Meeting you was the luckiest thing in my life.” Thunder roared, I wiped the mirror clean of blood splatters, and suddenly I laughed. “Alright,” I whispered to the void, “let’s see who falls in the end.”

Apollo’s claws scratched the floor noisily as I followed him into the study, discovering the safe door ajar. The microchip backup card, supposed to be locked inside, lay on the ground with a blurred fingerprint on its edge. I inserted it into the computer with trembling hands. The system immediately flashed a red warning: [Microchip data anomaly, last modified: yesterday 23:47]. He was supposed to be on a flight to Paris then. A metallic taste churned in my stomach, and I forced it down. A new email notification suddenly popped up, a compressed package from the private investigator. After unpacking, the photos showed him with Nadia in the corridor of a private hospital. The date was the same afternoon I first fainted from stomach pain. The electronic screen in the photo corner showed a 14:30 timestamp, piercing my eyes. That day he claimed to be in a board meeting, yet he appeared at a private hospital fifteen kilometers away. Apollo suddenly perked up his ears, growling towards downstairs. The garage engine roared to life, earlier than expected by two whole days. I quickly deleted the records, just as the study door opened. “Why is it dark in here?” His voice was cold. The scent of Edelweiss Perfume grew stronger as he approached. I pretended to tidy the desk, avoiding his reaching hand: “Project finished early?” “Yeah.” He loosened his tie, a red mark faintly visible on his neck. “You don’t look well.” My nails dug into my palm as I suddenly burst into laughter: “Maybe it’s the stomach acting up again.” His gaze swept over the computer, lingering on my tightly gripped right hand: “How’s the lab lately?” “Same as always.” I turned to the medicine cabinet, swallowing two stomach pills with my back to him. “The phase three clinical data of the new drug looks promising.” The air hung still for a few seconds. Apollo nestled at my feet, his tail brushing my ankle. “There’s a charity gala tomorrow,” he suddenly said, “you don’t have to go if you’re not feeling well.” My grip on the medicine bottle tightened. The detective had just informed me this morning that Nadia would be attending the gala as a special guest. “Alright.” I heard myself agree obediently. He visibly relaxed, bending down to pat Apollo, who evaded him. The dog bared its teeth, a low growl rumbling in its throat. “What’s wrong with this beast lately?” He frowned. “Maybe it’s in heat.” I crouched down, hugging Apollo, and discreetly slipped the microchip card into the collar’s pocket. “I’m taking it to the vet clinic tomorrow.” As he turned towards the bathroom, I caught a glimpse of the USB drive peeking from his suit’s inner pocket—it was the encryption model from my lab. The bathroom’s glass door reflected his blurred figure. I gently stroked Apollo’s ears: “Tomorrow, we’ll buy a dress.” The dog looked up at me, its wet nose nudging my palm.

The next day, the Charity Gala. I stood in the corner of the banquet hall, watching Nadia enter on his arm. Her snow-white gown swept the carpet, the “Starry” brooch on her chest gleaming under the lights—an item I had personally designed, which he claimed was for an important client. Apollo suddenly stirred in the bag; I gently pressed it down. “Hold on,” I sipped the red wine, “the show is just starting.” As they approached, I clearly saw his pupils contract in an instant. “Eloise?” He released Nadia’s arm. “I thought you weren’t coming.” I waved the invitation: “Mr. Johnson sent it personally.” I turned to the woman beside him: “And you are?” Nadia extended her hand first: “Nadia, I’ve heard about you, Mrs. Kieran.” “Mr. Kieran often mentions you.” I stared at the initials engraved inside her brooch—our names’ initials. The red wine swirled in the glass, and I suddenly raised my hand, splashing the entire glass onto her face. The dark red liquid dripped down her exquisite makeup, dimming the sapphire on the brooch. The room fell silent, all eyes on us. “Are you out of your mind?” He gripped my wrist. I shook off his hand and pulled out the photos from my clutch, tossing them onto the champagne tower. The surveillance screenshots showed them kissing in my lab, with him holding the encrypted USB drive. “Your data-stealing skills,” I whispered in Nadia’s ear, “are far worse than your man-stealing tactics.” She staggered back, knocking over the champagne tower. Amidst the shattering glass, I turned to leave. He shouted my name angrily behind me, but I didn’t look back. Apollo emerged from the bag, holding my coat at the door. As I got into the car, my phone buzzed with a message from the lawyer: [The funds have been traced; all $38 million Mr. Kieran transferred went into Nadia’s overseas account.] I drove straight to the suburban laboratory. As I unlocked it with my fingerprint, the system suddenly alerted: [Warning! Core data has been copied]. The surveillance footage showed that last night he brought Nadia here, using my access to copy all research files. The screen’s blue light reflected my pale face. I pulled up the hidden folder, activating the blockchain backup program. The system prompted: [Scheduled release program activated, auto-upload in 72 hours]. Apollo suddenly barked loudly. Footsteps approached the back door; I quickly pulled out the USB drive and slipped it into his collar. “So you are here.” He pushed the door open, his suit stained with wine from the gala. “Hand over the original data.” I leaned against the console, smiling: “What, stealing the backup wasn’t enough?” He grabbed my chin: “Don’t push me.” Sharp pain stabbed my stomach as I struggled to open the phone. The screen displayed the live gala surveillance—Detective questioning Nadia, the brooch on her chest taken as evidence. “Do you know what’s hidden in the brooch?” I coughed up blood. “The data you stole is fake; the real research is hidden in the gem’s clasp.” His face turned ashen instantly. The sirens wailed from afar, drawing near. I wiped the blood from my mouth: “Now, she’s accused of stealing sensitive information.” Apollo charged towards the door. When Detective burst in, I collapsed softly, my last consciousness hearing him roar: “Eloise! You set me up!” Before darkness fell, I patted Apollo’s head. The USB drive in the collar was warm and steady against its skin. I opened my eyes to find myself in a hospital, receiving an IV. The sky outside had darkened. “You only stole fake data. The real research results have been safely hidden away for a long time.” His face went ashen. Outside, the sirens grew louder. I wiped the blood from my mouth. “Now, she’s under suspicion for stealing national secrets.” Apollo suddenly sprang toward the door. The Detective burst in just as I collapsed, my last conscious thought catching his angry shout: “Eloise! You set me up!” Before blacking out, I reached out to touch Apollo’s head. The USB drive in his collar was warm and secure against his skin. I opened my eyes to find myself in a hospital, hooked up to an IV. It was dark outside. Apollo leaped off the chair, his wet nose nudging my fingers. I tried to move, but a sharp pain shot through my stomach. “Stay still.” Dr. Beckett held my shoulder. “The gastric hemorrhage was severe. If you had arrived half an hour later, it would have been critical.” I opened my mouth, but my throat was too dry to make a sound. Dr. Beckett sighed and handed me a smartphone: “While you were unconscious, he kept holding this at the emergency room door.” The screen showed unread messages: [Nadia taken by FBI for investigation] [Wen Corporation suspected of industrial espionage, stock plummets]. At the bottom was a notification that the encrypted file transfer was complete—the data from the USB drive in Apollo’s collar had automatically uploaded to cloud storage. The hospital room door suddenly opened. Kieran stood there, his suit wrinkled and eyes bloodshot. “You planned this all along.” His voice was frightfully hoarse. “When did it start?” I gestured for Dr. Beckett to leave and slowly sat up. “From the first time you logged into her email on my computer.” His pupils contracted sharply. Three months ago, late at night, I caught him secretly checking my research emails on cancer drugs and forwarding them to an unknown account. Back then, I naively thought he was just worried about my health. “That data was fake.” I coughed, the metallic taste of blood spreading in my mouth. “I had already secured a military patent for the real formula.” His smartphone suddenly rang. After he answered, the lawyer’s panicked voice came through clearly in the quiet room: “Mr. Johnson, Swiss Bank just froze all your overseas accounts!” I watched him stagger back against the wall, my mind flashing back to the day he proposed. He was so nervous he knocked over the coffee, yet he stubbornly knelt on one knee among the shards, asking me to marry him. “Why?” He clenched his fists. “Just because I fell in love with someone else?” “No.” I pulled out the needle, blood droplets rolling from the pinhole. “Because the cancer drug formula you stole was meant to save my dad’s life.” His face went ashen. Five years ago, my dad’s stomach cancer surgery failed due to the lack of a crucial drug. I never told anyone about this secret. Apollo suddenly barked wildly at the door. Two officers walked in, flashing an arrest warrant. “Mr. Johnson, you’re under investigation for industrial espionage and attempted murder.” As he was taken away, he looked back at me with an expression that was a mix of emotions, impossible to decipher. I lifted my smartphone to show him the last photo— Me, unconscious on the hospital bed, with a hint of blue sediment in the IV tube. “Remember that glass of water you gave me last night?” I said softly. “What a coincidence, the lab surveillance captured it perfectly.” The sunset outside was as red as blood. I petted Apollo’s head, watching the police cars speed away. The smartphone vibrated, and a new message popped up: [Mrs. Wen, the ultrasound shows you’re 8 weeks pregnant]. I stared at the blurry little dot in the ultrasound photo, suddenly laughing through tears. The text marked as “ ———-此处为截断点———-” is a deliberate placeholder and is not meant to be translated or expanded upon. Please proceed with the intended content or structure as planned.

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When I opened my eyes, I found myself kneeling in Jasper’s study. Memories of my past life surged back. The bullet I took for him, his cold smirk as he embraced Luna and said, “Finally, some peace and quiet,” and my ashes left unclaimed after cremation. “Sign the divorce papers.” The scene was identical to my past life, with a Jasper from ten years ago throwing the documents in my face. I chuckled softly and decisively signed my name with the pen. This time, I wouldn’t wait for his driver to end my life before I found my own freedom. “Mr. Gu.” I pushed the papers back and stood up, meeting his shocked gaze. “This time, I’m the one who doesn’t want you.” As I turned, he grasped my wrist with surprising force. “Nora, you…” I pried his fingers off one by one. The touch I couldn’t beg for in my past life now only disgusted me. Lightning flashed outside, illuminating the panic in his eyes—a sight unfamiliar to me. How laughable. The attention I couldn’t earn in my past life came so easily now.

I stood in the top-floor conference room of Jasper Corporation, city lights sprawling outside the floor-to-ceiling windows. The pen in my hand was still warm, the ink on the divorce papers not yet dry. Jasper sat at the other end of the long table, his slender fingers tapping the surface unconsciously, brows furrowed. “Are you sure about this?” His voice was low, tinged with a hesitation I’d never heard in my past life. I slowly closed the folder, my fingertips tracing the embossed cover. In my past life, it was here that I knelt, begging him for another chance, only to be met with his disdainful gaze and a “Stop embarrassing yourself here.” “Very sure.” I smiled and stood up, the sound of my heels crisp against the marble floor. “Isn’t it what you’ve always wanted, for me to disappear?” His pupils contracted sharply, his fingers clenching the armrests. I walked toward the door, but as I reached for the handle, I heard the chair behind me topple over. “Wait!” Jasper rushed to stand in front of me, his breath slightly hurried. He reached out to grab my wrist but hesitated just before touching me. The man who used to give me the cold shoulder now looked somewhat panicked. “You…” His Adam’s apple bobbed. “Where are you going?” I tilted my head, finding it amusing. In my past life, he never glanced at the dinners I painstakingly prepared every day. Now he was concerned about my whereabouts? “Starting a company.” I answered lightly, “To compete with Jasper Corporation.” His face turned ashen in an instant. I took the opportunity to push open the conference room door. The employees outside immediately lowered their heads, pretending to be busy. Only my assistant, Xiao Lin, hurried over with a file. “Ms. Su, Mr. Zhang from Bright Ventures scheduled a meeting with you for tomorrow at ten.” She deliberately raised her voice. “He said he’s very optimistic about our new energy project.” Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Jasper whip his head around, and I happily patted Xiao Lin’s shoulder. “Well done.” As the elevator doors closed, I saw Jasper rushing out. His tie was askew, his hair slightly messy, a far cry from his usual polished self. In my past life, I loved him enough to die for him, but now it only seemed ironic. In the basement parking lot, my new car awaited. A flashy red sports car, nothing like the old one he deemed “too ostentatious.” “To Bluewater Bay,” I told the driver. It’s a villa I bought last week, a place Jasper knows nothing about. As the car exited the garage, my phone buzzed incessantly. “Jasper” flashed repeatedly on the screen, and I promptly turned the phone off. Under the night sky, city neon lights streamed past the window. I rolled down the window, letting the night breeze dissipate the heaviness in my chest. The scenes from my past life’s final moments resurfaced. The harsh hospital lighting, the shrill alarm of the monitor. And Jasper’s smile as he held Dahlia, saying, “Finally free.” The phone suddenly lit up again, this time with a text from an unknown number: “When did you start drinking black coffee?” I stared at the cryptic message, a chill running down my spine. In my past life, I pretended to like lattes just to please Jasper. This time around, from day one, I drank only black coffee. And the only person who knew this habit was… Another message popped up: “Last night, I dreamed you died.” My fingers trembled uncontrollably. In the distance, the lights of Jasper Corporation’s top floor still shone, like a watchful eye.

I gripped my phone tightly, my knuckles turning white. “Turn around.” I instructed the driver, my voice calm and unlike my usual self, “To Riverside Mansion.” It was Jasper’s private villa, a place I wasn’t qualified to enter in my past life. But this time, I needed to confirm something. Was he reborn too? As the car entered the villa district, rain began to pelt the windshield. I had the driver stop by the roadside, and I walked alone under an umbrella toward the familiar building. The roses in the garden bloomed brilliantly, ones I secretly planted in my past life but never dared claim. The doorbell rang three times before Jasper answered. His shirt collar was open, hair disheveled and dripping, clutching half a bottle of whiskey. At the sight of me, the bottle fell, shattering on the ground, amber liquid soaking the carpet. “You really came.” His voice was hoarse, eyes swirling with emotions I’d never seen. “Just like in the dream…” Raindrops rolled off the umbrella’s spokes, forming a transparent curtain between us. I stared into his eyes. “Did you dream of my death?” He grabbed my shoulders suddenly, the force painful: “Not just a dream! I remember every second—you jumping in front of the bullet, blood splattering on my face…” His voice quivered. “I remember holding Dahlia and saying… saying…” “Saying ‘finally free.’” I calmly interjected, watching his face lose all color. “So you were reborn too.” The words seemed to flip a switch, and Jasper suddenly knelt in the rain. Rain soaked his shirt, outlining a gaunt figure. The ever-dominant Mr. Gu, now as pitiful as a beggar. “Nora, I…” “Shut up.” I stepped back, the umbrella blocking his pleading gaze. “Jasper, did you think being reborn was your chance for redemption?” Lightning split the sky, illuminating his pale face. I leaned closer to his ear, whispering: “No, it’s my chance for revenge.” As I turned, he lunged, wrapping his arms around my legs: “At least tell me, that bullet…” “Didn’t hit a vital spot.” I shook off his hands. “But you stopped the hospital from supporting my heart and lungs.” His cries were drowned by the thunder. I walked to the waiting car in the rain, never looking back. Just then, my phone lit up with a message from my assistant: “Ms. Su, we found out Dahlia started transferring Jasper’s funds last month.” I smirked. See, Jasper, the woman you protected with your life in the past had already planned to betray you. And this time, I’ll personally send both of you to hell.

I sat in the car, rain blurring the windows. Jasper’s figure in the rain grew smaller, eventually vanishing. The driver glanced at me cautiously through the rearview mirror and asked, “Ms. Su, where to now?” “To the office.” I flipped through the information my assistant sent, a cold smile playing on my lips. “And by the way, schedule a meeting with Dahlia.” At two in the morning, my office lights were still on. On the computer screen. Dahlia’s bank transactions from the past three months, photos of secret meetings. Even her emails with Jasper’s competitors were clearly displayed. This woman who caused my tragic death in my past life was now walking straight into my trap. “Ms. Su, Ms. Lin has arrived.” The assistant knocked to remind me. I closed the laptop, looking up at the door. Dahlia wore a white dress, makeup immaculate, her expression as innocent and fragile as ever. She bit her lip slightly, speaking timidly, “Nora, you wanted to see me?” In my past life, this pitiful act fooled Jasper into doing her bidding. I smiled slightly, gesturing for her to sit. “I heard you and Jasper have been getting along well?” A flash of pride crossed her eyes, quickly masked. “Jasper… he’s just been looking out for me.” “Is that so?” I slid a document her way. “Did you know he’s been investigating your fund transfers?” Dahlia’s face went pale instantly. She shot up from her seat, the chair screeching against the floor. “What are you talking about?!” I leisurely opened the file, pointing at the figures: “Thirty million, transferred to overseas accounts. What do you think Jasper’s reaction will be when he finds out?” Her fingers clutched her skirt tightly, knuckles white. “You… what do you want?” I stood, looking down at her: “Simple.” I said softly, “Keep going.” Three days later, Jasper Corporation’s stock plummeted. Following my plan, Dahlia recklessly liquidated Jasper’s assets, even forging his signature. And Jasper, once cold and unfeeling in my past life, seemed to have gone mad searching for me now. He blew up my phone, his car constantly parked outside the company. He even began sending flowers to my office daily, each card reading “I’m sorry.” Too bad, it’s too late. “Ms. Su, Jasper Corporation has applied for an emergency bank loan.” The assistant reported, “But on Dahlia’s end…” “Quite straightforward.” I murmured softly, “I need you to proceed.” Three days later, the stock price of Jasper Corporation nosedived. Dahlia, following my plan, started liquidating Jasper’s assets in a frenzy, even resorting to forging Jasper’s signature. Jasper, a man who was cold and unfeeling in what felt like another life, is now frantically searching for me as if he’s lost his mind. My phone was inundated with his calls, and his car was a constant presence downstairs. He even began sending flowers to my office daily, each with a card that simply said, “I’m sorry.” But it’s too late now. “Ms. Su, Jasper has already applied for an emergency loan from the bank.” My assistant reported, “But on Dahlia’s side…” “Keep going.” I signed the documents without looking up, “Make sure she transfers the last bit of money too.” The assistant hesitated for a moment: “But… if Jasper really goes bankrupt, the shares you previously held…” I let out a soft, ironic chuckle, “Who cares about that small amount of money?” What I want is for Jasper to be left with nothing. Just as I was once left with nothing. A month later, Jasper Corporation officially announced a break in its cash flow. I stood in a café opposite Jasper Tower, watching as Jasper was surrounded by reporters. He had lost a significant amount of weight, his suit hanging loosely, with dark circles under his eyes. A reporter asked sharply: “Mr. Gu, it’s said that this crisis is related to your fiancée, Dahlia?” Jasper suddenly looked up, his gaze intense, “She’s not my fiancée.” “Then did you divorce Ms. Nora for Ms. Lin?” His expression crumbled instantly. I put down my coffee cup and turned to leave. Suddenly, there was a commotion behind me, followed by Jasper’s anguished shout: “Nora!” I didn’t look back. The sky started to rain. I opened my umbrella and walked into the crowd. In this life, I’ve finally learned to leave without looking back. I’m unable to provide a translation as the original Chinese text appears to be missing. Could you please supply the text that requires translation? News of Jasper Corporation’s bankruptcy was everywhere. I sat in my office, lightly tapping my fingers on the desk, watching the screen where Jasper was surrounded by reporters. His suit was in disarray, and his eyes were bloodshot. Once a powerful CEO, now he looked utterly defeated.

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At the gathering, I unexpectedly encountered Rowan, the boyfriend who had disappeared eight years ago. He seized my chin: “Ms. Sage, weren’t you the one who despised young love the most? Have you now realized that your daughter has fallen into disrepute?” I tilted my head and replied, “You’re right. I should go back and placate my benefactor to earn my mom’s medical expenses.” He smirked: “When you forced Iris to jump off a building, did you and your mother ever imagine ending up like this?” “Sage, why aren’t you dead yet?” His question brought back memories of my past suicide attempts. But for the sake of my daughter, I chose to embrace life. To cover the medical expenses, I asked my benefactor for money, but he wanted me to appease Rowan instead. I faced his mockery and cruelty once more. In my despair, I declared: “Even if I’m at the mercy of countless others, I will never let you touch me!” Eventually, when he learned the whole truth, he broke down. “Sage, give me another chance. I’ll take care of you and your mother.”

When I saw Rowan again, I was in the arms of another man, entertaining guests. After eight years, Rowan still had that noble appearance, exuding an air of authority. Beside him was a glamorous socialite. Gideon pulled me onto his lap, his hand wandering around my waist. Rowan’s expression shifted from shock to disdain. I knew he recognized me. After several rounds of drinks, I understood the background of the socialite beside him. Celeste, the prized jewel of the Su family in Z City, and Rowan’s well-matched fiancée. Recalling the absurd past, I couldn’t help but find it laughable. My first love was holding a wealthy lady, while I was flirting with a graying man. “Mr. Nolan, don’t keep her to yourself. Let the guys have some fun too!” Mr. Nolan’s eyes roamed over me, his intentions barely hidden. Gideon, always perceptive, pushed me forward for the sake of future cooperation. I obediently poured wine for Mr. Nolan, who tossed a wad of cash in my face. “In this sweltering summer, let’s cool off!” “Little beauty, ten bills for every piece of clothing you take off, what do you say?” The room erupted in jeers, only Rowan set his glass down heavily. I caught the ridicule in his eyes, took the money, and removed my jacket. Someone swallowed hard, others raised their phones to take pictures. Mr. Nolan deliberately scattered the bills on the floor. I knelt on the carpet, picking them up one by one. Until Rowan’s shoe stepped on the last bill, looking down at me: “Even as a mistress, you’ve developed a superiority complex? Truly cheap to the core!” I looked up with a sweet smile: “Boss, could you please lift your foot?” Rowan hesitated for a few seconds, then moved his foot after Celeste softly persuaded him. I was about to continue my act when a voice suddenly interrupted the scene: “Stop!”

Celeste stood up, linking her arm with mine, suggesting we freshen up. She was Rowan’s esteemed guest, and no one dared to stop us, so I followed her out of the room. Before leaving, she draped a Chanel coat over my shoulders, covering my bare skin. In the restroom, she carefully wiped my hand that had been stepped on by the shoe. “You look about my age, why stoop to such a place?” I observed the rich girl before me, exuding superiority from head to toe. Her custom champagne-colored suit accentuated her perfect figure, the diamonds on her necklace glinting harshly. People like her would never understand the survival rules in the mud. What could I say? That I needed to support a seven-year-old daughter? That I had to pay exorbitant nursing home bills? That all this was thanks to her fiancé? When we returned to the room, the scene had ended. Because Gideon’s wife, Adeline, had arrived. While Gideon settled the bill, She finally dropped her gentle facade, grabbed my hair, and pinned me on the sofa. “Shameless woman! Only fit to be under a man!” “Look at your background, do you belong in such a place?” Her nails left scratches on my face, her curses like poisonous blades. I wanted to tell her I had no father, my mother lay in a hospital bed. No one left to teach me how to be human. But I stayed silent, letting her vent her fury. My calmness enraged her completely, and a crystal ashtray smashed onto my forehead. Warm blood flowed down my cheek, and as Adeline moved to strike again, a slender hand stopped her. “Enough, don’t mess up my place too much.” Rowan’s cold face sent her away. I held my wound, rushed out into the alley, and broke down in tears by a dumpster. I didn’t know how long passed until an engine sounded behind me. A black Maybach stopped at the alley entrance, and Rowan lowered the window. “Get in.” I shook my head: “No need.” He frowned, got out, and dragged me into the backseat without a word. The wound on my forehead hurt terribly. I gave him an address, and he started the car immediately. He didn’t need navigation; he knew the address all too well. In the summer of eight years ago, he set off countless fireworks there, deceiving me into trusting him. The car stopped at an old apartment building. He looked toward my home with a sneer: “How’s Ms. Sage doing lately?” My hand paused on the door handle, silent. He grabbed my chin, his voice icy and cruel: “Weren’t you the one who hated young love? Do you know your daughter has fallen into disgrace?” “Oh, she’s no longer a teacher, is she using the money you earn selling yourself to pay for treatment?” He bit into my collarbone, and I struggled in pain, but he held me down. “Does Ms. Sage know how many men her precious daughter has been with? Lost count of the marks, right?” When he mentioned Ms. Sage, his voice dripped with sarcasm. If he knew my mother had been in a coma for eight years because of him, would he laugh even harder? I wiped the place he bit, and he sneered: “I’m a big client of your benefactor, shouldn’t you use your skills to serve me?” I forced a professional smile: “You’re right, I should go back and appease my benefactor.” He released my hand: “Sage, you’re just a plaything for everyone now, why not warm my bed?” “I’m younger and richer than him, or do you prefer old men?” His gaze roamed over me, his words full of humiliation. I couldn’t be bothered to respond, pushed the car door, and left. His voice came from behind: “How much did Gideon give you?” “Two thousand a month.” “That little? You’re really cheap.” I heard him take a deep breath, but never looked back.

When my mother fell into a coma, Nora was only three months old, and I had already missed the best time for surgery. During that time, I was busy selling assets and caring for my mother. So busy that I temporarily forgot I was pregnant. Until my stomach grew, and I had to face the reality. Hearing the heartbeat for the first time gave me the courage to live. During my late pregnancy, I often dreamed of Rowan, endlessly questioning him why he did this to me. When Nora was born, I no longer fixated on why. I just wanted to see him, even a phone call would do. But he vanished, leaving no trace. At twenty, I met Gideon, fifteen years my senior. He offered me a job, saying it would solve my financial troubles. He said he and Adeline had lost all feelings, only maintaining a facade of marriage. When living became a luxury, who had the right to talk about dignity? So I accepted his terms, becoming his mistress without guilt. I never feared retribution because my retribution began the day I met Rowan. He approached me only to take revenge on my mother. Because his first love, Iris, committed suicide by jumping off a building in her senior year. Iris was a student my mother taught, a girl infamous for young love. This story spread because of my mother’s report. Iris wrote love letters in class, and my mother made her read them aloud. The classroom filled with jeers, and Iris knelt, begging for mercy. But my mother insisted on making the letter public, and the recipient was Rowan. My mother despised young love, believing students should focus on studies. She kept Iris in the office, reprimanding her all night. “Are you worthy of your parents’ efforts? Ruining your future for a boy!” Then, ignoring Iris’s pleas, she notified her father. The drunk man stormed into the office, swinging a chair at Iris. Several teachers held him back, but his curses were relentless. “Whore! Just like your slut mother, always seducing men!” “If you want men so much, go sell yourself like your mom!” From that day, Iris became a laughingstock at school. The once top student became a pariah. She started getting into fights, or rather, being beaten. It wasn’t fighting, it was blatant bullying. My mother thought she was acting out and became harsher. Because of repeated reports, Iris lost all scholarships. That day, she went to see my mother, probably got another lecture. Not long after, she jumped from the rooftop. From that day, Rowan entered my life. He used every trick to win me over, and I didn’t know it was a carefully planned revenge. Until the day college entrance exam results came out, he threw my pregnancy test results at my mother. “Ms. Sage, you hate young love the most, now your daughter has become a plaything for me!” That wasn’t a fight; it was outright bullying. My mother thought I was being purposely rebellious and became stricter with me. After multiple reports, Iris lost all her scholarships. That day, she went to see her mother, likely receiving another lecture. Not long after, she jumped off the rooftop. From that day, Rowan invaded my life. He used every possible way to win my favor, but I didn’t realize it was part of a carefully orchestrated revenge. It wasn’t until the day the college entrance exam results were released that he threw my pregnancy test results in front of my mother. “Ms. Sage, you despise young love the most, and now your daughter has become the disgrace I’ve toyed with!” That sentence shattered my mother’s mental support. I’ll always remember the mix of shock, shame, despair, and guilt on her face. I wanted to confess my mistake, but her tears fell before I could. “Sage, it’s all Mom’s fault. Mom didn’t teach you well, Mom doesn’t blame you…” For eight years, this memory has been a persistent torment, gnawing at me day and night. Rowan suddenly rushed out of the car and grabbed my neck. “Sage, how can you be so indifferent? Iris was a human life!” “Does your mother still think she’s so great now?” “Does she know that Iris jumped off the rooftop because of her?” Whether my mother regrets it, I can no longer know. At the moment before she lost consciousness, this question became an eternal mystery. “I’m sorry,” I whispered. “This is all our fault.” Iris’s mother who exposed her was wrong. The father who abused his daughter was wrong. The classmates who bullied Iris were wrong. The bystanders who spread rumors were wrong. And I, as my mother’s daughter, was also wrong. But we’ve all paid the price. Rowan viciously pulled my hair: “Sorry? If you’re really sorry, why don’t you just die?” He trembled all over, repeatedly growling: “Why wasn’t it you who died? Go and die now!”

Death? I once attempted it when the astronomical medical bills almost crushed me. On Nora’s second birthday, I mixed sleeping pills into the milk, intending to leave with her. When the thick smoke filled the air, she woke up first. She wobbled over to me, her small hands clumsily pressing against my chest. Her childish cries alerted the neighbors, and they eventually saved us. After that, I dared not think of dying again. Even though I’ve thought about it countless times, I always wake up at the last moment. I can’t die. Nora’s and my mother’s lives are more important than mine. Especially my mother. I’ve already let her die once; I can’t let her endure it a second time. So I choose to live, by any means necessary. A phone ringing interrupted the confrontation. Rowan saw the caller ID, let go of me, and got in the car. Seeing Celeste’s name on the screen, I couldn’t help but sneer. Rowan, Rowan, after all these years of torment, you still ended up leaving Iris behind. Since our reunion that night, he’s been showing up frequently outside my apartment. That Maybach always parked there for half a day. Gideon soon noticed something was off, but he didn’t know our past and just thought Rowan was interested in me. That day, I dressed up alluringly, but he pushed me away coldly. “Sage, you’re not young anymore.” He pinched my chin: “If you’ve lost your value, you should know when to back off.” I forced myself to stay calm, trying to appear more charming. “I have a collaboration proposal. Rowan refuses to see me, but you should be able to persuade him.” Gideon handed me a document, saying if I could get the signature, he’d give me fifty thousand. Fifty thousand would be enough for my mother and Nora to live on for a long time. I took the document to find Rowan, even bluntly stating the deal’s content. “What, one patron isn’t enough for you?” “Why don’t I just give you fifty thousand, spend a night with me? After all, I was your first love.” For eight years, I’ve despised the version of myself that fell for him. At this moment, that disgust reached its peak. “Rowan, you’re revolting!” I threw the document at his face, but it felt like tossing a flimsy piece of paper. “We’ve done it before. If you’re willing, the bedroom’s over there.” His hand rested on my waist: “If not, take your document and leave.” I dug my nails into my palm and said word by word: “Even if I fall to the lowest point, I’ll never let you touch me!” The deal fell through, and I lost Gideon’s protection. He was surprised by my refusal and turned to flatter Rowan instead: “That woman is easy to deal with. She has a mother in a vegetative state and a seven-year-old daughter.” “I heard she’s depressed. Someone like her will soon come begging you.” Rowan froze, his voice trembling: “Who did you say?” “Sage!” I’m sorry, but there is no text provided for translation. Could you please provide the Chinese text you would like me to translate?

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Three years ago, I entered into a business arrangement for the sake of my family’s company, agreeing to a three-year marriage contract with Gideon Reed of Reed Corporation. During these years, whenever rumors surfaced about Gideon and Phoebe Walters from Walters Corporation, I would always step forward to clarify the situation on their behalf. But today, when Phoebe confronted me with ultrasound results, I had to face the truth. “Gideon hasn’t been with you all these years, has he? You’ve held this title for three years. It’s time you acknowledge reality and stop dreaming about something that’s not yours.” At that moment, I knew it was time. “Let’s get a divorce.” I presented the divorce papers to Gideon. After three years, this contractual marriage was finally reaching its end. He sneered, tapping his elegant fingers on the table. “Don’t forget, I paid for you!” I laughed. The next day, at the company’s shareholders’ meeting, I attended as the CEO. Holding another man’s hand, under Gideon’s pale gaze, I calmly announced, “I am divorced, and this is my new fiancé.”

Three years ago, I stood by the floor-length window in the top office of Reed Corporation, clutching the newly signed marriage agreement. The edges of the paper were crumpled from my tense grip. “Miss Adeline Reed, I hope you remember your role.” Gideon’s voice came from behind, cold and businesslike. “This is merely a transaction.” As I turned to leave, Phoebe Walters passed by me, her eyes filled with challenge and disdain, silently reminding me that I was just a pawn bought with money. She threw herself into Gideon’s arms, his eyes soft and tender as he looked at her. But when he looked at me, his gaze was always distant. Three years ago, when my father suddenly fell ill, our family business faced a crisis. Even in decline, our company held valuable core nanotechnology. My father agreed to Reed Corporation’s investment proposal, with the condition that Gideon and I marry. Gideon, always the astute businessman, agreed after some thought but demanded that I sign a marriage contract in private. For three years, Gideon consistently reminded me that ours was a contractual marriage. So, when rumors about him and Phoebe frequently emerged, I always remembered my role and helped clear them up. But today, Phoebe invited me to a café and confronted me with the ultrasound results. “Gideon hasn’t been with you all these years, has he? You’ve held this title for three years. It’s time you acknowledge reality and stop dreaming about something that’s not yours.” “Will you leave voluntarily, or do you need Gideon to force you out? Let’s keep this dignified, shall we?” When I returned home in the evening, finding Gideon there was unusual. His usual cold gaze sent a shiver down my spine. After hesitating for a moment, I finally said the words that should have ended this farce long ago. Unexpectedly, we both spoke at the same time. “Have you eaten?” “Let’s divorce.” The atmosphere instantly cooled. I saw Gideon’s slight frown. “Adeline, you don’t have the right to bring this up. Don’t forget, you were bought for a high price. I decide when it ends.” He dropped these words and headed to the bathroom. I was grateful to him for spending three billion to save the Reed Family, but every time he humiliated me, my heart still ached. Touching the wedding ring on my finger, its cold texture reminded me of the essence of this marriage—a three-billion-dollar investment in exchange for the empty title of Mrs. Reed. On our wedding night, Gideon didn’t even toast with me. He signed the marriage agreement and rushed back to the company for a ‘meeting.’ Not long after he left, Phoebe sent a photo of herself nestled in Gideon’s embrace, with a hotel in the background. The sound of water in the bathroom suddenly stopped. I hastily wiped my eyes. Gideon emerged in a robe, his hair still dripping. Upon seeing me, he frowned noticeably: “Why are you still here?” Since our marriage, we had slept in separate rooms. Gideon confined my activities to the guest room. “I…” I stood up nervously and accidentally knocked over the scented candle on the table. The sound of glass shattering was particularly piercing in the silent bedroom. “Sorry, I’ll clean it up right away…” He grabbed my wrist. “No need.” I froze, smelling the faint scent of cedarwood and shower gel on him. This was the first time we were so close. Close enough for me to see the shadow his eyelashes cast. “Mrs. Reed,” he let go of my hand, his tone warning, “remember your role. Play your part well. You have no right to have your own thoughts.” Role. What a ridiculous word. I crouched down to pick up the glass shards, not realizing my palm was cut and bleeding. It wasn’t until I heard the sound of the master bedroom door being locked that I realized I was crying. As night deepened, I curled up in the guest room bed, staring at the message my father sent me. “Adeline, you’ve worked hard all these years.” Suddenly, lightning flashed outside, followed by pouring rain. Driven by a strange impulse, I walked to the master bedroom door, raising my hand to knock—when I was little and afraid of thunder, I always hugged a stuffed animal and went to find my mom. But my hand fell back down, remembering this wasn’t home, and Gideon wasn’t someone who would comfort me. Just then, my phone screen lit up, a text from an unknown number appeared. “Miss Reed, how have you been? You’re such a heartless woman. I was planning to propose to you when I returned to the country.” I stared at the unknown number, my heart skipped a beat. I knew who it was. Asher Greene. Gideon’s biggest overseas business rival, and… my first love.

The rain battered the floor-to-ceiling windows. I stared at the text, my fingers hovering above the screen, unable to reply. Asher Greene— That name was like a sharp knife, easily cutting open the memories I had carefully sealed. The phone suddenly vibrated, startling me nearly into dropping it. It was an unknown number, and I couldn’t resist pressing the answer button. “Hello?” I lowered my voice, fearing to wake the person in the master bedroom. “Adeline, long time no see.” A deep male voice came from the other end, with a lazy smile. “How’s life as Mrs. Reed?” I gripped the phone tightly: “How do you know my number?” “I always know what I want to know.” He paused, “Like I know you’re hiding in the guest room crying right now.” I quickly looked around, feeling as if he was watching me from a corner: “Are you spying on me?” “I just happened to see your husband with another woman going to a hotel yesterday after I returned to the country, so I guessed you weren’t doing well.” I bit my lip, a sharp pain piercing my heart. His voice suddenly turned serious, “Open the door, I’m downstairs at your house.” “What?” I rushed to the window and indeed saw a black Maybach parked in the rain, its headlights casting blurry halos in the rain. “Are you crazy? This is Gideon’s mansion!” “So what?” He chuckled, “Afraid your husband will be jealous?” “Your husband already has a new girlfriend. I don’t mind being your boyfriend. It’s fair like that.” I bit my lip, not answering. He always teased like this, often leaving me blushing and at a loss for words. In the sound of the rain, I heard the car door close on the other end, followed by the sound of leather shoes stepping into a puddle. He really got out of the car. “Asher Greene! Don’t you—” “Either you come down, or I ring the doorbell.” He interrupted me, “Choose one.” I hurriedly put on a coat and slipped downstairs barefoot. As I opened the side door of the mansion, cold rain splashed on my ankles. Asher stood at the bottom of the steps with a black umbrella, his tailored suit accentuating his broad shoulders. In three years, a small scar had appeared at the corner of his eye, adding a dangerous allure to him. “You…” I was about to speak when he suddenly stepped forward, tilting the umbrella to cover me. Too close. Close enough for me to smell the faint ebony scent on him, just like I remembered. “Why are you crying?” He wiped my tears with his thumb, the warmth of his touch making me flinch. Then he lifted my arm, placing my foot on his shoe. “Did Gideon bully you?” I quickly stepped back, my back hitting the cold door frame. “It’s none of your business.” Asher’s eyes darkened, and he suddenly pulled a shell from his pocket. “Remember this?” In the moonlight, the crack on the shell was clear— It was from when I accidentally cut him by the sea in our junior year. Memories surged like waves, merging the Asher who stayed on the phone with me all night because I was afraid of the dark, with the dangerous man before me. “Adeline…” He took a step forward, the umbrella shielding us from the world, “I can help you.” “Help me with what?” “Leave Gideon.” His voice was a soft sigh, “Just say the word.” Suddenly, the sound of glass breaking came from the second floor. I looked up, the master bedroom curtains swaying violently—someone was there. Asher followed my gaze, a smirk forming on his lips. “Looks like your husband is awake.”

The master bedroom lights suddenly blazed, the glaring light cutting through the rain and shining down. I froze, while Asher calmly stepped forward, shielding me in the shadows. “Looks like Mr. Reed is a light sleeper, interrupted sleep can affect a man’s married life.” “Don’t you think so?” He seemed to be probing something. Once again, I blushed, biting my lip, unsure of how to respond. **2.** The sound of glass shattering suddenly echoed from the second floor. I glanced up to see the master bedroom curtains shaking violently—someone was there. Asher Greene followed my gaze and smirked coldly. “Looks like your husband’s awake.” **3.** The master bedroom lights blazed on, the intense brightness cutting through the rain. I froze, but Asher Greene calmly stepped forward, shielding me in the shadows with his body. “It seems Mr. Reed is a light sleeper. A restless man can have a troubled marriage.” “Don’t you think so?” He seemed to be probing. I blushed again, biting my lip, unsure of how to respond. He seemed quite satisfied with my reaction. Lowering his voice, he gently rubbed the shell with his fingertips, “I’ll give you three days to think it over.” A gold-embossed business card was slipped into my palm, with a hotel room number scrawled on the back. Before I could decline, the second-floor window flew open, and Gideon Reed’s cold voice shouted down. “Who’s there?” Asher Greene elegantly took a half-step back, raising the umbrella to reveal his smiling eyes. “Mr. Reed, sorry for the late visit.” His fingers brushed my wrist, seemingly by accident. “I came to pick up something I left with Adeline.” He pronounced ‘Adeline’ with intimate familiarity. The rain suddenly intensified. I clutched the hot business card, watching Gideon’s expression flicker in the lightning. He stood motionless in his robe, like a cold statue. “Leave.” The word splashed to the ground, mingling with the rain. Asher Greene bowed gracefully, leaving one last whisper in my ear before leaving. “There’s a surprise hidden in the shell.” The Maybach’s taillights disappeared into the rain as I turned to face Gideon’s brooding gaze. He had somehow moved to the staircase, his robe’s collar wide open, revealing ambiguous red marks on his collarbone— The marks left by the Walters heiress on last week’s finance magazine cover. “Explain.” I thought he meant Asher, but then I saw him holding out my antidepressant medication, the one I’d been taking since we got married. I reached for the bottle, but he grabbed my wrist, pinning it against the wall. Pills scattered everywhere, sticking to the wet floor. “Mr. Reed is concerned about what his wife takes, huh?” Before I could finish, he suddenly kissed me, a punishment tinged with the taste of blood. My back hit the doorframe hard, blacking out my vision with pain. When he finally let go, I heard my own ragged breathing mixed with his hoarse questioning: “Where did he touch you?” I licked the split on my lip and suddenly laughed. “Do you really care?” Gideon’s eyes darkened. As he moved closer again, the butler’s panicked voice came from upstairs. “Mr. Reed! The video conference from New York has been moved up!” He released me, his knuckles turning white: “Wait for me to return.” Watching his retreating figure, I slowly uncurled my clenched palm to reveal the shell. Inside the crack was a tiny USB drive— Engraved with “Southeast Asia project vulnerability analysis for Reed Corporation.” The rain stopped, moonlight casting over the mess of scattered pills, each one reflecting my shattered reflection. **4.** The next evening, I opened the USB drive on my computer. As it loaded, the financial vulnerabilities of Reed Corporation spread out on the screen like a web. I stared at those deliberately hidden deficit numbers, my fingers unconsciously tracing the marks Gideon had left on my neck. In the study, my phone suddenly vibrated. A message from Asher Greene: “Did you see the surprise?” I was about to reply when footsteps sounded in the hallway. In a hurry, I pulled out the USB drive, accidentally knocking over the coffee cup. The brown liquid soaked into the divorce agreement, staining the spot where my name was written. “Not asleep yet?” Gideon’s voice came from behind me. He was in a suit, carrying the chill of the night, though his tie was crooked— Unlike his usual meticulous self. “Waiting for you.” I closed the laptop, pushing the wet document into the drawer. “Weren’t you supposed to be in New York for three days?” He loosened his tie, his gaze landing on my neck. “Changed plans last minute.” He suddenly leaned over, pressing down on the hand I was using to close the drawer. “What’s this?” The coffee-stained paper still showed the stark words “divorce agreement.” Gideon’s pupils shrank, and I could smell the strong scent of whiskey on his breath. “Explain.” His voice was soft, but his knuckles were white. “As you see.” I pulled my hand away. “The three-year contract is up.” Gideon suddenly laughed. He threw a stack of documents from his briefcase, the top one being a letter of intent from Walters Corporation. “You think divorcing now will allow the Reed Family to walk away unscathed?” I flipped through the documents, my heart sinking—Walters’ investment terms clearly stated: Gideon’s marital status must remain stable. “Such a pity.” His cold fingertips traced my collarbone. “Old Mr. Walters and your father have agreed, using nano core as leverage, your father has planned the rest of your life.” “Now, your freedom is worth five hundred million.” Suddenly, lightning and thunder lit his eyes with madness. As he lowered his head to kiss me, my phone lit up. The latest email from Asher Greene: “Complete chain of evidence regarding Reed Corporation’s financial fraud.” “No need.” I opened the email in front of him. “Mr. Reed, my father will respect my choice, but do you think Walters will still invest after seeing this?” Gideon’s expression froze. I stood up, slapping the soaked divorce agreement against his chest. “Sign it before dawn.” I’m sorry, it seems there’s no text provided for translation. Could you please provide the specific content that you want translated? 5. Gideon Reed’s hand paused as the divorce agreement slipped to the floor. “And by the way, I’m aware that Phoebe Walters is pregnant. I won’t hide your affair any longer.”

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I finally divorced my ex-husband. His current wife struts around in front of me, as if she’s achieved some grand victory. I can only feel pity for her. Because she doesn’t yet realize that she’ll soon be bruised and battered. 1 The violent struggle stirred up dust and sweat, blurring my vision. Tears mingled with snot ran down my face: “Please, don’t, I’m begging you!” My school uniform was torn to shreds. Two boys pinned my arms, while two more held my legs. A blond guy leaned over me, his foul breath hitting my cheek. I felt a chill between my legs as my school pants were pulled down to my knees. My legs were forcibly spread apart. Declan leaned casually against the doorframe, watching it all like a spectator. I called out to him for help: “Help me… Declan, help me!” In return, I got a slap to the face. He slowly walked over to me, squatted down, and lifted my chin. His face was still handsome, with soft bangs covering his forehead, looking gentle and harmless. But what he said made my heart sink: “Help you? Do you know who brought them here?” 2 I woke up from the nightmare in a cold sweat. The Snapchat notification chimed; it was a message from Uncle, inviting us home for dinner. I remembered today was my wedding anniversary with Declan. When I answered the phone, a girl’s sweet voice spoke: “Who’s this? Declan is busy right now.” The noise on the other end was deafening. I lowered my eyes: “Could you tell him his dad wants him home for dinner?” The girl’s voice was playful, like a little songbird: “Declan, your wife wants you home for dinner!” His voice came lazily from a distance: “Not going.” As I was about to hang up, Declan’s voice suddenly came through the phone: “Maeve, come pour the drinks.” Laughter erupted. I went alone to the private room he always booked at The Regency and found him there. His suit jacket was draped over the sofa, a shirt button undone, his face hidden in shadows, expression unclear. In his arms was the company’s new secretary, Esme. His circle of friends, at least twenty or thirty of them, sat with legs crossed, ready for a show. Declan nodded at me. I bent down and poured drinks for each of them. None of them said thank you; they knew Declan didn’t like me, so they didn’t have to be polite. Someone took the chance to touch my hand, and seeing Declan didn’t react, when I circled back, they placed a hand on my thigh. I shuddered and instinctively moved back, causing the tray to tip over, and the bottles and glasses shattered on the floor. The laughter stopped, and Declan’s gaze, sharp as knives, turned toward me. The opportunist quickly said: “Oh, Maeve, how clumsy of you. No worries, I’ll call for cleaning.” A flash of silver fell to the ground, mixing with the glass shards. Esme looked panicked: “Declan just gave me that diamond ring! It accidentally fell!” She nestled in Declan’s arms, smiling sweetly and innocently, her dark eyes captivating: “Could you help me find it, sis?” 3 In the dim room, I had to crawl on the floor like a dog, my face almost touching the ground. Glass shards pierced my knees, palms, and fingertips, drawing blood. The others were used to it, drinking and singing as usual. Only one gaze was firmly locked on me. A chill ran down my spine. I found the ring under the coffee table and handed it to Esme. Declan took it, frowned slightly, and tossed it in the trash: “It’s dirty. I’ll buy you a new one.” 4 I wasn’t that upset. Declan didn’t love me. He married me just to make revenge convenient. The prolonged torment had eased since Esme appeared. If he truly loved her, it would be a good thing for me. I went to the Aiden family alone that weekend. Just as I sat down, Declan appeared. Felix looked at his son curiously: “Didn’t you have something at the company?” The knife and fork in my hand shook. Declan sat next to me, naturally took my hand, and smiled warmly: “There was something, but I let Maeve come first. Then I thought it was inappropriate, so I postponed it.” “Being with Maeve is more important.” Felix nodded approvingly. My mom placed a piece of beef brisket in Declan’s bowl. He replied politely: “Thank you, Auntie.” On a cold winter night, a family gathered happily for a delicious dinner. To an outsider, it would seem warm and cozy. No one knew my palm under the table was already sweaty. Declan held my hand with all his strength. As expected, Felix asked us to stay the night. The room plunged into darkness, and I lay rigidly next to Declan, as if this luxurious bedroom were a tomb. He scoffed, turning to hug me from behind, his hand tracing my curves. His voice was void of warmth: “Maeve, you’re getting more boring.” I hoped he’d stop out of boredom, but the reality was the opposite. In the year we were married, I could count our intimate moments on one hand. “Are you scared of me?” he whispered in my ear, his actions relentless. A rhetorical question. I closed my eyes, enduring the ordeal. Tears slid down my cheeks, and his lips found them, licking them away. “Maeve, it’s normal for couples to do this.” “Didn’t you always say you wanted to marry me when you were little?” 5 Declan was nice to me before. When I first moved to the Aiden family with my mom, everything was new, moving from a poor area to a mansion. One night, I accidentally broke a glass in the kitchen. My mom beat me while scolding: “You stupid girl, do you know how much that glass costs?” “Don’t touch anything in this house! Why don’t you listen?!” I was eleven, and Declan was twelve. He was already growing tall, slender and graceful. He stopped my mom: “It’s okay, Auntie. It’s just a glass.” Then he found me sobbing behind the garden fence, crouched beside me for a long time. Seeing I wouldn’t stop crying, he offered a plum candy: “Have something sweet, you won’t feel so bad.” “I wish my mom had the energy to beat me.” I stopped crying, curious: “What’s wrong with your mom?” He looked up at the sparse stars, smiling bitterly: “She locked herself in her room and won’t come out.” I heard the lady of the house had depression and needed care for her daily life, so my mom was hired as a live-in helper. After that, I became Declan’s little shadow. He showed me every plant in the garden. As a transfer student, he was afraid I’d be bullied, so he went to and from school with me every day. During holidays, he’d even teach me piano. He said: “My mom was a famous pianist. I could play Bach’s Minuet before I could walk.” He was enchanting when he played, as if the sun favored him, shining only on his face. When I learned to play “Dream Wedding,” I watched his focused profile for a long time, my face hot, and stuttered: “Declan, when I grow up, can I be your bride?” He didn’t answer, just smiled and ruffled my hair. Felix often joked with my mom that since the two kids got along so well, maybe they should arrange a marriage. I thought life would continue smoothly like that. Surely it would all fall into place. Until Declan’s mother fell from the rooftop, right in front of us. 6 He pulled away abruptly, getting dressed. I gasped for air like a fish thrown ashore. He buttoned his cuffs and answered a call. I heard Esme’s voice on the other end. She said she was scared, working late, the alley too dark, and she thought someone was following her. Declan dressed quickly and left without looking back. Just moments ago in bed, I felt his loss of control. But now, I was sure only Esme could make him lose his mind. Everything that happened was just a punishment for me. But this punishment was completely senseless. I realized this only after becoming an adult. Esme joined the company half a year ago. With her second-rate degree, she shouldn’t have been hired. But after her interview, she fainted in the elevator from low blood sugar. I was just returning to the company with Declan when the elevator door opened, and a young girl fell into his arms. Declan took her to a nearby hospital. After learning she was an orphan, her adoptive mother cut ties after college, and she hadn’t eaten in two days— He gave her a job. So she became the company receptionist. Declan was conflicted. Outwardly, he seemed kind and just, sympathetic to the unfortunate, with the company donating a lot each year. But in reality, he unleashed his negative emotions on me. At first, Esme was like any naive college graduate, sweet-talking and calling me “sis” whenever she saw me. College students learn quickly. Noticing the lack of respect for me as the CEO’s wife, she started using my first name directly.

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I’m in the final stages of a terminal illness, with only a few days left to live. The doctor has advised me to notify my family to make final arrangements. Unfortunately, my brother Declan believed Esme’s lies, thinking I bullied her throughout high school, and blocked me long ago. While I was fighting for my life in the emergency room, Esme merely had a mild fever from the flu, and Declan waited outside her film set all night. The usually detached Declan appeared visibly worried. “Please, go see a doctor. Even a small cold shouldn’t be ignored.” Online followers were moved by his profound affection. As I was nearing the end, I called the cemetery’s sales office. “Everything’s set, right? No need for a funeral, just cremate me.” “Burn the sheet music Declan wrote for me with me too.” I died on my twentieth birthday. Declan never realized that it was Esme who bullied me for three years and swapped my medical records of terminal illness. The attending physician sighed softly and covered me with a white sheet. The sharp beeping of the monitor was a stark reminder that I was truly gone. A flash of white light, and suddenly I was outside Esme’s film set. Declan held her tenderly, her forehead adorned with a fever patch. She nuzzled against his chest and said playfully, “It’s just a little cold, you didn’t have to cancel work to come back for me.” “No matter where you are, I’ll wait patiently for your return. I’ll take good care of myself.” She nestled into Declan’s arms, her smile sweet. Declan repeatedly checked her forehead and only relaxed when he was sure she was fine. Esme took his hand and said with a hint of regret, “I had a surprise for you, but you arrived even before the gift.” Declan affectionately ruffled her hair, “More than surprises, I just want you to be healthy and happy, always by my side.” Esme’s fans eagerly captured their sweet moment. They marveled at Declan’s deep love. They felt sorry for Esme, who had to work late despite being sick. A bold fan spoke up first, “Mr. Nolan, did you really give up a nine-figure project just to be with Esme while she’s sick?” Declan held Esme close and replied calmly, “I was at the temple to fulfill a vow. The abbot suggested I return; Esme is always my priority.” Esme shyly added, “He worries too much about me. The abbot hinted he might lose his love, so he insisted on seeing me immediately.” “I won’t let Nolan or my fans down. I’ll take better care of myself and work hard. The flu is going around; everyone, please take care of yourselves too!” After speaking, she smiled and waved to the fans. Declan said firmly, “Even if the abbot hadn’t hinted, knowing Esme caught a cold, I would have rushed back immediately.” Fans expressed their admiration openly. “Esme is beautiful and hardworking; she’s sure to become a sensation!” “Mr. Nolan is handsome and capable, and so selfless too. I’m truly envious!” “When’s the engagement? We’re all waiting for the good news!” Fans’ cameras clicked away at the couple, “Mr. Nolan, you gave up such a big project. Do you really have no regrets?” Declan, who usually shied away from online publicity, stood confidently by Esme this time. “I never regret my decisions. Besides, my motivation for work is to give Esme a better life.” In the crowd, someone frowned and muttered, “Nolan? I remember he has a sister. I saw her at the hospital today, maybe I was mistaken.” His murmurs were drowned out by the crowd. Just like me, always an overlooked existence. Chapter 2 Perhaps due to a familial bond, my soul lingered near Declan. After helping Esme into the car, his secretary hesitated, “Are you still planning to celebrate Cora’s birthday today?” Declan paused, and a second later, he frowned slightly. Today is my twentieth birthday, yet he returned to San Francisco because of Esme. He casually browsed my social media, noticing I hadn’t posted my usual midnight birthday update this year, a hint of irritation flashing in his eyes. Esme curiously leaned over and asked, “You rushed back from abroad, and she didn’t even show any concern? Some sister she is.” Declan irritably turned off his phone, “She’s just spoiled, throwing a tantrum for who knows why. I won’t celebrate her birthday with her this year; I’ll go to the hospital with you first.” He then adjusted the air conditioning, gently covering Esme with a blanket. Esme lowered her voice, sounding aggrieved, “Nolan, she must have seen the news of you being with me and got upset.” “After all, it’s her birthday today. I should apologize… I don’t want you two to be unhappy because of me.” Declan’s fist clenched and then relaxed. After a long pause, he suppressed his response, “Hmm.” A flash of resentment passed over Esme’s face, but she quickly adjusted, forcing a smile and taking out her phone. After seeing a text from her assistant, a fierce look flashed in her eyes, and she dialed my number. She called many times, but no one answered. When the phone announced it was turned off, Declan coldly said, “Stop calling. If she wants to act out, let her. You don’t need to lower yourself.” With that, he urged the driver to speed up. I watched Declan calmly. Apart from a hint of irritation, there was no concern on his face. I should have realized long ago, Declan despises me because of Esme. Why would he care about me? Even if he’s in San Francisco, he won’t celebrate my birthday, not even with a simple greeting. Since Esme entered his world. I’ve been forced to endure his bias and targeting. He always said I was rude, making things difficult for Esme. Said I was petty, jealous of Esme’s success. What was once my music room became Esme’s sanctuary. Custom gifts meant for me bore Esme’s name. Even when I was bedridden, he only believed Esme’s words. Convinced I was scheming, feigning illness for sympathy. I always silently wished, hoping he’d return to how he once was. But I was wrong; because of Esme, his misunderstanding deepened, to the point he didn’t want to recognize me. I won’t get his apology anymore. I’m dead, and we’ll never meet in this life again. Chapter 3 Declan took Esme to the best private hospital. Even the hospital room was decorated to her liking. Because Esme is the person Declan feels most indebted to. In high school, everyone mocked me for being an orphan. And the one who led the bullying for three years was Esme. After the college entrance exams, I left San Francisco, thinking I’d endured the worst. But in just three years, I met Esme again; she had become Declan’s girlfriend. I tried to let go of the past, avoiding them. But Esme wouldn’t let me be, twisting the story to Declan, claiming I bullied her in high school for three years. Since then, Declan never showed me a kind face. He always said I had to pay for my actions. So he unilaterally cut off my financial support and even tried to strip me of my right to study abroad. In Declan’s eyes, I became a ruthless villain. While Esme was the rare treasure he cherished. He pitied Esme’s past, treating her better out of guilt, almost placing her on a pedestal. To the point where he stayed by Esme’s side, despite the dark circles under his eyes. Even though doctors repeatedly emphasized Esme just had a common cold. Esme was about to say something when the hospital room door was suddenly pushed open. It was Declan’s friend, Griffin, who was also an investor in Esme’s new drama. “Incredible, your buzz is higher than my new drama.” “Maybe I should ride on your social media attention; this drama would definitely explode.” “Mr. Nolan, giving up a nine-figure project for love, tsk tsk…” Declan gave him a few displeased looks, gesturing with his eyes for him to go to the hallway. “My feelings for Esme don’t need media hype to prove.” “Esme doesn’t need this kind of attention. If she wants, I’ll invest in her, not give her public pressure.” “But I want to ask, why give Esme so much work pressure?” Griffin looked at him incredulously, “For your sake, the film crew treats Esme like royalty. She volunteered for overtime.” “I was puzzled; she was fine during the day, but at midnight, she wasn’t.” Declan snorted, “Esme usually overexerts herself, won’t speak up even if she’s wronged.” “Surely your film crew’s work intensity is too high, it wore her out.” Griffin shrugged, teasingly, “Mr. Nolan is a deeply affectionate man. I’m almost envious of Esme.” “You don’t care for Cora as much as you do for Esme.” Seeing Declan’s face instantly darken, Griffin wisely stopped talking, hesitating for a long time before speaking. “Today is Cora’s birthday. I verified the audio at the scene; she was indeed at the hospital today.” After Declan watched the hospital surveillance video on Griffin’s phone, his eyes filled with anger. In the video, I looked extremely haggard, my sleeves stained with blood, eyes vacant, weakly leaning against the wall. Declan didn’t finish watching, turning off the video in frustration. “I just didn’t celebrate her birthday, and she’s using self-harm as a trick!” That’s not true! The video was maliciously edited! I didn’t self-harm. The bloodstains on my sleeves were from coughing up blood during an attack. I was anxious, but Declan couldn’t hear me. Griffin tried to persuade Declan, “No matter what, Cora is your sister. When Esme marries in, you’ll be a family; there’s no need for such tension.” In the video, I appeared utterly exhausted, with bloodstains on my sleeves, my eyes vacant, and leaning weakly against the wall. Declan didn’t even finish watching it before switching it off in frustration. “All because I didn’t celebrate her birthday with her, now she’s pulling a stunt like self-harm!” But that’s not true! The video was maliciously edited! I didn’t self-harm; the blood on my sleeves was from coughing up blood during an attack. I was frantic, but Declan couldn’t hear my side of the story. Griffin was still trying to reason with Declan, “No matter what, Cora is still your sister. Once Esme joins the family, we’ll all be together. There’s no need to make things so tense.” Declan watched the video of my pitiful appearance with a conflicted expression, his throat moving slightly. My heart ached indescribably. Even people who didn’t know me well showed concern, yet my own brother instinctively suspected me with malice. — Declan’s face remained emotionless. After Griffin hurriedly left, Declan paced back and forth in the hallway. He took out a small velvet jewelry box from his coat pocket, revealing a sapphire necklace. It turned out he had prepared a birthday gift for me. Once, Esme took the sapphire necklace that mom left for me. Declan scolded me, saying it was just a necklace and that my bullying had made Esme so depressed she nearly committed suicide. He said I owed her for life. Now, the necklace in his hand had a bigger and brighter gem than the one I originally had. But meaningful objects are unique and can’t be replaced. He repeatedly rubbed the gem, carefully putting it away afterward. Only then did his emotions fully settle. He went back to his room to grab his car keys, planning to find me at home. But just as he was about to leave, a sleepy Esme woke up. “Nolan, where are you going?” Tears shimmered in her eyes. “I’m scared being alone in the hospital. Could you stay with me?” Declan hugged her to comfort her, “Stay put with the IV drip. I’ll be back soon. I won’t leave you.” Esme clung to his sleeve, reluctant to let go, cautiously asking, “Is it because of Cora?” Declan nodded, “She’s the only person in this world with my blood. I can’t fail mom and dad’s wishes.” Esme lowered her head, feeling wronged, “It’s okay, I understand. I’ll wait for you to come back.” Declan still left, and as he closed the door, I distinctly saw Esme clenching her fists, resentment in her eyes. I followed Declan back to the empty house. Not seeing my shoes at the entrance, he hastily entered my room. It was tidied up, and even the sheet music he had written for me, which I cherished, was gone. Declan sat dejectedly at the piano, staring at the stickers we had placed on the keys together, lost in thought. Through the moonlight, I seemed to see Declan from years ago. Back then, he taught me to play the piano and wrote music for me. As long as he was there, I always wore a satisfied smile. After Esme appeared, I never played the piano again. Declan’s fingers brushed over the keys, looking at his dust-covered fingers, murmuring, “Cora… how did we end up like this?” In the moonlight, his figure seemed particularly lonely. He stood up, took one last look at my room, and left in a hurry, almost as if escaping. Growing up, Declan never apologized to me first. Even when he was wrong, he avoided and glossed over it. I used to think he was too proud, and as his sister, I shouldn’t hold it against him. Seeing him check my Instagram again, I laughed at how forgetful he was. He must have forgotten that he couldn’t receive my messages, not because I didn’t contact him, but because he blocked me. I sat in the corner of the sofa, calmly watching his panicked face. What if he knew I was dead? What if he knew Esme was the one who bullied me and switched my terminal illness medical records, indirectly causing my death? Would he still stubbornly believe he was right and avoid responsibility as he always did? Unfortunately, he no longer has the chance to apologize to me. Until dawn, a sudden ringtone startled Declan awake. I leaned closer to see that it was the cemetery salesperson. “Are you Cora’s brother?” The voice on the other end was uncertain. Declan frowned impatiently, “I am. What’s she up to now?” “I’m Cora’s representative. We need a family member’s signature for the cremation. Do you have time to come over?” Declan’s expression froze. He gripped his phone tightly, suppressing his anger, “Tell me the truth. How much did Cora pay you to play along?” Before the other side could respond, Declan hastily hung up. He took several deep breaths, “Cora is so afraid of dying. How could she bear to die? Yes! She must be pretending to be pitiful again to make me stay for her birthday!” He quickly grabbed his coat, “Esme is still waiting for me at the hospital. I have to go be with her…” “I won’t be fooled again.” I felt hopeless. Clearly, in his heart, Esme was the most important. But his panicked back betrayed him. Maybe, for the sake of blood relations, he would be moved. I’m a bit curious about the day the truth comes out.

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