My name is Alara Nightfang. My cousin Lyra Shadowmane pretended to have a bloodline frenzy at the Moon Goddess Festival, secretly took aphrodisiac wolfsbane, and tearfully begged me to lend her my alpha fiancé Chandler Lakin for one night to calm her mixed-bloodline outburst. I found Corbin Ironhowl, who had always been devoted to her, for her. Lyra woke up to find that the one who marked her was not Kael and took her own life in shame and anger. Kael did not blame me for this and still treated me as before. I always felt guilty toward Lyra and took care of her family attentively after her death. However, on the day of the bonding ceremony, Kael ordered someone to poison me with wolfsbane and threw me to rogue werewolves to be violated. “Lyra endured such pain back then, so use your wretched body to atone for her.” I was violated to death under the brightest moonlight, losing both my life and my unborn child. When I opened my eyes again, I returned to the night Lyra cried and begged me to give Kael to her. …… At the Moon God Festival, Liliana pretended to lose control of her bloodline, took wolfsbane, and tearfully begged me, “Alara, please, let Kael save me, okay?” She cried while clutching the hem of my ceremonial dress. “Alara, just lend me Kael for one night, please?” I looked at Lyra, sobbing at my feet, and sighed softly. “Lyra, Kael and I are bound by a pact. If you act like this, how will you find a partner in the future?” Kael frowned and reprimanded from the side. “I am your sister’s destined partner. Your behavior is truly disgusting!” With that, he kicked Lyra aside and pulled me away. I looked at Lyra writhing in pain on the ground from the bloodline turmoil and eventually softened. I called Corbin, who had always admired her, for her. Lyra and Corbin already had an engagement, and Corbin, being upright, would never spread this matter. Having him perform a temporary marking was the best choice at the moment. However, when she woke up and found that it was Corbin who marked her, she broke down and cried on the spot. She pointed at me, angrily accusing me of ruining her, and then resolutely took her own life. This incident became an indelible shadow in my heart; I always believed it was my fault that she died. After her death, I took care of her family wholeheartedly. Kael understood my hard work and often accompanied me in taking care of them. But on the night of our bonding ceremony, he brought several rogue werewolves to violate me to death. I begged him desperately to spare me, but he looked at me with disgust. “If it weren’t for you, I would have already bonded with Lyra’s bloodline. This is all your fault!” “Lyra endured such pain back then too. She died, so use your life to atone for her.” It turns out that before forming a pact with me, he already had an affair with Lyra. I learned from the wolf-patterned scroll Lyra gave him that she was his first love. But he didn’t know that the scroll recorded everything about me. Lyra had been jealous of my pure bloodline since childhood and obsessively imitated me. From festival attire to hunting war cries, she even imitated my wolf-patterned scroll. She thought that by imitating everything about me, she could replace my position in the tribe. In my past life, I kept tolerating her because she was my cousin, but it ultimately cost me my life. In this life, I decided to let them have their way because I have more important things to do. When the familiar plot unfolded again, I left early under the pretext of changing the festival dress, leaving the stage entirely to Lyra. Sure enough, just like in the past life, she feigned a bloodline frenzy and pretended to accidentally consume wolfsbane. Afterward, she shook off Corbin and started searching everywhere for me and Kael. When she couldn’t find me, she could only kneel on the ground and beg Kael. “Please, mark me, will you?” “If you don’t save me, my hybrid bloodline will collapse.” She used life and death to force Kael. A trace of disgust flashed across Kael’s face. However, the clan servant who came to inform me reported in a low voice, “Young Master Bloodmaw said there was an urgent matter and has already left the ritual altar.” I looked at my reflection in the mirror, and the image of my tragic death in my past life surfaced in my mind, making me shudder. Fortunately, I was reborn. In this life, I will personally send them to hell! I instructed, “Go and invite Young Master Ironhowl, tell him I’m very worried about Lyra and would like him to join me in the search.” After the clan servant left, I began openly searching for Kael. Everywhere I went, I anxiously asked, “Have you seen my fiancé and cousin?” Soon, the guests at the festival ceremony all knew that Kael and Lyra had disappeared at the same time. Corbin, upon hearing this, was also extremely anxious. “Lyra is already a half-blood she-wolf. If this spreads, it will greatly affect her reputation and the tribe’s honor.” He immediately ordered his men, “Make sure to find Lyra as soon as possible!” Everyone scattered to search, almost turning the entire altar upside down. Finally, only the chamber prepared for blessings remained unchecked. Everyone stood hesitating in front of the chamber, caught in a dilemma. At that moment, I ran over anxiously. “Have you found Lyra and Kael?” Everyone remained silent. The servant said, “We’ve searched the altar and the halls, only…” Before he finished speaking, I forcefully pushed open the stone door of the chamber. “Kael, Lyra, are you there?” The next second, a woman’s scream and a man’s roar came from inside the chamber. I stood at the doorway, stunned, as everyone behind me witnessed the scene. Kael was actually sleeping with my cousin Lyra during the Moon Goddess Festival! I looked at Kael with a pale face. “You…” Before I could finish speaking, everything went black, and I fainted. Corbin quickly caught me and glared at Kael. “Your tribe must give us an explanation for this, or else…” He didn’t finish, but everyone understood what he meant. The Ironhowl tribe is now at its peak, and even though Corbin is just the second son, he’s not someone anyone can easily bully. Corbin supported me as we left the scene.

When I woke up again, it was already evening. My parents Garrick Nightfang, Elara Nightfang, Lyra’s mother Isadora Shadowmane, along with people from the Bloodmaw clan and the Ironhowl clan, were all present. Seeing me awake, Kael’s mother Selene Bloodmaw immediately stepped forward to support me. “Alara, you’re finally awake.” I avoided Selene and threw myself into Elara’s arms, crying uncontrollably. Anyone who saw me would think I was a pitiful person who had been wronged. Selene awkwardly withdrew her hand and softly said, “Alara, what’s done is done. How about letting your sister be with Kael too? Don’t worry, you’re still the Luna of the Bloodmaw clan.” After speaking, she turned to look at Kael and Lyra behind her. “What we mean is to let Lyra be Kael’s ordinary mate. This way, the dignity of the clans is preserved, and you sisters can look out for each other. What do you think?” Garrick snorted coldly in dissatisfaction after hearing this. “Your family sure has some nerve, wanting my daughter to be with Kael? Hmph! Dream on!” The Ironhowl clan members looked displeased too. Corbin’s mate was casually offered to Kael as a partner! If this gets out, the Ironhowl clan’s honor will be completely ruined. Lyra naturally refused. Seeing herself about to go from Luna to an ordinary mate, how could she agree? She had worked so hard to get close to Kael, not to become just an ordinary mate. Lyra nestled in Kael’s arms, sobbing uncontrollably. “Alara, as long as you can forgive Kael, I’m willing to be just an ordinary mate. I only ask you not to be angry with Kael because of me.” At this moment, Isadora was also crying beside her. “Alara, if you don’t let Lyra go, she’ll really have no choice but to be exiled from the tribe.” “Shut up! Look at the kind of daughter you raised! Mixed blood is rotten to the core. Doing such blasphemous things on the sacred altar, and you still have the nerve to cry here?” Garrick said angrily. He had always been especially tolerant of Isadora. No matter what mistakes she made, he would overlook them out of sympathy for their situation as a widow and her child. But now, Isadora actually indulged Lyra in doing such a thing! Garrick only felt that it brought shame to the tribe. Kael, seeing his beloved crying so sorrowfully, felt heartbroken and frowned as he looked at me. “I’ve already agreed to make you Luna. What more do you want? Will you only be satisfied when Lyra is left with no way out?” As soon as he finished speaking, he received a heavy slap from his father. “Shut up! This is not your place to speak!” Garrick coldly looked at the father and son and said, “There’s no need to put on this father-son act in front of me. Alara will never join your tribe.” That slap completely enraged Kael. He glared at his father. “In this life, I only acknowledge Lyra, no one else! Father, if you like Alara so much, you can bond with her yourself!” Thorn Ironhowl, Corbin’s father, who had been watching coldly from the side, couldn’t help but sneer at this moment. “Is this the upbringing of the Bloodmaw clan?” After speaking, he looked at Garrick. “In this matter, both our families are victims. How about forming an alliance through marriage between our two tribes?” Garrick stared at Thorn in disbelief. “Do you think my daughter is some tool for breeding that anyone can pick at will?” Thorn smiled and explained, “That’s not a nice way to put it. If today’s incident spreads, our tribe loses honor, but Alara is the real victim. How will she find a partner in the future?” Garrick was about to refuse when he heard me speak calmly, “What benefit do I get from allying with your tribe?”

Thorn saw me speak and immediately beamed with joy. He had long been dissatisfied with Lyra. He always felt that not only was her bloodline impure, but there was also a scheming look in her eyes. If it weren’t for Corbin liking Lyra, he wouldn’t have allowed such a she-wolf into the tribe at all. At this moment, seeing me relent, he was naturally overjoyed. He said, “Alara, I can’t promise everything, but there are a few things I can absolutely do. “First, dividing the hunting grounds. As long as you become mates, I’ll immediately go to the tribal council of elders to arrange the witnessing for the hunting grounds and territory marks at home. My two sons will each inherit 40% of the ruling rights, and the remaining 20% will be reserved for our retirement.” “Second,” Thorn drawled, casting a disdainful glance at Kael before continuing slowly, “Our Iron Howl Tribe values rules the most. Corbin would never cause a scandal of entangling with his future mate’s cousin at the Moon Goddess Festival.” “As for the last point, after becoming mates, all your territories and resources must be registered under your wolf mark.” As soon as these words were spoken, everyone present gasped. This was almost like giving the entire tribe’s assets to Alara! The Iron Howl Tribe really went all out for Corbin’s marriage! Only Kael’s family, Lyra, and Isolde looked grim. Thorn’s words were practically calling them shameless to their faces. I listened quietly and nodded. Others might not discern the truth in these words, but I knew. In the previous life, after Lyra’s death, Corbin followed the tribe’s arrangements and partnered with another woman. Although Corbin didn’t love her, he still treated her with utmost care. The family’s territory and hunting ground marks were all registered under that woman’s wolf mark, leaving nothing under his own name. If I could be with such a wolf, even if he didn’t love me, he wouldn’t harm me. What’s more, with the information advantage from my rebirth, I may not need to rely on a male to survive. It’s just that times are harsh on female wolves now. If I don’t form a bond, Garrick and Elara will be criticized and bear a bad reputation. I don’t care what happens to me, but I can’t drag them into criticism. I said, “Alright, I’ll think about it.” Hearing this, Corbin’s parents were stunned for a moment, then showed satisfied smiles. But Lyra, who had been watching from the side, couldn’t sit still anymore. She angrily looked at Thorn. “Why? That’s not what you said before! You clearly said only 30% of the hunting grounds!” “Besides, you never said you’d transfer all the territory marks under my wolf crest name!” Thorn frowned at her. “Since you made the pact with Corbin, every bloodline nourishment you received, every moonlight ceremony you attended, weren’t they all provided by our tribe?” “I made this decision because I was afraid you’d ruin the tribe! Besides, how do your bloodline and looks compare to Alara?” “I just like Alara and am willing to hand over everything. So what?” Lyra’s face turned pale with anger, and she looked at Corbin with tears in her eyes. “Are you just going to watch them bully your future mate?” Corbin looked at her coldly. “Miss Shadowmane, watch your words. I am no longer your future mate.” Lyra was at a loss for words, burying herself in Kael’s arms, sobbing. Seeing our families settle the marriage with just a few words, Kael’s face grew even more displeased. He pushed Lyra away and stormed over to me. “Alara! You are my future mate. Have you considered my feelings when you talk about bonding with someone else right in front of me?”

The night before my wedding, my fiancé took me to meet his friends. He was all over me, showering me with affection throughout the dinner. His buddies kept gushing, “Your fiancée is so pure, you really hit the jackpot!” He smirked proudly. “My future wife is the best, unlike all those sluts out there.” But when I went to the restroom mid-dinner, I overheard him bragging in a low voice outside the door: “Pure? What good is pure? She’s like a dead fish in bed. If it wasn’t for her being Stella’s twin, looking exactly alike, I wouldn’t even bother touching her.” The next day, at the wedding, Stella showed up with a baby bump. Just as I expected, he told me to “make peace” and step aside. I scoffed, ripping off my veil. I walked down the aisle and stopped in front of Julian Hayes, who was sitting in a wheelchair. “They all say you like me. Well, I’m single now. Are you brave enough to marry me?” “Hahaha, Anya has lost her mind!” “Choosing a cripple? She’s so desperate!” “What an embarrassment! She’s dragged the Reed family name through the mud!” The guests’ piercing jeers sliced through the air. Every word felt like a needle stabbing my heart. My father’s face turned scarlet, and my mother rushed onto the stage, clutching my arm tightly. “Are you insane?! Ruining your own life just to spite him?!” Below the stage, Liam Miller had an arm around Stella Reed, a smirk plastered on his face as he watched the drama unfold. “I underestimated her. She actually has guts.” Stella let out a delicate sneer. “Guts? I think she’s just lost her mind. Anya, are you really going to spend your life with a cripple?” She deliberately caressed her visibly swollen belly, her eyes filled with a mix of provocation and triumph. My heart felt like it was being brutally torn apart. I’d thought tearing off my wedding veil would bring freedom, but all it brought was deeper humiliation. Julian stood up, limping towards me. Compared to the dashing and polished Liam, he was a world apart. Suddenly, I regretted it. Impulse is a devil. Why did I choose a disabled man? Did I really have to spend my entire life with him? Julian stopped in front of me and pulled a ring from his pocket. The band was set with tiny, dull diamonds, not even a single carat. The diamond ring Liam gave Stella was a whopping three carats, sparkling brilliantly. In comparison, this ring looked pathetically meager. The laughter from the guests grew louder. “Hahaha, even the ring is so cheap!” “Anya, are you really settling for this?” Tears welled up in my eyes. Since childhood, when had I ever endured such humiliation? But then, Julian took my hand, and I froze. His hand was warm, steady. “I am.” Two words, firm and resolute. Unlike Liam’s flowery words, unlike the guests’ cold mockery. Just two simple words, but they made my heart tremble. “Are you sure? I might bring you trouble.” “I’m not afraid.” There wasn’t a hint of hesitation in his voice. The audience erupted in even louder jeers. “Two losers together!” “A cripple and a crazy woman, a perfect match!” Liam called out loudly, “Anya, don’t be childish. Come back. Stella’s baby needs a father, and you need a whole man.” A whole man? I scoffed. What kind of a “whole man” was Liam? Betrayal, deception, toying with his fiancée’s feelings—was that his version of “whole”? I looked at Julian. His leg might be broken, but his spirit wasn’t. “Yes, I do.” I held out my hand, letting him slide the dull ring onto my finger. The ring was small, but it fit perfectly, as if it had been custom-made for me. A commotion broke out among the guests.

Liam’s sneer instantly turned into a furious scowl. He strode over and grabbed my wrist, his grip so strong it felt like he wanted to crush my bones. “Anya, you’d rather choose a cripple to disgust me than beg for my forgiveness?” Before I could react, my dad rushed over. I thought he was coming to stop Liam, to protect me. Instead, he raised his hand and delivered a resounding slap. “Slap!” The crisp sound echoed through the entire wedding hall. My cheek instantly swelled red and burned with a fiery pain. A trickle of blood seeped from the corner of my mouth. The entire venue fell silent, then erupted into even sharper whispers. “Disgraceful daughter! You’ve shamed our family beyond belief! Get back here, right now!” There was no hint of affection in my father’s eyes, only anger and disgust. I covered my face, tears threatening to spill. Not because of the pain, but because of the chilling realization. This man was my father. Stella, at this point, feigned concern and stepped forward to mediate. “Daddy, Anya was just impulsive. Please don’t get so agitated…” As she spoke, she “accidentally” stomped her high heel onto my foot. The searing pain made me lose my balance instantly. Then she pretended to stumble, violently ramming her shoulder into me. I staggered and fell to the ground. The pristine white hem of my wedding dress was instantly stained with the blood from my mouth. The guests below began to point and whisper. “The Reed family’s upbringing…” “The elder daughter is a total lunatic, but the younger one is sensible.” “Good thing Mr. Miller chose the right one.” Stella proudly caressed her belly, her eyes filled with provocation. Julian tried to come and help me, but Liam’s friends blocked him, holding him back. “Who do you think you are? Do you even deserve to touch her?” Liam sneered. I lay on the floor, watching his anxious, yet helpless, face. A despair far deeper than my physical pain welled up inside me. Was this the man I chose? He couldn’t even protect me. Liam looked down at me, his eyes gleaming with triumph. “Anya, do you see now? This is your choice. A useless man who can’t even stand properly, how can he protect you?” He crouched down, reaching out to help me up. “Come on, be good. Come back. I can forgive everything, pretend none of this ever happened.” This man, who just last night called me a “dead fish” to his friends. Now he was putting on an act of deep affection. Disgusting. I mustered all my strength and violently slapped his hand away. “Get lost!” Liam’s face instantly darkened. “You’re ungrateful.” He stood up and kicked the hem of my wedding dress. “Since you’re so cheap, go live with your cripple. But don’t come crying to me later!” My dad, seeing this, stepped forward again. “You rebellious daughter, apologize right now!” My mom also rushed over, crying. “Anya, are you crazy? Are you going to ruin your life just to prove a point?” The guests below watched, entertained, pointing and whispering. “Anya is truly insane.” “To choose a cripple just to spite someone, she must be really messed up.” “What sin did the Reed family commit to end up with such a daughter?” Stella, at the opportune moment, walked over, prominently displaying her baby bump. “Anya, calm down. Even though we had a misunderstanding, Liam genuinely loves you. Look at Julian, he can’t even protect you. Is he really suitable to entrust your life to?” Every one of her words pierced my heart. I lay on the ground, feeling the malice coming from all directions. My parents’ disappointment. My ex-fiancé’s mockery. My sister’s provocation. The guests’ ridicule. And… the helplessness of the man I had chosen. Had I really made the wrong choice? Just then, Julian finally broke free from those who were restraining him. He limped towards me, each step difficult. He crouched down and gently helped me up. “I’m sorry, that you had to endure this.” Then he turned and looked at Liam. “You’re right, I can’t protect her.” My heart sank instantly. Was even he going to abandon me? But the next second, he added: “But at least, I won’t hurt her.” He looked at everyone in the hall. “You mock her for being crazy, you mock her for choosing me out of spite. But have you ever wondered? What truly drives a woman to make such a choice at her own wedding?” The entire hall fell silent. “It’s betrayal. It’s deception. It’s the pain inflicted by the people closest to her.” “My leg may be broken, but my heart isn’t. I may not be able to give her the best material life, but I can give her the most genuine affection.” Liam’s face was livid. “Don’t get all emotional here! What right do you, a cripple, have to speak—” “What right do I have?” Julian interrupted him. “I have the right to love her. Do you?” “Enough with the cheesy talk. Guys, get him out of here.” With that, Liam and his friends shoved Julian out of the wedding venue.

My mom finally moved. Not to help me, but to drag me up from the floor. Before I could react, Stella had already grabbed my other arm. “Mom, what are you doing!” I struggled, but their combined strength was greater than mine. “Shut up! You’ve shamed us enough already!” They dragged me, pulling and yanking, towards the back of the stage. The guests watched, some pulling out their phones to record. “Let me go! What gives you the right to lock me up?! Open the door!” From outside, Liam’s amplified voice boomed, carried by the sound system throughout the entire hall. “Ladies and gentlemen, please excuse the little interruption earlier.” “Right now, my abandoned ex-fiancée is reflecting in the little storage room backstage. What do you say, when do you think she’ll come to her senses?” The hall erupted in laughter. “Mr. Miller is so entertaining!” “This is better than watching a movie!” “That woman deserves it!” I had become the public laughingstock of this wedding. My phone vibrated. I pulled it out and saw a message from my mom. “Anya, stop making a scene. Stella’s happiness is what matters most. Kneel down and apologize to Liam, and this whole thing will blow over.” I stared at the words on the screen. Stella’s happiness is what matters most. What about me? Didn’t my happiness matter? Didn’t my dignity matter? Did I deserve to be humiliated, locked up, and made a joke of? The music outside grew louder. Liam and Stella had started dancing. The guests’ applause and cheers grew in intensity. And I, like a piece of trash, was locked in this dark corner. My phone vibrated again. This time it was from Stella. “Anya, I know you’re angry right now. But think about it, Liam is so exceptional, he deserves better. Please don’t be so stubborn, okay?” I slid down the door, collapsing into a ball on the floor. The physical pain, my family’s betrayal, my lover’s humiliation, and the departure of the man who said he’d protect me, pushed me into a bottomless abyss. I no longer had the strength to even cry. Let it be. Let them mock. Let them gloat. Anyway, I had already lost everything. Liam’s voice came from outside: “Everyone, now for the most exciting part. Let’s go see if our ex-fiancée has come to her senses yet?” Footsteps grew closer. The sound of a key turning. The door swung open, and blinding light streamed in. Liam stood at the doorway, followed by a group of guests, all holding their phones, recording. “Anya, what’s your decision? Are you ready to apologize?” I looked up, about to speak. Suddenly, the main doors of the wedding venue were violently thrown open. A group of people burst in. Julian stood at the entrance, behind him dozens of imposing bodyguards in black suits. The entire hall fell silent instantly. Everyone was stunned, including Liam. Julian took off his suit jacket and strode towards me. His leg was still limping. He draped his jacket over me, then scooped me up into his arms without a word. “What are you doing! Let her go!” Liam finally reacted. Julian didn’t even spare him a glance. In that moment, I felt alive again. “Julian, you’re a cripple. Do you think you can turn things upside down with a few guys?” Liam fumed, enraged. Just then, a middle-aged man in a sharp suit stepped forward. He held a document and threw it directly in Liam’s face. “Mr. Miller, from this moment on, 35% of Miller Group’s shares belong to Mr. Hayes. You have been removed from the board by the directors.”

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “313998”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #浪漫Romance #现实主义Realistic #重生Reborn

My husband told me he had met his soulmate—and demanded an open marriage. I didn’t cry or argue. I signed the divorce papers on the spot. He assumed my broken family background made me too desperate to leave. He expected me to beg. Instead, the moment I walked out, the one man he had spent years flattering, chasing, and failing to impress turned his attention to me. Now my ex-husband is on his knees in public, while the man he fears most wraps an arm around my waist and asks where I want to go next. After Brandon came back, he excitedly shared with me that he had never met someone so compatible. They went skydiving together, skiing together, and climbed to the peak of Mont Blanc… Their souls resonated; they were each other’s muse. “Ava, you should go out and see the world too, or maybe start dating. “Honestly, we got married too early, mistaking habit for love. “Why don’t we try an open marriage?” Brandon’s face was beaming with sweetness as he generously suggested. I stared at Brandon’s handsome face, tracing from his brow bone to his jaw with my eyes. Less than three years after graduation, he had already become a stranger to me. I paused for a moment, then chuckled: “No need for such trouble, let’s just get divorced. “Since you like her so much, I’ll step aside.” A flash of surprise crossed Brandon’s eyes. “Ava, you know your situation. Who else would want you if you divorce me?” I was slightly stunned, not expecting him to use this to poke at me. Yes, what was my situation? My mother ran off with someone. My father was a gambling addict who drowned in a muddy pond while drunk. Even my grandmother who raised me passed away a few years ago. I was alone, like duckweed, with no one to rely on. This was the vulnerability I had revealed to him in my fragile moments, and now it had become his leverage to manipulate me. Brandon was so sure I couldn’t leave him that he dared to flaunt his new love interest right in front of me. The promise he made when we got married – to love and care for me for a lifetime – was like a sharp knife, repeatedly twisting in my heart. I took deep breaths, hands gripping the edge of the table, staring at him steadily, my tone resolute: “I said, I want a divorce.” Brandon was stunned for a moment, a smile unconsciously appearing at the corners of his mouth. “Since you insist on divorce, I have no choice. “Ava, it’s not that I want to let you down, you’re forcing me to do this. “Don’t come back begging me later.” When I went back to the room to pack my things, I overheard Brandon’s conversation with his friend. “Brandon, are you really divorcing your wife?” “She’s trying to pressure me with divorce, so I’ll let her have her way. “Sabrina’s been clinging to me tightly, I don’t have time to deal with her petty jealousy. “She has no family here, it won’t be long before she comes crawling back begging me to remarry her.” A wave of bitterness washed over me. I directly threw our wedding photo along with the wedding ring into the trash can.

On the day of the divorce, the sun was shining brightly. I met the girl Brandon had described as his soulmate – she was sporty, with a high ponytail, full of energy. “Sis, you should go out more often. When people get old, they can’t keep up with the times and easily get eliminated.” She clung to Brandon’s arm, sitting in his passenger seat, looking at me provocatively. I was barely twenty-five, yet someone was calling me old. Someone passed by carrying a mirror, and I caught a glimpse of myself. Delicate features, long black hair, curves in all the right places, long legs – I wasn’t inferior to anyone. On the way home, I tried hard to control my emotions, but tears still kept flowing. Bang! I crashed into a Rolls-Royce in front of me. I hurriedly got out of the car to apologize. A pair of long legs stepped out of the car ahead. Broad shoulders, narrow waist, impeccably dressed in a suit, exuding nobility amidst his coldness. “It’s you.” The man broke the awkward silence first. I was confused for a moment, then suddenly realized who the man in front of me was. Brandon had mentioned him many times – Bay City’s mysterious tycoon, Damian Sinclair, the helmsman of the financial group that Mitchell Corp had always wanted to cooperate with. “I haven’t even asked for compensation yet, and you’re crying like this.” Damian Sinclair handed me a handkerchief, his tone surprisingly gentle. “No, you misunderstand. It’s entirely my fault, I’ll definitely compensate you. “I just got divorced, and I’m having trouble controlling my emotions. I’m sorry.” I hurriedly explained, afraid he might think I was trying to shirk responsibility. “Divorced?” Damian Sinclair asked again. I nodded. “That’s good.” “What?” Damian Sinclair’s lips curled into a faint smile as he slowly said: “It’s nothing. The weather is nice today, we shouldn’t waste time on such trivial matters. “Miss Bennett, would you mind exchanging contact information? We can talk more later.” I was a bit surprised and didn’t recover for a long time. Brandon had once spent hundreds of thousands but couldn’t get Damian Sinclair’s phone number or SnapChat. Now it was just lying in my phone. Several days passed, and Damian Sinclair didn’t mention anything about compensation. Even when I asked proactively, there was no reply from the other side. A tycoon is a tycoon, probably busier. Or perhaps he had five SnapChat accounts and didn’t check this one often. The next time I saw Damian Sinclair was after a company drinking party. I was a bit drunk and bumped into a figure in the hallway. Damian Sinclair gentlemanly supported me. Under the influence of alcohol, my emotions broke down again, and I cried uncontrollably. “Mr. Sinclair, this…” “I have something to attend to, we’ll talk next time.” Suddenly my feet left the ground, and I was carried by Damian Sinclair to his car. The atmosphere became somewhat ambiguous. In the confined space, the pheromones emanating from Damian Sinclair constantly stimulated my nerves. I had heard many stories about him – how he took over Sinclair Corp at a young age and won the trust of the old guard with his thunderous methods. [“Who else would want you if you divorce me.”] Brandon’s words echoed in my mind, painful to the point of suffocation. Looking at this face in front of me, more noble than Brandon’s, I couldn’t help but lean closer. “Ava, you’re drunk.” Damian Sinclair’s finger pressed against my shoulder, his voice deep. Maybe it was the alcohol clouding my judgment, or maybe it was my unwillingness to give in. I boldly shook off his hand and leaned forward. “Your lips look so soft, I wonder if they’re nice to kiss.” At that moment my mind went blank, I don’t even remember what Damian Sinclair replied. I only knew that his breath lingered on the tip of my nose, making my heartstrings tremble. His lips really were soft, yet full of aggression. “Open your mouth to breathe~” I dazedly complied. He cupped the back of my head, like crashing waves. His fingertips slid down my waist, and I couldn’t help but arch my body, pressing against his burning chest. His warm lips moved down inch by inch. In the adult world, we both knew what was about to happen. Damian Sinclair draped his suit Brandonet over my flushed face and carried me into a nearby five-star hotel.

“Brandon, isn’t that Mr. Sinclair up ahead? Our project…” Not far away, Brandon’s car was parked. “Have some sense, don’t ruin Damian Sinclair’s mood.” Brandon lazily leaned back in his seat, his expression playful. “Rumor has it he doesn’t take interest in women, seems we can’t trust everything we hear. Those you picked before were too low class, go find better ones.” “Yes, Brandon.” “I heard your ex-wife is at that store up ahead, should we…” Brandon gave a cold laugh and rolled up the window. “Don’t bother with her. “She knew I’d be passing by and deliberately tried to get my attention. “I’m tired of her tricks. “Let’s go somewhere else. “By the way, go buy that jewelry set she likes, so she won’t throw a tantrum at me again.”

I was pinned against the door by Damian Sinclair, his tall figure tightly enveloping me. As my clothes slipped off, I suddenly felt like retreating. “Scared?” Damian Sinclair’s finger slowly slid down my spine, and for a moment my mind cleared. I shook my head slightly and directly wrapped my arms around his neck, kissing him back. After years of following the rules, what harm could one moment of wildness do? Moreover, the man in front of me was Damian Sinclair, whom countless people pursued. The night was deep, the moon had just peeked out, stirring the spring waters all night long. When I woke up, the sound of water came from the bathroom, and the man’s toned body was silhouetted behind the misty door. His waist was slim but powerful. Recalling last night’s frenzy, my face instantly turned red. Damian Sinclair opened the door, the towel around his waist a bit short. I couldn’t help but swallow. Even though I had seen everything last night, being so close and meeting his gaze still involuntarily drew me in. Brandon was right, I should date more. Having never tasted anything good, I had stupidly clung to him. But someone of Damian Sinclair’s background wasn’t suitable for me. “What are you thinking about?” Damian Sinclair’s fingertip touched behind my ear, leaving a gentle kiss. What followed was another surge of passion. While Damian Sinclair was in another room taking a conference call, I quietly put on my clothes and left the hotel, blocking his contact information. This incident was just a mistake. People in the clouds are out of reach. To keep myself clear-headed, I agreed to a date with a college student. In a coffee shop on the corner, I took out a mirror to touch up my makeup when someone I didn’t want to see appeared – Sabrina Harper. “Sis, what a coincidence. Are you waiting for someone?” Sabrina Harper sat down across from me uninvited. Today she was dressed provocatively sexy. I had no interest in engaging with her and picked up my bag to change seats. “The person you’re waiting for won’t come, sis. He’s my junior, I asked him to invite you. “I didn’t expect you’d be so easy to ask out, sis. Seems you’re really not popular, no one’s chasing you. “No wonder Brandon said you’re boring.” Sabrina Harper’s words made me stop in my tracks. I turned around and poured my unfinished coffee on her. “Is interfering in other people’s marriages something to be proud of? “Should I go advertise at your school, let your juniors and seniors admire you properly?” “Ava! Don’t go too far.” Brandon had just arrived and saw me bullying his precious little girlfriend. He protectively shielded her behind him. “Sis was stood up by my junior, that’s why she took her anger out on me. “It’s okay, I’m fine. Look, I’m perfectly alright.” Sabrina Harper smiled as she wiped the coffee stains off her face, enthusiastically explaining on my behalf in front of Brandon. “Junior. Heh, Ava, when did you start trying to date college boys too? “Remember what I said? After divorcing me, no one else would want you.” A thousand words stuck in my throat, my chest feeling as if pressed by a heavy weight. I looked at him and poured the remaining coffee in the cup directly onto his face. “Brandon, you’re disgusting.” After doing this, I clenched my sweaty palms and quickly left the coffee shop, dragging my tired body and mind. Back home, that eye-catching Rolls-Royce was parked in the community parking lot. After going upstairs, sure enough, Damian Sinclair was standing at my door, his eyes bloodshot with exhaustion. “Mr. Sinclair, what a coincidence.” I felt a bit awkward and guilty, not knowing what to say for a moment. “Mr. Sinclair? That night…” Damian Sinclair raised an eyebrow. I immediately nervously covered his mouth and pulled him inside after opening the door. Damian Sinclair confined me in his arms, his kisses forceful and surging. It wasn’t until I was pressed down that he looked down at me, his eyes icy cold, and asked: “Ava, do you know how many people want my contact information?

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Nerissa pushed me off a cliff in our last life, but rebirth returned me to the moment we first arrived in the beastman tribe. She thinks she can outshine me again by choosing the werewolf I once relied on. She expects me to pick someone “safe.” Instead, I claim the strongest male in the tribe—the white tiger priest and future heir. This time, I will protect him, elevate him, and weaponize him. Nerissa aims to be the chieftain’s wife, but I aim higher. In a world where females control everything, I will seize power, overturn my fate, and take revenge step by step. After being pushed off that cliff, I was reborn. I woke up on the exact day Nerissa and I first arrived in the primitive beastman tribe. As soon as I opened my eyes, I heard the elderly voice of the tribe’s chieftain. “All our unmated males are here for you two esteemed females. Choose whomever you like as your partner.” Last time, Nerissa and I were confused and overwhelmed. Thankfully, we were somehow able to understand the beastmen’s language despite being new to this world. Nerissa, ever the thrill-seeker and self-proclaimed “dating expert” back in our world, didn’t hesitate for even a second. She immediately pointed to the Seth beastman—handsome, with sharp, almost feminine features—and declared him her choice. “Two tails? I can handle it,” she whispered excitedly to me, practically bouncing with glee. To her, this tribe was paradise. As she scanned the remaining beastmen, she turned to me with a grin. “Lira, you’re too boring to handle someone flashy. If you choose someone too good-looking, another female might steal him from you. Go for someone plain and reliable.” She pointed at a few beastmen who had average appearances after taking human form. I followed her advice—not because I was afraid of losing my partner, but because one of the beastmen she pointed to was a werewolf. I’d heard that werewolves were fiercely loyal to their mates. Once bonded, they would never leave or stray. With him, I wouldn’t have to worry about Nerissa trying to take him from me. And I was right. My werewolf remained devoted to me, no matter how hard Nerissa tried to seduce him. Her frustration grew, and one day, she sneered, “Ugh, Lira, your werewolf is so stubborn. He’s too dumb to know what’s good for him.” I only smiled in response. Sure, he was single-minded when it came to his mate. But dumb? Far from it. If he were truly dumb, he wouldn’t have been able to leverage my influence in the tribe to climb all the way to the chieftain’s position. Of course, Nerissa didn’t know about the lengths my werewolf went to protect and guide me. This time, as soon as the chieftain finished speaking, Nerissa wasted no time. “I’ll take him,” she said, pointing directly at the werewolf. Hearing her words, the werewolf’s eyes lit up with surprise and joy. In the White Tiger Tribe, werewolves were considered mid-tier at best—strong, but not extraordinary. Most females overlooked them. The other beastmen, however, were clearly upset. One particularly large black bear beastman thumped his chest, saying, “Esteemed female, why would you choose a lowly werewolf when I’m right here?” The werewolf stiffened, his expression betraying a hint of self-doubt. But Nerissa walked straight up to him with a sweet smile. “I’ll take him. I trust that the mate I’ve chosen will prove to be the best.” Before leaving, she leaned toward me and whispered smugly, “Lira, this time, I’m going to be the chieftain’s wife.” I said nothing, watching as she confidently grabbed the werewolf’s hand. The werewolf, overcome with emotion, let out an excited howl. The other beastmen could only glare enviously at him before turning their attention to me. I scanned the remaining group, my gaze landing on the Seth beastman. Nerissa noticed and smirked. “Lira, you know Seths are… skilled in certain areas. You’re inexperienced, so maybe he’d be a good choice for you. Save yourself some discomfort, you know?” I chuckled lightly, shaking my head. “No thanks. You know I don’t like spineless creatures.” Then I pointed to the tall white tiger priest standing near the Seth. “I’ll take him.” The priest’s eyes widened in surprise, while the chieftain’s face lit up with approval. Nerissa, however, couldn’t hide her amusement. I knew what she was thinking. The white tiger priest wasn’t just the tribe’s spiritual leader—he was also the chieftain’s son and the heir to the White Tiger Tribe. Ordinarily, he’d be a perfect choice. But in my previous life, he’d been ambushed by a neighboring tribe while hunting and died from his injuries. His death had paved the way for my werewolf to rise to power. This time, though, I wasn’t about to let history repeat itself. I would make sure the white tiger priest survived—and I would turn him into the sharpest weapon in my arsenal. Nerissa could have her petty dream of being the chieftain’s wife. As for me? In a world where females ruled, why settle for anything less than becoming queen? This time, I would take control of my own destiny.

Once Nerissa and I had chosen our partners, we stood in front of all the beastmen of the White Tiger Tribe to officially form our contracts. In this primitive society, a female could have multiple male consorts, but only the males who had a formal contract with her were allowed to live with her. The rest—those who weren’t bound by contracts—were no better than ancient mistresses in human history. Of course, there was one key difference between this world and human society: male consorts were an openly accepted part of life here. There was no secrecy or shame, no hiding them in the shadows. That said, being kicked out by a female if she no longer found you desirable was completely normal, and no one would bat an eye. In our past life, Nerissa had taken full advantage of this system. Despite knowing how possessive and obsessive the Seth beastman could be, she still dared to flirt with other males during his hibernation. Why? Because she’d never planned to keep him around forever. Nerissa’s goal was simple: have her fun, then toss him aside with some convenient excuse. But things didn’t go as planned. In this world, female beastmen were extraordinarily rare. For the males who had fought tooth and claw for the chance to become her consorts, being discarded wasn’t something they’d accept quietly. By the time the Seth beastman emerged from hibernation, Nerissa’s actions had already come back to haunt her. The males she had flirted with surrounded him, demanding answers. Nerissa’s excuse? “The Seth doesn’t allow me to have other consorts.” When the Seth beastman learned what she had done while he was hibernating, he was livid. After a brutal fight with the other males, he dragged Nerissa back to his lair, his expression dark and stormy. That was when her nightmare began. He tormented her in every way imaginable, refusing to let her leave until she bore his children. One clutch of snake eggs turned into another, and another. Nerissa tried to escape, of course, but the Seth beastman never allowed her the chance to set foot outside his cave. Her only opportunity came on the day the werewolf was set to inherit the position of White Tiger Tribe chieftain. The entire tribe—old, young, male, female—was required to attend the ceremony. Nerissa used this as her chance, emerging with her snake offspring in tow. The ceremony was held on a cliff behind the tribe, a sacred location used for offerings to the gods. Nerissa’s jealousy boiled over when she saw me, someone she’d always thought inferior, standing proudly as the chieftain’s mate. She waited until all the beastmen were kneeling in prayer, then made her move. Charging at me with wild eyes, she screamed, “Lira! You’ve always been beneath me in everything—how dare you have a better life than me?! Go to hell!”

My family used to live next door to Nerissa’s family. Back then, we were better off than they were. But after my parents died in a car accident, everything changed. My grandmother, biased and cold-hearted, funneled everything my parents left behind to my uncle’s family. In her eyes, I was just a girl—an outsider—unworthy of inheriting my father’s estate. Nerissa’s mom, noticing my pitiful situation, stepped in and offered to financially support me. At the time, I was grateful. But later, I regretted accepting their help more times than I could count. Nerissa made sure everyone knew about it. She loved to tell people how her family had “saved” me, how I’d never have finished school without their help, and how I would’ve ended up in an orphanage if it weren’t for their generosity. From then on, I was always a step below her. If I did well in school, she hated it—so I started intentionally scoring lower just to appease her. I became her shadow, the sidekick she could outshine. Even the friends I made slowly drifted away whenever Nerissa appeared, drawn to her magnetic, self-centered charm. And when I got a boyfriend in college? Nerissa made a special trip during fall break just to steal him. “Lira, don’t be mad,” she said with a sweet smile. “I just wanted to test if he really loved you. You’re my best friend, after all, and I didn’t want to see you get hurt by some loser.” She had the audacity to add, “See? Now you know the truth. You should be thanking me.” So I forced myself to smile back and said, “Thank you, Nerissa.” Her grin widened with smug satisfaction. “Of course! That’s what best friends are for, right?” Inside, I was seething. The word best friend had been thoroughly defiled by people like her. But as much as I wanted to cut her out of my life, I couldn’t. Her mom had helped me when I needed it most. I couldn’t bear to repay that kindness with hostility or risk upsetting her family. That was my past life. The moment Nerissa shoved me off that cliff, all debts were erased. I didn’t owe her or her family a single thing anymore.

The contracts were finalized quickly. The chieftain smiled warmly at us and said, “Well, now that the contracts are complete, you may go back to your homes.” He turned to address the other males, his tone reassuring. “As for the rest of you, don’t lose heart. If you can win the favor of either one of these females, you still have a chance to become one of their consorts.” Hearing this, the other beastmen visibly relaxed. Their eyes lit up as they turned their attention back to Nerissa and me, their gazes filled with desire. Before they could act, the white tiger priest stepped forward and shielded me with his massive frame. His piercing gaze swept over the crowd as he let out a low, menacing growl. “She’s mine,” he snarled. “I won’t share her with anyone.” His voice carried a deadly edge. “If anyone dares to lay a hand on my female, I’ll rip them apart.” The room fell silent. The other beastmen exchanged uneasy glances. They knew better than to challenge him. As the tribe’s priest and strongest warrior, his strength was unmatched. Competing with him for a female was a losing battle. Nerissa, however, wasn’t as fortunate. The werewolf she’d chosen was nowhere near as powerful. Compared to the other males in the White Tiger Tribe, his strength didn’t even place him in the top 100. The rest of the beastmen quickly turned their attention to Nerissa, their gazes predatory. Their eyes flicked to the werewolf, filled with disdain and thinly veiled hostility. Males in this world valued strength above all else. The werewolf’s mediocre abilities made him an easy target. Why should someone so weak have the right to monopolize a rare and delicate female like Nerissa? The priest’s dominance made sense to them. But the werewolf? He didn’t deserve the privilege in their eyes. Nerissa, however, seemed oblivious to the danger. Instead, she reveled in the attention, a satisfied smile spreading across her face as the males argued and glared at each other. In her mind, this was exactly how things were supposed to be—males fighting over her, treating her like a prize. What she didn’t realize was that once she entered the werewolf’s den, leaving wouldn’t be so easy. I cast her a calm, uninterested glance before turning to the white tiger priest. “I’m tired,” I said softly. “I’d like to rest.” His golden eyes softened with concern, and in an instant, his massive arms—each thicker than my thighs—swept me up effortlessly. “I’ll take you back to rest right now,” he said firmly. Without another word, he carried me out of the gathering, holding me securely to his chest as he sprinted toward his stone house. In the White Tiger Tribe, the priest’s status was even higher than the chieftain’s.

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Beatrix came back and turned my marriage into a spectacle. She challenged me to a bet over Asher’s vows, and he proved her right—breaking every promise for her while keeping every distance from me. When I saw the tattoo, the bracelet he threw away, and the surveillance that exposed everything, something in me snapped. I handed him the divorce agreement he once said I could use “anytime” and left. Only when he lost me did he panic. But I was already gone, divorce certificate in hand, reclaiming the freedom he never deserved. After Beatrix came back, she challenged me—said we should see who could make Asher break his vows nine times first. I smirked and drafted the terms of the bet right then: “If you win, I’ll step aside. But if you lose, I’ll make sure you can’t stay in Beijing City.” Only I knew how unsteady I felt inside. In our three years of marriage, Asher would do anything I asked—except break his vows. Within a week, he started coming home less. Determined, I put on the new lingerie I’d bought and walked into his quiet room. I took his hand and guided it down my body… I felt his breathing grow heavier, heat rising in his eyes, something new and dangerous. But then his phone rang. He snapped out of it, pushed me away, and walked out. He didn’t return for three hours. I stood there, the warmth draining from me, unable to think. Until Beatrix showed up, waving a used strawberry-flavored item, flaunting the sticky residue inside. “Adele, this makes nine.” “I told you—Asher loves me. Why don’t you believe it?” “A bet is a bet.” Looking at her smug face, I remembered how I had just humiliated myself, begging my own husband for attention. A wave of dizziness washed over me. Why was I degrading myself like this? Before marriage, I was the prized daughter of Beijing’s elite. Why was I now fighting Beatrix for a spot in my own bed? Feigning calm, I pulled the signed divorce papers from the bedside drawer. “Take it and leave.” Beatrix arched a brow. “You confronted Asher?” I shrugged. “No. Asher said I could make the decision about divorce whenever I wanted.” “He’s just a man. If you want him, he’s yours.” But looking at Asher’s name on the papers… My chest tightened. This had been Asher’s wedding gift to me. Asher always honored his promises. He had once stopped my hands from unbuttoning his shirt, saying he needed to keep his vows for three years and asking me to wait. But if I ever grew tired… I could sign the papers anytime, and he’d accept it. Back then, I had been overjoyed, thinking he was mine for life. Now I saw how foolish I’d been. Was he giving me freedom, or giving himself an easy exit? Beatrix read the papers twice before smiling in satisfaction. “Miss Adele—still as decisive as ever.” “Everyone in Beijing City knows you pursued Asher for five years. I really thought you’d cry.” “How about this—once Asher officially breaks his vows next week, I’ll hand him these papers as a gift.” “You two won’t have to torture each other anymore.” I saw her out with a cold expression. But I had to admit—she wasn’t wrong. Keeping someone who doesn’t love you for five years—if that isn’t torture, what is? I opened my phone and found the Iceland trip I’d booked for Asher and me next week. Asher hated traveling abroad, but I insisted. When he agreed, was he thinking how troublesome I was? I canceled his ticket with a swipe. If that’s the case, then I’ll let him go. This mistake shouldn’t continue.

Not long after Beatrix left, I went to bed. Half-asleep, I felt someone slide in behind me, an arm wrapping around my waist. Annoyed, I pushed his hand away. “Why aren’t you in your quiet room? What are you doing here?” His breath warmed my neck. After a long silence, he asked, “Why did you cancel the Iceland tickets?” My irritation spiked. “Maybe I just don’t feel like going,” I snapped, pushing him away. “Stay away from me.” But when my hand pressed against his chest, Asher let out a low groan—like he was in pain. Something felt off. I lifted his shirt. My vision spun. A piercing was right over his chest. And next to it, two small letters tattooed: QZ. I didn’t know if my eyes were red—I just felt tears threatening to spill, my voice shaking uncontrollably. “What is this?” Did Asher like Beatrix so much he’d do anything for her? When Asher’s parents died and his relatives took everything—when thugs cornered him—it was me who smashed a bottle to keep him safe. He had said he wanted to become a monk. I stayed by him, loved him without asking for anything. Until he let me in and agreed to marry me. What a joke. He wouldn’t break his vows for me. But he’d let another woman mark him? Like some pet being claimed? Asher wasn’t the type who could be forced. Was this their idea of fun? Or did Beatrix want me to see how low he’d bend for her? Asher frowned and tugged down his shirt. “No need to freak out. It’s just something strung—if you don’t like it, I won’t wear it.” “As for the letters… Adele, I’ll explain later.” Then he hesitated, stood up, and walked out. “I’m going to copy scriptures. You should sleep early.” His prayer beads had been replaced with white Bodhi beads—not the rosewood ones I’d climbed a mountain to get for him. Grinding my teeth, I called the butler. “Find out where Asher went today. And who he was with.” “And find out what happened to his bracelet.” Soon, surveillance footage arrived. In the video, Asher was taking drink after drink from Beatrix, completely drunk. Friends at the table looked stunned. “I thought Asher was a devout Buddhist, doesn’t drink at all. Beatrix, how’d you pull that off?” “Back in school, Asher only cared about Beatrix. Looks like her going abroad didn’t change a thing.” “He’s married now though. I heard his wife is something else.” Beatrix laughed, holding Asher’s hand. “If I hadn’t gone abroad, how else would Adele have married him?” “I told Asher not to touch Adele—and he really didn’t. What more proof do you need?” A sharp pain stabbed my chest. What was I to him? I dragged him out of the mud—and he kept himself “pure” for the woman he liked? Beatrix tapped his cheek, waking him. “Throw that bracelet away. I bought you a new one. From now on, you only wear mine.” He hesitated. But pushed by Beatrix, he took off the bracelet and tossed it. Maybe heaven felt pity. It snapped on impact, beads scattering everywhere. Just like my heart. The butler handed me two beads. “Miss, the cleaning staff took the rest. Should I retrieve them?” I laughed bitterly. “No.” “What use are a few beads now?” Asher, like those beads. Once precious. Protected. Now dirty, discarded. Nothing.

I ordered Asher’s belongings packed and sent back to his own home. When Asher walked in with breakfast, he passed movers carrying out his incense burner, scriptures, and meditation mat. He froze. “What’s going on? Adele—are you moving?” I smiled broadly. “Yes. I’ve lived here long enough. It’s annoying now.” I glanced at the tray. Pickles. Plain porridge. A few slices of bread. Not even an egg. Asher didn’t eat meat, so I’d gone vegetarian for years too. I grabbed my bag. “Keep it for yourself.” His shocked expression didn’t matter. Nothing about Asher mattered now. That night, I met several Beijing Circle friends at a bar for a farewell. They teased me endlessly. “Adele’s drinking? What will your picky, uptight husband say?” “Yeah, the social darling has been so proper since marriage. What changed today?” I scoffed. “Being proper is for someone who deserves it.” A commotion broke out in a corner. Two people were having a drinking bet. Whoever finished twelve cocktails first got to take a woman home. My friends went to look, came back uneasy. “Adele… you might want to check. It’s Asher.” I didn’t react. I knew I should be shocked—that a man who never drank would do this for another woman. But inside, there was nothing left. As if my love had died yesterday. I even led the group over, amused. “Come on. Let’s watch.” Asher stood at the long table, stunned when he saw me. But before he could move, the bartender reminded him: “Sir, leaving means forfeiting. You sure you want to quit?” Asher looked at me, then at Beatrix, hesitating. Then he turned back. “No forfeiting.” Beatrix leaned close, voice dripping venom under the bar’s music. “Adele, maybe try talking to him? You two won’t be married much longer—you can still beg a little.” “But if he won’t listen even once… pretty pathetic, right?” I ignored her and stared at Asher. He refused to look back, eyes down, fingers nervously rolling his prayer beads. Onlookers swooned. “Drinking twelve of those will send him to the ER. This guy must really love his girlfriend.” “True love. Wishing them all the best.” A vein pulsed on Asher’s forehead. He snapped, “Shut up.” Then he turned to me and whispered, “Adele… I have my reasons. I’ll explain when we’re home.” I smiled. “Asher, you promised to keep your vows for three years. Only three days left.” “If you drink this, the whole agreement is meaningless.” His face froze. After a long silence, he nodded. “Then it’s meaningless. Let’s go home tonight. I’ll make it up to you.” I knew he meant finally consummating the marriage. I almost laughed. He chose to break his vow for me—after breaking everything else for her. I removed my wedding ring. Dropped it into his drink. And turned to leave. But with so many people crowded around, I accidentally knocked over a champagne tower. Glasses crashed everywhere. I heard Asher call my name. But when it mattered, he protected Beatrix first. Glass shattered underfoot. My vision went dark. I saw Asher running toward me. He lifted me, hands trembling. He whispered “I love you” over and over. And it made me sick. When I woke up, three days had passed. My friends said Asher had waited outside the ER the whole time, refusing treatment for his own injuries. Said he refused to leave my bedside. Didn’t even let nurses wipe my face. They said he booked a massive banquet hall filled with cornflowers—my favorite. No one knew what for. I called the butler. “Take me to the airport.” As the car pulled away, Asher’s car approached. When our cars crossed paths, I rolled up the window. Asher had been relieved—finally fulfilling the twelve wishes he owed Beatrix. The drinking contest had been the last one. He thought he could finally let her go. Finally love me fully. But when he walked into the hospital room— The bed was empty. Not a wrinkle on the sheets. His face showed confusion, doubt… and then pure panic. Beatrix handed him a document, smiling brightly. “Asher, you’re finally free!” “This is the divorce agreement Adele signed. We can finally be together again!” Asher was taken aback. He had heard Beatrix mention “freed

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The night my husband came home reeking of another woman, I finally understood one thing: he would burn the world for his mistress but never spare a single glance for me. I watched him chase scandals, flaunt fireworks for seven nights, and humiliate our marriage online—until I chose my own ending. On our anniversary, I handed him a gift he never expected. On the seventh day after finding his mistress, Damian finally came home. Seeing me sitting quietly at the dining table, he was momentarily surprised. “It’s so late, you’re not asleep yet?” Wariness and impatience immediately rose in his eyes. “Out with it. What drama do you want to make this time?” Ever since his mistress had disappeared, he had caused a citywide uproar trying to find her. Our interactions had turned into endless arguments. But this time, I swallowed all my emotions. I didn’t ask why he had to make such a public display of affection, setting off fireworks for seven days and nights for her. I didn’t ask why he had to trample on my dignity like this, turning me into a joke all over the internet. I just glanced lightly at the lipstick mark on his collar and said softly, “I prepared a gift for you.” Damian froze, his gaze sweeping over the cold dishes on the table. He suddenly seemed to remember something. Then he softened his expression: “Sorry, I forgot it’s our fourth wedding anniversary today.” “I’ll make it up to you with a gift later.” As he spoke, he moved closer to me in a gesture of goodwill, something he hadn’t done in a long time. But as soon as I smelled the perfume on him, I instinctively turned my face away. His relaxed brow immediately furrowed again. “I knew you were going to give me the cold shoulder. I’m going to take a shower!” I watched his back disappear up the stairs, then looked at the unopened gift on the table, my heart filled with sorrow. I followed him upstairs. His phone was charging on the dresser, constantly lighting up. In less than an hour since they’d parted, his precious mistress had already sent a string of messages. [I miss you a little already.] [Waaah, you beast, after torturing me for seven days and nights, I just realized I can’t get out of bed!!!] [What are you going to do about it??] [Your punishment is to dream of me tonight! Hehe.] The heart I thought was already dead suddenly ached again. Then the pain spread to my organs and limbs. Just then, I felt a gaze pinned on me. I looked up abruptly to see Damian standing there, coldly staring at me, a mocking smile on his lips. “Seen enough?” “Don’t tell me you’re still not used to it, Mrs. Yan.”

The next day. Damian left early in the morning. And that gift was still sitting quietly on the dining table. I sat down and untied the ribbon wrapped around it, taking out the divorce papers I had signed. Actually, before last night, I hadn’t decided which gift to give him. The divorce papers, or the pregnancy test results. But during that long wait last night, feeling the night breeze and watching the grand fireworks blooming in the sky, I suddenly understood. The man I had loved deeply was already lost on the road he came from. Seven years ago, on a snowy Christmas Eve. I was studying abroad and went out to buy cold medicine, but fainted in my car. Damian, who was passing by, saved me. From then on, I fell helplessly in love. My friends warned me, “Everyone in the international student circle knows Damian has looks, money, and family background.” “Just have fun with guys like that, don’t take it seriously.” But I was already in too deep. I had seen how he was aloof in public but passionate and possessive in private. How he was always the center of attention in crowds but would childishly get jealous when others approached me. How in the heavy snow, he would always warm my cold hands and gently tuck them into his coat pocket. However, it turned out to be a self-fulfilling prophecy. After marriage, he started to change. Especially after he accidentally found out that his hated stepmother and my mom were best friends. The way he looked at me changed from sincere and passionate to doubtful, then distant, and finally without any warmth. I didn’t know if he really cared that much about it, or if he just didn’t love me anymore. He started to brazenly go out with female celebrities, getting caught up in scandals without any concern, and even kept a mistress. And I went from desperately trying to explain and salvage our relationship, to heartbroken pain, to numb acceptance. Suddenly, my reminiscing was interrupted by Damian’s assistant. She brought an exquisite gift box, saying it was the anniversary gift Mr. Yan had arranged. I opened it to find a sparkling diamond ring. Unfortunately, it wasn’t my size. I snapped back to reality, no longer dwelling on the past. I picked up the document folder and headed out.

I pushed open the door to the CEO’s office. Two overlapping figures suddenly separated. Damian’s breathing was uneven, his face slightly dark. “What are you doing here?” Then he softly reassured his startled mistress, “Vivian, go make a cup of coffee first.” The woman hurriedly fled. The atmosphere sank into silence. Seeing Damian waiting for me to speak first, I took out the document folder from my bag and handed it to him. “You haven’t opened yesterday’s gift yet.” But he raised an eyebrow, somewhat surprised. “You’re not going to ask?” “No.” The man was silent for a moment, looking at me searchingly, as if he was a bit uncomfortable with this. A few seconds later, he half-explained, half-insulted: “She’s clinging to me tightly now, so I let her play at being a secretary.” In the past, I wouldn’t have been able to tolerate this for even a second, demanding to know “What am I then?” But this time, I had no reaction. I just calmly gestured to the document folder in my hand again. Damian’s eyes flickered slightly, and he stared at me thoughtfully for a few seconds before slowly taking it. A few seconds later, he looked up abruptly, staring at me in disbelief. Gradually, joy seeped into his complex expression. “You’re… pregnant?” I froze, realizing that the paper in his hand was actually the pregnancy test results! I must have taken the wrong one by mistake! Just as I was about to explain, suddenly there was a crash at the door. Vivian had fallen to the ground, cups shattering everywhere. She shot us a coquettish, resentful look, scrambled to her feet, and ran away in a fluster. Damian frowned, dropping a heavy “Wait here for me” before quickly chasing after her. But I wouldn’t wait anymore. In this four-year marriage. I had waited for his scandalous news, waited for those women’s taunting midnight messages, waited for gossiping reporters, concerned parents and friends, internet-wide ridicule… The only thing I never waited for was his change of heart. I was tired of waiting, done with it! Wiping away a falling tear. I took a cab straight to the hospital.

But I never expected. At the hospital, I ran into that pair of lovebirds again. At that moment, the woman’s palm was wrapped in several layers of bandages, cradled in the man’s arms. Damian stopped in his tracks, narrowing his eyes as he looked me up and down, “Why are you here? Didn’t I tell you to wait for me?” Then his tone cooled a few degrees, “Or did you follow us?” I twisted my lips in a ridiculous smile, wanting to tell him that I hadn’t followed them, that I was here for an abortion. But thinking there was a slight possibility he might try to stop me, I held back. However, Damian took my silence as admission. He was about to say something with a mocking look in his eyes. When Vivian beside him affectionately tugged at his arm. “Don’t fight, you two.” “Can you go get me some medicine first? Please.” After effortlessly sending Damian away, Vivian turned to me with a sincere look. “Mrs. Zhang, I’m sorry, I just wanted to ask…” “Do you like the ring I picked? ” As she spoke, she waved the bracelet on her wrist at me, her eyes curving in a smile. “Look, I have one too. It’s so expensive, worth $20,000.” My heart sank. Hah. I had thought that ring was something he casually had someone prepare. I never imagined it was him allowing her to humiliate me. I snapped back to reality, meeting her challenging gaze with a faint smile. “Miss White, do you know what the difference is between us?” “The things he gives me are marital property.” “But everything he gives you is something you’ll have to pay back one day.” The smile froze on Vivian’s lips. The next second, she left in a huff. Actually, I had someone investigate Vivian’s background long ago. On the surface, she was just an ordinary college student.

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I married a “disabled” man for my sister’s benefit, fought for him for seven years, and lost an eye in the process. But when danger came, he stood up—fully capable—and sent me to my death. Reborn, I see every mask clearly: my sister’s softness, my father’s bias, my husband’s betrayal. This time, I bow to no one. Marriage swaps, broken engagements—let them try. I will make them choke on every choice they once forced on me. I stared at the people before me, hatred seeping from my very bones. My sister, Serena, glanced at the steady and talented Callum, then turned to me, her face full of gentle consideration. “My little sister is still young and a bit spoiled. How could I let you marry Jaxon, who’s crippled? I’ll choose Jaxon, it’s fine, really.” She’d said the exact same thing in my past life. I was so incredibly touched back then, believing she was the best person in the world. To spare her any hardship, I refused. “Sister,” I’d said, “you and Callum share a deep love. How could I break you two apart?” I forcefully chose Jaxon, the disabled brother. I sought doctors and medicine for him for seven years. I knelt on countless temple steps, my forehead raw from bowing, begging for his recovery. Then, our enemies attacked our home. My wonderful husband, the man I had meticulously cared for seven years, stood up from his wheelchair and, without hesitation, pushed me out to draw their fire. “I’m sorry, I can’t just stand by and watch Serena die.” He didn’t even give me time to react before he slammed the heavy door shut. My sister, on the other hand, had dozens of bodyguards and a secret passage! She just needed to run a few more steps to meet up with Callum. She’d claimed she wanted to protect me first. But after I was pushed out, she didn’t call anyone to save me. I died, and she got all the praise. Thinking of this, I forced a smile. “Then let’s switch.” The air instantly froze. Serena’s gentle expression stiffened. Callum snapped his head up, blurting out, “No!” My father’s face darkened too, his stern gaze sweeping over Jaxon and me. “Nonsense! How can your elder sister marry a cripple?” A chill pierced my heart, bone-deep. So, you knew marrying a cripple was unacceptable. Last life, when I chose Jaxon, he didn’t say that. He said I was sensible, considerate, and a good daughter of the Sterling family. Just then, a clear, cold voice rang out. “I am not a cripple.” Under everyone’s shocked gazes, Jaxon slowly stood up. His posture was tall and straight, his aura commanding. I stared at him, my blood feeling like ice. He was faking it from the start? So, what was all my sleepless nights searching for doctors and medicine for? What about the good luck charm I begged for him, kneeling on nine thousand steps, bowing at each one? What about giving up all my shares just to beg Father to spare his life? It was all a complete joke! Seeing him like this, I instantly understood. He was reborn too. So, his “I’ll repay you in the next life” from last time? All lies. Even with a second chance, he didn’t want to marry me. It didn’t matter. I didn’t plan on having him either. “Mr. Sterling, my business acumen might not be inferior to my elder brother’s.” Jaxon’s voice was neither servile nor overbearing. In just a few words, he pointed out the Sterling family’s current business dilemma, analyzing it even more precisely than Callum. “I can help the Sterling family turn losses into profits within three months.” My father’s shock turned into wild joy. I saw the way Serena looked at Jaxon. It changed too, becoming astonishingly bright. She quickly composed herself, walked to Callum’s side, and put on a caring act. “Callum, you’ll have to take good care of my sister from now on.” Callum’s grim gaze fell on my left prosthetic eye. That was the eye I lost when I took a knife for Serena. Callum’s eyes filled with disgust. He spoke each word distinctly, “Please, Mr. Sterling, cancel this engagement. Grant me my freedom. I’d rather start from scratch outside.”

My father’s face instantly dropped. His stern gaze landed on Callum. “Cancel the engagement? Do you want everyone in the city to mock the Sterling family, to say we’re untrustworthy?” Callum frowned, his gaze fixed on my face—specifically, on my dull, grey prosthetic eye. His tone was distant. “I’m not worthy of Miss Arden. Please, Mr. Sterling, fulfill my request.” Serena immediately stepped forward, her face full of feigned distress, as she chastised him. “Callum, how can you say that? You’re hurting my sister’s feelings too much.” Callum looked at her, his eyes instantly filling with deep affection. “If I cannot be with the one I love, I’d rather never marry.” I almost burst out laughing. What a dramatic display of undying love. A flicker of joy passed through Serena’s eyes, quickly replaced by her usual thoughtful expression. “Don’t be impulsive. Have you forgotten those enemies? They won’t spare a struggling man like you. I can’t stand by and watch you ruin your life.” Callum was visibly moved, his gaze growing even more fervent. The smile on my lips could no longer be hidden. “Well, in that case, why don’t both Callum and Jaxon become live-in husbands for Sister?” “That way, the engagement isn’t broken, and all you ‘lovers’ get what you want.” “After all, the contract never said Sister couldn’t have two at once.” “As for who’d be the main husband, and who’d just be a ‘plus one’ or ‘side piece’ – well, Sister can decide that herself, can’t she?” Serena’s face flushed crimson. She glared at me, feigning coyness. “Sister, what nonsense are you spouting!” My father’s gaze shifted to me, carrying a hint of scrutiny. “You really don’t want either of them?” I nodded, my voice firm. “No.” Jaxon and Callum looked at me simultaneously. Their eyes held the same contempt, as if saying, If even we don’t want you, who possibly would? My father was silent for a moment, then asked, “Then, who do you want to marry?” “I want Lucian Thorne, the only son of the Thorne family,” I declared. The entire room gasped. My father stood up in shock. “Are you insane? He’s known as the city’s most notorious playboy! Fortune tellers even say he won’t live past thirty!” The Thorne family was vast and wealthy, far surpassing our Sterlings. But Lucian Thorne was idle and dissolute. Two years ago, he’d fallen gravely ill, and all doctors said he wouldn’t live past thirty. Anyone who married him would suffer a living hell. Even with the Thorne family’s promise to give their daughter-in-law twenty percent of the company’s shares, no one in high society dared to marry their daughter into the Thorne family. I calmly looked at my father. I cut straight to the chase. “I’m willing to marry into the Thorne family for the future of the Sterling family.” “But you must give me ten percent of the Sterling family’s shares as my dowry.” The shrewd glint in my father’s eyes sharpened. His reaction was expected. His favoritism had never been for me, so how could he willingly give me shares? I chuckled softly. “Dad, my appearance is… flawed. If I go to the Thorne family, I’ll be without any backing. If you don’t give me some leverage, how can I establish myself?” “Besides, how many years can Lucian Thorne live? Once he’s gone, won’t everything of the Thorne family eventually belong to the Sterlings?” A flicker of calculation passed through his eyes. Finally, he nodded. “Alright, I agree.”

After I joined the Thorne family, Lucian’s parents showed me exceptional regard. They not only personally guided me through the Thorne family’s vast business empire but also taught me hands-on. Two months later, the first project I spearheaded achieved great success, with profits far exceeding expectations. Lucian’s parents were delighted and hosted a celebration banquet specifically for me. At the banquet, I wore a perfectly tailored gown, becoming the center of attention. Serena approached with a wine glass, smiling sweetly. “Congratulations, little sister. But I must advise you, women shouldn’t be too high-profile. Men don’t like that.” She pointedly added, “Especially women who only achieve a little something by being propped up by others.” I swirled the red wine in my glass. “Sister is right. Father has propped you up for so many years, yet I haven’t seen a single achievement from you.” My father, who was talking to someone, heard my words and, for the first time, gave Serena a cold look. Serena’s eyes instantly welled up. “Sister, how can you talk like that? I’m only doing this for your own good!” She changed tactics, looking at my eye, feigning worry. “Your most important task now is to capture Lucian’s heart and get pregnant soon. But your eye… it’s so unsightly, no wonder your husband doesn’t favor you.” “I knew it. From the beginning, you shouldn’t have married into the Thorne family. Staying home would have been better than being thrown out.” I stared at Serena, speaking each word distinctly. “Sister, have you forgotten how I lost this eye?” “That year, when we encountered those thugs, even in that desperate situation, with your leg injured, I never thought of abandoning you. I dragged your hand and ran.” “And how did you treat me?” “We were almost free, just a few more steps, but you tripped me, causing me to be caught by them, and my eye was brutally gouged out!” Serena’s face instantly turned pale. Unable to retort, she covered her face and pretended to cry with guilt. “I’m sorry, little sister, I didn’t mean to…” “Cut the act,” I interrupted her. “Don’t think a few tears can hide your malice.” “Arden Sterling! Your words are too much!” Callum, protecting the crying Serena, angrily rebuked me. Jaxon was even more direct. He grabbed my wrist, trying to forcefully drag me in front of Serena. “Serena is always kind; you must be slandering her. Apologize to her now!” I kicked him. “What are you, some kind of side piece Serena can’t openly acknowledge? Do you even have a right to speak here?” Jaxon looked up at me, stunned. “How can you say that about me?” Then, his face darkened, and he gritted his teeth. “No matter what, you must apologize to Serena first.” With that, he actually tried to kick my shin, intending to force me to kneel before Serena. I angrily struggled free and ordered the bodyguards behind me. “Throw him out!” Jaxon’s eyes widened. “How dare you kick me out?” I sneered, “Because this is a Thorne family banquet. What right does a nameless side piece like you have to cause a ruckus here?” Jaxon roared in anger but was utterly helpless to resist. A week later. Jaxon suddenly burst in, his face full of panic, and grabbed my hand. “Come with me quickly! Serena’s in danger!”

I pulled my hand away, completely unfazed. “Arden Sterling, come with me, now! If you don’t go, the Blackwood family will kill Serena!” Jaxon roared at me, his face grim. “I don’t care how she offended the Blackwoods. What does that have to do with me?” I retorted with a cold sneer. “Arden Sterling!” Jaxon’s face flushed crimson with fury. He gritted his teeth and said, “Serena chose that high-risk, high-return project to surpass you! You’re responsible for this!” I almost laughed. She got into trouble with a project, so she kidnapped a competitor, trying to force them out. Turns out, that person was a tough nut to crack. Even more, she was Isabelle Blackwood, the heiress of the Blackwood family, who was out gaining experience. Serena had tortured her to the brink of death; she was still in the ICU. The Blackwood family wielded immense power; they could make this whole city tremble. They even had their own unofficial detention facility. Anyone who entered that facility usually came out broken or driven mad. “None of my business,” I said, rolling my eyes, and turned to leave. “How is it not your business?” “Arden Sterling, if you hadn’t done so well on your project, if you hadn’t flaunted it in front of Serena, she wouldn’t have been provoked into doing this!” Jaxon blocked me, his eyes red as he stared intensely. “Now, isn’t it your duty to atone for her sins?” With that, he reached out and tried to pull me towards a car. Taking advantage of Jaxon’s distraction, I kicked him, seizing the chance to break free. But before I could even catch my breath, I heard footsteps behind me. I turned to see my father approaching with Callum. My father’s expression was grim, and Callum’s gaze was terrifyingly cold. My heart sank. I had a bad feeling. Callum rushed forward without a word, grabbing my arm. “Let go of me!” I struggled desperately. “Jaxon!” Callum shouted at Jaxon, who was still clutching his stomach. Jaxon immediately reacted and ran over to help. Two men—I couldn’t break free. They pinned me to the ground, tying my hands and feet with ropes. I glared at my father, furious. “Dad, what are you doing?” My father avoided my gaze, his voice trembling slightly. “Arden, don’t blame your dad. Serena has never been hurt since she was little. She can’t endure the Blackwood family’s torture.” Can’t endure it? So, he’d sacrifice me without hesitation? I turned to Jaxon, demanding furiously. “Jaxon, are you serious about this?!” Jaxon looked at me, a flicker of pain in his eyes, but he remained resolute, dragging me toward the Blackwood residence. “Jaxon, your attitude towards me hasn’t changed one bit. Still just as cruel.” Jaxon looked back at me, his face devoid of surprise. “I’m sorry, Arden.” Sorry? I almost laughed out loud. “Jaxon, your apology is a joke. Push someone to their death, then offer a ‘sorry’?” “I promise, this is the last time.” Jaxon looked at me earnestly. “I’ve already found a loophole in the Blackwood family’s private detention facility. I’ll do everything I can to protect you. You won’t get hurt.” When we arrived at the Blackwood estate, Jaxon immediately pushed me away and rushed towards Serena, who was crying dramatically. He gently stroked Serena’s back, his voice tender, a side of him I had never seen. “It’s alright, I brought her.” “Mr. Blackwood, Serena is innocent. Everything was Arden Sterling’s doing behind the scenes.” “All the harm Miss Blackwood suffered should be borne by Arden Sterling!” I was tied with ropes, sprawled miserably on the ground. I struggled to look at Callum, a last glimmer of hope in my eyes. “You always boasted about your integrity, didn’t you? Why aren’t you telling the truth?” Callum avoided my gaze. He pulled out a document from his pocket. “I’m sorry.” He apologized softly, then handed the fabricated evidence to Mr. Blackwood. “This is the evidence that Serena kidnapped Miss Blackwood. The main culprit is Arden Sterling.” My heart turned completely cold. Mr. Blackwood read the document, his face ashen. He waved his hand, and two men in black immediately stepped forward. A cold glint flashed. Three knives plunged savagely into my body. “Ah—!” The intense pain made me scream. Blood instantly soaked my clothes. Serena was still crying. Everyone was comforting her. No one spared me a glance. Just then, a servant rushed in. “Master, Miss Isabelle is awake!” “Miss Isabelle says it was Serena who harmed her that night, not Arden Sterling!” Mr. Blackwood was enraged. “Outrageous! Your Sterling family dares to replace the culprit?!” I thought I could finally escape this suffering, but my father stepped forward. After a string of comforting platitudes, he changed his tone: “I only have these two daughters. Do you mean to destroy my entire legacy?” He pointed at me. “Since Arden has already suffered the punishment on Serena’s behalf, why not give her double the penalty, and this matter can be considered closed.” My eyes widened. I stared at him in disbelief. “Dad, I’m your biological daughter too.” “For Serena’s sake, are you truly willing to let me die?” He unnaturally averted his gaze. Mr. Blackwood glanced at me, then sneered. “Fine.” I was dragged to the Blackwood family’s private detention facility, my hands and feet chained. Torture implements were laid out before me, one by one. Steel needles pierced under my fingernails, making my entire body tremble with pain. “Ah—!” My blood slowly stained the entire facility. I don’t know how much time passed before Jaxon walked in. “Jaxon, take me away, quick!” “Please, save me…” I cried and pleaded. But he frowned. “Can you be a little quieter? Serena is very scared hearing your voice.” I looked at him in disbelief: “Even with me standing here covered in wounds, your eyes are only on Sister’s trivial fear, aren’t they?” Jaxon’s face showed a flicker of reluctance, and his fists clenched tightly, but his words still brought despair. “Just endure it a little longer. Serena’s period has started, I need to go make her a warm tea for her cramps.” “Jaxon, please! They’re going to stab steel needles into my neck next! If I don’t leave now, I’ll really die!” Jaxon’s footsteps paused briefly. “Just hold on. Serena can’t stand pain.” He walked away without looking back. I numbly wiped the blood from my face. Lucian Thorne and Mr. Blackwood emerged from the shadows. Lucian draped his jacket over me, gently stroking my hair, his voice laced with mockery. “Wife, are these your family and your childhood friend?” I looked at Mr. Blackwood, my face devoid of warmth. “Now, can you believe that I have absolutely no lingering attachment to the Sterling family?” Mr. Blackwood nodded with satisfaction. “Welcome to the family.” From this day forward, I was no longer the second daughter of the Sterling family. I was the Sterling Group’s nightmare. Jaxon stood in the kitchen, a spoon in his hand, the warm water gurgling in the pot. His mind was filled with my last desperate plea to him.

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My girlfriend has a “boy best friend” who’s attached to her at the hip. On what was supposed to be our ninth engagement party, she left me standing alone at the venue. All because it was the twentieth anniversary of the day she met that guy. “It’s just postponing the engagement, it’s not the end of the world. Are you that desperate to get married?” His new post popped up on my SnapChat feed, the words stinging my eyes. “Twenty years of friendship, how can some outsider ever compare?” In the picture, they were hugging under the guise of “best friends,” their pose intimate. I didn’t say a word. I just calmly liked the post. Then, I silently walked out of her life. Six months later, she called. “I bought that wedding suit you loved. Get back here so we can get married!” But the reply came from a woman’s voice. “My husband is busy researching pregnancy recipes for me. Can I help you?” 1 The day the engagement was called off, I threw the ring in a trash can. A cab driver by the roadside waved at me, asking where to. “Just drive,” I said. “Anywhere, as long as it’s not back to where I started.” When Skylar’s call came, I powered off my phone. It stayed off for three days. The night sea breeze was soothing, casually lifting the hem of my shirt. It reminded me of the first time Skylar confessed her feelings to me. Back then, her face was youthful, the affection spilling from her eyes impossible to hide. Young and reckless, I dove in headfirst. I was madly in love with the 20-year-old Skylar. I willingly moved from the South to an unfamiliar city in the North for her. I gave up the job I was passionate about, content to be her assistant. That lasted nine years. Fate has a funny sense of humor. We got engaged nine times too. And every single time, at the crucial moment, it was called off because of that guy. His name is Zane. We’d fought over him more times than I could count. “I’ve told you, Zane and I are like brothers from another mother! Why are you so insecure?” “We grew up together, we’re as close as family. Does it always have to be something dirty in your eyes?” “Jayden, do you have any idea how crazy you look when you’re jealous? Zane doesn’t even hold a grudge about you suspecting us, how much further are you going to take this?!” Skylar’s expression would be dark. So, after every one of those hysterical arguments, I would quietly swallow my own intense feelings. Because I was afraid of losing her, I was always the one begging for peace, lowering myself. But this time, my heart was eerily calm. I didn’t even feel the desire to confront her. I just wanted to feel the sea breeze. Doing nothing felt more than enough. It was easy for Skylar to find me. I’d forgotten the hotel I was staying at was under her name. She could even open my room door without warning. “Jayden, do you know how childish running away is?” “That day was the twentieth anniversary of me meeting Zane! I just went to celebrate! Can’t I have any other friends besides you?” Hah. Friends. Friends who kiss? I didn’t voice that question. I knew she’d argue it was just a game. It wasn’t the first time, anyway. “There’s nothing between Zane and me. Can you stop being jealous and disappearing?” She looked at me, a worried frown creasing her brow. “Tell you what, I’ll make it up to you with a bigger wedding. I’ll even have Zane be your best man. Will that make you happy?” Her tone was placating. I didn’t respond. Her frown deepened. “Jayden, if you dare to…” “Okay.” I cut her off before she could finish. The old me would have argued relentlessly, only to end up being the one at fault, apologizing meekly. But now, I just offered a faint smile. Seeing me so compliant, surprise flickered in her eyes. Then her expression relaxed, and she reached for my hand. “Let’s go home.” I coldly pulled my hand back and walked ahead of her. Skylar was stunned for a few seconds. No fight? She wasn’t used to it. When I reached her car, I found Zane waiting there too. “Jayden! Man, finally found you! You have no idea how worried Skylar was!” He laughed, giving Skylar a one-armed hug. “I told you we should’ve brought Jayden to our anniversary thing! See, he got jealous again. You’re in trouble now!” “Jayden, I apologize on her behalf. Don’t be mad. If you’re still angry, I’ll beat her up for you!” He playfully aimed a mock punch at Skylar’s shoulder, the light touch turning into him draping his arm around her. “Hitting me there again? You know that’s my spot,” Skylar raised an eyebrow at him. “Hey! Don’t look at me like that!” He chuckled, his gaze darting to me. “Jayden’s watching. Behave. Do you want to make him run away again?” 2 I didn’t look at them. I quietly and knowingly took the back seat, not even lifting my eyes. I used to fight with Skylar a lot over the passenger seat. Whenever Zane was around, she’d say it was his seat. Because he got carsick, and only sitting next to Skylar helped. It made me angry. I couldn’t understand. In Skylar’s eyes, that just made me a jealous man. This time, my silence seemed to throw Skylar off. As the car started, Zane turned from the front passenger seat to look at me. “Jayden, you look like you haven’t eaten well these past few days. Let me treat you to dinner. Consider it my apology on Skylar’s behalf.” “We’ll definitely invite you next time we hang out!” “No need,” I replied flatly. “Just take me home.” Skylar didn’t listen. She kept driving toward a restaurant district. “You clearly haven’t eaten properly for days. Stop being stubborn.” The car stopped in a bustling area with plenty of eateries. Zane nudged her with his elbow. “Skylar, I’m craving spicy wings from that place!” “Your stomach’s sensitive. Go easy on the spice.” They really did look like a couple. Skylar knew his physical quirks better than she knew mine. She picked a less crowded restaurant. While we were ordering, the server brought us each a glass of lemon water. Zane took a sip from the glass in front of Skylar. “Yours tastes sweeter!” Skylar gave him an exasperated smile. She tapped his shoulder. “Still haven’t kicked that bad habit? Why do you always have to taste my drink first?” Zane’s eyes suddenly shifted to me. “Jayden, you’re not mad, right? Skylar and I have been like this since we were kids. I always get the first taste of whatever she has.” Skylar looked slightly uncomfortable, seemingly realizing how this might appear to me. I didn’t even glance their way. “It’s fine.” “It’s normal for childhood friends to be that close.” Skylar let out a soft sigh of relief, her eyes even holding a hint of approval toward me. Not jealous. Not causing a scene. Even tolerating her flirty banter with her “boy best friend.” I guess I’d finally become more “mature.” So much so that when the food arrived, as a sort of reward, she started peeling shrimp for me. Just as she was about to hand it to me, Zane snatched it. “How did you know I was craving shrimp?” Zane put it on his own plate. “Didn’t think you’d remember what I like. You’ve got some conscience left!” Skylar shook her head, smiling. “Slow down. No one’s fighting you for it.” Zane, ever the bold one, then put a shrimp on my plate. “Jayden, you have some too. If it’s not enough, I’ll have Skylar peel more for me.” I didn’t touch the shrimp. “I don’t like shrimp,” I said plainly. Skylar’s brow furrowed slightly. I figured she was probably wondering when my taste had changed. Yes, I used to love shrimp. But I don’t eat food from other people’s plates. Things fought over and passed around? No thanks. Zane is actually allergic to seafood. He only took that shrimp to steal the attention. Sure enough, on the way back, red rashes broke out on his cheeks. The hospital was in the opposite direction of home. Skylar chose to ditch me. “Zane needs to get to the hospital now. Take a cab back.” “But…” She didn’t let me finish. Her eyes full of concern for Zane, she shut the car door and disappeared down the road. The place was remote. No cabs. A couple of streetlights were out. Two large, shadowy figures emerged from the darkness, walking toward me, eyeing me with clear ill intent. 3 A sense of danger prickled my spine. I quickened my pace, trying to leave. But the two men closed in fast, blocking me from both sides. “Hey buddy, out alone so late? Mind lending us some cash?” one slurred, reeking of alcohol, his hand already reaching for the pocket where I kept my wallet. My scalp crawled. My heart hammered. “My money’s in the bag. About two grand in cash, a few more in the cards,” I tried to negotiate, hoping to buy my way out. “Take it. I won’t call the cops.” “Tsk. Cooperative,” the other man grunted, snatching my bag. His eyes lit up at the cash. But their gazes didn’t leave me. “You got the money. Can I go now?” My voice was weak. I just wanted out. “In a hurry?” the first man’s eyes roamed over me. “Dressed nice. Bet you got more than that on you. We’re a bit short lately. ‘Lend’ us a bit more.” I knew it wasn’t going to be simple. I turned to run but was yanked back by my arm. “Stay put!” In the struggle, one of them slapped me hard across the face. My ear rang. “Think you’re too good, huh? Making this difficult!” The other man pulled out a switchblade, waving it in front of me. “The watch, the ring, anything valuable. Hand it over! Or I’ll make you bleed!” Sheer terror froze my thoughts. I fought back instinctively, trying to shove them, but a fist sank into my stomach, doubling me over in pain. In the chaos, I kicked out blindly, my foot connecting with someone’s shin. “He’s fighting back!” The man with the knife, furious now, drove the blade into my side. It hurt. So much. The blood wouldn’t stop. Seeing this, the two men sobered up fast, scrambling away in a panic. With my last bit of strength, I fumbled for my phone and dialed 91

But I was far out. Skylar was closer than any ambulance. She’d just left. Call after call, she impatiently hit decline. When she finally answered, I had little strength left. “Zane’s having a severe allergic reaction! Can you stop being ridiculous for once?!” My lips barely moved. “Help… me… I’m bleeding…” “Jayden! Why is it that every time I’m alone with Zane, you pull this stunt? Sick here, hurting there… I’m tired of your games!” “Zane is genuinely sick today! Have you no empathy?” My breath grew fainter, until only pained groans came out. She remained unmoved. “Stop acting! I wouldn’t come see you even if you were dying today!” She hung up. Her final tone was icy and final. I lay on the ground in despair, waiting for the ambulance. As darkness crept in at the edges of my vision, a figure crouched before me. “Sir? Sir, are you okay? Stay with me! I’ll get you to the hospital!” A kind stranger saved me. I lay in the ER for what felt like an eternity, long enough to think I’d die there. Luckily, they got me there in time. I survived by a thread. Skylar didn’t call me once in the following days. Zane’s SnapChat, however, was very active: “Who else has a bestie this caring? Had a little allergy scare and she insisted on staying by my side 24/7. What can I do with her?” 😊 The picture showed Skylar peeling fruit for him. His slightly flushed face wore a sweet smile. Mutual friends flooded the comments with well-wishes. “You two are my OTP! So perfect for each other!” “Twenty years of this? Just get married already! I’m ready with the wedding gift! When’s the date?!” Silently sipping warm broth from the hospital, I happily added my own comment: “Wishing you a lifetime of happiness.” 4 Skylar saw my comment. Her call came with a half-hearted explanation. “They’re just joking around. Don’t be jealous.” “Zane was sick, I had to be there. Are you really going to make a big deal out of this?” “Once he’s better, we’ll pick up the wedding planning. I’ll even go with you to buy that suit. Happy now?” I replied distractedly, “Anything else? I’m busy.” Silence on the other end for a few seconds. I used to get furious over Zane’s ambiguous posts. When I confronted Skylar, all I got was a scolding: “Can you stop being so sensitive? Close friends don’t care about stuff like that.” “You want me to cut off my best friend for you? Look at yourself. You’re being pathetic!” But now, seeing this stuff didn’t even make my heart rate spike. Before she could say more, I ended the call. The police wanted me to identify the muggers. I also wanted to find the person who saved me, but she was long gone. Zane’s new SnapChat story had a familiar background—my bedroom. He was shirtless. The woman next to him, face not shown, had her arm hooked through his. The caption read: “Sweet dreams tonight.” They’d been having a great time while I was gone. But he did remind me—I needed to go back and pack. That place was never really my home. Though, I’d rather not walk in on another “surprise” in my bed like last time. Back then, Skylar had stumbled over her excuses. “Don’t get the wrong idea.” “Zane was drunk. I couldn’t just leave him at the bar, so I brought him home.” Zane hadn’t batted an eye. “Yeah, Skylar and I are just friends. Don’t overthink it.” Right. No wonder they always talked about how “close” they were as kids. Looking at a half-undressed Zane and Skylar wrapped in just a towel, I had simply smiled. “Just a shower. No big deal.” “You’re so close. Why would I mind? It’s normal to help a drunk friend shower.” “I know. It’s pure friendship. Rare.” Skylar had frozen, her expression faltering for a moment. I guess I, the third wheel, had ruined the mood. She wasn’t pleased. So this time, before heading back, I texted Skylar. Gave her time to cook up an excuse and clean up. Spare me another unwanted sight. The next day, the place was spotless. I’d never seen her clean before. Must have been quite the night. “Where have you been?” “The hospital.” “You were sick?” She suddenly sounded concerned. The old me would have been deeply moved. Because whenever I was sick before, she’d say, “I’m busy. I can’t take you to the hospital.” “It’s just a cold. You won’t die.” Yeah, busy drinking and gaming with Zane. When I was miserable with a fever, Zane would innocently ask, “I’m a guy too, why don’t I get sick so easily?” “Men are so dramatic. Not like me, born with a strong constitution.” So now, I just got stabbed. No big deal. No point in complaining. “My eyes weren’t great.” “Your eyes? What happened?” “I was blind. Couldn’t see people clearly.” I looked at her calmly. “They’re fixed now.” HHer expression relaxed, seeming genuinely happy for me. “Good. As long as you can see clearly now.” Yeah. I could see perfectly now.

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At my graduation ceremony, I finally mustered the courage to confess my feelings to my crush. But then, I was hit by a car. When I woke up, my crush was standing in front of me, her face utterly cold. “Awake? Perfect. Let’s talk about the divorce settlement.” Me: What? I hadn’t even confessed yet, so how was divorce already on the table? It was graduation day, and I was finally going to tell Chloe, my long-time crush, how I felt. Across the crosswalk, Chloe was taking photos, looking stunning in her graduation gown. I was so excited, I practically sprinted towards her, completely oblivious to the fact that the pedestrian light was red. CRASH! A deafening impact, and I was thrown to the ground. Everything went black. When I opened my eyes again, all I saw was a stark white ceiling. To my surprise, Chloe was standing right beside my hospital bed. She was as beautiful as ever, and this was probably the closest we’d ever been. Chloe stood there, her gaze slowly drifting from the IV drip bag above to my face. My eyes unintentionally landed on her left ring finger, where a simple ring gleamed. I’d liked her for so long. Had she already been taken, all this time? Swallowing the bitter tang of disappointment, I forced a smile and greeted her. “Chloe? What are you doing here?” As I tried to sit up from the bed, I noticed my arm was heavily bandaged. The next second, Chloe sat on the stool beside my bed, her voice cold and distant. “Mr. Liam, you truly are skilled at manipulation. To get a divorce, you’d even risk your own life.” I stared at her, utterly bewildered. What on earth was she talking about? Divorce? I hadn’t even graduated, let alone gotten married. Where was this talk of divorce coming from? Just then, a nurse pushed the door open, carrying a tray with bandaging supplies. “Dr. Chloe, you’re still here? Sir, you have no idea how lucky you are. You were in a car accident, and it’s a good thing Dr. Chloe happened to be passing by and gave you immediate first aid. Otherwise, it wouldn’t have just been a broken arm.” The nurse lowered her head, carefully disinfecting my wound as she spoke. She gently placed my hand to the side, and that’s when I noticed it—a ring on my right ring finger! And this ring, it was clearly a matching set with Chloe’s! A wave of dread washed over me. Once the nurse left the room, I instinctively grabbed Chloe’s sleeve. “Your name is Chloe, right? You graduated from medical school in the Class of 18, correct?” Chloe frowned, as if deeply annoyed. She yanked her sleeve free from my grip, her expression icy as she looked at me. “Since you’re awake, let’s discuss the divorce settlement.”

This was insane! I was clearly on my way to graduation when I accidentally got hit by a car. How did I wake up to being accused of “resorting to extreme measures” to force a divorce from Chloe? A conviction settled deep in my gut: either I’d gone crazy, or Chloe had. “Chloe, wait a second!” Before I could finish, a little girl suddenly appeared in the room, running excitedly into Chloe’s arms. Me: ??? Wow, what an adorable kid! I reached out my uninjured hand, wanting to gently touch her cheek, but she shyly hid deeper into Chloe’s embrace. “Oh, honey, I’m so sorry. Uncle just thought you were so cute, I couldn’t help myself.” Chloe shot me a disapproving look. That’s when I remembered I’d called her back but hadn’t gotten to the point. “Chloe, I know this might sound unbelievable, but I have absolutely no memory of anything you’re talking about. I only remember being on my way to graduation…” Before I could finish, Chloe impatiently cut me off. “So, you’re trying to say you have amnesia now?” Amnesia? Yes, that’s it! Amnesia. Only amnesia could explain why I had no recollection of any of this. I nodded vigorously and earnestly. Chloe’s face remained stone-cold. She pulled a document from her bag and tossed it onto the bed in front of me. “This is the divorce agreement. All the terms are written according to your demands. If you have no objections, just sign it as soon as possible.” I opened my mouth but couldn’t manage to say a single word. The little girl in Chloe’s arms, however, pouted sadly when she heard Chloe’s words. “Chloe, talking about this in front of a child… it’s not really good for her emotional well-being, is it?” “How about we put this on hold for a while?” Chloe let out a cold snort. “Someone else’s child? Liam, this amnesia act is quite convincing, but this is our daughter.” … “And when you were having dinner with other women, did you ever consider whether that was good for our child’s emotional well-being?” I hadn’t even processed Chloe’s first bombshell when her second statement completely fried my brain. I stared at the little girl, utterly dumbfounded. So, not only was I married, but I had a kid too? The little girl, however, completely ignored me, burying her head in Chloe’s neck and not even sparing me a glance. The information overload was too much. My brain completely crashed.

It took me a whole day to piece together everything in my head. I really did seem to have amnesia. I was still me, Chloe was still Chloe. The only difference was, we were married, and we had a child. But the divorce papers lying on the hospital bed silently conveyed another message: our marriage was clearly in trouble. The problem was, I might have cheated? But was that even possible? With someone as stunning and brilliant as Chloe, would I really cheat on her with another woman? Had I lost my mind? So, where did things go wrong? And how on earth was I supposed to get my memory back? I irritably scratched my head, my mind a complete blank, making me feel utterly restless and frustrated. “Daddy.” A knock on the door, and I looked up to see a small gap open. The little girl’s adorable face shyly peeked through. “Mommy says you need to remember to clean your hand. This is the antiseptic for you, she said to clean it yourself.” In her tiny hands, she clutched a bottle of iodine. I reached out my hand, gesturing for her to come in. “Daddy’s hand hurts a little. Can you bring that to Daddy?” The little girl looked at me, her expression hesitant, but eventually, she nodded. She slowly made her way to my side and placed the iodine on my nightstand. I picked her up with my other hand and sat her on my lap. I carefully examined her features: her eyes were like mine, big and round and bright; her nose was like Chloe’s, elegantly sculpted; and her face, like Chloe’s, was a perfect, delicate oval. She was absolutely beautiful. This was my daughter with Chloe. I couldn’t help myself. I hugged her close and gently kissed her cheek. She smelled sweet and baby-like, making me want to hold her forever. When I looked up, her face had instantly flushed crimson. She stiffened in my arms for a moment, then wrapped her little arms around my neck and hugged me tightly. She rested her head on my shoulder and whispered in my ear, “Daddy, you smell nice.” She was an absolute angel. I was still immersed in the joy of holding my little girl when the door to the room opened from outside. Chloe’s familiar figure appeared in the doorway, then walked towards me. “Mommy!” The little girl, still clutching me, immediately ran to Chloe, extending her arms, waiting for Chloe to sweep her up. Chloe had clearly just showered. She wore loose, comfortable loungewear, looking completely relaxed. Her hair fell naturally over her shoulders, and a few droplets of water trickled down her neck and disappeared into her collar. I instinctively looked away, feeling a strange awkwardness. As she drew closer, my heart started to pound even harder. But Chloe’s next words instantly extinguished my excitement. “Mr. Liam, don’t you think it’s a little late to start being nice to Daisy now?” “I wasn’t, I…” I wanted to explain, but the moment I met Chloe’s cold gaze, I knew she wouldn’t believe anything I said. Eventually, I just fell silent. “Forget it. You get back to what you were doing, I’m heading out.” I walked out of the study, and Daisy poked her head out from Chloe’s neck, looking at me. Seeing how close she was with Chloe, a wave of bitterness washed over me. So what if I had a wife and kid? My wife didn’t love me and wanted a divorce, and even my daughter only clung to her mom. My mind began to wander. If this was the case, why had we gotten married in the first place? And why had we had a child? Outside on the balcony, a full moon hung high in the sky. The night breeze ruffled my thoughts. Nothing had changed. It seemed only I had.

The master bedroom had only one large bed. The entire room was decorated in the most minimalist black, white, and gray tones. Aside from that, the room was impeccably clean, and the air carried the faint, elegant scent of gardenias. I remembered, this was Chloe’s favorite scent. I walked to the walk-in closet, looking for my pajamas. However, when I opened the closet, almost all I saw were women’s clothes—from elegant dresses to exquisite blouses, neatly categorized and hung. I searched carefully, but couldn’t find a single pajama set or loungewear that clearly belonged to a man. … With no other option, I had to knock on the study door. “Chloe, excuse me, sorry to bother you.” Chloe, who was working at her computer, looked up at the sound. Her gold-rimmed glasses made her appear both professional and somewhat aloof. “I can’t find my pajamas,” I explained, gesturing towards the master bedroom. “The master closet seems to have all your clothes.” Chloe stared at me for a few seconds, not speaking immediately. Just as I thought she wouldn’t answer and was about to leave, she suddenly stood up from her chair and walked towards me. She stopped in front of me. Even though I was taller than her, the cool aura surrounding her made me feel a slight pressure. Chloe subtly curved her lips, her hands tucked into her pockets. “What, are you planning to keep up the amnesia act?” I was speechless, unsure how to respond. Honestly, she didn’t believe me. Fortunately, she didn’t press further this time. She simply walked past me, heading towards the other side of the hallway. I stood there, feeling a bit lost. She turned her head, glancing at me from the corner of her eye. “Not coming?” I immediately followed, but intentionally kept a step’s distance. “Thanks.” She walked to the door of a secondary bedroom, pushed it open, and gestured for me to go in. “Your clothes should be in here.” I walked into the room and opened the closet. The sight made me pause—a uniform collection of dark, extremely conservative suits, shirts, and vests, meticulously folded, exuding a stern and rigid aura. I rummaged through them, and finally, in the bottommost drawer, I found a cotton garment that looked like pajamas—old-fashioned, overly loose, but at least comfortable. Holding these pajamas, I felt even stranger. Was this how “I” usually dressed? … I took the pajamas and walked back to the master bathroom, my mind a jumble. The issues between us were perhaps far more complex than I’d imagined. After showering, I threw on a jacket and headed towards Daisy’s room. The children’s room was warmly decorated, with soft stuffed animals and colorful stickers everywhere. It was clear Chloe poured a lot of love into our child. I tiptoed in. Daisy was already asleep, clutching a small bunny plushie tightly. I pulled the blanket she’d kicked off back over her and gently took her thumb out of her mouth, wiping it dry with a tissue. Only at this moment did a soft, paternal feeling truly wash over me. But I knew so little about her, I wasn’t even sure how old she was. My marriage certificate with Chloe showed we’d registered four years ago. So Daisy must be about three years old. I stroked her soft hair and got up to leave. Just as I closed the door and turned around, I saw Chloe standing silently in the hallway, very close by. My back instinctively pressed against the door. Chloe didn’t seem to find the proximity awkward, showing no intention of stepping back. My heart rate abruptly quickened. “Are you done with work?” I asked. “Mhm.” The atmosphere was thick. I didn’t know what to say. “So… are you going to bed?” Chloe didn’t respond, nor did she move. I pulled the jacket I was wearing tighter. “Then I’ll go back to my room first.” With that, I sidled past her, practically fleeing back to the master bedroom. I quickly threw back the covers and lay down, neatly curling up on one side. Soon after, the master bedroom door opened, and Chloe walked in. Seeing me already in bed, she paused, standing at the doorway and watching me. Her gaze made me feel uneasy. “Chloe, which side do you usually sleep on?” She didn’t answer. Helpless, I had no choice but to throw off the covers, get out of bed, and stand aside. “You pick first.” Only then did Chloe move. She walked to the window side, lay down, and then reached out to click off the bedside lamp on her side. The room plunged into darkness. I fumbled my way back into bed, the person beside me breathing steadily. But I was wide awake, my thoughts a swirling mess. The jacket sleeve pressed uncomfortably against my injured arm. I carefully shifted, and seeing no reaction from Chloe, quietly sat up, intending to take the jacket off. Just as I took off the jacket and rubbed my arm, Chloe, who had been facing away from me, suddenly turned over and moved closer in the dark. Her breath brushed my cheek, and my own breathing hitched with nerves. Though I couldn’t see her, I could feel how close she was. “Chloe?” “What exactly are you trying to do, Liam?” Her voice was incredibly clear in the darkness, laced with coldness. “What?” I froze. “You were the one who wanted to get married, then you were the one who went to great lengths to get a divorce. Now, you’re faking amnesia and sleeping here. I have no interest in cooperating with your fickle games.” “I’m not…” “Not what?” Her tone was sarcastic. “Isn’t this your usual behavior?” I was speechless, unable to defend myself. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean it like that.” Silence stretched in the darkness. A moment later, Chloe pulled back, then got out of bed. “Liam, I have no feelings left for you. Whether you’re being genuine or not now, stop with these pointless theatrics.” “I’ll go to the guest room tonight.” With that, she left the room without looking back. The door softly clicked shut. The vast master bedroom was left with only me.

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My entire family forced me to divorce because the girl they raised as their own fell in love with my husband. Six years later, I ran into my brother and ex-husband at the park. My ex-husband was holding my seven-year-old daughter, and he asked me: “Now that you’re back in the country, why didn’t you reach out?” I looked at him, cold as ice: “Want to buy a painting? Twenty dollars a piece.” My brother Blake came over and kicked my easel, sending it flying: “Stop acting innocent! Felicia already forgave you for causing her miscarriage. Now she’s been outed as a homewrecker, and it’ll mess with her chances for the award. Come back with us and clear her name, and I’ll let you come home.” I sneered: “Home? That stopped being my home a long time ago.” My ex-husband, Ryan, pointed to the daughter in his arms and said: “Are you really going to abandon your own daughter?” Before I could answer, Lily spoke up, her voice dripping with disgust: “I don’t want this mommy! Her hands are so creepy!” Ryan’s gaze lingered on my scarred wrists. He took a step closer, as if to reach out and touch me. “Enough, Aria, stop with the drama. You used to adore kids.” A bitter taste filled my mouth. Lily didn’t even recognize me anymore. My brother, Blake, frowned, kicking over my change box. His voice was laced with impatience. “Why are you even talking to her? Just drag her away.” “If we weren’t worried about the PR nightmare affecting Felicia’s award chances, who’d want to come to this dump?” Blake’s arrogance, the kind only old money breeds, was seeping from him. I bent down to pick up the change box that had rolled into the mud, my voice calm and steady. “I’m not going back.” At that, Blake exploded like a lit fuse, and it tore through me. “Aria, don’t you dare push your luck. Are you shacked up with some guy here? Can’t bear to leave him?” Hearing that, Ryan’s previously mild expression darkened instantly. He seemed to agree with Blake. He grabbed my wrist with one hand and started dragging me out of the park. A sharp, throbbing pain shot through my wrist. The change box clattered to the ground, ten and fifty-dollar bills scattering across the dirt. “Ryan, let go of me! I’m not going back with you!” He ignored me completely. Blake strode forward, stepping on the bills on the ground, grinding them into the mud. “Meow!” An orange blur darted out from the bushes. It lashed out with sharp claws, scratching Ryan’s arm. Seizing the chance, I managed to break free. But as I turned, Blake kicked me in the knee. With a soft thump, I fell to my knees. Here I was, knocked down by Blake. There, the little cat was sent flying several feet away. I scrambled to get up, large tears splashing onto the ground. “Little One!” I took one step, but Ryan and Blake caught me together. They dragged me forward. My struggles were useless. My stray cat lay in a pool of blood. The money I’d saved for a burial plot lay in the mud. Just like I had six years ago.

I was hauled into that familiar SUV, my daughter Lily strapped into her car seat. The moment they tossed me into the back seat, she started wailing. “Daddy, I don’t want to sit with this ugly stranger! She smells awful!” Ryan glanced at me in the rearview mirror, then put on a show of sternly scolding Lily. “Lily, that’s not polite. This is your mommy.” Lily scrunched up her nose and sniffed. She mumbled under her breath: “She’s not my mommy. Only Aunt Felicia deserves to be my mommy.” Her voice wasn’t loud, but it reached everyone in the car. Blake snorted at me with disdain. Ryan’s hands tightened on the steering wheel. He offered an explanation. “Lily’s just not used to you, but she’ll get used to it.” I turned my head to stare out the window, my voice flat. “It’s fine. I was never her mother, wasn’t that what you said yourself?” Six years ago, in this very car. When Lily was barely a year old, Ryan himself had said to me: “Aria, do you think you’re fit to be a mother in your current state?” “Lily is just a child, what does she understand? If she wants to call Felicia ‘mommy,’ let her. Do you really need to cause a scene in front of her?” Ryan’s furious expression flashed in my mind. We drove back to the house in silence. The home I had once meticulously decorated was now unrecognizable. The rose bushes I’d planted in the garden were gone, replaced by endless roses. The swing under the tree was gone, and even the tree itself had been cut down. Everything had changed beyond recognition. My gaze swept over everything with cold indifference before I lowered my eyes. I followed them inside. Ryan opened the door to a room tucked away in a corner. It was covered in dust, with cobwebs in the corners. He coughed, covering his nose, and waved away the dust in front of him. “Your old room was turned into Felicia’s music room. You’ll have to make do here for a while.” “Once things settle down…” I cut him off before he could finish. “No need. This is fine.” My final resting place would soon be a handful of ashes. The quality of the room made no difference to me. Blake couldn’t stand my indifferent attitude, as if we were all bullies. He rolled his eyes at me and scoffed. “Ryan, if she wants to stay here, let her. All these years, she still hasn’t gotten rid of that overly dramatic habit.” Ryan sighed, but didn’t contradict him. “Stay wherever you want.” I hummed in response and closed the door. I couldn’t read the expression in Ryan’s eyes. Wasn’t he the one who drove me out of the country all those years ago? What was with this look of guilt now? I couldn’t figure it out, so I stopped trying. My body went limp as I collapsed onto the narrow twin bed. Excruciating pain ripped through me. My face went pale, and cold sweat soaked the pillow. “Knock, knock.” A knock on the door woke me. I forced myself up and opened it. Blake stood there. He held a thin blanket in his hand. “Who are you trying to play pitiful for, looking like a ghost?” He blurted out, seeing my ashen face. Then he tossed the blanket at my feet. “Here, so you don’t get sick and blame Felicia again.” “And let me warn you, no funny business. Don’t go bothering Felicia. You know why we brought you back.” Familiar words fell on my ears. I’d heard these threats countless times. From initial resistance to eventual numbness, I already knew how to respond. “Got it.” With a “bang,” I shut the door. Turning, I lay back on the bed, the blanket still lying on the floor. A dying person wouldn’t fear sickness. 3. I was woken by a banging on the door in the morning. “Ms. Aria, are you up yet? Still think you’re some high society lady?” The hard wooden bed and unfamiliar room meant I hadn’t slept well. “I’m up.” Opening the door, I saw Mrs. Davis’s familiar face. Her face still held an expression of disgust, her tone icy. “If you’re up, go eat. You really think you’re a young lady, making everyone wait for you.” Six years had passed, and she still didn’t like me. Mrs. Davis had looked after Felicia since she was little. Having no children of her own, she treated the two children of the Williams family as her own. When I was first found and brought back, she had thrown dishwater on me in front of everyone. She believed I should have just died out there when I got lost. Why did I have to come back and snatch Felicia’s place? I couldn’t be bothered to argue with her. The pain from my cancer surged through my entire body. Every breath felt like a knife slicing through me. Walking into the dining room, Felicia sat between Ryan and Lily. Her face flushed red as she ate the sandwich Ryan fed her. “Ryan.” Seeing me, her eyes darted nervously. “Aria, you’re back.” “Are you blaming me? I had no choice but to marry Ryan back then.” “If…” “Screech!” The sound of a chair scraping across the floor grated on everyone’s ears. “No. Didn’t you say you two were true love? Why would I blame you?” As soon as the words left my mouth, Felicia’s eyes welled up. Ryan slammed his knife and fork onto the table, his face clouding over. “Aria, if you don’t want to eat, then don’t.” I curved my lips into a mocking smile. I sat down, my face cold, ignoring the others. The moment I bit into a sandwich, the overly sweet taste of tomato sauce made my stomach churn. I abruptly pushed my chair back and ran to the bathroom, dry-heaving. “Aria, are you… pregnant?” Felicia’s questioning voice came from behind me. I let the icy water splash on my face, sending shivers through me. She was still so good at twisting the truth. Jealous of my talent, she’d severed my tendons. Afraid of her position being affected, she accused me of being pregnant. Her methods were clumsy, but someone always believed her. Sure enough, hearing her words, Ryan frowned, a hint of disgust in his eyes. “Aria, a woman should still have some self-respect.” I laughed bitterly inside. Did “self-respect” even apply to me anymore? When they threw me into that club, letting me be humiliated, why didn’t they talk about self-respect then? “It’s none of your business.” Ryan scoffed angrily, then walked away after a final word. “Whatever.” Returning to the dining table, I sat back in my seat. “Aria, since you’re back, why don’t you perform with me at my concert in a few days?” “We used to be called the Twin Violin Stars.” Felicia looked at me with an expectant face. My expression froze, and my gaze became somber as I stared at my hands, perpetually wrapped in bandages. These hands would never hold a violin again. Before I could hide the sadness in my eyes, Lily’s clear voice rang out. “Aunt Felicia, that ugly lady isn’t good enough to play music with you. I saw her last time, her hands are so, so ugly.” The innocent child’s voice pierced my heart like a needle.

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