I discovered that my husband had secretly bought an apartment for his childhood sweetheart right above our home. He was literally cheating on me under my nose. Later, a fire broke out in our building due to faulty equipment. As we were fleeing for our lives, I stumbled upon their dirty secret. They joined forces and pushed me into the raging flames. As my soul left my body, I watched from above as the true colors of these evil people, hidden beneath their human facades, were revealed. Perhaps due to the weight of my grievances, heaven granted me a second chance. When I opened my eyes again, I found myself at my wedding with Jack. The wedding hall was packed with guests. Jack, standing opposite me, said with deep emotion, “I do.” But I hesitated, the bouquet slipping from my hands and falling to the ground. Just a moment ago, I had been floating above my own funeral, watching as my husband and his mistress, who had murdered me with their own hands, plotted to seize my family’s assets. They were even discussing using a jade pendant to suppress my soul. Unable to contain my rage, I had lunged at them, seeking revenge, only to be sucked into the jade pendant. And now, I had opened my eyes to find myself back at my wedding to Jack. The overwhelming sense of unreality made me uneasy. I needed to do something to prove this wasn’t a dream. In the next second, a sharp crack rang out, silencing the entire hall. Against the backdrop of sweet background music, Jack’s face was turned to one side by the force of my slap. Only when I felt the stinging pain in my palm did I dare to believe that heaven had truly given me a second chance. From great sorrow to great joy, I suddenly burst out laughing like a madwoman. Jack, his face slightly swollen from the slap, showed no anger. Instead, he came over to check on me, concern evident in his voice. “Lily, what’s wrong?” My parents rushed up from their seats, examining me anxiously. Seeing my parents again, my heart softened. I hugged them tearfully, choking out an apology. “Mom, Dad, I’m so sorry.” Not understanding the situation, they embraced me unconditionally, trying to comfort me. “Sweetie, if you’re unhappy, we can call off the wedding,” they offered. I almost agreed, but then my eyes met Jack’s. His face was half white, half red, as he stood rigidly to one side. Averting my gaze, I noticed my mother-in-law sitting in the family section, looking equally tense. In the fire, I had sworn that if given the chance, I would make them suffer a thousand times more than I had. For now, I needed to let the wedding continue. I explained to my parents, “It’s nothing. I just realized how immature I’ve been and how much trouble I’ve caused you.” My parents believed me and returned to their seats, reassured by my words. I took the microphone from the officiant. Taking advantage of the tears still in my eyes, I forced a choked voice and explained to Jack. “I was just overwhelmed with emotion. I love you so much that I was afraid this wedding might be a dream. I’m sorry, Jack.” My declaration made Jack relax his tense posture. He wiped away my tears and spoke with gentle magnanimity. “Lily, this isn’t a dream. We’ll be happy together.” I nodded emotionally and said the words he was waiting to hear: “I do.” Jack hugged me excitedly, as if clutching a precious treasure. But now, I knew clearly that I wasn’t his treasure. I was just a stepping stone, a ladder for Jack to climb higher. I would make that stepping stone trip him up, let him climb the ladder only to fall hard from the top!

After the wedding, the three of us returned to our new home. Yes, three of us – me, Jack, and my mother-in-law. In my previous life, Jack and I had planned to buy a house for his mother in the countryside. But after seeing our new apartment, she changed her mind and insisted on living with us. The apartment my parents gave me as a wedding gift was a large luxury flat, more than spacious enough for three people. Unable to withstand my mother-in-law’s fuss, I agreed to let her stay. But that decision nearly drove me to depression. She was incredibly petty, raising her voice to argue with me over the slightest things. Whenever I talked back, she would throw tantrums, using every underhanded trick in the book. She even spread rumors in the neighborhood that I was a terrible daughter-in-law, making it impossible for me to show my face in the community chat group. Finally, unable to bear it any longer, I moved with Jack to the smaller apartment he had bought with his own money. Now that I think about it, I was such a fool. This was clearly a scheme cooked up by mother and son, forcing me to live in a small apartment where I would be cheated on, while my mother-in-law enjoyed the spacious flat. This time around, I planned to deal with my mother-in-law first. “Mother, I’ve been thinking about what you said before. You’re absolutely right – we shouldn’t let outsiders benefit from our resources,” I said sweetly. “From now on, I’ll give you the money we would have spent on a housekeeper, plus some extra for household expenses. You can manage everything.” My mother-in-law agreed joyfully, even praising me for being good with money. I smiled coldly inside, waiting for her to make a mess of things. On my mother-in-law’s first day in charge: For breakfast, lunch, and dinner, the meals were far from what I had requested. Breakfast: soy milk and fried dough sticks. I said nothing. Lunch: noodles with sauce. I remained silent. Dinner: plain porridge with pickled vegetables. Still, I kept quiet. The next morning, the cycle repeated. Breakfast: again, soy milk and fried dough sticks, even less than yesterday. I stood at the dining table, looking coldly at my mother-in-law. “Don’t you think you owe me an explanation?” Feeling emboldened by Jack’s presence, my mother-in-law didn’t even bother to feign embarrassment. She was brazenly self-righteous. “Soy milk and fried dough sticks are good enough for breakfast. All that fancy stuff you told me about, I can’t remember it all.” “Back when Jack and I were poor, we ate even worse than this. People should learn to be content.” Ignoring her, I turned to Jack. “Jack, is your mother suggesting that I should suffer along with you? Is that it?” “I married you, and I can’t even have a decent meal. Is that what you’re saying?” Jack looked uncomfortable and was about to explain when his mother cut him off sharply. “You’re just a spoiled princess! What’s wrong with soy milk and fried dough sticks? Didn’t you eat them yesterday? Did they poison you?” This time, I didn’t let Jack speak either. “Fine, I can eat it. But since we’re cutting back on expenses, give me back the extra money for groceries.” At the mention of money, my mother-in-law jumped as if stung, her eyes bulging. “With transportation and labor costs, there’s no extra money!” I crossed my arms and stared at her directly, spelling it out clearly. “Transportation doesn’t cost that much, and labor is your salary, which isn’t included. If every meal is going to be at the level of soy milk and fried dough sticks, you need to return at least $700 to me.” As my mother-in-law tried to argue, Jack suddenly interrupted loudly, “Mom! Listen to Lily.” Jack didn’t understand his mother as well as I did. To her, money was more important than her son’s words. She couldn’t hear a thing he said. Sure enough, my mother-in-law burst into tears, pointing at us and shouting. “I’ve never seen such a daughter-in-law, demanding money from her elders! The woman you married is too much, and now even the son I raised with my own hands doesn’t side with his old mother. What a disgrace to the family!” She waved her arms wildly, crying and complaining as if we had committed some terrible crime. As this farce unfolded, I went to our room to get my bag. Jack stopped me. “Lily, where are you going?” “Home,” I replied. “This is your home,” he insisted. I laughed coldly, giving him a wordless look, then glancing at the old woman who was still wailing nonstop. Jack couldn’t withstand my mocking gaze and let go of me helplessly. Before leaving, I sneaked a glance at my mother-in-law on the floor. Beneath her fake crying, I caught a glimpse of a sly, satisfied smile. Hah, laugh while you can. Your time for real tears will come.

I enjoyed a comfortable life at my parents’ home, eating and sleeping well. The only discomfort came from Jack’s daily phone calls and messages. That evening, I received Jack’s call right on schedule. But this time, when I answered, it wasn’t Jack’s voice – it was my mother-in-law’s. I remained silent, waiting for her to speak first. After some muffled prompting in the background, my mother-in-law started speaking haltingly. “This time… it was my fault. I’ll… give you back the money. I’ll cook better meals from now on. Please come back.” Then Jack’s voice came on the line. “Lily, Mom knows she was wrong. Please come home. It’s not good for you to stay away for so long. My parents already have issues with me, and if you keep this up, they’ll look down on me even more.” The truth was, whether I returned home or not didn’t really matter. What mattered was that Jack was afraid my father would give him a hard time at work. Understanding his ulterior motives, I remained silent, not responding to him. Jack softened his voice, using the approach that had always worked on me before. “Lily, I’ve missed you so much these past few days.” Hearing this, I felt a wave of disgust, goosebumps breaking out all over my skin. Afraid he might say something even more nauseating, I quickly agreed. “Alright, I’ll come back tomorrow afternoon.” The next day, I returned as promised. The table was laden with home-cooked dishes. While certainly not up to the standards of our previous housekeeper, it was a clear attempt at an apology. After the meal, my mother-in-law reluctantly returned the money to me. For the first few days after my return, my mother-in-law did a passable job with her duties. But by the fourth day, she gradually began to show her true colors. Lazy, sloppy, careless. One day, Jack came home with a face as dark as thunder. He went straight to the bathroom and spent a full hour washing up. At dinner, he questioned his mother, “Mom, how did you wash these clothes?” My mother-in-law feigned ignorance. “I wash them every day. What’s wrong?” I saw Jack put down his chopsticks with considerable force, barely containing his anger. “I’ve had a cold lately, so my sense of smell isn’t great. But today, wearing the clothes you washed, everyone at work avoided me. When I asked, they all said my clothes smelled awful. How could that happen if you wash them every day?” I had noticed the smell in the morning, but I hadn’t said anything. My mother-in-law had probably noticed too, but she didn’t dare admit it. Now that the truth was out, she still tried to defend herself. “With so many clothes to wash every day, it’s normal to forget one or two.” Jack gritted his teeth, struggling to control himself. “Mom, stop making excuses! Is it so hard to admit you made a mistake?” I was also struggling – struggling not to laugh out loud. The show of dogs biting dogs was about to begin. My mother-in-law exploded, standing up abruptly. “Fine! So now you’re finding fault with your old mother! When I raised you from a baby, changing your diapers and feeding you, you didn’t complain about how I did things. Now that you’ve grown up, you’re nitpicking everything your mother does…” Jack’s face grew darker and darker as his mother ranted. Spittle flying, my mother-in-law suddenly turned her anger towards me. “And you’re no better! Making me work all day, my back and legs aching. Don’t think you’re some princess! Take a good look at yourself before you start ordering me around. Both of you, ungrateful!” I stepped back to avoid her spray, but still tried to reason with her. “It’s not ordering you around, it’s just work that you’re paid for. If you really can’t handle it, don’t force yourself. I have high standards for my life, and Jack can’t lose face at work. By being so careless, you’re hurting both of us.” My mother-in-law’s face turned the color of a pig’s liver. “I’m hurting you? Jack, search your conscience! Has your mother ever hurt you?” With his mother being so unreasonable, Jack was about to lose his temper. “Mom, I couldn’t hold my head up in front of my colleagues today, all because of you. You’ve really gone too far this time!” This pushed my mother-in-law’s anger to the limit. Before either of us could react, she ran towards the front door. By the time we caught up with her, she was already downstairs in the community. My mother-in-law plopped herself down on the ground and began wailing at the top of her lungs. “Oh, what a miserable life I have! I worked myself to the bone to put my son through college, and now that he’s successful and married, he’s forgotten all his mother’s kindness. He’s ganging up with his wife to bully me!” Her dramatic performance attracted quite a crowd of neighbors. Some were watching from their windows, while others came down for a closer look. Remembering how the neighbors had criticized me in my previous life, I pushed Jack forward, sneering, “She’s your mother, you deal with her. I’m just the evil daughter-in-law, I won’t interfere in your family matters.” With that, I melted into the crowd of onlookers, washing my hands of the whole affair.

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To repay my uncle and aunt for raising me, I married Lucas Foster, the autistic heir of the Foster family, in place of my cousin. For seven years, he treated me with utter coldness. I swallowed my pride and tried to initiate intimacy, only to be met with endless mockery and disdain. Later, when I successfully organized an art exhibition for him, he held another woman’s hand right in front of me. I knew then that my task was complete. It was time for me to leave. To outsiders, marrying into the Foster family was like winning the lottery. As one of the most prestigious old-money families in the city, they usually opted for business alliances in marriage. And I was just an orphan living on others’ charity. I was only six when my parents died. More than grief, I felt terror about the future. My uncles fought bitterly over the inheritance, and none of them wanted to take care of me, claiming I brought bad luck. They decided to send me to an orphanage. I didn’t want to go to the orphanage. I’d heard stories about how terrible those places were. So I found my mom’s old phone and tried calling my uncle – it was my first time contacting my mother’s side of the family. Mom had been from a wealthy family too, but she’d cut ties with them to marry my father. When Uncle Jack heard my plea, he hung up without a word. I told myself he was just hurt by my mother’s actions and it was natural for him not to want anything to do with me. But I couldn’t stop the tears from falling. The next day, I woke up early, packed my little backpack, and prepared to run away. I’d rather go hungry and sleep under a bridge than end up in that orphanage. But just as I slipped out of my room, I bumped into a man. I recognized him as my uncle immediately – he looked so much like my mom. Uncle Jack patted my head and asked if I’d had breakfast. When I said no, he picked me up and took me to his home. My grandparents had already passed away. Aunt Lisa frowned when she saw how skinny I was. “I have to take care of Noah and Emma. I don’t have time for her. You brought this trouble home, you deal with it,” she told Uncle Jack. “Don’t worry, she’s a good kid. Just give her food, and she’ll take care of everything else,” he replied. To prove Uncle Jack right, I learned to feed myself, dress myself, go to school, and sleep on my own. I even helped look after my cousins. Emma was only two months younger than me, a proud little princess. She never called me ‘sister’, instead treating me like a servant. But I didn’t mind. We all have our own destinies, and she had reasons to be proud. As for me, I was just grateful to grow up safe and healthy. After high school graduation, Uncle Jack wanted to send Emma and me to study in England together. But Lucas’s appearance disrupted all those plans.

He came with Mrs. Foster to propose marriage. Apparently, our grandfathers had once jokingly arranged a marriage between their children over drinks. No one expected Mrs. Foster to take it seriously. The atmosphere was awkward. Lucas, who had been silent the whole time, suddenly stood up and walked towards the backyard. Aunt Lisa quickly told me to follow him and take care of him. At first, I didn’t know he had autism. I just thought this young heir was being rude. It was late spring, and the roses in the garden were in full bloom. Lucas took out a sketchpad from his backpack as if by magic and started drawing intently. Not wanting to disturb him, I stood behind him, watching silently. Without exaggeration, Lucas was the most beautiful man I’d ever seen. He had perfect bone structure and skin as fair as jade. His deep, soul-stirring eyes exuded an air of nobility. Just as I was secretly marveling at the lottery of birth, things took a sudden turn. Lucas seemed dissatisfied with his drawing and crumpled the paper in frustration. I wanted to comfort him, but he suddenly reached out and gripped a thorny rose stem tightly. Blood immediately started flowing, but he didn’t seem to feel any pain. Instead, he tilted his head, looking thoughtful. “Let go! Quick, let go!” I panicked like an ant on a hot pan. Young Mr. Foster was an important guest, and I didn’t know what trouble it would cause Uncle Jack if he got hurt under my watch. I called out loudly, but he had no reaction. Left with no choice, I reached out to pull his arm. The moment I touched his sleeve, he suddenly became enraged and pushed me to the ground. I was terrified. His expression was so frightening that I thought he might hit me. But he didn’t. He just turned back to continue drawing. Mrs. Foster heard the commotion and hurried over. She seemed used to such incidents and quickly left with her son. After they left, Emma burst into tears. “I don’t want to get married! I want to go to England! If you force me, I’ll kill myself!” Uncle Jack was heartbroken but also helpless. Most of the family’s business relied on the Fosters. Offending Mrs. Foster would have unthinkable consequences. Aunt Lisa comforted her daughter while secretly glancing at me. “The Thompsons don’t just have one daughter. Why do you keep focusing on Emma?” Emma nodded vigorously. “That’s right, let Aria marry him. You’ve raised her for so many years, it can’t be for nothing.” “What are you saying? Lucas is autistic. How could I push Aria into such a difficult situation?” Uncle Jack protested. “So you’d rather push your own daughter into the fire…” Aunt Lisa retorted.

Uncle Jack and Aunt Lisa argued all night. I hid in my room, listening silently, and made my decision. The next day, I told Uncle Jack that I was willing to marry into the Foster family in Emma’s place. “Emma is right. You and Aunt Lisa have been so good to me. It’s time for me to repay your kindness,” I said. Uncle Jack’s eyes turned red as he held my hand, wanting to say something. But in the end, he couldn’t get the words out. Because of Lucas’s condition, the wedding was very simple. I thought his willingness to marry meant he was prepared to live with me. But I was wrong. On our wedding night, as soon as I stepped into our room, his face darkened. “Get out!” “This is my room too,” I said. “You’re not allowed to sleep here.” I tried to reason with him, to explain the meaning of marriage. But he wouldn’t listen. Instead, he tore up all the red ‘double happiness’ decorations in the room. Helpless, I turned to leave. Mrs. Foster saw this and sighed, calling me to her study. She told me that Lucas wasn’t a bad person by nature, just socially withdrawn and unwilling to interact with others. Since I had married him, it was my responsibility to take care of him. She believed that if I tried hard enough, I could eventually open Lucas’s heart and make him accept me. I decided to give it a try. Taking care of someone with autism is both mentally and physically exhausting. Every day, I personally prepared his meals, reminded him to take his medicine, and took him for medical check-ups. To understand him better, I bought all the books I could find about autism and studied them late into the night. My efforts gradually paid off. Lucas slowly got used to my presence and no longer rejected me as he had at first. I was allowed to ride in the same car with him or sit at the same table for meals. Knowing I liked fruit, he would personally prepare beautiful fruit platters for me. When I caught a cold due to my weak immune system, he would force me to drink ginger tea. Time passed, and we both got used to this life. The only one unsatisfied was Mrs. Foster. She talked to me every other day, always with the same purpose: urging me to have a child. Forced into a corner, I had to tell her the truth. Lucas hadn’t shown any interest in physical intimacy and wouldn’t even allow me to sleep in the same bed. Mrs. Foster was anxious and angry. She took Lucas for a medical examination. The doctor said there was nothing wrong with his physical functions; he just couldn’t overcome his psychological barriers and accept such an intimate relationship. “When it comes down to it, it’s your problem,” Mrs. Foster told me. “Can’t you find a way to make him fall in love with you?” I was at a loss. I didn’t even know what love was myself, let alone Lucas.

In our seventh year of marriage, Mrs. Foster gave me an ultimatum. “The Foster family has only had one child for three generations. We can’t let the line end here. If you can have a child, do it. If you can’t, I’ll find someone else who can. But then I won’t have time to care about the Thompson family’s business!” Faced with such a blatant threat, I had no choice but to give in. That night, I found a romantic movie and invited Lucas to watch it with me. He agreed but left halfway through, saying it was boring. After my shower, I changed into the lingerie Mrs. Foster had specially made for me and nervously knocked on Lucas’s door. “I’m going to sleep,” he said. “We can talk tomorrow.” Lucas blocked the door, not letting me in. “I’ve painted a new picture of birds. I was hoping you could take a look,” I said. That’s right, to please Lucas, I had even taken up painting classes. Lucas finally agreed to let me in, but his expression remained cold and he wouldn’t look at me. “Where’s the painting?” he asked. “Don’t rush. The paper is quite large, we need to spread it out on the bed.” I tried my best to overcome my embarrassment and acted seductively, like in the movies. The nearly see-through nightgown left little to the imagination. But Lucas still had no reaction. His gaze was focused entirely on the non-existent painting. “Stop painting,” he said suddenly. “What?” “I said, stop painting from now on. Your brushwork is weak, you have no talent. Even a three-year-old could paint better than you.” I blushed, feeling extremely embarrassed. “If I’m not good, you could teach me. I’d be the most obedient student,” I said, reaching out to touch him. He pushed me away roughly. At that moment, the strap of my nightgown snapped. I stood there naked in front of Lucas, like a peeled egg. “Get out! Get out of here!” he shouted. “You filthy woman! Disgusting woman!” “Painting is the most sacred thing. How dare you desecrate it!” I had never seen Lucas so angry before. His bloodshot eyes stared at me as if I had committed some unforgivable sin. In the past, I would have run out immediately, terrified. But not today. Trembling, I wrapped myself in a blanket. “Lucas, we need to have a child. Otherwise, I won’t be able to stay here anymore.” “Who wants you to stay here?” he spat. “Look in the mirror. See how disgusting you are!” “I hate you. It would be best if you never appeared in front of me again!” “Do you really mean that?” I asked. Even though I knew he was ill, these words still hurt me deeply. After seven years of companionship, even a pet cat or dog would have developed some affection. Lucas nodded firmly, ignoring the tears in my eyes as he roughly pushed me out of the room.

I fell seriously ill. Mrs. Foster, afraid I might infect her son, told me to go back to my family for a while. Seeing how thin I had become, Uncle Jack kept asking if I had been mistreated at the Foster house. Not wanting to worry him, I just smiled and shook my head. After a few years away, Emma had finished her graduate studies. She had studied jewelry design and started her own brand after returning home, making a name for herself in the industry. “Aria, thank you. If you hadn’t sacrificed yourself to save me back then, I wouldn’t be where I am today,” she said. It was the first time she had called me ‘sister’, and I suddenly felt emotional. Time really flies, and everyone keeps growing. Only I seemed to be stuck in an endless loop, unable to find a way out. “Aria, Dad has been working hard to adjust the company structure in recent years, trying to reduce our dependence on the Fosters. Noah and I can also stand on our own feet now. If you’re not happy at the Foster house, you can leave anytime,” Emma said. Her words shocked me. Before this, I had never thought my life could have any other possibilities. “Can I really?” I asked. Emma held my hand and nodded firmly. “It’s not just my opinion. All these years, Mom and Dad have felt guilty. Their only wish now is for you to be happy.” “I don’t know. My mind is a mess. Let me think about it,” I replied. I only stayed at Uncle Jack’s house for three days. Mrs. Foster called, saying Lucas couldn’t get used to other people’s cooking and asking me to come back quickly. When I returned home, I didn’t see Lucas. The housekeeper told me that for the past few days, he had been going out early and coming back late, refusing any company. This was strange. In my impression, Lucas was a homebody. Every time he needed to go out, I had to coax him for a long time. Him staying out all day alone, not talking to strangers – it was hard to imagine. I made his favorite tofu soup, planning to eat with him when he came back. But I accidentally fell asleep on the couch while waiting. Vaguely, I felt someone beside me. I opened my eyes suddenly and found Lucas staring at me expressionlessly. “Where have you been? Why are you back so late? What if something dangerous happened to you?” I asked anxiously. “Aria,” he said. “Yes?” “Do you know what I hate most about you?” I was speechless, not knowing how to answer. “You keep saying I’m your husband, but in your heart, you just treat me like a child who never grew up, a disabled person who can’t take care of himself. I hate that feeling,” he said.

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Amidst a room full of distinguished guests, my fiancé snatched away my bridal bouquet. He then dropped to one knee, proposing to my sister, who accepted with tears of joy. The wedding suddenly had a new bride, and I became the laughingstock of everyone’s gossip. But then, Lucas Reed, Hong Kong’s golden boy, stepped in with a marriage contract, boldly proposing to me. After our wedding, Lucas showered me with affection, and I once again opened my heart. On the night of my birthday party, I pretended to be drunk and fell asleep in Lucas’s arms. As people discussed how much one could truly love another, I heard him say, “I married the sister my true love despises the most, just to clear the path for her.” Every word fell like thunder in my ears. Nestled closest to his heart, I listened as he professed his love for my sister. I felt my blood run cold, as if plunged into an icy abyss. The room fell silent for a moment before erupting into a chorus of cheers. “As expected of the golden boy! Willing to share a bed with someone he doesn’t love for the sake of his true love.” “Mr. Reed is such a romantic, silently loving Chloe for so many years, even sacrificing his own marriage.” Lucas’s voice was low but tender: “As long as Chloe can be happy, I’m willing to do anything.” His friend teased, “I heard Chloe and Samuel are getting divorced. Doesn’t that mean you can rekindle your romance soon? When are you planning to come clean about your current situation?” Lucas paused before replying coolly, “Olivia can’t live without me. We’ll deal with this slowly.” “Don’t any of you mention this in front of her. I don’t want to see her make a fuss.” Everyone agreed, not daring to upset the golden boy. Someone, emboldened by alcohol, joked, “But Mr. Reed isn’t losing out either. A movie star must be quite the treat in bed.” Lucas chuckled, his fingers absently caressing my earlobe: “Indeed, she is.” I clenched my jaw, holding back tears. I had thought Lucas was my salvation from a bottomless pit. Little did I know, he was the knife cutting the rope. Seven years of marriage had become a joke. Be it Samuel or Lucas, they all loved Chloe. No one loved me.

As the party ended, Lucas personally carried me to the car. He quietly instructed the driver, “My wife is asleep, drive carefully.” Still attentive and considerate, he even lowered his head to nuzzle me gently, his breath warm against my ear. Half-lying in his arms, memories flashed through my mind like a slideshow. Years ago, Samuel Shaw, my childhood sweetheart, suddenly backed out of our wedding. Overnight, I became the laughingstock of all of Hong Kong. That’s when Lucas appeared with a marriage contract. He said he had just inherited his company and needed a stable, suitable marriage to help him establish his position in the group. At that time, disillusioned with love, I didn’t hesitate to agree to this arranged marriage. He gave me a grand wedding that stunned all of Hong Kong, with fireworks lighting up Victoria Harbor all night long. Originally determined to lock away my heart forever, I gradually softened to his unwavering devotion over seven years, opening my heart to him. Now I realized, what I thought was a jar full of honey was actually filled with poison. Immersing myself in it would have been fatal. “Honey,” I murmured, feigning just waking up. Lucas immediately adjusted me to the most comfortable position, letting me lean on his shoulder. “Baby, you drank so much. Are you feeling unwell? I’ll make you some hangover soup when we get home.” I clung to his arm, whining softly, “I was just happy today.” My voice was as sweet as ever. It was all an act, after all. If an amateur like him could keep it up for seven years, how could I, a professional actress, not manage? Lucas was clearly pleased, kissing my forehead lightly. “I have a new project coming up, so I might not be able to visit you on set often. Take care of yourself while filming.” “I’ll arrange for meals to be sent to the set regularly, and have your assistant make sure you eat everything… If you don’t behave… I’ll have to punish you…” Lucas’s suggestive hand lightly pinched my waist. I suppressed the urge to vomit and twisted away. “Stop it, that tickles…”

Late at night, I tossed and turned, unable to sleep. I thought of the hidden safe in Lucas’s study, which I had never opened before. This time, it took me only a second to open it. Because I finally knew the password was Chloe’s birthday. Inside, contrary to my expectations, there weren’t any mementos of Lucas and Chloe. There was only one company seal. The company name on it struck me like lightning. It was a company I had no connection with, but its name was very familiar to me. Because all the movies, TV shows, and commercial projects Chloe had been involved in over the years were heavily invested in by this company. I had always been puzzled. Why did Chloe, whose acting skills were constantly criticized, have even better resources than me, a wealthy socialite? The mystery was finally solved at this moment. It was Lucas, always paving the way for her. Once, a famous director personally invited me to be the lead actress in his latest film. The script and creative team were all to my satisfaction. To prepare for this role, I cleared half a year in my schedule, worked out to build muscle, and endured a lot of hardship. I had expressed to Lucas more than once how important this project was to me. But he said, “Baby, why work so hard? Isn’t it better to stay at home and be Mrs. Reed?” However, before the film started shooting, the director, willing to pay me a hefty breach of contract fee, replaced me with Chloe as the female lead. It was this company with the mysterious legal representative that tripled the investment, snatching the role away from me for Chloe. I put the seal back in its original position and closed the safe. In the dark and silent room, my eyes were misty with tears. My phone chimed with a notification, the suddenly lit screen particularly glaring in the darkness. “Miss White, have you really thought this through?” “Yes.” It was time to exit their love triangle game.

The next morning, the company’s car came to pick me up for the set. Lucas personally saw me off, kissing the corner of my lips before I left. “Baby, take care and don’t work too hard.” I voluntarily reported my schedule for the day: “We’re shooting an explosion scene today.” Lucas paused: “Wasn’t that scheduled for next week?” “It was changed last minute. We’re changing locations in a couple of days, so this saves us from having to set up the scene again.” He hugged me again, completely oblivious to my probing: “Make sure all safety measures are in place. Be careful.” My heart sank. In the past, whenever I had to film dangerous scenes like explosions, car crashes, or wire work, Lucas would always make time to personally oversee the set. Time and again, he would check the safety measures himself to ensure my wellbeing. But now… With news of Chloe’s marital problems just out, he couldn’t even be bothered to pretend to care deeply anymore. If that’s how it is, I might as well step aside for these star-crossed lovers. During a break in filming, I spotted Lucas’s Rolls-Royce in the parking lot of the neighboring set. Remembering that Chloe was the lead actress for that production, I felt a sudden urge to see him one last time. This impulse drove me towards his car. However, only the driver and his assistant were in the car. Seeing me, they hurriedly got out, looking flustered. “Mrs. Reed, Mr. Reed went to the restroom…” But their eyes kept darting nervously towards Chloe’s trailer nearby. Understanding dawned on me. I walked up and knocked on the trailer door. It was Lucas who opened it. Behind him on the couch, Chloe’s hair was slightly disheveled, her buttons done up crookedly. Seeing me, Lucas panicked for a moment before quickly composing himself. “Olivia, I came to see you and happened to run into Chloe. We were just discussing some business.” I forced a smile: “Oh? What business do you have with my sister that you didn’t tell me about?” “Just some boring work stuff. You wouldn’t be interested,” Lucas brushed me off gently. I was about to speak when his assistant came running up with a work phone: “Mr. Reed, it’s an overseas call from our partners.” Lucas patted my head, coaxing me: “Wait for me a moment, I’ll be right back.” He took the phone and walked away. Chloe uncrossed her legs and sauntered over, looking smug: “Curious about what Lucas and I were discussing, aren’t you? Oh, Olivia, my dear little sister.” “His company is about to announce me as their new brand ambassador across all lines.” “Soon, the whole world will know that Mrs. Reed’s husband chose his wife’s rival as their spokesperson…” “Isn’t that like rubbing your face in the dirt?” “Olivia, just you wait. I’m going to take everything that belongs to you, one by one.” She flashed a bright, challenging smile. She lifted her hair, deliberately showing me the fresh kiss mark on her neck. Chloe and I are half-sisters, sharing the same father but different mothers. She was raised elsewhere until my mother passed away, and then our father brought her home. Once, I had hoped to have a good sisterly relationship with her, but she always hated me and refused to get close. “Olivia, I hate you. You and your mother stole my father, stole everything that should have been mine!” “Chloe, my mom married dad in an arranged marriage. She didn’t know he already had a pregnant girlfriend… My mom was a victim too!” “Shut up! If it weren’t for your mom, dad would have married my mother! You’d better remember, you’re not my sister!” Our father always felt he owed Chloe, and from childhood, he always told me to give in to her. Even when she publicly stole my groom at my wedding to Samuel, dad only scolded her briefly before directly changing the bride on the spot. I fell into self-doubt and even depression for a while. It was Lucas who pulled me out of that quagmire with his love and gentle care. Chloe repeatedly snatched away my resources. Lucas always advised me: “Just treat your acting career as a hobby. I’d rather you spend more time at home with me.” I felt incredibly sweet inside. Meanwhile, Chloe took on several roles I had originally been interested in, greatly increasing her national popularity. Thinking about it now, my rival in the entertainment industry wasn’t just Chloe. It was also my dear husband, who shared my bed but not my dreams. “Oh, by the way, Lucas came to give me a script. He’s investing in a new movie for me, hired the most famous director, the most luxurious creative team. We’re starting production soon.” She handed me the paper script from the table. The cover bore the title in large letters – “Redemption in the Clouds.” Flipping through a few pages, my heart began to tremble violently. On the computer at home, there was a script I had been polishing for seven whole years. It was adapted from my story with Lucas, recording the journey of our seven-year marriage, from strangers to lovers, every little detail. Now it had been handed over to Chloe as a gift from Lucas. I was about to question her when I saw Chloe flash a meaningful smile. Then she raised her hand and slapped herself hard twice on the face, messed up her own hair, and screamed loudly: “Ah—” “Olivia, what are you doing!” Lucas, who was about to step onto the trailer, rushed over at the sound. He looked panicked, not even glancing at me as he pushed me aside and rushed to Chloe, urgently asking: “Chloe, are you okay?” Chloe covered her face, her eyes brimming with tears, looking pitiful. “Lucas, I don’t know… I didn’t do anything, I just invited her in for tea, and she rushed over to hit me, calling me a slut…” Lucas looked up at me, his gaze cold and harsh in a way I had never seen before: “Olivia, I know you have hostility towards Chloe, but how could you hit her for no reason! Look at what you’ve done to her face, how is she supposed to film?” “There are paparazzi outside. If they catch wind of this, how do you plan to deal with it?” I stared straight at Lucas, my eyes red but without a single tear. I didn’t explain that I hadn’t hit Chloe. I only asked him: “Why did you give my script to Chloe?” Lucas’s eyes were cold: “What script? Didn’t I tell you not to be so utilitarian? It’s just a script, does it matter who films it? Didn’t we agree that you’d gradually step back from the entertainment industry and come home to be a wife and mother?” I turned away, my fists clenched so tightly that my nails nearly dug into my palms. All I felt was exhaustion and disappointment. Be a wife and mother? That would never happen now. Perhaps struck by the emptiness on my face, Lucas softened his tone: “Olivia, I’m sorry for losing my temper. I was just worried about the paparazzi twisting this story, which wouldn’t be good for you.” “After all, the fact that Chloe is your sister is already all over the news. You’re my wife, I don’t want people speaking ill of you.” He reached out to ruffle my hair, coaxing softly: “Go back to filming now. I’ll have lunch with you. Be good.” I nodded. Turning away, I let out a cold, mocking smile. Poor Lucas, having to juggle between two women.

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I am one of Jack Rivers’ many lovers. I handle his work affairs and shoo away those clingy women for him. People say I’m the woman who has stayed by Jack’s side the longest. He even promised to marry me. Until a car accident happened, where I was involved along with another of his lovers. After barely surviving, all I got was a bank card. “This is your payment for these years. Take the money and get lost,” he said. Only then did I realize that Jack had always seen me as nothing more than an amusing caged bird. I went to the cemetery, caressing the photo on the tombstone of a face similar to Jack’s. “Ethan, I miss you so much. I can’t go on anymore.” Jack suddenly went mad, “You’ve always just seen me as his substitute, haven’t you?” After coming out of surgery, I stayed in the ICU for seven days. When I saw Jack again, he was passionately entangled with Emily in his office. “If you treat me so well, won’t Sophia make a fuss when she wakes up?” Emily asked coyly. “What’s there to be afraid of? Even if she wakes up, she wouldn’t dare to make a fuss. She’s just a mistress after all.” I opened my eyes, unable to believe my ears. Jack’s promises had made me believe I was different from the others. My head started to throb violently, every part of my body felt like it was being corroded, every surgical incision aching. Just as I was about to turn and leave, Jack opened the door. Seeing me, he merely glanced, his eyes cold. “Finally back to work? Good, you can take care of entertaining Mr. Wilson this afternoon.” My throat tightened, “Mr. Rivers, don’t you know what kind of person Mr. Wilson is?” “If you don’t go, should I send Emily instead?” Jack looked at me with a gloomy face, full of dissatisfaction. Emily came out of the office, her collar open wide, the flush on her face telling of their recent passion. “Jack said it’s because Mr. Wilson is lecherous that he can’t bear to send me,” she said smugly. She sauntered over to me, eyeing me as if I were something contemptible. Hearing this, Jack smiled indulgently at her and picked her up. “How could I let such a treasure be tainted by others?” As he said this, he held Emily tighter. Emily laughed happily, speaking coquettishly in Jack’s arms. Looking at me again, Jack seemed to have lost all patience, his eyes filled with cruelty. “Mr. Rivers, I’m sorry. I’ll do my best to complete the task you’ve given me.” I apologized softly, tears in my eyes. However, my apology only made Jack’s expression darker. That night, Rivers Corporation held a banquet. In the past, the woman on Jack’s arm was always me. This time, he brought his favorite, Emily. I looked at the old-fashioned dress they sent me, with a heavy smell and even dirty. While Emily’s dress was clearly haute couture. Seeing me, Jack mocked, “This dress suits you well. Today’s star is Emily, so just play your role as the ugly duckling.” “Oh, and Emily can’t drink, so remember to take her drinks for her.” Emily gave me a smug smile. Jack seemed to have forgotten that I had been in a car accident trying to protect his lover. Before I could react, drinks were being handed to me one after another. I leaned against the wall, about to vomit, my body breaking out in a cold sweat. A portly man joked, “I heard Miss Lee could drink quite well. How come you can’t handle just a few drinks?” As he spoke, his hand rested on my waist. My stomach was churning, and I immediately vomited on Mr. Wilson. “Sophia Lee, how dare you vomit on Mr. Wilson! Apologize to him right now!” Emily shrieked. Jack frowned, waiting for my response. “It’s alright, it’s alright. How about this, Miss Lee, why don’t you help me change clothes? Then you can properly apologize to me?” Mr. Wilson suggested with a leer. Clutching my burning stomach, I looked towards Jack. Emily in his arms watched me with amusement, while Jack’s face remained expressionless. “Alright, Mr. Wilson.” Hearing this, Jack crushed the wine glass in his hand. Blood oozed out, frightening Emily, who cried while fussing over Jack. Jack left with a cold face, each step filled with anger. Mr. Wilson extended his hand to me, and I placed my hand in his palm. “I’ll do whatever you want, as long as you’re happy.” As soon as I finished speaking, everything before me seemed to sway, my vision gradually blurring. I fainted on the spot.

When I regained consciousness, I was in a storage room. A cleaner told me that everyone had been scared away by my fainting. I curved my lips into a self-mocking smile. Even if I had fainted, no one would care whether I lived or died. Checking the time, I slowly got up and called a cab to head back to the Rivers’ mansion. Leaning against the car window, the uncomfortable pain tugged at me, and my tears fell in large drops. “Ethan, I miss you so much.” When I returned to the mansion, Jack was holding Emily, drinking from intertwined glasses. He slowly looked at me after hearing the noise, “Back so soon? Did you take good care of Mr. Wilson?” I remained silent. If he had stayed a moment longer, he might have seen what happened. Never mind, he wouldn’t care about me anyway. “Since you couldn’t serve Mr. Wilson well, then kneel down and clean everything inside and out.” Jack’s cold voice came, and a rag was thrown mercilessly at my feet. I crouched down, picked up the rag, and started scrubbing the floor on my knees. Just as I was about to faint again from the darkness before my eyes, Jack instinctively moved forward. Emily’s mocking voice came, “Jack, look at her. Mr. Wilson wasn’t satisfied, but she seems very pleased. She’s so cheap.” Jack paused in place, his hand suspended in mid-air, then withdrew with a look of disgust. I started gasping for breath, my head throbbing violently. Biting my lower lip hard, I barely managed to stand up. But Emily hooked Jack’s arm, “Jack, I want to eat brownies. Can you make her bake some for me?” “Get to it, now!” Jack roared at me, his eyes full of undisguised disgust. I dragged my body step by step to the kitchen, enduring excruciating pain while preparing the elaborate brownie cake for her. When I brought the brownies to the table, Jack directly knocked over the plate. “What the hell is this? Even a dog wouldn’t eat this crap.” As he spoke, the pastry chef Jack had called arrived with the finest ingredients. Jack paid attention to Emily’s every need, even hiring several pastry chefs. I stood frozen in place, unable to move. “Seeing me treat Emily so well, how does it feel? Like a knife to your heart?” Jack smirked, his eyes scanning my entire body. I calmly replied, “It’s my fault for not doing well. I’m sorry.” I apologized again, but it only brought displeasure to Jack’s eyes. “So you admit you’re jealous of how I treat Emily, right?” “I’m going to marry her. You’ve been by my side for so many years and got nothing. You must feel very disappointed, right?” His tone was urgent, needing my confirmation. I turned my head away, answering carelessly, “Jack, seeing you happy makes me happy.” I didn’t dare say that this was Ethan’s wish. So it was also my wish. Hearing this, Jack’s eyes reddened, and he punched the wall behind me. His eyes were filled with anger and restraint, but more than that, unwillingness. “Jack, the pastry chef you hired for me made such delicious cakes, you should try some too.” Emily came out of the kitchen, feeding a bite of cake to his lips. Jack mechanically opened his mouth, while Emily persuaded him not to be angry because of me. Jack’s gaze moved away from me, and he remained silent for a long time. Emily froze, then shot me a vicious glare. The next day, a post suddenly appeared in the company group chat. It vividly described, with text and pictures, the news of me spending the night with Mr. Wilson. Colleagues also started discussing boldly in the group. [Sophia Lee has been with Mr. Rivers for so many years, and suddenly she’s willing to be with an old man. Has she been abandoned by Mr. Rivers?] [Is she still in the company because she’s clinging to Mr. Rivers? How cheap.] [To be honest, with Sophia Lee’s dead fish face, of course she can’t compare to Emily’s goddess face. It’s normal for Mr. Rivers to fall for someone else.] Seeing this, I turned off my phone. I took a painkiller and took a cab to the company. Placing my resignation letter on Jack’s desk, I suddenly felt as if struck by lightning, frozen in place. Why choose Lakeside City to hold the wedding? That day, Ethan left us forever there. And his tombstone was also in Lakeside City.

“I was thinking of sending you an invitation, but I didn’t expect you to have already seen it.” Jack’s voice came from behind me, and I turned to look at him with tears in my eyes. Jack was clearly dissatisfied with my current expression, frowning as he looked at me. “It’s just asking you to take care of Emily in Lakeside City, why are you putting on such a disgusting face again?” I lowered my head and bit my lower lip. Jack was about to say something more, but hearing my sobs, he slowly closed the door. “What are you crying about?” His tone was unusually gentle. “Don’t cry. If you don’t want to do this, I won’t force you.” He looked at me helplessly, with a hint of concern in his eyes. In the years I’ve been by Jack’s side, I’ve driven away many women for him. No matter what happened, I never shed a tear. But I couldn’t accept Jack marrying someone else in Lakeside City. That place held my memories with Ethan, and it was also the pain in my heart. Coming to my senses, I raised my head and asked Jack, “Can I leave after the wedding is over?” Jack’s breathing slowed, and he looked at me like a trapped beast. “You want to leave that badly?” I nodded, pointing to the wedding date on the invitation, confirming with Jack. As long as Jack got married, my mission would be complete. Returning home, I started packing my things and headed straight for Lakeside City. I carried several suitcases, following behind Jack and Emily. Jack suddenly turned back to look at me, “Didn’t you go to college in Lakeside City? If there’s anyone you want to visit, feel free.” His tone was like he was granting me a great favor. But he forgot, I wasn’t close to anyone. Except for Ethan. But he was already dead. I returned to my room in silence, falling asleep with tears in my eyes. Early the next morning, I heard the voices of Jack’s close friends. “Sophia Lee is still following you, Mr. Rivers. Your charm is quite something.” “What are you talking about? It’s just because Sophia Lee is a lapdog.” They joked, and Jack didn’t refute. I got up and opened the door, coming out of the room, pretending not to see anyone. Jack squinted at me, slowly exhaling a smoke ring. “Seeing people and not greeting them? Where are your manners?” I greeted everyone according to Jack’s request, and he finally showed a satisfied smile. “Jack, you’ve really trained Sophia Lee well.” “She can’t leave me,” he said with certainty. Yes, I had given Jack so many years, given him my all. I didn’t even care about my own life. I lowered my eyes, and when I was about to leave, Jack suddenly grabbed my hand. The wound felt like it was tearing open again, and I cried out in pain. Jack was startled and suddenly withdrew his hand. “Mr. Wilson can touch you, but you’re so repulsed when I touch you?” He gritted his teeth, this time not even willing to show a look of disgust. Looking at his eyes, I fell into confusion. Didn’t he know that my injuries were from the car accident? But wasn’t it him who told the doctors to save Emily first?

The scene became awkward, and Jack’s group of friends shooed me away. I hadn’t walked a few steps before their voices came again. “Jack, what’s so interesting about this woman? Just give her some money and send her away.” “Don’t give her too much. She’s been used by old men, she’s not worth the price.” I walked expressionlessly in front of them, and Jack’s loud voice came: “You’re right. A woman like her who’s been used by old men is worthless.” The wedding proceeded as scheduled. On the beach of Lakeside City, even the sea breeze seemed to bring blessings for their love. The ground was covered with roses and red carpets, and the air seemed filled with sweetness. On the stage, Jack and Emily were exchanging rings. My hand unconsciously went to my wrist. Ethan, I’ve fulfilled your wish for you. The smile on my face could no longer be suppressed, and my eyes became bright. But Jack froze on the stage, his face gloomy. He was wondering why I was smiling, and at the same time, he panicked. Seeing the light in my eyes, Jack felt something indescribable in his heart. Jack hesitated to put the ring on Emily’s finger. She turned her head and looked at me. Understanding what had happened, Emily could no longer bear it. She threw the bouquet on the ground, “Sophia Lee, today is my wedding day. How dare you still try to seduce Jack? Can’t you live without a man?” People in the audience started discussing, blaming me for being inappropriate. Emily called security to drive me out of the wedding venue. I hadn’t walked two steps when I realized my bracelet seemed to have fallen on the ground. I struggled free and crawled on the ground, searching. Jack frowned, but Emily suddenly rushed down from the stage, holding up my bracelet. “Are you looking for this?” I carefully begged her, “Please give it back to me.” “If that’s the case, then kneel down and beg me. If you kowtow and admit your mistake, I’ll give it back to you.” I knelt down without hesitation, and Emily smiled triumphantly. She played with the bracelet, not understanding why I could be so shameless for this thing. This was Ethan’s keepsake. I begged her again, but Emily turned towards the sea and threw the bracelet into it. “Since you’re leaving anyway, don’t think about taking anything Jack bought, including this bracelet.” Before she finished speaking, I had already jumped into the sea. I couldn’t lose this bracelet; it was Ethan’s keepsake. Focused only on retrieving the bracelet, I completely forgot that I couldn’t swim. I struggled in the water, and Jack had someone drag me back to shore. I tried to dive back into the sea, but the security guard grabbed my hand, reopening my wounds. The seawater turned red with my blood, and I lost all support, crying helplessly. I couldn’t find the bracelet. I was going to lose Ethan. In a daze, I came to Ethan’s grave. I hugged the tombstone, crying loudly. “Ethan, I miss you so much.” “I’ve fulfilled your wish for you. Can I come to you now? Let’s never be apart again.” A pair of large hands pulled me away from Ethan’s tombstone. Jack’s cold face and bloodshot eyes suddenly appeared before me. He asked, enunciating each word, “Sophia Lee, in your heart, am I not even as good as a dead man?”

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I thought I had found my light in the darkness, but it turned out to be just another illusion. On the day of my daughter’s one-month celebration, James’ adopted sister Amy set fire to the nursery. I rushed into the inferno, suffering severe burns all over my body, but my little Daisy still died from respiratory failure. My husband Zack wasn’t even sad. Instead, he helped Amy destroy all the evidence and locked me up at home. In my despair, Zack’s older brother James broke down the door to rescue me and held a grand funeral for my daughter. At Daisy’s graveside, James solemnly proposed to me. I accepted. For three years after our marriage, James took care of me in every way. No matter how busy he was, he always personally accompanied me to therapy sessions. Until one day, I woke up early from hypnosis and overheard his conversation with the therapist. “Sir, your wife’s memories of her daughter’s death are too deeply ingrained. If we continue with hypnosis, she might become confused and end up mentally impaired!” “I don’t care if Lily becomes an idiot. You just need to make her forget that Amy is the one who killed her daughter. That’s the only way Amy and my brother’s wedding can go perfectly.” “Once Lily loses her memory, I’ll give her another child to make up for it.” Tears silently rolled down my face. So all that attentive care I thought I was receiving was just his way of deceiving me. Making my daughter’s killer happy was his life’s goal. If that’s the case, I’ll just leave.

Outside the treatment room, James’ voice was unusually cold: “I don’t care what risks the new method has. You just need to make Lily completely forget that her daughter was burned to death.” “Otherwise, when she finds out Amy and Zack are getting married, she’ll definitely cause a scene at the wedding.” “What happened back then was our family’s fault, but I’ve already given myself to her as compensation. Making her lose a few memories is nothing.” The therapist still hesitated: “The technology for hypnotic amnesia is still immature. I’ve been trying for three years, but your wife’s memories of her daughter’s death are too deeply ingrained. If we forcibly use the new method, she’ll become confused and end up with dementia.” “You have other ways to keep this from her. You could take her abroad to avoid Miss Amy’s wedding.” James irritably interrupted: “No way. Amy wants her wedding to be perfect. Who else but me, her big brother, can walk her down the aisle and give her away?” “You’ve taken my money, so just do what I tell you. Don’t meddle in other affairs.” “At worst, after Amy’s wedding is over, I’ll give Lily another child to make up for it.” The therapist sighed: “Alright, but sir, I must warn you that the human brain is very delicate. I can’t guarantee your wife will never recover her memories.” “When she learns the truth, she’ll definitely hate you for the rest of her life!” “Let her hate me then. By that time, with a child, she’ll be obedient.” James sighed: “If she really wants to make a fuss, I’ll just take her and the child abroad.” “As long as Amy can be happy, even if I never come back to see her again, I’m willing.” My head was buzzing, tears falling silently. Footsteps approached outside. I quickly closed my eyes. “Lily? Lily? The treatment is over. Why are you crying?” In three years of marriage, James had accompanied me to countless therapy sessions. He’d come so many times that he even learned how to wake someone from hypnosis. Looking at James’ same gentle expression as always, I dug my nails into my palms: “I don’t know why, but I feel very sad, like I’ve lost something.” James immediately called the therapist over excitedly: “Come check quickly, has the treatment worked?” The therapist came forward to ask what I saw in my dreams. I touched the burn scars on my arm: “I kept dreaming I was surrounded by fire. When did that happen? How did I get this scar?” James hugged me sympathetically: “Lily, the fire was a long time ago. You almost lost your life then. After leaving the hospital, you had nightmares every night and couldn’t get over the psychological trauma.” “Now that the hypnotherapy has finally worked, you’ll get better and better. If you don’t like the scars on your body, we can go for scar removal surgery.” “If it can’t be treated domestically, we’ll go abroad. I’ll accompany you wherever we need to go for your recovery.” I nodded at James’ gentle smile. The therapist asked a few more detailed questions and gave James an affirmative look. James’ lips curled up, and he asked casually: “Lily, Amy is marrying Zack next week. They’ve invited us to the wedding.” “I know she used to give you a hard time because she liked Zack. She was spoiled, but I’ve scolded her for it. Are you willing to go with me?” “It’s fine. Even though it was an arranged marriage, it’s normal for Amy to be unhappy that I married the man she liked.” James hugged me emotionally: “Lily, I’m so lucky to have such an understanding wife.” I closed my eyes, suppressing the trembling of my body: “Let’s go home.” James quickly packed up my things and led me downstairs. Before James could open the passenger door, I spoke up first: “I’m a bit tired. I want to sleep in the back.” So James busied himself arranging pillows and blankets for me in the back seat. As the car started moving, I hid in the shadows, crying nonstop. So my initial approach that I saw as salvation was all an act James put on to help Amy clear obstacles. The attentive accompaniment to therapy sessions over the years was just to make me lose my memory so his dear sister could have a perfect wedding. I had always thought James was the only light I grasped in the darkness. If I hadn’t accidentally woken up this time and heard their plan, pretending to lose my memory… I probably would have forgotten everything about my daughter and become a puppet for them to manipulate. James has been too good an actor these years. So much so that I forgot he’s also part of the Potter family.

My marriage to Zack was arranged for business purposes, with no feelings between us. But because my mother-in-law kept pressuring us to have children, I got pregnant soon after the wedding. Having never felt much family warmth from my own parents, I was really looking forward to this child. After ten months of pregnancy, all the physical discomfort and pain of childbirth dissipated the moment I saw my daughter. Even Zack’s eyes held a hint of tenderness when he saw our tiny daughter. During that time, Zack and I were just like all new parents, clumsily but happily taking care of our daughter. I thought our days would continue peacefully like this. But on the night of our daughter’s one-month celebration, I got up to check on her. I found James’ adopted sister Amy standing in front of the nursery, which was engulfed in flames, smugly locking the door. I frantically rushed over to snatch the key from her hand, desperately rescuing my daughter from the fire despite the danger. Seeing Zack hurriedly running over with the servants, I finally collapsed in his arms, too weak from my injuries. When I woke up again, I heard from Zack that our daughter had died from respiratory failure after inhaling too much smoke. Unable to bear the devastating news, my burns worsened and I was rushed to surgery. But Zack, who had heard from me that Amy was the arsonist who burned our daughter to death, took advantage of my emergency surgery to clean up all the surveillance footage and fingerprints from that night. As soon as I regained consciousness after surgery, I immediately called the police to report Amy for deliberate arson and murder. The police searched the scene multiple times but regretfully informed me there was no substantial evidence, so my accusation couldn’t stand. Zack tied me to the bed with restraints, his tone full of threats: “Enough, Lily. The fire was just an accident, it had nothing to do with Amy. You can call the police a hundred times, it’s useless.” “Be a good girl. We can have more children in the future.” Zack confiscated all my means of communication and confined me at home. He even had my own parents come to persuade me to give in. That couple looked at me struggling desperately to the point of reopening my wounds, as coldly as if looking at a stranger: “We arranged for you to marry into the Potter family to maintain our company’s partnership with them.” “It was just a child who couldn’t even talk yet. Who told you to make such a big fuss?” “Zack has already promised to have another heir with you. You better know when to stop.” Seeing how the two of them looked down on me condescendingly, I completely broke down: “My daughter died for no reason! I want Amy to pay the price – how is that making a fuss?” “Zack clearly knows as well as I do that Amy set the fire, but he wants to cover for Amy and let my daughter die in vain!” My mom scoffed coldly: “So what if Zack saw Amy start the fire with his own eyes? My dear daughter, don’t be naive.” “He won’t allow a murder scandal in his family. If you were smart, you’d turn a blind eye to his and Amy’s affairs from now on.” My parents left, abandoning me to complete despair, betrayed by both my husband and parents. At that time, it was James, Zack’s older brother, who defied everyone’s opposition, Cut through the restraints and rescued me from the room full of surveillance cameras. With eyes full of sympathy, he took me to get treatment for my injuries. After I woke up, he offered several prime burial plots, letting me personally choose a feng shui treasure land for my daughter to rest. My daughter’s funeral, which had been suppressed by the Potter family, was held grandly with James’ help. Touching the words “Daisy, daughter of Lily Evans” engraved on the tombstone, I cried to the point of collapse. James supported me and took out divorce papers: “Lily, I’ve negotiated with Zack for you. Once you sign this, you’ll have no more connection to him.” “From now on, Daisy will be only your child.” It wasn’t until after the divorce cooling-off period that I learned Zack was willing to sign the divorce papers because James had given up half of his shares. On the day I received the divorce certificate, James gave me a large bouquet of bright sunflowers and knelt on one knee with a diamond ring: “Lily, your new life is beginning. Will you give me a chance to be your support?” Maybe it was because the sunlight that day was too beautiful, or James’ gaze was too sincere and passionate. I accepted his pursuit. After marrying James, I felt the warmth of home I had always dreamed of. Although I still couldn’t get over the grief of my daughter’s tragic death, With his companionship, I no longer resisted therapy and even started to actively engage in it. Even though it took a lot of effort to digest the psychological knowledge and work on self-healing. Even though each hypnosis session would make me dream of the nursery engulfed in flames that night. But now I’m told that James’ initial approach to me Was to help Amy get Zack, to remove me as an obstacle. He said he had already given himself to me as compensation, and would give me another child in the future. But James, I don’t need your cheap and hypocritical compensation.

After returning home, I maintained my usual demeanor, eating, washing up, and resting with James. Until I heard his breathing become steady, I gently pulled his hand off my waist. I got out of bed and went straight to the computer in his study. But after searching every corner of James’ computer, I couldn’t find any valuable information. I did see a folder labeled “Amy” though. Inside were photos and videos of Amy from childhood to adulthood. James had carefully labeled the time and place for each photo. In the three years of our marriage, he was still meticulously recording Amy’s every smile. Suppressing the nausea in my heart, I closed the folder and continued searching desperately. My mouse accidentally clicked on a foreign social media platform I didn’t recognize. James’ account was still logged in. After scrolling through all his chat logs and records, I finally found a clue in a transfer record from three years ago. The recipient was a hacker. James hired him to delete the online backup of the surveillance footage from the night Amy set the fire. Tears fell drop by drop. I urgently typed: “Can you recover the online backup you deleted three years ago?” The hacker quickly replied: “Didn’t you say to destroy it completely? I didn’t keep any traces on my end either.” Seeing this, my heart was already numb with pain. I brushed off the hacker, cleared the chat history, and shut down the computer. I picked up my phone and dialed a number: “Hello, I’d like to book a fake death service for seven days from now.” I didn’t sleep all night. The next morning, James saw my swollen eyes and looked very concerned: “Lily, did you cry again in your dreams?” “I must have. Did I used to do this often?” James wrapped an ice pack in a towel and held it to my eyes: “Yes, you often had nightmares. We have a family dinner today. When we have time, I’ll take you to see the therapist again.” Hearing the words “family dinner”, I took down the ice pack and looked up at James. He explained gently but firmly: “Amy is getting married next week. As her family, we should help out in some way, don’t you think?” I smiled: “Of course we should.” James got the answer he wanted and stood up with the ice pack: “Then I’ll go to the office first and pick you up in the evening.” As soon as James left, I went to the cemetery where my daughter was buried. Carefully wiping the dust off the tombstone, I apologized to my daughter in a low voice: “Baby, I’m sorry you’ve been sleeping in this place arranged by the Potters for so long.” “Mommy has figured out a way to take you away.”

When I got home, James followed me in shortly after. Seeing the mud from the cemetery on the soles of my shoes, he looked puzzled: “Lily, where did you go?” I calmly took off my shoes and handed them to the housekeeper: “I went out for a walk. It was crowded and I accidentally stepped in some landscaping.” James didn’t think much of it and urged me to change shoes so we could go to the family dinner. By the time James and I arrived, all the Potters were already there. Amy bounced over, rudely shoving me aside with a disgusted pout: “James! You finally came back, why did you bring her?” My waist slammed hard into the shoe cabinet, making me break out in a cold sweat from the pain. Amy looked at my exposed wrist with revulsion: “Her skin looks like it has bugs crawling on it. If I were her, I’d rather scrape off my skin than come out and disgust people.” James’ eyes were full of indulgence: “You’re still so childish even at this age. Lily, don’t take offense.” Childish? What kind of child tries to kill a baby less than a month old? I suppressed my hatred and smiled: “It’s fine. Let’s go in quickly.” James was very pleased with my docile demeanor. As soon as we sat down, my mother-in-law started mocking me coldly: “Bad luck charm, making us wait for you to eat when we invited you home for dinner!” My mother-in-law had always been very dissatisfied that James gave up shares to get my divorce agreement. Not to mention that James had a falling out with the family to marry me and hadn’t come back to see her in three years. Amy’s eyes flashed with glee: “Mom, my sister-in-law is the apple of James’ eye. You shouldn’t talk like that or he’ll be upset.” My mother-in-law’s expression grew even more unpleasant. James glanced at me, still staring intently at Amy as he spoke: “What do you mean ‘apple of my eye’? Don’t say such nonsense.” Seeing how nervous and concerned he was about Amy, My eyes couldn’t help but sting. Such an obvious thing, yet it took me three years to realize. Fortunately, I woke up in time that day and didn’t let his plan succeed. Just seven more days. Then I can leave completely, taking my Daisy with me. After dinner, the Potters gathered to discuss next week’s wedding details. I sat alone to the side, typing with lowered eyes: “One more thing, before the plan starts, help me go to the cemetery.” “Don’t let anyone find out.” I got up midway to use the restroom and ran into Amy on my way out. Disgust flashed across her face, but she grabbed my arm as I was about to move aside. “Sister-in-law, come help me see how the nursery I prepared looks.” With that, she dragged me upstairs. The room that had once been burned black was now completely renovated. It was filled with warm baby items. Amy smiled maliciously and smugly: “Sister-in-law, what do you think of this nursery?” I froze in place. Desperately telling myself to endure. If James found out the hypnosis didn’t work, I would be in an even more dangerous situation than when I was imprisoned and monitored back then. But Amy wouldn’t let me go. She pulled up my sleeve. Lightly tracing my scars with a fruit knife she had grabbed, “I heard from James that after seeing the therapist, sister-in-law doesn’t really remember how she got burned.” “If you ask me, sister-in-law’s mental illness is really scary. Back then, you tried to commit suicide by setting fire to this room in the middle of the night. You almost burned our whole family to death.” I looked at Amy in disbelief. I tried to commit suicide? How dare she turn things around like this? Seeing the anger in my eyes, Amy viciously cut off a piece of skin from my arm: “What are you glaring at? I finally got you to divorce Zack, but then you turned around and married my brother with this disgusting skin.” “You think my brother likes you that much? He told me that every night he sleeps next to you, he feels like vomiting.” I trembled in pain: “You psycho! Murderer!” Amy laughed coldly and cruelly, raising the knife for another cut: “You’re right to curse me. I’ve wanted to have someone kill you for a long time, just like I killed that little bastard you gave birth to.”

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I was deaf, and my husband never avoided discussing matters in front of me. But I never imagined that he wouldn’t even bother to hide when trying out new toys with someone else. On the day my hearing was restored, I happily pushed open the front door, only to hear his female assistant asking in a soft voice: “Ryan, is it me that excites you, or that deaf woman?” In the heat of passion, the man called out the assistant’s name deeply. “So when are you going to divorce her? I’m the one who loves you the most.” Ryan Collins hesitated for a moment before saying: “Give me some more time. She’s been with me for over a decade and lost her hearing because of me. Although I no longer have romantic feelings for her, I still can’t let her go just yet.” I sat in the cold wind for a long time before sending a message to my former mentor, who had expelled me from his tutelage. “I’m willing to abide by the rules and cut off all emotional ties. Please let me come back.” After sending the message, I thought they would finish. But when I returned home with my emotions in check, the two were still going at it. The room was filled with an indescribable odor, and I quickly opened the window to let in some fresh air. Ryan seemed to sense something was amiss. “Did someone just come in? Could it be Aria?” “What are you afraid of? She can’t hear anyway.” “If Aria’s been waiting outside for too long, she might get suspicious. We absolutely can’t let her find out about this. Besides, it’s so cold outside, and her health isn’t good…” Amber, dissatisfied with the man’s distraction, silenced him with a kiss. The sound of their lips smacking together could be heard. “But Ryan, don’t you find this exciting? No matter how wild we get, she can’t hear us. Just thinking about that deaf woman waiting outside gets me all worked up.” Ryan stopped talking, and the noises from the room grew louder. Until a few minutes later when they gradually subsided. The bedroom door opened briefly before slamming shut again. Ryan quickly emerged from the room, putting on a gentle smile as he used sign language to ask me: “Aria, why are you here? I was so focused on painting a crucial part that I didn’t hear you knock.” After I lost my hearing, many of my former friends chose to communicate with me through text messages. Only Ryan didn’t mind the trouble and immediately signed up for sign language classes. He said: “Texting would make Aria feel lonely. By using sign language, I can let her know my thoughts immediately. A little effort is nothing for Aria’s sake.” But now, what was once proof of our happiness had become a tool to deceive and hurt me. The man’s face was flushed with satisfaction, a mixture of musk and perfume wafting from him, clearly an attempt to cover something up. Memories suddenly flooded back. During the time I had lost my hearing, I had smelled this scent many times, but each time Ryan had brushed it off as the smell of paint from his studio. If I hadn’t accidentally regained my hearing, how much longer would Ryan have continued to deceive me? I maintained a calm expression, though my nails were nearly digging into my palms. “It’s nothing, I just wanted to come see you.” “Ryan, you were amazing. I’m already hungry again after that candlelit dinner. I’m craving those little dumplings from South Street.” Amber’s voice came from inside the room. Ryan’s expression softened for a moment before he turned to me and signed: “I’m hungry. Could you go to South Street and buy some dumplings? I can’t continue creating without eating those.” I nodded. As soon as I turned around, Ryan no longer held back, joking with the woman inside. “You really should eat up. How else will you keep up with me in the future?” Amber’s tone was contemptuous. “What’s there to be afraid of? Even if I pass out in bed, isn’t there someone to run errands and buy medicine? Would she dare refuse anything you ask?” At that moment, I could no longer hold back my sorrow and began to cry. Ryan didn’t notice, only watching as I disappeared down the hallway step by step. I bought some dumplings from a street vendor. Just as I was wondering what to do with the rest of my time, a phone call came in. “Aria, my girl, you’ve finally come to your senses?” A familiar and kindly voice came through the phone, and I could no longer hold back the bitterness and sorrow in my heart. “Master, I want to come home.” “Then do you understand that to study music composition under me, the rule is to cut off all romantic entanglements? Only by eliminating the distraction of love between men and women can you quiet your mind and truly comprehend the essence of music theory.” Looking at the steaming dumplings in my hand, I answered without hesitation. “I understand. I studied with you for so long, yet I left everything behind for a man. I was out of my mind then. Now, I want to restart my dream.” “Good. I’ll be waiting for you at the foot of the mountain in seven days. For three years, you are not to leave the mountain until you’ve completed all your studies.”

When I returned home, the room had already been tidied up by Ryan. Buying dumplings was just an excuse to get me out of the house. “Why did you take so long? It’s all my fault. I knew your ears weren’t good, yet I still sent you to buy dumplings. If you got hurt or sick, even ten of me couldn’t make up for it.” Ryan came up to me, looking slightly apologetic. A notification sound came from his phone, and he opened it without trying to hide anything from me. “I’m heading back now. I wouldn’t eat something so fattening while I’m trying to maintain my figure. Leave the dumplings for that scrawny cripple to eat.” The man turned around and sent back a voice message, his tone full of affection. “That’s right, you’ve got curves in all the right places. Keep it up, it’ll all be to my benefit in the end. Next time I’ll take you to that new Western restaurant that just opened.” This was the man I had loved for so many years. One moment he was showing concern for me, the next he was flirting shamelessly with another woman. Amber was a freelance model at Ryan’s studio. He once whispered in my ear with disdain: “If we weren’t short on models, I wouldn’t even look at such a loose woman.” But now that he had achieved fame and fortune, instead of replacing her, he had ended up in bed with the woman he once looked down upon. “Let’s split the dumplings, just like we used to.” Ryan gestured to me, turning to fetch two small bowls from the kitchen. He placed them on the table and began carefully spooning out the dumplings. His expression was focused, as if he were performing some sacred ritual. Meeting the man’s tender gaze, I felt a pang in my heart. When Ryan wasn’t famous yet, we often ate at this dumpling shop. When money was tight, we’d share a bowl. Although it was barely enough to satisfy our hunger, we were happy. The freshly made dumplings were soft and delicious, steaming hot. But now, the dumpling skins had gone soggy, the filling of fresh meat and shrimp had leaked out, and a layer of congealing oil floated on top of the soup. A wave of nausea suddenly hit me. “Aria, what’s wrong?” I pushed away the worried-looking Ryan and ran straight to the bathroom. As I vomited, a terrifying thought crossed my mind. While Ryan was having an affair with Amber, he hadn’t neglected his marital duties with me either. We both wanted a child, so we hadn’t used any protection. I took a pregnancy test, and sure enough, I was pregnant. The bathroom door was kicked open with a bang. “Aria, am I going to be a father? I’m going to be a father!” When Ryan saw what I was holding, the anxiety on his face turned to excitement. He gestured wildly: “When you pushed me away earlier, I suddenly felt so scared. Now I realize it was the baby giving us a sign!” I pressed my lips together, my heart filled with sorrow. Ryan carried me back to bed and tucked me in. “You’re a mother-to-be now, get some rest.” He then turned to answer his phone, which had been ringing non-stop. “What is it?” “Ryan, I’m pregnant! The baby survived even though you were so rough today. This must be a smart and healthy child!” “What did you say?!” “You didn’t use protection, doesn’t that mean you were hoping for this baby too? Let’s get married, okay?” Ryan looked back nervously, but seeing my calm expression, he breathed a sigh of relief. “I meant for you to take the morning-after pill. Never mind, keep the baby. I’ll provide for it, but don’t expect anything else.” “But this is my first time being a mother too. I’m so scared. Don’t be so harsh with me. Can you come over?” Seemingly realizing his tone had been too harsh, the man’s expression softened. “Alright, be a good girl and wait for me.” After hanging up, Ryan kissed me on the cheek and signed: “There’s a problem at the studio. I need to go out for a bit.” The model is pregnant, how is that not a studio problem? As the door slammed shut, I could no longer hide the disgust on my face. The two of them had just been writhing together on this bed. Even though it had been cleaned, there still seemed to be a lingering smell of musk. I got up and walked to the guest room. Did Ryan think he could have one wife at home and keep a mistress outside, enjoying the pleasures of multiple partners? He’s dreaming! I won’t keep the baby. And I don’t want him either.

To avoid suspicion, I went to the hospital for my routine check-up the next day as usual. Ryan arrived early, with Amber by his side. Noticing my gaze, he smiled and signed: “Amber is an employee at my studio, remember? She’s not feeling well, so I brought her along for a check-up today.” The woman wore a tight red dress that accentuated her curves, a stark contrast to my style. She gave me a somewhat challenging look. “The baby in my tummy isn’t feeling well, so hubby brought me for a check-up.” Ryan quickly warned her: “This is a hospital, behave yourself.” Amber giggled and stroked the man’s chest where others couldn’t see. “So does that mean I can misbehave at home? Ryan, let’s try the balcony tonight.” Ignoring the conversation between the two, I walked straight into the room and lay down on the examination bed as usual. Everything proceeded as normal until the doctor spoke up. “As per your instructions, I’ve been replacing the hearing recovery medication with vitamins. But Ms. Wells’ ears can’t be neglected for too long. If we don’t start the final treatment soon, I’m afraid she might never hear again.” Ryan frowned in thought, while Amber snapped at the doctor: “You’re just a doctor, why are you meddling? Just take the money we pay you and mind your own business!” Then she turned to Ryan and whined: “Ryan, can we wait a bit longer? It’s so much more fun and exciting when she can’t hear us.” “So what if she stays deaf? It’s not like it’ll kill her.” The doctor continued to persuade: “I can see that Ms. Wells really wants to recover quickly. During her previous treatments, she even told me that composing music was her lifelong dream. Mr. Collins, please consider…” The man’s expression was conflicted, but in the end, the scales tipped in Amber’s favor. “Let’s wait a while longer. Things are fine as they are now. I’ll take you to check on the baby first.” He then warned the doctor: “I don’t want to hear any more unnecessary comments from you next time. I’m paying you good money to be here. How and when to treat this condition is my decision. Know your place.” The doctor could only agree reluctantly. The two left the room. I lay on the examination bed, feeling as if I were in a cold hell, my whole body trembling uncontrollably. No wonder my hearing hadn’t improved despite it being just concussion-induced deafness. It turns out my ears could have been cured. But Ryan deliberately switched my medication to make it easier for him to carry on his affair with Amber! He didn’t know that my hearing had already recovered, and I had recorded all the evidence on my phone these past few days. Back then, I loved Ryan so much that I was willing to give up my dreams for him, even risking never hearing again to ensure his safety. But now, he doesn’t deserve any of it. I didn’t hesitate any longer and went straight to the gynecology department. “Doctor, please help me terminate the pregnancy.” With anesthesia, the process wasn’t painful. But it felt like a hole had been carved out of my heart, aching unbearably.

Ryan didn’t come home that night. Early the next morning, he woke me up, his face flushed, carrying a bag of breakfast. “Aria, I’m taking you out today. Eat something first to line your stomach.” Baguette, bacon, coffee – all things Amber loved to eat. I gave him a cold look. “I’m intolerant to coffee. It makes me dizzy when I drink it.” Ryan’s face showed a flash of embarrassment before he quickly covered it up. “These foods are healthier than the steamed buns you like. Eating more of this is good for the baby during pregnancy.” Good for the baby? Unfortunately, this child had already left this world forever. I nodded. There was no point in arguing with him anymore since I was about to leave anyway. Ryan took me to a wheat field. This was where we first met. I had snuck down from the mountain, disobeying my mentor to find inspiration for composing. Ryan had come here with his easel to sketch the scenery. The moment our eyes met, my heart began to race, and a thousand fireworks exploded in my mind. After we got together, nourished by love, I created many acclaimed musical pieces for a time. Ryan once said: “Aria, you’re my muse. Just looking at you fills my mind with endless inspiration.” It was so beautiful back then. But now, I hadn’t composed anything in six months. And Ryan had started to frequently mess around with Amber to get greater stimulation and inspiration. The wheat field was beautiful, but Amber was standing in it. She was dressed particularly formally, in a shimmering gold gown that complemented the golden wheat. “Amber is not only a model for my studio now, but also my personal assistant,” Ryan signed to me. We spent the whole day together, with Amber following us the entire time. Until it was completely dark. I heard Amber shouting: “Three, two, one!” In an instant, fireworks burst into the sky, illuminating the entire night, gradually forming four large words – MARRY ME. Ryan’s eyes were shining as he knelt before me on one knee, holding out a red velvet box with a ring inside. “Marry me. I’ll be good to you and our baby for the rest of my life.” I once told Ryan that instead of man-made fireworks, I wanted him to propose to me in a field of peach blossoms. Who really likes these showy fireworks? It must be Amber, who was squealing with delight behind us. “It’s so beautiful! I love it!” “Ryan, I do! I do want to marry you!” Ryan’s proposal vows didn’t specify a name, so the person he was proposing to could be me or Amber standing behind us. “I don’t,” I said softly, my voice quickly drowned out by Amber’s screams. Ryan suddenly stood up, his eyes red, and hugged me tightly, as if a wanderer had finally found a home to return to. But behind my ear came the sound of heavy breathing. It was Ryan kissing Amber. He was hugging me, but his heart was elsewhere. “Ryan, let’s do it in the wheat field tonight. I love it here so much.” “Don’t be silly, Aria is still here. What if she finds out?” The first thing Ryan thought of wasn’t guilt, but fear of me discovering them. “There’s a B&B next door. Just send her there. It’ll be so exciting to do it with the baby, out in the open! You enjoyed it yesterday too, didn’t you?” Ryan’s breathing became ragged, and he quickly agreed. After driving me to the B&B, he didn’t even notice anything wrong with my expression. He made up a quick excuse and left with Amber. With trembling hands, I opened the surveillance app on my phone and watched as the two of them clung to each other inseparably. It wasn’t until the early hours of the morning that they finally stopped. When I got home, I left the engagement ring on the coffee table in the living room and turned to leave. Meanwhile, Ryan and Amber had rushed to the hospital because Amber had been bitten by an insect while sleeping on the wheat straw. “It’s just a minor injury. The insect wasn’t poisonous, and the fetus is stable,” the doctor said. Ryan breathed a sigh of relief. Just then, the doctor who had been treating me burst in, looking panicked. “Mr. Collins, according to the last examination results, Ms. Wells’ hearing has already recovered. She might have heard everything we said. And, and on that same day, Ms. Wells went to the gynecology department and terminated her pregnancy!”

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I was drugged at a business party. The next day, explicit videos of me spread like wildfire through our social circle. The whispers and stares around me were almost unbearable. My fiancé, Zack, held me gently, “Don’t worry, Aria. I’ll take care of those videos. I’ve even found the best hypnotherapist to help you forget all this.” As the hypnosis device was placed on my temples and his low voice guided me into darkness, I thought this was my salvation. But before I completely lost consciousness, I heard the hypnotherapist’s playful laugh: “Bro, just because she broke your stepmom’s bracelet at the engagement party, you let those thugs have their way with her? Are you fucking insane?” My heart sank. That bracelet was broken because Vanessa deliberately bumped into me! Then she played the victim, accusing me of looking down on her as a stepmother. “She intentionally humiliated Vanessa at the party,” Zack’s voice was ice-cold. “Vanessa cried all night, saying even her future daughter-in-law looks down on her. I had to teach her a lesson to ease my anger.” So, all this torment I’ve endured was just because he thought I upset Vanessa? Leo chuckled lewdly, “Since she’s already been played with and now I’m hypnotizing her, why don’t I… have some fun too?” My hair stood on end. In my heart, there was still a pathetically weak hope that Zack would retain some last shred of conscience. However, he casually uttered two words, as if throwing away trash: “Whatever.”

“Really? She is your fiancée after all.” Zack kicked the therapy bed carelessly, “Just rub against her outside, don’t go in. Get your kicks and be done with it.” He was meticulously cleaning a scalpel, suddenly pressing the blade against my neck. The coldness made me shiver. “That thug only touched her and filmed it. I didn’t let her actually get violated.” “You’re such a good guy!” Leo sneered, “You had us film it and send it to you, then called us to delete it. Who knows which idiot leaked it online? How could it possibly be completely erased?” Zack chuckled, “I told you to delete the video just to put on an act in front of her.” He cut open the ribbon on my collar with the scalpel, instantly exposing me. “When the jade bracelet broke, she should have understood that upsetting Vanessa was a sin. So I continued spreading the video online, to let her taste what it’s like to be gossiped about.” Three days ago, he had held my trembling body and sworn: “I’ve taken care of that thug and the videos online. Aria, I will never let another man see your body.” So it was all an act! But at the engagement party, I really didn’t mean to embarrass Vanessa. On the contrary, she suddenly let go of my hand, causing the jade to shatter into pieces on the floor. “Aria, it’s okay if you look down on me, but you shouldn’t have broken Auntie’s gift…” Her tearful expression caused an uproar among the guests. Zack gently defused the situation for me, “It’s fine, we can just buy a new one.” “Hurry up.” The click of Zack’s lighter and the camera shutter sound went off simultaneously, “I want to show Vanessa the live recording later.” Leo fumbled with his belt, panting as he gripped my waist, “I warned you to please Vanessa. Zack can’t stand to see her frown.” Yes, at the dinner before Zack took me to meet his family, a drunk Leo had cornered me in the club hallway, “You’re just a pretty face. Otherwise, a commoner like you would never be able to marry Zack, the prince of this city.” He looked me up and down lewdly, “But compared to his stepmom, your body is far inferior.” “Zack protects his stepmom like the apple of his eye. If Vanessa was ten years younger, you wouldn’t stand a chance.” How did I respond then? I said nonchalantly that Zack could distinguish between family love and romantic love, just like he could distinguish between champagne and red wine. In the midst of the pain from Leo’s disgusting touch, I vaguely recalled when we first started dating, Zack had used his suit jacket to cover my shoulder after a drunk man touched it. His eyes were red then, his voice shaking: “If anyone dares to touch you again, I’ll cut off their hands.” Through my lashes, I saw Zack leaning against the window smoking a cigar. Through the smoke, he smiled slightly as he dialed a number, “Vanessa, I’ll show you something good later to cheer you up.” The red recording light blinked on and off, just like the fireworks he set off for me on the night he proposed. That night he knelt on one knee and solemnly vowed: “I will always be your safe harbor. I’ll never let you suffer even the slightest grievance.” Tears gathered in my eyes. Now, the safe harbor had turned into a slaughterhouse.

When I opened my eyes, Zack’s fingers were tracing the bruises on my wrist. “Do you remember what happened last night?” His voice was as sweet as honey, but his eyes behind the gold-rimmed glasses were scrutinizing me. I tried to get up, but my body, ravaged by both the date rape drug and hypnosis drug, wouldn’t move. Lowering my eyes in silence for a moment, I looked up and blinked in confusion, deliberately unfocusing my gaze. “I don’t remember… My head hurts so much… My body hurts too…” He patted my head, his face full of doting affection, “Silly girl, you don’t even remember falling and hurting yourself.” I shrank into the blanket, my nails digging hard into my palm. The pain kept me alert, and also reminded me how disgusting his fake tenderness was right now. After all, he had given me an unforgettable lesson. Vanessa arrived just in time for dinner. “Oh my, Aria has gotten so thin!” She casually tossed her silk shawl onto the sofa, revealing her alluring collarbone, causing Zack’s eyes to darken. “Those videos online…” Zack coughed lightly, “Vanessa, Aria hit her head and forgot some things. Let’s not bring up the past.” Vanessa’s face froze for a moment, then she smiled again and took the bird’s nest porridge from the maid to feed me, “Then we need to nourish you well.” The freshly cooked porridge was scalding hot. She saw the steam rising but still shoved it into my mouth. I was burned and knocked over her bowl, spilling the sticky porridge all over her skirt. The moment Zack frowned, I immediately trembled like a frightened rabbit: “I’m sorry… my hand shook…” His gaze lingered on my reddened lips for a moment, but he finally sighed and got up to help Vanessa wipe her skirt, his fingers caressing the back of her hand soothingly. That night, I was finally able to walk on my own. When I tried to escape through the front door, I found guards posted there. I overheard their contemptuous discussion, “The young master’s fiancée looks so pure and innocent, who knew she’d moan even more seductively than a nightclub girl in that video when she was unconscious.” I felt like I’d fallen into an ice pit. Just how many people had seen that private video of me? As I stumbled back to my room in a daze, I saw through a crack in the study door that Vanessa was placing a glass of milk on Zack’s desk. The strap of her silk nightgown was slipping off her elbow in a suggestive manner. Her well-maintained skin glowed like a young girl’s in the moonlight, looking nothing like a stepmother twelve years older than Zack. Vanessa deliberately leaned forward, her chest brushing against Zack’s right arm as he typed. I clearly saw his Adam’s apple bob. Zack restrained himself from touching her, but his gaze was fixed on her fallen strap. “Vanessa, it’s cold at night. Put on a robe.” Vanessa grasped his wrist as he held out a robe, caressing it as if touching a lover. An ambiguous atmosphere flowed between them. The sound of me stepping on my skirt startled them. Zack immediately stood up to open the door. When he saw me, the air froze for a moment.

After a moment of deadly silence, he broke the silence of our eye contact. “When did you come? Can you walk now? Why are you out here?” I lied in panic, looking up at him with moist eyes, “I just came. I felt anxious when I couldn’t see you, couldn’t sleep.” Zack seemed surprised and touched by my “dependence”. He came forward and picked me up in his arms, his movements as gentle as if I were made of porcelain. “Be good, I’ll tell you a story to help you sleep.” I looked up and saw Vanessa’s twisted face behind him, full of malice. It seemed that because I had ruined Vanessa’s plans, her hostility towards me became even more obvious. The next morning, she cornered me in the stairwell. “Aria looks so pale,” her fingers with wine-red nail polish dug into my shoulder, “You’re not pretending to be sick to get Zack’s attention, are you?” I winced in pain and tried to pull her forceful hand away, but she grabbed my wrist instead, squeezing so hard it felt like she would crush the bone. “Aria? Where are you?” Zack’s voice calling for me came from around the corner of the stairs. Just as I was about to call for help, Vanessa suddenly pressed my hand against her waist and threw herself down the stairs like a self-destructive snake. “Be careful!” I reached out as she fell, but only grasped thin air. When Zack rushed over, he saw her fall like a broken-winged butterfly down the long, high staircase. Blood seeped from her knees, arms, and forehead, blooming like red plum blossoms on the white marble. “It wasn’t me…” My trembling explanation was cut off by a slap. Zack pinned me against the wall by my throat, his pupils crawling with bloodshot: “How dare you?!” “She pushed me…” Vanessa pointed at me, shaking, tears falling, “She hates me…” Zack’s eyes turned completely cold. His fist fell. By the time I counted to the hundredth blow, I finally heard the crisp sound of three of my ribs breaking. The taste of blood rose in my mouth. Before my vision blurred, I saw Vanessa’s curled lip – it was a victor’s smile. In the darkness, I was thrown onto the cold floor. Opening my swollen eyes, I saw Zack gently wiping Vanessa’s tears with a silk handkerchief, his lips pressed against her earlobe as he whispered: “She really never learns. Vanessa, I’ll get revenge for you. This time, I’ll let you watch in person as a group of men ravish her.” Vanessa’s light laugh was like a poisonous snake’s hiss, “Can I choose the men myself?” “Of course, whatever makes you happy.” As the basement door lock clicked shut, I fumbled to break off my necklace. Cold tears mixed with blood splattered onto the screen of the mini communicator hidden in the necklace. As I pressed the SOS button, the screen’s cold light illuminated the black and blue handprints on my collarbone. “Brother, I lost the bet. Come save me…” Five years ago, I ignored my brother’s objections and went on a hunger strike to be with Zack, the notorious playboy prince of the city. My brother looked at me with disappointment, “I’ll agree for now, but you must hide your identity as the princess of the Jiang family in the capital. If you can last ten years together, I’ll give you all the Jiang family’s vast fortune as your dowry.” I smiled naively, “Brother, he’s already reformed and sworn to love me in this life, the next life, and for all eternity. You can put your mind at ease…” Hah, back then I was confident we would love each other for ten years, a hundred years… but in reality, we couldn’t even make it to five years.

The pain from my broken ribs made me convulse in my unconscious state. As Zack’s shoe tip ground into my tailbone, an extreme pain simultaneously shot through my abdomen. He dragged me up the stairs by my hair. The blood flowing from my lower body left a winding red trail on the steps, like a skinned snake. Vanessa sat primly on the leather sofa, her freshly done almond-colored nails tapping lightly on a wine glass. Six men stood in front of her. The shortest one had a snake tattoo on his arm – It was the same hand that had pressed down on the back of my neck in the video of the thugs violating me. “Zack…” I crawled over and grabbed his pant leg. Blood foam seeped from the corner of my mouth. “We’ve been together for five years. You said you would protect me forever…” His pupils behind the gold-rimmed glasses constricted slightly, but after Vanessa’s light laugh, he violently kicked me away. I crashed into the coffee table. Shards of glass pierced my palms, the pain making my vision go black. “Remember this lesson.” Zack sat down next to Vanessa. “Next time you dare disrespect Vanessa, I’ll have them take you out in public to humiliate you.” The men laughed lecherously as they surrounded me. Rough hands reeking of cigarettes tore open my collar. I looked at Zack. He was lowering his head to fix a strand of Vanessa’s hair, as if our five years of love had been nothing but an absurd dream. “Stop!” The sound of an explosion shattered the floor-to-ceiling windows. My brother burst in with a SWAT team just as I was being pinned to the blood-stained carpet. “Take them all away!” The police handcuffed Zack. He struggled to turn back and look at me in disbelief, his glasses askew revealing bloodshot eyes underneath: “When did you call the police?” My brother’s suit jacket wrapped around my shaking body. He pressed my head to his chest, not letting me look back: “Don’t look at him. He’s filth.” Three days later in a VIP hospital room in the capital, the news was reporting that Zack had paid an enormous bail and was released on bail pending trial. He stood on the steps of the detention center, his eyes sinister as he faced the media cameras. I flinched reflexively. My brother turned off the TV and pushed a sedative into my IV drip. “Aria, don’t be afraid,” he wiped away the cold tears from the corner of my eye. “No one can find you here.” When Zack kicked open the front door of his house, the lingering smell of my blood still hung in the foyer. He looked at the empty home, his hand pausing as he loosened his tie. Like a suddenly abandoned wolf dog, his nostrils flared as he tried to catch my last scent. The sound of Vanessa’s high heels approached from behind: “I told you so. She ran off with some man long ago…” “Shut up!” A crystal vase shattered against the wall. Three days ago, this was where he had pinned me by the throat, demanding to know how I dared hurt Vanessa. He frantically dialed his private investigator, shouting, “Find out who the man was that took Aria away!” Vanessa threw the framed wedding photo of me and Zack from the coffee table into the trash, venting her anger. “That man looked so intimate with Aria. Who knows how long she’s been cheating on you behind your back…” Zack suddenly flipped over the entire coffee table, startling Vanessa into silence. A week later, a haggard Zack began throwing money at accessing all the city’s traffic camera footage. He stared intently at the last image of me on the city’s surveillance – In the footage, I was wearing a mask, being carried into a black Maybach by a tall man. “Enhance the license plate!” When the license plate “A·88888” came into clear view, Vanessa’s coffee cup suddenly crashed to the floor beside him. This license plate belonged to someone extremely wealthy and powerful. Afterwards, Zack barged into my best friend Rachel’s bridal shop, demanding to know when I had seduced the Maybach’s owner. Rachel calmly trimmed a veil with scissors, “The princess of the Jiang Group doesn’t need to seduce anyone.” “All these years Aria pretended to be poor, and you actually believed it?” She chuckled lightly. “Your family’s assets aren’t even a tenth of the Jiang Group’s. Yet you thought she was after your money and status, how little you thought of her!” Rachel’s expression suddenly changed. She hurled the scissors at Zack’s face, cutting a bloody gash. “You even dared to have people violate her?! Prepare to die! Adrian won’t let you off!”

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Five years ago, when my face was disfigured by acid, Lucas held up a photo of his missing true love to convince me to have surgery. “I’ll make you more beautiful than before,” he promised. But when I accidentally stumbled upon an identical face in the VIP ward, I finally understood that I was just a replacement. Later, I discovered he was secretly using our daughter’s blood to keep their illegitimate son alive! I went mad trying to take my daughter away, but a cold scalpel was pressed against my throat. His breath hot on my ear, he whispered, “You’re just her substitute. It’s time to give the face back.” The next moment, I unexpectedly died on his operating table. When I opened my eyes again, I had returned to the day I discovered his secret. The cold sensation of the scalpel gliding across my face still lingered. I jolted awake, instinctively touching my face. I was standing in the hallway of the VIP ward, holding a thermos of hot bone broth. The familiar number 606 was on the door of this ward. Through the frosted glass, I saw my husband, Lucas, the director of this private hospital. He was cradling someone who looked exactly like me. It was Vanessa, his true love who had been missing for six years. That’s when I realized I had been reborn. In my previous life, I had accidentally passed by this room and discovered the truth that I was just a replacement for Lucas’s true love. Trembling all over, I hadn’t confronted him for the sake of our daughter. But when I saw with my own eyes that he was using our daughter’s blood to keep their illegitimate son alive, I completely lost it. I burst into the ward, determined to take our daughter away. But a cold scalpel was pressed against my throat. Lucas’s breath was hot on my ear as he whispered, “You’re just her substitute. It’s time to give the face back.” The next moment, I was injected with anesthesia and laid on the cold operating table. He only wanted one person in the world to have this face. But I unexpectedly died on the operating table. He announced it as a medical accident and quickly covered it up. Given another chance at life, I found myself back at the moment I discovered this secret. I stared intently at the intertwined figures inside, my fingernails digging into my palms, filled with hatred. Suddenly, my phone began vibrating incessantly in my pocket. I pulled it out to see “Ms. Lee” displayed on the screen. I answered the call. “Hello?” “Oh, Candy’s mom? I’ve already dropped Candy off with Dr. Lin for her checkup. I’ll come pick her up when it’s done, okay?” My grip on the phone tightened. This was bad! In my previous life, today was when my daughter’s regular “checkups” began! I rushed downstairs, frantically asking the nurses about Dr. Lin’s whereabouts. The hospital staff, knowing I was the director’s wife, quickly informed me that Dr. Lin had gone to the blood draw lab on the third floor. I set down the thermos of broth and sprinted towards the third floor. My palms were sweating as I ran, my heart pounding, terrified of being a second too late. I saw my daughter’s silhouette in the distance and shouted, “Candy!” She turned, her face lighting up when she saw me, calling out in her sweet voice, “Mommy!” I dashed over and violently knocked away the needle that was about to pierce my daughter’s arm. Dr. Lin was startled by my action, frozen in place. “Mrs. Carter, what are you doing?” I didn’t answer her, carefully examining the bruises from needle marks on the inside of my daughter’s arm. Why were there needle marks when I had just stopped it? Could it be that Lucas had already been drawing Candy’s blood… “Dr. Lin, you’ve been drawing my daughter’s blood without parental consent? Don’t you know that’s illegal!” I shouted at her angrily. Dr. Lin awkwardly scratched her head. “Well… the director told us to do it…” The fury in my heart was instantly doused with a bucket of cold water. Lucas, how could you be so cruel! Suddenly, my daughter looked up at me innocently and said, “Mommy, Candy’s okay. Daddy said he’d buy me something yummy. Candy’s not afraid of pain!” My heart ached as I gently touched the bruises on her little hand, glaring at Dr. Lin. “Bring me Candy’s previous medical records.” She hesitated, saying, “Well… you’re not hospital staff, so it’s not appropriate to disclose…” “I can’t even see my own daughter’s records? Do I need to ask Lucas myself?” Finally, she produced all of Candy’s medical records since birth. I examined them carefully, only to find that Lucas had covered his tracks perfectly. Since she was 4 years old, there were regular 200cc blood donations, all signed off by Lucas. On the surface, it was for rare blood type research, but in reality, it was being transfused to the illegitimate son in VIP room 606! The paper crumpled in my grip as Dr. Lin watched me nervously. I threw the medical records in her face, warning her through gritted teeth, “I’m taking my daughter with me. If there’s a problem, tell him to come find me!”

I had someone take my daughter back to my parents’ house. Then I changed into a nurse’s uniform, put on a mask, and once again approached VIP room 606. Taking a deep breath, I pushed open the door. I called out in a low voice, “Director.” He was busy playing with the little boy in the bed and didn’t respond. Vanessa looked at the father and son pair with a gentle expression. It seemed no one had noticed me, assuming I was just a nurse doing rounds. I approached the bedside where there was a paternity test showing Tommy was Lucas’s biological child. Tommy, the child who was being kept alive with my daughter’s blood. I tried my best to control my emotions. As I neared the transfusion machine, Lucas noticed something was off. He frowned at me. “You came in to…” My heart leapt into my throat. Before he could finish speaking, his phone suddenly rang. It sounded like Dr. Lin’s call, and he had to hurry out of the room. I finally relaxed, picking up the transfusion record to examine it. The recipient was Tommy, but the donor was unspecified. I then accessed the computer to search the records, discovering that my daughter’s transfusion records had been encrypted as “Medical Waste.” My brow furrowed as I looked, and I took out my phone to take a picture. “…Nurse, what are you doing?” Damn, I had forgotten about Vanessa. I calmly took the photo and turned around, saying, “Oh, just routine record-keeping.” That’s when I got a clear look at her face. She had a small mole at the corner of her eye, making her whole face appear more alluring. No wonder Lucas couldn’t forget her, even wanting to remake me into her copy. But one person can never truly become another. She smiled and said, “Doesn’t the director’s wife look a lot like me?” “Yes… a bit similar.” “Do you ever get us confused? But my face is the real one, I think she had surgery to look like me.” She was treating me like a lowly nurse, indirectly stating that she was the original. I couldn’t help but sneer inwardly. “What’s your relationship with the director?” I asked. Seeing that I didn’t immediately compliment her and changed the subject, she showed slight impatience. “That’s none of your business, is it?” I feigned embarrassment. “Well, breaking up someone’s family doesn’t seem right…” “You!” Her face reddened. “Oh well, never mind, sister. I’ve got work to do.” I quickly left the room, a smile playing on my lips. Take that, you arrogant woman! Soon after, I received a call from Lucas. “Wasn’t it agreed that Candy’s checkups would start today? What are you making a fuss about now!” I let out a cold laugh. “Is it really just a checkup?” “Lucas, you’ve been taking our daughter’s blood for a year! And you lied to me saying it was for research!” He paused for a moment, showing no panic at being exposed, instead accusing me. “You’re being unreasonable! If it’s not research, then what is it? She’s my daughter too!” “You think it doesn’t pain me? I always thought you understood me, I’m very disappointed in you…” My heart turned cold. Even now, he was still lying. “I’m sorry, but I can’t understand this.” “I’m sending Candy back to my parents. Don’t think about taking her blood again. We’re getting a divorce!” There was a long silence on the other end. I hung up the phone. Then I sent the photos I had taken to someone. With a message attached: [Your clearance should allow you to view this encrypted record, right?] I quickly received a reply. I opened it to check. [Should be possible, I’ll take a look tomorrow.]

If I remembered correctly, Lucas was working late again today. I called a locksmith to open his long-locked study. After sending the locksmith away, I turned the doorknob of the study, ready to face the truth I might discover. But after turning the study upside down, I found nothing. Frustrated, I sat down, accidentally touching the family photo on the desk. There was a clicking sound. A bookcase behind me swung open. His study had a secret room! I approached the secret room to find it plastered with photos of Vanessa. There was also a family photo on the table. I picked it up and looked at it. It was a family photo of him with Vanessa and Tommy. I stared coldly at the three smiling faces in the photo and put it back in its original place. In a drawer, I found my plastic surgery plan from five years ago. Inside was an old photo of me, before I was disfigured, with a big X drawn across it. I almost dropped the file. Why did he have a photo of me from before? It all felt like an enormous trap set just for me… Panicking, I took out my phone and photographed this evidence. Just then, I heard the sound of the door opening. I hurriedly left the secret room, turning the family photo on the desk back to its original position. As soon as I left the study, I came face to face with Lucas. He looked at the open study behind me and quickly stepped in, glancing around. He turned back to me with a frown. “What were you doing in my study?” I calmly walked to the sofa and sat down. “What? I can’t go in? Is there something you don’t want me to see?” He closed the study door. “…No, just don’t go into my study when there’s nothing wrong.” I nodded, “After the divorce, I won’t be coming in anymore.” “You really want a divorce?” he asked. “Yes, and I’m taking custody of our daughter.” His expression changed. “That’s not possible.” I stood up angrily, pointing at his nose. “What? You still want to use our daughter for research? She’s just a child! Lucas, do you have any conscience!” He maintained a cold expression, not backing down. “I can divorce you, but our daughter must stay with me.” I laughed at his shamelessness. “Fine, we’ll see if you can take her from me.” After parting ways with Lucas on bad terms, I returned home. I asked my parents to look after Candy carefully. Then I went out and hired a private investigator to help me find the assistant who had helped Lucas perform my plastic surgery five years ago. She had disappeared without a trace after the surgery was completed, but I finally managed to track her down. At first, she was reluctant to meet me no matter what. “Whatever Lucas is paying you, I’ll double it.” With that, she agreed to meet.

I placed a voice recorder in my bag before heading to the agreed-upon café. “When do I get the money?” she asked immediately. “Isn’t it a bit too early to ask for money before we’ve even talked? Tell me, how much do you know about the inside story of my plastic surgery five years ago.” “…I only know that your disfigurement wasn’t an accident.” I calmly sipped my coffee. “I guessed as much. Who did it?” “I overheard a conversation between Dr. Carter and a woman, something about paying to get a job done. Dr. Carter gave her a box, and later, your surgery was scheduled ahead of all others.” I pressed my lips together, not saying a word. She urgently prompted, “Where’s the money!” I took out my phone and let her enter her account number, then transferred the money to her. After confirming the money had arrived, she looked at me with pity in her eyes. “You’re a pitiful woman too. I never thought Dr. Carter would do such a thing. Afterwards, he paid to keep me quiet. My family urgently needed money at the time, so I had no choice.” She hurriedly left after saying this. I sat there, my mind racing. The person who threw the acid five years ago had already been arrested. After discovering the secret room, I had my suspicions, but hearing it confirmed still made my heart skip a beat. I took out the voice recorder from my bag and pressed stop. My phone screen lit up with a message from Lucas. [The new hospital is opening this week. You must attend tomorrow’s banquet, or I’ll have someone bring Candy back.] If it hadn’t been for my family providing funds to Lucas, his hospital would have gone bankrupt long ago. Now he still needed my status to network with the upper class. I stared at the message for a long time before replying [Okay]. I dressed up for the banquet. I linked arms with Lucas, pretending to be a loving couple smiling at others. He was coaxed into giving a speech on stage, and I picked up a glass of wine, watching him impassively. Once upon a time, he had stood on stage like this, speaking eloquently. When he looked at me then, his eyes were full of love. But now I realized he had only been looking through me at someone else. I tilted my head back and drained my glass. Looking back at him, I noticed his gaze fixed on a spot in the crowd. Following his line of sight, I saw a woman wearing a mask standing among the people. The mole at the corner of her eye told me it was Vanessa. She had come too, and was even holding a little boy’s hand. She had actually brought the illegitimate son. I turned and walked towards the backstage, sending the photos on my phone to someone. Immediately, a photo appeared on the big screen on stage. It was the paternity test of Tommy and Lucas. People in the audience began to discuss after seeing the screen. “Who’s Tommy? I thought the director’s daughter was named Candy?” “I don’t know, does the director have another child?” “Is it a second child?” Lucas sensed something was wrong and turned to look at the big screen, his face instantly darkening. By this time, I had already approached the boy. I gave him a contemptuous smile, then shouted loudly, “Tommy!” All eyes in the room turned towards us.

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Every time my debt-ridden husband stayed overnight at his female assistant’s place, he would order a million-dollar coffee from my coffee shop. After three years of marriage, my bank account balance had reached 96 million. Until my husband bought my coffee for the 97th time, I received a screenshot of the order from his female assistant. “I want Miss Johnson to deliver it personally, and bring some condoms along.” I didn’t throw a fit. Instead, I personally delivered the coffee to the female assistant and thoughtfully included a couple’s pack of condoms. Seeing how understanding I was, my husband rewarded me by letting me accompany him to a high-end business dinner. But at the dinner, the female assistant caught the eye of a business partner. She smashed a bottle and held it to her neck, swearing she’d rather die than comply: “Jack, please don’t give me to someone else!” My usually serious husband suddenly panicked. With red eyes, he begged me to go entertain the business partner. “I promise it’s just drinks. I won’t let you suffer any grievances. After tonight, I’ll spend time with you properly.” Everyone in the private room was waiting for me to make a scene, but contrary to expectations, I agreed to go in her place. What the man didn’t know was that this was the 97th time he had hurt me. And I no longer wanted a future with him. I was just waiting to repay the ten billion debt I owed him. Then we would be even once and for all.

“Well, well! Coffee girl, your husband asked you to entertain, and you’re really going to do it!?” “And you say it’s not for the money. No normal person could accept their husband treating them like this!” After I agreed to entertain, those fair-weather friends who once begged to cooperate with the Thompson family circled around me, criticizing and mocking incessantly. “What else can she do? Isn’t her life just collateral? Did she really think getting married meant she could ride over Olivia?” “She’s just a leech sucking Jack’s blood. Being able to entertain for Olivia is worth the money Jack spent on her!” Amidst all this acidity and sarcasm, I watched as Jack held Olivia in his arms, his expression gentle as he constantly comforted her. Only occasionally would his gaze sweep over to me, taking everything in. He knew Olivia’s suicide attempt was just an act for attention, but he still indulged and comforted her gently: “If you don’t want to go, then don’t. I’ll always find a way to cover for you. But don’t be so impulsive in the future, it breaks my heart…” From beginning to end, all he cared about was Olivia’s well-being. He completely forgot that I was his wife. He also forgot that he went from having nothing to his current net worth of billions, all because of the resources I begged my father for on my knees back then. A moment later, Olivia calmed down from her panic under Jack’s comfort. I asked her which private room to go to, intending to fulfill the agreement, but Olivia hesitated and stammered. After Jack’s repeated promises, she finally grabbed my hand with tearful eyes, pretending to be reluctant: “Mr. Chen likes painting and wants me to be his nude model. I was wondering if you could take my place, sister-in-law, but I’m afraid you wouldn’t be willing…” Instantly, all eyes focused on me. But I only looked at Jack. I had already agreed to entertain, my dignity trampled under their feet. Was he really going to make me be some nude model for others to mock and play with their burning gazes? Seeing Olivia so carefully begging me, Jack’s eyes were full of distress. He looked at me intently: “Anna, Olivia isn’t feeling well. You’ve already agreed to entertain, it’s just being a model. You’ll agree, right?” My heart sank. I almost forgot that Jack always listened to Olivia. After all, she was Jack’s first love. If it weren’t for the Parker family’s obstruction, they would have been married long ago. Now that they were reunited, how could I, an empty shell occupying another’s nest, dare to hope for even a shred of pity from him? I struggled to control my trembling body and took a deep breath before asking him: “Can that count as one perfect score?” Perfect score? The people around laughed at my inexplicable words, but Jack frowned silently. He knew what I was talking about. He didn’t want to agree, but seeing Olivia about to kneel before me, he quickly made a decision: “It counts.” I smiled bitterly: “Alright, I agree.” Three years ago, when I was still a rich heiress, I was experiencing life by delivering coffee when I accidentally encountered Jack and fell in love with him. But when my family went bankrupt overnight and my parents died, I was crushed by a ten billion debt. It was Jack who came down from the heavens, proposing with a ten billion dowry to help me clear my debt. On our wedding night, after making love, I asked him how I could repay this kindness. He looked at me with tender eyes: “Then be my wife.” I was confused: “I’m already your wife now.” His kisses fell densely as he casually said: “Then… do 99 things that can earn my perfect score, or after I hurt you 99 times, this debt of gratitude will be written off.” For three years of marriage, he always treated me like a precious treasure, carefully and gently. Until two months ago, when Olivia returned from abroad, everything changed. Now it’s the 97th time. Just two more times, and I’ll have repaid my debt. Entering the business partner’s private room, it was filled with a hazy, ambiguous atmosphere. Men and women were intimately entangled, and the gazes directed at me were tinged with excitement. Jack suddenly hesitated and asked Olivia: “Is it really just modeling?” “What… what else could it be?” She hesitated for a moment. Jack wanted to say something more, but Olivia pulled him out of the room. Before leaving, he glanced at me, his eyes dark and unreadable. “Wait.” But before he could step out, the greasy man called out to the two of them, his voice tinged with displeasure. “Mr. Thompson! I asked for Miss Parker. You casually throwing someone else at me like this – have I offended you in some way?” The greasy man’s gaze swept over me and Jack, finally landing on Olivia, staring at her until she shivered. Olivia glanced at the shocked Jack, her expression righteous. “I heard Mr. Chen needed a nude model for painting. Miss Johnson has a nice figure, she’ll surely help you create a masterpiece.” “Mr. Chen, don’t you want to try?” As she finished speaking, she gave me a push. Suddenly, I was exposed to the greasy man’s leering gaze. That appraising look was slimy and sticky, making me shudder all over. It was only then that I realized the nude modeling Olivia spoke of actually meant letting me sleep with someone else. I felt like my throat was constricted, unable to breathe. I could only quickly look to Jack for help. Jack used to be very good to me, only changing after Olivia appeared, but at least I was still his wife now. Surely he wouldn’t just stand by and do nothing? But unexpectedly, Jack only showed a hint of anger before handing me a glass of wine: “Aren’t you going to toast Mr. Chen?” I struggled to control the violent heaving of my chest, but my feet were nailed to the spot. In a daze, Olivia turned and gave me an eerie smile. The next moment, my body moved uncontrollably towards the greasy man, spilling wine all over him. I fell onto the shattered glass shards, instantly cutting several bloody gashes on my arm. My face was also cut, oozing blood. The pain spread instantly, and I curled up on the ground, unable to hold back a cry of pain. Olivia screamed in shock: “Sister-in-law, if you didn’t want to toast, you could have just said so. You didn’t need to pretend to fall on purpose to anger Mr. Chen.” As soon as she finished speaking, the greasy man flew into a rage. But just as he was about to explode, he was intimidated by Jack’s icy face. He could only grit his teeth, wipe the wine off himself, and leave in a huff. Inside the private room, Jack’s face was as black as the bottom of a pot, while I breathed a sigh of relief, wanting to quickly escape. I hadn’t taken more than a few stumbling steps when he grabbed my arm. Jack completely ignored my injuries, his mind full of Olivia’s provocative words. He berated me angrily: “Anna Johnson, I’ve warned you to put aside your petty thoughts. Look at what you’ve done!” “When I tell you to entertain, can’t you just smile? Have these years of poverty made you forget the etiquette of a wealthy heiress? Have you also forgotten the rules of high society? Don’t you know that just toasting would have ended this?” I unconsciously clenched my fists and looked at Jack. Gritting my teeth, I said: “But I’m your wife, and this so-called Mr. Chen is just a small supplier relying on your goodwill.” My meaning was clear. If he had just been unwilling, or even pointed out my identity, That Mr. Chen wouldn’t have dared to do this. The reason he was unwilling to point it out was just to cater to Olivia’s little vanity. Jack’s eyes suddenly became evasive under my gaze. But before he could speak, Olivia started berating me first. “Anna Johnson! How dare you speak to Jack like that! Have you forgotten that Jack bought you? Without him, you couldn’t even survive! If he wasn’t supporting you, who knows where you’d be selling your body now!” “What’s this? Just a small matter and you dare to get angry at Jack!” Olivia’s words stabbed at my heart one by one. My eyes instantly reddened. Jack raised an eyebrow, unusually angry at Olivia. “Enough! This won’t happen again! Go wait for me in the car.” After Olivia left, his expression changed to one of apology as he explained to me. “That’s just how she is. All that talk about buying and supporting, don’t take it to heart.” Jack glanced at my injured face and frowned. “Your face is hurt. Go to the hospital yourself first. I’ll come back to keep you company after I finish my work tonight.” He didn’t let me speak, just turned and left. But he was right, I didn’t need to keep taking it to heart anymore. Just two more times, and I’ll have repaid my debt. In the future, I won’t need him to support me either.

After going to the hospital, I got home around midnight. He didn’t come back in the evening as he said he would, and I didn’t inquire as I usually did. The next day, his assistant brought me his compensation – two black cards. This was Jack’s default compensation after hurting me each time. He specifically emphasized that one card was an apology for making me entertain, and the other was compensation for forcing me to be a nude model. Expressionlessly, I labeled the two black cards with the numbers 96 and 97 and carelessly stuffed them into a drawer. Looking at the drawer full of black cards, I knew that I would soon be free. After packing up some personal belongings, I headed downstairs towards the stables. Jack had given me many things, but I didn’t want any of them. The only thing I wanted to take was the horse named Snowflake. It was a birthday gift from my parents when I turned 18, and after the bankruptcy, it was all I had left. But Jack hated animals, yet he still built a stable just for Snowflake, for my sake. Seeing me come to feed the horse, a servant smiled and said, “Madam, the master is already feeding the horse.” I was stunned. He was always so attentive to small things, making me think he had truly fallen in love with me. I went over expressionlessly, intending to get the last two perfect scores. But when I arrived at the stable and saw the situation clearly, my heart instantly chilled! Olivia was riding on Snowflake’s back, viciously whipping the horse’s head. Snowflake whinnied in pain repeatedly. And Jack stood by with interest, just watching. He clearly knew that Snowflake was my most beloved horse! Yet he still watched Olivia beat it. I rushed over, screaming frantically: “Stop! It’s my horse! Don’t hit it!” Seeing me run over in panic, Olivia landed two more vicious lashes before stopping: “Sister-in-law, so Snowflake belongs to you? Jack said he had a particularly unruly horse here, so he brought me to play with it.” “I really like this horse. Sister-in-law, could you sell it to me?” Jack also came forward, frowning as he looked at me: “What are you yelling for? Don’t you know Olivia’s mental state isn’t good? There are other more expensive horses in the stable. Just give Snowflake to Olivia and pick any of the others you want, isn’t that fine?” I looked at him in dismay: “Have you forgotten? This is the heirloom my parents left me.” Jack was stunned for a moment. Just when I thought he would tell Olivia to get down, He said: “Just this once. I’ll buy you a better one later, okay?” Olivia immediately threw down the whip, stroking Snowflake’s head with eyes full of reluctance and tears: “Jack, if sister-in-law is unwilling, then forget it. It’s me who’s trying to take what others love and making myself disliked. I’m so despicable, I don’t deserve such a good horse. Don’t force sister-in-law.” This made Jack even more distressed. He emphasized again that I should give Snowflake to Olivia. I looked at him in shock. Olivia clearly knew how important Snowflake was to me and was deliberately trying to upset me. But Jack just indulged her. I didn’t want to speak. I just went forward to lead Snowflake away. But Jack caught up and grabbed me. “It’s just an animal. If Olivia wants it, give it to her. You’re living off me, can’t I make decisions about your horse?” Even though I was willing to die rather than sign, he forcibly pressed my handprint onto the sales agreement. Olivia said haughtily: “Sister-in-law, your horse is mine now.” At that moment, Snowflake seemed to sense something and kept whinnying at me. The next second, Olivia viciously stabbed the whip into Snowflake’s eye. My heart sank sharply: “Snowflake!” Snowflake reared in pain and started galloping wildly. Olivia swayed chaotically on its back, screaming in terror: “Jack, save me!” Jack was scared out of his wits. He found a hunting rifle in the storage room and aimed at the horse’s head, ready to shoot. I frantically blocked the gun barrel, begging him: “Don’t shoot! I can calm Snowflake down, I can—” “Get out of the way!” Before I could finish, Jack had already roughly pushed me aside, aimed again, and pulled the trigger. With a bang, the bullet pierced through Snowflake’s skull. The horse fell to the ground. Snowflake was lifeless, and my heart felt like it had been stabbed through. I hugged the horse’s body and cried until I was numb. In my daze, I heard Jack and Olivia’s conversation: “Jack, sister-in-law…” “An animal died, so it died. As long as you’re okay, that’s what matters.” “It’s fine, I’ll count this as one perfect score for her. After all…” “There are still dozens more to go.” No, there weren’t. There was only one left. After cremating Snowflake, I returned home and took out my diary. Snowflake was the last memento my parents left me, but because of my powerlessness, it died. Perhaps Mom and Dad were telling me from heaven that everything should end, that nothing should bind me anymore. With tears in my eyes, I wrote the number 98 at the end of the dense list of numbers. But then a shadow fell across my desk. I quickly turned around and saw Jack’s tightly furrowed brows. He looked at my diary with a dark face, an uneasy feeling rising in his heart: “What does this 98 mean?”

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I gave up my identity as the heiress of a tech giant to spend ten years with Jack Simmons, struggling through the early days of our startup. Finally, we developed the world’s most advanced AI capable of predicting everything. But on our wedding day, Jack, now the world’s top AI engineer, fled the ceremony because NORA predicted I would betray him. The AI claimed only Rachel, his junior from college, was his lucky star who could help him achieve great success. As guests mocked and ridiculed me, Rachel sent intimate photos of her and Jack. “Jack said he never loved you. He only agreed to marry you because you were so clingy,” Rachel texted. I immediately blocked them both, broke up with Jack, and kicked him out of the company. Later, when he discovered my true identity as the world’s richest heiress, his eyes turned red with regret… He knelt before me, begging me not to leave him. “Lily Greene, so your husband ran away from the wedding to cuddle with another woman?” On the hillside dotted with luxury vacation villas, the guests who had received the news focused their attention on me like ultraviolet rays. My gaze, however, was fixed on a spot at the foot of the hill that no one else seemed to notice. There stood my groom, Jack Simmons, intimately embracing another woman. Just fifteen minutes ago, he had been standing beside me, holding my hand, ready to complete the ceremony. As the ring was about to be placed on my finger, a phone rang. Jack looked down at his phone amid the puzzled gazes of the guests. The next second, he ran down the hill. “Lily, Rachel says NORA has predicted the outcome of our marriage. NORA says…” “You will eventually betray me.” “And my destiny is Rachel. With her, I’ll become the world’s richest man.” Leaving me with these words, he turned and left, abandoning me to face all the ridicule alone. Within minutes, everyone received the news of Jack’s whereabouts. He had abandoned me, his new bride, and was now drinking with another woman in the hills. Jack held Rachel tightly in his arms, and in the heat of the moment, kissed her. In an instant, all the memories of the past and the sudden loss exploded in my mind, shattering and raging. Then, my gaze instantly dimmed, like a star fading after burning out. My expression was caught by the guests, who gasped and couldn’t help but show their disdain. “Isn’t that today’s groom? Why is he kissing another woman?” “It seems that even the rich and powerful Miss Greene, who carefully chose a genius developer, can’t escape being cheated on.” There was silence as someone hesitated, noticing my blank stare. “Should we go call him back?” “Forget it. He’d rather cuddle in front of the bride than come back to finish the ceremony. He clearly doesn’t love her.” “Let’s go. What’s there to see in a clown’s wedding?” The cool mountain breeze stirred by the departing crowd sucked away all the warmth from my body. My body was chilled, and so was my heart. I don’t know how long I sat in the empty wedding venue before I finally got up and walked to my car at the bottom of the hill. Just as I closed the car door and was about to start the engine, I heard footsteps. Jack had caught up, casually opened the passenger door, and sat down. Our eyes met, and he took my hand, putting on a coy act. “I’m sorry, Lily. I just went to verify the data with Rachel.” Verify the data? Did that require kissing an intern? And had he forgotten that before he was hailed as the world’s top AI engineer… At fourteen, I had graced the cover of Time magazine for my AI research. It was my fascination with his passion for AI that had attracted me and led me to start this company specifically for him. My heart was utterly exhausted, and I was too tired to expose his lies. Seeing my expression, Jack finally reacted: “You saw everything just now?” “Yes.” “Alright, why that expression? It’s not like Rachel just called me for a drink. No need to look like that. I’ll make it up to you with another wedding later.” Another wedding? “If the results are already out, why do you still want to have a wedding with me?” With no emotion in my voice, I slowly withdrew my hand from Jack’s. In the past, I would have argued hysterically, reminding him that I had developed the first half of NORA. I knew better than anyone whether NORA would make such a prediction. But now, I was tired. I didn’t want to argue anymore. I just wanted to end this relationship with Jack. “What do you mean you don’t need it? What are you upset about now? I’ll definitely do what I promised you!” Jack angrily retorted: “Yes, the prediction says you’ll definitely cheat on me.” “But who am I? The world’s top AI engineer. Do you think I’d believe that so easily? Besides…” Jack looked at me, a smile playing on his lips, his tone certain: “You can’t live without me, can you? So I had to come back.” A bitter taste spread on my tongue. I forced a smile: “Well, I should really thank you then.” He glanced at me, hesitated, then continued. “However, you need to apologize to Rachel for questioning the data and her earlier.” At that moment, anger surged in my heart. No wonder he, who always believed unquestioningly in AI data, said he wouldn’t easily believe it. I said coldly, “Jack Simmons, after doing such a dirty thing right in front of me, why should I apologize?” “And…!” I got up, opened the car door, and threw the keys at him. Then I said to him, word by word: “You know how I’ve treated you all these years. Don’t you understand at all why this baseless prediction came about?” Jack’s face flashed with discomfort, quickly replaced by anger. “Lily Greene! Can you stop making things up?!” “I’ve told you so many times that Rachel is just my junior. Are you so dirty-minded that you see everyone else as dirty?!” “NORA can’t be wrong! It’s never been wrong! If you don’t apologize, forget about this wedding! I won’t give you another chance!” “We’ll see if you regret it when I become the world’s richest man!” I coldly watched his angry outburst, feeling a weariness I had never experienced before. It seemed he had truly forgotten that when we got together, I had given him the newborn AI NORA and told him that AI shouldn’t be blindly trusted, as there was a risk of human intervention. And his talk about becoming the world’s richest man? Saying I shouldn’t regret it? Jack Simmons, my Greene family has long been the world’s richest. What you fantasize about was within my reach from birth. Laughing weakly, I threw my ring down the cliff. After meeting Jack’s shocked gaze, I turned and got into another car. As I started the engine, I heard him throwing a tantrum behind me. “Lily Greene, don’t you dare come back crying and begging me to marry you!” “I knew my NORA couldn’t be wrong. A woman like you is just fickle and bound to betray me!!” I stepped on the gas and drove away. Never again, Jack Simmons. I’ve done enough foolish things. This time, I’m truly exhausted.

Driving down the hill, I went to another villa of mine to change clothes. The next day, as soon as I entered the company, I met my assistant. “Draft a resignation letter for Jack Simmons…” Before I could finish, a figure walked towards me as if she had been waiting. It was Rachel Thompson, who had been intimate with Jack yesterday. As she approached, she spoke smugly, “Good morning, Lily. I’m so sorry, Jack kept me up all night, that’s why I’m late.” Even though I had let go, I still felt sick to my stomach. Jack and I met during our studies abroad, with vastly different family backgrounds. This man used to be focused solely on his work, never socializing. Initially, I was attracted by his intense focus when coding. Later, to protect Jack’s pride, I concealed my identity as the Greene heiress. I chose to squeeze into a 600-square-foot apartment with Jack instead of living in the sprawling mansion my mother bought for me. For ten years, I spent my youth accompanying him as he developed NORA, the AI whose first half I had written. He was good to me too. The usually cold and taciturn Jack would confidently promise to give me a perfect wedding in front of others. But everything changed after his junior, Rachel Thompson, appeared. He wouldn’t allow me near their development team, and our wedding was postponed again and again. After my persistent nagging, he finally agreed to hold the wedding. Just when I thought I had finally reached a happy ending… He made me the laughingstock of everyone because of some vague, untested AI prediction. Following his hurt came Rachel’s shameless provocation. Thinking of this, I looked up with a slight smile. “Rachel Thompson, your development team is just one project in my company. If you…” She didn’t hear the rest. I had never threatened her so coldly before. Caught off guard, she stammered a couple of retorts before leaving. After she left, my assistant fumed, “Rachel Thompson acts so recklessly now, relying on being Jack’s junior.” “Ms. Greene, were you just about to process Rachel’s resignation?” I shook my head, “No, process Jack’s resignation.” My voice wasn’t loud, but everyone present turned to look at me. My assistant reflexively blurted out, “What?” I lowered my head and chuckled. So all these years, it was common knowledge that I loved Jack so pathetically. That’s why he was so confident in running away on our wedding day. After all, who didn’t know that I was Jack Simmons’ devoted puppy? Willing to give up my identity as a billionaire’s daughter to personally accompany him in starting a business, even secretly investing billions in resources without letting him know. Iron-fisted and ruthless in the company, yet completely indulgent towards him. No matter how busy, I would still do his laundry and cook for him every day. But faced with this love, he once coldly snorted in front of everyone: “It’s her honor to be good to me, the world’s top AI engineer.” Back then, I was still complacent, feeling content just to be by his side. But now I realize how pathetic I’ve been for the past ten years. Thinking of this, I coldly continued to my assistant, “Sever all ties between Jack Simmons and our company.” “Investigate the cause of NORA’s malfunction. From now on, Jack Simmons has no connection to our company.” “He’s fired.” After dealing with Jack’s resignation, I went to the “home” Jack and I shared.

As a company shareholder, besides firing Jack, I also needed to settle the matter of leaving him with nothing. So I had to find Jack to sign the papers. But looking around, I didn’t see Jack anywhere. I could only go back to the bedroom and start packing my things. But before I had packed much, I heard the front door open. Then a series of indescribable sounds arose, followed by… My whole body trembled. I got up and walked to the bedroom door. The two were kissing passionately on the sofa. Jack had his back to me, completely unaware, while Rachel clung to his embrace, her eyes meeting mine. Her breathless moans grew louder, her cries both seductive and pitiful. “Jack, honey, is this okay? Lily is still your fiancée. Won’t she be angry if we do this in your home?” Jack seemed to hear a joke, his wandering hands growing bolder. “Fiancée? So what? She’s just a puppy! Does she dare to get angry?” “Besides, after being with the same face for ten years, I’m so tired of it!” “Angry? No way! I just need to crook my finger, and she’ll come running back, yapping!” I clenched my fists tightly, my stomach churning violently with nausea. Ten years of memories, from our first meeting to getting together, all our little moments together. At this moment, with his few words, they instantly shattered into millions of sharp blades. The mirror of beautiful memories was smashed, turning into piercing dust that stabbed every cell in my body. The pain was unbearable. In the end, it all turned into a dead numbness. I had imagined I would be heartbroken when we broke up, but I never thought that in Jack’s eyes, I was just this kind of existence. Forget it. The Jack Simmons I fell in love with ten years ago, that coding genius, is long dead. I made a sound, clearing my throat. Jack, who had his back to me, finally noticed. His whole body trembled. After hearing the noise, he whirled around. Seeing it was me, his face flashed with panic and terror before settling into barely concealed smugness. “Now you know to come back and apologize?” Seeing no reaction from me, he pushed Rachel out of his arms and looked around. His gaze finally landed on the suitcase, “Yesterday you drove off and talked about breaking up. Weren’t you acting tough? What happened to that spirit?” “Let me tell you, if you want my forgiveness, it’s not just about apologizing to Rachel anymore.” “You also need to promise that you’re ignorant and will never interfere with our development team’s affairs again. All the company’s funds need to be transferred to the development team!” He stuck out his neck, inadvertently revealing the red marks on it. I suppressed the nausea in my heart, too lazy to argue. “I won’t do it, and I have nothing more to say to you.” I threw on a coat and slapped the voluntary stock transfer agreement on the table onto his body. “Remember to read and sign it. Trust me, you have no other choice.” Jack didn’t look at it. I don’t know what he misunderstood, but his voice behind me grew more arrogant. “Weren’t you so brave, throwing away the ring? Now you know to come back and grovel?” “It won’t be so easy for me to forgive you now. Who told you to offend Rachel? How about this, pack a red envelope with 20 or 30 million dollars.” I was amused by his righteous attitude. If it were before, I would have definitely complied. Forget about a mere 20 or 30 million, I would have given him my life. But now, I didn’t stop walking. Pulling my suitcase, I opened the door and left. I thought I had expressed myself clearly enough. After all, besides leaving with my suitcase, there was also that stock transfer agreement on the table. But unexpectedly, he still misunderstood. Not looking at the stock transfer agreement, he thought I was still obedient to him like before. He believed taking away my suitcase was just to give him and Rachel some space. So the messages he sent became even more arrogant. [What, now you believe in AI’s predictions? Realizing I’ll become the richest man in the world, so you’re starting to suck up to me?] [Lily Greene, I know you have some money, but compared to my future, what does it amount to? Now that you’ve come to your senses, shouldn’t you think about how to properly apologize to me?!] I didn’t divorce Jack, I just sent him a dismissal notice. My assistant also told me that my father, who was abroad, would be coming to Shanghai in the next few days to discuss the company’s return to the Greene Group. By then, I would take NORA and preside over the Greene Group, finally revealing myself to the public as the world’s richest woman. But I still didn’t expect that two days later, Jack would barge into my CEO office, bringing Rachel along. Seeing the front desk security trying to stop them, Jack angrily shouted: “You dogs dare to stop us? Lily Greene is my lapdog, do you want to be fired?”

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