Trapped at home by a raging storm, a familiar cramp seized my stomach – my period had arrived unexpectedly early. I pushed through the discomfort, heading to the utility closet. My plan was to grab the pads and pain relief tea I’d stashed away, but when I pulled open the door, I froze. The shelves were bare, completely empty. A million questions flooded my mind, wondering where everything had vanished to, when my phone buzzed with a notification. It was a social media post from Lily, Liam’s childhood friend. The photo showed her beaming, clutching an entire unopened box of sanitary pads and a pack of pain relief tea. The caption read: “So grateful to my amazing ‘big brother’ for bringing warmth and comfort just when I needed it most! Seriously a lifesaver!” Below that, she’d added: “Ladies, if anyone needs supplies, just message me! These are free to a good home!” 1 I stared at that post for what felt like an eternity. I couldn’t wrap my head around it. Why was it that every single time she and I needed help, he always, without fail, prioritized her? It wasn’t until two hours later, when he returned with the empty cardboard box, that I finally snapped out of my daze. He saw me sitting motionless on the sofa and frowned, a hint of annoyance in his expression. “It’s already dinner time. Why haven’t you cooked anything?” I ignored his question, meeting his gaze directly. “Did you see the message I sent you?” After realizing my period had started, and all my supplies were gone, I’d messaged him, asking if he’d moved them somewhere else. He’d never replied. I waited a long time, assuming he was busy. It was only when I accidentally clicked on my social media feed that I discovered, in this critical moment, he’d given all my pads to Lily. And together, they had “selflessly” given away my belongings to people in need. “Yeah, I saw it. So what? You had so much stashed away, you wouldn’t use it all at once. This is an emergency, everyone’s stuck inside. What’s wrong with giving things you don’t immediately need to people who do?” His face was etched with impatience, and I suddenly felt utterly exhausted. The dull ache in my lower abdomen sharpened into an agonizing cramp. If it weren’t for the leftover pads from last month in the bathroom, I truly wouldn’t know what to do. Clutching my throbbing belly, my face pale, I told him, “My period started. You need to figure something out and get me some back.” A peculiar expression flickered across Liam’s face. “Grace, you’re unbelievable. Everyone else has their period, and now you do too? Can’t you be more understanding, like Lily? She knows how to help people in need, why are you so selfish?” Selfish? Me? Last month, when I stocked up during the big sale, Lily had seen me carrying a large box of pads. Shamelessly, she’d looped her arm through his and scoffed, “Big brother, your girlfriend’s demand is huge! Only you could handle someone like that.” She’d yelled it out in public, without a shred of decency. I’d gotten angry and told her to shut up. But she just kept on, “Oh, look, your girlfriend’s all flustered!” Liam looked helpless, but instead of stopping her, he’d adopted a magnanimous air and told me, “Lily’s just boisterous, her heart’s in the right place. Don’t take it to heart.” I looked at Liam, whose eyes were now tinged with a faint anger, and said flatly, “Liam, let’s break up.” “What did you say?” Liam’s eyes widened in disbelief, a ridiculous expression on his face. “Grace, you’re breaking up with me just because I gave Lily some pads?” “Yes, I…” Before I could finish, there was a knock at the door. Lily’s cheerful, bright voice drifted in from the hallway. “Big brother, what good food are you making in there? Hurry up and invite your old man in for a taste!” Before we could even open the door, she’d casually entered the security code and walked right in. Seeing the tense atmosphere, the smile on her face quickly faded. “Big brother, did you upset Gracie? I told you before, women get angry easily! Whether it’s your fault or not, you have to apologize right away!” 2 Hearing her words, it felt like a needle had pierced my heart. Liam and I had been together for three years. Every time we argued, I was always the first to back down. I didn’t want trivial things to harm our relationship. But half a year ago, when Lily returned from studying abroad, after our arguments, he started to apologize and try to cheer me up. I thought he’d finally grown up. But it turns out, his apologies were because he’d listened to Lily. Yet, before that, I’d cried and asked him, “Can’t you just try to comfort me?” He’d looked annoyed and retorted, “It’s not my fault, why should I apologize or comfort you?” Just like now, hearing Lily’s words, he frowned deeply and retorted coldly, “I didn’t do anything wrong. Why should I apologize?” Then, his gaze fell on me, tinged with a slight disappointment. “Grace, why do you always compare yourself to Lily?” “Last time she was in a car accident and hospitalized, and suddenly you said you were in a car accident too. This time her period started, and now yours has too? Can’t you think before you lie? Is playing the same trick over and over fun?” Half a month ago, when Lily called him crying late at night about a car accident, Liam and I were still out shopping. When he got her call, his expression instantly tensed. He said, “Lily needs me right now. You go home first, I’m going to check on her.” Then, ignoring my pleas for him to stay, he turned and quickly left. He didn’t know that shortly after he left, two rough-looking guys emerged from an alley. They held me up with knives. In my fear, I gave them everything in my bag. But they thought it wasn’t enough, and their lewd gazes fell on me, trying to drag me into the deserted alley. Filled with terror, I struggled with all my might. I finally managed to break free and ran, only to collide with an oncoming car. Luckily, the driver stopped in time, and I only suffered a minor concussion. As I stumbled out of the observation room, feeling dizzy, I saw a familiar back carrying a lightly scraped Lily out of the hospital. When I got home, I told him I’d been in a car accident and wasn’t feeling well. But he looked at me with a strange, distant gaze. “Lily had a car accident, and you had one too? What a coincidence. Grace, there’s a limit to how much you can sensationalize things.” Even now, he still didn’t believe me, thinking I’d lied to get his attention. Before, I would have tried to defend myself. Now, I just felt tired. I quietly watched him. Before I could speak, Lily said with a look of sudden realization, “Oh, so you’re arguing about the pads! Gracie, you should have said something sooner. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have given all the extra ones to the neighbors.” “I only have enough for myself right now. If you want some, I’ll go get them for you right away. Just don’t be mad at Liam.” Hearing that, I was unexpectedly infuriated. All those things were mine. How did they become hers in her mouth? And she was offering to “bestow” them upon me? “Those were originally mine. If you want to return them, return all of them to me.” Liam looked at me disapprovingly, his eyes full of accusation. “You know perfectly well those things were given to the neighbors. How is Lily supposed to give them back to you? You’re clearly trying to make things difficult for her!” “If she can’t return them, then pay me back the original price.” I silently opened my payment QR code and handed it to her. “That’s three hundred and twenty dollars in total. If you don’t believe me, I have the receipt. Do you want to see it?” 3 A flicker of anger crossed Liam’s eyes, and he said in a low voice, “Grace, I think you’ve lost your mind! You’d better stop this, don’t keep acting out!” With that, he took Lily and walked out of the house without looking back. But if he’d had even a sliver of concern for me, he would have noticed the bloodstain spreading on the sofa where I sat. I endured the cramping pain in my lower abdomen, trembling as I stood up. The tears I’d been holding back in my eyes silently streamed down my face. The habit of stocking up on pads was something Liam had taught me. The year we first got together, he was away on a business trip, and my period started unexpectedly. I sat alone in the bathroom, remembering the days my mom would make me use toilet paper because she couldn’t afford pads. I had no choice but to improvise with paper again. That time, I got a serious infection. When Liam found out, he was both angry and heartbroken. His eyes red, he told me, “Next time something like this happens, you have to tell me. Grace, you’re not alone anymore, you have me.” From then on, even if I forgot to keep some at home, he would regularly buy them for me. I hadn’t understood before. Why, after Lily came back, everything changed. Now, I finally understood. In his heart, I would always be second to Lily. After Liam left, he had nowhere else to go. So he stayed at Lily’s place. That night, lying in bed, I was about to tell my best friend about breaking up with Liam, when I accidentally clicked on Lily’s social media. She had updated her status three minutes ago. The photo showed Liam, wearing a Pikachu apron, busy in her kitchen. I couldn’t hear what she said, but he turned and smiled in response. His gentle, relaxed smile was captured perfectly by the camera. The caption read: “Look at the apron my big brother is wearing! Doesn’t it suit him? He didn’t want to wear it at first, but I coaxed him, and he agreed! I can’t believe how easy he is to win over!” Neighbors who were also friends with me commented below: “Oh, Lily, if a man doesn’t truly care about you, no amount of coaxing will work! The easier he is to win over, the more he loves you!” “Exactly! My husband was like that when he was young. I’d say one thing and he’d be hooked. Now love has turned into kinship; I could be hanging myself and he’d think I was just exercising.” Reading those comments, I couldn’t help but recall my first argument with Liam. It was raining heavily, just like today. He had promised to pick me up from work. But I stood outside the company for two whole hours, and he never showed up. Later I found out, on the day he stood me up, he was with Lily, watching a movie. When I found out, I threw a huge fit. Liam angrily stormed out and didn’t come back for a week. I didn’t want to lose him, so I swallowed my pride and apologized. It took a week of coaxing before he finally agreed to come home. Compared to my desperation back then, Lily’s words made all my genuine efforts in the past seem like a ridiculous joke. I silently exited her social media and got up to pack Liam’s belongings. The apartment we were living in now was rented by me. I’ve always been sensitive and insecure since childhood. I didn’t want to use Liam’s money, nor did I want to live in his house. So when he suggested moving into his place, I flat-out refused him. Looking back now, my choice then was the right one. Otherwise, I can’t imagine how embarrassingly I would have had to move out of his house. I put all his things into cardboard boxes. Then, meticulously, I wiped away every trace he had left in this home. Once I finished, I went to bed, finally content. 4 The next day, good news spread through the residents’ group chat. People could now gradually use the stairs to go down to the second floor to collect relief supplies. I had terrible period cramps last night and couldn’t sleep. My face was pale and lifeless, so I thought I’d let others go first. I’d go down a bit later, to avoid the crowds. But when I finally felt well enough to go downstairs, there were only a few supplies left. Liam and Lily had somehow become volunteers. They were distributing the supplies. When it was my turn, Liam’s eyes darkened. He took half of the vegetables and necessities from the bag and said blandly, “You live alone now, you don’t need that many vegetables. Let’s give these to someone who needs them more.” Hearing his self-righteous, unapproved arrangement, I instantly snapped with laughter. “These were already pre-portioned. Did I agree to your arrangements?” “Gracie, even though these were pre-portioned, you reported two people on the list. Liam is staying at my place now, so his share should go to me.” Lily feigned generosity, lecturing me. It sounded reasonable, but the vegetables he’d picked out were all Lily’s favorites. What was left were the ones I disliked. I pursed my lips. My throbbing abdomen wouldn’t allow me to argue with them here. I took the bag she handed me and turned to leave. But then, Lily’s startled cry came from behind me: “Oh my god, Gracie, why is there so much blood on your pants?!” At her words, disgusted and scrutinizing stares converged on me from all directions. I felt exposed, utterly mortified, frozen in place. “If you were on your period, you should have said something sooner. How could you do something so embarrassing just to spite Liam?” I was shaking with anger, I couldn’t take it anymore. I turned and walked towards her. In her surprised gaze, I lifted the bag of vegetables and swung it at her. Before she could react, I raised my hand and slapped her across the face. Gritting my teeth, I said, “If someone hadn’t been a thief, stealing my things to play the hero, would I be like this?” Liam quickly reacted. As I was about to raise my hand to hit her again, he grabbed my arm and scolded, “That’s enough! What does your public humiliation have to do with Lily? Why do you always blame your mistakes on others?” I’d hit her, and I’d forgotten about him. I smirked faintly, and with my free hand, I slapped him across the face. “Get lost. Anyone has the right to scold me, but you don’t!” With that, ignoring his anger, I shook off his hand and walked away. Back home, I changed my clothes. I took all his belongings and dumped them at Lily’s doorstep. I thought after this, he’d realize I was serious about breaking up and wouldn’t come looking for me again. But to my surprise, when I woke up the next morning, and opened the fridge to make breakfast, everything inside was gone. Not only that, but the rice and noodles on my pantry shelf were also gone. Before I could even react, my phone in my pocket started vibrating incessantly. I tapped on the furiously messaging residents’ group chat, and I felt myself trembling with anger. Liam and Lily had just posted pictures of fresh vegetables and rice and noodles in the group. And they had asked the administrators to tag everyone, telling them that if anyone in the building needed supplies, they could get them for free from apartment 503. The neighbors in the group chat were full of praise for their righteous actions. I, however, pulled out my phone and quietly called the police. The group chat continued to buzz. “The couple in 503 are truly exemplary young people of our time! Such selfless acts deserve commendation. After this storm passes, we must ask the property management to award them a banner of recognition!” “Exactly! When you two get married, Auntie will definitely give you a big red envelope to thank you for your selfless contribution!” “Resident of 502, aren’t you a reporter? You absolutely must report on the good deeds they’ve done, so everyone can see the true kindness that shines through in times of hardship!” Lily was gloating over this, wondering how to respond, when the property manager suddenly tagged her in the group. “Ms. Chen, Mr. Lin, please come to the second floor as soon as possible. Someone has reported you for breaking and entering and theft. The police are on their way.”

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I gently touched my flat stomach, my gaze turning ice-cold as it landed on the man standing in front of me. A man I had known for seven years, who now felt like a total stranger. Nate had just returned from his corporate deployment in Colombia, but he didn’t come back alone. Standing right beside him was a heavily pregnant woman with a deep, sun-baked tan. His eyes darted everywhere, terrified to meet my gaze. His voice dripped with pathetic guilt. “Avery, it was the booze. I swear to you. I had way too much to drink that night, and I made a massive mistake.” “Her name is Jessica. She was my local translator down in Bogota. She helped me out of some really dangerous spots during the project. Letting her keep this baby is just giving her a lifeline.” “Don’t panic, okay? You and I are still getting married. Once the baby is born, I’ll send her straight back to South America.” “The kid is innocent, Ave. You wouldn’t want me to be a deadbeat dad, right?” He practically begged, trying to paint his betrayal as some noble sacrifice. The very last shred of hope in my chest shattered into dust. I let out a dry, mocking laugh and gave him a single, emotionless nod. “Okay.” I turned my back on them, pulled out my phone, and scrolled down to a number I hadn’t called in a very long time. “Let’s get married,” I said the second the call connected. 1. Nate looked entirely too guilty to even glance in my direction. Jessica stood close to him, her fingers nervously twisting the fabric of his expensive suit sleeve. She played the part of a terrified victim perfectly, but the look she shot me over his shoulder held a sickening flash of absolute triumph. Nate was still rambling, desperately trying to justify the nightmare he brought into my home. “You have to understand, the slums where Jessica grew up are brutal.” “She saved my life down there, Avery. I couldn’t just leave her pregnant with my flesh and blood, living in fear in a place like that.” My heart didn’t even ache anymore. It had gone entirely numb. Before this deployment, we had been planning our wedding. I had waited for him to come home so we could finally pick a venue. Now, his words felt like a backhand across my face. A sharp cramp twisted low in my abdomen. I looked down, hiding the agonizing pain in my eyes. I was hiding my own poorly timed secret, too. The lab results confirming I was three months pregnant were sitting right inside my designer purse. I had practically been vibrating with joy this morning, counting down the seconds until I could tell Nate he was going to be a father. Clearly, that conversation was never going to happen. A bitter smile touched my lips as I looked at Nate’s pleading face. I slowly nodded. If this was how it was going to be, then I didn’t want this man anymore. He was garbage, and I was throwing him out. Nate was so wrapped up in the relief of my apparent agreement that he immediately turned to comfort Jessica. His voice was sickeningly sweet. “See? Don’t be scared. I told you Avery is the kindest, most reasonable woman in the world.” He completely missed the absolute zero-degree blizzard raging in my eyes. Listening to him praise my “kindness” made my blood run freezing cold. Looking at them, they looked like the real couple. I was just the extra. I turned on my heel and walked out the door in total silence, pressing the phone to my ear. The line picked up on the second ring. Rowan’s voice filtered through the speaker. He still had that same lazy, arrogant drawl from our childhood. But the moment he heard my voice, he went dead silent. When he finally spoke again, his normally smooth tone was actually trembling. “Avery. Are you dead serious right now?” His words rushed out in a frantic blur, as if giving me a second to breathe would make me take it all back. “No takebacks, Ave. It’s done.” “I’m booking the next flight out of London. Wait for me.” The line went dead with a soft click. Staring at the disconnected screen, the tight knot between my eyebrows finally relaxed. But the cynical laughter bubbling up in my chest only grew louder. I had been with Nate for seven grueling years. Every single time I brought up marriage, he brushed me off. He said he needed to establish his career first. He said we needed more money. Earlier this year, I practically handed him a million-dollar contract on a silver platter. He finally bought a ring. He finally proposed. And then, three months in South America was all it took to destroy everything. Yet, there was another man. A man who only needed three words from me to drop his entire life on another continent and fly home. I shook my head, pushed open the heavy glass doors of the building, and headed straight for the hospital. 2. The doctor stared at my charts, her brow heavily furrowed. “Ms. Davis, are you absolutely certain about this?” “Given your medical history, a successful pregnancy is a miracle. Are you really sure you want to terminate?” A ghost of a smile tugged at the corners of my mouth. I had spent my entire twenties building Nate’s empire alongside him. I had entertained his clients, drank myself sick to close his deals, and run my own health straight into the ground. My body was wrecked. The older I got, the harder it became to conceive. This baby was a complete surprise, but it was a surprise I had prayed for in secret for years. Meeting the doctor’s tragic, sympathetic gaze, I simply closed my eyes and gave a firm nod. The procedure was quick. By the time I walked out of the recovery wing, my face was as white as a sheet of paper. I was taking slow, agonizing steps toward the main lobby exit when I turned a corner and walked right into Nate and Jessica. Nate was so hyper-focused on his new pregnant girlfriend that he didn’t even look where he was going. He slammed his shoulder hard into mine, sending me crashing onto the hard linoleum floor. A sharp cry ripped from my throat. A cold sweat immediately broke out across my forehead as raw pain shot through my recovering body. Hearing my voice, Nate finally snapped his head down. Shock and panic flooded his face. He lunged forward and tried to haul me up by my arms. “Avery? What the hell are you doing at the hospital?” “Are you okay?” I ripped my arms out of his grip. I opened my mouth to tell him to back off, but Jessica beat me to it. She suddenly grabbed her stomach and let out a bloodcurdling shriek. “Nate! Oh my god, my baby! My stomach hurts so bad!” All the color drained from Nate’s face in an instant. His panic over me vanished, entirely replaced by a terrifying, protective rage. “Avery, did you do this on purpose?” he roared. Jessica gripped Nate’s sleeve, big fat tears rolling down her cheeks. “Nate, what if something happens to our baby? I’m so scared!” Nate shot me a look so full of venom it actually took my breath away. He scooped Jessica up into his arms, shoved me back down to the floor with his boot, and sprinted down the hall toward the emergency clinic. Before he disappeared, he threw one last threat over his shoulder. “If anything happens to my kid, Avery, I swear to God I will make you pay!” I sat collapsed on the freezing hospital floor. Passersby stopped and stared at me in pity, rushing over to help me stand. A hollow, miserable laugh escaped my lips. I thanked the strangers, ignored their sympathetic whispers, and dragged my broken body out of the building like a walking joke. 3. The second I dragged myself into our apartment, my legs gave out. I collapsed into bed and fell into a dark, feverish sleep. I had no idea how many hours passed before large, rough hands started shaking my shoulders. Nate stood over my bed, looking entirely too self-righteous. “You’ve been home this whole time? I’ve been shouting your name from the foyer. Are you deaf?” I swallowed down the wave of nausea and forced myself to sit up, glaring right at him. “I need to rest. What do you want, Nate?” He shifted his weight, looking the tiniest bit uncomfortable. “Do you have any idea how reckless you were today?” “Thank God Jessica is fine. The doctor said she just needs strict bed rest.” I had zero energy to deal with his delusions. I turned my back on him and pulled the covers up, ready to go back to sleep. But Nate wasn’t done. He stepped closer, his voice rising in demand. “Jessica is coming here to recover.” “She doesn’t know a single soul in this country. She needs someone to look after her 24/7 right now.” “You’re a great cook, Ave. You can make her those organic meals and help build her strength back up.” My lungs completely locked up. I was suddenly seized by a violent fit of coughing. Watching me choke on air, Nate didn’t show a single ounce of pity. Instead, he just started barking orders. “The master bedroom has the best lighting and the most space. It’s perfect for a pregnant woman. Clean your stuff out and give it to Jessica.” I swallowed the bitter taste of bile burning in my throat. My voice came out like cracked ice. “And where exactly am I supposed to sleep?” Nate waved his hand like I was being ridiculous. “What about the guest quarters down by the laundry room? Just take the maid’s bed.” “It’s not forever, Ave. Just until she pops the kid out. Be reasonable.” 4. I stared at the face of the man I had worshipped for seven years. His handsome features, the ones I used to trace with my fingers while he slept, suddenly looked twisted, hideous, and pathetic. I couldn’t hold it back anymore. I started laughing. I laughed so hard my ribs screamed and hot tears spilled down my cheeks. Seeing my manic reaction, Nate’s ego took a hit. His tone turned instantly aggressive. “Avery, we already talked about this! I told you she was keeping the kid!” “You literally agreed to this this morning! What the hell is this psychotic act for?” My laughter died instantly. I violently wiped the tears from my face. Before I could tear into him, the bedroom door slowly pushed open. Jessica stood in the doorway, trembling like a frightened doe. Her English was heavily accented, dripping with fake, sickening concern. “Nate, please. You cannot fight with Avery because of me.” “If my baby brings you trouble, I will pack my bags right now.” Her voice cracked with perfect theatrical timing. “I can go back to the slums. It is okay. I am used to suffering.” Her manipulative little speech worked like absolute magic. Nate’s face flushed dark red with furious protective instinct. “Avery, knock it off right now!” he screamed at me. “I made a mistake! A mistake literally any guy would make if he was lonely enough!” “I already promised I’d put a ring on your finger! But Jessica and this baby are my responsibility too!” “What do you want from me? Do you want me to be a garbage human being who abandons his own child?” The words I was about to scream at him died in the back of my throat. I was staring at a monster I didn’t even recognize. Taking my silence as submission, Nate puffed his chest out with arrogant pride. He pulled Jessica into his arms, petting her hair and lowering his voice to a gentle purr. “Didn’t the doctor tell you to stay off your feet? Go rest in the living room. I’ll handle things in here.” Jessica looked up at him with wide, worshipful eyes. “I trust you, Nate. You are my hero. I just hate seeing Avery so mad at you.” He gently kissed the top of her head. The intimacy of it made my stomach violently revolt. I couldn’t stand the sight of them for one more second. I threw the blankets off and walked right past them toward the door. But Jessica’s shrill voice stopped me in my tracks. “Avery, wait. You should take this.” 5. Jessica walked over to my bedside table and picked up a silver picture frame. It was the photo from the night Nate proposed. In the picture, I was crying tears of pure joy, and Nate was looking at me like I hung the moon and the stars. Jessica held the frame out to me, taking slow, deliberate steps in my direction. The terrified act was gone. Her lips curved into an incredibly wicked, mocking smirk. I took a step back, totally disgusted by the thought of her touching me. Suddenly, she let go. The heavy silver frame crashed onto the hardwood floor. The glass shattered into a hundred jagged pieces. Before I could even blink, Jessica threw herself backward and let out a blood-chilling scream. “Avery, if you hate me, just hit me! Do whatever you want to me once I deliver!” “Why would you try to hurt my baby?!” I stared down at her miserable acting routine, a cold smirk forming on my own lips. But Nate was completely blind. He charged into the room like a rabid dog. He grabbed the collar of my silk pajama shirt, twisting the fabric so tight it choked me. “Avery, you vindictive bitch! Are you out of your mind?!” “How can you be so evil? She’s carrying my child!” I clawed at his hands, trying to breathe, but his grip was like iron. Down on the floor, Jessica clutched her perfectly fine stomach, wailing at the ceiling. “Avery, I swear I didn’t mean to steal him. We were just so drunk.” “I don’t want your man. I’m leaving the second the baby is born.” “But this baby is an innocent soul. Please, don’t punish an unborn child for our sins!” Hearing her hysterical crying pushed Nate over the edge. His face contorted with absolute hatred. He shoved me backward with all his strength. He aimed right for my stomach. I crashed backward, hitting the sharp corner of the vanity before crumpling to the floor. The surgical pain flared up so bright and hot I folded perfectly in half, unable to breathe, let alone speak. Nate simply bent down, scooped his mistress off the floor, and glared down at me with supreme disgust. “Don’t act like a victim, Avery. I’m just giving you a taste of your own medicine.” “What is this pathetic little act anyway? Are you going to pretend you’re pregnant too?” He sneered, his lip curling up. “If you have a problem, take it up with me. Keep your filthy hands off Jessica and my kid.” He turned on his heel and carried her out of the room without looking back once. His heavy boots crunched right over our shattered engagement photo, grinding the memory into the floorboards. Covered in a layer of cold sweat, I reached out a shaking hand and pulled the torn photograph from the glass. When Nate had proposed, he had sworn on his life that he would never betray me. He had looked at me with such fierce, unshakable devotion. Just minutes ago, those exact same eyes had looked at me like I was radioactive trash. Without a single drop of hesitation, I ripped the photograph down the middle. The love was dead. Keeping this stupid piece of paper would only infect the rest of my life. 6. It took a long time for the agonizing fire in my pelvis to fade. I dragged myself off the floor, took a scalding hot shower to wash away the sticky sweat, and began violently throwing things into my suitcases. This penthouse was supposed to be our marital home. I had poured my soul into this place, turning an empty glass box into a warm, inviting sanctuary for our future family. Now, the walls felt like the jaws of a beast trying to swallow me whole. I threw out the customized artwork we made together. I trashed the matching mugs. I threw away every single thing that had his fingerprints on it. By the time I was down to just my basic clothes and my passport, I was panting, completely exhausted. Just as I zipped up my final piece of luggage, the front door clicked open. Nate had taken Jessica for a walk. They stepped into the master bedroom. Nate took one look at the completely barren room, paused, and then nodded with a huge, satisfied grin. “I knew you’d come to your senses, Ave.” “This is perfect actually. Jessica didn’t really like your taste in bedding anyway. We’ll just buy everything brand new.” My jaw practically hit the floor. I stared at him, utterly stunned by his sheer, sociopathic audacity. My body was too weak to even scream at him. I simply turned around and grabbed the handle of my suitcase. Nate immediately stepped in my way, blocking the door. “Hey, make that seafood risotto you’re so good at. Jessica is starving.” “You can finish organizing your little maid’s room later. Pregnant women need to eat constantly to keep their blood sugar up.” “Whatever. You’ve never been pregnant, so you wouldn’t get it anyway.” “Just get in the kitchen.” Even knowing I was leaving him, hearing him casually dismiss my fertility felt like a knife twisting straight into my ribs. I stared blankly down at my own two hands. Before I met Nate, I didn’t even know how to boil water. I was a spoiled rich girl who ordered takeout every night. But Nate loved home-cooked meals, so I spent months burning my fingers and chopping my own skin just to learn how to feed him. A hollow chuckle escaped my throat. I didn’t bother arguing. I pulled my purse over my shoulder and stood up straight. Nate was horribly impatient. He shoved my shoulder, physically pushing me toward the staircase. “Come on, move. This is your duty now.” “Thank God Jessica is built tough. If she was fragile, she would have lost the baby with all the times you’ve attacked her today.” 7. Jessica hovered safely behind Nate’s broad shoulders, playing the traumatized victim to perfection. Hearing him defend her, she peeked her head out timidly. “Avery, please don’t be mad. I promise I’m not trying to take your place.” I stared at her with dead, shark-like eyes. She rested a hand on her swollen belly. Her voice was sugar-sweet, but the glare she shot me was pure poison. “I really appreciate you cooking for me, Avery. I hate being a burden, but the baby is just growing so fast.” I rolled my eyes at her absolute garbage acting. But Nate bought it hook, line, and sinker. He practically melted. “You are so brave, Jess. Seriously.” “Avery understands. She’s not holding a grudge.” My stomach did a violent flip. I clamped a hand over my mouth to keep from vomiting, shoved past them, and walked straight for the top of the stairs. Seeing me completely ignore his authority, Nate’s fragile male ego snapped. He roared my name down the hallway. “Avery Davis, what the actual hell is your problem?!” “I told you I let your little temper tantrum slide! I forgave you for assaulting my pregnant girlfriend!” “Why are you still walking around with that miserable dead look on your face?!” He lunged forward to grab my arm and drag me back. But Jessica beat him to it. She closed the distance and clamped her hand around my wrist like a vice. “Avery, are you still punishing me?” “I’ll get on my knees and apologize, okay? Just talk to us!” Her grip was brutal. I felt her sharp acrylic nails bite deep into the tender flesh of my inner arm. The sharp pain triggered my survival instinct. I violently yanked my arm back with everything I had left in the tank. The momentum threw my balance completely off. My foot slipped on the slick hardwood edge of the top step. Gravity ripped me backward. I tumbled down the long marble staircase, my bones cracking against the stone over and over again. The last thing I saw was the ceiling spinning wildly before everything went pitch black. 8. When I finally dragged my heavy eyelids open, I was blinded by fluorescent lights and assaulted by the sterile stench of bleach. The private hospital room was entirely empty. I stared blankly at the ceiling tiles, my brain thick and sluggish with painkillers, trying to piece together how I survived. The heavy door clicked open. Nate strolled into the room. He looked incredibly annoyed, completely devoid of any real concern. “You awake?” I slowly turned my head away, offering him the side of my face. Nate walked over and tried to grab my hand. I ripped it away like his skin was made of acid. “Come on, Ave. You tripped and fell like an idiot, but the doctors say nothing is broken. Stop being so dramatic.” When I continued to treat him like empty air, his irritation spiked into outright anger. “What, are you going to run around telling people Jessica pushed you?” He scoffed, his face twisting into an ugly sneer. “You are acting completely insane. If Jessica hadn’t begged me to go easy on you, and if you hadn’t taken that spill down the stairs, I would have dumped you on the street for what you did.” But it was his next sentence that truly gutted me. “You’ve been incredibly hostile to Jess. So, to make up for it, we made a decision.” “When Jessica’s kid is born, we’re putting your name on the birth certificate as the mother.” “It’s a win-win. You finally get to live out your little fantasy of being a mom.” “Since you clearly can’t give me a kid of your own.” I had spent countless nights lying on Nate’s chest, whispering about the names we would give our future babies. We had picked out nursery colors. We had built a whole imaginary life. And now, he was pouring battery acid directly into my open wounds. I closed my eyes. My heart rate stayed perfectly flat. My voice came out dead and calm. “We are done, Nate. The engagement is over.” 9. Nate reacted like I had just punched him in the throat. “Over?” “Avery, what fresh hell is this?!” “Stop acting like a psychotic child!” He scrubbed his hands aggressively over his face, pacing the side of the bed. “You’re almost thirty, Avery! Who the hell else is going to put up with you?” “Jessica is literally giving you her baby as a gift! You should be on your knees thanking her!” A dark, incredibly twisted smile slowly spread across my face. I looked him dead in the eye and enunciated every single word. “I don’t want your bastard kid, Nate.” Nate’s jaw dropped. He looked utterly paralyzed, opening his mouth to scream at me again. But a nurse suddenly burst into the room, out of breath. “Sir! Where is the family for Jessica? Her blood pressure is spiking!” Nate’s anger vanished. Panic washed over his features. He spun toward the door but pointed a shaking finger at me. “This is all your fault! You caused this stress! You owe her, Avery!” My smile only grew wider and colder. I hadn’t missed the tiny, victorious smirk Jessica shot me right as I was tumbling down those stairs. I watched his desperate, pathetic back disappear into the hallway and let out a genuine laugh. I closed my eyes, letting the quiet of the room sink in. A few minutes later, the door clicked open again. A familiar, deep voice echoed in the room. “Jesus, Avery. I leave you alone for one day and you end up looking like a car wreck.”

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1 The day after I bought my new car, the brakes failed catastrophically. I was violently thrown from the vehicle, lying on the ground barely clinging to life. My wife, Sienna, rushed to the scene after getting the news. But the first thing she did was snatch the dash cam, completely ignoring my agonizing pleas for help. I was rushed to the hospital, fighting for my life for days, with one critical condition notice after another. During this time, Sienna vanished as if she’d evaporated into thin air. She was nowhere to be seen. Later, doctors confirmed permanent nerve damage. I would spend the rest of my life in a wheelchair, reliant on medication. It was then that I learned Sienna’s beloved crush, Quentin, had won an award for his thesis on brake technology improvement. And I was his so-called “test subject”! The hospital contacted Sienna to inform her of my condition, but she coldly retorted, “Tell him to stop faking it. Quentin’s experiment is perfectly safe; he’s probably just scraped his knee!” … After years of marriage, my wife, Sienna, gave me my first truly expensive gift… a cutting-edge concept car, worth a fortune. Who knew that the very next day, on a winding road, the brakes would fail? No matter what I did, I couldn’t stop it from accelerating wildly. To avoid hitting innocent people, I had no choice but to swerve hard and crash into the mountainside. Just as I was about to hit, Sienna called. I answered, and with a heavy heart, said goodbye to her. “Where are you?!” she cried, frantic. At the time, I was relieved, thinking she was worried about my safety. But later, I realized that wasn’t it at all. I told her the address. The moment I finished the last word, the car slammed into the mountain, and I was thrown out. Luckily, there was a dense thicket of bushes nearby. With something to cushion the impact, I didn’t hit the mountainside directly. But I heard the sound of my entire body’s joints shattering. A gash on my head bled profusely, obscuring my vision. I couldn’t see what was happening in front of me, only feeling a car pull up on this rarely traveled road. I cried for help, a weak whisper of “Help me!” That’s when I saw a familiar figure. It was my wife, Sienna. But after getting out of the car, she walked straight towards my vehicle, which was already starting to smoke. I thought she was coming to save me. I was even worried about her safety, desperately throwing pebbles, afraid the car would explode. But she stubbornly pried open the car door with a tool and got in. At that moment, my tears and blood mixed, and seeing her actions, I assumed she was trying to rescue me. However, after she retrieved the dash cam, she walked over and glanced at me. In that instant, her eyes were chillingly indifferent. “Sienna! Save me… save me…” She merely said to me, coldly, “Quentin’s waiting for the brake test results. I don’t have time to help you. You won’t die anyway, just bear with it.” Then, her car drove off. And on that remote mountain road, it was a full half-hour before anyone discovered me. By the time I was rushed to the hospital, my brain had been deprived of blood for a long time, and I had broken bones and fractures throughout my entire body. The doctor urgently called out, asking if there were any family members. “Family! Quickly notify his family, his condition is too severe, it’s very likely… he won’t make it.” A young nurse frantically searched through my belongings for any contact information. She unlocked my phone with my fingerprint and found the top-pinned contact. She dialed. That familiar voice answered, and after less than thirty seconds, she just snapped, “Aren’t you annoying? I told you I’m busy. Go home by yourself after the hospital, don’t bother me.” The call was hung up. Everyone exchanged bewildered glances… The young nurse dialed again, but the call was immediately disconnected. I don’t know how it was eventually resolved, but until I was wheeled into the operating room, I never saw Sienna. 2 “This patient is so unfortunate. How many days has he been hospitalized? He’s been resuscitated several times, but there’s not a single family member here.” “The hospital even covered his medical expenses.” “Poor guy. They say he’s facing paralysis; his nerves are damaged.” The nurse spoke as she changed my dressing. My body was almost entirely fitted with steel pins to fix the shattered bones, and I couldn’t move at all. I could even smell a gradually unpleasant odor coming from myself. The nurse patiently helped me change my adult diaper. I nodded, wanting to thank her, but the words wouldn’t come out. The young nurse quickly said, “Don’t talk, don’t strain your wounds. Don’t be embarrassed, we’re all taking care of everyone in this critical care ward. I’ll be happy as long as you recover and get discharged.” She smiled and left. It was visiting hours for the critical care ward. Family members outside walked in an orderly fashion. Almost every room had a family member accompanying the patient, except mine. The head nurse watched from a distance, and I heard her ask the nurse, “His parents are apparently gone, and he only has a wife. You said for so many days, we couldn’t even reach her.” “We finally got through, but she kept hanging up.” By now, I couldn’t shed another tear. My entire body ached to death. Just then, my test results came back. The doctor walked over with a grave expression. “Mr. Jiang, I have some bad news for you.” My eyes were fixed on the doctor. I had already guessed, but couldn’t quite believe it. When she personally said there was an eighty percent chance of permanent nerve damage, rendering me unable to walk and requiring lifelong medication and a wheelchair, I broke down. “We still need to call your wife to inform her; this is a very serious matter.” She personally dialed Sienna’s number on her own phone. The moment the call connected, it wasn’t Sienna’s voice that answered. “Is that brother-in-law? I won an award today, and Sienna threw a party for me. She drank too much, so she’s not coming home. She’s resting at my place. Don’t call anymore, Sienna says you annoy her.” He chuckled after saying that. “Goodnight, brother-in-law. Get some sleep, don’t get yourself worked up.” The instant he hung up, the head nurse was already cursing under her breath. I tried to move my fingers, to tell them there was one more person they could contact. They finally noticed when I knocked the medicine box beside my bed onto the floor. They handed me my phone. I laboriously slid my finger, found that number, and as the head nurse dialed, my body trembled uncontrollably. I didn’t know if she would still answer my call, or if she even remembered me. “What’s wrong?” A voice answered. The head nurse skillfully explained the situation. The other party immediately sounded anxious. “Thank you so much. I’ll buy the next available flight and try to arrive by midnight.” The moment the call ended, my heart finally settled. Until midnight, the head nurse and the nurse taking care of me waited for that person. But after a long wait, no one appeared. Just when I thought I was going to be abandoned again, someone rushed in, looking disheveled. “Hello! I’m Jean, Ethan’s sister. How is he doing now?” The head nurse, seeing her striking resemblance to me, quickly said, “Not well. He’s inside. We’ll take you in.” The moment my sister saw me, her eyes turned red. For twenty whole years, after our parents divorced, I hadn’t seen my sister. Even when our parents passed away, we each handled our own funerals. The first time she called me was when I got married. She prepared a lavish dowry for me but didn’t attend the wedding. I once thought she didn’t want to acknowledge me as her brother. But I never expected her to rush here by plane from out of town when I was injured and close to death. 3 “Where’s his wife?” When Jean asked that question, everyone present fell silent. Until the head nurse, with a voice full of indignation, said, “Even when we reached her, she wouldn’t come. She thought the patient was faking it…” My sister didn’t speak, but her clenched fists and trembling body told me of her anger. That night, she signed countless critical condition notices, watching me being resuscitated again and again, powerless, she could only press her face against the glass window. The last time I was wheeled out of the operating room, she stared at me for a long time. “It’s okay. Sister has money. I’ll do everything I can to cure you.” My sister ran up and down, contacting the best doctors for me, arranging expert consultations, and even preparing to sell her house to pay for my treatment. That night, I experienced multi-organ failure, leading to a massive emergency resuscitation by the entire department. After twelve hours of surgery, I saw my wife, Sienna, for the first time. She walked past me, arm-in-arm with Quentin. Quentin even glanced at me and said, “He’s practically dead, isn’t he? Still trying to save him?” Sienna tugged at him, quickly covering his eyes. “Don’t look at such unpleasant things, it’ll affect you. Right now, what’s important is getting Ethan’s injury data to complete your report.” “You’re the best, Senior Sister! If you hadn’t volunteered to let your husband be my data test subject, I might not have graduated with my doctorate.” Data test subject? When I was wheeled into the critical care ward, Sienna was asking the nurse about my room. “The one admitted for a car accident, Ethan Jiang. His injuries shouldn’t be serious. Which room is he in?” The nurse glanced at her. “Are you the patient’s…?” “I’m his wife…” As her words fell, the nurse pointed to me, who had just come out of a 12-hour surgery. “That’s him… the one just out of surgery, that’s your husband.” “What?!” She looked utterly incredulous. The facts were undeniable, yet Quentin put his arm around my wife and said, “Is brother-in-law really faking it so convincingly?” Sienna still seemed a bit nervous, but she quickly pulled Quentin away and left, still without visiting me. Thanks to my sister’s persistence, my condition improved. The day I was moved out of the critical care ward, I could already sit up in bed. The experts my sister hired were truly skilled. I smiled, praising them. My phone, however, kept buzzing. When I opened it, it was flooded with news about Quentin winning an award for his brake system test. Because of the success of his experiment, which advanced car safety, he was lauded by major media outlets. In one interview, a reporter asked, “Such large-scale tests require real human test subjects. Traditionally, it’s usually the researchers themselves, or their family and friends, and it often comes with a great cost. Therefore, those willing to be test subjects usually have a very close relationship with the researcher. Mr. Quentin, your test subject…” Quentin looked at Sienna, who was sitting below. “My test subject loves me very much.” At that moment, the room erupted. And today was Quentin’s award ceremony, a grand affair at the city’s central performing arts center. I checked the time, opened the cloud backup of my dash cam footage on my phone, and called the police. “Hello, I suspect Mr. Quentin and Ms. Sienna are involved in attempted murder.” 4 The moment I hung up, I felt the fire in my heart hadn’t extinguished at all. By now, I was basically certain that I was the test subject for Quentin’s experiment, and without my knowledge, Sienna and Quentin had swapped out my car’s brakes. The day after I got the car, Sienna asked me to run an errand for her, specifically picking that little-traveled road. That’s why she was able to arrive so quickly after my accident. It meant she had been following not far behind, calculating the data. So, I unknowingly became a sacrifice. And I no longer had legal guardians in name; only she, my wife, had the right to decide my fate. Whatever happened seemed to have no impact on Quentin. She was truly considerate. After understanding all this, my hands trembled uncontrollably. My sister, Jean, came in with food. “The doctor said you can have a small amount of liquid food, so I bought some for you. Eat up.” She carefully blew on it to cool it, then repeatedly checked to make sure it wouldn’t burn me before giving it to me. Just as I finished eating, Jean was wiping my mouth when Sienna’s sharp voice cut through the air. “Ethan! I knew why you wouldn’t leave the hospital! Turns out you have another woman taking care of you here. Who is she?!” Sienna hadn’t shown up until now, and her first appearance was to spread rumors. Behind her, Quentin followed, looking like he’d been crying. The two of them stormed over. Sienna grabbed my wrist and demanded, “Did you call the police on us?” “Go explain everything to the police right now!” Behind the two of them, not only were there police officers, but also several reporters. After all, Quentin’s project was huge this time, attracting a lot of attention, and I called the police during his award ceremony. Seeing how quickly they arrived at the hospital, they must have been desperate to clear Quentin’s name. Sienna, clutching my arm, whispered in my ear, “Ethan, this experiment is very important to Quentin. Just say you filed a false report out of jealousy and help him out this once. I’ll remember this good deed of yours, and I’ll treat you well in the future.” Treat me well? I’d heard that phrase too many times, from our marriage until now, every time she made a mistake, it was that same line. At first, I was young and thought she had time to change, but now I wasn’t that fool anymore. I ignored her words. Sienna, however, was confident I would obey. She said confidently to the police, “I told you, my husband was just unhappy and deliberately filed a false report. We’ve certainly wasted your time, and I apologize on his behalf.” The reporters whispered amongst themselves. Quentin proudly said, “Brother-in-law, you can’t just be jealous of me because you haven’t achieved anything, can you? This time, I can’t let it go for Senior Sister’s sake. You must apologize to me.” As he spoke, the police officers’ expressions turned grim. “Mr. Jiang, if you really just filed a false report as a joke, it constitutes an illegal act and could result in administrative detention. Are you sure?” When the police asked, Sienna immediately interjected, “Yes, I’m sure! But seeing as he’s still seriously ill, can’t you postpone the enforcement for a few days?” Hearing her words, my sister kept looking at me, wanting to know my opinion. I spoke directly. “I didn’t file a false report. I have evidence.” At that moment, Quentin, who had initially been condescendingly badmouthing me to the reporters, instantly turned his head to look at me, his eyes wide with surprise. “What nonsense are you talking?!” Sienna said. “You’re the one talking nonsense,” my sister yelled at her. At this, Sienna suddenly found her voice. “Everyone, my husband must want to be with this other woman, that’s why he’s deliberately trying to get me locked up. This must be fake, even if there’s evidence, it’s fabricated, you can’t believe it.” I smiled helplessly and said to her, “Take a closer look… This is my real sister, Jean, the one who left with my father, the one I told you about!”

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Five years later, my memories were extracted and broadcast live on giant screens around the world. A massive, stark “”Wronged”” blared at the top of the screens. The crowds instantly erupted. Someone questioned, “”Isn’t this the mastermind behind that massive international smuggling case? He’s been dead for five years, so why is he stirring up trouble again now?”” Another person angrily declared, “”It’s him! He caused his fiancée to fail her mission, breaking her legs, condemning her to a wheelchair for life! Who is so blind as to try to clear his name?!”” Recalling the past, I was the most wanted criminal in the capital, and the one who personally brought me to justice was my childhood sweetheart and fiancée, Violet. She personally escorted me to the execution ground, her voice chilling: “”Flynn, I once told you that the next time we meet, I would personally take your life.”” Ultimately, I fell under the gun that belonged to my foster father. 1 “”Flynn, that ingrate, poisoned old Chief Cohen and caused the death of our youngest sister, Lucy! He’s a heartless monster! Who stole his brain chip from the evidence locker to clear his name?!”” In the cemetery, eldest sister Anya stared at the two tombstones before her, then at the global broadcast playing across the sky, her voice laced with seething anger. Violet had just wiped the mist from Chief Cohen’s tombstone. Her fists clenched, veins bulging, as she looked at the sky screen. Second brother, Alex, supported Violet, looking down at her empty trouser legs. Instantly, tears streamed down the face of the man known as the police force’s heartthrob. “”Honey, if it weren’t for our third brother, you wouldn’t have lost your legs! And our fourth sister, Lucy…”” Alex looked on the verge of collapsing in tears. Violet sat in her wheelchair, suppressing the rage between her brows, yet she gently consoled him, “”Alex, you’re still unwell. Don’t let your emotions fluctuate too much. Don’t cry for someone who isn’t worth it!”” Watching Violet, who once said she would love me forever, her hand now tightly clasped in Alex’s. This scene sharply pierced my heart, which had long since stopped beating. I couldn’t help but speak out to correct them: “”I didn’t kill Chief Cohen, and I didn’t…”” But no one heard my voice. Violet stood tall and resolute, like an unyielding pine tree. At this moment, she looked again at the massive “Wronged” character on the sky screen, which was constantly dripping blood, then snapped at Anya. “”Stealing right under your noses, are you all useless?!”” “”Go investigate! Anyone who dares to clear Flynn’s name is making an enemy of me, Violet Cohen!”” Anya’s face was filled with cold fury. “”Flynn, that traitor!”” “”If I had known he’d turn out so rotten, I should have kicked him out the moment Chief Cohen brought him home!”” I never thought my most trusted sister would use the word “”traitor”” to describe me. Those two words twisted in my heart like a knife, causing me to convulse with pain. Chief Cohen was a kind soul; he adopted many orphans. Anya was the eldest, Alex was the second brother, Lucy was the fourth sister, and I was the third. Only Violet was his biological child, our youngest sister. Chief Cohen dedicated his life to his beloved career. He always told us to be loyal to our country, loyal to its people. Yet now, I was branded as the 21st century’s biggest and most heinous criminal, destined to live in infamy as a disgrace to justice. The sky screen in front of the courthouse was packed with people, who discussed my wanted poster: “”Wasn’t he and Julian the main culprits in that massive international smuggling case five years ago? I seem to remember Flynn’s father was the most wanted criminal twenty years ago, and he was even personally killed by Chief Cohen’s team.”” “”This Flynn, Anya, Alex, and Lucy are all orphans adopted by Violet’s father. Except for Flynn, the rest of the children are all exceptionally talented. He’s truly a lost cause, born evil!”” “”Chief Cohen lost both his legs and was forced to retire because of him. And yet, this useless Flynn, for money, went to work for Julian, the head of that international crime syndicate!”” Countless vicious curses transformed into black mist, seeping into my limbs, tearing at my soul. Just then, the screen’s image began to move, A pain from the depths of my soul gnawed at my heart, as if an invisible hand was using iron tongs to wrench memories from my brain. Violet, looking at the face that appeared on the sky screen, her eyes red, struggled to control the tremor in her voice, “”Dad?!”” On the screen, Chief Cohen, ruler in hand, angrily made Violet kneel in the courtyard, and strictly forbade us from bringing her food. This wasn’t the first time Violet had taken the blame for me and been punished by Chief Cohen. I’d stolen a few steamed buns from the kitchen, intending to bring them to her. I just happened to see Chief Cohen hitting Violet’s back again with the ruler. “”Serves you right! You’re only sixteen and you dare to think about getting married? Did Aaron agree, that you’re so eager for my approval!”” “”Dad, you believe me! Aaron also said he’d be good to me! Please just let me marry him!”” Listening to Violet’s words, I couldn’t help but chuckle softly, mouthing to her, “”I promise to love you and protect you forever!”” But the beautiful past memories did not evoke any sadness in Violet; instead, they ignited a furious humiliation in her eyes. It was as if this memory from the past had become a blood-stained blade, once again deeply piercing her already broken heart. Alex’s tears instantly welled up. He sobbed, choking out, “”Violet, I miss Dad so much. If only Dad were still alive…”” At the mention of Chief Cohen, Violet instantly gripped her wheelchair tightly, her fingers clenching so hard that blood welled up. She pounded on the wheelchair, roaring. “”Why! Why! Has the person who stole Flynn’s brain chip not been found yet?!”” Anya shook her head in silence. “”Little sister… the surveillance footage is still being restored, and the signal source is being traced. The tech department hasn’t given us any news.”” And my memories continued to play, At twenty-one, I was sentenced to a year and six months for intentionally causing grievous bodily harm at the police academy. The first thing I did upon my release was break up with Violet, who had come to pick me up. Violet, confused, asked me why, and even said, “”Aaron, everyone’s waiting for you to come home for dinner.”” My disgusted gaze swept over her. “”Ha! Spending another second with those orphans, those kids without a proper upbringing, makes me sick!”” “”I beg you, don’t really think of yourself as a savior, okay? From childhood to now, I’ve absolutely hated your meddling!”” Violet grabbed my arm, her eyes full of urgency, “”Aaron, didn’t you promise you’d marry me a long time ago? What’s wrong with you?”” My face was etched with cruel madness. “”Violet, you’re really shameless. Do you really want to marry the person who killed your dad?”” My words stunned her, and tears instantly filled her eyes. The crowd in front of the sky screen also erupted in a frenzy. “”Beast! Sure enough, dirty blood flows in his veins, he’s ungrateful!”” “”See! Flynn personally admitted to killing old Chief Cohen. Why do good people get no reward, while this beast can get away with murder for so many years, and then kill so many more?!”” “”Chief Cohen worked so hard to raise Flynn, he probably never expected this ingrate to bite him to death, did he?”” At this point, an old man stroked the head of a child next to him and said in a deep voice. “”Child, remember! You must never become a person like that!”” Hearing those words, my heart felt like it was smashed to the ground, torn into pieces, bleeding profusely! At this moment, I realized there was something even more agonizing than being called “”traitorous to one’s master”” and “”disgrace to the police force””— In the eyes of these future generations of the nation, I had become synonymous with crime, a classic example of a negative role model. “”Flynn!”” In the scene replayed, Violet, unable to control her anger any longer, punched the wall, her hand bleeding profusely. I watched this scene, a sudden bitterness welling up in my heart. I trembled, reaching out to touch her hand, but my ghostly form could only pass through her again and again. “”No, no, Violet, can’t you listen to my explanation?”” I shook my head frantically, the sharp pain in my heart making my soul tremble, my eyes burning. Alex watched the blood flowing from her hand, heartbroken, tears streaming down his face. “”I saw Flynn poison Dad back then, but I couldn’t believe he would actually do such a thing. It’s all my fault.”” Anya’s eyes practically spat fire. “”How can you blame yourself for this? Flynn was a wolf in sheep’s clothing! Even I couldn’t see through him!”” Hearing Anya’s heart-wrenching words, I cried out in despair, “”No! It’s not what you think, I…”” Before I could finish, a piercing pain swept over me. I felt a familiar aura around my brain chip, but my head was splitting, and I could only watch helplessly as my memories were torn from my soul. The sky screen changed again, the timeline advancing two years. At twenty-three, I single-handedly stormed into Julian’s territory. Violet, as Julian’s confidante, stood beside her. The crowd immediately erupted, “”Oh my god! Captain Cohen is there too! That useless Flynn wouldn’t betray her, would he? You know Julian’s methods are not just any kind of ruthless!”” “”Exactly! You know, no matter who it is, to successfully go undercover, the price is not just any ordinary big deal. Back then, I heard Captain Cohen even personally tested poisons for this mission.”” Even though everyone knew the outcome, people continued to pray to the sky screen. But the next second, ignoring Violet’s warning glance, I said to Julian, “”I advise you to stop the transaction immediately. The cops are already lying in wait at the door, waiting for you to bring out that shipment!”” “”Because…”” My right hand slowly rose. As Violet’s face dramatically changed, my tone was decisive. “”She, Violet Cohen, is the undercover agent!”” In an instant, the entire place exploded. “”Flynn, that bastard, actually betrayed Captain Cohen! Just to show loyalty to Julian? Did a dog eat his conscience?!”” “”Flynn’s father, Patrick, being caught probably had something to do with Julian too, right? I heard a rumor that Julian was an informant for the organization back then, then betrayed them and rose again with the people Patrick left behind!”” “”Stabbing Patrick in the back and stabbing the police in the back, black on both sides! Those two are truly a perfect match!”” The paused image on the screen began to move again. In the dungeon, Violet’s hands were chained, suspended in mid-air, her wrists raw, bone exposed. She was utterly tortured, more beast than human, as if she’d just been dragged from a pool of blood. Julian watched, chuckling, as I picked up a red-hot branding iron and rolled it fiercely across Violet’s chest. “”Is this your initiation, Mr. Flynn?”” The sound of burning flesh was bone-chilling; soon, it was a bloody mess. I sneered, smashing the bones in Violet’s knees with a hammer, my hand not even trembling. “”Julian, I can give you far more than this!”” With that, the blade in my hand easily pierced Violet’s chest. At the same time, all the viewers in front of the sky screen covered their mouths, Anya’s anger almost squeezed through her clenched teeth. Her eyes red, she spat, “”Flynn! You’re an animal!”” “”Ah—”” With a bloodcurdling scream, Violet’s body slumped to the ground, her breath gone. Julian’s roar scraped against my eardrums like a chilling wind. “”Who told you to kill her?! Dying quickly is too easy for her!”” But Violet was already lifeless. After Julian, as usual, tossed her to the cops as a provocation, I was tied up and punished by a furious Julian. She stuck silver needles one by one into my fingers, forcing me to endure the excruciating pain while fully conscious. The scene was too brutal, and some onlookers couldn’t bear to watch any longer. “”Julian really lives up to her name, ‘Satan.’ Her methods are truly venomous!”” “”If Flynn hadn’t gone easy, Captain Cohen would probably be…”” Alex angrily pointed at the woman who had spoken. “”Gone easy? Are you crazy? If Flynn hadn’t known Violet’s heart was on the right side, she would have died! Don’t forget, Violet’s legs were personally broken by Flynn!”” “”Wait, her heart?!”” Violet’s expression suddenly became odd. Before she could think it through, the sky screen moved again. When Violet clearly saw who the two people on the sky screen were, her eyes widened abruptly. In the image, I dragged Alex by his hair into the dungeon, his body scraping against the rough stone floor, leaving a long trail of blood. Julian sat calmly on the sofa, applauding, a mysterious smile on her lips. “”Interesting, interesting! Flynn, you truly are Patrick’s son! So much like your dad!”” “”If I’m not mistaken, this Alex is supposed to be your brother, right? He just came to advise you to turn yourself in. No need to beat him so badly, is there? Oh, look at his miserable state, even I’m starting to feel a little soft-hearted.”” Under Julian’s playful gaze, I splashed a bucket of salt water over Alex’s head. The intense pain made Alex’s eyes snap open instantly. When he saw me, like a demon before him, he cried out in terror, “”Aaron, what are you… what are you going to do?”” With my back to Julian, I brutally snapped Alex’s arm bone. “”Idiot! Spent too much time with Violet and now you think you’re a savior too? Give it a rest!”” “”Ah—”” Alex let out an even more horrific shriek. The dungeon door opened, and several men approached Alex with evil grins. I waved them over, motioning for the men to take him away. “”Don’t worry, these men will make you feel good and comfortable. Consider it repayment for your ‘kindness’ in trying to save me!”” Julian’s laughter was gleeful. “”This show is truly captivating. I can’t help but applaud your ‘deep’ camaraderie!”” “”Since that’s the case, how about I give you two brothers another grand gift?”” Violet’s eyes were bloodshot as she watched the scene, unable to hold back a mouthful of fresh blood that she coughed out. Alex covered his face, weeping profusely. Anya’s eyes flashed with furious coldness. “”That animal! He actually brought men to…”” My actions completely ignited the anger of the audience. They hurled every vile curse imaginable at me. “”How could he do that?! Just one bullet to kill him is too merciful. I wish I could dig up his corpse and feed it to the dogs!”” The image on the sky screen froze at that moment, and the person sent to search for the whereabouts of my brain chip appeared at the courthouse entrance. He handed the detector to Violet, and my brain chip’s location clearly showed up on the map as being inside the courthouse. Violet’s eyes were filled with shock. “”How dare they show up here?”” “”Damn it! They chose this place to clear Flynn’s name! I’ll risk everything to kill that person!”” Anya’s chest heaved with anger. She looked at the frozen image on the sky screen above the courthouse dome, a ruthless glint in her eyes. Violet, her face ashen, ordered, “”Anya, search inside the courthouse as fast as you can!”” Just as Anya was about to agree, a face appeared on the large screen before her, a face she would never forget in her lifetime. Julian had her men bring in my fourth sister, Lucy. Lucy was the last child Chief Cohen adopted, and she was the most attached to me, besides Violet. More importantly, she was in love with second brother, Alex.

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Five years later to the day, I walked into the interview room under a new identity: Arthur Stone. Sitting at the head of the table was a rising star in the business world, Leslie Reed, a woman I once had a complicated history with. Her gaze lingered on my photo. “Twenty-eight? Already have a child?” she asked, her tone detached. Meeting her probing stare, I calmly replied, “Yes, my name is Arthur Stone. Married with one daughter.” The man I am today is no longer the disgraced young master with a large birthmark on his face, mocked by others. I changed my name and removed that birthmark. Naturally, she wouldn’t recognize me. Flashback to five years ago, the day my family went bankrupt, I forced Leslie Reed to spend one last night with me. Waking up the next morning, I threw the last of my money at her. “You can get out now. Go find another rich man. You don’t have to demean yourself by serving an ugly freak like me anymore.” Afterward, I was driven out of my home by the asset liquidators, the birthmark on my face a laughingstock for all to point at. Meanwhile, her friends gloated, congratulating her: “With a beautiful face like Leslie’s, how many rich and handsome men are lining up? Why would you ever stoop to that ugly man?” “Now that he’s bankrupt, he surely won’t bother you anymore.” From impoverished campus beauty to business magnate, Leslie Reed took five years to transform. And I, too, completely reinvented myself in those five years, starting anew with a fresh identity. 1. I never imagined the resume I submitted would land in Leslie Reed’s hands, for her to formally interview me. The moment I pushed open the door, my breath hitched for a second. Leslie Reed sat at her office desk, a cascade of long hair falling behind her. A pair of rimless glasses perched on her elegant nose, and her slender fingers were turning the pages of my resume. Her gaze shifted from my photo to my face, her expression cool and aloof: “Arthur Stone? Graduated from Sterling University? Applying for a personal assistant?” She tapped her finger on the desk, then lazily lifted her eyelids. “Do you know what a personal assistant does?” “To put it crudely, it’s a housekeeper. I have a lot of daily tasks, and you’ll need to pay attention to many details.” She continued speaking, but my thoughts drifted to the night we parted years ago. That year, she wore a faded shirt, awkwardly straddling me, tearing at the buttons of my collar, kissing me without any grace. I forced a cynical laugh: “I’m bankrupt now. You don’t have to work so hard. “You must be the happiest one, finally free from having to debase yourself to serve a freak like me. My face must disgust you, right? “Don’t worry, even bankrupt, I can still afford to buy one more night with you.” She remained silent, her beautiful eyes betraying no clear emotion, as if ashamed yet indignant, before skillfully nestling into my embrace again. When it ended, I threw a card at her, buying out my absurd first half of life. “Made up your mind?” Her finger tapped the desk, her voice cold and sharp, her pupils calm and dark. She hadn’t recognized me. I instinctively touched my face; the large bluish birthmark was gone, as were the red rashes caused by layers of makeup. The man I was now had a slightly gaunt face, unadorned, plain and unassuming, completely unrecognizable from before. Not to mention I’d changed my name. “Yes, I have.” I suppressed the swirling emotions, resuming a temporary, false calm. “Excellent. You can start today. Mr. Evans will brief you on the situation.” She raised her hand, dismissing me, without another glance. I discreetly exited. The moment the office door closed, my suspended heart finally settled. If I could, I never wanted to have too much contact with Leslie Reed again in this lifetime. She was the unattainable beauty of the academy; dirty, despicable, bitter, and ugly were my epithets. It was I who insisted on using money to buy out and crush Leslie Reed’s self-esteem. And selfishly, I made her bear me a daughter. Tragically, our daughter has now been diagnosed with a brain tumor and requires surgery. Like an unbreakable karmic bond, it had come full circle, and for the sake of our child, I found myself back at her company. For the next few days, I was somewhat distracted. My daughter’s surgery was imminent, and there was so much to prepare. The third time I asked Leslie Reed for leave, her answer was merciless: “Last time. Next time, don’t bother coming in.” I knew. But today was my daughter’s birthday, and she so desperately wanted to go to the amusement park. With the surgery imminent, I was truly afraid there wouldn’t be another chance. Gritting my teeth, I still played with my daughter at the amusement park until the afternoon. On the way back, the sky suddenly opened up with a torrential downpour, and we huddled under a street awning. Just as I opened my phone to call a ride, my daughter suddenly broke free of my hand, wobbling after a dropped toy. By the time I reacted, she had already dashed into the rain. Watching a distant car speed out of the rain, my heart leaped into my throat. Just as I was about to scream, a fair hand, quicker than mine, snatched my daughter back. “Arthur Stone!” Amidst the pouring rain, the woman’s voice was cold and low. I stared up, dazed, as if in a dream. Leslie Reed stood before me, tightly holding my daughter’s hand. She didn’t have an umbrella; water streamed ceaselessly down her hair, cheeks, and chin, soaking her expensive suit. Her eyes were as aloof and stern as ever, but now, a hint of suppressed anger showed through. “Thank you, Ms. Reed…” I hurriedly hid my child behind me, not prompting her to say thank you as usual. Leslie Reed glanced at us, her tone leaving no room for argument: “Get in the car.” 2. Leslie Reed’s cold demeanor was too intimidating. I led my daughter into the car, my heart pounding, unconsciously crumpling my clothes. Water still dripped from the stray hairs on her forehead. She picked up a towel and handed it to me: “Don’t let the child catch a chill.” I was still stunned, but Sunny had already taken it, thanking “Auntie” in a clear voice. Leslie Reed’s expression softened considerably. Her gaze fell on my bewildered face, and she frowned again: “You took leave today just to get soaked in the rain?” Realizing her words sounded a bit sharp, she rubbed her throbbing temples. “Where to?” “City Hospital.” Sunny spoke up first, defending me: “Daddy is here with me for my birthday today. I haven’t been out to play for so long because I’ve been in the hospital.” Leslie Reed paused, looking at the unafraid girl before her. Her face was somewhat thin, with a sickly pallor that made her large eyes appear bright and round. When she blinked at people, it stirred a strange, indescribable emotion in Leslie Reed’s heart. She felt the child was vaguely familiar, and almost instinctively asked: “Where’s the child’s mother?” “She passed away. A long time ago.” I quickly spoke, the first words I uttered since getting in the car. Of course, it was a lie. Of course, after I left without a word, Leslie Reed hadn’t escaped the abyss. She became pregnant, and for some reason, insisted on having the child. Rumors swallowed her whole like a tide. At twenty-three, she gave birth to a baby girl in a small clinic on a street corner. Without even looking at the child, she was told by the doctor that the baby had suffocated and couldn’t be saved. It was as if it was destined, she thought. She and that man were destined for no happy ending. But she didn’t know that the child hadn’t died; I had taken her abroad. A person like her, how could I let her life be ruined by something as dirty as me? “Thank you, Ms. Reed. My child has been a bit busy recently with some issues, but it won’t happen again. I’ll make sure to complete my work properly.” As my words fell, Leslie Reed’s gaze shifted from my daughter to me. On the woman’s beautiful, stern face, her dark eyes were deep, making my heart skip a beat. I instinctively looked away. Leslie Reed had nothing more to say, leaning back in her seat, closing her eyes to rest. She simply instructed the driver, “To City Hospital.” The car quickly arrived at its destination. Leslie Reed got out first. She pulled out a black umbrella, her slender fingers lightly clutching the handle, gesturing for me to get out. “Thank you, Ms. Reed, no need to see us off. I’ll return the umbrella tomorrow.” I mumbled, just wanting to escape quickly. “I only have one umbrella.” She stood in front of the car door, her light voice sounding before me. The implication was clear: if I lent it to you, what would I use? I had no choice but to give up, holding my daughter and sharing the umbrella with her. Being so close to her, Leslie Reed could faintly smell the laundry detergent clinging to my shirt. For some reason, it felt familiar, and her chest inexplicably tightened, her heart beginning to beat erratically. She took a deep breath, and to distract herself, she spoke: “Less than a month on the job, a few scattered hours of leave before, and now a whole day. You’re busier than I am.” I was both ashamed and agitated, lowering my gaze and saying nothing. Inside the hospital, I handed Sunny over to the doctor for her check-up. Glancing back, Leslie Reed was still standing behind me, with no intention of leaving. I walked up to her, forcing a laugh. “Does Ms. Reed have any other arrangements? My personal matters are handled; I can return to the company to work.” She didn’t answer me, only asked, “What’s wrong with the child?” I didn’t understand what she meant, but I answered truthfully, “She has a tumor and needs surgery.” “In that case, I suggest you look for a different job.” I paused, looking up at her. Her expression was as indifferent as ever. “Being my personal assistant is very demanding. I don’t need someone who’s constantly distracted and just trying to coast by.” She abruptly changed the subject, speaking from a position of authority. Her words were direct, almost harsh. A ringing filled my ears. My eyes reddened at the edges, and I let out a cold laugh. “I’ve only been employed for a week, Ms. Reed. How do you conclude I’m just coasting by?” “My leave was due to legitimate reasons, and it was taken while ensuring my work was completed. I don’t believe I’ve been negligent in any way.” Leslie Reed listened to every word, then fell uncharacteristically silent. She stared intently into my eyes, noticing a different emotion in me for the first time. From the moment she first saw me, she found me strangely quiet, or rather, evasive. Like a rat scurrying from the light. Now, as she met my gaze, seeing my constantly shifting, dodging eyes, something seemed familiar. So she abruptly asked, “Have we met somewhere before?” 3. My blood froze for a moment, and my clenched palms felt clammy with tension. “Is Ms. Reed trying to change the subject? Do you find my previous statement too accurate to refute?” I lifted my head, trying to cut off Leslie Reed’s absurd notion with a sharp retort. She paused noticeably for two seconds. Those two seconds stretched, pulling at my heart. “You’re not wrong, I am.” She scoffed softly, her tone echoing a hint of self-mockery. With that, she turned and left. The next day, everything at the company proceeded as usual. Leslie Reed appeared, but didn’t spare me a single glance, as if nothing had happened. Towards the end of the workday, Mr. Evans emerged from the office, looking rather displeased. He mumbled softly, “What’s wrong with Ms. Reed this time? She suddenly asked me to look up a college classmate.” The words “college classmate” pierced my ears. My heart, however, churned like a surging tide. I spoke with difficulty, “Mr. Evans, who is the person Ms. Reed is looking for? Perhaps I know them too.” “Oh right, you both went to Sterling University. It’s a man named Jasper Hayes.” He even kindly flipped over the printed photo for me to see. The man in the photo was tall and slender, with a somber expression. A thin layer of white powder covered his face, but the greenish-black birthmark clung to his cheek like a demonic claw, almost leaping out. Leslie Reed was looking for me! This news was like a thorn, lodged in my heart, making me increasingly uneasy. So much so that when Leslie Reed called me into her office as usual at noon, I was still somewhat dazed. As I made her coffee, I could feel her cold gaze laced with intense scrutiny. “Arthur Stone, you also went to Sterling University? Which department?” “I find you somewhat familiar.” My entire body tensed, I gripped the coffee cup tightly, my breathing laced with a tremor. “Communications. I participated in a few volunteer activities during university, perhaps I crossed paths with you then, Ms. Reed.” “Oh, is that so?” She took the coffee cup, her gaze falling on the rippling liquid inside, and smiled enigmatically. Then she abruptly asked, “Do you know Jasper Hayes from the Business and Economics department?” “I think I heard the name, but I don’t really remember.” I forced a smile as I replied, glad that Leslie Reed didn’t seem to notice the perfunctoriness in my words, only letting out a soft hum. I quickly finished organizing the documents on my desk and exited the office. But I didn’t notice the woman behind me, her gaze shifting from my retreating back to her desk. She picked up the two photos lying there, trying to overlap them. After work that day, my long-unused email mysteriously received another message. It was from my former academic advisor, saying my thesis needed to be sampled for review and asking for a contact number. The doctor beside me was giving me instructions for Sunny’s pre-operative care. So much so that I didn’t question the authenticity, I hastily replied with a string of numbers, then turned off my phone to listen attentively. Leaving the clinic, I walked down the corridor towards Sunny’s room. But I froze at the sight before me. In the distance, Sunny was holding Leslie Reed’s hand, waving at me from afar. My hand gripped the doorknob tightly, my whole body taut like a string. Closing my eyes, I took a deep breath, and quickened my pace. Sunny was looking up, talking, her voice gradually becoming clear: “I’m not afraid of pain. I’ll be like Mama. Mama fought a big monster on her face and won, so Sunny will definitely defeat the demon in her body too.” The child’s words were jumbled. Leslie Reed seemed not to understand, paused, and asked something. I broke out in a cold sweat, quickly interjecting to stop Sunny from saying more: “Sunny!” A passing nurse greeted me, complimenting, “Mr. Stone, Sunny really looks like her mother, practically carved from the same mold.” “She’s not. Her mother passed away a long time ago.” No one knew my panic at that moment. My violently pounding heart almost burst my eardrums, and my voice was parched. The young nurse awkwardly walked past. Leslie Reed nodded at me, her gaze indifferent, seemingly not taking the nurse’s words to heart. I breathed a sigh of relief. I took Sunny’s hand and thanked Leslie Reed. Sunny’s surgery was less than two days away. I was struggling with how to ask Leslie Reed for leave. Mr. Evans walked out of the office, his face full of worry. Our eyes met, and he looked like he wanted to say something but held back. He sighed, then finally spoke: “Arthur, tell me the truth, which university did you actually graduate from? This can’t be faked.” My hand trembled, and cold sweat immediately beaded on my forehead. I could only feign helplessness, forcing a smile. “What do you mean, Mr. Evans? Didn’t I graduate from Sterling University?” “Ms. Reed asked me to investigate you. There’s no Arthur Stone in the Communications department at Sterling University.” Something exploded in my head. In that moment, my mind went blank, unable to think. “You’d better think about how you’re going to explain this to Ms. Reed later.” He advised. I stood rooted to the spot, unable to move. After a full minute, my clogged brain finally started to think. I quickly drafted a resignation letter, cleared my desk, and marched straight into Leslie Reed’s office. “I apologize, Ms. Reed. I admit I didn’t graduate from Sterling University. I falsified my qualifications and lied to you. “Sunny needs surgery in two days. I can’t handle this job, nor do I have the face to continue. “Thank you for your care this past month. I’ve left my resignation letter here.” I couldn’t give Leslie Reed a chance to investigate further. Otherwise, she would discover that Arthur Stone, five years ago, was actually Jasper Hayes. For this, I gritted my teeth, lowering my head as I stepped forward, ready to throw the resignation letter onto Leslie Reed’s desk and run. But a slender hand gripped my wrist, with surprising strength. I looked up, falling into Leslie Reed’s dark eyes, which held an infinite storm. She spoke, syllable by syllable, in an incredibly certain and assured tone. Her words, uttered through clenched teeth, dragged me back to my most unbearable past: “Jasper, how long are you going to keep playing games with me?”

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Eight months ago, I was ecstatic. I thought my wife’s rejection of her old flame meant that I had finally, truly become the only one she would ever lean on. That day, the man had shown up with a terminal diagnosis, crying and begging my wife to have his child. She had simply looked at him with cold indifference, said, “The man I love is Luke,” and turned right into my arms. Not long after, my wife told me the company was sending her overseas to launch a new market. She’d be gone for a year. As much as I hated the thought of it, I smiled and helped her pack, reminding her to take care of herself. Until today—our wedding anniversary. I flew across the ocean to surprise her, to give her the grand romantic gesture she deserved. But the moment I pushed open the door to her apartment, I saw her. She was holding the arm of that same old flame, her belly so round with pregnancy it was impossible to miss, a radiant smile on her face. The so-called business trip, I realized, was nothing but a perfectly crafted lie so she could have a baby for the man she’d supposedly left behind. 1 I let out a bitter, silent laugh and tossed the carefully chosen gift I was holding into the nearest trash can. “Honey, happy eighth anniversary. I’m so sorry I can’t be there to celebrate with you.” It was my wife, Ava, calling. I stood there in silence for a moment before I could manage to speak. “It’s okay.” “I’ll make it up to you when I get back, I promise,” she said, her voice bright. “I have a huge surprise for you.” You already have. I watched as Ava leaned her entire body against her old flame, Daniel, her face a picture of pure happiness. The sight was a knife in my gut. “Honey, this trip is exhausting,” she went on. “The workload is insane, it never ends.” Still lying. My hand tightened around my phone. When we first got married, Ava told me that the greatest poison to a relationship was deceit. “Honey,” she’d said, “if you ever stop loving me, you have to tell me. Don’t lie. Don’t hurt me.” And yet, here she was, lying to me, hurting me more than I ever thought possible. The air felt thick, heavy. I couldn’t breathe. “Honey? Are you still there?” I tilted my head back, fighting to keep the tears from falling. My voice came out as a strained rasp. “Just got caught up with work.” I heard her sigh in relief on the other end. “Okay, well, I won’t keep you then. Love you, honey!” The line went dead. I watched as Daniel helped her into a car, his arm wrapped protectively around her. The moment the car door closed, the tears I’d been holding back finally streamed down my face. I didn’t understand. Why lie? Don’t lie, don’t hurt me. Weren’t those her words? I took a taxi back to the airport. I had arrived full of hope. I left in utter despair. A message from Ava popped up on my phone: [Honey, I bought you a gift. It’s that new gaming console you wanted. It’s already been shipped home.] I typed back a single letter: [K] Was this guilt? Was she trying to buy my forgiveness after the fact? What a joke. When I got back, I threw myself into my work, staying at the office until the early hours of the morning. My coworkers joked that I was trying to rack up overtime pay to buy Ava an extravagant welcome-home present. They had no idea I was just trying to work myself to exhaustion, to numb the part of my brain that wouldn’t stop thinking about her. I first met Ava at her father’s funeral. She didn’t cry. She just stood there, staring blankly as they lowered the casket into the ground. Seeing her like that, my heart ached. I walked over and offered a few clumsy words of comfort. What happened next surprised everyone, including me. She attached herself to me. When I was at work, she’d find any excuse to be near my desk, inventing elaborate reasons to just hang around. On weekends, she’d drag me out to dinner, to go shopping, to see movies. She just bulldozed her way into my life. Finally, I had to ask her why. “Everyone else who gets close to me just sees a pretty face,” she’d said. “Their intentions are never pure. But you’re different. I can feel it. You genuinely care about me.” “My dad’s gone, and my mom is always working. I just… I really wanted someone in my life who truly, genuinely cared.” 2 “Luke, would you be that person for me?” Looking at the raw hope in her eyes, I couldn’t help but smile. I held out my hand. “Hi,” I said. “I’m Luke.” She beamed. It was a smile that lit up her entire face. After that day, we became inseparable. She told me everything. She shared her joys when she was happy and confessed her fears when she was sad. We explored every corner of the city together. A coworker pulled me aside once and warned me not to get too attached, telling me she had an old flame she could never quite get over. I just smiled. It didn’t matter. I only saw her as a friend. But the more time I spent with her, the more my heart went out to her. Her father was gone, her mother was a workaholic, and everyone else around her was only interested in her looks. She didn’t have a single real friend in the world. She deserved to be loved. Later, her mother was in a car accident. On her deathbed, she grabbed my hand. “Luke, I can see it. You genuinely care for Ava, and I am so grateful you came into her life.” “Her father is gone, and now I’m going too. I can’t bear the thought of leaving her all alone in this world.” “Luke, can you promise me you’ll always take care of her?” How could I refuse a dying mother’s last wish? Ava and I got married. After the wedding, I devoted myself to her. I gave her all the love I had. I practically split myself in two, balancing a demanding job with my determination to build a happy home for her. Sometimes, when I’d mention how tired I was, she’d give me a playful smile and start massaging my shoulders. “God was so good to me,” she’d say. “He brought you into my life.” “Honey, it’s going to be you and me, forever.” But she was the first to break that promise. She was the one who shattered everything. I saw her again two months later. She and Daniel were walking out of the airport, and she was holding a baby. “Honey, Daniel adopted this baby overseas! Isn’t he just adorable?” she said with a bright smile. I couldn’t smile back. I just nodded numbly. Daniel chimed in, a smug grin on his face. “I ran into Ava abroad. She saw how much I was struggling to care for the baby on my own and insisted I come back with her. She said she could help me out.” I ignored the challenge in his eyes and turned to Ava. She couldn’t meet my gaze. She looked down and mumbled, “Daniel’s a single dad, he doesn’t know what he’s doing. We have a spare room, so I thought he and the baby could stay with us. That way we can help out when we have time.” I just stared at her, speechless. That house was our home, the sanctuary we had built together. And she wanted him to live in it. The knife in my gut twisted again. My voice was a croak when I finally managed to speak. “Fine.” Ava’s face broke into a relieved smile. “Honey, I knew you’d understand! You’re the best!” I forced a smile of my own. It wasn’t that I was the best. It was that in that moment, my heart had shattered completely. I just didn’t care anymore. That night, as we were getting ready for bed, Ava said, “You go ahead and sleep, honey. The baby might get fussy tonight, I’ll come back after I get him settled.” I waited all night. She never came back. The next morning, she had an excuse ready. “The baby cried all night long. He didn’t fall asleep until dawn. Look, I have dark circles under my eyes.” “Yeah, Ava was a real lifesaver last night,” Daniel added, his tone dripping with provocation. “I don’t know what I would’ve done without her. You’re not going to get the wrong idea, are you, Luke?” I said nothing. I just turned and started making breakfast. “Honey, the baby’s one-month celebration is in a couple of days. I was thinking of helping Daniel throw a little party. What do you think?” My hand paused over the cutting board. “Fine,” I said, my face a blank mask. “Thanks, honey!” Ava exclaimed, and immediately went to discuss the party details with Daniel. 3 Watching them, I pressed my lips into a thin, hard line. Every time I gave in, every time I stepped back, Ava just pushed the boundaries further. Maybe she’d gotten used to it. After all, since the day we got married, I had always been the one to compromise. I believed that in a marriage, one person had to be the one to yield. Two strong-willed people would never last. Since she wouldn’t be the one to bend, I would. But everyone has a breaking point. And I had reached mine. This time, I wouldn’t back down. This time, I was letting go. On the day of the baby’s party, Ava invited a crowd of guests. It was a huge affair. Her best friend cooed, “Ava, the baby looks just like you! You have the exact same eyes.” Ava’s expression flickered with panic. “Don’t be silly. You can’t tell who babies look like when they’re this young.” She turned to me, offering a rushed explanation. “Honey, don’t listen to her. Daniel adopted him. I’ve just been taking care of him so much, maybe he’s starting to look a little like me.” “You know what they say,” she added with a nervous laugh, “a baby starts to look like the person who spends the most time with them.” I just smiled, saying nothing. Honestly, she didn’t need to explain. During the party, Daniel raised his glass to me. “Luke, a toast. I want to thank you for letting me and my son stay in your home, and for letting Ava help take care of him.” He downed his glass in one gulp. “I’ll drink to that. You do what you want.” All our friends were looking at me. I stayed seated. That place wasn’t my home anymore. And as for Ava, soon enough, she would be out of my life too. “Honey, Daniel’s toasting you,” Ava said, her tone chiding. “I have things to do later,” I said calmly. “I can’t drink.” Ava’s face clouded over. “What could be so important? Today is the baby’s celebration. Daniel is trying to thank you, and you won’t even drink with him? You’re just going to sit there looking miserable?” She walked over, picked up my glass, and held it out to me. “Fine. Then I’ll toast you. You can at least drink to that, can’t you?” I stared at her, my voice quiet. “Have you forgotten? I’m allergic to alcohol.” Ava froze. She quickly apologized. “Oh my god, honey, I’m so sorry. I forgot.” But she never used to forget. Every time I had a business trip or a dinner with clients, she would remind me, again and again, not to drink. Daniel smoothly stepped in. “Well, if Luke can’t drink, he can’t drink. My mistake. I didn’t know about your allergy. I’ll drink one for you as an apology!” I looked at him with cold eyes. Ava bit her lip. “Honey, are you angry?” “No.” I looked down. Ava let out a sigh of relief. “Honey, I really did just forget. It won’t happen again.” “Mm.” As the party wound down, everyone gathered around the baby, showering him with praise. Ava was beaming. “Honey, come look!” she called, waving me over. I shook my head. “There’s no need.” “Why not?” she frowned. “Don’t you like children?” She ran over and grabbed my arm. “Come on, just take a look. You’ll love him. Our kids will be this cute one day.” “We’re not going to have children.” “What?” Ava stopped, stunned. I looked up, my gaze steady and calm. “I said, we’re not going to have children. I’ve already drawn up the divorce papers.” “Ava, let’s get a divorce.” She just stared at me, her face a mask of shock. I didn’t look at her again. I stood up to leave. “The papers are at the house. I’ll go home first. You can sign them when you get back.” “Stop right there!” Ava finally found her voice, shouting at my back. “Luke, you explain yourself! What did I do wrong? Why do you want to divorce me? Is it just because I let Daniel and his adopted son stay with us?”

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1 Three years gone at the Boston branch. At the New Year’s HQ conference, the Chairman praised me for doubling Boston’s profits, calling me a hero. He turned to my girlfriend, Isabelle, joking that after our seven years together, she should finally transfer me back so we could marry. My heart soared. The grind was about to pay off. I was coming home. But Isabelle, all business, announced, “Liam transfers to HQ. Noah stays in Boston.” She said Liam needed HQ experience for his future, then looked at me, her voice soft but firm. “Noah, you’re the bigger person. You wouldn’t want me accused of favoritism, right?” The room fell silent. Liam took the transfer order, trying to hide his gleam. “Isabelle, is this right? Noah’s waited three years…” She ignored him, leaning in. “You understand, don’t you? Boston and New York aren’t far. I’ll visit every weekend, bring you those macarons you love.” I looked at the paper in Liam’s hand, the one that should have been mine. A cold numbness settled in. I nodded. “You’re right. Professionalism first.” But Isabelle, the distance between our cities had never felt greater. And that promised return journey? I’m done waiting for it. … When the meeting broke, the New York sky was a heavy, oppressive gray. Everyone else had the good sense to clear out quickly, but Liam clutched a folder to his chest and scurried over to Isabelle, a triumphant glint in his eye, though he feigned shyness. “Isabelle, thank you so much for this opportunity. I just… I hope Noah won’t get the wrong idea…” Isabelle didn’t even look up at him, her fingers still tracing patterns on the back of my hand. “This was a company decision. It has nothing to do with my personal life.” Her tone was distant, professional. “Noah sees the big picture. He’s not going to get flustered like you.” Liam shot a quick glance at me before bowing his head. “Yes, of course. I’ll work hard. Noah… I guess you’ll have to hold down the fort in Boston.” I said nothing, just silently pulled my hand away from hers. Only when Liam was gone did Isabelle slowly rise to her feet. She shrugged off her coat and draped it over my shoulders. “Are you angry?” she asked. “Liam is fresh out of college, he’s inexperienced. A structured training program at HQ is the only way he’ll grow. He’ll go back to Boston eventually. Think of it this way, I’m forging a top-tier asset for you.” I didn’t argue. I just picked up my briefcase and stood up. She rushed to my side, taking the case from my hand. “Come on, I’ll drive you to your hotel.” In the underground parking garage, as soon as I got in the car, Isabelle produced a small, elegant box of macarons. “I had someone wait in line for these.” She broke a piece off and held it to my lips. But for the first time, I didn’t open my mouth. “I’m not hungry.” She awkwardly pulled her hand back and reached across me to buckle my seatbelt. As she leaned in, I caught the scent of the woody perfume I’d given her last year. But my eyes were drawn to something else. A fluffy blue charm was looped around the seatbelt strap. She paused for a second, then smoothly plucked it off. “Ugh, that kid, Liam. He was in my car yesterday to pick up some files and complained the belt was chafing his neck. He put this on.” She tossed the blue fluff into the glove compartment with an exasperated sigh. “Honestly, he’s such a handful. Boys and their silly little trinkets.” The glove compartment. That’s where I used to keep my allergy pills. Now, my small bottle was shoved into a corner, crowded out by a half-eaten roll of mints, liquor-filled chocolates, and a mini Funko Pop. All of them, if I recalled correctly, were Liam’s favorites. My mind flashed back to those thousand-plus days in Boston. To see her, I’d work through Thursday night at the office, plow through a full day’s worth of files on Friday, just so I could catch the last flight to New York before 6 p.m. Sometimes, thunderstorms delayed the flight, and I’d be stuck at the airport until dawn. She always used to say, “Noah, we’re so far apart. You really don’t have to fly out so often.” At the time, I thought she was worried about me. Now I understood. Maybe she was just afraid I’d walk in on the cozy nest she was building for someone else. Isabelle, oblivious to the storm brewing inside me, started the car. “Have you booked your flight back? I can’t take you to the airport tomorrow. I have to show Liam around the different departments, get him settled in.” She said it so casually, and it hit me then. She’d long since accepted me going to the airport alone as a matter of course. I turned my head to look at her, my voice quiet but clear. “Isabelle, I’ve bought 157 round-trip tickets between Boston and New York. Every single one of them ended with you.” I let that hang in the air for a moment. “But before my mom passed, she told me if you knock on a door for seven years and it doesn’t open, it’s time to find a new path.” Isabelle slammed on the brakes. She reached over and pinched my cheek, a forced smile on her face. “She was just worried about you, Noah. She didn’t mean it. Look, I’ll reimburse you for all the tickets. And I meant what I said in the meeting, from now on, I’ll be the one flying to you. No more exhausting trips for you, okay?” She unwrapped one of the chocolates from the glove box and pushed it into my mouth. A sweetness that was never meant for me melted on my tongue. “Be good,” she murmured. “Don’t start a fight now. Once the Boston project is wrapped up, I promise, I will bring you home.” The car stopped in front of the hotel, but Isabelle didn’t even kill the engine. She glanced at her watch, then at me. “Noah, I really am swamped this afternoon. You go on up and get some rest.” She leaned closer, intending to smooth a stray lock of hair from my temple. I flinched back, almost a reflex. “Isabelle. Seven years was the deal. If you can’t do it, I’m done waiting.” She let out a short, cold laugh. “Don’t be silly, Noah. Boston is damp, remember to take your medicine.” The next morning, I was back at headquarters. When the head of HR saw my marriage leave application, he blinked in surprise, then a knowing grin spread across his face. “Congratulations, Noah! Ten days, approved. I knew it. Figured Isabelle was just posturing yesterday. One night with you setting her straight, and she’d be begging you to marry her.” The colleagues who overheard his not-so-subtle teasing spread the news like wildfire. Within half an hour, the entire company knew. In the breakroom, a few senior managers I knew well clapped me on the shoulder. “About time you two made it official, Noah. Don’t forget to invite us to the wedding!” I just offered a polite smile, neither confirming nor denying anything. “I’ve still got some work to hand off. We’ll talk later.” I went to deliver one last report to the Chairman’s office. Before I even reached the door, I saw something through the crack that made the air catch in my throat. In the adjoining executive office, Liam was standing in front of Isabelle’s desk, wearing a thin white shirt, almost transparent under the office lights. Isabelle was focused entirely on him, her fingers patiently redoing the buttons. It seemed he’d buttoned it wrong. “This shirt isn’t appropriate for the office. Don’t wear it again,” she chided, but her eyes held a softness I had never seen before. Liam smiled, leaning closer, his posture intimate. “But I wanted you to see me in it.” Isabelle sighed, but it was fond. She playfully tapped his nose. “I was trying to forge a top-tier asset, not raise a little troublemaker.” A bitter smile touched my lips. I raised my hand and knocked on the door. The two of them sprang apart. When Isabelle saw it was me, the warmth on her face instantly vanished. “Noah? What are you still doing here? Shouldn’t you be on a flight back to Boston?” She saw the report in my hand and let out a breath of relief. “Oh, you had another report to drop off. You could have just had Liam grab it.” Isabelle reached for it, but Liam was faster, snatching it from my grasp. “Noah, I can handle this. Isabelle was just saying how quick I am on the uptake and what a good job I’m doing.” Isabelle nodded. “Liam’s right, Noah. He’s a natural.” For a moment, they looked like the perfect mentor and mentee. Just then, the Chairman pushed the door open. He boomed with laughter as he walked in. “Isabelle, this is fantastic! Noah’s marriage leave application just landed on my desk. So, are you two lovebirds getting married in Boston or here in New York? We have to make sure our company’s golden couple has a wedding to remember!” Isabelle’s hand froze mid-air. She looked up at me, her expression shifting from shock to pure rage. “Chairman, nothing’s set in stone yet. You know how rumors are, hahaha.” The Chairman, sensing the sudden tension, awkwardly cleared his throat and made a quick excuse to leave. The moment the door clicked shut, Isabelle was on her feet, stalking toward me. “You’ve got some nerve, Noah. Submitting a marriage leave application! What is this, are you trying to force my hand? I thought you were the career-driven one! When did you become the kind of man who resorts to this kind of pressure?” Her voice was sharp, accusatory. From the side, Liam let out a perfectly timed gasp. “Noah, you applied for marriage leave? But… Isabelle is supposed to take me to scout a new site this afternoon. She won’t have time to help you with wedding plans.” Isabelle shot me a look of pure disgust and swept the coffee mug off her desk. It shattered on the floor. It was the one I’d had custom-made for her. “Liam, I’m sorry you had to see that. This afternoon’s schedule is unchanged. You can go get ready.” Liam’s eyebrow quirked up, and he shot me a smirk full of meaning. “Of course, Isabelle. I’ll see you at the usual spot.” With that, he was gone. Isabelle’s voice softened, but the edge was still there. “Noah, drop these pathetic little schemes. My career is taking off right now. I will not let my personal life derail my plans. Either you take this leave and go on a vacation—my treat—or, if you’re so set on getting married, you can go find yourself another bride.” I didn’t back down like I always did. I met her cold gaze. “Fine. You said it, not me.” It was the most peaceful week I’d had in years. I almost forgot Isabelle even existed. She didn’t contact me for days, clearly waiting for me to break, for me to send the usual flood of panicked, apologetic texts. But I was enjoying the quiet. I even took a walk along the shore, feeling the sea breeze on my face for the first time in ages. I’d always preferred New York. The wind here was gentle, caressing. Not like Boston’s, which was always damp and carried a sense of brokenness. My three years there, I was always a stranger, an outsider. I’d wake up in the middle of the night, the only thing in my ears the echo of promises Isabelle had made to me by the sea. Then, on Friday afternoon, a text from her finally came through: “The Pier, 7 p.m. Happy seventh anniversary.” I stared at the words, and for a moment, my resolve wavered. The lights of the New York waterfront twinkled, reflecting in Isabelle’s eyes, which for the first time in a long time, looked at me with something resembling affection. She pushed a small jewelry box across the table. “Happy seventh anniversary, Noah.” My fingertips had just brushed the velvet when her phone buzzed. On the screen, one name glared at me: Liam. Isabelle answered, and Liam’s panicked, tearful voice filled the silence. “Isabelle, the power’s out in my apartment! I’m scared of the dark… I was cutting fruit and I sliced my hand, it’s bleeding so much…” The warmth in Isabelle’s eyes vanished, replaced by sheer panic. She gripped her phone, her voice tight with anxiety. “Is it bleeding? Is it bad? Do you have a bandage? Don’t move, I’m coming!” Such a touching display of concern. I pulled my hand back from the box. Whatever was inside didn’t matter anymore. She seemed to have completely forgotten I was even there until Liam let out another cry on the other end of the line. Isabelle looked up at me, her tone gentle but resolute. “Noah, Liam’s all alone in the city. He must be terrified. He can’t handle this. I have to go. Can you just… wait for me for a little while?” She didn’t wait for my answer. She was already grabbing her coat and rushing out of the restaurant. In Boston, I had lived alone, learned to change lightbulbs alone, endured the crushing loneliness alone. I went from being helpless to being able to fix a leaky pipe and haul heavy furniture up flights of stairs. And through all of it, she was never there. The truth was, I had learned to live without her a long time ago. Half an hour later, Liam appeared at our table, a small bandage on his finger. He stood behind Isabelle like a shy, guilty child. “Noah, I’m so sorry. I’m such a klutz. I can’t believe I ruined your anniversary.” Isabelle pulled out a chair for him, then sat down right beside him. “Noah, Liam worked with you, remember? Don’t make him feel uncomfortable.” When the waiter brought our food, Isabelle held up a hand, stopping the plate of escargots. “Cancel this. Bring the fish soup instead.” The escargots. She used to order them for me on every date. “Your stomach is sensitive, Noah. You shouldn’t eat anything too rich at night. Just have something light with Liam.” I couldn’t even remember. Who was the one with the sensitive stomach? She then ordered a black truffle steak, meticulously cut a piece, and placed it on my plate. “You need to eat more, Noah. You’ve been working too hard in Boston.” I stared at the piece of meat, a lump forming in my throat. Isabelle had forgotten. I’m allergic to truffles. Right before I left for Boston, I’d accidentally eaten some and ended up in the ICU. She’d sat by my bedside and sworn she would never let me near them again. Meanwhile, she was leaning over Liam, patiently picking the garnishes off his plate. “Liam, your digestion is weak. Don’t force yourself to eat anything you don’t like.” Expressionless, I raised the fork to my lips and put the steak in my mouth. With my other hand, under the table, I fumbled for my allergy pills and swallowed them down with the meat. Liam’s hand “slipped,” and he spilled his soup. “Oh, my shirt…” he whined, his nose twitching as if he were about to cry. Isabelle reacted instantly, grabbing the silk pocket square that was sitting next to me, still in its gift wrapping. It was my anniversary gift to her. She pulled it out and began dabbing at the stain on his shirt. “How can you be so clumsy? Isn’t this your favorite shirt?” Liam mumbled, “Thank you, Isabelle. I only like it because of the person who gave it to me.” After she was done, Isabelle tossed the now-stained silk onto the table. She looked up and saw me staring at the wadded-up fabric. A flash of irritation crossed her face. “I’m sorry. It’s just a piece of cloth. Liam would have had a meltdown if his shirt was ruined. You’ve always been the bigger person, Noah. Don’t make a scene over something so small, okay?” I let out a humorless laugh. “No problem. It’s found its purpose.” I stood up and walked to the front to pay the bill. Isabelle followed me out, reaching for my hand. “Noah, I’ll buy you a better one tomorrow.” I stepped aside, turning my gaze to the dark, churning river. “Isabelle, there is no tomorrow for us.” She laughed, completely dismissing my words. “Don’t be dramatic. Go home and get some rest.” I turned my back on her and walked away. The next day, Isabelle’s call came while I was in front of a mirror, adjusting my suit. “Noah, I have to go to a wedding reception tonight, so I need to get ready. I can’t go shopping with you today.” I looked at my reflection in the crisp white suit, my voice perfectly calm. “Okay.” She paused, a hint of guilt in her tone. “Liam’s never been to an event like this. I thought it would be a good learning experience for him. You’ve always hated these formal things anyway, it’s all just schmoozing. You’re better off relaxing. I’ll bring you back some late-night snacks, okay?” I held the phone to my ear, admiring my own sharp silhouette in the mirror. “I understand.” I hung up and turned to the best man beside me. “Could you straighten my bowtie? I don’t want it covering my collar.” The Avery family wedding was being held at the most exclusive hotel in New York. When Isabelle arrived with Liam on her arm, they turned more than a few heads. Standing side-by-side, they looked like a power couple. Someone sidled up to her, nudging her playfully. “Isabelle, is this him? The guy you’ve been with for seven years?” Isabelle just smiled, a noncommittal, ambiguous expression on her face. Liam, however, confidently tightened his grip on her arm and nodded to the crowd. Isabelle scanned the room, a strange, hollow feeling settling in her chest. She instinctively patted her pockets, but they were empty. Normally, before any event, Noah would have already ordered her something to eat and had hangover remedies ready. The ceremony began. The lights dimmed, and all eyes turned toward the grand entrance. “And now, let’s welcome our groom!” The doors swung open. Isabelle was only half-paying attention, lost in her thoughts. But when her eyes focused on the figure walking down the aisle, the wine glass slipped from her hand and shattered on the floor.

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1 I stood at the rehearsal for my beach wedding, but my heart was in my shoes. The man who was supposed to be riding beside me, my fiancé, was instead cradling his adopted sister in his arms. The two of them were laughing together on horseback, a picture-perfect couple. When I frowned, my displeasure obvious, he just arched a brow and coldly accused me of being uncharitable. He said his sister was just helping me with the rehearsal and that I should thank her. The sister, however, was even more audacious. She leaned in, kissed him provocatively on the lips, and then turned to me with a smirk. “Just testing it out for you. The whole kissing-on-horseback thing works perfectly.” Just as I was about to fire back, a voice echoed in my mind. It was the white stallion, complaining. This trashy couple is unbelievable, it grumbled. The cuddling was bad enough, but then they started an acrobatic routine up here. Nearly threw my back out. I froze, and then a slow, wicked smile spread across my face. So that’s how it was. I let out a soft, sharp whistle. The next second, the stallion reared up violently, sending the pair on its back tumbling to the ground. If they wanted to play saints, then I’d be happy to help them on their way. I’d send them straight to meet their maker. … I narrowed my eyes, staring down the coastline. There, on my white stallion, Storm, sat two people. My fiancé, Patrick, held Daisy in his arms. They whispered to each other, their smiles sickeningly sweet, as if they were the ones getting married today. I folded my arms, watching the scene with cold amusement. Interesting. Beside me, the wedding planner whispered to her assistant. “What’s going on? Shouldn’t it be the bride and groom on the horse?” “I have no idea. Who is that girl?” “She looks happier than the bride…” I heard every word but said nothing. The horse stopped a few feet away from me. Patrick pulled on the reins, his expression as serene as a benevolent saint. “Cassie, Daisy was just testing the horse for you. You should thank her.” “She’s a pure soul, a woman of God. Don’t get the wrong idea.” His face was unnaturally flushed, a look of deep satisfaction in his eyes. Daisy tilted her head, her smile a mask of innocence. “Don’t misunderstand, Cassie. The horse looked so tall, I was afraid you’d be too scared to ride him.” I almost laughed out loud. This horse? I’d raised him from a foal. I’d be scared? Daisy shifted, pressing a quick kiss to Patrick’s lips. Then she turned back to me, beaming. “See, Cassie? I tested it for you. Kissing on horseback? Totally doable.” A stunned silence fell over the crew. Someone audibly gasped. Patrick, after a brief pause, just chuckled and ruffled Daisy’s hair. “You’re such a little rascal. Always playing games.” “Have you had enough fun?” I asked, my voice dangerously sweet. “If not, you can continue the show tomorrow, in front of all our guests.” Patrick’s hand froze. His brow furrowed with irritation. “Cassie, Daisy is my sister. And she’s a devout woman. Don’t take it too far.” His sister. A devout woman. The same excuses he’d been using for the past six months. It all started half a year ago, when he returned after his long period of service at a remote monastery. Our families had arranged our marriage when we were children, and with his return, the wedding was back on the agenda. I’d been content with the arrangement. I’d heard he was a man of principle, pious and kind—a suitable partner. But from the day he came back, Daisy was a constant presence. She was an orphan the family had taken in, a “fellow devotee” who had spent time at the monastery with Patrick. At first, she just dropped by occasionally. Soon, it was every day. Once, I walked in on her changing clothes in Patrick’s room. He was standing right behind her, a robe in his hands, about to place it on her shoulders. Daisy saw me and didn’t even flinch. “Oh, Cassie. My clothes got wet, so I’m just borrowing something from my brother.” Afterward, I confronted Patrick. “I don’t appreciate relationships without boundaries. This is the first time.” He seemed taken aback, a hint of annoyance in his voice. “You’re misunderstanding.” I held up a hand. “Just remember. Three strikes.” I didn’t elaborate. I just left. A month later, I found them shopping for lingerie. Patrick even reached out and adjusted the strap on her bra. She saw me and smirked. “Don’t get the wrong idea, Cassie. I’m just hopeless at picking these things out, so I asked my brother for help.” I looked straight at Patrick. “That’s strike two.” He scowled, his patience clearly wearing thin. “You’re so worldly. She’s my sister. I was just helping.” I still didn’t raise my voice. I just said, “You told me you knew the difference between a fiancée and a sister. I hope you remember that.” He stared at me for a long time without a word. Today was strike three. He had publicly kissed his “sister.” There’s no brother-sister relationship in the world that looks like that. My patience had run out. I took a deep breath, ready to unleash my fury. Suddenly, a voice echoed in my mind. [This pair of humans has no respect for a horse’s dignity.] [The cuddling was bad enough, but then they started an acrobatic routine. Nearly threw my back out.] [My poor mistress’s perfect wedding… they’ve ruined it.] I slowly turned my head, my eyes locking on Storm. Acrobatics? A cold, bitter laugh escaped my lips. I finally understood. So, they’d broken more than just boundaries. I’d been waiting on this beach for hours, the cold sea wind whipping at my skin, while he was off somewhere playing his “acrobatic” games with his adopted sister. I remembered a conversation we’d had a month ago. “Cassie,” Patrick had said, his tone serious. “Although I’ve returned to secular life, I’ve spent years in devotion. I will honor our marriage contract, but for the first three years, I will not touch you. I hope you can understand.” I’d nodded at the time. I wasn’t a saint, but I could respect his faith. I see now. He wasn’t keeping his body pure for me. He was keeping it for her. I looked up at Patrick. He was whispering something to Daisy, his eyes full of a tenderness he never showed me. She playfully tapped his chest, and he caught her wrist, holding it gently. The nauseating feeling of betrayal and deception washed over me. The two things I despised most in the world, served up on a silver platter. This marriage? I was done with it. 2 Patrick, with Daisy still in his arms, rode Storm around the venue, surveying the setup with a satisfied air. The sea breeze tangled her hair, and Patrick, ever the gentleman, gently tucked the strands behind her ear, using the red braided bracelet on his wrist to tie it back. I watched, my eyes narrowing. That was the promise bracelet we’d gotten together at a festival, blessed for a long and happy union. Patrick caught my gaze and shrugged. “Don’t worry about it. It’s just a string.” I gave him a slow, knowing smile. “Are you testing my limits?” He knew I cared. And he did it anyway. Daisy immediately untied the bracelet and held it out to me. “If you don’t like it, Cassie, you can have it back.” Then her hand “slipped.” The red cord fell into the sand and was instantly swallowed by a wave. “Oops!” she gasped, her hand flying to her mouth, but there wasn’t a shred of apology in her eyes. “I’m so sorry, Cassie. My hand slipped.” Patrick wrapped an arm around her waist, his voice dripping with affection. “It’s fine. She won’t blame you.” Suddenly, I laughed. “Of course not. It’s just a string.” I reached down, untied the matching bracelet from my own wrist, and tossed it into the ocean. Patrick’s jaw tightened. His lips parted as if to say something, but he remained silent. I turned my attention to Storm. “You two should get down now. That’s my horse.” Daisy started to dismount, but Patrick held her back. He looked at me, his eyes cold as steel. “I’m giving this horse to Daisy.” My eyes narrowed to slits. He was giving her my horse? On what authority? [Mistress, no!] Storm’s panicked voice screamed in my head. [I don’t want to go with her! She eats horse tartare right in front of me!] So, a fake saint after all. Daisy beamed from her perch on Storm’s back. “This horse is special to me and Patrick now, Cassie.” A blush crept up her cheeks. “Riding him together today… it’s a memory we’ll always have. You should just let me have him. You have so many other horses at your family’s stable, you won’t even miss one.” I scoffed. Their memory? How pathetic. “No.” Patrick froze, clearly not expecting a direct refusal. His voice was laced with impatience. “It’s just a horse. If Daisy likes him, just give him to her.” I wagged a finger at him, enunciating each word. “I. Said. No.” A muscle twitched in Patrick’s jaw. He was getting angry. He suddenly raised the riding crop and brought it down hard on Storm’s flank. Storm whinnied in pain. My heart clenched. The horse spun in place, trembling, a raw red welt already forming on his hindquarters. Patrick gripped the reins, his eyes filled with a challenging, warning glare. “An animal is an animal. It needs to be taught a lesson when it misbehaves.” His words were a thinly veiled threat. As if he weren’t taming a horse, but me. I clenched my fists. I had been satisfied with this marriage because I believed in Patrick’s character. But would a truly kind man treat an animal like this? It all became crystal clear. He wasn’t a man of God. He was a hypocrite. I pulled out my phone and dialed my father. “Dad, officially notify the Montgomerys. The wedding is off.” 3 Patrick looked down at me from his high horse, a mocking smile on his face. “What kind of act is this, Cassie? You think you can just call off the wedding?” He sighed dramatically. “If only we had a choice.” So that’s what he thought. The Montgomery family business was on the brink of collapse, desperate for a cash injection from my family. We, on the other hand, had a long list of suitable marriage candidates. If it weren’t for his carefully crafted image as a pious man, I might never have agreed. The wedding was tomorrow. He was betting that I’d cave to protect our families’ reputations. He had bet wrong. I, Cassandra Hale, don’t check the clock before I flip the table. “If you’re so reluctant, there’s no reason to continue,” I said, then turned to the wedding planner. “You’ll be paid in full. Cancel everything for tomorrow.” The color drained from Patrick’s face. “Cassandra, don’t be childish.” Daisy chimed in, her voice syrupy sweet. “Cassie, this is a union between two families. It’ll sound so bad if you cancel now.” She paused, feigning concern. “Besides, being left at the altar is so humiliating for a woman.” Patrick snorted. “Don’t coddle her. If she can’t understand something so simple, she’s not fit to be a wife.” He patted Storm’s head forcefully. “Just like this horse. You can’t spoil them.” Storm let out a pained whinny. [Mistress, help me.] [They were whipping me while they were insulting you.] [They tampered with your medication… said something about once the Montgomerys are stable, a grieving widower would be best… they’re not good people!] A roar filled my ears. I remembered the strange pains in my chest over the past few months. I’d chalked it up to stress from work, a weakened immune system. But they didn’t want me to live. Rage flooded my veins. I stepped in front of the horse. “Don’t touch my horse! Get down, now!” Patrick didn’t move. Daisy didn’t move. I glared at them, my voice low and dangerous. “The only reason he’s calm is because I’m here. Don’t push your luck.” Patrick laughed, a sound full of contempt. “Cassie, there isn’t a horse I can’t ride.” I knew what he was really saying. There isn’t a person I can’t control. This whole series of provocations today… it was a compliance test. Too bad for him, he had miscalculated. I may bow to God, but I don’t bow to false prophets. And I certainly don’t bow to sanctimonious hypocrites. “I am telling you for the last time. Get. Down. Now. Or you will face the consequences.” Daisy giggled, covering her mouth. “Oh, you look so scary, Cassie. Patrick, you’ll protect me, won’t you?” He looked down at her, his eyes soft. “Of course.” I stared at them, my voice flat. “Are you absolutely sure you’re not getting down?” Patrick’s gaze was indifferent. “I told you, this horse belongs to Daisy now. When she gets down is her decision.” Daisy shot me a triumphant smile. “Thank you, Patrick.” She dug her heels into Storm’s sides. “Giddy-up!” The horse started walking toward the ocean. I took a deep breath and put two fingers to my lips. A piercing whistle cut through the air. Storm understood my command instantly. The next second, he reared up, his body almost vertical. “Ah!” Daisy screamed, falling backward. Patrick instinctively grabbed for the reins, but he had no control. They both tumbled from the horse, landing with a heavy thud on the wet sand. The scene erupted into chaos. Crew members screamed and scattered. Patrick scrambled to his feet, his face contorted with rage. “What the hell did you do? You spooked him! If Daisy is hurt, I’ll kill you!” “Help me! Patrick, help me!” Daisy shrieked. She had fallen directly under Storm’s belly and was curled in a ball, covering her head. The horse’s hooves danced around her, inches from crushing her. Patrick’s face went pale, and he lunged forward without a second thought. Any last shred of hesitation I had vanished. I whistled again. Storm’s eyes fixed on his target. His front hooves shot up into the air. And came down, square in Patrick’s groin. A bloodcurdling scream echoed across the beach. Patrick curled into a ball, clutching himself, writhing in the sand. 4 I smirked. Enough. I let out one last, short whistle. Storm galloped away, disappearing down the beach. The crew finally rushed forward, surrounding Patrick. “Call an ambulance!” “He’s bleeding! I think he’s bleeding!” I walked over slowly and stood over him, looking down. “I told you. You shouldn’t have ridden my horse.” He was drenched in a cold sweat, but his eyes still glared at me with pure hatred. “You… you…” Daisy finally pulled herself up from the sand, trembling, and pointed a shaking finger at me. “It was you! You did this on purpose! You told the horse to trample him!” I laughed coldly. “You brought this on yourselves. I warned you. You didn’t listen.” “You!” Before she could say more, a commotion started at the edge of the beach. Patrick’s parents had arrived. They hurried toward us, their eyes locked on me. “Cassie, what’s going on? Why are you canceling the wedding?” It seemed my parents had called them. As they got closer, they saw the scene. Patrick’s mother shrieked and ran to her son. “Patrick! What happened to you?” Daisy burst into tears. “Mom, it was Cassie! She made the horse go crazy and hurt Patrick!” Mrs. Montgomery’s head snapped toward me, her eyes filled with suspicion. “You want to see the truth?” I asked, then gestured to the camera crew. “Play the rehearsal footage.” The videographer scrambled to set up the camera, projecting the video onto a large monitor. On the screen, Patrick and Daisy rode together, laughing. Daisy turned and kissed him. He smiled and ruffled her hair. I hit pause. “This is why I’m canceling the wedding. This brother and sister are a little too close. I wouldn’t want to get in the way of true love.” Mr. and Mrs. Montgomery’s faces turned an ugly shade of red. Mrs. Montgomery looked at Daisy as if seeing her for the first time. Daisy panicked. “Mom, Dad, let me explain…” Patrick, still on the ground, groaned through the pain. “Mom, it’s not Daisy’s fault… Cassie was being unreasonable…” I held up my hands and shrugged. “See? They’re perfect for each other. It’s only right that I step aside.” Daisy pointed frantically at the screen. “Mom, Dad, watch the rest! She set us up to fall! She’s the one who got Patrick hurt!” The video continued playing. It clearly showed me whistling. Daisy’s eyes lit up. “See? It was her! She did it!” I kept my voice casual. “I’m not a horse whisperer. I was just trying to get you to stop. That horse has a wild streak. I warned you more than three times, but you wouldn’t listen.” I glanced at her, my voice dropping. “He was originally going to trample you. It was you who screamed for him to save you. You’re the one who got him hurt.” Daisy froze. The video was undeniable. Patrick had been on his feet, disheveled but unharmed. It was Daisy’s screams that made him play the hero. The color drained from her face. Mrs. Montgomery’s was even paler. SLAP. The sound was sharp and clear. “You ungrateful viper! We took you in, and this is how you repay us? Seducing my son, nearly getting him killed!” Mrs. Montgomery was shaking with rage. Mr. Montgomery’s face was like thunder. After all, their family desperately needed my family’s money. My dowry alone was three billion dollars. Daisy clutched her cheek, tears streaming down her face. She opened her mouth to argue, but one look at her adoptive parents’ faces and she snapped it shut. The wail of an ambulance grew closer. Paramedics examined Patrick, their expressions grim. “Oh, god. His groin… I think it’s… severed.” A dead silence fell over the beach. I hid my triumphant smile behind a mask of pity and sorrow. I pressed my palms together. “Amen.” The man of God had truly become celibate. And next, it was the saint’s turn.

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For the very last tour group of my guiding career, I never expected to be hosting my ex-boyfriend, Carter, on his honeymoon. I stood at one end of the suspension bridge, framing him and his new wife through the camera lens. Through the viewfinder, I watched the woman cling to Carter’s arm. Her voice was dripping with sweetness. “I read online that couples who kiss on this bridge will stay together forever.” Carter’s gaze swept over me. He paused for a fraction of a second, then lowered his head and kissed her. His tone was unwavering. “That’s right. We’re never going to be apart.” I quickly lowered my head, pretending to fiddle with the camera settings. I fought back the tears threatening to spill, blaming the sharp coastal wind for making my eyes sting. Three years ago, on this exact spot, I was the one he kissed. Back then, he told me that this suspension bridge represented a promise through life and death. He promised to bring me here every single year. But Carter would never know that I didn’t have “forever” anymore. My eighth round of treatment had failed. The doctors told me I had, at most, three days left to live. 1 After the photos, Carter’s wife joined the rest of the group to pick wild lavender. Only Carter and I were left at the head of the bridge. I kept my head down, pulling my sun hat lower and adjusting my mask to cover half my face. But the next second, he reached out and grabbed my employee lanyard. The thin cord bit into the back of my neck, forcing me to tilt my head up and meet his eyes. “Summer. It really is you.” “Ran out of gambling money, so you switched careers to be a tour guide?” His eyes were sharp, carrying the weight of a heavy winter snow. The icy glare made me shiver. He had recognized me. Since when? A short distance away, the girl named Madison came jogging over. “Babe, do you know the guide?” Those fingers suddenly tightened. I let out a low gasp of pain as the lanyard snapped. He let out an incredibly soft scoff. “No. I mistook her for someone else.” The ID badge fell to the dirt. I bent down to pick it up, but as I stood back up, my vision went completely black for a moment. I quickly grabbed the wooden railing, keeping my head bowed as I waited for the dizzy spell to pass. “Let’s go.” Carter wrapped his arm around Madison and walked away. I clutched the broken lanyard. It still held the residual heat of his palm. I couldn’t do this. I couldn’t finish guiding this group. Ben, our head tour guide, was standing on the other side of the bridge. When I walked over, he had just hung up his phone. He looked at me with an incredibly complex expression. “Summer, did you offend Carter, the CEO of our private VIP group?” “He just called corporate. He specifically demanded that you stay with them for the entire trip. He said if your service leaves him unsatisfied, he’s pulling his investment.” “Carter is the majority shareholder, and his wife, Madison, is the daughter of our second-largest investor. If we piss them off, our local branch is…” Is dead. Fourteen of my colleagues would lose their jobs, all because of me. My fingers unconsciously twisted the hem of my shirt. I had forgotten. Three years had passed. Carter was no longer that eager, bowing junior sales rep. He was in a completely different league now. With a snap of his fingers, he could crush an entire travel agency. “I understand.” I returned to the group, pasting on a polite smile as I checked the three couples into their hotel rooms. But the moment I finished and returned to the tiny staff room, a knock sounded at the door. Madison stood there in a silk slip dress, her fresh, youthful face glowing with a bright smile. “Excuse me, Summer. I really don’t like our room number. Your room, 208, is actually quite nice. Could you let us have it?” I looked past her to Carter in pure shock, only to see him raise an eyebrow. “Is that a problem?” Ben’s warning echoed in my ears. I spoke immediately. “Of course. It’s just that tour guides aren’t allowed to stay in the guest presidential suites, and the hotel is fully booked…” “Did you really think you were worthy of staying in our suite?” Carter’s gaze swept across the floor with utter contempt. “This room is small and filthy anyway. Who knows what kind of pests might crawl out of the corners.” “As a guide, it isn’t too much to ask for you to sleep in the hallway so you’re available whenever we call, right?” A dull, throbbing pain struck my heart. I clenched my hands into fists. “No. It isn’t.” I turned around and walked toward the cheap dresser. “I’ll just grab my bag and head out to the hall…” “Get the hell out right now. Wait until I call you.” A large hand grabbed my collar and shoved me violently toward the door. I stumbled forward, losing my footing. My forehead smashed into the hallway wall. A sickening thud echoed through the corridor right before Carter slammed the door shut behind me. Agony exploded from my brow, shooting straight to the crown of my head. My throat tightened. I almost threw up on the carpet. Thank God the hotel had thick wallpaper to soften the blow. I touched my forehead. No blood. After the eighth failed chemo treatment, my blood platelet count had plummeted to catastrophic levels. My blood simply couldn’t clot anymore. A single bleed meant I would just bleed to death. I wasn’t afraid of dying. But I refused to die right in front of Carter. Leaning against the wall, I slowly slid down to the floor, enduring the sensation that my skull was splitting open. From inside the room, Madison’s soft moans drifted through the wood, accompanied by Carter’s heavy breathing, filled with intense possessiveness. “Babe, why are you so… slow down, you’re going too fast…” Carter let out a low, husky laugh. “I finally married the woman of my dreams. How could I not be in a rush?” The woman of his dreams. He had completely moved on. He had found a new love. My head was pounding harder now. I fumbled around, trying to find my painkillers, only to realize I had left the bottle in my backpack inside the room. “Babe, be gentle. Someone is right outside the door…” Carter didn’t reply, but the sounds that followed grew even more frantic. When it was finally over, he called out to me. “Summer.” I gritted my teeth, using the wall to pull myself up. Just as I managed to stand straight, the door was violently yanked open. Carter stood over me, tossing a crumpled bundle of fabric at my chest. It was the jacket I had casually left on the bed. “If you’re not dead.” “Get in here and change the sheets.” The staff room was cramped and windowless. The aftermath smell was suffocating. Madison had gone to take a shower. Fighting down a wave of severe nausea, I stripped the bed and bundled the damp sheets into my arms, rushing toward the door. Behind me, Carter lit a cigarette. He let out a cold, mocking laugh. “And here I thought you actually had a spine.” The harsh scent of tobacco burned my eyes. I hurried out into the hall. I found four backup pain pills in my jacket pocket. I swallowed one dry, then curled up against the doorframe, shivering until dawn broke. The next day involved a mountain hike. Carter specifically demanded that I lead the two of them. Ben knew how sick I was and offered to take my place. But Carter silenced him with a single glare, leaving Ben to mouth a silent apology to me. I gave Ben a reassuring nod, swallowed another pill, and took their heavy backpacks, leading the way up the trail. Everything was going fine until we reached a steep set of stone steps. My foot slipped on some loose gravel. The sheer weight of their bags dragged me backward. In a moment of sheer panic, I grabbed onto a jagged rock protruding from the cliffside, barely managing to steady myself. Madison started screaming at the top of her lungs. “Babe! She’s trying to drag us down with her to die!” I forced the rising panic down my throat and turned around. They had already retreated to a wide, safe plateau. Carter was holding a crying Madison in his arms, stroking her hair. He looked at me with venom in his eyes. “If you want to die, do it yourself. Don’t try to take us down with you.” For a split second, I felt entirely unmoored from reality. Three years ago, our breakup had been an ugly, explosive mess. To force him to pay off my “gambling debts,” I had pressed a kitchen knife to his throat, demanding a wire transfer. He didn’t hesitate. He sent me every penny he had, begging me to stop gambling, pleading with me to let us live a normal life together. But I refused. I pulled out a massive accidental death insurance policy and told him to fake a fall from a twenty-eighth-floor balcony so I could take the payout and win back everything I had lost in Vegas. He stared at me in absolute disbelief for a long time. The warmth in his eyes froze over, leaving nothing but pure, unadulterated hatred. He said, “Summer, if you’re rotting from the inside out, leave me out of it.” “If you want to die, go ahead. But don’t expect me to be your sacrificial lamb.” A sharp slap to my left cheek snapped me back to the present. The stinging pain cleared my vision. Madison was sobbing, tears streaming down her flawless makeup. “You absolute psycho! We just got married and you almost got us killed!” “I’m telling my dad! I’m going to make sure your pathetic little agency goes bankrupt!” The force of the slap made my head spin. I shook my head in a daze. “I didn’t…” “You still won’t admit it!” She raised her hand and delivered another vicious slap. She wound up to strike me a third time. Carter stood by the side, watching me with dead eyes. As she hit me, he even reached out a protective arm, resting his hand on the small of her back to keep her steady. When the third slap landed, I took it without flinching. Then I opened my mouth. “I am so sorry. It was my fault. Please don’t file a complaint against me.” Madison shrieked, “We almost lost our lives! What good is a pathetic apology!” I swallowed the metallic taste of blood rising in my throat. It took exactly one second for me to drop to my knees. “I’m sorry. You can keep hitting me if it makes you feel better. Just please let the agency go.” A sheer cliff drop was less than ten inches away from me. Madison trembled with rage and fear. She turned and threw herself into Carter’s chest, crying hysterically. “Babe, I want to grow old with you. I want us to have beautiful kids. We can’t die out here!” Carter comforted her with a soft, gentle voice. “I’m here. We aren’t going to die.” Then he violently yanked the heavy backpacks off my shoulders. The sudden force threw me off balance, and I swayed dangerously close to the edge of the cliff. He acted like he didn’t even notice. Standing over me, he delivered his verdict. “I’m taking my wife back to rest. You can sit here and reflect on what you’ve done.” “You are not allowed to come down this mountain before sunset. If you do, shutting your agency down will be the least of your worries.” By the time the sun dipped below the horizon, the temperature plummeted. When I finally made my way down to the base of the mountain, I saw a roaring bonfire. The entire VIP group was sitting around it, chatting and laughing. Madison was still furious. She turned her head away, refusing to look at me. Carter sat poking the fire with a long stick, equally silent. The chill of the mountain descent had seeped deep into my bones. Every step toward the fire felt impossibly heavy. “Carter. Madison. Everything that happened today was entirely my fault. I apologize.” Carter finally looked at me. With chilling apathy, he pointed at two bottles of hard liquor sitting on the dirt. “Drink the liquor, and we’ll forgive you.” Madison protested immediately. “Babe! That’s letting her off too easy! She literally tried to murder us!” Her accusations were getting more ridiculous by the minute. The rest of the tourists stared at me in shock. Ben was terrified, waving his hands frantically to de-escalate the situation. Terrified of bringing ruin to the agency, I tried to explain. “I didn’t. I just slipped…” Carter cut me off with a voice made of ice. “So you don’t want to drink?” I froze. It wasn’t that I didn’t want to drink. I physically couldn’t. My oncologist had been crystal clear. My intracranial pressure was critically high. Alcohol would rapidly accelerate my death. According to the natural progression of the disease, I could have held on until they boarded their flight the day after tomorrow. But if I drank this… “Drink it, and I will personally inject capital into your local branch.” “Refuse, and every single one of you can pack your bags. You’ll never work in this industry again.” Carter’s cold words sealed my fate. I pinched the webbing between my thumb and index finger hard. “I’ll drink.” Ben swallowed hard. He pasted on an awkward smile and tried to snatch the bottles. “Mr. Kensington, Summer has a really weak stomach. How about I drink for her?” “I’ve got a great liver. Forget two bottles, I could put away ten for you right now!” Carter’s dark eyes locked onto him. “Are you her boyfriend, or her husband?” “No, I’m just her coworker…” “Then what gives you the right to drink for her?” Ben broke out in a cold sweat, intimidated into silence. I didn’t want Ben to suffer because of me. I reached out and took the bottles back. “You’re a man of your word, Carter.” I took a deep breath, tilted my head back, and drained the first bottle as fast as humanly possible. When I finally lowered my head, it felt like a bomb had detonated inside my skull. Blinding pain caused my vision to flicker, reducing the world to a watery blur. But there was still one bottle left. I fumbled blindly until my fingers closed around the glass neck. I drank the second one with the same desperate speed. Involuntary tears poured down my cheeks. My throat constricted violently. It was the terrifying precursor to severe, violent vomiting. Biting my lower lip so hard I tasted iron, I used every ounce of willpower I possessed to force the rolling nausea down. Squinting through the blur, I found Carter’s silhouette. I couldn’t read his expression, but I knew he was furious. “I finished them, Carter.” “Thank you for the investment.” I bowed deeply, then turned and began walking toward where I remembered the restrooms were. But the alcohol hit my bloodstream too fast. Halfway there, I felt my blood pressure skyrocket. Every single heartbeat tugged at my brain, dragging it through shattered glass. I clamped my jaw shut, stumbling wildly until I found the restroom door. I barely managed to lock it behind me before I collapsed over the toilet, vomiting until the world spun into absolute darkness and I passed out on the tiles. When I woke up and dragged myself out of the bathroom, it was past two in the morning. The bonfire was dead. The crowd was gone. My vision had finally cleared just enough. My legs gave out completely, and I crumpled onto the ground. Digging into my pocket, I found my last two pain pills and swallowed them dry. Footsteps approached. I fought to open my eyes. Carter was standing over me, looking down from his pedestal. Under the pale moonlight, the same eyes that used to crinkle with joy when he shoved my frozen hands into his pockets after closing a big sale were now overflowing with pure, unadulterated hate. “Summer. Why aren’t you dead yet?” I opened my mouth, but I didn’t have the strength to form words. “Back when you needed cash for the casino, couldn’t you put away eighteen bottles before throwing up? Now you can’t even handle two? Drop the act.” He glanced at the restroom, then sneered at me. “You stole every cent I had and ran off, leaving me with a hundred grand in debt to loan sharks.” “I thought someone as vicious as you would be living the high life. But look at you. A stray dog, bowing and scraping just for a little corporate handout?” The painkillers finally kicked in. I struggled to push myself into a sitting position. When I spoke, my voice was raw gravel. “I drank the liquor, Carter. Please just remember your promise.” Veins popped on his neck. Every word was forced through clenched teeth. “Is this pathetic agency really that important to you?!” “You told me you’d rather die than stop gambling! Well, if you aren’t gambling anymore, what the hell are you still breathing for! Look at yourself! You puke your guts out and all you care about is the agency! Then why did you do that to me…” “Summer is over there!” A chorus of frantic shouts interrupted Carter’s inexplicable rage. The agency staff had found us. Ben practically bowed in half, apologizing profusely. “I’m so sorry, Mr. Kensington. Summer didn’t mean any disrespect. She’s always had a terrible reaction to alcohol…” A few colleagues rushed over and scrambled to pull me up. I swayed heavily, collapsing against Ben’s shoulder. Carter’s gaze felt like a knife carving into my spine. He spoke with glacial calm. “Don’t forget. You’re taking us to see the sunrise at three.” Ben tried to play peacemaker. “Mr. Kensington, three in the morning is freezing. Besides, I’m the local sunrise expert. Let me take you guys.” Carter stared him down, his face a mask of hostility. “Are you tired of being employed?” Ben went completely rigid. The other guides exchanged terrified glances. Nobody dared to breathe. I let out a quiet sigh in my heart. Over the last three years, across eight rounds of chemo, my colleagues had chipped in to pay for half of my medical bills. They barely made ends meet themselves. I couldn’t drag them down. I pushed gently away from Ben and nodded. “I’ll head to the beach right now to wait for you and Madison. Remember to dress warmly. The ocean wind is biting.” When we reached the beach, my colleagues wrapped a thick woolen blanket around my shoulders, lingering to give me endless instructions before finally leaving. I sat in the sand, hugging my knees, staring out at the pitch-black ocean. The freezing wind made my skull feel like it was cracking open. But my pills were gone. All I could do was endure it. I didn’t know how much time had passed before Carter arrived with his arm around Madison. Madison rolled her eyes. “Just looking at her ruins my mood… Achoo!” “Careful, don’t catch a cold.” Carter gently pulled her coat tighter. Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed me. He issued a flat command. “Give the blanket to my wife.” But my hearing was already gone. The crash of the waves and the howling wind rushed toward me, but I lived in total silence. I knew it was almost time to go. A sudden lightness hit my shoulders. The blanket was snatched away. I turned my head in confusion, but my eyes could only register blurry, shifting shadows. I saw them speaking, though I heard nothing. Then they walked a short distance ahead of me, sitting down to stare at the horizon. I remembered now. Carter brought his new wife here to watch the sunrise. Three years ago, Carter had brought me here to do the exact same thing. That day, we kissed on the suspension bridge. We took photos in the lavender fields. We talked by the bonfire all night, then rushed to the beach, leaning against each other as we waited for the sun. Carter had told me the suspension bridge meant life and death together. He said we would come back every year. But Carter, I didn’t have forever. I was destined to die, and you were destined to find someone new. The freezing wind dragged across my cheek. I felt my heartbeat slowing, fading into a sluggish rhythm. Every breath required monumental effort.

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I used visiting out-of-town family as an excuse to dodge our ten-year high school reunion. As fate would have it, I had dinner plans with an old friend that same night. I never expected to crash right into my former classmates at the exact same upscale hotel restaurant. Right in the center of the crowd stood Tristan. He was the golden boy I had secretly crushed on for three years in high school, currently laughing and holding court. Our eyes locked across the room. He visibly stiffened. The woman clinging to his arm narrowed her eyes, her voice dripping with venom. “It’s been a decade. Why is she still haunting you like a ghost?” A heavy sigh caught in my throat. I turned on my heel to leave, but several voices called out, pinning me in place. “Well, well, if it isn’t the Swine Queen. Did visiting your relatives somehow lead you to a five-star hotel?” “She probably found out Tristan was here. Even the pig farmer learned how to put on some makeup for the occasion.” Someone pointed at the roasted pork belly appetizer on their table, a cruel smirk playing on his lips. “You’re late, sweetheart. Your livestock relatives are already being served.” Looking at their sneering, bitter faces, a genuine laugh escaped my lips. Ten years had passed, and they were still hopelessly clueless about modern, multi-million-dollar agricultural enterprises. 1 “Sally, the gorgeous. Long time no see. Aren’t you going to say hello?” Derek lit a cigarette, his eyes doing a slow, greasy crawl up and down my body. I took a good look at him. It took me a second to remember that this was the same guy who had shoved two desperate love letters into my locker back in the day, both of which I had rejected. The scrawny, awkward kid from my memory had ballooned into a balding middle-aged man whose belt was fighting a losing battle against his gut. The isolated boy who used to blush when spoken to had morphed into a slick, overconfident creep. The whole table looked different from the kids I remembered. Seeing my silence, they exchanged knowing glances and chuckled. “We practically begged her to come and she said no. But the second she hears Tristan is attending, she magically shows up to stage a little ‘accidental’ run-in.” “Guess we just weren’t important enough to grace with her presence.” I lowered my gaze to my best friend, Sophie, who was standing right behind me. So this was her grand plan. She had dragged me to this specific restaurant just to trick me into attending the reunion. Seeing the pleading look in her eyes, I offered a soft smile and pulled out a chair. “Since we bumped into each other, you don’t mind squeezing in two more chairs, right?” A former classmate laughed, trying to smooth over the awkwardness. “Of course you’re welcome! It’s been forever since we saw you and Sophie. We all assumed you two moved out of state.” “No.” Sophie smiled shyly, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. “I’m a pediatric nurse at the city hospital. And Sally… she…” “Oh, we know.” Derek cut Sophie off, blowing a ring of smoke. “She went back to the pigs.” He gave a condescending snort. “Her old man paid for her tuition by shoveling manure, and now she’s doing the exact same thing. A real family legacy, isn’t it?” The entire table erupted into laughter. Sophie frowned, her protective instincts flaring. “That’s not true! Sally isn’t just doing what her dad did. She runs a highly successful corporate…” “Sophie, please. Don’t embarrass yourself by making up lies just because she’s your friend.” A girl whose name I couldn’t even recall suddenly chimed in. “Victoria ran into her just last week. Said Sally was still driving her dad’s beat-up old pickup truck, delivering raw meat to people.” Sophie’s face burned crimson. She opened her mouth to argue, but I grabbed her wrist and gave my head a slight shake. This toxic, suffocating atmosphere was exactly why I had declined the invitation in the first place. I had zero desire to explain myself to these people. Once the check was paid tonight, I would never see them again. Explaining my life to them was a total waste of breath. Victoria finally unhooked her arm from Tristan’s and offered me a sickly sweet smile. “Sally, I am so sorry. Was I not supposed to tell everyone I saw you? I just recognized that awful truck and wanted to ask the group if it was really you.” I nodded coolly. “It was me. My dad is getting older. When his back flares up, I help him run deliveries to his legacy clients.” Bless her heart. After ten whole years, she still remembered exactly what my father’s old truck looked like. Seeing that I didn’t deny it, Derek scoffed. “Corporate? You need a corporation to slop pigs? My bad, I shouldn’t call you a dirty farm girl. I should call you…” He dragged out the syllables, his voice dripping with sarcasm. “The Chief Executive Swineherd.” “That is enough.” The sharp voice cut through the giggles. It was Tristan. He had been completely silent since I walked in. He scanned the room, his jaw tight. “It’s a rare night for all of us to be together. What is the point of obsessing over pig farming?” 2 The moment the golden boy spoke, the private dining room shifted gears, pivoting instantly to flattery and brown-nosing. “Honestly, out of all of us, Tristan is the one who really made it.” “He was the valedictorian, graduated from an Ivy League business school, and came straight back to a Senior VP role at a top-tier investment bank. The guy is unstoppable.” “Not to mention he’s paying the entire tab for tonight! I say we raise a glass to the boss!” The tension in Tristan’s shoulders relaxed a fraction. “It is just nice to see everyone. The bill is nothing. Don’t worry about it.” Someone else chimed in, eager to score points. “A killer career is one thing, but look at his lady! Victoria’s parents are old money, both corporate executives. Talk about a power couple!” “Seriously, it is so rare for high school sweethearts to make it. When is the wedding?” Victoria beamed, wrapping her arms around Tristan’s bicep again. “Stop it, you guys. Tristan and I just got lucky with our careers, that’s all. As for a wedding…” She cast a coy, blushing look at the man beside her. “That is entirely up to him.” Listening to the clinking glasses and the hollow praises, I felt a bone-deep wave of boredom. I kept my head down, eating a piece of roasted duck in silence. Suddenly, a guy who had clearly downed too many shots pointed a sloppy finger at me. “Hey, wait a second. Wasn’t Sally your girlfriend back in the day, Tristan?” He slurred his words, swaying in his seat. “When did… when did you swap her out?” Glasses froze halfway to people’s mouths. The air in the room turned to lead. Tristan’s polite smile shattered. “You are remembering things wrong,” he said, every word clipped and tight. The drunk guy frowned, confused. “No way, man. You bought her breakfast every morning. You tutored her after class. Literally everyone knew.” “She used to show up early just to wipe down your desk because you were a germaphobe. She brought you iced water after every gym class. You don’t remember?” My fingers tightened around my fork. I suddenly lost my appetite. I had buried those memories a long time ago. In high school, Tristan and I shared a desk. He was the handsome, brilliant kid who always knew exactly what to say to make people feel special. I was young, foolish, and fell for him effortlessly. Whenever he looked at me, the tips of his ears would turn pink. I thought those shy, stolen glances meant something real. I thought promising to apply to the same college was our unspoken vow. I genuinely believed that when the time was right, we would be together. Then came the senior year family background forms. It ruined everything. Victoria had been helping the teacher collect the paperwork. When she grabbed my sheet, she let out a theatrical gasp, loud enough for the whole room to hear. “Heartland Farms? Sally, your family raises pigs?!” Heads snapped toward us. Victoria batted her eyelashes, feigning innocent disgust. “My parents work in high-rise offices. I’ve never even seen a live farm animal. I heard they are absolutely filthy. Doesn’t the manure smell horrible? Does your dad actually have to slaughter them?” She pinched her nose, looking at me like I was a walking biohazard. I honestly didn’t understand the big deal. My mother passed away from a severe illness when I was young. My father bought a house in the city and sent me to the best public school purely through the sweat, blood, and tears of running that farm. I felt nothing but overwhelming pride for him. “You don’t seem to mind the smell when you’re eating bacon,” I shot back immediately. “What is wrong with farming? My dad is an incredible man.” The room erupted into laughter. The eyes watching me were suddenly filled with mockery and disdain. Later that afternoon, I went to fill Tristan’s water bottle like I always did. When I handed it back to him, he took it, sniffed the rim, and then pulled out a packet of antibacterial wipes, scrubbing the plastic violently. Remembering the sheer disgust in his eyes ignited a cold fury in my chest. I looked dead at the drunk classmate. “He is right. Nothing happened. Tristan and I were never anything to each other.” Victoria let out a loud scoff. “Obviously. Like he would ever let a girl who reeks of livestock touch him.” “The only people reeking right now are you guys.” Sophie had finally had enough. She reached into her pocket, pulled out a heavy set of keys bearing the iconic Porsche crest, and slammed them onto the table right in front of me. “Sally. Your keys.” 3 Before I could even react, Sophie snatched my limited-edition Hermès Birkin from the back of my chair and shoved the keys inside. “Almost forgot to give those back to you.” “Wow.” A sharp-eyed girl across the table let out a loud gasp. “Does cleaning out pig pens really pay that well? Just getting the purchase history to buy that bag costs hundreds of thousands of dollars.” “Are you an idiot?” Victoria hissed, her manicured nails digging into the tablecloth. “Half the people on the internet rent luxury cars and buy knock-off bags just to flex at high school reunions.” She tilted her chin, a nasty smirk on her face. “Of course, I am not saying you are that kind of person, Sally.” Derek snorted. “You guys just don’t know her. She was always trying to be something she wasn’t. Coming from a literal barn, but begging her dad to buy her name-brand sneakers just to look rich.” Sophie’s eyes blazed. “You little…” “Are you all quite finished?” I interrupted, my voice dangerously calm. “You don’t need to keep trashing the agricultural industry. My father and I work hard, we earn honest money, and I will spend that money on whatever the hell I want.” I locked eyes with the balding man. “Derek, I rejected you back then because I found you repulsive. Listening to your pathetic, insecure remarks tonight just confirms I was right.” I didn’t spare a single feeling, stripping away their shallow facades one by one. “And Victoria. If you have a vendetta against me because I had a crush on your boyfriend a decade ago, let me clear the air for you. I forgot about him the second I graduated. You don’t need to bare your fangs at me. Just eat your dinner.” I pushed my chair back and stood up. “I am going to get some fresh air. The stench of jealousy in this room is making me sick.” Ignoring their dropped jaws, I walked out. Even through the heavy oak door, I heard the sharp clatter of Victoria throwing her silverware onto her plate. “Who does she think she is?! She’s a filthy farm girl! I’m the one who’s disgusted by her! Did she even wash those gross hands before she came here?” Derek immediately echoed her. “I must have been blind to ever like her. The day I found out she lived with pigs, I almost threw up my breakfast. She spends her life with animals, and she has the nerve to act superior.” A heavy wave of disappointment washed over me as I walked down the plush corridor. Whatever childish bonds we once shared were completely rotten. Sophie jogged out of the room, twisting her fingers together guiltily. “Sally, I am so, so sorry. I was just so angry about how they treated you back then. I thought dragging you here would be a victory lap. You are so successful now! Why didn’t you just tell them?” I pushed open the restroom door and turned on the gilded faucet. The cool water washed over my hands. “Because they don’t matter to me anymore, Sophie.” I looked at our reflections in the ornate mirror and offered a gentle smile. Two days before graduation, we had to clean out our lockers. Tristan had taken a massive stack of love letters he had received over the years and dumped them in the trash. Some cruel kids dug through the pile, found the letters Sophie and I had written, and taped them to the front chalkboard. Look at the golden boy’s fan club! Braces-face and the Pig-girl! Tristan had snapped. He completely lost his temper, screaming at us to leave him alone. He had looked right at me and said, Sally, your letter literally smells like pig shit. Don’t you realize how disgusting you are? The innocent, fragile heart of a teenage girl had been shattered into a million pieces on that sweltering summer afternoon. “I grew up. I became successful,” I told Sophie, drying my hands. “I thought seeing them again would feel like some grand revenge, but honestly? It is just boring.” Sophie’s voice snapped me out of the past. I tossed the paper towel into the bin and linked my arm through hers. “Come on. Let’s go back, grab the bag, and get out of here. The food here is terrible anyway.” We walked shoulder to shoulder back toward the private dining rooms. Just as we rounded the corner, a hand shot out and gripped my arm hard. 4 It was Tristan. His jaw was clenched, his eyes dark. “Sally. We haven’t seen each other in ten years, and you seriously don’t have a single thing to say to me?” I stared at him, utterly baffled by his audacity. I gave Sophie a look, silently asking her to go grab my purse from the room. I yanked my arm, tearing it out of his grip. “You’ve had too much to drink.” He stared down at me, his gaze intense and slightly unfocused. “You never used to be like this.” I took a step back, putting distance between us. “That is none of your business.” “How is it none of my business?” He aggressively loosened his silk tie. The alcohol had flushed his skin and entirely stripped away his polished, gentlemanly mask. “Sally, who exactly are you trying to fool with this little act?” He let out a low, breathy laugh and stepped into my space. The sharp scent of expensive cologne mixed with stale whiskey hit my nose. “How much money can you seriously make shoveling dirt? Working outside in the sun, getting filthy, breaking your back?” He paused, his eyes doing a slow, evaluating sweep of my silk blouse and tailored trousers. “If you were with me, you wouldn’t have to buy fake bags.” “Twenty grand a month. How about it?” “Excuse me?” I blinked, convinced I had misheard him. “Stop playing dumb.” He frowned, looking irritated that I wasn’t immediately grateful. “Victoria’s family has massive connections in my industry. I am never going to leave her. But I can take care of you on the side. You’ll never have to do manual labor again. Isn’t that what you want?” So that was it. A laugh bubbled up in my throat, sharp and utterly devoid of humor. In what delusional universe did he think he could buy me as his little secret? Even though I already knew my high school crush was a mistake, the sheer, unadulterated sleaze radiating from him right now was sickening. I opened my mouth to tear him apart, but a piercing, hysterical shriek echoed down the hallway. “Sally, you absolute home-wrecking bitch!” Victoria was sprinting toward us, her expensive heels clicking violently against the marble floor. “You filthy tramp! You act so innocent inside, but you’re out here trying to seduce my fiancé! I can smell the desperation on you. You’re repulsive!” Her screaming drew the attention of the waitstaff, who peeked out from the corners. The heavy oak door of our dining room swung open, and the rest of the class spilled out into the hallway to watch the drama. Derek was the first to jump in, his face lighting up with malicious joy. “Whoa, Sally! Trying to rekindle the old flame by becoming a mistress? Tristan and Victoria are practically at the altar. Trying to wedge yourself in there is pathetic.” Emboldened by her audience, Victoria lunged at me, raising her hand to slap me across the face. “You shameless whore!” I didn’t flinch. I reached out, clamped my hand around her descending wrist, and twisted it hard. She let out a high-pitched wail of pain. “Enough!” Tristan’s face was chalk-white. “Everyone, stop it! We were just having a conversation. Why is everyone screaming?” “Tristan!” Victoria sobbed, huge tears ruining her mascara. “I saw everything! This dirty farm girl is harassing you! I am going to destroy her!” “Then let’s get the story straight,” I said. I didn’t shout, but my voice echoed with absolute, icy authority. “Tristan just offered to pay me twenty grand a month to be his mistress. If you don’t believe me, we can pull the security footage from the hallway cameras right now.” Tristan’s face went from pale to ash. A collective, stunned gasp rippled through the crowd of classmates. Their eyes darted wildly between the golden boy and his hysterical fiancée. Victoria looked like someone had just stolen the air from her lungs. Her jaw dropped, completely speechless. Sophie came running down the hall, clutching my Birkin. She glared at the frozen couple with absolute disgust. “Let’s go, Sally. Breathing the same air as these people is a biohazard.” “Hold on! Did I say you could leave?” Victoria suddenly snapped out of her shock. She threw her body in front of us, blocking our path. “Sally, you lying bitch! Don’t you dare try to ruin my relationship!” “Ms. Lockwood!” A breathless voice called out. The owner of the restaurant came rushing down the corridor.

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