“Lily, please stop being angry. She really means nothing to me now,” Jack said as he reached out to grab me. I was cornered against the wall with nowhere to escape. Just as I was about to use all my strength to push him away— My boss grabbed Jack’s arm and yanked him back forcefully, stepping in front of me protectively. His whole body radiated cold fury as he growled, “What do you think you’re doing to my wife?” I had liked Jack Thompson for a long time, throughout my entire youth. But he had also liked his goddess for just as long. I chased after him for five years, while he chased after his goddess for four years. It’s not that he stopped chasing her – she just went abroad. … His family lived right next door to mine. Since childhood, he was always the “perfect kid” my mom compared me to. When my mom scolded me for being useless and said I couldn’t compare to him in any way, I felt both envious and resentful towards Jack. I wished he had never existed in this world. But when he appeared downstairs in a white shirt, riding his bicycle and gently calling out, “Lily, it’s time to go to school,” my heart would beat uncontrollably. “Let’s break up.” After sending him this message on SnapChat, I deleted all his contact information. His goddess had returned from abroad. Yesterday he told me that it was my birthday tomorrow, and he would give me a surprise in the evening. It was the first time he had ever prepared a surprise for me. I spent all day getting ready, from morning till night. Full of joy and anticipation, I arrived early at the restaurant we had agreed on. I waited from 8 pm until midnight. I didn’t get to see him, but I did receive photos of him helping his goddess into a hotel room. To be honest, when I saw those photos, I laughed. But what I didn’t realize was that my laughter looked just like crying. This wasn’t the first time something like this had happened. Every time, he would gently stroke my head afterwards and tell me, “She was upset and needed someone. She’s fragile and needs company.” And every time, I would say, “It’s okay, don’t worry about it. Just comfort her, I’ll be fine on my own.” I carefully nurtured our relationship, afraid that even the slightest setback would sever the bond I had worked so hard to create. In this relationship, I had lowered myself to the extreme. But this time, I didn’t want to put up with it anymore. It was past midnight, and the dorm was closed. I didn’t want to go back there either. After letting my roommates know, I headed straight to a bar, planning to drink myself into oblivion and bury this fruitless love. In the end, I really did get drunk. I ended up hooking up with some hot guy for the night. The next morning. I opened my eyes to find a handsome face right in front of me. I stared blankly for two minutes before coming to my senses. Then I realized this handsome face belonged to my internship company’s boss!! After a quick check, I found myself completely naked….!! I covered my mouth, trembling. My brain felt oxygen-deprived and I couldn’t breathe. I can’t believe I dared to hook up with the boss!! People weren’t lying when they said alcohol and lust lead to trouble. So many people in the company wanted him but didn’t dare make a move, and I actually… ! Run! I need to run away! My mind went blank except for that one thought. I saw our clothes scattered messily on the floor. I planned to get out of bed, put on my clothes, and run. I carefully inched from the head of the bed to the foot, about to put my feet on the ground. Then I heard a deep voice from above me. “Where are you going?” At that moment, my mind crashed, going completely blank. But for some reason, a guilty feeling started bubbling up from deep inside. Because I had no idea what happened last night… I was afraid that I had taken advantage of my boss, since I had planned to get drunk and have a one-night stand… But this was my boss! The object of so many people’s fantasies! A lazy voice came from his lips, “Do you remember what happened last night?” I lifted my head slightly, too guilty to turn and look at him. From the corner of my eye, I saw him sit up against the headboard, broad shoulders tapering to a narrow waist, defined abs, clear muscle definition… To be honest, seeing his physique, I felt like I had hit the jackpot last night. But since I couldn’t remember anything that happened, I also felt like I had lost big time. My feelings were suddenly very complicated… “I… I don’t remember,” I said weakly. “But I won’t tell anyone about last night!” I turned my head to face him, my eyes determined. I was ready to swear an oath to prove my resolve. “What, you’re planning to avoid responsibility? Now you’re pretending not to remember?” His voice deepened as his dark eyes stared intently at me. “What? Take responsibility?!” I stared at him in shock, completely caught off guard by him saying I should take responsibility. “Last night you grabbed my hand and said you’d take responsibility, that’s why I came in.” He said matter-of-factly. I… “How should I take responsibility?” He calmly uttered two words: “Get married.” ?!! “What?” I couldn’t believe my ears. What kind of talk is this? It was just a one-night stand, but he wants me to give up my whole life for it? “Or I could let everyone at the company and your school know what you did.” He glanced at me sideways. “You, you, you can’t! Besides, then everyone would know you were forced into it. You’d lose face even more.” He listened to me finish, his eyes growing darker as he seemed to consider something. After a moment, he said slowly, “I don’t care.” …Well that’s quite the “I don’t care.” But I do care. I felt a bit wronged, but couldn’t say anything. “Is there any other way to resolve this?” He stared at me silently, his eyes deep and the atmosphere growing increasingly oppressive. I could only stammer out, “Then… when should we get married?” “Tomorrow morning at 9am.” My eyes darted around as I agreed with a “Okay.” “Don’t try any tricks. I have your ID card.” He leaned back comfortably against the headboard, twirling my ID card in his hand. “…I know, don’t worry.” I felt deflated as I sat at the foot of the bed, sighing. He seemed unable to bear seeing me so dejected and unwilling. Frowning, he stared at me and said, “Come here.” I didn’t want to go. But my body instinctively obeyed the boss’s order. By the time I came to my senses, I was already next to him. He reached out to pinch my face, pulling me closer as he said softly, “Be good.” His hot breath tickled my ear, making my heart race uncontrollably. Without realizing it, I replied, “Okay.” At the marriage registration office. I held the brand new marriage certificate in my hands, feeling a bit surreal. I never imagined I’d be getting married before even graduating college, let alone to my boss, and in such a whirlwind fashion. Lust really does make you lose your mind! Sitting in his car as we drove away, I still felt like this wasn’t real even after 10 miles. “Where to?” “Huh? Oh, back to school. I don’t have to go to work today, right boss? I should get marriage leave!” There had to be some perks to getting married. I carefully put the marriage certificate away in my bag. He glanced at me and snorted, “How ambitious.” Hearing him mock me, I immediately turned to glare at him. I stared so hard my eyes started to hurt, but he didn’t react at all, not even glancing in my direction. “We’re here. Stop staring, he’s all yours now. You can look all you want when we get home tonight,” he said teasingly. He pinched my cheek and turned my face towards the window, pointing outside to remind me. Oh, we’ve arrived at school. Apparently I had been staring at him for quite a while. Seeing his playful expression, I suddenly felt my face grow hot. But I still wanted to argue and defend myself. Then my brain suddenly registered what he said. ?? Go home? Who said I was going home with him tonight? I turned my head, about to question him, when I realized his face was extremely close to mine. I could see my own clear reflection in his pupils. “W-what are you doing?” “Why are you stuttering?” His hand was still pinching my cheek. He squeezed again, making my lips pucker up. He looked confused, but I could clearly see amusement in his eyes. Is he laughing at me?! I wasn’t stuttering, it’s just that he was too close and my mind flashed back to that wild, chaotic night. That night, he had been so passionate, almost unlike himself. Beads of sweat rolled down his chiseled jawline, our breaths intertwined, his grip on my waist inescapable no matter how I tried to get away… “What are you thinking about? Why is your face so red?” I felt my face grow even hotter. “N-nothing. Get away from me.” “Get away? Like this?” He said he’d move away, but he got even closer. So close that if I moved even slightly, my lips would touch his. I didn’t dare move an inch! I felt my face start to stiffen. His hand still gripping my cheek, he pulled me closer and pecked my lips. Seeing no reaction from me, he deepened the kiss. ! I felt my heart start to race. I could barely breathe. “Breathe,” he said huskily as he pulled away slightly. My head felt fuzzy. I let out a small gasp before gradually sinking into his expert kissing. When I got out of the car, my lips were swollen and red. My face was flushed and my eyes looked a bit dazed. Anyone could tell what had just happened. “Did you just get out of that Bentley? Look at yourself! Don’t degrade yourself like this!” As I got out of the car and walked towards the school gates, someone suddenly grabbed my arm forcefully and started berating me. Jack’s face was full of disappointment, anger, and gravity, as if I had betrayed him. “Do you even know how old he is? Did you enjoy it that much?” There were a lot of people coming and going at the school entrance. Hearing what Jack said, they all turned to look, as if I was some kept woman who had snagged a sugar daddy. Standing in the crowd, my swollen lips seemed like damning evidence. Feeling everyone’s judgmental stares, I felt awful and angry to the point of trembling. I never expected Jack would think of me this way, let alone humiliate me in public like this. I had liked him for five years, but now those five years felt like a joke. I couldn’t take it anymore. “Who are you to lecture me? When you were cuddling and being all lovey-dovey with someone else, did you ever consider how I felt?” He looked at me in disbelief, as if he hadn’t expected me to bring up his goddess. “She didn’t have anyone to take care of her. I was just looking after her.” Looking after… I let out a cold laugh. “Whatever. We’ve already broken up.” With that, I shook off his hand and tried to enter the school. I didn’t want to be gawked at like some circus animal anymore. But I had barely taken a step when he grabbed my arm again. “What do you mean we broke up?” “What break up? Have you not even looked at the message I sent you yesterday?” He took out his phone to check the messages. In that moment, my heart suddenly clenched painfully. Apparently being ignored hurts even more than not being loved. Even though I had told him we were breaking up, I still couldn’t help feeling upset. “You’re breaking up with me just because I took care of her? We’re just friends.” Some friend. Do friends need to be “taken care of” all night? Are friends more important than a girlfriend? I didn’t want to argue with him anymore. I tried to walk towards the school, but he kept holding onto my arm, insisting on clearing things up. A crowd had gathered around us. I felt on the verge of a breakdown. Why couldn’t he just let me go when I was trying to set him free? While he was still grabbing me, I caught a glimpse of my boss pushing through the crowd. I felt like the anger was making me hallucinate. The boss had already left, how could he be back? It wasn’t until he reached out to grip Jack’s shoulder, pulling him away from me and blocking Jack’s view of me, that I felt it was real. “Didn’t you leave?” I said softly from behind him. He didn’t respond, just turned his head slightly to look at me, his eyes reassuring. Suddenly, I felt at peace. Then he turned to face Jack, his aura imposing and expression severe. Jack was stunned, taking half a step back and opening his mouth wordlessly. My boss spoke slowly, but somehow authoritatively, “Stop harassing my…” ! Hearing him about to say “wife”, I quickly pinched him and glared at him from behind. He paused for a moment before continuing, “girlfriend. She has nothing to do with you anymore!” With that, he put an arm around me protectively and led me away through the crowd. After we had walked some distance, Jack seemed to get over his initial shock. He yelled angrily from behind us, “Who do you think you are?!” Hearing him shout, I wanted to turn back and look. But before I could, Lucas gripped my head and kept me facing forward. “What, still can’t let go?” he said softly in my ear, his breath tickling me. From afar, it probably looked like he was nibbling my ear. “You… just talk normally, don’t get so close. It tickles.” He didn’t say anything, just looked at me, waiting for my answer. Slowly, I started to feel the pressure. “I’m not hung up on him…” “Don’t forget, we just got married. Are you trying to make me a cuckold?” His tone was low, his eyes threatening. “…” “And if someone’s bullying you, don’t you know to call me?” I hemmed and hawed, trying to change the subject. It honestly hadn’t even occurred to me to call him. We weren’t that close… Even though we had just gotten married, he was always so cold and aloof at work. He seemed to radiate an icy aura when he wasn’t talking. How could I dare to bother him? “Why did you come back?” “Someone called me,” he said, glaring at me as if scolding me for not calling him for help myself. “They said you were being harassed at the school gates.” “Who was it? How do they know me? And I’m not avoiding calling you, I just didn’t have a chance. He was grabbing my arm the whole time.” I finally thought of an excuse, though it was also the truth. I held out my reddened arm for him to see, proving I was telling the truth. His gaze fell on my wrist, his expression suddenly turning cold. He seemed to radiate an icy aura, as if he had discovered some beast intruding on his territory. He reached out to encircle the red marks, caressing them as if trying to erase someone else’s touch. Seeing his change in expression, I felt a bit uncomfortable. I tried to pull my hand back, but he held on tightly. I could only try to change the subject. “Why me?” He stared at me silently. After a while, he let go of my hand and stood up. “I’ll pick you up tonight to go home.” “Huh? So sudden? I haven’t…”prepared yet. Before I could finish, he had already abandoned me and left. Leaving me standing there bewildered… My phone suddenly buzzed. I took it out and saw he had messaged me saying he’d pick me up at 6pm. I…” So domineering and high-handed. How annoying. Back at the dorm, I realized he hadn’t answered either of the two questions I asked him. I pouted. Whatever, I don’t want to know anymore! Lost in thought, I felt someone gently tap me. “Lily, what’s going on with you and Jack? There are a bunch of posts on the school forum saying you hooked up with some rich guy and dumped Jack.” “Isn’t he always flirting with this girl and that girl? Some idiot must be spreading rumors. It’s all nonsense!” “I already cursed them out for you. Don’t worry, we’ve got your back!” Seeing my roommates’ concern and unconditional trust in me warmed my heart. “Jack and I broke up.” I didn’t want to tell anyone about my sudden marriage to my boss yet. I could hardly believe it myself. “I have nothing to do with him anymore.” My tone was light. “That jerk, good riddance! You’re way too good for him. You’re such a beauty, you could have any guy you want.” “Exactly! Girl, I’ll introduce you to some guys. I know tons of eligible bachelors!” “Haha, the guys you’d introduce? No thanks.” My roommate glared at her. “What’s that supposed to mean? The guys I’d introduce to Lily would be top-notch!” “Haha, yeah right. Dream on.” Just as my roommate was about to playfully hit her, there was a knock at our door before it opened. We all turned to look. To our surprise, it was Jack’s goddess – Emma White. She looked around the room before fixing her gaze on me, her eyes scrutinizing and hostile. “Are you Lily Evans?” I was confused. Why was she looking for me? My roommates exchanged glances, recognizing her as well. But they tacitly remained silent, just coldly staring at her. Emma waited a moment. Seeing I wasn’t responding, she walked over and pointed at me. “I’m talking to you. Are you deaf?” From the corner of my eye, I saw my roommate about to stand up to protect me. I held her back and stood up myself. “Yes, that’s me. What is it?” “Come outside. I have something to say to you.” “Whatever you have to say, you can say it here. We don’t have anything that needs to be discussed privately.” She paused for a moment. “I’ll let you have Jack. You give me Lucas.” Lucas – my boss. Seeing her entitled attitude, I almost laughed. Did she really think my boss was something I could just give away?! “What, you think you get to decide this?” I said mockingly. “Does Jack know you’re trading him away?” “Just tell me if you agree or not.” I let out a cold laugh. “What do you think? I don’t know what Jack sees in you that makes him so devoted.” Jack is truly blind. “You still like him, don’t you? This benefits both of us.” “First of all, these two men aren’t objects to be traded. Secondly, I think you need to get your head examined. Lastly, get out of our dorm!” As soon as I finished speaking, my roommates all stood up in unison, gesturing for her to leave. She had opened her mouth to curse at me, but seeing so many of us, her bravado deflated significantly. She turned to leave, but not before threatening me: “You just wait!” After she left, my roommates burst out laughing. “Damn girl, you’ve gotten so sharp-tongued! You should have told off that jerk like this before!” “Yeah, haha! You need to keep being this fierce, you hear me?” My roommate put her arm around my shoulder, speaking earnestly. I nodded at them, agreeing with an “Okay.” It felt so good to have my roommates backing me up. Otherwise I might have been too timid… Suddenly my phone on the desk buzzed with a message from my boss. [By the way, I forgot to mention – not only are we going home together today, but we’ll be living together from now on. Remember to pack your things. I’ll pick you up at 6.] For the first time, I felt like my phone’s notification sound was way too loud… The screen wasn’t locked, so not only did I see the message, but my roommates saw it too. “Ahh!! Lily! Are you moving in with your boss? That super handsome boss who’s around our age?” “…Um, yes.” I felt a bit guilty, not daring to say that I had already slept with my boss. “That’s awesome, Lily! This is exactly what you should do. We’ve been telling you forever that your boss was into you, but you never believed us!” He really wasn’t into me. It was all my fault… But I couldn’t say that out loud. It would sound so unconvincing. My boss was asking me to live with him – who would believe me if I said he wasn’t interested in me? I chose to keep my mouth shut. At 6pm. [I’m here at the east gate. Come out.] I slowly dragged my suitcase into his line of sight. Feeling his stare burning into me, I unconsciously quickened my pace… “It took you half an hour to walk this short distance? Why don’t you wait until 6am tomorrow to come out?” “Oh, you meant 6am tomorrow? I didn’t know. I guess I’ll see you tomorrow then.” I started to turn around and go back. But he grabbed the hood of my sweatshirt. “Where do you think you’re going? Get in the car.” He dragged me into the car, efficiently tossed my suitcase in the trunk, and got in himself. He moved so quickly, as if he couldn’t wait to be alone with me. My heart suddenly fluttered a bit. Did he really like me? “You haven’t eaten, right? What do you want for dinner?” I was being silly. He was just hungry and impatient to eat. “…Anything is fine. You decide.” He turned his head and stared at me, then tilted his chin up slightly as if gesturing at something. I looked down at myself. My clothes seemed fine. “What is it? Is there something on my face?” He didn’t say anything, but leaned towards me. His breath fanned across my face. It smelled nice. I suddenly felt flustered. What was he trying to do?! “You…” Is he going to kiss me again? “Seatbelt.” His arm reached across me to fasten my seatbelt. “We’re about to leave.” “…Oh, okay.” Help!! Thank goodness I didn’t ask out loud. That would have been so embarrassing! I suddenly felt my face heating up. I quickly tried to cool it down with my hands. He didn’t notice, right… I sneakily turned my head to glance at him, only to find myself staring straight into his deep eyes. Then I heard him laugh out loud. … He figured it out!! I felt like my face was about to burst into flames. “Why is your face so red?” He knew very well why. I turned my head away, showing him the back of my head in protest. After a while, I heard him say, “Alright, don’t be mad. I’ll kiss you when we stop the car.” !! My eyes suddenly widened. What kind of thing was he saying? “That’s not what I meant!” I turned to glare at him, only to see his grin stretching from ear to ear. He was teasing me again. How annoying. He pinched my cheek. “I’m done teasing you. Let’s get out, I’ll treat you to dinner.” Just as he was about to open the door, I quickly grabbed his face and pulled him towards me, planting a firm kiss on his cheek. After the sneak attack, my own heart started racing uncontrollably. Taking advantage of his stunned state, I quickly said “I’ll get out first” and ran off. I was afraid of getting caught and having my plan backfire. But I also knew I could run from the immediate situation, but not forever. After all, it’s not like we’d never see each other again. But… whatever. I got my revenge for now. I looked up to survey my surroundings. Luckily there was only one building nearby, otherwise I wouldn’t have known where to go. Before I could walk over, I felt a hand grip the back of my neck. “You think you can kiss me and run?” The man’s voice was low and husky, his lips right next to my ear, his breath tickling me. A tingling sensation suddenly spread throughout my body. “I…” I shrank back a bit, wanting to retreat and put some distance between us. But as soon as I moved, he gripped me even tighter. “You what?…” He was about to lean in closer to speak when he saw someone walking towards us. He gave my neck a squeeze and said in a low voice, “I’ll settle the score with you later.” Then he let go of me and looked up at the approaching person. “I saw you from far away. What are you doing standing around out here? Feeding the mosquitoes? Come on in, we’ve been waiting for you.” The man tilted his head and stood on tiptoe to look at me. … “Hello, I’m Lily Evans.” “Hi there, I’m Henry Shaw. You can call me Henry.” After greeting me, Henry turned to Lucas and said with a wink, “I didn’t expect you to bring such a beautiful woman without saying anything. We thought you were single – Charles was going to set you up with someone.”

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “296059”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #现实主义Realistic #浪漫Romance #励志Inspiring #校园School #重生Reborn

I encountered my neighbor’s older brother, who had gone missing a year ago, on my first visit to a nightclub after getting into college. He had his arms around two scantily-clad women, looking like a good-for-nothing. When he saw me, his gaze flashed across my chest before he clicked his tongue dismissively. Later, he pinned me against the wall in a corner, his finger pressed against my lips as he leaned in, demanding I call him by name. That’s when I realized. He wasn’t my Ethan Parker. I met Ethan Parker in the dim hallway of Nightshade. Nightshade was the biggest entertainment venue in the city, attracting all sorts of people. My roommate Lucy was celebrating her birthday and had reserved a private room at Nightshade. I arrived late and was about to call to ask for the room number when I heard the laughter of men and women echoing from the far end of the hallway. A group appeared at the end of the corridor. I was going to turn away to avoid them, but I froze when I recognized one of the men. That face I had dreamed of countless times, only to wake up startled. The one I had spent nearly every day with for over a decade. My childhood friend, Ethan Parker, who had been presumed dead in the river a year ago according to the police.

I blinked hard several times. I triple-checked to make sure I wasn’t mistaking someone who looked similar for him. But the more I blinked, the closer I came to tears. Because I knew without a doubt that I wasn’t mistaken. Ethan Parker had been part of 80% of my brief 18 years of life. He was the person I was closest to after my parents. He was also the person I had secretly loved for a very long time. He had disappeared without a trace a year ago. I never imagined I would encounter him again in a scene like this. Two scantily-clad women were nestled in his arms, one on each side. Perhaps I had been staring for too long, as a strange man beside him noticed me. He gestured to the others and teased: “Which of your old flames is this ” “Look, she’s about to cry just seeing you.” The man across from me turned his head, our eyes meeting for just an instant before his gaze fell to my chest. His eyes roamed shamelessly as he spoke dismissively: “A scrawny little girl like that As if I’d be interested.” Ethan Parker would never say such things. But this man was clearly him. I bit my lip and held out my phone to him: “Can I… add you on SnapChat ” He looked at me with a mocking smile. “No.” His gaze fell to my chest again, his tone tinged with regret: “Not worth my time.” The men around him burst into laughter.

The person before me and the Ethan Parker who had been by my side for over a decade were like polar opposites. Or rather, they were like two souls inhabiting the same body. Ethan Parker would never say such things. He was too good. Like a piece of pure, flawless jade. And I was too lucky. Using my status as his childhood friend to stay by his side. During that winter break in my sophomore year of high school. I asked Ethan Parker for a promise. I hoped he would come pick me up on the day of our final exams. My oversized scarf hid my slightly reddened ears, concealing my secret thoughts from him. At that time, Ethan Parker looked at me with a smile, his phoenix eyes narrowing slightly, but he didn’t answer. He just raised his hand and gently ruffled my hair. The New Year’s bells were about to ring. Fireworks filled the sky and firecrackers exploded all around. I thought the surrounding noise was too loud, so I had to stand on tiptoe and lean close to his ear. “Ethan.” “On the day of our final exam,” “Will you come pick me up ” The firecrackers were really so loud, so loud. So loud that I couldn’t even hear my own voice. But I still heard him lean in close to my ear and say solemnly yet intimately: “Okay.” But he broke his promise. That day when I stood in the surging crowd, looking around in confusion. When all the noise and clamor rushed at me from all sides. He didn’t come. All my expectations had come to nothing. When I numbly knocked on his door that day, what I saw were his parents who looked like they had aged ten years. And the devastating news they told me with reddened eyes.

But I never believed it. I thought he had just gone missing. Perhaps one day, I would run into him at some street corner, or in some convenience store. Or maybe one day he would suddenly show up, saying he had just been in hiding. Ethan’s group had left. In the end, I still hadn’t managed to add him on SnapChat. Lucy found me still standing dazed in the hallway. She grabbed my shoulders and shook me: “Olivia ” “Olivia Carter! ” “What’s wrong You didn’t answer my calls, the room is right there.” “Why are you crying ” Her tone was urgent, then suddenly turned apologetic: “The music was too loud in the room, I didn’t hear your message…” “It’s nothing,” I lowered my eyes, “I’m fine, let’s go in. Don’t let me ruin your party.” The atmosphere in the private room was lively. I sat down in a corner and saw Lucy’s reply with the room number on my phone, along with her two missed calls. As well as a new SnapChat message from Ethan’s mom. — Olivia dear, how are you adjusting to college life Ever since learning of Ethan’s disappearance, I had stayed in touch with his parents, almost like their half-daughter. My fingers hesitated as I typed. I thought of that man’s laughter as he turned away, casual and unrestrained. In the end, I still couldn’t bring myself to say it. — I’m doing well, Auntie. — Please take care of yourselves, you and Uncle.

The people in the private room were having a blast. I tried to join in their fun for a while, but my mind was elsewhere the whole time. I excused myself to use the restroom midway through. The hallway was very quiet. I followed the signs towards the direction of the restroom. Suddenly I heard the sound of fabric rustling. The scene before my eyes appeared abruptly. The woman pinned against the wall by a man suddenly pushed him away, her voice still coy: “Someone’s coming.” The man chuckled lowly and turned around: “Since when did you become so shy…” His words trailed off, traces of the woman’s crimson lipstick still on the corner of his mouth. It was undoubtedly the same face that had just rejected me. I stared at that smear of red on his lips, my face turning pale. The man before me met my eyes and suddenly grinned, grabbing the woman’s hand as he spoke suggestively: “Let’s continue in the room.” The woman in his arms wore a tight dress that accentuated her curves. Hearing his words, she just glanced at me briefly before immediately giggling in agreement: “Okay~” My whole body went cold. I could only watch their retreating figures, moving further and further away. My feet felt like they were filled with lead. Until they finally disappeared at the end of the hallway.

It shouldn’t be like this. My Ethan Parker was as pure as a clear breeze and bright moon. When he saw me he would smile gently and call my name softly: “Olivia.” When I was little I called him “big brother”. Every time after school, he would wait for me at the school gates with his backpack. I would always shout excitedly: “Big brother!” Then I would proudly tell my teacher: “My big brother is here to pick me up!” “Goodbye, teacher.” Later when I grew up and entered my rebellious phase, I liked to call him by his full name. “Ethan Parker! Don’t tell my mom.” “Ethan Parker, I was wrong.” “Ethan Parker, what should I do ” He was never annoyed, always responding patiently, patting my head and helping me clean up all my messes. “Ethan Parker.” “Will you always protect me ” “I will.” The young man wore a white shirt, his posture tall and straight. The hem of his shirt fluttered in the wind as I secretly grasped it, unable to see his expression from the front seat of the bicycle. His voice was clear and frank: “I’m Olivia’s big brother.” “Of course I’ll protect Olivia for life.” No way. I didn’t want to just be your little sister. I pouted, not daring to speak, only able to hug his waist in frustration: “Then ride steadily!” Actually the road was smooth with no obstacles. He paused for a moment, laughter bubbling up from his chest, but he didn’t argue, just obediently agreeing: “Okay.” Later when I started to have romantic feelings, I grew out my hair and wore pretty dresses, calling him “Brother Ethan”. By that time Ethan Parker had gone to college in another city, rarely coming back. His shoulders had broadened and his legs had grown longer, cutting an imposing figure. There was a hint of coolness between his brows, but it would all melt away into a smile when he saw me. My heart had been fluttering for so many years. During those days in my senior year of high school, every time I looked up at the moon late at night, I thought about just hanging on a little longer. If I could just get through this period. I wanted to get the best grades possible, then stand before him and confess all the girlish feelings and bittersweet emotions I had harbored for decades. Tell him that I liked him, had liked him for a very long time. That thought gave me the motivation to face all those dry and tedious exam questions again. But this person I encountered today. He didn’t resemble his former self at all.

By the time I came back to my senses and wanted to chase after them, they had already disappeared. I didn’t want to give up. I wanted to see him one more time. Whether he had amnesia or was just pretending. At least confirm it was him, let his parents know that Ethan Parker was still alive in this world. I hadn’t managed to get his contact information. The only connection I had with him was “Nightshade”. So I resorted to the most foolish method. I went to stake out “Nightshade”. I saw him again. This time he was smoking with a group of men, surrounded by three or four tough-looking guys. I suddenly felt intimidated, not daring to approach. But I was spotted by that same man from last time. He suddenly grinned, gesturing towards me to Ethan Parker. Ethan Parker turned his head, giving me a cold glance. Immediately after, that woman from before appeared again. His expression changed in an instant, a hint of a smile curling his lips as he reached out to pull the woman into his arms by her waist. The woman nestled obediently against him. I stood in the corner, watching as the whole group walked into a private room, laughing and chatting. In that split second, I caught the woman’s backward glance filled with threatening intent. Like a rose laced with poison. Cold sweat soaked through my clothes as I leaned against the wall, gasping for breath. 7 It wasn’t until I splashed some water on my face in the restroom That I seemed to find a bit of reality in the chaos. He wasn’t Ethan Parker. Yet he was Ethan Parker. Ethan Parker was like the sun in the sky, always gentle, always passionate. But the year and more he had been missing was like an insurmountable chasm, so divisive. The restroom door suddenly opened. In the mirror, a young and alluring face appeared behind me. Her wavy hair cascaded over her shoulders. Her makeup was too heavy, like an elaborately painted mask. It was that woman from before. She raised an eyebrow. “It’s you ” A flash of surprise crossed her expression. I turned around, meeting her gaze directly. The woman walked towards me in her 5-inch heels, looking down at me condescendingly. “Stay away from him.” Her gaze fell to my chest, with the same disdain and contempt as Ethan Parker’s. “Did you really think someone like you would catch his eye ” She curled her lip in a scornful, haughty smile. As if mocking me for overestimating myself. But I only latched onto that name in her words, the illusory and the real seeming to intersect in that moment. I felt like I had found an outlet for my overwhelming emotions. “What did you call him ” My voice was a bit hoarse. She seemed not to have heard clearly. “What’s his name ” “You just called him Ethan—” I stared into her eyes, like a drowning person grasping at the last straw, my voice choked with tears as I demanded: “Tell me—” “Who is he ” Is he, is he Ethan Parker The familiar name got stuck in my throat. In the end I couldn’t say it out loud. The person before me was startled by my reaction. She reached out and shoved me hard. A dull, heavy thud echoed in the small space as I fell to the ground. The dirty water on the floor soaked through my once-clean clothes, but I paid it no mind. This woman called Sophia grabbed my collar, leaning in close. The sickening smell of her overly sweet perfume mixed with a nauseating odor. “You don’t even know who he is, little girl.” “Let me give you some advice – stay away from him.” “Otherwise—” “You might end up dead somewhere and no one would even know.” The last words floated lightly in the air, but felt like sharp ice piercing my heart. Before she finished speaking, the door was suddenly flung open. The subject of our conversation burst in, out of breath. When he saw me on the ground, I clearly saw his already irritated expression turn even colder. But it was only for an instant. He pulled Sophia by the waist, taking out a wad of cash and expertly tucking it into her bra with a suggestive smile: “I won’t be needing you tonight.” “I’m in the mood to try something new.” I saw Sophia’s face change instantly as she started to protest: “No…” But Ethan Parker cut her off with a fierce look: “Get lost.” Sophia was taken aback for a moment. She glanced back at me, but I couldn’t make out her expression against the light. She quickly turned back, taking off her high heels and hurrying out.

Only the two of us were left in the room. Ethan Parker bent down and roughly pulled me into his arms. I crashed against his chest, not having time to react before being pinned against the wall. The cold marble pressed against my back as his restless hands undid the buttons on my top. The dim bathroom lighting was hazy and suggestive. The chill crept in through my open collar, the cold wall steadily sapping the warmth from my back. The cold and fear gradually spread throughout my body. Tears of physiological response welled up in my eyes, driven by instinctual terror. That face so close to mine was both familiar and strange. Only a small scar below his eye was new. It was him. Yet not him. I was at a loss, only able to softly repeat that once most familiar name. “Brother Ethan…” The hands unbuttoning my clothes paused for a second. The man before me raised his hand to press against my lips, caressing them suggestively as his phoenix eyes looked up at me: “Such a sweet voice, but you’ve got the wrong person.” “Call me Ethan and let me hear it.” His words were like a knife cutting through illusion and reality. I suddenly snapped out of it, shoving him hard as I desperately fought back. But my hand accidentally tore open the buttons on his shirt. Large areas of scarring sprawled across his exposed skin, layers of overgrown scar tissue blooming like a flower below his heart. A flower that had blossomed by consuming life. I froze for a moment, my hand brushing against his arm, feeling tiny uneven needle marks under my fingertips. I jerked my hand back as if burned. It wasn’t him. “You’re not him.” “You’re not him.” “I don’t know you.” “Get away from me!” Tears suddenly fell. “Figured it out ” The man’s voice was lazy as he wiped away a tear from my face, the corner of his mouth curling in an amused smile. He leaned in, his hot breath fanning across my neck and shoulder as his hand slid under the hem of my shirt to my waist, sending chills through my body. “Too late.” The bathroom door was suddenly kicked open again. The man who burst in, face full of anger, pulled back his foot. That hand hovering at my waist froze. “Ethan, what the fuck are you doing in such a rush !” “Mr. Reed is looking for you guys, everyone’s been missing for ages.” “You’ll die if you don’t get your rocks off for a bit ” I heard the fury in the newcomer’s voice and instinctively shrank back. The man took a step closer, his expression changing to a teasing grin when he saw my face: “Not Sophia ” “I thought you said you weren’t interested in young girls ” Ethan let go of me without another glance, buttoning up his own shirt as he joked back with the newcomer: “Can’t let good meat go to waste when it’s delivered to your door.” The man cursed crudely and Ethan laughed as he picked up the thread of conversation. As the two were leaving, he suddenly turned back, pulling out a wad of cash and throwing it at me. The bright red bills scattered in the air, floating down all around. Like mockery. Like derision. The bathroom door slammed shut. I collapsed to the ground, the dirty water soaking through my once-clean clothes, but I paid it no mind. In that moment when hope was shattered, it felt like a tree being violently snapped in half, blood gushing from the broken stump. Brutal. And cruel. I knelt on the ground, pathetically gathering up the bills that had fallen into puddles with trembling hands. One by one. Mumbling to myself. He’s not Ethan Parker. He’s not Ethan Parker. As if trying to convince myself. In the end they all fell to the floor again. Scattered in a pile. I finally broke down. He wasn’t Ethan Parker. My Ethan Parker had gone missing a year ago. Maybe, He would never come back.

I didn’t go back to Nightshade. I returned to school and continued my freshman year. Occasionally I would stare blankly at the moon on the horizon. But I never expected to run into Sophia again. Lucy and a few other roommates were trying on clothes in a store at the mall. I was absentmindedly scrolling on my phone. The bubble tea I had ordered was ready. A notification popped up on the app, so I stepped out of the store first, intending to go pick up the drinks. The click of high heels on the mall floor wasn’t out of place, but I instinctively looked in the direction of the sound. I happened to see that familiar face, carrying several shopping bags, still haughty as ever. She met my eyes, curling her red lips in a provocative, challenging smile. “You don’t look so good, little girl.” “Finally learned your lesson, huh ” I didn’t answer. I just stared at her expressionlessly. She seemed annoyed that I hadn’t responded, her pride stung. Anger flashed in her eyes as she raised her hand to slap me. The wind from her hand brushed past my face. But it didn’t land. She seemed even more furious at missing. In her high heels, she suddenly grabbed my hair. My scalp stung sharply as tears welled up in my eyes from the pain. She leaned in close to my ear, snarling viciously: “Come with me.” I was forcefully dragged into the restroom. The curious gazes of passersby were cut off as the door closed. She yanked my hair hard, pulling my head back. My body stumbled, crashing into the wall. When I looked up, a slap was flying straight for my face. Getting hit. It’s going to hurt.

The phone on the counter kept ringing. Curious glances from strangers fell on me before quickly looking away. Sophia had already left. I looked at myself in the mirror, my whole body soaked as if I had been drenched in water. Wet strands of hair dripped down. My eyes were red to the point of bleeding. The phone rang again, finally breaking through my daze. Lucy’s anxious voice came through: “Olivia where are you We’ve been looking everywhere and can’t find you!” “I’m in…” My voice was hoarse to the point of being unrecognizable. “Second floor… bathroom.” Lucy and the others rushed over when they heard, all startled when they saw me. The three of them surrounded me, Lucy taking out tissues to wipe the water dripping down my face. “Olivia, what happened ” My roommate’s voice was gentle. I couldn’t say. Everything got stuck in my throat, tangling into a heavy ball of yarn, sealing my vocal cords and blocking my mouth. I could only bury myself in Lucy’s arms. The girl’s embrace was soft and warm. She hugged me back, gently patting my back. “It’s okay.” “Olivia.” “It’s okay.” When I was ten, I was stopped by some older kids and inexplicably pushed to the ground, taking a hard fall. The ringleader cursed at me with several vulgar words. When I saw Ethan Parker after school, the floodgates of my pent-up emotions burst open.

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “296058”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #现实主义Realistic #浪漫Romance #励志Inspiring #校园School #重生Reborn

There are seven days in a week when I don’t want to work. To fulfill my wish, my boss ran the company into bankruptcy. Now I really don’t have to work anymore. Heartbroken at not being able to earn my workhorse wages, I chose to go crazy in the group chat. [Boss, will we ever meet again?] [Boss, please be happy when we do meet again, okay?] [Boss, how can I live without you!!] [Boss, take me with you boss~~] The group chat was silent for a few seconds, then exploded with laughing emojis. Everyone started joining in: [Boss~ don’t go~] I replied: [I’m not going~] Just as the atmosphere was getting lively, the boss replied with [Okay.] My phone suddenly felt hot in my hand. Before I could reply, the boss messaged me privately [Tomorrow at 10, wait for me downstairs at your place.] I stared at my phone, lost in thought. Why? Was the boss planning to elope with me? If I had known, I wouldn’t have talked nonsense! I don’t want to live a life of starvation with the boss for three days out of every nine! Thinking of this, I replied tactfully: [I have a blind date tomorrow to find a sugar daddy, we’ll meet again if fate allows, boss!] To show I was serious, I even sent a “sorry” kneeling emoji. After sending the message, I started a game. What was the point of being a diligent workhorse for three years? It was all so I could achieve financial independence and go out and have fun. Only an idiot would get married. But I have to say, Lucas was truly a godsend of a boss – no overtime, no team building activities, and the salary arrived more punctually than my period every month. Plus there were all kinds of bonuses from time to time. Most importantly, the boss was so handsome! Easy on the eyes. So after working for three years, I had saved up a bit of money. Take it one step at a time, worst case I’ll die halfway. But after finishing a round of the game, an image of Lucas looking sad popped into my mind. The company going bankrupt was already tragic enough, what if he did something stupid if I didn’t go meet him!? Then wouldn’t I become the final straw that broke Lucas’s back? After tossing and turning all night, I still decided to go see him. The moment I sat down in Lucas’s car, I stared at his fair, slender hands and thought with some regret that this might be the last time Lucas would be driving a Rolls-Royce one-handed. Lucas was silent the whole way. Sigh, the boss must be heartbroken. I opened my mouth to comfort him: “Boss, don’t be too sad. If we work hard, we can still make a comeback.” “When we make it big again, we’ll come work for you.” Lucas remained silent, not saying a word. He’s not thinking of crashing the car with me, is he!? The car stopped in front of another villa, and my heart slowly settled down. Lucas finally spoke: “Does what you said yesterday still stand?” My heart that had just settled down leapt up again. What I said yesterday? I couldn’t even remember what I ate yesterday. After pondering for a while, I tentatively said: “Boss, take me with you?” Seeing that I still remembered, Lucas rested one hand on the steering wheel, looked towards the villa, and said: “I promised my dad that if my startup failed, I’d go back home to inherit the family business.” Wow, so my boss was a hidden rich second generation. Wait, then what was all my heartfelt consoling just now? Was it all for nothing? Lucas continued: “But after I went home, my dad said I’m not stable enough to inherit the business unless I get married.” I silently swallowed my bitterness. I almost thought the boss was about to get rich, but it seems being a rich second generation isn’t so easy after all. Perhaps my sympathetic gaze hurt Lucas, as he cut straight to the point: “I thought about it, and I think your proposal isn’t bad, so let’s get married.” “That way I can inherit the family business.” What the hell!? Who taught you this, Lucas!? You think this is some kind of business collaboration with a good proposal! I covered my forehead, trying to reason with him: “Boss, that’s not how inheritance works. You just need to show your uncle your abilities.” As soon as the words left my mouth, I regretted it. I forgot Lucas had just run a company into bankruptcy. I changed the subject: “Besides, I can keep working for you. What’s the point of getting married?” Want me to work for free? Think you don’t have to pay me after we’re married? Luckily my mind was spinning quickly, otherwise I would’ve been tricked. Seeing through it all, I looked at Lucas with a hint of coldness in my eyes. Truly an evil capitalist. As if seeing through my thoughts, Lucas analyzed it for me: “Working for me, monthly salary $30,000. Being my wife, monthly salary $300,000.” “You choose. I’ll respect your decision.” One shouldn’t be too greedy. So I gave him a sweet smile: “Hubby!” Lucas took me to get our marriage certificate that same day. When taking the ID photos, just thinking about the $300,000 made the corners of my mouth curl up uncontrollably. $300,000! If I stick it out for a year, that’s $3.6 million. Three years, and it’s $10 million. By then, even if I become a discarded rich man’s wife, so what!? I can totally use that money to buy a car and house outright and reach the peak of life, hahahahaha. I looked at Lucas with starry eyes and coyly asked: “Hubby, why did you choose me?” Could it be that Lucas has secretly loved me for years? Lucas’s eyes were full of mirth: “Because you’re good at acting.” With those words, I who had been waiting for Lucas to say something touching froze in place. What did I act? Other than faking being sick a few times when I didn’t want to work, what else did I act? Besides, how can a workhorse’s affairs be called acting? Seeing my unconvinced face, Lucas helped me recall: “A month after joining the company, you said you had gastroenteritis and needed to be hospitalized. Later I found out you were drinking with the new employees, and when I caught you, you immediately performed a fainting act on the spot.” “Two years after joining the company, you said you had a bad breakup, and even found someone to perform a breakup scene outside the company. Later I found out it was an actor you hired, $20 an hour.” “And…” “Stop! Stop stop stop stop!” I reached out to cover his mouth. How does he know everything? Is he omniscient? Lucas spoke with difficulty with my hand over his mouth: “So I think you have great potential.” I was rendered speechless. To be able to find my strengths from these things, Lucas truly… has an eye for discovering beauty. Scrolling through social media, I saw that Lucas had posted our marriage certificate photo. Within seconds, I was bombarded with messages from former colleagues. [WTF Rachel, how did you become the ex-boss’s wife!?] [True love really does emerge in times of trouble. Wishing you a hundred years of happiness, and wishing the ex-boss a comeback!] [Ex-boss’s wife! Is that you? Don’t forget us little people when you get rich and famous.] Some closer friends earnestly advised me: [Are you really just after the ex-boss’s body?] [I only regret we never had team building activities before, otherwise I would’ve been the first to take you digging for wild vegetables!] Me: “…” Even a former colleague who was about to start at a new company told me that if I ever needed startup funding in the future, I could look for him for loans. Forget it friends, fend for yourselves. I’m already on my way to the peak of life! Lucas said he wanted to fulfill his husbandly duties, and started packing my luggage to move in as soon as we left the registry office. I politely declined: “It’s not appropriate, just call me when you need me.” No matter what, Lucas is still a tall handsome guy over 6 feet. I’m afraid I won’t be able to control myself. Lucas argued reasonably: “My dad is old and cunning, he could come to check on us at home anytime. If we’re exposed then, it’s all over.” Lucas brought up our collaboration, so I had no choice but to agree. Although his face showed no expression, I could still see a hint of success. Lucas moved all my things into the new house overnight. As he predicted, his dad came barging in as soon as we finished moving. A guy about Lucas’s age came along with him. He righteously accused Lucas: “Bro, how could you not tell us about such a big thing as getting married!?” “Am I no longer your most beloved little brother!?” Lucas rolled his eyes at him, lowered his head to fiddle with his phone, and gestured for me to check the message. I took out my phone and saw the message Lucas sent. I almost couldn’t hold back my laughter. [My brother Ethan, a nutcase.] [Wifey, what should we do.] Ethan, a 5’7″ guy, stood in front of 6’2″ Lucas, coquettishly complaining about Lucas. I quickly typed back: [Give him an eye roll, let him figure it out himself.] Lucas looked up at me, understanding dawning. He rolled his eyes expressionlessly, then looked at Ethan and said coldly: “Get lost.” Lucas’s brother didn’t expect this reaction from Lucas. He stood there stunned, looking pitifully at his dad. His dad couldn’t be bothered with him and looked at me saying: “So this is my daughter-in-law.” I nodded obediently, wanting to leave a good impression of being sweet and lovable with uncle. Lucas’s dad happily took out a red envelope and handed it to me: “This is a welcome gift for you.” I felt the red envelope, it was super thick. I happily opened the red envelope, ready to count how many bills were inside. Seeing me like this, Lucas’s dad smiled and said: “Don’t worry, I won’t shortchange you.” I looked up at him, grinning from ear to ear: “Thank you, Dad!” As I was feeling it, I suddenly sensed something was off. This texture, this size… I looked down and saw that the red envelope was stuffed with a stack of white paper! I looked pitifully at Lucas’s dad. The huge sum I thought I had just slipped through my fingers. Lucas’s dad looked at me, shock mixed with confusion on his face. Lucas had an expression of watching a good show. Lucas’s dad looked at Ethan and scolded angrily: “You did this?” “You put it in?” I asked Ethan incredulously. He looked wronged: “Yes, I put it in, but I don’t know why it turned into white paper.” “I clearly put in a stack of red bills!” As he spoke, he even wiped away fake tears. Me: “???” Watching Ethan pretend to be wronged in front of me, my fists gradually clenched. Trying to put me in my place, huh? Who can’t act? I turned to look at Lucas pitifully, my eyes glistening with unshed tears, ready to burst. Lucas quickly put his arm around my shoulders, playing along. I nestled in Lucas’s arms, pretending to wipe away non-existent tears, and choked out: “Little brother, if you don’t like your sister-in-law you don’t have to do this. I’ll leave.” Lucas’s dad hurriedly stopped me: “Daughter-in-law, don’t be angry. It’s all this kid’s fault.” “You little brat, I ought to teach you a good lesson!” Seeing that Lucas’s dad was really angry, Ethan had no choice but to compromise. He gritted his teeth and said: “Sister-in-law, I’m sorry. I was wrong.” Lucas looked at him and asked: “Don’t you have any compensation?” Ethan: “??” He hesitated for a moment, then took out a card from his pocket and handed it to me: “Here, this is a welcome gift for you.” “There’s $660,000 in it. Wishing you good fortune.” I took the card, almost laughing out loud. This idiot was pretending to be wronged just now, and now he’s giving me money. I signaled to Lucas with my eyes: [Your brother doesn’t seem too bright.] Lucas looked at me, holding back laughter as he replied with his eyes: [He’s always been like this, don’t take him seriously.] I nodded, then smiled at Ethan: “Well then, I won’t be polite. Thank you, little brother.” Ethan looked at me, nodding resentfully. Lucas’s dad looked at me and smiled: “Rachel, don’t worry. If this kid dares to bully you, just tell Dad. I’ll teach him a lesson for you.” I quickly nodded in agreement. Lucas’s dad turned to look at Lucas and scolded: “And you, now that Rachel has married you, you better treat her well.” “I know,” Lucas replied. Lucas went into the study with his dad. Ethan and I were left in the living room. I was happily thinking about what to do with the $660,000. Buy a house? Buy a car? Or save it to earn interest? Ethan looked at me with disdain: “Is it really worth it? It’s just a bit of money. I really don’t know what my brother sees in you.” Looks like Ethan has a brother complex. I moved closer to Ethan and whispered: “Let me tell you a secret, your brother has actually had a crush on me for a long time.” Ethan’s face was full of disbelief: “How could my brother possibly have a crush on you?” I immediately sat up straight and looked at him seriously: “Why couldn’t your brother have a crush on me?” “I’m fair-skinned, beautiful and have long legs. Your brother is handsome and capable. Us being together is simply a match made in heaven!” “Don’t underestimate your sister-in-law. The line of men chasing me could stretch from our front door all the way to France!” Seeing my serious expression, the corners of Ethan’s mouth twitched a few times. “Bro!” Ethan suddenly called out. I immediately turned to look towards the study door. No one was there. I looked back at Ethan with a serious face: “Ethan, are you messing with me?!” Ethan burst out laughing: “You really were lying!” I gritted my teeth, unwilling to admit defeat: “Who says I’m lying?” “Go ask Lucas yourself if he hasn’t had a crush on me for a long time.” As soon as the words left my mouth, I suddenly heard a cool voice from the doorway: “Who do I have a crush on?” I quickly turned to look. Lucas had appeared at the door at some point and was looking at me with an amused expression. I froze. Ethan took the opportunity to escape. Lucas walked towards me step by step, a smile playing on his lips. He stopped in front of me, slowly bent down to my eye level. “I have a crush on you?” I laughed awkwardly, trying to cover up my panic: “I was just joking with your brother, don’t take it seriously.” But Lucas didn’t let me off. He leaned in slightly, his shadow looming over me. I could smell the faint sandalwood scent on him, mixed with an indescribable masculine aura. Lucas looked at me, the corners of his mouth curling into a barely perceptible smile: “I do have a crush on you.” I thought he was joking and was about to say “Stop messing around”. But he suddenly spoke: “Do you remember that year in freshman year?” [Truncation point] I was stunned. Freshman year? What? I have no memory of it at all. Lucas looked at me and slowly said: “In freshman year, you participated in the campus singing competition and sang ‘Sunny Day’.” “But you went so off-key it was like you were singing to your grandma’s house. The whole school laughed at you.” “Only I sat in the audience, silently applauding for you.” Me: “…?” I looked at him in disbelief: “Are you sure that was me? Not Flora from the next class?” Lucas paused, then burst out laughing: “You’re right, I got it mixed up. It was Flora from the next class.” Me: “…” Seeing Lucas’s shoulders shaking as he tried to hold back laughter, I suddenly understood. This bastard was just messing with me! I took a deep breath. For the money! I’ll endure it! I asked: “So is your uncle willing to give you the company now?” Lucas looked at me, the corners of his mouth curling into a smile as he nodded. My eyes lit up and I immediately hugged his arm, jumping up and down excitedly: “That’s great boss, my sugar mama lifestyle is about to begin!” Lucas looked at me, raising an eyebrow: “What did you call me?” I grinned and let go of his arm. “Boss?” Lucas frowned in displeasure: “$10,000 per word.” Of course I knew what he wanted, but am I the kind of person who only cares about money? I am. “Hubby, hubby, hubby…” My phone notification sounded. [PayPal received $100,000.] This morning, I was woken up by the alarm clock before dawn. I sat up groggily, looked at the clock on the bedside table, and sighed. Last night before bed, Lucas said I needed to iron his clothes in the morning. Of course I didn’t want to do it, but he offered way too much. Money makes the world go round, let alone a workhorse like me. I got out of bed reluctantly and walked to Lucas’s closet. When I opened it, I was dumbfounded. A whole closet full of clothes – shirts, suits, jackets… all kinds of colors and styles. One? More like a million! I stared wide-eyed at the closet full of clothes, unable to hold back a wail: “Lucas you slave driver!” I resignedly picked up the iron and started ironing the clothes one by one. By the fifth piece, I was already drenched in sweat, my arms too sore to lift. I paused, looked at the iron in my hand, and couldn’t help complaining: “Lucas has so many clothes, why doesn’t he just open a clothing store!” As soon as the words left my mouth, a cool voice suddenly came from the doorway. “Good idea, we’ll open one tomorrow.” I was startled and looked up to see Lucas standing in the doorway, looking at me with an amused expression. I immediately laughed awkwardly: “Boss, I mean, hubby, I was just joking. Don’t take it seriously.” Distracted by talking, I didn’t notice the iron in my hand slip and burn my arm directly. “Ah!” I cried out in pain, quickly throwing down the iron and clutching my arm. Seeing this, Lucas hurriedly came over and grabbed my arm to check the injury. I grimaced in pain, looking at the red patch on my arm, and whined: “It hurts! It hurts! It hurts! It hurts!” Lucas frowned slightly, turned and went to the bathroom, came out with a towel, wet it and pressed it on my arm. “Cool it down first, I’ll go get some burn ointment.” Who knew Lucas was so good at taking care of people. I couldn’t help teasing: “This is a work injury, boss. You have to compensate me.” Lucas came back with the burn ointment, heard what I said and looked up at me with an amused expression: “Alright, how much do you want?”

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “296057”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #现实主义Realistic #浪漫Romance #励志Inspiring #校园School #重生Reborn

I received Lucas’s divorce papers when I was twenty-eight. When we were eighteen, he proposed to me with a ring made of chocolate wrapper. Just ten years. On the day of our divorce. He got into a car accident and his memory reverted to when he was eighteen. That was when he loved me the most. When I received Lucas’s divorce papers, I was already at the airport in Los Angeles, about to fly to London. As I held the documents, I thought, so we’ve finally come to this day. By then, Lucas and I had been separated for exactly two years. Because his lawyer requested that I must return to the States to handle this matter, I canceled my flight from Los Angeles to London and flew back home instead. On the plane, I looked at the wedding ring on my finger, remembering how he cried like a child when he proposed ten years ago. He said he would love me for a lifetime. At that time, I really believed he would love me forever. But people change, don’t they? Two years ago, when I last saw the look in his eyes as he gazed at me, I knew he no longer loved me. There was no use dwelling on it. I closed my eyes, letting the darkness swallow all my thoughts. When I finally set foot on American soil, I understood what it meant to feel anxious as you approach home. Two years wasn’t long, but it was enough to make everything feel unfamiliar. “Sophia! Over here!” A familiar voice called out to me from the crowd. It was Emma. She had been my best friend since high school. I had told her first about coming back and agreeing to divorce Lucas. She wore a beige suit with wavy red lips and large, dramatic metal hoop earrings, looking very stylish. “Give me a kiss, Sophia!” She grabbed me and planted a big kiss on my cheek. I couldn’t help but laugh and cry at the same time. Just as I was about to tease her, she cupped my face and turned it away. “Don’t look, sweetie. It’s trash!” I smiled faintly and shook my head gently. How could I not see Lucas? The entire airport was filled with his various advertisement posters. Yes. My husband. Is a superstar.

“Hmph! Just wait, Sophia. I’ll be your divorce lawyer. That dog Lucas, hiding his marriage all these years and getting tangled up with that Olivia woman. Just based on the photos the paparazzi caught, I can make him suffer even if it doesn’t kill him.” Emma was now a partner at a famous law firm in the country. Watching her righteous indignation, I suddenly remembered that she used to be Lucas’s friend. Even if I lost Lucas, at least I still had her. “My great lawyer Emma, there’s no need to trouble you with such a small matter.” I just wanted to end it quickly. “You’re not planning to ask for nothing, are you?” Emma guessed my answer from my silence. “You… I’ve never seen anyone as foolish as you. When you were eighteen, you also gave up going to London…” Eighteen… Such a distant past. I never want to remember it. “Emma, I don’t want to get entangled with him anymore.” “The ten years I spent with him, I’ve already exhausted all my energy.” Emma didn’t say anything more, just took me to her apartment. “Rest well. I’ll go back to the firm to handle some things.” Once again, I was left alone in the spacious apartment, just like countless times in that house in the north, always just me. I turned on the TV, which was playing an entertainment news segment. “Breaking news, is famous actress Olivia about to tie the knot? There have been persistent rumors of her dating Lucas for years. Now, sweet photos of the two vacationing together in Hawaii have surfaced, seemingly scouting for wedding venues. When asked by reporters, although Olivia didn’t give a definitive answer, the unmistakable smile on her face hinted at happiness. Currently, Olivia is preparing to attend the Cannes Film Festival. All questions will have to wait until she returns!” Hearing this, I was surprised to find that my heart felt no ripples at all. Two years ago, if I had seen or heard Olivia’s name on TV, I would have screamed and smashed the television. Now I truly admire myself. Suddenly, a text message from an unknown number appeared on my phone. [Tomorrow at 9 AM, City Hall.] Efficient. So eager to divorce me, it was to marry Olivia. Perhaps I should even “thank” her. The next day, at 9 AM, I arrived at the entrance of City Hall as agreed. After waiting for nearly two hours, no one showed up. I mustered up the courage and was about to call that number. Suddenly, Emma’s call came in. “Sophia, come to First People’s Hospital quickly. Lucas has been in a car accident.”

“We’re… married?” Unexpectedly, the first thing Lucas said to me when I saw him after two years was this. Everyone in the hospital room looked at me, some wary, some worried. He looked at the ring on my hand, scratching his head, appearing somewhat confused. What’s going on? I glanced at Emma. “His memory has reverted to when he was eighteen,” Emma told me in private. “Due to the severe head trauma, the doctor says his memory is impaired. He only remembers things from before he was eighteen.” “Eighteen?” I murmured. Why! Why did it have to be that year! Because that year, I gave up the chance to study at the Royal Ballet School in London! Because that year, I had a falling out with my parents because of Lucas! Because that year was the beginning of the hell that would become the next ten years of my life! I don’t want to remember! I rushed into the hospital room. “I’ve already divorced you!” I blurted out. “I would never divorce her. My dream is to marry her!” Another voice countered simultaneously. We both froze, Lucas and I. Only his manager wore an “I told you so” expression. “You’re lying to me, aren’t you?” Lucas accused. “There’s no memory loss at all. You’re just pranking me, right?” “This isn’t funny at all. I need to go train!” He made to get out of the hospital bed but was stopped by his manager. “No one is lying to you, Lucas,” I said firmly. “Look carefully! What is this?” I took out our marriage certificate from my bag and threw it in front of him, emphasizing each word: “I don’t care about any memory loss. Today is the day I divorce you. No matter what, I will divorce you!” Lucas looked at the marriage certificate I had thrown, first smiling, then turning pale after hearing my words. “Sophia, you… I…” “That’s right, that’s right. Lucas, didn’t you just go to Hawaii with Miss Olivia to look at wedding venues?” his manager quickly chimed in. “Shut up!” Lucas shouted angrily. I felt a surge of anger and rushed over to pull him up. “Come on, let’s go to City Hall and get divorced!” Lucas was unwilling, but I forcefully pulled him, ignoring his increasingly pale face. “My head hurts so much!” He suddenly clutched his head, his expression pained, and then he fainted. After the doctor examined him, he scolded everyone severely. “The patient has severe depression and just had a car accident. How could you stimulate him like this? Do you want him to have another mental breakdown?” Depression? When did Lucas develop depression? “Don’t mention divorce in front of him anymore, at least not during this period of memory loss.” “This is just temporary amnesia. When all his symptoms stabilize, he will remember everything. Before that, whatever you want to do, please be patient and wait for the patient to recover.” “Especially you, Mrs. Reed. The patient needs you very much right now.” The doctor’s meaning was very clear. But this meant I had to stay by Lucas’s side. I didn’t want to. I looked at the sleeping Lucas, feeling utterly desolate. Why did you have to go back to being eighteen? At eighteen, that was when you loved me the most.

Lucas and I met at North Bay High School. In the second semester of my freshman year, I transferred to North Bay High and was assigned to sit next to him. North Bay High was the most famous high school in the entire North Bay area. My parents hoped that I would achieve excellent results in high school, which would give me a better chance of applying to the Royal Ballet School in London. I had always been an obedient child, never defying them. But North Bay High was primarily focused on college admissions, so they weren’t very welcoming to transfer students like me. So on my first day of school, I was assigned to the very last seat. My desk mate’s seat was empty. Everyone in the class was busy doing practice problems, and no one had time to talk to me. I remained invisible until two months later when Lucas came to school. When he arrived, I was sleeping. I was very dedicated to my ballet practice back then, practicing until midnight every day. So I was always short on sleep during the day. When I woke up, there was no one left in the classroom. I jolted awake in a cold sweat. “Ah! Hello, desk mate!” A pleasant voice sounded above my head. That was the first time I saw Lucas. He was tall, wearing a white tracksuit, with a youthful energy different from others. His face was handsome, with a straight nose, naturally good-looking. But I didn’t have the heart to look at him then. “What class is it now?” “PE, I think.” Heavens! It was the devil Coach Lee’s PE class! For being late, I was punished to run five laps around the track. Lucas came too, and he was punished to run ten laps. I protested, asking why our punishments were different. Coach Lee looked at me somewhat contemptuously and said: “You’re a girl, can you run?” I hated that contemptuous look the most. “I can!” “Then you run ten laps too!” I started running alone, and the other students on the field turned to look. Lucas followed shortly after. “Hey desk mate, don’t push yourself too hard,” he said with a slightly teasing smile. I ignored him. One lap, two laps… five laps… seven laps, nine laps… I gradually felt my breathing become irregular, my lungs about to burst. “Find the rhythm, ta-ta-ta, ta-ta-ta.” A voice sounded behind me. I glanced at him. How is this guy made! How can he run ten laps without even breaking a sweat! But his “ta-ta-ta” was very similar to my dance rhythm. I quickly regained control of my breathing rhythm. Ten laps completed successfully. Coach Lee was somewhat surprised by my performance and then announced that from now on, anyone who was late, regardless of gender, would run an extra five laps. Only then did I realize that originally, it was just five laps for everyone, and Lucas had to run ten laps simply because he was a sports scholarship student. Great, now I’d be even less welcome. But unexpectedly, when I returned to the classroom, some girls came over to talk to me, expressing their admiration for my angry ten-lap run. Because Coach Lee had always looked down on girls. One of them handed me a bottle of strawberry milk. But it was snatched away by a large hand. “Thanks, class rep!” Lucas said. “Lucas, you’re asking for it! It’s not for you!” the girl snapped. “Huh?” “It’s for your desk mate!” “Oh!” Lucas looked at the half-drunk milk and said to me: “I’ll treat you next time!” The girl rolled her eyes at him and smiled at me, saying: “I’m Emma.” “I’m Sophia.” Just as Emma and I were hitting it off, an affected voice chimed in: “I’m Lucas.” Emma, unable to stand it anymore, jumped up to hit Lucas. They played around behind me, but I felt a happiness I had never experienced before. I was finally no longer alone.

Afterwards, just like the beginning of many cliché romance novels. Lucas and I fell in love. He accompanied me in the dance studio at dawn, and I accompanied him in the swimming pool during training. We promised each other that one would become the world’s best ballet dancer, bringing glory to our country, while the other would become the best gold medalist, participating in the Olympics and winning honor for the nation. But we didn’t develop towards a happy ending like in romantic stories. At eighteen, Lucas got into a car accident on his way to watch my CHD Ballet Championship. His right leg was severely fractured, making it difficult even to walk again, let alone swim. Yet I shone brightly in that competition, securing an early admission to the Royal Ballet School in London. But I ultimately gave up the chance to go to London. Because at eighteen, Lucas, lying in his hospital bed, proposed to me with a ring made from a chocolate wrapper. Isn’t love supposed to be about never leaving each other? At eighteen, that’s what I thought. At twenty-eight, I sat by the hospital bed, looking at Lucas’s face. He hadn’t changed much from when he was eighteen. The only change was that his heart no longer loved me. I was a bit afraid of him waking up.

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “296056”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #现实主义Realistic #浪漫Romance #励志Inspiring #校园School #重生Reborn

The celebrity boyfriend I had been dating for eight years proposed on stage at an awards ceremony. But the person he proposed to wasn’t me – it was my younger sister. My father told me to be gracious about it. I smiled and agreed. As I turned away, I bumped into my ex-boyfriend’s playboy uncle. Our eyes met. The man beneath me had a fierce, terrifying look in his eyes, as if they were saying “Go to hell!” Oh no, how could I explain to him that I had just accidentally bumped into him when I turned around? That I had accidentally kissed him too – it was all just an accident. Camera flashes went off all around us, instantly drawing attention away from the proposal happening on stage. “Had enough of kissing?” The man roughly pushed me off him and wiped the lipstick from his mouth, brushing dust off his expensive suit and irritably adjusting his tie. In the next moment, he smoothed the anger from his features and curled his lips into a smile, a hint of malice glinting in his eyes as he breathed into my ear: “Miss Chen, we’ll have plenty of time together in the future!” The man left without giving me a chance to respond. Um, wait, you’ve got some of my foundation smeared on your face. After he walked away, the awards ceremony erupted into chaos. The normally poised and haughty celebrities all started whispering amongst themselves. Well, the man I had accidentally kissed was a social media sensation, known as Lucas Howard, the young master of the Howard family who could shake up the entire entertainment industry with a stomp of his foot. He was also my boyfriend’s uncle. Oh, I mean ex-boyfriend. We had just broken up the day before. Thinking of this, I looked towards the stage. My ex-boyfriend was still down on one knee, proposing to my younger sister. The two of them were frozen on stage, no one caring about the outcome of this supposedly grand proposal. Everyone was too absorbed in the kiss between Lucas and me. The proposal ended abruptly. Ha, serves them right. My sister, a newly minted top celebrity, shot me a murderous glare. I smiled and waved at her. But karma came for me all too quickly.

In the backstage dressing room, I leaned against the wall with my head down, drawing circles on the floor with my high heels as I faced judgment from the three people opposite me. My father, my younger sister, and my ex-boyfriend. Isabella started sobbing dramatically: “My own sister causing a scandal with my boyfriend’s uncle – how can I ever show my face in public again?” What? Afraid of losing face? You didn’t seem to care about that when you got together with your sister’s ex-boyfriend. I smirked sarcastically, but Isabella caught my expression. She cried even more pitifully: “It’s all my fault. If I hadn’t fallen for Aiden, none of this would have happened. But sister, you shouldn’t use this to get revenge. Don’t you know Mr. Howard isn’t someone to be trifled with?” She paused, looking worriedly at our stone-faced father before continuing hesitantly: “If you really offend him, forget everything else – I’m just afraid he might not even spare MJ Entertainment.” I raised my head, about to mock Isabella for making a mountain out of a molehill, when I was met with a slap across the face. The sharp sound echoed through the dressing room. “Dad!” Isabella exclaimed in surprise, but her eyes betrayed a hint of schadenfreude. The left side of my face instantly turned red, and a sharp ringing filled my left ear. Dad pointed at my nose and started cursing: “Sophia, you little brat!” The look in his eyes as he glared at me was filled with bone-deep hatred. It was as if I wasn’t his own daughter, but some mortal enemy who had murdered his entire family. “If Mr. Howard really gets angry, even your death wouldn’t be enough to make up for it!” I rubbed my swollen left cheek and glared right back at him defiantly: “What? Upset that I ruined your plan to sell your daughter for your own gain?” Isabella immediately jumped up: “Sophia, don’t go too far! Aiden and I truly love each other.” Me: “Truly love each other?” Aiden stood in the shadows, a cigarette between his fingers. Half his handsome face was obscured by smoke. As if he couldn’t bear to watch this farce any longer, he frowned and pushed open the door to leave. Isabella immediately chased after him. Dad’s gaze on me grew even fiercer: “Sophia, don’t forget how much your sister suffered for those 18 years! And whose fault was that?” Isabella had been kidnapped from an amusement park when she was three years old. It wasn’t until two years ago that I finally found her. They said it was supposed to be my trip to the amusement park that day. That I had snuck out with her and caused her to get lost. During the years she was missing, everyone looked at me with accusing eyes, including my mom. She even sent me away to live with my grandfather because of it. The excuse was “out of sight, out of mind.” When I was in high school, my grandfather passed away and I was brought back home. But the very next day, Dad told us Isabella would never come back – she was dead. At the same time, Mom died too. Between me and Isabella, she chose to go be with Isabella. I became the wretched daughter who caused her sister to get lost and her mother to commit suicide. The blame for causing my sister’s disappearance clung to me like a curse. Whenever I did anything that went against their wishes, they would invoke that curse, bringing searing pain. I held back the tears stinging my eyes, clenching my fists so tightly that my sharp nails dug into my palms until they were a bloody mess. “I’ve told you before, breaking up with Aiden was the last time. I’ve atoned for my sins.” Aiden pushed open the door, rubbing his brow. His eyes held disgust as he spoke in a condescending tone: “Sophia, you should be grateful you’re Isabella’s sister. Otherwise I wouldn’t bother with you. I’ll smooth things over with my uncle.” Isabella gratefully threw herself into his arms, hugging his waist and burying her face in his chest. “Aiden, thank goodness we have you.” Aiden placed his hand on Isabella’s back, his gaze deep as he spoke gently: “Bella, don’t cry. I’ll take care of everything.” “Sophia, this is the last time. Behave yourself from now on!” He emphasized those last four words especially heavily. My heart turned ice cold. Just three months ago, I never could have imagined that the man who had whispered sweet nothings in my ear and sworn to love me forever would now be telling me to “behave myself.” Drawing on some inner wellspring of pride, I enunciated each word clearly: “Aiden, that won’t be necessary. It’s better if we keep things clear between us.” “Suit yourself!” He tossed out those three words impatiently before immediately taking Isabella’s hand and walking out. Isabella glanced back at me, not bothering to hide the mockery in her eyes. Dad snarled viciously: “Sophia, I don’t care if you have to kneel or die, you must make Mr. Howard calm down within three days.” The dressing room suddenly emptied out. I slid down the wall to the floor, finally feeling the pain from my bloodied palms. As my mind slowly cleared, I remembered one important thing. I had badmouthed Lucas Howard behind his back before, and he had caught me red-handed. Hopefully…maybe…he’d forgotten about it? After all, it had been two years.

On the set of a fantasy drama, Lucas was sprawled in a chair. Even through his sunglasses, I could feel his arrogance. He lifted his sunglasses slightly, revealing a sliver of his eyes as he glanced at me and said sarcastically: “Well, if it isn’t the princess of MJ Entertainment. What brings you to seek out this good-for-nothing playboy who only knows how to mooch off his family?” Great, he hadn’t forgotten. I took a drink from his assistant’s hand and respectfully offered it to Lucas: “Mr. Howard is just being filial, giving up his career to spend more time with his elders.” He took the drink and drawled: “Is that so? I thought I was just an arrogant, unreasonable young master.” I forced a smile: “That just shows Mr. Howard has a unique, determined personality and doesn’t blindly follow others.” He took off his sunglasses and looked me up and down carefully before chuckling: “Miss Chen, your mouth has certainly gotten sweeter than before!” Oh please, you’ve just gotten even more petty and vengeful! Lucas’s gaze made my skin crawl. Beads of sweat broke out on my forehead. Thankfully, a coquettish cry from afar rescued me from the situation. “Mr. Howard!” The female lead of the fantasy drama threw herself into Lucas’s arms like a delicate songbird, clinging to his arm and pouting. “Look at them, making me do all the stunts for such a minor scene. The wire harness really hurts.” Lucas pulled her into his embrace: “That won’t do at all. If my little darling gets hurt, it’ll break my heart.” Help, I’m still here. Can you consider the audience a little? “What should we do then?” Lucas’s eyes fell on me again. “Why don’t we ask Miss Chen to help out?” The actress in Lucas’s arms instantly froze. She had just been casually complaining and hadn’t noticed the princess of MJ Entertainment was here. Although Sophia wasn’t favored by her family, the actress was just a passing fancy in Mr. Howard’s garden. She didn’t want to become collateral damage in the games of these powerful figures. She stammered: “Mr-Mr. Howard, I’ve thought about it and I think I can manage. The wire harness doesn’t hurt that much after all.” Lucas pulled the actress closer: “No, you can’t. Miss Chen, what do you think?” I swallowed hard and forced out: “Fine. I. Can. Do. It.” The next moment I was strapped into the wire harness. As the ropes lifted me up, in no time I was five meters off the ground. Looking down at the people and scenery below that were growing smaller, I gripped the ropes tightly with both hands. My whole body started to go weak and my legs wouldn’t stop shaking. The last time I had looked down from such a height was back in high school, the day my mom died. When she heard the news of my sister’s death, she took me to the amusement park where Isabella had disappeared. She pulled me onto the Ferris wheel with her. When the Ferris wheel reached its highest point, she suddenly undid her safety belt, pushed open the safety barrier, and jumped. The Ferris wheel stopped at the top for half an hour. I stood there at that height, staring down at the bloody, mangled body below for thirty minutes. It was like I was having a mental breakdown. One moment I felt like I was still on the Ferris wheel, the next I thought I had jumped down with my mom and become part of that bloody mess on the ground. From that day on, I never went anywhere high again. As the rope lifted me higher and higher, my heart felt like it was about to burst out of my chest. My breathing became more and more rapid. Finally, I couldn’t take it anymore and let out a piercing scream: “Let me down! I want to get down!” The assistant director, stagehands and others below scrambled to lower me back down. I collapsed on the ground. Lucas walked up to me and looked down at me, his narrow eyes devoid of any emotion. “Giving up already? Miss Chen, you’re not sincere enough!” I struggled to my feet on shaky legs and stumbled away without looking back, trying to leave the terrifying experience behind me. I got into my car. Uncontrollable sobs rose from my throat. I bit down hard on my hand. Damn it, Sophia. Don’t you dare cry. Don’t you dare give up. Don’t you dare show weakness! A Rolls-Royce with a license plate full of 8s drove up from behind. Lucas was in that car. He glanced over through the half-open window. I was so scared I ducked my head under the seat, only realizing a moment later that he couldn’t see inside the car anyway.

It was evening by the time I got home. As soon as I entered the house, I sensed something strange about the atmosphere in the living room. All the maids kept their heads down, deliberately avoiding my gaze. What was going on? Isabella stammered: “Sister, Lucky…Lucky…” Lucky was the little dog my grandfather had left me. I had raised him for fifteen whole years. You could say he was the last family I had left in this world. I shoved Isabella aside and started searching the house for Lucky: “Lucky, sister’s home! Come out, boy!” Isabella’s eyes turned red. Crystal tears hung from her long lashes as she tugged at my sleeve: “Sister, Lucky…Lucky’s gone.” “Aiden and I were taking Lucky for a walk today when he ran off on his own and got hit by a car.” I grabbed Isabella’s shoulders, praying this was just another one of her cruel jokes: “Isabella, what did you say?” She turned away from Aiden and flashed me a vicious smile, speaking in a voice only the two of us could hear: “Lucky wasn’t killed by the first hit. He was still crawling on the ground, whimpering pitifully. It sounded so sad!” I raised my hand and slapped her across the face: “Isabella, you’ll pay for this!” Aiden rushed over and shoved me to the ground: “Sophia, it was just a dog. Why are you overreacting?” Just a dog? Overreacting? This was the only thing my grandfather had left me. On his deathbed, he had held my hand and smiled as he comforted me: “Sophia, don’t worry about me being gone. You’ll still have Lucky to keep you company!” Aiden avoided my gaze as he said: “That dog was already 15 years old. It was time for him to go anyway!” I glared at Aiden, feeling like I was seeing his true face for the first time: “Aiden, you should have died long ago. You’re an accomplice!” He glared back furiously: “Sophia, I’ll let this slide since your dog just died!” Isabella had the maid bring out Lucky’s body. I picked him up. The dog who used to run to my feet and bark happily every time I came home now lay motionless on the cold floor. His once snow-white curly fur was matted with blood. Both his hind legs had been crushed by the car. “Where’s the person who hit him?” Isabella put on an innocent face: “Sister, it wasn’t intentional. The driver even had a 5-year-old child with him! I felt bad, so I let him go.” Lucky’s cries kept echoing in my ears, but the body in my arms was already starting to grow stiff and cold. Lucky was really gone. It felt like my grandfather had left me for a second time. Isabella crouched down, pretending she was going to help me up. But she leaned in close to my ear and imitated Lucky’s whimpering, mocking me: “Sister, you must really want revenge right now, don’t you? But you have nothing. People with nothing don’t deserve revenge!” Isabella laughed gleefully. She had always resented me for causing her disappearance. But she forgot that when she went missing, she was only 3 years old, and I was just 6. I had long since repaid my debt to her. She shouldn’t have…she shouldn’t have taken it out on my Lucky. With bloodshot eyes, I set Lucky’s body down and suddenly lunged at Isabella, wrapping my hands tightly around her throat. Aiden and the maids swarmed over to pull me off her. Ignoring the pain, I clawed chunks of flesh from Isabella’s neck: “Isabella, you murderer! I won’t let you get away with this!” I was dragged back to my room like a madwoman. With a loud bang, the door slammed shut. I was locked in for a day of solitary confinement as punishment. It wasn’t until the next day that I received a phone call – a call that would ensure no one dared stop me from leaving.

I followed the waiter down a long hallway before finally stopping in front of a top VIP private room. As the door opened, I was hit by the stifling smell of alcohol and cigarette smoke. The dark green carpet, the crystal chandelier overhead casting a kaleidoscope of sultry colors. Sitting on the couch opposite were a row of people. Some I recognized, some I didn’t. To the me of the past, these were all Mr. Howard’s friends and lackeys. The karaoke room fell silent. All eyes focused on me as Mr. Howard’s friends exchanged glances, surprised that the princess of MJ Entertainment would come to their playground. Lucas lounged in the center seat, sprawled lazily on the leather couch. The pink lighting cast an otherworldly glow on his face. He glanced at me, exhaling a cloud of white smoke: “You’re here? Have a seat.” I carefully made my way through the crowd to his side. The pretty redhead sitting next to Lucas glared at me fiercely before reluctantly moving aside. Strangely, even though Lucas had called me here, he acted like I didn’t exist, not saying a word to me for a full half hour. The people in the room chain-smoked as if they’d been granted immunity from lung cancer. I felt nauseous from the smoke and slipped away to the bathroom when no one was looking. I splashed some cold water on my face. The mirror reflected back a pale, exhausted version of myself. This past year had been like a nightmare. Ever since Isabella was found, Aiden, who had always stood by my side, had inexplicably moved to her side instead. Now Lucky was dead too. Isabella said people with nothing had no right to revenge. Well then, I would go find my ally, my support! I pushed open the door and re-entered the private room, sitting down next to Lucas. I leaned in close to his ear: “Mr. Howard, want to date?” Lucas suddenly lowered his head, pressing his forehead against mine: “Why?” I didn’t back away, meeting his upturned smile: “He cheated on me, with my sister. I want revenge. I want to make that scumbag call me ‘auntie’.” He abruptly pulled back, lighting another cigarette and holding it between his lips: “That won’t do. Aiden is my dear nephew after all!” Ha, dear nephew my ass. The two had been at odds since childhood. Lucas’s mother was the new young wife Mr. Howard Sr. had married, while William was born to the original wife who had passed away early. William’s wife was childless. To continue the family line, he had brought home Aiden and Aiden’s mother, who was William’s mistress. Lucas’s mother naturally sided with William’s wife. Aiden and his mother secretly cursed Lucas’s mother for being a homewrecker and mocked her for shamelessly marrying an old man. Lucas overheard and told Mr. Howard Sr., who sent away Aiden’s mother that very night. The two became mortal enemies after that. “Unless Miss Chen can finish this whole bottle of alcohol. Then we might have something to discuss.” Lucas placed an entire bottle of liquor from the black marble table in front of me. I had no idea how Lucas always managed to find my weaknesses. I was afraid of heights, so he made me do the wire stunt. I was allergic to alcohol, so he was forcing me to drink. We really were like mortal enemies. But when I thought of Lucky’s cold, lifeless body, everything else seemed bearable in comparison. I took a deep breath, grabbed the bottle and chugged the entire thing in one go. The people around us were stunned, breaking into cheers and applause. As the last drops slid down my throat, I clutched Lucas’s collar: “Quick, take me to the hospital. I’m…I’m allergic to alcohol.” Lucas’s expression changed instantly, his nonchalant gaze turning panicked: “Shit, are you crazy?” He scooped me up in his arms and ran to the car. The driver immediately sped off towards the hospital. Seeing his furrowed brow, I knew this bastard must be cursing me in his head. At the hospital, the elderly doctor quickly hooked me up to an IV drip. He sternly warned Lucas: “Young man, how could you be so careless? You didn’t even know your girlfriend was allergic to alcohol? Pay more attention!” He didn’t contradict the doctor, just brushing it off with a few vague words. To my surprise, he didn’t leave. Instead, he sat next to me as I got the IV drip. In the empty hallway, it was just the two of us. I coughed lightly to get his attention: “Mr. Howard, let’s forget what I said earlier. An uncle getting together with his nephew’s ex-girlfriend would surely anger Mr. Howard Sr. We should call it off.” This was a risky move. Lucas was famously carefree and unpredictable. But there was one thing that had remained constant for decades – his opposition to his father, Mr. Howard Sr. I had once heard Aiden mention a rumor in the Howard family. Lucas had always believed his older brother – Aiden’s father – was responsible for the death of Lucas’s mother. But Mr. Howard Sr. had covered up his eldest son’s crime. That’s why Lucas despised Mr. Howard Sr. He opposed everything his father supported and liked everything his father hated. Mr. Howard Sr. cared about face and propriety above all else. What could make him angrier than his son getting together with his nephew’s ex-girlfriend? For the first time, I felt like Lucas was really looking at me. He smiled, revealing his canine teeth in a rare moment of brightness: “Miss Chen, I’m starting to like you a little!” I held out my hand: “Well then, Mr. Howard, shall we work together?” “Let’s work together!” He finally reached out and shook my hand. “But Sophia, don’t drink again next time. You look too ugly.” The smile froze on my swollen face. Lucas really had no filter. Talking like that was just asking to get punched. “Okay, sure!”

Isabella was like a wild dog that could track human scents, constantly finding ways to harass me. “Sister, it’s been three days. What did Mr. Howard say? Should I have Aiden put in a good word for you?” I shot her a glare and walked into the house without responding. This action angered our father again. Actually, in many ways he didn’t fulfill any fatherly responsibilities. To me, he was just a man named Frank Chen. He barked harshly: “You insolent girl! Don’t you have any manners? Your sister is talking to you!” He raised his hand again, but this time another hand stopped him. It was Lucas. “Mr. Chen!” Lucas tossed the black bag he was holding into my arms. “Sophia, your bag.” Frank’s eyes widened in shock: “Mr-Mr. Howard!” Lucas put his arm around my shoulders, pulling me close: “Mr. Chen, you’re not that old. Why the stutter? Oh right, guilty conscience. You know our Sophia was old Mr. Jin’s most beloved granddaughter. Aren’t you afraid his ghost will come back for revenge?” From my angle, I could only see his chiseled jawline. I couldn’t read his expression to guess why he was standing up for me. But this was the first time anyone had ever shielded me and spoken up on my behalf. Frank said: “Mr. Howard must be joking!” Lucas raised an eyebrow, not bothering to hide the arrogance and malice in his demeanor: “I’m not joking with you. Is a son-in-law who married into the family worth joking about?” Frank’s expression turned extremely ugly. His status as a son-in-law who had married into the family was a humiliation he had always wanted to wash away. He never expected Lucas to bring it up again. But revenge is a dish best served cold. One day Lucas would fall into his hands. He quickly smoothed the expression from his face, carefully putting on a fawning tone: “Yes, yes, sometimes I can be a bit harsh as a father.” Lucas squeezed my shoulder, feigning intimacy: “Mr. Chen, even when beating a dog, you have to consider its owner!” Me: ? While I appreciated him standing up for me, couldn’t he have used a different phrase? Frank kept smiling and nodding along. Lucas seemed satisfied as he led me towards the door with his arm around me. Suddenly he turned back, his gaze falling on Isabella who was hiding in the corner: “Sophia, what was your sister’s name again? Isabella something?” Isabella hurriedly ran out: “Isabella Chen. I’m Isabella Chen.” “You seem to lack manners. Don’t you know how to address people properly? Didn’t Aiden tell you who I am?” Isabella bowed repeatedly in panic: “Have a good day, Uncle. Have a good day, Uncle.” Lucas pointed at me: “You’re not going to call her Aunt?” Isabella shot me a vicious glare. Lucas: “Are you glaring at your elder?” “No, no.” Isabella froze in a half-bow, her voice barely above a whisper. “Have a good day…Aunt.” “Your voice is too quiet. I’ll let it slide this time, but next time you see your elders, learn to address them properly!” Lucas said with slight displeasure, deliberately emphasizing the word “elders.” “Okay, okay, I’ll remember!” Other than the day Isabella was brought back, this was the first time I had seen her so flustered. I have to say, it felt pretty good to have someone powerful on my side. I was even starting to like Lucas a little. His sharp tongue was reliably devastating to everyone. Once we got in the car, Lucas withdrew his arm and told the driver in front: “Back to the old mansion!” My heart skipped a beat. Although I knew working with Lucas would inevitably mean facing Mr. Howard Sr., I hadn’t expected that day to come so soon. “Miss Chen, isn’t it time for you to help me out?” The Howard family’s old mansion was in the suburbs of a neighboring province. Mr. Howard Sr. was getting on in years, and a fortune teller had said that location had good energy that would help him live to a ripe old age.

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “296055”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #现实主义Realistic #浪漫Romance #励志Inspiring #校园School #重生Reborn

Every time Alexander cheated on me, he would transfer $500,000 to my account. After three years of dating, I had already achieved several of my financial goals. This time, he transferred $1 million to me. I accepted the money and immediately packed my bags to leave. By the time he found me, I had already become a teacher. Alexander looked at me with disdain, “Stop fooling around. What could you possibly teach them?” I casually made up an answer, “Of course, I’ll use my personal experience to teach girls how to find rich, generous husbands who are rarely home!” He completely lost it, his eyes turning red as he questioned me, “Lily, am I just a teaching tool to you?” “Of course not!” I replied. Before he could feel relieved, I added, “At best, you’re a failed case study, because you always come home…” After being with Alexander for three years, I had achieved several of my financial goals. I successfully transformed from a poor college student to a young wealthy woman. It wasn’t because he loved me so much. It was because every time he cheated, he would transfer $500,000 to me. One can’t reject money just for the sake of dignity, right? So I diligently played the role of a love-struck girlfriend by his side. Many people in our social circle laughed at me. They thought that even if I caught Alexander in bed with another woman, I would turn a blind eye and continue to stay with him. I wholeheartedly agreed. If they knew that the price of being the most cheated-on person was getting several million dollars, they would surely think I was lucky. Compared to all that money, being cheated on was just water under the bridge. However, this time was different. I received $1 million at once. I was a bit conflicted. Unlike most cheating men, Alexander came to see me very frequently. He also had high demands. Although we always used protection and had regular check-ups, I still couldn’t help but worry. Deep down, I found him somewhat disgusting. A man shared by so many women – I couldn’t bear to think how dirty he might be. Looking at the transfer notification on my phone, I was torn. On one side was a job with an astronomical salary but the constant risk of disease; on the other was a free life without any more payouts. My eyelid twitched suddenly. I seemed to see a future version of myself, infected with a dirty disease, my body oozing with pus. One can’t risk their life just for money, right? Besides, I was already a young wealthy woman with millions in my account. I could easily do what Alexander did – keep a few young lovers, turn the tables, and be the boss myself. As for work, I’d figure something out! My life was more important. So I decided – I would leave him! I had made up my mind to leave, but I couldn’t depart just yet. First, I hadn’t received my diploma yet. Second, I planned to sell the jewelry and bags Alexander had given me. Each gift was compensation for emotional damage. If I couldn’t take them with me, I would be truly restless. The gifts filled an entire display cabinet, and I didn’t know where to start. While I was lost in thought, Jessica sent me a video clip. She had been secretly in love with Alexander for years but never expected me to snatch him away. So she had always disliked me. The video was dimly lit, clearly taken in a private room. Alexander sat in the middle of a group, with a girl in a white dress next to him. Her features were very similar to mine. However, her eyebrows and eyes were gentle, with downturned corners, making her look lovable. My eyes, on the other hand, were slightly upturned at the corners, sharp and aloof. They were playing a game, and the bottle on the table pointed at the girl next to Alexander. The punishment was to kiss someone of the opposite sex at the table. Everyone started teasing them. The girl giggled and hid in Alexander’s arms. “Sophia is shy, don’t force her,” he said, clearly protective. “Come on, Alex, don’t be a spoilsport,” someone said. The next second, Alexander cupped the girl’s face and gently kissed her. The video ended there. Jessica sent another message. [Lily, Sophia is Alexander’s true love. You can’t compete with her. You should break up with Alexander while you can.] After a while, she awkwardly added. [I’m not warning you out of kindness. It’s just that I despise Sophia more than I dislike you.] I couldn’t help but be curious, [Who exactly is this Sophia?]

She quickly replied with a long message. It seemed she had prepared this information, just waiting for me to ask. After skimming through it, I found that these two had a romantic entanglement worthy of a prime-time soap opera. Sophia, originally named Sophie, was the daughter of the Zhou family’s housekeeper. She was the same age as Alexander and grew up with him. You could say they were childhood sweethearts. On Alexander’s 18th birthday, Sophia offered herself as a gift to him. When Alexander’s parents found out, they were furious. They immediately fired the housekeeper and gave Sophia’s family a large sum of money to send her abroad. Before leaving, Sophia secretly went to the police station to change her name. She left a letter for Alexander and then disappeared without a trace. [The old Sophie is dead. From now on, there’s only Sophia, living with your name.] Alexander was depressed for quite a while after this, until he saw my face, which was 80% similar to Sophia’s. The little flame in his heart reignited. Sophia. I silently mouthed this name. Alexander had indeed protected her well. In all the years we had been together, I had never heard this name. The only clue was Alexander’s username on SnapChat. “Starting anew” When we first got together, I once asked Alexander why all his usernames were this. He narrowed his eyes slightly, his gaze falling into space as if reminiscing about something. After a while, he finally spoke. “Starting anew, naturally hoping that the stories in life will be better than my expectations.” At that time, I didn’t catch the deeper meaning in his words. I just thought that Alexander, who seemed to care about nothing, actually had such delicate thoughts. Now everything had a reasonable explanation. Sophia, Starting anew. All he wanted was for his story with Sophia to be better than he expected. One million dollars – only Sophia was worth him giving double the price. My chest tightened, and tears suddenly poured out. Actually, I had rarely cried for Alexander anymore. If I had to cry every time he cheated, I’m sure my tears would have dried up long ago. But this time was different. I had truly loved Alexander. But his feelings for me were just using me as a substitute for his true love. When I met Alexander, I was only 18 years old. I had come from a small town in the Midwest to study at the best university in New York City. After performing a dance at the freshman welcome party, I had just returned backstage when I received his friend request. He pursued me for half a year, and almost everyone knew about it. But my reputation wasn’t great. There were always people gossiping behind my back at school. “That Lily from the Literature Department, she thinks she’s so pretty that she can keep Alexander waiting.” “With the Zhou family’s status, how could Lily, a poor student from some small town, ever be good enough?” “If Alexander was pursuing me, I would have agreed long ago.” “Just watch, I bet you Lily is just playing hard to get. She’ll give in within a month.” Alexander helped me deal with these voices, publicly declaring his love online. [I’m the one shamelessly pursuing Lily, but I haven’t succeeded yet. Please don’t scare away my future girlfriend, everyone!] I was too young then and mistook him for a savior rescuing me from public opinion. I mistook gratitude for love and agreed to his pursuit. But I overlooked the fact that if it weren’t for him, I wouldn’t have been caught in the whirlpool of public opinion in the first place.

It wasn’t until three years later, today, that I finally realized Alexander was just using me as a substitute. The passionate first love of my youth turned out to be nothing but an empty dream. I wallowed in melancholy for a while, but quickly snapped out of it when I saw my bank balance. That’s when I realized Alexander hadn’t come home tonight. In the past, he never stayed out overnight. Even if he played with other girls until dawn, he would always come back to sleep with me. I had always secretly complained that he was disturbing my beauty sleep. Today, not waiting for him made me even angrier. Damn Alexander, not coming back and not even giving me a heads up, making me wait for nothing. But thinking about it, it made sense. After all, Sophia was his true love. How could she be treated like other girls? I was glad to be free of the trouble and decided to go to sleep first. In my drowsy state, someone hugged my waist from behind. It was Alexander. “Honey, why didn’t you wait up for me tonight?” he complained, nuzzling my neck from behind. He was quite drunk and not entirely lucid. I pretended to turn over and pushed him to the floor. After a dull thud, Alexander passed out. I jumped out of bed and angrily kicked him twice. Not wanting to stay in the same space with him, I went back to the living room sofa. His phone was on the table, and a message notification popped up, like Pandora’s box calling to me. I couldn’t resist opening it. It was from Sophia. [Alex, I’m home! Thank you for sending me back.] There was only one page of chat history, a message Alexander had sent not long ago. [Sophia, don’t listen to their nonsense. Lily can’t compare to you at all.] [I’m just playing around with her. You’re the one I truly love!] Perhaps Alexander’s friends had joked about how Lily and Sophia looked similar, upsetting her. I laughed bitterly at myself. Alexander, is disparaging me your way of showing Sophia how much you care? When Alexander sobered up, he returned to his cold demeanor. He showed no intention of explaining the million-dollar transfer. Looking at his calm and indifferent face, I felt utterly deflated. After careful consideration, I still asked, “Why was it a million dollars this time?” Perhaps he would tell me the truth. “I thought about how you’ve been with me for so long. If not for your contributions, at least for your efforts.” His tone was casual, as if he was just appeasing a pet throwing a tantrum. I lost my patience and laid it all out, “It’s because of Sophia, isn’t it?” He finally looked up at me, “How do you know about her?” “Never mind that. Since your true love is back, let’s just break up. We can part on good terms.” “Don’t be ridiculous, Lily. Sophia and I are just friends.” “Friends? What kind of friends kiss each other?” He stared at me for a few seconds, then chuckled, “So you’re jealous.” “I kissed Sophia last night to help her out of an awkward situation. Don’t overthink it.” I was utterly speechless, “Don’t be so full of yourself. I said I want to break up, do you understand?” Something about this statement seemed to anger Alexander. He suddenly stood up, “Lily, stop acting up!” “Everything you eat, wear, use, and live in now – which of it isn’t bought with my money?” “Even if we were to break up, it’s not your place to bring it up!”

I was stunned. So this was how he defined our relationship. Alexander also realized he had said something wrong. He walked over and ruffled my hair, “Come on, don’t be upset. I was wrong earlier.” After saying this, he ignored my emotions, put on his coat, and left. I sat dumbfounded on the sofa, completely unable to understand his thinking. He clearly had someone he loved, yet he still came to pursue me. When I fell for him, he kept other women outside. Now that his true love had returned, and I voluntarily stepped aside, he was still dissatisfied. He didn’t love me, but he wouldn’t let me go either. I thought for a long time but still couldn’t understand Alexander’s logic. I could only conclude that he was “cheap”. Eating from his bowl while eyeing the pot, and still wanting to take away the leftovers. He might be cheap, but I was definitely going to break up. After the unpleasant parting with Alexander, he didn’t contact me for a week. Not having to serve my sugar daddy, I had plenty of time on my hands. I packed up everything in the house and sent it to a second-hand luxury store, not even sparing the vases and ornaments. They gave me a very satisfying figure. Looking at the increased numbers in my bank account, my resentment towards Alexander vanished into thin air. Who could be dissatisfied with a god of wealth? To successfully run away with the money, I decided to mislead Alexander a bit. I turned and posted a heavily edited selfie on social media. I deliberately deepened the shadows under my eyes, making me look 90% similar to Sophia. Caption: [I don’t need a lot of money, I just want a lot of love.] This move pleased Alexander, and he messaged saying he would come home tonight. The worker who had been on a week-long break returned to her job, feeling slightly uncomfortable. When Alexander entered the door, he was shocked by the scene before him, “Was the house robbed?” In the huge mansion, only a few pieces of large furniture remained, everything else had been cleaned out. I walked up to him and skillfully took off his suit jacket, “No, I just felt annoyed looking at everything, so I had Old Wang take it all to sell.” “Then go pick out some new things in a few days, use my card.” I hooked my arms around Alexander’s neck, “Have a drink with me?” He was about to agree when his phone suddenly rang. One glance, and he hurriedly answered. I caught a glimpse of the contact name on the screen, “Sophia” “Lily, there’s a problem at the company, I need to go deal with it.” I held him back, “Alexander, can’t you stay?” “Don’t be difficult, this project is really important.” I didn’t insist. I let go of his hand and stared at him for a long time, “Go then, be safe on the road.” I had my own agenda. After all, he was someone I had loved deeply in my youth. I wanted to say a proper goodbye at the end of our story. But when it came down to a choice, I became the option he gave up. Looking around this house I had lived in for three years one last time, I finally felt no attachment. I got on a plane leaving New York City directly. As soon as I got off the plane, I saw my dad waiting at the arrival gate. His hair had turned completely gray, his eyes searching anxiously for me. I ran over and stood in front of this small, tanned old man. “It’s good you’re back, it’s good you’re back. Are you leaving again this time?”

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “296054”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #现实主义Realistic #浪漫Romance #励志Inspiring #校园School #重生Reborn

I had been married to Lucas for sixty years. After we both died, we were reborn. This time, at the proposal scene, he handed the flowers to my roommate standing beside me. “Olivia, whether you accept me or not, I just know that if I don’t confess to you today, I’ll regret it for the rest of my life.” Our friends were all stunned. They couldn’t understand why the proposal ceremony had turned into a confession to another woman. I looked at Lucas, but he avoided my gaze. “Amber, even the most beloved person becomes tiresome after a long time. In this life, I want to live differently.” I didn’t say anything more, just silently left. Later, Lucas came to find me and proposed earnestly. “Let’s get married, Amber. I’ve had my fun, can we get our life back on track?” I raised my hand, showing him the diamond ring. “I’m sorry, Mr. Parker, you seem to have forgotten that marrying into the Parker family was always just a task for me as a Thompson daughter.” “Since I can’t marry you, I had to marry your uncle Ethan instead.” When I opened my eyes, I found myself at the bottom of the dormitory building. The ground was covered with roses and candles, incredibly romantic. Lucas was holding a guitar, softly singing a love song. This song was the birthday gift he gave me on my 22nd birthday. My roommate Olivia was holding my arm, her smile a bit unnatural. “How wonderful, Lucas confessed to you.” “You two have been childhood sweethearts, and you’re both from wealthy families. It’s a perfect match. Are you going to get married after graduation?” I didn’t notice her tone, just staring dazedly at Lucas singing softly. He was holding the guitar, his face turned to the side, his profile looking exceptionally handsome in the candlelight. It was 22-year-old Lucas. I saw him again. My eyes blurred, and I wiped away tears, a smile on my face. “Lucas!” But before I could get close, Lucas stopped playing. He walked straight past me to Olivia. “Olivia, I like you.” “Whether you accept me or not, I just know that if I don’t confess to you today, I’ll regret it for the rest of my life.” I froze, turning around in confusion. I clearly remembered that this was the day Lucas proposed to me. Olivia glanced at me intentionally or unintentionally, a smile on her lips. Her eyes were extremely pleased, but when facing Lucas, her face was full of hesitation. “Lucas, are you sure you didn’t make a mistake? Shouldn’t you like Amber?” “After all, you two are a perfect match, while I’m just an ordinary person.” As she spoke, Olivia deliberately lowered her eyes, looking sad. Lucas looked at her, his eyes filled with pity. “Olivia, you’re still like this, always thinking you’re not good enough. You don’t need to feel inferior, you deserve everything in the world.” Saying this, Lucas pulled Olivia into his arms. I watched this scene silently, the flesh and blood in my heart collapsing inch by inch. Something was wrong, something was not right. I looked at Lucas, noticing his eyes. Such eyes would not belong to 22-year-old Lucas. They would only appear on the face of Mr. Parker who had inherited the family business. Lucas had also been reborn. Just as I had this guess, Lucas raised his eyes, meeting my gaze. He slowly opened his mouth, silently mouthing. “Sorry, Amber, even the most beloved person becomes tiresome after a long time. In this life, I want to live differently.” Live differently. In our previous life, we were childhood sweethearts. After graduating from college, Lucas confessed to me. We dated for a year before getting engaged, and then held a grand wedding witnessed by both families. After marriage, the Parker and Thompson families formed a strong alliance. I quit my job to stay at home and manage the household for Lucas. Lucas focused on fighting for power in the company without distractions. After marriage, I gave Lucas three sons and a daughter. He also loved and protected me, promising me lifelong fidelity. When Lucas died, he was lying in my arms, still holding my hand. “Amber, I have no regrets in this life.” After he left, I was overwhelmed with grief and passed away not long after. When we met again, I thought it was heaven’s grace, allowing us to be together for another few decades. But Lucas said he was tired of me. It turned out that lifelong fidelity was a lie, and having no regrets was also a lie. Olivia was his regret. I coldly watched the two embrace. A few friends hesitantly came forward. “Amber, are you okay?” At the same time, there were also glances with mockery. “Amber Thompson relied on being a rich girl, chasing after Lucas all day, but in the end, Lucas doesn’t even like her.” “That’s right, what’s the use of being a wealthy heiress? Lucas still prefers Olivia.” I stood there, suppressing the bitterness in my heart. Lucas, you said you want to live differently. But I, Amber Thompson, have never been someone who only had you as an option. Even though I had seen through Lucas’s true face, I was still a bit dazed when I returned to the dormitory. After all, we had been married for sixty years in the previous life. The sweet words Lucas once said to me seemed to still linger in my ears. Now, it all seemed like a dream. It made me start to doubt. Were all those happy memories from the previous life just my imagination? As graduation approached, people from other dorms had mostly moved out. But the people in our dorm were all still here. I was staying because I had been accepted for graduate studies at the same university. Olivia didn’t leave for some unknown reason. The other two roommates hadn’t found suitable jobs yet. I felt unwell, with waves of pain coming from my stomach. So I climbed into bed to lie down, wanting to take a short nap to feel better. But just as I was about to fall asleep, a commotion came from outside the door. “Olivia, this is Lucas Parker, the heir to Parker Enterprises! He’s going to inherit the whole company in the future!” “That’s right, we all saw it just now, he didn’t even look at Amber when he passed by her, he was just staring at you. He really likes you so much.” It was the voices of my two roommates. Olivia kept responding coyly. “It’s not as exaggerated as you say.” “Amber and Lucas have been childhood friends after all, he must care for her like a sister.” “Actually, Lucas and I have been dating for a year, but I didn’t let him tell you guys.” Hearing this, I suddenly pulled open the bed curtain, glaring at Olivia with red eyes. “What did you say!” They were startled to find I was in the dorm. I suppressed the surging emotions in my heart and repeated word by word. “What did you just say?” Olivia met my gaze, a hint of smugness in her smile. But the next second, she shrank behind the two roommates. “Amber, I’m really sorry, I didn’t mean to. I’ve talked to Lucas about it, but he said he only likes me.” “I know you’ve liked Lucas for many years, but you can’t disregard his feelings.” I watched her pretend to be pitiful, my hand gripping the bed sheet tightly. Seeing me like this, the other two roommates started to speak up for Olivia. “Amber, what’s wrong with you? Lucas likes Olivia, why are you angry?” “That’s right, you’re always so high and mighty, what are you being arrogant about now? Don’t tell me you really think Lucas is your personal property?” I looked at these two, barely feeling any emotion in my heart anymore. Just a few days ago, they were still following me around every day, begging me to find them positions at Thompson Group or Parker Enterprises. In the previous life, out of four years of dormitory friendship, I agreed to their requests. I found them two easy positions in the company and gave them generous monthly salaries. Now, just because Lucas confessed to Olivia, they’ve completely changed their attitude. “Olivia, now that Lucas likes you so much, he must agree to whatever you say, right?” One roommate looked at Olivia expectantly. Olivia smiled: “Don’t say that, Lucas and I are just boyfriend and girlfriend.” “Oh come on, future Mrs. Parker, just ask Lucas to arrange jobs for us at Parker Enterprises.” Olivia looked a bit troubled, took out her phone, and seemed to be messaging someone. After a while, her phone notification sounded. Olivia smiled slightly. “Lucas agreed.” The two roommates cheered and showered Olivia with compliments. I coldly observed everything, and after a moment, I still asked Olivia. “Is it true that you were dating before?” Olivia sighed and looked at me with a hint of condescension and pity. “Amber, I know you might think that because my family background isn’t as good as yours, I don’t deserve to be with Lucas.” “But think about it, if he really liked you, why didn’t he confess to you in the four years of college?” I sat on the bed, vaguely recalling memories from the previous life. Yes, Lucas hadn’t confessed to me in the previous life before graduation. Before he proposed at graduation, we didn’t even have an official boyfriend-girlfriend relationship on the surface. But that was because we had grown up together, and everyone in our social circle knew about our relationship. Although there was no formal confession, we had done everything that couples do. I had asked Lucas before why he didn’t confess to me. He smiled helplessly and tapped my nose. “Everyone in our circle knows you’re my little wife, Amber.” But I never thought he actually had something going on with Olivia. Seeing my expression change, Olivia’s smile grew wider. “Lucas told me he had to marry into the Thompson family, so he couldn’t publicly announce our relationship.” “For the past year, Lucas and I have always met in secret.” “But he just told me that this time, he wants to give me a perfect relationship rather than relying on the Thompson family’s support.” After Olivia finished speaking, I felt dizzy and my ears were ringing. When I came back to my senses, Olivia had already changed clothes and happily left for a date with Lucas. My phone rang, and I looked down to see it was my dad. Sure enough, he must have received news of Lucas confessing to Olivia. “Useless girl, you can’t even do such a simple thing. I just asked you to maintain your relationship with Lucas.” “I don’t care what method you use, win Lucas back as soon as possible. As the Thompson heiress, you must marry into the Parker family.” I smiled bitterly. Of course it would be like this. In my father’s eyes, I was always just a tool for exchanging benefits. But for my mother’s sake, I had to agree. I supported myself to climb down from the bed and silently packed my things. I called the driver to pick me up at the dormitory building. In the previous life, my happy married life with Lucas was no longer credible. He had betrayed me from the very beginning. Perhaps Lucas remembered his previous life and believed he could easily win the competition for heir without relying on the Thompson family’s support. So he went to pursue his true love, Olivia, without worries.

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “296053”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #现实主义Realistic #浪漫Romance #励志Inspiring #校园School #重生Reborn

I broke up with Ethan Xavier, my parents’ family friend, just yesterday. Today, during a company video call, I forgot to mute my microphone. “You mean Ethan?” I joked with a straight face. “He looks like he wouldn’t last five minutes in bed.” My best friend Zoe burst into laughter, and I continued my boasting: “I never take men over 25 seriously anyway.” Everyone in our social circle knew I had broken up with that rich boyfriend of mine because he couldn’t satisfy me. But after our souls mysteriously switched bodies… That night, Ethan pinned me against the bed and whispered in my ear with a low chuckle. “Aria, is that all you’ve got?” “Didn’t you want to test if I was good enough? Still dare to spread rumors about me not lasting long?” “You little bitch! How dare you report me?!” “As long as I’m at Xavier Corp, I’ll make sure you never succeed here!” Mr. Lewis, the manager, yelled at me furiously, throwing a pile of documents at me that was almost a meter high. “If you don’t sort these out today, you’re fired!” This Mr. Lewis always misused company funds for his own pleasure and harassed the young women in the office. He had hinted before that if I became his mistress, I’d be rewarded. I glanced at his pig-like face and felt nauseous. I grabbed what little hair he had left and smashed a cupcake from the break room into his face. “When people treat you like a human being, could you at least try to act like one?” “Do you think everyone’s obsessed with your beer belly just because no one says anything?” “Were you hiding when humans were evolving?” “Honestly, your facial features are quite unique – each one seems to be rebelling against the others!” My rapid-fire insults drew admiring looks from the girls around us. Mr. Lewis stood there stunned, then exploded in rage. With cake crumbs all over his face, he roared, “You little slut! Are you lashing out because I rejected your advances?!” I smirked, “Aww, such a sweet mouth. How many bottles of laxatives did you drink?” I dared to be so bold because I had Ethan backing me up. Two months ago, my mom had unexpectedly brought home Ethan Xavier, the prince of the business world. And just like that, I gained a close family friend. I was interning at Ethan’s company for my senior year, but no one knew about our connection. Hearing me directly confront my sleazy, incompetent boss, the man in the conference room curled his thin lips into a smile tinged with playfulness. His slender fingers picked up the phone: “Tell Audit to check Mr. Lewis’s expense reports.” I submitted my resignation letter, and Ethan pulled me into the CEO’s office. His gloomy eyes stared at me, as if reproaching me for causing him trouble. “Enjoyed your outburst?” The man pursed his lips, his tone calm. “No!” I blurted out without thinking. “I want to resign, and also!” “What else?” Ethan’s deep voice seemed to carry a hint of displeasure. I ignored him and continued, “And break up! I’ve told you so many times.” As if finding it absurd, he laughed coldly. “Who was it that insisted on clinging to me that night, stripping naked and sleeping in my arms?”

Hearing this, I immediately blushed. I stepped forward to cover his mouth. Even my mom didn’t know that the day after she brought Ethan home, we slept together. Just sleeping, he pretended to be drunk and hugged me to sleep first. Who could resist Ethan’s perfect body and brooding face? Was this some kind of test for officials? I went all in and stripped naked before crawling into his arms. The next day, he insisted I had ruined his innocence and stubbornly wanted to be with me. To avoid alarming my mom, I simply agreed to go along with it for now. As I was thinking this, Ethan ignored the gossiping employees outside the window. He cupped my chin and bit down hard on my neck. “Ouch!” I pushed him away in pain. “Are you part dog?” But his arm around my waist only tightened. Ethan answered the phone, his thin lips parting. “Tell him he doesn’t need to come in tomorrow.” The HR person on the other end broke out in a cold sweat, hurriedly trying to dissuade him. “Mr. Xavier, if we only fire Mr. Lewis out of the two involved employees, we may have to pay double severance…” The man looked at me thoughtfully, then said lazily: “Are you telling me how to do my job?” “I’m not here to be fair. I’m here to back her up.” The HR person hung up the phone, trembling in fear. “I helped you get rid of him. How will you repay me?” I couldn’t even be bothered to glance at him, answering lightly: “By breaking up. That’s how I’ll repay you.” Not getting the answer he wanted, Ethan lowered his eyes. He knew he couldn’t be too forceful with women, and he knew she was afraid of this kind of “hidden” relationship. The night Mom brought Ethan home, he had gotten drunk over a long-lost crush. I couldn’t help but grumble to myself. Why did rich heirs always need to have a first love? This first love had even sent him a box of candy, which he treasured like some precious gift. I decided then and there to stop fantasizing. I said I wouldn’t be the one to break them up. That day, his deep voice tinged with mockery lingered in my ears. “Break what up? Don’t overthink it. I only get hard for you.” Ethan took out a black credit card from the drawer with one hand. My eyes immediately lit up with dollar signs. His seductive voice tempted me: “Still want to break up?” “If we do, I’ll go tell your parents you slept with me right now!” I selectively forgot about the candy with Olivia Young’s name on it at his house. I pounced on that black credit card with a grin: “No breakup, no breakup. This is a voluntary gift, right?” “Of course.” Zoe asked me why I didn’t hold on tight to a perfect older guy like Ethan. It wasn’t just because he couldn’t forget his first love Olivia Young, but more because we were from two different worlds. Besides, he was now like family to me. If we got together, I didn’t know how worried my parents would be. One way or another, we had to break up eventually. It was best not to anger him now. Otherwise, that madman Ethan would definitely tell my mom. I proudly told Zoe, patting my chest: “I’m giving up ownership rights, but enjoying usage rights.” So I dragged Zoe along to go on a shopping spree at the mall. Patek Philippe watch, Chanel bags, haute couture jewelry. I even got Zoe the LV trio she’d been eyeing. In total, I charged over 7 million to Ethan’s card. Back at Zoe’s place, I sent Ethan a breakup text and then blocked him. The next day, during the company’s video call, I forgot to mute my mic. “You mean Ethan?” I joked with a straight face. “He looks like he wouldn’t last five minutes in bed.” My best friend Zoe burst into laughter, and I continued my boasting: “I never take men over 25 seriously anyway.”

The man in the conference room who overheard the two girls laughing now had a completely dark expression. His face was tense, his eyes cold as ice. Seeing the red exclamation mark in the chat box, a burst of anger rose within him. The man trembled slightly with rage, veins visible on his hands. Everyone in our social circle knew I had broken up with that rich boyfriend of mine. Because I said he couldn’t last long enough to satisfy me. The video call hadn’t even ended when a red Maybach came speeding up and stopped downstairs. Ethan effortlessly threw me over his shoulder and took me back to his villa. Leaving Zoe shocked in place. The man threw me heavily onto the bed and pressed down on top of me. “You blocked me? Who taught you that?” I pushed him away forcefully, closing my eyes with a stubborn expression. “Ethan, have some shame. You’re my…” Before I could say “family friend”, he sealed my lips with a kiss. His deep eyes made no effort to hide his burning desire. “Aria, I threw that thing away.” Implying he didn’t care about Olivia at all, nor her gift. I glared at him coldly: “That has nothing to do with me.” He was very annoyed. Why did I insist on breaking up with him? And refuse to listen to his explanations. As we argued and tussled, he bumped into me. When we got up again, I was somehow wearing Ethan’s clothes. Looking closer, they weren’t his at all! Ethan and I had switched souls! Compared to my shock, Ethan was much calmer. He looked me up and down, commenting lazily: “So this is how handsome I am.” Then he looked down at his chest with disgust, shaking his head: “Too small.” I gritted my teeth: “What do we do now?” Ethan, wearing my face, looked at me with pure innocence. “I guess we’ll just have to play each other’s roles.” I gave in, but worried Ethan might do something inappropriate. I warned him in a low voice: “We’ll check in with each other every night about what happened that day. Don’t you dare…” He interrupted me, using my voice to whine: “Aria, you’re so cruel. You actually don’t want me anymore.” Then he thrust his hips forcefully, as if punishing me. A wild and familiar sensation washed over me. Until after two rounds when I begged him to stop between gasps. That night, Ethan pinned me against the bed and whispered in my ear with a low chuckle. “Aria, is that all you’ve got?” “Didn’t you want to test if I was good enough? Still dare to spread rumors about me not lasting long?” I placated him weakly, completely exhausted. “You last long, you last long. Just give me a break.” Ethan had gotten a taste and was even more unsatisfied that we’d only slept chastely before. For the next month, he entangled me almost every night. He asked what our relationship was now. “Friends with benefits? Sugar daddy and sugar baby? Surely not actually family friends!” He just smiled faintly, tilting my chin up to ask: “What does Aria want us to be?” “I…” His long, soft kiss overwhelmed me, leaving me dizzy. His gaze intense, he looked at me firmly: “Aria, don’t worry. I’ll handle things with Olivia, okay? Leave it to me.” Ethan was in the shower, his phone buzzing on the nightstand. The noise was giving me a headache, so I grabbed it. But I saw a group chat message from Olivia Young pop up. The group was her friends, with Ethan in it too. [It’s my birthday this weekend, Ethan. You’re coming, right?] As I scrolled up, my hand trembled uncontrollably. Until I saw: [Mr. Xavier has finally waited for Olivia to return. His patience paid off.] [I always thought they were perfect for each other, a golden couple.] [Don’t say that, you’ll make Ethan blush.] [Besides, I heard Ethan might have a girlfriend now.] Olivia sent two coy messages: [That must just be Mr. Xavier playing around. Olivia, don’t take it seriously.] [I’m so envious of you, Olivia. I heard Mr. Xavier even got drunk the night he picked you up from the airport.] [Of course, our Mr. Xavier is so devoted. How lucky!] Ethan hadn’t said a single word the entire time. The group chat was bustling with excitement, but I felt like I’d fallen into an ice pit. The next day I was in low spirits, listless and dejected. Catching sight of my state, Ethan tilted his head, half-jokingly: “Is being with me such a mental burden?”

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “296052”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #现实主义Realistic #浪漫Romance #励志Inspiring #校园School #重生Reborn

I was lying on the operating table for a miscarriage when my parents were in a car accident. I had just lost the second child I was carrying for Zack Johnson. At my parents’ funeral, I called Zack again and again. Until his childhood friend Natalie Parker answered, her voice impatient: “Zack’s washing strawberries for me. What do you want?” Cradling the urn containing my parents’ ashes, my expression blank, I replied: “Nothing. Just tell Zack when you’re done eating the strawberries that I agree to the divorce.” I was alone when I took my parents’ bodies to be cremated. Along with the second child I had deliberately terminated, the one I had conceived with my husband, Zack Johnson. All my living relatives in this world were sealed into that small cremation chamber. Reduced to a handful of ashes. But it didn’t matter anymore. I was dying too. My parents were kind people in life, and many relatives and friends attended their funeral. The only person missing was the one who should have been there – my husband, Zack Johnson. My parents’ closest friend, my uncle, mentioned Zack’s name and shook his head in anger. He looked at me with eyes full of sympathy. They all said similar things: “The Wilsons were kind their whole lives, and in the end, they helped raise that ungrateful bastard Zack Johnson!” … Dressed in black funeral attire, I carried the urn as I walked to the burial site. The sky was overcast. My lower abdomen still ached dully. I gently placed my hand over it. It had once nurtured two unborn children. But alas… Never mind. Their father didn’t love me, so he naturally wouldn’t have loved them either. The wrist peeking out from my sleeve was dry, yellow, and emaciated. I remembered the doctor saying I only had three more months to live. In these three months, I wanted to take my parents’ and baby’s ashes to see the world one last time. Without Zack Johnson. I took out my phone and dialed the number I knew by heart. Again and again, with no answer. Until the 13th try, it finally connected. But it was Zack’s childhood friend Natalie Parker who spoke, her tone coquettish and demanding: “Girl, it’s 4 AM in Los Angeles right now!” In the past, I would have hysterically called her a bitch. But now my heart felt nothing. I just calmly said: “I need to speak with Zack about something.” Natalie snorted coldly, very impatient: “Zack’s washing strawberries for me. What do you want?” Before I could answer, she sneered again, “You’re keeping too close an eye on him, aren’t you? We just finished a big meeting, and Zack and I are both exhausted. Whatever you have to say, just tell me.” I was silent for a moment, looking at the urn in my arms, my expression blank as I replied: “It’s nothing. Just tell Zack when you’re done eating the strawberries that I agree to the divorce.” I hung up without waiting for her response. I had loved Zack Johnson for ten years and been bound to him in marriage for five. But I still couldn’t warm his heart. Now, I was choosing to let go. The next time I received a call from Zack Johnson was the following day. I was sorting through my parents’ belongings. On the other end of the phone, Zack’s tone was full of disgust: “Aria Wilson, what are you up to now?! I’ve told you many times, this trip abroad with Natalie is just to discuss business!” “You deliberately made Natalie cry last night, saying you wanted to divorce me because of her. Natalie cried all night. Do you find that amusing?” Natalie was truly the apple of Zack’s eye. He chose to believe such a clumsy lie. In the past, I might have explained myself pitifully. But now, if he wanted to believe it, let him. I carefully wiped my parents’ memorial photos, softly replying: “Mm-hmm, so when are you coming back? Let’s go to the registry office for the divorce.” But he stopped mid-sentence. A moment of silence. I thought he was considering the issue of property division, so I reassured him: “Don’t worry, I don’t want a penny from you. I’ll leave with nothing.” After all, I didn’t have long to live. I didn’t want Zack’s money – I found it dirty. But Zack gritted his teeth and snarled viciously: “Aria Wilson, I will never divorce you! Give up that idea!” Then he hung up abruptly. I was dumbfounded. Before he left the country, he had laid down harsh words: “Aria Wilson, it was your family who drove Natalie away back then. You’re the one who ruined her chance at happiness.” “If you keep making trouble like this, let’s just get divorced!” The reason he said such harsh things… Was because Natalie had smashed the urn containing the ashes of my first child. I had slapped her. When Zack heard the commotion and came to see what happened, upon seeing the ashes on the floor, he showed only disgust. Natalie explained through tears: “Zack, I didn’t mean to, I’m sorry, I was just startled…” After hearing this, Zack slapped me on Natalie’s behalf. His tone full of revulsion, he said: “It’s already dead, why keep the ashes at home? It’s bad luck!” It was then that my heart finally died. He truly didn’t love me, to the point that he utterly despised even the child I had carried for him. So, on the third day after he left the country this time. I terminated my second pregnancy. It was a warm, sunny day. My parents had just attended my cousin’s wedding. They didn’t yet know I was pregnant, but they were very happy. Because they had just received an investment. With that money, the factory that had gone bankrupt could reopen. Just as I was about to call them, I suddenly received a voice recording from an unknown number. The recording contained only Zack Johnson’s voice. He said: “…Natalie’s brother’s leukemia is a ticking time bomb. Luckily, Aria is still useful. When the time comes, I’ll have another child with her. The baby’s umbilical cord blood can save a life…” I was thunderstruck. I always knew Zack didn’t love me. But I never imagined he would scheme against me to this extent! So I gave up. At that moment, my last shred of love for Zack Johnson dissipated. I went straight to the hospital for an abortion. But I never expected that my parents would be rear-ended by a dump truck. They passed away just like that. … Zack Johnson came home on the third day. By then, I had just returned from the hospital with medication. A bag full of painkillers. The doctor who prescribed them for me had a grave expression as he asked: “Mrs. Johnson, where is your family? These painkillers will only worsen your condition—” I curled my lips into a smile, my sunken cheeks squeezing out a faint grin: “I know, but my family is all gone. I don’t want to live anymore.” The doctor’s words froze, and he looked at me with pity. I wore the oversized coat my mother had bought me, but it still couldn’t cover the chill in my bones. I was sick after all, and my physical condition was too poor. I tightened the coat around me and opened the door to the villa, only to see Zack Johnson sitting on the sofa. When he saw me, he got up and walked over. But I instinctively stepped back, as if the noble aura surrounding him had hurt my eyes. The expectant look in his eyes was replaced by a thick layer of gloom. “Where have you been?” he asked, his tone cold and hard as he looked down at me. I blinked, ignoring the cufflink on his wrist, and said nothing. I had seen that cufflink on Natalie’s social media just two weeks ago. It was a birthday gift she had designed herself. Meanwhile, all the gifts I had given him over the years had been disposed of for various reasons. The handmade mug – given to his subordinate as an ashtray; The coat I had waited half a year to have made – used as a dog bed for Natalie’s pet; Even the ultrasound photo of our first child that I had carefully prepared – torn to shreds… For ten years, I had been chasing after Zack Johnson, caring for him, loving him. Now, I was tired. “Why did you go to the hospital? Why do you look so pale? Do you have a fever?” He frowned and came closer, raising his hand to feel my forehead, but I dodged him. “No need for Mr. Johnson to worry, I’m fine.” I lowered my eyes, suddenly understanding how Zack Johnson had felt before. So this is what it’s like when you no longer love someone – even trying to make conversation becomes exhausting. “It’s still early, we can make it to the registry office now.” I went back to the master bedroom to put away the medicine, then came downstairs with our household registration book. But I was met with Zack’s shocked expression. I asked him: “Didn’t you want a divorce? I agree, let’s go.” Zack’s face turned deathly pale in an instant. He seemed to have been struck in a sore spot, pointing at my nose in a rage: “Aria Wilson, what do you mean?!” “You Wilsons are all so selfish! Your parents saw my talent back then, and just because your family sponsored me for a few years, they forced me to marry you!” “They even used their power to force Natalie to study abroad at such a young age!” “Now that I’ve made a name for myself, your whole family is still greedy, wanting to take the money I’ve earned through divorce so you can run off with your lover?!” After his outburst, he looked like an enraged lion. His face contorted. But I couldn’t help but laugh, and I really did laugh out loud. The movement in my abdomen tugged at all my sore and aching muscles, making me laugh until tears streamed down my face. So, my parents, those good people who did charity work for years. Sponsoring the orphaned, excellent student Zack Johnson was wrong? My secret crush on Zack Johnson for ten years, begging my parents to secretly give projects to the entrepreneurial Zack Johnson, was wrong? My mother believing that Natalie’s artistic talent was more suited for a prestigious school abroad, sponsoring her to study overseas, was also wrong? … “Hahaha, yes, I was wrong…” I laughed until my chest ached painfully, my mouth filled with the taste of blood, “I’ve made a huge mistake in this life…” Zack seemed frightened by my hysteria. He stared at me coldly, grinding his back teeth as he spoke: “Tell me, was it your snobbish parents’ idea again this time?” “Tell them to come talk to me in person!” I closed my eyes, letting the tears slide down my face. Thinking of my parents’ bloodied bodies from the car accident, my chest was filled only with regret. Just then, there was a knock at the door. It was the uncle and aunt who lived next door. They were good friends of my parents but had long since settled abroad. Upon hearing of my parents’ passing, they had rushed back. The neighbor aunt’s eyes were red and swollen from crying. She trembled as she hugged me: “I’m so sorry, Aria, we came too late…” The neighbor uncle was also wiping away tears, choking out: “The Wilsons never did anything bad in their lives, how could they be gone so suddenly!” The grief and regret in their words didn’t seem fake. Seconds later, Zack’s disbelieving voice rang out: “Who did you say passed away?” I looked at Zack with red eyes and a cold smile: “You hate my parents so much, shouldn’t you be happy they’re gone?” But Zack opened and closed his mouth, unable to speak for a moment. The neighbor aunt didn’t recognize Zack. She seemed to remember something and asked me: “You didn’t end up with that boy your family sponsored back then? Sigh, when your factory wasn’t doing well and money was tight, your dad specially borrowed $3,000 from me to pay that boy’s tuition. He said that boy was very talented and would surely be successful in the future…” “Bang—” It was the sound of Zack bumping into the furniture. His face was pale, as if he couldn’t believe it. But I just tugged at the corners of my mouth and said to the aunt: “Let’s not talk about this. Auntie, let me take you to see my parents.” … At the cemetery, the neighbor aunt and uncle were crying their hearts out. My tears had long since dried up, leaving only a sour, swollen pain. Surprisingly, Zack had followed us. He looked at me somewhat at a loss. The now successful Mr. Johnson, the new elite of the city, also had such a flustered day. He looked down at me, his voice hoarse: “Why didn’t you tell me about Mom and Dad’s passing?” This was the first time since our marriage that Zack had referred to my parents this way. Even at our wedding banquet, Zack had only stiffly called them “Mr. and Mrs. Wilson.” Now that my parents were dead, he changed how he addressed them. How ironic. I avoided his gaze and said softly: “Do you remember what you said when my dad’s factory went bankrupt?” He froze, then seemed to recall something. His whole body shook, and panic flashed in his eyes: “I…” By then, Zack had already become the CEO of a listed company. He had also successfully brought his beloved childhood friend Natalie back to his side as his secretary. But my parents’ factory couldn’t keep up with the internet era and was gradually abandoned. In the end, it went bankrupt. Actually, before the bankruptcy, I had begged Zack for help. I was pregnant with our first child at the time. I went to his company to find him, my belly swollen with pregnancy, but I was stopped at the front desk on his orders. Everyone in the company knew that Zack Johnson despised his wife. So I was forced to stand at the entrance of the company. It was a rare heavy snow day in the city. I stood for three hours before I finally saw Zack coming downstairs, with Natalie nestled by his side whispering in his ear. By then, I actually no longer had any desire to compete with Natalie for his affection. I just wanted to beg Zack to save my parents, so I took stiff steps forward to plead with him: “Zack, can you please help my parents? They’re now—” But before I could finish speaking, Zack thought I had come to cause trouble for Natalie. He shoved me away and pulled Natalie into his arms. He sneered coldly: “Dream on. Even if your parents died, I wouldn’t spare them a glance!” My heart felt like it was being cut by a knife, and my belly cramped painfully. Zack hated me so much that he used great force to push me away. I fell sitting in the snow. I miscarried. From that day on, I decided. I would never love Zack Johnson again. “I…” Zack’s face was pale as he was about to say something, but he was interrupted by a familiar ringtone. It was the one he had specially set for Natalie. Zack promptly stopped talking and answered the phone. On the other end, Natalie’s voice was panicked and tearful: “Zack, what should we do? Gigi is hurt!” Gigi was the stray dog she and Zack had adopted together. Every time Zack and I were alone for more than a day, Natalie would use Gigi as an excuse to call Zack back. “You should go. I’ll see you at the registry office tomorrow morning.” I watched the flash of panic in Zack’s eyes and couldn’t help but laugh coldly inside. When I miscarried our child back then, he didn’t care at all. I turned to leave, not wanting to look at him anymore, but he grabbed my wrist. He said to the person on the phone: “There’s a vet clinic right downstairs. Take Gigi there yourself.” Then he hung up and looked at me suspiciously, “Why are you so insistent on divorcing now? Is it because Cameron Foster is back in the country?” I frowned at him, not understanding why he would bring up Cameron Foster, my high school classmate who had long since gone abroad. “Mr. Johnson, I—” I shook off his hand, wanting to explain, but felt a warm rush in my nose. The next second, Zack completely panicked. “Aria!” My last consciousness faded with Zack’s terrified shout. When I woke up again, it was in a VIP hospital room. A group of doctors surrounded my bed, with Zack in the middle, his face so ashen he could barely look at me. How strange. He clearly hated me so much, why would he react like this? I couldn’t be bothered to think about it. My whole body ached, even down to my bones. Actually, when I was first diagnosed, I was very scared too. I listened to the doctor and stayed in the hospital. But at night, the dark hospital corridors, the quiet room, the occasional groans of pain from nearby… I couldn’t take it. “It can’t be cured. I’m in the late stages of bone cancer. There’s no treatment.” I looked at Zack calmly, trying to persuade him, “You’ve earned so much money, keep it for Natalie. I don’t want any of it.” But Zack cried. This was the first time I had ever seen him cry. This tall man, nearly 6’3″, who always stood straight-backed when talking to me, always with his chin raised. Now he had lowered it. He hunched his back, half-kneeling by my hospital bed, holding my hands, his voice shaking: “Aria, please listen to the doctors and get treatment, okay?” I got a bit angry and pushed him away: “Zack Johnson, can’t you understand what I’m saying?! I said I won’t get treatment!” After marrying Zack, I had argued with him many times, invariably about Natalie. And without fail, Zack would always argue back. But this time, he trembled, his lips quivering, his eyes full of fear and unease. He shook his head and said: “Honey, please.” “Please stay alive.” I was stunned and tilted my head in confusion to ask him: “Zack Johnson, don’t you hate me anymore?” Zack looked as if he had been slapped out of nowhere. He covered his face with a bitter smile, his whole body shaking uncontrollably. He replied to me through tears: “I don’t hate you… I never hated you…” But I still took advantage of the night to pull out my IV and escape from the hospital. I didn’t believe Zack’s words. I went home and packed a simple suitcase. I didn’t have much time left. I wanted to hurry and see the world. But on my way to the airport, Zack found me. He drove his Porsche Cayenne, looking extremely disheveled as he blocked the taxi I was in. The frightened driver shouted: “Miss, do you owe him money?!” I tugged at the corners of my mouth in a faint smile: “Mm, I suppose you could say that.” Zack hadn’t changed his clothes, but his usually well-groomed hair was a mess. There were dark circles under his eyes, which were bloodshot. The moment he saw me, he seemed to breathe a sigh of relief. “Honey—” He ran over in big strides and gently pulled me into his arms, as if I were some fragile, precious object. I pushed him away, my eyes full of confusion and disgust: “Zack Johnson, can you please leave me alone? You clearly love Natalie, so stop bothering me, okay?” “I don’t have any umbilical cord blood left to save her brother!” Zack was dumbfounded. After a moment, he said with a pale face: “I… How do you know about this?” In the end, I still went back to the hospital. Because I fainted again while going through security. The doctor said my condition was very bad. The shock of losing my parents, combined with the effects of the miscarriage. If I didn’t get treatment, I would only live for another month. But Zack was stunned. In just two short days, he seemed to have lost dozens of pounds. He asked with red eyes: “…Miscarriage?” The doctor froze: “Yes, the tests show that Mrs. Johnson miscarried a three-month-old fetus.” Zack suddenly looked at me. He remembered. It was on his birthday. Also the anniversary of his parents’ death. By then, I had already decided to divorce him, so I didn’t prepare the birthday gifts and wishes I usually would have. I even had dinner with a lawyer friend I had known for many years, asking him to help draft a contract. But Zack came home drunk in the middle of the night. He forcefully had relations with me. Actually, I was willing too. Because it had been so long since he had shown a gentle expression in front of me. I was momentarily dazed and couldn’t help but indulge in that illusion of tenderness. Three weeks after that day, I discovered I was pregnant. But I also found that I had started getting nosebleeds from time to time. “I… I once had a child?” Zack asked softly. He seemed to have forgotten how to drink water; his lips were covered in dead skin. He looked at me, the sadness in his eyes so intense it seemed about to overflow, “Honey, why didn’t you tell me about this?” I remained silent. Then, shaking my head in his despairing gaze, I said: “You killed our first child with your own hands. Have you forgotten?” Zack looked like he was about to shatter. He suddenly stood up, his eyes full of terror. He said: “Impossible, that child… that child was actually—” I looked at him, blinking slowly. He suddenly seemed to realize something and rushed over, carefully avoiding my IV as he hugged me, muttering: “Never mind, let’s not think about it. Honey, please get treatment properly. We can have children in the future…” I ignored him and turned to go back to sleep. Love that comes too late is cheaper than grass. I don’t want it anymore. The days of chemotherapy were monotonous. Fortunately, the times I was conscious grew shorter and shorter. Zack had arranged for me to stay in a VIP single room. Every day, there would be flowers by my bed. Yellow roses, my favorite. Zack seemed to have resigned from his job, spending all day by my hospital bed. In my hazy state, I thought I heard his subordinates reporting some work matters to him. “…In those years, Mrs. Johnson indeed never had any intimate contact with Mr. Foster… Moreover, Mr. Foster seems to… prefer men…” I turned over in pain, my consciousness sinking into a fog. Of course Cameron liked men. In our sophomore year of high school, he had even planned to give Zack a love letter, but I beat him up for it. The days passed in a blur.

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “296051”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #现实主义Realistic #浪漫Romance #励志Inspiring #校园School #重生Reborn

The day I was diagnosed with terminal pancreatic cancer, I chose a grave for myself. I wanted the tombstone to read: “In my next life, I won’t be a Foster.” No more being the despised twin sister, no more biased parents and brothers. I gulped down a whole glass of paraquat and waited quietly to die in the living room. But then the cemetery office called. “Sorry, another gentleman has also purchased that plot…” “Miss Foster, we can compensate you.” “Would it be alright if we moved your plot slightly?” A string of expletives was on the tip of my tongue. But I swallowed them back down. I’d heard of people fighting over license plates and inheritances. But now even graves were being fought over! My blood boiled as I abruptly stood up from the sofa. The paraquat I had just drunk gushed out of my mouth along with fresh blood. The searing pain in my stomach left me speechless. “Miss Foster, if you don’t object, I’ll take that as your agreement?” I fucking object! Desperately suppressing the urge to vomit, I gripped the sofa armrest and said: “We signed a contract, right? Two copies.” “Yes.” The staff member’s voice sounded apologetic. “But Mr. Johnson signed with another colleague almost simultaneously, so…” “So this was your own work oversight, right?” My stomach cramped painfully. I collapsed back onto the sofa, my tone flat. “I’m sorry, but I refuse.” I was always the ignored one at home before, so everything was snatched away by my twin sister. Now that I’m about to die, I can’t even win a grave for myself? There was a hesitation on the other end. Then a deep male voice spoke up. “This grave does have special meaning for me.” “Miss Foster, name your price. I can transfer the money immediately.” The pain made my whole body tremble. I felt the paraquat ravaging my stomach, almost smiling. Then I said softly: “No amount of money will make me give it up.” “I need it urgently.” The phone was passed back to the cemetery staff. Clearly still siding with the high-paying gentleman, he tried to persuade me to give up. “Miss Foster, why don’t you reconsider?” “Mr. Johnson is very sincere. Money is not an issue.” “Look, there’s still time. You can pick another one you like, or I can give you one for free…” I cut him off directly: “What if I said I need to use it right now?” I couldn’t hold back and vomited more blood as I finished speaking. It splattered onto the sofa, a shocking sight. They were stunned into silence on the other end. I didn’t wait for their response. Just staring at the large bloodstain on the sofa, I said softly: “I’m in the middle of committing suicide. I just drank a whole bottle of paraquat. I’ll be dead soon.” “So please stop fighting me for it. I’ll need to use it shortly.” “If it really won’t work, can you ask that gentleman of yours… if he’d be willing to share a grave with me?”

Silence fell on the other end. I took the opportunity to up. After some brief consideration, I figured it would be better to be cremated and buried by this afternoon. I had specifically calculated that grave to ensure I would completely avoid the Foster family in my next life and live healthily and happily. What a great grave it was. I had to secure this treasure spot! By that calculation, I just needed to find someone to collect my body. After hesitating for a moment, I still sent a message in the family group chat. [Luffy’s Big Cream Puff: Hey everyone, I’m planning to commit suicide. Can anyone come to the old house to collect my body?] Without mentioning my cancer, I just sent this one line and tagged everyone. Within seconds, someone replied in the group. [Dad: What are you up to now?] I lowered my head and smiled bitterly. After finding someone to collect my body, I’ll leave this group chat. No need to bother them anymore. Anyway, they have another group chat. A family group without me. The cemetery called again on my phone. I answered, and that Mr. Johnson who wanted to snatch my grave spoke softly. Somehow, hearing his voice again, I actually found it a bit famimia. “Miss Foster, are you alright?” The pain spreading from my stomach to my waist caused a shrill ringing in my ears. The group was still silent, with no one responding to me. I pursed my lips and, kindly avoiding the bloody scene, took a photo of the empty paraquat bottle in the corner and posted it in the group. [Luffy’s Big Cream Puff: I really am committing suicide, not lying to you.] [Luffy’s Big Cream Puff: Someone’s fighting me for the grave plot. I have no choice but to be cremated today. It’s urgent.] [Luffy’s Big Cream Puff: Can anyone come to the old house to collect my body? I promise I’ll never appear in front of you again, okay?] Still no response. With no other option, I was about to post the hospital diagnosis. Dad and my brothers are all doctors, so they’d be able to tell if the diagnosis was real or fake. The next second, my phone vibrated. [Big Brother: OK.]

OK?! What the fuck does “OK” mean?! Did he mistake this for his work group chat or something? My finger twitched slightly. I was about to send a private message to Dad begging for help. Then I suddenly remembered that after being driven to the old house, Dad had deleted me from his SnapChat in a fit of anger. I sighed and was about to leave the group chat. Then I saw new messages pop up. [Lily: Third sister, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have suggested going out to play… We’ll come see you when we get back, okay? @Second Brother] [Second Brother: Go see her my ass. She’s just playing the victim again. How many times has she tricked us?] [Second Brother: Aria, can you not act for one day without dying?] [Second Brother: Just because we took Lily out to play without you, you have to throw a fit like a mad dog?] [Second Brother: If you want to die then hurry up and die. Stop bothering us.] My heart suddenly clenched. Although I knew my family all hated me, seeing this scene still made my heart ache unbearably. It seemed to hurt even more than the paraquat. I smiled bitterly. I took a selfie and privately sent my medical records to Samuel. “I’m not trying to bother you on purpose. I really am about to die.” There was no response from the other end. I laughed self-mockingly. You clearly knew they all abandoned you long ago. Why are you still desperately trying to get close to them? Aria, are you a masochist? Lily and I are twins, the fraternal kind. But after birth, my little sister was very frail. Thanks to her resemblance to Mom, she was extremely doted on at home. Even though the doctors said it was normal for one twin to be born weak, Mom still blamed my sister’s frailty on me, saying I stole her nutrients. So my childhood was always filled with neglect and blame. When my sister got sick, it was my fault for not taking good care of her. When my sister fell, it was my fault for not being there to catch her. Even when my sister got bad grades, it was my fault for maliciously stealing her nutrients in the womb. For so many years, I carefully tried to please my family. I wanted them to look at me, to smile at me. I wanted them to pat my head the way they did with my sister. But no matter what, they just favored the sickly Lily more. They even took my efforts as jealousy towards Lily and deliberate attention-seeking. Until the day I was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, when I vomited blood at home. They anxiously took me to the hospital, only to find nothing wrong with my stomach. [You think it’s fun to trick us, don’t you! Aria, you’re absolutely ridiculous!] [Because you’re jealous of Lily, you’d even make up lies about having cancer. Aren’t you afraid of shortening your own life!] [I can’t control you anymore. Tomorrow you’re going back to live in the old house. I don’t want to hear any more of your lies!] Well, they certainly kept their word. The next day they drove me to the old house and never cared about me again. That was fine. I had no plans to go back home anyway. I wouldn’t “bully” their precious Lily anymore. I didn’t want this family either.

[Mom: Aria, how did you become like this?] [Mom: Lily is your own twin sister. How can you not accept her?] [Mom: It’s my fault for failing to raise you properly. You’re at the old house, right? I’m heading back right now.] [Samuel: Mom, don’t go back. The more anxious you are, the more pleased she’ll be.] [Samuel: If you ask me, she might as well just go jump in the sea. Even if she dies, no one will have to collect her body.] [Samuel: At least she’d be doing something good for once.] The other side hesitated for a moment. Then another message popped up. [Samuel: Sometimes I really feel like it would’ve been better if you were never born. You just mess up our family.] An agonizing pain shot through my chest. It didn’t hurt this much when I first swallowed the paraquat. I suddenly couldn’t hold back my sobs anymore, probably unable to bear this kind of pain. “Aria, where are you!” In my daze, a sudden shout came from the phone. The voice was deep and forceful. Maybe because he hadn’t heard me respond for a while, that Mr. Johnson sounded a bit agitated. “Say something!”

My consciousness snapped back in an instant. Looking at the sofa that resembled a crime scene, I took a deep breath and stood up with a bitter smile. [You can have the grave. I won’t need it after all.]

[Luffy’s Big Cream Puff has left the group chat.]

After learning I agreed to move the grave, the staff member almost immediately asked me to come to the cemetery center to sign the contract. Clutching my aching stomach, I simply set the signing location at the hospital. If I really died, at least I could be taken straight to the morgue. No need to trouble the sanitation workers if I died outside. I gave myself a mental thumbs up. As expected of a well-mannered young lady, considerate of city appearance even as a corpse. But I didn’t expect Mr. Johnson was apparently rushing from the suburbs to the hospital. We actually arrived at the hospital one after another. How did he get here so fast? The cemetery staff wiped his sweat: “As soon as he heard you were attempting suicide, Mr. Johnson drove straight to the city.” “It just happened that he was heading in the direction of the hospital.” Hearing this, I glanced at the man beside me. He was tall and thin with pale skin, looking like an upright bamboo in his trench coat. But he did seem somewhat famimia. “You just got here?” Felix looked at me a bit out of breath. “Let’s go, I’ll take you to see a doctor…” Before he could finish, a nurse called out in the hallway. “Number 244, Aria Foster, please come to the consultation room.” He looked at me in shock: “At a time like this, you still lined up to register?” I nodded blankly. “Yeah, what else?” Since I’ve already decided to die, might as well not take up medical resources. “Aria, is that really you?” A cold male voice sounded behind me. I turned to look – it was my eldest brother William, who had said earlier he was coming here for academic exc e. The youngest associate chief physician in the city. So this was the hospital he meant before. William clearly didn’t expect the person the nurse called really was me. He frowned as he walked over. His eyes held reproach and distance. I caught a glimpse of the family group chat page on his phone. Sure enough, William stood in front of me, his gaze filled with dissatisfaction. “You knew I was here for academic exc e, so you deliberately came to make trouble?” He snatched the registration slip from my hand, glanced at it and sneered. “Gastroenterology again. Wasn’t tricking us last time enough?” “Aria, family’s patience has its limits.”

The Foster family has two children, plus Dad. All three are in medicine. My eldest brother went abroad to study early on, so there’s quite an age gap between us. His attitude towards me has mostly been one of unfamimiaity and indifference. So hearing these words, I didn’t feel much. At most I found it a bit funny. I’m the one dying, what exactly are they being patient about? Felix couldn’t stand me wasting time here. He snatched the medical record and pulled me by the wrist to sit down in the consultation room. “Doctor, hurry and examine her. We can’t delay any longer!” After saying that, he glanced at the doorway. “Are irrelevant people not leaving?” William’s face darkened, clearly angered. He glanced inside the room, his tone mocking. “This act of yours can only fool Lily.” “She’s so worried she’s been crying and making a fuss for Mom and Dad to hurry back.” “The whole family can’t live in peace because of you. Are you happy now?” After speaking, he glanced at the medical record in the doctor’s hand and turned to leave. As if certain I would follow him as usual. Just then, the doctor looked at the medical record in surprise and said, “A whole bottle of paraquat? And pancreatic cancer!” “This won’t do, you need to get your stomach pumped immediately. We can’t delay!” The atmosphere in the entire consultation room became deathly still. Felix’s hands pressing on mine suddenly sank. William also stopped in his tracks at the door. He turned to look at me. His eyes held contempt and mockery, but no sympathy. “You drank paraquat on top of pancreatic cancer and you’re still alive?” “Aria, can’t you come up with less stupid lies?” “The bigger the lie, you won’t be able to back out even if you don’t die.” My pupils contracted slightly. I nodded with a bitter smile. “I get it. I’ll die right away.”

William raised his hand to press his brow. His tone was filled with extreme disgust. “I’ve been on night shifts these past few days. I’m not in the mood to play along with your act.” “Aria, can you stop causing trouble for the family?” After starting work, William became increasingly busy, often working overtime and eating irregularly. I had long gotten used to silently caring for him, obediently catering to his needs. In the past, even if he just frowned I would repeatedly ask if he was feeling unwell. Then I’d eagerly bring him medicine. But now, I’m tired. I don’t have the energy for that routine anymore. So I flatly said: “No need for you to play along. You can leave.” William was stunned for a moment, then his eyes swirled with bewilderment and confusion. Finally turning to irritation. “You think I want to come see you!” “Aria, if you have the guts then don’t come home. Never appear in front of me again.” I smiled: “Okay, I’ll keep my word.” “Keep your ass.” Inexplicably, Felix who was standing behind me suddenly swore. Then he straightened up and stood in front of me, facing William. His expression cold, gaze hostile. “Get lost!”

Felix stayed by my side while I got my stomach pumped. I had realized by now that he was my childhood arch-enemy. But he went abroad after middle school and we hadn’t seen each other since. I didn’t expect we’d meet again under these circumstances. He didn’t speak anymore, just silently watched me go in pale-faced and come out. Thanks to the cemetery letting me move my plot, I had vomited out most of the paraquat, which is why I managed to on until now. When the doctor looked at my medical record, I gestured to Felix. “Did you bring the transfer contract? I’ll sign it now.” After all, he had run around helping me. I’d feel bad not giving him the grave plot. But Felix didn’t respond, just stared at my face, his gaze profound. “Didn’t you say you needed to use it immediately? Why did you agree now?” This guy, I gave him the treasure grave, why is he still talking so much? What else is there to ask about this? I originally wanted to casually brush it off, but seeing Felix’s solemn gaze, I suddenly felt I probably couldn’t fool him. So I sighed. “My second brother said suicide by sea burial would be better, so I wouldn’t trouble anyone to collect my body.” “I thought that made sense, so…” The doctor was shocked by this bizarre conversation, almost tearing my medical record with his fingers. He looked at the personal information, paused, then suddenly said softly. “You’re only 20 years old. Don’t you want to try chemotherapy?” “If it goes well, you could extend your life by 5-10 years at least.” I waved my hand: “Nah, no need to go to that trouble. I’ve lived long enough anyway.” I took back my medical record and stood up to leave. I saw the cemetery agent still waiting outside with an odd expression. He didn’t even seem to have brought his bag. “Hey, where’s the transfer contract?” Felix’s footsteps paused. He pursed his lips and looked at me with a solemn expression. “Aria, let’s share a grave.”

My vision went dark. I’m not sure if it was from shock at Felix’s words, or low blood sugar from the stomach pumping. I stood rooted to the spot for several seconds before I reacted: “What did you say?” Felix chuckled. “You suggested it earlier, remember? Asked if I’d be willing to share a grave.” “I thought about it and think it’s not a bad idea. I don’t have any family anyway.” “When we’re buried together, I can benefit from the offerings your family brings when they visit you.” “I’ve thought it over and think this plan isn’t bad.” Raising my head, I noticed his gradually widening mouth and dazed expression. Felix couldn’t help but laugh: “I won’t freeload. I’ll help collect your body, how about that?” I took a step back. Placing my hand over my fluttering heart. You know what, I was actually a bit tempted. “But I’m afraid you’ll be disappointed. My family won’t come burn incense for me.” “You saw earlier, they probably won’t even come see me once.” “That’s alright,” Felix shrugged. “At least we’ll have company. We can chat down there in the future.” As he spoke, he gradually bent down and leaned close to me. The expression on his face was completely different from William’s. An almost devoted seriousness. “If you have other candidates, you can also…” “Deal!” I chose the most beautiful moonlit beach in the city. There were even some bioluminescent algae by the sea, absolutely gorgeous.

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “296050”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #现实主义Realistic #浪漫Romance #励志Inspiring #校园School #重生Reborn