Finn is a top-tier celebrity in the entertainment industry. He promised me that he would officially announce our relationship today at 5:20 PM. I checked Finn’s first trending topic right on time. It wasn’t the announcement I expected; instead, it was about him being caught on camera. The other person in the photo with him was a female artist named Daphne. Under the trending topics, she responded to netizens: “Thank you all for your blessings.” My hands trembled as I took a screenshot and sent it to Finn: “Is this what you meant by an official announcement?” I didn’t receive a reply until I had finished packing all my belongings. Finn finally responded: “Phoebe, please wait. I’ll explain everything.” 0 “Finn, let’s end things.” After sending the message, I tossed my phone aside and took one last look at the home Finn and I shared. We had been together for five years, but our relationship was always kept a secret. We were childhood friends, growing up together. After graduating from Media Arts College, we confirmed our relationship and embarked on our careers in the entertainment industry. At first, we were happy, taking on small roles. We didn’t earn much, but we were content. Then he participated in a variety show and skyrocketed to fame, becoming a top-tier celebrity. It’s easy to lose oneself in the allure of fame and fortune. He started having more and more women around him. Daphne wasn’t the first to be rumored with him. I gradually lost my sense of security. I begged him to make our relationship public on social media. I wanted to stand by his side openly. But his words made me feel unworthy of him, so I worked hard to prove myself. He said female artists need discipline to look good on camera. Even though I’m 170 cm, I maintained a weight of 90 pounds for years, afraid to eat more than one meal a day. Once he became famous, many paparazzi followed him. I lived cautiously with him. When visiting him on set, I had to wear a mask and cover myself completely. The snacks I made, he used to cheer Daphne up. It wasn’t until I saw the news of him and Daphne entering a residential building late at night that I realized how foolish I was. In his eyes, I was insignificant. I had questioned him about Daphne before. He said, “Daphne is on the rise in her career and has a bright future. Denying the rumors would greatly impact her.” “But you’re different. You’re just a non-notable performer who can’t make waves. Phoebe, don’t be so selfish.” I was wrong. I overestimated my place in his heart. I was preparing to leave when I heard the sound of the password being entered at the door. It opened. It was Finn. He looked at me with my luggage, frowning. Behind him were Daphne and their agents. 0

He actually brought Daphne back home. How ironic. When we bought this house, Finn said it would be our refuge, our little nest, with no outsiders allowed. On any other day, I would have been furious. But this time, I didn’t care. “Hello, I’m Daphne. And you must be Phoebe, right?” Daphne stepped forward, smiling at me. “Move,” I said, trying to maneuver my bags around them. “Don’t stand in the way.” “Where are you going?” Finn blocked my path, snatching my things and throwing them on the ground. “Phoebe, that night I was just reading the script with Daphne. Don’t overthink it.” He grabbed my hand. “I told you, I’ll explain everything.” I looked at him coldly. “Your explanation is bringing her home.” Daphne quickly approached, gently holding my hand. “Phoebe, don’t be mad. I’m not feeling well today, and Finn didn’t want me to catch a cold in the SUV, so he let me come up and rest.” “If it upsets you, I’ll leave right away.” She looked at Finn with teary eyes, appearing pitiful. I shook off her hand hard, and Daphne staggered backward, looking fragile. “Phoebe, what are you doing?” Finn glared at me, his tone harsh. He rushed over, catching Daphne from behind, helping her sit on the sofa, and poured her a cup of hot water. He used his own cup. “Don’t you have any sympathy? Being so rough? Daphne isn’t feeling well, I asked her to come.” Finn showed some impatience. Then he gently said to Daphne, “Daphne, just rest here. No one has the right to make you leave.” Watching them act like a couple made me agitated. I turned to leave. “Phoebe, stop right there!” 02 As Finn comforted Daphne, I was already at the door. “Finn, I told you, we’re done.” I said coldly. Finn seemed shocked by my indifference. “Don’t be like this. There are paparazzi outside. If you go out and get photographed, what will happen to Daphne?” Finn quickly caught up and pulled me back into the living room. Watching them, I suddenly felt exhausted. Daphne leaned on the sofa, holding Finn’s cup, smiling weakly at me. “Phoebe, I’m forced into this too.” Daphne’s soft voice chimed in again. “Replying to the netizens’ blessings was also Finn’s idea.” Her tone even had a hint of provocation. I took a deep breath, trying to hold back my emotions, but my eyes still reddened. “What about me? You clearly promised me we would go public today.” I said, my voice choking, looking at Finn. “It was an accident. It was the company’s decision. Can’t you let it go?” Finn’s impatience showed. “I came back to ask you to send some of the photos you took of me to Daphne as official announcement photos.” Hearing his words, my heart sank. I had a habit of documenting moments through photos. Finn would occasionally post my photos on social media. Fans called it a “girlfriend’s perspective.” Seeing my cold expression, he explained, “Our agents discussed it and found the online response pretty good. They want us to try being a promotional couple. It’s just promotional.” Hearing Finn say it’s just promotional, Daphne looked slightly displeased. “Phoebe, you should think about the bigger picture. Daphne and I are on the same level. You can’t ask Finn to give up his career for you, can you?” Her words were sincere, and to outsiders, it seemed like she was just promoting. “So, this is your decision too, right?” I stared at Finn, wanting to hear him say it himself. “Alright, it’s my fault this time.” He didn’t answer directly. “I’m about to join Director King’s film crew. I’ll make sure you get a small role.” Since Finn became famous, every time a tabloid rumor emerged, he would appease me by “getting” me an insignificant role in the crew, saying it was compensation. I was foolish before. I believed they were just acting. He would apologize, and I would easily forgive him. But not this time. “Finn, you’re heartless.” I broke free from Finn’s grip and left the house. 0

I wandered aimlessly on the street, eventually turning into a bar around the corner. I remember ordering almost every drink on the menu, sitting at the bar, drinking one glass after another. The next morning, I woke up in a hotel suite. I immediately checked myself. Thankfully, my clothes were intact. Then, a man walked in from outside the room. “Awake?” “Declan?” I looked at the attractive man in front of me, rubbing my eyes. “Miss Phoebe, we meet again.” Declan, who shot to fame just five years after debuting, is now a household name, an Oscar-winning actor, and Finn’s biggest rival. I met him by chance on a film set. He was the male lead, and I played a minor role. We were two people with no connection. Apparently, he graduated from the same college as me, but he majored in directing. Once, when some scandal about me broke online, I was stalked by an obsessive fan and had nowhere to go. He saved me, taking me on a high-speed drive to shake off the paparazzi. Afterward, I said I wanted to thank him. He joked, “Why not marry me?” I ignored him, and he slipped a note into my bag, asking me to consider being with him, promising a bright future. I didn’t respond, got out of the car, and told him I had a boyfriend who wasn’t much different from him. He didn’t contact me after that. After all, he’s Finn’s archenemy. As Finn’s girlfriend, how could I be friendly to Declan? Listening to Declan recount the previous night’s events, I blushed slightly. He said he found me on the street and brought me to the hotel to rest. And I jumped on the bed, ranting about how Finn was a jerk, even punching him a few times. “You had a breakup, Miss Phoebe.” Declan sat on the sofa, relaxing, looking at me with a slight smile. “So, how about it? Consider my offer? What I said before still stands.” My face turned red as a shrimp. I grabbed my things and fled the hotel. My phone was filled with missed calls from Finn, none of which I answered. I hurried home, planning to move my things to a new place. He told me he found me on the street and brought me to the hotel to rest. But I jumped onto the bed, cursing Finn as a jerk and even threw a few punches at him. “You’ve just gone through a breakup, Miss Phoebe,” Finn said, lounging back on the sofa with a lazy smile as he watched me. “So, what do you think? Are you considering my offer? What I mentioned last time still stands.” My face burned with embarrassment, and I grabbed my things and fled the hotel. My phone was filled with missed calls from Finn, none of which I answered. I rushed home, intending to pack my things and move to my new place. As soon as I opened the door, I saw Finn sitting on the sofa, his expression dark as he glared at me. “Phoebe, are you really breaking up with me over such a trivial matter?” Finn came over to block me. “I’ve explained it to you. What more do you want?” Seeing me not come home all night, a trace of panic finally appeared on his face. Trivial? Last night, after I left, I saw Finn escorting Daphne downstairs from my building, wrapped in my favorite plush blanket. He helped Daphne into the SUV, and Daphne even kissed him on the cheek. Then he got into the car as well, and the door closed, cutting off my view. Last night, I refused to give them the photos I took, but Daphne posted a picture of her and Finn on social media, captioned: “May we always be us.” Finn replied: “It’s great having you.” I stopped arguing, didn’t want to say another word, and with all my strength, moved out everything that was mine. When I left, Finn was still standing there, confused. He didn’t understand why this time, I meant it. Because my heart had died. 0

Maybe it was fate’s way of compensating me; while I was unlucky in love, I found success in my career. I actually landed the lead female role in Director King’s new drama. When my agent Vera brought me the good news, my first reaction was disbelief. Director King is known for being notoriously strict in the industry. It felt like my luck was turning… And since that day, Declan kept sticking around, claiming he saved me and wanted to take me on as his student. He said I was about to join Director King’s crew and needed to seriously hone my acting skills. I thought it made sense, plus Declan was handsome, wealthy, and fun to be around. The thing that troubled me the most was probably his frequent requests for me to be his girlfriend. But I knew deep down that to him, I was probably just a passing fancy. One day, while we were seriously rehearsing a scene, I said, let’s give it a try. I wanted to escape the shadow Finn cast over me. I once asked him why he liked me. He patted my head and wouldn’t tell me, saying he’d tell me the day I was willing to marry him. I didn’t believe he wanted to marry me. Soon, it was time to join the film crew. In two days, the filming ceremony was set to begin, and the actors had already checked into the hotel arranged by the crew. “Knock, knock, knock!” There was a knock at the door; it was Declan. As soon as I opened the door, Declan scooped me up and carried me straight into the room. He placed me on the bed, leaning in close, his lips inching toward mine. Just then, there was another untimely knock on the door. “Phoebe, open up!” I shivered at the sound; it was Finn. “You, hide quickly!” I shoved Declan off me, trying to get him to move. “Why should I?” Declan didn’t budge, “You two have broken up, and now I’m your boyfriend.” “No way, he can’t find out about us!” I was frantic. If Finn found out and spread the word about me and Declan as revenge, it would ruin me and affect Declan’s career. After all, he was a male star with zero tabloid rumors since his debut. “Then just make us public, okay?” Declan didn’t move a muscle, even leaning closer, leaving my mind blank. “No, no way.” With great effort, I pulled Declan off the bed and dragged him into the bathroom. I pretended not to see his angry and aggrieved look. “Be good. I’ll think about it.” Only then did he stop opposing me, closing the bathroom door. “Phoebe! Have you no shame? Hooking up with your lover in the film crew?” As soon as I opened the door, Finn stormed in angrily. “What are you doing here?” “Lover? Where?” I asked innocently, waving my hand. “I saw a guy walk into your room with my own eyes!” My heart skipped a beat. I hadn’t expected Finn to see Declan come into my room. Finn looked around my room but found no one. Finally, he walked to the bathroom door. My heart leapt into my throat. “You think I’m that easy to fool?” Finn sneered when I didn’t admit it, “Your lover must be hiding in the bathroom!”

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My breakup with my girlfriend was ugly. The year she loved me the most, I accepted $500,000 from her father to make her abort our child and disappear. She knelt before me, crying and begging me not to be so cruel. She gave birth to our child in secret and left the baby at my rented apartment. She said she would hate me for the rest of her life. Six years later, when we met again, she had found a boyfriend from a similar background and was about to get married. I came to her in a desperate state, hoping to borrow some money. She forced me to attend her wedding, wanting me to witness her marrying another man. She asked if I regretted my actions. What she didn’t know was that I had been raising our child alone. That child was now sick and dying. Six years after our breakup, I ran into Emily again during the lowest point of my life. It was at a class reunion, and no one expected Emily to show up. Someone joked, “Emily, you never keep in touch with us. Why did you suddenly decide to come to the reunion this year?” “Did you hear Jack was coming and still have feelings for him?” I sat in the corner, my back suddenly stiffening as I looked up to see Emily coldly staring at me. Everyone knew how much Emily used to love me. She was the daughter of a wealthy family, but she fell in love with me at first sight. That year, she cut ties with her family for me, giving up everything just to be with me. We lived in a tiny rented apartment, sharing instant noodles and porridge, living a hard but happy life. Every passionate night, we held hands and vowed to be together forever. Until later, when she got pregnant. Her parents despised my background and were furious. They approached me privately, offering me $500,000 to force her to abort our child and leave her. That day, Emily knelt before me, begging me not to abandon her. She pleaded over and over, crying: “Jack! Jack… I don’t want anything else, I just want you. Let’s work hard together, earn many times that $500,000, and build our own home, okay?” “I’m begging you, don’t leave me, and don’t abandon our child…” Later, Emily secretly went to a private hospital to give birth to our child. She left the baby in front of my rented apartment, separated by a small door. I heard Emily say: “Jack, I’ll hate you for the rest of my life.” “You’ll never have a good day again.”

No one knew how ugly things got when Emily and I broke up. Someone pushed me towards Emily, laughing and asking her: “Emily, you used to love Jack so much you’d give up your life for him. How did you two end up breaking up?” Everyone was urging us to get back together. Emily’s best friend glanced at me and smirked: “There are plenty of guys chasing after Emily. Who does Jack think he is? Being with him was already a mistake. You think Emily would still pine for him?” She said there was a man who had been pursuing Emily for three years. That man was richer than me, more handsome, and more suitable to be Emily’s boyfriend. Emily had been dating him for three years, and her best friend highly approved of their relationship. Apparently, they were about to get married. Everyone’s laughter died down, with only Emily’s best friend still smiling, inviting everyone to attend Emily’s wedding. She tossed the invitation at me, hitting my face before falling into my lap. I lowered my head and saw Emily’s name on the invitation, next to another man’s name. The man’s name was William. Just from his name, you could tell he was a gentle and sophisticated person, someone suitable for Emily. I thought, he surely wouldn’t make Emily sad. After six years apart, reuniting like this, knowing Emily was doing well was enough. Fighting back the pain in my heart, I looked up and forced a casual tone, saying: “Congratulations.” Emily stared at me intently. Hearing my congratulations, she suddenly smiled. For a moment, I thought I saw a glimpse of the past when she used to look at me with a smile and say, “Jack, we must get married.” Only this time, she said, “Jack, don’t come to the wedding.” “My husband would be upset if he saw you, and I’d be heartbroken if he’s upset.” I clutched the thin, red invitation card, stunned for a moment. Smiling and nodding, I softly said, “Okay.” That day, everyone said Emily seemed to have truly fallen out of love with me. No one could have imagined how deeply we once loved each other. In the end, she was getting married, but the groom wasn’t me. Everyone thought Emily would always wait for me. Everyone was curious about who this William was, wondering how he had captivated Emily so completely. Knowing Emily didn’t want to see me anymore, I left the reunion early. On my way home, a friend sent me a photo of William. William looked handsome in the picture. I heard he was very caring, the type of man Emily really liked. My friend asked me, “Jack, don’t you think William’s profile looks a lot like yours?” “Do you think Emily might still love you? Is this really how it ends between you two?” I let out a soft sigh, stayed silent for a long time, then smiled and said, “It doesn’t matter. I don’t care.” I didn’t want to get entangled with Emily anymore. I thought she would never know. Our daughter was sick and dying.

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My birthday happens to be the anniversary of his first love’s death. The man who always acts so polite and composed in front of others turned into a raging beast, his bloodshot eyes glaring at me as he screamed: “You wretch! Why wasn’t it you who died back then?” Later, I suffered a miscarriage, lost my mother, and was left with no one. I gave him what he wanted—a divorce. But then, he regretted it. In the pouring rain, he knelt at my feet, begging me to come back. I was pregnant. Clutching the ultrasound report in my hand, I felt no joy—only a heavy, sinking despair. This child was a mistake. I walked out of the hospital in a daze, my mind flashing back to that night three months ago. Three years into our marriage, William Blake and I had lived more like strangers than a couple. If he hadn’t gotten drunk that night—mumbling the name of his late first love, Sophie Winters—he would never have touched me. I still remember the way he kissed me so roughly, all while calling out Sophie’s name. The memory stung, and the sharp ringing in my ears forced me to press my hands against them, trying to block it out. My heart ached so much it felt like it was being torn apart. My gaze dropped to the report in my hands. What would William say if he knew I was pregnant? Would he be happy? I let out a bitter laugh and shook my head. No. He’d probably hate me even more—for daring to carry a child when his heart was still fixated on someone who was gone. “Mom, I want that cake!” “You don’t need cake. We’re having dinner at home!” The sound of a mother arguing with her child near a bakery caught my attention, and I stopped in my tracks. Through the glass window, I stared at the rows of beautiful cakes, suddenly remembering that today was my birthday. I used to look forward to my birthday every year. I thought back to our first year of marriage. Out of guilt, William had thrown me a grand birthday party. That night, he stayed until midnight, cutting the cake with me and even singing me a birthday song. Back then, Sophie was still alive. Smiling bitterly, I walked into the bakery, bought myself a cake, and carried it home. At the dining table, I lit the candles on the cake and sat there, waiting for William to return. But by the time the sun set and the clock struck nine, he still wasn’t home. Staring at the cake, I reached out and dipped my finger into the frosting, tasting it. It was sweet, but all I could feel was bitterness. The corner of my mouth twitched into a self-deprecating smile. Click— The sound of the door unlocking made me look up. William walked in, reeking of alcohol. His cheeks were flushed, his white shirt stained with red wine, his hair slightly messy. His eyes were glassy and unfocused. The moment he saw me, his brows furrowed, and his voice was cold: “What are you doing here?” He turned his head and glanced at the cake on the table. His eyes flickered, and I noticed his hands clench into fists. The wedding ring that should’ve been on his finger was gone. “Joanna! You did this on purpose, didn’t you?” He stormed toward me, his voice full of anger. The smell of alcohol was overwhelming, and I instinctively took a step back. With a wave of his hand, he knocked the cake off the table. The loud crash startled me, and I froze, staring at the shattered cake on the floor. It wasn’t just the cake that had been smashed—it felt like my heart had shattered, too. “You knew today was Sophie’s death anniversary! Why did you buy a cake? What were you trying to prove? And to think you used to be her best friend!” “You’re so cruel!” he shouted, his voice filled with venom. “She completely misjudged you. I never should’ve married you!” Maybe it was the alcohol, but his words cut deeper than usual. They were harsher, more honest. Fighting back tears, I replied calmly, “William, today is my birthday.” “So what?” His voice was icy, stabbing straight through me. “She’s dead, and you’re still alive.” “You’ll have countless birthdays, but Sophie will never have another one.” “It’s all my fault. I should’ve never come back for your stupid birthday last year. I should’ve stayed with her.” “It’s all my fault. It’s all my fault…” I let out a hollow laugh as his words echoed in my ears. All because last year, he’d come home to celebrate my birthday, he hadn’t been able to see Sophie one last time before she died. She had died on my birthday, of all days. Clutching my chest as the pain grew unbearable, I placed a hand on my slightly swollen belly, remembering the doctor’s warning: Don’t get upset. Avoid emotional stress. But how could I not? William’s cold eyes bore into me as he sneered: “Joanna, don’t you dare get your hopes up.” “A manipulative woman like you? I could never love you. Ever. If you want to celebrate your birthday, do it somewhere else. Get out of my sight.” With that, he slammed the door and left, leaving me standing there, utterly defeated. But you know what, William? I celebrate my birthday every year just so I can see you. All I wanted was to spend a little more time with you. Taking a deep breath, I looked down at my stomach and whispered to myself: “Joanna, he’ll never love you. He’ll never love your child…” “Ma’am, should I clean this up?” My housekeeper, May, spoke hesitantly, not even daring to breathe too loudly. I froze for a moment before replying, “Yes, clean it up.” I tossed the ultrasound report onto the melted frosting. “And throw this away too.”

I woke up the next morning with a splitting headache. Reaching into the drawer, I grabbed a few pills and swallowed them dry before picking up my phone, which had been vibrating non-stop. “Hello?” “Joanna! Finally! I’ve been trying to reach you,” a frantic voice said on the other end. “Your mom suddenly went into shock. Her surgery has to be moved up, but I can’t get in touch with Dr. Blake. Is he home? Can you get him here right away?” My mind went blank. Throwing on a coat, I raced downstairs, searching every room in the house, but William was nowhere to be found. I called him over and over again, even as I jumped into a cab and started going to all the places he might be. Ten calls. No answer. I arrived at the hospital, and a nurse ran up to me, her face full of worry. “Joanna! Where’s Dr. Blake?” My lips trembled, and my face went pale. “He… he’s not here yet?” “Where’s my mom? I want to see her! Take me to her right now!” “Please, someone else can do the surgery!” The nurse hesitated, guilt flashing across her face. “All the other doctors are in surgery right now. Your mom… it all happened so suddenly.” My heart pounded in my chest as dread consumed me. Through the glass of the emergency room, I could see two doctors trying desperately to save my mom. She lay there, completely still, a breathing tube in her mouth. She looked so weak, so fragile—it broke me. Just yesterday, she’d texted me to wish me a happy birthday. Now, tears streamed down my face as I pounded on the glass. “Please! Save her! She’s all I have left!” “Joanna, calm down! Please!” The nurse grabbed me, trying to pull me away. Suddenly, the door to the operating room burst open, and William rushed in, sweat dripping down his face. He was already wearing a surgical cap, moving with urgency as he entered the room. He picked up the scalpel, but before he could make the first incision, the heart monitor let out a terrible, high-pitched sound. Beep— The faint hope I’d been clinging to disappeared in an instant. On the monitor, the once-erratic lines flattened into a single, endless line. That line was the wall that now separated me and my mom forever. “Mom!” I collapsed to the floor, clutching my chest as if the grief would suffocate me. I felt something wet against my left hand, which was resting on the ground. Looking down, I saw bright red blood trailing down my legs and pooling on the floor. “Joanna! Blood—there’s blood!” the nurse screamed. A sharp pain shot through my body, and everything went black.

William Blake, Sophie Winters, and I all met in high school. But unlike me, William and Sophie had known each other since they were kids. Sophie, delicate and perpetually ill, was like porcelain. Everyone thought they were the perfect couple. But their love story didn’t end like the fairy tales. When William graduated from college, Sophie broke up with him. He waited outside her house for several nights, hoping she’d change her mind. But she didn’t. She eventually collapsed and was rushed to the hospital. I’ll never forget the way William clung to her hand, his voice trembling as if he was terrified she would disappear. “Sophie, please don’t leave me. I love you. I went to med school for you. Please, just give me more time—I’ll figure out how to cure you. I promise.” Sophie, struggling to stay awake, gently wiped the tears from his eyes. “William, I know my body. I don’t have much time left.” “I know your parents don’t approve of us. I know they’re pressuring you to get married.” “Promise me… promise me you’ll be with Joanna. I know she likes you.” Hearing my name fall from her lips, I froze. It was as if a deeply buried secret had been dragged into the light. I felt exposed, raw. Panic bubbled inside me, and I wanted nothing more than to disappear. I had never expected Sophie to notice the feelings I had tried so hard to hide. From the moment I met William in high school, I had secretly fallen for him—this boy who didn’t belong to me. I envied Sophie. She had his love, his attention, his unfailing gentleness. In the end, she chose to give him to me. But in doing so, she pushed me into a pit I would never escape from. I can still hear her voice, her trembling words as she held my hand. “Joanna, promise me you’ll love William for me.” There was a pleading look in her eyes, and I thought about the years I had spent quietly yearning for him. So I promised her. “Don’t worry, Sophie. I’ll take care of him.” But I regret it now. I should’ve listened to you, Mom. I should’ve never reached for something that wasn’t mine. It’s my fault. It’s my fault you’re gone.

The sharp smell of alcohol in the air stung my nose as I slowly opened my eyes. Looking around, I realized I was alone in the hospital room. “You’re awake?” The curtain was pulled back, and there he was—William Blake. His face was pale, his exhaustion evident. “Where’s my mom?” I asked calmly, my voice steady, but the question made his pupils tremble. He avoided my gaze and lowered his head. “Where is she? William, where is my mom?” I sat up abruptly, grabbing his shirt collar, my voice breaking as I shouted at him. “Joanna, you need to rest,” he said, his voice soft but heavy. “You need to recover so you can prepare for the funeral. Your mom… she’s gone.” Slap! The sound of my hand striking his face echoed through the room. “William Blake! You’re shameless!” I screamed, tears streaming down my face. “Where were you? I called you ten times! Ten times! Why didn’t you answer? Where the hell were you?” “I…” He opened his mouth but stopped, unable to finish the sentence. Then it hit me, and I laughed bitterly. “You were with her, weren’t you?” His body stiffened, his eyes wide with shock as he stared at me. “You think I don’t know?” I asked, tears blurring my vision. “Do you know what people think of us? They think we’re a happy couple, newly married and in love.” “But I know the truth.” My voice cracked as I continued, “You bought a house for Sophie, didn’t you? You decorated it like it was your dream home with her.” “All those nights you didn’t come home—you were staying there, weren’t you?” “Why, William? Why would you do this to me? You should’ve never married me!” “Give me back my mom! Give her back to me!” I pounded my fists against his chest, sobbing uncontrollably, my cries so loud they drew the attention of the nurses. His bloodshot eyes stayed on me the entire time, and he grabbed my wrists tightly, refusing to let go. “And what about you, Joanna?” he said, his voice low and trembling. “Why didn’t you tell me you were pregnant?” “If you had told me…” I let out a hollow laugh, looking up as tears rolled down my cheeks. “And what difference would it have made, William? Did you forget what you said to me yesterday?” “You told me not to have any delusions. Well, I listened to you.” “The baby’s gone,” I said, my voice cold. “Isn’t that better for you?” “You…” His brows furrowed as his grip on my wrist tightened, the pressure leaving red marks on my skin. Finally, he let go, his voice softening. “I’m sorry.” It was the first time I’d ever heard him apologize. “I’m sorry, Joanna. This is all my fault.” I stared down at the damp bedsheets under my knees, refusing to look at him. “I’m tired, William,” I said quietly. “Loving you is exhausting. Let’s get a divorce.”

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I was Chloe White, the childhood friend who stood by Liam Xander’s side. I poured everything my family had into helping him climb the ladder. I stood by him when people mocked him as nothing more than the illegitimate son of the Xander family. I helped him secure his place in the family, then watched as he took over Xander Enterprises, becoming the most powerful man in Seabridge City. Everyone thought I’d bet on the right horse, that I’d chosen the man who’d make me Mrs. Xander. But then, at a gala celebrating his success, I overheard him say, almost casually: “The White family has no value left. Chloe White is nearly thirty—washed up and past her prime. How could someone like her ever be my wife?” “At best, I’d keep her as a mistress.” It hit me then—his excuses for not marrying me had never been about protecting me from his family’s enemies. It was simply because I wasn’t good enough. Liam Xander was about to reach the pinnacle of his career. The Xander family patriarch was on his deathbed, barely clinging to life. Round after round of security guards and caretakers came and went, and even the doctors Liam had hired from abroad at great expense could do nothing to save him. It was only a matter of time before Xander Enterprises fell into Liam’s hands. And it was at that critical moment that Liam asked me for a favor. He gripped my hands tightly, his gaze locking onto mine, his voice solemn: “Chloe, after everything we’ve been through, you’re the only person I trust with this.” He needed me to deliver a document overseas and insisted it had to be me—someone who wouldn’t draw attention from his vulture-like relatives. So, I boarded a plane alone, tasked with carrying out something only I could do for him. The trip was long and exhausting, spanning three months. By the time I returned, weary and disheveled, I didn’t find the joy of a warm welcome waiting for me. Instead, I saw Liam at a gala, toasting and celebrating. He wore a perfectly tailored suit, his face glowing with satisfaction, a faint flush on his cheeks. Beside him stood a beautiful young woman clinging to his arm—her radiant smile and elegance made them look like the perfect power couple. I squinted to get a better look at her, and a chill ran down my spine. It was Luna James, the sole heir to the James family. The James Corporation was the only company in Seabridge City that could rival the Xanders. Luna, though only in her early twenties, had already proven herself a ruthless and cunning businesswoman. She was known for her friendly charm in public, but behind closed doors, she could destroy competitors without batting an eye. Her beauty, her power, her family’s prestige… It all made sense. Of course Liam would fall for her. She was exactly the kind of woman any ambitious man would choose. And me? I was just the daughter of a once-thriving soap company that was now on the brink of collapse. Luna James was a rising star with a bright future. I was a nearly-thirty-year-old woman from a family in decline, struggling to make ends meet. Only a fool would pick me. The sharp pop of champagne being opened snapped me out of my daze, followed by the cheers of the crowd. I watched as Liam turned to Luna with a smile, brushing a kiss against her cheek before they walked together to the center of the stage. Under the dazzling spotlight, Luna’s hand lifted, revealing a massive 16-carat diamond ring that sparkled so brightly it hurt to look at. That’s when it hit me. This wasn’t just a gala celebrating Liam’s takeover of the Xander family. It was also his engagement party with Luna James. He’d sent me away under the pretense of delivering an important document just to get me out of the picture. It was his way of cutting me loose without having to deal with me. I tilted my head and thought to myself: Was all of this really necessary? Did he really think I’d cling to him and refuse to let go? When he told me I’d be Mrs. Xander, it was when his family refused to acknowledge him, leaving him to scrape by as the illegitimate son. When he told me I couldn’t be Mrs. Xander, it was when he was on the verge of becoming the head of the family. In the end, I’d never had a choice. I’d always known that.

The way Liam Xander and I met was straight out of a cliché “damsel in distress” story. Liam’s mother had been a servant in the Xander household. One drunken night, the old patriarch forced himself on her, and Liam was the result of that violence. But since Liam’s mother was an orphan with no family to back her up, she endured relentless mistreatment throughout her pregnancy. The women of the Xander family, unwilling to let an illegitimate child threaten their inheritance, tried everything they could to get rid of the baby. In the end, Liam’s mother died giving birth to him, leaving him alone in a household that wanted nothing to do with him. Because his mother was disrespected, Liam was treated no better. The patriarch didn’t care about him, and those with grudges against the Xander family took out their frustrations on Liam. Even as a child, he was targeted. Despite bearing the Xander name, he was ostracized, forced to work part-time jobs to survive while enduring constant bullying and struggling to keep up with school. One evening, a group of thugs—mercenaries paid by the Xander family’s enemies—cornered Liam in a dark alleyway after his shift at a café. They carried iron rods and bats, blocking his escape. Liam knelt on the ground, his face and hair covered in flour, his cheap, threadbare shirt stained with the stench of rotten eggs. His long bangs fell over his eyes, masking his expression. Every payday, these thugs would show up to torment him, taking sadistic pleasure in his suffering. Liam had tried to fight back once, but it only earned him a beating so severe he was bedridden for weeks. Nearly starving to death in his tiny apartment, he’d learned to endure their abuse, hoping they’d leave quickly once they were satisfied. “Liam Xander, you bastard,” one of them sneered, waving a bat in his face. “A pathetic little illegitimate son working at a café? Playing piano for tips? Who the hell do you think you are? You’re nothing but a pretty face. Who in Seabridge City would even dare to sponsor you?” Another thug laughed cruelly. “You’re only good for licking the dirt off my boots. Oh, wait—it’s your birthday today, isn’t it? How about I grant you a birthday wish? Go ahead and lick my shoes, and I might let you off easy.” The group erupted into laughter, lighting candles and holding them over Liam’s head, letting the hot wax drip down toward him. Liam instinctively tried to dodge, but one of them grabbed his arms and forced his face down into the rough, dirty cobblestones. The melted wax and grime-covered boots pressed against the smooth lines of his face, smearing blood and dirt. The metallic tang of blood filled the air, mingling with the overwhelming stench of their cruelty. Their laughter grew louder, more twisted. They were ready to draw knives, aiming to scar the flawless face of the boy they held down. But suddenly, the sharp wail of police sirens broke through the night. I stood at the entrance of the alley, holding up my phone with a smirk, feigning nonchalance as I crossed my arms. “I got everything on video,” I said cheerfully. “The cops are on their way. If you know what’s good for you, you’ll get out of here now. Otherwise…” I cracked my neck, my fingers flexing as I tilted my head. The leader of the group scowled at me. “Do you even know who sent us?” I scoffed. “I don’t care who you’re working for. Even the most powerful people have a reputation to protect. Bullying a high school kid? If this video goes viral, do you think the authorities won’t step in? ‘Campus bullying’—it’s a pretty hot topic these days. Wonder what the education board would say.” The thugs exchanged uneasy glances. The higher your status, the more you cared about your image. After a moment of hesitation, they spat out a few curses and ran off, yelling, “You’d better watch your back!” As soon as they were gone, I rushed over to Liam, extending a hand to help him up. My chest heaved as I caught my breath. “God, that was terrifying,” I muttered, clutching my chest. “Thank goodness that worked. I just transferred here, and this is what I walk into? Unbelievable.” I looked him over, still breathless. “You’re lucky, though. If I hadn’t stepped in, your pretty face would’ve been ruined. And that would’ve been a tragedy for humanity.” I tilted my head, studying his sharp jawline and high nose. His cheeks were flushed, and his long lashes cast shadows over his unreadable eyes. I gasped. “Seriously, if they’d scarred you, it would’ve been a crime against nature.” Liam gripped my wrist tightly, his voice quiet but tinged with gratitude. “Thanks,” he said. “But you’ve just made trouble for yourself.” I raised an eyebrow. Of course, I already knew what he meant. I was well aware of the enemies circling the Xander family, and I’d just put myself in their crosshairs by helping him. But I smiled, gripping his hand in return. “Don’t worry about it. I’m the kind of person who sees things through. You’re with me now.” I grinned mischievously. “If nothing else, I’m Chloe White. Say my name, and I promise you’ll never have to pay for soap in Seabridge City again.” Liam stared at me for a moment before letting out a soft laugh. Our eyes met. And that’s where the story began.

Because my parents moved our company’s operations to Seabridge City, I naturally ended up transferring to a school there. Before arriving, I did my homework. I was determined to help Liam Xander escape the hell he was living in. By sheer coincidence, we ended up not only at the same high school but also as desk mates. When we met again, he hesitated for a moment before pulling out a thick notebook filled with chemistry notes. “I think this might help you,” he said, his tone unsure. I was sitting there, staring hopelessly at my abysmal chemistry test score, so I was surprised. Taking the notebook, I flipped it open to find pages full of colorful annotations. From the periodic table to detailed explanations of formulas, it was all meticulously laid out—far more thorough than anything our teacher had ever covered. As I skimmed through the pages, his neat handwriting caught my eye, and an idea suddenly struck me. I looked up at him, excited. “Liam Xander, you should be my tutor!” I said, practically bouncing in my seat. “And stop working as a dishwasher at that dingy restaurant.” Liam froze for a moment before shaking his head. “No, that’s not why I gave you the notebook. I just… wanted to thank you.” “I know, I know,” I said, waving him off. “But my family runs a soap business, and if my chemistry grades don’t improve, my parents will cut off my allowance. Please, just think of it as a good deed, okay?” I clasped my hands together, looking up at him as if he were a god. Unable to argue with me, he finally gave in. And so, he became my public desk mate and my private tutor. Because of this arrangement, Liam no longer had to juggle working late nights and studying. He even managed to save some money. Once, I handed him an envelope stuffed with cash. “Professor Xander, I owe my chemistry turnaround to you. This is the reward my parents gave me—we’re splitting it,” I said with a grin. His face turned bright red, his ears flushing a soft pink. “Chloe White,” he said after a long pause, “let’s go to the same college.” Feigning ignorance, I teased him. “Why would you want to go to the same college as me?” He took a deep breath, then pulled a simple silver ring from his bag. “I know I’m not really in a position to say this right now, but… I don’t want to wait anymore,” he said, voice trembling ever so slightly. “I like you, Chloe White. Be my girlfriend. I promise I’ll give you a good life.” I recognized the ring. It was from the most expensive jewelry brand in Seabridge City. He must’ve spent most of his tutoring earnings on this. Liam’s heart was racing as he held the ring out, his breathing uneven. He didn’t even dare blink, afraid he’d miss my response. Tears welled up in my eyes. I reached out, nodded, and whispered, “Yes.”

An illegitimate child like Liam was invisible to most people—a convenient scapegoat for anyone who held grudges against the Xander family. But I was determined to help him reclaim his rightful place within the family. The biggest obstacles were the two acknowledged Xander heirs: Shawn and Lucas. Fortunately, both of them had their weaknesses. Shawn was a womanizer, and Lucas was a gambling addict. Liam and I devised a plan to deal with them. The blaring music in the nightclub was deafening, the heavy bass pounding in my chest. I wore a silver sequin dress so short it barely covered my thighs. My makeup was deliberately innocent, making me stand out among the other women at the bar. Shawn, with his beer belly and greasy hair, gave me an obvious once-over. After confirming with the manager that I was just a regular college student, he waved me over with a sleazy grin. Feigning shyness, I sat down beside him. The stench of alcohol and cigarettes hit me so hard I almost gagged, but I forced myself to smile. With a timid expression and a flattering tone, I raised my glass of tequila and said the most insincere words of my life. “Shawn, you’re the most handsome guy I’ve ever met. It’s my first time here, so I don’t know the rules. Let me drink to you first!” To put him at ease, I downed several glasses in one go. My head started spinning, but the plan was working. Just as Shawn leaned in to make a move, I pressed my hand against his and coaxed him into sharing a drink with me. The moment I saw him finish the spiked drink, I relaxed, exchanging a glance with one of Liam’s people across the room. They nodded slightly. Shawn threw an arm around my waist, pulling me toward the exit. His hand roamed indecently, his warm, sweaty palm sliding across my back. I wanted to push him away, but my limbs felt weak. Damn it, even the manager had drugged me. The stretch limousine we had prepared was waiting outside. According to the plan, I was supposed to escape at this point, leaving Shawn to meet his end in a staged car accident. But his bodyguards suddenly intervened, grabbing me and forcing me into the car with him. As I watched the headlights of the oncoming truck growing closer in the rearview mirror, I shut my eyes tightly. Damn it, Liam Xander. If you don’t save me, I’ll haunt you for the rest of your life.

The expected crash never came. Instead, Liam Xander burst onto the scene, revealing the assassins the White family had secretly arranged. Using the semi-truck, he forced Shawn’s car off the road, driving it into an abandoned, desolate area. A bloody fight broke out. Amid the chaos, Liam risked everything to find me, bound with duct tape and tossed into the trunk like discarded luggage. By the time he located me, tears and snot were smeared all over my face as I sobbed helplessly. He hurriedly untied me, his hands trembling. But before he could finish, a blade flashed in the darkness, slicing across his back. A deep, bloody gash opened instantly, and I screamed, shaking my head as I watched him stagger forward, blood dripping from his body. Despite the wound, Liam turned and fought back furiously, his every movement fueled by sheer willpower. When it was all over, bodies lay scattered around us—some dead, some severely injured. Shawn was on his knees, sobbing and begging for his life. “Please, don’t kill me! I’ll pay you anything you want!” he wailed, his voice cracking. My hair was a tangled mess, and I was still crying. I clung to Liam, pleading with him to get medical attention for his wound. But Liam simply shook his head. Instead, he pulled me into his arms, his voice chillingly calm as he whispered, “Which hand did he use to touch you?” I shook my head, refusing to answer. The priority wasn’t revenge—it was getting rid of the evidence. If anyone found out, Liam wouldn’t just be in trouble; the entire White family would go down with him. But Liam let out a low, bitter laugh, his eyes burning with fury. He gently touched the top of my head, his gaze shifting to Shawn, who was still kneeling and begging for his life. “You,” Liam said, his voice icy and venomous. “Trash like you dares to lay a hand on Chloe?” Before Shawn could respond, Liam moved swiftly. Gripping a curved blade, he stepped forward and, without hesitation, severed Shawn’s arms. Blood gushed from the wounds, soaking the ground as muffled screams escaped Shawn’s gagged mouth. Sweat poured down Shawn’s face as he writhed in agony, the sheer terror in his eyes silencing any further pleas for mercy. I watched in stunned horror as Liam, his face splattered with blood, methodically dismembered Shawn. The storm clouds above rumbled ominously, and the distant sound of thunder echoed through the air. When it was over, Liam’s men dragged Shawn’s remains into the wilderness, leaving them for the wild dogs to feast on. I stood frozen, unable to process what I had just witnessed. My mind was blank until Liam pulled me into his blood-soaked embrace, snapping me back to reality. “Shawn is dead,” I whispered, my voice trembling. “What if the Xander family finds out? What then?” Panic gripped me as I clutched his arms, my thoughts spiraling out of control. “Liam, you need to leave. Go far away where no one can find you.” But my words didn’t faze him. Instead, his eyes gleamed with a chilling excitement, a cold and dangerous light. He tightened his hold on me, his voice low and steady. “Chloe, don’t be scared. I’m here.” “I knew it,” he murmured, his tone almost tender. “No matter what happens, you’ll always think of me first.”

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When the hurricane hit, my family kicked me out of our home. I was left stranded in the storm, freezing and soaked, until the raging floodwaters swept me away. My body was never found. Meanwhile, my parents and sister sat comfortably around the dining table, enjoying the food I had painstakingly stockpiled for them. But perhaps the heavens pitied me, because I woke up three days before the hurricane made landfall. This time, when faced with their ridicule, I was too tired to care. This time, I decided to save myself. The hurricane arrived earlier than expected. Worried about my family’s safety, I rushed home from a class reunion. My clothes were drenched, and my feet were freezing, but I didn’t stop. When I reached the door, I found it locked. My key wouldn’t work—it had been bolted shut from the inside. I banged on the door and shouted, “Mom? Dad? Emily? Are you there?” There was no answer. I pressed my ear to the door and heard faint sounds inside. Fearing something had happened, I was about to force the door open when my mom’s voice erupted from the other side. “You little tramp! Always running around in those short skirts, trying to seduce men. Don’t you dare come back here! Get out and go live with your boyfriends!” “This house doesn’t welcome you!”

I froze, stunned, and tried to explain myself. But before I could, my sister Emily sent me a text. “Mom and Dad are really mad right now. You should leave before you stress Dad out and trigger his heart condition.” I wanted to defend myself, but the thought of my dad’s health stopped me. I replied: “Emily, can you please explain to them? I was just at a reunion, that’s all.” She didn’t reply. With nowhere else to go, I decided to book a room at a nearby motel to wait out the storm. As I stepped outside, the rain started pouring in sheets, and the temperature plummeted. Wearing nothing but a short skirt, I shivered uncontrollably as the cold wind cut through me. The water on the streets quickly rose, turning into rushing streams. As I carefully made my way down the sidewalk, I heard the faint cries of a child. Turning around, I saw a small boy—no older than four or five—being carried away by the floodwaters, screaming for help. I reached out to grab him, but my foot slipped. Before I could react, I was swallowed by the icy, murky water.

As I drifted in and out of consciousness, I felt my body grow colder and heavier. My chest tightened, and my breaths slowed until there was nothing left. Through the haze, I saw the boy being rescued by a passerby, crying in his mother’s arms. I also saw my parents and sister. They were sitting at our dining table, surrounded by the supplies I had worked so hard to gather. I heard my father sigh, “I’m so disappointed in Wendy. From now on, I only have one daughter.” I heard my mother scoff, “Don’t mention her. She’s nothing but bad luck.” And I heard my sister laugh, saying, “Mom, Dad, don’t worry about her. She texted me earlier—she’s with some guy. She doesn’t need us!” I stared in disbelief. All my life, I thought that if I worked hard enough, my parents would love me just as much as they loved Emily. I thought my sister was kind and supportive, the best sister anyone could ask for. But behind my back, they wished I would disappear. And the sister I had always looked up to was happy to tarnish my name in front of them. Fine. If that’s how they felt, they’d never see me again. But still… I couldn’t accept it. Before my consciousness faded completely, I heard a voice ask me: “Do you want another chance at life?” I summoned every last bit of strength and answered: “Yes.”

“The National Weather Service has issued a severe hurricane warning. Residents are advised to prepare and stock up on supplies…” I woke up to the sound of a weather broadcast. I was lying on the couch in our living room, a blanket draped over me. The sensation of rainwater filling my lungs still felt so vivid, like a nightmare I couldn’t shake. But I knew this wasn’t just a dream. It had all happened. The television displayed the date: three days before the hurricane would hit. Just as I was piecing everything together, my phone rang. I answered, and my mom’s sharp, angry voice immediately came through. “Wendy, you ungrateful brat! The hurricane is coming, and you’re out there fooling around instead of helping your father and me? Why don’t you just die out there?” That was how every conversation with my mom ended. Before, I’d always thought she didn’t mean it. But now, I knew better. For the first time in my life, I talked back. “You’ve always said Emily’s enough for you. Let her help you, then.” And I hung up without waiting for her reply.

In this house, I’ve always been the unwanted one. My birth was an accident—something my parents never let me forget. As a child, Emily saw me as competition for our parents’ love and did everything she could to turn them against me. I still remember them holding her in their arms, comforting her as she cried. “Don’t worry, Emily. We don’t like her. We only love you.” Over time, those words became their truth. They barely looked at me, spoke to me, or acknowledged me. I worked myself to the bone to earn their approval. Once, I finally scored higher than Emily on a test and proudly showed my mom. She slapped me across the face, ripped up my test, and shouted, “You’re just trying to upset your sister. Don’t ever bring something like this home again!” When I went to college, I chose a major with poor job prospects but pursued my passion for writing full-time. My family didn’t understand. To them, I was lazy, irresponsible, and wasting my life. Every success I achieved meant nothing—they believed I was out partying with men instead of working. But I never realized how deeply they resented me. Not until now.

Soon enough, my mom called again. I didn’t answer. The phone kept ringing, so I simply turned it off. I didn’t have time to waste on them—I only had three days to get everything done. I needed to secure water and electricity, stock up on food, and prepare enough medicine. In my last life, I had done all of this for my family. But I was met with nothing but disdain and ridicule. I still remember lugging heavy cases of bottled water under the hot sun while my parents stood nearby, watching and mocking me. “What’s the point of all this? We already have water at home. You’re just wasting money.” By the time I had carried everything upstairs, dripping with sweat, I was utterly exhausted. And yet, in the end, I wasn’t even alive to use any of it. If I had to make the choice again, this time I’d choose myself. Thankfully, after graduating college and becoming independent, I insisted on renting my own place so I could focus on my writing. Now, that apartment was my safest refuge.

I headed straight to the largest wholesale store in the city. Since no one had realized the importance of stocking up yet, the shelves were still fully stocked. I filled my cart with instant noodles, bottled water, bread, and crackers, then added a variety of snacks I liked. Despite earning a good income, I had spent most of my money in the past buying furniture for my parents or giving them gifts. I couldn’t even bring myself to splurge on something as simple as fresh fruit. But now, it felt liberating to put myself first for once. Every penny I earned was finally mine to spend however I pleased. By the time I carried all my supplies home, it was already noon. I made sure to order a portable gas stove and a hand-crank flashlight online. Just as I finished, ready to take a well-deserved break, I heard someone banging on my door.

When I opened it, there stood my dear sister, Emily. She was the only one who knew my address. But of course, she couldn’t keep it to herself. She had casually let it slip to my parents: “Oh, Wendy’s living on her own now. Who knows if she’s living with someone?” Thanks to her, my parents had once dragged me home in the middle of the night, insisting on taking me to the doctor because they were convinced I had some “dirty disease.” And yet, Emily had played the same role as always—the sweet, understanding daughter. “Wendy,” she started, her tone dripping with fake concern. “Mom said you’ve been ignoring her calls. You’re an adult now; you should be more considerate. Mom and Dad are getting older, you know. What if—” “I’m not answering because I don’t want to see any of you,” I cut her off and started to close the door. “Wendy!” She shoved her hand into the doorframe to stop me. “Mom and Dad are worried about you. Why don’t you come home for a couple of days? The hurricane’s coming, and it’s dangerous to stay here alone.” I stared at her sly expression and couldn’t help but laugh. Worried about me? Hardly. She clearly wanted me back to act as the family’s unpaid labor force. Feigning hesitation, I said, “Well… okay. But I twisted my ankle, so I might need you to take care of me.” Her face changed instantly. “What? You’re hurt?” I nodded pitifully. “Yeah, the doctor said I shouldn’t do anything strenuous for three months. I’m supposed to stay in bed and rest.” “Well… maybe you should just stay here and focus on recovering. I’ll check on you another time.” And with that, Emily hurried off without looking back.

hanks to that little lie, I enjoyed two days of peace and quiet. The day before the hurricane hit, I received another invitation to the class reunion. This time, I declined. After explaining to the class president, I headed downstairs to the local market and bought plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables. I also treated myself to some duck neck snacks and ice cream, planning to stay home for the entire week. Just as I was unpacking my groceries, my dad called me. In my 24 years of life, I could count on one hand the number of times we’d spoken. This was the first time he had ever called me himself. I answered. “Wendy, I heard there’s a hurricane coming. Make sure you take care of yourself.” For a moment, he actually sounded like a caring father. But then came the second half of his sentence. “We’re running low on supplies at home. Can you order some online and have them delivered?” So they couldn’t use me as free labor, and now they wanted my money instead? I didn’t bother hiding my disdain. “Emily knows how to do all of this. Ask her.” There was a pause, followed by the sound of something shattering on the other end of the line. “You’ve got some nerve talking to me like that! If this is how you’re going to act, then you can forget about being part of this family!” Did he think that would scare me? Too bad for him, I’d already heard those words before. I chuckled lightly. “This family never included me to begin with.” “And honestly? I couldn’t care less.”

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Title: My Husband Chose His “Sister” Over Me During a Kidnapping ## In the eighth year of my marriage to Lucas, his so-called sister, Sarah, and I were kidnapped together. Lucas, a multimillionaire, showed up with ransom money—but only enough for one person. When forced to choose, he looked at me and said, “Claire, your dad’s wealthy. He’ll come for you. But Sarah only has me.” When I barely escaped and made it back home, the media was already celebrating their so-called “unbreakable bond.” When I finally stumbled back home, the media had swarmed the front of my father’s estate. Cameras were flashing, reporters were everywhere, and they were all focused on Lucas and Sarah. Lucas was holding Sarah tightly, and the reporters were eating up their story of “surviving together through thick and thin.” No one cared that Sarah was just the other woman in my marriage. To them, loyalty in marriage didn’t seem to matter as much as the fleeting thrill of “true love.” When I got out of the car, battered, bruised, and wearing the tattered remains of my clothes, the camera flashes turned their attention to me. My father rushed out with a large blanket, wrapping it around me, desperately trying to shield me from the prying eyes of the press. It didn’t matter. For a moment, I caught Lucas’s gaze. There was a flicker of shock on his face, quickly replaced by disgust. Pain rippled through my entire body, especially my abdomen. It felt like my insides had been torn apart. The pain was so overwhelming that I collapsed, losing consciousness. In my dreams, I was still with the kidnappers. Sarah had already been taken by Lucas. She had begged and pleaded with him not to call the police because the kidnappers had taken compromising photos of her. On the phone, Lucas had reassured her. He promised to bring the ransom money. But when he arrived, he only brought enough for one person. When the kidnappers forced him to choose, he held my hand tightly, his face full of false sincerity. “Claire, your dad’s rich. He’ll come for you. But Sarah only has me. You understand, don’t you?” I didn’t understand. All I knew was that the kidnappers were watching me closely, their eyes lingering on my torn clothes. I was terrified. Tears streaming down my face, I begged him, “Lucas, don’t leave me here. Pay for my release, and I’ll make sure my dad reimburses you!” Lucas lowered his head. “I’m sorry. My company is struggling right now. If I pull this money out, your dad might not help me. I’m sorry, Claire.” And just like that, he pulled his hand away, grabbed Sarah, and left. I didn’t even have the chance to tell him I was pregnant. I was carrying our baby—two months along. But those words would never be spoken. The kidnappers tore off what was left of my clothes, gagged me, and tied me to a post with barbed wire. As I struggled, the wire cut into my flesh, and I felt the life inside me slip away. Meanwhile, my father had no idea what was happening to me. Lucas returned home with Sarah, who was too traumatized to talk about what had happened. She refused to mention anything, and Lucas, my loving husband, didn’t bother to press her. The police couldn’t get any useful information from either of them. Time slipped away as they searched for me. By then, it didn’t matter how much money my father had. I had seen the kidnappers’ faces, and they planned to sell me to Southeast Asia. Luckily, during transport, they let their guard down, and I managed to escape. I crawled through mud, slept in dumpsters, and fought stray dogs for scraps of food. Against all odds, I made it back to the city, where the police finally found me. When my father saw me, he nearly collapsed but managed to steady himself long enough to wrap me in a blanket and carry me away. In my dreams, I saw a little girl with pigtails, wearing a princess dress. She waved at me and called out softly, “Mommy, Mommy, I forgive you.” I ran toward her, desperate, but she only drifted farther away until she disappeared completely. I woke up with a start to find Lucas sitting by my bed. The sight of him made me sick. “Why are you here? Get out. I don’t want to see you.” His face contorted with anger. “We’re married. Isn’t it normal for me to check on you?” Furious, I grabbed a pillow and hurled it at him. “Get out! I never want to see you again!” Lucas’s patience snapped. “You should be more like Sarah. At least she knows how to comfort me. All you do is yell and complain. I haven’t slept for days worrying about you, and this is how you act? You’re so spoiled!” I let out a bitter laugh. He hadn’t slept for days? How could that compare to the pain I endured? Every day, I was electrocuted, whipped, and burned with cigarettes. The kidnappers mocked me, saying my husband didn’t think I was worth the money. “Lucas,” I said through gritted teeth, “your heart must be made of the filthiest, most disgusting stone. You call yourself my husband? What kind of man leaves his wife with a group of violent criminals?” His expression softened slightly, as if he felt a shred of guilt. “You know my company’s cash flow is tight. I don’t come from money like you do. Your dad is rich. And besides, you’re back now, aren’t you? What’s the big deal?” At that moment, the door burst open, and my father stormed in. The second he saw Lucas, he lunged at him, ready to fight. Lucas shoved him away without hesitation. “Dad!” I screamed.

When I saw my dad hit the ground hard, Lucas finally seemed to snap out of it. “Dad, I’m so sorry! I didn’t mean to—I didn’t see you there!” He quickly stepped forward, trying to help my dad up, but my dad pushed him away with force. My father glared at him, his voice heavy with anger. “I don’t care if you saw me or not. Get out of here! My daughter needs rest!” Seeing my dad’s fury, Lucas obediently left. He knew full well that even though my family was bankrupt now, my dad’s connections were still far beyond anything he could handle. The moment Lucas was gone, I rushed to help my dad up, but he pulled me into his arms instead. “Claire, don’t be afraid. Dad’s here now,” he said, his voice shaking with emotion. I clung to him tightly and started sobbing uncontrollably. I couldn’t understand—why was I always the second choice? I cried until exhaustion overtook me, and I fell into a deep sleep. The trauma of the past few days haunted my dreams. Strange, nightmarish visions filled my mind, pulling me into a distorted world where I was forced to confront the absurdity of my life. I saw myself as a naïve teenager, hopelessly infatuated with Lucas Rivers, the most popular boy in school. Every class seemed to have someone like him: smart, polite, and effortlessly charming. But Lucas’s life wasn’t as perfect as it appeared. His mother had been a victim of assault, and he was the child born from that violence. Shortly after his birth, his mother was institutionalized for schizophrenia, leaving Lucas to be raised by his grandparents. But they never treated him as their own. To them, he was a painful reminder of the tragedy that had ruined their daughter’s life. My sympathy for him marked the beginning of my own tragedy. We attended an elite class at our school, where half the students were there because of their grades, and the other half because of their family wealth. Lucas, always the top student, was the target of jealousy and bullying. That’s when I stepped in, defending him time and time again. At first, Lucas didn’t seem to care about me. He barely acknowledged my existence. But then one day, I got into a fight with another student who was mocking him. That student shoved me to the ground, and I fractured my wrist trying to break my fall. From that day on, Lucas started treating me differently. He began looking out for me in small ways, and I mistook that for something deeper.

Determined to stay close to him, I worked tirelessly to get into the same college as Lucas. My dad even approved of him. In my father’s eyes, Lucas was a rare talent—someone worth supporting. With my dad’s encouragement, I finally mustered the courage to confess my feelings to Lucas. He didn’t say yes, but he didn’t reject me outright, either. Blinded by my feelings, I convinced myself that we were in a relationship. Lucas had a younger sister, Sarah Rivers. I’d known about her since high school. She wasn’t his biological sister. She was adopted by Lucas’s uncle, who raised her as his own. But what I didn’t know was that Sarah and Lucas had grown up together, and before starting high school, Lucas’s uncle had abruptly taken her away. On the day of our wedding, Sarah suddenly reappeared. She walked into the reception barefoot, covered in bruises and scratches, her blue dress stained with blood. Tears streamed down her face as she looked at Lucas and cried, “I escaped, Lucas. Why didn’t you wait for me?” And just like that, the ring Lucas was about to place on my finger slipped from his hand. That night, my wedding night, Lucas didn’t come home. Instead, he stayed at the hospital with Sarah. I swallowed my bitterness and forced myself to accept it. After all, I was the one who had been chasing him all this time. The next morning, I changed into fresh clothes and prepared to visit the hospital. But before I could leave, my father stopped me at the door. “You’re going to the hospital, aren’t you? Don’t you dare. No daughter of mine will let herself be humiliated like this!” I begged him, tears streaming down my face. By then, I was already in too deep. Lucas had given me just enough attention over the years to fill my head with beautiful memories. I couldn’t let go. When I finally arrived at the hospital, I learned something that shocked me to my core. Sarah wasn’t Lucas’s uncle’s daughter. Years ago, Lucas’s uncle had sent her away because their relationship had crossed the line. They weren’t siblings—they were lovers. Lucas’s uncle had sent Sarah abroad and forbidden her from contacting Lucas, threatening to cut her off entirely if she disobeyed. Sarah had spent years working to free herself from her adoptive father’s control, determined to reunite with Lucas. On the day of my wedding, she had escaped and returned to him. I covered my mouth in horror as I listened to the story, then stumbled back to our empty marital home. When Lucas finally came back, I asked him for a divorce. But he refused. Instead, he insisted on consummating our marriage that night. What followed was a day of physical and emotional torment. Lucas showed no tenderness, and when he was done, he fell into a deep sleep, leaving me alone to cry in the dark. I slapped myself across the face, trying to wake up from the nightmare my life had become. But I couldn’t. So I told myself I’d try one more time. That “one more time” turned into eight years. Eight years of a marriage where I was nothing more than a third wheel to Lucas and Sarah. I was exhausted, drained, and ready to leave. But before I could file for divorce, Sarah and I were kidnapped together. And in that nightmare, I lost the child I had prayed for all those years. When I woke up in the hospital, my father’s hair had turned gray overnight. But soon, an even more devastating piece of news arrived. Somehow, during the beatings and torture I endured, a tumor in my stomach had ruptured. The cancer had spread. At best, I had three months left to live.

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The poor girl I spent a million dollars sponsoring turned out to be a master manipulator. She chased after my son while sleeping with my husband. When I was on my deathbed in the ICU, desperately waiting for money to save my life, she took all our assets and went on a world tour with my husband. She even had the gall to mock me: “Mrs. Lewis, didn’t you always tell me to pursue my dreams and be brave in love? My dream was to inherit your money, sleep with your man, and take over your life.” In the end, I died full of hatred, powerless to fight back. But when I opened my eyes again, I had been reborn—back to the day she first stepped into my house. “Hello, Mrs. Lewis. Thank you for taking me in.” Standing at the door with her oversized bags, Wendy smiled shyly. She looked so timid, glancing nervously around my house as if overwhelmed by her new surroundings. In my previous life, I thought her reaction was because she felt uneasy about entering an unfamiliar environment. Now I knew better. She wasn’t nervous—she was coveting my wealth. Wendy was an orphan, her parents having died when she was still a child. She had grown up in the remote mountains, barely surviving on scraps. The story of her eating a single piece of stale bread over three days had made national headlines. I felt sorry for her back then. Her tragic situation moved me so much that I decided to sponsor her escape from poverty. For 15 years, from grade school to college, I spent over a million dollars on her education and living expenses. But Wendy was nothing more than an ungrateful snake—a manipulative, scheming woman. She started by pursuing my son, Ryan, relentlessly. When Ryan had finally had enough and confessed to me that Wendy had been harassing him at school, I thought I’d finally see her true colors. But Wendy, ever the actress, immediately burst into tears, her voice trembling as she pleaded: “That’s not true, Mrs. Lewis… I only treated Ryan kindly because I’m so grateful to your family.” “I don’t have any friends at school, and Ryan feels like family to me. I envy my classmates because they have loving parents and siblings… but I’m always alone.” Her tearful confession left Ryan speechless. In the end, he apologized to her. Even my husband, who was never particularly kind, comforted her gently: “Who said you’re alone? Aren’t we your family too?” Wendy looked up at him with watery eyes, whispering: “Thank you… Mr. Lewis.” Her tears made her seem pitiful. Yet when she smiled, she looked so pure and resilient, like someone who had endured great hardships but remained innocent. It was the kind of act that made people instinctively want to protect her. That one word, “Mr. Lewis,” was spoken so sweetly and softly—it was enough to make anyone’s heart melt. Even then, I felt something was off about her. But Wendy was too clever. She turned to me, her expression full of sincerity, as she said: “And Mrs. Lewis, I promise I won’t disappoint you. I’ll work hard to repay your kindness.” Her acting was flawless. Her eyes sparkled with such genuine gratitude that I dismissed the unease in my heart. I continued to help her, supporting her all the way through college. But as soon as she graduated, she seduced my husband. I caught them in my bedroom—her clothes a mess, her body covered in the marks he’d left behind. When I confronted her, shaking with rage, she smirked and replied: “What’s the rush, Mrs. Lewis?” “It’s not my fault you’re getting old. Mr. Lewis just prefers someone younger.” “I’m just… repaying your kindness.” As she spoke, she deliberately adjusted her clothes to reveal more of the evidence, as if she was proud of her conquest. And my husband? He had the audacity to shield her behind him, saying: “Rebecca, don’t blame Wendy. This is all my fault. I was the one who insisted on being with her.” Years of overwork had taken a toll on my health. My heart was already weak, and this betrayal pushed me over the edge. I collapsed, clutching my chest as pain ripped through me. While I lay dying in the ICU, Wendy used my money to fund a luxurious trip around the world with my husband. In the end, I died alone, consumed by anger and despair. Before I passed, Wendy finally came to see me. Smiling triumphantly, she said: “Mrs. Lewis, didn’t you always encourage me to chase my dreams?” “Well, my dream was to inherit your money, sleep with your husband, and live your life.” Her shamelessness was so astonishing that it left me speechless, even in my final moments. As my consciousness faded, I made one last desperate wish: if I could have another chance, I would never let them get away with this! The next moment, I opened my eyes— And found myself back on the day Wendy first arrived at my house. The day I had let the wolf into my home.

“Mrs. Lewis, I’ll be starting high school when the semester begins.” Wendy’s voice broke the silence, as if testing the waters when she noticed I hadn’t spoken for a while. Her words pulled me back from the memories of my previous life, and I refocused my gaze on her. I studied her carefully, forcing down a wave of disgust as I gave her a faint smile. —She’d been living quite comfortably off my money these past few years. When I first saw her in the mountains, she was dark-skinned, malnourished, and scrawny. Now? Her skin was fair and smooth, her figure well-fed, and even her voice carried a soft, sweet tone. “Come in,” I said, gesturing toward the door. “The guest room is ready. Make sure to focus on your studies.” As I spoke, I glanced at the man standing beside me—George Lewis. I had no intention of sending Wendy back to where she came from. Trash should be thrown into the trash can, after all. I had even gone out of my way to “dress up” George for the occasion. He wore a crisp white shirt paired with tailored slacks, and on his wrist was the six-figure Cartier watch I had gifted him for our wedding anniversary. From the outside, he looked flawless—a charming, successful man. But in reality, I was the one with the money. George held a useless position at my company, a job I gave him just so he’d have something to do. He had no real power. But girls like Wendy—greedy and shallow—were easily fooled by appearances. Hah. If she was so desperate to play the part of a manipulative gold-digger, I’d hand her over to the dog myself. This time, I’d push George straight into her arms so she wouldn’t have time to go after my son. Sure enough, from the moment George appeared, Wendy’s demeanor changed. She pretended to be shy and obedient, but her gaze kept drifting toward him. I nudged George deliberately and said, “Honey, don’t just stand there. Help Wendy with her luggage.” George, snapping out of his daze, finally reached out his well-manicured hands to pick up Wendy’s suitcase. He led her into the living room. When their hands accidentally brushed during the handoff, Wendy’s cheeks turned pink. She lowered her head bashfully and murmured, “Thank you… Mr. Lewis.” I watched the scene unfold, a cold smile forming in my mind. Perfect. The fish was starting to nibble at the bait.

For the first few days after Wendy moved in, she behaved herself. Well, mostly. There was just one incident: she wandered into the living room in her pajamas, pretending it was an accident, and deliberately lingered in front of George. It was subtle, more like a test than anything outright inappropriate. But I could tell—she was itching to make her move. Every day, I watched her play the role of the innocent, sweet girl, flitting around George Lewiske a little butterfly. I pretended not to notice. The more she thought she was getting away with it, the bolder she became. Then, the fall break arrived. My son, Ryan, was coming home from boarding school. In my previous life, this was when Wendy and Ryan first met. I was curious to see if she’d try to pull the same tricks on him this time. And, predictably— It seemed Wendy had decided George would take too long to seduce. She’d set her sights on Ryan instead. That day, as soon as I walked into the house, I heard her sugary voice: “Ryan, have some water.” Ryan, bless him, had a good eye for trouble. From the moment he saw Wendy, he clearly didn’t like her. He glared at her attempt to fawn over him and snapped, “Get lost. I’m not your brother, and I don’t have a sister. Stay away from me.” Wendy’s face froze, but she quickly recovered. Her eyes turned red, and tears started streaming down her cheeks. “Ryan, do you… not like me?” she whimpered. She then turned her tearful gaze toward George, sniffling pitifully. “Mr. Lewis, I’m sorry. It’s my fault. I must’ve done something wrong to make Ryan hate me…” George, predictably, softened at her display. He immediately tried to smooth things over. “Don’t worry about Ryan, Wendy. He’s always been spoiled by us—don’t take his words to heart.” I decided it was time to step in. Wendy’s lingering gaze on George hadn’t even faded yet when I walked into the room, catching her off guard. The moment she saw me, her expression stiffened. She quickly masked it with a look of vulnerability and said, “Mrs. Lewis, it’s all my fault. I upset Ryan earlier. You can blame me, but please don’t be mad at him.” Ryan’s face darkened as he glanced at me, clearly wanting to explain himself but unsure how to start. And honestly, I didn’t blame him. In my previous life, even I had fallen for Wendy’s act. How could my son stand a chance? Back then, I had scolded Ryan harshly for being rude to Wendy. He’d always been an obedient child, taking my words to heart. Because I constantly praised Wendy in front of him—telling him to treat her like a little sister and protect her—Ryan reluctantly put up with her. When Wendy got into trouble at school, he even defended her, getting into fights on her behalf. That led to a disciplinary record right before his college entrance exams. Looking back, I must’ve been out of my mind to favor an ungrateful snake over my own son. But this time, I wouldn’t make the same mistake. Meeting Wendy’s gaze, I smiled faintly. “Why would I blame Ryan?” I said coolly. “Wendy, Ryan works very hard at school, and this is his chance to rest. Don’t bother him unless it’s important.” Then I added pointedly, “I only have one son, after all.” Wendy’s eyes widened in disbelief, and for a split second, I caught a flash of hatred in her gaze. But she quickly suppressed it, replacing it with a pitiful expression as she whispered, “Of course, Mrs. Lewis. I’m sorry. I’ll make sure not to disturb Ryan again.” Ryan let out a sigh of relief and walked over to me. “Mom, I’ve missed your cooking. The food at school is terrible.” George patted Ryan’s shoulder, saying, “You’ve been working hard, son. I’ll take you shopping for new shoes tomorrow.” Wendy watched our warm family interaction, biting her lip so hard it turned white. I glanced at her out of the corner of my eye. Maybe the problem wasn’t that no one had taught her properly. Maybe she’d been rotten to the core all along.

When I started sponsoring Wendy, she was just in the third grade. She lived in the remote mountains where the roads were nearly impassable. To get to school, she had to climb over hills and leave the house before the sun even rose. Her parents had passed away, and she lived with her grandmother, barely scraping by. They were so poor that they couldn’t afford proper meals or clothing. Feeling sorry for her, I decided to sponsor her education all the way through college, giving her a monthly stipend of $500 for living expenses. Over the years, she would write me letters from time to time, bragging about her excellent grades. Out of kindness and goodwill, I believed every word she said. I never once questioned whether she was lying. But when she took her high school entrance exams, she only managed to get into the worst-performing school. Based on the grades she had claimed to have, she should have easily gotten into one of the best schools in the district. As her sponsor, I felt it was only natural to ask why she had “underperformed.” Her explanation? “Mrs. Lewis, I’m so sorry for disappointing you. “My grandma got sick, and I was so worried about her that I couldn’t focus on studying.” She used her grandmother’s health as an excuse, leaving me with no room to argue. Not long after, her grandmother passed away. At the funeral, Wendy clung to my hand tightly, tears streaming down her face as she pleaded: “Mrs. Lewis, I have no family left. “Can I live with you? “Please, let me call you Mom. I’ll take care of you when you’re old. I’ll repay you no matter what.” Looking at her tear-streaked face, I sighed and agreed. In public, she always played the role of the pitiful, apologetic girl, making herself seem so small and humble. In my previous life, I was touched by her act and tried to be as kind to her as possible. It wasn’t until my death that I realized it had all been an act. She did it to make me let my guard down.

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I won 20 million in the lottery and shared the exciting news with my boyfriend. That evening, he brought over a younger friend from his lab, saying they wanted to play some cards to catch a bit of my good fortune. I agreed. After losing five games, I felt overwhelmed and suggested we take a break. On the balcony, I accidentally saw my boyfriend kissing his friend in a corner. “Darling, when will this be over? Just looking at her makes me sick.” “Hang in there a bit longer. I’ve already set everything up. Once she’s ensnared, we’ll make our move.” “The lottery results are out. Congratulations, you’ve won a big prize. Please follow the instructions to redeem it at the designated location. Wishing you a happy life.” Seeing the new message, I was momentarily stunned before realizing I had been given a second chance at life. This was the day I won the big prize. In my previous life, I quickly told my boyfriend the news. He was overjoyed, saying we must celebrate. But when I got home that night, he had brought the younger friend along. “Baby, I was in the lab when you called. Emily overheard the great news and asked if she could come over to share in your luck.” Emily looked at me with a sweet smile, “Sis, I’ve never seen such a big lottery win. I was curious and asked my senior to bring me along to see it. You don’t mind, right?” Thinking it was a fun occasion, I didn’t refuse. After dinner, Ethan suggested we play cards for fun. They worked together seamlessly, and I lost ten thousand dollars in just five rounds. Feeling light-headed, I suggested taking a break. It wasn’t until I caught them hugging that I realized everything had been a setup. From the moment he brought Emily home, their goal was to con me out of money and harm me. Recalling Ethan’s ugly smile, I slammed the table hard. “Bark! Bark!” The water cup toppled over, and Buddy, who had been sleeping, quickly ran over, circling my feet. Looking at him, my eyes welled up. To force me to admit the gambling debt and sign the IOU, Ethan and Emily tied Buddy next to the stove, torturing him with boiling water and a hot spatula. Amid my heart-wrenching cries, Buddy suddenly sprang up, biting through Emily’s hand. She screamed in pain, angrily raising a kitchen knife to strike. “Stupid dog! Your owner would rather have money than save your life, and you still protect her!” “So loyal, I’ll send you both down to reunite!” Buddy’s struggling whimpers echoed in my ears. I couldn’t help but cry. Buddy got anxious, jumped on me, and gently nudged my arm with his paw, showing his concern. I petted his head, softly explaining, “I’m okay, Buddy, don’t worry. I’ll make you a gourmet meal tonight.” I calmed myself down and hid the lottery ticket. Then, I went to Ethan’s school. Being reborn, I thought I could give Ethan another chance. If this time he didn’t plan to harm me, I might even share half the prize with him and part ways amicably. Standing at his lab door, I dialed his number. “Baby, I’ve got some good news!” I spoke excitedly, and Ethan immediately stopped his experiment, turning around nervously to ask in a whisper. “Is it about the lottery ticket we bought?” I nodded. “I got a message today that our lottery ticket won the grand prize, and the staff asked me to go redeem it!” Hearing his sudden rapid breathing, I deliberately reminded him, “With this money, we can live comfortably for the rest of our lives. Don’t tell anyone, or it might bring trouble!” Ethan, looking all proper, agreed and repeatedly promised not to tell anyone. Hanging up, I watched him excitedly jump around the room, then call Emily without hesitation. “Emily, Nora just told me she struck it rich! Now, we can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel.” “Hurry over, so we can plan how to get that money from her!”

That evening, Ethan brought Emily back. The moment they met me, they couldn’t hide their excitement, eagerly asking, “Did you really win the big prize? How much is it altogether?” I pretended to be surprised, pulling Ethan aside to whisper my complaint. “Ethan, didn’t I say this should be kept secret? Why did you bring someone else?” Ethan awkwardly scratched his head, smiling ingratiatingly. “When I took the call, Emily was right next to me. I couldn’t help but tell her in my excitement.” “She’s a good girl, just wants to share your luck, no other intentions. Don’t worry.” I sneered internally. If I hadn’t seen how he ruthlessly betrayed me, I might have fallen into the same trap again. Recalling how Emily proudly boasted about how Ethan shared everything with her, calculating against me, his official girlfriend, I couldn’t help but clench my fists. She was beaming with happiness, “After getting your call, Ethan couldn’t wait to call me over.” “You’ve been together so long, and he hasn’t bought you anything, right? But he promised me he’d buy me all the jewelry I want.” “You’ll never understand, being someone who can’t even win a man’s love.” I was in a dilemma, “I wanted to plan with you on how to get the money.” “But now it’s inconvenient to talk about it.” Ethan clicked his tongue, “How much could it be to make you so cautious?” I leaned in and whispered a number into his ear. Ethan’s eyes widened in shock. His voice trembled, “Really?” I nodded, complaining repeatedly. “I wanted to disguise ourselves and go redeem it under the cover of night. But you brought your junior home, now neither of us can leave.” Ethan’s expression turned strange. I knew he was weighing the pros and cons. If he could get the prize money himself, why go through the trouble of setting traps to steal my money like in the past? But letting me out now, if he slipped up, the cooked duck might fly away. Seeing his conflicted look, I patted his shoulder. “No worries, Emily is your favorite junior. How could we not let her broaden her horizons with such a rare event?” “We can find another time to go.” Actually, I should have noticed something was off between Ethan and Emily long ago. Though they were in the same lab, Ethan’s concern for Emily far exceeded what a senior should have. He could immediately recall Emily’s birthday and even knew her cycle, thoughtfully preparing sweet water. Even I hadn’t received such attention. I had my suspicions. But Ethan told me Emily was an orphan, and everyone cared about her. So, I thought I was overthinking. And ended up in a miserable situation. Probably thinking I couldn’t escape. Ethan showed a confident smile, not saying much. When we returned to the living room, Emily had already brought out the food from the kitchen. Seeing me, she smiled sweetly, “Sis, everything’s ready.” During dinner, I picked up a piece of mango, pretending to feed it to Ethan. Emily immediately reached out to stop me, “Sis, senior is allergic to mango. He can’t eat this.” I responded with a surprised look, “Even I didn’t know. How do you know so well?” Hearing my words, Ethan’s face turned sour. In the past, Emily was jealous of my title as Ethan’s girlfriend. After getting her way, she boasted. “Someone like you doesn’t deserve to claim you’re with Ethan. You don’t even know what he’s allergic to. Ethan never intended to open up to you.” She tirelessly used these ridiculous details to brainwash herself. Now, I pointed it out directly. Emily was so scared she dropped her chopsticks.

I looked at her calmly. After a moment of eerie silence, Emily forced a smile, stammering. “Last time, we went to a club event, and someone brought mango cake. After eating it, he started itching all over. That’s when I found out he’s allergic to mango. It’s just a coincidence.” Emily smiled ingratiatingly. I just nodded lightly, neither agreeing nor disagreeing. Ethan and Emily exchanged glances, a barely noticeable viciousness in their eyes. After a full meal and drink, Ethan suggested playing poker. It’s the most common card game at gambling tables. Several players bet, with the last two revealing their cards, and the one with the highest card takes all. With the right cooperation, it’s easy to set traps in this game. Just like in the past, under Ethan and Emily’s manipulation, I lost several rounds in a row. Seeing my gloomy face and the transfer notification on my phone. Ethan and Emily were overjoyed. I pretended to be frustrated, “How could I lose so much? Let’s play another round. I can turn it around this time!” Emily paused, then smirked. “Sis, why don’t we play bigger?” She took out two IOUs from her pocket and placed them on the table. “I know you want to win back what you lost, but in this situation, it’s impossible.” “Let’s not cap the maximum amount. Bet all your assets. If we lose, we’ll sign this IOU.” Ethan and Emily couldn’t hide their delight. Feigning disappointment, I said, “How could I lose so much? Let’s go for another round. I’m sure I’ll make a comeback this time!” Emily paused before flashing a smile. “Hey, why don’t we up the ante?” She pulled out two IOUs from her pocket and laid them on the table. “I know you’re eager to win back your losses, but realistically, it’s not going to happen.” “Let’s lift the limit and bet everything we’ve got. You put up your lottery ticket, and if my senior and I lose, we’ll sign these IOUs.” “How about it? With my senior here as a witness, we won’t back out.” Watching Emily’s smooth persuasion, I chuckled to myself. In poker games, there’s a ruthless strategy called “bluffing.” Since you have to raise the stakes each time you check your cards, and you can only look at one card at a time, there are three chances to double up. At the showdown, you still have to increase your chips. When two players team up, they avoid checking their cards and keep raising, pressuring the target into folding when they can’t handle it anymore. And folding means giving up everything you’ve bet so far. In my past life, I didn’t know about this nasty trick and foolishly agreed to Emily’s challenge. On such a table, two million was nothing. Ethan and Emily teamed up to put psychological pressure on me. Eventually, I couldn’t handle it and folded voluntarily. It gave them a perfect excuse to humiliate me. Even worse, after ruthlessly killing me, they spread rumors around the neighborhood. Claiming I was a gambling addict who committed suicide with gas after being cornered by debt collectors. Everyone used me as a cautionary tale, dragging my name through the mud repeatedly. Now, meeting her expectant gaze, I smiled slightly. “Alright.” Perhaps my compliance made them drop their guard. I noticed Ethan awkwardly make a mark and pass it to Emily. Emily started first, “My family has a house in the suburbs worth fifty thousand, I’ll bet that.” Ethan added, “Then I’ll bet my family’s house,” he looked at me, “the one you know of in the city center, worth one hundred fifty thousand.” Facing his gaze, I felt nauseated. “I’ll just bet the lottery ticket money, two hundred thousand.” Several rounds of betting passed, and the stakes soared. But I remained calm and composed. Seeing that they had nearly bet all their assets, Ethan and Emily were getting anxious. “Nora, aren’t you going to check your cards? Be careful, or you’ll lose everything.” I knew they were trying to break my mental defenses and make me fold. But having gone through this in my previous life, I wouldn’t fall for it again. I shook my head. Finally, Emily couldn’t take it anymore. She glared at me venomously and revealed her cards. “Three Kings, let’s see who can beat that!” “Nora, if you lose, don’t blame us!” I slowly revealed my cards. At that moment, her face changed.

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On my birthday, my boyfriend insisted I join him and his god-sister on a Ferris wheel ride, despite my fear of heights, to make her happy. “Nora, it’s just a Ferris wheel. You won’t die. I brought you because you take the best photos.” Even though I was terrified, I took photos for them, but his god-sister kept criticizing my shots. Unexpectedly, when the Ferris wheel reached its peak, it suddenly broke down. Ignoring my pleas, my boyfriend pushed me out. “We’re too heavy with three people, Nora. Hang in there, I’ll call for help.” “I have to protect Adeline, she’s my mom’s goddaughter.” Somehow, I survived with broken bones, called off our engagement, and burned all our photos together. But later, when he saw my Instagram post announcing my marriage, he lost it completely. Inside the stuck Ferris wheel car, my boyfriend Asher looked at me with a harsh expression. “We’re overweight. If you don’t jump, we’ll all die. Just do it.” “It’s not that high. If you jump, you might just break a leg. Trust me, Nora. I’ll call an ambulance for you right after.” I was stunned, gripping the doorframe so tightly my hands bled. Who could have guessed that on my birthday, Asher would trick me into coming here to take photos for him and his first love, Adeline? “Asher, do you realize I could die if I jump from here? How could you do this to me…” My voice shook as I spoke. Asher’s face turned cold, and he shouted at me. “What do you want then?! If you don’t jump to lighten the load, we’ll all die together! Nora, how can you be so selfish?!” Selfish? I never thought I’d hear him call me that. Today, when Asher mysteriously promised a surprise, I was excited. I took the day off, expecting something special for my birthday. In the five years we’ve been together, he either forgot my birthday or brushed it off without a gift. Whenever I showed my disappointment, he didn’t seem to care. “It’s just a birthday. Do you think you’re some great person who deserves something extravagant? Aren’t lipstick and skincare products enough?” But the lipstick was used, and the skincare products were just samples. Back then, I thought he was just being thrifty. Now, I see it was because he didn’t love me enough. Seeing my silence, Asher grew impatient. “Are you jumping or not? Do I have to push you? Why are you making such a fuss over something so simple?” He stepped closer, almost ready to push me himself. At that moment, my heart ached unbearably, forcing me to bow my head, tears falling to the ground. How foolish I was to believe his words. All his promises meant nothing compared to the woman, Adeline, now cowering in his arms. For Adeline, he didn’t care about my existence at all. The ground was several meters below. Just looking made me dizzy. At noon, when Asher sent me a location to meet him, I didn’t expect Adeline to be there too. She let him pamper her, softly asking if I could take some photos of her on the Ferris wheel. I was about to tell her about my fear of heights and refuse when Asher dragged me into the Ferris wheel car. The overwhelming fear mixed with my current grievance and anger made me shout at the top of my lungs. “Asher, do you remember I’m your girlfriend? Do you know we’re about to get engaged?!” “You already know I’m afraid of heights and now you don’t even care about my life. Was your love for me a lie?!” Choking with emotion, I collapsed on the floor. Seeing me shaking and crying, Asher looked slightly pained and reached out to help me up. Just then, the Ferris wheel hanging mid-air made a dull noise, scaring Adeline into his arms. “Asher, I’m so scared. Are we going to die here? I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have asked you and Nora to come. It’s all my fault.” Her eyes were red as she walked to the door. “If it’s like this, then I’ll jump to make amends.” In an instant, Asher rushed to pull her back, his eyes wet with anxiety. “No, Adeline, it’s not your fault! You can’t jump, you’ll get hurt!” He held her tightly, comforting her softly. A few minutes later, he turned to me with determination on his face. “Don’t worry, Nora. Even if something happens to you, I’ll take good care of you. I’ll always be there for you.” “But Adeline can’t. She’s too delicate to endure hardships.” With that, ignoring my pleas, he opened the door and pushed me out.

As I fell, I landed in a tree by the roadside, followed by excruciating pain. Lying on the ground, I felt the searing pain in my left leg, curling up and groaning nonstop. “It hurts, it hurts so much!” Soon, the rescue team called by the staff arrived to help the Ferris wheel passengers. Asher, who was helped down, quickly ran to my side, checking my injuries. “Are you okay, Nora? The rescue team is here, they’ll take you to the hospital.” “Adeline was frightened this time. I really couldn’t leave her. Don’t worry, no matter what, I’ll take good care of you.” “When you recover, we’ll get engaged, alright?” Looking at his all-too-familiar face, I pushed him away with all my strength despite the pain. “Get out!” After five years, what am I to Asher? Five years ago, he confessed to me, promising to cherish me forever. Back then, I had just graduated, uncertain about my future. As a senior, he noticed my worries, tirelessly comforting me and helping me find a path. I knew he had feelings for me, but I was insecure because I came from the countryside. I feared our different backgrounds, feared I wasn’t good enough, and feared the pain of losing after gaining. That New Year’s Eve, Asher took me to watch fireworks. He shielded me from the wind, giving me my favorite pink roses. “Nora, I love you. Can you give me a chance?” His sincere gaze made my heart race. At first, we were like any other loving couple, going on dates and trips, sharing everything. But since Adeline said she was returning home, he changed. He became indifferent, uncaring. Or rather, he stopped pretending to love me. Pushed away, Asher looked hurt, trying to support me again. “What did Adeline do wrong? Don’t worry, Nora, I’ll make sure the hospital takes good care of you. This isn’t serious.” Yes, Adeline has always been the irreplaceable presence in his heart. How could she be wrong? She was a girl his mom saved during a trip, raised in their family, and later became a goddaughter. The family pampered her, giving her the best, even sending her abroad to study. When Asher brought her along on a few dates, I was puzzled, but he denied any feelings. “Adeline is just my little sister. I brought her because she was bored at home. If you don’t like it, I can ask her to leave.” But now, he would push me off the Ferris wheel for his “little sister” Adeline. I was too weak from blood loss to speak, letting Asher hold my hand. “Just lie still, Nora. The rescue team will take you to the hospital soon. You see, Adeline and I were rescued too, isn’t that perfect?” Angered by his words, a metallic taste rose in my throat, my nose stinging with frustration. A week ago, we were discussing our engagement. I felt I was a step away from happiness. Little did I know, I was stepping into an abyss. Lying helplessly against him, I forced a bitter smile. “Forget it, Asher. Let’s end this.”

He froze, his body tense, sensing my resolve. “Why? Nora, why? You’re not seriously hurt, and I survived too.” He looked incredulous, as if my words were outrageous. “Is it because I didn’t call an ambulance in time? But the rescue team is here, Nora. Don’t be so stubborn, okay?” Stubborn?! I couldn’t help but laugh, but the sharp pain in my chest quickly silenced me. He tricked me onto the Ferris wheel and pushed me off. Yet all his schemes turned out to be my stubbornness. For the first time, I felt a chill beyond compare, regretting ever choosing him. Sensing my emotions, Asher sighed deeply. “Don’t be like this, Nora. We’ve already told our friends and family about the engagement. You’re putting me in a difficult position.” “Besides, you know I love you and can’t live without you.” “To make it up to you, once you recover, I’ll take you to the Maldives like you always wanted.” I was coaxed into riding the Ferris wheel with him, only to be pushed off. In the end, all his scheming turned my choices into my foolishness. For the first time, my heart felt a chill beyond measure, and I regretted my decision from the very beginning. Perhaps sensing my emotions, Asher sighed deeply. “Come on, Nora, don’t make a fuss. We’ve already announced our engagement to our friends and family. Saying this now is putting me in a tough spot, don’t you think?” “Besides, you know I love you and can’t live without you.” “To make it up to you, once you’re feeling better, I’ll take you to the Maldives like you’ve always wanted.” Suddenly, the rescue team called out from a distance. “Are there any more injured? The vehicle is full. If not, we’re heading out.” Asher was about to respond when Adeline suddenly clutched her arm, crying. “Asher, my arm hurts so much. I think I scraped it just now. What if I can’t play the piano anymore? I’m so scared…” Upon hearing this, Asher released my hand and rushed to her side. “What happened? You seemed fine a moment ago. We’ll go to the hospital with the rescue team right away. You’ll be okay!” Adeline glanced at me with teary eyes, feigning hesitation. “But what about Cora? She seems more seriously injured than I am. The staff said the vehicle is full. I’m worried…” Asher’s eyes turned dark, and when he looked back at me, his expression changed. “Nora, you see Adeline’s hand is injured. If she doesn’t get treated in time, she might never be able to play the piano again. That would be devastating for her.” “So, since you can still talk, just wait here for a bit. I’ll call an ambulance for you, okay?” Even though I had anticipated this, hearing it felt like a knife twisting in my heart, leaving it numb with pain. “What if I say no?” Asher’s face immediately darkened, and he yelled at me angrily. “Why can’t you be more understanding, Cora? Are you trying to crush Adeline’s dreams?!” “It’s not like we’re leaving you here. Waiting a bit won’t kill you. Why are you acting like this? Or are you just targeting her intentionally?” “Cora, what’s happened to you?” Swallowing the taste of blood in my mouth, I let myself collapse to the ground, feeling my body grow cold. Why, why does he always abandon me when I need him the most? Just like how he forgot that today is my birthday and that I’m afraid of heights. The rescue team was calling from afar, and Asher carefully helped Adeline to leave. My left leg was likely broken; the numbness from the pain left me unable to move at all. “Asher, Asher!” Hearing my call, he turned back and instructed me. “Just wait here. Once Adeline’s wound is treated, I’ll call an ambulance for you.” But it would be too late; I wouldn’t last that long. “No, Asher, tell the rescue team there’s still someone here!” But Asher never looked back, helping Adeline onto the rescue team’s vehicle. Then came the sound of the engine, and I watched the hope of rescue fade away before my eyes. Suddenly, I recalled Asher’s whisper in my ear this morning. “Wake up, Nora, I’ll give you a surprise today.” Back then, I was so full of joy, never imagining I’d end up like this. It’s all too late now. Slowly, I closed my eyes in despair.

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Lucas hates me for killing his sister. He’s told me more than once to go die. “Sophia, you should be the one who’s dead. How dare you continue living?” That night, I fulfilled his wish and tried to end my life with an overdose of sleeping pills. Later, when he learned of my death, he knelt beside my body, clutching my hand tightly. “Sophia, I was wrong.” “Please don’t play such a cruel joke on me.” I died. As Lucas wished, I finally paid for his sister’s life with my own. After taking an overdose of sleeping pills, I slipped into unconsciousness, my life slowly ebbing away. Fortunately, I passed away in my sleep. When I opened my eyes again, I found myself floating in the air, surrounded by a group of medical staff in scrubs and white coats. The sheets were stained red, a sight that was deeply disturbing to anyone who saw it. Yes, I was the one who called the ambulance. I didn’t want my body to be discovered only after it had started decomposing. Moreover, I was alone in this world, with no family to notice if I was gone. After the doctor confirmed that I couldn’t be revived, he pronounced me dead on the spot. Upon identifying me, he sighed softly, looking regretful. “Another poor soul.” “I wonder if she has a loved one who will come to claim her body.” A loved one. At first, I thought I had one, but later I realized I was wrong. He didn’t love me at all. He hated me and wanted me dead. So now, I’ve fulfilled his wish and left this world. Looking at my cold, pale body, my mind began to wander. Lucas, how will you feel when you hear about my death?

My soul left the hospital and floated to Lucas’s house. The lights were on in the luxurious townhouse, and the TV in the living room was playing, but Lucas’s attention was clearly not on it. He was frowning, his eyes fixed on the phone he was gripping tightly, seemingly hesitating about something. Finally, as if he had made up his mind, he dialed a number. As the busy tone became more frequent on the other end, his patience gradually disappeared. He angrily hung up and threw the phone onto the floor. Lucas had always been impatient, so I wasn’t particularly surprised to see him act this way. But what he said next shocked me. “Sophia, how dare you not answer my calls? Are you trying to provoke me?” After saying this, as if still not satisfied, he swept everything off the coffee table onto the floor. The sound of shattering was jarring, but he seemed oblivious to it and continued smashing things. “Sophia, don’t think you can escape my sight like this. I’m telling you, the only way I’ll let you go is if you die!” Hearing these words, I felt a tightness in my chest. Lucas, as you wished, I’m already dead.

Actually, Lucas didn’t always hate me this much. He used to be good to me, even promising that he would love only me for the rest of his life. I still clearly remember the scene when he got down on one knee and proposed to me on my birthday. He said, “Sophia, marry me. Let me spend the rest of my life loving you. Let’s spend our days together happily. I’ll make sure you’re happy every day, with a smile always on your face.” Back then, his world revolved around me. I truly believed I had found the love of my life. But I never imagined that a car accident would turn our world upside down. On the day I found a job after graduating from college, Lucas’s sister Lily suggested we go out for hot pot to celebrate. I couldn’t refuse her kind offer, so I happily agreed. But at that intersection, a large truck suddenly came hurtling towards us. When I woke up again, I was in the hospital, and I was told that Lily had lost her life in the accident. The doctor told me that Lily had used her body to shield me from the truck. She died saving me. Those few short words made me lose my only best friend in this world, and on the same day, I lost Lucas’s love. To this day, I can’t forget the sight of Lucas, his face pale, kneeling on the ground when he heard the news. I tried to apologize to him. But he ignored me. He even violently pushed away my trembling hand when I tried to hold his. And then, I heard him say the most vicious words he had ever said to me. “Sophia, why couldn’t it have been you who died?” From that day on, he began to torment me, ensuring that the rest of my life was no longer filled with laughter and joy, but instead with constant suffering. I know he hates me. And he has every right to hate me. So even now, I’m grateful that he didn’t see me in my final moments.

To be honest, I can understand Lucas’s hatred towards me. He and Lily grew up in a single-parent family. After their mother passed away, they only had each other to rely on. Lucas was very smart. When he graduated from college, he secured a job offer from a well-known tech company based on his abilities. After working for two years, he earned his first pot of gold and used it to start his own small company. Over the years, under his management and operation, the company gradually got on track. I witnessed all his hard work. So when we were together, I would always make him hangover soup when he drank too much, clean him up, and change him into fresh pajamas so he could have a good night’s sleep. I would also make various stomach-friendly soups for him at noon every day, worried that he might skip meals due to his busy work schedule. His work was so demanding, so I wanted to do what I could to help him. Under my careful care, Lucas’s quality of life visibly improved. Even Lily would sometimes envy him for having such a caring girlfriend. And every time this happened, Lucas would plant a deep kiss on my cheek to show his love and gratitude. I thought this was what a peaceful life looked like. Back then, I naively believed that the rest of my life would continue to be this happy. So when Lucas hated me, I could understand. Because I hated myself just as much for letting Lily die.

With his phone broken, Lucas vented his emotions and then returned to his room. He simply thought I wasn’t answering his calls, never imagining that I was already dead. Looking at his face, red with anger, I couldn’t help but recall the first time he ever got angry with me. It was the first time I returned to the Lucas family home after being discharged from the hospital following the accident. When he saw me walk in from outside, he looked at me as if I were his mortal enemy. He rushed up to me and violently threw everything I was carrying out the door. “Sophia, how dare you come back here!” “Sophia, don’t forget that you killed my sister with your own hands. How dare you continue to live here so comfortably?” His words were like salt on my already wounded heart. My emotions, pushed to the brink by his constant pressure over the past few days, were about to explode. My hands clenched into fists at my sides, and for the first time, I shouted back at him. “Lucas, if you hate me so much, why don’t you just kill me? Wouldn’t it be better to kill me to pay for your sister’s life?” “Do you think you’re the only one suffering? Have you seen my pain? If I could, I wish I had never met you two in this life!” The sharp sound of a slap brought me back to my senses. My cheek quickly became hot, and the ringing in my ears cleared my mind. I had almost lost control again. Afraid of going crazy again, I pushed him away and ran out the door frantically. Only to find that once I left the Lucas family, I had nowhere to go. In the end, with no other choice, I spent a few nights under a bridge. The cold November wind was biting, and I wore nothing but a thin jacket. Shivering from the cold, I couldn’t help but remember the sudden drop in body temperature due to blood loss on the day of the accident. That feeling was very similar to death. Just when I thought I would freeze to death on the streets, Lucas appeared before me again, his face gloomy. He yanked me up from the ground. I thought he might be concerned about me, but the first thing he said was, “Sophia, dying like this would be too easy for you. You should experience what it’s like to suffer a fate worse than death.” Hearing him say this to me, I looked at him in disbelief. At that moment, I suddenly felt that the Lucas standing in front of me was so unfamiliar. So unfamiliar that it was as if I had never known him at all. “Sophia, don’t even think about escaping from me, because I will watch you experience an unbearably painful life.” “You owe Lily, and you should repay it with your life.”

After Lucas finished washing up, the doorbell of the townhouse suddenly rang. Standing at the door was Emma, Lucas’s childhood friend who had grown up with him. I had known that Emma liked him ever since I started dating Lucas. As the front door opened, Emma, dressed in an elegant cocktail dress and looking impeccable, appeared before Lucas. Unlike me, she always seemed to have a cheerful demeanor, as if she could bring endless joy to people. Not only that, but she also knew how to cheer Lucas up. For instance, now she sensitively noticed Lucas’s irritable mood and began to patiently comfort him as she sat beside him. “Lucas, don’t be angry. It’s not worth getting upset over someone like that.” Lucas glanced at her, then expressionlessly took the candy from her hand. “You’re right. It’s not worth getting angry over such a despicable person. She doesn’t deserve it.” Yes. I don’t deserve it.

“Lucas, you shouldn’t talk about Sophia like that. Maybe she’s just upset about what you said to her, that’s why she’s not answering your calls.” “Why don’t I try to talk to Sophia for you?” Hearing these words, my soul floating in the air couldn’t help but sneer. Doesn’t Emma find this two-faced act exhausting? If I hadn’t truly seen the dark side of her heart, I could never have imagined that a person could be so different behind closed doors. Hearing Emma’s words, Lucas smiled slightly at her. “Emma, you’re always so understanding. Sophia usually treats you so poorly, yet you’re still here defending her to me.” “We’ve known each other for over twenty years, and you’ve become increasingly gentle and considerate. I was truly blind to have fallen in love with a vicious woman like Sophia back then.” “Emma, ever since Lily left us, you’ve been by my side, taking care of me, accompanying me through this difficult time. I really should thank you properly. If it weren’t for you, I honestly don’t know what I would have done.” Emma’s hand slowly grasped Lucas’s. “Lucas, don’t say such formal things to me. You know you’re the one I’ve always liked.” Their eyes met, and I saw Emma start to lean towards Lucas. She tilted her head slightly and kissed the corner of his lips. Lucas’s body stiffened for a moment, but it was only for an instant. Then he took control, his hand pulling her waist to make her sit on his lap. His fingers held the back of her head, deepening the kiss. The quiet environment was filled with the continuous sound of their passionate embrace. A wave of nausea suddenly rushed to my head. I covered my mouth, afraid that I might throw up in front of them the next second. The two of them continued to be intimate on the couch. I could clearly see a flash of triumph in Emma’s slightly open eyes. That look reminded me of the expression of satisfaction she had when she bullied me behind closed doors, making me kneel before her. The memories I thought had died came rushing back to attack me.

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