On the day I planned to propose, my girlfriend, Evelyn Johnson, stood me up for the 99th time to hang out with Andrew Langley, her newly hired assistant. I didn’t make a scene. I just wanted an explanation when I found her. But I accidentally overheard their conversation. “Ms. Johnson, aren’t you worried Christopher might get jealous and leave you since we’ve been spending so much time together?” Evelyn sneered, “Christopher Clark? That loser has no money and no family connections! Even his job came from me. He couldn’t survive without me. Like I told you, he’s just a plaything. You didn’t actually think I was going to marry him, did you?” I smiled coolly, tossed the engagement ring I’d prepared into the trash, and posted on Instagram: [Feeling down. Does anyone want to hang out? Limited time offer.] Everyone thought I was just acting jealous and sulking. Little did they know that after being rejected 99 times, I could finally go back to being the carefree heir to my family fortune. When Evelyn called, I was lounging in a luxury suite at the high-end spa, the steam rising so thick I could barely keep my eyes open. I answered lazily, “What’s up?” “What’s the deal with that Instagram post you made this afternoon?” Through the phone, Evelyn’s voice was icy, maintaining her usual air of superiority. It was her typical tone when dealing with me. I always thought Evelyn was just that kind of person, serious and cold as an iceberg. So I acted like a lowly servant, carefully replying to her messages and taking care not to upset her. But then Andrew joined the company as Evelyn’s assistant, and every time he handed her documents, her eyes would soften, and she’d break into the warmest smile. That was when I realized that Evelyn wasn’t incapable of smiling. She just didn’t smile at me. Just then, I heard the sweet voice of the staff member, “Good afternoon, sir.” I answered with a smile, “Let’s begin. Don’t hold back, I can take it.” Evelyn noticed something off about the background noise and paused before saying disapprovingly, “Christopher, you never used to go to places like this.” My life used to revolve around three places—my home, the office, and Evelyn. Not only did I handle all the housework, but I also took care of Evelyn’s every need. Evelyn said she loved my cooking, so I’d whip up something different for her every night after work. She raved about the pastries from that bakery downtown, so I’d wake up at the crack of dawn and drive three hours round trip so that she could have them before work. One evening, after Evelyn came home from a work dinner, I excitedly presented her with a steaming bowl of oatmeal. “Have some. It’ll be good for your stomach,” I said. But she just scoffed. “You’re such a loser! Can you stop fussing around the kitchen all day? It’s embarrassing! And for God’s sake, get a life! Stop hovering around me like a fly. It’s annoying!” Remembering this, I let out a small laugh and said casually, “Work’s been tiring, thought I’d treat myself. What’s it to you?” Evelyn seemed taken aback by my response. She paused, then let out a snort. “You slack off at work all day. What’s so tiring about that?” She seemed to have forgotten that when the company was just starting, it was me who hustled at every social event, securing deals, even to the point of passing out at the table and ending up in the hospital. Back then, lying in the hospital bed, Evelyn held my hand and comforted me. “I’ll remember all the hard work you’ve put in,” she said. “Once the company takes off, I’ll give you a cushy job. You can kick back and do whatever you want!” And now, after just one day of me not showing up at work, she couldn’t stand it. Evelyn continued her lecture, “Christopher, you’re really out of line! Not only did you skip work for no reason, but you actually went to a hot spring during work hours! Why can’t you learn a thing or two from Andrew? He may be new to the company, but he’s eager to learn and make progress. He just recently closed a major deal that brought the company a five million dollar profit!” I scoffed, “Are you sure that it was Andrew who closed that deal?” The deal Evelyn was referring to was the one I had worked tirelessly on, formulating plans and pulling three all-nighters in a row to satisfy the investors. Just when we were about to sign the contract, Evelyn suddenly approached me. “Christopher, Andrew is new to the company and needs to establish himself. Do you think you could let him participate in this project and mentor him a bit?” I agreed. But then, Evelyn turned around and gave Andrew all the credit. Feeling indignant, I went to her, demanding an explanation. Evelyn was surprisingly righteous. “Andrew is new and needs this deal to gain a foothold while you are a veteran employee. You need to understand the spirit of sacrifice and dedication.” I was speechless. The difference between being loved and not being loved couldn’t be more obvious. Thinking of this, I chuckled, “Since you think Andrew is doing such a great job, then from now on, let him handle all the work.” “Christopher, what do you mean by that?” Even though we were on the phone, I could picture Evelyn’s icy expression. But now, I didn’t care anymore. “I mean, I quit.” After calmly stating that, I hung up the phone. I was tired. I didn’t want to play this game anymore. After a moment of hesitation, I hesitantly pressed the number that had been gathering dust for three years. The call quickly connected. “You punk, I thought you were going to ghost me for the rest of your life.” My eyes welled up when I heard the familiar voice. “Dad.” Three years ago, I nearly broke ties with Thomas just to be with Evelyn. I refused the arranged marriage my family had set up for me. Thomas warned me back then. He said Evelyn had a cold, detached look about her, that she wasn’t reliable. But I was convinced she was my true love. I even made a bet with Thomas. “If Evelyn rejects me 99 times, I’ll agree to the arranged marriage.” Back then, I was so sure of myself. Who could reject me 99 times? Looking back now, I was such a clown. “Dad, I agree to the arranged marriage.”

“So, the prodigal son finally comes to his senses?” Thomas said, surprised. “I used to think that with enough time and sincerity, I could melt even the coldest heart,” I replied with a sigh. “Guess I was just naive.” Thomas clicked his tongue disapprovingly. “I told you, Evelyn was never the right one for you. But did you listen? No, you had to hit rock bottom first. When have I ever steered you wrong?” I gave a wry smile and said nothing. The truth was, no one needed unsolicited advice—some lessons you just had to learn the hard way. After a moment, Thomas’ tone softened. “I’m glad you’ve finally come around. I’ll arrange for you to meet some suitable matches right away.” “And come home more often,” he added. “Your mother misses you terribly. She blames me, says I’ve been too hard on you.” “Okay,” I agreed. After a pause, Thomas said, “While you’re at it, why don’t you quit that job of yours? I’ll shut down those projects anyway.” “What projects?” I asked, confused. “You cocky little punk,” Thomas said with a laugh. “You really thought you were such a hotshot, closing all those big deals over a few drinks? Without me pulling strings behind the scenes, that tiny company of yours would’ve gone belly up ages ago.” I froze for a moment. Then it hit me. All these years, I’d thought everything I’d built was through my efforts, but it turned out he’d been helping me all along. That night, I never made it home. I had forgotten all about the endless housework, the trivial work tasks, and even Evelyn. I felt so light, and for once, I had a good night’s sleep, dreamless and deep. When I opened my eyes again, it was already eleven. I got dressed and leisurely made my way to the company. Right at the entrance, I bumped into Evelyn, who was waiting for the elevator. Evelyn frowned at me and scolded, “What are you doing here so late? Your bonus for this month is canceled!” I walked in nonchalantly. “Whatever, it’s peanuts anyway.” Evelyn mistook my indifference for acceptance. Her eyes glinted with mockery. “Weren’t you all high and mighty on the phone yesterday? Talking about quitting, staying out all night… and now you have the nerve to show up for work? Probably blew all your cash, huh?” Evelyn had that smug look on her face like she knew everything like I couldn’t survive without her. She held her head high, arrogant as a swan. I knew she was waiting for me to grovel and apologize. But I just smiled faintly and handed her the resignation letter I had prepared. “Ms. Johnson, I’m afraid you’re mistaken. I’m not here to work. I’m here to resign.” Evelyn was clearly caught off guard by my outburst. Her expression was a mixture of shock and disbelief. “Christopher, what the hell has gotten into you?” she asked, her voice sharp. I shrugged nonchalantly. “Ms. Johnson, you always tell us that the company doesn’t keep dead weight around. Since you seem to think I’m just skating by and not pulling my weight, I don’t have the nerve to stay here any longer.” “Besides,” I continued, my voice dripping with sarcasm, “you clearly think Andrew is way more capable than me. I should just quit now and let him take over, right?” As if on cue, Andrew appeared, clutching a stack of files to his chest. He’d obviously heard the whole exchange. His eyes welled up with tears. “Christopher,” he whimpered, “are you fighting with Ms. Johnson because you’re jealous of me?” “Everything I do is for the company,” he went on, his voice cracking with emotion. “I just want to help Ms. Johnson!” “It’s all my fault,” he sobbed. “I didn’t know my place. I’ve made you both misunderstand. Ms. Johnson, maybe you should just fire me!” His performance was so over-the-top, so blatantly fake, that anyone could see through it—anyone except Evelyn. Her eyes softened with sympathy. “Don’t blame yourself, Andrew,” she soothed. “You’re doing a great job.” She then turned her icy gaze back to me. “Look at Andrew,” she said, her voice filled with disdain. “He’s so mature and dedicated. And then there’s you, always jealous, always goofing off. You’re so immature.” I saw Andrew peek out from behind Evelyn and shoot me a smug look, like a dog marking his territory. In the past, this would have driven me crazy with jealousy. But now, I just watched the whole charade with detached amusement. They were like two clowns putting on a show for my entertainment. Andrew then pulled a contract from his pocket. “Ms. Johnson,” he said, “I need you to sign this. I’ve been working on it for three days straight.” “Of course,” Evelyn replied, taking the contract without a second thought. She was about to sign when I spoke up. “There’s something wrong with that contract,” I said, frowning. “You shouldn’t sign it.”

For old times’ sake, I pointed this out. I said, “I’ve reviewed this contract before. The collaborating party’s qualifications are highly questionable. They’re a walking red flag. If we rush into this and invest, we could very well lose everything.” I paused, a bit surprised. “Andrew’s in charge of this, right? Didn’t he do any due diligence?” Andrew’s eyes immediately welled up. “Christopher, if you have something against me, just say it to my face! You don’t have to slander me like this!” Evelyn’s heart shattered at the sight of Andrew on the verge of tears. “Oh, don’t cry! I believe you!” she exclaimed. Turning to me, she angrily demanded, “Andrew’s been burning the midnight oil over this contract for three days straight! I’ve seen it with my own eyes. He’s dedicated to this company. Why would he lie to me?” “But you,” she continued, her voice rising, “you keep giving Andrew a hard time! You’re using your seniority to bully a newcomer. How can you live with yourself? Apologize to Andrew right now!” At this, Andrew wiped a tear from his eye and tugged on Evelyn’s sleeve. “Ms. Johnson, please don’t blame Christopher. I’m sure he’s just anxious, that’s all. Don’t be mad. It’s okay. I can take it.” Evelyn immediately softened and comforted him. She not only signed the contract on the spot but also encouraged him with a promise. “After this project is finished,” she declared, “I’ll reward you with a car, so you don’t have to squeeze onto the bus every day.” I shook my head and walked away. Since Evelyn doted on Andrew so much, she would just have to deal with the consequences. Seeing no hint of an apology from me, Evelyn was taken aback. Before, I would have been groveling for her forgiveness. What had gotten into me? She gritted her teeth and yelled, “Fine! Get out! And don’t come back!” As I stepped into the elevator, I heard Andrew whisper, “Ms. Johnson, Christopher just acted on impulse. You should go after him and talk him down.” Evelyn’s voice was cold. “Talk him down? He has no skills and no family background. Which company would want him after he leaves me? He’ll be crawling back in a few days!” I smirked. Evelyn, the Christopher who only had eyes for you was gone forever. The next day, Charlie Watson, the head of the family branch company, asked to meet me at a downtown restaurant. I came prepared, having developed unique insights in many fields. After our conversation, Charlie was astonished. “Mr. Clark, with such talent, why would you be content to stay in a small company?” I gave a self-deprecating laugh. “Guess I had water in my brain back then. It’s all dried up now.” Charlie chuckled and wisely dropped the subject of my past. Instead, he pulled out a hefty stack of documents and handed them to me. “Sir Clark is planning to hold an investment conference at the branch office. The news has already been leaked, and you, young heir, will be in charge of the details.” I understood. It was my dad paving the way for me. “Alright, compile all the names and send them to me.” When Andrew and I emerged from the private room, we unexpectedly bumped into two familiar faces in the lobby. Evelyn and Andrew were sitting together, chatting and laughing, looking every bit like a happy couple. Evelyn noticed me, and her expression turned a bit awkward. Before I could say anything, she started explaining as if she had a guilty conscience. “Don’t get me wrong. We were just talking about the collaboration with the Clark Group next month.” I gave her a slight smile. “You don’t have to explain yourself to me. It’s work, I understand.” Andrew seized the opportunity to chime in, “Ms. Johnson has been working day and night for this collaboration with the Clark Group. She’s practically exhausted herself. That’s why I booked this nourishing meal here, to help Ms. Johnson take care of her health.” Evelyn’s affection for Andrew grew even stronger upon hearing this. “Andrew, you’re so thoughtful, unlike some people who bail at crucial moments and break my heart.” Andrew leaned into Evelyn’s embrace. “Of course, didn’t I promise to be Ms. Johnson’s most obedient kitten? Meow!” Andrew even deliberately imitated a cat’s meow. His intentionally high-pitched voice made my skin crawl and even made me feel a little nauseous. But Evelyn ate it up, stroking Andrew’s hair indulgently. “Good boy, what a clingy kitten.”

Evelyn still thought I was here to beg her to take me back. Her eyes were full of scorn. “I thought you had more backbone than this. Coming crawling back so soon? Well, even if you get down on your knees and apologize, I won’t forgive you. You’ve disappointed me too much.” I couldn’t help but laugh. “You’ve got it all wrong. I’m here on business.” Evelyn frowned. “You? On business? Christopher, I know what you’re capable of. What decent company would hire you? You’re probably being scammed!” She looked Charlie up and down, then sneered, “Dressed up all fancy, but probably works for some fly-by-night operation.” Charlie was about to fire back on my behalf, but I stopped him. “It’s not worth getting riled up over someone like her. See you at the investment conference. Oh, and by the way, we’re officially over!” I smiled and waved at Evelyn, ignoring her sour expression, and turned to leave. With Charlie’s help, I quickly and smoothly took over the branch office. When I looked over the list of companies attending the investment promotion conference, I was surprised to see Evelyn’s company on it. “Boss, should we kick this company off the list?” Charlie still remembered what happened at the restaurant last time. I shook my head. “Let’s do things by the book.” I was curious to see what kind of proposal Evelyn and Andrew could come up with. The next day, the investment promotion conference went smoothly. When I arrived, the conference hall was already packed with people. Just as I was scanning the crowd for Charlie, Evelyn appeared in front of me with Andrew in tow. Andrew was decked out in a suit, looking like a preened canary. “Christopher?” Evelyn’s expression was a mixture of surprise and disdain when she saw me. “Your rinky-dink company is attending the investment promotion conference, too?” I didn’t say anything. I just smiled politely and pointed in a direction. “Those responsible for the investment proposals, please register over there.” My attitude brought a flicker of annoyance to Evelyn’s face. “Christopher, we’re all here for the conference. What are you trying to pull?” She paused, then frowned. “Also… why are all your things gone from the house?” “We broke up. Of course, I took my things.” Actually, I had thrown all that stuff away ages ago. Keeping it would have been bad luck. “You’re really breaking up with me?” Evelyn asked, her voice a mix of surprise and disbelief. Every time they fought in the past, I’d storm off for a few days before crawling back to her. But this time, my cold and resolute demeanor was utterly foreign to her. It was as if something precious was slipping through her fingers. For the first time, Evelyn’s tone softened. “Chris, don’t be like this. I know I’ve been distant lately, but it’s all because of work. Once I land this deal with the Clark Group, I’ll take you to travel. We’ll soak up the sun, just the two of us. Come home with me, okay?” I didn’t know why she was suddenly trying to appease me, but it didn’t matter anymore. There was no going back. “That’s not necessary. I can go there myself.” My icy tone clearly annoyed Evelyn. “Christopher, why are you being so harsh? I’ve already tried to make peace. What more do you want? With your attitude, who else besides me would even bother with you?” I sneered. Even now, she still acted all high and mighty. “Evelyn, it’s a shame, but today, your arrogance will have to bow down to me.” Evelyn scoffed, “Bow down to you? As if! Do you think you’re the head honcho of the Clark Group’s investor conference or something?” Right on cue, Charlie took the stage amidst a wave of anticipation. “I hereby announce the commencement of the Clark Group’s investor conference! Now, let’s welcome Mr. Christopher Clark, the head of the conference, to the stage!”

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A few days before the wedding, my half-brother had a depressive episode. To appease him, my fiancée cut up the wedding suit that my mother had handmade before she died, despite my pleas. She stared at me angrily and said, “Bryce has nothing left. Why did you provoke him with the wedding suit? Do you want to force him to die to be satisfied?” I looked at the mess all over the floor, my heart aching until it was numb. After packing everything up, I called my mentor, saying, “I would like to go to the three-year foreign exchange program you mentioned before.” After sending the wedding suit to the repair store, I returned home alone. However, standing in front of the door of the familiar villa, I couldn’t open it. I was stunned. Could it be that my fiancée, Nicole Phillips, changed the password? The next second, the door in front of me was pulled open. I looked up, but the person I saw was Bryce Kingsley. He looked like he had just gotten out of the shower, wearing a bathrobe with water dripping from his hair. He stood in the doorway, greeting me like he was the master of the house. “Elliott, you’re back. Come in.” Bryce walked over to me and took my shoulder affectionately. “Sorry, Elliott. I forgot to tell you about changing the password. “Nicole was worried that I wouldn’t be able to take care of myself on my own, so she brought me back for a few days. But I was too stupid to remember the original password, so she changed it to my birthday.” I paused as I pushed Bryce away, feeling like my heart had been gripped by a large hand, painful. Two years ago, when I had been kicked out of my home by my father, Vincent Kingsley, Nicole had bought the villa and set the password to the day I’d been with her. She said at the time, “Elliott, it will be your new home from now on, just for you and me.” But today, she had forgotten that. “You ran out without drying your hair. What if you catch a cold?” Nicole scolded. Her words interrupted my thoughts. I looked up to see Nicole walking over with a towel, gently wiping Bryce’s hair. “Nicole, Elliott is still watching. It’s not appropriate.” Bryce looked at me and scrunched his neck, panic showing on his face. Nicole stiffened slightly and frowned impatiently when she met my gaze. “What are you standing here for? Hurry up inside and cook us dinner.” I took a deep breath and indifferently responded, “If you want to eat, cook for yourself.” However, just as I walked inside, Nicole blocked my way. She said, “Why are you acting like this? If it weren’t for the fact that you irritated Bryce with the wedding suit and forced him to have a depressive episode, I wouldn’t have taken him over to take care of him. What’s wrong with you cooking for him?” At this moment, the words “wedding suit” stuck into my heart like a needle, and my eyes instantly turned red. I asked, “Didn’t he sneak into my room and look at it himself? You ruined my wedding suit for him, and you want me to serve him now. On what grounds?” “On the grounds that you’re his older brother.” Nicole looked at me coldly. “Besides, it’s just a wedding suit. I can pay you back for one.” “What did you say?” I looked at Nicole incredulously, gritting my teeth. She clearly knew the significance of this wedding suit. It was not only a memory my mother, Brenda Kingsley, left me with but also a blessing for me and her. Seemingly realizing that she had said the wrong thing, Nicole opened her mouth to say something. However, Bryce rushed between us. “Elliott, don’t fight with Nicole because of me, okay? It’s all my fault. Why don’t you hit me, Elliott? Do whatever you want to me as long as you’re happy.” Bryce got more and more agitated as he talked, tears falling from his eyes. He even grabbed my hand and slapped it in his face. I muffled a grunt as my hand, injured from grabbing the scissors with Nicole this afternoon, oozed blood once again from Bryce’s grip. I was about to pull my hand back, but Nicole had already yanked me away with one hand. The force of her unexpected move caused me to stumble, and my back hit a shelf on the side, hurting me so much that I took a deep breath. Bryce said, “Nicole, my face hurts.” Nicole immediately tensed and cupped Bryce’s face, finally finding a tiny red mark by the corner of his mouth. The pain in my back hadn’t even faded when a burning pain came from my palm. It was only then that I realized the gauze on my right hand was completely red with blood. However, Nicole just glared at me viciously and turned around, pulling Bryce to put on the medicine. I stared at their backs and mocked myself with a smile. Once upon a time, the person Nicole cared most about was me, and the slightest injury to me would cause her heartache. But after Bryce was taken home, she didn’t care about me anymore. I closed my sore eyes and headed to the guest bedroom with my exhausted body.

After briefly treating the wound, I was so tired that I fell straight to sleep. The next day, I left the house early and went to the school to submit the materials for the foreign exchange program. My mentor, William Roberts, looked at me appreciatively after scrutinizing them. “Elliott, you really are the most suitable person for this program. That competition before is closing soon, so you can leave as soon as you finish it. When do you plan to leave?” After thinking about it, I calmly said, “Seven days later.” Seven days from now happened to be the day before my wedding to Nicole. William opened his mouth in some surprise. After glancing at my injured hand, he sighed and nodded his head to respect my decision. When I got home, Nicole was the only one home. She was leaning back on the couch somewhat impatiently, a brand-new wedding suit by her side. Seeing me, she loosened her furrowed brow and waved me over to her. Nicole said, “I was impulsive yesterday when I cut up your wedding suit. But I won’t delay our wedding. I bought this from the world’s most luxurious wedding suit store. Do you like it?” I knew Nicole was apologizing to me for yesterday. However, as I looked at the most luxurious wedding suit in front of me, pain slowly appeared in my heart. By now, she still thought I cared that I would not be able to hold the wedding if the wedding suit was gone. Seeing that I didn’t say anything, Nicole probably acquiesced that I had accepted her kindness, showing a smugness in her eyes. She continued, “You know Bryce has been in poor health and has delayed a lot of his academic process. I’ve heard that you have a competition coming to an end. Why don’t you change your name to Bryce? He needs it more than you do. You have the same teacher, so it’s not hard to change your name.” I looked over at Nicole in shock, realizing that she had done all of this for Bryce. My lips trembled as I said, “No way. All of this is the result of my hard work. Why should I let anyone else have them?” Nicole’s face grew somber as she heard my refusal. She said, “Elliott, I’m not negotiating with you. The investor in this project is me. If you disagree, I’ll withdraw my investment right away.” I clenched my hands so tightly that my fingernails sank into my flesh. Nicole had invested in my project for no reason in the first place to pave the way for Bryce, right? The thought that I was so happy over this matter that I stayed up the whole night at that time made me feel that I was too stupid. But now, even if I was not willing, I could not resist because this project was not just my efforts alone. Images of countless nights in the past where William had led me and the others through sleepless nights waiting for the results of a piece of data came to my mind. I unclenched my fists. “Okay.” Hearing that, Nicole sneered, “You should have obeyed like that a long time ago. Why did you have to let me threaten you into making things awkward?” With that, she directly left. I looked at Nicole’s leaving back, standing up numbly and starting to pack up everything related to Nicole. We had been together for twenty-two years, and Nicole had given me a lot of things except for these two years after Bryce’s return. All of these were now stacked in the small attic. Inside were various birthday and holiday gifts Nicole had given me from the time I was one to the time I was twenty. Among them was a jar of wishing stars that Nicole had hand-folded for me as a confession gift when I turned eighteen, and each star had a moving love message on the back. I rummaged further in and found a heavy photo album. After Brenda died, Nicole had worried that I was too upset and had taken me on a trip around the world, taking group photos at every place we went. Nicole had promised me while stuffing the photos. “I’ll travel the world with you.” When I came back to my senses, I realized that my face was wet with tears and that it was dark. At that moment, my cell phone vibrated, and it was Bryce who sent me a video. On the screen, Nicole was holding Bryce’s hand, watching fondly as he wished on a meteor shower. Immediately afterward, he sent me a message: [Elliott, it would have been great if you could have come. It’s a shame you can’t see such a beautiful meteor shower.] I clicked on his Instagram and saw the photo he posted a minute ago, with the caption: [She said even if she can’t get close to me, she will always be with me. I wish all lovers in the world a happy ending.] I wiped the tears from my eyes, then calmly liked it and went to the garden to burn everything.

Nicole had never returned in the days that followed. However, through Bryce’s Instagram, I knew about all their itineraries. They had gone to the mountains to watch the sunrise, to the beach to collect shells, to a wild open-air barbecue… I knew it was all sent out by Bryce for me to see. But I wasn’t angry or upset at all, and I focused on packing my bags. I didn’t stop until after there was no more of my stuff in this house. I looked at the calendar, and there were still four days left. Finally, I decided to say goodbye to my friends. At the dinner table, they were shocked when I finished talking about the foreign exchange program I was going to participate in. Quentin Fisher, my best friend, froze for a long time before saying, “Aren’t you and Nicole getting married soon? Why did you suddenly…” “It just suddenly dawned on me that she and I weren’t a good fit.” I closed my eyes without explaining too much. Quentin, however, violently hugged me and said, “Did Nicole bully you? I felt something was wrong when I first saw Nicole’s concern for that bastard. But I knew what she meant to you, so I thought I was overthinking it. If I’d known she’d put you through the wringer, I’d have broken up the marriage between you two.” With that, he added, “But it’s not too late now. Don’t worry. We will support you in whatever decision you make.” Hearing Quentin’s words, the others chimed in, patting me on the shoulder to comfort and encourage me. Sourness welled up in my heart, and I reddened my eyes, feeling touched. Ever since Nicole changed, I hadn’t felt such warmth, always digesting my grievances by myself. Perhaps because it had been too long since we had gotten together, we drank a lot, but we also talked freely and cheerfully. After a while, I got up to go to the bathroom. I didn’t expect to meet Bryce, who happened to come out of the box, on my way back. Bryce’s exaggeratedly shocked voice rang out. “Elliott, I didn’t expect to run into you even when Nicole threw me a celebration party. It’s too coincidental. Since you’re here, why don’t you join us?” My brain was a little slow from drinking, and I was already pulled into the box by Bryce by the time I reacted. After I appeared, the originally lively atmosphere instantly fell silent. I saw Nicole and many familiar faces. Nicole looked at me with displeasure. “Elliott, I said I would marry you, and I won’t go back on my word. I just haven’t been home in a couple of days. Do you have to follow me?” I felt uncomfortable with the stares of the people around me. “You misunderstood. I just came out for dinner with my friends and just happened to run into you guys. Besides, it wasn’t me who wanted to come in. He had to drag me in.” Seeing me pointing at Bryce, Nicole frowned. “Bryce just wants to share the joy with you. Why do you look reluctant?” Was Bryce sharing the joy of stealing my credit? How could Nicole say that? Sensing the stagnant atmosphere, one of them smiled, “Ms. Phillips, don’t pay too much attention to him. He has no self-awareness. Today is a celebration for Bryce. Let’s not ruin the fun for someone else.” Hearing him say that, Nicole eased her expression, and the others gathered around Bryce and Nicole. One man said, “Yes, I’d like to thank Ms. Phillips. Without your support, we wouldn’t have had the success of this project.” A woman added, “I want to thank Bryce. If it weren’t for you working day and night on the experiments, there’s no way we could have gotten so much valuable data.” Hearing their words, I froze in place. I had done those experiments and data with my own hands, and they all knew about it. But now, they calmly ignored me and bragged about Bryce. Seeing me lost in thought, Bryce looked over at me triumphantly and said silently, “You’re a clown.” I took a deep breath and tried to step forward. Nicole sensed something and glanced at me coldly, her eyes full of warning. She took a step in front of me and ordered me condescendingly, “Now that you’re here, aren’t you going to congratulate Bryce?” I stared into Nicole’s eyes and felt as hard and painful as if I had something stuck in my throat. I didn’t understand why Nicole was pushing me so relentlessly. After a long pause, just as Nicole was getting impatient, I chuckled, “Okay.”

I picked up my glass and turned to Bryce. “Congratulations. You’ve only been in the program for three days, and you’ve never even been to the lab, yet you’ve managed to lead the group to an award. You are truly gifted. “Thank you for pulling in Ms. Phillips’ investment. As expected, projects with more funding have a higher chance of winning the award.” Although they were words of congratulations, the expressions on everyone’s faces in the room turned awful all of a sudden. I finished the wine in my glass in one go, then smiled at Nicole, “Ms. Phillips, are you satisfied?” Without waiting for her answer, I put my glass on the table and turned to leave. I had just stepped out of the box when my tears fell uncontrollably. I held onto the wall and relaxed for a long time before I could suppress the grief in my heart. Following that, I took out my cell phone and sent a message to Quentin and the others: [Sorry. I have something to do, so I’ll go back first. Let’s get together again sometime afterward.] I didn’t want them to see me like this, which would only add to their worries. I walked out of the front door in a state of disorientation and realized that it had started raining at some point, feeling piercing cold. I looked at the lone shadow on the ground, and all my emotions came flooding back to me. No longer having the strength to support my body, I crouched helplessly on the ground and wrapped my arms around myself, crying loudly. Bryce had not only robbed me of the home I had lived in for eighteen years, but he had also robbed me of the new home Nicole had promised me. For a moment, I actually didn’t know where to stay. Suddenly, a person appeared in front of me. Nicole held an umbrella to protect me from the rain and looked at me with mixed emotions in her eyes. Nicole looked down at my messy appearance. “Elliott, I told you a long time ago. Even if you sacrifice as much as you can for others, they will only betray you for profit without hesitation.” I looked up at Nicole, who looked indifferent, then stood up and slapped the umbrella out of her hand. I yelled at her hysterically, “Who are you to say these things? Isn’t this all thanks to you? Nicole, who the hell are you to do this to me?” As if angered by me, Nicole’s tone suddenly went cold. “You owe it to Bryce. If you hadn’t let people isolate him in college and found someone to bully him, there’s no way he would have suffered from depression.” Hearing this reply, I was a bit dazed, then realized. No wonder she had suddenly changed her attitude towards me. How ridiculous it was! The trust of twenty-two years of living together could not withstand the words of a first-time acquaintance. Nicole hadn’t even thought to ask me for confirmation. My nerves that had been tensed broke, and my consciousness gradually became blurred. As I stumbled unsteadily, Nicole yanked me roughly. “Elliott, it’s not too late for you to start making it up to Bryce. As soon as he gets better, I’ll start over with you.” I smiled bitterly as my tears slid down with the rain before I passed out ultimately. Nicole, we wouldn’t get a chance to start over. I woke up, and it was the next morning. There was steaming milk on the table. I walked over to see a note from Nicole: [I’m going on a business trip for a few days. But don’t worry. I’ll be back in time for the wedding day, and I definitely won’t miss it.] I looked at the trash can beside me and crumpled up the note, then threw it in, while walking to the kitchen to pour out the milk. Nicole had probably forgotten that I was lactose intolerant. The next few days were peaceful without Nicole and Bryce. Not only did I send the bags I had packed earlier overseas, but I also got someone to find out what had happened that year. I set up a timed e-mail, and all the evidence would be sent to Nicole’s mailbox at twelve on the day of the wedding. After I finished all this, it was already the day before the wedding. When I brought the flowers I bought and planned to visit Brenda at the cemetery, Nicole actually came home early. Seeing me going out, she frowned. “Where are you going?” I replied calmly, “I’m going to see my mom.” After freezing for a moment, Nicole didn’t say anything more and offered to go with me. I didn’t refuse in order to keep her from getting suspicious. However, Bryce called just as she pulled up to the entrance of the cemetery. Not knowing what Bryce had said, Nicole lost her intention to get out of the car. She refastened her seatbelt and said with a slight apology, “Remember to come home early and get ready for the wedding tomorrow. “I still have some things to do, so I won’t be back tonight. I’ll be waiting for you at the venue tomorrow.” The car left, and I mumbled in the direction Nicole left, “Nicole, I hope we never see each other again in this life.”

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At the final meeting before my company’s IPO, my wife, who was supposed to be the keynote speaker, failed to show up. I frantically called her over and over, but every call went unanswered. Because of her absence, we lost the bid, and my company became a laughingstock in the industry. Yet, at that very moment, her so-called “bromeo” posted an update: [I just caught a cold, and this little one is already so worried.] I clicked on it, only to see a photo of my wife, whom I hadn’t seen in days. She crouched down and was feeding him medicine with a look of concern. At that moment, all the love I had for her over the past five years vanished into thin air. “Mr. Harrison, the bidding meeting has already started, and yet the keynote speaker hasn’t shown up. Are you giving us the upper hand? You’re so nice!” The rival company’s CEO gave me a hard pat on the shoulder, his eyes brimming with mockery. I stood frozen, unable to say a word. Today was supposed to be the final bid meeting, and if successful, our company would go public. Dozens of employees were relying on this success for their bonuses, and this project was the culmination of two years of effort. But now, it had all fallen apart. At that moment, Daphne’s bromeo, Matt, posted an update: [I just had some coughs, and someone dropped everything to take care of me.] The accompanying photo showed Matt being fed medicine by my wife, her face full of concern. It hit me then that she had skipped the meeting to take care of Matt’s cold. Just a few coughs, and Daphne was willing to abandon the hopes of dozens of employees and the fruits of our two years of hard work to rush to him. She was always aloof toward me, yet she was so attentive and thoughtful when it came to Matt. Tears I couldn’t suppress began to fall, and I slammed the steering wheel several times in frustration. Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed a used condom tucked into the crevice of the car seat. Suddenly, it felt as if icy water had poured over me. I began trembling uncontrollably. The car had always been exclusively used by Daphne. It wasn’t hard to figure out what had happened. I shut my eyes in despair. I thought she might have been emotionally unfaithful. But now it was clear—she and Matt had already crossed the line. I thought back to a few weeks ago, when Daphne uncharacteristically cooked for me for the first time ever. She had been unusually gentle and had said it was to celebrate my birthday. I thought I had finally moved her heart and that things could improve between us. Now it was obvious that she had only done that out of guilt after her affair. I opened her social media feed and found post after post documenting every little moment she shared with Matt. Not one post was about me. Even her phone wallpaper was a random selfie Matt casually took. I had brought up my discomfort about this before, but every time, she lashed out at me instead, accusing me of being unreasonable. “We’re just friends. What’s the big deal about using his photo? “If there was anything between us, do you think you’d still be in the picture?” She would glare at me with reddened eyes, leaving me no choice but to swallow my frustration. I kept convincing myself that she had no feelings for Matt, just a lack of boundaries. But now, the last bit of hope I had was shattered. I said: [Daphne, let’s get a divorce.] After sending her the message, I immediately contacted a lawyer to draft a divorce agreement.

When I got home, I started packing my things, intending to move out immediately. As I was tidying up, I stumbled upon a prenatal check-up report tucked into the cabinet. We hadn’t had sex for three months, so there was no way her child could be mine. I thought I had become numb, but seeing that report made my chest ache all over again. It felt like someone was strangling me, leaving me lightheaded and suffocating. I quietly placed the report back where I found it, took a photo of it, and left. Daphne still didn’t respond to my divorce message, as if she had vanished from the world. It wasn’t until two days later, when I forwarded her the divorce agreement, that she finally replied with a single question mark. She texted me: [What do you mean? Just because I’ve been gone for a few days, you want a divorce?] When I didn’t reply, she seemed to grow angrier. [Are you serious? Think this through. If we divorce, you’ll never find someone as good as me.] I replied: [I’ve already sent you the divorce agreement. Do you really think I’m joking?] I let out a cold laugh and urged her. [Sign it, and we can go finalize the divorce. After that, we’ll have nothing to do with each other.] Then, I turned off my phone and headed straight to the office. Although some of my employees had grumbled about the situation, their trust in me kept them from leaving. I couldn’t let my personal problems affect them any further. Thankfully, we still had some funds to keep things running, so I gave everyone a 5000-dollar bonus. I said to them, “This failure isn’t the end. There’s another chance to go public in two months. Let’s give it our all.” The employees were excited and returned to work with renewed energy. I then called HR and instructed them to draft a termination letter for Daphne. “Are you sure about this, boss? Won’t there be… repercussions with Mrs. Harrison?” “Do it. Make sure she gets it today. Whatever happens with this company after, it has nothing to do with her.” I cut her off with a wave and went back to my office. This company had been founded by the two of us, but in reality, I was the one funding it and keeping it afloat. I had always been the one working tirelessly to understand customer needs and secure deals, and back then, I hadn’t thought much of it. But now, thinking it through, I had been shielding Daphne from the storm while she stayed cozy managing internal affairs. She had it too easy. Not long after, Daphne called me, her tone filled with fury. “How dare you fire me from the company? This is my hard work too! “I’ll pretend your talk of divorce never happened. But if you keep pushing, I won’t hold back!” I couldn’t help but laugh at her words. She still thought I was just bluffing to get her to come home. “When I say divorce, I mean it. You’ve done nothing for this company. You didn’t even show up at the most critical meeting. Be glad I’m not suing you for damages. “The divorce agreement is only valid until today. If you don’t sign and send it back by tonight, I’ll file a lawsuit tomorrow.” With that, the line went silent. Perhaps she felt humiliated after having her attempt to reconcile rejected. I didn’t bother guessing what was on her mind and hung up. After work, I returned home to find a table of steaming hot dishes laid out. In the kitchen, Daphne, whom I hadn’t seen in days, was busy cooking with an apron. I raised my eyebrows, wondering what new trick she was playing. After all, in all these years, I had been the one doing all the housework. “You’re back. Let’s eat,” she said as she approached me and took my hand. “I know I messed up. You’re right to be angry, but you don’t have to bring up divorce so lightly. I promise, I’ll never put Matt before you again. Please forgive me this one last time, okay?” Daphne’s pitiful expression and softened voice would have melted anyone’s heart. But I calmly pulled my hand away. “If apologies were enough, who’s going to make up for the company’s losses? You don’t need to try so hard to make it up. I’ve already made up my mind—there’s no going back.”

“Jerry Harrison! What do you mean by that? If you keep this up, I’m really going to get angry.” Having her first attempt at reconciliation rejected, Daphne’s face darkened. I had completely run out of patience and decided to lay everything on the table. “Do you think I don’t know what disgusting things you and Matt did in the car? I’ve been trying to leave you some dignity. Are you forcing me to spell it all out?” She was my first love, someone I had genuinely loved for five years. Even now, despite her infidelity, I wanted a peaceful breakup. But Daphne showed no remorse. Instead, she flew into a rage upon hearing my words, grabbing the freshly prepared dishes on the table and smashing them to the ground. “So, divorce, huh? Fine! Let’s get divorced! Just don’t come crying back to me later and beg for my forgiveness!” I calmly pulled her hand and said, “This house is mine. You may not care about it, but I do. Since you’ve made up your mind, sign the papers, take your things, and leave.” Daphne glared at me, panting with rage. After signing the divorce agreement, she immediately called Matt. “Come pick me up. I’m divorcing Jerry. He’s making me pack my things and leave.” Standing nearby, I couldn’t help but sneered. The way Daphne phrased it sounded as if I was the one betraying her. Thankfully, she signed the agreement in the end, and I was finally free. After five years together, this marriage had left me utterly drained. When Daphne finished packing and stood at the door, she realized that most of what she had taken was clothes—almost the entire house was filled with her belongings. Meanwhile, my belongings were sparse. One of my shirts, in fact, had been wearing for five or six years. For a moment, she lowered her head without saying a word, and a complicated look flashed across her eyes. “Daphie! I’m here! He didn’t hurt you, did he?” When Matt arrived in a rush, I was already seated on the couch eating takeout. Hearing the commotion outside, I put on my headphones. But Matt seemed intent on humiliating me. He raised his voice to ensure I could hear him. “If I’d known he was like this, I never would have stepped aside for him back then. “Come on, man. It’s just a house. You just kicked her out after the divorce? Are you even a man?” Hearing the noise, neighbors came out to watch and gossiped among themselves. I couldn’t hold back any longer. I walked out and punched Matt directly in the face. “When you were cheating with her, were you even a man? You got her pregnant and still have the audacity to judge me?” For a moment, Daphne stared at me in disbelief, her lips trembling uncontrollably. “What nonsense are you spouting? Matt, let’s go.” She hadn’t expected me to find out about her pregnancy, let alone expose it so bluntly in public. Her face turned pale, and all she could think about was fleeing the scene. I didn’t stop her but turned to the property manager to instruct them to remove Daphne’s facial recognition data. From now on, she would no longer be allowed to enter the building. “We can finalize the divorce next week at the Courthouse. After that, we’ll have nothing to do with each other.” I sent her this message before shutting off my phone and resuming my dinner. I thought that when the day came, I would feel a void in my heart. But to my surprise, I felt nothing but relief.

Over the next few days, I was busy with work. I ran around and finally secured an investor. “Mr. Harrison, let’s sign the contract,” the investor said. Just as we were about to finalize everything, his assistant rushed in with a grim expression, handing him something to look at. “I’m sorry, Mr. Harrison, but we’ll have to put this collaboration on hold for now,” the investor said after a glance before turning and walking away. I stood there, stunned, not understanding what had just happened. It wasn’t until I saw the trending video online that I realized I had been set up. The footage showed me angrily confronting Daphne and Matt, but it had been edited to look like I was the villain. Matt, being a content creator, had set up a camera in his car the day he came to pick Daphne up. He edited the footage, cutting it to make me look unhinged, and uploaded it with the caption: [Picking up my best friend after she was kicked out by her scumbag ex. That scumbag deserves the worst.] Matt’s usual persona online was that of a feminist ally, and the fabricated story quickly garnered tens of thousands of likes. Fuming, I called Daphne. “Defamation is a crime. How dare you slander me like this?” But Daphne remained indifferent. “Then go ahead and sue us. Let’s see if the police take your side. The public is on our side now. What are you going to do about it?”

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My girlfriend always gives me a gift after meeting with Adeline, whom she refers to as her “white moonlight,” to alleviate her guilt. Over the course of a year, I’ve received six watches, fifteen bottles of Hermès perfume, and more than thirty ties. On our anniversary, she promised not to give me a gift but to spend the day with me. Yet, that night, she broke her promise. In the gift box she left behind, I found a Maserati key. At the same time, Adeline posted an update on her social media. It was a photo of a one-month pregnancy test. At that moment, I knew it was time to end things. — Lydia never checks her phone when she’s out with Adeline. So it wasn’t until the early morning that she returned, her heels clicking, completely unaware of the breakup text I had sent her nearly three hours earlier. “Finn, what are you fussing about now?” she said as she walked in, not even bothering to ask why, just assuming I was causing trouble. I stayed silent, packing my things. She seemed to be in a good mood, not upset by my silence. Instead, she looked over curiously. “Are you decluttering?” When you don’t love someone anymore, even if I’m hanging myself, it just looks like I’m swinging. “Yeah,” I said with a scoff, nodding. “The relationship too, time to cut it off.” Lydia’s face darkened slightly, and she sighed, speaking in a tone as if soothing a child, “Alright, it’s just that I didn’t spend tonight with you. Don’t be mad.” “I had to go to a friend’s gathering today. I actually wanted to come back, but they wouldn’t let me.” I could smell the men’s cologne unique to Jasper Grey on her. Seeing her contented expression, I held back from exposing her lies. “I’m not mad.” Lydia clearly didn’t believe me. After a few seconds of silence, she tentatively asked, “Did you see the post Adeline made on social media?” My hand paused for a moment, but I didn’t say anything. Lydia realized she guessed right and covered her mouth, releasing a tinkling laugh. “Are you really upset about that?” “That was a photoshopped picture from a truth or dare game Adeline lost. They thought it was fun, and I didn’t want to spoil the mood, so I let them.” “Finn, you’re too naive. Can’t you tell the image is fake?” I watched her laugh with a smug expression, as if she knew it all along. That’s how it always was. She knew why I was upset, why I was jealous, yet she still did things to make me misunderstand. Sometimes, she’d even turn my anger and jealousy into jokes to tell her friends. In the past, I might have argued with her, but now I felt nothing. No emotion at all, just a sense of pointlessness. I looked at her seriously. “I’m not joking. I’m serious.” “Lydia, let’s break up.” Lydia’s smile froze, her expression somewhat helpless. “Why can’t you get over it? You’re breaking up over such a small thing?” “Fine, I’ll have Adeline delete the post. Happy now?” With that, she sent a message to Jasper Grey right in front of me. That surprised me. In previous arguments over Jasper Grey, Lydia would always tell me not to be so petty and never thought Jasper Grey was at fault. But just as I was thinking this, I caught a glimpse of her conversation with Jasper Grey. [Sorry, Lydia, I was just joking. Didn’t expect Finn to get so mad. I’ll delete it now.] Lydia replied with a cute emoji: [It’s not your fault. Finn just can’t take a joke.] I found it amusing again. She was just trying to smooth things over. She still thought Jasper Grey was innocent. “Alright, see, it’s gone now?” Lydia handed me her phone. I said nothing, glancing at my own phone where the post was still there. I knew Jasper Grey just hid it from her. This obvious taunting had happened too many times. In the past, I might’ve complained, told her about Jasper Grey’s scheming, but now, I had no desire to. Even if I did, Lydia wouldn’t believe me. I calmly nodded, “It’s late. I’m going to bed.” I turned and headed to the bedroom. “I’ll join you.” Unusually, Lydia wanted to come along. Before she could enter, I closed the bedroom door and locked it. Lydia didn’t push the door, but she grew impatient, banging on it loudly. “Finn, are you done yet?” “All this fuss over a social media post, am I spoiling you too much? Open the door! I’m telling you one last time…” Halfway through, her phone rang. Only then did she stop banging on the door, speaking softly to the caller. Her tone was completely different from before. I didn’t need to guess to know it was Jasper Grey on the other end. Sure enough, she seemed to be taunting me, raising her voice on purpose, “Stay right there, I’m coming to you. We’re not going home until we’re drunk.” I knew she was provoking me. Before, whenever we fought, she’d say I couldn’t accept her and that she was going to find Jasper Grey. Each time, I’d compromise and give in to her. But now, I was unmoved. Soon, the door slammed shut with a deafening sound. I knew Lydia was angry, but I didn’t feel the panic I once did. Instead, it all seemed childish. She dared to do it because she thought I wouldn’t actually break up with her. But she was wrong. Whether she agreed or not, we were over. After a while, I made a call to my mentor overseas. “Professor, I’ve made up my mind. I want to join the research institute. Do you still have a spot?” —

“Of course, I’ve been holding one for you. I’m glad you’ve finally decided. I’ve been waiting for your call these past few days,” my mentor said cheerfully. The year I graduated, he invited me to join an international project. I had heard of it and was interested, but I stayed because of Lydia. I remember how disappointed he was, talking to me privately several times to focus on my career, but I didn’t listen. Fortunately, the opportunity was still there. After a few more words with him, setting a time, I left the bedroom. I planned to find my passport but saw a delicate gift box on the table. I knew it was another gift from Lydia. I opened a drawer beside it, revealing neatly arranged ties, perfumes, and designer watches. All gifts Lydia bought out of guilt after seeing Jasper Grey. It started on my birthday when she went to pick up Jasper Grey from the airport and shopped for him but bought me the same gift. I was so happy that night, I didn’t even question why she missed my birthday. Later, she repeated this trick. Seeing my emotions stabilize, she seemed to understand something. After every meeting with Jasper Grey, she’d bring me a gift. She thought I liked the presents, but she didn’t know it comforted me that she still cared about me. So no matter how Jasper Grey provoked me, I convinced myself that no matter how much Lydia interacted with him, the past was the past, and I was still the most important to her. But today’s pregnancy test brought me back to reality. Whether Lydia loved someone or not didn’t matter anymore. What mattered was her endless cover-ups, making me realize this pregnancy test could become real one day. I didn’t open the latest gift from Lydia, placing it with the others. After some thought, I put a bank card inside. It’s what I owe Lydia. In college, with my family struggling, she’d find ways to give me money under the guise of needing tutoring. When I was hospitalized, and my family didn’t care, she didn’t hesitate to steal a large sum of money from home to pay my medical bills and got scolded for it. I learned about this from others. She saved my life, so I let her do as she pleased. She wanted me to stay, so I gave up the chance to go abroad. She said her health was poor and needed care, so I gave up a high-paying job to take care of her. Even so, I still felt indebted to her. In my spare time, I worked part-time jobs. In seven years, I saved exactly 200,080, the same amount as the surgery cost. Maybe fate thought we should settle things. After packing, Jasper Grey sent me a message. I opened it to see a selfie of him and Lydia showing peace signs, with Lydia smiling in his arms, looking very intimate. Then he sent an emoji. A green hat. The meaning was clear. I ignored it. Ten minutes later, Jasper Grey sent another message. “Sorry, wrong send, Finn. I didn’t mean anything by it, don’t overthink.” I knew he was provoking me on purpose. But since Lydia and I broke up, whose green hat it was wasn’t clear. I forwarded the last message back to Jasper Grey. Less than a minute later, Lydia called. I didn’t hesitate to decline it. I knew Jasper Grey was stirring things up again. It’s a green hat. The implication is clear. I ignored it, but ten minutes later, Jude sent another message. “Sorry, sent it to the wrong person. Callum, I didn’t mean anything by it, don’t overthink.” I knew he was deliberately trying to provoke me. Since Lydia and I had already broken up, it wasn’t clear who exactly was being unfaithful. I forwarded the last message back to Jude. Less than a minute later, Lydia called. I didn’t hesitate to hang up. I knew Jude was stirring up trouble again. It was always the same. He would provoke me, then act innocent, while Lydia would blame me and mock my sensitivity. It seemed like every time we argued, I was always the one at fault. After packing my things, I left with my suitcase. I went to a hotel to check in, but when I tried to pay, the receptionist told me my card was frozen. I was momentarily stunned and checked my phone, only to see a message from Lydia. “Regretting it? This is your punishment for not answering my call.” Lydia had set up the card for me. She had convinced me to quit my job to take care of her, and to compensate, she deposited two thousand bucks a month for my living expenses. It was my only source of income. I knew she was using this to force me to apologize to Jude. The receptionist handed back the card, suggesting I use another card or pay in cash. But all my money was on that card. I never thought things with Lydia would reach this point, so I hadn’t made any backup plans. Seeing my hesitation, the receptionist looked at me with disdain and impatiently asked if I still wanted the room. “Sorry, could I use this as collateral?” I took off the ring and handed it to the receptionist. It was custom-made for our second anniversary. I had designed it, and when she first got it, she wore it all the time. But after Jude returned from abroad, her ring disappeared. I had asked her about it, and she casually replied, “Maybe I lost it.” Thinking of this, I couldn’t help but laugh. The rings were a pair, and if hers was already lost, why should I cherish mine? The receptionist examined the ring for a moment, then handed me a room key, muttering, “A grown man doesn’t even have a few hundred bucks and needs to pawn things?” I felt embarrassed and apologized awkwardly, then took my luggage into the hotel. With my card frozen, even tomorrow’s meals were uncertain, let alone a plane ticket. After thinking for a few minutes, I called a few friends, hoping to borrow some money. But when I called, they either made excuses or were evasive. Then, I got another call from Lydia. After a moment of thought, I answered. “Callum, what’s your problem?” “I froze your bank card, and now you’re trying to scam money off others?” “Your friends just called me, asking if I’m going bankrupt?” As soon as the call connected, Lydia started berating me. I didn’t explain. When she finished, I calmly said, “Unfreeze the card. The money is mine, and you have no right to touch it.” “What did you say?” Lydia sounded incredulous. I knew what she was thinking. In the past, whenever she confronted me, I’d either defend myself or apologize to avoid conflict. This was the first time I spoke to her with such authority. “I’ve been taking care of you all these years. Even a nanny gets paid.” “We’ve broken up. Consider the money my wages. You have no right to touch it.” I stated clearly. “Break up?” Lydia sneered. “Callum, haven’t you had enough?” “You’ve tried breaking up with me twice. Do you think I won’t do it?” “I suggest you think it through. You have nothing now. What can you do after breaking up with me? Who would want you?” “You want to split hairs over money, so should I return everything I gave you?” “They’re already in the drawer in the living room. You can go check.” I felt a chill in my heart. After thinking it over, I softly said to her, “I’ve decided to leave. Before I go, we…” Before I could finish, I heard Jude’s laughter. “Callum is so amusing. I really thought he was breaking up just now. I got a bit nervous, but it turns out he’s just trying to get you home.” “Lydia, maybe you should go back. I don’t want you two to quarrel over me.” Lydia scoffed softly, seemingly responding to Jude, “Don’t worry about him.” Then she sighed and said to me, “Callum, I see through your tricks. Stop it, it’s boring.” “You’re just worried about something between Jude and me? I’ll be honest, he’s not feeling well lately, and I’m taking care of him. I’ll return when he’s better.” “Stop being jealous, will you?” “I was going to unfreeze the card, but your earlier words upset me, so I’ve decided to wait three days. Think of it as a lesson.” Without waiting for my response, Lydia hung up. Before the call disconnected, I heard her and Callum laughing. I didn’t care. I had to leave the day after tomorrow, and three days would be too late. Since I couldn’t get the money from Lydia, I had no more hope. After thinking it over, I decided to get a part-time job. That night, I worked as a waiter at a karaoke bar, earning five hundred bucks. By the time I returned to the hotel with the money, it was morning. I was exhausted, but holding the cash gave me a rare sense of peace. Feelings may change, but money will never betray you. It’s a pity I realized this so late, but at least it’s not too late. I slept until noon. When I woke up and checked my phone, there were only a few spam messages. Lydia was afraid of the dark. When I wasn’t home, she’d call and message me constantly, but now she hadn’t contacted me, likely not returning home all night. But I didn’t care anymore. That night, I went to work as usual. Even through the thick doors, the noise from the private room was loud. Lydia often visited places like this, but I didn’t like them. One night, Lydia sent me a distress message from a karaoke bar. I rushed over in my sleepwear without changing, only to find Jude and her friends laughing at me when I opened the door. It turned out they were playing truth or dare. I was sweaty, in pajamas, and wearing flip-flops, starkly different from Jude in his suit. Lydia’s friends ridiculed me, and Lydia coldly blamed me for embarrassing her. Since then, I’ve had a strong aversion to such places. However, knowing I was leaving, I felt surprisingly calm. But some things were still unexpected. At midnight, the manager asked me to deliver wine to a VIP room, repeatedly reminding me it was a big client. I agreed without much thought. As soon as I entered, I heard a burst of cheering. Instinctively, I turned my head and saw Lydia and Jude surrounded on the sofa. The two of them were facing each other closely, playing a game where they both ate an apple. Their lips nearly touched. The atmosphere was charged with tension. “Kiss, kiss.” Someone cheered, and Lydia’s face turned red. “Time’s up, you two were too slow. There’s a penalty.” “How should they be punished? Let’s have the wine guy decide.” Someone pointed at me with a smile. Everyone’s eyes turned to me, Lydia included. Her smile froze when she saw me. Jude also recognized me, a flicker of disdain crossing his eyes before he quickly recovered and smiled. “Hey, isn’t this Callum? Why are you in a waiter’s outfit?” Lydia’s friends also laughed mockingly. “Lydia, what’s going on? How could you let your boyfriend work here?” They exchanged knowing glances and offered to order drinks to help me earn commission. I knew they intended to humiliate me. They never approved of me, thinking I was beneath Lydia. Despite my efforts over the years to prove myself and help them with problems, nothing changed. In the past, I might have felt hurt and disappointed. But now, I was unexpectedly calm. Their attitudes were ultimately because of Lydia. Since Lydia no longer mattered to me, why should their opinions? I politely recommended drinks to them, suggesting several expensive options, and then asked, “These drinks are sold by the dozen. How many would you like?” They were stunned, not expecting me to be so bold. They were left speechless. In the past, I would have felt hurt and let down. But now, surprisingly, I feel at peace. Their attitude towards me ultimately stems from Lydia Bennett. Since Lydia is no longer significant to me, what does their opinion mean? I immediately and politely suggested some drinks to them, highlighting several high-priced options before smiling as I asked, “These are sold in sets of twelve bottles. How many would you like?” They stood there, caught off guard by my boldness, momentarily speechless. “If that’s too much, you might not finish it all. How about 24 bottles?” I suggested kindly. “That’ll be 160,000. Could one of you please proceed to the front desk to pay?” With that, I turned away, ignoring their embarrassed faces, and prepared to leave. Just as I reached the door, Lydia Bennett caught up to me, her expression dark as she sharply questioned me. “Callum, are you done causing a scene? Why did you follow me here?” I calmly replied, “I’m not following you. I’m here to earn a living.” Lydia clearly wasn’t convinced, her tone becoming sharper. “Does our family need you to make money? Even if I cut off your card, selling just one or two of those gifts would support you for a year.” Not bothering to explain further, I nodded. “You’re right.” I thought Lydia would be satisfied, but her expression only worsened. Before she could say more, Ethan Quinn interjected. “Lydia, since Callum is already here, don’t rush him off. Let’s have a few drinks together.” I assumed Lydia would, as usual, refuse to let me stay, and I was ready to decline. But to my surprise, Lydia said, “You stay here for now. We’ll go home later.” I was a bit taken aback—she was always quick to dismiss me when we were out. And now she wants me to stay with her? Before I could ponder further, Ethan suddenly clutched his head, saying, “Lydia, my stomach suddenly hurts.” “What happened? Is it acting up again? I’ll take you to the hospital.” Lydia hurried back to Ethan’s side, her eyes filled with concern. She never seemed this worried when I was sick with a high fever. Seeing her concerned gaze, I smiled with a sense of acceptance. “I’m leaving. You guys take care.” “Wait,” Lydia suddenly called out to me. I turned back, puzzled, only to see her with an odd look in her eyes as she fiddled with her phone. “The card is unfrozen. Take a cab home.” “Wait for me at home; I have something to tell you.” This was the first time she thought of me while with Ethan. In the past, I would have been thrilled. I responded half-heartedly and left. The commission from the drinks was enough for me to buy a plane ticket. After booking the earliest flight, I returned to the hotel, grabbed my suitcase, and took a cab to the airport. As I boarded the plane, I couldn’t help but look back at this familiar yet unfamiliar city. I knew this was truly goodbye to Lydia. ——VIP——

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My fiancé of sixteen years, who was my childhood sweetheart, was getting married. At the wedding, my fiancé ran away hand in hand with his secretary, wearing the wedding attire I had personally designed and handcrafted. In my moment of heartbreak, my fiancé’s brother dragged me to the registry office and directly registered our marriage. When I returned to the wedding venue, all the decorations I had spent two months overseeing were torn down, with flowers scattered all over the ground. My childhood sweetheart fiancé was holding his secretary, having a wild party with all the guests. “Look, I won the bet! That dog came back!” “So gullible, Jack, your family’s dog is really fun to play with.” My fiancé’s brother beside me also excitedly went forward to share with everyone: “I just casually tricked her, and she got this fake marriage certificate with me.” I stared blankly at the stage, where two men were happily laughing around that female secretary! Under the guidance of my childhood sweetheart and their secretary, I became a clown for everyone’s amusement. I dialed that number on my phone: “Mr. Wilson, about the marriage you mentioned before, I agree.”

“No problem, I’ll prepare for the wedding right away.” The message was instantly replied to, a treatment I hadn’t received from Jack and Tom in a long time since that secretary appeared. A phone call came through. I opened my mouth, wanting to say there’s no need to go to so much trouble, just getting the certificate would be fine. After all, we weren’t that familiar. Before I could speak, I heard his next sentence. “Emily, I’m very happy.” I panicked and nervously hung up the phone. The next second, I was pushed from behind and nearly fell. Turning around, it was Tom, with the secretary Olivia standing next to him, intimately holding his arm. “Sister Emily, you know I’m against marriage, I was just curious about what getting married feels like. I didn’t expect Jack and Tom to… I’m sorry.” I remained silent, but my phone was suddenly knocked out of my hand by Tom. “Are you deaf? Is this how the Parker family taught you? Olivia is pure-hearted, how can you be so petty, not even responding?” My fiancé Jack quickly walked in front of me, shielding Olivia behind him. The three of them looked so harmonious, while I, the fiancée, seemed like the third party ruining someone else’s relationship. The guests below whispered among themselves, their eyes filled with contempt and mockery towards me. “Look at her, she really thought she was going to be the bride today? This is a party specially prepared by the two Parker young masters for Olivia!” “I heard after the older brother ran away from the wedding, she wanted to marry the younger brother. Young Master Tom really spoils her, even willing to accept such a woman…” The guests were all friends of the Parker family, but at this moment, their eyes were full of malice and ridicule. And my two childhood sweethearts were now completely focused on Olivia, having long forgotten about me. I looked around and found that the romantic scenes I had carefully arranged were now completely destroyed. All the flower arrangements I had specially prepared were thrown on the ground, shattered into petals and trampled under everyone’s feet. Fallen into mud. Even this farce was planned to please Olivia and make her happy. My fingers trembled uncontrollably. Olivia seemed to notice my abnormality, her eyes instantly reddened, and she lowered her head, saying softly: “Sister Emily, I’m sorry, I suggested they give you a surprise, I didn’t expect it to turn out like this…” “I really didn’t know this wedding dress was yours, I just thought it was so beautiful. It’s all my fault, don’t blame others.” Jack tightly held Olivia’s hand and glared at me: “Can’t you be less petty? You’re a wedding dress designer, what haven’t you seen?” Hearing this, Tom became even more furious. He grabbed my wrist and threw me in front of Olivia: “Emily Wilson! Olivia is still a child, how can you treat her like this? Why are you pretending to be pitiful? Apologize now!” Enduring the pain, I steadied myself and slowly raised my hand to take off the ring I had designed myself. Jack’s face instantly turned extremely ugly. He instinctively covered his own hand—where he originally wore the handmade wedding ring I had crafted for him, now replaced with a matching ring with Olivia. I calmly spoke: “You’re right, today should be enjoyed properly.” They looked at me in surprise, seemingly unable to believe I would compromise so easily. After all, in the past, I would always argue with them endlessly about Olivia’s matters. But this time, I wouldn’t make a fuss anymore. I decisively threw the ring into the air. “Let’s break up.” Jack’s face instantly darkened. I smiled slightly: “The engagement is canceled, you’re single, aren’t you?” Tom finally couldn’t hold back, his brows tightly knitted: “Are you crazy? It’s one thing not to accept Olivia’s surprise, but for a major life event like marriage, you actually want to marry someone outside of our Parker family? Who else would want you besides our family?” My heart ached again, but I maintained a smile on my face. I smiled slightly, tore the fake marriage certificate to pieces, then threw it at Tom: “Don’t you want to satisfy Olivia? Then you should experience it properly.” Tom’s eyes widened, and he grabbed my wrist tightly: “How dare you—?!” The pain came through clearly, but I was already numb. I calmly responded: “What don’t I dare to do?” Tom’s face turned ashen with anger, and he threw the pieces back at me: “Enough! Emily Wilson!” Jack frowned and walked in front of me, his voice tinged with impatience: “Our wedding is about to start. If you dare to embarrass yourself in front of so many people again, I’ll cancel the wedding!”

Hearing this, I laughed. In the past, I might have begged pitifully for their forgiveness. My parents’ sacrifice left me without the protection of close family, and my grandfather developed a dislike for me, refusing to take on the responsibility of raising me. After that, I was adopted by the Parker family. From a young age, I tasted the flavor of living under someone else’s roof, feeling insecure and lacking self-esteem. When facing my childhood sweethearts, I always habitually lowered my head first, regardless of who was right or wrong. They were extremely sympathetic towards me, vowing not to let me suffer even the slightest grievance. As time passed, Jack, who had a gentler personality, and I developed feelings for each other and confirmed our mutual affection. When Tom found out at the time, he was furious but gradually accepted it. However, life is unpredictable. After Mrs. Parker divorced Mr. Parker, I also became a redundant existence, forgotten in a corner. The wedding I had been looking forward to with all my heart ultimately became a laughable joke, and I became a laughingstock along with it. The guests below whispered among themselves, with bursts of mocking laughter. “Dump this gold-digger, let her know what she really is!” My two childhood sweethearts held their heads high, waiting for my submission, with no warmth in their eyes. I laughed sarcastically: “Then I wish the three of you a long and happy life together, with children soon.” There was a sudden silence below. Tom, furious, reached out and grabbed my arm. The force was so strong it felt like he wanted to crush my bones. “Emily Wilson, what do you mean? Why are you still slandering Olivia? I didn’t realize you were so vicious!” But they all knew, didn’t they? This was originally the wedding I had poured my heart and soul into creating. Why did they have to speak ill of me for someone else’s sake? Why did things change? Why did they abandon me again? I was in extreme pain from being choked, looking at him with reddened eyes, but he suddenly froze. I took the opportunity to break free from his restraint and strode towards the exit. Tom instinctively wanted to stop me, but was halted by Jack’s calm voice. “Let her go! She’s just an orphan with no one to rely on, what can she amount to without the Parker family!” Tom’s footsteps faltered, and he cursed at me loudly. “I think raising you was worse than raising a dog for the Parker family!” I silently shed a tear, listening to his curses fade away, finally disappearing into the clamor of the banquet hall. Opening my phone, I saw a new message. “I’m waiting for you at the entrance of the banquet hall. Call me if you can’t find the car.” I walked towards the car by the roadside, where Ryan Wilson was sitting. Before he could exchange pleasantries, I spoke up. “Let’s go get our marriage certificate.” He opened his eyes wide in surprise: “Now?” I nodded. The moment I got the marriage certificate, I felt a bit dazed. Who would have thought that I’d marry a man I barely knew? Ryan Wilson was someone I met by chance during a business trip to discuss a project, and later found out he was also from North City. Since we’re already married, let me use the remaining week to make a clean break with the past. I returned home and started packing, calculating the money the Parker family had spent on raising me over the years. But the debt I calculated was something I couldn’t bear alone. With a nervous heart, I called Ryan Wilson, who transferred the money to me without hesitation. I felt really bad about it and wanted to express my gratitude. “Then design two of the most unique and luxurious wedding outfits in the world for us! I just bought a few sapphires, they’re all for you to use. Wait for you to come home.” Home… Do I have a home now? Ryan’s laughter was hearty and joyful, and a strange feeling of being moved welled up in my heart. From the moment we first met, he had been full of praise for my abilities. After our marriage of convenience, he went to great lengths to provide me with resources, allowing me to access more excellent resources and high-level clients. I could feel that he wanted to give me all the best resources, to see me grow to the highest level. The Parker family, on the other hand, had given all the best resources to Olivia, leaving me with only scraps. They even put Olivia’s name on my designs. Thinking of this, my smile gradually faded. Jack was right, I indeed couldn’t leave them in the past. But now, everything is different. It turns out that true love is not about constraining a person, but giving them freedom and support. It wasn’t until I got home that I realized the sapphires Ryan casually mentioned buying were actually top-tier gems from auctions. Each one was priceless. I couldn’t help but gasp.

It wasn’t until two nights later that I heard faint noises outside the door in my drowsy state. “I told you she couldn’t leave us. After speaking so decisively, she still obediently came back, didn’t she?” I struggled to get up, only to find Jack had snatched away the draft under my hand. “Our wedding is about to be held, what’s the use of doing this now?” Of course, it’s not for him and me. I silently snatched back the draft. He frowned slightly and changed his tone. “Olivia did it for you too. To apologize, she redesigned a new wedding dress for you. You should thank her. We’re getting married officially next week anyway, so don’t be angry, okay?” It’s always like this. Whether it’s our anniversary for the three of us, or my birthday. They always bring Olivia along, turning my main event into something unrecognizable, making her the most dazzling female lead on the scene. Just like now, they abandoned me alone for two days for Olivia’s sake, without even asking about me once. I was too tired to even lift my head as I perfunctorily responded. Only then did Jack breathe a sigh of relief, and Tom, who had been hiding outside the door, reluctantly walked in. “Emily, we were wrong earlier today. The Parker family will always welcome you.” I nodded faintly, and only then did Jack take out the gift box, breathing a sigh of relief. The lid of the gift box slowly opened, revealing a worn wedding dress with mud stains on it. They held the gift box as if it were a hot potato, instantly becoming flustered. I laughed, my gaze full of sarcasm.

Tom lowered his head and casually said: “Maybe someone put it in the wrong place, the boxes look similar, I made a mistake.” Jack chimed in from the side: “Some clients are just careless, you know…” The “client” they referred to was undoubtedly Olivia. Ever since she appeared, the passenger seat became her exclusive spot, while all traces of me were completely erased. However, my mindset had changed now, and I was unmoved by their explanations. Tom and Jack looked slightly uneasy: “Emily, have you calmed down?” I was about to speak when they quickly added: “If you have any issues, take them out on us, don’t make things difficult for Olivia.” “It’s nothing. In the future, I won’t make things difficult for you anymore.” The two of them exchanged glances, surprised by my unusual compliance. At this moment, my phone rang, and they made an excuse to leave. “Aren’t you going to give me the gift?” I asked softly. They looked embarrassed, dropped the gift box, and hurriedly left: “Open it yourself, there’s medicine in the first aid kit!” As the front door closed, the clock struck midnight. I knew that another birthday had passed, spent alone. “You forgot, today is my birthday,” I murmured to myself. I booked a flight for the day after tomorrow and went to the cemetery alone. My parents’ death anniversary is also my birthday. Every time I remember this, it feels like a knife twisting in my heart. On that birthday, I insisted on going mountain climbing, but we encountered a mudslide. It was my dad and mom who pushed me out with their lives. Ryan had always comforted me: “They sacrificed themselves to save you because they loved you more than themselves. What you should do most is to let them see that you are very happy.” This was the first time I had heard such words. In the past, everyone had been accusing me. Outside the cemetery, I encountered Tom and Jack, who were actually digging at my parents’ grave! I was shocked and rushed forward: “What are you doing!” They looked guilty for a moment, then became righteously indignant: “Olivia’s little rabbit died, the feng shui is good here, we want to change the location.” “This is my parents’ grave!” I shouted angrily. Olivia appeared, “You crazy woman! I won’t let you hurt them!” She tried to push me, but I blocked her with my hand. She fell to the ground. I tightly hugged the urn containing my parents’ ashes, tears falling. They had received so much care from my parents in the past, and now, for the sake of a pet, they wanted to dig up my parents’ grave! Seeing my tear-stained face, Tom looked a bit dazed. Jack was the first to crouch down, trying to comfort me: “The dead can’t come back to life, Emily…” I raised my hand, about to slap him. However, Olivia suddenly lunged forward, blocking the blow, then fell to the ground. “It’s okay, Jack, as long as you’re alright. I just hope Sister Emily can forgive me…” She knelt in front of me with a sob, apologizing. But I knew I had clearly held back, just lightly brushing her cheek! The next second, their sympathy for me turned into anger. Tom pressed my head, forcing me down towards the muddy ground. Jack also pressed down on my leg, forcing me to kneel in front of the overturned urn. “You caused your parents’ death, and now you want to kill Olivia too? You’re so vicious, your parents must have died because of your bad luck!” I struggled hard but to no avail. These words were like sharp blades, deeply wounding my heart. Behind them, Olivia gave me a smug smile. Then, she picked up the urn and smashed it hard on the ground! Jack froze for a moment, then gritted his teeth and said: “I’ll have someone clean up your parents’ ashes! The most important thing now is to fix your temper!” I screamed, trying to break free from their restraint, but was firmly held by their bodyguards. In my moment of despair, Ryan’s figure suddenly appeared at the other exit. Hope flashed in my eyes as I called out loudly for help.

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A week before the wedding, my fiancé Kendrick told me he would first marry his first love, Leonore Griffin before he could marry me. He said Leonore’s mother had passed away and left a will asking them to marry. “Leonore’s mother always hoped she would marry a good man. I’m just fulfilling her last wish. Don’t overthink it.” But the company had already decided to launch the TrueLove Collection jewelry project on the day of our supposed wedding. He impatiently said, “That’s only about a few billion dollars. Can it compare to the promise I made to Leonore’s mother? If you really want that few billions of dollars, go find someone else to marry.” Faced with his cold words, I didn’t hesitate anymore. I immediately dialed my brother. “Terrence, I need a new groom.” My brother, Terrence Benson, couldn’t believe his ears. “You’re calling off the wedding?” “No, Kendrick is marrying someone else.” I forced a bitter smile. To be with Kendrick, I had worked so hard, facing countless challenges from my family just to get their approval for our relationship. Moreover, I decided to launch the TrueLove Collection jewelry line on our wedding day. But now, it was all in vain. Terrence was silent for a long time before saying, “Well, that only leaves Phelps. His family’s been pushing him hard, and he’s been looking for a marriage partner.” I furrowed my brows. Phelps Cullen was my arch-nemesis. When I got engaged, he’d cursed that I wouldn’t get married, and now his words seemed to be coming true. Time was tight. I could only agree. “Then it’s him. Ask him what he thinks. If it doesn’t work, I’ll figure something out.” Terrence quickly blurted, “No need to ask. He’ll definitely agree.” “Why?” Before I could ask further, a group of people surrounded me. “You must be Kendrick’s fiancée! You’re so beautiful!” “You’re here waiting for Kendrick to finish work? He’ll be down soon. You two are so in love.” I gripped the steering wheel, lowering my gaze to hide the self-mockery in my eyes. Kendrick had introduced me to his colleagues and friends long ago. To everyone, we were the perfect couple. But no one would expect that he was about to marry someone else. After bidding them goodbye, Kendrick got into the car and handed me a necklace. “This is from Leonore. Yesterday at the funeral, you made her uncomfortable, so you should apologize when you have a chance.” The necklace was clearly a freebie that came with a genuine purchase. I had seen the purchase record of the real one in Kendrick’s shopping record a few days ago. I quietly said, “I don’t want it.” Kendrick frowned. “What’s your problem now? You were the one who stormed into the funeral and said I wasn’t her fiancé, embarrassing her. She didn’t even argue with you and still thought of giving you a gift. Are you really going to act like this?” I realized then that the man who once protected me no longer existed. Now, he cherished someone else. Kendrick rolled down the window in frustration, letting the wind blow. After a while, seeing that I wasn’t trying to appease him, he said, “Forget it. I’ll accompany you to try on wedding dresses today, and I won’t hold it against you.” This was the first time he’d backed down this year. At the bridal shop, the staff greeted us. “Mr. Collins, Ms. Benson, the twenty custom wedding dresses and suits you ordered are ready.” But Kendrick wasn’t focused on the clothes. He was staring at his phone, looking rather anxious. Noticing my gaze, he quickly put the phone away and looked at me apologetically. “Alisha, something’s come up with Leonore. I need to leave right away. You go try on the dress. Just pick a suit for me. I trust your taste.” With that, he rushed out and left me alone. The staff hurried over and tentatively asked, “Ms. Benson, would you like to choose the suit yourself?” I looked away and nodded. I would choose a suit, but it would not be for Kendrick. After all, my groom had changed. After picking up my wedding dress, I headed home, thinking Kendrick would be gone all night. But to my surprise, he returned before dinner. He walked up to me, holding a takeout box. “I made a special trip to get you Sugarland Sweetery’s snack.” I glanced at the box of doughnuts. There were three less than usual, and one of them had a bite mark on it, clearly taken by someone. Half an hour ago, I had seen Leonore’s post on Twitter. The picture in her post was of the doughnut I held in my hand. The caption read: [My husband buys me a late-night snack. He’s such a trooper. I love him!] I set down my fork with a bitter smile, suddenly losing my appetite. “I don’t want it. Throw it away.” Kendrick shot me a displeased look but held back from reacting. He sat down beside me and started complaining. “You don’t know how pitiful Leonore is today. My parents went to her house and yelled at her, saying her family had no money and couldn’t even throw a decent wedding. She was so upset she cried. “Leonore just returned to the country and doesn’t have much money. I want to give the money you gave me over to her.” His shameless words made me feel sick. I looked at him sarcastically. “So now I’m supposed to organize your wife’s wedding?”

In the past, I cared about Kendrick so much that I would have done anything for him. But now, his actions had opened my eyes. Looking back, it seemed that everything Kendrick had done since Leonore returned was for her. He had forgotten that I was the one who was supposed to spend a lifetime with him. My response angered Kendrick. “What do you mean by that? Do you want to refuse me? You better think carefully. Leonore is my best friend, and you better make her happy. If not, I won’t marry you!” With that, he slammed the door and left. I was frustrated and went downstairs for a run in the park. I had just finished one lap when I received a call from Phelps. Thinking of Phelps, who always had a stern expression, I hesitated for a moment but still answered. “Once you agree to this marriage, you belong to me. If you try to run, I’ll tie you up and bring you back!” Phelps’ first words were anything but pleasant. I stayed silent, and he continued, “Send me your ID card first and let’s get the certificate. “I’m afraid you’ll back out.” I suddenly felt something was off. A thousand scenarios of how he might use our marriage to torment me flashed through my mind. But at this point, I had no other choice. I sighed and said, “See you at the wedding, Mr. Cullen.” As soon as I finished speaking, Kendrick appeared behind me. “You’re inviting Phelps to our wedding? I won’t allow it!” He stared at me, his eyes intense. “Alisha, haven’t I told you not to associate with Phelps? He has ulterior motives. If you insist on inviting him to our wedding, I’ll fall out with you!” Before I could say anything, he had already made his threat. Kendrick had never liked Phelps. I didn’t know why he had such an inexplicable hostility toward him. When Kendrick and I first got together, he was jealous even when I and Phelps argued over messages. Over time, I stopped keeping in touch with Phelps. Hearing him say Phelps had ulterior motives made me feel puzzled. Just as I was about to ask him more, Leonore suddenly leaned against Kendrick’s shoulder. “Kendrick, you’re hurting me…” It was then I realized they were walking hand in hand. Kendrick cleared his throat awkwardly but didn’t pull his hand away. Leonore looked at Kendrick with affection and, feigning helplessness, apologized to me. “Alisha, I’m sorry. Kendrick and I are just familiarizing ourselves with the wedding process. Please don’t mind. “You know I won’t say anything about the people you hired to hurt me or ruin my mother’s grave, but please, don’t hurt Kendrick. True love cannot withstand testing.” I didn’t want to watch her perform her act and turned to leave. “Since you’re so eager, I’ll go find someone to beat you up tonight and dig up your mother’s grave!” Kendrick slapped me hard across the face. “Alisha, how can you be so vicious?!” His face was dark, his chest heaving. I froze. I hadn’t expected him to believe what others said so easily. At that moment, I realized that the five years of our relationship seemed to have earned me no trust at all from him. Fury rose in me, and I wanted to confront Kendrick, but Leonore stepped in front of him. “Alisha, please. After the wedding, I’ll give Kendrick back to you. “Please, don’t hurt anyone around me, and don’t hurt Kendrick.” She was on the verge of tears as she said that. Kendrick quickly comforted her and shot me an angry glare. “Alisha, I know you come from a rich family. But don’t think you can bully others just because you have a great background! “You know I hate people who use power to oppress others. If you still want to marry me, stop causing trouble!” After that, he warned me not to show up in front of them before the wedding. The next day, Kendrick contacted me again. He started scolding me as soon as the line was connected. “Alisha, you really dug up Mrs. Griffin’s grave? I didn’t expect you to be this kind of person!” I was filled with confusion and had my assistant investigate, only to discover something shocking. I found out that Leonore’s mother was never dead.

I thought to myself, “No wonder Leonore went so far as to dig up her own mother’s grave to frame me. It turns out her mother’s death was just a scam.” I sent Kendrick a text: [Leonore’s mother isn’t dead. The truth is in the email I sent you.] As for whether he would read it, that was no longer my concern. Phelps booked a flight for me to leave in three days. When Kendrick returned, he found me packing up. I had thrown away half of my clothes and sent a small portion to Nexura City. “Why are you packing already?” Kendrick asked, his expression hesitant. I casually replied, “I’m moving.” He fell silent for a moment, seemingly not picking up on the oddity, and continued, “Your family’s company is in Nexura City, and we’re supposed to settle there after marriage. Well, it makes sense to start packing early.” After that, he looked at me with a stern gaze. “You need to apologize to Leonore as soon as possible. Don’t make things difficult for me. Just apologize on the wedding day. What do you think?” With that, he put down his phone and began searching for his ID card. Today was the day he and Leonore were getting their marriage license. He didn’t return until late in the evening. I opened my phone and found a message from Leonore. In the picture, Kendrick and she were dressed in a couple of outfits, lying in bed together. I closed my eyes, but the sharp pain in my heart couldn’t be suppressed. I forced myself to push the emotion down and turned off my phone. Late that night, my phone beside the pillow vibrated every hour. Leonore kept sending me videos of her and Kendrick taunting me. The next morning, I received a message from Phelps. [Ms. Benson, the flowers have bloomed. It’s time for you to come back to me.] Attached was a picture of our marriage license. Behind them was a vibrant red rose. I never thought the flower I had casually given him years ago was still being cared for. A strange feeling stirred inside me. I replied with one word: [Okay.] I put down my phone and started organizing the work files on my computer. Just then, Kendrick returned. He was packing his things and said, “I’m going to stay with Leonore for a few days. She’s been busy with wedding preparations. The wedding is the day after tomorrow, so make sure you’re there on time.” Then, he explained a whole lot, saying he was just going to help out and asking me not to cause any more trouble. “Yeah, I won’t go,” I lowered my eyes and said quietly. After last night, any remaining feelings for him had completely faded. My calmness seemed to worry Kendrick a bit. He hesitated for a moment. But then, thinking of Leonore’s sweet face, his grip on his phone loosened. He thought, “Alisha loves me so much. She won’t leave me no matter what.” With that, he sighed in relief, stopped paying attention to me, and left. I watched his retreating figure and made a phone call. That night, a helicopter landed in the plaza. A man walked up and said, “Ms. Benson, your helicopter has arrived. It will take you to Nexura City in half an hour.” I nodded and handed him an envelope. “Tomorrow, take this envelope to the wedding venue. It’s my wedding gift for the bride and groom.”

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “295449”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #现实主义Realistic #惊悚Thriller #浪漫Romance #魔幻Magic #重生Reborn #校园School #擦边Steamy #励志Inspiring

After the breakup, I immediately quit my job. Just as I was preparing to leave the country to start a new chapter, my ex-girlfriend Miranda Barrett, who also happened to be my former boss, suddenly appeared at the airport, trying to win me back. She told me that she had fired her assistant, Flint Ricardo, and from now on, she was offering me the position of her second-in-command at the company. However, just as I was about to abandon my plans to go abroad and return with her, she yanked her hand out of mine and, with a coquettish tone, called Flint. “Flint, you won the bet. This idiot really thought I was trying to keep him.” With a mocking laugh, she turned to me and added coldly, “It was just a joke, didn’t you get it? If you’re leaving, just go. No one’s stopping you this time.” The colleagues around us sneered, mocking me for being a lovesick fool, obediently turning around just because she waved her hand. But they didn’t know that the only reason I’d given up on going abroad was because my new company had just completed an acquisition, and I was about to become the new CEO there.

When Miranda smugly told me that her attempt to keep me was just a joke, I wasn’t angry. I simply took out my phone, ready to order a ride back to my place. The colleagues around us looked at me with mocking eyes, one of them sneering, “Anthony, Ms. Barrett already said she doesn’t want you to stay. What are you still waiting for? Go ahead and book your flight!” “You said you had an overseas offer, didn’t you? What now? Did they change their mind and reject you?” Miranda stood there, indulging their sarcastic remarks, not even trying to stop them. This kind of humiliating workplace bullying had been a constant presence in my life for years. In the past, I would have rebutted them, feeling wronged. After all, my girlfriend was the CEO, and yet she never stood up for me. But now, I felt nothing. To me, they were nothing but a bunch of clowns. “Don’t you think my affairs are none of your business?” I said, my tone flat. Miranda snorted dismissively and looked me up and down, her eyes full of disdain. “Still being stubborn? “With your abilities, if I hadn’t supported you all these years, you probably wouldn’t even have a job. “Want to go abroad? What a joke.” I was a graduate of a prestigious school. I’d given up a high-paying job that many would dream of and built the company from the ground up with Miranda. But in Miranda’s eyes, I was worthless, and it was only thanks to her help that I had come this far. I felt it was ridiculous. There was a time when I loved Miranda to the point of obsession. Even when I was stuck in a managerial position after working for decades, I never complained. But when she began giving my projects to her new assistant, Flint, and even dumped his messes on me to make me take the fall, cutting my pay and suspending me while promoting Flint, I finally realized that I had to end the love I was keeping alive single-handedly. So, I resigned on the spot, broke up with her, and decided to pursue my career abroad. I never expected that after all this, she would come to me with this “joke” when I was about to board the plane. At that moment, I wasn’t even sad, just perplexed. I couldn’t help but wonder, “How stupid have I been to fall for such a woman?” I shook my head, too tired to argue with her. “You’re right, I’ll leave now,” I said. I tried to walk away, but Miranda suddenly grabbed my arm and stared at me, a look of disgust on her face. “You’re quite a drama king! You’ve been caught in your own lie, and you’re still pretending? “I’ll give you a way out, just for the sake of our past. “I can accept you, and I’ll make you Flint’s assistant.” Seeing her so “generously” extend this offer, I finally understood Miranda’s true motive behind this “joke”. On the surface, it was about a bet with Flint, seeing if I would take the bait and step down. But in reality, she just wanted me to stay in the company and keep serving her and Flint like a lackey. I had to admit that Miranda was quite thorough in planning Flint’s career. She was setting him up for promotions and raises, even planning to send talented people to assist him. I helped her realize her dream of becoming a boss. And yet, she took everything from me without hesitation, solely to pave the way for Flint. I sneered, “Flint isn’t qualified for me to help him.” Miranda’s expression immediately darkened. “Anthony, it looks like I’ve spoiled you too much over the years for you to think so highly of yourself…” Before she could finish, a figure appeared in the distance. “Miranda!” Miranda’s expression immediately softened, and she walked to meet the person. “Flint!” Flint was the only person in the company who didn’t call Miranda “Ms. Barrett” but instead addressed her by her first name. Even though I was officially Miranda’s boyfriend, I didn’t have that privilege. Flint glanced at me, then smiled at Miranda. “See? I knew Anthony’s excuse for going abroad was just a cover. He won’t leave.” Miranda shot me a disdainful glance and said, “Some people think too highly of themselves as if the company couldn’t function without them! “He’s nothing like you, Flint. You’re both capable and humble. Anthony, since you didn’t seize the opportunity, forget it. “Let’s go.” Flint, however, grabbed Miranda’s hand, looking pitiful. “Miranda, we can’t leave yet. Since Anthony resigned, my watch has gone missing. “It was a family heirloom from my grandmother.” Then, he looked at me with pleading eyes. “Anthony, please just return it to me.” Before I could understand what was happening, Miranda glared at me angrily. “Anthony, you stole from him?!” I was about to deny it when Miranda cut me off coldly. “Don’t try to deny it. Do you think Flint would falsely accuse you? “You don’t even have a job now. Who knows if you will steal something to make money?” She then ordered a couple of others, “Open his suitcase and check it!” I stared at Miranda in disbelief. We had spent ten years together. I thought she knew me better than anyone. But just because of an unfounded accusation from Flint, she was about to open my luggage in public. Earlier, I had let her make cruel jokes without arguing with him. But now, this nearly bullying behavior was the last straw, igniting a blaze of fury within me. I felt no more disappointment or heartbreak. I felt just anger and disgust. “Stop!” I shouted, my voice trembling with fury. Flint feigned surprise. “Why are you so upset, Anthony? Could it be that you really took it?” Miranda gave me an even more disgusted look and gestured to two others to restrain me, her voice cold. “Don’t mind him. Keep searching.” As my suitcase was overturned and my personal items scattered across the floor, I reached my breaking point and shouted for airport security. Only then did they stop. “We didn’t find anything.” Flint said with a disappointed sigh, “Forget it. Let’s not make things harder on Anthony. He’s had a tough time, too.” But Miranda shot me one last hateful look. “I bet he sold it after stealing it.” Then, turning back to Flint, she softened her tone. “It’s okay, Flint. I’ll go with you to buy a new one.” As they walked away, Miranda gave me one final, icy glare. “Anthony, when you’re out on the streets someday, don’t come crawling to me.” With that, she then walked off with the group, and Flint shot one last provocative glance at me. I didn’t say a word. I just chuckled coldly to myself. What they didn’t know was that the company’s project had collapsed and was about to be acquired. And my decision to stay wasn’t because of her. It was because my new company had just appointed me as their new CEO.

My new company was headquartered overseas. It was a well-known multinational corporation. When I was about to graduate, I received an invitation from them, thanks to my outstanding grades. But Miranda persuaded me to stay and help her build her business, so I turned down the offer. After I broke up with Miranda and quit my job, the company called me right away, inviting me to join them. However, just before I was about to board the plane, I got a call. Their subsidiary had decided to acquire the company here and integrate resources. Miranda’s company was also on their acquisition list. They offered me the position of the new CEO. After dropping off my luggage at home, I arranged to meet Wilfred Frazier, the domestic head of my new company. I arrived early at the restaurant to wait for him, but to my surprise, I saw Miranda and Flint there, chatting and laughing. When Miranda saw me, she froze for a moment. She walked over with an impatient look on her face and said, “Anthony, why are you following me like a shadow? “You were so tough earlier. What, have you changed your mind?” Before I could respond, Flint, standing nearby, smiled and said, “Miranda, there were so many people earlier. Anthony must have refused because he didn’t want to lose face. “How about this? Anthony, if you apologize to Miranda properly, I’m sure she’d still be willing to give you a chance. “Right, Miranda?” Miranda looked me up and down with disdain, then pretended to hesitate. “Well, since Flint spoke up for you, I suppose it’s not impossible. If you drink this bottle of wine, I might consider letting you be an assistant.” She pointed to a bottle of wine on the table. I felt it was ridiculous. Miranda knew very well that I had stomach issues and couldn’t drink, yet she still set this condition. She was clearly trying to put me in my place, waiting for me to grovel. But she clearly hadn’t realized the situation yet. “You’re overthinking it. I’m waiting for someone,” I said. “Waiting for someone? Ha, you just couldn’t admit your loss, right?” Miranda scoffed. “I’ve known you for so many years. Don’t think I don’t know what’s going on in your head. “You just think being Flint’s assistant is beneath you, right? “But in your situation, you’d better just abandon your pride.” As she was speaking, Wilfred, the person I had arranged to meet, walked in. He extended his hand to shake mine. “Sorry to keep you waiting, Mr. Schultz.” I simply ignored Miranda and smiled as I shook Wilfred’s hand. “Wilfred, let’s go inside and talk. It’s too noisy out here.” “Of course, let’s go.” Miranda stood there, staring at me in disbelief. As I was about to walk into the private room with Wilfred, I overheard Flint say to Miranda in a voice loud enough for me to hear, “Looks like Anthony has a headhunter lined up to help him find a job.” The next moment, Miranda suddenly walked over and blocked my path. She sneered, “Anthony, you really think you’ve got what it takes now, don’t you? You’d rather find a job yourself than beg me for one? “But I want to remind you. Based on your past performance at work, I have already informed everyone in our industry within Nexalis State. No one is willing to hire you. “Are you regretting it now?” She gave me a half-smile, waiting for me to go back to my old job. However, I would make her down. After all, Miranda wasn’t even close to being capable enough to pose a threat to me. What she didn’t realize was that, after I resigned and Frank took charge of all the major projects, the company had been facing substantial risks, to the point of being on the brink of bankruptcy. I responded coolly, “Miranda, being confident is a good thing. I just hope you’ll still feel this confident when your company is acquired during the bankruptcy process.” “Anthony, you…” Miranda was so furious that she almost shouted at me, but she held it back and turned to look at Wilfred. She pulled out a business card and handed it to Wilfred with an air of arrogance. “I’m Miranda Barrett, the CEO of the Barrett Group. Anthony was one of my employees, but his conduct was subpar, and he’s just been fired. “I suggest your company think carefully before hiring him.” After saying that, she shot me a glance, then linked arms with Flint and walked off, her attitude as haughty as ever. Wilfred frowned, holding the business card and looking at me. “This…” “Just a clown,” I said with a slight smile. Wilfred casually tossed the card into the trash. Once we were seated in the private room, we discussed the acquisition of Miranda’s company. We decide to take advantage of the fallout from the Barrett Group’s failing projects and buy them out at a low price. Wilfred then pulled out a list of employees from the original company and asked me to help optimize it. I knew everyone on the list, how each person performed, and their behavior inside the company. I agreed to provide a solution as soon as possible. After the meeting, I went home. But as soon as I entered, I found Miranda sitting on my couch. She was sitting with her legs crossed, staring at me coldly. I frowned and asked, “What are you doing here?”

I glanced at the door and suddenly remembered that after the breakup, I had forgotten to delete her fingerprint access. Miranda didn’t answer immediately. She coldly asked, “Who told you about my company’s bankruptcy and acquisition?” I was busy taking off my coat and didn’t bother to respond. Miranda’s face darkened even further. “As you wished, the company did indeed go bankrupt.” I raised an eyebrow, surprised by how quickly Wilfred had acted. We had just discussed this over lunch, and by the afternoon, it was already done. Miranda continued, “Anthony, I don’t know how you found out about this so early, but don’t get too excited. “The company that acquired us is a big corporation. They will help me sort out the issues with the previous projects. “I’m still the head of the company.” I made myself a cup of coffee, not surprised by this news. I knew it well. This was because my optimization list hadn’t been finalized yet, so they had temporarily kept the original team in place. “So what?” I asked calmly. Miranda stared at me intently. “I want you to hand over your previous client resources to Flint, and I’ll arrange a manager position for you at the new company. “You should know, with the backing of the parent company, the Barrett Group will only get stronger from here. “I’m offering you your old manager role. This is a pretty generous offer.” I suddenly smiled. She was acting so self-assured as if she were offering me a huge favor. But I knew full well that after the acquisition, Wilfred would release the development documents, and one of the terms stated that after I took the new role, positions would be assigned based on merit. Miranda’s request was nothing more than to use my client resources to help Flint prove his capabilities, solidifying his position as vice president. I could tell that she was deeply in love with Flint. But sadly, she had bet on the wrong person. “Miranda, you’re quite naïve,” I said. At my words, Miranda’s face darkened instantly. She stood up abruptly and walked toward me, her eyes narrowing as she sized me up. “Anthony, I know you’re jealous of Flint,” she said, her voice colder than before. “You feel wronged, thinking I’ve changed while I’m treating him so much better than you. “But you need to understand, our roles have changed. I’m the boss now. I’m the capitalist. “And you? You’re just an employee. A man like you was never a match for me. “But Flint… Flint brings me excitement and the joy of being a woman. You can never compare to him.” Miranda looked deeply into my eyes, her voice soft and almost too kind. “I’ll give you one night. Think it over.” With that, she turned and walked away. I shook my head in helplessness. I quickly deleted her fingerprint from the system and opened my laptop, sending out the layoff list for the next day. The next morning, I officially started my new job at the company. When I walked into the office, my colleagues were gossiping about the company’s acquisition. Miranda was, as usual, trying to paint a rosy picture for everyone. She assured them that she was still part of the management and that if everyone worked hard, things would remain the same as before. When she saw me, her eyes briefly lit up. She walked up to me with a smug tone, as if she had expected me to come. “Have you thought it over? Are you willing to hand over the client list to Flint?”

I couldn’t help but laugh, shaking my head. Miranda’s expression darkened, and just as she was about to speak, Flint interjected with a smile, “Anthony, why are you doing this to yourself? “If you weren’t planning on handing over the client information, then what are you even here for? “You’re not going to tell me you came to work, are you?” His words made the others burst into laughter. I raised an eyebrow and nodded. “I did come to work.” At that, the colleagues watching couldn’t hold back their laughter. “Work? He’s probably here looking for a job, thinking that just because the company was acquired, he can sneak in.” “Isn’t that a pipe dream?” “Anthony, weren’t you supposed to go abroad? Why are you back here applying for a job?” Before I could respond, Miranda’s face grew even darker, and she snapped at me, “Anthony, are you done yet? “I’ve already given you a chance by asking you to hand over the client information. Are you really this stubborn? “Didn’t you hear me yesterday? Are you happy being unemployed?” I shook my head helplessly. “Miranda, the one who’s about to be unemployed is you. Maybe you should start planning ahead.” Miranda stared at me, then suddenly scoffed, “Look at this. Are you out of your mind? How dare you say that? “What? I am the boss of this company. Do you think you can fire me? “Anthony, do you believe that as long as I’m here, you couldn’t even land a job as a janitor…?” Just as her words hung in the air, two figures appeared at the entrance of the company. They were the people Wilfred had sent to help me restructure the company. Miranda recognized them, and her face changed instantly. She hurried to greet them with a smile. “Mr. Fowler, you’re here! I wasn’t aware our new CEO had arrived. Let me go greet him.” Hurst Fowler glanced at her briefly but said nothing. He walked straight up to me and nodded respectfully. He then addressed the group, “This is our new CEO, Mr. Schultz!” In an instant, Miranda’s smile froze on her face, and she asked, trying to cover her surprise, “Mr. Fowler, you’re not joking, are you? Anthony is a good-for-nothing. How could you…” Before she could finish, Hurst pulled out the layoff list I had prepared yesterday and threw it in her face. Pointing at her and Flint, he said coldly, “You two are fired. Pack up and leave, now!”

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The first thing I did after being reborn was to jump off the rooftop of my girlfriend’s apartment and die at her doorstep. Everyone thought I had gone mad, but as I lay there dying, I smiled in satisfaction. The apocalypse was coming in seven days, and anyone who died within this window would transform into a nightmare creature. This time, I would become the King of Nightmares, the most terrifying being of all. Only by doing so could I exact my revenge on Fiona, the treacherous ex-girlfriend who cheated on me and stole my inheritance. She would pay the ultimate price. At midnight, I leapt from the rooftop of Fiona’s apartment. As I fell, a calm smile spread across my face. I wasn’t insane; on the contrary, I had never been more clear-headed. This was all for my return in seven days. The apocalypse was only a week away, and anyone who died during this period would rise as a nightmare creature. I wasn’t just going to become one of them. I was going to be their king. The most powerful and horrifying nightmare of all. Only then could I take my revenge on Fiona, repaying her betrayal and the pain she caused me in my previous life. In my past life, when the apocalypse hit, my best friend, Ethan, died in a car accident and became a nightmare creature. It was thanks to him secretly protecting me that I managed to survive the chaos. But my story ended with Fiona’s betrayal. To please a powerful nightmare in a black suit, she personally carved out my heart. That night, she had invited me over for dinner and drugged my food. When I woke up, I couldn’t move. Like a fool, I thought she was just playing some intimate game and told her to stop messing around. Then, I saw her holding a sharp knife, her lips curled into a seductive smile as she sliced open my chest. The drugs numbed my nerves, so I couldn’t feel the pain of the wound, but the terror in my heart threatened to drown me. I’ll never forget how she cut me 53 times with that knife before reaching in and pulling out my heart. At that moment, I became a cold corpse, a monster without a heart. Even as I died, I couldn’t understand how she could be so heartless. In my final moments, I asked her why she did it, my voice filled with despair. She sneered coldly and said, “You idiot, you were just a game to me.” When Ethan found out what happened, he was furious and tried to avenge me. But the nightmare that Fiona had allied with was too strong. Ethan died protecting me, his soul obliterated. I was left utterly hopeless, my consciousness swallowed by darkness. But fate granted me another chance. This time, I would change everything.

My first mission was to save Ethan. Although dying within the seven days before the apocalypse meant becoming a nightmare creature, the process involved unimaginable pain. Ethan’s life was exchanged for mine in the last timeline. This time, it was my turn to protect him and ensure he lived as a normal human being. I glanced at my phone. It was five in the afternoon. In exactly one hour, Ethan would die in a car accident. Without hesitation, I dialed a video call. “Hey. I’m at work. What’s up?” Ethan said, looking up from his computer screen. Seeing that familiar face made my chest tighten with guilt. In the last timeline, he was obliterated because of me. Now, having another chance to see him alive was a blessing. I steadied my voice. “After work, don’t leave the office. Wait for me.” “What’s going on?” Ethan asked, puzzled. “Just trust me. Stay put, no matter what happens. Promise me.” At 6:30 PM, I met Ethan as he left work. As soon as we stepped out of the office building, a black van hurtled toward us. I yanked Ethan back, narrowly avoiding the vehicle, though it grazed my arm. It was just a scratch. That van… It was exactly the same as in my last life. No license plate. This wasn’t an accident. Someone wanted Ethan dead. “Ethan,” I asked quietly, “have you pissed anyone off recently?” Ethan, straightforward and kind-hearted, wasn’t the type to make enemies. I couldn’t imagine who’d target him. “No, not at all,” he said, scratching his head. “Think harder!” “Wait…” His face paled as he recalled something. “Are you saying… that van was aiming for me?” I nodded. Ethan gripped my arm, his expression darkening. After a moment of hesitation, he confessed, “I just remembered something. But it might have to do with you.” A heavy feeling settled in my chest. “Three days ago,” Ethan took a deep breath, “I saw Fiona with another guy. Something about him felt… off.” “And he saw me too.” Ethan glanced at me nervously. “I didn’t tell you because I didn’t want you to act rashly.” My eyes turned cold. It was Fiona. That woman wanted to silence Ethan. In my last life, I was a fool blinded by love. I would never have believed someone as seemingly sweet and innocent as Fiona capable of such schemes. But now, I knew her true nature. She was a merciless devil. “Go home,” I told Ethan, keeping my voice steady. “Stay safe for the next few days. Leave the rest to me.” After hailing a cab to take Ethan home, I gave him one last instruction. “If I die, don’t be too upset. “Just keep burning spirit money for me as fast as you can. Burn as much as you can.” Spirit money was essential for building power in the nightmare realm. When I returned, I wouldn’t be alone. I’d have an army of nightmares under my command. “What the hell are you talking about? You’re not going to die!” Ethan punched my shoulder, his tone frustrated. I smiled faintly, handing him my bank card. “Use every penny in this account to buy spirit money and burn it for me. Don’t leave a single bill unburned. Otherwise, I won’t rest in peace.” There was no one else I could trust with this. Clapping his shoulder, I turned to leave. “Damn lunatic!” Ethan shouted after me, his voice a mix of anger and worry.

After saying goodbye to Ethan, I headed straight for Fiona’s apartment. She lived on the 19th floor, but I didn’t take the elevator. The building’s exterior had air-conditioning platforms on each floor. Using the surveillance blind spots, I climbed my way up. Peering through a gap in her drawn curtains, I saw Fiona’s bedroom. On the bed, Fiona entwined herself around a man like a snake. My stomach churned, not because she was cheating on me, but because of who the man was. It was Rivers, the nightmare creature Fiona had cozied up to in my last life. My fists clenched so hard my knuckles cracked. I wanted nothing more than to burst in and kill them both. These two scumbags. I wasn’t letting either of them off the hook. Inside, they continued their shameless flirting. Rivers’ hands roamed over Fiona’s nearly naked body as he grumbled, “When are you going to dump that loser? This sneaking around is ridiculous.” Fiona pressed herself closer to him and purred, “Be patient. Once I marry him, I’ll kill him. All his inheritance will be ours.” She giggled wickedly. “I’ve already done the research. Once he’s dead, his parents’ 50 million dollars will be ours to enjoy for the rest of our lives.” A chill ran through me. This woman kept pushing the limits of human depravity. I had always suspected she only dated me for my money, but now I had confirmation. To her, I was nothing more than a walking ATM. Rivers laughed smugly, “That idiot still thinks he’s found true love. Little does he know he’s just your cash cow. “Savage. I like it.” Fiona chuckled and replied, “A woman’s got to be ruthless to secure her place.” Watching this nauseating scene, I nearly smashed through the glass to give them each a blade to the throat. But I knew I wasn’t a match for Rivers yet. Still, I wasn’t going to let them off without a parting gift. Biting my finger, I used my blood to scrawl a curse on the glass—a vivid account of their betrayal and greed. As the two continued their sordid tryst, I stepped onto the edge of the balcony, glanced at my watch. It was midnight. Spreading my arms like a bat, I plummeted from the 19th floor. With the apocalypse drawing near, the rules of the world had already begun to change. Though my body was dead, my soul lingered in the mortal realm. Until my body was cremated, I would exist as a wandering spirit. I wanted to see how Fiona reacted to my mangled corpse and how terrified she’d be when she realized the nightmare had only just begun. My death was such a mess, and the apartment would surely be sealed by tomorrow. The police would certainly investigate the affair between them.

At 6:00 AM, a security guard patrolling the Starhaven Apartments discovered my body. “Someone jumped! Looks like they fell from the 19th floor. There’s writing in blood on the window!” The pounding on Fiona’s door was frantic. She stumbled out, her face pale with fear. When she saw my mangled body on the ground, she nearly fainted. The security captain recognized me immediately. “Isn’t this the guy who was always visiting Fiona? Why would he jump from her balcony?” Rivers sauntered out of the apartment, clearly annoyed. “What the hell is all this noise about so early…” The moment he saw my corpse, he froze, his face draining of color. Standing beside them in my spirit form, I watched coolly. If Rivers was this shaken now, just wait until I returned as the King of Nightmares. An elderly woman from the neighboring apartment peeked out and gasped at the sight of Rivers. Her expression quickly turned scornful. “Shameless!” she spat, her voice dripping with contempt. Fiona opened her mouth, trying to explain, but no words came out. By the time the police and paramedics arrived, the scene was sealed off. The bloody curse on the window, exposing their affair and murderous intentions, was crystal clear. The police immediately deemed Fiona and Rivers suspects in my death and arrested them on the spot. The curse ended with a chilling warning. I would return as a vengeful spirit, forever haunting them. As they were escorted past my body, both were trembling. Fiona’s forehead was slick with sweat, her lips quivering, unable to form a coherent sentence. Rivers, on the other hand, was visibly shaking, barely able to stay on his feet. Watching them squirm brought me immense satisfaction. This was just the appetizer. When the apocalypse arrived, I’d deal with them properly. My body was sent to the crematorium. Ethan rushed over as soon as he heard the news. This iron-willed man broke down the moment he saw my lifeless body, sobbing uncontrollably. “Why, Nathan? Why would you throw your life away over a woman like that?” he choked out, his voice hoarse. Standing beside him in spirit form, I felt a wave of impatience. “Damn it, stop crying and focus! Do you remember what I told you? Burning spirit money for me is the priority here!” Thankfully, Ethan pulled himself together. After seeing me into the incinerator, he wiped his tears and sprinted off. As the flames consumed my body, I felt the mortal realm slipping away. Then, an unseen force dragged me into the nightmare world.

The moment I entered the Nightmare Realm, the stench of blood nearly made me retch. The sinister aura was so suffocating, it felt like my soul might shatter under the pressure. The air was thick with an inexplicable sense of dread, as though countless unseen eyes were lurking in the shadows, watching my every move. Looking up, there was no sun or moon. Instead, three massive blood-red eyes loomed in the sky, their crimson veins pulsating as they scanned the warped land below. From my past life, I knew what they were—the Kings of Nightmares. When the apocalypse struck, these blood eyes would descend to rule the mortal world. As a newly dead nightmare creature, I was at the bottom of the food chain, a lamb awaiting slaughter. Surviving this newbie phase was my top priority. Here, strength was the only law. Powerful nightmares could crush weaker ones without a second thought, like humans stepping on ants. Around me was a twisted, broken urban landscape. Luckily, this area seemed relatively desolate and safe, at least for now. A battered Mercedes was parked by the side of the road. Without hesitation, I climbed in, seeking refuge. Minutes later, a colossal figure lumbered into view. It was a Famine Nightmare, towering three stories tall, bloated like a pig, with tusks jutting out of its mouth and bloodshot eyes oozing malice. Its stench of rot and decay filled the air as it searched for prey, its gaze filled with insatiable hunger. When it stopped near the car, I held my breath, silently praying it wouldn’t notice me. But the beast sniffed the air and turned its grotesque head toward me. My soul nearly shattered from sheer terror. Then, as if distracted, it lumbered toward a nearby building. A terrified newborn nightmare screamed as the Famine Nightmare ripped it from its hiding place. “Eat, eat, tasty!” the beast gurgled, saliva dripping from its maw. The newborn was as weak as me, and all he could do was to scream in despair. With a single gulp, it devoured the hapless creature. I curled up in the car, trembling. If it had spotted me, I’d have been dessert. Thankfully, I still had a chance to turn the tables. All I needed was for Ethan to burn spirit money for me. In the Nightmare Realm, spirit money was sustenance, fuel for growth and power. I had given Ethan my entire savings, enough to buy enough spirit money to catapult me into the ranks of the strongest nightmares. As I anxiously awaited his action, the Famine Nightmare finally moved on, satisfied. I let out a sigh of relief but stayed vigilant. Half an hour passed. My nerves were fraying, and I found myself silently cursing, “Ethan! Damn it, what are you waiting for?!” As I waited, I couldn’t help but curse myself. If only I’d prepared the spirit money in advance and had Ethan start burning it the moment I died, I wouldn’t be stuck in this mess. While I was busy berating my own stupidity, the situation escalated. Another powerful nightmare appeared. This time, it was a Hellhound Hunter, a monstrous creature with three wolf heads, each wreathed in ghostly blue flames. Its razor-sharp fangs gleamed as it snarled, exuding an aura even more terrifying than the Famine Nightmare. Its keen nose picked up my scent immediately.

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During the company’s video conference, a different girl’s face appeared on Byron Adams’ screen. The girl, seemingly innocent, was playing with his computer, completely oblivious to the fact that the camera was on. It wasn’t until Byron returned from the bathroom that she said in a sweet tone, “I didn’t know you were in a meeting. You promised to spend three days with me, but now you’ve been in meetings for days. How annoying.” The colleagues who had been speaking earlier fell silent. Everyone waited to see how I would react. After all, they had witnessed more than a few of our arguments in the office before. But this time, I didn’t make a scene. Instead, I coldly told the colleague, “Please continue, don’t mind the irrelevant things.” I watched as the room became quiet, and my eyes focused on Byron’s screen where the girl was still playfully cuddling him. I ignored it and asked the colleague to continue. If this had happened at another time, I would have probably snapped and confronted Byron, but today, I was calm. After all, Byron never let me, his wife, touch his computer. The way the girl was interacting with it seemed so familiar, and their closeness was undeniable. I had never seen him like this before. Every time I tried to be affectionate with him, he would coldly push me away, saying, “Lydia, don’t you have your own things to do? We’re adults. Just don’t do this.” Even when I wanted to use his computer, he would immediately take it away, saying he didn’t like anyone touching it. As the meeting continued, my mind kept returning to these thoughts until Byron called me and asked, “Did you see what happened just now?” I replied, my tone calm, “See what? I don’t have time to pay attention to things that aren’t work-related.” I could almost hear him sigh with relief on the other end of the line. Then, I added, “Did you do anything?” He quickly explained himself, and after listening, I nodded and hung up the phone. For the first time, I didn’t argue with him.

He probably didn’t expect me to hang up, so he sent a follow-up message explaining again. I ignored it, replying with a simple “OK”. His dissatisfaction with my indifferent attitude was clear. [Byron, I don’t want to argue with you.] I replied and then turned on the “Do Not Disturb” mode for his chat. Just then, a friend request notification popped up. It was from a girl with a little bunny profile photo. I accepted her application. She didn’t say anything after adding me. When I clicked on her recent photo, I understood everything. It was a fresh selfie of the same girl who had appeared on Byron’s screen earlier. She was holding his computer, and it captioned: [Oops, I disturbed baby during his meeting, but he didn’t get mad at me.] Her post and friend request were clearly intended to provoke me, but I didn’t delete her. Instead, I let it linger, observing in silence. The post that caught my attention the most was one from my birthday. Byron, who was supposed to be on a business trip, was in a photo with her. They were seated at the center of the table, and the girl was wearing a crown, looking incredibly happy. Byron’s friend commented under the photo: [You two look so happy. Byron has abandoned me.] Byron replied: [Shut up, man.] I could feel the joy in his words through the screen. I suddenly remembered how, on my birthday, I had waited at home for him to return, only for him to ignore my many calls. When he finally picked up, his voice was impatient, and he only told me to sleep early. My call must have interrupted his good mood. I couldn’t help but laugh bitterly at myself.

I scrolled through more of the girl’s posts but found them uninteresting. After washing up, I went to bed, intending to sleep. But Byron returned just as I was about to drift off. I heard his footsteps upstairs and pretended to close my eyes. Then I heard him undressing. After a while, I felt the bed dip as he sat down and pulled me into his arms. His body carried the scent of the cologne I bought him, mingled with a faint fragrance of gardenias. It wasn’t my scent. I couldn’t help but think, was she also wrapped in his arms like this? Was she leaving her scent on him too? The thought made me feel nauseous. Without making a sound, I pulled away from his embrace and resisted his intimacy for the first time. In the past, I would have snuggled closer to him the moment he lay down. I would have buried my head in his arms, greedily inhaling his scent. But now, I couldn’t stand it. He stiffened behind me, seemingly confused, and tried to pull me closer again. “Don’t hold me. It’s uncomfortable,” I said, my eyes still closed. He sat up, suddenly irritated. “What’s wrong with you? Did you hear something? Or is there something I’ve done wrong to upset you?” I couldn’t bring myself to say anything. What could I ask him? Who was that girl? Did he love me? Right now, those questions didn’t matter anymore. “I’ve worked all day and stayed up late to revise the proposal. I’m really tired,” I replied, my voice devoid of emotion. “Please, stop making this a big deal. I just want to rest.” He exploded. “You’re insane! I just wanted to hug you, and now I’m wrong?” With that, he slammed the door and stormed off, leaving me with his cold back. In the past, I would have chased after him, clinging to his hand, begging him not to be angry. But now, I just silently pulled the blanket back over myself and tried to sleep. My rest was more important than anything else. The wall between us felt thicker now, and neither of us reached out to the other. We stayed like that in a strange silence. For the next week, Byron didn’t come home for dinner or send me any messages. When he saw me at work, he only gave me a brief, indifferent glance. Colleagues whispered about whether we had fought, or if it was because of the events that day. But the girl kept posting frequently on her social media. I thought the cold war would continue indefinitely, until one evening, I received a message from home about a family dinner. I realized I had to reach out to Byron, but my message was met with complete silence. Reluctantly, I went to the house he had lived in before we got married. It was where he always went after our arguments, and this time was no different.

I stood at the door, listening to the laughter coming from inside the villa, and couldn’t help but frown. The familiar, coquettish voice sounded exactly like the one I had heard coming from Byron’s computer that day. With a scowl on my face, I pushed the villa’s door open. Suddenly, something white and fluffy pounced at me, knocking me to the ground. My back scraped against some small stones, and I winced in pain. I looked up to see a dog. Completely unsure of how to react, I froze. “Where did this dog come from? Get it off me!” I shouted. I had been terrified of dogs since childhood after being chased by a neighbor’s large dog. Now, with a big dog pinning me down, I couldn’t stop shaking. Just then, the dog was pulled off me. Byron’s hand reached out in front of me, his face filled with confusion. I ignored him, got up, and moved away to put some distance between myself and the dog. I took a good look at the dog. Its fur was well-groomed, and it even had a cute little butterfly ornament on its ear. When it saw me standing, it tried to pounce again. I instinctively stepped back a couple of steps. “Why are you here?” Byron said softly and squatted down to pet the dog. “Didn’t you see…?” “Byron, what happened? Where’s Peach?” A high-pitched, girlish voice called out, and the figure of the girl I had seen in the photos appeared before me. Seeing her face in person made my heart ache with bitterness, especially the way Byron looked at her—his gaze was full of warmth. He quickly stepped in front of the girl, blocking her from my view, and his soft expression disappeared immediately. “What’s wrong, Byron? Why are you standing in front of me? Did Peach have an accident?” The girl slipped from behind him, and as soon as she saw me, her smile faltered. She froze when she saw me standing there. As she came closer, I couldn’t help but feel drawn to her vibrant energy. “Who is she?” the girl asked, her voice filled with confusion as she looked up at Byron. But when her gaze shifted to me, there was an unmistakable hint of challenge in her eyes. She knew who I was, and after adding me on social media, she probably knew about me long before this. “She is…” “I’m his wife, legally his wife.” I interrupted Byron’s attempt to explain and smiled at the girl in front of me. As I expected, her expression faltered for a moment before she tried to regain her composure. Her little act only made me laugh. She took a few steps back, looking uncomfortable, and struggled to pull the large dog back inside. “Well, since your wife is here, you two can have a talk. I’ll go give Peach some water.” Her fake, sad demeanor made even me feel a little sorry for her. But Byron, of course, was completely captivated by her. After she left, Byron glared at me with clear frustration. “What are you even doing here?” he asked, his voice cold. “Your family invited us for dinner, and you didn’t respond to any of my messages, so I came.” I answered calmly, indifferent to his anger, as though I didn’t even feel it. My response shut him down, leaving him speechless. I ignored him completely and walked confidently inside the house. I sat down on the sofa and looked at Byron as he followed me in. “You have 20 minutes to get ready. We need to leave on time,” I said, my tone firm. As soon as I finished speaking, the same large dog that had tackled me earlier charged toward me, as if triggered by something. It viciously bit at my clothes. “Get off me!” I shouted, grabbing my handbag and swinging it at the dog. It hit the dog on the head, leaving a small cut. I called out for Byron, but by the time I was knocked down, he was already over by the girl, shielding her in his arms. Seeing that, my heart sank completely.

It wasn’t until the housekeeper came in to control the dog that I managed to free myself. My hand had been bitten, and I couldn’t stop myself from shivering when I saw the dog again. The girl, as if I had done something truly unforgivable, started crying loudly. “Why did you hurt my dog?! “It just wanted to play with you, and you broke its head!” She cried, burying her face in Byron’s chest. Meanwhile, I stood there, bleeding, listening to her accuse me. Was I supposed to just let the dog attack me? Should I have waited until it bit me to death? “I don’t understand what this lady is saying, but your dog kept pouncing on me again and again. “And this time, it even bit my hand. “I haven’t even asked you for compensation yet, and you’re crying?” I pushed my bloody hand right in front of Byron and the girl, showing her the wound. “Ah!” The girl gasped, terrified, and buried her head even deeper into Byron’s chest. Her fragile act only made Byron look even more concerned for her. His gaze toward me was full of reproach. “Lydia, Flora just said that Peach only wanted to play with you. “It’s because you’re afraid of dogs that Peach reacted like that and bit you. “You’re really becoming impossible to reason with.” Byron’s words made me feel utterly disgusted. He remembered that I was afraid of dogs but still took her side and blamed me. “Byron, you’re really being unreasonable,” I snapped. “Go ahead and pamper your dog and the girl in your arms. I don’t care anymore. “You can skip the family dinner.” With that, I straightened myself up, tidied my disheveled appearance, and left for the dinner on my own, without giving Byron a chance to speak. By the time the family dinner was over, Byron still hadn’t shown up. He didn’t come home that night, just like before. I was perfectly fine with the peace. But the girl’s social media updated again. [Thank you for always being there for me and taking care of Peach.] The accompanying photo showed a man’s back, who was lovingly petting the dog. There was no doubt that it was aimed at me, like a deliberate provocation. I didn’t feel much of anything. I simply turned off my phone and went to sleep peacefully. The next morning, I was woken by a loud knock on the door. I got up and opened it to find Byron, his face red with anger.

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After a night of drinking, I found myself in bed with the guy next door. Once sober, he proved to be a remarkably responsible man and asked me to marry him. It wasn’t until later that I discovered the woman he truly loved had left the country that very night. So, I buried my feelings and became his obedient, dutiful wife in name only. We shared countless silent nights, perfectly in sync yet never crossing the line. All my friends said I would never leave him, and I believed it too. Until today, when I discovered his second phone. While he was in the shower, a girl sent him a selfie. “Mr. Theo, thank you for the birthday gift.” She was a young girl, with delicate features. But her clothes, far too sophisticated for her age, made her seem a bit uncomfortable. I stared at the photo for a long time, until my eyes began to sting. I always knew there was someone around Theo, but I never expected it to be a girl like her. Besides feeling moved, I was surprised by my husband’s taste. I felt sorry for him, having seen Theo’s secret. Moments later, Theo emerged, still damp from the shower. “How much longer are you going to look?” He snatched the phone from my hand, glanced at me, and began to dress. His expression showed no embarrassment at being caught by his wife. I knew his confidence came from the control he held over our finances. Because I was the one he kept at home, even though I used to be a renowned pianist before we married. I didn’t confront him about the photo; I couldn’t afford to. Seeing he was about to leave, I hurried to speak up. “Theo, I want to talk to you.” He fastened his belt leisurely and looked at me. “I have five minutes. The driver is waiting downstairs.” I guessed where he was headed, and my heart sank. “Theo, I want to work.” Theo turned, studying me for a moment. Then he pulled out a checkbook, wrote down a number, tore it off, and handed it to me. “Isn’t being a full-time wife at home good? Working isn’t for you.” With that, he was ready to leave. I followed him, lowering my stance. “I’m not afraid of hard work. I want to work. I can play the piano.” He had no patience to listen. To him, I was like a delicate flower. Someone who had gotten used to being taken care of, unsuited for facing the world or enduring hardship. Theo glanced at his watch; time was up. He left without hesitation. I couldn’t stop him, only gripping the door handle tightly as I asked. “My dad’s birthday is this Saturday. Do you have time?” Theo paused for a moment. “We’ll see.” The door closed gently. After a while, I heard the sound of a car starting downstairs, growing fainter. A few minutes later, the maid came upstairs. “Sir is going to City H for a few days. He said it’s something important.” “Also, a batch of Mr. Theo’s clothes was just delivered. Madam, should I send them for cleaning or would you prefer to wash and iron them yourself?” They knew the relationship between Theo and me was just average. In this house, they acted as our go-betweens. I knelt on the sofa, lost in thought for a long time before I came to my senses and spoke softly. “I’ll wash them by hand.” Because Theo didn’t like the smell of dry cleaning solvents. So all of Theo’s clothes, including suits and coats, were washed by me and then ironed. Besides this, Theo had high standards in other areas too. He disliked outside food and any clutter in the bedroom, so I learned to cook and organize floral arrangements. He never truly cared for this wife, only marrying me because of an accident. I gradually became the perfect full-time wife, and my life almost solely revolved around Theo. But Theo still didn’t love me.

I looked down at the check. Last year, my family fell apart. My dad was so stressed that he developed an illness, and his monthly expenses were over six figures. Every time I went home, my stepmother complained that I didn’t take enough from Theo. “He’s the CEO of Taylor Pharmaceuticals, worth billions.” “Phoebe, you’re his wife. Isn’t what’s his yours?” I gave a bittersweet smile. How could Theo’s things ever be mine? Theo didn’t love me and was usually cold towards me. Our marriage was only about sex, not love. He wouldn’t even let me have his child. Every time we were intimate, he reminded me to take my pills. Yes, I had to take the pills. I reached for the bottle, poured out a pill, and swallowed it numbly. After taking the pill, I gently pulled open a small drawer. Inside was a thick diary, filled with my love for Theo since I was 18. Ten years, I’ve loved him for a whole decade, and I silently closed my eyes. This one-man show seemed to be reaching its end. I didn’t wait for Theo to come back. My dad had another acute episode and was rushed to the intensive care unit, critically needing surgery. I stood in the hospital corridor, repeatedly calling Theo, but no one answered. Just when I was about to give up, Theo picked up. Fearing he’d lose patience, I spoke quickly. “Theo, my dad—” But Theo interrupted me, sounding a bit impatient: “Do you need money?” “I’ve told you many times, if you need urgent money, go to Quentin. Phoebe, are you listening?” I looked up at the LED screen, dazed, which was broadcasting today’s news. Taylor Pharmaceuticals’ CEO rented out the entire Disney park for a night of fireworks just to make a girl smile. Under the brilliant fireworks, a young girl sat in a wheelchair, smiling sweetly. And there was my husband, Theo, standing behind her, holding a phone, talking to me. I blinked slowly, and after a long moment, spoke with a hint of brokenness: “Theo, where are you?” He paused on the other side, seemingly displeased with my questioning, but still responded perfunctorily. “Still busy. If there’s nothing else, I’ll hang up. Contact Quentin.” He didn’t notice my near-teary tone, but his gentle gaze towards someone else was very soft, very tender. My vision blurred. So Theo could be this gentle. Behind me, my stepmother’s voice came: “Did you get in touch with Theo? If he doesn’t help, there’s nothing we can do.” But she stopped mid-sentence when she saw the scene on the screen. After a long pause, she found her voice again. “He went to City A again.” “Phoebe, I can’t believe that when Theo was in a coma, this girl named Zora played the piano and woke him up.” “Even if that’s true, how is this paying it back? He can’t even remember your birthday.” My stepmother grew angrier as she spoke, and thinking about our family’s situation, she began to cry. “But Phoebe, you must keep it together. Don’t cause trouble with Theo now.” I clenched my hands, my nails digging into my flesh, yet I felt no pain. Cause trouble with Theo? I wouldn’t. Not because I’m a sensible Mrs. Theo. But because I have no right. An unloved wife, the title means nothing. I stared at the endless fireworks and softly said. “All these fireworks must cost a lot, right?” My stepmother didn’t understand what I meant. I lowered my eyes and began calling Quentin.

Disturbing someone in the middle of the night is always unpleasant. Quentin had been with Theo for a long time and held a high position. Moreover, he knew Theo didn’t care about his wife. So when he heard my request, his tone was cold and aggressive. “Mrs. Theo, you need to apply first. Only after Mr. Theo signs can you get the check.” “Just like your jewelry, you have to register it to use it.” “Mrs. Theo, do you understand what I mean?” I hung up the phone, lowered my head, and remained very quiet. After a long while, I lifted my eyes to look at myself in the glass, gently raising my hand. On my slender ring finger was the wedding ring. It’s the only thing I don’t need to apply for or register with Theo’s secretary. How pathetic I am as Mrs. Theo. I blinked in a daze and suddenly said, “Help me find someone to sell my wedding ring.” My stepmother was stunned: “Phoebe, are you crazy?” I turned slowly, the footsteps echoing in the lonely, late-night hall. After a few steps, I stopped and said firmly. “Auntie, I’m very clear-headed, more than ever. I want a divorce from Theo.” Three days later, Theo returned home. He pushed open the bedroom door and saw me sitting at the dressing table, organizing my things. He put his luggage down, loosened his tie, and sat on the bed, observing me. After getting married, I always enjoyed doing housework, organizing, and making snacks. If it weren’t for the title of Mrs. Theo, in Theo’s mind, I was no different from a nanny. I didn’t speak for a long time, and Theo, tired from his trip, didn’t bother to say anything either. He went straight to the closet, grabbed a robe, and headed to the shower. While showering, he probably thought that with my soft personality, I’d be over it by the time he came out. And I’d continue being the gentle wife. He was so sure I’d love him like this forever. So when he stepped out of the bathroom and saw his suitcase still in place, he felt it necessary to talk to me. Theo sat on the sofa, casually picked up a magazine, and after a while, he looked up at me and said. “How’s your dad’s condition?” “I’ve already reprimanded Quentin for what happened that night.” He went to the closet, picked out a robe, and headed to the shower. While he was in there, he probably assumed that my gentle nature would lead me to calm down by the time he was done. Then I’d go back to being the dutiful wife. He was so confident that I would always love him like this. So when he stepped out and saw his suitcase still there, he realized we needed to talk. Theo settled on the couch, casually picked up a magazine, and after a while, looked up at me. “How’s your dad doing?” “I already talked to Quentin about that night.” He said it so dismissively, with no sincerity whatsoever. I set down what I was holding and met his eyes in the mirror. In the reflection, Theo’s features were striking, and he wore a robe better than anyone else. I stared for a long time, until my eyes stung, then calmly said, “Theo, let’s get a divorce.”

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “295445”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #现实主义Realistic #浪漫Romance #励志Inspiring #重生Reborn #魔幻Magic #校园School #擦边Steamy #惊悚Thriller