Both my sister and I are true heiresses, but our parents favor her, treating me like I’m invisible. My sister is eager to climb the social ladder, but she thinks the billionaire is too old for her. So, during a party, after drinking too much, she sneaks into the billionaire’s son’s bed and comes home with suggestive marks. Mom couldn’t stop smiling, thinking our family would soon have a daughter-in-law. Unexpectedly, the billionaire shows up at our door with his entourage, forcing my sister to marry the family’s driver, Mr. Lee, who is over fifty! Everyone in A City knows that Mr. Lee is a creep who enjoys tormenting women! Three days later, Mr. Lee’s wedding car was parked in front of our house. My sister held scissors to her neck, crying, “Mom and Dad! I’d rather die than marry that old man!” Mom, in tears, stopped her, then turned to me and ordered, “Nora, pretend to be your sister and marry him!” “Mom! I’m your daughter too! How can you ask me to marry that old man without a shred of compassion?” My smile faded, disbelief filling my eyes. But Mom ignored my protests: “You’re the older sister; what’s wrong with helping your sister?” My sister added fuel to the fire: “Exactly, sister, I’m too delicate to withstand mistreatment. You’ve been doing hard work at home since you were little, your physical strength is better than mine, so just endure the beatings and scoldings. But I’m different!” They were pushing me into the fire! I placed all my hope on Dad, who sat silently on the sofa. “Nora, please help her, she’s your sister after all.” These people were no longer my family; they were demons out to ruin my life. I instinctively stepped back: “No! I won’t go!” Seeing my firm stance, Dad’s expression turned fierce, and he signaled the relatives to tie me up. They forcibly dressed me in a wedding gown: “If you don’t drink the toast willingly, you’ll have to drink the penalty! It’s your blessing to take the fall for your sister!” As I was pushed into the car, an overwhelming sadness engulfed me. We were both born to the same parents, yet our fates were so different. Since childhood, I was the neglected and despised one. Mom and Dad cherished my sister like she was their treasure, afraid she’d fall or melt away. But they didn’t care about me. I had only two sets of clothes year-round, and I could only eat after my sister finished. Whenever my sister and I argued, my parents never asked who was right or wrong; they’d just slap me twice. I thought they were just a bit biased, but I never expected them to be so heartless as to marry me off to a perverted old man! The car swayed as it headed to the mansion, and my heart was equally unsettled. My sister’s plan to make an irreversible mistake was definitely flawed, or else the billionaire wouldn’t force her to marry an ugly, filthy driver. That driver, Asher, was said to have been with the billionaire for a long time, having a deep bond with him. They blindfolded me and pushed me into a dark room, where all my senses were heightened. I trembled, waiting for my groom to arrive.

Just as I was in utter despair, contemplating ending it all, the door suddenly opened. The light streaming in made me involuntarily close my eyes. When I opened them again, I was stunned to see a handsome man standing before me. Wasn’t Asher supposed to be a man in his fifties? How is he so good-looking! I heard that the billionaire once ordered him to acquire a real estate company, but the owner changed his mind at the last minute and demanded more money. He simply had the owner’s son kidnapped and sent a video back. The owner was so scared he cried while signing the papers. Since then, both political and business circles knew him as someone ruthless. Looking at the man in front of me, though handsome, but rumored to be a complete lunatic, I felt a chill. “Don’t recognize me? Celeste? Have you forgotten that night?” My expression changed. How does he know my sister’s name? Could it be that they… But how could a driver appear in the billionaire’s son’s room? That’s impossible. Oh well, it’s too late now. Since I’m here, I should just make the best of it. Besides, he is indeed handsome. With such a stunning man in front of me, how could I refuse? To protect myself, I gave him a shy, timid look: “Since we’re married, I’m now your wife…” I figured men like obedient wives. Unexpectedly, Asher’s expression remained unchanged, only raising an eyebrow slightly: “You don’t have to force yourself. I know my reputation isn’t great, I won’t go against your wishes, tonight you can sleep in the bed, I’ll sleep outside.”

Seeing him really about to leave, I panicked. Without a child, how can I ensure my safety? I quickly grabbed his wrist: “Wait! I meant what I said, anyway, neither of us has anyone who cares for us, so why not keep each other warm?” Saying that I wrapped my arms around his neck, my hands unconsciously caressing those enticing abs. There were rumors he lost his manhood after a wild night at the nightclub, my heart ached at the thought. Such a handsome man with issues, my life is so tough! He helplessly ruffled my hair: “Since you’re my wife, from now on I’ll protect you with my life if necessary.” I couldn’t listen to what he was saying anymore, just pulled him to bed with me. In the darkness, I felt his gaze lingering on me, thinking about something. But I was too exhausted, holding him, I quickly drifted into a deep sleep. When I opened my eyes again, he was gone. Only then did I have time to look around the room— It’s worthy of being the billionaire’s trusted aide. The luxurious decor was more extravagant than any wealthy home I had ever seen, as I marveled. Suddenly, the door was pushed open, and several servants carrying the latest clothes and jewelry appeared before me: “Madam, Mr. Asher has left, he asked us to take care of you.” My eyes widened, he, a driver, could afford such extravagance? The necklace in the box was a new model from this year’s show, worth over a million. The diamonds sparkled brilliantly. Simply dazzling. I trembled as I picked it up, still unable to believe it was real. Friends around me faced in-law relationships after marriage, but Asher was alone with no family. So I was in charge of everything in the mansion, and no one dared to contradict me. I have to admit, life was truly comfortable. Except… he was all show and no go, unable to have children. Everything was perfect. Except… sometimes he would hold me and call out: “Celeste.”

My expression darkened instantly, realizing that this fleeting happiness came from being my sister’s stand-in. Seeing my reaction, he gently shook me: “What’s wrong? Are you feeling unwell?” I forced a smile: “No, I just feel you’re too good to me, I don’t know how to repay you.” He seemed a bit helpless: “Silly, you’re my wife, it’s only right for me to be good to you, there’s no need for repayment.” I fell silent, wondering if he’d hate me if he knew it was all a lie? “Your birthday is coming up, I want to host a party, and let you meet my friends.” He placed a photo in front of me: “This is Oscar, in charge of the company’s construction department, and this is Ethan, responsible for economic trade relations.” Since childhood, my sister had prepared to marry into the billionaire’s family, not only researching the billionaire’s company information but also bringing me along to learn. When the billionaire was young and poor, he married his first wife, using her family’s resources to rise quickly. The first wife bore two sons and a daughter, but passed away due to illness. Afterwards, he married a second wife, who had another son and daughter. Since the eldest son passed away. Two opinions gradually emerged within the group. One was that the company’s establishment was inseparable from the first wife, and the second son should be the heir. Another voice said the third son was most capable and fit to lead. The people Asher just introduced me to were all supporters of the third son within the group. I pursed my lips, realizing this was not just a party, but an exchange of resources. I’ve never liked such occasions, but now as his wife, I should help share some of his burden. Clutching his hand, I smiled slightly: “Okay.”

“I’ve long heard the Lin family has two beauties, seeing Celeste today proves it’s true.” Miss Beatrix hugged me, sizing me up. Asher chuckled: “All thanks to your father for sending such a wonderful wife to my side.” Miss Beatrix laughed: “You better treat her well, or I won’t agree.” The table was filled with exquisite delicacies, guests exchanging glasses, chatting and laughing. I suddenly thought, maybe the billionaire had his reasons for wanting my sister to marry him. How did my sister manage to sneak into the second young master’s bed so smoothly? Could it be the billionaire suspected this was a tactic by the third young master to ruin the second young master’s reputation, and used this method to test the truth? As everyone drank to the end, the third young master sighed, “Yesterday I took some documents to Dad’s study and heard him scolding my second brother again.” “What did that spendthrift do this time?” Ethan was curious. “You’d better treat her right, or I won’t agree.” The table was laden with a variety of delicious dishes. The guests, who clearly had a lot of prestige, were happily clinking their glasses and engaging in lively conversation. I suddenly thought perhaps the billionaire had his own reasons for marrying my sister off to him. Why did my sister manage to get into the Second Young Master’s bed so easily back then? Could it be that the billionaire suspected this was a scheme by the Third Young Master to tarnish the Second Young Master’s reputation and used this method to uncover the truth? As the evening wore on, the Third Young Master sighed, “Yesterday, I took some documents to Dad’s study and overheard him scolding my second brother again.” “What did that troublemaker do this time?” Oscar asked with curiosity. “A few days ago, Second Brother showed interest in a new college student. But she wasn’t interested, and he used unsavory methods to force her. Afterward, the girl posted about it on social media and then took her own life. It’s causing quite an uproar now.” The Third Young Master sighed helplessly. I was a bit taken aback. I had always known the Second Young Master was arrogant, but I hadn’t realized he was so indifferent to human life. I exchanged a glance with Asher and tactfully changed the subject. After returning home, I pressed Asher: “What’s really going on here?” Asher didn’t respond immediately. He took off his suit jacket, revealing his well-toned chest. “Celeste, do you regret marrying me?” I didn’t know why he asked, but I shook my head. “Being with you makes me truly happy.” He looked into my eyes. “Really?” “I’m willing to spend the rest of my life with you,” I said, courageously expressing my feelings. Asher’s expression shifted slightly. I watched as he removed the last piece of clothing. “Are you sure?” My heart raced. “I am.” In his surprised gaze, I decisively shed my robe, revealing my hidden beauty. Desire flared up instantly, and he showered me with kisses. I moved with him, and I knew from this moment, we were truly husband and wife. In the rush of excitement, I fainted. The overwhelming emotions almost consumed me. The next morning, sunlight touched my face as I woke up, rubbing my aching body. As I looked up, Asher was sitting at the edge, his gaze probing. “Celeste, why are you still a virgin?” It was then I noticed the red on the sheets, evidence of my first night. My nerves instantly went on alert, and I couldn’t help but tremble. I had completely forgotten about this! Everyone believed Celeste had been with the Second Young Master, yet here I was, still a virgin. It was suspicious. My mind raced. “You were too rough last night. I bled, and now you’re asking me…” He’s not naive. He wouldn’t be easily fooled. Staring into my eyes, he seemed to want to say something but just smiled. “Since you’re with me, the past doesn’t matter.” He kissed my forehead and left the room. “Ma’am, the sir mentioned transferring the mansion to your name.” “Ma’am, the sir wants you to handle the transfer of his assets.” “Ma’am, this is the latest designer handbag, sent over for you to choose from.” Since we crossed that final line, our relationship has become more stable. He wants to give me everything. I sat on the large apartment’s sofa, swirling a wine glass as I looked down at the bustling scene below. I suddenly remembered the days living at home. A biased dad, a foolish mom, a spoiled sister. And I was the only normal one in the family. I had to give in to Celeste in everything. No matter how much I gave, I could never earn my parents’ love. Even when my sister caused trouble, I had to pay with my life to clean up after her. Thinking back, it scared me. If Asher really was the violent man people said he was, my life would have ended. The next day, in spring, I was out shopping with the servants. I spotted a new handbag and was about to pay when I noticed the servant’s hesitant look. “What’s the matter?” I asked, puzzled. “Ma’am, your mother called saying your sister is getting married in a few days and hopes you can come back to help,” she cautiously checked my reaction. After all, since my marriage, I hadn’t been in contact with my family, and everyone knew we didn’t get along. Sure enough, my expression didn’t change, but I snapped the straw in my hand. “That’s good news. Who’s my lucky brother-in-law?” I asked calmly. The servant thought for a moment. “Your sister is lucky. The Second Young Master personally came to propose. Her future seems promising.” The Second Young Master? I was puzzled. The Second Young Master’s position in the corporation is precarious. Why would a vain father still agree to marry my sister off to him? Thinking about my sister getting into bed with the Second Young Master and then being forced to marry Asher, I suddenly felt that there was a big secret hidden in all of this.

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Accompanying my four-month pregnant sister-in-law for her prenatal checkup, we were devastated to find out that the fetus was no longer viable. I strongly urged my sister-in-law to opt for induced labor. She followed my advice and terminated the pregnancy immediately. However, upon learning that the fetus was male, she was filled with regret. When her husband Ethan confronted her, she absolved herself entirely, blaming an erroneous diagnosis by the doctor and claiming I had pressured her into it. Ethan believed her and, accusing me of ending his family line, pushed me off the balcony to my death. When I opened my eyes again, I found myself back on the day of the prenatal checkup with my sister-in-law. Smiling, I said, “Olivia, as you mentioned, it could very well be a misdiagnosis. You might want to consider keeping the baby!” …… Olivia, holding the report indicating fetal demise, challenged me: “Look at these tiny letters. Isn’t this my name? How could they say there’s no heartbeat? Did the doctor make a mistake?” “I’m talking to you! Why are you spacing out?” Looking up, I saw my sister-in-law’s worried expression. When I looked down, she thrust the report at me. Seeing the bustling crowd and doctors in white coats around me, the scene felt eerily familiar. Before I could respond, my sister-in-law waved the report in my face, confronting me again: “Sophia, are you even listening? Can’t you just take this?” Instinctively, I took the report from her and glanced at my phone. It hit me—I had been given another chance, back to the day of the prenatal checkup with my sister-in-law. In my previous life, when the doctor discovered the fetal demise, they recommended induced labor. Wanting to protect my sister-in-law, I explained the medical risks of keeping a non-viable fetus and urged her to proceed with induced labor. She looked at the report and, trusting my advice, decided to terminate the pregnancy. But upon seeing the fully formed male fetus, she was stricken with fear and regret. When Ethan arrived at the hospital and learned the fetus was male, he lost control, attacking my sister-in-law and accusing Olivia of ending his son’s life, demanding revenge. Terrified of losing her life and her status as Mrs. Ethan, she pushed all the blame onto me, claiming I had frightened her with a quack doctor’s false diagnosis and pressured her into ending the pregnancy. Ethan directed his fury at me, convinced I intended to wipe out his lineage. He attacked me, choking me hard. I struggled desperately, pleading for mercy. Even my mother-in-law didn’t intervene, taking pleasure in my suffering, saying, “How could you not want my daughter to be well and even harm my precious grandson? You deserve the punishment!” My sister-in-law stood by, allowing me to take the fall, adding fuel to the fire: “Honey, it’s all Sophia’s fault. She pushed me into this. It’s all her doing. Punish her to avenge our son.” Blinded by rage, Ethan only desired my death to avenge his son, choking me and pushing me off the hospital room balcony, leading to my immediate demise. Yet, heaven granted me another chance at life. This time, I wanted to see what would happen if I didn’t persuade her to terminate. Suppressing my inner rage, I calmly told my sister-in-law: “Olivia, the report isn’t mistaken. It really is your name.” Upon hearing the report was hers, my sister-in-law roared in disbelief: “How can this be? Just a few days ago, I could still feel him moving in my belly. This must be a misdiagnosis.” I knew that, regardless of this life or the last, she wanted to keep the child. After all, the child was her bargaining chip, a means to elevate her status. In my previous life, I persuaded her for the sake of her health to agree to induced labor to save her life, but she ended up resenting me for meddling, costing me my life. So in this life, I’ll let her do as she pleases. I followed her train of thought and comforted her: “Right, right, it’s probably a misdiagnosis. You don’t always have to listen to the doctor’s advice for induced labor.” “If there’s a problem with the child in my belly, how could I not know?” “Exactly, that’s why I said it’s probably a misdiagnosis. Doctors make mistakes all the time. You should consider keeping the child.” In this life, I won’t persuade her to abort. If she ends up with a massive hemorrhage, that’s her problem. Let her do as she pleases. Olivia snatched the report from my hand, muttering to herself: “It must be a misdiagnosis. Those quack doctors.” At this point, I naturally fueled the fire, making it burn even brighter so that Olivia would cause a scene at the hospital, scaring the doctors away from treating her. I said to Olivia: “These doctors are unscrupulous. They want you to undergo induced labor, which is practically a death sentence! It’s despicable; they’ll do anything for money. You can’t let this go. You must hold the doctors accountable.” Olivia stormed into the doctor’s office, slamming the test results on the desk. “You heartless quacks! I felt fetal movement just a few days ago, and now you’re telling me the fetus is dead? You must not have checked properly. You want me to abort my child? No way.” The doctor explained: “Based on your results, we’ve confirmed it multiple times. The results are accurate; the fetus has indeed died. That’s why we recommend induced labor.” Olivia grew more agitated, throwing a fit: “What confirmation? You just did a slapdash job! You didn’t check carefully. You’re just after our money. Who knows how accurate this result is?” The doctor remained calm and continued: “We’re a legitimate facility, and our results are based on thorough examinations. We recommend induced labor because carrying a dead fetus poses high risks. A massive hemorrhage could endanger your life. But ultimately, your life is your own, and how you choose to proceed is up to you.” Olivia was fuming, taking a few steps back. Luckily, she sat down on a chair; otherwise, if she had accidentally sat on the floor, who knows whom she would blame next. Not long after, my profit-driven mother-in-law showed up at the hospital. It seems Olivia had already contacted her. She arrived and slapped me twice: “Sophia, why are you so useless, standing there like an idiot? You’re supposed to be taking care of Olivia, but you can’t even help her, letting her be bullied by those unscrupulous doctors. You’re so worthless.” I cried, covering my face, explaining: “Mom, it’s all my fault for being tongue-tied.” “Crying? All you know is how to cry. No wonder the doctors can manipulate you to take your money. You’re useless.” After hitting me, she started causing a scene at the doctor’s office entrance. “Come and see, everyone, look at this heartless hospital, these heartless doctors. They told my daughter the fetus is dead and to induce labor. This is practically murder for money. They’ll do anything for dirty money. I’ve had two kids, all healthy. How could there be so many problems?” My mother-in-law made an unreasonable scene, refusing to listen to the doctor’s explanations and causing a huge ruckus in the doctor’s office. The doctor, overwhelmed by the disruption, finally said: “Just go home. You don’t have to go through with the induced labor. Just don’t make a scene here. I won’t treat you anymore. Do as you please.” With that, we were kicked out of the office. My mother-in-law, not satisfied with her rant, continued muttering curses. As we left, I overheard the doctor muttering: “Ignorant mother and daughter. You’ll pay for the decisions you make today.” After all the ruckus, Olivia seemed exhausted, asking me and my mother-in-law to send her home. Seeing her so fatigued, more so than a typical four-month pregnant woman, I suspected the dead fetus was deteriorating inside her. If not dealt with promptly, I couldn’t imagine what would happen next. However, I’m quite curious to see how she’ll fare living with a dead fetus and what fate awaits her. As soon as we entered Ethan’s Family home, we ran into Ethan, who was about to head out. Seeing us come in, Ethan, as usual, was cold, accusing: “You’re pregnant and still running around outside. If anything happens to the child, I’ll have your head.” Looking at the man before me, I felt an inexplicable fear. In my last life, it was him who, without distinguishing right from wrong, firmly believed I was responsible for the loss of his son, accusing me of wanting to end his lineage. Yet he didn’t know that I advised Olivia to terminate the pregnancy for her health, planning to have children after recovering. He cruelly pushed me off the balcony, ending my life. Before I could gather my thoughts, Olivia, with a smile, approached him: “No, honey. This morning, my mom and the others accompanied me to the prenatal checkup.” Ethan, still in his cold tone, asked: “What did the doctor say?” Facing Ethan, Olivia’s fatigue vanished as she playfully said: “Honey, the doctor said the baby is very healthy and developing well. It’s just that I’m a bit weak as a pregnant woman, and my nutrition isn’t keeping up.” Olivia could lie without batting an eye. My mother-in-law chimed in: I was shoved off the balcony, my life taken away in a cruel twist of fate. Before I could fully grasp what was happening, Olivia flashed a smile and said, “No, sweetie, my mom went with me for a prenatal checkup this morning.” Ethan, maintaining his cold demeanor, questioned, “What did the doctor say?” Olivia, shedding her earlier fatigue, replied sweetly, “Darling, the doctor said the baby is doing well, developing perfectly. It’s just that I’m feeling a bit weak and undernourished.” Olivia was so smooth with her lies that she didn’t even blink. My mother-in-law chimed in, “Son-in-law, you have no idea how much Olivia struggled this morning, waddling around with that belly. Pregnancy is truly exhausting. You mustn’t mistreat her in the future!” Ethan glanced at Olivia’s belly and remarked, “Five million for a son, two million for a daughter. Just focus on your pregnancy.” With that, he left. My mother-in-law was overjoyed, exclaiming, “Oh my, my dear daughter, you’re carrying my grandchild, and that’s five million!” She then turned to me, boasting, “Did you hear that? That’s five million. Why are you just standing there? Can’t you see you should help?” I silently cursed in my heart, “Ha, why drag me into this? Five million, my foot! Dream on; you need a living baby for that.” I deliberately moved slowly towards Olivia, reaching out but not touching her hand. She suddenly collapsed, clutching her belly and crying out, “It hurts, it hurts.” My mother-in-law shoved me aside, causing me to fall heavily to the ground. “Sophia, if anything happens to my grandchild, I’ll hold you responsible, you useless thing.” She even tried to slap me, but Olivia was wailing on the floor. Blood flowed from her thighs, staining her pants. The driver quickly rushed her to the hospital. On the way, Olivia insisted that the previous hospital was trying to exploit her and refused to go back, opting for a different one. “As if switching hospitals would revive the lifeless fetus inside her.” At the hospital, she was rushed into the emergency room. My mother-in-law anxiously paced outside, muttering, “My grandchild, my grandchild, please be okay.” She blamed me, “It’s all your fault. If you had helped Olivia sooner, this wouldn’t have happened. If anything happens to her, see how I deal with you.” A nurse came out with a troubled expression, “The fetus has stopped developing. We need to induce labor.” My mother-in-law panicked, realizing this meant losing her five million. “No, you can’t induce labor. My son-in-law promised five million.” The nurse scolded, “What are you thinking? If the mother hemorrhages, her life is at risk. The fetus has already stopped developing.” “No, no!” “Auntie, is a life or five million more important? When a life is lost, where will the five million come from? Preserving life is crucial.” Both hospitals confirmed the diagnosis, and my mother-in-law had to accept reality. The nurse’s words made her realize she could have many more five-million grandchildren in the future. She quickly agreed to sign. In this new life, I couldn’t let Olivia easily abort the baby. I swiftly took the pen from my mother-in-law’s hand. Pretending to care for Olivia, I said, “Mom, you can’t sign. How can you abort Olivia’s baby? She cares so much about this child. You’re risking her life!” My mother-in-law slapped me again, “Get lost. It’s not your place to decide for my daughter. Let go. I can’t harm my daughter. First, save Olivia. Abort the baby.” “Mom, you must reconsider!” My mother-in-law got the pen back, about to sign, when Olivia’s voice came from the emergency room, “I decide what happens with my child!”

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When I was seven, I accidentally wandered into the basement and saw a woman in a red dress chained to the corner like an animal. That’s when I learned the ugly truth: my dad wasn’t just a monster—he was a maniac. The woman chained in the shadows wasn’t a stranger. She was my mother. For ten years, they’d been married. For ten years, he’d subjected her to unspeakable horrors. He forced her to eat rotting meat crawling with maggots, raped her whenever the mood struck, tore into her flesh with his teeth, and drank her blood. Sometimes, he’d make her dance barefoot on shards of broken glass, laughing as she bled. After that day, I started secretly helping her, slipping her food and water when I could. The summer I graduated high school, I saw my chance. My dad had left town on one of his business trips, and I finally worked up the courage to get her out. I thought I’d done it. I thought I’d saved her. But as we reached the front door, he appeared. It was like he’d known all along. What happened next still haunts me. The mother who had just moments ago been crying tears of gratitude, clinging to me as if I were her last hope, suddenly turned on me. Her face twisted with venom as she pointed at me and screamed, “Honey, I told you! She’s been trying to get rid of me so she can have you all to herself!” I froze, unable to process her words. “She’s jealous!” she shrieked. “She’s always hated me! I only set a tiny trap, and she couldn’t wait to send me away. You see, darling? You see how cruel she is?” Then she turned to me, her eyes blazing with hatred. “How could I have raised such a disgusting little wretch like you?” she spat. My world fell apart in that moment. I was dragged to the basement, where I became my mom’s replacement. For months, they tortured me. My dad’s cruelty was expected, but my mom? She stood by his side, watching with a smug smile as he tore me apart, her hand resting lovingly on his arm. They whispered sweet nothings to each other, their romance blossoming as I screamed for mercy. In the end, I couldn’t take it anymore. I threw myself against the concrete wall until everything went black. When I opened my eyes, I was back in my room. I recognized the date instantly. It was the day my mom first begged me to save her.

“Eat it.” My dad kicked a plate of maggot-infested meat toward my mom. He stood there, pristine in his tailored suit and polished leather shoes, his hair neatly combed. Everything about him screamed elegance—everything except the blood-stained, damp basement that reeked of iron and rot. In stark contrast, my mom sat huddled in the corner, chained like a dog. She wore a tattered red dress, her thin, gaunt face lifted toward him, eyes wide with fear. “Luke, I… I’m not hungry,” she stammered, her voice trembling. Luke narrowed his eyes, his tone chilling. “Are you defying me, Anna?” Anna bit her lip, her gaze darting to me as I stood silently in the doorway. The same pleading look I’d seen a hundred times before—the one that always tore me apart. “Lila…” she whispered, her voice breaking. In my last life, I’d fallen for that look. Every single time. She never begged outright. She never asked me to intervene. Instead, she’d put on a mask of despair, murmuring things like, “Lila, don’t worry about me. As long as you’re safe, I can endure anything. It’s just a few bugs—it’s nothing I can’t handle.” Then, she’d reach for the plate, her hand trembling as if summoning every ounce of willpower to make the sacrifice. But before she could touch it, she’d start retching, tears streaming down her face as she gagged and sobbed. And every time, I’d break. My heart would twist with guilt, as though her suffering was my fault. And like the fool I was, I’d always fight for her. In my last life, on this very night, I’d snatched that plate of rancid meat from her and made her a bowl of noodles instead. Luke hadn’t said a word. He’d simply turned and walked away, his cold indifference like a knife to my chest. The next day, Anna was allowed out of the basement. She wore an apron and greeted me with a radiant smile as she served me a plate of braised ribs. “Lila, I made this just for you. Try it!” I’d eaten every bite, beaming at her, grateful for even the smallest sign of normalcy. For a moment, sitting at the dining table with both my parents, I’d allowed myself to hope—maybe, just maybe, we could be a real family. But then, Anna covered her mouth, giggling as she leaned into Luke’s chest. Her smile was wide and triumphant, her voice dripping with amusement. “Of course it’s delicious,” she said, grinning from ear to ear. “You’ve been taking care of that dog for a whole year. Its meat is so tender!” Her laughter was like the chime of a bell, each note slicing into me like a blade. I stared at her, frozen in disbelief. She swayed her hips as she left the dining room, returning moments later with a blood-stained pelt—a dog’s pelt. It was perfectly skinned, the features intact, almost lifelike. “Luke’s knife skills are impeccable,” she said, holding up the pelt for him to admire. “Look at this! It’s almost like it’s still alive!” The hollow eyes of my dog, the same one that had been wagging its tail at my feet just the day before, stared back at me. I clutched my stomach and ran to the sink, vomiting until there was nothing left. Luke finally glanced at me, his expression cold and mocking. “Lila,” he said flatly, “kindness without strength always comes with a cost.” Anna, emboldened by his words, chimed in. “She’s right, Luke. She ate so much of it—clearly, she enjoyed it. Why pretend to be disgusted now? Such a hypocrite.” The feel of soft fur against my leg jolted me from the memory. I looked down to see my dog, Scout, wagging his tail and nuzzling against me. I scooped him up, holding him close as I looked at Anna. She was already putting on her usual act, her eyes brimming with tears. “Mom,” I said, my voice cold as ice, “Dad works so hard every day. The least you could do is eat what he gives you without being so dramatic.” Luke’s expression shifted slightly, his eyes narrowing in approval. But Anna froze, her face twisting in shock. She hadn’t expected this. Not this time. Her lips quivered as she forced herself to look pitiful, her voice trembling. “Lila, you’re my only daughter. I’d do anything for you! If you want me to eat it, I’ll eat it.” She picked up a piece of the rotting meat, bringing it to her nose. The stench made her gag, and she hesitated, her fingers trembling. She wasn’t eating. She was waiting—waiting for me to crack, for me to snatch the plate away and protect her like I always did. But this wasn’t my first life. I’d seen this too many times before. Her fake tears, her empty promises of love. I’d tasted the maggot-infested meat myself, forcing it down my throat while she stood by, pretending to care. This time, I simply stroked Scout’s fur and looked away. Luke’s patience finally snapped. He grabbed Anna by the hair and shoved the meat into her mouth, piece by piece. She choked and gagged, tears streaming down her face as bits of meat and maggots spilled onto her clothes and crawled over her skin. Her face twisted in agony, but Luke’s expression was one of satisfaction, almost ecstasy. He gently brushed the crumbs from her shoulders, his voice soft and loving. “Anna, I love you. I’d never treat anyone else like this. This… this is how you know you’re special to me.” Anna’s tear-filled eyes glowed with a disturbing intensity, her lips curving into a trembling smile. It hit me then. She liked it. She wanted it. They deserved each other.

I never met my mother. Not really. Growing up, whenever I dared to ask about her, the housekeepers would shuffle nervously, muttering vague excuses before quickly changing the subject. It wasn’t until I was seven years old that I learned the truth. I wandered into the basement by accident one day and saw her. She was chained to the wall, a rusted dog collar wrapped around her neck like a noose. Her red dress was torn and filthy, clinging to her skeletal frame. Her skin was ghostly pale, the kind of sickly white that comes from years without sunlight. The air reeked of mildew, blood, and something worse—something rotting. She sat slumped against the wall, combing her brittle, thinning hair with a broken comb. Her bony fingers moved mechanically, and every now and then, she’d hum a tune or let out a soft, eerie laugh. Her hollow cheeks and sunken eyes made her look like a corpse, but even then, I could see it—the faint resemblance between us. That’s when she noticed me. A little girl clutching a doll, chubby and wide-eyed. “Are you… Lila?” she croaked, her voice raspy and strained. Before I could answer, she lunged at me. Her bony hands grabbed my arm, her grip so tight it left five bloody scratches. “You’ve grown so much,” she whispered, her face inches from mine. “I’m your mother, Lila. I’m your mother!” I froze, too scared to move, but then her eyes dropped to my bare feet. Her expression twisted into something monstrous. “You walk around like that in front of your father?” she screamed, her voice shrill and hysterical. “You little whore! You think you can seduce him, don’t you?” Before I could react, her hand shot out and struck me across the face. I was sick with a fever for a month after that. The next time I saw her, Luke—my father—had brought her to my bedside. She stood by my bed, her posture stiff and submissive. Her trembling fingers brushed my hair as she leaned down to whisper, “Lila, I’m sorry… I shouldn’t have hit you. Can you forgive me?” Her apology felt hollow, her voice shaking with every word. She kept glancing at Luke like a frightened animal, her whole body trembling whenever his shadow crossed hers. I forgave her, of course. I was desperate for a mother. I’d longed for her my entire life. From then on, I shielded her from everything. When Luke whipped her, I threw myself over her body, letting the lashes tear into my back instead. When he drained her blood, I held the knife myself, matching each cut on her skin with one on my own. When he forced her to eat rotting meat, I swallowed bite after bite until I was retching and sobbing, just to spare her the pain. Eventually, Luke’s affection for me faded completely. “You’re just like her,” he said one day, his cold, sharp eyes boring into mine. “Stupid and weak. It’s in your blood, Lila. You inherited her pitiful, filthy nature.” From that moment on, he stopped trying to mold me into his perfect heir. No more lessons in etiquette or business. No more late nights learning foreign languages or memorizing the weaknesses of his corporate rivals. When Anna heard, she was overjoyed. “Finally, he’s letting you off the hook!” she said, her laughter bubbling like champagne. “Girls don’t need to learn all that nonsense. What, does he think you’re going to inherit the company? How ridiculous. “Your job is to grow up pretty and happy. Find a good man to marry. That’s all that matters. Come, let me teach you how to make men adore you…” I sat there, confused, her words gnawing at the edges of my thoughts. She’s my mom, I told myself. She wouldn’t hurt me. Would she? When I turned eighteen, I was accepted into a university overseas. That summer, Luke left town for a business meeting. The moment he drove off, I ran to the basement, my heart pounding so hard I thought it might burst. “Mom,” I whispered, fumbling with the lock on her chain. “We’re leaving. I’m getting you out of here.” The collar fell away, clattering to the floor. For the first time in eighteen years, she was free. “Dad’s gone,” I told her, my voice shaking with excitement. “I already bought tickets. We’re flying to a new city. I’ll go to school, and I’ll take care of you. I’ll fix this, Mom. I’ll fix everything.” Anna blinked at me, her eyes flicking to the chain on the floor. Slowly, a smile spread across her face. “Okay, Lila,” she said, her voice bright and cheerful. “Let’s go.” The plane was in the air when I finally allowed myself to breathe. It was over. We were free. I turned to share my relief with her, but she was staring at me, her expression unreadable. And then she smiled. It wasn’t a kind smile. The intercom crackled. “Attention passengers, this flight will be making an emergency return to the airport. We apologize for the inconvenience.” My stomach dropped. Ten minutes later, the plane landed. The other passengers were ushered off, leaving just me and Anna. Luke was waiting for us at the gate. Anna ran to him, throwing her arms around his waist. Tears streamed down her face as she sobbed, “Luke! You stopped a plane for me! You love me that much…” She looked like she might faint from the joy of it all. For her, it was a grand romantic gesture, proof that no one could ever come between them. She turned to me, her expression hardening. “She forced me,” Anna said, her voice trembling. “She wanted to send me away so she could have you all to herself. She’s jealous, Luke. She’s always been jealous of us.” I was dragged back to the basement, my neck chained to the wall where hers had been. Luke tilted my chin up with his foot, sneering. “You’re useless,” he said. “Just like her. But at least she’s entertaining. You? You’re nothing.” He turned to Anna, his voice softening. “Don’t worry,” he said. “I’ve adopted a son. He’ll take over the company someday. You don’t have to think about her anymore.” From that day on, I became Anna. She thrived. The life of a wealthy socialite brought color back to her cheeks. She draped herself in diamonds and pearls, smiling down at me like a queen visiting her subjects. “Lila,” she said one day, letting a box of pastries fall to the floor. “Luke only does this because he loves you. You should be grateful. No man will ever love you as much as he does.” When Luke demanded my blood, she wielded the knife. When he forced me to eat rotting meat, she shoved it down my throat. When he set his wolfdog on me, she handed me a knife and told me to fight. She laughed as I bled, her voice as bright and clear as a bell. “She’s more dog than the dog itself!” she said, grinning at Luke. The night I killed myself, she cried. “Lila,” she sobbed, clutching my lifeless body. “Don’t leave me. Don’t leave me alone with him. I need you…” But I was already gone.

It took a death for me to see things clearly. In my past life, I thought saving Anna—dragging her onto that plane bound for a new city—was the right thing to do. I was so wrong. How could I have been so delusional? How could I have believed she wanted saving? Anna and my father were a match made in hell. Luke was right about one thing: kindness without strength always comes at a cost. Looking into Anna’s hollow eyes, watching her revel in the torment she claimed to hate, I felt nothing. No pity. No anger. Just a cold, detached clarity. Without a word, I turned and walked away. When I was reborn, I knew exactly what I needed to do. This time, I wouldn’t waste my energy trying to fix what couldn’t be fixed. I resigned as student council president, stepped down as class leader, quit all my extracurriculars, and declined every invitation to events or parties. I poured every ounce of my time and focus into my studies. Because I knew what was coming. Soon, my father’s company would welcome a new rising star—a man as sharp, ruthless, and cunning as a younger version of Luke himself. His name was Jason King. In my past life, by the time I died, Jason had already climbed the ranks to the boardroom. He wasn’t just a rising star—he was a force, someone my father trusted to make major decisions for the company. I remembered the night Jason was promoted. Luke brought him home to celebrate. They stood at the top of the basement stairs, dressed impeccably in tailored suits, red wine swirling in their glasses. From where I was chained below, I could see the faint smirk on Jason’s face, the glint of amusement in Luke’s eyes as they both glanced at me. “Mr. White, such… refined tastes,” Jason had said, his tone polite but laced with mockery. Luke chuckled, pleased by the compliment, but Jason’s gaze never left me. After Luke left the room, Jason came down the stairs. He handed me a sandwich, his expression soft with pity. “Poor girl,” he murmured, his voice almost kind. Starved and desperate, I devoured the sandwich without hesitation. And then I felt it—the sharp, cold edge of a razor blade slicing through my throat. I choked, blood gushing from my mouth as I clawed at my neck. Jason crouched down, dipping his fingers into the pool of blood spilling onto the floor. He brought them to his lips, licking the crimson from his fingertips, his eyes shining with a sick, twisted excitement. He was just like Luke. In this life, I knew what I had to do. The day before my final exams, I returned home. I made a calculated choice to gain Luke’s favor. I prepared a dish—one I remembered from my past life—a delicacy meant for Anna. When I brought the dish to him, Luke looked at me with something I hadn’t seen in years: approval. For the first time in what felt like forever, he smiled. “Lila,” he said, his voice warm. “You’re finally starting to remind me of myself.” I lowered my eyes, smiling sweetly. “Of course, Father. I am your daughter, after all.” The dish was called “Three Squeaks.” When I opened the container, the tiny pink baby mice inside squirmed and squeaked loudly, their little bodies writhing as they tried to escape. Anna gasped, her face pale with horror. I turned to her, my smile bright and cheerful as I gently patted her cheek. “Mom,” I said, my voice soft and sweet. “I made this just for you.”

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My boyfriend had a grotesque obsession—he was a devotee. The more broken or incomplete a person was, the deeper his love became. Before we dated, I had no idea he harbored this horrifying fetish. Not until he locked me in his home, sawed off one of my arms and a leg, and held a photo up to my mutilated body to compare. “Emily, I love you so much,” he said, his voice soft as he gently touched my face. His smile was that of a lunatic—a monster hiding behind a mask of charm. That’s when I looked at the photo and realized who it was. My twin sister. Her name was Emily. The next time I opened my eyes, I was back. Back to the moment right after I had started dating Zach. I sat on the couch for a moment, shaking my head as I tried to process the overwhelming dizziness. Slowly, it dawned on me—I’d been given a second chance. My memories of my previous life weren’t entirely clear, like fragments buried under layers of fog. But certain things stood out vividly, like scars burned into my mind. I remembered how I died. A knock on the door pulled me out of my thoughts. I knew before even checking who it was. It was Zach. Today was the day I had agreed to move in with him. Taking a deep breath, I steadied myself and opened the door. “Claire, why’d it take you so long to open up?” Zach asked, his tone light and teasing. Zach was a doctor—bright, cheerful, and always polite. But his busy schedule made him seem distant at times. He shook the large bag in his hand and smiled. My stomach churned as I remembered what would happen if I went through with this move. If I moved in with him, it wouldn’t be long before his true nature came to light. The memory of what he did to me in my last life sent icy sweat trickling down my back. “Claire, are you okay?” Zach’s brows furrowed as he studied my face. “You’re not having second thoughts, are you? Don’t tell me you haven’t finished packing yet.” His concern sounded genuine, but I knew better now. “No, I’m ready,” I replied, keeping my voice steady. I had woken up in this body just this morning. Thankfully, the version of me from last night had already packed everything for the move. Zach led me to the couch and gently sat me down before heading off to load my things into his car. Watching him work, I struggled to reconcile the two versions of him in my mind. The perfect, caring boyfriend… and the sadistic monster he truly was. Zach had admitted it to me himself in my past life: he was a devotee. The more incomplete a person appeared—the more broken—the more he loved them. And as the pieces of my memory returned, I couldn’t help but suspect that my missing sister had something to do with him. I had a twin sister. When we were eight, our family was in a car accident. Both of our parents died, and my sister, Emily, lost an arm and a leg in the crash. I was luckier. Shielded by my mother, I escaped with only minor injuries. After the accident, we were separated. I was taken in by our grandfather, while Emily went to live with our maternal grandparents. The two families lived far apart, and as the years passed, Emily grew increasingly distant. She eventually stopped responding to my calls and messages altogether. A year ago, when I couldn’t reach her at all, I came to her city to search for her. Her grandparents told me she’d always been reclusive—not just with me, but with everyone. Even they rarely saw her. But now, recalling Zach’s preferences, I realized something chilling. Emily’s appearance—her missing arm and leg—was exactly what he desired. She fit his twisted obsession perfectly. So why had he pursued me? Was I just a replacement? And most importantly… what had he done to her? “Claire, everything’s ready. Let’s go,” Zach called cheerfully. I followed him to the car, sitting in the passenger seat as I tried to calm my racing thoughts. The moment I stepped into his car, I started noticing things I hadn’t before. The details were subtle, but unmistakable. The charm hanging from his rearview mirror? It was a cartoon version of Mickey Mouse, just like the one Emily had as her social media profile picture. The sticker on his steering wheel? It was of a celebrity my sister used to idolize. “Zach, you’re into him too?” I asked, motioning to the sticker. He glanced down at the steering wheel and chuckled. “Yeah, he’s so inspiring, isn’t he? Don’t you think he’s such a hard worker?” I didn’t respond. The celebrity in question had fallen from grace just last month after a massive scandal. Clearly, Zach wasn’t keeping up with the news. Which made his admiration for the guy seem even more bizarre. I sighed quietly, looking out the window. Knowing what I did about Zach, I couldn’t shake the feeling that Emily was already gone. But even if that were true, I wasn’t going to let her fate go unpunished. Whatever it took, I would find the evidence to prove what Zach had done. I would make him pay.

Zach’s job kept him busy, and he never let me visit him at the hospital. Even when I occasionally offered to pick him up after work, he insisted I wait for him in the parking lot. If Zach had really been involved with my sister, I figured someone at his workplace must have seen her. Today, I had the perfect excuse to find out. With school on break, I decided to take matters into my own hands. I prepared a homemade lunch, packed it neatly, and made my way to Zach’s office, asking for directions as I went. The moment Zach saw me standing at his door, he froze. Then, with a practiced smile, he grabbed my hand and quickly ushered me toward the stairwell. “Claire, what are you doing here?” I lifted the lunchbox, the explanation obvious. “Claire, the hospital has a cafeteria. You didn’t need to bring me lunch,” he said, his voice calm but his grip on my hand tightening. “Cafeteria food isn’t as good as mine,” I replied with a sweet smile. “I was worried you weren’t eating well. Besides, I had the day off.” Zach accepted the lunchbox, his expression softening with a grin. “You’re so thoughtful, Claire. But I’ve got a surgery coming up soon—I don’t have time to sit with you. Maybe you should go home or do some shopping until I’m done.” He sounded kind, but I could tell he was trying to get rid of me. When he’d opened the door to his office earlier, one of his colleagues had glanced at me with obvious surprise. I’d caught the look, even if Zach pretended not to notice. “Zach, do you not like it when I visit you?” I asked, tilting my head. He reached up to gently pat my hair, his tone soft and reassuring. “Of course not, but a hospital isn’t exactly a relaxing place to visit, and I’m so busy I wouldn’t be able to give you any attention. Be good, okay? Go home, and I’ll see you after work.” His words were sweet, but his actions betrayed him. He guided me firmly toward the stairs, practically pushing me down. When I glanced back at him, he was still smiling, even waving goodbye as if nothing was wrong. I stopped at the corner of the next floor, waiting until I heard his footsteps fade into the distance. Then, retracing my steps, I returned to his department and leaned against the wall near his office. The colleague who’d looked surprised earlier caught my attention—his name tag read Dr. Noah Hale. Of all the people I’d seen here, he was the only one who seemed to know something. I spent the next hour walking around the hospital, paying close attention to everyone I passed. But no one else reacted to me the way Dr. Hale had. Back in my car, I pulled out my phone and searched his name along with the hospital’s directory. His profile showed his consultation schedule: next Friday morning, he had clinic hours. As for Zach, he wouldn’t be seeing patients that day, which meant he’d likely be in the inpatient ward. If I timed it right, I could speak to Dr. Hale without Zach knowing. In my previous life, I hadn’t known much about Zach’s friends. I knew he played online games with a group of college buddies, but he never introduced me to anyone local. When I asked him about it, he’d always shrugged and said, “Doctors are busy people. No one has time for meetups. I don’t either—don’t I always come straight home after work?” At the time, his words had reassured me. I’d thought Zach was a homebody, someone who valued his time with me. But now, I wasn’t so sure. If Dr. Hale had met my sister, it meant he and Zach were closer than Zach had ever let on. I couldn’t approach him recklessly. He was Zach’s colleague and possibly his friend. If I made the wrong move, he might tell Zach everything, which would tip him off and ruin my plan. On Friday morning, I left the house with Zach as usual. He dropped me off at the school gates, unaware that I’d already arranged for the day off. Once his car was out of sight, I slipped away and headed straight for the hospital. After registering at the reception desk, I waited in line outside Dr. Hale’s clinic. Through the open door, I caught a glimpse of him. Unlike Zach, who radiated warmth with his sunny smile and charming dimples, Dr. Hale had a colder, more serious demeanor. He seemed sharp, calculating. Given their similar ages and the fact that they worked in the same department, it wasn’t hard to imagine they were on good terms. “Next,” a nurse called. I stepped inside and closed the door behind me. The sound of the latch clicking made Dr. Hale pause. He looked up from the file he’d been writing in, his expression briefly puzzled. Then, with a subtle lift of his brow, he studied me.

“Are you here… for a consultation?” I raised the registration slip in my hand and sat down across from him. “You know, if you’re here for a doctor, why didn’t you just go to Zach? Aren’t you his sister-in-law?” Sister-in-law? So that’s how Zach had introduced me last time. That confirmed it—Noah knew my sister. “You’ve met Emily, haven’t you?” I asked cautiously. “Emily? Who’s that?” His expression was unreadable, but he didn’t seem to be lying. My brow furrowed. Something wasn’t adding up. “Zach’s girlfriend—Emily,” I clarified. “Oh, you mean her. I didn’t know her name. I’ve seen her a few times before, that’s all.” “Where? When? What was the situation?” He looked at me curiously, remaining silent, as if trying to gauge my intentions. My throat felt dry as I swallowed nervously. It had been a year since I came to this city. A full year of searching with nothing to show for it. Aside from one fleeting clue from a former landlord, I hadn’t been able to find any trace of my sister. It was as if she’d vanished into thin air, her existence slowly being erased. I hadn’t anticipated things reaching this point. I scrambled to come up with an excuse, but Noah’s sharp, calculating gaze made me falter. I wasn’t smart enough to lie convincingly. He’d see through me in an instant. “How long have you known Zach?” I asked instead, deflecting. He hesitated for a moment before answering, his tone cold. “We were college classmates.” So they’d known each other for years. No wonder their bond seemed so strong. Coming here to question Noah, I realized, was a risk I couldn’t hide from Zach for long. If Zach found out I was searching for my sister, it might push him to act sooner. He could lock me away at any moment, just as he had in my previous life. But I had already died once. If it came to that, I could die again. “Dr. Hale, I need to ask you for a favor,” I said, lowering my voice. Noah didn’t respond, but the slight lift of his chin told me to continue. Taking a deep breath, I tried to sound sincere. “Please don’t tell Zach I came to see you. And… if possible, could we meet privately? I have something important to discuss, but now isn’t the right time.” I glanced back at the door, where the sound of impatient patients waiting in line was growing louder. “You don’t want Zach to know about the meeting either?” he asked, his tone skeptical. I nodded, meeting his eyes with as much honesty as I could muster. He studied me for a long moment before finally pulling out a business card and sliding it across the desk. “I don’t know what’s so important that you’d come to me, but you look serious. I have an hour for lunch later. Call me then, and I’ll hear you out.” Clutching the card like it was a lifeline, I left the hospital and found a small restaurant nearby. I booked a private room and spent the next few hours rehearsing what I wanted to say. Noah arrived on time. The moment he sat down, I didn’t waste a second. “Dr. Hale, my sister went missing a year ago. I moved here to find her, but I’ve found nothing. Last spring, I ran into Zach by accident—literally spilled his coffee backstage at a kids’ recital. That’s how we met. He pursued me after that, and now I’m his girlfriend.” Noah’s brow furrowed so deeply it looked like it could crush a fly. He wanted to interrupt, but he stayed quiet, letting me continue. “It was only recently that I realized my sister was involved with him before me. But he’s never mentioned her—not once. We’re identical twins. The moment you saw me, you recognized me, didn’t you? There’s no way Zach wouldn’t have recognized me too.” “So, what exactly are you saying?” Noah asked, his tone defensive. “Are you implying Zach is hiding something because he’s connected to your sister’s disappearance?” His reaction was expected. They were old friends, after all. Of course he’d instinctively defend Zach. “I wouldn’t make this accusation without reason,” I said firmly. “Zach has a serious… condition. He’s a devotee. He’s obsessed with people who are physically incomplete.” Noah’s expression hardened instantly. “What the hell are you talking about? Zach doesn’t have anything like that.” For the first time, I began hearing a different version of Zach’s story—one I’d never imagined.

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My best friend and I had both transmigrated to a primitive beastman tribe. In this tribal world, females were rare and revered, and the society practiced polyandry. The tribe’s chieftain allowed us, as newcomers, to choose our first partners. Last time, my bestie, Nicole, blushing with excitement, picked a naturally gifted serpent beastman. I chose a loyal werewolf. Nicole, however, couldn’t stay content. When the serpent went into hibernation for the winter, she opened her own “harem” and added several more partners, hoping to live a life surrounded by handsome men. But the serpent was possessive and obsessive. When he found out, he locked Nicole in a cold, underground cave and kept her there to lay egg after egg. Meanwhile, my werewolf treated me like a queen. To top it off, he eventually became the tribe’s chieftain. On the day of his succession, a jealous Nicole pushed me off a cliff. When I opened my eyes again, we were back to the day we first picked our partners. This time, Nicole rushed to pick the werewolf before I could. “Lily,” she smirked, “this time, I’ll be the chieftain’s wife.” I simply smiled and pointed at the tall, powerful white tiger priest nearby. “I’ll choose him,” I said calmly. Who needs the title of chieftain’s wife? If females truly rule this world, then why not aim higher? Becoming the queen of the beastmen sounds much better.

After being pushed off that cliff, I was reborn. I woke up on the exact day Nicole and I first arrived in the primitive beastman tribe. As soon as I opened my eyes, I heard the elderly voice of the tribe’s chieftain. “All our unmated males are here for you two esteemed females. Choose whomever you like as your partner.” Last time, Nicole and I were confused and overwhelmed. Thankfully, we were somehow able to understand the beastmen’s language despite being new to this world. Nicole, ever the thrill-seeker and self-proclaimed “dating expert” back in our world, didn’t hesitate for even a second. She immediately pointed to the serpent beastman—handsome, with sharp, almost feminine features—and declared him her choice. “Two tails? I can handle it,” she whispered excitedly to me, practically bouncing with glee. To her, this tribe was paradise. As she scanned the remaining beastmen, she turned to me with a grin. “Lily, you’re too boring to handle someone flashy. If you choose someone too good-looking, another female might steal him from you. Go for someone plain and reliable.” She pointed at a few beastmen who had average appearances after taking human form. I followed her advice—not because I was afraid of losing my partner, but because one of the beastmen she pointed to was a werewolf. I’d heard that werewolves were fiercely loyal to their mates. Once bonded, they would never leave or stray. With him, I wouldn’t have to worry about Nicole trying to take him from me. And I was right. My werewolf remained devoted to me, no matter how hard Nicole tried to seduce him. Her frustration grew, and one day, she sneered, “Ugh, Lily, your werewolf is so stubborn. He’s too dumb to know what’s good for him.” I only smiled in response. Sure, he was single-minded when it came to his mate. But dumb? Far from it. If he were truly dumb, he wouldn’t have been able to leverage my influence in the tribe to climb all the way to the chieftain’s position. Of course, Nicole didn’t know about the lengths my werewolf went to protect and guide me. This time, as soon as the chieftain finished speaking, Nicole wasted no time. “I’ll take him,” she said, pointing directly at the werewolf. Hearing her words, the werewolf’s eyes lit up with surprise and joy. In the White Tiger Tribe, werewolves were considered mid-tier at best—strong, but not extraordinary. Most females overlooked them. The other beastmen, however, were clearly upset. One particularly large black bear beastman thumped his chest, saying, “Esteemed female, why would you choose a lowly werewolf when I’m right here?” The werewolf stiffened, his expression betraying a hint of self-doubt. But Nicole walked straight up to him with a sweet smile. “I’ll take him. I trust that the mate I’ve chosen will prove to be the best.” Before leaving, she leaned toward me and whispered smugly, “Lily, this time, I’m going to be the chieftain’s wife.” I said nothing, watching as she confidently grabbed the werewolf’s hand. The werewolf, overcome with emotion, let out an excited howl. The other beastmen could only glare enviously at him before turning their attention to me. I scanned the remaining group, my gaze landing on the serpent beastman. Nicole noticed and smirked. “Lily, you know serpents are… skilled in certain areas. You’re inexperienced, so maybe he’d be a good choice for you. Save yourself some discomfort, you know?” I chuckled lightly, shaking my head. “No thanks. You know I don’t like spineless creatures.” Then I pointed to the tall white tiger priest standing near the serpent. “I’ll take him.” The priest’s eyes widened in surprise, while the chieftain’s face lit up with approval. Nicole, however, couldn’t hide her amusement. I knew what she was thinking. The white tiger priest wasn’t just the tribe’s spiritual leader—he was also the chieftain’s son and the heir to the White Tiger Tribe. Ordinarily, he’d be a perfect choice. But in my previous life, he’d been ambushed by a neighboring tribe while hunting and died from his injuries. His death had paved the way for my werewolf to rise to power. This time, though, I wasn’t about to let history repeat itself. I would make sure the white tiger priest survived—and I would turn him into the sharpest weapon in my arsenal. Nicole could have her petty dream of being the chieftain’s wife. As for me? In a world where females ruled, why settle for anything less than becoming queen? This time, I would take control of my own destiny.

Once Nicole and I had chosen our partners, we stood in front of all the beastmen of the White Tiger Tribe to officially form our contracts. In this primitive society, a female could have multiple male consorts, but only the males who had a formal contract with her were allowed to live with her. The rest—those who weren’t bound by contracts—were no better than ancient mistresses in human history. Of course, there was one key difference between this world and human society: male consorts were an openly accepted part of life here. There was no secrecy or shame, no hiding them in the shadows. That said, being kicked out by a female if she no longer found you desirable was completely normal, and no one would bat an eye. In our past life, Nicole had taken full advantage of this system. Despite knowing how possessive and obsessive the serpent beastman could be, she still dared to flirt with other males during his hibernation. Why? Because she’d never planned to keep him around forever. Nicole’s goal was simple: have her fun, then toss him aside with some convenient excuse. But things didn’t go as planned. In this world, female beastmen were extraordinarily rare. For the males who had fought tooth and claw for the chance to become her consorts, being discarded wasn’t something they’d accept quietly. By the time the serpent beastman emerged from hibernation, Nicole’s actions had already come back to haunt her. The males she had flirted with surrounded him, demanding answers. Nicole’s excuse? “The serpent doesn’t allow me to have other consorts.” When the serpent beastman learned what she had done while he was hibernating, he was livid. After a brutal fight with the other males, he dragged Nicole back to his lair, his expression dark and stormy. That was when her nightmare began. He tormented her in every way imaginable, refusing to let her leave until she bore his children. One clutch of snake eggs turned into another, and another. Nicole tried to escape, of course, but the serpent beastman never allowed her the chance to set foot outside his cave. Her only opportunity came on the day the werewolf was set to inherit the position of White Tiger Tribe chieftain. The entire tribe—old, young, male, female—was required to attend the ceremony. Nicole used this as her chance, emerging with her snake offspring in tow. The ceremony was held on a cliff behind the tribe, a sacred location used for offerings to the gods. Nicole’s jealousy boiled over when she saw me, someone she’d always thought inferior, standing proudly as the chieftain’s mate. She waited until all the beastmen were kneeling in prayer, then made her move. Charging at me with wild eyes, she screamed, “Lily! You’ve always been beneath me in everything—how dare you have a better life than me?! Go to hell!”

My family used to live next door to Nicole’s family. Back then, we were better off than they were. But after my parents died in a car accident, everything changed. My grandmother, biased and cold-hearted, funneled everything my parents left behind to my uncle’s family. In her eyes, I was just a girl—an outsider—unworthy of inheriting my father’s estate. Nicole’s mom, noticing my pitiful situation, stepped in and offered to financially support me. At the time, I was grateful. But later, I regretted accepting their help more times than I could count. Nicole made sure everyone knew about it. She loved to tell people how her family had “saved” me, how I’d never have finished school without their help, and how I would’ve ended up in an orphanage if it weren’t for their generosity. From then on, I was always a step below her. If I did well in school, she hated it—so I started intentionally scoring lower just to appease her. I became her shadow, the sidekick she could outshine. Even the friends I made slowly drifted away whenever Nicole appeared, drawn to her magnetic, self-centered charm. And when I got a boyfriend in college? Nicole made a special trip during fall break just to steal him. “Lily, don’t be mad,” she said with a sweet smile. “I just wanted to test if he really loved you. You’re my best friend, after all, and I didn’t want to see you get hurt by some loser.” She had the audacity to add, “See? Now you know the truth. You should be thanking me.” So I forced myself to smile back and said, “Thank you, Nicole.” Her grin widened with smug satisfaction. “Of course! That’s what best friends are for, right?” Inside, I was seething. The word best friend had been thoroughly defiled by people like her. But as much as I wanted to cut her out of my life, I couldn’t. Her mom had helped me when I needed it most. I couldn’t bear to repay that kindness with hostility or risk upsetting her family. That was my past life. The moment Nicole shoved me off that cliff, all debts were erased. I didn’t owe her or her family a single thing anymore.

The contracts were finalized quickly. The chieftain smiled warmly at us and said, “Well, now that the contracts are complete, you may go back to your homes.” He turned to address the other males, his tone reassuring. “As for the rest of you, don’t lose heart. If you can win the favor of either one of these females, you still have a chance to become one of their consorts.” Hearing this, the other beastmen visibly relaxed. Their eyes lit up as they turned their attention back to Nicole and me, their gazes filled with desire. Before they could act, the white tiger priest stepped forward and shielded me with his massive frame. His piercing gaze swept over the crowd as he let out a low, menacing growl. “She’s mine,” he snarled. “I won’t share her with anyone.” His voice carried a deadly edge. “If anyone dares to lay a hand on my female, I’ll rip them apart.” The room fell silent. The other beastmen exchanged uneasy glances. They knew better than to challenge him. As the tribe’s priest and strongest warrior, his strength was unmatched. Competing with him for a female was a losing battle. Nicole, however, wasn’t as fortunate. The werewolf she’d chosen was nowhere near as powerful. Compared to the other males in the White Tiger Tribe, his strength didn’t even place him in the top 100. The rest of the beastmen quickly turned their attention to Nicole, their gazes predatory. Their eyes flicked to the werewolf, filled with disdain and thinly veiled hostility. Males in this world valued strength above all else. The werewolf’s mediocre abilities made him an easy target. Why should someone so weak have the right to monopolize a rare and delicate female like Nicole? The priest’s dominance made sense to them. But the werewolf? He didn’t deserve the privilege in their eyes. Nicole, however, seemed oblivious to the danger. Instead, she reveled in the attention, a satisfied smile spreading across her face as the males argued and glared at each other. In her mind, this was exactly how things were supposed to be—males fighting over her, treating her like a prize. What she didn’t realize was that once she entered the werewolf’s den, leaving wouldn’t be so easy. I cast her a calm, uninterested glance before turning to the white tiger priest. “I’m tired,” I said softly. “I’d like to rest.” His golden eyes softened with concern, and in an instant, his massive arms—each thicker than my thighs—swept me up effortlessly. “I’ll take you back to rest right now,” he said firmly. Without another word, he carried me out of the gathering, holding me securely to his chest as he sprinted toward his stone house.

In the White Tiger Tribe, the priest’s status was even higher than the chieftain’s. The priest wasn’t just responsible for rituals and divinations or keeping the tribe’s ancient secrets; he was also the tribe’s sole healer. In a primitive society with almost no medical infrastructure, whether an injured beastman survived often depended entirely on the priest’s knowledge of medicine. When the white tiger priest carried me back to his stone house, he carefully laid me down on a stone bed covered with animal pelts. His piercing golden eyes fixed on me as he spoke gently, “Rest here for a moment. I’ll grab you an extra blanket.” I nodded, watching as he rummaged through a wooden chest and pulled out a large, thick pelt. But instead of covering me with it, he spread the blanket over the bed, layering it on top of the existing pelts. After smoothing it out, he turned back to me, his gaze lingering on my exposed skin. “Your skin looks delicate. With this extra padding, you won’t feel the hardness of the stone bed.” I couldn’t help but be surprised. For someone as strong and imposing as the white tiger priest, his attention to detail was unexpected. “Thank you,” I said. “By the way, what’s your name? I’m Lily.” “My name is Kaelan,” he replied. “If you need anything, just let me know.” I nodded again. “Got it. Thanks, Kaelan. Now, I think I’ll get some sleep.” Nicole and I had stumbled into this unrecorded, primitive tribe during a hiking trip in the mountains. By the time the beastmen from the White Tiger Tribe found us and brought us back to their village, we had already been hiking for nearly two hours. I was completely drained. Kaelan seemed to notice my exhaustion. As I lay down, his deep voice softened. “I won’t disturb you. I’ll go find you something to eat. What would you like for dinner?” The thought of food in a primitive tribe sent a shiver through me. Quickly, I blurted out, “Some berries, please. And maybe some meat soup, but make sure the meat is cut into small pieces. I can’t chew big chunks.” Beastmen could shift between their beast and human forms, and when in their beast forms, eating raw meat was completely normal for them. In their human forms, however, they mostly cooked their food—boiling it into soups or roasting it over a fire. The issue was that their sheer size made them cook everything in massive portions. The meat chunks were the size of my arm, and their bones were even longer than my forearm. For them, gnawing on these was effortless. For me? It was like trying to chew through a tire. In my past life, I couldn’t adjust to their food and had to survive on berries alone. That led to severe malnutrition, and during a summer rainstorm, I fell sick and nearly died. It was Kaelan’s medical skills that saved me. He brewed a foul-smelling herbal concoction that tasted awful but brought my fever down within hours. Kaelan stared at me for a moment, then nodded seriously. “Understood. Rest now.” “Okay,” I murmured, closing my eyes. Exhausted from the day’s events, I quickly drifted off into a deep sleep. When I woke up, the sky outside had already grown dark. I sat up abruptly on the stone bed, startled by how much time had passed. “Lily, you’re awake,” Kaelan’s deep voice rumbled from nearby. “You must be hungry. Come eat something.” Rubbing my stomach, which was now uncomfortably empty, I got out of bed and walked over to the wooden table. Two stone bowls were already set out. One was filled with steaming meat soup, and the other with a selection of unfamiliar berries. “Did you eat already?” I asked as I sat down. Kaelan nodded, his golden eyes locked onto my face. There was something uncomfortably intense about his gaze—warm, almost scorching, like an unspoken hunger simmering beneath the surface. “I’ve eaten. Don’t worry about me. Eat up,” he said, his voice low and steady. Gripping the wooden spoon tightly, I tried to ignore the tingling sensation his eyes sent down my spine. I knew then that Kaelan wasn’t going to let me off easily tonight. I took a cautious sip of the soup. To my surprise, Kaelan had gone above and beyond. The meat was cut into thin, tender strips and cooked to perfection—it practically melted in my mouth. Though the soup was simply seasoned with salt, it was rich and flavorful, the natural taste of the meat shining through. Before I knew it, I was halfway through the bowl. But the portions were enormous, far more than I could handle. I set the spoon down, feeling full. “I can’t eat anymore,” I said, pushing the bowl away. Kaelan’s gaze flicked to my stomach, as if to confirm I’d eaten enough. After a moment, he nodded, satisfaction gleaming in his eyes. “I’ll clean up,” he said, gathering the bowls. “There’s a hot spring in the back of the house. You can use it to wash up.” A hot spring? I couldn’t hide my excitement. Most beastmen were rough and unbothered by hygiene, often bathing in rivers or streams. But for someone like me, accustomed to modern comforts, the idea of bathing in a river was out of the question. With a hot spring in Kaelan’s home, I wouldn’t have to worry about that anymore. As soon as Kaelan left with the bowls, I followed the dim light toward the part of the house he mentioned. Sure enough, warm steam rose from a natural pool of water, filling the air with a soothing heat. I wasted no time shedding my clothes and slipping into the water. The warmth enveloped me, easing the tension from my muscles. Just as I was beginning to relax, the faint glow of firelight entered the room. Kaelan stepped in, holding a torch in one hand. He mounted it on the wall before turning toward me. His golden eyes burned with an intensity that made my breath hitch as he began walking toward me. His towering frame loomed closer, his gaze hot enough to melt the water around me. My body trembled involuntarily. The werewolf from my past life was nowhere near Kaelan’s size or strength, and even then, I had barely survived the experience. If Kaelan had his way with me, would I even make it out of this alive? As my thoughts spiraled, Kaelan reached me, his arms wrapping around me with a possessive strength. His body heat radiated even hotter than the spring water. I felt my legs go weak, my worries melting away as his steady heartbeat thudded against my back.

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “295430”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #现实主义Realistic #魔幻Magic

At 3 a.m., I reached for my underwear in the back seat and slipped it on. Liam Carter lit a cigarette, the glow faintly illuminating his face. “Don’t come to pick me up anymore,” he said. “Why?” I asked, startled. He smiled softly, a mix of tenderness and guilt. “Nina’s coming back. I don’t want her to get the wrong idea.” 0The ache in my legs was unbearable. Liam had always been like this—no matter how often we saw each other, he never seemed to hold back. Tonight was no exception. He didn’t even wait until we got out of the car. I leaned against the seat, still sore, and picked up my underwear from the back seat. Liam lit a cigarette and blew smoke into the cold night air, the embers glowing faintly in the dark. “Don’t come to pick me up anymore,” he said again. I froze for a moment. Liam’s hand had a disability, which meant he couldn’t drive. He always refused to hire a driver, saying he couldn’t stand having strangers in his car. For seven years, I’d been the one driving him everywhere. The cigarette’s glow flickered in the dark like a distant star. “Nina’s coming back,” he explained. “I don’t want her to misunderstand.” My chest tightened, my heart missing a beat. I wasn’t unfamiliar with that name. In fact, it was etched into my memory, a name both familiar and haunting. In Liam’s 30 years of life, Nina had been a constant presence, dominating most of his past. She wasn’t just a name—she was his first love, his everything. Or, as some might say, his “impossible dream.” The night was silent, but I felt like I was suffocating, like a rat trapped under the blazing sun with nowhere to hide. My hands trembled as I fumbled with the keys, trying to start the car. The sound of my own shaky breaths embarrassed me. “I’ll drive you home,” I said, my voice unsteady. “No need,” Liam replied curtly. “I’ve called for a driver.” Through the car window, I saw a man waiting outside. He must have been the driver Liam had called. For the first time, I felt like an outsider. An extra. Liam transferred me a generous sum for the ride home. “I’m heading south,” he said. “It’s not on the way. You should just get a cab.” “And…” He paused, hesitating for a moment before continuing. “The house on Maple Street—it’s yours now. Stay as long as you like.” I wanted to laugh. Was this his way of paying me off? A breakup fee, perhaps? But then I remembered: we never even had a real beginning. The cold night wind stung my face. Maybe he noticed how pale I looked, because Liam rolled down the window and asked, “Are you feeling okay? Do you need to go to the hospital?” I shook my head and pressed the house keys back into his hand. He looked surprised, his expression unreadable. Forcing a smile, I said, “The house is too far from work. If you’re not going to live there, then I don’t see the point either.” “Time’s precious for someone like me, you know—a working class nobody.” I turned around, hoping to leave with at least a shred of dignity. But as soon as I took a step, tears streamed down my face uncontrollably. They reached my lips—bitter and salty. Behind me, Liam called out, “Emma.” I stopped, my heart betraying me with a flicker of hope. “Don’t hesitate to reach out if you ever need help,” he said. “I’ve always thought of you as a little sister.” A sister. Seven years ago, I left everything behind—my family, my hometown—to follow Liam to Ravenwood. I stood by his side through every triumph and failure, pouring all of myself into him. And now, after everything, he told me he only ever saw me as a sister. Of course. Liam’s heart had always belonged to Nina. From the very beginning, this seven-year-long relationship had been nothing but a one-sided fantasy. A secret affair that had only ever existed in my own imagination. 0

The rain in Ravenwood was relentless. It was that time of year again—storm season. I walked alone down the city streets, feeling like a lost ghost with nowhere to go. It suddenly struck me how pathetic my situation was. After all these years in Ravenwood, I still didn’t have a place to call home. The only place I could think of was the little apartment Liam and I had shared for years. But even that wasn’t really mine anymore. I tried finding a hotel where I could take a hot shower and get some rest, but it was the weekend before Thanksgiving. Every decent hotel was fully booked. Even the sketchy motels packed with eager young couples were full. With no other options, I went to a 24-hour spa, bought a day pass, and took a hot shower. Wrapped in their complimentary bathrobe, I sat in the dining area, picking at the buffet food. That’s when the tears came again, flowing uncontrollably. Ravenwood was so big—so big that after seven years, I still hadn’t explored it all. And yet, it felt so small—so small that there wasn’t a single corner left for me to belong. I suddenly wanted to go home. I scrolled through my contacts and found the number I hadn’t dared to call in seven years. My fingers hovered over the screen before I finally worked up the courage to press “dial.” The call connected almost immediately. My heart was pounding so hard I forgot how to breathe. But the voice on the other end wasn’t my mom’s. It was a man’s. “Finally remembered you have a family?” “Where’s Mom?” I asked. I recognized the voice—it was my younger brother. His tone was cold. “She’s none of your business.” The silence that followed was suffocating. After a long pause, I finally spoke. “I just… I just want to come home. To visit.” His answer was swift and cutting. “Don’t bother. You’re not welcome here.” And then he hung up. The spa’s lobby was freezing without air conditioning, and the thin blanket they provided barely kept the chill away. I sat there until dawn, staring blankly at the floor. When the sun rose, I went to the office and handed in my resignation. Zoe, my manager, looked shocked when she heard the news. “Emma, you’ve been with the company for seven years. You’re practically a veteran here. Your pay’s great, and you’ve got seniority. Why are you leaving all of a sudden?” My throat felt dry, and my lips twitched with bitterness. Still, I forced myself to answer casually. “I’m just tired. I need a break.” Zoe nodded sympathetically. “I get it. The workload here can be intense. How about this? I’ll approve some extended leave—use your vacation days, take some time off, and come back when you’re ready.” “No, that’s not necessary,” I said, politely declining her offer. “I’m planning to move back home.” She hesitated, as if she wanted to say more, but stopped herself. Her eyes flicked toward Liam’s office, separated from mine by nothing but a glass wall. After a moment, she sighed and stamped my resignation form. The resignation process was smooth. But when I went to collect my final paycheck, I noticed something strange: the amount deposited into my account was far more than it should’ve been—an extra $100,000, to be exact. The sum was more than my total earnings from the past seven years combined. I went straight to accounting to ask if there’d been a mistake. The accountant’s disdain was impossible to miss. “No mistake,” she said. “Mr. Carter instructed us to include it. It’s yours.” She smirked, her voice dripping with sarcasm. “You’re lucky, huh? That’s more than what most of us would get after working here for ten years.” Compensation, huh? I stared at the extra $100,000 in my account, the numbers blurring together as my chest tightened. It felt like the money was burning a hole in my hands. Without a second thought, I transferred it back to the company and turned on my heels, walking away without looking back. As I stepped out of the office building for the last time, I could still hear the whispers behind me. “It’s not compensation. It’s hush money.” “Come on, there are plenty of secretaries here, but she’s the only one whose office was connected to Mr. Carter’s by a glass door.” “I’ve heard people walked in on her sitting in his lap more than once. Guess she sold herself for a promotion.” “Doesn’t matter. Her time’s up. I heard Mr. Carter’s first love is back in town.” “Really?” The gossip grew louder, but I didn’t bother turning around. The blazing sun outside felt suffocating, like it was draining the last bit of energy from my body. How did Liam and I end up like this? 0

Stories like ours tend to start with clichés. Liam Carter and I were no exception. We grew up as next-door neighbors. From the time we were toddlers in diapers, we had been inseparable. We played in the mud, pretended to be grown-ups, walked to school together, and shared the same path home. We were the textbook definition of childhood sweethearts. But Liam’s life was nothing like mine. His mom wasn’t in the picture, and his dad was a drunk and a gambler. From as far back as I can remember, Liam’s small frame was always covered in bruises and scars. And that wasn’t even the worst of it. His dad brought home a revolving door of women, each one louder than the last. Whenever that happened, Liam would be handed a crumpled dollar bill for dinner and shoved out the door. Then the shouting would start, echoing down the hallway of the old apartment block for everyone to hear. Liam would stand outside, his tiny fists clenched, enduring the stares of passersby—some filled with pity, others with mockery. My mom couldn’t stand it. Whenever Liam was sent out like that, she’d pull him into our home, cook up a pot of stew, and let the smell of spices and meat drown out the noise from his apartment. She’d make up a bed for him on our couch, urging him to get a good night’s sleep. But Liam rarely ate much. And he never slept. In the middle of the night, I’d hear him climbing out the window to sit on the roof. The first time I followed him up there, the wind was blowing hard, puffing up his thin shirt like a balloon. I brought a flashlight and grabbed his sleeve. His shirt was damp, and I thought he’d been crying about what had happened earlier. So, I stayed up there with him, pointing out stars, making silly faces, and crawling like a dog to make him laugh. Years later, I realized the dampness on his sleeve that night wasn’t tears—it was blood. No one used the roof much, and the moss made it slippery. Every time I lost my footing and nearly fell, Liam would let out a faint smile. That smile was so rare, I spent years acting like a fool just to see it. When we were ten, Liam’s life took a turn for the worse. One afternoon, his dad left for good. He ran off with an older woman who worked at the barbershop next door. I still remember the scene vividly—Liam clutching his dad’s leg, refusing to let go, his face set with stubborn determination. But his dad just kicked him hard in the stomach, sending him sprawling on the ground, gasping for air. Without a second glance, he rushed out the door, the woman tugging on his arm. He didn’t just leave Liam behind—he took everything of value in the apartment with him. Liam was left alone. The apartment was cold, dark, and eerily quiet. My mom tried to bring him over for meals, but Liam was too proud. He refused to accept help. Instead, he scavenged for rice and oil, climbed onto a stool to reach the stove, and cooked meal after meal of half-raw, half-burnt food. Kids can be cruel, far crueler than adults. At school, Liam became a punching bag. Every day, he came home with torn textbooks and fresh bruises. I was furious. I dragged him to the teacher’s office, demanding justice. But the teacher just waved it off with a dismissive laugh. “Why would they pick on him and no one else?” she asked, smiling as if it were a joke. Then she took my hand and whispered, “You shouldn’t spend so much time with him. He’s not from a normal family. He’ll drag you down.” It was the first time I’d ever felt hatred toward someone who was supposed to be a role model. By the time I stormed out of the office, Liam was already gone. I shook off the teacher’s hand and ran after him. I came up with a plan. I asked my younger brother, who was a grade below us, to walk home with Liam and me every day. That way, there’d be strength in numbers, and no one would dare mess with Liam. At first, Liam refused. But my brother, quick on his feet, lied and said I was too scared to walk home alone. Reluctantly, Liam agreed. Those were some of the happiest days of Liam’s life. He even started sharing food with me—his signature dish: overcooked, crispy potatoes. But life has a way of ruining good things. One evening, as Liam and I were walking home, we saw all his belongings thrown into the yard in a messy pile. Even the model airplane he’d spent months building for a competition—his ticket to earning some prize money—was smashed to pieces. Liam ran inside, only to be thrown back out by a group of men with hardened faces. Then they beat him. That’s when I learned the truth. Liam’s dad hadn’t just run off with a woman—he’d stolen money from a local nightclub owner. And now, these men were here to collect the debt. 0

That day, Liam was beaten so badly that it was hard to watch. My brother and I tried to run to his aid, but the adults in the courtyard held us back. “They’re not people you can mess with,” they warned. “Liam’s just a kid no one cares about. If he dies, so what?” But as I watched Liam lying in a pool of his own blood, I couldn’t bring myself to walk away. When no one was paying attention, I slipped out and used a payphone to call the police. The police arrived quickly, and Liam was taken to the hospital. For the next ten days, I didn’t see him. Instead, the courtyard was filled with strangers, all asking the same question: “Who called the cops that day?” When my mom tried to stand up for us, arguing with the men, they shoved her down the stairs. She broke her leg in the fall. For days, it felt like the entire world had gone dark, like even the sky above us had turned black. Then, everything changed. Out of nowhere, Liam’s mother—someone none of us had ever met—showed up. She took Liam to one of the best hospitals in the state for treatment. The men who attacked Liam, along with the nightclub owner they worked for, were all arrested. Even my mom received compensation—$10,000 from Liam’s mother. But there was a condition: we were never to contact Liam again. It was such a strange request. Even so, my mom refused the money. None of us had ever helped Liam expecting something in return. Not a single penny. But Liam still left. It all happened so suddenly. The last time I saw him, his hair was a mess, and he was out of breath. He made me promise we’d both apply to the same college—Ravenwood University. I agreed. And then, just like that, he disappeared from my life. When I graduated high school and started applying to colleges, I didn’t hesitate. Even though my grades were good enough for top schools, I chose Ravenwood University without a second thought. I moved to this unfamiliar city, clinging to the only connection I had left: the phone number Liam had secretly slipped me before he left. But every time I called, the line was dead. 0

I finally decided to buy a train ticket home. The station was packed with people rushing to get tickets for the holidays. The noise was overwhelming, but seeing the joy on everyone’s faces as they prepared to reunite with their families somehow made me feel a little less alone. That’s when Liam called. It was a video call. I hesitated, then answered—but I switched to audio instead. I didn’t want him to see my swollen, tear-streaked face and feel burdened by my emotions. On the other end, Liam sounded annoyed. “Why’d you turn off the camera?” he asked. I took a deep breath, trying to steady my voice. “Do you need something?” “Not really,” he said casually. “You left something in the car.” He sent me a photo of a ring. It was expensive—Bvlgari. There was no way I could’ve afforded something like that on my own. And I hadn’t. Liam had bought it for me during one of his business trips, not long after we started seeing each other. It wasn’t a diamond ring, and he hadn’t said much when he gave it to me, but I had cherished it deeply. To me, a ring wasn’t just a gift—it carried meaning. For Liam to give me something like that, I’d thought it meant we had a chance at something real. But now, I knew better. It had all been in my head. “Just throw it away,” I said, my voice flat. “It’s not important.” There was a long silence on the other end of the line. Finally, Liam muttered, “Alright,” and hung up. The line for train tickets was still long. In front of me, a young woman looked like she might faint from standing so long. Her boyfriend immediately flipped their suitcase on its side so she could sit down and rest. Their smiles, their quiet happiness—it all reminded me of my first year at Ravenwood. I’d been so full of excitement back then. It was my first time away from home, and despite not knowing anyone in the city, I’d come here with nothing but a promise and a dream. On my first day, I couldn’t wait to ask around about a student named Liam Carter. The upperclassmen gave me strange looks. “There’s no one by that name here,” one of them said. “But the dean’s daughter has a boyfriend named Liam Carter.” That’s when I realized. Liam and I weren’t part of the same world anymore. After leaving our small town, Liam’s mother had taken him to live in the city. Her new husband was a wealthy real estate tycoon, one of the most powerful men in the area. He gave Liam a life I couldn’t have imagined: money, connections, and opportunities. Even the model airplane competition Liam had dreamed of entering for years—something that had once seemed out of reach—was now handed to him on a silver platter. Liam’s life had completely transformed. But good times don’t last forever. When Liam turned eighteen, his stepfather handed him a contract to sign. Thinking nothing of it, Liam put his name on the dotted line. It wasn’t until later that he realized the truth: it was a debt contract. His stepfather had pinned millions of dollars of debt on him. By the time Liam understood what had happened, it was too late. He was arrested and spent three years in jail. His mother refused to pay even the small amount needed to bail him out. When Liam was finally released, he worked tirelessly to earn his first bit of money. Eventually, he caught a lucky break and built a thriving business. But the betrayal he’d experienced hardened him. The Liam I knew—the brave, determined boy—was gone. In his place was a man who trusted no one, whose life was built on power, wealth, and excess. A man I could barely recognize. 0

As I waited for the train, I decided to grab a quick bowl of noodles at the diner across the street. But fate had other plans. That’s where I ran into Liam and Nina. I’d only ever seen Nina in photos before, but in person, she was even more beautiful. Her long, wavy hair cascaded down like a waterfall, her skin flawless and radiant. She was the perfect image of someone’s “impossible dream.” The kind of woman who could make anyone feel invisible. The moment I saw Liam, my first instinct was to avoid him. But Nina grabbed his arm and walked straight toward me. “You must be Emma,” she said with a bright smile. “Liam’s told me about you.” Before I could respond, she turned to Liam with a playful pout. “Liam, that’s so mean of you! Emma’s been by your side all these years, and when I suggested inviting her out for dinner, you refused! If you keep acting this way, you’ll lose all your friends.” Liam didn’t even flinch as he lied. “I did invite her. She just didn’t want to come.” Nina tugged on my sleeve, refusing to let me leave. “Well, now that we’ve run into each other, no more excuses. You’re coming to dinner with us.” I hesitated, glancing at Liam. He had his hands in his pockets, his eyes fixed on Nina with a warmth I hadn’t seen in years. “If Nina says so,” he said casually, “then join us for dinner.” I thought it would just be a casual meal. I couldn’t have been more wrong. It turned out to be Nina’s welcome-home party. When we arrived at the private dining room, it was already filled with our old college classmates. Everyone cheered when Nina walked in, some even opening their arms to hug her. “Nina, you’re finally back! You have no idea how much we’ve missed you!” “Yeah, and no one’s been able to keep Liam in check while you were gone!” “Seriously, he’s been partying nonstop. We couldn’t stand it anymore.” Someone laughed and added, “Oh, come on. Liam was heartbroken! He hasn’t dated a single girl since you left, Nina.” “Is that true?” Nina asked, turning to Liam with a teasing smile. Liam didn’t deny it. Instead, his eyes softened, and he stayed silent, letting everyone’s words hang in the air. Then Nina glanced at me. Her gaze carried a mix of emotions—mockery, triumph, and, most of all, disdain. I suddenly felt like a rat scurrying in the shadows, desperate to escape the spotlight of their perfect reunion. Reaching for the door, I tried to slip away unnoticed. But Nina had other plans. She grabbed my arm and pulled me into the center of the room. “Oh, come on! You can’t just leave. I don’t believe for a second that Liam didn’t have anyone in his life while I was gone.” She turned to the group with a sly smile. “I heard Emma’s been pretty close to Liam. Didn’t he even give her a job as his personal assistant after college? Fresh out of school and already making six figures a year. Isn’t that right, Liam?” Her words dripped with venom, emphasizing personal assistant in a way that left no room for innocent interpretation. All eyes turned to Liam, waiting for him to respond. He didn’t disappoint her. Sliding an arm around Nina’s waist, he said calmly, “You’re mistaken. I’ve always thought of Emma as a little sister.” Sister. The word hit me like a slap. I felt the weight of everyone’s stares—some filled with pity, others with ridicule. I had spent seven years by Liam’s side. Seven years of being inseparable. Wherever he went, I followed. When the mood struck him, he didn’t care about the time or place—stairwells, parking lots, restrooms, even the office lounge. People had walked in on us before. It was no secret. And the rumors spread quickly. Everyone said I was just another woman trying to claw her way into the Carter family, desperate to become Mrs. Carter. They said I had no shame, that I’d thrown away my dignity for a shot at marrying Liam. But I didn’t care. As long as I could stay by Liam’s side, I was willing to be nothing. But his words tonight, the way his friends looked at me, made me feel like my soul had been laid bare. I’d told myself I didn’t care about my pride, but now, it felt like I was being flayed alive. They seated me in the farthest corner of the room, out of sight and out of mind. Liam glanced at me once, but before he could come over, Nina grabbed his hand. “Liam, I just got back. Sing a song with me?” He hesitated, his eyes lingering on me for a moment. But then he took the microphone from Nina’s hand. They started singing a duet. It was perfect, like they were made for each other. Meanwhile, I sat in silence, every note tearing me apart. At one point, Nina reached for a glass of wine, but Liam stopped her. “You’re allergic to alcohol,” he said, his voice soft with concern. She froze, confused. Everyone laughed. “Liam, are you kidding? Nina used to drink us all under the table in college! She was the queen of shots—remember?” Liam’s expression faltered. “Oh… I must’ve remembered wrong.” To cover his embarrassment, he downed the glass himself. But Nina’s focus shifted back to me. Her voice was sharp as a blade when she said, “Emma, I just got back. Aren’t you going to drink to welcome me home?” I didn’t drink. Liam pulled Nina away before I could respond, leading her back to the microphone. They sang song after song, their voices blending seamlessly. Someone shouted, “So, when’s the wedding?” Nina blushed and looked at Liam expectantly. He smiled and said, “Soon. Custom wedding dresses take time, you know.” The room erupted in cheers. I stayed silent, wishing I wasn’t allergic to alcohol. If I could drink, maybe I could numb myself to the sight of Nina leaning into Liam’s arms, laughing like she’d just won the lottery. I don’t know how much time passed. At some point, Liam stumbled over to me, clearly drunk. He slung an arm around my shoulder and shoved a bank card into my hand. “Emma,” he slurred, “we’re family. Always will be. If you ever need something, call me.” Family. But I didn’t want to be Liam’s family. When I looked up, he was already kissing Nina. His hands cradled her face like she was the most precious thing in the world. The room filled with applause and cheers, everyone celebrating their perfect love story. I laughed along with them. But as I laughed, tears streamed down my face.

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In the interrogation room, I buried my face in my hands and sobbed uncontrollably. Later, the court declared me not guilty. With police officers escorting me, I walked out of the courthouse. In a quiet, unnoticed corner, I wiped away the tears at the corners of my eyes and let a faint, triumphant smile spread across my lips. “My name is Emily Stone, a student from Class 6 at Central High School.” “I was… in the same class as the deceased.” I sat up on the hospital bed, the IV drip still in my arm. I weakly took the water from an officer, wearing her police uniform, handed me, offering her a gentle smile. The officer sitting next to me nodded, trying to reassure me. “You don’t have to worry. Just try to recall all the details from that time.”

The one thing I could pride myself on was my looks. Whether it was older men or young boys on the cusp of adolescence, they were all creatures of the eye. It’s not hard to win the attention of a teenage boy. All it takes is a single glance, a casual touch, and a face that looks just innocent enough. With that, you could have him wrapped around your finger. For me, it’s effortless—being able to make others feel protective toward me comes naturally. But I never expected that these very traits I took pride in would one day bring me immense harm. That day, I found half of a torn note in my drawer. “After school, would you like to meet at the equipment room by the stadium? I have something I need to tell you.” When I saw the name at the bottom, I couldn’t help but scoff, tossing the note into the trash. I’d seen this kind of confession at least eight times before. And here came number nine. It was from Jason Lee, the guy everyone in class knew as the ultimate “sister complex” case. He was smart, and he kept his distance from everyone except his little sister. I didn’t expect someone like him—such a model student—to have any interest in early romance. But, no matter how perfect someone might seem, in the end, they were just another 17 or 18-year-old boy. I chuckled to myself. Honestly, I was curious about what he was going to say. “So, he invited you to the equipment room?” The officer paused, his pen hovering above the paper as he looked up at me. I gave him a reassuring smile in return. “Yes, officer.” “Alright, please continue.”

After school, I headed to the equipment room right on time. It was Friday, and by the time classes let out, the sky had already darkened. Most of the students and staff had left the campus, leaving the halls eerily quiet. I pushed open the door to the equipment room. The rusty hinges groaned in protest before the door swung open. Inside, it was dim and empty. I wasn’t in a hurry, though. I knew confessions were nerve-wracking, especially for someone as shy as Adam Blake. Strolling around the room, I noticed a cluttered shelf filled with old, dusty vases, all precariously stacked and out of order. With nothing better to do, I decided to kill some time by rearranging them. One by one, I lined them up, straightening out the mess. Suddenly, the door creaked again behind me, followed by a loud slam. I thought it was just the wind blowing the door shut, so I turned to open it again. Before I could move, a pair of hands grabbed me from behind. I froze, my body stiffening as I felt hot, ragged breaths against the back of my neck. He was panting, his voice shaky as he whispered my name over and over. His hands moved frantically, sliding under my shirt and groping at my bra. I felt my stomach churn with disgust. Humiliated and furious, I began to yell at him, twisting and struggling to get free. But he only held on tighter. His lips brushed against my neck, and his voice, trembling with emotion, murmured words of love into my ear. A cold shiver ran down my spine. My skin crawled. In that moment, I regretted everything—coming here, agreeing to his note, believing for even a second that a teenage boy could have any sense of control. He made me sick. I told him to stop, my voice sharp and firm, but my rejection only seemed to excite him more. To him, my “no” was some kind of game, a twisted form of encouragement. His breathing quickened, and I felt something hard pressing against me, grinding into me. Fear and anger surged through me, mingling into something wild and uncontrollable. You should know, when someone is consumed by rage, they can tap into strength they didn’t even know they had. Blinded by fury, I twisted my body sharply, breaking out of his grasp. With all the force I could muster, I shoved him backward. He stumbled, colliding with the shelf behind him. One of the vases teetered for a moment before crashing down directly onto his head. The sound of shattering ceramic filled the room, and a shard of the broken vase sliced into my shoulder, sending a sharp jolt of pain through me. His grip loosened, and his hands slipped away from my waist as his body crumpled to the floor. Clutching my bleeding shoulder, I stumbled toward the door, still trembling. When I pulled it open, the light from the hallway spilled into the dark room. That’s when I saw him lying there, motionless. Blood pooled beneath his head. He wasn’t breathing. He was dead. “That’s everything that happened,” I said softly, my fingers grazing the bandage on my shoulder as tears welled up in my eyes. Two drops slipped down my cheeks. “If I had known what kind of person he really was, I would’ve never agreed to meet him that day.” The air in the hospital room was heavy, suffocating. The officers standing around me exchanged silent glances, as if communicating through subtle nods and expressions. The lead detective finally stood, offering me a small, polite bow. “Thank you for your time. We’ll let you rest for now.” I gave him a faint smile. “Thank you, officer. Take care.” One by one, they filed out of the room, the door clicking shut behind them. The room fell silent. Alone at last, the faint smile on my lips vanished. My eyes darkened, and the corners of my mouth curled into something colder, sharper. My tears were long gone. And in their place, a quiet, satisfied smile lingered.

I’m not sure when I fell asleep, but when I woke up, the nurse was standing beside me, swapping out my IV bag. “This is the last one for today. Once this is finished, you’ll be free to leave the hospital,” she said with a bright smile, running her hand through my messy hair. “You’re such a strong girl. Promise me you’ll take care of yourself from now on.” I purposely lowered my gaze and blinked slowly. “I will, thank you. You take care too.” I’ve always known how to make people feel sorry for me, no matter who they are. Sure enough, the nurse gave my cheek a gentle pinch, then stuffed all the candy from her pocket into my arms. After she left, I let out a wild, carefree smile. I’m an orphan—never had parents since birth. A few years ago, I gained a family, but they’ve all passed away now. Now, I’m the only one left. I didn’t expect anyone to come help me check out. I followed the nurse through the discharge process. Thankfully, nurses are sharp and took care of most of the paperwork for me. When it was time to leave, she looked at me with teary eyes and said, “Please promise me you’ll live your life to the fullest from now on.” I put on my best performance, crying in her arms, and then wiped away my tears as soon as I turned away. It’s all just for show.

Although the school advised me to take a couple of days off to recover, I decided to go home that same day. I have a lot of friends, or rather, a crowd of people around me who always seem to appear when I get back. As soon as I walked in, they gathered around, bombarding me with a million questions. Though it was annoying, I still put on my best social smile, responding to their insincere sympathy and gossiping curiosity. “Did you really kill that guy?” “Huh? You actually killed him? You sure you’re okay with that?” I lowered my eyes, pressing my lips into a thin line. One of the girls clicked her tongue in displeasure. “Can you not speak like that?” Seeing her reaction, the guy who had spoken quickly shut up, grinning sheepishly. “Sorry, I didn’t mean it like that. Don’t be mad, okay?” I shook my head, pretending to be strong. “I’m fine.” Immediately, they all started comforting me. “That guy deserved it, honestly. I’ve never liked him, and he had the nerve to do that to you…” The girl clicked her tongue again, and the guy instantly went silent. While we were surrounded by chatter and noise, there was a stark contrast over by where Nina Young sat. Through the gaps in the crowd, I spotted her in the corner, looking longingly at the scene, her fingers nervously clutching her pencil as it trembled slightly. When our eyes met, she froze for a moment, then quickly looked down, her hands fumbling with the pencil as she scribbled on her notebook. Nina Young—a classic introvert. She never spoke to anyone, had no friends, and was always glued to her brother. Whatever she did, it was always with him, side by side. I couldn’t help but feel sorry for her. I already knew how things would play out.

Our class has a reputation for being a total mess. Everyone here feels like they’ve been eaten alive by termites, with darkness buried deep inside them—an inescapable, root-deep kind of rotten. In this class, we have our own unwritten social hierarchy. There are three groups of people. One group is made up of the so-called “good students,” led by the late Jason. To avoid trouble with the school, anyone looking for conflict will intentionally steer clear of this group. Then there’s my group, the troublemakers—the ones who like to form cliques and cause chaos. The last group consists of the average students—those who aren’t great at studying or making friends. They end up becoming the fertilizer that feeds the termites. Sure enough, it didn’t even take two days before their attention shifted to Nina. Before, they were a bit wary of her because of Jason. Out of respect for him, they kept their distance from her. But now that Jason is gone, Nina is like a lost sheep with no one to protect her. She’s just another toy for them to play with. They’ll wait for her to go to the bathroom during break and steal her seat. When she comes back, she won’t be able to find a place to sit and will have to stand through class. Or they’ll leave empty drink bottles on her desk, throw used tissues in her drawer, then laugh at her, watching her struggle. “Oh, is this your seat? I thought it was the trash can.” And of course, the others will burst into exaggerated laughter, as if they’ve just heard the funniest joke in the world. The teacher knows exactly what’s going on. She’s not blind—she sees Nina standing, sees the trash piled up on her desk. But all she does is glance at it and say nothing. I’ve said it before—everyone in this class is rotten, not just the students. I know the real reason they act with such impunity is not just because Nina lost her brother. Nina’s family situation is similar to mine—she only has her brother left. Now that her brother’s gone, the one person who could protect her is gone too. With no one to back her up, they can do whatever they want. I rest my chin on my hand, watching Nina awkwardly stand at the front of the class. Such a shame. She’s nothing like me. She doesn’t know how to hide her feelings.

I’ve always known how to make people love me. Anyone. I know how to make myself appear fragile and helpless, triggering pity in others. At the same time, I know how to disguise myself with expensive, high-end brands, crafting an image of someone from a wealthy family. A sheltered girl from a rich family—who would dare to mess with her? But Nina doesn’t know how to do that. Her dislike, her fear, her anxiety are all written on her face. The slightest sound or movement makes her jump, and that only excites the bullies even more. Just like now. A paper ball hits Nina in the head, then bounces off and rolls to the floor. I hear quiet snickers from around the room, but Nina just lowers her head, her ears turning red, silent and weak. Then another paper ball. Then another. It isn’t until the teacher finally intervenes, but not for Nina’s sake—just to restore order to the class. Nina’s eyes are red, on the verge of tears, but she doesn’t cry. sigh—poor girl.

The bell rang, and I was ready to leave. A group of people gathered around me, boasting about how they’d protect me while asking endless questions. It was getting annoying, but just as I stepped outside the school gate, a man suddenly stepped in front of me. I looked up, recognizing his familiar face, and gave a slight nod. “Hello, Officer.” He seemed a bit taken aback by my calmness, then nodded back, though still looking slightly surprised. “We have a few questions. Are you available to come with us for a bit?” I glanced at my friends, the ones who had been clamoring to protect me. Now they shrank back, nervously ducking their heads. I looked over at the officer behind him, a young female cop, who was watching me intently. Finally, I nodded. “Alright. Let’s go.” I followed them to the police station and was seated in a chair. The officer handed me a glass of water, and I checked the temperature by feeling the outside of the cup before handing it back. “Could I have it warm, please? Thank you.” The officer blinked for a second, then rushed off to get the warm water. The lead officer cleared his throat, and the younger officer stopped in his tracks. “Get the water after the questioning is done.”The interrogation began. The harsh fluorescent light beamed down on my face. I instinctively raised my hand to shield my eyes, then slowly lowered it. The scene in front of me oddly reminded me of something straight out of a movie. My adrenaline spiked just a little. The officer spoke first. “I have to admit, I underestimated you, Miss.” He squinted slightly.

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After Breaking Up, I Resigned and Was Ready to Go Abroad. Then My Ex-Girlfriend, the CEO, Suddenly Tried to Win Me Back at the Airport. She said she had fired her little assistant and that from now on, I would be the company’s second-in-command. But when I gave up going abroad and was ready to go back with her, she shook off my hand and made a flirtatious call to her assistant: “Leo, you won the bet. This loser really thought I would take him back.” Then she turned to me with a cold smile: “It was just a joke. Did you actually believe it? If you want to leave, go ahead. No one’s stopping you this time.” The colleagues present laughed at me, saying I was like a dog that would come running back at her slightest gesture. But what they didn’t know was that I gave up going abroad only because my new company had just completed the acquisition. I was about to become their new CEO. When Mia, my ex-girlfriend and former CEO, gleefully told me that her earlier attempt to win me back was just a joke, I didn’t get angry. I just took out my phone to call a cab back to my place. The colleagues around us looked at me with mocking eyes, jeering: “Jack, the CEO said she doesn’t want to keep you. What are you still doing here? Go on, book another flight!” “Didn’t you say you got an offer from abroad? What happened? Did they change their mind about you?” Mia indulgently watched them cold-shoulder me, making no attempt to stop them. This kind of oppressive and embarrassing workplace bullying had often surrounded me in recent years. In the past, I would have definitely argued back, feeling hurt that my girlfriend, who was the CEO, wouldn’t speak up for me. But now I felt nothing, even thinking it was like watching clowns perform. “My business is none of your concern, is it?” I said calmly. Mia snorted, her eyes scanning me up and down with disgust: “You’re still being stubborn at a time like this?” “With your meager abilities, if I hadn’t been supporting you all these years, you might not even have food to eat!” “Going abroad? What a joke.” Yes, I was a graduate from a prestigious university who had given up a high-paying job that others could only dream of. I had helped her build a company from the ground up, but in Mia’s eyes, I was worthless, only getting by with her help. It made me want to laugh. In the past, I loved Mia with all my heart. Even if I had remained in a managerial position after decades of hard work, I wouldn’t have complained. But it wasn’t until she repeatedly took away my projects and gave them to her new assistant Leo without my consent. She even pushed Leo’s mistakes onto me, making me take the blame. Then she used this as an excuse to cut my salary and suspend me, while giving Leo a promotion and a raise. I finally woke up and realized that this relationship, maintained solely by my efforts, needed to end. So I resigned on the spot, broke up with her, and decided to develop my career abroad. I never expected that just as I was about to board the plane, she would come and play this kind of “joke” on me. For a moment, I didn’t feel sorrow, just bewilderment. How blind must I have been in the past to fall in love with such a woman? I shook my head, not bothering to waste words with her: “You’re right about everything. Can I go now?” I tried to walk around Mia, ready to leave. But Mia suddenly grabbed my hand, staring at me intently, and said disdainfully: “How can you act so well! Your excuse about going abroad has been exposed, and you’re still pretending?” “For the sake of our past relationship, I’ll give you a way out.” “Come back with me, and I’ll let you be Leo’s assistant.” Seeing her benevolent attitude, I finally understood the true purpose of Mia’s joke this time. On the surface, it was a bet with Leo to see if I would take the bait. In reality, she just wanted me to stay at the company and continue being a workhorse for her and Leo. I have to say, Mia had indeed thought very carefully about Leo’s future development, giving him a promotion and raise, and even assigning someone to assist him. As for me, I had helped her realize her dream of becoming a boss step by step. Yet she unhesitatingly took everything away from me to pave the way for Leo. I laughed coldly: “Leo’s skills aren’t good enough to deserve my help.” Mia’s face immediately darkened. “Jack, it seems I’ve been too lenient with you all these years, that’s why you think so highly of yourself…” Before she could finish, a figure suddenly walked over from the distance. “Sister Mia!” Mia instantly became gentle, going to meet him: “Leo!” Leo was the only person in the entire company who didn’t call Mia “CEO,” but intimately called her “sister.” Even I, as Mia’s legitimate boyfriend, didn’t have the privilege of calling her by name. Leo glanced at me and smiled at Mia: “See, I knew Brother Jack’s talk about going abroad for development was just an excuse. He really didn’t leave.” Mia glanced at me sideways, her eyes full of disgust: “Some people think too highly of themselves, believing the company can’t run without them!” “Not like you, Leo. You’re capable and humble. Since he won’t take the opportunity given to him, let’s forget it.” “Let’s go.” But Leo held Mia’s hand, looking pitiful: “Sister Mia, we can’t leave yet. Ever since Brother Jack resigned last time, I can’t find my watch.” “That watch was a relic from my grandmother.” Then he suddenly turned to me, pleading: “Brother Jack, please give it back to me.” Before I could understand what was happening, Mia suddenly glared at me angrily: “Jack, you actually stole something?” I was about to deny it, but Mia coldly interrupted: “Don’t try to deny it. Why would Leo falsely accuse you?” “You don’t even have a job now, who knows if you’ve resorted to petty theft?” Then she ordered the others: “Open his suitcase and check!” I looked at Mia in disbelief. After ten years of being together day and night, she knew my character better than anyone. Just because of Leo’s baseless accusation, she wanted to open my suitcase in public? Earlier, when she played that nasty joke on me, I didn’t want to argue with her. But now, this behavior bordering on bullying completely ignited my anger. Not disappointment, not heartache. Only anger and disgust. “Stop!” I shouted angrily, but Leo pretended to be sincere: “Brother Jack, why are you angry? Don’t tell me you really took it!” This made Mia look at me even more disgustedly, signaling two people to block me as she said coldly: “Don’t mind him, keep searching!” Watching my suitcase being overturned, my private clothes and belongings scattered on the ground. My anger reached its peak, and I shouted for airport security. Only then did they sheepishly stop. “Didn’t find it,” Leo said disappointedly. “Forget it, don’t trouble Brother Jack, he’s not having an easy time either.” But Mia shot me a fierce glare: “I think someone stole it and sold it!” Then she said gently: “It’s okay, Leo. I’ll go with you to buy a new one.” As she left, she gave me a cold look. “Jack, when you end up on the streets in the future, don’t come begging me.” With that, she left with the group, Leo giving me a challenging look. I said nothing, just laughed coldly in my heart. They didn’t know yet that the company’s projects had imploded, and it was about to go bankrupt and be acquired. And I gave up going abroad only because the new company had appointed me as the new CEO of this company.

My new company’s headquarters was abroad, a well-known large enterprise. When I was about to graduate, because of my excellent grades, I had received an invitation from them. But Mia persuaded me to stay and start a business with her, so I turned down this opportunity. A while ago, after I broke up with Mia, they immediately called me, inviting me to join. But just before boarding the plane, I suddenly received a call. Their domestic subsidiary in China had decided to acquire companies here to integrate resources, including Mia’s company. They decided to make me the new CEO of the company. After putting my luggage away at home, I arranged to meet with Mr. Quinn, the person in charge domestically. I arrived at the restaurant early to wait for him. But unexpectedly, I saw Mia and Leo there, laughing and chatting. When they saw me, however, Mia was stunned for a moment. She walked up to me with an impatient look and said: “Jack, why are you following me around like a leech?” “Weren’t you acting tough earlier? What, you regret it now?” Before I could speak, Leo smiled and said: “Sister Mia, there were so many people earlier, Brother Jack must have refused because he couldn’t save face.” “How about this? Brother Jack, if you sincerely apologize to Sister Mia, I’m sure she’d still be willing to give you a job opportunity.” “What do you think, Sister Mia?” Mia looked at me disapprovingly, pretending to be reluctant: “Since Leo is pleading for you, I suppose it’s not impossible. Finish this bottle of wine, and I’ll let you be an assistant.” She pointed to the wine on the table. I laughed coldly in my heart. Mia knew very well that I had stomach problems and couldn’t drink, yet she proposed such a condition. It was nothing more than giving me a hard time, waiting for me to beg her humbly. But she had miscalculated. “You’re overthinking it. I’m waiting for someone.” “Waiting for someone? Huh, you’re really stubborn.” Mia sneered: “I’ve known you for so many years, don’t think I don’t know your little tricks.” “You just feel it’s beneath you to be Leo’s assistant, don’t you?” “But these days, how much is face worth?” As she was speaking, Mr. Quinn, the client I had arranged to meet, walked over. He took the initiative to shake hands with me. “Sorry to keep you waiting, Mr. Lee.” I directly ignored Mia and smiled as I shook hands with Mr. Quinn. “Mr. Quinn, let’s talk inside. There are a couple of flies here, making quite a racket.” “Of course, of course.” Mia looked at me in disbelief. I was about to enter the private room with Mr. Quinn when I heard Leo say to Mia in a voice loud enough for me to hear: “Looks like Brother Jack has made an appointment with some headhunter to find a job, huh?” The next moment, Mia suddenly came over to block me. She sneered: “Jack, you’ve really gotten some backbone, haven’t you? You’d rather find a job on your own than ask me for help?” “But let me remind you, given your previous work performance, I’ve already spoken to all the peers in Linzhou. No one is willing to hire you.” “Now, do you regret it?” She looked at me with a half-smile, seemingly waiting for me to turn back. But she was wrong. Mia’s little influence wasn’t enough to threaten me. And because of my resignation, she had let Leo take over all the major projects, causing the company to face many risks and be on the brink of bankruptcy. She was completely unaware of this. I said calmly: “Mia, confidence is a good thing, but I hope you’ll maintain this attitude when your company goes bankrupt and gets acquired.” “You…!” Mia was about to curse at me angrily, but she changed her tone and turned to Mr. Quinn. She took out a business card and shoved it into Mr. Quinn’s hand. Arrogantly, she said: “Mia, CEO of McAsh Group. Jack is my former employee, who was just fired for misconduct.” “I suggest your company be cautious in your choice.” After saying this, she glanced at me, hooked her arm with Leo’s, and left haughtily. Mr. Quinn frowned, holding the business card, and looked at me: “This…” “Just clowns, let’s go inside and talk.” I smiled slightly. Mr. Quinn casually tossed the business card into the trash. Once in the private room, we discussed the acquisition of Mia’s company. We planned to capitalize on the project failures of McAsh Group and acquire it at a low price. Mr. Quinn then took out the original company’s personnel list, asking me to help optimize it. I knew the business capabilities and personal conduct of everyone on the list intimately, and promised to provide a plan as soon as possible. After talking with Mr. Quinn, I went home. But as soon as I entered, I saw Mia sitting on my couch. Crossing her slender legs, she looked at me coldly. I frowned: “Why are you here?”

I glanced at the door of my house. That’s when I remembered I had forgotten to delete her fingerprint after we broke up. Mia didn’t answer, just said coldly: “Who told you about my company going bankrupt and being acquired?” I was busy changing my shoes and didn’t bother to respond to her. Mia’s face grew even darker: “As you wished, the company did go bankrupt.” I raised an eyebrow, surprised that Mr. Quinn had acted so quickly. He said it at noon, and it was done by the afternoon. Mia continued: “Jack, although I don’t know how you got this information in advance.” “Don’t be too happy too soon.” “The company that acquired us this time is a big enterprise, they will help me deal with the previous project issues.” “I will still be in management.” I went to make myself a cup of tea, not surprised. Of course I knew this. It was because my optimization list hadn’t come out yet, so the original company personnel were temporarily retained. “So?” I asked calmly. Mia stared at me intently: “I want you to hand over the previous client resources to Leo, and I’ll arrange a manager position for you in the new company.” “You should know that with the support of the parent company, McAsh Group will only be stronger than before.” “Offering you back a manager position, this bargaining chip is already very generous.” I suddenly smiled. She spoke so righteously, as if she was giving me a great deal. But I knew very clearly that after the company was acquired, Mr. Quinn had released the development document I had written. One of the points was that after I took over the new company, positions would be based on ability. The reason Mia was making this demand was nothing more than wanting to use my previous client resources to let Leo showcase his abilities and secure the position of vice president. I have to say, her love for Leo runs deep. Unfortunately, she bet on the wrong person. “Mia, you’re quite naive.” My words made Mia’s face immediately darken. She suddenly stood up and walked towards me step by step. She stared at me with a look that seemed to see through me: “Jack, I know you’re still jealous of Leo.” “You’re upset, wondering why I changed towards you and am so good to Leo?” “But I hope you understand, our status is different now. I’m the boss, the capitalist.” “And you, you’re just working for me. A boyfriend like you hasn’t been a match for me for a long time.” “But Leo, he brings me freshness and the joy of being a woman. You can’t compare to him.” Mia looked at me deeply, her voice unusually gentle: “I’ll give you just one night to think it over.” With that, she turned and left. I shook my head helplessly. I immediately deleted her fingerprint, then opened my computer and sent over tomorrow’s layoff list. The next morning, I officially started my job at the company. As I entered the company, colleagues were all buzzing about the company being acquired. Mia was painting rosy pictures for everyone as usual. Saying she was still in management, and as long as everyone worked hard, things would be the same as before. Until someone noticed me, her eyes suddenly lit up. She walked up to me and said in a tone that suggested she had expected me to come: “Thought it over? Willing to give the client information to Leo?”

I laughed and shook my head. Mia’s face darkened, and she was about to speak when Leo smiled and said: “Brother Jack, why are you being like this?” “If you didn’t plan to hand over the client information, why did you come?” “Don’t tell me you’re here to work?” His words drew laughter from other colleagues. I raised an eyebrow and nodded: “I am here to work.” At this, the onlooking colleagues burst into laughter, pointing at me: “Work? He’s probably here looking for a job, thinking he can sneak in now that our company’s been acquired!” “Isn’t this just dreaming?” “Jack, weren’t you going abroad? How come you’re applying to our company now? Haha!” I was about to speak when Mia interrupted with a gloomy face: “Jack, when will you ever stop!” “I told you to give the client information to Leo, I was already giving you a chance. You’re still being stubborn?” “Didn’t you understand what I said yesterday? Do you really want to be unemployed?” I shook my head helplessly: “Mia, you’re the one who’s about to be unemployed. You’d better make plans early.” Mia looked at me and suddenly laughed mockingly: “Look at this Jack, has he gone crazy? Telling me to make plans?” “What, I’m the former boss of this company, you think you can fire me?” “Jack, I bet that with me here today, you won’t even be able to get a job as a janitor…” Just as she was speaking, two people walked in through the company’s main entrance. It was the people Mr. Quinn from headquarters had sent to help me reorganize the company. Mia recognized them, her expression changed, and she quickly put on a smile to greet them: “Mr. Higgins, you’re here. Has our new CEO arrived? I should go welcome him.” Mr. Higgins glanced at her without a word, walked straight to me, and respectfully nodded. Then he introduced to everyone: “This is our company’s new CEO, Mr. Lee!” For a moment, the smile froze on Mia’s face, and she asked unnaturally: “Mr. Higgins, you’re not joking, are you?” “This Jack is just a useless coward, how could you…” Suddenly, Mr. Higgins took out the layoff list I had personally made yesterday and slammed it in her face. Pointing at her and Leo, he said coldly: “You two are fired. Pack your things and get out now!”

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I never thought I’d witness my own wedding from a hospital window, but fate has a cruel sense of humor. As I stood there, my restored vision hidden from the world, I watched the woman I loved marry another man. This is the story of how I, Liam Anderson, went from being a devoted fiancé to a man planning his own tragic exit. It all began three months ago when Chloe Sullivan, my girlfriend and the heiress to a vast fortune, was involved in a car accident. In a desperate attempt to save her, I sacrificed my eyesight. Little did I know, this act of love would unveil a web of lies that had been woven around me for years. As I lay in the hospital, supposedly blind, Chloe showered me with expensive gifts. One day, she brought me a watch worth millions. However, I overheard her childhood sweetheart, Gabriel Thompson, swapping it for a fake. “He’s blind anyway,” Gabriel whispered to Chloe. “What’s the difference between real and fake to him?” To my shock, Chloe, who had always professed her undying love for me, didn’t object. She even put the counterfeit watch on my wrist, assuring me, “Don’t worry, I’ll never leave you. We’ll get married next month on the 15th. I’ve invited the media to witness our happiness.” I smiled silently. What Chloe didn’t know was that I had regained my sight through a mysterious power I possessed. I had also set in motion a plan to leave this world. On our wedding day, instead of a groom, she would find my lifeless body. The nurse, who had witnessed everything, tried to comfort me. “Mr. Anderson, you’re so lucky to have such a loving wife.” If only she knew the truth. Everyone believed that Chloe Sullivan was madly in love with me. She, a wealthy heiress, had publicly pursued me for seven years before I finally gave in. Our love story was the talk of the town, inspiring envy in many. I remembered a time when I had slept through her calls, and she had launched a nationwide search for me, making headlines. When she found me, she collapsed into my arms, crying and demanding that I never leave her sight again. People said the Sullivan heiress was truly devoted. I believed it too, and her passion had touched me deeply. To repay her love, I, a man with extraordinary abilities, chose to stay by her side instead of returning to my own world. I helped her secure her family’s assets and become a true powerhouse in the business world. I even became her personal bodyguard, ready to sacrifice everything for her safety. When I lost my sight, I didn’t care. To better protect and care for her, I made a deal with my power source, trading twenty years of my life for the return of my vision. But before I could share this good news with her, I witnessed Gabriel Thompson, her former flame, standing by her side. During the three months I was supposedly blind, he had been by Chole’s side every day, even daring to swap out my gifts in front of me. What I couldn’t understand was why Chloe, who saw everything, allowed his behavior… As I pondered this, Chloe’s best friend, Mia Lewis, entered the room. She glanced at me lying in bed and said with a smile, “Chloe really loves you. She’s rushing me to process the stock transfer she promised you.” She carelessly tossed the documents to me, then quickly changed her expression and started communicating with Chloe using lip-reading, her face full of contempt: “Chloe, you’re not really going to marry this blind man, are you? Everyone in our circle knows you only pursued him so fervently to make Gabriel jealous and come back to you. Now that Gabriel’s back by your side, how long do you plan to keep playing this game? Don’t tell me you’re planning to string them both along?” Chloe’s face darkened as she silently mouthed back, “What’s done is done. I can’t change the past. I’ve genuinely fallen in love with Liam, and he’s the only one I’ll ever call my husband. Don’t you dare bring this up again. If Liam finds out the truth, your family’s days of leeching off us will be over.” Mia fell silent, not daring to say more. The Sullivan family’s influence was vast, and with my help, Chloe had secured control of the family business. Mia’s family was merely riding on the Sullivans’ coattails. Gabriel, standing to the side, flashed a look of regret before quickly changing the subject. “Let’s stop talking. It’s too quiet; what if Liam suspects something?” Chloe snapped out of her daze and composed herself. She took my hand and asked softly, as she always did, “Liam, do you like this gift?” The stock transfer document for 5% of Sullivan Corp. was something Chloe had promised me in front of the media when I was being transferred to another hospital. At the time, I found it strange. Over the years, she had given me many things but never money. When I asked why, she would just smile and say she was afraid I’d change if I had money. When she finally promised me the stocks, I had jokingly asked, “What’s this? You’re not afraid I’ll turn bad anymore, Mrs. Sullivan?” Chloe had hugged me tightly and said with deep affection, “Silly, you were willing to give up your life for me. What do I have to worry about?” Back then, my heart had raced with excitement. I thought Chloe’s love for me had deepened, and I was more determined than ever to spend the rest of my life with her. But now, as I looked at the contract, I saw that while it did transfer 5% of Sullivan Corp., the beneficiary listed was Gabriel Thompson. I let go of the contract and smiled bitterly. It seemed that what I thought was a perfect love was nothing but a sham. The money, her love – it was all fake. Seeing my lack of enthusiasm, Chloe assumed I was struggling with my blindness. She cupped my face gently, as she often did, and said soothingly, “Don’t be sad. You can be discharged today. I’ll take you to try on your wedding suit. At our wedding in fifteen days, I’ll make sure the whole world witnesses our happiness.” For the first time, I didn’t respond to her enthusiastically. I simply took off the fake watch in silence. And quietly, I submitted a request to my power source to return home. The system quickly came online and replied: “Dear user, as you have missed the optimal time to leave this world, if you wish to depart now, you must die in a tragic manner.” Without hesitation, I agreed. Even though there was nothing worth remembering in my own world, I couldn’t bear to see Chloe’s false face any longer. The system informed me that my departure time would be in fifteen days. As I was pondering this coincidental timing, Chloe anxiously spoke up, “If you don’t like the watch, I can get you something else.” Another fake gift? I shook my head and declined, “No need. I don’t want anything anymore.” Hearing this, Chloe’s heart skipped a beat. She had an uneasy feeling, sensing that my words seemed to be about more than just the watch. She hugged me tightly, clinging to my warmth. Gabriel, watching this scene, turned red with envy and reminded her, “Ms. Sullivan, the staff have been waiting for a long time. If we don’t leave soon, we’ll be late.” Only then did Chloe reluctantly let go of me and start packing to take me out of the hospital. As she comforted and chatted with me while packing, she still managed to hold hands with Gabriel. I turned my head numbly to look out the window. So, Chloe’s heart was big enough to accommodate two people at once. The car ride was silent. Due to my eye condition, Chloe had to hold the wedding in the yard of her villa. Although the wedding was only in its early stages of preparation, it was clear that Chloe had put a lot of thought into it. The staff were all waiting, directing us through a rehearsal. Chloe led me onto the stage, while Gabriel stood between us, acting as the officiant with a microphone in hand. “Mr. Liam Anderson, do you take Ms. Chloe Sullivan to be your lawfully wedded wife, for richer or for poorer…” He finished reciting the vows passionately, and along with everyone present, waited for me to say “I do.” But I remained silent. Chloe couldn’t help but tug at my clothes twice. Even the staff were about to come forward to prompt me when suddenly, the newly built stage collapsed. “Watch out!” Chloe shouted, but she pushed me towards the collapsing structure while rushing to protect Gabriel. I was hit and covered in blood, while Gabriel remained unscathed. Looking at Chloe, who was willing to risk her life to protect him even in danger, Gabriel’s eyes filled with emotion. He couldn’t hold back anymore and shouted: “You clearly love me more, why won’t you give me another chance?” Chloe snapped back to reality at his outburst. She quickly let go of Gabriel’s hand and hurried over to me, anxiously asking, “Liam, are you okay? I’m so sorry I couldn’t protect you.” She helped the staff lift me up, and upon seeing my head injury, she berated the workers furiously. The staff members lowered their heads, accepting the scolding. After her tirade, Chloe hugged me tightly and choked out, “It’s okay now. I’ll never let you get hurt again.” If I hadn’t seen it with my own eyes, I would have believed from her voice alone that I was the only one in her heart. But now, looking at her hypocritical demeanor, I felt nothing but disgust. I was willing to die for her, yet she pushed me, the “blind man,” into danger to save Gabriel. While there were indeed safety issues at the site, I wouldn’t have been injured if Chloe hadn’t pushed me. Fortunately, the structure was light, and I only suffered some scrapes and bruises, nothing serious. Chloe took me inside and brought out the first aid kit. Her eyes never left me, and seeing that I didn’t ask about Gabriel’s outburst, she could only force a laugh and explain, “Someone was watching a drama earlier and forgot to turn down the volume. Those lines were really awkward, weren’t they?” I silently watched her lie, but couldn’t be bothered to expose her. After she finished treating my wounds, she said guiltily, “It’s all my fault for not taking better care of you. You just got out of the hospital and you’re already injured. I’ll go make you some healing soup right away.” Shortly after she left, a dark shadow loomed over me. I looked up to meet Gabriel’s gloomy eyes. He stared at my eyes, lost in thought. After a while, he spoke, “Liam Anderson, you’re not really blind, are you?” I was momentarily stunned, instinctively looking at him again with a hint of confusion in my eyes. Gabriel let out a mocking laugh and explained, “Many of your reactions show that you can see. For example, when you received the fake watch, your eyes darkened. When you saw my name on the contract, a flash of hurt crossed your eyes. When the structure collapsed, you instinctively raised your hand to block it…” “You can’t fool me with these actions.” I couldn’t help but laugh bitterly. The truth was, I hadn’t really tried to pretend at all. Yet Chloe, who claimed to love me deeply every day, hadn’t noticed. Instead, it was Gabriel, who barely knew me, who first discovered the truth. I didn’t respond. But Gabriel continued to mutter to himself, his brow furrowed in confusion: “This doesn’t make sense. Chloe deliberately caused that car accident just to transplant your corneas to me.” “I really did regain my sight because of it, but how can you see too?” I was stunned, a chill running down my spine. No wonder… I remembered only suffering minor scrapes and then falling unconscious, with no injury to my eyes. How did I end up blind? It turned out that Chloe, the person I trusted most, had given my eyes to Gabriel without my knowledge. Even though my heart had long since grown numb, I couldn’t help but feel a sharp pain at this moment. All my genuine feelings had been misplaced after all. Gabriel didn’t let up, continuing to twist the knife: “Liam Anderson, since you can see everything, you must know that Chloe has always loved me.” “Don’t be fooled by her apparent devotion to you. It was all just to make me come back to her.” “Look, I just mentioned needing corneas, and she gave me yours.” “If you’re smart, you’ll get lost. A white swan like her is not for a toad like you.” He left with those harsh words, looking smug. What he didn’t know was that the voice recorder in my pocket was running, capturing every word he had just said. Time passed quickly, and fifteen days flew by in the blink of an eye. On the day of the wedding, many guests had arrived. Both my parents and Chloe’s had passed away, so the wedding was being hosted by her family elders. Chloe dragged me to the entrance to greet the guests. But all the arriving guests could clearly see that Chloe and Gabriel were wearing matching wedding dress and suit, while I was only in an ordinary suit. Those people’s contemptuous gazes swept over me, yet they spoke words of blessing: “Congratulations, wishing you a lifetime of happiness and many children.” Before I could respond, Gabriel, standing next to me, directly stepped forward to express gratitude: “Thank you, please come in.” The atmosphere froze for a moment. Chloe turned to glare at him, mouthing silently: “Gabriel Thompson, I already agreed to have a wedding with you first. If you dare to push your luck any further, get out right now.” Gabriel quickly begged for forgiveness, saying he had been foolish and wouldn’t do it again. However, he looked at me triumphantly, showing off Chloe’s indulgence towards him. I didn’t say a word. Chloe looked at me worriedly, thinking I wasn’t feeling well, and had someone help me upstairs to rest. I hadn’t been lying down for long when more festive music started playing outside. The nurse who was supposed to stay by my side had also run out to watch the excitement. I walked out of the room and stood by the window, looking down at the grand wedding below. The wedding venue was beautifully decorated, with flower girls scattering petals, welcoming the beautiful bride in white. A helicopter circled overhead, dropping a huge and eye-catching banner that caused a wave of cheers from below. The banner prominently displayed Chloe and Gabriel’s wedding photos, even their names were written on it. The officiant didn’t even need a microphone, just pointed to a giant screen to one side. Everyone looked in that direction to see a slideshow of their photos together, looking sweet and happy. After the photos finished playing, the wedding vows silently scrolled across the screen, following the wedding procedure. Chloe, with tears in her eyes, silently mouthed “I do.” She extended her hand, allowing Gabriel to slip the wedding ring onto her finger. The two shared a brief kiss. The guests below applauded enthusiastically, their faces beaming with joy, yet not a sound was uttered. Even though I had anticipated this, I couldn’t help but clench my fists. The woman who claimed to love me the most was marrying another man right before my eyes. As their ceremony concluded, Gabriel, still not satisfied, took the microphone and acted as the officiant. He spotted me watching from the window and smiled mischievously, shouting loudly: “And now, let’s welcome the groom!” At this moment, everyone suddenly looked up and realized that I had been witnessing the entire process. Chloe’s heart skipped a beat, but she quickly remembered that I supposedly couldn’t see. She breathed a sigh of relief and scolded, “Where is everyone? How could you let the groom stand alone by the window? It’s dangerous! Hurry up and help him!” The servants who had been watching the show all started moving towards me. But I, facing the gentle breeze, spread my arms and leapt from the ten-story high building, my head aimed directly at the ground.

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After my parents stripped me of the last cent I had, stolen in the name of buying my brother a house, and my boyfriend—no, the man I once thought would stand by me forever—betrayed me with an affair, I left everything behind. With nothing but the weight of my own despair, I found myself in Asheville, a city that promised nothing but the possibility of something new. This was where my journey began, and I swore to myself: I wouldn’t just survive. I would flourish. I never imagined that something like this would happen to me. In the living room, my parents sat solemnly in the main seats, my younger brother was sitting on the sofa beside them, his head lowered, silent. I stood alone in front of them, isolated and helpless. “Why…” I couldn’t believe these words were coming from my parents, who had loved me for 23 years. “No why,” my mother said impatiently. “Your brother is getting married, and we’re short on money for the house.” She sighed, clearly irritated. “It’s just $20,000. Why are you acting like we’re asking for your life?” “But Mom, I only have $20,000. I was saving this for my wedding with Lucas,” I explained, my voice shaking. “You only have $20,000 because you’re not making enough. It’s generous enough that we’re not asking for $50,000. After raising you all these years, you can’t even give us this $20,000?” she snapped. “But Mom, you know, Lucas and I are getting married next month. And my brother isn’t just short $20,000 for the down payment. He’s short $20,000 for the entire house!” My heart was breaking as I spoke. “Why can’t he just get a loan?” My mother’s voice was sharp, but I felt like my whole world was crumbling. I had once thought my parents really loved me. Even when they left me in the countryside with my grandmother until I was five and only brought me to the city once my brother was old enough for kindergarten, I had always believed they were just too busy to care for me. When my friends talked about their families’ favoritism towards boys, I would always insist that my family wasn’t like that. My brother was just an unexpected child, not something deliberately planned by my parents. I had been living in this lie for over twenty years. I looked at my parents in disbelief. My brother was getting married in a year, and my parents were already using all their savings to buy him a house in the best area of the city. They didn’t even want him to take out a loan. But I was getting married next month, and they hadn’t contributed a penny—now they wanted to take all my savings. Why was this happening? “Then you can just take out a loan,” my father said from the side. “What kind of nonsense is that? The woman shouldn’t pay for the house. Look at your brother. His wife isn’t contributing anything. You should talk to Lucas and tell him that we’re not contributing,” he added dismissively. It felt like my heart had been crushed by a weight I couldn’t describe. I couldn’t speak, couldn’t even breathe. “I’ll think about it,” I muttered, needing some time to process the blows. “No need to think. I’ve already taken the money out. I was just testing you. I didn’t expect you to be such an ungrateful child,” my mother said coldly. “What?”I was stunned. “What do you mean, ‘what’? I found your card at home, so I just took it out. The password has always been the same, hasn’t it?” my mother said dismissively. I felt like the world was crashing down around me. I rushed into the room, grabbed my bank card, and ran out of the house, barely putting on a jacket. I headed straight to the bank. When I saw that the balance was zero, I leaned against the ATM, slowly sliding to the floor. $20,000. To withdraw it all without alerting the bank would take at least four months. They had been planning this for a long time. Growing up, they always told me that we were a family, and in a family, there should be no secrets. That’s why everyone’s passwords were public. I never imagined they had been setting this up all along. I had always naively believed that all loving families were like that. I had never coveted their privacy or their money, so I never tried to use their passwords. But I never expected that one day, they would take everything I had. In a daze, I picked up my phone and shakily opened my Messenger app, typing in my father’s account number. Times had changed quickly, and they no longer used that app, so I assumed the password hadn’t been changed. A moment later, I saw the “incorrect password” error message and forced out a bitter smile. I tried my mother’s and brother’s accounts as well. None of them worked. It turned out that all these years, the only one whose password was public was me. Chapter 2 Knock knock knock. There was a knock at the door. I looked up and saw a tall, slender man standing outside. “Miss, are you okay? Do you need help?” The man appeared to be in his thirties, wearing casual athletic clothes, his posture tall and straight. I propped myself up and stood, reminding myself that this was a public place, and I shouldn’t delay the normal flow of things. I shook my head and said, “I’m fine, sorry to take up your time.” I turned to leave. A few seconds later, I heard the man calling from behind, “Miss, you dropped your card!” I waved my hand, not turning around. What use could he have for the card? To remind me that I’m a complete fool? To remind me that I’ve been living in lies all this time? I walked aimlessly down the street, surrounded by bustling crowds and the endless flow of cars, but I felt completely detached from it all. Just then, my phone vibrated. Since I started working, my phone had never been set to ringtone mode. The caller ID displayed “Manager Jason.” It might be the result of the year-end evaluations. I had worked diligently all year, taking no more than 30 days off, with countless overtime hours. Manager Jason had promised to help me apply for the year-end evaluation and possibly earn me a bonus. Considering my empty wallet now, any bonus would at least provide some comfort. I took a deep breath to steady myself and answered the call, “Hello, Manager Jason.” “Amelia, there’s something I need to tell you,” Manager Jason’s voice was calm, but I had a bad feeling. “What is it, Manager Jason?” I feigned calmness. “About the evaluation… you didn’t make it,” Manager Jason sighed. “The boss’s nephew got selected.” “Amelia, we can see your effort, but unfortunately, it didn’t work out this time. Keep at it, and next year’s evaluation will definitely be yours.” “Okay, Manager Jason. I’ll work hard,” I said, calmly hanging up the phone. What else could I say? Argue with Manager Jason? What difference would it make? It was just… a little sad. Family was a disappointment, and now work was a disappointment too. Thinking about how I’d have to go back to work tomorrow, I felt an overwhelming sense of frustration. I decided to indulge myself for a moment and pulled out my phone to send Manager Jason a message: “Manager Jason, I’ve finished all the work I had on hand. I’m thinking of taking my annual leave. Do you think that would be alright?” Within three minutes, Manager Jason replied: “Amelia, take a good rest. When you come back, we’ll get back to work. I have high hopes for you.” I gave a bitter smile and quickly submitted a leave request through the company system. Despite many overtime hours going unapproved, I found that I had 15 days of leave plus compensatory time off. I clicked submit without hesitation. Three minutes later, the notification popped up: Manager Jason had approved the request. For a moment, I wasn’t sure whether to feel happy or sad. Happy that I now had so many days off. Sad because it became clear that I wasn’t as indispensable as I thought. The reason I hadn’t taken leave earlier was because I had always believed that the company wouldn’t run without me. But now, I realized it didn’t really matter. I suddenly felt a pang of sympathy for the version of myself who had worked tirelessly. At that moment, I didn’t know yet that this wasn’t the worst of it. Chapter 3 I couldn’t go home, and I didn’t need to work overtime. For a moment, I didn’t know where to go. I checked the time—it was already six. Lucas should be off work by now, so I decided to pick him up. It used to be me working overtime while he waited for me downstairs at the office. This time, I had some free time, so I thought I’d surprise him and go pick him up. On the way, I stopped at a familiar flower shop and bought a bouquet. Romance knows no gender, right? While swiping my card, I pulled up the hidden messenger account linked to a bank card my family didn’t know about. Thanks to my best friend,Sarah, who dragged me five years ago to open a new bank account and repeatedly told me not to tell anyone about this card. She also made me set this card as the default for my bonuses and some freelance income. Over the years, this card had accumulated quite a sum. I was grateful to myself for not telling anyone about it. Otherwise, I’d probably be a truly pitiful person—disappointed in both family and work, with an empty wallet and no home to return to. Though things were still pretty bad now, at least I still had money. I carefully picked out the bouquet, then went to a nearby beauty store and spent some money getting my makeup done. Afterward, I took a taxi to Lucas’s office building. I had planned to surprise him, but what I didn’t expect was that I would be the one receiving the “surprise.” At 6:30, Lucas appeared downstairs from his office. I straightened my clothes, holding the flowers and preparing to give him the surprise. But just as I took a few steps, I saw a well-dressed woman running toward him, spinning around and throwing herself into his arms. The next moment, they kissed. The flowers fell from my hand, and I stood frozen in shock. Two blows in a single day were already too much. Who would have thought that fortune wouldn’t come in twos, but misfortune surely wouldn’t come alone? With trembling hands, I pulled out my phone and recorded a video. At least this way, I wouldn’t have to explain why the money for the house was gone. Now, work had failed me, family had failed me, and now love had failed me too. I couldn’t say I was heartbroken anymore. At this point, I felt numb. The things that used to support me seemed to have disappeared all at once. I once had a happy family, a stable relationship, and a promising job. But today… today, in less than a day—hell, not even twelve hours—I discovered that the once-happy family was a bubble, the seemingly stable love that was supposed to lead to marriage was already shattered, and what I thought was a promising job was just someone else dangling a carrot in front of me. Once, I was busy with work every day, then spent time after work on my relationship, and after that, I’d enjoy time with family. But now, I had nowhere to go, nothing to do. I found a McDonald’s and ordered a kids’ meal. While eating, I played with the toy that came with it, zoning out. After finishing the pitiful little burger and snack, I ordered another burger meal. I hadn’t eaten fried chicken in six months because I wanted to look good for the wedding. But now? Who cares. After eating the fries and licking my fingers, I checked for the next available flight to the city I’d wanted to visit for the past three years—Asheville. I didn’t need to pack anything. I’d buy whatever I needed when I got there. Though I didn’t have much money, I figured it would be enough to get me through the next few days. As for what would happen after that, I’d cross that bridge when I came to it. No use thinking too much about it. Once, I thought about marrying Lucas, about what kind of wedding dress I’d wear and what kind of celebration I’d have. But what was the point of preparing so much? Things that weren’t under my control never would be. Just then, Lucas’s call came through. Thinking about how he had just kissed another woman made me feel disgusted. I wanted to reject the call, but then I thought I should at least hear his explanation, so I answered it: “Hello?” Lucas’s voice was as deep and pleasant as always: “Amelia, what are you doing?” “I’m eating. I’ll be working overtime later. How about you? Have you eaten?” I don’t know if it was my imagination, but when I mentioned working overtime, I felt like Lucas breathed a sigh of relief. “I’m also working overtime. You should rest early tonight and not overwork yourself.” Hearing him say he was working overtime made me sneer internally. “Overtime, huh? You’re too busy kissing your new girlfriend.” After hanging up, I sent him the video I had just recorded and added a simple message: “Let’s break up.” Then, I blocked all his contact details. I didn’t care to go back and figure out when exactly he strayed. It didn’t matter. Just like why I didn’t get the year-end evaluation—none of that mattered now. All I wanted was to enjoy this rare moment of free time. After finishing everything, I let out a satisfied burp, handed the toy to a little kid who had been eyeing it, and left to catch a taxi to the airport. At least I had my ID with me. Chapter 4 By the time I arrived in Asheville, it was already midnight. Recently, it was peak tourist season, and all the nearby hotels were fully booked. After searching around, the only available option was a hostel, but it was just a spot in the common room for backpackers to sleep overnight. Well, I thought, I’ll just find a place to sleep for now and figure things out tomorrow. The hostel had self-check-in. I opened the door with the address and password from the booking message. It wasn’t very big—two floors. The upper floor had four rooms: two for men and two for women, with one room for six people. The lower floor had a common room and a few shared spaces like a kitchen. I entered the door and found the common room empty, though I could vaguely hear laughter and voices coming from upstairs. The sofa was big enough, and I was tired and had no luggage. So, I didn’t bother to freshen up and simply lay down on the couch, fully clothed, and fell asleep. Oddly enough, I often suffered from insomnia at home and would frequently have nightmares when I did sleep. But I never expected to sleep so well in this unfamiliar place on an unfamiliar bed. I slept soundly, and when I woke up, it was already 6 AM. The upstairs was quiet, likely because no one had gotten up yet. I couldn’t sleep anymore, so I got up and poured myself a glass of water. As I turned around, I noticed a man sitting at the dining table by the door. He looked familiar, but I couldn’t immediately place where I had seen him before. When he saw me looking at him, he smiled and greeted me. “Hello, I’m Nicola. I’m the owner of this place.” “Ah, hello, I’m Amelia,” I said, nodding. He looked gentle, and the early morning sun shining on his face made his features appear softer. “Hello, Amelia. You haven’t checked in yet, right?” “Yes, when I arrived yesterday, the customer service said I could stay for the night and check in when the staff came in.” Nicola smiled. “The volunteers went out to play and haven’t come back yet, and I’m still in City A, not back yet.” “I’ll help you check in now,” he said. I nodded. “Okay.” After completing the check-in, I poured myself a cup of hot water and sat on the sofa, looking around. I hadn’t paid attention the night before, being so tired that I just collapsed into bed. There were a lot of things around, though it wasn’t messy—just a cozy and functional setup. In the corner of the living room, there were several suitcases scattered about. The dining table was large with many power strips, all plugged in and filled to the brim. “Nicola, why did you decide to open a hostel?” I asked, feeling curious. There was nothing to do at the moment, and since Nicola seemed free too, I decided to strike up a casual conversation. “I went backpacking when I was in school more than ten years ago, and back then, I stayed in hostels. As I grew older, I thought it would be nice to run a place like that, where I could welcome people like the younger me. So when I had some extra money, I opened this one here,” Nicola explained. He handed me a cup of freshly ground coffee. “Just made it. Try it.” I took the cup. “Thank you.” The coffee smelled amazing, and there was a sun-shaped pattern in the foam. It was clear Nicola was attentive and romantic. “Did you go out on business yesterday?” I asked, recalling that Nicola had said he was still in City A the day before. I found it strange—while this was a hostel, with no staff around, it felt a little too casual. “You and the staff weren’t here. Isn’t that too risky? What if something happens?” I asked. Nicola suddenly laughed. “I was working yesterday. Today is my day off, so I flew here.” “Working?” I must have looked like a deer caught in headlights. “You were working?” “Yep, working,” Nicola said with a grin, his eyes narrowing into slits. “I have my own job. This place is mostly run by volunteers. They don’t get paid, just get free accommodation in exchange.” He really was a genius. I thought to myself, balancing a full-time job and running a hostel, with volunteers as staff. This truly seemed like a no-risk, high-reward business. “Aren’t you worried something might go wrong?” I asked, taking a sip of the coffee. “If something goes wrong, we’ll just solve it. But it usually doesn’t get too out of hand,” Nicola said, leaning back against the sofa. “I only take guests under 30 here. Most people of that age choose to stay in hostels for three reasons.” “First, students on backpacking trips during holidays—generally, they’re pure-hearted and have no ill intentions. Second, people who’ve started working—those who stay here usually don’t like the monotony of life and want to meet new people and experience new things. They tend not to cause any problems. Lastly, people who are struggling with work and can’t afford a nice hotel, so they stay here temporarily while looking for a job. These people usually don’t have bad intentions because they’re all in the same boat. Sure, there are some who might try to take advantage, but that’s rare. If it does happen and it’s not caught in time, we just have to accept it.” Nicola spoke quickly and without hesitation, then took another sip of coffee. “We have to believe that there are more good people in the world than bad,” he added. I found myself lost in thought. Are there more good people in the world? Then what about the people around me?

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