He sent me a photo of blooming hyacinths: “The flowers have bloomed. Waiting for you to come home.” White hyacinths symbolize unspoken love. My heart soared, thinking my secret crush was finally reciprocated. But then I saw him arm-in-arm with another woman: “Rose, meet your future sister-in-law.” My hopes were crushed. I could only force a smile and offer my congratulations, swallowing the bitterness. Later, on a snowy New Year’s Eve, he showed up with an armful of hyacinths, pleading: “Rose, come home with me? Let’s not be siblings anymore.” My husband raised an eyebrow and smirked: “We should visit home. After all, we should let your brother know we got married.” “Rose, meet your future sister-in-law.” Ivo introduced me to a stranger on his arm. I stared at him in disbelief, my heart clenching painfully. Just a week ago, he had sent me a photo of white hyacinths: “The flowers have bloomed. Waiting for you to come home.” Blooming hyacinths, a secret love revealed. I had rushed home, filled with joy and anticipation. But now he was engaged, about to start a family with someone else. After a long moment, I finally found my voice: “This is so sudden?” “Ivo proposed out of the blue, so we decided to combine it with his birthday celebration,” his fiancée said softly, blushing. The darkness in Ivo’s eyes churned before settling, and he forced a smile: “Yeah, you came back just in time.” Just in time? Not really. For this possible outcome, I had postponed all my work and endured dozens of hours of flights to rush back. Unfortunately, fate never favors me. Just when I think I’ve touched happiness, I’m knocked back to square one. I clutched the gift I had carefully prepared, feeling awkward and disappointed. “Are you Rose? You’re as sweet as Ivo described,” the future sister-in-law greeted me warmly. I managed to return a smile. If only she knew – I wasn’t sweet at all. I coveted my adopted brother, her soon-to-be husband.

Ivo had found me when the Winstons’ daughter went missing. Mrs. Winston fell into depression and chose me as her replacement daughter. They showered all their love on me, giving me a warm home. But that life of pampering was like a bubble floating in the air – seemingly beautiful, but fragile. At sixteen, Natalie returned in a disheveled state. Naturally, she took away all of our parents’ attention. I wasn’t kicked out for losing my value, but became an invisible fixture in the house. I was grateful for the Winstons’ kindness, but inevitably lost my sense of home. The returned Natalie vented all her negative emotions on me. Isolation, insults, and beatings left my skin bruised under my school uniform. I couldn’t tell anyone. I couldn’t be the ungrateful wretch who destroyed the Winstons’ happiness. Only my adopted brother Ivo didn’t neglect me because of Natalie. He would comfort me when I cried at night. He would also make sure to get me the same gifts as Natalie. When bullies cornered me and I hid away, he was the one who found me and said: “Rose, I’ll take you home.” Home. I wanted to have a home with him. In the confused, tender years of sixteen and seventeen, I fell hopelessly in love with him.

“You’re here.” He called out to me, standing tall and graceful, with a backdrop of blooming white hyacinths. I was momentarily dazed. Three years ago, I had gathered the courage to give Ivo a bouquet of white hyacinths. Because they symbolize secret love – the feelings I had for Ivo that I couldn’t express. He was shocked and refused the flowers at first, but just when I thought my crush was hopeless… A few days later, he personally planted white hyacinth bulbs in the garden. He patted my head, his eyes full of tenderness that made me melt: “They should bloom in about three years.” Three years was an ambiguous timeline. I would graduate, and he would take over the family business. It seemed we would have the freedom to choose our future. But now, the flowers had bloomed, and he was getting engaged. I was just his adopted sister, with no right or standing to question anything. But this garden full of blooming hyacinths made me unwilling to give up. I picked a few stems and held them out to him, using all my strength to speak: “Ivo, do you want these?” Do you want my heart? Do you still want to have a home with me? His eyes reddened, and he hesitantly raised his hand. His pale fingertips touched the petals, then paused. My heart was about to leap out of my throat, and my hand holding the flower stems went weak. “I’m sorry.” In the end, he spoke hoarsely, clenching his fist and slowly withdrawing his hand. My elated heart plummeted back into my chest. It took a long while before I could feel my numb limbs again. “It’s okay.” I pulled back the flowers and looked up with a faint smile. It was already good enough. Even without love, he had been the salvation of my troubled youth. One must be content, I told myself silently. His eyes were full of pity as he raised his hand to touch my face, wanting to comfort me as he had countless times before. I stepped back, my tone sincere: “Happy birthday, big brother. Congratulations on your engagement.”

I threw myself into work, actively avoiding everything related to the Winston family. But Natalie wouldn’t leave me alone, always snatching away my resources. Including this supporting role in a movie I was going for. My agent pulled some strings and brought me to a dinner party, hoping to get the contract signed. I don’t drink, so I just sat there silently as a prop. But I could feel several assistant directors eyeing me. “Natalie Winston wants this role too. We can’t afford to offend the Winston family.” I had never revealed my connection to the Winstons publicly. After all, I was just their adopted daughter. Better not cause them any trouble. My agent smiled apologetically as he refilled the glasses: “The role was decided by Director Yates. It’s just the contract…” But one assistant director pushed his glass towards me, his yellowed teeth showing: “The contract can be discussed. But first, a toast.” I looked at my agent’s flushed, alcohol-soaked face, then picked up the glass with a forced smile: “Cheers to you.” The alcohol was unexpectedly harsh and stimulating. It made me choke and tear up. Through my blurry vision, someone walked in. The room suddenly went quiet. The person sat down next to me. A cool, fresh scent wafted over, dispelling the nauseating smell of alcohol. I finally saw him clearly – chiseled features, handsome and cold. It was Jude Yates, the A-list actor turned director whose every film was a box office hit. Why was he here? And frowning, no less. He stared at the glass in my hand and spoke coolly: “You can drink that much?” I wasn’t sure what he meant, so I stayed silent. The assistant director eagerly refilled my glass: “Director Yates is here. Hurry and toast him.” My throat and stomach felt like they were on fire, but I still gritted my teeth to drink. Jude suddenly snatched my glass away. The cold liquid splashed on my face. Before I could react, his warm fingertips gently pressed against the corner of my mouth. My taut nerves snapped. I reflexively slapped his hand away hard. His fair hand immediately turned red. I froze in place. Everyone around gasped. Jude slowly flexed his fingers, then smiled for no apparent reason: “Rose Winston. Very good.”

My agent wailed as he pulled me aside: “How could you mess up so badly? You’ve lost the role for sure.” I didn’t want everyone’s hard work to go to waste because of my impulsive action. So I decided to find Jude and talk to him again. When I reached the private room, the assistant directors were suddenly bowing and apologizing to me before leaving awkwardly. Jude was leaning by the window smoking. He looked weary. Seeing me approach, he put out his cigarette. I bowed and apologized: “I’m sorry.” He turned around and studied me with his arms crossed for a while before speaking coolly: “Rose Winston, why did you come to a dinner party like this?” I fidgeted with my clothes, suddenly feeling lost and helpless. I couldn’t tell others about Natalie’s bullying. If I came to these parties as a Winston daughter, it would seem like I was debasing myself. His gaze seemed to pierce through me. I couldn’t help but tremble: “Because… the contract for this role hasn’t been signed yet.” If it wasn’t signed, it didn’t belong to me. And if it didn’t belong to me, I would lose it. He seemed to chuckle softly. He walked over, his tall figure looming over me. “How did the Winstons raise such a naive daughter? Natalie is much more cunning than you. The roles I decide on never change. They were trying to get something for nothing. No, more like trying to trap a stupid rabbit.” How did he know I was part of the Winston family? I stood frozen, looking at him in confusion: “Who are you?” He lost his smile, his eyes turning serious: “Rose Winston, why do you want to act in this film?” His sudden change of topic caught me off guard. The official answer slipped out: “Because everyone wants to be in your films. They make actors famous.” He smirked mockingly: “Then why should I cast you? Anyone would become famous.” I lowered my head, clutching my hands in embarrassment. He was right – I had never been special. Not in the Winston family, not in acting either. But even if I was ordinary, I still wanted to fight for myself. “Because I love acting. I…” A sudden wave of nausea cut me off. An annoyed “tch” came from across me, startling me again. But then a dark handkerchief was held out in front of me. “Why are you crying? I said the role was decided and wouldn’t change. You’re making it seem like I bullied you.” I looked up at him in surprise. He immediately turned his face away awkwardly. He shoved the handkerchief into my arms and walked past me. “Sign the contract tomorrow, crybaby.”

Jude was a strange person, but he was highly efficient. The contract was sent to the company quickly. Unexpectedly, Ivo, Natalie, and Jude were all there. Ivo placed a contract on the table, smiling gently: “Rose, Natalie wants to trade a luxury brand endorsement for Jude’s movie role.” He nodded to Jude: “Director Yates said to ask you first.” Jude sat with his long legs crossed, resting his chin on his hand as he studied me with interest. I didn’t understand why Jude would personally deliver the contract for a supporting role. I understood even less why Natalie would trade a luxury endorsement for a supporting role. She had never let me have anything good. “This endorsement would take your commercial value and fame to the next level,” Ivo said softly, handing me the pen. I chose to enter the entertainment industry to stand in the spotlight, hoping my birth parents would see me. Ivo knew this, and was now offering me the best choice. I should have no reason to refuse, but my heart felt heavy and stifled. I just couldn’t bring myself to sign. Suddenly, Natalie leaned in close. I instantly felt chills down my spine. She whined sweetly: “Sis, just give me that role, okay?” I had tasted the consequences of refusing her before. All the scars on my body seemed to ache faintly. I trembled, almost uncontrollably, instinctively following her wishes and picking up the pen. Agree with her, or it will hurt. “Thank y-” Suddenly, my shaking arm was gripped. Jude’s voice came from above: “Rose Winston, why are you shaking? What are you afraid of?” His tone was still cool and indifferent, but it instantly pulled me out of my painful memories. He looked down at me, pressing the film contract under my pen: “You said you love acting. As it happens, I never change my cast. Sign it.” Driven by his gaze, I clumsily signed my name. It wasn’t until Natalie glared at me viciously that I realized I had actually defied her. But it seemed… not so terrible after all. I was no longer the 17-year-old Rose.

Soon, filming for “The Woman in the Mist” began. My supporting role was a nightclub girl, the one who led the female lead down a path of degradation. The first scene was teaching the female lead about nightclub life, meant to crush her self-esteem. “Don’t act like some chaste virgin here. Make the most of your youth while you can.” I smiled and put my arm around the male supporting actor’s shoulder. He started to open my clothes. I froze, a chill running down my spine. After several NGs, the assistant director, angry but afraid to speak up, went to get Jude. I braced myself for a scolding, but Jude just watched the playback silently, then studied me intently. I shrank back, my voice hoarse: “It’s because I…” The makeup artist exclaimed softly: “Ms. Winston, what happened to your back…” Her voice was cut off by Jude’s actions. He pulled down the back of my clothes. I closed my eyes in shame. Jude would see the large patches of old, messy scars on my back. If I sweated, the smeared concealer would stick to my skin and undershirt like mud. Ugly. Hideous. “Like a centipede turning over in the dirt,” a director once said. My whole body went cold. “What is this, Rose Winston?” His shocked voice came from behind. As expected, not only was it unsightly, but I was causing trouble for the crew. I clutched my clothes, apologizing softly: “I’m sorry.” Curious gazes stabbed at me from all around. But the next second, my collar was neatly tucked back in place. His hand rested on the back of my neck for a few seconds. I could have sworn I felt his hand trembling. I wanted to turn and check. But he quickly let go of me, acting as if nothing had happened, and left with the makeup artist. The gazes focused on me soon dispersed. My limbs gradually warmed up as I stood there in a daze. When the makeup artist returned, she washed off the concealer on my back. The assistant director had me change my movements, and the scriptwriter altered the lines. I put my arm around the female lead’s shoulder and stripped off my own clothes: “Look at these scars from resisting as a ‘virtuous woman’.” “You gave in?” “No. When you see these scars, you know I’ve been hurt, but you also know I’ve healed.” As I finished the lines, tears unconsciously fell from my eyes. Scars weren’t just remnants of pain, but proof of healing. It was the first time someone had said that to me.

After much thought, I made some food to thank Jude and went to his room. To my surprise, he was standing right outside my door. He strode in with his long legs. He looked to be in a bad mood again, his handsome features clouded with gloom. At nearly 6’2″, he loomed over me intimidatingly. He wasn’t here to terminate my contract, was he? My heart tightened as I sat stiffly on the stool. He spoke in a low voice: “Who did it?” I was confused for a moment before realizing he meant the scars. I hugged the lunchbox, answering softly: “No one. I just fell by accident.” He gave a short laugh, his voice suddenly sharp, clearly holding back anger: “Falls can cause burn scars? Do you think I’m blind or stupid? Tell the truth!” I flinched, the scars on my back seeming to burn again. “Sis, your hair is so pretty. Did you use a curling iron? Like this?” Natalie’s voice echoed in my mind like a demon’s whisper, making me curl up in pain. I think I had cried for help, but those people came over and pinned down my hands and feet. “Please, let me go…” My ears were suddenly covered, blocking out all the voices in my head. I opened my tear-soaked eyes to see Jude’s handsome face inches from mine. I didn’t know when he had crouched down and covered my ears. Then he dropped a bombshell: “Was it Natalie?” I stared at him with wide eyes, too shocked to speak. “Is it so hard to guess? She’s competing with you for roles, and you’ve hidden your identity.” His eyes were deep and gloomy, clearly reflecting my panicked face. “And you tremble when you see her.” He seemed to see through my disguises so easily. All these years, I thought I had hidden it so well.

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The first week God let me reincarnate, I played cards with him for seven whole days. After deliberately losing the three-thousandth game to God, finally… he rewarded me with a magic potion. Not only did it allow me to successfully retain my memories from my previous life, but it also showed me that 18 years later, a girl would come crying to our door claiming she was my parents’ real daughter. No way! Was the life of a princess I had traded for with so many losses going to disappear just like that!? Dream on! I’ve seen plenty of baby swapping stories! What’s mine is mine, and no one can take it away! Before the gates of reincarnation, I played three thousand games of cards with God. For seven whole days, I played from dawn till dusk, losing all the merits and fortune I had accumulated in my previous life to him. Finally… the old man smiled with satisfaction and secretly slipped me a magic potion. I knew that reincarnation couldn’t be rushed. Look, this new life of supreme wealth and status was now in my hands! But just as I was smugly swallowing the potion, nodding my head in self-satisfaction, A vision of 18 years later appeared before my eyes: a girl crying at our door, claiming she was my parents’ real daughter. My heart skipped a beat. How could this be! How could this blessed life given by the Goddess of Fate be reversed? It was too late. With my first cry, when I opened my eyes again, I saw not my beautiful and wealthy parents, But a sneaky-looking woman. She swapped me with the baby in the basket next to me. Damn it! What’s going on! Doesn’t this mean I’ve just changed from an heiress to an ordinary person! After she left, the nurse came in for a routine check. I immediately started wailing at the top of my lungs. Nurse, help! I don’t want my life swapped! The nurse quickly noticed something was wrong with me and gently picked me up to comfort me: “What’s wrong, little one? Are you tired?” No! My whole life is about to be ruined! She gently patted my back and was about to put me back in the crib. I panicked even more. If I was put back, wouldn’t all these years of suffering be for nothing? At this critical moment, the head nurse pushed open the door: “What’s going on? I could hear this child crying from the hallway.” The moment she saw me, the experienced head nurse frowned slightly: “This isn’t right. This baby looks so thin, clearly not matching the weight noted above.” I immediately stopped crying and tried my best to nod, hoping she would understand. The two of them hurriedly reweighed me and the baby in the crib next to me. After confirming we had been swapped, the nurse’s legs went weak with fear: “Oh my God! Thank goodness you came in, sis. If this had slipped by, my career would have been over.” The head nurse sighed, also frightened in hindsight: “You need to be more careful. This baby is the heiress of Sullivan Group. If anything had happened, do you know how many people would be implicated? The hospital director might even be fired.” As the two whispered privately, the weight on my chest lifted. In this life, and even in my previous one, I had never cried so hard before. No one can steal my fortune. Returning home from the hospital, I looked at the spacious and luxurious penthouse in the heart of the city, prime real estate, and laughed heartily. Damn, it’s good to be rich! Grandpa named me Ariana Sullivan. I also have two older brothers. Alex, the eldest, is elite and handsome, steady and stylish. At a young age, he had already taken over the family business, doubling the company’s market value. An undisputed CEO, although cold to outsiders, he’s especially doting towards me, his little sister. Zachary, the second brother, is lively and cheerful, brimming with talent. When he grew up, he became a top celebrity, the kind whose smile could make fangirls scream. Although Zach seems carefree, he would cry for me, his little sister. Despite their contrasting personalities, they both adore me. They want to bring the best things in the world to me. From the moment I was born, they would play with me by my crib every day, even saving their pocket money to buy me snacks and toys. When I was bullied by boys in middle school, they found out in the morning and beat them up in the afternoon. Even the day before the SATs, the most crucial moment in life. Just because I threw up while eating, Zach snuck out of his film set to take me to the hospital, staying by my side all night without sleep. The next day, he went back to filming with dark circles under his eyes. I grew up day by day surrounded by love. Just when I hoped my life would continue to be so carefree… My 18th birthday nightmare still came. That day’s scene could be described as dazzling with wealth. At the party, Grandpa handed me the keys to the latest Rolls-Royce. Alex was even more generous, directly transferring the deed of the best located villa in the city to me. Saying it would be my foundation for standing firm in society from now on. Zach brought me a new Hermès bag personally designed by the designer for me. Mom and Dad shook their heads helplessly: “You’re going to spoil her rotten!” Alex stroked my head lovingly: “So what if we spoil her? We have the ability to protect Ariana and keep her safe for life.” The atmosphere reached a climax with this statement. I excitedly threw myself into Alex’s arms. Just as I was about to say something, the main door was suddenly kicked open by a plainly dressed girl. The luxurious birthday party venue was crowded with political and business elites she would never see in her lifetime. Those high and mighty figures were all smiling at that moment, surrounding me. The table in the center was piled with expensive gifts. Even the necklace around my neck was worth enough to buy a house. Jealousy was about to consume her. She looked at the lavish birthday scene with resentment and shouted: “I am the real Sullivan heiress! Ariana is just a fake!” Chloe Brown had finally come. On my 18th birthday. My grandpa, my mom, and my two brothers. Four pairs of eyes instantly shot at my dad from different directions: With just a few glances, my dad felt the threat as if a knife was at his throat, He hurriedly stepped back, so scared he started to stutter: “It’s not true! You all know my character best, even my assistant is male! How could I have an affair outside!” Of course I knew who this girl was. I had seen this scene before I was born. I secretly laughed inside. This old trick, I had seen it in my previous life. I suddenly pinched my thigh hard and started to put on a big show, tears instantly streaming down my face: “Dad, Mom, are you going to abandon Ariana… What did I do wrong for you to treat me like this…” Seeing me cry, Mom hurriedly came over to comfort me: “Don’t cry, baby! Mommy loves you the most. I’ll definitely find out who this woman is and won’t let you… Ah!!” Before she could finish speaking, Chloe suddenly went crazy and grabbed the red wine on the table, splashing it on my face. I turned my head to dodge, but the red wine still dripped down my hair onto my dress. Red stains appeared on the white skirt, along with a dampened mood. I sucked in a cold breath. Earlier was fake crying, now I was really angry. From the day I was born until now, I had never suffered such humiliation! My dad rushed over to check if I was hurt: “Ariana, are you okay? Does it hurt?” I shook my head without saying anything. My dad was furious and glared at Chloe fiercely: “Where did this crazy woman come from! I don’t know you at all! And there’s no way you’re my daughter! You’re so ill-mannered, barging in and hitting people! Is this how your family taught you!” Chloe was startled, biting her lip pitifully as she walked up trying to hold onto my dad’s arm: “That’s not true. Back then, the nurse at the hospital switched the babies. I’m your real daughter, Dad!” That “Dad” was loud and clear, giving my dad goosebumps. My mom rushed over to shield me behind her: “You think just saying so makes it true! You don’t have any proof, and moreover, you’re so rude. I couldn’t have given birth to a daughter like you!” My mom had also been pampered since childhood. Although her face was red with anger, She still wouldn’t use swear words. Alex also glared at her coldly. Just when the whole family was on guard to protect me in this heartwarming moment, I suddenly realized something was off. Where was Zach? So many years had passed since that incident back then, and things had been peaceful all these years. I thought I was safe long ago. But now I suddenly understood, this wouldn’t end so easily. The main door was pushed open again, but this time the one who came in was actually my second brother Zachary: “Mom, Dad, you’ve seen it too. Chloe is my real sister. We’ve already wronged her so much, we can’t keep going on like this without clarity!” I almost spat out my drink. It was actually Zach who was turned first?! Could it be… that he had something to do with Chloe’s sudden appearance? Seeing someone speak up for her, Chloe’s tears started falling. Completely different from her arrogant manner earlier, anyone who didn’t know better would think I had bullied her: “I’m sorry, Mom and Dad. I was too excited earlier. I’ve had such a hard life before, and finally found a warm family. I couldn’t control myself…” As she spoke, she kept looking up to observe Mom and Dad’s reactions. Mom frowned at Zachary: “Zach, what do you mean? You knew about all this already? Did you arrange for her to come make trouble today?” Zachary hesitated and said: “The first time I saw her, I realized this. She was wearing the necklace I gave to my sister. I wasn’t sure, so…” I remembered, during the time when our identities were switched, he had secretly come to see the two of us. He put a necklace around Chloe’s neck, never expecting it would become a weapon to identify me now. I was speechless, but Chloe thought I was speechless because I was guilty: “See! She has nothing to say! After occupying my position for so many years, it’s time to give it up!” Mom and Dad were probably encountering this kind of thing for the first time and didn’t know what to say. Zachary added fuel to the fire on the side: “Chloe has suffered so much. I can’t watch her not even be able to enter the family home. Let’s have her move in and live with us!” The corner of my mouth twitched. What was all this nonsense! It was still Alex who retained some rationality, rubbing his brow helplessly: “Alright, before things are clear, it would be embarrassing for people to see her move in. Don’t we still have a villa in the suburbs? Let her live there first. We’ll decide how to handle her after we investigate clearly.” But unexpectedly, Zachary still defended her: “But we’ve already wronged Chloe so much in the past. Wouldn’t it be bad if she’s seen living outside and people take photos?” Mom softened her heart and bit her lip: “Fine, fine. They’re both my children anyway. Let her stay. But one thing, Ariana can’t leave. She’s the daughter I’ve loved for so many years. I can’t bear for her to leave!” Originally this handling was already quite appropriate, but Zachary was still unsatisfied: “This fake has already had so many good years. It’s already a blessing for her!” I looked at him in surprise. This brother who had loved me for many years seemed to have become a different person. His eyes were full of disgust and dissatisfaction towards me. But none of this was my fault. When I was little, because I had memories from my previous life, I was much more mature than children of the same age. When Zachary was scolded by Mom and Dad, it was always me who rushed up to protect him. I never expected it would end up like this. Just as I was about to speak, Alex’s stern reprimand ended the topic: “Enough! She can move in, but Ariana absolutely cannot move out. She’s a girl, what if something happens!” Zachary had always been afraid of Alex since childhood, so he could only look at him unwillingly. Swallowing the rest of his words. The DNA test results would take a week. During this week, with Zachary’s help, Chloe not only moved into my home, But also transferred to our school with great fanfare. On her first day of school, news of my background quickly spread throughout the school. Everyone unanimously determined that I was an unwelcome fake heiress who would ultimately be kicked out. The final result was that a few girls who usually had the best relationship with me silently walked over to Chloe’s side. When they saw me, they even mocked: “Some people think occupying someone else’s identity makes them a real heiress. Now that they’ve been exposed, they’re still clinging to other people’s home and not leaving. I’ve never seen someone with such thick skin!” The person speaking used to always try to curry favor with me. But I saw that her character had major problems and was cold towards her. I never expected her to harbor such resentment. I directly retorted: “Oh my, even my parents aren’t sure which of us is real or fake. How do you know?” She blushed at my retort: “Your brother has admitted it! You’re still in denial!” Chloe felt proud that someone was standing up for her and raised her chin to look at me from the corner of her eye. Just as I was about to open my mouth to continue cursing, my best friend Lily suddenly appeared, holding my hand and calming me with her eyes. Her mouth directly cursed back: “If you’re uneducated, read more books, okay? Haven’t you heard of something called DNA testing? Before the results come out, she’s still the Sullivan heiress. Who are you to talk to her like this?” I looked at Lily gratefully. After this incident, I could see more clearly who were true friends and who were fake. I think our friendship will last a lifetime. After they were scolded away by us, I leaned on the railing and asked Lily: “Lily, if I’m really fake, will you look down on me?” Lily suddenly smiled: “My princess, even if you’re fake, I can support you! We’re best friends for life.” With her words, I felt much better in my heart. Before I could answer, She suddenly sighed: “But this Chloe really has some issues. Not only is she trying to steal your brothers, she’s not even sparing your fiancé.” The smile on my lips instantly froze. My fiancé. I was in such a hurry when reincarnating that I actually forgot about the marriage column. Yeah, Chloe was determined to make things difficult for me. How could she let the people around me go? It’s just that I’m not even familiar with my fiancé! We’re only together because of the so-called family engagement. Most importantly, when God showed me my life script before reincarnating, It only recorded that I would marry someone with “Yu” in their name, so when Mom proposed several matchmaking candidates, I chose Lucas Shaw without hesitation. Although we’ve rarely met over the years and don’t have much of a relationship, I always thought our relationship was stable! Did he betray me too? I was just about to ask for clarification when I saw Chloe holding Lucas Shaw’s hand, swaggering over: “No need to look anymore. We’re here.” I widened my eyes. The worst outcome had still appeared. “Why? Wasn’t I good to you?” I blurted out, looking at Lucas Shaw in shock. He didn’t seem to feel guilty at all and sneered: “To tell you the truth, I’ve had enough of you long ago. We’re engaged after all, right? You won’t even let me kiss you. What’s the point of being with you? Chloe is much more sensible. With me…” “Enough! Don’t say anymore!” Chloe hurriedly covered his mouth with her hand, her face still blushing suspiciously. I instantly understood everything. I didn’t expect she would go to such lengths to take my place! “Ariana Sullivan, do you see clearly now? Everyone around you likes me more. What reason do you have to stay here?” Her smile grew more and more arrogant. She really deserved a beating. My arm raised very honestly, about to land on her face. Suddenly Zachary’s excited voice came from behind: “It’s out! It’s out! The DNA report is out!” With this exclamation, everyone’s attention focused on him. I couldn’t help rushing forward and snatching the manila envelope from his hand, tearing open the outer covering in three quick moves. Originally, me being my parents’ biological daughter was a sure thing. Who knew that the document would clearly state That my genetic test with my parents didn’t match. I wasn’t their biological child at all! The document in my hand instantly fell to the ground. I instinctively took a step back: “Impossible! This is impossible!” In that moment, I even doubted myself. Were the memories I had been carrying all along fake! God, you lied to me! Chloe walked up smugly, picking up the document from the ground: “Do you see clearly now? I am the real Sullivan heiress. You’re just an impostor!”

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Liam Blackwood’s mother thought I wasn’t good enough for her precious son. She tried to bribe me with $7 million to leave him. My best friend Scarlett disagreed, “True love conquers all. Your pure love shouldn’t be tainted by money. If you take the money and run now, you’ll live with guilt towards Liam forever.” I foolishly believed her nonsense. I didn’t want the money; I just wanted Liam to treat me well. But later, I discovered Liam had been fooling around with Scarlett all along. In the end, I lost both love and money, and the stress even gave me breast cancer. Meanwhile, Scarlett turned around and accepted $14 million from Liam’s mother to cut ties with him. I found her at her luxury villa, kneeling and begging her to lend me money for surgery. She just threw a glass of red wine in my face. “You idiot! You’re so stupid it’s killing you! I stole your boyfriend, took the breakup fee that should have been yours, and now you think I’d help you? I can’t wait to get rid of you, let alone save you.” In the end, I died slowly from the disease. When I opened my eyes again, I was back at the moment Liam’s mother offered me $7 million to leave her precious son. I took off my Bluetooth earpiece, turned off my phone, and shook my head at Mrs. Blackwood, “I’m sorry, but I’m pregnant with Liam’s child.” “My son is the CEO of Blackwood Corp, voted the city’s most eligible bachelor. You’re a poor factory worker who didn’t even finish high school. You’re not a good match. Even if you stay together, it’ll end badly,” she said. “Why not listen to me? Take the money and leave Liam. It’s better for both of you.” The check fell lightly into my palm, feeling like it was crushing my skull. I sat up straight, holding the check with both hands, carefully examining the numbers. “You can’t take this money. If you do, it’ll create a crack in your relationship with Liam. You’ll never have a chance with him again.” “True love conquers all. Your pure feelings shouldn’t be tainted by money,” Scarlett’s voice kept coming through the earpiece, making my chest ache with anger. I simply took off the earpiece and turned off my phone. I sighed, pushed the check back to Mrs. Blackwood, and shook my head, “I’m afraid that won’t work, ma’am!” Her face darkened as she took back the check, “Ungrateful! You’ll regret this later.” I held down one corner of the check, looking at her meaningfully, “I’m pregnant with Liam’s child.” Her face instantly turned black. She gasped for air, thinking I wanted to use the child to marry into their wealthy family. “Ma’am, you know, an abortion is quite expensive, and it’s harmful to my body. As for my mental state—” “$14 million!” Mrs. Blackwood cut me off, seeing through my little scheme. “Deal!” I agreed readily, taking back the check from her hand. That’s more like it. Why give Scarlett 14 million and only offer me 7 million? We should be treated equally. I left the restaurant and went straight to the bank to transfer the money. When I have time, I’ll learn about investing to make plans for the future. All afternoon, my heart felt like fireworks were exploding inside, so excited I wanted to scream. I admit I’m materialistic, a woman who values wealth. On the cab ride home, the heater was cool, the driver was friendly, and my chest felt clear. In my previous life, I had told Scarlett about Mrs. Blackwood wanting to meet me, asking for her advice. She told me to wear an earpiece and follow her instructions. When I heard Mrs. Blackwood was offering $7 million for me to leave her son, Scarlett immediately exploded with anger and anxiety. “True love is tested by worldly pressures. Only after going through all hardships is it true love. Aria, this is all a test of your relationship.” “You can’t take this money. If you do, it’ll create a crack in your relationship with Liam. You’ll never have a chance with him again.” “True love conquers all. Your pure feelings shouldn’t be tainted by money.” “Have some backbone, don’t let people look down on you.” So I believed her and didn’t take the money. I just wanted Liam to be devoted to me. It wasn’t until Liam broke up with me that I realized I was just a replacement for his dead ex-girlfriend. Coincidentally, Scarlett also looked quite similar to me. So the two of them had been fooling around behind my back for a long time. He said, “You’re so boring and prudish. In bed, you can’t even compare to a single strand of Scarlett’s hair.” “I’m a CEO making millions. Every day I have to coax and beg just to get a kiss from you, wasting half my day.” “I’ve had enough. I don’t want to keep coaxing you anymore, and I don’t want to keep hiding with Scarlett. I want to give her a proper status.” In the end, I lost both love and money, and the stress even gave me breast cancer. Scarlett, who had initially advised me to stay pure, ended up accepting $14 million from Mrs. Blackwood as a breakup fee. She traveled the world and dated freely. I finally managed to find her when she returned to the country, at her luxury villa. But she just threw a glass of red wine in my face. She tapped my forehead with her finger, looking at me like I was a clown. “You idiot! You’re so stupid it’s killing you! I stole your boyfriend, took the breakup fee that should have been yours, and now you think I’d help you? I can’t wait to get rid of you, let alone save you. The sooner you die, the sooner you’ll be at peace.” Of course, I knew she had schemed against me. But I had no choice but to beg them. I had no parents and knew only them. In the end, I died slowly from the disease in a basement. Perhaps even the heavens couldn’t bear to watch my laughable and tragic life? Given another chance, I swore I wouldn’t make the same mistakes. The money is mine, and whoever wants the man can have him. I got out of the cab with a smile, immediately spotting Scarlett pacing anxiously at the entrance of our apartment complex. Seeing me, she ran over, her eyes fixed on the departing cab, “How could you afford a cab? It costs $30 from downtown to here. Don’t tell me you had no backbone and took the old lady’s money.” She was panting, looking utterly disappointed in me. I tried hard to suppress my smile, “No, I was just scared and wanted to get home quickly to see you.” Her expression improved a bit, and she linked arms with me affectionately. “Don’t think I’m nagging. There’s a difference between eating one meal and eating every meal.” “Now that you’ve got Liam, it’s like you’ve got the Blackwood family’s billions. How could you ever be poor again?” “Right now, you need to act high and mighty. Tell Liam, tell the Blackwoods, that you’re not after their money. You want Liam for who he is. Don’t let them look down on you.” “Otherwise, once you marry in, life won’t be easy. They’ll definitely treat you like dirt.” “So you must refuse all the bags and jewelry Liam gives you, understand?” … Scarlett chattered on and on as we walked. I suddenly stopped, pulling away from her, “Scarlett, stop saying these things.” She froze, looking at me helplessly, her lips moving but no sound coming out. “My relationship with Liam is pure, sacred and inviolable. I won’t let you talk about it like this.” Hearing this, she smiled, “That’s what I mean. I’m glad you understand.” “Scarlett!” I stared into her eyes, “Why didn’t you come back from the bathroom at yesterday’s banquet? And you didn’t even come home last night.” Her face instantly turned pale, her expression frozen, “I… I drank too much, so I slept at a hotel.” “Oh, did you see Liam? You two left one after another. He said he had company business, but what business could there be in the middle of the night?” She licked her lips, touching her nose, “Maybe it was foreign clients? You know his business is international.” I smiled, “You’re right!” She took out her keys and ran off, saying she’d go open the door. But I saw her patting her chest in relief as she ran. Well, well. So they were already fooling around at this point. I was such an idiot in my previous life, not suspecting anything at all. Feeling a bit angry, to prevent getting breast cancer, I took out my phone and opened my chat with Liam. I accepted his $14,000 transfer from yesterday. Then I sent, “I’ve picked out my birthday gift. How about that limited edition pink Maserati?” He replied instantly, “You… have a driver’s license?” Whether I have a license or not doesn’t matter. What matters is that it’s valuable and will hold its value. And it’ll make me feel better. “Liam, how can you talk like that? Not very CEO-like at all. When I say I want something, you should just give it to me. Why ask so many questions? Are you stalling because you have someone else outside?” The screen showed “typing” for a while before his message came through. “I’m sorry, I was wrong. But I swear there’s only you.” Yeah, right. Who knows how many mementos of his dead ex he’s collected behind my back. This time around, I only want money. Whoever wants the love can have it. On my birthday, Liam rented out the most luxurious hotel in the city and invited all his friends. Scarlett arrived fashionably late. She wore a tight-fitting evening gown that showed off her curves beautifully. The emerald necklace around her neck was dazzling. I’d seen a celebrity wear this necklace set before. It was said to be worth over $40 million. The night the celebrity wore it, it was bought by a mysterious tycoon. So that mysterious tycoon was Liam, huh? I held my head and smiled bitterly. They were so blatant last time, and I didn’t suspect a thing. I really was clueless. Scarlett stood timidly at the door, her watery eyes looking at me. Waiting for me to invite her to sit in the empty seat next to Liam. I suddenly dropped my smile and threw down the Maserati keys. “Liam, you’ve really disappointed me.” Seeing his confused face, I continued, “Scarlett, a waitress making 2,000 a month,is wearing a limiteded edition gown and a nemerald necklace worth 40 million. “Look at me, I don’t have a single expensive thing on. Does this make sense? And for my birthday gift, you only gave me a $600,000 Maserati. Are you trying to mistreat me?” Everyone around covered their mouths, trying not to laugh out loud. Liam’s face turned pale. He was very embarrassed. “Didn’t you say not to give you expensive gifts? That you wanted to have an equal relationship with me?” “It was Scarlett who told me not to accept money from men, so I wouldn’t be looked down on. She said to have some backbone.” I frowned and walked towards the flustered Scarlett, “Right, so where did all this come from? Did you win the lottery?” Scarlett’s lips were pressed white. Her gaze passed over me to look at Liam behind me, on the verge of tears. Liam pulled me back, whispering in my ear, “They might be fake. Don’t push her. Can’t you see she’s about to cry? Aren’t you two best friends?” “Fake!” I deliberately raised my voice, “Don’t insult her. I knew her before all these rumors. She’s too proud to buy fakes. Right, Scarlett?” Meeting my gaze, Scarlett burst into tears, her makeup ruined. Surrounded by everyone’s speculative looks, she was extremely embarrassed. “They’re fake, I admit they’re fake! I just didn’t want to be looked down on by you all. I didn’t want to seem too shabby. What’s wrong with that? You were born with silver spoons and don’t understand me, fine!” She looked at me with teary eyes, “What about you? We’re the same kind of people. Don’t you understand me? Or are you doing this on purpose, wanting to see me humiliated?” I swirled my wine glass, “Who’s the same as you? Can you find a boyfriend as handsome and rich as Liam? You’re so ugly, no one wants you!” My expression turned cold, and I poured the whole glass of red wine on her white dress. “Yes, I did it on purpose. I just can’t stand your self-righteousness.” “You say the necklace is fake, fine. I’ll transfer you $14,000 to keep the necklace. Otherwise, it’s real, and I’ll investigate who gave it to you.” Scarlett’s knuckles turned white as she angrily took off the necklace and turned to leave. “Wait, what about the ring and earrings? They’re a set.” Scarlett cried as she took them off. I felt bad watching, let alone Liam. Sitting back down, he asked me quietly, “You’re usually so good-tempered. Why are you so angry at her today?” “I feel like she’s being someone’s mistress. I can’t let her keep making mistakes, you know?” Seeing my good intentions, Liam patted my shoulder, “You’ve worked hard! I’m going to the bathroom first.” Watching him walk away, I smiled. The fish had finally taken the bait. After some small talk, I also excused myself. Hiding in the stairwell, I opened my phone. On the screen, Liam had Scarlett pinned against the bathroom wall. One hand controlled both her hands, while the other roamed her body. His mouth kept kissing away her tears. “Look how busy he is,” I couldn’t help but comment. Scarlett pushed his hand away and questioned, “Who’s prettier, me or her? Do you like her more or me?” “You’re prettier. I only like you, baby,” Liam said without missing a beat. “She won’t let me touch her. How can she compare to your passion? Don’t worry, I’ll definitely take responsibility for you after I touch you.” “I’m waiting for a chance to break up with her and make things official with you.” Scarlett was coaxed from tears to smiles. “Heh, that’s men for you. They’ll say anything to anyone.” Before I could finish speaking, intimate sounds came from the phone. My cheeks flushed red, and I suddenly stood up. My hand shook, and the phone fell to the ground. I bent down to pick it up, but a large hand beat me to it. The man’s gaze fell on the screen, the corner of his mouth curling into an intriguing smile. I remembered him. Earlier in the private room, his burning gaze had almost burned a hole through me. It’s normal for rich second-generation guys like Liam to have some shady friends, so I didn’t think much of it. I didn’t expect him to follow me. I stood on tiptoe, trying to snatch the phone from his hand, but he took the opportunity to press me against the railing. Surrounded by the unfamiliar scent of the man, with intimate sounds lingering in the air, my face instantly burned hot. Suddenly, the phone rang. The man glanced at it and answered, putting it to my ear. “I have an urgent matter at the company. You guys keep having fun. I’ll have the driver take you home when you’re done.” “Oh~——” I hurriedly covered my mouth, glaring fiercely at the man in front of me. He had taken advantage of my distraction to lift my shirt at the waist, and his palm landed on my skin.

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I never thought my step-sisters would lock me in a tiny, airless storage room after Tyler falsely accused me of making him have an allergic reaction. They even chained the door shut. I pounded desperately on the door, begging my sisters to let me out. Maeve, the eldest and a successful businesswoman, coldly berated me before leaving: “It’s bad enough you’ve been bullying Tyler, but to deliberately give him food he’s allergic to? You could have killed him! You need to stay in there and think about what you’ve done.” Amelia, an up-and-coming singer, and Eloise, a talented artist, chimed in: “How can you be so cruel? Stop trying to play the victim – you deserve this punishment!” With that, they left to rush Tyler to the hospital, his body shaking in their arms. As the oxygen slowly depleted, each breath became more difficult. I died alone in that storage room, suffocating in the dark. Three days later, when my sisters finally returned home with Tyler and remembered me, I was already long dead.

I died from lack of oxygen in that storage room. When I regained consciousness, I found my spirit hovering near my three step-sisters. They had just returned to the mansion with Tyler. Maeve and Amelia were fussing over him: “Thank goodness we got you to the hospital in time. You’re recovering so quickly!” Eloise added solicitously: “The doctor said you’re still weak and need to build up your strength.” She heaped more food onto Tyler’s plate. A housekeeper hesitantly spoke up: “Miss, the young master hasn’t made a sound in the storage room for three days now…” Maeve snapped: “Today is about Tyler coming home from the hospital. Don’t bring up that troublemaker.” The housekeeper tried to continue, but was silenced by Amelia and Eloise’s icy glares. “That brat must have known about Tyler’s allergy and deliberately cooked with seafood,” Amelia fumed. “And here I thought he was finally starting to accept Tyler. It was all premeditated!” Eloise added. Tyler put on a frightened expression and said timidly: “Big brother’s been punished because of me for so many days. Won’t he be angry when he comes out?” Maeve’s face hardened. “Don’t worry, Tyler. We’ve been too lenient with him. This punishment will teach him not to bully you anymore.” She pulled out her phone, refreshing our chat history. I hadn’t sent a single message or called in three days. Maeve grew even angrier. “That ungrateful brat hasn’t even bothered to check on Tyler after all this time!” Tyler grasped Maeve’s hand, his voice trembling: “I don’t want to cause trouble between you and big brother. I just wanted to spend time with you all, not take anything away from him.” Maeve stroked Tyler’s head tenderly. “You’re so kind, Tyler. Unlike that ungrateful boy – he’s nothing but trouble.” Amelia’s eyes flashed coldly as she thought of me: “Imagine hurting family just for attention. How despicable!” Eloise nodded in agreement. “Unless he’s ready to kneel and beg Tyler’s forgiveness, I say we kick him out for good!” I stood there listening, feeling nothing but bitter amusement. My sisters couldn’t see or sense my spirit at all. After our parents died when I was young, my three step-sisters had devoted themselves to raising me. One day I mentioned wanting a friend my own age, so they adopted Tyler from an orphanage. I welcomed Tyler with open arms, but he constantly manipulated my sisters against me, making them grow more distant by the day. This time was no different. They locked me in that storage room without a second thought. I struggled and gasped as the air grew thinner. I pounded on the door, pleading for them to let me out. But my sisters were unmoved. They berated me: “Stop yelling! This is your own fault. Tyler wouldn’t be suffering if it wasn’t for you!” “We’ve clearly been too soft on you. Stay in there and think about what you’ve done!” Amelia even wrapped chains around the door. Eloise piled heavy objects in front to block any chance of escape. Now, watching Tyler’s fake smiles, I felt a surge of bitter disappointment. Sisters, the brother who loved you most in this world is dead – killed by your own hands!

Tyler tugged on Maeve’s sleeve, his voice wavering: “Don’t be angry anymore. It’s my fault for having allergies. I’m sure big brother didn’t mean it. Please don’t blame him!” Maeve’s expression instantly hardened. “That brat! We’ve spoiled him too much, letting him develop such an arrogant personality.” Amelia’s eyes flashed with anger: “He’s gotten more and more spiteful as he’s grown up. Tyler wouldn’t be in this state if it wasn’t for him!” Tyler deliberately exposed his arms, still slightly red from the allergic reaction, to the sisters. Eloise gently stroked the fading rash. “Does it still hurt, Tyler?” Tyler hung his head, his voice trembling as if about to cry: “It doesn’t hurt… really…” Amelia’s temper flared. “If we’d been even a little later getting to the hospital, it could have been life-threatening! And he hasn’t even sent a single message to check on Tyler. He clearly doesn’t regret his actions at all!” Maeve fumed: “Go drag that brat out here to apologize! I refuse to believe he’s so stubborn he won’t admit his mistake!” Amelia and Eloise chimed in angrily: “He only acts tough because he has our support. Now that he’s done something wrong, he needs to face the consequences!” They turned to the housekeeper, faces livid: “What are you waiting for? Go bring that ungrateful boy here! And bring our riding crops – if Wesley hadn’t deliberately used seafood, Tyler wouldn’t have suffered in the hospital for three days!” “It’s time we taught him a proper lesson about family values!” The housekeeper had no choice but to hurry off. I let out a bitter laugh. My sisters hadn’t even bothered to investigate before jumping to conclusions about my guilt. Three days ago, Tyler had asked for soup. Wanting to please him, I’d volunteered to make it. He’d even given me a small packet of seasoning, saying he wanted that flavor. I tasted it – just simple seafood stock. Who could have guessed it was the source of his allergies? Wasn’t Maeve supposed to be a brilliant businesswoman? How could she not see through such an obvious ploy for attention? If this wasn’t favoritism, what was? In my sisters’ hearts, I would never be as important as Tyler. I felt a wave of despair. But it didn’t matter anymore. I was already dead in that storage room. My sisters could give Tyler all their love now. “Miss, we’ve been calling for the young master, but there’s no response at all.” “We can’t hear any breathing from inside!” Maeve’s brow furrowed as she stood up abruptly, her face cold with anger: “What game is he playing now? Does he think it’s beneath him to apologize to Tyler?” “Doesn’t he understand he nearly killed you this time?!” Tyler tugged at Maeve’s sleeve again, his voice mournful: “It’s okay, I’m just an orphan. I don’t deserve an apology from big brother.” That was the last straw for Maeve. Her fury exploded: “Using such a cheap tactic for attention – does he really think I can’t see through it?” “He’s dreaming if he thinks playing mute will get him out of this! Clearly my punishment was too light!” “Let’s go drag him out. I’d like to see how he tries to avoid this! He WILL kneel and apologize to Tyler!”

I found myself following my sisters, my heart growing heavier with each step. Fueled by anger, the three sisters soon arrived at the storage room door. “Wesley, hiding in there silently won’t let you escape punishment!” Maeve called out. But there was no sound from inside the room. Amelia’s face darkened further. “Wesley, what are you playing at? Get out here and apologize to Tyler on your knees!” “Don’t think you can avoid the consequences of hurting Tyler by hiding in there, turning off your phone, and ignoring us!” Eloise’s eyes blazed with fury as she shouted: “Wesley, you’ve really gone too far! You just can’t stand us being kind to Tyler, can you? Is this silent treatment supposed to guilt us into backing down?” “Do you really think hiding in there and refusing to speak will make us give in?” The storage room remained silent. Maeve turned to the trembling housekeepers, her voice cold: “What are you all shaking for? Tell the truth – did that brat bribe you to let him out secretly?” Amelia snorted: “With his nasty personality, he probably couldn’t stand being in there and got the staff to let him out as soon as we left.” Eloise’s eyes filled with disappointment: “You can’t even face the consequences of nearly killing Tyler? Is this really the brother I thought I knew?” “Does he think we only have him for a brother?” A housekeeper finally stammered out: “Miss, we wouldn’t dare let him out without your permission!” “The young master has truly been in there for three whole days now.” Maeve stared at the still-quiet storage room, a flicker of unease crossing her face. She stepped forward and yanked hard on the door several times, but it wouldn’t budge. “Wesley, this is ridiculous! I’ve unlocked it, why are you still holding the door shut? Stop this nonsense!” I looked at the warped door, remembering how I’d frantically tried to force it open while suffocating, desperate to survive. But the door had been too solid – not even a crack appeared. I could only die, gasping for air. Sisters, when you see my body, will you finally show me even a scrap of love? Will you at least bury me next to our parents? Maeve grew increasingly agitated. She started kicking the door violently. The warped door cracked open slightly, releasing a foul stench. A housekeeper trembled as she spoke: “It smells like… a corpse!” The other two sisters stormed over, faces twisted with rage. “What corpse smell? He clearly escaped ages ago and just tossed a dead rat in there to trick us!” “Wesley, do you really think we’re that gullible?” All three sisters began furiously kicking the door. With a final crash, it flew open, releasing an even stronger wave of putrid air. The dark, cramped storage room was exposed to everyone’s view.

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My fiancée Rosalie, the CEO, told me the company wasn’t doing well and cut my salary in half. But then I saw her assistant Tyler bragging on Instagram. “The boss not only gave me a raise but also bought me a luxury car because she was worried I’d be tired from work. She’s so thoughtful!” In the photo, he and my fiancée were standing in front of a newly purchased million-dollar luxury car, looking blissfully happy. I pondered for two seconds, then hit the like button. That evening, Rosalie called an emergency meeting. Using the excuse that I was disrupting the company’s atmosphere, she withheld my entire month’s salary and gave it to her assistant as compensation for emotional distress. Everyone looked at me sympathetically, thinking I would go crazy and make a scene. But I just calmly packed up my things from my desk and handed my resignation letter to her. “Docking my salary isn’t enough for bullying a colleague? I’ll resign voluntarily.” As soon as I finished speaking, Rosalie’s assistant Tyler quickly chimed in. “Felix, how can you resign over such a small matter?” “You’ve been with the company for so long, and Rosalie has always been so good to you. If you resign at this critical moment, how will everyone view Rosalie?” “Rosalie, please come and talk Felix out of it!” Rosalie might have wanted to persuade me earlier. But after hearing Tyler’s words, her anger grew. She snorted coldly: “Why should I persuade him? If he wants to leave, let him leave. I have nothing to hide, I’m not afraid of what anyone might say.” Then, without hesitation, she signed my resignation letter and threw it in my face. The onlooking colleagues were dumbfounded. A colleague who was close to me quickly whispered, urging me to apologize and not to act on impulse. Almost everyone present knew that I had helped Rosalie build this company from scratch. When the company was short on money, I worked tirelessly to secure investments. When projects couldn’t be completed, I led the team in pulling all-nighters to get the work done. I had poured countless hours and emotions into every aspect of the business. Now that the company had completed its financing and was about to go public, anyone in their right mind wouldn’t leave at this time. But I remained calm, picking up the resignation letter from the ground. “I’ll leave after I finish handing over my work.” “No need for a handover, just get out now,” Rosalie said coldly, pointing at the door. Seeing this, I said nothing more. After saying goodbye to a few people, I picked up my things and left. Before I left, I looked back at Rosalie one last time. I clearly saw a flash of complexity in her cold, calm eyes. Of course, I knew why. She didn’t think I would leave. We had fallen out before, but after leaving for a short while, I would always regret it and go back to her as if nothing had happened, apologizing and continuing to work as usual. But perhaps she didn’t know that this time was different from before. My patience with her had finally run out. I walked to the parking garage. I found my old car that I had been driving for ten years, with several patches of paint worn off. Next to it was parked a brand new top-of-the-line Porsche, the one Rosalie had just given to Tyler today. There were many empty spaces in the garage, yet he chose to park right here. I understood. This was his way of taunting me. These weren’t just two cars; they were more like the two of us. I had been with Rosalie for ten years, yet I wasn’t as valued as Tyler who had only joined ten months ago. I laughed self-mockingly and got into my car. Just then, a text message came through. I opened it to see a transfer from my friend. This morning when Rosalie said the company wasn’t doing well and wanted to cut my salary, I was worried she was under too much pressure. I immediately contacted a friend and borrowed fifty thousand dollars. I had originally planned to give it to her, but then I inadvertently saw Tyler’s Instagram post about Rosalie buying him a new car. At that moment, I was surprisingly calm, feeling neither sad nor jealous to the point of madness. Perhaps it was because it had happened too many times. Tyler had been recruited into the company by Rosalie as an exception. His work ability was a complete mess, but Rosalie, who had always been serious and meticulous about work, could tolerate his mistakes time and time again. From small things like serving plain water to clients during meetings while getting milk tea for herself, to big mistakes like sending the bottom-line price list to partners instead of the quote list, causing the company to lose hundreds of thousands of dollars. When I questioned Tyler about these issues, Rosalie would unhesitatingly stand in front of him to protect him. She would look at me with impatience. “Tyler just graduated, isn’t it normal to make some mistakes? Why are you being so harsh on a newcomer?” Over time, Tyler became increasingly arrogant, to the point where he didn’t take me seriously at all. Soon after, I left the parking garage. As I was waiting for the barrier to rise, my car suddenly jolted. Realizing I had been rear-ended, I got out of the car, only to see Rosalie and Tyler getting out of the car behind, hand in hand. “I’m so sorry… Oh, Felix, it’s you?” Tyler immediately walked up, looking distressed at his dented car front. “But why did you brake so suddenly? I didn’t have time to react.” “What a shame, Rosalie just gave me this new car,” he added. Rosalie also looked at me with a gloomy face and said coldly, “Did you do this on purpose? Did you know Tyler was behind you and deliberately brake to get revenge?” I almost laughed at her accusation. It was always like this. She would push all the blame onto me without distinguishing right from wrong. Before I could say anything, Tyler’s eyes slowly turned red. “Rosalie, don’t blame Felix,” he said. “Felix just resigned because of me, it’s normal for him to be angry with me.” “After all, it’s all my fault.” As he spoke, he clenched his fist and hit his forehead hard, as if in frustration. But just before his fist touched his forehead, he deliberately loosened his grip. Rosalie couldn’t see through this act. Her eyes filled with concern as she gently rubbed his forehead, saying lovingly, “It has nothing to do with you. Don’t take everything on yourself.” After saying this, she glared at me angrily. Seeming to get more upset the more she thought about it, she poked my forehead hard. “Felix, can’t you learn from Tyler and take some responsibility?” “He knows how to be humble. You’ve been working for so many years, why are you still so childish and arrogant?” I stumbled back a couple of steps from her push. After regaining my balance, I found it somewhat amusing. Over the past year, it had been Tyler constantly stealing my achievements and scheming to pin blame on me. Now suddenly he was humble and responsible, while I was childish and arrogant. Knowing that talking further would be a waste of breath, I couldn’t be bothered to say anything more. I turned around, preparing to leave. “Wait a moment,” Rosalie suddenly stopped me. I thought she was going to scold me again and defend Tyler, but to my surprise, she pulled me aside. She spoke earnestly. “Felix, I admit my attitude towards you today was indeed too harsh.” “But it’s because I have high expectations for you, that’s why I’m so strict with you.” Hearing her gentle words, I was still a bit confused. However, I soon understood her intentions. Rosalie smiled lightly at me and patted my shoulder. “I’ll withdraw your resignation letter. Just come to work as usual, but find a time to apologize to Tyler in front of everyone.” “Also, you’re fully responsible for this rear-end collision. I’ll deduct the compensation from your salary later.” I realized what was happening. I let out a sneer and looked up at Tyler. He had probably already known what Rosalie was going to say. His face was full of smugness as he winked at me provocatively. I sneered again. “No need.” “As for who’s responsible for the rear-end collision, we can check the surveillance footage. If that’s not enough, you can call the police.” “I have things to do, I’m leaving now.” With that, I left directly. Rosalie was fuming behind me: “I’ve already given you a chance, don’t regret it!” Regret? I won’t regret it. I got back in my car and sent a message to my friend. “I’ve resigned. I can start working at your company tomorrow.” My friend called back in less than half a second, his tone excited: “Are you serious?” He sounded a bit unsure: “Do you want to discuss it with Rosalie again?” My friend and Rosalie had started their businesses around the same time. Compared to Rosalie who started from scratch, my friend had more resources and could offer more attractive benefits. My friend was in desperate need of excellent technical talent, so he promised me higher shares and profits to get me to help them out. He even made an exception and offered to let me work part-time after learning about my relationship with Rosalie. But for Rosalie’s sake, I had refused without hesitation. When I was at my lowest point, lying in the snow almost freezing to death, it was Rosalie who dragged me into a police station and saved my life. I was very grateful to her, so I gave up everything and devoted myself wholeheartedly to the business, doing everything I could to help Rosalie’s company grow step by step. But now it seemed that she didn’t care at all. Moreover, after so many years, I had more than repaid her kindness. I didn’t need to keep compromising myself anymore. “No need, I can make my own decisions,” I replied. After chatting with my friend for a bit more and confirming the time to sign the contract, I drove home first to get the documents needed for signing. I thought Rosalie wouldn’t be back until late at night as usual. But to my surprise, she walked into the living room not long after, talking happily on the phone with Tyler. Seeing me, her face immediately darkened. She deliberately rolled her eyes at me before pushing open the bedroom door. I knew she was waiting for me to coax her. Every time we had an unpleasant encounter at the company, I would always find ways to apologize to her and beg for her forgiveness. Even when she was the one at fault, I would still have to swallow my pride and admit I was wrong. Before, I thought I should do this, whether it was to repay her kindness or to maintain our relationship, I should pamper her. But now I just found it boring. I focused on looking for things in the drawer. After a while, she came out of the room with a gloomy face. “Has Tyler’s car been fixed? Have you fixed your car?” she asked. I knew this was her signal of giving me a chance to make up. In the past, I would have thought she had forgiven me and would have rushed to please her. But now, I didn’t even look up as I replied indifferently, “It’s just an old car, not worth fixing.” Rosalie frowned. “What do you mean by that?” I looked up at her in confusion, not understanding what she was unsatisfied with now. This car had been scratched many times before. When I said I wanted to fix it, she would say the same thing I just said. I thought she was going to get angry again, but to my surprise, she let out a sigh. “Tyler has indeed been doing well at work lately, so I gave him a car to keep him motivated.” “You’re my boyfriend, and when we get married, won’t the company be yours too? Why do you have to be so calculative about salary with him?” “Felix, everything I do is for the company. I don’t want other colleagues to think I’m favoring you.” Realizing she was actually trying to explain to me, I was a bit surprised. She had never bothered to explain these things to me before. But I knew clearly that these were just excuses. In the company, all the colleagues knew how Rosalie treated me and Tyler differently. Projects that I had worked on for three days straight, she would suddenly hand over to Tyler on a whim. He would just make a PowerPoint presentation, and it would become Tyler’s achievement. Clients that I had negotiated with for days and were about to sign contracts, she would take Tyler to have one meal with them under my name, and the contracts would become Tyler’s accomplishment. There were countless such incidents. Over time, other colleagues only felt that Rosalie favored Tyler more. Some even thought Rosalie didn’t like me, and because of this, I endured quite a bit of side-eye and bullying in the company. She saw it but pretended not to notice. I didn’t want to explain. Anyway, even if I did, she would say I was making excuses. “Oh,” I responded indifferently. “You don’t need to tell me these things. I have nothing to do with the company anymore. Do whatever you think is best.” Rosalie didn’t say anything. Finally, she let out a sigh. She walked up to me, stood on her tiptoes, and wrapped her arms around my neck, her breath warm against my skin. “Actually, I have my own selfish reasons. I want you to take a break for a while and think about our wedding.” “When are you planning to propose to me?” she asked with a coy smile. But I had already proposed many times before, and each time, she had rejected me. Every time we had a fight, she would use marriage to coax me. Sometimes, I felt like I wasn’t her boyfriend, but more like a dog she was toying with. I didn’t say anything. Rosalie then scratched under my chin like she was teasing a dog. “Don’t be angry anymore, can you smile for me?” she said. As she spoke, she deliberately kissed my Adam’s apple, as if trying to please me. She rarely took the initiative to be intimate with me. In the past, I would probably have been very happy. After her advances, I would have taken control, only to be pushed away by her, laughing as she called me dirty-minded. Thinking about it now, I really found it quite boring. I pulled her arms away and wiped my throat with a wet wipe. Rosalie stood there as if struck by lightning, dumbfounded. “You’re disgusted by me?” she asked. “I have to go out later, I’m going to change clothes now,” I said flatly. I turned around, ready to go back to the bedroom. Rosalie tried to follow, but I closed the door without hesitation and locked it. “Fine! Don’t regret it!” Rosalie seemed to have really gotten angry this time. After throwing out these harsh words, she kicked the door hard and stormed off. When I came out of the bedroom, the living room was already empty. Rosalie had sent a message in the company group chat saying she was treating everyone to dinner and asked who wanted to join. Everyone remained silent. Only Tyler sent three “excited” emojis in a row. I knew Rosalie was deliberately trying to make me jealous. This had happened many times before. Every time it was like this – other colleagues were unwilling to participate, and only Tyler would enthusiastically respond. In the past, I would have already been jealous and followed them, only to be mocked by them. Now, I couldn’t be bothered. I went directly to my friend’s place to sign the contract. My friend was very happy and specially arranged a celebration dinner for me. After three rounds of drinks, I went to the restroom. As I was walking, I heard familiar voices from a nearby private room. I instinctively stopped. Through the slightly open door, I saw Rosalie nestled in Tyler’s arms. I don’t know what they said, but Rosalie was laughing uncontrollably. Taking advantage of this opportunity, Tyler quickly lowered his head and kissed her lips. Rosalie was stunned for a moment but didn’t push him away. “Rosalie, when are you going to break up with Felix?” Tyler asked. “I can’t wait to be with you. Do you know how upset I am every day seeing you with him?” Tyler said with a grieved expression. Rosalie moved her lips, seeming to want to say something. Finally, she hugged Tyler back, gently patting his back like comforting a child. “Wait a little longer,” she said. “It won’t be too long.” The two of them cuddling intimately looked exactly like a couple. I sneered and didn’t watch any further. Back in the private room, after a few more drinks, we called it a night. As we were entering the underground parking garage together, my friend suddenly pulled me in front of a top-of-the-line Porsche and asked if I liked it. I nodded, not quite understanding. Thinking it was his new car, I was about to compliment him when my friend suddenly shoved a set of car keys into my hand. “It’s for you,” he said. He winked at me. “I’ve been wanting to replace that old car of yours for a long time. It’s in such bad shape. Now that you’ve joined us, it’s time for an upgrade.” I was about to refuse, but he seemed to already know what I was going to say and went straight to the point: “I heard Rosalie gave a car to that new guy in your company. With his terrible skills, he can drive a luxury car, so of course you can’t be worse off than him.” “You know, I’ve seen the stuff that new guy of yours produces. The style is different every time, obviously copied from somewhere. I don’t know how he’s managed to stay in the company…” Perhaps it was because of the alcohol, but my friend spoke without any filter, complaining non-stop about Tyler. I remained silent. What he said was right. All those things were actually done by me and other colleagues in the team. Almost every time, just as we were about to finish, Rosalie would demand that we hand it over to Tyler. That’s why Tyler’s style was always different. Even my friend, who wasn’t in the company, could see through this. Yet Rosalie somehow couldn’t understand. I thanked my friend and chatted with him for a bit more before heading home. As I opened the door, I saw Rosalie already sitting on the living room couch. “Where have you been?” she asked. She seemed to be in a good mood, her tone much lighter. The scene of her and Tyler embracing in the hotel flashed before my eyes again. I felt a wave of nausea. “Had dinner with a friend,” I said flatly, walking straight towards the bedroom. After just a couple of steps, Rosalie suddenly blocked my way, frowning. “You’ve been drinking?” “Didn’t we agree that you wouldn’t drink when I’m not around?” I couldn’t help but sneer. The implication was that I could only drink when I was helping her entertain clients. I didn’t say anything. Rosalie, however, seemed to think of something and suddenly smiled, looking somewhat smug. “You’re still upset about me going out with Tyler, aren’t you? If you didn’t want me to go out alone with him, you could have just said so. Was it necessary to drink so much?” “You’re overthinking it. My drinking has nothing to do with you,” I said. I felt tired and sat down on a chair. “But I do have something I want to tell you.” “What is it?” Probably thinking I was going to apologize, Rosalie’s tone became even more smug. “Let me tell you in advance, it’s too late to apologize to me now. I’m very angry about what happened this afternoon.” “Don’t think a simple apology will make me forgive you.” As she spoke, she rolled her eyes at me. I pretended not to see it and said, “I…” Before I could finish, her phone rang. Rosalie looked down at it. I noticed the caller ID was Tyler. “Wait a moment, I need to take this call,” she said. With that, Rosalie had no intention of paying any more attention to me and was about to answer the phone. I looked at her cold and resolute back, and calmly spoke up. “Let’s break up, Rosalie.” As soon as I said this, Rosalie’s body seemed to freeze for a moment.

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I had been married to Carlos for 20 years. My long-absent system finally reappeared, telling me that my task was complete and I could go home. So, I let Carlos and his son hand over the last of our ration coupons to the heroine, allowed our son to give up his university admission to her daughter, and simply smiled when the neighbor asked why I seemed so carefree. “Because I’m going home,” I replied with a smile. Little did I know that my departure would drive them mad. “Dear Host, congratulations. Your ‘Villainess Supporting Role’ series mission is now complete. The portal to return to your reality will open in five days. Please prepare accordingly.” Hearing the mechanical voice again after so long, I froze in disbelief. It had been twenty years since I first arrived in this world. Back in my senior year of college, while searching for a job, I had unexpectedly been transported here and bound to a system. Like any romance novel protagonist, I’d assumed my mission was to save the male lead or woo the devoted second male lead. But the system had told me otherwise. My task was simply to ensure the plot progressed smoothly, creating obstacles for the main characters along the way. Once that was clear, the system had vanished, leaving me to fend for myself. If not for its sudden reappearance, I might have forgotten about the task altogether. “You’re daydreaming again. That water’s about to drown the vegetables.” Emma, my neighbor, snapped me out of my trance, snatching the ladle from my hands. Apologizing sheepishly, I crouched down to dig a channel to drain the excess water. After finishing, I took back the ladle and resumed watering. “You look so happy. Is it because Bruce is heading off to university? I’d be over the moon, too, if my son had that opportunity. But, alas, my boy can’t compare to yours. Smart parents, smart kids, huh?” Emma teased as she worked, her laughter infectious. My smile faltered slightly, and I paused for a moment before continuing. “It’s not that. As for university… Bruce told me yesterday he’s not going.” “What?!” Emma gaped at me in shock. “Bruce got into a school that most people could only dream of attending! Why on earth would he not go? Is something wrong at home? You have to talk some sense into him! If you’re struggling, just tell us. We’ll help however we can,” she said earnestly, her concern genuine. Her kindness warmed my heart, but I couldn’t bring myself to explain the real reason. I let out a barely audible sigh. Seeing my silence, Emma furrowed her brow and finished the last ladle of water. “Don’t tell me… it’s because of Molly.” She clicked her tongue in frustration, muttering under her breath. “That Molly and her mother are nothing but trouble. The mother ruined your husband, and now the daughter’s after your son. Shameless, both of them.” In the past, I might have joined in her tirade, venting about my frustrations. But after what the system had just revealed, my mind was elsewhere. Apparently, I had only been meant to stay here for four years. But due to a system malfunction that extended my time, I was now being compensated with a ten-million-dollar reward and a wish upon my return. The thought of such a windfall made my head spin with excitement. With freedom so close, how could I care about the petty dramas of Carlos and his son? So, I politely excused myself from Emma’s complaints and went straight to the team leader to exchange my accumulated labor points for ration and cloth coupons. Catching the last bus into town, I exchanged the coupons for fine fabric and had the shop tailor me a new dress. I even treated myself to a meal at the restaurant I’d always deemed too expensive, relishing every bite. Finally, I strolled home leisurely, carrying a few vegetables and a small piece of meat. After all, I was leaving soon. There was no point in saving my labor points. They’d only end up benefiting Molly and her mother, Zanya.

When I first arrived in this world, Carlos was a bright, promising college student with a sharp mind and a bright future ahead of him. When we got married, everyone said I had hit the jackpot. What they didn’t see, however, were the early mornings I spent selling breakfast on the streets to make ends meet. They didn’t see how Carlos’ mother tormented me daily for not being able to help him climb the social ladder. I didn’t mind back then. After all, Carlos was good to me. He would walk me home when he didn’t have classes, shield me from his mother’s harsh words, and massage my sore back when I woke up exhausted in the middle of the night. I genuinely wanted to change Carlos’ fate and prevent him from ending up alone and disgraced, but I soon realized it was futile. No matter how hard I tried, the predetermined plot couldn’t be altered. Eventually, Carlos fell for the heroine, Zanya. He gave up a lucrative job offer and volunteered to go to the countryside, where he stayed for 18 years. Over those years, I transformed from a naïve, hopeful girl into a worn-out woman who could juggle farm work and housework without batting an eye. Looking at my rough hands and bloated figure, I couldn’t help but smirk bitterly. At least this miserable chapter was finally coming to an end. As I walked past rows of thatched cottages toward the tiny, cramped house we called home, I saw Bruce handing his university acceptance letter and my savings to Zanya’s daughter, Molly. “Molly, you’re a girl, and you need this admission letter more than I do,” he said earnestly. “And take the money. It’s a gift from me and my dad. Life in the city is different from here, and you’ll need it. Please take it.” Carlos, standing nearby, smiled affectionately as he encouraged Zanya and her daughter to accept. After a couple of polite refusals, Zanya finally gave in, her face glowing with gratitude. I stood there watching the scene, amusement tugging at the corners of my mouth. Emma wasn’t wrong. Molly and Zanya were like sirens, luring these men to ruin. Despite wanting to wash my hands of Carlos and Bruce, maternal instinct kicked in. Bruce was still my son, after all. With a frown, I stepped forward and snatched the acceptance letter from Molly’s hands. “Bruce, have you thought this through? Do you understand how hard it was for you to get into college? And what about the consequences if this transfer is discovered?” “Mom!” Bruce interrupted me impatiently. “This is my decision, and Dad agrees with me. Why are you interfering? You’ve lived in the village long enough to know how much harder it is for girls to get into college! You’ve always taught me to be generous, but now you’re being so selfish!” His words stung. I stared at him, my heart heavy with disappointment. How had the son I poured my heart into raising turned into this? “She can take the exam herself if she wants to go to college so badly. Over the years, you and your father have given them ration tickets, meat coupons, and now even the money I saved for your education. Have you ever thought about how we’re supposed to survive?” I turned my gaze toward Zanya and her daughter, frustration boiling inside me. Thanks to Carlos’ endless generosity, Zanya and Molly lived a comfortable life. They didn’t have to do farm work, and Carlos even gave up his job as a scorekeeper so Zanya could have it, making her the most well-off of all the educated youths sent here. Zanya’s eyes filled with tears. She quickly handed the money back to me. “Sherra, this is my fault. Carlos told me the money was just extra, that you didn’t need it. I didn’t think too much about it. Please don’t fight because of me. Molly will take the college exam herself, and I’ll earn the money for her tuition.” “Carlos,” she continued, her voice trembling, “thank you for everything over the years. But to avoid any more misunderstandings with Sherra, we should keep our distance from now on.” She turned to leave, but Carlos grabbed her hand, his face filled with urgency. “Zanya, what are you saying? This family isn’t Sherra’s to dictate. Bruce and I don’t need all this money, but you and Molly do. And what misunderstanding? I’m married; there’s nothing for her to misinterpret. “Come on, take the money and the acceptance letter.” I watched helplessly as Zanya and her daughter walked away with the money and letter. My gaze shifted to Carlos and Bruce, both of whom looked completely unbothered. Disheartened, I tossed the basket I’d been carrying onto the table and turned to leave. This place was suffocating. I needed to escape. But before I could leave, Carlos called after me. “Sherra Thompson, you did that on purpose, didn’t you?”

I froze mid-step, not because of Carlos’ harsh tone but because of the name he had just used: Sherra Thompson. It had been so long since anyone had called me that. Ever since we were sent to the countryside, people had only known me as “Carlos’ wife,” never by my maiden name. “Why did you have to say that just now?” Carlos demanded, his voice thick with anger. “Zanya grew up spoiled, and being sent here was already a huge blow for her. Did you really have to twist the knife? It’s not like we’re short on money. What was the point of humiliating her like that? Are you really that cruel?” “Exactly!” Bruce chimed in. “Mom, didn’t you see how Molly was about to cry because of you? How could you be so heartless? And besides, Molly’s going to marry me anyway. What difference does it make whose name is on that college admission? Stop making a scene.” I almost laughed at the absurdity of it. Of course, they thought I was heartless. They’d never earned those ration tickets or labor points themselves. Ever since Carlos had come to the countryside, his health had been poor, leaving me to do the work of two people just to scrape together enough labor points for food to nurse him back to health. At first, Carlos had been grateful. He’d even cried one night when he saw how rough my hands had become from farmwork, apologizing for not being able to take better care of me. In those moments, I’d believed I’d married the right person. But everything changed when he learned that Zanya wasn’t eating well or sleeping soundly. Suddenly, I no longer mattered. He started giving her our limited ration tickets, leaving me to faint from low blood sugar. He spent nights guarding her door, completely ignoring the fact that I was pregnant. And when his health improved, he worked tirelessly to earn cloth coupons. Not for our son, but because Zanya envied someone else’s pretty clothes. This pattern repeated itself so many times over the past eighteen years that I’d lost count. At first, I’d fought back, even threatened divorce. But every time I looked at my small, helpless son, I’d relent. I’d told myself to endure, just for Bruce. And so I endured, year after year, until now. The sharp pain in my arm brought me back to reality. Carlos’ grip was like a vice, his fingers pressing so hard they turned white, which somehow matched the sickly pallor of his face when he was sick. “Sherra, what’s wrong with you? Answer me!” I thought I’d scream at him, as I had so many times before. Or perhaps I’d cry, demanding answers, begging for fairness. But to my surprise, I felt none of that. Looking at Carlos and Bruce, I felt only exhaustion and disgust. I slapped his hand away, watching him wince and let go. The pressure in my chest eased slightly as I said, “Do whatever you want. I don’t care anymore.”

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When I was fifteen, my dad left with his first love. That same day, my mom emptied the house with my little brother, grabbed her suitcase, and walked out. She didn’t say a word to me, not even a glance. Once they were gone, the neighbors started gossiping openly, making sure I heard every word. “Victor’s such a stand-up guy, huh? He’d rather divorce and save a terminally ill child than stay with his family. That’s a real commitment.” “Yeah, they make it sound so noble, but let’s not forget, Victor cheated. And as for Isabella, she’s spent years struggling to raise two kids on her own. What did he ever do for her?” “In the end, it’s Charlotte’s fault. If it weren’t for her, her parents wouldn’t have divorced. Honestly, she had it coming.” So, apparently, my parents were the ones who’d been wronged, and I—left behind—was the one who deserved it. I sat on the floor, hugging my knees, looking around at the house my mom had destroyed. Broken bottles lay everywhere, drawers were tossed around. For a moment, I thought I saw my mom packing things up while cursing at my dad. Then I seemed to see myself telling my dad what happened, watching him sit on the couch, chain-smoking, before finally telling my mom that he had had enough of her and was leaving to pursue true love. Before I could think too much about it, a strange middle-aged woman came in, breaking the silence of the room. “Kid, your mom sold this house to me. Pack up your things and leave.” I looked at her wearily and then buried my head between my knees again. It wasn’t that I didn’t want to speak, but my throat hurt so badly that I couldn’t even get a word out. Suddenly, my hair was yanked, and I lifted my head helplessly to meet the middle-aged woman’s gaze. She was gesturing, and from her lips, it seemed like she was asking if I was mute. Before I could speak, the group of women outside the door started talking. “She’s not mute. She just doesn’t want to talk. Ever since her dad ran off, and her mom slapped her a dozen times, she hasn’t spoken. You want the house? Just take it. She doesn’t have anything left here anyway.” I turned to look at the women at the door, their mockery and disgust clear in their eyes. “Oh? Why’s that?” It seemed like the woman was interested, so the group immediately started telling her everything that had happened. “That’s the story. And she even went to her dad’s mistress’ kid and threatened her. The girl was already fragile, and then she went and told her that her mom was the other woman. The poor girl ended up in the ER that day. You tell me, who would want a murderer like her?” “Her mom’s pitiful, and her dad’s useless. Her mom worked hard, selling things during the day, and working in a bar at night to support the family. Then she came home to find out her husband ran off with another woman. Not only that, but her daughter accused her of being a prostitute in that bar. Now, the whole neighborhood knows. She couldn’t face it anymore, so she had to leave with her son.” After hearing the whole story, the woman’s gaze at me turned more disgusted. I wanted to explain, but I felt like there was no point. I’d tried before, but no one believed me. Seeing my resigned expression, the woman didn’t bother with any niceties. She motioned for her people to drag me out the door. As I stumbled to my feet and took one last look at the house behind the iron gate, I didn’t feel much attachment. I just turned and left. Faintly, I thought I heard those women behind me calling me heartless, saying I didn’t know how to appreciate things. Some even called me a fool, saying I wouldn’t fight back when I was beaten or say anything when I was insulted. I found it a bit amusing. A few days ago, when I fought back and screamed in protest, they said I was just seeking attention. Now that I was silent, they called me a fool. In their eyes, I was probably a “murderer” no matter what I did. Everything I did was wrong. Thinking of that, the bitterness in my heart grew heavier. But soon, I had no time to think about it. I hadn’t walked more than a few hundred feet when my vision went dark, and I collapsed. When I woke up, I was in a hospital. The female officer by my bed noticed I was awake and immediately pressed the call button. After the doctor checked on me, she gently asked, “Kid, what’s your name?”

I stared at her without saying anything, my hands clutching the blanket awkwardly. It wasn’t nervousness, but because I hadn’t seen anyone like her, someone who didn’t have ill intentions toward me. I felt a little lost. “You don’t need to worry. The doctor has treated your injuries. You heard what the doctor said, right? After three more rounds of treatment, your wounds will heal. Kid, tell me, who are your parents? Or do you remember their phone numbers? Do you remember how you ended up in that abandoned building?” I certainly remembered how I ended up in that abandoned building. I had been hungry my whole life, and the kind of hunger I felt was nothing new to me. So, I quickly became alert again. When I woke up, I found that I was being dragged by a beggar into that abandoned building. I knew if I really got inside, there was no telling if I would ever make it out again. I wanted to fight back, but the beggar was an adult, and I was just a weak, hungry girl. There was no way I could overpower him, so I could only hope someone would see my distress. I guess I was lucky. Just as I was about to be knocked out with anesthesia and put on the operating table to have my kidney removed, the police found me and saved me. The female officer saw me trembling and thought I was remembering something terrible, so she gently patted my shoulder. “It’s okay, it’s okay. You’re safe now. Do you remember who your parents are?” I instinctively shrank back before finally looking up at her. “My parents are both dead.” They weren’t good people anyway. In my mind, they might as well have been dead. The officer looked at me with sympathy, and her hand gently patted my head. Later, when the police investigated, they found that my parents were still alive. However, when they contacted my mom to come pick me up, she refused sharply. “I’ve divorced her dad. This jinx has nothing to do with me. Don’t bother me.” I didn’t remember exactly what else she said, but I’d never forget the looks of sympathy from the officers at the station. Although I knew what the outcome would be when the police called, I couldn’t deny that a part of me had hoped for something different. I hoped maybe my mom had been in such a rush that she forgot to take me. I hoped that maybe, just maybe, she still had a shred of maternal love left and would feel pity when she heard how badly I’d been treated. I hoped she might… show me just a little bit of love. But looking at it now, those were all just foolish fantasies. I looked at the butterfly on the windowsill, its wings broken but still desperately trying to fly. How pathetic.

Later, when the police checked my background, they found that I had an uncle in Stonebrook. They immediately took me there that night. “Mr. Edward Manning, this is your niece, Charlotte Manning.” I followed the police officer, my eyes on Edward, who greeted me with a warm smile. But I felt nothing close to warmth. Instead, he reminded me of my father’s mistress, just as fake—forcing a smile even though he clearly didn’t want to. I didn’t know what he wanted from me, but that didn’t stop me from despising him. I instinctively grabbed the police officer’s sleeve, but she seemed to misunderstand. She smiled and gently placed my hand into Edward’s wrinkled one. “Sir, she’s been through some rough stuff. My colleague should have told you about it on the phone yesterday. From now on, please take good care of her. She could really use some support.” Edward squeezed my hand tightly, pulling me in front of him to say a few caring words, before the police officer finally turned and left. Once the officer was out of earshot, Edward changed his demeanor completely. He frowned and looked me up and down with visible disgust. “What is it with the Mannings? You’re all useless.” With that, he let go of my hand, wiping it off with a wet napkin, scrubbing it like it was covered in filth. I could barely hold back my disgust. I turned to run, but before I could take a step, Edward yanked me back by my hair. “Where do you think you’re going? You stay here now.” He dragged me back with a force that made me wince. “You even dare to glare at me? Wake up, you’re relying on me now. If you don’t stay on my good side, when you turn eighteen, I’ll sell you off for money. And don’t even think about running away. Everyone here knows you’re my niece, so even if you try, I can always find you.” I glared back, my voice rising. “You promised the police you’d take care of me. What if I report you for abuse? You’ll lose your reputation, and then let’s see how you threaten me.” I struggled, my anger rising. “Oh? You really think someone like you—known for being a problem student—will be taken seriously? Or do you think I—someone with a solid reputation—won’t be believed? Let me make it clear, all the kids here trying to get into private schools and their parents know me. So tell me, who do you think they’re going to believe? Me or you?” Edward’s mocking look made my resistance weaken. He was right. I was in an unfamiliar place. Even if I called the police, what difference would it make? Even the officers from Crescent Falls treated him with respect. Here, he probably had even more power. Seeing that I’d stopped struggling, Edward let go of me. “Glad you’ve come to your senses. Now, get to work—time to start mucking out the garden.” I froze, rubbing my sore scalp in disbelief. “Me? Muck out the garden?” He nodded without a second thought. “What, you thought you could eat and drink here for free?” He tossed a filthy shovel in front of me, the stench immediately overwhelming, and a bit of the dirty water splashed onto my clothes. “Once you’re done with that, clean the house. Oh, and cook lunch too.” As he spoke, he grabbed a ragged bag and walked off, heading out to what I assumed was his university. On the way over, I overheard the police say he was a college professor. I guess he had classes to teach. After standing there for a moment, I rushed into the room, grabbed the fifty bucks I found on the table, and headed straight for the nearest restaurant. I wasn’t some kind of masochist. There was no way I was doing his dirty work.

Even though I knew Edward would find me soon enough, I didn’t expect it to happen so quickly. I hadn’t even had a bite of my hamburger when he yanked me by the ear and dragged me back to his house. After a harsh scolding and being forced to eat the vegetarian meal he’d prepared, I completely gave up on running away. Today’s events proved Edward’s words were true—he could find me fast. Because of that, Edward told me he’d had to skip his daily workout to search for me, so now I had to make up for it by exercising in his place. Strangely enough, after that workout, I didn’t suffer from my usual insomnia. But I still didn’t sleep well. I kept dreaming. In those dreams, I was forced to relive memories of my family. Ever since my little brother was born, my parents had been fighting constantly. The arguments were always about money. My mom criticized my dad for not being capable enough. Despite having a bachelor’s degree, he barely earned more than some blue-collar workers, and worst of all, he was lazy, showing no drive to improve. “I can’t believe I was so blind to pick you out of all my suitors. Look at all the men who were chasing me back then—any one of them would have been better than you now. If I’d married one of them, I wouldn’t be struggling so much right now. I’d probably be on a cruise somewhere, living it up. But no, I’m stuck with you, a useless good-for-nothing.” At first, my dad would argue, but after seeing how much more furious my mom got, he eventually learned to stay silent. In my memory, the balcony was always filled with cigarette smoke. My dad worked longer hours but brought home less and less. My mom claimed that he must have someone else on the side. She fought and struggled, but when she saw that my dad wasn’t changing, she gave up. She stopped treating the house like a home and only came back to sleep. Meanwhile, she used the money I’d saved for tuition to waste on other things. The first time I passed out from hunger, I realized I couldn’t just sit back and wait anymore. So, I started secretly taking a little money from my mom’s wallet every day to scrape by. But money was tight, and over time, my mom noticed. The first time she caught me, she grabbed a belt and started whipping me while I was doing laundry. “You little thief! You’ve learned to steal from me now? What is this? Just like your worthless father, sucking me dry! You ungrateful thing! If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t be living this miserable life. You’re a burden. I’ve had enough!” I was only in elementary school when I heard my mom’s angry shouting and crying. That was when I started to wonder if I was in the wrong. Maybe I shouldn’t have been born. Maybe my mom wouldn’t be so miserable if it weren’t for me. Maybe if I hadn’t stolen money to survive, she wouldn’t be so upset every day. Was I the reason for her unhappiness? So, I started to be more mature. I did all the household chores. At first, I burned my arms while cooking, but eventually, I got pretty good at it. At first, I couldn’t wring out clothes, but after a while, I was able to wash everything and still comfort my crying little brother. At first, I had to hide the food I scavenged at school, but later on, I could walk around proudly, picking up bottles to exchange for a meal. I thought if I was just responsible enough, if I was obedient enough, I could keep up the illusion of peace in this broken home. But then she left. She took my little brother, who was in third grade and only cared about spending her money. She said he would take care of her when she got old. As for me, I was just a leech. My quiet, absent father also left. Even though he would spend his whole life working for someone else’s kid, he walked out without a second glance, leaving me to take all the blame for everything.

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After our honeymoon, Enric and I returned home, filled with excitement and ready to start our sweet married life together. But as soon as we arrived, an unexpected storm hit. My mother-in-law was apparently planning to take over the house my parents bought me as a wedding gift for me, intending to turn it into a wedding suite for Enric’s younger brother. I was stunned, my gaze shifting to Enric for support, but he only mumbled something vague about “family sticking together” and even tried to convince me to make this small sacrifice for his brother. “Enric, hurry up and unlock the door! I’m about to collapse!” The sound of the key turning in the lock echoed faintly, and the door opened with a soft click. The decorations from our wedding day greeted us, the roses still adorning every corner of the room. It was like stepping back into the joy of that day. I kicked off my shoes and rushed straight to the bedroom, eager to collapse onto the bed and indulge in a well-deserved nap. But as soon as I opened the door, I froze. Sitting there on our bed were my mother-in-law and an unfamiliar woman. For a moment, I couldn’t even find the words to speak, the sheer absurdity of the scene stealing my voice. My mother-in-law, quick to recover, stood up and greeted me with an almost overbearing cheer. “Oh, Mila, you’re back so soon! Let me introduce you. This is Leo’s girlfriend, Aria. She’s practically family now, your future sister-in-law!” The woman named Aria blushed shyly, her smile polite yet undeniably awkward. “So you’re Mila! I’ve heard so much about you from Leo. He kept talking about how beautiful and capable his sister-in-law was. Now I see he wasn’t exaggerating!” she said with a bright smile. Although I was deeply annoyed by their uninvited presence in my bedroom, especially their casual occupation of my wedding bed, I managed to maintain a facade of politeness. After all, they both seemed friendly, at least for now.

“What? You’re saying she’s staying here? In my home?” Before I could say another word, my mother-in-law hurriedly got up and clapped a hand over my mouth. “Mila, shh! Keep your voice down! Aria’s in the next room; she’ll hear you!” She cast a few nervous glances toward the doorway. I took a deep breath, trying to rein in my anger, though the effort made my chest ache. Forcing a calm expression, I asked, “Where exactly does that leave Enric and me? Are we supposed to just… move out?” “Mila,” she began, her tone suddenly plaintive, “Aria came all the way from another state to be with Leo. She has no family here or any friends to rely on. It wouldn’t be right to send her to a hotel when we’re the only people she can count on. And, well, I know it’s my fault—I haven’t been much help financially over the years. I couldn’t even contribute to my sons’ weddings…” Her voice broke as she trailed off, now spilling her grievances as though this were my problem to solve. Frustration swelled in my chest. Sure, Aria might be a newcomer here, but wasn’t I a new bride too? Did my needs suddenly not matter? I shot a glance at Enric, hoping for some support, but he was busy gazing at his mother with an expression of deep pity, entirely oblivious to the storm brewing inside me. Great. He was useless, too.

Before I could say anything else, Enric spoke up, stepping in to comfort his mother, “Mom, don’t say that. Seeing you like this… it breaks my heart.” Taking her hands in his, he looked at her with the kind of tenderness I had thought was reserved for me. I sat there, silent and seething, watching the scene unfold. After what felt like an eternity, Enric finally coaxed his mother into leaving the room. Now, with her gone, the space seemed unbearably quiet. Enric turned to me, shifting awkwardly as though rehearsing what to say. After a few false starts, he finally spoke, his voice almost pleading. “Mila, you know our family’s situation. I’ve been so lucky to marry someone as amazing as you, and now Leo’s found someone he wants to spend his life with too. I can’t just stand by and let his relationship fall apart. Please, just bear with this for a little while, okay?” He looked so desperate, his six-foot frame practically crumpled into itself, a shadow of the confident, vibrant man I had fallen in love with. I couldn’t help but think of the Enric I had first met, back when he was full of energy and charm.

We had met in college during a basketball tournament. Enric’s team had made it to the finals, and we girls were there to cheer them on. He stood out effortlessly, towering over the crowd with his athletic build. Through the loose fabric of his jersey, I could make out the faint outlines of his abs. On the court, he was unstoppable, each movement bursting with energy and precision. Every time he scored, the crowd roared, and my heart fluttered. What girl wouldn’t fall for a man like that? As if fate had plans for us, I was later chosen to join the cheer squad, giving me the perfect excuse to be near him. We discovered we were both from the same hometown, and conversations over coffee and shared meals quickly became a routine. Our mutual attraction was undeniable, though unspoken, until tragedy struck. Enric’s father passed away unexpectedly. The loss shattered him, leaving behind a man who was barely a shadow of his former self. Gone was the carefree athlete; in his place was someone drowning in grief. I couldn’t bear to see him like that. I clung to him, trying to pull him back into the light, until one night, after a few too many drinks, he finally let his walls down. That night, he showed me the side of himself he had kept hidden: the pain, the fears, and the vulnerability.

Enric came from a humble background. To be honest, it was more on the struggling side. He grew up in a cramped, 500-square-foot house in a small town, sharing the limited space with his parents and younger brother. His father picked up odd jobs wherever he could, while his mother, a traditional rural homemaker, took care of the household and mended old clothes to make ends meet. When Enric’s father passed away, it felt like the entire sky had fallen for their family. Hearing about Enric’s life, I couldn’t help but feel a mix of heartache and admiration. I pitied the hardships he had endured but respected the determination that drove him to earn a place at our prestigious university. His resilience struck a chord deep within me, and I wanted to be the light that pulled him out of the shadows. That was how we started dating. We became the quintessential campus couple, a pair envied by everyone around us. I believed wholeheartedly in his perseverance and dedication. Despite his modest family background, I never hesitated in committing to a future with him. That same belief was what made me relent when Enric pleaded with me to let Aria stay. I couldn’t ignore the desperation in his eyes, even though it grated against my own sense of fairness. Eventually, I agreed, on one condition: the arrangement was temporary. Once Aria and Leo were married, they would need to move into their own place because Enric and I still needed the house as our home.

When I married Enric, his family had next to nothing. They couldn’t afford wedding gifts or a grand wedding. I understood the weight he carried as the eldest son and never pressured him for more than he could provide. My parents, on the other hand, were deeply concerned for me. They wanted to ensure I’d have a stable future, so they fully paid for a house as a wedding gift for me. But in reality, it was meant to be our marital home. Even after the wedding, my parents funded our honeymoon, which Enric and I had just returned from, still basking in the joy of those precious days together. Now, the idea of letting someone else move into the house I had barely gotten to enjoy felt like a bitter pill to swallow. But for Enric’s sake, I held my tongue. When I finally agreed, Enric was overwhelmed, pulling me into his arms with tears brimming in his eyes. He kept apologizing, promising to make it up to me in the future. That night, we packed up and spent the night at his mother’s house. As soon as we stepped inside, the cramped space, outdated furnishings, and lingering scent of cooking oil made my stomach churn. But when I glanced at Enric, I swallowed my discomfort, choosing silence over complaint. After Enric’s father passed, he had a lot of burden because he was the eldest son. The bed creaked beneath me, the mattress sagging in places, and the damp quilt carried the faint scent of mildew. I closed my eyes and willed myself to sleep, but the night stretched on in restless misery. By the time morning came, my dark-circled eyes told the entire story. Enric noticed but hesitated to say anything, his guilt written all over his face.

After breakfast, we wasted no time heading to a nearby real estate agent. We both knew his family’s house wasn’t an option for me. It was impossible to live there long-term. Through the agent, we found a fully furnished apartment, move-in ready, and signed a three-month lease. I thought to myself, “Three months should be enough for Aria and Leo to settle their wedding plans.” By the end of the day, we had packed up and moved into the new apartment. Over the next few weeks, I grew closer to Aria. She was warm and sweet, always greeting me cheerfully. She often dragged me along for shopping trips, snacks, and walks. For a moment, it felt like I’d gained a sister I never had. In our conversations, I learned more about her. Aria was an orphan, raised in a welfare home. Her story moved me. This bubbly, carefree girl had so much courage to chase after love, despite the odds. She had known Leo online, and she had come all the way to this city for him, a bold and romantic move for someone with no one to rely on. Time flew by, and before I knew it, over a month had passed. One evening, as the whole family gathered for dinner, Leo stood up to make an announcement. “We’ve set the date,” he said with a smile. “Aria and I will be getting married at the start of next month.” All eyes turned to Aria, who sat across from me, her face lighting up. Her shy smile made her look delicate.

As the wedding day drew closer, Aria’s nervousness became more and more apparent. Feeling a mix of sympathy for her and a sense of familial responsibility, I spent much of my time with her. I helped with wedding preparations, trying to ease her anxiety and help her relax. One afternoon, while chatting, I casually asked Aria where she and Leo planned to live after the wedding. Her response left me frozen in place. “We’ll stay in the house I’m living in now, of course. Why do you ask?” she replied, her face showing nothing but innocence. Her words hit me like a thunderclap. Trying to stay calm, I repeated, “You and Leo will live in the house you’re in now?” “Yes!” Aria said, her tone cheerful, though her brows furrowed slightly as if wondering why I was so surprised. “Leo told me this would be our marital home. He even decorated it before I arrived; he covered it in red roses! Isn’t he thoughtful?” Watching her radiant smile as she spoke, I felt a chill seep through my chest. That evening, Enric had barely stepped through the door when I confronted him. “Enric, your brother is planning to use our marital home as his wedding house!” He froze, his expression puzzled. “Wait, what are you talking about? I don’t understand.” His confusion seemed genuine, which only deepened my suspicions. Could it be that he didn’t know? I studied his face, my mind racing. “I found out today while chatting with Aria,” I explained, detailing the conversation. As I spoke, I watched his face for any sign of recognition, but he just stood there, frowning in silence. Finally, I couldn’t hold back anymore. My tone turned sharp. “Enric, whether you knew about this or not, you know now. I don’t care whose idea this was, but you’d better give me an explanation I can accept.” The truth was, the moment Aria mentioned it, I had already guessed what was happening. It didn’t matter who orchestrated it; the goal was clear: they wanted my house for Leo’s marriage. Enric squirmed under my glare. “Honey, please don’t be angry. Let me go talk to Mom and Leo about it,” he stammered before grabbing his coat and rushing out without waiting for my reply.

t was almost midnight when Enric returned, looking utterly exhausted. He flipped on the light, only to find me sitting in the dark, waiting. “Honey, why aren’t you asleep? What are you doing sitting here?” “I’m waiting,” I said calmly, my gaze unwavering. “I want to hear what you’ve decided.” We locked eyes, the silence stretching between us like a taut rope. Enric opened his mouth, then closed it again, repeating the motion several times before finally speaking. “Honey, let’s just let Leo borrow the house for a little while.” “Borrow it?” My voice was ice cold. “For how long? Ten years? Twenty? Or maybe for the rest of his life?” “Come on, honey,” he said, his tone tinged with exasperation. “He’s my only brother, and it’s not like we’re homeless. We already have a place to stay. Can’t we just let him use it for now?” Enric pleaded with me for what felt like forever. I neither agreed nor outright refused, telling him I needed time to think. This wasn’t the Enric I knew. What had his mother and brother said to him to make him so willing to disregard my feelings? That night, I couldn’t sleep. My thoughts churned restlessly until I was pulled from them by the incessant buzzing of Enric’s phone. Annoyed, I reached for it to put it on silent. That’s when I saw it: a message from his mother. [Enric, how’s it going?] Curiosity got the better of me, and I opened their chat.

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My husband, Adrian, locked me—a pregnant woman—in a mental hospital because his beloved needed test subjects for her drug research. Electric shocks left me trembling and drooling, my body convulsing uncontrollably. Adrian, standing nearby, shielded her eyes, his voice filled with gentle disgust. “Don’t look.” Her experiment earned her a nomination for an award, and Adrian celebrated by lighting up the entire city with fireworks in her honor. Meanwhile, on that cold winter night, under the glow of the fireworks, I gave birth to a deformed baby boy. He cried once before falling silent forever. I cradled his tiny, lifeless body and, with frozen hands and a hollow heart, placed him into the freezer. Seven days later, as Adrian attends an award ceremony to honor his beloved, I will present him with the ultimate gift. With red, swollen eyes, I begged the nurse to help me with this. As a mother herself, the nurse hesitated when she saw me holding my stillborn baby and sobbing uncontrollably, but eventually, she agreed. She was just about to leave, holding the freezer, when she almost bumped into my husband, Adrian Reed. The smell from the freezer made Adrian instinctively cover his nose. He watched the nurse walk away, and only after she was far enough did he lower his hand. But nothing seemed to ruin Adrian’s good mood. He looked like someone who had just returned from a victorious battle. His voice was light, almost as if talking to himself. “Liliana’s experiment was a huge success. She’s finally realized her dream.” But ever since he walked in, he didn’t look at me. His gaze was fixed on the dazzling night sky outside the window. It wasn’t until he noticed my silence that he finally glanced at me, his expression cold, his brow furrowing slightly. “Liliana asked you for this little favor when she came back. You’re pregnant, and you don’t have much to do anyway. Just come out and make some friends. Help her with something important. Don’t make that face.” Make friends? The man who came into my room to harass me. The woman who strangled me, accusing me of stealing her money. The woman who kicked me to the ground, claiming I had stolen her child. That was what Adrian called “making friends.” Liliana Hart had fed me so many pills, and when the baby was born, it was deformed. The doctor had said that if I’d gone for a check-up earlier, things might’ve been different. But I had no freedom. How could I have gone for a check-up? Seeing me with red eyes, still refusing to look at him, Adrian leaned in, his voice sharp. “Daphne…” He got halfway through my name before his attention was diverted by the buzzing phone in his pocket. The moonlight shone through the window, casting a soft glow on his face. It was a look of… happiness. Adrian stayed in the room for over twenty minutes and didn’t even notice my deflated belly. Just as I was about to fall asleep from exhaustion, Liliana’s assistant brought in today’s medication. Thinking about the child I had just delivered—a twisted, half-human, half-ghost—I threw the pills to the floor. Adrian by the window blinked in surprise and then quickly stepped forward, crouching down to gather the pills, and pressing them toward my mouth. His cold, detached voice slid into my ears. “This is part of Liliana’s experiment. If you don’t take it, how is she supposed to finish her report?” I turned my head away, tears streaming, but he grabbed my chin, forcing the pills down my throat. Adrian seemed ready to say something else, but when his phone buzzed again, he glanced at it, then turned, and left without even grabbing his coat. I had a pretty good idea of why he was leaving. I opened Instagram and saw a post from Liliana, her nose stuffed with tissues, looking playful but cute. Liliana: [Watched fireworks all night, but came home with a cold. Took an extra cold pill—hope I’m not gonna die from it, lol.] The comments were flooded with Adrian’s overly concerned messages. Adrian: [You’re sick? Why didn’t you tell me?] Adrian: [You’re such a disaster. Go get checked at the hospital. I’ll come to you.]

That night, Adrian didn’t come back. After midnight, I silently wished myself a happy birthday. I remembered the days before they locked me up in the mental hospital, when Adrian had taken me for my first prenatal check-up. The doctor had calculated the due date, and Adrian was so excited. “Maybe the baby will be born on your birthday. We’ll throw a huge celebration.” But that was before. Now, Adrian had set off fireworks across the city to celebrate a pointless nomination for Liliana. As dawn broke, the nurse brought me a small cake. “I remember you said today was your birthday, but…” She hesitated, glancing at me and then at the empty space where my baby should’ve been. Still, she lit the candles. I appreciated her kindness during these inhuman days. I closed my eyes, made a wish, and just as I was about to blow out the candles, a figure appeared at the door. Adrian stood there, his eyes scanning the scene. His brow furrowed for a moment, as if something had just occurred to him. “Oh, today’s your birthday.” He fumbled in his coat pocket, almost as if he was looking for a gift. But when he pulled his hand out, all he had was a pink lace thong. He awkwardly shoved it back into his pocket, mumbling, “Maybe someone’s playing a prank on me. I’ll get you something better later.” I blew out the candles, not even thinking before I answered. “No need.” The moment the words left my mouth, Adrian’s face darkened. He shoved his hands in his pockets, impatience flashing across his features. “You’re really throwing a tantrum over a gift? I paid for your mother’s treatment when she was sick. And now you’re pouting over a stupid birthday? Isn’t that a bit much?” I bit my lip, silently listening. Because he was right—he had saved my mother’s life. What I owed him felt like it would never be repaid. The nurse, who had been sitting by the bed, couldn’t take it anymore and stood to leave, accidentally bumping into Adrian’s shoulder as she passed. He stumbled, his expression darkening, and his chest rising and falling dramatically. He shot me a reproachful glance before turning to leave but bumped into Liliana, who had just entered wearing a lab coat. Underneath, she was wearing a barely-there lace skirt. Adrian’s anger seemed to vanish instantly. He hurried forward, his voice softening. “I told you to rest at home. Why are you here?” Liliana sneezed and then waved her hand dismissively. “Yesterday, you took off your clothes to warm me up. I’m feeling much better now.” Liliana quickly realized there were other people in the room and pulled back her flirtatious gaze, offering me a tight smile. “I’m here because there’s an important experiment we need to do, and I need Daphne’s cooperation.” My heart skipped a beat. I looked at Adrian with pleading eyes, silently begging him to refuse. But he just smiled at Liliana, his voice casual as he replied, “It’s fine. She’s not doing anything anyway.” At that moment, the knife I had been dreading finally fell. Liliana smiled and then added, “This one might hurt a bit more, but you’ve handled it before, so I’m sure you can manage.” A cold sense of dread crept through me.

Adrian poured a hefty sum into setting up Liliana’s lab. He allowed Liliana to test her drugs on real people and even supported her using those questionable electroshock treatments. Every single time, Adrian was the one cleaning up the mess. And he seemed to enjoy it. But I never thought that one day, Adrian would let Liliana do this to me. I didn’t fight back fiercely, because I owed him too much. But once the experiment was over, I figured it was time to settle my debts. Liliana’s slap shattered the silence, and a group of doctors filed into the room, carrying various tools. Once the equipment was in place, Liliana suddenly leaned against Adrian’s shoulder, looking up at him with a pout. “Adrian, I’m suddenly scared.” Adrian seemed to flinch, his eyes softening with concern as he gently covered her eyes. “We’ll leave for now, and let them bring the data to us later.” In the room, I lay there, staring blankly at the ceiling, my hands and feet bound, as the doctors went to work. The light blurred, and my consciousness began to fade. As the voltage increased, my body went numb, but my mind remained somewhat alert, occasionally snapping back into clarity. Through a haze, I heard chaos breaking out around me, the sounds of scrambling, of equipment rattling. “Tch, what’s wrong with you? You can’t even control the voltage?” Then came the spasms, and I barely heard the frantic shout. “Hurry. We need to get her to emergency! There might still be time!” I didn’t struggle. It felt like I’d been knocked unconscious. When I opened my eyes again, I was in a new, unfamiliar room. Before I could say anything, a sweet voice chimed in from nearby. “You’ve really been through a lot, Daphne. Here’s a little something for your trouble.” Liliana flashed me a sugary smile and pulled out a bill, setting it down on my pillow. She turned around, just in time to meet Adrian, and immediately dropped the sinister expression, lowering her head with a frown. “It’s all my fault. I’m so sorry, Daphne. I didn’t mean for you to pass out. I’ve already apologized to you.” Adrian barely glanced at me before affectionately ruffling Liliana’s hair. “You didn’t mean it. No need to apologize.” But then he paused for a moment, as if struck by a thought. He walked over to my bedside. “The doctor said you lost the baby. Why didn’t you tell me when you were pregnant?” I stayed silent. He had been busy watching fireworks with Liliana, and no matter how many messages I sent him, none of them were ever answered. Before the nurse could explain, I stopped her with a raised hand and turned to Adrian. “The baby’s health was weak, so it’s been in an incubator.” I quickly added, “It was a boy.” Adrian lowered his head, lost in thought for a moment. A slight smile tugged at the corners of his mouth as he nodded in approval. “It’s good that you gave birth. You’ve been through so much, so tonight, I’ll take you to a restaurant to celebrate.” Without waiting for my consent, Adrian pulled me to a clothing store and bought me a dress. As he helped me zip it up, his hands paused when he saw all the bruises and marks on my exposed skin. But he didn’t say anything. At the dinner table, Adrian’s attention never strayed from his phone. He even disappeared to the restroom for more than twenty minutes. When he returned, he only remembered to call for the menu. And when the waiter arrived, Adrian just pointed absentmindedly at random. The waiter was completely confused, as Adrian had only pointed at drinks. I sighed and took the menu from his hands, ordering the food myself. After a while, as soon as the dishes were served, Adrian suddenly stood up and grabbed his coat. “Liliana’s been harassed at a party. I have to go.”

Just as Adrian was about to leave, he hesitated and then spoke with an indifferent tone, “You should come with me. There aren’t many cars available this time of night.” The whole way there, Adrian was too preoccupied with his phone to talk to me, glancing at it every few moments like he was waiting for some important message. We arrived in a rush at the location Liliana had sent, and the atmosphere in the private room was lively. As soon as Liliana saw me, her smile faded, but she quickly adjusted, lowering her head with a guilty expression. “I didn’t know you were with Daphne. I only called you because I lost a game of Truth or Dare.” Adrian burst into the room, still catching his breath, but he didn’t seem angry. “It’s nothing. Just having dinner with her. Not a big deal.” As soon as those words left his mouth, every pair of eyes in the room turned to me. I stared down at my hands, my fingers gripping tightly, hoping to put an end to this scene. “There’s nothing wrong. I’ll leave.” But as I turned to leave, Liliana suddenly called out to me. “Daphne, my experiment’s not finished. You can’t go home yet. You’ll need to stay in the hospital a little longer.” At that moment, I heard someone’s mocking voice from the crowd. “So she’s Liliana’s experiment? No wonder she’s covered in scars.” Another voice chimed in. “Scars are normal, but wearing such revealing clothes? That’s not right. It’s so ugly.” I turned my back, biting my lip, trying my best not to cry. Adrian, though, seemed to have heard nothing, still defending Liliana. “Liliana’s right. You can’t leave. Stay here at the hospital for now.” I gritted my teeth and held it in, but before I could reach the door, I received a call from the hospital. “Ma’am, your mother’s condition is critical. If you can, you should come and say goodbye.” My mind went blank in an instant. Just as I was about to rush out, I was blocked by a few bulky bodyguards. I struggled, but couldn’t break free, looking back at Adrian, my eyes pleading. His face, however, was filled with displeasure. “Liliana’s experiment has come this far, and you want to ruin it at the last minute?” Seeing that I was silent, Adrian made his decision. “You have to stay at the mental hospital tonight.” At that moment, I couldn’t take it anymore. I rushed to explain. “My mother’s dying! I need to see her one last time!” Adrian was momentarily moved, but Liliana tugged at his sleeve, giving him a pitiful look. Adrian immediately shifted his tone, his voice sharp. “Your mother has a doctor taking care of her. What’s the point of you going? Liliana’s been nominated for an award, and it’s going to be presented in a few days. You can’t stand her winning, can you?” My throat tightened, my blood running cold, but Adrian’s impatience was palpable as he waved his hand. The bodyguards grabbed me, dragging me out and swiftly tossing me into a car sent by the mental hospital. It was a long, torturous ride. I was locked back into a cold, dark room. And soon after, I received the dreaded news from the hospital… At that moment, countless images swirled in my mind, like falling into a frozen abyss. The next few days, Liliana continued her torment, and I became a hollow shell, no longer resisting. On the final day, Adrian attended the award ceremony with Liliana, the flashing lights blinding. And I regained my freedom. I picked up the plane ticket the nurse had bought for me, carrying the heavy urn, my body battered, and returned to my hometown. As soon as I landed, my phone was flooded with missed calls. All from Adrian. After a moment’s thought, I responded with one message: [Let’s get a divorce.] Then I blocked him and disappeared into the bustling crowd. Back in the shabby neighborhood, I sighed with relief. I’d just started packing when the nurse called me again. “News channels are going crazy…”

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### The day after I said yes to Isaac’s proposal, I accidentally logged into his messaging app on my laptop. A new message popped up: “Thank you for the ring, babe. In my heart, I’m already married to you.” Attached was a picture of the ring—a perfect match for the one Isaac had used to propose to me. Except hers was real. Mine was a cheap knockoff. In that moment, I finally understood the distant, unfocused look in his eyes when he proposed. It wasn’t me he was looking at—it was her. Without hesitation, I took off the ring and tossed it into the trash. I’ve never cared for fake jewelry. Or fake love. Almost the moment I saw the message, a notification popped up on the screen: “You’ve been logged out.” Then my phone started ringing—it was Isaac. “Mia, why were you logged into my account?” he demanded, his voice sharp and accusatory. “Were you trying to spy on me?” I couldn’t help but laugh bitterly. It was always the same. He was the one who couldn’t stay loyal, but somehow, he always managed to twist things around and make it seem like I was the one in the wrong. But today… I didn’t have the strength to argue. I hung up. I was exhausted. Completely, utterly exhausted. The phone immediately rang again. “Mia, what the hell? Did you just hang up on me?” Isaac’s voice was furious. I swallowed the lump in my throat and said hoarsely, “Isaac, let’s just end this.” There was silence on the other end. Then, all at once, his voice exploded with rage. “End this? Mia, who do you think you are to end things with me?” “You still think you’re the same rich little daddy’s girl from back then? That you can just throw me away like garbage whenever you feel like it?” “Don’t forget—your mom is still in the hospital, and she’s relying on me to pay her medical bills!” He wasn’t wrong. Years ago, he’d used my mother’s surgery as leverage to force me into staying with him. But what Isaac didn’t know was that earlier today, my mother had passed away. “It’s just a ring,” he sneered before I could respond. “You’re really breaking up with me over a stupid ring?” His laugh was cold and filled with disdain, cutting straight through me. “Let me make something clear, Mia. You don’t deserve anything better than a fake ring. Women like you—” His voice was like a swarm of buzzing mosquitoes, loud and unbearable, making my head spin. Without thinking, I hit the end call button. Then, I blocked him on everything. For the first time in what felt like forever, the world around me fell silent. I sat there in front of my laptop, staring blankly at the screen. Minutes passed, maybe longer. When I finally snapped out of it, I realized my face was wet with tears. In a single day, I had lost my mother, and the man I was supposed to marry had humiliated me beyond belief. And yet, in this moment of overwhelming grief and betrayal, I felt strangely calm. It’s funny how the human mind reacts when pushed to its absolute limit. I don’t remember how I packed my things. I just remember looking around this cold, empty apartment and realizing that everything I truly owned fit into two suitcases. Dragging them behind me, I wandered aimlessly through the streets. With my mom gone, I felt like a tether inside me had snapped. When she was alive, she had once threatened to take her own life unless I broke up with Isaac, who was then a struggling entrepreneur, and left the country to study abroad. Later, when my father went bankrupt and took his own life, and my mother’s health began to fail, Isaac used her medical bills as a chain to keep me trapped by his side. For years, I’d been like a kite, bound by a string someone else was holding. Now, the string was gone. “Beep! Beep!” A blaring car horn jolted me from my thoughts. I looked up and realized, far too late, that I was standing in the middle of the street. The headlights grew brighter, and the screech of tires tearing against asphalt filled the air. I didn’t have time to move. The impact sent me sprawling onto the pavement. I opened my eyes to see a man stepping out of the driver’s seat. He looked panicked as he rushed toward me.

The man’s face initially carried a hint of impatience, but the moment he saw me, a flicker of surprise crossed his expression. “I’m so sorry, it’s my fault—I’m fine, really,” I said, forcing a weak smile, trying to ignore the searing pain in my leg. After all, I was the one who broke the rules and wandered into the street. I just hoped I hadn’t caused him much trouble. I tried to stand, but the sharp pain in my leg sent me stumbling back down. “Don’t push yourself,” the man said, catching me quickly before I fell again. Without another word, he pulled out his phone and called for an ambulance. It arrived quickly. Maybe it was the exhaustion from days spent sleepless by my mother’s bedside, but as soon as I was inside the ambulance, I blacked out. When I woke up, it was already the next afternoon. The sound of my phone ringing jolted me awake. It was an unfamiliar number. The moment I answered, an all-too-familiar voice barked through the line: “Mia, so now you’ve got the nerve to block me?” Isaac’s voice was full of venom. “You faked a car accident just to get my attention? How desperate can you be?” His words hit me like a slap in the face. “If only the car had actually finished you off,” he added coldly. Suddenly, I remembered the EMT asking for an emergency contact while I was barely conscious in the ambulance. I must have given them Isaac’s number. “I really was in an accident. I’m in the hospital right now—” I started, trying to explain. But he cut me off, his tone dripping with disdain. “Enough! You’re such a liar. Do you think I’m stupid?” “Lola asked her friend at the hospital. She said no car accident victims were admitted last night. So what was your plan? That I’d drop everything and come running to you out of guilt? Keep dreaming!” I glanced down at my leg, still wrapped in bandages, the pain radiating like fire. Tears pricked the corners of my eyes, but I blinked them back. Why wouldn’t he believe me? I knew why. Isaac had never forgiven me for leaving him when he was at his lowest point. But he didn’t know the full story. He didn’t know how my mother had taken my phone, broken it in front of me, and forced me to end things with him. She had locked me inside the house until I left for school overseas, ensuring I couldn’t reach him. It had taken everything I had to slip a letter to him before I left. I poured my heart into it, explaining everything, telling him how much I loved him, begging him to wait for me. I even left him all the money I had at the time, hoping it would help him get back on his feet. But when we finally met again years later, he’d looked me dead in the eye and said, “Mia, you dumped me when I had nothing. It was Lola who sold her house and loaned me the money to rebuild my life.” Maybe he was right. Maybe I was a fool to think that letter had meant anything to him. If Lola had done so much for him, then why didn’t he just marry her? What was the point of dragging me back into his life and blaming me for everything? “What’s wrong? Did I hit a nerve?” Isaac sneered, breaking the silence. “You’re just a manipulative, gold-digging woman who’ll stop at nothing to get what you want.” I took a deep breath, trying to steady my voice. “Isaac, my mom passed away yesterday. You don’t need to worry about paying her medical bills anymore.” “I’ll pay back every cent I owe you. And after that, let’s just… end this, okay? Please.” The line went silent. For a second, I thought he’d hung up. Then his voice returned, colder than ever. “Wow, Mia. You’re so twisted you’d even lie about your own mother’s death? Do you really think I’d fall for that?” I stared at the phone, his words slicing through me like a knife. So this is what he thought of me. When he finally hung up, my hands were trembling so badly I could barely hold the phone. I thought my heart had already been shattered beyond repair, but somehow, the pain still felt fresh, sharp, suffocating. How do you let go of someone you’ve loved for so long? The same person who had broken you again and again? It was a while before I calmed down. When I finally glanced toward the bedside table, I noticed a small yellow sticky note sitting there. “Had to step out for a bit, but I’ll come check on you tonight.” It was signed, “Logan.” It must’ve been from the man who hit me—the unlucky driver who’d ended up stuck with me.

I didn’t wait until evening. There was still so much to do to settle my mom’s affairs. Ignoring the doctor’s disapproving glare, I signed myself out of the hospital against medical advice. It took me a full week to handle everything. When it was all done, I stood in front of that small, lonely grave, and something inside me broke. For the first time, it truly sank in—this woman, who had spent her life controlling mine under the guise of love, was gone forever. I collapsed against the cold headstone, sobbing uncontrollably. It was only after some time had passed that I realized something was missing. The necklace. The only thing my mom had left me. I must’ve left it at Isaac’s place. If it weren’t for that necklace, I wouldn’t have set foot in that suffocating house again. All I could do was pray that Isaac wasn’t home, so I could grab it and leave without any drama. But life isn’t that kind. Isaac wasn’t there, but Lola was. “Mia? What are you doing back here?” Lola asked, leaning against the doorframe in her silk pajamas, arms crossed like she owned the place. “I came to grab something. I’ll leave as soon as I have it,” I said, not wanting to waste a single second more on her. Whatever happened between her and Isaac was no longer my concern. But she wasn’t about to let me off so easily. “Let me guess,” she said with a smug grin. “You’re just using that as an excuse to worm your way back into Isaac’s life, aren’t you?” She covered her mouth, pretending to stifle a laugh. “Did you know that the moment you moved out, he couldn’t wait to have me move in? If it weren’t for you, I’d have been Mrs. Carter a long time ago.” As she spoke, she held up her hand, showing off a ring that sparkled far too brightly. The same ring Isaac had used to propose to me. “Some people,” she sneered, “are only good enough for cheap knockoffs. Pathetic, isn’t it?” I clenched my teeth, my nails digging into my palms. Without thinking, I raised my hand and slapped her across the face. “You are not in any position to mock me!” At this point, I had nothing left to lose. If she wanted a fight, I was ready to give her one. Lola let out a sharp scream, clutching her cheek in disbelief. “You hit me?! Do you have any idea what Isaac will do to you when he finds out?” Then, as if suddenly remembering something hilarious, her expression twisted into something malicious. “Oh wait,” she said, her voice dripping with mockery. “Didn’t you say your mom’s dead now? Good riddance. Too bad you didn’t die with her.” That was it. I snapped. Grabbing her perfectly styled hair, I yanked her forward and slammed her head against the wall. Her shrieks were ear-piercing, but I didn’t care. “What the hell are you doing, Mia?!” Isaac’s voice roared through the room as he stormed in, grabbing my arm and shoving me to the ground. He immediately knelt down to cradle Lola, whispering softly to her as if she were made of glass. His face was full of tenderness, but when he turned to me, his eyes were filled with disgust. “Mia, I’ve been way too patient with you!” he shouted. Lola, ever the actress, sobbed quietly into his chest. “Isaac, it’s my fault. I upset her… I deserved to be hit. Don’t blame her anymore, okay? I’ll just leave so she won’t be mad anymore.” Her performance was Oscar-worthy. Even I wanted to applaud her dedication. Isaac, of course, fell for it. “From now on,” he snarled at me, “you’re not getting another dime from me. Let’s see how you like watching your mom rot in the hospital without my money.” I laughed bitterly, ignoring the sharp pain shooting through my leg. Blood was already seeping through the bandages, staining my jeans. Isaac noticed, pausing for a moment. “What’s wrong with your leg?” he asked, his voice softer for a second. “None of your business,” I spat, swatting away the hand he reached out. Without another word, I limped toward the bedroom, grabbed the necklace, and headed back out. But before I could leave, Isaac snatched it from my hand. “Give it back!” I demanded, trying to grab it, but he held it out of reach. “Everything you have—your clothes, your jewelry, even your mom’s hospital bills—was paid for with my money. If you’re so high and mighty, why don’t you take off everything I’ve ever given you and walk out naked?” “You bastard!” I snapped, biting down on my trembling lip to keep the tears at bay. Isaac just smirked. “Go ahead. Strip. Do it, and I’ll let you leave.” I stared at him, his mocking smile twisting the knife deeper into my chest. Fine. If this was what he wanted, I’d give it to him. I started with my jacket, then my shirt. Soon, I was standing there in just a tank top. As I reached for the hem of it, Isaac suddenly shouted, “Enough!” “Have you lost all self-respect, Mia?” He threw my clothes and the necklace at me, the chain hitting me square in the face. “Fine. Get out. But don’t you ever come crawling back to me, begging for help.” With that, he wrapped his arm around Lola and walked away, not even bothering to look back. I stood there, clutching my clothes and the necklace, watching his retreating figure. What was he so angry about? This was what he wanted, wasn’t it? To see me humiliated. To see me crushed under the weight of everything I’d lost. To see me as nothing more than a broken shell of the person I used to be. He should’ve been happy. Shouldn’t he?

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “295355”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #浪漫Romance #魔幻Magic #现实主义Realistic #励志Inspiring #惊悚Thriller