In the fifth year of my marriage to Asher, it was revealed that he had been maintaining a relationship with a girl hidden away in a hotel, and the news spread everywhere. To protect her from being branded as the “mistress,” Asher approached me with divorce papers, saying, “Mr. Johnson once helped me, and before he died, he asked me to look after Adeline. Now that this has come out, I can’t just walk away.” Over the years, Adeline had always been Asher’s priority. In my previous life, when I heard these words, I was devastated and refused the divorce, which eventually led to severe depression. Asher dismissed my condition as an act, based on Adeline’s comment that “My sister doesn’t look sick.” He set me up for infidelity and directly filed for divorce. It was then that I realized I couldn’t compete with a deep-seated debt of gratitude, leading me to end my life in despair. But when I opened my eyes again, I signed the divorce papers without hesitation. 1 “Cora, after all this blows over, can we get back together?” While sitting on a stone bench in the villa’s courtyard, lost in thought, Ezra approached me with Adeline. Just three hours earlier, Adeline had been caught by paparazzi as possibly being Ezra’s lover, causing the entire internet to dig into her past and label her as the intruder who wrecked my happy marriage with Ezra. Ezra’s image as the devoted husband fell apart, and the stock of Ezra Corporation began to fluctuate. In my past life, when Ezra came to me with divorce papers, I was furious and destroyed the roses he had planted for me in the garden, hysterically questioning his relationship with Adeline. She was merely the daughter of a mentor, and there were countless ways to resolve the situation. Yet he chose to sacrifice me, simply to prevent Adeline’s depression from worsening. What Ezra didn’t know was that during the trending topic period, I was also diagnosed with moderate depression. “Cora,” Ezra called out again, pulling me back from my reverie. I lowered my gaze to the divorce papers on the stone table. He knelt on one knee beside me, his deep eyes meeting mine, his warm palm enveloping my hand. His tone was persuasive. “Cora, do it for me, okay?” “We’ll tell everyone that our marriage has been over for a year and that we’ve been planning to divorce, but just hadn’t found the right time.” I remained silent, and behind him, Adeline, in a white dress with Ezra’s jacket draped over her shoulders, looked pale and teary-eyed. “Sister Cora, please help me, won’t you?” “My mother took her own life due to cyberbullying and depression. I don’t want to go down the same path. Sister, I’m begging you…” Just as she was about to kneel, Ezra quickly stood up, supporting her and protectively holding her close. His face darkened as he softly reprimanded, “What are you doing?” Adeline choked back a sob, her voice frail and tearful, then lowered her tear-filled eyes. “I… I just want my sister to feel better.” Ezra’s brow immediately furrowed with impatience, and he looked at me, the tenderness in his eyes completely gone. “Cora, I’m not here to negotiate.” “I’ve already made up my mind, and if you don’t want to divorce, don’t blame me—” I calmly met his gaze, and his words stopped abruptly. But I knew what he wanted to say. He wanted to say, “Cora, you know what I’m capable of. I have countless ways to make you sign.” “If it comes to a divorce lawsuit, you can’t win against Ezra’s lawyers.” These were his exact words in my past life. Later, I was set up with several male models, and the evidence of my infidelity was irrefutable. Overnight, I became the woman accused of cheating, subjected to public scorn. While he and Adeline became the innocent victims. “I can sign, but you have to promise me one thing,” I said after a long pause. 2 Ezra looked up at me and nodded in agreement. He handed me a pen, and I took it, signing my name on the divorce papers without any emotion. “Aren’t you going to look at the agreement?” Ezra frowned and asked me. I smiled slightly, “No need.” He was practically leaving empty-handed, giving me all the assets, just for Adeline, to repay a debt of gratitude. “Make time to go to the County Clerk’s Office tomorrow.” “Okay,” I said. Ezra’s hand paused slightly as he took the divorce papers, looking at me with a bit of confusion, but in the end, he said nothing. As they left, Adeline turned back and gave me a mocking look, her thin lips silently mouthing, “You lost.” I did lose. I lost my entire life, and now I don’t want to lose anymore. After a while, my phone screen lit up, showing a message from Ezra. [I’m sorry for what happened today, Cora.] [After this is over, I’ll give you a grand wedding, and we’ll remarry.] [I can’t just watch Adeline’s depression worsen. You can understand me, right?] I looked at the message and couldn’t help but laugh, tears in my eyes. It was the same in my past life. To force me into a divorce, Ezra sought advice from his friends and got drunk. But he forgot his friends were also my friends. Finn tried to persuade Ezra not to sacrifice his marriage for Adeline. Meanwhile, he was mediating with me, asking me to understand Ezra, saying Ezra was a man of deep emotions. If it weren’t for Adeline’s father recognizing Ezra’s talent and investing in him, helping him start his business, Ezra wouldn’t be where he is today. Back then, I tearfully retorted, “Ezra could have clarified this in countless ways. Why must he divorce me?” Finn was silent. He had asked Ezra, and Ezra had replied, “I have to wrong someone, and I can only wrong Cora. She loves me and can understand me.” Because I loved him, I was sacrificed. What logic is that? Luckily, I get another chance. 3 When it comes to Adeline, Ezra always acts quickly. In the day, he signed the divorce papers with me, and by evening, he arranged a press conference and had an assistant invite me to attend and clarify. I hadn’t even spoken yet. The assistant, thinking I would refuse, quickly relayed Ezra’s message to me. He said, “Miss Cora, you should attend this press conference, if not for Mr. Ezra, then for your reputation.” I paused for a second, then snorted. Ezra was threatening me. He was trying to use the same tactics from my past life to force me to compromise, to smear me, and leave me to struggle under public opinion. Ultimately, I would have to bow down. I never understood whether Ezra saw me as his wife or his adversary…? Now he wants to publicly clear up our relationship. So do I. The press conference was arranged in the most luxurious hotel lobby in North Beijing, and the invited journalists were some of the industry’s most influential. When Adeline appeared in a qipao, holding Ezra’s arm, the journalists swarmed them. Ezra instinctively shielded Adeline, smiling as he blocked the microphones, “I’ll answer your questions one by one shortly.” “Please, make some space, okay?” His voice was gentle, and when he looked up, he met my eyes, also surrounded by reporters. In that moment, I still hoped Ezra would come to my rescue. But in the next second— He calmly looked away, smiling, holding Adeline’s hand, and walked to the stage, as if he hadn’t seen me. I curled my lips in mockery. The closest reporter to me was probably an intern, timidly handing me a microphone and asking, “Miss Cora, have you really divorced Mr. Ezra?” “Yes,” I smiled, nodding in response. The intern adjusted her glasses, “But you and Mr. Ezra have known each other since high school, dated for seven years, and been married for five.” “Just last month, Mr. Ezra spent a fortune to buy you an island and named it after you.” I kept smiling, but it didn’t reach my eyes. “That was something he owed me.” He missed my birthday to care for Adeline, and that was the makeup gift. In my past life, I was pleased about this, only to later learn it was Finn’s idea, the island chosen by Ezra’s assistant, and Ezra didn’t even know where it was. “Do you still love Mr. Ezra now?” She looked at me nervously, and the reporters around me fell silent, even Ezra on the stage looked at me. His brows furrowed slightly. I calmly glanced at him and then smiled, saying, “Not anymore.” 4 I didn’t stay for the end of the interview. After Ezra clarified that our marriage had been dead for a year, I left. Overnight, I became the unwanted second-hand by Ezra. While Adeline became the only innocent victim in this narrative. The interview was pinned on the social media platform for days, the topic’s heat never subsiding. Especially the part where Ezra said, “Cora and I planned to divorce a year ago, just waiting for the right time. We intended to handle it quietly, but now it’s affecting an innocent person, so we have to clarify publicly. Miss Adeline is not the cause of our relationship’s breakdown.” Overnight, I became Ezra’s discarded baggage, while Adeline emerged as the sole innocent party in this storm of public opinion. The interview from that day remained pinned on social media for several days, and the interest in the topic never waned. Particularly striking was when Ezra said, “Cora and I have been considering divorce for a year, just waiting for the right time. We wanted to handle it quietly, but since it’s affecting innocent people, we have to clarify publicly. Miss Adeline was not a third party in our relationship breakdown. She was my teacher’s only concern in this world, so it’s natural for me to take care of her. I hope everyone views this rationally.” Some fans were misled to think that the reason for our relationship breakdown was my inability to tolerate the pure sibling bond between Ezra and Adeline, which they saw as something sordid. They also accused me of being petty and lacking generosity, claiming that after five years of marriage, I hadn’t learned any loyalty or righteousness from Ezra. The topic simmered for several days, and I became the target of public criticism. After obtaining the divorce certificate from the County Clerk’s Office, Ezra called out to me, “Don’t take the things said online to heart. People will forget soon enough.” I stopped and couldn’t help but chuckle. The same insults were hurled at me online, yet the difference was stark. “Cora, in two months, it’ll be New Year.” “How about we remarry early next year?” He looked at me and was about to approach, but I took a step back, shifting my gaze to the reporters held back by bodyguards not far away. Ezra seemed to realize the inappropriateness and stopped. “Ezra, I’m going back to Port City.” “You haven’t been back in a long time. It’s good to return for a visit, and I’ll pick you up for the New Year—” “I’m not coming back,” I interrupted Ezra calmly. His faint smile froze, and confusion appeared in his eyes. I added, “When I agreed to sign the divorce papers, you promised me something. Now it’s time to fulfill it.” Ezra stared at me blankly. When I was reborn, it took mere seconds to process my love and hatred for Ezra. The moment I saw the divorce agreement, I thought about going crazy and tearing it up, causing another scene, but reason ultimately prevailed. After a long pause, I smiled slightly: “Ezra, I hope you never appear before me again.” 5 Cora smiled and gracefully disappeared into the crowd, leaving Ezra unable to react for a long time. For a moment, he felt an inexplicable panic, as if he was about to lose something most important. Just like when Cora calmly signed the divorce papers, he felt a vague unease. She didn’t make a scene, seemingly having predicted all the outcomes. Yet not long ago, Cora had been furious because he forgot her birthday, even slapping him. He thought he was proposing a fake divorce. Cora would lose her mind and cause a fuss, and he was ready for it. But she didn’t; she picked up the pen with an expression as calm as still water. He had thought about stopping her, but in the end, he did nothing. He thought it was okay; Cora loved him very much. They were only getting a fake divorce, and he would make it up to her later. But Adeline was different. She couldn’t suffer any harm because of him. If it weren’t for Adeline’s father appreciating his talent and taking the risk of being kicked out of the shareholders’ meeting to invest in his project, helping him grow and become a new elite in North Haven, he wouldn’t be where he is today. Nor would he be worthy of Adeline. Before Adeline’s father passed away, he hoped Ezra would protect Adeline’s well-being. He didn’t want to be an ungrateful person. Finn once asked him, “If one day, both Adeline and Cora fell off a cliff, who would you save?” He laughed, thinking it was a silly question. He would save Adeline, but he would die with Cora. Finn laughed with him but asked, “What if Cora doesn’t want to die?” “Ezra, you can’t keep mistreating Cora because she likes you. If she doesn’t feel your love, she’ll despair too.” That day, he didn’t take it seriously. He never considered it. But in the end, the prophecy came true. At night, Ezra still returned to the villa. Since marrying him, Cora had lived in the villa halfway up the mountain. She was an outstanding painter, recognized at ten for a landscape painting as a young prodigy painter. Everyone thought her accomplishments in traditional Chinese painting were exceptional, and she would become a leader in the industry, which indeed happened. But after marriage, her painting style changed, losing its former brilliance. Cora’s teacher tried to guide her, but it didn’t work, and later, Cora gave up painting and even resisted picking up a brush. Ezra walked into Cora’s studio. When he saw the landscape painting on the easel, he was momentarily stunned. A few strokes, yet vivid. Mrs. Chen saw the studio lights were on and was slightly surprised to see Ezra: “Sir.” Ezra looked up, “When did she paint this?” Mrs. Chen replied, “The day you came back with Miss Adeline.” Ezra nodded, trying to smile, but couldn’t. After leaving the studio, he returned to the room he shared with Cora, telling himself countless times it was just a fake divorce. Once the storm passed, he would propose to her again and give her a grand wedding. But somehow, his heart felt empty. He dismissed Cora’s words today as her angry nonsense. In North Haven, they had their home with Cora; how could she not come back? “Knock, knock—” The master bedroom door suddenly knocked. Sitting at the foot of the bed, Ezra looked up; it was Adeline. She wore a thin dress, her face slightly flushed, standing at the door, quietly looking at Ezra. “Why are you here?” Adeline pursed her lips, “I was scared being alone at the hotel, so I came to find you.” “Did I—” She lowered her eyes, “Disturb you?” Ezra frowned slightly but still said, “It’s okay; it’s a bit late today.” “I’ll have Mrs. Chen prepare a guest room for you.” As he was about to call Mrs. Chen, Adeline stepped into the room, her tender eyes looking at Ezra. “Brother Ezra, I don’t want to stay in the guest room.” “Is that okay?” she asked softly. Ezra’s frown deepened, his lips parted to refuse, but seeing her slightly red eyes, he softened. When the plane landed in Port City, Jasper came to pick me up. At eighteen, he was wrongfully accused of assault after saving a girl and served three years. With a criminal record, no company would hire him. I met him at an art exhibition; he never interacted with others, always looking down. When people approached, he only retreated timidly. Later, one night, on my way home, I encountered thugs and was nearly assaulted. He happened to pass by, and I thought he’d ignore it. But he didn’t; he acted without hesitation. That day I asked him, “What if I falsely accused you too?” He smiled bitterly, “Then I’d accept it.” I used my family’s influence to clear his name. When the truth came out, he stood far away, looking at me through the crowd with red eyes, bowing in gratitude. Three years in prison hadn’t erased his goodness. My father, grateful for saving me, offered him a chance, bringing him into the company. Starting from the bottom, he’s now my father’s most trusted aide. “Miss, long time no see.” Jasper, wearing a trench coat, took my suitcase. I nodded, feeling an inexplicable sadness. Five years ago, after marrying Ezra, I moved north with him. In my previous life, when I had an accident, Jasper was sent to Country A for training by my father. I never saw him again before I died. “Miss, once you’re back this time, are you leaving again?” he asked. I said, “I’m not leaving.” Jasper smiled slightly, “Mr. Cora was delighted to hear you’re back.” I paused, my hand in my pocket tightening, a tinge of bitterness in my heart. My divorce with Ezra was a public debacle. My father, worried about me, flew from Port City to North Haven overnight, earnestly advising me: “Ezra always misjudges things.” “Back then, he chose to work with the Johnson family instead of accepting your help. If you put it nicely, he didn’t want to rely on you. But relying on the Johnson family’s investment is still relying, isn’t it?” “Cora, if you’re divorced, then it’s done. Ezra isn’t right for you.” He wanted to take me back to Port City. But I refused, crying and insisting on staying. I tearfully said, “I love Ezra, and I don’t want a divorce.” “Why should I sacrifice myself for his debt? Even if it kills me, I won’t divorce. I won’t leave.” It looks like the text you wanted translated wasn’t included. Please provide the specific Chinese text you need help with, and I’ll gladly assist you. In the end, I upset my father so much that he had a heart attack and was admitted to the ICU, with multiple critical condition notices issued. Overnight, my mother’s hair turned white. When my father regained consciousness, he didn’t say a word, but I knew he was disappointed in me. Even as she was leaving, my mother tried to persuade me: “Your father has always respected your decisions all these years.” “But Ezra is not a good man.” Back then, I wouldn’t listen to anyone and stubbornly pursued my own path, even at the risk of my life, only to finally realize that I wasn’t that important to Ezra. “Are they all doing well?” I asked Jasper. Jasper nodded, “The corporation is thriving, and Mr. Carter and Mrs. Carter are in good health.” I smiled, meeting his calm gaze. “Thank you, Jasper.” Thank you for taking care of my family duties. Jasper shook his head, saying it was the least he could do. If it weren’t for the help from my father and me back then, he might have ended up in some forgotten corner. On social media, trending topics kept emerging. From Adeline being Ezra’s mistress, it had now shifted to painting me as heartless and ungrateful. Yesterday, the paparazzi caught photos of Jasper and me at the airport, and now they’re claiming I had been cheating all along, which led to my relationship with Ezra breaking down. I couldn’t help but laugh. When I glanced down, there was a message from Adeline, using a fake account, on my phone. It was a picture of her spending the night at the villa on the hillside. [Last night, Ezra invited me to stay over. What do you think he’ll do tonight?] [Ezra is very responsible; now that the shackles are gone.] [Cora, your husband is mine now.] She tried to provoke me, but I was already at peace. Jasper poured me a cup of tea and handed it to me, glancing at my phone screen with concern, and said in a deep voice: “Miss.” “I will make sure you get back all the justice you deserve.” I didn’t respond to his words, instead, I asked, “I heard my father introduced you to many eligible women, hoping for you to settle down.” “Why did you refuse?” Jasper seemed surprised by my question, lowered his eyes, and rubbed the rim of the teacup with his thumb. After a long silence, I asked again, “Is it because of me?” He suddenly looked up, and when our eyes met, he avoided my gaze with a guilty expression. Over five years, although Jasper and I hadn’t seen each other, he always sent generous gifts on my birthdays. He spent lavishly and occasionally transferred money to my account. He practically gave me everything he earned. I refused many times, but he persisted. Later, I called him, and for the first time, I lost my temper with him. I said, “Jasper, you saved me once, I helped you once, we’re even.” “My father brought you into the corporation, and you’ve come this far on your own.” “You don’t owe me anything, I’m not your creditor. Doing this will only ruin my marriage and make Ezra misunderstand my relationship with you.” After that conversation, Jasper stopped transferring money to me. The gifts were just the bare essentials. “Jasper, I said you don’t owe me.” Just as I finished speaking, Jasper said, “No.” “What?” He looked at me, with a slight smile on his face and love in his eyes: “I like you, Miss.” “I know I’m worlds apart from you.” “I never dared to hope you would look back at me, but my heart belongs to you. I don’t want to deceive myself, nor do I want to waste anyone else’s time.” As Jasper’s words lingered, I quietly observed him. Although we were the same age, he matured much faster than I did. When I first saw him, he seemed timid and out of place. Now he has become the backbone of the corporation, the person my father values the most. Last night, when I returned to the old house, my father talked to me for a long time about the future of the corporation and my future. Finally, he asked me two questions. The first was, “Do you still like Ezra?” I shook my head, giving a negative answer. But to the second question, I remained silent. He asked me, “Are you willing to marry Jasper?” My father was planning to retire, and although Jasper had been with him for many years, he was not part of the Carter family. Initially, I was a bit confused, but now I have an answer. “Jasper, are you willing to marry me?” Two days later in North Haven. Ezra sat in the studio, looking down at the recording of Cora being interviewed by an intern. The intern asked curiously, “Do you still love Mr. Gu now?” Cora smiled and replied, “No.” Those simple words inexplicably depressed him. He played that clip countless times, trying to find something in Cora’s eyes. Ultimately, he found nothing. Frustrated, he opened the chat with Cora, only to find the last message was him reminding her to get the divorce certificate at the County Clerk’s Office at nine o’clock. She had replied with a simple “Okay.” And then there was nothing more. In the past, Cora used to cling to him, sharing everything with him, big or small. He would respond promptly when he saw her messages. He scrolled back through their chat history. Many times, it was just Cora talking to herself. Occasionally, he only replied with a “Okay” or “I know.” The corporation kept him busy. After Mr. Johnson passed away, Adeline developed depression and attempted suicide multiple times. He couldn’t handle everything. Suddenly, Finn sent a message. [Cora is going to marry Jasper.] Ezra stood up abruptly, accidentally knocking over the easel. The landscape painting fell to the ground, and when he hurriedly picked it up, a medical report was pressed beneath the canvas. He paused for two seconds, and after reading all the contents, his fingertips trembled slightly. [The patient experiences severe emotional fluctuations, repeatedly showing suicidal tendencies, and has severe sleep disturbances. It is judged that the patient has moderate depression tendencies.] The date at the bottom was the day he proposed a fake divorce to Cora. “Brother Ezra, what happened?” Adeline hurried over from the master bedroom after hearing the commotion. When she saw the medical report in Ezra’s hand, a calculating look flashed in her eyes. “Can I see that report?” Adeline asked softly. Ezra said nothing, only feeling a tightness in his chest. She took the report from his hand, flipped through a few pages, and then pretended to be relieved, patting Ezra’s shoulder to comfort him: “Brother Ezra, don’t worry.” “Did you forget? I’m also a depression patient. You’ve seen how I am when I have an episode.” “I saw Sister that day; she looked so healthy, not like someone who was ill at all.” “She might have been too angry and used a fake report to deceive you.” Adeline looked at Ezra. Just as she was about to continue speaking, Ezra, suppressing his emotions, took the report from her and walked out. After taking a couple of steps, he considered something and turned back to say: “After tomorrow, don’t stay in the master bedroom anymore.” “If Cora finds out, she’ll make a fuss again.” With those words, Adeline stood frozen in place. When she finally reacted and tried to chase after him, “Brother Ezra…” Ezra had already gone downstairs, in such a hurry that he didn’t even take his coat. Whether the report was real or fake. Whether Cora was going to marry Jasper or not. The only thought in his mind now was to see Cora and bring her home. Jasper took our wedding very seriously. He personally oversaw every detail. During the day, he ran between the company and the wedding venue. At night, he sat in the living room, writing invitations one by one. “Jasper, you can let the assistant arrange these things. You’re already working hard enough; there’s no need to put in so much extra effort.” I held a cup, standing at the top of the stairs, speaking to Jasper in the living room. He put down his pen and smiled at me, “No matter what it is, I want to give you the best, Miss.” “I know you may not have me in your heart, but I hold you dearly.” At that moment, meeting his gaze, I was momentarily dazed, my heart stirring after so long. “You don’t need to feel any burden.” “Just be a beautiful bride.” Jasper continued smiling, his eyes no longer hiding his emotions. Eventually, I smiled and nodded. I never expected Ezra to find his way to Port City. Jasper and I had just finished trying on the wedding attire when we saw Ezra standing under a camphor tree across the street. He wore a simple white shirt, his hair messy, his face slightly pale, with no light in his eyes. His gaze lingered on the hands Jasper and I held for a moment before shifting away. Ezra forced a smile, looking at me, “Cora, I’m here to take you home.” “Let’s not wait until next year. Let’s go back and remarry now, okay?” With those words, he took a few steps closer to us. Jasper instinctively wanted to stand in front of me, but I stopped him. While fixing his slightly crooked tie, I softly said: “Wait for me in the car.” “I’ll be back soon. Mom made your favorite dish tonight. Let’s go home together later.” Jasper looked down at me, the corners of his lips slightly upturned, and replied, “Okay.” He then gave Ezra a light glance before heading toward the car park. Now, it was just Ezra and me by the roadside. He instinctively tried to get close to me, but I subtly stepped back, softly saying: “Mr. Gu, let’s keep some distance between us, or else the paparazzi might capture this.” “There’ll be rumors on social media about me deliberately entangling with my ex-husband.” No matter the situation, people are always harsher on women. The incident with Adeline is a clear example. Even though it was Ezra who was inconsistent, I was the one labeled as not being magnanimous enough. “Cora, I…” Ezra’s eyes dimmed, his bitter smile not reaching his eyes. At that moment, just Ezra and I remained by the roadside. He instinctively moved closer, but I subtly stepped back and softly said, “Mr. Ezra, we should keep our distance, or the paparazzi might snap a photo.” “People on social media will start rumors that I’m trying to get back with my ex-husband.” No matter the circumstances, people are always harder on women. The situation with Adeline highlights this perfectly. Ezra was the indecisive one from the start, yet I was labeled as lacking grace. “Cora, I…” Ezra’s eyes clouded, and his bitter smile didn’t reach them. “I’ve asked my assistant to sort things out on the platform. I’m sorry for the trouble you’ve been through.” “I didn’t realize how much distress this caused you, didn’t know—” “Ezra, you knew,” I looked at him calmly. If he hadn’t known how painful public opinion could be, he wouldn’t have divorced me to help Adeline. In my past, I was accused of having affairs with several male models and divorced by Ezra. My reputation was shattered, my career plummeted, and everyone ridiculed my fall. Some even confronted me, asking, “Cora, after being treated like this by your ex-husband, how do you still have the courage to live?” “If it were me, I’d have jumped off a building.” “They call her Mrs. Ezra, but Ezra never really cared about her, or he wouldn’t have driven her to such a fate.” Later, I suffered from sleepless nights, sitting by the window, watching the city lights. I burned down my studio. I also destroyed everything Ezra gave me, as if that could erase him from my heart. I poured out all my grievances. I hated why the boy who once only had eyes for me would send me down such a path. In the end, I slit my wrists and took my own life. To this day, I still remember the feeling of blood slowly leaving my body. Ezra opened his mouth to explain, but no words came out. He could only lower his head helplessly. “Cora, I’ll make it up to you.” I couldn’t help but laugh. I’ve heard that promise too many times. After Adeline’s father passed away, Ezra left on the night of our engagement party, saying, “Cora, something happened to Adeline, I have to go check on her.” On our wedding day, Adeline attempted suicide again. After sending me back to the bridal suite, he didn’t return all night. At that time, I wavered on whether to continue this relationship. But seeing Ezra’s exhausted appearance, I endured. I loved Ezra, so I was willing to go through all the hardships with him. Every broken promise would end with a sentence: “Cora, I will make it up to you in the future.” Ezra always thought we had a lifetime, but he forgot that love can be worn out. In the end, in my previous life. I couldn’t tell if I loved Ezra or was just obsessed. After a while, I mocked, “Ezra, actually, I want very little, but you still can’t care for me.” “I’m also cherished by my parents. Why should I let you treat me this way?” “So let’s just forget it.” As the words fell, I retracted my gaze and turned to leave when Ezra frantically grabbed my arm. His tall frame nearly stumbled, and his pale lips moved. “I don’t agree.” “It can’t just end like this.” “Cora, you’re my wife, you can’t abandon me…”

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My stepsister framed me for causing her allergic reaction, so my three brothers locked me in a cramped, airless cellar and chained the door shut. I weakly pounded on the cellar door, begging my brothers to let me out. James, my oldest brother and a business tycoon, coldly scolded me before leaving: “It’s bad enough that you usually bully Lily, but deliberately feeding her seafood when you know she’s allergic? Were you trying to kill her? Stay in there and think about what you’ve done!” William, my second brother and a rising music star, and Henry, my third brother and a genius painter, both sneered: “Someone as vicious as you is still making excuses and playing the victim? You can just stay in there and suffer the consequences!” With that, they carried my trembling stepsister Lily in their arms and rushed her to the hospital. As the oxygen slowly ran out, each breath became more labored until I finally died in that cellar. Three days later, when my brothers returned home from the hospital with Lily, they finally remembered me. But by then, I had already suffocated to death in that cramped cellar. I died from lack of oxygen in that cellar. When I regained consciousness, I found my spirit hovering next to my three brothers. They had just returned to their mansion. James and William were gently helping Lily, speaking to her kindly: “Thank goodness we got you to the hospital in time. You’re recovering so quickly.” Henry fussed over her with obvious concern: “The doctor said your body is still weak and needs proper nourishment.” He then eagerly served Lily a large piece of meat. A servant hesitantly spoke up: “Young masters, Miss Rachel hasn’t made a sound in the cellar for three days now…” James snorted and cut her off: “Today is a happy day – Lily’s coming home from the hospital. Why bring up that troublemaker?” The servant tried to continue, but William and Henry’s cold glares silenced her. “That wretched girl must have known about the seafood allergy and deliberately made an entire seafood dinner,” William fumed. “And here I thought she was finally starting to accept Lily. Turns out it was all premeditated!” Henry added angrily. Lily put on a frightened expression and timidly said: “Big sister is being punished because of me. She’s been alone in that cellar for so many days. What if she’s angry when she comes out?” James’ expression hardened. “Don’t worry, Lily. We’ve been too lenient with her before. She’s never faced real consequences. After this lesson, she won’t dare bully you again.” As he spoke, he instinctively pulled out his phone and refreshed our chat history. But our last messages were still from three days ago. In those three days, I hadn’t sent a single message or made a single call. James’ eyes flashed with anger. “That ungrateful brat! It’s been days and she hasn’t even sent one message asking how Lily is doing!” At that moment, Lily deliberately grasped James’ hand and said in a tearful voice: “I just wanted big sister to spend time with me. I never meant to steal anything from her.” James quickly set down his phone and stroked Lily’s head affectionately. “Lily, you’re so kind. Not like her – she’s nothing but an ungrateful wretch.” William’s eyes filled with cold disdain as he thought of me. “That’s right. She dares to harm family just to get attention? She’s truly despicable!” Henry nodded in vehement agreement and sneered, “Unless she’s learned her lesson and is willing to kneel and apologize to Lily, I’ll throw her out of this house myself!” I stood nearby, listening to my brothers’ words, and could only laugh bitterly at the absurdity. But my spirit’s actions went completely unnoticed by the living. Ever since our parents died when I was young, my three brothers had devoted all their attention to me. One day I said I wanted a playmate my own age, so my brothers went to an orphanage and adopted Lily as my stepsister. I opened my heart to Lily’s arrival, but in front of my brothers she repeatedly framed me, causing them to grow more and more distant from me with each passing day. Including this time – my three brothers locked me in that tiny cellar without a second thought. I struggled desperately, but could only feel the air in the cramped cellar growing thinner and thinner. Pounding on the cellar door, I begged my brothers over and over to let me out. But my brothers only looked at me coldly, angrily saying: “What are you yelling about? This is all your own fault. If it weren’t for you, why would Lily be suffering from such a bad allergic reaction?” “We’ve clearly been too nice to you, that’s why you keep bullying and tormenting Lily. Just stay in there and think about what you’ve done!” With that, William personally wrapped chains around the door, while Henry piled heavy objects in front of it, eliminating any chance I had of saving myself. Now, watching Lily fake-smile at my brothers, I let out another bitter, mocking laugh. Brothers, the sister who loved you most in this world has been killed by your own hands! Lily tugged on James’ sleeve and said in a pitiful voice: “Big brother, don’t be angry anymore. It’s my fault for being so weak and having food allergies. I’m sure big sister didn’t mean it. Please don’t blame her!” James’ expression instantly darkened. He said coldly: “That wretched girl! We’ve clearly spoiled her too much, letting her develop such an arrogant and domineering personality!” William’s eyes flashed with surging anger: “The older she gets, the more narrow-minded she becomes. If it weren’t for her, how could Lily have ended up in this state?” At this point, Lily deliberately exposed her limbs, which still showed faint traces of the allergic reaction, to the three brothers. There were still a few red marks visible. Henry gently stroked the skin that still bore slight redness. “Does it still hurt, Lily?” Lily lowered her head, her voice trembling as if she was about to cry: “It doesn’t hurt… really, it doesn’t…” The anger in William’s heart was thoroughly ignited. He shouted furiously: “If we’d gotten to the hospital any later, it could have been life-threatening for Lily. And after all these days, she hasn’t even sent a single message. She truly shows no remorse at all!” James spoke with even greater fury: “Go bring that wretched girl here to apologize! I don’t believe she can keep refusing to say sorry!” William and Henry joined in angrily: “It’s all because she’s relied on our support. Now that she’s done something wrong, she must face proper punishment!” They turned to the servants and thundered: “What are you all standing around for? Hurry up and bring that ungrateful brat here. And bring our disciplinary cane too. If it weren’t for Rachel deliberately putting seafood in the meal, how could Lily have suffered in the hospital for three days?” “It’s time to set the rules straight in this household!” The servants didn’t dare disobey and hurried off in my direction. I let out a despairing, bitter laugh. My brothers hadn’t even investigated the truth before arbitrarily deciding I was guilty. Three days ago, Lily said she was hungry, so I wanted to do something nice and cooked for her. She even gave me a small packet of seasoning, saying she wanted to eat that. I tasted it and it seemed like normal seasoning. Who could have known it contained her allergen? James is supposed to be a business genius, yet he couldn’t even see through such an obvious ploy for attention? If that’s not favoritism, what is? In my brothers’ hearts, I would never be as important as stepsister Lily. I felt increasingly desolate. But it didn’t matter anymore. I had already died in that cellar. Now my brothers could give all their love and favor to Lily. “Young master, we’ve been calling Miss Rachel for a long time, but there’s been no response at all.” “We can’t hear any breathing from inside!” James frowned deeply, stood up abruptly, his face cold with anger: “What new game is that wretched girl playing now? Does she think it’s beneath her dignity to apologize to Lily?” “Does she still not understand that she nearly killed you this time?!” Lily tugged on James’ sleeve again and said sadly: “Big brother, it’s okay. I’m just an orphan. I don’t deserve to have big sister apologize to me.” The anger in James’ heart was thoroughly provoked: “Using such a lowly tactic for attention – does she really think I can’t see through it?” “She must think she’s so clever, thinking if she plays mute she can get away with it. It seems the punishment I gave her was too light!” “Let’s go. Drag her out here. I’d like to see how she tries to hide now. She must kneel and apologize to Lily!” I involuntarily followed my three brothers’ footsteps, my heart growing heavier with sorrow. Fueled by their rage, my three brothers soon arrived at the cellar door. “Rachel Harper, do you think hiding in there silently will let you escape punishment?” But there was no sound from inside the cellar. William’s face grew even darker: “Rachel Harper, what are you still pretending for? Come out right now and kneel to apologize to Lily!” “Don’t think that hiding in there, turning off your phone, and not contacting us will let you avoid the consequences of deliberately hurting Lily!” Henry’s eyes were blazing with anger as he shouted: “Rachel Harper, you’ve really gotten bold. You just can’t stand to see us being nice to Lily, so you’re deliberately staying silent to provoke us!” “Do you really think hiding in the cellar and refusing to speak will make us give in first?” There was still no sound from inside the cellar. James turned to look at the trembling servants and coldly commanded: “Why are you all shaking? Tell me the truth – did that wretched girl bribe you? Did you secretly let her out?” William snorted, “Given her despicable nature, she probably couldn’t stand being in the cellar after we left and had these servants open the door to let her out.” Henry’s eyes were filled with disappointment: “You nearly killed Lily, but you can’t even face the consequences of your actions. Is this really the sister I know?” “Do you really think we only have you as a sister?” At this point, a servant finally spoke up trembling: “Young master, we wouldn’t dare let her out without your orders!” “Miss Rachel has truly been in the cellar for three whole days now.” Henry looked at the still silent cellar, a flicker of unease passing through his eyes. He walked up and pulled hard on the cellar door several times, but couldn’t open it. “Rachel Harper, enough is enough. I’ve unlocked all the locks. Are you still stubbornly holding the door shut from inside?” I looked at the twisted cellar door and could only laugh bitterly. At the time, desperate to save myself from suffocation, I had repeatedly slammed against the door, just wanting to survive. But the cellar door was exceptionally sturdy. I couldn’t even create the slightest gap, and could only suffocate to death in that cellar. Brothers, when you see my corpse, will you be able to give me even a tiny bit of love and bury me next to mom and dad? James grew increasingly agitated. He started kicking the door forcefully. The twisted cellar door opened a larger crack, and a foul stench wafted out. A servant trembled as she spoke: “It smells like… a decomposing body!” The other two brothers also approached, full of rage. “What decomposing body? She clearly ran away long ago and just threw a dead rat in there to trick us!” “Rachel Harper, do you really think we’re that easy to fool?” The three brothers grew even more impatient and all started kicking the door together. The entire cellar entrance shook again. With a loud bang, the door was kicked wide open. Along with an even stronger putrid smell, the small dark cellar was exposed to everyone’s view.

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Juliette had always been foolish, trapped in the routine of sewing clothes, her heart lost in the past. Her childhood mate, Liam, repulsed her with his arrogance. On her wedding day, she made a grave mistake, marrying his best friend instead of him. Little did she know, that misguided union would awaken her—stripping away her foolishness. As Liam, the alpha, frantically searched for her, Juliette finally found clarity, discovering her true mate and realizing she was no longer a fool. The river that separated the two packs had always been a quiet reminder of the boundaries they lived by. There was the Serrin River Pack, known for its strength and leadership along the western shore, and the Serin River Pack, its eastern counterpart, known for its tradition and wisdom. The two packs shared so much—practically identical in culture and practices—that even their own people sometimes struggled to tell them apart. The ferry rocked gently on the water, its wooden frame creaking under the weight of its passengers. I huddled in the corner, clutching my small, embroidered bundle of belongings tightly to my chest. I could feel the ferry swaying with each passing wave, but all I could focus on was the harsh reality that awaited me back home. I wasn’t supposed to be here. I was supposed to be with him. As the sun dipped lower, casting a fiery red hue over the waters, I watched the ripples spread like gold dust. It was beautiful—so beautiful that I couldn’t stop myself from pausing. But just as the last bit of sunlight gleamed off the waves, the quiet chatter of the men at the far end of the ferry cut through my reverie. “Alpha still hasn’t taken a mate? He’s killing everyone with his indecisiveness,” one of them laughed, shaking his head. “No, no,” another corrected, “Our alpha has an arranged mate. Rumor has it the wedding’s soon.” A flicker of warmth bloomed in my chest, and my lips curled into a secret smile. It was me they were talking about, and they didn’t even know. It had been arranged when we were children, a promise made when we were barely old enough to understand its weight. Liam and I had grown up together, and as soon as I was old enough to wear lace and learn how to sew, it was decided I would be his mate. He’d always been kind—too kind, really. He gave me flowers, his favorite bites of food, and the best of everything. He cared for me in ways that seemed far beyond friendship. And when he drank that cursed sweet soup, he handed it to me, telling me to drink first, always. I drank it because it was for him. Because he was my Liam. But when the world turned dark, and I woke to the healer’s quiet whispers of “permanent damage,” I didn’t understand the depth of it. I was five. What did I know of forever? The elders, in their guilt, promised that when I turned eighteen, Liam would make me his mate in the full, sacred way. He would claim me, mark me as his, and we would be united. “Wait for me, Juliette. When you’re eighteen, I will make you mine,” he had promised, his hands gripping mine, his eyes filled with unspeakable affection. I waited. But when I was finally old enough—when I had waited long enough to finally say those words to him—I was met with nothing but coldness. Two years ago, I ran to him, so eager to finally share my joy. I was ready. “I can be your mate now, Liam. I’m ready.” He didn’t smile. He didn’t even look at me properly. His gaze was distant, almost disgusted. “You’ve got it wrong, Juliette. You wait for eighteen years, not just a few,” he sneered. His eyes flickered away as if I were a nuisance, not the promise he had made. As the rich, influential guests entered, including his best friend Garrick, Liam barely spared me a glance. “Liam, I envy you. Your betrothed is so quiet and refined, so well-matched.” I sat in the courtyard on a stone, trying to breathe through the pain that gripped my chest. I had loved him for so long. And yet, as the years went by, I wondered if I had been wrong. But it didn’t matter. I wasn’t angry. Not yet. There was still time. So I would wait. Even if it took another eighteen years.

The ferry swayed violently against the rising tide, the scent of saltwater mingling with the damp earth beneath my feet. My heart hammered in my chest as I clutched my embroidered bundle, my fingers trembling with each shift of the boat. As the boat drifted closer to shore, wedding music drifted through the air, full of joy and celebration. This is where I belong, I whispered to myself. This is where I belong. The ferry bumped against the dock with a low groan, balloons soaring into the air . The scene before me was beautiful—too beautiful. But then, my gaze shifted to the far end of the ferry, where a bride sat hunched in sorrow, her face hidden behind a veil. I approached her quietly, whispering, “Sister, why do you cry on such a joyous day?” The bride wiped her eyes, but didn’t respond. Her shoulders shook as she wept, her sobs muffled by the veil. I reached into my bundle, pulling out a small doll. “Here,” I said softly, offering it to her. “Take this. Don’t cry anymore.” But instead of calming, the bride’s sobs deepened. She looked up at me, her eyes wild with desperation. “I don’t want to marry him!” she cried. My breath caught. “What do you mean?” I asked, my voice tight with confusion. She gasped, struggling to speak through her tears. “I’m not his true mate. Alpha ‘s real mate ran away. The clan leader forced me to take her place.” My stomach dropped. “No… That’s not true! Alpha is mine! He’s always been mine!” The bride blinked, her tears halting. Her gaze softened. “Then… you’re the one he’s meant to be with?” I nodded, a fire igniting within me. “I’ve been promised to him since we were children. I’m going to find him. No one can take my place.” Her face broke into a bittersweet smile. “Go. You must go. Don’t let anyone stand in your way.” Days later, the ferry finally reached the shore. And there, standing tall and proud, was Alpha —his scent thick in the air, rich with the power of his Alpha aura. My heart raced, beating in time with the rush of emotions that flooded me. As I stepped off the ferry, my veil fluttered in the wind, and I saw him. Taller now, his muscles rippling beneath his clothes, his eyes locked on me. His gaze was fierce, and a growl rumbled low in his throat. A growl rumbled in his throat, low and guttural. “My Alpha!” I called out. But before he could speak, a voice shouted from behind us. “Alpha! The outcasts are at the border! They’re trying to cross into our territory!” “Stay here,” he ordered, his voice rough with authority. “Don’t move. Go to the pack house. Lock the doors.” “But Alpha—” I protested, vailing under the vail. His gaze softened just a moment, but the urgency was undeniable. “I’ll return soon. I promise you that.” I watched him turn, his powerful strides taking him toward the pack’s heart. The Alpha was needed. His pack needed him. And I… I was left standing at the edge of his world, powerless. I whispered to the empty night, my voice carrying on the wind, “I’ll wait for you, Liam. I’ll always wait.” The hours stretched endlessly, the moon rising high in the sky, its silver light casting shadows across the land. Still no sign of him. His Beta sent word that Alpha was still engaged in the fight. My heart clenched. The pack was under siege, and there was nothing I could do to help. Alone in the small room, I stared at the firelight flickering and the chest of old clothes. My fingers traced the worn fabric—garments that had once been full of his strength, now faded, their seams frayed. I had to do something. I couldn’t be the helpless mate, waiting forever. He needed me. I would show him I was more than just a promise. I would be his Luna, in every sense of the word. I took a needle and thread, beginning to mend his clothes. Each stitch was a vow to him—quiet, but powerful. I will stand beside you, Liam. Always. The needle pressed through the fabric until the sky began to lighten, and I finally drifted into sleep, clutching the mended clothes. In the haze between dreams and wakefulness, I felt him—sitting beside me, his gaze burning through the quiet darkness. He moved quietly, tucking the blanket around my shoulders with care, brushing my hair gently, a touch that said more than words ever could. I heard the creak of the door as he stepped out, his boots barely making a sound. His voice, commanding yet soft, reached me from the hallway. “Grandmother arrives tomorrow. Remember her temper. Keep things smooth, for her sake.” I closed my eyes, feeling the ache of him already gone. My heart pounded. Every moment he was away, the pack was at risk. The rogue wolves—always circling, waiting for weakness. I wanted him beside me, to not leave, even if just for a moment. But the pack needed him. He was Alpha.

Liam’s claws dug into the wooden armrest, his chest tightening with every passing moment. His eyes never lifted from the papers scattered before him. His mind, however, was elsewhere. “Elena,” Liam growled, his voice low and dangerous. His gaze remained fixed on the reports in front of him as he heard her hurried footsteps approach. She came closer, but hesitated just at the door, taking a moment to gather her breath before entering. “Liam, Juliette… she’s—” Elena’s voice cracked, her words trembling. “What now?” he barked, the words sharp, dripping with impatience. “Another dress? Did she make some new foollish designs and expect me to praise her for it?” “No, alpha Liam,” Elena hesitated, finally stepping forward. “It’s… Juliette’s not at dinner..” Liam’s jaw clenched. Not at dinner? “She’s been missing since this morning. We’ve looked everywhere, but she’s—” Elena’s words faltered, her voice softening with a hint of unease. “Liam, she’missing. ” He stood abruptly, knocking his chair back as he glared at her. “If she wanted to skip dinner, fine. Let her. If she’s throwing some tantrum, let her starve.” Elena backed away, fear flickering in her eyes, but Liam wasn’t finished. “She’s probably just sulking. And if she is, she’ll learn her lesson.” As the evening dragged on, Liam couldn’t help but glance toward the door, expecting to see her there. Dinner came and went, but her seat remained empty. The smell of roast meat filled the air, but the weight of her absence crushed every bite. Liam’s hands clenched into fists beneath the table, his wolf pacing restlessly within him. Every time he glanced over at her chair, a sharp pang of longing struck him. After the meal, the sound of the wind howling outside seemed to punctuate the emptiness that had settled over the room. It was only after the last plate was cleared that the thought hit him like a thunderclap. She’s not coming back tonight. Where is she? He rose from the table, walking toward the window. The wind shook the panes, and in the pale light of the moon, Liam could make out his dresses swaying in the breeze, each one hanging like a silent, waiting ghost. Each one was stitched by her hand. Juliette’s work. His breath quickened as memories flooded him—the last time she’d been in danger, the last time he’d been too late to protect her. That human… The trafficker. Two years ago. He had barely arrived in time to stop the bastard from taking her, and yet… he’d failed her. “You’re not smart enough for this world, Juliette. How could you be so foolish?” “He… he told me he had the latest fabric,” Juliette whispered between sobs, her voice breaking on every word, “He said it was the finest cloth—something you’d love. I thought I could use it… to make you something new. Something special.” “Does it hurt?” he whispered, a distant echo of the moment when he’d seen her hands bleeding, the needle stuck deep in her skin. “No,” she’d said, smiling through the pain. “It doesn’t hurt, Liam. Wait until you see the dress I’ve made for you.” He growled under his breath. Liam’s dreams were plagued by Juliette. Every night, her face—tear-streaked, fading into shadows—haunted him. He woke with a jolt, heart racing. The moonlight spilled across the room, but it was too cold. “Alpha! Alpha!” a servant’s voice snapped him from his thoughts. Liam’s heart thudded. “Is she back?Tell him I won’t blame her, tell her I have chosen the date,” “No… Alpha, it’s the rings your booked for Garrick for his wedding gifts. They’ve arrived.” Liam’s chest tightened. He took the box, hands trembling. Inside, two rings—silver and jade, intricate, symbolic of bond and loyalty.

Juliette’s pov Liam’s absence dragged on, each day more unbearable than the last. I knew, as long as the Outcast was still on the border, he would not return. I sat near the window, stitching winter clothes for Liam, trying to focus on the rhythm of the needle. But Violet, the servant who usually styled my hair, broke the silence with a teasing smile. “Yesterday, the Alpha kept staring at the clothes you mended, but he refused to wear them,” she said, a playful lilt in her voice. Maybe he doesn’t like the style. “Go buy more fabric—something for Liam’s winter clothes.” Violet left, but as she did, I overheard the murmurs from outside. “She’s already thinking of special fabric, just days after marrying him. What’s next? Gold?” The voice was sharp and accusing. I leaned out to see who was speaking, only to find an old lady standing in the courtyard, her gaze cutting through the air. “Already scheming for better clothes?” she sneered, eyes narrowing as she took in my unfinished work. I stepped forward, meeting her gaze with as much grace as I could muster. “I am making clothes for the alpha,” I said, swallowing my nerves. Her eyes flicked to the half-cut fabric, and for a brief moment, something like approval flashed in her sharp features. “Making his clothes yourself, huh?” she muttered, her tone softening ever so slightly. “I suppose there’s some honor in that.” But then her expression turned calculating, the matriarch in her reasserting itself. “But clothes won’t solve anything here, child. You need more than fabric to survive in this pack.” She left. I swallowed the lump in my throat, but before I could respond, the door creaked open. Another servant, Grace, entered with two unfamiliar women carrying a heavy chest between them. “This is from some locals,” Grace said, her eyes darting nervously toward me. “They heard you were in need of fabric.” The chest was opened, revealing bundles of luxurious cloth, sparkling jewels, and a thick stack of notes. But something didn’t sit right. One of the women stepped forward, her smile too sweet, her eyes too calculating. She leaned in closer, her voice low but dripping with malice. “I’ve heard alpha… well, some say he has enemies in the pack. You could help us with that, right?” I froze, my breath catching in my throat. I glanced at Grace, who looked away uncomfortably. Liam had always forbidden me to get involved in the pack’s politics, telling me it was dangerous. But now, as his mate, how could I not? His enemies would target him. … Garrick had been so busy these past few days that he hadn’t had the chance to return home. His main worry wasn’t the weight of pack matters, but whether his grandmother approved of his new Luna. However, the servants’ whispers told a different story—despite her sharp tongue, the matriarch seemed oddly satisfied with his wife. The first day his grandmother arrived, she disembarked from her ship with a stormy expression. “I never liked that scheming Alice,” she declared. “You should’ve sent her packing ages ago.” By the fourth day, Garrick heard that his wife had been visiting his grandmother’s quarters daily, chattering endlessly. “Your mate is like a sparrow,” his grandmother complained through a messenger. “Chirping on and on until my head spins. I have no patience for her.” On the fifth day, the tone of her message changed. “…She’s got a knack for handiwork,” was all she said. By the sixth day, there was no message at all. Suspicious, Garrick sent someone to inquire. His grandmother dismissed the servant with a cryptic reply. “What’s between me and your Luna is none of your business, boy. Stop sticking your nose where it doesn’t belong.” Garrick allowed himself a rare chuckle, feeling a weight lift from his chest as the matriarch seemed to have found some grudging respect for his wife. But the relief was short-lived. His desk was piled high with unopened messages, one of which caught his eye—a message from his old friend, Alpha Liam, sent over a month ago. He opened his phone and read it during a rare quiet moment at his meal. “Brother Garrick, what would you do if you were forced to marry someone you did not love—a dull, unworthy mate—bound only by an unbreakable childhood pact? What course would you take against such a wind?” Garrick frowned as he stared at the message. Before he could form a response, the door to his dining hall swung open with a soft creak.

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When I gained the ability to read minds, Keith Portillo, who had been looking out for me for years, thought to himself, “Too bad I didn’t put a camera in her bathroom…” Keith had looks, wealth, and a gentle personality. I thought I had misheard him, but I found a tiny camera in my bathroom the next day. In the midst of my panic, Anthony Osborne, the pure-hearted guy who had been chasing me for half a year, suddenly showed up at my door. He thought, “If you don’t say yes today, I’ll just put you to sleep. I’ve wasted too much time.” My head buzzed, and with trembling hands, I smiled awkwardly and let him in. The young man sat on the couch and gave me a shy smile. “Eliza, I bought the Mille-feuille you like.” He handed me the dessert, and the bashful look in his eyes made it hard to refuse. My mind-reading ability wasn’t always reliable. But the moment Anthony walked through the door, it stopped working. A chill ran through me. I acted as casually as I could, placing the dessert on the coffee table. “Thank you. What brings you over today?” With his light brown eyes, Anthony looked at me and smiled sheepishly, “For you, I always have time…” Then, just like always, he hesitantly asked if I would be his girlfriend. I instinctively turned him down, and I could see the sadness flash across his face. But thinking of the thought I had heard when I opened the door, I suddenly felt a little uneasy. “I knew it would be like this,” he sighed softly, changing the subject. “I waited in line for a long time to get this Mille-feuille. Try it, Eliza.” I was afraid he might do something drastic if I rejected him again. So I took a bite of the Mille-feuille and said it was sweet. Anthony stared at me intently with a strange smile. “Is it?” I froze. The dessert felt like sand in my mouth, and it was almost impossible to swallow. Oh no.

Ding ding ding… My phone rang just as Anthony shed his harmless disguise and began to eye me with a predatory gaze. I quickly dropped the second piece of Mille-feuille and answered the call. “The club has an event tomorrow. Can I come by puck you up to help set up?” Keith’s voice felt like a lifeline, bringing me relief. I immediately agreed. After hanging up, I realized my palms were covered in cold sweat. I didn’t even notice when Anthony had moved closer and sat beside me. Suddenly, his strong arms wrapped around me. “Eliza, I really like you,” he said, resting his head on my shoulder and sounding a little aggrieved. “Can’t you give me a chance?” I swallowed hard, too scared to move. “Keith’s about to be downstairs. Let’s talk later…” “Keith Portillo?” His arms tightened around me. I tried to push him away, but he suddenly grabbed my neck and forcefully pushed me down onto the couch. “I can’t take it anymore. You’re always so close to him. Do you like him?” I thought, “You are the same to me.” “No, he’s just a friend. Get off me.” Before I even finished speaking, a violent kiss shocked me into silence. I struggled with all my strength, but he didn’t move an inch. I was about to suffocate when he finally pulled back. “Eliza, I’ve been chasing you for so long, but you still don’t like me… “What should I do with you?”

My father died in a car accident during my sophomore year, and I spent every day in sorrow. That was until Keith appeared. He was like a big brother to me, comforting me and helping me get out of the shadow of losing my father. Over time, I became more and more dependent on him. Looking back, he was like a patient hunter. Everything he did was to make me walk willingly into his trap. Now, even though I knew he was as dangerous as Anthony, I felt that no one but him could give me peace. “Your lip… How did it get wounded?” Keith looked aloof, but his voice was gentle. His eyes always made their hearts race when they locked onto anyone. He looked down, staring directly at my lips. “The air conditioner was turned up too high, and my lips cracked from being too dry.” I hadn’t looked in the mirror since I ran away from home, but I was sure the blood on my lips was obvious. Anthony had kissed me too hard. My lips still felt numb. Keith glanced at me, his expression unreadable, and then fell silent as he drove. When we arrived at the club, I rushed to the restroom and rinsed my mouth with water for a few minutes. The scene setup was finally finished by evening. “I’ll drive you home,” Keith said suddenly. I politely made up an excuse to decline. He didn’t argue, only telling me to go home and get some rest.

I didn’t dare go back, afraid that Anthony might still be at home. He thought, “I wish there was a camera here…” Wait!?! He thought, “Too bad I didn’t install a camera in her bathroom.” This meant Keith had cameras set up elsewhere, but I had only removed the one in the bathroom. No wonder his call came at just the right time… It was Keith calling. For some reason, I felt uneasy. I ignored his calls and let them ring. I found a hotel to stay the night. The next day, I went to school, and everything seemed calm. But the more peaceful things felt, the more uneasy I became. After class, I heard from a friend that Anthony was in the hospital and asked if I wanted to visit him. I made up an excuse and didn’t go. When I got home, the box of Mille-feuille was still on the coffee table. I had gotten a little dizzy after eating a piece yesterday, so I was glad I hadn’t finished it. That night, I dreamt of a giant snake. It coiled tightly around my body, making it hard to breathe. My mouth felt blocked, and I could only take weak breaths through my nose. The next morning, I woke up to find a large red mark on the inner side of my thigh and a sore waist. I couldn’t make sense of it and went to class with a sense of confusion.

After class, my friend Rose Grant excitedly came up to me and said. “You’ve known Keith for so long. I thought you two would end up together.” I was puzzled. She saw my reaction and asked, “You didn’t know?” “What?” “Keith’s dating someone! Beverly Fields from the next department!” We hadn’t been in touch since I stopped picking up his calls. I didn’t expect him to have time to start a relationship. Honestly, I felt a bit melancholic and empty. For the past two years, he had been looking out for me. Even though he wanted to do evil things to me, I couldn’t just walk away immediately. I knew what I felt for him wasn’t love. I felt like a helpless fool who couldn’t function without an older person around. How had I become like this? Was it because of Keith? My thoughts were interrupted by the sound of a ringtone. I hesitated but answered the call. “Eliza?” His deep, gentle voice came through the phone. I responded with a complicated “Mm.” “The club has a social event coming up in a few days. Do you want to join?” To be honest, I wasn’t in the mood to see him. “No, I need to focus on my paper.” There was a brief silence. “Alright. But could we grab a meal sometime? I’d like you to meet my girlfriend.” I felt a mix of emotions. “I don’t think I’ll have time anytime soon.” “It’s okay. Whenever you have time, we can meet then.” Why did we have to meet? Would the world end if we didn’t? I sighed, feeling exhausted.

Since staying at the hotel, I had been thinking about moving. After a few days, I finally found a new place. This neighborhood felt safer than the last one. I also submitted my resignation from the club, which was a huge relief. Keith once said that joining the club would help with social connections and make things easier once I entered the workforce. So I had been part of this club for two years. But the truth was, I didn’t like socializing at all. At the time, I joined to keep myself busy and stop thinking about my father, so I followed Keith’s suggestion to sign up. Not long after I submitted my resignation, Keith called. “Why do you want to quit the club?” Keith’s voice sounded colder than usual. “It’s written on the application form.” “Eliza, you’re about to be a senior. The position of president…” Keith went on and on about the downsides of quitting and the benefits of staying in the club. But I remained firm. He sighed and finally gave up. “Fine. If you want to quit, and then quit.” In class, my friend Rose secretly leaned over to gossip with me. I quietly listened, but suddenly my face froze. She thought, “She’s always trying to get close to Keith, saying Keith likes her. Now that Keith has a girlfriend, she’s probably going crazy. If it weren’t for trying to talk to Keith, I would never have stuck around with Eliza, that delusional girl, for so long…” My fingers curled into a tight fist, and I stared at the textbook in front of me, letting out a bitter laugh.

This sudden mind-reading power was really unsettling. When did I ever say that Keith liked me? When did I ever try to get close to him on purpose? Accusations, unfounded and one after another, piled up on me. “Eliza… Eliza?” I turned to look at Rose. She furrowed her brow and said, “I’m talking to you. Can’t you hear me?” I silently studied her face before looking away. She poked me with her finger in annoyance. “What’s up with you? Is it because of Keith? Don’t be upset. Anthony, the guy who used to chase after you, was really handsome, you know…” I fought the urge to snap at her and interrupted, “Keith and I are just friends. And by the way, I already have a boyfriend.” She looked shocked. “You have a boyfriend? No way! You’ve always been single!” I quickly made up a story. Once she realized I didn’t like Keith, her expression grew heavier. The mind-reading ability disappeared at that point, and I couldn’t understand why she was making that face. But thankfully, I didn’t want to think about it anymore.

That night, I had another strange dream. This time, there were no images, just voices. A voice kept calling my name over and over again. The sound of heavy breathing seemed to come from right next to me, warm and close. It felt like something was pressing down on me, and no matter how hard I tried to push it away, I couldn’t. It only got heavier and tighter. At 8 a.m., I woke up feeling completely drained. Looking down, I froze. Red marks on my calves, thighs, waist, and the inside of my arms… it was hard not to let my mind wander. In a state of confusion, I skipped class and went to a store to buy a few tiny cameras to install in my room. I went through every one I could suspect in my head. Finally, I settled on Keith. A few days later, I ran into him at the club. But now, I didn’t have mind-reading anymore! The handover of club matters was done, and as I was about to quietly leave, Keith approached me. “All set?” he asked with a slight smile. I stopped and replied, “Yeah, all done.” “Summer break is coming up. Didn’t you want to go to Srborea? My family gave me a few tickets. Want to go together?” I was about to decline, but my eyes froze on the hickeys on his neck. It was faint, but I was quick to notice. He lifted his hand to touch it, and I quickly looked away, trying to pretend I hadn’t seen it. But he was candid. “It’s from my girlfriend. Is it that obvious?” I thought for a moment, “It’s not too bad. From far away, you can’t really see it, but up close, it’s a bit obvious.” He chuckled lightly, “So, you wanna go?” I shook my head. “You and your girlfriend should go. I’m not really interested in tagging along.” He nodded gently. “Alright. So, do you have any plans for the summer?” I answered, “Going back home.” “I really want to lock you up in my bedroom forever. Summer vacation is a perfect opportunity.”

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I lie in a hospital bed, battling a severe illness, while my wife races to the airport to pick up her first love, who just returned from abroad. She spends her days drinking with him, picking fights, and chasing every reckless thrill they can find. She forgets our wedding anniversary entirely, and when she decides to end our child’s life, she keeps it from me—like I don’t deserve to know. Even when I end up in a car accident, broken and bleeding, she doesn’t bother to visit. Despair sets in, and on the operating table, I take my last breath. Only later, when the truth comes out, does she realize the depth of her betrayal. But by then, it’s too late—her regret consumes her, driving her to the edge of madness. Vanessa Frost and I had been married for five years, but between her relentless work schedule and constant traveling, the time we spent together could barely fill a day. This year, things finally seemed to take a turn. “Rowan, let’s start over,” she said. That night, I couldn’t sleep. I lay awake, imagining a future where we grew old together, content and in love. But everything unraveled again just as quickly. Yesterday, I was rushed to the hospital with a sudden case of appendicitis. The doctor said I needed emergency surgery. I called Vanessa over and over—no answer. Lying on that hospital bed, staring at the blank white ceiling, I couldn’t stop thinking about her. Lately, she had been acting strange. She’d disappear without explanation and ignore my calls and messages. I opened our chat history. Message after message, all from me. The last one was sent just before I went into surgery. Rowan: [Honey, I’m in the hospital. The doctor says it’s appendicitis, and I need surgery. Can you come be with me?] No response. Maybe she was busy. Maybe she hadn’t seen it yet. I didn’t know. Hesitating, I sent another message. Rowan: [The surgery’s over now. You don’t need to worry.] Just as I put my phone down, a notification popped up—a friend request. I recognized the profile picture immediately. Ethan Wells. My wife’s first love. I didn’t know why he was trying to add me in the middle of the night, but I accepted anyway. He didn’t say anything. Instead, I clicked into his Instagram out of curiosity. One post caught my eye. Ethan: [When someone loves you, they’ll cross mountains and oceans to reach you.] The photo showed a woman standing in an airport terminal, her back to the camera. I knew that silhouette. It was Vanessa. The post had been uploaded at 10 PM, just ten minutes after I’d sent my last message. At that exact moment, I was on the operating table. And just like that, I understood why he had added me.

Before I saw that Instagram post, I had come up with every excuse I could think of to defend Vanessa. She must have been busy. Maybe she was caught up at work, or stuck in a meeting, or out for drinks with clients… It had to be work. That was why she didn’t reply. But that post shattered everything I’d believed. No wonder she hadn’t picked up. No wonder my texts went unanswered. Her first love was back in town. And I? I was the fool, lying there in a sterile hospital room, thinking she cared. My hand tightened around my phone, veins rising against my skin. I opened the dialer and stared at her number for what felt like hours, my eyes dry and aching. In the end, I couldn’t bring myself to press call. I lay there, numb, scrolling through Ethan’s posts—punishing myself with every word. Unlike Vanessa’s spotless and empty page, Ethan’s feed was alive. He posted everything: random thoughts, moments from his day, reflections on life. The one thing they all had in common? A heart emoji at the end of every caption. He never mentioned her directly, but she was there in every post. Suddenly, I remembered how Vanessa always checked Instagram and how her mood would shift afterward. I used to ask what she was looking at, only for her to shut her phone and glare at me. “Don’t invade my privacy,” she’d said coldly. And I never asked again. I scrolled further and froze when I saw another post. Ethan announcing his engagement. He was leaving the country for good. That was the same day Vanessa turned to me and said, “Let’s start over.”

Ethan Wells. Vanessa’s college classmate and the love she could never let go. Back then, she practically revolved around him. If Ethan mentioned a favorite breakfast, Vanessa would cross half the city to bring it to him. They weren’t even in the same major, so she switched. Ethan liked clubs, so she learned to drink and smoke. Anything he liked, she made herself like too—no matter the cost. Everyone knew how far she would go for him. But they never ended up together. In his senior year, Ethan announced he was leaving the country to study abroad. Vanessa chased him all the way to the airport. No one knew what he said to her that day, but after she came back, she locked herself away for weeks. I was there for her through it all. And when she finally agreed to marry me, it felt like a miracle. Even on our wedding day, I couldn’t believe it was real. When I slipped the ring on her finger, I cried like a child. She didn’t love me the way I loved her—I knew that. But I didn’t care. People called me pathetic, a fool. But she was my exception. For years, I thought loving her was enough. But I started to realize… maybe it wasn’t.

The doctor came to check on me, frowning when he saw I was alone. “You need to call a family member to stay with you,” he said sternly. My parents had passed away years ago. Vanessa was all I had. I called her again. This time, her phone was off. I laughed bitterly to myself. What was I expecting? Ethan was back. Of course she didn’t care. So I called Ryan Hale, my oldest friend. He arrived not long after, stopping short when he saw me. “Rowan? Jesus, you look terrible.” One sleepless night had left me pale and hollow-eyed. “Where’s Vanessa? You’re in the hospital, and she’s not here? What kind of wife does that? She’s got you wrapped around her finger, man.” I stared at him, his anger echoing my own thoughts. Maybe he was right. My love—my blind devotion—had only made it easier for her to hurt me. I took a steady breath. “Ethan’s back.” Ryan froze, the apple he’d been peeling forgotten in his hand. “That bastard came back?” “I think I’m going to file for divorce.” Ryan’s face shifted, his mouth opening as if to say something, but he stopped. Finally, he muttered, “Maybe that’s for the best.” I already knew it was. I’d known for years that Vanessa never let Ethan go. Once, I’d brought her a coat she forgot at home. I found her at a friend’s gathering, and as I reached the door, I overheard her friend’s voice. “You’re married to Rowan, but you’re still hung up on Ethan?” Vanessa’s voice had been calm, almost cold. “It’s different. Ethan is Ethan. I’ll never forget him. Rowan? He’s just what I settled for.” I stood there, frozen, though I wore layers to keep out the cold. But nothing had ever felt so cold as that moment. That was when I knew—I would never be enough.

It wasn’t until I returned home from the hospital that I realized the truth. During the days I had been recovering alone, Vanessa hadn’t just ignored my messages and calls—she hadn’t even come home once. The house was empty, the furniture covered in a thin layer of dust. I sat there for a long time, staring at the lifeless space around me. She must’ve been having the time of her life these past few days. I pulled out my phone and opened Ethan’s Instagram again. The newest post was a video. The lights were dim, the music loud and distorted, the crowd twisting and swaying on a dance floor. Vanessa was there—pressed close to Ethan, their bodies moving in perfect rhythm to the beat. As the song ended, Ethan’s arm slid tighter around her waist. Vanessa tilted her head up, her gaze hazy, her expression soft. Her eyes were locked on him. Ethan leaned down and kissed her—deeply, completely—as though they were the only two people in the world. The video ended there, but I kept scrolling. More videos, more posts. They were everywhere. Dancing at nightclubs, drinking and brawling at street food stalls, racing motorcycles down empty roads in the dead of night. All the things they used to love when they were young. While I lay alone in a hospital bed, this was how she had spent her time—reliving her past with him. The thought was laughable. Vanessa was my wife, yet the only way I could see her was through another man’s Instagram feed.

I had just finished cleaning up the house when I heard the door unlock. I looked up and saw her walk in. She froze when our eyes met, clearly surprised to see me there. “You’re home? You got discharged already?” So she did know I had been in the hospital. For some reason, I’d assumed she hadn’t even noticed. I picked up a cloth and wiped the table again, pretending to ask casually, “Did you have fun these past few days? With Ethan?” She looked confused, like she hadn’t understood what I meant. “What are you talking about?” Without a word, I pulled out my phone, opened Ethan’s Instagram, and held it out to her. Vanessa took the phone and scrolled through it for a moment, and I watched as the color drained from her face—red to pale, pale to gray—until finally, in a burst of anger, she slammed the phone onto the table. And just like that, the biggest fight we’d ever had erupted. “Are you questioning me?” she shouted. “Yes! I was with Ethan these past few days. And you know what? I was happy—happier than I’ve been in years. These were the best days I’ve had in a long time. So what?” The calm I’d been holding onto shattered, replaced by a sharp, aching pain. I lifted my head to look at her, my voice quiet, broken. “Didn’t you say you wanted to start over with me?” She avoided my gaze, her voice faltering. “I did say that. But… I only said it because I thought Ethan wasn’t coming back.” I tilted my head back to stop the tears burning in my eyes. My voice was thick when I asked, “So that’s it? Now that he’s back, you’re just going to throw me away?” I pressed on, my words cutting through the silence. “We’ve been married for years. No matter what I do for you, no matter how good I try to be, I’ll never compare to him, will I? Even when I was sick, lying in a hospital bed, you thought picking him up at the airport was more important, didn’t you? Even knowing I was there, you still chose to ignore me, didn’t you?” Vanessa stood there, silent. Her silence was what hurt the most. It was always like this—me chasing, her refusing to turn around. “Even knowing how worthless he is, you still love him?” That did it. Her expression sharpened, her voice cold. “Enough. I don’t want to hear you talk about him like that. You don’t have the right.” That broke me completely. “Why?” I shouted, my voice cracking. “Why can’t you love me the way you love him? Even just a little. A fraction of what you give him.” I must’ve looked so pitiful—like a dog left out in the rain, crying and begging to be let back inside. Vanessa’s expression shifted. For the first time, I saw hesitation in her eyes. After a long pause, she said, “I just want us to part peacefully, Rowan. You know how I was after Ethan left. I’ve been miserable for so long. Now that he’s back, I don’t want to have any more regrets.”

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After eight years of marriage, I was finally pregnant. I had just decided to tell my husband, Lowell Henderson, the good news when his secretary, Kaitlynn Warren, “accidentally” bumped into me, causing me to fall down the stairs and miscarry. Kaitlynn was so terrified that her face went pale. She rushed into Lowell’s arms, crying, “Did I mess up again? I’m sorry, you can yell at me…” Lowell’s heart broke as he saw her tears. “Silly girl, it’s fine. You didn’t do it on purpose.” He gave me a sharp glance. “Come on, it was just a fall. Get up. Don’t lie there making a scene!” At the hospital, the woman in the bed next to mine asked with concern why my husband hadn’t come to see me after my miscarriage. She asked if he was too busy. I paused for a moment, then turned and tossed my wedding ring into the trash. “No,” I said softly, “I’ve just become a widow.” Lowell didn’t come home until the dead of night the following day. He walked in and carelessly threw his coat onto the couch. To his surprise, his clothes from yesterday were still piled there, along with shoes scattered all over the floor. A flash of irritation crossed his face. He didn’t notice my pale face or the medicine on the table. “I’ve been out all day and night, and I come home to this mess. Do you expect me to clean it up?” I didn’t even look at him. I felt too tired to remind him that the scent of perfume on his clothes had already given away his whereabouts. Seeing I didn’t respond, Lowell snorted, “Seems like I married a spoiled princess. Sorry, Your Highness, I forgot you are too good to do the chore.” I bit my lip and glanced at my hands. They were calloused, a thin layer of rough skin worn into them. After we got married, I, who had never done any hard work in my life, gladly tied on an apron to learn how to cook and clean for Lowell. Back then, even if I burned my hand while cooking, as long as he praised the meal, I could be happy for the rest of the day. But now, I was tired of it. Seeing me remain silent, Lowell frowned, finally sensing something was wrong. He walked over, clueless, and reached out to touch my head. I subtly pulled away. Lowell froze, his voice softening. “What’s wrong? Are you still angry?” I asked flatly, “What’s the point of being angry?” Yesterday, at noon, I had just found out I was pregnant and had eagerly gone to tell Lowell the good news. But before I could, Kaitlynn “accidentally” knocked me down the stairs. By the time Lowell arrived, all he could see was Kaitlynn crying her eyes out. He was comforting her, his face full of concern. “Silly girl, stop crying. It’s not your fault. Maybe she wasn’t paying attention while walking. A fall might teach her a lesson. “Come on, show me your smile. You know how much I love it.” While he was busy wiping away Kaitlynn’s tears, he didn’t even notice my pale lips and the blood staining my dress. To cheer her up, Lowell promised to take her shopping, and she finally stopped crying. Meanwhile, as they enjoyed their sweet date, I lay alone in the hospital bed, staring blankly at the ceiling. My baby was gone. Tears welled up again in my eyes. “I just don’t understand you women. Always so angry for no reason,” Lowell muttered in frustration. Seeing my cold attitude, Lowell grew impatient. He tried to turn my face toward him, but when he touched my face, he realized that I was crying. His expression faltered, finally showing some concern. “Why are you still crying? It’s just a fall, and I just scolded you a bit. What’s the big deal? “Okay, fine, it’s all my fault, alright? I’m sorry that I’ve been too busy these days and neglected you.” He pulled me into his arms and sighed softly. “I’m doing this for us. Can’t you understand? “Do you know how hard I work? I work so much just to give you a better life!” Hearing his pretty words, I felt nothing. Yesterday, after my miscarriage, when I was at my lowest, Kaitlynn posted an update on her social media. [Thank you to this gentleman for the flowers! I promise I’ll never cry again!] In the picture, she was smiling brightly, holding roses. And in the background, I could just make out Lowell’s blurry figure. However, since I miscarried, Lowell hadn’t reached out to me even once. The thought made me sick. I shoved him away and casually said, “Yeah, I know. You’ve been so busy. Everything’s for me. Thanks, you’re amazing.” As soon as I finished speaking, the room fell into an awkward silence. Lowell looked at me in shock. After eight years of marriage, this was the first time I had pushed him away. He’d done it to me countless times anyway. My love, so eager and unreserved, had become the very blade he used to wound me again and again. Ignoring his stunned gaze, I turned to walk away. But suddenly, Lowell grabbed my hand tightly, his voice betraying a hint of panic. “Bessie, where’s your ring?”

I glanced down at my bare ring finger and said coldly, “I don’t know, maybe I lost it.” He stared at me intently, furrowing his brow, trying to decide if I was lying. I met his gaze without flinching. After a long pause, he let out a relieved sigh and smiled knowingly. “Really? How careless of you. Well, I’ll just buy you a new one. “I know I’ve been busy lately, and I’ve ignored your feelings. “Actually, I’ve got a little surprise for you. I brought you something you always wanted.” Lowell took a small box from his pocket and pointed to the cluttered clothes and shoes on the floor. “But you’ll have to clean this up first before I can give it to you.” I glanced at the box in his hand, then replied coldly, “I don’t need it. Keep it.” A clear sign of displeasure flashed across Lowell’s face. “You’re so difficult. I bought you the gift you wanted, and now you won’t even do a little housework? “I must have been too…” Before he could finish, his phone rang. I knew that sound. It was the ringtone he set specially for Kaitlynn. Lowell smiled instinctively. He gave me a quick glance before heading to the bedroom with his phone, then closing the door with a loud bang behind him. Five minutes later, he came out, wearing his coat, and tossed the box onto the couch. “Alright, I was just joking. Go ahead and open it. “But the house still needs to be cleaned. It has to be done before tomorrow night. It’s a mess in here, and you’re just sitting around. “We’ve had some small issues with a company project. I need to go to the company to handle it. You can sleep. Don’t wait up for me.” I watched his lousy performance in silence. The same scene had been playing over and over again for the past eight years. But I always hid inside the false dreams he had woven, too afraid to wake up. After Lowell left, I tossed the gift into the trash. But the box hit the edge of the bin, and with a snap, it popped open. A delicate ruby necklace fell to the floor. I froze for a moment, then remembered something. Seven years ago, I had asked him for a ruby necklace. At that time, the company had just started, and I had accompanied him to countless social events. Finally, we landed a major deal. The day the project was completed, I gathered the courage to ask Lowell for a ruby necklace. He frowned, clearly irritated. “Bessie, can’t you stop being like a spoiled girl? Today, you want a necklace. Tomorrow, you’ll want a car, and the day after that, you may want me to buy you a plane. “Besides, your neck’s so short. What’s the point? “If you really like it, I’ll buy you a crystal pendant, okay?” The next day, Lowell handed me a cheap crystal pendant. I always thought he just didn’t like these things. But later, he showered Kaitlynn with countless jewels. It was so many, and she couldn’t help but flaunt them on social media. [How could anyone love giving jewelry this much!!! I’m not an octopus. I can’t wear it all!] [He says I look good in it, so he buys more. Such a spendthrift.] [This ruby necklace is so old-fashioned. I hate it. I really don’t want it!] I clicked on the picture, and there it was. The ruby necklace. The one he had given me. I pressed my lips together and tossed it back into the trash. Then, I dialed a number. “Anstey, can you recommend that famous divorce lawyer you mentioned last time?”

On the other end of the line, Anstey Vargas’ voice came through, full of excitement. “Wait, did I hear you right? You’ve finally made up your mind?!” I let out a soft “Yes,” trying to suppress the bitterness in my chest. “It’s over. Everything is finished. “I just want to go home.” Anstey laughed lightly. “This is a good thing, Bessie. What’s there to be sad about? “Well, then, I’ll wish you a happy divorce in advance!” Anstey was as efficient as ever. By the next morning, the lawyer had already contacted me. I booked my flight for three days later and began packing my things. Lowell had been gone since that night, and I hadn’t seen him for two whole days. If this had been before, I would have carefully asked him why he hadn’t come home yet, afraid to upset him. Even if he hung up on me, I would’ve come up with countless excuses for him. But now, I just didn’t care. At nine in the evening, I was lying in bed, quietly planning my departure for the next day. Suddenly, my phone rang. It was Lowell’s friend, Felix Barker. “Bessie, this is bad! Lowell’s about to get into a fight! You need to come here now!”

When I arrived, I immediately spotted Lowell. Kaitlynn stood behind him, trembling with fear. Around them, a few middle-aged men with beer bellies were persistently trying to get them to drink. “Mr. Henderson, what’s the harm in letting this young lady have a drink with us to liven things up?” “Yeah, she’s just your secretary. Why protect her so much?” “As long as she drinks with us, we’ll sign the deal. Isn’t that enough?” At that, Lowell’s face darkened immediately. He slammed his glass down on the floor and sneered. “What? Do you really think I need a woman to sacrifice for my business?!” The words hit me like a slap in the face. The painful memories flooded back. In the early days of the company, to quickly gain market traction, I had accompanied Lowell to countless business banquets. For his career, I’d forced a smile and drank with others, even though it made me sick. But he never stopped the drinks that were pushed in front of me. I remembered one particular night. I cried, begging him to take me home. Those men were disgusting, and I didn’t want to drink anymore. But to my surprise, Lowell had gotten angry. “What are you talking about? It’s a privilege to drink with Mr. Ortiz!” He grabbed my hand tightly and dragged me out. “Stop making a fuss! Just drink and keep quiet. They’re waiting for us!” Thinking back, I couldn’t help but shiver with the memory. Now, facing the same situation, Lowell stood in front of Kaitlynn, shielding her from the men. He gently patted her head, his eyes full of concern. “Kaitlynn, I’m sorry. It’s my fault. I shouldn’t have brought you to this place. “This deal? I don’t care about it. I’m not going to let you drink with those old men.” Tears sprang to my eyes. I thought, “So he cares enough to stop his beloved woman from drinking with other men. If Kaitlynn can’t drink, then what about me? All the drinks I had swallowed for him…what did they mean?” My chest clenched with pain. My eyes blurred. I quickly wiped my tears off, wanting to escape this scene. Just then, Felix spotted me and waved frantically. “Bessie, over here!” At his shout, every eye in the room turned toward me. Lowell saw me, too.

I froze for a moment, then, without hesitation, turned and walked away, not even glancing at him. Lowell seemed startled, quickly pushing through the crowd to follow me. His face was pale, likely from the alcohol. “Bessie, did you… see everything? “Listen, Kaitlynn can’t handle alcohol, so I didn’t want her to drink. It’s not what you think…” He grabbed my wrist tightly, his voice anxious. A moment later, Kaitlynn caught up to us, looking pitiful, as she grabbed my other hand. “Bessie, I’m sorry. It’s my fault. I didn’t drink the glass of wine, and now you and Lowell are fighting. Don’t be mad. I’ll drink it right now…” Lowell shot her a glare. “What are you doing here? Go back! Do you think this isn’t enough of a mess?!” I didn’t want to hear any of their excuses. Frustrated, I pushed both of them away and tried to leave quickly. But just then, Kaitlynn slipped and slammed into the corner of a nearby table. Blood started to pour from her forehead, and she cried out pitifully. “Lowell, I’m sorry. It’s my fault… “Am I going to be disfigured?” Seeing her injury, Lowell immediately panicked. He spun around and yelled at me. “Bessie, are you losing your mind? Why do you do this? “If anything happens to Kaitlynn, I swear I won’t let you off the hook!” At that moment, Lowell’s face was dark with anger. I stood there, dazed, staring at the man who was so desperately defending Kaitlynn. And suddenly, memories from nine years ago rushed back to me. Back then, he had protected me the same way. At that time, I was still in university. I often visited a friend from a nearby college. One evening, I was coming back late when two burly men suddenly appeared out of nowhere. “We’ve been watching you for a month. We finally got you now! You think you can escape?!” I tried to escape, but two minutes later, I was pinned to the ground, helpless, waiting for what seemed like endless suffering. Then suddenly, I heard a cold voice above me. “Who do you think you’re messing with? You dare bully someone from my university?!” That was the first time I met Lowell. He was incredibly quick and skilled. By the time I registered what happened, the two men were already on the ground. He helped me up, and I stammered, wanting to thank him. He raised an eyebrow, waiting for my words. My face grew hot, and I couldn’t get my words out. “I… Thank you… I’m fine…” He smiled lightly, “Is that so? Then I can relax.” Later, Lowell took my hand. He was the one who stood up for me when I was wronged, the one who made me soup during my period, and the one who carried me to the hospital when I was sick. Under the fireworks, he proposed to me. “Baby, marry me. I want you to be the happiest woman in the world. “I’ll love and protect you for the rest of my life, never letting you suffer again.” With everyone watching and blessing us, I shyly nodded and handed him my hand. I heard Kaitlynn’s pitiful sobs. Just then, a sharp slap came out of nowhere, landing on my face with a loud crack, knocking me to the ground. When I looked up, I saw Lowell’s cold, piercing gaze, strange and terrifying. “Bessie, you really disgust me. “This slap is your lesson. “Don’t think you can get away with anything just because I’ve been nice to you.” With that, he turned and stormed off, carrying Kaitlynn in his arms without a word. The winter air felt colder than ever. On the quiet street, only a few pedestrians walked by, the northern wind howling. I don’t know how long I stood there, but eventually, I got up, wiped my face, wrapped my coat tighter, and slowly began walking home. At home, I packed my bags and placed the signed divorce agreement in the most visible spot. The next afternoon, Lowell called again. By then, I had already reached the airport with my suitcase. “Bessie, if you don’t want to divorce, come apologize to Kaitlynn right now, and we’ll forget about this…” “No need,” I interrupted him. “I’ve already prepared the divorce papers. Just sign them, and we’re done.” With that, I hung up the phone, blocked all his contact information, and boarded the flight home.

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The driver’s son spent a fortune on his girlfriend’s birthday party, only to find out when he was checking out that his credit card had been frozen. He called me in a rage and said, “Rachel, what gives you the right to freeze my credit card? Do you know how humiliating it is that I can’t pay here?” I sneered and reminded him, “Have you lost your memory? The credit card in your hand is mine, right? It’s none of your business if I freeze my credit card.” I wouldn’t indulge in love and would choose to be a wealthy lady rather than curry favor with a driver’s son. I became Rachel Johnson, the love-obsessed heroine of the book. Rachel was the only heiress to the Johnson family of Capitalise and grew up being spoiled by everyone. She probably never got rejected growing up. So when she was rejected for inviting Adrian Sinclair, the son of her driver, Harry Sinclair, to play with her, she suddenly had a desire for conquest. She thought it was so cool that Adrian dared to reject her. So, from that day on, Rachel followed Adrian every day. Maybe she just wanted to take Adrian at first, hoping that he would dote on her like the other boys. But apparently, Adrian wouldn’t be like that. No matter what Rachel did, Adrian was always cold to her. Slowly, Rachel’s mindset towards Adrian began to change. She started thinking of ways to please Adrian. She gave Adrian the new cell phone that her father, Victor Johnson, bought for her and used Adrian’s old cell phone that he had outgrown. The new necklace her mother, Angela Johnson, bought for her was given to Mary Roberts as a birthday gift by Adrian. Even a large portion of her one-hundred-thousand-dollar monthly allowance was spent on Adrian. Everyone in the class knew that Rachel liked Adrian very much. Even if it were something outrageous, as long as Adrian showed a hint of displeasure, Rachel would immediately bow her head and apologize. Later, someone rumored that Rachel was the daughter of Adrian’s nanny and was able to attend Monjen High School only because of Adrian’s family’s financial support. I shook my head, thinking that Rachel was a fool. Just now, Rachel was angry when she heard that Adrian had confessed his love for Mary at Mary’s birthday party and then died from it. What kind of magic did Adrian have that could make Rachel, a rich girl, so mesmerized? I lay on the soft, big bed, looked at the balance on the bank card, and couldn’t help but smile. Wouldn’t it be nice to be a rich girl in peace? I didn’t give a shit about Adrian. I hung up on Adrian and blocked his number without a second thought. I was dreaming happily when suddenly another person called me. I picked up the phone and realized it was a female voice. Mary said with a sobbing voice, “Rachel, I know you like Adrian, but he likes me. How can you secretly freeze his credit card just because he doesn’t like you? “Now the whole class is being held up at the hotel and not allowed to leave, waiting for Adrian to settle his bill. Stop messing around and unfreeze Adrian’s credit card. “And you blocked Adrian’s cell phone number. Do you know how angry he was? If I hadn’t persuaded him, he would have wanted to break it off with you.” I said calmly, “Then let’s break it off. It’s not like I care about him. “By the way, that credit card in his hand is mine. What is it any of your business if I freeze my credit card? “Why does he need my money to throw you a birthday party? Didn’t he say he was rich? How can he not even have the money to throw you a birthday party?” The phone was snatched by Adrian, an angry voice coming from the other end of the line. He said, “Rachel, stop it. Don’t use this method to get my attention. I’m furious right now. I’m giving you one minute to hurry up and unfreeze my credit card. Otherwise, you know the consequences.” His words sounded like a domineering president. But unfortunately, Adrian was just a driver’s son. Before I could say anything, the phone was hung up. Well, that saved me from wasting my words. I silently blocked the number and got up, then put on delicate makeup and picked out a nice outfit from the checkroom. Being a rich girl was excellent, having a table full of big-name cosmetics. Rachel’s cloakroom was bigger than my living room, and she had a wall full of bags. If I weren’t hungry, I’d be frantically trying on clothes in this cloakroom.

Adrian’s dad, Harry, was my dedicated driver. Actually, he had been initially Victor’s driver. But because Rachel liked Adrian, she transferred Harry to drive her, and Adrian as well. Harry was obviously Rachel’s driver, but he had to wait for Adrian to come before he would drive. There were several times when Rachel got detentions for failing exams. Harry picked up Adrian and left directly without waiting for Rachel. In the end, Rachel had to take the bus back. It was because Adrian would reprimand Rachel for asking Harry to pick her up again. Adrian said, “You’re the one who didn’t do well in your exam and got detention. Why should my dad have to go back? Can’t you just take the bus back yourself?” I opened the back door and got in when I heard Harry on the phone. “I know, and I’ll ask her for you.” Hanging up the phone, he turned to me, and there was actually some recrimination in his eyes. He said, “Rachel, did you fight with Adrian? Why did you freeze his credit card? He’s now being held up at the hotel and humiliated in front of the class. You’re going too far.” I retorted directly, “Harry, you’d better get your position correct. You’re just my driver. Rachel was called by my parents, not by you, a driver. “Besides, the credit card your son is holding is mine. What business is it of yours if I freeze my credit card?” Harry looked at me incredulously with a highly complex expression. He opened his mouth and didn’t say anything. Seeing his silence, I gave an address and then closed my eyes to rest. But when the car stopped, I realized that Harry had actually driven the car to the hotel where Adrian had thrown Mary’s birthday party. Harry said, “Rachel, I know you’re upset that Adrian and Mary are together. But you can’t force a love affair, right? “You booked this hotel for Adrian, but you don’t want to pay for it now. Do you think you did the right thing? “Now, the whole class is being held at the hotel because of your behavior. You need to stop making a scene and go settle your bill.” I gazed into Harry’s eyes and suddenly nodded. “Okay, but you have to come with me.” Harry was a little hesitant, wanting to refuse. Seeing the look in my eyes, he finally nodded in agreement. Harry and I headed inside one after the other, and I could hear noisy chatter and grumbling from inside before we even entered the private room. One of the boys said, “Rachel is off her meds today, isn’t she? She actually blocked Adrian’s cell phone number.” A girl chimed in, “Yeah, she also blocked Mary’s number. Is it possible that Adrian and Mary being together is so much of a shock to her that she can’t handle it?” The boy continued, “Don’t be afraid. Something like that happened once before. But she lasted an hour before she apologized to Adrian. I’m betting that she’ll only last an hour today, too.” I pushed my way in, and all eyes were on me. I could clearly hear the boy who had just spoken continue, “See? I said she could only last an hour. She rushed over here to apologize to Adrian.” Adrian’s original smile instantly turned to disgust when he saw me. “Rachel, how dare you come?” He looked me up and down and continued, “How come you came to Mary’s birthday with nothing? Where’s the gift?” Seeing that I didn’t say anything, he said, “Forget it if you didn’t prepare a gift. You transfer me a hundred thousand dollars later, and I’ll go buy Mary a bag as your birthday gift to her.” I laughed and stepped forward, looking Adrian straight in the eye. “That’s so weird, Mr. Sinclair. Where is a nanny’s daughter like me going to get a hundred thousand dollars to buy Mary a bag?”

Adrian’s expression changed, and he mumbled, “Isn’t that what I pay you for?” I nodded and tried to say something before Mary interrupted, “Forget it if you didn’t bring a gift. Rachel, just pay the bill. We’re going to go sing.” “What? Why do you want me to pay the bill? I’m just a nanny’s daughter. How would I have the money to pay for your bill?” I said very loudly on purpose. “It’s not your money, but the money Adrian keeps at your place,” someone said back to me. “Would you give your allowance to your nanny’s daughter to keep?” I said sarcastically. That guy stopped talking. Adrian pulled me into a corner and lowered his voice. “Rachel, what the hell do you want? Why is it so much trouble for me to ask you to pay a bill?” I looked at him with a raised eyebrow. “Nothing. I just suddenly figured it out, and I don’t want to please you anymore.” I suddenly turned to look at Harry, who was following me. “Harry, your son doesn’t have the money to pay for his girlfriend’s birthday. It makes sense for you, the father, to pay the bill, right?” When Adrian met Harry’s eyes, both of them had weird expressions. Of course, the rest of the class had even weirder ones. One boy said, “Isn’t Adrian one of the rich guys from the Sinclair family? How come his dad is dressed so plain?” Another boy said, “The suit doesn’t fit, and it’s all wrinkled. It’s definitely not customized.” A girl asked, “Is this Adrian’s dad? He doesn’t look like he’s rich. What’s going on?” The crowd whispered, and Adrian’s face was pretty pale. I added at the right time, “This is Harry, my driver. Adrian is his son. “Harry, if you don’t have any money, I’ll call my uncle and ask him to give you a discount. “By the way, you’re fired. From today, you are no longer my family’s driver.” After saying that, I waved my hand towards them and turned to leave gracefully. Did they want me to pay the bill? Never in a million years. I would like to donate this money to the poor if I had it. That would at least be a good thing. The next day, when I went to school, I had just opened the car door when Adrian tried to get in. “What are you doing?” I pulled on the door. “Get out of the way. I’m going to be late.” He pushed me away hard and got into the car, sitting next to me. Then, Adrian turned toward the front and said, “Dad, like before, we’re picking up Mary and then going to school.” The driver, Eric Turner, turned and looked at Adrian blankly. Harry had been fired by me yesterday. Just in case he thought I didn’t have the right, I called Victor about it. Victor said that his other driver, Eric, happened to be free at home lately and that Eric would be driving me to and from school these days. “Adrian, have you lost your memory? Your father was fired by me yesterday. Get out of the car now.” I kicked hard, kicking him out of the car straight away.

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I took a day off to take my son, Garrett Rayne, to see a psychologist. However, on our way back, he trashed the 4S store because I refused to buy him a car. I was faced with an astronomical compensation fee, and yet Jenna Rayne, my late husband’s mother, lied about the status of my husband’s death compensation, claiming it hadn’t come through yet. Helpless, I was forced to take on a massive loan. To pay off the debt, I worked eight jobs a day. My fingers were so bent with exhaustion that they could hardly straighten. But Garrett, for only tens of thousands of dollars, secretly took my ID and forced me to marry some old man in a remote village. Later, I ended up being tortured to death by the wicked and backward people there. When I opened my eyes again, I saw my son smashing up the 4S store. I patted the security guard on the shoulder and said, “He’s an adult. You can report him.” It wasn’t until a shard of glass flew at me, slicing my cheek and making me gasp in pain, that I realized this wasn’t a dream. I had returned before everything happened. In my past life, I had taken leave to take Garrett to see a psychologist. On the way back, he spotted an expensive sports car and demanded I buy it for him. When I refused, he grabbed a roadside barrier and charged into the store, smashing everything he saw. I screamed from the outside in desperation, “Stop! Please, stop! I can’t afford this!” However, instead of stopping, he became even more defiant, sitting in every car with a swagger and mocking me with a grin. When the police arrived, he wasn’t the least bit afraid. He pointed at me with a smug look and said, “That old woman outside is my mom. She’s got money, so you should talk to her.” I didn’t have that kind of money. My husband had passed away early, and I had raised Garrett alone while Jenna hoarded my late husband’s compensation money. Desperate, I took on a huge loan and worked eight jobs a day. In the morning, I would work at a bun shop. Midday, I’d be in the office. In the evenings, I’d deliver food, and late at night, I’d drive as a substitute chauffeur. I was so exhausted that my fingers couldn’t even bend naturally. I was squeezing every last drop of life out of myself to make money. Sometimes, I would go back to my parents’ house, begging them for help. In the end, I spent all my savings, taking more than five years to finally pay off the loan. But Garrett’s attitude to me only worsened. He looked down on me, calling me old and poor. “You’re embarrassing me in front of my classmates with your shabby look. “Are you really bargaining over fifty cents? Don’t you have any shame? I really don’t get why my dad ever married you!” I looked down at my faded, washed-out jacket and then at him, decked out in expensive brands from head to toe. At that moment, all I felt was sadness. Soon, he started pretending to be sweet again. Every day, he called me “Mom” with such warmth that I nearly cried. I had never experienced such tenderness between us, and I obeyed him completely. But a few days later, he threw a marriage certificate in front of me. “Since you’re just a burden at home, my grandma and I found you a husband. You can marry him and bring me some money so I can get married.” I struggled to ask him why, and he kicked me to the ground. Then, he covered my mouth and nose with a handkerchief. When I woke up, I was already in a village. The man I married was much older than me. To make money, he pushed me onto other men, using me as a tool for their desires. I kept getting pregnant and losing my baby; it felt like I was draining my very life force. Finally, on the coldest day of winter, I died in the basement, wrapped only in a thin shirt. The noise from the shop snapped me back to reality. I patted the security guard on the shoulder and said, “He’s an adult. You can report him.” Then, without looking back, I walked away. I thought, “Since you never take me like your mother, this time, I will take back the life I had given you.”

As soon as I stepped through the door, Jenna’s shrill voice pierced the air. “My precious grandson is back! I missed you so much!” Seeing that I was alone, her face immediately turned cold and mean. “Where’s my grandson? Why are you coming back alone?” I thought, “You claim to love your grandson so much, but in my past life, I never saw you spend a penny to help him.” Jenna wasn’t a kind person. In my past life, my bad relationship with Garrett was partly her doing. I had taken out a huge loan to bail Garrett out of the juvenile detention center, and she quickly rushed over, wiping away tears. “If it weren’t for your mother dawdling the paperwork at the bank, you wouldn’t have had to stay in that godforsaken place for so long.” At that moment, Garrett looked at me with burning hatred in his eyes. From then on, he grew colder toward me, accusing me of not saving my own son. He thought I was heartless and wished me dead. Meanwhile, his relationship with Jenna became closer. I thought, “Fine, this time, I won’t be there to clean up your mess. Let’s see what kind of ‘family warmth’ you two will have.” I pinched myself hard and pretended to cry bitterly. “Jenna, Garrett’s in trouble! He’s been arrested! What should we do?” Upon listening to my exaggerated account, Jenna reeled, clutched my arm, and hurried me off to the police station. I stopped her. “Wait, Jenna. I need to get some money. Let’s bail Garrett out first.” In the interrogation room, Garrett sat there, appearing arrogant, impatiently answering the officer’s questions. “I just wanted to teach my mom a lesson for not buying me the car. She thinks she’s too good for me! “According to my grandma, women like her deserve a beating. My grandmother told me that if I give her a lesson, she’ll know her place.” Upon hearing the conversation inside, my heart didn’t even stir. I helped Jenna walk in. Garrett kicked his chair aside and charged at me. “You bitch, how dare you leave me behind? Don’t you want to stay in our house anymore?” The nearby police quickly restrained him, slamming him to the ground. Jenna cried in distress, constantly slapping the police officers. “Let go of my grandson! Let him go, you bunch of heartless bastards! I’m going to sue you!” Jenna’s overindulgence of Garrett had blurred his sense of right and wrong. “It’s your fault! You took bad luck to the family. You made my son die, and now you’re ruining my grandson! You should’ve just bought him the car. If you bought that car for him, none of this would have happened! “Now hurry up and get the money to bail my grandson out?” She looked at me as if my money grew on trees. I obediently handed over my card to the store manager and bowed several times in apology. Jenna wrapped her arms around Garrett with a smug look. “You want me to let my grandson rot in jail for such a small amount of money? You are a greedy animal.” The store manager looked like he might punch her but held back at the last moment. “A professional estimate puts the compensation at 1.3 million dollars. Any objections?” “What? 1.3 million dollars? How could that be? Are your cars made of gold?” Jenna yanked my collar and demanded loudly, “How do you have so much money?” “Jenna, of course, I don’t. This is your son’s compensation money.” Jenna froze right there, and taking this opportunity, I pushed her away from Garrett. “Garrett, I’m sorry you’ve suffered. I’m going home to get the money. “If only your grandma gave me the money, you wouldn’t be in this mess.” Tears streaming down my face, I wiped away the fake tears. Jenna stared at me, shocked. She didn’t expect that I also knew how to sow discord. “Well, well. You old witch. You take my father’s money and refuse to let me spend it. You’re pure evil.” Jenna was flustered. She stammered and didn’t know how to explain. Garrett shoved her to the ground and grabbed me to drag me home. I turned, grabbed the card, and smiled at Jenna on the floor. In my mind, I said, “This is just the beginning.”

When we got home, Garrett grabbed my bag out of my hands and started rummaging through it. He was looking for that card. “Garrett, there’s barely any money left on that card.” “How could that be? That person paid my dad millions of dollars. How can there be no money left?!” “Your grandma’s been using that money to gamble, and she lost everything. She couldn’t even pay the ransom to the police. I had to cover it with my own salary. “You can check if you don’t believe me. It’s really not much left.” In the last life, Jenna tricked me into taking out a loan, then used the compensation money to buy multiple properties. She lived luxuriously and always gambled when she had time. “Garrett, your grandmother didn’t leave anything for us! “How are we supposed to live?” The hard object pressed against my waist made me feel pain, but I was overjoyed. I had swapped that card long ago. I just wanted to watch these two fight over money, turning against each other. This time, I was going to make her feel what it’s like to be burdened with debt and have to work for a living. Just then, my phone rang. The robotic voice on the other end sounded jarring in the quiet room. “Hello, do you need a loan? We offer low interest rates and discounts for large amounts.” “Sorry, we don’t…” “Wait! We want a loan!” Garrett snatched the phone from my ear and, without hesitation, rattled off a string of numbers. I knew it was Jenna’s ID number.

“Garrett, I didn’t mean it. I was saving that money for you to get married. How could I possibly do anything harmful to you?” She wore that familiar look of feigned victimhood, eyes lowered as she dabbed at the few teardrops that barely formed. In the past, Garrett would have been furious and tried to defend her. But today, he just slouched on the sofa, glued to his phone, not even bothering to look at her. The incessant noise from the game made Jenna’s plump figure look even more awkward. I tied on my apron, ready to cook, but Garrett stopped me. “Let her do it. We can’t afford to keep a freeloader.” From that moment on, Jenna and I swapped roles in this house. It used to be me doing all the housework, and now it was me watching TV while she did the chores. It used to be her and Garrett eating at the table; now, she was holding a plate in the kitchen while Garrett and I chatted and laughed at the table. Jenna’s eyes were filled with resentment as if I had stolen my place in Garrett’s heart. But I knew all of this was temporary. Whoever benefited Garrett would have a place at that table. In the past, I felt sad because Garrett wasn’t close to me, and I’d try all kinds of ways to please him. I used to dream of sitting at the table with Garrett, happily chatting about the day’s events. But now that I was really sitting there, I only felt bored. I thought, “When did a little brat get to be the one in charge of this house? Why should I have to live my life according to his whims? I wasn’t just a mother; I was myself, too.” I started to throw myself into overtime at work. I took every client file seriously, analyzing their needs, crafting plans, and then shamelessly making one call after another. One day, my manager, Victoria Branson, walked by and gave me a disgusted look, scanning me from head to toe. “Can you at least make yourself presentable? It’s a sign of respect for the clients.” Looking at the woman with big waves in her hair and bright red lipstick, I felt tears well up. In the last life, Victoria had lectured me like that too. But when I was at my lowest, she slipped me tens of thousands of dollars. “You shouldn’t just live for your son. You need to live for yourself, too.” Those were the last words she’d said to me in my last life, but at the time, I still thought Garrett was my everything. I was so happy to take that money and use it for the household, but all I got in return was being stuck in that village. I really wanted to say thank you to her. Seeing my eyes redden, she suddenly looked uncomfortable. “Why are you crying? I didn’t yell at you! “Here, here, take it. Don’t say I’m bullying you.” She shoved something into my hands. I knew it was a tube of lipstick. It didn’t take long before Jenna and Garrett made up. Jenna had a talent for manipulating relationships, and I had expected this outcome. But I didn’t care.

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When Ethan White, Selena Quinn’s first love, came to visit her on behalf of the school, he smiled softly, “Ms. Quinn’s students are everywhere, thanks in no small part to your support, Mr. Green. But Mr. Green, you need to be more careful from now on. How did you let her catch a cold in the rain?” My gaze shifted to the woman on the bed, whose hair was streaked with gray, but her eyes were locked intensely on Ethan. I couldn’t help but offer a humorless smile, “Wasn’t it you who invited her for that walk in the rain, leading to her getting sick? Or have you conveniently forgotten? Ethan, was it romantic? This is what she traded her health for.” When Ethan arrived for the visit, a group of students trailed behind him. At my words, they stood quietly in the corner of the room, exchanging nervous glances but too scared to say a word. Selena’s expression darkened, her eyes flashing with anger. “Jacob Green! What kind of nonsense are you spouting!” she yelled. I had married Selena for forty years. She was an esteemed university professor, and I had been the quiet, steady force at home, tending to her needs. For forty years, I watched as Ethan, her first love, would appear with every change of season. He’d seek her out to listen to the rain, admire the first snowfall, mourn the fallen flowers, and walk with her through the lush, green parks. Every moment seemed to drip with romance as if they were characters in a story written by fate. But Selena had pollen allergies. A simple stroll in the garden left her itching and miserable. And who had always been there to care for her after these romantic escapades? Me. Always me. This time, she had gotten caught in the rain as she was recovering from a major illness. All because Ethan had insisted that walking in the rain was the epitome of romance. I had warned her. Your health comes first, I had said. But she brushed me off as she scoffed, “You have no sense of romance at all!” Off she went with Ethan, down the tree-lined avenue. Upon returning, she collapsed with a fever. My heart turned cold at that moment. Ethan was her first love, the one she was supposed to marry before they mysteriously split up. Later, she met me and married me. But then he came back, and it was as if she was pulled back into that old orbit. From that moment on, it was like a storm I couldn’t stop. Seeing the look on my face, Ethan quickly tried to smooth things over, offering an explanation. “Ms. Quinn and I were just discussing work…” he said. I intervened, “I don’t care about your work. Just keep the class schedules to yourself next time. Because I’ve never seen ‘strolling in the rain’ listed as part of any curriculum. Selena, I’ve taken care of you for forty years, and I’m tired. Find someone else to do it.” I put down the water cup, not caring if my words stung, and walked out of the room. The sound of her violent coughing echoed behind me. Ethan’s alarmed voice followed, but I didn’t look back. Outside the hospital, my phone buzzed. It was our daughter, Cecil Green. I answered. “Dad, you’re overreacting! Leaving Mom alone in the hospital like that?” she yelled. “Mr. White was just joking, and you’re taking it so personally! Stop making a fuss and go back to take care of Mom.” As her vibrant voice filtered through the phone, a sense of disconnection clouded my mind. Is this truly my daughter? I pondered. Born of Selena, Cecil lacked any empathy for me. My voice turned icy. “Cecil, you’re an intellectual, too, but I don’t think you care about your mom. Your mom’s been sick for three days, and where have you been? You can’t be bothered to sit by her bedside, yet you have the audacity to question me? Are you such heartless? If Ethan is so great, why don’t you just let him be your dad?” I ended the call, and within moments, my phone buzzed with a message from Cecil. Cecil: [Dad, you’re totally unreasonable!] I shook my head, realizing my doting had perhaps been too generous, leading them to see my dedication as their due. Selena, with her sensitive digestion and allergy-prone constitution, had driven me to master the art of soup-making, cultivating in her a taste for the exquisite. Whenever she came back from one of her romantic outings with Ethan, she would need medication and my care. I was utterly drained. This time, she had returned from a lecturing trip, leaving her grappling with stomach issues due to the unfamiliar environment. She had barely left the hospital. And yet, Ethan, with his poetic notions, called her away for another stroll in the rain. I wanted to know what was inside Selena’s head. In the wake of her romantic whims, I spent the sleepless nights tending to her needs. One sentence from Ethan could erase the tapestry of my dedication. Their romance was woven through four decades of complex ties. Upon returning home, I was greeted by the familiar sights of Selena’s presence. Flowers were her passion, transforming our balcony into a floral gallery. I, a man of simple tastes, longed to cultivate vegetables, even if in a solitary pot. But she scoffed, “Why grow vegetables? This isn’t some rural backwater; it’s just not proper!” Her disapproval was law, so I abandoned the endeavor, though my soul still craved the verdant embrace of vegetable leaves. Now, it was time to move on.

I’ve been married to Selena for forty years. She’s a university professor, earning a comfortable twelve thousand dollars a month with all her allowances, while my retirement pension brought in a mere three thousand dollars. Each month, Selena would hand me three thousand dollars for our living expenses, telling me the rest of her income was being saved away for the future. “It’s all in the bankbook,” she’d say. “It’s in the wardrobe.” But when I took that bankbook to the bank, the truth hit me like a slap in the face. There was only eight thousand dollars in the account. But several large withdrawals had been made to an unfamiliar account. That account belonged to Ethan. All these years, while I had been pinching pennies and playing the dutiful husband, she had been siphoning our joint funds to support Ethan, her so-called “spiritual pillar.” I hadn’t wanted to make a scene. God knows I had tried to keep the peace. But her sheer audacity left me with no choice but to drop the pretense. I printed out the bank statements and marched straight to a law firm. I needed a divorce agreement, and I needed it fast. When I revealed my intent to divorce in my seventies, the lawyer gaped at me in shock. But then he simply nodded. “If you’re unhappy, Sir,” he said, “it’s best to cut your losses in time. No matter the age, if her heart isn’t here, you should make a clean break.” I agreed wholeheartedly. Within hours, the papers were drafted, and I sent the divorce agreement straight to Selena’s hospital room. It didn’t take long for her to call. The moment I answered, her voice erupted. “Jacob, what is the meaning of this? Just because I got a little wet and sick, you want a divorce? Is that it? You don’t want to take care of me anymore? Let me tell you, if you don’t want to take care of me, then never come back!” I indeed wouldn’t be coming back, I said calmly, “Selena, sign the divorce agreement as soon as possible.” I inhaled deeply as I ended the call. Selena likely believed I was just stirring up trouble once more. Throughout the years, Ethan had been the spark for numerous disputes between us. Over the years, she had accused me of being petty, of lacking grace. “Ethan lives alone,” she yelled. “We’ve been friends for years. What’s wrong with looking after him? You’ve been in your ivory tower too long, so you don’t understand the hardships of life.” I had mocked her, “If you care so much, why marry me?” She had gone wild, accusing me of jealousy. I seemed to strike a nerve because, after that argument, she didn’t come home for a week. Later, I found out why. A post on Ethan’s Facebook showed them together in Rainmith, strolling through gardens and listening to the rain. Immersed in their little world of classical beauty, they were carefree and oblivious to the pain they caused. Netizens had commented enviously, saying how lucky Ethan was to have such a “supportive partner.” Some even mistook them for a couple. But Ethan didn’t deny it. When I saw that, I said nothing, but I came home and tore up all of Selena’s manuscripts in a blind rage. I had gone mad, fighting with her until my voice was hoarse. But she met me with cold indifference as if my pain meant nothing. Even our daughter, Cecil, took her side, berating me and calling me hysterical. You’re unworthy of being the husband of my mother, she had yelled. They had forced this role upon me. Who made the rule that a professor’s spouse had to be all polished and genteel? I was a person with my own spectrum of feelings and needs, yet I couldn’t juggle affections like Selena did, with one love indoors and another out. If she couldn’t move on from Ethan, why then did she decide to tie her life with mine? Selena thought I was deliberately making things difficult for her, testing her limits to see if she’d break. But she didn’t expect what came next. After that call, I never visited her in the hospital again, leaving her unattended. However, Ethan was diligent, of course. He visited Selena whenever he could. Still, there was only so much one person could do. He couldn’t be everywhere at once. Before long, Selena couldn’t hold on anymore, so she was compelled to check out of the hospital. When she got home, she found I wasn’t there. My luggage was gone. Seeing that, Selena finally realized I was serious. A week passed before Cecil called me. “Dad,” she said, “Mom’s out of the hospital.” I argued, “If she’s out, then take good care of her. No need to call me.” There was a stunned silence on the other end of the line before Cecil stammered, “Dad, Mom’s not well yet. You’re really not coming to see her? What are you really upset about?”

Cecil was practically the spitting image of Selena. “Why would I come back?” I replied coldly. “She’s been doing just fine without me these days, hasn’t she? Tell her to sign the divorce agreement quickly, so we can part ways on good terms!” Cecil yelled, “Dad, you’re at this age and still talking about divorce? It’s embarrassing! Mom is at least a university professor…” “Are you done?” I interrupted. “If so, hang up. Don’t bother me unless it’s necessary!” I ended the call before she could say another word and looked around my little piece of heaven. I had bought this small farmhouse nearby with a large yard in the back. I planted sunflowers in the front. In the back, I was preparing to grow vegetables. For the first time in years, I was doing what I loved. The sunflowers, wild and untamed, burst with vitality. Once the seeds were sown, they reached for the light, flourishing with the wild abandon of weeds. The sight of the yard teeming with life brought a spontaneous smile to my face. “Selena,” I murmured, “without you, I can live the life I want. Without you, I can indulge myself without restraint.” For three consecutive days, Cecil and Selena kept sending messages and calling, but I ignored them all. Unexpectedly, they showed up at my door. The moment their car pulled up outside, I raised my eyebrows at the sight of Selena stepping out. Her expression was as cold and displeased as I had imagined. “Jacob,” she said, her voice dripping with disapproval, “you’ve had your time to cool off outside. I was in the hospital for so long, and here you are, living comfortably!” I smirked and replied, “Thanks to you, I’m doing quite well. So, what brings you here?” I turned back to my vegetable seeds, deliberately ignoring her. Her annoyance was palpable as she shouted, “Stop this nonsense. During my hospital stay, Ethan took care of me. You ran off in anger, but you’ve had your fun. Now, come back with me! And while you’re at it, let’s invite Ethan for dinner to thank him for his care.” Anger surged within me. I grabbed a handful of dirt and threw it in her direction. “Thank him? He got you sick; taking care of you was the least he could do! When have you ever thanked me for staying by your side in the hospital? For forty years, I was the one there, not him. Now, you want me to thank him? Bullshit! Selena, get out!” Her face turned pale and flushed red as she looked down at the dirt on her clothes. She screamed, “Jacob, enough! We’re family. What’s this talk of thanks?” “So, my efforts are taken for granted, but his occasional visits make you grateful?” I retorted. “Selena, you’re really something!” Selena was speechless as anger flashed in her eyes. Cecil quickly stepped in, ever the peacemaker. “Dad, stop this! Mr. White has it hard enough on his own. Besides, at your age, making a scene is laughable. How can Mr. White face his students at school? When I went there today, his students were looking at him funny!” I sneered, “Isn’t that because he feels guilty? If he didn’t do those things, would anyone look down on him? Cecil, stay out of your mom and my business.” She bristled at my words and growled, “Dad! All these years, Mom has been the breadwinner, dealing with workplace competition and you. With your bad temper, she shouldn’t have to cater to you anymore!” “Cater to me?” I echoed and sneered. “Is that how you see it, Selena? You and Ethan’s affairs are beyond my control. Either sign the agreement, or I’ll sue. A man who has affairs with a married woman has no place teaching!” Selena frowned, her expression one of annoyance. “What are you going on about? Ethan and I are completely innocent!” “You know the truth better than anyone. Ethan’s logs detail everything. Do you want me to show them to you, or should I take this up with your university’s leadership?” Selena, ever mindful of her image, certainly wouldn’t risk it. Seething with anger, Cecil intervened, “Dad, you’re being outrageous! Mom, divorce him. Let’s see how he enjoys his freedom without you propping him up!”

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Winning 50 million in the lottery should’ve been the start of a dream. My husband even promised me a villa. But on the day of our housewarming, his first love showed up at the door, clutching a child to her chest, tears streaming down her face. Her husband had died, she said. She had nowhere to go. Dave’s heart shattered at the sight. Without a moment’s hesitation, he ushered Bianca into our home. Our bedroom, to be exact. And suddenly, there were three people in our marriage. His high school sweetheart, who had been with him for seven years, now lived in my house. My rage exploded, and I let him have it. But instead of guilt, he accused me of being heartless. “You know her husband just died, Elise! She’s a widow with a child. Are you seriously so cruel as to toss them onto the streets? When did you become so venomous?” And then his mother, Tania, always the picture of soft-spoken kindness, revealed a new face entirely. “You know, rich men are never short of women, and my son is a man of wealth now. Even if Dave took another wife, he could afford it. He met Bianca first, so you can be his lover if you want!” My gaze shifted to Dave, who stood there silently, nodding like a puppet. My heart turned to stone. Without another word, I called my lawyer. Dave assumed I’d given in. He beamed with joy as he led Bianca and her son on a tour of the villa. But he forgot one thing: I had scratched that winning ticket. I would rather donate every penny of that 50 million than let him spend a cent of it playing house with his “poor widow.”

The moment I ended the call with my lawyer, Dave appeared behind me, his voice sickly sweet as he tried to reason with me. “Elise, listen. If it weren’t for me picking you up that night, I wouldn’t have missed Bianca’s wedding. I wouldn’t have let her marry that old man. Do you have any idea how much she’s suffered? She’s alone now, Elise, with a child. If I don’t take care of them, who will?” I turned slowly, staring at him like he’d lost his mind. “What’s your logic here, Dave? Why is she in our master bedroom? What’s next? Are the three of us sleeping in there together? And tell me, is a hotel not an option? Or does her suffering somehow evaporate only when she’s in my house, making me miserable?” Bianca might be struggling, but I wasn’t exactly living on a beach chair, sipping cocktails. I took care of his mother and our four-year-old daughter, and yet that didn’t count for much. Dave squinted at me, irritation flashing in his eyes. “Elise, when did you become so unreasonable? Bianca and I are over. She wouldn’t be here if her husband hadn’t died and left her penniless. She’s got nowhere else to go. Why are you always targeting her?” Maybe because Bianca and Dave had been together for seven years since high school. When they split due to work, it took her barely two months to marry a rich old man. And that was when I found Dave. He was drunk and heartbroken, nursing his wounds in a bar. I thought he was handsome and loyal, and I had a crush on him. Later, fate, or maybe coincidence, had us bump into each other again at work. I thought it meant something, so I asked for his number. Eventually, I helped him crawl out of that pit of despair. We got close, and then we soon got married. I still remember the day of our wedding. Dave stood there in front of everyone, declaring how I had saved him from the depths of misery. He called me his one true love. Now, here we were, just a few years later; he would rather comfort her than see what he was doing to me. I clutched my chest, forcing myself to breathe as I whispered, “You’re really letting Bianca move in?” Dave hesitated briefly and said, “It’s not like I’m marrying her, Elise. I’m her son’s godfather, so I have a responsibility to look after them. Besides, I’m rich now. Only I can give Bianca the life she deserves.” He kept going, ignoring the way my face darkened with every word. “She’s already a widow. How could I let her stay out there alone? Besides, she’s already said she’ll help around the house: cooking, cleaning, taking care of the kid. Why are you so upset? Bianca’s willing to shoulder all the housework, and you’re still not satisfied?” Such consideration and generosity must be based on deep affection. Dave sounded so confident and proud of himself. In his mind, he had it all figured out. He’d provide for the family while Bianca stayed home and kept things running. I was the woman with the marriage certificate and the mother of his child, yet I had become an unwelcome guest in my own home. I looked down, speechless and disappointed. My silence seemed to fuel his anger. “You know her husband’s dead. She’s struggling, and you want to throw her out? How could you be so heartless, Elise? When did you turn into this… this snake?” I looked up sharply, stunned at his rage. Not a hint of guilt. No apology. Just pure anger and disgust, all directed at me. At that moment, something inside me broke. “Fine,” I said quietly. “Let her stay for as long as she likes.” Dave blinked, momentarily caught off guard. Then a smile spread across his face, smug and victorious. “See? That wasn’t so hard. If you’d just been reasonable from the start, we wouldn’t have had to fight. Now come help Bianca bring in her luggage.” I shook my head. “Congratulations to you both. I’ll be heading back to my parents’ house.” His smile vanished instantly. He stepped forward, blocking my path. “What do you mean by that?” I looked him dead in the eye. “I mean I’m done, Dave. I’m done with you.” Grabbing our four-year-old daughter’s hand, I stepped past him and headed downstairs. Before I could reach the door, my mother-in-law, Tania, appeared. Her expression was icy, her voice sharp. “Where do you think you’re going? You’re taking my granddaughter back to your parents’ house just so they can badmouth my son? I don’t think so. You’re not leaving this house.” I let out a humorless laugh. “What do you want? That I sit here quietly and wait on that mistress like a servant?”

Tania glared at me with utter disdain. “What mistress? Don’t be so nasty with your words. Bianca met my son first, so you’re the mistress here! “Rich men are never short of women. My son is wealthy now, so why can’t he support another woman? Bianca is prettier than you, perfect for public occasions. You can just stay home, do the housework, and take care of us.” I was so furious that I laughed. Fifty million in the lottery, and they were already comparing themselves to billionaires! How could they be so arrogant and stupid? I sneered loudly, mocking her, “Oh, right. You may not have the looks, but you’ve got the imagination.” Tania turned red with anger, jabbing a finger at my face. “How dare you speak to me like that? No manners at all! You’ve lived in this house for weeks and still haven’t learned how to cook a proper meal. Useless! My son was cursed to marry someone like you!” Dave, silent as a shadow, moved to stand beside her, his gaze cold and hostile. Like mother, like son. They were exactly the same, entitled and condescending. Crossing my arms, I said coolly, “Didn’t you say your new ‘daughter-in-law’ promised to take care of all the housework? Let her do it.” From the corner of my eye, I saw Bianca freeze mid-step, tears welling up in her eyes like she’d been wronged beyond belief. With a dramatic sob, she ran into the kitchen. Dave’s face twisted with panic. “Enough, all of you! I’m just letting Bianca stay here temporarily to help her get back on her feet. Elise, why do you have to act like some jealous shrew? We have a child together, for God’s sake! Do you really think I’d rekindle things with her?” He scoffed, his voice thick with disdain, “If I still wanted Bianca, do you think I would let you carry my child?” His words hit me like a punch to the chest, and I struggled to hold back tears. “Fine,” I said, my voice trembling with fury. “Let her settle in. I’ll leave.” Tania’s face darkened. “Ungrateful wench! Bianca’s son started calling me Grandma the moment they got here yesterday. She’s been massaging my legs and being so considerate. Look at the mute little girl you gave us. She doesn’t even know how to speak!” My blood ran cold. My daughter wasn’t mute. She was just silent, a silence born from trauma. Years ago, Tania had taken her shopping and lost her. I spent a day and night scouring the streets, only to find my little girl curled up and unconscious in a garbage bin. The police later told me she’d been smart, slipping away from traffickers when they weren’t looking and hiding in that bin. But the experience scarred her deeply. Since then, she rarely spoke, and when she did, it was in whispers. For a while, Tania had felt so guilty she spoiled her endlessly. She even went to war with a neighbor’s kid who had teased my daughter, yelling at their door until the child was sobbing. Now? Bianca’s son had turned her into a completely different person. Watching the blatant disdain on Dave and Tania’s faces, I couldn’t help but sneer. “Fine. Whoever wants to play the fool here can go ahead. It has nothing to do with me.” Dave wanted to be the hero while keeping me around, but I wasn’t interested in being his mistress. Whoever wanted him could have him. I was done cherishing this trash. Dave mistook my sarcasm for submission, his tone softening as he tried to play the voice of reason. “Elise, taking our daughter to your parents’ house will only stir gossip. People will say I’m abusive or cheating. Do you want to ruin my reputation just to get back at me?” I turned to him, a bitter smile on my face. “Ruin it? Dave, you’ve already done a great job of that yourself.” Whenever I called Bianca a mistress, Dave and Tania would accuse me of being jealous as if they were some generous saint. Dave pulled out his phone, transferred 100 thousand into my account, and sighed dramatically. “I lost my temper earlier. I shouldn’t have said those things. But isn’t this fight just about money? Here, I’ve given you some spending cash. Stop being so petty, Elise. Your jealousy is out of control.” He paused and then continued arrogantly, “And don’t push your luck. Next time, I won’t be so forgiving.” A slap, then a sweet. That was Dave’s routine. For every argument, he’d belittle me, tear me down, and then throw me a handful of cash as if he were doing me a favor. It used to work. Back then, I’d grit my teeth and let it slide because I would never turn down money. But after we got married and had a kid, he only went further. Now, looking at him, I realized just how much I’d let him get away with over the years.

Ignoring Dave completely, I picked up my daughter and headed downstairs, only to find Bianca blocking the front door. She had somehow changed into a maid’s uniform, one that conveniently hugged every curve, and held a broom in her hands like a trophy. The floor behind her sparkled, so spotless it could’ve been licked clean. Tania’s eyes gleamed with approval as she clapped her hands. “Bianca really is something. Beautiful and hardworking, unlike someone who doesn’t even know how to use a mop.” Bianca cast a demure glance at Dave, fluttering her lashes like a shy schoolgirl. “I just have a bit of a cleanliness streak. I want to keep the house spotless so that the people I care about can feel comfortable.” I shoved her aside calmly. “Move. A good dog knows when to get out of the way.” People like Bianca had been flattering others for so long, and it was hard for them to remember how to survive on their own. Tania’s face soured immediately. Her voice turned sharp as she spat, “Elise! Look at Bianca, sweating all morning to clean your house. You should be thanking her for sharing your workload, not humiliating her like this. You’re a disgrace to women!” I let out a cold laugh. “Thank her? For what? She hasn’t paid a cent for food or board, and all she’s done is sweep the floor. Do I look insane, or is your brain just not working?” The moment the words left my mouth, Bianca’s tears fell dramatically onto the pristine floor. “I’m sorry,” she sobbed, her voice trembling. “It’s my fault that my husband died. I shouldn’t have come here. Dave, I’ll leave. I don’t want Elise to misunderstand me.” She was a sobbing mess, yet somehow still managed to look delicate and pitiful. Dave immediately snapped, “That’s enough, Elise!” I rolled my eyes, my voice rising to match his anger. “Enough? Oh, we’re just getting started, Dave. Did I invite her into my house? Did I ask her to play maid and sweep my floors?” Before Dave could respond, Victor, my father-in-law, stormed over and snatched the broom from Bianca’s hands, flinging it onto the ground with a loud crack. “Enough yelling!” he barked. The room fell silent, tension crackling in the air. And yet, as Bianca, Tania, and Dave lined up like soldiers in solidarity, it was clear who the outsider was. Where was Victor when Tania was making her snide remarks? Where was he when Dave yelled at me like I was the problem? Now, the moment my voice rose, he suddenly cared about “keeping the peace.” I thought back to our wedding day. I’d asked for no dowry, gifting them a car and an apartment instead. Victor and Tania had sung praises of my generosity, promising they’d take my side if Dave ever mistreated me. They’d said, “Do whatever you like.” Looking at them now, this perfectly united front, I almost laughed. I huffed, deciding I’d get my daughter out of this mess first. But before I could leave, Bianca dropped to her knees in front of me. “Elise, please don’t blame Tania or Dave. This is all my fault. If I weren’t so desperate, I’d never have come here.” Her voice quivered like a fragile thread ready to snap. “I’ll take my son and leave. We can sleep under a bridge if we have to. I don’t want to be the reason your family falls apart…” Even as she spoke, her body betrayed her words. She leaned subtly into Dave, who didn’t hesitate to wrap his arms around her protectively. “Elise,” he said, his voice dripping with disappointment. “I can’t believe you. Bianca’s only staying here temporarily. She’s a widow with a child. Have you forgotten what it’s like to be a mother? If you want to throw a tantrum, just come at me. How can you be so cruel?” Bianca nestled further into his embrace, her face turned away but her expression smug. Oh, Dave still hadn’t figured it out. Who was truly “cruel” in this situation? Victor chimed, his voice gruff with irritation. “Enough fighting! We just moved into this house, and you’re already making a scene. Do you want to scare away the family’s luck?” I stared at them and marveled at the absurdity of it all. Would they still be standing here, so smug and self-assured, if I hadn’t won that 50 million?

I turned to Victor with feigned obedience, nodding softly. “You’re right. I shouldn’t argue in front of the child. But since there’s already a ‘new wife’ here, I’ll take my daughter back to my parents’ place for a few days.” Bianca’s smug expression nearly dripped off her face, though she managed to play her role with a simpering voice. “Elise, don’t go. How could I possibly take care of Dave all by myself?” Dave shot her an unreadable glance before his irritation landed squarely back on me. “Stop playing games, Elise. The kids are hungry. Go make lunch and quit threatening to go home just to spite me!” I rolled my eyes and didn’t bother answering. Instead, I picked up my daughter, grabbed the keys to my brand-new car, and strode past them. As I approached the door, Bianca pretended to persuade Dave. “Dave, are you really going to let her leave? Elise loves you so much. What if she doesn’t come back?” Dave snorted dismissively. “She’ll be back in three days, tops. Elise is too proud to admit it, but she burned all her bridges with her family to marry me. Where else would she go?” I paused mid-step, bitterness rising in my throat. This was the same man who once sat by my bedside for hours when I had a fever, promising he’d never let me feel alone again. Now? He knew I might not even have a home to go to, yet he still stood idly by, letting Bianca plant herself in our lives. It was a test, a blatant, degrading test of my obedience. If I stayed any longer, his entire family would only become even more shameless. They might even let me take care of Bianca when she got pregnant! There was only one solution when dealing with trash: run. And run fast. Quickly and efficiently, I strapped my daughter into the front seat, loaded my bags into the trunk, and prepared to drive off. Bianca appeared again, hovering by the doorway with that insufferable false kindness. “Elise, stop being so stubborn. Just apologize to Dave, and this will all blow over. Why slink back to your parents’ house in disgrace?” Dave, standing smugly behind her, folded his arms across his chest. “Elise, I’m warning you. Think carefully. You can still bring your bags back inside. But if your parents slam the door in your face, don’t come crawling back to me!” I ignored them both, utterly focused on strapping myself into the driver’s seat. Satisfied that I wasn’t backing down, Bianca smiled to herself and disappeared back into the house. Just as I started the engine, Dave blocked the car door with his arm, his face dark and threatening. “Elise,” he growled. “Don’t you dare regret this.” I snorted coldly and slammed the door shut. As I shifted into drive, Dave’s phone buzzed. He glanced at the screen, and his expression instantly paled. Panicking, he pounded his fists against my window. “Elise! Where’s the lottery money? Which account did you transfer it to?”

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