The sudden, sharp knock of the police on my apartment door jolted me from my trance. I was staring at a gold bar, its weight heavy in my palm. Just hours earlier, I had been laid off. Then, my doctor called with the results of my scan: gallstones, requiring immediate surgery. The five-thousand-dollar price tag was a death sentence for my already decimated savings. This hundred-gram gold bar, purchased ten years ago with my very first paycheck and my mother’s contribution, was now my lifeline. When I’d called my mom, her voice had been thick with guilt. She kept sighing, blaming herself. She was convinced my recent hospital visits to care for her were the reason I’d been fired. “Just sell your share of the gold, honey. It’s the only way I can help now,” she’d choked out, her voice breaking. I was planning to visit a jeweler first thing in the morning. I never expected this kind of late-night visit. “We’ve received a report that you’ve stolen a gold bar. Please cooperate with our investigation.” The officer’s words were like shards of ice piercing my heart. 1 When I opened the door, the officer stood there, his face grim, his eyes sizing me up with a mixture of suspicion and contempt. I was in my pajamas, my makeup-free face sallow and drawn from the constant pain. The loose-fitting sleep shirt, which had been snug on me just three years ago, now hung off my frame like a sheet. A minute ago, I had been doubled over from a searing gallstone attack, so intense I couldn’t move. I lay curled in a fetal position, my back soaked in a cold sweat, wondering if this was how I was going to die. Now, because of a false accusation, I was forcing my ravaged body to stand, to somehow find the breath to speak to a cop. I clutched my stomach with one hand, bracing myself against the doorframe with the other. My fingers were so thin they were practically skeletal, like the brittle, dead branches of a winter tree. It felt like they could snap with the slightest pressure. The officer’s eyes raked over me, his voice dripping with disdain. “What is your relationship to a Ms. Susan Carter?” I fought through a wave of agony, my voice weak. “She’s my mother.” He let out a short, sharp huff. “She’s reporting that you stole a one-hundred-gram gold bar from her. Hand over the stolen property and come with us to the station. Cooperate, and maybe you’ll get a lighter sentence.” The commotion had drawn my neighbors out of their apartments. They poked their heads out, hungry for gossip. One of them, Mr. Henderson from 9A, immediately started typing, his phone’s screen glowing in the dim hallway. The notification from the building’s group chat buzzed in my pocket. Henderson (9A): BREAKING NEWS, EVERYONE. The girl in 9C just got busted for stealing from her own mom. Cops are at her door RIGHT NOW. Henderson (9A): I always knew there was something off about her. Always coming and going by herself with that sour look on her face, like the whole world owed her something. Harris (8C): I live right below her. I hear these weird thuds late at night all the time. No wonder she’s got no class, she’s a damn thief. Jenna (6A): lol busted. A thief in our building. And she ripped off her own mother? What a degenerate. Should’ve gotten a dog instead. Building Mgmt: Please check your apartments and report any missing items immediately. Let’s handle this all at once. I glanced down at my phone, the screen alive with accusations. My mind was a chaotic storm, but I calmly retrieved the gold bar and handed it to the officer. “There must be some misunderstanding,” I whispered, my voice hoarse. “My mom and I bought this together years ago. I’m sick, I need the money for surgery. We talked about it, and she agreed I could sell it.” Mr. Henderson, still loitering in his doorway, laughed out loud. “Playing the victim, are we? You looked perfectly fine coming and going the other day. Be careful what you wish for, faking an illness like that. You’ll end up six feet under for real, you pathetic little ghost.” His venom, on top of days of unrelenting pain, finally made me snap. I was gasping for air, my face flushed with a furious heat. “You have no proof,” I shot back, my voice trembling with rage. “You smear my name in the group chat, and now you’re insulting me to my face? Did your parents not teach you a single shred of decency?” Seeing the fury in my eyes, the officer tensed, stepping between us as if I were about to lunge at the man. Henderson saw his chance and doubled down, his smirk widening. “Oh, did I touch a nerve, ghost girl? If you didn’t steal it, the cops wouldn’t be here. Instead of wasting your breath yelling at me, you should be picking out a coffin. You’ll probably drop dead in the street one of these days anyway.” I’d always been polite in the building, friendly to my neighbors. Henderson’s own daughter used to come to my apartment to watch cartoons and eat the fruit I’d buy for her. I couldn’t fathom where this deep-seated hatred came from. My blood was boiling. I took a shaky step forward, intending only to confront him, to demand an explanation. But the officer misinterpreted my movement. In one swift, brutal motion, he grabbed my arm, twisted it behind my back, and slammed me to the floor. I was pinned, helpless, like an animal. The explosion of pain from the impact and my inflamed gallbladder made me cry out. During the struggle, my pajama top rode up, exposing the jaundiced, yellow skin of my torso. My ribs were starkly visible beneath the thin layer of flesh. The onlooking neighbors gasped. “Oh, god,” one of them whispered. “Maybe she really is sick.” The second officer, who had been standing back, flinched for a second before quickly snapping handcuffs onto my raw wrists. Henderson’s face lit up with manic excitement. He raised his phone, capturing my complete and utter humiliation. “Look, everyone! They’re cuffing the bitch! Payback’s a bitch, ain’t it?” 2 I was shoved into the back of the squad car, and another gallstone attack ripped through me. I curled into a tight ball, sucking in desperate, ragged breaths, trying to find a rhythm that would override the pain. The officer sitting next to me hesitated, then asked, his voice laced with suspicion, “Are you on something? Is that why you needed the money, for your next fix?” “Your symptoms… they look a lot like withdrawal.” I was shaking so hard my teeth chattered. “No,” I managed to get out between gasps. “I’m sick… gallbladder… need the money to… live.” The older officer driving the car let out a cynical laugh. “Heard that one a million times. If you needed it to live, you think your own mother would call the cops on you? A real mother would be scraping together every last penny to save her kid.” The pain was making my vision swim. “Yeah,” I murmured, more to myself than to them. “A real mother… should be just like that.” The older cop seemed puzzled by my detached response, but he quickly dismissed it as drug-induced rambling. “We see your type all the time,” he sneered. “So selfish you’d even steal your parents’ retirement savings. You talk about being sick? I saw your mother. She had a fresh bandage from an IV on her hand. Now that’s what being sick looks like.” The agony in my abdomen was so intense I couldn’t speak. The world began to blur. Just before I passed out, it felt like my soul briefly detached from my body, pulling me back through time. I was back in my final year of college. My roommates and I had stumbled upon a psychic’s livestream. We chipped in to get our birth charts read. The other girls all had promising futures: natural wealth, good karma, blessings from ancestors. But when he got to my chart, the psychic’s brow furrowed. He said I was destined for shallow relationships, a short life of poverty and hardship, and that I would bring misfortune to my family. Then he paused, peering closer at the screen. His expression softened. “Wait,” he said, “this is a Phoenix Chart. Your true destiny is locked. It can only be forged in the fire of familial betrayal. Your fate will not reverse unless you are pushed to the absolute brink of despair.” My roommates, trying to spare my feelings, immediately declared the guy a fraud. I didn’t care about being poor or having bad luck. My life already felt worthless. But his words about “shallow relationships” felt like a hot coal pressed against my heart. All I had ever wanted was my parents’ love. I craved the affection they poured so effortlessly onto my younger brother, Kevin. The warm encouragement, the proud glances—they were never for me. I was a ghost in my own home, hiding in the shadows, stealing snippets of their praise for him and pretending it was for me. For twenty years, I had the same recurring dream. In it, my parents were mine alone. I wore my brother’s face like a mask, greedily soaking up a love that was never meant for me. “That which you can’t have,” the psychic’s voice echoed in my memory, “will become the cage that imprisons you for life.” 3 To get my parents’ attention, I first tried faking illnesses. But they were indifferent. The more I complained of pain, the more they saw me as a fragile, useless burden. A money pit. So I switched tactics. I became an overachiever. I got straight A’s, won academic awards, became class president. This earned me a few fleeting glances, but they still believed Kevin was the truly brilliant one. “Boys are late bloomers,” my father would say. “He doesn’t even have to try. He’s naturally smarter. You’ll see.” Eventually, I learned to grovel. I became the perfect, helpful daughter. I did all the housework, served them tea, even washed my brother’s underwear. Finally, they started to praise me. “Alice is so thoughtful now, a real comfort to us. She knows how to sacrifice for the family. Such a good girl, especially for helping her brother out. A wonderful big sister.” “This is great. We didn’t raise you for nothing. If you could just tidy up Kevin’s room, you’d be perfect.” Their words were like a drug. I became a willing slave, an expert people-pleaser, not just for my parents, but for my brother, too. After I started working, I spent my first paycheck on a bracelet for my mom and my first bonus on new shoes for my dad. I used my commission to buy Kevin a new gaming laptop. For myself, I spent five dollars on a bowl of beef noodle soup from a little shop I’d always dreamed of trying as a kid. Kevin saw me eating it and wrinkled his nose in disgust.

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As a private investigator, I recently took a case to investigate a man named Brian Wright for infidelity. To my horror, the woman I caught him with was my own wife, Sarah Kinsey. In that moment, my heart shattered. An overseas mercenary organization had contacted me before, inviting me to join their reconnaissance camp. Now, I decided to accept their offer. For the past seven years, I had anonymously donated blood to Sarah, like her personal blood bank. But from this moment on, I would never do it again. 1 I arrived at the address the client provided in Willow Creek Estates. Brian Wright was locked in a passionate embrace with a woman. I pulled out my phone and started recording. Their emotions were raw, intense. The woman sat up halfway, and it was my wife, Sarah Kinsey. My legs gave out. I stumbled backward, barely catching myself. My colleague, Mike, saw her too. He hesitated. “Boss, maybe you should hand this case off. Let someone else take it.” I shook my head, fighting back a surge of pain. Client satisfaction was the standard in this business. Brian was aggressively taking his pleasure from Sarah, his voice a low growl. “How does he compare to your husband?” Sarah’s voice trembled with pleasure. “He can’t even touch you.” “Brian, Brian, you’re the best.” It felt like forever before they finally quieted. Brian toyed with her hand, his eyes on her wedding ring. “That ring makes my skin crawl,” he said. Sarah giggled, pulling off the ring and tossing it into a nearby wastebasket. I expected them to part ways after that, but they immediately moved on to a second round. Sarah fumbled with a box, but it was empty. No condoms. Brian asked anxiously, “What do we do?” Sarah shrugged, nonchalant. “Just go for it. I’ll take the morning-after pill.” My heart felt like it was being hammered by a sledgehammer. The pain was excruciating. I had loved her more than life itself. I would have suffocated myself before ever risking her safety. Yet, she gave herself so completely, so carelessly, to another man. She suffered from a serious blood disorder, and her periods were incredibly heavy. A miscarriage or childbirth could easily kill her. That’s why I had always been so careful, so meticulous, about birth control. I’d rather endure any discomfort myself than put her at risk. She needed two blood transfusions every month, and her rare Rh-negative blood type made it incredibly difficult to find a match. I happened to share her blood type. Every month, I went to donate twice, 400ml each time, specifically for her. To ease her conscience, I always remained anonymous. The woman I cherished above all else was allowing another man to degrade her this way. Lost in my memories, my phone buzzed. A text message. “Darling, my friend needs a morning-after pill. Could you pick up a box of Plan B and drop it off at Willow Creek Estates?” The pain spread through my entire body. My hands clenched involuntarily. Sweat beaded on my forehead and across my skin. “Sarah,” Brian murmured, “what if your husband finds out?” He looked at her, his eyes shining with anticipation for her answer. “Heh,” she scoffed, “even if I cheated with ten different guys, he’d still never leave me.” Yes, I had once told her, “Sarah, let’s never part. I can’t live without you.” But back then, Sarah had loved me just as fiercely. She was a ruthless CEO in public, but at home, she cooked for me, made my bed. One time, when I had a fever, she stayed awake for three days and nights, nursing me back to health. But that was then. This was now. When I delivered the Plan B to the villa, Brian opened the door. His eyes held a playful glint. “The woman inside is quite the wildcat.” His cologne, thick and cloying, assaulted my nostrils. I lowered my head, hiding my clenched fists, and hurried away. Sarah had promised to love me forever, to never betray me. I had planned to be her blood bank for life. Her betrayal meant my plans had to change. I opened my email. To the mercenary organization’s invitation, I clicked “Accept.” They needed excellent reconnaissance operatives; I needed to leave this heartache behind. Departure in five days. 2 Back home, I drank alone. Seven years of love, three years of marriage, a lifetime of plans—all reduced to this. Sarah came home just as I was about to pass out. Seeing me drink, she asked anxiously, “David, what’s wrong? Did something happen?” As she leaned in, the cloying scent of Brian’s cologne still clung to her. A wave of nausea washed over me. I pushed her away and stumbled to the bathroom. Her eyes flickered with a fleeting panic. I vomited violently into the toilet. She followed close behind, gently patting my back. “Don’t drink so much, it’s bad for your stomach. You’ll break my heart if you keep doing this.” How could she switch from one man to another so effortlessly? “I’ll go make you some hangover soup.” By the time I emerged, the soup was ready. She stirred it impatiently, trying to cool it down. Sitting on the sofa, she spoon-fed me. I stared at her fingers. She was wearing a ring strikingly similar to her wedding band. But when she extended her hand, I saw a small “Brian” engraved on the inside of the palm-side of the band. She’d tossed her wedding ring for another man’s. Good. The pain of love was like being flayed alive. The more thoroughly I peeled off these layers now, the less it would hurt later. Noticing the detached look in my eyes, she asked, concerned, “Have I not been spending enough time with you? Work’s been so busy lately, I’ve neglected you. Tomorrow, I’ll go with you to pick out a suit. Our third anniversary is coming up soon. We’ll celebrate properly.” She picked up a warm towel and wiped my face. As she bent down, her loose neckline revealed a constellation of marks on her chest. I grabbed her, trying to tear open her clothes. She quickly covered herself with her hands. “David, you’ve had too much to drink. It’s not good for you. You need to rest, okay? Be a good boy.” Her initial panic quickly melted into a soft, affectionate tone. She thought I was trying to initiate sex, but I only wanted to expose the bite marks on her skin. Normally, her words would have touched me, making me feel cherished. But today, I knew she was just trying to hide the evidence of her betrayal. While she was in the bathroom, her phone buzzed on the table. A text message. “You little wildcat. You drained me dry today.” I didn’t move. I just stared blankly until the screen went dark again. After cleaning the bathroom, she helped me into bed, gently changed me into my pajamas, and tucked me in. She even took my soiled clothes to wash. Beside me, she continued to play the role of the devoted wife. If there were an Oscar for Best Actress, she would win it hands down. The next day, at the tailor’s, as I was getting measured for my new suit, her phone rang. It was Brian. “Wildcat, I’m craving you. Come find me.” She glanced at me furtively, thinking I couldn’t hear. But I was once an elite reconnaissance operative; my hearing was exceptional. My hands clenched instinctively, my body tensing. She approached me, feigning nonchalance. But the flush on her cheeks betrayed her eagerness. “David, something urgent came up at the office. I have to go. Once you’re done with your fitting, meet me at the top floor of Riverbend Tower. I’ve booked us a table for lunch.” I grabbed her hand. “Can’t you skip it? You promised to spend the day with me.” Even though I had decided to leave, watching her abandon me for another man still twisted my gut. She gently peeled my fingers off hers. “Company matters are critical. I’ll be back as soon as I can. Wait for me.” With that, she hugged my waist and hurried away. I waited in the restaurant from sundown to dusk, through the flickering of city lights, until the entire city plunged into darkness. She never came. I called her five times. Each time, it went straight to voicemail. 3 She came home at one in the morning. Thinking I was asleep, she didn’t call out to me, going straight to the guest room. I lay awake, replaying seven years of memories, sleep refusing to come. She talked on the phone for a long time in the guest room, her voice a soft, seductive murmur. It was Brian, no doubt. When I woke up, breakfast was already on the table. My favorite soft-boiled eggs. “I’m so sorry,” she said, her voice full of regret. “I was so busy at work yesterday, I didn’t even make it to the restaurant. You’re not mad at me, are you?” She leaned in to kiss my forehead. I reached for an egg, deftly avoiding her kiss. She froze for a moment. A flicker of disappointment in her eyes. The thought of those lips, that had just been on another man, made me sick. My mission for the day was still to follow her. She went to the hospital for her transfusion. The man with his arm around her waist was Brian. “I heard the same person has been donating blood for you all these years? Eight hundred milliliters a month? Who could that be?” Brian mused. “Some idiot, I guess,” Sarah scoffed. “Who else would give that much blood every month?” If I hadn’t loved her to the bone, I wouldn’t have. My doctors had repeatedly warned me about the dangers of donating so frequently. But if I didn’t donate, she wouldn’t have any. There were only two people in the entire city with her blood type. The other person had serious health issues and couldn’t donate. Brian pinched her side, under her shirt. “You should be grateful. What if he stops? What would you do?” Sarah pinched Brian’s butt in return. “Don’t jinx it.” A while later, they emerged from the transfusion room. Sarah’s face was grim, her confusion evident. “Why didn’t he donate?” she asked, almost to herself. “He’s never missed a single month in seven years. Once, during a massive blizzard, he still managed to get here. Something must be wrong this time.” She was theorizing. I should have donated yesterday. I had originally planned to get my suit fitted, then donate one last time. A final, symbolic gesture. But she had abandoned me for another man, so I canceled the appointment. The blood center had called yesterday. I hadn’t answered. Sarah made a few calls. I heard her asking for the donor’s name and number. Whatever they told her on the other end, her face remained worried and disappointed. Brian playfully flicked her nose. “Don’t worry, honey. There’s always a solution.” They walked, embraced, towards their car. They both got into the back seat. Through the tinted window, I saw Sarah pull Brian into her arms. Soon, the car began to shake violently. After a long time, or perhaps a short one, they got out. Sarah’s hair was disheveled, her clothes wrinkled—clear signs of their recent lovemaking. I couldn’t bear to watch. Their affection was a dagger in my heart. I looked down at my hand. I stroked the wedding ring she had placed on my finger. The vows we had exchanged, once so moving, now filled me with disgust. I pulled off the ring and tossed it into a trash can. When I looked up, they were gone.

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The divorce papers were barely signed before Rowan rushed off, desperate to return to the one woman he could never quite let go of. Sometime later, from the dimly lit stage of a downtown lounge where I was singing, I caught a glimpse of him. His arms were wrapped around a beautiful stranger. By then, I had already found my own rhythm again. But Rowan? He seemed forever lost in the chase for the next thrill, wandering so far off the path that there was no going back. 1 The county clerk’s office was packed the day Rowan and I finalized our divorce. The couple at the next counter were screaming at each other, ultimately leaving without signing a thing. Rowan and I just sat there in absolute silence. We signed our names without a second thought. Walking out the double doors side by side, papers in hand, he tossed me a set of keys. “Keep the car.” The Astor family was swimming in generational wealth. A luxury car was pocket change to them. Besides, he had already transferred the deed of our marital estate into my name. We had arrived in the same car. I highly doubted the young heir of the Astor empire was going to lower himself to calling a cab. “Should I drop you…” I started politely. A sharp honk cut me off. The tinted window of a cherry-red Porsche rolled down, revealing a stunning, glamorous face. Even the way the wind caught her hair looked perfectly calculated. “Rowan. Get in.” Serena. Rowan’s childhood sweetheart, freshly returned from abroad. Everyone in their elite circle knew Serena was his ultimate obsession. The elusive white moonlight he could never quite catch. Seeing the unspoken chemistry between them, everything clicked into place. No wonder Rowan had been so incredibly generous with the divorce settlement. He just wanted me out of the picture as fast as humanly possible. I pasted on a flawless smile. “Looks like your ride is here. I’ll get going.” Rowan stood there, hands buried in his pockets, his dark eyes resting on me for a long, quiet moment. “Drive safe,” he finally murmured. I nodded, meaning it from the bottom of my heart. “Be well, Rowan.” 2 I didn’t see him again until two months later. By then, I had sold the massive mansion he left me and downsized to a sleek, two-bedroom apartment in a prime neighborhood. It was much smaller, but it didn’t feel hollow when I was alone. The best part was the terrace. The natural light was phenomenal, and I spent countless afternoons out there just painting. When the sun went down, I picked up my old gig. I sang at a local speakeasy, watching the night unfold, gathering inspiration for my canvas. I was just covering a shift for a friend tonight. I never expected to see Rowan. I sat on the stage. He sat in a velvet booth. When our eyes met, his gaze was utterly deadpan. Only, the gorgeous woman draped over his shoulder wasn’t Serena. Did his dream girl already lose her shine? That was fast, even for him. After two more songs, I stepped off the stage to use the restroom. I found Rowan leaning against the hallway wall, smoking. Two months of dead silence between us. I couldn’t even formulate a casual greeting that didn’t sound terribly awkward. He looked at me through a haze of gray smoke. His voice was a little rough. “How have you been?” “I’ve been good.” He took a drag. “Running out of money?” I knew exactly what he was implying. He was asking why I was hustling at a bar when he had left me a house, a car, and an alimony check thick enough to let a normal person retire in luxury. I didn’t give him a straight answer. “Can you ever really have too much money?” Rowan stubbed out his cigarette. A cold, cynical smirk touched his lips. “Right. I almost forgot. You always did love the cash.” 3 He wasn’t entirely wrong. I married Rowan Astor for the money. A year ago, he had a massive falling out with his family. Desperate to derail an arranged corporate marriage, Rowan walked up to me on the very first night we met and asked me to marry him. It was a night just like this. Same bar. Same stage. He looked at me and said, “You’ve got a decent voice, and you’re easy on the eyes. Want to marry me and get my family off my back?” In exchange, he offered a staggering payout. I was drowning in bills and desperate for cash. Plus, he was painfully gorgeous. I said yes without skipping a beat. I still remember the way he froze, clearly not expecting me to agree. Then, a slow, dangerous smile spread across his face. “You’ve got guts.” I smiled back. “I’m not the one losing out.” I only realized later that the money was hard-earned. I never fit into his world. Those trust-fund brats looked at my working-class background like dirt on their shoes. At one of his private parties, Rowan stepped out to take a call. One of his frat brothers, heavily buzzed, leaned over and sneered at me. He told me that if Serena hadn’t moved to Paris, a nobody like me wouldn’t even be allowed to breathe the same air as Rowan, let alone hold the title of Mrs. Astor. Back then, I was reckless and practically fearless. I raised my champagne glass right at him. “A psychic once told me I was destined for filthy wealth. Hearing you say that makes me think the guy was spot on.” The guy choked on his drink. But after that night, I stopped going to Rowan’s parties. His friends hated me, and the Astor family treated me like a ghost. Rumor had it his mother had handpicked a world-class cellist with a sterling pedigree for him, not some trashy, starving artist who sang in dive bars. The night we left the Astor family estate for the first time, Rowan reached out and laced his fingers through mine. He tilted his head, giving me that trademark lazy grin. “Don’t let my mom get to you.” I glanced down at our intertwined hands and teased him. “Did you forget to mention to them that I’m technically a musician, too?” His eyes crinkled with genuine amusement. He nodded solemnly. “My mistake. Next time I introduce my wife, I’ll be sure to include your prestigious titles. Let’s skip telling my mom, though. Her heart is fragile. She might actually pass out.” Looking back, the marriage had its fair share of humiliations, but it was never unbearable. Rowan always made it worth my while. We were just two people using each other to get exactly what we wanted. 4 Over the next few weeks, I spotted Rowan at the lounge a few more times. Always the same routine. Me under the spotlight, him in the shadows. His VIP booth was always packed with loud, obnoxious socialites, but my eyes always found him. He looked so incredibly detached from the noise around him. He didn’t play their drinking games. He’d just sit there, nursing a bourbon, flashing an occasional crooked smile. And every single night, there was a different girl clinging to his arm. None of them held a candle to Serena. None of them had her radiant, commanding presence. What about Serena? Wasn’t he afraid word would get back to her? I was so lost in thought that I messed up a lyric. The guitarist shot me a look. We seamlessly transitioned into the chorus to cover it up. When I glanced back at the VIP booth, I locked onto a pair of pitch-black eyes. Rowan lowered his gaze, downed the rest of his amber liquid, wrapped an arm around the pretty brunette next to him, and walked out. I pulled my eyes away and leaned into the mic, pouring everything into the heartbreak anthem. “We are two dots moving in opposite directions, drawing a straight line with no end. Oh, this love is a deep, dark water, turning my days into endless nights.” 5 Maybe I was just too used to the soft life of a billionaire’s wife. Going from luxury back to the grind took a heavy toll. After a few months, my body started breaking down. I picked up a prescription at the city hospital’s outpatient clinic. The moment I turned around, I bumped right into a familiar face. One of Rowan’s childhood friends. Only now, he was wearing a white lab coat. Cole raised an eyebrow, a teasing smile on his lips. “Don’t tell me you’ve known me this long and never realized I was a doctor?” He spoke to me like we were old pals. In reality, I only remembered his name because he had the kind of face that belonged on a billboard. I gave him a polite nod and tried to walk past him. He stepped into my path. “Sick?” “Just a cold.” Cole glanced at the bold letters of the Gastroenterology Department right behind me. He didn’t say another word, just offered a small, knowing smile. When I got home, there was a familiar pair of men’s loafers by the door. I could hear the clatter of pots and pans coming from the kitchen. My dad pushed the kitchen door open, wearing an apron. His eyes darted to the pharmacy bag in my hand, lingering for a split second before he turned to yank the fridge open. He didn’t miss a beat with his usual sarcastic tone. “Look at that. The wealthy really do keep their fridges looking like a barren wasteland.” I leaned against the hallway wall, playing along. “Rich people only eat fresh produce, Dad. They don’t do leftovers.” “I should thank God you’re even eating scraps.” He had always hated my absurd marriage to Rowan. Since the day I tied the knot, he hadn’t spoken a single sentence to me without a heavy dose of sarcasm. He was a man of strict principles. He taught me to work hard and stay grounded, and it broke his heart to think he had raised a gold digger. He was furious that I treated marriage like a business transaction. He was furious that I sold my soul for a check. And he was furious that I endured the elite’s mockery without an ounce of shame. But ever since the divorce, he would take a grueling hour-long bus ride just to cook for me, packing my freezer full of homemade casseroles and stews. Watching his shoulders, which seemed a little less broad these days, I forced back the sting of tears. “Give it a rest, Dad. I’m already getting my karma, aren’t I?” I saw his finger twitch. He was winding up to lecture me again. Instead, the stubborn old man took a deep breath and barked, “Go wash your hands. Dinner is ready.” “Got it, Dad.” 6 My body couldn’t handle the late nights anymore, so I quit the bar gig. Thankfully, my art was finally gaining traction. The money was rolling in. Peter, an older guy from my art academy who acted as my dealer, called me up. “Your piece, The Reset, just sold.” I stared at the blank canvas sitting on my easel. “Mr. Solstice again?” “Yep. The guy is obsessed with your work.” Lately, an anonymous buyer going by the name Mr. Solstice had been purchasing everything I painted. He didn’t seem to care about the style or the subject. He paid instantly, offered exorbitant amounts, and bought every single piece I produced. “Understood. Thanks for handling it, Peter.” Peter hesitated on the line. “Julianne. Do you know this guy?” I blinked, a soft smile touching my lips. “No. Not a clue.”

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That Midsummer’s Eve, I lost my sister forever. She was savagely stabbed eighteen times by a brutal assailant. When she collapsed in a pool of her own blood, her hand still clutched the emergency call that had never gone through. Meanwhile, her police officer husband, who should have been on duty at the precinct, was instead featured in a social media post by the new female intern. The photo showed him in a ‘manly’ pose, holding the intern with one arm while pinching a cockroach with the other. The caption read, “Mom no longer has to worry about scary little critters at home.” Below, a chorus of colleagues cheered and praised the post. I trembled with fury and immediately sent a screenshot to his captain. Half an hour later, his call came through, his voice thick with anger and accusation. “Just because I didn’t spend Midsummer’s Eve with you, you went running to the captain to complain, saying I was derelict in my duty?” “You jealous shrew! You’re utterly unreasonable! Even with my sister backing you up, this time, I’m divorcing you for good!” He yelled and hung up, not giving me a chance to explain. He would never know that the sister he believed would always have my back had, because of his negligence, already left this world forever. 1 Listening to the dial tone, my knuckles turned white as I clutched my phone. Just then, a doctor approached with some papers. “Ms. Caldwell, this is the deceased’s death certificate. It requires a family member’s signature to be released. Has the deceased’s brother arrived?” My gaze swept past the doctor to the body on the hospital bed, meticulously covered by a white sheet. I shook my head faintly. “Can I sign for it?” The doctor looked a little troubled. “Legally, you have no relation to the deceased. Or, you could provide us with the deceased’s brother’s household register.” No sooner had the doctor left than my phone began buzzing incessantly. This time, it was from Jason’s group chat for his colleagues. Cici Evans had specifically tagged me. [Ma’am, my social media post was just meant to show I’d like a police officer boyfriend too. I’m so sorry if I caused any misunderstanding!] Immediately, Jason’s team members all jumped in to defend her. [Hey there, ma’am, look what you’ve done to the poor girl.] [Seriously, ma’am, we’re all colleagues. Why make such a big deal out of it?] [Captain Thorne is just looking out for his trainee; it’s part of his duty. We know you get jealous, ma’am, but you can’t be so unreasonable!] These were all Jason’s officers, some of whom I had helped out more than once. They used to call me ‘Ms. Caldwell’ with respect. But ever since Cici arrived, they’d slowly become like Jason, blindly adoring her without any principles. Just like now, knowing Jason’s dereliction of duty was a fact, they still tacitly sided with Cici, accusing me of being petty. I was about to reply when the bottom of the chat displayed that I had been removed by the administrator. Undoubtedly, that administrator was Jason. I scoffed, a bitter coldness settling in my heart. Just as I was about to head home to retrieve the household register, my phone rang again. This time, it was Officer Daniels, one of the rookies who had been on duty with Jason and Cici last night. “Ma’am, last night, there was a violent assault in our jurisdiction, and a female victim died. But last night, the person responsible for answering the emergency line was Cici. She… she…” Officer Daniels stammered. I grew a little impatient. “Spit it out, or I’m hanging up.” “Cici left her post for an hour due to personal reasons, which led to her missing the victim’s emergency call. Now, the higher-ups are looking to discipline someone, and Captain Thorne’s idea is for you to take the blame for Cici.” I almost laughed. To openly spend Midsummer’s Eve with Cici, Jason had deliberately arranged for them to be on the night shift together. Now that a life-and-death situation had occurred, he wanted to push me, his wife, out to take the fall. He was willing to abandon his integrity as a police officer. And, he hadn’t even bothered to ask who the victim was last night! Thinking this, I scoffed. “If Jason can’t bear for Cici to be held accountable, then he can take the blame himself!” “Asking his wife to cover for his mistress—what kind of man is that?!” With that, I hung up. Less than ten minutes later, Jason called me himself. The moment I answered, his roar nearly shattered the eardrum. “Karly Caldwell! Cici and I are completely innocent. Stop with your filthy mind and assumptions!” “I’m the backbone of this family; I can’t lose my career. You, a woman, would be perfectly fine as a stay-at-home wife without a job!” I shot back immediately. “Isn’t Cici a woman? Or is she a transgender person! Jason, I never knew you had such unique tastes!” “What nonsense are you talking about! How old is Cici? She has a bright future ahead of her.” “Are you going to ruin Cici’s life because of your jealousy? You’re truly malicious!” 2 Malicious? If I hadn’t given Jason all the credit for dismantling a notorious crime syndicate, how could he have been promoted to squad captain within just two years? I had given him almost everything I could, only to be called ‘malicious’ in the end. Jason, seeing my silence, realized he’d gone too far and softened his tone. “Karly, I didn’t mean it like that. It’s just, Cici is my first female trainee, so I naturally look out for her more.” “She just graduated from the academy. If she gets a disciplinary mark now, her career will be over.” “Please, just this once, if you agree to help her, I can transfer her to another squad.” No sooner had he finished speaking than Cici’s tearful voice chimed in. “Captain Thorne, but I don’t want to leave you.” I couldn’t help but sneer. “Captain Thorne, did you hear that? Your precious trainee says she doesn’t want to leave you!” “Then you and your officers will turn around and accuse me of being petty, forcing your innocent little trainee away.” “I think it’s best if I make room for you both sooner rather than later.” Catching the sarcasm in my voice, Jason immediately flew into a rage. “You’re utterly unreasonable!” “I’m dedicated to serving the public, yet you falsely accuse me. No wonder my team privately calls you a shrew!” He had barely finished yelling when Cici’s aggrieved voice immediately came through. “Captain Thorne, did I say something wrong again to upset Ms. Caldwell? Maybe I should just resign…” Jason immediately comforted her gently. “Don’t talk nonsense! Don’t worry, as long as I’m here, no one can bully you.” However, when he spoke to me again, all tenderness vanished. “Karly, you tell the captain immediately that you needed Cici’s help with something, which is why Cici had to leave her post.” “If you don’t help with this, I’m divorcing you, plain and simple!” With that, only the monotonous dial tone remained in the receiver. At that moment, my heart completely died. But Jason seemed to have forgotten that we had never officially registered our marriage, so there was no ‘divorce’ to speak of. After handling Sarah’s funeral, Jason and I would have no further connection. After several trips between home and the hospital, I finally managed to obtain Sarah’s death certificate. When I returned to my cold, empty home, I was utterly exhausted. My phone screen kept lighting up. Messages from Jason’s team members flooded in: [Ma’am, Cici worked hard to get into the academy. Please help her out; consider it a good deed.] [Captain Thorne said you were planning to step back anyway. This is a good chance to rest for a while. Why not?] [As husband and wife, a day’s kindness is a hundred days’ worth. Ma’am, by helping Cici this time, you’re also helping Captain Thorne!] I immediately blocked and deleted these ungrateful ingrates. I was done with Jason; their words meant nothing to me now. I numbly packed my belongings. When I saw the photo of Sarah and me on the nightstand, I couldn’t hold back my tears any longer. Like the Thorne siblings, I had lost my parents at a very young age. Sarah was the closest person I had in this world. Every time Jason and I had an argument, Sarah would side with me, criticizing her brother. Knowing I was uneasy about Cici’s presence, she had more than once gone to the precinct to assert my claim. But how could such a wonderful girl end up like this? If I hadn’t been so caught up in my anger with Jason last night, and had gone to pick Sarah up from work, would none of this have happened? I couldn’t help but blame myself, and I couldn’t help but resent Jason. Neither Jason nor I deserved happiness. 3 The next day, as soon as I arrived at the precinct, everyone turned to look at me in unison. Cici walked straight up to me and feigned concern, saying, “Ma’am, the precinct has decided to dismiss you. Don’t be sad. After a while, Captain Thorne will definitely find a way to get you back!” I scoffed. “You’ve got it wrong, haven’t you? I’m not the one who was derelict in duty.” At my words, Cici’s eyes immediately reddened. “Ma’am, you can’t twist the facts just to avoid responsibility!” “The duty roster clearly states in black and white that you were the one responsible for answering the emergency line last night.” I paused, then understood everything. It seemed they were determined to pin the blame on me, even going so far as to secretly alter the duty roster. As I took a step closer to Cici, she suddenly stumbled backward, falling heavily to the ground. “Ma’am, even if you have a problem with me, you shouldn’t intentionally push me!” Jason’s officers immediately swarmed around. They helped Cici up, then shielded her behind them, glaring at me with wary expressions. Jason, who arrived last, didn’t even bother to ask what happened before slapping me across the face. “Karly Caldwell! Take your anger out on me! What kind of person picks on a young woman?!” “Apologize to Cici right now!” Everyone was stunned. I stood there, hand covering my cheek, equally shocked. The stinging pain on my face reminded me of Jason’s ‘domestic violence.’ Yet he seemed completely oblivious to it, his attention solely on Cici. “Karly, when you make a mistake, you should take responsibility. You were on the duty roster; don’t even think about dragging Cici into this.” I looked at the man I had poured my heart and soul into for five years, and felt a bone-chilling coldness. “Captain Thorne, you’re absolutely right. When you make a mistake, you should take responsibility. So, do you dare to swear on the badge above your head that you, Jason Thorne, have spoken not a single lie, or else you meet a terrible end?” “You…” Jason glared at me fiercely, but the oath wouldn’t come out.

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For five years, my husband and I never had any intimate contact, all because he suffered from severe mysophobia. Outsiders mocked me for failing to provide an heir, and my mother constantly forced bitter herbal concoctions down my throat. I always understood his unique condition and silently endured everything. Until that day, I went to his company to deliver soup, only to walk in on him passionately kissing a twenty-year-old intern, even engaging in more explicit acts. In that moment, various past scenes flooded my mind: once, when I fainted from low blood sugar and accidentally touched him, he frantically scrubbed the spot I had touched until his skin turned red. It turned out his mysophobia was only directed at me. … “Sweetheart, you’re so incredibly sweet.” The sounds of fervent kissing intertwined with Patrice Thorne’s sweet nothings, a sickly-sweet combination that made me want to vomit. Katy Wilmore, the intern, cooed coyly. “Am I sweeter, or is your wife sweeter?” “Didn’t she say she was bringing you sweet soup? It’s hard work for an old woman to maintain her marriage.” “What?” Patrice froze. “When did she say that? I’ll make a call.” My phone rang, and I numbly answered. “Baby, I’m going on a business trip to Seahaven today. I forgot to tell you not to bring the soup.” “When I get back, it’ll be your birthday. I’ll definitely give you a big surprise, baby.” Surprise? I gave a bitter laugh. Probably only a shock, no joy. Suppressing the tightness in my chest, I replied. “Okay.” He didn’t notice anything amiss in my voice, let out a long breath, and hung up. The office door opened, and I quickly ducked into a blind spot in the hallway. The girl wore a school uniform, her fair legs rubbing against Patrice’s tailored trousers. “You’re telling your wife you’re on a business trip, so you’d better treat me well.” Patrice’s voice was thick with barely suppressed desire. “I’ll definitely satisfy you, you little minx.” My stomach churned, and I leaned against the wall, dry-heaving, tears streaming down my face. Patrice and I had been in love for ten years, married for five, and it had all been a joke. My phone suddenly displayed a booking confirmation for a boutique hotel. He was so eager he’d forgotten his membership was linked to my card. After a long moment of daze, I opened the app that had been dormant for five years. When we were first married, Patrice had smiled as he installed the app on my phone, saying with it, I’d always know where he was and what he was doing. All these years, I had trusted him completely and never opened it. But today… “Stop it, don’t kiss me there.” “What are you scared of? Is there any part of you I haven’t kissed?” Patrice and Katy’s intimate sounds filled the air, and I couldn’t help but let out a self-deprecating laugh. His severe mysophobia felt like a loud slap across my face. The pain radiated from my face, all the way to my heart. I sat there numbly for half the night until everything settled into a quiet hum. Katy’s voice was seductive. “Darling, didn’t you say you never loved her? Why do we have to hide our relationship?” Patrice’s voice was hoarse. “She owns half the company shares. Dividing things in a divorce would be too complicated.” “But I’ve never even touched her. You’re the only one in my heart, you little minx.” Katy let out a discontented whine. “I don’t care. Figure something out.” Patrice sighed indulgently. “Alright, for you, Katy, I’ll make sure she leaves with nothing as soon as possible.” All the blood in my veins turned to ice. Years ago, when the Thorne family’s finances were in trouble, I invested all the assets my late father left me, bringing Patrice’s company back from the brink. At that time, he not only gave me half the shares but also promised with tear-filled eyes. “Eleanor, I will always be good to you. I will never let you down.” But now, he was not only entangled with a young intern but also wanted to take everything from me. I closed my eyes, trembling as I dialed my lawyer’s number. “Please contact the person who bought the shares last time. I want to sell.” The lawyer sounded a little surprised. “Ms. Caldwell, didn’t you say you were drafting a gift agreement for your husband?” I gave a bitter laugh. “I’ve changed my mind.” “Also, please send me the divorce papers you have on file.” Those were the papers Patrice had signed when we were newly married. He said that if one day he did something I couldn’t forgive, I could leave without hesitation. Neither of us expected that one day, his words would become a bitter prophecy. Stumbling back home, I collapsed onto the bed. Looking at the photos on the wall opposite, I felt only sorrow. The shyness of our student days, the smiles of our passionate romance, the tranquility of our married life, to the recent… blankness. I realized we hadn’t taken a photo together in a long time. Even the herbal pillow he had specially prepared for my insomnia years ago had lost its medicinal scent, leaving only bitterness. Three days later, Patrice returned, bringing a bouquet of lychee roses. “Baby, I’ve missed you so much. Look at the flowers I specially brought back for you. Do you like them?” I glanced at them; they were my least favorite pink. He didn’t care about my response; he hurried into the bathroom. I used to tolerate his mysophobia; now, it just felt like hypocritical disgust. I picked up the flowers. Their petals were a bit dehydrated, and a card tucked among them read, “To my dearest Katy.” I gave a self-deprecating smile. No wonder. Patrice walked out, drying his hair. “What’s so funny, baby? You look so happy.” I crumpled the card into a ball and gently shook my head. “Nothing.” He approached me but still maintained a distance. “By the way, your birthday is in three days. We should celebrate it properly. Let me know if there’s anything you want.” Looking at that distance, I felt only sorrow. All these years, he and I had always maintained this distance. Outsiders said he was promising and doted on me, and I had convinced myself of that too. But now, with Katy, I understood that the distance between us was like a galaxy, impossible to cross. Suppressing the bitterness in my heart, I forced a smile and asked him. “Alright, but what if you can’t afford it?” He smiled gently. “Eleanor, anything I have, I can give to you.” “If it’s still not enough, then next life, the life after that.” His sweet words pierced my heart like a knife, tearing me to shreds. I knew there was no future for us. Tears fell uncontrollably, and he quickly pulled out a tissue to wipe them. His hand happened to bump into mine as I tried to wipe my tears. His face involuntarily twisted, and he muttered, “I’m sorry,” before rushing into the bathroom. The rushing sound of water and the squirt of disinfectant were incredibly grating. The tissue fell to the floor, not having wiped away a single tear. The doorbell suddenly rang. Katy stood at the door, her eyes somewhat hostile. “Ms. Caldwell, I’m here to pick up Captain Thorne for a meeting.” Patrice hurried out, a flicker in his eyes. “Didn’t I tell you to wait downstairs?” Katy pouted. “It’s too cold outside; it’s snowing heavily.” Patrice’s face showed an uncontrollable ache of tenderness, and he quickly grabbed his coat from the hanger, draping it over Katy. Seeing me staring, he let out a feigned sigh. “She’s young, I’m worried she’ll catch a cold and it’ll affect her work.” Listening to his words, I vaguely remembered a similar snowy day when my mother punished me by making me stand outside. Patrice’s nose was bright red from the cold, yet he firmly placed his coat over me. “It’s cold outside. If you get sick, it’ll affect your studies.” Even though my knees still ached in the snow, even though that coat later ended up in the trash. Yet, it was still the only warmth I had known since my father passed away. A last flicker of hope ignited in my heart, and I spoke, trembling. “My leg hurts so much. Can you stay and keep me company?” “Before, on snowy days, you always gave me moxibustion.” Patrice’s body stiffened, and a hint of displeasure flashed in his eyes. “Eleanor, if you don’t feel well, go see a doctor. Don’t be as willful as a child.” I stared blankly as the door slammed shut, my heart slowly sinking. Five minutes later, the doorbell rang again. I thought it was Patrice and rushed to open the door, but it was Katy. She looked at me with triumph. “Eleanor Caldwell, stop with your games. He doesn’t love you at all.” “Want to bet? Even on your birthday, he’ll be with me.” “After all, you’ve been married for five years and you’re still a virgin, while he and I have slept together countless times.” I expected to be hysterical, but I wasn’t. I was surprisingly calm. Returning to my room, I took out the divorce papers and signed my name. In the evening, Patrice finally returned. He wore the coat he had lent Katy, his face still showing a hint of satiation. Seeing me sitting blankly on the sofa, he rubbed his temples apologetically. “Eleanor, this meeting was really important, I…” “I understand, I know.” I calmly interrupted him, not saying another word. He knelt down, his expression helpless. “Don’t be upset. After we land this big project, how about I take you to an auction?” “I told you I’d give you the best birthday gift.” I gave a self-deprecating smile. A gift, or a guilt-ridden compensation? The snowflakes outside pelted my face, cold and painful. Katy, in the passenger seat, blinked. “Ms. Caldwell, hello.” Patrice’s eyes darted away as he opened the back car door for me. “Katy gets carsick, Eleanor, please bear with us.” If it were before, I would have made a scene, but now I merely nodded faintly and calmly got into the car. Patrice seemed momentarily disoriented, then hesitantly closed the car door. Katy laughed and chattered all the way, and Patrice laughed with her again and again, oblivious to the change in me. I closed my eyes to rest, but couldn’t stop the nausea. Yes, I also get carsick, and he had even promised the passenger seat was exclusively mine. But now, he had forgotten all of it. After getting out of the car, I threw up until I was dizzy. Katy pretended to offer me water out of concern, but her tone was light and venomous. “Such an old woman playing frail, it’s truly disgusting.” I lifted my head, my face pale, and indeed saw Patrice’s slightly furrowed brow. Yes, he had severe mysophobia towards me. At the auction. Item after item flashed by, but I didn’t raise my paddle once. Patrice, however, bid on a pink diamond and a ten-thousand-acre lychee rose estate. He even added, in a veiled attempt to explain. “My partner’s young daughter is only nine and loves pink. It’s a gift for her.” I couldn’t help but smile sarcastically. Katy’s face was practically overflowing with joy, yet he was still telling this obviously flawed lie. “The final item, the ‘Eternal Heart’ necklace. Legend has it that giving this to your beloved will bring eternal happiness.” The auctioneer’s words made countless women’s eyes light up. Katy was no exception. Patrice glanced at her and immediately raised his paddle. “All-in.” The scene erupted in a clamor. “True to form, Captain Thorne, loving his wife for over a decade. So enviable.” “This is real love. Mrs. Thorne must have done so many good deeds in her past life.” My eyes held a hint of sorrow. What true love? This necklace wasn’t even for me. Patrice looked at me, his eyes full of tenderness and affection. “Eleanor, happy birthday. Do you like your gift?” Behind him, Katy’s eyes were filled with venom. My expression was calm. “It’s very beautiful.” But it was just a gem. “I also prepared a grand gift for your birthday. I hope you like it too.” The auction house took the necklace, saying they would engrave my name on it. Two hours later, I brought the necklace home. Katy suddenly sent me a photo: the “Eternal Heart” on her neck sparkled brightly. But she quickly retracted it. “Ms. Caldwell, I sent that by mistake. You don’t mind, do you?” I replied faintly. “No, I don’t mind. After all, I don’t like dirty things.” “I have mysophobia too.” Dropping my phone, Patrice walked in. He handed me a gift box. “Your birthday dress, Eleanor. See if you like it?” I calmly opened it. A very beautiful dress, unfortunately pink, and my least favorite mermaid style. I looked up at him. “What does this mean?” He instinctively raised his hand, clearing his throat to cover his discomfort. “I thought you could try a different style.” I glanced at the dress, which was clearly not my size, and gave a sarcastic smile, but didn’t argue further. “Never mind then. I have other dresses.” He quickly put it away. “Hmm… alright. Next time, I’ll definitely get you something you like.” At the birthday banquet. Patrice had specially booked a cruise ship to celebrate my birthday. The guests had all arrived, but Patrice was conspicuously absent. Whispers had already begun to ripple through the crowd. “I heard rumors of a split between the Thornes before, but I didn’t believe it.” “For people of our standing, five years with no children… Captain Thorne has been patient enough.” My mother pinched me hard. “You useless thing, you can’t even hold onto your own husband. What good are you to me?” I shifted, avoiding her, and gave a sarcastic smile. “He’s the one who’s late. What does that have to do with me?” Over the years, she’d gotten a lot of money from Patrice, treating him better than her own son. When my belly remained flat, she’d bring me endless concoctions of tonics. At first, I thought she cared, until she said, “Are you a barren hen? What about your brother’s startup then?” My heart sank completely, and I gave up the last shred of hope for any familial affection. She glared at me. “If you weren’t so useless, unable to bear a child, would your brother still be unemployed?” “I warn you, you better die in the Thorne family, hear me?” Almost an hour later, Patrice finally rushed in, with Katy trailing behind him, wearing that pink mermaid gown, hickeys clearly visible on her neck. My mother greeted him with a smile. “Good son-in-law, too busy with work, I suppose. It’s fine for this little wench, Eleanor, to wait.” “About your brother-in-law’s startup…” Patrice frowned. “Mom, it’s Eleanor’s birthday today. We can discuss business privately.” Patrice walked towards me, his tone slightly subdued. “I’m sorry, Eleanor, something came up.” I smiled faintly, my voice calm and clear. “It’s fine. After all, I really admire you, couldn’t even resist having a quickie with your little intern at your wife’s birthday party.” “Though, you seem a bit late. This might be her second round.” The large screen split into two. One showed Patrice and Katy intertwined, while the other displayed the faces of countless other men. Amid Patrice’s stunned gaze, I slowly walked onto the stage. “Everyone, I have three announcements to make.” “First, Patrice and I are divorced.” “Second, I have sold all 50% of my shares in Thorne Industries. From now on, Thorne Industries has nothing to do with me.” “Third, congratulations to Mr. Patrice Thorne, a man with severe mysophobia, for overcoming his male sexual dysfunction and finding his true love, a woman available to all. I wish them many children!”

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Jack and I walked out of the police station, heading home. I suddenly spoke, proposing divorce. Jack was focused on driving. Hearing my words, his tone was displeased: “Alex, there’s a limit to being willful.” I looked at him and couldn’t help but smile. “I’ve thought it through,” I said seriously. Then I turned, my eyes fixed on Jack, firm: “Let’s set each other free.” 1 The Maserati pulled over to the side of the road. The atmosphere in the car dropped to freezing point. “Reason.” Jack’s hands gripped the steering wheel, his voice cold as ice. “Give me a reason. What are you up to now?” I looked at Jack and suddenly felt it was all quite meaningless. I rolled down the window, pointed at the car that had been secretly following us in the rearview mirror, and said. “I bet, in under ten seconds.” “Someone will be here to find you.” I confidently counted down. “Ten.” “Nine.” “Eight.” Before I could reach seven, a figure emerged from the Porsche behind us. His eyes red, the man rushed over. “Alex, I really didn’t mean it today. Because I had to accompany Ms. Rivers to the gala, I suggested getting the clothes. I truly didn’t know you were sleeping at home, and I certainly didn’t know you’d mistake me for a thief and call the police directly.” “This is ultimately my fault. Please don’t argue with Ms. Rivers over this. I’m begging you.” “If you’re truly upset,” the man grabbed my hand, bringing it towards his own face. “Hit me.” “Hit me to vent your anger.” My hand was yanked. It was about to strike. Jack snapped, “Alex Carter, where are your manners?” “Did a dog eat them?” I just found it so laughable. See? I didn’t have to do anything. I just sat here, passively accepting, and it still became my fault. I pulled my hand back and turned to face Jack. “Do you understand?” “Jack,” I felt I had found peace, as if the pain had numbed me to the point of being emotionless. I unbuckled my seatbelt and told him, “That’s the reason.” “Jack, let’s get a divorce.” I opened the car door, and under the shocked yet secretly pleased gaze of Jack’s assistant, I smiled at him. “Congratulations. After all these years of subtly inserting yourself into Jack’s and my life, you’re finally going to get your big break.” “I don’t want Jack anymore.” I turned to leave. Jack quickly got out of the car and grabbed my wrist. “Alex Carter, what the hell are you thinking? Do you realize that because you called the police today, I missed out on a multi-million-dollar deal? Just because you said you were scared, I rushed to the police station like a maniac, only to arrive and see you calling the police on my assistant!” “I’ve put up with you for a long time.” “You’re constantly picking on Kyle, and Kyle has always spoken highly of you, telling me not to get angry and for us to get along! Don’t be so ungrateful!” My wrist was squeezed painfully, exacerbating the old scars. I frowned, looking at my wrist, which was largely reddened. “Let go!” I forcefully pulled Jack’s hand away, rubbing my aching wrist, and raised my hand to slap Jack’s face. “Jack!” “I’ve put up with you for a long time too!” Jack and I had been together for ten years. Even when we argued, fought, or gave each other the silent treatment, I had never, until now, humiliated Jack in front of others. But I couldn’t take it anymore. I looked at Jack, cutting straight to the point. “I’m telling you, when I was in the hospital with a high fever, you were out with your assistant rescuing stray cats and dogs. When my car was rear-ended, you were with your assistant stargazing. Every time I had a problem, you chose your assistant! And today!” I looked at Jack. “You gave your assistant our front door code. When I had taken my medication and was about to go to sleep! When your assistant broke into our bedroom to get your things! After I called the police, you didn’t care about me; you only asked me to sign a statement of understanding!” “Jack!” “We were completely over then!” 2 In a fit of anger. I still couldn’t control my expression. My carefully maintained composure utterly collapsed. Seeing Jack’s face shift, then guiltily begin to explain almost instinctively. “I didn’t know you were back from your business trip! How could I turn down Mr. Zhang’s meeting? And sending Kyle to get the things was out of necessity. Why do you have to make such a scene?!” “Alex Carter!” Jack looked at me with immense disappointment: “Since when did you become so prone to jealousy, holding onto rumors and refusing to let go?” “Alex Carter, no woman would like you like this!” I honestly thought I wouldn’t feel sad anymore. At least, from signing the statement of understanding at the police station to getting into the car with Jack, I had maintained my dignity and proper manners. I had even reviewed all my memories with Jack in the car. In the end. I concluded. I wanted a dignified end. But tears still fell uncontrollably due to Jack’s complaints and accusations, like pearls from a broken string, impossible to stop. “Yes, no one would like me like this.” I choked out. “So, I don’t need your liking either.” I wiped away my tears and turned to leave, but Kyle grabbed my hand. He cried with me, even more fiercely than I did, apologizing repeatedly. “Alex.” “I really didn’t mean it. Please don’t fight with Ms. Rivers. I’ll resign tomorrow. I’ll disappear immediately! Ms. Rivers really loves you. Please don’t make her sad, okay?” I detested Kyle’s manipulative act the most. Watching Kyle sob inconsolably, my tears actually stopped. I forcefully pulled away from Kyle and cursed loudly. “Get lost!” Kyle fell to the ground, looking up at me in shock. “Alex Carter!” Jack tenderly helped Kyle up, and seeing Kyle’s palm scraped, he roared at me. “Are you insane?! Apologize to Kyle!” “Don’t dream about it.” “Me apologize?” I looked at Jack, then at Kyle whose eyes flashed with triumph, and threw down a sentence: “If you don’t agree to a divorce, we’ll proceed with legal action.” I didn’t look back, nor did I pay attention to Kyle’s continuous sobbing and Jack’s soothing words, calling me crazy. Instead, I hailed a taxi to my best friend’s place. My best friend said nothing. After leading me into the house, he pulled out dozens of bottles of beer he had saved in the fridge and placed them on the table, asking only one question. “Enough?” I looked at my best friend, and my eyes suddenly turned red. My best friend said nothing, only opened his arms to me, and asked again: “A hug?” I completely broke down, sobbing hysterically in his arms. I cried until my voice was hoarse, until my body trembled, until I was throwing up violently in the bathroom. In the end, I told my best friend. “I want a divorce!” “I want a divorce!” “I want Jack to suffer a terrible end!” What is the end of love? It’s when two people, once so intimately close they were willing to face the world together, become adversaries holding knives, determined to fight to the death. It’s when the hope of entering the tomb of marriage and making it bloom with love finally gives way to the realization that even roses eventually wither. 3 I stayed at my best friend’s place for half a month. During that half month. I saw Kyle’s social media updating daily, and every post carried Jack’s shadow. [The moon is in the sky, and I have a star.] The photo showed Kyle’s selfie, and in the corner, the back of Jack, who was on the phone by the floor-to-ceiling window. [Stars shine forever, and I will follow the light.] The photo showed a star ring on Kyle’s hand, reflecting light, and a pair of slender, beautiful hands. They were Jack’s. [The star opens my eyes!] The photo was taken in a first-class cabin. Kyle smiled brightly, next to a sleeping profile. One thing after another. My best friend jumped up and down, pointing at Kyle’s social media and cursing: “Holy hell, that cheap bastard! Is Jack so blind he can’t see that conniving snake? No one would believe it!” My best friend was furious. I, on the other hand, appeared calm. I seemed to be nearly through the withdrawal period, and for my best friend’s outburst, I calmly remarked. “Jack knows perfectly well.” “Perfectly well?” My best friend sat next to me. “Dammit, then why does he claim it’s innocent?” “In Jack’s eyes, as long as they haven’t rolled into bed together, it’s innocent. After all, he always believes he hasn’t cheated.” Jack always held onto that bottom line. So, every time I threw a tantrum, he always had that line: “Kyle and I are completely innocent. Your heart is what’s dirty! To your dirty heart, everything looks dirty.” And I would be silenced, unable to say a word. Now, looking back at these past events. I had found peace. I reminded my best friend: “The moving company will be here soon.” Jack and I were getting a divorce. I was moving out of the house, so naturally, I had to go to the house to retrieve my belongings. After all. My mother’s remaining possessions, her belongings, were still there. “Good, you’ve thought it through.” My best friend followed me home, waiting at my doorstep. I knew from Kyle’s social media that Jack was away on a business trip these days. I thought Jack and I wouldn’t meet, but to my surprise, as soon as I pushed open the door, I smelled food from the kitchen. As I got closer, I immediately saw Kyle sitting at the dining table with his legs crossed, eating shrimp. Seeing me come in. Kyle’s expression froze, like a child caught doing something wrong. He immediately stood up and called out to me. “Alex.” I looked at Kyle wearing my pajamas and slippers, then at Jack, whose smile froze as he brought out a dish, then stiffly asked me, “Have you eaten?” I ignored Jack’s attempt at pleasantries and walked into the room. I suddenly froze. All my neatly arranged action figures on the bedside table were scattered. Even the bed was a mess, the wardrobe had clearly been rummaged through, and even the innermost safe was open. My heart clenched, and I instinctively checked the contents of the safe. “Alex…” The safe was empty. Kyle, standing at the doorway, spoke in a faint voice I could barely hear: “I’m sorry, Ms. Rivers and I lost our luggage on the way back. Ms. Rivers told me to come here to grab some clothes to wear first.” “I accidentally… opened the safe…” My mind buzzed, and I turned around to see a piece of jade on Kyle’s hand. My breathing stopped. “I really didn’t mean it.” “Alex, please!” Kyle suddenly lunged at me, then dropped to his knees in front of me, grabbing my arm and crying. “Please forgive me!” 4 “I didn’t know it was your mother’s keepsake! I didn’t know, I truly didn’t!” Kyle grabbed my hand. “Hit me!” “Please!” “Hit me, make me feel better!” Kyle lunged to kowtow to me, his head about to hit the ground, when suddenly a hand appeared between us. Jack cradled his forehead, pulling the trembling Kyle up, and looked at me indifferently. “The dead cannot be revived. Objects are mere things. There’s no need to make it difficult for the living over inanimate objects. Kyle already knows he was wrong.” Jack’s tone was so calm, as if this whole incident was a trivial matter. And I, was the narrow-minded one. He protected Kyle in a defensive stance, telling me. “Don’t keep making things hard for Kyle. He’s already under enough emotional strain.” I didn’t say a word, didn’t even react. As long as Kyle played the victim, it was all my fault. From Kyle stealing my watch, to Kyle taking my painting, to Kyle smashing Jack’s and my wedding photo, to Kyle brazenly breaking into my home, my space, and now, smashing the last thing my mother left me. Jack was still telling me to forgive, telling me to be magnanimous. My mind was constantly buzzing, my throat tightening, the tremor in my fingertips betraying my lack of composure. I turned to look at Kyle, who was still crying in Jack’s arms. I walked directly up to Kyle, and right in front of Jack, I grabbed Kyle’s hair and slammed his head hard against the wall. Then, amidst Kyle’s screaming, I kicked him in the knee, and this time he truly knelt before me. “That’s not how you kowtow.” I stomped on Kyle’s knee with one foot, and with the other hand, grabbed Kyle’s head and slammed it onto the ground. A violent thud echoed. I heard Kyle shriek, saw crimson blood seeping from his forehead, and told him: “That’s how you kowtow and apologize!” My eyes were bloodshot, and I was about to yank Kyle’s head down again when Jack grabbed my wrist. He forcefully stopped my movement, looking at me darkly. “Let go!” “Dream on!” Jack then raised his other hand to press down on mine, then forcefully pried my fingers open. My nails were almost broken, and I frowned in pain, yet he seemed completely oblivious, still prying my fingers open little by little, warning me. “Don’t go too far, Alex Carter!” Too far? I looked at Jack, my anger turning to a sarcastic laugh: “Jack, the difference between humans and animals is that humans can think and discern right from wrong. Humans have moral restraints, not just instincts that lead to unconditional protection!” “Since you’ve decided to protect Kyle!” “Fine!” Ignoring my broken nails, seeing the blood oozing from my fingertips, and while Jack was stunned, enduring the agonizing pain, I fiercely slashed Kyle’s face. Along with my nails completely breaking. Kyle’s face, which had appeared in dozens of my social media posts every day, was also ruined. Kyle completely broke down. I burst out laughing. “This is what?!” “This is karma!” “I’m telling you, Jack,” I looked at Jack’s disbelieving expression, then at Kyle, who was covering his face and squawking, and reminded him: “I’m never a saint! You should have known that!” “Jack!” “You’ve truly pissed me off now!” “I’m telling you!” “If I don’t ruin you, I’m not an Alex Carter!”

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I handed Roy Novak my divorce papers. In that moment, the long-accumulated disappointment finally crushed the last shred of my affection. This marriage was destined for my humiliation from the start. On our wedding day, his childhood sweetheart became a widow, and he unhesitatingly abandoned me to rush and bring her home. Everyone in the compound laughed at my expense. I completed the wedding alone, a ceremony that should have been shared by two. And scenes like this replayed almost a hundred times throughout our marriage; each time, he would cast me aside for that woman. 1 I clutched Roy Novak’s hand, my face full of pleading. “Please don’t go, okay?” “Meredith, Lydia Vance lost her husband. I have to go see her. Don’t be so unreasonable!” “I’ll come back to you. Everyone will understand!” Ridiculous. Understand? He pried my hand away, leaving me alone at the wedding venue. My hopes were crushed. I no longer wanted a man like this. Facing the sympathetic gazes of the crowd, I forced back my tears, one by one, while loudly announcing: “I apologize, but today, the wedding is canceled!” A ripple of shock went through the crowd. My neighbor, Mrs. Smith, grabbed my hand. “Meredith, my dear, you can’t be so childish. What Roy did was wrong, but you two, this…” “Mrs. Smith, the other day I saw Officer Davies laughing and chatting with a woman. Officer Davies even said he would give her your job.” Hearing this, Mrs. Smith immediately exploded! “Who?! I’ll kill her!” I gave a bitter laugh. “Yes, you’re ready to kill someone I merely spoke about, but I actually experienced this.” Mrs. Smith fell silent, only muttering, “But, but you can’t just give up like that!” However, she didn’t press further. I treated everyone to a meal. The wedding might be off, but we still needed to eat. Meeting their sympathetic yet amused gazes, I remained calm and composed. After seeing off the last group of guests, I finally broke down in tears. Roy and I met through an arranged introduction. It was love at first sight for me. Not long after we started dating, I learned about Lydia Vance’s existence. Roy told me, “Lydia is already married. She’s a childhood friend of mine.” “Lydia will definitely like you when she meets you.” “Lydia loves pickled plums the most, Meredith. Make plenty.” “Lydia…” There was too much of Lydia Vance in our relationship. When I flared up at Roy, he would frown. “Meredith, Lydia and I are completely innocent. How can your mind be so dirty?!” My heart sank, but I loved him too much. After apologizing, I fell back into it again. During our most intense argument, I suggested breaking off the engagement, but Roy refused. I proposed, “From now on, every time you see her, I’ll put a bean in this jar. When it’s full to a hundred beans, we’ll break up, and you’ll never get another chance.” Roy readily agreed. In his mind, a hundred beans? Impossible! But now, as I placed the last bean, the jar was full. Roy, you’re out of chances. Roy didn’t return. I knew he wouldn’t be back anytime soon, so I went directly to his superior. The old Captain, David Miller, already knew what had happened when he saw me. Before he could speak, I knelt down! “Uncle Miller, please, for my father’s sake, let me get a divorce!” My father was his old comrade, but after he died in action years ago, we lost touch. It wasn’t until my mother’s passing that I met him again, and through his introduction, I met Roy. He was our matchmaker, but now, with things so messy, Uncle Miller sighed. “Meredith, have you thought this through? What Roy did was wrong, but it was sudden…” “Lydia Vance’s family is all there. Regardless, it’s not Roy’s place to go, especially not on his wedding day.” “I don’t want to be wronged. If my father were alive, he wouldn’t stand by and watch me be humiliated!” Hearing this, Uncle Miller still agreed, accepting my divorce application. “Meredith, Uncle Miller was inconsiderate in this matter. Don’t worry, once you’re divorced, I’ll introduce you to someone better!” 2 I couldn’t help but give a bitter laugh. “Uncle Miller, never mind. I plan to go back to my hometown and start a small business.” Uncle Miller thought for a moment, then sighed. “That’s fine too. If you have any problems, don’t hesitate to tell me!” After leaving Uncle Miller, I went back home, gathered all my money and tickets, and started packing. At the time, I had bought many things for the wedding. I packed cotton quilts, new bedding, and clothes. The cotton quilts were sent back to my hometown, and the bedding, I sold directly on the street. As for the new clothes, I thought for a moment and decided to give them to my neighbor, Martha, who had always looked out for me. Martha looked at my clothes, her eyes widening. “Meredith, are you giving up on everything?! Such good fabric, you don’t want it anymore?” “Yes, Martha, I’m planning to go back to my hometown!” “Then, what does Roy say?” My eyes moistened. “I… I don’t want him anymore. If a man’s heart isn’t with me, no matter how good a wife I am, it’s useless.” “That woman can make him not come home with just a word. Why should I stay?” I wiped away a tear, and Martha immediately became indignant. “I’ve heard it all! That Lydia Vance is no easy woman!” “Her husband died, but are her parents and in-laws all dead too? Why does she have to cling to your Roy?!” “I’m going to go talk some sense into him!” Martha started to get up, and I quickly stopped her. “It’s alright, Martha. I’m going back to my hometown. Please take these if you don’t mind them.” “I’ll head back now.” Martha saw me out, asking for my departure date. I thought for a moment and said, “I’m leaving tomorrow.” I had bought a train ticket; I would leave tomorrow. I told Martha to keep it a secret for me, and Martha reluctantly agreed. After returning home, as soon as I sat down, Roy came back, uncharacteristically bringing a chicken. “Meredith, stew a chicken soup, and also, cook more rice. Lydia hasn’t eaten all day!” My newly rekindled hope was finally dashed. In the past, I would have made a scene, but now, I wouldn’t. “You go prepare the chicken. Two people working together will be faster.” Roy froze for a moment. Not until he saw me boiling water did he realize, and he quickly came to help. Perhaps seeing the extreme calmness on my face, he quickly said, “After this busy period, I’ll take you out for a trip.” “As for Lydia, you know, she can’t manage on her own.” “I know.” My expression was calm. After boiling the water, I quietly started cooking and stewing soup. Roy busied himself, running back and forth. When the food was on the table, he immediately portioned out the chicken soup and said to me: “Meredith, I’m taking this to her. I’ll buy another one later to replenish your body.” “It’s okay, go ahead!” He froze, not expecting me to say that. He paused, then left. After eating, I dragged the suitcase from under the bed. After packing, I wrote a letter to Roy. Additionally, I took out an envelope from the drawer. After Roy and I got together, he turned over his salary, but every now and then he would ask me for money, saying Lydia Vance was struggling and he needed to help her out. Out of thirty-five dollars a month, twenty would go to Lydia. Including the money from selling my things, I had about one hundred and ten dollars left. Roy, I’d like to see if you and Lydia Vance can make it work without me. I put the money away and went back to the guest room to sleep. That night, Roy didn’t return, and I didn’t mind. However, not long after, Roy returned, with Lydia Vance by his side. “Meredith, Lydia’s family kicked her out. She has nowhere to go temporarily, so I brought her back. Let her sleep in the guest room!” “Improper.” No sooner had the words left my mouth than Lydia’s eyes reddened. “Forget it, Roy. You two are newly married. It’s not appropriate for a woman whose husband just died to move in.” “What’s improper? This is my home, and I say so!” I nodded. “You’re right, the guest room isn’t suitable. Let her sleep in the master bedroom. I’ll take the guest room.” 3 Roy froze, and even Lydia was somewhat taken aback, though a flicker of triumph immediately crossed her eyes. “Meredith, do you really mean that?” “Of course. Hurry up and get settled. It’s getting late.” “Oh, and since you just came back from a funeral, let’s not share a room tonight to avoid bad luck. You’ll have to sleep on the floor!” With that, I turned and entered the guest room, locking the door behind me, leaving them to arrange things as they pleased. In the middle of the night, I vaguely heard sounds from outside. “Roy?” “Come here, the floor is too cold!” I couldn’t help but sneer. Was Lydia already so impatient? A pang of sorrow went through me. Even though I had made up my mind to leave him, hearing this, I couldn’t stop my heart from aching. However, the heartache soon faded. By the time I woke up, it was already morning. I still had things to do today. After I got up, Roy was gone, and Lydia was sitting in the living room, eating. Seeing me, she smiled and said, “Meredith, Roy specially made this chicken porridge. He knows my stomach isn’t good, so he got up at four in the morning.” “Is that so? Then you should eat more.” I was unfazed. Lydia, unwilling to give up, stopped pretending. “Meredith, even if you’re married to him, he only has me in his heart!” “Do you believe me? If I call out, he’ll be the first to rush in to see me!” I couldn’t help but scoff. “He’s just a man. If you want him, he’s yours!” “Just make sure to keep a close eye on him this time, so he doesn’t disappear again.” “You!” Lydia suddenly rushed towards me, grabbing my hand. “Meredith, Roy and I are innocent. No matter how much you hate me, you can’t curse him like that. He’s your husband!” I forcefully shook her off. “Stop acting!” My strength wasn’t great, but Lydia still shrieked and fell to the ground. The next second, Roy rushed in, shoving me hard. Caught off guard, I crashed into the corner of the cupboard, the pain bringing tears to my eyes. “Meredith, what have you done?! Hurry and apologize to Lydia!” “It’s okay, it’s my cursed fate!” Roy cradled her in his arms, looking at me coldly: “Meredith, apologize, or else, I won’t forgive you!” “Don’t forgive me then, I don’t care. Apologize? Impossible!” I straightened up, blood trickling down my forehead. Roy was startled! “Meredith, I… I didn’t mean it, I…” As he was about to come over, Lydia suddenly clutched her stomach. “Roy, my stomach hurts so much!” Roy immediately returned to her side, quickly carrying her to the hospital. Before leaving, he didn’t forget to admonish me, “Meredith, wait for me to get back!” I didn’t say a word. I went directly to Martha, who was startled and quickly took me to the clinic for bandages. Learning the full story, she cursed all the way! “Meredith, that day you said you were going back to your hometown, I was a bit sad, but seeing this today, that Roy is a piece of trash!” “It’s good that you’re leaving. If you have any difficulties after you go back, send me a telegram!” I nodded, not lingering, and took my luggage to see Uncle Miller. He approved the divorce application and handed me the divorce certificate. “Meredith, I’ll talk to Roy. That boy is getting more and more out of hand, actually laying hands on you! I think he’s utterly deluded!” I sniffed. “Uncle Miller, please take care. I’ll write to you when I get back!” Uncle Miller personally walked me to the door, sighing: “That boy, he doesn’t know how to appreciate what he has!” I left the divorce certificate and the jar of beans in the drawer, and left without looking back. The moment I stepped onto the train, watching the scenery continuously recede outside the window, my mood immediately lightened considerably. Roy, goodbye. At the hospital, Roy felt uneasy, his mind filled with Meredith’s blood-stained face. “Lydia, I’m glad you’re alright. I’m going back to check on things!” Lydia knew she couldn’t rush things now, and generously indicated she could manage alone. Roy hurried back, receiving many strange looks along the way. He was filled with surprise when he returned home, only to find no trace of Meredith! His heart tightened, and he quickly pulled open the wardrobe. The clothes were gone! The bedding was gone too! And the items they had bought when they got married were also missing! He searched high and low, but Meredith was nowhere to be found. When he saw the divorce certificate left in the guest room drawer, he staggered two steps, then collapsed to the floor!

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Fresh from the ER, I found the hospital room barricaded. Julian’s assistant, Angela, held my newborn, her eyes full of malice. Before I could react, she hurled the baby to the floor. The crying stopped. I fought to get up, but Julian just stood there, cold and detached. Angela snatched the baby up again, glared at me—her eyes so much like mine—and hissed, “This is what you owe me. Today, you’ll pay with his life.” The baby fell still, growing cold. My world broke. I scrambled to hold him, screaming for someone to call the police. Julian slapped my phone away. His voice was ice: “Don’t. We do owe her.” He leaned close, kissed my tears, and said calmly, “It’s my fault. When you were studying in Europe, I was lonely. I found Angela to stand in for you… To keep me, she got pregnant. Then you came back, and I made her end it.” “So this child is what you owe her.” “And what I owe her.” … Angela stood a short distance away, meticulously wiping her hands with a wet wipe. She rubbed them over and over, then tossed the wipe into the bin. “Jan Fischer, being your stand-in has been the most disgusting thing I’ve ever done. And you and Julian Daniels, you both owe me for life.” Julian remained silent, his grip tightening on my hand, stopping me from dialing. He pressed me down, forcing me to watch as Angela strolled out of the room. The moment the door clicked shut, Julian grabbed my hand. “Just let it go, okay?” “Isn’t having me enough for you? It’s just one baby. We’ll have plenty more children later.” “You can just say you were weak from childbirth and accidentally dropped him…” I stared into his eyes. He showed no flicker of emotion, as if the child in my arms was just a discarded doll. The baby looked so much like him. He didn’t even glance at him, just grabbed a blanket, attempting to take the baby from my arms. “Angela’s had it rough. She lost her ability to have kids after that termination. Seeing you deliver easily, she must have been consumed by jealousy…” “Jan, if you want more children, we can try now… right now.” He kissed me frantically, his hand gripping my waist. I bit down hard on his hand. Just then, perhaps from our movements, the baby let out a faint, tiny cough. “He’s not dead! My baby’s not dead!” I fought with all my might, clutching the baby, and dashed for the door. Just as my fingers grazed the doorknob, Julian struck me, knocking me unconscious. As I fell, the baby slipped from my grasp. I watched, horrified, as my child hit the floor, blood seeping from his mouth. I tried to scream, but a hand clamped over my mouth, muffling my cries until I finally blacked out. When I woke, the Daniels family relatives crowded the room. Even a police officer sat nearby, taking notes. The moment I stirred, Julian’s mother marched over and slapped me across the face. The blow left my ears ringing for a long time, the voices around me a muddled blur until the officer approached. “Ms. Fischer, we’ve received a report from the hospital. You’re suspected of accidentally causing the death of your child. We need to ask you some questions.” “Specifically, between eight and ten last night, did you pick up your child and subsequently cause him to fall?” Those two sentences cut through the ringing in my ears. But they triggered an uncontrollable pain in my chest. What did they mean, I was suspected of accidentally killing my child? It was Angela… I tried to speak, but when I opened my mouth, my voice was unnaturally hoarse. In that instant, I sensed something was terribly wrong. I turned, meeting Julian’s gaze. He stroked my hair, his voice impossibly gentle. “My wife already suffered from severe depression, and with the postpartum hemorrhage, she hasn’t recovered well, leading to this accident. I’ll send her to a sanatorium for proper care…” “I have her psychiatric evaluation results, Officer. You can see them.” I struggled, desperate to deny it, to speak. But the harder I tried, the more my voice failed, my throat feeling as if it had been brutally sliced open by razor blades. And the entire Daniels family looked at me with an unshakeable hatred. Julian’s parents pointed at me, accusingly. “How could a mother be so cruel! To throw her own child to his death!” “He was barely born, and you killed him yourself. You’re heartless, a monster, you don’t deserve to live in this world.” Their accusations grew sharper, each one stabbing deeper than the last. Angela stood nearby, a faint, unreadable smile playing on her lips. Julian spoke briefly with the officer, who then left. Julian approached, wiping my hands, while trying to silence his family’s tirade. “Stop saying those things. She’s suffering enough. She’ll get better at the sanatorium, and we’ll have more children later.” He finished, and as our eyes met, he whispered, “Jan, your voice will come back. I didn’t give you too strong a dose. Once you come to your senses, it’ll be fine.” So, he was the one who silenced my voice. Just to prevent me from revealing the truth. Julian gently wiped the tears from my face with a damp cloth, comforting me. “Don’t worry. I’ve arranged for a reputable funeral home to handle the baby’s arrangements.” “We’ve chosen the best possible resting place for him.” “Angela felt terrible afterward, too. She specially hired a priest to pray for our baby, spent a lot of money, and even personally took him for cremation.” Cremation? My baby was cremated after I passed out? I stared, wide-eyed, at Julian. I hadn’t even seen my child one last time. Why was he cremated? Why didn’t they let me see him? I stammered, tears and snot streaming down my face, but everyone present thought I was insane, scoffing at my distraught state. “What’s she blabbering about? Doesn’t someone have a sedative to give her a few shots?” “She killed her own child and she’s still screaming like that. Insane, absolutely insane. It’s a disgrace to the Daniels family to have a daughter-in-law like this.” Angela stood near me, her voice sickeningly sweet, her usual gentle tone cutting me to the bone. “Oh, Jan, don’t you worry! I personally oversaw the cremation. He’s in a little urn now, a tiny little bit of ash. There’s no more pain, and the baby won’t blame you.” That phrase, “a tiny little bit,” magnified my agony a thousandfold. I lunged at her, a primal scream trapped in my throat. But the postpartum hemorrhage, the exhaustion, the lingering weakness from the night before… I crumpled to the floor, scrambling desperately towards her, only to be branded as having a psychotic breakdown. A group of orderlies were called. They tied me down with cloth strips, even gagging me. “I’m not crazy, I’m not…” All my incoherent pleas were muffled. They dragged me, forcefully, back to the bed. Julian pushed them away and embraced me. “Please, stop this, Jan. You’re breaking my heart. It’s just a child. Didn’t we marry for love? Not for breeding. Can’t you be rational?” “Julian, don’t spoil her so much. Your wife is a lunatic, she killed her own child with her own hands!” “If she can kill her own baby, who knows, maybe she’ll kill you one day. You’d be better off getting a divorce.” “I think Angela’s wonderful. Why don’t you divorce her and be with Angela? After all, when Jan was in Europe, Angela was always by your side.” His parents finished speaking. Angela looked on, expectant. Julian merely shook his head. “I only love Jan. I’ll only ever love her.” He carried me out of the hospital, personally taking me to a sanatorium. From the day I entered the sanatorium, the media swarmed. They’d caught wind of the story – my alleged infanticide – and hounded me for interviews. They’d even burst into my room late at night, relentlessly asking why I’d thrown my child to his death. “Are you genuinely mentally ill, or was it intentional?” “How can you kill your own baby and sleep soundly? Do you even have a conscience?” “You’re a mother! How could you throw your own child to his death?!” More and more media outlets clamored to report the story. Before long, the sanatorium asked Julian to take me back. But Julian never came. In the end, the sanatorium staff drove me to the outskirts of the Daniels estate. They unceremoniously shoved me out of the car. “Good riddance! A nuisance like you is disrupting our entire sanatorium.” “Get lost!” I rolled a full circle on the ground, my hands scraped and bleeding. I struggled to my feet, tried to call out, but my voice still hadn’t returned. I walked to the facial recognition scanner and the gate swung open. I staggered inside. The moment I pushed open the front door, I heard Julian’s voice. “You took Jan’s child, so you deserve to be punished.” “Don’t think that me keeping you out of jail means I’m letting you off. You know how much I love Jan, how much I looked forward to that child. You have to compensate! You have to pay!” Julian was avenging our child? A sliver of hope sparked in my heart, and I followed the sound. But when I pushed open the bedroom door, I froze. Julian had Angela dressed in my clothes, even wearing my favorite makeup and my framed glasses, lying on our wedding bed. Various props were strewn about. Angela and he were entangled. Her body was covered in whip marks, yet they seemed inextricably bound, like lovers in a passionate embrace. The floor was a mess. Angela even had a tattoo identical to mine. I couldn’t fathom that this was his idea of punishment. And Julian was still utterly engrossed. “If you hate being a stand-in so much, then why are you so willing to wear her clothes to please me?” “Angela Vance, when Jan gets out of the sanatorium, you’re in for it!” Angela seemed utterly absorbed in their perverse dynamic. She adjusted her glasses, a smirk on her face. “Didn’t you provoke me, saying that throwing her baby to his death would prove the depth of my love for you? I did it. I picked him up and threw him again and again. I was so afraid he wouldn’t die, and then I couldn’t prove how much I loved you.” “I don’t want to be a stand-in anymore. You just like her type. Jan Fischer can be your first love, but I, Angela Vance, can be too!” Just then, I knocked on the door. Both of them snapped their heads towards me… Julian scrambled to pull on his clothes, snatching the discarded clothes from the floor and throwing them at Angela. Angela, seeing me, was clearly less flustered than Julian. She even pushed up my glasses, a defiant glint in her eyes. As she bent to pick up the clothes, she deliberately bumped into me, hard. “What? You heard everything?” she sneered. “Heard it all and still so calm? Aren’t you depressed? Shouldn’t you be off killing yourself right now?” “Your own husband used your baby as a bet in our game of love, you know.” Julian, hearing her words, roared, “Shut up!” She just smiled at Julian. “Okay, Mr. Daniels, I won’t interrupt your conjugal bliss.” Julian rushed over. “What’s wrong?” “Why are you back so suddenly? Weren’t you comfortable at the sanatorium?” “You didn’t even tell me you were coming back. I would have picked you up.” He finished, then saw the injuries on my body and instantly became furious. “Who did this? Didn’t I tell them not to be rough with you, not to hurt you? I said I’d pick you up when you came to your senses. How dare they?” He helped me sit on the scarred bed. He took out a first-aid kit and began to gently clean my wounds. His movements were exceptionally careful. He looked as if he loved me just as much as before. He bowed his head, meticulously treating each wound, then bandaged me up. He looked at me. “Don’t misunderstand. Angela and I were just… letting off steam. Physical release and love are always different.” I stared at him. “Did you tell her to throw my baby to his death?” Julian stood up and put an arm around my shoulder. “Angela was just speaking in anger. I love you, so naturally I loved our child. How could I ever use our child as such a massive gamble? I was devastated when he was gone.” Looking at the used condoms scattered on the floor, I truly couldn’t see where his devastation lay. The baby’s funeral arrangements weren’t even finalized, and he was already rushing to share a bed with the very person who murdered my child. “I just want to know if you made a bet with her!” Julian avoided the question, deliberately trying to gloss over it. I stared into his eyes. “I’m only asking you one last time.” Julian, cornered by my persistence, turned to face me. “I just said it in passing. I wasn’t serious. Angela is just… so obsessive, she actually did it. Honey, please believe me.” He knelt on the floor, earnestly swearing to God. I ignored him, asking instead, “When did you say it in passing?” “Where did you say it in passing?” Julian gripped his hands, looking at me. “Why are you being so pedantic? The baby is dead. It was just a child, and you didn’t even spend much time with him. Are you really going to quarrel with me over a mere ‘lump of flesh’ you barely knew?” “Jan, think of everything we’ve been through to be together. Are we really going to break up over a child?” He said, then forcefully pushed me down. While I was distracted, he used the same handcuffs Angela had used to bind my wrists. “Your condition still hasn’t improved. I’ll find a private doctor to give you one-on-one treatment.” “When you’re better, we’ll have another child. And I won’t let Angela touch the baby then.” “Okay?” He casually tied me to the chair, then changed clothes and walked out the door. My phone, still recording, continued its silent work. I struggled to turn it off with my bound hands. Then, using the reflection in the mirror, I managed to send the video to a reporter. I had Angela to thank for this, in a twisted way. If she hadn’t deliberately leaked the story of my supposed infanticide to the media, I wouldn’t have had contact with so many journalists. And I wouldn’t have met a social media journalist who was willing to believe me. After I sent the video, the reporter quickly responded, but I was tied up and couldn’t reply. It wasn’t until evening that Julian returned.

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When I opened my eyes again, I found myself back the night before the surgery that had shattered my fate. The nightmare of my past life was as vivid as yesterday: I’d declined the general practitioner skills competition to take on that surgery. However, another surgeon’s egregious malpractice led to a severe medical error. My older sister, the head of the department, had pinned all the blame on me. Even my girlfriend had sided with her, accusing me of incompetence. Overnight, I went from a respected medical doctor to a pariah. Unable to prove my innocence, I was fired from the hospital and faced jail time. My parents, who had always been so proud of me, pointed and cursed: “We have no son who treats human lives with such contempt.” The immense blow plunged me into severe depression, ultimately leading me to jump from a rooftop. In this life, on the eve of the surgery, I preemptively resigned from the lead surgeon position. My colleagues in the department openly mocked me, saying I wasn’t fit for the job. “Is this really a doctor with a degree from a European university? More like some diploma mill.” “He just runs away from every challenge. He doesn’t deserve to be a doctor!” Their taunts fell on deaf ears. This time, I would not repeat history. 1 “This surgery is extremely complex. The hospital has decided to assign you as the lead surgeon. Do you feel confident?” In the department office, my sister smiled, placing a patient file in front of me. I looked at the file, and my body involuntarily trembled. Regaining my composure, I decisively shook my head. “I’ve just returned from abroad and need more time to learn. I’m not suitable for such a major surgery at the moment.” In my past life, this very surgery had plunged me into an abyss of no return. And my sister, who had always showered me with affection, was the one who orchestrated it all. Back then, I had unhesitatingly accepted the surgery, co-leading it with another doctor in the department, Dr. Ryan Vance. However, Ryan was not in good form and made frequent mistakes during the procedure. Despite my constant reminders, it led to irreversible consequences. I, who had no direct involvement in the incident, was caught in an unexpected disaster. My sister, as the department head, pushed all the blame onto me. Overnight, I became a pariah, not only scorned by everyone but also losing my job. Unable to cope with the blow, I ended my life in a haze of despair. My sister frowned, a hint of disappointment in her eyes. “This is a great opportunity. I worked so hard to get it for you. Why are you refusing?” I pushed the patient file back across the table to her, smiling. “My capabilities are limited; I’m not up to such a vital task.” Hearing my words, my girlfriend, Lisa Chen, immediately scolded me. “Sam, can’t you be more of a man, more courageous? You’re so timid with everything. How do you expect to advance in your career?” Seeing her exasperated look, all I wanted to do was laugh. Both of them seemed more concerned about me than anyone. In truth, in their hearts, I would never measure up to even a single hair on Ryan. I stood up and looked at her. “Ryan is a graduate of a prestigious university, superior to me in every aspect. He can handle this surgery on his own.” The tragic experiences of my past life were still vivid. Reborn, I would certainly not repeat those mistakes. My sister and Lisa both paused, stunned by my words. Then, Lisa took my hand, trying to encourage me. “That’s why you should strive to emulate Ryan, Sam, and become an excellent doctor like him as soon as possible.” When she spoke Ryan’s name, she seemed to transform, her voice filled with an inexplicable excitement. 2 I suppressed the pain in my heart and refused again. “I also have a general practitioner skills competition to prepare for recently. I can’t participate in this surgery!” The reason they were so keen on having me and Ryan perform this surgery together was that they both knew Ryan, at his skill level, couldn’t complete it without me. And if this extremely complex surgery succeeded, it would be a significant feather in Ryan’s cap. Seeing their skeptical gazes, I pulled a document from my folder and placed it before them. “What? You don’t even believe what I’m saying?” Lisa’s face instantly flushed with anger when she saw the document in my hand. “Why didn’t you tell Ryan about such an important competition?” “Are you perhaps afraid Ryan would steal your thunder?” My sister’s expression also darkened. “We’re colleagues from the same hospital. Why are you so unwilling to share? I’ve never seen anyone as selfish as you.” I looked at them, incredulous. “Ryan and I aren’t close. Why should I tell him?” Although we were in the same department. Ryan was aloof, always giving me, a newcomer to the hospital, the cold shoulder. In the past six months, I’d had no more than three private conversations with him. How could that be my fault? Lisa became even more furious after hearing my words. “Haven’t you learned Ryan’s personality by now?” “As a colleague, can’t you be more proactive and foster a good relationship with him?” With that, Lisa immediately pulled out her phone and called the organizers of the skills competition to register Ryan. My sister, Hannah, walked out directly, intending to ask Ryan in person. I watched the scene unfold before me, my heart heavy with bitterness. In their eyes, I was nothing more than an irrelevant outsider. A moment later, Lisa finally finished her call. Because the registration was full, Ryan couldn’t sign up. Lisa’s face was etched with urgency, and she kept muttering. “If Ryan can’t register for such an important skills competition, his future will definitely be affected!” “No, I have to find a way for Ryan.” Suddenly, her eyes lit up, and she looked at me. “Don’t you have a spot already? If you just give up your spot, Ryan can participate in the competition smoothly.” Hearing Lisa’s words, my body couldn’t help but tremble slightly, and even my breathing became difficult. “Ryan’s future is important, but isn’t mine just as important?” Throughout our years together, I had always valued her more than my own life. But in her eyes, I would never measure up to Ryan, a man who meant nothing to her. Lisa glanced at me, then, unusually, began to flirt. “Ryan is older than you, so just let him have this spot!” “You’re still young, you’ll have plenty of opportunities later!” Watching Lisa’s utterly ingratiating behavior, a cold laugh involuntarily bubbled up inside me. So, the woman always hailed as a strong career woman could become so delicate and charming for Ryan. Unfortunately, I was no longer as naive as I had been in my past life; I wouldn’t be led by the nose by them again. 3 “Sam, Lisa’s right. You’re still young. Just give this opportunity to Ryan.” As I was thinking, Hannah had already walked in with Ryan. I looked up at them, my gaze meeting Ryan’s. Ryan’s eyes were filled with sarcasm. He seemed to be mocking my incompetence. I shook my head firmly. “You have no right to choose my life for me.” With that, I walked out without a backward glance. To my surprise. For the two days of the competition, they surprisingly didn’t bother me further. I checked my social media and learned that Ryan had taken on the surgery alone. I thought there wouldn’t be any more issues with this, but when I returned from the competition, Hannah and Lisa immediately found me. Their faces were filled with panic. “Sam, you have to save Ryan this time. If you don’t, he’s truly done for.” I immediately guessed that Ryan’s surgery had gone wrong again, and I asked them coldly, “How do you expect me to help with something like this?” This time, I wasn’t even at the hospital. They couldn’t possibly pin it on me, could they? Hannah’s next words utterly stunned me. “I’ll handle this. You’ll cover for Ryan.” “You haven’t been at the hospital for too long, so if there are any mistakes, no one will blame you too much.” Hearing Hannah’s words, I felt as if I’d been plunged into an ice-cold abyss. As her younger brother, she was actively asking me to take the fall for such a massive blunder for Ryan. If I covered for Ryan, I would not only ruin my career but also face jail time. The experiences of my past life were still vivid in my memory. I rejected her without a second thought. “As a doctor, if a surgery goes wrong, he should take responsibility himself. Why should I cover for him?” Lisa’s voice grew even more urgent when she heard my words. “Isn’t it natural for colleagues to help each other?” “If you help Ryan this time, all of us will remember your kindness.” Hearing her words, laced with moral blackmail, I could no longer control my anger. “You always think of Ryan. Have you ever considered my feelings?” “Don’t forget, one of you is my sister, and the other is my girlfriend!” By the end, my voice was tinged with a hint of a sob. In my past life, those two, because of Ryan, drove me to despair, leaving me with no peace even in death. Did they really want me to relive that tragedy again? My sister Hannah’s tone was filled with unquestionable authority. “Sam, you don’t have a choice. I’ve already arranged everything for Ryan. You have to take the blame for this.” As she spoke, Hannah directly slammed a stack of documents onto my desk. They had forged evidence of my presence. Everything had been meticulously crafted to perfection. If not for me, the person directly involved, anyone else would never have suspected a problem. They had gone to such lengths for Ryan. I couldn’t help but marvel at how much I had underestimated their determination to run to Ryan’s aid. However, there was no panic on my face, only a mocking smile as I looked at them. “Aren’t you afraid I’ll turn you both in for doing this?” 4 “Sam, what are you talking about? I’m your own sister! If you dare to do such an outrageous thing, Mom and Dad will never forgive you.” Hannah’s face darkened as she continued to threaten me. In her eyes, I had always been weak-willed; a scare from her would usually send me crying. I didn’t know why I was so resolute this time. I looked at her with a cold smile. “Now you remember we’re family? As an older sister, you’re asking me, your own brother, to take the fall for someone else. Do you think you deserve to be my sister?” “From now on, I want nothing to do with any of you. You’d better not provoke me again.” After what just happened, I was completely disillusioned with them. If they continued to harass me, I wouldn’t hesitate to expose them all. Seeing that Hannah couldn’t sway me, Lisa quickly stepped forward. “Sam, how can you say such things? Even if Hannah asks you to cover this, she won’t treat you badly.” “Ryan said that if you help him out this time, he’ll give you thirty thousand.” “With your current abilities, earning thirty thousand would take at least four years! You won’t lose out, no matter how you look at it.” After hearing her, I felt an even stronger urge to laugh. From what I knew of Ryan in my past life, he was addicted to online gambling and often lived hand-to-mouth. Let alone thirty thousand, he probably couldn’t even scrounge up three thousand. That thirty thousand, I didn’t need to think twice about it; it was definitely Hannah and Lisa who pooled their money for him. Moreover, the consequences of this matter were far more severe than they claimed. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have been driven to suicide in my past life. Even now, they were still trying every trick to deceive me. For Ryan, they had truly reached a point of madness. I looked at them coldly. “Thirty thousand for my entire future? Isn’t that a bit cheap?” “My expenses for one year studying abroad are worth more than that.” With that, I didn’t give them a chance to persuade me further, and began to busy myself at my desk. Lisa and Hannah’s gazes turned exceptionally grim. As if they wanted to devour me whole. I merely glanced at them, completely unfazed. Our conversation just now had actually been recorded. If they dared to do anything outrageous, I would immediately post the recording online. Let them experience the feeling of public disgrace. As I was thinking, Ryan suddenly kicked open the office door, his face contorted in fury.

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On our wedding anniversary, Sienna blindfolded me as a “surprise.” When the scarf came off, I stood in a remote, wild stretch of the American West, surrounded by animals. A plane roared overhead, and her cold voice echoed from a loudspeaker: “Mason Najimy, you said adults should know how to call a cab. Try calling one now.” I couldn’t help but laugh. To get back at me over her assistant, she’d actually left me here. Maybe this marriage ended long ago. I quietly took out my GPS satellite phone. “Come pick me up,” I said calmly. It started after a meeting. Outside, I saw an elderly homeless man collapse from the heat. I helped him into my car to take him to the hospital. But Sienna’s assistant, Kyle Finch, covered his nose in disgust. “He’s filthy. I won’t ride with him.” I told him to take a cab back. After getting the man emergency care, I went home relieved. Sienna was instantly furious. “You left Kyle in 113-degree heat! He walked back, collapsed, and spent a day in intensive care!” Kyle had pulled this before—always twisting things, driving Sienna and me apart. I explained patiently, “I was helping an elderly man. Kyle refused the car. Shouldn’t an adult know how to call a cab?” Sienna didn’t argue then. She just said flatly, “So it was his fault. I understand—I misunderstood you.” I thought it was over. I never imagined she’d held onto it until now. … Hearing my words, Sienna scoffed mockingly. “Mason Najimy, I think you’ve lost your mind from fear. This is the wilderness. Who else but me could possibly come and pick you up?” “I advise you, get on your knees now and politely apologize to Kyle. If he forgives you, maybe you can leave early. Otherwise, you can just wait here to be torn apart by wild animals.” Kyle, beside her, looked smug. “Mr. Najimy, I didn’t want this either, but you left me to nearly die of heatstroke last time. This is what you owe me.” “But if you humbly admit your mistake and beg for my forgiveness, I’ll ask the CEO to make your suffering less.” Watching him, a grown man, constantly acting with such a saccharine, pretentious demeanor, made me sick to my stomach. Seven years. Sienna and I had been married for seven years. I never imagined she could be so heartless as to put me in such danger for this young assistant. Our past promises were smoke and mirrors; she had long forgotten them. Suppressing the pain in my heart, I looked up at Sienna. “Sienna, do you really think what happened that day was my fault?” “All I did was try to help an elderly homeless man suffering from heatstroke. And he, a perfectly able-bodied man, would have known how to take public transport unless he was an idiot. This was clearly one of his pathetic tricks; I refuse to believe you couldn’t see through it?” Sienna’s expression was slightly awkward. Kyle, seeing this, shot me a resentful glare, then, with red eyes, spoke in his usual saccharine, wronged tone. “I know Mr. Najimy doesn’t like me, but how can you call me an idiot?” “I’m just a recent college graduate. How can I compare to Mr. Najimy, who’s so wealthy he either drives or takes a cab? Where would I get money for a cab?” A tear fell from his eye, as if he had suffered immense injustice. “Never mind, I’ll just consider it my own fault. CEO, please don’t punish Mr. Najimy. I’m just an insignificant assistant. At most, I’ll leave. I don’t want Mr. Najimy to resent you because of me.” Seeing her beloved assistant so wronged, Sienna’s face instantly hardened. “Mason Najimy, you still refuse to admit your mistake. You’re hopeless. Kyle is clearly the one being wronged, and I won’t let you bully him anymore.” Watching Kyle’s clumsy performance, I laughed out loud. “Sienna, you believe such a clumsy excuse from him? Have you forgotten how much salary you pay him each month? A hundred thousand dollars a month, while I only get five thousand. He has no money for a cab? Do you want to check what he’s wearing?” Kyle was clad in expensive designer clothes, while I wore a few cheap outfits season after season. That’s because after paying the household utility bills with my five thousand dollars, there was barely anything left, certainly no spare money for clothes. Hearing this, Sienna’s face twisted for a moment, then she angrily retorted, “Are you complaining that I pay Kyle too much? He just graduated; he needs money for rent, food, and commuting. What’s wrong with me giving him a little extra so he doesn’t have to struggle so much? You’re a director, and my husband. You have food and shelter. What do you need more salary for?” “I think you’re just jealous of Kyle, that’s why you deliberately left him behind. This time, I’m definitely going to punish you severely and teach you a lesson.” No matter what Kyle did, she could always defend him. I felt there was nothing left to say to her. But as darkness fell, I had to rely on my compass to keep myself as far from danger as possible. To my surprise, a wolf howl echoed from the distance, and as I focused my eyes, I gasped, almost losing my breath. On the distant hillside stood over a dozen wolves, their eyes gleaming as they stared intently at my location, as if ready to charge at any moment. My legs went weak with fear, my face pale. If this pack of wolves attacked, I would surely be torn to shreds. I looked up at Sienna in the plane; if she lowered the rescue ladder, she could take me out of danger. Sienna looked at me too, but her eyes held no concern, only amusement and cruelty. “Mason Najimy, now you know fear, you want to beg me? Too bad, it’s too late. You threw Kyle on the roadside in 113-degree heat. He walked back to the company and collapsed from heatstroke, nearly losing his life.” “This is what you owe him. I have to teach you a lesson.” I looked at Sienna in disbelief, deciding to give her one last chance. If she would let me board the plane, I would once again abandon my principles for her. “Sienna, those are wolves. Do you know what I’ll become if they attack? What did I do wrong that you wish me dead so badly?” Sienna paused, then looked at me as if nothing was amiss. “You won’t die. I just want to teach you a lesson. Once you’ve learned it, I’ll take you back.” I laughed, tears streaming down my face. I had overestimated my place in her heart. I looked at Sienna with disappointment. “Sienna, you don’t need to take me back.” From now on, whatever happens, remember this is the fruit of what you’ve sown today. Hearing my words, Sienna’s face flushed with anger. “What do you mean by that? Is it because I didn’t let you board the plane immediately, so you’re throwing a tantrum at me?” “I must have treated you too well normally, for you to dare to give me attitude even now.” Just then, the pack of wolves began to charge towards me. I couldn’t be bothered to argue with Sienna anymore and started running towards the other side. Not daring to relax for a second, I sprinted forward, wanting only to put as much distance between myself and the wolves as possible. But how could a human outrun a wolf? I heard the increasingly close howls of the wolves; I could almost hear my own heart pounding. Watching the scene from the plane, a flicker of worry crossed Sienna’s face. Kyle, catching this, had a look of resentment in his eyes. He then clung to Sienna’s arm, whining, “CEO, are you worried about Mr. Najimy? This is just the outskirts of the wilderness. These wolves are trained; they won’t harm anyone. Yet you’re still so concerned. If that’s the case, then you don’t need to pretend you’re getting justice for me.” “That day, I was nearly killed by the 113-degree sun. I guess my life is cheap. But I always remember you holding my hand in the hospital, saying you’d get justice for me. If it wasn’t for you, I would have never made it through and would have died then.” Sienna listened, no longer interested in looking at me. She pulled Kyle into her embrace, comforting him with a pained expression. “You poor thing. I said I’d get you justice, and I always keep my word.” “It’s just that these wolves look so fierce. I was momentarily stunned. Do these wolves really not hurt people?” Kyle’s eyes, cast downwards, flashed with a hint of panic, then quickly returned to normal. “Of course, CEO. I just wanted to vent a little. Do you really think I wanted Mr. Najimy’s life? Don’t you trust me?” Sienna quickly shook her head, placing a kiss on Kyle’s forehead. “You’re so kind, of course I trust you. After Mason Najimy apologizes to you this time, you two must get along, alright?” As Sienna finished speaking, she looked down at the ground, and her eyes widened in shock at the sight. The howling wolves had already surrounded Mason Najimy. They circled him, just like they would size up and play with their prey. Seeing this, Kyle said with a smile, “CEO, look, these wolves are just playing around with Mr. Najimy. As long as Mr. Najimy doesn’t make any aggressive moves, the pack won’t attack.” Sienna, who had been worried, immediately breathed a sigh of relief. “I hope this teaches him a lesson.” Sienna looked down at me and said, “Mason Najimy, do you understand your mistake now?” I looked up at her coldly. “I was wrong.” She froze. I continued, enunciating each word. “I was wrong seven years ago.” Sienna’s face filled with rage. “Unrepentant. Don’t blame me for not giving you a chance.” I watched the red dot on my satellite GPS watch flicker closer and closer, and my heart eased a little. Looking at the pack of wolves, I made a quick decision. I pulled out the hidden dagger from my bracelet and, with lightning speed, charged at one of the wolves. I had figured it out: this was the alpha. If I subdued it, I could deter the other wolves, making them hesitant to act, and buy myself some time. At the same instant, a gasp of alarm sounded from overhead. “Mason Najimy, what are you doing?” I ignored the anxious shout, leaped onto the alpha wolf, choked its neck, and plunged the dagger into its throat. Hot blood spurted out, splattering my face. The pack, seeing this, quickly dispersed, watching me warily. The alpha howled twice, then collapsed completely. I breathed a temporary sigh of relief. The surrounding wolves howled and whimpered at the sky, but not one dared to come forward again. Kyle flung himself into Sienna’s arms, looking utterly terrified. “CEO, that was so scary. Mr. Najimy has angered the pack. Will they come after us?” Sienna glared at me furiously. “Mason Najimy, were you crazy just now? Why would you kill a wolf? What if this pack goes mad and attacks you? Then what? Am I supposed to rescue you or not? Are you trying to deliberately drag me down with you?” “I never imagined your intentions could be so malicious. Do you want me to be buried here with you?” My face covered in blood, I looked up at her coldly, saying sarcastically, “According to CEO Finch, I should have done nothing, just waited for this pack of wolves to pounce and tear me to shreds, is that right?” Sienna choked. “They were just circling you, trying to scare you. How would they truly hurt you? Instead, aren’t you afraid your actions will provoke the entire pack?” I shook my head. Sienna had been completely brainwashed by Kyle. There was no point in explaining to her anymore. “Get on your knees and apologize to Kyle immediately, and I’ll let you board the plane.” I looked at the red dot on my satellite watch, which was getting closer. I chuckled softly, “No need. I will never apologize to someone like that in this lifetime.” With that, I began to cautiously survey my surroundings. They weren’t attacking now; they were simply observing, waiting for a better moment. In a life-or-death situation, I didn’t want to waste any more words on Sienna. Who knew, at that moment Kyle suddenly threw a string of firecrackers from the plane towards the wolf pack. “Mr. Najimy, don’t worry, I’ll help you scare off the wolves!” The firecrackers exploded, and the agitated wolves, their eyes blazing red, charged at me one by one. Amidst the frantic wolf pack, I cursed furiously, “Kyle, are you crazy? Throwing firecrackers at a wolf pack? Do you have any idea that you’re just provoking them?” Kyle, his eyes red and face full of grievance, pleaded, “CEO, I didn’t mean it! I just wanted to help Mr. Najimy scare away the wolves!” “When I was a kid, setting off firecrackers on New Year’s would scare away little dogs. I thought it would scare away wolves too. I was just trying to help.” Sienna, seeing her ‘boy-toy’ secretary’s wronged expression, immediately soothed him gently. “I know you didn’t mean it. How could someone as kind as you intentionally try to harm him?” Then she angrily rebuked me. “Mason Najimy, why are you being so aggressive towards Kyle? He was just trying to help. Besides, didn’t you just kill a wolf? These wolves shouldn’t be a problem for you, should they? Why are you being so dramatic?” My chest heaved with fury. This was the wife I had given everything for. Even if her ‘boy-toy’ secretary killed me in front of her, she would find a hundred reasons to defend him. A wolf pounced on me. I rolled, dodged, and plunged the dagger into its neck. It howled and fell. I barely had time to breathe a sigh of relief when another wolf leaped onto me. It bit deeply into my shoulder. As I struggled, a piece of flesh was torn off. Seizing the opportunity, I plunged the dagger into its neck again. The pain in my shoulder made me tremble all over, my face pale. I shakily looked at the remaining wolves, each glaring fiercely at me, waiting for an opportunity to tear me to shreds. Killing three wolves had already driven them mad. They found an opening and charged at me again. As I raised my wrist, a wolf clamped down hard. “Ah!” I cried out in pain. I could feel the wolf’s teeth biting into my bone. If it didn’t let go, my arm would be torn off. In the nick of time, I switched the dagger to my other hand and fiercely stabbed it into the wolf’s neck. It tore off a piece of my flesh in pain, then wolf after wolf charged at me. They bit my thigh, my back. I fought wildly with the dagger. Pain surged through my entire body. The frenzied pack ripped at my flesh. From the plane, all they could see was me being swallowed by the pack of wolves, a bloody scene. Sienna froze, crying out in alarm, “How can this be? So many wolves, Mason Najimy will die! Hurry, get down there and save him!” The bodyguards on the plane trembled with fear. “CEO, this is a frenzied wolf pack. We’ll be torn to shreds if we go down there.” Sienna froze, instinctively moving to get off the plane, but Kyle blocked her. “CEO, you’ll die if you go down now.” “He brought this on himself! Who told him to provoke the wolf pack first?” “But he’s my husband! He’s the most important person to me!” Kyle froze. Just then, a scream came from below the plane. “Ah!” “Mason!” Then, a gunshot echoed across the entire wilderness. I weakly lifted my gaze, a faint smile on my lips. The person I was waiting for had finally arrived.

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