I spent the night partying naked with three models. The next morning, Katerina, the Godmother, shoved a gun into my hand, her face a storm cloud. “Come back to me, or kill me.” But I just smiled and shot her in the leg. “I won’t kill you, but I won’t forgive you either.” Her eyes scarlet, she collapsed onto the ground, watching as the models and I walked away. All because for ten years, as her right-hand man, I’d helped her seize territory, only for her to choose to marry some college boy instead of keeping her promise to marry me. My crew couldn’t wrap their heads around it, all of them outraged on my behalf. “Sean Murphy fought by your side to build this empire, he was your most effective weapon. Weren’t you always proudest of him? Why are you marrying someone else now?” Katerina snuffed out her cigarette, absently tracing the matching silver ring she wore with Lucas. “Sean? A man whose hands are stained with blood. Every time I think of sharing a bed with him, it makes me sick. How could he ever compare to my darling Lucas?” “But Sean is incredibly shrewd. What if he finds out and breaks ties with you?” Katerina frowned, scoffing. “The entire East Coast is mine now. What’s one man? Do you think the territory will just disappear without him?” Little did she know, I’d heard every word from just outside the door. Tossing the healing salve I’d meant to give her into the trash, I immediately messaged Veronica, her sworn enemy. “Want Katerina’s territory? And her life? They’re yours!”

I was about to arrange a speedboat to leave the island when Katerina tracked me down. “A critical shipment is arriving the day after tomorrow. You’ll need to personally dispatch some of your guys to handle the reception. And clear out your house, I need it!” She commanded in a stern, low voice, but all I felt was a bitter amusement. To marry Lucas, she truly didn’t care if I lived or died. Even if it meant Veronica striking at her stronghold, she’d still send me to risk my life to bring that pretty boy back. She really was crazy in love, wasn’t she? Need my house? Wouldn’t that be for Lucas to live in? I coldly grunted in response. Seeing my flat reaction, Katerina frowned in annoyance. “What’s with the attitude? We haven’t gone public with our relationship because the situation is unstable. Veronica is watching closely, and I can’t let my crew drop their guard just for you.” “Right now, your most important task is to help me escape Veronica’s siege.” Katerina always treated me this way. I used to think it was her way of protecting me, so I fought tooth and nail, strategizing and negotiating tirelessly for her. But now, it all just felt absurd. I placed the speedboat dispatch order in front of her. “No attitude. I’m used to it.” Katerina sensed something was off. A flicker of impatience crossed her eyes, and her pen even tore through the paper as she signed. “Sean! What’s with the sour face again? All I’m asking for is your house! Everything on this island belongs to me, Sean. Even your life. So what makes you think I can’t boss you around?” She tossed the paper in my face. “From now on, don’t bother me with trivial matters like island procurement. I don’t have time for you…” Knowing she’d misunderstood, I didn’t explain. I gave a perfunctory nod, then pushed open the door and left. Looking at the speedboat that would soon be mine, I smiled, a sense of relief washing over me. I’d been with Katerina in this criminal enterprise for ten years. We grew up together, partners I trusted with my life, and even the most intimate of lovers. I’d always dreamed of marrying her. She’d even hinted that once she controlled the entire East Coast, she’d give me what I wanted. But now, I finally realized the truth. It was just my delusional fantasy, and her lie, woven from her exploitation of my feelings. Now, she was marrying someone else. That evening, a squad of heavily armed mercenaries escorted Lucas onto the island. He wore a white tuxedo, his seemingly innocent eyes brimming with smug triumph. “Mr. Murphy has worked hard for the Godmother for over a decade. He’s earned his stripes.” “I’ll definitely get her to promote you, and introduce you to a few more models. A gentleman’s personal life shouldn’t be neglected, right?” “Unlike the Godmother, who can’t wait another minute. She’s marrying me tomorrow. Oh, it’s just…” I tightened my grip on the gun, barely suppressing the urge to blow his brains out. “Let’s go.” I swept him with a cold glance and started to walk away. But Lucas blocked me, pulling a diary from his bag. He gave me a sly grin. “These are all the love notes the Godmother wrote about missing me over the years. It’s too heavy for my bag, so would you mind tossing it for me, Mr. Murphy?” With that, he strutted off. I faced the cold wind whipping against the rocks, my hands trembling as I opened the diary. April 12, 2024: When I risked my life to get her out of that ambush, she wrote: “Lucas, if I survive this, I’ll marry you.” August 5, 2023: When I found out Veronica had ambushed her during a business trip, I stormed the enemy camp alone with two pistols to rescue her. She wrote: “Darling, you smell so good today.” January 24, 2021: When she was arrested by the police, and I decided to take the fall for her, she wrote: “If it were you, I’d never let you suffer like this.” Every word in that diary was a knife twisting in my gut, a raw wound bleeding profusely as if my heart had been ripped out. How many times had I begged Katerina to marry me? She would always kiss my forehead. “Sean, just wait for me.” “I have too many enemies. I’m afraid I haven’t cleared enough obstacles for you. Once I control the entire East Coast, I’ll marry you, okay?” But countless times, my pleas were met with nothing but excuses. Finally, a message popped up on my phone. Two short, powerful words that left no room for retreat. “Deal!” Tapping my phone screen, I still couldn’t resist confirming a few things, so I asked the other side: “August 5, 2023, you were the one who ambushed Katerina, right?” The reply was instant, every word dripping with indignation: “I’m totally innocent, damn it!” “Seriously? So that’s why you chased me for nine blocks with two pistols? It wasn’t me, I swear!” I scoffed at myself. Turns out, Katerina saw me as nothing more than a clown, someone to be toyed with. If that was the case, why should I stay here and let them laugh at me?

After finalizing the details of the rendezvous with Veronica, I walked back, only to overhear Katerina talking with her crew by the yacht. “Godmother, Lucas’s tuxedo has arrived. It’s the bespoke one you bid on at the auction.” “But what if Sean throws a fit and exposes our hideout? We could all be taken down…” Katerina shrugged it off. “I love Lucas, and I’ll only marry him. Tomorrow’s wedding must be peaceful. I won’t allow any mishaps.” “Not even from Sean. I’ll make sure he stays quiet.” “Also, keep your mouths shut. If I hear even a whisper, I’ll feed you to the fish!” Even though I’d already decided to leave, hearing the woman I once loved speak of deceiving me, reducing me to nothing, still left a searing pain in my chest. Back in my room, I packed my things. Aside from my passport and other documents, I looked at the room full of weapons and realized Katerina had never given me anything. She’d only ever thrown weapons at me, telling me to protect her. I’d once asked her for a watch or cufflinks, but she’d said: “Sean, even with a Rolex, you won’t look like you belong in high society. Don’t waste good things.” Yet Lucas’s luggage contained an entire carload of designer clothes and jewelry. Why could he have it all, and I couldn’t? I rummaged through the closet, found my only decent suit buried deep within, put on dress shoes, and tidied my hair. Just then, Lucas barged into my room without knocking. “Sean, you saw the diary, right? The Godmother’s favorite…” His words caught in his throat. He stopped, staring at me, my freshly styled appearance making him pause. When he recovered, he scowled, scoffing. “I thought you’d at least have some dignity and leave when you realized the Godmother didn’t love you.” “But you’re still trying to get her attention? How shameless!” He lunged at me, trying to grab me, but his movements were clumsy, and I easily blocked his hand. “Sean! If you touch me, the Godmother will never let you get away with it!” Lucas shrieked. I crossed my arms. “Thanks for the compliment. I certainly look better than you.” The next second, he dropped to his knees, slapping himself across the face. “Mr. Murphy, I was wrong. I was clueless, wanting to marry the Godmother. Just please don’t ruin the wedding, you can hit me however you want!” Confused, I suddenly felt a powerful kick aiming at me. “Sean! Are you deaf? How dare you lay a hand on Lucas!” Katerina’s furious kick. If it had connected, I’d have been seriously injured. So, what exactly was I to her? Just a loyal hound she kept? A punching bag to toss aside once she’d used me up? I barely managed to dodge it, but my ankle twisted awkwardly, and I winced, forcing myself to look at her through the pain. Katerina quickly helped Lucas up, her piercing gaze falling on me. She looked at my appearance, her eyes softening ever so slightly, but her words remained ice cold. “Sean, no matter how neatly you dress up, you won’t ever be half as good as Lucas in my eyes.” Lucas sniffled, holding Katerina’s hand. “Godmother, Mr. Murphy forced it out of me. I couldn’t keep the secret. I’m so sorry…” Katerina pulled him into a hug, her voice softening. “It’s just a small thing, darling. No one blames you.” I gave a bitter laugh. Only moments ago, she’d ordered her crew to guard the wedding details like state secrets, but once Lucas spilled the beans, it was suddenly “no big deal.” He was utterly fearless around her, completely spoiled rotten. And me? Was I just a fool? “So you’re really marrying him?” I drilled my eyes into Katerina. I desperately wanted to know how she’d explain herself. I’d expected her to at least feel guilty, to panic, to beg me to let go of the past and accept their union. But Katerina merely frowned, unfazed. “Yes, the wedding is tomorrow. You’re allowed to attend, but don’t cause any trouble. Sean, don’t force me to deal with you.” In that instant, my last shred of hope for Katerina shattered. It wasn’t that it wasn’t the right time for marriage, it was just not the right time with me. When it came to Lucas, all the talk of tight situations and being under siege was no longer an obstacle. She could even condescendingly invite me to their wedding, completely unconcerned. How could a person be so heartless? I fought back the burning in my eyes, gritting my teeth. “Get out…” But Lucas pushed his luck. “Godmother, I don’t know many people here. I’d love for Mr. Murphy to be our groomsman, but I’m afraid to offend him…” Seeing her beloved beg so cautiously, Katerina’s expression softened. She turned to me. “Sean, since you already know we’re getting married, being a groomsman shouldn’t be a big deal, right? You won’t mind?” “I don’t want to see either of you! Get out!” My fury finally erupted. I grabbed the baseball bat from the corner and chased them out the door. “Get out!” Slamming the door shut, I collapsed onto the floor, gasping for air. As I struggled, my phone screen suddenly lit up. It was a message from Veronica.

I clicked on the message, annoyed, but then froze. “That suit really suits you.” “Take off your shoes and treat that ankle.” I was surprised she knew my ankle was bothering me. Treat it? Just then, a drone flew to the window, dangling a small box. I opened it to find a perfectly tailored red suit jacket and a small bottle of pain relief spray. So she’d known about Katerina’s hideout all along, but hadn’t made a move. I really had found the right ally. After spraying the medicine as directed, I was about to go wash up when Katerina returned. She held a tube of ointment in her hand. “Don’t move, I’ll take care of it.” It seemed to be raining outside; her shoulders were a little damp, but she dried her hands first before carefully massaging my ankle. I was always incredibly sensitive to pain. When I first started fighting for Katerina, even a minor scrape would make me wince. Whenever I got hurt, no matter if her own face was bruised, she would always stay by my side, letting me grip her arm as I endured the pain. Those years, though dangerous, felt secure. But I don’t know when, her presence by my bed vanished. Later, I suffered countless injuries, big and small, but she never gave them a second glance. Now I wasn’t afraid of pain anymore, yet she suddenly came to care for me again. Was it a guilty conscience? Katerina’s apologetic voice drifted to me: “Sean, you’ve lost weight. I’m sorry for neglecting you lately.” “I didn’t tell you about the wedding because I was afraid you’d overthink it. Lucas saved my life, and he’s being hunted because of me. I have to protect him.” “But don’t worry, I won’t touch him. I only love you. Once Veronica is dealt with, I’ll clean everything up, and then we can be together, okay?” She massaged my ankle, and my gaze was fixed on the wedding ring on her ring finger. I looked at her, my eyes filled with despair, and asked: “Katerina, after all these years, did you ever love me?” She paused, then knelt and pulled me into a hug, her voice incredibly gentle. “Yes, I do. I only love you, Sean.” Then, she held a glass of milk to my lips, her eyes soft. “Here, drink some milk and get some rest. If you want to go to the wedding tomorrow, go. I won’t stop you.” But I tasted it. Something had been added to the milk. Enough to knock someone out for a whole day. My throat felt constricted, making it almost impossible to breathe. She was still lying to me, just so Lucas could marry her tomorrow without a hitch. So, her “keeping quiet” meant this. I drank all the milk, a single tear tracing a cold path down my cheek. My heart was as cold as ice. Katerina smiled, a truly genuine smile. I closed my eyes under her gentle gaze. But she didn’t know that after years of fighting for her, suffering sleepless nights, I’d developed a tolerance for these kinds of drugs. A while later, Lucas’s grumbling voice, filled with annoyance, sounded outside the door: “Godmother, you’ve been gone so long, I thought you weren’t coming back tonight!” Katerina’s voice was laced with a laugh, as if she’d just kissed him. “How could I? He’s just a useful shield. Veronica is still watching me, and having him nearby is helpful.” “Veronica is cautious because of him, she won’t go for the kill with me.” Lucas whined. “Stop moving your hands… ugh, you’re annoying~” “Hmm, I just love annoying you…” Katerina’s voice deepened. The sound of rustling fabric followed, as the two of them started getting intimate outside my door. My heart felt like it was being repeatedly crushed by a blunt object, a soul-wrenching agony. I had always been unconditionally obedient to Katerina. Yet she had never shown me such fervent love. “Sean, can you go see my lawyer?” “Sean, my conflict with Veronica has escalated, come support me.” And I would always agree to her every demand, even if it meant risking my life. Finally, they left. I didn’t sleep a wink all night.

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I was getting my car serviced at Serena’s auto club. When they were done, I told the staff, “Just charge it to Serena’s account.” The employee nodded, about to process it, but a male manager I didn’t recognize blocked him. “We don’t do tabs here. Payment is due on the spot.” With that, he slapped the bill down in front of me. Premium Detailed Diagnostic Fee: $80,000 Exhaust System Acoustic Charm Optimization: $100,000 Engine Spiritual Balance Calibration: $100,000 Total: $280,000. I actually laughed. When did Serena start running such a scam? The manager, Brandon, crossed his arms, sizing me up with disdain. “Always trying to freeload under Serena’s name. I’ve seen countless poor relatives like you. If you can’t afford it, don’t try to act like you’re rich.” Without another word, I pulled out my phone and called Serena. “You have ten minutes to get him out of here. Otherwise, there’s no point in keeping this place open.” “Eleanor, isn’t this… a misunderstanding?” On the other end, Serena’s voice was laced with guilt and panic. “Misunderstanding?” My voice instantly chilled. “Do I look like someone who stirs up drama for no reason? I’m not calling to discuss, I’m calling to tell you to handle your people, immediately!” Serena seemed taken aback by my tone. She quickly tried to appease me, “Eleanor, don’t get mad. Just give the phone to Brandon. I’ll ask him exactly what’s going on.” I snorted and handed the phone to Brandon. He pursed his lips, reluctantly taking the call. “Didn’t I tell you already? You need to cut ties with these freeloading relatives. All they do is use your name to get benefits. This time is even crazier, finishing the service and then trying to skip out on the bill.” Serena seemed to be explaining something on the phone, but Brandon wouldn’t let her finish. “Alright, stop talking. I know you’re soft-hearted and care about family, always dragging your feet. I’ll be the bad guy today!” He hung up, tossed the phone back to me, his chin held high. “Hear that? Serena can’t be bothered with your nonsense. Stop stalling. It’s $280,500 total, but we’ll round it down, just $280,000!” “Cash, card, or transfer? Make it quick, or I’ll call security to escort you out right now!” Brandon deliberately emphasized “escort,” making his threat crystal clear. Brandon’s shamelessness and stupidity made me laugh again, but this time it was bitter. In all these years, no one had dared to be so arrogant in front of me. Just then, the VIP room door burst open, and Serena rushed in. She hurried over, a fake, plastered smile on her face. “Oh, Eleanor, look at this mess. Brandon, he’s just too particular about things. Please don’t take it to heart.” Before I could speak, Brandon bristled like a cat with its tail stepped on. “Serena, aren’t I doing this for your own good? Should I just let shady characters use your name to freeload and ruin the business? Will that make you happy?” Brandon wrapped an arm around Serena’s waist, shooting me a defiant look at the same time. Seeing this, I’d be a fool not to understand. I wondered why Brandon, just a manager, could be so arrogant. Turns out he had backup. As if to confirm my suspicions, Serena forced a smile and played the emotional card. “Eleanor, Brandon is my boyfriend. We’re getting engaged next month. We’ll all be family soon, always seeing each other. I’ll pay this bill, okay?” “No need!” I coldly refused. Serena’s attitude sent a chill down my spine. If I hadn’t pitied her, my cousin, she’d still be pounding the pavement at job fairs. The design, renovation, operational plans, network resources, even the startup capital for this auto club – I provided support for every single aspect. But I’d been mindful of her pride back then, so I never personally showed my face. That’s why she had no idea I was the real investor. Yet now, for the sake of this short-sighted, nasty man, she was turning on me. In that case, I didn’t need to show any mercy.

$280,000? That’s less than what I spend on a casual day. What infuriated me wasn’t the money, it was Serena’s ungrateful actions! “The money, I can pay!” The moment I finished speaking, a triumphant smile spread across Brandon’s face. Serena also visibly relaxed, as if the whole ordeal was finally over. “But…” My tone shifted abruptly, my voice rising sharply. “You need to clearly explain this $280,000 bill to me, item by item, every single charge!” Brandon immediately pulled out a pre-prepared bill, reading it aloud with a boastful, mocking tone. “First, the Premium Detailed Diagnostic Fee. Our club uses a German original imported analyzer, and it’s operated by an expert with ‘International Artisan Certification.’ It took three hours to complete the inspection, so the diagnostic fee is naturally charged according to international standards.” “Also, your car’s exhaust had some strange vibrations affecting its acoustic beauty. We performed an ‘Italian Opera Tenor Resonance Chamber’ style upgrade, making the exhaust sound like Pavarotti’s voice—rich and powerful, greatly increasing its value.” I almost thought I misheard him. The three business partners who came with me visibly twitched at the corners of their mouths, and even Serena awkwardly lowered her head. But he wasn’t done yet; Brandon’s claims grew even more outrageous. “Finally, our technicians found your car’s turbocharger lacked balance. This isn’t a common issue; it requires a Swiss precision calibrator used in a vacuum environment, with remote guidance from HQ experts, to perform a spiritual dynamic balance calibration, ensuring the turbo and engine achieve soul-level harmony.” “What’s that called? That’s called unique, top-tier service, understand?” “In short, our Coastline Auto Club has clear pricing, no hidden fees. It’s just that you’re out of your league, you’ve never seen the world, so you’re making a fuss!” His last sentence was full of blatant contempt and humiliation. My friend, Ms. Harper, couldn’t listen anymore. She stood up to mediate. “Eleanor, it’s getting late. Why don’t we leave? I’ll cover this bill.” I raised my hand, firmly stopping her. By now, what had started was no longer just about money. I had brought my business partners here to introduce Serena to my network and get my car serviced, only to be publicly humiliated by Brandon. Forcing down my anger, I turned to my three business partners and apologized sincerely. “My deepest apologies for making you witness such a ridiculous scene and spoiling your mood. As a token of my regret, I’ll book ‘The Pinnacle Club’ this Saturday and host a new dinner for you all.” Almost the instant I finished speaking, my friends’ phones began to buzz with appointment confirmations and notifications from ‘The Pinnacle Club.’ Ms. Harper, who had just offered to pay for me, now looked utterly shocked and thrilled. They were all successful in their own right, but in the truly top-tier circles, they weren’t well-connected. ‘The Pinnacle Club’ was a legendary, private members-only establishment frequented by VIPs, not open to the public. You couldn’t get in with money alone. And yet, I could arrange it with a single message. At that moment, any lingering doubts they had about me completely vanished. Their eyes, as they looked at me, were now filled with undeniable respect. I walked my friends to the club entrance and watched their cars drive away. The moment their taillights disappeared, the smile vanished from my face, replaced by a cold fury. I turned around, ready to go back and clean house. But Brandon, flanked by two burly security guards, blocked the lobby entrance. “Stop right there!” Brandon yelled, pointing a finger at my nose and cursing. “You think you can just sneak away? No chance! You’re not stepping foot out of this building until that money is paid!” The two guards stepped forward, encircling me menacingly. I paused, silently observing this utterly absurd scene. Being held hostage and demanded to pay a non-existent debt, right in a place I owned. It was truly laughable.

At the auto club’s main entrance, Brandon’s shrill voice attracted a crowd of curious customers in the lobby. They stared openly, their glances full of undisguised contempt, falling directly on me. It was as if I truly was some cheap skate trying to run out on a bill. “Someone actually dares to freeload at Coastline Club? Must have a death wish!” “Tsk, tsk. Dressed so well, but doing something so disgraceful…” “If you can’t afford it, don’t come to Coastline! So embarrassing.” Being publicly pointed at and humiliated like this made my anger surge to my head. Serena, nearby, was pale, cold sweat beading on her forehead. “Brandon… maybe just let it go…” She tugged at Brandon’s sleeve, her voice faint, seemingly wanting to persuade him not to go too far. Brandon glared, his eyes wide, snapping back, “Serena, can’t you show some backbone? The money’s almost in our hands, and you’re pushing it away? We need to squeeze every last penny out of people like her!” Serena trembled, swallowing the words she was about to say, shrinking back and daring not to speak. Her spinelessness fueled my anger, and my disappointment in her became complete. With a cold expression, I pulled out my phone and called my assistant. “Chris, get $500,000 in cash from the car. Bring it to the main entrance immediately.” Before long, Chris arrived, carrying a heavy, silver suitcase, walking quickly. I motioned for him to open the case. With a “click,” the lid sprang open, revealing stacks of hundred-dollar bills neatly packed inside, an incredibly powerful visual. A chorus of gasps instantly filled the air, and all chatter ceased. Brandon’s eyes were practically glued to the money! He clearly hadn’t expected that I, the “freeloader” he’d called me, could so casually produce $500,000 in cash. “I should’ve charged a million, what a missed opportunity!” Brandon’s eyes darted around, muttering under his breath, as if he’d just lost millions. Staring at the cash in the case, Brandon unconsciously swallowed, his breathing becoming ragged. He reached out, trying to close the case. “Thought you were smart, eh? $280,000 from here will settle the service fees. The extra $220,000 will be for the emotional distress you caused to our club’s reputation!” “Hold on.” I put my hand on the case lid, stopping him. Brandon instantly grew wary: “What? Trying to back out?” “You can take the money,” I stared at him, my gaze sharp. “But you must sign a receipt, clearly written in black and white.” Serena, beside me, flinched, finally realizing that the situation had spiraled far beyond her control. She rushed forward, grabbing Brandon’s arm, her voice pleading, “Don’t sign it! We can’t take this money, give it back to her quickly.” “Get lost, you useless thing!” Brandon flung her arm away, glaring at her with disgust. “Money in hand, and you want to give it back? Why? She owes this! Sign it, sign it! No one can deny it in black and white. It’s a clean transaction, perfect.” He was completely blinded by greed, unable to listen to any advice. Snatching a pen and paper from a nearby staff member, he scribbled “Brandon” without a second thought, even adding a red thumbprint. “Here!” He tossed the receipt to me, then eagerly snapped the case shut and clutched it tightly to his chest. “Honey, see? I told you I’m good, didn’t I? Half a million dollars! This money is going straight into my secret stash! I’ve been wanting that BMW for ages, but I couldn’t justify it. Now I can finally get it!” Brandon, beaming with pride, hooked his arm through Serena’s, his voice sickeningly sweet. He was completely engrossed in the euphoria of unearned wealth and the anticipation of luxury, a blissful smile plastered across his face. Just as Brandon pulled Serena, ready to leave, the screech of brakes echoed from outside. Three pure black executive cars, emblazoned with the “Coastline” emblem, screeched to a halt at the entrance.

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Four months after we broke up, I called Blake. “I’m pregnant. Do you want this child?” Blake practically recoiled. “We were super careful, Skylar. Don’t try to pin this on me.” I asked again. “You’re sure you don’t want this child, right?” “I don’t.” Blake’s answer was firm. A wave of relief washed over me. Good, one less battle to fight for my child. I was on my own, raising her from day one. Until my daughter turned five. Suddenly, my ex and his best friend were practically fighting over who got to be her dad. It had been six years since I last saw Blake. Honestly, he hadn’t changed much. Still stylish, but his expression was dark, like a storm cloud. “Mom, I’m hungry!” Lily rubbed her tummy. I turned and headed into the kitchen to prepare her some oatmeal. Blake remained frozen in the doorway. Lily finished a big bowl, then turned to look at Blake, letting out a dramatic sigh. “Mom, you two should probably talk it out. I need to do my homework.” She picked up her small backpack. “But just so we’re clear, my custody is non-negotiable.” Those three words – “custody is non-negotiable” – finally hit a raw nerve with Blake. He glared at me, seething. “Skylar, you secretly had my child!” I glanced back at Lily’s closed bedroom door. My daughter was mature for her age, but some things weren’t meant for her ears. Worried the house wasn’t soundproof enough, I simply stepped outside, leading Blake to the stairwell. “Skylar, don’t think I don’t know what you’re up to. Are you trying to get your hands on my family’s fortune by having a child, hoping for a piece of the pie?” Blake sneered. “I’m telling you, it’s not that easy!” I pulled out my phone and played a recording I’d saved for six years. “I’m pregnant. Do you want this child?” “We were super careful, Skylar. Don’t try to pin this on me.” “You’re sure you don’t want this child, right?” “I don’t.” Once it finished, afraid Blake hadn’t heard clearly, I replayed it. He froze, like someone had suddenly cut his mic, his accusatory tone dying in his throat. “I knew this day would come, so I kept my receipts.” I crossed my arms, giving Blake a critical once-over. “Your parents still haven’t made you the heir after all these years. Guess they know you’re not exactly leadership material. You think you have a shot at custody? Please. You’re not even in my league.” Blake slammed his fist against the wall in frustration. I patted Blake’s shoulder. “Just a warning: stay away from my daughter from now on. Otherwise, don’t blame me for calling the cops and reporting you for trying to snatch my kid.” “Why not? I’m her dad!” “Oh? Proof?” “I can do a DNA test!” I looked at him with pity. “Without a court order, a private DNA test means nothing legally.”

Blake left, dragging his feet, clearly furious but with no choice. That evening at dinner, Lily kept sighing dramatically. “Mom, why weren’t you more careful when you picked my dad?” she grumbled. “Were you just blinded by his looks?” “I was too young back then.” I seriously reflected on my past choices. “Will he keep bothering me?” “Hard to say,” I thought for a moment. “He definitely didn’t want kids back then, but what if he’s changed his mind now that he’s older? But how did you even run into Blake?” “I saw him talking to our principal after school today.” Lily didn’t even look up. “I guess they know each other?” The next day, after dropping Lily off at school, I drove to my shop. A few years ago, when Lily was little, I ran a custom baking business from home to make it easier to care for her. Once she got a little older, and I happened to win a decent international baking award, I decided to open this dessert shop. Business has been pretty good these past two years, and I have a stable customer base. I’ve been thinking about opening a second branch. Soon after I arrived at the shop, a middle-aged woman walked in, saying she wanted to order a five-tier birthday cake. “Of course,” I said with a smile, sitting down with her to discuss the details. She wore an elegant green dress and had a very kind smile. Suddenly, the woman asked me, “Are you married?” I smiled and said, “No.” She then asked, “Do you have a boyfriend?” I shook my head again. Then the middle-aged woman beamed. “I’m Mrs. Davies, Blake’s mom! Blake’s single now, too! Would you consider him again?” As soon as she finished speaking, she eagerly pulled out a bracelet and tried to put it on my wrist. Mrs. Davies was incredibly sweet the whole time. She probably worried I’d misunderstand her intentions, so she proactively explained that she just wanted to get close to Lily. “It must be hard for you, raising a child alone. I just want to help.” I wasn’t naive enough to believe Mrs. Davies was as good as she appeared. She was a powerful businesswoman, a force to be reckoned with. The Davies family must have already done a private DNA test and confirmed Lily was Blake’s biological daughter. They had also consulted lawyers, and the chances of winning a custody battle were very low. So they had to settle for a compromise: they wanted joint custody. “Mrs. Davies, I respect my daughter’s feelings,” I said with a smile. “As long as Lily is willing to get close to you all, I won’t object.” Mrs. Davies excitedly said, “Then I’ll arrange a dinner party right away!” I told her I needed to talk to Lily first, respect her feelings. After exchanging contact info, Mrs. Davies smiled brightly and made a call. “Come in. Apologize to Ms. Skylar properly, and thank her too.” Then I saw Blake walk in, looking awkward. He must have been waiting in the car, ready on standby. When he saw me, a flash of smugness crossed his face.

Near dismissal time, I finished up my work and planned to pick Lily up. Blake lingered, saying he wanted to see Lily too. “You should probably lay low around Lily for now.” I told him honestly. “You need to give her some time to process things.” To process that her dad was a handsome but ultimately brainless guy. “Why?” Blake looked genuinely hurt. “I’m tall, handsome, and rich. What could Lily possibly be unhappy about with me?” “Lily prioritizes a man’s inner qualities.” “Skylar, what do you mean by that?” Blake exploded instantly. “Clarify that! You were the one who pursued me first back then!” “Yeah, and now I’m using that life lesson to teach my daughter not to only look at a man’s face, aren’t I?” I hit the gas, not bothering to say another word to Blake. During school dismissal, the school gates were an absolute madhouse. I parked my car in the lot and walked over. Lily was just walking out with her backpack, chatting happily with a classmate. She saw me from a distance and excitedly waved. “Mom! Did the teacher tell you? We have a parent-teacher conference next week!” “Yeah, I saw the announcement in the group chat.” I scooped Lily up in my arms and walked towards the parking lot. She wrapped her arms around my neck, swinging her little legs and humming a happy tune. She was ecstatic! I briefly told Lily about the Davies family’s visit. She tilted her head, thought for a moment, then said, “It’s just dinner, right? Let’s go.” A car horn blared behind us. I quickly pulled Lily closer to the curb. The car drove out from inside the school grounds. The back window was halfway down, and I only caught a glimpse of a young man sitting there. “Mom, that’s our principal! The one I told you was talking to my biological dad before.” “Really?” I was a bit surprised and subconsciously looked again, but I couldn’t get a clear look at the man’s face. Since Lily agreed to meet the Davies family, I didn’t deliberately delay and set the time for the weekend. The location was the Davies’ home. They said it was so Lily could get familiar with the house and feel free to come over and play anytime. Blake and I had dated for a very short time, and we never got to the point of meeting each other’s parents, so this was my first time visiting the Davies’ home. An exclusive gated community, a massive villa spanning over two thousand square feet. But Lily was only six. While she already had a sense of money, in her eyes, this villa was no different from the house back in our old town. She even grumbled that the backyard wasn’t big enough for a proper treehouse, let alone a trampoline. “Lily, hello, I’m Grandpa.” “Sweetheart, I’m Grandma.” Blake’s parents smiled very kindly. Lily wasn’t shy; she greeted them confidently. “Hello, Grandpa and Grandma.” “Oh, you sweet thing, you’re absolutely adorable! Here, these are from Grandpa and Grandma, a little welcome gift.” Gold bracelets, a gold necklace, a diamond tiara, and a wad of cash – they had it all. Lily sweetly thanked Grandpa and Grandma, then said she was afraid of losing them, and handed everything to me. She even specifically reminded me, “Mom, keep them safe for me, okay? They’re precious, because they’re from Grandpa and Grandma’s love!” I knew she just thought they were heavy and a bit much to wear. “Son, I’ve raised you for thirty years, and you finally did something right!” Mrs. Davies dabbed her eyes with a handkerchief, telling Blake, “Thank goodness you brought a child into the Davies family. Otherwise, I swear, I never wanted to see you step foot in this house again!” Blake slumped alone on the single sofa, a protest forming on his lips but dying before it could escape. He had dressed up meticulously for the occasion – meticulously styled hair, earrings, necklace, rings – the whole nine yards. But Lily usually hangs out with the retirees in our neighborhood, so her fashion sense is, shall we say, a little old-school. She looked at Blake with clear disdain.

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The night before my SATs, Hugh Reed’s parents died in a house fire. To help him recover, I begged my parents to fund his four years of college. After graduation, we naturally married and had a child, living a life envied by everyone around us. But he secretly bought insurance, orchestrated a fire that killed our entire family. And immediately married another woman. At my funeral, he cursed me with venom in his voice: “You swallowed my family’s fortune and kept me from being Tiffany’s first boyfriend. You deserved to die!” It turned out he had never been grateful to me. He had always hated me. I was reborn, back to the day I first heard about the fire at Hugh Reed’s house. This time, I wouldn’t help him. Hugh’s family lived right above ours, and after less than a year of renovation, our apartment was also completely gutted. Just like in my previous life, Hugh looked at me, his eyes wide with panic. “Alice, my parents are gone. What am I going to do?” A cold, visceral shudder ran through me. I clutched my chest, my breath catching in my throat. I couldn’t believe I had helped such a monster in my last life. I even suffered through a difficult pregnancy for him. “Alice…” Hugh tugged at my arm again. I snapped back to reality, looking into his bottomless eyes. I fought back the words that were desperate to escape my throat: “It’s okay, you still have me, and my parents.” Then, I slowly pulled my hand away. “I was just about to ask you the same thing. My home is gone too, and my dad’s still in the hospital. What am *I* supposed to do?” Hugh froze, his gaze filled with confusion. But before he could pry, he was immediately surrounded by other neighbors, all victims of the fire, demanding answers. “Your parents’ mess, you have to answer for it. You just turned eighteen, Hugh. You’re responsible for what they did. The entire building is a wreck. Either pay for the damages, or go to jail for him!” Hugh, terrified, dropped to his knees. “I’m so incredibly sorry, everyone. But my parents are gone. Can you please let me handle their funeral first before we address your issues? Please…” Other voices chimed in: “Let’s respect the dead. Hugh is still just a kid. His SATs are coming up. This fire wasn’t his fault. Can’t we let him go to the funeral home first?” Hugh looked at the speaker, his eyes overflowing with gratitude. But in my last life, those were *my* words. I had stepped forward, presenting myself as a fellow victim, condemning the neighbors for their selfishness and lack of empathy. I wouldn’t even let them deny Hugh the time to send his parents off. I had even begged my parents to help him arrange his parents’ funeral. While helping him claim insurance for his damaged home, I also insisted they fund his four years of college. My dad initially disagreed, so I threatened to skip my SATs and go on a hunger strike. At the same time, I gave up my spot at an Ivy League university for him, enrolling in a culinary arts program instead. “Hugh has no parents, he needs this opportunity more than I do.” “All I want is to be a good wife to him, a supportive woman behind his success.” My parents were furious, grounding me for days. I had Hugh call the police for me. After the police mediation, Hugh and I went on a trip for a few days, only returning home when our acceptance letters arrived. When I got back, I even showed them my pregnancy test results. What’s done is done. My parents looked resigned. They agreed to fund Hugh’s college education, on the condition that we got married first. Hugh cried tears of gratitude, promising my parents he would repay them someday and treat me well. “Alice, are you okay? Does Hugh need any help?” My mom was finally back. As soon as I heard her voice, I launched myself into her arms, sobbing uncontrollably. I kept repeating, “I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry.” My mom’s still-dark bangs fell forward as she bent down to comfort me. “Silly child, the fire wasn’t your fault. It’s just a shame about the apartment we just renovated. Luckily, I bought home insurance last year, and thankfully, your dad is okay. What a blessing…” “It’s just heartbreaking for Hugh. You both have your SATs coming up, and with this happening, I don’t know how he’ll cope. You two grew up together, we should help him as much as we can.” I shrieked, “Don’t help him! Please, *never* help him!” My mom looked at me, startled by my extreme reaction. She quickly felt my forehead for a fever, muttering that I must have been scared senseless. She was right. Ever since I was little, my world revolved around Hugh. I always gave him the best of everything first. Saying something like this now, my mom would never accept it. I quickly explained, “Mom, I’m so worried about Dad. Let’s go see him at the hospital first. Hugh is already eighteen, and he just said he wants to go to the funeral home to send off his parents alone. Let’s respect his wishes.”

My mom and I arrived at my dad’s hospital room. He had moderate carbon monoxide poisoning, his lips still cherry red. Seeing me crying and sniffling, a snot bubble occasionally popping from my nose, he joked weakly, “Now you know to feel bad for your old man, huh? You weren’t this upset when I broke my leg dancing.” Before my exams, I was so stressed I broke out in acne and gained weight. My dad, worried, consulted a colleague in psychology who suggested I get more exercise. But I refused to go for walks, runs, or swims with him and Mom. He got tough and paid two thousand dollars for a dance class, thinking I’d be interested if there were lots of young women dancing there. But I still wouldn’t go. The money was non-refundable, and the membership was about to expire when I was a sophomore. My dad originally wanted my mom to go, but she was always traveling for work, so he had to bite the bullet and go himself. But one day, he was having too much fun and ended up breaking his leg. Back then, I just thought he was embarrassing. I rolled my eyes and cursed him, saying he was a grown man gyrating among young women, making classmates laugh at me. He deserved that fall. Now, overwhelmed with guilt, I could only repeatedly apologize to him, “I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry.” My parents both thought I was acting strangely and began to shift their thoughts back to our burnt-out home. The atmosphere grew heavy. My mom was usually a worrier, but she was also optimistic and kind. “It’s okay, Robert. Just think of it as a few days off. You’re always rushing around the emergency room. Now you can guilt-free sleep in at the hospital.” “Don’t worry about the house either. Even though it burned down, I bought home insurance the year before last, so we can file a claim. The most important thing is that our family is safe and sound. And I hope our precious daughter, Alice, isn’t too affected by this for her SATs. It’s less than twenty days away, I really don’t want to see her repeat a year.” “As for Hugh, we’ll help him as much as we can. Regardless of whether it was his parents’ fault, they’re gone. The boy shouldn’t have to bear all this, and it shouldn’t affect his SATs either.” “He and Alice are childhood friends. If they can go to the same university, we’ll grit our teeth and help them out.” After my mom finished speaking, my dad looked troubled. “Honey, let’s not go too far. At most, we can help Hugh arrange his parents’ funeral so he can focus on his SATs.” “Anything more is a bottomless pit. Besides, his family is responsible for the fire, we’re victims too. If we don’t seek compensation and instead help them so much, what will the other affected neighbors think? We’ll be ostracized in the neighborhood. We can’t do that.” “And, after working in the emergency room for so many years, I’ve seen too many cases where good intentions backfire, making the helper liable. Like recently, a girl got sick while hiking. Another stranger in the group kindly gave her some cold medicine, but after they got down the mountain, the girl died less than an hour after being admitted to the ER. Later, the deceased girl’s parents sued the girl who gave her the medicine, and I heard she had to pay a hefty sum…” In my last life, when my dad said this, my mom hesitated. “But Hugh and Alice are childhood friends, Robert. Let me think.” But then, I had loudly demanded that my parents see their “good deed” through, threatening a hunger strike and refusing to take my SATs otherwise. Now, I picked up where my mom left off: “Mom, only good friends are called childhood sweethearts. If the relationship is just okay, they’re just regular classmates.” “I used to cling to Hugh a lot when I was little, but now he’s just a regular classmate. The most important thing for me right now is my SATs.” “Besides, Hugh already has someone else he likes at school, and it’s not me.” Hearing me say that, my parents exchanged surprised glances for a few seconds. But realizing my focus was on my SATs, they didn’t ask any more questions. My mom started making arrangements to take me to the hospital cafeteria for dinner. After eating with my dad, my mom drove me back to school. Then, she assessed the damages with the home insurance company and rented an apartment in the next neighborhood for our family to stay in temporarily.

Back at school, my teachers and classmates offered their condolences about the fire, then quickly dispersed. After all, it was a critical time right before the SATs. Every minute counted. I calmed myself down and went to the office to pick up a practice test I’d missed that morning. I started working on it. Reborn, I wasn’t going to a culinary arts program to spend every day cooking for Hugh. I wanted to go to an Ivy League university, to study subjects I was truly passionate about, to read more books, and to see a wider world. I should have done that, and I could have. Hugh returned to school a week later. With only twelve days left until the SATs, most students in the study hall were too focused to even glance at him and Tiffany Blackwood, who was sitting next to him. Tiffany was the beauty from the next class, and Hugh’s “white moonlight” – his unattainable crush. I heard she had been by his side all these days. Good, just as Hugh wished. He would soon become Tiffany’s first boyfriend. Tiffany carried a donation box to the front of the classroom, rallying everyone to donate to Hugh: “With the SATs so close, I didn’t want to bother everyone, but anyone can face hardship. Please, donate your spare change to help Hugh through this difficult time. Our Class Four has already donated. I thank Class Three on his behalf…” After Tiffany finished speaking, she pulled Hugh into a deep bow. The students looked helpless, sympathetic, or just annoyed and wanting to be left alone. They quickly pulled out cash or scanned the QR code to donate. I remained rooted to my seat, not even looking up, continuing to work on my problems. But Tiffany called me out directly: “Alice Hayes, why haven’t you donated? Aren’t you and Hugh childhood neighbors? That’s really heartless, isn’t it?” A bitter laugh escaped me, laced with pure disbelief. I looked up at Tiffany and Hugh. Hugh was staring at me with a resentful expression.

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It had only been a month since we got married when Alexander Thorne got into a car accident. He injured his testicles and lost his fertility from then on. He clung to me, weeping:”Nancy, I can never have children in this life. Let’s just get a divorce.” I immediately assured him I wouldn’t leave him. After all, he was the heir to Thorne Corporation. To spare him from feeling insecure, I quickly underwent a tubal ligation myself. Ten months later, I saw him arm-in-arm with Daisy Miller, the struggling college student I’d been sponsoring. In her arms, she held a baby. Daisy whispered shyly, “What if Nancy finds out we have a child?” Alex scoffed, “So what if she finds out? She’s already had her tubes tied. If she dares to make a fuss, we’ll just say it was an accident. She should be grateful you gave me a child.” Back home, I didn’t storm in like a madwoman to confront Alex. Instead, I calmly retrieved the dashcam footage. The video showed Alex taking Daisy to the hospital on the very afternoon of our wedding day. Inside the car, they embraced passionately. “Alex, I’m really pregnant! To have a baby just like you… I could die happy.” Alex’s eyes crinkled with a smile. He lovingly wrapped his arm around her waist. “Silly girl, I can’t marry you in this lifetime, but all my companies will belong to you and our son. Don’t worry, even if I’m married, I won’t have children with Nancy.” Daisy lifted her small face from his chest, a hint of jealousy in her voice. “Alex, Nancy won’t agree to not having children, will she? She’s rich and powerful. If she has kids, won’t our son be bullied by them his whole life?” As she spoke, she buried her face in his chest, her eyes welling up. “I don’t care if Nancy looks down on me, but if our child has to live his entire life under her shadow, I’d be heartbroken.” Alex gently kissed her forehead, then a chilling glint flickered across his face. “She’ll never have children. After our wedding, I’ll stage a car accident, tell her I’m injured, and then get a vasectomy. Your child will be my only child in this life.” Daisy immediately teared up, then lifted her plump lips to meet his. Moments later, ignoring Daisy’s pregnancy, they began a frantic session right there in the car. In that instant, my rage soared. Alex, we came from prominent families, always destined to be together, childhood sweethearts in a way. I never imagined you would scheme against me like this. Well, then I didn’t need to consider our long-standing connection either. As Alex walked in, beaming, my plan was already taking shape.

Alex must have been thoroughly pleased outside; his face was flushed, the lingering lust from his passionate encounter still visible in his eyes. He smiled broadly, pulling out an earring and handing it to me. “Nancy, happy anniversary!” He reached out to pull me into an embrace. In the past, I would have eagerly leaned in, wrapping my arms around his neck and giving him a kiss. But the thought of his lips just having touched that… trash… made me utterly nauseous. I feigned shyness, stepping back two paces. “I’ve prepared a candlelight dinner.” Alex chuckled, pinching my cheek before heading into the bathroom. I immediately grabbed a pack of wet wipes and scrubbed the spot he had touched, going through half the pack. By the time Alex emerged, I had composed myself. I went straight to the point. “Let’s adopt a child. Then, when we’re old, they can inherit our company.” Alex paused, clearly surprised I was willing to adopt. I continued slowly, “You’re close with Director Johnson at the orphanage, aren’t you? Have him keep an eye out for us. If there’s a suitable child, we can adopt them directly.” Alex hesitated, then, after a long moment, he spoke nervously, probing, “Nancy, we agreed to be child-free. Why the sudden change of heart about adopting? After all, it wouldn’t be our biological child. Would you really leave them all your assets?” I smiled sweetly, setting down my wine glass. “Being child-free is good, but I think having a child who can help you with the business when they grow up would be nice.” Seeing my serious demeanor, Alex visibly relaxed. His pathetic act began. “Nancy, I’m so sorry, I…” I immediately shushed him, cutting off his nauseating confession. “We grew up together. As long as you don’t betray me, I’ll dedicate my life to you. But if you were to ever do something to hurt me…” As I spoke, I plunged my fork into the steak, tearing it into tiny pieces with brutal force. Alex’s awkward voice cut through the silence. “No, no, never! Marrying you is my blessing, how could I ever hurt you?” I instantly flashed a perfect smile. “Happy anniversary, honey.”

Alex worked fast. A few days later, he took me to the orphanage. Looking at the newborn baby, barely a month old, I couldn’t help but sneer internally. Alex, this child will drag you straight to hell. Three days after bringing the baby home, I called Daisy. “Daisy, I just adopted a little baby. If you’re not too busy, could you come help me out? I don’t really trust nannies.” Even through the phone, I could hear Daisy’s barely contained euphoria. “Nancy, I’d love to! You treat me like a sister, it’s only right that I help care for my little nephew.” Before I could say another word, Daisy quickly added, “Nancy, I’ll be right over. You can leave our little nephew to me from now on. You just focus on the company.” The call ended with a snap. I smiled, poking the baby’s cheek with a sigh. “Don’t blame me for putting you through this, kid. Your birth is a sin.” Daisy arrived swiftly. As soon as she walked in, she snatched the wailing baby from me, her brows furrowing in genuine concern. “Nancy, why is the baby crying so hard? Is he hungry?” I immediately took the baby back. “He just ate,” I said nonchalantly, “He had seven ounces of formula, and Martha just changed his diaper.” With that, I placed the baby on the sofa. Daisy’s eyes welled up instantly, and she lunged forward, trying to pick up the child. I grabbed her arm and pulled her towards the master bedroom. “Daisy, come see the room I’ve prepared for you. Oh, and you can’t spoil the baby. If he misbehaves, just give him a few taps. An heir to Thorne Corporation can’t be a spoiled brat. He needs to be tough and disciplined from day one.” “Nancy, Star is still so small. You should wait until he’s older to train him, or he might get sick,” Daisy stammered awkwardly. Star? My head buzzed. Star. That was the name Alex and I picked for our future child right after we got engaged. That night, after our engagement party, Alex and I watched the stars on the rooftop. He said if we ever had a son, we’d name him Star. Back then, at eighteen, Alex must have loved me. But with Daisy’s appearance, he gave all our hopes and promises to her. How could you, Alex, give the beautiful name I chose for our child to that woman’s bastard child? You truly are cold-blooded and heartless. My hand slipped. With a splash, the baby fell into the basin, choking and wailing instantly. Daisy completely lost it. She snatched the baby, screaming “Baby, baby!” and bolted out of the bathroom. Alex returned quickly. Seeing Daisy trembling and clutching the baby, her face etched with pain, he immediately rushed to put his arm around her. But then he saw me walking out of the bathroom with a mocking smirk, and he quickly dropped his hand. “Nancy, how could you be so careless? You were giving him a bath, and you let him fall into the water? How can you be a mother like this? If you can’t handle it, let Daisy take care of him. She’s more attentive.” I stared at Alex’s furious face, tossing the towel aside. My voice was chilling. “Alex, this child isn’t even mine biologically. If I don’t personally raise him, how could I ever develop any affection for him?” I cast a scornful glance at Daisy. Go ahead, throw a tantrum now. I bet Alex and Daisy wouldn’t dare. My family’s freely provided patents and massive funding? He wouldn’t give that up. We’d signed an agreement back during our engagement: if he ever betrayed me, the Davies family could withdraw funding and reclaim patent usage rights at any time, with all profits going to me. Alex frowned at me, his eyes filled with disgust. He was about to speak when Daisy shrieked. “Alex, look at Star, what’s wrong with him? His forehead is burning hot!” Only then did I notice the baby’s face was beet red, his body convulsing. Alex’s expression turned to panic. He no longer cared about arguing with me. He rushed out, clutching Daisy and the baby. His urgent shouts echoed in the yard. “Robert, get the car ready, quick! The little master is sick, we need to get to the hospital immediately!”

The engine roared, then a thick plume of exhaust rose as the car sped away, a clear sign of the driver’s desperation. I leisurely smoothed my hair, changed into a fresh outfit, and drove my Cullinan towards my parents’ home. My brother, Andrew, was surprised to see me. “Well, look who it is, the busiest woman in the city! What brings you home, trying to steal one of my deals?” I silently walked to the sofa and sank into it, then rubbed my throbbing forehead. Just a few days had felt like more than everything I’d experienced in my previous twenty years combined. Dad also came out. Seeing my pale face, he immediately asked what was wrong. Rubbing my forehead, I recounted how Alex had tricked me into being child-free, cheated on me with the student I sponsored, and fathered a love child. My father immediately flew into a rage, ready to confront Alex and demand an explanation from his father. I quickly stopped my furious father and called back my brother. “Dad, Andy, what good would it do to teach him a lesson? He’d just cry and apologize. Even if I didn’t forgive him and divorced him, he’d still be the high-and-mighty CEO of Thorne Corporation. But how would that mend the hurt he’s caused me?” Dad and Andy looked at me, perplexed. “Nancy, you’ve always been strong-willed. Tell us your plan. Dad will support you no matter what.” Andy nodded gravely. I smiled, gratified. I wasn’t some disfavored girl like Daisy. I was my parents’ and brother’s cherished princess. The shares of Davies Group had always been split evenly between me and Andy; I had just always let him manage them. I opened my phone and showed Dad the video recorded by the hidden camera. On our wedding anniversary, the day I discovered Alex’s betrayal, I decisively swapped the custom watch I’d bought him for a pair of diamond cufflinks embedded with a tiny camera. That very evening, I clasped them onto his wrist, telling him they symbolized me always being his right-hand woman, and warning him not to take them off, or else it meant he despised me. Alex, feeling guilty, naturally wore them obediently. In the video, Alex was driving wildly, while Daisy sobbed beside him. “Alex, I don’t want to give our baby to that evil woman! She’s deliberately trying to hurt him!” “She can’t have children herself, so she’s twisted. If you make me give our baby to her again, I’ll take him and leave!” Alex’s grim voice cut through. “Daisy, don’t worry, I won’t let anything happen to our baby. I’m going to create some issues with the overseas project and send her abroad to deal with it. Then you can openly bring up the baby at home.” Daisy continued to sob, pressing her face tightly against the baby, speaking in anguish. “So what? At most, she’ll be gone for six months, a few months. She’ll still come back, won’t she? Then she’ll still be able to mistreat the baby however she wants!” She clutched Alex’s arm tightly, crying piteously. “Alex, this is your only child! You can’t just watch that evil woman harm him, can you?” Alex didn’t speak for a long time. Then, a sinister glint flashed in his eyes, and he slowly said, “Daisy, just give me a little more time. I’ll make Nancy leave with nothing. Then we’ll be a complete family.” The car arrived at the hospital. I couldn’t bear to watch their affectionate display any longer and clicked stop. “Dad, since he’s heartless, we don’t need to be honorable either. Let’s make Alex lose his reputation and everything he has. That would truly do justice to his meticulous scheming.” With that, I transferred the hidden camera footage to my father’s and brother’s phones, allowing them to monitor Alex’s every move. Alex wouldn’t disappoint me. But the harder he schemed, the harder he would fall. Sure enough, the next day, Alex apologized, telling me there were issues with an overseas project and asking me to handle it. I pretended ignorance, quickly packed my bags, and flew abroad, giving him ample room to make his move. I leisurely dealt with the problems, watching videos of Alex and Daisy frolicking in my bed, seeing their disgraceful traces left from the living room to the bathroom, watching them laughing with their son, a happy, sweet family of three. Of course, I also saw what I wanted to see. A month later, on the Thorne Corporation’s anniversary, Dad called to inform me. “Nancy, you can come back now. All the evidence has been collected.”

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My husband Ryder’s younger brother died in an accident, and Ryder faked his own death and impersonated him. Just so he could sleep with his brother’s wife. After I recognized him, he coldly pushed me away. “I’m not Ryder. I’m Ronan. I know you’re sad about my elder brother’s death, but you can’t mistake me for him!” He shielded the seemingly delicate Serena, pushed me into the ice-cold river, and warned me not to harbor any foolish delusions. My five-year-old daughter cried, asking why her daddy didn’t want her, and was locked in the old barn to “reflect,” starved for three days and three nights. My daughter and I were driven out of the house and froze to death in the heavy snow. When I opened my eyes again, I was back to the day my husband Ryder impersonated his brother. This time, I didn’t expose him. Instead, I told his commanding officer in the military: “My husband is dead. Please strip him of his military status!” “I never expected my older brother to have such a sudden accident…” Ryder’s eyes were red, and he looked at me with a mournful expression. Watching Ronan’s body being carried in, I cried uncontrollably. He and Ryder looked exactly alike. No one suspected Ryder had swapped identities with him. After crying for a while, I wiped my tears and said, “The body can’t be kept for long. Let’s quickly send it for cremation and hold a grand funeral for my husband.” Ryder immediately nodded in agreement, even more eager than I was to destroy the evidence. I watched him move the body, noticing a thin, long scar between his thumb and forefinger. In my previous life, it was this scar that confirmed the one alive was Ryder. This time, I pretended not to see anything. Last life, Ryder and Ronan went out for disaster relief. Ronan accidentally injured the back of his head and died on the spot. Ryder, desperate to marry Serena, didn’t hesitate to abandon his position as a Major, impersonating Ronan. Outsiders couldn’t recognize Ryder’s deliberate imitation and were easily fooled. But as his wife, who lived with him day in and day out, I recognized Ryder at a glance. I frantically questioned him, asking why he was impersonating his brother and abandoning our daughter and me. Ryder, however, looked indifferent, flatly denied it, and violently pushed me away. “I know you’re sad about my older brother’s death, but you can’t mistake me for him!” I was incredulous, kept questioning him, but Ryder pushed me into the ice-cold river in the dead of winter. He stood on the bank, shielding Serena, and watched me struggle with cold indifference. “I won’t let you hurt my wife!” Serena hid behind him, calling me a worthless slut who was trying to steal her man right after my husband died. I had a high fever for three days and three nights, with only my five-year-old daughter by my side. She cried, asking Ryder why Daddy didn’t acknowledge her. Ryder, however, said she was making things up at my instigation, and immediately locked her in the old barn to “reflect.” It took me three days to crawl out of hell, and my daughter had also been starved for three days and three nights. Ryder’s mother then cursed me, calling me a whore, blaming me for her son’s death. She threw my daughter and me out of the house, not giving us a single penny. I desperately knocked on the door in the snowy night, begging Ryder to save our daughter. But only his cold voice came through: “Layla, you’re crazy to mistake me for my older brother. If you can’t face reality, stay away from me.” My daughter and I had nowhere to go. Cold and hungry in the depths of winter, we eventually froze to death on the street. Thinking of these things, a fire burned in my heart. I wished I could drag that whole family down with me. Watching Ryder eagerly send his brother’s body for cremation, I thought coldly. Since you want to be with Serena forever, I’ll grant your wish. Be Ronan for the rest of your life.

Ryder acted quickly. Before long, the body was cremated, and he returned with an urn of ashes. A funeral hall had already been set up at home, and neighbors who heard the news came to help. Seeing a perfectly healthy person reduced to a black and white photo and an urn of ashes, everyone sighed. My face was pale and haggard from the experiences of my previous life, making me truly look like a heartbroken woman whose husband had died. Ryder, meanwhile, wrapped his arm around Serena and told me, “Serena just found out she’s pregnant. It’s not good for her to be in the funeral hall; she might get sick. She doesn’t need to be here.” He carefully helped Serena sit down, his face full of tenderness. I ignored their intimate display, but Serena spoke to me. “You don’t have a man in your house. In the future, you’ll inevitably need favors from Ronan. You can’t just take advantage, can you?” Her eyes were full of greed, trying to extract benefits from me with empty promises. Ryder also chimed in, “Don’t you still have some gold bracelets and earrings? Why not give them to Serena as a subsidy?” “You’re just one woman; you don’t need such precious things.” I looked up sharply, staring intensely at him. Those were the only keepsakes my mother had saved her whole life and left to me before she passed away. How dare he! Ryder, however, felt no guilt, making his demands self-righteously. “You don’t wear jewelry when you do housework or farm work. Giving them to Serena would make good use of them.” “Also, my brother asked me to handle some things for him before he died. Give me all the money he left in the house.” I was silent for a few seconds, then covered my face and started to cry. “There’s no money left. Ryder’s money was all used up long ago, even my dowry went to him. I don’t have any money now.” Ryder said anxiously, “That’s impossible! My brother clearly said he had over five hundred dollars!” I was fearless: “He was lying, feeling embarrassed about not having money, just trying to save face.” “Ronan, your brother is gone. You’re the only man left in the family. If you don’t help me and still demand money, are you trying to kill my child and me?!” These words were naturally false, but Ryder couldn’t refute them. The neighbors around listened and looked at me with pity, urging Ryder to help his sister-in-law. Ryder’s face darkened: “My older brother said he had five hundred dollars; it absolutely can’t be wrong.” I sneered, got up, and brought out all of Ryder’s things. “Ryder only left these broken old things. I’ll burn them for him right in front of you, so you won’t have to keep thinking about them.” I dragged over a metal basin used for burning, threw Ryder’s documents and letters into it, and lit his clothes on fire too. Ryder instinctively tried to stop me, then stopped, his face black. When I threw the things he had given me into the basin, he finally couldn’t hold back. “These are all things he gave you! What do you mean by burning them all?” My voice choked: “The person is gone. These inanimate objects have no meaning left.” “Moreover, you’re pressing me so hard. The moment he died, you started asking me for money. I want to ask Ryder where he had any money left for me!” I spoke with tears and extreme sorrow, causing everyone to sigh with emotion. Ryder’s face was ashen, and he could only watch me burn all his belongings. Back in the room, my daughter Lily opened her big eyes and asked me confusedly. “Mommy, that was Daddy, why does everyone say he’s Uncle?”

My heart ached. Even my daughter knew that was Ryder, yet he never admitted it, hardening his heart against his own child. I hugged my daughter tightly, trying hard to control my tears. “Lily, sweetie, that’s not Daddy. Daddy has left us.” That day, I immediately went to the military base to see the commanding officer, handed him the death certificate to report the death, and requested that Ryder’s military status be revoked. The commander said, “I also heard about Major Ryder’s sacrifice and deeply regret it.” “You are his family, and the organization will try its best to approve any requests you have.” I didn’t hesitate, speaking the idea I had considered for a long time. “I want to find a job on the military base, just enough to support my daughter and me.” The commander was a bit surprised: “It will be very hard on the base, and you’ll have to leave home. Have you thought this through?” This was my goal. I nodded firmly. The process was quickly completed. Not only was Ryder’s military status revoked, but I was also given a pension and funeral expenses. Back home, Ryder’s mother was sitting in the yard. Seeing me come in, she spoke sharply. “The whore is back? Her man’s dead, and she’s still out gallivanting all day. My son was truly unlucky to marry a wife like you.” Lily sat on the ground, sobbing with her head down, shelling corn. Her little hands were covered in blisters, some of them broken, red and swollen. Anger flared in my heart again, and I immediately picked up my daughter. “Lily is only five! Can’t you see her hands are all broken?!” Ryder’s mother put her hands on her hips and spat viciously: “You cheap slut, you haven’t given our family a child, and you dare talk back.” “You two outsiders, you don’t work but you expect free food?” I sneered: “Since my husband is dead anyway, I’ll just leave. I won’t take advantage of your family.” Saying that, I turned to leave, but Ryder’s mother wasn’t happy. She rushed over to block me. “If you leave, who will serve Serena while she’s having our grandson? You’ve been eating and drinking for free in our house for years, don’t think you can just walk away!” Serena stood by the window, stroking her belly, looking at me with a triumphant expression. “It’s your fault for not having a son. My belly holds the Ryder family’s only child, so you better take good care of me.” Ryder put one hand on her, ordering me: “Mom is getting old, and Serena needs care. Don’t be stubborn.” I couldn’t help but scoff. When I gave birth to Lily, why didn’t he say I needed care? My water broke, and I went to the hospital by myself. No one in the family cared about me. Ryder’s mother disliked me for not having a son and was indifferent to me. Ryder was nowhere to be seen, never asking a single question. So why should I serve them! I gritted my teeth, holding Lily, and returned to the room, carefully applying ointment to her hands. As I walked out, I heard Ryder and Serena talking. “Ryder, look at Layla. If you weren’t here to replace Ronan and stay with me, she would have killed me.” Ryder’s voice was gentle. “Don’t worry, Serena. For you and our child, I will protect you for life.” “Mom is also on your side; otherwise, why would she agree to me impersonating Ronan?” I clenched my palms, my lips almost bleeding from biting them. So, the child Serena was carrying was Ryder’s. She and Ryder’s mother both knew about Ryder’s impersonation. They had been involved for much longer than I thought. Only I knew nothing, having been deceived by him all this time. Looking at Lily’s sleeping face, I comforted myself, for the sake of the child, we would soon be able to leave this place. Sure enough, two days later, I received news from the commander. He had arranged a job for me, and I could start anytime. I immediately packed my things and prepared to leave. But unexpectedly, as I stepped out the door, I came face to face with Ryder’s ashen expression. His gaze fell on the train ticket in my hand, his voice cold. “Layla, where are you going?”

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My husband, Julian Thorne, was an artist. I took a portrait he had painted of me to a studio for restoration. A staff member pointed to a patch of chipped paint. “There appears to be another painting beneath.” After special processing, a hidden nude was revealed. The room gasped in amazement. Even as an amateur, I could feel the intense passion burning from the canvas. It was just a shame the woman in the artwork wasn’t me. With trembling fingers, I took a photo and sent it to Julian. “Who is she?” “Just come home. I’ll explain everything when you get here.” I walked into our bedroom in a daze and sank onto the edge of the bed. The pale outline on the wall, where his painting once hung, was a stark accusation. For five years, a nude of another woman had hung in our bedroom. And Julian had done it on purpose? The front door opened, followed by hurried footsteps. I turned to Julian. He looked flustered. “Alexa, I should have told you sooner. Many art students reuse canvases this way.” “This was just an old practice piece. It was thoughtless. I’m sorry.” So, art students typically paint over their fiancée’s portrait with another woman’s nude? Seeing I was still upset, he knelt before me, cupped my face, and gently kissed my forehead. “Don’t overthink this. What we have right now is the best arrangement.” Looking into his earnest eyes, I didn’t want to jeopardize our relationship over baseless suspicions. So, I said no more. But the next day, a gnawing unease still lingered. Our marriage was always one of convenience. I knew only that he had studied art at the academy. After taking over Thorne Corporation, he’d given up painting. He was loving after our marriage, and I never questioned anything more. But this painting stirred too many unsettling thoughts. I couldn’t shake the feeling of an undeniable, tangled connection between them. Instead of guessing, I needed answers. I sent the picture of the nude model I’d taken yesterday to a friend from the art academy. “She used to be a model at our school.” I breathed a small sigh of relief. Then, he added, his voice dropping. “Since you asked, I’ll just say it. “She was also your husband’s girlfriend back then.” My mind went completely blank! Julian had hung his ex-girlfriend’s portrait in our bedroom for five whole years! I couldn’t make out what else he was saying. Mechanically, I hung up the phone. Then, with trembling hands, I messaged Julian: “Something’s come up. Come home.” As soon as I arrived home, Mrs. Jenkins, the housekeeper, handed me a package. “It had Mr. Thorne’s phone number on it, so I signed for it. “But the name on it read, ‘Julian’s Seraphina.’” Julian’s Seraphina? Julian loves Seraphina Blake? My scalp tingled with dread! They were still together?! I held my breath, slowly opening this Pandora’s Box. What I found inside sent a shiver of disgust down my spine. It was a set of truly provocative, sexy lingerie! I thought of Julian’s perfectly composed demeanor, his image as the ideal gentleman. Anger, humiliation, surged through my chest!

I searched online for a private investigator, frantic. I had to know what he’d done behind my back. “Julian Thorne?” the voice on the other end chuckled. “Too hot to handle! “And your family, the Vances? Also way too hot to handle. I’ll give you an address. Consider it…an apology gift.” Even he knew? I desperately wanted to throw that lingerie in Julian’s face and confront him! But reason told me he’d have a hundred excuses. I decided to go to that address and see for myself first. I had just disposed of the lingerie. Julian appeared in the doorway. “Alexa, what’s wrong? Are you feeling unwell?” I turned my back to him, pouring tea, so he wouldn’t see the fury on my face. “Nothing. It’s handled.” He let out a sigh of relief, then asked, “Mrs. Jenkins mentioned a strange package?” My grip on the teacup tightened. “Seraphina? Never heard of them. Must’ve been a mistake, so I just tossed it. Should I try to retrieve it?” He managed a weak smile. “No, that’s alright.” That night, he held me from behind. His hand stroked my skin, his breathing turning urgent. But I kept staring at the pale outline on the wall. Images flashed- the model, the nudes, the lingerie… “I’m tired.” Julian stilled. Then his touch withdrew, and he turned his back to me. A long silence stretched before he spoke again. “I have a business trip tomorrow. A week. Take care of yourself.” “Okay.” The next day, I timed it perfectly and drove to the address the detective had given me. At the alley entrance, I asked a lady for directions. She frowned. “Oh, those two! “They just mess around all day, running an art shop that never seems to get any business, but they don’t care. “Always all over each other, hugging and kissing, then disappearing into the back. Who knows what they’re up to. It’s scandalous!” My feet felt like they were cast in lead as I trudged deeper into the alley. From a distance, I saw Julian sitting under a tree, fiddling with his paintbrushes. His hair was loose, swaying in front of his eyes, and the top two buttons of his oversized shirt were undone. He was a completely different person from the Julian I knew. I realized, this was Julian Blake, the artist! Just as I was lost in thought, a woman emerged from the shop.

I recognized her instantly: Seraphina Blake, the nude model from the painting. Her hair was casually tied back, wearing the same white shirt, her collarbone subtly peeking out. She leaned in, whispering something into Julian’s ear. The flush on her cheeks was visible even from where I stood. Julian pulled her into his arms, looking as excited as a a stray dog. Seraphina’s collar slipped, revealing a familiar strip of lace. Then, Julian swept her into his arms and carried her into the shop. I felt the blood drain from my feet, slowly ebbing away. I don’t know how long I stood there, frozen. When I came to, I was already inside the shop. It was all Seraphina; he had filled the entire gallery with her. In the oil paintings, she was clearly a woman deeply loved. Compared to my formal, almost stiff portrait, mine looked pathetic and ridiculous. I continued further in. It was a shop with living quarters in the back. In the living room, their Polaroid photos were scattered everywhere, each with a handwritten caption. “She called him after a car accident, a fractured bone, but a rare orchid was about to bloom, and if he missed it, he’d have to wait another year.” “On their wedding anniversary, he said he hated ‘performing love,’ and he came here to be with me instead.” Before I could even swallow my tears, clear, intimate sounds drifted from the bedroom. So this was his “best arrangement”! A CEO bound by duty and convention, but also an uninhibited, wild artist. Weak-kneed, I leaned against the wall, the sounds hammering at my heart, escalating from pain to fury, then to bitter resentment. I wanted to burst through that door, rip at her hair hysterically, and demand to know why? But then what? In a lull of their passion, I heard voices. “Alexa Vance found your portrait.” “Oh? She’ll hate me.” “I made up an excuse. She’ll probably believe it. “Even if she doesn’t, she’ll just look away. That’s the nature of our…transaction.” “Giving her that painting was an impulse.” “But when she found it…I felt a thrill of revenge.” He was wrong. I had loved him. I had cared. My sincerity had been a target for his betrayal.I would not look away. Though, at this very moment, that sincerity had abruptly died. Seraphina seemed to be sobbing. “If it weren’t for me, would you have been able to accept her? You wouldn’t have been so miserable then.” “She’s a good woman, but I needed an escape for my soul.” I gave a bitter laugh in my heart. What a pair of star-crossed lovers. Julian, you greedy coward! You didn’t dare defy your father, but you had the gall to take it out on me? I left the alley and drove to his father’s estate. “Your son is cheating, and you forced him into it.” He stopped pruning a branch, his expression showing no surprise. “Oh, I wouldn’t call it ‘cheating’ exactly. This was his condition for marrying you and taking over the corporation. “That woman hiding in that little shop won’t affect you. “Julian needs an outlet when he’s under pressure, and she can take some of the burden off you. “This is a critical period for the corporation’s growth. Don’t let him get distracted, don’t bother him with these things. “Remember, our two families rise and fall together. “As the adopted daughter of the Vance family, your most important duty is to be grateful and repay that kindness. “Just pretend these little romantic dramas don’t exist. “I won’t tell Julian you were here today, either.” Just because I’m the adopted daughter of the Vance family, you think you can deceive and manipulate me like an idiot?! I clenched my fists and nodded. “I understand, Dad.”

After leaving, I immediately called my brother, Cameron. “Can you come home?” “What, is the old man finally calling me back to inherit the family fortune? “Tell him I’m making more money than him now, I’m not coming back. “But your voice… what’s wrong? Were you just crying?” Cameron had been very rebellious as a teenager, running off abroad and refusing to return. He didn’t even show up for my wedding. Dad, furious, cut off all contact with him. Outside, rumors even circulated that he was dead. “I’ve been wronged.” “I’ll be right back. Whatever you need, I’ll help you.” Seven days later, Julian returned, almost giddy with excitement. “I want to introduce you to someone. But promise me you won’t get angry, okay?” As soon as he finished speaking, Seraphina Blake casually walked through the door, a subtle smirk playing on her lips. How dare they?! Before I could react, Julian pulled me down onto the sofa, kneeling in front of me. “I know because of that painting, you might see her as a rival. “But I brought her back solely to secure investment from Maplewood Venture Capital. “Her brother knows Maplewood’s controlling stakeholder.” All of this was my plan. That mysterious controlling stakeholder was my brother. I just never expected him to bring Seraphina directly to me! “You’ve been in contact with her this whole time?” Julian clearly had his story ready. “I ran into her by chance during my business trip. “Maplewood is holding a large art exhibition here and will be looking for excellent art investment companies to inject capital into. “She told me all about it.” Seraphina seized the opportunity to walk over to me. “Alexa, for art students, these things are nothing out of the ordinary. “Me standing naked in front of him was no different to him than those plaster statues. “Please don’t misunderstand us because of that painting and jeopardize Julian’s career.” No different to him than those plaster statues. The memory from the alley flashed back. Julian composed himself and squeezed my hand. “There’s one more thing,” he said, his tone deliberate. “I need Seraphina to stay here. Too many eyes are on this project. I have to ensure perfection.” His gaze held its usual, practiced sincerity. Julian, I thought, you must be so tired from all this acting. “Of course,” I heard myself say. “The bigger picture is more important.” A swift, furtive glance passed between them. I swallowed the bitterness and told myself to treat it as exposure therapy. In the days that followed, I felt like a ghost in my own home. The brief eye contact across the dinner table, the accidental brush of shoulders on the stairwell… I saw everything. It must be so hard for you to hold back, Julian. I’ll make sure you both get exactly what you deserve.

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Seven years into our marriage, the media dug up my singer husband Jax’s private Instagram account. It was a digital shrine to his love life, filled with daily updates. “My wife looked so cute in her pink sweater today!” “Wrote her a new song. She loves it!” “Gave her a pink diamond ring. Her smile lights up my world. My girl gets everything she desires!” “Second day post-concert…missing her already.” Tabloids had a field day: “Notoriously Arrogant Singer Is a Total Simp in Private!” My best friend Chloe forwarded the articles, gushing, “You’re so lucky! He’s obsessed with you!” A bitter laugh escaped me. I don’t own a single pink sweater. And that breathtaking pink diamond? Never seen it. I hated pink. I did wear pink once. A long time ago. It was during my pursuit of Jax. Everyone said he liked innocent, girly types. So I bought a pink dress for our Christmas meet-up, burying my own dislike for the color. That night, a heavy snow fell. I waited outside his studio, freezing. Half an hour late, Jax finally showed up. He took one look at me and smirked. “Rowan, you look like a pink pig.” Laughter erupted around him. I fled, the heat of humiliation searing through the winter chill. After that, I never wore pink again. My phone buzzed with Chloe’s awkward attempt to smooth things over. “Don’t overthink it, Rowan.” “Maybe he says he dislikes it, but secretly loves it.” “We all know what kind of guy Jax is.” She was right. In college, Jax was infamous for his sharp tongue and icy glare. My roommate put it best. “He’s gorgeous, but it’s a shame he ever opens his mouth.” He tore into every girl who liked him. Except me. He mocked my clothes, my food, my mere existence beside him. Yet, at a class reunion, when I sat hidden in a corner, it was him who coolly beckoned me over. “Hey, come sit here.” Later, he became a superstar. At his first sold-out concert, he sang an entire love song, his gaze fixed squarely in my direction. Then the camera found him. His face, impossibly handsome and utterly serious, filled the screen. “Everyone, meet the leading lady of my life.” Lights flashed. The crowd screamed. And through it all, he was smiling at me. Backstage, Jax’s manager tore into him. “Are you trying to throw away your career? Your fans?” Leaning against the wall, Jax just smiled. “You don’t get it. My girlfriend’s the dramatic type. If I didn’t make a big show of it, she’d have made a scene later.” The fallout was real. His career stalled for years. It only revived last year, when a new song swept the awards. However, the person who presented him with the award was a friend who used to be far less successful than him. That guy had dumped his girlfriend of ten years for his career, then shot to stardom. So, a reporter asked Jax if he regretted his public declaration back then. “No regrets.” Jax showed off the necklace on his collarbone to the camera. It was a birthday gift I’d bought him after delivering takeout for five months straight. He once said that necklace was more precious than any trophy. But in his latest faceless selfie from his private account. The necklace on his neck had been replaced with a pink Hello Kitty cartoon pendant. He used to say that thing was too childish. Yet now. He practically gloated. “Got matching necklaces with my wife!”

I sat in the living room all night. Scrolling through his private Ins posts, over and over again. He said her desserts were delicious. Meanwhile, the cake I’d spent all morning baking for him, he just glanced at it before tossing it into the trash right in front of me. He praised her as lively, outgoing, and good at socializing. But if I so much as talked to someone for a few minutes, he’d sneer, “Gotta make everything about you, huh?” He meticulously prepared gifts for her, for their first day, first week, first month together. A man known for his impatience would spend an entire day at a crafting table. “Just thinking about my wife’s face when she gets the gift makes me happy! Her eyes all sparkly and cute, she’s adorable!” Today was my thirtieth birthday. Jax hadn’t even come home. I waited for him until midnight, then finally couldn’t resist calling him. It took a long time for him to answer. The music was blasting on his end, loud enough to burst eardrums, and the laughter of men and women was a chaotic mix. “I told you I’m busy, can you please stop bothering me?!” “Huh? It’s your birthday today?” “…I forgot.” I silently opened his private account. Ten minutes ago, he’d posted. “Don’t want to go home.” Jax finally came home when it was almost dawn. The sound of the door opening. A mix of alcohol and heavy perfume hit me. Then I saw him, leaning against the doorframe. He was typing on his phone. Noticing the living room light, he glanced at me, then lowered his head back to his screen. “Not asleep yet?” “No.” Jax replied with an indifferent “Oh,” still focused on his phone. The person on the other end must have said something funny, as he instinctively flashed a helpless smile. I just sat on the couch, watching him quietly. After about three to five minutes, Jax finally realized I hadn’t left. He put away his phone, rubbed his nose, and frowned, looking up at me. “Still not going to bed?” “I…” “Perfect.” He cut me off, sat down next to me, and naturally ordered, “Go make me some tea.” To protect Jax’s voice, I’d specifically learned to make many different kinds of herbal tea. Jax always said they tasted awful, but he’d still drink them, frowning all the while. But not this time. I brought him the tea, he took a sip, then immediately poured the entire cup into a potted plant. “Ugh, your cooking is really getting worse.” The burn blister on my finger throbbed with a searing pain. I kept my head down, not saying a word. Then I remembered what he’d written on his private account. “My wife burned dinner today, but I still ate it all up!” Suddenly, I found it all incredibly tedious. “I’m going back to my room.” “Hey!” Jax called out from behind me. I turned around. A palm-sized box hit my chest. I instinctively gasped. He frowned, a little annoyed, then turned his head away. “Happy Birthday.” Inside the box was the same cartoon pendant he wore. A goofy-looking plush bear, grinning widely.

“See? I told you that person on his private account was you.” Chloe came to see me the next day. She saw the pendant and confidently tried to reassure me. “If Jax really didn’t like you, why would he stay with you for so many years? Look at his staff, there isn’t a single woman among them.” I couldn’t argue. But a woman’s intuition always told me something was off. Like that childish and exaggerated cartoon pendant hanging on a silk pajama shirt. It just didn’t fit, no matter how I looked at it. Chloe sighed, seeing my expression. “How about this? You call him right now? No, that’s not a good idea.” I almost instinctively refused. Jax absolutely hated me checking up on him. There were times when I’d been uneasy and called him a few times before. Every time, it ended in a huge fight. He’d say I didn’t trust him, that I was bothering his work. Once, he even smashed a glass in front of a whole room of people and called me crazy. Chloe held her phone up to me. On the screen was one of Jax’s posts. “My wife is checking up on me again! ” “Such a silly girl, she just doesn’t believe I love her.” “But I really love how she gets all flustered and overthinks for me.” “Praying my wife checks up on me every single day.” The comment section was filled with “OMG, my heart!” I hesitated, then took the phone and dialed Jax’s number. It rang once and was immediately picked up. Jax’s tone wasn’t exactly warm, but he didn’t hang up immediately when I asked what he was doing. “Playing tennis with Liam, my assistant.” The sound of a tennis ball hitting the ground echoed from the other end of the line. Jax loved sports; he always set aside two or three days a week to play. Liam, his assistant, was someone I knew. A recent college graduate, with a clean background and a normal orientation. I awkwardly said, “Oh.” Jax’s sneer came through the phone. “Still don’t trust me? Why don’t you come see for yourself?” I quickly declined. “No, that’s okay.” My tennis skills weren’t great, and Jax played super aggressively, no holds barred. He’d absolutely crushed me with his serves a few times on the court. So I wasn’t eager to join in the fun. Jax gave a cold laugh on the other end. “Oh, by the way, I won’t be home tonight.” My concern for him was almost instinctive. “Is Liam with you?” Jax mumbled evasively. “Then tell Liam to be careful, your throat needs to drink…” “Alright. I need to play now.” Jax impatiently hung up before I could finish. Chloe looked at me, quite amused. “Happy now? Even if Jax did cheat, it wouldn’t be with Liam.” I forced a smile. Something still didn’t add up. I attributed it to worrying about Jax being away. After all, Jax, the big shot, always focused on his art and ignored practical matters, so all the household chores fell to me. I washed his underwear and socks, cooked him three meals a day. During the most exhausting times, I’d work two jobs a day and still come home to clean up his takeout containers left on the dining table. Chloe even joked that I was practically his mother. But when you love someone, you inevitably give more. I wrote a long list of instructions and sent them to Liam. Thinking he was with Jax playing tennis, I specifically added. “No rush, you can read it after you finish playing.” Liam’s call came through the next second. “Didn’t Jax tell you? I quit being his assistant two years ago.”

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On a New Year’s Day, Mom held my hand and led me out of the orphanage. At that time, I was five years old. She said from now on, my birthday would be January 1st. “Every year, we’ll celebrate your birthday with you and help you make one birthday wish come true.” I nodded hard. Back then, I didn’t understand that every wish I made, Mom would take something from me. At six, I wished to see fireworks, and my bone marrow was taken. At seven, I wished for a doll, and a kidney was removed. At eight, I wished for cake, and a lobe of my liver was cut out. This year, I was ten. Mom looked at me gently in the candlelight. “Willow, make a wish.” In the flickering candlelight, I closed my eyes. My only wish this year was that Mom wouldn’t take anything else from me. … Outside the window, fireworks sparkled in Mom’s gentle eyes. She softly asked, “What did you wish for this year, Willow?” I looked into her eyes, where I saw the warmth I had longed for all year. I carefully leaned closer and whispered, “I wished that you would love me forever, Mom.” Mom’s expression froze for a second. Then, she opened her arms and pulled me into a tight embrace. The hug was so tight I could barely breathe. She smelled faintly of perfume. My cheek pressed against her soft sweater, and my eyes immediately welled up. “Silly child,” Mom’s voice came from above my head, with a hint of a laugh. “Of course I love you. As long as you’re good, as long as Ava can live, I’ll love you forever.” I nodded vigorously, my tears soaking into her sweater. Mom only hugged me on my birthday when I made a wish, so this was the hug I had waited an entire year for. I reached out my thin arms, wanting to hug her back, but Mom pulled away first. She cupped my face in her hands, her thumb wiping away my tears. “You’re such a sensible girl. So, I’ll grant your wish, and you grant mine, okay? Just help Ava one more time, sweetie.” I nodded. It was always like this. I was used to it. “Ava’s heart is getting worse,” Mom’s voice remained gentle. “The doctor said she needs a healthy heart. Are you willing to give your heart to her?” “Tomorrow, Mom will take you to the hospital for a compatibility test. If it’s a match, Ava can live. Willow wants Ava to live, too, right?” I looked into her expectant eyes, at the gentle smile on her lips. “Okay,” I said. Mom’s smile instantly brightened. She hugged me again, this time quickly and lightly. “I knew Willow was the best girl.” As she stood up to cut the cake, the living room door suddenly burst open. Ava, my older sister, walked in, bundled in a thick winter coat. Her cheeks were red from the cold wind, but her eyes sparkled brightly. “Mom! The countdown event has started at the plaza! Elara said she can take us to the front to watch the fireworks show!” Mom immediately put down the cake knife and went to Ava, brushing the snowflakes off her shoulder. “Slow down, sweetie, don’t choke on the cold air. It’s so cold outside; how about we go after your surgery?” “But I want to go!” Ava tugged on Mom’s hand, whining playfully. “It’s only once a year! And the doctor said I’m stable right now…” Mom glanced at me, then back at Ava’s eagerly anticipating face. The glance was so brief, I couldn’t read the emotion in it. “Alright, alright, but just for a little while. You can’t get tired.” Mom’s tone held a pampering affection I’d never heard before. Then she turned to me. “Willow, you have your compatibility test at the hospital tomorrow. Get some rest tonight, so you won’t go.” I opened my mouth, wanting to say I wanted to see the fireworks too, a real fireworks display. Mom had promised me when I was six; I still remembered her smiling and saying, “Of course, after you help your sister, Mom will take you.” But after I donated my bone marrow on the operating table, Mom just patted my head and said, “We’ll see the fireworks next time; Ava can’t wait.” But the words caught in my throat, and I swallowed them back down. Mom was already leading Ava to the door, without looking back. “Willow, don’t eat anything after the cake. You need to fast tomorrow.” The door closed.

I stood there, still holding the piece of cake Mom had given me earlier. The living room fell silent, save for the noisy New Year’s Eve special on TV. The host was excitedly counting down: “Ten more minutes! The New Year is almost here!” I carried my cake and slowly walked back to my small room. The storage room had no windows. I sat on my little bed, eating the cake in tiny bites. It was sweet. Bitterly sweet. I suddenly remembered that night when I was seven, after the kidney transplant surgery. The anesthetic had worn off, and the wound burned like fire. I cried for Mom. A nurse came in, looked at me, and said Mom was in Ava’s room because Ava had a nightmare. That night, I counted the cracks in the ceiling. When I reached three hundred twenty-seven, the sky turned light. At eight, after the liver surgery, I vomited until I was dizzy. Mom came into the room for a quick look, frowning as she told the nurse, “Why is her reaction so strong? It won’t affect the liver’s quality, will it?” She didn’t ask if I was in pain. She didn’t ask if I was scared. She only cared about the organ that was no longer in my body, whether *it* was okay. The cake was quickly finished, but a sharper emptiness and pain gnawed at my stomach. Since that afternoon, I had only eaten this small piece of cake. Mom said I needed to fast, but no one told me fasting would be this unbearable. The old scars on my abdomen began to throb faintly. Ever since my kidney was removed, I’d been in pain every night, unable to sleep. The living room lights were already dim. Elara had probably gone to her room to rest after tidying up the kitchen. The entire house was quiet, except for the rumbling in my stomach and the scattered firecrackers celebrating the New Year in the distance. I held back for as long as I could, but eventually, I gently pushed open the storage room door. There had to be something to eat in the kitchen, even just a slice of bread. There was a bowl of soup in the fridge that looked delicious. I swallowed hard. “Willow?” Elara’s voice came from behind me. I jumped in fright, nearly dropping the bowl. “Are you hungry?” Elara walked over, looked at me, and her face showed a troubled expression. “But Mrs. Celeste specifically instructed that you need to have blood drawn tomorrow and must fast…” “Just one sip of soup,” I pleaded softly. My stomach let out another loud rumble. “Elara, I’m so hungry, my stomach hurts…” Elara hesitated. She looked at the clock on the wall, then at my pale little face and the hand clutching my stomach. Finally, she sighed. “Just a tiny sip, truly, only a tiny sip. Otherwise, if Mrs. Celeste finds out, I’ll be in trouble.” She took the bowl of soup from the fridge, poured a small spoonful into a cup, and heated it in the microwave. During those few seconds, a rich aroma wafted out. My stomach felt clutched by an invisible hand, and the pain made me bend over. “Here, drink slowly.” The moment the warm soup flowed down my throat, I almost burst into tears. I was so hungry, every warm sip felt like salvation. I held the cup, sipping in small gulps, afraid of drinking too fast and running out. Just then, the sound of keys turning came from the entryway. Dad and Mom were back with Ava. Ava was cradled in Dad’s arms, her little face buried in his shoulder, breathing steadily. Mom followed behind, carrying Ava’s small backpack. When they saw me standing in the kitchen, holding the cup, their smiles instantly froze. “Willow? Didn’t I tell you to fast?” Mom rushed over in a few steps, snatching the cup from my hand. Ava woke up with the commotion. She opened her eyes, saw Mom’s furious face, and instinctively shrank further into Dad’s embrace. “Mom…” I looked at her, tears uncontrollably welling up. “I’m really hungry, my stomach hurts so bad…” I pointed to the side of my abdomen where my kidney was missing. It was throbbing with pain from hunger and cold. “Why are you in pain? You’re doing this on purpose! Are you deliberately eating because you don’t want to donate your heart to Ava?” “No, Mom, I’m really hungry…” I cried out, trying to pull on her sleeve. Dad frowned, carrying Ava and turning to walk towards the master bedroom. “Celeste, put Ava to bed first. Don’t scare the child.” Mom’s finger almost poked my nose. “Willow, didn’t I tell you that as long as you’re good, I’ll love you? Didn’t you promise you’d give your heart to Ava?” “I promised, I promised, Mom, please don’t yell at me, don’t abandon me…” I cried, gasping for air. “You’re a liar! You just don’t want to save Ava! I raised you for nothing!” She grabbed my arm, her grip so strong it felt like she was crushing my bones, and dragged me towards the storage room. A familiar fear washed over me like a tide. She was going to abandon me, just like the auntie at the orphanage said back then, disobedient children eventually get thrown away. Mom shoved me roughly into the storage room. I stumbled and fell to the floor, the pain piercing. “You selfish ingrate, stay here and reflect!” The storage room door slammed shut, and the familiar darkness enveloped me.

I curled up in the cold corner, my stomach aching with emptiness. Hunger gnawed at me from the inside, making me shiver and tremble. What was worse was the itch. I couldn’t help but scratch, my nails leaving red marks on my skin. But the more I scratched, the more it itched, an unbearable itch that made me want to roll on the floor. “Don’t be hungry anymore, Mom doesn’t want me anymore…” I mumbled, digging my fingers hard into my skin. “A heart transplant will fix it… If I scratch it clean, Mom will come back…” My nails broke the skin, and warm liquid oozed out. The pain finally overshadowed the itching. Darkness stole my vision, but it made my other senses incredibly sharp. I could hear my own heavy breathing, and I could smell the sweet scent of dumplings in the air. It was New Year’s Day; every family must be eating dumplings. I wished I could eat some too. My consciousness gradually blurred, and I saw that woman again. On a snowy night, she wore a thin coat, holding a child tightly bundled in her arms. I couldn’t clearly see her face, only remembered that she kept crying, her shoulders shaking violently. She placed the child on the cold steps and turned to leave. “Mommy… Mommy…” The child cried out, stretching out tiny hands. That was me. One or two years old. The woman paused for a moment but didn’t look back. Snowflakes fell on her head, quickly turning her into a white shadow. “Mommy, take me with you, I’ll be good!” “Don’t leave me… please… don’t leave me…” I cried and chased after her, but her back grew smaller and smaller, finally disappearing into the wind and snow at the street corner. I knelt in the snow, crying until my throat was hoarse, crying until my whole body was stiff. Until an auntie from the orphanage came out, dragged me back like garbage, and threw me into that small, windowless dark room. “What are you crying for? Your mom doesn’t want you! Crying won’t help!” The sound of the lock clicking, exactly like tonight. “No… Mom… don’t abandon me…” I woke up sobbing in my dream, my face wet, unable to tell if it was cold sweat or tears. It was morning. I struggled to get up. The scratched wounds had formed thin scabs, tearing with every movement, a ripping pain. I leaned against the wall, slowly shuffling to the door, and gently pushed it open a crack. The living room lights were on, and a large plate of white, plump dumplings sat on the dining table. Ava sat in her special high-backed chair, a few dumplings in a small bowl in front of her. Mom was picking one up, carefully blowing on it to cool it, and putting it to Ava’s mouth. “Here, Ava, open up. These are lucky dumplings. Eat them for a safe and healthy New Year.” Ava obediently opened her mouth, took a bite, and a satisfied smile appeared on her face. “Delicious!” “If it’s delicious, eat more.” Dad sat next to her, smiling as he poured Ava a glass of warm milk. “It’s New Year’s Day today, our Ava needs to eat plenty of fortune.” My gaze was fixed on that plate of dumplings. Hungry, so hungry, I saw black spots before my eyes. I forgot the pain, forgot last night’s punishment, my eyes saw nothing but food. “Willow?” Dad saw me first, pausing in surprise. Mom and Ava also turned their heads. But at that moment, I couldn’t care about anything else. All my attention was on the dumpling that had fallen out of Ava’s bowl. Before my fingertips could even touch it, Ava, trying to protect her bowl, accidentally bumped my hand with her arm. Already weak, I toppled over from her touch, crashing into the dining table and making a mess. Then, Ava burst into tears, “Wah!” Her eyes instantly flooded. “My dumplings… my lucky dumplings… they’re gone…” Mom’s face turned ashen. She abruptly stood up, and a heavy slap landed on my face. My head snapped to the side, my ears rang, and half my face was numb with a burning sensation. “Willow, are you doing this on purpose? You can’t stand to see Ava doing well, can you? You even try to snatch Ava’s lucky dumplings?” I cried, shaking my head, my insides clenching with fear. “I’m so hungry, I want to save Ava, I’ll give my heart to Ava, just let me eat something…” Mom suddenly let out a cold laugh, grabbing me and dragging me towards the door. “Then let’s go to the hospital right now, get the surgery done early! So you won’t be an eyesore at home, always thinking about harming Ava!” The cold morning wind cut like a knife across my face. Dressed in my thin pajamas, I was shoved into the car by Mom. The car drove towards the hospital. I was led into a bright room. The doctor, wearing a white coat, looked at me, covered in scratches, and frowned deeply. “Mr. Marcus, Mrs. Celeste, this child looks at most ten years old, and her body is severely depleted. Do you really want to do a heart compatibility test now?” “Is the child willing? Have you asked for the child’s opinion?” Mom’s face was full of anger. “She’s willing.” I found strength from somewhere and dropped to my knees before Mom, tears streaming down my face. “Dad, Mom, I want to eat lucky dumplings, I want Mom to call me sweetie, I want Mom to love me.” “I want to live past this year too.”

I cried, trembling uncontrollably, almost suffocating. The hospital room instantly fell silent. Ava, startled by me, shrank into Mom’s arms, coughing violently. “Mom! Does she not want to give me her heart anymore?” “It’s all because of her! Ever since she came to our house, I’ve been sick, always having surgery. Did she pass her bad luck onto me?” “Oh, and she stole my lucky dumplings this year, and now she wants to steal my Dad and Mom too!” Steal? I abruptly looked up, screaming as if I’d lost my mind, tears mixing with the bloodstains on my face. “Then who took what was drawn from my spine, who took my kidney, who took my liver from my belly!” “My body, my organs, my life, aren’t they worth anything? Ever since I came here, I’ve been losing things, always in pain. I never took anything, I gave you everything!” Another slap, heavier and crueler than before. This time it was Dad. His big hand roughly grabbed my hair, yanking me up from the floor. “Willow, your wretched life, from the day you were abandoned at the orphanage entrance, it was worthless!” “A worthless thing abandoned by her own parents, a good-for-nothing who would eventually starve, freeze, or fall ill and die in an orphanage! Our family took pity on you, pulled you out of that awful place! We gave you food, we gave you clothes!” “From the day we brought you home, your existence was solely for Ava to live! Now Ava needs your heart, this is your fate, what you owe our family!” I lay on the ground, my blood frozen. So that’s how it was. Just because I owed them. Then I’ll pay them back. I smiled faintly, slowly pushed myself up, and stood shakily. “Doctor, I voluntarily agree to the surgery. Can we do it now?” Dad grunted. “It’s about time. Stop stalling and delaying Ava’s condition!” I entered the operating room. Anesthetic slowly spread from the vein on the back of my hand, flowing through my limbs. The doctor was making the final preparations. I strained to turn my head, looking at the small observation window of the operating room. Behind the window glass, two shadowy figures stood. It was Dad and Mom. They stood side by side, their gaze fixed on Ava, who was on another operating table beside me. Mom pressed her hands together under her chin, as if praying, Dad’s arm was around her shoulder, his lips pressed thin. From beginning to end, they never looked at me. Not even once. The anesthetic’s potency grew stronger, and my consciousness began to blur. The last thing I saw was Mom leaning close to the observation window, nodding vigorously at the doctor inside, her lips seeming to form the words: “Please, save her.” Then she turned and walked with Dad towards Ava’s observation room next door. Their backs, and the retreating shadow from that snowy night in my memory, completely overlapped at that moment. I closed my eyes, letting the darkness completely envelop me. Mom, Dad. Everything you wanted, I’ve given back to you. My bone marrow, my kidney, my liver, and this heart. This time, we’re finally even. I don’t owe you anything anymore. I don’t know how much time passed, but the door opened again. Outside the operating room, Dad and Mom rushed over as soon as the chief surgeon emerged. The surgeon nodded. “The surgery was very successful, with almost no rejection.” “This situation is extremely rare in non-blood-related transplants; usually, only direct blood relatives have such perfect tissue compatibility.” The air suddenly froze. Dad’s voice was hoarse as he spoke. “Direct blood relatives?”

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My wife, Stella Reed, and I resented each other for half our lives. She hated me for tying her down with marriage and kids, making her lose her chance to make it big in New York. I hated her for constantly partying, dumping her ailing parents and our two kids on me. When we both reincarnated, we locked eyes in the crowd, then turned and walked away from each other without a second thought. Hopefully, this time, neither of us will have any regrets. The day I finally confirmed my university application, my dad walked into my study, glanced at me, and nodded in approval. “Alright, son, with those SAT scores, you should go to a good university! Don’t spend all your time chasing after that Reed girl, what’s so great about her anyway?” My mom heard him from the kitchen, rushed in, pulled my dad away, and shot him a glare. “Keep it down. He knows what he’s doing.” I smiled, watching my parents leave, and suddenly felt a lump in my throat. In my previous life, I’d snuck out of the house late at night to go to the train station to find Stella. My parents, worried sick, went looking for me and were hit by a drunk truck driver. I never even got to see them one last time. I swallowed back my tears, moved my mouse, and clicked the final confirmation button on my university application without hesitation. In my last life, Stella, who I’d grown up with, suddenly declared she wanted to be a singer and move to New York to pursue her dream. But before that, she’d always said her dream was to be with me, and for us to go to the same university. For her, I didn’t hesitate to waste my incredibly high SAT scores, applying to the same average university she did. But two days before the acceptance letters arrived, she suddenly announced her plan to chase her dream in New York. Stella’s sick parents came knocking on our door, begging me to help them find their daughter. I went in my previous life. My parents, worried about me, chased after me and ended up in that car accident. When I finally brought Stella back, she heard her parents’ tearful accusations—that she was responsible for my parents’ deaths—and that she *had* to make it up to me. So they forced Stella and me to get engaged, planning for us to marry right after graduation. But then she got pregnant when I was just a sophomore, forcing her to take an early leave from school and rush our marriage. Pregnancy, childbirth, childcare—two years flew by. I was thrilled to return to campus, but then Stella’s parents fell seriously ill and came to live with us for treatment. Stella told me to be sensible. She said her parents had already worked so hard for her education, and now they were sick and needed care. As for her, she would, of course, go to work to earn money and support the family. Back then, for Stella’s sake, I didn’t mention that her meager monthly salary wasn’t even enough for the kids’ formula or our basic household expenses. Eventually, I had to sell our old house to cover her parents’ medical bills and raise our two children. But while I sacrificed my education and struggled to keep our large family afloat, she used her small salary to hang out with dubious friends. What little money she had, she spent on music, claiming it was to fulfill her dream. The pressure of the family choked me. After several failed attempts at communication, we started having massive arguments. She’d call me old-fashioned and useless, narrow-minded, claiming that if I hadn’t dragged her back, she’d be a big singer in New York by now. She even accused me of using my parents’ deaths to guilt-trip her into marrying me. I didn’t hold back either, calling her delusional! With that raspy voice, thinking she could be a singer was pure fantasy! When she brought up my parents’ deaths, I snapped. I lunged at her, wanting to shut her up, but she shoved me away hard. After that, Stella started deliberately staying out, and her parents, who rarely saw their daughter, blamed everything on me. They complained that I was insensitive and inconsiderate, always upsetting their daughter. They completely forgot how they’d begged me to find her in the first place. In that miserable life, I gritted my teeth, pinched pennies, and took on odd jobs to earn money to support the family. But the children I worked so hard to raise were never close to me. They were always much closer to Stella, who never did anything. I thought they’d understand when they grew up. I waited over two decades, until they were married with their own families. But they all vied to have Stella live with them, while they were cold and distant towards me. “Dad, you controlled us too much when we were young. We don’t want to hear lectures anymore.” “Mom’s dreams were crushed by you when she was young. Now that she’s older, we’re taking her to New York to chase them again.” “Grandma and Grandpa Reed were right, you just want everyone to live the life you plan. You’re selfish!” I never imagined my own children would say such things. I went home heartbroken, only to see Stella triumphantly packing her bags, bragging about how she was finally leaving me to live the good life. I’d slaved away for this family for over two decades, only to be branded selfish and controlling. Why did Stella get to be so carefree? She ignored her family and responsibilities, yet ended up being the open-minded mother in our children’s eyes? I lunged forward and pushed Stella down. She was stunned for a moment, then grabbed a vase and smashed it at me. “You dare lay a hand on me? I’ll kill you…” So our deaths were, in fact, the just deserts of our mutual fight. The moment we both fell to the ground, I prayed in my heart that if there was a next life, I’d never, ever meet Stella Reed again.

The day I reincarnated was the same day I finally confirmed my university application. Looking at my parents, who were still by my side, I vowed never to get involved with Stella again. After the SATs, parties were popping up left and right. My friends and I had just finished one when I spotted Stella not far away, laughing and chatting with her own group of friends. She wore a dress, her long hair draped over her shoulders, her eyes crinkling when she smiled, making her stand out in the crowd. “I heard Stella Reed isn’t going to college; she’s off to New York to be a singer!” “Wow, is that what they call ‘chasing your dream’ these days? If she becomes a big star, shouldn’t we get a few signed photos now, for future value?” “Alex, aren’t you and Stella childhood friends? You must know about her going to New York, right?” My friend nudged me, and my gaze happened to cross the crowd, meeting Stella’s as she casually turned her head. Her eyes landed on me, freezing for a moment, a complex, unreadable light flashing within them. Just that one look, and I knew: Stella had also reincarnated. “I don’t know. I have something to do; I’m heading back.” I turned away without a trace of lingering emotion. If she wanted to go to New York, let her. What did her life have to do with me? As the day of Stella’s departure approached, I playfully told my parents I missed Grandma and wanted them to come visit her with me. My parents, who always doted on me, packed our bags without a second thought and took me out the door. Just then, Monica Reed, Stella’s mom, opened her door and looked surprised to see us leaving. “Going somewhere?” My dad chuckled, “Alex misses his grandma. We’re staying a few days.” Monica smiled and nodded, watching us leave. I pretended to be nonchalant, but inside, I clenched my fists tight, not letting my emotions show. It was laughable that in my previous life, I believed Monica truly cared about me. Only later did I realize her motives were never pure from the start. She’d had her eyes on our house for a long time, which was why she worked so hard to push Stella and me together after my parents died. Back then, without my parents, I cried constantly. Gentle, good-tempered Monica took care of me daily, making me drop all my guard. Plus, I liked Stella, so I naturally agreed. Who would have thought they had been prepared from the very beginning? I took a deep breath, hiding the slight tremor caused by my anger, and cheerfully talked to my parents about Grandma’s new pony, though from the corner of my eye, I saw Stella’s hurried footsteps. Stella must have realized I’d also reincarnated, so her plan to leave home and chase her dream had to be moved up.

My parents and I had just arrived at Grandma’s house and were enjoying dinner when Mom received a call from Monica Reed. “Stella is insisting on going to New York to be a singer, she won’t go to college, she’s literally threatening to die if we don’t let her go to New York. Her dad and I can’t persuade her… Can Alex come back and talk to her? After all, the kids are close, and Stella listens to Alex!” The lines were almost identical to my previous life. Mom looked at me, a little conflicted. After all, at this hour, in the countryside, it wasn’t easy to get back. I calmly put down my forks and took the phone from Mom. “Aunt Monica, this is Stella’s own decision. I can’t interfere. Even if I did, she’d resent me. I think you should just respect her wishes!” I hung up decisively, and didn’t forget to block Monica’s number. My swift actions even left my parents speechless for a moment. It was Grandma who spoke first, telling them to eat. She mumbled that other people’s affairs were their own karma, and we shouldn’t interfere. I thought Grandma was absolutely right! After dinner, I squatted in the yard, stroking the soft head of a puppy, when my parents came over. “Alex, what’s been up with you lately…” Mom hesitated, “I just feel like you’re different.” Dad didn’t speak but looked at me worriedly too. Their gaze made my nose sting, and I wiped my eyes—there really were tears. “Mom, Dad, I had a dream.” I lied about having a dream, recounting all the events of my previous life. When they heard how I’d been manipulated by the Reed family after their deaths, Dad’s face turned as dark as thunder. They always believed me, especially since I started the story from Stella wanting to go to New York and Monica asking me to find her. They understood why I suddenly wanted to come to Grandma’s house and why I stubbornly refused to go look for Stella. “My poor boy, my suffering son.” Mom was always easily moved to tears. Even though she knew it was just a dream, she immediately pulled me into a hug, her tears falling onto my shoulder, her heart aching. Dad lit a cigarette nearby and made a decision. “Alex having this dream probably means their family and ours are just bad for each other. I’ve decided, we’re moving when we get back! Get away from them.” I hadn’t expected my parents to support me to this extent. My nose stung again, and I nodded, tearfully. At the same time, I hugged Mom tighter, feeling her warmth. We stayed in the countryside for half a month. I visibly got tanner and my body became more solid. When we went back, Grandma even packed a car full of food for us. We still had to live in the old house for a while before moving. The three of us had just reached our front door when Monica Reed from next door quickly opened hers, her eyes red from crying, with undisguised resentment flickering in them.

“Why didn’t you answer my calls?” Monica’s face was almost twisted with accusation. “Why didn’t you come back to help me find Stella?” Monica suddenly yelled, startling my parents. They clearly hadn’t expected her to be so emotional. I, however, watched her coldly. After being her son-in-law for over two decades, I knew better than anyone her talent for theatrics and twisting facts. My mom couldn’t stand it and was about to speak up, but I tugged her arm. “Let’s go inside. It’s not worth it.” Mom hugged me, shot Monica a fierce glare, but couldn’t resist throwing out one last line: “You can’t manage your own daughter and expect Alex to do it for you? What relationship does Alex have with you to do such a thing? You’ve got the wrong person, I’m telling you!” Once inside, my dad immediately started contacting friends to arrange house viewings for the afternoon. If things went smoothly, we might even move tomorrow. Mom and I sat on the couch, Mom patting my back distractedly. “It’s okay, it’s okay. We’ll be far away from them, very soon.” I leaned against Mom, humming in agreement. The speed of finding and moving houses was faster than I expected. Even faster was the university acceptance letter that had already arrived. This time, there was no Stella, no car accident. I happily went to school to collect my acceptance letter. When I got home, my parents were still discussing how much allowance to give me. We laughed together, so incredibly happy. Only occasionally would I still dream of my previous life, how I struggled to support a family on meager savings, enduring the complaints of Stella’s parents, the misunderstandings of my children, and the constant bickering with Stella, just to survive those years. Thankfully, I was starting over. Soon, the school year began. Standing on campus, my parents were also happy with my decision to choose this university. In my previous life, at this time, I had just finished my parents’ funeral, distraught, heading to that ordinary university with Stella. Whenever people asked about our relationship, Stella would instinctively keep her distance from me, then force an unnatural smile. She’d say I was her classmate, even though we were already engaged then. I shook my head, clearing away the extra thoughts, and went to the registration office with my parents. New school, new beginning. After my parents reluctantly left, I quickly adapted to the new environment, cherishing everything around me. The education I couldn’t continue in my last life because of childcare and family responsibilities now finally had a chance to resume. I studied harder than anyone. When I went home for winter break, I brought back scholarship money and what I earned from coding freelance gigs. I bought gifts for both my parents. Their eyes crinkled into slits as they smiled, praising me as their most successful son. That night, my parents teamed up to make a huge dinner. At the dinner table, we chatted about recent events, until Mom casually mentioned she’d seen Monica Reed a couple of days ago. “She and her husband were selling vegetables at the market. They were only barely getting by on their relief funds after being laid off…” My mom sighed wistfully. “I heard Stella signed with some company in New York. The monthly training fees alone are thousands, not including food and lodging. If she really succeeds, fine, but if not…” I lowered my head, picking at my food, but laughed mockingly inside. Stella wouldn’t succeed; I was absolutely sure of that. Stella was someone who couldn’t resist showing off. As soon as she signed with some obscure company, she posted it on her social media. But she was so caught up in the fact that a company signed her that she didn’t pay any attention to the company’s name.

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “334163”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #浪漫Romance #重生Reborn #现实主义Realistic