My girlfriend’s mother was in a car accident and was admitted to the ICU. I sold my RV and helped her pay for all the surgery costs. But she turned and threw herself into the arms of her first love. I started to question her, but I didn’t expect her to get angry with me directly: “What qualifications do you have to interfere in my private life? You don’t have a car or a house; you don’t deserve to be by my side!” My girlfriend’s mother also blamed me. Later, she and her first love dominated the hot searches due to bad news. I was sitting at my desk, signing a thirty million dollar contract. Sharon has been acting strange these past few days. She often goes out early and comes back late, leaving her mother, who just woke up from a car accident, for me to take care of. At night, when I leaned in close to her collar, she sighed and said tiredly, “I’m tired. I don’t want to now.” With that, she turned away. I couldn’t understand why she was being so cold. The next morning, while Sharon was still sleeping, I got up to make breakfast and prepared a pot of chicken soup for her mother. Taking advantage of this time, I decided to tidy up the mess in the house. Sharon has a habit of leaving things scattered everywhere, and when I picked up her bag, I unexpectedly found a bottle of lubricant inside. Why would Sharon have something like this? In that moment, my blood boiled with anger. I woke Sharon up from her sleep and demanded, “What is this? Tell me, what did you do when you went out last night?” To my surprise, Sharon snapped back, “Who told you to go through my things?” I was infuriated. No matter what, I am still a man. Now, my dignity feels like it’s being trampled underfoot. I couldn’t take it anymore and said, “Sharon, your mother is still in the hospital, and you’re out here doing this kind of thing. Are you even worthy of me?” Sharon snapped and turned against me directly, sneering contemptuously: “What qualifications do you have to interfere in my private life? You don’t have a car or a house. Look at yourself—how can you be worthy of me?” Just then, Sharon’s cell phone rang. It was her mother calling. Not wanting to make this situation any more embarrassing for my elders, I decided to stay silent for the moment. Once the call connected, Sharon’s mother’s dissatisfied voice came through: “What time is it? Why hasn’t Luke come to bring me breakfast?” Sharon responded angrily, “Who knows what’s wrong with him? He got up so early this morning and had to argue with me. I haven’t even woken up yet…” “What?” her mother snapped, “Give him the phone! I’ll talk to him!” Sharon handed me the phone. I was about to explain, but her mother cut me off: “Luke, I’m not saying anything bad about you, but how can you argue with our Sharon? You don’t have a car or a house right now, and our Sharon is working hard all by herself. You need to understand…” Her words pierced my heart like sharp knives. My whole body shook. It turned out that in the minds of this mother and daughter, I was nothing but a coward. But the reason I sold the RV was to help Sharon’s mother pay for her six-month ICU expenses. Now I have nothing, and this mother-daughter duo is trying to burn my bridges! “Okay, bring me breakfast quickly. I’m hungry!” Sharon’s mother ordered me like I was her servant, then hung up the phone. As I handed the phone back to Sharon, I suddenly noticed a message pop up on the screen. “Baby, how was your rest last night?”

And the sender of that message was Simon. Sharon immediately snatched the phone away, her guilt evident as she frantically pressed the screen. “Don’t look at it! Why are you still standing there like an idiot?” she said, her discomfort palpable. After a moment, she stood up angrily. “Okay, so you want to be stubborn today, right? If you won’t leave, then I will!” With that, she put on her coat, slammed the door, and stormed out. It was midsummer, but I felt like I had fallen into an icy cave. How did Sharon and I get to this point? I didn’t know Simon well, but I knew enough about him. He was Sharon’s first love. The only time I had met him was at a class reunion dinner when he returned to China a year ago. At that time, Sharon had enthusiastically introduced us: “Luke, this is Simon. We’re friends now. Let’s have a drink together later.” I was so jealous that I pulled Sharon over and glared at Simon, as if to declare my territory. Simon just smiled faintly, adjusted his collar, and said in a low voice, “No need, buddy. No matter how much you cherish her, Sharon is still someone I used to play with, isn’t she?” I was furious and wanted to teach Simon a lesson. Unexpectedly, Sharon pushed me away and said sternly, “Luke, today is a class reunion. There are so many important people here. Can you please not embarrass yourself?” I looked at her in disbelief, not understanding why she was so unconditionally biased towards Simon. Simon seemed to have anticipated Sharon’s reaction. He paused, smiled, and pulled her away. As he turned, he said loudly, “Is it really too much for me to have a drink with my good friend?” Whether they were friends or something more was self-evident. Later, after Simon went abroad, Sharon spent every day getting drunk at the bar. On several occasions, I had to pick her up when she was too intoxicated to stand. One night, as I was about to leave, Sharon hooked her finger around my neck and pleaded, “Don’t go, don’t go…” I admit that I am selfish. I had a crush on Sharon back in college. When a man and a woman are alone in a room, things are bound to happen. Even though Sharon still had feelings for Simon, he was far away, and they had no chance to be together. I stubbornly wanted to keep Sharon by my side. The next day, we naturally established a relationship. But the good times didn’t last long. A year later, during a trip, Sharon’s mother was involved in a car accident and fell into a coma. She became a vegetative state, with extremely low chances of waking up. She needed daily ICU care to stay alive. She cried as she hugged me, saying in despair, “What should I do? I don’t think I can save my mother… I’ll be alone from now on.” Coming from a single-parent family, Sharon was raised by her mother, so I can’t imagine how devastating it would be for her if her mother died. Without hesitation, I sold the RV and transferred five million directly into Sharon’s account. With that money, her mother stayed in the ICU for six months and underwent four major and minor surgeries. Perhaps it was God’s blessing that Sharon’s mother finally woke up. I was genuinely happy for her. I naively believed that we had overcome all obstacles and that Sharon and I would continue to live happily ever after. But with Simon’s return, all of that became a distant dream. It was time to end this humble relationship. I could accept everything about Sharon, but I would never tolerate her betrayal. The chicken soup I had made was ready, but I poured it into the trash can. After packing my things, I broke up with Sharon on WeChat. She didn’t even try to keep me. Her response was direct and decisive: “Okay! Then get out of my house!” For our final breakup, I didn’t want to cause a scene. Respectability was my last gift to her. Before leaving, I swapped out the lubricant for super glue.

I didn’t know where to start my new life. Once upon a time, everything about me revolved around Sharon. After some thought, I bought a ticket to the city where my best friend Liam lived. When Liam learned I was coming to Riverdale, he rushed to the airport to pick me up without hesitation. In the car, I lit a cigarette, feeling dejected. Liam noticed something was off and, after a moment, asked, “What’s wrong? This isn’t like you. Didn’t you quit smoking?” “What’s going on between you and your girlfriend?” he asked, hitting the nail on the head. I replied calmly, “We broke up.” “Oh,” he laughed. “No big deal, man. Pull yourself together.” Then he took me to his apartment and said, “You can stay here for now. If it doesn’t feel right, you can move out when you find a place.” I nodded in appreciation. Liam continued, “What do you want to do about work? Start over, or…” I glanced at the ten million balance in my bank account and said, “Let’s start over.” During college, I had majored in Finance. I loved everything related to numbers—stocks, investments, trading… As for that balance, it was the money I earned by calculating the appreciation of real estate values. The third anniversary of my relationship with Sharon coincided with the twentieth day since her mother had been admitted to the ICU. I cooked a large feast and inserted my bank card, containing all my assets, into a cake. I wanted to tell Sharon that I could bring her happiness and that she shouldn’t lose faith in life because of her mother’s hospitalization. But Sharon didn’t come home. She forgot our anniversary and only called me at 8 PM, coldly saying, “I have something to do tonight and can’t leave. I won’t be back.” Before I could respond, she hung up. Looking back, maybe it was because Simon had returned to China. I smiled bitterly. Just then, my phone vibrated. It was a reminder from the monitoring system I had installed at home. “Master, a stranger’s face has been detected.” I paused for a moment, but out of concern for Sharon’s safety, I clicked on the screen. After all, Sharon lives alone now, and it would be dangerous if a criminal broke in. Fortunately, Sharon was safe. But the funny thing was, the stranger’s face on the screen was Simon’s. I froze, watching the two of them enter the room together, looking affectionate.

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My boyfriend Vincent was a special forces soldier specializing in bomb disposal. To save a woman, he endured inhumane torture at the hands of a terrorist organization. His fingers were cut off, his tendons severed, and the tip of his tongue was chopped away. From a proud and noble man, he was reduced to a fool who drooled when he spoke. He had no idea that the woman he was trying to save was the beloved of Simon, the leader of the terrorist organization. It was all a trap, designed to lure him in. On the day I heard the news of Vincent’s death, I committed suicide by jumping into the sea. When I opened my eyes again, I found myself the most favored captive of Simon. The original owner of this body was used to wearing heavy makeup, but I wasn’t. I remember that on the second day after transmigrating into this body, I showed up in front of Simon without a trace of makeup. He grabbed my chin and forced me to look up, a half-smile on his face. “You don’t look like Jilly without makeup.” So today, I deliberately applied makeup to imitate Jilly’s look. I even added a tear-shaped mole at the outer corner of my right eye. I was planning to get rid of someone. Tiger, Simon’s right-hand man. When Simon rushed into the room after getting the news, I was in Tiger’s arms. Tears streamed down my face. Tiger loomed beside me like a mountain, his face flushed from drinking, his eyes gleaming with greed. I shook my head, crying out “No—” while pushing against him with what seemed like feeble strength. “If your brother Simon finds out, he won’t let you off!” Tiger laughed loudly, his gold teeth shining. “You? Just a substitute for Miss Jilly. Brother Simon doesn’t care.” “A nobody. Do you really think Brother Simon would care?” I felt humiliated and was determined not to let him succeed, struggling to move backward. He licked his lips. “What a beauty. No wonder you’ve been able to stay beside Brother Simon for so long.” He was about to make his move. It was at that moment that Simon burst in. He held a pistol, his face cold and stern. I cried out to him, “Simon, save me—I’m not pure anymore, Simon. I don’t want to live.” I knew that with my face slightly tilted to the right, I resembled Jilly the most. When Tiger saw Simon approaching, instead of backing off, he touched my face. “Well, you little thing. You really called Brother Simon here.” He turned to Simon, grinning widely. “Brother Simon, I’ve risked my life for you all these years. Can you give this girl to me?” Everyone around Simon feared him. Even if it was just a woman, as long as she belonged to Simon, she was his private property, and no one dared to touch her. After Tiger said this, I knew that the drug I had slipped him to induce mental confusion had taken effect. Simon’s handsome brows furrowed deeply. He stood there, silent, weighing his options. Should he choose the woman or his brother? Tears streamed from the tear-shaped mole on my face as I sobbed, “Simon, if you really give me to him, I’ll die!” Simon raised an eyebrow, maintaining that careless, half-smiling demeanor. “Alright, Tiger, Cherry is yours.” Tiger’s face lit up with joy at Simon’s permission. Just as he was about to touch me, I closed my eyes in despair. But in the next moment, Simon’s expression changed completely. He looked incredibly sarcastic, his tone fierce: “You? You think you’re worthy?” “Bang!” Tiger’s head jerked to the side, a hole appearing in it. I had bet correctly. Simon strode over, shoved Tiger aside, and lifted me by the waist. “It’s okay. It’s okay,” he murmured. “No one dares to touch you.” I leaned against his shoulder, trembling uncontrollably, but a chilling smile curved on my blood-stained lips. Vincent, was this how it felt when Tiger cut off your fingers and the tip of your tongue back then? Turning my head, I caught a glimpse of Tiger’s disbelieving eyes, still open on the ground. Good riddance.

Vincent and I met in a war-torn foreign country. Terrorists had invaded the hospital and strapped a bomb to me. Vincent led a team to rescue me. I was so nervous that cold sweat poured down my face as I clenched my teeth. He smiled, his eyes clear behind the mask. “Don’t be afraid. I won’t let you die here,” he comforted me. For two whole hours, Vincent knelt beside me, meticulously dismantling the bomb. I had never stared into someone’s eyes for so long. Even now, whenever I close my eyes, I can still picture his face in my mind. The bomb was finally removed, but after a five-second pause, it triggered a new countdown. Only ten seconds left. Vincent’s expression tightened. He grabbed my hand and rushed me out of the hospital. Just as we burst through the doors, he yanked me into his arms, throwing us both to the ground. His body shielded me completely. The next second, an explosion roared behind us. The entire makeshift medical point was obliterated. Sand, mud, and debris rained down from the sky. The man on top of me frowned from the force of the blast, but I felt nothing. Only the sound of heartbeats. Deafening heartbeats. Drowned out by the explosion. After that day, Vincent often visited the newly built medical point. One day it was, “Dr. Leo, I got bitten by an ant on my thumb.” The next day, “Dr. Leo, I got pricked while picking flowers.” And the day after that, “Dr. Leo, I think I have a heart problem. The kind only you can treat.” Seeing me blush with anger as I tried to shoo him away, he would laugh, a triumphant glint in his eyes. From then on, he claimed he had two missions: to fight against terrorists and to protect me. But one day, he simply stopped showing up. He was kidnapped by the terrorist organization. The group had taken a Chinese woman hostage and specifically demanded Vincent by name. If he came, they promised to let her go. Vincent didn’t hesitate. He went alone, willing to trade his own life for hers. The terrorist organization live-streamed the scene of Vincent’s torture. They wanted him to work for them, to make bombs. Vincent would rather die than submit. On the screen, Simon sat opposite him, watching coldly as Vincent was hung up. In his lap was the so-called Chinese woman, Jilly, the hostage. She had her arms draped around Simon’s shoulders, smiling coyly. “Simon, he’s so stupid. He actually came to save me.” “Do you think he has a crush on me?” she teased. Simon, not even glancing at Vincent, casually replied to Tiger, “If he doesn’t comply, cut off his fingers and chop off his tongue tip.” He leaned in to plant a light kiss on Jilly’s red lips. “I want to see how he can dismantle bombs after that.” Jilly giggled, “Leave him two fingers on each hand. After all, the feeling of being worse than dead is the most interesting.” With a swift swing of his knife, Tiger severed Vincent’s fingers, blood gushing from the wounds. Vincent’s screams of pain echoed through the live stream. As a doctor, I had witnessed many deaths in the war, but it was the first time I understood the depth of such agonizing screams. My heart ached as if it were being sliced by thousands of knives, and tears streamed down uncontrollably. It felt as if the cuts on Vincent’s body were also inflicted upon mine. In the following days, Simon continued to live-stream Vincent’s torment. His head hung limply, his mind foggy, and the blood from his severed fingers had dried to a dark crust. Because his tongue tip was cut off, his mouth couldn’t close, and saliva constantly dripped from the corners of his lips. He couldn’t care for himself and had even lost control of his bladder. All he did was stare blankly at the camera, murmuring repeatedly, “Marilyn, I’m okay.” My heart shattered into a thousand pieces, the pain so intense that I felt like I might die. Even in this state, he was still trying to comfort me! Is this really okay? Is this really okay?! My Vincent, my proud Vincent. The Vincent who dismantled bombs with calm, confident smiles, always there to comfort me. The Vincent who came to the hospital just to tease me, laughing joyfully when he succeeded. He should have always shone like the sun, standing tall like a pine tree. He should have returned to our country, glorified and honored. He shouldn’t be like this. He shouldn’t be like this. A week later, the news of Vincent’s death arrived. He was dead. … After Tiger died, I stood frozen, my eyes cast down, silent and seemingly docile—almost frighteningly so. Perhaps my frightened demeanor unnerved Simon. He kissed my hair, constantly reassuring me that it was okay, that everything was over. He brought me before his subordinates, made me sit on his lap, and declared that I was his woman and could only belong to him. Anyone who dared to touch me again would meet the same fate as Tiger. Simon had Tiger’s head severed and displayed as a warning. His actions made me think I was important to him. But it wasn’t enough. I had to be important enough for him to marry me. Only then could I give him the ending he deserved. But what I didn’t expect was that, not long after, Jilly returned. She played with a knife against my face, smiling with amusement. “Your face does look quite like mine.” In the next moment, she clung to Simon’s arm, whining, “Simon, I haven’t practiced shooting in a while. Can I practice on Cherry?” Simon, casually smoking, patted her hand and said, “Sure.” Jilly’s idea of practice involved me putting an apple on my head as a target. I looked at Simon, pleading silently. He knew I was terrified of gunshots. Whenever one went off, he would cover my ears. But this time, he just had a cigarette in his mouth, a smile on his lips. “Cherry, Jilly just likes to practice this way. She’s a great shot. She won’t miss. Don’t worry.” I closed my eyes, standing frozen in place. No, I couldn’t resist. I couldn’t lose my temper. I had to be gentle and docile, playing the role of Simon’s captive well to earn his trust. As Simon had said, Jilly was indeed an excellent shot. She hit the apple on my head in one shot, the force knocking me to the ground. My elbow scraped against the ground, blood oozing from the wound. The loud gunshot made my ears ring. I bit my lip hard to keep from crying. I thought of Vincent. He had given me a gun, saying that in war, anything could happen, and told me to use it for self-defense. He taught me how to shoot. Standing behind me, he held me close, guiding my hands into the right position on the gun, teaching me step by step, his voice low and steady in my ear. Our bodies were pressed tightly together, the air he exhaled brushing against my skin. I don’t know whose ears turned red first. He had promised that as long as he was alive, no one would dare to bully me. But Vincent, the one who protected me, is gone. What am I supposed to do now, alone? Jilly was bouncing around, wrapping her arms around Simon’s neck. “Simon, look! My shooting is still as good as ever!” Simon didn’t even glance my way; his eyes were solely on Jilly, his expression affectionate. “Just stop when you’ve had enough fun,” he said, a faint smile playing on his lips. Jilly rolled her eyes. “Not enough!” This time, she made me place the apple on the side of my face. I knew she had been annoyed with my presence for a long time. Simon glanced at me, his Adam’s apple bobbing as if he wanted to say something, but all he said was, “Alright, if you want to play this way, go ahead.” But this time, Jilly missed.

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When my daughter and I were abducted, the kidnappers demanded that I call Sean for assistance. At that time, he was with Luna, who had just entered the profession, learning anatomical analysis. When he received the call, he merely said one sentence. “How long are you going to play such pranks? I’m occupied with important matters. I’m hanging up now.” I wept while laughing. Perhaps he had never cared about my daughter and me. But why did he go berserk and shout when he later saw my daughter’s body on the dissection table? “She’s going to die, Sean, she’s going to die. Please…” “Is it amusing to joke about death? Then go ahead and die.” When the call was ended, I was plunged into the depths of despair. My mobile phone was snatched away forcefully, and I was kicked and spat upon. “Pah, can’t come up with five million? Then don’t blame me!” Jenny, huddled behind me, was trembling all over. Finally unable to hold back her tears, she sobbed softly and asked me – “Mommy, why doesn’t Daddy want to come and save us?” I didn’t know how to respond. I shook my head, crying and attempting to embrace her, but suddenly she was yanked away by the kidnappers. “Tsk, tsk, tsk. This little girl is rather lovely.” Realizing what might transpire next, I fought like a madwoman to hold onto Jenny. I couldn’t hold her. I couldn’t hold her. I couldn’t protect her. I was trampled on the ground and kicked numerous times. I watched Jenny crying her heart out, my teeth clenched so tightly that they seemed on the verge of breaking, and my fingertips pierced through my palms, leaving them bloody and mangled. But all of this was insignificant compared to the pain Jenny was enduring. I knelt on the ground and kowtowed to each of them, banging my head until it bled, pleading with them to release Jenny. I could… Later, they grew impatient. Just as the ashtray was about to smash against the back of my head, for some unknown reason, everything came to an abrupt halt. The robbers gathered their belongings and fled in all directions. When the door was kicked open with a “bang”, I was crawling on all fours towards Jenny. I was trembling violently. I didn’t dare to touch her or look at her. Jenny slowly reached out her blood – smeared hand to touch my face. “Mommy, Mommy, don’t cry. Jenny doesn’t hurt…” “Winnie,Winnie, it’s okay, it’s okay…” A man in a police uniform appeared before me. I cried and begged him. “Brother Henry, save Jenny, save her…” I don’t recall how I left that place. All I know is that I was delirious and incoherent until I received the assurance that Jenny would be fine. Then I finally passed out completely. I struggled out of the endless nightmare with such hope. But when I awoke, Henry informed me that Jenny was on the verge of death. “Sorry,Winnie…” When I rushed into the intensive care unit, Jenny’s breathing was already extremely weak. She still managed to smile obediently at me, a smile that was both difficult and painful. She seemed to be aware that she was going to die. She said, “Mommy, I want to see Daddy one more time.” “I want to remember you both…” I nodded frantically, tears streaming down my face. I hurriedly took my mobile phone from Henry and dialed the number that had been silent all this time. “Beep -” It was promptly hung up. My heart was pounding faster and faster. Answer the phone, answer the phone, Sean. On the third call, he still didn’t answer. Each one was hung up without hesitation. I ceased calling. I held Jenny’s hand and begged her to wait for me to return. I promised to come back with Daddy. I rushed out of the ward and was stopped by Henry. I was in such a hurry that I thought he was going to prevent me. I shook off his hand and told him to leave me alone and not stop me. Finally, he drove at high speed and took me to the research institute where Sean and Luna were. I wasn’t an authorized person in the research institute, so I couldn’t enter. Actually, Luna wasn’t either, but she was granted access by Sean’s special permission. I stood at the entrance and called Sean’s name loudly. “Sean -” I called again and again until my voice became hoarse. Finally, Sean frowned and pulled open the curtain on the second floor. His expression was extremely cold, and his brows still bore the lingering traces of annoyance and displeasure. “Winnie, what on earth do you want?” “Do you have to come to the research institute to embarrass me?”

I intended to explain the situation briefly, but before I could utter a word, Sean turned his head. He was drawn by a soft and joyous voice. “Master, I understand! I know why it’s like this here! Master, come quickly, I’ll tell you!” When looking at Luna, Sean’s eyes were always so tender. It had been many years since I had been gazed at so gently. Sean and I were experiencing the seven – year itch. He wouldn’t mention divorce, nor would he think that he no longer loved me. He just wasn’t as interested as before, not as excited. He regarded me as a stagnant pool. When Luna entered his world, she was like a ray of light, illuminating him. So he was enchanted and couldn’t help but be kind to her. I didn’t care. I truly didn’t care. As long as he was willing to come back with me, everything would be fine. “Okay, I’m coming.” “Yeah, it’s nothing. Don’t worry.” How I wished I could tell him that there was something, really something. But he had already lifted his foot and left, never looking back at me. But I wasn’t willing to give up. I didn’t want Jenny to depart with eternal regret. So I asked Henry to leave first, to keep an eye on Jenny’s condition and contact me at any time. I wanted to stay here and take Sean away. But why was it so arduous? The security guards no longer permitted me to call Sean, believing that it would disrupt many people. They warned me that if I made any more noise, they would eject me directly. Later, I could only keep sending him messages and calling him. I told him that Jenny was dying and wanted to see him one last time. Then, I was blocked on WeChat, and my phone number was also added to the blacklist. He still didn’t believe me. I had never been more desolate than at this moment. I waited and waited outside the door until I saw Luna coming downstairs to get milk tea. “Master, I’m here to get the milk tea you ordered for me. Haha, Master, you have such a great memory. I only mentioned my preference once, and you remembered it!” “Okay, okay, I got it. The road is slippery on rainy days. Be careful when you walk! Master, you’re so nagging -” When passing by me, she let out an “ah”. “Madam, you’re still here? Haven’t given up yet?” “Alas, Madam, such tricks are so passé. You should read fewer of those old – fashioned romance novels. They’re so silly.” Luna’s seemingly innocent remarks were actually like countless needles piercing my heart, without any mercy. But I had no alternative. She was the only person who could get in touch with Sean. So I bowed to her and swore a solemn oath with my life to prove the truth of my words. I implored her to believe me and to go and inform Sean. What did Luna say at that time? She said, “Oh my god, how pitiful. Madam, don’t worry. I’ll go and tell Master!” Then, Sean didn’t come. During my interminable waiting, I received the news that Jenny’s condition had taken a sudden turn for the worse. I didn’t dare to linger. I rushed back to the hospital at top speed. That was the last time I saw Jenny. She couldn’t even lift her hand. I didn’t dare to hold her hand too tightly. I was trembling all over. I was afraid that she would ask me – Mommy, where’s Daddy? How should I reply? She didn’t ask. She said to me in a hoarse and feeble voice: “Mommy, Jenny loves you, so much, so much…” At the last moment of her life, she silently uttered that word – Daddy. My Jenny was calling for Daddy. But her Daddy didn’t come and wouldn’t come. My Jenny didn’t get to see Daddy one last time and left this world with regret. It was pouring rain that day. And I had lost my daughter forever.

“Jenny’s homeroom teacher said that Jenny hasn’t been to school for two days. She couldn’t find you, so she called me.” “Winnie, what on earth are you doing?” “I told you that Luna is a promising talent. I, I admire her a great deal. The relationship between me and her is a normal teacher – student relationship. Do you have to go crazy just because I like her?” “Don’t have time to talk about this. Hurry up and send Jenny back to school.” The first call that Sean had made in such a long time was a rebuke. I listened expressionlessly and then hung up. At that time, I hadn’t slept for three days. I watched with my own eyes as Jenny’s body was placed into the freezer, and since then, I could scarcely close my eyes. I didn’t have Jenny anymore. I had lost her forever. Henry said that to extract the DNA evidence left by the criminals in Jenny’s body and to conduct a series of identifications, an autopsy had to be performed. He said that the expert invited for the identification was quite busy and had to wait until he was free, so Jenny had to be put into the freezer to be preserved for a while. During these days, Henry was concerned about my mental state and had taken almost all the leave he could. “Winnie, eat something. How can you catch those scoundrels if you continue like this?” I wanted to eat too. But whenever I ate something, I would always vomit it out. I had no option. I really had no option. When I vomited until there was only acid in my stomach again, I finally couldn’t hold on and collapsed. And was caught by Henry, who was quick – witted and deft – handed. He carried me away from this place close to Jenny and walked towards the hospital. And we encountered the last person I wanted to see. “Henry, Winnie, why are you two together?” Before he could finish frowning and asking, Luna, who was behind him, tugged at his sleeve and whined pitifully. “Master, my hand hurts…” Only then did I notice the small wound on Luna’s wrist. It wasn’t deep, nor was it that severe. But it was sufficient to make Sean feel sympathetic towards her. He didn’t even concern himself with us and simply left with Luna. When leaving, he only said one sentence – “Have some decency.” “I’m not dead yet.” Just as he was about to turn around and leave, I suddenly spoke. My voice was hoarse and unpleasant due to vomiting for many days, rough like stones grating, as if I was muttering to myself. “Sean, you might as well be dead.” When I lay in bed, sleepless all night, the next morning, the door of the ward was pushed open violently. “Winnie, finally found you.” “What are you crazy about?” “Where’s the child? Where’s Jenny? Where did you hide her?” I stared at him numbly and suddenly laughed. Tears slid down from the corners of my eyes, wetting my clothes. I had cried so many times these days that when the tears slid past the corners of my eyes, a sharp pain like countless needles pricking my heart emerged. I opened my hoarse voice: “Sean, Jenny is gone.” Sean frowned fiercely and strode towards me, grasping my wrist. “Winnie, are you ill?” “Is this something to joke about?” His grip was surprisingly strong, and soon my wrist turned red. Looking at him like this, suddenly I felt a wave of nausea rising again. I vomited. There was nothing in my stomach to vomit except acid and some blood. Sean was a bit of a germophobe. Seeing me like this, he took several steps back. I vomited until my throat burned as if on fire, and then I stopped. I reached for the bag on the cabinet and with some difficulty pulled out a document from it. With all my strength, I threw it in front of Sean. Sean didn’t pick it up. “Sean, let’s get a divorce.” Just then, the door of the ward was opened by someone. “Winnie, I bought fresh millet porridge. The doctor said that your stomach has been in a bad state because you haven’t eaten for too long. You can only drink some porridge first…” Sean glanced at the divorce agreement on the floor and then at Henry who pushed the door and entered. He suddenly sneered sarcastically. “Winnie, so eager to get a divorce. Is it because of him?” “When you married me, you swore that you would only love me for a lifetime. Has your lifetime become so short so quickly?” Sean was a cold person and didn’t like to argue. But once he was serious, his words were like thorny cacti, stabbing painfully. “Winnie, I never thought you were this kind of person.” “To run away with another man for the sake of divorce and hide your own daughter. You can do such things.” “You want a divorce, okay. Jenny will be raised by me. As for you, this irresponsible mother, I won’t let her see you again.” My breathing suddenly became rapid. I grabbed the water glass on the bedside and threw it at Sean with all my might. I really had no strength left. I missed. I was crying, every word like blood. “With you? How? “Jenny is gone. She left. She’s dead!” This word “dead” was the one I had been reluctant to mention all along. Now, in front of Sean, I made myself a broken mess again. Pillows, books, mobile phones, I lost control of my emotions and threw everything I could at him. Finally, exhausted, I collapsed on the ground and was caught by Henry. I knew Henry was clenching his fists tightly. He wanted to hit Sean. But his identity didn’t allow him to make mistakes. I shook my head at him. Sean stood there for a long, long time. Finally, he just threw one sentence at me – “Winnie, you’re simply irrational.” He turned to leave, and Henry said in a calm voice. “On the third floor of the freezer room in District B, Jenny is there.” Sean sneered. “You two, quite good at acting.” “My daughter is gone. How could I not know?” Haha, right. How could he not know?

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Elizabeth’s husband, William, clandestinely swapped the quota, diverting the kidney source that rightfully belonged to their daughter Isabella to the daughter of his goddess, Florence. Subsequently, Isabella’s condition deteriorated precipitously. Despite all rescue attempts, she passed away. Meanwhile, Florence underwent a successful kidney transplant, and William gleefully distributed red envelopes throughout the hospital. Elizabeth was consumed by fury and fainted. When she regained consciousness, she was informed that she had cancer and her life was now in the twilight. Despondent, Elizabeth left the hospital, clutching Isabella’s urn. In the cold and desolate home, she single – handedly drafted the divorce agreement. At ten o’clock in the evening, William finally arrived home. He shut the door, changed his shoes, and suddenly, the living – room lights blazed on, catching him off – guard. There was Elizabeth, seated in silence on the living – room sofa, cradling a white porcelain urn. She had been there, unmoving, for an indeterminate amount of time. “Elizabeth, have you lost your mind? Not sleeping in the middle of the night and scaring people like this?” William barked at her. Hearing his harsh reprimand, Elizabeth mechanically raised her head and regarded him. Even at this late hour, William’s hair was impeccably groomed, and his shirt was smooth and wrinkle – free. It was evident how crucial the mother and daughter he had been painstakingly attending to daily were to him – enough to make this usually laid – back man so meticulous about his appearance. Seeing that Elizabeth merely stared at him without speaking, William grew impatient. “Still holding a grudge over the kidney issue?” Elizabeth tightened her hold on the porcelain urn. “I’ve already told you, there will be other kidney sources in the future! I’m a doctor, and I must prioritize the patient. Florence is currently in the prime stage of recovery, and transplanting this kidney to her yields the best curative effect!” “I know you care about Isabella, but she had already waited for so long. Couldn’t she wait a bit longer? She’s my daughter, and I won’t abandon her…” William’s tone was saturated with impatience, making it seem as though Elizabeth was an irrational shrew. But it was truly just that brief span of time. After missing this kidney source, Isabella’s condition worsened rapidly, and she never opened her eyes again. Their daughter was so young. Before she died, she clasped Elizabeth’s hand tightly and asked where her father was, wondering if he no longer loved her. Elizabeth could only shower her with kisses on the cheek, assuring her that mommy was there and would always be by her side. Until her eyes closed forever, Isabella never got to see her father one last time. However, Florence, the daughter of William’s first love, survived because of the timely kidney source – which was clearly meant for Isabella! Elizabeth despised this hypocritical and selfish man with every fiber of her being and never wished to set eyes on him again in this life. Apparently deeming his scolding sufficient, William finally ceased and tossed his coat, which reeked of perfume, towards Elizabeth. “Take this and wash it thoroughly before I leave for work tomorrow. Remember to iron it smooth…” Seeing that Elizabeth remained motionless and didn’t reach out to catch it, allowing the coat to fall to the ground, William frowned. Elizabeth looked up, locking eyes with him, and stated firmly, “Let’s get divorced.” William was immediately dumbstruck. He seemed unable to fathom that these words were coming from Elizabeth’s mouth, disbelief and suspicion clouding his eyes. “What did you say???” Elizabeth forced a wry smile. “I said, William, I want a divorce from you.” As she spoke, she slid the divorce agreement she had drafted on the table towards him. “This is the divorce agreement. I don’t want any property. The Civil Affairs Bureau opens at nine o’clock tomorrow. Make sure to prepare the documents.” For an instant, the air in the living room seemed to solidify. William didn’t even glance at the agreement. Instead, visible rage gradually welled up within him. “Are you done yet?!” “Do you have to make a big deal out of this today? Florence needed this kidney source more than Isabella! Haven’t I made myself clear enough? Elizabeth, can’t you be less selfish?!” His angry glare pierced Elizabeth as if trying to force her to back down. Elizabeth completely disregarded him and calmly repeated, “William, I want a divorce – this is non – negotiable.” His face instantly turned cold and sullen, and then he sneered. “So you’ve learned to threaten me now, have you?” He picked up his coat, donned it with a tense expression, and turned to leave. Evidently, William decided that out of sight, out of mind, and he had no intention of staying home tonight. When he reached the door, he turned around and coldly warned Elizabeth, “Elizabeth, I’m warning you, even if we divorce, the custody of Isabella will be mine – you’d better not regret this!” With that, William slammed the door and departed. The living room was once again engulfed in suffocating silence. Elizabeth stroked the white porcelain urn in her arms as if soothing a terrified child. From the moment he entered until he left, William hadn’t bothered to inquire if his daughter had suffered pain that day or if she was asleep at this late hour. He hadn’t even cared about the volume of his voice, and the slamming of the door was deafening. From start to finish, he hadn’t even cared what the urn in Elizabeth’s arms held. Elizabeth stared at the empty doorway, her eyes vacant. William, you missed seeing Isabella one last time. You’re also doomed to miss seeing me one last time.

The next day, Elizabeth waited punctually at the entrance of the Civil Affairs Bureau. After nine o’clock passed and William still hadn’t arrived, Elizabeth promptly called him. An exasperated voice came from the other end, “Elizabeth! What else are you capable of besides throwing tantrums? Are you deliberately trying to make me miserable?” Elizabeth replied serenely, “Come and get divorced, William. Don’t make me despise you.” Eventually, he showed up. After signing names and affixing the stamps, the divorce certificate was in hands. William’s face was extremely unsightly, and he laughed in anger. “Fine, fine, fine. I really underestimated you.” “Don’t forget what I said. The custody of Isabella is mine! Elizabeth, I’ll give you three days to pack your things and send the child over – otherwise, I won’t hesitate to take you to court!” Watching his furious back, Elizabeth wanted to laugh, but a metallic taste of blood rose in her throat. William, Isabella is already dead, right on the day Florence’s surgery was successful. Are you happy? At least you saved the cost of a lawsuit. Elizabeth didn’t return to that home again. She had already incinerated all of Isabella’s belongings and discarded all of her own. She had also shredded all the family photos in the house. Recently, her health had been deteriorating rapidly, and there was often debris from her internal organs in the blood she spat out. She had been so adamant about obtaining the divorce certificate just to sever all connections with William – even in the afterlife. That day, Elizabeth took the luggage she had already packed and held Isabella’s urn as she returned to her hometown. Her parents had always respected her decisions. Just as in the past, when they clearly disliked William but still consented to her marriage to him just to make her happy. It was the same now. They looked at the urn in her arms and her gaunt body and had likely surmised what had transpired, but they didn’t pry further. They simply prepared nutritious meals for her daily and wiped away the blood that spurted from her mouth. Once again, after spitting blood until her voice was hoarse, Elizabeth looked at the pain in her parents’ eyes and felt nothing but remorse. She regretted burdening them during the final moments of her life. Probably sensing her thoughts, her mother tightly embraced her and couldn’t help but sob, “My dear, your father and I are so glad you came back – being able to accompany you in your last journey, we have no regrets!” Tears streamed down involuntarily, and Elizabeth finally found peace in her heart. On a sunny afternoon, Elizabeth sat in a rocking chair, with the grapes her mother had washed beside her. In the midsummer glow, Elizabeth saw Isabella. She was wearing the white dress Elizabeth had recently burned for her, lying on Elizabeth’s lap, beaming brightly at her. “Mommy! Isabella can touch you now!” Elizabeth held Isabella’s hand and watched as her parents placed her own urn beside Isabella’s. One large and one small, the two porcelain urns nestled together, just as Isabella used to sleep in Elizabeth’s embrace. Isabella blinked her clear, large eyes. “Mommy, Grandma and Grandpa can’t see us…” Elizabeth stroked her head. “But they hold us in their hearts.” Although they didn’t know why they still lingered in this world. But after seeing that her parents’ emotions had stabilized, Elizabeth decided to take Isabella to see her father. When she was alive, William had been entirely preoccupied with Florence in the adjacent ward. Isabella had yearned for her father’s visit daily but never got to see him in the end. Now, Elizabeth was going to fulfill her wish and let Isabella see him to her heart’s content. In the hospital, William had just emerged from the operating room. Isabella finally beheld the father she had longed for and excitedly flitted around him. But William was oblivious to her presence and sat there resting impassively. Another doctor passed by, and William, as if remembering something, called out to him. “Dr. Henry, how was my daughter’s recovery before she was discharged?” The doctor smiled. “She recovered splendidly. The treatment was highly timely, and there were no complications at all!”

Elizabeth was filled with confusion. Since William had admitted to switching the kidney source to Florence, Elizabeth had never trusted him again and had resolutely taken Isabella to transfer to another hospital. The doctors in the other hospital had assisted them in arranging a new kidney – source channel. After considering Isabella’s state of mind and conducting a condition assessment, Elizabeth then began taking her home to recuperate. Although three days later, Isabella’s condition suddenly worsened, and she was rushed back to the emergency room. But when they left the hospital where William worked, Isabella’s physical condition was far from good. How could this doctor say such things? But William had already believed it. He exhaled in relief, thanked the doctor, and then returned to work. After he left, Dr. Henry scratched his head. “What’s wrong with young William? Wasn’t he the one overseeing his daughter’s condition all the time?” “Didn’t he distribute red envelopes throughout the hospital when the surgery was so successful on the 13th? Has he forgotten so quickly?” Elizabeth was stupefied. Isabella tugged at Elizabeth’s hand beside her, her eyes shining brightly. “Mommy, did Daddy come to see me that day?” Elizabeth’s throat constricted, and she was rendered speechless. The 13th was the day Isabella couldn’t be saved and passed away. Elizabeth still vividly remembered her tiny form covered by the white sheet, her cold little hands, and her pallid face. And on that same day, Florence had received the life – saving kidney that was meant for Isabella. So, the people in this hospital had all mistaken Florence for William’s daughter. And on the 13th, William had joyously distributed red envelopes throughout the hospital. Even though souls couldn’t feel the cold, Elizabeth shivered. William, did you ever consider that while you were elated about Florence’s successful surgery, your own flesh – and – blood daughter was closing her eyes forever in another hospital six kilometers away? You had the time to give out red envelopes to everyone but couldn’t be bothered to answer the over – twenty calls I made to you. Isabella had been thinking of you until the moment she closed her eyes! Elizabeth didn’t know whether to feel sorrow or rage within and managed a bitter smile. William, you are completely unfit to be a father! Isabella sensed Elizabeth’s emotions and hugged her leg. “Mommy, don’t be sad anymore. Isabella will always be with you!” Whether she had guessed something or not, this time Isabella didn’t ask for her father again. In the evening, William got off work. Elizabeth took Isabella and trailed behind him home. Although she didn’t mention it, Isabella was still happy floating beside William. After all, which child doesn’t love their parents? When they reached the door, William took out his keys. The door opened, and Caroline and Florence, mother and daughter, came out to greet them. Elizabeth was thunderstruck. Even Isabella was too shocked to utter a word. Caroline, acting like the mistress of the house, took William’s briefcase and coat, smiling gracefully. “Welcome back. Dinner is ready. Go wash your hands.” Florence had recovered well and was bouncing around merrily. She was nothing like Elizabeth’s Isabella, whose soul seemed so fragile. William entered the house, stroked Florence’s head, and smiled tenderly at Caroline. “Caroline, thank you for your hard work.” Witnessing this scene, Elizabeth felt as if she had been struck hard. The first time she saw Caroline was when Isabella was in elementary school. Isabella had always been a lively and smiling little girl, but a few days into the second grade, she grew increasingly reticent. Elizabeth had initially thought it was a normal part of the child’s growing – up process. Until one time when she bathed her, Elizabeth discovered numerous purple and blue bruises under her clothes. The next day, Elizabeth sought out Isabella’s class teacher. “Miss Catherine, you must do something about this!” “How could a child be so malicious at such a young age? Do you know this is called school bullying?!” Elizabeth was trembling with fury. The class teacher attempted to placate her in a hushed tone but was at a loss for a solution, which only enraged Elizabeth further. After ranting alone for a while with no response from those around her, Elizabeth angrily turned around and saw William staring blankly in the opposite direction, looking at the girl who was the instigator of the school bullying, Florence – and her mother. In the end, this bullying incident was resolved with Caroline’s apology and William’s magnanimous forgiveness. Florence escaped any punishment. Elizabeth was incredulous and couldn’t accept the outcome. William forcefully dragged her away. When faced with Elizabeth’s inquiries, he showed not the slightest hint of guilt. “I know Caroline’s character. There must be some misunderstanding about this.” “She has a kind heart, and the daughter she raises will definitely not engage in bullying.” It was only then that Elizabeth learned that William had a goddess first love. They had been passionately in love during their youth but were forcibly separated. Until now, with William having a family and Caroline being a single mother, they had finally reunited by chance.

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Three hundred thousand. I know that a college student has no way of repaying such a heavy debt, and his family can’t fill this hole. Later, my younger brother worked hard and obtained a master’s and doctoral degree, and had a bright future. But his goddess had already married a rich second-generation man. He hated me for this, and when I finally passed the civil service exam, he spread rumors that caused me to lose my job, and he didn’t even help me. Maybe it was God’s mercy that I returned to the day when I found out that he was planning to borrow online loan. I was reborn back to the day when my younger brother borrowed online loans. My younger brother William was holding my mother’s hand and making a solemn promise. “Mom, don’t worry, just let me take a photo of the property certificate. I’m famous university student, I will definitely be able to pay it back in the future.” Mom remained silent. Three hundred thousand is an astronomical figure for my family. My parents’ combined salary is only 6,000 dollar, and there is a mortgage payment of more than 2,000 dollar a month. Dad looked at me hesitantly. I remembered that my father in my previous life also pushed the decision-making power onto me. I know the family situation at home. The family savings have long been used up in order to support my younger brother’s schooling and prevent him from being embarrassed in front of his classmates. Even if he graduates in two years, how much salary can a fresh graduate get? So in my previous life I was strongly opposed to it. Break the truth down and explain it to him. He was not convinced, but he couldn’t argue with me, so he could only glare at me angrily. My parents thought what I said made sense and decisively rejected William. Through this incident, William deeply realized his own powerlessness. In my junior year, I studied hard, participated in competitions, and obtained admission to the top 1 university in China. Three years later, he continued his doctoral studies and participated in project research, winning several generous bonuses and having a bright future. I worked hard for three years and finally passed all the tests and got the civil service position I wanted. But I didn’t expect that during the background check, I would be backstabbed by my beloved younger brother. He spread rumors that I had no self-respect and was materialistic. It’s just because his goddess married the rich second-generation who helped her in the past. William felt that if I had not stopped my parents, he would have been successful and married a beautiful woman. I was so upset that I had a heart attack because I was just one step away from success at work. William transferred all the money from my bank card and turned a blind eye when I cried for help. I just left like that. Lying on the cold floor, not breathing. When mom and dad came back and saw all this, they actually showed concern for their beloved son first. I was afraid that my death would scare him, so I asked him to go for a physical examination as well. “Fortunately, it was Isabella who died.” Those were the last words I heard before I lost consciousness. Thinking of this, I met my father’s eager gaze and said, “I can’t make the decision on such a big matter. You decide.” After hearing this, William gave me an approving look and said, “Dad, Mom, just promise me that if I can’t marry her, I won’t want anyone else. You won’t have grandchildren in this life.” I almost laughed out loud. William, you are still in school, you only have goddess in your heart and don’t study, how are you going to pay back the money in this life?

After William left with the property certificate, my mother pulled me to sit down. “Isabella, come on, you didn’t stop William when he wanted to borrow money just now.” “I’m a girl, I don’t understand these things, but you and my dad do. Why don’t you stop him?” Why are you doing this as a girl? What do you know as a girl? This is what my parents always told me. Because I am a girl, I don’t need to go to cram school. I play games to waste my time, but William plays to exercise his brain and become smarter. Since I’m a girl, I can’t choose science. I can just study liberal arts, get into an ordinary university, get an ordinary job, and then get married. I love them, so I can pretend these biases don’t exist. In return, they said, “Fortunately it was Isabella who died.” I was so stunned that my mother was speechless. She didn’t want to offend William, so she wanted me to take the blame. My father had already gone to see the advertisements for part-time jobs, ready to provide a guarantee for his son. “Isabella, please remember to transfer William’s living expenses this month.” The school I attended was not a good university. After graduation, I went to work as a clerk in a small company, earning just over 5,000 dollar a month. I paid for my school tuition with a loan, and I have to repay it every month. Add to that the living expenses for William, and I can barely save any money. I wasted two years like this, and later I realized the importance of academic qualifications, so I took the exam to become a postgraduate student, and then worked hard to prepare for the civil service exam. In the end, everything was ruined by William. I refuse to spend another penny on William. “Mom, our company’s performance is not good, and we have cut salaries. I can’t give William living expenses anymore.” “What did you say!” Mom’s expression changed immediately. “As a sister, can’t you save money a little? Your brother is still in school. “After deducting social security, I will only receive 2,000 dollar a month. What should I do if I give it all to William?” “What kind of a shitty company is this? You’re living and eating at home anyway, so you can just give William 2,000 dollar a month and treat it as rent for your family.” My dear mother, you really don’t intend to leave me a penny. Has she ever thought about how to live without money? “I’ll transfer these two thousand to you every month as living expenses for you and my dad. As for William, you guys can handle it yourself.” My mother noticed that I was angry, but she had already achieved her goal of getting money, so she was satisfied and didn’t say anything. I told myself that two thousand dollar a month from now on would be my repayment for the money they had paid for me over the years.

The money was borrowed, and William finally got his sweetheart. I’ve seen the photo of that girl. She is fresh and beautiful, with the gracefulness unique to noble girls, clear eyes, and a nice name, Alicia. Being with William is like a flower stuck in cow dung. Of course William is not ugly, he is just 1.7 meters tall and weighs 170 kg… that’s all… right? After falling in love, William’s spending increased. My mother always comes to me to complain about her poverty. I ignored it. In my previous life, I woke up too late and was deceived by the word “stability”. I plan to apply for full-time graduate studies, which is a very competitive field, and I don’t have time to care about what William is doing. Anyway, he looks down on me, his sister who only has an ordinary undergraduate degree. I moved out of home and lived in the company dormitory to avoid my parents’ nagging. The monthly interest plus William’s living expenses made them feel overwhelmed. The most important thing is that I still feel heartbroken when I see them working two jobs every day. I cursed myself in my heart for being so useless. William brought Alicia home during the Chinese New Year. Her mother had surgery for her illness and is getting much better now. My parents cooked a table full of delicious food and smiled so hard that their teeth were showing. “Alicia, this is my sister. Her monthly salary is only over 2,000 dollar. Don’t worry, I’m not as useless as her. I will definitely make a lot of money in the future and let you live a good life!” The little girl looked at me when she heard this, feeling a little embarrassed. I smiled at her nonchalantly. “Okay, Isabella, what’s wrong with you kid? Stop being lazy and come to the kitchen to help. There are two more dishes in there.” “Mom, your future daughter-in-law is here today, why don’t you let your son behave well?” In previous years, when there were guests at home, I was always busy in the kitchen while William sat at the table playing games. When I asked him to do something, my mother got anxious first: “Why is he a boy in the kitchen? Don’t you know what a gentleman is?” “A gentleman should stay away from the kitchen.” William continued, and he would proudly belittle me: “Sister, you are not good-looking and your studies are not good. Why don’t you learn to cook well? After all, you have to capture a man’s stomach first.” My mother didn’t have time to refute me this time. Alicia heard what I said, smiled and said to my mother: “Auntie, William’s stir-fried lettuce is delicious…” “William, when did you learn to cook? Oh, you really forgot your mother after you got married. Mom has never eaten the food you cooked.” My mother’s expression immediately changed, and she looked at Alicia with an unfriendly expression. As I watched this scene, I suddenly felt like a villain who was trying to sow discord, and I immediately lost the desire to eat. “Mom, something suddenly happened in my company, I’m going back to the dormitory first.” I picked up my bag, left home, and went back to study. “Why are you in such a hurry to leave? It’s only been a few days since the New Year. You are so heartless. Why don’t you spend more time with your parents?” “Take some buns back to eat!” I held back the tears that were about to burst out. My father doesn’t talk much. Although my mother made me do some housework, she would patiently braid my hair, buy me new clothes, make longevity noodles for me on my birthday, and buy me the Barbie doll that I had been asking for for a long time. I knew they didn’t love me as much as they loved William, but I never denied that they loved me too. But why? Could you say such cold words when you found my body? If they didn’t give me any love at all, maybe I would be able to be really cruel and cut off relations with them. “Fortunately it was Isabella who died.” These words kept lingering in my ears. That night, I had nightmares all night.

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When the earthquake occurred, my husband personally pushed me toward the falling beams in order to save Yuri. I was hit on the head and died under the rocks. But he looked at me coldly, “Yuri! Don’t play dead.” When I didn’t answer, he sneered, turned around and told the rescuers that everyone had escaped safely. He said: “You want to die? Then I will help you!” “Yuri! Stop pretending. Now that you’re awake, I’ll act like nothing happened.” Joanne stood up, looking down at me coldly. “It’s just a few rocks, right? You’ve got thick skin; a little hit like this won’t kill you. Is it really that big of a deal?” His tone grew more impatient, but I was pinned under the rubble and couldn’t even speak. I tasted blood in my throat, my nose was full of dust, and I could barely keep my eyes open. His face was streaked with blood, too. I lifted my head with difficulty. “Help me… please, help me—” I want to live. I’m not ready to die yet! “Help me! Joanne, help me!” Joanne hesitated for a moment, just about to move, when suddenly Chloe cried out in pain. “Ah!” Without a second glance at me, Joanne turned and rushed to Chloe, visibly anxious. “Joanne, it hurts!” Her ankle was swollen. I looked over at them with difficulty, only to hear Joanne’s voice, full of concern. “Why didn’t you tell me you were this hurt? I’ll carry you!” He scooped Chloe up in his arms like she was something precious. Startled, Chloe clung to his neck. “I’m okay… I was just worried something might’ve happened to Yuri.” “Why isn’t Yuri getting up yet? I saw her get hit in the face with a rock.” “Mmm!” Chloe quickly covered her mouth as if she’d said too much, then added, “I’m sorry, Yuri, I didn’t mean to call you out!” “But risking your life to fool Joanne like that—it’s really wrong.” Joanne’s face darkened suddenly. “You really don’t know how to repent!” With that, he strode away, holding Chloe, completely ignoring that I was in so much pain I could barely breathe. Joanne. We’ve been together for so many years, and you know how much I care about my appearance. How could I possibly ruin my own face? I used all my strength to grab his ankle. “Help me… please—” “Disgusting! If you want to die, then hurry up and die!” He kicked my hand away without a second thought and walked off. “Please…” I watched his unyielding back as blood kept spilling from my mouth. He never looked back, not once. “Joanne.” Can’t you really see how huge the stone is on top of me? Or that my blood has soaked the ground so much it’s turned black? No… it’s not that you can’t see it. You just… don’t care. But I still want to live. My child has only been in my belly for less than two months and hasn’t felt a mother’s love yet. But I never even got the chance to show them this world.

I’m dead. Before I died, everything from the past flashed before me like a movie. I thought about my life, about all the mistakes. I should never have fallen in love with Joanne. I shouldn’t have! Then my child wouldn’t have died with me. Joanne, Chloe, and I grew up together as friends. I had a crush on Joanne, but they were in love with each other. When I finally decided to go abroad and let him go, Chloe came to me. She cried, begging me to let her have the chance to study abroad instead. To make it happen, she chose to give up Joanne. And I, for the sake of Joanne and my friendship with Chloe, gave up my own chance to go abroad. After she left, Joanne was devastated, and I was just being a friend—comforting him, staying by his side. I never expected he would end up with me. But then he confessed to me. He said he’d fallen in love with me. He proposed. I thought, finally, I’d earned my happiness. But three months ago, Chloe came back and claimed I was the one who forced her to leave. How absurd! Joanne actually believed that pathetic lie. “There’s someone here!” My memories were abruptly interrupted by a rescuer’s shout. Just as they were about to rush over, Joanne stopped them. He frowned slightly. “She’s faking it. She’s not hurt—I checked.” Oh. My soul hovered in front of Joanne, and I couldn’t help but smile as I watched him lie with such ease. I was smiling, but tears streamed down my face. If he had really checked, maybe my child and I would still have a chance to survive. I looked at his face, the one I had loved for so many years, and in that moment, I felt sick. The rescuer paused for a moment before shouting angrily, “She’s been crushed under all those rocks, with only her head sticking out! You call that uninjured?” He rushed toward my body, and within seconds, the medical staff exclaimed, “She’s lost too much blood, and her vital signs are weak. We need to get her to the hospital immediately!” “Hurry! Everyone, come and help!” I saw Joanne hesitate. Panic flashed across his face, and just as he was about to turn around, Chloe sighed, “Yuri’s such a good actress. That’s how she tricked me into leaving in the first place.” In that moment, Joanne’s panic morphed into anger. “I hope she’s really dead!” “Unlucky!”

My soul is always with Joanne. I watched him curse me all the way, yet he was so gentle with Chloe. He personally administered her medicine, rubbing her swollen ankle with the reverence of a saint. “Joanne, I’m fine. Don’t worry,” Chloe smiled and acted sweetly, “But I’m really worried about Yuri.” Joanne scoffed. “It’s all Yuri’s fault. If she had blocked that rock for you sooner, maybe you wouldn’t have been hurt.” Hearing this made my heart ache. Just then, Joanne’s phone rang. “Hello, Mr. Joanne. Are you a relative of Yuri?” the voice on the other end said. “Ms. Yuri has passed away after failed rescue efforts. Please come to Civic Hospital to collect her body.” “Here we go again.” “What?” The caller sounded confused. Before she could say anything else, Joanne hung up, throwing the phone onto the sofa in anger. “She’s really sick!” Joanne cursed. “She’s been putting on a show for me. I must have spoiled her over the past two years!” Chloe’s expression changed slightly as she softly comforted him. “Yuri did everything to be with you. Maybe she feels threatened because I’m here.” “It’s my fault for making her feel uncomfortable. I need to apologize and ask her to come back.” Tears were welling in her eyes as she spoke. Joanne quickly hugged her. “It’s not your fault!” “She’s the one who should leave!” I watched them embrace, seeing Joanne hold back the urge to kiss Chloe on the forehead. I also noticed the cell phone on the sofa, flashing continuously. I’m just a soul. But why does it hurt so much? The pain is overwhelming, as if my soul is about to shatter. After comforting Chloe, a news report suddenly came on TV. “[At 11:00 PM today, a magnitude 4 earthquake struck Linden City. A pregnant woman died after failed rescue efforts. The pregnant woman…]” There was only one death in the magnitude 4 earthquake, and it was due to excessive blood loss. As reporters covered the incident, they expressed their condolences. Chloe and Joanne watched the report intently. Perhaps it was the familiar scene or the clothes that jolted Joanne; I noticed a flicker of shock and worry on his face. Could he be worried about me too? I closed my eyes slightly, feeling absurd. How could he be worried about me? I was afraid he would rejoice at the sight of my death. “Not her!” Joanne seemed momentarily dazed before picking up his phone, but just as he was about to dial, he hesitated. “It’s not her. She’s not pregnant.” “I can’t let a woman like her have my child. She doesn’t deserve it!” “Besides, it’s impossible for someone like her to die!”

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I had a stomach ache and went to St. Thomas’ Hospital alone for an IV drip. While I was there, I caught my boyfriend, Alexander, tending to his first love, Isabella. He was feeding her the chicken soup I had made myself, spooning it into her mouth one bite at a time. In that moment, I recalled a conversation he’d had with his friend James. “Alexander, what do you like about Scarlett?” “She’s easy to coax and deceive.” In the hospital ward, Alexander lowered his eyes, blew gently on the spoon, and handed it over. “Have another bite,” he said. Isabella’s pale face flushed slightly as she obediently opened her mouth. I stood at the door, watching this scene unfold, my heart aching as if it were being pierced by a knife. Just last night, Alexander had suddenly expressed a craving for chicken soup. I woke up early this morning, went to Borough Market, then spent hours simmering the soup on the stove. At noon, I proudly carried the thermos to his office in the City of London. To my shock, I was merely playing the role of someone else’s caregiver. “Your girlfriend is quite the homemaker,” Isabella remarked, a hint of mockery in her voice as she smirked. “Yeah. What would you like to eat tomorrow?” Alexander replied, his expression as indifferent as ever. He set down the bowl and casually pulled out a tissue to wipe the corner of Isabella’s mouth. “Eat you,” Isabella teased. “Stop joking,” Alexander said with a nonchalant tone. His indifference only made Isabella laugh harder. My throat tightened, and I found it hard to breathe. The haze in front of my eyes thickened. When my vision finally cleared, I realized I was making eye contact with them. A flash of surprise crossed Alexander’s face, followed by a frown. “So you’re Scarlett? You’re quite pretty, and your cooking skills are impressive too,” Isabella said, her innocent smile belied by her scrutinizing gaze. She wore a rose gold necklace that was both beautiful and painfully striking to me. Suddenly, I felt a rush of blood to my head, and my stomach began to ache again. I forced myself to respond, “I don’t deserve the compliment. I’m just young.” Isabella’s smile faltered. Alexander’s frown deepened as he noticed the white tape on my right hand, hesitating for a moment. “Do you need me to take you back?” he asked. It was already quite late. The fact that he asked meant he didn’t genuinely want to. I forced a smile. “Yes.” Alexander paused, glancing at Isabella, who was clinging to his sleeve, then back at me. But he didn’t move. My heart grew even heavier. I shook my head and turned to leave. He didn’t follow. In a daze, I recalled the harassing phone call I received a few days ago. “Alexander’s girlfriend? You? He loved me so deeply back then. No one can replace me. Just wait and see!” The caller didn’t give me a chance to respond before hanging up, leaving me feeling taunted. Lost in thought, I received a multimedia message. It was a selfie. She was strikingly beautiful—bold and flamboyant. I was baffled. What was wrong with this person? At that moment, Alexander was beside me. I showed him my phone. “She’s Isabella, your first love, right?” Alexander quickly glanced at the image, nodded, and deleted the message. “Scarlett, she’s mentally unstable due to some trauma. Just ignore her,” he said. I wasn’t angry; I just thought it was childish and ridiculous. I pressed on, “Did she contact you?” He didn’t deny it, simply replying coldly, “Annoying.” At that moment, I realized the childish and ridiculous one was me. And I was the one being annoyed. Suddenly, all the details I had previously overlooked came flooding back like a tidal wave. Alexander had been working late frequently, sometimes not coming home at all. He would go out to the balcony to take calls, lowering his voice, and the conversations would stretch on for a long time. I had found a receipt for an expensive ladies’ necklace in his suit pocket, which he claimed was for a client. … And I had never suspected a thing. When we first got together, I had accidentally overheard a conversation between him and James. “What do you like about Scarlett?” “As long as I can coax and deceive her.” Later, Alexander casually dismissed it as a joke. He navigated this relationship with such ease, controlling me perfectly with just a few words. In reality, the signs had always been there. I had just been too naive and self-righteous to see them. After three years of dating, I, like a small stove providing warmth in the snow, couldn’t compete with the moonlight that enhanced his life. 2 The first time I met Alexander was quite remarkable. After graduating from university, I had a big argument with my family over work and decided to move out to rent a cheap old house. It was late after my farewell dinner. When I returned, I found a drunk man sprawled in the hallway of the London residence. He had thin lips, a high nose, and slightly flushed cheeks. His long eyelashes cast shadows across his face. He looked quiet and haggard, evoking a sense of sympathy. I carefully patted him on the shoulder. He opened his eyes, and the bright lights of the hallway reflected in his dark gaze like a full moon. “Sorry to scare you,” he said, his hoarse voice somehow more charming in the stillness of the night. He stood up, irritably tugging at his tie, then turned to open the door. I instinctively said, “It’s okay. You should drink less in the future; it’s not good for your health.” The sound of the key turning in the lock paused. He turned back, squinting at me, his expression inscrutable. After a moment of silence, he replied, “Yeah.” “Um, well… I’m Scarlett, and I live opposite you.” “Alexander.” The sound insulation in the hallway was poor, and I could hear every time Alexander opened or closed his door. Gradually, I figured out his routine. He usually left at seven in the morning, and his return time was unpredictable, often late at night. But no matter when he came home, I always prepared a cup of honey water and waited for him. “Why are you waiting for me?” he asked one day. That time, Alexander didn’t take the cup. He stood in front of me, looking down from above. My cheeks flushed, and my breathing became unsteady. “Because I like you.” “Why?” “…I don’t know.” Alexander tilted his head, and his deep black eyes sparkled slightly. His voice was hesitant. “I didn’t drink tonight. Go back to your room. Don’t stay up late.” At first, I didn’t understand if this was a rejection or an acceptance. I looked up and asked quietly, “What about you?” Alexander raised an eyebrow, looked at me meaningfully, and flashed a mischievous smile. “Of course, I’ll go back to my own room.” I suddenly woke up and stammered in my explanation, “No! I meant you… you’re staying up late as well…” “I’ll make an effort to come back earlier in the days to come.” His tone was nonchalant, yet it still managed to stir ripples within my heart. Not long after that, Alexander moved away. He gave me the address of his new place – Alexander’s Flat in London, along with a spare key. Whenever I had no painting orders, I would head over to his place to tidy up the house, do the laundry, and cook for him. Charlotte got wind of it and was exasperated. “I’ve never seen anyone like you, so eager to be a free maid! What on earth do you like about Alexander? Is it because he’s good – looking?” I’d never contemplated this question before. I simply felt that every single moment I spent with Alexander was filled with joy. His responses to my messages evolved from “Yeah” to “Okay”, and the way he addressed me shifted from “You” to “Scarlett”. When he returned from a business trip, he’d bring me little presents. On weekends when he wasn’t occupied, he’d take me out for a meal. And from time to time, he’d remind me to take my stomach medicine… Whenever I thought about how Alexander was gradually changing for me, my heart would brim with happiness, making me believe that all the efforts were worthwhile. Finally, on Valentine’s Day, Alexander came to me carrying a bouquet of roses. The moonlight shone into his eyes, making it difficult to decipher his original emotions. “Scarlett, be my girlfriend.” “Okay.” Later, I discovered that on that very day, Isabella had announced her engagement in a high – profile manner. She’s Alexander’s first love, and they used to have a great relationship. But later, Alexander’s father’s company nearly went bankrupt, and Isabella also proposed to break up, seamlessly getting together with a rich second – generation heir. Then, when Alexander was at his lowest ebb, he met me. He once said that I was his winter stove, warm and cozy. But a woman’s intuition is a strange thing. I couldn’t help but wonder if Alexander’s acceptance of me had something to do with Isabella. Once this thought emerged, it grew stronger and stronger, refusing to go away… I plucked up the courage and asked casually, looking him in the eye. I looked up, choosing my words carefully before asking, “Why did you suddenly accept me?” His eyes were dark and inscrutable. “Because I like you.” “The past is in the past. Scarlett, you are my present and my future.” I engraved these words deep in my mind. 3 As soon as I entered the house, my phone rang. “Did you get home?” “Yeah.” “Why didn’t you tell me your stomach hurt?” “Would you have cared if I had?” There was a momentary silence on the other end of the phone. I could hear Alexander’s deep and slightly ragged breathing. “Scarlett, Isabella slit her wrists and attempted suicide. Fortunately, she was found in time. Although she’s out of danger, she’s still very weak.” So what? Just because I’m stronger than her, should I be her maid and give up my boyfriend? However, there was an even more crucial question. “Who found her in time?” Alexander was silent for a moment, then he gave an answer that didn’t really address the issue: “Her parents passed away and she was cheated on. Her mental state has become abnormal. After all, we’ve known each other for so many years. I just can’t help but worry about her.” My heart suddenly lurched, and my nose stung. Sure enough, only those who cry get the comfort. “Alexander, your girlfriend went home alone in the middle of the night. Aren’t you worried about her?” “Are you worried about her or still in love with her?” There was silence on the other end. I tried my best to steady my emotions, but my voice still quivered slightly. “I’m not the clingy type. If you—” “Wait for me to come home.” Alexander interrupted me and hung up the phone straight away. It would take him about half an hour to drive back. I curled up on the couch in the dark, with no lights on. All I could hear in the darkness was the ticking of the clock hands. Half an hour… One hour… Two hours passed… Before I knew it, I sat there until dawn. Alexander returned at six in the morning. “Why are you up so early?” He looked tired. He casually tossed his coat aside, leaned back on the couch, closed his eyes to rest, with no intention of explaining at all. Suddenly, Alexander opened his eyes and looked at me with a hint of surprise. “You didn’t sleep all night, did you?” I remained silent.

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In our tenth year as secret lovers, Charles still treats me like a bitch. He only stayed with me for the night and hurried back to his and his wife’s home at daybreak. I thought he was pretending to be in love, until I smashed a bottle of wine on his wife’s head and he went crazy. That slap in the face wiped out the last bit of my conscience. Charles, are you ready for our revenge? Charles slapped me. He hit me so hard that my head tilted to the side, my ears were buzzing, and my head was spinning. I slowly squatted down holding on to the wall, and there was gold falling from the corners of my eyes. They were the earrings I bought yesterday. But the person who put it on me was now holding Zoe with a nervous look on his face, checking her wound. I almost laughed out loud at Charles’ sickening hypocrisy. He and Zoe have been married for ten years. I was also his secret lover for ten years. For ten years, he has been responsive to my requests and doted on me, with his only request being that I not disturb his wife Zoe. Not only did I not listen to him, I also provocatively smashed a bottle of wine on Zoe’s head. The scarlet wine gushed out. Zoe is not pretty and is a bit dull. Even after I bullied her in the face, she just stood there at a loss. It was not until Charles rushed in and hugged her that she spoke timidly. “Charles, who is she?” Charles followed her and saw me in the corner with an unpleasant expression. “A mad woman.” The side of my face that was hit started to feel hot, and I watched silently as he embraced Zoe and walked out the door. The gentleness he showed when he lowered his head really made him look like a good husband. I felt so lowly that I waited until they were far away before I patted my butt and got up. But as soon as I went out, I saw a figure standing at the corner. Charles is good-looking, tall and handsome. He has always been the focus of the crowd since he was a child. It’s no wonder that Zoe and I are so fascinated by him. He walked over, his outline gradually becoming clearer in the dim corridor, looming in front of me, and bent down to kiss me. His kiss was filled with the scent of roses, Zoe’s favorite perfume, and I suddenly felt nauseous and pushed him away. How did he do it? He was comforting his shivering wife just now, but he turned around and kissed his lover with lust. “Stop it.” He said. Charles doesn’t know how to coax people. Countless times when I had quarrels with him, he would just say this in a light tone. “Sia, stop it.” But I am not his obedient wife, I am a goblin who throws himself at his expense. At first, I was really desperate, so I jumped into his car on a cold rainy night and seduced him. I know that he just got engaged to the daughter of the Miller family and that he is worth over 100 million. While I was lying on the cold ground, I was still calculating how much money I could extort when I heard someone opening the car door. The leather shoes stepped on the rain, and the splashes looked like little crowns. I laughed for no apparent reason, and it took me a long time to look up and see Charles holding an umbrella. After that day I had two jobs, ostensibly as Charles’ assistant but actually as his lover. Charles is a good man and very generous. In the past, I could earn less than 5,000 dollars after working for three months, but now Charles can make hundreds of thousands of dollars with just a wave of his hand. But I have been his lover for ten years, and he still treats me like a bitch. Charles only stayed at my place overnight. He dressed and got out of bed before daybreak, hurrying back to his and Zoe’s home. He said he was going back to make breakfast for Zoe, but the auntie at home didn’t cook her breakfast, so she refused to eat and became so hungry that she had a stomachache. Without exception. Even though I know that Charles might have to pretend to be nice to Zoe because he is concerned about the business cooperation with the Miller family. But until Charles completely took over the Miller family’s business, he still insisted on making breakfast for Zoe. I can’t lie to myself anymore.

I’ve gone crazy, pretended to be sick, and thrown a tantrum, but nothing could stop him from going back to Zoe. He would just say to me, Sia, stop it. Then he lowered his head and kissed me, passing by like a gust of wind. When I got home, there was still the wine I hadn’t finished on the table. The slightly sweet aroma of wine filled the air. Charles took off his coat and went to the kitchen to get some ice cubes to put on my face. “Aren’t you going to coax your wife?” I stared at his drooping long eyelashes and said casually. “She is much more obedient than you.” The words I wanted to say were stuck in my throat. The warm yellow light cast a shadow on us. I listened to his breathing and suddenly felt bored. Ten years. I have spent ten years of my time and energy on Charles. I thought he would become softer than before, but I didn’t expect his heart to be still cold and hard. “Let’s separate,” I said. His hand against my cheek paused for a moment, and his calm eyes looked straight at me. I hate this expression of his the most. He is so arrogant, cold and heartless. In an instant, it brings me back to that rainy night thirteen years ago. My whole body began to tremble uncontrollably. I shook off his hand and turned my head away, hiding my embarrassment in the shadows. Charles just thought I was going crazy. He was used to me threatening to break up with him whenever I was unhappy, but in the end he would just give me some money to get rid of it. Very easy to coax. Charles still stayed at my place at night. He held me in his arms and slept soundly, with the moonlight flowing through his hair like the tide. I have been looking at his eyebrows and his eyes for a full ten years, and every time I describe them, I feel hatred deep in my bones. A slight vibration interrupted my thoughts. Charles’s cell phone was on, with only one word “read” on the screen. “– Hello?” I picked up the phone. The hurried tone of voice on the other end suddenly died down, and after a long while, Zoe’s trembling voice was heard. “You, you are… Sia?” I hummed softly. “…Is Charles there with you? Can you ask him to answer the phone? I, I think I’m having a miscarriage…” I looked back helplessly with the phone in my hand and met Charles’s gaze, who still looked a little confused. After hearing what Zoe said, his expression changed. He snatched the phone away, his voice filled with suppressed anger, but he was talking to me. “Why are you answering the phone? Don’t you think it’s not exciting enough for her?” He gripped my wrist so hard that it almost broke my bones. I was shivering, little by little, and even the blood in my heart was running cold. I saw him quickly put on his clothes and rush out, the anxiety on his face was like a flame burning my vision. I collapsed on the ground, smiled bitterly, and looked down to see the hideous red mark on my wrist. I remember that when I had my first miscarriage, I also made a phone call and called Charles back from the villa where he was cooking for Zoe. At that time, I was even more cruel. I sat on the sofa and watched indifferently a pool of blood gushing out. Only when he was sure that the child could not be saved did he call Charles. The anxiety on his face when he arrived was exactly the same as before. It was as if he divided his love equally between me and Zoe. But how can one heart love two people? He is hypocritical and pretentious. He can’t let go of Zoe, nor can he let go of me. I was sleepy and cold, so I curled up on the carpet and fell asleep. When the sky started to grow light, there was still no sound outside the door. Charles won’t be coming back. I sat in the huge house and looked around, only to find that there were so many traces of Charles in this house. The cups on the island were the couple cups we picked out together. Charles scoffed at such childish things, but he still drank from the childish Rogue Rabbit porcelain cup. In the refrigerator, half is filled with his wine and the other half is filled with my calcium milk. He laughed at my behavior, but he would silently replenish it every time after drinking the milk. There is also a whole wall of perfumes he collected for me, and a ring design he drew for me personally… The phone lit up, and the message I had been waiting for finally arrived. It’s a photo sent by Zoe. Charles’ handsome profile was buried in the snow-like blanket, one hand tightly holding her pale and slender hand. The smile on her face was gentle and peaceful, and she looked straight at me through the screen. “I told Charles that you scared me into having a miscarriage.”

Children have always been Charles’ concern. He found it troublesome, but he had no choice but to do without it. After all, his business empire still needed a legitimate heir. Charles is a typical rich second generation. He was spoiled by his family since he was young, and is good at smoking, fighting, and racing. It was not until something went wrong and his family settled the matter that he turned over a new leaf and took over the family business. But Charles also has a younger brother born to his stepmother, who is ten years younger than him and will soon be able to stand on his own. That’s right, the two of them are like water and fire, and they are bound to fight to the death. Charles’ father favors his youngest son and is always strict with his eldest son. As luck would have it, several major partners withdrew their investments at this time. Charles was so overwhelmed that he was busy until late at night and could only come back occasionally. When Charles’ father saw that his career was in trouble, he intended to let his youngest son gradually take over the company. He argued for this for a long time before his father finally gave in. He can have the company, but Charles must have an heir first. After all, he is already in his thirties and still has no successor, which makes people wonder if Charles has some hidden illness. If this is true, the company will naturally be inherited by the younger brother. After Charles dies, the younger brother will inherit it anyway. I had a miscarriage a year ago. And Zoe, who had just been hit on the head by a wine bottle by me, had a miscarriage out of fright. God is not on Charles’ side. I almost applauded. I thought Charles would have to stay with Zoe in the hospital for a long time, but he called me soon. “Come to the hospital.” His tone was so cold that it seemed to be spilling out of the other end of the line. I put on my makeup carefully and went to the ward in high heels, but the heavy medical record book that hit me in the face made me go black. “Apologize.” Charles stood tall in front of the bed, his eyes frighteningly cold. Zoe, whose face was so pale that it looked transparent, was leaning against the bed, a bright smile shining in her eyes. This isn’t the first time I’ve met Zoe. Before I smashed her bottle, and after I knew Charles had a wife, I hid in the corner many times and watched her like a voyeur. She liked to wear off-white sweaters and gently took Charles’ suit jacket. She likes rose-scented perfume, which is light and elegant. When Charles holds me in his arms at night, the rich rose scent surrounds me. She likes to do some handicrafts, and Charles wears a red rope she weaved on his wrist. There are traces of her everywhere on Charles, and this woman reveals her edge without making a sound. I tried to ignore it, but it got worse. Especially when Charles was standing beside her as well. I covered my stomach which was hit by the medical record book and met Charles’ warning eyes. …can’t resist. I’m not sure I can break up with Charles right now, so I can only swallow my anger and apologize to Zoe. “I’m sorry, Miss Zoe. I was wrong.” Hearing that I gave in, Charles breathed a sigh of relief. He turned around and held Zoe’s hand, his face full of cautious tenderness. “I was wrong. You should take good care of yourself. I will end things with her and we will live a good life from now on.” A very faint smile forced itself onto Zoe’s pale face. Like a small white flower swaying in the wind. I rolled my eyes, but she caught it immediately. “Charles, can you let her out?” Charles obeyed her every word, and he didn’t know where her charm came from. “Go out… Take care of the company’s business. Don’t bother me unless it’s important.” Charles’ cell phone was thrown into my arms. I rubbed my stomach, stood up, and limped out of the ward. The moment I left, I turned back and waved my phone at Zoe. She raised her head from Charles’ arms, her eyes narrowed. He quietly glanced at me. The corners of my mouth curled up. ——The plan was successful.

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The day Isabelle “Belle” Knight, Weston Carrington’s first love, returned to the U.S., I set fire to The Carrington Estate. With my twins in tow, I disappeared without a trace. I had once charged into a burning building to save him, losing my sight in the process. But to him, I was just a schemer who used any means necessary to marry him and ruin his future with Belle. Now that my vision was restored, it was time for me to leave. ### Chapter 1 The kids begged Weston for days before he finally agreed to celebrate their birthday with them. The food on the table grew cold, and the twins sat by their cake, refusing to go to bed. Weston never showed up. But I knew where he was. Grabbing my cane, I felt my way out of the house. Every bump and stumble on the way added new cuts to my shins. At the door of the private lounge, I was about to step inside when I overheard the conversation from within. “Belle’s coming back. So, what are you going to do about that blind woman and the twins?” one of Weston’s friends asked. “Divorce,” Weston replied without a moment’s hesitation. Of course. If the Carringtons hadn’t forced Weston to marry a blind woman like me, Belle would have never left. On our wedding day, Weston rebelled by disappearing, leaving me to complete the entire ceremony alone, becoming the laughingstock of the town. For a year, we lived apart. Then, one impulsive night changed everything, leading to the birth of our twins. The day Ethan and Lillian were born, he didn’t spare them a glance. To him, they were the embodiment of betrayal. When he agreed to celebrate their birthday, I foolishly believed that his heart might finally be thawing. In the silence, one of his friends spoke. “To be honest, your wife’s been good to you, and she’s given you kids who are already so grown.” “Does it matter?” another friend retorted immediately. “If she hadn’t orchestrated blinding herself to trap Weston into marriage, he wouldn’t have missed out on years with Belle.” “A blind, fallen socialite being able to marry into the Carrington family was already a miracle. Now that Belle’s back, the real lovers can finally reunite.” A lump formed in my throat as Weston’s cold voice cut through the room. “Talking about her ruins the mood. Let’s drink.” The disgust in his tone was unmistakable. ### Chapter 2 I often felt like my life was perpetually derailed, heading straight into every storm it could find. When I first met Weston, I was the adored Manhattan socialite, Celeste Monroe, and he was the rising star of the financial world. At my art gala, while the powerful circled around me with empty praise, he was the only one studying my painting in silence. Dressed in a crisp white shirt, he looked like he belonged in my self-portrait, “Portrait of a Countryside Girl,” that hung just behind him. When our eyes met, he offered a small smile. “Miss Monroe, you’re as beautiful as these works of art.” The imagined breeze of the painted fields brushed my heart, and it raced wildly. From that moment, I fell in love, enduring six years of one-sided longing. Weston always maintained a polite distance but never explicitly rejected me. I believed I was worthy of him and clung to the hope of winning his heart. Then, tragedy struck. The Monroe legacy crumbled, leaving me the only survivor. I was alive, but only in body. Later, I ran into a burning building to save an unconscious Weston, losing my sight in the process. I lost my home and could no longer paint. The Carringtons, not wanting public scrutiny, forced Weston to marry me. That’s when I learned his heart belonged to someone else: Isabelle Knight. He resented me. One Harvest Moon Festival, a drunk Weston came home for the first time. Before I could say a word, he embraced me, reeking of alcohol. I couldn’t break free. As he tore my clothes like a wild animal, the image of the boy who once smiled at me filled my mind. “Miss Monroe, you’re as beautiful as a piece of art,” he had said, his eyes crinkling at the corners. When I awoke, pain shot through me. And then, he slapped me hard. “Celeste, there’s no end to your scheming to stay as Mrs. Carrington, is there?” I realized then that it had always been a mistake. I should have left long ago. ### Chapter 3 I returned to Carrington Manor, the cage built for me after our marriage. The twins were still awake, running to cling to my legs as soon as I stepped inside. “Mom, did Dad come back too?” Ethan asked. I heard their little feet run toward the door, only to return, their disappointment palpable. “Did Dad not want us?” Ethan asked, tears welling up. My heart clenched, a crushing pain stealing my breath. I knelt and held them close. “Mom wants you. Will you come with me if we leave?” Life might be tougher, but it would be better than living in the shadows here. Lillian’s small hand brushed the tears from my cheeks. “Mom, don’t cry. We’ll go wherever you go.” After putting them to bed, I broke down, unable to hold back my sobs. Being my children had brought them nothing but hardship. Carrying them for ten months had been difficult, even more so because I was blind. Weston knew the challenges I faced but never accompanied me to a single prenatal appointment. When he first saw them, his only comment was, “Disgusting.” Publicly, he refused to acknowledge them as his own. Even when they called him “Dad,” he scolded them. They were legitimate children, yet they were treated worse than outsiders. When they asked me if their father would come home, I would make excuse after excuse until even they stopped believing me. Leaving would free everyone. Perhaps Weston suddenly remembered his promise to the kids. Late that night, he came back. As I was packing, his cold hand grabbed my arm. His voice, sharp and void of emotion, pierced the air. “What are you doing?” The scent of alcohol brought back the memory of that night, making my body stiffen. I kept my voice steady. “The house is a mess. I’m tidying up.” The silence stretched, broken only by the chill of the wind that made me shiver. Then Weston pulled me into his arms, his tone almost pleading. “Don’t go, Belle.” He was drunk and had mistaken me for her. Before I could push him away, he kissed me, invading with the taste of whiskey. His hand trailed from my collarbone down, claiming me in his intoxicated haze. ### Chapter 4 The shame and pain crashed over me like a wave, suffocating and all-consuming. I pushed him away with all the strength I had, screaming desperately, “If you love Belle so much, why did you marry me? Why trap me here and ignore me?” There was no response. Though I couldn’t see him, I felt the rage emanating from him. Realizing my legs were cut, his tone turned harsh. “You went looking for me? What did you hear?” I didn’t care anymore. The words spilled out. “Do you really think Belle left because of our marriage? She left for her own ambitions.” “How dare you mention her!” He shoved me, and I fell back, my head hitting the ground with a painful thud, sending a sharp ache through my skull. Suddenly, a sliver of light broke through, fading the darkness into a mist. Slowly, my vision cleared. I thought I saw Weston reaching for me, but his hand retreated. He stood there, expression cold as ice. “You wanted me back. I’m here. That’s enough.” Then he disappeared into the night. I could see. I could finally see. Rushing to the bedroom, I touched Ethan and Lillian’s warm little hands to make sure it was real. Tears of joy streamed down my face. Now, I was more determined than ever to leave. The next day, Weston, sobered up, had his secretary send birthday gifts for the twins. They dumped them at the front door. Ethan scowled. “It’s not even my birthday today. Why send this now?” Lillian, equally upset, added, “We wanted Dad home so he could be with Mom. But if Mom doesn’t want Dad, we don’t either.” They were too young to have such heavy burdens, only two years old but far too mature. Lillian’s small voice asked, “Mom, where will we go?” Smiling, I replied, “Back to Mom’s old home.” The Monroe estate was long gone, sold off. Now, only Grandma Lucille’s Homestead remained—the place she had never left until her last breath, her little paradise. “There’s no amusement park, no tall buildings, but there are birds, flowers, and streams.” Their little arms wrapped around me tightly, stifling the rest of my words. “With you, Mom, anywhere is the best place.” ### Chapter 5 Lately, both Weston Carrington and I had been busy. He was preparing for Isabelle “Belle” Knight’s return to the States, while I was making plans to take the children and leave. If I wanted to slip away from the ever-watchful Carrington family, timing had to be perfect. Though the kids said they didn’t care about their father, the day before we were set to leave, they sat staring wistfully at a picture of Weston. After much hesitation, I finally dialed Weston’s number. The line connected, but his voice was as impatient as ever. “What is it?” “The kids want to see you. Would you come by one last time?” Would he come for one final goodbye? “Weston, I finally made it back, and you’re not even paying attention to me. I’m going to be upset!” Isabelle’s voice chimed in the background. He was with her. Without a second’s hesitation, he hung up. When fate has run its course, even a final meeting becomes too much to hope for. On the bedside table, my Portrait of a Countryside Girl still hung, as if the fragrance of the fields could seep out at any moment. I flicked the lighter and set it ablaze. The fire licked eagerly at everything in the room, spreading rapidly through the manor. Our marriage, which began with fire, would end in fire. As the flames roared around us, I held Ethan and Lillian’s hands and walked away, not once looking back. Weston, I’ve returned your freedom to you. The fire raged on, consuming everything, even what should have been permanent. I returned to Grandma Lucille’s Homestead. Since her passing, the house had remained untouched, blanketed in layers of dust. Brushing it away, I could almost see her offering me a big, ripe watermelon, urging me to eat. She would slice it in half, and if that wasn’t enough, she’d let me scoop it out with a spoon. Her eyes crinkled with joy as she laughed at the mess I’d make. Now, I lived quietly with the kids, emulating the simple, serene life she had once led. We tilled the weed-choked garden with small hoes, reclaiming the land inch by inch. News reports buzzed with stories of the fire that destroyed Carrington Manor, suggesting that Weston’s wife and their twin children were lost in the blaze. As the inferno devoured everything, Weston was in a hotel with Isabelle. She excused herself, claiming she needed to freshen up, leaving Weston waiting. He knew exactly what her invitation implied. ### Chapter 6 When Isabelle emerged, wrapped in a towel and looking every bit the vision she intended, Weston felt… nothing. As she leaned in eagerly, he recoiled, almost reflexively pushing her away. “I’m sorry, something came up at work. I have to go.” He left as if fleeing a fire, bewildered by his own reaction. Not even in bed with Celeste Monroe had he felt this disinterest. The news of the fire at Carrington Manor stunned him into a rare moment of silence. A pang of regret stealthily claimed space in his mind. He couldn’t help but wonder, if he had been there, would it have changed anything? Yet part of him clung to the belief that this was just another one of Celeste’s manipulations for attention. “She’s always up to some scheme,” he muttered with disdain. Until Margaret Carrington placed the charred remains on his desk. There lay a blackened wedding ring and two half-burned birthday gifts. The ring was their sole connection, one Celeste had never taken off, cherishing it as a lifeline. The gifts were the ones he had sent for the twins, their wrappings untouched, now scorched and ruined. “The fire started in the bedroom. It looks like she set it herself and locked the door from the inside. No one could have survived that.” Weston’s breath caught in his throat. “Are you saying she chose not to escape, that she stayed to die with the children in our home?”

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The day Vanessa Carter’s first love, Marcus Delaney, returned to the States, I set fire to our Wedding Manor. Apart from the twins she bore me, I took nothing else. Years ago, when she was gravely ill and in desperate need of a kidney transplant, I unhesitatingly donated mine. But she always believed I schemed to marry her by any means necessary, ruining her relationship with Marcus. Now, I’ve given up and faked my death to leave. Yet when she learned of my supposed death, it shattered her. ### Chapter 1 Thanksgiving is a time for family reunions, and it also marks the twins’ birthday. After much pleading from Noah and Ava, Vanessa finally agreed to come home for the celebration. When she offhandedly mentioned she wanted homemade food, I pushed through the fever gnawing at me and made a table full of dishes. Now, the food sat cold, and the twins refused to leave the table, clutching their birthday cake, eyes wide and hopeful. Vanessa never came. Dizzy and with my head pounding, I forced down a handful of fever-reducing pills before heading out. I knew where she was. Whenever she felt unsettled, she sought solace in conversations with her closest friends. The courtyard of The Carter Estate was lit by soft garden lights, and I spotted Vanessa drinking and laughing with her friends. “Marcus is coming back, Vanessa. What about that man you married, Liam Westfield, and the twins? How do you plan to deal with them?” My hand froze mid-knock, suspended between decision and regret. Vanessa’s flawless features, caught between light and shadow, looked tense. “Divorce. He’ll take the kids. Marcus doesn’t need the complication.” Her response was cold and definitive, though I’d expected it. If it hadn’t been for her grandfather’s deathbed demand that she marry me, Marcus would never have disappeared overseas. Vanessa protested our wedding by vanishing herself. An unwelcome son-in-law and a bride who fled on her wedding day—overnight, I became the town’s laughingstock. We spent a year after that apart. Then, a reckless night led to the birth of our twins. The moment they were born, Vanessa rejected them, snapping at the nurse to take them away without so much as a glance. They were, after all, reminders of her betrayal of Marcus, her true love. When she agreed to come home for the twins’ birthday, I foolishly thought that the icy exterior might finally be thawing. Amid the silence, one of her friends spoke up. “Your husband’s been good to you, Vanessa. Even after his family’s downfall, he used his connections to secure resources for you. He hasn’t even fully recovered from his health issues and still drank with clients until he bled internally to help build your company.” That was quickly countered by another voice. “Please. Vanessa could have done just as well without him. If that spineless man hadn’t pushed his kidney on her out of some misguided sense of heroism, her grandfather wouldn’t have forced her into marrying him. She and Marcus lost years over it.” “A kept man acting like he’s still the elite heir he once was—she should’ve ditched him ages ago.” A sharp pain twisted in my chest as Vanessa’s cool voice cut through. “Enough about him. More drinks.” Another friend smirked and spoke in a teasing tone. “Liam was quite the catch back then. Since you’re not keeping him, why not share with the rest of us? Like hiring a model for a night?” Laughter followed. Vanessa said nothing, only tipping back her glass of champagne until it was empty. ### Chapter 2 My life has always felt like a series of wrong turns, veering wildly off course, always headed into a blizzard. I first met Vanessa at the Annual Philanthropy Gala hosted at my family’s estate. Back then, I was the heir of the powerful Westfield family, and Vanessa was just a small start-up owner who had tagged along on a friend’s invitation. Among the items up for auction were my own paintings. Wealthy attendees bid fiercely, eager for a chance to align themselves with my family. But only one young woman stood in the corner, captivated by the artwork itself. The painting was titled “Mother,” my most cherished piece. When I caught her teary-eyed gaze, Vanessa stepped back, her expression vulnerable. “Mr. Westfield, your work is beautiful, but I can’t afford it.” A spark fluttered in my chest and roared into a wildfire. I later learned that Vanessa’s parents had died young, leaving her to be raised by her grandfather. That painting struck a chord with her, so I gifted it to her, beginning a six-year infatuation. Despite her aloofness, Vanessa never outright refused me, letting my hopes linger. I believed I could win her over with sincerity. I connected her with top industry opportunities, watching her company thrive. But when my family collapsed, I was the sole survivor, left only with my living body. Ignoring Aunt Helen’s desperate pleas, I donated my kidney to Vanessa. The complications nearly cost me my life, forcing me to abandon my art. Mr. Carter, aware of how indebted their family was to me, coerced Vanessa into marrying me as his final wish. She couldn’t refuse, but only on the condition that I marry into her family. I discovered after our marriage that the husband she longed for was always Marcus. Her heart’s only allegiance was to him. That Thanksgiving, Vanessa returned home drunk for the first time. I only meant to help her to bed, but she pulled me close, her grip tightening like a serpent. “Kiss me,” she whispered. In that moment of weakness, I made a mistake. When dawn broke, she slapped me, eyes wet with rage. “Was marrying me not enough for you? You had to stoop to this? Pathetic.” From the start, it had always been wrong. I should have left then. ### Chapter 3 I dragged myself back to The Carter Estate, the prison that bound me and Vanessa together. The twins were awake, clinging to my legs. “Dad, did Mom come back?” They dashed to the front door, their faces falling when they saw it was empty. Noah’s cheeks flushed as he burst into tears. “Does Mom not want us anymore?” My heart clenched in unbearable pain as I knelt to hold them. “Dad wants you. Would you come with me?” I couldn’t tell them that their mother didn’t want them, that we were obstacles to her happiness. Ava, wise beyond her years, patted my shoulder. “Don’t be sad, Dad. Wherever you go, we go.” Once I finally got them to sleep, I stumbled into the bathroom and let the cold water wash over my face, masking the relentless tears. The sound of the water drowned out my sobs, preserving the last shred of my dignity. They had never known a moment of joy as my children. Vanessa had tried to terminate the pregnancy repeatedly until the doctor warned that it would render her infertile. She relented only because she wanted to have Marcus’s child one day. When the twins were born, she turned away in disgust, demanding the nurse take them away. I played the roles of both father and mother, raising them alone. In public, she denied their existence. When they called her “Mom,” they were met with reprimands. They were her children, yet she treated them worse than strangers. Each time they asked when she would return, I conjured up another flimsy excuse until even they lost faith and said, “Dad, you’re always lying.” Leaving would be our salvation. That night, as if remembering a forgotten promise, Vanessa returned. I was packing when her voice, cool and laced with alcohol, cut through the silence. “What are you doing?” I turned to face her, trying to keep my tone neutral. “Couldn’t sleep. Just tidying up.” The alcohol lingered on the air, and the chill from the open window sent a shiver down my feverish body. Suddenly, she leaned in, her voice soft, almost pleading. “Stay with me, Marcus.” She was so drunk she mistook me for him. Before I could react, she pressed her lips to mine, her taste sweet with the tang of champagne. Her hands fumbled at my shirt buttons with an urgency that betrayed her restraint. I recalled her friend’s derisive words echoing in my ears. “Like hiring a male model for a night.” ### Chapter 4 Humiliation and pain crashed over me like a tidal wave. Unable to hold back, I pushed her away. “If you wanted Marcus, you should have never agreed to marry me. Why put us both through this torment and resentment?” “I’m still a man, and no amount of love can take away my dignity.” Vanessa’s eyes cleared, now tinged with anger and something unreadable. I ignored her and resumed packing. She grabbed my wrist, her touch faltering when she felt my skin burning. “You’re running a fever? What kind of man are you, unable to even care for yourself?” When she tried to check my temperature, I recoiled. A click of her tongue, exasperated. “So you went looking for me. What did you hear?” It didn’t matter anymore. Everything came pouring out. “You think Marcus left the country because you married me? He left because he was afraid you’d make him donate his kidney!” “How dare you speak of him that way!” Vanessa grabbed a glass from the table and hurled it at me. I didn’t flinch, letting it shatter against my forehead. Shards fell to the floor, mingling with my blood. To her, I was like that glass—a vessel for her fury, disposable when shattered. Blood blurred my vision, but I thought I saw her hesitate, reaching out before pulling back, expression as cold as ever. “You wanted me home, and now I am. That’s all there is to it.” Her heels clicked as she walked away, fading into the night along with whatever remained of my heart. The next morning, after she sobered up, Vanessa sent her assistant to deliver birthday gifts for the twins. The packages sat untouched by the door. Noah scowled. “It’s not even my birthday anymore. What’s the point?” Ava, indignant, chimed in. “We used to want Mom to come home so she could be with Dad. But now, if Dad doesn’t want her, neither do we.” They were so young yet so careful, burdened with a maturity that broke my heart. “Dad, where will we go?” Ava’s tiny voice asked as I stroked her head. “To Grandma Eileen’s old home in Vermont,” I replied. The once-grand Westfield Estate had been sold long ago. The only place left was my grandmother’s house in the rural town. My mother had often begged Grandma Eileen to move to the city, but she always refused, too attached to her home. So we would spend our summers there, surrounded by the chirping of birds and the gentle murmur of a nearby stream. “There are no amusement parks or skyscrapers, but there’s the sound of birds and a little brook.” The twins wrapped their small arms around me, silencing the rest of my words. “With you, Dad, anywhere is perfect.” ### Chapter 5 Lately, Vanessa and I have both been busy. She’s been preparing for Marcus Delaney’s return, while I’ve been making plans to take the twins and leave. Vanessa was always the one in control, so if I wanted to leave, I had to prepare carefully. Even though Noah and Ava said they didn’t need their mother, the night before we were set to leave, I found them staring longingly at a photo of Vanessa. After hesitating, I dialed her number. When she answered, her voice was as cold and impatient as always. “What is it?” “The kids want to see you one last time. Will you come home?” Would she come back for a final goodbye? “Vanessa, if you’re too busy, I’ll head back overseas. I guess I wasn’t that important after all.” Marcus’s voice interrupted from the background. “Vanessa, if you’re busy, I’ll just head back. Seems like I’m not that important.” Vanessa’s tone shifted to reassurance. “You are important. He’s nothing.” The call ended abruptly. Even a final farewell was too much to ask when fate had run its course. The painting I gave her still hung by the bed, a reminder of the day she’d shed a single tear over it. I struck a match and set it aflame. The fire raced over the room’s flammable surfaces, spreading until it devoured the entire Wedding Manor. Our marriage, which began with that painting, ended with it. The flames roared behind me as I led the twins out, not looking back. Vanessa, I’m giving you the freedom you always wanted. The fire was fierce enough to turn anything, even memories, to ash. I took Noah and Ava to Grandma Eileen’s old home in the quiet tourist town where travelers often passed by. Since her passing, the house remained untouched, layered in dust. Wiping it away, I could almost see her smile, holding a watermelon in her lap, urging me to eat with a grin that deepened the wrinkles at the corners of her eyes. I tried to live like Grandma Eileen did, with a peaceful simplicity, teaching the twins how to pull weeds and make the yard our own. I planned to turn this place into a small DIY craft shop, selling handmade items to the town’s visitors. The news reported a fire at The Carter Estate, with Vanessa Carter’s husband and their twins suspected dead in the blaze. As the flames swallowed the mansion whole, Vanessa was at The Magnolia Grand Hotel with Marcus. Marcus, back from abroad and not fully prepared, grinned slyly as he announced a run to the pharmacy for their night’s supplies. Vanessa knew exactly what he meant. ### Chapter 6 After Marcus left, Vanessa pressed her hand to her chest, testing her heartbeat. Oddly, there was no thrill, no rush. Her pulse was calm and steady. When Marcus returned and tried to pull her into a kiss, she instinctively pushed him away. “Sorry, something came up at work. I have to go.” She left quickly, not fully understanding why she felt that way. The truth was, on that night with Liam Westfield, she hadn’t been drunk enough to mistake him for Marcus. The alcohol had only dulled her inhibitions, making her crave his presence, wanting to be so close they were indistinguishable. The regret the next morning drove her to put the blame on him, knowing he would accept it as he always did. When Vanessa first heard about the fire, she was stunned. A flicker of remorse crept in, unbidden. She wondered if this might not have happened if she’d gone home that night. But she brushed the thought aside, convinced it was just another of Liam’s desperate ploys. The man had always been pitiful, willing to do anything to win her back. “What trick is he trying to pull now?” she muttered with disdain. Her doubts shattered when her assistant brought in items recovered from the scene. One was a charred wedding band—Liam’s. He treated it as sacred and never took it off. The other items were two half-burned gifts, the ones she had sent for the twins’ birthdays. Unopened, now ruined by flames. “The fire started in the bedroom, and it looks like he set it himself. The door was locked from the inside; no one could have escaped.” Vanessa’s legs wobbled. “You’re saying he chose not to escape, that he stayed inside with the children to die in our home?”

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