“I’ve made up my mind. I’ll marry the Montague family’s vegetable heir,” Ophelia Somerset said, leaning casually against the doorway of Somerset Manor, a cold smirk on her face. George Somerset, her father, almost dropped his cigar onto the priceless Persian rug. Suddenly, he straightened up from his leather chair, lines of worry smoothing out on his face.”You’ve finally agreed? That’s excellent! The Montagues have been breathing down our necks—we’ll proceed in two weeks. What style of wedding dress do you want? I’ll have it commissioned immediately…” She cut him off with a disdainful laugh, “So that’s it? You’re just handing me over for your beloved illegitimate daughter, and that’s all you have to say?” The air in the living room seemed to drop several degrees. George’s face darkened in an instant, his brows knitting together menacingly. “What are you talking about? She’s your sister,” he growled, his voice laced with anger as the veins on his temple pulsed visibly. “Only if we shared the same mother. She’s the product of your infidelity. I’ll never recognize her as my sister, not for a single day of my life,” Ophelia retorted icily, her eyes as cold as a winter’s night. George’s jaw tightened so hard that his temples started to twitch. He took a long drag from his cigar, trying to compose himself as the ash fluttered down onto the plush carpet. After a moment, he let out a long, slow breath. “Fine. So, what do you want? Spit it out.” Ophelia shot back without hesitation, “Ten billion dollars. And once I’m married, I want Theodore Blake transferred to guard your precious illegitimate daughter.” George’s expression froze. He stared at her, his eyes wide with disbelief. “Are you out of your goddamn mind? Ten billion dollars? That’ll wipe out all my liquid assets. And Theodore? Weren’t you head-over-heels for him? You used to be practically on your knees begging to marry him. Now you’re just gonna leave and take him with you?””Just give me a straight answer, yes or no,” Ophelia said, her tone sharp as a blade. With that, she turned on her heel and started to walk away. In an instant, George shot to his feet and slammed his fist down on the table. “Deal! Once you head to Fairhope for your wedding, I’ll make it happen right away.” He didn’t want to dwell on the details; he just longed to put an end to this living nightmare. Years ago, Lucian Montague, the heir of the Montague family, was a rising star, a young man with a future as bright as the midday sun. George had arranged an engagement between his daughter Patricia Somerset and Lucian, envisioning a prosperous and happy life for her. But fate had a cruel twist in store. A tragic accident plunged Lucian into a coma, leaving him a shell of his former self. Reluctant to see Patricia’s life ruined, George suddenly remembered that Ophelia was also his flesh and blood. Ophelia waved him off dismissively, the sharp click of her high heels echoing across the marble floor as she made a beeline for the door. Just as she reached out to grab the handle, George’s voice halted her in her tracks. “Look, I get why you want the money. But Theodore? You were crazy about him, weren’t you? So, why are you so willing to hand him over to Patty?” Ophelia froze, her hand gripping the door tightly. She didn’t turn around, but her eyes began to prickle with unshed tears. Theodore’s felt like a dagger, stabbing straight into her most vulnerable spot. Without a word, she pushed the door open, effectively shutting George and his question behind her. By the time she stepped back into the villa, the night had grown deep. Ophelia ascended the stairs in her heels, passing Theodore’s room. From inside, she heard quiet, uneven breathing. The door stood slightly ajar. Ophelia peeked inside, and what she saw was impossible to misinterpret. There, Theodore was reclined against the headboard of the bed. One of his fingers was pinching a photo, while his other hand was hidden beneath the blanket, masturbating. His eyes were shut tight, and his Adam’s apple bobbed up and down as he let out low, husky whispers. “Patty… such a good girl…” It was a picture of Patricia, taken at last year’s birthday bash. In it, she was wearing a pristine white dress, her smile radiating innocence and purity. Ophelia’s nails dug into her Hermès clutch, leaving deep crescent-shaped imprints. A wild storm of emotions raged within her heart, as if a fire had been ignited. At that moment, she finally answered George’s question in her heart.Because, just like you, he only likes Patricia. The realization gnawed at her, a searing pain that felt like a red-hot blade piercing through her chest. It all started three years ago when she first laid eyes on Theodore during a security screening. As soon as she walked in, amidst a bunch of burly bodyguards, he stood out like a sore thumb. Why? Well, it was obvious—he was drop-dead gorgeous. Standing at a towering 6 feet 2 inches, Theodore had broad shoulders that tapered down to a narrow waist. His face was like a work of art, with chiseled features and eyes as cold as ice cubes. Ophelia had a bit of a reputation in the social scene as a bit of a flirt. At first, she just saw him as a bit of fun, someone to bat her eyelashes at. But somehow, three years had slipped by, and things had changed. She remembered one time she deliberately got plastered and threw herself into his arms. He just grabbed her by the back of the neck with one hand and plopped her back on the sofa as if she were a little kitten. Another night, Ophelia showed up at his door in a silky nightgown, thinking she’d turn up the heat. He just wrapped her up in his suit jacket and politely walked her back to her room. She even pulled a crazy stunt, pretending to drown in the pool. When he jumped in to save her, he didn’t even touch her waist. No matter how hard Ophelia tried to turn him on, to seduce him, Theodore remained as aloof as a mountain. He always addressed her respectfully as “Ms. Somerset”. And yet, against all odds, she found herself head over heels for him. She didn’t know when exactly her heart had been captured. Maybe it was because she had been so lonely since her mother Amanda Somerset’s death. When Ophelia was seven, George had an affair and brought back a bastard daughter named Patricia, only three months younger than her. It turned out that during their ten-year marriage, he had been unfaithful for nine years. That day, her seemingly happy and peaceful family fell apart. At that time, Amanda was nine months pregnant with George’s second child, due in just a few days. Amanda was deeply in love with George. She hysterically questioned him, sobbing so hard that she almost fainted. That night, she went into premature labor. Rushed to the hospital, she died along with the unborn baby before even reaching the operating room. After that, Ophelia hated George and Patricia with a passion. She moved out of Somerset Manor and grew up alone, going to school, eating, and doing everything by herself. It was only when the number of lecherous playboys in the social circle harassing her became too much that she decided to hire a bodyguard. Theodore was her first bodyguard. From then on, she was no longer alone. Theodore accompanied her everywhere. At first, Ophelia merely admired him from afar, then she started flirting with him, and before she knew it, she’d fallen head over heels in love. But over the past three years, more than a thousand days and nights, he’d never shown her the slightest interest. Ophelia used to think he was just naturally cold-hearted. That was until one fateful day. She’d peeked in and caught him masturbating, with Patricia’s photo in hand. She watched, stunned, as he finished up and then picked up the phone. “Mr. Blake, come on! How long are you gonna keep up this bodyguard charade? You’re the big-shot of Ridgefield. You could have any woman in town batting for your team. If you’re that crazy about Patricia, just go for it. Why be so shy and play the bodyguard for her sister just to get a glimpse of her all the time?” Theodore responded coolly, “I’ve done my homework. Patty’s an illegitimate daughter who’s had a rough go at life. She’s short on security. If I come on too strong, I’ll spook her. I’m gonna take it one step at a time.” “Alright, I never thought the Blake family would produce a lovesick puppy like you. I figured with all the flirting from Ms. Somerset, you’d be smitten. Let me tell you, she’s a real man-eater in the social scene. There are so many guys chasing after her that a line would stretch all the way to France…” Theodore gave a faint smile, but his words were like a dagger to Ophelia’s heart, sending her into a world of ice and despair. “Seriously? Not my type. She doesn’t even come close to Patty.” Each word hit Ophelia like a sharp blade, piercing through her heart. In that instant, the love she’d held for Theodore vanished into thin air. It seemed that his private moment had lasted longer than usual. A sneer appeared on Ophelia’s face. Without hesitation, she suddenly pushed the door open. The moment Theodore lifted his gaze, Ophelia caught a glimpse of an endless abyss in his eyes. As a person born and bred into high society, he remained completely unfazed even when his little secret was accidentally discovered. With a calm demeanor, he slipped the photo under his pillow. His fingers casually pressed that conspicuous bulge into his dress pants. In just a matter of seconds, he reverted to his usual aloof and ascetic self. It was as if the out-of-control man from moments ago had been nothing but a hallucination. Ophelia scoffed at him, “Not done yet and you’re taming the beast? Aren’t you afraid it’ll drive you nuts? Want me to give you a hand?” Theodore didn’t bat an eyelid. He just leaned back, creating some distance between them. “Ms. Somerset, did you come here for something?” He was always like this. He could get all worked up over Patricia’s photo, but when it came to her, he was chaste. Ophelia dug her nails into her palm, picturing Patricia’s plain-Jane looks. She had a better figure and looks than Patricia, yet everyone seemed to fall for that goody-two-shoes routine. It didn’t matter. She had looks, money, and curves. From now on, she’d ditch anyone who didn’t appreciate her. “Tomorrow there’s an auction. You’re coming with me,” she said coolly before turning on her heel. Theodore frowned. “I remember I asked for a two-day leave…” “Patricia will be there,” she said without looking back. There was a brief silence, then came his deep-toned reply. “Got it, Ms. Somerset.” Ophelia felt a sharp pang in her heart. Just the mention of Patricia was enough to make him throw his principles out of the window. Fine.Soon, she’d personally push him into Patricia’s arms. The next morning, as Ophelia stepped out of the manor, she saw Theodore waiting by the car. The black suit hugged his broad shoulders and trim waist perfectly. The early-morning sunlight cast a golden glow on his chiseled profile. Normally, she’d tease him—pretend to sprain her ankle and fall into his arms or breathe softly into his ear. But today, she just got into the car expressionlessly, not even sparing him a glance. Theodore seemed taken aback. He stole a look at her but quickly shifted his gaze and wordlessly slid into the passenger seat. The car headed towards the auction venue. Throughout the journey, Ophelia stared out of the window, not making small talk like she usually did. The silence in the car was thick. The auction was held at the most upscale hotel in the city center. Crystal chandeliers illuminated the hall like daylight. Amidst the elegant crowd of socialites and dignitaries, Ophelia spotted Patricia as soon as she walked in. Patricia was wearing a white dress, her long hair cascading over her shoulders. She was chatting and giggling with some other socialites, looking as innocent as a lamb. Theodore’s eyes instantly lit up. Although he was still standing behind Ophelia, doing his bodyguard duty, she could feel his attention was fully on Patricia. “Ophelia!” Patricia exclaimed as she spotted them. She trotted over and looped her arm through Ophelia’s. “What a coincidence! You’re here for the auction too?” Ophelia yanked her arm back. “Don’t touch me.” Patricia’s eyes welled up with tears. She looked at Theodore pitifully. “Theo, I just wanted to be friendly with Ophelia…” Then, she tugged at Theodore’s sleeve. “Theo, I heard you went out in the pouring rain to buy me fresh-baked scones when I had a fever last time. I’m so sorry I was really sick and have been recuperating these days, so I haven’t thanked you yet.” Theodore’s cold features softened immediately. “It was nothing, Ms. Patricia Somerset. It was on the way.” Ophelia sneered.On the way? He was gone for five hours and came back soaking wet. That was his “on the way”? “Well, I have to treat you to a meal then!” Patricia said sweetly. This time, Theodore didn’t decline. “As you wish, Ms. Patricia Somerset.” “Let’s invite Ophelia too!” Patricia turned to Ophelia and feigned surprise. “Oh, Ophelia, you look so haggard. I’m the one who was sick, you know…” Ophelia cut in icily, “Do we know each other well? Daughter of a mistress, mind your own business.” Patricia’s face paled instantly, and Theodore frowned even more tightly. Just then, the auctioneer announced the start of the auction, finally putting an end to this awkward conversation. Ophelia couldn’t be bothered with Patricia anymore and simply took her seat. She was about to marry into the Montague family. It was unrealistic to expect George to prepare a wedding gift for her. She had to get these things herself, which was the real reason she came to this auction. After sitting down, the first item was presented. It was a pigeon-blood ruby necklace with a starting bid of one million dollars. Without hesitation, Ophelia raised her bidding paddle. “Two million dollars.” To her surprise, Patricia also raised her paddle. “Three million.” Ophelia glanced at Patricia, who gave her a fake smile. “Ophelia, I like this one too. You don’t mind giving it to me, do you? After all, Dad gives you less allowance than me.” Ophelia sneered. It wasn’t just less; it was a huge gap. Throughout their childhood, George gave Patricia five million dollars a month as an allowance, while Ophelia only got 500 dollars. If it weren’t for the inheritance left by her mother, she might have starved to death. But things were different now. She had 10 billion dollars. “Four million dollars.” Ophelia raised her paddle again. Patricia was clearly stunned but still gritted her teeth and raised the bid. “Four and a half million.” “Five million.” “Five and a half million.” After several rounds of bidding, Patricia’s face grew increasingly sour. “Ophelia, where did you get so much money? Aren’t you afraid you can’t afford it?” “Ten million!” Ophelia doubled the bid and then gave Patricia a sarcastic smile. “I’m starting to think it’s you who can’t afford it now.” Patricia’s face was a mess of emotions—fury clenching her jaw, shock popping her eyes, and every mixed feeling twisting her expression. Meanwhile, the guests in the vicinity, ever the gossips, started to mutter among themselves. The auctioneer politely asked, “Ms. Patricia Somerset, do you want to raise the bid?” “Please wait a moment.” Patricia yelped, fumbling to fish out her phone and shoot off a text to George in a hurry. In no time, her face went from bad to worse, contorting into a mask of despair. It was crystal-clear that she’d gotten the cold shoulder from George. Noticing this, Ophelia couldn’t help but crack a triumphant smile. It was predictable that George would reject her. After giving Ophelia 10 billion dollars, he didn’t have much money left to let his precious daughter show off. Just when the atmosphere was extremely awkward, a well-dressed man suddenly appeared in the middle of the venue and announced loudly, “I’ll pay whatever the final bid is plus a premium!” The entire auction hall erupted into an uproar. “Sir, are you saying…” the auctioneer asked, his voice laced with surprise.The man calmly explained, “I’m Mr. Blake’s assistant. Mr. Blake has given instructions that today, for any items Ms. Patricia Somerset takes a fancy to, we’ll outbid everyone else no matter the cost.” The auction hall was instantly in a frenzy. “Mr. Blake? The sole heir of the Blake family? The renowned Ridgefield scion?” “Isn’t he supposed to be uninterested in women? Why would he go all out for Ms. Patricia Somerset?” “Looks like Ms. Patricia Somerset is about to hit the big time…” Whispers and speculations swirled around the hall. Patricia’s expression flickered from shock to surprise, finally settling into smugness. “May I know where Mr. Blake is? Can I thank him in person?” Patricia asked, her cheeks flushed with excitement. The assistant replied respectfully, “Mr. Blake isn’t available to show up at the moment. He’ll meet you when the time is right.” Patricia then turned to Ophelia, her eyes brimming with the joy of victory. “Ophelia, are you still going to bid?” The next second, she added with feigned innocence, “Oh, I almost forgot. Mr. Blake is covering all my bids. If you keep going, you might end up bankrupt. After all, in this circle, who else is richer than Mr. Blake?” Ophelia’s face paled instantly. She threw a sharp glance at Theodore, only to find him gazing at Patricia with undisguised tenderness. The rest of the auction was like a cheesy romance drama. Every time Patricia cast a longing look at an item, the assistant would immediately outbid everyone else. The ruby necklace, the ancient goblet, and even Monet’s Water Lilies with a starting bid of 80 million dollars, all went to Patricia. Unable to contain her anger, Ophelia shot to her feet. “Is your Mr. Blake planning to hoard everything for himself?” The assistant glanced cautiously at Theodore, who gave an almost imperceptible nod. “Sorry, Ms. Somerset. These are all gifts from Mr. Blake to Ms. Patricia Somerset. He only wants Ms. Patricia Somerset to enjoy this auction. Others’ feelings aren’t his concern,” the assistant replied coldly. Ophelia forced a smile, her nails digging deep into her palm. She looked at Theodore, but his eyes were still fixed on the elated Patricia. Theodore, you’re really something. You’re truly something! After the auction ended, Patricia was surrounded by a group of socialites, who were buttering her up. Unable to stand the fake atmosphere any longer, Ophelia quickly left the venue. As soon as she got in the car, she told the driver, “Take me to Night Serenade.”I need a drink to numb myself. But before the car door could close, Patricia squeezed in. “Ophelia, are you going to the club? I’ve been so bored lately. Can I come with you?” Just as Ophelia was about to kick her out, Theodore quietly held the door and simply said to the driver, “Let’s go.” Throughout the journey, Patricia was gushing about the auction. “Theo, why is Mr. Blake being so nice to me? I’ve never even met him!” Theodore’s voice was incredibly gentle. “Because he likes you.” Patricia’s eyes widened in disbelief, and her cheeks turned a deeper shade of red. “Theo, stop joking!” Theodore said, looking intently at Patricia, “A man knows a man’s heart. “Money talks in love. Besides, a charming woman like you was bound to catch his eye, Ms. Patricia Somerset.” “Then… do you like me too, Theo?” Patricia suddenly asked. Theodore was taken aback. Just as he was about to answer, Ophelia cut in coldly, “If you two want to be lovey-dovey, get out of my car!” Patricia’s eyes welled up with tears. “Sorry, Ophelia. I’ll be quiet.” Ophelia ignored her and turned to look out of the window. Through the window’s reflection, she could clearly see the tenderness and concern in Theodore’s eyes when he looked at Patricia, while his gaze towards her was cold and full of disgust. She gave a self-deprecating smile. It seemed all men were suckers for manipulative women.

The dim lights of the club cast a hazy glow. Ophelia threw back her third glass of whiskey, the burn of the alcohol in her throat doing nothing to quell the anger roiling in her chest. On the dance floor, she was dancing wildly in her red dress, the fabric swirling around her. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Theodore standing by the VIP booth, never leaving Patricia’s side for a moment. Patricia said something and leaned in so close that her lips almost grazed Theodore’s earlobe. The man who had always been as cold as ice towards Ophelia now had a faint blush on his ears. Ophelia let out a sneering laugh. Just as she was about to turn away, a group of young playboys surrounded her. “Ms. Somerset, care to have a drink with us?” “Can I get your contact info?” “I’ve been dying to meet you, Ms. Somerset. You’re even more beautiful in person.” Trapped in the corner, Ophelia tried to refuse, but more and more men crowded around her. One of them even dared to grope her waist. “Theodore!” she finally snapped. As if just noticing her plight, Theodore frowned and pushed through the crowd. His well-defined arms were outlined by his black suit. With just a single look, those pampered brats scurried away. “One might think you’re her bodyguard,” Ophelia sneered, reaching up to wipe the wine stain off her collarbone. Theodore looked down. “Sorry, I didn’t see it just now.” “Didn’t see it?” She suddenly stepped closer, her red lips almost brushing against his chin. “Or just didn’t want to?” Caught off guard by the sudden proximity of the girl, Theodore swallowed hard and took a half-step back. “Ms. Somerset, you’re drunk.” “Don’t worry. Once I get married, you can protect Patricia to your heart’s content.” Ophelia’s words were drowned out by a sudden scream from the stage. The staff wheeled out an iron cage, and two adult Belgian Malinois were pacing restlessly inside. The host shouted excitedly, “Special show tonight! Black Whirlwind versus Flaming Inferno. Bets are being taken now!” Ophelia frowned. There were often these bloody dog-fighting and betting shows at Night Serenade, but she had always loathed them. Just as she was about to leave, the iron cage let out a creaking sound as if it couldn’t bear the weight any longer. The lock was coming loose. In the blink of an eye, the larger Belgian Malinois rammed the cage door open and lunged straight at the nearest crowd. Amid the screams, Ophelia watched as Theodore didn’t hesitate for a second. Instinctively, he rushed to Patricia’s side, wrapped his arms around her, and pushed her towards the emergency exit. And there she was, standing closest to the Belgian Malinois. She could even see the saliva hanging from the beast’s fangs. “Ah…” The searing pain came out of nowhere. As the Belgian Malinois sank its teeth into her calf, Ophelia heard the sickening rip of fabric and flesh. A chunk of meat was ripped off, and blood gushed out. She fell to the ground, watching helplessly as the beast lunged at her again. “Bang!” The gunshot made her ears ring. The Belgian Malinois dropped to the ground. The last thing she saw was Theodore holding the gun, protecting Patricia, and the ceiling spinning and darkening. The smell of antiseptic filled the air. When Ophelia regained consciousness in the throes of pain, the first thing she saw was the white ceiling. Her calf felt like it was on fire, and every breath seemed to tug at the wound. With great difficulty, she turned her head. The scene at the ward door hit her like a sledgehammer, jolting her half-awake mind. Patricia was sobbing in Theodore’s arms. “Theo, you’re Ophelia’s bodyguard. Why did you protect me… It’s all my fault. I shouldn’t have come.” Theodore’s hands gently patted her back as he spoke in an incredibly gentle voice, “Ms. Patricia Somerset, don’t blame yourself. “Even if it happened a hundred times over…” He paused, brushing the tears from the girl’s face with his fingertips. “I’d still choose to protect you first.” “Why?” Patricia looked up at him with tear-filled eyes. Theodore looked into her eyes, his deep, dark eyes filled with affection. “Because I…” The shattering sound of the water cup hitting the floor interrupted Theodore before he could finish his sentence. Patricia jumped out of Theodore’s arms like a startled rabbit. “Ophelia, you’re awake!” She rushed to the bedside, tears welling up instantly. “How are you feeling? Does it still hurt? It’s all my fault…” Ophelia managed a cold smile with her pale lips. “You’re getting on my nerves. How can I get better with you around?” Patricia’s tears flowed even more profusely. Her shoulders trembled as if she’d suffered a great injustice. Biting her lip, she stole a last look at Theodore and then ran out sobbing. Theodore instinctively took a step forward to chase after her but stopped short. He turned to Ophelia, his voice low. “Ms. Somerset, it all happened so fast. I didn’t have time to think…” Ophelia didn’t say a word. She just turned her head and stared out of the window. She didn’t want to hear his excuses. For three straight days, Theodore stood guard outside her ward like a dedicated bodyguard, but she didn’t utter a single word to him. Finally, it was the day of her discharge. Ophelia limped towards the study on her still-healing leg. She pulled open the mahogany drawer and took out a jet-black leather whip. It was an ancestral family punishment tool of the Somerset family. One lash from it could tear the skin open. “Go and fetch Theodore,” she told the butler. When Theodore pushed the door open, Ophelia was carefully wiping the whip. Sunlight filtered through the floor-to-ceiling windows, casting a soft shadow under her fluttering lashes. Ophelia tilted her head up, locking eyes with Theodore. “Theodore, you’re supposed to be my bodyguard, yet you let me down. I’m going to mete out the family punishment. You got a problem with that?” Theodore remained rooted to the spot. His eyes widened ever so slightly, a minuscule flicker of emotion in his otherwise stoic face. Ophelia caught that fleeting change. He was the only scion of the illustrious Blake family. People from all walks of life fawned over him, vying for his attention, his favor. It was unthinkable for anyone to even consider laying a hand on him, let alone subject him to the family’s disciplinary measures. But now, she was on the verge of lashing him with a whip. Ophelia studied Theodore’s face and burst into laughter all of a sudden. He was actually hesitating. He could have simply walked out that door and quit this whole gig, but there he stood, wavering. All because of Patricia? Was he really sticking around for her? A strange heat welled up in Ophelia’s eyes. She felt like laughing and crying at the same time. Theodore gritted his teeth and finally mumbled, “No.” In that instant, Ophelia’s heart gave a painful squeeze. She tightened her grip on the whip and suddenly raised her arm. “Stop!” A slender figure rushed forward out of nowhere, shielding Theodore. It was Patricia, her eyes brimming with tears and her voice quivering. “Ophelia, if you wanna take it out on someone, take it out on me. It’s my fault you got hurt, not Theo’s!” “Get out of the way,” Ophelia snapped. “No!” Patricia shook her head, sobbing pitifully. “I’m the one who caused you harm. Punish me instead…” Theodore reached out to pull her away. “Ms. Patricia Somerset, this isn’t your business.” But Patricia stubbornly stood in front of him, refusing to budge. Ophelia watched the scene, her anger boiling over. She lashed out with the whip! The whip sliced through the air. She’d aimed for Theodore, but Patricia threw herself in the way and took the lash for him. “Ah!” Patricia let out a cry of pain. Her slender body swayed and then collapsed. Theodore caught her in his arms. When he looked up again, Ophelia was met with a pair of ice-cold eyes filled with killing intent. It was as if he’d pounce on her and wring her neck any second. She froze, feeling as if she’d fallen into an ice cave. “Get out.” Ophelia heard her own voice tremble. Theodore bent down and scooped up the unconscious Patricia in his arms. Then, he made his way out of the study. The heavy door crashed shut behind him, the thunderous noise echoing through the silent hallway. Ophelia remained frozen in place. Only then did she become aware of the violent tremors wracking her hands. Three days later, Ophelia went to try on wedding dresses alone. Night had fallen when she stepped out of the bridal shop. Suddenly, someone grabbed her from behind and clapped a hand over her mouth and nose. The sharp stench of chemicals hit her nose. She struggled for a moment before everything went black. When Ophelia woke up, she couldn’t see anything. A blindfold covered her eyes, and her hands were tied to a chair. She couldn’t move. With a crack, the first lash of the whip made her arch her back in pain. Rough rope dug deep into her wrists. The blindfold made the darkness feel even more suffocating. She bit down on her lip hard to keep from screaming. “You crossed the wrong person,” the voice said from somewhere in the darkness. The whip came down like a storm. Each strike cut through the air with a vicious sound, tearing her skin apart. Ophelia clenched her teeth and refused to let herself scream. Who wanted to do this to me? The beating went on forever. It only stopped when Ophelia was barely conscious anymore. Then, she heard someone dialing a phone. “Sir, it’s done,” the man said respectfully. A familiar voice answered from the other end of the line, “Good. Send her back.” It was just one sentence. But Ophelia’s blood turned to ice. It was Theodore. He had ordered this beating! Just because she’d accidentally whipped Patricia once, he had someone give her 99 lashes in return? Pain and cold swept through her entire body. She couldn’t hold on anymore and collapsed into unconsciousness. ***** Later at the hospital, Ophelia lay face-down on the mattress, her back searing with pain from the gashes. Through the door, she caught snippets of nurses’ chatter. “That guy is so handsome. He’s being so sweet to his girlfriend.” “I know, right? She just has one little whip mark and he’s acting like it’s the end of the world. Meanwhile, the patient in 304 is covered in injuries and nobody even visits her.” Ophelia yanked out her IV line and shuffled to the hallway, bracing herself against the wall. Sure enough, she spotted Theodore outside the VIP room. He was holding a glass of water and carefully helping Patricia drink, his movements gentle and patient. Patricia was pouting about something, acting all cute and needy. Theodore used his thumb to wipe away a drop of water from the corner of her mouth, his eyes so tender they practically melted. Ophelia leaned against the wall, tears welling up in her eyes. She couldn’t understand why her heart still ached this badly when she’d already decided to let him go. It felt like someone was carving out pieces of her flesh with a dull knife. Don’t cry, Ophelia. She told herself this over and over. Because nobody would care if she did. *****On the day she was discharged, Ophelia had barely stepped out of the hospital when she heard familiar footsteps behind her. Theodore had returned. Their eyes met, and both of them saw something different reflected back. They stood there in silence until Ophelia’s phone suddenly buzzed. George’s name flashed across the screen. “Tomorrow is Patty’s birthday party.” George’s voice carried that familiar tone that brooked no argument. “She’s been crying to me constantly, saying she wants to fix things between you two. You need to be there.” Ophelia let out a cold laugh. “Not happening.” “What’s with the attitude? This might be your last chance.” George’s voice grew sharper. “The Montague family has already set the date. Once you marry into their family—” Ophelia hung up on him and looked up at Theodore, who was standing in the shadows. “Do you think I should go?” Theodore’s sharp features looked even more severe under the wall sconce’s harsh light. He stayed quiet for a few seconds before answering in that low voice of his. “You should go.” “Fine.” She forced a smile. “As you wish.” The birthday party was being held in Somerset Manor’s glass conservatory. By the time Ophelia arrived in her dark green velvet gown, most of the guests were already there. Under the crystal chandeliers, Patricia stood in her pink ball gown, basking in attention like a real princess surrounded by her court. “Ophelia!” Patricia rushed over with obvious delight, reaching out to link arms with her. Ophelia stepped aside to avoid the contact. Her gaze swept across the room, taking in all the extravagant gifts George had showered on his illegitimate daughter—limited edition Hermès bags, Tiffany blue boxes, and even a Porsche key. “Patty has always been such a good girl. She’s my favorite,” George said, his face glowing with affection as he stood beside Patricia. The scene reminded Ophelia of something from long ago—George had once stood the same way next to her and her mother. She remembered wearing a little white dress while George lifted her high in the air, and her mom smiled gently from the side. Now, everything had changed beyond recognition. After the cake cutting, guests began breaking off into small groups around the room. One of Patricia’s friends pulled her aside for some gossip. “Patty, there are so many eligible bachelors from prominent families here tonight. Is your dad trying to set you up with someone? But wait—I thought you were already engaged to someone from the Montague family?” Patricia laughed and glanced meaningfully toward Ophelia across the room. “That’s ancient history.” “Oh good! I heard that guy ended up in a coma or something. Marrying him would be like signing up to be a widow.” Her friend wiggled her eyebrows mischievously. “So tell me. With all these men here tonight, what exactly are you looking for in a husband?” The other girls gathered around, egging Patricia on. She blushed and started counting on her fingers. “First, he has to be absolutely crazy about me—like, willing to tattoo my name on his chest crazy.”Second, he needs to be brave. I heard there’s this legendary ‘Thorn Rose’ that only blooms once every hundred years up on Moonlight Cliff. He’d have to climb up there and pick it for me. Third—” The ballroom doors suddenly burst open, cutting her off mid-sentence. “Mr. Blake has arrived to present a gift and wish Ms. Patricia Somerset a very happy birthday!”

Theodore’s assistant walked in with an entourage behind him, carrying gift after priceless gift: a rare pink diamond necklace, vintage masterpiece paintings, and even the deed to a private island. The entire room erupted in shocked whispers. “Wait, Mr. Blake sent all this?” “I heard he had someone bid crazy money for Ms. Patricia Somerset at that auction, and now he’s personally delivering gifts. Looks like Ms. Patricia Somerset’s really hit the jackpot!” The gossip spread like wildfire. Several guests shot pitying glances toward Ophelia, shaking their heads sympathetically. She was obviously more beautiful and came from a better background, but everyone could see she’d lost this battle. Ophelia set down her wine glass and headed for the terrace. The night air felt cool against her skin. She’d barely taken a deep breath when Patricia’s voice shattered the silence behind her. “What are you doing out here all alone, Ophelia?” Without the guests around and George nowhere in sight, Patricia finally dropped her sweet act. “You know what Dad told me? You’re going to marry that vegetable.” Her smile turned sickeningly sweet and vicious at the same time. “How pathetic. Your mother couldn’t beat mine back then, and now you can’t beat me either.” Ophelia spun around, her eyes blazing. “Say that again.” “I said—” Patricia stepped closer, her red lips twisting into a cruel smile as she hissed like a snake, “your mother deserved to die in childbirth, and she—” The sharp crack of the slap echoed through the night air. But Ophelia hadn’t hit anyone. Patricia had slapped herself! The next second, tears started streaming down Patricia’s face. She stumbled backward a few steps and collapsed right into Theodore’s arms as he rushed over. “Don’t blame Ophelia…” Patricia sobbed, covering her face. “I shouldn’t upset her…” George and the other guests hurried over when they heard the commotion. Their accusing stares hit Ophelia like daggers. “Ophelia!” George shouted furiously. “Don’t you have any manners at all!” The guests started whispering among themselves, and their words cut deep. “That was cruel. Today’s Patricia’s birthday too…” “Well, her mother died young. No mother to raise her properly, so of course she turned out bitter and petty.” Ophelia watched this carefully staged performance and suddenly burst out laughing. She marched forward and slapped Patricia hard across the face in front of everyone. “Get this straight,” she said, smashing her champagne glass. The broken pieces reflected dozens of shocked faces. “That’s what it looks like when I actually hit someone.” As Ophelia turned to leave, she caught sight of Theodore holding Patricia protectively. His eyes were ice-cold as they followed her. The garden path stretched ahead of her. Ophelia had barely rounded the corner when someone grabbed her wrist in a crushing grip. Theodore’s strength was brutal. She felt like he might break her bones. “Ms. Somerset,” he said in a low voice thick with barely controlled rage. “What?” Ophelia looked up with a mocking expression. “I slap her once, so you’re going to slap me 99 times in return?” Theodore’s eyes widened slightly in shock. What did she mean by that? Had she somehow found out about what happened last time? That was impossible. He’d been so careful to keep it secret. “Ms. Somerset,” Theodore said, loosening his grip and frowning deeply, “you have everything you could want. Why do you keep giving Ms. Patricia Somerset a hard time?” “I have everything?” Ophelia suddenly burst into laughter, but the sound was so harsh it was almost like crying. “What do I have? The moment she showed up, she stressed my mother into early labor and killed her—killed both of them! She moved into our house and took my room, my toys, my allowance, my father! Even my spot at boarding school—she took everything from me!” This was the first time Theodore had ever heard her say so much. In the moonlight, Ophelia’s eyes—usually filled with sarcasm—were brimming with tears that she stubbornly refused to let fall. “From what I’ve heard,” Theodore said coldly, “Ms. Patricia Somerset is the one who’s had it rough.” Ophelia jerked away from him and turned to leave. “Believe whatever you want.” Just as she was getting into her car, Theodore spoke again, “Ms. Somerset, I’d like to request a few days off.” “Fine by me.” Ophelia slammed the car door without looking back. After the black sedan had driven some distance, she suddenly told the driver, “Turn around.” When they got back near Somerset Manor, Ophelia spotted Theodore getting into a Rolls-Royce. She told her driver to follow at a distance, and moments later, they were outside a high-end tattoo studio. Through the glass window, she watched Theodore unbutton his shirt and bare his muscular chest. The tattoo artist was asking him something, and Theodore pointed to the spot right over his heart. His lips moved to form two clear syllables—”Patty.” Theodore’s assistant tried to talk him out of it. “Mr. Blake, Sir Blake is going to lose it when he finds out—” “Do it,” Theodore said. That was all. The tattoo needle buzzed to life, and every pierce felt like a stab straight through Ophelia’s heart. Two hours later, Theodore walked out clutching his bleeding chest, his face pale but determined as he climbed into the car. “Take me to Moonlight Cliff,” he told the driver. “Sir, you can’t! That place is way too dangerous, especially right after getting a tattoo—””Now,” Theodore cut him off. Ophelia sat in her car, suddenly remembering what Patricia had said about her ideal man. “He has to be the type who’d tattoo my name over his heart. And there’s this flower that grows on Moonlight Cliff—he’d have to climb up there and pick it for me.” Ophelia started laughing, but then the tears came anyway. “Let’s go,” she told her driver. “We’re done following him.” That night, she saw Patricia’s latest Instagram post. A single photo showed wild roses blooming on a clifftop. The caption read: [He’d go to the ends of the earth just to pick me a flower.] Theodore came home at three in the morning. Blood covered his clothes, and his right hand was broken, but a satisfied smile tugged at his lips. *****The next day, Ophelia was heading out when Theodore emerged from his room. His face looked pale, his right arm was wrapped in bandages, and his shirt hung open at the collar. “Ms. Somerset,” he said, his voice hoarse. “I had a car accident last night. I need to rest for a few days, so I can’t protect you right now.” A car accident? More like he fell off a cliff. But Ophelia didn’t call him out on the lie. She just nodded and walked straight out the door. Today was her farewell party with her friends. At the upscale club, they’d booked a VIP room. “Come on, let’s party till we drop!” Her best friend, Zoe Collins, threw an arm around Ophelia’s shoulders. “Ophelia is getting married soon! She’ll be Mrs. Montague before we know it. We have to celebrate!” The private room was packed with her closest friends from the past few years. A champagne tower sparkled under the lights, and music pounded so loud it hurt, but somehow, Ophelia felt completely quiet inside. “Honestly, a husband in a coma sounds perfect!” Zoe slurred, waving her glass around. “Rich, gorgeous, and you don’t have to take care of him. That’s like the ideal marriage!” “Exactly!” another friend chimed in. “Plus, the Montague family has such a huge fortune. It’ll all be yours someday!” Ophelia laughed softly, running her finger around the rim of her glass. “Once you’re married, you have to behave yourself. I need to protect the Montague family’s reputation.” Everyone went quiet for a moment, then quickly started talking over each other. “Mr. Montague will definitely wake up!” “You’re so beautiful. How could he stand to keep sleeping?” “Right! Ophelia is the most gorgeous girl in our circle. There’s no way you’ll be stuck as a widow.” Ophelia smiled as she listened to their nonsense, drinking one glass after another. When they were saying goodbye, Zoe suddenly threw her arms around Ophelia. Her voice cracked with emotion. “Your dad is such a bastard… and that Patricia too. Do you want us to teach her a lesson?” “No need.” Ophelia patted her back gently. “Once I’m gone, none of this will matter to me anymore.” She hugged each friend one by one until everyone had tears in their eyes. After paying the bill, Ophelia walked past the private room next door and heard familiar voices. “Is that flower really so hard to get?” “You bet it is. Moonlight Cliff is so dangerous that even professional climbing teams won’t go there.” Through the half-open door, Ophelia watched Patricia twirling the Thorn Rose between her fingers. Her friend, Brittany Rose, leaned in with obvious curiosity. “So he actually risked his life to pick that thing for you? When he delivered the flowers yesterday, I swear I saw your name tattooed on his chest! He’s really serious about pursuing you, isn’t he?” “He’s just a bodyguard,” Patricia said dismissively. “What makes him think he’s good enough for me?” “I’m the one who’s caught the eye of the Blake family heir now.” She traced the damaged petals with her fingertip. “Though I’ll admit Theo is pretty easy on the eyes. He’d make a decent side piece.”

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “MyFiction” app 🔍 search for “398016”, and watch the full series ✨! #MyFiction #B×G #Cheating #ArrangedMarriage #regret #Independent

“I’ve made my decision. I’ll marry the Sinclair heir–the one in a coma.” Ariana Reeves leaned against the doorframe, a sardonic smile curving her blood–red lips. Her father Frederick Reeves nearly dropped his Cuban cigar onto the priceless Persian rug, jerking upright in his leather chair as the wrinkles around his eyes smoothed in surprise. “Ari, you’ve finally come around? That’s wonderful! The Sinclairs have been pushing for this to happen within the next two weeks. What kind of wedding dress would you like? I’ll have something custom–made-” “Is that all?” Ariana cut him off with a cold laugh. “I’m stepping in for your precious bastard daughter, and you’re not even going to show some appreciation?” The temperature in the room seemed to plummet. Her father’s expression darkened. “Watch your tone. Mia is your sister.” “Half-sister,” Ariana corrected, her eyes glittering like ice. “She’s the product of your affair. I’ll never acknowledge her as family.” A vein pulsed visibly at her father’s temple, but he swallowed whatever rage was building and took deep breath, ash from his cigar drifting to the floor. “What do you want?” he asked flatly. “One hundred million dollars,” she replied without hesitation. “And once I’m married, I want you to reassign Dominic Reed to protect your precious Mia instead of me.” Her father’s expression froze. “Have you lost your mind? One hundred million would drain nearly all my liquid assets! And Dominic–isn’t he your favorite bodyguard? You used to throw tantrums about marrying him, and now you’re willing to give him up?” “Yes or no?” Ariana asked impatiently, already turning to leave. “Fine!” Her father slammed his hand on the desk, rising to his feet. “The day you marry into the Sinclair family, both matters will be handled.” He didn’t bother to examine her demands too closely. His only concern was finalizing the arrangement as quickly as possible. Years ago, when the Sinclair heir had been at the height of his power and influence, Frederick had eagerly arranged the engagement, intending to marry off Mia and secure a promising future for her. But then nobody expected that a sudden accident left the Sinclair heir comatose. Frederick couldn’t bear to see his darling Mia suffer such a fate–which was when he remembered he had another daughter… Ariana gave a dismissive wave over her shoulder, her stilettos clicking against the marble floor with a sharpness that felt like a slap to the face. Just as she gripped the doorknob, her father’s voice reached her again: “I understand the money, but why give up Dominic? I thought you were infatuated with him. Why not bring him over to Sinclair to continue as your bodyguard?” Ariana’s fingers froze on the handle. She didn’t turn around, but her eyes have already burned with unshed tears. That name was like a thorn, piercing the softest part of her heart. She pushed open the door forcefully, shutting her father and his question behind her. Back at her private villa, it was already well past midnight. Ariana made her way upstairs in her heels, but as she passed Dominic’s room, she heard muffled sounds from inside. With a half–close door, she glanced in, the scene unfolding inside- Dominic was half–reclined against the headboard, a photograph held between his long fingers. Eyes closed, his Adam’s apple bobbed as his deep, sensual voice murmured, “Mia… baby… I want you…” It was a photo of Mia. Taken at last year’s birthday gala, where she’d worn a white sundress, smiling with that innocent expression that everyone seemed to adore. Ariana’s nails dug into her Hermès bag strap, leaving crescent marks, and finally answered her father’s question in her mind. ‘Because he’s just like you, Dad. He only has eyes for Mia.‘ The realization tumbled through her mind, scorching her chest with pain. Three years ago, she’d first seen Dominic during bodyguard selection day. Among the lineup of imposing security personnel, her eyes had locked onto him immediately. The reason was simple–he was ridiculously gorgeous. Six–foot–two, broad shoulders tapering to a narrow waist, chiseled features, and especially those obsidian eyes, cold as ice. Ariana was known throughout their social circle as a flirtatious vixen. She’d initially intended to toy with him, but over three years- She’d pretended to be drunk and fallen into his arms, only for him to hold her by the scruff of her neck like a kitten and deposit her back on the sofa. She’d knocked on his door wearing a skimpy nightgown in the middle of the night, but he’d simply wrapped his suit jacket around her and respectfully escorted her back to her room. She’d even faked drowning in the pool. He’d jumped in to save her but hadn’t touched her waist even once. No matter how she tried to seduce him, he remained immune to her charms, always addressing her formally as “Miss Reeves.” And yet, somehow, she’d fallen for him anyway. Even she herself didn’t exactly know why. Perhaps it was because, since her mother’s death, she’d been desperately lonely. When she was seven, on one day, her father suddenly brought home his illegitimate daughter. At the time, her mother had been nine months pregnant with her father’s second child. Her mother had loved Frederick desperately. She’d confronted him hysterically, crying until she could barely breathe. That night, she went into early labor. By the time she reached the hospital, it was too late–both mother and unborn child were lost. Since then, Ariana had despised her father and loathed Mia with equal passion. She’d moved out of the family mansion, attended school alone, eaten meals alone, grown up alone–until her striking beauty attracted so many predatory trust fund boys that she finally decided she needed some guards. Dominic Reed became her first bodyguard. After that, she wasn’t alone anymore. Whatever she did, Dominic was there beside her. Her feelings for him evolved from admiration to flirtation to genuine love, but after three years–over a thousand days and nights–he’d never so much as batted an eyelash at her advances. She’d assumed he was simply cold–natured, until that day when she caught him pleasuring himself to Mia’s photograph, and then overheard his subsequent phone conversation- “Dom, how long are you going to keep playing this bodyguard game? You’re the freaking heir to the North Shore fortune! You could have any woman you want! If you’ve got a thing for Mia Reeves, why not just take what you want? Why are you playing this virginal act, being her sister’s bodyguard just to catch glimpses of her?” Dominic’s expression remained impassive. “I’ve done my research. Mia’s illegitimate. She’s had a difficult childhood and lacks security. Pursuing her too aggressively would frighten her off. I’m taking it slow.” “So what about the infamous Miss Reeves constantly throwing herself at you? I’d have thought you might have been tempted by now. After all, she’s practically the crown jewel of the North Shore scene–there’s a line of me from here to Paris who’d kill to date her…” Dominic seemed to smile slightly, but what him said in the next sent Ariana directly plummeting into an icy abyss. “Is that so? Not interested. She doesn’t compare to even a single strand of Mia’s hair.” Each word, had been like a knife, stabbing into Ariana’s heart! In that moment, she fell out of love with him completely. Whatever was happening in his room continued for what seemed like an eternity. But for some reason, tonight Dominic still wasn’t finding his release. Watching this, she twisted her lips into a cold smile and abruptly pushed open the door-

Midnight Lounge was notorious for these bloody spectacles and betting pools, but she’d always found them distasteful. As she turned to leave, the cage emitted an ominous creaking sound-Click. The latch had come loose. Disaster unfolded in seconds. The larger mastiff rammed the cage door open and lunged directly toward the nearest crowd. Amid the screams, Ariana watched as Dominic, without a moment’s hesitation, turned and instinctively rushed to Mia, enveloping her in his arms and pushing her toward the safety exit. Meanwhile, Ariana stood closest to the mastiff close enough to see saliva hanging from its massive fangs. “Ahh!!!” The pain came without warning. When the mastiff’s teeth pierced her calf muscle, Ariana vaguely heard the sound of fabric and flesh tearing together. A chunk of her flesh was ripped away, blood spurting forth as she collapsed to the floor, watching in horror as the beast lunged again- BANG! The gunshot was deafening. Then the mastiff dropped instantly. The last thing she saw before consciousness faded was Dominic, gun raised, shielding Mia’s back, and the ceiling lights spinning into darkness. The smell of antiseptic. When Ariana regained consciousness through waves of pain, the first thing she saw was the stark white hospital ceiling. Her calf felt as though it had been branded with hot iron each breath pulling at the wound. She turned her head with effort and witnessed a scene outside her door that further lacerated her barely conscious mind. Mia was sobbing in Dominic’s arms. “Dom you’re Ari’s bodyguard–how could you protect me instead? It’s all my fault… I shouldn’t have come…” His strong, elegant fingers gently patted her back, his voice impossibly tender: “Don’t blame yourself, Miss Mia.” “Even if it happened a hundred times,” he paused, wiping away her tears with his fingertip, “I would still choose to protect you first.” “Why?” Mia looked up with tear–filled eyes. Dominic gazed at her, his severe features softening with emotion. “Because I lo~” CRASH! The shattering of a water glass interrupted Dominic’s unfinished declaration. Mia jumped from his embrace like a startled rabbit. “Ari, you’re awake!” She rushed to the bedside, tears appearing on command. “How do you feel? Does it hurt? This is all my fault…” Ariana’s pale lips twisted into a cold smile. “Your presence offends my eyes. How could I possibly feel better?” Mia’s tears instantly fell harder, her shoulders trembling as if she’d suffered the greatest injustice imaginable. She bit her lip, casting one last glance at Dominic before running out. Dominic instinctively moved to follow, then forcibly stopped himself. He turned to Ariana, his voice low. “Miss Reeves, the situation was chaotic, and I reacted without thinking ” Ariana remained silent, turning her head to stare out the window. She didn’t want to hear it. For three full days, Dominic stood guard outside her hospital room like the dutiful bodyguard he was, but she never spoke another word to him. Until the day she was discharged. Walking on her still–healing leg, Ariana went straight to the study. She pulled open a mahogany drawer and removed a gleaming black leather whip- This was the Reeves family’s traditional instrument of discipline. One lash could split skin to the bone. “Tell Dominic to come here,” she instructed the housekeeper. When Dominic entered the room, Ariana was methodically polishing the whip. Sunlight streamed through the floor–to–ceiling windows, casting shadows beneath her eyelashes. “Dominic Reed, you are my bodyguard, yet you failed to protect me,” she said, meeting his eyes. “I’m going to punish you. Any objections?” Dominic stood motionless, his pupils contracting almost imperceptibly. Ariana caught it clearly. This North Shore heir probably never imagined that one day someone would dare discipline him like a servant. Of course he was the legendary Dominic Reed, heir to an empire. People normally fell over themselves please him. Who would dare touch him? Yet now, she intended to whip him? Ariana watched his expression, suddenly laughing. He was hesitating. He could easily walk away, resign, leave–but instead, he was… hesitating? All for Mia? To stay close to her, to maintain proximity to Mia? Her eyes burned with unshed tears, almost laughing through them. Dominic gritted his teeth and finally answered quietly: “No objections.” In that moment, Ariana’s heart contracted painfully. She gripped the whip tighter and raised her arm- “NO!” A slender figure suddenly burst in, firmly placing herself in front of Dominic. Mia stood with tears in her eyes, her voice trembling. “Ari, if you want to hit someone, hit me instead! This has nothing to do with Dom!” “Move,” Ariana commanded coldly. “I won’t!” Mia shook her head, crying pitifully. “I’m the one who caused your injury–punish me if you must…” Dominic reached to pull her away. “Miss Mia, this doesn’t concern you.” But Mia stubbornly remained in front of him, absolutely refusing to budge. Ariana watched this display, her anger boiling over. With a swift motion, she lashed out with the whip! CRACK! The sound of the whip cutting air was piercing. She had aimed at Dominic, but Mia threw herself forward, deliberately taking the blow! “Ah!!!” Mia cried out in pain, her delicate frame swaying before collapsing. Dominic caught her before she hit the floor, bending to examine her injury. When he looked up again- Ariana met a pair of eyes cold as death. Within them, burned pure murderous intent. As if the next moment, he would snap her neck without hesitation. Her body froze, chilled to the core. “Get out,” she heard her own voice tremble. Dominic carried the unconscious Mia and turned to leave. The study door slammed behind him with deafening force. Ariana stood frozen, realizing her hands were shaking too badly to hold the whip. Three days later. Ariana went alone to try on wedding dresses, Night had fallen by the time she left the boutique, Suddenly, someone grabbed her from behind, clamping a hand over her mouth! A sharp chemical smell invaded her nostrils. She struggled briefly before losing consciousness. When she awoke, everything was pitch black. Blindfolded, with her hands bound to a chair, she could not move. CRACK! When the first lash struck, Ariana arched her back in agony. The rough rope cut deeply into her wrists, the blindfold making the darkness even more suffocating. She bit through her lip to suppress a scream. “You’ve offended someone you shouldn’t have,” the executioner’s voice seemed to come from far away. CRACK! CRACK! CRACK! The whip fell like raindrops, each stroke accompanied by a vicious whistling sound, tearing her skin open. She bit down harder, refusing to cry out. Who?! Who would do this to her? The whipping continued for what felt like hours, until she began to lose consciousness. Only then did it finally stop. Then, the sound of a phone being dialed reached her ears. “Sir, I’ve completed the task as instructed,” the man said respectfully. From the other end came a familiar male voice- “Good. Return her home.” Just one sentence. But Ariana’s blood instantly turned to ice. It was Dominic. Dominic Reed had ordered this! Just because she accidentally struck Mia once with the whip, he had someone give her ninety–nine lashes in return?! Pain and cold washed over her entire body. She finally couldn’t hold on any longer and passed out completely. The hospital. Ariana lay face down on the bed, her back burning with fiery pain. Outside her door, nurses whispered among themselves- “That man was so handsome, and so tender with his girlfriend…” “I know, right? Just a tiny whip mark, and he acted like it was the end of the world. Meanwhile, look at room 304–covered in wounds and not a single visitor…” Ariana pulled out her IV needle and painfully dragged herself toward the corridor, supporting herself against the wall. Sure enough, at the VIP room entrance, she saw Dominic. He was holding a cup of water, carefully helping Mia drink. She pouted and murmured something, and Dominic wiped the water from the corner of her mouth, his gaze tender enough to melt. Ariana leaned silently against the wall, her eyes growing damp. She didn’t understand why, even after deciding to let go, her heart could still ache this badly, as if someone were slowly carving out her flesh with a dull knife. ‘Don’t cry, Ariana.‘ She told herself this. ‘Because no one would care if you did.‘ The day she was discharged, Ariana had just arrived when familiar footsteps sounded behind her- Dominic had returned. Their eyes met, each seeing something different in the other’s gaze. They stood in silence until Ariana’s phone suddenly vibrated, her father’s name appearing on the screen. “Tomorrow is Mia’s birthday celebration,” her father’s voice brooked no refusal. “She’s been crying to me about wanting to improve her relationship with you. Come and attend.” Ariana laughed coldly. “I won’t.” “What are you upset about? This might be the last time,” her father emphasized. “The Sinclairs have set the date, and after you marry in…” She hung up on him, looking up at Dominic who stood in the shadows. “Do you think I should go?” His sharply defined profile appeared especially hard in the lamplight. After a few seconds of silence, his voice was low. “You should go.” “Very well,” she smiled tightly. “If that’s what you want.” The birthday celebration was held in the glass conservatory of the Reeves family mansion. When Ariana arrived wearing an emerald velvet gown, most of the guests had already assembled. Under the crystal chandeliers, Mia twirled in a pink tulle dress, like a princess surrounded by adoring courtiers. “Ari!” Mia exclaimed with apparent delight, rushing forward as if to take her arm. Ariana sidestepped her, her gaze sweeping over the room filled with lavish gifts from their father–limited edition Hermès bags, Tiffany blue boxes, even the keys to a Porsche. “Mia has always been so thoughtful. She’s my favorite,” her father said adoringly as he stood beside Mia, just as… many years ago, he had stood beside Ariana and her mother. She remembered wearing a white dress, being lifted high in her father’s arms, while her mother smiled gently nearby. Now, everything had changed beyond recognition. After the cake cutting, guests dispersed into smaller groups. One of Mia’s friends pulled her aside to gossip. “Mia, there are so many eligible bachelors from prominent families here today. Is your dad trying to arrange a match? I thought you were already engaged to the Sinclair heir?” Mia smiled, deliberately glancing toward Ariana nearby. “That arrangement fell through ages ago.” “Thank goodness! I heard he’s been in a coma. Wouldn’t that basically be signing up for a lifetime as a widow and caretaker?” the friend said with a sympathetic grimace. “So tell us, what’s your type? With all these eligible bachelors here tonight, you must have some criteria.” Under the group’s playful encouragement, Mia blushed and began counting on her fingers: “First, he has to love me enough to tattoo my name on his chest. Second, he needs courage–there’s this rare ‘Thorn Rose‘ that blooms once a decade on Crescent Cliff, and he’d have to get it for me. Third…” Before she could finish, the grand ‘doors to the ballroom suddenly swung open. “Mr. Reed sends his congratulations to Miss Reeves on her birthday, wishing her happiness and prosperity!” a voice announced.

The assistant led a procession of people into the hall, each carrying impossibly extravagant gifts- A rare pink diamond necklace, antique masterpiece paintings, even the deed to a private island. The room erupted in astonished whispers! “Is this all from Dominic Reed?” “I heard rumors about him bidding on everything for Miss Mia at that auction, and now he’s personally sending birthday gifts? It seems Miss Mia is truly destined for greater heights!” The murmurs spread like wildfire. Several guests glanced furtively at Ariana with pity in their eyes. Despite her superior beauty and more legitimate status, everyone now believed she had lost. Ariana set down her champagne glass and walked toward the terrace. The night breeze was cool against her skin. She had barely taken a deep breath when Mia’s voice came from behind: “Why are you out here all alone, Ari?” Without the audience of guests or their father, Mia finally dropped her pretense. “You know what Daddy told me? You’re going to marry that vegetable,” she said with a sweet yet venomous smile. “How tragic. Your mother couldn’t compete with mine, and now history repeats itself with you unable to compete with me.” Ariana whirled around. “Say that again?” “I said-” Mia leaned closer, her red lips spitting viper–like words, “your mother deserved to die in childbirth. She-” SLAP! The sharp sound of a slap rang out. But it wasn’t Ariana who had done the slapping–Mia had slapped herself! In the next instant, tears sprang to her eyes as she stumbled backward, conveniently falling into the arms of Dominic who had rushed over. “It’s not Ari’s fault…” Mia sobbed, covering her cheek. “I provoked her…” A moment later, their father and the other guests arrived, looks of condemnation directed at Ariana. “Ariana Reeves!” her father thundered. “Have you no decency left?” The guests‘ whispers cut like knives. “How vicious, on Miss Mia’s birthday of all days…” “Well, she grew up without a mother’s guidance–no wonder she’s so bitter and small–minded…” Ariana observed this carefully orchestrated performance and suddenly laughed. She strode forward and, in full view of everyone, delivered a stinging slap to Mia’s face. “There,” she said, smashing her champagne glass on the floor, glass shards reflecting dozens of shocked faces. “That’s what it looks like when I actually hit someone.” As she turned to leave, she caught sight of Dominic holding Mia’s shoulders, his eyes cold enough to freeze hell itself. In the garden pathway, Ariana had barely rounded the corner when her wrist was seized in a crushing grip. Dominic’s hold was punishing, and she felt her bones might snap under the pressure. “Miss Reeves,” he said, his voice low with barely contained fury. “What?” She looked up mockingly. “Are you going to give me ninety–nine slaps in return for the one I gave her?” Dominic’s pupils contracted. What did she mean by that? Could she somehow know about the other night? Impossible–he’d been extremely discreet. “Miss Reeves,” he loosened his grip slightly, his brow furrowed, “you have everything you could want. Why do you insist on tormenting Miss Mia?” “I have everything?” Ariana suddenly laughed, the sound raw and broken. “What exactly do I have? Ever since she came to my family, she caused my mother to die in childbirth–both my mother and my unborn sibling! She stole my room, my toys, my allowance, my father! Even my study abroad opportunity–everything!” This was the first time Dominic had heard her speak so much. In the moonlight, those eyes that usually held only scorn were now brimming with tears she stubbornly refused to shed. “I’ve heard,” Dominic said, his voice hardening again, “that Miss Mia is actually the one who suffered.” Ariana yanked her hand free, turning to leave. “Believe what you want.” As she was about to get into her car, Dominic spoke again: “Miss Reeves, I’d like to request a few days off.” “Whatever,” she responded without looking back, closing the car door. After the black sedan had driven some distance, she suddenly told the driver: “Turn around.” Back near the Reeves estate, she saw Dominic climbing into a Rolls–Royce. Ariana instructed her driver to follow discreetly, eventually stopping outside an exclusive tattoo parlor. Through the glass window, she watched as Dominic unbuttoned his shirt, revealing his sculpted chest. The tattoo artist asked something, and he pointed to the area over his heart, mouthing two words–from his lip movement, clearly “Mia.” The assistant tried to dissuade him: “Sir, your grandfather will be furious…” “Do it,” was his only response. The electric needle buzzed to life, each prick seeming to pierce Ariana’s heart rather than his skin. Two hours later, Dominic emerged covering his bleeding chest, pale but determined as he got into the car. “To Crescent Cliff,” he instructed the driver. “Impossible! That place is too dangerous, and you’ve just been tattooed-” “Now.” His tone brooked no argument. Sitting in her car, Ariana suddenly remembered Mia’s list of criteria for her ideal man. “He has to love me enough to tattoo my name on his chest.” “There’s a flower on Crescent Cliff… he’d have to get it for me.” She laughed, and as she laughed, tears finally spilled down her cheeks. “Let’s go,” she told her driver. “We’re done here.” That night, she saw Mia’s Instagram post. A photograph of a thorny rose in full bloom on a cliff edge, captioned: “Someone climbed mountains just to bring me a flower.” At three in the morning, Dominic returned. Covered in blood, right arm fractured, yet his lips curled into a faint smile. The next day, as Ariana was about to leave, Dominic emerged from his room. He was pale, his right arm wrapped in bandages, his shirt collar slightly open. “Miss Reeves,” his voice was somewhat hoarse, “I had a minor car accident last night. I need a few more days to recover, so I won’t be able to protect you for now.” Car accident? Clearly a cliff–climbing injury. But she didn’t expose his lie, merely responding with a “Hmm” before walking out. Today she was saying goodbye to her girlfriends. At an upscale club in a VIP room: “Come on, let’s drink till we drop!” Her friend Lila threw an arm around Ariana’s shoulders. “Our darling Ari is about to get married and become Mrs. Sinclair. We’ve got to celebrate properly!” The room was packed with people who had been her closest friends over the years. The champagne tower glittered under the lights, music pounded through the speakers, yet Ariana felt strangely detached from it all. “If you ask me, a comatose husband is perfect!” Lila said drunkenly, swaying her glass. “Rich, handsome, and you don’t have to cater to his needs. The ideal marriage!” “Exactly!” another friend chimed in. “And the entire Sinclair fortune will eventually be yours!” Ariana smiled faintly, running her finger along the rim of her glass. “Once I’m married, I’ll have to behave myself. Got to maintain the Sinclair family’s reputation.” Everyone paused, then scrambled to backtrack: “I’m sure the Sinclair heir will wake “You’re so gorgeous–how up!” Should he stand to stay asleep?” “Absolutely! Our Ari is North Shore’s premier beauty–no way you’ll end up a caretaker forever!” Ariana smiled as they rambled, drinking one glass after another. When it was time to say goodbye, Lila suddenly embraced her, voice choked with emotion: “Your dad is such a piece of work… and that Mia! Want us to teach her a lesson?” “No need,” Ariana patted her back. “Once I’m gone, none of this will matter to me anymore.” She hugged each friend in turn until everyone’s eyes were red–rimmed. After settling the bill, Ariana was passing by another VIP room when she heard a familiar voice. “Was the flower really that difficult to get?” “Absolutely! Crescent Cliff is so dangerous even professional climbing teams avoid it.” Through the partially open door, Ariana saw Mia toying with the thorny rose while her friend leaned in conspiratorially: “And I think I saw him with your name tattooed on his chest when he delivered the flower! He’s seriously pursuing you, isn’t he?” “A mere bodyguard? Does he deserve me?” Mia scoffed. “I’m being courted by the North Shore heir now,” she stroked the damaged rose petals. “Though Dom is certainly handsome enough to keep as a plaything on the side Her friend’s eyes widened. “Aren’t you afraid he’ll overhear?” “So what if he does?” Mia shrugged dismissively, “Men are all the same–give them a little sweetness and they’ll follow you anywhere,” Standing in the shadows, Ariana wondered what Dominic’s expression would be if he heard these words. How would the mighty North Shore heir react to discovering he was merely a backup option? Huh. This is the woman you risked your life for, Dominic, She smiled sardonically and walked away without alerting them to her presence, After leaving the club, she went directly to the cemetery. Ariana knelt before her mother’s headstone, gently wiping the dust from the photograph. “Mom, I’m getting married. To the Sinclair heir–the one in a coma. It’s not so bad; at least he won’t cheat on me.” The wind rustled the white chrysanthemums before the grave, like a silent response. “Don’t worry, I won’t be like you,” she traced the cold stone with her fingertips. “Loving someone to the point of giving up your life for him–that’s foolish. I’ll live well, very well.” As dusk fell, Ariana stood up, took one last look at her mother’s photograph, and turned to leave. Back home, Ariana spent the entire night packing. Clothes, jewelry, photo albums… She organized everything methodically, preparing never to return. As dawn broke, her phone buzzed. [Account credited: $100,000,000] Immediately after, her father called: “The Sinclairs are pushing hard. You need to leave today. I’ve transferred the hundred million as promised. As for Dominic…” “I’ll have him report to the main house,” Ariana interrupted. “From today forward, he’s Mia’s bodyguard. I don’t want him anymore.” After a moment of silence, her father suddenly softened his tone: “Ari, I’ve always loved you and your mother…” “I used to think you were just morally bankrupt,” Ariana laughed. “Now I realize you’re truly disgusting.” She hung up and blocked his number. Outside, the moving company’s truck had arrived. While directing the workers to load her luggage, Dominic emerged from his room. “Miss Reeves, what’s happening?” He frowned at the boxes littering the floor. “Moving.” Ariana replied without looking up. “Different place to live.” Dominic nodded, apparently not thinking much of it–certainly not imagining that her “move” meant relocating from North Shore to South Bay. “Let me help,” he offered. “No need,” she finally looked at him. “You have another assignment.” “What’s that?” “Go buy candied chestnuts right now, and take them to the Reeves mansion for Mia.” Dominic visibly stiffened. “Why?” “You’ll understand when you get there.” She saw his Adam’s apple bob, conflict flickering in those usually impassive eyes. Ultimately, the desire to see Mia won out over his suspicions. Dominic suddenly remembered something: “Miss Reeves, send me your new address later. I’ll gather my things and join you.” Twenty–four hour personal bodyguard service, eating and living together, ensuring her safety at all times. Those were the terms of their contract. But this time, Ariana didn’t respond. He waited a moment, and when she still didn’t acknowledge him, he assumed she’d send it later and turned to leave. At the main door, he vaguely heard her say something. “What?” He looked back. Ariana stood in the morning light, saying softly: “Nothing. Go ahead.” Once his figure had completely disappeared, Ariana got into the car and told the driver: “Airport.” The scenery flew past the window. She pulled out her phone, removed the SIM card, and snapped it in half-Crack. The pieces fell from her hand, tossed out the window, and then vanished completely from sight!

The paper long het onthened from the hear He pressed his hand to his chest, where Max Hame was fitnord, the needle marks were still fresh, firstbing hitheart was caring abnormally fartajt De fromed, aftribusing this unease is weje claying at his nerves, preventing Lim from finding calm. aletarring Mia As he stepped inside, be found Frederick standing in the center of the living room, has expressed as he amempred my reason w Masood with her back to him. Mers fremdding slightly, her sobre faced with fury “fine hundred millinni það, kave you lost your minder Frederick lowered hicrolor: “We have to be practical,heartt Lean’t go back on my word to the timelsirs, I bet to send one of my diegiten in them Mia hither lip, rernhaally i y home He’s a vegetable–marrying him wild be a life sentence an I’ve caught the attention of the North Shore heir… a caretaker! Especially new Halfway through her sentence, she glimpsed Densinde from the corner of her eye, Iter expression instantly transformed as the turned, replæring her vowd with aswert smile “Dom youte bere?” Dominic had 1 clearly head their previous conversation. He tim eximply responded with a soft “Man” holding out the chestnut at them while they’re warm“] sta accepted the boy, her fingers deliberately brushing against his in the smiled with curved eyes: “DI Domina pared at her, the corner of lils mouth lifting slightly glad like the Miss He should have been happy, yet somehow that strange feeling in his chest intensified, as if something were quiety He paused before saying: “I should go now Ma quickly grabbed his sleeve: “Don’t leave. || Domnir froze. “What do you mean?“|| Mia Blinked interntly: “Didn’t Art tell you? she’s given you to me.-] Domanic’s mand went blank||were quietly spiraling out of Mia, seeing his confusion, immediately elaborated with embellishments: “Ari agreed to marry that vegetable for a hundred million dollars. She left for South Bay warly this morning From now on, you’re my bodyguard.“|| Dominar’s breathing suddenly ( Marriage To Christopher Star That former ival of his who now now lay comatose a hospital bed?|| He suddenly recalled Ariana’s mention of “moving that morning–not an ordinary relocation, best, marry to South Bay?|| Unhidden, memories of his first encounter with Ariana Hooded Dominic’s mind-|| Three years ago, during the Perves family’s lesbyguard selection, he had gone there with his sights set on Mia. To his surprise, it was the elder sister, Ariana, who was nonducting the interviews. He had initially planned to leave limitediately, but found himself unexpectedly chosen || bie floor with with a crystalline The sunlight had been perfect that day. She descended the spiral staircase in a red spaghetti strap dress, her stilettos stalking the anathle sound like some delicate mustel performer ~111 take him,” she had said, painting directly at him yat him, her crimson lips curving inh into a ande. He’s || He later discovered that this heires had quite the reputation in their social circles–the vixen,” they called laer, changing boyfriends more often than outf Passionate, vibrant, like an eternal flame that refused to be extinguished || something inexplicable had compelled him to accept the position. He painted it to himself as a means to pet doser to Mia, sjare the sisters lived under the same. pt the positio root repeatedly tried to seduce him–but her attempts were endearingly chumay—|| Tretending to twist her ankle and falling into his arms, only to have applied so much perfume that she triggered her own mersing fir||

The devotion Dominic showed Mia reached levels that shocked even the most jaded observers. As her bodyguard, he accompanied her shopping, dining, and to the cinema. If she casually mentioned craving a bakery’s signature pastries from across town, he would queue at 3 AM to purchase them. When her feet grew tired from shopping, he would kneel before her to massage her ankles, completely disregarding the startled glances of passersby. As the North Shore heir, when Mia admired a high–end jewelry designer’s new collection, he secretly purchased the entire series as a gift. When she mentioned loving stars, he bought a portion of the night sky and named it after her. If she expressed dislike for someone, the next day that person would simply vanish from their social circles. The elite of North Shore whispered that the North Shore heir had completely lost himself to Mia Reeves. -They weren’t wrong. One day, Mia insisted on watching the sunset in the countryside. On their return journey, a truck lost control and barreled straight toward their vehicle. In that split second, Dominic wrenched the steering wheel, positioning the vehicle so that the passenger side would be spared the brunt of the impact, then twisted his body to shield Mia. BANG! Their car rolled twice, glass shattering as airbags deployed. Dominic’s back slammed against the door, metal fragments piercing his flesh as blood soaked through his shirt. Yet his arms remained steady around her, not allowing her to suffer even a scratch. “Dom!” Mia’s face drained of color as she tremblingly touched his blood–streaked face. “You’re–you’re bleeding…” Dominic tried to reassure her, but when he opened his mouth, he coughed up blood. Before losing consciousness, the last thing he heard was her hysterical crying. When he regained consciousness, he stared up at the stark white ceiling of a hospital room. Mia had fallen asleep at his bedside. Hearing him stir, she immediately threw herself at him: “You idiot! Why would you do something so reckless?” She inadvertently pressed against his wound, causing Dominic to groan in pain, yet he still raised his hand to gently stroke her back: “It’s fine… doesn’t hurt.” Mia cried dramatically: “The doctor said the metal came within an inch of your heart!” He remained gentle, “Don’t cry, this is my duty.” “You’re too good to me…” Mia looked up with tear–filled eyes “Even though you’re Ari’s bodyguard, you’ve always secretly taken care of me…” “Remember when I had that fever, and you ran through that terrible storm to bring me those macarons…” That night the rain had poured relentlessly. He’d searched for five hours, returning soaking wet but still delivering warm pastries to the Reeves mansion. “And last year on my birthday, when I casually mentioned wanting that exclusive necklace that wasn’t even available for purchase, you entered that dangerous street racing competition to win it…” “What touched me most was that flower from Crescent Cliff… such a dangerous place, you risked your life just to pick a flower for me…” “So…” Mia gazed at him expectantly, “why are you so good to me?” “Because…” he opened his mouth, but the words “I love you” stuck in his throat. Something felt profoundly wrong. Despite taking a bullet for her, climbing a cliff for her, even tattooing her name on his chest, when it came to actually saying those three words, his heart felt like it was being squeezed by an invisible hand, making it impossible to breathe. “Are you free three days from now?” he ultimately changed the subject. “I have something I want to tell you.” Mia’s eyes brightened: “What is it?” “You’ll know then.” He managed a smile. Mia was about to press further when her phone suddenly rang. She checked the caller ID, her expression instantly becoming flustered: “Dom, something’s come up–I need to go!” Before Dominic could respond, she had already grabbed her purse and rushed out of the hospital room. As the door closed behind her, Dominic’s smile faded. He stared at the ceiling, suddenly remembering an incident from six months earlier- He was still Ariana’s bodyguard then, and during a business event, they’d been attacked. To protect her, he’d suffered a deep slash across his shoulder, the wound extending to the bone. “Dominic Reed, you absolute IDIOT!” Ariana had erupted, eyes reddening as she cursed him. “Who told you to block it? Who told you to?!” Even while berating him, she’d frantically tried to stop his bleeding, her expensive designer dress becoming soaked with blood without her noticing. Later at the hospital, this pampered heiress who had never lifted a finger for herself insisted on caring for him personally. “Yes, you’re my bodyguard,” she had said, eyes still red–rimmed, “but your life matters just as much as mine.” As this memory surfaced, Dominic’s lips curved upward involuntarily, The next moment, he froze. What was he doing? Ariana had married into the Sinclair family. He was in love with Mia, not her. Why was he dwelling on these meaningless recollections? As if to prove something to himself, he grabbed his phone and called his childhood friend, Alexander West. “Well, look who finally remembered he has friends!” Alexander’s teasing voice came through the line. “I heard you took a bullet for love–nearly martyred yourself in the name of romance?” Dominic got straight to the point: “Help me arrange a proposal setting.” “What?!” Alexander nearly fell off his chair. “You’re finally going to propose to Mia? Done with the secret admirer routine?” “Yes.” Dominic rattled off a series of requirements: “I want a rose garden a symphony orchestra, drone light show, and prepare a pink diamond pendant…” Alexander whistled in amazement: “You’re spending millions only on a proposal? She’ll be completely spoiled! Honestly, I still don’t understand what you see in Mia Reeves.” This question sent Dominic into reflection. Three years ago at that charity gala, he’d first spotted Mia. She’d been wearing a white dress, carefully climbing a tree to rescue a precariously balanced bird’s nest. Sunlight had filtered through the leaves, dappling her figure. Her face wasn’t clearly visible, but the scene was beautiful, like a painting. He’d stepped away to take a call, and when he returned to offer help, she had already successfully saved the nest and departed. He asked a server who she was, and received the answer: “Miss Reeves.” That moment of enchantment had decided everything. He was determined to meet her. He’d even concealed his identity, becoming Ariana’s bodyguard for the sole purpose of gaining regular access to Mia. “She’s kind, pure…” Dominic mechanically listed Mia’s qualities, yet the more he spoke, the more unfamiliar he felt. “Anyway, just get everything ready,” he concluded. “This time, I’m going to make Mia say yes.” With that, he ended the call.

Dominic’s wounds were far from healed, but despite the doctor’s repeated warnings that he needed rest, he insisted on leaving the hospital early. He spared no expense, arranging his proposal at North Shore’s most luxurious rose garden. The garden was filled with Juliet roses flown in from France, each one personally selected by him. The orchestra performed pieces he’d stayed up for three consecutive nights to finalize. The fireworks were custom–designed to match Mia’s preferences, programmed to form a starry pattern that would spell out her name at the most romantic moment. He even personally tasted every dish on the menu, scrutinizing the champagne vintage with meticulous attention. His friend Alexander, watching this display, couldn’t help but quip: “Dom, anyone would think you’re preparing for a coronation rather than a proposal.” Dominic ignored him, checking his watch–thirty minutes until their appointment. However, thirty minutes passed, then an hour… Mia never appeared. Dominic stood on the rose–covered terrace, fingers unconsciously tracing the diamond ring in his pocket. He called Mia countless times, but every call went unanswered. “Could something have happened to her?” His brow furrowed with concern as he contacted his staff. “Check Miss Mia’s schedule for today.” Ten minutes later, the report came in… [Miss Mia Reeves is at Chateau Spa and Resort. Today she received a full–body spa treatment, manicure, and has an appointment with a stylist. She has been there for six hours.] Dominic stared in disbelief. She was… at a spa? Had she forgotten? But he’d reminded her just yesterday. He gripped his phone tightly and drove directly to the spa. When Dominic tried to enter Chateau Spa, the security guard attempted to stop him: “Sir, please present your membership-” “Get out of my way!” The manager rushed over, slapping the guard aside. “Have you lost your mind? This is Mr. Reed!” Dominic strode toward the VIP suite, but paused at the door when he heard laughter from inside…. “You’re seriously not going to meet that bodyguard?” A friend’s voice carried a teasing note. Mia responded lazily: “Why would I? I can tell from the way he looks at me that he wants to propose. As if I’d marry a bodyguard?” “But he’s been so good to you,” her friend countered. “Taking a bullet, climbing a cliff, even tattooing your name on his chest…” “So what?” Mia scoffed. “No matter how handsome or devoted he is, he’s still just a doorman. I’ve been noticed by the North Shore heir now–of course I’m focusing on securing a place in high society.” Dominic’s hand froze on the doorknob. The friend persisted: “But why not just reject him outright? Leading him on seems cruel.” “You don’t understand,” Mia’s voice carried a note of triumph. “He’s gorgeous, strong, and willing to die for me. Why wouldn’t I want an extra admirer? But most importantly…” Her voice dropped to a malicious whisper: “Ariana was in love with him, but he’s in love with me. Just imagining her face when she realized I stole something she cherished–it’s absolutely delicious. It’s like when she used to love wearing white dresses, but I mentioned once that I liked them, and Dad gave me all her white dresses. I wore them around her constantly until she stopped wearing white altogether!” Dominic felt as though he’d been struck by lightning. The friend seemed intrigued: “Speaking of which, you’ve sabotaged Ariana quite a bit over the years, haven’t you? I heard about her mother’s difficult delivery…” “That woman deserved it!” Mia’s tone suddenly sharpened. “How dare she occupy the position that belonged to my mother? I just slipped some abortion pills into her water before her due date… who knew she’d be so weak that both she and the baby would die?” “And Ariana’s study abroad opportunity was canceled because you reported her for academic dishonesty?” “Just a forged complaint,” Mia said dismissively. “That idiot threw a massive tantrum at home but couldn’t do anything about it. Daddy always takes my side.” Each word felt like a poisoned dagger, dismantling the image of the pure–hearted girl rescuing a bird’s nest that had lived in Dominic’s memory. The manager anxiously whispered: “Mr. Reed, would you like to go in?” The room suddenly fell silent, then Mia’s wary voice called out: “Who’s there?” Dominic closed his eyes, then turned and walked away. “Don’t tell her I was here.” In his black Maybach, Dominic chain–smoked one cigarette after another. He replayed Mia’s words in his mind. She considered him a mere “doorman,” only interested in marrying into wealth. She had slipped abortion pills to Ariana’s ten–months pregnant mother, causing both her and the unborn child to die. She had fabricated academic dishonesty claims against Ariana, causing her to lose her study abroad opportunity. Through the haze of smoke, he recalled Ariana’s eyes, always filled with mockery… The way she called him an “idiot” while gritting her teeth, her trembling fingers as she bandaged his wounds, the way she slammed the door as she left with a final “Dominic Reed, I don’t want you anymore“… It now became clear that the woman he’d placed on a pedestal was utterly contemptible. And Ariana, whom he’d repeatedly treated with cold indifference… Was the true victim all along. The cigarette burned down to his fingertips, but he didn’t notice. In the distance, fireworks erupted from the rose garden, forming a brilliant “MIA REEVES” against the night sky. Yet the man who should have been gazing up at those fireworks was sitting alone in his car, smoking cigarette after cigarette, his heart aching inexplicably. He couldn’t understand how the sweet girl who had once rescued a bird’s nest could become this unrecognizable, calculating creature. BANG! His fist slammed against the steering wheel. He finally understood–the woman he’d loved had always been a mirage. That girl rescuing a bird’s nest had never existed–or rather, that person had never been Mia Reeves. His memory flashed back to that charity gala three years ago. Sunlight, white dress, the girl in the tree… Wait. Mia’s words suddenly echoed in his mind with startling clarity. “It’s like when she used to love wearing white dresses, but I mentioned once that I liked them, and Dad gave me all her white dresses. I wore them around her constantly until she stopped wearing white altogether!” Back then, he had asked the server who that girl was. The server had only said “Miss Reeves.” Later, after returning from handling company projects abroad, he finally had time to seek her out, only to learn that the Reeves family had two daughters–one wild and unbridled, the “vixen” of their social circle who preferred red dresses, and one pure as jasmine who loved wearing white. He had automatically assumed “Miss Reeves” meant the younger Miss Reeves. But now… Dominic’s blood instantly froze in his veins. With trembling hands, he dialed Alexander’s number: “I need you to find the security footage from the charity gala garden three years ago…”

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Rebecca Wilson, the impoverished student I’d sponsored with hundreds of thousands of dollars, showed up at my door on the day she got into college carrying two bags of potatoes to repay my kindness. She was sweet and adorable, instantly catching the eye of my playboy childhood friend Ross Davis. Knowing how hard it had been for her to escape the mountains, I couldn’t bear to see her destroyed, so I sent her abroad for further education. Years later, she returned with her education complete, conspired with Davis Group to hollow out my family’s company, and left me homeless on the streets. Then she brought a gang of thugs to assault me to death. Her eyes revealed bone-deep hatred toward me. “If it weren’t for you, I would have married into the Davis family long ago and wouldn’t have had to suffer so much abroad.” After my rebirth, Rebecca once again knocked on my door carrying two bags of potatoes. “Abigail, I’ve come to repay your kindness!” I kicked her to the ground. “Write up an IOU, then get out!” ***** I was reborn on the day of my eighteenth birthday party. Rebecca arrived at my doorstep carrying two bags of potatoes. “Abigail, thank you for sponsoring my education. I’ve come to repay you!” This was exactly how she’d appeared in my previous life. I’d felt sorry for her traveling such a long way, and when I learned it was also her birthday, I didn’t hesitate to remove the crystal crown from my head and place it on hers, introducing her to all my family and friends. That day, sweet and adorable Rebecca caught my fiancé Ross’s eye at first sight. I knew his philandering nature well. If she fell for his tricks, he would definitely abandon her once he lost interest. All her years of hard work would be wasted. So I decided to help her once more, spending a fortune to send her abroad for further education, completely severing her connection with Ross. However, I never expected she would resent me for blocking her path to marrying into wealth. The first thing Rebecca wanted to do after returning with her education was to conspire with Davis Group to hollow out my family’s company, causing my parents’ deaths. Only then did I learn that years ago, she had deliberately chosen my birthday party to dress up and come “repay” me, all to find a rich man to marry. Later, when I was homeless on the streets, Rebecca appeared before me in exquisite luxury clothing and said, “Do you know how much I suffered waiting for this day? You dared to compete with me for Ross, so you should have known this would be your fate!” With that, she stepped aside while a dozen thugs dragged me into hell. Now, wearing an exquisite gown, high heels, and a crystal crown, I looked at the potatoes in Rebecca’s hands unmoved. “Over these ten years, I’ve given you hundreds of thousands of dollars, and you plan to repay me with two bags of potatoes?” She stood there stunned, clearly not expecting me to refuse her so bluntly. Biting her lip, she asked sadly, “Abigail, how can you say such a thing? These potatoes are the most precious and finest things we mountain people have. I usually can’t bear to eat them myself.” “Oh, really?” I raised an eyebrow, looking at her outfit worth over twenty thousand dollars, along with her smooth skin and refined makeup. Over the years, she’d sometimes claimed her grandfather needed surgery, sometimes that her grandmother was in the ICU, all to con money from me, yet she was living quite well. Rebecca guiltily covered the logo on her clothes, but she still showed no intention of leaving. Instead, she craned her neck to peer inside my house. I looked at her with amusement. “What? Do you want to live here?” Having her thoughts exposed, she blushed with embarrassment. “No, no. Abigail, how could you think that of me? I’m not that kind of greedy girl. I just… I just want to repay you!” Rebecca’s voice grew louder and louder, her initially pitiful whimper transforming into an indignant roar. Anyone unaware of the situation would think I’d done something unforgivable to her. Just like in my previous life, Ross heard the commotion from inside the house and rushed out. Her tears hung on her face like pearls, her sweet and pitiful appearance instantly triggering his protective instincts. His lust stirred again as he sternly questioned me without courtesy: “Abigail! You’re bullying people again. Can’t you fix that nasty temper of yours? A shrew like you will never marry me in this lifetime!” Then he turned around, leering at Rebecca. “Don’t be afraid. What’s your name? Whatever’s wrong, tell me and I’ll help you!”

Rebecca looked Ross up and down, her gaze finally settling on the expensive watch worth hundreds of thousands of dollars on his wrist. She wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes and said with feigned strength, “Hello, I’m fine. My name is Rebecca. Abigail was disgusted by the potatoes I brought her. She’s helped me so much that even if she scolds me, I should bear it.” Her voice made Ross’s heart flutter. To defend her, he pointed at me and cursed, “Abigail, do you think being rich makes you so great? Apologize to Rebecca right now! Otherwise, I won’t let this slide!” Watching their interaction made me sick. I ignored him and turned to go inside. Ross seemed to feel that my refusal to apologize made him lose face. He strode over and blocked my path: “Didn’t you hear me talking to you?” Having been reborn, I had no time to waste on this scumbag. I slapped him so hard it left him dizzy and disoriented. I shook my stinging hand, and Rebecca at the doorway cried out in distress, “Ross!” She wanted to come help Ross, almost stepping into my house. “Stop right there! Rebecca, neither you nor dogs are allowed in my house. Just wait there!” I went inside and quickly printed out all the records of my financial support for her over the years, totaling six hundred and fifty thousand dollars. I came back out and slapped the papers against her face: “Sign the IOU, then get as far away as possible!” “Abigail, you’re so shameless! How can you have the nerve to ask for this money back?” Ross recovered and walked over unsteadily, one hand covering his face, the other pointing at me. Though he kept talking to me, his eyes never left Rebecca’s heaving chest. I smiled and asked, “What? Are you going to pay her debt?” Ross froze. Although he was wealthy, he wasn’t stupid. He couldn’t bear to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on a girl he’d just met. But Rebecca didn’t know this. Hearing my words, she felt delighted, then quickly lowered her head to hide the greed and excitement in her eyes. She hurriedly said, “No, no, I’ll pay back what I owe Abigail myself. Ross, if you helped me, I’d feel so guilty I couldn’t sleep.” With this excuse, Ross grabbed her hand and gazed at her affectionately: “Don’t worry, how could I bear to make you feel so guilty you can’t sleep? I absolutely won’t help you pay the debt!” “What?” Rebecca’s smile froze on her face. I couldn’t help but laugh out loud. “Since you’re going to pay it back, you won’t mind writing an IOU.” No matter how Ross mocked me, I wouldn’t compromise. In the end, Rebecca reluctantly signed the IOU. A tear dropped onto the paper. She looked up at me and said bitterly, “Abigail, if this is how it is, why did you sponsor me in the first place?” I rolled my eyes: “If I hadn’t sponsored you, could you have gotten into college? The money I’m asking back is only what I gave you beyond tuition and living expenses. You know where that money went! And stop calling me by my first name so familiarly.” With that, I turned and went back inside, slamming the door hard. From outside came faint sobbing: “Ross, today is actually my birthday too. Why can Abigail be as beautiful as a princess while I can only be bullied?” Through the floor-to-ceiling window, I watched Ross put his arm around Rebecca’s waist: “Rebecca, from now on you’ll be my little princess!” Then they slowly walked away. I thought to myself: “Rebecca, you don’t know yet that the Davis family is already in deep trouble, do you? What is Ross going to use to spoil you like a princess?”

When I entered the house, Ross’s parents Owen Davis and Melissa Davis rushed over to me. Seeing me return alone, they asked anxiously, “Abigail, where’s Ross? Didn’t he go out to find you?” “He ran off chasing some girl from the countryside.” Owen and Melissa immediately flew into a rage: “What the hell is wrong with that bastard! Abigail, don’t worry, we’ll drag him back here right away!” Watching their hurried departure, I smiled. I wasn’t in a rush—they were the ones who should be panicking. My family and the Davis family were old friends. Ross and I had been engaged since childhood. A few years ago, when the Davis family dominated the business world, they never mentioned our engagement and let Ross play around with other girls. These past couple of years, after they fell from grace, they constantly brought up our engagement. Owen and Melissa spoiled Ross rotten, never letting him worry about business matters, so he had no idea about his family’s dire financial situation. When they pressured him about marriage, he just assumed I was madly in love with him and desperate to marry him. In my previous life, my parents knew Ross’s true nature and opposed our marriage, but they never hesitated to help the Davis family financially in business. So later, the Davis family used my family’s money to make their comeback, then teamed up with Rebecca to destroy my family. When my father lay in his hospital bed unable to pay his medical bills, the Davis family came to visit with their heads held high. They said: “Liam, look at yourself. If only you had married Abigail into our family earlier, how wonderful that would have been. For the sake of our years of friendship, I won’t abandon her after you die. Though of course, she’s no longer worthy of my son. Our driver just got divorced recently—he’s honest and decent, just a bit older. I’ll introduce Abigail to him.” At that time, my father was already gravely ill and couldn’t speak. He was so enraged he wanted to cough up blood, but the blood blocked his throat, causing him to suffocate to death. And I was held down by the bodyguards they brought, forced to watch helplessly as he died in agony before my eyes. After the banquet ended and all the guests had left, I threw my arms around my parents and cried endlessly. Unlike the cold corpses from my previous life, my mother gently patted my back while my father anxiously stamped his feet asking what was wrong: “Did Ross bully you? I’ll go teach him a lesson!” I grabbed hold of him as he put on his coat to go out, bit my lip, and shook my head: “Dad, Mom, if I told you that continuing to help the Davis family would get you killed by them, would you believe me?” After hearing my surreal explanation, they still believed me unconditionally. My father slammed the table, cursing the Davis family’s ingratitude, then cried as he comforted me: “Abigail, you must have been so scared.” Looking at our warm home and my kind, loving parents, this reunion felt incredibly precious. I silently swore that in this life, I would protect all of this. The story of the farmer and the snake only needed to happen once. Both my father’s and my phones rang simultaneously. I received a message from Rebecca: [Abigail, Ross and I are together now. You can’t keep coveting him anymore, okay?] She included a photo of herself wearing an exquisite diamond necklace, posing intimately with Ross at a five-star hotel. My father received a message from Owen: [Liam, my company is having cash flow problems and urgently needs twenty million dollars. You must wire me the money tomorrow morning. Thanks.] We turned off our phones. Then, our family of three left that very night for a beautiful island vacation, ignoring those scumbags and enjoying the sunshine and beaches to our hearts’ content. I didn’t return home until the day before college started, ten days later. Enemies always seem to find each other. As soon as I got out of the car, I saw Rebecca and Ross being intimate at the school entrance.

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During Labor Day weekend, I was in my second trimester and had come on a trip to relax. After spending one night at the hotel, I somehow became the star of a viral video. In the video, I was scantily clad, my fingers trailing across one man’s chest after another, my gaze seductive and alluring. When my husband Bryce Roberts saw it, he flew into a rage. Completely disregarding my pregnancy, he slapped me so hard I fell onto the couch. “You better explain to me what the hell this video is about!” “You actually slept with seven men at once, Paisley. You’re really something!” I had no way to explain why the woman in the video looked exactly like me, so I could only call the police. However, the police confirmed through the hotel’s registration records that I had indeed checked in that night. The massive shock triggered contractions, and my abdomen was wracked with unbearable pain. But Bryce just stared at my belly and said, “These two kids in there probably aren’t even mine, are they?” Then, despite my struggles, he forced me to have a C-section and demanded paternity tests for the children. Under his insistence, my two babies died from premature birth. Most absurdly, the paternity test results showed the children really weren’t Bryce’s. Just like that, he branded me a slut. As the video went viral, people came to harass me every day. One day, a drunk man forced his way into my home, assaulted me, and I died miserably on my bed. Even in death, I couldn’t understand why my life had turned out this way. When I woke up again, I found myself back on the day of the Labor Day trip. “Honey, let’s go find out the babies’ gender. It would put my mind at ease.” Bryce’s familiar voice rang in my ears. There was no tearing pain in my lower body. I realized I had been reborn. In my previous life, he was always pestering me to find out the babies’ gender, but major hospitals prohibited gender identification. I also felt the babies’ gender didn’t matter, so I kept refusing him. But during Labor Day, Bryce insisted on bringing me on this trip. Only when we arrived did I learn there was a famous witch doctor locally who supposedly could determine a child’s gender just by tasting the mother’s blood. I was angry about his deception, and after a huge fight, I moved out for the night. It was that one night, and the next day my pornographic video spread like wildfire through our social circle. Seeing me sulking with my pregnant belly, Bryce sighed and chose to compromise. “Alright, honey, we won’t check. I’ll never bring this up again, okay?” He smiled helplessly and came over to lovingly support my waist. But the kinder he was to me, the more I couldn’t understand why someone who usually doted on me so much would treat me so cruelly in my previous life. I suspected that maybe he truly loved me so much that seeing such a video made him so furious he couldn’t accept it. I leaned my head against his shoulder and said softly, “Honey, I want to visit my parents. I miss them.” Bryce nodded and agreed without hesitation. Back at my parents’ house, seeing my mother sewing clothes for my children and my father making toys for them, I couldn’t help but cry. We had all been so excited about the babies’ arrival. Yet they were forcibly removed before they were fully developed. Seeing me standing in the doorway with tears, Mom quickly put down her work. “Sweetheart, why are you crying? Is Bryce asking about the babies’ gender again?” “The babies’ gender doesn’t matter at all. You two living happily together is more important than anything.” “But Bryce has always been good to you and us. If he really wants to know the babies’ gender, just agree to it.” In my parents’ eyes, Bryce had always been an impeccable good man. Every time he came to the house, my parents would remind me to be a good wife. I thought, “Maybe in my previous life, it really was because I refused Bryce’s request that it triggered a chain reaction?” “So in this life, if I agree to his request, such a tragedy shouldn’t happen, right?”

Because of my pregnancy, I always felt drowsy and wanted to sleep. Having just gotten up and finished eating, I was getting sleepy again. In my dream, everything around me was pitch black. I vaguely saw hands reaching up from the ground, grabbing my pant legs, dragging me down, then choking my throat. As the suffocating feeling hit me, I jolted awake. It turned out Bryce’s hand was strangling my neck. “Paisley, you b*tch! “You better explain to me what the hell this video is about.” He mercilessly slammed his phone against my face. I stared wide-eyed at the disgusting videos on the screen. I felt utterly confused. I instinctively asked, “How could this happen?” But Bryce sneered coldly, “How could this happen? You were having too much fun, so much fun that you forgot someone was filming you, right? “This video is spreading everywhere now. Paisley, everyone knows you’re a sl*t who seduces so many men while pregnant, everyone knows I’ve been betrayed by you!” He let out a pained growl. Obviously, his expression revealed both agony and humiliation. The familiar accusations rang out again, but I didn’t know how to explain. After all, in my previous life, no matter how much I explained, he still didn’t believe me and still forced me to have a cesarean. Thinking of the pain of having my belly forcibly torn open, I stepped back two paces in fear. But Bryce grabbed me back, pressed me in front of his phone screen, forcing me to look. The comment section was already flooded with all kinds of disgusting, vulgar remarks. [Oh my God! She’s still pregnant. How dare she do something so extreme? That’s too much.] [I’m curious, do you get paid for making videos like this? She’s a pregnant woman. Making videos like this is one thing, but with seven men? Is she crazy?] [Why does she look so familiar? She looks like my neighbor’s kid. I heard she married a rich guy and is living the good life!] [You’re right. She’s definitely living the good life! One woman handling so many men, isn’t she afraid her body can’t take it.] [Wait! Can you ask for me how much she charges for this kind of service? I have a friend who’s into pregnant women.] As my face was recognized, all kinds of harassment followed. Whether they knew me or not, people were messaging me. [Hey, as long as you come to my house for one night, I won’t report you. Otherwise, you know the consequences!] [You’re such a slutty pregnant woman. How much do you charge?] [So young and already shameless, seducing other people’s husbands! You deserve to die!] [Paisley, how could you do such a thing? How can you face Bryce?] ***** Bryce’s grip tightened. I endured the pain and tried to explain to him, but he couldn’t listen at all, his eyes bloodshot with rage. Seeing that he was about to hit me, I had no choice but to call the police again. The police stopped him and took us aside, telling us to wait for the investigation results. But as the investigation proceeded, my heart slowly sank. The hotel registration records showed my name. And the hotel surveillance video clearly recorded my every move. My eyes were glazed, my pregnant belly swaying as I seduced every man about to enter. My expression showed I wasn’t being forced. A total of seven men entered my room. What was even more terrifying was that not one of them ever left. The police officer showing me the surveillance footage looked serious. “Ma’am, this involves suspected group prostitution. Do you know how serious the consequences are?” I stepped back in disbelief. I had clearly stayed home all night. I couldn’t understand how this could be the result. “Impossible, this is impossible. Honey, you believe me. You saw me come home with your own eyes. Have you forgotten? “This video… this video must be…” Before I could finish, the female officer next to me pressed me down onto the bench. “Ma’am, please calm down. “I can tell you responsibly that this video shows no signs of being fabricated.” The next second, Bryce could no longer control his anger and stood up shouting, “Paisley, how could you betray me? “Ever since you’ve been with me, I’ve listened to you about everything. When it was hailing, you said you wanted pancakes from the south side of town, and I still went out to buy them for you. “You said your stomach hurt and you had no appetite, so I personally cooked and made you different dishes. Where have I ever treated you badly? Why would you humiliate me like this? “Now you’ve caused such a huge scandal that my dad collapsed from anger and is hospitalized. Are you satisfied now?”

I opened my mouth but didn’t know what to say. In the surveillance video, that pregnant woman with the big belly looked exactly like me. All these “coincidences” left me with no way to defend myself. Just when I was in despair, something suddenly occurred to me. I lifted up my maternity dress, revealing my smooth belly. “Look! There isn’t a single stretch mark on my stomach, but the woman in the video has stretch marks all over hers!” I was being driven to the brink of madness. I lifted my clothes as much as possible to show everyone my belly, but Bryce slapped my hand down. “Enough! You slut, I was such a fool to marry you! “Look at this!” Bryce shoved the report the police had just handed him right in front of my face. I took it and looked, and my head started ringing with a thunderous roar. The police had found bloody tissues and a mixture of unknown liquids in the trash can. The lab report showed that the samples actually contained my DNA. In my previous life, my DNA had also been tested, but the results from that time showed another piece of data, indicating that the patient had allegedly been injected with some kind of stimulant drug. The police officers who had originally supported me completely turned cold after seeing this report. “Ma’am, this is a new type of stimulant. Please cooperate with our investigation.” I collapsed in despair on the chair, completely losing the desire to explain. However, I was truly puzzled. I had clearly been at home yesterday. I couldn’t understand why my DNA would appear at the hotel, and why after testing, my blood matched perfectly with the blood found at the hotel. Everyone in the room looked at me with suspicion, contempt, or hatred. Everyone was accusing me. Even though I was fully clothed, I felt like I was standing naked in front of them. Once the test report came out, it nailed me directly to the pillar of shame. In the midst of the silence, a woman charged forward and slapped me to the ground. “You shameless bitch! Even being pregnant can’t stop your promiscuity! You seduce other people’s husbands, how can you be so shameless? I’m going to teach you a lesson!” The woman’s nails were long and sharp, scratching across my face and leaving red marks. After the police came to their senses, they quickly stepped forward to stop her, but she struggled and roared: “Why are you pulling me away? Can’t you see this whore? She’s running a prostitution ring and seducing other people’s husbands. She deserves to be shot! I’m going to kill her!” The police were still very orderly. Even though they now despised me too, they still pulled the woman away. At least they protected my safety. Bryce also frowned and stepped forward to stand in front of me, preventing others from attacking me again. When I was being misunderstood, I didn’t cry, but the moment he came close to me, tears started flowing. “You fool, do you think your wife only had affairs with seven men? Let me tell you, we victims have a group chat, and now there are over seventy members!” A rookie police officer couldn’t help but exclaim: “My God! Over seventy!” Only then did everyone come to their senses. The onlookers outside the door whispered among themselves, looking shocked. “My God! So seven people were just a small part. She’s really quite the prostitute.” “You old pervert! It wouldn’t be your turn to find her anyway. Look, even those young guys next to you are getting excited.” Malicious stares lingered on my body, making me feel sick. I shook my hands in denial. “I really never did it. I stayed home all night yesterday. The neighbors around my house can testify!” But with all the evidence laid out before them, every word I said seemed like a pale excuse in their eyes. Even my parents were accused of being pimps, specifically selling their own daughter. They thought this was why so many people came to my house with gifts to visit. My parents were both teachers with many students, but those students who came to visit were now being called my clients.

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My parents, Robert Reed and Carol Jenkins, and I were all reborn together—right on my wedding day. In my previous life, my parents favored my sister Isabella Reed. They married Isabella off to Admiral Vincent Longfellow while forcing me to marry Frank Wilson, the factory owner’s mentally disabled son. However, Isabella, who followed Vincent to the island garrison base, spent her days enduring sea winds and eating canned food. More importantly, Vincent was infertile. Despite seeing countless doctors, Isabella could never get pregnant. She endured endless mockery and eventually died alone on that island. Meanwhile, after marrying Frank, I gave birth to seven children, each one brilliant. When they grew up, they took over the factory owner’s position and built the company into a business worth billions of dollars. Seeing me living prosperously while Isabella suffered on the island, my parents stabbed me to death with a knife. In this life, they’re pointing at Frank, telling Isabella to marry him. Afraid my parents might change their minds, I quickly grabbed Vincent’s hand and said, “I’m willing to marry you and go with you to the island garrison base!” ***** “Mr. Wilson, my younger daughter has a wonderful personality and graduated from high school. She’d be perfect for Frank.” Watching Robert eagerly pull Isabella toward the drooling, foolishly grinning Frank, I laughed mockingly. It seems I’m not the only one who was reborn. Isabella stared in disbelief, glanced at Frank with disgust, then looked pitifully toward Vincent, who stood unattended nearby. I smiled smugly at Isabella, then stepped forward to take Vincent’s hand. Afraid they might change their minds, I quickly said, “I’m willing to marry Vincent and go with him to the island.” Vincent looked at me with surprise but didn’t pull his hand away. Isabella’s eyes turned red with anger, her expression fierce as she tried to lunge at me. Fortunately, Carol was quick to cover her mouth and drag her away. Looking at Robert, who was busy flattering factory owner Tom Wilson, along with Carol and Isabella, I smiled apologetically at Vincent. I was actually quite helpless. Isabella and I are twins, but we’ve lived completely different lives since childhood. While she wore designer dresses and acted spoiled in our parents’ arms, I had to handle all the household chores. Even so, our parents never gave me any attention or love. In my previous life, my parents went to great lengths to choose Vincent for Isabella—a man who became an admiral at such a young age—hoping only for her happiness. To arrange this marriage, they gave many gifts to the matchmaker. Eventually, Vincent’s parents, worried he couldn’t find a wife, agreed to the engagement. My marriage was merely a tool for my parents to curry favor with Tom. They knew Tom was worried about finding a wife for his mentally disabled son, so they proactively suggested I marry Frank. My parents thought that since I did housework at home and knew how to take care of people, I’d be perfect for Frank. Though Frank’s mother felt I wasn’t good enough for Frank, she reluctantly agreed in the end. Since Frank had become an adult, his mother wanted to find him a companion. Besides, I wasn’t valued at home anyway. Frank’s mother figured that if I became disabled in the future, they could just give some compensation and be done with it. So our marriage was settled just like that. My parents originally thought Isabella would be happy following Vincent, while I would struggle through life serving a mentally disabled man. But things didn’t develop as they expected. Shortly after the wedding, Isabella followed Vincent to the island. She hadn’t expected the base conditions to be so harsh, with extremely scarce supplies. Before long, Isabella was crying on the phone, saying she wanted a divorce and to come home. After Carol’s persuasion, Isabella gave up on that idea. Isabella wanted to get pregnant so she could leave the island, but no matter what she tried, she couldn’t conceive. Eventually, she suffered endless mockery and died of depression. In contrast, everyone thought my life would be difficult, yet I gave birth to seven sons in a row, each one brilliant. The Wilson family regarded me as a hero, and my life got better and better. When I received news of Isabella’s death, I hurried home to comfort my parents. But I was being presumptuous. I still remember my parents’ vicious expressions: “You b*tch, you should be the one who died. Isabella suffered on that island—why do you get to be so happy?” “You should be the one who’s dead. If there’s a next time, I’ll make sure Isabella has the good life!” After saying this, they stabbed me with a knife—eighteen times, each stab fatal. Watching Isabella, whose expression changed to wild joy after Carol’s persuasion, I smiled. I thought: “I wonder if they’ll still be able to smile when they discover they’ve personally pushed Isabella into a hellish marriage?”

Isabella had no objections, and just like that, their marriage was settled. After all, compared to my dark complexion and slender frame, Isabella’s voluptuous figure was undoubtedly more appealing. The Wilson family’s vast empire needed heirs to carry on the legacy. As for Vincent, no one cared about his thoughts at the moment. Even if he felt slighted and wanted to call off the engagement, my parents couldn’t care less. I felt a pang of sadness as I looked at Vincent. “Life at the garrison base is tougher than you imagine. Can you handle it?” Vincent glanced down at my hand gripping his tightly and asked expressionlessly. I nodded frantically in response: “I can do it. I can handle hardship.” Vincent seemed about to say something but ultimately just smiled and remained silent. Unlike Isabella, if I missed my chance with Vincent, my life would only become more miserable. I didn’t care about the harsh conditions at the base or Vincent’s inability to have children. At least in my previous life, Vincent had never mistreated Isabella. Being able to live like a normal person was enough for me. And so my marriage to Vincent was also settled. On the wedding day, my house was bustling with activity. Isabella and I were both marrying men of status and position on the same day, and people came in droves to congratulate us. Isabella and I sat together in the bridal preparation room, waiting. “Mr. Wilson truly lives up to his reputation as a factory owner—that engagement ring is three carats!” “Mr. Wilson is certainly more generous than Colonel Longfellow. Isabella really is the apple of everyone’s eye.” Isabella beamed with pride at these words. In my previous life, because Vincent’s engagement ring wasn’t as expensive as Frank’s, Isabella had thrown a tantrum in the preparation room. In the end, Carol promised to give Isabella all the jewelry the Wilson family had given me, and only then did Isabella happily head out. As for my situation of having my jewelry stolen, no one cared. “See that? No matter how capable Vincent is, he’s still just a poor man! I’m marrying Frank—I’ll live a life of luxury.” Isabella stared at the jewelry box in the living room, her eyes full of greed. Before I could respond, voices drifted in from outside the window. “The Wilson family must be generous! Frank is not only mentally disabled but also violent. If Tom were stingy, no girl would marry Frank.” Isabella’s face went deathly pale upon hearing this, and she suddenly screamed at me: “Don’t get smug! Mother said I’d be happy. You’ll just be laughed at eating canned food at the base!” Looking at Isabella’s forced bravado, I nodded dismissively. I didn’t care what her future life would be like. After today, they would all be irrelevant to me. The jeep’s engine rumbled right on time outside the door. Ignoring Isabella as she climbed into the luxury car, I walked straight toward Vincent’s sedan. Disregarding Vincent’s cold expression, I smoothly pulled open the passenger door. I didn’t look back at my teary-eyed mother or my fake-smiling father. I hoped they would enjoy this moment, because their future lives were going to be quite miserable.

Compared to the Wilson family who lived in the city, the Longfellows lived right here in town, very close to our house. The party in the front yard was in full swing. I ate the spaghetti Vincent had brought me while contemplating the future. Soon, Vincent returned to the room reeking of alcohol. Though it was early spring, seeing Vincent standing there so upright, I inexplicably felt a wave of heat. “It’s getting late. Time to rest.” Vincent said while unbuttoning his collar. Seeing him stumble with glazed eyes, I hurried forward to steady him, only to be suddenly pulled into his embrace. His burning breath washed over me. Soon, my thoughts dissolved into chaos. When I woke up the next day, it was already bright outside. Feeling terrible about oversleeping, I hurriedly got up to wash and dress. “Don’t rush. Mom’s already prepared breakfast.” Vincent was leaning against the doorframe at some point, holding a glass of water and watching me fumble around. “Oversleeping on our first day of marriage is so rude of me.” In my previous life, the morning after my wedding, I had passed out from the torment of the night before and overslept. Frank’s mother had given me a severe scolding for it. My attempts to explain only made her torture me more viciously. At this memory, I trembled all over. “What’s wrong with sleeping in a bit? When I’m at the base, Mom often locks the door and sleeps until noon.” Seeing my strange expression, Vincent joked. We walked into the dining room. Just as he’d said, Margaret wasn’t angry at all. Instead, she pushed the bacon and eggs toward me, saying, “You two must be exhausted. After breakfast, have Vincent take you to Walmart to buy some household items.” Seeing Vincent’s mother Margaret Nelson’s gaze frequently falling on my stomach, I sighed inwardly. I thought to myself: “Vincent can’t have children. Margaret is probably going to be disappointed.” “Margaret, we don’t need to prepare anything special.” I set down my knife and fork. “Now that I’m married, I have no more ties to the Reed family. We’re all family now.” Margaret looked surprised and was about to say something when Vincent winked at her. She immediately changed her tune: “Then you two should go buy plenty of casual clothes! We’ll all get along wonderfully. “Vincent has never spent his military allowance. You two go buy lots of things. You’ll be flying to the Hawaii base soon.” Looking at the gentle Margaret and Vincent, I was deeply moved. After dinner, Vincent pushed his bicycle while I struggled to hop onto the back seat. This time, he took the initiative to grab my hand and help me wrap my arms around his waist. Seeing his bright red ears, I couldn’t help but burst into laughter, completely forgetting my earlier feelings of disappointment. My new life had begun. At Walmart, Vincent pulled out a wad of cash and stuffed it into my hands. “The conditions at the Hawaii base are pretty rough, so we need to buy everything we’ll need here and take it with us.” Then he looked me up and down. “But first, let’s get you some clothes.” Before I could refuse, Vincent took my hand and headed straight for the clothing section. Looking at my jacket—clean but faded white from countless washes—I didn’t object. “Let’s grab some chocolate to take along too. You can give it to your fellow soldiers.” While we were shopping, Isabella appeared in front of us near the spaghetti aisle. Unlike yesterday’s radiant beauty, Isabella now looked pale, dressed in long sleeves and pants. She said, “What are you staring at? This morning my husband’s mother gave me five thousand dollars and told me to buy whatever I wanted. “You two are so poor, shopping for cheap stuff here.” Isabella looked at us with disdain, pulled several hundred-dollar bills from her pocket, and said smugly. “Really? So the Wilson family likes you that much. I thought that was compensation money they gave you.” At these words, Isabella’s expression changed. She ran her fingers through her hair and said, “I don’t know what you’re talking about. You’re just jealous that I’m doing well.” Just then, Frank’s voice rang out: “Honey, honey, come play with me…” Hearing this, Isabella showed an expression of pain and disgust, turning to leave. But Frank had already spotted her and came forward to grab her hand, saying, “Honey, why are you ignoring me? “Why won’t you talk to me? Don’t you like me?” When Isabella still didn’t respond, Frank kept shaking her hand. This gesture would be cute coming from a child, but performed by Frank—five foot three and 231 pounds—it wasn’t cute at all, just annoying. The commotion attracted shoppers who came over to watch the spectacle. Seeing more and more onlookers gathering, the vain Isabella finally couldn’t take it anymore and yanked her hand away from Frank’s. “You’re so annoying! Go home to your mommy!” After saying this, she turned to leave. But the next second, a loud slap echoed through the store. All the onlookers fell silent. Isabella was stunned.

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On Valentine’s Day, my boyfriend Alexander Sinclair said he wanted to take me home to meet his family. The moment I arrived in the small town, he had me tied up and handed over to a group of strangers. Alexander held his first love Sharon Foster in his arms and said coldly, “If I hadn’t tricked you into coming back, Sharon would be the one participating in the town’s ritual.” Sharon smugly told me, “Being chosen as the sacrificial bride for the town’s ritual is your good fortune!” I had no desire to be used as a sacrifice. Looking at the familiar statue in the church, I cried my heart out. When I ran away from our wedding at Christmas, he had said that if he ever saw me again, he would definitely kill me! “Alexander, even if you don’t want to marry me, you don’t have to kidnap me!” I was tied up hand and foot, thrown on the cold floor, surrounded by a group of townspeople with vicious looks in their eyes. Countless thoughts flashed through my mind, wondering if they were planning to sell me. But if Alexander needed money, he could have just told me directly—after all, I’m quite wealthy. Alexander held Sharon in his arms, looking at me without a trace of mercy. “If I hadn’t tricked you into coming back, Sharon would be the one participating in the ritual. You’re going to get married anyway, so being the bride of a deity is the same thing. Just think of it as doing this for me.” I thought I had encountered kidnappers, but it turned out to be marriage fraud. After saying this, he stopped looking at me and signaled for the townspeople to act. “Do whatever you want with Charlotte, just don’t hurt Sharon.” Alexander looked at me with a hint of emotion: “I was so good to you, now it’s time for you to repay me.” We dated for two years, and I thought Alexander truly loved me. When he was pursuing me, he was really thoughtful—whenever I needed him, he was always there. He even spent most of his meager salary on me. Alexander made me breakfast every day and gave me little gifts from time to time, which moved me deeply. I thought this was true love and felt lucky, until I saw how he protected Sharon—only then did I understand what true love really looked like. “Don’t worry, one ritual bride is enough. Carry her to the church.” The old mayor Tom Morgan, with his mouth full of yellow teeth, smoked a cigar while eyeing me with a lecherous gaze. “She’s definitely prettier than Sharon. The deity will surely be pleased!” Like livestock awaiting slaughter, I was tied up so tightly I couldn’t move. They dressed me in a white wedding gown, saying I needed to be confined in the church for three days of purification before being offered to the deity. The bride for this ritual had to be a virgin. In the bitter cold, I was tied to a church pew, shivering from cold and hunger. I had already been through this entire process once before, and going through it again, I still couldn’t bear this kind of torment.

When Alexander came over with a blanket that evening, I was sobbing uncontrollably. “Please, Alexander, let me go! I have money—I can pay you!” “Just let me leave, and I’ll give you whatever you want!” When Alexander wrapped the blanket around me, I thought he was softening up. Instead, his hand went straight to my waist, his eyes filled with greed and lust. “Let me have a taste first. I haven’t even touched you yet—feels like such a waste!” With that, Alexander’s hand slid downward, grabbing my calf. During our entire relationship, he’d refused to touch me, saying that was something for after marriage, claiming he respected me too much for that. Because of this, I’d grown to trust him more and more, thinking he was a good man. I never imagined Alexander’s true intentions could be so disgusting. I kicked frantically in terror. “What do you want from me?” Alexander’s rough fingers scraped painfully against my skin. “Tell me the safe combination. You’re an orphan—you don’t need all that money anyway.” Looking at that greedy, vicious face, I suddenly felt calm. Alexander wanted both my body and my money! Even if I gave him the safe combination, he wouldn’t let me go. On that Christmas when I trusted him most, I’d foolishly revealed all my cards. My safe contained enough wealth to last him several lifetimes. Back then, I’d ignored the greedy look in Alexander’s eyes. When he didn’t react much, I thought he was a good person. Turns out he was worse than any villain I’d ever encountered—he was just better at hiding it. But now I had no choice but to beg for mercy and compromise. I said, “I really don’t want to marry the deity. You just want money, right? We can make a deal!” “I can give you more money than you could ever spend. Just let me go, okay? With that money, you and Sharon can go anywhere!” Alexander seemed tempted, stroking my face as he began groping me. “With a body like this and such a pretty face, I don’t want to hand you over to the deity.” “If you behave yourself, I might just take you with us!” Alexander pounced on me like a beast in heat, his disguise completely dropped, revealing his evil nature. His movements were rough, leaving bruises all over my skin. Just as I was fighting back nausea while trying to work free from the ropes, Sharon came running in, crying. “You bastard!” Alexander snapped back to reality after getting slapped. Seeing Sharon’s tear-streaked face, he held her tenderly, trying to comfort her. “Sharon, it’s not what you think. I just wanted her safe combination!” “She forced me into this—she was seducing me. I haven’t touched her in two years, and I certainly wouldn’t think of it now!” Sharon glared at me furiously, as if she’d been terribly wronged. “Tom said she’s prettier than me. You’ve been together for two years—I don’t believe you never wanted to touch her!” Alexander said earnestly, “I really didn’t. She can’t compare to you! I only got with her for your sake. How could I dare defile a bride meant for the deity?” Sharon actually believed him, half-resisting as she and Alexander started making out. Alexander’s pent-up lust was now being unleashed on Sharon with double intensity. Watching them act like they wanted to go at it right then and there made me sick. I was afraid they really would lose control. I couldn’t help but say, “Won’t you really consider letting me go?” Sharon leaned against Alexander, panting, glaring at me smugly. “If we let you go, who’s going to marry the deity? Don’t try any tricks. If you seduce Alexander again, I won’t let you off!” Seeing how perfectly in sync Alexander and Sharon were, I could only play my last card. “I’ll tell you the truth—I know the deity. If you hand me over to him, you’re going to be in serious trouble!”

Sharon burst into laughter at my words. “How ridiculous. There’s no way you could know that deity!” She pointed at the photos in the church. “Look, these are all people who’ve encountered the deity, and not one of them came back alive!” Those photos showed the ritual brides who had been sacrificed. Among them was a yellowed photograph of someone who looked exactly like me. But that photo was tucked away in a dusty corner where no one would ever notice it. Alexander frowned, clearly losing his patience. “You can’t have me, so you’ve gone crazy with grief? Playing insane won’t help—I have plenty of ways to make you give up that safe combination!” I decided to put on a defiant attitude. Since they wouldn’t let me go, they shouldn’t expect to get my money either! My fate would be the same regardless! Seeing my reaction, Alexander punched me hard in the stomach. “Bitch! Tell me now!” I doubled over in pain, tasting blood in my mouth, but my eyes remained defiant. Alexander was about to hit me again when Sharon grabbed his arm. “Alexander, stop. I have a way to make her cooperate.” Alexander’s eyes immediately lit up. “Really?” Sharon smiled mysteriously, pushing him toward the door. “Of course. Go rest for now—I guarantee I’ll make her obedient!” After Alexander left, I looked at Sharon’s vicious face, feeling an ominous premonition. “What are you planning?” Sharon slapped me hard across the face, her nails leaving several bloody scratches on my cheek. She said through gritted teeth, “You really think you’re prettier than me?” The blow left me dizzy and disoriented as I instinctively struggled. “Aren’t you afraid of getting in trouble for hitting me?” Sharon grabbed my chin and pulled out several needles, viciously jabbing them into my body. “Afraid? Once we get your money, Caleb will take me far away from here. “Even if the townspeople investigate, you and Alexander will be the ones in trouble—that coward! “If Alexander had the courage to protect me back then, I wouldn’t have had to debase myself with those men all these Christmases! “No woman sacrificed to the deity has ever returned alive. You won’t get another chance to fight me.” With that, Sharon roughly pried open my mouth and shoved a black, wriggling insect inside. Before I could spit it out, the bug had already slid down my throat. Being naturally terrified of insects, I felt utterly desperate. If I hadn’t been unable to bear eating these bugs every day, I wouldn’t have run away from my wedding that Christmas! Sharon watched me retch and cry with immense satisfaction. “Thanks to this bug’s special properties, you can only tell the truth after eating it. Now, tell me the safe combination!” She had this useful tool all along but didn’t use it earlier—she just wanted to torture me! Sharon got what she wanted, extracting the safe combination from me. The bug was powerful—I couldn’t resist telling the truth. Before leaving, Sharon even slashed my face with a knife. As soon as she left, a burly man walked in. “Caleb, didn’t you want to sleep with this bitch? Once you’ve had your fun, we’ll leave this place! You promised you’d take me away!” Caleb Morgan said excitedly, “Alexander, that coward, could resist sleeping with such a beautiful woman? I’m so lucky! “Well done. I’ll reward you properly when I get back! With money, we can go anywhere we want!” Sharon happily closed the door and left. Blood covering my face, I watched Caleb approach me with barely any life left in me, cursing inwardly. If I had known I’d suffer like this, I would have stayed in the mountains with the bugs for company! To prevent me from making any sound, Caleb stuffed my mouth tightly with cloth strips. Just as he was about to make his move, Sharon’s voice suddenly rang out from outside: “Caleb! Tom’s coming with people!” Caleb hastily pulled up his pants and sighed in frustration, then grabbed a burlap sack and threw it over my head. “What rotten luck. Whatever, once I have money, I won’t lack for women.” The door slammed shut, and I could hear voices talking outside. Caleb was Tom’s son. He and Sharon lied, claiming they had already examined my body, successfully sending those people away. With my mouth gagged and a sack over my head, I could only make weak whimpering sounds as I listened to the footsteps gradually fade away. This continued until the third day—the day to deliver the bride to the mountain chapel. Half-dead from hunger, I was carried onto the wagon with my head still covered. The mountain road was bumpy. I used my last bit of strength to gradually push out the cloth stuffed in my mouth. If I could just let them see my disfigured face, I wouldn’t have to be sent to the mountain chapel! The deity only accepted perfect, flawless brides—any imperfection was unacceptable. My tongue was bleeding by the time I finally spat out the cloth. I used all my strength to throw myself from the wagon, wanting to scream but only managing hoarse whimpers. I hadn’t had a drop of water in three days, my infected wounds were causing a high fever, and my throat was extremely sore. Tom was horrified and ordered everyone to stuff me back into the wagon. “Good God, bride, stop making trouble! If you get hurt, the deity will be furious! Give up—this is an opportunity others would kill for!” I struggled desperately, making urgent rasping sounds, and in the chaos managed to tear off the sack from my head. When my scarred, festering, pus-filled face was exposed to everyone, they all gasped in shock. Alexander looked at Sharon in stunned disbelief, but ultimately chose cowardly silence. Tom flew into a rage: “Who did this? Who the hell did this? The deity will bring down punishment!” Someone suggested: “Given the circumstances, we’ll have to find another bride!” Everyone turned in unison toward Sharon. Alexander instinctively stepped in front of Sharon, saying: “You promised you wouldn’t hurt Sharon!” Tom kicked him aside, saying: “Get out of the way! In this emergency, Sharon has to take her place! Do you want to bear the deity’s wrath for the entire town?” Alexander, knocked to the ground, went pale and didn’t dare speak again. Seeing Alexander’s cowardly behavior, Sharon angrily shouted: “I’m not a virgin anymore—I can’t be the ritual bride! Charlotte has to go! At least she’s still a virgin!” Alexander was shocked. He grabbed Sharon and demanded: “What are you saying? I haven’t touched you these past two years, and you’ve been with other men behind my back?” Sharon impatiently shook him off and hid behind Tom. “Pathetic. I haven’t seen you for two years—did you expect me to wait forever?” The men around us all wore knowing smiles, and Alexander flushed with shame and anger. “Today is the day of the ritual. Alexander, do you dare disrupt the ceremony?” Tom’s gaze swept over Sharon before he reluctantly made his decision. “Shut up! We have no choice—we’ll send Charlotte to the chapel and complete the ritual first!” I couldn’t believe my ears and struggled desperately. They beat me for it. When they hit me, they were careful not to leave obvious marks on my body. Finally, I passed out and was despairingly covered and loaded into the wagon. Back at that familiar chapel, I woke to the sound of prayers. The townspeople didn’t dare linger and quickly filed out. But the next second, I was thrown out too, hitting the ground hard. A cold snort came from within the statue: “Stop sending women here. Get out!” This was the deity’s voice! The townspeople trembled in terror. Sharon was the first to react, grabbing a knife and lunging for my throat: “Great deity, please calm your anger—we’ll kill her as a sacrifice right now!” I didn’t understand why she still wanted to kill me when the deity had clearly said he didn’t want women. I desperately dodged. The knife pierced my shoulder. Sharon pounced on me like a madwoman, tearing my thin wedding dress. On my shoulder, the mark the deity had left with his own hand was exposed to the air. “You have to die! I refuse to be trapped in this place forever!” As the knife was about to fall, I closed my eyes in despair. Just then, an incredulous cry came from beneath the statue: “Charlotte!”

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Back to that night when we were drugged with aphrodisiacs, my sister Madison Blair decisively grabbed Victor Hastings, the town’s violent-tempered football player, and dragged him into the cornfield. In my previous life, Madison and I were both drugged at the same time. She quickly chose Kevin Sinclair, the promising honor student, leaving me forced to settle for Victor. Afterward, Kevin stepped up and took responsibility, hosting a grand wedding in town to marry Madison. Meanwhile, I could only have a hasty ceremony. Madison mocked me relentlessly: “You’ll never measure up to me! My husband is going to be a future Wall Street elite!” I never expected that after marriage, Victor would completely change from his former hot-tempered self, showering me with love and affection. He later became a tech mogul and the richest man in town. Meanwhile, Kevin got caught cheating on his exams, was banned from testing for life, and could only survive doing odd jobs. Seeing me become a wealthy wife, Madison suddenly showed up at my house crying: “My husband is worthless. After all these years, he can’t even afford to buy an apartment!” Out of sisterly affection, I arranged a job for her with an annual salary of over a hundred thousand dollars. But on the day she came to thank me, she killed me with a whiskey bottle. “We’re sisters—why do you get to live better than me?” When I opened my eyes again, I was back to that night when Madison and I were both drugged. “Victor, come here!” I watched as Madison, her face flushed with excitement, pulled a thin, weak man into the cornfield. Before leaving, she shot me a provocative glare. “Emily, in this lifetime I’m going to live the rich life! You can stay poor with that loser Kevin forever!” Soon, inappropriate sounds came from the cornfield. Looking at the man beside me with flushed cheeks and heavy breathing, I finally realized I had been reborn! In my past life, Madison had fallen for Kevin at first sight when he came to town as an investment banking intern. After pursuing Kevin unsuccessfully for years, she decided to slip him an aphrodisiac. Afraid of being sued afterward, she drugged me too and pushed me toward Victor, the town’s notorious troublemaker. With me as a comparison, the town gossip naturally focused on me. I became the slut everyone despised. Afterward, Kevin not only gave Madison a diamond ring but also plenty of cash. Our parents even prepared wedding gifts to bless their marriage. For a while, Madison became the envy of everyone in town. After all, everyone knew Kevin was destined to be a financial elite. Meanwhile, I could only clutch an old blanket as I married into Victor’s run-down apartment. Seeing my miserable state, Madison said smugly: “You only deserve a life of poverty. I’m destined for high society, while you’ll be stuck in this small town forever!” But within just a few years, everything changed dramatically. After marriage, Victor became like a different person—not only treating me with endless love but also successfully starting a business in New York, becoming a tech mogul. Meanwhile, the much-admired Kevin got caught cheating on his SATs, was banned from testing for life, and could only work as a temp in Victor’s factory. The huge reversal drove Madison to cry at my doorstep. I kindly arranged a high-paying job for her. But when she came to thank me, she smashed my head with a bottle. So in this life, she didn’t hesitate to choose Victor, who would become wealthy in the future, leaving me with Kevin, who was destined to fail. Listening to the sounds coming from the cornfield, I almost burst out laughing. What a difference between a “future financial elite” and a “hot-tempered athlete”! I really looked forward to seeing Madison’s regretful expression!

“What? No way!” “I don’t agree!” When Madison announced to her parents that she wanted to drop out of school to marry Victor, she immediately faced strong opposition from both of them. “Madison, Victor comes from a poor family. You’ll suffer if you marry him! Victor is just a thug – you can’t marry him!” Her parents tried desperately to dissuade her. But Madison was determined to live the life of a rich person and wouldn’t listen to their advice at all. Seeing her parents badmouth Victor, she immediately said impatiently, “Dad, Mom, people change. Victor may be a small-time thug now, but he’ll definitely achieve great things in the future. I’m going to become a wealthy man’s wife! You’ll become rich people too!” Madison spoke with complete confidence, but her parents remained worried. Father Ryan Blair smoked his cigar, his face full of worry, reluctant to speak harshly to Madison. “What about your relationship with Kevin?” Everyone knew how she’d been pursuing Kevin these past few years. Hearing Kevin’s name, hatred flashed in Madison’s eyes, followed by a malicious smile. “Then let Emily marry him, and make his family pay more for the wedding expenses. That’ll make my life even easier.” As soon as she finished speaking, mother Linda Murphy slapped me hard across the face. “Did you encourage Madison to marry Victor? I knew you had bad intentions! You even dare to steal Madison’s marriage prospect – how shameless!” I covered my face and said nothing. Although I was used to their favoritism toward Madison, it still hurt. Madison was their precious darling, while I was just someone no one cared about. Madison was their first child, so they spoiled her. When Linda was pregnant with her second child, she desperately wanted a boy to complete her dream of a “perfect family.” Unfortunately, not only was I a girl, but I also caused damage to Linda’s uterus during birth, making it impossible for her to have a son. So they hated me deeply. Madison knew Kevin would be poor in the future. By forcing me to marry Kevin, she wanted to make me suffer for the rest of my life. Madison tugged at Linda’s sleeve and said firmly, “Mom, I’ve made up my mind. Trust me – within three years, he’ll be able to buy a sports car.” Hearing about the sports car, Linda was somewhat tempted but still doubtful. Victor was the neighborhood’s notorious thug, yet Madison spoke with such confidence that Linda didn’t know what to think. Seeing me cover my face in silence, Madison threw several books at me. “Since I’m dropping out anyway, I’ll give you these books.” I was stunned by this unexpected surprise. Even though my head was bleeding, I immediately and carefully picked up the books and held them close. In my previous life, I was the one who got into the state’s top high school, but the day before enrollment, my parents locked me in the storage room and let Madison take my place. I could only do housework at home, and every penny I earned was taken away as Madison’s allowance. Later, when I accompanied Victor on business trips to New York, I was often mocked for only having a high school education. I had always longed to go to college. Now that Madison was actually handing me this opportunity, I would definitely seize it tightly. “Madison?” Both parents questioned in unison. But Madison just laughed lightly and said, “Mom, Dad, don’t worry. Even if Emily gets excellent test scores, she’ll still be my servant for life. Besides, even Kevin can’t go to college, so Emily – this dropout who’s been out of school for years – definitely can’t either. She’s destined to serve me for the rest of her life.”

After waiting at home for half a month, Kevin came to my house as promised to discuss the wedding arrangements. He brought a full two thousand dollars as wedding support money, twice as much as he had given Madison in my previous life. This generous sum made Madison stomp her feet in anger. Linda comforted her by saying all the money would go to her, and only then did Madison’s expression soften. Madison counted the two thousand dollars over and over again, then smugly flaunted the money in front of me. “See that? Mom will always love me the most. You can spend your whole life being poor with Kevin! When Victor gets rich, don’t you dare come begging me for charity.” I couldn’t be bothered to respond to Madison’s provocation and simply waited quietly for the wedding to arrive. Knowing that my parents favored Madison and hadn’t prepared anything wedding-related for me, Kevin secretly had someone make me a wedding dress. After learning that I wanted to go to college, he also gave me all of his Christmas notes. Looking at the notebook filled with dense records, I felt incredibly grateful. Thank goodness Madison was blinded by illusory wealth and riches, giving me a chance to completely change my fate. Ever since Kevin came to my house, Madison would curse him in front of me every day, saying he not only cheated on the SAT but would also be a pauper for life. But all of this was clearly her doing. She had believed the rumors in the community that Kevin would abandon her once he got into college. Therefore, Madison deliberately tore up Kevin’s notes and stuffed them into his belongings, causing him to be caught cheating. Later, when Kevin had the opportunity to work on Wall Street, she also ruined that for him, simply because the person who called was a woman. Madison pathologically cut off Kevin’s connections with everyone, then blamed Kevin for being incompetent. Thinking about this, I looked at Madison with sympathy. She had been deceiving herself all along. Madison and I got married on the same day. Unlike my previous life when I married Victor with just an old suitcase, my parents were about to spend nearly all their savings on Madison. Madison’s wedding dress was custom-made by the best tailor in the city, and they bought her all kinds of jewelry. They even specially chose the most premium memory foam mattress to give to Madison. Victor’s parents didn’t contribute any support money, so my parents, worried that Madison would suffer, not only gave her all the two thousand dollars from Kevin but also scraped together an additional thousand dollars themselves. In my previous life, they had me leave home with just an old suitcase, but this time they prepared nothing for me. If Kevin hadn’t prepared a wedding dress for me early on, I might have been the first bride without even a wedding dress. When Madison saw Kevin appear at the door, she still couldn’t suppress the resentment in her eyes. Seeing Madison’s expression, Linda immediately turned to me and said, “Emily, Kevin is someone Madison gave up for you. If Madison hadn’t been unwilling, you wouldn’t be this lucky. Even after you’re married, you’ll be Madison’s servant for life! Whenever she needs something, you have to come running. I remember your high school grades were pretty good – if you get accepted to college, you need to give that spot to Madison!” When I didn’t respond, Linda slapped me across the face, completely ignoring the stares of others. “I’m talking to you! Did you hear me?” Madison said, “Mom, today is my wedding day. Don’t get angry.” Linda immediately dropped her aggressive tone and looked at Madison with concern. “I’m just helping you remind her not to forget her place.” Madison smiled and said, “Mom, my future status is something she could never reach. We might as well cut ties now to save her from begging me for charity later. Emily, you can spend your whole life with that loser who’ll never get into an Ivy League school!” With that, she clicked away in her high heels. Watching Linda’s resentful expression, I finally made up my mind. I packed all my belongings and left with Kevin in the middle of the night. At the same time, Madison’s shrill screams could be heard coming from Victor’s house.

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I was reborn back to Christmas 1970, the Christmas when I took the SAT exam. After receiving my precious college acceptance letter, I sold it and used the money to dine at a fancy restaurant. When my paralyzed husband Jacob Wood learned about this, he was so furious that he stood up immediately, while his beloved Aurora Ruiz kept hurling insults at me. Watching their reactions, I burst into laughter. In my previous life, Jacob had begged me to sell my acceptance letter to Aurora and use the money for his medical treatment. I reluctantly agreed. After that, I stayed home taking care of Jacob’s parents, working on the farm, and caring for the paralyzed Jacob. So I had no idea that I was actually the long-lost biological daughter of General Alexander Taylor and his wife Valentina Taylor. Alexander recognized my handwriting from the SAT papers and searched through the night for the test taker, hoping to find his missing daughter. Aurora used my identity to reunite with the Taylor couple, transforming herself into the general’s daughter. Fearing exposure, she conspired with Jacob to murder me with their own hands. Only before my death did I discover that Jacob wasn’t paralyzed at all—everything they did was to steal my achievements. When I opened my eyes again, I found Jacob pretending to fall and become paralyzed. I smiled silently and sold my acceptance letter overnight to Ariana Sanders, the daughter of the town’s most domineering textile factory owner. This time, I was eager to see how they’d compete with me. Jacob’s voice rang out: “Honey, I heard your acceptance letter arrived.” Hearing these familiar words, I smiled and said, “Yes.” Jacob excitedly praised my intelligence. Then his eyes reddened: “If you go to the city for school, there’ll be no one to take care of a paralyzed person like me. I’ll just have to wait to die. “By the way, I heard Aurora didn’t get into college and wants to buy an acceptance letter at a high price. Why don’t you sell yours to her and use the money for my treatment? That would be good for everyone.” Before he finished speaking, I nodded repeatedly: “Okay, I’ll definitely sell it.” Hearing this, Aurora, who had just arrived, smiled happily: “That’s wonderful, Kennedy Taylor. I thought you’d abandon Jacob to go to school. “Since you’re willing, I’ll give you fifty dollars right now. Don’t refuse—you must use this money for Jacob’s medical care.” Both were excited, their eyes full of anticipation. I blinked and pushed away Aurora’s hand offering the money: “I will indeed sell the acceptance letter, but I never said I’d sell it to you. “I’ve already sold my acceptance letter and college spot to Ariana, the textile factory owner’s daughter. She gave me five hundred dollars. Now I’m going to the fancy restaurant in town for a feast, then to the agricultural cooperative to buy two bottles of spaghetti sauce. If you’re hungry, cook for yourselves.” As I spoke, I pushed open the door to leave. There was silence behind me for two seconds, then Jacob roared in disbelief: “Stop! Who gave you permission to sell that acceptance letter?” Aurora immediately followed with angry curses, her face pale: “Kennedy, how can you be so shameless? That’s a spot countless people would beg for—how could you sell it without permission?”

I smiled and said, “This is indeed a spot that others can’t even dream of getting, but I’m smart enough to have gotten into college. What business is it of yours?” Jacob angrily shot to his feet, grabbing the door bolt and charging at me: “You bitch! I’m giving that spot to Aurora. How dare you sell it to someone else without discussing it with me?” I immediately ran outside, crying and shouting as I fled: “Help! My husband is furious that I sold the college acceptance letter to pay for his treatment, and he wants to beat me to death!” It was noon, and the villagers were all resting. Hearing my voice, everyone gathered around. Seeing the healthy Jacob, someone immediately screamed: “Jacob, weren’t you paralyzed? How did you suddenly get better?” Hearing this, Jacob’s steps faltered as he remembered his deliberate act of faking paralysis just days ago. He froze, and the door bolt in his hand crashed to the ground. I threw myself into the arms of Natalia Nelson, the director of the women’s center, crying: “Ms. Nelson, you have to help me. My husband actually faked being paralyzed to force me to sell my college acceptance letter to Aurora. I wanted to help him get treatment, so I sold the acceptance letter to someone else at a high price, but now they want to beat me to death.” Natalia was an upright person and immediately joined the villagers in angrily cursing and condemning Jacob. Aurora glared at me resentfully, then quickly came up with an idea. She said: “Stop scolding Jacob, everyone. Actually, I cured Jacob’s legs yesterday. We just hadn’t had time to tell Kennedy yet—we wanted to wait until she got her acceptance letter to give her a big surprise. That’s why we were angry that Kennedy sold the acceptance letter. This is all a misunderstanding.” Hearing her excuse, all the villagers calmed down. I hadn’t originally planned to use the fake illness incident to directly break ties with Jacob, so I sighed: “You actually kept such wonderful news from me. If I didn’t know better, I’d think you two were the married couple.” Someone among the surrounding villagers immediately chimed in: “She’s right. Aurora is always going to Jacob’s house. I think they’re the ones who act like a real married couple.” Another person said: “Kennedy is so beautiful and ambitious. If it weren’t for having no parents, how could she possibly have married Jacob? Jacob, you better not let her down.” Jacob nodded repeatedly in agreement, his face darkening, while Aurora blushed and lowered her head. After commenting for a while, the villagers all went home to rest. Seeing no one around, Jacob said coldly: “Kennedy, do you think you can rebel just because you got into college? You embarrassed Aurora in the village today. If you don’t apologize to Aurora and compensate her five hundred dollars, you won’t be a member of the Wood family anymore.” Looking at the two people who had brutally killed me in my previous life, I said calmly: “Thank you for your kind offer. I indeed don’t want to be a member of the Wood family. Ariana arranged a job for me at the garment factory. I’m actually supposed to report there today. From now on, I won’t be coming back.”

In my previous life, Alexander and Valentina recognized me through my handwriting and searched everywhere for the test paper’s owner. This time, they’ll definitely follow the clues to find the garment factory. I can’t miss another chance to reunite with my biological parents. While Jacob and Aurora weren’t paying attention, I left directly. I went to the town’s garment factory and got hired immediately using the note Ariana had given me. For some reason, Jacob and Aurora didn’t follow me. My entire short life had been entangled with Jacob, so he probably assumed I’d never leave him and even believed I’d return soon to apologize on my own. Actually, I felt incredibly relaxed. Working at the garment factory was much easier than serving Jacob at home. In my previous life, as an orphan with no one to rely on, I grew up with help from the neighbors around me. Jacob’s family was well-off and often gave me food. Gradually, I couldn’t help but feel grateful to him. His parents loved my down-to-earth, ambitious personality, so they created opportunities for Jacob and me to be together. I originally thought Jacob and I would live happily together forever. But everything changed after Aurora arrived. Jacob disliked my temperament and despised me for being a country woman who knew nothing, so he spent all his time fooling around with Aurora. He knew I had no family to depend on and was certain I wouldn’t dare cross him, but he never imagined I could get into college. Later, the two of them planned to fake illness, steal my acceptance letter, take over my identity, and ultimately torture me to death at home. I would never let such days repeat themselves. During the day, I worked peacefully at the garment factory. After work, I took my five hundred dollars and enjoyed myself around town. Soon, fellow villagers spread word of my situation to Jacob and Aurora. They finally couldn’t stand it anymore and came looking for me in fury. Jacob roared, “Kennedy, how can you be so shameless? Don’t you know what’s happening at home? How can you only care about enjoying yourself without buying anything for the family? “My mom got sick from anger because of you. You won’t even give us money for medicine, but you bought yourself new clothes. Are you trying to seduce other men?” After hearing his words, the garment factory workers immediately looked at me differently. One man said, “He’s right. Ever since Kennedy started at the garment factory, she never goes home. After work, she just hangs around the factory area. What’s that about?” Another man added, “Yeah. She has no parents, so how could she have money to eat at restaurants every day? I even saw her buy a gold bracelet last time.” A woman chimed in, “Besides, we all got in through connections. She has no background, so why should she get to take up a worker’s spot?” Instantly, everyone looked at me with contempt. I was stunned. I never expected that just to get money from me, Jacob would team up with Aurora to spread rumors and slander me for seducing other men. Although I’d been reborn, I was still just a woman in her early twenties. I was so angry I couldn’t speak for a moment. Aurora looked smug as she stepped forward and grabbed me. “You slut! We hit the nail on the head, so you don’t dare argue back, do you? If you don’t hand over the money, we’ll call the police.” Jacob sneered coldly, letting Aurora hold onto me while he directly tried to snatch my gold bracelet. He said, “I’ll let you off this time. But you’re not allowed to keep working. Come home with me right now.” I sold my grades to Ariana precisely so I could wait for Alexander and Valentina to come find me. How could I possibly leave with Jacob? Recalling how I died miserably in my past life, I slapped Aurora across the face and then kicked Jacob hard in the groin. Then I roared furiously: “How dare you bastards spread lies about me! Aurora, as a woman, you come to my house every day after work and cling all over Jacob. You’re the one acting like a whore! “Jacob, you bastard pretended to be paralyzed just to steal my acceptance letter. That was only a few days ago—have you already forgotten? How dare you come here and spread rumors about me? You’re just bullying me because I have no family. I want a divorce!” In the past, I’d always been insecure and introverted, not even daring to speak loudly in front of others. But after being reborn, as someone who had already died once, I no longer feared anything. So I cursed them out directly, my words sharp and articulate. Because I rarely spoke up, Jacob and Aurora dared to spread rumors about me in public. They never expected me to fight back directly, so they were stunned by my outburst and froze on the spot. After a long moment, Jacob snapped back to reality and rushed forward to slap me. “How dare you slander Aurora! You’re asking for death! Apologize to Aurora right now!” Aurora bit her teeth in fury and kept kicking me. “Kennedy, you can secretly work as a prostitute, but how dare you slander me! Jacob is your husband—you have a marriage certificate. Without evidence, would he dare say such things in front of everyone?” Hearing her words, the crowd all nodded in agreement. One man said: “That’s right. No man would willingly admit to being betrayed by his wife.” A woman said: “Kennedy must have done something to wrong her husband. Otherwise, her husband wouldn’t cause a scene at the factory.” Another woman said: “In that case, Kennedy’s reputation is completely ruined. No one will hire her in the future!” Aurora beat me viciously, her eyes filled with malice. I couldn’t fight off both of them at once and could only be held down by Jacob while getting slapped several times. Just as I was struggling to break free, a shout suddenly came from outside the crowd: “Stop hitting her! Ms. Sanders is here.” Seeing me beaten until my nose was bleeding, Ariana immediately asked the people around what had happened. Everyone present said I was working as a prostitute, and I hastily defended myself: “Others might not know, but you know where my money comes from…” Before I could finish speaking, I saw Ariana’s expression suddenly change. I froze, thinking to myself: “This is bad. Ariana bought my SAT scores and must be very worried about this being exposed. Now, seeing someone here to deal with me, not only won’t she help me, she’ll actually help Jacob and Aurora get rid of me.” Just as I thought this, Ariana said: “They’re right. I have indeed seen Kennedy sneaking around and leaving with different men. “Kennedy, I was kind enough to let you work at my family’s clothing factory, but you dare to corrupt the atmosphere of my factory like this. You’re fired!” Hearing her words, Aurora was delighted. Seeing Jacob kick me to the ground, she came forward to tear at my clothes. “You shameless slut! We’re going to strip you naked first, display your body to everyone, then take you back for punishment.” I knew how important a woman’s reputation was in this era, so I kept struggling. But with Ariana’s instigation, everyone rushed forward to beat and curse me relentlessly. Soon, my clothes were torn to shreds, and countless disgusting hands were groping my body. People began commenting on my figure. I knew that if this continued, I’d have no choice but to die. I forced myself to calm down, then seized the moment to kick Aurora hard in the face as she was trying to remove my pants, sending her flying three meters away. Jacob was heartbroken and immediately let go of me to check on Aurora’s condition. I stood up, trying to leave, but someone grabbed my hair again. “Since you’re already working as a prostitute, showing us your body is nothing.” The crowd around me burst into laughter and prepared to assault me again. Just then, a military jeep screeched to a halt at the factory entrance. After the door opened, two armed guards jumped out first. One of them roared: “It’s broad daylight, and this is a public place. What are you doing? General Taylor has arrived. All of you behave yourselves!”

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The day before my wedding to Erik Garrett, Erik’s childhood friend Alaia Nelson was married off to the disabled and ill-tempered Wyatt Spencer. Erik felt sorry for her, so he brought all his friends to crash the wedding and steal the bride. That same day, the two of them hastily held a simple ceremony and quickly registered their marriage. All of New York was waiting to see me become a laughingstock. But the next day, Wyatt appeared at my door in his wheelchair. He said, “Erik stole my wife, so I’m here to steal his wife. That’s only fair, right?” I nodded gently. “That’s perfectly fair.” ***** “You actually agreed?” Wyatt looked at me with surprise. Since that car accident, he’d been widely criticized because of his disability. When it came to marrying him, no one in New York was willing. At the mere mention of his name, people would say he was cursed, disfigured from the car accident, bad-tempered, and unable to have children. Over time, even those around him began to believe these ridiculous rumors. So they hastily found a girl to marry him. “I agreed.” I nodded solemnly, taking my first close look at this supposedly cursed man. He was extraordinarily handsome, and even sitting in a wheelchair, he seemed untouchable. “Then… I’ll have my family come tomorrow to discuss the wedding arrangements.” After a moment’s thought, Wyatt continued, “I’ll send someone tomorrow with gifts. Here’s the list—take a look and see if there’s anything else we need to prepare.” He’d clearly come prepared. I curiously opened what Wyatt handed me. As the head of the Spencer family, this gift list included not only jewelry, but also all his shares in Spencer Group and his entire personal fortune. I said, “This is… this is too much.” Even I, who was used to grand gestures, was left speechless by Wyatt’s generosity. “Too much?” Wyatt frowned, then smiled slightly. “Then I’ll go back and see if it needs adjusting.” After he left, I couldn’t help feeling surprised. Wyatt was so generous—he really did seem like a man who’d lost his ability to have children and was desperate to give away everything. But I didn’t mind. Erik had already made me the laughingstock of the entire city. Since there was no love, I might as well gain power. Not long after Wyatt left, Erik arrived. This man who’d just successfully stolen a bride looked quite pleased with himself, especially the happy smile at the corner of his mouth, which I found particularly grating. “Mr. Garrett, you just got married. Instead of going on your honeymoon with your wife, what are you doing here?” I asked coldly. Erik’s smile froze for a moment, and he instinctively reached out toward me, but his hand hung in the air. He said, “Anna, I know you’re angry with me. “But Wyatt is not only disabled, he also has a terrible temper. You know Alaia grew up with me—she has the gentlest nature. If she married someone like Wyatt, what would become of the rest of her life? I had no choice. Otherwise, none of us could bear the Spencer family’s revenge.” So he was also afraid of the Spencer family’s revenge, afraid that Alaia would suffer. He was afraid of everything except me becoming a laughingstock. I said, “You make perfect sense. You should go back. Since you’re already married, let’s just forget about our relationship.” From the moment he stepped into the Spencer mansion to steal the bride, there was nothing left between Erik and me. This was the path he chose. He said, “Anna, stop being difficult. My marriage to Alaia is just a temporary measure—it won’t affect our feelings for each other. Alaia is a kind person. “She said she wouldn’t compete with you for anything. Just bear with it for a few years, and after a few years, I’ll divorce her and marry you. “You’re the one I love. As long as we get through these few years, Alaia will give your position back to you, and then you can both stay by my side.” Erik frowned, trying to persuade me gently. But I only found it ridiculous. What he meant was that she was joining us, not breaking us apart. He still wanted me to give up my originally wealthy life and willingly become his mistress. He was absolutely shameless. I said, “Erik, you’ve got some nerve. Too bad I’m a daughter of the Weaver family—I’ll never be anyone’s mistress. “If your precious Alaia likes being one, then let her be one all by herself.” I refused coldly, and Erik’s previously flattering expression suddenly changed, his eyes filled with displeasure. He said, “Anna, it’s just a marriage certificate. What else can’t I give you? Even a wedding—I can still hold it as planned. No matter what the official status is, no one will see through you. “Is it really so hard for you to endure a few years for me?”

He was the one who enjoyed all the benefits without lifting a finger. He was also the one who wanted me to become his mistress, to marry beneath my station. And he was the one who turned the Weaver family into a laughingstock. Now, he had the audacity to blame me. I said coldly, “Eric, I’ve made myself perfectly clear. I will never be anyone’s mistress! Who cares about your sham of a wedding?” I mockingly asked him to leave, but Eric, in his fury, hurled the gift of some unknown brand in his hand onto the floor. He said, “Anna, you’re nothing but a shrew! You can’t even do this one simple thing. Fine, since you refuse to agree, let’s see who would be willing to marry damaged goods that I’ve cast aside!” With that, Eric stormed off in a huff. The pastries he’d bought from some roadside stand lay scattered on the floor. I rubbed my forehead and sighed, feeling a sharp ache in my chest. Eric and I had been engaged since childhood. He used to love me so dearly, never letting me suffer the slightest grievance. But now, he had changed. The eighteen-year-old Eric had died in the past, leaving behind only a husband who belonged to Alaya. Perhaps a year ago, when Eric started favoring Alaya in everything, I should have completely let go of this relationship that no longer existed. But I still couldn’t bear to. I couldn’t bear to let go of that eighteen-year-old Eric who was both radiant and gentle. I was wrong. The next morning, before dawn, my mother Lucia Weaver called me to the living room. Wyatt had arrived at the agreed time. He seemed to have dressed up specially, clutching a box tightly in his hands. My parents had originally despised Wyatt, but when they saw the gleaming jewelry on the table and the share transfer documents, they were all stunned into silence. Wyatt said, “Mr. Weaver, Mrs. Weaver, I apologize for this unexpected visit. Please take a look at these gifts I’ve prepared for Anna. I’m willing to give everything I own just to have her marry me.” The Weaver family was indeed wealthy, but compared to the Spencer family, we were still slightly inferior. However, Wyatt’s attitude was very humble. He came with complete sincerity, and my parents were satisfied with his attitude, so they left the decision to me. Before Wyatt left, he personally watched me sign all those share transfer documents. He said, “You must have heard from others that my health isn’t very good. The only thing I can give you is this modest wealth. But if something really happens to me in the future, at least you can rely on these to protect yourself.” His gaze was so sincere that I unconsciously signed my name. After he left, I picked up those documents and berated myself in frustration. Just then, Eric suddenly appeared, and he brought Alaya with him. The Nelson family wasn’t considered wealthy. Years ago, Alaya’s mother had worked as a servant in Eric’s household. In recent years, her father had made some money through business. This was precisely why she had been sent to the Garrett family. Any respectable family wouldn’t marry their daughter to someone with problems. But for me, this didn’t matter. “Anna, I’m sorry.” As soon as she entered, Alaya apologized to me. Though Eric looked slightly displeased, when he saw the share transfer documents on the table, his face showed a knowing expression. He asked, “Are these all wedding gifts your family prepared for you?” Alaya said, “I’ve long heard that the Weaver family only has one daughter, so naturally all the family assets would go to Anna. I never imagined there would be so much.” Alaya’s eyes were full of greed and envy. I coldly closed the jewelry box, my tone unfriendly. “May I ask, Mr. Garrett and Mrs. Garrett, what exactly brings you to my home?” My obviously unwelcoming attitude only earned a scoff from Eric. He said, “Anna, stop pretending. My family never received any notice of broken engagement from you. “You’ve already prepared wedding gifts and everything. How about this—I’ll reluctantly go through with the wedding ceremony with you. But it can’t be as grand as before. You know, Alaya is my legal wife now, and I have to consider her feelings.”

Alaia said, “That’s right, Anna, don’t worry. Our marriage registration is just a temporary measure. I won’t compete with you for anything else.” Alaia lowered her head, showing a sad expression while seeming reluctant to say more. She continued, “Anna, I know my place very well. Erik and I were never meant to be together. If it weren’t for saving me, I would never have been able to get close to him in this lifetime. So today, I specifically brought Erik here to apologize to you. We’ve also prepared a gift for you. Go ahead and take it out.” With that, she reached into Erik’s pocket and pulled out what appeared to be an old, worn necklace. The necklace was covered in rust stains, clearly showing its age. Alaia said, “Erik specially picked this out for me.” She walked toward me step by step, and I noticed the jewelry she was wearing. The entire jewelry set was from a famous brand’s diamond collection, sparkling brilliantly. And those were exactly what the Garrett family had specially commissioned for Erik’s and my wedding. Now, they were all adorning Alaia. Meanwhile, I was expected to accept this shabby old necklace from who knows where. I said, “I don’t need it. Since you picked it out so carefully, you should keep it for your wife.” I stepped back, avoiding Alaia. Erik immediately shielded her like a startled cat: “Since she doesn’t want it, just throw it away. You think I wanted to give it to her?” He snatched the necklace from Alaia’s hand and threw it hard on the ground. Alaia stamped her foot in grievance: “Erik, I reminded you before we left to control your temper. I’m the one who wronged Anna, I even wore her wedding dress. Have you forgotten why we came here today?” As her words fell, a bodyguard walked in from outside. Alaia said, “Anna, I heard this wedding dress was specially custom-made for you. That day was an emergency, and I had no choice but to wear it. Don’t worry, I only wore it for a short while that day and didn’t get it dirty. Now I’m returning it to you. When you and Erik have your wedding ceremony again in a few days, you can wear it again.” She actually wanted me to wear a secondhand wedding dress, just like they were trying to force me to accept Erik. The thought disgusted me. I said, “Erik, I’ve already told you, our wedding is canceled. If you two have nothing else to discuss, please leave. Our family doesn’t welcome you.” In front of all these people, I repeated what I had said before. I thought Erik would at least save face. However, the two people in front of me completely ignored my words. Especially Alaia, who directly picked up the wedding dress and approached me: “Anna, I’ve already hand-washed this wedding dress, it’s perfectly clean. If you think it’s dirty because I wore it, I’ve also prepared a new one. Just take a look.” The cheap fabric brushing against my skin made me irritated. I said, “I’ve already told you, I don’t want it.” When I dodged away from Alaia, she fell to the ground, her eyes reddening with tears welling up. She said, “Anna, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to. I just wanted to show you the new wedding dress I prepared.” She became more and more agitated as she spoke. Seeing this, Erik angrily stepped on the wedding dress: “If she doesn’t want it, forget it! I’d like to see how a venomous woman like her could ever get married!”

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My husband Daniel Ferguson promised me he would only fulfill ninety-nine wishes for his first love, Aria Smith, who had lost her memory due to an injury. But when I quietly finished counting those ninety-nine wishes, I saw him tenderly embracing Aria. Later, I stopped clinging to him and let him go take care of Aria. However, I asked him for a baby bracelet as a keepsake for our soon-to-be-born child. When I mentioned the baby, Daniel’s expression softened slightly. “Once I’m done with everything, we’ll go to the baby store together to pick one out.” I said obediently, “Okay.” I didn’t tell him that a week ago, I had already asked a lawyer to draft our separation agreement. At that moment, we had already broken up. ***** After completing the discharge procedures, I ran into Daniel in the hospital garden. Aria was leaning gently against him, and they were chatting. When he saw me, Daniel’s smile instantly vanished. Daniel protectively moved Aria behind him, as if afraid I might do something to her. “Why are you here?” His wary look made my heart turn cold instantly. Aria gently tugged at Daniel’s sleeve. “Daniel, don’t scare Phoebe Stewart.” Before I could say anything, she looked at me with apologetic eyes. “Phoebe, please don’t misunderstand. I’m injured, and Daniel is just worried about me.” Then Daniel turned to comfort her softly. When he looked at me again, he still wore that impatient expression. “What do you want?” I opened my mouth, hesitated for a moment, then just shook my head. “Nothing, I was just passing by.” Perhaps sensing something was off about me, Daniel stepped forward and spoke to me with rare gentleness: “If there’s nothing else, you should go home. You’re pregnant now, so you need to be careful.” Behind him, Aria was looking at me with displeasure. I nodded. “Okay.” Then Daniel left with Aria. Her eyes were full of smugness. I turned around, unconsciously stroking my belly with both hands, my heart filled with bitterness. At that moment, my husband was accompanying another woman, and my husband didn’t know that his wife behind him had already lost her child. If only Daniel had looked back at me that day, if only he had come to my hospital room once, he would have known everything. I laughed bitterly at myself, then suddenly felt the glass bottle in my pocket. I couldn’t help but grip it tightly, my mind recalling everything that had happened. The day Daniel accompanied me to the hospital for the first and last time, Aria found him. From then on, he never came home again, rarely went to the company, and instead spent all his time with her. When I begged him with red eyes to spend just one day with me, he said: “Aria has always been frail. Now she’s injured and has lost her memory. She needs me by her side. Don’t worry, I’m just helping her recover. I won’t have any other thoughts.” Daniel promised me he would only help Aria fulfill ninety-nine wishes, saying he would completely return to my side afterward and honor the promises he had made to me. Every time he helped Aria realize a wish, I would fold a paper star. Seven days ago, I had folded a total of ninety-nine stars. I thought: “Daniel, since you can fulfill ninety-nine wishes for Aria, can I trade ninety-nine stars for you to grant me one wish?” But when I happily went to find him with that jar of stars, he and Aria were tightly embracing each other, with a birthday cake on the table that had already had its candles blown out. I heard Daniel say tenderly to her: “I’ll make your wishes come true. No matter how many wishes you have, I’ll help you fulfill them all.” I forgot how I walked up to them. At that moment, I just wanted an answer. “What are you doing?” My voice trembled slightly. Hearing my voice, Daniel abruptly let go of Aria, his eyes somewhat panicked. “Phoebe, what are you doing here? Don’t misunderstand, we weren’t…” Before he could finish, Aria tearfully apologized to me: “Phoebe, please don’t misunderstand. Daniel was just trying to help me fulfill my wish.” Daniel comforted Aria with heartache. When he looked at me again, his eyes were full of blame. Before he could speak, I said: “I’m sorry, I disturbed you.” Then I walked toward the door without looking back. But because I was walking too hastily, I didn’t notice the small truck coming this way. In an instant, I was knocked to the ground. I thought Daniel would chase after me. But when I fell, I saw him frantically holding the crying and fainting Aria in his arms while calling for an ambulance. I was taken to the hospital by a passing ambulance, while Aria had already been personally escorted to the hospital by Daniel. When I woke up again, I was told that my child was dead. Apart from tears, only endless sorrow remained in my heart. I thought: “Daniel, I will fulfill both of you, and myself as well.”

I didn’t want to think about these things anymore. Behind me, Aria’s shrill laughter echoed, and I unconsciously quickened my pace. Ever since Daniel rarely came home, our house had become empty and hollow. Apart from Maya Jones, our housekeeper, and me, there was no one else left. Hearing the sound of my return, Maya came out happily. Seeing my pale complexion, she immediately became worried. “Phoebe, you haven’t been home for so long. Are you sick? Why do you look so terrible?” Even Maya worried about me, yet Daniel had never shown concern for me—not even a single caring word. I smiled weakly and reassured her, “I’m fine, Maya. Go ahead and cook dinner. I’m a bit hungry.” “Alright, I’ll make your favorite soup.” Maya headed to the kitchen to get busy. I took out the jar of stars and placed it on the table, staring at it quietly. Suddenly, the doorbell rang. I opened the door to find Daniel’s mother, Florence Ferguson. Before I could speak, Florence exclaimed in surprise, “My goodness! Phoebe, why do you look so awful?” Florence quickly pulled me inside to sit down. If I hadn’t stopped her, she probably would have taken me to the hospital right away. She said, “You’re pregnant—you need to be careful. Where’s Daniel? Isn’t he with you? He hasn’t been at the company lately, and his father and I thought he was here taking care of you. If Maya hadn’t called to tell me, were you planning to keep hiding this from me?” Florence’s kindness toward me warmed my heart considerably. I really didn’t know what to say. Just then, Maya came out carrying my favorite soup. “Phoebe, don’t blame me. I was just worried something might happen to you.” I smiled and shook my head. “Maya, how could I blame you?” At that moment, the sound of the door opening came again, and Daniel walked in. Seeing us, he looked somewhat surprised. “Mom, what brings you here?” “You have the nerve to ask me? Where have you been? Why aren’t you taking care of Phoebe?” Florence’s tone carried reproach. Daniel didn’t know how to respond and could only say, “I’ve had some matters to handle recently.” Florence questioned him, “What could be more important than Phoebe? She’s pregnant now. Besides, what’s so urgent that you can’t delegate to your subordinates? Does it really require your personal attention?” I took Florence’s hand to comfort her, then explained on Daniel’s behalf, “I’m fine. If he has business to attend to, let him handle it. I’m really okay.” Daniel looked at me with some guilt. “Thank you, Phoebe.” I didn’t know if he was thanking me for covering for him or for not exposing him. “Regardless, you cannot leave tonight. You must stay here with Phoebe,” Florence warned. “But…” His words trailed off because he knew how inappropriate it would be to continue. Only one lamp remained lit on the bedroom wall. The dim light cast on my face made me look even more fragile. Daniel pushed the door open and sat down beside the bed, saying carefully, “Phoebe, Aria is still waiting for me. She can’t manage on her own.” I didn’t speak but took out the jar of stars instead. “What’s this?” Daniel looked puzzled. I answered, “Ninety-nine stars. I’ve finished folding them.” He was slightly stunned. “Has it been ninety-nine times already?” “So, are you still leaving?” I was almost pleading, but it didn’t soften his heart. Daniel said, “Phoebe, Aria has amnesia. I can’t abandon her. Can you understand? I promise you, once Aria recovers, I’ll have her leave this place. Then I’ll only be with you, okay?” How could I possibly force him to stay? His departure was inevitable, just like mine would be. I nodded and made a request, “I want a baby bracelet as a gift for our child.” Daniel gently stroked my head. “Alright, I promise. When I come back, I’ll take you to the baby store to pick out things for our child.” With his departure, the sound of the closing door faded, and the sobbing in the room became clearer. I turned on the light and took out the stack of medical reports from the cabinet. Once, when I first saw these reports, I shed tears of joy because this was my first pregnancy. Now, as I bid farewell to these reports, I was still crying—only this time, they were tears of sorrow.

Beneath the spaghetti on my checklist lay a yellowed letter—the one Daniel had handwritten when he first confessed his feelings to me. I gently traced those elegant characters. Daniel was no longer the same Daniel from before; now his eyes held only Aria. Just then, Daniel suddenly pushed the door open. Seeing my tear-stained face, he froze. “Why are you crying?” He approached, wanting to wipe away my tears, but I dodged his hand. “Are you okay, Phoebe?” Daniel seemed at a loss. I shook my head. “I’m fine. I was just thinking about the day I found out I was pregnant.” Seeing the letter in my hand, Daniel was stunned. I suddenly felt panicked and quickly tucked the letter away. “I accidentally pulled it out while looking for something.” Daniel looked at me with confusion. “You’re pregnant now—you can’t keep crying all the time.” “I’m fine, don’t worry. By the way, why did you come back?” “I came to get some clean clothes. Also, I wanted to ask you something—what design would you like engraved on the baby bracelet?” I was stunned, not expecting him to care about this. “How about ‘Peace Forever’?” Daniel asked. I looked down at my belly, my heart filled with bitterness. “You decide.” I thought to myself: “From now on, let’s each live our lives in peace.” After packing his clothes, Daniel looked at me again. “Are you really okay?” Seeing him like this, I couldn’t help but feel a glimmer of hope. “If I said I wasn’t okay, would you stay and keep me company?” He smiled, then said with some difficulty, “Phoebe, cut it out, okay? Aria will worry, and I don’t want her to be concerned.” “I was just kidding. Go ahead.” The mocking voice in my head made me feel even more ridiculous. I thought: “How can I still have expectations of him? I shouldn’t expect anything from him anymore.” Then I got up to pack my luggage. I didn’t want to think about those things anymore, but I still couldn’t stop the sad tears from falling. I placed the packed luggage aside and looked at that jar of stars. Each one represented my hopes, and Daniel had personally shattered all my expectations. I took out one star and unfolded it along the creases, finally spreading it flat in my palm. Suddenly, I noticed the ring on my hand—the one Daniel had made for me himself back then. At the time, he had said, “I must create a unique ring just for you.” The next day, when I woke up, there was a message from Daniel on my phone. He told me the bracelet was ready and asked me to come pick it up. They had already moved from the hospital to another residence, and I only learned about this today. I stood in front of that completely unfamiliar door and rang the doorbell. The servant who answered led me to the garden, where Aria was leisurely swinging on a swing. She looked like a princess carefully dressed up by Daniel, not having to worry about anything, as if everything could be perfectly peaceful and beautiful. I even envied her a little bit. I composed myself and asked, “Where’s Daniel?” Aria turned to look at me with a smug expression, as if everything belonged to her now. “Phoebe, you’re here for the bracelet, right?” I nodded. She walked toward me even more smugly. That’s when I noticed a delicate bracelet hanging around her neck. Aria smiled and said, “I liked it, so I had Daniel give it to me. Do you want it? I’ll tell Daniel later to make you a new one.” Looking at her smug expression, my heart felt as cold as if it had fallen into an ice cave. I thought: “My child clearly has no chance of coming into this world, and I just wanted a bracelet that belonged only to him.”

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “MyFiction” app 🔍 search for “398002”, and watch the full series ✨! #MyFiction #B×G #Cheating #FirstLove #Pregnancy #Breakup