“Thank you, Ms. Hart. Your Android is currently undergoing memory programming. It will be delivered to you in one week.” “Very good, thank you.” Elena Hart’s voice was flat and emotionless. After hanging up the phone, she collapsed onto the sofa, staring blankly ahead. In seven days, she would completely leave Nathan Cole behind, replacing herself with that Android. The Android was her perfect copy, identical down to the finest detail, but with slight personality adjustments—sweet, compliant, the kind of woman who would never cause any ripples. Nathan would probably love that kind of woman, wouldn’t he? A sharp buzz broke the silence as the front door clicked open. Nathan stumbled in, his steps unsteady. The winter night’s chill still clung to him, snowflakes dotting his shoulders, melting into tiny droplets that fell as he crossed the threshold. He dragged himself to the sofa and flopped down, sprawling out as if the place belonged to him alone. The pungent smell of cologne mixed with the stale scent of whiskey invaded Elena’s nose. She lowered her eyelids. Of course, he’d been with that woman again tonight. These days, that woman’s perfume always followed him home. No surprise there. “Get me some coffee,” Nathan mumbled, flinging an arm over his eyes, his tone laced with irritation. In the past, on nights like this when he went out “networking,” Elena would have prepared a pot of coffee in advance, ensuring he’d be comfortable no matter how late he returned. But tonight, she didn’t move. She sat there, motionless, as if his words hadn’t reached her ears. Seeing no response, Nathan lifted his arm and glared at her sideways. “Are you deaf or something? I said—” “I heard you,” Elena cut him off, her clear gaze locking directly with his. “If you want coffee, get it yourself. I’m going to bed.” She stood up and walked toward the bedroom without looking back. “Elena! What’s wrong with you now?” Nathan jumped up and grabbed her wrist before she could walk away. “Is this because I didn’t go to the hospital with you today? It was just a routine checkup, not some life-or-death situation. You were fine on your own! Chloe had a burst pipe at her place, and she was terrified, crying her eyes out! She’s my friend and all alone in this city. What was I supposed to do, just abandon her? Why are you making such a big deal out of this?” His words tumbled out all at once, the perfume on him making Elena dizzy. Her heart pounded in her chest. “She cried over a burst pipe?” Elena’s voice was soft but dripping with sarcasm. “Wow, she’s really tough, isn’t she?” She tilted her head slightly, her tone eerily calm. “Remember those home invasions a few months ago? When people were getting robbed in the middle of the night? I was terrified. I begged you to come home early. What did you say?” Nathan narrowed his eyes, either too drunk to remember or pretending not to. Elena’s voice remained steady, even slightly mocking, but her words concealed a sharp edge. “You said, ‘Are you a child? Why are you so paranoid? I’m not a cop—what could I even do if I were there?’” Nathan’s face twitched, and he stammered, “This is a gated community, Elena. Top-notch security. Nothing’s going to happen here.”

“Just some trash,” Elena said dismissively. What else could you call things you no longer needed? Nathan sighed in relief. When he drove into the gated community, he had seen thick black smoke rising from a distance, his heart racing as images of their house on fire flashed through his mind. He had floored the gas pedal to get back. “Don’t burn things, it’s too dangerous,” he said, eyeing the cardboard boxes stacked by the front door. “More trash?” Elena glanced at the boxes, her lips pressed into a thin line. Those were her packed belongings ready to go. Just then, a delivery person walked up. “Ms. Hart? Do you have items for pickup?” Elena nodded toward the boxes. “Yes, those. Take all of them.” Nathan tensed, grabbing her wrist abruptly, his voice tight. “You’re moving out?” Elena studied his anxious expression, feeling confused. She wondered why he cared so much. He had made it clear he was tired of her. Shouldn’t he be happy to see her leave? Not wanting to start any arguments before her departure, she lied to brush it off: “No, just clearing out some things to donate.” Nathan’s shoulders relaxed as he released her wrist and took her hand instead. “Okay. Whatever you need, I’ll buy it for you later.” Elena smiled faintly. “Later,” she thought. “We don’t have a ‘later’ anymore.” He must have sensed her mood, perhaps attributing it to last night’s argument. For once, he softened his tone, almost tenderly. “Look, about Chloe—she just had a nightmare last night, so I checked on her, that’s all. You have nothing to worry about. She’s just a friend, nothing more.” Elena almost laughed. Her gaze turned cold as she countered, “You don’t think spending the night at a single woman’s place looks bad, even if ‘nothing happened’? Don’t you see how terrible that looks?” Nathan’s face darkened. “That’s just your mind twisting things! Nothing like that happened!” Elena let out a dry laugh and shook her head. What was the point of arguing with someone who would never admit they were wrong? A waste of breath. Her silence made Nathan uneasy, and he stubbornly continued, “Anyway, Chloe and I are just friends. It’s not what you think.” “Right,” Elena thought. “If ‘just friends’ includes holding hands, hugging, and possibly kissing, then the bar for ‘friendship’ is ridiculously low.” She didn’t bother arguing anymore. “Whatever.” “By the way,” Nathan changed the subject, “there’s a party tonight. Come with me.” “I have other plans—” Elena began, but he cut her off. He pulled out a shopping bag from his car and handed it to her. “Don’t be like that. I already told them I’d bring you. I bought you a dress.” Elena glanced at the logo on the bag—one of her favorite brands, not cheap. In college, they couldn’t afford such things. She remembered standing outside a store window once, staring at a dress she loved but couldn’t have. Nathan had worked three jobs to save up for it, only to find it sold out. He searched the entire city but couldn’t find it. It was the first time she’d seen him cry. With tears streaming down his face, he promised he would work hard, make lots of money, so she would never have to long for things she couldn’t have. He had worked hard. He had made lots of money. But somewhere along the way, he started buying dresses for someone else. Elena sighed, the memory bittersweet. She took the bag. Fine, she would go to the party. One last time, for old times’ sake.

Elena woke up to the sharp smell of disinfectant stinging her nostrils, that acrid scent permeating the air. Gradually, memories of the crash came flooding back like a tide—that moment before everything went dark. “Elena! You’re awake!” Nathan rushed into the hospital room, holding a thermos. “How are you feeling? Dizzy? The doctor said it’s just minor injuries, you’ll be fine after a few days of rest.” He set down the thermos and hugged her tightly. “Thank God you’re okay…” Elena felt his body trembling slightly and noticed tears glistening in his eyes. But she remained unmoved, even finding it somewhat ridiculous. In that life-or-death moment, he had pushed her away to protect Chloe. Didn’t that say everything? If she had died, he and Chloe could be together without any complications. Perfect, right? So why pretend to be so devoted now? She pushed his arms away, her face expressionless, showing no emotional response. Nathan caught the mockery in her eyes, hesitated, then hurriedly explained, “Don’t be angry, please? I panicked and got you two mixed up. Your dresses looked too similar. I was trying to save you…” Elena closed her eyes, unwilling to say another word to him. She had been wearing a cream-colored dress, while Chloe wore bright red. Mixed up? Please. And before the crash, she clearly heard him call out “Chloe”—not her name. “Come on, Nathan,” she thought, “at least make your lies somewhat believable.” “I’m tired,” she turned her head away, “please leave.” She kept her eyes closed, refusing to open them. If she did, tears would flow, and she absolutely wouldn’t cry in front of him. For the next three days, Nathan stayed at the hospital—whether out of guilt or half-hearted atonement, she didn’t care. He couldn’t move her at all because she knew his heart wasn’t there anymore. He couldn’t put down his phone, either typing away on the screen or reacting to messages—frowning, smiling, immersed in his own world. On the day of her discharge, Nathan drove her back to their gated community. As soon as Elena got out of the car, his phone made a “ding” sound. He glanced at it, his expression tightening. “Elena, there’s an emergency at the company. I need to go back. You should rest inside, I’ll be back tonight.” Before she could answer, he jumped back into the driver’s seat, started the engine, and the car sped out of the driveway. Elena stared at the car until it disappeared from sight, then let out a bitter laugh. Not “the company.” That “ding” was Chloe’s special ringtone. She had heard it over and over these three days, like an annoying song looping in her head. The fact that he could lie to her so casually, and so poorly, was almost impressive. Instead of resting, Elena took action. She liquidated all her personal assets, then went to the mall to return her engagement ring. Since she was leaving for good, there was no point in keeping it. She still remembered when they bought that ring. Nathan’s company had been in trouble then, with broken cash flow. She had invested all her savings to help him, even selling the jewelry her mother had left her to keep things afloat. When Nathan found out, he held her tight, saying she was the best thing in his life. After the company turned profitable, the first thing he did was buy this ring. In front of friends and family, he got down on one knee and proposed, promising her forever. Those words still echoed in her mind. But just a few years later, those vows were nothing but noise, easily forgotten, like yesterday’s old news.

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “MyFiction” app 🔍 search for “397873”, and watch the full series ✨! #MyFiction #B×G #Betrayal #Revenge #Intelligent #RelationshipinTrouble

“Did you find the body double I requested for my fake death?” Victoria Allen asked softly, standing by the floor-to-ceiling window and gazing at the darkening sky outside. The funeral home staff gave an affirmative response on the other end of the line. “Ms. Allen, please rest assured. We have everything prepared.” After hanging up, Victoria’s gaze fell on the silver-framed photo on the table. In the picture, she was embraced by her husband Jonathan Green and daughter Layla Green, all three faces radiating happiness. Jonathan tenderly kissed her left cheek, while Layla stood on tiptoes to kiss her right cheek. That moment was heartbreakingly beautiful. No one knew how many dirty truths were hidden behind this seemingly perfect family. Ten years ago, Victoria, daughter of the growing Allen family, met Jonathan, the heir to Green Group who had just returned from abroad. They spent ten years getting to know each other, falling in love, and walking down the aisle. During these ten years, Jonathan adored Victoria immensely. Whenever she set her eyes on something, those luxury cars, jewelry, and designer items would appear in their home the very next day. Every evening at seven, he would arrive home punctually and give her a gentle goodnight kiss. Even during business engagements, Jonathan always mentioned Victoria’s name. When she had complications giving birth to Layla, he rushed to the hospital and got into a car accident. Victoria, despite her weakened postpartum state, broke down crying uncontrollably outside the operating room, trembling as she signed the critical condition notice. She told everyone that if anything happened to Jonathan, she would die with him. Jonathan was in a coma for three days before waking up to find her holding his hand by the hospital bed. Victoria said, “Jonathan, if anything happens to you, I don’t want the baby anymore. I just want to be with you.” To take care of Jonathan, Victoria canceled all her work commitments and stayed by his side all day. Under Victoria’s guidance, Layla grew into the most thoughtful and adorable girl. Every day after school, the first thing Layla did was rush into Victoria’s arms and tell her about the interesting things that happened in kindergarten. Before bedtime, the family would cuddle together and listen to Victoria tell bedtime stories. Jonathan brought her a fresh bouquet of roses every day, and Layla, learning from him, would bring her a small flower daily. But they betrayed her in their fifth year of marriage. Behind Victoria’s back, Jonathan was having an affair with his female secretary, Stella Reed, and Layla knew about it. Not only that, Jonathan bought Stella a villa in Cloudia Villas. Both their names were on the property deed, and they spent almost every day together. Whenever Layla visited Stella, she would bring carefully prepared gifts and sweetly say, “Ms. Reed, you’re the best.” On countless nights, Jonathan and Layla would sneak out to be with Stella while Victoria was sound asleep. All those earlier vows had turned to nothing. When Victoria discovered the truth about everything, her heart had already died. She no longer wanted Jonathan and Layla. Wiping away the tears on her face, Victoria flipped the photo frame face down on the table, then turned and walked to the closet to pack her luggage. She gathered all the gifts Jonathan and Layla had given her over the years, filling two large suitcases. After Victoria finished packing everything, the spacious villa suddenly felt empty, just like her five-year marriage—full of wounds beneath its glamorous exterior. She moved the suitcases to the entrance, where the courier arrived right on time. Victoria forwarded Stella’s address to the courier. “Please deliver these items to this address in two weeks. Also, please relay a message for me—tell her I’m giving her all these things, including my husband and my daughter.” “Victoria, what are you saying?” A familiar voice came from behind just as Victoria finished speaking. She immediately turned around to see Jonathan and Layla standing at the door, each holding a bouquet of blooming flowers. “Mommy.” Layla ran over and handed her flower bouquet to Victoria. “What are you doing?” Watching the delivery man walk away, Victoria said softly, “Nothing. Just getting rid of some things I don’t need anymore.” At that moment, Jonathan walked over, wrapped his arms around her waist from behind, and planted a kiss on her cheek. He placed the roses in her hands, his voice tinged with apology. “I’m sorry, honey. I got held up with something unexpected today, which is why I kept you waiting so long.” Victoria thought to herself, “Was that unexpected thing accompanying Stella to check on the renovation progress of the beach house?” She smiled bitterly, staring at the roses in her hand for a long while before saying flatly, “Work comes first. I understand. Let’s go inside.” As soon as Jonathan and Layla entered the house, they were shocked by what they saw—the spacious mansion had become quite empty, with all the Christmas gifts they had given Victoria now gone. Jonathan asked anxiously, “Victoria, where are all the things we gave you?” Layla was also frightened, clutching Victoria’s clothes tightly. “Mommy, did you throw away all our gifts?” Victoria gently freed herself from Layla’s grip and sat down on the sofa. “No. I just had the delivery man send them to people who need them more.” For many Christmases, she had made it a habit to regularly sort through household items and donate them to orphanages. Hearing this explanation, Jonathan visibly relaxed. He walked over, sat beside her, and looked at her adoringly. “That’s wonderful of you. Now I can buy you new things.” Layla climbed onto the sofa and threw herself into Victoria’s arms. “Mommy, you’re so kind. I love you the most.” Victoria laughed coldly inside, thinking, “Kind?” The wall clock struck six. Jonathan carried the last plate from the kitchen and placed it on the table. Although they had several servants, Jonathan always insisted on doing things for Victoria himself. Layla led Victoria to the dining table by the hand, thoughtfully pulling out a chair for her. Jonathan sat across from her, constantly showing his concern. “Victoria, you should eat more of the thyme honey. It’s good for your health.” “Yes, Mommy, you’re too thin. You really need to eat more,” Layla chimed in. Looking at the food on her plate, Victoria felt no appetite whatsoever. She looked up at Jonathan sitting across from her. At that moment, he was listening attentively to Layla, occasionally adding a comment or two. Victoria suddenly found it all incredibly ironic. These warm scenes and casual conversations must have been rehearsed in front of Stella before they came back. Why did they need to perform it again for her? Night fell, and only a warm yellow bedside lamp illuminated the bedroom. The three of them lay in one bed. Jonathan had his arm around Victoria’s waist, while Layla imitated him by hugging her arm. Both Jonathan and Layla insisted on sleeping with Victoria. “Dad, you’re so old. Why do you still need to sleep with my mom?” Layla said, pretending to be mature. “What are you talking about? Victoria is my wife, so of course I should sleep with her. You’re growing up now. Why do you still need to sleep with your mom?” Jonathan countered. As Jonathan and Layla continued arguing, ready to ask Victoria to make a decision for them, they found she seemed to have fallen asleep. Just then, Jonathan’s phone on the nightstand suddenly vibrated, and a video call notification popped up on the screen. When Jonathan saw that the caller was Stella, he froze momentarily. He glanced at the unresponsive Victoria, then quietly got out of bed. Layla followed him out. Outside the room, Jonathan turned the phone volume to its lowest setting before answering the video call. Stella’s sweet voice came through immediately. “Jonathan, Layla, why did it take you so long to answer? I miss you both so much. I’m all alone in this big house. I feel so lonely. Can you come back and keep me company?” Jonathan glanced back at the bedroom door and softly reassured her, “It’s so late now. I’ll bring Layla over to see you tomorrow.” But Stella shook her head and said, “I know that in your hearts, Mrs. Allen will always come first. I’ve never asked for much, just for you to spare me a little attention occasionally. Is that too much to ask?” Hearing Stella’s tearful voice, Layla quickly tugged at Jonathan’s sleeve. “Daddy, let’s go. I miss Ms. Reed. Please, Daddy?” After the combined pleas from Stella and Layla, Jonathan finally agreed. He crouched down and made a “shh” gesture to Layla, then said, “Let’s go quietly so we don’t wake your mom.” In the bedroom, Victoria lay with her eyes open, tears silently streaming down her face, soaking her pillow. She remained motionless, listening to Jonathan and Layla’s footsteps gradually fading away until they disappeared completely. Jonathan and Layla hadn’t returned all night. Victoria pushed open the master bedroom door to find only the morning light silently streaming into the empty living room. Her phone vibrated. She opened the screen to see a message from Jonathan: [Honey, I had to meet an important client unexpectedly, so I took Layla to school first. I’ve asked the housekeeper to prepare breakfast for you.] Looking at his clumsy lie, Victoria replied: [Okay.] Then, she put on her coat and left. She didn’t want to continue playing along with their charade, as she had more important matters to attend to. Victoria instructed her driver to take her directly to Spring Cemetery in the suburbs. Caleb Bell, the administration office worker, was organizing files when she walked in. Seeing her, he quickly stood up. “How may I help you?” “I’d like to reserve a burial plot,” Victoria said softly, yet with undeniable determination. Caleb took out a registration book and said, “Of course. May I ask which family member you’re making arrangements for?” Victoria answered, “For myself.” His typing fingers paused as Caleb looked up at her in surprise. Victoria wore a Chanel suit, her makeup flawless, exuding elegance and nobility—she didn’t look like someone who would be reserving a burial plot for herself. Caleb said, “Ms. Allen, you…” “On October twenty-second, I’ll have my remains delivered here,” she interrupted him, her voice still calm. Caleb was even more shocked. “You’ve even set the date already?” Victoria said, “Yes. When the time comes, don’t notify anyone. I’ll pay an additional fee for you to scatter my ashes on this mountain.” She wanted to disappear completely from this world, leaving no trace for Jonathan and Layla. After paying the deposit, she prepared to leave, but at the entrance, she witnessed an unexpected scene. Jonathan was holding Stella in his arms, standing under a cherry blossom tree nearby. Stella was crying softly in Jonathan’s embrace, while Layla was wiping Stella’s tears with a handkerchief. The three of them looked incredibly close, like a family—until Victoria suddenly appeared. Victoria said, “What a coincidence.” Hearing her voice, the three of them froze instantly. Stella hurriedly pulled away from Jonathan’s embrace, while Layla instinctively hid behind Jonathan. Victoria walked over slowly and looked at Jonathan. “Didn’t you say you had an important client to meet?” Then, she looked down at Layla. “Do you have a day off today?” Jonathan quickly stepped forward, his tone filled with panic. “Victoria, please let me explain. Stella’s mother passed away. We were passing by and saw her crying alone here, so…” Stella hastily added, “Ms. Allen, I’m sorry. I was too upset and delayed Mr. Green’s work.” Layla tugged at Victoria’s coat, whispering, “Mom, Ms. Reed is so sad. We came to comfort her.” Just then, a uniformed staff member approached them. “Ms. Reed, your mother’s ashes have been properly placed. Please come with me to sign the paperwork.” Victoria let out a cold laugh and asked, “So it was your mother who passed away?” Stella’s face turned pale as she looked helplessly toward Jonathan. Jonathan quickly explained, “Victoria, it’s too difficult for Stella to handle these matters alone.” “Yes, it is quite difficult to be alone,” Victoria said meaningfully, giving the three of them a pointed look. The staff member was still waiting, so Stella had to follow him to complete the paperwork, with Jonathan and Layla following behind. After taking a few steps, Jonathan seemed to suddenly remember something. “Victoria, why are you here?” Victoria said coldly, “What could I be doing? I’m at a cemetery, obviously taking care of some final arrangements.”

Jonathan didn’t hear Victoria’s words. After finishing their business, Jonathan and Victoria returned home together. That evening, Jonathan took Victoria’s hand in a placating manner. “Honey, I’ve made reservations at your favorite restaurant. I remember how much you love their steak.” With that, Jonathan called for the driver. In the car, Jonathan talked non-stop, but never once mentioned what had happened at the cemetery earlier that day. Victoria didn’t want to engage with him. Suddenly, Jonathan’s phone rang. As soon as he answered, his voice immediately softened, with a smile in his tone. Victoria didn’t need to guess—she knew it was Stella calling. “We’ve arrived, Mrs. Green,” the driver’s voice broke the awkward moment. After entering the restaurant, the waiter led them to a window-side table. Layla excitedly grabbed Victoria’s hand. “Mom, the view here is beautiful.” Jonathan thoughtfully pulled out a chair for Victoria, then carefully placed the napkin on her lap. These gestures once touched Victoria deeply. Now, she found them ironic. Jonathan asked tenderly, “What would you like to eat today?” Just as Victoria was about to answer, an unexpected figure appeared at the restaurant entrance. Stella walked in gracefully. Upon seeing them, she displayed obvious surprise. “What a coincidence,” Stella smiled as she approached and said, “I’m meeting a friend here for dinner.” Jonathan’s expression momentarily stiffened before quickly returning to normal as he smiled and said, “It really is a coincidence. Why don’t we eat together?” Victoria watched as Layla excitedly said, “Ms. Reed, please join us for dinner.” Stella pretended to be shy, making a token refusal. But ultimately, she sat down at Layla’s insistence. She chose the seat next to Jonathan, a position that gave Victoria a perfect view of their secret glances. “I remember you love the truffle steak here,” Stella said, looking at the menu. Hearing her words, Victoria slightly tightened her grip on her water glass. This restaurant had only been open for half a year, yet Stella was so familiar with Jonathan’s tastes. As the waiter brought the appetizers, Jonathan’s phone rang again. He glanced at it, then stood up saying, “Sorry. Something’s come up at the company.” While he was out taking the call, Stella suddenly leaned closer to Victoria and lowered her voice, “Ms. Allen, some things aren’t as simple as they appear.” Victoria raised her wine glass and smiled, “Indeed. Ms. Reed, it must be exhausting putting on this act in front of me every day.” Stella’s expression momentarily froze. Then, pretending nothing had happened, she gently attended to Layla. When Jonathan returned, he sensed the atmosphere had changed. He looked at Victoria, then at Stella, his expression hesitant. Layla and Stella were chatting, appearing quite happy. Seeing Jonathan return, Layla suddenly said, “Dad, let’s go skiing with Ms. Reed next week! Just the three of us.” Victoria put down her cutlery and quietly asked, “Three?” Layla suddenly realized her slip and hurriedly tried to explain, “I mean…” “Yes, three,” Victoria stood up. “After all, I’ll be gone soon.” Her words exploded like a bomb at the dinner table. Jonathan’s face instantly turned pale, while Stella’s hands trembled slightly. “Victoria, what do you mean?” Jonathan feigned composure. Victoria didn’t answer. Instead, she picked up her purse, preparing to leave. As she passed by Stella, she paused. “This seat will be yours soon. I hope you enjoy it.” Walking out of the restaurant, she felt the night breeze was a bit chilly. Looking up at the stars in the sky, Victoria let out a cold laugh. Just then, she heard hurried footsteps behind her. Jonathan had followed her out with Layla. “Victoria!” Victoria turned to face Jonathan, her gaze completely calm. “What is it? Do you want to continue this charade?” Jonathan pretended to be composed. “What are you talking about? I don’t understand.” “You don’t understand?” Victoria questioned. Stella had also followed them out and explained meaningfully, “Mrs. Green, I think you must have misunderstood something.” Suddenly, the high beams from a truck in the distance shone toward them. In the blinding light, Victoria stood frozen, unable to dodge in time. The out-of-control truck sped toward them, with the screeching sound of brakes. “Stella, watch out!” Jonathan and Layla shouted simultaneously as they lunged toward Stella. Victoria lay in a pool of blood. Watching this scene, she gave a bitter smile. The smell of disinfectant lingered around Victoria’s nose. She slowly opened her eyes and saw the white ceiling. “Ms. Allen is awake!” A nurse excitedly put down her medical chart and quickly walked to the bedside. “You gave us quite a scare.” While checking Victoria’s vital signs, the nurse said, “Mr. Green and Ms. Layla Green have been extremely worried these past few days, staying at the hospital daily. We finally convinced them to go rest today, and surprisingly, you woke up.” Smiling, she took out her phone and continued, “You know what? What they’ve done these past few days has touched many people. They specifically went to a church in the suburbs and prayed for you for an entire day.” She opened a video and handed the phone to Victoria. In the footage, Jonathan and Layla were praying devoutly. Layla’s skirt and Jonathan’s suit were wrinkled all over. The nurse continued, “Their sincerity moved the priest. He specially organized a prayer service for you. This video has become very popular online. Everyone says you’re lucky to have such a loving husband and daughter.” Looking at Jonathan and Layla’s devout appearance in the video, Victoria let out a cold laugh. She thought to herself, “How ironic. They’re such good actors.” Images from the night of the car accident flashed before Victoria’s eyes. She remembered how they had unhesitatingly lunged toward Stella. “Ms. Allen, your injuries are healing well,” the nurse continued, “however, the impact from the accident caused a mild concussion, which might result in some memory confusion.” Just then, the door to the hospital room suddenly opened. “Mom!” Layla rushed in, followed by a hurried Jonathan. “Victoria, you’re finally awake.” Jonathan tried to hold Victoria’s hand, his eyes red-rimmed. But Victoria pulled her hand back as if shocked. “You can stop pretending now.” “Victoria, what do you mean?” Jonathan was stunned. “I said, you can stop pretending.” Victoria’s voice was soft but very clear. “The night of the accident, who did you lunge toward? Did you think I didn’t see?” Jonathan’s face instantly turned pale. “Victoria, you’ve misunderstood. The situation was chaotic. We just mistook someone else for you.” “Mom, please forgive us, okay?” Layla pleaded. “Enough!” Victoria interrupted them, feeling utterly exhausted. Their years of family bonds couldn’t compete with Stella, the homewrecker. Layla was so anxious she was about to cry. “Mom, don’t be like this. Dad and I truly love you. What happened that day was just an accident.” “An accident?” Victoria laughed coldly. “Then were your dates with Stella over the years also accidents?” She pulled out a stack of photos from under her pillow and tossed them lightly onto the bed. The photos scattered, each one clearly documenting their betrayal. In the first photo, Jonathan and Stella were toasting each other in a private restaurant, candlelight reflecting their intimate gazes. In the second photo, Layla was shopping with Stella at a mall, affectionately resting her head on Stella’s shoulder. In the third photo, the three of them were laughing happily at an amusement park, with Jonathan’s arm naturally wrapped around Stella’s waist. The final photo was taken in their home’s yard. Stella was cooking in the kitchen wearing an apron, Jonathan was hugging her from behind, and Layla was helping nearby—a scene so cozy it made Victoria sick. “These photos…” Jonathan revealed a hint of panic. But he quickly composed himself. “Darling, these are all fake. The doctor said your head injury might cause confusion. You should rest. I’ll take Layla out to buy some food for you.” With that, Jonathan left with Layla immediately. Victoria was completely disappointed, thinking to herself, “He could come up with such a pathetic excuse?” Tears silently fell onto her phone screen, and only then did Victoria realize she was crying. She thought she had been strong enough, that she was prepared to leave. But when she saw those photos and videos, her heart felt like someone was squeezing it tightly, making it almost impossible to breathe. Others only saw Jonathan’s affection for her, never knowing how much she had sacrificed for this family. Victoria had given up her career, dedicating herself completely to their home, just to provide Jonathan with a warm haven. Whenever Jonathan worked late into the night, she would personally cook and wait for him. Whenever he traveled for business, she would meticulously pack his luggage. She even remembered his most subtle habits. And Layla—from the moment she was born, Victoria had given her all her love. Victoria had helped Layla learn to walk, taught her to read, and stayed with her through every sleepless night. Every smile and every tear from Layla was deeply imprinted in Victoria’s heart. Yet in the end, her sincerity was repaid with their deepest betrayal. Victoria’s phone vibrated—a message from Stella. This time, Stella had finally dropped her gentle façade. [Ms. Allen, I assume you’ve seen those photos? This Christmas, Jonathan and Layla spent much more time with me than with you. Do you still think they love you?] [If they truly loved you, why would they choose me? Why not step aside and let someone more suitable take your place in this family?] Victoria let out a cold laugh, then saved both messages. During her days recovering in the hospital, Jonathan and Layla visited Victoria punctually at mealtimes, performing a heartwarming family drama in her room. While checking her condition, the nurse had said enviously, “Ms. Allen, you’re so lucky. Your husband and daughter love you so much. I really envy you.” Hearing those words, Victoria couldn’t help but give a bitter smile. Just then, the door to her room opened gently. After entering, Layla noticed Victoria’s swollen eyes and immediately became anxious. She asked, “Mom, why were you crying? Are you feeling unwell somewhere?” Looking at Layla’s concerned expression, Victoria felt incredibly bitter. She thought, “Layla has a face so similar to mine. When did she learn to act so convincingly?” “I’m fine,” Victoria said softly. “I just saw some touching photos.” Layla sighed with relief, then sat down beside the bed. “What photos?” Victoria looked directly into Layla’s eyes. “Would you like to see them?” Just then, Layla’s watch suddenly rang, displaying an incoming call from “Ms. Reed.” “Mom, I… I need to take this call,” Layla stood up nervously. Victoria calmly said, “Go ahead, don’t keep her waiting.” On the day of her discharge, the sun shone brightly, with a gentle breeze. The sycamore trees in front of the hospital cast dappled shadows, as if drawing a conclusion to this farce. Jonathan supported Victoria down the steps, carefully protecting her. Once in the car, he thoughtfully covered her with a blanket and adjusted her seat. “The wind is a bit strong today. You can’t catch a cold,” Jonathan’s voice was so tender, as if he were speaking to his most precious treasure. Looking at the scenery outside the window, Victoria suddenly said, “I want to go to church.” “What?” Jonathan was stunned. “I heard you all prayed for me at church,” Victoria turned and said with a smile. “I’d like to see it too.” Jonathan said, “But your health…” Victoria interrupted, “I can manage.” Eventually, they arrived at the ancient, solemn church. Victoria closed her eyes and began to make a wish. In her heart, she said, “I hope I never see Jonathan and Layla again in this lifetime. May they live forever in guilt, always remembering the sincere heart they destroyed with their own hands.” Beside her, Jonathan and Layla were also making beautiful wishes. They looked forward to continuing their happy life as a family of three, unaware that this “family” was about to reach its end. As they prepared to leave, the priest looked at her with profound eyes. “Your wish will surely come true.” Victoria gave a soft laugh. Three days later, she would completely disappear from this heartbreaking home.

As night fell, Victoria stood by the floor-to-ceiling windows of the villa, watching the moonlight in the yard being swallowed by dark clouds. She gently caressed the documents in her hand—a meticulously prepared plan for her “death.” In three days, she would leave this family forever. At this thought, she unconsciously revealed a smile of relief. On the third day before the plan began, Victoria started erasing her presence from this home. In her ten-year marriage, she had accumulated memories that filled exactly three boxes. The first item was the token of love between her and Jonathan—an expensive diamond necklace. She still remembered the words he whispered in her ear when he put it on her: “Victoria, I’ll only love you for my entire life.” The second item was a family portrait drawn by three-year-old Layla. In the crooked lines, Victoria and Jonathan held Layla’s hands, with “The Happiest Family in the World” written on it. Each item carried memories Victoria once thought she would cherish forever. She had always looked forward to the day when, with gray hair, she could reminisce about these moments with Layla and tell their family stories. But now, these were nothing but an illusory dream. Late at night, Victoria lit a fire in the yard and threw all the items carrying these ten years of memories into the flames. The firelight illuminated her calm face. She didn’t cry, just silently watched as the past turned to ashes in the flames. On the second day before the plan began, Victoria met with private investigator Thomas Cook and handed over all the evidence she had collected over the past six months, including Jonathan and Stella’s dating records, transaction details, intimate photos, and most importantly, recordings of their conversations. “After my death, please send these materials to the media as we agreed,” Victoria handed an envelope to Thomas. “The time is set for 3 PM the day after tomorrow. Make sure every LED screen in the city broadcasts these materials simultaneously.” After reviewing the materials, Thomas hesitated. “Ms. Allen, are you absolutely sure about this?” Victoria smiled and said, “Of course. When the time comes, remember to add a line on the screen: ‘I hope Jonathan, Layla, and Stella will be happy forever and never part.’” The final day before the plan happened to be Victoria and Jonathan’s tenth wedding anniversary. Ten years ago on this day, they held their wedding in a sky garden at a luxury hotel in Seattle. Jonathan had knelt on one knee and made his promises to Victoria. The scene was widely covered by the media. Back then, they were called “the most enviable couple.” That morning, Jonathan didn’t go to work, and Layla had taken the day off too. They sat at the dining table, waiting with gentle smiles for Victoria to have breakfast. Layla hugged Victoria’s arm affectionately. “Mom, let’s go to Seattle today. I want to see where you and Dad got married.” Looking at Layla’s expectant eyes, Victoria nodded gently. She knew this would be their last appearance as a complete family. They arrived at the hotel’s sky garden. The sunshine was bright, seemingly overlapping with the scene from ten years ago. Jonathan held Victoria’s hand, while Layla walked happily in front of them. Layla said, “Mom, tell me the story of you and Dad.” Just then, a jarring ringtone broke the warm atmosphere. Seeing Jonathan’s suddenly flustered expression, Victoria knew who was calling. This was because Stella had eagerly boasted about their relationship to her that morning, even sending a message: [Even on your wedding anniversary, with just one call from me, they’ll immediately abandon you to be with me.] Victoria forwarded this message to Thomas with a note: [Add this message to tomorrow’s broadcast as well.] Afterward, she watched Jonathan walk aside to take the call, and also saw Layla anxiously follow him. Sure enough, after the call, Jonathan and Layla approached Victoria together. “Victoria, something urgent came up back in my hometown. Layla and I need to leave now.” Jonathan’s tone was full of apology. “I’ll make it up to you when I get back.” Seeing the expectant looks in Jonathan and Layla’s eyes, Victoria smiled and said, “Go ahead. Be safe.” Jonathan sighed with relief and was about to turn away. Suddenly, he turned back and planted a kiss on Victoria’s cheek. “Victoria, I’ll have a surprise for you when I return.” “Dad, let’s hurry!” Layla was already anxiously pulling Jonathan’s hand toward the exit. “Jonathan, Layla,” Victoria suddenly said. Jonathan and Layla stopped and looked back at her. Victoria’s voice was soft. “Tomorrow, I also have a surprise for you both.” Jonathan smiled and waved, while Layla sweetly said, “Bye, Mom.” Then, they hurriedly left. Victoria stood there, watching their figures gradually disappear into the elevator entrance. This was the last time she would see them off as a wife and mother. In the evening, Victoria drove alone to a private clinic in the suburbs. As she pushed open the clinic door, she found Dr. Christmas and a woman with a similar build to hers waiting for her. “Ms. Allen, we’ve prepared everything according to your requirements,” the doctor handed Victoria a document. “This is the fake death certificate. As you requested, the time is set for midnight tonight.” Victoria took the document, then looked at the woman who resembled her. “Thank you for agreeing to help.” The woman nodded and said, “Don’t worry. I’ll follow the plan.” After leaving the clinic, Victoria drove to a remote mountain road in the suburbs. The winding road was flanked by steep cliffs—her carefully chosen accident site. At ten o’clock, the plan officially began. Victoria parked her car by the roadside, then got into an identical sedan brought by the “stand-in” woman. Inside the car were several plastic containers filled with gasoline. “You must wait for my signal,” Victoria instructed. Afterward, she drove away in her own car, while the “stand-in” drove the gasoline-filled sedan along the predetermined route. At ten-thirty, everything was ready. Victoria watched the car driving on the mountain road from a distance and took out her phone to call the police. “Hello, police? I’ve spotted a suspicious vehicle on Spring Road. The driver seems to be driving under the influence.” After hanging up, she dialed Jonathan’s number. “Victoria?” There was a hint of panic in Jonathan’s voice. “Jonathan, I’m on Spring Road,” Victoria deliberately made her voice sound disoriented. “I think I saw you with Stella.” Jonathan anxiously said, “Victoria, please let me explain…” But before he could finish, a loud explosion came through the phone. According to plan, the “stand-in” had jumped out of the car just as it plunged off the cliff. The gasoline containers exploded on impact, erupting in intense flames. “Victoria! Victoria!” Jonathan’s panicked cries came through the phone. Victoria hung up, then looked at the flames below and smirked coldly. Soon, the police would find the prepared body in the burned car, and the high temperature would make DNA testing extremely difficult. At eleven o’clock, she drove to a small airport in the suburbs and boarded a private jet that had been arranged in advance. Before the plane took off, she sent a final message to Thomas: [Plan initiated.] When Jonathan and Layla arrived at the hospital, they were greeted with a death certificate. At the same time, LED screens across the city lit up. The screens displayed all the details of their interactions with Stella, including photos of private meetings, flirtatious message exchanges, transaction records, and that provocative text message. There was even surveillance footage of Jonathan and Stella meeting near the accident site. At the top of all the footage was a prominent line: [I hope Jonathan, Layla, and Stella will be happy together forever and never part.] As the plane broke through the clouds, Victoria gazed at the city lights below, imagining their expressions as they saw the truth. She knew that this meticulously planned accident would leave them living in regret forever.

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “MyFiction” app 🔍 search for “397871”, and watch the full series ✨! #MyFiction #B×G #Betrayal #Marriage #Happyending #spoiled

“Ms. Martin, your wedding with Mr. Cooper is only two weeks away. Are you certain you want to proceed with our ‘Runaway Bride Package’?” the bridal shop assistant asked. After a brief silence, Jasmin Martin nodded gently. “Yes, I’m certain.” Though visibly surprised, the assistant quickly regained her professional composure. “Very well. Your escape plan is scheduled for the wedding day itself, using our ‘Bride Substitution’ method. We’ll arrange for your complete disappearance and maintain secrecy until the wedding day, giving the groom and all guests quite the unexpected surprise.” After signing the contract, Jasmin walked out of the bridal shop, her attention drawn to the crowd on the street. Not far away, a long line had formed outside Mellow Jasmin, a well-known chain beverage store. People were eagerly waiting to purchase the seasonal limited-edition drink that Declan Cooper had personally developed, testing thousands of recipes over half a Christmas season. This was his exclusive gift dedicated to his beloved Jasmin. Declan had deliberately chosen Jasmin’s birthday for the global product launch, allowing the whole world to witness his endless, undying devotion to her. On a nearby advertising screen, a reporter was interviewing Declan Cooper, the CEO of Cooper Group. “As a president who routinely manages billions of dollars in assets, why would you spend so much time and energy on something as trivial as developing a beverage recipe?” Dressed in a suit and exuding noble elegance, Declan smiled slightly, his tone casual yet filled with deep affection. “Because Ms. Martin likes it.” Declan’s attentive and loving expression on the screen caused several young women near Jasmin to squeal excitedly. “Oh my God, they’re so sweet! Mr. Cooper is the ultimate doting husband!” “Absolutely! I heard Mr. Cooper fell in love with Ms. Martin at first sight when he was fifteen. He not only rescued her from her stepmother’s abuse but also helped her win a lawsuit to reclaim her family fortune.” “Ms. Martin loves the sight of blooming flowers, so he spent billions of dollars creating Cooper Manor, ensuring she wakes up to a view of gorgeous blossoms every day.” “When her favorite snack was discontinued, he contacted the manufacturer to restart production. When they said they lacked raw materials, he simply bought an entire mountain to grow the necessary ingredients, just to ensure she could enjoy her favorite snack anytime.” “As for jewelry and luxury cars? Those are just the basics. New items from luxury brands are delivered to Ms. Martin for her selection before they even hit the market. Some limited editions aren’t even available for others to see.” “Most importantly, other women can’t even get close to Mr. Cooper. He deals with any woman who approaches him before Ms. Martin needs to intervene.” “What do you think Ms. Martin did in her past life to deserve such a wealthy, powerful, handsome, and loyal perfect man like Mr. Cooper?” Hearing this, Jasmin couldn’t listen anymore. She suppressed the bitterness in her heart, feeling only mockery rising within her. She thought, “What good could I have possibly done in my past life? In the end, I still met a tragic death.” In her previous life, it wasn’t until she was dying that she finally learned the cruel truth. Declan, who everyone believed treasured her above all else and promised to love only her for life, had already betrayed their love long ago. Jasmin shuddered as she recalled her previous life. When she was young, her father’s affair had driven her mother to death. Shortly after her mother’s passing, her stepmother moved in with her half-sister. From then on, her life plunged into endless pain and torment. After her father’s death, her stepmother completely dropped the facade, seized all the Martin family assets, treated Jasmin like she was invisible—feeding her scraps when in a good mood and beating her viciously when not. Even the household servants felt entitled to abuse her at will. It wasn’t until Declan appeared that a glimmer of light entered her dark world. He was like a beam of masculine energy cutting through the haze of feminine despair, giving her hope when she was drowning in desperation. Declan stood up for her, driving out the venomous stepmother and her immature half-sister. Afterward, he pulled out all the stops to pursue her. He understood that because of her parents’ history, Jasmin couldn’t trust love. Even when she rejected his confession, Declan remained undeterred, proving his sincerity through his actions time and time again. Though neither was a celebrity, they became famous due to Declan’s persistent, high-profile displays of affection. They amassed a large following online, with fans even creating a dedicated hashtag: “Mr. Cooper and Ms. Martin.” Once, a fan edited a video chronicling Declan’s ten-year pursuit, showcasing his wholehearted devotion, his resilience through repeated rejections, and finally his success in winning Jasmin’s heart. When Declan saw it, he gifted that fan a villa as thanks. From then on, their fanbase grew exponentially, and their story was hailed as a modern-day Cinderella tale. On Declan’s 1,314th proposal, Jasmin finally gave in. She clearly remembered how Declan looked when he heard her say “I do.” He held her tightly, tears soaking her collar, too overwhelmed to speak—as innocent and happy as a child. At their wedding, Jasmin made a solemn promise to Declan, along with a warning: “From now on, I belong to you completely, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, I will never leave you. But there’s one condition—you must never lie to me. If you ever deceive me, I will vanish from your world completely.” Without hesitation, Declan swore, “I pledge my life that I will never deceive or betray you. If I break this vow, I’ll livestream myself eating mangoes until I die.” Everyone who knew him was aware that Declan had a severe mango allergy. This convinced Jasmin to believe him and accept that this man was her destiny. After marriage, his adoration for her only increased, almost to an extreme. However, if she hadn’t discovered Declan’s affair with her half-sister Lilah Perry, she would have truly believed she was the happiest woman in the world. Unfortunately, there are no “what ifs” in life. Eight months into her pregnancy, Jasmin suddenly received intimate photos of Declan and Lilah in bed together. In that moment, she realized she had been deceived by Declan all along. The man who treasured her and promised never to change his heart had been keeping Lilah as his mistress for over a year. Those intimate photos left her devastated, unable to bear the shock. In the end, she suffered complications during labor, hemorrhaged on the operating table, and died with hatred in her heart. Fortunately, fate had given her a chance to be reborn. There was still time. This time, she decided to fulfill her promise and disappear completely from his world. Two hours later, Declan rushed back to Cooper Manor, his face full of guilt as he apologized, “I’m sorry, Jasmin. I was busy with the press conference last night and couldn’t make it back for your birthday.”

Meanwhile, Declan woke up, suddenly realizing that today was his wedding day. He sluggishly became aware that Jasmin hadn’t called him once in the past few days, and a wave of inexplicable panic immediately surged through him. He ordered the yacht to return to shore at once and rushed toward the wedding venue. However, no matter how many times he called or texted Jasmin, or dialed the landline at Cooper Manor, no one answered. Even his secretary and assistant were completely unreachable. It was as if everyone had suddenly vanished, like they had all planned it with Christian beforehand. Declan tried to reassure himself, “This must be a surprise Jasmin is preparing for me.” He drove anxiously to the hotel, and when he spotted the elaborately decorated entrance from a distance with guests gathering, he finally breathed a sigh of relief, feeling a hint of sweetness in his heart. But as he got closer and could clearly see the bride and groom’s posters, Declan completely fell apart. Not just the posters, but the flower arrangements, standing signs, and invitations—all information about the bride had been changed from Jasmin to his mistress, Lilah. “What the hell is going on?” he demanded. “Where is my Jasmin?” The butler and assistant hurriedly approached to explain, “Mr. Cooper, Ms. Martin has disappeared. We’re searching everywhere for her.” Declan was furious. “What nonsense are you talking about? I don’t believe it. You’re all in on this game together, aren’t you?” The butler and assistant were at a loss for words. Not getting a satisfactory response, Declan irritably pushed past everyone and stormed into the wedding venue, frantically searching for his bride, Jasmin. “Jasmin, Jasmin…” he called her name over and over again. But apart from the officiant on stage and guests whispering among themselves, there was no sign of Jasmin anywhere. Declan instinctively shook his head as the thought he had deliberately ignored yet deeply feared surfaced again. “Could Jasmin have discovered my affair?” No, impossible! He refused to believe it. He had always hidden it so well; Jasmin had never suspected him. She couldn’t have suddenly discovered it. Someone must have malicious intentions, trying to sabotage his relationship with Jasmin! Looking around at all the banners congratulating him and Lilah on their happy marriage, his anger exploded. Declan strode forward, grabbed a staff member by the collar, and roared, “Who told you to put up all this garbage? Take it down immediately!” With that, he shoved the person aside and began tearing down the posters himself. He didn’t want to waste time; he needed to clean up this mess quickly and bring his Jasmin back. He believed that if he just explained everything properly, told her it was all a prank, she would surely forgive him. The thought of Jasmin, who loved him deeply and might be hiding in some corner crying right now, made his heart ache unbearably. A flash of determination appeared in Declan’s eyes. He would find whoever was sabotaging his marriage, drag them before Jasmin to apologize, and then host an even grander wedding for her. Just then, the staff finally pressed the video play button. Accompanied by gasps from the crowd, the photos Lilah had sent to Jasmin appeared one by one on the big screen. The images showed the two of them in cars, offices, and bathrooms; role-playing as doctors and nurses, flight attendants and pilots; and even scenes from their recent group bachelor party. Declan stood frozen, his eyes wide, his head buzzing. Each photo on the screen mercilessly exposed the dirty secrets he had kept buried deep in his heart. The venue erupted in commotion, with bolder guests even taking out their phones to secretly record. Declan stared at the screen, with only one thought in his mind: “It’s over. Everything is over.” Despair spread from the depths of his heart throughout his entire body like a tidal wave. He suddenly remembered what Jasmin had told him when he proposed. “From now on, I belong to you completely, through poverty and wealth, sickness and health, I will never leave you. But there’s one condition—you must never lie to me. If you ever deceive me, I will disappear from your life forever.” Her voice echoed in his ears, each word clear, each sentence piercing his heart. Declan panicked, his legs weakening to the point where he could barely stand. In the next second, his eyes lit up, and he stumbled toward the video control panel, shouting repeatedly, “Turn it off! Turn it off now!” Jasmin wasn’t here—maybe she hadn’t seen it yet. He still had a chance to explain, a chance to make things right! However, no matter what he tried, the footage continued to roll, displaying the shameful content before everyone’s eyes. He fell into complete breakdown, his voice carrying a sob he didn’t even notice: “Why won’t it turn off? Jasmin absolutely cannot see this. I can’t let this filth reach her eyes.” With a sharp “smack,” a slap suddenly struck Declan’s face. Elliot Cooper furiously scolded him, “You’re falling apart over a woman? You’ve completely disgraced the Cooper family!” “What do you know?” Declan shouted at Elliot, tears welling in his eyes. “Jasmin will leave me! She’s going to leave me!” As Elliot tried to continue lecturing Declan, Lilah rushed forward to shield him. “If she doesn’t want you, I do, Declan! Jasmin is already gone. Forget about her and be with me, won’t you?” “Get away from me!” Declan shoved Lilah forcefully. “If you hadn’t seduced me, I would never have cheated! And the rest of you, my so-called ‘good friends,’ smiling to my face while secretly hoping to see me humiliated. I order all of you to find Jasmin—if you don’t, I’ll have your lives!” Watching his near-manic state, a staff member’s eyes flashed with a hint of satisfaction. He stepped forward at the right moment and said to Declan, “Mr. Cooper, Ms. Martin asked us to relay a message to you.” Hearing this, a spark of hope instantly ignited in Declan’s eyes. He grabbed the staff member’s hand excitedly and asked urgently, “What did she say?” The staff member replied, “She said, ‘I wish you both happiness.’” Those few simple words pierced Declan’s heart like a sharp sword. His vision darkened as every cell in his body seemed to experience excruciating pain. “Ahhh—” He could no longer control himself. He let out a hoarse roar, then collapsed to the floor as if all strength had been drained from him, covering his face as he broke down sobbing. His Jasmin was truly leaving him. What should have been a grand wedding that shocked the entire city ultimately became a joke. To minimize the negative impact, the Cooper family mobilized all their resources to contain the news. Declan returned to the Cooper estate in a daze. Even now, he still couldn’t believe that Jasmin would leave him at the altar. He thought, “How did my life go from perfect happiness to complete ruin in just a few days? How could ten years of love vanish so easily? Even if I made mistakes, why wouldn’t Jasmin give me even one chance to explain?” She was the woman he loved most, the only woman he had ever committed to. His feelings for her had never wavered. Pushing open the front door, Declan turned on the living room lights. The massive villa was empty, and he suddenly felt a wave of loneliness. He realized with a shock that everything related to Jasmin had disappeared from the house. Only his half remained in their wedding photos on the wall. Jasmin had been a beautiful, vibrant girl since childhood. He had specially built an enormous walk-in closet for her, filled with all kinds of clothes for her to dress up in. Now, all those items were gone. The closet contained only his black and white clothes, so empty it was as if she had never set foot there. At some point, tears blurred his vision. In his daze, Declan thought he saw Jasmin’s figure. “Jasmin! My Jasmin…” he murmured, “Where are you? Why did you so cruelly leave me alone?” The girl who always waited for him at home was truly gone. After a sleepless night, when the first ray of morning light fell on Declan’s face, his eyes suddenly brightened. He remembered that Jasmin had left him a wedding gift, which he was supposed to open on their wedding day. He staggered to his feet and stumbled to the study. He stood before the gift box for a long time, afraid to touch it. He feared it contained something that would make him even more desperate, yet he secretly hoped it might be the last thread of hope Jasmin had left him. After a long struggle, he finally gathered the courage to open the box. Inside was the diamond ring he had used to propose to Jasmin. This ring had cost him four full years of effort. He had traveled the world searching for white diamond rough stones, then spent a year learning jewelry setting techniques to personally design and craft it. Each diamond was engraved with “D&J,” symbolizing his commitment to loving only Jasmin. Declan clearly remembered how much Jasmin loved this ring. She said it represented his pure, sacred, and unique love for her, and she would wear it for the rest of her life. Yet now, the ring was placed on top of a photo of him and Lilah. So Jasmin had known about his affair all along. Declan laughed bitterly at himself. His actions over the past few days must have seemed ridiculous in her eyes. He thought he had hidden it well, not realizing that every time he made excuses to go out, Jasmin knew he was going to see Lilah. Declan felt utterly filthy. He tore the photo to shreds like a madman, then rushed to the bathroom to wash himself frantically. Over and over, until his skin turned red and began to bleed, only then did he stop and break down in tears. Only physical pain could temporarily mask the agony in his heart. He thought if he could just get clean enough, maybe Jasmin would come back. After his shower, Declan gradually calmed down. He found Jasmin’s phone that she hadn’t taken with her on the nightstand, filled with taunting messages from Lilah. [Jasmin, so Mr. Cooper likes to play with ties, huh?] [Jasmin, this time Declan is mine. If you’re smart, you’ll leave now. Otherwise, your fate will be miserable.] [So what if he went home? Whenever I want, I can take him away from you.] ***** The more he read, the more Declan felt rage and shame. He finally understood how Jasmin had discovered the truth about his affair. It turned out Lilah was behind everything! With determination in his heart, Declan picked up his phone and ordered his men to search for Jasmin with all their resources. He admitted his mistakes and would apologize to Jasmin, but he absolutely would not allow her to leave! She was the woman he had loved with all his heart for ten years, and he would never let her go! But before finding her, he would punish Lilah with his own hands. He said furiously, “Wait for me, Jasmin. I’ll make Lilah pay dearly and make amends to you!” When Lilah received Declan’s call, her heart filled with joy, thinking he had finally come to his senses, and she immediately headed to Cooper Manor. As soon as she stepped through the door, Declan violently grabbed her by the throat, his distorted face and bloodshot eyes looking as if he wanted to tear her apart. The suffocation terrified Lilah as she struggled desperately, pounding on Declan’s arms with all her strength. However, Declan showed no reaction, grinding out through clenched teeth: “Lilah, you’re asking for death!” Only when Lilah was gradually losing strength did Declan release his grip, throwing her violently to the floor before delivering a brutal kick to her stomach. “Ugh…” Lilah felt a sudden, intense pain and instinctively protected her abdomen, curling up on the floor in agony, unable to utter a word. Declan demanded: “From the beginning, I told you that while I couldn’t give you marriage, I could spoil you, love you, and satisfy all your material needs. Why are you still not content? I warned you not to provoke her, and especially not to let her know about us. You dared to send her that filthy content! You’ve clearly gotten too comfortable with the good life and are now seeking death!” With that, Declan violently hurled the phone Jasmin had left at Lilah. Lilah, face pale, picked up the phone through her pain to check it. Instantly, terror enveloped her, followed by intense hatred for Jasmin. She thought, “That bitch! She left a phone behind to frame me even after she left.” Lilah knew that Declan might actually kill her. In the next moment, she crawled to Declan, grabbing his pant leg and tearfully explaining: “Declan, everything I did was for you. In my past life, after Jasmin married you, she changed. She not only cheated with other men but wanted her lover’s child to inherit the Cooper family fortune. After you discovered this, they drugged your drink, planning to disguise it as a car accident. I was stabbed to death trying to save you, and when I opened my eyes again, I was reborn. After my rebirth, I wanted to prevent the tragedy, so I sent those photos to her to force her to leave you. Declan, Jasmin doesn’t love you at all—she only wants your money. Only I truly love you!” By the end, Lilah couldn’t help but sob with grievance, desperately hoping Declan would believe her. However, she had miscalculated once again. Declan, being an atheist, didn’t believe a word of Lilah’s absurd tale. Moreover, he was certain Jasmin would never betray him or have an affair. He looked down coldly at Lilah, all the former affection and admiration in his eyes completely gone, replaced only by hatred and disgust. “She loves me. I’m the one she loves most. Once I get rid of you, Jasmin will forgive me,” Declan said each word deliberately to Lilah, also trying to convince himself. He picked up a golf club from beside the cabinet and approached Lilah step by step. Watching Declan closing in, Lilah was terrified, her entire body trembling uncontrollably as she backed away, trying to create distance between them. She thought, “What is he going to do to me? Is he going to kill me? No, murder is against the law!” Lilah shook her head desperately, afraid to think further. She knew Declan had a hundred ways to make her life worse than death, so she begged him repeatedly to believe her, to spare her. Yet Declan wouldn’t relent. Finally, she played her last card: “Declan, I’m pregnant. You can’t hurt me.” Lilah had thought this statement would soften Declan’s heart and make him spare her, but it only earned a cold laugh and mockery: “So what if you’re pregnant? It’s just a child. I can have as many as I want.” Lilah was completely panicked now, staggering back a few steps, looking at Declan in despair. She couldn’t believe that this man—who had repeatedly abandoned his fiancée to be with her day and night, who had spoiled and cherished her—could be so heartless. Just then, the front door was violently flung open.

Amelia Cooper burst into the room with a group of bodyguards, hurriedly helping Lilah up from the floor, then angrily pointed at Declan. “What the hell is wrong with you? Lilah is pregnant with your child, don’t you understand that?” Declan stared silently at Amelia for a long moment before speaking: “She’s not worthy. I only allow Jasmin to bear my children.” Amelia’s chest heaved with anger. “Wake up! Jasmin is gone! I never approved of your relationship from the beginning. How could a girl with no power or influence possibly help you? Besides, she’s being too dramatic. You just cheated, was it worth causing all this? What man doesn’t cheat?” She took a deep breath and continued, “Let me be frank with you, give up looking for her. After what Jasmin has done, she’ll never set foot in our house again! Carter is still waiting for a grandchild. In my opinion, you might as well make the best of a bad situation and marry Lilah…” Declan interrupted Amelia: “Mom! If you want grandchildren, wait until I bring Jasmin back, and we’ll have as many as you want. As for Lilah, she must pay the price!” He waved his hand, and servants immediately stepped forward to drag Lilah away. Just as Amelia was about to intervene, the doors of Cooper Manor swung open again. Elliot stormed in with a grim expression, marched up to Declan, and slapped him hard across the face. Declan’s head jerked to the side, blood seeping from the corner of his mouth. After a moment, he turned to look at Elliot. Elliot, furious, pointed at his nose and shouted, “You worthless fool! Look what you’ve done!” It turned out that videos from the wedding day and photos of the couple had somehow been leaked online. Worse still, someone had exposed a video of Lilah and Declan having an affair in the makeup room during the filming of a short drama. Topics about Declan’s infidelity and Jasmin’s escape from the wedding quickly dominated social media, shocking the entire city. Eight out of the top ten trending topics were about them. The remaining two were about Lilah’s past scandals uncovered by internet users. Soon after, someone released clips of Lilah having sex with a man during a livestream. Although the man’s face wasn’t visible, internet users keenly compared his voice with Declan’s, finding a 98% match. What angered netizens even more was that on the very day Jasmin accepted Declan’s proposal, his mistress Lilah was already pregnant with his child, and Amelia had personally accompanied her to the hospital for prenatal care. Countless fans who had supported Declan and Jasmin were devastated, publicly condemning Declan, with some even flooding the Cooper Group’s official accounts with angry comments. Overnight, the Cooper family’s reputation was destroyed, and their stock prices plummeted. Carter Cooper suffered a heart attack relapse and was rushed to the hospital. Carter’s first words upon waking were: “Get rid of that bastard child.” That’s when Elliot hurried over. Seeing that Amelia could no longer protect her, Lilah cried out desperately: “No!” She turned to escape but was blocked by bodyguards. Declan coldly ordered: “Tie her up and take her to the clinic to terminate the pregnancy.” Lilah struggled desperately. She couldn’t lose this child; even illegitimate children had inheritance rights. She firmly believed that if she could give birth to the Cooper family’s first grandson, she would secure her life and wealth. So she knelt on the ground, begging Declan to spare her life for the sake of their past relationship. But all she received was Declan’s cold, resolute answer: “Don’t worry, your punishment is just beginning.” After Lilah’s pregnancy was forcibly terminated, the Cooper family’s bodyguards threw her onto the street like garbage. Soon, a crowd gathered around her. Some threw trash at her, others spat on her, and many hurled insults. Some extremely angry fans even kicked and punched her to vent their fury. Photos of her in this wretched state were uploaded online, but no one showed any sympathy. Due to the severe negative impact, the film company not only terminated Lilah’s contract but also sued her for damages. The short drama she starred in was removed from all platforms, and the once-popular actress was now universally reviled as a slut. Her phone was flooded with abusive and threatening messages, as well as harassment calls. Some even mockingly asked how much she charged for her services. Lilah now spent her days hiding in a rented apartment, afraid to go outside. Late at night, Declan sat alone drinking at the bar. “Jasmin, where are you?” he mumbled. One shot of liquor after another burned down his throat, making tears stream down his face. For days, he had tried everything to find Jasmin, but came up empty-handed, as if she had vanished into thin air, leaving no trace behind. Forget about winning her back—even seeing her once had become an impossible dream. At this thought, Declan painfully slapped himself twice across the face. He recalled the first time he met Jasmin, when her parents were still alive. Fifteen-year-old Jasmin wore a crisp white school uniform, standing under a cherry blossom tree, her smile radiant and captivating. He had never seen such a pure and dazzling smile before. In that moment, his heart raced involuntarily, and he knew he had fallen in love with her. It was the first time he felt such an intense desire to possess a woman, unwilling to share her with anyone, including her parents. So Declan began secretly observing Jasmin’s life. Later, when he learned about her father’s affair, he realized his opportunity had come. To claim Jasmin completely for himself, he meticulously planned a dark and extremely selfish scheme. First, he had someone deliver evidence of her father’s affair to her pregnant mother, causing Jasmin to lose the mother who adored her and develop resentment toward her father. After her father’s death, he paid her stepmother handsomely to mistreat Jasmin. This way, Jasmin—once happy, loved, and cherished—was forced to become a vulnerable young woman, lonely and tormented. When Jasmin had nowhere to turn and was completely desperate, he appeared to rescue her, gradually winning her heart. After winning Jasmin over, he became even more attentive than before. His friends often teased him, saying, “You’re already with her, why keep up the act? I can only pretend until I get her into bed—once my pants are back on, the act is over.” They were all wealthy heirs with countless women around them, but Declan was different. He only had Jasmin. So, unsatisfied—whether out of envy or jealousy—they started making bets and blatantly sending women to Declan, trying to shake his resolve. At first, Declan firmly refused. However, gradually, at some point, he began to think it wouldn’t hurt to try, just as a way to relieve stress. He still believed his heart belonged to Jasmin. He set boundaries for himself: playing around was fine, but Jasmin must never find out. So he chose his favorite woman, Lilah. The reason was simple—she somewhat resembled Jasmin. The first time he slept with Lilah, an unprecedented thrill hit all his senses. Unlike Jasmin, Lilah was more open and passionate, offering an experience he had never had before. From initial novelty to growing addiction to complete obsession, Declan sank deeper into the quagmire of desire. He fell deeper and deeper, unable to turn back. Now, he slapped himself hard several times, tears of regret flowing from his eyes. “I’m such a bastard! A complete bastard…” he confessed. “If I had resisted Lilah’s temptation, if I hadn’t fooled around with those friends, would my Jasmin still be with me? “How could I fail to cherish what I had and lose her?” Through tear-filled eyes, Declan saw the private room door open as a man walked in. “Oliver, what are you—” he began. Before he could finish, the newcomer knocked him down with a powerful punch. This man was Oliver Meyer, Declan’s childhood friend. “You have the nerve to ask me what’s going on?” Oliver sneered. Declan rose, holding his bruised cheek, somewhat sobered, about to explain. Unfortunately, Oliver gave him no chance, delivering a hook that knocked him to the floor again. Declan couldn’t beat Oliver even on a good day, and now, drunk as he was, he could only take the beating. There were plenty of onlookers, but no one dared intervene. “From now on, stay away from Jasmin, or I won’t let you off so easily next time,” Oliver threatened before walking away. Declan lay on the floor for a full ten minutes before realizing that someone seemed to be preventing him from finding Jasmin. “Could it be Oliver?” he wondered. “Does he have feelings for my Jasmin? How dare he covet my woman?” Across the ocean, Jasmin began her new life as an immigrant. When she first arrived in France, she kept an extremely low profile, fearing Declan might find her. Based on what she knew about Declan, he would never easily let her go. After two weeks of worry, it proved that the wedding company’s runaway bride service was indeed trustworthy. Grateful for their help, Jasmin transferred another sum of money as a thank-you, earnestly requesting they keep her whereabouts hidden. Life in France was peaceful and serene. Jasmin could sleep in every day, unlike at Cooper Manor where she had to follow Amelia’s strict schedule. Outsiders assumed she was cherished and pampered by Declan, not knowing that Amelia had always looked down on her, believing she wasn’t good enough for Declan, and frequently imposing rules on her. Jasmin had silently endured it all, never mentioning it to Declan. Looking back now, she thought herself foolish for compromising so much for such a man. After resting for a while, Jasmin decided to find something to do. Initially, she wasn’t sure what to pursue until one day when she found a stray cat on the street. The kitten looked only about two months old, shivering under a bridge. It was pitiful, reminding her of herself after losing both parents with no one to turn to. In fact, Jasmin had always loved cats, but because Declan was allergic to cat hair, she could never have one. Now, with no interfering factors, Jasmin immediately decided to adopt it and named it Mac. Through adopting this cat, she met local pet lovers and, by coincidence, joined a wildlife rescue charity. The charity had just opened a new branch, and Jasmin’s days became busy and fulfilling. That day after work, Elise video-chatted with her as usual and forwarded three videos. The first was security footage from outside Elise’s company. Declan had gone there asking about Jasmin’s whereabouts. After not seeing him for some time, Jasmin could barely recognize Declan in the video. The man stood at the entrance, unkempt and unshaven, pleading: “Please tell me where Jasmin is. You’re her best friend, you must know.” Elise became angry at the sight of him and immediately tried to drive him away. “Get lost!” Declan waved his hand, and the bodyguards behind him opened two black leather cases filled with cash, probably around two million dollars. He said, “All this money is yours if you tell me. If it’s not enough, I can add more.” Seeing this, Jasmin scoffed inwardly: “Does he think everyone and everything in this world can be bought with money? Just as easily as he once paid my stepmother to mistreat me?” Elise became furious, went back into her office, and returned with a broom, hitting Declan directly. He neither dodged nor moved, standing still as Elise struck him. When Elise tired, he said with reddened eyes, “Tell me where Jasmin is, and I won’t bother you again.” Elise mocked him: “When she was by your side, you were out with other women. Now that she’s gone, you’re here pretending to be heartbroken? Who are you trying to fool? Declan, let me tell you, Jasmin doesn’t want you anymore, so just leave! Even if I knew where she was, I wouldn’t tell you! Take your money and go, or I’ll call the police!” After her tirade, Elise turned and closed the door. Declan stood there, his face pale and rigid, motionless for a long time. Watching the desperate, soul-lost Declan in the video, Jasmin felt nothing. The second video was in a bar. A man was repeatedly punching Declan, who lay on the ground, defenseless. Jasmin recognized the man and exclaimed, “Is that Oliver?” Oliver was Declan’s best friend. Oliver’s fists landed swift, vicious blows on Declan. Even through the screen, Jasmin could feel the pain. She was confused: “They’re such good friends. Why would Oliver attack Declan over me?” She had met Oliver at the gathering where Declan first formally introduced her to everyone. In her memory, they hadn’t interacted much, but Oliver had left a good impression. The breeding and humility he revealed in conversation, his perfectly measured politeness and care, gave her an indescribable sense of comfort and respect. Elise joked, “Maybe he has a secret crush on you and is getting revenge for you.” “That’s impossible,” Jasmin instinctively denied. She didn’t think too deeply about it, assuming he was just the kind of person who stood up for what was right—someone with good values.

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“Serena, are you really going to marry Xavier?” The familiar voice suddenly pulled Serena Edwards back to reality from the painful memories of her previous life. Only then did Serena realize she had been reborn, and at the crucial moment when she needed to make a life-changing decision. Her parents’ words echoed in her ears. Without hesitation, she firmly said, “Mom, Dad, I’ve made up my mind. I won’t marry Xavier. I want to marry his uncle Timothy instead.” Serena’s mother Rita widened her eyes upon hearing this, even the wrinkles around her eyes smoothed out from shock. “Serena, weren’t you looking forward to marrying Xavier every day? Why do you suddenly want to marry his uncle Timothy?” Concerned about Serena’s sudden decision, Rita repeatedly asked for confirmation. However, Serena just nodded firmly and said, “Mom, I’m serious this time. I don’t want to marry Xavier anymore. I want to marry Timothy.” Surprisingly, seeing her sudden change of heart, her parents showed relieved smiles. The Edwards and Davis families had been friends for generations, and Serena and Xavier grew up together. They had originally agreed to get married after graduation, and their parents had always hoped for this union. However, during Christmas of their graduation year, Xavier suddenly proposed to break off the engagement because his first love, Irene Burton, had returned from abroad. He bluntly stated that Irene was the one he truly wanted to marry. By then, Serena had already fallen deeply in love with him, so she was insanely jealous of Irene. She used every trick in the book, even threatening suicide, ultimately forcing Xavier to marry her. Nevertheless, even after they got married, Xavier often didn’t come home at night. Later, to get pregnant, Serena drugged him. When he learned about her pregnancy, Xavier flew into a rage and moved in with Irene. Most heartbreaking of all, during Serena’s late pregnancy one night, she suddenly experienced excruciating abdominal pain and called Xavier dozens of times to take her to the hospital. But Xavier coldly told her he had no time because he was busy planning his trip with Irene for the next day. In the end, Serena lost her baby due to delayed treatment, and then lost her own life from massive bleeding during her hysterectomy. Serena’s parents lost both their beloved daughter and unborn grandchild on the same day. Overwhelmed with grief, they died in a car accident on their way to the hospital. In contrast, Xavier didn’t shed a single tear. After returning from his trip with Irene, he not only inherited all of the Edwards family’s assets without question but also held a grand wedding. Even more tragic was that shortly after Serena’s death, Xavier’s uncle Timothy mysteriously disappeared. His family found thousands of photos of Serena at his residence, documenting every significant moment of her life from her eighteenth birthday until just before her death. In the photos, she was sometimes laughing joyfully, sometimes crying bitterly, each picture carefully preserved. Only then did Serena realize that someone had been silently loving her all along. Now, with a second chance at life, Serena vowed she would never make the same mistakes again. Serena’s parents went to see Timothy Sherwood that same day, but they returned shortly after. Serena looked at them in surprise, a flash of disappointment in her eyes. “You finished talking so quickly? Did he refuse?” Rita shook her head gently. “He didn’t.” Rita studied Serena thoughtfully, asking with curiosity, “Serena, were you two close before? I felt like he wasn’t surprised at all when he heard about the marriage arrangement with our family. “Honestly, he clearly knew about your history with Xavier, so he should have been quite shocked. But not only was he not surprised, he agreed to your marriage rather quickly. “Serena, don’t you find that strange?” Serena looked somewhat embarrassed. She quickly changed the subject, “Timothy has always been a composed person. No matter what shocking news he hears, he always appears indifferent. There’s nothing strange about that. Besides, he’s already thirty, and a family marriage arrangement was inevitable for him sooner or later. Isn’t it better to choose a girl he already knows?” Rita nodded in agreement. Although the Edwards and Davis families had been friends for generations and maintained good relations, whenever they met Timothy, they always found him polite yet distant. Later, after discovering that Timothy was the same way with his own family, Rita grew accustomed to it. Then, Rita snapped back to the present and looked at Serena seriously. “Serena, are you sure you want to marry Timothy? Even if you get married, we won’t force you. After all…” “Mom, I’ve thought it through clearly. I want to marry him,” Serena interrupted Rita directly. Seeing the determination in Serena’s eyes, Rita didn’t ask further. Although she didn’t understand what exactly had happened between Serena and Xavier, she ultimately respected Serena’s choice. Then, as if suddenly remembering something, Rita added, “Your wedding with Timothy is set for the tenth of this month. “Do you have a favorite hotel? You only get married once in your lifetime, so I’ll definitely prepare everything meticulously for you.” After that, Rita took Serena to choose a hotel, searching from afternoon until evening, but they were never completely satisfied with any option. Feeling exhausted, they sat down at a random restaurant. While Rita was in the restroom, a familiar voice came from behind Serena. “Serena, did you send your parents to pressure my family again? Are you that desperate to get married? Why do you keep clinging to me? “You knew I was bringing Irene here today, so you deliberately followed us, didn’t you? Serena, why are you so pathetic? Can’t you live without me?” Serena turned her head and locked eyes with Xavier. In her previous life, Xavier was the person she most desperately wanted to see when she went into labor. However, when she called him dozens of times, begging him to be with her during childbirth, he coldly said he had no time. In the end, she had to enter the delivery room alone, receiving taunting messages from Irene during her most vulnerable moment. Irene sent her countless bedroom photos with Xavier, interspersed with private audio recordings of the two. In the recording, Irene pretended to ask with concern, “Serena is in labor. How can you bear to abandon her?” Xavier, breathing heavily, replied, “I only care about you. What does her giving birth have to do with me? You know I only want you to bear my children. No one but you deserves to carry my child.” Hearing Xavier’s heartless words, Serena’s water broke from emotional distress. After enduring a day and night of agony, her baby ultimately died from oxygen deprivation. When Serena was wheeled into the operating room, both she and her child passed away. As soon as she came back to her senses, she saw Xavier walking toward her with Irene on his arm. Seeing Serena’s suspicious gaze, Xavier immediately flew into a rage, harshly rebuking her, “You’re truly shameless, constantly clinging to me. When I refused to marry you, you manipulated my family into pressuring me. “Today I’m just bringing Irene out for a meal, yet you’re still following us. “Why are you so disgusting? You’re like a dog trailing after us.” Even though Serena had been reborn, Xavier’s vicious words still broke her heart. In her previous life, she had loved Xavier with all her heart, but he had treated her like a begging dog. Serena hated herself for being so blind before, but this second chance wasn’t too late for her. Now, Serena gave Xavier a cool glance, her eyes calm. “Xavier, who told you I want to marry you? “We were just close as children. Did you think I would fall in love with you and marry you because of that? “I am getting married, but definitely not to you. I’m not here to stalk you today; I was just checking out wedding venues and stopped here for a break.” Serena thought she had made herself clear, but she didn’t expect Xavier to suddenly sneer, “Serena, your parents were at my house this morning discussing our marriage. What are you pretending for? “Your constant pursuit makes me sick. “Don’t think you can force me to marry you by convincing my family! I’ve told you, no matter what you do, I won’t marry you. I would sacrifice everything to marry Irene!” Serena knew Xavier was stubborn, and her explanations meant nothing to him. So she said, “Think what you want. Anyway, I won’t marry you.” Hearing Serena’s retort, Xavier wanted to say more, but Irene timely pulled his sleeve. “Don’t get angry over someone like her. She’s not worth it.” With that, Irene gave Serena a smug look and mocked, “Serena, I know you can’t let go of Xavier. After all, he’s so exceptional, and you’ve loved him for so many Christmases. “But I think you should give up early. Xavier will only marry me, and you two will never be together.” She then left, holding Xavier’s hand. Watching the two of them walk away, Serena found it laughable. In her previous life, she had misjudged people, ultimately meeting a tragic end. This time, however, she was determined to satisfy Xavier and Irene, letting them love each other forever and grow old together. She would never again involve herself in their relationship or become a supporting character in their love game. After Rita returned from the restroom, they quickly finished their meal and hurried home. The next day, Timothy sent someone to deliver a black card with unlimited credit to Serena. This credit card had no spending limit, allowing Serena to splurge as she pleased. Thinking about how Xavier had criticized her for every penny she spent in her previous life, she couldn’t help but feel resentful about everything she had endured. Taking the black card, Serena sent Timothy a message: [Thank you.] Timothy didn’t reply immediately. Half an hour later, he sent an address, explaining he was abroad and couldn’t respond to messages easily. Serena knew Timothy was busy. As the head of the Sherwood family, he was a true businessman who could be in a meeting domestically one minute and flying overseas for negotiations the next. Yet this brilliant man had taken his own life after her death in her previous life. In her past life, after marriage, Serena had been psychologically controlled and belittled by Xavier until she felt worthless, believing she didn’t deserve to be loved. Only after death did she realize it wasn’t that she was unworthy of love, but that she had only had eyes for Xavier, ignoring those who truly cared for and cherished her. At noon, Serena went shopping with the black card Timothy had given her. However, as soon as she entered the mall, she unfortunately ran into Irene. This time Xavier wasn’t by Irene’s side. Upon seeing Serena, Irene immediately adopted a defensive posture and said acidly, “You again? Serena, Xavier was right—you’re like a dog following us around.” “What’s wrong? Yesterday you saw me with Xavier at the restaurant and got upset, so today you want to warn me again to stay away from him?” “Wasn’t I clear enough yesterday? Xavier will never marry you. He only loves me, and I’m the only woman he wants to marry! You’d better give up while you can!” Irene was smug, like a proud peacock. If there hadn’t been so many people in the mall, Serena would have slapped her and asked why she was so shameless. Fortunately, she controlled her impulse. Raising an eyebrow, she coldly examined Irene and said, “You want to marry Xavier? I don’t want him anymore, but why do you keep emphasizing that he only wants to marry you?” With that, she gave Irene a contemptuous glance and turned to leave. She had no time to waste words with Irene; shopping was her priority. However, she had barely taken a step when Irene grabbed her from behind. Seeing Serena’s icy stare, Irene sneered, “Do you really not want him anymore? Who knows if you’re just playing hard to get?” “If you really want to leave Xavier, have your parents cancel your engagement right now!” After hearing this, Serena blurted out, “You’re insane!” Serena couldn’t comprehend why Irene would shamelessly make such a demand. She tried to shake off Irene’s grip, but Irene held on tightly. Serena’s patience was exhausted. Using all her strength, she flung Irene away. Irene hadn’t expected Serena to be so strong. Her entire body stumbled backward. With a thud, the back of her head hit the ground hard. The pain made Irene’s face turn pale. She struggled to prop herself up, glaring venomously at Serena. “Serena, I never thought you could be so vicious! To steal Xavier from me, you’ve become completely shameless!” “I’m definitely telling Xavier about this. Just you wait!” Serena thought to herself, “Why does she think I’m trying to steal Xavier? I clearly want to leave, but she keeps harassing me. Isn’t it normal that I pushed her away?” Nevertheless, Serena couldn’t be bothered to waste more words on Irene. If she wanted to tattle, Serena wouldn’t stop her. Serena coldly smiled and said, “Do whatever you want.”

After returning from the mall, Serena had just parked her car in front of the Edwards mansion and stepped out when a man suddenly jumped out from behind a nearby tree—it was Xavier. “Serena, why are you targeting Irene? You made her cry again!” Xavier shouted. Serena was bewildered, but thinking back to what happened at the mall, she instantly understood. “You’re so powerful now!” Xavier sneered. “Even though you say you don’t want to marry me, you’re bullying Irene behind my back. You’re just jealous of her, aren’t you? Why aren’t you saying anything? Feeling guilty? If Irene hadn’t told me, I wouldn’t even know you pushed her. Serena, I never thought you could be so devious. On the surface, you claim you don’t want to marry me, but you’re constantly targeting Irene. You’re just trying to force her to leave me. Serena, you’ve been obsessing over me for so long. Aren’t you tired? Do you absolutely have to be with me? Why do you even like me?” Serena remained silent for a moment, gave him a long look, then suddenly laughed coldly. “Xavier, Irene was blocking my way at the mall today, which is why I pushed her. Besides, I’ve told you many times, I no longer want to marry you.” Xavier immediately interrupted her, “Serena, just admit it! You’re playing games. You do want to marry me, but you’re pretending not to care. Unfortunately, I’ve disappointed you again! No matter how much you pretend not to care, target Irene, or play tricks, I won’t give you a second glance. I will only marry Irene in this lifetime. Even if I have to fight my entire family, I’ll marry no one but her! Just wait and see! I will definitely marry Irene!” Serena found it laughable inside, not understanding why Xavier felt the need to act this way in front of her. Since Xavier didn’t love her, she no longer loved him either. Leaving each other alone would be the best choice for both of them. With this thought, she politely smiled and spoke calmly. “Well, congratulations to you both in advance.” Xavier snorted, “Thanks for your blessing! But before that, we need to settle old scores!” With that, Xavier picked up a cardboard box at his feet and opened it in front of Serena. Inside were all the small gifts she had once made for him by hand. Xavier held the box with both hands, sneering as he tilted it, spilling the contents onto the ground. But he didn’t think that was enough. Then, he raised his foot and viciously stomped on those carefully crafted gifts until every single one was crushed before finally stopping. “Serena, do you see clearly? All the gifts you gave me are worthless in my eyes, and they even annoy me! Before I met Irene, and because our families had arranged our engagement, I reluctantly accepted your gifts and even mistakenly thought I loved you too. But if I had met Irene earlier, you wouldn’t have had any chance to get close to me.” His face lit up with a bright smile, as if he had finally gotten rid of a huge problem. “Well. Please throw these useless pieces of trash in the garbage bin! Irene is waiting for me!” After saying this, he glanced at Serena. Seeing her looking so calm, he frowned. According to his expectations, Serena should have been furious. After all, those gifts were handmade with love for every special occasion. Now that he had destroyed everything with his own hands, how could she remain unmoved? However, Serena simply crouched down silently, picked up the broken pieces one by one, put them back in the box, and then threw it directly into the trash can. Xavier immediately became angry and embarrassed, thinking, “Doesn’t she love me deeply? Why is she reacting this way?” But he quickly figured it out—she was pretending again. He said through gritted teeth, “Serena, what game are you playing? Let me warn you! You can target me, but if you dare to bother Irene again, don’t blame me for being ruthless!” Serena had been in a good mood originally because she had a successful shopping trip at the mall. But now, having her mood ruined by this self-important guy for no reason, she felt irritated. She said impatiently, “Xavier, don’t you understand what I’m saying? I’ve already told you I won’t chase after you anymore, but you keep coming to find me. Does Irene know you’re harassing me?” “You!” Xavier pointed at her furiously and asked, “Why are you bringing up Irene? What are you planning to do to her now?” Serena gave a cold, speechless laugh, walked right past him, and entered the mansion without looking back. Serena had just sat down on the couch and picked up her phone when she saw that Irene had updated her Instagram: “To that slut: Stop foolishly coveting what doesn’t belong to you. As a woman, you should have some self-respect. Otherwise, no matter how much you love a man, he’ll only think you’re shameless.” The accompanying photo showed Xavier impatiently scolding a woman, his head tilted to one side. Although only her back was visible, Serena immediately recognized herself. The background was clearly outside her apartment building—obviously captured during their argument moments ago. Serena hadn’t realized Irene had followed them. She must have been hiding in a nearby car, secretly watching everything. Serena let out a scornful laugh. In this life, she only wanted to cherish those who truly loved her; she had no interest in entangling herself with Xavier again. Yet Xavier and Irene kept causing her trouble, making her life miserable. Serena angrily muttered under her breath, “You two are the worst!” Still unsatisfied, she clicked on the comment box in the bottom right corner of the photo and typed: “Congratulations to the jerk and the bitch!” After posting the comment, Serena finally felt relieved. Humming a tune, she turned and headed to the bathroom. When she emerged wrapped in a towel, she noticed her phone on the coffee table flashing repeatedly. Someone was calling her. Serena usually kept her phone on silent when at home, only occasionally answering calls. The screen continued to flash. Serena hurried over, feeling inexplicably excited, thinking, “Could it be Timothy calling me?” However, by the time she picked up the phone, the call had already ended. That’s when she noticed that in just half an hour, she had dozens of missed calls, all from Xavier. Feeling extremely annoyed, she immediately blacklisted his number. Xavier clearly wasn’t giving up, though. He kept trying to video call her through WhatsApp. Furious, Serena answered the call and shouted, “Xavier, are you insane? I’ve stopped pursuing you, but you won’t stop harassing me!” On the screen, Xavier’s face was dark with anger, his eyes filled with rage. He immediately scolded her, “Serena! What do you mean? I just warned you to stop bothering Irene. Have you forgotten already?” Serena gave a cold laugh, immediately understanding he was referring to her comment. She thought, “Why don’t you first look at what your precious darling posted?” Meanwhile, Serena could hear Irene’s fake, pitiful sobbing in the background, which instantly depleted any patience she had left for Xavier. “Xavier, even if love has blinded you, are you completely unable to tell right from wrong?” Xavier was visibly stunned on the other end of the call, while Irene’s crying conveniently grew louder. After a pause, he spoke even more loudly, “Serena, you’re being completely unreasonable! Irene was just expressing herself online, and she never said it was about you, but you assumed she was insulting you. Yet you’re clearly insulting her! I don’t even want to blame Irene, but what gives you the right to be so vicious? “Regardless, you’ve made her cry, so apologize to her right now! Otherwise, I’ll post all your dirty secrets online and make sure your parents and your company won’t have any peace!” Serena could hardly believe Xavier would stoop so low as to threaten her like this. Just as Xavier was about to continue, a woman suddenly covered his mouth with her hand. At this moment, Irene peeked out from behind Xavier, her eyes brimming with tears, still pouting and sniffling softly, looking utterly wronged. She said in a low voice, “Xavier, stop scolding Serena. This isn’t entirely her fault. I stole the happiness that should have been hers, so it’s normal for her to hate me. It’s all my fault. I shouldn’t have fallen in love with you…” As she spoke, she began crying again. Seeing this, Xavier quickly comforted her tenderly, “She made you cry, yet you’re still defending her. What do you mean by ‘should have been hers’? She and I were just childhood playmates. We never loved each other. All these Christmases, she’s been the one constantly pursuing me! “Irene, being loved by you is the greatest honor of my life. Don’t ever feel guilty for loving me again. Seeing you like this breaks my heart.” Hearing these words, Irene lowered her head as tears continued to stream down her face. Then, she suddenly reached out to grab the phone from Xavier’s hand, intending to apologize to Serena. Xavier said angrily, “Why are you apologizing to her? It’s clearly her fault!” However, Irene stubbornly snatched the phone and choked out to the screen, “Serena, I’m sorry. You should be mad at me because I took away the man you love most. “But I love Xavier too much to bear the thought of him being with another woman. Please give us your blessing, okay? “If we don’t have your blessing, even if we get married in the future, I’ll always feel guilty. “He was wrong earlier, but he was trying to protect me, so please understand him and don’t blame him, okay?” As she spoke, she suddenly grabbed Xavier’s collar and pulled him in front of the camera. “Xavier, apologize to Serena right now! Promise you won’t yell at her again or threaten her! Otherwise, I won’t let you kiss me there anymore!” Finally, Irene’s face turned bright red with embarrassment as she lightly punched him with her fist. Xavier pressed his lips together, his hand mischievously reaching for her waist. “Hey! Stop it!” Irene dodged playfully. “Serena is waiting for your apology! If you keep being so shameless, I’m going to get angry!” Watching this scene, Serena suddenly felt very sad. She remembered how in her previous life, after they got married, Irene would often flirt and banter with him in front of her. Irene always pretended to feel guilty, deliberately flirting with Xavier like this in front of her to provoke her. Serena took a deep breath, suppressing the sadness in her heart. Fortunately, in this life, she no longer had to endure any of this. Xavier finally withdrew his hand and looked coldly at the screen. “Listen, you don’t need to apologize to Irene, and I won’t hold this against you anymore. Let’s call it even this time. “Serena, neither of us is wrong. Just as you’re obsessed with me, I’m deeply in love with Irene. But I don’t love you; I love Irene. Even if you forced me to marry you, I would only ever care about Irene. Rather than having an affair after marriage, it’s better to let me go now. We’ll both have our own new lives.” Serena couldn’t help but frown. In her previous life, Xavier not only had affairs behind her back after they married, but he also openly flirted with Irene. However, in this life, she had already let him go. She no longer loved him or followed him around. So now, it was clearly them who wouldn’t leave her alone. Seeing Serena lost in thought, Xavier felt very dissatisfied. He impatiently said, “Serena, what trick are you playing now? Did you hear what I just said? I will never marry you, so hurry up and tell your parents. Stop bothering my family about this arranged marriage.” Serena smirked and replied directly, “No problem. No one will bother you about this again.” With that, she immediately hung up the phone.

Serena had made it clear to her parents and the Davis family that they should never again mention her marrying Xavier. She also specifically instructed her parents not to reveal her engagement to Timothy for now. After all, Timothy was Xavier’s uncle, and she didn’t want to create any complications before the wedding. Timothy truly didn’t mind going public, but since Serena was thoughtfully considering his interests, he graciously accepted her kind gesture. Over the past few days, Serena had been extremely busy, focusing all her attention on customizing her wedding dress and rings. She had been spending freely with the unlimited black card Timothy had given her. Naturally, she had no reason to refuse her fiancé’s generosity. Besides, with Timothy’s wealth, these expenses were practically nothing. Serena had selected the latest creations from internationally renowned designers—breathtakingly beautiful pieces whose only drawback was their outrageous price tags. However, money was the last thing she lacked now. This was the confidence that came with being adored. Three days later, Serena’s wedding dress was air-shipped to the bridal shop. She rushed over early in the morning, applied exquisite makeup, and waited eagerly to try on her dress. While waiting in the lounge for the staff to prepare the exclusive custom gown that had just arrived, she idly scrolled through her phone to pass the time. It wasn’t until she came across Irene’s Instagram that she discovered Xavier and Irene were also preparing for their wedding. Irene had even specifically mentioned Serena in her latest post, but since Serena had muted notifications, she saw this provocative content too late. In that Instagram post, Irene wrote: [Our wedding is approaching, and we’re short one bridesmaid. I hope you can come!] Serena could never understand why Irene harbored such intense hostility toward her, both in her previous life and now. Was it simply because Xavier had once loved her deeply? In truth, Xavier had once treated Serena exceptionally well. Whenever men pursued her, he would immediately appear and chase away those with ill intentions. He would possessively wrap his arm around her shoulders and tell them, “Don’t even think about going after my future wife!” Serena had been sickly since childhood. Xavier learned to take meticulous care of her when she was ill, even buying delicious cakes for her in the middle of stormy nights. Serena remembered once when she had a sudden appendicitis attack in her school dormitory, curled up in bed and breaking into a cold sweat from the pain. Upon hearing the news, Xavier rushed straight into the girls’ dormitory and carried her on his back all the way to the hospital. On that bitterly cold winter night, he wrapped her up warmly while wearing only thin pajamas and flip-flops himself. After they reached the hospital, before Serena had even recovered, Xavier came down with a high fever from the cold. Despite this, he insisted on staying by her bedside to care for her until she was discharged. He had become alarmingly thin. Back then, they both naively believed they would naturally marry after graduation according to their families’ arrangements—until Irene appeared. Initially, Irene kept finding excuses to be around them, casually provoking Xavier. Gradually, in his eyes, all of Serena’s once-adorable habits transformed into intolerable flaws. Later, they began to argue frequently about Irene, and he even directly proposed breaking off their engagement, claiming Irene was his true love and he would marry no one else. Yet Irene seemed to forever lack security, constantly trying to prove to Serena that Xavier loved only her. Even though Xavier was going to marry her in this life, she still persisted in doing so. Now, she was even entertaining the absurd idea of having Serena as her bridesmaid. Serena shook her head with a cold smile. Just as she was about to put away her phone, a commotion erupted outside. “Wow! This wedding dress is gorgeous! Xavier, I want this one!” Hearing the familiar voice, Serena froze. She thought, “Are Irene and Xavier also here to choose a wedding dress?” She walked to the lounge doorway, where she could see everything happening outside. Irene was standing in front of her custom wedding dress, showering it with praise. Even Xavier cast an admiring glance at it. “It really is beautiful! Irene, you’ll look absolutely stunning in it.” Irene’s face lit up with joy as she reached out to touch the dress, but the shop assistant stopped her just in time. “I’m sorry, ma’am, but this wedding dress was custom-made for another client, so please look at other styles.” Being publicly rejected, Irene immediately became embarrassed and angry. She reluctantly shook Xavier’s arm, pouting, “Xavier, I want this one. I really love it! It seems like it was made specifically for me—it matches my style perfectly!” Xavier initially wanted to persuade her to look at others. After all, in his eyes, all wedding dresses looked more or less the same. But after hearing Irene’s words, he immediately decided to buy this dress for her. He pulled out his bank card, pointed at the wedding dress, and said, “We want to buy this one at a premium. Please negotiate with that customer so she can order another one.” The shop assistant didn’t take his bank card and politely refused again, “I’m truly sorry, sir. This dress was created by a top international designer and is the only one in the world—it cannot be replicated.” After being repeatedly refused, Xavier was visibly annoyed. “Go tell that customer we want this wedding dress now. I’m willing to pay double the price. Will that work?” The shop assistant looked at him awkwardly and said, “But this wedding dress is worth millions of dollars. Are you sure you want to pay double?” Xavier’s hand holding the bank card froze in mid-air. “What? Millions of dollars for a wedding dress? Is it encrusted with diamonds or something?” Serena couldn’t help but laugh out loud, instantly drawing their attention. “Serena? What are you doing here? Why are you here?” Xavier’s face darkened terribly, his eyes filled with anger as he glared at Serena. Behind him, Irene was even more irritated, her eyes full of wariness. Serena calmly walked toward the wedding dress and said, “I’m here to choose a wedding dress, of course.” “Choose a wedding dress?” Xavier almost snarled through gritted teeth. Then, he roared in fury, “Serena, you shameless woman! You clearly said you wouldn’t pursue me anymore, but now you’re secretly shopping for a wedding dress? Are you really so desperate to marry me?” Serena swatted away his finger that was nearly poking her nose and looked at him calmly. “I’ve already told you that I’m not marrying you. There’s no need to get so worked up and make a fool of yourself in front of others.” With that, Serena signaled to the shop assistant to help her try on the wedding dress. Then, she ignored Xavier and silently walked past him. However, Xavier grabbed her wrist from behind, veins bulging at his temple, rage burning in his eyes. Serena winced in pain and struggled a few times but couldn’t break free. She could only say helplessly, “Xavier, what exactly do you want? I told you I won’t marry you and won’t pursue you anymore. What are you still worried about?” Xavier let out a cold laugh and said mockingly, “You deliberately chose the same store as us today. How dare you say you’re not trying to marry me?” He pulled Irene close and announced loudly, “Irene and I have already set our wedding date. We’re going to City Hall next Wednesday to get our marriage license! “So, Serena, give up already! I will never marry you!” Serena was stunned for a moment, suddenly remembering that she and Timothy were also getting their marriage license next Wednesday. It was indeed an auspicious day, and she and Timothy had originally planned for that day too. If Timothy hadn’t booked the VIP lane in advance, they might have had to wait until the afternoon. Thinking of this, she smirked and said, “Yes, I have given up. The person I’m marrying isn’t you. Can you stop wasting my time trying on wedding dresses? I’m meeting my fiancé later to look at our new home.” Under the shocked gazes of Xavier and Irene, the shop assistant took down the wedding dress and respectfully followed behind her. Irene was the first to recover, saying mockingly, “Serena, someone has already reserved this dress, worth millions of dollars. Although your family is wealthy, you probably can’t afford it.” Serena turned back and blinked. “I can’t afford it, but my fiancé can.” With that, she lifted her chin and walked gracefully into the fitting room. Irene snorted coldly and whined to Xavier, “I want this wedding dress too! If Serena’s fiancé is buying it for her, you should buy it for me too!” Xavier pushed her hand away and shouted angrily at Serena’s back, “Serena, stop right there! Are you just saying this to upset me? Tell me clearly! Who are you marrying? I won’t let you sell yourself for money.” Serena stopped again and responded coldly, “What right do you have to control me now? Since you’re so bored, why don’t you comfort your fiancée?” She thought to herself, “How ridiculous! He’s about to marry another woman, yet he still wants to interfere in my business.” Xavier’s shouts were left behind as Serena walked away. Soon after, Irene’s tearful sobs could be heard. When Serena emerged wearing the wedding dress, the two were still arguing. She sighed inwardly, surprised to witness him arguing with Irene in this lifetime. In her previous life, Xavier had treasured Irene like a precious gem, not allowing anyone near her. As Serena stood in front of the mirror, the shop assistants gathered around, full of admiration. Even Xavier stopped arguing and stared at her in a daze. He hadn’t expected her to look so stunning in a wedding dress. He had imagined her in a wedding dress countless times, but nothing compared to the impact of seeing her with his own eyes. Irene called his name several times before bringing him back to reality. He felt deeply guilty about his momentary trance. Then, he convinced himself it was just another of Serena’s tricks. He angrily grabbed Serena’s wrist and demanded, “You still say you’re not trying to marry me? Then why are you deliberately showing off this dress to me?” Serena’s wrist ached from his grip, and she was both angry and anxious. “I told you I won’t marry you!” With that, Serena pushed Xavier away with all her strength. Xavier stumbled backward, roaring in anger, “Serena, it’s come to this point. You’re still lying about not marrying me?” He was furious, glaring at Serena with murderous eyes. Seeing Xavier’s enraged look, Serena couldn’t be bothered to explain further and coldly said, “You’ll know everything on the wedding day!” “Fine! You’d better be telling the truth, because if you dare to cause trouble at my wedding, I will kill you!” Hearing his threats, Serena turned and left immediately, not wanting to stay a second longer. She felt suffocated just being in the same room with Xavier. After leaving the bridal shop, Serena went straight back to the villa. She decided not to leave the villa until the wedding day to avoid running into Xavier and Irene again. For the next few days, she stayed behind closed doors to avoid Xavier and Irene’s harassment. Soon Wednesday arrived, the day she and Timothy had agreed to get their marriage license. In the morning, Serena put on her wedding dress and left early for City Hall. However, as soon as she got out of the car, she saw the people she’d been hoping to avoid. Xavier and Irene were standing at the entrance of City Hall, him in a sharp suit and her in a wedding dress. Their friends surrounded them, taking photos with their phones. Irene spotted Serena first and immediately tugged at Xavier’s sleeve, whining, “Xavier, Serena’s here again!” Following her gaze, Xavier became instantly furious. He strode forward and shouted accusingly, “Serena, you really still want to marry me! Today is when Irene and I are getting our marriage license, yet you dare to come cause trouble!” Serena smirked, “Who told you I came to City Hall for you? Do you own this place?” “Still making excuses!” Xavier said through gritted teeth. “I warned you, if you dare to cause trouble, I won’t let you off easy!” At this point, Xavier and Irene’s friends started gossiping. “This woman has no shame!” “If she’s so desperate to get married, why doesn’t she just find any man?” Hearing the comments from Xavier and Irene’s friends, Serena pressed her lips together, saying nothing. She checked the time, realizing Timothy should arrive soon. Seeing her silence, Xavier and Irene thought she was feeling guilty. Xavier arrogantly shouted, “Why aren’t you leaving? Before I lose my temper, get as far away as possible. Don’t let me see you again!” “A woman like you, even if you begged me, I wouldn’t marry you!” Irene added fuel to the fire, “Can’t you see how much Xavier despises you? Bitch, get lost!” Their friends joined in, “Get out! You’re not welcome here!” “She’s truly shameless!” Seeing Serena standing still, Xavier impatiently signaled to his friends. Several men immediately rushed forward, roughly grabbing her arms, intending to drag her away. Serena struggled fiercely, but she was no match for their strength. “Xavier, how many times do I have to tell you I won’t marry you?” “Don’t you understand?” Xavier glared at her angrily and said, “Serena, how many times do I have to tell you I won’t marry you? I only love Irene!” Then, he signaled his friends to hurry up and not waste his and Irene’s time. Those men forcefully dragged Serena, making it impossible for her to break free. As she was about to be dragged away from City Hall, a cold voice suddenly rang out. “Let her go!”

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My wife Hannah Castro ran someone over with her car, then called me to take the blame for her. I gladly agreed. My lawyer friend warned me not to go. “It wasn’t your wife driving. She was getting intimate with your assistant in the car. Please don’t go. She blocked you from her livestream, but not us—we all saw what happened.” I didn’t listen. I deeply love my wife and would do anything she asks. My parents begged me with their lives not to go, but I still let the police take me away in handcuffs. The next day, Hannah came to me with two divorce agreements, demanding I sign over all my assets to her. My son Joel Grant, with red-rimmed eyes, said, “I don’t have a murderer for a father. Evan is my real dad.” Seeing their smug expressions, I signed my name on the divorce papers. I laughed coldly inside. This was just the beginning. ***** After agreeing to take the blame for Hannah, I rushed to the scene. Seeing my stubbornness, my lawyer friend sent me her livestream video directly. Hannah and my assistant Evan Ford were sitting on top of each other in the driver’s seat, having sex. Evan’s hands moved dominantly across Hannah’s back. Hannah moaned continuously, clearly very into it. Her body shuddered intensely, and Evan reached toward the passenger seat, seemingly trying to grab something. But before he could get it, the engine suddenly started. The camera angle switched to outside the car. The vehicle spun out of control and quickly struck a pedestrian. Acting as if I hadn’t seen the video, I stubbornly insisted on taking the blame for Hannah. When I arrived at the scene, I found the little boy’s parents holding his body, weeping. Just as I was about to comfort them, Hannah, who had been hiding nearby, suddenly pushed me in front of the boy’s parents and said, “He was driving the car. He ran a red light at high speed and killed your son.” The child’s father punched me in rage. “I want you to pay with your life for my child!” My head was knocked sideways, but Hannah and Evan just watched coldly. Onlookers cursed at me: “You were so careless behind the wheel! People like you deserve to die! Beat him!” But I just smiled. As I got up to confess my fault to the child’s father, suddenly my parents rushed forward to stop me. “That bitch was driving the car! She was cheating on you! Don’t be fooled by her! We have a phone recording! Listen!” Seeing my father about to play the recording in front of everyone, Hannah and Evan’s faces turned deathly pale. They tried to grab the phone but were blocked by the crowd. “Are you two feeling guilty about something?” They stopped trying, but I stepped forward to stop my father. He insisted on clearing my name, but the moment he played the recording, he froze. “Honey, I’m almost home. Okay, I’ll drive faster!” Somehow, it was my voice on the recording. Hannah and Evan instantly broke into smug smiles. I shot my parents an apologetic look, then bowed to the child’s parents. “I was driving the car. I will take full responsibility. I’m sorry.”

My father confronted me, “What are you trying to do? Before your mother and I arrived, the sound in this recording wasn’t like this at all. Why are you taking the blame for that home-wrecker?” My mother tearfully pleaded, “Leon, is there something you can’t tell us? Tell us, and we’ll definitely help you!” I said, “Dad, Mom, there’s nothing I can’t say. I’m the one who hit and killed him.” My mom hit me in disappointment. “What’s so good about Hannah that makes you do this? This is your entire life at stake!” Hannah immediately snapped at my parents, “Can’t you ever wish me well? Who else would give you grandchildren if not for me? Your son killed someone, and instead of thinking about compensating the victim’s family, you’re just trying to make me take the blame?” My dad was so angry he had a cerebral hemorrhage. As he swayed, my mother quickly caught him. She almost fell herself. After managing to help my dad lie down on the ground, she begged me, “Leon, please don’t do anything foolish. We know you didn’t hit anyone.” I clenched my fists so tightly my nails dug into my palms, but I remained silent. My silence completely broke her. She picked up a stone from the ground and was about to smash it against her own head. “If you really insist on doing this today, don’t blame me for dying right in front of you!” I was terrified and reached out to stop her. At that moment, police sirens wailed as officers got out of their cars. “Who called to turn themselves in?” an officer asked. I raised my hand and said, “I did.” I still didn’t listen to my parents, even when they threatened suicide. Handcuffs locked around my wrists. My mother couldn’t bear the shock and fainted. I was taken to the police station, where I immediately confessed. All the evidence pointed to me. The next day, a guard told me someone wanted to see me. Soon, Hannah and Evan walked in hand in hand with Joel, looking like a perfect family of three. “Leon, now that you’re in jail, you wouldn’t want Joel and me to be gossiped about, would you?” Hannah looked down at me condescendingly as she handed me divorce papers, her tone threatening. I didn’t open the agreement. I just sat quietly, looking up at the woman making unreasonable demands of me. I had loved her for ten years. To give her a better life, I practically lived at the company. But despite how busy I was, I made sure to come home every day to have dinner with her and celebrate every anniversary. Whenever she needed me, I would drop billion-dollar projects to be with her. I gave her everything. And what did she give me in return?

Seeing my silence, she impatiently said, “You love me so much, yet you won’t even fulfill this small request?” “Let Evan handle the company affairs. He’s worked for you for so long and has learned everything he needs to know. I’m confident he can take over.” Evan said, “Mr. Grant, don’t worry. After you go to prison, I’ll take good care of Hannah and Joel for you.” Hearing their shameless words, I gave a cold laugh and turned to pat Joel’s head. But unexpectedly, Joel pushed my hand away and angrily said, “Get away from me! I don’t want you to touch me. I don’t have a murderer for a father. Evan is my real dad!” I froze in place, clenching my fists. Evan smiled provocatively, “Mr. Grant, thank you for raising my wife and child all these Christmases. I’ll make sure to send you money every month so you can live comfortably in prison.” I raised an eyebrow and signed the divorce papers without hesitation. They laughed happily and started planning what to do with my money right in front of me. I just smiled faintly. Due to the serious nature of the case, the investigation was expedited, and I was sentenced to seven Christmases. During my second week in prison, my parents came to visit. They cried looking at me, not knowing what to say. “We’ll be waiting for you at home.” “I never thought you’d be so devoted,” my father sighed. Seeing my parents’ visibly thinner faces, I felt heartbroken. I said, “Dad, Mom, I have a plan. They will turn themselves in at the police station and confess that they killed that person, and that I had nothing to do with it.” They were stunned. “Leon, don’t talk nonsense to scare us. Your case is closed, you’re already in prison, and those two ungrateful people are running wild at the Grant Group. How could they possibly turn themselves in?” I smiled gently, “I’m not lying to you. You’ll see in a few days.” A week later, my parents visited me in prison again, their faces full of joy. “Leon, you were right! We just got a call saying they both went to the police station to confess. The police asked us to come in to give a statement. How did you know?” Looking at their confused faces, I calmly said, “Dad, Mom, let me tell you why this happened.”

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My husband of thirty years, Bryce Burton, announced at his retirement party that he would be taking in his deceased brother’s wife, Camille Fields, to stay with us temporarily. The guests praised him for his kindness. I rubbed my aching back, watching like an outsider as my children attentively cared for Camille. My son Martin Burton suggested, “The master bedroom has better lighting, and Camille’s health is poor—she needs natural sunlight. Mom, why don’t you move to the small cabin on the north side?” My grandson Lucas Burton happily said, “I like my new grandma. She draws with crayons, unlike old grandma whose pictures aren’t pretty at all.” Bryce threw away all my paintings. “These paints could trigger Camille’s asthma. You’ve been painting for forty years without gaining any recognition. Just live a peaceful life and stop talking about dreams.” That night, Bryce stayed in Camille’s room. Later during the holidays, the whole family took Camille on a world tour, leaving me alone at home. Bryce frowned at me and said, “You should stay home. We’ll share photos with you.” I sat motionless all day, carefully reflecting on my entire life. I had given up my opportunity to study abroad so my husband could complete his doctorate. I raised our children, cared for his parents, and in the end, I was cast aside by them all. I found the invitation to the International Senior Artists Exhibition. I no longer want this family. For my remaining years, I should pursue my dreams. ***** “I’m willing to accept the special invitation to the Paris art exhibition. As long as you don’t reject me because of my age, I’m ready to continue my path in art.” Professor Claude Weber’s excited voice came through the phone. “Ms. Norah Gilbert, the art world has been waiting for you for forty years! Your graduation piece ‘Spring Dawn’ is still on display in the academy gallery.” After finalizing the appointment time, I hung up. Suddenly, a message popped up in the family chat group from Martin—a group photo. At the Eiffel Tower, Camille wore a pink dress, intimately holding my husband’s arm. Bryce was dressed in a dark blue suit, his gray hair impeccably combed. Even approaching sixty, he maintained himself well; time had only made him more dignified and refined. Our children stood on either side of them, smiling brightly. The caption read: “Three generations together, seeing the world with our most beloved family members—a moment of happiness belonging to our little family.” I stared at the photo for a long time, tears welling in my eyes. Martin’s wife, Alaina Burton, sent a voice message: “Norah, look how beautiful the Paris night view is! Too bad you couldn’t make it.” Martin quickly replied: “Mom, don’t overthink it. You don’t even like traveling. Even if you came to Paris, you wouldn’t enjoy yourself and would just spoil the mood.” My feelings were complicated, so I didn’t respond. If I hadn’t married Bryce and had gone to study abroad instead, perhaps I would have visited Notre Dame in Paris long ago. Bryce and I met in college. Back then, he wore a worn-out shirt and performed Romeo and Juliet at the freshman party, instantly captivating me. Before we got together, I knew his first love had married his brother. But Bryce repeatedly promised to treat me well, and I believed him. In those days, love meant choosing to be with someone for a lifetime. But before we married, I received an opportunity to study abroad, only to unexpectedly become pregnant. Bryce’s parents said, “Bryce has great academic potential. Once he completes his doctorate, he’ll surely take good care of you and the child.” So I burned my acceptance letter from École Nationale Supérieure des Beaux-Arts, choosing instead to marry and have children. I had planned to pursue my career and fulfill my dream of traveling the world after Martin grew up a bit. But the children’s education, marriages, grandchildren’s births, and so on consumed all my time and energy. From twenty-five to fifty-five, not a single day did I live for myself. The phone rang—it was Martin. “Mom, we’ll be home tomorrow at five. Prepare dinner early. Camille says she wants clam chowder, and remember to add extra green onions.” I wanted to say I’m allergic to green onions. For decades, I’ve never added green onions to clam chowder. Before I could respond, Camille’s laughter came through. “Norah, I’m so sorry we left you alone at home. Let me bring you back some gifts.” Bryce’s stern, deep voice followed. “She doesn’t need gifts. Just showing her the photos is enough.” Lucas chimed in, “Grandpa’s right! Grandma’s old now and should just rest at home. Grandma Camille is so beautiful—she should be in more photos.” Heartbroken, I didn’t want to hear any more and hung up. In the mirror hanging in front of me, I saw myself at fifty-five—wrinkled face, heavy bags under my eyes revealing exhaustion, and messy gray hair. Compared to the radiant Camille in the photos, I looked disheveled. I pressed my cracked lips together, making up my mind. Now that Martin has a successful career and a happy family, and my daughter is married too, this family no longer needs me. It’s time for me to leave.

I rubbed my aching back, just about to pack my bags, when suddenly the phone rang again. The caller was my daughter, Kaylee Burton. I sighed and answered. Kaylee impatiently said, “Mom, why did it take you so long to answer?” I gripped the phone tightly and asked softly, “What’s wrong?” Kaylee said, “I’m due to give birth in a few days, but Jim is on a business trip to Boston. I’ll have to go back to work after I deliver, and nannies are so expensive these days. Can you come help me take care of the baby?” I leaned against the kitchen doorframe, the pain in my back forcing me to shift my position. Kaylee’s voice rose a notch. “Jim’s mother has high blood pressure and can’t be overworked. Besides, Dad has Camille to take care of him now, and they’re traveling together. You have plenty of time on your hands.” My throat felt like someone was squeezing it, leaving me speechless. This was my beloved daughter. She worried about her husband’s mother but not about me, her own mother. In her eyes, I was just a free babysitter with nothing but time. From the other end came a nurse’s voice urging her to come for a check-up. Kaylee quickly said, “Mom, hurry up and pack your things to come over.” Then, she hastily hung up. I sat hunched on the sofa. The warm sunlight fell on me, but I felt only cold. After sitting for a long while, I got up to pack my bags. After thirty-five Christmases in this house, all my belongings barely filled one small suitcase. I smiled bitterly, as sadness gradually enveloped me. The next morning, before dawn, I went to the market to buy the freshest ingredients. When I returned home, I dug out my old notebook where I had recorded everyone’s food preferences. [Bryce loves lamb chops but with little oil, Martin likes braised beef short ribs, Alaina doesn’t eat basil, Lucas loves Buffalo hot wings…] I placed the notebook in a visible spot in the kitchen cabinet. After I left, I hoped they would find it useful. I still didn’t put scallions in the clam chowder. I had compromised for them my entire life; this time, I didn’t want to compromise anymore. By five in the afternoon, I had prepared eight dishes. Bryce returned from vacation with the family. Seeing no scallions in the clam chowder, he immediately frowned. “Didn’t I tell you to add more scallions because Camille loves them? You can’t do anything right. Throw it out and make it again!” Martin also accused me, “Mom, you’re getting more confused with age. Camille had a tiring journey, and now she can’t even enjoy a proper meal.” Hearing their accusations, I felt nothing but exhaustion. Camille put on a bitter smile and said, “It’s okay. Norah’s been busy all day. If she doesn’t want to make it, that’s fine. After all, I’m just an outsider.” Seeing her upset, everyone immediately rushed to comfort her. “What are you standing there for? Go make it again!” Bryce looked at me with displeasure. I didn’t remake it; I just took the clam chowder back to the kitchen. Before entering, I looked at Bryce. “I’m allergic to scallions. Whoever wants them can make it themselves.” Ignoring their changing expressions, I closed the kitchen door. After dinner, I washed the dishes alone in the kitchen. Bryce walked in, showing no signs of remorse. “If you don’t tell us you’re allergic to scallions, how would we know? Stop looking so dejected, as if someone owes you something.” My dish-scrubbing motion paused. After a few seconds, I asked, “Do you need something?” In all our decades of marriage, Bryce had always avoided the kitchen. He believed such a dirty place would taint him. Bryce slightly furrowed his brow and informed me, “Camille doesn’t have children. Martin and I have discussed it and decided to transfer his guardianship to her.”

I stared at Bryce, my voice trembling. “Martin is my son. What right do you have to give him to Camille?” Bryce’s expression darkened. “My brother worked himself to death to put me through school. Now Camille has no one to rely on. What’s wrong with giving her a child?” He suddenly pressured me. “If you hadn’t gotten pregnant and held me back, I would have studied abroad years ago. Can’t you give my brother’s family even this small compensation? Norah, you’re so selfish!” His words cut me deeply. I had given up everything for him, managed the household, cared for his parents and our children, yet in his eyes, I was nothing but a burden. Hearing the argument, Camille walked in and gently patted Bryce’s shoulder. “Bryce, calm down. Your heart isn’t good. You shouldn’t get upset.” When she looked at me, she was cautious, adopting the posture of a victim. “Norah, if you don’t agree, it’s fine. I’m used to being alone anyway.” Bryce slammed his hand on the table and snapped, “This matter is settled. Norah, you must agree. I’m the head of this household!” Martin entered with his wife and child. He frowned at me and said, “I’ve made my decision too. Stop interfering.” Then he turned to comfort Camille. “Please don’t take it to heart. Feel free to stay here.” Alaina took my arm. “Don’t worry, Martin and I will take care of you.” My heart ached. They were a family, and I was the outsider. I held back my tears, struggling internally for a long time. “Bryce, let’s…” I finally made up my mind and said, “get a divorce.” The room fell silent instantly. Martin showed no concern for me, only accusation: “Mom, you want to divorce Dad over something as trivial as transferring guardianship? Can you stop making a scene?” Bryce snorted, mocking me: “You think you can copy those young people and use divorce to pressure me? Norah, without me, could you still live this comfortable life? If you want to stay in this house, behave yourself!” After saying this, he took the whole family out to a newly opened restaurant, claiming he wanted to make up for Camille’s disappointment at missing the clam chowder earlier. I remained in the empty house, feeling a sadness I had never known before. I silently threw away the barely touched food and finished the housework before dragging my exhausted body to take a shower. Camille hadn’t wiped the floor after her shower, leaving water everywhere. I slipped and fell hard on the tiles. Sharp pain shot through me, making me wince. After a long while, I managed to crawl out of the bathroom and called Martin. I called him seven or eight times, but he hung up every time. My heart sank. I struggled to get up and applied medicine to my bruises. An hour later, I saw Martin had updated his Instagram. In the photo, the family sat around Camille, who had a cake and gifts in front of her spaghetti. The caption read: [Even on ordinary days, we should give Mom a little surprise.] My heart ached dully. I turned off my phone, applied more medicine, and went to bed. In the early hours of the morning, I was awakened by pain and faintly heard Bryce’s voice in the living room: “Let Camille have this house. Send your mother to the old house in the countryside so we can have some peace and quiet around here.” I froze in place. Alaina’s hesitant voice came through. “But Norah is quite old now. Is it appropriate for her to live alone in the countryside? Maybe we should go stay with her for a few days?” Lucas immediately objected with disgust, “No way! Grandma’s going to raise chickens and ducks when she goes back to the countryside. It’s filthy! I’m not going!” Martin coldly replied, “Mom’s always throwing tantrums at home, making everything a mess. She’s better off living in the countryside. That way, everyone can have some peace.” Bryce calmly said, “That’s settled then.” I lay in bed, my gaze empty and numb. They didn’t even want to keep me in this home. The next morning at seven, I packed my luggage, taking only my documents, a few clothes, and that invitation letter. Finally, I left a signed divorce agreement in the study before heading out. Suddenly, messages came through in the family chat group. They were all congratulating Kaylee on giving birth, sharing photos of Camille and Bryce by her side. My fingers trembled as I zoomed in on the photo. Kaylee had given birth at four in the morning, and not a single person had thought to notify me about such an important event. Gasping for breath, I hurriedly dragged my suitcase downstairs. Ignoring the pain in my legs, I hailed a taxi and rushed to the hospital. At the very least, I wanted to see my daughter and grandchild one more time before leaving. At the hospital, I found Kaylee’s room. Before I could open the door, I glimpsed through the crack and saw Camille sitting by the bed. Kaylee was holding her hand. “Thank you for being here with me. You care about me more than my own mother does.” The color drained from my face. Behind me, a nurse pushing a medication cart approached and asked curiously, “Which patient are you here for? Aren’t you going in?” I took a deep breath, shook my head, and pulled a gift from my pocket. “Please give this to the new mother in Room 302.” The nurse took the gift and was about to say something, but I had already turned away resolutely. The air conditioning in the airport was on full blast, making me shiver. I clutched my boarding pass, sitting in a corner as my phone kept vibrating. In the family chat group, Lucas sent a voice message: [Grandma, come quick to see Aunt Kaylee’s baby sister! Her skin is all wrinkly, just like yours.] Bryce scolded: [Norah, you don’t even come to see your daughter after she’s given birth. You’re truly an unfit mother!] Martin chimed in: [Mom, Camille has done so much for Kaylee. How can you let her exhaust herself like this?] Kaylee also expressed her disappointment: [You didn’t even come to see me after I gave birth. I really wish I didn’t have a mother like you!] After hesitating for a few seconds, I gently tapped “Leave Group Chat” and blocked all their contacts. As the boarding announcement sounded, I tossed my phone into a trash bin. As the plane took off, I took one last look at the city where I had lived for fifty-five years. A dream delayed by more than forty years—I was finally going to make it come true.

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After five years of dating, my anti-marriage boyfriend Nicholas Ward secretly applied for marriage with Raelynn Lopez behind my back. He rented an entire farm, filled it with flowers, and held a grand wedding ceremony with her. In the video, Nicholas’s gentle voice echoed: “Raelynn, Serenity Gray is just a tool to bear our child. Once the baby is born, she’ll pack her things and leave. You’re my only one.” Shocked, I called Nicholas with trembling hands, but he snapped impatiently: “I’m at work. Can you stop bothering me during working hours? Do you think everyone has as much free time as you do?” Then he hung up. I stared at the people in the video, and the next moment, I received an express delivery. The marriage certificate inside stabbed my heart. Once, I gave up everything, even willing to stay unmarried to be with Nicholas. But it was all a lie! I wiped away my tears and called my parents, Lincoln Gray and Olivia Gray. “Dad, Mom, I agree to the arranged marriage.” On the other end, my mother Olivia cautiously asked: “Serenity, have you finally come around? What about your boyfriend? Did you two have a fight?” Hearing Olivia’s words, tears instantly streamed down my face. “I don’t want him anymore. Don’t worry. I’ll be home in seven days.” Even after hanging up, Olivia still couldn’t believe it. Back then, to be with Nicholas, I not only refused the arranged marriage but even cut ties with Lincoln and Olivia. But in the end, I realized I had pushed away the people who loved me most for someone who didn’t love me at all. Looking at the marriage certificate in my hand, the names of Nicholas and Raelynn pierced my eyes deeply. When Nicholas and I first got together, he said he was against marriage and would never consider it. I didn’t want to lose him, so I agreed not to get married. But I never imagined his anti-marriage stance only applied to me. Just then, there was a noise outside the door. I hurriedly put the marriage certificate back in the delivery box and wiped away my tears. “Your package arrived.” Upon entering and hearing my words, Nicholas froze, a flash of guilt crossing his eyes. “It’s just a company document, probably delivered to the wrong address. You didn’t open it, did you?” Seeing his nervous expression, I shook my head. Nicholas immediately appeared calm, so I deliberately tested him: “My mom called me. We’ve been together for so long. When will you come home with me to meet them?” Hearing my words, Nicholas’s hand paused as he was taking off his coat. He frowned at me and loudly accused: “Serenity, are you even getting your parents to pressure me into marriage? I told you I’m against marriage. If you still want to be with me, you’d better drop these ideas.” Although I had anticipated his response, my heart still ached. I said softly: “I won’t bring this up again.” Nicholas put his arm around me reassuringly, his expression softening. “Serenity, I’ve been too busy with work lately and have neglected you. I’ll try to spend more time with you soon.” I forced a smile and nodded. When Nicholas went to shower, I disgustedly brushed off the spot he had touched. On the table, Nicholas’s tablet kept chiming with WhatsApp notifications. I clenched my fist and finally picked up the tablet. In WhatsApp, Nicholas was chatting in a group with his friends. [Nicholas, you prepared such a thoughtful surprise for Raelynn today. Won’t Serenity find out?] Nicholas replied: [Serenity loves me so much she’s even willing to stay unmarried for me. I have nothing to fear.] [If I wasn’t afraid of Raelynn suffering through pregnancy, I wouldn’t even consider using Serenity’s womb to carry a child for Raelynn. After all, someone of her status doesn’t deserve to serve me.] His friends were delighted, constantly sending disgusting messages. [Nicholas, you’re amazing, making Serenity love you so much.] [A poor woman like Serenity will definitely cling to Nicholas.] [Nicholas is so lucky. Serenity has a nice figure, probably great in bed.] Nicholas not only failed to stop them but joined in mocking my figure. These words felt like a knife stabbing into my heart. I never told Nicholas about my family background, but I never imagined it would become his reason to humiliate me. I went to Nicholas’s Instagram and saw photos and videos of him and Raelynn, including their marriage certificate, wedding, vacations, and kissing photos. I recognized all the people commenting below, yet Nicholas had blocked me so I couldn’t see any of his posts. I laughed bitterly. All these years, Nicholas never posted anything about me on Instagram. I thought he was just private. But I never imagined it was because I wasn’t worth it. I was merely a pawn in this scheme. I closed my eyes and put the tablet back. If that’s how it is, it’s time for me to leave.

Nicholas had just finished his shower when I was already lying in bed. He lay down beside me, pulling me into his arms, his hands wandering beneath my clothes. “Serenity, let’s have a baby?” I froze, memories of what happened earlier today flooding my mind. Instinctively, I asked, “But we’re not married. How would we raise a child?” Nicholas replied impatiently, his expression darkening, “Do we really need to get married? I’m powerful enough to provide for a child.” I found it laughable and closed my eyes in self-mockery. He made it sound good, but he only wanted me to have a child for Raelynn. I didn’t want to be a pawn in this couple’s schemes anymore. I pushed Nicholas’s hand away and said, “I don’t feel well. I want to sleep.” Immediately, Nicholas’s desire vanished. He was furious, turning his back to me without another word. Until he left the next morning, Nicholas hadn’t spoken to me. He was waiting for me to apologize first, like I always did before, but I wouldn’t apologize this time. I turned to tidy up when suddenly I began to retch violently. Feeling uneasy, I immediately bought a pregnancy test. Looking at the positive result, I sat helplessly on the toilet, feeling incredibly conflicted. I had once desperately wanted to have a child with Nicholas. Yet this child decided to come just when I’d chosen to leave. Just then, an urgent phone call came through. I answered, and Nicholas’s anxious voice came through. “Serenity, come to the hospital right away. I’ve arranged for someone to pick you up.” He hung up before I could respond. My thoughts remained in chaos until his bodyguard put me in the car. Only after arriving at the hospital did I realize what had happened. Raelynn had suffered severe bleeding while attempting egg retrieval for IVF. No hospital in the city had her blood type in stock, and since Raelynn and I shared the same blood type, Nicholas planned for me to donate blood to her. Nicholas looked at me pleadingly. “Serenity, Raelynn grew up with me. I see her as my sister. You’ve always been so kind. Please help her.” I forcefully pulled my hand away, my eyes reddening. “Why should I? I won’t do it.” He deceived me, schemed for my child, and now wanted me to give blood to Raelynn. Why should I do that? Nicholas coldly said, “Serenity, when did you become so heartless? Today, you must give her blood.” He then pulled me toward the operating room. Unable to bear it anymore, I finally shouted, “Nicholas, I’m pregnant. I can’t donate blood.” Hearing my words, Nicholas froze. He stood there, staring at me in shock. But just then, a nurse ran out anxiously. “Mr. Ward, Ms. Lopez’s condition is critical. We can’t wait any longer.” As if awakened from a trance, Nicholas gave me a complicated look, then coldly said, “Serenity, we can have children in the future.” I instantly understood his meaning and asked in disbelief, “You’re giving up our child too?” Nicholas didn’t look at me again, instead ordering his bodyguard to drag me in to donate blood. I was pulled into the transfusion room while struggling. I felt my blood being drained, my consciousness gradually fading. Finally, I lost consciousness. When I woke up again, no one was around me, but I could hear voices from outside. A woman said, “That’s the CEO of the Ward Group, right? I heard he’s been waiting outside the room without eating or drinking, waiting for Ms. Lopez to wake up.” Another woman added, “My goodness! He’s so devoted. I wish I could meet a man like that.” Hearing these words, I felt completely calm. Just then, a doctor entered. With trembling lips, I struggled to ask, “My baby…” The doctor looked at me regretfully and said, “We did everything we could, but we couldn’t save him.”

My heart felt like it was being squeezed by a giant hand, the pain making it impossible to breathe. This time, I failed to protect him. After resting for a few days, I dragged my weakened body out of the hospital. When I got home, I found the house empty. Clearly, Nicholas hadn’t returned yet. The pregnancy test was still on the bathroom counter. Instantly, I felt a painful sting in my nose. I wanted to cry but couldn’t. Just then, my phone rang. I answered—it was Nicholas. “Serenity, are you home?” he asked. “Yes,” I replied. Nicholas sighed with relief. “Raelynn wants to thank you, so she’s hosting a special dinner for you tonight. I’ll come pick you up later.” Before I could respond, he hung up. Barely twenty minutes later, Nicholas returned. Seeing that I hadn’t changed clothes and still had traces of tears on my face, he looked guilty. “Serenity, the situation was too urgent for me to think clearly. Besides, it was my sister’s life at stake. You understand, right? We can have another child in the future. Don’t overthink it—go get changed.” He then pushed me toward the bedroom. I felt irritated. “I’m not going.” Nicholas immediately furrowed his brow and said with displeasure, “Raelynn is extremely grateful to you, which is why she arranged this dinner right after leaving the hospital. Don’t be difficult.” Eventually, Nicholas dragged me to a VIP room at the Royal Clubhouse. As soon as I entered, I saw Nicholas’s friends sitting on the couches. When they saw me, their sticky gazes landed on me. I remembered the chat messages I’d seen days ago, where they had shamelessly discussed my body with Nicholas. Instinctively, I reached for Nicholas’s sleeve, but he walked straight over and sat down. Raelynn approached with two glasses of wine, smiling. “Serenity, thank you for saving me. I’ll drink this first.” She downed her glass in one go. Nicholas’s concerned yet resigned voice followed. “Raelynn, you just had surgery—don’t drink too much. Just let Serenity drink.” Raelynn playfully stuck out her tongue, then handed me the other glass. “Serenity, why don’t you drink this and forget about what happened that day?” Everyone’s eyes turned to me. I looked at Nicholas, realizing he had no intention of helping me, only gazing adoringly at Raelynn. I laughed bitterly to myself. He remembered that Raelynn had surgery but forgot I had just miscarried. He was right to act this way. After all, Raelynn was his legal wife. I took the glass, finished the wine, then calmly asked, “I’ve drunk it. Can I leave now?” I put down the glass, ready to go. But then Raelynn’s voice suddenly rang out. “Nicholas, I accidentally left my phone in the car. Could you get it for me first, then take Serenity home?” Nicholas hesitated. But Raelynn intimately shook his hand and continued, “Please?” “Alright,” he said, standing up and walking out. Not wanting to stay, I prepared to follow him. But suddenly I felt dizzy, and my body began to weaken. I instantly realized the wine had been drugged. I tried to leave but fell heavily to the floor. Those men laughed playfully as they dragged me by my legs. One man laughed, “Trying to leave? Nicholas has left you for us to play with.” My body trembled violently, filled with shock. Their hands began to wander over my body. Another man laughed, “I’ve heard Nicholas say you’re amazing in bed. Today, let us try too.” Seeing Raelynn’s smug smile nearby, my heart filled with despair and fear. “Please, don’t…” But before I could finish, my clothes were torn apart. I gave up, no longer having the strength to struggle. Just as I was about to lose consciousness, Nicholas pushed open the door. I struggled to say, “Save…” But in the next second, amid the laughter, Nicholas coldly said, “You can only play with her, don’t actually do anything.” When I woke up again, I was in the hospital. Nicholas sat beside my bed, gently holding my hand. “Serenity, I forgot you couldn’t drink after your surgery. Thankfully, you’re okay.” Before I could say anything, he softly added, “Raelynn and my friends were just joking with you. I’ve already punished them. Just forget about yesterday.” After hearing his words, I stared at him in shock. “Are you kidding? That’s rape! I won’t let them get away with drugging me. I’m calling the police!” Nicholas froze, then stood up. “The police? Nothing happened to you. Why would you call the police? Enough. Just get some rest. This is all over now.” I didn’t respond, just stared numbly out the window. Nicholas was about to say something when he was interrupted by a phone ringing. He stepped outside the room to answer it, then left without returning. At that moment, I felt strangely calm inside. As I was preparing to get out of bed and leave, several nurses gave me strange looks. Then, one woman said, “So she’s the mistress who’s destroying Mr. and Mrs. Ward’s marriage. She’s shameless.” Another woman scoffed, “Did you see how she looked in that video? She’s obviously done this before. She’s probably in the hospital because she took things too far and got hurt.” My body stiffened, and I couldn’t help asking, “What photos are you talking about?” One of the women said, “Your videos and photos are all over the internet. You’re a promiscuous homewrecker. Get out of here!” I frantically searched for my phone, only to realize that photos of me being pinned down by Nicholas’s friend last night had gone viral. I had been fighting back, but from the deliberately chosen camera angle, I looked like I was enjoying it and participating willingly. Someone had posted my information online, labeling me as a homewrecker. My phone number had been exposed. Countless strangers were sending me abusive messages. [You’re a shameless mistress! You have no morals.] [Don’t you have parents? How dare you destroy someone else’s relationship as the other woman?] [I hope you get hit by a car when you go outside. People like you deserve karma.] Even worse, many people sent me degrading messages. [Nice body. How much for one night?] [I’ll pay you well if you spend the night with me.] I shut off my phone with trembling hands as grief washed over me. Then I fled the hospital. On my way home, I felt like anyone who made eye contact with me was looking at me with malicious intent. After rushing home with my face covered, I took out my backup phone and called Lincoln and Olivia. The moment the call connected, Olivia’s concerned voice came through. “Serenity, I’ve seen what’s happening online. Don’t worry. I’ll pick you up at the airport right away.” Hearing her caring words, tears immediately fell from my eyes. Even Lincoln, who was usually serious, had a slight tremor in his voice. “Don’t cry. We’ll always have your back. You don’t need to worry.” Soon, I was heading to the airport with my suitcase, wearing a mask. Before boarding, I sent Nicholas a breakup text, then decisively threw my phone into a trash can. I would never return to this place. Meanwhile, Nicholas was lying on the bed in his villa wrapped in a towel, while Raelynn was taking a shower in the bathroom. Suddenly, a jarring ringtone broke the silence. Nicholas pressed the answer button, and an anxious voice immediately came through. “Mr. Ward, somehow the video from the private room yesterday has leaked online. Your relationship with Raelynn has been exposed.”

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Dominic Reid is my stepfather’s brother, my uncle, and the entire city knows he loves me deeply. At least that’s what they think. The day he proposed to me with a diamond ring, a sonogram of his former lover Vivian Blake spread like wildfire across social media. She was pregnant. Despite my objections, he insisted on turning our wedding into a bizarre threesome. “Vivian needs me. I must marry her too.” Tears stung my eyes, but I nodded, my heart shattering into pieces. However, on our wedding day, Dominic didn’t walk me down the aisle. Instead, he made me lead a filthy mutt, leashed and panting, while I stood frozen in my wedding dress. The internet exploded, countless memes and mockery making me the laughingstock of Christmas. My mind crumbled under the humiliation. To salvage a shred of dignity, I exposed Vivian’s dirty secrets in front of everyone—every sordid detail laid bare. Vivian stormed out furiously. Hours later, news came that she had gotten into an altercation with some thugs. They beat her bloody, leaving her dead in an alley. Dominic disappeared for a week. When he reappeared, he clung to me tightly, his eyes hollow yet uncompromising. I thought perhaps he had returned to me. Then came the day I gave birth. In a cold operating room, Dominic loomed over me, his hands steady as he cut open my abdomen. No anesthesia. Just the cold blade. He removed the stillborn—our child—and replaced it with the freshly dead body of a Teddy dog. Then, he stitched my flesh closed with rough sutures, each one deliberate. “Vivian suffered a hundred times worse that night,” he growled softly, “you deserve this.” I screamed until my voice gave out, blood pooling beneath me, my vision fading. I died with my eyes wide open, staring at the man I once loved deeply. My soul didn’t rest. It lingered, watching Dominic address countless cameras at a press conference. “Evelyn Crowe gave birth to a deformed child,” he said flatly, “she deserves to be buried with dogs.” Then, somehow, my eyes snapped open. I was back on my wedding day. ***** “Vivian is afraid of dogs. She can’t handle this pressure. Take this dog and go in.” Before I could process his words, Dominic shoved the rough hemp leash into my palm. At the other end was a filthy dog, reeking and smearing dirt on my pristine white gown with its matted fur. A chill ran through my entire body. I was stunned—thrown back to that nightmare wedding. In my previous life, I had stumbled down this path, dragging this stinking dog, becoming their laughingstock. Not this time. Heaven gave me a second chance, and I wouldn’t waste it. Without hesitation, I threw the leash to the ground. “This wedding is canceled.” I looked Dominic straight in the eyes. “If you’re so eager to marry Vivian, then go ahead. The ceremony is yours.” With that, I tore off my veil, lifted my skirt, and strode toward the exit. Vivian’s eyes moistened, her delicate fingers clutching Dominic’s sleeve like wilting flowers. “Dominic, maybe I should leave…” “Evelyn!”

“I want to see Grandpa Silas!” I shouted, struggling to break free from Dominic’s grip. His fingers tightened, as if threatening to crush the bones in my wrist. He leaned in close, his voice low. “The wedding isn’t over yet. What’s wrong with you?” He stepped even closer, his eyes flashing with menace. “Walk out now, and I’ll make sure the Crowe family never holds their heads up again. You know what I’m capable of.” I held my breath, my gaze locked with his. A chill crept up my spine. I’d seen that look before—in high school, when bullies surrounded me. Dominic had flown in from overseas and forced each kid who tormented me and their parents to line up and apologize. By nightfall, their family businesses had collapsed, swallowed by Dominic’s empire. But now, I was the target of his threats. The man who once protected me was long gone. Vivian stepped forward, her eyes brimming with fake tears. “If Evelyn doesn’t bless our union, I…” Before she could finish, Dominic’s fingers tightened—a silent command. “Say it.” I bit my lip until I tasted blood, forcing myself to speak. “Congratulations on your marriage. May you have lasting happiness.” His hand loosened, but his eyes lingered on me with something unreadable in their depths. The reception dragged on, the buzz of toasts and laughter fading into dull background noise. As guests began to disperse, two burly men in black suits appeared behind me, shoving me toward a small storage room. A rough push sent me crashing to the floor, my knees slamming against concrete, pain shooting through my body. My hand touched something wet and foul—saliva from that filthy dog now crouching in front of me, the source of my public humiliation. I pounded on the door, my voice growing hoarse. “Let me out!” Dominic’s voice penetrated through, cold as winter wind. “Stay put and think about what you’ve done. After Vivian is settled, I’ll decide what to do with you.” Then, hurried footsteps broke the silence outside. “Mr. Reid! The hospital just called… they say the elder Mr. Reid won’t make it…” Dominic’s response came slow and deliberate, punctuated by the sound of a kick. “He was jogging in the garden this morning. You’re telling me he’s dying?” Fear surged in my chest. I pounded harder, blood seeping from my torn palms, but I didn’t stop. “Dominic, please… let me see Grandpa Silas!” Only receding footsteps answered me. Despair consumed me. I collapsed on the floor, time blurring into a haze. Finally, a janitor pried the door open. I rushed out half-crazed, racing toward the hospital. When I reached the second floor, muffled sobs pierced my ears. My legs weakened. A gurney rolled past, covered with a white sheet over a motionless figure. “Grandpa Silas…” My mother Clara lunged at me, slamming me against the wall. My head cracked against it, warm blood trickling down my neck. “If you hadn’t dragged us into your scandal, Mr. Reid would still be alive!” she shrieked. “You’re a curse on this family—get out!” I opened my mouth but couldn’t make a sound. Relatives pushed me toward the exit, their stares more cutting than any blade. Outside, rain poured down, soaking my wedding dress until it clung to me like lead. Numbly, I pushed open the door to the home Dominic and I shared. Vivian’s sugary giggle greeted me. “I don’t want that,” she cooed. In the living room, Dominic was feeding her a spoonful of food, his eyes tender with a gentleness I hadn’t seen in years. Seeing me standing in the doorway, drenched and shivering, he froze, his smile vanishing. “Vivian will be staying here during her pregnancy. You’ll take on the role of housekeeper. After the child is born, I’ll consider fulfilling our engagement.”

Silas had just left, yet they acted as if nothing had happened. My throat tightened, tears blurring my vision. “Do you know that Grandpa Silas—” Dominic didn’t even look up, his tone as casual as if ordering coffee. “What about him? Oh right, Vivian hasn’t eaten. Go make her some soup.” I hadn’t eaten a bite since morning, my stomach aching with emptiness. But I swallowed my words and silently walked to the kitchen, where I prepared a pot of soup. When I placed the steaming bowl on the table, Dominic snatched the spoon from my hand, gently blew on it to cool it down, and brought it to Vivian’s lips. “Careful, it’s hot.” His voice was tender and affectionate—like a dull knife, slowly tearing my heart apart. Once, when I was sick, he had cared for me with the same attentiveness. But since Vivian appeared, all his warmth had been reserved for her. I took a shaky breath and turned to leave, but Dominic’s voice froze me in place. “Bring your violin.” I stood stunned, my fingers trembling. “That violin means a lot to me. I…” He cut me off, his brow furrowing with impatience. “The best obstetrics team in the country doesn’t come cheap. The hospital director’s grandson is learning to play, and your violin would be perfect for him. It’s just a violin. I’ll buy you a dozen more.” My ears buzzed as the world around me fell silent. That violin wasn’t just an instrument. It was an Italian antique that Silas had gone to great lengths to acquire from a European auction for my seventh birthday. Now that he was gone, it was the last thing he had left me. Vivian sobbed, her voice quivering, “It’s all my fault. If it weren’t for keeping this baby… don’t make Evelyn uncomfortable.” Dominic’s expression darkened. He wiped away her tears, whispering reassurances, then barked at a maid, “Go to the music room and bring the violin.” I gripped the stair railing, my knuckles turning white. Moments later, the violin that held twenty Christmases worth of memories—its wood marked with the passage of time—was carelessly placed in Vivian’s hands. She smiled secretly, a flash of satisfaction I wasn’t supposed to see. “This violin is beautiful…” Then, she deliberately let it slip from her grasp. The violin crashed to the floor, shattering into jagged pieces. I fell to my knees, clutching the remains, my fingers trembling as they traced the broken strings. A heart-wrenching scream erupted from my throat. Dominic yanked me up by the arm. “Enough! It’s just a broken violin, is it worth this hysteria? Vivian didn’t mean to. What are you making such a fuss about?” Vivian cowered behind him, wiping her tears as she said, “Now that the violin is ruined, what about the hospital director…” Dominic gave me a cold glance, putting his arm around her as they headed upstairs. “Don’t worry, I’ll handle it.” Their figures disappeared around the staircase, leaving me to stare at the shattered pieces of my past. Even my last connection to Silas was destroyed, beyond repair. I dragged myself back to my room like a ghost, only to freeze at the sight before me. The swing in the corner—its ropes neatly cut—lay on the floor like discarded trash. My space, once a sanctuary, was now filled with brand-new baby items. Dominic had converted my bedroom into a nursery. That swing… he had made it with his own hands, promising this room would always be my castle. Yet in an instant, to please his new love, he had torn it down himself. The door was kicked open. Dominic burst in carrying Vivian, his face like storm clouds. “Evelyn, what did you put in the soup?” Vivian let out a shrill wail, her face pale as she clutched her stomach. “It hurts… my baby…” I instinctively moved toward her, but Dominic shoved me to the ground. My head hit the coffee table, stars exploding before my eyes. A small white bottle rolled out of my pocket, landing at his feet. He picked up the bottle, reading the label, his face contorting. “Abortion pills? You tried to kill Vivian’s baby?” “They’re not mine!” I grabbed his pant leg, shaking my head frantically. “I don’t know where they came from!” A slap silenced me, the stinging pain swallowing my words. Dominic carried Vivian out, giving me one last ice-cold glance. “Evelyn, you’ve gone too far. If anything happens to this child, you’re finished.” In the hospital room, I knelt in the corner, my knees long since numb. Dominic stayed by Vivian’s side all night, only breathing a sigh of relief when she finally woke up. “You’re okay,” he whispered, his voice gentle with relief. “The baby is fine too.” Vivian’s hand moved to her stomach, her voice trembling, “I thought we lost it…” His expression immediately hardened. He carefully adjusted her pillow, but when his gaze swept toward me, it was cold as steel. “Come here. Apologize to Vivian.” Just then, my phone vibrated, the screen lighting up with a message: [Sir Reid’s funeral is being held today.] My heart clenched. I gritted my teeth, struggling to stand, but my legs gave out and I collapsed back onto the floor. Dominic’s fists tightened, his jaw clenched. “Stop playing the victim. It won’t work on me. Apologize, or you’re not going anywhere.” Humiliation swept through me like a raging fire, hotter than any pain I’d ever felt. Tears slid down my cheeks. “I’m sorry,” I choked out. His hand paused for a moment, but he didn’t look at me. “Go to the church. Pray for Vivian and the baby’s safety.” With that, he sat back down beside her, gently feeding her soup with a spoon, his tenderness completely erasing my existence. Their world was all whispers and loving gazes, as if I had never existed. I staggered to my feet and stumbled into the biting cold of the street. My only thought was to get to Silas, to say goodbye one last time. My phone vibrated, jarring in the silence. I answered with trembling hands, my breath catching. “Ms. Crowe? I’m the Crowe family driver. Today is Sir Reid’s funeral. I’m here to pick you up.” Minutes later, a black sedan pulled up slowly in front of me. The driver handed me a bottle of water. “You look pale. Have some water.” I took it, tears welling up as I clutched the bottle tightly. Silas was gone. The person who loved me unconditionally would never come back. The cold water slid down my throat, but my vision blurred, my thoughts foggy. I vaguely noticed the scenery outside becoming unfamiliar, but my tongue felt too heavy to speak. When I opened my eyes again, before I could make sense of my surroundings, a heavy weight pinned me down. The stench of tobacco and alcohol hit my nostrils as hot breath grazed my neck. My clothes were half torn away. A rough hand covered my screams. The man grabbed my chin, grinning maliciously. “Mr. Reid said if you behave, I might go easy on you.” Cold terror washed over me like a tide, drowning me completely. For Vivian’s sake, Dominic had pushed me into hell. Tears blurred my vision. My hands desperately searched behind me until they gripped a rusty iron bar. I squeezed my eyes shut and swung the bar with all my strength, smashing it against his forehead. Once. Then again. He hadn’t expected me to fight back. Blood ran down his face as he collapsed to the ground, motionless. Clutching my torn clothes, iron bar in hand, I stumbled out the door. Blinding light greeted me, and I blinked in confusion. Not far away, the golden sign of Reid Group gleamed coldly in the daylight. Three Christmases ago, on a stormy night, I got lost in this factory. Dominic had searched the entire city like a madman to find me. I could still remember how he held me in his arms, soaking wet and eyes full of worry, swearing he would never let me go again. Now, he had deliberately trapped me here. I stared at the twisted old tree by the parking lot, a bitter laugh rising through my tears. With trembling fingers, I dialed a number. “Please… save me…” ***** Videos of the factory fire were already spreading wildly online. Dominic’s assistant Liam rushed in to report. “Mr. Reid, something’s happened! The factory’s on fire, and Ms. Crowe’s last location shows she was inside!”

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Three years after our wedding, my husband Caleb Reynolds forced me to accept an open marriage. He casually tossed out the idea, his voice light, almost joking. “I gave you the ring, the vows, all the commitments. But my body? That’s free. Don’t you want to live more excitingly this Christmas, see what else is out there?” He knew perfectly well I couldn’t do that. I have a condition—lactating despite never having children. It’s not something I can casually mention to strangers. Every time my breasts engorge, I’m miserable—not just embarrassed, but in pain. Without someone to relieve that pain, I completely fall apart. I flatly refused him. Caleb was unhappy. He stormed out, slamming the door so hard the walls shook. That night, the pain returned, sharp and merciless. My chest ached, I felt dizzy, barely able to think. Then I felt it—strong, warm hands, firmly placed on the soft curves of my waist. ***** Caleb’s palm struck my face hard, snapping my head to the side. The pain was hot and sharp, but I forced myself to look him in the eyes, tears welling up, stinging. “Caleb, I just want a normal marriage. Is that so wrong?” “Normal?” His gaze fell to my chest, his lips curling with contempt. “What’s normal about you?” As if on cue, my body betrayed me. A wet stain spread across my shirt, the rich scent of milk filling the air. I hurriedly covered my chest with my hands, my cheeks burning red, wishing I could disappear into the floor. “Why are you hiding it? You think I can’t tell you’re starting again?” Caleb’s sneer hit me like a punch to the stomach. He knew how shameful this was for me, this uninvited milk my deepest wound. His mother, Barbara Reynolds, spoke without hesitation, her voice full of venom. “If it weren’t for those wide hips of yours screaming ‘baby-maker,’ I would never have let Caleb marry you. Three years, and you can’t even produce a child.” She pointed at me, her words sharp. “Caleb is too good for you. We won’t let him waste his life being tied to you.” She grabbed his arm. “Come on, we’re going out to eat. I’ve arranged for you to meet several girls. You can pick one.” Caleb didn’t even look at me. He just followed her out, the door clicking shut behind him. I collapsed onto the floor, my heart as cold and hard as the tiles beneath me. It all started when I was barely out of my teens—milk leaking for no reason, no baby. Wherever I went, I could feel those stares, those whispers. I learned to wrap myself in layers, clothes upon clothes hiding my secret. When Caleb and I were dating, he discovered my secret by accident. His eyes lit up, not with disgust, but with something else—perhaps desire. “Serena,” he whispered, “I had no idea you were so… unique.” I curled against him in shame. “You don’t think I’m a freak?” He held me tight, so tight I could barely breathe. “A freak? This is a gift.” After that, he was obsessed with me. He showered me with affection, promised me the world. My body? He worshipped it, as if wanting to melt into me. But marriage changed him. As they say, people stop wanting what they have. My chest ached, not just from the memories, but from the pressure building inside. The milk was flowing faster now, soaking through my fingers. Panic rose in me. I stumbled to my feet, lurching into the bedroom, my heart racing wildly. In the past, when things got bad, Caleb would be there, helping relieve the pain. Now? I was alone, desperate. Trembling, I pulled out the small toy I kept hidden under my pillow, gritted my teeth, and positioned it, hoping to ease the pain. But it wasn’t enough. I felt my body’s heat growing even more intense, unbearable. I turned it to the highest setting, my body shaking until, exhausted, I passed out. In the haze between sleep and wakefulness, I felt hands—large and warm—sliding over my waist. The toy was yanked away, leaving emptiness and pain. “Caleb…” I murmured, pressing against his cool body. It slightly calmed the fire within me. He didn’t answer. His arm roughly pulled me closer, his breath hot against my chest, and he bit down, more roughly than ever before. It hurt, but God, I liked it. He was like a storm, releasing all his anger, working me over until dawn broke. When I woke up, Caleb was gone. The pain had disappeared too, leaving my mind clear, almost light. “Jerk,” I muttered, half-smiling. He was always like this—knocking me down, then bringing me back with moments like these. I climbed out of bed, cheeks flushed, picking up the scattered condoms from the floor and tossing them in the trash. I guess they’re right about arguments being the spark in a marriage. Last night, Caleb was… well, more than usual. Humming, I walked toward the kitchen to make him breakfast. But passing through the living room, I froze in my tracks. On the sofa sat three men, all strangers, each one completely different from the next, like day and night. I didn’t recognize any of them.

I looked around, searching for Caleb, but he was nowhere to be found. My stomach churned as uneasiness crept into my heart. The three men on the sofa stared at me in unison, their gazes heavy, as if I had wandered into a nest of vipers. I quickly tightened my robe, suddenly acutely aware of how thin the fabric was. This was probably just another batch of Caleb’s friends. He always loved bringing friends home without warning, making me play the dutiful hostess, running around like a maid. I cleared my throat and put on my well-practiced smile of a gentle wife. “Hey, can I get you—” Before I could finish, the front door was pushed open forcefully. Caleb strode in, his eyes narrowing when he saw me. He smoothly took off his jacket and draped it over my shoulders. “Serena, we have guests. Why are you wandering around practically naked?” My eyes caught the fresh scratch marks on his neck, and relief washed over me. Even though we had fought last night, he hadn’t left me alone. My heart softened, sweet as honey. I pulled his still-warm jacket tighter around me, my voice slightly teasing. “I thought it was just the two of us.” He simply pushed me toward the bedroom. “Go change into something decent.” I nodded, completely compliant, and slipped back to the bedroom to change. When I returned, the men were scattered on the sofa, drinking coffee and chatting like old friends. Caleb waved me over to sit beside him, directly facing the three men. He introduced them one by one, “Victor Harlan, a renowned lawyer. Samuel Trent, a doctor. And Leonard Finch—my college classmate I’ve mentioned before, he’s a professor.” I nodded politely in acknowledgment, remaining silent as they conversed. I mentally gave Caleb credit—these friends were clearly a cut above the rest. His previous friends were loud, filled the house with cigarette smoke, and bragged about things that never added up. These three seemed more sophisticated. I smiled to myself as I walked into the kitchen to prepare lunch. Just as I turned on the faucet, the door creaked open. Victor walked in uninvited. “Mr. Harlan, do you need something?” I asked, confused. He rolled up his sleeves, flashing a relaxed smile. “Can’t let you do all the work alone.” Before I could refuse, he took the vegetables from my hands and began washing them, his movements as practiced as if he owned the kitchen. He chopped with precision and confidence, like a professional chef. His controlling demeanor triggered a memory—last night, Caleb had been rough. After easing my pain, he wanted more, and when I begged him to stop, he pinned my legs down, each thrust harder than the last. My cries nearly shook the walls. I pleaded until he finally stopped… “Serena?” Victor’s voice pulled me back to reality, his hand waving in front of my face. I coughed, my cheeks burning as I stammered, “What is it?” “Your pot is about to burn.” I jumped, suddenly aware the stove was still on, and hurriedly poured oil into the pan. The oil sizzled, but I heard his soft laughter—gentle, almost intimate. My heart raced, and my face grew hotter. I shook my head, trying to focus on cooking, silently cursing myself for being so flustered. The men came in one by one to carry dishes to the table, with Caleb, as usual, sauntering in last and doing the least. Instead of apologizing, he grinned. “So, how do you think they’re doing?” I glared at him, annoyed at his laziness. “They’re great. Much better than you.” His laughter sent a chill down my spine, all teeth and no warmth. After lunch, the sky split open as torrential rain poured down. The weather forecast warned of thunderstorms for the next few hours. The men exchanged worried glances. Caleb, ever the king of the house, waved his hand dismissively. “The roads will be slippery. Serena, prepare the guest rooms. They’re staying tonight.”

I pressed my lips together, holding back a sigh. Caleb always put his friends before family. He knew perfectly well I was going through a sensitive period, when I’d rather hide away than deal with strangers. But my hints meant nothing to him. He patted the three men on their shoulders, grinning widely. “Order whatever you want, Serena will get fresh sheets ready for you.” I let out a small huff, resigned to playing the good wife role as I headed toward the guest room to prepare. The spare blankets were stacked on the top shelf, out of my reach. I climbed onto the bed, my legs slightly shaky—thanks to Caleb’s overzealous performance last night. I cursed under my breath, blaming him for my sore muscles. As I yanked down a blanket, my foot slipped. Before I could hit the floor, someone rushed in and caught me, strong arms steadying my body. Thinking it was Caleb, I complained without hesitation, “Oh, now you come to help? Were you waiting for me to break my neck?” After a moment of silence, a low chuckle came from behind me. “Hey, I’m helping now, aren’t I?” That wasn’t Caleb’s voice. I jerked back, my heart racing, to find Leonard standing there, grinning like a kid caught stealing cookies. I was mortified, realizing he’d heard every complaint. “I—I thought you were… I didn’t know it was you.” “Caleb, right? No worries, I don’t mind,” he laughed easily, waving away my embarrassment. His smile was bright and carefree, as if he never had a serious moment. It was hard to imagine him as a professor, lecturing in front of a class. I managed a terse “Good to know,” grabbing the blanket, eager to escape. My instincts told me we had nothing to talk about. But as I walked toward the guest room, I heard his footsteps following behind me. I gave him a questioning look. He shrugged. “They’re playing poker in the living room, getting pretty intense. I’m not much of a card shark. Thought I’d help you out.” I glanced toward the living room, seeing Caleb pulling out his worn limited-edition deck, laughing with Victor and Samuel like they were storming a battlefield. Irritation churned in my stomach, but with Leonard right there, I swallowed my anger to avoid embarrassing Caleb. Leonard proved surprisingly competent, focusing on making the bed with an attention to detail I hadn’t expected from him. He talked like a slacker but worked meticulously. I couldn’t help comparing him to Caleb and blurted out, “If Caleb were half as considerate as you, my life would be so much easier.” Without missing a beat, he responded, “Well, maybe you should trade him in for me then.” My eyes widened, and I laughed nervously. “Don’t joke like that. I’m Caleb’s wife.” I took it as a joke. I thought, “This must be guy humor, right? Friends don’t steal each other’s partners, and we just met. He can’t possibly be serious.” But as I busied myself with the sheets, I could feel his gaze, heavy and warm, drilling into my back. It didn’t feel like a joke. I froze, mumbled an excuse, and fled the room. I cornered Caleb in the bathroom, whispering, “You and Leonard—are you close?” He raised an eyebrow. “Why the sudden interest?” I hesitated, then forced myself to say, “He… he’s making passes at me!” Caleb burst out laughing, loud and unconcerned. My cheeks burned with embarrassment. “That’s a good thing,” he continued laughing. “Means you’re attractive.” His nonchalance stung. No jealousy, no concern—just that dismissive shrug. I suddenly remembered his advocacy for open marriage, and my heart sank. Of course he didn’t care. A guy like him who fooled around probably hoped I would too. Why would he worry about me cheating? Angry, I pushed him out of the bathroom. “Fine! Keep laughing and see how I make a joke out of you!” I collapsed onto the toilet, my thoughts in chaos. My body, the traitor, began responding to the emotional turmoil again. A soft moan escaped before I could stop it. “Caleb…” I bit my lip, hating how much I needed him. That’s why he had control over me—he always knew how to make me come back. The pain in my chest intensified, my shirt already soaked through. I couldn’t face him like this. I stripped off my clothes and turned the shower to cold, hoping the icy water would extinguish the heat inside me. It didn’t work. In desperation, I began touching myself, letting out a cry I was sure would be covered by the rain and water noise. No one would hear. Lost in the haze, I didn’t notice until a warm, solid body pressed against me from behind. I screamed, lunging forward, but the figure behind me held me tight, keeping me firmly in place. His rough hands made me tremble all over. No one else could touch me like that—it had to be Caleb. Still stinging from his earlier coldness, I muttered, “Stay away from me…” But my body had other ideas, leaning into him as if craving his warmth. He didn’t respond to my half-hearted protest, just brushed his lips against the back of my neck, igniting a heat that made my knees weak. If he hadn’t held me up, I would have collapsed to the floor. Perhaps because of our earlier argument, he was different tonight—gentle, almost careful. Each touch was light and teasing, but not enough to extinguish the fire raging inside me. I turned impatiently to face him. “Caleb, what’s going on? Can you just—” He gripped my chin, preventing me from seeing his face. I let out an impatient huff. “Caleb, stop playing games. Hurry up.” His hand froze. A cool chuckle brushed against my ear, then his kiss came like a storm, fierce and unyielding. The water had turned warm, and I couldn’t tell if the flush on my cheeks was from the steam or his touch. The pain in my chest subsided, replaced by a bone-deep satisfaction, even as my back pressed hard against the tiles. Exhausted, I collapsed into his arms. He carried me out of the bathroom, and I curled against him, suddenly shy knowing his friends were still in the house. Back in the bedroom, I dove under the covers like a nervous teenager, my cheeks burning. His low laughter filtered through the blanket, and I felt him kiss my forehead before quietly leaving. I peeked out; the rain outside was still tapping against the windows, but my heart felt lighter than it had in days. I drifted into a satisfied sleep. A clap of thunder jolted me awake. I reached for Caleb, but the bed was cold—he hadn’t returned. “What’s wrong?” his voice came from across the room, and I sighed with relief, turning to answer. But there he was, lounging casually in the armchair, phone pressed to his ear. He chuckled softly, warm and intimate. “Want me to come over and keep you company? Hmm?” My heart stopped, a jagged crack splitting it open. Whatever the person on the other end said made the corners of his eyes crinkle with amusement. He whispered a few sweet nothings, then said, “Wait for me, I’m on my way.” He grabbed his jacket and headed for the door without hesitation. I couldn’t help calling out, “Caleb!” He didn’t even pause, just walked straight out. The door clicked shut, followed by a deafening thunderclap, as if the sky itself was mocking me. Tears streamed down my face, hot and unstoppable. Seven years together—our first love, our everything. He used to love my quirks, my differences. Now he despised them. I’d been blaming myself, wondering if I should have given in to his ridiculous open marriage proposal. But now I understood. He had someone else, someone he’d drop everything for at just a phone call. His so-called “freedom” was just an excuse for his unfaithful heart. What had these seven years meant? A joke? The passionate days we’d just shared only made me feel more like a fool. I cried until my chest ached, until I could barely breathe, until sleep dragged me under once more. I didn’t hear the door open, but someone was there, their weight pressing down on me. Hands roughly grabbed my chest, making me wince. A small gasp escaped me, and the touch immediately softened. Fingers lifted my chin, and a possessive kiss stole my breath, making me dizzy until I forgot to resist. Then lightning split the sky, the white flash jolting me awake. Caleb—he had left. So who was this? I forced my eyes open, staring at the person above me, head lowered, still moving. My breath caught as my eyes widened in shock.

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For Memorial Day weekend, I booked flights to take my family to Hawaii. But my dad, Richard Bennett, had other ideas. He grabbed my phone, smashed it on the floor, and kicked me hard, knocking me down. Then he grabbed his belt and started whipping me. “You ungrateful parasite!” he roared as the belt struck my skin. “Do you know how much those tickets cost? When I was your age, I jumped freight trains looking for work and got my head cracked open by cops without making a sound!” I screamed, my body covered in welts and bruises. My mom, Catherine Bennett, didn’t lift a finger to help me. Instead, she took out her phone, recorded my pitiful state, and posted the video to our family’s “Happy Together” group chat. Catherine: [Kids these days only think about pleasure. Can’t handle any hardship. Always flying somewhere for fun.] The group chat exploded immediately. My mom’s brother Thomas Whitman: [My daughter works her ass off even with a 103-degree fever.] My mom’s sister Elaine Holloway: [My son spends summer hauling bricks at construction sites to build character.] My dad’s sister Monica Ramsey: [My daughter’s husband takes the whole family to the dump to sort recyclables. While your spoiled daughter is here wasting money on vacations!] They took turns attacking my “spoiled” lifestyle, boasting about how their children thrived through toughness and sacrifice. So the next day, I canceled the tickets. With my beaten, limping leg, I printed out a registration form for “Back-to-Basics Boot Camp” and handed it over with a smile. If they wanted hardship, I’d let them taste the “good old days.” But five days later, they were crying and begging me to pick them up. ***** I opened the “Back-to-Basics Boot Camp” website, reading the program details line by line, each sentence more gut-wrenching than the last. Wake up at 4 AM for physical labor, rationed coarse meals, communal barracks for sleeping, and physical punishment for rule violations. My cursor hovered over the “Ultimate Hardship Package” for a long time. Then I decisively clicked “Confirm.” At breakfast, I slid the printed registration form across the table to Richard and Catherine. “Dad, Mom, choosing Hawaii was wrong,” I said, keeping my voice steady. “You’re right, we should all experience real hardship together.” Catherine’s eyes lit up. She snatched the form, took a photo, and posted it to the family group chat with a message. [Sophie signed us up for a “Taste of Tough Times” boot camp! Who else wants to join? Register now!] Richard smoked his cigarette, flicking ashes onto the stovetop I had just cleaned. He quickly replied to the group. [Like I’ve always said, kids today need a wake-up call. I gave her a good beating yesterday, and now she finally respects her elders.] Relatives swarmed in, flooding the chat with messages. Elaine was first: [We’re barely making ends meet. My son works hauling bricks in summer for extra cash. We can’t afford fancy vacations.] Monica’s voice message dripped with sarcasm. “Must be nice having the time and money to play around. Some of us have real responsibilities.” Richard and Catherine’s egos inflated from the provocation. Richard puffed out his chest and announced, “Since everyone’s so eager, let’s rent a bus and make this a family event. Everyone can taste the hard life!” Catherine hastily agreed, nodding vigorously. “Exactly! And Sophie will foot the bill—it’s time she showed some gratitude!” My heart sank. With over twenty relatives in the group, the cost would easily reach five figures. “Mom, I don’t have that kind of money,” I said with a trembling voice. “You can’t just—”

I caught my breath. I had only intended for the older generation—those who constantly droned on about the “hard times”—to experience this. Dragging the entire family into it wasn’t part of the plan. I carefully replied in the group chat: [Everyone’s busy, right? Probably don’t have time for a trip.] But Richard wasn’t buying it. My attempt to dodge Thomas’s proposal had clearly angered him. “Don’t tell us how to raise our children,” he snapped. “This is a rare opportunity for all of you to learn some resilience. No one is allowed to miss it.” Catherine immediately chimed in: [Missing this would be an insult to the entire family!] I watched as likes popped up one after another in the chat, then silently turned off my phone. These stubborn old folks wouldn’t budge no matter what I said. Then Thomas called, excitement evident in his voice. His son Ethan Whitman had come home, and he wanted us to stop by his house for a gathering to discuss the details of the training camp. Richard agreed on the spot. Catherine yanked open my closet, and the musty smell of mothballs hit me in the face. For many Christmases, whenever I used my own salary to buy new clothes, she would scold me for “wasting money.” Once, she even tore apart all the clothes I had bought right in front of me to “teach me a lesson.” Now, my closet contained only worn-out secondhand clothes. I rummaged through and picked out the least tattered shirt. Catherine nodded with satisfaction. “Better to keep it simple. We don’t want your uncle thinking we’ve gone soft and forgotten our roots.” I held back a laugh. How amusing that they didn’t hesitate to spend my salary on renting a bus, but now they were all about “staying humble.” At Thomas’s house, a decoration reading “Hard Work, Perseverance” hung in the living room. My aunt Linda Whitman bustled about, setting up two distinctly different tables. The large round table was laden with steaks, roast chicken, and wine. The small square table was pushed to the side, with only a few hard dinner rolls and a plate of watery vegetables. I frowned, but Linda beamed at me. “Sophie, come try the ‘Taste of Tough Times’ meal I prepared for you and Ethan!” Before I could respond, Richard pushed me forward. “Go on, tell your uncle about this project you’ve arranged.” I rattled off the details in one breath: waking up at 4 AM for physical labor, rationed food, communal dormitories. Thomas slammed down his wine glass. “You call that hardship?” he roared. “Back in my day, I was shoveling manure at three in the morning!” His outburst startled Ethan, whose hand jerked, dropping his fork with a sharp clatter. Ethan had grown up under Thomas’s iron fist, either being yelled at or beaten, constantly indoctrinated with the “Spare the rod, spoil the child” philosophy. The guy was terrified of his father. After a few bites, Ethan put down his utensils and muttered, “I have exams next week, might need to study…” Thomas smashed his plate to the floor, shattering it. “You want to sneak off while your elders are still eating? Sit back down!” Ethan shrank back into his chair, lowering his head. After dinner, I was assigned to wash the dishes. Ethan slipped into the kitchen, complaining in a low voice, “Sophie, what the hell? This training camp was your lousy idea, and now we’re all being dragged into it.” I remembered what my cousin Clara Whitman had told me. She had tried reasoning with Thomas, saying times had changed and there was no need to make children relive past hardships. But Thomas wouldn’t listen. He was determined to force Ethan—a kid preparing for his SATs—to “experience the struggles of our generation.” I turned on the faucet, letting the water noise cover our conversation, and pulled out my phone. I opened the “Ultimate Hardship Package” page and grinned. “You don’t want to go, right? They think it’s not tough enough? Well, I have a plan…” Ethan glanced at the training camp description. His expression shifted from fear to disbelief, finally settling on a strange, almost excited look. That night, I sent a message to the family group chat: [Due to high demand, the bus is fully booked. To ensure the elders get the full experience, I’ll lead the younger generation in a separate free hardship program. We’ll go our separate ways and meet at the destination after five days.]

The family group chat erupted with complaints from the elders. Thomas shouted the loudest: “Separate? No way! You kids need someone watching you, otherwise you’ll just slack off and fool around!” Richard glared at me, his voice low and suspicious: “What scheme are you cooking up now?” I was prepared and replied calmly. “The boot camp heard that the elders wanted an authentic nostalgia trip, so they upgraded it to the ‘Silver Years Special’ package. A five-stop journey, going back in time from the 90s Christmas era all the way to the 50s Christmas era. You’re practically going to time travel.” The group chat exploded instantly. Monica couldn’t contain herself: “I’m going to wear overalls and a headscarf—perfect for Instagram photos!” Thomas chimed in: “Sophie, keep an eye on those little troublemakers, and don’t forget to send video updates!” Watching the conversation shift, I smiled slightly and typed: “No problem.” On Memorial Day, the whole family met at the gathering point, dragging enough luggage to sink a ship. “Sophie!” Catherine yelled at me while hauling an enormous suitcase. “Come help! These are all essentials!” I glanced at the suitcase. Thermos bottles, bags of snacks, and even a portable massager. I held back my laughter. Bring whatever you want—it’ll all be confiscated soon anyway. After confirming everyone had arrived, a dilapidated bus puttered up. The paint was peeling, and faded “Hard Work, Perseverance” stickers covered the windows. Richard wrinkled his nose. “What kind of junk is this? No air conditioning?” I shrugged. “Dad, this is all my salary can afford.” He scoffed. “Then you should get a second job. What’s a little hardship in your Christmas generation?” I didn’t bother responding. Since I started working, more than half my monthly salary went to my family. The rest, I saved bit by bit. After everyone boarded, I approached Dale Ward, the boot camp coordinator. “My relatives are here to suffer. Please give them the VIP treatment.” Dale gave me a knowing smile. “Don’t worry, our ‘Taste of Tough Times’ travel agency specializes in this.” The door slammed shut. I stood outside, waving with a bright smile. “Have fun!” As the bus rumbled away, I took out my phone and opened the “Back-to-Basics Boot Camp” livestream. On screen, Dale was rallying the group through a loudspeaker. “Everyone, our first stop is a 90s-era bar to relive the good old days!” Upon arrival, Dale led them into a campsite decorated with flickering lights, yellowed boy band posters, and a clunky rotary jukebox. The elders went wild. “The 90s were the best!” Richard shouted, grabbing the microphone. “I was busy with business then, hitting the bars every night!” He belted out an off-key grunge rock song, his voice hoarse but refusing to stop. Thomas climbed onto a coffee table, attempting to dance disco, nearly splitting his pants. Catherine stared at her phone, posting dozens of Instagram stories: “This is real nostalgia!” The livestream comment section exploded. “This doesn’t look like a boot camp, it’s an old folks’ rave!” “Uncle Thomas is dancing like he’s being electrocuted, his pants are about to burst!” “‘Hard Work, Perseverance’? More like ‘1999 Party Madness’!” I chuckled, typing in the comments: “Just wait, the real show is coming.” Three hours later, Dale led them to a dilapidated farmyard. Faded slogans covered the crumbling mud walls, with rusty pitchforks piled in the corner. Dale’s voice changed, becoming stern. “Alright, everyone, the real lesson begins now. Hand over all your personal belongings—immediately!” Catherine was the first to break down, clutching her suitcase like a lifeline. “Impossible! I need these things!” Dale stood in the center of the farm, expressionlessly pointing at her snacks and massager. “These are decadent luxuries! Sugar-coated traps!” Richard reluctantly removed his watch, muttering, “It’s just a watch, why make such a big deal?” I stared at the livestream, holding back laughter. Richard actually said “just a watch.” When I once saved up for a basic calculator, he called me a hopeless idiot who would never amount to anything. “Richard! Step forward!” Dale’s voice cracked like a whip. “That attitude is the worst form of self-indulgence! Run ten laps around the yard—now!” Richard’s face froze. Under everyone’s gaze, he had no choice but to start jogging, his pride trailing behind him. Finally, all their phones, backpacks, and suitcases were confiscated. The staff even found the lighter Richard had hidden in his sock. Dale’s voice was ice-cold. “From now on, call me Mr. Ward. You will complete all five stations—no one gets to quit halfway. Those are the rules.” I sprawled across the leather couch in the living room—the one I was never allowed to touch—and propped up my tablet to watch the livestream. The comment section was exploding. [These folks love bragging about resilience, but when they actually face hardship, they all want to run.] [This is just the beginning. They’re complaining about losing their stuff, wait until things get really tough.] I stretched lazily, enjoying the rare opportunity to hog the couch. In the livestream, Dale waved a metal megaphone. “Work assignments! Men shovel manure, women take hoes to the field!” Thomas stared at the manure bucket, his face turning green. “I’m a retired executive of a global company!” Dale handed him the bucket. “Executives lead by example. Ten buckets before you eat.” Once they all went to work, I hummed a tune while raiding the refrigerator. Richard and Catherine’s stockpile of gourmet fruit? All mine now. I filled a plate with strawberries and wandered over to Catherine’s vanity, sampling her high-end creams one by one. My phone buzzed. Ethan messaged: [Sophie! Quick—they’re about to eat!] The livestream cut to the cafeteria. The elders lined up with metal trays, receiving portions of coarse bread and watery vegetables. Linda gagged after one bite. “This stuff? Even pigs wouldn’t eat it!” Dale slammed the table. “Wasting food? People starved to death in the 60s!” Linda argued, “But we’re experiencing the 90s! Why bring up the 60s?” Dale smirked. “The decade doesn’t matter. You’re here to taste hardship. Complain again and you’ll skip dinner.” The comment section exploded: [This isn’t a training camp, it’s a labor reform school!] [Hypocrisy alert! They call kids spoiled, but they can’t even swallow a piece of bread!] [Oh, now you care about “decades”? Then stop forcing your outdated lectures on others!] The elders sat with mud-stained faces, glumly gnawing on dry bread. Catherine muttered, “The spinning wheel gave me bloody blisters. Even textile factories aren’t this cruel.” Richard sighed, “Eating this stuff? How are we supposed to have energy to work? I paid good money to come here, surely there must be real food.” Catherine’s eyes lit up. “What do you have in mind?” I drifted to the liquor cabinet and took out Richard’s treasured whiskey—once when I accidentally knocked it over, he made me kneel for three hours as punishment. I raised the bottle toward the livestream with a grin. “To my dear elders. I’ll drink first. You enjoy your ‘fun’ at your leisure.” That night, I sank into the bathtub after pouring in half a bag of Catherine’s luxury bath salts. While soaking, my phone suddenly rang. I answered, puzzled. Richard’s voice came through, trembling and tearful. “Sophie, I was wrong. No more fake hardship, please. Come get us, or I’m finished!”

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