• Until Forever

    I was wearing my pajamas, carrying groceries from the supermarket as I walked home. That was when Randell Deleon appeared in his luxurious sports car. He sneered. “Is this what you call a better choice? Did you become a maid after leaving me?” Before I could respond, a child suddenly rushed over and hugged my leg. “Mommy, who is this strange man?” Randell’s eyes widened in fury as he stormed toward me. “Is he my child?” I shook my head. “We’ve been apart for five years. There’s no way I could have a three-year-old boy with you.” I never imagined I would run into Randell like this again. I was in baggy coral fleece pajamas. Having just come back from the supermarket, I was surrounded by bags of groceries. At a nearby table, a child was munching on fried chicken. I felt Randell’s icy gaze bore down on me from above. I awkwardly took a sip of the soda in front of me. Randell remained silent. Seconds ticked by, and my part-time job was about to start. Finally, I broke the silence. “Randell…” I hesitated, unsure what to call him. I looked at him in his tailored suit. In the end, I managed to say, “Mr. Deleon, I have things to do. If you don’t need anything, I’ll take the child and leave.” “Mr. Deleon?” Randell repeated my words, his deep voice carrying a nonchalant tone. He sounded casual, but I shivered. Alistair Schultz was always perceptive. He put down her burger and tugged at my sleeve. “Mommy, when are we going home?” I quickly followed her lead. “Mr. Deleon, he wants to go home. We can talk another time.” I stood up, but Randell trailed behind us. “I drove here; let me give you a ride back.” I thought he probably just wanted to see where I lived now, to check how miserable my life had become. Randell’s luxury car parked in front of our shabby community immediately attracted a lot of attention. I hurriedly thanked him and dashed upstairs. But when I came down after changing, I saw Randell’s car still there. He leaned against the car door, a cigarette dangling from his lips. I froze, wondering, “When did he start smoking?” However, I had no time to ponder. I was running late for work. I tried to pretend I hadn’t seen Randell as I walked past him. “Where are you in such a hurry to go? Let me give you a ride.” I paused, glancing at the time on my phone. Being late meant a 100-dollar fine. I had only twenty minutes left. “Then I’d appreciate it. To Seraphine Manors.” Randell’s grip tightened on the steering wheel, his brow furrowing as he looked at me. “What are you going there for?” I wasn’t surprised by his reaction. Seraphine Manors was the wealthy district of Undulis. It was almost an entirely different world from my run-down neighborhood. I bit my lip, giving him what I thought was my most charming smile. “Just like you said, to be a maid.” Randell fell silent again, driving quietly, but his lips were pressed together, revealing his discontent. As we reached the entrance of the community, I heard him say just as I opened the car door, “Do you regret your decision?” I looked into his deep eyes, a serene smile on my lips. “I never regret.” Randell and I met in college. A girl from an ordinary family and a highborn heir shouldn’t have crossed paths. Yet, I, a delivery girl, stumbled into a group of wealthy young men betting amongst themselves. As I pushed open the door to the private room in the bar, all eyes turned toward me. After a brief silence, they erupted into mocking laughter. “Wow! I told you Randell was lucky! Even a delivery girl can be this beautiful!” “Quick! Randell, it’s your turn!” Randell stepped forward amidst their laughter. I recognized him. He was the campus heartthrob. He was the sole heir of the Deleon Group and a prince charming in the eyes of many girls. With a confident smile, he approached me. “Want to go out with me?” I sighed, handing him the fried chicken I was delivering. “Your delivery has arrived.” After saying that, I turned to leave, afraid of causing any trouble. Since there were many universities around, most of my delivery customers were students. I often encountered situations like this. Fearing trouble, I fled.

    The next day, I had no morning classes and slept until noon. As I walked to the cafeteria, I noticed people staring and whispering about me. I had no idea what was happening. Suddenly, the belle of the dance department blocked my path, sizing me up from head to toe. Then she laughed contemptuously. “So, you’re Eleanore Schultz?” Without warning, she slapped me. “I’ll tell you this. I have my eye on Randell. You look so innocent. I can’t believe you dared to steal the man I want.” I had thought Randell was her boyfriend or something, but I soon realized that she was just carrying a torch with him. I never sought trouble, but I wouldn’t let anyone bully me. I grabbed her hair and yanked it back, slapping her hard before pushing her away. But her friends outnumbered me, and they shoved me aside. I thought I was about to get hit when, unexpectedly, I fell into a warm embrace. Looking up, I saw Randell had caught me. My instinct was to break free. He whispered in my ear, “If you don’t want trouble, just listen to me. She knows gang members.” Randell’s words were half true, half not. I couldn’t tell what was real, but fear crept in. I timidly hid behind him, all my earlier bravado vanishing. And so, Randell stayed by my side, claiming it was to protect me. After spending a semester together, I gradually developed feelings for him. We enjoyed several wonderful years of campus life. I thought we would be happy forever. But what happened next proved I was too naïve. On graduation day, I met Randell’s mother, Makayla Deleon. Her grandeur made me feel instantly small. “I heard your parents passed away. Your sister, Denisse, has congenital heart disease and is in the hospital?” I didn’t expect Makayla to bring this up right away. People saw me as lively and ambitious, but I carried my own burdens. My sister, Denisse Schultz, had been hospitalized since my freshman year. My parents worked tirelessly to save money for her treatment. In a tragic accident due to fatigue, they lost their lives. “I can give you a million dollars if you stay away from my son.” I never thought the drama from television would play out in my life. I knew I should toss the check back at her and tell her my relationship with Randell couldn’t be measured in money. But just two days ago, I received a call from Denisse’s doctor. He told me a suitable heart had become available. If I could pay the fees within a week, Denisse could undergo surgery. Taking a deep breath, I accepted the check. “Fine, I’ll take it.” “Eleanore! Are you really giving up on us for a million dollars?” Hearing his voice made me realize Randell had been eavesdropping on my conversation with Makayla. His eyes were red, fixed on me with intensity. I was afraid to meet his gaze. I could only look down and walk away quickly. He grabbed my wrist tightly. Randell’s voice trembled, “If you say this is false, I’ll believe you.” I took a deep breath, forcing out a smile that looked more like a grimace. “Randell, I never liked you. I was with you just to get money. I’m leaving with your mother’s check. Please don’t chase after me, okay?” After saying that, I hurried away. I didn’t dare look back at him. After the surgery, Denisse’s heart rejected the transplant. Shortly after giving birth to Alistair, she passed away. Facing Alistair, who also had congenital heart disease, Denisse’s husband chose to leave. And I took on the responsibility of caring for Alistair.

    When I finished work at Seraphine Manors, it was already past ten in the evening. Under the dim streetlights, Randell was still standing there. The ground was littered with cigarette butts. I approached and asked softly, “Why are you still here?” “Where’s the father of your child? He just left you to work this late?” “He’s gone.” Randell slammed his fist against a nearby tree, blood immediately trickling down his hand. “Randell, what are you doing?!” He muttered an expletive under his breath. “You left me for a million dollars, and now you’ve chosen a man like that? If you were with me, you could have had wealth and luxury! You wouldn’t have to live like this, with no dignity, working as someone’s maid!” I didn’t argue back. I whispered, “But I never regret it.” I felt that if I could go back, I would still choose that check without hesitation. Randell was furious. “Eleanore! Fine! You’re really something else!” After we parted that day, I thought I would never see Randell again. But fate seemed unwilling to let me go. I continued my routine, preparing dinner for Alistair after work, then heading to Seraphine Manors. As I changed in the storage room, I unexpectedly ran into Randell. He paused for a moment, then coldly turned his gaze away. He acted as if we had never met. I set out the snacks in front of them. Randell looked at me. “Mrs. Ruiz, I haven’t seen this maid before.” Gerda Ruiz glanced at me. “She’s Eleanore, recommended by a maid who used to work for us. She comes every night to prepare some late-night snacks.” “Really?” “What’s the matter? Randell, I just went upstairs for a bit, and you’re already flirting with my little maid?” The young lady, Lesly Ruiz, came down the stairs. Randell smiled and walked over to her, casually wrapping his arm around her waist. “What are you thinking? Are you jealous?” As he spoke, he playfully tapped Lesly’s nose. Seeing them so close, I felt I had no business being there. I quickly set down the tray and fled to the kitchen. Randell’s presence made my part-time job surprisingly easy that night. When my shift ended, I gathered my things and prepared to leave. I ran into Randell again. In Lesly’s garden, he grabbed my shoulder, covered my mouth with his hand, and pushed me against a tree stump. I couldn’t resist. Lesly’s voice came from behind us. “Randell, where did you go? Randell!” Fear widened my eyes; I was terrified Lesly would see me. Randell bit my earlobe, his warm tongue teasing my neck. He knew full well that was my most sensitive spot. I trembled, my legs giving way as I melted into Randell’s embrace. He laughed playfully, “Eleanore, after all these years, your body still remembers me.” I knew Randell hated me for leaving him for a million dollars. That was why he was deliberately tormenting me, trying to humiliate me. My nails dug deep into my palms. It wasn’t until Lesly left that I finally summoned all my strength to push Randell away. Randell didn’t give me the chance to refuse. He grabbed my face and kissed me fiercely. The metallic taste of blood filled my mouth. Randell seemed even more exhilarated. I struggled to breathe, my consciousness fading. I fought back with everything I had, but it was futile. I felt like a toy being played with at will. Tears of frustration and sorrow streamed down my face uncontrollably. Feeling my tears, Randell finally stopped. I slapped him hard across the face. “Randell, you bastard!”

    🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “MyFiction” app 🔍 search for “397284”, and watch the full series ✨! #MyFiction #BillionaireRomance #Rejected #Pregnancy #SecondChance #SecondChanceatFirstLove

  • Scorned and Broken

    In the seventh year with Elena, I went to the office to find her, but overheard her chatting with someone else. “It’s been seven years with Jacob; you must be very happy, right?” Elena Russell replied faintly, “I’ve never loved him. Do you believe that?” “Stop joking. If you never loved him, how could you be together for seven years? You’re not still thinking about Hector, are you? Elena, Hector has been abroad for years.” “Don’t say that. I and Hector have long since moved on—” There was an unspoken melancholy in Elena’s tone. Hector Elliott was Elena’s first boyfriend. I hadn’t heard that name in a long, long time. My friend fell silent, and I gradually let go of the doorknob I was gripping. The warm thermos I held was the soup I had made for her that morning. She had said she felt a bit tired and wasn’t in good spirits lately. The temperature of the thermos suddenly dropped; it felt so cold, chilling to the bone. I turned around and placed the thermos on her assistant’s desk, leaving calmly. Seven years had passed. We had been together for seven years. It’s a lie to say I wasn’t hurt to hear her say she never loved me. The so-called seven-year itch is real, but unfortunately, Elena probably never felt it. Outside, the rain began to pour, and the rumbling thunder was somewhat frightening. I curled up on the sofa, watching TV. It was one in the morning, and Elena still hadn’t returned. If it were before, I would have kept calling her, asking when she’d come back, worried about her drinking too much and harming her health. She would always impatiently ask me, “Jacob, don’t you have your own life?” In the past, I would jokingly reply, “My life is you.” Suddenly, I felt a bit pitiful. It seemed Elena was right; I didn’t have my own life anymore. It is indeed rather pathetic for a man to live this way for a woman. The television was playing a boring drama. Besides the thunder and the faint sound of the TV, the whole villa was terrifyingly silent. Around two o’clock, Elena came back. As she pushed the door open, the dampness from the rain rushed in, bringing a slight chill. Seeing me, she looked a bit surprised. “It’s so late; why aren’t you asleep?” I weakly replied, “I can’t sleep.” She didn’t say anything else, changed her shoes, and went back to her room. We slept in the same bed, back to back, with no extra words. Outside, lightning flashed and thunder roared, and countless times I replayed Elena’s words from earlier in my mind. “I feel like I’ve never loved him.” A dull pain shot through my heart; I bit my lip, and tears uncontrollably streamed down. How strange; I hadn’t cried all day, yet when Elena returned, I couldn’t help it. Elena wasn’t asleep; she turned over and hugged me. “Tomorrow is our wedding anniversary. How do you want to celebrate?” Elena’s body was hot; her warm breath brushed against my neck, tickling me a little. I had loved her embrace for seven years, but now, I felt a bit resistant. I sniffled and replied, “Anything is fine.” “I’ll be busy tomorrow and won’t have much time to spend with you. I remember there was a watch you liked; I’ll have my assistant buy it for you tomorrow.” After saying this, she let go of me and turned back to sleep. I was used to this; for so many years, I had spent our wedding anniversaries alone. I didn’t expect this time to be any different. I couldn’t sleep all night, and only fell into a deep sleep after dawn. When I woke up, Elena was not by my side. While having breakfast, the doorbell rang. It was Elena’s assistant, Mylo Lee, young and energetic. When he saw me, he offered a standard but unfriendly smile. “Mr. Green, this is Mrs. Green’s anniversary gift for you.” I reached out to take it; it was a watch I had liked before. If I hadn’t heard those words, I thought I would be happy right now. But now, my heart felt like a still pond. I took the gift and casually asked, “Who picked it?” “Mrs. Green chose it herself. Don’t you like it, Mr. Green?” Like it? How could I not? It was the same brand of watch; she had already given me three, all the same style and color. I didn’t know when it started, but Elena had long lost her patience with me. She was just going through the motions. Besides, today isn’t even our wedding anniversary; that’s next month. But I was tired; I didn’t want to fuss over it anymore. I planned to bring up divorce with Elena today. After being together for seven years, I didn’t want to make a scene. Before cooking for Elena, I called her to confirm she would be home for dinner. After three hours of effort, I made a feast. Fish and Chips, Spicy Glazed Ribs, Salad… all her favorites. Actually, I didn’t know how to cook before being with Elena. She had a sensitive stomach and would get sick from takeout, which worried me, so I started to learn. After we married, she said she didn’t want me to suffer too much and told me to enjoy life while she took care of me. I loved her too much; I became a full-time husband for love, and my friends often teased me about it. Elena had a habit of being late for our dates. I sat at the table, watching the dishes gradually cool, feeling no ripple of emotion inside. I called her. After all, I wanted to discuss the divorce face-to-face.

    The phone rang twice, but no one picked up. I wasn’t discouraged and tried a third time. This time, she answered, and I could hear her deliberately lowered voice. “I have something to do; you don’t need to wait for me to eat.” “I—” I started to say, but a familiar male voice came through. “Elena, I’m so hungry! What do you want to eat?” That voice was Hector! He was back! A sharp pain pierced my heart; I tightened my grip on the phone. “Elena, today is our wedding anniversary.” “Does one anniversary really matter that much?” she raised her voice and questioned me. “I said I’d accompany you tomorrow. Isn’t that enough?” “Hector is more important to you than I am,” I scoffed coldly. “After all these years, you still can’t forget him, can you?” “Elena, is the steak medium-rare again?” Hector urged, and Elena hastily replied, “I’ll hang up; we can talk when I get back.” “Does that mean even the divorce can wait until tomorrow?” “Jacob, can you please stop being unreasonable?” Even with the distance between us, I could feel Elena’s patience wearing thin. “How many times have we talked about divorce, and how many times have we actually gone through with it? Fine, Jacob, happy seven-year anniversary.” Happy? I wasn’t happy at all. I listened to the busy tone on the phone, sneering. Elena, oh Elena, you won’t even give me a proper chance to say goodbye. Taking out the divorce agreement, I firmly signed my name on it. I packed up all my things and left Elena’s villa. After my parents passed away, I no longer wanted to go back to that cold home; I turned to my brother’s place instead. “Are you really going to divorce Elena?” This was the eighth time Nicolas Collins asked me today, his shock evident on his face. I nodded, packing my bags as I replied, “I’ve already signed the papers.” “Jacob, you must be sick.” He felt my forehead. “That’s Elena, the one you’ve loved for fifteen years.” Yes, I loved Elena for fifteen years. I started liking her when I was ten, and now I’m twenty-five. But Elena has never loved me; she has always loved Hector. “I don’t love her anymore.” I brushed his hand away, my tone calm. Nicolas wanted to say something else, but my phone rang. It was Elena calling. It was now 10 a.m. the next day, and she had just realized I was missing, which meant she had just come home. After a night out, it was obvious who she had been with. “Aren’t you going to answer?” Elena called five times, but I didn’t pick up. Nicolas rubbed his forehead, his eyes wide. “Jacob, are you serious?” I remained silent as Elena sent me texts. [Where are you? Are you really going to divorce me? Are you serious?] [Stop messing around; you know I won’t agree to it.] [Just because I didn’t come home on our anniversary, you’re going to divorce me? Jacob, you’re not that petty.] Three texts were sent in a row, all questioning me. Nicolas chimed in. “Over an anniversary? That’s unnecessary; you know Elena is busy.” I lifted my eyelids and said weakly, “Yesterday was not our anniversary; it’s on the fifteenth of next month.” Nicolas immediately fell silent. I wanted to bring up Hector but felt it was unnecessary. Whoever Elena was with in the future wouldn’t concern me anymore. I simply turned off my phone and continued packing my bags. Halfway through, a cold sweat broke out on my forehead, and my stomach churned violently. I rushed to the bathroom and started throwing up uncontrollably. Nicolas was startled. “Jacob, what’s wrong?” “My stomach hurts a bit—” At this point, the pain was so severe I could hardly stand. My stomach had always been a problem. Every time I was busy preparing a feast for Elena and waited for her to come home, the food would grow cold, and I would end up not eating. Gradually, my stomach began to hurt, and now, after not having eaten since yesterday, the pain was unbearable. “You idiot.” Nicolas’ voice was thick with emotion. “Why do you have to torture yourself like this? I’ll take you to the hospital.”

    After I said good bye to the doctor, several hours had passed. I said it was just stomach pain, and the doctor casually prescribed some medication. After taking it, I felt much better. As Nicolas helped me walk out, he couldn’t help but speak up. “Jacob, open your phone and see; maybe Elena is looking for you. You’re in this state, and she has some responsibility too—” Ignoring my objections, Nicolas turned my phone back on. Nothing was there; besides the previous three texts, there was nothing else. Nicolas frowned, his expression darkening. I looked at the phone’s dimming screen and forced a smile. “Maybe to her, it’s the same whether I’m here or not.” I had gotten used to it by now; I didn’t even expect anything anymore. “No way, Elena must be busy.” To keep me from feeling worse, he kept making excuses for Elena, but just as he turned around, he spotted Elena walking from a distance with a man by her side. “Oh my God, who is that? Hector?! How could he come back?” Nicolas gasped, grabbing my hand and shaking it. “Jacob, your wife is going to be taken away by that man!” Taken away? Perhaps, Elena never belonged to me in the first place. I stood frozen, but Nicolas couldn’t hold back anymore. “No way, I’m going to ask Elena what this means. She should be worried since her husband is going to divorce her, yet she’s here with her first love at the hospital?” Perhaps Nicolas’ voice was too loud; the two quickly noticed us. The moment Elena looked up, I saw the surprise in her eyes. “What are you doing here?” she asked me, worry etched on her face. “Hector sprained his ankle this morning, and I brought him to the hospital.” My gaze fell on her hand; she was carefully supporting Hector, treating him as if he were a fragile treasure. “Hey, Jacob, long time no see.” Hector greeted me, smiling innocently. He was still handsome as ever. In contrast, I looked pale and unkempt. “Long time no see,” I replied expressionlessly, not wanting to say much, and I turned to leave. Elena grabbed my arm. “Where are you going? Are you not feeling well? I’ll take you home.” “Do you have time right now?” I stopped and retorted, “Aren’t you going to take your first love home?” Hector spoke up apologetically. “I just got back and haven’t found a place to live. I stayed at Elena’s house last night. Jacob, you don’t mind, do you? By the way, you didn’t come home last night; where were you? Elena was worried about you all night.” Haha, so he went home last night; so she had known I was gone. Yet she could hold off calling me until now. Even before we were officially divorced, Elena was already so eager to bring her first love into her life. “I don’t mind; Mr. Elliott can stay as long as he wants. I’m getting a divorce from Elena.” After saying that, I turned to leave, but unexpectedly, Elena followed right behind me. Surprisingly, she left Hector standing there and ran after me. “You need to clarify your words.” At the end of the hospital corridor, Elena lit a cigarette. “Why do you want a divorce? Just because I didn’t spend our anniversary with you? Jacob, I already gave you a gift; what else do you want? You know I’m busy, remembering the date is already pretty good. Besides, I personally picked out the gift; what more do you want? You always have to make a fuss every year; aren’t you tired? If you’re not tired, I am.”

    The smell of smoke was a bit overpowering, and my stomach began to feel uncomfortable again. I turned my head, not wanting to see her face; I really didn’t want to talk to her. “Elena, our anniversary is on August 15th, not July 15th.” Elena froze in her smoking motion and looked at me for a long time. “It was just a mistake about the wedding date.” She extinguished the cigarette and steadied me with her hand. “I promise I’ll remember next time, okay? Just give me one more chance; I guarantee it.” I promise—she had said that on our wedding day too. She had promised to treat me well and never betray me. Over the years, she indeed kept that promise. My friends all said Jacob is so lucky; Elena earns money outside while Jacob enjoys life at home. They envied that Elena always sent gifts and flowers right on time for every holiday. For these seven years, Elena treated me well; she would hold my hand proudly at any event, show off our love, and take care of me meticulously. But she was also a great actress, acting to the point where I almost believed she loved me. Until I heard her say that she had never loved me. She had always loved Hector. “Let it go, Elena; I’ve already made my decision.” “I won’t agree to that.” Elena was a bit irritated. “I’ll apply for separation; even if you don’t agree, we’ll still get divorced in two years.” Without saying anything further, I turned and walked away. Back at Nicolas’ house, I fell asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow. When I woke up, it was already dark outside. My throat was dry, and as I opened the door, I saw Nicolas leaning over the balcony, looking down. “Jacob, you’re finally awake. If you hadn’t woken up, Elena would have turned into a stone waiting for her husband.” I poured myself a glass of water and drank it all in one go. “What?” I only heard his words after finishing the drink. “It’s Elena! She’s been waiting for you downstairs for a long time! She knocked on the door, but I didn’t let her in, so she’s just been waiting there.” Nicolas pointed to the sky, “It’s getting dark and looks like it might rain again. Should I call her up? I think she’s serious this time.” I glanced downstairs, and indeed, Elena was standing there. She looked beautiful, dressed in a professional suit, her figure slender and well-proportioned. I started to get confused about what Elena wanted. She had clearly said she didn’t love me; divorce should have been the best choice for her. Was she afraid that the divorce would affect her company shares? But with our marriage being in such a state, why was she trying to win me back? As Nicolas said, the sky began to rain, with large drops pounding on Elena, yet she showed no sign of wanting to get into her car. Soon, she was soaked through. Nicolas couldn’t bear to see it. “Let her come up, Jacob. Think about it; Elena hasn’t done anything wrong to you. Why don’t you two have a good talk?” After Elena came up, Nicolas left us alone. “Come home with me, Jacob,” Elena said as I was scrolling through my phone. Hector had tweeted a picture of a woman holding a hairdryer, captioned: [The ideal happy life; this moment I’ve waited for so long.] That hand—I recognized it. I was even more familiar with the wedding ring on it. It was Elena. After seven years of marriage, she had never once blown my hair dry. Love and indifference had always been so clear. “Are you blaming me for forgetting dates or for accompanying Hector instead of you?” Seeing that I didn’t reply, Elena continued. “He just returned to the country, with nowhere to go. Besides looking for me, he has no one else to turn to. Jacob, you know, Hector is an orphan. If I don’t take care of him, no one will.” Yes, Hector is an orphan. How did we meet? I suppose it was when he was bullied, and I stepped in to save him, later introducing him to Elena. The ten-year-old Elena fell for Hector at first sight. They grew closer, and even Elena’s father took Hector as his godson. Later, they got together, but their relationship wasn’t well-received, and Elena’s father spent a fortune sending Hector abroad. During those years when Elena was dejected, I was the one by her side. Everyone said we were a perfect match, and amid everyone’s blessings, we got married. I thought after seven years, Elena had forgotten about Hector and had fallen in love with me. But I never expected that all the sacrifices I made over those seven years were just a joke.

    “Jacob, talk to me!” Elena finally lost her temper. “Do you think this is funny? Isn’t it enough that I’m groveling for you?” I slowly lifted my gaze. “Why did you come to find me? Elena, did you ever love me?” Perhaps she didn’t expect me to ask such a deep question; Elena was stunned and didn’t answer for a long time. “What about Hector? Do you love him?” “He’s different from you; Hector needs me—” Elena answered quickly, looking serious. I laughed self-deprecatingly; love can really take shape at certain moments. For example, when Elena called my name, there was always anger in her voice. But when she called Hector, it was so gentle. I tiredly rubbed my temples, ready to speak when her phone rang. “Hector, what’s wrong?” “Elena, where are you? When are you coming back? I’m hungry.” “I’m dealing with some things; wait for me. I’ll be back soon to cook for you.” Elena hung up the phone and looked at me expressionlessly. “You can stay as long as you want. As for the divorce, I won’t agree. You can live here at Nicolas’ place for as long as you need.” Elena left in a hurry. She had to return to cook for Hector because he was hungry. I watched Jacob’s back, my eyes inexplicably turning red. After seven years of marriage, she had never cooked for me. She said she couldn’t cook, but when Hector said he was hungry, she would rush back to make him food without hesitation. I pressed my dry lips together. “Forget it, I will no longer have any hope for you, Elena.” In the following days, I could barely eat anything. My stomach hurt more and more, and I vomited increasingly often. Nicolas was worried and insisted on taking me to the hospital for a check-up. When Nicolas was registering me, I felt weak all over and staggered back a few steps. Fortunately, someone caught me. “Jacob?” A gentle voice reached my ears. I looked up and saw a warm face. A glimmer of joy flashed in my eyes as I managed to stand upright. “Chloe, you’re back?” Chloe Shaw was a friend who grew up with Elena and me; she was a doctor who had been studying abroad for several years. I didn’t expect her to appear at the hospital. “I’ve been back for a while; what’s wrong with you?” she asked. Sitting in her office and seeing how mature Chloe had become, I couldn’t help but exclaim, “You’ve turned into a big beauty now, Chloe!” “You’ve changed a lot too.” She was looking at my medical report, and her expression didn’t look good. “Your face looks so bad; what’s wrong? Do I have a terminal illness?” “Jacob, your health isn’t good. What about Elena? Call her; I need to talk to both of you.” Chloe tightly held the report and didn’t give it to me. “Late-stage stomach cancer, Jacob. I will do my best to ensure you have a comfortable time, and there are now effective special medicines abroad. You still have a lot of time…” I was stunned, unable to hear what Chloe said afterward, staying silent for a long time. I have stomach cancer? Late stage? “Does Elena know? You need to call her immediately; she needs to know this.” Chloe picked up her phone. “I’ll call her and ask her to come.” “No!” I pressed her hand down. “Don’t tell her; we’re in the process of getting a divorce, so don’t tell her about my illness.” Chloe frowned. “Why? Don’t you love her very much?” See, in everyone’s eyes, I was the one who loved Elena the most. I would never divorce her. “Then—” Chloe hesitated to speak. “Let me think about it.” I picked up the report and stood up from the chair. “Please help me keep this a secret, don’t tell anyone, especially Elena.” The person who would be most heartbroken to know I was sick was Nicolas. “Jacob, I just looked it up online and consulted authoritative doctors at Riverstone Medical Center. With proper treatment, you still have a long life ahead—three years, five years. We can definitely wait for a cure to be found, so don’t lose heart!” Nicolas has been comforting me all the way; it seems he has forgotten that I’m planning to divorce Elena.

    There hasn’t been any progress on the divorce, and soon it will be Elena’s grandfather’s 80th birthday. No one in the Russell family knows about our plans to divorce. Early in the morning, Elena appeared downstairs at Nicolas’ house. “It’s Grandpa’s birthday; he really wants to see you. Let’s go back together,” Elena said, her tone more like a command. Elena’s grandfather has always treated me well, and I didn’t want to disappoint him. After buying a gift, I went back to Russell Manor with Elena. The Russell family was happy to see me, and Elena’s grandfather held my hand, asking when Elena and I planned to have a child, saying he had been looking forward to it for a long time. I felt a mix of emotions; Elena didn’t love me at all, let alone want to have a child with me. Elena seized my hand and said, “Don’t worry, Grandpa. Jacob and I won’t use contraception anymore; we’ll try to conceive a chubby grandson by the end of this year.” Under the lights, Elena’s beautiful profile still shone brightly, just as it did when I first saw her. “You shouldn’t always prioritize your career. Over the years, you’ve shouldered the Russell Group alone and fulfilled your parents’ wishes. You should take better care of your family and treat Jacob well so that your marriage can last. All I want is for you to be happy. If you and Jacob are doing well, I’ll be content,” her grandfather said. “Grandpa, I’m good to him! I promise I’ll always treat him well.” Elena reassured him again, her demeanor making me feel somewhat sick. Overcome by nausea, I couldn’t hold back and pushed past Elena to rush to the bathroom to vomit. Afterward, I felt much better. As I was washing my hands, Elena caught up to me and handed me a tissue. “What’s wrong? I saw you were sick last time I was at the hospital!” I ignored her, taking out my own tissue to wipe my mouth. I felt a strong aversion to Elena—her acting and even her scent began to irritate me. “How long are you going to keep this up?” Sensing my rejection, Elena took a step closer, but I quickly backed away to create distance between us. “Elena, you’re a great actress,” I mocked, and she clearly heard me. “I’m not acting; I haven’t treated you poorly all these years, have I?” With that, she turned and left, her face cold. Watching her back, I felt a chill in my heart. She was right; she hadn’t treated me poorly, but it was never genuine. Standing in front of the mirror, I managed a weak smile. How pathetic I look. I used to be the heartthrob of Astoria University’s finance department; how did I end up like this? Since falling ill, I’ve been vomiting almost every day and barely eating anything. I’ve also been sleepless at night, which has worsened my health. How did I let myself get like this? I mocked myself. I’m a man, yet I’ve let myself become like this for a woman. “What’s wrong? Not feeling well?” A familiar voice came from behind—it was Hector. He turned on the faucet while smiling at me, but that smile felt unsettling. I ignored him and turned to leave, but he called me back. “You’re quite self-aware, mentioning divorce, Jacob. You’ve known all along that in Elena’s heart, you’re just my substitute.” Hector smirked. “Now that I’m back, you should step aside.” “Even if I step aside, it doesn’t mean Elena will be with you.” I looked up, glaring at him coldly. “Hector, Elena’s grandpa Marcus doesn’t like you; his family won’t allow him to marry an orphan. If it weren’t for that, you would’ve been together seven years ago, right?” Hector was furious, glaring at me with rage. “Do you think you’re something special? You’re just slightly better off than me, Jacob! Let me tell you, the person I hate the most these years is you! Why should your background be better than mine? Why do Mr. Qin and Marcus like you but not me? Why was I forced to go abroad while you stayed by Elena’s side?” I scoffed. “Why? Because, except for Elena, everyone else isn’t blind! Everyone knows what kind of person you are!”

    Hector isn’t a good person; throughout his life, he has done many bad things to win Elena’s affection. In front of her, he pretends to be a harmless little rabbit. I almost saved him, changing his life, yet he repeatedly destroys everything important in mine, continuing to act in front of Elena. He presents himself as an innocent girl while making me out to be a heartless villain. He has done almost everything that the vicious male antagonist in novels would do. Yet, Elena remains blind to it. After all these years, she hasn’t gotten better; in fact, she seems even more blind. “I’m betting Elena is blind, Jacob. I’ve come back this time to be Elena’s husband; I want you to know I’m no longer that Hector who could be pushed around!” As soon as he finished speaking, he raised his hand to slap me. I was quick to react, blocking his hand and then slapping him back. “You hit me?” Hector was stunned, covering his swollen face as tears began to flow. Those tears were worthy of a Best Actor award at the Unicorn Awards. “Jacob, believe me, I came back with no other intentions; I just wanted to see you guys. I won’t ruin your relationship with Elena, I promise!” “What are you doing?” Before I could process it, Elena rushed over. She supported Hector’s arm and glared at me fiercely. “Jacob, what did you do to Hector?” Looking at the two in front of me, I found it amusing. “Can’t you see? He tried to hit me, and I fought back.” “Hit you? How could Hector hit you? Jacob, you bullied Hector since childhood; now that he’s back, you treat him like this. How could you be so heartless?” In Elena’s eyes, I’ve always been the bully, and now it’s no different. I bit my lip and said nothing, only feeling pain in my stomach. It hurt so much that I started to bend over. Hector rushed over. “What’s wrong? You look terrible!” He feigned concern, then whispered into my ear, “See? In Elena’s heart, there’s only me! I can tell you’re not well; if we both felt unwell at the same time, who do you think Elena would take to the hospital?” My stomach was cramping painfully, and I didn’t want to respond to Hector’s words at all. At that moment, Hector fell to the ground. “Ah, it hurts! Elena, my stomach hurts!” I didn’t have time to care about his poor acting. The pain in my stomach became unbearable, and the next moment, I felt a wave of nausea; I vomited blood. The air filled with a strong metallic scent. “Elena—” I struggled to reach out to her, wanting to tell her my stomach hurt and that I might die. But Elena couldn’t hear me at all; she just panicked and held Hector in her arms. “What’s wrong, Hector? Where do you feel sick? I’ll take you to the hospital right away!” As she tried to leave with Hector, I reached out and grabbed the corner of her clothes. “Elena, my stomach hurts so much. Can you—” Elena violently shook off my arm without looking at me. “Can’t you understand? You can’t compete with Hector at a time like this! Jacob, can’t you see Hector is suffering?” The force with which she pushed me made my already agonizing pain worse, and I fell to the ground. Elena turned her back on me, taking Hector away. Throughout it all, she never acknowledged me; she didn’t even glance at me. If she had looked, she would have seen the blood on me, so shocking! But she didn’t see anything! A chill spread from deep within my heart to every corner of my body. I clenched my fists tightly, my sharp nails digging into my palms. It hurt so much, my entire body ached, yet there was no pain in my heart. “Jacob!” Chloe’s terrified voice rang in my ears as she saw me vomiting blood. “What happened? How did this happen? Where’s Elena?” “Take me—to the hospital!” I couldn’t say anything else; the pain made me black out.

    I don’t know how long I slept, but when I woke up again, I heard someone talking beside me. “Is she out of her mind? Jacob is terminally ill, and she’s still with another man! No way, I need to go confront her!” “He said he didn’t want to tell Elena he was sick,” Chloe stopped Nicolas. “Since they’ve already decided to get divorced, not knowing about this might be better for them.” Nicolas’ voice was choked with tears; I could tell he was very sad. Chloe sighed. “When he wakes up, I believe Jacob will make his own judgment.” Nicolas’ voice grew quieter. “But he doesn’t have much time left.” My heart tightened, and my closed eyes trembled. Time is running out? I haven’t figured out what to do yet. I haven’t even decided whether to accept treatment, and now I’m told I don’t have much time? In a daze, I seemed to hear Elena’s voice calling me. “Jacob, we want to have a child.” Once upon a time, we were in love; why has it come to this? Since it’s like this, then so be it. Nicolas stopped talking, and Chloe fell silent too. The ward was terrifyingly quiet; I clenched my fists and slowly opened my eyes. “Jacob, you’re awake,” Nicolas rushed over, grabbing my hand, his eyes red. “I didn’t tell Elena about your situation.” I blinked and weakly nodded. “Yeah, there’s no need to tell her.” My parents had poor health and passed away a few years ago, which is good; now I don’t have to worry about them being upset. As for Elena, she probably wishes I were dead so that Hector could have his spot. “How do you feel now?” Chloe asked me, “Do you feel uncomfortable?” I shook my head. “No.” I raised my hand to my abdomen, deep in thought. Chloe opened her mouth, unsure of what to say. Just then, my phone rang. Nicolas hesitated for a moment after picking it up but didn’t hand it to me. “Is it Elena?” I licked my dry lips. “Give it to me.” When the call connected, Elena’s cold voice came through. “Where are you?” “At the hospital.” “Why did you go to the hospital again?” Elena said in a deep voice, “Grandpa called us for breakfast; I’m here to pick you up.” Her tone was the same as usual, as if she had forgotten everything that happened yesterday. She never cared about why I was in the hospital. “I’m busy,” I replied flatly. I really don’t want to see her anymore. My love for Elena has gradually faded away in just a few days. I don’t have much time left, and I don’t want any relationship with her anymore. Since that’s the case, there’s no need to meet again. “If it weren’t for Grandpa wanting to see you, do you think I would want to see you right now? Jacob, I haven’t let you off the hook for hitting Hector yesterday!” I realized that Elena’s attitude toward me had already changed significantly since Hector returned. She didn’t even want to pretend anymore. “Jacob,” she added, “don’t think I don’t know; it was entirely your idea for my dad to send Hector abroad!” My grip on the phone tightened, as if I had been discovered, my heart racing. “Okay, I’ll be there soon.” I hung up the phone and threw back the covers to get out of bed. Nicolas supported me. “What are you doing? Are you really going? Are you trying to kill yourself?” I grasped Nicolas’ hand; his palm was warm, slowly warming my icy heart. “I’m going, Chloe; this time I need to make it clear to Elena that I never want to have anything to do with her again.” Maybe my gaze was too determined; Nicolas nodded slowly. Chloe took her coat and draped it over me. “I’ll go with you; if anything happens, I can help you.” I nodded. “Thank you.”

    When I arrived, Elena was standing at the entrance of the antique-style restaurant. She was dressed in a chic outfit, her figure appearing extremely cold under the sunlight. Seeing me, Elena squinted her eyes. “You just throw on a coat to see me? You look terrible; are you trying to make Grandpa think I’ve wronged you?” After finishing, she noticed Chloe beside me, and her expression turned even colder. “Chloe, I’ve heard you were back for a long time; I didn’t expect it to be true.” She glanced at me and Chloe. “Still the same as when we were kids, always wanting to follow me and Jacob.” Her words dripped with sarcasm, but Chloe didn’t mind; she just leaned close to my ear and softly said, “I’ll wait for you in the car. If anything happens, call me, and I’ll come right away.” Chloe’s gentle tone was a long-lost warmth that made my heart feel a bit warmer. I nodded, tightening the coat belonging to Chloe. “What are you wearing?” Elena’s gaze finally landed on the coat; before I could answer, she took it off and threw it into Chloe’s arms. “Take your stuff away!” “Jacob is unwell and shouldn’t be in the wind,” Chloe frowned, wanting to help me put the coat back on, but Elena’s face darkened further. “I can take care of my husband myself; you don’t need to interfere!” Elena directly took off her own coat and forcefully draped it over me. Her movements were somewhat rough, causing me some pain. I was about to refuse when she tightened her grip on my arm. “Don’t move around if you don’t want me to get angry.” Not wanting to have any more arguments with Elena, I stopped struggling and followed her into the restaurant. Inside the peaceful private room, Marcus was sitting upright, his white hair particularly conspicuous under the light. Upon seeing me, the old man was very happy. “Jacob is here; come sit by Grandpa!” He even got up to help me sit in the chair beside him. Noticing my pale face, he immediately grew concerned, “Why does your face look so bad? You’ve lost a lot of weight; is it because Elena has treated you poorly? If she has, you tell me, and I’ll help you! Elena has managed the group for many years; she’s used to being strong, but she’s a good person; you should be more tolerant of her. Also, why didn’t you say goodbye to me before leaving last night?” Last night, Chloe had taken me out of the back door of Russell Manor, and there were not many people who saw us. Naturally, Marcus didn’t know, and I’m afraid that until now, no one in Russell Manor knows that the blood in the bathroom was mine. “Grandpa, let’s eat first; we arrived early.” Elena, too lazy to watch me talk to her grandfather, urged while constantly looking at her watch. After all, her white moonlight was still waiting in the hospital. If it weren’t for handling her grandpa, she wouldn’t have come at all. “Here, Jacob, your favorite Eggs Benedict; Grandpa specially ordered it for you.” Grandpa Elena placed a piece of shumai into my plate, and looking at that piece of shumai, my eyes gradually watered. Among the entire Russell family, Marcus is the one I miss the most. But today, I didn’t come here to eat. I didn’t touch my fork. I only looked up at Elena. “Elena, I have something to say to you.” Elena raised her eyes, her cold gaze sweeping over me. “What is it?” Her eyes carried a warning; I knew she didn’t want to mention anything in front of Grandpa. But if I didn’t bring it up today, the divorce would likely be postponed indefinitely. I pressed my lips together and said lightly, “Let’s talk about the time Hector went abroad to study.” “Shut up!” As expected, Elena exploded in anger. “It’s not the time for you to bring this up!” “Elena, what’s your attitude?” Marcus raised his hand and slapped Elena on the head.

    I looked at the two in front of me, my expression blank, and said, “Seven years ago, I overheard Dad saying he didn’t like Hector. He said the best way to make you two break up was to send Hector away. I knew Hector had always wanted to study design, so I encouraged Dad to send him abroad for further studies.” As I saw the flames igniting in Elena’s eyes, I slowly continued. “After Hector left, I deliberately stayed by your side, helping you through that difficult time, and then got Dad to allow us to marry. Elena, our marriage was actually something I forced.” As soon as I finished speaking, Elena picked up a cup from the table and threw it straight at me. “I told you to shut up! Don’t say these things in front of Grandpa!” Her speed was too fast; I slightly turned my head, and the cup grazed my cheek before smashing against the wall behind me. The sound exploded in the air, glass shards flying everywhere, yet I remained unharmed. Marcus didn’t know what I had said today, but seeing Elena like this, he still furiously intervened. “What a terrible temper! How can you lay a hand on Jacob? No matter what he did, you know how he has treated you all these years! What is so good about that man that you’ve been so devoted for all these years? Don’t think Grandpa is blind; last night at my birthday party, you left with that man. Did you think I wouldn’t know?” “Grandpa, this is between Jacob and me.” Elena calmed down and sat back in her chair, looking coldly at me. “Don’t think that saying this in front of Grandpa will make me forgive you.” “I don’t want your forgiveness.” I smiled and pulled a divorce agreement from my bag. The last signed copy was left at Elena’s house. But she probably hadn’t signed it; knowing Elena, she likely threw it away long ago. “Elena, I want a divorce. This time it’s real, not a threat or a joke.” I handed her the pen, saying, “I’ve already signed. Once you sign, we’ll have nothing to do with each other anymore.” Looking at my serious expression, Elena’s face grew colder. “Jacob, don’t think I won’t sign!” she said, almost through gritted teeth. I nodded. “I know. Go ahead and sign. Once you do, you can be with Hector. You can marry him or let him move in with you, so he can openly be by your side. Isn’t that what you’ve always wanted?” Throughout this, my tone remained flat, as if I were discussing something unrelated. Marcus tried to speak several times but hesitated. I knew he respected me; he had always respected me. So even though he wanted to intervene, he never spoke up. I was grateful for him and the care he had shown me over the years. In the Russell family, the only warmth I felt came from him. Elena stared at me but refused to take the pen. I stood up and forced the pen into her hand. “You should hate me, Elena. I used tricks to send your beloved man abroad, and I tried every means to marry you. A man as manipulative as me doesn’t deserve you, right? If you can endure all this, then you’re really useless.” I used my words to provoke her; this was how Elena reacted best. She gripped the pen tightly as if to crush it. “Jacob, remember, everything today is what you asked for. Don’t regret it!” “Hmm.” I nodded vigorously. “I won’t regret it, not ever.” “Don’t come crying to me to stop the divorce like before! I won’t agree again!” I continued to nod. “Hmm, don’t worry, I won’t, Elena.” In the past, I had no self-respect; my life revolved around her. But from this moment on, Jacob was a new Jacob. I wanted to live for myself; I no longer wanted to care about Elena.

    “Fine! Jacob, I’ll grant your wish.” Elena picked up the pen and signed her name on the divorce agreement. Her handwriting was still beautiful, just like the day we got our marriage certificate. I thought this would probably be the last time our names appeared together. After she signed her name, the load in my heart finally got lifted. I grabbed the agreement, and as I stood up, I stumbled slightly, nearly losing my balance. My head spun, and my body felt weak; even Elena’s face began to blur. I steadied myself by holding onto the table, shoved the agreement into my bag, and called Chloe to come pick me up. After doing all this, I had no more strength left. Supporting myself on the table, I took a few steps towards the exit and glanced back at Marcus. He looked at me with concern, his face etched with sadness. “Grandpa, I’ll come visit you when I have time.” After saying that, I turned to walk away, but I stumbled and fell to the ground, dropping my bag. I had rushed too much; my bag was unzipped, and its contents scattered everywhere. Among them was my medical record. When I saw that medical record fall to the ground, my heart tightened. I reached out to grab it, but someone beat me to it. Elena asked, “What is this?” I reached out to snatch it back. “Give it back to me; it’s none of your business!” But it was too late. Elena opened the medical record. She was incredulous. “Late-stage cancer? You’re actually sick? Why didn’t you tell me?” I bit my lip, my body swaying, and weakly said, “It’s none of your concern. Give me back my things, Elena; we’re no longer related!” “Late-stage cancer? What’s going on?” Marcus approached, but Elena grabbed my wrist and whispered angrily, “Jacob, I want you to clarify, do you have late-stage cancer, or did you forge this medical record to deceive me?” She pointed toward the door, where Chloe had just appeared. Seeing me, Chloe quickly came over, pulling me away from Elena’s grip and looking down with concern. “How are you, Jacob? Are you okay? I’ll take you away.” “Haha, no wonder you want a divorce; you’ve been with her all along?” Elena threw the medical record in front of me. “Jacob, are you really that despicable?” “Yes, I am despicable.” I tilted my head, calmly looking her in the eye. “Aren’t you despicable too? You can flirt with Hector; why can’t I?” Elena was silent for a long time, then stared at me, saying each word slowly, “Tell me, do you really have late-stage stomach cancer?” “Yes.” I chose not to hide it; at this point, there was no need for secrecy. “I don’t have much time left.” “Why didn’t you tell me?” Elena shook her head, her face showing rare anger and sadness. “To be with Chloe, to completely cut ties with me, are you willing to give up your life?” “Life? Elena, don’t you know about my illness? To cook for you, to wait for you to come home, I hardly ate regularly these seven years. Can you say this illness has nothing to do with you?” I scoffed. “Last night, I told you I had a stomach ache; you didn’t care, did you? Your eyes were only for Hector; you never saw me!” Elena looked at me, a flicker of surprise crossing her face. “Last night, weren’t you arguing with Hector—” “Yes, in your eyes, I’m always causing trouble. I’m never as good as Hector; I’m the worst one. He’s always the most important one in your heart. So even if I stand before you, covered in blood, you wouldn’t notice me! Elena, remember, my illness is your doing! Last night, you ignored my plea for help; you were indifferent! My time is running out.” As I spoke, I broke down in tears, screaming. Isn’t it heartbreaking? How could it not be? I’m so young, and I should be enjoying life, yet everything is ruined. I’m going to die. I closed my eyes, tears streaming down my face. My heart ached so much it felt like I was dying. “Elena, I really never want to see you again.”

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  • Hidden Devotion

    I unexpectedly ran into my ex-girlfriend, and old feelings flared up again. She had divorced her husband for me, but she had hidden a shocking secret. Her child was mine. But soon, I realized things were not so simple. As I left the office, I was chatting with a boss named Rodger Navarro about some machine issues today. I owned these factories and had come to check on the equipment. Suddenly, we turned a corner and encountered a woman. From a distance, I thought she looked familiar. She was being scolded by a manager, nodding submissively. She looked pitiful and timid. “I’m sorry, manager, I’ll clean up right away.” “You’re too slow; even a monkey could do better than you.” I recognized her as my ex-girlfriend, Sally Garcia. The manager’s tirade had left her dazed, and she turned just in time to bump into my arms. More accurately, I had caught her. Sally looked up slightly, her eyes glistening with tears as if she had suffered a great injustice. She was a country girl with a stunning figure. Her beauty was delicate and striking. Even in her cleaning uniform, her perfect shape was accentuated. “I’m so sorry…” Sally instinctively bowed her head in apology, as polite and humble as she had been with the manager. The thought that she might have forgotten me unsettled me; after all, we shared so many beautiful memories. The manager nearby started to get riled up again. Seeing his angry demeanor annoyed me. “She did nothing wrong; don’t take it out on her,” I warned softly. “Keep this up, and you won’t be working here anymore.” He jumped at my words, hurriedly backing off, afraid to say more. I hadn’t forgotten his earlier attitude towards Sally and silently noted his badge number, planning to transfer him later. Turning to Sally, I asked quietly, “You’re not scared, are you?” Sally shook her head, looking at me timidly. “You don’t remember me? I’m Barnard Moore,” I couldn’t help but introduce myself. Finally, recognition dawned on Sally. “Barnard, is it really you?” Seeing Rodger’s curious expression beside us, I refrained from saying more and simply took her hand to leave. Sally and I had met in the countryside. When I first knew her, I was just an appliance repairman. I often saw her washing clothes by the river. Among the village women, she was the most beautiful and often faced teasing and harassment. Once, after finishing a repair, I spotted her being blocked by someone and rushed over. From a distance, I recognized the man as Denny Boyd from the neighboring village. He was leering at her, looking like he intended to make a move. I yelled out, “Mr. Benton!” Coyle Benton was a respected elder in the village; even the local toughs held him in awe. Upon hearing someone approach, Denny spat and scowled, leaving in a huff. When I reached Sally, I found her on the ground, looking utterly helpless. Her clothes had loosened, revealing her full chest, contrasting sharply with her slender waist, causing my heart to race. I bent down and caught a whiff of her faint, sweet fragrance. Sally lunged into my arms. Holding her, I felt an instant reaction. From that day on, I often stayed close to protect her. She would smile at me, trusting me completely. I shattered the stereotypes others had of her, realizing she was not only enchanting but also a gentle and innocent girl. We quickly fell in love. Later, due to family reasons, I left my hometown and the woman I loved. I eventually heard she had gotten married, and I started my own family. Now, she should be in her thirties, yet she looked just like a girl. Her figure was even more alluring than in her youth, radiating the charm of a mature woman. I pulled her into my office, lowering the blinds to shield us from prying eyes. Sally looked down, a flush creeping onto her cheeks, though I couldn’t tell if it was from shyness or something else. “How have you been all these years?” Having dated her, I naturally cared about her well-being. I had always felt guilty for leaving her. “Barnard, are you really concerned about me?” Sally looked up, her eyes misty with tears. I thought, could it be that she hadn’t been happy all this time? A flicker of hope crossed my mind.

    I reached out to wipe the tears from the corner of her eye. “Of course I care about you.” A sudden knock at the door interrupted our conversation. Sally jumped back, pushing me away. I let go of her hand, her soft, smooth skin sparking romantic thoughts that reminded me of how she once made me feel. That night, I tossed and turned in bed, my heart ablaze. In my youth, I was quite the charmer, adept at winning over girls. During that time, Sally and I had shared a whirlwind of wild and sweet moments. When we sneaked off to the fields, she hesitated at first but eventually went along with my plans. Her hand would rest gently on my neck, and though she looked slightly upset, she still let me take the lead. I could vividly recall her enchanting figure in the cornfield and her tender, youthful body. It was my first sexual experience, and just thinking about it kept me awake. Eventually, I fell asleep but dreamt of her. In my dream, Sally leaped into my arms, full of affection. We laughed and played, and I was lost in her warmth. Then, I dreamt of her being chased by a crowd. Cornered and desperate, she came to my door, begging for help. In the dream, her eyes were frantic, like a trapped rabbit. I shut the door and turned to pin her beneath me. She was too nervous to speak but didn’t resist. Her soft arms draped over my shoulders, and she whispered, “Barnard.” Even after waking, the dream lingered in my mind. It had been a long time since I felt this way. I got up and made a call to transfer Sally to a position closer to my office. I arranged for her to have a lighter workload so she could be nearer to me. The next day, I watched my plans unfold with satisfaction, yet Sally still appeared timid in front of me. Whenever I glanced up, I caught sight of her graceful figure. It seemed she sensed my feelings, keeping her head down in shyness. Her ears flushed red as she busily wiped the desk. I chuckled softly, thinking, “She’s still so easily flustered, just like a girl.” As she passed by, I tugged at her hand, and she gasped, falling into my embrace. Her body was still that delicate and soft, stirring my heart. Sally was always neat. Her clothes were immaculately clean, carrying a light scent of lavender. Even her neck turned pink, resembling rose petals. She tried to push me away but couldn’t budge. Her slender, pale neck swayed before me. “Barnard, don’t do this. It’s not right.” “What’s not right?” I spoke brazenly, though I kept my actions in check. I couldn’t help but reminisce about my youthful audacity. In her younger days, Sally never rejected me, and I wouldn’t let her say the things I didn’t want to hear. I loved to make her blush, her clothes half undone, leaving her speechless. Now, her curvaceous body swayed in front of me, igniting my desire. Her rounded hips brushed against my thigh, but I still hesitated to make a move. Gently, I caressed her thigh and asked, “How about dinner with me tonight?” “I need to go home and cook for Alick tonight.” I didn’t ask who Alick was; after all, I already knew her story. After her marriage, she had a child named Alexander Guzman, who was very well-behaved. “Have you forgotten our past?” I placed her hand against my face. “I haven’t forgotten you, Sally. It’s rare for us to…” “The past is the past,” Sally’s voice dropped, seemingly recalling unpleasant memories.

    “Alright, alright, I was just joking. But I’d like to ask if you could have dinner with me.” I quickly released her, not daring to provoke her any further. After all, I was the one who had wronged her first by leaving her behind in the countryside. She agreed to my request. During dinner, she remained quiet, her demeanor restrained and polite, as if afraid I might make another move. I was interested in her, but I didn’t want to overstep her boundaries. I had a plan in mind, so I took her to a high-end restaurant. As expected, Sally sat there looking helpless, fiddling with her napkin, unsure of what to do. I wrapped my arm around her and took her hand, guiding her on how to handle the napkin. As I explained, I leaned my head gently against hers, savoring her warmth. At that moment, she seemed to forget the distance between us, her eyes filled with admiration as they had been in our youth. Even my ex-wife had never given me such a feeling. Sally appeared to recall her past feelings for me. We locked eyes, slowly drowning in affection. The space between us faded away. I caressed her soft shoulder, my other hand moving to hold her securely. I leaned down to kiss her, giving her no chance to escape. Good times always seemed fleeting. Before we could finish the meal, she received a phone call and rushed to leave. “Can you come out with me tomorrow since it’s the weekend?” I pulled her hand insistently, ignoring the angry shouts on the other end of the line. I already knew she had a child and a husband, yet jealousy gnawed at me. She looked down, caught in a rare conflict. Seeing her like this, I understood that she still held feelings for me. Watching her leave made me feel disappointed. Before she left, I gifted her several items. She hesitated to return them, but I noticed the surprise and shyness in her eyes when she received the gifts. I thought to myself, “Take it slow. As a hunter, you must have patience.” To my surprise, the next day at the office, I didn’t see her. The manager told me she had taken a leave of absence. I felt confused. As soon as I turned away, I overheard them gossiping. “Sally has it tough. Her husband is incompetent and has a bad temper. What a shame.” Those words unsettled me, and I thought, “Is she in trouble?” I tracked down Sally’s address from the manager and drove over. After a long journey, I arrived at an old, secluded house. People passed by quickly, making me feel inexplicably anxious. Today, I had dressed down. I didn’t drive my car in, calmly walking into the building. Eventually, I found her home. Sally stood at the door, dressed simply yet exuding a certain elegance. She was adjusting a boy’s clothes and smiling as he left. When she turned to see me, she froze. “Barnard, what are you doing here?” Once she said that she seemed a bit flustered, quickly lowering her gaze. Her hands trembled, fidgeting nervously in front of her. I didn’t care if anyone saw; I quickly walked over, my gaze intense as I looked at her. “Why didn’t you go to work? Is it because you didn’t want to see me?” No matter how many women a man has, there’s always something different about his first love. Besides, I was now older, and suddenly, there she was before me. She was still as beautiful as ever, her movements still reminiscent of a young girl. Now, she carried a mature allure. I admitted to myself that I couldn’t let her go. I never wanted her to be far from me again. My feelings for her were strong. Even if I was a bit upset, seeing her in this shy state made me soften my voice, afraid of scaring her. “Barnard, I… I didn’t…” Sally stepped back slightly, her fingers anxiously tugging at her apron. Suddenly, someone appeared behind her. “Sally, who’s this?” The man was scruffy, yawning as he looked at me with a hint of malice. Sally tensed even more. I spoke up. “I’m Sally’s boss from the factory. I wanted to ask why she wasn’t at work.” I wasn’t particularly polite. I knew that for someone like him, status carried weight. Sure enough, he instantly shifted to a more courteous demeanor, speaking in a flattering tone. “You’re the owner of that factory nearby? Nice to meet you. The big boss has a different presence, doesn’t he?”

    He chattered incessantly. I merely responded with half-hearted replies, barely looking at him. After all, if it weren’t for Sally, he wouldn’t even be worthy of speaking to me. I glanced at Sally, who was pouring water nearby. She was dressed simply today, but that only accentuated her curves, radiating the allure of a mature woman. Her skin was delicate, and her figure was stunning, swaying with her every movement. It seemed that her dress was slightly snug in the front. I realized she wasn’t wearing a bra. The thought quickened my heartbeat, and images of Sally beneath me from last night’s dream flooded my mind. Sally’s soft waist sank onto the couch as she sat next to me. Her anxious eyes darted around as if afraid someone would discover what we had done. We had indeed crossed a line. I reached under the table and grasped her hand. Sally froze, looking at me with a pleading expression. I placed her hand on my knee. Her hands felt rough, marked by calluses, no longer as soft as they had been in our youth. A pang of tenderness and guilt washed over me. When it was time for dinner, her husband, Jackson Guzman, warmly invited me to stay, so I did. As we ate, Jackson brought out some wine. I was a seasoned drinker, and before long, I had him drunk, his head resting on the table as he mumbled incoherently. “I missed you after just one day. Didn’t you miss me?” I confidently pulled Sally onto my lap. Her long dress revealed her pale, shapely legs and her ample bosom stretched the fabric to its limits. It was an irresistible sight. Embracing her with her husband just a few feet away sent a thrill through me. I couldn’t help but get closer, feeling her softness and the faint scent of her skin. Sally finally pushed me away. She was breathless, tears glistening in her eyes as she glanced nervously at Jackson, who lay passed out. “Please don’t do this.” Seeing her like that stirred something within me. I took a few swigs from the wine bottle, losing the restraint I had earlier. Sally gently grasped my hand, her voice laced with concern. “You shouldn’t drink so much; it’s not good for you.” “Do you still care about me? Why are you lying to me?” She shyly lowered her head, falling silent. She leaned against me, her tender breasts brushed against my body. I could no longer hold back. I swept her into the bedroom and pressed her against the door. Having had a bit to drink, my face felt flushed, yet I asked her, “Will you be with me?” Her hands explored my face, tenderly caressing my forehead and lips. Then, she leaned up to kiss me. On the bed, she was as captivating as ever. Her expression held a mix of shyness and allure, reminding me of the beauty of first love. Now, she possessed a mature charm that left me craving more. Outside, Jackson lay in a drunken stupor, while inside, we burned with passion. We lost ourselves in each other multiple times. If I weren’t afraid of being caught, I would have held her even longer. As I prepared to leave, I felt reluctant. The flush on Sally’s face had yet to fade, and beads of sweat glistened on her neck, making her skin appear even more radiant. Her pink dress was wrinkled from my hands, emphasizing her full breasts, and it was damp in places. Sally gazed at me softly, her eyes filled with tenderness. I couldn’t resist taking a deep breath as we shared a reluctant kiss before I hurriedly left her home. For several days, I continued to pull her into my playful escapades. We intertwined in my office or at motels. Occasionally, I couldn’t help but pick her up. We reminisced about our youthful secret encounters in the woods, where we had reveled in nature’s fragrant embrace. Now, our escapades were even more reckless. Recently, though, Sally seemed to withdraw, hesitant to get too close. I suspected it was because of her fear of being discovered by her husband. Though I understood her concerns, the feeling frustrated me. One day, she surprisingly suggested I come to her house.

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  • Reborn in Flames

    After Rebirth, the Real Daughter of a Rich Man Went Crazy In the moment my adoptive mother was about to slice me open, the wealthiest man in the land finally tracked me down. He was my biological father. He wept, begging me to return and promising recompense. I feigned a cringe, asking, “My foster mother said I could be sold to fund my brother’s education abroad. “Are you taking me away so that my sister can go abroad, too? “But I believe I’m worth more as a whole person.” My biological father was so distraught he contemplated killing my adoptive parents. I laughed it off. But the person I truly wished to eliminate was the one pretending to be me.

  • He’s A Keeper

    The year I graduated from college, I was kidnapped. My ex-boyfriend married the woman who murdered me. Seven years later, he went from being a punk to a big shot. He broke off the murderer’s ten fingers. “Isabella was in much more pain at that time than you are now.” Isabella was me.

  • The One That Got Away

    Not long after the SAT exams ended, my sister Hattie Moran unexpectedly killed someone. My mother begged me to take the blame. “Aviana, you’re Hattie’s sister. Can you bear to see her go to jail?” Since Hattie and I were twins, we looked exactly alike. So, the face on the surveillance footage could easily be mine. I looked up at Hattie, who was sitting on the couch crying, only to find her suppressing a smirk. I knew she was doing it on purpose. After all, the person who had been killed was someone I cared about. What Hattie didn’t know was that this had been my trap all along.

  • rebirth:again

    My stepfather treated my mother terribly, and she would cry to me every day. I urged her to divorce him, but she immediately turned around and told my stepfather, “Even my daughter advises me to leave you, but I still treat you so well.” Furious, my stepfather struck me in a fit of rage, accidentally killing me. After shedding tears, my mother, as the family member, wrote a letter of forgiveness, doing her utmost to reduce his sentence. “The child is gone, but those of us still living must carry on.” In my second chance at life, I returned to the day my mother married my stepfather. She asked, “What do you think of your new dad?” I sneered, “The two of you are meant to be together forever.”

  • The Heiress

    My boyfriend of five years, Dominic Ortiz, wanted to break up with me because he had fallen in love with my best friend, Riley Graham. At work, Dominic slapped me and forced me to publicly apologize to Riley. He sneered, “Riley is the only daughter of Elite Group’s president. How can someone like you compare to her?” But I was very confused. Riley’s father was the president of Elite Group, so what about my father, Matteo Morales? After work, I hastily left the office. Having worked tirelessly day and night, I closed the biggest deal I had ever received. My efforts finally paid off. I headed straight to the supermarket and bought a variety of lively seafood, including Dominic’s favorite lobsters, with the intention of cooking a special seafood dinner for him tonight. Upon entering our apartment, I couldn’t wait to share my hard-earned achievements with Dominic. I exclaimed, “Dominic, I closed a major deal today, and the bonus is 20 thousand dollars!” However, when I opened the door, what greeted me was my boyfriend and best friend making out on the couch. I was frozen to the spot. My sudden appearance obviously frightened the two of them. Dominic hastily disengaged from Riley and stammered, “Nevaeh, I can explain. We truly love each other.” When Riley saw me, her eyes flickered with a hint of guilt before she proceeded to dress herself slowly. Then, her face took on a smug expression mixed with contempt. Her voice dripped with provocation as she uttered, “What’s there to explain? Nevaeh, it’s exactly what you see. “You’ve only just realized it now, but Dominic and I have been together secretly for two years. “Nevaeh, since you’ve never tried any man, I tried him for you. “You’re welcome.” I stood there, holding two heavy bags filled with groceries, sweat dripping down my forehead and hair, making me look disheveled. In contrast, Riley appeared radiant. After hearing Riley’s hurtful words, I took a deep breath, suppressing my emotions. Opening the grocery bag in my hand, I noticed all the seafood I had bought still wriggling around inside. I picked up one of the octopuses, took aim at Dominic’s face, and struck him forcefully. Caught off guard, he received a direct hit. His expression changed, and he glared at me as he prepared to speak, but before he could utter a word, I launched more octopuses at their faces and bodies. Riley screamed, “Nevaeh, you mania! Stop it!” One of the octopuses ended up clinging to Riley’s head, its tentacles tightly adhering to her face. She desperately tried to remove it, but the tentacles clung tighter with each tug. The agitated octopus began squirting ink, which trickled down Riley’s head. I continued hurling various seafood at them, from octopuses to crayfish. The crayfish might not have had long spines, but their sharpness and hardness caused pain upon impact. Dominic and Riley were left with no choice but to frantically dodge and leap around the living room. I persistently threw the seafood. Finally, after some consideration, I hesitated and placed the expensive lobsters I had spent 800 dollars on back into the bag. Glancing at the two once more, I observed Riley’s face turning black as she struggled to remove the octopus tentacles from her face. One of them had also attached itself to Dominic’s leg, causing him to grimace and howl in pain. With a blank expression, I swiftly gathered my belongings, grabbed the bag containing the lobsters, and left.

    It had been a while since I last returned to my own home. With a dejected expression, I opened the door to the villa I hadn’t visited in a long time, coincidentally encountering my mother. Excitedly, she called out to my father, “Matteo, come downstairs! Nevaeh is back!” Upon hearing the voice, my father rushed down barefoot, not even bothering to put on his slippers. “Nevaeh, you’re back. Why didn’t you let us know in advance so we could clean up your room?” he said. My mother chimed in, “Are you hungry? I’ll prepare your favorite food for you right away.” Dad added, “You even bought my favorite lobsters. I knew you loved me the most.” As I gazed at my concerned parents, emotions that had been suppressed suddenly overwhelmed me. I embraced them tightly, tears streaming down my face. My parents were momentarily at a loss but quickly attempted to console me. Once calmed down, my mother had already placed a plate of spaghetti in front of me. “Come on, Nevaeh. Eat up and then rest,” she urged. I began devouring the spaghetti, while my parents watched me silently without mentioning my embarrassment just now. After finishing the meal, I retreated to my long-missed room, which had already been tidied up. Exhausted, I collapsed onto the bed. Images of the sweet and wonderful moments Dominic and I once shared passed before my eyes. Everything had changed so rapidly that I struggled to fully accept it. Suddenly, the ringing of my phone interrupted my thoughts. It was Dominic calling. I answered, but before I could speak, an aggressive voice came from the other end. Dominic bellowed, “Nevaeh, Riley is still in the hospital because of you. “The octopus tentacles caused many wounds on her face, and she’s allergic to seafood, so her face remains red and swollen.” My face darkened. He betrayed me, yet now he played the role of the accuser? I retorted, “She deserved it! “When she fooled around with you, did she ever consider the consequences?” However, Dominic’s response grew harsher. “Riley saw you as her best friend. Is this how you treat your best friend? “Nevaeh, how could you be so vicious? I was a fool for being with you in the first place.” I laughed out of anger and said, “Have you ever seen a true friend sleeping with her friend’s boyfriend? “Dominic, it was you who publicly confessed your love for me. “I was the one foolish enough to be with you!” Dominic fell silent for a moment, then spoke venomously, “You might not know this, but Riley’s father is the president of Elite Group. You’ve harmed Riley, and from now on, you’ll suffer in Goldford!” Of course, I knew. Riley had come to me in tears, explaining that her mother was sick and in need of costly medical care. That was why I had requested my father to promote Riley’s father from an ordinary employee to the position of director. But why was Dominic claiming that her father was the president? Quickly, I asked, “What did you say? Riley’s father is the president of Elite Group?” Dominic’s tone oozed with pride as he said, “Nevaeh, it’s not too late to apologize to Riley. She will forgive you. “Anyway, you hurt her today, and we’re still at the hospital. The medical bill is three thousand eight hundred dollars. You’ll have to pay for it!” How could he be so shameless? I scoffed, “Dominic, if it had been a cat or a dog needing that money for treatment, I would pay without hesitation. “But those bastards are not worth me wasting even a penny on them.” “You…” Dominic seethed with anger, preparing to retort. But I quickly interjected, “Dominic, if you don’t have money, you can go to the veterinarian. “It’s cheaper, which suits the two of you perfectly.” With that, I hung up the phone. Love had blinded me before, preventing me from seeing Dominic’s true colors as a hypocritical person who couldn’t distinguish right from wrong.

    The following morning, while having breakfast, I casually asked my dad, “Dad, do you remember Jett Graham, the person you promoted to director?” Upon hearing Jett’s name, my father frowned and replied, “Nevaeh, you said this person was practical and capable, deserving of the director position.” After a momentary pause, he continued with a hint of embarrassment, “But ever since his promotion, he has been slacking off. There have been issues with several important documents and proposals that passed through him. “I’ve been considering if there is an appropriate chance to transfer him to a more suitable position.” My father looked at me cautiously, seeking my reaction. Seeing my father’s distress caused by my actions, I couldn’t help but regret my impulsive behavior. Riley had once confided in me about her parents’ hardships, her mother’s illness and hospitalization, and how her father had dedicated years of hard work to the company without receiving due recognition. Out of sympathy for Riley’s situation, I shamelessly threw a tantrum upon returning home, pressuring my father into promoting Jett to the director position. My father had always taught me to maintain a low-key approach in life and work, so I secretly helped Riley in many ways, unbeknownst to her. She never knew my true identity and naively believed any benefits she received were solely due to her own fate. Reflecting on the years we spent together, I had done everything in my power for Riley. Yet, in the end, I found myself betrayed. After breakfast, my father insisted on driving me to work, leaving me with no choice but to accept. As usual, upon arriving at the office, I went to my desk and began working. However, mocking whispers started circulating around me. “She couldn’t steal one man, so she found another target.” “She rode in a Range Rover. Must have hooked up with a rich guy.” “She’s shameless, trying to get on top using dirty tricks.” I glanced up and saw everyone in the office casting ambiguous looks my way—filled with inquiry, contempt, and even disdain. At that moment, Riley appeared and coldly admonished them, “Shouldn’t you all be busy with your work? “Seems like everyone has already hit their sales targets for this month, right?” Upon hearing Riley’s scolding, those people dispersed. I looked at Riley, noticing a bandage on her forehead and a mask covering her face. She expressed concern, saying, “Nevaeh, don’t pay attention to what they say. I’ve forgiven you.” I just felt absurd. She had an affair with my boyfriend, yet now she was the one offering forgiveness? I sneered, “Drop the act. Do you not feel any guilt for what you’ve done? “Riley, are you aware how shameless you are?” Riley remained silent, but suddenly, a wicked grin crept across her face as she fell backward. She crashed onto the floor, wearing an aggrieved expression as she looked up at me. She said, “Nevaeh, I know you hate me, but Dominic and I truly love each other. I wanted to give him to you, but love is something you can’t possess even if it is offered. “Nevaeh, I don’t blame you; I only blame myself.” With her head lowered, she began sobbing softly. I was utterly confused, unable to grasp her intentions. Suddenly, a hand emerged and delivered a powerful slap across my face. Staggering from the impact, I stood there, stars dancing in my vision until I gradually regained focus. I lifted my head to see Dominic glare at me with rage. He shouted, “Nevaeh, you’ve gone too far. You’re still not satisfied with hurting Riley’s face?” Riley wept bitterly but still grabbed Dominic’s hand, trying to dissuade him. “Nevaeh, don’t blame her. It’s all my fault.” Onlookers condemned me, and I became the target of public criticism. No one would believe anything I said at this moment, and people only trusted what they saw. I glanced up at the company’s surveillance cameras and then collapsed to the floor. “Help… Help! I feel dizzy,” I cried out, rolling my eyes and convulsing. Dominic clearly doubted my condition. He snapped, “Stop pretending. Don’t think that you can get away with it by feigning illness. Apologize immediately!” Still lying on the floor, I persisted with my act. At this time, whispers sounded. “I don’t think she’s faking it. Could it be that her brain is damaged?” “Yes, Mr. Ortiz’s slap just now was quite forceful. It must hurt.” “We should call an ambulance. If something happens, we can’t bear the responsibility.” Panic spread, and soon, someone called an ambulance while someone even called the police. The incident quickly grabbed the attention of our boss, Greyson Snyder. When Greyson arrived, he saw me lying on the floor, foaming at the mouth, arms and legs flailing as if seized by uncontrollable spasms. Even though I was panicking, I still continued with my performance. Greyson approached, quickly crouching down to examine me. He pressed an ear against my chest, listening to my heartbeat. As I wondered about his intentions, Greyson’s face suddenly drew near. He whispered into my ear in a voice only we could hear, “Stop pretending. I was a med student.”

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  • Danger Lover

    My Husband Bought an AI Nanny The day unfolded with a casual click on the home security camera. There, in the kitchen, my husband and the AI nanny were sharing an intimate moment, feeding each other with a familiarity that burned. I watched as the nanny glanced up at me through the camera lens. There was a mischievous sparkle in her eyes as if she was putting on a private show for me. Later, my husband stood by, a spectator to the AI nanny’s dismantling of my being, piece by piece. His words, cold and final, echoed, “You’ll never understand me, not until you die.” But in rebirth, I did. Men who betrayed their wives deserved to be stomped out like the vile vermin!

  • Reborn Yesterday

    After the SAT, my son—whom I raised for eighteen years—joined forces with my sister to kill me. When I was lying on the ground covered with blood, struggling for my life, my son struck me in the eye with an axe, saying, “Stop staring at me. Go to hell.” Meanwhile, my younger sister, Nancy Kennan, was gleefully counting my wealth. When I was reborn, Nancy begged me, tears streaming down her face. “Zenobia, I’m sorry, but the child is innocent!” I nodded seriously. “Yes, he is innocent, so you must raise him well.”