I had just gotten back to my dorm room from classes when I saw my comforter lying on the floor. On my bed, a stylishly dressed girl was sitting. My roommates were all gathered around her, gushing over her. When she saw me, she pulled out a five-hundred-dollar bill from her designer wallet with a cold, haughty look and tossed it onto the floor: “I’m Willow, I just transferred to your class. I wanted to try out dorm life for the experience. So, this bed is mine now. You can go rent an apartment.” “My dad is Mr. Sterling, CEO of Sterling Corp. You don’t have a problem with that, do you?” My heart sank as I looked at the girl in front of me, who bore a striking seven-tenths resemblance to my own father. My dad… he cheated? My dad was famously devoted to his wife and adored his daughter. I never once imagined he could cheat. But this girl in front of me looked so incredibly much like him. I stared blankly at her for a few seconds, then picked up the five-hundred-dollar bill and calmly turned to leave the dorm. Behind me, I heard my roommates whispering: “Scarlett really is just some pathetic loser who’s never seen anything. Five hundred bucks and she’s already losing her mind with happiness!” “Of course! The Sterling Corp heiress wants her bed, that’s like a huge honor for her! She’ll probably post about it on SnapChat to brag later!” “Willow, isn’t that outfit the latest limited edition? I saw the launch, it must be over a million dollars! Your dad is so good to you…” I ignored all the mocking and walked straight to the school parking lot. I slipped into the waiting Rolls-Royce, always on standby, twenty-four-seven: “Home.” Once home, I got out and handed the five hundred dollars to Mr. Davis, the driver: “Find out everything about someone named Willow. Her fingerprints are on this money.” “I want all her information, especially her parents.” After that, I went straight to my parents’ room. The door was ajar, and I immediately saw my mom lying quietly in her specially customized nursing bed. My dad was sitting beside the bed, holding a bowl of porridge, carefully blowing on each spoon to cool it before gently feeding it to my mom. His movements were tender, his gaze so soft it could melt. I had seen this scene for ten years. Ten years ago, my mom was paralyzed in an accident, and my dad had personally taken care of her like this ever since. Even though we had nannies and expensive, top-tier nurses. My dad was never truly at ease. Feeding her, wiping her down, massaging her, turning her over—as long as he was home, he would do these things himself. No matter how busy he was with company affairs, he would always come home on time to be with my mom. Ten years, day in and day out, without a single complaint. My dad was a renowned entrepreneur in the city, and a universally acknowledged model husband. He dedicated all his time and love to my mom and me. So I simply couldn’t fathom that such a wonderful husband and father would cheat, much less have an illegitimate daughter who was my age. Seeing me walk in, a flicker of surprise crossed my dad’s face: “Scarlett? I thought you said you’d be staying at the dorm recently to prepare for your college entrance exams? Why are you back so suddenly?” I looked at him calmly: “Nothing much. Just suddenly wanted to come back and see Mom, and see you too.” I walked over, naturally taking the bowl from my dad’s hand: “I’ll feed her. You can rest for a bit.” My dad didn’t insist. He handed me the bowl, looking at my mom with a pleased smile: “See? Our daughter is so thoughtful.” I lowered my head, scooped up a spoonful of porridge, and brought it to my mom’s lips, then casually spoke: “Dad, a pretty interesting girl transferred to our class today.” My dad’s attention was entirely on my mom. He didn’t even lift his head, asking distractedly, “Oh? What’s so interesting about her?” “She looks very familiar, especially her eyes and brows. They’re strikingly similar to yours.” After saying that, I looked deeply at my dad, asking in a calm voice: “Dad, you haven’t secretly had a mistress and a love child, have you?”

At my words, my dad’s head snapped up to look at me: “Scarlett!” “Do you know what you’re saying?” “In my life, Mr. Sterling has only ever had two women in his heart: your mother and you!” “Ten years ago, your mom became like this because she saved me. I owe her my life. How could I possibly do anything to betray her?!” My dad’s voice trembled, his emotions raw, as if he’d been gravely wronged. “Forget a love child. If I ever had even the slightest thought of disrespecting you and your mother, it would be an insult to myself!” Looking into his sincere and honest eyes, my heart sank. He was right. I had seen for over a decade how much my dad loved my mom. And his kindness to me was absolutely flawless. When I was learning to walk, he’d cast aside all pride and dignity, crawling on the floor to let me ride on his back like a horse, just to make me smile. Knowing I was scared of thunder, no matter how busy he was at work, he’d take time off on stormy days to come home and comfort me, telling me: “Scarlett, don’t be afraid. Dad’s here.” When I was seriously ill as a child and diagnosed with kidney failure, he donated his kidney without a moment’s hesitation. Afraid I’d feel burdened, he kept it a secret from me for three whole years, until I discovered it during a medical check-up. He was the best person to me in this world. Could a man who cherished his wife and loved his daughter with his very life really have an illegitimate daughter out there? Thinking this, my tone softened a bit: “Dad, I was just kidding.” My dad sighed and patted my head: “Scarlett, don’t make jokes like that anymore. Remember, your dad values this family, you and your mom, more than his own life!” “I would never, ever do anything to hurt you or your mother in this lifetime.” I nodded, not saying another word. The next day, I went to school as usual. When I reached the classroom, I immediately saw Willow sitting in my seat. She was surrounded by classmates. “Willow, is that pen a Montblanc Artist Series? I saw it in a magazine, it’s so classy!” “Willow, my family’s new resort is having its soft opening this weekend. I’d love to invite you and your friends to come hang out. Everything’s on us! Do you have time?” “Willow, my mom heard that the Sterling Corp heiress transferred to our class, so she specially asked me to give you an unlimited gift card for our supermarket. She hopes we can get to know each other better!” Willow haughtily enjoyed the compliments and flattery from everyone. When she saw me enter, she merely lifted her eyelids, showing no intention of getting up. Instead, my deskmate, Amber, approached me with a smirk and said haughtily: “Scarlett, Willow wants to sit by the window to get some fresh air. Why don’t you give her this spot? You can sit over there.” As she spoke, she pointed to an empty seat in the corner of the classroom, next to the trash can. I stood my ground, silent. Willow glanced at me, her face full of disdain: “Want more money, do you?” She pulled out another five hundred dollars: “Here’s another five hundred. To buy your seat. You don’t have a problem with that, do you?” Everyone in the class looked at me with amusement, expecting me to take the money and back down. I glanced at my books, which had been carelessly tossed next to the trash can, and said with an icy expression: “I do have a problem.” “This is my seat. Please get up.” Willow’s expression froze, and she glared at me angrily: “What do you mean?” “It’s just a stupid seat! It’s an honor that I even want it! Do you know who my dad is?!” I spoke coolly: “Mr. Sterling, CEO of Sterling Corp. You said so yesterday.” “So?” “What does that have to do with you occupying my seat without permission and throwing my belongings on the floor?”

The whole class was stunned, looking at me in shock. “Scarlett, do you even know who you’re talking to? Who gave you the guts to speak to Miss Willow that way?” “Exactly! Last night you took five hundred bucks and practically ran out of the dorm. Today you’re acting so tough, are you trying to extort more money?” “She’s just crazy for money! Always trying to scam whenever she gets a chance!” All my classmates publicly accused and cursed me, as if I were the villain who had seized what belonged to others. Willow was so angry she stood up, pointing a finger at my nose: “Scarlett, you dirt-poor nobody, who are you trying to act all high and mighty for in front of me?!” “Don’t you dare test me! My dad can make a call to the school, and you won’t even have a place to study!” I smiled: “You can try.” Willow was so furious she was about to make a call right then and there. Just then, the homeroom teacher, beaming, hurried into the classroom: “Class, I have some great news!” “Willow’s father, a student in our class, has generously supported our school’s education initiatives by donating an entire library to the school!” The teacher’s words instantly set the class abuzz. “An entire library?! Oh my god!” “Willow, your dad is ridiculously generous!” “How much must that cost? Willow, it’s such a privilege to be your classmate!” Listening to everyone’s envious exclamations and flattery, Willow’s lips curled up in a smug smile. She shot me a contemptuous glance: “See? My dad just casually drops a donation, and it’s a whole library. What can you, a hick like you, do against me?” The teacher excitedly continued: “To express our most sincere gratitude, the school has decided to hold a grand donation appreciation ceremony on the sports field tomorrow morning!” “At that time, Willow’s parents, Mr. Sterling, CEO of Sterling Corp, and his wife, will personally attend!” “This is an honor for our entire school!” The classroom erupted in thunderous applause and excited chatter: “So, we’ll get to see the CEO of Sterling Corp and his wife in person tomorrow?” “Oh my gosh, I’m so excited!” “Willow, you’re so beautiful, your mom must be a gorgeous lady too?!” The classroom atmosphere was wild, but my heart grew increasingly bewildered. Donating an entire library. That was indeed a lavish gesture. Even the CEO of Sterling Corp couldn’t be so extravagant. Because Sterling Corp was inherited from my maternal grandfather, and before he passed away, he transferred all the shares to my name. Any major expenditure from the company’s accounts had to be approved with my signature. My dad couldn’t just casually donate an entire building without my authorization.

Just as I was wondering, Mr. Davis, the driver, sent me a message: “Miss Scarlett, I looked into all the information about Willow last night.” “But strangely, her identity is very well protected. I couldn’t find anything.” I didn’t reply. Instead, I looked at Willow, who had a seven-tenths resemblance to my dad. If even Mr. Davis couldn’t find her information, it seemed her identity was indeed out of the ordinary. After school, I immediately went home. As soon as I walked in, I saw my dad personally simmering my mom’s favorite chicken soup. “Scarlett’s home? Come wash your hands and get ready for dinner.” I washed my hands and sat at the table, eating silently. My dad patiently fed my mom, his movements as gentle as if he were tending to a rare treasure. After a while, I finally spoke up: “Dad, our school has an appreciation ceremony tomorrow. Do you know about it?” My dad paused slightly, asking curiously, “What appreciation ceremony?” I slowly explained, “It’s about that transfer student I told you about yesterday. Her dad donated an entire library to the school, and our teacher said they’re holding a school-wide appreciation event to thank them in person.” My dad smiled with satisfaction and nodded: “Donating a library? That’s wonderful! Supporting education is a truly commendable act. It seems your new classmate’s family has a great sense of social responsibility.” I smiled faintly: “Yes, so the school is taking it very seriously. The homeroom teacher requires all students to attend.” Just then, my dad’s phone rang. After hanging up, he looked at me, his face filled with excitement: “Scarlett, Professor Miles, your mom’s specialist doctor, is coming back from overseas tomorrow! He says there’s a new technique abroad that might allow your mom to fully recover! He wants to give your mom a detailed consultation.” “Will you come with me tomorrow? We can both learn about your mom’s future treatment plan!” I paused slightly, then nodded: “Okay, I’ll ask the teacher for leave later. Mom’s health is more important than any school event.” The next morning, I woke up as usual and had breakfast with my dad. He finished his meal with his usual expression, then picked up his briefcase: “Scarlett, I’ve scheduled with Professor Miles for ten o’clock. It’s still early, so I’ll go to the company for a morning meeting first. After you finish eating, you can go to the hospital to talk to Professor Miles. I’ll bring your mom over a bit later.” I nodded obediently, watched my dad hurry off, then changed into workout clothes, put on a baseball cap and a mask, and took a taxi to school. Mid-way, my dad even called me: “Scarlett, are you at the hospital yet?” Standing at the school gate, watching the appreciation ceremony about to begin, I calmly replied: “Yes, I’m already at the hospital, waiting for Professor Miles.” My dad’s voice was natural: “Okay, I should be done here in about half an hour. I’ll come over as soon as I’m finished.” After hanging up, I pulled my cap lower, walked into the school, and blended into the crowd on the sports field. The field was already packed with people. After the principal delivered an enthusiastic speech, he grandly introduced: “Now, let us welcome our esteemed guests today, Mr. Sterling, CEO of Sterling Corp, and his wife, with our warmest applause!” Thunderous applause erupted across the field. As everyone watched expectantly, a distinguished couple, impeccably dressed and radiating extraordinary presence, walked out side-by-side, smiling, and stepped onto the main stage. When I clearly saw their faces, I froze on the spot! The man, wearing an expensive custom suit, with a polished smile, waving to the audience below. It was none other than my father, Mr. Sterling, who had told me earlier that morning he was going to a company meeting! And the woman standing beside him, dressed in an elegant evening gown. She wasn’t any mistress or secret lover I had imagined. It was my mother, who had been paralyzed for ten years…

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After I lost my memory, the first thing my husband did was take down all our wedding photos from the walls. Then he brought his mistress home, letting her live the life of Mrs. Harding. He even lied to me, telling me I was just the housekeeper. They flirted right in front of me, doing things only a married couple should. But they had no idea I’d already regained my memory. I watched everything they did, silently. A bowl of hot porridge crashed to the floor. The steaming contents and ceramic shards splattered everywhere. “Ah!” Chloe Miller, standing across from me, shrieked, instantly bringing Alex Harding rushing down from upstairs. “What happened?” Chloe immediately threw herself into Alex’s arms, looking utterly distraught. “She can’t even hold a bowl properly, she burned my leg!” Alex looked down at Chloe’s leg, then frowned as he glared at me. “You’re so useless, you can’t even manage this one simple thing…” But he froze when he saw the blood oozing from my leg, where the ceramic shards had cut me. “Are… are you okay?” I swallowed the lump of bitterness in my throat, struggling to push out two words. “I’m fine.” Alex sighed, a flicker of hesitation in his eyes. “Wait here, I’ll get the first-aid kit.” Just as Alex was about to leave, Chloe suddenly swayed, a delicate stumble. Alex immediately caught her, his eyes filled with concern. “Alex, I think I twisted my ankle. Can you take me to the hospital, please?” Alex looked conflicted for a moment. Chloe’s brow furrowed slightly, and her lips pouted. She pleaded with him in a sweet, coaxing voice. “I got burned by that hot porridge; it would be awful if it left a scar!” “Alright, alright, you’re impossible to say no to. What can I do, you’re my darling little treasure.” Alex’s eyes were completely filled with adoration for Chloe. Before, I used to think Mr. Alex and Ms. Chloe were so deeply in love, a couple everyone envied. But now, this scene pierced my heart with a searing pain. I was Alex’s wife, for heaven’s sake. Just a month ago, I’d been in a car accident and lost my memory. I’d forgotten everything, including Alex. Yet, because I felt an intense familiarity with Alex, I believed his lies. “Your name is Evelyn Hart, and you’re our housekeeper here at the Harding estate.” The day I returned to the Harding estate and put on the housekeeper’s uniform, he led Chloe by the hand, a smile plastered on his face as he told me: “This is Mrs. Harding.” After I respectfully addressed Chloe as “Mrs. Harding,” they seemed to confirm my complete amnesia. Coupled with the doctor’s prognosis that my memory was unlikely to recover, they became absolutely shameless. They slept in my room, on my bed, shamelessly indulging in intimacy day and night, using my jewelry, my clothes—everything that originally belonged to me. The rose garden that once bloomed just for me in the backyard had been completely dug up. Now, it was Chloe’s private putting green. The custom-made swing chair I’d personally installed in the front yard? During my amnesia, he’d ordered me to chop it down for firewood. I waited on them hand and foot, becoming just another prop in their twisted games. But today, I remembered everything. As all my memories flooded back like a tidal wave, I couldn’t hold onto the bowl of porridge I was handing to Chloe. My eyes burned, and tears welled up uncontrollably. Alex scooped Chloe into his arms and walked out, completely disregarding the wound on my leg. Chloe turned her head, casting a triumphant, taunting glance my way, flaunting her victory. Over the past month, I’d experienced this countless times. And I, like an idiot, had just stared at them with envious eyes. It wasn’t until their figures completely disappeared from my sight that my tears finally broke free. I couldn’t hold them back any longer. They streamed down my face like a broken dam, endless and relentless.

Mrs. Davis, our housekeeper, saw me and stopped her work. She came over with a first-aid kit. She looked at me with a sorrowful expression. “Evelyn… don’t cry, sweetie. Did it burn you badly? Let me put some ointment on it.” She soothed me like a child, helping me sit down. She carefully cleaned the wound on my leg, little by little. Before, in this house, Mrs. Davis was the only one who truly looked after me, besides Alex. She was one of the people I trusted most. But now? She’d teamed up with Alex to deceive me. Every single person in this house, every staff member, had lied to me. I had lived like a fool in the elaborate lie they’d constructed for me. Mrs. Davis looked at me, hesitating, as if she wanted to speak but couldn’t. How I wished she would tell me the truth, so at least one person would be on my side. But she just sighed, choosing to remain silent. “You should rest today, I’ll tell Mr. Alex you’re taking the day off!” “No need, I’ll be fine after a little rest.” I stood up, my steps a little unsteady, and walked away. I returned to the small room I now occupied. This entire wing was for the house staff, without even an en-suite bathroom. Inside the room, I buried myself under the covers and cried even harder. To avoid being heard, I deliberately muffled my sobs. My tears soaked the duvet, but I couldn’t stop crying. I simply couldn’t believe Alex would do this to me. It wasn’t until much later, almost half the day gone, that I finally collected myself. Then, something hit me. Before my amnesia, the house was filled with our photo albums, big and small, and that huge wedding portrait in the master bedroom. Where had they gone? I slipped out of my room, sneaking into a utility closet when the other staff weren’t looking. And just as I suspected, there they were: all the photo albums, big and small, including our wedding portrait. No wonder I could go anywhere in the house, except this one room, which someone always stopped me from entering. I thought I had already accepted the fact of Alex’s betrayal. But seeing these photos, brimming with memories, my eyes welled up again. I could pick up any one of these pictures and tell you exactly when it was taken. Alex used to say, “I don’t want this house to look like I’m alone, so I’ve filled it with photos of us.” I was always a bit camera-shy. But with his encouragement, I gradually became more confident. Now, for Chloe, he had hidden all these albums, erasing every trace of my life in this house. Looking at the wedding photo, where I smiled radiantly in Alex’s arms, I curled my lips in a bitter, sarcastic smile. After a moment, I grabbed a knife from nearby. With one swift cut, I slashed through the wedding photo, dividing Alex and me in two. I kept my half. I remembered his proposal vow. He knelt on one knee, kissing my hand. “I will only ever love Evelyn Hart. I will never cheat or do anything to hurt Evelyn Hart. If I break this promise, I will accept any punishment.” Very well then. Alex, I will punish you by taking myself away from you forever.

Soon after I returned to my room, there was a knock on the door. As I hesitated whether to open it, Alex’s voice drifted in from outside. “You said she was crying earlier?” “Yes, Mr. Alex. Evelyn was crying very hard, it even startled me.” “She didn’t… remember anything, did she? Otherwise, why would a small burn make her cry like that?” Mrs. Davis didn’t have an answer for Alex. “Mr. Alex, if I may be so bold, what you’re doing is so unfair to Evelyn. How heartbroken would she be if she ever regained her memory!” “I know, I’ll think about it. You can go now.” Then I heard footsteps retreating. To avoid giving anything away, I quickly composed myself. I used makeup to conceal the puffiness around my eyes. Putting on my uniform, I left the room and headed to the kitchen to work. Passing through the living room, I saw Alex and Chloe were about to apply ointment. I intended to pretend I hadn’t seen them, but Alex called out to me. “Wait a second.” I stopped, but he didn’t say anything else. He gently took off Chloe’s slipper. “Come here, baby, I’ll put the medicine on for you.” Alex opened a bag, took out two tubes of ointment. He dabbed a little on his fingertip and carefully applied it to Chloe’s wound. His voice was incredibly tender throughout. “Does it hurt, baby?” Chloe didn’t answer him, but Alex gently blew on her wound. Chloe immediately giggled. “Haha, that tickles! Stop it, you know I’m ticklish and you’re doing it on purpose!” This scene stabbed at my heart. Alex used to treat me like that. Once, I tripped and scraped my knee during an 800-meter run. When he saw it, his eyes turned red, and he looked so distressed, almost crying from how much it pained him. He carefully applied medicine for me. Seeing me wince, tears immediately fell from his eyes. He said he never wanted me to suffer even the slightest injury again. But now, he was mercilessly breaking my heart. I turned my head away, unwilling to watch the scene unfold. Finally, they were done. Alex took two more tubes of the same ointment from the bag. “I was going to bring these to your room just now, but I didn’t want to disturb you. Here, this one is for the burn, and this one is to prevent scarring.” But I just took them woodenly, not a single word of his registering with me. “Maybe you should take a few days off?” “No need.” I refused him point-blank. “It was my fault today, for causing Ms. Chloe’s injury. I don’t deserve to rest.” With that, I bowed to Chloe, who was sitting on the sofa, to express my apology. “You don’t need to apologize, it’s just a small injury…” I cut Alex off before he could finish. “Mr. Alex, this is just my duty.” He looked at me with an expression I’d never seen before—one of surprise, and then a hint of troubled thought. He seemed to notice the swelling around my eyes beneath the makeup. “Just be more careful next time. I’m going back to my study.” As soon as Alex left, Chloe stopped me. “Go get me a glass of hot water.” Even though I half-guessed what Chloe was up to, I had no choice but to comply. As I carefully presented the glass of hot water to Chloe, I clearly saw the smirk on her lips. “Here’s your water, Ms. Chloe.” Chloe reached out to take it. Just as I was about to release my grip, she let go too. This time, the entire glass of hot water spilled all over my arm. “Hiss.” I sucked in a sharp breath. The tears I had managed to hold back burst forth again, driven by the searing pain. “Oh dear, how clumsy of me. You should go take care of that.” On the surface, she sounded concerned. But the words she whispered into my ear were laced with malice. “Does it hurt? Good. Now you’ll use all that medicine!” I stood there speechless. In this house now, I was just a housekeeper. What right did I have to yell at her? “I’m sorry.” That apology felt like it drained every ounce of my strength. Tears still in my eyes, I picked up the fallen glass. Then I grabbed a mop and cleaned up the mess on the floor. She watched me the entire time, a smile playing on her lips.

That evening, after I finished cleaning the kitchen, Mrs. Davis asked me to take some hot milk upstairs. Just as I was about to knock, I heard voices from inside. I froze, my hand still. “Were you deliberately trying to spill hot water on Evelyn?” “No! It was her own clumsiness. I didn’t do anything!” “I saw everything from upstairs, you’re still trying to deny it? That was boiling water! Getting angry and scolding her is one thing, but that was too much!” “Oh, Alex, I just couldn’t help but be a little mad. I promise I won’t do it again, okay? Don’t be mad at me.” Chloe’s soft, cooing voice slowly softened Alex’s tone. “Don’t do that again, alright?” “Okay, I promise I won’t. Mwah!” Was this the “never let me get hurt again” he’d spoken of? A few sweet words from another woman, and he’d forgotten all his promises to me. “Chloe, the one-month deadline is almost up. We’ve had enough fun, isn’t it time to return Mrs. Harding’s position to its rightful owner?” My heart clenched violently at his words. “No! I haven’t had enough yet! Didn’t the doctor say she might never regain her memory?” “But, the doctor only said ‘might.’ What if Evelyn remembers?” “Alex, you yourself said you were tired of Evelyn after so many years of marriage. Are you really going back to that boring, bland life after just one month of ‘fun’?” I stood outside the door, my grip tightening on the mug of milk. So he had been tired of me all along. “But…” “No buts, Alex! Didn’t you say you wanted to see me in that lingerie set?” “If you let me keep playing Mrs. Harding, I’ll wear a different one every day, okay?” I heard no reply from him. Only some rustling sounds, then their heavy breathing filled the air. I stood frozen at the door until a tear fell onto the hand holding the milk, snapping me back to reality. I think I knew Alex’s answer now. I went back to my room and started packing. I couldn’t stand to be here anymore. My hand brushed against the two tubes of ointment Alex had given me earlier, still in my pocket. I flung them directly into the trash can. Once most of my things were packed, I lay down on the bed, wrapping myself tightly in the duvet. I stared at the ceiling, thinking about so many things. I didn’t sleep a wink. The next morning, I went to work as usual, planning to sneak out that night. Alex was eating breakfast, looking remarkably refreshed and cheerful. Clearly, he’d been well taken care of last night. Suddenly, Chloe bounced down the stairs. She flung herself into Alex’s arms. “Alex, I’m pregnant!” Alex’s face lit up with pure joy. “Really?” Standing nearby, I saw the pregnancy test stick in Chloe’s hand. I clearly saw two lines on it. My heart gave a sudden, painful lurch. “Of course it’s real! See?” Chloe held the test stick up to Alex’s face. The next second, Alex swept Chloe into a princess carry. He spun her around a few times, cheering excitedly. “That’s wonderful! I’m going to be a dad!” I discreetly slipped away. Right now, I was just an outsider. I kept telling myself, over and over again, It’s fine. It’s fine. Alex had always wanted children. But after all our years of marriage, I hadn’t managed to get pregnant. Now, it’s fine. He got what he always wanted. I returned to my room. But I still couldn’t stop the tears from falling. I had clearly overestimated myself.

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I was eight months pregnant when photos of Damien’s “kidnapping” went viral. But I grabbed a knife and rushed out the door to save him. Outside, mocking voices sneered: “Only ten minutes left on the bet. Can pregnant Sera really make it? Actually, if your lover apologizes, the bet ends.” But my husband Damien said, “I’m sure Sera will come.” Turns out, the so-called “kidnapping” was just Damien’s twisted bet to protect another woman. He actually risked our eight-month-old baby as the wager! I lowered the blade in my hand, leaning against the wall, trying to calm my ragged breathing. I pulled out my phone, sent a text to an unknown number, then stared blankly at the photos that came back. It was her. The voices inside continued. “It’s quiet out there now. Looks like the outcome is—” Damien sharply cut off the sneering voice. “Time’s not up yet. Sera would risk her life to take on ten men for me. Your thugs are no match for her.” “If it concerns me, she’ll fight tooth and nail to be there.” A round of applause broke out. “Compared to a mere apology, today’s gamble has been absolutely thrilling! Thanks, Mr. Knight, for satisfying my addiction! There’s no bet more exciting than this.” Tears instantly streamed down my face. Back when I was eighteen, Damien burned down the shady club where I was trapped, all for me. It left an indelible scar across his face. He’d said trading his face for my freedom was the best deal he’d ever made. After that, he fought tooth and nail to climb the ranks, vowing to give me a good life. As I watched his scars accumulate, I cast aside my mother’s dying wish and stood by him, transforming with him into the feared Sera, a force to be reckoned with. I truly believed we were the perfect partners, the perfect lovers. Who knew our love had an expiration date, a mere decade? Damien , when I loved you, I’d throw caution to the wind for you. But now, we’re at the end of the line. “Nineteen, eighteen, seventeen, sixteen—” The triumphant countdown from inside the door shattered my thoughts. Those ten minutes felt so long, yet so agonizingly short. I slowly rose, and as the countdown hit “zero,” I slammed the door open. In an instant, every eye in the room landed on me. I ignored Damien ‘s surprised, hopeful gaze and marched straight to the only woman in the room. Grabbing her hair, I slammed my palm across her face.

“Sera, how dare you hit me!” Everyone in the room stared at me in shock, while Delilah Thorne clutched her face, her expression one of feigned grievance. My heart was eerily calm, yet I feigned anger. “Is this how you act as an assistant? The boss was ‘kidnapped,’ and you’re standing here completely unharmed? If not you, then who should I hit!” Then, I gestured for my people behind me to step forward. “Teach her a lesson. Let her learn how to be a good assistant.” Delilah Thorne was an assistant Damien had poached with a hefty sum. He’d said our empire eventually needed proper management, that fighting and killing wouldn’t last forever, and he wanted me and our child to live free from worry. Yet, in just eight short months, Damien was willing to abandon me and our child for her! My people, wielding iron rods, advanced step by step. Delilah collapsed in terror behind Damien , clutching his sleeve. “Damien, please! Save me! Sera’s going to kill me—” The iron rods fell. Delilah’s agonized screams echoed through the room. Damien finally couldn’t sit still. Though still bound, he lunged to his feet, gripping one of the iron rods tightly. “Enough, Sera! The girl is young and foolish, but are you too?” “You’re pregnant! What kind of spectacle is this, yelling for blood?” I couldn’t help but let out a cold laugh inwardly. He didn’t remember I was pregnant when he engineered this ‘kidnapping’ charade, but now that it’s Delilah, he suddenly cares. “Don’t you have anything to explain?” The only sounds were the drip of blood from my blade’s tip and my own ragged breathing. He chuckled lightly, sighed, and tugged at his crumpled collar. “It was all for Knight Enterprises. Don’t you want our child to be born into a better life?” “Mr. Sterling promised that if you’d just come in one second sooner, that prime piece of land on the south side would be ours.” I stared at his casually delivered lie. As if all the fault today lay with my delayed arrival. And he and Delilah were the dedicated, self-sacrificing ones, working tirelessly for Knight Enterprises. “You’re right. I truly don’t understand.” I turned my gaze to the other man involved in the bet. The glint of amusement in his eyes suddenly vanished. I spoke softly, almost airily, “Mr. Sterling, we accept the terms of the bet. Let’s fulfill the true wager now.” Then, under Damien ‘s astonished gaze, I dragged Delilah forward, forcibly slamming her head into the ground. Thud, thud, thud— “Sera! She’s pregnant!” His large hands clamped onto my shoulders, crushing them almost to breaking. I paused for only a split second, then immediately clenched a fist and aimed it at my own belly. My lips curved into a chilling smile as I looked at Damien . “Do you want my baby, or hers?” The grip on my shoulders noticeably loosened. Damien ‘s hands fell to his sides, and he retreated, his eyes devoid of emotion. I pushed down harder with both hands until a dull ache resonated in my belly, then slowly stood up. I snatched a few tissues from the table, wiped the blood from my hands, and tossed them onto Damien with a disgusted flick of my wrist. “You writing the divorce papers, or am I?” Damien ‘s eyes finally wavered. “I’m not divorcing you, Sera. I told you, only death will end us.” No sooner had Damien finished speaking than I snatched the blade from the floor and swung it at him. He stared at the approaching knife, unmoving. His gaze was just like that night eighteen years ago, when he, surrounded by a dozen men, fearlessly lit the gasoline. The blade quickly sliced across his body, instantly staining the suit I’d personally tailored for him with blood. His expression unchanged, he snatched the knife from my hand and tossed it aside. “Sera, one life should be enough to appease your anger.” Delilah’s lower half was soaked in blood. The baby was gone. Watching Damien carry Delilah away, I whispered quietly, “Damien, not one life. Two.” I stayed in the hospital for a full seven days. Damien and Delilah seemed to have vanished from my world. Seizing the moment, I made the call I had always dreaded, contacting the one person I least wanted to see. “I want everyone you’ve placed around Damien.”

On my first night home from the hospital, as I was packing things for the next day’s funeral, Damien suddenly pushed open the door and entered. He paused, seeing me holding a book. Ever since I got pregnant, he’d brought home boxes of books, reading to our child every single day. All because my acceptance letter to my dream university had been destroyed in that fire. He’d said this child would surely make up for my past regrets. I could feel his footsteps become softer as he entered the room. After a long sigh, he snatched the book from my hands and threw a medical report onto my lap. “Sera, are you satisfied now?” The words “Hysterectomy” loomed starkly on the page. “She’s just a young girl, so young! First, you beat her, then forced her to grovel, and now she can’t even be a mother! Sera, you’re truly cruel.” “I’m cruel? Damien , when you made me come ‘save’ you, did you forget my baby was already eight months along?!” “My child didn’t deserve peace, but she deserves your protection? Whoever committed the sin should bear the consequence!” “Damien , I only regret not killing her the day she appeared.” I completely broke down. I lifted my empty nightgown, trembling uncontrollably, and started to rush out to grab a knife. Only then did Damien finally notice my flat stomach. After a moment of shock, he swiftly wrapped his arms around my waist from behind, as if trying to melt me into his body. “Sera, my love, it’s all my fault.” A single tear slid down into my neck. I stiffened, a violent shiver running through me. It was like going back ten years. We’d struggled hand-in-hand out of that inferno, clinging to each other, feeling only the searing heat of each other’s necks. A cold gust of wind snaked up my nightgown, and I snapped back to reality. “Damien —” “Don’t be afraid, I’m here.” He turned, pressing my head hard into his chest. It was both comfort and a refusal. He thought I was still the old Sera, easily swayed and fooled. I struggled to push him out of the room. Before I could even close the door, Delilah’s voice drifted in. “Damien, how is it? Give me your phone! I want the whole world to know she’s a worthless bitch!” “Delilah, sweetie—” “Damien , I’m asking you! Where are the pictures? Did she cry and beg you? Did you go soft?” “Damien, the doctor said I can’t have children anymore! Let me in! I want her child to pay for what she did to my baby! Let her taste the agony of a woman’s brokenness…” Seeing Delilah growing more frantic with every word, Damien hastily covered her mouth and led her away, embracing her. I couldn’t see the expression on Damien ‘s face, but I heard the submerged tenderness in his voice. “Don’t be afraid, Delilah, sweetie. I’m here.” “I’ll love you forever.” Five years ago, when I suffered retribution and lost my first child, consumed by an unbearable grief— He’d made the same promise. “Sera, my love, with or without a child, I will love you forever.” But who knew his “forever” would only last a mere decade? My nails dug into my palms, but all I felt was the familiar agony of loss in my womb. A man’s promises truly were cheap and laughable.

The next morning, just as I was about to go downstairs for my child’s funeral, Delilah blocked my way. She stood there in a silk robe, suddenly pulling open her collar to reveal fresh hickeys. Her eyes were filled with mockery. “Sera, don’t think you’ve won. You might never know that Damien never loved you.” “He just couldn’t bear to let me suffer with him. He needed someone to shield me, and he just happened to pick you.” “Now your child is gone, what are you still clinging on here for?” My footsteps faltered, my gaze turning impossibly cold. “What did you just say?” “I said, you’re nothing but my stand-in.” Delilah deliberately emphasized the word “stand-in,” her face radiating malicious triumph. I froze for a second, then saw Delilah, her face contorted in a snarl, pull a dagger from behind her and lunge at me. “Sera, you’ll pay for my baby’s life! Die!” Damien was right behind her, but he was a step too late. As I dodged, Delilah lost her footing and tumbled down the stairs, the dagger clattering brightly on the steps. I took a few steps forward, snatched up the dagger, and lunged at Delilah. By the time Damien caught up, the dagger had already slit Delilah’s throat. Damien ‘s face was grim. He immediately positioned himself in front of Delilah. His eyes were filled with a complex mix of emotions. “Sera, this ends now.” “Damien , she said I was your stand-in. Tell me, was she lying?!” My words clearly flustered Damien . Seizing the chance, I raised the dagger and plunged it towards Delilah’s chest again. My wrist was savagely gripped, but I gritted my teeth and forced it down, ignoring the tearing pain as it threatened to shatter. A sharp scream ripped through the air. The dagger ultimately found its mark in Delilah’s chest. Before I could even pull the dagger free, a foot violently kicked me down. My shattered wrist was ground under a leather shoe. I gasped, cold air rasping in my throat from the agony. “Sera, we’re getting a divorce.” How laughable. The man who’d once declared only death would part us now agreed so easily, all for Delilah. Divorce papers were casually tossed onto my body. Then Damien moved to carry Delilah away, but she refused. She steadied herself and stood before me, then dropped a lighter. Flames quickly engulfed the items meant for the funeral home. The books Damien and I had read to our child, the toys we’d picked out together—they were all burning. I wanted to snatch them back, but the fear of flames nailed me to the spot. Leaning against Damien , she laughed mockingly at me. “Sera, that fire ten years ago should have killed you.” And Damien just watched. An endless wave of hatred surged within me. I suddenly collapsed to the floor, bursting into maniacal laughter. “Damien , I haven’t seen you burn in hell yet. How can I possibly leave so easily?” For ten years, my blade was always pointed at others. Now, it’s time for you to feel its edge. “Neither of you is leaving this place today.” The moment I finished speaking, the villa’s main door slammed shut with a resounding bang. “Open it!” Damien kicked the door several times, his face instantly turning ice cold. “Sera, you’re the one who asked for a divorce. Now I’ve agreed, what more do you want? Do you truly want to die?” He scolded me fiercely, all while clutching Delilah tighter. The scar on his face, far from making him look grotesque, only made him seem more dashing in his protective stance. I slowly stood up, then decisively tore apart the divorce papers. “Damien, you said only death would end us. How can I divorce you if you and Delilah aren’t dead?!” A mocking smirk twisted Damien ‘s lips. “Sera, do you really think closing a door can win you this? With just these two people you’ve managed to rope in? I don’t want to argue with you today. Delilah needs a hospital. Open the damn door!” “I said, neither of you is leaving today.” At my words, a cold glint flashed in Damien’s eyes. “Sera, you’re forcing my hand.” He raised a hand, and suddenly dozens of men appeared in the villa. “Kill her.” But Damien ‘s words hung in the air for a long moment, and none of the men moved. His eyes were bloodshot. He repeated his order to the leader, “Kill her! Anyone who dares to disobey me today is an enemy of Damien!” But his answer came in the form of dozens of gun barrels turning to face him. “Without Sera’s direct order, no one leaves!” “Sera? Who the hell is Sera here?” Aside from Damien’s bewildered question, dead silence filled the villa.

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We were married two years. He was a loser. I left him—and our newborn daughter—without looking back. Years later, he became a famous forensic pathologist. He found a new, loving stepmom for our daughter. At his celebration, they whispered: “Did Aria think Jaxson would make it big?” “She’s probably busy in some rich guy’s bed.” “If Aria comes back, would he take her?” Six-year-old Lily snapped: “Dad can’t take her back! Lily only knows her new mom!” Jaxson picked her up, shooting a cold glare. “Not on my big day. Don’t say that cursed name.” He didn’t know— The dead woman he was about to dissect? It was me. I floated in mid-air, watching my daughter run intimately into another woman’s arms. Tears streamed down my face uncontrollably. When I left, she was just a baby. In the blink of an eye, she’d become an adorable little munchkin. I wanted to reach out and touch her, but my hand simply passed through Lily’s body. “Mommy, don’t worry. If the bad lady comes back, Lily will definitely help Mommy chase her away!” The bad lady… I let out a bitter laugh. In her heart, I was already the bad lady. Seraphina smiled, pinching Lily’s little cheek. “Naughty girl, that’s your birth mom.” Lily pouted. “Hmph! Lily doesn’t have a mom who abandoned Dad and me!” I floated in the air, sobbing, beyond words. “No, Lily, Mommy didn’t abandon you. Mommy just had no choice…” The whispers of others drifted into my ears: “Aria was never meant to enjoy a good life. If she’d just stayed with Jaxson a few more years through the hardship, she’d have everything now. Trying to come back? Good luck. Jaxson probably hates her guts, haha!” “Serves her right. Women like her are only fit to be some rich man’s lapdog.” “When Jaxson was at his lowest, she ran off with a rich guy. Seraphina stuck by him all these years. If she came back now, she’d just be the other woman.” “You think she wasn’t the other woman when she was with that rich guy? Give her money, and she’d crawl into anyone’s bed.” Jaxson, standing in the center, gripped his wine glass, his knuckles white. “Shut up.” The laughter died abruptly, smiles frozen on their faces. Someone offered a placating smile. “Sorry, Jaxson. She was your ex-wife, after all. We shouldn’t mock her.” “Right, right, our bad. We won’t talk about Aria anymore.” Jaxson scoffed. “Who said I was mad about that?” Everyone was stunned. He continued, “I just don’t want my wife to hear a cursed name on such a happy day. She’s pregnant.” Everyone gasped, then rushed to congratulate him. “Congratulations! True love finds its way!” “I knew Jaxson wouldn’t ever stand up for that woman!” “Women like her, even getting into the police force was a disgrace. Good thing she fell from grace on her own.” I floated silently in the air, looking back towards Seraphina. They said this woman had stood by Jaxson through his toughest years. I really had no right to say anything. But a sharp pang of bitterness still twisted in my heart.

I once told Jaxson that if he ever became a renowned forensic pathologist, I’d accompany him to interviews, and we’d be the dream team of the force. Now he’d made it, but the woman by his side was no longer me. That day, Jaxson left the banquet blind drunk. On his way home, Caleb, my younger brother, blocked his car. The car window slowly lowered, and Jaxson gave him a hostile glare. Ever since I left, his hatred for me had extended to my brother. Caleb’s face was pale and drawn, and for the first time, he pleaded with Jaxson. “Jaxson, there’s a body. Only you can reconstruct it.” “Don’t you have forensic pathologists in your unit?” “I don’t trust them with it. Only your skills are up to the task.” Jaxson scoffed. “What kind of body would make Captain Mu personally come to me? Couldn’t be Aria, could it?” Caleb’s fists clenched abruptly. He held back for a long time before revealing my identity. “I’m sorry, this is my private request. Name your price.” “Do I look like I’m hurting for cash?” Jaxson’s voice was cold, as if he wasn’t questioning my brother, but the failure he used to be years ago. Caleb’s fists trembled slightly. “What if… what if it is Aria?” Jaxson paused. Then he sneered. “That would be a double celebration.” My brother’s head snapped up, his eyes widening in disbelief. Jaxson’s eyes were a little red from the alcohol, and he curved his lips into a smile. “Did she send you to find me? I hope you, the Mu family, stop messing with me from now on. My current wife and daughter and I are living well, and I don’t want anyone to disturb us. Even if it is Aria, I won’t take the case.” The driver started the car. Caleb frantically tried to stop them, but Jaxson had already raised the window and drove away without a backward glance. Caleb was left standing there alone, slamming his phone to the ground. I floated in the air, watching, wanting to tell him not to bother Jaxson for me. So many of my colleagues couldn’t even retrieve their remains; I was lucky to even have a body, however disfigured. But I couldn’t touch him, couldn’t make a sound. I could only powerlessly watch my brother weep.

The next day, when Jaxson went to work, he saw the body Caleb had asked him to reconstruct. Caleb’s junior forensic pathologist was looking completely overwhelmed by the corpse. Jaxson walked past, pausing at the doorway for a moment. His gaze lingered on the corpse. It was the most severely damaged body he’d ever seen. Almost every part of it was mangled, making reconstruction incredibly difficult. But there hadn’t been any news of such a severe murder case recently… After a moment of thought, he patted the man’s shoulder. “Tell your captain I’ll take his case.” I lay in his studio, watching him put on his gear and gloves, all the naivety of his youth long gone. As I watched, a smile couldn’t help but curve on my lips—this was him. But the more he worked, the graver his expression became. I didn’t know if he’d realized it. The height, arm length, and all other physical data were identical to mine. My hand had already been roughly restored, and he hesitated, then took hold of my wrist. The hand he’d held countless times. With just a gentle grasp, he could find that familiar sensation. His brow furrowed even deeper. But what could that mean? He smiled, shaking his head. “How could it be…” There wasn’t just one person in the world with my hand circumference. Besides, this was a corpse; the measurements surely weren’t the original ones… Just as he was about to let go, his finger brushed against something hard. He looked down. His wedding ring was still on my finger.

Jaxson gasped sharply. He recognized it. Years ago, when we were crammed into a drafty rental, when a single pack of instant noodles had to be stretched into three meals, he’d still managed to save enough for a diamond ring. The day he put the ring on my finger, he watched me admire it happily, a smile tinged with a hint of pain. “We might have nothing now, but I promise I’ll give you a good life someday.” Back then, I’d hugged him and kissed him fiercely. “I know, my amazing forensic pathologist husband!” I let out a bitter laugh—he probably never imagined that the woman who promised to stick by him through thick and thin would leave him with a newborn daughter and vanish, leaving him to work and raise a child alone, wearing himself out so much he ended up in the hospital multiple times. But Jaxson, I had no choice… He carefully removed the ring, holding it between his thumb and forefinger, rotating it under the light, examining it closely. The more he looked, the graver his expression became. It was a design he’d spent half a year choosing; how could he forget it? Quickly taking off his gear, he pulled out his phone with trembling hands and opened his contacts. But my contact information had long been deleted. He took a deep breath, then accurately dialed my old number on the keypad. It connected.

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When I got out of prison, Julian grabbed my hand and said, “Evie, I never married anyone else!” I pulled my hand away and said, “Mr. Thorne, weren’t you the one who testified and sent me to prison?” Ten years ago, a female student sponsored by Julian stole my design and won a major prize. They even named my work after their three-year-old child. Julian and I were caught on camera. The headline, ‘Evie Reed Released from Prison, Harassing Julian Thorne,’ immediately shot to the top of trending topics on Ins. The photo showed Julian’s back, making it seem like I was blocking his path. Netizens who had been following my release exploded with outrage. “Seriously, no shame! First thing she does after jail is cling to Mr. Thorne!” “Terrifying, how did they let this psycho out? @Blair Jensen, protect yourself and your child!” “Heard she only attacked because her marriage proposal was rejected!” “Scientists gone wild are even scarier, total psychopath!” Everyone started tagging Blair Jensen. So, she posted a selfie from her lab with a caption. “Don’t worry, everyone, I’m safe and will protect the people who matter most to me.” This carefully orchestrated interaction earned her another wave of public sympathy. I closed Ins, and the next second, my phone rang. No contact name, but that number was etched into my memory. I hung up without a second thought. Once, twice… I dragged the number straight to my blacklist. Then, a text message popped up. “I’m sorry, I didn’t know it would be like this. I’ll handle the media.” I blacklisted that number too, without hesitation. Just as I put my phone down, it rang again. I didn’t check the caller ID. I picked up, ready to unleash a stream of curses, when a familiar voice spoke. “Evie, darling, the best way to clear your name is to live your life well. I don’t want you affected by all that filth online.” “Our old high school has an intelligent robot model competition coming up, and they need a high-caliber mentor. Are you up for it?” A warmth spread through my eyes instantly. He was my high school teacher, and the one who first ignited my passion for physics. Tears in my eyes, I nodded. “Mr. Henderson, I’ll be there. Thank you so much.” His voice on the phone choked up slightly. “Oh, my dear, I knew you’d rise again.” After hanging up, my heart refused to settle for a long time. Indeed, my life had nothing to do with Julian anymore. Following Mr. Henderson’s instructions, I arrived at the lab right on time. Only to find two students arguing. I paused at the doorway, wanting to hear their side of things. “My thermal dynamic coupling model is absolutely fine, my mom told me so! My mom is Blair Jensen, a celebrated researcher with award-winning theories! Who are you to question her?!” Alex glared, eyes blazing red, at the smaller boy. “I’m not saying the theory is wrong, but this value is too high, it’ll burn out the circuit…” “Bullshit!” Alex suddenly grabbed some materials off the table, ready to hurl them at the other boy. I rushed forward to stop him but accidentally pushed him, sending him sprawling. He froze for two seconds. “Who are you? Why did you push me? I’m calling the cops!” I stared coldly at the boy who looked so much like Julian, yet in his very core, mirrored Blair Jensen. “You’re Alex? Your mom is Blair Jensen, so all her theories are automatically correct?” “Did your mom ever tell you that she stole someone else’s work?” Facing the name that had stained my entire life… I couldn’t hold back. The words were out before I could regret them. But it was too late. The incident escalated, and soon the police were involved. That very night, I was trending again. Everyone said I couldn’t get over Julian, and was now taking revenge on his son. My temporary address was dug up and publicized. My door was plastered with hateful graffiti and curses. There was even a package left, covered in paint and containing razor blades. My landlord told me to leave immediately. As I carried my clothes, which had been tossed on the ground, downstairs, I ran into Julian. “I’m so sorry…” He nervously rubbed the edge of his coat pocket, a picture of helplessness. His head slightly bowed, he stole glances at my face. For a moment, he reminded me of Julian in high school. I closed my eyes, trying to banish those images. “Mr. Thorne, I don’t want to see you ever again. I just want a peaceful life. Please, just disappear.” His eyes reddened, his gaze clouded with unspoken emotions. “Evie, I just wanted to apologize. It’s okay if you can’t forgive me. We’re still old friends, and I can actually help—” “You want to help me? Just stay far away from me.” I met his gaze head-on. “Julian, if I had known that meeting you would bring such utter disaster into my life, I would have never—” He frantically cut me off. “Evie! Don’t say it… Please, I’ll go.” I’d forgotten about that past, a past that could never be reclaimed. It held not only my scars, but his too. Even after all these years. We still knew exactly how to twist the knife, how to hit each other where it hurt the most.

When I first met Julian, he wasn’t the hotshot tech entrepreneur he is today. He was just the quiet kid from the wrong side of the tracks, wearing a faded uniform, bullied by everyone. One day, a few older teens cornered him in an alley, pelting him with plastic water bottles. “Isn’t your grandma a trash collector? We’re helping you out, how are you gonna thank us?” “Filthy garbage brings out filthy kids, you reek!” A surge of compassion overwhelmed me, and I stepped in front of him. “His grandma works hard to send him to school, there’s no shame in that.” “What’s shameful is your parents finding out you’re bullies!” After that, I started sharing half of my mom’s breakfast with him every day. I tutored him, oversaw his studies. We even worked part-time jobs together. He became my constant shadow, my loyal “knight,” looking out for me. In our senior year of college, he bought a silver ring with tiny diamond chips, paid for with money from his part-time jobs. He knelt on one knee in front of me. “Evie, when I make it big, I’ll get you a diamond ring that’ll make this one look tiny. Will you… will you be with me?” Smiling, I slid my finger into the ring. “Okay, Julian. I’ll wait.” On our wedding day, his family kept making him drink, one after another. He drank until his steps faltered and his mind grew hazy. But he still swore an oath to the heavens in front of my parents and relatives. “I, Julian, will only marry Evie in this life, and love only Evie. May I be struck by lightning and never find peace if I break this—” That day, I stopped his foolish vow with a kiss. Amidst the cheers and blessings of our families. I felt like the happiest woman in the world. He continued to be wonderful for years. Even when his company was swamped, he never forgot to surprise me. He even took my parents on trips and helped my relatives’ kids find jobs. He always did his best to be good to me. And that’s how he managed to fool everyone. Blair Jensen was a student I started sponsoring after I began working, someone I personally introduced to him. In the first few years of Julian’s company, he was incredibly busy, constantly on the go. Coming home late at night, he always reeked of smoke and alcohol. “Evie, everyone below me is an absolute idiot…” I massaged his temples, and Blair came to mind. She was smart, diligent, with a stubborn refusal to ever give up visible in her eyes. “Why don’t you let Blair help you? She’s meticulous and trustworthy.” And just like that, Blair joined his company. Because I knew her background so well, she gradually took over some highly confidential, yet mundane, tasks. Julian didn’t have to micromanage her, and sure enough, his workload lessened significantly. He even found time to join me in the lab. Watching me tinker with different machine models, he would hold me from behind, his voice full of emotion. “When I was a kid, I always wished for a superhero to save me, to defeat all the monsters that bullied me.” “But then, I stopped wishing for it.” I turned my head to ask him why. “Because my superhero, you, came into my life in my sophomore year of high school.” From that day on, in addition to my research, I wanted to create a surprise for him. I began integrating the concept of ‘protection’ into my model. As a gift for him. Later, his career took off. Blair became a frequent guest at our home. She often brought documents, sometimes asking me for advice on technical issues. I never held anything back. Our relationship grew closer and closer. She often brought me gifts, and never missed a single one of my birthdays. “Evie, I wouldn’t be where I am today without you. Mr. Thorne trusts me, and I would never want to let you down.” My own research was entering its most critical phase. It was my turn to practically live in the lab. She often took Julian’s place, bringing me meals to the lab. I thought she was simply grateful, wanting to repay my kindness. Until that globally recognized model design competition. I saw my work, proudly bearing the name ‘Alex.’ And saw Blair Jensen’s name listed as the sole creator in the project description.

I wanted to ask Julian if he knew. But then I saw a small boy, darting around outside his office. My beloved, with whom I had spent fourteen years. He actually had a three-year-old child with another woman. I stormed into his office. “Julian, is that child outside yours?” He merely lifted his eyes. “Evie, watch your tone and remember where you are.” “My tone? My identity? I am your legal wife!” He leaned back into his leather chair. “Blair gave me a son, Evie. My family name needs an heir. You’ve been unable to have children, so you should understand.” I stared at him, as if seeing him for the very first time. He paused, then pushed a prepared document across the desk. When I saw the words ‘Divorce Agreement’ on it, I ripped it into shreds. I stared in disbelief at the man I had poured my entire life into supporting. I refused to sign. In a rage, I stormed off to my parents’ house. My mother, furious beyond words, burst into Julian’s office and slapped him across the face in front of everyone. “You shameless bastard! Without my daughter, you’d still be rolling in the gutter!” “You ungrateful snake! A total backstabber!” Julian’s eyes turned cold, menacing. “Fine,” he snarled. “Let’s see who can’t live without whom.” That very day, Julian pulled all his investments from my father’s company. Word spread like wildfire. The next day, competitors deliberately undercut my father, snatching contracts with ridiculously low bids. The company’s cash flow dried up, and our partners abandoned us one by one. He even fired our relatives’ children from his company and blacklisted them across the entire industry. Even though those elders were the very people who had once helped him. When he was just starting his company and had no seed money, it was my family who pooled together every last penny for him. But with a flick of his wrist, he was ready to destroy all our lives. My father, consumed by anger, suffered a heart attack and was hospitalized. Julian ultimately acquired the company for a ridiculously low price. My mother couldn’t bear the shock and fell ill, never recovering. Julian reappeared, tossing the agreement onto the table in front of me. “Sign it. You walk away with nothing, but you’ll save your parents.” Looking at my father, still in the ICU, I shakily signed my name. As I left that home, clutching the last few things I owned, Blair was waiting at the door. “Evie, this is how it should be. If you’d just given up your place sooner, your parents wouldn’t have ended up like this, would they?” She smirked, a triumphant gleam in her eyes. All the anger and humiliation erupted in that moment. I grabbed a kitchen knife and pointed it at her. “Get out of my house! Get out!” Instead of backing away, she suddenly grabbed my hand, forcing the knife’s tip sharply into her own abdomen. Julian arrived just in time, pulling her away. Under Julian’s manipulation, all the evidence turned against me. No lawyer dared to take my case. He himself took the witness stand. “I personally witnessed Evie, driven by jealousy, attack Blair with a knife. She has a volatile personality and had threatened Blair multiple times before.” My parents, still in the hospital, heard the news and, despite their fragile health, desperately tried to fight for me. But his heart was set on destroying me. On the day of my final sentencing, my father coughed up a mouthful of blood on the courthouse steps. He couldn’t be saved. Not long after, my mother also passed away. I was sentenced to the maximum ten years for aggravated assault. Yet now, I watched him gather the media, holding a press conference. He released the lab’s surveillance footage. Desperately trying to clear my name. “Evie did not target the child. I will pursue legal action against all online misinformation. Regardless of the truth of what happened that year, I owe her, and I will not allow anyone to slander her.” I don’t know how long passed. A single tear splattered onto the darkened screen of my phone. The screen reflected my own mocking face.

When Blair found me, I was sitting outside a small noodle shop in a rundown part of town, eating a cheap bowl of plain pasta. She pulled up in a sports car, dressed in designer clothes, utterly out of place. “Evie, what are you doing eating in a place like this?” She placed her designer bag on the grimy table, glanced disdainfully at the faded, unidentifiable stool, and remained standing. “Here’s a million dollars. Take it, leave this city, and never show your face to Julian again.” I lowered my head and continued eating my noodles, ignoring her. She didn’t seem annoyed. Leaning slightly forward, she lowered her voice. “Didn’t ten years in prison teach you anything?” “Look at yourself, so unkempt. What part of you could ever be worthy of him now?” I put down my fork, lifting my eyes to her heavily made-up face. I noticed the dark circles under her eyes, clumsily concealed by makeup. Her blush couldn’t hide her pale complexion. She hadn’t been doing well lately. “Blair Jensen, why are you in such a rush? What are you so afraid of?” Her face flickered. “Afraid of you? Evie, look at yourself! Do you really think I’d be scared or jealous of some washed-up, bitter woman who spent ten years in prison?” “Then what’s with the money? In your mind, is Julian, the successful, famous man he is now, only worth a million dollars?” Blair seemed to realize her slip. She clutched her bag tighter, forced a smile, and raised her voice. “You’re mistaken. I just knew you’d be struggling after your release and wanted to help! But since you brought it up, if a million isn’t enough, how much will it take for you to leave us alone?” Her fake concern made me sick to my stomach. I stood up to leave, but she grabbed my jacket by the waist. “Evie, Julian and I have a child who’s already a teenager! Are you still refusing to let go? Do you insist on being a homewrecker?” I yanked hard at my jacket, but she held on tight, refusing to let go. In the struggle, my jacket was torn off, revealing a section of my forearm, marred by a hideous, twisted burn scar. She stared at me, stunned. I quickly snatched my jacket back, accidentally sweeping her bag off the table. Her phone slid out, and I saw it then: she’d clipped a camera onto it. She was livestreaming. “OMG! She has so many scars!” “Must be from getting beaten in prison, serves her right!” “Looks terrifying, not like beatings. Maybe she’s self-harming? No wonder she’s so obsessive!” “Poor Blair, look what she’s been driven to!” The livestream comments were instantly flooded with malicious speculation. I shut off the livestream, not wanting so many strangers peering into my life. The moment the livestream ended, Blair’s expression completely changed. Replaced by pure hatred. “Evie! How dare you show your face here again? You’re a murderer! You tried to kill me ten years ago, and ten years later, you almost killed my son!” “And now you’re stalking my husband, harassing him, trying to destroy my family! If your parents knew how utterly despicable you are, they’d turn over in their graves!” Her chest heaved violently, flecks of spit landing on my face. “Why are you staring at me like that? Am I wrong?”

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My husband said I wasn’t sexy enough, that in bed I was like a dead fish. He sent me to “The Allure Academy” to learn how to be a better woman. The instructor measured my bust, waist, and hips in front of everyone. “Your husband paid for our Platinum Course, including the Intensive Training Session.” “Men just love a woman with a little edge.” On graduation day, my husband’s face turned ashen watching the video of me and Coach Marcus. I touched my bruised wrist and chuckled softly, “Didn’t you insist I learn this?” “Am I still not ‘good enough’?” Later, he knelt on broken glass, begging me to come home. I raised my bandaged hand for him to see: “Now, all I want is for you to taste the same agonizing torment.” A searing pain exploded, and warm, sticky liquid trickled down my forehead. “…Who are you giving that dead stare to? Elara, I’m spending a fortune on you, not to have you play the saint here! It’s practically bad luck to touch you. Is Liam Chen short on women or what?!” I snapped my head up, my vision a blood-red blur. “What are you looking at?” Enraged, he kicked my shinbone again. The pain was so intense I instantly curled into a ball. “Fake it! Keep faking it!” He grabbed my hair, forcing me to confront my disheveled self in the full-length mirror. “Look at you! What man would even get excited seeing that? Serena was right, you’re just begging for some training!” Serena was right… That phrase felt sickeningly familiar. “Speak!” His patience finally snapped. He shoved me to the ground. The phone rang. A syrupy sweet female voice drifted from the speaker: “…Liam, Elara might just be a bit distant, she probably didn’t mean to reject you… Oh, if only she could be more like me, and know how to make a man happy…” It was Serena. Liam’s chief secretary, and his childhood friend he always considered like a sister. A woman always impeccably made up, her laughter charming, yet she constantly cast a subtle, unsettling shadow over my relationship with Liam. Liam’s eyes flared with even more anger as he shot me a furious glare. “Fine, can’t communicate, huh? I’ve found a great place for you. You’ll learn how to be a real woman!” A flimsy promotional flyer, crumpled into a ball, hit my face with a harsh thud. On the flyer, next to the artfully stylized words “The Allure Academy: Reclaiming Your Feminine Essence,” was a picture of a woman with a perfect smile and captivating eyes. A veritable sensual goddess. “Pack your things!” Liam’s command left no room for argument. “First thing tomorrow, I’m taking you there. Elara, you’d better come back a proper woman!” I wanted to scream back, to smash everything he’d ever given me, to wound him with the sharpest words, just like we used to argue. Instead, I reached out, timidly tugging at his pant leg. My voice was thin, trembling: “…I’ll go, Liam, I’ll go learn…. Please don’t be angry, don’t leave me…” Liam froze for a moment, seemingly surprised by my quick surrender, especially in such a pathetic state. His gaze flickered with a complex emotion, a fleeting hint of remorse, but it was swiftly eclipsed by deeper irritation. He yanked his hand away, though his tone softened imperceptibly: “…Wouldn’t it have been easier to just listen earlier? Pack your things. I’ll take you tomorrow.” He turned and walked away, his back a wall of resolve.

“The Allure Academy” occupied the top floor of a high-rise office building. The interior decor was excessively opulent. The receptionist, with a professionally perfect smile, led Liam and me into a consultation room. A woman in a tailored suit, who introduced herself as Ms. Evelyn Blackwood, greeted us. She looked meticulously polished from head to toe, her eyes appraising everyone with a calculated gaze. “Mr. Chen, we completely understand your concerns.” Ms. Blackwood’s voice was sickeningly sweet, yet her gaze swept over me like a surgeon’s scalpel. “Modern marriages require couples to grow together, especially women. They must constantly maintain their allure and… that is the core philosophy of our courses.” Liam reclined on the sofa, looking relaxed, as if he’d found a kindred spirit: “I just feel like she can’t keep up with me. She’s so dreary all the time, and in bed especially… huff…” He paused, glancing at me with disgust, “Absolutely no passion.” He seemed intent on wounding me with his words. Ms. Blackwood nodded knowingly, then smiled at me, a smile devoid of warmth: “Mrs. Chen, please understand that your husband is your world, your north star. Fulfilling your husband’s every need and maintaining marital harmony is a woman’s greatest value and purpose. Here, we help you rediscover that value.” I lowered my head, staring at the worn-out tips of my faded canvas sneakers, my nails digging deep into my palms. “We’ll conduct a comprehensive initial assessment for Mrs. Chen,” Ms. Blackwood pressed a call button on the table, “including physical form, demeanor, and… a partial obedience assessment. Rest assured, we follow the most scientific procedures.” The door opened, and two women, also in tailored suits with stern expressions, entered. They looked like trained attendants. “Take Mrs. Chen to the assessment room.” Ms. Blackwood instructed. Liam waved his hand, dismissing me like an unnecessary object: “Go on, cooperate with the instructors.” I was pinned to the spot by the casual indifference in his words. Not until the two women took my arms, one on each side, half-forcing me away from the consultation room. Their fingers were strong, digging into my flesh. The assessment room was more spacious than I imagined, with mirrors on all four walls reflecting countless images of my pale, bewildered self. In the center of the room was something resembling an examination table. “Take it off.” The female assistant coach ordered, her face expressionless. My body stiffened, and I instinctively hugged my arms around myself. A flash of memory: Liam shielding me, his cold eyes on anyone who dared disrespect me. But now, the one pushing me here was him. “The initial assessment requires precise body measurements. Anything you’re wearing will interfere with the results.” The other woman added, her eyes devoid of emotion, as if stating the most ordinary fact. Humiliation flooded over me, my cheeks burning. “No… I can’t…” I whispered my protest, tears welling up instantly, fully playing the part of a terrified, weak woman. “You have no choice!” The two assistant coaches stepped forward, roughly tearing at my clothes. Buttons popped, the sound of fabric ripping was jarring. “Let me go! Please! Liam… Liam will be angry if he knows…” I struggled, cried out, revealing my fear of and dependence on my husband, which only made their actions more audacious. “Mr. Chen paid good money for us to make you better and obedient!”

In just a few seconds, I stood naked before the mirrors. Terrified and resigned, I stood in the center of the room, surrounded by reflections of myself. Ms. Blackwood had “casually” mentioned earlier: “Mr. Chen has many excellent female friends around him, like Ms. Serena, who truly understands how to improve herself and maintain her charm. Mrs. Chen, you need to feel a sense of urgency!” The humiliation threatened to drown me. I bit my lip hard, not allowing myself to lose control, just silently weeping, my body trembling slightly. Bust, waist, hips… The feel of the measuring tape cinched against my skin was cold and disgusting. She measured, boldly calling out the data without reservation. The other woman recorded beside her, occasionally adding a comment or two. “Breast dimension is acceptable, but lacks firmness; requires specialized training.” “Waistline shows excess fat, needs management.” “Skin is dry, pigmented, severely lacking daily care.” Their voices, along with the images in the mirror, converged into a public, slow vivisection of my soul. I closed my eyes, but those voices, those cold touches, were inescapable. Liam. It was Liam who sent me here. It was he who condoned, even demanded, all of this. This realization, more than standing here humiliated, tore at my heart. The initial assessment was just day one, just the beginning. The subsequent “courses” were given various names: “Body Sculpting,” “Vocal Allure,” “Captivating Gaze,” “The Art of Service.” All the training pointed to one core objective – how to please a man? Specifically, how to please Liam. “Your gaze should be hesitant, alluring, with a hook, understand?” A male coach roughly lifted my chin with his fingers, his nails scraping painfully against my skin. “Don’t just stare! Dead fish eyes! Start over!” “Your voice! Squeezed from your throat! Can’t you do it? Ever heard a cat purr? Men fall for that!” Another female instructor forcefully slapped my back, “Stand tall! A颤音! A little breathy! Is that talking? That’s a funeral dirge!” They prodded me, scolded me, negated me. Every instruction was outrageously specific, every detail magnified into an unforgivable flaw. — Day three was “Body Awakening.” Day four, the training room was carpeted. Coach Marcus, one of the men present during the initial assessment, was there. He was tall, his eyes always carrying a discerning, critical look, as if he were inspecting goods. “Many women, especially those like you who have long lacked certain… experiences…” He paced in front of me, toying with a slender, gleaming cane in his hand. “Your body is stiff, your nerves numb. It requires some… strong, effective treatment to awaken them, and to establish conditioned reflexes.” He gently tapped my calf with the cane: “Crawl.” I stood rigid, my blood seeming to freeze. “You monsters! You’ll go to any lengths, you’re all going to hell!” “I said, crawl.” The cane lifted, and without warning, with a whistle through the air, it came down hard on the same spot on my calf. “Ah!” The sharp pain made me cry out instantly, my calf feeling as if it had been scalded. My muscles spasmed uncontrollably, my body went limp, and I fell with a thud onto the rough carpet. My knees hit hard, stinging. “See? You can crawl, can’t you?”

Coach Marcus scoffed, using the cane to lift my face. “Look at you, pathetic. What kind of adorable little creature do you resemble?!” Humiliation and fury burned through my insides. I glared at him, defiantly. “Smack!” Another strike, on my other calf, with even more force. The stinging pain shot straight to my head. “Still not moving?!” His voice was flat, devoid of emotion, only cold command, “Or do you want to try something more painful?” The cane swished threateningly before my eyes. My vision blurred with tears, and waves of pain washed over my calves. Before another strike could land, I surrendered. On all fours, like a real animal, I slowly, laboriously began to crawl forward. “Woof… woof…” The sounds were barely audible, choked with uncontrollable sobs. “Didn’t you eat? Louder! And make it sweet!” The cane tapped my back. I squeezed my eyes shut, took a deep breath, and summoned every ounce of strength. I let out a more agonizing, more distorted sound: “Woof woof woof~~” The assistant coaches around me let out low, suppressed chuckles. Coach Marcus poked my forehead with the cane, sneering, “I heard your husband’s secretary, Serena, is better than you in every way – looks, figure, tactics! If you don’t learn properly, someone else will take your place when you go back!” In that moment, something inside me shattered completely. Liam, is this the dog you wanted? Gradually. I became unusually “obedient.” I even cried and asked Ms. Blackwood after a punishment: “Instructor, am I still not doing well enough? Will Liam be dissatisfied?” Ms. Blackwood was pleased with my “transformation,” believing their “therapy” to be highly effective. Liam would occasionally call, and Ms. Blackwood would keep it on speaker. “She’s been performing very well lately, making great progress, learning to listen.” Ms. Blackwood reported. “Hmm.” Liam’s voice was unreadable. “…She hasn’t caused any more trouble, has she?” “Don’t worry, Mr. Chen. She’s perfectly compliant now, she knows who her world revolves around.” “…That’s good.” A brief silence followed from his end of the line. I huddled in the corner, listening to that “hmm” and the silence. Perhaps there was a flicker of hesitation in him, but in the end, he chose to believe in the necessity of this “transformation.” — And only in the dead of night, returning to that cramped, windowless temporary dormitory. Lying on the cold bed, tracing the new scars on my body, would my heart belatedly send a sharp, dense ache. But even that ache would quickly be drowned by overwhelming fatigue. Liam would still call occasionally, not to me, but to Ms. Blackwood to “check on my progress.” Ms. Blackwood always put him on speaker, letting me “eavesdrop.” She called it “feeling your husband’s concern and expectations.” “Her? She’s alright, making a little progress, I guess… but she’s still a bit stubborn, needs a bit more discipline…” “Don’t worry, Mr. Chen, we’ll take good care of her for you. We guarantee you’ll be satisfied when she returns…” “The Intensive Training Session? It’s scheduled for later. That’s our Platinum Course; the results are immediate…” Ms. Blackwood’s voice was laced with a smile, coming through the speaker. I curled up in a corner of the room, hugging my knees, listening to Liam’s occasional, vague affirmations from the other end of the phone, like “Hmm,” “Okay,” “Thank you.” Not a single word asking if I was okay. He only cared about the “result.” A perfectly reshaped, submissive yet sexy wife, molded to his liking. The last faint glimmer of hope, that “he might regret it,” was extinguished. The training entered its final stage. Ms. Blackwood kept me behind after one of her lectures. “Mrs. Chen, congratulations. You’ve barely passed the foundational courses.” Her face still held that standard smile, but her eyes now carried a different, unsettling meaning. “Next, we have a specially added ‘Platinum Course’ just for you – the ‘Intensive Training Session.’” My heart leaped, and a strong, ominous premonition seized me.

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Three years after marrying my husband, his adopted son came to propose to me. “Stella, Willow saved my life, and now that she has the dignity of a wealthy wife, I’ve come to marry you and make you my true wife.” I couldn’t be bothered to respond, but Julian Vance didn’t give up. “You proposed to me 99 times back then, I know deep down you only see me as your husband.” “Don’t worry. I’ll pick you up in seven days for our wedding. After that, the three of us will be one big family.” I lifted my hand and slammed the door in his face. How ridiculous. I had just given Arthur, Julian’s father, a little brother, and Arthur had specifically brought me back to the country to hold a belated wedding ceremony. I never expected to run into this disgusting person again. Well, good. Seven days later, fifty-year-old Arthur agreed to announce me as his heir at the wedding. That way, it would save Julian the trouble of having to call me ‘Mom.’ Julian blocked the door, a smile playing in his eyes: “Your temper is still as fiery as it was back then, no one could ever push you around.” Then he changed his tone, his voice softening. “Willow is different from you; she’s delicate and can’t handle gossip. In front of outsiders, you should call her Mrs. Vance.” “Even though I can’t give you the same grand wedding as Willow, in my heart, both of you are the most important people to me.” “I, Julian Vance, will either never marry, or if I do, I’ll marry both you and Willow.” Perhaps I’d seen too much of the world abroad, because I actually listened patiently to this preposterous declaration. “Julian, you weren’t the only one I had an arranged marriage prospect with back then. What makes you think I haven’t married someone else?” Julian’s eyes gleamed with pride. “You proposed to me 99 times back then; the whole city knew you were madly in love with me.” “Besides, we grew up together. Who in our circle would dare propose to *my* woman?” Julian’s voice deepened, imbued with arrogant superiority. “Stella, you’re too proud to accept me marrying you after having Willow, but your mother’s medical treatment is urgent.” “I know you’re tight on cash since the Sterling family went bankrupt. Just marry me, and I’ll bring in the top neurosurgeon from the Vance family to treat your mother.” I clenched my fists. Did he still think I was the helpless orphan he used to bully? Three years ago, on the day of my wedding with Julian. Willow Carter posted a photo on her SnapChat of her holding hands with some random guy at the church entrance. The caption read, “If it wasn’t for you, I’d marry anyone else.” Julian saw it and went crazy, determined to run from the wedding. I desperately blocked his path. “Julian, my mother’s brain cancer has worsened. The only Vance family doctor who can save her only treats family members. Please, just finish the wedding, then you can leave.” My desperate plea was met with Julian looking at me with a clueless expression, saying, “Willow saved my life, I can’t let her sacrifice her happiness.” “Your mother treats me like her own son; she won’t mind.” “You can just wait until I marry Willow, and then in a few years, I’ll make you my wife too. It’ll be the same.” The night Julian ran from the wedding, I stood in front of Arthur Vance’s car, begging him for a chance. Since then, I focused entirely on saving my mother, not caring for fame or fortune, quietly working as Arthur’s shadow. Yet, without realizing it, I slowly found my way into his heart. “I heard that for the past three years, you often returned to the old house where we lived together. You don’t need to say it, I know you’ve always missed me.” Julian had a smug, ‘I know everything’ look on his face. I was so angry I laughed. That old house was the wedding home my mother had designed for me. After she passed, I often stayed there because I missed her. I never thought Julian would misunderstand it as me still having feelings for him. I couldn’t hold back anymore and slammed the door right in his face. “Get out!” From behind the closed door, Julian’s nonchalant chuckle echoed. “I know you’re deeply in love with me. I’ll be on time at the cathedral in seven days to exchange vows with you.” I immediately called the patrolling security guard. “Blacklist this stalker. Don’t let him into the complex again.” Shaking off my irritation, I went to work as usual. Passing the breakroom, I saw Julian passionately kissing Willow Carter. Julian looked annoyed and arrogant. “You’re already struggling financially, why waste money hiring someone to track me? I told you I’d marry you, and I won’t go back on my word.” “Outside, Willow is my Mrs. Vance. Now hurry up and leave, don’t make things difficult for me.” “Look closely, this is my employee ID.” I pointed in front of me. Julian didn’t react to the ID, but when he saw the diamond ring on my finger, his expression changed. His voice trembled. “You couldn’t possibly afford a ring that’s been to auction.” “Stella, do you have another man?”

I stated frankly. “Of course, we’re getting married in seven days.” Julian’s voice instantly rose. “Whose bastard? Or some nouveau riche from a backwater town?” Willow tried to smooth things over. “Julian, Stella must have done some escort work because of her financial difficulties, and this marriage is just an excuse.” “You shouldn’t rub it in.” “Stella, you shouldn’t keep things from some random guy, it’ll just upset Julian.” Saying this, Willow yanked my diamond ring off, about to flush it down the toilet. I grabbed Willow’s wrist, and in the struggle, the diamond ring fell to the floor. Julian picked up the ring, and at that moment, he saw the birthdays of me and another person engraved on it. Nineteen seventy-five. “You actually slept with a fifty-year-old old man for money!” “Who is he? I’ll make him wish he’d never been born right now!” Julian’s expression was icy, and he advanced on me step by step. “Even if you don’t tell me, I can have people find out. Anyone who dares to touch my woman, I’ll utterly destroy them!” I stared at him and chuckled. I wondered what Arthur would think if he heard such disrespectful words from his adopted son. I composed myself and said seriously. “Your dad.” Julian punched the wall, gritting his teeth. “You think you can fool me? What kind of woman hasn’t my dad seen? How could he possibly be interested in a woman like you, with no background and no looks!” Willow seized the opportunity to agree, her tone laced with provocation. “Stella, Julian has always kept the wife’s position open for you. How can you be so shameless?” Julian’s eyes were bloodshot, and he spoke with a mixture of hatred and grievance. “You couldn’t even wait three short years, you degraded yourself to become someone else’s plaything! Do you really believe that no matter what you do, I’ll always have your back?” “My reputation, Julian Vance’s reputation, is completely ruined because of you!” He gasped for breath, as if making a monumental concession. “Since you’re so shameless, don’t bother with the cathedral. There’s a villa in the Northside you can move into, and I’ll spend one day a weekend with you from now on.” “Once you’re my woman, I’ll reward you with a villa for every child you bear.” I laughed, truly exasperated. So, I went from being his “sought-after” wife to a hidden mistress, and now a tool to bear his children? Willow leaned close to my ear, lowering her voice, her smile growing more triumphant. “Have a child, Stella. You get a house, we get a child. Once we have a child, we can find a way to get rid of that tramp around his father, so they don’t threaten Julian’s position.” My expression was strange. The “tramp” Willow spoke of, wasn’t that me? After all this commotion, Julian wanted me to have his child to use against myself and my son? Just then, Julian called over Mr. Davis, pointing at me. “Give her an intern position, so she doesn’t sneak into the company with a stolen employee card and embarrass me!” Mr. Davis didn’t even glance at Julian but hurried to my side and bowed respectfully. “Vice President Vance, Mr. Arthur has instructed that you have full authority over all company matters.” I simply hummed in acknowledgment. Julian stood rooted to the spot, looking as if he’d seen a ghost.

“Stella? How could you be the company’s Vice President?” Taking advantage of Julian’s distraction, I snatched back my diamond ring and casually replied, “I’m Arthur Vance’s wife. What’s so strange about me being in this position?” “Wife?” Julian laughed loudly. “You think you can pretend with a fake ring? I’ve seen my dad’s ring since I was a kid; it’s not this style at all!” Willow also pursed her lips and chuckled. “Stella, even if you want to find a rich man, at least come up with a more believable excuse!” Mr. Davis’s face darkened, about to speak, but Julian pushed him aside and roughly dragged me into the conference room. “I want to hear what other lies you can come up with!” Julian then connected his phone to the projector. The next second, my broken voice played from the speakers. On the screen, there were close-up shots of Julian’s faked video, depicting us in a physical embrace. In the video, Julian’s face was blurred, but mine was crystal clear. Julian’s eyes were full of mockery. “You used to pretend to be pure, saying you’d only give yourself to me after marriage. Now, to scam money, you even dare to invent a lie like ‘marrying my dad’?” “If I post this video, won’t everyone think you’re a ruthless woman who’ll do anything to climb the ladder?” I averted my eyes from the disgusting images, clenching my fists. “Julian, my marriage certificate with your dad, Arthur, is at home.” “Marriage certificate?” “I’ll call my dad right now and see if he recognizes his ‘wife’!” Julian grew even more confident, picking up his phone to dial. I stopped him, not wanting such a scene, but Julian thought I was scared. “It’s simple if you don’t want me to call.” “I’m sentimental. How about you just become my woman today? It’s much better than you putting on this farce.” I forcefully pushed him away, my voice cold with rage. “Let go of me! Julian, you’ll regret this!” Julian sneered, pushing his body even closer. “Regret? I only regret not seeing how much of an actress you were back then!” I was about to retort when the conference room door suddenly burst open. Willow rushed in with a group of people, her face pale. “Something bad happened! Mr. Vance… Mr. Vance fainted in his office!” “Fainted?” Julian’s eyes lit up. He pushed me away and loudly slandered, “Stella! You came to the company to cause trouble and actually angered my dad into fainting!” Willow, seeing her chance, triumphantly flashed her phone. The screen showed a clip of Arthur clutching his chest and collapsing after a “dispute” with me. “Everyone, look!” Then, she held her phone up high, shouting in a shrill voice, “Stella forced Mr. Vance to give her a title! She knew Mr. Vance had a bad heart, but she deliberately left him alone! Now he’s fainted; she’s a murderer!” A tide of whispers surged, and even Mr. Davis looked at me with a frown, his gaze wavering. “That tramp is too vicious!” “She’d even harm someone for money? She has no shame!” Looking at the two twisting the truth before me, I suddenly calmed down. Julian never believed I married his dad and was just taking this opportunity to force me to surrender. But I was worried about Arthur’s safety and wanted to leave, only for Julian to seize the chance, grabbing my collar and dragging me into the office. “Stella, I’m sentimental. If you’re willing to be my mistress, I can drop the matter about my father… Anyway, your ‘Arthur’s wife’ lie can’t be sustained any longer.” *Slap!* A crisp sound echoed loudly. Julian clutched his face, his eyes full of malice, and forcefully pinned me against the wall. “You dared to hit me? Still stubbornly claiming you married my dad? I’m telling you, even if my dad dies, he’d never acknowledge a woman like you!” *Rip!* Julian tore open my top. The next second, a soft, tearful voice rang out. The back door of the office was pushed open by a small body. Three-year-old Leo clung to my clothes, his small face streaked with tears, reaching out to pry Julian’s hand away: “Bad man! Let go of my Mommy!” It was Leo! I had just dropped him off at school this morning; how did he get here?

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At the company’s annual gala, Chloe’s male secretary, Leo, suddenly played a recording, claiming I’d leaked company secrets. I was about to explain when Chloe snapped one of my fingers. “Alex, how dare you! I’ve provided for you, given you everything, and this is how you betray me?!” She knew perfectly well that this company wouldn’t be where it was today without my art, without every single stroke I’d painted. My fingers were my life. I shoved Chloe away, clutching my hands, the searing pain making me gasp as I glared at her. “Chloe, I never said those things in that recording. You’d rather believe someone who’s only been here for six months than me?” “Leo never lies!” Chloe cut me off, her voice sharp as a blade. “Alex, your constant need to take credit is disgusting. Since you won’t admit your mistake, I’m going to make you pay today!” As she spoke, Leo, a cruel smirk twisting his lips, slammed me to the ground. Chloe grabbed a knife and plunged it straight into my palm. Then, her sky-high stiletto heel pressed down, grinding into the wound. “Alex, today I’m crippling your hands. Let’s see how honest you are after this!” I looked at my bloody, mangled hands and spat at Chloe’s feet. Fine. Without these hands, I’d like to see how her company survives.

Seeing the rage in my face, Fury exploded in Chloe’s eyes. She glared at me with utter disgust, Then stormed into her office, snatched the golf club I’d bought her, and charged back at me. “Chloe, don’t…” Before I could finish, the golf club crashed down on my hand. A sickening *crack, crack* echoed as bones shattered, And an agonizing pain shot through my entire body. My right hand, every finger, was definitely pulverized. I stared, aghast, at my right hand, now limp as a rag. I’d spent half my life painting. My hands were more important to me than my life. Chloe knew this… My eyes burned with grief and indignation as I fumbled for my phone to call an ambulance. If I didn’t get help fast, I knew I’d never pick up a paintbrush again. With my freshly punctured left hand, I clumsily picked up my phone. “9…1…” Just as I was about to press “1,” Chloe lunged forward and smacked the phone out of my hand. “You mess up and still have the nerve to call an ambulance?! Alex, look at you, I even pay for your phone bill. How can you spend my money every day, yet stab me in the back?!” Chloe’s art company’s biggest source of income was my paintings. Every day, people lined up, ready to drop millions to buy my art. But I’d turned them all away, Insisting my paintings only be exhibited at the company’s shows. Because of my art, Tickets to Chloe’s exhibitions were now impossible to get. “Alex, apologize to Leo! Now! Otherwise, you won’t be getting an ambulance today!” I stared in disbelief at the woman I had personally built up, my wife. “Chloe, my hands are my life, you know that…” Chloe glanced at my bleeding hand. “Of course, I know. So if you want to save your ‘life,’ apologize quickly!” Nearby, I heard my colleagues’ whispers. “He messed up and still acts like this? He’s so full of himself just because he has a bit of talent!” “Talent? If his paintings weren’t shown at our company’s exhibitions, they’d probably be in the trash! He deserves to have his hands ruined, teach him a lesson!” “Leo’s talent is quite good, though. His hands look like they belong to a top artist!” “Totally, Ms. Chloe wouldn’t pick wrong…” Each sarcastic word was a dagger, plunging my heart into an icy abyss. Most of my colleagues were artists I’d scouted from the streets, They had dreams of painting, But couldn’t make enough money, Forced to do hard labor, wait tables, or entertain in bars just to support their passion. I brought them into the company, Supported them for years, giving them a chance to showcase their talent on the path of their dreams. Their tearful, profound gratitude felt like it happened yesterday, Yet now, they were humiliating me like this… As I turned, Leo suddenly lunged from behind Chloe, Kicking me in the knee. He held me down, half-kneeling, and snarled, “Alex, Chloe is giving you grace by asking for an apology. If you keep being stubborn as a mule and just as obnoxious, don’t blame me for getting rough!” I forcefully shook Leo off, Clenching my fist, I punched him squarely in the face. I’d been working out for years; taking down this punk was easy. Blood bloomed across Leo’s face from the impact. Seeing Leo injured, Chloe rushed to his side, helping him up, Her eyes full of concern, she whispered soothingly, “Don’t worry, Leo, I’ll take care of this!” Then, Chloe turned towards me. “Alex, you—” “Chloe, let’s get a divorce.”

Chloe froze. I had no more time to argue with her. My hands couldn’t wait. While she was stunned, I borrowed the cleaning lady’s phone. “Chloe, you don’t pay for the cleaning lady’s phone bill, do you?” Gritting my teeth against the searing pain in my palm, I dialed emergency services. Then I looked at Chloe. “Chloe, I’ll leave with nothing. When we got married, I had $183,000 in my account. That was my money. I’ll use my own money to fix my own hands. From this moment on, you have no right to control me.” With that, I ignored Chloe’s rigid expression and left the office, Sitting on a sofa in the hallway. There was a hospital less than a mile away; the ambulance would surely arrive quickly. For my hands, I couldn’t leave just yet. Chloe was making calls inside the office, but it no longer concerned me. While waiting for the ambulance, my phone buzzed with a message notification. 【Alex, we genuinely appreciate your talent and are willing to invest in it. We’ve decided to inject three hundred billion into Chloe’s company. We’ll meet you at the company tomorrow to discuss it further.】 I suddenly remembered today was the day the investors would give their answer. That bastard Leo had made me forget. I should have explained the situation to them, but my hands couldn’t send messages now. So, I guess I’d just inconvenience them to come tomorrow… The hurried footsteps running down the hallway pulled me back to reality. The paramedics were finally here… The lead paramedic gave my right hand a quick look and sighed. “Which monster did this to his hand?! Luckily, you called so quickly, or this hand would be completely lost!” He quickly turned to grab some equipment to treat me. But just as he was about to start, Chloe burst out of the office. She snatched the equipment from the paramedic’s hands and threw it into the trash. I quickly stood up, cornering Chloe against the wall with my shoulder, My eyes bloodshot as I gritted my teeth. “Chloe, what the hell are you doing?!” “Alex, I just bought this entire building. Since you’re so tough, don’t you dare treat your disgusting hands on my property!” The paramedic behind me suddenly straightened up, His eyes blazing with anger as he looked at Chloe. “Ma’am, if this gentleman’s hand isn’t treated immediately, it’ll be permanently ruined! I don’t care what issues you two have, doctors save lives!” “Please leave. We need to treat this gentleman’s injuries!” The paramedic stepped forward to treat my wounds, But before he could reach me, Leo shoved him away. Then, the company’s bodyguards, in unison, stepped forward to block the paramedics. Leo flashed a smirk and aimed his phone at me. “Alex, just admit you leaked company secrets, and we’ll immediately send you to the hospital. We’ll even use Ms. Chloe’s helicopter to take you to the best orthopedic hospital in New York City.” “Otherwise, just wait to become a cripple!” I turned and stared intensely at Chloe. “Chloe…” A triumphant smile played on Chloe’s lips. She casually rubbed the spot where I’d pinned her, then spoke calmly. “Why are you looking at me? Leo already gave you a way out. If you don’t want to take it, there’s nothing I can do…” The paramedics’ anxious shouts came from behind me. “Mr. Alexander, if your hand is delayed any longer, it truly won’t be salvageable! Saving your hand is the priority!” Thinking of the career I’d loved my entire life, And my father’s dying wish for me to carry on his craft, I fought back tears, gritted my teeth, and spoke into Leo’s phone camera. “I admit it, I leaked company secrets…” After reciting the lines Leo had prepared, A paramedic stepped forward and grabbed Leo’s arm. “Too much time has already passed. That helicopter Ms. Chloe mentioned…” “The pilot, Mr. Wu, his nephew got married and he went back home. The helicopter can’t move.” Chloe interrupted the paramedic, A smile of triumph mixed with disgust on her face as she turned and walked away…

The surgery on my hands took eighteen hours… When they wheeled me out of the operating room, The pale-faced surgeon bowed deeply to me. “Mr. Alexander, we truly did our best, but the results are far from ideal. I’m afraid you won’t be able to paint again…” Salty tears flowed down my cheeks and into my heart, stirring boundless bitterness. I forced a smile, my eyes pleading as I looked at her. “It’s okay. Please, just give me a painkiller now. I need to be discharged. I have so much waiting for me outside…” “No, if we give you more anesthetic, your hands will definitely be completely ruined!” I dropped to my knees before the surgeon. “Please…” Two hours later, The anesthetic took effect. I smiled as I was discharged, looking at the blood-soaked bandages on my hands. Since you ruined me, then let’s all go down together. First, I went to the company’s ongoing exhibition in the city and tore up all my paintings. Then I rushed to the office, And deleted all my ideas, all my sketches, from the computer… While I was destroying the half-finished paintings in Chloe’s office, Chloe burst in with Leo. She stared at the shredded paintings scattered on the floor and completely lost it. “Alex, what is the meaning of this?! You tore up the paintings at the exhibition, what about the tens of millions in tickets we sold?!” “And what does it mean to tear up all these paintings?!” Chloe looked at my bandaged hands, stained with blood. A cruel glint flashed in her eyes. She lunged forward and grabbed my freshly-operated wound, Gritting her teeth. “Alex, answer me!” Even with the heavy dose of anesthetic, it couldn’t block the sudden, excruciating pain. Cold sweat instantly beaded on my forehead. I shoved Chloe away, looking at the ‘remains’ of the paintings on the floor, and smirked. “It means nothing. It means I’m going to destroy you, just like you destroyed me a few hours ago!” Rage exploded in Chloe’s eyes. After a few seconds of silence, she suddenly burst into laughter. “Destroy me? Alex, you’re so naive. The copyrights to those paintings you just tore up were transferred to the company’s name ages ago! They’re not yours anymore! Forget tearing them, even if you just dirtied a corner, you’d have to pay damages!” “I’ve done a rough calculation for you. You tore up forty-five paintings. At market price, one painting…” Chloe’s words exploded in my mind with a *boom!* I couldn’t hear anything she said after that. I frantically pulled out my phone, found the painting copyright page, And when I saw the copyright had been transferred six months ago, My heart plummeted into the abyss. She had planned this all along… Six months ago was right when Leo joined the company. Perhaps, they had planned everything.

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In my past life, my parents divorced. My younger sister, Brianna, was taken by our wealthy mother, while I stayed with our bankrupt dad. Who knew Mom would remarry a domestic abuser, her life spiraling downwards? Meanwhile, Dad became more ambitious and eventually found success. Brianna was consumed by jealousy. She plunged a knife into my stomach. When I opened my eyes again, we were back to the day our parents officially finalized their divorce. This time, Brianna spoke first: “I love Dad! I want to stay with Dad.” I was secretly thrilled. I definitely wasn’t going to live that life of hiding again. Brianna clung to Dad’s arm, pouting sweetly. “Please, Dad, let me stay with you! I love you most in the world, and I’m not afraid of a little hardship.” Spoiled and headstrong her whole life, my sister saying something like that really touched Dad. He didn’t even notice Mom’s furious expression beside him. “No! Brianna will suffer with you. I have to take her.” Mom stepped forward to stop him. Brianna would suffer with Dad? What about me? Didn’t I matter? My parents were fiercely fighting over Brianna’s custody, as if I were invisible, completely forgotten. Finally, they couldn’t argue with Brianna, who was dead set on going with Dad. Mom reluctantly chose me. I got into my stepfather’s luxury car with Mom. Brianna skipped away, holding Dad’s hand. Before leaving, she cast a provocative glance my way. I didn’t care. After all, Mom was loaded now, and Dad’s side was nothing but trouble.

In my past life, Dad dragged me around, constantly hiding from creditors. I couldn’t focus on school at all. The business failure and Mom leaving had hit him hard. He completely gave up, drinking heavily in a cheap rental, not caring about anything. I was an excellent student, but I couldn’t afford tuition, and I had to take care of him. I dropped out of school early to support us. Even though we came from the same family, Brianna was always luckier. She was prettier, knew how to charm our parents. And since she was younger, they always told me, “You’re the older sister, you should set an example. Give in to Brianna.” Even after the divorce, both parents only wanted her. But in this life, she ultimately chose Dad, giving him a moment of triumph over Mom. Sitting in the car, Mom immediately started lecturing me. “You’ve always been plain and unlikeable. Now that we’re living with Mr. Caldwell, don’t you dare embarrass me.” It was laughable. What kind of mother says that to her own daughter? But whatever. The car drove into an affluent neighborhood with sprawling estates. I knew my stepfather was rich in my last life, but I never realized *how* rich. Mr. Caldwell enrolled me in the best private school in the city. I had a dedicated driver picking me up and dropping me off every day. Determined to make up for my missed education in my past life, I studied relentlessly. I really made him proud, consistently ranking in the top three every year. Mom, who had always been distant, was now more than happy to attend parent-teacher conferences. When she went, other parents envied her, and teachers praised her as an exemplary parent. Plus, Mr. Caldwell had no children of his own, so I had a pretty comfortable life in that house. “Mr. Caldwell, I want to study abroad.” “You’re just a kid. Why go abroad? Don’t think a few good grades mean you can achieve anything you want.” Mr. Caldwell hadn’t even spoken, but my own mother was already agitatedly cutting me off. Later, I learned that there truly is no reason to hate someone. Even between a mother and her own daughter.

Mr. Caldwell wasn’t like Mom and Brianna had described in my past life – temperamental, overbearing, and violent. Instead, I found him incredibly intelligent, though proud and strong-willed. His conflicts with Mom surfaced soon after we moved in. Mom was a complete airhead—all looks, no brains. Honestly, she and Dad were a match made in heaven. Dad was a true trust-fund kid, always more brawn than brains. It was pure stubbornness and money that got him Mom. While my grandparents were alive, they propped him up. After they passed away, those useless friends of his dragged him into bad investments. He lost all his wealth and everything my grandparents left him. Mom immediately found a new husband and divorced him. My plans to study abroad were thwarted by Mom’s interference. But with my grades, I could easily get into a top university in the country anyway. “Brianna’s here!” “Maria, is Mom home?” “Your mother went shopping, but your sister is upstairs reading.” I heard Brianna’s footsteps approaching my room. She just barged into my room without a knock or permission. “Amber, what’s with the act? Nobody’s home. Who are you trying to impress with all this studying?” She walked straight over and snatched my book away. Brianna was supposed to be living with Dad. But almost every month, she’d come to our house to get money from Mom, along with various jewelry and clothes. She’d leave with an entire carload. Then, the next month, she’d still be wearing ragged clothes. All the good stuff ended up being pawned by my gambling dad to fuel his wasteful habits. In this life, Dad wasn’t just an alcoholic; he was also a heavy gambler. Mom actually felt bad that Brianna was living a hard life with Dad. She even talked to Mr. Caldwell about bringing Brianna to live with us. He agreed, but Dad wouldn’t let her go. He was relying on Brianna to keep squeezing money and things out of Mom to support his lifestyle. “You’ve studied yourself stupid! What’s the point of all those books? You’re not even as pretty as me, and neither Mom nor Dad even like you.” “These good days you’re living? I handed them to you. Enjoy them while you can, because they won’t last.” She casually rummaged through my belongings in my room. Right. In my past life, this room was her princess room. She searched everywhere. “Tsk, tsk, tsk. You don’t even know how to enjoy a good life! What trash is all this stuff?” “All you do is bury your nose in those boring books every day.” I ignored her, letting her wreak havoc. “Brianna, is that my precious Brianna?” I watched them coldly, putting on their pathetic mother-daughter charade. Mom saw my room completely ransacked. “What good stuff could you possibly find in her room? Come on, let’s go to my room. I just bought a bunch of clothes, jewelry, and accessories. Take whatever you like.” With that, she dragged Brianna out. She didn’t spare me a glance, not even a single word of concern. Maria brought up a glass of fresh orange juice. She walked into my room and expertly started tidying up. “I’ve never seen a mother so biased,” she muttered. Whatever. Her good days were numbered anyway.

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Everyone in our circle knew I was absolutely obsessed with Damon. And he, in turn, gave me what seemed like a perfect marriage. For three years, he showered me with lavish gifts, never once being stingy, and his life was pristine, without a single whisper of scandal. I truly believed I had finally melted Damon, this impenetrable ice king. Until I saw him with my own eyes – the man who was meticulously neat, taking off his jacket to shield another woman, holding her close in his arms. That’s when I understood. He wasn’t born cold and detached. He simply reserved all his warmth and passion for a woman named Willow. **Chapter 1** **Chloe’s pov** It was my third wedding anniversary with Damon, and I was heading to the club with a cake and gifts to celebrate his birthday. But just outside the VIP room, I overheard a game of truth or dare that revolved around me. “…Chloe is so good to him, truly treating him like he’s made of fragile glass, or fearing he’d melt if she held him too close.” “Good? Oh, she’s good alright. Obedient, understanding, and most importantly, utterly devoted to Damon. But it’s just not the same.” My hand, holding the cake, froze mid-air. I had begged a renowned French pastry chef to recreate the one cake he’d ever praised. The gift I’d prepared for him was a rare antique, one I’d waited three hours at an auction to win. I’d planned to give him a perfect surprise. Instead, hearing those words, a bitter ache twisted in my heart. “You guys never saw Damon and Willow together back then. *That* was living. After Willow left, he was a wreck. If it weren’t for the alliance with the Chen family later, and Chloe being so stubbornly persistent, who knows what state Damon would be in right now.” Willow. The name, like an ice-cold needle, pierced sharply into my heart. My nails dug into my flesh, but I felt no pain at all. Inside the room, another voice chimed in with a mocking laugh, “Alright, enough with the reminiscing. Damon, I heard Willow is coming back the day after tomorrow. The real queen is returning. What’s your plan?” The VIP room fell silent instantly. I held my breath, desperate to hear his answer. I heard the crisp clink of ice against glass, then his familiar, indifferent voice. He didn’t answer. He simply asked flatly: “Who needs more ice?” But those four words hit me like a sledgehammer, shattering all my persistence and every fantasy I had ever held. My head spun, buzzing with a hollow ache. I had chased him for six years. I was the darling youngest daughter of the Chen family, bright, bold, and used to getting everything I wanted since childhood. But with Damon, I stumbled. The porridge I made? He gave it to his driver. The portrait I painted? He locked it away in a dusty storage room. Any folder I touched? He would meticulously wipe it down with disinfectant wipes three times, right in front of me. Yet, I refused to give up. I believed my fiery passion would one day melt his icy heart. Eventually, he actually agreed to a marriage of convenience with me. I thought I had won, that my unwavering love had finally moved him. It wasn’t until today that I realized the truth. It wasn’t. His heart had simply died. He couldn’t marry the woman he loved, so he didn’t care who he married instead. And I? I was just the most convenient and obedient choice, appearing at the right time. How ridiculous. My six years of effort, in his and his friends’ eyes, was merely a timely saving grace. My palms were slick with moisture, a mix of sweat and the tiny pinpricks of blood where my nails had dug in. I didn’t push the door open. Holding everything I had painstakingly prepared, I turned and walked towards the trash can. “Thud.” A muffled sound. I tossed the priceless cake and cufflinks inside. Along with them, I threw away my heart. *** **Damon’s pov** Half an hour later, I stepped out of the VIP room. As I rounded the corridor corner, a beautifully decorated trash can caught my eye. Inside, the familiar logo of a high-end French pastry shop came into view, next to it lay a deep blue gift bag. The ribbon peeking out of the bag was my preferred color. But… Why was this in the trash? **Chloe’s pov** I rushed out the club’s main entrance, only to collide with someone hurrying in. My body instantly lost balance, and I instinctively reached out, bracing myself against the cold door frame. A sharp, searing pain shot through my wrist at the awkward angle. I stumbled, and the other person also lost their footing. The cake box in my hand tumbled to the ground, the cake splattering miserably on the damp steps, looking utterly pathetic. I bit back a cry of pain and looked up, only to freeze the next second. It was Willow. Before I could even speak, Damon emerged. His gaze swept past me, landing directly on Willow. Willow’s eyes immediately reddened, her voice laced with a whimper and profound grievance. “Damon…” She looked at him pitifully, then pointed at the mess on the ground, “I’m so sorry… I ruined your birthday cake…” She then pointed to her own knee, which she’d scraped, though it was barely bleeding. “I wanted to surprise you… I flew back two days early just for this, but I never imagined…” One sentence, clearly explained everything. She was here for him. Damon’s brow furrowed, his face revealing unconcealed distress. He didn’t ask what had happened, nor did he hesitate for a second. He bent down, scooped Willow into his arms, carefully cradling her, and hurried towards his car parked by the curb. Throughout it all, he didn’t see me. Even as I sobbed from the pain, he ignored me. His car lights cut through the rainy night, speeding away, splashing water everywhere. I stood rooted to the spot, finally letting the tears fall. It turns out, as long as Willow was around, I wasn’t even a background prop. Her minor scrape was a thousand times more important than my own excruciating injury. I took a deep breath. Divorce. I must get a divorce. **Chapter 2** **Chloe’s pov** I went to the hospital alone. Luckily, it was just a minor sprain. The doctor applied an ice pack and gave me instructions for care. Returning to the villa, I was met only by darkness and silence. I buried myself in the sofa, but the throbbing pain in my wrist reminded me of how absurd everything tonight had been. Then, a post on SnapChat unexpectedly popped into my feed. I didn’t know which mutual friend posted it. The accompanying photo was a blurry night shot. At the hospital entrance, Willow was leaning weakly into a tall figure’s embrace. And that figure was shielding her completely with his suit jacket. The comments below were filled with suggestive speculation: [What a divine scene! He must be heartbroken.] Though the figure was blurry, the sharp lines of his profile were unmistakable. It was Damon. So, his notorious germophobia was reserved only for me. He *could* be gentle, but that gentleness was never meant for me. I forced a bitter smile and drifted off to sleep. When I woke again, I went straight to Damon’s room. The bed was neatly made, no sign of anyone having slept in it. He hadn’t come home all night. I stood at the doorway, pulled out my phone, and called my best friend, Cassie. “Cassie, can you draft up a divorce agreement for me?” It wasn’t until evening that Damon returned. When he walked in, I was sitting on the sofa watching a show, ignoring him. Perhaps out of guilt or remorse, Damon uncharacteristically asked me: “What do you want to eat?” I thought for a moment before answering: “Let’s go to that new French restaurant downtown. I mentioned it before, but we never had the chance.” “Okay.” Damon drove me to the restaurant. We ordered our meal and waited for it to be served. But the atmosphere was awkward and silent. Let this be our last meal together, I thought. After this, we’ll have no ties. I’ll grant him his freedom, and release myself. Everything proceeded harmoniously. This meal, if nothing went wrong, would be finished in quiet peace. But Damon’s phone rang. He glanced at the caller ID and immediately answered. From the other end, I faintly heard Willow’s intermittent sobs. Damon’s face instantly changed. He comforted her in a tone of tenderness he didn’t even seem to notice himself, then stood up, grabbed his jacket, and cast a glance at me: “I have an urgent matter to attend to.” “Damon.” I spoke quietly. Damon paused, turning back to look at me. “Whatever it is, let’s talk about it when I get back.” I persisted: “Can’t you really finish one meal with me properly?” He frowned, his voice tinged with clear impatience. “Be good, don’t make a scene. We can eat anytime, we’ll have plenty of time later. Right now, I have something important to deal with.” I slowly shook my head, “There’s no time left.” Damon paused, finding my words strange. He was about to press for more. But just then, his phone rang again. It was still Willow. He answered, his voice immediately switching back to tenderness: “I’m coming now, I’ll be there soon.” He hung up, then turned back to me: “What did you just say?” I opened my mouth, but in the end, said nothing, simply waving my hand: “It doesn’t matter anymore. Go quickly, you have an emergency.” Damon felt that something was off, but Willow’s cries were still ringing in his ears. Without another word, he turned and quickly left the restaurant. After Damon left, I didn’t go. I finished the meal alone. After all, I had always wanted to try this newly opened restaurant. Walking out after eating, a car suddenly screeched to a halt in front of me. The door opened, and the person who stepped out was Damon. He had come back. Could it be that he would abandon his beloved to come back and eat with me? **Chapter 3** **Chloe’s pov** Damon approached, his face grim and serious. Without a word, he grabbed my arm. I winced, a sharp hiss escaping my lips, but he didn’t care. He practically shoved me into the car. “What are you doing?” Damon started the engine as he explained: “Willow has been kidnapped.” “She’s been kidnapped? You’re not calling the police, so why are you coming to me?” Damon’s lips were pressed tightly together, a flicker of guilt in his eyes as he looked at me, then he said: “The kidnappers mistook her for my wife. They want to use her to threaten me…” “Oh.” I understood instantly: “So, you want to use me as a swap? Damon, I never thought you’d be this kind of person!” “Chloe, listen to me. I’ll install a tracker on your phone, I’ll be following you the whole time, I won’t let anything happen to you.” Damon continued: “But Willow is different. She was dragged into this because of me. She shouldn’t have to suffer like this.” I couldn’t believe what I was hearing: “And I *should* suffer like this? Damon, is this fair to me?” Damon pulled me into his arms, pressing a kiss on my forehead: “Chloe, be good. Trust me. After this is over, I’ll make it up to you properly…” I didn’t say another word, tears streaming down my face. This was the first time he had touched me so intimately, and it was all for another woman. Damon drove, the lines of his profile looking even colder and harder in the dim light. “Give me your phone.” He suddenly spoke, his tone commanding. I didn’t move, nor did I speak. Damon frowned impatiently. During a red light, he reached into my purse himself and took out my phone. He opened the back cover and inserted a tiny, fingernail-sized metal chip. “This is the latest model of tracker. The signal won’t be blocked.” He explained as he reassembled the phone, “Rocco’s men will check, but this thing is discreet enough. Don’t worry, as soon as we get Willow back, I promise, I’ll rescue you immediately.” This was the man for whom I was once willing to give up the world. Chloe, you are truly laughable. The car finally stopped in front of an abandoned dock. It was deserted here, with only a few colossal, rust-stained warehouses. “Get out.” Damon turned off the engine, his voice devoid of emotion. I unbuckled my seatbelt and pushed the door open. Bone-chilling wind lashed with icy rain, making me shiver uncontrollably. Damon opened a black umbrella, completely shielding me beneath it. How ironic. He was being so considerate to me, but it was all for another woman. We walked towards the innermost warehouse. The old iron door was ajar, a faint, yellowish light leaking through the crack. Damon pushed the door open, and a foul stench of rust and mold assailed us. Inside the warehouse, seven or eight burly thugs stood, led by a bald man with a grotesque scar across his face. And behind them, a frail figure was haphazardly tied to a chair. It was Willow. I clearly saw the calm and restraint in Damon’s eyes instantly shatter. His gaze filled with rage and an undeniable, suffocating ache. “Mr. King, you finally made it.” The scar-faced man exhaled a thick puff of smoke, a leering smirk on his face. “I brought the person.” Damon pushed me forward a step, “Let her go.” His action was so natural. The scar-faced man chuckled, then walked up to me, his rough fingers pinching my chin, “So, this is the real Mrs. King. Quite a beauty.” He turned to Damon, his tone teasing, “Mr. King, is it worth sending such a beautiful wife into the fire for an old flame?” I saw Damon clench his fists, veins bulging on the back of his hand, but he held back. “Cut the crap. Release her!” The scar-faced man nodded, satisfied, and signaled to his men. Two thugs walked over and roughly untied Willow. “Damon!” As soon as Willow was free, she cried out and rushed into Damon’s arms. Damon spread his arms, catching her steadily. “Don’t be scared. I’m here. It’s okay now.” He whispered comforting words, his voice tender in a way I had never heard before. I coldly watched the touching scene of their deep embrace. But inside, my heart felt as if it were being pricked by countless fine needles, a dense, suffocating pain. “You can take her now,” The scar-faced man impatiently cut them off, “But Mrs. King here will be coming with us for a while.” Two thugs walked towards me, grabbing my arms, one on each side. I didn’t resist. Only when I brushed past Damon did I stop and look at him. “Damon,” I looked into his eyes, speaking each word clearly, “From this moment on, we are even.” Damon stiffened, his face instantly changing. And Willow, nestled weakly in his arms, looked at me with a victorious, taunting smirk. I was roughly shoved by the two thugs. Behind me, I heard the footsteps of Damon and Willow gradually fading away. He didn’t even turn to look at me again. The heavy iron door of the warehouse slammed shut with a dull thud. Only darkness remained.

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