Eight months into my pregnancy, I had an accidental fall and started bleeding. My husband Ryan refused to help me. He vomited, then pushed me off to someone else. He never came to see me in the hospital. Not after I lost the baby. Not even when I was discharged. My friends tried to console me. “Don’t blame him, Cassie. We all know about his hemophobia. You’re young, you’ll have another baby.” Maybe they were right. I’d known about his condition since our first date. So I didn’t blame him. Then, on the day of my baby’s funeral, a junior assistant from his company pricked her finger. I saw my husband gently took her hand and brought her finger to his lips. And I understood. He could overcome his fear for some people. Just not for me. Not for our baby. I sat in the passenger seat, holding the urn containing my baby’s ashes. All the way there, Ryan kept glancing at me, his face filled with guilt. “Cassie, you know I have hemophobia. I wanted to take you to the hospital that day, but the moment I saw your blood, my body just froze, and I started throwing up…” I didn’t say anything. I just traced the lid of the urn, imagining I was touching my daughter’s tiny head. He wasn’t lying. He’d had this condition his whole life. In college, during a routine physical, they drew just two milliliters of his blood, and he fainted on the spot. And his condition only worsened. By now, the sight of a syringe would make him break out in a cold sweat, and he’d always have to grip my hand tightly. Our friends used to joke about us. “Ryan, you got the best catch among us, buddy. Cassie, you’re going to have to be his protector from now on.” I protected him. But who was going to protect me and our baby? “Where are you going?” On the way to the cemetery, Ryan suddenly turned into a side road. “Oh, I’m just picking up Chloe. She heard about the baby and has been heartbroken, barely sleeping for days. She insisted on coming to the funeral.” “She said it would feel ‘less lonely’ with more people, so I didn’t tell you in advance. You don’t mind, do you?” Less lonely? For the sake of our baby’s funeral, I decided not to argue with him today. Chloe was his assistant, someone who always seemed to stir up trouble around us. At our wedding, she ‘accidentally’ stepped on my wedding gown, making me trip and scrape my knee. One evening, when I was cooking for a holiday dinner, she offered to ‘help’ me in the kitchen. But while I was chopping vegetables, she somehow turned and bumped my elbow, making me cut my finger. And this miscarriage… Ryan literally pushed me off to her, and she drove us down the most congested road, causing me to miss the critical window for treatment. Now, here she was again. After stopping the car, Ryan hurried over to Chloe, taking a package from her hands. Chloe’s face looked incredibly drawn. Ryan asked, concerned, “Look how exhausted you are. Your face is so pale. Haven’t you been resting?” “Ryan, these are clothes and shoes I sewed for the baby. Do you think she’ll like them?” Chloe took out a few delicate little outfits from the package, showing them to Ryan. Suddenly, Ryan gripped her hand, his expression tense. “What happened here? Are you hurt?” Chloe pulled her hand back slightly, lowering her eyes. “It’s nothing. I just pricked my finger this morning while finishing up. Isn’t the funeral starting soon? We should hurry.” “No way! Those sewing needles aren’t sterile, Chloe! If you don’t get that wound treated, it’ll get infected!” Ryan took a deep breath, as if making a monumental decision. Then he took her finger into his mouth and sucked on it forcefully. I heard passersby muttering, “So shameless, displaying affection right on the street!” My heart clenched painfully. So it turned out he could conquer his hemophobia. He just couldn’t overcome it for me and our baby.

I was trembling all over, the memory of begging Ryan to take me to the hospital that day flooding my mind. Back then, his vomiting wasn’t faked. But now, him overcoming his hemophobia for Chloe was just as real. He yanked open the car door and shoved the clothes Chloe had supposedly sewn for the baby into my lap. “Cassie, something unexpected came up. Chloe got hurt making these clothes for the baby. I have to rush her to the hospital now. If it gets infected, it’ll be too late.” Perhaps I’d accumulated so much disappointment in him that at this moment, his words barely registered with me. Chloe, however, shook her head. “No, Ryan, you’re the baby’s father. What kind of message does it send if you don’t attend her funeral?” “I’ll be fine on my own. So what if my finger gets gangrene? I won’t let that stop you from being with your child!” Ryan, flustered, tugged at my arm, nearly making me drop the urn. “Cassie, didn’t you hear Chloe? You’re married, you were almost a mother yourself! How can you be less sensible than a young girl like her? Get out of the car, now!” I stiffly turned my head. “What do you mean? You want me to get out?” Ryan said, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world, “What else? It’s hard to get a cab at this hour, so of course I’ll drive Chloe to the hospital. What does the exact time of the funeral matter? The baby’s gone. We need to focus on the living.” Before I could even agree, he roughly pulled and dragged me out of the passenger seat. I clutched the urn, afraid to fight back. Before leaving, Chloe gave me an apologetic look. “I’m so sorry, Cassie. I didn’t want this, but Ryan is just so worried about me. Please try to understand.” I wasn’t in the mood to argue with them. I hailed a cab and went to the cemetery. I buried my child like a single mother. It seemed that ever since Chloe appeared, Ryan’s time with me had been extremely limited. If his parents hadn’t pushed him so hard, he wouldn’t have even wanted a child with me. It felt as though the baby was mine alone. After the burial, I leaned against the headstone, unable to leave. Days of exhaustion and overwhelming grief finally made me drift off to sleep. The cemetery manager woke me up. My first thought was to call Ryan. Not to ask him to pick me up, but just to hope he’d come see our child one last time. But it was Chloe who answered. “Hello, Cassie. Ryan is so tired, he fell asleep on my lap. Ugh, he’s so heavy, my leg’s gone numb. If it’s not urgent, don’t wake him up, okay?” I calmly said, “It’s fine. Let him sleep.” I hung up immediately and called my lawyer. “Draw up a divorce agreement for me.” “I don’t want any assets, just a divorce, right now.” Ryan didn’t come home that night, but I didn’t bombard him with calls like I used to. The next day, I brought the divorce agreement to Ryan’s family dinner. To my surprise, Ryan brought Chloe along. His excuse was that Chloe was hurt because of our child, so he had to take care of her. At the dinner table, everyone, subtly and not-so-subtly, was blaming me. Why it took us three years to want a baby, and then, why I didn’t ‘cherish’ it enough once I was pregnant. No one cared about my recovery, and no one questioned why Chloe chose the most congested road that day. I didn’t want to make a scene before leaving, but I wasn’t going to be a doormat either. “Fine. I never wanted this baby in the first place. I intentionally aborted it, happy now?”

I walked away from the table, leaving a stunned silence behind me. Ryan quickly, awkwardly, explained, “Cassie is just grieving too much. She’s upset, and she’s just saying things she doesn’t mean. Don’t take it to heart.” After dinner, he came to find me. “Cassie, what you said earlier was completely out of line. Don’t you know how much Mom and Dad want us to have a child? Look, just focus on recovering, and we can try for another one later.” Before, I was the one begging Ryan for a baby, and I distinctly remembered his sanctimonious excuses for always refusing me. “Forget it. I’m already considered an older mother. For my health, it’s best if we remain DINKs.” His thin lips twitched, as if he had something stuck in his throat. “You can find someone younger to have kids with. Chloe seems suitable. Don’t worry, I don’t mind.” I pulled out the divorce agreement. “Sign it.” He didn’t even look, pushing the agreement aside. “Cassie, what are you even saying? Anyone who heard that would think Chloe and I have some illicit affair. Her SnapChat story yesterday was just a joke, she’s young, sometimes she speaks without thinking.” I repeated, incredulous, “SnapChat story?” “Yeah, this one. Didn’t you see it?” Ryan opened Chloe’s SnapChat. “OMG, you guys! My bossy boss said he’d take care of me, and he ended up sleeping on my lap! Guess I’m not good enough at training him yet…” It was accompanied by a photo of Ryan fast asleep on her lap. The comments flooded in: “Is that Mr. Ryan?? Chloe, are you moving in?” “The vibe is totally different. The boss and his little trophy wife?” “Chloe, is it too late for me to get on your good side?” These were her inner circle from the office. Since we weren’t connected on social media, they didn’t bother to hold back. In the past, I would’ve stormed into the office and ripped them a new one. But now, I felt no such urge. “Oh, I did see it. It’s fine, I know they’re just joking. Just sign this first.” Ryan took the agreement, but before he could even read its contents, Chloe bounded in behind him. She clapped his shoulders, making Ryan jump. “Ryan, what are you doing?” she asked playfully. Ryan played along, pretending to be startled by her, then found the signature line and signed his name with a flourish. I had landed many of the company’s biggest deals; he probably thought this was some new business contract. He handed the divorce agreement back to me, and I finally let out a sigh of relief. “Nothing, just talking to Cassie. She’s still upset with me about your SnapChat story yesterday.” Hearing this, Chloe’s eyes immediately sparkled. She said weakly, “Cassie, Ryan didn’t know when I posted that story. If you’re angry, please take it out on me. Don’t take it out on Ryan and his family. I was just thoughtless, I apologize.” She used pretty much the same line when she hurt my hand, and the time before that when she hurt my knee at the wedding. Ryan gently patted her shoulder. “Cassie is older, she doesn’t appreciate those kinds of jokes. You need to be more careful next time.” Chloe stuck out her tongue playfully. “Okay, next time I’ll just block Cassie.” Ryan roared with laughter at her comment. Seeing their easy camaraderie, I suddenly felt like an outsider. Well, it was true. I had the divorce agreement in hand; it was only a matter of time now.

Ryan suddenly spoke. “This whole situation with the baby has caused you a lot of trouble, too. Driving Cassie to the hospital, and then hurting your finger sewing clothes for the baby.” “Chloe, what gift do you want? I’ll buy it for you.” Chloe bit her thumb, thinking deeply before asking, “Anything?” “Of course. My word is my bond.” Chloe nodded, eyes downcast, and tentatively said, “Actually, I really love Cassie’s wedding dress, but I’m afraid Cassie won’t agree.” I couldn’t help but narrow my eyes. Ryan had bought my wedding dress. We had chosen the style together, and it was handcrafted by eight master artisans over six hundred hours, incredibly exquisite, a true work of art. Ryan had told me then that he wanted me to be the most beautiful bride in the world. But now, he hesitated, looking at me, giving me obvious signals. I knew exactly what he wanted: for me to be understanding, gracious, and to proactively agree to Chloe’s request. But this time, I wouldn’t give him the satisfaction. I looked at him with an impassive face. He couldn’t stand it anymore and finally spoke. “Cassie, we only wear a wedding dress once in our lives. It’s just gathering dust at home. Wouldn’t it be more meaningful to give it to someone who loves it? What do you say?” “Besides, as a boss, my word is my bond. You’re my wife, you should uphold my reputation, right? I’ll buy you an even more expensive one later, I promise.” My heart ached. As if my reluctance was solely due to the dress’s monetary value. But then I looked down at the divorce agreement clutched in my hand. He was right. There was nothing left to cling to. “Take it.” I agreed, but Ryan’s expression was subtle. It wasn’t the relief I expected, but surprise. Ryan had been drinking, so I drove us home. He pulled up countless wedding dress photos on his phone, showing them to me and repeatedly emphasizing their value. I barely glanced, casually saying, “Whatever.” He suddenly got upset. “Cassie, I gave you enough face in front of my parents. Why are you still being difficult? Which of these dresses I picked out isn’t more expensive than the one at home?” I countered, “Are you implying I’m throwing a fit just because of the cost?” Ryan then seemed to remember something. After much hesitation, he said, “Let’s go to the cemetery. To see the baby.” “No need. You weren’t there the two times you absolutely should have been. Why the sudden crocodile tears now?” Ryan grabbed my hand, speaking earnestly. “Cassie, please, I’m begging you, take me to see the baby. No matter what, I’m her father. Not attending the funeral yesterday was thoughtless of me.” I had given up on Ryan, but I still had a lingering desire for our baby to see her father. So I changed direction and headed for the cemetery. Halfway there, his phone rang. It was Chloe. I didn’t know what happened on the other end, but Ryan’s expression grew tense. “Chloe, don’t panic. Whatever it is, we’ll handle it together. Please don’t do anything rash. I’m on my way to you right now!” He frantically hung up, about to speak to me, but I cut him off. “Should I drive you to Chloe’s place?” “Yes… Cassie, Chloe has an emergency. I have to go to her immediately. You know how she…” I waved a hand. “It’s fine. Really.” We drove in silence until the car stopped in front of Chloe’s apartment building. “I’ll go see the baby once I’ve sorted this out. If you don’t want the wedding dress, pick out any other gift you want, and I’ll buy it for you!” With that, he hurriedly unbuckled his seatbelt and rushed out of the car. For several days, Ryan didn’t come home. I used that time to move out. When he returned, I would finalize the divorce. I had ordered many baby supplies online, and they had been arriving in bits and pieces over the past few days. Looking at the adorable little clothes, my heart ached again. My daughter could have been the most beautiful little princess in the world, but a cold “termination of pregnancy” had brought her life to an end. I had bought a plot in the most prestigious cemetery in the city, which had a designated area for mourning and remembrance. That day, I brought the baby clothes there. From a distance, I saw a crowd gathered around my daughter’s grave. I rushed over, only to watch in horror as my daughter’s urn was tossed aside by several burly men. “Stop it!” I screamed, but it was too late. The urn shattered on impact, and my daughter’s ashes scattered into the wind. Ryan and Chloe stood right in the middle of the crowd. Chloe cried as she spoke to me, “Cassie, I’m so sorry. I didn’t get a chance to tell you. My mom passed away, and this is the best cemetery plot in the entire city. Ryan and I discussed it, and he agreed to let me have the plot. So I asked some relatives to help me retrieve the baby’s ashes for you.” “But they really didn’t mean to. They didn’t realize the urn was so fragile.” I knelt frantically on the ground, trying to gather my daughter’s ashes, but most had already blown away, and the rest were mixed with the dirt. I lunged at Chloe like a madwoman, but Ryan blocked me. Ryan said, “Cassie, she said she’s sorry, what more do you want from her? Our baby wasn’t even born yet, how can you compare her to Chloe’s mother? Can’t you be a little more understanding?” My vision blurred with rage, my teeth chattered. I had never been so furious in my life. “Listen to me, all of you! If anyone dares to lay a hand on my daughter’s grave again, I’ll kill them! Now get out of here, all of you!” Ryan still wouldn’t let go, so I bit a chunk right out of his arm. That bloody sight finally made everyone retreat.

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I had been married to Ryan Hayes for three years. He’d hated me for five. Every night, in our bed, he moaned my sister’s name. My sister Maya was supposed to be his wife, but she drowned in a lake five years ago. So he married me instead. On the sixth anniversary of Maya’s death, I went to the hospital for a check-up. Ryan dragged me from the hospital to her grave. He forced me to my knees, making me listen to every raw word of his love for her. I cleared my throat. “Ryan, if I bring her back to you, will you finally agree to divorce me?” “How the hell are you going to bring a dead person back to me?” “Remember this, Clara. You killed her. You’re going to spend the rest of your life at my side, paying for what you did.” My words hit a nerve, igniting Ryan’s fury. His handsome brows furrowed, and those soulful eyes, usually so full of deep affection for others, now turned glacial. His long, slender fingers closed around my throat. A slight squeeze, and I gasped for air, my lungs screaming. “Apologize. You shouldn’t make jokes like that at her grave.” Lack of oxygen made agonizing tears stream down my face. My phone slipped from my hand, clattering to the ground. Seeing it, Ryan instinctively loosened his grip. “Just apologize, and I won’t hold it against you anymore.” But then he turned, his eyes landing on the still-lit screen of my phone, and his expression froze. It was a photo. A girl, seven parts like me, provocatively dressed, picking up clients in a sleazy club. He stared for a moment. Then, the veins on the back of his hand pulsed, and his voice dripped with intense disgust. “Clara, how could you be so vicious? Setting up a photo like this for a dead person?” “Or are you saying you found some club girl to get surgery to look like Maya, and now you think you can live the rest of your life guilt-free?” I saw his face and knew there was no point. Nothing I said would matter. It was easier to just give up. So I did. I offering apologies to a tombstone that only held Maya’s clothes. “I’m sorry.” “I’m sorry.” “I’m sorry…” I repeated it until my throat was parched, and my vision blurred. Only then did Ryan pull back his hand. I couldn’t control it. Violent coughs ripped through me, each one threatening to tear my insides out. Seeing the deep red marks on my neck, a flicker of self-reproach crossed Ryan’s eyes. He seemed to want to help me up, but then he saw Maya’s tombstone and froze. “Stop trying to look pitiful. This is what you deserve.” I didn’t say anything else, dragging my heavy body along, trailing behind him. Back in the car, the silence was terrifying. Usually, I was the one to break the ice. But this time, I was truly exhausted. Leaning my head back against the seat, I slowly closed my eyes, only to hear Ryan’s voice. “Weren’t you going to the hospital? I’ll take you now.” The nurse’s urgent warnings echoed in my head. “Miss Clara, specialist appointments are hard to get. You must arrive early that day!” “If you miss this one, you’ll have to wait three more months! Your condition can’t wait any longer.” The appointment time had passed three hours ago. The specialist was long gone. So, even though I had so much I wanted to scream out, In the end, it all dissolved into a faint sigh. “It’s alright. No need.” This was the tenth time I’d asked for a divorce. He hated me so much, yet he refused to let me go. Struggling to sit up, I sent a message back to the private investigator who’d sent me the photo. “Bring Maya back.”

Maya was my sister. Our mom and Ryan’s mom were best friends. The three of them grew up together, practically childhood sweethearts. She was lively and outgoing from a young age. Not only did Mrs. Hayes adore her, but Ryan also got along with her better. They got engaged after they became adults. I loved Ryan too. But I blessed them, burying my secret crush deep in my heart. I never expected the Hayes family to suddenly go bankrupt, and Ryan’s father to pass away. Their wedding was postponed for a year. My secret diary, filled with my feelings, was found by Maya. Her eyes red-rimmed, she confronted me. “Clara, if you loved Ryan, why didn’t you say anything? How can I marry him knowing this?” Maya ran out, drinking herself into a stupor all night. On her way home, her car plunged into the lake. Only a female corpse, so waterlogged her face was unrecognizable, was found at the scene. A red string bracelet on her wrist confirmed her identity. Before Maya’s supposed death, she had texted Ryan: “Clara loves you too. I don’t want to fight her for you. Let’s meet again in the next life!” Ryan, already grieving his father, then lost the woman he loved. He hated me, and he married me. He made me pay for my supposed sins, day and night. But Maya had faked her death. Now she was alive and well, picking up clients in a shady part of town. The private investigator found that Maya had run off with a fake rich kid. She probably looked down on Ryan, now bankrupt, so she faked her death to escape. I glanced up at the man in the driver’s seat. Ryan, I’m done. I don’t need to ‘atone’ for anything. My check-up report arrived by mail the next day. My hands trembled as I pulled out the results. But seeing them, I felt a strange sense of relief. Sitting at my dressing table, I cut off my waist-length hair with scissors. I’d grown it for five years. I didn’t feel a hint of regret. Anyway, it would all fall out with chemotherapy. Suddenly, Ryan’s face appeared in the mirror. He stood behind me, raising an eyebrow slightly. “What’s this? You were so cold to me yesterday, and now you’re cutting your hair short to try and win me over?” “Don’t even think about trying to be like Maya. Even if you cut your hair short, that wicked personality of yours won’t change one bit!” No histrionics like before. This time, I spoke calmly. “Just wanted to donate my hair to sick children.” He, as usual, scoffed. “If you were truly that kind, Maya wouldn’t have been killed by you!” I didn’t reply. He glared, then tossed a pale blue scarf at me. “Cover up.” I caught the scarf. Skillfully, I tied it around my neck, hiding the red marks he’d left yesterday. To outsiders, we were a loving couple, supporting each other through hard times. When Ryan went bankrupt, I never abandoned him, always staying by his side. For him, I worked late, tirelessly attending social events. And he didn’t disappoint me, building his company into a major corporation in the state. He always brought me to important events. Today was a networking event. He still had to keep up appearances with me. “Not arguing this time?” Ryan stared at me, his eyes full of confusion.

Maya loved blue. I hated it . She was our mother’s favorite. Whenever Maya got into trouble, I was the one who got blamed. My mother would grab my hair, repeatedly forcing my head into a blue basin full of water. Ryan knew all of it. But he loved giving me blue dresses, jewelry, and bags the most. Then he’d watch me fight him hysterically, only to cry and beg for his forgiveness. For the past few years, I’d burned myself out trying to show him I married him because I loved him. Not because I wanted to replace Maya. So whenever he humiliated me this way, my reactions were always extreme. Now, I just glanced down at the scarf. “Thanks. It’s nice.” I humored him, but his brows furrowed in annoyance. He looked like he wanted to say more. The phone rang at that moment. I stepped outside to answer it. “We told Maya we found a big client for her, and she immediately agreed to come back. But to ‘package’ herself, she also asked us for money for a hymen repair surgery.” I gave a muffled “hmm” and transferred the money. “Thank you for your trouble.” On the way to the venue, neither of us spoke a word. After we entered hand-in-hand, he didn’t spare me another glance. He immediately turned to network. Someone pulled me aside. It was Mrs. Peterson, the wife of a business partner. “Clara, let the men talk business. Let’s step aside for some tea and a chat.” Seeing me, these wives’ eyes lit up. After all, the Hayes family’s current status made them worth paying attention to. “Clara, don’t mind me saying this, but Ryan is so successful and handsome. So many eyes are on him! You really should have a child soon to solidify your position!” They earnestly advised me in my ear, but my head was buzzing, unable to take it in. A child? It was impossible for us to have children. At first, I thought my companionship could make him forget Maya. The two of us, with our child, living happily ever after. I’ll never forget that day. Excitedly holding a pregnancy test, I tried to show it to him. But all I got was his cold response. “Get rid of it. You don’t deserve to carry my child.” I had three abortions for him. Uterine perforation, massive hemorrhage. Scalding tears fell onto the cold operating table. When the abortion consent form appeared before him, Ryan finally showed the expression I’d imagined. He simply nodded, satisfied. The metallic taste of blood rose in my throat again. I forced a smile. “Well, they better hurry up, because Ryan and I are getting a divorce soon.” Besides, his true love, Maya, was coming back.

The wives just thought I was joking. “But your fourth anniversary is coming up, isn’t it? You really need to hold onto Ryan, especially with your contributions to his company going public!” “Though Clara, you’re young, but you should still take care of yourself. Why are you so pale?” I didn’t answer, just smiled faintly, swallowing the blood back down. Ryan took the stage as an outstanding entrepreneur. I no longer looked up at him constantly, like I used to. Instead, I looked down at my phone. I’d already chosen a hospital for myself abroad. Mrs. Peterson was right. For our fourth anniversary, I was going to give Ryan a perfect gift. It would be an end to our messed-up relationship. I felt a cold stare. I looked up. Only to find Ryan frowning at me. After he came down, his tone was very unpleasant. “Clara, playing hard to get won’t work on me. Stop with the gloomy act!” Playing hard to get? Was he upset because I hadn’t been watching him? “But don’t you always say my gaze makes you sick?” For some reason, that sentence angered Ryan even more. He drove off alone, leaving me stranded. This was my normal. The only wish I ever made was at a fountain, hoping he’d love me just a little more. But even then, Ryan called me a murderer, said I didn’t deserve happiness. He left me alone. I was cornered by a few drunk men who started harassing me. My phone was crushed underfoot, and my calf broke when I tripped on a step. It ended up at the police station. He didn’t come to pick me up. Instead, he flew back home alone. Taking a taxi home, I started packing my things. There wasn’t much, really. Ryan had made it clear this wasn’t my home. And I couldn’t keep too many personal items here. Our fourth anniversary was three days away. I told them to bring Maya back in three days. I also called Ryan. “In three days, you…” He cut me off coldly. “Clara, do you have no shame?” Then he smirked maliciously. “I actually did prepare an anniversary gift for you.” “I’m replacing the wedding photo in the living room with one of Maya and me.” “You can stare at her every day and repent!” He hung up before I could reply. I looked up at the wedding photo in the living room. It was our wedding, but only I was smiling. The boy from my memories, who used to comfort me carefully after my mom punished me, was long gone. Over these three days, I purged every trace of myself from the house. And Ryan’s custom-ordered photo was already hanging in the living room. The worker who delivered the photo glanced at me. “Mr. Hayes specifically asked for the lady of the house to sign for it.” “The lady in the picture has a mole on her nose; please call her out!” My numb heart still ached a little at that moment. Later, the pain intensified as my illness flared up, my whole body throbbing. Seeing my condition, the worker scurried away, muttering. “Do stand-ins have no shame? Actually moving right in!” On our anniversary, Ryan returned. Seeing my continued silence, he sneered. “When did you become so generous?” “Let’s see how long you can keep up this act!” Ignoring his sarcasm, I simply clapped my hands. “Ryan, I’m not happy with your gift. What I really want is the divorce papers.” I placed the agreement in front of him. “Impossible…” His words hadn’t even finished when Maya was led before him.

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For three long years, from the day we said ‘I do’ to the day we called it quits, my husband, the celebrated painter Julian, never once picked up a brush to paint *me*. Then, Julian and I got back together. I stopped pestering him to let me into his studio. I stopped caring what time he came home. Even when Chloe showed up at our place to model, I helped him find the perfect excuse: “I get it, Julian. It’s art.” Julian froze. He grabbed my wrist, his gaze piercing through my face, searching for something. 0 Julian’s face was grim. He explained impatiently: “She’s just here to model.” “Only with her can I find inspiration. Her clothes got wet, so I gave her a clean shirt.” As he spoke, he pulled Chloe behind him, his eyes filled with irritation and defensiveness. “What we have is a purely artistic relationship, nothing dirty like you’re imagining.” I glanced at Chloe, cowering behind him. The girl wore Julian’s shirt; its hem barely grazed her thighs, exposing long, slender legs. Seeing my silence, Chloe’s eyes welled up with tears. “Hazel, please don’t fight with Julian because of me.” “Maybe… I shouldn’t come next time.” I cut her off, my voice calm. “I understand completely. It’s art, after all. I’m not angry.” Julian’s expression froze. He stared blankly for a long moment, then fixed his gaze on my face. As if trying to drill a hole right through me. “Then why are you dragging a suitcase the moment you walk in?” “You always used to threaten to leave home when we fought. How long will you disappear this time?” Huh? I looked up, confused. Julian’s eyes were slightly red, and there was a hint of a choked sob in his voice, completely catching me off guard. Right. He’d vanish into his studio with Chloe for days, sometimes even nights. Fearing I’d disturb his artistic flow, I hadn’t told him about my business trip. So Julian hadn’t even noticed I’d been gone for a whole week. I pushed my suitcase inside, explaining calmly: “I’m dragging my suitcase because I just got back from a business trip.” Julian’s tightly furrowed brow finally relaxed. I glanced at the bedroom. It was practically bursting with Chloe’s stuff. “She finds it inconvenient to travel back and forth, so I let her stay here temporarily.” Julian touched his nose, a bit awkwardly. I nodded, wheeling my luggage into the guest room. “Oh, and I’m working late tonight. I won’t be back.” I consciously created a quiet environment for them. With that, I grabbed my bag and headed for the door. Julian suddenly grabbed my hand. “You always wanted me to paint your portrait. I’ll do it once the exhibition is over.” “It’ll be your birthday gift.” His confident tone held a hint of arrogant condescension. Julian was so sure I’d love it. After all, for those three years we were married, I was constantly begging him to paint my portrait. But he always refused, saying: “I only paint landscapes, not portraits.” Until later, when I accidentally stumbled into his studio and saw beautiful, framed paintings—all of the same person. His former lover, Chloe. Young and foolish back then, I deliberately challenged him. I made him choose between breaking up with me or getting rid of the paintings. Clearly, I lost that gamble. Julian didn’t hesitate for a second, choosing the latter. He was so calm, so cruelly calm. Cruelly telling me that I was just a stranger in his life. And that relationship ended with me sobbing and demanding a divorce. After we separated, I was heartbroken for half a year, barely able to function. But now, mentioning it brought only indifference and calm. Time truly is a strange thing. “You should get back to your work. Chloe is waiting.” I gently pulled my hand from his grip, my voice as flat as if I were commenting on the weather. Julian finally let go. 0

To finish the project, I worked non-stop for a solid week. Late one night, Julian’s message popped up. “I have something more important tonight. I’ll make up for your birthday later, promise.” I wasn’t surprised at all. Last year, for my birthday, one call from Chloe and he dumped me to fly halfway across the world to watch the sunrise with her. The year before, he was hosting an exhibition overseas, with Chloe as his star model. What was I doing back then? I cooked a feast, a whole table overflowing with dishes, waiting from dawn till dusk, then from dusk till dawn again. It wasn’t until I saw the two of them, looking perfectly matched, splashed across the news headlines that I realized my husband, whom I’d been with for years, actually *could* paint portraits. His brush, however, moved only for Chloe. Chloe was his sole muse. Back then, blinded by jealousy and a crushing sense of betrayal, I barraged him with calls. Finally, he picked up. On my end of the line, furious accusations. On his end, a tired, dismissive tone. “Hazel, you’re not a child. Can you stop being so childish?” But I refused to give up. Still foolishly determined to demand an answer. “Julian, tell me, who’s more important—me or Chloe?” There was a long silence on the other end, so long I thought he wouldn’t answer. Then I heard his airy reply: “Stop this nonsense.” “Fine! Then I’ll burn those paintings!” Julian, usually so composed, lost it. His voice flared with anger and panic. “Hazel, you wouldn’t dare?!” “Oh, I would!” After throwing out the threat, I hung up, trembling. But when I stormed into his studio, hammer in hand, I stopped dead in front of the portraits. His brushstrokes… they truly held warmth. Chloe, as painted by him, was truly beautiful; even sitting quietly, she exuded youth, vibrancy, and playfulness. Every single stroke vibrated with love. That night. I sat in his studio, sleepless, all night long. And cried the entire night. I cried until my tears ran dry, and with them, the last vestiges of love in my heart withered. 0

This time, getting back together. Julian had already told me he wasn’t someone who could be tied down by emotions. He was a painter, he needed to create, and he had no time to respond to my petty emotions. I just smiled, nodding, pretending I understood perfectly. After all, I was busy now too; I had an important meeting tomorrow. I needed proper rest. Passing a dessert shop, I bought myself a small strawberry cake. I headed back to the apartment I’d owned before Julian and I ever tied the knot. As the cake melted in my mouth, I remembered Julian *had* celebrated my birthday with me once. But it was laughable, really; the only birthday he ever spent with me, it landed me in the hospital. He came home very late that day, carrying a cake. I was as happy as a child, not even looking closely at the packaging. Even seeing it already sliced didn’t dampen my joy. It wasn’t until I took a bite that I realized it was pineapple. I’m allergic to pineapple. But afraid of ruining his mood, I forced myself to swallow it. By midnight, I was covered in hives, struggling to breathe. Hooked up to an IV drip in the hospital, Julian sat by my bed and apologized: “Sorry, I must have misremembered.” Back then, I didn’t probe what ‘misremembered’ actually meant. Later, I found out. The cake he’d brought back that night? It was Chloe’s leftovers. He hadn’t even remembered my birthday; he’d just seen my excitement and, too lazy to deal with it, hadn’t bothered to deny anything. Pineapple cake… that was always Chloe’s favorite, never mine. Blowing out the candles, I silently made a wish. Before, every single wish was about him. I hoped he’d spend a little more time with me. I hoped he’d paint a portrait of me. I hoped he’d love me just a little. But this time, my wish was only for myself. I hoped I could work hard, live well, and never again be sad over someone who wasn’t worth it. After making my wish, I took a hot shower and went to bed.

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My sister-in-law, Chloe, insisted on marrying a cafeteria chef. In my last life, working in law enforcement, I immediately recognized the man’s family as fraudsters, deeply in debt for millions. I tried to stop the marriage. Chloe’s boyfriend, drunk and distraught, died in a car crash. Chloe uploaded the recording of me convincing her to break up with him, claiming I was responsible for his death. The entire internet trashed me. My husband and his family ghosted me. I couldn’t take it anymore and jumped. After my death, the online mob targeted my parents, leading to their death. My husband then dumped my family’s ashes in the trash, hugging Chloe and saying, “It’s all that bitch’s fault. Her whole family deserved to die for you.” When I opened my eyes again, I had been reborn to the day she brought that man home. I sneered, watching a bashful Chloe. This life—I wouldn’t interfere. I just wanted to see: without me, who would pay the price for her “happiness”? “Hey, what do you think of my boyfriend?” Chloe’s bashful voice pulled me back from my thoughts. It was at this exact moment in my last life that I’d told Martha and Kevin the man’s true financial situation. They kicked him out of the house right away, forcing Chloe to dump him. That year, Chloe fell in love with an old college flame and married him, eventually living a comfortable and happy life. That man had originally just wanted to trick Chloe into marrying him, so my in-laws would foot the bill for his family’s millions in debt. When the marriage didn’t work out, he drank himself into oblivion every day. He eventually caused an accident while drunk driving and died on the spot. Chloe, upon hearing the news, completely lost it. She blamed me for everything, uploading the recording of me convincing her to break up with him. I was cyberbullied, and it caused massive trouble for my department. Finally, unable to bear the pressure, I jumped from the rooftop. My parents, dragged into the mess because of me, were burned alive in their home. Chloe and Kevin’s family just stood by, watching my parents burn to death. In the end, they scattered our family’s ashes in the trash. Watching the ashes swirl in the air, Kevin comforted Chloe, “Chloe, their whole family deserved to die! That guy was driving a luxury sports car when he died, worth millions. Way richer than your husband now. That bitch ruined such a perfect match, and her family should’ve paid with their lives for your happiness!” If only they’d bothered to check the news, they would have known. That car was rented by Blake from a dealership, all to ensnare his next victim. The icy chill of those memories made me shiver. Perhaps Kevin noticed my pale face, because he grabbed my wrist. “Riley, don’t you dare start messing things up again, just because you can’t stand Chloe being happy! I just saw, that guy drove up in a Ferrari! I know that car, it’s expensive!” Chloe quickly chimed in, “Maybe being a chef is just his hobby, and he’s actually a trust fund kid! I’ve even wondered that myself, he’s a chef, but his cooking isn’t that great. It’s like those TV shows where rich guys pretend to experience life.” A flicker of calculation appeared in Martha’s eyes, but she still seemed uneasy. She pulled my hand and whispered, “Riley, why don’t you help Chloe check him out in your department’s system? Find out what his parents do. Then we can really relax…” Martha’s words were cut off sharply by Kevin. “Mom! Why are you being as paranoid as Riley?! She’s always messing things up anyway, why would you ask her to check anything? What does she even know, honestly…” “You’re right, Martha. I wouldn’t know anything about that.” I quickly interrupted Kevin. “Martha, Chloe’s boyfriend is fine. Didn’t Kevin say he rolled up in a multimillion-dollar car? Can’t be too bad then.” I watched Chloe snuggle deeper into Blake’s arms, a cold, hard smile playing on my lips. This life, I wanted to see, who would actually pay for Chloe’s “happiness” this time…

Probably worried that the rich guy she’d finally reeled in would run off, first thing the next morning, Kevin announced Chloe was marrying Blake. “Riley, you’re my wife, you have to come later…” Reborn, I had too many things to deal with. I had no time for them. “I can’t make it. I have a mission today. You wish Chloe all the best for me.” Kevin sighed, a look of resignation on his face, as if used to my uselessness. “I can’t rely on you for anything. But, since you didn’t try to ruin Chloe’s wedding yesterday, I’ll let it slide this time.” The moment Kevin walked out the door, I immediately called my parents, urging them not to contact Martha’s family or Kevin for a while. Then I rushed back to the office to check the latest warrants. What I found scared me senseless. I had thought only Blake’s parents were involved in overseas fraud. But it turned out Blake not only owed a ton of money but was also a repeat domestic abuser. He’d beaten two wives until they ran off, and one ex-wife was still listed as missing. Looking at his address, deep in the mountains, in a place barely accessible by road, a cold sweat broke out on my back. If Chloe married him, it wouldn’t just be about being scammed. She might even lose her life. Chloe’s innocent childhood smile, contrasting with the twisted grin she wore as my parents burned alive in my past life, flashed relentlessly in my mind. Just as I wrestled with this, my phone buzzed urgently, cutting off my thoughts. Seeing it was Chloe’s call, I quickly answered. I was about to speak, but her sobs cut me off. “Bitch! What did you do?! Blake and I came to get married, and they said his parents were criminals! They dragged him in for questioning for ages! What’s going on?!” “Tell me, are you trying to ruin my happiness?!” “Riley! I just praised you this morning, and now you’re screwing things up for me, aren’t you?! Can we even live like this?!” Her accusing, resentful voice instantly cleared my head. I quickly glanced at today’s duty roster. The officer dispatched there was Sarah, the kindest one. I checked the time; they’d probably gotten all the answers by now. Blake probably wouldn’t spill anything. And if I waited any longer, Sarah might tell Chloe’s family the truth about Blake. Thinking of the tragic outcome when I got involved last time, I quickly spoke. “I have no idea. I’ll get my colleague to come back immediately.” I hung up and immediately called Sarah. “Sarah, can’t you pick a better time to question someone? They’re getting married! What kind of interrogation is this? Get back here, now!” Sarah sounded confused but complied. “Got it, Captain Riley. I’m heading back now.” Fifteen minutes later, I saw Chloe’s social media post. The accompanying picture showed their hands clasped together. Kevin and Martha had also posted. The photos showed a huge box of cash and another huge box of gold. I roughly estimated the total value. It must have been over a million! It seemed Blake had really gone all out to reel in Martha’s entire family. Looking at Kevin, beaming in the photos, a faint smile touched my lips. It looked like the last big task wouldn’t be too complicated after my rebirth. If things went smoothly, it could be over soon.

That night, I went to my parents’ place for a lavish dinner. As I was leaving, Mom squeezed my hand, a flicker of worry in her eyes. “Riley, are you fighting with Kevin? If something’s wrong, tell your father and me. Don’t let yourself be mistreated, okay?” The horrifying image of them burning alive in my previous life flashed in my mind. I fought back tears and patted Mom’s hand. “Don’t worry, everything’s fine. But you have to listen to me!” My parents didn’t say anything more, but the worry in their eyes hadn’t completely vanished. Their expressions made me decide not to wait. I needed to handle things quickly. After reporting to my department, I grabbed a few drinks at a pub. I didn’t get home until late. The moment I walked in, Kevin was sitting on the sofa, scowling. Seeing me, he immediately flung a slipper at me. “Riley! There’s no wife in the world like you! Not only did you get wasted, but why didn’t you make me dinner?!” I deliberately didn’t dodge the slipper. Kevin had put a lot of force into it; my cheek immediately flared with a bruise. I picked up the slipper and slapped Kevin across the face with it. “Are you crippled or just don’t have hands?! If you’re hungry, make your own damn food!” The slap wasn’t that painful, but it was enough to send Kevin into a rage. He looked at me in disbelief, then quickly stood up, his hand shot out, grasping my throat, pinning me to the sofa. “Riley! You dared to hit me?!” “Let me tell you, Chloe’s husband is a trust fund kid! He called me ‘brother’ today and gave me a car! If you treat me right, you could live the good life. But if you keep acting like this, we can’t do this anymore!” “With a relative like Blake, what kind of woman couldn’t I find?!” A sneer touched my lips as I looked at Kevin. “That guy is scamming all of you! You’re all just a family of idiots!” “Kevin, go ahead and try! See what woman would marry a worthless loser like you! You can’t make a buck, you can’t lift a finger around the house, and all you’re good for is hitting women!” Rage exploded in Kevin’s eyes. His hand lashed out, slapping me across the face. Then he grabbed the nearby trash can and slammed it against me. “Bitch! How dare you call my family idiots?! I’m divorcing you!” “Divorce?! Kevin, do you dare?! You’re all talk!” Kevin was frothing like a mad dog. “Riley, I’m completely sick of you. Divorce! Right now!” “Fine, whoever backs out is a chicken!” Five hours later, Kevin and I walked out of the Divorce Court. I looked at the divorce decree in my hand, then turned away, a triumphant smile spreading across my face. The last big task after my rebirth was done; I finally felt at ease. That family’s millions in debt, and the ticking time bomb Chloe brought home, had absolutely nothing to do with me anymore!

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After relentlessly chasing and finally getting the brilliant but struggling Julian, I got bored. So, I pulled some flimsy excuse and broke up with him: 「My family’s loaded, yours isn’t. Our worlds just don’t mesh, Julian. We’re totally incompatible.」 I blocked him on everything right after, then bought a plane ticket and traveled for three months. I had the absolute time of my life, completely forgetting about him. But when I came back three months later, I found out Julian had completely transformed. He wasn’t just some struggling student anymore; he was the Sterling family’s most favored heir. My jaw dropped. I was completely speechless. The entire social scene practically exploded with laughter. Everyone was just dying to see me become the biggest joke in town. At the gala, Julian stood there, gripping a champagne flute, his face utterly cold as he stalked towards me. My legs practically gave out. I stumbled back against the wall, reaching out and clutching the edge of his designer jacket. I practically shrieked: 「I’m pregnant, Julian! And it’s yours! 「You can’t hurt me… not physically, not even with your words! 「*Sniffle*, Julian, I’m pregnant, and you’re still ignoring me?! You total jerk!」 After relentlessly chasing and finally getting the brilliant but struggling Julian, I got bored. So, I pulled some flimsy excuse and broke up with him: 「My family’s loaded, yours isn’t. Our worlds just don’t mesh, Julian. We’re totally incompatible.」 I blocked him on everything right after, then bought a plane ticket and traveled for three months. I had the absolute time of my life, completely forgetting about him. But when I came back three months later, I found out Julian had completely transformed. He wasn’t just some struggling student anymore; he was the Sterling family’s most favored heir. My jaw dropped. I was completely speechless. The entire social scene practically exploded with laughter. Everyone was just dying to see me become the biggest joke in town. At the gala, Julian stood there, gripping a champagne flute, his face utterly cold as he stalked towards me. My legs practically gave out. I stumbled back against the wall, reaching out and clutching the edge of his designer jacket. I practically shrieked: 「I’m pregnant, Julian! And it’s yours! 「You can’t hurt me… not physically, not even with your words! 「*Sniffle*, Julian, I’m pregnant, and you’re still ignoring me?! You total jerk!」 Even at the airport, when my brother, Leo, picked me up, he gave me a look that was way too meaningful, practically saying I had some serious guts. Later, at the party, Bianca sidled up to me, her face practically glowing with malicious glee as she spilled the beans. That “poor genius” I dumped three months ago, using his lack of money as an excuse, was actually Julian Hayes, the incredibly low-key heir to the Hayes empire. “You’re so screwed.” Bianca laughed, a wild, triumphant sound. “He was just playing it low-key, and you actually believed he was *poor* enough to break up with him? He’s absolutely seething, swearing he’ll tear you to shreds the moment he lays eyes on you.” I shivered. My fear skyrocketed the moment Julian practically shoved me into his car. I huddled against the door, watching in horror as he started pulling off his jacket and loosening his tie— “What are you doing?!” I forced a shaky bravado. “It was just a breakup, Julian! Adults break up and move on all the time. Why are you being such a drama queen?” “Breakup?” He actually chuckled, a humorless sound, clearly furious. “Is that what you call a breakup, Ava? You sent a breakup text, blocked me, and then jetted off on a trip overseas. If your dad and Leo hadn’t guaranteed you’d eventually come back, I would’ve assumed you just vanished.” He stopped undressing. He slid into the driver’s seat, pulled me into his lap, and his voice was a low rumble. “Explain.” “Explain what?” “Why did you break up with me for no reason?” Why else? Because I was sick of him. I chased him for three long years, from freshman year until graduation. And even then, it took a fourth year for him to finally give in – out of pity, not love. Being with him? That was the real nightmare. I was pretty, came from a good family, and my parents had spoiled me rotten my whole life. I lived on my own terms. But he *insisted* on setting rules for me. Eating snacks in bed? Absolutely not. Skipping breakfast? Not allowed. Staying up late gaming? Still a hard no. The endless, petty rules gave me a splitting headache. I’d try to argue, boiling with anger, only for him to give me the silent treatment. I’d sob hysterically, practically screaming, while he just sat there, calmly reviewing his files. After my voice went hoarse from crying, he’d finally look up and ask: “Are you done throwing a fit? “If you are, go eat. I have to work this afternoon.” That feeling of just hitting a wall, of having your anger just absorbed into nothing? It was beyond frustrating. As much as I’d liked him when I was chasing him, that’s how much I hated his controlling ways now. I was completely over it! My dad always told me that a pampered, high-maintenance girl like me needed a soft-spoken guy who would just indulge me my whole life. I never really bought it before. Now? Now I think Dad was absolutely right. I’m pampered, I’m willful, I’m dramatic, I’m a total diva. If Julian couldn’t handle indulging me, then I’d just find a boyfriend who could. But there’s no way in hell I could have guessed that Julian was *the* mysterious heir to the Preston family. If I’d known Julian was the Thorne family’s beloved heir, the one who had everything handed to him on a silver platter, I never would’ve broken up with him. Even though I don’t get involved in my family’s business, I still understand how many doors would’ve opened just by being connected to a family like the Thornes. But he never told me. He lied to me for four years. Thinking about it, a fresh wave of anger surged through me. I peeled myself off Julian, frowning as I looked at him. “Didn’t you lie to me for four years too? What right do you have to blame me for breaking up with you?” He probably realized he was in the wrong because he fell silent for a moment before saying, “Okay, then we’re even. No more keeping score. Let’s just pretend none of this ever happened.” He reached out, trying to pull me into an embrace again, his voice softening. “Chloe, let’s go home. I made your favorite—” *Snap!* I yanked my hand away from his. “Get this straight, I’m not throwing a tantrum. I’m genuinely breaking up with you. You lying to me means you betrayed me. Just because I’m not holding it against you doesn’t mean I’m going to stick around.” I took a deep breath, steeling myself against his rapidly darkening expression, and finally, the words came out. “Julian, I don’t love you anymore. Can we just end this respectfully, for both our sakes?” The underground parking garage was dimly lit. Liam glared at me, his brows furrowed with impatience as he warned, “Chloe, you’ve gone way too far this time. “Apologize to me now, and I’ll pretend I didn’t hear any of it. Otherwise, you won’t be getting out of bed tomorrow.” I shook my head without a moment’s hesitation. “I’m serious about breaking up with you. I’m not being childish, and I’m not throwing a tantrum. “Liam, I don’t like you anymore. Not at all. I genuinely dislike you. You annoy me just by existing. Do you understand?” I repeated “I don’t like you” several times. Liam’s face grew darker with each word. He swung his long arm, hauling me into his embrace, then leaned down, gripping my chin to kiss me. “Liam—” “Do you remember what I said when we first got together?” His voice was deep. Confused by the kiss, I fumbled through my remaining thoughts, finally digging out that memory from deep inside my mind— “My family is incredibly devoted. Once we commit to someone, it’s forever. “Chloe, once you’re with me, it’s for life. Are you absolutely sure about this?” Back then, I’d answered “Of course” without a second thought. …Weren’t those just empty promises couples whispered to each other? He wanted to hear them, and I could spout vows easily enough. But in real life, what good were they? “I never speak nonsense.” Liam nuzzled my cheek with his nose. “For me, dating and marriage are no different. It means I’ve already committed to one person. “There’s no divorce in my world, no breaking up. The only way we’d ever part is if one of us dies. Chloe, just *try* me one more time? Tyrant! I glared at Julian, seething, my hand itching to pinch the flesh on his arm. He just lay there, letting me, his other hand gently stroking my head. Suddenly, he spoke: “Your dad’s been trying to get a deal with the Maxwell Group lately. Did you know?” I shook my head. He continued, “Your family isn’t exactly a frontrunner for that project. It’ll be a tough fight to secure it. “I can help you, but you need to be cooperative. “Don’t bring up breaking up again, Jady. One more word about it, and I won’t be so understanding. Understood?” “…You!” I couldn’t believe it. “Are you actually using my family’s company to threaten me? “Are you even human, Julian? You’re a monster!” “You don’t have to pretend to be eloquent, Jady. No one’s forcing you to sound smart.” Julian sighed, pressing the space between his brows. “Jady, I just want you to play nice. “When you’re not behaving, my mind isn’t on my work.” “I told you I want to break—” “Enough, Jady. Push me any further, and I’ll actually get angry.” He lifted a hand, capturing my fingertips, gently caressing them. His voice dropped, low and dangerous: “Jady, you really don’t want to see me angry, do you?” I clamped my mouth shut instantly. When Caleb got mad, it wasn’t just ‘upset.’ It was downright *terrifying*. And I mean that literally. The last time he truly blew a fuse was when I pushed my body to the limit, pulling an all-nighter gaming. I ended up with a scorching fever that spiraled into pneumonia. Caleb nursed me back to health, but his face was a mask of cold fury the whole time. As soon as I was back on my feet, he practically dragged me to the track field and forced me to run five thousand meters. He ran right alongside me. I ended up collapsing, sobbing on the track, cursing him, calling him a lunatic. “Who are you to boss me around?!” I cried out. “You’re absolutely insane, damn it! Waaah, my legs are killing me…” “Good,” he said, nodding. “Still swearing, I see.” Caleb nodded slowly. “Great. Another five thousand meters. You don’t sleep until you’re done.” Seeing him stand up, dust off his tracksuit, and then move to haul me back on my feet to keep running, my head spun. I instantly latched onto his leg, bursting into tears. “Honey, I’m so sorry! I won’t do it again! No more late nights, no more gaming! I messed up, waaah, my legs really hurt so bad…”

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At my high school graduation party, my friend asked me about my ideal boyfriend. I stared at the guy with the bright red hair, so vibrant and bold, and deliberately said the opposite of what I felt. “I actually prefer guys with dark hair, glasses, the quiet and thoughtful type. And if he’s a doctor? Even better.” Ten years later, holding my best friend’s ultrasound report, I bumped into a guy in a white coat at the hospital. He adjusted his glasses, quickly scanned my ultrasound report, and his voice trembled slightly, “You’re pregnant?” “Huh?” I mumbled a response, hurriedly picking up the medical chart from the floor. I just assumed he was a kind doctor passing by. The next second, the kind doctor helped me up. “Did no one come with you?” I couldn’t help but look up at him. His face was covered by a mask, and dark, messy hair hid half his eyes, so I couldn’t make out his expression. I could vaguely see a few lingering ear piercings. This doctor was quite stylish. “Oh, my best friend is right over there.” I pointed behind him, then quickly walked past him. Ava was already stretching her neck, waiting. Her husband had died in a car accident a month ago, leaving behind only her and their baby, less than three months along. Ava wanted to keep the baby, but her emotions had been unstable. The doctor suggested regular check-ups at the hospital. “Got the report. Let’s go find the doctor.” I took her hand. But Ava didn’t move. A rare smile appeared on her face. “That doctor seems pretty handsome. He was staring at you.” Even at a time like this, she still had time for my gossip! I followed her gaze; the doctor was still standing there. I looked up, and our eyes met. The light from outside poured in, giving his white coat a halo. For some reason, he looked familiar.

By the time Ava and I returned from her appointment, the kind doctor was gone. She noticed I was a little distracted and teased, asking if I wanted to find someone to ask for his contact info. “Don’t let my baby be born before you’ve even dated anyone.” “Being single is fine too.” I fastened my seatbelt, ready to start the car. Ava leaned back in her seat, so tired her eyelids were fighting to stay open. “I always thought you and Liam would end up together.” “You said you liked smart guys, and in senior year, he stopped hanging out with his rowdy friends, stopped getting into fights, and spent all his time in the teacher’s office.” “You said you wanted to go to Pacific State University. When I collected the application forms, I saw Liam’s target school was Pacific State University. Back then, everyone thought he just filled it in randomly, no one took it seriously.” “Do you remember the high school graduation party?” Of course, I remembered, but all those faces had blurred, except Liam’s, which only grew clearer. “Yeah, I remember. Didn’t Liam have bright red hair back then, super flashy? And he had new piercings, totally decked out.” I commented, “He was pretty hot, though.” Ava was quiet for a moment, then said, “He actually planned to confess to you that day.” This time, it was my turn to be surprised. The car slowly stopped by the roadside, and I turned to look at Ava. “What did you say?” Ava was asleep.

These few short sentences practically had me pulling my hair out. What did “he actually planned to confess to me” even mean? Ava was finally getting some good sleep, and I didn’t want to disturb her, so I dug out that long-forgotten SnapChat account. The high school group chat was still there, but no one had posted in years. There were scammers, though, sending messages back and forth, selling diet teas. I found my old deskmate from high school and, without much hope, sent her an emoji greeting. To my surprise, she replied instantly. 【OMG, did you finally remember your password?】 After chatting for a bit, I hadn’t even mentioned his name, but my deskmate asked first. 【How are things with you and Liam?】 【That guy is so stubborn. Every time I mentioned your name, he wouldn’t say a word.】 I hadn’t heard that name in ages, yet today I’d heard it several times. 【Why does everyone think Liam and I would be together?】 I chuckled, typing into the chat box, 【Liam and I haven’t seen each other in ten years.】 Before I could send that message, my deskmate brought up that high school graduation party. 【Back then, Liam told everyone in our class, even our old homeroom teacher knew he was going to confess to you. We all kept it a secret for him.】 【We were all so nervous. I even specifically asked you what your ideal type was.】 I remembered, that really did happen. When my deskmate asked about my ideal type, all our classmates went quiet, turning their attention to us. It was a somewhat private question. My face started to flush slightly. My ideal type, with his bright red hair, was actually standing not far away. When you’re young, it’s hard not to be drawn to a guy as bold and dazzling as Liam. But I opened my mouth and said something against my heart. I said, “I just like guys with dark, neat hair, wearing rimless glasses, the quiet and thoughtful type. And if he’s a doctor, that would be even better.” This was completely opposite to Liam, who wanted to be a race car driver. The whole class went silent. My deskmate’s messages continued, 【He didn’t confess to you that day, probably because he realized he was completely different from your ideal type.】 【But, he’s Liam! I thought no matter how hard it was, he wouldn’t give up. I even thought you two would have been together by now.】

I stared blankly at the text. An unexplainable emotion welled up inside me. Ava didn’t sleep for long before waking up. I took her upstairs, reminding her to listen to the doctor and rest well. I told her I’d visit whenever I had time. “Wait!” She rummaged through her bag. “I think I left something at the hospital.” Ava’s missing item was a lipstick. Sometimes she’d put it on to look less pale, so her parents wouldn’t worry so much. I glanced at my phone; I had some free time. “I’ll go get it for you.” I thought since only half an hour had passed, the lipstick would still be there. I retraced my steps twice but still couldn’t find it, so I had to ask for help at the lost and found. “Lipstick?” “Yes.” “Let me check.” “The system shows Dr. Chen found a lipstick this morning.” Seeing that it was almost hospital lunch break, I asked for Dr. Chen’s office and hurried over. I knocked twice on the door. “Come in.” Dr. Chen was facing away from me, tidying his desk. His dark, messy hair swayed slightly. His back looked incredibly familiar. It was the same person I accidentally bumped into this morning. What a small world. I sighed to myself, then my sharp eyes spotted Ava’s missing lipstick. “Dr. Chen, thank you for keeping my lipstick safe.” I greeted him. Dr. Chen turned around. This time, he wasn’t wearing a mask. Rimless glasses sat on his high nose bridge, and his eyes were deep. That striking face was right in front of me. It felt like something just tugged at my heart. Liam. My gaze fell on the name tag hanging on his chest. It really was him. The world truly was that small.

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On my wedding day, just because my fiancé insisted on wearing an old, broken watch with the million-dollar designer gown I’d bought him, I called off the wedding right then and there. Julian looked at me in utter disbelief, “Just because of a watch?” I pulled out the divorce papers, urging him to sign quickly. “Yes, exactly because of a watch.” Everyone called me crazy, saying I’d torn apart ten years of love over a stupid watch, right at the altar. My dad stepped forward and slapped me hard. “You ungrateful brat, get on your knees!” Mrs. Hayes cried, screaming that I had dumped her son right at the altar, ruining the rest of his life. I looked at the watch on his wrist, pointing at 3:07, and smiled. I dialed my assistant Sarah’s number directly. “Those things? You can release them now.” “I want a divorce.” “Take off the watch.” The moment we were about to exchange rings, I gripped Julian’s hand, my gaze fixed on his wrist. It was an old, silver wristwatch, its face yellowed, the hands forever stuck at 3:07. The happy smile on Julian’s face froze. He instinctively tried to pull his hand back. “Stella, don’t mess around. Everyone’s watching.” I didn’t move. I just repeated myself, my voice not loud, but clear enough to echo through the entire chapel. “Take off the watch.” His face completely changed. A flicker of panic and sharp anger, something I’d never seen before, crossed his eyes. “What do you mean? You know what this watch means to me!” “I know.” I released his hand and pulled a pre-prepared document from my clutch. “Because I know, that’s why we’re getting a divorce.” Julian stared at me in disbelief, then at the document with “Divorce Agreement” on the cover. His body started to tremble. “Stella, say that again?” “I said, divorce.” I flipped open the page I’d already signed and pushed it towards him. “Because of this watch.” The entire crowd gasped. “Is she insane? The Sterling heiress wants a divorce because of a broken watch? What kind of joke is this?” “Is it an act? Just to add some drama to the wedding?” “Feel bad for Julian, marrying such a psycho. What humiliation on his big day.” The whispers were like a thousand needles, piercing Julian’s pride. Tears instantly welled up in his eyes, his rims red, his lips trembling, but he couldn’t utter a single word. His mother, my soon-to-be mother-in-law, was the first to rush forward, clutching my dress collar tightly. “Stella! You bitch! For a watch, you humiliate him like this in front of all these guests?” “That’s just a keepsake from his deceased friend. Are you so jealous you’re even competing with a dead person? You’re nothing like a woman.” She swung her fist, hitting my chest. I ignored her, my gaze fixed on Julian. Ten years, from high school sweethearts to walking down the aisle, I thought we were each other’s forever. But until this moment, seeing the way he protected that watch, I finally understood: I wasn’t even his starting point. “Why?” He finally burst into tears, clutching the agreement tightly. “Just because of a watch? What about our ten years together?” “Yes,” I nodded, my voice calm, almost chillingly so. “Exactly because of a watch.” I urged him, “Sign it. Let’s not make this any uglier than it needs to be.” Those words completely shattered him. Julian’s whole body trembled. He snatched the divorce agreement, tearing it into tiny pieces with furious hands. “Stella, I won’t agree!” His bloodshot eyes glared at me, like a cornered beast. “You want a divorce? Over my dead body!” I looked at his hysterical face and smiled. Turning away, I pulled out my phone and dialed my secretary. “Sarah,” my voice was soft, but laced with an icy satisfaction. “Those things? You can release them now.” “I’m ready for a divorce.”

My dad was the first to storm onto the stage. Having built his empire from the ground up, he was now shaking with rage, and slapped me hard across the face. “You ungrateful brat! Get down on your knees! If you can’t give me a good explanation today, I swear I’ll skin you alive!” A searing pain erupted on my cheek. My head snapped to the side, and I tasted a hint of blood. My mom followed quickly, grabbing me, tears streaming down her face. “Stella, tell me, what is going on? You and Julian grew up together, we saw your love, it can’t possibly be about a watch, can it?” “Exactly,” my dad pointed a finger at me, roaring, “Have you forgotten who used to follow you around with water, who stayed by your side for three days and three nights when you were sick? It was this boy right here! How can you treat him like this today? How can you be so heartless?” Julian sobbed, crying almost to the point of collapse in front of countless guests. “Stella, you hate this watch, don’t you? I’ll take it off, I’ll just take it off, please don’t leave me…” He cried as he tried to unfasten the watch strap, his movements clumsy and slow, as if every fiber of his being was resisting. “Don’t bother taking it off. It’s too late.” I said coldly. Those words hit him harder than any slap. Julian’s movements froze. He looked at me in disbelief. My dad’s blood pressure surged with anger. He kicked the back of my knee, forcing me to my knees in front of Julian. “Apologize! You rebellious daughter. You will get married today, whether you like it or not!” I stiffened my back, my chin held high, refusing to speak. The guests below had transitioned from shock to outrage. “Stella is truly an animal! The poor guy is willing to compromise, and she’s still so cold and heartless?” “The Hayes family must have the worst luck imaginable to end up with someone like her.” “Bitch! A total bitch!” Seeing that brute force wasn’t working, my dad softened his tone. “Honey, Dad knows you’re not unreasonable. There must be another reason. Tell us, and we’ll solve it together. Don’t break Julian’s heart.” All eyes were on me, waiting for my explanation. But I just smiled, looking up at Julian’s forlorn, tear-streaked face, and said, word by word. “I don’t want to marry you anymore. I’m bored. Is that not allowed?” Those words were like pouring cold water into boiling oil; the entire room exploded with chatter. Julian knelt before me, his body limp like a ragdoll, the light in his eyes completely extinguished. “Stella, you can stop loving me, but you can’t insult me like this.” His voice was barely a whisper, filled with despair. “Are our ten years of love really worth nothing to you?” “You’re a heartless bastard!” My mom’s gaze, too, shifted from heartbreak to utter disappointment. My dad clenched his fists, veins bulging, looking as if he wanted to strangle me the next second. But I didn’t look at them anymore. I slowly stood up, brushing the dust from my knees. Then, in front of everyone, I glanced disdainfully at Julian and uttered my final words. “Then, I’ll see you in court.”

The wedding became a colossal farce. My dad immediately announced his support for Julian, declaring that if I didn’t back down, he’d disown me. The next day, headlines like “Sterling Heiress Calls Off Wedding Over Watch, Ten Years of Love in Vain” and “Heartless Sterling Daughter Crushes Devoted Man” exploded across all social media platforms, topping trending lists. Someone had filmed the wedding scene, and my cold, contemptuous, insulting face towards Julian was turned into countless memes, going viral across the internet. I became the notorious “bitch of the century.” “Who does she think she is? Ruining an engagement over a broken watch? Typical entitled brat!” “Julian is so pathetic. Ten years of his youth wasted, and then publicly humiliated like that.” “I heard that watch was a keepsake from Julian’s deceased friend. Stella is so insecure she’s jealous of the dead! Is she even a woman anymore?!” My company address and private residence were doxxed by the all-powerful netizens. My front door was splattered with paint and eggs daily. Sterling Group’s stock plummeted by billions overnight. My dad swiftly held a press conference, reiterating that he had disowned me, and that all of Stella’s actions were her own and had nothing to do with the Sterling family. Relatives and friends who once fawned over me quickly blocked and deleted my contact info, afraid of any association. I became public enemy number one. Yet, here I was, lounging leisurely in a top-floor hotel suite, watching Julian’s exclusive interview on TV. He wore a plain white shirt, his face pale, eyes swollen like peaches—the perfect image of a deeply wronged yet resilient man. “Please, everyone, stop attacking Stella,” he choked, looking into the camera. “I believe she was just confused for a moment. Our ten years of love weren’t fake; there must be some misunderstanding.” “She was just… too concerned about me, which is why she was so sensitive about that watch.” “I’ll wait for her to come to her senses. We won’t get a divorce. We’re going to be together forever.” His words were perfectly crafted, not only portraying himself as a loving, forgiving gentleman but also nailing me to the pillar of shame as someone “jealous and overreacting out of love.” Reporters applauded his magnanimity, and the comment sections were flooded with overwhelming praise. I watched his flawless face on the screen and chuckled. Then, I dialed his number. The call was answered quickly. The reporters on-site, realizing it was me, the protagonist, immediately aimed their microphones at the speaker. “Stella?” Julian’s voice was full of surprise and anticipation. “You finally called me! Have you thought things through? I don’t blame you for the wedding. We can start over…” “Don’t get ahead of yourself.” I cut off his self-indulgent performance with a light laugh. “Just a reminder: tomorrow morning at nine, court. Don’t be late.” As my words dropped, I could clearly hear a sharp gasp from his end of the line. The entire press conference erupted into chaos. Immediately after, even more furious condemnations rained down on me. “Scumbag! Animal! Even after Julian’s words, she’s still so cold-blooded!” Julian’s sobs came through the receiver, broken and heartbreaking. “Stella… do we really… have to go this far?” I chuckled, then responded, my voice not loud but clear enough for everyone to hear, firm and resolute. “Of course.” “Not only are we getting divorced, but I, Stella, will reclaim every single piece of property, every share, every fund I ever gifted you. Not a single cent will remain.” “From now on, we go our separate ways, for good.”

The next day, I appeared at the courthouse entrance. Reporters swarmed like sharks smelling blood, surrounding me, making it impossible to move. “Ms. Sterling, are you truly divorcing Mr. Hayes, your love of ten years, just because of a watch?” “There are rumors you already have a new lover, and the watch is just an excuse for divorce. Is that true?” “How can you publicly humiliate Mr. Hayes like this? Doesn’t your conscience bother you?” Countless microphones practically jabbed at my face. Expressionless, I walked straight into the courtroom, security guards clearing a path for me. Julian was already there. He wore all black today, his face gaunt, tear tracks clearly visible at the corners of his eyes. Seeing me, he hoarsely called out, “Stella…” I ignored him, walking directly to the plaintiff’s seat. The trial began, and I stated my simple request: “I, Stella Sterling, request the dissolution of my marriage with the defendant, Julian Hayes.” The judge asked, “Reason?” Before I could answer, Julian broke down. He slammed his hand on the table, crying out: “I refuse to divorce! Stella, tell me why! We loved each other so much! Is it really just because I didn’t take off that watch? It’s a keepsake from my best friend! If something happened to you, I would cherish your memory with my life! Why can’t you understand?” His passionate words and insistence moved many in the gallery to wipe away tears. But I simply smiled faintly, meeting everyone’s gaze, and calmly said: “Yes, it’s because of that watch. No other reason.” He froze, as if he hadn’t expected me to be so blunt. “Really… just because of that?” “What kind of reason is that? It’s absurd!” Mrs. Hayes shrieked from the gallery. “Because of a broken watch, you’ve ruined my son’s life! You monster!” My dad sat on the other side, clutching his chest in anger, pointing at me, his lips trembling. “You rebellious daughter! You’ve disgraced our family!” The gallery erupted completely. “She’s crazy! Stella is absolutely insane! To ruin her engagement just because she’s jealous of a watch – she’s clearly sick!” “Julian must have been blind to his true nature, how could he fall for someone like this?!” “Bitch! A menace to society!” Several emotional netizens even threw eggs and rotten vegetables at me. Sticky egg yolk ran down my hair, blinding my eyes. I was a mess. The judge pounded his gavel, frowning slightly. “Order! Plaintiff, your reason for divorce is too tenuous; it does not constitute a legal ground for divorce. Do you have any other evidence?” I glanced down at my phone; the screen was still dark. The time hadn’t come yet. I could only shake my head. “No.” “In that case,” the judge picked up his gavel, ready to pronounce sentence, “Due to insufficient evidence from the plaintiff, this court rules to deny the plaintiff’s petition for divorce from the defendant…” “Wait!” Just a second before the gavel struck, my phone screen finally lit up. A massive weight lifted from my shoulders. I held up my phone, facing the judge and the entire court, a chilling smile on my face. “Your Honor, I just received my evidence. May I request to play it?” The next second, the courtroom’s large screen lit up. The projected image drained all color from Julian’s face. He froze in place. It wasn’t until a familiar name and a familiar face appeared on the screen that he finally realized what it was. He let out a desperate, piercing scream, rushing towards the screen regardless of everything. “No! Turn it off! Turn it off now!”

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “304011”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #现实主义Realistic #浪漫Romance #重生Reborn #校园School

I’d loved Julian Vance for ten years. I’d pulled every trick in the book, even driving away the woman he truly loved, just to marry him. Six years into our marriage, Julian had slept with pretty much every woman who crossed his path. But no matter how much he hurt me, I never thought of leaving. Not until I was huge with child, and walked in on him bringing a woman home, making love right there in our bed. I broke down, demanding answers. He just looked at me, a mocking smirk on his face. “Clara, don’t forget what you promised when we got married. You said you wouldn’t interfere with my private life, as long as you got to marry me. If you feel like you’re losing out, go find another man yourself.” He casually glanced at my swollen belly, his voice dripping with venom. “Just remember to use protection. Don’t go dirtying the Vance family’s child in your womb.” My emotions completely shattered. I lunged at him, but he coldly pushed me away. I tumbled down the stairs, losing both myself and my baby. When I opened my eyes again, I was back on the day I caught him bringing that woman home. This time, I decided to let go of my decade-long obsession. I’d set Julian free, and finally, myself.

I’d just found out I was having a daughter. Excitedly, I rushed home with a huge bag full of pink baby items from the store, wanting to surprise Julian. And it certainly was a huge “surprise.” There was a faint, lingering scent of perfume in the house, not overpowering, but undeniably intimate. It meant another woman was here. My sense of smell was super sensitive because of the pregnancy, and perfume made me sick. I climbed the stairs, step by painful step, noticing clothes scattered along the way. Men’s ties and dress pants, women’s lingerie and a slip dress. They were entangled intimately, leading all the way to our master bedroom, the door slightly ajar. Listening to the sickening sounds coming from inside, my heart clenched in agony. I took a deep breath, my fingernails digging into my palms. Looking down, I saw the shopping bags I’d just bought had slipped from my grasp, scattered at my feet. They lay mixed with the clothes on the floor, a scene of utter devastation. The sight before me made me fully realize that I had been reborn. In my last life, I impulsively burst through that door, fought with those two disgusting people, and ultimately died, filled with bitter resentment, taking my unborn child with me. This time, I just slowly made my way downstairs, steadying myself against the wall. I sat quietly on the sofa and waited. I don’t know how long passed until Julian finally appeared, wrapped in a bathrobe, the lingering scent of their passion clinging to him. It made my stomach churn. He watched me, expressionless, as I kept gagging. “Do you have a guest over?” I wiped the corner of my mouth, my voice surprisingly calm, without a single tremor. Julian nodded nonchalantly, calmly walking towards me, step by step. I stood up, holding my belly, and took a step back, continuing, “And this guest is currently in our room?” Julian froze for a moment, probably surprised that this time, catching him red-handed, I wasn’t having a meltdown like the countless times before. But he still nodded, and just as he was about to speak, a woman descended the stairs barefoot, casually draped in my silk nightgown. I recognized her instantly: Serena Beaumont, the lead actress from the hit show I was just watching last night. She looped her arm through Julian’s, her eyes gleaming seductively. “Mr. Vance, who is this…?” As she spoke, she deliberately flaunted the visible marks of their passion on her chest. Julian reached out, wrapping an arm around Serena, and provocatively squeezed her soft curves, making the actress gasp playfully in his embrace. “Oh, she’s my wife…” Serena covered her mouth, her almond eyes wide with feigned surprise, her voice trembling dramatically. “Oh? You’re so naughty, why didn’t you tell me your wife was coming back…?” Julian kissed her neck, a lecherous grin on his face. “What’s there to be scared of? Isn’t this more exciting? Besides—” He looked at me with a sneer. “Mrs. Vance, didn’t we agree long ago that this marriage was a mutual arrangement, and we wouldn’t interfere with each other’s lives?” “These six years, you haven’t exactly lost out. I’ve been more than generous to your family.” He wasn’t wrong. If not for the two hundred million he gave us when we got engaged, my family’s business would have collapsed long ago. I closed my eyes, took a deep breath, and slowly nodded. “I understand. I’m sorry, I seem to have interrupted you.” I opened the door and walked out, step by painful step. It was as if he sensed that I was walking out of his life forever. “Wait!” Julian called out, his voice shaking. I didn’t turn back. I didn’t say goodbye. Julian, I won’t wait for you anymore.

I trudged for what felt like ages with my heavy belly until I finally made it out of the gated community and flagged down a taxi. Opening the car door, I turned for one last look. This ending, perhaps, was the best for me. At least I wouldn’t end up like in my last life, throwing my life away to fight for a man who never loved me. I couldn’t go back to my parents’ house, so I headed to my small apartment, the one I owned before marriage. I threw all the bed sheets and duvet covers into the washing machine, then thoroughly cleaned the tables and floors, not missing a single corner or crevice. Finally, when everything was done, I realized it was already the middle of the night. A dull, cramping pain spread through my belly. I curled up in bed, hugging a pillow, and suddenly felt so utterly exhausted. My face felt strangely cool and damp. I reached up and realized it was wet with tears. All tears. Ten years of agonizing love, ending so abruptly. My heart ached. I wrestled with the decision of whether to keep the baby, lying awake through the night. But Julian? He was fully immersed in Serena Beaumont’s embrace, completely forgetting himself. The popular actress had been subtly flaunting their happiness on social media recently – candlelit dinners, expensive jewelry, designer bags… The backdrop of the photos and videos was all too familiar: my own marital home. One photo even showed the tall, handsome figure of a man cooking dinner, reflected in the glass window. That picture had sent her fans into a frenzy of delight. And it had left me in a daze for a long, long time. The man who once wouldn’t even pour me a glass of water when I had a high fever was now willing to cook a meal for another woman. A week later, on Monday, the day of the Vance Group board meeting. I used the opportunity to return to the villa. I quickly packed my bags, grabbed my documents, and headed downstairs. But I ran straight into Julian, who had rushed back. Seeing the things in my hands, he suddenly sneered, snatched my luggage, and threw it away. I frowned, looking at him. “What are you doing?” “Clara, I should be asking you that! Are you seriously pulling the ‘running away from home’ card now? What’s next? Are you going to throw a fit and threaten suicide like old times?” Julian’s brows were tightly furrowed, his face filled with disgust as he reprimanded me. “Why would I kill myself?” I scoffed, clutching the stair banister tightly. My past self was indeed foolish, resorting to threatening my life repeatedly to win him back. But after experiencing that last life, I understood that living was the most important thing. I never wanted to experience that kind of desperate, life-or-death feeling again. Besides, a man so heartless and devoid of loyalty like Julian was simply not worth my lingering affection. Julian sneered, his eyes filled with disdain. “What new trick is this? I’m busy. I don’t have time for your games.” “Your little stunts, they might work once or twice, but too many times and it’s just the ‘boy who cried wolf’ story.” I looked directly at Julian, explaining calmly, “You’re overthinking it. I’m here to pack my things and move out.” “Julian, let’s get a divorce.” Julian was uncharacteristically stunned, then looked at me with even greater impatience. “Divorce? You’re carrying my child, and you’re bringing up divorce now?” I didn’t answer him. I carefully walked downstairs, took out the pre-prepared divorce papers from my bag, and handed them to him. “Yes, I want a divorce.” “I don’t want anything from the Vance family. I just want to separate from you.” Julian and I had been married for six years, but apart from the upkeep of this villa, he hadn’t spent any money on me. To outsiders, I was the glamorous Mrs. Vance, but only I knew that every penny I spent came from my part-time novel writing. Since I hadn’t spent Julian’s money, I had no desire for any financial ties with him now that we were divorcing. Julian quickly scanned the document, his expression unchanged, and set it aside. A scoff escaped his throat, the sound like an ice shard piercing my heart. “Leaving with nothing? Clara, you’re thirty. Are you still this naive?” He casually tossed the divorce papers onto the coffee table, then suddenly rose and advanced on me, his shadow completely enveloping me. “Without the Vance family backing you, do you really think your father and brother have what it takes to survive in the business world?” “After a divorce, what will your family rely on to maintain your current lavish lifestyle?” I leaned back, avoiding his closeness, the swirling emotions beneath my eyelashes freezing into a cold frost. I stubbornly pressed my lips together. “Julian, even if you use my family as leverage, you can’t keep me trapped anymore.” As if stunned by the resolve in my eyes, Julian retreated, his features growing even colder. “Why?” He paused, then conceded, “Is it because I brought someone home and made you uncomfortable? I’m sorry, I was wrong this time. I promise I won’t let them appear in front of you again.” My nails dug into my palms. For the first time, I smiled openly and freely. “No need, Julian.” “For six years, I’ve had enough of your emotional torment and abuse. I’ve had enough of waiting day after day for a man whose heart was never truly with me.” I suddenly yanked off the only piece of jewelry he’d ever given me – a simple string of beads. The round beads clattered onto the carpet. “Even if it means my whole family has to bus tables and sweep streets, I will never be your puppet again.”

Julian, unable to suppress his rage, slammed the door and left. I thought a man of his pride would contact me within a few days to finalize the paperwork and kick me out. Instead, the first call I received was from my mother. She sounded delighted on the phone: “Clara, your husband just sent me a whole new season of designer clothes and bags! He bought your brother a new sports car, and even let your father develop that land in South City!” “Your father is beaming, saying you’re such a thoughtful daughter, knowing how to keep the Vance family’s golden goose happy.” “Clara, you truly are amazing. When I go out with the other wealthy ladies now, everyone compliments me on my good fortune, having such a wonderful daughter marry into the Vance family.” A wave of sorrow washed over me. It seemed my value as a “good daughter” was merely to marry into wealth and appease my unloving husband for my family’s benefit. Suppressing my anger, I told my mother, “Don’t accept anything from Julian Vance anymore. We’re getting a divorce.” I couldn’t hide the hurt as I explained that Julian didn’t love me, that he had always resented me for driving away his first love, and had been retaliating with a constant parade of women for years. But my mother was unconcerned. “Don’t throw a tantrum. Julian is a man of his stature and power; it’s perfectly normal for men like him to have a few women around.” “Be more understanding! Keeping your position as Mrs. Vance is what matters most!” “Besides, you’re pregnant now. If it’s a boy, who could possibly shake your position in the Vance family? If it’s a girl, then just try harder, get pregnant again soon.” My mother’s words reduced me to tears. I sobbed, asking her, “Mom, for the sake of the Hayes family’s prosperity, you forced me to marry Julian. Now you want me to use my child as a patch for this marriage?” “But Mom, I loved Julian for ten years! I truly can’t accept him constantly having other women!” Hanging up the phone, I went straight to Julian’s company. Seeing me, he showed no surprise. He leaned back in his leather office chair, casually twirling a pen, his dark tie making his features appear noble yet even colder. “Come to apologize?” “This time, seeing as you’re pregnant, I’ll forgive you. Don’t mention divorce again, just go home and be my dutiful Mrs. Vance.” He pulled out a card and slid it across the desk. “There’s five million in here, for your troubles.” I didn’t take the card, just looked at him calmly. “Julian Vance, you don’t love me, you even despise me. Isn’t it better if I just give up the position of Mrs. Vance now?” Julian snapped, “You don’t need to compete with those other women. I can tell you very clearly: after breaking up with Chloe, I won’t ever fall in love with anyone else, and no one can shake your position.” “You should understand that maintaining the status quo is the best outcome for both of us. You shouldn’t hope for love from me.” He paused, then added, “If you have any other demands, feel free to make them.” His pathetic act disgusted me. On one hand, he played the heartbroken romantic who couldn’t forget his first love, while on the other, he was constantly entangled with different women. Like a terrible actor, he’d kept up this charade of deep affection for so many years. I looked at Julian with cold detachment, stating calmly, “No need, Julian. I just want a divorce.” “That’s my only demand.” The air in the entire office froze. Julian’s obsidian-like eyes churned with a chilling, oppressive force. After a long moment, he picked up the divorce papers and quickly signed them. “Fine. As you wish. We’re getting a divorce.” A wave of relief washed over me. I carefully put away the signed papers. I smiled at him, genuinely. “Julian, thank you.” Thank you for making me realize that a love so fervent can twist into a blade, stabbing you right in the heart.

After leaving Vance Industries, I went straight to the hospital where I’d had my prenatal check-ups to schedule an abortion. The doctor repeatedly asked me to confirm, emphasizing that the baby was already six months old and perfectly healthy, questioning if I was absolutely certain about the procedure. My heart felt as though it was being pierced by countless tiny needles. I clenched my fingers tightly, my knuckles white from the strain. How could I not want this child? But I absolutely refused to bring a child into the world only for them to be used as a bargaining chip. Better a quick, painful end than prolonged suffering. I signed the consent form for the surgery. The next morning. I arrived at the private hospital alone for the procedure. I bumped into Julian, carefully escorting Serena Beaumont, whose stomach was still flat. Seeing me, Julian’s expression faltered for a moment, then quickly became impassive. He said faintly, “After your check-up, hurry home. You’re so far along, don’t wander around too much.” With that, he shifted his gaze and began to walk away, protecting Serena. But Serena suddenly spoke in a coy voice, “Darling, I left my daily vitamins in the car. Could you please fetch them for me?” Julian, unsuspecting, intimately stroked her hair and then turned to leave. Serena chuckled softly, then approached me. “What a coincidence, you’re also here for a prenatal check-up?” The word “also” was cleverly placed. No wonder Julian had agreed to the divorce so readily – he was giving his mistress a legitimate title. But now, I truly didn’t care. I walked past Serena, not intending to speak with her. She blocked my path, continuing her taunt, “Based on all the baby things you prepared at home, you’re having a girl, aren’t you?” “I already went to Hong Kong for a blood test. It’s a boy.” “Oh, right. Julian said the nursery you decorated at home should be for our son. You don’t mind, do you?” “And all those little girl dresses you bought, they were taking up too much space. I found them an eyesore, so I burned them all yesterday. You probably don’t need them anymore anyway—” Her sweet, mocking smile stung my eyes. Before she could finish, my palm connected with a resounding slap across her carefully made-up face. Serena stumbled, grabbing the wall for support, but her fierce glare instantly filled with tears. The next second— “Are you insane?!” Julian tore my wrist from her with immense force. I staggered backward, my back slamming hard against the fire extinguisher on the wall. The metal edges dug into my spine, sending a jolt of pain through me. The intense pain made white lights explode in my vision. My knees buckled, and I fell to the floor, clutching my belly. Julian didn’t even glance at my pathetic state. He carefully helped Serena to her feet, then turned to glare at me. “Clara, you’re the one who wanted a divorce! What are you doing, acting all jealous now?” “Serena is pregnant! If anything happens to her, I’ll make your whole family pay!” “Julian.” I tried to push myself up against the wall, but the pain made my vision swim. “Control your pampered mistress—” Serena suddenly began to cough violently, her pale fingers clutching Julian’s sleeve. “Julian, I just wanted to ask about her health…” “I’m sorry you had to go through that.” Julian picked Serena up. “Clara, you’re free. Tomorrow morning at ten, we’ll go finalize the divorce.” His voice was cold as ice, and he didn’t spare a single extra glance for me, curled up against the wall. Just then, the piercing sound of the hospital intercom blared through the corridor: “Patient Clara, operating room number 2 is ready. Please proceed immediately for surgery!” Julian naturally heard the announcement. He looked up at my name scrolling across the screen, his Adam’s apple bobbed twice, and his gaze instinctively swept towards me. But he ultimately carried Serena away, their figures disappearing down the hall. I pushed myself up and stumbled into the operating room, signing the pre-operative consent form. Lying on the operating table, the doctor confirmed with me again. “Ms. Hayes, the baby is already 6 months old. It could survive if born now. Are you sure you want to proceed with the induction?” The baby in my womb suddenly moved violently, as if protesting the impending farewell. My nose stung, and tears finally fell uncontrollably, dropping onto the cold operating table. “I’m sure.” Just as the anesthetic was about to be injected into my veins, urgent footsteps suddenly echoed from the corridor outside…

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Our new intern was lounging in the boss’s chair like she owned it, announcing she was pregnant with his baby. “From now on, cross me and you’re fired!” That was it. I’d had enough. I snatched my phone and called my boss. “Can you please take your pregnant mistress home?! She’s about to tank the company!” But my boss, currently on an overseas business trip, sounded absolutely furious. “Her being pregnant has nothing to do with me! What the hell are you talking about?!” I’d just dropped Liam off at the airport and was looking forward to a huge meal when my phone buzzed. It was Mia, a colleague, her voice low and frantic. “When are you coming back?” I stuffed a pastry into my mouth. “Probably half an hour. What’s up?” “Get back here now! Chloe’s claiming she’s pregnant with Liam’s baby!” “And she’s already trying to call the shots!” My jaw dropped so hard, the pastry in my hand clattered to the floor. “Chloe?” The intern who just started yesterday? I quickly got into my car. “Don’t panic, I’m on my way.” Honestly, Liam was really good at keeping secrets. As his executive assistant, I didn’t even know he had a girlfriend. I’d wondered how someone with Chloe’s thin resume got a foot in the door. Now, it all made perfect sense. Still, Liam could’ve given me a heads-up. Ten minutes later, I pulled into the company parking lot. Instead of the usual diligent hustle, everyone was clustered in a tight huddle inside Liam’s conference office. They stood half-bent, listening intently. A woman’s sharp, carrying voice rang out. She was acting like she owned the place more than Liam did. I hurried into the crowd. Chloe was half-reclining on the sofa, one hand protectively covering her stomach. When she saw me, her frown deepened. “Just getting back now? Do you know the entire company has been waiting for you?” “You certainly know how to make an entrance!” I quickly lowered my head, plastering on a fake smile. “Traffic was a bit backed up.” Before I could finish, she cut me off. “You’re losing this month’s performance bonus.” I clenched my fists and gritted my teeth, but in the end, I meekly apologized. The one who was practically bowing to me yesterday was now a completely different person. If I messed up and offended her, forget my bonus. I might even lose my job. I could always find another job,but never with benefits this good. I really didn’t want to leave. Seeing my submissive attitude, Chloe raised an eyebrow. “Since everyone’s here, let me explain the new rules.” A collective gasp rippled through the room, and my colleagues’ faces stiffened, looking uneasy. I was still confused when Mia tugged on my sleeve. “Her rules are totally unreasonable,” she whispered, just loud enough for me to hear. “Listen up, everyone!” Chloe’s voice cut through the tension. “I’m pregnant, and I’m carrying your boss’s precious baby.” She unconsciously stroked her belly as she spoke. “First, no more lunch breaks. No one is allowed to eat in the office.” Another collective gasp. I couldn’t help but speak up. “Chloe, everyone works really hard. If we don’t eat…” Before I could finish, a cup of scalding hot water splashed over me. “Who the hell do you think you are, using my first name?” “From now on, when you see me, you’ll call me Mrs. Miller!” My face twisted into a grimace, every nerve screaming in agony, and my body involuntarily trembled. Chloe scoffed, pointing at me. “You all saw that, right? This is what happens when you cross me.” That scene terrified my colleagues so much they didn’t dare to even breathe. “Second!” she declared, her voice rising, a haughty look on her face. “All of you are here to serve me. If I tell you to go east, you don’t go west.” “Third! All air conditioning units are to be turned off. The outdoor units give me a headache.” This time, no one dared to object, including me. The spot where the hot water had scalded me was already visibly red and swollen. “Did you all hear me?” “If you can’t do it, then get out!” She finished, glaring at me as a warning. My colleagues quickly nodded, respectfully acknowledging her words. After dismissing everyone, she kept me back alone.

“I hear you’re my husband’s executive assistant?” I offered a weak, forced smile. “I just help Liam organize documents and stuff he needs.” But she clearly wasn’t buying my answer. “Give me a shoulder massage first.” I moved behind her. “Is this pressure alright for you?” She lay back on the sofa, closing her eyes. “Actually, I’m not trying to be difficult, but my husband said…” “If I don’t lay down the law for you folks now, I’ll never have any authority around here.” “But I guess you wouldn’t dare to object, right? After all, you need this job to survive.” “And, my demands aren’t even that excessive.” She suddenly opened her eyes. “Are they excessive?” I quickly shook my head, my face plastered with a smile. “Not at all, not at all.” Watching her domineering behavior, I couldn’t help but question Liam’s taste. Was he getting old and desperate enough to settle for just anyone? All morning, I was treated like her personal assistant, running errands and catering to her every whim. She looked at the coffee I’d made with disdain, then casually tossed the cup aside. “How on earth did you even get this job?” “I asked for it warm, don’t you understand?” But at that moment, I wasn’t in the mood to listen to her. Because that cup of coffee, and wouldn’t you know it, landed right on Liam’s desk. On it lay a stack of contracts he’d already signed. My face fell. “Mrs. Miller, those contracts are due in two days.” Even with my quick reflexes, large coffee stains marred the documents. Chloe glanced at me, her tone utterly devoid of emotion. “It’s just a little dirty, who cares? Nowhere near as precious as the baby growing inside me.” She suddenly snapped at me. “From now on, you’re going to dedicate yourself fully to serving me, got it?” “You can’t even play the part of a decent assistant!” I swallowed my rising anger, my voice still trembling slightly. “Mrs. Miller, this contract is really important.” “What if I take it to get cleaned up right now?” Luckily, she nodded her approval. But the moment my fingers grazed the doorknob, she called out to me again. “Get two women in here to give me a foot massage.” I bit my lip. “Okay.” Stepping out, I immediately noticed the difference. It was hot, stiflingly hot! Colleagues who should have been engrossed in their work were all performing the same action: fanning themselves with whatever they could find. I stood frozen, then looked back at the central AC unit. It wasn’t just off; even the power cords had been removed. Everyone was groaning, their eyes pleading with me. Just as I was about to speak, Chloe emerged, holding her stomach. “Everyone, stop that!” Her sharp gaze swept over us. “I told you not to turn on the AC because the outdoor unit is too noisy.” “And what do you do?! Create a racket out there collectively!” “Are you intentionally trying to get on my nerves?!” Instantly, everyone dropped what they were holding. Their faces flushed with embarrassment, they all shook their heads, mumbling apologies. “But you’ve already made me angry!”

Chloe shot me a resentful look. “How did you even become an executive assistant? You have zero management skills.” I was about to respond when she pointed a finger, picking out random colleagues as if selecting sacrificial lambs. “You three, stand up.” “Start doing two hundred squats!” “What?” The selected colleagues looked a flicker of annoyance on their faces, but still spoke cautiously. “Mrs. Miller, we…” “Three hundred!” Seeing Chloe kept upping the ante, they didn’t dare to speak again. They immediately started their squats. She clapped her hands, then turned her gaze to me. “They’re being punished because they were fanning themselves too vigorously, making too much noise.” I followed her gaze. Those colleagues were drenched in sweat, huffing and puffing, clearly in agony. “Now, you need to do five hundred squats!” I pointed at myself, incredulous. “Me?” She curled her lip in disdain. “Who told you not to manage these people properly? You bear the greatest responsibility.” Suddenly, her face darkened. “Still not doing it?” I didn’t dare hesitate, immediately crossing my arms over my head and squatting down. She slowly addressed the other colleagues. “Hot? Is it really that hot?” “Why can’t I feel the heat?” Hearing that, I wanted to curse her entire family lineage to hell. Of course, she didn’t feel hot! She was chilling in his office with the AC blasting and wrapped in Liam’s silk throw blanket. How could she possibly feel hot? But these thoughts, I only dared to entertain in my head. Chloe pulled out a chair from the side and settled down. “The baby in my belly, our CEO’s precious heir, is hungry!” Her fingertips tapped an impatient rhythm on the armrest. “What should I eat?” “Hmm, I want a matcha latte from that artisan coffee shop across town. And truffle fries from The Diner on Elm Street.” She patted my shoulder. “You’re working so hard, Harper.” “It’s just that my baby wants to eat…” With that, she slowly re-entered the office. The moment she left, my colleagues collectively exhaled in relief. But the next second, she pulled the door open again, poking her head out. “Get me two women to massage my legs.” “No, wait, make it four. My feet need attention too.” With a bang, she slammed the door shut. All my colleagues looked at me, their faces crumpled. “Harper… what do we do now?” One of the colleagues doing squats burst into tears. “I have a contract; the client needs it this afternoon!” “What do we do?” Gasping for breath, I checked the time. Liam was on a plane right now, so calling him was out of the question. “Everyone, just hang in there a little longer. Liam’s plane lands at 4 PM.” “I’ll explain the situation to him.” After all, I was the biggest victim here!

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When Damien Thorne and I broke up, he held my fake pregnancy report and stubbed his cigarette butt right over my heart. “How dare you lie to me?” Those words cost me my decent job and left my face disfigured. The day I left the city, he announced his engagement to a wealthy heiress. I clutched my stomach and ran. Four years later, he pointed at the child in my arms, his eyes filled with a chilling certainty. “That’s my child, isn’t it?” I saw Damien again late one night at the hospital. My daughter, Lily, was nestled in my arms. She was already used to IV drips and injections, quietly enduring the entire process. Even when she saw Damien, she stayed calm, only tugging at me sleepily, a puzzled look on her face. I opened my eyes, instantly locking gazes with his cold, captivating ones. Past memories flooded back, making my heart seize. I stiffly stood up, ready to bolt, then realized my daughter was still hooked up to the IV. The moment my hand touched the IV bottle, Damien’s grip slammed down on it. “Long time no see, Elara.” “Is this your daughter?” Just a few light words, but my legs started shaking uncontrollably, turning to jelly. Lily tilted her head, asking who he was. He curled his lips into a cold smile, speaking slowly, deliberately. “An old acquaintance of your mother’s.” More than an old acquaintance, wasn’t he? Five years. Countless nights of desperate passion. But those heavy numbers, so significant to me, were nothing more than trash to the high and mighty Damien, discarded without a second thought. I buried my head, my face pale. In the silence, Damien’s friend walked over. At first, he didn’t get a clear look, playfully gesturing at Lily. “Look at you, Damien! What a lucky guy! A little stomach bug on a business trip, and your wife and daughter show up from miles away to comfort you!” Not long after I left the city, I saw news online about Serena’s pregnancy. I never imagined she’d also had a daughter. Taking a couple of steps closer, the man finally saw my face and let out a stunned, “Holy hell!” “Damn, you’re Elara, right? You’re actually still alive?” His surprised, mocking words stabbed at my heart, which had just barely begun to heal. I instinctively covered Lily’s ears, shielding her from harsher insults. “You faked a pregnancy, nearly gave old Grandpa Thorne a heart attack back then, and you still have the nerve to show your face to Damien?” “Don’t tell me you’re broke? Right, a woman who just relies on men for money, isn’t that right? You’re clearly just a gold-digger.” “And this scrawny little girl is your daughter? You’re not trying to say this is Damien’s kid, are you?!” Numb as I usually was, the last sentence made me snap my head up in shock. “No! She has absolutely no connection to Mr. Thorne!” My distant tone made both men pause. After a moment, Damien pushed his friend aside, stepping closer to me, his intimidating presence as oppressive as ever. “How old is the child?” “Three years old!” The words burst out of me almost immediately. He pressed in another step. “Your ID. Let me see it.” I stumbled back, forcing a faint smile. “My ID is at home. I forgot it.” He was about to speak, but I cut him off. “It’s late, Mr. Thorne. You should head home early, so Mrs. Thorne doesn’t worry.” Bringing up Serena seemed to make him ponder, a rare sight. A bitter laugh welled up inside me. Four years ago, I was so desperate, I knelt in the dirt, asking Damien why he didn’t believe me, why he was marrying Serena Maxwell. He’d gripped my throat, his eyes filled with disgust, icy cold. “She’s not like you. She’s pure, and she doesn’t lie.” “Besides, I love her.” I had been with him for five years, and he’d never once said he loved me. I thought someone as dignified as Damien was incapable of love. Until he said he loved Serena and wanted to give her a home. I’d always thought that love wouldn’t last. Now, it seemed, I was naive. Seizing his distraction, I swiftly pulled out the IV bottle and fled, my daughter in my arms, never looking back. I vaguely heard the man behind me say something. I didn’t catch it, and I didn’t care.

I didn’t stop until I was out of the hospital, my heart pounding fiercely. Lily touched my cold face, a puzzled expression. “Mommy, why did you lie to that uncle?” I kissed her soft, round cheek. “Mommy was protecting you.” Protecting you from being taken away. Damien now had a wife and daughter. Why would he want to snatch mine? Despite my doubts, I still took Lily to a small clinic. It was past two in the morning when we finally got home. Sleep wouldn’t come, so I opened Serena’s Ins. Every day, she posted about her lavish life and her precious, pampered princess. The comments were full of praise for her gentle beauty. It was hard to imagine that this was the woman who had personally slashed my face with a knife. Even now, no matter how hot it got, I dared not lift my thick bangs, exposing the ugly scar on my forehead. I only took half a day off for Lily. In the afternoon, I drove her to kindergarten in my old sedan. On the way home, a luxury car brazenly blocked my path. The window rolled down, and a beautiful woman peeked out. “Elara!” I froze, meeting Helena Hayes’ gaze. She looked even younger than she did back then. If we walked together, people would likely mistake us for sisters. I abandoned my car and hurried away, but she opened her car door and chased after me in her expensive leather heels. “Elara! Please, just look at me, darling!” Perhaps she ran too fast, as her voice was laced with a slight sob. I didn’t understand why she was chasing me. It was she who had cast me aside for wealth and status. It was she who, in front of everyone, had claimed I wasn’t her daughter. It was she who, to gain approval from her stepdaughter Serena, had personally forged my pregnancy report. Back then, her bright red nails had poked angry red marks all over my face. “You’re alive thanks to me! What right do you have to accuse me? If I’d known you’d obstruct my path to riches, I would have strangled you the moment you were born!” Lost in my memories, the driver, at Helena’s signal, slammed on the brakes, cutting off my escape. I was startled and fell to the ground. Helena reached out to help me up. “Elara, I just wanted to see you.” I violently pulled away from her hand, a sneer on my face. “See me? To see if I’m dead yet? Or to see if I’m still trying to steal Serena’s man?” “Don’t worry, Mrs. Hayes, I’ve learned my lesson. I won’t bother Damien and Serena’s married life, and I’ll stay far away from them and your lavish life!” Helena looked hurt by my words, her eyes reddening. “Elara, that’s not what I meant.” Her gaze fell on my custom-made phone case, adorned with a picture of Lily and me. Her tone shifted abruptly. “That child, back then…” Hearing that, my resolve crumbled. I stammered. “What child? That child was already taken care of by you, wasn’t she?” I desperately tried to hide my phone case behind me, the cold ground reminding me of the private clinic operating table four years ago. Helena’s sinister gaze had fixed on my belly. “This child must go! Don’t think I don’t know what you’re planning. I will never allow you to have this bastard child and threaten Serena’s marriage!” To teach me a lesson, she hadn’t allowed any anesthesia. The operating room had been filled with my heart-wrenchwrenching screams. In the end, it was the compassionate surgeon who secretly helped me. Now, Lily was my everything. I didn’t want to relive the agony of nearly losing her, so I desperately insisted. “That child is truly gone! If you don’t believe me, ask the doctor. You saw the… the remains yourself, didn’t you?” “I truly don’t love Damien anymore, and I won’t go back to tempt him!” To convince her, I lifted my shirt, recklessly exposing the ten-centimeter scar on my abdomen, my voice urgent. “Look, the scar is still there. The child died ages ago, you can even feel it if you don’t believe me, it’s real!” I grabbed her hand and pressed it against the scar. The next second, she suddenly embraced me. “Elara, don’t… don’t do this…” I froze for a moment, then frantically struggled. She fell to the ground. I scrambled around her car and fled. After only a few steps, I tripped and fell hard. Ignoring the stinging pain in my knees, I scrambled to my feet and kept running. Back home, I immediately packed my important documents and money. Meeting Damien last night, then Helena today. This couldn’t be a coincidence! I submitted my resignation to the company where I’d worked for two years and called my landlord to terminate the lease. After buying train tickets, it was almost time for school to let out. I drove my old sedan to pick up Lily and complete her withdrawal from kindergarten. I planned to take her far away from here, never to return. However, at the school gate, Ms. Evans looked surprised. “Lily’s father already picked her up,” she said. Then her face paled. “Oh, I’m so sorry. I just assumed… The resemblance was so strong.”

After four years, I unblocked Damien. The moment he picked up, he chuckled softly. “I thought you were really willing to never contact me again for the rest of your life.” I stood in the cold wind, gripping my phone. “Where is Lily?” The words had barely left my lips when Lily’s innocent laughter echoed through the phone. Damien’s voice was like a snake’s hiss. “Elara, is Lily my child, or not?” I remained firm. “No, Damien. Give me back my daughter.” He scoffed. “It’s fine if you don’t admit it. I can get a DNA test. You remember what happened the last time you lied to me.” The cigarette scar he’d burned into my chest still hadn’t faded. Whenever my chest ached, it felt like that scar was throbbing, mocking me for loving a man I shouldn’t have. Thinking of it, I sank to the ground, trying to hold back the tears stinging my eyes. Damien abruptly hung up. I took a moment to compose myself, then stood up and headed towards his mansion. Four years later, I stepped onto the grounds of the Thorne family estate once more, memories flooding my mind. I remembered my first day moving in, clutching Damien’s hand and asking him, what if someone tried to kick me out? His smile was gentle, unwavering. “You’re my woman. Who would dare touch you?” Later, it was he who ordered his people to strip me of every piece of clothing he’d bought for me, driving me out of the mansion. It was snowing heavily. I walked through the snow, my body numb with cold, tears freezing on my face. He stood on the second floor, looking down as I struggled, step by painful step, out the mansion gates. To this day, photos of me naked in the snow still circulated online. The comments either condemned me as deserving, or believed I was dead, paying for my sins to Grandpa Thorne. I walked with my head down on the mansion’s path, the humiliation of the past rising up. I didn’t notice that the roses I once loved still bloomed vigorously in the garden. Damien was already waiting in the living room. Dressed in a black suit, he looked like a wolf who had planned his attack. I stood far away, controlling my anger. “Where is Lily?” “She played herself tired, she’s sleeping upstairs.” Hearing this, I rushed towards the stairs, but he swiftly grabbed my arm, pulling me into his embrace. The familiar woody scent hit me, sending shivers down my spine. “What’s the rush? We still have unfinished business.” I thought he was referring to the time I supposedly framed Serena for stealing creative work. Even though she had stolen my work. But no one believed me. In the end, I was fired from my company, all my projects met with scorn and boycott. However, years of hardship had worn away my pride. I pushed Damien away, dropping to my knees with a thud. “Mr. Thorne, I understand my mistake from back then, and I’ve paid the price. If it’s still not enough, I can even kneel and apologize to Mrs. Thorne, as long as you give me back my daughter.” My desperation did not soften him. He furrowed his brow, his voice icy. “Get up.” I didn’t move, speaking again with genuine plea. “Mr. Thorne, you can humiliate me however you want, as long as you return my child.” Damien let out a humorless laugh, crouching down to meet my gaze. “Your child? Whose child are you talking about?” I froze for a moment, then quickly replied. “My ex-husband’s.” Afraid he wouldn’t believe me, I pulled out my marriage certificate to show him. “Damien, I’m not lying. I really am married. Lily is my ex-husband’s and mine!” I was indeed married, but only to ensure Lily could have a legal identity and as a precaution. But he merely glanced at the certificate, then snatched it, tearing it to shreds. He pulled me up. “Elara, can’t you see how much this child looks like me?” I avoided his gaze, struggling to get free and run upstairs to find Lily. He grabbed me by the waist, threw me onto the couch, twisted my arms behind my back, and pinned me down, his eyes dark with menace. “I’m asking you one last time. Whose child is she?” My eyes widened, and I found myself struggling to breathe. In a haze, I remembered the memory of him aiming that gun at me after Grandpa Thorne’s death. That bone-chilling fear returned, and my tears spilled out uncontrollably. “Damien, I’m begging you, let me go! I can’t die, Lily is so young! She can’t lose me!” “She’s really not your daughter! If it makes you happy, you can do whatever you want to me, just leave me alive, just don’t take Lily away!!” He wiped a tear from my eye, his brow unfurrowing. “When did I ever say I was going to take your daughter?” I froze, a sudden thought flashing through my mind about Serena’s Ins posts. Her daughter, like her, had a congenital heart condition…

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