My ex-husband, Asher, and I ran into each other at a friend’s bachelorette party. My friend playfully asked me: “Hazel, have you ever experienced betrayal?” Whether I had or not, my ex-husband knew better than anyone. “Hazel…” Asher shot me a look, clearly terrified I’d answer that question. In the five years since our divorce, he’d become infamous for doting on his wife. Everyone knew he and his current wife were madly in love. But no one knew that Asher’s picture-perfect family? I paid for it with half my life. In the dimly lit private room, with music thumping. The noise was constant. Yet, when that question was asked, Everyone held their breath. Even Asher beside me. His breathing hitched. No one knew that his current wife used to be his secretary. And the woman who broke up our marriage. His mistress. “Why did I even ask that? If you don’t want to talk about it, you don’t have to…” My friend saw my silence and didn’t press further. But I calmly raised my head. And smiled. “I have. But… it’s just petty, messy stuff that’s too embarrassing to even talk about.” My casual words. Made Asher’s face go a shade paler. His knuckles, gripping the wine glass, went white. The way he looked at me. Gone was the contempt and disdain from five years ago. Instead, I saw a flicker of brokenness and helplessness in his eyes. My answer instantly piqued everyone’s interest in the room. Someone remarked, “I thought only those less fortunate in looks struggled to find true love. Never thought someone as stunning as you would suffer betrayal?!” “Who was it? Do we know them?” Maya, my best friend, seized the moment, leaning in with a furious glare. “Are you kidding me, Hazel? Why didn’t you tell me any of this?” she hissed, practically biting my ear. I opened my mouth, about to say something. Then she added, regretfully, “Didn’t you used to have a huge crush on Asher? Why didn’t you confess after graduation? Instead, you ended up with someone else?” “Look how much he dotes on his wife now! Good men like him are practically extinct. Hazel, you messed up!” Hearing her words, I swirled my glass. A bitter memory surfaced: Asher and his secretary, entangled in our marital bed, five years ago. I was six months pregnant then. Seeing that, I snapped. Rushing in, I grabbed our wedding photo and hurled it at them. Asher shielded her tightly in his arms, covering her body with *my* nightgown. Then he actually *scolded* me: “Are you done making a scene? If so, get out and close the door.” I cried, asking him why he was doing this to me. Asher showed no remorse. Instead, he pulled Layla closer by the waist. He said, “Hazel, just look at those stretch marks on your belly – they’re like worms. Don’t you find them utterly repulsive?” “Stop making a fuss. After you have the baby and get your figure back, I’ll break it off with her.” I had thought the stretch marks on my belly were proof of our love. But I never imagined it would become a dagger aimed straight at my heart. I calmed down, little by little. And quietly said, “You don’t need to break up with her. We’re getting a divorce.”

He didn’t respond to my words. He just quietly informed my parents. They showed up quickly. My mom, though, *scolded* me. “What rich man isn’t a playboy? As long as he hasn’t asked for a divorce, you just enjoy being a wealthy wife! What good would divorce do you?” My mom even stood on the balcony, threatening me, “If you dare divorce him, I’ll end myself right here!” And Asher? He just looked at me with disdain. I was forced to compromise, no longer mentioning divorce. Now, at the party, Maya didn’t get a response from me and gently nudged me. “What are you thinking about? Are you regretting not confessing to Asher? It’s too late to regret it now, though. He’s already got a wife.” I *was* regretting. Regretting confessing to Asher right after college graduation. Regretting staying with him from a cramped, rundown apartment to a luxurious villa. Regretting being foolishly naive back then, asking for nothing when we married, and agreeing to keep our marriage a secret. My stomach churned uncomfortably, and I slowly set down my glass. But Asher moved my glass to his side. Then pushed a plate of peeled oranges in front of me. I love oranges, but I hate peeling them. He always used to peel them for me, then place them in front of me. I didn’t eat the orange he offered, instead picking up some grapes. A flicker of surprise crossed his eyes. “Hazel, you used to hate grapes, didn’t you?” His abrupt question snagged Maya’s attention. Maya asked curiously, “How do you know Hazel dislikes grapes?” Instantly. All eyes in the room turned to us again. He opened his mouth, then closed it, holding back his words. Just then, his phone rang. Then Layla’s shrill voice cut through the air. “Asher! Where are you? Why aren’t you home yet? Are you with some slut behind my back? You’d better get your ass home, *now*! If I find out you’re messing around, I swear I’ll make you both pay!”

The buzzing crowd went dead silent the moment he answered. Asher’s face became incredibly grim. One of Asher’s friends quickly leaned towards the phone. “Layla, this is a totally legit get-together, just friends. I swear Asher hasn’t spoken to any other woman!” That made his face twist even more. He didn’t say anything, just hung up the phone. Maya said, “Alright, it’s getting late. Let’s call it a night. You all better be on time for my wedding tomorrow!” The party broke up. Maya and I strolled out, but saw Asher, who’d left earlier, standing by his car. Seeing us emerge, he strode towards us. “I’ll drive you home.” I was about to refuse, but Maya beat me to it. “Oh, sure, that would be great! Thanks! Your wife won’t get mad, though, right?” Asher froze, glancing instinctively at me. “No, she won’t. Get in.” I didn’t refuse, just shrugged and got into the back seat with Maya. As soon as we were in the car, Maya couldn’t stop asking questions. “You said you were betrayed earlier. What happened? Why didn’t I know?” I clearly caught Asher’s guilty expression in the rearview mirror. Then, I casually recounted the past, events I’d almost managed to forget. The second time I asked Asher for a divorce was when I was eight months pregnant. Layla brazenly moved her bags into *our* marital home. I couldn’t stand it. I lunged at her, ready to throw her out. But Asher pushed me away. My heavy, pregnant body tumbled uncontrollably down the stairs. In a matter of minutes, my baby was gone. The child who never got to be born. His own father had personally snuffed out his hope of life. I woke up in the hospital. I touched my belly, no longer feeling the life within, and broke down sobbing. He knelt before me, consumed by guilt, slapping his own face, over and over. “Hazel, I’m so sorry. It’s all my fault, I didn’t mean to. Can you please forgive me?” For the first time, I saw guilt on his cheating face. But I couldn’t tell how much of his guilt was genuine. I didn’t want to see him anymore. I grabbed the vase from the nightstand and hurled it at him. I screamed and yelled. “Divorce, Asher! I want a divorce!” That very night. My parents came again. They once again pressured me not to divorce. I looked at them, numb, and got out of the hospital bed. My mom, thinking I’d caved again, her eyes brightening, smiled and said, “Hazel, I knew you’d listen to me…” She hadn’t finished speaking. I stepped into the cool autumn night. Climbed over the balcony. And let myself fall, emptying my mind as my body plummeted. Finally, I broke a leg. In exchange for a cold, hard divorce certificate.

As I recounted the past, my heart no longer held any emotion. But Maya beside me was crying. She choked out, “How… how could they? How dare they… do that to you?” Maya and I had known each other since elementary school. During the years Asher and I were married, she had moved abroad with her parents. I’d wanted to reach out to her countless times, to find some solace. But when I saw her online, holding her baby, with her loving husband beside her, I hung up the phone again. Asher, in the driver’s seat, his eyes bloodshot, gripped the steering wheel tight, desperately trying to suppress his emotions. I chuckled lightly, casually patting Maya’s back as she sobbed uncontrollably. “It’s all in the past!” “No, it’s not! This isn’t past! Who was that jerk? I’m going to kill him! How dare he treat you like that?!” Maya cried and yelled, then dissolved into endless self-blame. She looked at me, choking, “You must have been so heartbroken then. I wish I had been there.” Maya’s husband and child were still waiting for her at the hotel. I told her to go back to the hotel first. Watching her get out and walk towards the hotel, I opened my car door and stepped out too. “Hazel, this isn’t your hotel yet…” Asher got out urgently, trying to grab my hand. I quickly dodged him, taking a step back. “You should go back. If you’re any later, she’ll start a fight with you,” I said. “No, I can’t leave until I see you home safely. I’m worried.” Asher dropped all pretense, begging, “I know you still hate me, but… can you give me a chance to make amends?” I looked up at him, my eyes flashing with sarcasm. “Asher, save your ridiculous, cheap attempts at appeasement. It’s disgusting.” With that, I didn’t look at him again, turning to walk towards a taxi parked on the side of the road. The next day, Maya and I arrived at the wedding venue on time. Asher was also there early. Someone joked, asking why he hadn’t brought his wife. He seemed to truly dislike bringing up Layla. When she was mentioned. A clear flicker of impatience crossed his eyes, and he brushed it off. “Something came up at home. It wasn’t convenient for her to be here.” I didn’t pay attention, continuing to chat with Maya. After what I told her last night, she was even more clingy. I couldn’t help but chuckle, “You’re a mom now, why are you still so clingy? Aren’t you afraid your kids will tease you?” Then, Asher, dressed sharply in a suit, took the seat next to me. Maya raised an eyebrow, about to say something. Then, a shrill, piercing voice ripped through the air behind us. Before I could react. Someone grabbed my hair and yanked me to the ground. A stinging slap landed instantly. “You shameless slut! Why did you come back after you left? Are you trying to seduce my husband again?” “Everyone, look! The ‘Goddess Hazel’ you all praise? She’s absolutely shameless, a known home-wrecker!”

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Right after I found out I was pregnant, my husband’s first love went to the rooftop and threatened to jump. She sobbed to my husband, Liam Sterling: “You promised me, Liam! No kids with *her*.” “I don’t need a title, but the next Sterling heir absolutely cannot be hers!” Liam rushed to reassure her: “Anya’s pregnancy was just an accident, I swear. Don’t worry, I’ll make her go to the hospital and get rid of it right away.” “Chloe, I know I’m married to Anya, but you know my family forced this business alliance on me. You’re the only one I truly love. Please, don’t do anything stupid!” Then, Liam whirled around, his face a mask of furious urgency, and roared at me: “What are you standing there for? Go to the hospital and get that abortion! If anything happens to Chloe, I swear I’ll never forgive you!” Liam’s shameless words made me laugh, a bitter, hollow sound. Forcing *me*, the ‘Investment Queen’ who controlled the Sterling family’s wealth, to get an abortion? Who gave him the guts?

Liam and I arrived at the hospital’s entrance. Chloe was standing on the balcony, threatening to jump. A crowd had already gathered in front of the hospital, all craning their necks to stare at Chloe, perched on the rooftop edge, weeping. Many uninformed onlookers started whispering. “So young, and already giving up on life?” “I heard she just found out she’s pregnant, then discovered her husband has a mistress. She just can’t face it anymore.” “That’s wild! Is it really true?” “Absolutely. That woman saw the same specialist as me. She’d just finished her check-up when she started crying and calling her husband, threatening to jump…” Listening to the crowd’s gossip, I cast a meaningful glance at Liam. Liam, however, was completely focused on Chloe, oblivious to the whispers from the street below. He anxiously grabbed my arm, dragging me toward the main building’s rooftop. On the roof, several high-ranking hospital officials were present, their brows furrowed as they tried to reason with a sobbing Chloe. The police had also arrived, cautiously attempting to comfort Chloe while slowly approaching her. Chloe’s face was a picture of wronged sorrow, as if she were completely broken. She cried out to the police and hospital officials: “Don’t come any closer!” “If you take another step, I’ll jump right now!” Liam rushed forward, yelling at the police and others: “Don’t go near her! If anything happens to her, I swear I won’t let any of you off the hook!” Then, Liam turned to Chloe, his face etched with frantic worry: “Chloe, please don’t do anything foolish!” “Just come down, and we can talk about anything you want!” Watching Chloe clutch the railing with such desperation, I knew this woman wasn’t really planning to jump. It was just a performance. I spoke calmly: “It’s pretty windy today. You better hold on tight. If you accidentally slip, no one’s gonna save you then!”

Before Chloe could respond, Liam glared at me, his eyes spitting venom, and roared: “Anya! Are you serious? At a time like this, you’re still being sarcastic? Do you have any conscience?!” The hospital officials and police also frowned, looking at me with clear disapproval. Chloe shot me a vicious glance, then turned back to Liam, sobbing with righteous indignation: “You promised me, Liam! No kids with *her*.” “I don’t need a title to be by your side, but I absolutely cannot tolerate her carrying your child!” “I’m pregnant too! You swore to me that the next Sterling heir could only be *my* child!” Liam hurriedly tried to explain: “Anya’s pregnancy was just an accident, I swear. Don’t worry, I’ll make her go to the hospital and get rid of it right away.” “Chloe, I know I’m married to Anya, but you know my family forced this business alliance on me. You’re the only one I truly love. Please, don’t do anything stupid!” Then, Liam spun around, his face contorted with rage, and screamed at me: “What are you standing there for? Go to the hospital and get that abortion! If anything happens to Chloe, I swear I’ll never forgive you!” The hospital officials and police watching were stunned, staring at Liam and Chloe in disbelief. The conversation between this pathetic, cheating duo must have completely shattered their preconceived notions. Meanwhile, Liam and Chloe’s shameless remarks just made me laugh again, a colder, sharper sound this time. I spoke to Chloe, my voice icy: “Liam and I are legally married. You’re nothing but the other woman, the one who inserted herself into our marriage. What right do you have to tell me not to have children?” “I’ve met plenty of audacious people, but a mistress who stages a suicide attempt to force me into an abortion? That’s a new low, even for me!” Before Chloe could retort, I turned my cold gaze to Liam, my voice dripping with scorn: “Didn’t you claim Chloe was just like a sister to you?” “Is this how you ‘take care’ of your ‘good sister’? So much so that you got her pregnant?” “Do you think the world’s gone crazy, so now you want her to pop out a kid to take over the Sterling empire?” “Liam Sterling, what a master schemer you are!” “What do you take me for?” “I’m making this clear right now: even if we divorce, there’s no way I’m getting rid of this baby!” The moment my words left my lips, Chloe’s eyes flashed. Then, she started sobbing even harder, as if she’d been subjected to the deepest insult and grievance. She put on a show of being so emotionally distraught she might jump at any second. Liam, meanwhile, yelled urgently at me: “Anya, shut up!” He whispered quickly: “This is a life at stake! I was just saying that to calm Chloe down, afraid she’d actually jump. “Just play along for now, and I’ll explain everything later!” I scoffed. “I’m not interested in playing along with your little charade, you pathetic cheating duo!” “Liam Sterling, we’re getting a divorce!”

Chloe ultimately didn’t jump. Feigning exhaustion, she pretended to faint. Liam darted forward, his face etched with concern and urgency, scooping Chloe into his arms. The hospital officials and police breathed a sigh of relief. I, however, simply turned and walked away. The moment I declared I wanted a divorce from Liam, Chloe’s goal was achieved. Naturally, she no longer needed to pretend to be heartbroken and perform on the rooftop edge. Back home, I started packing my personal belongings. When I said I wanted to divorce Liam, I wasn’t joking. Though we’d been married for less than three months, I’d seen Liam Sterling’s true colors. A man like that isn’t worth a lifetime of commitment! This kind of relationship needed to be severed quickly. When faced with a betrayer, if you don’t act fast, you’re only going to get hurt worse. I’m not the type of woman who just cries or complains when faced with relationship problems. It’s like investing; if the returns aren’t satisfactory, I cut my losses immediately. Looking at our wedding photo in the living room, a self-mocking smile touched my lips. Love is blind! I once thought I’d found the right man to spend my life with. Only now do I realize I was blind. This emotional investment was probably the biggest loss I’ve ever taken. But Liam Sterling and that Chloe won’t win either. I’ll make sure they understand the consequences of betraying me! As I finished packing and pulled my suitcase, ready to leave, Liam returned. With him were several Sterling family elders. Clearly, Liam was once again bringing his family members to beg for mercy. Just like the time he spent our entire wedding night with Chloe, he’d brought them to plead my case then too. Seeing my packed suitcase, the Sterling elders immediately swarmed me, trying to talk me out of it. “Anya, we’ve given Liam a severe dressing-down. He knows he messed up. Just forgive him this once!” “Chloe will absolutely not threaten your position in the Sterling family. If she weren’t also pregnant, we’d have taught her a harsh lesson ourselves.” “You’re pregnant too now, so you absolutely mustn’t get upset!” “Anya, you’re a reasonable woman. You know Liam is the Sterling family’s only child. Now that Chloe is pregnant too, even though she made a mistake, the child in her belly is, after all, a Sterling descendant. Just be magnanimous and let it go!” “Don’t worry, after Chloe gives birth, we’ll have that child recognize you as its mother. We’ll send Chloe abroad and make sure she never returns.” I had expected the Sterling elders to beg for Liam’s forgiveness as they had before. But when they uttered those words, I finally understood their true purpose in coming here. I said, my voice cold: “You want to protect a bastard child born to a mistress who destroyed another’s family?” “It seems you never cared about my feelings at all!” “Do you think the Sterlings are doing so well lately that you’ve grown arrogant and forgotten how your family almost went bankrupt?” “Back then, would any of you have dared to say these things to me?” My words instantly made the Sterling elders’ faces flush with shame, and their gazes toward me turned much colder. Liam frowned and said: “Anya, how dare you speak to your elders like that? What’s with that attitude?” “My family is only thinking of our best interests, you…” I cut him off directly, a cold laugh escaping my lips: “They’re thinking of *your* best interests!” “Liam Sterling, you’re not a child anymore. You mess up, and then you drag your family here to watch the circus? I honestly don’t know what’s rattling around in your head!” “Alright, I’m done wasting my breath on you. I’m getting this divorce, and no one can talk me out of it.” “You and your family are so attached to the child in Chloe’s belly? Then let *her* child be your Sterling heir! “From this day forward, I want nothing to do with the Sterling family!” The moment I spoke, the Sterling elders dropped their pretense, revealing their ugly true colors. “You ungrateful wretch! Do you really think the Sterling family can’t survive without you?” “You ignorant fool from the sticks, no upbringing at all! I’ve disliked you from the start.” “If we hadn’t thought your Rockwell family could benefit us back then, why would we have ever pushed you and Liam together? You weren’t even good enough!” “Don’t threaten us with divorce! Anyway, your Rockwell family’s assets have already been absorbed by the Sterlings. If you divorce, we’re not the ones who’ll suffer the loss.” “Liam, don’t hesitate. If she wants a divorce, give it to her. Chloe is much more compliant than her. After you divorce her, go marry Chloe and let this one regret it till she cries blood.” The Sterling elders’ words were vile. Liam’s voice dropped, firm now: “Anya, I’m giving you one last chance, you…” I simply cut him off: “Are you deaf? Didn’t you hear a word I just said? If you don’t want a quiet divorce, I’ll take you to court!” “Marital infidelity. Based on that alone, how do you think a judge will rule?” Liam scoffed furiously. “Fine. If you’re determined to divorce, I won’t stop you.” “However, I have two conditions: one, you leave with nothing!” “And second, the child in your belly will have no relation to the Sterling family from this day forward. Don’t even think about trying to claim a share of the Sterling family assets as my illegitimate child after it’s born.” Liam’s shamelessness made me laugh again, though it was a humorless sound. I couldn’t be bothered to say more. I simply nodded. “Fine!”

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The moment I stepped into my office, my assistant burst through the door and slapped a resignation letter onto my desk. I paused, genuinely confused. “I just gave you a raise. Why are you quitting?” Skylar scoffed. “Who cares about your pathetic raise? You know who Richard Sterling is, right?” I nodded. The tech-delivery mogul, a billionaire. Of course, I knew his name. “That’s my dad! I’m his long-lost heiress! Now that we’ve reconnected, do you really think *I* would keep working for a small-time boss like you? You’re not even in my league!” Before I could fully process her words, she called out again. “Mark, come in!” My husband walked in, and to my absolute shock, he took Skylar’s hand and pulled her into a hug right in front of me. Skylar lifted her chin at me. “You probably don’t know this, but Mark and I were college sweethearts. We dated for four years.” “You stole my boyfriend back then. Now, *I’m* going to steal your husband!” Watching the despicable duo, a chill spread through me, followed by a strange sense of amusement. Should I tell them my dad is the one who *made* that tech mogul?

“Sign it, now!” Mark threw a divorce agreement at me with a look of pure disgust. The words I’d been about to say died in my throat, replaced by a self-deprecating laugh. Without hesitation, I picked up the agreement and started reading. A man whose heart had changed wasn’t worth keeping. One year of dating, three years of marriage – I guess I just wasted four years of my life and heart on him. Soon, my brows furrowed. “I’m supposed to leave with absolutely nothing?” “That’s right.” Mark said it like it was the most obvious thing in the world. “You broke Skylar and me up back then, you destroyed my happiness.” “After we got married, you were always so overbearing. You made me miserable for three years, causing me immense emotional distress. So, you’re the one at fault here.” “What’s wrong with you leaving empty-handed?” “Ha!” His absurd logic made me laugh out loud. Three years ago, wasn’t he the one practically begging me to marry him? After we got married, I’d countless times urged him to find a job, but each time he’d just sweet-talk me, calling me a “power woman.” He’d say a good relationship needed one strong and one weak partner to balance things out. Now, suddenly, it was all my fault? *Rip!* I tore the divorce agreement right down the middle. “Divorce? Fine. But you’re the one leaving with nothing.” Mark was about to retort when Skylar, looking impatient, cut in. “Why are you wasting time with her? Her pathetic little bit of money isn’t worth my time.” She then opened a large tote bag and roughly shook it out. “And these! Take them back!” My face turned colder as I saw my designer bags, luxury watches, and other familiar items scattered across the floor. I’d been wondering where these things went, some of them had vanished into thin air shortly after I bought them. Mark had always claimed I must have lost them. Turns out, he’d stolen them all to impress his mistress. “And this card.” Skylar handed me a bank card, a mocking sneer on her face. “Over the past three years, Mark gave me over five hundred thousand dollars.” “This card has six hundred thousand. Plenty more than what you gave him!” “I don’t care about your stuff or your dirty money!” My breath hitched in anger. Just as I reached for it, her hand loosened, and the card dropped to the floor. She stepped on it, crossed her arms, and looked down at me. “Get on your knees and take it.” My anger flared. Before I could speak, Mark’s voice was syrupy sweet. “Honey, I’ll handle it.” The next second, a searing pain shot up my calf as he brutally kicked me, sending me to my knees. “Hahaha!” Skylar burst into triumphant laughter and planted a fierce kiss on Mark’s lips. “Mark, I adore you! I just love your initiative!” “I’ve already told my dad about you. He said he’s coming to Brighton City in a week for a grand family announcement party for me, which will also be our engagement party!” “Really?!” Mark’s eyes lit up. He passionately held up three fingers. “Skylar, I swear, I’ll cherish you and love you forever, just like I always have!” Watching them walk away, my teeth ground together. I was on the verge of being consumed by fury and humiliation. After a long while, I slowly pushed myself up and dialed a number I hadn’t touched in years. “Dad, I forgive you.” On the other end, after a few seconds of silence, a shaky, emotional voice replied. “Good… good!” “Riley, I’m currently overseas. But Rich Sterling is holding a family announcement party in Brighton City in a week and invited me to attend.” “I’ll come pick you up then, and bring you home!” I paused, then a subtle, knowing smile curved my lips. I nodded. “Okay.”

That evening, back home, Mark, who had just ended an endless chat with Skylar on FaceTime, glanced at me with disdain. “What took you so long? Running away won’t solve anything.” “I’ve drafted a new agreement. We’ll split the assets fifty-fifty. That’s the most I can compromise.” I stared at him coldly, but he met my gaze without flinching. He scoffed. “I don’t care about your money, I just don’t want Skylar to be inconvenienced.” “I’ll give my half of the assets entirely to Skylar. It’ll make her look good, and I won’t lose face with the Sterling family.” My head buzzed. I couldn’t even follow his twisted logic. He cheated on me, and now, to marry his mistress and save his own reputation, he expected me to pay for it? Could he be any more disgusting? When I first met him, he was just a delivery driver, apologizing profusely for a late order. Seeing him drenched in rain, I casually gave him twenty dollars as a tip, but he stubbornly refused, saying he only earned what he deserved. His apparent sincerity touched me, and before long, I accepted his proposal. Now, looking back, I felt like such a fool for not seeing through his pathetic act to get close to me. “You can’t divorce!” A sudden shout ripped through my thoughts. Brenda, Mark’s mom, stormed out of the bathroom. “Son, look what I just found in the trash! She’s pregnant!” Mark saw the two lines on the pregnancy test in his mother’s hand, but there was no joy, only a curse. “Damn it! This kid couldn’t have come at a worse time!” “But Mom, we can’t let a baby ruin things between Skylar and me, can we?” “It’s fine!” Brenda insisted. “We’ll keep it from Skylar for now. Tomorrow, I’ll take her to the hospital for a check-up.” “If it’s a boy, we’ll give her two thousand dollars, and she can have the baby. I’ll take it back home to raise.” “Son, Skylar is a rich heiress now. She might be headstrong and not want kids. But our family name can’t die out, can it?” Then Brenda glared at me. “Where we come from, two thousand dollars is enough to pop out a whole litter of kids! You wouldn’t be losing out!” My perception of reality shattered again. They wanted to kick me out but still use me as a breeding machine? Two thousand dollars for a baby? That wouldn’t even cover a good birthing center! Like son, like mother! I immediately pulled out some medical records from my bag and threw them at them, a cold smile on my face. “You don’t need to worry about the baby.” “I had an abortion.” “What?!” Brenda’s eyes widened in fury. She started wailing, beating her chest. “Oh, my precious grandchild!” Mark finally noticed how pale I looked, but there was no concern in his eyes, only a look of pure relief. Then he fake-roared at me. “That’s my child! What right did you have to abort it?!” “How dare you have an abortion without my permission! You won’t even get half the assets now!” “Oh, really? Then let’s drag this out.” “A week will fly by. When Skylar’s billionaire dad arrives, I’d love to see how a married man attends his own engagement party.” As I said that, I felt a pang of nervousness. I wanted to get rid of him quickly, not drag things out. But he seemed even more nervous than I was. After a series of facial expressions, he finally signed the agreement I’d offered, the one that made him leave with nothing. He must’ve thought, no money, no money, who cares if the Sterling family will look down on me. The priority was getting Skylar. Just then, Skylar called again. He answered, hurrying out the door. “Skylar, the divorce agreement is signed!” “Let’s celebrate, same place?” “Heh heh… Don’t worry, baby, I chugged a whole bottle of something special. I promise to be on fire all night long!” The next day at the company, my employees, who had been huddled in hushed whispers, suddenly went silent. They looked at me strangely. I was puzzled. As I walked into my office, I saw Skylar sitting in my executive chair. She had a cigarette between her fingers, legs crossed, a triumphant smirk on her face.

“Is this seat for you to sit in?” “Get out!” Skylar chuckled, blowing a puff of smoke at me. “I’ve been busting my ass working for you, and the more I think about it, the angrier I get. So, today I’m just enjoying a taste of being the boss.” “From now on, you can be my assistant. Name your price, what do you say?” I was both furious and amused. “You want to play role reversal? You’re not good enough.” “Oh, really?” “This isn’t up to you.” She snapped her fingers, and all the company employees filed in. Resignation letters rained down on me, and then everyone bowed in unison to Skylar. “Good morning, Director Sterling!” No need to ask. This was a mass exodus! My face instantly turned cold. “I’ve always been good to you, haven’t I?” “I paid you top-tier salaries in the industry, and you received generous annual bonuses! Is this how you repay me?” At my words, they all scoffed and started retorting. “Don’t act like you did us some huge favor. Get it straight, *we’re* the ones who’ve been keeping you in business!” “You’d be nothing without us working our butts off to make you rich!” “Ms. Sterling is willing to take you on as an assistant, that’s an honor! And you’re still complaining? You’re clueless!” “…” Every single word was like a knife, repeatedly stabbing my increasingly cold heart. Without another thought, I approved all their resignation letters. I also glanced at the employment contracts they’d signed with Skylar. All the streamers were offered six-figure annual salaries! Even some administrative staff were getting thirty thousand a year! With over forty streamers and employees in various departments, Skylar was committing to at least five million dollars in salaries! Was she insane? Even her father, Rich Sterling, would feel the pinch. I asked, my voice filled with doubt, “Have you all received your annual salaries?” They shook their heads, then plastered on sycophantic smiles. “Director Sterling’s status speaks for itself. How could we not trust her?” “Director Sterling said that the recognition gift alone at her family announcement party will be fifteen million dollars! Our salaries are just pocket change to her!” I smiled. Well then, you all just wait. Skylar’s outrageous antics continued. She called the building management of this office complex. She directly offered one million dollars to rent the entire building for a year. “Director Sterling is so badass!” “Seriously, there’s no comparison. Next to you, Riley Vance is practically a pauper!” “Tch, she has nothing now. She’s not even a dirty beggar!” “…” Amidst a chorus of flattery, Skylar left triumphantly. Before she walked out, she didn’t forget to glance at me. She smirked arrogantly. “I’ll keep the assistant position open for you for a few more days, but…” “The condition is that you provide me with kneeling service every day.” “Heh heh heh…” A thought sparked in my mind. Kneeling service? Hmm, that actually sounds like a decent idea. I just wonder, in a few days, who will be kneeling to whom! Fresh off an abortion and having just witnessed a mass exodus of my employees, my mind and body were at their absolute worst. That evening, I went to my usual luxury spa, hoping to relax. The moment I stepped in, the receptionist stopped me. “I’m sorry, Ms. Vance, but you’ve been blacklisted from our spa. No entry.” I froze, before I could even ask what was going on, Skylar and Mark walked down the stairs, intimately arm-in-arm. The receptionist explained. “Ms. Sterling just deposited five million dollars with us. She’s now our only Super VIP.” “Ms. Sterling said she doesn’t want to see you around, so to ensure her comfort, our establishment had no choice but to blacklist you.” “The fifteen thousand dollars remaining on your card has been refunded to your account. Please leave.” Skylar smiled sweetly at me, hoping to see embarrassment or anger on my face, but she was disappointed. I simply gave her a sarcastic thumbs up, then turned and walked away with a smile. *Go on, make a scene, I thought. Make an even bigger scene!* Skylar’s smile faltered. When she saw me get into a Porsche sports car, she frowned and turned to Mark. “Honey, I don’t want to see that woman still living such a cushy, fabulous life.” “What should we do?”

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The moment I stepped into my office, my assistant burst through the door and slapped a resignation letter onto my desk. I paused, genuinely confused. “I just gave you a raise. Why are you quitting?” Skylar scoffed. “Who cares about your pathetic raise? You know who Richard Sterling is, right?” I nodded. The tech-delivery mogul, a billionaire. Of course, I knew his name. “That’s my dad! I’m his long-lost heiress! Now that we’ve reconnected, do you really think *I* would keep working for a small-time boss like you? You’re not even in my league!” Before I could fully process her words, she called out again. “Mark, come in!” My husband walked in, and to my absolute shock, he took Skylar’s hand and pulled her into a hug right in front of me. Skylar lifted her chin at me. “You probably don’t know this, but Mark and I were college sweethearts. We dated for four years.” “You stole my boyfriend back then. Now, *I’m* going to steal your husband!” Watching the despicable duo, a chill spread through me, followed by a strange sense of amusement. Should I tell them my dad is the one who *made* that tech mogul?

“Sign it, now!” Mark threw a divorce agreement at me with a look of pure disgust. The words I’d been about to say died in my throat, replaced by a self-deprecating laugh. Without hesitation, I picked up the agreement and started reading. A man whose heart had changed wasn’t worth keeping. One year of dating, three years of marriage – I guess I just wasted four years of my life and heart on him. Soon, my brows furrowed. “I’m supposed to leave with absolutely nothing?” “That’s right.” Mark said it like it was the most obvious thing in the world. “You broke Skylar and me up back then, you destroyed my happiness.” “After we got married, you were always so overbearing. You made me miserable for three years, causing me immense emotional distress. So, you’re the one at fault here.” “What’s wrong with you leaving empty-handed?” “Ha!” His absurd logic made me laugh out loud. Three years ago, wasn’t he the one practically begging me to marry him? After we got married, I’d countless times urged him to find a job, but each time he’d just sweet-talk me, calling me a “power woman.” He’d say a good relationship needed one strong and one weak partner to balance things out. Now, suddenly, it was all my fault? *Rip!* I tore the divorce agreement right down the middle. “Divorce? Fine. But you’re the one leaving with nothing.” Mark was about to retort when Skylar, looking impatient, cut in. “Why are you wasting time with her? Her pathetic little bit of money isn’t worth my time.” She then opened a large tote bag and roughly shook it out. “And these! Take them back!” My face turned colder as I saw my designer bags, luxury watches, and other familiar items scattered across the floor. I’d been wondering where these things went, some of them had vanished into thin air shortly after I bought them. Mark had always claimed I must have lost them. Turns out, he’d stolen them all to impress his mistress. “And this card.” Skylar handed me a bank card, a mocking sneer on her face. “Over the past three years, Mark gave me over five hundred thousand dollars.” “This card has six hundred thousand. Plenty more than what you gave him!” “I don’t care about your stuff or your dirty money!” My breath hitched in anger. Just as I reached for it, her hand loosened, and the card dropped to the floor. She stepped on it, crossed her arms, and looked down at me. “Get on your knees and take it.” My anger flared. Before I could speak, Mark’s voice was syrupy sweet. “Honey, I’ll handle it.” The next second, a searing pain shot up my calf as he brutally kicked me, sending me to my knees. “Hahaha!” Skylar burst into triumphant laughter and planted a fierce kiss on Mark’s lips. “Mark, I adore you! I just love your initiative!” “I’ve already told my dad about you. He said he’s coming to Brighton City in a week for a grand family announcement party for me, which will also be our engagement party!” “Really?!” Mark’s eyes lit up. He passionately held up three fingers. “Skylar, I swear, I’ll cherish you and love you forever, just like I always have!” Watching them walk away, my teeth ground together. I was on the verge of being consumed by fury and humiliation. After a long while, I slowly pushed myself up and dialed a number I hadn’t touched in years. “Dad, I forgive you.” On the other end, after a few seconds of silence, a shaky, emotional voice replied. “Good… good!” “Riley, I’m currently overseas. But Rich Sterling is holding a family announcement party in Brighton City in a week and invited me to attend.” “I’ll come pick you up then, and bring you home!” I paused, then a subtle, knowing smile curved my lips. I nodded. “Okay.”

That evening, back home, Mark, who had just ended an endless chat with Skylar on FaceTime, glanced at me with disdain. “What took you so long? Running away won’t solve anything.” “I’ve drafted a new agreement. We’ll split the assets fifty-fifty. That’s the most I can compromise.” I stared at him coldly, but he met my gaze without flinching. He scoffed. “I don’t care about your money, I just don’t want Skylar to be inconvenienced.” “I’ll give my half of the assets entirely to Skylar. It’ll make her look good, and I won’t lose face with the Sterling family.” My head buzzed. I couldn’t even follow his twisted logic. He cheated on me, and now, to marry his mistress and save his own reputation, he expected me to pay for it? Could he be any more disgusting? When I first met him, he was just a delivery driver, apologizing profusely for a late order. Seeing him drenched in rain, I casually gave him twenty dollars as a tip, but he stubbornly refused, saying he only earned what he deserved. His apparent sincerity touched me, and before long, I accepted his proposal. Now, looking back, I felt like such a fool for not seeing through his pathetic act to get close to me. “You can’t divorce!” A sudden shout ripped through my thoughts. Brenda, Mark’s mom, stormed out of the bathroom. “Son, look what I just found in the trash! She’s pregnant!” Mark saw the two lines on the pregnancy test in his mother’s hand, but there was no joy, only a curse. “Damn it! This kid couldn’t have come at a worse time!” “But Mom, we can’t let a baby ruin things between Skylar and me, can we?” “It’s fine!” Brenda insisted. “We’ll keep it from Skylar for now. Tomorrow, I’ll take her to the hospital for a check-up.” “If it’s a boy, we’ll give her two thousand dollars, and she can have the baby. I’ll take it back home to raise.” “Son, Skylar is a rich heiress now. She might be headstrong and not want kids. But our family name can’t die out, can it?” Then Brenda glared at me. “Where we come from, two thousand dollars is enough to pop out a whole litter of kids! You wouldn’t be losing out!” My perception of reality shattered again. They wanted to kick me out but still use me as a breeding machine? Two thousand dollars for a baby? That wouldn’t even cover a good birthing center! Like son, like mother! I immediately pulled out some medical records from my bag and threw them at them, a cold smile on my face. “You don’t need to worry about the baby.” “I had an abortion.” “What?!” Brenda’s eyes widened in fury. She started wailing, beating her chest. “Oh, my precious grandchild!” Mark finally noticed how pale I looked, but there was no concern in his eyes, only a look of pure relief. Then he fake-roared at me. “That’s my child! What right did you have to abort it?!” “How dare you have an abortion without my permission! You won’t even get half the assets now!” “Oh, really? Then let’s drag this out.” “A week will fly by. When Skylar’s billionaire dad arrives, I’d love to see how a married man attends his own engagement party.” As I said that, I felt a pang of nervousness. I wanted to get rid of him quickly, not drag things out. But he seemed even more nervous than I was. After a series of facial expressions, he finally signed the agreement I’d offered, the one that made him leave with nothing. He must’ve thought, no money, no money, who cares if the Sterling family will look down on me. The priority was getting Skylar. Just then, Skylar called again. He answered, hurrying out the door. “Skylar, the divorce agreement is signed!” “Let’s celebrate, same place?” “Heh heh… Don’t worry, baby, I chugged a whole bottle of something special. I promise to be on fire all night long!” The next day at the company, my employees, who had been huddled in hushed whispers, suddenly went silent. They looked at me strangely. I was puzzled. As I walked into my office, I saw Skylar sitting in my executive chair. She had a cigarette between her fingers, legs crossed, a triumphant smirk on her face.

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After my husband left for his business trip, he thoughtfully sent me a recording of his snoring. I always needed to hear it to fall asleep. But halfway through the recording, a woman’s voice abruptly cut in. “Julian, after last time, I was all swollen and sore for days… You have to be gentle with me today.” I froze, then rewinded and listened again, my heart pounding. That voice. It was my sister, Skylar. The day Julian left, he bent down and gently kissed my forehead. “Call me if anything comes up. I’ve even set up your exclusive snoring track. Listen to it when you miss me at night, it’ll guarantee you sweet dreams.” I watched him turn and leave, feeling an emptiness settle in my chest. He had to leave for several days, just a week before my due date. That night, I tossed and turned, unable to sleep. I fumbled in the dark for my phone and opened the special “snoring sound” he’d recorded for me. The familiar snores started, with his unique rhythm, as if he was right beside me. The recording finished, and I was about to turn off my phone when I heard a faint “ding.” Then, a new audio clip automatically popped up, without warning. “Julian, slow down, you’re such a tease…” Her voice was so alluring it sent shivers down my spine. I stiffened, feeling like I’d been struck by lightning. It was Skylar. My own sister. I clutched my phone tightly, my fingertips icy cold. The next second, Julian’s low voice came through, laced with a hint of indulgence. “Naughty girl, we’re in your sister’s house. Aren’t you worried Chloe will hear us?” My breath hitched. Skylar giggled, her voice so close, it felt like she was right next to me. “She sleeps like a rock, how would she ever hear? Besides, she’s huge with a baby now, clumsy and slow. What’s she going to do, catch us?” “Don’t be ridiculous. She’s having a tough pregnancy; keep your voice down.” Julian’s voice sounded like a reprimand, but beneath it, there was a clear thread of indulgence. My world crashed down around me in that moment. The disgusting dialogue from the recording, Each word felt like a knife twisting in my heart. I shot up from the bed, my phone slipping to the floor with a dull thud. I listened to it repeatedly, terrified I’d misheard. In the end, I didn’t sleep a wink all night. After much hesitation, I picked up my phone and dialed his familiar number. The call was answered quickly. “Chloe? What’s wrong? Did you have a nightmare?” His voice was laced with obvious concern, So familiar it almost made me believe everything I’d heard was just a bad dream. My throat tightened, and I couldn’t utter a single word, Only a faint “Mm” escaped my lips. “Don’t be scared, don’t worry! I’m here for you! Is your stomach okay? Are you feeling uncomfortable? If not, I’ll rush back right away. You just wait for me, okay?” His urgent concern made it seem like he truly was the husband who only loved me. “N-no… No need.” I blurted it out instinctively. “Are you sure you’re okay? Your voice sounds really off.” He pressed on. “I’m fine, really, just… didn’t sleep well. Don’t worry.” I forced out a few words, trying to make my voice sound calm, but cold sweat already drenched my back. After hanging up, I collapsed onto the edge of the bed, feeling as if all my strength had been drained away. However, when I reopened the audio player, A new audio clip had appeared on the interface. The recording time was early this morning. My breathing stopped instantly, and my mind went blank. Was that… from just now?

My cold fingertips touched the screen, pressing play. “Julian, I want a baby.” Skylar’s voice, seductive with a hint of stubbornness, I could almost picture her nestled in his arms at that moment. “Skylar, stop it.” Julian’s voice was sharp, laced with impatience, “I’ve told you many times, in this life, I’ll only have children with Chloe.” “This is non-negotiable. I can’t betray her.” He rejected Skylar? A flicker of almost desperate euphoria sparked within me, But then, his next words brutally dragged me back down to hell. “I can give you my affection, but the title of my wife can only ever be Chloe’s.” His tone was flat, as if discussing an unimportant business deal. Skylar didn’t argue, just let out a soft laugh. Then came the faint rustle of clothes, the gradually deepening, intimate breaths. I didn’t want to hear the rest. I felt no pain, only a churning in my gut. A metallic sweetness rose in my throat. My stomach violently twisted and turned, I doubled over, but nothing came up, Only the tearing pain of dry heaves ripped through my chest. The tears could no longer be held back. The next day, he ultimately couldn’t rest easy and cut short his so-called “business trip,” rushing back home. He put down his luggage, habitually reaching out to hug me. I instinctively took half a step back, avoiding him. His movements froze, and a flicker of confusion crossed his eyes. “Chloe, what’s wrong?” “Just listen to something.” I placed my phone on the coffee table, my trembling finger tapping play. His and Skylar’s playful whispers and laughter sounded painfully clear. Julian’s face instantly changed, filled with a nearly enraged panic. “What is this? Where did you get it?” He tried to snatch the phone, But I held it tightly against me. He tried desperately to deny it, but that voice, that tone, it was so familiar, how could it not be him? “You listen carefully.” My voice was hoarse, forced out from my throat. “She said, ‘Mr. Julian, does your wife know how much fun you like to have?’ And you answered, ‘Her? She’s too busy being pregnant right now, she has no time to care about what I do.’” In the recording, his laughter was especially unrestrained. Julian’s face went completely white, veins throbbing at his temples, his eyes flashing with a hint of humiliated anger. He was silent for a few seconds, as if searching for words. “It was just casual flirting.” “Casual flirting?” I felt a sharp pain in my chest, almost unable to breathe. I was carrying his child, and he was having an affair with my sister, And he called it “casual flirting”? Seeing my lack of reaction, his tone grew harder. “Are you serious? It’s just a work thing, all men do it. You’re pregnant now, your temper’s getting worse, and you’re making a big deal out of this small thing.” “Besides, in the recording, Skylar and I were just messing around. Can’t you be a little more understanding? She’s your sister, after all!” He turned around and blamed me, as if I were the one who had done something wrong. I stared at him, Wanting to see through his face and understand what kind of person he really was. The doorbell suddenly rang insistently, breaking the deathly silence in the living room. Before I could react, Julian jumped up like he’d found a lifeline, rushing to open the door. “Skylar, why are you here? You… what’s wrong?” Skylar’s voice, tearful, rushed in, her eyes red, Looking as if she’d suffered a tremendous injustice. The moment she saw me, her body visibly stiffened, Then she stumbled and threw herself into Julian’s arms, Half her body clinging to him, her shoulders shaking with sobs. “Julian, I… I didn’t mean it. I had no idea…” “I thought it was just a joke between us, I didn’t know Chloe would be so upset…”

Behind her, my parents also walked in. My dad’s face was ashen. He walked straight up to me and slapped me across the face. “You’re a disgrace to this family! How could I raise such a scoundrel?!” I stared at my dad in disbelief. Earlier today, after Julian said he was coming back, I had sent the recording directly to our family SnapChat group. I thought my parents would stand up for me, But instead, this was what greeted me… My mom followed behind, pulling my dad away. “Talk to the child properly! Why are you hitting her?!” Then, she pulled Skylar to sit next to me. “Chloe, I know Skylar was wrong about this, but she knows she made a mistake.” “She’s still just a kid, after all. Just pretend this never happened…” But Skylar on the side wasn’t having it. “No! Julian and I are truly in love! It’s Chloe who stole him from me!” I froze, my mind spinning. How could she… “You’ve always liked to take my things since we were little, always trying to compete with me. And now you want to take Julian too?” Skylar’s tears fell instantly, rolling down her cheeks, her voice full of hurt and accusation. Take? What did I ever take from her? Growing up, my parents always told me to let her have her way. Every time she wanted something, didn’t I just give it to her without question? And now, she was twisting the story and blaming me to this extent! My body trembled slightly with anger. Seeing my reaction, My dad grew even angrier. “You broadcast that kind of mess in the family group chat! Are you trying to utterly humiliate me even more?!” “What’s next, are you going to start a live stream for everyone to see?!” Mom was also next to me, sighing deeply, Gently patting my back. “Chloe, you’re due any day now. Can’t you talk things through calmly? Don’t be so quick to jump to conclusions, causing Julian trouble.” “Exactly, Chloe. Julian finally came back from his business trip. For the sake of the baby, you should be more reasonable now.” Skylar seized the opportunity to interject, She leaned gently against Mom, like a startled fawn. I looked at them, at my closest family, But they seemed like strangers I was seeing for the first time. I looked up at Julian, He cleared his throat awkwardly, But still spoke. “Skylar, it’s okay, don’t blame your sister. She’s going through a lot too.” “As for you, Chloe, don’t worry about these things right now. You’re almost due; focus on having the baby first. We can discuss everything else later.” It felt like I’d been punched in the gut. Thousands of words wanted to burst from my throat, but not a single one would come out. My hand instinctively went to my lower abdomen. For the baby? Was I supposed to endure all of this for the baby? My heart felt like it was being ripped apart, the pain so intense I could barely stand. The sharp abdominal pain came out of nowhere, engulfing me like a tidal wave. I felt something suddenly flowing out of me. In a panic, I grabbed my mom’s hand. “Mom, my stomach hurts… something’s coming out…” Soon, I was rushed to the hospital. The faces of doctors and nurses swam before my eyes, I only heard their urgent shouts; the world was a blur. The baby arrived early, a whole month before his due date. I lay on the cold delivery bed, my hair drenched with sweat, utterly exhausted. A tiny, wrinkled figure was placed beside me. A faint cry tore through the hospital corridor’s silence. I struggled to lift my hand, wanting to touch him, but my fingertips could barely move. After being wheeled out of the delivery room, everyone in my family rushed forward. Julian’s face was beaming with uncontainable excitement. He pushed forward, took a quick peek, Then clenched his fists and pumped them, “Yes! I knew it would be a son!”

Just then, a familiar figure clung to Julian. Skylar intimately linked her arm through his, Her voice so sweet, like honey. “Julian, the company urgently needs you for a meeting. If the baby’s fine, shouldn’t we hurry?” Julian’s gaze finally shifted from the baby. When it landed on Skylar, it softened considerably. “Wait, I’ll just say a quick word to Chloe before I go.” He excitedly rushed over, planting a big kiss on my forehead. “You’re amazing, babe! Wait for me, I’ll celebrate properly with you once things at the company settle down!” After saying that, he smiled and made to leave. “Julian, don’t go!” My voice was hoarse, I yelled with all my might. I struggled to sit up, but only felt a wave of dizziness. Julian rushed over to support me. “Chloe, you just gave birth, don’t move. Just lie down…” Skylar also leaned in. “That’s right, Chloe. Don’t throw a tantrum now, the company really needs Julian.” As she spoke, she provocatively hooked her arm through Julian’s, “Even if you miss Julian, you still have to let him take care of business, right?” Julian looked at Skylar’s actions, He only frowned slightly but didn’t say anything. Turning back to me, he gently stroked my cheek. “Chloe, be a good girl. I’ll definitely come back to be with you tonight.” But I didn’t speak, I just clutched his other hand tightly. Julian’s face immediately turned cold. His eyebrows furrowed together. “Chloe, can you stop being so unreasonable? Company matters are urgent, what are you fussing about now?” “Hold the baby, just for a moment…” My tears instantly welled up, streaming down my cheeks. Julian scoffed, forcefully pulling his hand away. “Alright, alright, always crying. I told you I’d be back tonight!” After saying that, he turned to leave. I used my last ounce of strength, staring at his retreating back, my voice trembling with despair. “Julian, if you dare to leave today, we’re getting a divorce!” The air seemed to freeze. A subtle smirk played on Skylar’s lips. Julian’s footsteps halted. He slowly turned around, his face devoid of emotion. “Divorce?” He repeated the two words. He didn’t look at me again, nor did he spare another glance for our newborn child. He just sneered, turned, and strode out of the hospital room. Skylar followed closely behind. Before she left, she even deliberately turned back and smiled at me, her eyes full of triumph. The hospital room door slammed shut with a “bang.” My mom sighed, and the surrounding nurses exchanged glances, But they still pushed me into the room. That night felt incredibly long. As I expected, Julian didn’t come back. It wasn’t until the third day That he finally showed up, quite late. “Chloe, I’ve been swamped with company issues these past few days, I really couldn’t get away,” He carried several bags, Excitedly showing me the things he’d brought back. “Look, our son will look so handsome in this outfit,” “And this little pacifier, how cute will he be biting it…” I didn’t say anything, just watched him quietly. He seemed displeased by my expression, Huffed dismissively, And sat heavily on the chair beside me. “Let’s get a divorce.”

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Eight months pregnant, I went to find Julian, my husband, who was out fishing. Instead, I stumbled upon him wrapped in the arms of my best friend, Bethany. “Julian, when are you finally going to divorce that hag? My baby can’t wait.” “Relax, I’ve got everything planned. Her delivery day will be her death day!” “Then we’ll take her fifty million dollars in lottery winnings and settle overseas!” Their laughter echoed, and I felt like I’d been plunged into an ice bath. My husband of ten years, my best friend of fifteen, both wanted me dead. If that’s the game they were playing, then they shouldn’t blame me for packaging them up and sending them off first. Back home, I dialed Isabella, the mob boss. “Does your offer from last time still stand?” Isabella ran a high-end club. Once, a wealthy client offered a fortune to experience my husband. Isabella could have easily kidnapped Julian and delivered him. But because I’d saved her once, she’d held back. Now, hearing I wanted to get rid of my own husband, Isabella asked, her voice tinged with uncertainty, “I remember you telling me that you and Julian started dating in college. You gave up studying abroad for him, turned down an overseas promotion. You even went through ten rounds of IVF just to give him a baby. You loved him so much. Are you truly willing to… let him go like this?” Her words made my nose prickle, tears threatening to fall. It was true. We’d been together for ten years since college. After my parents died in a car crash, he became my only family. I sacrificed countless opportunities for advancement, all just to be with him. Even this baby – he said he wanted to experience fatherhood, and because he had a low sperm count, I went through ten rounds of IVF to conceive. Ten rounds of IVF nearly cost me half my life. Before, I never felt the hardship, believing that love could overcome anything. But tonight, I knew he didn’t love me at all. He wished for my death. “And Bethany, the woman you mentioned? I recall she’s your best friend? You two grew up together. In middle school, you lost three teeth protecting her. She mentioned wanting to buy a house, and you shelled out fifty thousand dollars. Are you really okay with this?” If it were before, I’d never be able to. But seeing her in Julian’s arms on that hillside, scheming for my money and my life, any affection I had for her vanished. Seeing my silence, Isabella thought she’d hit a nerve, her tone hardening. “You’re not actually regretting it, are you…?” Hearing her voice grow serious, I quickly clarified, “No regrets, Isabella.” “I didn’t agree before because I considered them family.” “Now, they’ve cheated on and betrayed me, planning to kill me and the baby during childbirth to steal my assets. For the sake of my child, how could I ever go soft?” At this, Isabella’s tone softened, tinged with a shared rage. “Damn it! My own husband and best friend screwed me over the same way!” “Don’t worry. That Mr. Ivanov, he’s a cruel man. Anyone who goes to him usually leaves half-dead, if they leave at all. If your husband and best friend end up with him, it’ll be a living hell!” Hearing that, a weight lifted from my chest. “Good. Then I’ll trust you. When should we do this?” “The day after tomorrow. I’ll let you know the exact time.” Just as I hung up, I heard the lock turn on the front door.

I quickly ended the call and deleted our communication history. I turned around to see Julian and Bethany, their clothes disheveled, fingers still intertwined. They probably hadn’t expected me, an early sleeper, to still be awake at 2 AM. They both jumped, quickly separating their hands. Julian stammered, “Bethany and I bumped into each other downstairs. She said she had a fight with her boyfriend and came to crash here. I didn’t want to wake you, so I just brought her up.” Bethany chimed in, “Yeah, yeah, Scarlett, please don’t misunderstand. Julian and I just happened to run into each other. He loves you so much; he’s just being extra nice to me because I’m your friend.” I looked at their faces, once so dear to me, and now I just felt pure disgust. Remembering their entwined bodies on the hillside, a wave of nausea hit me, and I rushed to the bathroom to throw up. Julian, as always, was instantly by my side, pulling out tissues, gently wiping my mouth, playing the perfect concerned husband. “Scarlett, my darling, have you been overworking yourself lately?” He tenderly pulled me into his arms. “It’s my fault, it’s my fault. I won’t go fishing anymore, I won’t make you wait for me again.” Listening to his false words, smelling his sickening, pungent scent, my hatred surged. I wanted nothing more than to grab a knife from the kitchen and stab him to death. But the baby in my belly kicked, bringing me back to my senses. Patience, Scarlett, patience. A moment of weakness could ruin everything. I forced myself to endure the revulsion, clinging to him and acting like my usual self. “Oh, Julian, you’re so good to me! How did I get so lucky to find such a wonderful husband?” “I truly love you so much! Our baby will love you just as much as I do!” Bethany, standing nearby, clenched her fists. She couldn’t stand it anymore and cleared her throat, teasing in a ‘good friend’ tone, “Alright, you two! How many years have you been disgustingly sweet? Aren’t you sick of it yet? I’m practically gagging over here! Think about how this third wheel feels, okay?” This was the first time I truly observed her expression when she said those words. Deep in her eyes, jealousy and hatred lurked, a smile plastered on her face that didn’t reach her eyes. How stupid had I been? I’d never doubted her sincerity, treating her like my second family. I feigned a shy laugh. “You always tease me!” “Oh, by the way, didn’t you get a boyfriend?” “I always hear you two fighting, but I still haven’t seen what he looks like. Bethany, show me a picture!” As I spoke, I walked over, snatching her phone, ready to scroll through photos. Bethany was caught off guard. When she finally reacted, she snatched her phone back. Perhaps realizing her reaction was too strong, she quickly added, “What’s so great about pictures? I’ll introduce you to him in person next time.” I had only done it to mess with her, so I didn’t press further, just smiled and went back to the bedroom. They, on the other hand, thinking I was gone, grew bolder. They started kissing shamelessly in the living room, and Julian’s hand even slipped under her clothes, giving a squeeze. “Julian, I don’t want you to sleep with her. When she’s asleep, come to my room, okay?” Julian chuckled, giving her a playful slap on the butt. “Still craving more?” “But we haven’t tried it while she’s around. Get ready, wait for me, baby.” Watching their blatant disrespect, treating me like a complete idiot, I stifled my disgust and sent another message to Isabella. 【I can’t wait another day. The sooner, the better.】 An hour later, Julian nudged me, made sure I was genuinely asleep, then carefully crept towards the guest room. In the quiet night, muffled moans from outside the door came in waves. My heart was torn, my fingernails digging into my palms, leaving streaks of blood. But none of it compared to the pain of betrayal. Another hour passed. The door creaked open, and Julian climbed back into bed. He habitually pulled me into his arms. I used the excuse of turning over to free myself from his embrace, and while he was sound asleep, I slipped into another guest room.

In the quiet of the night, I stroked my restless baby bump, whispering a promise: “Don’t be afraid, baby. Mommy is braver than you think. I’ll protect you, and I’ll protect myself.” The baby seemed to sense my resolve, kicking in response. Finally, at seven in the morning, after Julian and Bethany had left for work, I quickly took out my notebook and planned. Their prolonged disappearance would certainly arouse suspicion from Julian’s parents and Bethany’s family. If they reported it to the police, it could lead to trouble for me. After considering several options, I decided to send both families on vacation. Preferably to a remote location like Alaska, for about two weeks. With that thought, I called Julian. Hearing I was paying for his family to go on vacation, he was overjoyed and immediately called his mother, Mrs. Davies. Mrs. Davies, who usually never had a kind word for me, surprisingly called me directly for the first time. “Scarlett, darling, I heard you’re sending us all on a trip to Alaska? All-expenses-paid, hotels, flights, and even a thousand dollars for each of us?” I was about to nod when her disdainful voice rang out again. “That’s not very generous, is it?” “Scarlett, I heard you won the lottery! Don’t you think you should give us elders a five-thousand-dollar bonus each? A thousand is so cheap!” Mrs. Davies was always greedy, and once she found an opportunity to take advantage, she’d never stop. If I gave in now, she’d demand more and more. I wouldn’t give her that chance. “Mom, if you think I’m being selfish, then I won’t pay for this vacation, which is costing around thirty thousand dollars. I’ll cancel the trip right now.” “You wouldn’t dare! If you cancel, I’ll make Julian divorce you!” “Fine, I’ll cancel it then.” Fearing I actually would cancel, Mr. Davies intervened, saying a few placating words. For the sake of my plan, I didn’t press the issue and then called Bethany. Learning her family could go on a free vacation, she was as thrilled as Julian. However, upon hearing the flights were for the day after tomorrow, she asked cautiously, “Scarlett, why are the tickets booked so last minute?” Of course it was urgent. Just moments ago, I’d received a text from Isabella. 【Tomorrow night, 7 PM, The Golden Palace Club, Room 708.】 I was busy sending them both to hell; how could I let these people ruin my plans? I brushed her off, “Well, my due date is getting close, so I just thought they should go early and come back early, you know?” Hearing my answer, Bethany no longer seemed suspicious and calmly went to pack for her parents. To lure Julian and Bethany to the club, I suggested we have a farewell dinner at The Golden Palace tomorrow night. Everyone was thrilled. 【The Golden Palace! That’s a high-end club, it has everything! We’re so lucky because of Scarlett!】 【Yes, Julian is truly blessed to have such a wonderful wife. He needs to cherish her.】 Julian suggested inviting Bethany’s family as well. A cold laugh echoed in my mind. He truly kept Bethany in his thoughts, always making sure she got her share of any benefits. But this was exactly what I wanted. 【Sure, we’re all family, let’s make it a big celebration!】 Before going to sleep that night, I synced my plan with Isabella. She told me that once Julian and Bethany were led there, special people would intercept them.

Thinking that Julian and Bethany were still two lives, I opened the Bible and read it a few times. Julian, fresh out of the shower, saw me and teased curiously, “Why are you suddenly reading the Bible? Is someone about to die?” I turned my head, looking at him with a smirk. “Yes.” His smile froze. He scrutinized my expression intensely. Just as he seemed to think I’d discovered his plan to kill me during childbirth, I let out a giggle. “Look at you! You’re getting so serious as you get older, can’t even take a joke anymore…” Julian unconsciously let out a breath, but the suspicion on his face hadn’t completely vanished. “That joke wasn’t funny at all. Don’t make it again.” “Though, have you heard any rumors lately?” I feigned curiosity. “What rumors? Tell me, it’ll help pass the time.” Seeing that I truly seemed clueless, he finally relaxed a little and picked up his phone. Before bed, I handed him a glass of milk to help him sleep, just like always. Only this time, I added a little something extra. Sleeping pills. Once I was sure he was asleep, I used his face to unlock his phone and opened his chat with Bethany. 【Bethany, the plan has changed. Scarlett probably suspects something. We need to speed things up and get rid of her.】 Bethany: 【You’re overthinking it. Scarlett is an idiot. We’ve been hooking up for a year, and she hasn’t suspected a thing!】 Perhaps because Julian didn’t reply immediately, she sent another message. 【Remember when her parents found out you were cheating and wanted to tell Scarlett to divorce you? You found out and messed with their brakes, and Scarlett still thinks it was just an accidental death, right?】 My pupils constricted sharply. The pain was unbearable, I couldn’t breathe. It wasn’t an accident. Julian had killed my parents. And Julian, this murderer, had played the part of a loving husband and devoted son-in-law in front of all our friends and family. At the funeral, he’d stood before all our loved ones and my parents’ gravestones, promising: “I will take good care of Scarlett for you, Mom and Dad. I won’t let her suffer.” All of it was a charade! That beast! I slapped the sleeping Julian hard, then, fighting back the grief, typed on his phone. 【Baby, I heard there’s a special room at The Golden Palace with all sorts of toys. Shall we try it out tomorrow?】 Bethany cursed him playfully, then sent a few pictures of sexy lingerie for him to choose from. I mimicked Julian’s tone, my hands trembling. 【Bring them all. I’ll take them all, baby. I’ll make sure you have the time of your life.】 After sending the message, I deleted the recent chat history and put the phone back in its place. The next afternoon at six, everyone else went into a different private room at The Golden Palace. Julian and Bethany, however, were exchanging glances, trying to slip out the door unnoticed. I couldn’t let them leave together, so I deliberately called out to Bethany. “Bethany, my stomach hurts. Will you come to the restroom with me?” Before Bethany could react, I pulled her out. She suppressed the annoyance on her face, shot Julian a look, then reluctantly followed me out of the room. Halfway there, Bethany realized something was off. “Scarlett, where are you going? This isn’t the way to the restroom!” I stopped, feigning timidness as I looked at her. “I’m sorry, Bethany. Julian forced me to do this. If you want to blame someone, blame him.” She realized something was truly wrong, yanked her hand away, and tried to run.

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The ten-month-old goldfish died. That’s all it took. Suddenly, my husband and mother-in-law were demanding I get an abortion. My due date was just seven days away. I rushed to my parents, desperate for comfort. But my mom, who had always doted on me, grabbed my arm, her voice sharp with fury. “Why didn’t you listen? Why come back? Do you want to kill us all?!” My dad went even further. He snatched a fruit knife from the kitchen and wildly stabbed my belly. That was it. My baby and I died together. Then I opened my eyes again. I was back on the day the goldfish died. “Evelyn, look!’ My mother-in-law, Carol, beamed as she walked toward me, a pile of baby things in her arms. “I went out and bought all these things for our little one. Now we just wait for the baby to arrive!” My body trembled. I knew, with chilling certainty, that I had been reborn. In my previous life, Carol and I had always been close. My body was weak, making pregnancy an uphill battle. Three years of marriage had left my womb barren. When I finally conceived, Carol burst into tears, crushing me in a tearful embrace. Throughout my pregnancy, she’d cared for me meticulously. If anyone accidentally bumped my belly, she’d immediately whisk me off to the hospital for a full check-up. She used to say her greatest wish in life was to see my child born safely and grow up healthy. But in my past life, the moment our ten-month-old goldfish died, that loving mother-in-law vanished. Her face twisted into something unrecognizable. She became a woman possessed, screaming at me to get an abortion. “Evelyn, what’s wrong? You look so pale. Are you not feeling well?” Carol quickly put down her bags, reaching out anxiously to touch my forehead. I instinctively took a half-step back, shrugging her off. “I’m fine, Carol. Maybe I just didn’t sleep well last night.” She looked at me with a pained expression. “The bigger the baby gets, the tougher it is on the mom. You’re working so hard, sweetie. I’ll go make you some soup.” With that, she turned and headed into the kitchen, bustling about. I, however, went straight to the fish tank. I looked down, and my heart sank. The goldfish, the one we’d kept for ten months, was floating on the surface, belly-up, utterly lifeless. Just like last time. The moment Carol and Dylan found out that fish was dead, my baby and I would be in grave danger! Just then, Carol’s voice approached. “Evelyn, what are you looking at?” Out of the corner of my eye, I saw her walking towards me. I spun around, forcing a shaky smile. “Nothing.” My hand, however, plunged into the water behind my back, deftly grabbing the dead fish and tucking it into my pocket. I changed the subject. “I’m a little hungry. Is the soup ready yet?” Carol chuckled. “Silly girl, not that fast! Why don’t you sit on the couch and watch some TV for a bit? I’ll cut you some fruit.” As she spoke, her gaze instinctively drifted towards the fish tank. Then, her face instantly fell. Her eyes fixated on the empty tank. “Where’s the fish?!”

Carol’s voice was loud, laced with a tremor of fury and outright terror. She rushed to the tank, pressing her face against the glass, inspecting it meticulously. After confirming the fish was gone, Carol snapped her head around, her eyes piercing mine. “Where did the goldfish in the tank go?!” The woman who, moments ago, had a gentle, loving smile, was now staring at me with a twisted expression. My heart pounded. I clutched the cold, slimy dead fish in my pocket, forcing myself to stay calm. “I don’t know. Maybe it’s hiding behind the water plants?” Carol’s voice was sharp, certain. “No way! I check on it every day; it never hides! Evelyn, you were just by the tank. Didn’t you see where it went?” Meeting her suspicious gaze, I quickly shook my head. “I didn’t see it. It’s just a fish, right? We can just buy another one. Why are you so worked up about it?” “You don’t understand!” Carol suddenly snapped, her voice tight. “This fish…” She cut herself off mid-sentence, saying no more. But my heart still gave a sharp jolt. This fish is problematic, just as I suspected! In my previous life, my in-laws, Dylan, and even my own parents’ attitudes had changed so quickly that I was trapped in shock and fear, unable to properly think about the strangeness of it all. Now, thinking back, their insane obsession with making me abort the baby was all because of this goldfish, wasn’t it? Dylan had bought this fish specifically when I first got pregnant. He said it was to keep me entertained, but he and Carol were utterly devoted to it. They bought the most expensive tank, the top-tier fish food, all just for this one fish! Even my parents, who had never kept fish in their lives, paid it endless attention. Every time they came to visit, they’d stare at that fish for ages. Last time, I thought they were just curious and entertained. I never imagined that this fish would lead them to try and kill me and my baby! But I still couldn’t figure it out. What was so special about this goldfish? Why could it turn my parents, who had loved me since childhood, and my husband and mother-in-law, who had desperately wanted this child, into completely different people? I looked at Carol, who seemed hesitant to speak, and asked, “Carol, what about the fish?” She avoided my gaze, her face darkening as she waved a dismissive hand. “It’s nothing.” With that, Carol forgot all about me and anxiously began searching the house for the fish. I felt the fish in my pocket, my mind in a chaotic mess. I just couldn’t understand. What was the problem with this fish? And what did my baby have to do with it? Why, if it died, couldn’t my baby be born either? And right now, what should I do? Throw it away? Destroy it? Or keep it, as a clue to uncover the truth? Forget it. First, I need to see what the big mystery with this fish is! Having made up my mind, I quickly slipped into the bathroom, locked the door, and cautiously pulled the fish from my pocket. I was just about to examine the goldfish closely for anything unusual when the bathroom door suddenly unlocked from the outside. I looked up, only to see Dylan, who I hadn’t realized was home, staring at me with a dark, ominous expression.

I jumped, quickly stuffing the fish back into my pocket. “Dylan, when… when did you get back?” Dylan’s eyes were fixed on me. He didn’t answer my question, only asked coldly. “What are you doing?” Meeting his chilling gaze, my heart raced, but I kept my face impassive. “Morning sickness.” “You know my pregnancy symptoms are pretty bad.” Dylan gave me a long, hard look, then glanced towards the fish tank in the living room, and asked, “Evelyn, do you feel unwell anywhere today? Stomach pain? Or anything else unusual?” Seeing that he didn’t ask about the goldfish, I was slightly taken aback, then replied, “No, nothing’s wrong.” Carol suddenly squeezed into the bathroom doorway, her face pale, tugging at Dylan’s sleeve. “Dylan, what do we do? The fish is gone. What if…” “It won’t happen, Carol.” Dylan cut her off, his eyes fixed on my belly. He said deeply, “There’s still time.” My heart tightened. Time for what? To get rid of the baby? I instinctively stepped back, but Dylan grabbed my hand, soothingly. “Evelyn, you don’t look so good. I’ll take you to the hospital for a check-up.” Taking me to the hospital again! Even though they hadn’t explicitly mentioned abortion, I knew that if I went to the hospital with them, my baby would be in danger! I quickly shook my head. “No, I don’t need to. I’m fine, just need some rest.” But Dylan, without a word, put his arm around my shoulder and started guiding me towards the door. “Better to get checked, just to be safe.” Carol also squeezed in. “Yes, Evelyn, the baby in your belly is our precious little one, we need to protect it carefully.” They flanked me, pulling me towards the front door with terrifying strength. I struggled, shouting in confusion. “Let go of me!” “Why do you insist on taking me to the hospital?!” They ignored my questions, just pulling me harder towards the door. But as Dylan opened the door, we ran straight into my parents, who were just about to knock. Seeing me being roughly dragged by Carol and Dylan, looking so disheveled, my mom instantly panicked. She rushed forward, pushed Dylan and Carol aside, and pulled me tightly into her arms. “What are you doing?! Can’t you see my daughter is pregnant? How can you treat her so roughly?!” My dad also stepped in front of me, his face grim. “Dylan, when you married Evelyn, I explicitly told you that my daughter is more precious to me than my own life. How dare you treat her this way?!” I was an only child. My parents had always treasured me, never even saying a harsh word. On my wedding day, they cried for a long time, reluctant to let me go, afraid I wouldn’t be happy with my in-laws. They’d visit me every few days. Now, seeing me treated so roughly, they were furious. Carol quickly explained. “Richard, Diane, you’ve misunderstood.” “It’s… it’s just that our goldfish went missing!”

I clearly saw both my parents’ bodies stiffen simultaneously. But just as quickly, they returned to normal. My mom even hugged me tighter. “It’s just a fish! If it’s gone, it’s gone. You still have no right to lay hands on my daughter!” “Evelyn, you must have been so scared, right?” “Come on, let’s go home with Mom and Dad for a few days. I’ll make you your favorite sweet and sour ribs.” My dad chimed in. “Yes, go home. With Dad here, no one can bully you!” My parents’ words were flawless. When they looked at me, their faces even wore loving smiles. But I couldn’t help but feel a shiver of dread. Something was wrong! They were wrong! Everything was wrong! If I went home with my parents, what awaited me would probably be death. Almost instantaneously, I used all my strength to shove my mom away, then dashed out the door like a madwoman! “Stop her!” “Evelyn!” I ignored their shouts, protecting my belly, desperately running down the stairs. In that moment, only one thought consumed me. Don’t get caught! I ran downstairs, straight towards the lake by the community entrance. That’s where the most people were, walking and fishing! “Help! Help me!” I yelled at the top of my lungs as I ran. “They’re trying to kill my baby!” “Please, someone call the police!” Heavily pregnant, running and screaming for help, I made everyone at the lake look my way. Dylan was hot on my heels, shouting. “She’s my wife!” “She’s having a breakdown! She’s not making sense!” But a young couple with a child stepped in front of me, blocking Dylan’s path. “Don’t you dare come any closer! We’ve already called the police!” Immediately, more people gathered around me, confronting Dylan and my parents. “Yeah, we’ve all called the police!” “No one is touching this pregnant woman until the police get here!” I was protected in the center of the crowd, panting heavily. My parents and Dylan looked furious, but they didn’t dare advance. Soon, several police officers arrived. Detective Miller, the one leading them, scanned the scene and asked. “What’s going on here? Who called the police?” Dylan quickly stepped forward, a friendly smile on his face. “Officer, it’s a misunderstanding!” “This is my wife. She’s emotionally unstable due to her pregnancy, and my mother and I were just trying to take her for a prenatal check-up.” My parents also nodded in agreement. “Yes, Officer. We’re her parents. Our daughter isn’t herself today; we were all just concerned for her.” I immediately retorted. “No, that’s not true!” “They want to kill my baby!” “All because a goldfish went missing at home!” “They’re all forcing me to get an abortion!” “When I refused, they even tried to kill me!” Though they hadn’t done that in this timeline, the situation was urgent. This was the only way to make the police take me seriously. Sure enough, faced with my horrifying accusation, Detective Miller’s brows furrowed. “Abortion and murder over a goldfish? What are you talking about?” Dylan didn’t even flinch. “Officer, she’s really distressed and talking nonsense.” “How could we possibly cause a death over a goldfish?” “That fish was hers, she’d kept it for a long time. She’s very upset it’s gone, which is why she’s imagining things.” Carol also nodded. “That’s right, my daughter-in-law normally loves keeping fish. Today, after the fish went missing, she’s just been completely out of sorts.” “We were worried her mental state was affected, so we wanted to take her for a check-up at the hospital. We never imagined she’d hallucinate something so absurd.” Detective Miller eyed us all with a complex expression for a while, then said gravely. “All of you, come with me to the precinct. We need to clear this up.” At his words, my parents, Carol, and Dylan’s faces instantly turned ashen. “Officer, is that really necessary? It’s just a family matter, we can resolve it ourselves.” My mom spoke up, looking troubled, clearly not wanting to go to the police station. But Detective Miller said sternly. “Please cooperate with our investigation.” Just as they were about to be led away, Dylan suddenly walked up to me, speaking softly, in a voice only we could hear. “You’re curious why we insisted on taking you to the hospital, aren’t you?” He then glanced at my pocket, his voice serious. “The fish is in your pocket, right? Look closely at it, and you’ll understand everything!” My entire body shuddered. I instinctively pulled out the fish and looked at it closely. Just one look, and my scalp prickled with horror! In that moment, I finally understood why they were so desperate to force an abortion after the goldfish died! Understanding everything, I leaped into the nearby lake in front of everyone, as if my life meant nothing…

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I had two cats. Then one day, out of nowhere, I understood every word they said. My British Shorthair, Lucky, scoffed. “Ugh, this disgusting woman, always touching me! I much prefer Chloe! I wish I could just lie on Chloe’s lap forever!” My Maine Coon, Obsidian, murmured. “She smells so good! I want to buy the best bed in the world and make love to her for three days and three nights!” Their voices… One was exactly like my boyfriend’s. The other was identical to my cold and intimidating CEO. It was 10 PM when I finally got home from work. I opened the door to my apartment, and a chaotic scene greeted me. Shattered glass, shredded paper, an overturned potted plant… a total mess. The culprit, Lucky, was sprawled comfortably on my roommate Chloe’s lap, being stroked by her. Before I could even speak, Chloe quickly tried to soothe me. “Nova, don’t blame Lucky. It looked like there was a mouse, and he just messed up the place trying to catch it.” Lucky was the name of the British Shorthair in her arms, a stray I’d rescued six months ago. When I found him, he was skin and bones. Now, he was plump as a ball, fluffy and adorable. As Chloe defended him, I swore I saw a smug expression on the cat’s face. I rubbed my eyes, then looked again. Lucky’s smugness hadn’t faded; he even curled one side of his mouth, a hint of defiance in his gaze. It was like he was telling me. Yeah, I did it. What are you gonna do about it? What the hell? Is this cat… sentient? “Nova, what’s wrong?” Chloe asked, seeing me staring strangely at the cat. “Nothing…” I shook my head, walked over to them, and bent down, reaching out to pet Lucky. “Lucky, good boy. If you were just chasing a mouse, I won’t be mad.” It was odd. This was a high-end, clean apartment in the city center. How could there possibly be a mouse? But as a devoted cat owner, I decided not to push it, hoping to melt Lucky’s heart with love. As usual, Lucky reacted swiftly, leaping up. He darted behind Chloe, peering out at me and hissing. His fangs were bared, his eyes full of warning. It was as if he’d fight me to the death if I dared touch him. “Ugh…” I sighed deeply. For some reason, this cat never wanted to be near me. My boyfriend, Daniel, once explained that everyone has a different scent, and cats have sensitive noses. Maybe my scent just wasn’t to his liking. I bought into it. Even though he didn’t like me, my kind heart still led me to adopt this blue cat, abandoned by his previous owner and nearly starved to death as a stray. I got up to start tidying the messy living room. Suddenly, a familiar voice erupted in my ear. “This disgusting woman, always wanting to touch me! What right does she have to touch me! I love sweet Chloe; she smells so good. I must keep my body and soul pure for her!” I whipped my head around to stare at Lucky. He was back in Chloe’s arms, being happily petted and stroked. “Nova, what’s wrong?” Chloe asked. “Nothing…” I patted my ear. I wondered if I was just too tired, hearing things. A cat talking, and in my boyfriend’s voice? I continued to clean the living room. Chloe didn’t offer to help; instead, she unwrapped a cat treat and fed it to Lucky, who was clinging to her. “Chloe is so good to me; she’s feeding me treats again!” The voice came again. I gasped, turning to stare at Lucky. “Once Chloe’s stable in her job and gets a foothold in this city, I’m ditching that repulsive woman!” My grip tightened sharply on a glass shard I’d just picked up. The sharp pain in my palm told me this wasn’t a dream. I could hear the cat talking, and this cat… seemed to be my boyfriend. Why would my boyfriend turn into a cat? Baffled, I decided to call Daniel to confirm. But first, I needed to deal with my hand. “Nova, why are you so clumsy!” Seeing my bleeding hand, Chloe rushed over, Lucky still cradled in her arms, looking genuinely concerned. “It’s nothing, just a minor cut.” A minor cut that hardly compares to the feeling of an arrow piercing my heart, the endless ache and fury. I focused on dressing my wound, trying hard to maintain a calm expression. Lucky. “Serves her right!”

After bandaging my hand, I immediately called my boyfriend. The call went through, but no one answered. I tried three times, still nothing. Chloe was sitting next to me and knew I was calling Daniel. She said, “My cousin Daniel seems really busy lately. He goes to bed at nine and keeps his phone on silent.” She seemed to know more about my boyfriend than I did. I gave up on calling and decided to confront Daniel in person tomorrow to find out what was going on. Just then, Lucky spoke again. “Ugh..Busy with work? My company gets off at six sharp every day, no overtime ever!” “It’s because a week ago, I got struck by lightning. Every night at nine, my soul possesses this cat, and it can’t return to my body until six in the morning.” “Cats live up to twenty years at most. Am I going to have to live like this for twenty years? And if the cat dies, will I die too?” So that’s what happened… Well, then, there was no need to see him in person. It must be fate, helping me hear all this. I silently gritted my teeth, tidying the living room without a word. In my mind, I was already plotting how to get revenge on that despicable pair! Chloe got up and sat on the sofa, asking sweetly, “Nova, how’s the job hunt going? When can I start at your company?” At that, I paused. Chloe. Daniel introduced her as his cousin a week ago. He even called his mother right then, saying he’d picked up his cousin and would arrange a place for her to stay. Now it seemed his “mother” on the phone might not have been his mother at all. It was all a charade they played for me. Daniel pawned off this supposed cousin on me, asking me to look after her for a while and help her find a job. Because I had some extra cash, and being naive, I agreed without hesitation. I truly loved Daniel and was serious about him, seeing a future with marriage. I thought, since we’re family, we should help each other out. That very day, we found this two-bedroom, well-furnished apartment, and moved in together. Who would’ve thought… I turned to look at Chloe. She was indeed very pretty. Big, round eyes, the sweet, delicate type that easily charmed people. I smiled at this seemingly harmless, delicate woman. “Don’t rush. The company is having layoffs right now. Once they’re done, I’ll introduce you right away.” “Nova! I knew you were the best!” Chloe beamed at me.

After cleaning the living room, I went to my room. I switched on the light, and a massive Maine Coon, Obsidian, jumped off my bed, rubbing against my legs. My terrible mood instantly lifted. I scooped him up and showered his face with kisses. “Smooch smooch smooch!” “Obsidian, thank goodness I have you. You’re my precious baby!” Obsidian was the other stray cat I adopted. I’d taken such good care of him. His fur grew shiny, soft, and he looked like a majestic lion. Unlike Lucky, who never let me get close, Obsidian was profoundly clingy. He followed me everywhere, constantly demanded cuddles, and even slept pressed against me at night. Obsidian’s size advantage as a Maine Coon made his fights with Lucky brutally one-sided. After finding Lucky covered in scratches one too many times, I had to start keeping Obsidian in my room. “You’re so heavy, my love! Wait for me on the bed, I’ll be out after my shower!” I placed the cat on the bed, pulled a towel from my closet, and headed to the bathroom. When I emerged from the bathroom, Obsidian was sitting on the bed, facing the door, his eyes bright and fixed on me. I couldn’t resist walking over and kissing his forehead. I blow-dried my hair, put on my pajamas, and got into bed. I cuddled Obsidian and drifted off to sleep. Obsidian purred in my arms. “She smells so good, I want to sleep with her! I want to buy the best bed in the world and make love to her for three days and three nights!” I shot up, electrified, reaching out to switch on the bedside lamp, my eyes wide with disbelief as I stared at Obsidian. “Huh? What’s wrong with her?” Obsidian, confused, walked over, wanting to snuggle again. I quickly got out of bed, rejecting his advances. “Obsidian, I’m not feeling well lately. I don’t want to get you sick, so can you sleep in the living room tonight?” It sounded like a suggestion, but I picked him up and tossed him out of the room. I locked the door and pressed a hand to my chest, my heart pounding. Obsidian’s voice… It was exactly like Vincent Sterling’s, my cold as ice, intense CEO! Had he been struck by lightning too and possessed a cat? “Meow-ow-ow-ow!” Outside, Lucky’s agonizing shriek echoed. “That despicable woman! Why did she let this cursed cat out!” “Help me!” Obsidian, meanwhile, was roaring. “You filthy scumbag! Die!” “You tried to use my Nova as a stepping stone, planning to throw her away after you were done! You beast! Die, die, die!” Wait? How did Obsidian know Daniel wanted to use me? Did he hear their plans at home? No, that’s not right. If they were both possessing cats at the same time, they wouldn’t have heard each other’s conversations. It was probably Chloe who accidentally let it slip at home. Good for you, Obsidian! Scratch him to death! I silently cheered Obsidian on, a thrill of satisfaction washing over me. “Oh no! Obsidian! Stop it!” Chloe, hearing the commotion, rushed out of her room. Obsidian scoffed. “You wicked woman! I’ll kill you too!” Chloe shrieked in pain. “Ahhh! Help me! Nova! Help me!” Afraid of disturbing the neighbors, I had to go out and stop Obsidian’s one-sided assault. Chloe and Lucky both had over a dozen deep red scratches, which looked incredibly painful. “Nova, it hurts so much! Am I going to get cat scratch disease? Will I have scars?” Chloe cried, tears streaming down her face. If she hadn’t protected her face so fiercely, it would surely have been injured. Lucky looked pathetic, licking his wounds, his internal thoughts vicious. “Damn it all! Tomorrow, when that wicked woman is out, I’m coming back to kill this black cat, then I’ll lie and say he ran away!” Hmph, you want to kill my cat? No way! I cast a cold glance at them. “It’s too late; the pet store is definitely closed. There’s disinfectant in the first-aid kit under the coffee table. You can clean yourself and Lucky. See a vet tomorrow. I’m going to bed.” “Nova…” I turned to re-enter my room, but Chloe stood up and called my name. Her face was full of pathetic pleading, wanting me to act like a doting mother and take care of them. My expression remained unchanged. “I have to work tomorrow. You wouldn’t want me to get fired for being late at this crucial time, hurting both myself and your chances of getting a job, right?” Chloe instantly fell silent. I walked into my room and closed the door. Obsidian murmured. “This woman… she finally smartened up today?” Yes. Without understanding cats, I’d still treat them like family. Now I know: Being good makes you a target. Being naive makes you a fool.

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To surprise my wife, I secretly went to her concert. But backstage, I stumbled upon her and a famous male star, Jax Peterson, in a passionate embrace in the green room. Jax grinned wickedly, “Between me and that useless husband of yours at home, who do you like better?” Chloe Miller, fawning, kissed him, “He’s not even in your league, Jax.” Through the slightly ajar door, I tore the new album signing contract she’d always dreamed of into shreds. Chloe Miller returned home at two in the morning. She walked into the bedroom, reeking of alcohol, and I was already in bed, pretending to sleep. Chloe whined playfully, “Honey, I drank too much at the celebration party, my head hurts so bad…” Usually, no matter how late she came home, I’d wait up for her and make her a hangover remedy. But this time, I didn’t even open my eyes. Chloe thought I was asleep. She let out an impatient hmph by the bed before taking her pajamas to the bathroom. Then, her phone on the pillow vibrated. A message from Jax popped up on the screen. “Baby, it’s only been a few minutes, and I already miss you.” Chloe finished her shower and quietly slipped into bed beside me. Her back was to me, her phone screen still glowing. Every now and then, I could hear her barely suppressed giggles. I didn’t sleep a wink that night. The next morning, among the pile of dirty clothes in the bathroom, I immediately spotted her black lace underwear with some unspeakable stains. As I stared, lost in thought, Chloe came up behind me and frantically snatched the underwear away. “This is a bit dirty; I’ll wash it myself.” She didn’t know that when she was flustered, her eyes would blink rapidly. I didn’t expose her, merely mumbling a faint “Oh.” Not long after, her assistant delivered a large bag of fresh groceries. Chloe said she was off today and wanted to cook lunch for me herself. She was busy in the kitchen all morning, and the table gradually filled with all my favorite dishes. This warm scene sharply contrasted with the gloom in my heart. If I hadn’t witnessed her and Jax’s affair firsthand yesterday, I never would have believed that Chloe, who once swore to love me forever, would betray me just six months into our marriage.

After only a couple of bites, Chloe hesitated before speaking, “Honey, tomorrow’s my birthday…” I put down my forks. “And?” “I invited some artists from the company over for a birthday party…” I understood what she meant. “I’ll make myself scarce.” Because of her career, we had kept our marriage a secret. Aside from a few executives at her entertainment company, almost no one knew she was married. Getting the answer she wanted, Chloe visibly relaxed. Just as she was about to say something, her phone rang. Seeing the caller ID, she glanced at me guiltily and took her phone to the balcony. She returned shortly, looking apologetic, “Honey, I forgot I have an important gig today…” I nodded. “Go ahead.” After Chloe left, I threw all the untouched food on the table into the trash. When I first met Chloe, she was just a small-time influencer live-streaming her singing on the street. I was captivated by her looks and voice and actively asked for her contact information. Soon, we started dating. Chloe was driven, ambitious, and talented. After learning about her dreams, I recommended her for a popular talent show. I leveraged my connections and meticulously planned everything, helping her stand out overnight and become a star under the spotlight. During one of our dates, I joked, “You’re famous now; you must have a lot of guys chasing you.” But she looked at me with deep affection, “You’re the only one I love.” Chloe’s New Year’s wish last year was to marry me. I was so touched that I lost my head. Ignoring my family’s objections, I eloped with her that very day. To better support Chloe, I quit my job and willingly became a stay-at-home husband. I just never expected that my trust and devotion would be repaid with her betrayal and heartbreak.

On Chloe’s birthday, I left early. I stayed at the library all day, only returning home when it closed. Faint light seeped from the apartment windows, suggesting Chloe’s birthday party had ended. Forgetting my keys, I rang the doorbell. Chloe opened the door. Seeing it was me, her face instantly changed. She lowered her voice, displeased, “Didn’t I message you to come back later?” My phone had died and shut off that afternoon. Just then, a man’s voice came from the bathroom, “Chloe, who is it?” Jax Peterson… Chloe frantically replied, “No one, just some random guy from the building.” With that, she shot me a look and slammed the door shut. Along with the door, my last shred of affection for Chloe was also shut out. I sat on a stone bench in the complex for a long time, until my legs went numb, before I saw Jax Peterson, heavily disguised, emerge from the apartment building and get into a BMW. Heh, what birthday party? Turns out it was just a party for the two of them. Chloe found me when I was dozing off at the stone table. She looked somewhat guilty. “Honey, given the situation earlier, I had to lie… please understand…” I ignored her and walked upstairs. Chloe continued to babble behind me, “Good thing I had a quick wit earlier.” “You know I’m in the prime of my career right now; if it ever got out that I’m married, it would be over.” I suddenly remembered soon after we got married, we were almost caught by paparazzi on our way home. At the time, I was still shaken. “Good thing we weren’t found out, otherwise your career would be ruined.” But Chloe looked nonchalant. “Let it be exposed. I wish the whole world knew you were my husband.” It turns out a person’s heart can change so quickly.

The room was a mess. Trash was everywhere, cake frosting smeared on surfaces, and there were even two half-eaten steaks on the dining table. It seemed they had quite a “party.” In the bathroom, the scent of shower gel mixed with an odor familiar to adults lingered in the humid air. I instinctively glanced at the trash can. Sure enough, nestled among the crumpled tissues was a used condom. Chloe, however, never noticed anything amiss with me. She even asked in a coquettish tone, “Honey, where’s my birthday present?” Birthday present? I had indeed prepared a nice birthday gift for her a while ago. It was the new album signing contract she had always dreamed of. The entertainment company only planned to heavily promote one artist in the second half of the year, and this contract was the key to securing that spot. But that invaluable birthday gift had been torn to shreds by me in her backstage room the night of her concert. Seeing my lack of reaction, Chloe looked disappointed. “Did you forget? You haven’t been paying much attention to me these past couple of days…” Looking at her sad expression, memories of our past happiness flickered in my mind. A flicker of doubt stirred within me. “Which artists came over today?” If she would just admit it… “All my close friends, of course…” She rattled off a string of artist names without a blush, conspicuously omitting Jax Peterson. At that moment, my last shred of hope for her shattered. I took a document from the nightstand and handed it to her. Chloe’s eyes lit up. “Wow, you said you didn’t get me a gift, but you were planning a surprise after all?” I chuckled softly. If she thought this was a birthday gift, then so be it. Sure enough, when Chloe saw the words on the document, her smile froze. “Liam, what is the meaning of this?”

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My mercenary husband Jax spent a night in the jungle with his drugged teammate Selene. Seven times, he claimed, he had to be with her to “burn the poison out.” When he returned, carrying her half-naked body, he knelt before me. “Iris, Selene was poisoned trying to save me. I have to help her!” After that, every time Selene was “drugged,” my husband would run to her. Six months later, he came to me with the ultimate plea. “Iris, Selene is pregnant with my child! You know you can’t have kids. So once it’s born, I’ll bring it to you. You can raise it as your own.” Agony twisted my heart. I swallowed back the tears and forced out a calm, “Okay.” The crumpled pregnancy test report I’d hidden in my hand was tossed into the fire pit. Flames danced, and Selene coughed twice from the smoke. Jax immediately pulled her into his embrace, frowning at me. “Iris, Selene has promised me she’ll hand the baby over to you once it’s born. You don’t need to threaten her. She won’t come between us.” I poked at the ashes in the basin, letting the smoke sting my eyes, a convenient cover for the redness already there. I spoke calmly. “Jax, let’s get a divorce.” Jax reached out anxiously, trying to pull me closer, pleading again. “Iris, don’t make a scene, okay? Selene took a bullet for me, and then she was forced to take a toxic injection to save me. I owe her my life. Giving her a child in return isn’t asking too much!” His tone was humble, but every word defended Selene. Seeing my expression, the others couldn’t stay silent either. Jax’s brothers also began to plead with me. “Yeah, Selene is pregnant. The only right thing for Jax to do now is marry her!” “Iris, you’re a homemaker. You don’t understand how dangerous it was for Selene to save Jax from under a gun. We all saw her sacrifices for him.” “If you ask me, Jax should just marry Selene!” “Shut up!” Jax roared, cutting them off. “Iris will always be my only wife! As for Selene, I’ll compensate her.” He looked down at the pregnant woman in his arms, a look of involuntary tenderness and concern on his face. A bitter taste rose in my throat. I opened my mouth, but no words came out. The others might not know, but Jax did. I, too, once fought by his side. I even took a knife for him. That time, I was in a coma for three months. When I woke up, he knelt by my hospital bed, his eyes red, begging me to resign my commission and never risk my life again. He promised he’d protect me forever. Now, he was kneeling before me again, but it was to protect another woman. I turned and walked away in silence. Jax quickly followed. “It’s cold out, don’t catch a chill.” He gently draped his coat over my shoulders, then tucked a strand of hair behind my ear. His warm scent on the coat instantly enveloped me. I touched my lower abdomen, almost telling him I was pregnant too, but his words cut me off. “Iris, Selene gets cold easily. Let her have the climate-controlled villa in the suburbs. You can go rest on the island for a while.” My words were stuck in my throat, swallowed back down. He’d built that climate-controlled villa specifically for me after I took the knife for him, leaving me with chronic issues. Living there felt like spring all year round. But the island villa was exposed to sea winds from all sides; my body couldn’t handle it. We’d only stayed there for a few days during our honeymoon. We never went back, and it had been abandoned for ages. He used to offer me all the best things. Now he wanted me to give them to Selene. His heart was no longer with me. I lowered my eyes and murmured, “Okay.” Jax happily kissed my forehead. “Iris, you’re always so understanding.”

I lay alone on the operating table. The doctor held my hand, comforting me. “Mrs. Black, your body is too weak. I’m afraid we couldn’t save the baby.” The first time I saw that tiny embryo on the ultrasound report, my heart had instantly softened. No matter how much the doctors urged me to terminate the pregnancy, I was unswayed. This was the culmination of my love with Jax. If I could trade my life for my child’s, it would be worth it. But now, there was no need. Cold instruments churned in my abdomen. I gripped the bedsheet, tears silently streaming down my face. My phone suddenly rang. The nurse pressed the answer button and held it to my ear. Jax’s enraged voice boomed through the receiver. “Iris Black, you’ve utterly shattered my trust! How could you do something like this to Selene?!” “What are you talking about?” I was completely bewildered, my voice hoarse as I asked him. “Selene has been kidnapped! The address they sent is that island I gave you!” Jax screamed hysterically into the phone. “Only the two of us know where that island is. Who else could it be but you?!” The pain was so intense I couldn’t speak, only shook my head desperately, forgetting Jax couldn’t see me. Getting no reply, he snarled, “If anything happens to Selene, I’ll make you pay a thousand times over!” The phone only offered the mechanical beeping of a disconnected call. The nurse’s face was flushed with embarrassment as she put the phone down. I closed my eyes in despair, my heart filled with desolation. When the surgery was over, the doctor wheeled me out of the operating room. But Jax’s brothers suddenly appeared, dragging me from the hospital bed. They bound my hands and feet with cold iron chains. “Jax said to take you to the island too. If they won’t let Selene go, we’ll use you to pay the price!” “Are you insane?! Stop it! She just had surgery!” The doctor ran up in a panic to intervene, but Jax’s brothers shoved him to the ground. I was forcibly thrown into a car. The brutal movements sent searing pain through my abdomen. I soon passed out from the agony. I don’t know how much time passed before I was roused by a splash of ice water. I jolted awake, my eyes fluttering open in a daze. Jax furiously slammed the water basin onto the boat deck. He reached out and gripped my neck. “Iris, have I been too good to you all these years? Is that why you’ve become so cruel and selfish, to the point you can’t even spare an unborn child?” My entire body was cold, my lips trembling, unable to form a complete sentence. “I… I didn’t… It wasn’t me who… did it…” But Jax didn’t believe me. His eyes red, he violently dragged me off the boat. Selene, heavily pregnant, was tied to the lighthouse, crying piteously. “Jax, it’s too dangerous, don’t come closer!” Seeing me, she cried out, “Iris, if you can’t stand me, I can leave! Why would you hurt my baby?” I frantically shook my head. “It wasn’t me! I didn’t do any of this!” “Jax, the person’s gone, must have run off.” Rook and the others had checked for any dangers around, then quickly untied Selene. Jax pulled her into his arms, his face a mask of agonizing worry.

Rook spat at me in disgust. “Ugh! We called you our sister-in-law, but you’re disgusting!” “Seriously, you’re so vicious, you’re not even fit to touch a hair on Selene’s head!” “Enough.” Jax coldly cut them off, then bent down to me. “Iris, you’ve gone too far this time. You’ll stay here and reflect.” He held Selene and turned to leave. I collapsed helplessly onto the sand. From a distance, I saw Selene turn her head and flash me a triumphant smile. Three days later, my body was numb from the sea wind, my lips cracked and painful, my eyes burning and constantly tearing up. Just as I thought I was going to die there, a blurred figure slowly approached me. “Help… help me…” I used all my strength, but only a faint whisper escaped my lips. Before losing consciousness, I heard a soft sigh. “Iris, what am I going to do with you?” When I woke up, I was lying on the basement floor. Opening my eyes, I met Jax’s complicated gaze. “You’re awake?” He brought a glass of warm water to my lips, but I instinctively turned my head away. He slammed the glass heavily onto the table. “Have you caused enough trouble?” His gaze was filled with disgust. “I’m not even holding you accountable for kidnapping Selene, and you’re still throwing a tantrum? Can’t you be less spiteful?” I scoffed. He hadn’t even investigated, yet he was convinced I was the culprit. If I truly wanted to deal with Selene, I could have done it half a year ago. Why wait until now? “Jax.” Selene’s fragile voice echoed. She slowly walked in, clutching her belly. “Why are you here?” Jax immediately went to her, carefully pulling her into his embrace. “I was worried about Iris, so I came to check. Is she okay?” Selene asked timidly, shrinking back in fear when our eyes met. “Don’t mind her. She won’t die.” Jax swept a disgusted glance at me, then said to me expressionlessly, “You’ll stay here for the next few months until Selene safely gives birth.” As they left, the basement door slowly closed. I struggled to crawl up from the floor and quickly drank the water on the table. A warm current spread through my body. I propped myself up and found a box in the corner of the basement. Taking out an encrypted phone, I dialed a number. “What you asked for, I agree.” “Really? You’re not kidding? That’s great… Where are you now? I’ll come get you.” “I have some things to deal with first. Wait for me.” “Okay, no matter how long, I’ll wait for you.”

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