As a succubus with a crippling, pathological fear of men, I managed to go three hundred years without a single drop of life force. It was a ridiculous way to go. Because of this bizarre phobia, any time a male creature got within breathing distance, I’d spiral into a panic attack so severe I eventually just… died. Starved to death. When I reached the Underworld, I was seeing green from hunger. I marched straight up to the King of Shadows and made a desperate plea. My demand was simple: “I’m starving. Feed me. I need primal energy—but I absolutely, under no circumstances, want a man!” The King of Shadows considered this for a moment, then took his heavy quill and signed a decree. “Consider it done,” he said with a cryptic smile. When I opened my eyes again, I wasn’t in the Underworld anymore. I was standing in a cold, opulent hall. Standing directly in front of me was a man in dark, blood-red robes embroidered with serpents. He looked lethal, his eyes like chips of flint. He was a High Inquisitor—a man who had been “unmanned” to serve the crown. A eunuch. He hooked a finger under my chin, his voice dripping with icy impatience. “Why the tears? Is serving as my consort truly such a death sentence?” The girls beside me were shaking like leaves, whispering, “No, My Lord! We wouldn’t dare!” But me? I was nearly hysterical with joy. A Lord Inquisitor! A man who wasn’t technically a man! This was the loophole of a lifetime. I was finally going to eat. To the absolute horror of everyone in the room, I didn’t recoil. Instead, I lunged forward like a drowning person catching a life raft and wrapped myself around him. I grabbed his face, pressed my mouth against his thin, cold lips, and let out an ecstatic muffled shout: “I love this! I absolutely love this!” … Click. A cold, iron-strong hand clamped around my throat. One squeeze, and he could snap my neck like a dry twig. But I didn’t feel a flicker of fear. In fact, I wanted to laugh. Three centuries of “Androphobia” had made me hyperventilate if a man got within ten feet. Touching one usually meant instant cardiac arrest. But this? This was my golden ticket. My heavenly buffet. God bless the Bureau. God bless the Lord Inquisitor! I forced my eyes open, meeting his dark, predatory gaze. “My Lord…” I wheezed out, the words struggling past my constricted windpipe. “The way you’re choking me… it feels amazing.” A collective gasp echoed through the hall. The surrounding guards looked like they were having strokes. The pressure on my neck faltered. For the first time, a flicker of genuine shock crossed Alaric’s pale, aristocratic face. Since he’d taken command of the Iron Bureau, he had built a reputation on being a butcher. People didn’t even dare to look him in the eye, let alone treat him like a climbing frame. He practiced a legendary, forbidden style of combat—The Solar Core—which filled his body with a volatile, blistering heat. To a normal person, his touch would feel like being branded. But I wasn’t normal. I wasn’t burning; I was feasting. I was actively draining the agonizing pressure of the energy built up inside him. Alaric’s eyes flashed with a sudden, murderous intent. He threw me off him, hurling me toward one of the massive stone pillars in the hall. I hit the pillar hard. My ribs groaned, and the world spun. I coughed up a splash of bright crimson blood. It hurt like hell, but I was vibrating with excitement. That brief moment of contact had given me enough energy to survive for three days. I wiped the blood from my lip and stood up, swaying on my feet. “Guards,” Alaric said, taking a silk handkerchief from an attendant to wipe the fingers I had touched. His voice was a low, dangerous purr. “Take this delusional thing away. Skin her and stuff her with straw.” Two guards stepped forward, grabbing my shoulders. My heart sank. My “Buffet” had a bit of a temper. This was going to be harder than I thought. But I’d finally found a source of food that didn’t make me vomit with fear; I wasn’t letting go, even if it killed me. “Wait!” I wrenched myself free and dropped to my knees. “Wait! My Lord, you can’t kill me. If I die, you’ll spend the rest of your life suffering through that bone-deep torture.” Alaric didn’t even look back. He tossed the tainted handkerchief into a nearby brazier, where it vanished in a puff of flame. The guards stepped closer, their swords half-drawn. I stared at his retreating back and screamed, “Every night at midnight, your chest feels like it’s being filled with molten lead, doesn’t it? You feel like you’re going to explode from the inside out!” Alaric froze. The temperature in the hall seemed to drop to sub-zero. The guards dropped to their knees, terrified to even breathe. I’d won the bet. Pure solar energy is a miracle for power, but if it has nowhere to go, it turns into a slow-acting poison. His aura was so thick it was practically screaming. There was no way he wasn’t suffering. Alaric turned around slowly. His crimson robes swirled in the dim light like a pool of blood. He walked back to me, his eyes searching, deep and terrifyingly intelligent. “Who sent you?” He leaned down, pinching my jaw again. This time he wasn’t trying to break me, but the intensity of his gaze made my skin crawl. “No one sent me,” I said, meeting his eyes. “I’m just a poor, starving soul who happens to be the only cure for what ails you.” Alaric stared at me for a long time. Just when I thought he was going to snap and finish the job, he laughed. It was a cold, dry sound, like dead leaves skittering over a grave. “Fine,” he said, straightening up. “I’ll give you a chance to prove your worth.” “Take her to the Citadel.” I was thrown into a cell. It was clean enough—no torture devices, just a hard wooden cot. Alaric didn’t interrogate me immediately. He left me there to rot for three days. No food. No water. The hunger of a succubus isn’t like a human stomach ache; it’s a soul-tearing agony. It feels like your very essence is being shredded from the inside. By the third day, I was curled in a fetal position, my prison clothes soaked in cold sweat. The tiny bit of energy I’d sucked out of him earlier was a drop of water in an ocean of three hundred years of starvation. Just as I felt my consciousness slipping, the heavy iron door creaked open. A tall, elegant figure stepped in. Alaric had changed into dark, casual robes. He was idly thumbing a string of sandalwood beads, looking like a monk at prayer—if you ignored the several mangled corpses being dragged out of the hallway behind him. “I heard you were starving,” he said, walking to the bed. He nudged my leg with the toe of his boot. I didn’t even have the strength to look up. Driven by pure instinct, I lunged forward and hugged his boot. “My Lord… please… hungry…” Even through the leather of his boot, I could smell the radiant, blistering heat of his energy. I let out a soft, involuntary moan of relief. Alaric stiffened. He looked down at me, his expression unreadable. He didn’t kick me away. Instead, he let me press my face against his leg. “What kind of monster are you, exactly?” he asked, his voice sounding oddly raspy. “I’m your antidote,” I whispered, looking up at him with puppy-dog eyes. “And I’m still hungry.” Alaric suddenly crouched down, grabbing a handful of my hair to force my head back. “Antidote?” He let out a harsh laugh. “You look like a soul-sucking demon to me.” He let go and stood up. “Guards!” Two Inquisitors entered immediately. “Take her to the interrogation room.” Panic flared in my chest. What now? I’d barely had a snack, and he was already turning on me? They dragged me into a room where a man was strapped to a chair, covered in blood. Judging by his clothes, he was some disgraced official. Alaric walked over, pulled a glowing red branding iron from a brazier, and pressed it into the man’s chest. The smell of burnt flesh filled the room. The man screamed like a stuck pig. Alaric didn’t blink. He turned to me. “You said you were hungry? Go on. Feed on him.” My pupils shrunk. The man was a bloody mess, but he was a man. A real, biological male. The overwhelming scent of male aggression and blood hit me like a physical blow. My stomach did a somersault. My phobia roared to life. My breath hitched into a spasm. My heart rate spiked into the red zone. The room started to spin. “No…” I backed away, my voice trembling. “I can’t… I won’t…” Alaric narrowed his eyes. “What? Too dirty for your refined palate?” He sneered. “I have plenty of men in the Citadel. We can keep going until you find one you like.” He signaled with his hand, and a dozen hulking guards surrounded me. The concentrated “maleness” of the room was too much. My legs gave out. I collapsed onto the floor, making a wet, choking sound in my throat. I couldn’t breathe. The terror was physiological, bypassing my brain and going straight to my nerves. Driven by a desperate need for safety, I crawled toward the only person who felt “safe”—the man who wasn’t a man. Under the shocked stares of the guards, I scrambled to Alaric and gripped his leg like a lifeline. “Save me…” I buried my face in the hem of his robe, tears streaming down my face. “I don’t want them… I only want you…” Alaric looked down at me. He saw my face, white as a sheet. He saw the way my entire body was vibrating with terror. And then, he smiled. It was a wicked, dark smile, full of a twisted kind of satisfaction. “I see,” he whispered. He leaned down, his thumb roughly brushing a tear from my cheek. “You’re terrified of men.” He leaned closer, his warm breath fanning across my ear. “Then why aren’t you afraid of me?” That was a lethal question. I couldn’t exactly tell him, “Because you’re a eunuch and you don’t have the parts that trigger my trauma.” If I said that, I’d be dead before I could blink. My brain kicked into overdrive, searching for a lie he’d believe. “Because… because you’re beautiful,” I stammered, trying to make my eyes look as sincere as possible. “The others are all so… ugly. They hurt my eyes.” The smile vanished. Alaric’s face turned to stone. “You think I’m a fool?” He stood up abruptly, shaking me off. “Since you won’t tell the truth, perhaps the Black Cells will help you find your voice.” He turned to leave. The Black Cells? That was the deepest pit of the Citadel. It was filled with the most violent, depraved criminals in the empire. I wouldn’t last ten minutes before my heart gave out from sheer terror. “My Lord!” I scrambled after him, grabbing his hem again. “I’ll tell you! I’ll tell the truth!” Alaric stopped, looking down at me from his towering height. “Speak.” I swallowed hard. “It’s… it’s your aura. It’s special.” I looked up at him, projecting pure vulnerability. “I have a… condition. A curse. I need solar energy to survive. I need you, and My Lord… you need me.” I lowered my voice. “The other night, after I touched you… the pain didn’t come at midnight, did it?” Alaric stared at me for an eternity. Finally, he let out a sharp huff. “I’ll let you live. For now.” He moved me into the side wing of his private quarters, barely twenty paces from his bedroom. On the first night, I stood outside his study door with a blanket wrapped around me. “My Lord,” I whispered through the crack. “The side wing is haunted. I’m scared.” Alaric didn’t even look up from his scrolls. “Go back to bed.” I didn’t go back. I curled up against the doorframe, wrapped in my blanket, and fell asleep basking in the solar heat radiating from the room. There was a long silence from inside. Finally, he ordered the servants to put a small cot in the corner of his bedroom. The next morning, he almost tripped over me. He looked down at me for a long time, then ordered a small daybed to be placed in his study as well. By the third day, while he was reviewing execution orders, I was lounging on the daybed, watching him. Eventually, I migrated to the floor by his feet, resting my head on his knee and quietly sipping on his overflowing energy. His brush hovered over the paper. “Are you a dog?” “Woof.” He didn’t say anything, but he didn’t push me away. After a moment, his hand came up and rested on my head, his fingers idly brushing through my hair. I looked up and beamed at him. “You’re so good to me, My Lord.” His ears turned a faint shade of pink, and he looked away. “You’re noisy.” I giggled internally. My long-term meal ticket was officially secured. Life became a comfortable routine of being constantly full. The servants in the manor started to like me, mostly because Alaric’s legendary temper had cooled significantly since I arrived. The only person who hated me was Morgan, the female captain of his guard. Every time she saw me, her eyes looked like they were dripping venom. Then, Alaric had to leave the city on official business. He was gone for five days. I was starving. Not for food—real food was plenty—but for him. I hugged his pillow, inhaling deeply. The scent was fading. The energy was gone. Finally, the day of the Summer Festival arrived. “Miss,” Morgan said, entering my room with an uncharacteristically polite bow. “The Lord Inquisitor sent word. He’s waiting for you at the Clear Wave alley in the south of the city. He wants to spend the festival with you.” I practically bounced off the bed. “Really?” “He said to dress appropriately,” Morgan added. “He has a gift for you.” Alaric? The man who was as cold as a frostbitten iron gate? Taking me out for a romantic festival date? It sounded too good to be true, but then again, maybe he was feeling the “hunger” for his antidote as much as I was. I spent an hour getting ready. The girl in the mirror looked radiant—eyes bright, skin glowing. Satisfied, I headed to the rendezvous. I pushed open the door to the private room. No Alaric. I frowned. He was late? Then, the door clicked shut behind me. “You finally arrived.” It wasn’t Alaric’s voice. Panic hit me like a physical wave. My stomach churned, and my legs went weak. I backed away, stumbling onto the bed. “Who are you?” my voice shook. “My name is Silas,” the man said, stepping into the light. “Don’t you remember? You saw me at the market and fell for me instantly. You asked me to meet you here tonight…” “That’s a lie!” I tried to run, but the phobia had me pinned. I couldn’t move. Silas approached me, one slow step at a time. “Don’t come closer!” I shrieked, curling into a ball on the bed, shaking violently. At that moment, the door was kicked open with a deafening crash. Alaric stood there, his face a mask of pure, murderous rage. Morgan was right behind him, her expression a mix of mock horror and triumph. “See, My Lord?” Morgan cried. “I told you! The moment you’re gone, she’s meeting her secret lover!” The scene looked damning: spilled wine, a half-closed bed curtain, a well-dressed man, and me, dressed up and trembling on the bed. “My Lord, let me explain,” Silas suddenly blurted out, dropping to his knees. “This girl invited me here. She said she was lonely in your house and begged me to take her away. I didn’t want to, but she threatened me!” “You’re lying!” I screamed. Silas pulled a letter from his sleeve. “This is the note she sent me. Her own handwriting.” I suddenly remembered a letter I’d seen on my vanity. I reached into my sleeve. Empty. The letter Morgan had “delivered” from Alaric was gone. It was a setup. Alaric took the letter. His expression went from ice to something far more dangerous. “My Lord,” I said, forced myself to sit up. “I didn’t write that. I…” Before I could finish, his hand was around my throat, lifting me off the bed. His voice was terrifyingly calm. “It seems you’ve been having quite a lot of fun while I was away, Nora.” “No… it’s not… what you think…” I gasped. Between the phobia of the man in the corner and Alaric’s grip, I was losing consciousness. “Did you betray me too?” he whispered, his grip tightening. I heard a faint creak in my neck. The world started to go black. In a last, desperate effort, I reached into my bodice and shoved something into his hand.

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After we’d made love for the 99th time, my husband brought up that meek intern. I laughed and teased, “Don’t tell me you like her?” A flicker of panic crossed his eyes before he met my gaze. “That girl? She could never be as good in bed as you.” But later, I walked in on them tangled together on our marriage bed. The intern’s clothes were half-undone as she leaned against my husband. I didn’t cry, didn’t make a scene, didn’t demand answers. I calmly burned the 99 ticket stubs from the international flights he’d taken for me. Then I flew to London and married my stepbrother, who had been secretly in love with me for years. Serena’s POV Adrian Thorne pursued me for five whole years. From our home country all the way abroad, taking 99 international flights before I finally agreed to be with him. But in the fourth year of our marriage, Adrian suddenly became obsessed with an intern. The intern had an innocent look. Though her family was poor, her personality was extremely proud. Not only did she throw the roses he had air-shipped to her into the trash, she also publicly tore up the astronomically expensive check he handed her, declaring, “No matter how poor I am, I’ll never be anyone’s mistress!” If anyone else had made such a scene, Adrian would have turned cold long ago. But this time, not only was he not angry, he became even more obsessed, even more unable to control himself. He pursued that intern so openly that everyone knew about it, as if he’d forgotten he had a wife at home whom he’d worked so hard to marry. I once cried until my eyes were red and swollen, demanding to know. If he was so infatuated with Gianna Carson, what did all his promises to me mean? And he said carelessly, “Serena, she’s different from all other women.” “I’ve never seen a woman who doesn’t cling to power or care about money. She’s fresh and interesting.” “I just want to see what it takes to make her let go of her pride and willingly let me conquer her.” “Serena, I do love you. But life is long. It’s normal for me to occasionally be interested in someone else. You need to give me some space.” Adrian hurt me so deeply I wanted to die, yet I couldn’t easily let go. So from then on, I stopped fighting and making scenes. Instead, I found the plane tickets he’d saved from when he pursued me. He once won my heart with 99 tickets. So I decided that every time he hurt me, I would burn one. When all 99 tickets were completely burned, that would be the day I left him for good. The second ticket burned on our wedding anniversary. He left me alone at the restaurant. He spent the whole night at the office, just to help that girl revise her proposal. The thirty-third ticket burned the day he left me curled up alone in the emergency room with stomach pain. He rushed off to pick up the girl who’d worked late. Just because she said, “It’s raining and I can’t get a ride.” The seventy-ninth ticket burned the day he pulled my art exhibition from the gallery. I’d prepared it for half a year. He made room for that girl’s project. He replaced my work with the intern’s immature design sketches. The ninety-sixth ticket burned at our mutual friend’s birthday party. Adrian and I attended the party together, but as soon as we arrived, we ran into Gianna Carson, who was working there as a server. Just because Gianna glanced at the ruby necklace around my neck, Adrian reached out, yanked it from my neck, and held it out to Gianna. “You seem to really like it. It’s yours now.” His voice was gentle. “This necklace would go perfectly with that black dress of yours.” Everyone’s eyes turned to me. Before I could react, Gianna pushed his hand away. “Mr. Thorne, I’ve told you. I will never accept pursuit from a married man, and I don’t need your charity or gifts. Please respect me and return the necklace to Miss Wells.” She turned her gaze to me. “Miss Wells, please control your husband and stop him from interfering with my work.” With that, she took her tray and turned to leave. “Such a temper.” Not only was Adrian not angry, he actually chuckled softly. “Since she doesn’t want it, Serena, you keep it.” He casually shoved the necklace at me. Before I could catch it, he abandoned the guests at the party and hurried after her. The necklace slipped through my fingers. The ruby worth hundreds of millions clattered to the floor. No one at the scene spoke. To ease the awkward atmosphere, someone came forward to pick up the ruby necklace and carefully handed it to me. “Serena, don’t be upset. Adrian just wants some novelty.” “Exactly. Men are all like that. They just want something new. Once the novelty wears off, he’ll come back to the family.” The others all agreed. I looked at that ruby necklace, my heart throbbing with sharp pain. This one-of-a-kind ruby necklace was a birthday gift Adrian had bought for me at auction for hundreds of millions the year we got married. At the time, I thought the necklace was too valuable, but he said, “As long as you like it, even if it’s the stars in the sky, I’ll pluck them down for you.” And now, he’d so brazenly tried to give it to someone else, and when she refused, he tossed it back to me like some cheap trinket. Most ironic of all, the woman he couldn’t have had the audacity to tell me, the legitimate wife, to control my own husband. My entire heart felt like it was being pierced by a thousand needles, over and over again. My face pale, I forced a smile at the person in front of me. “I don’t want this necklace anymore. If you like it, keep it. If not, sell it or donate it.” After that, I gave the prepared gift to tonight’s guest of honor, wished them a happy birthday, and soon left the party under everyone’s pitying or mocking gazes. Back at the villa, I opened the box on my vanity, took out a yellowed ticket stub, and lit it with my lighter. The ninety-sixth ticket was consumed by flames, becoming ash that would scatter with a breath. The light in my eyes also gradually extinguished. I thought that he only had three chances left. Three more times, and I would completely let go of him and leave him forever.

Serena’s POV The next day, I woke to find Twitter flooded with news about Adrian and Gianna Carson. Someone had captured last night at the party. The image of him chasing closely after Gianna’s retreating figure. Someone had photographed him. He was usually so high and mighty. Now he was half-crouching, half-kneeling before Gianna. He was personally changing her out of her high heels. And someone had posted a video. In the video, Gianna’s foot seemed to be sprained. Adrian wanted to take her home, but she limped away, stubbornly refusing to get in his car. Adrian threw away his cigarette, strode over and scooped her up in his arms, ignoring her struggles and protests as he forcibly put her in his Maybach. Under this video, mutual friends of Adrian and mine were all sighing. “Looks like Adrian’s serious this time. Pursuing an intern so publicly, willing to humble himself before her. I’ve never seen him like this.” “I heard that for this intern, he now stays at the company all day, just circling around her. He didn’t even pursue Serena like this, did he?” “Hey, you probably don’t know yet. Last night he not only tried to give the necklace meant for Serena to this intern, he also chased after the intern right in front of Serena. If I were Serena, I’d be so embarrassed I’d want to crawl into a hole.” “Damn, Adrian pursued Serena from our home country all the way abroad for five whole years! If he doesn’t even care about Serena anymore, he must really be in love with this intern.” Reading this, my fingers trembled, my heart constricted as if tightly bound by fine thread. Because of my own family background, I once never believed there was a man in this world who wouldn’t change his heart. Until I met Adrian Thorne. Adrian fell in love with me at first sight and pursued me fiercely. Even when I rejected him again and again, he never gave up. Later, when I went abroad to study, he flew 99 times, crossing 12 time zones. For five whole years, from home to abroad, he proved his sincerity with time and action before I finally believed in his love and agreed to be with him. We went from campus to wedding. After marriage, we were very happy. Everyone said Adrian loved me deeply. Until the fourth year of marriage, when a new batch of interns joined the company. At a project presentation, Gianna Carson nervously gave wrong data. When questioned by executives, she blushed but still tried hard to explain. That look made him freeze. Later, he promoted her, wanting to transfer her to work beside him. But Gianna righteously refused. “Mr. Thorne, I hope to be recognized for my own abilities and efforts, not by relying on someone to take shortcuts.” There was even a time at the company when Gianna said to me in front of Adrian, “Miss Wells, please remind Mr. Thorne not to give me special treatment anymore. It makes me very uncomfortable.” That was the first time I experienced what humiliation felt like. And from then on, Adrian seemed to have discovered something novel, finding her extremely interesting. No matter how much I fought or made scenes, he never cared about my feelings again. He pursued Gianna openly and passionately, with an air of determination to win her. To this day, I still remember how happy he was when I finally agreed to be with him. On the day of our grand wedding, he solemnly promised me. “Serena, I swear I will only love you in this life. I will never betray you, never change my heart, and love you forever.” At the time, I truly believed him. In the end, five years of pursuit, four years of marriage. His forever lasted only nine years combined. Outside, I suddenly heard a car pulling into the villa. I knew Adrian was home. I got up and left the bedroom, standing at the second-floor stairway landing. I saw Adrian carrying Gianna Carson into the villa. “Put me down! Let me go!” Gianna protested in his arms. “I can walk by myself!” Adrian looked down at her. “Your foot is injured. How can you walk yourself?” “That’s my business. You don’t need to worry about it!” “If I don’t worry about you, who will? You’re so stubborn.” Though his words expressed dissatisfaction, Gianna wasn’t struggling violently in his arms, and Adrian certainly wasn’t going to put her down. Adrian instructed the housekeeper to prepare the guest bedroom while carrying Gianna upstairs. Looking up, his eyes met mine on the stairs.

Serena’s POV Adrian’s steps paused slightly. Gianna seemed to notice something too. She turned her head in his arms and saw me standing quietly at the top of the stairs. Her expression showed a hint of awkwardness, but she quickly resumed that cold, distant look and tried to struggle. “Mr. Thorne, put me down. I can walk myself.” “Don’t move.” Adrian tightened his arms and continued walking up with her, stopping in front of me. He looked at me, his tone as calm as if stating the most ordinary matter. “Serena, Gianna’s foot is injured. The hospital conditions aren’t as good as home, so I brought her back. It’s also more convenient to take care of her here. During this time, she’ll stay here to recover.” Gianna immediately chimed in, looking reluctant and proud. “Miss Wells, please don’t misunderstand. I didn’t want to come. He insisted on forcibly bringing me from the hospital. I’m being forced too.” Adrian glanced down at her, a helpless yet indulgent smile appearing on his handsome face. “Yes, I forced you. Happy now?” Then he looked up at me. “Serena, Gianna is just temporarily staying here to recover. Don’t hurt her.” My gaze moved from Adrian’s smiling face to Gianna Carson’s innocent yet stubborn face in his arms, then slowly swept over the subtle atmosphere between them that outsiders couldn’t penetrate. The place in my chest seemed to have gone numb from pain, or perhaps I’d long grown accustomed to this dull knife grinding into flesh. “I understand.” I calmly withdrew my gaze, turned around, and walked back to the master bedroom. The door closed behind me, shutting out everything outside. I walked to the vanity, pulled open that delicate jewelry box, and took out a plane ticket and lighter. The lighter’s flame leaped up, igniting the paper’s corner, slowly burning another ticket to ash. The ninety-seventh. Two left. I looked at those ashes, my eyes empty, as if what burned along with them was what remained of my feelings for Adrian. Gianna was arranged to stay in the guest bedroom next door. I sat in the wicker chair on the master bedroom balcony, looking at the newly bloomed magnolias in the courtyard below. Suddenly, I saw several luxury shopping delivery vehicles pull into the villa one after another. Staff members got out carrying large and small shopping bags printed with various luxury brand logos. Those expensive clothes, bags, and shoes were continuously delivered to the guest bedroom. But before long, the sound of various items being thrown out came from the guest bedroom. I walked out the door and quietly watched the farce they were creating. “Adrian Thorne!” Gianna’s voice carried obvious anger and the humiliation of being offended. “I told you I won’t accept anything from you! Take all of this away!” “Alright, alright.” I heard Adrian’s voice. He was so patient. “Your foot is injured. Don’t move around. These are all prepared for you. If you don’t like these styles, I’ll have them bring different ones.” “I don’t need them! Adrian Thorne, even though you forcibly brought me here, that doesn’t mean I’ve accepted you, and it certainly doesn’t mean I’ll accept your gifts!” Adrian’s voice held hidden helplessness. “You’re staying here. You can’t not have a change of clothes and daily necessities.” “If you insist I stay here to recover, then please have someone bring my things over. I only want my own clothes and daily necessities. Otherwise, I’m leaving right now. Even if I have to crawl, I’ll crawl back!” Her voice was stubborn and unyielding. If it were anyone else making such a fuss, Adrian would have been furious long ago. But facing Gianna, the indulgence in his eyes nearly overflowed as he compromised. “Fine. I’ll personally go get your things. Satisfied? Rest well in your room. Don’t wander around. If you need anything, call the servants in the villa.” Only then did Gianna’s expression soften, though her face remained cold. “Thank you for the trouble, Mr. Thorne.” Adrian quickly went downstairs, actually going personally to fetch Gianna’s things. I returned to the balcony and watched the Maybach drive away from the villa. I suddenly felt like laughing. Before, Adrian used to dote on me this extremely too. He could even drive 20 kilometers to a Michelin restaurant just because I had no appetite, personally buying my favorite cupcakes to coax me. Back then, I thought I would be his only one, the person for whom he could abandon all pride and status to love. But now, the person he abandoned his status to love had become another woman. I forcibly suppressed the emotions in my heart, then picked up my phone and dialed a number. “Attorney Hunter, please help me prepare a divorce agreement.”

Serena’s POV Putting away my phone, I pulled open the bedroom door and walked out. Passing by the guest bedroom, that half-open door was suddenly pulled open. Gianna, leaning on crutches and standing by the door, called out to me. “Miss Wells.” I stopped. “Yes?” Gianna looked me over, her gaze sweeping across my plain yet haggard face. The corner of her mouth curved slightly, but quickly returned to a straight line. She lifted her chin. “Doesn’t Mr. Thorne love you very much? I heard back then he pursued you so passionately, everyone knew about it. How is it that now, you can’t even keep your own husband’s heart?” My fingers at my sides curled slightly. “It’s all because you can’t control him that he’s stuck to me like chewing gum, causing me endless trouble. Now I’m not only forced to stay in your villa, I can’t even go to the office or do my part-time jobs.” Gianna looked accusatory and complaining, but I could hear the superiority and mockery she couldn’t hide. Suddenly, I smiled. “What are you laughing at?” Gianna frowned. “What’s so funny?” I raised my eyes to look directly at her, that gaze seeming able to penetrate all her pretenses. “Miss Carson, do you really… not feel anything at all for Adrian?” A flash of panic quickly crossed Gianna’s eyes, but it was only for an instant. Her brows furrowed tighter, her voice suddenly rising as if insulted and angry. “What nonsense are you talking about?! Of course not! Miss Wells, please don’t make assumptions! I may be poor, I may not compare to you and Mr. Thorne’s backgrounds, but even if I’m poor, I have self-respect and pride! I could never be attracted to someone who’s already married!” She became more and more agitated as she spoke, as if greatly insulted. “You can’t keep Mr. Thorne’s heart yourself. Are you trying to blame me for seducing him now? Besides, I’ve refused his pursuit countless times. It’s Mr. Thorne who insists on pestering me! Is that my fault too?” After hearing her out, I was genuinely curious. “Since you don’t want to be pestered by him, why do you still stay at his company instead of leaving?” Gianna said righteously, “I got into Thorne Group through my own abilities and efforts in the interview. Why should I give up the career and future I worked hard for because of Mr. Thorne’s personal behavior?” “True.” I nodded, completely agreeing with that statement. “You indeed have no reason to give up your career to avoid his pestering. However…” I suddenly changed tack. “If you truly felt nothing for him, why would you frequently take part-time jobs at his usual private clubs, high-end restaurants, and even private parties like the previous one?” Gianna’s expression changed slightly, but she still insisted, “Miss Wells, those were all just coincidences. I’ll say it again, I don’t…” “Actually, admitting you have feelings for him isn’t something shameful.” I interrupted her, my tone unchanged. “After all, he’s handsome, wealthy, has high status, and is willing to lower himself for you. Being attracted is understandable.” Gianna opened her mouth to refute, but her throat seemed blocked by something. She was actually speechless. I smiled, though the smile didn’t reach my eyes. “You really don’t need to put on this proud act in front of me. I truly can’t keep his heart, and I can’t control him either. So if you like him, then just like him.” After all, I would be leaving soon anyway. As my words fell, I turned and left without looking at Gianna’s expression. I went out and picked up the drafted divorce agreement from the lawyer. I stayed out until evening before returning to the villa. Just stepping through the villa entrance, I immediately saw Adrian sitting on the living room sofa with a dark expression. I frowned and walked over, wanting to hand him the divorce agreement to sign. But he raised his cold eyes and asked me first, in an icy tone, “What did you say to Gianna?”

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On the third day of my business trip, I stumbled across a video online of my husband Jensen and my best friend Violet kissing at a concert. Violet and I had known each other for twenty years. On the day I married Jensen, she blessed me through her tears. But today, she and Jensen had both betrayed me. After a few minutes of silence, I called Violet: “Did you go to Taylor’s concert this time? I heard the live performance was amazing.” On the other end, Violet’s voice paused, then she laughed casually: “It was great, but without you there, going alone wasn’t fun. When are you coming back? We should go together.” I smiled and said okay. After hanging up, I booked an overnight flight straight to her place. I had to ask her. Why lie to me? The plane landed right at 9 PM. I went directly to Violet’s apartment and knocked on the door. “What took you so long?” Violet’s coquettish voice came from inside. The moment she opened the door and saw me, her entire face went pale. “Chr…Christina?” “Why are you back?! Aren’t you supposed to be on a business trip?” She looked at me in shock. I didn’t speak, my eyes fixating on her nightgown. It was a black lace negligee with a deep V-neck that plunged almost to her navel, exposing most of her rounded breasts—an incredibly sexy nightgown. A week ago when I went shopping with her, when she bought this nightgown, she told me: “A woman still needs to be feminine. This nightgown is my secret weapon I’m preparing for myself.” Now this secret weapon I helped her buy—was she planning to use it on my husband? I tugged at the corner of my mouth, wanting to laugh, but my eyes welled up with tears first. Violet and I had been each other’s best friends since childhood. At seven, she got her pigtails pulled by a boy in class and cried loudly. I was the one who chased the boy away with a little ruler, patting my chest and saying: I’ll protect you from now on. At fifteen, she became extremely self-conscious about her acne and was cornered in the bathroom by girls from class who bullied her. I was the one who ran from the seventh floor to the third floor with a mop, saving her at the risk of expulsion. At seventeen, sophomore year of high school. Her parents were getting divorced. Neither wanted her, and they only gave her two hundred dollars a month for living expenses. Because she had no money, she ate only one meal a day—two slices of toast. She went from 120 pounds down to 75. We weren’t at the same school anymore by then. One evening during self-study, she suddenly called me and said: “Christina, I don’t want to go to school anymore.” When I heard those words, I climbed over the wall that very night and ran home from my boarding school. I knelt before my parents for two whole hours, begging them to sponsor my best friend’s education. From seven to twenty-seven years old, we had known each other for a full twenty years. She said many times that I was the heroism of her girlhood. But now, wearing the sexy nightgown we bought together, she had climbed into my husband’s bed. Thinking about this, I wanted to laugh but couldn’t. I could only try my best to appear calm as I asked her: “Do you have a date tonight?” “Who is it? Do I know them? What’s their name?” My tone was light, without interrogation or anger. Just like a natural greeting between friends. Her face went completely white. Even her lips lost all color. She was incredibly tense. “Just… a coworker from the company. You don’t know them.” She was still lying to me. My hand gripping my purse was white-knuckled. My gaze slowly swept across her guilty, flustered face. It landed on her wrist, and I smiled without really smiling: “That bracelet is beautiful. Did your coworker give it to you too?” Last month on Valentine’s Day, I personally found Jensen’s shopping records. A pair of gold earrings and a Van Cleef & Arpels ruby bracelet. The gold earrings cost five thousand dollars—they were on my ears. The bracelet cost thirty-eight thousand—he gave it to Violet. When Violet heard my words, her face went deathly pale. She immediately hid her left hand behind her back, stammering: “Yes, my coworker gave it to me.” Normally, at this moment, as her best friend, I should have naturally teased her a bit more. Asked if good news was coming soon? When would she let me meet him? But at that moment, watching her like this, I only felt absurd. She couldn’t even lie properly, yet I had been deceived by her for so long. “Alright, I won’t disturb your date.” “See you tomorrow.” I said with a smile, pretending not to see her instantly relieved expression, and turned to leave. On my way home, I called my father. He was Jensen’s direct supervisor and also the mastermind behind sponsoring Violet all these years and arranging her job. “Dad, I need a favor.” While throwing the treats I’d specially brought for Violet—her favorites—into the trash, I spoke with an eerily calm voice. “Jensen’s job, the apartment Violet’s living in, and all the money they’ve spent of mine these years—can you help me find a lawyer and get it all back?” “Yes, they’re having an affair. I don’t want to lose out.”

My dad moved quickly. I had just gotten home when a divorce lawyer added me and sent me 3GB of evidence and materials. I clicked on it. Besides photos and hotel records, there was a video account I’d never seen before. Eighty-three videos, each with Jensen’s shadow in them. I learned that their first kiss was on my twenty-third birthday. I went upstairs to get the cake. They were in the living room, kissing passionately. In that video uploaded on my birthday, Violet’s caption was just two words—”Thrilling.” I learned that their first time sleeping together was during that citywide rainstorm. Violet’s neighborhood had a power outage. I knew she was afraid of the dark, so I drove through the storm to her place to keep her company. Outside, lightning flashed and thunder roared. Rainwater reached my knees. I was completely soaked. Violet’s door was locked. She had gone on a business trip with Jensen. Kansas, three days and two nights. She didn’t tell me. Afraid something had happened to her, I knocked on her door for half an hour in the darkness. She and Jensen were in a hotel suite, eating a carefully prepared candlelit dinner, completing their first intimate encounter. And the most recent video was uploaded ten minutes ago. The background was Violet’s home. She was still wearing that nightgown, smiling innocently at the camera. “Almost got caught sneaking around for our date, but luckily Mr. Jensen said he’d make it up to me.” “He’s not allowed to go home tonight.” Her tone was so natural, without a trace of guilt. I replayed that video twenty times, finally confirming. That little sister who had followed me around since age seven, who needed my protection, had grown up. The cost was destroying my family. My hand gripping the mouse was white-knuckled. Suddenly I remembered the day Jensen and I got married. Violet wore the bridesmaid dress we’d chosen back in high school, crying with snot and tears everywhere. She grabbed my hand and threatened Jensen: “Christina is my best friend for life. If you ever dare bully her, I definitely won’t let you get away with it!” I crossed through the crowd and handed the bouquet directly to Violet. “Violet, I hope you’ll be happy too.” She froze for a moment, then burst into tears, shouting loudly in my ear: “Christina, you must be happy forever!” Scene after scene flashed back before my eyes. I sat on the sofa, tears flowing silently. My phone rang. It was Jensen calling. I answered. The man’s voice came through, half probing, half complaining. “Why didn’t you tell me you were coming back? If Violet hadn’t told me, I wouldn’t even know.” “Where are you now?” “Should I come pick you up?” I stayed silent, my gaze moving to Violet’s latest video. She said she didn’t want Jensen to go home. “I’m at the airport. The work issue isn’t resolved yet. I came back to get a file, leaving right away.” “Day after tomorrow at 8 AM, come pick me up at the airport.” Hearing my words, Jensen on the other end was obviously relieved, with a few women’s laughs mixed in. “Okay, I’m still at the office, so I won’t see you off.” “Let me know when you land.” The call ended. The lawyer looked at me hesitantly. “Ms. Christina, you…” I smiled and pulled out a tissue to wipe away my tears. “Attorney Foster, if we catch them in the act, wouldn’t the divorce case be more favorable for me?”

The lawyer nodded. I had my answer. I took out my phone and contacted several important people. The first was my dad—Jensen’s direct supervisor. For my sake, he was about to promote Jensen in the next few days. Marketing Director—a position Jensen had been eyeing for three years. The second was Violet’s parents. They had remarried and were also in California. Violet had said countless times that she wanted them to know how excellent she was, to make them regret abandoning her. Today, I also wanted to know—when her parents saw her with my husband, what would their expressions be? And Jensen’s parents, relatives… I called everyone I could think of. Then, following the lawyer, I drove to Violet’s apartment complex. During the twenty minutes waiting for everyone to arrive, I thought about many things. I thought about Violet and Jensen’s first meeting. One wore a gray suit, aloof and proud. One wore a red dress, looking completely annoyed. They each told me: I hate that person. They said they didn’t get along, asked me not to bring them together. I believed them. So I was always careful, telling Violet in front of Jensen how she praised him as young and promising. In front of Violet, I gave her gifts I bought for her in Jensen’s name. I thought I was maintaining both my love and my friendship. Looking back now, the most ridiculous person was actually me. “Ms. Christina, everyone’s here.” The lawyer’s voice pulled me back from my thoughts. I got out of the car and looked at those familiar faces. Everyone had come. Not a single person was missing. “Christina, why did you call us all here?” “Is it about last time when Violet mentioned you buying her an apartment? Oh my, all these years you’ve helped us take care of Violet, we’re so grateful.” Violet’s parents eagerly grabbed my hand. I pulled my hand away without speaking. Jensen’s parents blocked them. “What are you talking about? It must be about Jensen’s promotion to Marketing Manager coming through.” “Christina, Jensen really didn’t marry the wrong person.” “Christina, are you preparing a surprise for Jensen? Don’t worry, I get it! I even brought a video camera—professional grade!” They chattered away, not knowing what had happened, but all without exception holding expectations. Attorney Foster pulled me aside and said quietly: “Ms. Christina, are you sure you want to make this big of a scene?” “Once this blows up today, things will truly be irreversible.” I looked up at the light coming from Violet’s apartment upstairs. I remembered that summer when we walked down the street hand in hand, sharing the same ice cream cone. Her face was flushed red from the sun, her eyes incredibly bright. “Christina, will we be best friends forever?” I nodded emphatically. Ice cream smeared on my face. “Forever!” And Jensen—he knew I loved the ocean, so when he proposed, he rented an entire beach. Under the fireworks, he knelt on one knee with a ring. “Christina, I like you. I’ll like you forever. Will you marry me?” They had each promised me forever, yet in this year when I turned twenty-eight, they had tacitly chosen betrayal. I looked away. Violet’s parents were already impatient. Jensen’s parents had even notified their family members, preparing to throw Jensen a promotion party. The lights upstairs had also gone out. They must be asleep. I composed myself and gave everyone behind me a carefree smile. Pointing to the elevator, “Let’s go upstairs. There’s a surprise waiting upstairs.”

I led the group into the elevator, heading upstairs in a grand procession. In the elevator’s cramped space, the atmosphere was strangely enthusiastic. Violet’s parents were still shamelessly cozying up to me, their faces full of obsequious smiles. “Christina, Violet always tells us that meeting you was the luckiest thing in her life.” “That’s right, that’s right. We’re truly grateful to you from the bottom of our hearts.” They sang in harmony, hinting that our two families should interact more in the future, growing even closer. Naturally, Jensen’s parents weren’t willing to be outdone. They immediately pushed them aside and grabbed my other hand. “Christina, don’t listen to their nonsense. Jensen truly loves you.” “That Marketing Director position—he’s wanted it for so long. This time, thanks to you and your father, Jensen must have accumulated good karma from his past life to have married you.” My dad stood behind me, one hand silently resting on my shoulder, gently holding me. I could feel the warmth and strength from his palm, and also the suppressed fury about to erupt. I knew he was holding back. I was holding back too. It felt like a fire burning in my stomach, spreading from my chest all the way to my throat, burning painfully. “Ding”—the elevator doors opened. I took a deep breath and walked to Violet’s familiar door. First, I called her phone. Her sleepy yet slightly wary voice came through the receiver. “Hello? Christina? It’s so late. What’s up?” I smiled, my tone light as I asked, “Nothing major. I just wanted to ask if you’re home alone? I have something I want to talk to you about right now.” On the other end, Violet was clearly jolted awake, her voice instantly becoming panicked. “I… I’m home alone! But I… I’ve already gone to bed, Christina. Can we talk about it tomorrow? I’m really tired.” She was still lying. The trembling and guilt in her voice couldn’t be hidden at all. “Okay, get some rest then.” I hung up without hesitation and immediately called Jensen. I used the exact same script to ask him: “Are you home alone right now? I have something urgent I need to talk to you about.” Jensen’s voice was even more nervous than Violet’s. He answered almost immediately: “Yeah, I’m home alone. Lots of work at the office, just finished.” He paused, seeming to think his reaction was too intense, then added in a joking tone: “What’s wrong? Do you miss me? If it weren’t so late, I’d fly to your side right now.” How ridiculous. He was clearly in another woman’s bed, yet he could tell me he loved me without his face turning red or his heart racing. I laughed softly and hung up. At that moment, the previously noisy crowd behind me finally quieted down. Whether it was Violet’s parents or Jensen’s parents, they had all picked up on something unusual from my two brief phone calls. Their expressions changed from earlier anticipation and excitement to nervousness and confusion. Violet’s mother couldn’t help but grab my arm, asking carefully: “Christina, what… what’s going on? You called us all here, exactly what…” I turned back, looking at their faces full of unease, and repeated what I’d said before. “To give you all a surprise.” With that, under their suspicious gazes, I pulled out the spare key Violet had once forced into my hands from my bag. “Click”—the door lock opened with a sound.

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My brother Ethan has been smart since childhood. His SAT scores were excellent—good enough to get into Harvard. But before I could feel happy about it, I overheard him on the phone in his room: “Mia’s going to community college, so I’m applying to the same school. I’m not going to Harvard.” In my past life, I stopped him and forced him to apply to Harvard. As a result, his crush Mia Greene got engaged, and her fiancé was some hot guy who went to community college with her. When Ethan saw the news, his eyes turned red with rage, and he forced massive amounts of poison down my throat. “What’s the point of all that studying! Mia’s grandfather is New York’s richest man—if I got together with her, I’d skip an entire social class! If you hadn’t stopped me, I’d be the one marrying her now!” I was tortured to death. Given a second chance at life, I returned to the day the SAT scores were released. This time, I drove straight to the city’s largest orphanage. This brother is ruined—I’ll just adopt a new one!

After I died, my parents tried to ease their grief over losing a son by managing Ethan’s education even more strictly. But they never expected that Ethan, unable to sneak out to see the rich heiress, would harbor such resentment that he’d hire human traffickers to sell his own parents into the black market. My elderly parents were beaten bloody, and in a twisted act, people hammered long nails all over their bodies. Meanwhile, Ethan knelt before the bed where the New York heiress was sleeping with another man, begging her to look at him just once more. My soul floated above, screaming in grief and rage, but powerless to do anything. The next second, Ethan’s incessant voice rang in my ears again: “Adrian, I’m going to community college with Mia to study aviation.” “Harvard’s too hard. Even if I graduate, isn’t it all just to make money anyway? Mia’s the richest man’s granddaughter—isn’t it better to win her over early? Don’t you think so?” His eyes were full of excited gleam and what he thought was clever calculation. When Ethan saw I wasn’t responding, he immediately got annoyed. “Adrian, do you just hate seeing me do well?” “Your own marriage failed. You couldn’t keep your rich wife—that’s your problem. Why are you stopping me from climbing up the social ladder!” My heart instantly went cold. My ex-wife and I were childhood sweethearts who grew up together. When my family faced bankruptcy, we were forced into an arranged marriage. But only after getting married did I learn my ex-wife had an unforgettable first love. Only when I caught her cheating did she admit she’d been betraying me from the start. I’ll never forget the way my ex-wife and her first love humiliated me together. Later, I used all the money I got from my ex-wife to revive the family business, finally succeeding in getting divorced the following year. All these years, I’d worried that Ethan would be hurt by women like I was, so I gave him twice as much materially. From childhood, Ethan wore designer brands. Piano lessons and horseback riding lessons costing hundreds of thousands—as long as Ethan said he wanted to learn, I’d sign him up without blinking. To create a better life for us brothers, I worked like a machine, drinking at business dinners until I got a perforated ulcer and ended up in the hospital. I never told Ethan much about any of this—I just didn’t want him to feel any burden. But I never imagined that in Ethan’s eyes, all my sacrifices would be seen as the result of me being unable to keep a woman. And my indulgence had made him so pathetic, acting like a dog in front of rich people. Thinking of this, I looked at Ethan with a slight smile. “You’re an adult now. You can make your own decisions about major life choices. Mia treats you so well—you really shouldn’t miss this opportunity!” Ethan froze for a moment at my words, then hugged me joyfully. “I knew it—you’re the one who treats me best! Once Mia and I inherit the richest man’s fortune, I’ll definitely take good care of you!” In my past life, when Ethan told me his New York heiress classmate had invited him to the same school, I first asked how Mia had done on her exams and what university she was planning to attend. When I learned Mia’s scores could only get her into community college, my expression immediately turned cold, and I refused no matter what. Ethan also turned against me and stormed out, slamming the door. After finding out that Mia had bullied a male classmate and nearly drove him to jump off the school building, I couldn’t sit still. I earnestly warned Ethan that Mia had poor grades and violent tendencies—the Greene family would never choose someone like that as their heir. But Ethan insisted: “Mia’s the richest man’s only biological granddaughter. The future fortune will definitely be hers!” When persuasion failed, I had to take a hard line. I called my parents back from abroad and had them monitor Ethan 24/7, forcing him to sign the Harvard application. But the next day, the news broke that New York heiress Mia Greene was engaged, and her fiancé was the school heartthrob who’d given up college to be with her. The media portrayed this engagement as a poor boy’s successful pursuit of love, a rags-to-riches tale of a pauper prince climbing up the social ladder. When Ethan saw it, he went crazy and came to my office and smashed everything. He pounded the desk and shouted at me: “Mia’s fiancé should have been me!” To calm him down and stop him from obsessing over that woman, I doubled his allowance and spent a fortune taking him on trips all over the country. Ethan wanted all kinds of luxury goods, and I bought them for him. But in return, Ethan went crazy and hung me from Mia’s helicopter in the suburbs. “If you hadn’t stopped me, I’d be the one who climbed into the Greene family! You ruined everything for me!” I was suspended in the air, sliced bloody by the rotating tail rotor, and then watched myself fall into a valley, with no remains left to bury. Only then did I realize that Ethan hated me to the bone, and his greatest wish was to be a kept man. In this life, I won’t try to save Ethan again. If he wants to be a kept man, I’ll let him lock himself together with that abusive woman forever. There are plenty of boys who want to study. Since this brother won’t work out, I’ll just get a new brother.

Ethan happily called Mia to tell her they could go to the same school. The two of them talked sweetly for a long time. After hanging up, Ethan did something unprecedented—he walked over to the cleaning lady and took the broom from her hands, saying proudly: “Adrian, from today on, I’ll do the housework. That way, when I go to the new school and live with Mia, I can take better care of her. Mia will definitely be moved by me.” I stood there stunned. I suddenly remembered that a few years ago, when I got seriously ill from drinking continuously to win business contracts, Ethan just watched coldly from the side and wouldn’t even pour me a glass of water. So Ethan wasn’t incapable of taking care of people—I just wasn’t worthy of it as his brother. I gave a bitter laugh, feeling like all my years of genuine devotion had been fed to the dogs. I gave the cleaning lady an extended vacation, had her teach Ethan all the chores, then returned to the living room and settled into the sofa to watch TV. It was Ethan’s first time doing housework. He was sweating profusely, and before long, he couldn’t take it anymore. He looked up at me with aggrieved eyes. If this were my past life, seeing Ethan like this would have made me too heartbroken to let him continue. Now, living this second life, I would never seek such suffering again. I just pretended not to see anything and focused on watching TV. Ethan, getting no sympathy, threw down the broom and ran back to his room in a huff. I watched him and just found it funny. He couldn’t even do basic housework, yet he wanted to be a kept man serving a rich girl? Before long, Ethan came running out and said to me: “Adrian, I’m going to the next city with Mia for a party. She’s already rented a place there, and I’ll just stay at her place. This is perfect!” Mia was famous in her circle for loving SM. Since Ethan was so eager to jump into the fire pit, I naturally wouldn’t stop him. When I didn’t answer for a long time, Ethan became angry and embarrassed, screaming shrilly: “I get it now—you really can’t stand seeing me happy! Someone as selfish as you has no right to be my brother!” I rubbed my temples, feeling somewhat tired. “I told you, you’re an adult now. You can make your own decisions. You don’t need to ask me anymore.” Hearing this, Ethan’s expression changed instantly, like flipping a switch, his spirits immediately restored. “You’re the best! I need to go find Mia right away and tell her this good news.” With that, Ethan left the house. Right after, I also went out and drove to the city’s largest orphanage.

After learning my intentions, the director took me to meet the children there. The orphanage children were noisy and rowdy, but one boy sat quietly to the side, completely indifferent to my arrival, focused intently on the vocabulary book in his hands. I walked over to him and asked softly, “Do you really like studying?” The boy’s voice was small but not timid. “Studying is very important. Only by working hard can I change my destiny.” I smiled at him. “Would you be willing to come home with me? I’ll be your brother and find you the best teachers to help you study.” The boy nodded vigorously. I took the boy to the director to process adoption papers. When I learned the boy’s name was Lucky, I couldn’t help but frown. The boy sensed my reaction and looked at me cautiously. I sighed and patted the boy’s head. “How about I give you a new name?” I took the boy shopping for daily necessities, then took him to change his name. He took my surname and became Wesley Armitage. I hoped he would always know the direction in his heart as precious as the moon, and not bow down for sixpence like my brother Ethan. On the way home, Wesley kept looking at his new ID card over and over—clearly, he really liked his new name. When we got home, I cleaned out the spare room for Wesley to live in. It was getting late, and I was just about to have Wesley go to his room to rest when I heard the sound of the door being unlocked. “Adrian, I’m back! I’ve already talked to Mia—” Ethan’s voice stopped the instant he saw Wesley, then he looked at me in disbelief and demanded sharply: “Who is he? What’s he doing in my house!” Wesley looked at me helplessly. I looked at Ethan calmly. “This is my house. Who I let in isn’t for you to decide.” “He’s my new brother, also your brother. His name is Wesley. If you can accept it, accept it. If you can’t, then get out.” Before I finished speaking, Ethan grabbed a vase from the living room and smashed it hard on the floor. “I don’t agree! If you don’t kick him out, I’ll die right in front of you. I don’t want you as a brother anymore!” This was Ethan’s usual tactic. In my past life, every time I refused Ethan’s excessive demands, he would threaten me by harming himself or cutting off our relationship. And I, craving familial affection, fell for it every time. I usually couldn’t resist and gave in. After making his threat, Ethan expected to see me compromise like before. But I just stood there, unmoved. “If you want to die, hurry up. I can’t stop you, and I don’t want to.” Thinking of how my parents suffered in my past life, I felt he deserved to die eight hundred times over. Ethan never imagined that I, who had always doted on him, would suddenly become like this. He immediately grew furious. He rushed at Wesley and grabbed him. Ethan’s freshly done manicure made his nails especially sharp. He deliberately dug them deep into Wesley’s skin. Wesley winced in pain but didn’t dare make a sound. “You little brat, did you trick Adrian! You parentless thing, what right do you have to steal my brother!” Ethan, the straight-A student, really got into cursing, his mouth full of obscenities. I’d always taught Ethan to be gentle and polite. Before, he was just cold, but he’d never used profanity in front of me. Eighteen years of upbringing and teaching couldn’t compare to a few months of Ethan being around Mia. Remembering my past life, I just felt utterly pathetic. Seeing Ethan raise his hand to slap Wesley, I quickly stepped forward to stop him, pulling Ethan away. “If you can’t accept this, get out. If you keep throwing tantrums like this, don’t blame me for being rude!” Hearing this, Ethan looked hurt, as if he couldn’t bear it anymore, and ran out crying. But I knew in my heart that Ethan’s sadness wasn’t because of me. It was just because something he’d possessed for so many years suddenly no longer belonged to him.

“I’m sorry. Maybe I should move out. Ethan really seems to hate me.” Wesley came over to me, his eyes a bit red, his voice full of apology. I calmly told him, “You’re my brother too. You don’t need to accommodate anyone.” After that, I took Wesley back to his room and comforted him for a while. Wesley fell into a deep sleep. I returned to the living room and began cleaning up the mess Ethan had left. Ethan had been pampered by me since childhood and had never suffered such humiliation. With this incident, unless I lowered my head and apologized first, Ethan definitely wouldn’t come back anytime soon. After cleaning up and returning to my room, I let out a slow breath of relief. Finally, I could take time to plan for Wesley’s and my future. Wesley was seventeen this year. After summer vacation, he’d be starting his junior year of high school. His grades were excellent, but due to family upheaval during middle school finals, he’d only gotten into an average high school. After entering the orphanage, Wesley worked part-time jobs while also helping out at the orphanage, sacrificing his sleep time to study. Even so, Wesley’s grades in high school were still outstanding. After learning all this, I first spent a fortune pulling strings to transfer Wesley to the city’s best high school. To catch up with the accelerated program’s pace by the new semester, I found renowned teachers to arrange one-on-one summer tutoring for him. In my past life, when Ethan first entered high school, he’d once given up on himself because he couldn’t keep up with the school’s pace. I both tried my best to encourage him, telling him not to lose confidence in learning, while also pulling connections to find suitable teachers for him. But in my past life, all my painstaking efforts became, in Ethan’s mouth, me forcing him to study for my own selfish desires and restricting his freedom. Some people are just born ungrateful. Unfortunately, in my past life, I paid with my life to understand this truth. In the following days, I woke up early every day to take Wesley to tutoring, then went to work at the company. After work, I’d pick Wesley up from tutoring. At these times, Wesley would always excitedly tell me in the car what new knowledge he’d learned that day and what interesting things happened in class. On weekends, I’d take Wesley out to experience new things, broaden his knowledge, and expand his horizons. These days spent with Wesley made me very happy too. This joy was something I never experienced in my past life. But good times didn’t last long. When Wesley and I were traveling in the neighboring city, I received a call from the police station. “Is this Mr. Adrian Armitage? After our preliminary investigation, Ethan is suspected of intentional assault. He’s currently at the police station. Please come by.” I froze in place. In my past life, because of my firm stance, Ethan had already broken up with Mia at this time, and I was watching Ethan closely, not letting him have any contact with Mia again. I never expected that in this life, without my intervention, in just half a month, Ethan would get into such big trouble.

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After my son was put to sleep, Fiona tucked in his blanket. “William, you go to Marcus’s parent-teacher conference tomorrow by yourself. I’m not going.” I froze. Her tone was helpless. “Thiago’s son also has a parent-teacher conference tomorrow. As his biological mother, I’ve already been absent for eight years. I can’t miss it this time.” My mind was buzzing. “What did you say?” Thiago was Fiona’s brother-in-law… Fiona took my hand, smiling gently. “I’ve neglected them both, father and son, for so many years. Don’t compete with them this time. If Marcus’s teacher asks, just tell them we’re divorced.” She smiled and ruffled my hair, then turned to go to the study to make a phone call. I stood in the living room, my heart sinking to the bottom in an instant. Fiona, you’re right. I really should get divorced… When Fiona came out of the study, I was still standing in the living room. My legs had gone numb, but I couldn’t feel a thing. She picked up the car keys, as if suddenly remembering something. “Tomorrow, buy a gift for Matias. It’s the boy’s birthday. As his mother, I haven’t given him anything in all these years. I don’t know what he likes.” I looked up at her. “When did you get together with him?” She paused, glanced at me, and smiled. “When you were hospitalized after your car accident.” With that, Fiona walked over, her eyes full of amusement. “You weren’t able to back then. Thiago saw how hard things were for me and came to take care of me. My sister had just passed away at the time and had no children. Thiago just wanted a child.” “Matias is my son, and he’s my obligation to Thiago.” My nails dug into my palms. I had imagined every possibility—the seven-year itch, or when I quit my job to stay home with Marcus. I’d even found excuses in my mind, thinking she was tired of the monotony and wanted excitement. But I never expected it to be at the most impossible time… When I was hospitalized, Fiona showed no signs of anything wrong. Back then, I was hit by a car protecting her and nearly died. After I finally got out of danger, she came to the hospital every day after work to see me, helped wash my body, got up in the middle of the night to check on me, and held my hand every day telling me she’d stay with me forever. At that time, I thought I was the happiest man in the world, thought that love was impossible to hide. Turns out, it was just guilt after an affair. Seeing the tears in my eyes, Fiona’s voice softened. “Come on, William. Thiago won’t compete with you. You’re still my husband. We’ll just live our separate lives. Isn’t that fine?” I looked at her. There was no guilt on her face, no panic, just a sort of frankness. “Fiona, let’s get divorced. Marcus stays with me.” I didn’t cry or make a scene. My voice was calm. Fiona was stunned for a moment, then laughed, as if looking at a child throwing a tantrum. “What nonsense are you talking about?” She looked at me helplessly. “Marcus has everything he needs now. Where are you going to take him? Make him live in a rental apartment with you? Turn him into a wild child with a dead father and crazy mother like you?” My blood froze instantly. Wild child. She knew how much I hated those two words. In school as a child, classmates chased me calling me “bastard,” “son of a rapist and murderer.” I hid in a bathroom stall, not daring to come out. It was Fiona who kicked the door open, beat those people down, and led me out by the hand. She said, whoever bullies you in the future, I’ll kill them. She clearly knew my mother was raped and gave birth to me, went crazy and killed my dad—it was the deepest pain of my life! But now this knife stabbing me deepest was one I handed to her myself… “I’ll pretend you said that out of anger just now.” Fiona’s tone was gentle, as if soothing me. I opened my mouth but couldn’t speak. She touched my face. “Take Marcus out to play tomorrow. Don’t go to the parent-teacher conference, so you won’t be asked questions. The card is on the table. The password is your birthday.” With that, she turned and left. The sound of the door closing was soft, as if afraid to wake Marcus. I stood in the living room, looking at the supplementary card on the table. Black, no limit. She’d given me many over the years. Each time was after doing something guilty. I picked up that card and walked to Marcus’s room. He was sleeping soundly, hugging his teddy bear, a smile still on his lips. Earlier today, he said he wanted to wear new clothes to the parent-teacher conference tomorrow, to show his classmates how beautiful his mother was. Fiona was very busy at work. This parent-teacher conference was time I’d worked so hard to get her to set aside. I sat by the bed, gently stroking his hair. Marcus, mom won’t come to the parent-teacher conference tomorrow, but dad will always be here. I took out my phone and found a contact I hadn’t reached out to in a long time. I edited a message and hit send.

After sending the message, I stood on the balcony in the cold wind for a long time. Soon after, Fiona came back. She also brought Thiago and his son Matias. Matias was eight years old, with two dimples on his face, wearing a little white suit. He’d been to our house a few times. Each time he came, Fiona would have me prepare snacks and gifts. I thought it was her taking care of her brother-in-law. Now looking back, it was a complete humiliation… Fiona opened the door. Thiago kept his head down, his voice soft. “Sorry to disturb you both.” Fiona bent down and picked up Matias. “Did Matias miss mommy?” Matias hugged her neck and sweetly called “Mommy.” They didn’t even avoid me anymore, right in front of my face. I came downstairs, coldly watching this scene. Just then, Marcus woke up too and pushed open a crack in his door, groggily calling for daddy. My heart immediately tightened, wondering if he’d heard what Matias just called her. But soon, Marcus saw Matias, froze for a moment, then ran over with a smile. “Matias!” The two kids went upstairs holding hands. Marcus said he wanted to show Matias his new toys. The living room grew quiet. Thiago glanced at me, then quickly lowered his head again. “William, I’m sorry… we’re disturbing you.” I laughed. “You can even sleep with my wife, what’s staying at my house for a night?” Thiago’s face instantly went white. He jerked his head up to look at Fiona, his voice trembling. “You… you told him everything?” Fiona didn’t speak, just picked up her teacup and slowly took a sip. Thiago stood up and walked in front of me, his eyes red. “William, listen to me, it’s not what you think… I…” Suddenly, there was a loud crash from upstairs, followed by Marcus’s crying. I rushed upstairs and pushed open my son’s door. Marcus stood on the floor, his face covered in tears. Ceramic shards were scattered on the ground—it was his favorite ceramic Winnie the Pooh. Fiona had brought it back from a business trip last year. He hugged it to sleep every night. Matias stood beside him, still holding a piece of the broken ceramic. “Daddy! He grabbed my bear! I offered him other things but he didn’t want them. He insisted on this one. I wouldn’t give it to him, so he grabbed it and smashed it…” Marcus was crying so hard he could barely breathe. I crouched down and pulled him into my arms, gently patting his back. Thiago ran in, his face changing. “Matias! How could you grab Marcus’s things? Apologize to Marcus right now.” Matias pursed his lips and said nothing. Thiago sighed and looked at me, his tone apologetic. “William, don’t be angry. Matias just hasn’t seen such nice toys… Marcus has good toys to play with normally, so he shouldn’t miss this one, right?” I looked up at him. “Because Marcus has it, he deserves to have it smashed by Matias?” Thiago’s eyes reddened. “That’s not what I meant…” Fiona stood in the doorway, her expression not good. “William, what kind of tone is that! Apologize to Thiago!” I held Marcus and didn’t move. “His son broke my son’s things, and I have to apologize?” “I’ll buy Marcus another one.” Fiona was getting impatient. My voice began to tremble. “How is that the same?” Fiona frowned. She walked to Marcus’s bed with a cold face, picked up another bunny lamp—also one of Marcus’s beloved toys—and made as if to throw it on the ground. “Are you apologizing or not?” Her tone was frighteningly cold. I closed my eyes. Something inside me quietly shattered. “I’m sorry, Thiago.” My voice was small, as if squeezed from my throat. Fiona put the bunny lamp back on the bed. “See? That wasn’t so hard.” She led Matias out. Thiago followed her, his lips moving but ultimately saying nothing. I held Marcus. He was still crying, his shoulders shaking. I put him on the bed, tucked him in, and comforted him for a long time. When I walked out of the room, no one was in the living room. Fiona was in the study, the door closed. I had just reached the stairway landing when a cup of scalding liquid splashed on my face. The heat made me scream and immediately cover my face!

Matias stood at the stairway, holding an empty cup, a hint of cunning in his eyes. “Dad said if you do something wrong, just apologize.” He tilted his head and smiled. “Sorry.” I stood there, tea dripping down my cheeks, my face burning painfully. The study door opened. Fiona came out, saw me, and frowned. “What happened?” Matias ran over and took her hand. “I accidentally spilled the tea.” Fiona looked down at him and smiled. “It’s okay. I won’t blame you.” She looked up at me, her tone indifferent. “Go change your clothes. Don’t catch cold.” I said nothing, turned and walked to the water dispenser, filled a cup with cold water, and walked in front of Matias. The next second, I threw the entire cup of water in his face. “Now that’s fair.” Matias screamed and staggered backward, falling to the floor, bursting into tears. “Are you insane?” Fiona’s expression changed instantly. “William, how can you be so petty? Even targeting a child?” Thiago also came over after hearing the commotion, crouched on the ground holding Matias, tears falling. “William, if you’re angry, come at me. Don’t bully the child… Matias is still young and doesn’t understand…” “Enough!” I shook off Fiona’s hand and stepped back. “Get out! All three of you, get out of my house!” The living room went quiet for a moment. Fiona stared at me, then suddenly smiled—a cold smile. Soon, she turned and went upstairs, heading toward my son’s room. My heart skipped a beat. By the time I rushed up, it was too late. Fiona had pulled Marcus from under the covers. He was only wearing thin pajama pants, his face full of fear. “What are you doing!” I was frantic. “You want fairness, don’t you?” She looked at me. “Matias got splashed, so Marcus should have a taste too.” With that, she dragged Marcus downstairs. Thiago held Matias, his voice trembling. “Fiona, don’t do this… the child is so young…” But Fiona paid no attention, pushing Marcus in front of Thiago and handing him a cup of boiling water. “Splash it.” I rushed to catch up. “You dare!” Thiago froze. Under Fiona’s cold gaze, he bit his lip and took the cup. Inside was freshly poured boiling water, steam rising. “Fiona, I’m sorry… I really can’t…” As he spoke, his hand trembled and the entire cup of boiling water poured over Marcus’s face. “Ahhh—!” Marcus’s scream was like a knife, cutting into my heart piece by piece. He covered his face, rolling on the ground. “Marcus!” I rushed over and held him. His whole body was shaking. “Daddy… it hurts… Daddy…” Fiona stood there with no expression on her face. Thiago was crying beside her—whether from fear or acting, I couldn’t tell. “Fiona, you’re not human!” I slapped her across the face. She didn’t dodge or fight back, just looked at me with cold eyes. “When you’re done hitting me, go to the hospital. Don’t waste time here.” I rushed downstairs holding Marcus. I couldn’t get a cab, so I ran holding him. Wind rushed into my ears. Marcus’s crying grew weaker and weaker. “I’m here, Marcus, don’t be afraid. I’m here…” I don’t know how long I ran. My shoes fell off, the soles of my feet were scraped raw, blood prints on the asphalt road. The emergency room lights were bright. When I handed Marcus to the doctor, my legs went weak, my vision went black, and I knew nothing more. When I woke up, my nose was filled with the smell of disinfectant. I was lying in a hospital bed with a needle in my hand. The nurse saw me wake up and breathed a sigh of relief. “Your son is fine. You got him here in time. There won’t be any scarring.” I closed my eyes. The nurse paused. “Did you have a car accident eight years ago? Your kidneys are having problems now. You need surgery immediately.” I opened my eyes, my heart shocked. My old illness had flared up at this critical moment.

The nurse had just left when the hospital room door was kicked open violently. Fiona stood in the doorway with an expression of coldness I’d never seen before. “William! Look what you’ve done.” “Matias was splashed by you and got so scared his acute hemolysis flared up. He’s in emergency care now. If anything happens to him, I’ll make you pay with your life!” I gripped the bedsheet tightly. I’d only heard before that Matias was in poor health. I never expected him to be such a fragile porcelain doll. Fiona walked over, her tone commanding. “Where’s Marcus? He and Matias have matching blood types. Have him donate blood.” I couldn’t believe it. “Marcus isn’t even five years old yet.” “I don’t care.” “Fiona, he was just scalded. He’s still in a room upstairs.” “That’s what he deserves.” I closed my eyes. “Take mine. I have the same blood type as him.” She paused, looked at me for two seconds, and smiled. “Fine.” I was taken to the blood donation room. The doctor looked at the chart and hesitated. “This gentleman’s physical condition is a bit special. I don’t recommend drawing blood…” “Draw it.” Fiona leaned against the wall, her tone flat. The doctor looked at me. I nodded. The needle went in. Blood flowed through the tube into the blood bag. One bag, two bags, three bags. I started to feel dizzy. The lights in front of me became blurry. “Fiona… I can’t hold on…” “Then promise me. Make Marcus come apologize to Matias. If you promise, I’ll have them stop.” I looked up at her. Her expression was calm, as if discussing a business deal. “Just an apology. It won’t cost him anything.” “Impossible.” I gritted my teeth, forcing myself to stay conscious. “Then keep drawing.” By the sixth bag, my vision started to go black. The doctor said quietly, “We can’t draw anymore. Something will happen to him…” “Nothing will happen.” Fiona walked over, bent down to look at me, her voice unnaturally gentle. “William, will you promise or not?” I clenched my teeth and shook my head. She straightened up and said, “Continue.” This was the seventh bag. Halfway through, I slid from the chair, a gush of fresh blood suddenly pouring from my mouth. The nurse screamed. “Something’s wrong! The patient’s kidney has ruptured. Prepare for surgery immediately!” Fiona’s face turned deathly pale.

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After photos of my director boyfriend hooking up with eighteen young models went viral, I was devastated. I threw away my SIM card and cut off contact with everyone. I accepted my family’s arrangement and went abroad to marry Ethan Gray, the CEO of a film production company. Five years later, I returned home to visit family. Ethan had an urgent matter to attend to, so I filled in for him to meet with a director who wanted to collaborate with him. I never expected that when I opened the door, I would see my ex-boyfriend Lucas Rivers, whom I hadn’t seen in five years… My ex-boyfriend Lucas Rivers was bent over with a flattering smile on his face when he suddenly froze. His friend was the first to react. “Lucas, isn’t this your old lapdog Sophia Smith?” Lucas snapped back to reality, straightened up, and glanced at me indifferently. “What did I tell you? I said she’d come crawling back.” Everyone burst into laughter. “Lucas slept with eighteen models in one night back then and it even trended on Ins. He must be incredible in bed!” “Sophia’s experienced it firsthand. How could she forget?” Their sleazy, vulgar demeanor now was no different from five years ago. I wasn’t surprised at all. Seeing that I remained silent, someone I used to know fairly well rushed to smooth things over. “Sophia, it’s good you’re back… That incident back then was just a misunderstanding. Lucas never gave up looking for you all these years.” The smile on Lucas’s face froze. He touched his nose, his eyes drifting. “You know Sarah Young, right? She needs a personal assistant. You can take care of her from now on. Better than being someone’s nanny.” I looked at him in surprise. Then I understood. He thought I was Ethan Gray’s nanny. Even if I really were a nanny, how could he think that being a personal assistant to some unknown actress would be more promising than being a nanny for a Hollywood CEO? Too lazy to waste more words with him, I was about to reveal my identity when Sarah Young, who was standing beside him, beat me to it. She linked her arm through mine. “Sophia, do you remember me? I was the female lead in Lucas’s first movie.” “You misunderstood Lucas. That incident back then was a misunderstanding. Someone spread false rumors about me, and Lucas had no choice but to post those photos to suppress the trending topic about me.” I didn’t like unfamiliar people getting too close to me. My brows furrowed involuntarily. But Lucas thought I was jealous. A gleam of satisfaction flashed in his eyes: “Alright, that was years ago. Why bring it up? As long as you take good care of Sarah, I’ll give you a chance to act again when the opportunity arises.” Sarah heard this and shot me a glare when no one was looking, but said sweetly: “Sophia, you don’t think being my assistant is beneath you, do you? I know you used to be an actress, but you’ve been working as a nanny for five years. You’re completely out of touch with our industry. Even though Lucas is a director, he can’t just let you jump straight into acting.” Lucas immediately frowned: “What does she have to complain about? Being your assistant is better than being someone’s nanny, isn’t it?” “It was just a small matter that leaked online back then, and she disappeared for five years without a word. If she’s in this situation now, she only has herself to blame.” My eye twitched. Back then, photos of him hooking up with eighteen models dominated entertainment news, and he thought it was a small matter? Then again, he always had a habit of ignoring my feelings. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have posted those photos to help another woman suppress trending topics without even giving me a heads-up. But it didn’t matter anymore. Let the past stay in the past. I had Ethan Gray now, and our adorable son.

I was too lazy to beat around the bush with them anymore and said directly: “I’m not a nanny. I’m Ethan Gray’s wife.” As soon as I finished speaking, the air fell silent for a moment. Then someone burst out laughing. “Sophia, are you crazy? Mr. Gray’s wife? Why don’t you say you’re the Queen of Hollywood while you’re at it?” Lucas laughed too, his laughter laced with mockery: “Haven’t seen you in a few years, and you’ve learned to brag.” “Everyone in the industry knows that Mr. Gray’s wife is his most precious treasure, someone he waited ten years for.” “Directors who wanted to work with Mr. Gray got rejected left and right, but as long as their story could move Mrs. Gray, even projects Mr. Gray had refused would get approved.” He looked me up and down. “Do you think someone like you is worthy of even dreaming about Mr. Gray? I think you’ve developed delusions from being a nanny for too long.” Listening to their discussion, a happy smile appeared on my lips. In five years of marriage, Ethan’s status in the industry had grown higher and higher, and his reputation as a wife-doting maniac had become more and more widespread. Suddenly, Lucas’s gaze fell on my earlobe, and his eyes narrowed. “Your earring…” Sarah immediately leaned over to look, then covered her mouth and exclaimed: “Isn’t this the one Mr. Gray bought for Mrs. Gray at an auction for a hundred million dollars? It’s a limited edition. There’s only one pair in the world!” I couldn’t help but smile, gently touching my earlobe. I had just looked at them a couple more times because I thought they were pretty, and Ethan immediately went all out at the auction. Seeing my gesture, Sarah suddenly stepped back two paces in horror. “This… this, Sophia, you… did you take advantage of Mr. Gray and Mrs. Gray being away to steal from Mrs. Gray’s jewelry box?” “If Mr. Gray finds out, will it affect Lucas’s collaboration with Mr. Gray…” “Lucas has invested everything he has into this movie. If he can’t reach a collaboration with Mr. Gray and successfully release it in Hollywood, then…” Everyone’s expressions changed drastically. Lucas stared at me, his eyes shifting from mockery to scrutiny, then slowly tinged with anger. His voice turned cold. “Sophia, you’ve got some nerve. You dare to steal and wear your employer’s things?” “This is Mr. Gray’s house. Don’t you know Mr. Gray and Mrs. Gray could come back any moment? If they see this, our entire project is finished!” He got angrier as he spoke, stepping forward and raising his hand to slap me. “Have you lost your mind!” Lucas’s best friends were also filled with righteous indignation, glaring at me angrily. “Sophia, do you know how hard we worked to get this meeting with Mr. Gray?” “Lucas’s films have been mediocre these past years. This time he’s betting everything he has on this project.” “Now you’re not only lying about your relationship with Mr. Gray, but you’re even stealing Mrs. Gray’s jewelry. Are you trying to ruin Lucas?” I wiped the blood from the corner of my mouth and slowly turned my head to meet Lucas’s gaze. Perhaps my look was too frightening. Lucas frowned, panic flashing in his eyes. Seeing Lucas looking at me strangely, Sarah glared at me resentfully, then said indignantly: “Sophia, how could you do this?” “I’ve already explained what happened back then to you. Lucas even made you Sarah’s assistant to make it up to you. How can you be so ungrateful?” “Even if you resent Lucas, you can’t take revenge on him this way.”

Hearing this, I felt like I was back five years ago. He was a well-known young director, and actresses would always use the excuse of having him explain scenes to invite him to hotels late at night. Of course, they weren’t actually discussing scripts. I couldn’t help but confront them. At first, he would explain to me. Later, he started calling me a jealous shrew with a cold face. But this time, he didn’t continue cursing as he used to. After a moment of silence, Lucas pulled out a check for a hundred thousand dollars and placed it in front of me. “For old times’ sake, I won’t abandon you.” “Take the money. Buy yourself whatever jewelry you like. Don’t covet other people’s things, and stop being a nanny.” “I promise you, once Mr. Gray signs the contract, I’ll find a suitable role for you.” “Don’t worry. Once this movie successfully makes it to Hollywood, I’ll make a fortune soon.” Lucas’s condescending attitude made me sick. Under everyone’s shocked gaze, I pushed away Lucas’s hand holding the check and said with a smile: “No need, Mr. Rivers. I don’t accept things from strangers.” Ignoring Lucas’s face turning the color of liver, I turned and walked away. But before I could take a few steps, Lucas grabbed me and demanded coldly: “Sophia, I’m offering you money and you won’t take it? What do you mean? I’m a stranger?” I replied: “Since we’ve already broken up, it’s better not to have any more contact to avoid misunderstandings.” I thought of my somewhat jealous husband. But Lucas glanced at Sarah with a look of understanding. “Fine, once I finalize the collaboration with Mr. Gray, I’ll let you play the female lead in this movie. Is that good enough?” “But you need to quit your nanny job with Mr. Gray right away and practice your acting skills, so people don’t question my judgment when casting…” Before he could finish, I declined directly: “Really not necessary, thank you.” Hearing me refuse again, Lucas was furious. His hand holding the check froze in midair, his teeth grinding audibly. “Sophia, you’ve really grown a backbone now, haven’t you? You’ve fallen to working as a nanny and you’re still acting high and mighty?” “Fine! Keep being high and mighty then. The female lead role goes to Sarah!” Hearing Lucas say he would let her play the female lead, Sarah’s eyes lit up, and she quickly said: “Lucas, I’ll definitely do my best. I absolutely won’t embarrass you.” Hearing their conversation, I let out a scoff. “Isn’t it a bit early for you two to be discussing this? Don’t count your chickens before they hatch…” I remembered when we had just gotten together and he was still an unknown director. To support him, I turned down several acting offers that came my way to focus on being his female lead. He said he didn’t have enough funding, so I gave him all my savings. He said he needed connections, so I swallowed my pride and asked my family to help him network. He was generous with me, always stuffing money into my bag. His tone back then was as condescending as it was now. “Take it, don’t be shy with me. How much can those acting gigs of yours make? Stick with me, and there’ll be plenty of opportunities in the future.” I refused. Every single time I refused. I never touched a cent of the money he gave me. I kept it all in one account. I just wanted to help him, not be kept by him. But he didn’t understand. All he knew was that his generosity was rejected, that his goodwill was spurned. So he became furious and gave the female lead role he had promised me to Sarah instead.

I took a deep breath, not wanting to waste any more time with these people. But I didn’t want my personal issues to cause Ethan to miss out on a good project. “Ethan Gray will be back at 3 PM. You can discuss it with him then.” With that, I turned to leave. But Lucas grabbed my wrist. “Sophia, have you made enough of a scene? Are you still holding a grudge about what happened back then?” He stared into my eyes, his tone gradually softening, returning to that condescending benefactor. “Sarah already explained to you about those photos from back then—they were to help her suppress the trending topic. Don’t be so petty as a woman. Besides…” He paused, a confident smile playing at his lips. “You came here to work as a nanny because you heard I was going to collaborate with Mr. Gray, didn’t you? You came here specifically for me.” I was amused by his arrogance. “Lucas Rivers, you—” Before I could finish, Sarah suddenly rushed over from the side and shoved my shoulder. Caught off guard, I fell backward, my knees hitting the ground. I gasped in pain. Before I could get up, Sarah had already crouched down and roughly yanked the earring from my ear. “Sophia, for Lucas’s sake, you have to return this earring! What would happen if Mr. Gray discovered his things were stolen and worn by a nanny? If he gets angry and refuses to work with us…” She turned to look at Lucas, her eyes reddening: “I’m sorry, Lucas. I was too anxious just now and lost my composure!” “We’re almost at our appointment time with Mr. Gray. If he comes back and sees this… our collaboration would be ruined. You’ve invested everything you have into this project…” Lucas glanced at my bleeding earlobe, a flash of heartache crossing his face, but listening to Sarah’s words, he looked away. “Sophia, listen to Sarah. Return the earring immediately.” Just then, a childish voice came from the doorway. “Daddy, why are there so many people at our house today?” Then they saw a small figure jump down from Ethan Gray’s arms and rush into my embrace. It was my three-year-old son, Evan Gray. His chubby little hands cupped my face. He frowned as he looked at my swollen cheek, then at my bleeding earlobe. His little mouth turned down, and his eyes immediately reddened. “Mommy, who bullied you?”

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My boyfriend Ethan saved me from kidnappers, but afterward, he developed severe sleep disorders. Every time he slept beside me, he would have panic attacks and convulsions throughout his body. Desperate and anxious, I had no choice but to turn to my best friend Stella, who worked as a sleep therapist. At first, the two of them were like oil and water, constantly at each other’s throats. “Luna, if it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t take this case for any amount of money.” My best friend bit down on her cigarette, fuming. Ethan sneered coldly. “Luna, if it weren’t for you, I would never accept her treatment.” Three years passed, and his sleep disorder was finally almost cured. Until a week before the wedding, I found out I was pregnant. I couldn’t help wanting to interrupt the treatment to surprise them both. But outside the door, I heard Stella’s choked voice: “I’m pregnant. I’ll get rid of the baby.” “If you dare tell Luna about this, I will never forgive you.” “She loves you so much. You two need to live a good life together.”

I froze in place. After a long while, I finally heard Ethan’s defeated voice: “But I can’t bear to let you go.” “Every time I see you, I can’t help but want you.” “What am I supposed to do?” I smiled bitterly and crumpled the pregnancy test report into a ball, tossing it into the trash. That’s easy to solve— That evening, I scheduled an abortion appointment for one week later. Over the past three years, to avoid affecting Ethan’s sleep therapy, I would always wait downstairs. I’d wait until I was nearly dozing off, wait until Stella had gently lulled him to sleep, then she’d quietly come downstairs and scoop me up with concern: “Luna, stop exhausting yourself waiting like this. No man is worth sacrificing your health for.” Back then, I would nestle in her arms, feeling completely safe. Now, sitting on the sofa, looking at this home. My heart grew cold inch by inch. Back then, to make her comfortable, I had deliberately filled the home Ethan and I would share after marriage with things she liked, little by little. Ethan had even gotten jealous: “Babe, if you keep decorating like this, it’s going to turn into Stella’s home.” She had looked smug: “Jealousy won’t help you. Who told you Luna loves me most?” Seeing them about to argue again, I had worried and mediated between them, finally coaxing them both into good moods. I couldn’t understand it. How did things turn out like this? It wasn’t until late at night that Stella came downstairs quietly, wrapped in a trench coat, her eyes rimmed with red. Seeing I was awake, her body stiffened slightly. She grabbed my ice-cold hand: “Luna, why didn’t you listen and go to bed early again?” I opened my mouth but didn’t know what to say. She looked at me, unable to hold back a sob, though her eyes held some indescribable emotion: “Look how cold your hands are. Ethan’s a grown man, and I’m here. What are you afraid of?” I instinctively wanted to nod and smile. But from the corner of my eye, I caught sight of the red marks on her neck, half-hidden by the trench coat. My heart felt like it was being gouged out with a knife. I immediately lowered my eyes. That’s right. Before I met Ethan in college, as long as she was there, I wasn’t afraid of anything. Growing up in an orphanage, I was thin and small. On the way to school, I couldn’t avoid being bullied. It was Stella with her purple-dyed hair who grabbed a stick and drove them all away. I pulled out a few dollars I’d earned selling scrap and treated her to cake. She squatted by the roadside, eating, and tears fell: “Kid, in all my life, I’ve never received a gift before.” “From now on, your problems are my problems.” After that, she would boldly protect me on my way to and from school. When she learned I’d almost been assaulted by the orphanage director, she went crazy and charged in with a knife, forcibly taking me away. We huddled in the cheap rental apartment she’d found. Life was so hard, yet she still found ways to give me proper nutrition every day. I washed dishes at a restaurant to save up tuition. Somehow she came back one night with a thick wad of cash, her body covered in bruises. But she just smiled, took my wet hands, and gently dried them: “Our Luna is such a good student. You should be hanging high up in the sky like the moon. You can’t end up like me.” Later, she hugged me and suddenly said she wanted to change her name. “Luna, you’re educated. I don’t like the name Pandi. Help me think of a new one. Preferably one that makes people know we’re sisters right away.” I thought about it all night, then told her: Stella. She smiled, her eyes reddening as she nodded. “Luna and Stella. That’s right, that’s right.” “From now on, I’ll be Stella. I’ll always revolve around you. You can see me whenever you look up.” And then later, she got pregnant with my lover’s child. I looked up. Stella was cupping my hands, breathing warm air into them. Uncontrollable bitterness welled up in my heart. I forced a relaxed smile: “Of course. With you here, I’m not afraid of anything.” So you don’t need to be afraid either. The two people I love most don’t need to be afraid. Because in one week, I’ll be gone.

The next morning, clanging sounds came from outside the door. I pushed open the door and looked out. Ethan was wearing an apron, frantically busy in the kitchen. I paused, looking at the eighth anniversary circled on the calendar. For the past seven years, every year on this day, he would insist on cooking himself. Even though each time he burned everything beyond recognition, making it inedible, I would still rush to eat it all. And he would look at me with red eyes, vowing that next time he’d definitely make me a successful dish. I couldn’t help but curve my lips into a smile, moving behind him: “What delicious food are you making this time?” Ethan jumped in fright, turning to look at me with a forced smile: “Luna, did I wake you up? I’m so sorry.” I felt a bit dazed. I didn’t know when we’d become so polite and formal with each other. Before I could speak, he frowned, his tone frustrated: “Luna, I wanted to make the beef stew you taught me before, but I’ve ruined several batches already.” “Stella’s been craving it for days…” My smile froze. The air fell into an awkward silence. Ethan belatedly realized what he’d said. A flash of panic crossed his face, and he hurriedly explained: “I’ve been having severe panic attacks these past few days. Stella stayed up with me for several all-nighters. And you’ve been focused on work, so I thought I’d make something to help her recover.” “After all, she’s your precious treasure. I have to put in extra effort, right?” I looked at how his shirt was soaked with sweat, and the corners of my mouth twitched. If I’d heard these words from him before, I don’t know how happy I would have been. After all, one was my lifesaving lover, the other was the sister who raised me. Every year my birthday wish was for them to get along well. Now it seemed my wish had really come true. It’s just that there seemed to be no place for me anymore. I waved my hand dismissively, laughing it off: “I’m just thankful you two aren’t fighting. I’m beyond happy that you can put aside your differences and treat her well.” Perhaps my words were too sincere. Ethan’s eyes actually reddened for a moment. He stood there, so guilty he didn’t know what to say. I smiled and stepped forward, taking the spatula from his hand: “Watch me do it. You better remember well.” He paused for a moment, then smiled reflexively: “Don’t we have you, our master chef? If I don’t understand something later, I can just ask you. Why would I, a cooking novice, need to remember everything in one go?” The moment these slightly wheedling words left his mouth, even he stiffened, a trace of chagrin flashing across his face. I ignored this subtle change and pretended to scold: “Hey, there’ll be times when I’m not around. If you learn more, one day you’ll be able to do it independently.” He frowned, his lips moving slightly, as if he wanted to ask why I wouldn’t be around. In the end, he didn’t speak up. He just nodded. Then he picked up his phone and opened the notes app. I quietly glanced at it— It was densely filled with Stella’s likes and dislikes, so much that it was almost pushing down the notes about me. I forced myself to stay calm and look away, but my heart felt like it was being pricked with needles, uncontrollably aching. I could only keep consoling myself that this was good. This way, after I left, they could take good care of each other.

Soon, I brought out a pot of fragrant, beautifully colored beef stew. Before I could speak, Ethan had already rushed to Stella’s door. The moment his hand touched the doorknob, his peripheral vision caught me. He suddenly stopped, then immediately put on an impatient expression: “Stella, has your nose stopped working? Get up already! If you’re late, there won’t be any beef stew left for you.” Stella came out with puffed cheeks, fuming, and immediately hooked her arm through mine. “Luna, control that foul mouth of his. I’m really afraid I won’t be able to stop myself from punching him one day.” Ethan immediately snorted coldly, but his eyes seemed glued to her, so tender and devoted: “With Luna here, would you dare?” “Why wouldn’t I dare?” The two started their daily bickering again, neither yielding to the other. When Ethan and I first got together, Stella couldn’t help frowning whenever she saw him. Now it seemed more like flirtatious banter. I suppressed the bitterness in my heart and covered my forehead helplessly. “Alright, if you keep arguing, the food will get cold.” Only then did Stella notice the apron Ethan was wearing. Her expression stiffened for a moment, then relaxed: “Luna is still the best. Otherwise, what good could I ever get from him in this lifetime?” Seeing the trace of disappointment flash through Ethan’s eyes, I hurriedly smoothed things over. “That’s not true. Ethan said you haven’t been feeling well these past few days, so he specially made this for you. He even ruined several batches.” The moment the words left my mouth, her face changed dramatically, her tone growing heavy: “It’s your eighth anniversary with Luna. Why are you cooking for me?” Ethan froze, then looked at me with guilt written all over his face: “Luna, I… my brain is stupid. I forgot. I’ll go make you a separate dish right now!” I pulled at the corners of my mouth, smiling with difficulty. How could a top university scholar be stupid? It’s just that a person’s heart is only so big. It can’t hold two people. Seeing him turn to go back into the kitchen, I quickly spoke up: “No need to go through all that trouble. I want to eat out today.” “Can we go to the restaurant where we first met?” Ethan’s form paused slightly. He smiled and nodded: “Of course. We can go wherever you want, Luna.” Stella’s expression stiffened slightly, but she also smiled: “That’s more like it. You two better not come back until you’ve had a great time today.” Ethan frowned slightly: “Aren’t you coming with us?” I was about to agree when Stella shook her head, smiling as she pushed us toward the door: “In just one more week you’ll be married. I’m not going to stay and be a third wheel. I’ve already found a place. I’ll move there this afternoon.” She paused. “Brat, after I’m gone, you better take good care of my Luna. Otherwise, I won’t let you off easy.” I wanted to say something, but from the corner of my eye, I caught Ethan secretly squeezing her hand, then finally releasing it helplessly. I quickly turned my face away, forcing back the sourness in my nose, and grinned foolishly: “Don’t worry.” Soon enough, I’ll be leaving this place forever. And you two can love each other for a lifetime without any worries.

At the restaurant, Ethan naturally pulled out a chair for me and ordered many dishes I loved. We sat facing each other, just like when we were madly in love. Except his gaze no longer lingered on me. He kept glancing at the phone on the table. “Ethan, do you still remember the first time we met?” I asked softly. He paused, then nodded. “Yeah, I remember.” “Three years ago you proposed to me here too. Though Stella was cursing up a storm at the time, she was still wiping away tears while recording video for us.” At the mention of her, his handsome features couldn’t help but fill with affection: “I never thought someone like her would actually cry. It was really rare.” Memories vividly surfaced. The corners of my mouth unconsciously curved up, and I instinctively reached for the ring on my ring finger. My gaze fell on his hand—empty. Ethan became aware of my stare. His expression froze slightly, and he smiled with difficulty: “I was afraid of losing the ring, so I put it away carefully. I’ll put it back on when we get home.” I lowered my eyes and nodded. The conversation died again. I could only talk by myself about our journey from first meeting to falling in love to getting engaged—all the hardships, all the unforgettable moments. At first Ethan would still smile, but the more he listened, the lower his head hung. After a long while, his voice choked: “Yeah, we’ve come such a difficult road.” My chest felt tight. I nodded. But if it was so difficult, why would you easily change your heart? The second half of the meal, he ate very quietly. My favorite dishes became tasteless. It seemed that as long as I didn’t actively find topics, we had nothing left to say. After the meal, we walked to the riverside park. Ethan suddenly stopped, hesitating: “Luna, Stella doesn’t know anyone here. Isn’t it a bit inappropriate to let her move out and live alone?” I paused, my tone forced to sound casual. “Then what do you want to do? Have her stay?” “Can I?!” His voice suddenly rose, hope igniting in his eyes. I looked into those eyes. My chest felt like a boulder was pressing down on it, so stuffy I couldn’t speak. The air grew scorching with my silence. He waited a few seconds. The light in his eyes dimmed bit by bit. When he spoke again, his tone had grown cold: “Luna, she came here because of you. Haven’t you always said she’s your best friend, even like a sister?” “The house is so big. It’s not like there’s no room for her.” I fell silent for a moment, then forced out a smile: “Of course she can stay. Just promise me you two won’t bicker anymore if she stays.” Ethan’s face lit up with joy. He almost immediately turned and got in the car, gripping the steering wheel: “Then let’s go pick her up and bring her home right now! She’ll be so happy when she finds out this good news!” I took a deep breath and smiled, shaking my head: “You go. The company has something urgent. I need to go check on it.” Before I’d even finished speaking, he’d already hit the gas and driven off. I turned and went to the company, quickly completing the paperwork for a permanent transfer to Switzerland. My supervisor said in surprise: “Luna, I remember you said you were getting married, which is why you kept refusing the overseas assignment?” I smiled and shook my head: “I’m not getting married anymore.” Perhaps the baby in my belly also sensed that neither of his blood-related parents wanted him. Suddenly there was a sharp pain. My face turned pale. I clutched my stomach tightly. Just as I was about to hail a car to the hospital, I suddenly collapsed to the ground. I pulled out my phone wanting to call Ethan for help, but he called first, shouting anxiously: “Luna! Stella didn’t leave a new address and her phone keeps going to voicemail. Something must have happened to her! Send me the address quickly!” My heart jumped. Enduring the wrenching pain, I sent him the address. Just as I was about to ask him to call an ambulance for me— The phone went to a busy signal. Intense pain struck. I completely lost consciousness.

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The first time I helped someone propose, it was helping my rival propose to my fiancé. I wore a strawberry bear mascot costume, shivering in the cold on a winter street, personally handing the ring to Sophia. She turned around and gave me a sweet smile, her eyes full of undisguised smugness and provocation. The crowd gathered in a circle around us, their cheering growing louder and louder. I blended in among them, clapping the hardest, shouting the loudest. Mason looked past Sophia, who was kneeling on one knee, and in front of everyone, he yanked off my mascot head. He dragged me to a corner, staring at my belly, his gaze dark as water: “Vivian, you’re carrying my child. What the hell are you doing?” Mason furiously dragged me back home. He pinned me against the wall. “Vivian, what the hell do you think you’re doing?” I just looked up at him, even curving my lips slightly. “Didn’t you say Sophia was pitiful?” I blinked, my tone innocent. “That we should give her whatever she wants as much as possible? She wants you, so I’m just helping her out.” Mason’s expression froze for a moment. He probably hadn’t expected me to say that. Then again, I’d been obedient for eight years. Whatever he said, I listened. Whatever he told me to endure, I endured. “There has to be a limit to satisfying her.” He stared into my eyes, word by word. “You’re carrying my child. How dare you…” “I know I was wrong.” I interrupted him, lowering my eyes. My voice was soft, just like every other time I’d apologized before. “Forget it.” His tone softened as he reached out to touch my face. “I won’t pursue what happened today. I’ll explain things to Sophia.” I tilted my head slightly. His hand stopped mid-air. I didn’t look at him, just kept my head down, staring at the floor. “Mason,” I suddenly asked. “Do you love me?” He paused, then laughed, as if I’d asked something ridiculous. “Would I have been with you for eight years if I didn’t love you?” He gripped my chin, forcing me to look up. “Would I have gotten you pregnant if I didn’t love you? I promised you—once I’ve appeased Sophia, I’ll marry you.” I looked at him. His gaze was so affectionate. It was the same look he gave me every time he wanted me, every time he said sweet words, every time he made promises. But I remembered yesterday afternoon. My stomach felt uncomfortable, and I couldn’t reach him by phone. Before going to the hospital, I went to his office to get the car keys. His office door wasn’t fully closed. Sophia’s voice drifted out from inside. “She’s pregnant? Mason, make her get rid of it! How could you let her carry your child!” Then came Mason’s helpless voice, full of indulgence, coaxing her. “Sophia, listen to me.” “I won’t listen! If you don’t get rid of the baby in her belly, I’ll kill myself! My parents died saving your parents, and this is how you treat me—I don’t want to live anymore!” “I know, I know everything.” After a moment of silence, he sighed helplessly. “How about this—I’ll fake my death for three years and give you a child. For those three years, it’ll only be you. After three years, I’ll return to Vivian’s side. Is that okay?” Sophia stopped making a scene. I stood outside the door and suddenly felt like laughing. He’d even thought of faking his death. Had he ever considered what would happen to me when I heard news of his death? How would I, pregnant and alone, get through those three years? What would I tell the child when they asked where their father was? He probably never thought about it. His mind was full of how to appease Sophia, how to repay his debt, how to have it all. He just never thought about me. “What are you thinking about?” Mason’s voice pulled me back to reality. He leaned in to kiss me. “Don’t overthink it. I’ll go talk to Sophia in the next few days. I’ll give you a wedding that everyone will envy.” I turned my head away and stepped to the side, moving past him.

“I’m a little tired. I want to sleep for a while.” He didn’t stop me. I walked into the bedroom and closed the door. I didn’t lock it. There was no need. He wouldn’t come in tonight. He had to work late—or rather, he had to go keep Sophia company. This had been the unspoken rule for eight years. Whenever Sophia was upset, he had to be there for her. I lay on the bed, staring at the ceiling. My hand rested on my lower abdomen, where there had once been a tiny life. Yesterday afternoon, I went to the hospital alone. As I lay on the operating table, I stared at the light overhead, my mind blank for a long time. The nurse asked if I was sure. I said I was. I just didn’t want to wait anymore. Wait for him to come around, wait for him to finish repaying his debt, wait for Sophia to accept things, wait for him to sort everything out. I’d waited eight years and got a plan for him to fake his death for three years. I’m twenty-six years old. I got together with him when I was eighteen. I had guys lining up to date me, but I only had eyes for him. He said he missed how bright and carefree I was at eighteen, but wasn’t he the one who turned me into what I am now? Mason is a really strange person. Outside, he’s the lofty Mr. Sullivan, Sophia’s childhood friend who comes whenever she calls. He could walk past me in the company hallway without a glance, could say coldly “Vivian, you’re in the way” when Sophia made things difficult for me, could act indifferent to me in front of everyone. But at night, behind closed doors, he became a different person. He’d pin me against the door and kiss me hungrily, would take me fiercely in bed, would bite my ear at the most passionate moments and say, “Vivian, wait for me. Once Sophia comes around, I’ll marry you.” He bought me the most expensive bags, gave me the finest jewelry, remembered all my little habits, personally made me hot milk during my period. He was like every girl’s dream boyfriend. So when people called me a lapdog, said I was trying to climb the social ladder, I didn’t care. I thought that one day we’d get married, and I wouldn’t have to hide anymore. Eight years. I went from a bright, carefree girl to a woman who learned to endure. I wasn’t always like this. I, Vivian Archer, never put up with mistreatment growing up. If anyone dared to give me attitude, I’d snap back on the spot. But for Mason, for his debt of gratitude, I pulled out those thorns one by one. Sophia liked to take my things, so I let her have them. When she and her friends humiliated me in public, I endured it all. Once in the bathroom, she cornered me and called me a shameless mistress, said I was seducing Mason. I stood there with clenched fists and didn’t talk back once. Later, when Mason found out, he didn’t say anything. He just took me more roughly that night. Afterward, he held me. “Vivian, later on, I’ll make it all up to you twice over.” Every time I was wronged, he would compensate me—with money, with gifts, with a whole night of passion, as if that could make up for what he owed me. Later, when he found out I was pregnant, he picked me up and spun me around several times, excitedly saying he was going to be a father, telling me to wait just a little longer and he’d give the baby and me our rightful place. I kept waiting, waiting until my belly was showing, until the gossip grew worse and worse. People at the company said I was pregnant out of wedlock, said I didn’t even know who the father was, but I still couldn’t get an official announcement. My phone buzzed. I picked it up. It was a message from Mason: Something came up at work, I’ll be back later. Go to sleep first. I stared at those words for a long time. In the past, whenever I saw messages like this, I’d write long paragraphs begging him to come home early. Today I typed two words, then deleted them. In the end, I didn’t reply at all. I put my phone face-down on the nightstand, closed my eyes, and moved my hand away from my belly. The baby was gone. The me who had waited eight years was gone too. Mason didn’t know. He still thought I was just having a tantrum, thought I was jealous of Sophia, thought he could smooth things over. But he didn’t know that last night, as I lay on the operating table, I thought about my eighteen-year-old self.

That girl stood at the school gate, smiling boldly, and said to Mason, “If you want to date me, you’ll have to get in line.” If she’d known what would happen later, she probably would have slapped herself. Slapped herself awake. Told herself not to be pathetic. When I woke up, the other side of the bed was cold. Oh right, he didn’t come home last night. When I changed clothes, I deliberately picked out a loose hoodie, baggy enough to hide my waistline. The fact that the baby was gone couldn’t be known yet. Half an hour later, I sat in the reception room of a rival company, with the boss, Nathan, sitting across from me. “What did you say?” His voice was surprised. “You want to switch companies?” “Yes.” “Wait…” He leaned forward, looking at me like I was an alien. “Aren’t you Mason’s lapdog? The whole industry knows that project at his company would’ve tanked long ago if you weren’t holding it together. You’ve been devoted to him for eight years, and now you suddenly want to switch companies?” I lowered my head and took a sip of coffee. “Not anymore.” Nathan was stunned for two seconds, then leaned back in his chair, his expression becoming subtle. “Fine, of course I want you. But that bridge project you’re handling…” “I’ll finish it first, then come over.” I put down my cup. “Once that project is delivered, I’ll leave directly. Transfer me somewhere far away, the farther the better. Anywhere is fine.” “You’re…?” He seemed to want to say something but stopped. I didn’t explain, just stood up and extended my hand. “Pleasure working with you.” Nathan shook it, his gaze complicated, but he didn’t ask more questions. When I left the rival company, I went straight back to my own office. This bridge project—I’d been working on it for four years. I’d been on it since graduating college, working from a blank slate to today, pulling countless all-nighters, wearing out several pairs of shoes, revising blueprints over a hundred times. It was almost complete. Soon I’d be able to see something I’d drawn with my own hands standing in this city. This was my only light over the past four years, and now my only hope. The elevator doors opened. I stepped out and immediately sensed something was wrong. My colleagues’ gazes swept over me and quickly looked away. They whispered to each other. The secretary rushed over, her expression tense. “Vivian, Mr. Sullivan wants to see you.” “Got it.” “Um,” she lowered her voice, “Sophia’s there too.” I paused, then continued walking forward. “You’re here.” Mason turned around. “Sit. I need to tell you something.” I didn’t sit. I just stood at the door. “What is it?” He glanced at me, seeming slightly displeased that I was standing, but said nothing. “Hand over your current work and start taking leave tomorrow.” I froze. “What?” “The bridge project,” he paused, “let Sophia take over. She just graduated and needs a major project on her resume. It’ll give her credentials for the future.” I didn’t speak, just looked at him. He probably thought I hadn’t heard clearly, so he repeated, “Organize the project files, teach Sophia, then go home and rest for a while.” “That’s my project.” Mason frowned. “I know, but you haven’t been in good shape lately. This is a good opportunity to rest. You can trust Sophia with the project—there won’t be any problems.” “That’s my project.” I said it again. Sophia stood up and walked to Mason’s side, tugging at his sleeve. Mason glanced at her, his tone softening a bit. “I know you’ve put in a lot of work, but Sophia really needs this opportunity. I’ll compensate you.” “Compensate me with what?” I interrupted him. “Compensate me with one night? Or compensate me with a few bags?” Mason’s expression changed. “What kind of way is that to talk?” “I’m speaking the truth.” I finally walked forward two steps and looked into his eyes. “Mason, I’ve been on this project for four years. Four years. From laying the foundation until now, every single line was drawn by me. And now you want me to hand it over to her so she can enjoy the fruits of my labor?” Sophia’s eyes immediately reddened, and she burrowed into Mason’s arms.

“Mason, I’m not trying to steal her stuff… I just wanted to learn something. I didn’t know she’d mind this much… Maybe we should just forget it. I’ll find another project.” “No.” Mason held her, his tone becoming forceful. “You have to take this project.” He looked at me, his gaze oppressive. “Give it to her.” I didn’t move. “I don’t agree.” Sophia burst into tears. “I really didn’t mean it. I just wanted to achieve something, to not disgrace my parents… If they were still alive, they wouldn’t want to see me bullied like this…” The moment she mentioned her parents, Mason’s entire body tensed. He held her tighter, his voice dropping. “No one is bullying you.” Then he looked up at me, his eyes turning completely cold. “Give it to her. That’s an order.” I felt something crack open in my chest, leaving it hollow. I looked at Sophia in his arms. “Sophia, do you know what my relationship is with him?” Sophia’s crying quieted a bit, her eyes flickering. “You’ve always said you didn’t know. He never told you either.” I smiled slightly. “But let me ask you—these past eight years, every time you made things difficult for me, did you really not know in your heart who I was? Every time you had him come keep you company, did you really not know he was supposed to be with me?” “Shut up!” Mason cut me off sharply. I didn’t shut up. “You knew.” I looked at Sophia. “You knew everything. You’re knowingly acting as the other woman.” “Slap!” A burning pain suddenly spread across my face. I turned my head to the side. It took two seconds to register—he’d hit me. Mason’s hand was still suspended in mid-air, a flash of heartache and regret in his eyes. “You’ve gone too far,” he said. I touched my face. It was swelling. Then I looked up and smiled. “Mason, I’ll give it to her.” He froze. “The project—I’ll give it to her.” I took a step back. “But I have one condition too.” “What condition?” “Ten years’ salary.” I said. “Pay me ten years’ salary, and I’ll leave right now. I’ll hand over all the project files properly and never look back.” He probably hadn’t expected me to bring up money. Sophia froze too, even her crying stopped. “You…” Mason frowned. “What exactly are you trying to do?” “Didn’t you tell me to take leave?” I looked at him. “I still need to eat. I can’t starve to death.” He was silent for a few seconds, then nodded. “Fine. I’ll pay you for twenty years.” I turned and left. Behind me came Sophia’s voice. “Mason, she seems angry…” I didn’t look back. Returning to my desk, I started packing my things. The secretary came over, her eyes red. “Vivian…” “It’s fine.” I dumped everything from my drawer into a box. A photo fell out. It was of Mason and me, secretly taken at the company’s annual party four years ago. He was drunk, leaning on my shoulder, smiling foolishly. I looked at it once, then threw it in the trash. “Oh, leaving already?” Sophia had somehow appeared, leaning against my desk, her voice neither loud nor soft—just enough for everyone around to hear. “Don’t blame me. I really didn’t know about your relationship with Mason. He never said anything. I thought he just pitied you, since you’d been chasing him for so many years. The whole company knows.” A few snickers sounded around us. I continued packing, ignoring her. “By the way, don’t worry about the project. I’ll do a good job.” She leaned in closer, lowering her voice. “Besides, you’ve been working on it for so long without producing anything. Four years—your efficiency is way too low.”

I put the last file in the box and stood up. She took a step back, looking at me warily. But I just smiled. “Sophia,” I said, “you’d better pray everything goes smoothly with that project.” Her expression changed. “What do you mean?” “Nothing.” I picked up the box. “Good luck.” I left. As the elevator doors closed, I saw her standing in the hallway, her face turning pale then flushed. Back at the apartment, I started packing to move out. Mason had rented this apartment for me, saying it was temporary, that once we went public, we’d get a bigger place. I opened the closet and folded clothes into my suitcase one by one. My phone rang. It was Nathan. “How’s the project? When are you coming over?” “As soon as possible,” I said. “Help me transfer to the overseas branch. The sooner the better.” “That urgent?” “Yes.” After hanging up, I continued packing and moved out. Over the next few days, Mason didn’t contact me, and I didn’t contact him. On the fifth morning, I finished packing my luggage to head to the airport when my phone rang. It was Mason. I looked at the name on the screen and didn’t answer. It rang again. Still didn’t answer. When the tenth call came through, just as I was about to turn off my phone, the door was pounded. “Open up! I know you’re in there!” I paused, then walked over and opened the door. Mason stood at the door with Sophia behind him. Both were out of breath, as if they’d run up the stairs. I stepped back to let them in. Several suitcases sat in the living room—I hadn’t had time to put them in the closet. Mason saw the suitcases and his expression immediately changed. “What are you pulling now?” “What do you mean, pulling?” He pointed at the luggage on the floor. “Where are you going?” I glanced at him but didn’t answer. Sophia suddenly rushed over and grabbed my arm. “You need to come back and look at it! There’s a problem with the project! The data doesn’t match. We’ve calculated it several times using the blueprints you gave us, but it’s still wrong. There must be a problem somewhere!” I pulled my arm back. “The data is fine.” “That’s impossible! We calculated…” “Then keep calculating.” Sophia froze, then her eyes reddened and she was about to cry again. “You did this on purpose, didn’t you? You deliberately gave us the wrong files, didn’t you? You’ll ruin the project! Ruin my future!” She got more worked up as she spoke and lunged at me again. “You have to come back! Come back with me! Fix the problem before you leave!” She pulled me so hard I stumbled, my foot catching, and my whole body tilted to the side. Sophia let go. I hit the corner of the coffee table. The pain made everything go black for a moment. Looking down, I saw several drops of red seeping through my white dress. Mason rushed over and helped me up, his voice shaking. “Why are you bleeding?” I looked down. “It’s nothing.” I pushed away his hand and stood up straight. “My period leaked.” Mason froze. He stared at my stomach, his face turning white bit by bit. “Your period?” His voice cracked. “You’re pregnant—where did a period come from? Where’s the baby?!” “Mason.” I spoke softly. “The baby’s been gone for a while. Didn’t you know?”

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Three years after breaking up, I ran into my ex-girlfriend Michelle, with her new boyfriend Collins by her side. “Well, well, if it isn’t Mr. Howard,” Collins sneered mockingly. “Three years since the breakup, and you’ve fallen so low you’re playing with mud here?” I frowned and ignored them, carefully moving the ancient Greek maid sculpture in my hands toward the preset base in the display case. Seeing that I wasn’t responding, Collins actually reached out directly toward the maid sculpture in my arms. “What kind of junk is this? Let me see!” Michelle beside him also frowned, her tone carrying its usual arrogance. “Howard, I dumped you three years ago. Why are you still such a pathetic loser?” “Come on, show Collins that broken clay figure you’re holding. Don’t be a buzzkill. If you behave, I might consider not canceling our previous engagement.” Just as Collins’s hand was about to touch the maid sculpture, I frantically dodged and warned sternly: “Don’t touch it! This is an antique!” Collins flew into a rage and shoved me hard. “Something worth ten bucks from a street stall, and you’re putting on airs!” During the scuffle, I lost my balance, and the maid sculpture suddenly slipped from my hands. Great. These two idiots couldn’t pay for this even if they went bankrupt!

“Crack!” A crisp, heartbreaking sound exploded in the empty, silent exhibition hall. That priceless cultural relic, condensed from countless people’s efforts, shattered to pieces before my eyes. The maid became a pile of cold fragments on the ground. That thousand-year-old melody that had never been played came to an abrupt end. My heartbeat nearly stopped with it. The world fell into deathly silence. I stared blankly at the pile of fragments, my entire body’s blood seeming to drain instantly, my hands and feet ice cold. Michelle frowned and walked over, looking down at me condescendingly, her eyes full of cold indifference and mockery. “Howard, it’s just a broken clay figure. Do you really need to make that half-dead expression?” Collins laughed even harder, bending over with laughter. He stepped on a larger fragment and ground it with force. “Michelle, look at him. Acting like the sky is falling. What a performance. It’s just a broken clay figure. Is it really necessary?” The cultural relic suffered secondary damage. I gasped. Unable to think about anything else, I shoved Collins aside to check the fragments on the ground, trying to salvage what I could. This was a unique piece that our team had spent half a year recovering from overseas, an irreplaceable treasure. “How dare you push him over some piece of junk?!” Michelle shouted sharply, stepping forward to block me, the force so great I couldn’t help but stumble back several steps. She glanced at me. “Apologize to him. Now!” I rolled my eyes at her, circled around her, and pulled out my phone with trembling hands. Under Michelle and Collins’s amused gazes, I dialed the number I least should have disturbed at this moment. When I spoke, my voice was surprisingly calm, so calm even I felt it was foreign. “Dr. Kane?” “A Class One cultural relic, an ancient Greek maid sculpture, has been deliberately destroyed.”

The contempt on Michelle and Collins’s faces instantly froze, transforming into bewilderment. They looked at each other and burst out laughing. “You’re calling the police?” Collins let out an exaggerated sneer. He rushed over and knocked my phone from my hand. With a crack, the phone hit the ground, the screen shattering instantly. “A broken clay figure, a Class One cultural relic? Do you have delusions or something?” “Do you think a poor loser like you could even touch a Class One cultural relic?” Not only did he show no remorse, but as if to expose my “pretentious act,” he did something even more insane. He turned and rushed to a nearby display case where we had just set up a set of ancient Chinese glazed cups. The display case’s security system hadn’t been fully activated yet. The glass cover was only loosely placed. Before I could react, Collins yanked open the glass cover and swept his arm across. Crash— Crisp shattering sounds rang out one after another, more frequent and piercing than the sound of the maid breaking earlier. That set of glazed cups, shimmering under the lights and thin as cicada wings, instantly turned into a pile of crystalline powder on the ground. “I’m not just breaking that one. I’m smashing all of these! What are you going to do about it?” He pointed at the fragments on the ground and shouted at me, “You bought these on Amazon for 10 bucks, right?” He pulled out his wallet, extracted a hundred-dollar bill, and casually threw it on the ground. “This should be enough to buy your whole cart of junk. Keep the change.” These were precious cultural relics, and he was insulting them with a mere hundred dollars?! All the blood in my body rushed to my brain. I felt dizzy with rage. These exhibits were precious and irreplaceable, yet he was destroying them so wantonly! Michelle just stood to the side, arms folded across her chest, watching coldly. Not only did she show no intention of stopping him, she seemed to be enjoying an amusing farce. Her eyes were full of contempt, as if she had seen through all my tricks. “Howard, have you made enough of a scene?” “I know you still want to get back together with me. After all, someone with my family background—if you lose this chance, you’ll regret it for the rest of your life.” She paused, as if bestowing a great favor upon me. “How about this—apologize to Collins right now. Say you shouldn’t have used such underhanded tactics to scare him. Then we’ll forget about today, and I can reconsider letting you fulfill our engagement.” This was the woman I had loved for five whole years. Arrogant, ignorant, and stupid. Collins immediately took her arm, saying in a boastful tone, “Michelle, you’re being too good to him! After what he did to you, you’re still willing to give him a chance?” Then he turned to me, his eyes overflowing with contempt and smugness. “Howard, did you hear that? Michelle is soft-hearted and still has feelings for you. Shouldn’t you kneel down right now and thank her?” I spat on his shoe. “Everything you destroyed here today, every single piece, is a genuine cultural relic!” “Not something you can insult with your money. I’ve already called the police.” “They’re on their way. You won’t get away with this today!” Michelle looked at me with disgust, frowning. “You just want money, don’t you?” “Stop making up these lies. Three years later and you’re still just as money-grubbing.” She pulled out a black card from her wallet and casually threw it at my feet. “There’s a million dollars in here.” Her voice was full of impatience and condescension. “That should be enough to buy this whole room of junk, right?” “Take the money and stop this act. My patience has limits.” A million dollars? To buy this whole room of junk? I stared at that black card lying on the remains of thousand-year-old cultural relics, dripping with irony. Every word they spoke was like a red-hot branding iron, searing into my heart. This wasn’t ordinary property damage. This wasn’t a dispute that could be measured in money. This was a blatant trampling of human civilization! A ruthless insult to the professional faith I had upheld for years! I slowly, slowly raised my head. My gaze swept past the mess on the ground and shot straight toward Michelle’s self-satisfied face. I looked at the arrogance in her eyes, and in that moment, the string called reason in my heart finally snapped completely. I suddenly stood up. Under Michelle and Collins’s shocked gazes, I raised my hand and, using all my strength, slapped her hard across the face! “Smack—!”

The crisp, loud slap exploded through the empty exhibition hall. The entire world seemed to fall silent in that moment. Michelle was stunned. On her beautiful face, at a speed visible to the naked eye, five clear fingerprints appeared. She covered her face, her eyes full of disbelief. She probably never dreamed that I, who had once obeyed her every word and never dared to raise my voice, would actually dare to hit her. I didn’t stop. I turned toward Collins, who stood there in shock, and backhanded him with an equally loud slap! Smack! Collins screamed and staggered from my blow, crashing into the display case behind him. I shook my hand, which was tingling from the excessive force, and the pent-up anger in my chest seemed to find an outlet in that moment. I pointed at them and roared with all my strength, word by word: “You are not fit to be citizens!” My resistance, like two resounding slaps, struck not only their faces but completely tore away the last shred of Michelle’s pretense at dignity. After a brief moment of shock came overwhelming fury. “Howard!” She covered her face, her eyes vicious, as if she would pounce and devour me alive the next second. “How dare you hit me?!” “I see you really don’t want to work in this industry anymore!” She pulled out her phone, roughly swiping open the screen, and right in front of me, dialed a number. The moment the call connected, she roared into the receiver, her voice filled with the rage of being offended and vicious determination. “Mom! It’s me! I’m having some trouble at the National Museum!” “Yes, some man who doesn’t know his place offended Collins and hit me! Call the Cultural Affairs Bureau leadership right now and have him fired immediately!” She sneered, approaching me step by step, threatening me in an ice-cold voice: “I can not only get you fired immediately, I can make sure you never get ahead in the entire museum and heritage circle! Howard, do you believe me?” “Now, kneel down and apologize to Collins!” “Otherwise, face the consequences!” With Michelle backing him up, Collins immediately snapped out of his earlier panic, his arrogance flaring up again. He rubbed his swollen cheek, his resentful gaze sweeping over me before finally landing on the museum’s crown jewel at the center of the hall, protected independently by bulletproof glass. A nearly insane light suddenly flashed in Collins’s eyes. “You say this is real? You say all of this is real?” He laughed shrilly, like a madman, suddenly rushing toward that display platform. “Fine! I’ll smash this too! Let’s see how you keep up this act! Let’s see what you tell your Dr. Kane!” This was no longer simple destruction. This was insane revenge! “Don’t you dare!” My eyes nearly split with rage, all the blood in my body rushing to my head in that moment. I had no time to think. My body reacted before my brain could. I lunged over like a madman, spreading my arms wide, using my flesh and blood to protect that display platform, standing between him and the cultural relic. “Get out of the way!” Collins had completely lost his reason. He reached out and shoved hard at my body, trying to push me aside so he could knock over that silver pot. In that critical moment, when my heart was about to leap out of my chest— “Bang!” The heavy door of the exhibition hall was violently pushed open from outside by a tremendous force. “Freeze! Police! Everyone put your hands up!”

Stern shouts, like thunder from heaven, suddenly rang out. Over a dozen uniformed, armed police officers surged in like a tide, their dark gun barrels instantly aimed at everyone in the exhibition hall. The lead officer had eyes like lightning, an imposing presence, and a voice filled with undeniable authority. The entire world fell silent again. The police’s sudden arrival was like a bucket of ice water dumped over their heads, instantly extinguishing Michelle and Collins’s arrogance. Collins’s hand froze in mid-air, the madness on his face fading into confusion and terror. But Michelle clearly hadn’t yet realized the seriousness of the situation. She only frowned slightly. After a brief moment of panic, she quickly regained her composure. She even adjusted her slightly disheveled collar, assuming her usual arrogant posture, and addressed the lead officer: “Officer, this is just a misunderstanding.” “My friend was joking with this gentleman and accidentally broke some things. We Hugos will compensate for all losses double—no, ten times over.” She still thought this was a small matter that could be settled with money. Just then, another series of hurried but steady footsteps came from the entrance. Our museum’s curator, currently covered in sweat and looking panicked, was accompanying a stern-faced, naturally imposing middle-aged man as they quickly walked in. Seeing that middle-aged man, the arrogance on Michelle’s face finally showed a crack, her color changing slightly. And when I saw who it was, my nerves, taut to the breaking point, finally relaxed a bit. My eyes grew hot, and I nearly shed tears. I immediately went forward, my voice trembling slightly with emotion: “Dr. Kane!” The newcomer was none other than Dr. Kane from the Cultural Affairs Bureau. The person I had called in my last moment of rationality. Dr. Kane’s sharp gaze quickly swept across the chaotic scene, his brow visibly furrowing. He ignored Michelle’s extended hand attempting to shake his, didn’t even glance at her, but walked straight to the fragments of the ancient Greek maid sculpture on the ground. He crouched down, pulled out a pair of white gloves from his pocket, put them on meticulously, then carefully, as if holding a priceless treasure, picked up the largest fragment. His expression instantly turned ashen. An emotion mixing heartache, regret, and towering rage condensed around him. The air pressure in the entire exhibition hall seemed to drop several degrees because of his silence. He slowly stood up, his gaze like two unsheathed swords shooting straight at the now terrified Collins. “Do you know what you’ve destroyed?” His voice wasn’t loud, but it carried tremendous weight. Every word seemed squeezed through clenched teeth, hammering into Collins’s heart. He didn’t wait for an answer but turned to me, his voice containing rage and heartache suppressed to the extreme. “Howard, tell me the situation. Every detail. Don’t leave out a single word!” I forced myself to control my emotions, took a deep breath, and recounted everything that had just happened. After listening, Dr. Kane said nothing. He only slowly, slowly turned around and looked at Michelle with eyes cold to the extreme.

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