Frozen in 1975, I awoke in 2025, the experiment’s sole survivor. With the appearance of a twenty-year-old, I sought out my now-wealthy younger brother. Suddenly, strange pop-up comments appeared: “She’s too foolish. Her brother forgot her long ago. Reuniting is pointless.” “The Thornes are fighting over inheritance. Claiming kinship will get her eliminated!” “Only Damian Miller truly cares. Marrying him is her only path to happiness.” Damian immediately knelt, proposing, “Jessica, high society is dangerous. Marry me. I’ll protect you always.” I was nearly moved to say yes when I overheard his thoughts: “System, are the fake comments out?” “Released, Host. But marry Jessica? In the original plot, once the villainess Emily becomes heir, you could live in luxury with her.” “I gave Jessica’s heir position to Emily. I owe Jessica a lifetime, but Emily will be fine without me.” I swallowed my emotional response. You schemer, I was being sincere, and you were plotting. But you’re mistaken—I’ve always prioritized my career; a little romance won’t hinder me. 1 Seeing my silence, Damian slipped a ring onto my finger, his eyes full of affection. “Jessica, don’t worry, I’ll protect you for the rest of your life.” I pulled off the ring and slapped it across his face. “No need. I’m going to reunite with my family.” Damian’s thin lips pressed together, his eyes bloodshot as he stared at me. Pop-up comments scrolled frantically before me. “The devoted male lead is being rejected, how unfair! The protagonist is such an idiot; if she goes to reunite tonight, she’ll definitely be thrown to the dogs by Emily Thorne!” “I don’t get the protagonist. Why throw away a good life to court death?” I ignored them, lifting my leg to walk away. Damian hastily grabbed me, his voice urgent. “Jessica, don’t bother. Even if you go, Old Man Thorne won’t acknowledge you as his sister, and there’s no way he’ll give you any property!” I looked at him. “Why?” Damian sighed. “Old Man Thorne made his fortune from your pickle stall and became the richest man, he’s long forgotten his roots. Now, everyone in the Thorne family wants you dead, so why would he just hand over his property?” I saw his face full of worry and found it amusing. I raised my hand and pushed him away. “Even so, that’s my business. Whatever the outcome, I have to try.” The pop-up comments went wild. “No, is the protagonist crazy? Is a home and property more important than life? She’s just asking for trouble!” “The male lead is really worried about the protagonist, poor guy, he’s so devoted but it’s misplaced. Just wait, the protagonist will regret it!” The more enthusiastic the comments became, the faster I strode towards the mansion. Behind me, I heard Damian’s confused inner thoughts. “What’s going on? Why is Jessica Thorne so insistent on this family reunion? Does she know Old Man Thorne has been waiting for her return all this time?” “Host, what do we do now?” Damian’s inner thoughts: “I’ll just play it by ear. I won’t let her succeed.” I followed the address and found my brother’s estate. There were many people coming and going. Dressed decently, I blended in. Suddenly, a woman in a luxurious dress raised her hand to stop me, scanning me from head to toe with a condescending gaze. “Who are you? I don’t recall you being invited to this family gathering.” The comments started flashing. “The vicious female villainess has finally appeared. The protagonist is doomed now. Serves her right, who told her to come back for a reunion!” “The villainess is Old Man Thorne’s beloved granddaughter, raised to be the heir. If she didn’t have some tricks up her sleeve, she wouldn’t have gotten to this position.” The woman before me had arrogant brows. I spoke calmly. “I’m here for a family reunion.” Emily Thorne crossed her arms, letting out a mocking laugh. “Another one here for a reunion. Tell me, which of the Thorne family’s illegitimate daughters are you?” At that, I straightened my back, my voice firm and clear. “I am your great-aunt.” Emily froze, then looked utterly speechless, as if she’d met a madwoman. The hall immediately erupted in laughter. “I’ve seen people claiming to be fathers, mothers, but it’s the first time I’ve seen someone claiming to be a granddaughter.” “If she really were the great-aunt, then Leo Thorne, who broke her only portrait, would be strangled by now.” I followed the mocking voices, spotting an out-of-place young man sitting in a corner. He had delicate features, his clothes stained with red wine, looking quite disheveled. He stared at me fixedly, as if he’d seen something horrifying, his gaze filled with disbelief. “It’s really… Great-Aunt…” Upon hearing this, the group of people who had been mocking me maliciously patted his face, laughing uncontrollably. “A great-aunt would have to be seventy or eighty years old. She’s just a young girl, looks even younger than Emily. You really believe she’s your great-aunt? So stupid and foolish, you’re not even fit to compete with Emily for heir!” “Exactly, he’s cursed. Born to an unlucky fate, his birth killed his mom, then he shattered Great-Aunt’s portrait, making the Old Man so angry he almost didn’t make it out of the hospital. You should just quietly shut up and stay in your room, understand?!” “Alright, just hit him, but don’t mention Great-Aunt’s portrait. That’s Grandpa’s sore spot.” With that, a few of them moved to pour wine on him again. My temper flared. “Stop it!” My sharp command startled them, making them nearly drop their drinks. Emily coldly glanced at me. “Why are you still here? Someone throw her out. If Grandpa sees such a thing, he’ll get angry.” My eyes darkened. Just as a few people were about to act, the main door was suddenly pushed open, and Old Man Thorne entered, escorted by bodyguards. Everyone immediately fell silent, watching Old Man Thorne take the main seat. I gazed at him blankly. Fifty years had passed; my brother’s hair had turned white, and time had etched its lines onto his face. Seeing those weathered yet familiar eyes, I instinctively called out his name. “Jonathan Thorne…” Old Man Thorne’s body stiffened. He slowly raised his eyelids, looking at me. The pop-up comments exploded. “Holy cow, the protagonist is too bold! Daring to call Old Man Thorne by his first name, does she have a death wish?” “Look at these people, looking like they’ve seen a ghost, it’s hilarious! Now there’s a show, the protagonist is in for it!” Everyone stirred, looking at me with schadenfreude. Emily’s face grew darker and darker. She said angrily. “This is an outrage! Security, immediately throw this raving lunatic out!” Several security guards rushed forward to restrain me. I ripped off the ancestral jade pendant from my neck and held it high. “I am your great-aunt. I’d like to see who dares to touch me!” At this, everyone gasped. “This, this is the Thorne family heirloom from their registry. Could she really be the great-aunt?” “You’ve got to be kidding me. Is your great-aunt twenty years old?” “But I heard Old Man Thorne say that Great-Aunt participated in a secret experiment back then. Could the result of this experiment be eternal youth?” Hearing this, a flicker of panic crossed Emily’s eyes. She hastily stepped forward and intimately linked her arm with Old Man Thorne’s. “Grandpa, even a jade pendant can be faked. She’s just a lunatic, please don’t believe her nonsense.” The atmosphere in the hall tensed. Old Man Thorne leaned on his cane, looking at me for a long time, then slowly spoke. “Bring the jade pendant here, let me have a good look.” Just as I was about to hand over the jade pendant, Damian Miller suddenly burst through the door, snatched the pendant from my hand, and smashed it to the ground. “Jessica, stop deceiving yourself. The Thorne family is not somewhere you can aspire to!” 2 When I came to my senses, the jade pendant was shattered into pieces. My head buzzed instantly. My hand moved faster than my brain, delivering a slap to his face first. “Damian Miller, if you’re sick, go see a doctor. Why are you smashing my stuff?!” Damian took the slap but didn’t resist, only giving me a deep look before bowing to everyone and apologizing. “Please excuse us, everyone. She’s my girlfriend, and that jade pendant was a fake she bought online for nine ninety-nine!” “She has delusional disorder; she always fantasizes about being rich. This is her medical record. Every word I say is true. I hope everyone won’t blame her.” The medical record was passed around, eliciting murmurs of sympathy and scorn. “She’s truly gone mad with poverty, dreaming of getting rich by claiming kinship. But her demeanor just now was so convincing, even I was almost fooled.” “Sure enough, she’s mentally ill. Daring to try and scam the Thorne family. Only Old Man Thorne is kind-hearted; with another powerful family, the grass on her grave would be three feet high by now.” The medical record was handed to Old Man Thorne. His face darkened bit by bit. He waved his hand helplessly. “Alright, take her away. Our Thorne family won’t trouble a patient.” Emily secretly breathed a sigh of relief, a triumphant smile playing on her lips. “Didn’t you hear Grandpa dismissing her? Security, hurry up and throw her out!” Several security guards moved to act again. Damian shielded me from them, reaching out to me, pleading. “Jessica, high society isn’t a place for us to get involved in. I just want to live a good life with you. Come with me quickly!” The pop-up comments exploded instantly. “Ahhh, the male lead loves her so much! He risks his own safety to take her away, I’m crying!” “Protagonist, don’t be ungrateful! Only by following the male lead can you survive!” Everyone’s gazes fell on me, filled with mockery. I understood. Damian intended to use this method to force me to leave, ensuring Emily became the heir. I slapped his hand away and spoke to Old Man Thorne. “Since no one believes me, I request scientific examination – a DNA test.” After I woke up, I frantically searched for my family. During that time, I had already learned about new methods of family reunion. DNA could help me confirm kinship; I wouldn’t let anyone manipulate me. Everyone was stunned. “What’s going on? She actually dares to do a DNA test? Could she really be the great-aunt?” Emily’s smile froze, her expression turning a bit panicked. “You’re just trying to stall. Why should we listen to you?” “Enough.” Old Man Thorne rapped his cane heavily twice on the floor, and everyone immediately fell silent. “Emily, go find a doctor to conduct a DNA test for her.” Emily bit her lower lip, unwilling but not daring to argue. “Yes, Grandpa, I’ll go right away.”

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1 Five years ago, the government launched the Landmark Project, to be led by my parents, both star architects. On the day the building finished, it collapsed, burying them. The Blackwell family’s reputation was ruined overnight. Relatives and friends who’d once been close turned me away coldly. In my despair, my fiancé Daniel Bloom stood by me. He arranged their funeral and married me as promised. For five years, I dedicated myself to design contests to restore my family’s honor, only to fail on my 99th attempt. With little money left, I bought roses to surprise him, but overheard him talking to a friend. His friend mocked my repeated failures and mentioned Audrey Spano, Daniel’s real love, returning soon. They said Daniel had only married me because he couldn’t be with Audrey then, and now her success made it all worthwhile. I crushed the roses in tears, realizing my supposed salvation was just a stepping stone for his true love. Fine, Daniel. I’ll give you what you want. … “But—” Daniel cut off his friend directly. “Even if I hadn’t married Phoebe, the Bloom family wouldn’t have allowed me to be with Audrey. Since that was the case, I could only help her, lift her from being a lowly employee. As for Phoebe… marrying her was the greatest return I could offer her.” His friend’s indignant voice followed immediately, “You sent her so many proposals, and she rejected them all, but then she specifically asked for Phoebe’s blueprints? She was completely intentional! She’s sabotaging your relationship with Phoebe!” “If this ever comes out, you and Phoebe can never go back. She might even hate you, considering she only has you.” Daniel abruptly stood up, taking a sip of his drink. “I know all that. But Audrey only has me too. I can’t just stand by and watch her suffer alone overseas. Once I get these blueprints, everything will be over. And you, don’t bring it up again.” “Not talking about it doesn’t make it disappear, does it? Phoebe buried herself in the studio for five years, and you expect her to watch the thief of her hard work bask in glory while she’s scorned by everyone? She’s human, you can’t just—” Daniel slammed his glass down, shattering it in frustration. “Enough! It’s only five years, not a lifetime.” “Worst case, after all this, I’ll get her an award, let her be the Blackwell heiress again!” “Oh, why go through all this? Phoebe’s talent doesn’t need your help; she shouldn’t have been dragged into it. The Bloom family has so much… Don’t get mad, I won’t say another word. You do whatever you want.” The voices inside gradually faded into silence. I slid down the wall to the floor. Five years ago, after my parents’ sudden death, the Blackwell company faced collapse. All I knew was drawing, and I was completely lost. It was Daniel who pulled me back from the edge, from the rooftop, and we rushed to get married. As the son-in-law of the Blackwells, he handled everything. Later, when the Bloom family found out, they pressured him to divorce me. He knelt and begged Grandfather Bloom for time, believing I could restore the Blackwell name. He even helped me gather information on various competitions, all to help me win awards. That’s why, despite 99 consecutive failures, I never gave up, all because of Daniel’s faith in me. But all of it, it was just him paving the way for Audrey. Wiping away my tears, I staggered to my feet, handed the crushed roses to a staff member, and walked away. With every step, a piece of my love for Daniel disintegrated. Until my feet were blistered and bleeding, I silently opened his most treasured possession: his diary. All love vanished completely. The moment the book opened, my eyes fell upon a hand-drawn portrait. The lines were blurred, clearly worn from constant touching. Every page of the diary held a photo of Audrey, arranged chronologically. The very first picture was from the day Daniel and I got married. So, for five years, every time he said he was writing in his diary to record our beautiful moments, he was actually just reminiscing about Audrey. Beneath the diary was a locked box. I entered Audrey’s birthday and it clicked open. There were no precious items inside, only the love letters Audrey had written to him. From the first time I failed a competition, every time he got my design, she would write Daniel a love letter. They were filled with the longing and devotion shared between the two of them. Even though I already knew our relationship was just a lie orchestrated by Daniel, my heart felt like it was ripped in two. After each of my failures, Daniel would always invite experts to analyze my problems and offer guidance. I had believed in his affection because of this, willingly falling deeper. But who knew, everything he did was merely to facilitate passing my blueprints to Audrey. Flipping to the very end, there was a letter Daniel hadn’t mailed. My hands trembled as I opened it. After reading it, tears streamed from my eyes uncontrollably. Daniel planned to propose to Audrey after getting my final blueprint. Even if he couldn’t give her a proper title, he would give her a wedding. As for me, because my parents had passed away, Daniel had said it wasn’t appropriate to celebrate, so I received nothing but that marriage certificate. I scoffed, wiping the tears from my face, and used my phone to photograph all these letters. They were not only symbols of Daniel’s betrayal but also proof of Audrey’s theft of my awards. Having done all this, I silently restored everything to its original state. Closing the bedroom door, I made a call. “Miss Blackwell, you agree?” “Yes, I agree to authorize all my designs to you. But you must help me with one thing!” I had just hung up when Daniel’s familiar voice came from behind me. “Phoebe, who were you just on the phone with? What do you need help with?” I quickly put away my phone, calmly replying, “Nothing, just an employee from the studio. She asked for some help with something.” “Do you like the flowers I sent? I’ll arrange them.” Hearing this, Daniel didn’t ask further. He handed me the roses, his fingers brushing against my palm as I arranged them. “Sweetheart, let’s have a baby?” My hand, holding the rose, suddenly froze. He took the stem from my hand and looked directly into my eyes. “Didn’t you go to the orphanage and play with the kids last time?” “I didn’t like children before, but seeing you that day, I suddenly didn’t hate them anymore.” “We’ll have two children, one like you, one like me. What do you say?” I looked at his hopeful expression, unconsciously biting my lip. He was lying to me again. For the past five years, he had kept me hanging with one promise after another. Was he going to use a child as leverage now? But the truth was, the day after we got our marriage license, I’d ensured I would never have children. It was because Daniel had said he was terrified of pregnancy and children; his mother had died in childbirth. He loved me, and I couldn’t bear to hurt him, so I had voluntarily taken the sterilization potion. He had forgotten all these things. “Sweetheart, what do you say?” His question broke my reverie. Afraid he would notice, I could only hug him back, my gaze turning increasingly cold. He, however, thought I was overcome with emotion, and quickly ran off to instruct the staff to prepare a candlelight dinner, not forgetting to glance back at me suggestively. I watched his retreating figure and quietly said, “Daniel Bloom, you saved my life, but you lied to me for five years. That’s enough to pay off the debt.” After that, I sent another message to that number. After my parents’ death, the Blackwell family had long faded from the city’s elite circles. Revealing Audrey now, I had no chance of success. The only opportunity was her awards ceremony three days later. Then, everything would end. 2 The next day, when I woke up, Daniel was already gone. I hastily drafted a divorce agreement and went to Bloom Corp, only to be stopped at the reception. Daniel’s phone went straight to voicemail. In desperation, I called his assistant. “Miss Blackwell, my apologies. The receptionist is new; she doesn’t recognize you. I’ll reprimand her later. Please, go on in.” I didn’t intend to argue with a junior employee, but before I’d gone far, I heard gasps and whispers behind me. “Is that really Mr. Bloom’s wife? But I just saw Mr. Bloom personally come down and pick up someone else, arm in arm. I thought she was his wife.” “Assistant Cole, it’s not my fault! She’s dressed so shabbily, who could tell?” “Of course, she’s shabby. Five years ago, her family was already struggling in this city. Now she’s entirely dependent on Mr. Bloom – a total parasite. I really don’t know what Mr. Bloom saw in her.” “The woman who just went in is different. Have you been to Pearl Harbor in the City of A? She designed it herself. It’s an indispensable tourist attraction now, and the government even awarded her a prize. Only someone like that deserves our Mr. Bloom!” I clenched my fists tighter, ignoring them. I walked straight to Daniel’s office door. Just as I was about to knock, the voices from inside made me freeze. “Audrey, how have you been these past few years?” “Haven’t you read all the letters I’ve written you? Many men have been around me over the years, but I’ve only ever loved one person, always. It’s just a pity he’s married. I wonder if I’ll ever have a chance.” Daniel’s eyes welled up with tears, and he looked up in shock. “You will, you definitely will.” “Daniel, thank you. If you hadn’t been willing to help me back then, how could I have achieved all this on my own?” “Before the celebration party, I still shouldn’t meet Phoebe. She already misunderstood me last time. After all, I used to be an employee of the Blackwell family. Now our positions are reversed; I’m afraid she’ll find it even harder to accept.” A cold smirk played on my lips. How could it be a misunderstanding? When I failed my first competition, I had secretly investigated. I found that her submitted work was strikingly similar to my design. I reported her through official channels, demanding she show her sources, but the police arrested me for defamation. Everyone said I couldn’t accept my failure and was maliciously slandering others. Only Daniel had stepped forward to mediate for me, believing me unconditionally, as always. But the truth was, he had handed over everything of mine to her. Through the crack in the door, Daniel wore a bitter expression. He took a paper from his desk and handed it to Audrey. “This is Phoebe’s latest design. With it, you’ll establish a foothold in this country after the celebration party in three days. Consider it a welcome-back gift.” Audrey accepted it with a smile, her eyes filled with triumph. Seeing this, I suddenly didn’t want to let them off the hook. I crumpled the divorce agreement in my hand and turned to leave. “Miss Blackwell, are you finished with Mr. Bloom already? So soon?” The assistant’s words made Daniel in the office whip his head around. His eyes were tense as he quickly walked towards me. “Phoebe, why are you here? Is something wrong?” “Do you remember Audrey? She came to the Bloom family for help back then, and you took her in. She just returned and was discussing a collaboration with me. She even said she wanted to invite us, as a couple, to dinner to thank us personally.” Daniel subtly signaled to Audrey, who placed the documents behind her back and immediately chimed in with a smile, “Yes, Phoebe, I wonder if I’d have that honor!” Looking at her outstretched hand, it was clearly the demeanor of a successful person, high and mighty. It was as if our roles had been reversed, and I was the lowly employee begging for shelter. I swallowed my unspoken thoughts and calmly replied, “No need.” Suddenly, my phone buzzed with a message. Before I could even check it, Daniel spoke. “Phoebe, if you have something to do, go ahead. I still have some work matters to discuss with Audrey. I’ll see you home tonight.” Seeing how eager he was to rush me away, I understood everything. “You two carry on. I’ll see you tonight.” When I got home, I had just finished packing all my belongings when people from an auction house arrived at the Bloom residence. Daniel had successfully bid on an item a week ago, but he had given a wrong digit in his phone number, so they had tracked me down instead. When signing to receive it, the person opened the box for verification. Inside lay a pair of exquisite matching rings. I froze for a moment, looking at the simple, almost crude wedding ring on my own finger, my heart turning cold. Daniel’s call came as expected. “Phoebe, I won a piece of jewelry at auction. It’s for a client. My phone died earlier; can you take it home for me? I’ll have Assistant Cole pick it up.” “Also, don’t overthink what happened today. Audrey and you are both in the architectural field. I spent a lot of effort convincing her to give you some advice.” “Didn’t you always want my dad to approve of you? Now’s the best chance.” Listening to his words, so seemingly considerate of me, I suddenly felt like laughing. To elevate Audrey, he didn’t hesitate to abandon his upbringing and become a thief. Now that his goals were within reach, why bother using the Bloom family’s approval to manipulate me? “I know you’re doing this for my good. Take care of yourself; I’ll wait for your news.” Hearing my words, his tone relaxed. I hung up and put the box away. Daniel, you’ve lied to me so many times. I’ll only lie to you once.

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I opened my eyes, shocked to find myself back at the start of the nightmare—the campus sweetheart was pulling out her card. This time, I didn’t let her speak. I took out my own card and announced, “It’s on me.” No one knew that every “generous” swipe of hers—praised by all for her beauty and kindness—ended up charged to me. My part‑time earnings vanished under her “charity,” and my physics competition scholarship was wiped out when she “treated the class.” When I finally confronted her, the whole class accused me of slandering her out of jealousy. Only my boyfriend claimed to believe me, promising to help stop it—but my balance kept falling. Before finals, she escalated, using a million dollars I’d gathered for my mother’s surgery to treat everyone. The money drained instantly; my mother died untreated, and I collapsed, my account in the red. In my last moments, I saw a video: my boyfriend kissing the campus sweetheart, saying, “Maeve is too jealous. I only pretended to believe her—I was afraid she’d harm someone innocent like you.” 1 “Crystal, this sweltering summer is full of ‘ice cream assassins,’ and you’re actually willing to treat the whole class to whatever they want. Truly the campus sweetheart, beautiful and kind-hearted.” My boyfriend, Rory,’s booming voice was accompanied by a relentless stream of deduction alerts on my phone. The suffocating feeling of being ‘charged to death’ in my previous life still clung to me. Rory nudged me, snapping me back to reality. “Maeve, I got you the cheapest ice cream. You’re not used to the good stuff, so buying expensive ones would be a waste. Save Crystal some money.” Crystal Quinn smiled, saying not to worry about it, and lightly patted Rory’s shoulder. Rory’s face glowed with delight. He declared Crystal generous, unlike me, who was “stingy and calculating to the bone.” My phone continued to vibrate. I opened it to see deduction alerts ranging from three to thirty dollars. My fifteen hundred dollars in wages from my part-time job had already dwindled to a thousand in just a short while, and the deductions kept coming. The entire class clustered around Crystal, leaving me squeezed into a corner. The memory of my mother’s suffering and death ignited a furious blaze within me. I pulled out my phone and publicly challenged Crystal. “Why is it that you’re treating, but it’s draining my account?” Crystal shook her head in feigned confusion. The students paused for a moment, then burst into snickers. “Maeve, have you lost your mind? Would a rich girl like Crystal really care about your money? Everyone knows you’re the stingiest in class, always just eating plain bread and pickles. You’d actually treat everyone to ice cream?” I was about to pull out my phone to show proof. Rory snatched it from my hand, apologizing to the entire class on my behalf. “Maeve’s family isn’t well-off, so it’s understandable she’s a bit petty and jealous. She just lost control for a moment. Please don’t hold it against her.” After speaking, Rory forcefully dragged me out of the supermarket, as if terrified I’d say another word and embarrass him. His grip was so strong that my wrist turned purple and bruised, the pain rendering me speechless. It had been the same in my previous life. Before the class gathering, Rory had branded me as jealous, separating me from the group. I became an outcast in the eyes of my classmates; no one believed me anymore. This time, I couldn’t repeat that mistake. I bit down on Rory’s wrist. He cried out in pain and loosened his grip. I seized the opportunity to snatch back my phone. He still tried to stop me from going back inside. “Maeve, your family background isn’t great, you don’t have spare cash. Your Valentine’s Day gift to me was just a regular belt and some clothes, I’m not holding that against you.” “Crystal was raised a pampered young lady. I won’t allow you to slander an innocent, kind person out of jealousy.” I tightened my grip on the phone. If I exposed Crystal immediately, everything would simply repeat itself. I smiled. “Aren’t we going to dinner soon? The campus sweetheart is so kind, I can’t always take advantage of others.” “Rory, why are you so eager to drag me out? Don’t you want me to treat my classmates to dinner? I’m telling you, you can’t be so petty! Today, my treat!” The students emerging from the supermarket overheard my last sentence. 2 In my previous life, after Rory dragged me away, Crystal used my account to treat everyone to dinner. My money was gone, and I was stuck with a reputation for being poor and petty. She used my money to become the school’s renowned rich girl. Later, no matter how hard I tried to stop it, the money in my account continued to drain away. My family was of modest means, and my mother’s health was poor. To raise money for her medical expenses, I worked four part-time jobs, not even having time to eat. Yet, my phone kept receiving high-value bills. I went to the police station to report it, but they couldn’t find anything. Everyone called me crazy. Only Rory stayed by my side, and I thought he believed me. But on the day I died, I learned that he was just afraid that I, this ‘madwoman,’ would harm his goddess. This time, I had to find a way to break the curse. As soon as we arrived at the restaurant, I rushed in first, immediately putting down all eight hundred dollars. If she swiped my card, I would be charged. But if I swiped my card, would she be charged instead? Anyway, I couldn’t hold onto this money, so trying wouldn’t hurt. I thought Crystal would fear me stealing her moment to shine and rush over to swipe her card. But she showed no urgency, walking slowly, with utmost grace. “Maeve, your family isn’t well-off, you probably haven’t eaten at a proper restaurant, so you might not know the prices.” “The minimum spend here is three thousand. Your eight hundred is nowhere near enough.” Only then did I notice the front desk attendant’s embarrassed expression. Laughter of mockery erupted among the classmates. Rory’s face darkened, and he was about to drag me away again. Crystal was moments from swiping her card. Anxiously, I blurted out, “Three thousand, I’ll pay. You all go ahead and order.” An impatient flicker crossed Rory’s eyes. “Maeve, no one looks down on you for your humble background. Why are you putting on a show, trying to outshine Crystal, the rich girl? I already saw you only have a thousand left in your account.” The students’ gazes at me became even more scornful. “Crystal treats because her family is rich. Maeve can barely afford her own meals, yet she’s putting on airs, acting like we’re desperate to spend her money.” No matter what, I absolutely couldn’t let Crystal swipe her card today. Because once my balance was insufficient, she would be swiping my life. My mother’s hopes were still on me. My life was precious. As we stood in confrontation, I received notification of my physics competition scholarship. A full thirty thousand dollars. I curved my lips into a smile. “Rory, I’m not treating for the attention. I truly see my classmates as family, and I want to share the joy of receiving my physics scholarship.” I shook my phone, letting the attendant swipe four thousand dollars. I intently watched Crystal’s expression, wanting to confirm if such a large sum I swiped would also demand her life. 3 I learned after I died that Crystal Quinn’s family was of modest means, not rich at all. If she hadn’t been draining my account, she wouldn’t have been able to maintain her rich-girl persona. Crystal’s face indeed looked a little worse, but her body showed no discomfort. It was only as she brushed past me that I heard her say, “Maeve, you’re finished.” Her phone screen was blank; the money I swiped wasn’t going to her account at all. My surprise met her triumph. After the students saw that I really was treating, their attitude towards me improved considerably. “We misunderstood you before; we thought you were just jealous of the campus sweetheart. Never thought you considered us all friends.” “Rory, you’ve got a girlfriend like Maeve, who knows when to spend and when to save. You should really cherish her.” Rory puffed up with the praise. I had initially been drawn to him because he, like me, knew how to save money, thinking I’d found a kindred spirit. Turns out he was just a vain, gold-digging parasite. I deliberately sat further away from him, but he insisted on sticking close. He even wanted to go on a date with me alone after dinner. Crystal saw the students fawning over me and ignoring her, and her face fell. “Rory, your girlfriend is really cunning. She looks so ordinary, yet she can spend money like water. You’re going to have a tough time with her.” Rory, uncharacteristically, only gave Crystal a perfunctory reply before insisting on walking me back to my dorm. I knew it wasn’t because he had changed and suddenly liked me, but because he saw the tens of thousands of dollars in scholarship money I had just received. Back in my dorm, my thoughts were still a jumbled mess. Even if I had passed this hurdle and avoided being ostracized by my classmates, I still hadn’t found a way to break Crystal’s curse. She could still drain my account, even my life, at any moment. Luckily, I had just received thirty thousand dollars, so Crystal shouldn’t be able to drain it all that quickly. Thinking this, I grabbed my basin to go wash up. As soon as I stood up, a choking sensation gripped my neck. My legs gave out, and I knelt directly to the floor. I instinctively glanced at my phone. The balance was zero! Before my roommate could help me up, Crystal rushed in. She told my roommates to rest and insisted on taking me to the hospital alone. I wanted to refuse, but the choking in my neck made me unable to utter a word. My roommates all thought Crystal was kind, and even the nurses at the hospital said I was lucky to have such a beautiful and kind friend. Hearing these words, my heart was filled only with resentment. Rory came over and immediately started cursing at me. “The doctor said there’s nothing wrong with you. What kind of act are you putting on? Do you know how much it costs to come to the hospital?” He stared at the bill, his brows furrowed in deep lines. He clearly didn’t want to pay for me, so by insisting I was faking it, he could shamelessly demand money from me. Crystal handed him her card. “We’re all in the same class; I can’t just stand by. Use my card.” I reached out to stop them, but I couldn’t. Rory glared at me. “It’s not your money, why are you getting so worked up? Poor people cause so much trouble.” Once again, it was just Crystal and me in the hospital room. She whispered in my ear, “Who told you to try and steal my thunder? This is your punishment. Maeve, your family is just too poor. I just bought washing machines for all the dorms in the class and paid a thousand for electricity for each dorm. Is that enough to drain your life?” “Don’t worry, as long as your lifespan isn’t completely drained, this discomfort is only temporary.” After she finished speaking, the choking sensation in my neck indeed subsided. I grabbed her collar. “What the hell is going on?” Crystal curled her lips. “I thought you’d beg me to let you go first.” She pushed my hand away, disdainfully getting up. “Maeve, you’re destined to be my stepping stone in this life. Once you die in disgrace, everything you have will be mine.” Crystal left the room, leaving me utterly confused. After I died, I would be useless. What else could she possibly get from me? 4 My balance was zero, and my body grew weaker and weaker. The speed at which I earned money couldn’t keep up with the rate at which Crystal spent it. I wished I could just kill Crystal, but with my current physical condition, I would be counter-killed by her before I could even harm her a bit. As I was frowning in worry, I saw the registration for the closed English competition. During the confinement period, all students would be together, so as long as she couldn’t get out, she couldn’t spend money. And if I could win the prize money, I could make up for the previous losses. I thought everything was foolproof, but I hadn’t expected Crystal to swipe her card to buy an Hermes Birkin bag before entering the enclosed building. My life force plummeted rapidly. The moment I saw her in the classroom, I directly pressed the tip of my pen against her throat. If I was destined to never escape this curse in this life, I would rather die with her. But before I could apply pressure with the pen, someone hit me from behind. When I opened my eyes again, I found myself tied to a chair by Rory. “Maeve, you’re bullying Crystal right in front of everyone. Who knows how you bully other classmates behind their backs? As your boyfriend, I can’t just stand by and watch!” He spoke with righteous indignation. He had clearly sneaked a look at my phone, knew my account was empty, and just wanted to show off in front of the ‘rich girl.’ I looked at the students’ condemning gazes, my heart sinking. I told them the truth about my life being drained, but no one believed me. Rory sneered. “You’re so jealous you’ve lost your mind, aren’t you? Would a rich young lady care about your paltry savings?” “You said Crystal is draining your life, right? Then let’s try it now. If you die, I’ll pay you back with my life.” He pulled out a piece of paper and had Crystal write him an IOU for ten thousand. Rory reassured Crystal, with so many people watching, he would never demand the money from her. Crystal, nestled against Rory’s shoulder like a delicate bird, said tearfully, “If this money can prove my innocence, I don’t mind giving everyone ten thousand each. My family truly doesn’t lack this small amount.” She signed IOUs for the classmates present, one by one, and then transferred the bills. The choking sensation in my neck grew stronger and stronger; I could feel my life rapidly draining away. Later, I even started convulsing. The entire classroom fell silent. I thought they finally believed me. To my surprise, Rory scoffed, “You’re acting so well, why don’t you go perform on stage?” The students all shook their heads. “If what Maeve said was true, I’d never find a girlfriend in my life. Lying so outrageously, she’s shameless.” Everyone was blaming me. I opened my eyes only to see their fingers almost poking my face. A thought suddenly flashed through my mind. So that’s it. I finally knew the whole truth. In this life, Crystal Quinn wouldn’t dare to step on me to climb higher again. After the choking subsided, I endured the discomfort and completed the English competition exam. With the scholarship money, I bought a train ticket home. As I left, I saw a notice in the class group chat. “Crystal is taking everyone to an auction the day after tomorrow to broaden our horizons. She’ll be at the Vermilion Perch, treating the entire class to a sky lantern.” In my previous life, I died in that “sky lantern” event. Even the surgery money I’d raised for my mom by selling our house wasn’t saved. This event was supposed to be before the end of the semester, but this time it was much earlier. Crystal was really eager to send me to my death. Unfortunately, this time, it could only be her digging her own grave. As soon as I got on the car, I received a message from Crystal. “If you kneel before me now and kowtow three times, and then lick my feet in public, I might consider letting you off the hook, Academic Maeve.” I smiled faintly, not replying. I spent two days looking after my mother in the hospital. Just as I was about to get water, I received a call from Rory. He was furious, demanding to know, “Maeve, what strange illness did you infect Crystal with? Why is she convulsing just like you did that day?” I chuckled coldly, “Because…”

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I rarely went back to my hometown during vacation, but after dinner, my dad ordered me to wash the dishes. I froze. “Don’t we have a housekeeper?” My mom frowned. “Laura works so hard taking care of us every day. Since you’re back, you should let her rest. You should do everything.” But I couldn’t understand. “I’m paying her to be our housekeeper—isn’t that what she’s here for? Why should I pay money and still do the work myself?” This comment made the housekeeper cry and angered my parents. My mom frowned. “What good are you? I barely see you once a year. Laura’s more thoughtful than you—at least she’s here every single day.” My dad pointed at my nose. “Don’t bother coming back anymore. From now on, Laura is our real daughter! You can go do whatever you want!” I laughed bitterly. I was busy with work, but I sent home plenty of money every month and even hired an expensive housekeeper. Yet in the end, they treated the housekeeper like their daughter. If that’s how it is, I won’t be paying the housekeeper’s salary anymore!

The company gave us time off, so I went home early. I wanted to surprise my parents, but when I got to the house, my key wouldn’t open the door. I tried several times, but the key still wouldn’t turn. That’s when I realized—they’d changed the locks. With no other choice, I pulled out my phone and called my mom. It rang several times before she picked up. I could hear the bustling sounds of shopping in the background, along with my mom’s voice: “Hello, Charlotte? Why are you calling all of a sudden?” “Mom, I’m home, standing outside. Why was the lock changed? I can’t get in.” My mom paused for a few seconds before answering slowly, “Oh, you’re back? Your dad, Laura, and I are out shopping. Just wait by the door for a bit—we’ll be back soon.” Before I could say anything else, she hung up. I stood in the hallway with my suitcase, waiting for a full hour. Finally, I heard footsteps in the corridor. I looked up and saw my parents walking ahead with the housekeeper Laura squeezed between them. Her right hand was linked affectionately with my mom’s arm, and her left hand carried shopping bags for my dad. The three of them were laughing and chatting like a family of three. When they reached the door and saw me standing there, none of them looked surprised. My dad just glanced at me indifferently, and my mom only said casually, “Oh, you’re back.” Laura, on the other hand, immediately let go of my mom’s hand. A warm smile spread across her face as she hurried toward me. “Charlotte, you’re home! Why didn’t you tell us in advance? We could have picked you up.” I forced a smile and nodded slightly, my eyes falling on the door lock. “When was the lock changed? Why didn’t anyone tell me?” Laura quickly explained, “It was changed a month ago. The old lock was getting stuck—it wasn’t very safe.” “I was worried about Uncle and Auntie since they’re getting older, so I had someone install a new one. I didn’t have time to tell you. Please don’t mind, Charlotte.” Before I could respond, my dad snorted coldly and pushed open the door, his tone dripping with dissatisfaction. “Someone who couldn’t even come home for Christmas—what difference does changing the lock make to you?” I knew my dad was still upset that I hadn’t come home for Christmas. He was holding a grudge. I didn’t want to start a fight the moment I got back, so I didn’t respond and just followed them inside. After entering, I instinctively went to the shoe cabinet to get my slippers, but I saw my pair of fleece slippers on Laura’s feet. Laura noticed my gaze and awkwardly pulled out a pair of disposable slippers from the bottom of the cabinet, handing them to me. “Charlotte, I’m sorry, I put on the wrong ones. Wear these for now.” I looked at the thin disposable slippers, then at my fleece slippers on Laura’s feet. A strange feeling rose in my chest, but I didn’t say anything. I silently changed into the disposable slippers. After dinner, I’d just sat down to rest and recover from the long journey when my dad pointed at the dining table. “Go wash the dishes.” I stood there, stunned, and instinctively replied, “Don’t we have a housekeeper?” My mom immediately frowned, put down her water glass, and gave me a stern look. “Laura works so hard taking care of us—cooking, cleaning, exhausting herself all day long. Now that you’re back, let her rest. What’s wrong with you washing some dishes?” “I’m exhausted from work too,” I said, looking at them in confusion. “I work overtime every day. I finally got a break and came home to rest, and you want me to do chores?” “Besides, I’m paying her good money to be here—isn’t this what she’s supposed to do? Why should I pay and still do the work myself?” Laura stood to the side, head lowered, looking like she’d been wronged. My dad slammed his hand on the table, his face darkening as he shouted at me, “Money, money, money—all you care about is money! Is there anything in your eyes besides money? I think you’d rather spend time with your money and your job than with your parents!” “You didn’t come home for Christmas, you barely visit, and now when you’re finally here, all you talk about is money. You might as well just live with your money and your job—why even bother coming back!” My mom sighed beside him, disappointment filling her eyes. “Exactly. After you started working, you rarely come home. I barely see you once a year. Laura’s the one who takes care of everything around here.” “When we’re feeling unwell, Laura’s the one who runs around getting medicine, bringing us water, taking care of us.” “And you? As our daughter, do you even care about us?”

As her words fell, Laura gently stepped forward, reached out to hold my mom’s hand, and softly consoled her. “Don’t be angry. Charlotte’s a senior manager now—she’s busy with work. It’s not that she doesn’t want to come home.” Hearing them talk like this made me so angry I wanted to laugh. I don’t care about them? I send them ten thousand dollars a month for living expenses. Worried they’d be too frugal to spend it, I hired a high-priced housekeeper to take care of their meals and daily needs. I work myself to death out there so they can live comfortably. How did I become worse than a paid housekeeper in their eyes? I clenched my fists, suppressing my anger. “Mom, Dad, that’s not fair.” “You say I don’t care about you? That I only focus on work and money?” “Before, whenever I had free time, I came home. You complained I was wasting money, said I looked foolish always coming back like a child who never grew up, told me to stop running home all the time. I listened.” “But I’ve never missed calling or video chatting, have I? I’ve never missed sending your monthly living expenses, have I? I hired Laura at a high salary specifically to take care of you. Doesn’t any of that count in your eyes?” My dad’s face immediately darkened. “But you didn’t even come home for Christmas—is that acceptable? You weren’t here for a family reunion. What good is money? Your mom and I have enough—we don’t need your money.” “Don’t be upset,” Laura quickly stepped forward, gently tugging on my dad’s arm with an obedient smile. “Charlotte has it tough working in New York. Senior managers are so busy—she can’t help it. I’m sure she still thinks about you in her heart.” But my dad only got angrier after hearing that. “Senior manager? So what? Why does a girl need to work so hard? Eventually, she’ll get married and return to family life anyway. What’s the point of climbing so high?” My mom chimed in, “Charlotte, you’re not young anymore. You really should consider getting married.” “A colleague at work has a son about your age. He’s honest and dependable, works locally, and comes from a good family. Since you’re back this time, why don’t you meet him? If it works out, you can get engaged.” I didn’t even think before refusing. “I don’t want to go on blind dates, and I don’t want to get married.” “You don’t want to get married?” My dad’s face turned iron-blue. “Are you planning to spend your whole life with your job?” “Why not?” I met his gaze. “You—” My dad was so angry his chest heaved. “Your mom and I are getting old. We need someone nearby. If you go on blind dates, get married, and stay here, we’ll have someone to rely on, someone to take care of us. Why can’t you think about us?” I frowned. “Haven’t I already hired Laura to take care of you?” My dad slammed the table and issued his ultimatum. “Then if you won’t get married, quit your job and come back to take care of us. Otherwise, stop recognizing us as your parents, and we’ll make Laura our daughter instead!” I laughed in frustration. “When I graduated, I planned to find work back home so I could easily take care of you.” I looked at them calmly. “But you thought it was embarrassing for a graduate of a prestigious university to work in a small town. You said I had no ambition and forced me to go to New York.” “I’ve struggled in New York for so many years, finally getting a foothold and building my current life.” “And now, with one sentence, you want me to give it all up and quit?”

I shook my head firmly. “That’s impossible.” My dad’s brow furrowed, his voice immediately rising. “What do you mean, impossible? We raised you all these years, and when we ask you to come back, you make excuses?” “I’m not making excuses,” I explained patiently. “My job in New York is what I fought for all these years. If I just give it up, all my suffering would be for nothing.” “So you’re just going to abandon us?” My mom joined in, her face full of disapproval. “You’re our only daughter. When we’re old, who else can we rely on but you?” “I didn’t say I’d abandon you.” I took a deep breath and offered a solution. “If you want me to take care of you, fine—move to New York and live with me. That way I can work and look after you at the same time.” My dad immediately waved his hand dismissively. “Move to New York? We’ve lived in our hometown for decades. All our relatives and friends are here. We’re not moving to some unfamiliar place where we don’t know anyone.” My mom nodded along. “Exactly. You’re still renting in New York—how could that be as comfortable as home? We’re not going.” I frowned. “If you won’t go and I can’t quit, then there’s nothing I can do.” My dad’s face darkened. “Nothing you can do? I think you’ve just grown wings and don’t care about us anymore!” “Anyway, I won’t quit.” My tone was firm, without any hint of compromise. My dad opened his mouth, about to continue scolding me, when Laura quickly stepped forward, gently mediating. “Charlotte rarely comes home. Let’s talk nicely as a family instead of fighting and hurting each other.” She turned to me with a gentle smile. “Charlotte, Uncle and Auntie are just getting older and want someone to keep them company. That’s natural. Don’t be upset.” Hearing this, my dad’s expression softened slightly. He looked at Laura with instant warmth. “Laura’s so understanding, so considerate of us. Not like you—all you care about is work and money.” I was too tired to argue with them anymore. Even one more word felt exhausting. I turned and headed to my room. The moment I pushed open the door, I froze completely. My bed had unfamiliar sheets and a comforter. The desk was covered with skincare products and hair ties. The closet was full of women’s clothing—clearly someone had been living here long-term. I whipped around to look at Laura, who had followed me. “Don’t you have your own room? Why are you living in mine without permission?” Laura’s eyes flickered, and she lowered her head, looking flustered. “Charlotte, I’m sorry, I…” Before she could finish, my mom spoke up to explain. “Laura’s air conditioner broke. We tried to fix it several times but couldn’t. It was cold, so I let her stay in your room.” “You never come home anyway—it would just sit empty.” The anger in my chest flared up again. “Even if I don’t stay here, this is still my room! How could you let her move in without asking me?” “How could we?” My dad suddenly roared, his face livid. “Your mom and I bought this house. We can let whoever we want live here. Forget letting Laura stay—we could kick you out if we wanted!” I was trembling with rage. Looking at my parents, who should have been so familiar, they suddenly felt like strangers. This was supposed to be my home, but I felt like an outsider. I stopped arguing, turned, and walked to the entryway, pulling my suitcase behind me. “Fine. If you want me to leave, I’ll leave.” My dad snorted coldly, his face full of disdain. “Go ahead and leave if you’re so capable. Don’t come back to this house!” My mom opened her mouth, but in the end, she only sighed and said nothing more. Laura stood to the side, anxiously speaking up. “Charlotte, don’t be angry. It’s all my fault. I’ll move out right now…” I didn’t want to hear her talk. I pulled my suitcase and walked out the door without looking back. I dragged the heavy case down the stairs, step by step, and finally took a cab to a nearby hotel.

The next day at noon, my cousin Muriel called. “Charlotte, we’re visiting the ancestors’ graves today. You’re back, right? Hurry over—everyone’s almost here.” “Got it, I’m on my way.” After hanging up, I quickly got ready and headed to the cemetery. When I arrived, I could see from a distance that all the relatives had gathered. My parents were there too. But as I got closer, I stopped in my tracks—Laura was there too, standing beside my mom. Muriel saw me first and waved. “Charlotte, over here.” I walked over and asked quietly, “Why is she here?” Muriel sighed. “Your parents brought her.” After the ancestral rites were finished, everyone went to a pre-booked restaurant for a meal. The whole extended family sat around a large table. During the meal, my mom said: “Since all the relatives are here today, Casseres and I have something to announce.” My dad took over, looking at everyone. “We’re planning to officially adopt Laura as our daughter.” As soon as those words came out, the table fell silent. Relatives exchanged glances. My mom continued, “Laura is truly thoughtful. She’s with us every day, serving us tea and water, cooking and cleaning. She’s more attentive than Charlotte.” After my mom spoke, relatives instinctively looked at me. I held my knife and fork but said nothing. My dad glanced at me, his tone growing heavy. “Unlike some people who can’t be seen all year long. When she finally comes home, all she talks about is money. Not thoughtful at all.” “We asked her to quit and come back to take care of us—she refused. We asked her to go on blind dates and settle down—she won’t do that either.” “Her wings have grown hard. She doesn’t care whether we live or die anymore.” Muriel quickly tried to smooth things over. “Charlotte does care about you. She really is busy with work—the pressure is intense. Don’t talk about her like that.” My mom immediately waved her hand, her expression sour. “Busy, busy, busy—all she knows is being busy! What’s the point of all that money if she can’t be here with us?” “Laura’s different. She knows when we’re cold or hot. When we’re not feeling well, she’s the one running around, buying medicine, bringing water, taking such good care of us. She’s so much more reliable.” My dad got more worked up as he spoke, his voice rising. “Since we can’t count on Charlotte, we’ll adopt someone thoughtful!” “If Laura takes care of us in our old age and when we die, we might as well leave this house to her!” The whole table was shocked. Everyone looked at each other, no one daring to speak. Some wanted to offer advice, but seeing how determined my parents were, they swallowed their words. The meal ended in a strange atmosphere. After everyone dispersed, Muriel pulled me aside, her face full of worry. “Charlotte, have your parents been brainwashed by that housekeeper? How can they say they’ll leave the house to her?” “You need to go back and talk to them properly. You can’t let them stay confused like this.” I looked at Laura in the distance, laughing and chatting with my parents, and gently shook my head. “Maybe they always wanted a caring daughter who could be with them every day and obediently listen to them.” “I can’t be that person. If they want someone else to do it, I can’t stop them.” The vacation ended quickly, and I prepared to return to New York. Before leaving, I called my dad—no answer. I called my mom—she hung up immediately. I tried several more times. All rejected. I looked at my phone and didn’t persist. I pulled my suitcase and went to the station, boarding the train back to New York. Over the next few weeks, I kept seeing my parents’ Twitter posts. Today they were eating hot pot with Laura, the three of them leaning together intimately for a photo. Tomorrow they were walking in the park together, Laura holding my mom’s arm, smiling obediently. The captions all radiated the warmth and harmony of a family of three. I scrolled through the posts without liking or commenting, pretending I hadn’t seen them. Then, a few days after another vacation ended, a call suddenly came in. It was my mom. As soon as I answered, I heard her dissatisfied voice come through directly. “Charlotte, why haven’t you sent this month’s living expenses yet? And Laura’s salary—why haven’t you paid her either?”

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I was born in a perpetual haze, my mind often muddled and confused. Three years ago, in a daze, I brought home a drunk, handsome stranger. When he woke up, he stared at me for a moment, then suddenly said, “Let’s get married.” Too lazy to think, I nodded. For three years, I lived in a fog as a wealthy socialite. I could swipe my cards freely and live in mansions as I pleased. I had just found out I was pregnant and hadn’t had the chance to tell him when he handed me divorce papers: “I’m bankrupt. This is the last of my money. Take it and go.” Just then, several floating comments suddenly appeared before my eyes: [Whoa! Leonardo’s first love, Prescott, is back in the country!] [I bet Leonardo is faking bankruptcy just to dump Lawrence so he can win Prescott back!] [Leonardo got drunk three years ago because Prescott went abroad. Lawrence is just a substitute!] Huh? So I was just a replacement? I slowly nodded. “Oh, okay. Let’s divorce then.” The light in his eyes instantly extinguished. Looking at him, I felt like there was something I’d forgotten to mention. Whatever. I’ll tell him when I remember.

Leonardo pressed his lips tightly together, pushing the agreement and pen toward me. His eyes were slightly red, his fingers tapping lightly twice on the edge of the table. It was his nervous habit. I looked at the agreement but didn’t rush to take the pen. Instead, I reached out and touched the back of his hand resting on the table. “Your hand is so cold.” Leonardo trembled slightly but didn’t pull away. Without even glancing at the content, I picked up the pen to sign. Leonardo pressed down on my hand. “Wait! Read it carefully before signing.” He explained each clause of the agreement to me. The villa would remain mine, the savings would go to me, and all debts under his name had nothing to do with me. He had even purchased a substantial trust fund for me to ensure my future would be secure. Comments floated before my eyes: [Holy crap, this divorce agreement is all in Lawrence’s favor?] [What an incredible man! But I feel like Leonardo really is bankrupt!] [Wait, in the original story, Leonardo ends up filthy rich later…] After hearing his explanation, I just felt stars swimming before my eyes. “Don’t understand. So I just need to sign, right?” I moved to sign again, and Leonardo stopped me once more. His Adam’s apple bobbed, his voice somewhat hoarse: “There’s one last clause. Divorce doesn’t mean we’re strangers. If you ever need my help in the future, just ask.” I looked at him oddly. “You’re drowning in debt. What could you possibly help me with?” Leonardo was at a loss for words and lowered his head. I thought about these past three years—how no matter how busy he was, he always replied to my goodnight messages. Any dessert I mentioned in passing would appear in the fridge the next day. Every time I came home tipsy, the living room light was always on. My heart suddenly softened. I said seriously: “If you really end up too poor to survive, come find me. I’ll take care of you.” Leonardo’s head snapped up. His eyes grew even redder. His Adam’s apple bobbed several times before he finally said in a low voice, “…Okay.” More comments floated by: [What kind of attitude is this? He just gave you everything he had!] [Poor Leonardo! He still thinks he’s not worthy!] [Prescott, come out and comfort him!] [Lawrence is really so oblivious…] Leonardo said he’d found work hauling bricks at a construction site. The pay was good, with room and board included. He was leaving right away. He stood in the living room with a suitcase, glancing back at me. His lips moved, but in the end, he said nothing. He pulled open the door and left. The moment the door closed, the comments exploded: [Hauling bricks? Is he serious?] [A CEO going to haul bricks… I kind of want to laugh, what’s wrong with me] [Stop laughing, this is tragic] [Wait, he really is bankrupt? Otherwise why would he actually haul bricks?] I returned to the bedroom. Traces of Leonardo were everywhere. In the closet, his shirts hung neatly in rows. On the nightstand sat the business magazines he read every night. In the bathroom, his toothbrush stood beside mine. I lay on the bed, thinking about these three years. He’d stayed up late fixing my broken music box. Whenever I woke up hungover, there was always warm water and hangover medicine by the bed. After business dinners, no matter how late, he’d always wash up in the guest room first so the smell of alcohol wouldn’t bother me. Lost in thought, a sudden wave of nausea hit me. I rushed to the bathroom and dry-heaved. After recovering, I remembered. Oh right, I forgot to tell him I was pregnant. Comments suddenly flashed frantically: [Leonardo’s first love Prescott is here! Right at the villa gate!] I walked to the window. I saw a woman in a white dress with elaborate makeup standing outside the iron gate.

I opened the door. Prescott looked me up and down and gave a knowing smile. “So you’re Leonardo’s wife?” She paused. “No, ex-wife now.” I leaned against the doorframe and yawned. “Who are you?” Prescott tucked her hair behind her ear and began introducing herself. Between the lines, she hinted that she and Leonardo were childhood sweethearts. Three years ago, Leonardo had gotten blind drunk because she went abroad. Now that she was back, naturally Leonardo wanted a divorce. Comments floated past: [Leonardo’s first love is so pretty!] [Lawrence! Feel inferior!] [Get your eyes checked. Lawrence is clearly prettier] [No catfighting allowed! Also, I don’t think they look alike at all?] [I agree, they don’t look alike. Is Lawrence really Prescott’s substitute?] Prescott pulled a photograph from her handbag. It was a picture of her and Leonardo from high school. Standing together, though Leonardo wasn’t smiling, his eyes were noticeably softer. Prescott’s tone was gentle, but her gaze carried barbs: “He never loved you. You were just a substitute.” I stared at the photo for three seconds. “He was a bit heavier then, his face rounder.” Prescott froze. I continued, “Thanks for telling me this. Otherwise I wouldn’t have known what he looked like in high school.” “Can I keep the photo? I’d like a memento.” The comments livened up: [??? Is that the point here] [I can never follow Lawrence’s train of thought] [But somehow this is satisfying] [Prescott is speechless] Prescott’s expression shifted. She said coldly: “You’re quite the oddball. But it doesn’t matter—he’s already chosen me.” “You know why he left you the villa? Because he’s about to move into my house.” I tilted my head, thinking. “Oh, that’s good. He won’t have to sleep at the construction site then. Hauling bricks is exhausting.” My tone was sincere, without a trace of jealousy. Prescott was completely speechless. As she turned to leave, she threw out, “Someone like you deserves to be dumped.” The door closed. I leaned against it and slowly slid down to a squat. It wasn’t that I wasn’t sad—my sadness just came half a beat slower than everyone else’s. I touched my still-flat stomach. “Baby,” I said softly, “your dad seems to be going off to be someone else’s dad.” After spacing out for a while, I picked up my phone. I wanted to message Leonardo to tell him I was pregnant. Just as I unlocked the screen, comments suddenly scrolled: [Oh my god! Leonardo really is hauling bricks!] [His hands have blood blisters… But I looked ahead and Leonardo really does become ridiculously rich! Can someone explain what’s going on?] [Can’t explain it, I want to know too] [Prescott called Leonardo asking for his address and is now driving to the construction site!] I stared at the comments, forgetting what I was about to do, but feeling somehow empty inside. So I walked to the wine cabinet, wanting to pour myself a drink. Comments floated past again: [??? If Lawrence doesn’t want to keep Leonardo’s child she can terminate it, no need to deliberately drink alcohol! Poisonous woman] [Right, Lawrence is pregnant but Leonardo doesn’t know yet. In the later plot Leonardo has no children, so this baby definitely won’t survive] I froze mid-motion, silently put the wine back, and locked the wine cabinet. Sitting on the sofa, I contemplated what to do about this child. My phone suddenly vibrated. Leonardo sent a message: “Remember to eat dinner. Don’t drink on an empty stomach. Don’t play with your phone with the lights off. And don’t stay up too late.” I stared at it for a while, suddenly reluctant to terminate this pregnancy.

A week later, I received a bank notification. Leonardo had transferred money to me. The note read: “Half month’s wages, use it for now.” The amount wasn’t large, with odd cents included. I stared at the message, spacing out. Comments instantly flooded the screen: [Leonardo literally only kept enough for himself to eat bread every day!] [His hands are covered in blisters but he’s still thinking about his ex-wife] I climbed up from the sofa. Touching my still-flat belly, I said slowly, “Baby, your dad seems about to starve to death.” Then I walked into the kitchen—a place I’d barely entered in three years. Leonardo used to make me all sorts of elaborate dishes. I could only cook instant noodles, and I often burned them. I looked up recipes, nearly cut my finger, forgot to add seasoning. After two hours of struggling, I finally made a pot of soup. I also went to the pharmacy for iodine and band-aids. Based on the scattered comments mentioning “southern new development zone,” I took a cab there. The construction site was dusty. Standing at the entrance in my soft house dress and slippers, carrying a thermos, I looked completely out of place. Comments laughed at me: [Lawrence in this outfit is somehow adorable] I was looking around when I saw a white car pull up. Prescott got out. She was carrying an elegant lunch box. She saw me too. Her smile stiffened momentarily before recovering its elegance. “Miss Lawrence?” She walked over. “What brings you to a place like this?” She eyed my thermos and laughed lightly. “Bringing Leonardo food? He has a sensitive stomach, can’t handle anything too greasy.” I seriously examined the soup I’d made. “It’s chicken soup. Not greasy. I skimmed the fat.” Prescott stepped closer and lowered her voice. “Miss Lawrence, there are some things you might not understand.” “Leonardo is at his lowest point right now. What he needs is someone who can help him make a comeback, not a princess who only knows how to make soup.” I thought for three seconds. “But he’s hauling bricks right now. Hauling bricks requires strength, not a comeback.” I paused, then added: “And I’m not a princess. I can earn my own money… though I haven’t figured out how yet.” Comments were dumbfounded: [Prescott is rendered speechless] [Lawrence’s logic is always so bizarre yet irrefutable] The awkward moment was broken when Leonardo emerged from the construction site. He wore dust-covered work clothes, band-aids on his hands, sweat on his forehead. Seeing us, he visibly froze. Prescott immediately rushed over. “Leonardo, I brought you food…” But Leonardo walked straight toward me. His brow furrowed. “Why did you come here? It’s dusty.” I held up the thermos and medicine bag. “I brought you soup. And medicine.” Leonardo’s eyes showed emotion. When he took the items, his fingers trembled slightly. Prescott’s face went pale. “Leonardo, I specially…” Leonardo turned to her, his tone polite but distant: “Miss Prescott, thank you for your kindness. But I don’t need it. Don’t come here anymore.” Then he said to me in a low voice, “I’ll take you home.” He completely ignored Prescott, frozen in place. In the taxi, both were silent. Looking at the band-aids on his hands, I suddenly said: “The wounds on your hands got dust in them. They’ll get infected.” Leonardo pulled his hands back. “It’s fine.” I said slowly, “Prescott said you two are moving in together.” Leonardo’s head whipped around. “She’s talking nonsense!” His voice was urgent, with rare anger. Then, realizing he’d lost composure, he explained in a low voice: “I have nothing to do with her. I’m living in the workers’ dormitory now.” I said “Oh” and fell silent again. Comments floated by: [Wait, why Leonardo ends up so rich later is still a mystery?] [What kind of CEO is as miserable as Leonardo, I’m speechless!] The car arrived at the villa. Before I got out, Leonardo suddenly said, “Don’t worry about money. If you need more, tell me.” His eyes were bloodshot, but his gaze was serious. I nodded, remembering tomorrow was my prenatal checkup. After taking two steps, I turned back. “Will you still be hauling bricks tomorrow?” Leonardo: “Yes.” “Okay, then you do your thing.” With that, I walked straight into the villa. Before bed, I received a text from an unknown number. “Leave Leonardo. You’re not worthy of him.” I looked at it for a while, then slowly replied: “Are you Prescott? You texted the wrong person. I’m his ex-wife.” Then I blocked the number, turned off my phone, and went to sleep.

Early the next morning, I went to the hospital alone. Registration, waiting in line, waiting to be called. The pregnancy symptoms were severe. My face went pale during the blood draw. After the ultrasound, the doctor said I was slightly anemic and prescribed iron supplements. Coming out of the examination room with my report envelope, I felt extremely dizzy. Looking for somewhere to sit, I glanced up and saw a crowd gathered near the emergency room. In the crowd, I saw Leonardo. He sat in a chair in the emergency room, his left hand wrapped in bandages. Prescott stood beside him, bending down to say something to him. She held a cotton swab, trying to treat the scrape on his face. Leonardo turned his head away. Prescott persisted, reaching out to support his shoulder in an intimate gesture that drew attention. I stood there, watching. Comments scrolled frantically: [Holy crap! Drama incoming!] [Leonardo got injured at the construction site saving a coworker!] [Prescott’s information network is really something, already here] [Wait! I know! I know why Leonardo gets rich later!] I was about to see what the comment revealed when Leonardo’s voice came from behind me. “Lawrence!” I turned my head and saw him break free from Prescott, walking toward me. Prescott tried to hold him back, but he shook her off. He walked quickly, reaching me in a few strides. He looked down and saw the report envelope in my hand. It clearly read “Obstetrics Department.” Then he saw my pale face, my weakened state. Leonardo froze completely. He stared at the report envelope, then looked up at my face. His eyes gradually reddened, bloodshot veins filling the whites. His Adam’s apple bobbed violently. His voice was so hoarse he could barely speak: “You’re… pregnant?” I blinked, trying to recall if I’d forgotten to tell him about this. I clearly wanted him to come with me to the checkup today, but he had to haul bricks. Seeing my silence, his lips began to tremble. His left hand lifted, fingers shaking badly, but he didn’t dare touch me. His voice shattered, carrying desperate tremors: “…Did you terminate our baby?”

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My best friend Sophia was schemed against by her scumbag ex-husband and forced to leave the marriage with nothing. I took her into my own home. I took her traveling everywhere, got drunk with her, and even gave her a credit card to spend freely. My boyfriend Ethan kept frowning about it: “Charlotte, are you Sophia’s lapdog? You love serving her that much? She’s so dramatic—no wonder men dump her.” I rarely got angry: “She’s my best friend. Without her, I wouldn’t be where I am today. So please show her some respect.” Later, I went to England for business. I video-called Sophia every day, watching her gradually emerge from her depression and start a new job and life. Until three months later, when I came home with my luggage, I saw Sophia lying on the couch while Ethan skillfully fed her strawberries. The room fell into a moment of deathly silence. Only the laughter from a variety show on TV filled the air. Sophia was the first to react. She scrambled up from the couch and walked toward me, her face pale. “Charlotte… when did you get back? Why didn’t you tell us ahead of time? I… I could have picked you up.” Ethan stood quietly behind her, saying nothing. Sophia’s smile looked forced. “You must be tired. Let me get you some water.” She turned around frantically, grabbed a glass from the coffee table, and in her flustered state, knocked over the water pitcher, spilling water all over the floor. Ethan frowned and pulled out tissues to clean up. “Stop making things worse. You don’t know how to do this kind of thing anyway.” Though his tone was scolding, the intimacy in his words was unmistakable. The last trace of hope in my heart vanished completely. My hand gripped the handle of my bag unconsciously, leaving a deep mark on my palm. “When did this start?” Sophia froze and instinctively turned to look at Ethan. He remained calm, sweeping his arm to shield her behind him. “It has nothing to do with her. It’s my fault.” His tone was flat, as if he were talking about the weather. Ethan had an aloof personality—decisive and cold in business, composed and self-controlled. People always said he was unapproachable, that only with Charlotte Smith would he ever show emotion. I used to think I was his only exception. Until this moment, when he stood on the opposite side from me, using the calmest, coldest words to completely shut me out. Sophia looked panicked. “No… Charlotte, let me explain. We’re not…” I stood there quietly as she stammered but couldn’t come up with any explanation. I couldn’t help but laugh bitterly. “Can’t even come up with a decent excuse?” Sophia’s face went even paler. Ethan held her trembling hands and said in a low voice, “It’s okay. I’ll handle this, all right?” He stepped forward and took my luggage. “Charlotte, let’s go outside and talk.” I looked at his face. In just three months, it had become so unfamiliar. Fighting back the sting in my eyes, my voice trembled slightly. “Ethan, this is my home. You’re telling me to leave?” He fell silent for a moment, his voice carrying a hint of pleading. “Charlotte, I’m asking you as a favor. She caught a cold yesterday and isn’t feeling well. Let her rest early, okay?” I pressed my hand hard against my chest. There was no visible wound, yet the pain felt fatal. Ethan picked up his coat from the back of the chair and spoke gently to Sophia. “Be good and go to sleep. Leave the rest to me. I’ll bring you pizza when I come back.” I rushed out the door before they could see the tears streaming down my face. In the hotel suite, Ethan sat politely and distantly on the far couch. He quietly smoked two cigarettes before speaking in a low voice. “This is my fault. Whatever compensation you want, I’ll give it to you.” “I was the one who fell first. Don’t blame her.” I dug my fingers into my palm and took a deep breath. “Why?” Ethan lit another cigarette and pinched the bridge of his nose. “Charlotte, you’re smart, calm, and capable. But Sophia is different. Without me, she can’t survive.” Through the dim red glow of his cigarette, I saw his face and found it utterly ridiculous. Before, as my best friend, Sophia was someone Ethan looked down on completely. He said she was dramatic and out of touch with society, a parasite living off others at home, a clinging vine that could only survive by latching onto someone else. Three months ago, when I had to go to England for business, I begged him repeatedly before he reluctantly agreed to help her occasionally when she needed it. Back then, he had been unusually childish, biting my face fiercely. “Charlotte, I’m not even married to you yet, and I already have to deal with your family affairs. You’re leaving me with this mess—you’d better compensate me well.” I stood on my tiptoes and kissed his lips, promising him that once I finished the project in England, we would get married. Now, in just three months, everything had changed.

Ethan stood up, pressed his lips together, and his expression grew complex. “I’ve wronged you. For the projects we’ve collaborated on before, I’ll give you 20% of the profits. If you need my help in the future, just ask.” “I only have one request—you’re very important to Sophia. She doesn’t want to lose you as a friend.” I looked up at him as if I’d heard the biggest joke in the world. Even my tears came out from laughing. Three months ago, I had used this very reason to ask him to take care of my best friend. Three months later, I had become the one being asked. I heard my voice trembling slightly. “Ethan, don’t you two think you’ve gone too far?” “What makes you think I, Charlotte, deserve to be trampled on by you? I’ll expose everything you’ve done to the public. If you dare do it, you should dare own it.” Ethan took a step back and narrowed his eyes slightly. “Charlotte, don’t throw a tantrum. You built everything from nothing and got to where you are today through hard work. Don’t destroy yourself over a momentary impulse.” His voice carried a hint of warning, making me shiver. Ethan looked down at me from above, completely adopting the posture of someone in power. People often said Ethan was cold and ruthless. I never agreed. But now I suddenly realized the rumors were true. He had simply given his tenderness to me before, and now he’d given it to someone else. “I’m going back. Without me, she won’t sleep well at night.” “I’ll take her away tomorrow. Sorry for the inconvenience tonight.” The door closed, and I finally collapsed onto the pillow, sobbing uncontrollably. Outside the window was the bustling city landscape. I had rushed home after a long journey, only to be placed in this cold hotel. A few hundred meters away, the two most important people in my life were being intimate in my home, in my bed. How ironic. The next day, I covered my swollen eyes with sunglasses and parked my car outside a dessert shop. Sophia wore her work uniform. When she saw me, her eyes lit up at first, then she lowered her head dejectedly. She brought me coffee and sat down across from me. Her smile was forced as she spoke carefully. “Charlotte, I know you’re angry with me. I’m sorry. I know you’ve been good to me. All these years, thanks to you…” “Look, I’m working now. Everything I owe you, I’ll definitely pay back…” I couldn’t help but sneer as I looked at her. She was just a baker, yet she wore jewelry worth hundreds of thousands of dollars. “Pay me back? With your current job?” Sophia froze. She had gotten married right after graduation and became a housewife. Her former husband had treated her decently, indulging her every whim. Combined with my unconditional support, Sophia’s life had been smooth sailing. Until six months ago, when her husband cheated with his secretary. Within two months, he had divided their assets and kicked her out. If I hadn’t arrived in time, she might have starved on the streets. She wanted to start a new life, but years of being disconnected from society made it hard for her to handle ordinary jobs. Fortunately, as a housewife she had enjoyed studying baking, so she applied to be a baker at this dessert shop. I said nothing, just gestured with my hand. The shop manager walked over respectfully and stood before me. “Ms. Smith, you’re here.” Sophia’s face went white, her eyes widening. I removed my sunglasses and spoke coolly. “After your divorce, you had a breakdown until you said you wanted to work and start a new life.” “Sophia, you’re not stupid. Why didn’t you wonder why you kept getting rejected everywhere, but then this dessert shop just happened to hire you—a baker with zero work experience?” “I gave you everything I had. Is this how you repay me?” Sophia’s eyelashes trembled as tears fell. Her voice shook badly. “I didn’t know… I didn’t know…” She suddenly grabbed my hand. “But he’s good to me. He loves me. Charlotte, you’re so capable—you’ll be fine without anyone. But I can’t.” “You said before that you’d share everything you have with me. I don’t want anything else anymore. I just want him, okay?” I looked at her quietly. We’d known each other since we were three—twenty-five years of friendship. In this moment, it became unrecognizable. “Since childhood, I’ve given you whatever you wanted.” “But Sophia, taking without asking—that’s stealing.”

When Ethan arrived, he saw Sophia nearly kneeling at my feet, crying hysterically. His expression changed. He strode over quickly and without a word pulled her up and shielded her behind him. His face was iron as he looked at me, almost grinding his teeth. “Charlotte, I told you if you have a problem, come at me. Don’t make things difficult for her.” “How much has she spent of your money all these years? Name your price. I’ll settle it all at once.” I looked at him and laughed coldly. “Mr. Hayes, you really are wealthy and generous. Unfortunately, what you two owe me can never be repaid in this lifetime.” Ethan’s face changed. He opened his mouth to retort, but then Sophia suddenly shouted, “Enough!” Her body trembled slightly, yet she lifted her head to look at me. “Charlotte, you owe me this. I don’t care if you resent me or hate me—I won’t give up. From now on, between you and me, we’re even.” She took off her work apron and took Ethan’s hand. The two of them left without looking back. I sat by the window. Outside, two girls in school uniforms passed by sharing an ice cream cone, laughing and chatting happily. Something felt cool on my face. I reached up and realized I was crying without knowing when it had started. Sophia and I met when we were three and had been inseparable from elementary school through college. Ever since I could remember, my parents had been in constant fights. They never divorced because they couldn’t agree on terms. Neither wanted to be burdened with me. Every time they smashed the house to pieces, Sophia would quietly push open the door to help me clean up the mess, then pull me away without a word and make me sit at her family’s dinner table. The year I graduated, Sophia sold her gold bracelet to scrape together my tuition. She licked her ice cream carelessly. “Hey, my grades aren’t great, but yours are so good—it’d be such a waste if you didn’t go to school.” “Don’t cry, Charlotte. I could tell long ago that you’re exceptional. When you get rich someday, just remember to buy me ten gold bracelets.” In my teenage years, Sophia was my first hero, the most important person in my life. When I got home, all traces of them were gone. I stared at the empty house in a daze. When I bought this place, I had set aside a room for Sophia. Back then, Ethan had been a bit unhappy about it. I just smiled and said it was my promise. At her wedding, I was the only bridesmaid. After catching the bouquet, I made her a promise: As long as I was here, she would always have a home to return to. But now, the one without a home was me. Ethan’s things were still in the house, things he hadn’t taken with him. Our competition certificates from college. Photos from our trips together. Matching toothbrushes in the bathroom. The blanket left on the couch and the unfinished book on the coffee table. When I closed my eyes, I could almost see how the two of them had rolled around on this couch together. I covered my mouth and rushed to the bathroom to dry heave, as if trying to empty my insides. Looking up at myself in the mirror, I looked haggard and unfamiliar. Ethan was my college classmate and teammate in entrepreneurship competitions. The day he confessed, his usually cold face was unusually flushed. “Charlotte, you’re the smartest and strongest girl I’ve ever met. Give me a chance to take care of you.” After graduation, I gained experience at a listed company, then quickly seized opportunities to start my own business. Ethan had helped me tremendously. He was my comrade-in-arms, my intimate lover. Because of him, I tried hard to move past my childhood trauma and attempted to accept and build a family. I had truly planned to spend my life with him. I looked at the face in the mirror and slowly clenched my fist. They had once been my reason for living, the goal I fought for with everything I had. Yet they had dealt me the most fatal blow. Why? So I took out my phone and dialed a number I hadn’t contacted in a long time.

Three days after making that call, Ethan stormed into my office in a rage. He slammed the door with earth-shattering force. “Charlotte, did you go to Sophia’s parents?” “Her mother called last night and scolded her for a full hour, saying she’s ungrateful, saying she’s wronged you. Sophia cried on the phone until she nearly fainted. Are you satisfied now?” I laughed lightly. “You two dare to do it but are afraid of others knowing?” Yet my heart ached sharply. I had always remembered how good the Morrison family had been to me. Over the years, I’d earned money and paid them back ten, even a hundred times over. Mrs. Morrison had apologized to me on the phone, her voice trembling with anxiety. But the person who should apologize most had said nothing. Ethan took a deep breath and suddenly calmed down. “Charlotte, I’m giving you one last chance. Apologize to Sophia right now, and I can pretend this never happened.” I felt like I’d heard the world’s biggest joke. “Apologize? I’m not the one who should be apologizing.” His face went cold. “Starting today, I’m terminating all cooperation with you. The East District project you’re pushing forward—the partner happens to be my contact. You know that without me, that project won’t go through.” “I’m giving you three days to think about it. Charlotte, you’ve been smart your whole life. Don’t be stupid now.” I watched his retreating figure, and the last trace of warmth in my heart vanished without a trace. When Ethan was good to someone, he’d offer them all the treasures in the world. But once he turned his back, he was truly ruthless. He did exactly what he said. Overnight, all partners withdrew their funding. The project stalled. The entire company was in turmoil. But I didn’t beg him. Ten years ago, I had no parents and clawed my way to success on my own. Ten years later, I could still carve out a bloody path forward. A month later, I received a message from Sophia. [Charlotte, Ethan and I are getting married next month. You’re the most important person in my life. I hope to have your blessing. I know I’ve wronged you, but I’m begging you, one last time, okay?] I glanced at it and continued with my meeting without replying. On the wedding day, I still showed up on time. Sophia stood beside Ethan like a delicate bird, her eyes full of sweet happiness. When they saw me, both their faces changed color. The hall full of guests suddenly fell silent. My relationship with Ethan over the years had never been a secret. In just six months, the bride had changed. Ethan instinctively moved in front of her, his eyes guarded. Sophia looked at me, tears shimmering in her eyes. “Charlotte… I…” I looked at the two of them and smiled softly. “Don’t be nervous. I promised I wouldn’t miss each other’s most important moments.” “So today, I came to give you a wedding gift.” Behind me, the large screen playing sweet wedding vlogs suddenly went black.

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I was sitting in first class on my flight home when a blanket suddenly hit my leg, thrown from the seat in front of me. A flight attendant hurried over and crouched down, her face full of apology: “I’m so sorry, ma’am. Miss Foster says she prefers quiet and can’t stand having any noise around her.” “She’s willing to add $100 to have you move to economy. Would that work for you?” I set down my water glass and smiled slightly, throwing the blanket back with force: “I’ll add $101 for her to move instead.” The blanket hit the person in front square in the face. The woman shot up, pointing at me furiously: “Who do you think you are, refusing my offer? Do you know who I am? My boyfriend Peyton owns this entire airline!” “Let me make this clear—if you don’t move, I’ll have the whole airline blacklist you. You’ll never set foot on a plane again in your life!” I raised an eyebrow, amused. Peyton? Wasn’t that my childhood friend I’m engaged to? So this was the spoiled little homewrecker that Aunt Caroline kept telling me to come back and deal with? 0

“Are you deaf? I told you to go to economy. Did you hear me?” Seeing I hadn’t moved, Chloe Foster pointed at me angrily. I smiled. “Miss, I was sitting here minding my own business when you threw a blanket at me and tried to insult me with $100. Why should I move?” “Besides, I added a dollar more than you. Why don’t you move?” Hearing my words, the flight attendant beside us drew a sharp breath. “Ma’am, Mr. Reeves specifically instructed us to accommodate Miss Foster’s requests. How about you name a compensation, and we’ll make it happen.” Chloe looked utterly smug: “You hear that? I’m carrying the Reeves family heir right now. The entire Reeves family has to cater to me!” I sat down and pulled the blanket over my legs, putting my earphones back on. “This is my seat. I’m not going anywhere.” Chloe turned angrily to the flight attendant: “Are you all blind? Every other seat in first class is empty! Use your brain—obviously Peyton booked the whole cabin for me!” “Strip her and throw her out! Let her learn what happens when you trespass in first class!” The flight attendant looked troubled. Even though Mr. Reeves had given instructions, this demand was unreasonable. I looked up, staring at Chloe with a hint of challenge: “What makes you think only you can have Peyton book tickets?” Chloe’s eyes paused for a moment. “You… what do you mean?” She turned to the flight attendant: “Check her ticket! If she’s not supposed to be here, call the police and have her arrested!” The flight attendant quickly opened the system panel and typed my name rapidly. Then she replied with some awkwardness: “Miss Foster, Ms. Williams’s seat is valid. It also shows it was booked through the Reeves family internally.” I smiled inwardly. Caroline had booked this ticket for me long ago. Chloe’s eyes filled with panic. “Are you Peyton’s… new mistress?” “Shameless! Trying to seduce Peyton while I’m pregnant! I just got rid of one, and now another shows up!” “This time I’ll make sure you homewreckers learn your lesson!” Her hand rose in the air, about to strike down. I grabbed her wrist: “Peyton’s engagement next month isn’t to you, is it?” “You’d better figure out your own position before you speak!” I twisted her wrist and returned the favor with a sharp slap. The sound echoed throughout the first-class cabin. Chloe covered her face in disbelief. No one had ever dared treat her this way. “So what if Peyton has a fiancée? The unloved one is the real mistress!” “Even if his fiancée were standing right here, I’d say the same thing!” Her face flushed red as she tried to think of a comeback. Just then, the flight attendant stepped forward to support her: “Miss Foster, there’s turbulence—you can’t move around. You’re pregnant. Please sit down safely.” “There’s a rest area in the cockpit. Let me help you there.” The flight attendant knew she couldn’t offend either party, so she simply separated us. Chloe left cursing under her breath. First class was finally mine alone. My ears could finally have some peace. When the plane landed, I was pushing my luggage through the VIP corridor when I was suddenly surrounded by a group of tall, burly men in black. “That’s her! She slapped me on the plane! Lock her in a room!” Chloe appeared with this group of men. At her command, the men in black immediately pressed down hard on my shoulders. I couldn’t break free. Chloe sneered: “These are all personal bodyguards Peyton assigned to me. Every one of them is an expert. Think you can move now?” “Today I’m going to teach you homewreckers a lesson myself. I’ll slap you a hundred times, then tear your mouth apart so you’ll remember!” Her face was full of vindictive satisfaction as she raised her hand high. Just then, a male voice rang out: “Stop!” It was Peyton. 0

“Baby, what’s going on? Why are you doing this yourself?” Peyton walked to Chloe’s side with a concerned expression. “You’re pregnant. Don’t upset yourself.” He glanced at me surrounded by the men in black and suddenly froze. “Vivian, what are you doing back?” Chloe asked in confusion: “Baby, who is she?” She stamped her foot, about to throw a tantrum, but Peyton quickly soothed her. “Baby, she’s just a childhood friend. She’s been abroad for three years. We barely keep in touch anymore. Don’t misunderstand.” He then looked at me. “Vivian, perfect timing. Let me introduce you—this is my girlfriend, Chloe Foster.” I looked at him incredulously. “Your girlfriend Chloe Foster? Then what am I to you?” “Have you forgotten we’re getting engaged next month?” A contemptuous smile flashed across Peyton’s face. “Vivian, we both know this is a business arrangement. Since when do business marriages involve real feelings?” “Chloe is already carrying my child. She’s mine now. From now on, we each do our own thing. On the surface, we’re still one family. Isn’t that fine?” I laughed at his words. Everyone knew the Williams family maintained strict standards and would never tolerate such behavior from their descendants. “Peyton, has your brain been eaten by pigs during the years I’ve been gone?” With Peyton backing her, Chloe’s face grew more arrogant. “No wonder you were so bold. You’re just an arranged match, not someone truly loved.” “Baby, you know what? She hit me on the plane. Look, my face is still red.” Chloe pouted like she’d suffered a great injustice. “How dare she?” Peyton frowned. Chloe glared at me viciously. “Baby, stand up for me. I want to slap her back!” She raised her hand high, but Peyton stopped her again. “She’s still the Williams family’s eldest daughter. We can’t hit her. Besides, what if you hurt yourself and the baby?” Chloe’s eyes shifted. “Fine, for your sake, I won’t hit her.” “Just make her kneel and apologize to me. Then I’ll forgive her. Let her know who the real mistress of the Reeves family is.” Peyton’s expression darkened as he nodded. “Vivian, it seems there’s been some misunderstanding between you and Chloe.” “Just do as Chloe says. Once you clear up the misunderstanding, our engagement next week will proceed as planned.” I laughed coldly. “How about this—I’ll give her one chance. If she kneels and apologizes to me, I’ll consider letting her go.” Before I came back, Caroline told me how she planned to handle Chloe. That method was far harsher than anything I could imagine. Peyton’s voice turned stern: “Vivian Williams, don’t push it. Chloe is pregnant, and you hit her. You’re the one at fault.” “Chloe has already been reasonable and made concessions. You should be grateful, not ungrateful.” I shook my head. “Seems you really have lost your mind. Forget about me apologizing.” Peyton’s face grew serious. “Vivian Williams, if you insist, then I’ll have to cancel the engagement.” His tone carried an unquestionable authority. Hearing this, Chloe’s eyes flashed with secret delight. I sneered inwardly. Business marriages weren’t so easily canceled. I said coldly: “Peyton, have you forgotten? If you don’t marry me, you can’t inherit the family business.” 0

“Baby, is this true?” Chloe’s face flashed with unease as she quickly looked up at Peyton. Peyton scoffed, his voice dripping with disdain: “Vivian Williams, don’t think you can threaten me with that.” “Recently, my own company has already turned millions in profit. At this rate, within ten years, my assets will match the entire Reeves family.” “I negotiated every business deal myself, without using any family resources or connections.” “I can make my own decisions now. I don’t need to depend on anyone anymore.” He lifted his head, his face full of arrogance. I remembered one night last year when Caroline suddenly contacted me. She said Peyton was insisting on starting a business. Worried he’d lose confidence if his first venture failed, she specifically reached out to me, his fiancée. She repeatedly instructed me not to reveal any connection to the Reeves family. I contacted my classmates abroad, and my father also asked some distant business partners to work with Peyton. That’s how we helped Peyton earn his company’s first bucket of gold. Thinking about it now was laughable. “Peyton, does Caroline know about all this?” Anger flashed in Peyton’s eyes. “Vivian Williams, trying to use my mother to pressure me again!” “That’s been your only move since childhood. Besides this, what else can you do?” “I’ve been controlled by my mother and lectured by you since I was young. I’ve had enough!” “From now on, Reeves family matters are none of your business. I decide who becomes the mistress of the Reeves family!” Chloe’s eyes lit up like stars. “Baby, you’re a real man!” She looked at me provocatively. “My baby is the Reeves family’s only heir. Who else would control the Reeves family if not him?” I lowered my eyes. Uncle Reeves died young, and Caroline had struggled alone to support the business all these years. I’d seen it all. The Williams and Reeves families had intermarried for generations. Several generations of my family’s relationships and interests were deeply intertwined with the Reeves family. If this marriage fell apart because of me, my conscience couldn’t bear it. “Peyton, I’m giving you one last chance.” “Not only must Chloe Foster kneel and apologize to me, you must kneel and apologize too. Not just to me, but to my entire family.” “As long as you apologize, I’ll pretend today never happened. Otherwise, don’t blame me for not warning you about the consequences.” Peyton looked contemptuous. “I’ve seen through you since childhood. Besides threatening with family, what else can you do?” I looked calmly at them both and took out my phone, asking one last time: “Will you kneel or not?” Chloe laughed out loud. “You’re just humiliating yourself.” She turned to Peyton. “Baby, she’s like a mad dog. Let’s go.” I didn’t hesitate and made the call. I said calmly to the person on the other end: “Chloe Foster is indeed a fool, just as you said.” Chloe stopped in her tracks. “She’s rude and brainless, completely unfit for any elite family.” Chloe’s eyes widened in disbelief as she stared at me. “As you suggested, we should cut her tendons, exile her to River City, make her undocumented, so she can never come back.” Chloe flew into a rage and rushed forward to snatch my phone. She screamed at the person on the line: “Who the hell do you think you are?!” “Do you dare tell me your name? I’ll have someone deal with you tonight, kick you out of River City forever! You won’t even have a place for your ashes when you die!” Peyton rushed forward to hold her. “Baby, don’t get upset. She’s just scaring you. As long as I’m here, no one can touch you.” I took my phone back and put it on speaker. The voice on the other end exploded like firecrackers: “Peyton! This is the little homewrecker you found!” Peyton’s pupils dilated, and after a long moment, his throat produced a sound: “…Mom?!” 0

Hearing Peyton’s words, Chloe’s face went pale, her panic visible to the naked eye. “What? That was… your mother?” “I… I just cursed at her. What do I do now?” She frantically reached for the phone, stammering incoherently: “No, Caroline, that’s not what I meant… Please let me explain…” But I’d already hung up the call, leaving her no chance to explain. Peyton quickly supported the trembling Chloe, speaking gently: “Chloe, don’t blame yourself. I know you didn’t mean it.” His tone shifted as he looked at me with fury: “Vivian Williams, you’re so scheming! You deliberately provoked her into saying those things.” “Your words were so vicious—cutting tendons and all that. Anyone would have reacted. This isn’t Chloe’s fault at all.” He turned back to comfort Chloe: “Baby, don’t worry. I’ll explain everything to my mother. She’ll understand.” I sneered coldly: “She said those words herself. No one forced her.” “Besides, what makes you so sure your mother will forgive her?” Peyton looked like his pride had been wounded, furious: “Vivian Williams, you think making Chloe look bad will make me look at you? Dream on!” Just then, a rumbling sound came from the sky, and a gust of wind made everyone squint. A helicopter slowly descended. Caroline, wearing sunglasses and high heels, stepped off the aircraft with commanding presence. She walked straight to Peyton and without a word delivered a resounding slap. “Apologize to Vivian!” Peyton was knocked to the ground. Next, Caroline’s expression turned cold as she approached Chloe. Chloe trembled all over, nearly curling into a ball. Caroline raised her hand high. “Mom!” Peyton rushed forward to intervene. “Chloe is carrying my child. You can’t hit her!” “Pregnant?” Caroline seemed to laugh in anger, her eyes contemptuous: “Little homewrecker, you think you can enter the Reeves family with such tactics?” “I’ve seen plenty of calculating climbers like you when I was young.” Peyton gripped Caroline’s hand tightly, explaining urgently: “Mom, it’s not what you think.” “Chloe is gentle by nature. She only misspoke because Vivian Williams set her up. When she visited you before, wasn’t she always polite?” Caroline glanced at Chloe, who was pretending to be pitiful, and gestured dismissively to her assistant. The assistant immediately stepped forward with a tablet, playing surveillance footage from the first-class cabin. The screen showed Chloe ordering the flight attendant around arrogantly, acting completely unreasonable and saying outrageous things to me. Caroline said coldly: “The Reeves family has always been low-key and courteous, never mistreating others. We have a good reputation in our circles.” “But here she is, a mistress with no status, already using the Reeves name to throw her weight around. She didn’t even know Vivian’s identity and dared to be so presumptuous, trampling all over the rightful heir. If she actually gained any connection to the Reeves family, who knows what trouble she’d cause!” She crossed her arms, her tone brooking no argument: “Peyton, I don’t care about your past entanglements.” “Choose now—either marry Vivian and inherit the family business, or take her and get out of the Reeves family.”

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On the day of my prenatal checkup, I discovered that my husband had booked me a post-miscarriage care package instead of a postpartum recovery suite. I was about to laugh it off as a mistake when he said flatly: “I didn’t get it wrong. Actually, there’s something I need to come clean about.” “I’ve been keeping a college student on the side. She’s pregnant, and I’ve already put her through enough. I can’t let her child suffer too.” My voice trembled uncontrollably: “Are you planning to divorce me and marry her?” He smiled and said: “No. You’ll be my only wife for life. Besides, your parents are dead. Where would you even go if we divorced?” “I just want you to adopt Nina’s child. I’m having you abort yours because I’m worried you’d favor your own child later and mistreat mine and Nina’s.” He calmly handed me the surgical consent form: “Be good. I promise, you’ll always be Mrs. Turner.” I looked at him deeply, then turned and staggered toward the operating room. “No need. Ethan Turner, I hope you never regret the decision you’re making today.” He didn’t know that in this world, I was the only one who could bear children for him—a man cursed with azoospermia and sterility.

I woke up three days later. The first words I heard were: “Mr. Turner, you really took a huge risk this time. Not only did you force the abortion of an eight-month fetus, but you also demanded her uterus be removed at the same time. Your wife almost bled out—we nearly lost her.” Ethan’s indifferent voice responded: “I promised Nina that I’d only ever have one child in this lifetime—hers and mine. The safest way to ensure that is to have Sophia’s uterus removed so she can’t conceive again.” His gaze swept over and met mine directly. Ethan showed no sign of panic. He reached over to tuck the blanket around me, saying with a touch of helplessness: “You heard? I had no choice. Nina said that only if the wife is disabled and unable to bear children can we legally adopt. Since you needed the abortion anyway, I figured I’d have your uterus removed at the same time. Save you from going through another surgery.” Seeing tears in my eyes, he gently wiped them away, saying with slight mockery: “I didn’t expect removing the uterus during pregnancy would cause hemorrhaging. Lucky for you, the elite gynecologist I hired for Nina was already at the hospital. You benefited from Nina’s good fortune and survived.” My whole body trembled as I mustered all my strength to slap his face. My heart felt like it was tearing apart: “Ethan, you’re not human.” But my hand only grazed his cheek weakly, leaving not even a red mark. A petite figure suddenly screamed and rushed over, slapping me hard across the face. I fell back onto the bed, the oxygen tube slipping off as I gasped for air. Looking up, I saw a young woman with tears in her eyes, standing in front of Ethan, shouting at me: “How dare you hit him! Do you know he’s been standing guard outside the ICU for three whole days because of you? If I hadn’t brought him nutrition meals every day, he would’ve collapsed.” “The man I care so deeply about—why should he be your tool for venting your emotions?” I didn’t miss the flash of emotion and tenderness in Ethan’s eyes. I had seen that look before. It was the same look he gave me when I got alcohol poisoning from drinking on his behalf and miscarried our first child. It was the same look when debt collectors threatened to chop off his hand, and I knelt crying and begging them, pawning my mother’s only keepsake to buy his freedom. I had done so much for him. But in the end, it couldn’t compare to a single tear from his new love. My heart felt like it was being stabbed with a dull knife, over and over. I propped myself up, looking at their affectionate display, and laughed bitterly: “Should I be grateful to him then? Grateful that for you, he aborted my full-term baby, secretly removed my uterus, nearly killed me, yet still deigned to stay by my bedside until I woke up?” Nina’s tears fell like broken pearls. She stared at me stubbornly: “It’s all my fault, okay?! I’m the one who hurt you! I’ll atone for it, okay?!” Like a madwoman, she shoved Ethan aside, grabbed the fruit knife from my bedside table, and thrust it toward her own belly: “I’ll cut out my baby and my uterus right now to make it up to you, okay?!” Ethan grabbed her tightly, gripping the knife handle as blood dripped down continuously. He looked up at me coldly, frozen in shock: “Sophia, are you satisfied now?” He carefully lifted the unconscious Nina in his arms and left without looking back, leaving only one sentence: “Seems I’ve been too good to you, making you think you can do whatever you want. Since that’s the case, you’d better learn what suffering really means.” I watched his retreating figure, laughing through my tears. The man who once promised to cherish me forever and never let me suffer had finally died in the passage of time. Ethan’s bodyguard coldly dragged me up and threw me out the door. “Starting today, everything Mr. Turner gave you will be taken back. If you want to keep staying in this hospital room…” I smiled bitterly and turned to leave. “No need. I don’t want anything from Ethan anymore.” My phone and wallet were all confiscated. Because they were all things Ethan had given me. Penniless, I stood on the street, desperately trying to flag down a car to take me home. But every time a kind person stopped, Ethan’s bodyguard would dutifully say: “If you’re not afraid of offending Mr. Turner of Empire Group, go ahead and let her in your car.” They would shake their heads helplessly at me and quickly drive away. The bodyguard looked at my barely-standing body and said coldly: “Mr. Turner asked me to tell you, this is what happens when you defy him and refuse to obey. If you’re willing to apologize to Miss White and agree to personally care for her during her pregnancy, he’ll have me take you home.” I turned a deaf ear, simply started walking step by step toward home.

Blood dripped down my thighs onto the asphalt road, drawing sideways glances from passersby. But I was completely numb, walking step by step until darkness fell and I finally reached my front door. The brightly lit room drove away the cold of the deep night. I raised my already frozen fingers and entered the passcode, but was met with an error beep. I gritted my teeth and entered the code again and again, the system repeatedly telling me it was wrong. Finally, the maid, annoyed beyond patience, strode over and opened the door, saying coldly: “Ma’am, stop trying. Until you apologize to sir, you can’t use anything sir bought.” “This house was bought by sir. If you don’t apologize, you can’t come in.” She looked me up and down and sneered: “If you ask me, just apologize already. What kind of status does Mr. Turner have? There are plenty of women out there waiting to take your place. Look at yourself—no family background, no looks. Over thirty and now you can’t even have children…” “He has another woman pregnant outside, and he still hasn’t divorced you. He’s already being good to you. What are you making a fuss about…” I interrupted her softly: “I won’t go in. I just need to get one thing.” The maid choked, then said sarcastically: “Everything you own was bought by Mr. Turner. What could possibly belong to you? You’re not planning to steal Mr. Turner’s jewelry and bags to sell, are you?” I said calmly: “I just want to get my medical test results. Is that not allowed?” The maid rolled her eyes, went upstairs, and threw down a manila envelope at me. I picked up the envelope and looked at the azoospermia report with Ethan’s name on it, smiling silently. This was the pre-marital medical examination report from when Ethan and I got married ten years ago. The moment I received the test results, my feelings were mixed. I didn’t know how to tell Ethan about this. Proud as he was, how could he accept being a defective man? How would his peers use this to suppress him? But fortunately, the doctor told me a secret—my physiology was special. I could activate Ethan’s inactive sperm and conceive. “Miss Cole, Mr. Turner is truly blessed to marry you. You’re the only person with such a special constitution I’ve ever encountered…” I had thought I would bury this secret in my heart forever and never let Ethan know. But I never imagined that one day, I would have to reveal this secret myself. I took out the little change in my pocket, made more than a dozen copies of this document, and handed them to a courier. Each copy had the address of a company hostile to Ethan and the private contact information of those CEOs. I said softly: “Please deliver these as quickly as possible. Just tell them this is a gift from Mrs. Turner. They’ll definitely give you a generous tip.” Ethan, this is my final gift to you before I leave. I hope you like it. Leaving the marital home Ethan and I shared, I returned to the small studio apartment where we lived when we started our business ten years ago. Back then we were dirt poor, living only in the most run-down rental in the urban village. The environment was terrible, but we were happy then. Too poor to afford anything but instant noodles, Ethan would lie and say he’d eaten well at business dinners, dumping both portions into my bowl. And late at night I’d see him standing at the sink, drinking glass after glass of tap water to fill his stomach. Our wedding ceremony was held in that shabby rental too. No banquet, just a plain silver ring that cost less than a thousand dollars. This place meant everything to me. So even after we moved to a luxury villa worth a hundred thousand per square meter, I secretly bought that rental property, fantasizing that when Ethan and I grew old, we’d move back there to live. I never imagined that one day, when my marriage to Ethan ended, I would return to where we first began.

I turned the doorknob and pushed open the door to see two intertwined figures on the sofa. And the matching couple’s pajamas I had treasured in the closet—the ones Ethan and I once wore—were now on Ethan and Nina. My mind went blank. I couldn’t control my questioning: “Ethan! How could you bring her here! You know this is our—” Before I could finish, Nina had already efficiently slapped herself across the face. With a swollen face, she stood in front of Ethan, glaring at me with tears: “Mrs. Turner, I just wanted to understand Ethan’s past life, so I begged him to bring me here.” “If you’re unhappy, I can kneel and apologize to you. Just please stop hurting him.” Ethan was heartbroken. He cupped her face, blowing on it repeatedly. He looked coldly at the bodyguard. The bodyguard behind me immediately grabbed my arms. His hand like a fan slapped my face hard. Over and over, my ears rang. I don’t know how long it lasted before they finally stopped and released me. I fell to the floor. Ethan looked at me with an expressionless face: “Sophia, why do you insist on making yourself miserable? If you’re not feeling well, just go home and rest. Why did you have to follow us here to cause trouble?” I smiled bitterly: “Go home? Do I still have a home? Is it even my home anymore?” I looked at him with red eyes, tears mixing with nosebleed dripping on the floor: “Ethan, why did you bring her here…” “You can fool around with her anywhere you want! Why did you have to defile this place!” “The thirty-year-old Ethan is already rotten to the core. Why do you have to destroy the only memory the twenty-year-old Ethan left me?” Ethan’s eyes flickered for a moment, but then turned to anger: “I’m rotten to the core? How am I rotten? Sophia, don’t forget—if it weren’t for me, you’d be stuck in this cramped rental for life!” “Don’t forget, the money you used to buy this place came from my account! This place belongs to me too! I can do whatever I want with it!” He laughed bitterly in anger: “You say I’m defiling this place by coming here?! Forget defiling it—even if I blow up this dump, it’s none of your business.” He had his men drag me out and placed several pounds of explosives outside the shabby building. With one command, the house that held our only happy memories together was reduced to rubble. In the flames filling the sky, my tears wouldn’t stop falling. Ethan stared at the tears on my face. His anger dissipated somewhat, his tone cold: “Sophia, what do I have to say to make you understand?” “I gave you the status of Mrs. Turner. I let you live in the best villa. I let you carry bags worth hundreds of thousands. Even the clothes you’re wearing now are haute couture that ordinary people could never afford in their lifetime. Haven’t I been good enough to you?!” “You’re already thirty years old. You’re not young anymore. Do you really expect me to still love an aging you?” “I give you the dignity of being my wife, I give you a comfortable life. All you need to do is turn a blind eye and accept Nina and the child. Is that so hard?” I met his gaze and said word by word: “I’m not willing.” “Ethan, you’ve erased everything we had with your own hands.” “Let’s divorce.” Anger and irritation flashed in Ethan’s eyes. He looked at me and said flatly: “Divorce? Impossible. Even if I don’t love you anymore, you’re still my most important person. I won’t divorce you.” He looked at me, saying each word clearly: “Sophia, I’ve never wronged you. If anyone’s been wronged, it’s Nina—I couldn’t give her a proper status, making her stay with me without name or title in her best years.” “I was going to give you some dignity, but I didn’t expect you to be so unreasonable, making things this ugly.” He turned around, knelt on one knee, pulled out a huge pigeon-egg diamond ring from his pocket, and said affectionately to Nina: “Nina, I regret meeting you so late.” “I can’t give you a proper status in this lifetime, but I want to give you the grandest wedding and let everyone know you’re the one I love most.” Nina covered her mouth, her eyes reddening, but she still turned her head away, looking dejected: “I can’t accept! I love you, so I’m willing to put aside my self-respect and degrade myself to be your mistress, but I don’t want everyone to know I’m your mistress!” “Unless…” She turned to look at me: “Unless Mrs. Turner witnesses our wedding and admits in front of everyone that the unloved one is the real mistress, that she’s the third wheel!”

I looked expressionlessly at the malice in the young woman’s eyes. Seeing my silence, Ethan said coldly: “Sophia, don’t forget—your parents’ ashes are buried in the cemetery I bought.” “You wouldn’t want them to end up like this house… would you?” My heart felt like a huge chunk had been carved out with a knife. Even breathing tasted like blood. I slowly nodded. “Fine. I’ll go.” Nina broke into a smile and threw herself into Ethan’s arms. He took Nina to order wedding dresses and book the venue. Before leaving, he paused. Rarely, he explained to me peacefully: “Sophia, it’s just a wedding. It won’t shake your position as Mrs. Turner.” I said calmly: “Okay.” He looked at me deeply, finally showing a smile: “You don’t need to take care of Nina during this time. Rest well in the hospital. After the baby is born, we’ll take the child on a family trip. Consider it my compensation to you.” I still calmly said okay. Only then did Ethan leave satisfied. On the wedding day, Ethan was afraid I’d cause trouble, so he had bodyguards take me to the dressing room early to watch over me. Nina acted coquettishly, saying her wedding dress was too heavy and she couldn’t put on her shoes. “Mrs. Turner, help me out.” Ethan frowned slightly, instinctively looking at me. I lowered my eyes, knelt down, lifted the wedding dress, and helped her put on her shoes. Ethan looked at me with a complicated expression, pursing his lips as if wanting to say something, but Nina pushed him. “Honey, I’m thirsty. Go get me some orange juice.” Hearing this, Ethan smiled and ruffled her hair, then turned and walked out. As soon as he left, Nina kicked me in the chest. She looked at me mockingly and said: “Sophia, you don’t think I’m some gold digger clinging to a rich man, do you?” “You probably don’t know—Ethan and I have been in love for nearly ten years too.” Seeing the shock in my eyes, she smiled viciously: “Ethan said I was too young and shouldn’t suffer with him, so he only dated me while marrying you.” “He was afraid of wronging me. The first money he earned, he told you was taken by debt collectors, but actually he bought me designer bags. Every time I felt wronged, he’d have those people come to your house and stage debt collection scenes, taking the money to buy me bags.” “One million eight hundred thousand in total. Oh, and there was a worthless bracelet that I threw away.” My whole body trembled uncontrollably. One million eight hundred thousand—that was the money I earned over those years to pay off Ethan’s debts. At my most exhausted, I even collapsed on the assembly line and nearly got pulled into the machinery. When Ethan found out, he held me trembling, saying it was his fault. How ridiculous that I comforted him then, smiling and saying I didn’t blame him… It was all fake! He’d been lying to me all along! Nina kept chattering: “Later when you got pregnant, I was so angry I wouldn’t let him touch me. So he staged a scene with business partners, getting you so drunk you miscarried. You don’t even know—when you were unconscious in the operating room, he was calling me, begging me not to be angry at him.” These words hit me like a bludgeon. Everything went dark before my eyes. Nina’s face suddenly turned vicious, full of resentment as she looked at me: “But he loves me so much, yet still won’t divorce you and marry me!” “You’re just relying on Ethan’s soft heart and sentimentality, relying on the fact that you suffered through his startup days with him to suppress me.” She suddenly laughed: “Tell me—if Ethan knew you hurt the child in my belly, would he still care about that bit of history between you two?” All my hair stood on end. I immediately turned to run out. Behind me, Nina grabbed a champagne bottle and smashed it hard against her own belly, screaming. “Ethan! Save me!” The dressing room door was kicked open by Ethan. He grabbed my wrist and threw me to the floor. His eyes were bloodshot as he looked at Nina collapsed on the ground, blood spreading from under her dress. “It wasn’t me…” My explanation was choked off by Ethan’s hand around my throat. His eyes blood-red, he roared at me: “Sophia! You won’t even spare a child! You disgust me!!” “You caused Nina to lose her child. Don’t blame me for going after your dead parents.” Through my terrified, agonized tears, he directly ordered: “Dig up Sophia’s parents’ graves. Grind their bones to dust and flush them down the sewers.” “No!” I screamed: “Ethan! You maniac! The dressing room has surveillance cameras! Go check them! It wasn’t me!!” Sophia trembled as she stood up, turned and ran toward the window: “Without the child, what’s the point of living? I might as well die!” “Mrs. Turner, frame me however you want!” Ethan’s face changed drastically. He shoved me aside and rushed over to grab Sophia. He looked at me with a cold expression, saying each word clearly: “Sophia, you’ve exhausted the last bit of affection I had for you. For hurting my love and my child, I won’t let you off.” He said coldly: “Send her to prison. Tell the people inside to take good care of her.” “I don’t want her to have a single good day in there.” … Ethan ran red lights all the way to the hospital. He carried Nina and rushed directly into the emergency room: “Save my love and my child! If you can save my child, I’ll donate ten million to your hospital!” The on-duty doctor was startled and stared at Ethan in shock: “Mr. Turner?” He frowned, looking at Ethan, then at Nina lying pale and fragile on the bed. He asked in confusion: “Your child? Mr. Turner, you have azoospermia and are infertile. How could you have a child?”

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My sister, Charlotte, craved living in the moment and had no interest in marriage. And I was greedy for money, so I took Charlotte’s place and married Xavier, who was supposedly ugly and fierce. Rumors spread that he despised me, only because his heart still belonged to his unattainable first love. Finally, after saving enough money, I decided to fake my death and escape. I sent a message to Charlotte, who ran a high-end club in the southern city: “I’m coming to join you—remember to cover for me!” One day, however, my CEO husband shaved his beard and showed up at my door. His appearance was even more handsome than the city’s acknowledged heartthrob. I panicked and tried to flee, but due to our size difference, he caught me in his arms with reddened eyes. It was over. This time, I truly couldn’t escape… My husband Xavier was famous in this city as an iron-faced CEO. He stood six foot two, just past twenty-five, his chin always covered in thick stubble. When he looked at people, his gaze was sharp and piercing. Anyone who caught his eye felt a survivor’s fear. When people saw me following behind him, they couldn’t help but whisper. “A man like that actually managed to get a wife?” “He looks completely unromantic. Life with him must be boring as hell, like being a living widow! Poor Mrs. Xavier…” I broke out in a cold sweat. My husband truly didn’t understand romance. But in bed, he was fierce and relentless, with no restraint. Every night he’d make me cry and beg for mercy before he’d reluctantly stop. “Xavier, no more…” I’d think of sad things to make myself cry, tears streaming down my face, and Xavier couldn’t stand it. He’d stop with a dark expression on his face. He didn’t know how to comfort people. He’d grasp my trembling, snow-white ankle, gently set it down, lean over to kiss my forehead, his voice hoarse: “Stop crying.” I was somewhat surprised, because he rarely kissed me. Usually he just closed his eyes and went straight to work. But the next moment, his stubble scraped against my eyelids. The pain made tears stream down my face again. Therefore, I often had red-rimmed eyes, looking frail and delicate. The company was full of rumors that Xavier was abusive. So what if he was powerful in business? Only the most incompetent men beat their wives at home. Feeling guilty, I sniffled and got some anti-swelling ointment from the private doctor, then hurriedly fled. This marriage wasn’t originally my destiny. The person engaged to Xavier was my sister, Charlotte. My name is Natalie, and Charlotte is my half-sister, but we have an excellent relationship. Charlotte had always loved living in the moment, especially fond of handsome, refined men. She’d bet on nine young entrepreneurs who came to this city to start businesses, telling each one reluctantly: “I’ll wait for you to return successful and marry me. If it’s not you, I’ll never marry.” Unfortunately, Charlotte lost every bet and even invested quite a bit of money. She was so angry she came to my room, broke my things, and cried her heart out. I also cried tears of heartache, angry but not daring to speak. “Natalie, what should I do? I really don’t want to marry that Xavier!” “His fierce looks are one thing, but he’s dark and fierce, famous for his bad temper.” I knew Charlotte’s ambition was to open a high-end club, gather all the handsome young men in the world, and live it up every night with fine wine and music. When Charlotte had a sudden inspiration and begged me with her bright, dewy eyes to marry him in her place, I hesitated. “How can I do something so dishonest? If Dad finds out, I’m afraid…” She saw through my hesitation and waved her hand grandly, saying she’d give me a hundred thousand dollars after it was done, plus a share of the dividends when she opened her high-end club in the future. “Alright then, I’ll make an exception for you this once.” I finally agreed. It was nothing more than being a careful, heartbroken lapdog—I was familiar with that role. So we hit it off immediately. She staged a crying bride’s suicide by drowning, but actually secretly ran away, taking the money to the southern city to live carefree. The family had no other daughters of marriageable age, so the burden of the marriage alliance successfully fell on me.

When I first married him, Xavier had no interest in me. He was cold and emotionless. On our wedding night, he still wore his suit, sitting upright, frankly telling me he didn’t go near women and wouldn’t touch me. The very next day after the wedding, he went on a business trip to negotiate a major project and didn’t return for half a year. But I was anxious. Without sparks of passion, how could I conveniently be heartless later? So I was gentle and considerate, deliberately seductive. Finally, on the day of his triumphant return at the celebration banquet, I secretly made him drink spiked wine and seduced him into sleeping with me. In his early twenties, after his first taste of such matters, Xavier became addicted. They say bloodlust and possessiveness go hand in hand—I deeply agreed. Though I found pleasure in suffering, I couldn’t help complaining. “Mr. Xavier doesn’t go near women, so why does he spend every night with me?” He asked in surprise, “I don’t go near women, I only go near my own wife. Married life is natural and proper—what’s wrong with that?” I was speechless, secretly praying in my heart for early liberation. Everyone said Xavier was so cold and heartless because he harbored a first love he’d cherished for years. Only after his first love married someone else did he marry me in a fit of spite. To maintain my infatuated persona, I often clung to Xavier coquettishly. “Other women all have them, so I should too. You’ve never given me a token of love.” This day, he surprisingly caught on and brought me back a diamond-studded Cartier bracelet. I was very happy. When he wasn’t looking, I secretly bit it—sure enough, it was solid. So valuable. He stared at me intently. “What are you thinking about?” I coughed lightly, inexplicably feeling guilty. “Thinking about you.” “I’m right in front of you every day. What do you need to think about me for?” I met his scrutinizing gaze without hesitation, pretending to be wronged. “You’ve accomplished great things, and now your career is thriving. More and more women will surround you. What if one day you look down on me, find me dull and boring—what will I do?” Xavier lowered his eyes, reached out with two fingers to gently pinch the soft flesh of my cheek, and suddenly smiled. “Having you is enough for me. More than that would be too much to handle.” I froze, discovering for the first time that his smile was actually quite attractive. Especially those long eyes hidden behind his full beard—like a hawk’s, piercing straight into the heart. Before I could react, my body was already lifted horizontally by him beyond my control, and even before my clothes were fully removed, I was pressed face-down onto the bed. His fingers were long and beautiful, covering my broken whimpers, his burning chest pressed tightly against my back. With fingers intertwined, consciousness gradually sank and rose in the sea of desire. I thought with a flushed face that in the future, without this bittersweet pleasure, I’d inevitably reminisce. Until this day, he returned from a three-month business trip and came to discuss with me seriously. “Nat, I need to bring someone to stay at home temporarily. She has nowhere to go.” Only then did I learn that after Mr. Sutton failed in the northern market and died suddenly of a heart attack, his wife was brought back to this city by Xavier. That person was his first love—Rebecca White, daughter of the Group’s HR Director. Fair-skinned and beautiful, talented and stunning, she once had countless rich young masters at her feet. Later, she married Xavier’s colleague, Mr. Sutton of Weiyuan Company, and became Xavier’s lifelong regret. That Xavier liked her didn’t surprise me at all. After all, he worked under the HR Director in his early years and had occasional contact with Rebecca White. One glance captured his heart—completely reasonable. My lips trembled lightly, unable to suppress my excitement. “You’re bringing her here?” Xavier shook his head. “Just temporarily. The Sutton family home caught fire earlier and hasn’t been repaired yet. Her family won’t take in a widow, so she wants to stay here for a few days.” “I’ll arrange for her to stay in the guest room next to yours. What do you think, Natalie?” How considerate of him to discuss it with me so politely—how could I not accommodate his wishes? I shook my head tactfully. “I’m afraid of noise. Let Miss White stay in the guest room on the other side instead.” Xavier nodded. “That works. Won’t disturb me and my wife’s intimate time.” When Rebecca White came back, everyone in their circle said I was about to fall out of favor, that Xavier would definitely keep a mistress. Even Rebecca White herself thought so. The day she returned, wearing a plain white dress, she looked like a beauty in distress—breathtakingly gorgeous. “I’ll be staying with you from now on. I’m afraid I’ll be intruding.” I waved my hands repeatedly. “No intrusion at all. Feel free to reminisce with my husband whenever you have time. No need to worry about me.” Rebecca White smiled disdainfully. “Of course I’ll reminisce with Xavier. No need for an outsider like you to remind me.” In her eyes, I was just a gentle, dull, flattering, vulgar woman who fawned over Xavier. But she didn’t know that inside, my heart was growing more excited the more I calculated. This day was finally coming.

That evening, I pretended to have my period and wasn’t feeling well, hiding in my room early. Xavier drank heartily with his colleagues until midnight before the party broke up. Seeing my lights out, he went to sleep in the study alone. But while I pretended to sleep, I had someone watch the guest room. Sure enough, Rebecca White was sitting before her mirror doing her makeup, wearing only a sheer nightgown that revealed glimpses of her cleavage. She asked the housekeeper shyly: “Do you think if I make a move myself, Xavier will accept me?” “Who doesn’t know Mr. Xavier has been deeply in love with you for years? As long as you use a little trick, that petty wife will be replaced by you!” I applauded in my heart, silently praying for her. I quickly packed my already-exchanged bank cards and gold bars, secretly planning what posture to use when catching them tomorrow, how to break down crying. But that night, everyone in the house was awakened from their dreams by a thunderous voice. “What the hell—scared me to death!” After that, there was clearly the sound of something rolling off the bed, followed by a woman’s sobbing, hidden in the darkness. My heart shook. This Xavier really didn’t know how to cherish beauty. Even with his beloved, he dared to play such bold games? The next day, carrying my anxiety, I held my breath and opened the study door. But I saw Xavier sitting upright inside, reading through business proposals, his demeanor completely normal. I was extremely puzzled and returned to the back courtyard. Rebecca White’s face was bruised and swollen, hiding in the guest room crying, no longer looking refined at all. During lunch with Xavier, I was preoccupied and probed tentatively: “Last night, did you hear any sounds?” He frowned. “No. I was drunk and only remember dreaming I was throwing punches. I don’t remember anything else.” I was at a loss for words and could only pick up a piece of cake and put it in my mouth. As soon as I bit down, I felt nauseous. Xavier immediately became displeased and put down his fork. “Is the food not to your taste? Are these chefs useless? Take it away from my wife and remake it!” I covered my chest. Thinking about how I’d been uncomfortable these past few days, probably due to the summer heat, I didn’t pay much attention. A few days later, as Mr. Sutton ‘s bereaved, Rebecca White came to the Group headquarters building with a lawyer. Mr. Sutton ‘s failure in the northern market before his death had caused the company severe losses, but after all, he was a veteran who had worked for the company for many years. After his sudden heart attack death, his wife Rebecca White had been dissatisfied with the company’s handling of the situation. She made a scene at the building’s front desk, demanding to see the chairman, saying she wanted an explanation. The receptionist couldn’t stop her, so ultimately the company’s PR department invited her into the conference room. The chairman came out personally. Rebecca White tearfully complained: “Before he died, my husband said that if something happened to him, Mr. Xavier would take care of me. This was his last wish! Your company can’t just ignore me!” She produced a screenshot of emails between Mr. Sutton and Xavier before his death. The email content was actually ordinary work correspondence, but she twisted it into a promise of care. To calm the situation and avoid a public relations crisis, the chairman finally made a compromise arrangement: Let Rebecca White enter Xavier’s department as an administrative specialist, a nominal position, and temporarily let her live in a guest room owned by the company under the Xavier family name. Thus, Rebecca White transformed into Xavier’s nominal subordinate and moved into the main residence. I looked forward to Xavier’s reaction, but he showed no emotion whatsoever, saying nothing, just expressionlessly accepting the company’s arrangement. That night, which should have been Rebecca White’s first night moving in, Xavier came to my room after his business dinner ended. “Nat, you should be feeling better today, right?” Without a word, he started to untie my sash, his rough palm expertly sliding inside. I couldn’t help but whimper, pushing him away with a flushed face. “I—my period isn’t over yet! Mr. Xavier has a new colleague starting today—why don’t you go romance your new subordinate instead?” Xavier’s expression darkened. “I have no reason to have subordinates living in my home. That was the chairman’s arrangement—I couldn’t refuse.” “Is it really the chairman’s arrangement, or has Xavier had someone in his heart all along, plotting this for a long time?” Seeing the atmosphere was set, I suddenly seemed about to cry. “You don’t need to say anything. I know everything. Since you’ve already transferred your affection elsewhere, why toy with my feelings? Rather than leaving me to guard an empty room, suffering torture.” I took a deep breath. “Why not just give me divorce papers and fulfill your devotion…”

Seeing my evasive gaze, his face showed suspicion. “You’re my wife. Could it be you’re having an affair, wanting to climb a higher branch?” I hastily denied it. “Of course not!” “Then why do you want a divorce?” Xavier’s sharp eyes stared at me intently, as if wanting to see through my heart. My palms were sweating. “I—my ambitions aren’t domestic. I don’t want to be confined by you. Women have their own ideals and aspirations too.” “I see you sleeping, eating, drinking, and playing around all day. I thought you liked it, so I only gave you gold, silver, and jewels. If you have any ideals, I can support you completely. I absolutely won’t stand in your way.” Xavier was clearly angry. Without waiting for me to speak, he pressed me against the wall, fiercely kissing my collarbone, using physical action to punish me. “I don’t want to hear the word ‘divorce’ from your mouth a second time!” I was ordered confined by him. Xavier stormed off angrily. Before leaving, he instructed the servants to watch me carefully, not allowing me to step outside. He placed me under house arrest, not knowing it perfectly suited my plans. I was grief-stricken, biting my pen as I wrote a “Ten Crimes of Xavier,” detailing everything, even criticizing him for not shaving his beard. After finishing my farewell letter, I casually sent Charlotte a message: “I’ve fooled Xavier. Departing immediately. Coming to join you—remember to pick me up, and remember my dividends and handsome men.” That night, I set a fire in my room, eliminating all traces. Afterward, I escaped through a small tunnel I had dug under the back wall. In a place I couldn’t see, a dignified seven-foot man, looking at the ruins burned clean by the fire, cried his heart out—Xavier, who had never shed a tear. But I was completely unaware of all this, humming a tune as I boarded a plane to the south. I cheerfully went to find Charlotte. The moment I saw Charlotte in that southern city, I was stunned. Charlotte now wore brilliant colors, her smile radiant—she was already the famous owner of a high-end club throughout the city. Clearly, she was living extremely well. “Well, well, I didn’t expect you to actually escape. In that case, I’ll reluctantly take you in.” Charlotte proudly showed me around her establishment. I was dumbfounded. The club had three floors. The first floor was ordinary dining and dancing. The second floor was more open—you could drink while watching muscular men perform. The top floor had VIP suites where premium male models entertained guests. “Natalie, you’ve come at just the right time. I’ll lend you my prized possession, but you must promise to help me with something.” Charlotte enthusiastically introduced me to the most handsome mixed-race young man. The young man had a small, reddish mole at the corner of his eye, like a frozen teardrop. I couldn’t help but look twice. However, when he leaned in to kiss me, my face paled and I instinctively dodged. “…Let’s forget it. I’m not in the mood today.” Charlotte pouted, urgently grabbing me. “I don’t care. The person’s already here. Whether you use him is up to you, but you must help me with what you promised!” It turned out that a grand Valentine’s Day gala was coming up, with a spectacular exotic dance as the finale—imported from abroad. But the foreign dancer she’d hired at great expense had run off a month ago to be a wealthy merchant’s kept lover. My mother was a professional dancer, best at this dance. She was foreign, so I was born with mixed-race eyes, looking different from the locals. That’s why she wanted me to substitute. Under someone else’s roof, I had to bow my head. I could only agree, on the condition that I wouldn’t entertain guests. She laughed. “You’re here to keep me company and chat anyway. Besides, I only have male models here—how would I make you entertain guests?” I was given this emergency assignment and rehearsed with the dance troupe for half a month before the Valentine’s Day gala arrived. At nightfall, this city was full of song and dance—a spectacular scene I’d never witnessed in the north. I wore a water-blue exposed-waist dress, with two magnolia flowers tucked low by my temples, pearl-beaded face veils barely covering half my face, and went on stage barefoot. I danced to the musician’s music, my tense movements gradually relaxing. The crowd was full of rowdy catcalls and jokes. In the candlelight, my snow-white, slender waist was on full display—Xavier’s favorite part in the past. Lost in thought, my dance steps unconsciously faltered, and from the corner of my eye I suddenly caught sight of a pair of dark eyes below the stage. That person was both strange and familiar, with a refined face free of any stubble, sharp features—even more handsome than the city’s acknowledged heartthrob. After staring blankly for a long time, I suddenly realized who those eyes belonged to. It was Xavier!

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I am Lila, the only daughter of the Silver Pack Alpha. To secure a century-long alliance between our two packs, I married Ethan, the new Alpha of the Black Pack. Seven months into my pregnancy, while shopping for baby clothes at a maternity store, I saw Ethan tenderly stroking his sister-in-law Seraphina’s swollen belly. Hearing their conversation, my heart ached until I could barely breathe. “Seraphina, thank you for giving me another child. My life as a wolf is complete now.” “It’s my honor to carry your bloodline, my beloved Alpha.” After returning home, I hired a private investigator and uncovered the whole truth. He and Seraphina had been having an affair even before his brother Julian died. Even before marrying me, he had already designated Seraphina’s unborn child as the next Alpha of the Black Pack. I removed the wedding ring that symbolized our political marriage. This was the Alpha who had betrayed me from the very beginning. I didn’t want him anymore. I sensed Ethan’s presence coming from the entryway and pressed my fingers against the corners of my eyes. Ethan wrapped his arms around me from behind, resting his chin in the hollow of my shoulder. He reeked of Seraphina’s signature sweet orange perfume, the scent so overpowering it made my nose sting. “Guess what I brought you.” I turned around and saw him holding a bouquet of lilies. I reached out to take them and looked up at him. “I thought you’d bring me the Starlight Brooch.” His expression froze for a moment. The Starlight Brooch, a Luna heirloom passed down through three hundred years of Black Pack history. It should have been pinned to my collar on my very first day as part of the Black Pack. “About that…” Ethan looked down, his fingers unconsciously rubbing the edge of his sleeve. “I wanted to give it to you at the baby’s birthday celebration. That would better show everyone how important you are.” The birthday celebration. I almost laughed out loud. Last week, someone in the Pack had leaked news about the Starlight Brooch. Ethan knew perfectly well that I loved wearing brooches, and as his Luna, I should have received that brooch long ago. Yet just hours earlier, I had seen him with my own eyes pin that very brooch to Seraphina’s collar. The image the investigator had captured of them kissing in the Alpha’s study flooded my mind. My stomach churned violently. The wolf pup inside me kicked restlessly. I stumbled to the sink and dry-heaved. Ethan immediately called for the doctor in a panic, but the next second, his phone began vibrating frantically. Through the speakerphone came Seraphina’s delicate, tearful voice. “Ethan, I slipped on the stairs. My belly hurts so much.” After hearing this, Ethan’s face filled with anxiety. He grabbed the doctor and rushed out without a backward glance. I watched his panicked retreating figure, and tears finally poured from my eyes. Before Julian died, he had clasped Ethan’s hand and entrusted him with caring for his wife and child. But Ethan had already been involved with Seraphina even then. When Seraphina was attacked by rogues, he abandoned me on our wedding anniversary to stay by her side all night. When Seraphina went on a hunger strike, he left me, just after I’d miscarried and lost our first pup, to coax her into eating. Before, I had thought he was simply protecting his former Alpha’s widow out of family loyalty. I had even convinced my father to deploy Silver Pack’s elite forces for his sake, helping him suppress the elder rebellion within his Pack and secure his position as Alpha. I never imagined he had calculated everything from the very beginning: Killing his brother to seize power, using our political marriage to stabilize his position, then carrying on his illicit affair with Seraphina behind my back. He used me as a tool to consolidate his power, while becoming another woman’s support and another pup’s father. With all my strength, I wrenched off my wedding ring and hurled it into the fireplace. The floor-to-ceiling window reflected my pale, haggard face. My pregnancy-swollen ring finger, rubbed raw and bloody by the ring, throbbed painfully, and my heart sent sharp stabs of pain through my chest from the emotional turmoil. After my emotions settled, I dialed the number at the top of my contacts, my voice hoarse. “Mom, I want to come home.” Ethan didn’t return all night. I threw the bouquet of wilted lilies from the entryway vase into the trash without a second thought. My phone notification reminded me that today was my newborn care class at the nursing center. I placed my hand over my swollen belly. The pup kicked me gently. Even though Ethan had been using me all along, the child was innocent. It was my flesh and blood, my one and only treasure. I had the butler prepare the car to take me to Silver Pack’s exclusive nursing center. The nursing center’s reception hall was filled with soft morning light. Every waiting couple sat close together, the husband’s hand resting on his wife’s rounded belly. They leaned their heads together, speaking softly, occasionally exchanging smiling glances. I chose the most isolated corner seat and sat down. A familiar scent caught me off guard. The moment I looked up, my heart froze.

Ethan was carefully supporting Seraphina as they walked toward me from the end of the corridor. His hand protected her lower back as though escorting a priceless, fragile treasure. When he looked down at her, his eyes were filled with affection and tenderness he couldn’t hide. I suddenly remembered the week I first learned I was pregnant. On my way back from visiting Silver Pack, I was attacked by three rogues. After Ethan received the news, he led a team overnight and chased them for three hundred kilometers. He dragged those rogues back and personally executed them in the Pack council hall in front of all the elders. I had scolded him through tears for being too impulsive. He had just assumed the Alpha position. His foundation was unstable, and countless eyes were watching him. If someone used this against him, they could impeach him before the elder council for overstepping his authority. He would have to give up the position he had fought so hard for. But he had pulled me into his arms, resting his chin on my head, and said that anyone who dared harm his Luna and pup would pay, even if it cost him his Alpha title. I had trembled and sobbed in his arms then, thinking I had married the right person. I could never understand it. The Ethan who had once defied the entire elder council for my sake had been setting me up from the very beginning. The announcement suddenly crackled over the speakers. “Lila, please proceed to the classroom.” Though only a few rows of seats separated us, Ethan finally noticed me. His eyes darted away for a moment before he quickly crossed the corridor toward me. He lifted his hand to tuck a loose strand of hair behind my ear. “Why didn’t you call me? I would have come with you.” I looked past his shoulder toward Seraphina, who sat in the waiting area holding a glass of water. I swallowed the bitterness rising in my throat and forced a tight smile. “I was afraid you’d be too busy.” Ethan’s brow furrowed. He sighed, his tone carrying a hint of helplessness and exhaustion. “Julian is gone. Seraphina is pregnant and has no one to look after her. I’m just fulfilling my responsibility to my brother. Don’t take it to heart.” Before he finished speaking, Seraphina hurried forward holding her belly, positioning herself in front of Ethan. She grasped my hands, her eyes reddening. “Lila, please don’t misunderstand Ethan. It’s all my fault. I shouldn’t keep troubling him. I promise I won’t ask for his help anymore.” I hadn’t even opened my mouth, yet Seraphina’s tears were already streaming down her face. Ethan immediately pulled her protectively into his arms and looked up at me with fury in his eyes. “Lila, can’t you be a little more tolerant? She’s my sister-in-law, part of the Black Pack!” Then what about me? His legitimate Luna, the one who had given everything my entire Pack had for him. What was I? The nurse walked to my side and gently reminded me again that it was time to enter the classroom. I turned away and wiped my tears. From the corner of my eye, I caught Seraphina deliberately tilting her neck to reveal a fresh, crimson bite mark. In the photos the investigator had sent last night, Ethan had been kissing her on the estate balcony while I waited at home all night. When the class ended, Ethan was waiting at the door. He took my hand with feigned concern. “How was the class? Are you tired?” I calmly withdrew my hand. “The nurse said the baby’s heartbeat is weak. She told me to stay calm and avoid stress.” Ethan nodded. Down the corridor, Seraphina coughed softly. He immediately ruffled my hair. “I’ll take Seraphina home first. I’ll come back to pick you up later.” The last ember of hope in my heart was completely extinguished. I forced a smile and nodded. “Okay.” I stood in the cold wind at the nursing center entrance for three hours. Ethan never appeared. I pulled out the guarantee letter he had signed and stamped before our wedding. If he ever betrayed our marriage, he would voluntarily relinquish his position as Alpha. With one click, I sent scanned copies to the elder councils of both Packs, copying my father. I sent the document to the alliance elder councils of both Packs, as well as to my father. After returning home, I began packing to leave. The door was kicked open. Alpha pressure instantly swept through the entire house, making my chest tighten. Ethan stormed in and seized my wrist, demanding furiously, “If you have complaints, take them out on me!” I frowned in confusion. The next second, he slammed me hard against the wall. Pain shot through my spine. He unleashed a flood of accusations at me. “Someone poisoned Seraphina’s breakfast with slow-acting wolfsbane, and then she was attacked by rogues! If the guards hadn’t arrived in time, she and the baby would both be dead! Lila, you’re a murderer!”

The moonstone bracelet on my wrist suddenly snapped. Moonstones scattered across the floor. He had made it for me by hand when we first confirmed our alliance marriage, engraved with both our wolf insignias. I winced in pain and met his bloodshot wolf eyes directly. “What are you talking about?” Footsteps sounded in the hallway. Seraphina appeared at the doorway, her face pale, leaning against the frame. Her wrist was wrapped in thick bandages. She bit her lower lip, trembling all over. “Lila, I know you don’t like me, but there’s a little life in my belly too. What you did today was too much.” Rage surged through me. I shook off Ethan’s grip, my fury boiling. “I didn’t do anything! I would never stoop to such despicable methods to hurt you!” I advanced on Seraphina angrily. She backed away, tears streaming down her face. A sharp slap rang out. My cheek burned with stinging pain. Ethan stood before me, ice-cold, his broad frame completely shielding Seraphina. His wolf claws had emerged, radiating aggression. I stood frozen. His eyes held anger, contempt, resentment, but not a trace of the trust he once had. He had once said that no matter what happened, he would trust me unconditionally and stand by my side. A sudden dropping pain shot through my lower abdomen. I braced myself against the wall and slowly slid to the floor. But Ethan didn’t spare me a single glance. He even moved his foot away in disgust, as if afraid I would contaminate him. I bit down hard, refusing to show any weakness. Seraphina’s sobs echoed through the room, along with Ethan’s low, gentle words of comfort. I suddenly remembered two years ago during a hunt in the mountain forest. Seraphina and I had both encountered a black bear. Seraphina had carried a beast-repelling sachet, while I had been notified to participate at the last minute and hadn’t had time to prepare. Yet Ethan’s first reaction was to protect her. Only after confirming Seraphina was completely unharmed did he remember me, still exposed in the bear’s line of sight. I lost control and overturned the tea table beside me. Shattered cup fragments flew, cutting Ethan’s hand. He grunted but immediately checked whether Seraphina was injured. Upon seeing the tiny scratch on her finger, he immediately scooped her up in his arms and coldly ordered the butler. “Lock the Luna in the dungeon. Without my permission, don’t give her any food or water, and don’t let anyone visit her. I won’t have her going out to harm people again!” The door slammed shut. The sound of the lock stabbed painfully at my eardrums. Delayed pain ripped through my belly. I fearfully clutched my abdomen. Warmth trickled between my legs. My light-colored dress was instantly stained with a large patch of vivid crimson. My mind went blank. Violent contractions tore through my entire body. I crawled frantically to the door and pounded on it, my voice trembling uncontrollably with terror. “Ethan, I’m bleeding. Please open the door. Take me to the doctor. I’m going to lose the pup…” The footsteps outside the door paused, then drew closer. A flicker of hope ignited in my heart. The door handle turned slightly, followed by Ethan’s cold, mocking voice. “Lila, I won’t fall for your childish tricks anymore.” My heart sank. I beat the door frantically. “Ethan, come back! I’m not lying! My belly really hurts. The baby is in danger!” Only dead silence answered me. My phone wasn’t with me. Blood flowed more and more. My belly felt like someone was tearing me apart inside. As consciousness faded, I finally remembered the emergency rescue brooch my mother had given me. It connected directly to Silver Pack’s guard team and emergency doctors. I used every ounce of strength to drag myself to the corner of the dungeon, fumbled for the brooch hidden in my collar, and pressed the emergency button with all my might. Then consciousness abandoned me completely, and I collapsed onto the cold, damp stone floor. When I woke again, the scent of disinfectant and bitter herbs filled my nostrils. I frantically felt for my belly. It was completely flat. I couldn’t sense even a trace of the pup’s presence. Realizing I had lost my most precious treasure, I broke down and sobbed, a dull, hollow ache cutting through me. The doctor stood nearby and sighed with regret. “If you’d been brought in half an hour earlier, the pup might have been saved.” The second time. This was the second time. Ethan, you are the one who killed my children.

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