Married to a military officer for six months, we had only truly been intimate once. On our wedding night, I was flushed with shyness, and he, flustered, got a nosebleed and fumbled, completely lost. It was a first for both of us, and we struggled until dawn, unable to consummate our marriage. It wasn’t until four months ago, when he came home for the holidays. He proudly declared he’d learned a lot from his buddies, swearing he wouldn’t hurt me. That night, we were at it until dawn. As daylight broke, I was half-asleep but he woke me again, and I whispered, begging: “Officer, I really can’t go on…” He held me tight, his scorching breath hot on my ear: “What did you call me? Hmm?” He was thrusting so hard, I was almost in tears, and weakly managed: “Husband…” That only fueled his passion further, and we didn’t leave the house for five days straight. After he returned to his unit, I discovered I was pregnant. I decided to tell him in person, but instead, I walked right into him passionately kissing his lover by the lake. Reeling from the devastating blow, I collapsed onto the bed and cried all night. Then, I wrote out the divorce papers.

I submitted the divorce papers to military headquarters. The first person to come looking for me was my mother-in-law, Eleanor. She was usually stern and efficient, but now her face was etched with embarrassment and shame. She sat before me, her voice unusually soft: “Chloe, my son made a mistake, he got carried away for a moment!” “But Richard and I, and your parents, share a bond that’s thicker than blood, a friendship forged in the toughest times. And now you’re pregnant, being a single mom is incredibly tough. Please, think it over.” My expression was firm. “Please, I beg you as a mother. I promise I’ll make sure he changes! How about this: give him half a month. If he’s still making a fool of himself, I’ll personally agree to the divorce.” My hand instinctively went to my still-flat stomach, and my mind drifted back to my first encounter with Hunter Stone. I was eight years old. My parents were stationed in a remote border region when a dangerous incident involving criminals broke out. During the sudden outbreak of violence, the perpetrators grew enraged and took many hostages. Hunter and I were among them. Those five hours felt like five years. In my fear, Hunter held my hand tightly and comforted me: “Don’t be scared, little sister, the adults will definitely come and rescue us!” When the criminals came to pick hostages to beat and coerce the outside world, he bravely shielded me, hiding my small frame behind him. He ended up getting his face smashed by a rifle butt. He was still bleeding when we were rescued. I threw myself onto him, crying inconsolably, but he just smiled and playfully tapped my nose: “I told you big brother would protect you, and I kept my word. Don’t cry, you silly goose.” The flutter I felt from that single sentence still echoed in my heart to this day. I agreed to my mother-in-law’s request. Hunter didn’t return until midnight. He seemed oblivious to the whirlwind of gossip and speculation that kiss, witnessed by everyone, had caused. He acted as if nothing had happened, telling me: “Still awake? We’re preparing for drills these next few days, so I might not be back. You don’t have to wait up for me.” “Once this period is over, I’ll take a day off, just for you.” I looked at his indistinct features in the moonlight and said, “Okay.” When his leave came, Hunter kept his promise and focused entirely on me. He personally bought groceries and cooked, feeding me and even carefully picking out fish bones. He was incredibly patient, as gentle as water. Just like when we first got married. After nightfall, he took me hiking. I put on my jacket, first wondering why he’d like mountains when he was always out on training drills. Then it hit me: it wasn’t the mountains he disliked, it was *me*. I had once mentioned wanting to watch the sunrise from a mountaintop. Once we reached the summit and set up our tent, Hunter pulled me into his embrace. I felt his intense heat and quickly said: “Hunter, I’m pregnant.” He kissed my hair, his breath burning, and chuckled: “I consulted a doctor. It’s been four months. I’ll be careful, it’s fine. Don’t you miss me?” I remained silent, neither responding nor resisting. The tent was small and dark, and the man pressing down on me felt like my only salvation. Passion burned until sunrise. As we descended the mountain and headed back, the military compound was bustling with noise. Hunter suddenly froze. I looked in the direction he was staring. It was Veronica. She was wearing an expensive, beautiful shirt, completely unwrinkled, her ponytail draped over one shoulder, gleaming black in the sunlight. She gazed at Hunter, as if wanting to say something. Hunter’s hand, which had been resting on my waist, suddenly dropped. His entire body instinctively turned towards Veronica. His knee lifted, then froze in mid-air, only to be lowered again. Finally, his hand once more clasped my waist, urging me to walk faster. I remained silent throughout, yet despite being the “victor,” my heart felt heavy.

Hunter poured two cups of hot water, staring grimly at the rising steam. I didn’t touch my cup. “You sit for a bit, I’ll be back after a short walk.” He didn’t move, as if I were invisible. I slowly walked downstairs, along the shade of the trees, and met Veronica at the corner. I couldn’t be bothered to argue with her and tried to walk past, but then I heard her say: “Chloe Anderson, you won, you must be very happy, right?” I paused. She walked in front of me, her eyes glinting with jealousy: “I turned Hunter down for an undercover mission. Congratulations, you swooped in at just the right moment and snagged him.” My heart gave a painful lurch, but I calmly looked at her: “And then?” She slightly lifted her chin, haughty and sharp. “You’re just a thief. I’m back now. Do you think Hunter will file for divorce?” Her eyes were full of jealousy and obsession. My desire to argue vanished. I just curled my lips into a small smile: “Veronica, you’re supposed to be a hero, protecting people. Are you really going to play the role of a mistress, hiding in the shadows? Hunter and I are bound by military marriage, which isn’t something you just casually break!” Veronica’s face went white, and she stepped back, her lips trembling as she said: “Who was here first? Who’s the real mistress?!” “The law decides that.” I calmly walked past her and left. Back home, the living room was empty. I quickly called out Hunter’s name, opening one room after another. He wasn’t in any of them. When I reached the window, I finally saw Hunter. At some point, he had also gone downstairs and was standing by a tree, one hand gently placed on Veronica’s shoulder. No one else was around. I don’t know if he heard my calls from upstairs, or if he was just hesitating, but he eventually embraced Veronica. And Veronica, she hugged him back and looked up. They kissed passionately again, just like they had by the lake a few days earlier. The scene pierced my eyes and heart. I stumbled back, gasping for air, overwhelmed with pain. A long time passed. When dinner time came, Hunter finally returned. “Honey, you haven’t cooked? Never mind, your health is more important now that you’re pregnant. How about we go out to eat?” I looked up at him and asked softly: “Eating out, how luxurious… Is it out of guilt?” His gaze faltered, and he frowned, raising his voice: “You’re overthinking again! I told you, there’s nothing going on between Veronica and me!” He walked over and pulled me to my feet. “Don’t worry about it. You’re eating for two now, can’t go hungry.” His hand was still so warm, but it could no longer warm me. We walked in silence to the intersection, where we ran into a group of women gossiping about Veronica: “Veronica, wasn’t it you that Commander Stone jumped into the lake to save? How did CPR turn into kissing?” “Doing such disgusting things in broad daylight, so shameless! Our Hunter is a married man!” “Interfering with a military marriage is a serious offense, Veronica. Have you considered the consequences?” One accusation after another, Veronica was surrounded and her eyes slowly welled up. Hunter couldn’t stand it. He let go of me and walked over. He stood in front of Veronica, earnestly refuting them: “Ladies, don’t believe the rumors! Veronica accidentally fell into the water, and it was my duty to save her. Spreading false rumors about military personnel is a serious matter and could have consequences!” The women’s faces turned awkward, while Hunter gently protected Veronica, escorting her home. He left me standing there alone, watching their retreating figures walking hand-in-hand. Why was the late spring wind still so biting? After a long time, I woodenly went upstairs and made myself a bowl of noodles. “You said you were saving her, fine. But why were you hugging and kissing Veronica right outside our building? Do you think everyone else is blind?!” Eleanor Stone glared at her son, furious and disappointed, and slapped the coffee table. “Hunter Stone, have you lost your mind?!” Hunter sat opposite her, his military uniform crisp, his face calm. “I’ve already notified people to clarify things. A few arrests for spreading rumors, and things will quiet down.” “Is that the point?” Eleanor pointed at me and continued, “Your wife is pregnant! You talked about taking her out to dinner, but the moment you see Veronica, you’ve apparently lost your appetite and abandoned your pregnant wife to escort her home?!”

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“Skylar, are you sure you want to become an officer?” I looked at my father’s memorial photo and nodded solemnly. “In a week, we’ll stage your disappearance. The name Skylar will vanish from this world, completely.” After leaving the police station, before I even stepped inside my own home, the sight of a woman’s high heels by the door immediately caught my eye, a sharp stab of dread. I numbly pushed open the front door. The sound of a woman’s gasps, laced with pleasure, drilled into my ears. The bedroom door was deliberately left ajar, framing him with another woman. I knew he was getting back at me for abandoning him all those years ago. But the moment I saw the woman’s face, I completely lost it. I lunged forward like a maniac: “Liam, are you out of your mind? How could you? Why my own sister!?” I rushed forward, desperate to drag Chloe off the bed. “Chloe! Get out of here, now!” Liam shoved me away violently. I stumbled back, crashing into the wall. My back screamed in pain, but it was nowhere near the agony that ripped through my heart. He calmly pulled the blanket over Chloe. He turned, his gaze icy as he looked at me. “Skylar, what right do you have to question me?” “Who I’m with is my business.” “When you left me for money all those years ago, why didn’t you think about today?” All the unspeakable truths and crushing grievances, the reasons I couldn’t explain, turned into a bitter, icy ache, choking me. “I didn’t!” I left him back then to protect him. My father was an undercover agent, brutally murdered after his identity was exposed. Dangerous enemies had vowed to wipe out his entire family. I had to leave Liam to keep him safe, to keep him from getting entangled. When Liam was critically injured in a car accident, I secretly underwent surgery in the room next door, risking my own life to donate a kidney to him. He knew none of this. Chloe, wrapped in the blanket, her voice trembling with a feigned sob. “Skylar, don’t blame Liam.” “We truly love each other.” She snuggled deeper into Liam’s arms. “Skylar, you’re the one who’s in the way. You’re the one who’s redundant.” Liam immediately pulled her closer, his voice chilling. “Skylar, shut up.” “If Chloe hadn’t donated her kidney to me back then, I’d be dead already.” “You gold-digging woman, what nerve do you have to stand here shouting?” “If anything happens to Chloe, I swear I’ll make you pay for it with your own life!” I froze, rooted to the spot. My mind went utterly blank. Chloe… donated a kidney? How *dare* she claim that? Liam picked Chloe up and walked past me. “Get out.” “Don’t defile my sight.” As she brushed past, Chloe’s voice whispered in my ear. “Skylar, my birthday is in three days. You’ll come, won’t you?” I spent the remaining days slowly packing my belongings. Soon, Chloe’s birthday arrived. Liam booked the most expensive hotel in the city, throwing her an extravagant party. He announced publicly. “Chloe is the only woman I, Liam Vance, will ever recognize as my love.” “She saved my life with her kidney.” The guests buzzed with agreement. “Mrs. Vance truly is a kind soul.” “Unlike some women, clinging to her position.” “Exactly. I heard she ran off for money back then, and now she’s shamelessly crawling back.” Every whispered word felt like a poisoned dagger twisting in my heart. I stood there, holding a champagne flute, my hand trembling uncontrollably. I had become the laughingstock of the entire city. I slipped into the stairwell, desperate for a moment to breathe. But Chloe followed me. The fragility on her face vanished, replaced by triumph and pure provocation. “Skylar, did you hear it all?” “Liam loves me.” I looked at her coldly. “Chloe, you know perfectly well who really donated that kidney.” Chloe scoffed. “So what?” “Right now, Liam believes me.” “He’s convinced I’m the one who saved his life twice.” “Twice?” My stomach dropped. “Oh, I forgot to tell you.” Chloe’s grin widened with smugness. “Last time Liam went missing in the mountains, I was the one who rescued him too.” The revelation hit me like a bolt of lightning, leaving me utterly frozen, bone-chillingly cold. My sacrifice, the love that cost me my health, the deep, personal pain I endured, all of it—she’d stolen it and claimed it as her own triumph! A furious, searing pain surged through my chest, making me sway, almost losing my footing. She leaned closer, her voice dropping to a malicious whisper. “Skylar, you’re not even fully healthy with just one kidney. Why are you still clinging to the title of Mrs. Vance?” “Doesn’t it disgust you, holding onto that position?” “Give Liam to me.”

“You’re dreaming!” I roared in fury. “Heh.” Chloe sneered. “Then don’t blame me.” She suddenly grabbed my hand and placed it on her own body. Then, she violently threw herself backward. “Ah—!” Chloe screamed as she tumbled down the stairs. Just as panic seized me, the banquet hall doors burst open. Liam rushed in, leading the charge. He looked at me, his eyes blazing with rage. Chloe lay in a pool of blood, weakly pointing at me. “Liam… save me…” “Skylar… she said I stole you… she wanted to kill me…” Liam charged over, slapping me hard across the face. “Skylar!” “You heartless monster!” I stared at him blankly for a long time. He once swore he’d love me, protect me, but now he’d given all his gratitude and affection to someone else. And not just anyone—to my own sister, who I’d grown up with. Six months ago, Liam went climbing in the mountains, only to be caught in an unexpected avalanche and went missing. The search and rescue team looked for three days straight before announcing they were stopping the search. Everyone gave up. But I didn’t. My body, with only one kidney, couldn’t endure the extreme cold. Still, I rushed into the forbidden zone regardless of the risks. I dragged my fragile body, on the verge of collapse, and found him at the edge of the avalanche zone. A hand emerged from the snow, and I instantly recognized it as Liam’s. My hands, purple with cold, tried to dig away the thick snow, but I couldn’t. I resorted to ramming my body against it. Once, twice, three times… I don’t know how long passed. My consciousness started to fade, but just before I collapsed, I finally pulled him out. I dragged him across the vast snowy landscape for a day and a night. With every step, the old wound on my side tore open with excruciating pain. Only after I successfully dragged Liam out of the mountains and into the hospital did I dare to collapse in a secluded corner. By the time I treated my wounds and returned, Chloe was sitting by his hospital bed. Her face was tear-streaked, and her hands even had perfectly appropriate frostbite. Liam had just woken up, his voice hoarse. “Chloe… you saved me?” Chloe nodded, crying. “Liam, I was so scared… I looked for you for so long…” “I almost thought I’d never see you again…” I pretended to walk past the door, but then found myself frozen, unable to move. I desperately wanted to rush in and tell Liam that I was the one who saved him. But I couldn’t. Liam completely believed her. He believed Chloe was his savior. She donated the kidney. She saved him from the mountain. And I, Skylar, was just a malicious woman who had abandoned him for money, and was now back to torment him. “Liam… I can’t go on…” “Skylar… she hates me…” “Marry me… otherwise I… I won’t get treatment…” She started pulling out the IV needle from her hand. “Chloe, calm down!” Liam frantically pressed her hand down. I stood rooted to the spot, not saying a word. Liam’s gaze turned to me. There was not a trace of warmth in his eyes. “Skylar, we’re getting a divorce.” I numbly nodded. “Alright.” He didn’t explain, and I didn’t ask. My calmness seemed to enrage him. His face darkened, and he grabbed my chin. “Skylar, are you so eager to leave me again?” He paused, then spat out an utterly humiliating condition. “Since you’re Chloe’s sister, I suppose planning our wedding would be no problem for you?” “I want you to personally walk Chloe down the aisle to me.” My eyes widened in shock. “Liam, don’t go too far!” Chloe let out a weak sob from the bed. “Skylar, don’t you want to be my bridesmaid and send me off?” Liam’s face was livid. “You have no right to refuse.” “If you don’t agree, I’ll make sure you go to jail for attempted murder.”

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I was fiercely independent and couldn’t sit still from a young age. My family, on the other hand, was painfully reserved, always shying away from any kind of commotion. I’d pulled another all-nighter, crafting a handmade birthday gift for Julian, my brother. He flinched when the butterflies fluttered out of the box, and his face instantly darkened. The very next day, I found myself dropped off at Mrs. Davies’ etiquette academy. Julian’s brow was furrowed: “Mrs. Davies, my sister’s temperament will make her a laughingstock among the other socialites. There’s no other choice; I have to ask you to teach her proper manners.” “In return, consider your daughter’s future handled by the Millers.” We met again three years later. Julian looked at me, elegant and poised, and nodded with satisfaction, ready to take me home. But I tilted my head, utterly bewildered: “Who are you?” Julian froze for a split second, then his face clouded over as he reached for me again: “What are you playing at? You don’t recognize your own brother?” “Mom and Dad are back from their world tour tonight. Come home with me, let’s give them a surprise.” His tone was harsh, and I instinctively recoiled two steps. Then, a pair of hands from behind me gave me a ruthless shove: “Mia, hurry and go home with your brother!” I glanced back at Mrs. Davies, who had spoken. Meeting her sharp, warning gaze, I instinctively flinched. Mrs. Davies was my etiquette teacher. She was elegant and poised, always wearing a gentle smile. But beneath that smile, a subtle, chilling threat lurked in her eyes. “Remember to behave yourself when you get back, don’t get sent here again!” My knuckles whitened as I clenched my fists in anxiety, then someone took my hand. Julian looked down at me: “Why are you sweating so much? Is it hot?” I felt Mrs. Davies’ dangerous gaze and quickly shook my head: “N-not hot.” Julian nodded, then smiled politely at Mrs. Davies: “Chloe’s enjoying her stay so much, it looks like she might be with us for a few more days.” Hearing Julian mention her daughter, Mrs. Davies’ eyes immediately lit up. “Oh, it’s no trouble at all, she can stay as long as she likes, even a lifetime!” “You’ve not only secured her a place in a top school but also laid out her future path to study abroad these past few years. We can’t thank you enough!” Julian gave a slight nod: “You’ve taught Mia very well. This is only right.” With that, he led me to the car waiting to take us home. All the way, I sat quietly, a little distance from Julian. My hands were clasped in my lap, my back straight, not daring to speak. Julian’s gaze on me was incredibly gentle: “Excellent. You finally look like a true Miller heiress.” “Perhaps we should double Mrs. Davies’ compensation.” Soon, the car pulled up to a sprawling villa estate. Julian got out first, then thoughtfully walked around the car, opening my door and extending a hand to me. I remembered all these etiquette lessons. My left hand slightly lifted, gently resting in his palm. I stepped out, my foot firm on the ground, descending from the car slowly and gracefully. The smile in Julian’s eyes deepened, a look of proud admiration on his face: “Mia is very well-behaved.” But the very next second, my hand in his suddenly tightened! The villa before me felt strange, unsettlingly familiar, and my heart clenched in an icy grip. Julian frowned: “What’s wrong?” My skin prickled with goosebumps, but I forced myself to maintain my poised demeanor, quickly shaking my head. “N-nothing.” Julian released my hand, “Let’s go home then. I have a gift for you.” I followed behind him. The closer we got to the villa, the worse my headache became. We stepped through the door, and Julian handed me a beautiful gift box. “Mia, welcome home.” He opened the box, revealing a delicate butterfly charm bracelet inside. My face went bone-white, and my head throbbed as if it would split open. The butterflies on the bracelet seemed to flutter to life, their wings beating, soaring straight for my face. My vision blurred, and I seemed to hear a sharp, grating voice: “So you stayed up all night just to plan a prank? Mia Miller, it’s my birthday! Can you *please* act your age for once?!”

I’d always been the ‘unpopular’ one, mostly because I was too loud, too boisterous. The Millers upheld strict decorum. My brother, Julian, was born with an innate grace, reserved and elegant, earning him constant praise from our parents. But I was different. I was a whirlwind of energy, impulsive and carefree, always bouncing off the walls like I had a perpetual sugar rush. I was nothing like a ‘proper’ Miller child. Before I turned fifteen, Mom and Dad had me take several DNA tests. Each time, they’d just shake their heads in resignation after seeing the results. “Mia’s so vivacious, completely unlike any other heiress in our circle.” “Honey, is she really our child? It’s a complete disaster!” “Oh, Mia is supposed to take over the family empire with Julian one day. If she’s always so ill-mannered, how can she possibly…” They never bothered to whisper when they said these things, but I never took it to heart. Usually, I’d flash a sly grin, tug on Mom’s arm, and whine playfully: “What, you two don’t want me anymore? Did you forget who played peacemaker last time you and Dad had a fight?” “Would you have made up so quickly without me?” Mom would sigh, tapping my forehead playfully. “You’re impossible.” And so, my life before fifteen, though my family often ‘disapproved’ of me, wasn’t too bad. Until I got into a fight with the daughter of one of Dad’s oldest business partners over a dress. My parents gave me the cold shoulder all night, then quietly discussed with Julian: “With a personality like that, she’ll be a joke when she’s supposed to run the company. Julian, find a good etiquette teacher for her, someone to teach her proper manners.” Julian simply nodded, “After my birthday.” That night, I pulled an all-nighter, preparing a butterfly-themed kaleidoscope as Julian’s birthday gift. The next morning, still yawning, I shoved the gift into his arms: “Happy birthday.” A flicker of something crossed his brow as he looked at my bloodshot eyes, and a small smile touched his lips. But when he opened it, he used a bit too much force. The butterflies were supposed to float out one by one, beautifully. With his clumsy snap, they exploded outwards in a chaotic rush. Two wings grazed past Julian’s eyes, almost taking out his eye. His face instantly went rigid with fury. For the first time, his composure finally snapped, giving way to a furious outburst. He slammed the box to the ground right there. “So you stayed up all night just to plan a prank? Mia Miller, it’s my birthday! Can you *please* act your age for once?!” I tried to explain, but he wouldn’t listen to a word, turning and storming off. The very next day, I was sent to Mrs. Davies’ academy. These memories used to be crystal clear in my mind. But now, I could only recall fragments: a harsh, dismissive scolding from Julian. The rest? Utterly forgotten. My head was pounding harder with each second. I couldn’t help but lift my hand, pressing my fingers to my throbbing temples. Julian watched me, puzzled, the gift box still patiently held out. Until a girl ran over and snatched the box from him. “Wow, this bracelet is so pretty, Julian! Can I have it?” “But it’s Mia’s gift…” Julian, seemingly unable to refuse, frowned and looked at me. A sudden memory flashed in my mind: fighting over a dress when I was little, and Mom and Dad scolding me for not sharing. I quickly forced a smile: “Sure, you can have it. Here, let me help you put it on.”

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My husband brought his ex-girlfriend and her son home after learning she’d divorced. He even let her son put a potent, dangerous abortifacient into my food. I nearly bled to death, writhing in agony, but he just held Evelyn’s son close and calmly declared, “Don’t worry, Daddy Derek will only ever have you as his child.” I didn’t fight back. Derek visibly relaxed, a wave of relief washing over his face. But what he didn’t know was that I’d just signed a top-secret agreement with the government, and soon, I would vanish from his world entirely. “Aurora Collins, we’ll finalize your divorce once you sign. Are you absolutely sure about this?” My superior, Captain Reed, looked at my pale face, his eyes heavy with concern. My lower abdomen still pulsed with the phantom pain of a recent miscarriage. I sat on the hospital bed, carefully signing my name, stroke by painful stroke. “My duty comes before my personal life.” “What duty?” The hospital room door swung open. Derek Miller, dressed in his military uniform, strode in, carrying Evelyn Hayes’ son, Leo, in his arms. Evelyn stood by his side, her hand linked with his, leaning into him. At first glance, they looked like the picture-perfect happy family of three. Who would remember that I was Derek Miller’s legal wife, the one he’d officially married? Seeing me, Evelyn put on a pitiful act. “Rory, how are you feeling?” Before I could even reply, she dropped to her knees by my bed, tears streaming down her face. “Leo didn’t mean to put the abortifacient in your food. I’m begging you, please don’t let him go to jail!” At that, Leo jumped out of Derek’s arms. He lunged at my blanket, snarling at me like a feral pup. “Bad woman! I won’t let you have babies! You won’t steal my daddy!” Daddy? I looked up at Derek, my heart twisting as if ground by a dull knife. Derek’s gaze flickered, avoiding mine. He bent down and picked up Leo. “Don’t be scared, Leo. Daddy will only ever have you as his child.” Only then did he look back at me. His voice, usually so gentle, now carried a hint of impatience. “Rory, the child didn’t know any better. Don’t hold it against him.” “Our baby… it’s gone. It’s fine. We can just focus on raising Leo together.” My abdomen still throbbed, but my heart had already plummeted into an abyss. I struggled to keep my voice from trembling. “Yeah. You’re right. It’s better this way.” If the baby had been born, he would have been heartbroken seeing his own father act like this… Maybe it was my sudden compliance, but a flicker of panic crossed Derek’s eyes. He opened his mouth to say something more, but Leo, overjoyed, immediately hugged Derek. “Yay, Daddy! Can you and Mommy take me skiing now?” Evelyn cast me a hesitant glance, offering a forced smile. She pulled at the restless child. “Leo, stop bothering your daddy!” But Derek simply said, “It’s fine!” He turned to Captain Reed, requesting, “Please approve our leave. I want to take them skiing.” He didn’t spare me another glance. Nor did he bother to ask why Captain Reed was even here. Captain Reed looked at me, then at Evelyn and her son. Finally, with a subtle look, he responded, “Very well.” The ‘family of three’ before me instantly beamed with joy. When Derek’s gaze finally landed on my pale face, his smile froze, a fleeting mix of guilt and pity flashing in his eyes. “You should come too.” I didn’t refuse. I did need to pack, but not for skiing. Derek had no chance to say anything else before Leo tugged him away, chattering excitedly. Evelyn shot me a triumphant look. “So sorry, Rory. I had no idea Derek liked Leo so much.” Then she hurried after them, her retreating figure disappearing through the doorway. The hospital room fell silent again. I clutched the white bedsheet, Captain Reed’s sigh echoing in my ears. “I understand the situation. Seven days from now, come to the base to pick up your divorce certificate.”

I returned alone to the military housing complex. The medicine bowl, knocked over on the day of the incident, still lay on the table. A dark, scorched stain marked the floor. Clearly, Derek hadn’t been home in days. I ignored it all, walking straight to my desk. From the drawer, I pulled out a small notebook. Flipping it open, I saw it was filled with every little thing Derek had done for Evelyn over the past five years. Arranging for her to join the military’s arts and entertainment corps, taking my spot. Leaving me with a fever to celebrate Leo’s birthday, even letting the child put an animal-grade abortifacient in my food, nearly costing me my life… The entire notebook was crammed with entries, every inch filled, leaving no space for more pain. My hand paused. I could only squeeze one last sentence into the corner of the final page— “Leave Derek Miller.” The baby was gone. The debt I owed him for saving me from that cliff all those years ago? It was paid in full. Suddenly, I heard the door open behind me. Strong, calloused hands wrapped around me from behind, slipping under my clothes. “What are you writing?” I frowned, trying to pull away. “I just had a miscarriage.” My words didn’t seem to dampen Derek’s mood. He’d always liked to bother me late into the night. He nibbled on my earlobe. “I won’t move. I’ll just hold you.” I instinctively tilted my head, but I couldn’t escape his intimacy. As I sighed in resignation, I heard him say, “There’s something else I need to tell you.” “I’m going to officially adopt Leo and give him my surname. That way, Evelyn and her son will have someone to rely on.” His breath hitched against my neck, making me feel sick. Yet, his hand continued to roam restlessly. I let out a hollow laugh. “Fine. Whatever you say.” Derek’s hand froze. As if sensing something was off, he forcefully turned my body to face him. “You don’t mind?” I looked up at him, my voice indifferent. “It’s a good thing, isn’t it?” He stared at me intently for a few seconds, then finally indulged me. “I knew I married a good wife. Well, get ready. We’ll have a celebratory dinner in a couple of days to announce I have a son.” With that, he pulled out his wallet, casually peeling off a few bills and handing them to me. “Buy yourself some dresses. For skiing in a couple of days.” I thought of the research facility I was headed to. I’d heard winter came early there, and by the peak of the season, the snow could be waist-deep. My current clothes definitely wouldn’t hold up. Thinking this, I didn’t decline, and agreed. The next day. Taking all the money I had at home, I went to a store and walked straight past the racks of dresses hanging at the entrance. My eyes fixated on the padded winter coats in the back corner. “Please pack up all your winter clothes for me.” Two days later, the day of the banquet arrived. Derek was unusually excited. He woke up early, put on his neatest military uniform, and even pinned a red flower to his chest. It was the same uniform he’d worn on our wedding day. I said nothing, quietly packing my belongings. There was nothing left for me to cherish in this house. The most conspicuous items in my large suitcase were the two new outfits I’d bought yesterday. Derek suddenly glanced at me, his brows knitting together. “I told you to buy dresses, why did you buy winter coats?”

I calmly tucked a pair of rough, padded mittens into my suitcase, explaining, “They’re last year’s winter coats. They’re cheaper now.” “We’re not short on cash…” Derek grumbled, but didn’t seem suspicious. “It’s almost time for the party to start. I’m going to pick up Evelyn and Leo.” With that, he left without waiting for my reply. Watching the joy radiating from the man’s retreating figure, my hands paused their packing. Then I furiously tied another knot. Only two more days until I left. The name-change banquet was held on the base’s mess hall. By the time I’d finished packing and went downstairs, the banquet had already begun. The lively hall was packed, but there was no sign of Derek or Evelyn and her son. I pursed my lips, intending to find a quiet corner to sit in. But then, my sleeve was suddenly clutched tightly. “Aunt Rory…” Leo, who seemed to appear out of nowhere, grabbed my hand, his eyes red and brimming with tears. “I’m sorry, Aunt Rory. Leo didn’t mean it that day. I… I have an apology gift for you over there. Can Aunt Rory forgive me?” A shiver went through me as I remembered the day of the miscarriage. I frowned, wanting to refuse. But Leo stubbornly pulled me along, heading towards the backyard storage shed. “Daddy Derek is there too! He told me to definitely bring you!” Hearing Derek was there, my guard dropped a little. Could it be that he wanted to apologize to me but was too embarrassed, so he sent Leo? I pursed my lips, half-heartedly following Leo to the door of the dilapidated shed. But it was empty. Something felt wrong. I immediately pulled my hand from Leo’s grip. “Where is Derek Miller?” The next second, Leo shoved me from behind, sending me tumbling helplessly into the not-quite-closed shed. “I knew you still wanted to steal my daddy! Go die!” The wooden door slammed shut behind me with a loud thud. The shed was pitch black. I heard the lock click into place, and panic surged through me. I scrambled to my feet, pounding on the wooden door. “Leo, let me out!” Suddenly, I heard the heavy breathing of a man behind me. The next instant, my body was pressed tightly from behind, and the stench of alcohol filled the air. “You slut, pretty little thing, aren’t you brave…” As he spoke, a pair of thick, coarse hands began tearing at my clothes. A wave of nausea hit me, and I struggled fiercely. “Who are you! Let go of me!” I was pushed to the ground. In my terror, I instinctively kicked and thrashed. Suddenly, a commotion of footsteps sounded from outside the door. Leo’s crying voice filtered through the wood. “Aunt Rory and an uncle are fighting without clothes in the shed! Daddy Derek, quickly, save Aunt Rory!” My mind reeled, a sickening ‘buzz’ in my head. The next second, the shed door was kicked open. Evelyn’s shrill scream pierced the air. “Oh my God, Rory! How could you cheat on Derek with someone else!” The weight on me suddenly lifted. The man who had been pinning me down was violently yanked away. I felt nauseated, my vision swimming. The next second, a military jacket was flung over me. I flinched, looking up to meet Derek’s complicated gaze. “Derek, I…” I wanted to explain, but then I saw the circle of soldiers and their families behind him. No one spoke, but their eyes, scrutinizing me, felt like they were stripping me bare. Evelyn, holding her son and standing behind Derek, actually spoke up. “Sister, how could you be so foolish? Adultery means execution!”

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I got into a car accident and landed in the hospital. Suddenly, I felt like teasing my boyfriend. “Who are you?” Watching Leo’s face freeze, I was about to burst out laughing. But Leo suddenly pointed at his best friend, Asher. “I’m your boyfriend’s friend. He is your boyfriend, Asher.” My expression stiffened. Asher, however, stepped forward. “Yes, I’m your boyfriend.” I forced a smile. “Then take me home.” Asher took me home. He said I’d been living here all along. I looked around the place, devoid of any personal touches of my own, and, playing along, nodded like a blind person. I slept in his bed for a while, then went out to get some water, only to hear voices from a FaceTime call in the living room. “Asher, do me a solid, pretend to be Aurora’s boyfriend for a bit.” “Aren’t you afraid she’ll suddenly get her memory back?” “If she gets her memory back and gets angry, I’ll just win her over. She loves me so much, she wouldn’t really leave me. It’s just… I’m a bit tired of things between us, from way back then until now. This is a good chance to catch my breath and have some fun out there.” “So, you and Camilla are really hooking up, huh? You just want to take advantage of this to be with her.” “You know me, but I definitely love Aurora more. Keep Aurora safe with you during this time, and don’t try anything with her. But between us brothers, you’re the one I trust most. You always seemed to dislike Aurora anyway.” My bare feet retreated, then I deliberately made a noise opening the bedroom door, before walking towards the living room again. Hearing the sound, Asher quickly ended the call and stood up. “The floor’s cold, why aren’t you wearing shoes?” Asher quickly came over, scooped me up, and placed me on the sofa. “I’m thirsty.” I said, still a bit disoriented, searching for where the water might be. “I’ll get it for you.” Asher walked to the water dispenser and poured me a glass. He sat beside me, looking at me. “Are you uncomfortable anywhere else?” I drank the water and shook my head. He reached up, smoothed my messy hair, and leaned in to kiss my forehead. My eyes widened slightly. I’d just heard Leo tell him not to touch me. And I’d also thought Asher hated me. But now… When he leaned in to kiss my lips. I turned my head away. He casually stroked my face. “You don’t remember, we’ll take it slow. You’ll get used to me again.” It seemed Asher was playing his brother, too. 2　　 Asher brought me to a private room, which was already buzzing with activity. A bunch of privileged guys from the city’s elite crowd, upon seeing me, fell into a synchronized silence, all looking at Leo. “Oh, Aurora’s here! Do you remember me? I’m Camilla, your college roommate!” Camilla, sitting next to Leo, greeted me. Asher led me to a seat. I looked at her and shook my head. “I’m sorry.” “It’s okay, we can just get reacquainted.” Camilla said, hooking her arm through Leo’s and leaning intimately against his shoulder. This former college roommate, now friend, thinking I had amnesia, leaned on Leo as if to declare her claim, a hidden smugness in her eyes. Leo, too, seemed to enjoy the perverse thrill of being so intimate with another woman right in front of me. “Yeah, that’s right! Both your best friends’ boyfriends are in this circle, how great is that?” “You can hang out together often. Amnesia or not, it won’t make a difference.” The other friends exchanged knowing glances and comments, as if savoring a sick thrill in watching someone get publicly humiliated. They continued with their game. Leo and Camilla played a game that involved them eating from the same snack, their faces getting closer and closer. “Kiss! Kiss!” The crowd cheered them on. In that atmosphere, Leo and Camilla shared a deep kiss. Afterward, Camilla shyly leaned into Leo’s embrace, secretly glancing at me with triumph. Leo, too, looked pleased as he held Camilla close. Then, I lost the game and faced a dare: pick someone to kiss for thirty seconds. Everyone fell silent, looking at me. Curious who I would pick? Would I still instinctively choose Leo? Leo seemed a bit nervous, avoiding my gaze. He apparently didn’t want me to have an instinctive reaction so soon. Asher, sitting beside me, also tensed. I said with a smile, “Of course, I’ll pick my boyfriend.”

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I crashed my car, breaking my leg and getting a concussion. When I woke up, Julian Blackwood, my boyfriend’s enemy, was standing by my bedside, yelling at me: “Throwing your life away for a man? Your mom might not judge you for that, but I sure as hell do.” His words annoyed me. I glared at Julian, irritated. “Who are you?” Julian frowned, staring at me in confusion for a long moment before saying, “I’m your fiancé.” My mom and Julian’s mom both thought I had amnesia. They sat by my hospital bed, chiming in, one after another, telling me all about Julian and my supposed relationship. “You used to trail after Julian, calling him your ‘future hubby’ even when you were just a little kid.” “From kindergarten to high school, you two took the same car to school every single day.” “You officially started dating in college.” “After graduating, both you and Julian returned to your family businesses.” “You loved each other deeply, a perfect couple.” My mouth twitched. I cut them off. “Then why would I try to end my life for *another* man?” They both stiffened. Mrs. Blackwood was quick-witted. She dabbed at her eyes, letting out a soft, theatrical sob. “It’s all Julian’s fault. I told him not to go drinking with his secretary, but he just had to.” I looked at Mrs. Blackwood, asking, “Did he cheat on me with his secretary?” Mrs. Blackwood froze, then quickly shook her head. “No!” My mom joined the act, dabbing at imaginary tears in the corner of her eye. “He just went drinking with his secretary, and you got upset.” Julian’s secretary was a guy. Why would I get upset? I bit back a smile and asked my mom, “So I got mad and decided to kill myself?” My mom squeezed my hand. “Chloe, promise me you won’t do anything foolish again. You scared your mother half to death.” Mrs. Blackwood also squeezed my hand. “Chloe, you and Julian need to get married soon. Don’t worry, if he dares to drink with his secretary again, I’ll break his legs.” Drinking with someone hardly warranted breaking their legs. I looked up, meeting Julian’s eyes. He’d been standing silently behind them the whole time. Didn’t he say he was my fiancé? You wanna play games? Two can play at that game. “Will you marry me?” I asked him.

Julian’s dark eyes locked onto mine, a gaze so intense it felt like it could pull me in. “As long as you’re willing, I’m willing.” He said. My heart pounded when I heard that. The two moms weren’t entirely making things up. The Miller and Blackwood families were old friends. Julian and I were born in the same month, the same year; he was only three days older than me. From the moment they knew our genders, both families practically groomed us to be a couple. From preschool to college, we attended the same schools. They even pulled strings to make sure we were always in the same class. It wasn’t until college, when we chose different majors, that we weren’t in the same classroom anymore. Julian and I were *too* close. I swear I knew him better than he knew himself. Maybe it was that familiarity, but I’d never felt that heart-fluttering sensation with him. During college, I met Ryan Hayes, a gentle guy, and *he* was the one who made my heart race. Ryan and Julian were rivals, enemies. *I* pursued Ryan. When I confessed my feelings, he didn’t reject me. We had a very sweet relationship. My parents saw there was no spark between Julian and me. After trying to convince me otherwise, they eventually gave in and approved of my relationship with Ryan. It was only after I started dating Ryan that I learned he had someone else in his heart: his first love. I told him I didn’t mind, that it was all in the past. Julian, of course, called me an idiot, and his hatred for Ryan just intensified. I’d always wanted to get married, but Ryan was hesitant. Then, one day, he suddenly proposed to me. I later found out he proposed on the same day his first love got married to another man in America. The day before our engagement, he got a call from his first love. She was crying on the phone, saying her husband had beaten her. Ryan hung up and told me he was going to America to bring her back. I looked at Ryan, my voice cold. “What do you mean, you’re going to America to bring her back? Are you trying to kidnap someone else’s wife?” Ryan frowned, displeased. “Haven’t you seen all the horror stories online about domestic violence? Serena’s all alone, miles away in America, being beaten by her husband. Do you have any idea how helpless she must be?” “Can’t she call her parents? Can’t she call the police?” I shot back at Ryan. Ryan’s tone grew angry. “Chloe, stop being so unreasonable! I’ll still get engaged to you when I get back. You’re the only woman I’ll marry.” I looked at Ryan, my expression calm. “Tomorrow is our engagement party.” Ryan came over and pulled me into his arms. “We’ll postpone the engagement. I’ll pick Serena up and we can choose a new date.” I pushed him away. “If you dare to go find her, we’re over.” Ryan still flew to America to find his first love. As I drove home after our argument, I got into a car accident. Both the Blackwood and Miller families thought I tried to end my life because of Ryan. When I woke up from the crash, my irritation with Julian and my question about who he was, they all mistook it for amnesia.

The doctor came in and examined me. Once my mom and Mrs. Blackwood knew I was out of danger, they slipped away. They said Julian would take care of me and help me regain my memories. With them gone, only Julian and I were left in the luxury VIP suite. Julian stood by my bedside, looking down at me. My left leg was in a cast, my head wrapped in bandages. I didn’t need a mirror to know how awful I looked. I licked my cracked lips. “I want some water.” Julian went to pour water and helped me drink it. After drinking water, my appetite slowly returned. I said I wanted porridge, and he made it himself. I said I wanted soup, and he cooked it himself. Watching him busy in the VIP suite’s kitchen felt like being a child again. Julian was a Blackwood heir, but he wasn’t one of those spoiled rich kids who only knew how to party. He wasn’t just handsome and smart; he was also an excellent cook. In elementary school, I loved his noodles. In middle school, I loved his braised pork. After college… I hadn’t eaten his cooking anymore. After I started dating Ryan, Julian either ignored me or just snapped at me. His eyes would turn cold whenever he looked my way. I looked at Julian. Now, I was a person with “no memory.” I deliberately teased this somewhat stiff man. “Are we really deeply in love?” Julian turned to look at me. “You have a mole on the arch of your foot, and two small hypertrophic scars on your back.” His gaze darkened, settling on my chest, his voice dropping to a seductive whisper. “You have a little red birthmark just under your right breast. So, tell me… how deep do you think our connection goes?” My cheeks flushed. The mole on my foot, fine. The scars on my back, fine. But that red birthmark on my right breast? How did he know about that? I discovered it when I was eighteen. It was in a very hidden spot; no one could see it when I wore a bra. I silently fumed. He’d definitely seen me naked, somehow! I glared at him, grinding my teeth. “Did you confess first, or did I?” Julian smirked. “I did.” I asked again, “When?” Julian truly treated me like I had amnesia. “After the exams, I gave you a card.” My mind went blank for a second. I remembered. After the exams, we walked out of the classroom together. Julian pulled me to a maple tree and asked me how I thought I did. I smiled brightly. “I feel pretty good about it.” He handed me a card. “This is for you.” I took the card. It was a photo of a famous piano master performing on stage. He knew the artist was my idol, but a week before the exam, my idol had a massive scandal, a total fall from grace. The thought of his scandal made me feel like my hands were dirty just holding the card. I looked for a trash can to toss it. Julian’s voice came from above me. “You don’t like it?” I nodded. “No, I don’t.” His voice changed subtly. “Didn’t you look at the words on the back of the card?” There were words on the back? I dutifully flipped the card over. The handwriting was elegant, with a confident flourish. [There’s a woman I can’t forget the moment I see her. A day without her, and I ache with longing.] My first reaction when I saw those words was: *Seriously? Is this plagiarized?* Julian’s voice came again. “Still don’t like it?” That piano master’s moral issues were just too severe. If I still liked him after *that*, I’d be a complete idiot. I said, “No, I don’t.” Then I threw the card away. Looking back now, I realized Julian’s face had been terrifyingly grim, with a hint of pained desolation. I stared at Julian, stunned. Was he confessing to me then? And I threw away his confession card right in front of him. Wasn’t that a blatant humiliation? No wonder he left the country right after the exams and didn’t come back until the first day of college. And no wonder his gaze was always so icy when he looked at me, always keeping his distance— I pursed my lips, stammering, “I… I didn’t know…” If I had known he was confessing to me then, I would never have said I didn’t like it. Strange. Why couldn’t he have just *said* it? Julian shook his head. “It’s normal that you don’t remember many things from before since you lost your memory. I’ll be by your side from now on, and I’ll tell you anything you want to hear.”

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On my wedding night, my heart was soaring as the veil was gently lifted. But the face looking back wasn’t Damian’s. It was Liam, the “Idiot” son of Damian’s family’s housekeeper. Laughter erupted around us, mocking and cruel. Serena, Damian’s childhood friend, smirked, her voice dripping with fake pity: “Since the veil has been lifted, by tradition, you have to spend your wedding night with the groom.” Then she turned to Damian, batting her eyelashes. “I’ll make the sacrifice, Damian darling. I’ll keep you company tonight instead.” It was only then that Damian casually strolled in. “Chill out, Cassidy. It’s just a prank. Don’t be such a sore loser.” He shrugged, a dismissive sneer on his face. “Anyway, he’s an idiot. He won’t know anything. Spending one night with him won’t kill you.” His sarcastic tone, his cruel indifference – it made me laugh. A cold, bitter laugh. “If he’s the one who lifted my veil, then one night won’t be enough, will it?” My voice was icy. “If I’m marrying him, I’m marrying him for life.”

My bridesmaids, who had been expecting a harmless prank, stared, dumbfounded. “Are you serious, Damian? You want Cassidy to spend her wedding night with… with an idiot?” Chloe burst out, disbelief etched on her face. Ashley chimed in, “It’s your wedding day! Even a joke has limits!” Damian just scoffed, raising an arrogant eyebrow. “What’s it to you? My fiancée doesn’t mind, so why are you making a big deal out of it?” He walked up to me, his voice dropping to a low, menacing tone. “Last month, you publicly humiliated Serena and docked her half a year’s bonus. Tonight, I’m getting my revenge for her.” He paused, letting his words hang in the air. “Either you sleep with this idiot for a night, or… our engagement is off!” Threatened by Damian like that, I felt less anger and more a profound sense of absurdity. Last month, Serena, who was my assistant, accompanied me to an auction. But she ignored all my instructions, bidding recklessly during the auction. Our company ended up buying an artifact for far more than our budget. Afterward, I disciplined her according to company policy, and the incident spread through the office. Naturally, it gave Serena a bad reputation. But if she hadn’t ignored my orders, I wouldn’t have wasted hundreds of thousands of dollars. According to company rules, she should have been fired. I only docked her half a year’s bonus as a light punishment, mostly out of respect for Damian. Yet, Damian stubbornly insisted I was just finding an excuse to target Serena and make her look bad. No matter how I tried to explain, he wouldn’t listen, convinced I was cold and ruthless. He forced me to make a public apology, a statement that twisted the facts and painted me as an uncaring boss, all just to “make amends” to Serena. It cost me a lot of respect and damaged my professional standing. Only then did he reluctantly drop the issue. I thought that whole awful episode was behind us. I never imagined it would come back to haunt me like this. My heart, in that moment, turned to ice. To appease Serena, he was willing to orchestrate this ridiculous charade on our wedding day. I could already imagine the gossip, the ridicule that would follow. I’d be the laughingstock of everyone we knew. Damian’s posture screamed his certainty that I loved him too much to defy him. He was smug, convinced that even if this was an obvious trap, I’d willingly jump into it. But what he didn’t know was that even the most passionate love couldn’t endure such reckless extravagance and blatant disrespect. I let out a soft huff, tearing my gaze away from them. Instead, I knelt down on one knee in front of the man who was happily munching on wedding candy. I took his hand, looking up at him. “Liam, will you marry me?” The words had barely left my lips when Damian’s eyes widened, shocked. “Cassidy, are you insane?! I only told you to spend one night in the bridal suite with him. Are you actually going to marry this idiot?” Serena quickly grabbed his arm, whispering urgently, “Damian, calm down. Cassidy would never actually marry a fool like him. She’s just trying to provoke you, waiting for you to back down.” “If you lose your cool now, you’ll be playing right into her hands.” Hearing Serena’s words, Damian stopped, a smirk slowly spreading across his face. “Cassidy, make sure you scrub yourself clean before you come crawling back to me tomorrow. I don’t want to catch anything dirty!” When I ignored him, Damian rolled his eyes. “Well, if the bride wants to marry someone else, then we might as well make up for the bachelor/bachelorette party! Tonight, we party until we drop!” With that, he grabbed Serena and stormed out of the bridal suite without a backward glance. I remained kneeling, my hand suspended in the air, a hollow ache in my chest. Just then, a warm, soft hand gently touched my palm. I instinctively looked up, my eyes meeting Liam’s. He gazed at me, a soft smile slowly curving his lips. His voice was quiet, yet incredibly clear. “I do.”

I was taken aback. For some reason, Liam, despite his childish demeanor, had eyes that were surprisingly clear and bright when he looked at me. But the thought flickered and vanished; I didn’t dwell on it. I softened my voice, trying to coax him. “Liam, since you’ve agreed to marry me, we need to go to City Hall first to get our marriage license. Only then will it count.” I paused, looking into his eyes, and asked again, seriously. “This isn’t just playing house, Liam. Are you sure you’ve thought this through?” Liam didn’t answer. He just clapped his hands happily. Seeing his pure, joyful expression, a bittersweet smile touched my lips. I drove Liam to City Hall myself. During the process, Liam was a handful. When it was time to sign, he held the pen and scribbled wildly, finally managing to scrawl his name crookedly. When it was time for his fingerprint, he found the red ink fascinating. He not only got it all over his hands but accidentally smeared some on his cheek. Liam just giggled foolishly at his smudged, cat-like reflection in the mirror. Soon, two crisp marriage certificates were handed to us. Liam clutched his certificate, his eyes sparkling, holding it to his chest as if it were the most precious treasure. Stepping out of City Hall, I called the driver. I gently stroked Liam’s head, my voice soft. “Liam, why don’t you go back with the driver for now? I have something to take care of, but I’ll be back soon.” Liam looked at me, confused, but nodded obediently. I changed direction, heading alone to that bar. When I pushed open the private room door, only Damian and Serena were left inside. He was meticulously wiping Serena’s mouth with a damp napkin. Her shirt collar was still stained with a bit of vomit. I remembered Damian had severe germaphobia. Once, when I had a bad cold and a fever, I accidentally threw up on the sheets in the middle of the night. He woke up, his first reaction to flinch back, pinch his nose, and snap at me, “Cassidy, that’s disgusting! Can’t you go to the bathroom if you need to throw up?” In the end, I had to change the sheets myself, struggling through my sickness, and he offered no words of concern. That very night, he went to Serena’s place. Yet now, he seemed utterly oblivious to the obvious stains on Serena’s clothes. Serena, somewhat recovered, her eyes hazy with drink, grinned when she saw me. “Cassidy, didn’t you say you were going to spend your wedding night with that idiot? What, regretting it already…?” Damian’s hand didn’t stop, but he gently admonished her, “Serena, don’t say another word.” Then he finally looked at me, his voice flat. “Cassidy, you’ve learned your lesson from today, so I won’t hold it against you. I’ll make up the wedding for you in a few days. I need to take Serena home first; she’s had too much to drink.” Seeing his concern for Serena, contrasted with the cold distance he always showed me, the already frozen part of my heart felt another stab of an ice pick—a dull, sharp pain. The last ripple of emotion in my heart settled into complete stillness. I nodded, then pulled the marriage certificate from my pocket. “Suit yourself. But there’s no need to make up the wedding. Liam and I already got married.” The moment Damian saw the marriage certificate in my hand, his face instantly turned ashen. “Cassidy, are you kidding me? You actually went and married that idiot?!” “I swear, you’re crazy. How could you do something like this? What will people say? How am I supposed to show my face after this?” Even now, all he cared about was his own reputation. After all, if people found out that the daughter of the prominent Montgomery Group abandoned him to marry an idiot, how much would he be ridiculed? At that moment, Serena, still tipsy, scoffed from the side. “Cassidy, I have to admire you. You’d go this far just to spite Damian. But if you want to embarrass yourself, fine. Why drag him down with you?” Hearing her words, I found it utterly absurd. They were the ones who told me to spend the night with Liam. When I said I’d marry Liam, Damian didn’t object. Now they’re blaming me? Serena suddenly dry-heaved again. Some of the mess splattered onto Damian’s sleeve. He yelped, but didn’t push her away. Instead, he anxiously scanned the room. The tissues in the private room were gone. His gaze landed on me, and he urged, panicked, “Cassidy, where’s your handkerchief? Give it to me, fast!” I froze. The handkerchief Damian was referring to was one he had personally embroidered when we first started dating, with our initials on it. He’d told me it was a token of his love, and I should carry it every day. For years, I had treasured it, never letting it leave my side. Now, he was asking for this precious keepsake so casually, to wipe Serena’s mess. My heart shattered into a million pieces. After a moment of silence, I pulled out the handkerchief, my face devoid of emotion. I didn’t hand it to him. Instead, I simply dropped it at his feet. “Damian, we’re done.” He bent down, picked up the handkerchief, and, still busy wiping Serena, impatiently yelled at me, “It’s just a damn handkerchief! Why are you making such a big deal? If it’s dirty, I’ll just wash it. I can buy you a new one later if I have time!” I ignored his words, turning and walking straight out the door. Later… There was no later for us. Seeing I didn’t stop, Damian grew even angrier. “Go ahead and leave, Cassidy! Do you really think I care about being with you?!” “You’ll regret this, eventually. Don’t come crawling back begging me then!”

It was late when I returned to the mansion. Liam was curled up on the living room sofa, asleep, still clutching the marriage certificate tightly. Seeing this, something in my chest softened. I walked over quietly, intending to help him to the bedroom. But Liam woke up with a start, his hazy eyes brightening the moment he recognized me. “You… you’re back.” “Yeah.” I bent down and smiled. “If I come home late from now on, you don’t have to wait up for me. Go to bed when you’re tired.” After settling Liam, I returned to my study. Just then, my phone screen lit up. It was a message from Damian. [Cassidy, come back and apologize to me now, and I might consider forgiving you.] [If you want to be mad and fight with me, fine. But you can’t marry that idiot to spite me!] I stared at the screen, my mind perfectly calm. The words that once could easily sway my emotions now just seemed annoying. I didn’t reply. I simply blocked Damian’s number. The world instantly felt clearer. Early the next morning, I took Liam out. For years, he hadn’t even had his own phone. I figured it would be easier to find him if anything happened. While setting up his new phone plan, I casually saved his number in my contacts. When it came to entering his name, I paused, then deliberately typed two words: “My Husband.” Just as we were about to leave, we ran into Damian and Serena right at the mall entrance. Damian’s gaze was like a knife, cutting through our clasped hands before finally settling on my face. He was a mix of anger and disbelief. “Cassidy, are you seriously still playing house? Dragging that… thatthing around town, aren’t you afraid of embarrassing the Montgomery family?” Serena chimed in, her tone dismissive. “Cassidy, that’s enough. Damian’s anger has passed. Just apologize, and this whole thing can be over.” “Excuse me. We need to go. I’m taking my husband to pick out a wedding dress.” I cut them off directly, my voice devoid of emotion. Hearing me address Liam so intimately, Damian completely exploded. “Cassidy! Have you forgotten how you begged me to be with you? Forgotten how you said you’d only love me your whole life?!” “How long are you going to keep up this charade with that idiot? Are you seriously not going to marry me?!” I stared back at him, then calmly replied, “That’s right, Damian. I don’t want you anymore.” As his face drained of color, I shielded Liam and walked past him.

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My adopted brother, the one who had raised me for seven years, was drugged on his birthday. That night, he pinned me against the bed, taking me over and over again. I never imagined the media would capture the scene. To protect the company’s reputation, he was forced to marry me. On our wedding day, his first love found out and, in her agony, jumped into the sea, dying by suicide. Julian Ashton, in a fit of rage, set the entire ballroom ablaze, burning me alive inside. When I opened my eyes again, I was back in college. I had been reborn. This time, Julian sent me straight abroad. Five years later, he was as successful as he had been in my past life. When we met again, he was standing at the company’s annual gala, with Serena Monroe, her belly swollen with pregnancy, nestled in his arms. The moment our eyes met, he sneered, pinching my jaw. “Mia Sterling, it’s been five years. Don’t tell me you still can’t forget me?” “I’m your brother. Your twisted thoughts actually disgust me.” Just then, a clear, cool voice echoed from the phone in my hand. “Sweetheart, when are you coming home? Our son misses his mommy.” …… Five years later, I saw Julian again at the company’s annual gala. As the host, he stood elegantly under the spotlight, dressed in a custom-tailored suit. “Julian, congratulations! You’ve secured the project with the Hayes Group this year. Achieving so much at such a young age, your capabilities are truly admirable!” A man beside him chuckled, raising his glass and walking over with a deferential smile. “If you ask me, Julian has a wonderful wife. Isn’t there a saying that behind every successful man is a supportive wife?” Serena Monroe blushed at the compliments, tightening her grip on Julian’s arm. “Julian deserves everything he has today. I just feel useless, like I can’t help much.” Hearing her, Julian immediately pulled her into his embrace, his voice softening with a deliberate coaxing tone. “Serena, don’t say that. My achievements today are all thanks to you being by my side.” “If it weren’t for you, I probably would have given up a long time ago.” I stood in the corner, almost laughing out loud at Julian’s words. In my past life, I had also stayed by his side, selfless and asking for nothing, just like Serena. But in the end, he treated my love for him like trash. That night, it was clearly *him* who knocked on my door. He shoved me onto the bed without a word. Completely disregarding my feelings, he vented his desires on me. “Oh, by the way, Julian, what about your adopted sister? I remember she used to follow you everywhere. How come we haven’t seen her in the last few years?” The moment my name was mentioned, Julian’s face stiffened, but the disgust in his eyes was impossible to hide. “She went abroad.” He was silent for a moment before slowly uttering those three words. “After all, we’re not blood-related. I raised her to adulthood; I’ve done right by her.” “Besides, I’m married now and have my own child. If she had any self-respect, she should stay abroad and build her own life!” Julian’s tone was dismissive as his gaze swept across the crowd, finally landing abruptly on me. In that moment, the surroundings seemed to fall silent. The complex emotions in his eyes intertwined with mine. The people around us noticed and turned to look at me. “Mia Sterling?” “Who allowed you to come back?” Julian’s accusing words came before mine. He instinctively stepped in front of Serena. “Mia, why didn’t you tell your brother you were coming back? What if something dangerous happened? We’d be heartbroken.” Serena smiled, walking past Julian to stand before me, her hand deliberately resting on her slightly bulging belly. It was as if she was showing off to me. She was now the mistress of the Ashton household. 2. Before I could even speak, Julian strode over and slapped me across the face without a word. The stinging pain immediately made half of my cheek swell with a red mark. “Your sister-in-law is talking to you, are you deaf?” My head snapped to the side from the blow, and the business partners around us began to whisper. “Mia, you were such a good girl. How did going abroad make you lose all your basic manners?” “Serena is Julian’s beloved wife, you should at least greet her!” I clenched my fists, fighting back the rage bubbling inside. “I have my own reasons for coming back to the country…” Hearing this, he scoffed. He looked at me with a mocking expression, as if I were a joke. “Mia Sterling, you really can lie through your teeth.” “You have no parents. If I hadn’t taken you in and raised you all this time, you’d be six feet under by now!” Serena also feigned sympathy, taking my hand. “Mia, I know you don’t like me.” “After all, you’ve never been able to forget him…” “What?” At her words, a murmur of shock rippled through the room. “Can’t forget? Is it what I think it is?” “I can’t believe Mia has *those* kinds of feelings for her own brother!” “That’s disgusting. If she were my sister, I’d disown her immediately!” They pointed at me, gossiping openly, completely disregarding my feelings. They stood on their moral high ground, relentlessly tearing down my character. Julian just narrowed his eyes, watching me with a cold smirk. “Mia Sterling, five years later, you still haven’t moved past *those* feelings for me, have you?” “Julian, don’t say that. Mia’s love for you, no matter what, was sincere. Don’t hurt the girl’s feelings.” When Serena said this, she looked a little angry. But the smile at the corner of her lips couldn’t be suppressed. “Serena, you’re too kind; that’s why you’re fooled by her innocent facade! You don’t know, she’s rotten to the core!” “A year ago, I had someone clean Mia’s old bedroom, and guess what? They found a diary. It clearly detailed all her dirty, disgusting thoughts.” As everyone stared in stunned silence, Julian’s assistant pulled a pink leather-bound diary from his briefcase. My gaze fell on the cover, and I froze for a moment. That was a secret I had hidden in my heart, recorded during every sleepless night in my past life. It was the unspoken affection from five years of secretly loving Julian. The moment that diary was opened, I felt as if I had been stripped naked, exposed under everyone’s gaze. “Brother, I have a secret, one only I know.” “I think I’ve really fallen for you.” “Not a sister’s love for a brother, but a girl’s love for a boy.” Julian held the diary between two fingers, as if repulsed by it. He wished he could stand on stage, wished he could grab a microphone and brutally tear open the scabbed-over wound in my heart. 3. “Julian, can you please not date anyone?” “Can you please be with me?” “Can I… sleep with you…?” He laughed, cruelly and unrestrainedly. His eyes, when he looked at me, were devoid of any warmth. It was as if a deep hatred lay between us. My nose stung. My eyes welled up, feeling dry and raw. My heart felt like a dull knife, twisting violently inside me. I fought back the tears, desperate to leave this place. But the next second, Julian grabbed me, pulling me back. “Mia Sterling, do you even realize that what you thought was your love, to me, was nothing but a nuisance?” “Even if Serena had never appeared, I would never, ever be with you. Your twisted, filthy mind makes me genuinely sick every single moment!” He gripped my jaw, sneering as he spoke each word. “Damn it, Julian was so good to you, and you tried to get into his bed!” “Even without blood ties, he’s still your brother! He raised you for years, and you want to ruin his family!” I couldn’t retort, so I just tried to bury my head. That diary was indeed the trace of my five-year secret crush from when I was eighteen. I guess I never could have imagined. The man I once cherished. Would now, in front of everyone, use that diary to mock my twisted affection. “Mia, don’t be sad. Julian is just angry; he didn’t mean to read your diary out loud to everyone. Try to understand him, after all, he’s only ever felt a brotherly affection for you. Anyone would struggle to accept something like this…” Serena walked to my side, reaching out to pat me gently in a comforting gesture. I stood stiffly. My teeth felt like they were chattering. I didn’t understand. I had tried my best to avoid Julian. Why wouldn’t he just let me go? “Julian Ashton, I *did* like you.” “But that’s in the past. Now I just want to cut ties with you. Just as you said, I’m an adult, and I know myself better.” Hearing this, he didn’t get angry; instead, he laughed. “Mia Sterling, are you serious? You want to cut ties with me?” “You’ve eaten and drunk at the Ashton’s all these years, and now you want to pretend none of it happened? Even a dog I raised for this long would at least wag its tail for me!” Harsh and piercing accusations echoed repeatedly in my ears. Suddenly, a girl roughly my age burst out of the crowd and shoved me to the ground without a word. “You little slut! I’ll teach you for seducing Julian!”

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My brother couldn’t afford a wedding. So Gary Thompson, Brittany’s father, proposed: an exchange of wives. Brittany could marry my brother, but I would have to marry him. I refused, but my whole family conspired, drugged me, and delivered me to Gary Thompson’s bed. As I tried to escape, Gary and Brittany accidentally pushed me off a cliff, and I fell to my death. When I opened my eyes again, I was back on the day we were supposed to go to the Thompsons’ to discuss the wedding. I woke up with a pounding headache, finding myself in Gary Thompson’s house. He lunged at me like a shriveled zombie. I ran out, screaming, as if my mind had broken. Gary Thompson and Brittany Thompson chased frantically after me. “Daisy, my dad’s already touched you! No other man will want you now! For my wedding to Jake, just make this sacrifice and be with my dad.” I felt numb, my mind a blur. I felt utterly defiled, soiled by that old, ugly, disgusting Gary Thompson. Why? Why was all of this happening? I ran desperately, finally cornered at the edge of a cliff. Gary Thompson rushed up, grabbing my hair and yanking my head back, slapping me hard across the face twice. “Why are you running? You’re mine now, old man’s property!” “Your parents and I already agreed. Brittany marries Jake, and you, as part of the exchange, marry me.” I shook my head frantically, sobbing, completely broken. “No! Absolutely not! My parents would never marry me off to you, let you abuse me!” Brittany tried to persuade me from the side. “Daisy, just accept it. They’re the ones who handed you over to my dad.” “Just be with my dad, and Jake and I will be grateful to you for the rest of our lives.” “Come on, let’s go back. It’s cold out here, you’ll catch a cold. Just go home with my dad and settle into your new life.” Gary Thompson tugged at my hair, getting ready to drag me back, and said gleefully, “Once she’s carrying a Thompson baby, she’ll settle down and be a good wife.” “She’s young, maybe she can even give me a son!” Brittany immediately chimed in, “Dad’s right! Once she has a kid, she won’t even *think* of leaving, even if we told her to!” I struggled against them with all my might, wanting to go back and get answers from my parents and Jake. Gary and Brittany worked together, determined to take me back, no matter what. In the struggle, caught between their grasping hands, I felt a sudden shove. I plummeted over the edge, smashing into the rocks below!

“Daisy! Daisy! What are you daydreaming about, you brat?!” I snapped back to reality, the anger and hatred from my previous death still surged through my veins, a burning tide. I clenched my fists without thinking. My mom said, her face heavy with worry, “Oh, your brother’s wedding is driving your dad and me crazy!” My dad sat nearby, smoking silently, and said helplessly, “Gary Thompson is demanding three hundred thousand dollars just to let Brittany marry Jake. Regular folks like us, how could we ever afford that?!” “It’s because you’re useless! You’re making it so I can’t even get married! Mom, Dad, if I can’t marry Brittany in this life, I’d rather just die!” “Oh, my precious boy! You’re going to kill your dad and me! If you die, how will we ever go on?!” “If I can’t even afford a wife, what’s the point of living?!” “How about we all go to the Thompsons’ today to formally propose, and then we can discuss the dowry?” My dad took a drag from his cigarette and sighed. In my previous life, my parents suggested going to the Thompsons’ first to discuss the wedding. Then they planned to slowly negotiate the money with Gary Thompson, hoping to reduce the amount. I was worried they’d be mocked by Gary Thompson, so I went with them. Who knew that Gary Thompson would take one look at me and propose an exchange marriage? Brittany could marry into our family for free, on the condition that I marry him. I refused to give in, even if it meant death. But that night, my whole family conspired, drugged me, and delivered me to Gary Thompson’s bed. This time, I took a few seconds to calm down and think about how to handle it. Gary Thompson wasn’t just a vile, short-tempered creep who loved to steal; he was infamous throughout the whole town. Even his first wife, Brittany’s mom, he tormented to death. So now, I sneered and said, “If Brittany really loved Jake and wanted to be with him, she’d convince her dad to lower the price herself.” Jake grew agitated. “Brittany grew up without a mom; her dad raised her all by himself. She’s a good daughter, always respects him—she wouldn’t dare go against him!” “Then that means she doesn’t love you at all and doesn’t care about you! Her dad knows we don’t have that kind of money, but he’s still demanding so much. No, I think he just wants to sell his own daughter!” “What nonsense are you spouting? Brittany and I grew up together; she truly loves me, and I’ll marry no one but her in this life!” “Forget it. Do you even have the money to marry her? She’s asking for three hundred thousand, you know!” I deliberately provoked him. “You brat! Stop spouting nonsense and upsetting your brother, or I swear I’ll beat the living daylights out of you! Are you just jealous he might get married?!” “Go get ready! We’re all going into town to buy some gifts, then we’ll head to the Thompsons’ to propose.” My mom started urging me to go. “I’m not going! Go propose what? We have no money! Everyone will laugh us out of town.” “Daisy Liu! I’ve had enough of you! I’m going to kill you today!” Jake said, getting ready to rush at me and hit me. My heart jumped, and I immediately took off running. Soon, I was out of sight. Finally, I escaped that situation. I didn’t have to go to the Thompsons’ house. Later, my parents and Jake went to the Thompsons’ by themselves and were verbally abused. Not only were all the gifts they bought thrown out, but they were also kicked out of the house. They made it clear: “Three hundred thousand dollars, not a penny less!”

I had thought that as long as I didn’t go to the Thompsons’, Gary Thompson wouldn’t set his sights on me. But late that night, I overheard my parents and Jake talking. And that’s when I finally understood why, in my previous life, they had been so heartless, drugging me and delivering me to that old, ugly, disgusting Gary Thompson’s bed. My dad: “So, Gary Thompson wanted all that money just to buy himself a young new wife.” My mom: “No wonder he was asking for three hundred thousand dollars. He’s truly selling his daughter, worse than an animal.” “Oh, my son, you should just give up on this. With our family’s finances, where would we get three hundred thousand dollars?!” My parents sighed, a heavy, desperate sound, repeatedly. Jake remained silent for a while. Then, His voice, lowered to a whisper, came through the wall. “Mom, what if we married Daisy off to him? Then he wouldn’t demand three hundred thousand for Brittany, would he? Daisy’s so pretty, and she’s even in college – Brittany’s dad would be thrilled!” “Nonsense! Daisy is your sister! How could she marry Gary Thompson, who’s even older than me?!” My dad’s words held a hint of accusation towards Jake. “What sister? She’s just a stray you picked up, not your real daughter! You’ve raised her all these years; now it’s time for her to repay you!” “Mom, Dad, don’t forget, I’m your real son. You’ll be relying on me for your old age! Once Brittany and I are married, we’ll give you beautiful grandkids to make you happy!” My mom seemed to waver. “But Daisy’s grown up now, not a child. Will she agree?” “Exactly. If she doesn’t agree, are you just going to tie her up and take her there?” “I’m telling you, forget it. Give up on marrying Brittany.” My dad poured cold water on Jake’s idea. “Mom, Dad, do you want to watch me die? If I can’t marry Brittany, I won’t live!” “I’ll be honest with you: Brittany’s pregnant!” “What? What did you say? Is that really true?!” My parents almost simultaneously exclaimed to Jake, then quickly lowered their voices, realizing they were too loud. “It’s true!” “Oh… then what should we do?” Inside, I heard my dad start smoking. “I know a type of sleeping pill. We just give it to Daisy, then take her to the Thompsons’ and she won’t be able to refuse.” “Don’t worry too much about Daisy. There are so many of us; we can handle one girl, can’t we?” Then, a dead silence filled the room. After a while, the three of them started talking again. My parents and Jake had reached an agreement. They were willing to sacrifice me for Jake’s marriage. Next, they quietly discussed the details of the plan. I pressed my ear to the wall, listening carefully, remembering every single thing. The next day, Jake called Brittany over, probably to tell her the plan. She’d go home and inform her dad beforehand. When Brittany came out, her eyes on me had changed. I could tell she was subtly pleased that her wedding to Jake finally had a chance. That day, Jake ran out and didn’t come back until late afternoon, almost dinner time. I knew he’d gone to get the knockout drops. I pretended to be my usual self, going about my day. After dinner, my mom came into my room, bringing me a bowl of chicken soup. She said I looked a bit thin lately and she’d specially made the soup to nourish me. She urged me to drink it quickly, saying it would get cold. I picked up the bowl and, right in front of her, drained it in one gulp.

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After I rejected Daniel Sterling’s divorce proposal for the third time, I did something incredibly stupid. I compiled all his SnapChat messages with his assistant, along with their hotel records, into a devastating PowerPoint presentation and posted it online. I even added all the pain, betrayal, and heartbreak I’d endured during our five-year marriage as an accusation. Just when I thought I’d finally get the sweet taste of revenge, the police showed up. That’s when I found out Daniel had reported me for invasion of privacy. And just like that, I was sentenced to the darkest five days of my life. On the third day in jail, He brought me Leo’s latest award-winning essay to read. The title was: “My Psycho Mom.” In that moment, the firm resolve in my heart shattered into a million pieces. Seeing the contempt in his eyes, I stopped fighting. My voice hoarse, I said: “Daniel, I agree to the divorce.” “Ava Thompson, you can ask for anything you want, except for Leo’s custody.” He finally got the answer he wanted. Daniel no longer acted like a man on the verge of losing it. For once, he actually looked at me with something other than anger. I felt nothing anymore. No more arguments. Just calmly stated what I wanted. “I want a million dollars.” Daniel’s face flashed with surprise. He’d probably thought I wouldn’t give up custody so easily, that I’d keep fighting him. He’d even prepared himself for how to deal with me if I tried to fight for Leo. But I was completely different from what he’d imagined. “Only a million?” He couldn’t believe it, questioning me again, “If you take this million dollars, Leo will have nothing to do with you ever again.” Facing his challenge, I calmly nodded. Daniel seemed about to say something. His mouth moved, but he didn’t continue. “Fine. We’ll go register the divorce as soon as you get out. Ava, you better not be playing games with me.” He dropped a warning, then turned and left. But after he was gone, My mom, Eleanor Thompson, who’d been living abroad and I hadn’t seen in five years, showed up with a lawyer. Soon after, she easily bailed me out. Walking out of the police station, she casually pulled a lady’s cigarette from her pocket. She lit it with a flick of her lighter. As she slowly exhaled a plume of smoke, She turned to face me, utterly exhausted. “So, are you ready to come with me now?” I’d lived for twenty-seven years. She’d asked me that question twice. The first time was when she divorced my cheating father. She asked for nothing, only wanting to take me with her. But everyone around me told me that six-year-old me would be a burden if I went with her, a woman with no money. So I didn’t follow my heart. I chose to stay with my father. When she got her answer, she didn’t force it, leaving with a resolute determination. But sometimes, I harbored a bit of resentment towards her. Resented her for heartlessly abandoning me, abandoning our home. So when I married Daniel, She came to the wedding and told me: “Ava, learn to love yourself before you love anyone else. Don’t put all your energy into others; be good to yourself.” Back then, I was incredibly naive. I thought Daniel and I had a solid ten-year relationship. He would love me consistently, just as he loved himself. With a defiant spirit, I retorted, “Do you think everyone is as selfish as you? Only thinking about how to make others love you, but never thinking about how to make yourself worthy of love.” She wasn’t angry about what I said. She just looked at me with a strange smile. Only now do I understand. Back then, I was truly foolishly naive. My throat was dry, like it was lined with razor blades. Every word I spoke was agony. Hoarsely, I replied to her, “After the divorce is finalized, I’ll go with you.”

I stayed at my mom’s hotel for one night. The next day, I put on the new clothes she’d bought me. Then I went back to the house I’d lived in for six years. When I returned, Leo, who was playing with his toys in the living room, saw me. Surprise and annoyance flashed in his eyes. He muttered softly, “Didn’t she say she’d be in there for five days? How is she back after only three?” At that moment, Daniel also came downstairs. Seeing me, surprise also flickered across his face. It was as if he hadn’t expected me to be out so quickly. But he quickly composed himself. He said calmly, “You’re back, so go wash up and rest. Don’t cause any more trouble.” I shook my head. “No need. We’re going to the registrar’s office to file for divorce now.” Hearing this, Leo’s face changed drastically. He quickly ran behind Daniel, shouting at me, “If you’re leaving, just leave! Don’t even think about taking me. I’m not going anywhere with you!” Looking at his angry face, filled with rejection towards me, I silently pulled at the corner of my mouth. Yesterday, when Daniel left, he’d left Leo’s essay. That essay. I had read it over and over again. I clearly remembered him saying: “My mom is really like a psycho. My dad works so hard, but she always argues with him, throwing things around the house like a lunatic and hitting my dad. If I could, I really wish this crazy woman wasn’t my mom.” Daniel first brought up divorce when I discovered he was cheating. I calmly took photos of the SnapChat messages and hotel records I saw on his phone. When he came home, I went through the evidence I’d captured, one by one, right in front of him. I clenched my fists, suppressing all my anger. Silently, I waited for his remorse, waiting to see him on his knees, apologizing. During that wait, I imagined all the ways he’d cry and beg for forgiveness. But he didn’t. He just looked at me calmly. There wasn’t a hint of guilt in his eyes. Instead, there was a brazen defiance, now that he’d been caught. He told me, “Ava, either delete those photos and quietly be Mrs. Sterling, or we get a divorce.” Before this, I had naively thought that if he just apologized, I could try to forgive him this once. Because when a family breaks apart, the child suffers the most. I didn’t want my child to go down the same path as me. To force a five-year-old to make the cruel choice between living with his dad or his mom. But he didn’t apologize. His defiant attitude enraged me. In my grief and anger, I grabbed everything around me. And threw it at him, repeatedly. But when I heard the nanny and Leo talking, I desperately tried to control my breakdown. I didn’t want Leo to see the ugly scene between his parents. Only, my efforts to hide it failed. Leo saw me throwing things at Daniel like a psycho. But he didn’t hear Daniel’s words from before. Now, looking at the child who treated me like a lunatic, I once again accepted this sharp sword, born of my own flesh, piercing me. “Don’t worry, I don’t want you. After the divorce, I’ll be gone.” I was remarkably calm, my face devoid of any expression. Leo didn’t believe me. He looked up at Daniel. Daniel met his gaze. He said calmly, “Since that’s the case, we’ll go register the divorce tomorrow. I’ll have someone draft the parental rights termination agreement now; you sign it, and Leo will be at peace.” Leo’s eyes, which had just been filled with suspicion, lit up when he heard Daniel’s words. His face was filled with anticipation. I pursed my lips. And answered, “Okay.”

Daniel’s lawyer was incredibly efficient. In just two hours, The parental rights termination agreement was in my hands. I didn’t hesitate; I signed my name. The moment I signed, I distinctly heard a joyful sigh beside me. Leo happily took the agreement. He laughed, “I finally don’t have a psycho mom! No one at school can make fun of me anymore!” Facing my stunned gaze, Daniel, standing beside him, showed a hint of scorn in his eyes. “Someone took photos when you were taken away from home, and they were posted online. Because of you, Leo got a lot of cold looks at school.” His words carried undisguised blame. But he forgot. The cause of everything was him. I didn’t argue with him anymore. I went along with his narrative. Let him push all the blame onto me. But when I saw the disdain in his eyes, It reminded me of the second time he brought up divorce. Back then, I was so unwilling to accept it. I went crazy, running to his company. In front of all his employees, I furiously accused him and his assistant, Rachel Miller. He stood in the crowd, completely unaffected. He watched me perform like a clown with cold eyes. And I forgot. Those employees were paid by him. They wouldn’t casually judge their boss’s private life. And they certainly wouldn’t lose their jobs for someone unrelated. Everyone watched me as if I were a joke. Their curious stares made it impossible for me to escape. I instinctively wanted to run. But then I heard someone in the crowd say: “She might be pretty, but her temperament really can’t compare to Assistant Miller. If I were the boss, I wouldn’t pick this ugly woman either.” “Right? There are plenty of cheating men in this world, especially the rich ones. Why is she so stupid? Can’t she just turn a blind eye?” “If I were her, I wouldn’t make a scene at all. Couldn’t she just take the money and live a good life at home? Why make a fuss like a psycho and become a laughingstock?” I stood amidst the crowd, Listening to the whispers around me. I suddenly remembered the year Daniel started his business. To help him secure a deal with a client, I drank myself sick, ending up with stomach ulcers in the hospital. It was Daniel Sterling who sat by my hospital bed, Holding my hand tightly, crying and choking out: “Ava, I swear I’ll never let you down in this life. I’ll give you a home and make you the Mrs. Sterling everyone envies.” I opened my mouth, wanting to retort, to tell them. It was Daniel who promised me a future. It was he who said we’d love each other until we were old. I hadn’t had a chance to speak yet. Rachel Miller came running, crying. She fell to her knees in front of me with a thud. Bowing her head, she sobbed, “Mrs. Sterling, I never intended to come between you and Mr. Sterling. If you don’t like me, I can resign immediately and never see Mr. Sterling again. But I beg you, please don’t make a scene here. If you keep this up, how will Mr. Sterling face his employees?” She acted like a devoted wife, solely concerned for Daniel’s well-being. With one sentence, she branded me an unreasonable lunatic. Daniel looked at her tear-streaked face. He tenderly walked over and helped her up. He angrily snapped, “Enough! Ava, we’re getting a divorce! I don’t want to spend another day with you! I’m sick of this suffocating life!” Leo’s essay also recorded that day. Only then did I realize that the day I went to his company to cause a scene, Leo had skipped his after-school activity to go play with Rachel at the office. And in his essay, he wrote: “My mom isn’t just a psycho, she also embarrasses me so much. I don’t understand why I have a mom like this. If Aunt Rachel were my mom, that would be so much better.”

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “301647”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #浪漫Romance #现实主义Realistic #重生Reborn #励志Inspiring