The day I found out I was pregnant, my OB/GYN husband, Julian Vance, cheated on me with his medical assistant, Valerie Moore. The shock and stress caused me to have a miscarriage. Consumed by hatred, I publicly stripped Valerie of her scrubs in the hospital lobby, completely ruining her reputation. Then, I climbed onto the rooftop ledge of the clinic, threatening Julian with my own life. “Either you send Valerie to prison for medical malpractice, or you sign the divorce papers.” Julian fell to his knees in front of me, tears streaming down his face as he begged. “I promise you. I’ll do it. You are the only one I love, Summer.” True to his word, Julian personally submitted the evidence of Valerie’s malpractice to the authorities. He chose to stay and rebuild our marriage. Every year on the anniversary of my baby’s death, I would visit the prison to curse Valerie behind the glass. Until today. I was leaving the restroom at the facility when I overheard two janitors gossiping in the hallway. “Does that poor woman seriously not realize the person locked in there isn’t actually Valerie Moore? It’s just a paid actress.” “I know, right? Dr. Vance was so terrified his wife would lose her mind again and hurt Valerie. He spent a fortune renting this decommissioned private facility and hiring actors just to keep her calm. Dr. Vance and Valerie are the real soulmates.” “I heard their baby turned one today. The whole family is celebrating at his mansion. They look so happy.” The blood in my veins turned to ice. My mind went blank. It turned out that while I was trying so hard to heal and start over, Julian had already built a perfect family with her.

My hands and feet shook uncontrollably. A deafening ringing filled my ears. A fake set. Paid actors. Three years of his guilt, penance, and begging for forgiveness. All of it was a meticulously staged lie. I had been so close to letting go. Just minutes ago, I had looked at the woman in the orange jumpsuit behind the glass and said. “I’m pregnant again. It’s a new beginning.” “I won’t be coming back here. Stay here and rot for what you did.” I stood frozen in the hallway, shaking silently, barely daring to breathe. A guard jogged over, wiping sweat from his forehead. “Sorry, ma’am. An inmate caused trouble nearby. I had to step away for a moment.” Hearing his flimsy, rehearsed explanation, a bitter laugh escaped my throat. I had lived the last three years in a traumatized fog. How had I never noticed the cracks in this theater? After signing out, I slowly walked out of the “prison” gates. I got into my car but didn’t drive away. Instead, I parked in a hidden spot down the road. Sure enough, twenty minutes later, a group of people walked out of the building, laughing and chatting. The actress playing Valerie was among them, eagerly counting a thick stack of crisp hundred-dollar bills. My heart sank into a frozen abyss. I pulled out my phone, found my private investigator’s contact, and dialed. “Run a check on Valerie Moore. I want to know exactly where she is and what she’s doing.” The investigator sounded taken aback. “Mrs. Vance? Three years ago, you told me she was in prison and ordered me to stop tracking her and your husband. Why the sudden change?” He didn’t finish the sentence, but the implication was clear. Within an hour, he sent a file to my Snapchat. It contained Valerie’s private Instagram account. For the past three years, she had been documenting her life with Julian. From her getting a nose job and a new identity to work at a different private clinic, celebrated by Julian. To her moving into a luxury penthouse, with Julian taking her on exotic vacations. And finally, to her giving birth, and Julian throwing a lavish first birthday party for their child. I stared at the photo of Valerie holding the baby, with Julian wrapping his arms tightly around them both. The pain in my chest was so sharp I could barely draw breath. Yet, like a masochist, I kept scrolling. When I saw the comments below the post, my fingers froze. My best friend, Chloe, who had spent three days straight cursing Valerie with me three years ago, had left a comment: “My sweet goddaughter is one today! As her godmother, I have to prepare a very special gift!” My brother, Nathan, who had helped me plaster Valerie’s home with photos of her affair, wrote: “Congratulations, Julian! Looks like we’ve got another little doctor in the family.” Even my parents, who had held me tight on the nights I wanted to jump off our balcony, had commented: “You and Valerie are a match made in heaven. Wishing your beautiful family endless happiness.” Dozens of mutual friends and colleagues had liked the posts, leaving warm blessings. Everyone knew. Everyone knew the truth, and everyone chose to keep me in the dark. I stared at those comments for a long, long time. I was still staring when Julian’s call flashed across my screen. “Hey, honey. You’re not home yet. Did something happen at the prison visit?” His voice was as gentle and caring as always, but I could catch a faint, nervous tremor underneath. I forced my voice to remain steady. “Nothing. Everything was normal.” “Julian, I won’t be going back there anymore.” I could hear the massive wave of relief over the line. His tone instantly became cheerful. “I’m so glad to hear that, Summer. The bad guy got what she deserved. It’s finally time for you to let go and move on.” I bit my lip, feeling a wave of self-deprecation. Yes. I was the one getting punished. And it was indeed time to move on.

My investigator sent me another update. When I saw the child’s name in the document, my knuckles turned white clutching the phone. Lily. That was the name I had chosen for the baby girl I lost. Back then, Julian had pressed his ear against my belly, smiling warmly. “It’s a beautiful name, Summer.” I thought that name had been buried forever in the dirt alongside my miscarried child. I never could have imagined it would be stolen and given to Valerie’s baby. Even though it was the middle of July, I felt a bone-chilling cold wash over me. “Send me the address of the birthday party,” I texted the investigator. Julian had spared no expense. He rented a stunning, high-security villa in the countryside. Without an invitation, no one could get in. I paid a hefty fee to get a guest pass from a vendor and slipped into the crowd. I stood amidst the laughter and clinking glasses like a ghost. Valerie, surrounded by a doting crowd, was proudly showing off the nursery. Cream-colored walls, an organic wood crib, custom-built bookshelves… Even the handcrafted crystal mobile hanging by the window was the exact one I had spent weeks customizing for my lost baby. The nursery I had lovingly designed had been recreated block for block for Valerie. The guests gasped in admiration. “I heard Dr. Vance designed this entire room himself! He treats you like a queen, Valerie. Three years, and he’s still this obsessed.” “Well, Valerie deserves it. She’s already a chief resident at her age. Her future is incredibly bright.” Valerie blushed, a sweet smile on her face. “Julian said this is his first child, so he wanted to give her the absolute best of everything.” Julian walked in, wrapping his arm around Valerie’s waist with pure adoration. Then, his eyes casually swept over the crowd and landed on me. The loving smile on his face froze instantly. Sensing the sudden shift in the air, the guests followed his gaze to me. Valerie shrank back slightly, and Julian immediately stepped in front of her, shielding her. “Summer, don’t make a scene today of all days,” Julian whispered sharply, his eyes darting around nervously. “We can talk about this at home.” I dug my fingernails deep into my palms, trying to hold onto my dignity. “You’ve lied to me for three years, Julian. Don’t I even deserve an explanation?” Before Julian could speak, my best friend Chloe rushed over. She frowned, looking down at me with a judgmental sigh. “Summer, Julian only lied to keep you stable. He was worried you’d do something reckless again. He did it for your own good! Why do you have to be so incredibly petty?” “Even if you’re upset, ruining a baby’s first birthday is just low. It’s embarrassing.” My brother, Nathan, stepped up next, his voice cold and detached. “Look, it’s been three years. It’s time to move on. Just because you’re unhappy doesn’t mean you get to drag everyone else down with you.” My parents walked over, their faces filled with deep disappointment. “Summer, you are such a letdown,” my mother scolded softly. “I can’t believe you’re still this vindictive after three years.” “You ruined Valerie’s life back then, making her the laughingstock of the city. Isn’t that enough payback?” “Besides, Valerie didn’t even ask for a marriage certificate. She just wanted to give Julian a child to carry on the Vance family name. What’s so wrong with that? You don’t have to be so heartless.” Julian let out a weary sigh. “Well, now that you know, at least I don’t have to keep paying actors to put on a show for you. It was exhausting.” “My parents were pressuring me for a grandchild. You can’t get pregnant anymore, and I couldn’t spend the rest of my life childless. You have to understand my position.” “From now on, you can keep your title as Mrs. Vance. We’ll just live our separate lives. We won’t cross each other’s paths.” They stood in a protective circle around Valerie. And I, their own flesh and blood, was treated like a toxic monster they needed to guard against. I let out a soft, mocking laugh, hiding the absolute deadness in my eyes. “Julian, what if I told you… I’m pregnant too?”

Julian’s brow furrowed, his face twisting into an irritated scowl. “Summer, are you seriously using this trick again? Aren’t you tired of it?” “You used a pregnancy to threaten me into banishing Valerie three years ago. If you hadn’t been so stubborn and dramatic, none of this would have happened.” A wave of bitter sorrow washed over me, so painful I could barely stand straight. The miscarriage. The resulting infertility. The agonizing post-surgery complications. All those nights I screamed from nightmares were reduced to “my own fault” in Julian’s eyes. I smiled mockingly, deliberately stepping on his sore spot. “I guess I’m just like your mother. I’m too ‘petty’ to share my husband with a mistress.” “What’s next? Are you going to watch me jump off a building right in front of you, just like she did?” When Julian was five, his father brought his pregnant mistress into their home. That very night, Julian’s mother jumped from their penthouse balcony. Julian had witnessed the tragedy. He had sworn he would never become like his father. Yet here he was, calmly asking me to play nice with his mistress. The power of genetics is truly terrifying. Julian’s face darkened instantly, looking like he wanted to kill me. Unable to watch any longer, my brother Nathan grabbed my arm and dragged me into the villa’s storage room. The cramped, dusty space was filled with Julian’s discarded junk. A customized designer pen I had gifted him, his original proposal ring, and the baby bracelet I had bought for our lost child. These were things Julian had once claimed to treasure more than life itself. Now, they were left here to gather dust, completely forgotten. Nathan looked at me with pure disgust. “Open your eyes and look around, Summer! Julian threw your relationship in the trash years ago. He’s moved on. You’re the only idiot still clinging to the past.” Chloe squeezed into the room as well, letting out a dramatic sigh. “To be honest, Valerie isn’t as bad as you think. If she hadn’t donated her kidney to your mother, your mom would still be rotting in the ICU right now.” “We’ve seen how much Valerie has done for this family over the last three years. You really crossed the line back then.” I froze, my hand instinctively drifting to the scar on my lower back. When my mother fell critically ill, I had secretly gone for a donor match despite my weak post-miscarriage body. Luckily, I was a match. To prevent them from worrying about my health, I had begged the surgeon to keep the donor info strictly confidential. I quietly gave my mother one of my kidneys. Even though the scar still throbbed with pain on rainy days, I had never regretted it. Because my mother had always protected me when I was a child. I wanted to save her life. But now, they were saying the donor was Valerie. A thick, suffocating lump formed in my throat. I looked down, my voice trembling with unshed tears. “You all regret taking my side, don’t you?” “Not only do you regret it, but you also helped Julian gaslight me for three whole years.” My father sighed, his face a mask of weary resignation. “Summer, watching you suffer makes us suffer too.” “If you’re going to live in pain for the rest of your life, it’s better for everyone if you just let go now.” I raised my head and slowly looked at the faces in the room. These were the people who had wept tears of joy at my wedding, wishing me a lifetime of happiness. These were the people who had rushed to my side, saving me from the brink of suicide. Now, they were all standing together, begging me to give up. Slowly, I slipped the wedding ring off my right finger. I dropped it onto the pile of dusty, discarded junk. “Fine. I’ll do what you want. I’m letting go.”

After mailing the signed divorce papers to Julian’s office, I drove to the cemetery. Lily’s grave was adorned with fresh flowers, cute toys, and tiny baby clothes. She looked loved. Just like she did every year I came to visit. “Lily, it’s Mommy. I’m here again.” “I regret it every single day. My anger and pride cost you your life.” “I kept hoping you would find your way back to me. But now that the chance is here… I don’t think I have the strength to start over.” Tears finally spilled over, heavy and unstoppable, mimicking the sudden summer downpour that began to crash around me. I leaned down and gently kissed the cold tombstone. Suddenly, the rain stopped hitting me. I looked up and met Julian’s pained eyes. He was holding an umbrella over me, letting his own expensive suit get soaked in the storm. “Your health is fragile, Summer. The ground is too cold. Let’s talk in the car.” He wrapped his dry trench coat around my shoulders, his tone softening. “I’m not signing the divorce papers. Whatever Valerie has, I’ll make sure you have it too.” “We both made mistakes in the past. Let’s just let bygones be bygones. Don’t bring it up again.” Julian reached out, attempting to slide the tarnished ring back onto my finger. I pulled my hand back, my expression dead. “But I can’t let it go. I will never forget it as long as I live.” Julian’s face hardened, his voice turning cold. “Summer, don’t push your luck. I am not going to fake-banish Valerie again just to appease you.” I shook my head calmly. “Don’t worry. I won’t hurt Valerie.” “I just want you to give Lily’s name back to her. Just for today.” Julian blinked, then glanced at his luxury watch. “Then make it quick. The demolition crew is about to arrive.” “The show is over. The studio lot where this cemetery is located is being redeveloped. My father wants to turn this entire zone into a private amusement park. It’s a first-birthday gift for my daughter, Lily.” I stood frozen, unable to comprehend the words coming out of his mouth. “What about Lily? What about my baby’s grave?” Julian sighed gently. “Don’t worry. I’ll find a better spot for her. It’ll be much nicer than this.” With a loud rumble, heavy excavators and a construction crew entered the gates. They drove straight toward the row of graves. Instinct took over. I threw myself over Lily’s tombstone like a lunatic. “No! Stop! Don’t touch it!” “Julian, I beg you! I swear I’ll sign the papers and stay far away from you and Valerie! Just leave Lily alone! I’ll do anything!” Julian took a step toward me, then stopped. His brows knitted together in annoyance. “Summer, stop acting crazy. It’s just a plot of land. It’s not that serious.” He reached out to drag me away, but in my panic, I swung my arm and slapped him hard across the face. Julian held his reddened cheek, his expression turning pitch black. “Ignore her. Start digging.” Leaving those cold words behind, he turned and walked away, leaving me alone in the vast, roaring cemetery. The workers looked at each other, but ultimately, the giant metal claw of the excavator began to rise. Shaking violently, I squeezed myself against the cold marble of the tombstone and closed my eyes in absolute despair. On his drive back, Julian’s phone buzzed. It was a call from the studio lot’s management office. “Dr. Vance, the actress playing Valerie’s inmate just forwarded the transcript of Mrs. Vance’s last visit to your email.” Exhausted, Julian opened the file on his tablet, his eyes scanning the lines lazily. But when his eyes hit the final paragraph, every ounce of color drained from his face.

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I fainted during a meeting from low blood pressure. The moment I woke up, my supervisor, Victoria Vance, accused me of faking it. She slapped a $1,100 disciplinary deduction slip right onto my face. “Faking an illness to disrupt the meeting? That’s a thousand-dollar fine! With a pathetic work ethic like yours, how did you even become our top sales rep?” For five years, I was the undisputed sales queen, bringing in ninety percent of the company’s clients. My reward? Public humiliation and malicious wage deductions. “If you can’t even handle a minor health issue, don’t even think about managing Julian’s account.” I calmly took the penalty slip and signed my name in front of the entire office. A month later, I sent my resignation letter to the CEO. Then, I formatted the encrypted USB drive and tossed it onto Victoria’s desk. “Here’s what your thousand-dollar fine bought you.” Her face drained of all color as she stared at me. I grabbed my bag and walked out of the building. Behind me, she shrieked like a maniac: “Sienna! You’ll regret this!” She had no idea that an offer letter from our biggest rival, Zenith Group, was already sitting in my inbox.

The conference room lights were blindingly bright, and without warning, my vision went black. When I finally opened my eyes, Victoria Vance’s bright red lipstick was the first thing I saw, her mouth moving rapidly. “Sienna, fainting in the middle of a pitch? Why didn’t you just faint all the way to the morgue?” She held a printed sheet of paper and slapped it right onto my face. “Faking an illness to disrupt company order. That’s a thousand-dollar penalty, deducted directly from your paycheck this month.” I propped myself up against the table. The ringing in my ears from the low blood pressure hadn’t completely faded yet. “Victoria, I have chronic low blood pressure. It wasn’t an act.” “If you’re sick, go to a hospital. Don’t throw a fit at work,” Victoria sneered, looking around the room. “You call yourself our top sales rep with that pathetic body? You look more like a useless slacker looking for a free ride! Look at her, everyone. This was the most important review meeting of the year, and she wasted thirty minutes of our time. With a fragile body like yours, a thousand-dollar fine is a cheap lesson. Do it again, and you’re fired!” The entire conference room was dead silent. Nobody dared to speak up for me. Beside me, Chloe Carter immediately stood up and eagerly handed Victoria a bottle of water. “You’re absolutely right, Victoria. This company isn’t a charity. Sienna, you really need to take care of yourself and stop causing trouble for everyone else.” She pretended to care, but the gleeful smirk in her eyes was unmistakable. I ignored her. I just looked at Victoria calmly. “Fine. Do I need to sign the deduction slip?” Victoria didn’t expect me to comply so easily. She blinked, surprised, before letting out a contemptuous snort. “At least you know your place.” She thought I was backing down. I just didn’t want to waste my breath. I had been at Apex Solutions for five years. I went from a clueless intern to the backbone of the sales department. Ninety percent of our clients were secured by me, one grueling negotiation at a time. Victoria was a nepo-baby hired six months ago. She knew absolutely nothing about sales, but she was a master of office politics. She hated me from day one, probably because I was blocking her from placing her own friends in my position. Over the past six months, she took credit for my project reports, sidelined my team members, and held up my expense reimbursements for three months without any reason. I endured all of it. My husband, Ethan, always told me to let it go. He said it was just a job, and keeping the peace was better for our family. He was climbing the corporate ladder himself, and he didn’t want any drama from my end to affect our life. But today’s thousand-dollar fine wasn’t just a minor setback. It was a direct spit to my face, stepping on my dignity and grinding it into the dirt. I picked up the penalty slip. The name “Sienna” printed on it felt like an eyesore. Back at my desk, I opened my laptop. Instead of working, I messaged a recruiter I hadn’t contacted in a long time. “Rachel, is that new opportunity you mentioned still open?” She replied instantly. “Sienna! Of course! Zenith Group has been waiting for you. I’ll send you the job description right away.” Zenith Group—Apex’s biggest competitor. I closed the chat, clicked on an encrypted folder, and started organizing five years’ worth of client profiles, supplier contracts, and final pricing bids. Every single file represented late nights, endless coffee, and ulcers from high-stakes dinners. Victoria, you used a thousand dollars to teach me a lesson. I’ll use these files to teach you an eighty-million-dollar lesson.

For the next month, I lived the dream life of a nine-to-five worker. The second the clock hit five, I clocked out and muted my phone. Victoria tagged me a hundred times in our WhatsApp work group, but I ignored every single notification. She targeted me during our morning team meeting: “Sienna, is your workload too light lately? Have you followed up with our clients?” “Are the supplier renewals signed? Don’t think your seniority gives you the right to slack off!” In front of everyone, I handed her a thick folder. “Victoria, here is my complete daily log submitted yesterday before five. Every single task you mentioned has been completed. If you feel my workload is too light, feel free to assign me more projects. However, any overtime needs to be requested and approved in advance, otherwise it violates company policy.” Her face turned the color of raw liver, completely speechless. Seeing this, Chloe immediately jumped in to smooth things over. “Oh, Sienna, Victoria is just looking out for you. She wants you to reach your full potential. Speaking of which, you’ve been working on Julian Miller’s account for six months. Why don’t I help you lighten the load?” Julian Miller was our biggest potential client. I had poured my heart into getting him to agree to the final pricing phase. Chloe had been drooling over this account for ages. I smiled and pushed a file toward her. “Sure. Since you’re so eager, you can handle this one first.” She took it, and her smile instantly vanished. It was a notoriously difficult supplier we had been arguing with for two months over contract details. “Sienna, this…” “Weren’t you trying to lighten my load?” I looked at her calmly. “If you can’t even handle a minor dispute like this, how do you expect to manage Julian’s account?” Chloe’s face flushed with embarrassment, but she had no choice but to take the file. Victoria watched from the side, silent and cold. She wanted nothing more than for Chloe to snatch my clients so she could kick me out for good. Then, she started sabotaging me. She rejected my client entertainment expenses, claiming it “didn’t align with the company’s frugal budget.” She held up the approval for client gifts, refusing to sign off on them. It didn’t matter. I paid out of my own pocket and bypassed her whenever I could. Every rejected request, every delayed email—I took screenshots of everything and saved them in my encrypted folder. These were my receipts. When I got home that night, Ethan saw my sour mood and started lecturing me again. “Isn’t your manager just trying to assert some authority? Just swallow your pride, buy her a nice gift, and get over it. Why do you have to make things so tense?” I looked at him, suddenly feeling exhausted. “Ethan, I was the one who got fined a thousand dollars. I was the one humiliated in public, and I was the one whose hard work was stolen. All you ever do is tell me to swallow my pride and back down.” “What else do you want to do? Sienna, are you really going to quit? How are we going to pay our $2,500 monthly mortgage? My career is finally taking off. Can’t you just keep things stable for the sake of our home?” Always “for the sake of our home.” I shut my mouth, refusing to argue. He didn’t understand, or rather, he didn’t care about my feelings at all. He only cared about his career, his mortgage, and his comfortable life. I opened my laptop and continued organizing my client database. Ethan leaned over to glance at my screen, frowning. “What are you doing with all that? Planning to jump ship? Let me warn you, don’t do anything stupid. Your company has a non-compete agreement.” I sneered inwardly. He didn’t even remember that I only signed a standard employment contract. There was no non-compete clause. He only knew how to warn and restrict me. I calmly closed my laptop. “Don’t worry. I know what I’m doing.” What I was doing was making sure that before I left, I would take every single thing that belonged to me.

Victoria’s patience had clearly run out. During Monday’s meeting, she announced a sudden reorganization of client accounts. “To encourage healthy competition, we are reassigning all major accounts. Sienna, you will hand over Julian Miller’s account and your other major clients to Chloe and the younger reps so they can get some real-world experience. As for you, you will focus on training the new hires and handling basic administrative tasks.” This was basically demoting me from top sales executive to a secretary. Chloe’s face flushed with excitement. She couldn’t wait to stand up and show her loyalty. “Thank you so much, Victoria! I won’t let you down. I promise to close Julian’s deal!” I sat in my chair, completely silent. Victoria was highly satisfied with my “silence.” She tapped her pen on the table, looking like a victorious queen. “Sienna, make sure all client files are organized and handed over to Chloe before you leave today. Remember, leave nothing out.” “Fine.” I said only one word. In the afternoon, Chloe strutted over to my desk in her high heels, looking incredibly smug. “Sienna, you can hand over the files now. I need everything—your chat logs with the clients, their custom pricing limits, even their family members’ birthdays. The more detailed, the better.” She thought I was an idiot. She wanted to steal the entire network of relationships I had built over five years in one go. I nodded, took an encrypted USB drive out of my drawer, and handed it to her. “Everything is in here.” She snatched it eagerly and plugged it into her laptop. She opened it and saw the files, but every single one had a lock icon on it. It was encrypted by the company’s internal system, requiring my personal authorization key to open. The suspicion on her face turned into greedy excitement, then quickly into confusion. “Sienna, why can’t I open these?” “I’ll send you the password later,” I said calmly. She pulled out the USB drive like a trophy, thinking she’d get the password sooner or later. “Great. These clients have nothing to do with you now. Go enjoy your new hires.” After she left, I looked at my empty desktop. I logged into the company’s central file server. Every client profile, project template, and sales strategy guide I had created myself was now locked under my exclusive encrypted permission. Then, I sent Julian Miller a text message on Snapchat. “Hi Julian. Just wanted to let you know that due to some internal restructuring, I will be leaving Apex Solutions soon. My colleague will be taking over your account. Thank you so much for your trust and support over the past six months.” Julian’s phone call came through on FaceTime immediately. “Sienna, what’s going on? You’re leaving? What is your company playing at, changing reps right at the finish line? I don’t even want to meet this new person! If you aren’t managing this project, I’m not signing!” I calmed him down, telling him it was just a regular career transition and that I would handle things properly. After hanging up, I sent similar messages to my other core clients. Without exception, every single one of them said they only trusted me. By the time I finished, the sky was dark. I shut down my computer, packed my bags, and went home. That night, Ethan came home beaming, eager to tell me he had basically secured the director position at his company. “Babe, thanks for staying quiet and not causing any trouble lately. Once I get this promotion and raise, we can upgrade to a bigger house.” As he spoke, he casually tossed his dirty laundry onto the couch as if it were my job to clean it. I looked at him, feeling a strange sense of peace. “Ethan, we need to talk.” “About what? I’m sharing great news with you!” “I want a divorce,” I said softly. The smile on his face instantly froze.

“A divorce? Sienna, have you lost your mind?” Ethan’s voice went up an octave. He stared at me in disbelief, as if looking at a stranger. “Just because you’re having a hard time at work, you’re using divorce to threaten me? Can you grow up for once?” I pulled out the pre-drafted divorce papers from the drawer and pushed them toward him. “I’m not threatening you. I’m serious. We split the assets equally. You keep the house, just buy out my half of the equity. I don’t want any alimony.” Ethan stared at the papers, shaking with anger. “I don’t agree! I’m about to become a director, Sienna! Don’t ruin my life right at this moment! I am not signing this!” “Then I’ll file for a contested divorce,” I looked at him calmly. “For the past five years, did you ever actually treat me like your wife? Or was I just a tool to help pay your mortgage and satisfy your vanity?” He opened his mouth, but not a single word came out. He knew I was speaking the truth. Our argument ended on a bitter note. Ethan slammed the door and didn’t come back all night. Sitting alone in the quiet living room, I felt lighter than I had in years. The next day at the office, the atmosphere was incredibly tense. Chloe spent the entire day trying to call Julian Miller using the files I gave her, but she couldn’t even get past his assistant. She tried pitching a proposal to another major client, only to get yelled at and told she had no idea what she was doing. She crawled back to Victoria’s office with her tail between her legs, and Victoria tore into her. In the afternoon, Victoria called me into her office, a rare, fake smile plastered on her face. “Sienna, look, Chloe is still young and doesn’t know how to handle these big accounts yet. How about this? You take back Julian’s project. Think of it as a chance to redeem yourself. And about that thousand-dollar fine, I’ll talk to accounting and have them refund it to you.” She was trying to play good cop now. Too bad I didn’t care anymore. “Victoria, I’m no longer the lead on that project. We can’t just bend company policy whenever we want, can we?” Victoria’s fake smile vanished instantly, replaced by pure rage. “Sienna, don’t push your luck! I’m giving you a way out, you better take it! Otherwise, I have plenty of ways to make your life here a living hell!” Shocked by my refusal, she began assigning me impossible tasks in front of the entire office. “I need a complete analysis report of this quarter’s sales data before you leave today. Also, follow up on that dead project on the west side. I want a breakthrough by Friday. And copy these three hundred pages of documents for me. Double-sided, full color.” Everyone looked at me with pity, while Chloe didn’t even bother to hide her smug satisfaction. I said nothing and just did the work. On Friday at exactly 5:59 PM, I completed every single task she threw at me and sent them to her email in a neat package. Then, I sent my resignation letter to both HR and the CEO. “Effective immediately, I am resigning due to personal reasons.” The moment the email sent, I permanently wiped every personal file from my work computer. Chloe had spent two days trying to crack the USB drive I gave her, but she eventually had to return it to me, defeated. I took the empty USB drive, walked over to Chloe’s desk. She was currently whining to Victoria about how difficult the clients were. Right in front of them, I plugged the USB drive into my laptop. “Sienna, what are you doing?” Chloe asked warily. I ignored her, right-clicked the drive, and selected “Format.” A confirmation window popped up. Under Victoria and Chloe’s horrified stares, I clicked “Confirm.” The progress bar completed in a second. I pulled out the empty thumb drive, placed it gently on Victoria’s desk, and gave it a soft push. “Victoria, here is what your thousand-dollar fine bought you,” I said, my voice echoing clearly through the quiet office. “My clients are leaving with me. You can keep this empty drive and play with it yourself.” With that, I grabbed my purse and walked out, leaving the office in a stunned, deathly silence. Tomorrow, Zenith Group would announce my hiring. As for Victoria, she was about to receive termination notices from our biggest clients. The real show was about to begin.

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On his birthday, I brought a cake to Julian’s private VIP lounge. Standing right outside the door, I heard his best friend ask him: “Julian, you’ve been with Evelyn for ten years now. Isn’t it about time to put a ring on it?” Julian let out a cold scoff. “Marry her? Please. She’s so boring and vanilla. She’s just someone to pass the time with. The future Mrs. Sterling has to be someone from my social class.” I stood there in the silent corridor. I didn’t cry. I just turned around, walked away, and submitted my application to reactivate my classified black-ops file. For the rest of his life, I would be someone he could never hope to reach. After I left, someone spotted the cake box sitting on the floor by the door. “Hey, Julian, Evelyn was just here. You don’t think she heard what you said, do you?” “So what if she did? She never gets mad anyway. Give her two days, and she’ll come crawling back to beg for my forgiveness.” Their laughing voices faded into the distance. Inside me, something died completely. We had known each other for ten years. I really thought I had built a home in Julian’s heart. Hearing his true thoughts today made me realize I had wasted a whole decade of my life on a joke. How pathetic. I shook my head, drove straight to the Agency headquarters that very night. “Professor,” I said, looking at the gray-haired man. “I’ve made my decision. Reactivate Operation Eclipse.” Professor Harrison looked up from his desk, shock written all over his face. “Evelyn, are you absolutely sure? What about your boyfriend?” I didn’t blink. “We are over. From now on, I have no attachments, no weaknesses. I am the perfect candidate for this mission. Professor, let me go.” The old man’s lips trembled, his eyes turning red. Operation Eclipse was a classified deep-cover mission that started ten years ago. Over the past decade, Professor Harrison had watched my senior colleagues leave one by one. Many never came back. I would never forget the sight of him holding their memorial flags, his old body trembling with grief. But even while I was with Julian, I had never stopped training. My tactical skills, my physical conditioning—I kept them sharp every single day. I was waiting. Waiting for the right moment. And now, my time had come. Seeing the cold determination in my eyes, the Professor finally signed the order. I signed the non-disclosure and non-existence agreement. Once I embarked on this mission, there was no telling how long I would survive. It could be three years, or it could be forever. But I wouldn’t regret it. By the time I slipped back into my townhouse, it was past midnight. The sight of discarded clothes scattered on the living room floor made my chest tighten. I stood in the entryway, listening to the muffled, suggestive noises coming from the master bedroom. My heart didn’t even skip a beat. It was time to clean up. My existence had to be completely wiped out. No traces left behind. I burned all my personal photos. I packed my military-grade laptop into a secure case to return to the Agency. Everything was cleared out, except for the bedroom. As much as I hated to go in there, I had to be quick. I waited patiently outside the door for the noise to stop. I took a deep breath. Julian, you’re finally getting exactly what you wanted. When we first started dating, Julian was actually quite sweet. But his wealthy parents despised me. They thought a girl from my background wasn’t good enough for the Sterling family legacy. His mother, Mrs. Sterling, thought my manners were atrocious and even hired a high-society etiquette coach to “correct” me. Back then, for Julian’s sake, I endured three months of that absolute torture. To be honest, compared to the brutal survival training I underwent at the Agency, those etiquette classes were a walk in the park. Even when the coach tried to find the tiniest flaws to humiliate me, she couldn’t. So we settled into a tense, silent truce. Well, I didn’t have to play that part anymore. I adjusted my jacket, turned the handle, and pushed the bedroom door wide open. A sharp shriek pierced the air. The two people on the bed scrambled to pull the sheets over themselves. Seeing it was me, Julian’s face flushed with anger. “Evelyn! Have you forgotten how to knock?” “I didn’t know I had to knock to enter my own bedroom. Or maybe I should call your mother’s etiquette coach to remind me of the rules?” Hearing my calm voice, Julian actually smirked, thinking he had the upper hand. “Oh, so you’re throwing a tantrum? Are you jealous?” “You’re not worth my jealousy, Julian. We’re done. And take your trash with you. Get out of my house.” The smug grin froze on Julian’s face, replaced by a cold, dangerous glare. The girl beside him clung to his bare shoulder, giving me a smug, provocative look. “Julian, she’s so scary! I’m frightened!” Julian didn’t look at her. His lips parted, spitting out a cold command: “Get out.” I turned on my heel and walked into the living room. Behind me, I heard the girl’s high-pitched giggle: “She looks like a rejected puppy.” The next second, a harsh scuffle broke out, and the girl was dragged out of the bedroom and thrown into the hallway by her arm. I watched coldly as she scrambled to gather her clothes and fled the townhouse. I felt absolutely nothing.

Julian threw on a pair of sweatpants and walked out, his chest bare. He stood over me, looking down with a patronizing sneer. “Satisfied now?” I looked him dead in the eyes. “Pack your things and get out.” His brows furrowed. “Are you serious right now?” “Leave. My. House.” I pointed to the suitcases stacked neatly by the front door. “See those? Those are all your belongings. Take them all. Don’t leave a single sock behind.” My icy detachment finally cracked his arrogant facade. He let out a harsh, disbelieving laugh. “Fine! Don’t you dare come crying to me later!” He stormed back into the room, got dressed in a fury, and slammed his way out. On his way out, he kicked one of the suitcases over. “Throw it in the trash!” he yelled. I ignored him. Once the front door slammed shut, I went into the bedroom. The air still smelled of cheap perfume and sweat. I threw the windows wide open to let the cold night air in. Then, I gathered every single thing he had ever touched or brought into this house. I called a local junk-removal service on an app and offered the guy a $200 tip for a late-night pickup. When the worker arrived, he looked at the piles of designer clothes and luxury bags in disbelief. “Are you sure you want to throw all this out, ma’am?” “Yes. Throw it away, burn it, or donate it. I don’t care.” The guy quickly hauled the bags away, terrified I would change my mind. Next, I packed my own single suitcase, wiping down every surface to erase any DNA or fingerprints. I looked around the empty living room and smiled. It was finally over. I didn’t sleep at all. I lay on the bare mattress, looking at the blank ceiling, feeling a strange sense of peace. The next morning, I realized I still had a box of expensive jewelry and gifts Julian had given me over the years. I wanted a clean break. So, I grabbed the box and drove to his corporate headquarters. But when I reached the executive floor, the receptionist blocked my way. “I’m so sorry, Evelyn. Mr. Sterling gave explicit orders. He’s not seeing you today.” “Is he not seeing anyone, or just me?” The receptionist looked incredibly uncomfortable. “He… he specifically said you.” Seeing the lack of emotion on my face, she tried to soften the blow. “Mr. Sterling is in a terrible mood today. Maybe try again next week? Actually, some other woman just went up to his office a few minutes ago…” I had been to this office a hundred times when I was with Julian. The staff all knew me. As for the woman who went up—she was probably one of his many high-society admirers. Julian was rich, handsome, and always surrounded by socialites. In the past, my heart would have broken. But today, I simply slid the heavy velvet box across the marble counter. “Give this to Julian. Tell him everything he ever bought me is inside. We are completely, entirely done.” The receptionist’s polite smile shattered. “Evelyn, you can’t be serious…” “I am. Thank you for everything.” I patted her shoulder, turned around, and walked out of the glass building into the crisp morning air. I took a deep, free breath. Within three hours, I sold my townhouse to a quick-cash property flipper for $300,000 below market value. I didn’t care about the money. I just needed it gone. The new owner was a contractor who brought his crew in immediately. “Are you sure you want me to completely gut this place, ma’am?” the contractor asked, looking at the high-end light fixtures. “Yes. Rip it all out. If a man comes looking for me here later, just tell him I’m gone.” The contractor grinned. “Got it. A clean break after a breakup. Don’t worry, sweetheart. If some jerk shows up, I’ll give him hell and make him cry.” I smiled and nodded. I walked out to the curb where an unmarked black SUV from the Agency was already waiting. I got in, and we drove away.

When Professor Harrison saw me at the hangar, he gasped. “Just one suitcase?” “Yes. Only the essentials. I left the past behind, Professor. I know there’s no turning back once we start.” The Professor personally escorted me to the military transport plane. Before boarding, I took out my phone, snapped the SIM card in half, and tossed it into a disposal bin. My new encrypted number would only be known to the Professor and my handler. I deleted every social media account, every email address. I was stepping onto that plane with a completely fabricated identity, ready to start a new life under the shadows. Ten years later. In my tenth year deep undercover abroad, I successfully intercepted a critical piece of intelligence from a hostile syndicate, foiling their plot. But I took a bullet in the shoulder during the extraction. Because of my highly classified status, I couldn’t return to the US for treatment. I had to stay in a secure, covert hospital in Europe. On the day I was discharged, I ran into a ghost from my past in the lobby. The woman stopped dead in her tracks, staring at me. “Evelyn? Is that you?!” Ten years. I couldn’t believe she recognized me. But I kept my face entirely blank. “I think you have the wrong person. Excuse me.” As I tried to walk past her, she grabbed my arm. “Don’t play dumb! Julian has been searching the entire world for you for the last ten years. I’ve seen your picture a thousand times. I know it’s you!” I looked at her, letting out a polite, slightly amused chuckle. “Look, I get that seeing another Asian face in a foreign country makes you want to connect, but I am really not who you think I am. Look closely.” I stood perfectly still, letting her inspect my face. After a few tense seconds, her confidence crumbled. She looked confused, then deeply embarrassed. “Oh my god, I am so sorry. You look incredibly similar, but… your eyes, your voice… they’re different.” “No worries. It happens,” I said with a polite nod, then walked away. The moment I turned the corner, I took a stealth photo of her with my watch camera and transmitted it to our tech team. I wasn’t operating alone. Anyone who had ever been associated with my past life who suddenly appeared near me had to be thoroughly vetted. Ten years ago, Julian had kicked her out of our apartment. Her name was Chloe. She must have obsessed over my face ever since. Hearing Julian’s name again caused a tiny ripple in my chest, but I suppressed it instantly. The mission was in its final, most critical phase. The slightest mistake could destroy ten years of work. I couldn’t afford to be distracted. Before going deep undercover, I had undergone subtle facial reconstructive surgery and vocal chord therapy. There was no way she could truly identify me. Back at my safehouse, my secure tablet buzzed. The report on Chloe came in—she was simply visiting a sick relative in the hospital. Her background check was clean. I let out a breath. Good. If she had been a threat, I would have had to neutralize her myself. Nothing, absolutely nothing, came before the safety of my country. I spent the next week recovering at home. With no missions and no interruptions, it was the most peaceful week I had experienced in a decade. For the past ten years, the hardest part wasn’t the danger. It was the crushing, endless loneliness. But I had adapted to the dark. Being alone in my own world wasn’t so bad anymore. A week later, my partner moved into the safehouse to assist with my recovery. To the outside world, we were a married couple. The entire neighborhood was a secured zone under our surveillance. “Once this operation wraps up, the Agency is pulling you back to Langley,” my partner said as he prepped dinner. “Your new civilian identity is already set. They won’t suspect a thing.” I stared out the window, deep in thought. “Don’t let your guard down. The syndicate isn’t stupid.” “I know.” But just as we were preparing our final extraction plan, the house across the street got new tenants. I was taking out the trash when the front door of the opposite house opened. I didn’t have time to hide. I ran straight into him. And standing right next to him was Chloe. The moment she saw me, her face lit up. “Julian, look! I told you they looked exactly the same! If I didn’t know better, I’d think they were identical twins!” In that split second, my fists clenched inside my jacket pockets. I regretted not having her quietly dealt with last week. Julian was dressed in a sharp, casual suit. He looked older, his face etched with a complex mix of shock and longing. He took a sudden, desperate step toward me. My heart hammered against my ribs. But before he could reach me, a strong arm wrapped around my waist from behind, pulling me into a warm, familiar embrace. “Hey, sweetheart. I’m home.”

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After I was paralyzed from the waist down, my boyfriend, Julian, and my best friend, Chloe, dragged me out of the house, claiming I needed some fresh air. Julian pushed my wheelchair right in front of a huge box of fireworks. Before I could even react, he lit the fuse. The explosions erupted instantly. Sparks showered down, burning my hands. I screamed in terror, “Julian, help me!” But he didn’t move. I desperately tried to roll my wheelchair away, but the wheels just spun in place. Panic consumed me. Suddenly, Chloe’s voice drifted through the noise: “Sera, look at the camera! Let’s capture your first trip outside since your accident!” I looked up instinctively. Julian was holding his phone, pointing the camera right at my terrified, tear-streaked face. Once the fireworks ended, I collapsed in my wheelchair, gasping for air. My palms were covered in painful blisters, and my entire body was shaking uncontrollably. Julian knelt in front of me and gently rubbed my hair. “Did we scare you?” I didn’t say a word. He sighed, wiping the ash off my face. “The doctor said there’s still hope for your legs. He said a high-stress environment can trigger your survival instinct. It stimulates the nerves. It’s for your own good, Sera.” My fingernails dug deep into my palms. I suddenly remembered last week when Chloe purposely moved my dinner plate six feet away, forcing me to roll my wheelchair over to reach it. She had said the exact same thing. I closed my eyes. I was so tired. This relationship I didn’t want it anymore.

The sharp, acrid smell of burnt gunpowder filled the air. The blisters on my palms burned like fire. Julian simply patted my head, stood up, and pulled a pack of sparklers from his pocket. He handed them to Chloe. A warm smile touched his lips. “You’ve been wanting to light these, right? I bought them just for you.” Chloe’s eyes lit up. She grabbed his sleeve. “Oh my god, thank you! Let’s go over there. We don’t want to accidentally burn Sera again.” “Yeah, Sera can just watch from here.” Julian let her drag him away, waving back at me over his shoulder. Chloe twirled around with the sparklers. Julian knelt down, patiently adjusting his phone camera to take the perfect shot of her. I froze. My nails dug deeper into my palms. I suddenly remembered six months ago, when the three of us had watched fireworks together. Julian had taken photos of me back then, whispering, “Sera, you’re more beautiful than any firework.” That memory felt like a slap in the face. I gripped the armrests of my wheelchair. My chest tightened so much I could barely breathe. Just then, the sky darkened, and a heavy downpour began. Chloe shrieked. Julian immediately took off his designer jacket, draped it over her head, and pulled her close as they ran toward the parking lot. Not once did he look back. Panic seized me. I screamed with all the strength left in my lungs, “Julian, wait for me!” But the thunder was too loud. My voice was drowned out by the rain. They didn’t hear me. Or they chose not to. “Wait for me!” I pushed my wheelchair forward, desperately trying to catch up. But the wheels kept slipping on the wet, muddy gravel. Ignoring the stinging pain in my blistered hands, I pushed the wheels again and again, moving forward inch by painful inch. Their figures blurred in the distance. Sheltered under a single jacket, they vanished into the parking lot. I opened my mouth, but no sound came out. A wave of cold despair washed over me. I stopped. I couldn’t feel my legs, my clothes were soaked, and rain mixed with hot tears streamed down my face. My wheelchair tipped over in the mud several times. By the time I finally dragged myself back to our apartment door, my body was shivering and stiff. It had taken me an hour. I raised my trembling hand and knocked. Julian opened the door. He was wearing dry, cozy loungewear. Chloe was sitting on the couch, laughing at a reality show on TV. Seeing me, she smirked. “Julian, I won! I told you Sera wouldn’t call you for help!”

My entire body went rigid. I stared at them, unable to believe my ears. “What do you mean?” “We made a bet,” Chloe said, tilting her head with a playful smile. “We left you out there on purpose to see if you’d call Julian when it started raining. I bet you wouldn’t, and he bet you would.” She held out her hand to Julian, wiggling her fingers. “That’s five hundred bucks.” Julian pulled out his phone, transferred the money, and sighed with a helpless smile. “Alright, you win.” My blood ran cold. Rage flared in my chest. “You used me for a bet?” Chloe walked over, wrapping her arm around mine coaxingly. “Oh, don’t be mad, Sera! We did it to push you to be independent. We thought if we left, the shock of the rain would force you to stand up.” I violently yanked my arm away from her, glaring at her with pure hatred. Chloe gasped, taking a step back in mock fear. Julian walked over with a dry towel and began gently drying my hair. He had a soft smile on his face, as if he were soothing a throwing-a-tantrum toddler. “Alright, I promise we won’t do it again. But seriously, Sera, why didn’t you just call me? If you had called, I would’ve come to get you.” That was the final straw. I clenched my fists, forcing back the tears. “My phone… was in your pocket.” Julian froze. He saw the sheer disappointment in my eyes, and a flash of guilt crossed his face. He lowered his gaze. “I’m sorry. Let me make you some hot medicine so you don’t catch a cold.” With that, he turned and went into the kitchen. I didn’t drink the medicine. I rolled myself straight into my bedroom. That night, the coldness in my heart turned into a raging fever. As I lay shivering in bed, the happy laughter of Julian and Chloe drifted through the crack of the door. It sounded so warm, so lively. But I was completely alone, shivering in the dark. I remembered how we used to be. Before I was paralyzed, we were an inseparable trio. Chloe had been my best friend since childhood. When I lost the use of my legs, she was the first to move in, helping me dress, tying my shoes, and cooking for me. And Julian had stayed by my side day and night, hiring the best therapists and holding me gently whenever I took my anger out on him. But now, everything had changed. In my feverish state, I fell into a nightmare. I saw Chloe kneeling to tie my shoes. Halfway through, she looked up and sneered, “Sera, you can’t even tie your own shoes anymore, can you?” Then I saw Julian pushing my wheelchair. Ahead of us was a steep flight of stairs. He let go. I gasped and woke up. My heart was pounding wildly against my ribs. I grabbed my phone and sent a message to my mom. “Mom, I heard about a revolutionary rehab specialist in Zurich. Can you take me there?” My mom replied instantly. “Sera? I thought you wanted to stay home for treatment? Is Julian not taking good care of you?” A bitter taste filled my mouth. I slowly typed back: “I’m leaving him, Mom. I want to go to Switzerland. The sooner, the better.”

I put my phone down and looked out the window. The sun was rising. Sometime during the night, someone had changed me into dry pajamas and applied burn ointment to my hands. The bedroom door swung open. “Sera, wake up!” Chloe bounced over to my bed, grabbing my hand excitedly. “We’re going to the amusement park today! It’s been forever since we went out.” Julian followed her in, looking at her with an indulgent smile. My body felt like it was on fire, and my throat was too raw to speak. After a long pause, I rasped, “I have a fever.” Julian immediately touched my forehead. Concern flashed in his eyes. “Oh my god, you’re burning up.” He turned to grab some fever reducers. Beside him, Chloe pouted, a flicker of annoyance crossing her face. “Sera, it’s just a mild cold. You’ll be fine once you take the pills.” “I checked online. The theme park has wheelchair access. If we bring you, we can use the priority lane. We won’t even have to buy Fast Passes! It’s such a good deal. Let’s go, please?” Her words unleashed the anger I had bottled up all night. To her, my high fever and physical pain were nothing compared to skipping a line at an amusement park. “Get out,” I spat, my voice freezing cold. “If you want to go, go by yourselves.” Chloe, unused to me snapping at her, was stunned. Tears welled in her eyes. “Sera… I just wanted to make you happy.” Julian’s heart clearly ached for her. He sighed, bringing the medicine to my lips while supporting the back of my head. “Come on, Sera. Take the medicine. You’ll feel better.” When I ignored him, he ignored my struggles, lifted me out of bed, placed me in the wheelchair, and wheeled me out of the apartment anyway. I wrapped myself in a blanket, my head throbbing. Julian pushed me from behind as they excitedly chatted about which rides to go on first. The wheelchair access did mean we skipped the lines. Chloe cheered as she ran ahead, and Julian pushed me close behind. The roller coasters, the drop towers, the carousel… Chloe dragged Julian onto every single ride. I was left parked alone by the exit gates. I watched them plunge from the peak of a roller coaster. Chloe screamed, throwing her hands in the air, while Julian laughed and wrapped a protective arm around her waist. After every ride, they would run back to me. “Sera, that was amazing!” “What’s next? Let me check the map.” “Julian, let’s go to the Ferris wheel next!” My body shivered with fever, and my eyes shut. I felt entirely dead inside. Just then, a little boy ran over, staring at my wheelchair. “Hey, lady, what is that chair?” Before I could speak, Chloe knelt down and smiled sweetly at the boy. “Hey there! This is a wheelchair. This lady’s legs don’t work anymore. She’s disabled, so she can’t stand up.”

My brain short-circuited. For a moment, all the noise of the park vanished. Those words felt like a dagger plunged straight into my heart. I could accept my disability. But I could not tolerate my best friend using my tragedy to entertain a stranger. The little boy nodded slowly. “I want to ride in a wheelchair too!” Chloe patted his head. “Sure!” She turned to me. “Sera, why don’t you get down and let him sit for a bit? Kids are just curious.” I trembled with rage, staring death at Chloe. “You have crossed the line.” Chloe pouted. “It’s just a joke, Sera. Why are you being so sensitive?” Julian returned just then, holding two iced drinks. He looked at me, then at Chloe. “Sera, just let the kid sit for a second. It’s no big deal.” Looking at Julian’s blatant favoritism, I let out a dry, bitter laugh. I threw off my blanket and raised my voice. “My legs are useless, Julian! How do you expect me to get down? Should I crawl? Should I roll on the ground?” Startled by my sudden outburst, Chloe’s eyes brimmed with tears, and she began to sob. Julian wiped Chloe’s tears before turning to me. His eyes held a mixture of pity and annoyance. “Sera, Chloe didn’t mean it like that. She’s always been sweet and clueless. Don’t take it out on her.” I mocked. “Clueless? Julian, was leaving me in the middle of exploding fireworks clueless? Was leaving me alone in the pouring rain clueless?” He fell silent for a moment. Then he stood up and sighed, stroking my hair. “You have a fever. You’re not thinking straight. Let’s go home.” He pushed me toward the exit. Chloe followed beside us, still whimpering. Julian turned and patted her back, whispering softly, “Don’t be upset. Sera’s sick, so she’s moody. I know you’ve been holding back a lot of tears today.” Chloe smiled through her tears. “Only you understand me, Julian.” I sat in the wheelchair as we headed toward the exit. My heart was a frozen wasteland. When we got home, my mom called me. “Sera, I’ve booked the specialist in Switzerland. I’m coming with you.” I nodded. “I’m booking my ticket to Zurich now.” That night, Julian seemed to notice my unusual silence. He walked into my room carrying a cup of warm water and sat on the edge of my bed. “Still mad at me?” I didn’t look at him. He sighed, leaning down to kiss my forehead. In the past, this gesture would make my heart flutter. Now, it made my stomach turn. He looked at me tenderly. “Sera, Chloe’s just a kid at heart. It’s her birthday tomorrow. Don’t ruin her special day, okay?” I said nothing. Taking my silence as agreement, Julian patted my head. The next day, Julian cancelled all his plans. He drove across the city to buy Chloe’s favorite flowers and order her favorite cake. I was treated like a ghost. Nobody asked how I was. That evening, Chloe’s birthday venue was packed with guests. Julian pushed me to the entrance of the banquet hall. Suddenly, he let go of the wheelchair handles. “Sera, try walking up the steps on your own.” I froze, looking down at the steps. There wasn’t a single wheelchair ramp in sight. Julian looked at me with encouraging eyes. “A little struggle stimulates the nerves. Everyone is here to cheer you on. It will build your resolve. It’s the best rehab.” Whispers began to ripple through the crowd. “How is she supposed to climb that?” “Why would they bring a disabled person to a birthday party anyway? It’s so awkward.” “So tragic, paralyzed at such a young age.” Every whisper felt like a needle stabbing into my skin. I gripped my armrests, my knuckles turning white under the glaring lights. Then, Chloe walked out from the crowd, wearing a beautiful dress and a sweet smile. “Sera, I asked Julian not to put a ramp here. I want you to push yourself. Just try to stand up, even if it’s just for a second.” She looked back at the guests. “We’re all cheering for you! I genuinely want you to walk again, Sera.” I raised my head to look at Chloe. My voice was deadly quiet. “You just want to humiliate me.” Chloe’s smile faltered. Tears welled up in her eyes again. “Sera… how could you say that?” Julian frowned, kneeling in front of me. “Sera, Chloe’s doing this out of love.” I took a deep breath, looking at them with absolute finality. “Then you can spend the rest of your life with her ‘love,’ Julian.” I grabbed the wheels and spun my wheelchair around, heading straight for the exit. Julian froze. For the first time, he saw absolute abandonment in my eyes. A sudden, overwhelming panic gripped his chest. He instinctively moved to chase after me. “Julian!” Chloe grabbed his sleeve. “The party is starting. Sera’s just throwing another tantrum. Let’s not let her ruin my birthday.” Julian hesitated. Looking at Chloe’s tearful face, his heart softened once more. “Okay. Let’s get through your party first. I’ll go coax Sera afterward.” In the end, he chose her. Again. I went to the airport alone. The moment the plane took off, a wave of profound relief washed over me. I was finally free. Meanwhile, back at the party venue, the guests had left. The feeling of dread in Julian’s chest grew stronger. He pulled out his phone, but there were no messages. He rushed back to the apartment, only to find it completely empty. A terrible premonition seized him. With trembling fingers, he dialed my number. The phone you are trying to reach is switched off. Panic setting in, he began calling everyone who had attended the party. “Have you seen Sera?” They all said no. Chloe stood beside him, frowning. “Did the crowd upset her? Maybe she went to see her physical therapist? She’s been talking about a new rehab program lately.” Julian immediately called my therapist. “Dr. Evans, is Sera with you?” “Sera came and took all her medical files two days ago,” the doctor replied calmly. “She said she booked a specialized clinic in Zurich and left today. Did you guys not know?”

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After donating my bone marrow to Chloe, I developed a 104-degree fever. I had to take an Uber home from the hospital all by myself. When I pushed the door open, my parents were throwing a recovery party for Chloe. There were banners, fresh flowers, and a three-tier cake. I told them I was dizzy and could barely stand. But Robert didn’t even look up from his phone. “Young people bounce back fast. Don’t be so dramatic.” That night, I accidentally found Eleanor’s diary in the study. On the very first page, a sentence read: “The doctor suggested having another child as a ‘savior sibling’. A family donor has the highest HLA matching rate.” The next fifteen years of journal entries were entirely about Chloe’s illness. My name only appeared under columns labeled “Donor,” “Matching Match,” “Bone Marrow Harvest,” and “Follow-up.” It turned out I was never the daughter they wanted. I was just a “spare parts kit” they raised with their own hands. “Iris, what do you think you’re snooping through?” Eleanor snatched the diary from my hands. She did it so hard that the sharp edge of the paper sliced across my index finger, leaving a bright red cut. She snapped, “Do you have any concept of personal privacy?” I watched a bead of blood well up on my fingertip. The sharp sting traveled straight to my brain. “Privacy?” I looked up, staring right into her eyes. “You mean the privacy of using me as Chloe’s walking blood bag?” Thud. She slammed the diary onto the table. Robert finally looked up, adjusting his gold-rimmed glasses. “Iris, watch your tone when speaking to Eleanor.” “We’ve raised you for fifteen years. How have we ever wronged you?” I let out a bitter laugh and took a step back. “You gave birth to me just to see if I was a match for Chloe.” “You fed me well just to keep my lab results perfect, so you could pump out my marrow for Chloe whenever she needed it.” I pointed at the yellowed diary on the desk. “You’re a renowned cardiac surgeon, Robert. Have you ever once looked at me as an actual human being?” Robert’s face darkened. “In medicine, a sibling donor is the absolute best option. If Chloe hadn’t been sick, we wouldn’t even have had a second child.” He didn’t even bother to offer a fake apology. Eleanor sighed and wrapped her arm around Robert’s. “Robert, let it go. Iris just finished the transplant. It’s normal for her to be emotionally unstable.” She turned to me, her voice returning to that suffocatingly gentle, reasonable tone. “Iris, I’ve always taught you to look at the bigger picture.” “How can you reduce such a beautiful family sacrifice to something as ugly as being a ‘blood bag’?” This was my parents. They always used the most noble words to cover up their extreme favoritism. I opened my mouth, but my throat felt like it was filled with broken glass. “Then why does Chloe get a grand welcome-home party with the whole family?” “While I was running a 104-degree fever, and not a single person showed up to drive me home from the hospital?” The room fell dead silent for a second. Chloe appeared at the doorway, wearing a silk nightgown, her face pale. “Iris, I’m so sorry…” “It’s all my fault. My illness ruined this family.” “If it weren’t for saving me, you wouldn’t hate Eleanor and Robert so much.” “If it makes you feel better… you can hit me. I won’t blame you.” Eleanor rushed over and pulled Chloe tightly into her arms. “Chloe, what are you doing out of bed? You just got discharged! Your immune system is so weak. You can’t catch a draft!” Robert frowned, quickly walking over to shut the hallway window. When he looked back at me, his eyes were filled with pure disgust. “Look at Chloe. She’s so weak, yet she’s still thinking of you. And here you are, throwing a tantrum over nothing!” “Iris, where is your empathy? Did you leave it at the hospital?” I looked at the three of them holding each other tightly. A wave of nausea hit my stomach. “You’re right,” I muttered, corner of my mouth twitching. “My empathy was sucked right out of my bones and pumped into your golden girl.” Eleanor’s face turned incredibly ugly. “You are absolutely hopeless!” She covered Chloe’s ears as if I were some kind of toxic waste. “Go to your room and think about what you’ve done! Don’t come out for dinner tonight until you write a two-thousand-word apology letter!” The door was slammed shut in my face. I leaned against the cold wood, listening to their fading footsteps outside. I could hear Eleanor’s muffled, comforting voice: “Don’t be scared, Chloe. Iris is just being childish. Come on, I made some organic chicken soup for you.” I walked over to my desk. I pulled open the bottom drawer. Inside lay a thick stack of blood donation certificates, bone marrow aspiration notices, and hospital bills. Fifteen years. Every ounce of my flesh and blood had been reduced to data tracking Chloe’s recovery.

In the middle of the night, a sharp, stabbing pain in my bones woke me up. It was a lingering side effect of the transplant. Even though I curled up tight under the blanket, I couldn’t stop shivering from the cold. I dragged myself out of bed in the dark. My bare feet hit the cold floor. I wanted to go to the medicine cabinet in the living room for some ibuprofen. But as I cracked my door open, I saw the living room lights were bright. Eleanor and Robert were in the kitchen, making seafood chowder. “Chloe just regained her hematopoiesis. Her digestive system needs careful regulation. I’ll buy more organic veggies tomorrow.” I stood in the shadows, watching them work together seamlessly. It felt like watching a heartwarming family documentary that I hadn’t been cast in. The pain in my bones worsened. I pushed the door open. Eleanor’s hands paused. She turned around, her brow instantly furrowing. “Iris? Why are you out? Weren’t you supposed to stay in your room and reflect?” I walked to the medicine cabinet and rummaged through it for the ibuprofen. “My bones hurt. I came to get some painkillers.” Robert turned around. “Iris, I’ve told you many times. Relying on painkillers for minor aches is highly unscientific.” “Using your willpower to push through is much better for your liver and kidneys.” I let out a cold laugh. “But Chloe drinking seafood chowder at midnight is healthy?” Robert raised his voice. “Iris! Don’t use cheap arguments to play your sibling rivalry games.” Eleanor’s voice softened a fraction. “Alright, Iris. Now that you have your pills, go back to bed.” “Chloe’s immune system is very low right now. Don’t disturb her.” In this house. Even my breathing was treated as a threat to Chloe. “Fine. I promise I won’t get in her way ever again.” The next morning. Eleanor knocked on my door. “Iris, pack up your things today.” I sat at my desk, pausing my work on my SAT prep materials. “Pack up for what?” Eleanor scanned my bedroom. “Chloe is recovering now. Her doctor says she needs more sunlight to help with calcium absorption. You’re giving this room to her.” I looked at her calm face. “Why should I?” Eleanor’s expression instantly soured. “Iris, are you being selfish again?” “Chloe suffered so much just to survive. As her sister, you can’t even give up a brighter bedroom for her?” She turned and walked out of the room. She immediately called in the maid who had been waiting in the hallway. “Maria, move all these books and clothes to the other room. Anything useless, just throw it away.” She didn’t give me any chance to argue. She used the most brutal way to enforce her version of “fairness.” I stepped aside, watching my life being packed away piece by piece. “Don’t worry about the trouble,” I said to the confused maid. “I’ll throw them away myself.”

After moving to the basement, I ran a fever for three whole days. The basement got zero sunlight. The damp, freezing air crept straight into my bones. I spent my days wrapped in a thick blanket, listening to the laughter coming from Chloe’s room upstairs. Some of Chloe’s friends had come over to visit. Eleanor had hired a private chef to cater afternoon tea, and Robert had even taken a day off just to be home. “Chloe, you look amazing now!” “I know, right? Your parents are so sweet. They even moved that limited-edition grand piano into your room!” Chloe’s soft, sweet voice drifted down through the poorly insulated floorboards. “It’s nothing, really. Actually, this was Iris’s room.” “I felt so bad about taking it, but Eleanor and Robert insisted.” Her friends instantly raised their voices. “Oh my god, did Iris give you attitude about it?” “You literally just survived a life-or-death crisis! What’s wrong with Iris giving up a room? If it were me, I’d gladly give my sister half my life!” I chuckled coldly. They had no idea. I had already given Chloe my life. On the fourth day, I had to go to school to submit my final confirmation form for the Ivy League Fast-track Summer Program. This was a spot I had earned after staying up countless nights, keeping my GPA at the absolute top of the district for three years. Once I got into this program, I would get a direct, low-threshold admission to my dream university, allowing me to escape this suffocating house forever. Pushing past my weakness, I put on my school uniform, grabbed the parental consent form, and walked out. When I reached the second-floor living room. I saw a completely absurd scene. Mr. Davis. The admissions director of the prestigious university in our state. He was sitting on our couch, chatting warmly with Robert. “Dr. Vance, since Chloe has fully recovered, giving this fast-track spot to her is our most optimal choice after careful evaluation.” The admissions director took a sip of the tea Eleanor had brewed, smiling. “After all, a profile that includes overcoming a major illness is highly favored in college admissions interviews.” I felt like I had been struck by lightning. My feet were glued to the floor. “What do you mean?” My voice was raspy, laced with raw anger. “That spot is mine. I earned it with my grades.” The laughter in the living room died instantly. The smile on Robert’s face vanished, replaced by an icy glare. He stood up and walked over to me, blocking the admissions director’s view of me. “Iris, where are your manners?” “This is Mr. Davis from the admissions board. Apologize right now.” I clutched the consent form in my hand so hard my knuckles turned white. “I asked you, what do you mean? Why is my spot being given to Chloe?” Eleanor quickly set down the teapot and rushed over, trying to grab my arm. “Iris, stop being so difficult!” She lowered her voice, speaking in a rapid, freezing tone that only the three of us could hear. “Chloe had to take a two-year medical leave. Her academic profile needs a strong highlight to fill the gap.” “Your grades are outstanding anyway. You can get into any good college easily.” “You don’t need this one summer program!” I shook off Eleanor’s hand violently. “I don’t agree!” Slap! A stinging slap landed squarely on my left cheek. Robert’s hand hung in the air, his eyes behind his glasses incredibly dark and menacing. “Iris, is this how I raised you? Where are your values? Do you have any idea how much psychological damage Chloe will suffer if she doesn’t get this spot?” “I am your father. I have the right to allocate our family’s educational resources. This spot belongs to Chloe.” My ears rang. The throbbing pain on my face was nothing compared to the absolute, icy numbness in my chest. Chloe sat in her wheelchair nearby, gasping in shock and covering her mouth. “Robert, please don’t hit Iris.” “I don’t want the spot anymore. Give it back to her. She worked so hard for it…” She teared up right on cue—a perfect victim performance. Mr. Davis looked incredibly uncomfortable. He quickly stood up to ease the tension. “Dr. Vance, family harmony comes first. Since we’ve made the decision, I’ll take my leave. We’ll proceed with the spot as discussed.” The front door closed. Eleanor ran over to hug Chloe, looking heartbroken. “Chloe, sweetheart, don’t cry. Iris is just an ungrateful brat. She doesn’t understand how much you’ve suffered.” I didn’t argue anymore. I didn’t try to fight for that piece of paper that was now as useless as trash. I slowly bent down, picking up my scattered papers from the floor one by one. “Fine.” I looked up at Robert, who was staring down at me. I was incredibly calm. “Consider this spot the final blood transfusion.”

After my college spot was stolen, I contacted a university located two thousand miles away in the north. After passing several rounds of intense online exams. I finally reached the final interview stage. This was my last ticket out of here. Early in the morning, I stood in the dining room, looking at Robert and Eleanor drinking their coffee. “This afternoon at three. I need both of you to come with me to sign some paperwork.” In reality, I wanted them to sign the Emancipation Declaration and Waiver of Parental Rights. Robert said coldly, “Got it.” I stared at the clock on the wall, waiting like I was waiting for a final verdict. By two in the afternoon. I arrived at the office early. Outside, the sky was pitch black. A heavy thunderstorm was brewing. Two-thirty. No response. I dialed Robert’s number. Busy. I dialed Eleanor’s number. Straight to voicemail. Two-forty-five. The clerk called my name. “Miss Vance, are your parents not here yet? Your turn is almost up.” I stared at the paperwork in my sweaty hands. Just as I was about to give up and explain the situation to the officer. Eleanor sent me a video on Snapchat. In the video, Chloe was standing in the gallery of the city’s most famous private art exhibition. Her face was slightly pale, and she was leaning against Robert’s chest, gasping for air. Eleanor was speaking anxiously off-camera. A text message popped up right after: [Iris, tell the staff to postpone the signing by one day.] [Chloe just had a sudden panic attack at the art gallery. Her heart rate is dangerously high. Robert and I have to take her for a full psych evaluation and an EKG right now. We can’t make it.] [Be mature about this. Chloe’s condition can’t handle any stress.] They never intended to come sign the papers. They had planned all along to take Chloe to the art exhibition she had been begging to see for weeks. “Kid, are we doing this or not?” The officer tapped on the glass partition, looking impatient. I took a deep breath, slid my parents’ copied IDs and a special file I had been secretly preparing for two weeks through the slot. “Yes, we are.” I pointed at the document titled *Declaration of Emancipation and Waiver of Inheritance and Parental Responsibility*. “I’ll sign it myself.” Five minutes later, I walked out into the pouring rain with the approved declaration. The freezing rain drenched my face. But I had never felt more awake in my entire life.

The thunderstorm washed over the entire city. I returned to that freezing basement, pulling open the drawer that was already half empty. Aside from my ID and a change of clothes. I threw everything else connecting me to this house into the trash can. The only thing left was that thick folder containing fifteen years of blood donation records and bone marrow biopsy reports. I placed it neatly right in the center of the desk. Beside it, I laid the photocopy of my newly stamped *Declaration of Emancipation and Waiver of Parental Responsibility*. By the time I finished packing, the sky was pitch black. The house was terrifyingly quiet. They hadn’t come back yet. Perhaps Chloe’s “panic attack” required a night in a luxury suite at the private hospital. I threw my backpack over my shoulder. Without looking back once, I took an Uber straight to the train station. Four hours later. I was standing in a northern city two thousand miles away, where the snow had not yet melted. The biting wind whipped against my neck. Lily, the teaching assistant sent by my new university advisor, handed me a hot cup of coffee. “Iris, the professor already knows about your situation.” Lily looked at my single, thin suitcase, her eyes softening with sympathy. “Your dorm is all set up. If you want, this place can be your home from now on.” I took the cup, the warmth radiating into my palms. It was so warm. “Thank you.” I took out my phone, pulled out my old SIM card. I snapped it in half and threw it into the snow by the street. Meanwhile, two thousand miles away. At three in the morning. The front door of the Vance mansion finally opened. Robert took off his heavy coat, looking exhausted. “Is Chloe asleep?” Eleanor slipped into her slippers, whispering, “She’s sound asleep. The doctor said the gallery was just too crowded, which triggered her claustrophobia.” “Robert, we really let Iris down today. I wonder if her interview got ruined.” Robert snorted, walking over to the bar to pour some water. “How ruined could it be?” “An interview for some random local college. What difference does one day make?” “If she tries to throw a fit, I’ll just cut off her allowance for the month. Let’s see if she still wants to act up.” Eleanor sighed and walked toward the couch. “I’ll go check on her. We did ignore her all day…” She pushed open my door, intending to give me a quick lecture as usual, followed by some empty promises. “Iris…” Eleanor’s voice caught in her throat, as if someone had suddenly choked her. In the dark room, lit only by the hallway light. The empty bed was as neat and cold as a tombstone. The desk was completely bare, except for a stack of old manila folders and a white sheet of paper. “Robert!” Eleanor’s scream shattered the quiet night. Robert rushed over, holding his glass of water. “Why are you screaming? You’re going to wake Chloe!” Eleanor’s trembling hand pointed at the paper on the desk. “Iris… Iris is gone.” Robert walked over impatiently, but the moment his eyes landed on the paper, his brows knitted tightly together. Beside it, from the opened manila folders. Hundreds of medical records bearing the name “Donor: Iris Vance” spilled out like a waterfall. Like a silent, brutal accusation, slamming right into their faces.

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During a severe rainstorm with flash flood warnings, I went out to bring an umbrella to my boyfriend, Ethan. But as I walked down the street, someone grabbed me from behind, covered my mouth, and dragged me into a pitch-black alley. Just as my shirt was ripped open, Ethan’s childhood bestie, Hailey, stepped out from behind a trash can. She was holding a professional video camera. She and the thugs burst into laughter. “Ethan, your plan worked perfectly!” Hailey giggled. “Look at her face! She looks absolutely terrified. This is exactly the raw emotion I needed for my indie web series!” “Right? She actually thought she was getting assaulted!” one of the thugs complained, rubbing his cheek. “She scratched my face, man. Ethan, you owe me medical bills!” I froze. I sat in the muddy puddle, my clothes torn and my face covered in rain and tears. “Hailey’s web series was stuck on a scene,” Ethan explained casually, walking over to Hailey’s side. He had promised me he was working overtime tonight. “You’ve always been easily scared, Chloe. We figured you’d be perfect for this scene. It’s just a friendly cameo.” He stood next to Hailey, and together, they looked down at me, enjoying my humiliation. I clutched the positive pregnancy test in my pocket, my entire body turning ice-cold. This was supposed to be a surprise for our third anniversary. But now, I realized he didn’t deserve it.

“Why are you still on the ground? It’s dirty.” Ethan reached down and pulled me up. Hailey chimed in with a fake, sweet smile. “Thanks, Chloe! When the show drops on TikTok, I’ll make sure to put your name in the credits.” Ethan smirked, nudging her shoulder. “What about me?” “You?” Hailey playfully tapped his chin. “Since you came up with this brilliant plan, I’ll make you my assistant director.” I clenched my fists so hard my nails dug into my palms. I forced out two words. “Delete it.” Hailey’s smile stiffened. “Chloe, this scene is the climax of my entire series. If I delete it, the story falls apart.” “I never agreed to be filmed. You are violating my privacy.” Everyone’s smiles faded instantly. “Come on, Chloe, we’re all friends here. Why bring up legal stuff? It’s not that serious,” one of the thugs muttered. “Yeah, Hailey wanted you to join her project for so long. You’re breaking her heart,” another added. My wet clothes stuck to my skin. I couldn’t stop shivering. “If you don’t delete it, I will call the police.” Ethan frowned immediately. “Chloe, stop throwing a tantrum.” “I’m not.” Seeing my cold expression, he sighed and put an arm around my shoulder. “Okay, I’m sorry. This was my fault.” “I know you love drama shows, so I thought you’d be excited to act in one. We didn’t tell you beforehand because we wanted a realistic reaction. I promise I won’t do it again.” The heavy scent of floral perfume on his shirt drifted into my nose. It was Hailey’s favorite perfume. A wave of nausea hit me, and I pushed him away with all my strength. “Make her delete it, or we are over. Choose.” Ethan froze. He grabbed my hand and gently shook it. This was our little signal. Whenever we had a fight, shaking hands meant we made up. “Alright, don’t say things you don’t mean.” He looked at Hailey. “She really doesn’t want to be in it. Hailey, delete Chloe’s part.” “Are you crazy?” Hailey clutched her camera, looking extremely upset. “I went out in this terrible storm for this shot! My new designer sneakers got completely ruined!” Those sneakers were supposed to be my birthday gift. Ethan bought them in Hailey’s size. At the time, I thought it was just an honest mistake. But the next day, I saw Hailey’s Instagram post. She posted a picture of the shoes with the caption: Hailey wants, Hailey gets! Thanks to my favorite childhood bestie, Ethan. When I showed Ethan the post, his first reaction was a fond, indulgent smile. “Those shoes are expensive. It’s better to give them to Hailey than let them sit in our closet collecting dust. At least they’re not wasted.” What about me? The words choked in my throat, and I couldn’t bring myself to ask. The sound of Ethan and Hailey arguing brought me back to reality. “Ethan, I can’t believe you’re doing this to me!” Hailey’s eyes turned red. She slammed the camera onto the ground and ran off into the rain. Ethan panicked. He instinctively started to chase her, but I held his arm. “Ethan, come home with me.” I needed to tell him about the baby. But in the next second, he violently shook off my hand. His face was cold and filled with disgust. “I already took your side. What more do you want?” “Chloe, don’t be so selfish.”

The rain poured harder. His push made a sharp pain shoot through my lower abdomen. I couldn’t get an Uber, so I had to walk home alone in the freezing rain. I have a congenital blood-clotting disorder. Even a small scratch can make me bleed for a long time. The scratches the thugs left on my arms were bleeding constantly. Ethan saw it, but he still chose to chase after Hailey, leaving me behind. By the time I got home, it was 2:00 AM. The romantic candlelight dinner I had prepared for our anniversary looked like a pathetic joke. Before I could even change out of my wet clothes, my phone buzzed. It was a text from Ethan. Hailey has been crying non-stop. I stared at it for a few seconds and didn’t reply. Two minutes later, another text came. Do you have nothing to say? If you had just compromised, everyone would be happy. Why do you have to be so stubborn? This web series is Hailey’s hard work for a whole year. Now it’s ruined because of you. I’m not blaming you, Chloe. But you need to remember, you owe Hailey for this. I stared at the screen, silent. In this terrible storm, his terrified girlfriend and our third anniversary meant nothing to him. He hadn’t asked if I was okay once. All he cared about was getting justice for his crying childhood bestie. As compensation, I’m staying over at her place to keep her company for a few days. I let out a bitter laugh. All those texts were just an excuse to justify spending the night with her. Fortunately, I didn’t care anymore. I replied with a single word: Okay. Right after, my best friend, Maya, sent me a video on Snapchat. It was in a VIP booth at a club. Ethan and Hailey were grinding against each other, dancing intimately. I remembered the first time Hailey sat directly on Ethan’s lap right in front of me. I had been so angry that I grabbed my purse and left. Ethan had begged for my forgiveness for a whole week. “Hailey and I grew up together. I’ve never even seen her as a woman. I swear it won’t happen again,” he had said, holding up three fingers. I believed him. But after that, they only got worse. They hugged, snuggled, and even rubbed sunscreen on each other at the beach in a way that looked like foreplay. If I got angry, they called me insecure and accused me of being toxic. Maya had wanted to confront them many times, but I always stopped her, holding onto a tiny sliver of hope. Looking at the video, my throat felt tight. Maya texted: Chloe, they are acting like they’re the ones dating. Are you seriously going to let this slide? I tossed the pregnancy test into the trash can. What they do has nothing to do with me anymore. Because Ethan and I were completely over. The next day, I woke up with a high fever. Maya took me to the hospital. The moment we walked into the clinic, I saw two familiar figures. Hailey was sitting in a chair with an IV drip in her arm. Ethan was kneeling in front of her, feeding her soup spoon by spoon. A patient nearby said admiringly, “You’re so lucky, sweetie. Your boyfriend is so sweet, begging you to eat!” Hailey smirked triumphantly and swallowed the soup. “Fine, since everyone is watching, I’ll give you some face.” Ethan wasn’t angry at all. He laughed. “Yes, thank you, Princess Hailey, for gracing me with your appetite.” Maya was furious and about to storm over, but I stopped her. I dialed Ethan’s number. When his phone rang, his face instantly twisted with annoyance. “What now?” he snapped. I curled my lips. “Where are you?” “At the office.” “Really?” “Of course really. Aren’t you tired of being so paranoid all the time?” “Yes, I am.” I was exhausted. For the first time in three years, the thought of being with Ethan filled me with nothing but disgust and exhaustion. “Ethan, let’s break up.” As I spoke, I walked up to them. My voice was clear and loud.

Ethan froze. He turned around, staring at me in disbelief. Hailey reacted first. “Chloe, don’t get the wrong idea! Ethan is only here because I’m sick and he felt bad for me.” With Hailey’s defense, Ethan quickly found his confidence again. “You saw me here, and you still called to test me? Why are you so manipulative, Chloe?” “Every time I hang out with Hailey, I have to explain myself over and over again. I only lied because I didn’t want the drama.” I smiled. “So, this is my fault again?” He blinked, taken aback. “I didn’t say that. But breaking up over this? Aren’t you being extremely dramatic?” “I’m serious.” Ethan’s bottled-up anger finally exploded. “Just because of one lie? Just because I fed Hailey some soup? Are you seriously doing this?” “It’s not about one lie, Ethan. It’s about three years.” I met his harsh glare and said, word for word: “For three years, your heart has belonged to her. When you buy clothes or shoes, you always memorize her sizes. You buy her favorite snacks when she’s on her period. Whenever she’s hungry, tired, or crying, you drop everything to be by her side.” “And me? I’m always secondary. I’m like an idiot waiting for you to look back at me.” “Ethan, I am done.” “Chloe, you are being incredibly unfair to Ethan,” Hailey said, standing up and inserting herself between us. “He’s just a sweet, loyal guy. You can’t use your relationship to guilt-trip him! Besides, who he chooses to be nice to is his own business!” Maya laughed dryly. “Wow. I’ve never heard someone defend being a homewrecker so shamelessly.” Ethan immediately pulled Hailey behind him, protecting her. “You’re breaking up with me because of Maya, aren’t you? Hailey and I told you a hundred times to stay away from toxic people like her.” The contempt in his eyes was all too familiar. Two years ago, I brought my parents to visit my apartment. They were simple folks from a small farming town. They weren’t used to the high-tech, touchless features in my upscale apartment, and they accidentally scratched the expensive kitchen island and stained the carpet. Ethan had looked at them with that exact same look of disgust, accepting their trembling apologies as if he were a king. The next day, Hailey came over with bottles of Lysol and sprayed down every inch of the apartment right in front of them. My parents didn’t understand. They just thought they had done something dirty and stood in the corner, too ashamed to even sit on the couch. When I found out, I had a massive fight with Ethan. But Ethan said, “Hailey was just looking out for our health. Your parents live on a farm with dirt and animals. They aren’t clean. Hailey was just sanitizing the place.” The fight ended with Ethan slamming the door and leaving. Exhausted, I went to the guest room to comfort my parents. But the room was already empty. The bedsheets were folded perfectly, and a small note was left on the nightstand: Chloe, we don’t want to be a burden to you. We’re sorry. I ran out of the building and saw my parents carrying their heavy bags, slowly boarding a cheap bus back home. Their bent backs under the weight of the homemade bread they had brought for me made me sob hysterically. I should have woken up back then. He looked down on my parents and my friends. At the end of the day, he looked down on me. I lowered my head and laughed, a bitter tear rolling down my lip. Seeing me cry, Ethan’s expression softened slightly. “Look at you. I say a few words and you cry. Who else could put up with you besides me?” “Alright, I’ll act like I didn’t hear the breakup joke. Go home first.” I wiped my tears. “No, I’m serious.” “Ethan, from this moment on, we are completely over.” “Completely over? What are you, a middle schooler?” Ethan scoffed. “Can you really throw away three years of history with one sentence? What do you think our relationship was? What do you think I am?” “I think I was blind, and my heart was stupid.” I stared at him, ignoring the stabbing pain in my stomach. “But now, I am finally awake.” Ethan was red-faced with anger. Hailey stepped forward and grabbed my arm tightly. “Chloe, stop being childish. Guys as good as Ethan don’t grow on trees. It’s all my fault…” She dug her nails into my arm. It hurt so much that I violently shoved her hand off me. But Hailey took that opportunity to throw herself backward, crashing heavily onto the floor. “Hailey!” Ethan gasped in shock. Without a second thought, his hand swung out and slapped me across the face. He used all his strength. When I hit the ground, my ears were ringing so loudly I could barely hear Maya screaming my name. Through my blurry vision, I saw Ethan pick Hailey up in his arms and walk away without once looking back. And as darkness rushed to claim me, I felt a warm, thick liquid flowing down my thighs. I knew my baby was gone. But maybe, it was for the best. Now, we owed each other nothing.

When I was discharged from the hospital, only Maya was there to take me home. When I opened the door to my apartment, a thin layer of dust had already gathered on the shoe rack. Ethan hadn’t been back for days. I pulled out my suitcase and started packing. Three years of my youth, and my belongings couldn’t even fill one suitcase. How pathetic. Right then, my phone rang. It was Ethan. “So, Chloe, have you cooled down yet?” His voice was smug, oozing confidence. “Have you realized how miserable these past few days are without me?” “Hailey wants that homemade soup you make. Prepare some and bring it over to her place as an apology, and we can go back to how things were.” “Ethan,” I said quietly. “We broke up.” He paused. “Are you still throwing a fit?” I laughed. “Is every time I don’t do what you want considered a fit?” Ethan’s breathing grew heavy, his voice rising. “You didn’t want to do the shoot, so I made Hailey delete it. You didn’t want to apologize, and I didn’t force you. What more do you want? Do you seriously want me to cut Hailey off before you’re satisfied?” “There’s no need to be dramatic,” I said calmly. “You can’t even keep a basic, respectful distance from her. Why force yourself?” He went quiet. I dragged my suitcase to the door. While waiting for the elevator, I said: “I hate strangers in my apartment, but every time Hailey got drunk, you brought her to our bed. I hate how you two have zero boundaries. You haven’t changed in three years.” “And most of all, I hate that you used my safety and my dignity as a toy to make her happy.” “I did not!” he defended fiercely. “You did, and I felt every bit of it.” I gripped my phone. “Besides, there is a life between us now.” “So, Ethan, let’s break up. Don’t make me say it a fourth time.” Ethan stayed silent for a moment before letting out a dry, angry laugh. “A life? What are you even talking about? I told you, it was just a prank! You’re reaching too far to play the victim!” “Fine! We’re broken up! Let’s see how great your life is once you leave me!” He slammed the phone down. The elevator doors opened. Maya, who hated Ethan with a passion, drove out of the parking lot like a lightning bolt. I blocked and deleted Ethan, Hailey, and all their mutual friends. I thought I would never have to deal with them again. But the next morning, my phone was bombarded. Before I could even check the 999+ missed calls and texts, another call came through. I picked up, and a disgusting, raspy male voice spoke: “Hey babe, how much for a night? Do you do discounts for a monthly rate?” I froze, completely horrified, and slammed the phone shut. Maya immediately hugged me. “Who did this? Ethan or Hailey? I swear I’m going to kill them!” “Don’t,” I held her back. “Let’s call the cops. We are going to the police station right now.” The police were highly efficient. Within an hour, they found that my personal information, phone number, and address had been posted on an adult forum. The post featured the video of me being dragged into the alley, followed by a highly realistic, deepfake AI video of my face on an adult actress’s body. When they tracked the IP address of the account that uploaded it, the registered name popped up. My blood ran cold. It was Ethan’s IP address.

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My twin sister, Serena, always claimed to be a modern-day feminist icon. Ethan Sterling, the sole heir to the Sterling empire in New York, had a horrific car accident and ended up in a vegetative state. The doctors said he wouldn’t survive the year. To secure his legacy, his mother, Eleanor Sterling, approached my highly educated, gorgeous sister. She promised $30 million and a luxury penthouse in Manhattan if Serena married him and had his baby. Serena held her head high, looking down her nose. “Eleanor, pregnancy is just objectifying women,” Serena scoffed. “You’re not just humiliating me; you’re humiliating yourself!” Everyone praised Serena for her integrity and pride. Eleanor’s face flushed red with embarrassment. Right then, floating system comments appeared right in front of my eyes. [Serena, stop being so proud. Ethan is going to wake up in two months! And his mind is actually conscious right now—he can hear everything you’re saying!] [Once he wakes up, you guys will have a marriage-first, love-later romance. By then, never mind $30 million—half of the Sterling fortune will be yours!] I immediately stepped forward and stopped Eleanor. “Mrs. Sterling, if Serena doesn’t want to do it, I will.” Marrying into a billionaire family didn’t matter to me. What mattered was that I really, really needed that $30 million! 1 Eleanor’s eyes lit up. “Are you serious, Chloe?” I nodded quickly. “Yes. Serena and I are twins. I was born just a minute after her, and I have a college degree too.” “Chloe!” my mother interrupted, her face darkening. “Mrs. Sterling was looking for Serena. Why are you jumping around trying to show off?” Serena also frowned at me. “Chloe, I don’t mean to judge, but just because you haven’t found a job a year after graduation doesn’t mean you should degrade yourself for some quick cash.” The rest of our relatives pointed fingers and accused me of ruining the family’s reputation. “Chloe is just nothing compared to Serena. Serena has always had high standards, unlike her sister.” “Exactly. Serena got a top corporate job offer before she even graduated. Chloe just freeloads at home. Now she’s trying to take a shortcut by having a baby for a rich guy.” Their comments stung, clearly hinting that I was shameless. Terrified that Eleanor would misunderstand, I quickly explained. “I’m not lazy. I didn’t look for a full-time job because my grandmother got sick and needed full-time care. Mrs. Sterling, please consider me. I’m very healthy.” My parents had always favored Serena. When they moved to the city to work, they only took her with them. I was raised entirely by my grandmother, Evelyn. The year I graduated, I actually landed a job with a $150,000 salary. I thought I could finally bring Grammy over to enjoy life. But then, she was diagnosed with advanced cancer. My family refused to pay for her treatment or care for her. They even planned to dump her in a cheap nursing home to let her die. I couldn’t watch her die. So, I came home, working odd freelance gigs while taking care of her. But $30 million… With that money, Grammy could get the best treatment in the world. Desperate, I grabbed Eleanor’s hand and started listing my academic achievements. This made Serena unhappy. She walked over and yanked my hand away. “Chloe, stop it. Can’t you see you’re making Mrs. Sterling uncomfortable?” “Your gold-digging intentions are too obvious. I know you’ve wanted to marry rich since you were a kid, but look at yourself. How could you possibly be worthy of the Sterling family?” We share the exact same DNA. If I’m not worthy, how are you? Before I could snap back, Eleanor actually spoke up for me. “Our family doesn’t care about background. But Chloe, did you misunderstand something?” “We only want an heir for Ethan. Even if you sign a marriage certificate with him, once the baby is born, you won’t get a single penny of the Sterling estate. Are you still willing?” I nodded. “Yes, I am.” Eleanor let out a sigh of relief, but then added, “The only reason I approached Serena was because of her high IQ of 120. We need to ensure the baby has good genes. If you want to take her place, you’ll have to take an IQ test.” I agreed immediately. As soon as Eleanor left, Serena burst into tears. “Chloe, your greed really disappoints me.” “If it were anything else, I would let you have it. But Ethan is in a vegetative state. I don’t want you to suffer for me. Let’s reject Mrs. Sterling together when she comes back, okay?” Everyone rushed to comfort her, glaring at me like I was a selfish monster who stole her sister’s spotlight. “Chloe is so thoughtless. How could she steal her sister’s opportunity?” “Serena, a family of their caliber would never want Chloe anyway.” Classic. With just a few words, she turned everyone against me. But I knew she was just playing the martyr. She wanted that $30 million more than anyone. In fact, right after Eleanor contacted us yesterday, I saw her searching on her phone for what she could buy with $30 million. I thought the IQ test results would take a few days, but that very night, Eleanor called me. “Chloe, your IQ is actually higher than Serena’s. You scored a 130. Are you absolutely sure you want to have Ethan’s baby?” I replied, “Absolutely.” 2 The next morning, the Sterling family sent a luxury town car to take me to the hospital. Blood work, physical exams, genetic screening—I went through everything. When the results came out, the doctor confirmed I was in perfect health and highly suitable for pregnancy. Eleanor pulled out the contract on the spot. On top of the promised $30 million and the Manhattan penthouse, the Sterling family would cover all of Grammy’s medical bills. I was stunned. Eleanor gave me a warm, knowing smile. She obviously knew the real reason I agreed to this. Without hesitation, I signed my name. Eleanor said, “Since the contract is signed, you’ll move into the Sterling estate. Ethan is in a coma, but the doctor says having someone talk to him might help him recover.” I had no objections. After heading home to pack my bags, a black Rolls-Royce pulled up downstairs. Eleanor’s assistant walked in and said politely, “I’m here to pick up Miss Vance.” My sister’s eyes lit up. She sat up straight, though her tone remained haughtily displeased. “Didn’t Eleanor tell you? I haven’t agreed to this yet.” The assistant blinked, confused. Serena frowned, her voice dripping with self-righteous anger. “This is a marriage, not a transaction. You guys don’t even have basic respect. Sending a random assistant to pick me up is incredibly insulting.” “Unless Eleanor comes here personally, I am not going.” My parents nodded in agreement. “Exactly. Our Serena cannot be bought with just $30 million.” “If the Sterlings want her, they need to show some real respect.” The assistant’s expression grew increasingly bizarre. He looked at Serena, then at my parents, and finally turned to me. “Miss Chloe Vance… what is going on here? Are you the one coming to the estate or not?” I quickly rolled my suitcase over to him. “It’s me. Let’s go.” Instantly, the living room fell dead silent. Serena’s high-and-mighty expression froze on her face. She jumped to her feet. “What do you mean, Chloe? Why is the Sterling family picking you up?” I replied calmly, “Because Eleanor agreed to let me marry Ethan. We’ve already signed the contract.” My words completely shattered Serena’s mask. She couldn’t pretend anymore. “Chloe, have you no shame?! The Sterlings wanted me to have Ethan’s baby! How dare you steal my life?!” My mother rushed over and grabbed my arm, her face twisting in anger. “Call Eleanor right now and tell her you regret it!” My father’s face darkened as he scolded me. “Serena is the one the Sterling family wanted. Don’t let money ruin your relationship with your sister. Don’t make our family a laughingstock.” Before I could speak, the floating system comments exploded. [Chloe is so toxic! She just stole Serena’s chance to meet Ethan! If Eleanor had just come back twice more, Serena would have agreed!] [I hate Chloe so much. Go die, Chloe!] [Don’t panic, guys. In the original plot, Ethan falls in love with Serena at first sight anyway. Even if Chloe steals this spot now, it’s useless. The moment Ethan sees Serena, he’ll be completely mesmerized by her. Chloe is just cannon fodder.] I remained silent. Seeing my silence, Serena squeezed out a few tears. “Chloe, if you back out now, I won’t blame you.” “I know you’ve been jealous of me since we were kids. But marriage is not a game. You can’t ruin your life for $30 million. Promise me you’ll stop, okay?” Everyone was pressuring me to give up. Looking at the poorly concealed jealousy in Serena’s eyes, I suddenly smiled. I looked her dead in the eye and said, “No. I think I’ll go ahead and ruin my life.” 3 When I left the house, my sister was still crying. My parents comforted her, saying, “Just let Chloe go. Ethan is basically on his deathbed anyway. Once she has a baby with a vegetable, let’s see what kind of decent man would ever marry her in the future.” They had no idea that the “dying” Ethan Sterling would wake up in two months. But I didn’t feel any sense of triumph. I only had one thought. If Ethan was destined to fall in love with my sister… Then I had to get pregnant with his child before that happened. Eleanor arranged for my room to be right across from Ethan’s. After unpacking, I walked into his room. The man on the bed had his eyes closed. He had a high, sharp nose bridge, and even after being in a coma for two months, he was still as breathtakingly handsome as a movie star. His eyelashes were exceptionally long and thick. I couldn’t help but reach out, wanting to see if they were real. Before my fingertips could touch him, the door suddenly swung open. Eleanor stood at the door. She froze when she saw what I was doing. “What are you doing?” I awkwardly pulled my hand back and apologized. “I’m sorry. I just wanted to see what my future baby’s father looked like.” Eleanor’s expression softened slightly, and she sighed. “Ethan needs quiet. Try not to disturb him unless necessary.” I nodded, but just as I turned to leave, I noticed a strange odor. Eleanor also wrinkled her nose and turned to call the nurse. “I’ll do it,” I offered. She looked at me in surprise. But I was already fetching hot water and a towel. I was used to this. Since Grammy became bedridden, I had been doing this for her every day. Changing Ethan’s clothes and wiping him down was second nature to me. By the time I finished, the way Eleanor looked at me had completely changed. She thought for a moment and said, “The doctor mentioned that talking to Ethan is good for his recovery. If you’re free, you can spend more time with him.” I nodded obediently. From that day on, I visited Ethan’s room every single day. I sang to him, clipped his nails, wiped his face and body, and whispered all the high-society gossip I could find. The system comments were throwing a fit daily. [I’m so mad! These are all the things Serena was supposed to do to bond with Ethan!] [Ethan’s consciousness is awake! He can hear every single word she says!] [Oh no, with her being so attentive, is Ethan actually going to catch feelings for her?] [Relax. No matter how much Chloe does, she can’t compare to a single glance from Serena. Ethan falls in love with Serena at first sight, remember?] I stared at the last comment, deep in thought. If nothing I did could ever compete with my sister, then I’d just have to change my strategy. That night, as I wiped Ethan’s hand by his bedside, I spoke up. “You know, my sister Serena has always been a fake. She is terrified that I might be better than her.” “The year our parents finally saved enough money to buy a house in the city and brought me over, I scored first in the entire grade on our very first monthly exam. I beat her by dozens of points.” “Serena couldn’t handle the humiliation of being compared to me. So, she convinced our parents that I was mentally unstable and had them commit me to a psychiatric facility.” Suddenly, the heart monitor beside the bed spiked. My hands froze. The system comments went wild. [What is Chloe doing?! If she says this stuff, how is Ethan supposed to love Serena?!] [Ethan really heard it! He’s feeling sorry for Chloe!] [Chloe is so manipulative! Does she really think she can make Ethan hate Serena like this?] So he really could hear me. Over the next few weeks, I told him more about my past every day. How Serena ripped up my academic awards and claimed I did it myself to frame her. How she spent thousands on designer bags while I couldn’t even afford lunch… And every time I spoke about the unfair things I endured, his heart rate monitor would fluctuate slightly. A month passed. The day my IVF procedure was successfully confirmed, I held the pregnancy report in front of Ethan’s face. “Ethan, you need to wake up soon. I’m pregnant with your baby.” 4 Even as I said it, I felt a bit embarrassed. But then, out of the corner of my eye… Ethan’s finger twitched. I immediately called Eleanor and the doctors. After examining him, the doctor called it a medical miracle. Ethan’s brain activity was recovering rapidly, and he was responding to external stimuli. At this rate, he would wake up very soon. Eleanor’s eyes welled with tears. She grabbed my hand tightly. “Chloe, the moment you got pregnant, Ethan started recovering. You are our family’s lucky charm!” That very day, Eleanor moved me into a much larger suite, hired a personal nutritionist, and assigned two private nurses to cater to my every need. Even Grammy received specialized, top-tier care at her hospital. Somehow, the news reached my sister’s ears. Not long after, Serena burst into the Sterling mansion, dragging our parents with her. I was sitting by Ethan’s bedside talking to him when Serena rushed in and slapped me twice across the face. The impact sent my head spinning, and my ears rang loudly. Serena glared at me, screaming, “Get out of the Sterling house right now, Chloe!” “Ethan is finally waking up! Why are you still clinging to him? The Sterling family wanted me from the start! I should be the one marrying him!” I let out a cold laugh. “Serena, didn’t you say pregnancy was just objectifying women? Didn’t you call it degrading? What happened? Are you not afraid of being degraded anymore?” Serena’s face flushed with rage and embarrassment. My mother rushed forward and slapped me again. “How dare you speak to Serena like that! This marriage belonged to her. You stole it from her, and you still have the audacity to talk back?” My father shoved me hard. “Cancel the contract immediately and give the position back to Serena!” The push sent me stumbling against the edge of the bed. I instinctively shielded my stomach. Before I could steady myself, a booming voice echoed from the doorway. “What do you think you are doing?!” Eleanor rushed in, immediately ordering the guards to support me. But my parents completely ignored my pale face, rushing to curry favor with Eleanor. “Eleanor, we’ve talked some sense into Serena.” “She is willing to marry Ethan now and have his baby.” Serena lifted her chin, resuming her arrogant, pure facade. “Eleanor, I’m not doing this for the money. I just can’t bear the thought of Ethan waking up only to find someone completely unworthy standing by his side.” “Perhaps if I marry him, my presence will help him recover even faster.” Eleanor looked at her coldly. “But I am perfectly satisfied with Chloe.” “Ethan’s recovery is thanks to her daily companionship. As for you… our family cannot afford such a high-and-mighty presence.” “Security, throw them out.” Serena’s face turned pale. As the security guards grabbed her arms, she shrieked. “Wait!” She whipped a piece of paper out of her bag. “Eleanor, do you really want a certified lunatic to give birth to the Sterling family heir?” When I saw the document, the blood drained from my face. It was the psychiatric diagnosis certificate from when I was wrongfully committed years ago. Eleanor took the paper, her expression darkening with every second. Serena sneered at me, triumphant. “Mental illness is genetic. The child she births might turn out to be a complete psycho.” The room fell dead silent. After what felt like an eternity, Eleanor closed her eyes and turned to me. “Chloe, I’m sorry. We can’t keep this baby.” The system comments rejoiced. [I knew Chloe couldn’t beat Serena!] [The baby is going to be aborted, and she’ll be kicked out of the Sterling house!] [And now, it’s time for Ethan and Serena to fall in love at first sight!] My face was stark white. I opened my mouth to explain to Eleanor, but Serena grabbed my arm tightly. “Chloe, don’t tell me you’re going to claim you’re not crazy. Eleanor, you know how crazy people are—they always claim they’re sane.” With that, Serena dragged me toward the exit to get the abortion. Eleanor didn’t stop her. Just as I was being dragged out, a raspy, weak voice cut through the room. “Wait…” Ethan was awake.

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Three years of marriage, and my husband spent every single night texting his “girl bestie” until the early hours of the morning. The screen of his phone would light up until 2:00 AM, the notification sounds buzzing non-stop like a rapid heartbeat. When I asked him who it was, he just said, “You’re overthinking. I don’t even see her as a woman.” She came to our house often. The moment she walked through the door, she would drape her arm over his shoulder, tilt her head, and smile at me. “Chloe, you don’t mind, right?” Yesterday, I came back early from a business trip. When I pushed open the bedroom door, I saw them lying in our bed, wrapped in each other’s arms, the blanket pulled up to their chests. She curled the corner of her mouth into a smirk. “Don’t get the wrong idea. We just talked too late.” He forced himself to look calm. “You’re making a big deal out of nothing.” I didn’t say a word. I picked up the glass of water from the nightstand and splashed it directly onto their faces. “Awake now? Then both of you can get the hell out.”

Water dripped down their faces, soaking into the white sheets and spreading into a dark, damp stain. Brooke Davis bolted upright. Her wet hair clung to her face. She wiped her eyes, glaring at me. “Chloe, you—” “Who gave you permission to act so familiar with me?” I slammed the glass back onto the nightstand. The sharp clinking sound of glass hitting wood echoed in the quiet room. Brooke turned her tearful eyes to Ethan Miller. She bit her lower lip, holding back tears until they finally spilled over, dropping onto the sheets one by one. I had to admit, she looked pretty when she cried. I used to think she was pitiful. Now, she just made me sick. Ethan sat up too. The top two buttons of his shirt were undone, and a few damp strands of hair fell across his forehead. He wasn’t as messy as Brooke, but his face was incredibly dark, his jaw clenched tight like a rock. “Chloe Hale, have you lost your mind?!” “I’ve lost my mind?” I looked down at them. “I came back early from a business trip, opened my own bedroom door, and found my husband in bed with another woman. How should I react? Should I smile, say sorry for interrupting, and close the door?” Brooke’s voice drifted over, soft, trembling, and choked with tears. “Chloe, we really didn’t do anything. We were just talking late last night, and I…” “And you what?” I snapped, turning to her. She flinched and shrank back toward Ethan. “Talking until 2:00 AM wasn’t enough for you? You had to bring the conversation into my bed?” “I didn’t mean to…” “Then how did you end up here? Did you walk in yourself? Or were you sleepwalking?” Brooke bit her lip, her tears falling even faster. Seeing her cry, Ethan’s frown deepened so much it could have crushed a coin. He reached out, patted her shoulder comfortingly, and then glared at me with pure accusation in his eyes. “That’s enough! Brooke had too much to drink last night. I didn’t feel safe letting her drive back alone, so I told her to sleep in the guest room. She just walked into the wrong room. You’re overreacting.” Our apartment has three bedrooms. The master bedroom is at the very end of the hallway, and the guest room is at the opposite end. Between them are the study and the bathroom. She walked into the wrong room? I stared at him, suddenly feeling like I was looking at a complete stranger. After three years of marriage, I thought I knew him. I knew he was busy with work, I knew he hated nagging, and I knew he had a girl best friend he grew up with. But I didn’t know he could lie through his teeth with such confidence. “Ethan, are you seriously telling me she just walked into the wrong room?” His eyes flickered with a brief moment of guilt, but he quickly recovered. “What else could it be? What are you implying?” “I don’t know. You tell me.” Brooke sobbed, chiming in, “Ethan, forget it. It’s all my fault. I shouldn’t have come. I’ll just leave…” She pulled back the blanket to get out of bed. The moment she did, I noticed she was wearing a men’s oversized t-shirt. I recognized that shirt. It was the birthday gift I bought for Ethan last month. Now, it was on Brooke, the collar loose and sliding off her shoulder, revealing her bare collarbone. My gaze locked onto the shirt. My hands clenched into tight fists. Ethan followed my gaze, and his expression finally turned uneasy. “About that… her clothes got dirty yesterday, so I let her borrow one of mine.” “Oh,” I nodded slowly. “Her clothes got dirty, so you lent her my birthday gift to you?” “You bought it for me, so it’s mine. Who I lend it to is my business!” He said this so righteously, tilting his chin up as if he truly believed he had done nothing wrong. I stared at him for three seconds. And then, I laughed. “Fine. Your business.” I turned, walked into the walk-in closet, and opened a drawer. I pulled out a jewelry box. Inside was a Cartier necklace. I had bought it last month, planning to give it to him for our upcoming anniversary. I wouldn’t be needing it anymore.

I took the necklace, walked over to the window, and pushed it open. The wind from the fourteenth floor rushed in, making the curtains flutter wildly. “Chloe, what are you doing?” Ethan’s voice came from behind, laced with sudden tension. Without looking back, I opened my hand. The silver chain flashed in the sunlight like a falling star before disappearing into the bushes below. “Are you crazy?!” Ethan leaped out of bed, running barefoot to the window to look down. “That was Cartier! That cost over seven thousand dollars!” “I know.” I brushed my hands together and turned to face him. “You gave my gift to someone else, and I threw away the necklace you’ll never wear. Fair trade.” Brooke sat on the bed, tears still wet on her face. “Chloe, do you really hate me that much?” “Why would I hate you?” I tilted my head and smiled at her. “You’re just wearing my husband’s clothes and sleeping in my husband’s bed. No big deal, right?” She choked on her words, her face flushing red and then turning pale. Ethan stood by the window, the sunlight casting his long shadow across the floor. He looked at me with anger, irritation, and a hint of something else I couldn’t quite read. “Chloe, is all this really necessary?” “Yes, it is.” I grabbed the other pillow from the bed, walked to the door, and took one last look at them. “I’m giving you thirty minutes to get out of my apartment.” “This is my apartment too!” his voice turned cold. “Actually, it’s marital property. If you have an issue with that, you can talk to my lawyer.” I walked out of the bedroom and shut the door behind me. When I married Ethan three years ago, my mom told me that marriage takes work. She said that when two people live together, there will always be friction and disagreements. She told me to communicate, compromise, and things would get better. I believed her. The first year, he told me Brooke was just a childhood friend and told me not to worry. The second year, he said Brooke had broken up with her boyfriend and was depressed, so he needed to spend more time supporting her. The third year, he claimed Brooke was going through some family issues and needed a place to stay for a few days, so he put her in our guest room. I kept stepping back, kept compromising, and kept telling myself that marriage requires trust and patience. I pulled out my phone and sent a Snapchat message to my assistant, Daisy. “Help me find a good divorce lawyer and draft the paperwork.” Daisy replied instantly: “Wait, are you serious?” “Dead serious.” “On it. Honestly, I’ve been waiting for you to say this.” I put my phone in my pocket and walked out of the kitchen with a bottle of water. In the living room, Brooke had already changed into her clothes and was putting on her shoes at the entryway. Seeing me come out, she paused, then straightened up and smiled at me. That smile was completely different from the pitiful face she had shown in the bedroom. “Chloe, I’m really sorry about today. It was my fault. Please don’t be mad at Ethan.” Her voice was still soft, but her eyes held a smug, triumphant gleam. “I’m not mad. Now get out.” She blinked, clearly caught off guard by my absolute calm. As the door clicked shut, I heard her light, cheerful footsteps heading down the hallway. She was actually humming a song. She was in such a good mood that she was singing. I sat down on the sofa with my water bottle and began planning my next steps.

Ethan walked out of the bedroom. He had changed into a pair of dark gray sweatpants and a black t-shirt. His damp hair was messy from being towel-dried. He walked over and sat on the single armchair opposite me. We sat across from each other, separated by the coffee table. Neither of us spoke. On the table was an ashtray containing several cigarette butts from last night. Next to it were two wine glasses. One of them had lipstick on the rim. “Chloe,” he finally spoke, his voice much calmer now. “I can explain about today.” “No need.” “You!” “I made myself clear in the bedroom,” I interrupted. “Get out of my apartment.” His brows knit together. “This is my home.” “It’s marital property. Talk to my lawyer if you disagree.” “Are you actually serious about this?” “Do I look like I’m joking?” He stared at me for a long time, probably shocked that I was speaking to him this way. For three years, I had been the easygoing, understanding, and quiet wife. When he said Brooke was just a friend, I said okay. When he said Brooke needed to stay with us, I said fine. When he texted her late at night, the notifications buzzing until 2:00 AM, I simply rolled over and pretended not to hear. I had shrunk myself down to almost nothing just to avoid annoying him. But now, I was exhausted. I was done shrinking. “Have you been wanting a divorce for a long time?” he suddenly asked. I thought about it and nodded. “Pretty much.” “Since when?” “About a year ago.” His face finally cracked. “A year ago? You’ve wanted a divorce since last year?” “Yes.” “Then why didn’t you say anything?” “I did. Did you ever listen?” He opened his mouth but couldn’t find any words. “A year ago, I told you Brooke was coming over too often. You told me I was making a big deal out of nothing.” “Six months ago, I brought it up again. You called me petty and said she was like family to you, telling me to stop being so jealous.” “Last month, I told you for the third time. You slammed the door, walked out, and stayed at Brooke’s place the entire night.” “Ethan, I told you three times. You never took me seriously, not even once.” His throat bobbed as he swallowed hard, his lips trembling before he managed to mutter, “I thought you were just venting.” “Right. You thought I was just venting.” I stood up and set my water bottle on the table. “Just like you ‘thought’ Brooke walked into the wrong room, ‘thought’ her wearing your shirt was an accident, and ‘thought’ her posting photos on Instagram with her arm around your shoulder was just ‘sibling love’.” “You ‘think’ a lot of things.” “Now I’m giving you a chance to think about what’s actually real.” I turned to walk toward the study. His voice chased after me. “Where are you going?” “To work.” “Right now?” “Yes, right now. Unlike you, I don’t have a company that runs itself while I text my girl bestie until 2:00 AM.” The next morning, I woke up at 7:00 AM. After washing up and changing, I walked out of the bedroom. Ethan was already sitting at the dining table. On the table was a box of fresh bagels, cream cheese, and two cups of hot coffee. Seeing me walk out, he pointed to the seat opposite him. “Let’s eat breakfast.” I glanced at him, said nothing, and sat down. The aroma of freshly toasted bagels filled the room. “Did you make this?” I asked. “I bought them. From that bakery down the street. Didn’t you say you love their bagels?” I took a bite. It was indeed from my favorite local spot. “Thanks.” His eyes lit up slightly, clearly surprised by my polite response. “Sure.” We finished our breakfast in silence. I put down my napkin, wiped my hands, and stood up. He stopped me. “What do you want for dinner tonight? I can…” “No need. Eat by yourself.” I grabbed my bag, slipped on my heels, and walked out the door.

After a long day of work, I returned home to find Ethan gone. The living room was empty, the blinds were drawn, and the space was dim. I turned on the lights, put on my slippers, and walked into the master bedroom. The sheets had been replaced with fresh ones. The ruined set from yesterday was gone. On the nightstand sat a glass of warm water with a sticky note pressed underneath. “Left you some warm water. I have a business dinner tonight, don’t wait up.” I stared at the note for a second, crumpled it into a ball, and tossed it into the trash can. At 9:00 PM, my phone rang. It was Ethan. “Chloe, I might be home late tonight. The client wants to—” “Got it.” I hung up. A few minutes later, my phone buzzed again. It wasn’t a call from Ethan, but a message from a mutual friend. “Chloe, did you and Ethan get into a fight? I just saw him having dinner with Brooke at a restaurant. They seemed really close.” I tapped on the attached photo and zoomed in. Ethan was sitting in a cozy booth, and Brooke was sitting directly opposite him under the dim, romantic lighting. I smiled. So this was his “business dinner.” A candlelit dinner with Brooke. I put my phone down and went back to editing my business proposal. At 1:00 AM, the front door unlocked. I heard Ethan’s heavy footsteps stumbling down the hallway before stopping outside my study. He knocked gently. “Chloe, are you still awake?” “Yes.” “I brought some takeout. Do you want some?” “No.” Silence stretched outside the door for a few seconds. “Are you mad again?” I released my mouse, walked to the door, and pulled it open. He was leaning against the doorframe, smelling of alcohol, his face slightly flushed. “Ethan, who did you have dinner with tonight?” His expression froze for a fraction of a second. “A client.” “Which client?” “You don’t know them.” “Was it Brooke?” His pupils contracted, but he quickly recovered his composure. “How did you know?” “Someone saw you.” He remained silent for a few seconds, then let out a heavy sigh. “Fine, I had dinner with Brooke. But she insisted on buying me a meal to apologize to you. She was too scared to face you directly, so she wanted to talk to me first.” “So she invited you, and you went. She asked you to take her home, and you did. She asked to sleep in your bed, and you let her?” “I told you that was an accident!” “Enough.” I raised my hand, cutting him off. “Ethan, save your explanations. Who you eat with, drink with, or sleep with has absolutely nothing to do with me anymore.” His face drained of color. “What do you mean it has nothing to do with you? You’re my wife!” “Not for much longer.” The hallway fell dead silent. Ethan stood before me, his expression morphing from confusion to shock, and finally to anger. “What is that supposed to mean?” “Exactly what it sounds like.” “You want a divorce?”

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I agreed to go abroad with my mafia boyfriend to hide from the mob chasing him, but the day before our flight took off, he changed his mind. His friend teased him: “Not bad, man. To trick Hailey Bennett into leaving, you pretended for this long that mobsters were after you.” “But you two have been together for seven years. Can you really bear to let her go to a strange country alone?” Lucas Hayes’s tone was indifferent: “It’s just the neighboring country. How far away can it be?” “Besides, she circles around me every day. I got tired of it a long time ago, so this is perfect for getting some peace and quiet.” That day, I stood outside the door for a long time, and in the end, I chose to turn and leave. He did not know that I tore up the plane ticket meant for our “escape” together and boarded another flight. Later, when he knelt and begged me to come back, I was already about to marry someone else. The instant I heard the truth, my heart trembled violently. Over the past month, Lucas Hayes had been ambushed by another gang, beaten up, and left covered in injuries countless times. I did everything I could to help him avoid harm, but there were always moments when I missed something. Unable to endure it any longer, I suggested that he go abroad to take shelter. At that time, Lucas Hayes had suffered a gunshot wound on his arm and had lost a lot of blood. His handsome face was pale and pitiful as he helplessly grabbed my hand: “Hailey, I’m scared to go somewhere unfamiliar by myself.” I met Lucas Hayes seven years ago, when I was in high school, and he saved me from bullies when I was trapped in an alley. And from then on, I fell for him at first sight. Later, we got together. I thought we would always love each other. So in a moment of impulse, I promised him, “Don’t be afraid. Wherever you go, I’ll go with you.” But only now did I learn that everything was an elaborate show he put on just to get rid of me. I could not help wondering, did Lucas Hayes really hate me that much? The voices inside the private room continued: “Hailey Bennett is truly devoted to you.” “If you send her to another country right now, aren’t you afraid she’ll fall in love with someone else?” “Her?” Lucas Hayes let out a scoff, as if he had heard the funniest joke in the world: “For me, she even dared to shield me when a gun was pointed at her head. You think she’d stop loving me?” Someone muttered quietly, “What if she does? Hailey Bennett doesn’t seem like someone you want to mess with.” Lucas Hayes’s tone was lazy: “There is no what-if. Ever since she got together with me, have you ever seen her look at anyone else?” His tone was inevitably stained with contempt. “All she does is follow me around all day. Even a dog isn’t as clingy as she is. It’s annoying as hell.” Harsh laughter rang out in the private room, like a slap across my face. I wanted to leave, but my feet seemed rooted to the floor, forcing me to listen and to hurt. Someone clicked his tongue in amazement: “This is the first time I’ve seen someone personally push away a woman who loves him. I’m impressed.” “But if you don’t like Hailey Bennett clinging to you so much, couldn’t you just tell her directly? Hailey Bennett doesn’t seem like the kind of person who would keep pestering you.” Lucas Hayes clicked his tongue, sounding a little impatient: “She’s the Bennett family’s heiress. If a breakup really turns ugly, I won’t be able to clean up the mess.” Then his tone shifted: “Besides, Chloe feels insecure and upset whenever she sees her, and she only feels a little better when I’m with her.” “For Chloe, I can only trick her into going abroad.” As soon as he said that, everyone instantly understood. If you counted the time, Lucas Hayes had decided to pretend he was being hunted by another gang exactly one week after saving Chloe Lane. Someone laughed and cursed at Lucas Hayes: “You’re something else, man. Don’t tell me you saved Chloe Lane because you had your eye on her.” “But Chloe Lane really does look delicate and pitiful, and her personality is so soft. It’s only natural for men to be drawn to her.” “She’s not like Hailey Bennett, who has such a cold, sharp personality and keeps a frozen face all day like she wants everyone to stay away. No matter how pretty she is, that won’t do.” After Chloe Lane was saved back then, she cried and said she had nowhere to go, so Lucas Hayes kept her by his side. He said he only treated her as his maid. The reckless comments about me in the private room rose wave after wave like a tide. And Lucas Hayes, the man I had loved for so many years, neither stopped them nor refuted them, and from time to time, he even agreed with them. I stood outside the door as my heart sank heavily into an abyss, empty and dull with pain. For an instant, I wanted to open the door and loudly question Lucas Hayes. I wanted to ask him why he lied to me. I wanted to ask him whether he ever felt a moment of guilt or softness when he watched me get beaten because I was protecting him. I wanted to ask him whether he ever thought about our seven years of love when he did all this. But in the end, my mother’s words echoed in my ears: Do not do anything unnecessary. People do not suddenly rot from the inside. I turned around and left that private room.

The dense, fine pain came belatedly. Originally, I would not have been this sad, and I could have just treated it as betrayal by someone who had been rotten by nature all along. But after all, I had loved him for seven years. On the day I decided to go abroad with Lucas Hayes to hide from the people chasing him, he took me to a club to drink and celebrate our escape. The private room was lively, and our friends laughed and cheered, saying that once the storm passed, they had to witness our wedding. I looked at the person beside me, my heart pounding wildly, and finally worked up the courage to ask softly: “Lucas, after we arrive in the new country, let’s get married, okay?” He hesitated for two seconds, then smiled gently. “Okay. Once we settle down, we’ll get married.” Cheers immediately rang out in the private room, and everyone congratulated us on our marriage in advance, making me blush with embarrassment. I never expected that only two days later, I would hear Lucas Hayes personally shatter my fantasy of love. I smiled, but tears slid down uncontrollably. So his hesitation at that time was also because Lucas Hayes was coaxing me so he could drive me away as soon as possible for Chloe Lane’s sake, right? The wind chimes in the bedroom jingled and swayed, drying my tears little by little. My shattered heart slowly pieced itself back together too. Lucas Hayes was wrong. He was only a small gang leader, and an illegitimate son of the Hayes family at that. And I was the Bennett family’s only billionaire heir, so we truly should not have been together. Because we were not a match. The plane ticket in my hand was dampened by my tears. But it was fine, because if this one was dirty, I could just replace it with a clean one. The Bennett family was never short of backup options. I booked a new plane ticket and called my mother: “Mom, you were right. People’s hearts change.” “I want to come home… I accept the arranged marriage with the Morgan family.” The wind chimes in the room made a crisp and pleasant sound, as if celebrating for me. I lowered my eyes slightly, and this time, the face that appeared before me was not Lucas Hayes’s. A man whose features resembled Lucas Hayes by about thirty percent, but who was even more handsome and dazzling, smiled at me with the same certainty and seriousness he had shown two years ago: “Hailey Bennett, sooner or later, you’ll give up on Lucas Hayes and choose me.” Back then, I had thought Ethan Morgan was joking. Now, I silently repeated it in my heart. Lucas Hayes, I truly do not want you anymore. After buying the new plane ticket, I let out a long breath, and my heart had already quietly calmed. But the bedroom door was suddenly knocked on. I froze, because I had always lived in this house alone, and the only person who knew the passcode would be… I opened the door, and sure enough, I saw Lucas Hayes’s face. His tone was as gentle as ever: “Hailey, why did you move out of our home and come live by yourself? It isn’t safe for you to live alone.” “What if the people chasing me catch you when you’re by yourself—” I tried my best to speak in a calm tone: “I want to be alone for a while.” I was about to ask him to leave when, from the corner of my eye, I caught sight of an unexpected figure. Chloe Lane’s petite body shrank beside Lucas Hayes, and the moment her eyes met mine, she flinched. Lucas Hayes watched her every move, and when he saw that, he immediately pulled her loosely into his arms: “Hailey, you scared Chloe.” It was like this again; Chloe Lane always put on a fragile act, as if she was afraid I would bully her, making it seem like I was some unforgivable villain. But I clearly had not done anything. My expression turned cold: “I told you before, I don’t like other people coming to my home.” Lucas Hayes frowned slightly, somewhat displeased: “Chloe isn’t an outsider.” “Besides, she only came because she was worried about you.” Before I could refute him, Chloe Lane’s eyes suddenly reddened: “Hailey, I’m sorry. I know you’ve always looked down on me, but I shower every day.” She bit her lip and added with tears in her eyes, “I won’t make your house dirty…” Hearing that, Lucas Hayes immediately furrowed his brows and looked at me unhappily: “Hailey, Chloe has nowhere to go, so what’s wrong with her staying with me?” “You treating her like this really disappoints me.” Chloe Lane carefully tugged at the corner of Lucas Hayes’s shirt, tolerant, generous, and understanding: “Lucas, I’m fine. Don’t fight with Hailey because of me…” She sniffled and showed an aggrieved yet stubborn smile: “After all, you two are the couple, and I’m just the little maid who follows you around. With my lowly status…” “What nonsense are you saying? You are one of a kind.” Lucas Hayes held Chloe Lane’s face with distress and coaxed her softly. Then he turned to look at me, his face as cold as if it had frozen over, and he said heavily, “Chloe isn’t in the right state emotionally, so I’ll take her away first.” “Reflect on yourself properly, and don’t forget your passport needs to be updated.” I did properly reflect on my own inability to judge people. Then I lifted my foot and went to change the front door passcode. The stifled anger in my heart finally eased for a moment.

The next day, I took the new application form to City Hall to update my passport. As I watched the new passport that symbolized my departure being firmly stamped on the paper, my heart suddenly felt empty for a moment. After standing there in a daze for a while, someone blocked my path. Lucas Hayes frowned slightly: “Hailey, did you change the front door passcode at your place?” “Yesterday, after I sent Chloe home, I went to find you right away, but the door wouldn’t open…” I interrupted him and said simply, “Yes, I changed it.” He seemed a little unhappy, yet he still asked intimately, as if nothing had happened, “What’s the new passcode? It’ll be easier for me to go to your place and find you.” I said calmly, “No need. After I go abroad, I won’t be living here.” Lucas Hayes looked at the new passport in my hand, as if he had suddenly remembered something: “I almost forgot about this.” “Don’t worry, Hailey. I’ll go pick up my passport and plane ticket later.” Ever since Chloe Lane appeared, experiences like walking and chatting with Lucas Hayes had become fewer and fewer. I closed my eyes, allowed the reluctance in my heart to surface, and tested him: “There’s no need to talk about worrying or not worrying between us.” Lucas Hayes was silent for a long time, then suddenly said, “Hailey, actually I…” Chloe Lane suddenly appeared behind Lucas Hayes, holding a bag of fruits and vegetables, and complained to him affectionately: “Lucas, didn’t we agree that you’d wait for me to cook for you? Why did you suddenly disappear?” As she spoke, she handed the bag to Lucas Hayes: “I saw that you’ve been hurt lately, so I’ll make chicken soup for you. I’ve also planned out your meals for the next few days.” As she said that, she blinked playfully: “You won’t blame me for deciding on my own, will you?” “Of course not…” Lucas Hayes smiled a little stiffly, and he glanced at me guiltily. Seeing that I had no reaction, his expression actually showed a faint hint of disappointment. So while pushing me away, you had already planned a future together with someone else. It was just that your future had never included me. I did my best to maintain my dignity on the surface, but deep inside, bitterness spread endlessly like a cup of coffee. I pinched my palm and forced myself to stay clear-headed: “You two talk. I’ll leave first.” Chloe Lane looked as if she had only just noticed me, and her whole body seemed startled by me: “Ha-Hailey…” “Are you unhappy because I’m cooking for Lucas?” “But I’m only helping you take care of him, since you’re usually so busy…” As she spoke, she actually began to sob again. I did not want to act along with her, so I said coldly, “Move.” The thin guilt in Lucas Hayes’s eyes vanished, and he grabbed my wrist, his tone mixed with anger: “Hailey Bennett, what kind of tone is that?” Without letting me argue, he dragged me in front of Chloe Lane and roared, “Apologize to Chloe!” The last piece of pure ground in my heart silently turned into scraps of ruin. This time, without the slightest hesitation, I raised my hand and slapped Lucas Hayes hard across the face: “Lucas Hayes, the person who should apologize most is you.” “But not to Chloe Lane. You should apologize to me.”

I sorted through the things Lucas Hayes had given me in the past, one by one. This necklace was the seventh-anniversary gift he gave me, but not long after, I saw Chloe Lane wearing an identical one around her neck. She said shyly, “Lucas said that whatever others have, I’ll have too…” Only the box was left from the limited-edition teddy bear plush, because Lucas Hayes had taken the plush away and said he liked the scent of my perfume on it. But the next day, I saw Chloe Lane holding the plush. …… It turned out that the one-of-a-kind things I thought I had received had long since been given equally by Lucas Hayes to someone else. Or rather, not even equally. I thought of how Lucas Hayes cared for Chloe Lane in every possible way and favored her endlessly. A mocking smile curved my lips. Since that was the case, there was no need for these things to exist anymore. I checked the plane ticket for the next day again and prepared to spend my last night in peace. But at dawn, I was woken by a phone call. Still groggy, I pressed answer, but the other end stayed quiet, and just as I was about to hang up, Lucas Hayes’s voice sounded: “Hailey, I’m sorry.” My mind cleared instantly, and if he had decided to tell the truth… Lucas Hayes said in a deep voice, “Chloe hurt herself, and I can’t leave her alone, so I’ll go abroad after some time…” The heart I had lifted high slammed heavily to the ground, pathetic and ridiculous. I suddenly really wanted to ask Lucas Hayes what all the suffering I had endured because he pretended to be hunted by mobsters was supposed to count as. Lucas Hayes’s voice continued: “Apologize.” I suspected I had misheard him: “What did you say?” Lucas Hayes’s voice was firm: “Hailey Bennett, you really should apologize to Chloe.” “If you hadn’t always acted so arrogant and domineering toward Chloe, would Chloe have tried to kill herself?” I was suddenly speechless. Because I suddenly understood that with Chloe Lane around, every word I said was wrong. Lucas Hayes spoke again, his voice as if it had been dipped in ice: “Hailey Bennett, you really disappoint me.” “As long as you apologize, I can act like nothing happened and go join you in two months.” “Are you really going to be this willful and throw away all the years of our relationship?” I heard the threat in his words. But I no longer felt even a trace of unwillingness or sadness, only annoyance. I cleanly hung up the phone, blocked him, and deleted his number. I sincerely looked forward to tomorrow’s flight. It was still better to go home, and my suitcase was taken by a familiar pair of hands. I looked up and met Ethan Morgan’s eyes: “Hailey Bennett, long time no see.” I reached out my hand with a bright smile: “Long time no see, Ethan Morgan.” My phone ringtone interrupted our greeting. I swiped open the screen, only to discover it was the number of one of Lucas Hayes’s friends. I answered in confusion, and Lucas Hayes’s voice sounded from the other end, faintly anxious: “Hailey, did you get on the wrong plane?” “Why can’t the people I sent to pick you up find you?”

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Chapter 1 This year, as the leading neurosurgical authority in the country, I received a request for a fly-in surgery in another state. Twenty years ago, I had been in this very operating room. My mother suffered a cerebral hemorrhage, and the lead surgeon missed by half a centimeter. My mother died, and it was my first love, Oliver Sterling, who comforted me and helped me move on. Only later did I discover that the lead surgeon was his father, the hospital’s renowned Chief of Neurosurgery, but the one actually holding the scalpel was Oliver, a medical intern. He and Chloe had planned it all along, using my mother’s surgery to let him practice and pave the way for his career. After the accident, Chloe, using her status as the hospital director’s daughter, completely suppressed the incident. From that day on, I gave up my guaranteed spot in a master’s program. I retook the entrance exams, went to medical school, and worked my way from an undergraduate degree to a postdoctoral fellowship. I spent exactly twenty years turning myself into someone who “would never make a mistake again.” Hoping only that one day, my mother’s tragedy would not be repeated. Today, my assistant slid the patient’s file in front of me: brainstem tumor, late stage, extremely high risk. That face had aged significantly, but I recognized it at a glance. I pushed the file back to my assistant and took off my white coat. “I can’t do this surgery.” …… “Dr. Lin… what do you mean?” My assistant, Hannah, stood frozen in shock as I started packing my things. “Literally what I said. Change my flight back to tonight.” “But… there isn’t another surgeon in the entire state who can operate on a brainstem tumor. If you leave, the patient is…” “I know, but I can’t take this case.” I opened the door and walked out of the conference room. Dr. Sullivan, the Chief of Neurosurgery at the state hospital, hurried over, squeezing out a smile. “Dr. Lin, I’m Dr. Sullivan from Neurosurgery.” He extended a hand; I didn’t take it. He awkwardly pulled it back and rubbed his hands together. “We’ve been preparing for this surgery for three months. It wasn’t easy getting you to fly out from New York. The patient’s family…” “Dr. Sullivan,” I cut him off directly. “I will submit my reasons for recusal in writing.” He paused, then lowered his voice and leaned in. “Dr. Lin, you might not fully understand the situation. The patient’s son is Oliver Sterling, the Vice President of our hospital. His daughter-in-law, Chloe, is the daughter of our former hospital director, Dr. Hastings. If you just walk away, I won’t be able to explain this to them.” “That is your problem.” I walked past him and continued toward the exit. Dr. Sullivan chased after me for a few steps, his tone growing urgent. “Dr. Lin, at least give me a reason so I can tell the family! Is there an issue with the surgical plan? Are you unhappy with our facilities? Equipment, team, post-op care—just tell us what you need, and we will fully accommodate you!” “I have no issues with the facilities. The surgery is possible, but you need to find someone else to do it.” “Is it about the fee? The family said money is no object—name your price!” “It’s not about the money.” Before he could continue, I shut him down completely. “Dr. Sullivan, my decision is final.” Before the elevator doors closed, Dr. Sullivan finally snapped out of it and pulled out his phone to make a call. Hannah followed me downstairs, jogging to catch up as we reached the parking garage. “Dr. Lin, what exactly is going on?” She blocked the car door, her forehead slick with sweat. “This isn’t like you. You’ve taken every impossible case there is! You’ve faced situations far more perilous than this, and today, just one look at a medical chart and…” “Hannah.” I looked at her, and she stopped talking. “You’ve worked with me for four years. Have you ever seen my hands shake in the operating room?” “No.” “What if I told you that for this surgery, I am absolutely certain my hands would shake from nerves?” Hannah frowned, opening her mouth to speak, but hesitating. “Neurosurgery has zero tolerance for even half a millimeter of error.” Twenty years. I had spent twenty years making my hands absolutely steady. Even during a twelve-hour continuous surgery, my margin of error wouldn’t exceed three millimeters. My peers considered me a precision instrument, impossibly calm in any situation. But today, when I saw that name and that face, I couldn’t keep my composure. Twenty years ago, because of a half-centimeter error, my mother was left on that operating table forever. My phone buzzed. It was an unknown number. “Dr. Lin, hello. I am the patient’s family member. I heard you declined the surgery. Could you give us a chance to meet?” I didn’t know exactly who sent the message, but I knew Oliver Sterling was among the family members. I didn’t reply. Soon, a second text arrived: [As doctors, our greatest fear shouldn’t be a failed surgery, but refusing to save a life.] “Dr. Lin, please wait! The former director’s daughter insists on seeing you no matter what!” Dr. Sullivan threw himself in front of my car, looking as if he was ready to risk his life to stop me. “Chloe?” “You know her?” Of course I did. Oliver’s wife, Director Hastings’ only daughter. Twenty years ago, when she was still a student, she walked around the hospital like she owned the place, riding on her father’s influence. “I don’t know her, but I’ve heard the name.” Dr. Sullivan sighed. “The patient’s son, Oliver Sterling, is Chloe’s husband. He’s also our state’s… well, Deputy Chief of Neurosurgery.” He weighed his words carefully, speaking to me with extreme caution. “Dr. Lin, I know you must have your reasons. But if this blows up, it’s bad for both of us. Could you just stay, meet with the family, and talk it over?” “I have nothing to talk about.” “Dr. Lin!” Dr. Sullivan was desperate, leaning right up against my car window. “Listen to me, Chloe and the Sterling family have strong backgrounds and resources. Whatever concerns or demands you have, just put them on the table. I’m sure they’ll do everything they can to meet them. But if I let you leave today without a word, both you and I are going to face significant trouble.” “Just do this as a favor to me. Even if it’s just meeting with the Hastings and Dr. Sterling for a few minutes!” “Dr. Sullivan, just report my refusal upwards. The medical board will coordinate another expert. Wouldn’t that be faster?” He gave a bitter smile. “You are the top-ranked expert. If you refuse, the people below you will be even more afraid to take the case.” I was about to offer him some reassurance when my phone rang. “Hello, is this Maya Lin?” An unfamiliar female voice, but I didn’t need an introduction to know who it was. “I am the patient’s daughter-in-law, Chloe Hastings. I heard you refused my father-in-law’s surgery. I’d like to meet with you face-to-face to discuss it. Would tomorrow morning work for you?” I tried hard to suppress the emotions rising inside me. When I didn’t speak, she continued. “I don’t care what your thoughts are, but walking away after one glance without any explanation is hardly professional. Let’s meet.” “I will submit a formal written report promptly.” “Isn’t meeting face-to-face faster than submitting a report? Is there something you’re afraid to discuss in person?” Chloe’s tone carried a hint of anger; she clearly thought I was just throwing my weight around. “Fine. I will return to the hospital tomorrow.” My voice regained its calm. Perhaps it was time to settle certain matters once and for all. “Good. My husband, Dr. Sterling, and I will be there tomorrow.” “No problem.” Dr. Sullivan finally let out a sigh of relief when he heard me agree. “Dr. Lin, then we’ll see you tomorrow!” He bowed slightly, then turned and walked away. I sat back down and glanced at Hannah. “Cancel the flight. We’re staying.” Early the next morning, I arrived at the conference room to wait. Not long after, a woman in a trench coat walked in, exuding an air of aggressive urgency. Behind her followed a man, maintaining that same composed demeanor I still recognized instantly after twenty years. I had fantasized about the moment I would see him again countless times, yet I still felt the urge to rush forward and end him. “Are you Dr. Lin?” The woman swept her gaze around the room before settling on me. Dr. Sullivan quickly stood up. “Chloe, this is Dr. Lin. Dr. Lin, this is…” “You are Dr. Lin?” Chloe cut him off, walking straight up to me. She didn’t recognize me. The girl who had cried until she fainted outside the morgue twenty years ago was worlds apart from the neurosurgical authority sitting before her, with six publications in The Lancet. “Dr. Lin, what is the meaning of this? You just say no and that’s it? We confirmed your schedule with your team three days ago. The equipment is calibrated, the nursing plan is set, and now you’re just washing your hands of it?” “Ms. Hastings, I have already told Dr. Sullivan that I will submit a report.” “Submit what report?” She let out a scoffing laugh. “You execute flawless surgeries far more complex than this. Are you telling me this surgery scared you?” Sensing the tension, Oliver quickly stepped in to smooth things over. “Dr. Lin, I am the patient’s son, Oliver Sterling. I understand you may have your own considerations, but my father’s situation is extremely critical. If this is about the fee…” “It’s not about the fee.” “Then what is it?” Chloe slammed her purse down onto a chair. “Is our hospital too small to accommodate a big shot like you?” Dr. Sullivan hurriedly intervened. “Chloe, please calm down. Dr. Lin might genuinely have…” “Genuinely have what? A top-tier neurosurgeon who turns her back on a patient waiting for a lifesaving operation?” She turned and glared at me. “Let me tell you something, Maya Lin. My father may be retired, but he’s still an advisory board member for the State Medical Board. One phone call from me and you could…” “Chloe.” Oliver grabbed her arm, lowering his voice. “Calm down.” He then looked at me, offering an apologetic smile. I knew that smile very well. It was the exact same smile he gave me twenty years ago outside the morgue when he comforted me: “Maya, you have to be strong.” Yet, he turned around and got engaged to Chloe immediately, while my formal complaint was simultaneously dismissed. “Dr. Lin, I don’t know the real reason for your refusal. But as a fellow medical professional, I believe you are a doctor with strong ethics. My father is…” I couldn’t listen to his speech, so I interrupted him. “Dr. Sterling, my decision will not be changed by anyone’s persuasion.” Chloe’s face darkened completely. “Fine. You’re tough. You’re an expert, you’re amazing. But let me tell you this: the State Expert Committee is convening tomorrow to discuss this matter. I hope you maintain this exact attitude then.” She grabbed her purse, turned, and threw one last sentence over her shoulder. “The people I despise the most in this life are those who get a little skill and suddenly think they’re above it all. Healing the sick and saving lives is a doctor’s natural duty. It’s not up to you to pick and choose.” The clatter of her high heels faded away down the hall. Oliver hesitated for a moment before speaking to me again. “Dr. Lin, I apologize. My wife has a quick temper. Please consider it carefully. My phone is always on.” Dr. Sullivan hadn’t dared to breathe heavily the entire time. Only after Oliver left did he speak up cautiously. “Dr. Lin, why must it be this way? Even if you have concerns, we could discuss them…” “Dr. Sullivan, I truly have my own reasons. I absolutely cannot perform this surgery.” “Well… you better prepare yourself for tomorrow. I’m afraid she won’t let this go easily.” I nodded, gesturing for Hannah to get ready to leave. Whether Chloe would let it go or not, I didn’t know. But tomorrow, I didn’t plan on letting it go either. “Dr. Lin, what is your reason for refusing this surgery?” The speaker was Arthur Vance, the Deputy Director of the State Medical Board. The next morning, at the Expert Committee discussion. In attendance were not only the hospital’s department heads but also two representatives sent by the Medical Board. “I cannot guarantee absolute optimal condition during the procedure.” “What do you mean, you cannot guarantee?” Arthur flipped through the materials in front of him. “Dr. Lin, I’ve reviewed your resume. Over the past three years, you have been the lead surgeon on forty-seven high-difficulty procedures, with a 100% success rate. How could you not be confident?” “For this particular case, I am not.” “Why?” I didn’t answer immediately. Another representative interjected, “Dr. Lin, we understand that every doctor has their own judgment. But this case is quite unique. The patient’s surgical window is very short. If you don’t take it, his survival rate is practically zero.” “My personal refusal does not mean there are no other options. You can contact other teams.” Arthur cleared his throat. “We have contacted everyone. You are the only one who has both the capability and the availability.” “I cannot do it.” “There is a difference between cannot do it and do not want to do it, Dr. Lin.” The door was pushed open. Chloe walked in, followed by Oliver and an old man leaning on a cane. The old man looked to be in his seventies, his face sallow but his back perfectly straight. “Director Hastings, why are you here?” Dr. Sullivan stood up. Dr. Hastings was his old boss. “This concerns Richard. I couldn’t stay out of it.” Hastings walked slowly to the table and sat down, glancing at me. “Dr. Lin,” Hastings coughed lightly. “I’m Dr. Hastings. I worked at this hospital for forty years. Richard Sterling is my old partner, my old friend. This illness of his cannot afford any delays.” “Director Hastings, I understand your feelings. But—” “Hear me out first.” He raised a hand, stopping me. “I know you’re a big expert from out of state. Your time is precious, and your skills are incredible. But in the medical profession, skill isn’t the only thing that matters.” He stared at me, his eyes cloudy but piercing. “The most important thing is conscience.” Chloe stood behind her father, her expression still cold and arrogant. Oliver sat beside them, looking pained and earnest. “I refused the surgery precisely because of my conscience.” “Explain.” “Brainstem surgery demands impossibly strict psychological stability from the lead surgeon. Any emotional fluctuation could lead to an intraoperative error. I evaluated my own state of mind, and I know I cannot remain absolutely calm.” “Are you saying you have personal feelings regarding my father?” Oliver frowned, his tone laced with surprise. “Dr. Lin, to my knowledge, we have never crossed paths before.” I looked at him, and he looked back at me, his gaze open and entirely devoid of guilt. No crossing paths. He didn’t recognize me, yet I had remembered him for twenty years. “Whether we crossed paths is irrelevant.” I took a small sip of my tea. “What matters is that once I am on that operating table, I cannot guarantee 100% focus. On that point alone, I shouldn’t take the case.” Arthur impatiently tapped the table. “Dr. Lin, let’s speak frankly. There is no regulation stating a doctor can refuse a surgery without cause. If you cannot provide a clear reason for recusal, this is negligence.” “Deputy Vance, the Medical Practice Act…” “Don’t quote the book at me.” He slammed his pen down on the table. “I’ll tell you the situation plainly. Tomorrow, every major medical news outlet will be covering this. A top-tier expert flies a thousand miles for a surgery, looks at the chart, and walks away. Do you think that looks good?” I remained silent. Chloe took a step forward. “Dr. Lin, my words yesterday might have been a bit harsh, and I apologize. But think about it—if word gets out that you left a man to die, how will you live with yourself?” Oliver also stood up and gave me a slight bow. “Dr. Lin, if my father or I have done anything to make you uncomfortable, I apologize. I understand your concerns. How about this: we will double your surgical fee, and to help with your emotional state, I personally will…” “Dr. Sterling,” I cut him off. “Can you answer one question for me?” He froze, then nodded. “Please.” “Your father has practiced medicine for forty years. How many surgeries has he handled?” “Thousands. He is the founding father of neurosurgery in our state.” Oliver puffed his chest out slightly as he said it. “Out of those thousands of surgeries, were there many failures?” The atmosphere in the conference room thickened. Oliver’s gaze didn’t shift, but he hesitated for a fraction of a second. “Every surgery carries risks. 100% success is impossible.” “And the families of those patients who didn’t make it… what happened to them?” “Dr. Lin, this has nothing to do with the current situation.” “Is that so.” I stood up and grabbed my bag. “Then my refusal also has nothing to do with the current situation. Excuse me.” From behind, Chloe’s sharp voice rang out. “Go! If you leave, don’t even think about coming back! I’ll make sure the entire industry knows that Maya Lin is a piece of trash who leaves people to die!” As I pushed open the door, Hannah couldn’t help but lean into my ear. “Dr. Lin, what if… you just tell me the truth? Why won’t you do this surgery?” I turned to look at her. Three years ago, when she graduated with her master’s and sent out over a hundred resumes with no luck, I was the one who hired her. She trusted me and she knew me well. But I had never told her about this. “Hannah.” “Yes?” “Twenty years ago, a man-made medical accident happened in this hospital’s neurosurgery department. The patient’s name was Clara Lin.” Her expression slowly changed. “Clara Lin… is she your…?” “My mother.” She stood there, stunned, unsure of what to say. “The lead surgeon’s name was Richard Sterling. The exact same man lying in that hospital bed waiting for me to save him.” Hannah froze, speechless for a long time. “Prepare a formal Recusal Application for me. Tomorrow, at the ethics committee meeting, I’ll explain it myself.” As we walked out the main entrance, Hannah called out to me softly from behind. “Dr. Lin… would your hands really shake?” I clenched my fists and let out a sigh. “As long as that face is in front of me, I wouldn’t be able to control it.”

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