My wife had my initials tattooed over her heart, a constant reminder of how she held me captive. I’d accidentally torn her silk stockings, so I’d woken up extra early to buy her favorite gourmet cinnamon rolls. Yet she said, “Chris’s birthday trip is to the Caribbean, and it’s a bit risky there right now, so I have to go with him.” “But…” Suddenly, a torrent of flashing text erupted in my mind’s eye. 【Shut up, Alex! Let the toxic woman go!!】 【That ‘CS’ she tattooed? It stands for Chris Scott! Not Alex Chen! She never loved you!!】 【On this very day in your previous life, you knelt and begged, but couldn’t keep her. After you started working at the National Catastrophe Alert Center, you predicted an avalanche would hit her hometown at eleven PM. You raced to the airport, tore up her ticket, and frantically forced her to return to save her parents. Only then did she manage to rescue them just before the avalanche struck!】 【But Chris vanished from a foreign cruise ship, his body discovered later, barely recognizable, a mere shell of what he once was!】 【A week after Chris’s disappearance, she tricked you with a fake pregnancy to join her on a cruise, then sold you overseas for a pittance. You were imprisoned, brutalized, your very being exploited until your dying breath…】 … I froze. 1 The bullet comments continued to scroll madly, and a chilling muscle memory of my own brutal demise flooded my limbs, as if I had lived it all myself. Just then, Elara Thorne grew impatient. “Alex, nothing you say matters! Chris and I are going on that trip, and I won’t let a single hair on his head be harmed!” I watched her red lips move, refusing to believe. Could she truly resent me if Chris got into trouble, heartlessly push me overseas, and let me suffer a torturous death? We both worked at the National Catastrophe Alert Center, and over time, feelings blossomed between us. It wasn’t until our wedding day that Elara confessed: all these years, she had never forgotten her college sweetheart. She couldn’t commit wholeheartedly to our relationship and hoped I would understand. All our family and friends were there. I didn’t want to cancel the wedding, so I married her, a knot of unease twisting in my gut. After our wedding night, she voluntarily told me she’d tattooed ‘CS’ – my initials, or so I thought – closest to her heart. I believed she had truly changed her mind, and I showered her with even more affection. But our blissful days didn’t last long before Chris reappeared. She even brought Chris into our home, exiled me to the guest room, while they shared the master bedroom. I deeply loved this woman, forcing myself to believe their bond was purely platonic. But the memories of my past life made it clear: I had to let go, to respect her predetermined fate. Now, given this opportunity, I wouldn’t be a fool again. “Are you deaf? Why aren’t you saying anything?” Elara, seeing my lack of reaction, asked coldly. I gazed at her, a long, deep look, then opened my work laptop, printed a stack of schematics, and thrust them into her hand. “Elara! Willow Creek is going to be hit by a Category Five avalanche tonight at eleven! Your hometown will be devastated!” Elara glanced cursorily at the schematics, then promptly tore them to shreds. She tossed the scraps in my face, a cold sneer twisting her lips. “Alex, have you lost your mind? You’re actually joking about an avalanche now! You’re truly this desperate to stop Chris and me from going on our trip?” I looked at her, my voice unwavering. “I’m not joking, Elara! There will be Category Eight winds today, the direct cause of this avalanche…” As I spoke, Elara slapped me hard across the face. Her expression was already contorted, and her next words dripped with hatred. “Shut up! Our hometown hasn’t had an avalanche in centuries! We’ve survived Category Ten winds before without a scratch, and now a mere Category Eight wind will cause an avalanche? You’re full of lies! Chris’s birthday trip is happening, no matter what you say. If you really can’t stand it, then we’ll get a divorce when I get back.” With that, she didn’t spare me another glance, dragging her suitcase behind her as she swept out the door. 2 After Elara left, I began to pack. Half an hour ago, I’d already submitted the disaster forecast report for Willow Creek to my superiors. Now, I had to drive there and pick up Elara’s parents. They were still my in-laws, after all. I couldn’t abandon them. I hadn’t even driven out of the complex when Director Miller called me. “Alex,” he began, “I hear you just uploaded a report?” “Yes, Director,” I replied. “Is there a problem?” Director Miller’s tone turned stern. “What do you mean, is there a problem? Alex, you’ve worked at our center for so many years, how can you still be so immature? How could you fabricate a disaster report just to stop Elara from having a normal social life? What you’re doing is illegal!” Elara was Director Miller’s protégé; they must have just spoken. Now they both believed I was lying, putting on an act! I immediately explained. “Director, I’m serious. Willow Creek will be hit by a Category Five avalanche tonight at eleven, absolutely! You—” Director Miller’s stance was unyielding. “Say no more. I’ve already taken your report down. Alex, your work ethic is highly questionable. Don’t bother coming in for the next two days. Stay home and reflect on your actions. If I’d known you were so unreliable, I would never have pushed you two together in the first place!” After a moment’s hesitation, I called a higher-ranking superior. Before I could even speak, the executive began to reprimand me sternly. “You’re Alex Chen, correct? Director Miller just briefed me on your situation. And here I thought you were a dependable, capable young man. Today, you’ve truly opened my eyes! I believe you’re no longer suited for work at our center. You should seek opportunities elsewhere!” The line went dead, and it took me a long moment to fully process what had just happened. I couldn’t believe it; just like that, I’d lost my job. But this wasn’t the time for such thoughts. It was six PM, only five hours until the avalanche. I had much more to do before then. I called Elara’s parents again. Her father answered. “What? An avalanche? Alex, you’re not serious, are you? Willow Creek hasn’t had an avalanche in eight hundred years! Where’s Elara? Put Elara on the phone!” I took a deep breath. “Elara went on a trip with her college friend. Dad, I’m truly not joking. Willow Creek will have an avalanche tonight at eleven PM. Willow Creek Town will be affected. You must listen to me. Please, tell Mayor Thompson about this, get everyone to evacuate as soon as possible!” He promised, “You can trust me, Alex. This is a matter of life and death; I’ll handle it!” Two hours later, I arrived in Willow Creek Town. There were still three hours until the avalanche, but looking around, the town’s main street was still bustling with people. They had absolutely no sense of impending danger! What was going on? Time was pressing. I called her father again as I hurried towards Mayor Thompson’s house. To my dismay, her father was right there at Mayor Thompson’s house, and the two of them were sharing a drink. “Dad, what are you doing? The avalanche is coming soon! Why aren’t you evacuating?!” I asked frantically. Mayor Thompson slowly eyed me, then turned to her father. “Is this your son-in-law? He looks decent enough, but his character seems… questionable. Tricking everyone with such a tale?” Her father walked over, then lifted his leg and viciously kicked my shin. “Alex! You’re an adult! How can you make up such outrageous lies? If I hadn’t called Elara, I might actually have believed your nonsense and put the whole town through pointless panic! Imagine the gossip that would have spread about us!” 3 They didn’t believe me either! I opened my mouth to say something, but my phone suddenly rang. It was Elara! I answered, desperate. “Elara, quick, tell your dad! Willow Creek is really going to have an avalanche! You need to get—” She cut me off coldly. “Alex, have you lost your mind? Chris and I are just on a trip; why are you being so dramatic?” Chris chimed in, fanning the flames. “Yeah, buddy,” he drawled. “If you keep this up, Elara’s just going to despise you even more.” Elara threatened me. “That’s enough! Otherwise, I really will divorce you, and then you can prepare to leave with nothing!” With that, she hung up. I had put the call on speaker, to make it easier for Elara and her father to talk. Elara’s father, having heard the whole exchange, glared at me. “What in the world is going on between you two? You’re talking about divorce?” I desperately wanted to explain. But this was no time for explanations. I turned to Mayor Thompson. “Mayor Thompson, I am an engineer from the National Catastrophe Alert Center. Due to Category Eight winds, Willow Creek will experience an avalanche. I have accurately predicted it will begin at eleven PM tonight, and its danger level is Category Five. This entire area will be buried under snow. Please, you must believe me!” The Mayor hesitated, seemingly weighing the truth of my words. But then, her father scoffed, a cold sneer on his face, and said to the Mayor, “He’s no engineer anymore! My daughter already told me the Alert Center plans to fire him! Mayor Thompson, don’t you dare listen to his nonsense!” Mayor Thompson’s face turned cold. He pointed to the door. “Young man, this is no place for your jokes. Please leave!” He was kicking me out. But I knew, with grim certainty, that I couldn’t leave. Only by convincing this man could the townspeople be saved. In desperation, I knelt directly before the Mayor. “I, Alex Chen, am truly not joking! If an avalanche doesn’t happen here by eleven PM tonight, then call the police, have me arrested, send me to jail! Mayor, there’s not much time left until the avalanche. Please, quickly inform everyone to evacuate!” “Aren’t you ashamed of yourself?!” her father roared. Enraged, he lunged and delivered a powerful kick directly to my chest. I crumpled to the floor, my chest aching, making it hard to breathe. I fixated on the Mayor, my gaze unwavering. “The avalanche is truly coming, Mayor! Can you bear the weight of hundreds of lives on your conscience?!” The Mayor stared at me, a profound, searching look in his eyes, then finally said, “I’ll trust you, this once.” Her father was dumbfounded. “No, Mayor Thompson, you can’t actually believe his nonsense! He’s just trying to upset my daughter, playing a dramatic game with us—” “If the avalanche doesn’t come,” the Mayor said, already walking away, “then he’ll go to jail!” The Mayor said, then strode away. I gritted my teeth, forcing myself to stand and follow him, reminding him. “This avalanche will affect an area of three kilometers. To be safe, everyone should evacuate to at least five kilometers away…” The Mayor immediately began organizing people and arranging the evacuation. I turned back to find her father. “Dad, I drove here. Please, you and Mom, come with me in my car.” He slapped me hard across the face. “I’m not going anywhere! The moment my daughter returns, I’m making sure you two get divorced! Then you can rave like a lunatic all you want! Damn it, you’ve completely shamed me!” Next, the townspeople began to evacuate rapidly. In less than two hours, most of them were gone. But I was locked out of the house by Elara’s parents. No matter how I pleaded, they refused to leave with me. I had no choice but to call Elara. Only she could convince her parents to evacuate. The phone rang over a dozen times before it was finally answered. I quickly told her, “Please, just believe me this once, okay? Everyone in town has evacuated, only your parents refuse to leave. Tell them, quickly! The avalanche is only twenty minutes away, it’ll be too late soon!” From the other end of the line, I heard Chris’s scornful laughter. I asked, my voice low and grim, “Where’s Elara?” He said, gloating. “She’s in the shower. She already told me she doesn’t want to waste her breath talking to you.” I bit back my anger. “Get her to the phone! This concerns her parents’ lives!” Chris mocked me. “Alex, are you insane? You’re still trying to trick people with this avalanche lie? Do you even know what Elara and I are going to do tonight? Her soft, pliant grace, her passion… you couldn’t even imagine—” I felt utterly indifferent to his vulgar taunts. Since Elara wouldn’t take the call, I resigned myself. I checked the time. Only a little over ten minutes until the avalanche. If I didn’t leave now, I’d probably die here. As for Elara’s parents… I started recording on my phone, simultaneously shouting through the door. “Mom, Dad, the avalanche is coming in ten minutes! A Category Five avalanche! The entire town of Willow Creek will be destroyed! If you don’t leave now, you will truly die here…” As I spoke, an ashtray flew out from inside the house, striking me squarely on the head. Immediately, my head exploded with pain, and a wave of intense dizziness washed over me. Elara’s mother shrieked from within. “You monster! Are you cursing us, two old people? My daughter was right, you’re just a lying swindler! Are you hoping we die early so you can inherit our property? I tell you, dream on—” I didn’t listen further. I stopped the recording, then forced my battered body into the car. The blow from the ashtray was brutal; I felt like I could pass out at any moment. I slapped myself hard, forcing myself to stay conscious, then started the car and sped away from the town. At 11 PM, a deafening rumble suddenly erupted. The night sky behind me was even obscured by the churning snow. The avalanche had truly come.

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On my daughter’s eighteenth birthday, I scrolled through a social media post from a parent in her class. “So fortunate to be invited to my child’s best friend’s birthday celebration.” A smile touched my lips. It was good for my daughter to make more friends. But as I looked closer at the photos, a wave of confusion washed over me. A lavish birthday party was in full swing inside my villa, yet the figure at the center of the crowd was a stranger. And the dress she was wearing… wasn’t that the million-dollar gown I’d custom-ordered for my daughter? The more I looked, the more wrong it felt. I accessed the security cameras in our home. What I saw made my blood run cold: the unfamiliar girl, smiling sweetly, escorted a woman onto a central stage. She formally introduced her to everyone present. “This is my mother, Ms. Sinclair, CEO of Sinclair Industries.” And my daughter? She was on her knees nearby, a group of people pressing her head down, forcing her to lick cream off the floor like a dog. Rage shook me to my core. She was the CEO of Sinclair Industries? Then who, in God’s name, was I? 1 “Ms. Sinclair, congratulations on your recovery. You’ll be discharged in a few days.” In the exclusive recovery clinic, the director held a bouquet of flowers, smiling as he congratulated me. A faint smile touched my lips as I picked up my phone, ready to share the good news. But the next second, I saw a post on social media from Ms. Evans, whose daughter, Emily, was in my daughter’s class. I had never publicly disclosed my identity as the CEO of Sinclair Industries, wanting my daughter to blend in more easily at school. Today was my daughter’s birthday. The venue for the birthday party in Ms. Evans’s video, and the dress worn by the guest of honor, felt disturbingly familiar. Upon closer inspection, wasn’t this my house? Even more unbelievably, the exquisite gown I had commissioned for my daughter, costing a fortune, was now worn by someone else. I frowned. This dress was a gift for my daughter’s coming-of-age, a piece I had personally helped design. The gold thread and pearls alone were worth a fortune. A dark shadow passed through my eyes, and I immediately called Mrs. Peterson, our housekeeper. “Ms. Sinclair, Miss Clara is having her birthday party with her friends!” “Miss Clara said she loves all the things you sent back!” “Miss Clara is having birthday cake with her friends. She said she’ll call you back later.” After hanging up, I felt a deep sense of unease. Was I overthinking this? I messaged Ms. Evans, but she took a long time to reply. “It’s the kids’ business, we parents don’t interfere much,” she stammered, unable to give a clear answer. “What do we parents know about these things?” Soon after, when I checked her social media again, I found she had blocked me. I couldn’t help but call my daughter’s homeroom teacher. “Hello, Mr. Chen, this is Clara’s mother.” “I just wanted to check on Clara recently…” But the voice on the other end was full of impatience. “You’re Clara’s mother? Why are you only calling now?” the voice snapped. “I’m her new homeroom teacher. Mr. Chen has already left.” A pang of guilt struck me. For the past two years, due to my health, I’d been recuperating abroad. I hadn’t even known her teacher had changed. However, her next words made me jump. “Mrs. Davies, there’s something I need to say, whether it’s appropriate or not!” she barked. “As the child of the Sinclair family’s housekeeper, it’s already a great privilege that Ms. Sinclair allowed your Clara to enroll here. I never imagined your daughter would be so ungrateful, taking leave every other day!” “And her tuition for the current semester still hasn’t been paid! You need to settle it immediately.” “Honestly, I don’t know why she can’t be more like young Miss Sinclair!” With that, she contemptuously hung up. I nearly crushed my phone. I, a housekeeper? Someone had usurped my and my daughter’s identity? I was furious, then burst into a cold, mocking laugh. I immediately booked a flight back home. I was going to find out exactly what had been happening in my house. At six in the evening, I walked out of the airport, my luggage in hand. I was eager to meet this “Ms. Sinclair” who had seemingly appeared out of thin air. When I arrived at the company, everyone looked at me in shock. “Ms. Sinclair… why are you back so suddenly?” They all knew the true power behind Sinclair Industries was this Ms. Sinclair. No matter how authoritative Mr. Davies seemed, he was merely a figurehead. The one who truly held everyone’s fate in her hands, who had built Sinclair Industries from the ground up, was the iron-willed woman standing before them. “My dear, why are you back so suddenly?” Arthur Davies looked at me, his eyes full of a profound guilt. He seemed to have just rushed back from somewhere; usually so meticulous about his appearance, his clothes were noticeably wrinkled. I smiled, straightening his collar, pretending not to notice the faint red lipstick mark on it. “New cologne?” I asked, a hint of a smile playing on my lips. A flicker of panic crossed Arthur’s eyes. The new YSL fragrance was the number one women’s perfume. “Oh, it’s nothing! Our daughter, she’s grown up and cares about looking pretty now, and she accidentally dropped a bottle of perfume when she went out. It shattered and splashed all over me.” His face was filled with doting affection, as if he were truly a father spoiling his daughter. “Is that so?” I watched him spout such blatant lies, then scoffed. My fingers casually scrolled through the social media account of this “Miss Sinclair.” Every single limited-edition piece of jewelry I had bought for my daughter abroad was now adorning her. “Arthur, can you tell me how these things, which I acquired for our daughter, ended up on Mrs. Peterson’s granddaughter?” My eyes gleamed with sarcasm. “Don’t tell me it’s a coincidence. Every piece of jewelry is one-of-a-kind.” My assistant had already thoroughly investigated the girl’s identity: Mrs. Peterson’s granddaughter, Madison Peterson. I let out a mocking laugh. Mrs. Peterson had truly raised her well. No wonder everyone assumed she was the young lady of the Sinclair family. Seeing me produce the photos, panic flashed in Arthur’s eyes, but he quickly composed himself, looking at me with disapproval. “It’s like this, my dear. Mrs. Peterson is getting on in years and some chores are difficult for her, so she asked Madison to help out. Madison and Clara hit it off and are like sisters. They’ve been living and eating together for the past two years.” He smiled, an oily, placating expression. “Darling, it’s normal for girls to share, isn’t it?” Rage made me laugh. Normal? Sure enough, Arthur soon received a phone call. His face visibly paled, and he looked at me with incredulity. “My dear, why did you freeze my bank accounts?” I looked at him, concealing a dark intent in my eyes. “Arthur, where exactly did you pay our daughter’s tuition fees?” “Clara herself didn’t want to study, and she even broke school rules.” He tried to defend himself. “Don’t you believe me? Why don’t you ask Clara?” “I will investigate thoroughly.” With that, I turned and left. A chilling resolve settled in my heart. Since childhood, I knew my daughter’s character better than anyone. When she was little, she always begged me to sign her up for various music, dance, and art classes, claiming these were essential for becoming a princess. Now, in her final year of high school, she was on the verge of entering her dream university! A few years ago, Mrs. Peterson, our housekeeper, had moved into our home. Her cooking was beloved by my daughter, so I kept her on staff to manage my daughter’s daily life. However, I suddenly had a relapse of my old illness and had no choice but to entrust the company to Arthur. During this time, Arthur consistently assured me that our daughter was doing well. He even claimed she had made a good friend, Mrs. Peterson’s granddaughter. I frowned, arriving back home. My daughter was on the sofa, looking at me timidly. “Mom, you’re back.” She carefully tried to hug me, and I pulled her into my arms. But my daughter cried out in pain. Realizing something was wrong, I gently pushed up her sleeve. A landscape of greenish-purple bruises was revealed. A cold rage flashed in my eyes. “Who did this?” I asked, my voice low and dangerous. But Clara hid in my arms. “Mom, I just fell… I’m sorry, it’s Clara’s fault…” My daughter trembled, apologizing incessantly. Seeing my daughter’s unusual behavior, my heart ached. She wasn’t like this just a few years ago. It was all my fault. Now, no matter what, I wouldn’t leave my daughter’s side. I led my daughter gently back to my bedroom. “Mommy will stay with you tonight…” With me by her side, Clara seemed to relax. It seemed I had a lot to investigate. As I pondered, the bedroom door suddenly burst open with a kick. My daughter woke up, startled, trembling. A delicate figure in silk pajamas pointed at my daughter’s nose and cursed. “You bitch, who told you you could sleep here?” She stormed in, but stopped dead in her tracks the moment she saw me. “Who are you?” My face was utterly cold. “And why do you open the door without the owner’s permission?” The girl paused, surprised. “This is my parents’ house! Why would I knock?” I looked at her with chilling eyes. “Your mother? I don’t have a daughter like you…” My voice dropped to a menacing whisper. “Get out before I lose my temper.” The girl was about to explode, but Mrs. Peterson quickly rushed in, covering her mouth. “Madam, this is my granddaughter. Sometimes she sleepwalks. Please don’t mind her.” With that, she dragged Madison downstairs. She smiled, handing me a bowl of red date and white fungus soup. “Madam, Miss Clara didn’t eat dinner tonight. This is a dessert I prepared for her.” I nodded. “You can go now.” I subtly noticed my daughter seemed particularly resistant to the two of them being near her. “Clara, are you hungry?” I asked gently. “Have a little something.” My daughter shook her head. “Mom, I don’t want to eat… Mom, please, I don’t want to eat. I hate how I look right now.” I looked at my daughter. Her slender figure was gone, replaced by a dark, bloated form. For some reason, her face was covered in a dense rash of acne. “I don’t want to drink it…” My daughter kept repeating, looking at the bowl of white fungus soup. But I remembered how much she used to love this. “Alright, if you don’t like this, I’ll make you something else tomorrow.” My daughter seemed to breathe a sigh of relief, then quietly fell asleep beside me. I looked at the bowl of white fungus soup, a dark glint in my eye, and immediately dialed a number on my phone. “Assistant Lewis, I need you to help me send something for testing… Yes, now.” My voice was firm. “Also, I need you to retrieve all deleted security footage from the house, no matter the cost!” Assistant Lewis was incredibly efficient. Soon, the technical team provided the results. But the content they sent nearly made my heart explode. The most recent security footage was from my daughter’s coming-of-age party. Yet, on that day, in this house, the one wearing the million-dollar gown was not Clara! “Such a beautiful dress is wasted on you!” Madison’s voice echoed from the footage. “Trash like you only belongs with dogs. You were just lucky to be born well… but some things don’t belong to you, they’ll never be appreciated by you.” “I hear it’s your birthday today too,” Madison continued, her smile malicious as she threw a piece of cake onto the floor. “Here’s some cake for you!” “Hurry up and lick it clean, don’t waste it.” “You’re just the housekeeper’s daughter. Young Miss Sinclair is doing you a favor by letting you be her dog.” The people beside her echoed her words, some even grabbing Clara’s hair, forcing her face into the cake on the floor. Clara struggled, trying to reach out in a certain direction. “Asher…” The next second, Madison stomped her foot viciously on Clara’s hand. “You bitch, know your place!” “Asher is mine!” My daughter’s agonizing cries were drowned out by the music. Asher Kent, a childhood friend who had been Clara’s shadow since they were little, was now watching Clara with cold indifference, allowing Madison to debase her. I was boiling with rage. Just then, Assistant Lewis’s text message came through. “Ms. Sinclair… the food you asked me to test earlier… it contains a large amount of hormones…” Looking at my daughter’s distorted figure and scarred face, my heart ached. So that was it. Madison, so young, yet so vicious. If that was the case, I wouldn’t let her get away with this.

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I was Princess Seraphina, the most revered royal in all of Eldoria. They whispered that whoever won the Princess’s hand would claim the throne. Yet, three years ago, I was abducted and subjected to unspeakable horrors, left to be defiled in the shadowed alleyways of the city’s underbelly. Stripped of my honor, I became a pariah, whispered about by all. When everyone shunned me, only Lord Arthur, a brilliant scholar who had risen from humble beginnings, bravely sought my hand in marriage. For three years, our union bloomed with harmony. He ascended to become the unchallenged King of Eldoria. But then, one day, he brought a woman from outside the palace walls. From that moment on, his nights were spent in her chambers. He adored her, indulged her every whim, allowing her to tear apart the winter roses in my garden—our special token of affection—and even letting her deliberately cause the death of our unborn child. When my hope in him finally withered, and I entrusted my shattered heart to another, he knelt before me, begging me to return, vowing he wished to spend an eternity by my side. 1 It was the Midwinter Festival of Lights, and Sunstone Palace blazed with vibrant candlelight, alive with joyous revelry. Only my chambers remained eerily silent, cloaked in a chilling sorrow. In Eldoria, there was a cherished tradition during the Midwinter Festival: lovers would release wish lanterns together, seeking a lifetime of togetherness, a bond that would last until their hair turned white. Yet, for two years, I had pleaded with Arthur, and each year he had offered excuses, claiming affairs of state. I never knew if these were genuine duties, or simply his reluctance to share a future with me. I forced a bitter laugh, picking at a cold, greasy dish. The food tasted like ash in my mouth, leaving only a bitter aftertaste. Tears welled in my eyes, large drops falling relentlessly, refusing to be stopped. Suddenly, a pair of small, soft hands gently cupped my face, tenderly wiping away my tears. The words spilled from his lips, still forming clumsily, yet he tried his best to comfort me. “Mama… why cry? Is it… because Papa didn’t… come to be with Mama?” “Don’t cry… Lionel’s here, don’t cry.” Perhaps it was, or perhaps it wasn’t. Arthur had not visited my royal chambers since his coronation. In the beginning, I used to gaze at the threshold daily, yearning for his arrival. When he didn’t come, I would always feel a profound sadness, secretly wiping away my tears. But as the days turned into weeks, and disappointment accumulated, I suppose such things no longer caused me grief. Yet, looking at Lionel’s innocent face, I didn’t know how to answer. I simply found an excuse to deflect his innocent question. “Sweet Lionel, Mama isn’t sad. Mama is just thinking how wonderful it would be if Mama’s own Papa and Mama were still here.” At least, then, my chambers wouldn’t be so desolate during the holidays. 2 Forcing a smile, I looked at Lionel and asked if he wanted to go outside with Mama and release some wish lanterns. If I couldn’t secure a lifetime with Arthur, then I would at least pray for Lionel to live a long, safe life, free from harm. He laughed and agreed, saying he also wanted a large candied apple on a stick from outside. He said it was the first gift Papa had ever given him, and it was so delicious. I tightened the smile on my lips, stroking Lionel’s head. It was just a trifle Arthur had casually tossed to Lionel, yet my son had cherished it as a precious treasure, remembering it to this day. Sometimes I couldn’t comprehend it: how could Arthur be so distant, so seemingly indifferent to Lionel? Lost in thought, my hand was suddenly tugged by Lionel. He shouted “Papa!” loudly, but his voice was swallowed by the bustling crowd’s joyous clamor. Following Lionel’s gaze, I looked up. With just one glance, I was rooted to the spot, unable to move a single step. On the Midwinter Festival of Lights, by the banks of the River Eldrin, Arthur held a stunning beauty in his arms, kneeling to release a wish lantern. For a moment, I felt a dizzying disorientation. So, Arthur wasn’t ignorant of Eldoria’s customs; he had always been intimately familiar with them. It was simply that the person he wished to spend a lifetime with was not me. Lionel was still pointing and calling out for his Papa. I reached out and covered his eyes, muttering repeatedly, He’s mistaken, he’s mistaken, that’s not Papa. But my heart felt as if it were being torn apart. My thickest fur-lined cloak couldn’t ward off the biting cold; in that instant, I felt chilled to the bone. The past three years of harmonious companionship replayed in my mind, my brain stalled. I even began to question if all that affection had merely been a performance by Arthur. Tears fell endlessly, melting the snow on the ground, and carving deep, gaping holes in my heart. That Midwinter Festival, I couldn’t make my wish, nor could I pray for Lionel to live a long, safe life. As he sat in the carriage, licking his candied apple, he asked if that had truly been Papa. I merely gave a bitter smile, my face growing rigid, my voice edged with a sob I didn’t even notice. “No… not Papa. Your Papa is burdened by affairs of state… he has no time to come out.” Burdened by affairs of state? Even I didn’t believe those words, a hint of guilt in my voice, yet I instinctively found excuses for him. Back in my royal chambers, the food on the table was long cold. All of it was Arthur’s favorite dishes, but he hadn’t come. His favorite dishes, naturally, remained untouched. I looked at the congealed grease on the food and felt a wave of nausea. From ancient times, kings were often described as passionate, dashing, with a court filled with beauties. Yet, Arthur had once held my hand and sworn that he would devote himself to me alone, never to stray. Alas, the dreams of youth, once vibrant, now felt like faded tapestries. 3 I extinguished the candles. In the pitch-black chambers, I sat with my eyes wide open, staring until they ached. I finally understood what my father, King Theron, had once told me: he said that in this world, I could command all, turn clouds into rain, but only matters of the heart remained truly untamed. In the empty room, only my laughter echoed, but it was tinged with a profound loneliness. After much restraint, I could no longer hold back. I rose, put on the fur-lined cloak Arthur had given me, and went to his royal chambers. The palace grounds were deserted. As I walked, the moonlight painted long, stark shadows before me, cold and desolate. It took a long while to reach the entrance of Arthur’s royal chambers. Grand red banners with dragon emblems lit the entire wing, and the sounds of joyous laughter and merriment filled the air. From a distance, I heard a woman’s delicate laughter. Just as I was about to push the door open, a royal steward at the entrance barred my way. His face was timid, his lips trembling as he whispered something. I couldn’t hear clearly, only vaguely understanding that Arthur had forbidden my entry. Suddenly, a wave of bitter amusement washed over me. The queen, wedded with ten miles of red silk, publicly acknowledged, couldn’t even step into her husband’s chambers? A rebellious fire surged within me. I pulled the jeweled comb from my hair, letting it fall to the ground with a soft clink, then curled my lips into a chilling smile and strode inside. Within the chambers, Arthur was embracing the woman on a plush couch, a picture of marital bliss. But the moment he saw me, the smile in Arthur’s eyes imperceptibly faded. He spoke, a hint of rebuke in his voice. “Why are you here? I thought I told you to remain outside…” His tone of reproach was painfully obvious; even a fool could hear it. He was blaming me, blaming me for ruining his mood, for interrupting his pleasure. I sat on the chaise lounge, picking up a teacup, the bracelets on my wrist jingling softly. I stared directly into his eyes, speaking each word distinctly. “And if I hadn’t come? If I hadn’t, I might never have known you’ve adopted a new little songbird in the palace.” My words were laced with a smile, though they were directed at him, my eyes remained fixed on the woman in his embrace. I watched her frown, then hide deeper in Arthur’s arms. Her timid, delicate demeanor, so common, utterly displeased me. I merely lowered my gaze, observing her grand red gown. “Not everyone in the palace is permitted to wear red. You should find something else to wear. A gown of scarlet is too ostentatious, and it hardly suits your head, unadorned by jewels.” Before I could even speak more harshly, her eyes filled with tears, on the verge of falling, making her appear pitiful. When she spoke to Arthur, her voice was choked with a heavy sob. “My King, I didn’t know… I didn’t know I couldn’t wear red… Is she despising my humble attire?” “I knew it, a lonely orphan like me, I shouldn’t have come here…” Interesting. I narrowed my eyes, watching her performance. But to my surprise, Arthur fell for it completely. He held her close, soothing her, and then frowned at me. “Seraphina… Isolde has always been fond of red. What harm is there in letting her wear it? Moreover, she was my loyal companion before my rise to power. By lineage, she was the first to claim my hand.” 4 The smile on my face suddenly froze, my mind as sluggish as a broken clock. My voice, when it emerged, was rusty as I savored those words, repeating them over and over. “Isolde… Isolde.” “Arthur, you tricked me… You deceived me so cruelly.” My eyes were red-rimmed, and the moment the tears began to fall, I turned away, leaving Arthur only my back. Stepping outside, the biting cold wind was like a flaying blade, slicing at my face again and again. I felt no pain, only a heavy suffocating sensation in my chest, and my vision blurred with unshed tears. When Lionel was born, Arthur only came to see him once, and casually gave him his name. I still remembered Arthur saying that day, “To truly be a great King, one must have a heart as vast as the oceans, encompassing all the people.” I suddenly wanted to ask him: that day, when he saw Lionel, still an infant in swaddling clothes, did he truly intend to entrust this kingdom to him? Or was there a selfish motive, using our child to reminisce about his commoner companion? Commoner companion. Commoner companion. It turned out that for three years, I had been the thief. I had stolen the identity of Arthur’s true love. All those vows of “a lifetime of togetherness,” they were all lies, all falsehoods… I stumbled back to my royal chambers. Lionel was sleeping soundly on the couch, his chubby face still muttering “Mama.” I suddenly regretted bringing him into this world. His father did not love me, nor did he love him. The child of Princess Seraphina should not suffer such a fate. Large tears dripped, soaking the bed, and carving scar after scar in my heart. I thought to myself that the woman in Arthur’s arms was not a docile soul; there would surely be endless troubles ahead. If Arthur still held even a fraction of affection for me, my situation in the palace might be tolerable. But if that affection was gone, then it would be a bitter dream, ending in a desolate and impoverished existence. Just as I feared, as dawn barely broke, Arthur’s royal decree arrived at my chambers. He had broken his vows, and forgotten the promises made before my father’s throne. He declared that a King’s vow was worth its weight in gold, and abandoning his faithful companion after achieving power would invite ridicule from the world. He urged me to be reasonable, not to force him into an impossible position. He also claimed he was thinking of me: I would retain the Queen’s dignity, while Isolde, though lesser in rank, would reside in the West Wing. In the palace, status could be divided into noble and humble, but Arthur, in love, the unloved one is always the humble one. The humble, and the heartbroken. Alas, Arthur’s words were too perfectly phrased, leaving me no room to rage or protest. I could only watch, humiliated, as Isolde appeared with jeweled combs in her hair and a grand red gown. 5 The West Wing blazed with lights, vibrant and bustling. My ladies-in-waiting whispered that Arthur, out of pity for Isolde, was granting her a grand and rightful wedding, a public display of her importance. Amidst the sounds of music and laughter, tears welled in my eyes. I could only stare blankly at the ceiling, at the broken nest of doves in the rafters. I suddenly remembered a time, when I was pregnant with Lionel, Arthur had come to my chambers to see me, holding my hand, telling me the doves outside had little fledglings, insisting that I come see them. That day, beneath the dove’s nest, those words, out of place yet poignant, came to mind. “Like the doves upon the rafters, may we ever meet again.” Alas, alas, the dove’s nest was broken, the doves would not return, and Arthur’s love had soured, tasting bitter. As tears fell, Lionel tugged at my gown, smiling as he stood on tiptoe, offering me something. I knelt to see, and in his hand was a piece of sweet caramel. “Mama, eat. Candy is sweet. If you eat it, you won’t cry anymore.” I put the candy in my mouth, forcing a smile as I asked him where he got it. He pointed towards the West Wing, laughing, saying it was from the chambers with the grand red banners. So… so it was Arthur’s wedding candy. No wonder it tasted so bitter. Lionel was in my arms, motionless, his small hand stroking my back, continuously telling me not to cry. He was still too young to understand why I wept, or why the candles in the West Wing burned all night. Isolde, however, was clearly adept at demonstrating her power. The next day, she arrived early at my chambers. Her grand red gown only emphasized her pale complexion, making her appear delicate. But her neck was brazenly exposed, displaying the marks of Arthur’s affection. They were vulgar, commoner’s marks, unworthy of my gaze, and I had no patience for them. I simply waited for her to complete her bow and then discreetly leave. But she was utterly tactless. The moment she entered, she sat on my chaise lounge. Her voice was soft, feigning timidity, but I could hear the boastful undertone. “Sister, last night was quite exhausting. His Majesty said I should rest in my chambers, but I thought it improper not to visit you first…” I ignored her, merely resting my hand on my forehead, letting her ramble. But when she mentioned something specific, my expression subtly changed. She said Arthur had bestowed upon her a royal title: “The Winter Rose.” It meant her fragrance bloomed purest in the bitter cold, implying she had endured years of hardship to achieve this. He bestowed upon her the title of Winter Rose, as if it were a supreme honor. She spoke with a saccharine smile, secretly glancing at my expression. But I found it utterly tiresome. I didn’t look at her, only remembered that winter many years ago, in the plum garden, when Arthur and I had pledged our love. He had said that the most beautiful winter roses in the world bloomed only for me. Now, as I looked up, gazing through the half-open window at the winter roses in my garden, I felt only bitter irony. Winter roses bravely defied the cold, blooming joyfully even in the harshest winter. But love was not so resilient. Too much neglect, and it would simply wither, losing all strength to fight. I waved my hand, cutting off her endless chatter, and casually bestowed upon her a few trifles, dismissing her. She seemed somewhat reluctant but couldn’t openly defy me, so she merely closed her mouth sheepishly and left. My lady-in-waiting, Lady Eleanor, who had grown up with me, spoke up, remarking on Isolde’s vulgar, shameless display, flaunting her conquests before me. I knew it all too well, but I felt it unnecessary to stoop to her level. The court was a heartless place; once the novelty wore off, she would likely become the next me. I no longer yearned for Arthur to love me as he once had. I only prayed for my Lionel to be safe, happy, and live a long, healthy life. That was all I asked for.

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1 The day my father and his ex-girlfriend made headlines at a lavish gala, everyone mocked my mother. They ridiculed her for abandoning a promising career to marry into wealth, only to remain a nameless consort for thirty years, lacking even the courage to openly confront the “other woman.” My mother, her eyes swollen from weeping, looked at me wearily. “He betrayed me first, so I no longer want him either,” she stated, her voice quiet but firm. “Elara, will you come with me?” Just then, my phone buzzed with a message from Liam, my boyfriend of seven years. 【Elara, it’s just signing a paper. Can’t you just stay my girlfriend?】 I paused, then nodded. And so, on the day of their wedding, my mother and I vanished in the roaring blaze that consumed our villa. … The moment I saw the trending news, I rushed home. My mother sat by the window, gazing at the climbing roses she had planted with my father. “Elara, he lied to me,” she said, her voice hollow. “He promised that once he took full control of the Blackwood Corporation, he would marry me. I waited for thirty years, only to receive news of his marriage to Valerie Sterling.” I knelt, taking my mother’s hands. “Those are just tabloid rumors, Mom. The truth isn’t certain yet,” I insisted. “Even when Grandpa and Grandma vehemently opposed your union, Dad wouldn’t leave you. Now that they’re gone, why would he abandon you?” My mother picked up an invitation from a nearby table, handing it to me with a bitter, desolate smile. “Mr. Thorpe, his assistant, gave this to me. He said they hope I’ll be prepared and avoid causing any trouble on their big day.” Her voice trembled with a raw pain. “He pities Valerie for secretly bearing him a son, but did he ever once think of me? I gave up everything for him, willingly remaining his unofficial partner for thirty years!” Her voice broke. “My daughter, too, has been called an illegitimate child for over twenty years! And in the end, all I get is a warning not to cause trouble?” A child? Was this the reason Father had broken his promise to Mother, insisted on marrying Valerie? Just because Valerie had secretly given birth to a son, an heir to the supposed family empire? So, he would assume this ridiculous “responsibility” and make my mother bear all the consequences? Mother wept uncontrollably, pulling me into a tight embrace. “He broke his word, yet he expects everything to remain as before.” Her grip tightened. “But I am not a mistress, and my daughter is not illegitimate.” As she spoke, Mother gently stroked my face. “Elara, will you leave with Mama?” She paused, her gaze searching. “Or will you stay in the capital with that young Davies boy?” At the mention of Leo Davies, I glanced down at my phone. The message still displayed: 【Elara, it’s just signing a paper. Can’t you just stay my girlfriend?】 A strained expression crossed my face. I returned my mother’s embrace and spoke. “No, Mom.” My voice was firm. “I am your daughter. Of course, I’ll go with you.” A beat of silence. “As for Leo and me… there’s no future there.” My mother stopped crying, looking at me with concern. “What happened? Leo has been with you for seven years. How could he…” I forced a bitter laugh, dismissing the message on my phone. “Dad’s thirty years with you meant nothing. My seven years with him are even less.” My voice was cold. “The Davies family has a major project they need to collaborate on with the Sterling Group.” My gaze drifted to the window. “Leo has already agreed to an arranged marriage with Miss Sterling. Their wedding is on the fifteenth of this month.” A wry smile. “As for me and him, Leo says everything will be ‘as usual’.” Hearing this, Mother’s face flushed with anger. “As usual?” she scoffed. “That means he expects you to be his mistress! Leo Davies is utterly outrageous!” Tears welled in her eyes. “It’s all my fault, my darling. It’s because of me that you can’t even have a proper relationship.” Tears streamed down Mother’s cheeks. She hugged me tightly, whispering apologies over and over. I comforted her, but my own tears silently fell. “Mom, this was never our fault,” I said softly, my voice breaking. “It’s good that we found out. Let’s leave this place and start a new life. How does that sound?” … After comforting Mother and settling her in her room, I hurried back to my apartment. The moment I opened the door, I saw Leo Davies and Lily Sterling standing in the middle of my living room. “Elara, you’re back.” Leo’s voice was warm, almost relieved. “I knew you still couldn’t bear to let go of us.” My gaze fell on the wedding ring on Leo’s hand, and a sarcastic smile touched my lips. “Leo, you’re wearing a wedding ring, and you and your future wife have entered my apartment without permission. You don’t expect me to welcome you, do you?” 2 Catching the mockery in my voice, Leo hastily explained. “Elara, why don’t you understand? I’ve told you many times, marrying Lily is only temporary. The partnership between the Davies family and the Sterling Group isn’t something I can control. And Lily even said she’s willing to accept your presence.” Lily Sterling stepped forward at that moment, looking at me with a hint of disdain. “Leo is right. Miss Thorne, you might not be aware, but I’ve seen many like you in our circle.” Her voice was cold. “As long as you don’t cause too much trouble, I won’t involve my parents. And I’m even willing to speak well of you to the Davies family. After all, the name Thorne is quite different from Blackwood.” Her condescension was blatant. I simply picked up the glass of water from the table and threw it directly at both of them. “Ah!” Lily shrieked. Leo hastily grabbed tissues to wipe the water from Lily. “Elara, are you insane?!” he raged. “I think you’re the ones who are insane!” I looked at them, my eyes cold, and forced a smile. “Miss Sterling, are you deaf or just brainless? Leo and I had a proper relationship for seven years. And now, you expect me to be ‘accepted’ by you? You two come here, putting on a self-important show in front of me, but did you ever once ask what I wanted?” My voice rose. “Get out of my house. Now!” As if provoked by my words, Lily rushed towards me, her face flushed with fury. “Elara Thorne, what are you so proud of?” she spat. “Your mother shamelessly clung to the Blackwood family for years, without even a marriage certificate. And now Mr. Blackwood is marrying Aunt Valerie, so your mother ends up being nothing but a mistress after all. Like mother, like daughter. I bet you’re destined to be a mistress too! If it weren’t for Leo’s pleading, you wouldn’t even be allowed near the Davies family’s doorstep!” Slap! Before Lily could finish, I raised my hand and slapped her hard across the face. The next second, Leo shoved me away, sending me crashing into a nearby table. I clutched my bruised forehead, my head swimming. “Elara, don’t go too far!” Leo said, heartbroken, protecting Lily. He turned his anger on me. “Haven’t you understood yet? Once Mr. Blackwood marries Valerie, you and your mother will both be nothing more than a hidden mistress and an illegitimate child. With your background, even being a mistress is disgraceful!” His voice hardened. “It’s Lily being generous, willing to make allowances because of our past. If you continue to be so ungrateful, don’t blame me for being unkind.” “Unkind?” I let out a low laugh, pushing myself up from the floor. Then, without hesitation, I picked up the glass and smashed it onto Leo’s head. The glass shattered instantly, leaving a gash with crimson blood blossoming on Leo’s forehead. Lily shrieked, threatening to call the police, but a glare from me silenced her. “Leo Davies, you brought someone else into my house without my permission. That’s trespassing. I’m the one who should be calling the police. And I don’t need her generosity. Consider my seven years with you thrown to the dogs!” Leo, dazed from the blow, still managed a parting shot as he left. “Elara Thorne, do you really think you’re fit to be Mrs. Davies now?” He scoffed. “I’ll wait for the day you come begging me!” The moment the door slammed shut, I collapsed to the floor again, silent tears streaming down my face. Leo and I had known each other since childhood, and we’d been in love for seven years. In those seven years, he remembered all my preferences, accompanied me on every anniversary, and was always there when I needed him. I thought I had found someone to spend my life with, and countless times, I had dreamed with him about our married life. But he knew I despised mistresses more than anything, yet he still tried to force me into that position for such a ridiculous reason. All our past, it had all become a cruel joke! He once said he didn’t care about anything, as long as it was me. Now he was the one telling me to reflect on whether I was worthy of being his wife. Thinking of this, I stood up again, looking around the apartment. From photo albums to decorative figurines, every brick and stone in this apartment was something Leo and I had chosen together. He said he wanted to decorate this place as our little home, excitedly asking me again and again, buying every item I liked. “Elara, no matter how angry you get with me in the future, please give me another chance, for all the effort I’ve put in.” Leo used to tell me, playfully, as he held me close. But I would earnestly caution him. “That depends on what you do. If you do the one thing I despise most, I will never forgive you!” Leo would then promise, holding me tight, refusing to let go. “How could I? If that day ever came, I’d jump straight off Lover’s Peak, where we pledged our love, to atone for my sins! Then you can set me on fire and scatter my ashes!” Thinking of those past conversations, my heart ached even more unbearably. I picked up my phone and made a call. “Yes, sell this apartment. As quickly as possible.” 3 I prepared everything, booking flights for my mother and me. However, my father’s assistant discovered our plans and immediately sent bodyguards to monitor my mother and me day and night. Even on the day of his wedding, he forced my mother and me to attend. On the wedding day, everyone who saw my mother and me was surprised. “It’s Mr. Blackwood’s wedding today, and these two women dare to show up?” “Why even ask?” “They’re obviously shameless, forcing their way in.” “A common actress, truly thinking she could climb high?” “And her daughter is just as brazen, trying to latch onto the Davies family, only to be played.” “Indeed! I heard that Davies boy is getting married today too.” “Yes, Miss Sterling is a proper match. She wouldn’t even look at her.” Whispers of contempt and judgment filled the air, and various disapproving gazes fell upon my mother and me. I looked at my mother, worried, but she gently squeezed my hand. “Elara, don’t worry about Mama.” Her voice was soft, peaceful. “Recognizing a person after thirty years is a steep price, but at least I’m finally clear-headed. From now on, we’ll just follow our hearts.” The grand doors swung open. Valerie Sterling, in her exquisite wedding gown, walked step by step towards the altar. My father, in a perfectly tailored suit, watched Valerie with a face full of tender affection. Their son, young Gareth, then placed Valerie’s hand in my father’s. “Father, I entrust Mother to you from now on.” Gareth said, his voice earnest. “She suffered so much raising me all these years. I hope you will treat her well.” A flicker of satisfaction crossed my father’s face. He patted Gareth’s shoulder. “You rascal, lecturing your old man now. Don’t just talk about me; you work hard too. The Blackwood legacy will one day fall to you.” It was a picture of filial devotion that moved many to sentiment. As soon as my father finished speaking, his gaze fell upon my mother and me. “And, your Aunt Eleanor, she has, after all, been with me for many years.” He continued, his voice calm. “From now on, do not be too disrespectful. Whatever is rightfully yours will be yours. As for anything extra, I will not be foolish.” Catching the veiled warning in his words, the scornful and questioning gazes of the guests once again settled upon my mother and me. I firmly gripped my mother’s hand. My phone vibrated at that moment. I opened it to a video. In the video, Leo Davies was gazing deeply at Lily Sterling, solemnly pledging his vows to her parents. “Father, Mother,” Leo said, his voice earnest. “Rest assured, I will take good care of Lily. I will never let her suffer any grievance, nor will I ever let her be sad.” I took a deep breath, then stood up directly. “Mr. Blackwood, there’s no need for your passive-aggressive remarks here.” My voice was clear and strong, cutting through the murmurs. “If my mother were truly a mercenary woman, why would she have wasted thirty years on you?” My gaze hardened. “I disdain the Blackwood family, and my mother disdains it even more. Keep your so-called legacy for your precious son.” My father’s face flushed with anger, seemingly unprepared for such a public scene. “Impudent!” he roared. “Is this the day for your disgraceful antics? If you don’t wish to stay, then take your mother and get out!” A group of black-suited bodyguards quickly arrived, practically dragging my mother and me, forcing us into a car, and locking us inside the villa. Only after the bodyguards retreated from the door did I calmly take out my phone and instruct Uncle George to recall all our people. Years ago, his wife and child fell critically ill, and my mother and I paid for their medical expenses, saving their lives. Later, Uncle George, to repay the kindness, became a bodyguard for the Blackwood family. I never thought he would be truly useful today. On the villa’s television, news was playing of my father and Leo Davies’s wedding. Watching them passionately embrace, the sadness had vanished from my mother’s eyes. She smiled at me calmly, picked up her luggage, and said, “Elara, let’s go.” I nodded solemnly, called for the pre-arranged car, and took one last look at the villa where I had lived for over twenty years. Then, without a backward glance, I drove away.

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I was merely a consort in the Duke’s household, but His Grace doted on his Duchess, disregarding all others. The Duchess, however, was consumed by her affection for the Duke, utterly neglecting the management of the inner court. Thus, the authority of the household slipped from her grasp, and I became the de facto mistress of the estate. Later, when the Duke first ascended to the throne as King, his loyal courtiers presented me as their choice for Queen. I, once a mere consort, became his Queen, taking my place at the heart of the royal court. And the proud Lady of the House, who had once looked down upon me, was relegated to the very position she despised: a lesser consort.

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From my earliest days, Julian Finch and I were inseparable. He was even closer to me than my own brothers. The adults would chuckle, calling me his little shadow. Yet, the moment Father hinted at an arranged betrothal between our two families, Julian began to avoid me. Every time I sought him out, he would claim he was unavailable. It wasn’t until my elder brother, Arthur, brought me to find him, that I overheard his conversation with a friend: “Lady Eleanor Hastings is as dull as a stone, hardly fit to be a Finch bride.” 1. Hearing those words, I stood rooted to the spot. Beside me, Arthur was already fuming, threatening to go in and thrash Julian Finch. Dull as a stone. I savored those words, turning them over in my mind. Dull, I had heard often enough. At grand balls, other young ladies would frequently use that word to insult me. Then my elder sisters at home would loudly retort, even complaining to our parents. So I vaguely knew “dull” was an insult. As for “stone”… I recalled the magnificent marble statue in the Town Square. Julian said it was carved from stone. Thinking of that, I felt tears welling up, threatening to spill from the corners of my mouth. Arthur, outside, was already cursing loudly, disturbing those within. Julian and his friend, Jasper Thorne, opened the door. Seeing us standing there, they exchanged awkward glances. Seeing the fire in Arthur’s eyes, Jasper quickly stepped out to mediate. “Lord Hastings, please don’t take it to heart. Julian had a bit too much to drink just now, that’s why his tongue was… untamed!” “Oh? Drank, did he? So he was speaking his mind, then?” Arthur’s voice was sharp. Sweat beaded on Jasper’s forehead. He stammered, unsure what to say. Julian, meanwhile, stood composed, as if this whole farce had nothing to do with him. Arthur grew even angrier. He grabbed Julian by the collar. “Julian Finch, what do you mean by that? Apologize to Eleanor, now!” Jasper, fearing a brawl, fretted anxiously. Julian, hearing Arthur’s command, seemed to finally notice me standing beside him. He pulled a corner of his lip into a cruel smile. “Eleanor Hastings, not only are you dull, but do you lack all sense of decorum? So desperate to marry into the Finch family?” 2. That day concluded with Arthur landing a punch on Julian Finch. Back home, I hid in my boudoir, refusing to see anyone. When Julian called me “dull” that day, I wasn’t particularly hurt. After all, countless people had insulted me with that word since childhood. But he had dared to call me “shameless.” Mother had always taught me that one must possess honor and decorum. Without decorum, one was like a person without clothes. So Julian had basically called me naked. I was truly hurt. But I didn’t understand what had happened to him. He used to be so kind to me; how could he change so suddenly? Julian used to be genuinely good to me. He would never mock me. Instead, he would take me to the market square to see the lantern displays, or to the tavern for roast boar. Even when he occasionally called me “little simpleton,” his tone was always affectionate, unlike others who spoke with undisguised malice. But what had changed now? I pondered deeply. I recalled his shift in demeanor began when Father informed me of the proposed betrothal. Did he not wish to be betrothed to me? If he didn’t want it, he should have just said so, shouldn’t he? Why must he insult me like this? I pouted, deciding to approach my parents and break off this engagement. 3. Before I even reached my parents’ study door, I heard Father’s booming voice, thick with anger. “That rogue, Julian Finch! How dare he insult my daughter so! Does he truly think the Hastings family has no honor?!” I hesitated, not daring to enter. Father was usually so gentle, but when he lost his temper, he was terrifying. I remembered one year, I secretly snuck out to play with Julian, and when Father found out, he made me copy three hundred lines of scripture. My wrist still twinged, as if those three hundred lines were calling to me. But Mother had already heard the commotion at the door. The moment she saw me, she cried out and clutched me, wailing. “My darling, my poor, sweet child! How can you be so unfortunate!” She then cried to Father, “My Lord, you must avenge our daughter!” Father’s beard practically bristled with indignation. “Broken! This betrothal must be broken!” 4. Father took me to the Finch estate. The Finch estate was right next door to ours. So I thought it was completely unnecessary to walk those few steps. Couldn’t we just shout across the garden wall? I used to call out to Julian that way all the time. Upon arriving at the Finch estate, Lord and Lady Finch were both present. They relentlessly grasped my father’s hands. Lord Finch’s face was filled with remorse. “Lord Hastings, I am deeply sorry! I never imagined that scoundrel would dare to go so far!” Father scoffed. “Lord Finch, your family first proposed this match, speaking of our children as childhood companions, and our families knowing each other’s true character. So, what? Is my daughter to chase after yours?” “Yes, yes, you are absolutely right. I have failed in raising my son. When that boy returns, I shall truly teach him a lesson!” Father sighed deeply. “Let it be. Given Julian Finch’s behavior, we cannot possibly seek such a union. It would be ill-fated if a betrothal turned into an enmity. This betrothal, I believe, should be broken.” Lord Finch’s expression grew frantic. He clutched my father’s hand, unwilling to let go. “No, you cannot break it! Under no circumstances can you break it!” Just then, a loud shout echoed from the great hall. “What cannot be broken?!” 5. It was Julian Finch himself. The moment Julian arrived, the air in the room seemed to chill. Lord Finch was so enraged by his son’s outburst that he called him a defiant wretch. Julian walked directly to me. “Well, well, you’ve even followed me home now. Eleanor Hastings, do you have no shame left as a young lady?” There it was again. That same accusation. Why did Julian always have to insult me like this? Why had he changed so completely overnight? I despised this betrothal. I despised Julian Finch. Father, seeing Julian so audacious even in his presence, stepped forward and slapped him. Lady Finch gasped, trying to intervene, but Lord Finch restrained her. “That’s what this defiant son deserves!” Julian, his face stinging from the slap, dropped to his knees before my father. His expression was calm. “Lord Hastings, I wish to break this betrothal.” Father’s face flushed crimson. “Break it! Why wouldn’t I break it! Do you think the Hastings family is clinging to you?!” With that, he pulled out the betrothal contract and a jade pendant from his sleeve. The jade pendant was familiar; Mother said it was our betrothal token. I snatched the pendant. Father, thinking I didn’t want to break the engagement, looked at me with a hesitant expression. My eyes red-rimmed, I hurled the jade pendant directly at Julian’s face. “I don’t care for it! Julian Finch, I don’t want you anymore!” “What did you say?” Julian abruptly looked up, his eyes bloodshot, staring directly at me. I was startled, stepping back. But then I thought, Father is here; he wouldn’t dare strike me, would he? So I straightened my back, looking at him fiercely, and repeated. “Julian Finch, I don’t want you anymore! I am the one who doesn’t want you!” 6. In the end, the betrothal was broken. That day, I declared before our elders that I did not want Julian Finch. He was so furious his eyes turned red. I was terrified he might hit me, so I hid behind Father. I truly didn’t understand him. He clearly didn’t want the engagement. I was fulfilling his wish, wasn’t I? Instead of being grateful, why was he so aggressive? Mother was disheartened. She stroked my head, saying, “I thought that Finch boy genuinely cared for our Eleanor, but… Alas, what will become of our Eleanor now!” Father scoffed. “What do you mean, ‘what now’? My daughter can live at home for her entire life if she wishes. Do you know why that old man, Lord Finch, agreed to this betrothal in the first place? I heard that His Majesty intended to betroth Julian Finch to Princess Rosamund. The royal family and noble houses have been at odds for too long, and Lord Finch simply didn’t want to get involved in that mess.” … 7. Truth be told, I was also quite disheartened. Without Julian, no one else wanted to play with me anymore. Arthur, my elder brother, studied diligently all day, and Mother forbade me from disturbing him. Most of my cousins had married into other families, and could no longer look after me as they once did. Where would I find another playmate? I was so worried I squatted in the corner of the garden, pretending to grow mushrooms. Just as my legs began to ache from squatting, I heard a rustling sound nearby. What was that? A large rat? All the hairs on my body stood on end. I looked around, my gaze locking onto a patch of tall grass not far away. Faintly, a large dark shape was visible. Whoa, a rat that big! I picked up a wooden stick nearby and cautiously crept closer. Just as the stick, as thick as my wrist, was about to come down, the dark shadow in the grass suddenly leaped out. “Mercy, kind stranger! I won’t steal any more food!” I was so startled that the wooden stick fell from my hand. Looking closer, a young man with bright lips and teeth stood before me! What a handsome large rat! No! What a handsome young man! The man before me wore a large black cloak, his features refined. Even with some dirt smudges on his face, it didn’t detract from his handsomeness. He held a half-eaten chicken leg in his hand, and a blush crept beneath the grime on his face. He bowed his head. “I apologize, I didn’t mean to steal your family’s chicken! Ah, why are you drooling? Are you hungry too?” Drooling? I wiped the corner of my mouth. Hungry? That was easy enough to fix! I, Eleanor Hastings, was never short on food! 8. The handsome young man told me his name was Leo Kent. He had run away from home after an argument with his family. Unfortunately, his coin purse had also been stolen, leaving him without food for three days. I hid him in the guest room in our courtyard and secretly brought him plenty of food. Leo ravenously devoured the food. He ate with such gusto that it made me happy to watch. Although my family wouldn’t scold me, they always ate in a very refined manner. Even Julian Finch, he only took a few bites at each meal, making me constantly worry he would starve to death. Julian, in turn, would lecture me for not being like a proper noble lady. “To eat little is polite; to eat much is ill-mannered.” But I never listened to him. Mother said not eating enough would make me ill. And I should never imitate the delicate, willowy demeanor of other young ladies. Noticing me watching him, Leo awkwardly wiped his mouth. “I’m not usually like this. I’m just extremely hungry today.” “It’s alright. You look very handsome when you eat.” Leo was startled by my bluntness. He hugged his bowl and turned away, continuing to eat noisily. I kept Leo hidden in the guest room. For every meal, I would ask for an extra portion. Mother, seeing my suddenly increased appetite, looked at me with concern. I blinked innocently. “Mother, I’ve just been very hungry lately.” Mother wrung her handkerchief, hesitating to speak. “Eleanor, there are many good young gentlemen in the world. Please, don’t think ill-advised thoughts and resort to overeating!” I vaguely understood Mother’s meaning. Was she worried I was heartbroken after breaking off the engagement with Julian? Nonsense! I had a new playmate now. He was a million times more handsome than Julian! When I told Leo this, he stopped gnawing on the chicken leg, and the corners of his mouth visibly drooped. “Julian Finch? Who’s that? So you have other good friends besides me!” Mentioning Julian, my own mood also dampened. “He used to be the kindest person to me, besides Father, Mother, Arthur, and my sisters.” Leo’s mouth twitched. “Ranked so far down, he can’t have been that important, then! Hey, tell me about your past with him!” 9. Our past? The Hastings and Finch families were ancient noble houses, for centuries. My father and Lord Finch were even lifelong friends. Mother said I had a high fever when I was three, and since then, I had been a bit slow-witted. Once, at a ball, I secretly ran off to the lakeside. I was pushed to the ground by several children. “It’s that little simpleton from the Hastings family!” they jeered. “Let’s not play with her, or we’ll catch her simpleton’s disease!” With that, they gathered handfuls of snow from the ground and threw them at me. Julian Finch was already a tall boy then. Seeing the children bullying me, his face hardened, and he beat them soundly. Then he picked me up and carried me to the hearth to warm by the fire. I remembered the fierce heat of that fire. And I remembered the sharp, angular profile of the young boy’s face. Later, I learned that Julian had also gone to each of the children’s homes, complaining to their parents about what they had done. That winter, the grand estates in the capital rang with the cries of disciplined children. My family was aghast when they learned of it. Father and Mother never imagined anyone would dare to bully a Hastings daughter. From then on, no matter where I went, they would send someone to protect me. My cousins in the family would also stay by my side at balls, never leaving me. Father and Mother were grateful to Julian, and the two families became even closer. Julian felt I was too lonely at home. So, he often took me out to play. My family trusted him completely. Thus, unlike other young ladies, I grew up exploring every corner of the capital with Julian. He was the most important person to me, besides my family. So when Father asked if I wanted to spend my life with Julian, I wholeheartedly agreed. 10. “So what now? You broke off your friendship?” Leo, his mouth full of grease from gnawing on the chicken leg, didn’t forget to twist the knife in my heart. “Yes,” I admitted. “It’s alright! You have me now, don’t you? I’ll play with you from now on!” “Can you also take me to new places to play?” My eyes lit up, my mind already envisioning where we could go. Leo gave an awkward laugh. “Well, you see, although I grew up in the capital, I haven’t really been anywhere.” Seeing my expression dim, he hastily added, “But you can take me! Once we’ve played all over the capital, we can explore other places too!” Me, leading Leo? I thought about it. The idea was brilliant! Before, Julian had always led me. Now, I could lead Leo. I wasn’t inferior to Julian, was I? I wasn’t a little simpleton! I thought, delighted. Just then, my lady-in-waiting, Lily, called out from outside. “My Lady, where are you? Princess! Princess Rosamund wishes to see you!”

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1 After seven years of marriage, Henry Davies was finally recognized by the powerful Davies family—as their illegitimate heir. There was just one condition: to secure his inheritance, he had to father an heir with his late brother’s widow, Elara Sterling. Henry swore he’d never forget Elara’s past humiliations. Once I’ve made her suffer enough, he told me, I’ll cast her out of the estate. But lately, he came home later each night, growing distant from me and our daughter. Then, six months later, he announced his remarriage—without telling me first. Our little girl, Lily, pointed at the news photo. Why is Daddy holding Aunt Elara’s waist? I hugged her tight, forcing a smile. Because Daddy has a new home now. We have to leave. Will Daddy come with us? she asked No, sweetheart. He… likes someone else here. Lily’s eyes brimmed with hope. Can’t we give him one more chance? He promised to take me to preschool tomorrow. Okay, I whispered, blinking back tears. One last chance. That night, I stared at the photo again. Henry and Elara gazed at each other, their affection undeniable. The man who’d vowed forever to me had, in the end, chosen another. I opened a ticketing app, looking at the earliest flight back to Riverton. It was seven days from now. Coincidentally, that was also the day of Henry and Elara Sterling’s wedding. Without hesitation, I bought two tickets home, then went into the bathroom to wash up. When I emerged, I ran directly into Henry, who had just returned home. The heavy scent of roses immediately hit me, and I couldn’t help but frown. Even after six months, I still hadn’t gotten used to the smell that clung to him every time he came back from Elara Sterling’s place. Henry’s arm, initially reaching to embrace me, paused, then instead he pinched my cheek. “Still upset?” I stepped back, looking at the lingering tenderness in his eyes. “Can you please stop going to Elara Sterling’s place?” I pleaded, my voice barely a whisper. “I don’t like sharing you with other women, and I certainly don’t want her carrying your child.” In the past six months, I had expressed my unwillingness countless times. But he always did as he pleased. Henry didn’t get angry; he just sighed, exasperated. “Chloe, don’t be childish. You know, only if Elara Sterling bears the firstborn son of the Davies family can I officially take over the legacy.” “Then let’s get a divorce,” I managed, fighting back my tears. Henry paused, then asked, bewildered, “You agreed to the condition of representing both family lines back then. What are you making a fuss about now?” Henry was right. I had agreed to his inheriting both lines. But six months ago, the agreement was clearly to use in-vitro fertilization for Elara Sterling to conceive. Initially, Henry had strictly adhered to the rules, treating Elara, who had once humiliated him, with cold indifference. But as time went on, his visits to Elara became more frequent. From once a month, to twice a week, and now, almost every day. I had lost count of how many nights I had waited, how many times I had slept alone. Seeing my silence, Henry sighed, a weary sound. “You know, the Davies family was never happy about me marrying you. Now, I finally have a chance to be fully acknowledged by my birth family. How can you ask me to choose otherwise?” He paused, then softened his voice. “Besides, Elara truly needs a child to avoid being disinherited by the Davies family. We are both forced into this. You’re the kindest, Chloe. Even if you don’t like it, you just have to endure this for a while.” Henry perfunctorily stroked my cheek, then turned and went into the bathroom to wash up. I stood there, and in a haze, remembered my first encounter with Henry. It was a night of heavy rain. He was bruised and battered, thrown out by the Davies family’s bodyguards. Elara Sterling, holding an umbrella, looked down at the dying Henry on the ground, her face filled with disdain. “Does an outsider’s mongrel truly think it can claim kinship with the Davies?” She stepped on Henry’s hand, grinding it until blood appeared before she finally relented. I was so startled by the brutal sight that I dropped the groceries I was carrying. 2 Elara Sterling smirked at me. “Isn’t this the Davies family’s little maid? An illegitimate child like him should be paired with a pauper like you.” After she said that, she had the half-dead Henry taken to a hotel. And I, having been drugged, was sent to the bed with him. That night, I dared not touch Henry. I stayed in the hotel, soaking in ice water all night. When I was finally somewhat sober, I still had to care for Henry, who was unconscious and ill. Elara hadn’t expected me to resist the drug’s effects. Enraged, she made me kneel on the ground. I begged Elara to let me go. After all, I was just a maid; I had no desire to get involved in their aristocratic struggles. But she simply drew the tip of a knife across my face, laughing and saying I deserved it. She called me an orphan, born with a low-class life. Elara locked Henry and me in the Davies family’s cellar, humiliating us like dogs. In the freezing winter, Elara only allowed us a thin blanket. I couldn’t bear the cold and trembled as I clung to Henry. I asked him, “Do you hate them?” Henry merely looked at the snow outside, saying flatly, “I will get my revenge someday.” This pervasive humiliation only stopped when Elara Sterling married into the Davies family. That day, the Davies manor was adorned with festive decorations. The entire city celebrated the powerful alliance of this marriage. Henry and I, however, were completely driven out of the Davies mansion. But Henry didn’t leave. He stood by the fence, staring at the exquisitely dressed Elara Sterling, his expression unreadable. I thought he resented Elara for the torment of his youth. But as I was adopted by the Hayes family, I gradually discerned Henry’s true intentions. He didn’t hate Elara’s humiliation at all; he coveted his elder brother’s wife! What he truly hated was his illegitimate status, which prevented him from legitimately marrying Elara Sterling. I forced a bitter smile, shaking off my thoughts. Now that I had seen through the man beside me, it was time to leave him for good. The sound of water in the bathroom abruptly stopped. Henry emerged, holding his phone, his face filled with concern. “Don’t be afraid, I’m coming right away.” He didn’t even have time to rinse the foam from his hair. He grabbed his car keys and rushed out. It wasn’t until he was about to leave that he noticed I was still standing in the same spot. “Apologies, Elara’s dog suddenly went mad and bit her.” He paused, his gaze softening. “I have to go see her myself; she lives alone, and besides me, she has no one to rely on.” He added, “As for the divorce, don’t mention it again. If you talk about it too much, I’ll grow tired of it.” I nodded, saying, “Alright.” Just as he was about to leave, I couldn’t help but ask one last question. “Lily’s preschool starts tomorrow. The teachers want both parents to attend. You’ll go, won’t you?” Henry chuckled softly. “I promised Lily. Of course, I’ll go.” As the door closed, silence filled the room. But he had also promised me many things, and he hadn’t fulfilled a single one. I pulled out a tissue and knelt, wiping away the water Henry had dripped from the bathroom. I was a clean freak. I would no longer tolerate a man who soiled my life. But what about Lily? She was still so young. She still held a strange affection and expectation for her father. Thinking of my promise to my daughter before she fell asleep, I couldn’t sleep at all. I decided to scroll through social media instead. The latest post was from Elara Sterling. She wrote that someone would always be willing to tolerate all her little quirks. The post was accompanied by a picture of a man’s transfer record for hundreds of thousands of dollars. Seeing this, I suddenly felt a pang. Henry would transfer millions to Elara Sterling without hesitation. But in our seven years of marriage, the gifts I received were few and far between. After all, during that time, he was busy with his startup. I was busy taking care of him and our child, completely uninterested in these so-called gifts. Now, looking back, how could I have ever thought that life would be the same with anyone? Henry didn’t remember my birthday, never attended Lily’s parent-teacher conferences. Even our wedding anniversary was just met with promises to take me to see the world “when we had money.” But after returning to the Davies family, he remembered Elara Sterling’s birthday, would rent out an amusement park for her at her whim, and stay up late with her to watch the stars. All his affection, he gave without reservation to Elara Sterling. For me, he only had an impatient “Don’t be childish.” My heart suddenly felt heavy. I looked at the unfamiliar, cold villa. 3 It was nowhere near as comforting as our cramped sixty-square-meter rental apartment had been. Life had been hard then, but at least we had a home. After Lily was born, we had absolutely no money left. We couldn’t even pay for heating or electricity. I had to mix Lily’s formula with cold water. Henry handed me a steaming hot sweet potato, his eyes red-rimmed. “It’s all my fault. I wasn’t careful, and now Lily is suffering.” He squeezed my hand. “Don’t worry. Once I have money, I’ll get a vasectomy.” He was afraid I’d think him poor, afraid I’d leave him, so he made promises with bated breath. I cried that I was cold, and he would take my hands and press them to his heart. How could the man who stood by me in my darkest hours change so completely in the blink of an eye? I had just finished packing my and Lily’s luggage when my phone rang. It was a voice message from Elara Sterling. Fearing I would wake Lily, I walked to the stairwell before answering. “If you marry me, what about Chloe Hayes? You know, I’m no mistress!” Her voice was as arrogant as ever. The other end of the line fell silent for a long time. Then I heard Henry’s soft chuckle. “When I married Chloe, I chose to have the wedding abroad and got a fake certificate. The only person I ever truly wanted to marry was you.” The call ended, and my heart turned completely cold. The marriage certificate was fake. His words of love were also fake. But perhaps this was for the best. I wouldn’t have to personally seek Henry out for a divorce agreement. As for the marriage certificate I had intended to take with me, I found it in my suitcase and placed it on the bedside table. What didn’t belong to me, I wouldn’t take a single thing. Henry didn’t return until the next day. He didn’t even send a text to update me. I took Lily to her parent-teacher conference alone. During the games, it was always fathers carrying their children, rushing forward. Only I was the mother. There was a clear physical disparity between men and women, and I came in last. After the games ended, Lily didn’t care about winning or losing. She simply tenderly wiped the sweat from my forehead. As we walked home, she couldn’t help but ask, “Where’s Daddy? Didn’t he promise me he’d take me to preschool today?” “He probably forgot.” Lily said nothing more, but the disappointment in her eyes deepened. I looked at the darkening sky and quickened my pace. When I returned home, Henry was sitting on the sofa, his face clouded with displeasure. “Why didn’t you reply to my messages? Father wants to see Lily. I’ve been waiting for you for a long time.” Before I could say anything, Henry picked up Lily and headed for the car. Lily hadn’t seen him in so long, and her gaze towards Henry was timid. Moreover, Henry looked utterly furious at that moment. Even though Lily missed him, she couldn’t help but cry out in fear. As I rushed to comfort her, the car had already arrived at the old Davies family estate. Mr. Davies Sr. merely glanced at Lily, then handed her back to me. But for Elara Sterling, he offered endless affectionate inquiries. As it was nearly dinnertime, Elara Sterling asked me to speak with her by the stairwell. Fearing she might try something, I moved our conversation to the hallway. “You should have understood Henry’s meaning from last night’s call, shouldn’t you?” Her voice was laced with a chilling sweetness. “I certainly don’t want you and that burdensome child flaunting yourselves in front of me every day. After all, you know my methods. Children are very fragile; they can die from a mere oversight.” She looked at me with disdain, her voice menacing. I desperately wanted to tell her that I was no longer the servant she could order around. The Sterling family, no matter how powerful, couldn’t control everything. But now, I had a greater weakness. Lily was my only family in the world. I could live without Henry, but I couldn’t live without Lily. “I will leave,” I said, my voice steady. “I won’t appear before you again.” Elara Sterling smiled, saying I was as sensible as ever, then walked away in her high heels. After composing myself and returning to the living room, I saw Elara Sterling talking to Lily. Elara Sterling smiled, pinching Lily’s cheek. “Lily is the older sister. When your little brother is born, you must protect him well!” She feigned an air of gentle domesticity. But Lily suddenly pushed her away with both hands. Elara Sterling immediately fell to the floor, clutching her stomach and crying out in pain.

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1 Bradley’s slap tore open my gunshot wound, sending me back into surgery. When I woke, my family stood outside my room, whispering. Clara’s swollen belly stretched her dress—seven, maybe eight months along. No wonder they’d sounded tense when the consulate called about my injury. They probably wished I’d died overseas. Mom finally entered, avoiding my gaze. “Evie… it’s been about six months…” I laughed bitterly. “Twelve months in a year, and she’s nearly due. Six months?” She burst into tears. “Let her have Bradley! She’s depressed, not as strong as you!” My blood ran cold. “Mom, you swore he was just after our money—that you’d never let him near us.” 2 My parents had adopted Clara, a fact Bradley learned the very first time he came to our house. Mom, right in front of the whole family, had thrown every single gift he’d brought out the door, declaring that she’d never, ever agree to us being together. That was the first time I ever saw Bradley cry. He sat in his twenty-thousand-dollar beat-up used car, the trunk overflowing with gifts, clutching the steering wheel and sobbing. We never broke up, though. Bradley was highly capable at work, had no bad habits, and was incredibly ambitious. His only flaw was his humble background, but I didn’t see that as an insurmountable obstacle. Mom would poke my head, scolding me for being foolishly devoted. “He’s got the look of an inheritance hunter, that pauper from out of state, barely making enough to cover rent after paying for food. His entire lineage couldn’t scrape together a down payment for a house. What do you even see in him?” “I’m telling you, men like him just want to marry an only child from the big city to change their fate. Just you wait, once he’s got you wrapped around his finger, he’ll drag all his distant relatives over, and you’ll be in for it!” Her words were always harsh, something I’d grown used to. But this time, I defended Bradley, albeit a little helplessly. “He doesn’t mean that, and I’m not an only child. There’s Clara, isn’t there? You’re really overthinking this.” Mom rolled her eyes, then craned her neck to peek at Clara, who was watching TV in the living room. She whispered urgently, “No matter how close, she’s still adopted. When we get old, most of what we own will still be yours. Get that straight!” At the time, I thought her words were a bit much, but a faint warmth still bloomed in my chest. I’d always been touched by how my parents never let Clara’s presence diminish their love for me, which in turn made me dote on Clara even more. I just never imagined that a year after becoming a war correspondent, everything would shatter. 3 Mom had no answer for my questions, only sitting there and weeping. But I felt no sympathy. In my year in the war zone, I’d seen too many displaced refugees. Some had lost their entire families, their only possessions bags of ashes. Others were toddlers, barely three or four, who would go to the cemetery alone every night, sleeping at their mothers’ graves because their longing far outweighed their fear. So Clara’s “pity” held no sway over me. I only wanted to know the reason for the betrayal. “Mom, go get Bradley. I need to talk to him.” “Evie!” Mom looked desperate, trying to dissuade me, but I couldn’t keep my temper in check. “He’s a grown man, he pulled such a shameless stunt, and he doesn’t even have the courage to explain it to his ex-fiancée face-to-face?” I’d already categorized myself as his ex. When Bradley entered, his face was a mask of guilt. “Evie, I’m so sorry. I messed up. Clara’s far along, and she hasn’t been well lately, always throwing up. I know your temper, and I misunderstood… I thought you… That’s why I acted so impulsively and laid hands on you.” I hadn’t even had a chance to say a single word. “Bradley, is that all you have to tell me?” No explanation for betraying me, for getting my own sister pregnant, just an entire conversation framed around protecting Clara, dumping all the blame squarely on my head. It took me a long time to find my voice again, my throat raw. “Do you remember why I became a war correspondent?” Bradley’s face stiffened. 4 Bradley and I were classmates in journalism school, and after earning our master’s degrees, we were lucky enough to join the same network. After a year of working, he spent all his savings on a used car and showed up at my door. After being sent away, he persisted, returning several more times until Mom finally declared that he’d only be worthy of discussing marriage when he bought a house. But this was the Capital City. Bradley could sell himself off and still not afford a bathroom here. Buying a house was a pipe dream. It so happened that the war correspondent previously assigned to The Sands had requested to be recalled due to a family emergency. Eager for the higher pay, Bradley applied to replace him. I actually didn’t want him to go. That was a place where human lives were cheaper than stray dogs. Bradley had barely any field experience; he’d have no idea what dangers he’d face there. “Evie, don’t worry, it’s only for a year. I’ll protect myself. Wait for me to come back and marry you!” Bradley had spoken with such heartfelt emotion, even giving me his ATM card. Unfortunately, he never made it. He tumbled down the stairs while packing his bags and broke his leg. The overseas assignment was left open, and the entire network was frantic, scrambling to find a replacement, but everyone they asked turned them down. When Mom found out, she sat on the sofa, sneering. “I bet he did it on purpose. To win you over, to make you devoted to him. Applying for a war zone, then at the last minute, too scared to go, so he conveniently broke his leg. Only a fool like you would fall for that!” Of course, I didn’t listen. Because this was the second time Bradley had cried. He dumped his savings book and bank cards into my lap, refused to stay in the hospital, cursed himself for being useless, claiming he couldn’t give me a good future, and even suggested we break up. I didn’t agree. After all, there were no substantive, irreconcilable conflicts between us. The overseas assignment couldn’t be left open indefinitely. The leadership, at their wit’s end, finally approached me. I agreed instantly. Bradley went crazy, saying it was too dangerous, that I couldn’t go, that I shouldn’t be impulsive for his sake. But it wasn’t for him. My dream was always to be a frontline journalist. Though The Sands was incredibly dangerous, with lives lost at any moment, I wasn’t afraid. I was prepared for the sacrifice. These were things I’d never told him. To the very end, Bradley believed I did it all for him. 5 The hospital room was deathly quiet. Bradley kept his head bowed, his gaze flickering away from mine, before finally muttering, “I’m sorry.” He looked so guilty, so pitiful. Yet, I almost laughed. I had planned to tell him everything when I got back home and was promoted, but now, there was simply no need. Besides, before I left, he’d sworn to the heavens that if anything happened to me, he wouldn’t live either. Bradley, the liar. “Evie, I’m sorry. I was just so lonely, so exhausted. I’m truly sorry.” Enough. I didn’t want to hear that phrase again. When I was running through hails of bullets and explosions, when I took enormous risks to film firsthand footage from the conflict zone and send it back home, when I huddled alone behind a sand dune, hungry and cold, gritting my teeth to tend to my wounds—all I thought about was Bradley. That year, his occasional texts and video calls were my only comfort. My entire heart, wasted on a scoundrel! I was fighting tooth and nail overseas for our future, while he was carousing with my sister… “How dare you send me those cloying, sickening messages while you were messing around with Clara?” “I was worried about you!” Bradley seemed to latch onto a convenient excuse. “You were out there alone, in such a dangerous place. What if I’d told you we were breaking up, told you about all this, and you’d lost control and something terrible happened?” “Evie, I was doing this for your own good. Besides, we hadn’t seen each other for a year. You were so busy every day, you barely had time for me. And me? I had to help you look after your parents and this house. Do you know how awful I felt every time your parents would tear into me?” So, it was my fault, after all? I bit down hard, so enraged I felt bile rise in my throat. “This is your idea of ‘looking after’?! Bradley, have you no shame?! You ‘looked after’ her straight into my sister’s bed!” My chest tightened with each breath, a sharp, throbbing pain emanating from my healing wound. In the past, Bradley would have rushed to my side, fussing over me. But now, he simply stood up, his posture stiff, his voice cold. “It’s already happened. Clara and I are truly in love. Love isn’t wrong. Evie, let’s just break up.” 6 Bradley left. Furious, I looked up just as my gaze met Clara’s through the window. The moment our eyes connected, she spun around, quickly scurrying away, enveloped by my parents and Bradley. Truly, a guilty conscience written all over them. The hospital room felt hollow. I lay defeated on the bed, staring blankly at the ceiling, tears streaming down my face. Five years of a relationship, from school to professional life. At least in love, I had given everything. My phone was still filled with videos and photos of us that my friends had envied. People always talked about “from school days to the altar.” Until this very day, I had naively believed that was the story of Bradley and me. After that shouting match, no one from my family showed up for the rest of the day, not even for dinner. My colleague, Chloe, was the one who brought me food. “I heard about what happened,” Chloe said, holding the food bowl. She thought for a long time, then just sighed. She probably hadn’t encountered such a bizarre situation either. My mood was so foul that I took two bites and put down my chopsticks. Chloe tried to cheer me up, recounting a lot of network gossip, but I couldn’t even crack a smile. The room grew quiet again. After a long while, she gently pressed my hand and hesitantly spoke. “Evie, there’s something I don’t know if I should say. I don’t want you to be in the dark, and I worry you might do something impulsive…” “Is it about Bradley?” Chloe nodded, her expression strained. I closed my eyes. “Tell me. I can handle anything now.”

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I spent two years recuperating in New Zealand. On my first day back, my cousin, Chloe, organized a welcome banquet for me. The guests were all the usual young masters and ladies from our circle. It had been a long time. The girls who used to be so close to me were unusually quiet today, each one strangely subdued. Even my younger brother, Finn, the heir to the Beaumont fortune, who once trailed obediently behind me, sweetly calling me “big sis,” now seemed distant. It was my welcome banquet, yet the guests largely ignored the guest of honor. A commotion erupted at the entrance. Asher Montgomery walked in, holding a woman’s hand, and the quiet banquet felt like oil had been poured into still waters. My brother was the first to rise and greet them. “Asher, Phoebe, you’re finally here.” The other young women, who moments before had been so stiff and quiet, suddenly livened up: “Phoebe, come over here.” “We saved a spot just for you.” The young woman, surrounded by everyone, smiled charmingly, her movements graceful. Asher, by her side, gazed at her with such tender affection, they looked like a match made in heaven. If Asher wasn’t my fiancé, I’d be cheering for this couple. My cousin, Chloe, ever the instigator, leaned in and whispered, “See, Evie? This woman is their stand-in, but she’s become the real deal. If you’d come back any later, she’d probably be pregnant already.” My cousin and I grew up together. Aunt Linda, being rather lax, often left Chloe at our house, where she was raised alongside me. My mother, having no way to refuse her own sister, simply acquiesced. Thankfully, our family wealth was vast, and raising one more child was no burden at all. Two months ago, Chloe sent me a photo. In it, Asher was intimately embracing a young woman. She bore a striking five-point resemblance to me. I’d heard that Phoebe, the new sensation from The Thorntons, had been raised in the countryside. It wasn’t until I left the Capital City two years ago for my recuperation that she returned to The Thorntons’ estate and began to frequent all the social events in our circle. Initially, Phoebe imitated my style of dress, and because of her similar appearance, others mocked her as a cheap imitation. But gradually, people in the circle discovered that while Phoebe resembled me in looks and style, her personality was gentle and graceful. Compared to my brash and headstrong nature, Phoebe was far more likable. Beyond her gentleness, Phoebe was also skilled at livening up the atmosphere. In summer, she’d invite everyone rafting; in autumn, she’d organize fly-fishing trips; in winter, she’d whisk them off to exclusive ski resorts. Soon, she became the new darling of the social scene. My former circle of friends slowly gravitated towards her. Even my brother, Finn, who initially disdained her, gradually began to treat her like an older sister, finding a warmth and sibling bond with her he’d never experienced before. And my fiancé, Asher Montgomery, the Montgomery heir, went from loudly scolding her not to imitate me, to gazing at her now with eyes full of tender affection, as if Phoebe were truly his fiancée. My cousin, my ever-present sentinel, always relayed every detail to me, making it impossible for me to feign ignorance. “Phoebe, like me?” I looked at her with a piercing gaze. Phoebe’s body trembled, and she instinctively recoiled behind Asher. I scoffed softly. “You all need an eye exam. Where do we look alike?” Today, I was wearing a white cocktail dress. Phoebe was also in white. Around my neck hung a valuable pink diamond necklace. She, too, wore a pink necklace, though hers was of pink pearls. Phoebe was undeniably pretty. But even when she wore clothes of the same color and similar jewelry, I never thought her features resembled mine. My words cast an immediate silence over the room. People exchanged glances, their expressions unreadable. Phoebe was the first to react, her face pale, yet she said with a hint of defiance, “Miss Beaumont’s beauty is famously the Capital City’s finest. I hardly compare to Miss Beaumont.” Everyone present seemed to show disapproval at the humble tone in Phoebe’s voice. “Evie,” Finn chimed in, “a person’s appearance is born with them. Phoebe’s looks were set at birth; it’s not her fault she resembles you. You can’t just lash out at an innocent person because you demand everything to be unique, can you?” I almost laughed aloud. If I were truly lashing out, would you all still be standing here so comfortably? “Fool. Don’t you realize, I’m talking about you?” My words were directed at Finn, but my gaze swept slowly over everyone in the room. “Two years away, and Miss Beaumont’s temper is still awful, isn’t it?” “Before, I just thought Phoebe and Miss Beaumont were similar. But seeing them side-by-side, a weary Miss Beaumont truly can’t compare to a radiant Phoebe.” “Honestly, Miss Beaumont is just… passable. And her temper…” My volatile temper was well-known in the circle. My father once told me a woman should be gentle like water, flowing and yielding. But then again, cruelty can also flow like water. Rather than consume myself with resentment, I prefer to light a fire under others. Watching the people in this ostensibly harmonious circle quake in their boots after a single sentence from me, I found it utterly boring. “This is supposedly my welcome banquet, yet you all look glum facing me, then turn so enthusiastic for an unrelated Phoebe.” I turned to my cousin. “Chloe, thank you for arranging this gathering today. From now on, please don’t invite me to any events where these people are present.” I picked up my clutch, ready to leave. As I passed by Phoebe, her friend beside her suddenly let out a yelp. The friend stumbled, and the gift box in her hand tilted, sending a massive white crystal geode sliding out. It crashed onto Phoebe’s foot, instantly bruising her instep. In an instant, Asher’s enraged roar filled my ears. “Evie, what are you doing?!” “This geode, Phoebe searched so many places to find it for you, thinking it could purify your aura and benefit your health. If you didn’t want it, you didn’t have to take it. Why smash it?” Asher and I had grown up together, practically childhood sweethearts. He was always aloof, keeping everyone at a distance. Even on the day of our engagement, his expression was neutral. This was the first time I’d ever seen him so furious. Now, he condescendingly knelt beside Phoebe’s foot, carefully examining her injury. Once he confirmed she was unharmed, he straightened up and glared at me, his voice a venomous hiss: “Everyone came today specifically to welcome you back after your years abroad. And what did you do? You spoke nothing but cold, cutting remarks, smashed a gift, and made the whole affair incredibly awkward.” “Two years, and your temper is still as terrible as ever.” SMACK! The loud slap finally silenced Asher. Such a chatterbox. I flexed my wrist and pulled my bag tighter. A few decorative pieces had broken off and were now hanging from Asher’s shoulder. The surrounding crowd stared, wide-eyed, having just witnessed a spectacular show. Asher’s eyes were wide with disbelief. “You actually hit me?” Did hitting him require a special occasion? I scoffed coldly. “You’re still my fiancé. You think I’d tolerate you openly defending another woman right in front of me, wearing that enormous green hat?” I’d honestly thought my temper had mellowed after these years recuperating abroad; after all, extreme anger harms the body. The old me, upon hearing others gossip, would have immediately started a heated argument, escalating to physical blows if I was truly provoked. Now, it seemed they had forgotten who I used to be and insisted on provoking me. He who provokes first is the villain, yet they blame me for retaliating. “Miss Beaumont, it’s all my fault.” “I… I didn’t know this gift was so fragile. If it had been placed flat, it wouldn’t have shattered so easily.” I sneered. “Of course, it’s your fault. You brought a geode as a gift. Do you think I’m some kind of evil entity that needs purifying?” Phoebe cried. Indeed, she was a beauty, and her tears were truly pitiful. As she covered her face, I caught a glimpse of her lips subtly curving upward. A smile, meant only for me, visible from this angle alone. Asher’s face grew even darker. He stopped rubbing the spot where my bag had hit him, turned to comfort Phoebe, and delivered a chilling warning: “I never knew you were such an unreasonable person.” My brother, Finn, also pointed at me and scolded, “Evie, what did Phoebe do to deserve such treatment from you?” “When we see Father tonight, I’ll certainly have him punish you!” I smiled, waved a dismissive hand, and turned to leave. “Go ahead and report me.” “‘Big sis Phoebe,’ huh? What kind of random stray can be your sister now?” “Oh, and by the way,” I stopped and turned back, “Asher, have you forgotten that the engagement between you and me was something your father desperately begged for when he brought you to our home?” “Since you like Phoebe so much, I won’t stand in your way. I agree to break off the engagement. You can go tell The Montgomerys yourself.” Might as well finish it all in one go. I turned to Phoebe. “As for you, do I look like an idiot?” “While my temper isn’t great, I walk with purpose. I didn’t even touch your friend just now, yet she stumbled like that. Was she trying to stage an accident?” “Don’t believe me?” I pointed to the streetlight in the courtyard. “The camera at this angle should have captured it very clearly.” My direct, name-calling scolding left Finn’s face somber, Asher’s face ashen. Phoebe’s face was a mixture of red and white. Everyone else looked uncomfortable. Their discomfort meant my mood improved. I was used to it, anyway; they either gossiped about me to my face or behind my back. Am I some kind of doormat, unable to fight back when insulted? “You don’t need to report me; I’ll do it myself. I’ll relay every single one of your performances today, exactly as they happened, to each of your family heads.” “After all, there are plenty of high-definition cameras here. Your clothes, your makeup, your expressions,” I shook my phone, “even the words you spoke, are all clearly recorded.” With that, I didn’t bother with their panicked expressions and turned to walk out. But I bumped directly into a man entering from outside the courtyard. His strong hand gripped my arm, steadying me firmly. I looked up, meeting a handsome, flawless face. The man’s face flushed, and he quickly released me. But I was in no mood to admire handsome men. Once steady, I pushed him away. “Don’t touch me. Get out of the way!” Instantly, the man’s face grew even redder, his ear tips turning pink. I frowned. Did this person like being pushed around? “Evie,” my cousin whispered, her voice meek. “Let’s go together.” “Oh, don’t mind him. He likes it when you scold him.” There were people with that kind of kink? He was so handsome; his personality must be anything but ordinary. There was a sense of familiarity about him. The red-faced man saw me looking at him and immediately introduced himself: “Miss Beaumont, I’m Julian Davies of The Davies family.” The Davies? A prominent, but second-tier family in the circle, a notch below our Beaumonts and The Montgomerys. Before I could react, Julian shoved a gift box into my hand, then turned and scurried away. Even after I was in the car, I was still confused. “Julian Davies? Have I met him before?” Chloe leaned comfortably against the seat back, tapped a few times on her phone, and an AI voice began to speak: “Julian Davies, second-in-command of Davies Group, second child of The Davies family head. Currently known to be worth billions. If The Davies fortune is passed to him, his worth is estimated to be tens of billions. Age 22, unmarried, height 6’2”, and all the essential details…” My face burned. What kind of inappropriate AI was my cousin using? “You don’t know him? You had to ask your AI?” “Oh, should I know him? This is the first time I’ve seen him today.” I looked at my cousin, half-amused, half-helpless. Keep playing dumb. My cousin also pretended ignorance. “Evie, why don’t you check what he gave you?” She quickly took the gift box and began to unwrap it. Once the excess packaging was removed, Chloe gasped. I looked over, and she held a velvet cloth, showcasing a flawless, imperial green jade bangle, translucent like glass. Such a bangle was rarely seen, even at auctions. I took it, examined it carefully, and slipped it on. It was a perfect fit for my wrist. Chloe clicked her tongue a few times. “Evie, you said you didn’t know him. He even knows your wrist size and preferences so well.” I rotated my wrist, watching the bangle shimmer with light, and smiled faintly. Although the welcome banquet had ended unpleasantly, receiving a perfect bangle was certainly a good outcome. Perhaps the bangle had a calming effect, for I slept soundly that night. I woke up early the next day. By the time I finished my Eight Sections of Brocade, it was still before eight. Once I was ready, I had my bodyguards go to The Cloud Haven Bistro, the most popular restaurant in our circle. They set up a seven-foot-tall display screen at the entrance, playing an edited video of yesterday’s welcome banquet on loop. Phoebe’s attempt to frame me, Asher’s scolding, Finn’s indignation, and the others’ reactions—all were there. I even thoughtfully added subtitles, detailing who said what, with each person’s name clearly labeled. Passersby, guests entering the restaurant, and even eager onlookers uploaded the video online, and it quickly went viral. Today, the social circles’ group chats exploded. A torrent of messages at-ed me, demanding to know what my intentions were. I replied with a “smile” emoji, then exited the group. According to the information my assistant gathered, the second-generation heirs of prominent families featured in those videos were severely reprimanded by their own families after returning home. After all, who gave them the audacity to openly mock the Beaumont heiress?

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1 When Ethan Vance broke off our engagement, everyone said my life was over. For five years, I’d bent myself into knots to please him, and my reputation was already in tatters. No one, they claimed, would ever want a woman like me. When Ethan found new love, those around me waited for me to grovel, to beg for him back. But they didn’t know I had willingly taken my younger sister’s place, marrying into a family in Portsmouth through an arranged marriage. Before I left, I returned the treasured keepsake box Ethan had given me, along with the blank promise card he had penned as a boy. I left nothing behind, no trace. It wasn’t until the day before his engagement that Ethan suddenly spoke of me: “She hasn’t made a sound in all this time. Has Elara Sterling finally withered away?” And I, having just endured a night that brought me close to death in a different way, was being woken by my new husband’s kisses. “Elara, sweetheart, you promised four rounds, and not one less…” … That day, when Ethan suddenly declared he wanted to get married, I hadn’t seen him in three months. Our last encounter, I’d overheard him telling his friends he was utterly bored with me. The entire room had erupted in laughter. They laughed at me, at how I’d spent five years trying to please him, tarnishing my own name, only to be cast aside like worn-out rags. Those three months at the Sterling home had been brutal. Just days ago, Victor Sterling had come home drunk, and his hands had been heavy. The wounds on my back still throbbed faintly. So, when Ethan unexpectedly called me today, asking me to come over, a flicker of hope ignited in my chest. I specifically wore the jade bangles we’d exchanged on our engagement day and hurried to his villa. By the time I arrived, Ethan was already tipsy. He lay half-reclined on a young woman’s lap, his eyes closed. The girl looked like a student, innocent and pure. Seeing me enter, she, who was massaging Ethan’s head, stumbled, flustered, trying to rise. But Ethan’s hand clamped onto her wrist. “Just stay put.” He didn’t open his eyes, merely applied gentle pressure to her hand. She was pulled closer, her body pressing against his. Submissively, she lowered her head, allowing him to kiss her. He released her, then cupped her chin. The kiss was deep, the sounds echoing. I stood in the doorway, clutching my clutch, bewildered for a long moment. It took immense effort to compose myself, to feign indifference, and turn my gaze to the window. “I’ll go stroll in the garden for a bit. I’ll come back later.” No sooner had the words left my lips than Ethan scoffed. The girl beside him, ever so sensible, quickly stood up. “Perhaps I should leave first, and let her come over.” This time, Ethan didn’t stop her. He held her hand, idly toying with it for a moment, before reluctantly releasing it. “It’s cold outside, don’t catch a chill.” The girl smiled softly, nodded, her long, dark hair shielding most of her flushed face. As she passed me, she politely greeted me as “Sister,” then offered a gentle “hello.” I nodded back, returning her smile. She was very young, her eyes clear and guileless, her shy demeanor eerily reminiscent of my younger sister. “Elara Sterling, come here.” Ethan leaned back on the sofa, patting the empty space beside him. The intricate, splendid crystal chandelier cast dappled light, illuminating his face—narrow, sculpted, his features strikingly handsome. The play of light and shadow rendered him almost ethereal. For a moment, I felt a dizzying unreality, coupled with an inexplicable ache. Ethan’s languid eyes, shimmering with a hint of intoxication, were subtly reddened at the corners. His collar was loose, revealing a constellation of hickey marks on his collarbone and the side of his neck. “That girl was Seraphina Hayes.” I nodded. “Yes, I know.” “What do you think of her?” I thought for a moment, then answered earnestly. “She’s very innocent, very pure, very well-behaved.” Ethan nodded. “Doesn’t she remind you of yourself five years ago?” I froze. 2 Five years ago, I had just started university. In Ethan’s words when he pursued me, I was “so pure it made his heart ache.” Back then, he truly loved me. And he doted on me fiercely. He treated me as if I would melt if he held me too tightly. I was also his longest relationship. I even got engaged to him before graduating from college. Only, what a pity. The person I was now was unrecognizable, my reputation utterly ruined. Everyone in the Capital City knew. Knew how many shameless things I’d done just to cling to that prized catch. Back then, he said he was tired of my innocence and purity. To please him, I forced myself to change, to immerse myself in his depraved circle. I indulged his perverse tastes. He wanted sophistication, a fiery sensuality, an open boldness. I endured the humiliation, satisfying him one by one. Yet my desperate attempts to please him ultimately earned me only his scornful words. “Elara Sterling, you’re truly pathetic.” “Even the cheapest hooker isn’t as uninhibited as you are in bed.” “Look at you now, do you have even an ounce of a proper lady left?” When he first proposed breaking up, Victor Sterling threatened me with my younger siblings. To keep him, I’d slashed my wrists, I’d taken pills. I had done it all. Now, he stood before the unrecognizable me, saying he loved Seraphina. He loved that she reminded him of myself five years ago. I wanted to laugh, but the laughter wouldn’t come. “I truly like her. I want to give her a proper name.” “She’s not like you. She’s terribly timid, so pure. I have to take responsibility.” I wanted to say something, but my lips felt glued together. Not a sound escaped. After a long moment, I managed to force out a smile. “Alright, I understand.” “I can put in a good word for you with The Sterlings.” “No need. I’ll figure it out myself.” “As you wish.” He swayed as he stood up, pulled something from his pocket. It clattered onto the coffee table. My eyelids twitched violently. It was the token we’d exchanged when we got engaged. My biological mother’s relic: a matching jade pendant. What Ethan had given me was his mother’s wedding dowry: a pair of jade bangles. The very pair I now wore on my wrist. “Take off the bangles.” “Our engagement is off.” I looked up at him, his once languid eyes now cold, as if filled with frost. So when he said he wanted to get married, he hadn’t meant with me. The five years of companionship couldn’t compare to the fleeting thrill a new lover brought. I thought I would collapse, that grief would overwhelm me. But I didn’t shed a single tear. I calmly removed the jade bangles and returned them to him. Ethan’s brow subtly arched, a hint of surprise in his expression. But he took them, then turned and walked away without a backward glance. 3 News of Ethan Vance breaking off our engagement spread quickly. The expected brutal punishment never came. Only, I once again lost contact with my younger siblings abroad. I knew this was my father’s customary way of unleashing his wrath. He and my stepmother, Vivian, began scouring the Capital City for a suitable husband. They wanted to marry me off, to secure The Sterlings’ continued prosperity. But soon, ugly rumors began to circulate. They said that all these years, to please Ethan, I had done everything imaginable, that I was utterly used up, that I had even lost the ability to bear children. No one in the Capital City would be willing to take on a woman like me. Father’s temper grew increasingly volatile. My days became increasingly unbearable. The second month after Ethan broke off our engagement, another explosive piece of news spread through the circle. It was said he was getting engaged again, to Seraphina. Ethan had even defied his parents for her. The usual gossipmongers made sure the news reached me. I knew what they wanted to see. Nothing but boredom in their lives. And perhaps, a longing for the old days when they had a spectacle like me to entertain them. “Elara, I actually think Ethan still really likes you.” “You’re probably having a tough time now, aren’t you? Why don’t you go beg Ethan?” “He’s soft-hearted. If you cry a little, or even pretend to try to end it all, he might change his mind.” “Seraphina can’t compare to you, Elara. You’re much prettier than her.” I saw all the messages but didn’t reply. Instead, I poured my entire being into preparing for my own marriage. Just a week ago, I had knelt for an entire night. Finally, I convinced Father to agree to my taking my newly adult sister’s place, marrying into a family in Portsmouth. I’d heard that the eldest son of The Thornes, Dorian Thorne, was ruthless and cunning, yet wielded immense power, an uncrowned king in Portsmouth. But he was also said to have a fierce and unpredictable disposition due to a physical disability that confined him to a wheelchair. But I wasn’t afraid. To escape The Sterlings, to ensure my siblings’ freedom. I would welcome it all. Besides, I could no longer stand to be in the Capital City. Portsmouth might just offer a glimmer of hope. 4 Before my wedding, I met my best friend for dinner. While on my way to the restroom, I unexpectedly ran into Seraphina. She looked nothing like her previous self. She wore exquisite makeup and Dior’s classic little black dress, slender and alluring. A thin ladies’ cigarette dangled from her vibrant lips. “Miss Sterling, you’ve heard, haven’t you?” Seraphina looked at me, a provocative smile on her face. “Ethan Vance is getting engaged to me.” I looked at her, suddenly recalling her pure, shy demeanor when I first met her. For some reason, a wave of melancholy washed over me. “Yes, I heard.” Seraphina’s smile deepened. “Miss Sterling, are you very jealous?” “I heard you lost three of his children. All these years, you’ve done everything low and shameless just to keep him, to marry him.” She leaned against the window sill, her eyes alight with disdain and contempt. I looked at her coolly. “Miss Hayes, you just said yourself, you ‘heard.’ We’re both women; there’s no need to spread such vile rumors, is there?” Seraphina instantly scoffed. “It’s spread throughout the Capital City; how is it a vile rumor?” I didn’t want to waste my breath on her and turned to leave. But Seraphina suddenly said, in a strangely snide tone, “Miss Sterling, girls are not all the same. You have no self-respect. Didn’t your mother teach you anything before she passed away?” My steps halted abruptly. Hearing the word ‘mother,’ a surge of hot blood rushed to my head. I didn’t have time to think, couldn’t be rational. I spun around and slapped her. “Miss Sterling…” Seraphina froze for a moment, then immediately covered her face and began to cry pitifully. “I know it hurts you that Ethan and I are getting engaged, but you can’t just hit people…” “I understand you’re angry, but you can’t force feelings.” “Ethan doesn’t like a woman as… loose as you. It’s not my fault…” She sobbed, whimpering, sounding aggrieved and pathetic, but every word she uttered felt like a knife twisting in my heart. “I know your mother died young, and you had no one to guide you, Miss Sterling. I won’t pursue this matter… this time…” I gritted my teeth until my jaw ached, raising my hand to slap her again. But my arm was viciously seized by Ethan. “Elara Sterling, apologize to Seraphina.” “I won’t apologize.” I stood rigid, my back straight, my face pale, my lips colorless. But my eyes were bloodshot, shining with a dangerous intensity. 5 Ethan seemed surprised. Over the years, he had seen me as innocent and pure. He had seen me as obedient and docile. He had also seen me hysterical, sobbing, and clinging. I had been naive, alluring, cried, laughed, and made a fuss in front of him. But I had never been so calm, so distant, as I was at this moment. He pushed Seraphina aside and walked emotionlessly in front of me. “Elara Sterling, I’m only going to say this one last time: apologize to Seraphina.” I stared fixedly at him, then suddenly laughed. A laugh that was resolute, desperate. “Ethan Vance, I told you, I won’t apologize. I’ll die before I apologize…” A sharp slap suddenly echoed in the empty corridor. After delivering that blow, Ethan seemed to freeze. Seraphina covered her face, her eyes wide, similarly stunned and disbelieving. Only I slowly raised my hand to my stinging cheek, my eyes slowly reddening. “Elara Sterling…” Ethan instinctively stepped forward. But I immediately stepped back. His hand, which had been about to rise, abruptly dropped, and his face hardened again. “Elara Sterling, this is your own fault.” “If you had apologized just now, I wouldn’t have laid a hand on you.” Ethan’s voice was low and somewhat hoarse. “You know I never hit women.” “We’ve been together for so many years; I’ve never laid a finger on you.” “You shouldn’t have touched Seraphina today. I like her; it’s not her fault.” “Elara Sterling, stop making a scene. Save yourself some dignity.” He was usually a man of few words, never rambling on like this. But I didn’t hear a single syllable. My bloodshot eyes uncontrollably filled with tears. I desperately tried to hold them back, but I couldn’t. My tear ducts ached fiercely, and tears streamed down my face in large drops, as if they would never stop. Ethan, at some point, had tightly clenched his hands, his brows furrowed. Seraphina walked to his side and said obediently, “Ethan, let’s just go.” Ethan gripped her hand, but his gaze remained fixed on my face. “Elara Sterling, don’t try to bother Seraphina again.” “And don’t ever appear in front of Seraphina and me again.” “This is my final warning to you.” After he finished, he didn’t immediately leave with Seraphina. Instead, he stood there, watching me, as if waiting for my reply. But I said nothing, only lowered my head slightly. It felt as if I wanted to shed all the tears of my lifetime in this moment. After about thirty seconds, Ethan finally led Seraphina away. As he turned to leave, I suddenly spoke, my voice low. “Alright.” “I swear, I will never appear in front of you and Seraphina again in this lifetime.” Ethan’s tall, broad-shouldered back stiffened abruptly. But he quickly pulled Seraphina forward, walking on without a single glance back. Seraphina, however, turned to look at me. Her eyes were still tear-filled, but the corners of her lips were triumphantly turned up. I slowly lowered my hand. Good, I thought to myself. Five years of entanglement, that love-hate for Ethan, so deeply rooted in my heart. Now, in this moment, it was finally ripped out by the roots, severed completely. I could leave, unburdened, without a single regret, forever. 6 After returning that day, I received many messages and calls. A large portion were screenshots from Seraphina’s social media. The most prominent was the engagement ring she was flaunting. I closed my messaging app, still not replying. And I didn’t answer any of the calls. My face was still a bit swollen, so I got some ice and pressed it to my cheek for a while. When I came back, my phone showed a new account deposit notification. I was puzzled, and then shocked by the string of zeros. Before I could even count them, my phone rang. The three words flashing on the screen were saved by my own hand: Mr. Thorne. This was the first time Dorian Thorne had called me since our engagement was settled. My heart pounded a little faster. I took a few deep breaths before answering. “Miss Sterling, did you receive the money?” “Yes, I did.” “But, Mr. Thorne, you already sent the dowry…” I reminded him softly, wondering if someone around him had made a mistake. “The dowry was for The Sterlings. This sum of money is specifically for you.” I clutched my phone, stunned for a long moment, before I finally spoke in a low voice. “Mr. Thorne, you don’t have to do this.” “I was previously engaged, and my reputation isn’t good…” “It doesn’t matter.” Dorian’s voice was exceptionally deep and melodious, yet it carried a soothing power. I thought of the rumors about him: ruthless in his dealings, brutal in his methods, unpredictable and volatile. But in his voice now, there was absolutely no hint of any of that. “You said yourself, it was ‘before’.” “Everything before is in the past, Miss Sterling. Don’t dwell on it.” “You’re marrying far away. Anything you like, you can buy for yourself and bring to Portsmouth.” My eyes felt warm, welling up with tears, yet I couldn’t help but curve my lips slightly. “Mr. Thorne, thank you.” The news of my marriage to The Thornes had been kept completely under wraps. This was Dorian’s instruction. The Thorne family’s welcoming party had already arrived in the Capital City. With them there, The Sterlings were, naturally, on their best behavior. Thus, no one in the Capital City knew I was about to marry far away. Three days before my departure. All my luggage was packed. I looked at the exquisitely crafted keepsake box on my dressing table. And a yellowed, blank promise card. The keepsake box was a gift Ethan had given me when he pursued me. It had nine layers, filled to the brim with all sorts of jewelry. The blank promise card was a thank-you gift he’d given me when he was twelve. Of course, he’d long since forgotten it. I had actually considered using that promise card to make him agree to marry me. But in the end, I decided I didn’t want to waste my life on a man like him. The jewelry was too valuable, so of course, it had to be returned. The blank promise card bore his private seal. It, too, could not fall into the wrong hands. I carefully packed both items. Then I called Liam, Ethan’s personal assistant. “These items are very valuable. Please make sure to deliver them to him personally.” I repeatedly emphasized this. Liam, though still polite, was clearly impatient. “Miss Sterling, let me give you some well-meaning advice. Don’t waste your efforts anymore.” “Mr. Vance is about to get engaged. Let’s all just move on.” He thought I was playing tricks again, trying to reconcile. I wanted to explain. But he clearly couldn’t be bothered to humor me. He casually tossed the box into the trunk and drove off. 7 I quietly left the Capital City with the Thorne family’s welcoming party. Two days later, I met my future husband for the first time. The heir to The Thornes, Dorian Thorne. He wore a perfectly tailored black suit, looking noble and handsome. Though seated in a wheelchair, his legs covered by a thin blanket, his posture was upright, his shoulders broad and powerful. It made you completely overlook his physical disability. “Elara Sterling.” He uttered my name in a low, resonant voice. I took a deep breath, walked quickly forward, and then slowly knelt. My gaze met his. I must have been incredibly nervous and shy, because I saw a tiny version of myself reflected in the dark depths of his profound eyes. My eyelashes seemed to tremble faintly. I secretly inhaled, gathered my courage, and reached out to gently take his hands, which rested on the blanket. “Mr. Thorne, hello. I’m Elara Sterling.” The moment my hand touched his, I seemed to hear gasps around me. But my nervousness was too overwhelming to heed them. Instead, I clutched his hands, unconsciously tightening my grip. Dorian didn’t push me away. His fingers were long and slender, his knuckles strong; my hand couldn’t fully encompass his. Just as I felt on the verge of suffocating from nervousness, Dorian suddenly clasped my cold fingers. His large palm completely enveloped my chilled hand, holding it tightly. “Elara Sterling, push me back to the room.” I quickly tried to stand, but as I rose, I swayed, nearly losing my balance. Dorian reached out at just the right moment, steadying my waist firmly. “Careful.” His hand released quickly. But my cheeks still felt faintly flushed. I murmured a soft “Mm,” took the wheelchair from the attendant, and pushed him into the room. The room door closed, and warm lights illuminated the space. Dorian looked at me, then pointed to his legs. The corner of his lips seemed to subtly curve, but it might have been my imagination. “My legs aren’t convenient, Elara. You’ll have to put up with me tonight.” I lowered my head, not daring to meet his gaze, and simply nodded softly. Then, somewhat uncomfortably, I raised a hand to pinch my earlobe, only to find it unusually hot to the touch… 8 Before his engagement, Ethan Vance hosted a party. His fiancée-to-be, Seraphina, wasn’t there, just his usual circle of fair-weather friends. After a few rounds of drinks, everyone grew a little out of hand. Someone, unable to hold their tongue, suddenly brought up Elara Sterling’s name. “Ethan’s dated so many, but Elara was still the prettiest.” “Yeah, we all agree on that.” “Honestly, if Ethan hadn’t laid down the law, I would’ve tried to date her.” “Get in line, kid, you’d have to wait your turn.” Their conversation grew increasingly inappropriate. At some point, Ethan set down his glass. He just leaned back on the sofa, watching them intently. The chatter slowly died down. “Uh, Ethan, we were just talking nonsense.” “Had a bit too much to drink, just messing around. Don’t take it seriously.” Ethan, however, smiled faintly. “Hearing you all talk, it did remind me of Elara Sterling.” “But, is she dead? She hasn’t made a sound in so long.” His voice sounded cold, almost nonchalant. As if he had truly only just remembered Elara. As if her death, even if it had happened, would be an insignificant matter. But the room suddenly fell silent. Liam, Ethan’s assistant, quickly offered a conciliatory smile. “Mr. Vance, I was remiss. I forgot to tell you.” “Just a few days ago, Miss Sterling asked me to deliver something to you. She said it was very valuable.” “I figured she probably wanted to reconcile, so I gave her a hint and stopped her from bothering you.” Ethan’s gaze, cool and indifferent, fell on Liam, and he even let out a soft chuckle. “Well, Liam, your nerve seems to be growing.” Liam jumped, quickly rising. “Mr. Vance…” “Since when do you decide what happens in my life?” “Yes, yes, I overstepped.” Liam bowed repeatedly, cold sweat beading on his forehead. Ethan lowered his gaze, habitually twirling the ring on his middle finger. “Call her. Tell her to be there in thirty minutes.” Liam froze for a moment. “Mr. Vance?” Ethan turned his head, looking out at the dark night. “If she doesn’t make it, tomorrow, I’m truly getting engaged to Seraphina.” 9 When Liam’s call came, I was just climbing off Dorian Thorne’s lap, my face slightly flushed. He leaned by the window, watching my slightly swollen lips with a knowing smile. My ears burned. I took my phone and walked to the window to answer. “Liam,” I said, my breathing a little rapid, “Is there something you need?” Liam’s voice on the other end of the line was somewhat urgent. “Miss Sterling, Mr. Vance said to be at the old spot in thirty minutes. Otherwise, he’s truly getting engaged to Miss Hayes.” At his words, I couldn’t help but let out a soft chuckle. The night was too quiet, and Dorian likely heard it too. He placed his water glass on the bedside table with a distinct clink. Liam on the other end of the phone also seemed to hear the movement and immediately asked. “Miss Sterling, it’s so late. Is there someone else with you?” In the past, I had always been compliant, accommodating Ethan’s every whim. Being on call was a regular occurrence. And I had always treated Liam, Ethan’s personal assistant, with utmost politeness, never lightly. But now, that would never happen again. “Liam, my private life is none of your concern.” I spoke slowly. “Furthermore, Ethan and I have already broken off our engagement; we have no ties whatsoever. Who he gets engaged to is irrelevant to me.” Liam seemed to panic immediately. “Miss Sterling, please don’t act impulsively out of spite. You’ll regret it deeply.” “Tomorrow is Mr. Vance’s engagement party with Miss Hayes. Tonight is your last chance to turn things around.” “I don’t need that chance.” My tone was calm and cool. “And, did you give Ethan the things I entrusted to you last time?” Liam fell silent for a moment. That cardboard box had been taken by Seraphina two days ago. And he, mindful of Seraphina’s status, had not stopped her. I reminded him again. “Liam, I’ll only say this once. Please hand it to Ethan personally, immediately.” When Liam spoke again, his voice was incredibly polite. “Miss Sterling, it would be better if you handed these things to Mr. Vance yourself.” “I told you, Liam, he and I have broken up, and I will not see him again.” I paused here, letting out a long, heavy sigh. “Liam, after you give him the things, I will delete your contact information. From now on, please don’t contact me again.” 10 After ending the call, I walked back to the bed with my phone. Dorian took the phone and casually tossed it onto the sofa beside the bed. He wrapped an arm around my waist, his warm breath fanning my face and the side of my neck. His long fingers gently traced the soft skin of my waist, sending shivers through me. I instinctively tried to pull away, but he held me tighter. “Elara, do you know it’s very rude to take an unimportant call in the middle of a kiss?” These past few days, I had been constantly by Dorian’s side. And he, for his part, kept saying that since we were about to hold our wedding and become true husband and wife, we should adapt to marital intimacy sooner. So every night before bed, we would embrace and kiss, then say goodnight. Since arriving here, my life had been incredibly comfortable, completely unlike what I had imagined. Dorian was nothing like the ruthless, volatile man of rumor. On the contrary, he treated me exceptionally well, and everyone around him too. Our feelings for each other were also rapidly warming. I had also reconnected with my siblings abroad. They were both safe and sound, their studies and lives completely unaffected. And as long as my marriage to him went smoothly, Dorian had promised me that my siblings would be free to live their own lives, no longer controlled by Victor Sterling and my stepmother. I was so incredibly eager for that day. Give a peach, get a plum in return. Dorian treated me well, so I had long since adjusted my mindset, genuinely seeing him as my husband. Thinking of this, I couldn’t help but reach up, hook my arms around his neck, and lean in to give him a light kiss. “Mr. Thorne, is this enough of a compensation?” “Just one kiss, Elara?” I suppressed my shyness and kissed his cheek again. Then his chin, his Adam’s apple. When I kissed his Adam’s apple, Dorian’s body stiffened for a moment, and his Adam’s apple visibly bobbed up and down. “Good girl, Elara, not enough.” With that, he took control, cupping my jaw and lowering his head for a deep kiss. And this time, it was different from every kiss before. He kissed heavily, deeply, as if he wanted to devour me. And I, too, felt every reaction of his body. But I had no time to think of such things; I was utterly consumed by his kiss, my legs turning to jelly. The people in the distant Capital City were long since forgotten. My entire being was focused solely on the man before me. I don’t know how long passed before Dorian finally released me, his voice hoarse. “It’s late. Time to go back to bed.” “Elara, goodnight.” I rose from his lap, roughly straightening my disheveled clothes. I reached up to smooth my messy hair, said goodnight, and then turned to leave. My room was right next to Dorian’s. Lying down, just thinking that my future husband was living just a wall away, brought an immense sense of peace. I closed my eyes and quickly fell into a deep sleep. Long after the call ended, Liam remained standing there. But ultimately, he could only sigh deeply, a headache brewing, and walk into the room to relay my words to Ethan Vance. 11 After Liam spoke, Ethan’s expression remained unchanged, but the hand gripping his wine glass was clenched so tightly that his knuckles were white. Liam, without realizing it, broke out in a cold sweat. “Mr. Vance… perhaps Miss Sterling is just acting out of spite.” “Spite?” Ethan asked, a mirthless smile playing on his lips. Liam lowered his head, his breathing barely audible. The next second, Ethan kicked over the coffee table in front of him. Glasses shattered, creating a chaotic mess. The others looked over, startled. The room was so quiet you could hear a pin drop. Ethan sneered twice. “She’s really gotten bold, trying to play these games with me.” “Fine, let’s see how many days she can keep up this act.” Ethan’s expression turned sour as he looked at Liam. “Where are the things?” Liam’s head dropped even lower. “Miss Hayes just happened to see it that day and took it, saying she’d throw it away.” “I thought, since Miss Hayes and you are about to get engaged, I shouldn’t interfere.” Ethan looked at him, his gaze cold and dark. “Liam, you’re doing a fine job.” Liam almost knelt. “Mr. Vance… I was wrong. I won’t dare to do it again.” Someone quickly tried to smooth things over. “Why get angry with an assistant? Besides, Seraphina handled Elara Sterling’s things, saving you the trouble of looking at them.” “Yeah, if you’d taken them, Elara Sterling would have had an excuse to cling to you.” “You’re right. Even if he didn’t take them, she’d still cling to him. After following Ethan for so many years, everyone knows she can’t live without him.” “Now, she’s just playing hard to get, trying to get Ethan’s attention.” No one present found anything wrong with these statements. In fact, they all felt this was exactly what Elara Sterling would do. After all, they had seen such antics far too often over the past five years. Ethan glanced at Liam, his expression still cool and aloof. “Get out.” He always detested it when those around him took matters into their own hands. This Liam, he was truly getting out of line. Liam didn’t dare say another word and quickly left the room. Seeing Ethan’s foul mood, everyone else also dispersed one by one. Ethan leaned back on the sofa, the alcohol rushing to his head. He closed his eyes. Yes, his friends were right. Elara Sterling loved him so much, cared for him so deeply, she couldn’t live without him. She would never just let him get engaged to Seraphina. Even if she acted tough today, she would absolutely appear at the engagement party tomorrow, doing everything she could to disrupt it. Her situation at The Sterlings was so dire, and he was the only one who could save her. As long as Elara wasn’t a fool, she wouldn’t let go of him, her only lifeline. At the very latest, tomorrow, she would come. Thinking this, Ethan felt the knot in his chest loosen slightly. If she came, out of consideration for their five years together, he might give her a way out. The engagement party. Seraphina, in a complex, luxurious white gown, her makeup flawless, looked young and delicate. Ethan, too, was in a custom white suit, making him appear tall, handsome, and exceptional. Surrounded by friends, all beaming with joy, he responded vaguely to a few remarks, but his gaze kept drifting towards the main entrance. Less than fifteen minutes until the engagement was officially supposed to begin, and still no sign of Elara Sterling. An inexplicable restlessness began to rise in Ethan’s heart. He forced himself to suppress the irritation, downing the water in his glass. With two minutes left, he raised his wrist, checking his watch. “Are all the guests here?” His voice was light, as if a casual query. “Of course. The engagement is about to begin. The guests arrived long ago. We’re just waiting for you and Seraphina, the stars of the show, to make your appearance.” Ethan swallowed his annoyance, stood up. “Let’s go.” In the ballroom, a glittering crowd of finely dressed guests filled the space. Seraphina was surrounded by her friends, her face a mix of joy and shyness. Ethan scanned the room. He didn’t see Elara Sterling. The increasing agitation in his heart churned. He turned, looking far out towards the main entrance again, but there was no change. “Ethan.” Seraphina walked over shyly, taking his arm, her voice soft. “The engagement is about to start. I’m a little nervous.” “It’s just an engagement, what’s there to be nervous about…” Ethan replied dismissively, his gaze sweeping over Seraphina’s earrings before suddenly stopping. “It’s just that I care so much about our engagement party, that’s why I’m so nervous… Ah!” Seraphina suddenly cried out in pain, and all the guests looked over. Ethan’s face was ashen. “That bracelet and earrings… Where did they come from?”

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