Jessica’s friend was getting married, but Ethan insisted on dragging me, six months pregnant, to the wedding. All because Jessica casually mentioned she wanted me to “see how a wedding works.” During the reception, the groom came around making toasts. When he got to our table, Jessica, the bride’s friend but clearly Ethan’s old flame, urged me to have a drink too. “Come on, sis-in-law,” she purred, even though we weren’t married, “everyone’s doing it, just for the atmosphere!” I politely refused again. Jessica bit her lip and dramatically downed a glass herself, supposedly “for me.” Ethan’s face instantly darkened. As the party was winding down, Ethan grabbed me, his voice tight with anger. “What’s your problem? Why are you so determined to embarrass me!” He gripped my chin, forced half a bottle of something strong down my throat, and shoved me out of the private room, snarling that I was ruining the mood. I threw up violently in the hallway, then stumbled outside and collapsed drunk on the sidewalk. When I came to, I was half-naked, freezing, and covered in blood below the waist. The baby was gone. And as far as I was concerned, so was Ethan… 1 My whole body ached. I was freezing and utterly drained. I blinked my eyes open, finding myself in a grimy alley. Cold wind whipped through, making me instinctively curl up. Then the horror hit me – I was barely clothed! A wave of disbelief and terror washed over me. I looked down, saw bruises mottling my skin, and then lower… blood. So much blood. My eyes flew wide with panic. I slapped a hand onto my stomach. Nothing. No movement. Just yesterday, he was kicking. Tears streamed down my face. Fighting through the pain and dizziness, I somehow managed to pull out my phone, using every last ounce of strength to dial 911 before passing out again. The next time I opened my eyes, I was on a gurney, being rushed through a hospital. Doctors and nurses hurried alongside me, their faces etched with pity. Seeing I was awake, a doctor leaned in close. “Ma’am, listen, this is critical. You need surgery right away. Is your family here? We need someone to sign the consent forms.” My lips were cracked and dry. It took me a moment to form words. “No one’s coming. I’ll sign.” The doctor’s expression shifted to one of understanding. He quickly instructed the others to prep for surgery. As the bright overhead lights of the OR flared on, a bitter, broken smile touched my lips. …Ethan, how could you do this to me?! All those years I’d devoted myself to him, taking care of his every need, even getting pregnant before marriage, all because he promised me the wedding of the century once he “made it.” And this is how it ends. All that love, all that devotion… completely wasted. The surgery went smoothly. When I woke up again, the doctor stood beside my bed, his face full of regret. “I’m so sorry, Ms. Peterson… about your baby…” I squeezed my eyes shut, a fresh wave of tears burning. My voice was a hoarse whisper. “I know.” The tears escaped, tracking down my temples. Even though I’d expected it, the grief was suffocating. A nearby nurse tried to offer comforting words, but nothing could touch the pain. This baby… it had meant everything to both of us. When Ethan first found out I was pregnant, he was overjoyed, doting on me constantly. But ever since Jessica came back into the picture a few months ago, everything changed. So much for true love being constant. He didn’t care that I was obviously pregnant. He was willing to force alcohol down my throat for Jessica. The doctors had called the police when they found me. Soon after I woke up properly, detectives arrived, showed me their badges, and got straight to the point. “Ms. Peterson, sorry to bother you. Can you remember where the incident happened last night, or where you woke up?” I closed my eyes, my head throbbing. Fragments of memory surfaced – the street name, the alley. I told them what I could recall. As they left, I overheard a younger officer speaking in the hallway. “Pregnant and out drinking! See? Asking for trouble. Now look what happened. I told you she was probably…” “Shut your mouth! How dare you talk about a victim like that? What have I taught you?!” An older officer cut him off sharply. Their footsteps faded down the corridor. A fresh wave of misery washed over me. I silently finished the young cop’s sentence in my head. Pregnant and out drinking, she deserved it. Yeah, maybe falling for a man like Ethan meant I did deserve this. Suddenly, my phone rang on the bedside table. It was Ethan. I answered, and his voice immediately hit me like a slap. “Chloe, where the hell are you?!” 2 “So I made you have a couple of sips, and now you’re throwing a tantrum and running away from home? Seriously? Running around town while pregnant! Do you even care about me, about this baby?!” Ethan launched into a tirade when I didn’t respond immediately. I felt bone-weary, utterly exhausted. I finally spoke, my voice raspy. “Ethan, so you do remember I’m pregnant. Then why did you force me to drink?” He clearly heard the hoarseness in my voice and paused, surprised. Before he could reply, Jessica’s voice piped up in the background, dripping with fake self-blame. “Oh, Chloe, I knew you left because of that! It’s all my fault. I just thought since you were further along, a little drink wouldn’t hurt, but I had no idea you’d…” “Jess, what are you talking about? It has nothing to do with you!” Ethan interrupted her impatiently, any flicker of concern for my weak voice instantly gone. “It’s all Chloe, just being dramatic! I’ve never seen a pregnant woman run off just because she had a little alcohol. She’s just spoiled and sensitive!” Listening to him, my heart felt like a dead weight in my chest. My eyes were empty. Ethan got back on the phone, his tone now harsh and demanding. “Chloe, I don’t care where you are. Get back here right now and apologize to Jessica. She’s just a sweet girl; how could you bully her like that!” Bully her? Sweet girl? I was actually six months younger than Jessica. I stayed silent, realizing it wasn’t about age. It was simply because he didn’t love me anymore. My silence seemed to infuriate Ethan further. This was probably the first time in years I hadn’t immediately folded or apologized, and it stoked his anger. “Chloe! Are you deaf?!” Ever since Jessica reappeared, I’d tried talking to him about his neglect, argued about her constant presence. Every time, he accused me of being petty, of imagining things, and then stormed out. And like clockwork, Jessica would post something on social media, clearly meant for me to see. “No, I’m not deaf.” A moment later, a notification popped up. A short video clip from Jessica. In it, she was wearing something skimpy, steam filling the bathroom, and through the haze, I instantly recognized Ethan’s silhouette under the shower. She retracted the video almost immediately, sending a voice message instead. “Oops, sorry Chloe! Sent that to the wrong person! You didn’t see anything, did you?” Her voice oozed false apology. It was such a blatant power play, asserting her claim. I felt nothing but cold emptiness. I held the phone close to my mouth and managed a dry chuckle. “Yeah, I saw it. Hope you two have fun.” She didn’t reply, but I knew she’d read it. The surgery and the emotional trauma had taken a huge toll. I’d barely managed a night of restless sleep when I was jolted awake by shouting outside my door the next morning. “Sir! You can’t go in there! The patient needs rest! Sir!” “I’m here to see my girlfriend, who the hell are you to stop me?! Which department are you from?” I opened my eyes just as Ethan shoved the nurse aside and stormed into the room. He froze for a second when he saw my pale face, then sneered. “Well, well. No wonder I couldn’t find you anywhere. Hiding out in here, huh?” 3 I frowned, wondering how he’d found me so quickly. Then it hit me – the hospital probably called the emergency contact number linked to the payment card I’d used last night. His number. Before either of us could say more, the click-clack of high heels echoed from the hallway. Jessica walked in, dressed to the nines, makeup perfect. She immediately started fussing over me with fake concern. “Chloe! Oh my god, what happened? Why are you in the hospital? Why didn’t you tell Ethan or me?” Before she could finish, Ethan pulled her protectively to his side. He looked me up and down. The blankets must have been too thick; he couldn’t see my now-flat stomach. He scoffed. “Jess, why are you wasting your sympathy on her? She’s faking it. That pale face? All an act to get my attention. There’s nothing wrong with her!” “Really, Ethan? But she looks…” Jessica feigned surprise, her face a mask of innocent concern. Seeing the contrast, Ethan seemed even more convinced of my supposed malice. He looked at me with utter contempt. “It can’t be alcohol poisoning. She used to hold her liquor just fine. She can’t fool me.” I closed my eyes, a bitter memory surfacing. Back when he was starting his business, I’d gone with him to countless dinners and networking events, drinking alongside him. I couldn’t really handle alcohol, but I forced myself whenever potential clients or investors tried to humiliate him by making him drink excessively. I’d always step in, taking drinks for him. I’d always sneak away to throw up afterward, hiding the countless nights of nausea and stomach pain because I didn’t want him to worry or be distracted. Five years wasted on the wrong person. I had well and truly learned my lesson. After this, there wouldn’t be a shred of feeling left for him. “You’re already in the hospital,” Ethan continued impatiently. “So, spit out whatever drama you’re trying to pull, and let’s go home. Stop embarrassing yourself here. Are you some college kid fresh out of graduation?” “Who is disturbing my patient?!” A stern voice cut through the tension from the doorway. I looked up; it was the head of the department. The nurse must have fetched him after Ethan barged in. Ethan and Jessica froze. Ethan let out a derisive laugh. “Wow, hired actors now? Going all out, aren’t we, Boss Lady Chloe?” “Actors?! Who are you people? Get out! Leave the patient alone! She just had a D&C procedure yesterday after a miscarriage! She’s weak and needs rest!” the doctor snapped, furious. The young nurse behind him nodded in agreement. “Like anyone believes that! Chloe, if you’re going to fake something, at least make it believable…” Ethan’s expression didn’t change, glancing dismissively at the doctor before turning back to me. He was still talking when I threw back the covers, revealing my flat stomach. My voice was ice. “Does this look believable enough for you, Ethan?” He stopped mid-sentence, mouth still hanging open, looking utterly ridiculous. A tremor ran through him. Panic finally flickered in his eyes. His voice cracked, disbelieving. “…Chloe, you… you got an abortion?!”

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My wife’s old flame shared a sonogram photo on his social media feed. He wrote: “Thank you, for helping me have a child of my own when I needed it most.” That’s when I found out. My wife had aborted our child, then underwent IVF to carry her old flame’s baby. I calmly liked his post and commented below: “Congratulations to you both.” Almost instantly, Sienna Miller’s call came through, her voice laced with annoyance: “I was just helping Ryan out, giving him something he needed. Don’t make this more complicated than it is!” I quietly hung up. I knew it was time to end our marriage. 1. I stared at the abortion clinic paperwork and sonogram dated a month ago, pulled from Sienna’s dresser drawer. Only then did I realize I had almost been a father. But now, just because Ryan Davis wanted a child, Sienna had ruthlessly aborted ours a month ago, only to turn around and get pregnant with Ryan’s baby. I looked at the pile of prenatal vitamins and baby gear stacked in the corner of the living room, a chill settling deep in my heart. Actually, I first saw a sonogram photo a week ago. It fell out of Sienna’s purse. Seeing it, I felt dizzy with joy. Sienna and I had been married for four years, and my biggest wish was to have a child, a symbol of our love. I waited all day, hoping Sienna would tell me she was pregnant. But even late into the night, she said nothing. I convinced myself she was waiting for the second trimester, planning to surprise me on our anniversary. But reality slapped me hard across the face. Not only did she have no intention of telling me, but she’d secretly terminated the pregnancy. Now, a month later, she was framing it as simply “lending her womb” to Ryan. Sienna never liked me touching her much, nor did she care for children. She claimed they were naturally mischievous, noisy, and hard to raise. But recently, I noticed her frequently researching pregnancy preparations. She even stayed up late making two checklists: one for a hospital go-bag for expectant mothers, the other for newborn essentials. My heart had soared then, but now I saw it clearly. All these preparations were for the child she was carrying – Ryan’s child. Sienna came home unusually early tonight. I checked the time; it was only 9 PM. She usually wasn’t back until late. She called my name once. I lay in the bedroom and didn’t answer. She didn’t push it. Soon, the sound of the shower started. After she finished, she slipped quietly into the bedroom without turning on the lights and lay down gently beside me. I felt a warmth around my waist – the first time she had ever initiated an embrace. She pressed against my chest, her voice soft, pleading, “Honey, there’s really nothing going on between him and me. I’m just doing him a favor so he can have a child. Ryan has always wanted a kid. I promise, once the baby is born, I’ll cut ties with him completely.” I didn’t say anything. I just gently removed her arm from around me and shifted away silently. Sensing my coldness, she immediately bristled, her voice rising. “I’ve already humbled myself asking you like this, what more do you want?” “Don’t forget, you were the one who said you didn’t care about my past, that you just wanted to be with me.” “Can you stop being so petty? I could have hidden this from you, but out of respect, I told you the truth. And this is how you react? You’re really letting me down.” I let out a cold snort. “How were you planning to hide it? Wait until you started showing and then tell me the baby was mine?” “Sienna, do I look like a total idiot to you?” “Ethan Cole, Ryan is my best friend in the whole world! I was just helping him out. Do you have to be so relentless about this?!” She vented her frustrations in a rush, finally throwing out, “You need to think long and hard about how I’ve been treating you lately. I know you want a child too. After this baby is born, I’ll have one with you.” “Forget it. I’ll sleep in the guest room tonight.” With that, the door slammed shut. I couldn’t help but laugh bitterly – laughing at the tragedy of my marriage, laughing at how blind I’d been. In her eyes, apologizing to me was a huge favor, one I was obligated to accept. Otherwise, I was the one being unreasonable. She could treat me this way because, ultimately, I had indulged her far too much. So, this was all my own damn fault. 2. I woke up early the next morning to find Sienna already gone. I knew exactly what was happening; she’d been coming and going at odd hours lately. Her assistant, Lisa, called my phone several times, asking where she was. Lisa told me Sienna hadn’t been to her studio recently. Putting two and two together, she could only be with Ryan. I ignored it and went to the hospital to pick up my physical exam results. The doctor said my ulcer needed serious attention, or I might end up needing surgery. Leaving the clinic with the report, I bumped right into Sienna and Ryan. She was leaning against him, looking utterly dependent, while Ryan held several report forms. Seeing me, Sienna’s face hardened. “Are you following me?” I didn’t bother responding to her, looking straight at Ryan instead. His eyes flickered away nervously as he tried to change the subject. He feigned annoyance, pinching Sienna’s cheek lightly. “How can you say that? Ethan isn’t that kind of person. He knows there’s nothing between us.” Ryan’s words sounded like he was trying to smooth things over, but he was actually putting the ball in my court. I forced a smile. “Yeah, why would I follow you two? Just a happy couple here for a prenatal checkup.” Sienna flared up at that, shoving me hard. “What the hell is that supposed to mean! I only see Ryan as a brother.” I hadn’t eaten breakfast, and my stomach was cramping painfully. I didn’t notice the chair behind me and stumbled, falling to the ground. Ryan immediately pretended to help me up, muttering reproaches at Sienna, but his eyes held a clear look of provocation. Disgusted, I pushed him away, trying to stand on my own. Incredibly, he used the momentum to bump into Sienna behind him. Sienna instantly clutched her stomach protectively, yelling at me, “Ethan Cole! If anything happens to this baby, I will never forgive you!” I stood frozen, watching my wife scream at me over a child she was carrying for another man. A wave of desolation washed over me. Never before had I felt so grateful that Sienna had chosen to abort our child. How could someone who didn’t even love her own husband possibly love their child? Back home, I habitually picked up my phone to scroll through my feed. Right away, I saw Ryan’s latest post: a profile shot of Sienna, tenderly stroking her belly. The caption read: “Mine.” In the comments, Sienna’s friends chimed in. Ashley Young teased, “That side profile doesn’t look like your wife!” Chloe Jones joked, “Oh, back together with the dream guy, huh?” Lily Frost was more direct: “Ooh~ Now I get it. So the baby mama was here all along. Congrats, congrats!” Then, Sienna herself commented to clarify: “Don’t joke around like that. I’m just helping out. If you guys keep this up, my husband might get the wrong idea.” Her friends immediately understood, replying with “Got it,” “Understood.” But Ashley was an exception. She shot back: “Afraid of what? Why keep a petty guy like that anyway? Better off divorced. You and Ryan have been through so much for years, everyone sees how you feel. Just follow your heart!” Ashley always had it out for me, thinking I wasn’t good enough for Sienna compared to Ryan. Not as handsome, not as educated, not as charming. Honestly, I’d put up with it for years for Sienna’s sake. But now, with our marriage at its end, I didn’t need to protect anyone’s feelings anymore. So, I replied directly under Ashley’s comment: “Yeah, we’re getting divorced soon. Thanks for worrying about Sienna all these years.” After posting that, I went to my own profile and selected two photos: One was the divorce agreement. The other was the record of Sienna’s abortion procedure. I added a simple caption: “Finally free.” 3. My post immediately garnered likes and comments. Sienna’s friends were silent. They tactfully chose to ignore it, but I knew they were probably congratulating Sienna on escaping her miserable marriage. Then my phone started ringing off the hook. My parents, Sienna’s parents – everyone was calling to ask what was going on. Sienna herself frantically dialed my number, but I didn’t pick up. I just sent a quick text to my parents: “Coming home tonight. We’ll talk then.” I quickly packed my bags. As I was heading out, Sienna drove up, just returning. Furious, she got out of the car and stormed towards me, demanding loudly: “Ethan Cole, how could you divorce me over such a small thing and plaster it all over the internet!” “Do you have any idea how my parents called me, asking what happened, why I aborted the baby! Have you ever respected me at all?!” Her barrage of accusations nauseated me, but arguing was pointless now. Ignoring her anger, I picked up my suitcase and walked down the steps towards the gate. She suddenly lunged forward, blocking my path. “Does it have to be this way?” she pleaded frantically. “I told you I’d cut ties with him after the baby’s born! I’ve already bent over backward for you, what more do you want?” Her selfish words echoed in my ears, pushing me past my limit. I swung my hand back and slapped her hard across the face. “Sienna, you ask if I’ve respected you? Have you ever respected me? You aborted our child to carry one for Ryan.” “I am your legal husband, the father of that child, yet I had no right to know. Did you respect me then?” “Don’t let me stand in the way of your true love. Ashley’s right, you should follow your heart.” “A petty man like me isn’t right for you. Go find someone who can tolerate everything about you.” “I’ve already emailed you the electronic version of the divorce papers. Remember to sign.” With that, I stepped around her, pushed open the gate, and walked away. She yelled desperately after me, “You’ll regret leaving!” How could I regret it? This whole ordeal had finally woken me up. Leaving her would only make my life better. Back at my parents’ house, they anxiously asked about the divorce the moment they saw me. My mom’s eyes were red; she had clearly been crying. I told them everything – about Sienna aborting our child and then carrying one for Ryan. My mom pulled me into a hug, her voice thick with sympathy. “I told you from the start she wasn’t reliable.” My dad, after a moment of silence, said firmly, “Divorcing her is the right thing to do.” Truthfully, my parents had always had reservations about Sienna, feeling she wasn’t genuine with me. But I hadn’t listened back then. I’d chased her for five or six years, and finally getting together felt like a victory. I thought time would prove everything. Turns out, I was wrong. The marriage finally ended. It took me nearly ten years to understand that forced happiness isn’t sweet. After waiting a long time, Sienna still wouldn’t sign the divorce papers. Only when I threatened legal action did she finally respond, saying she would meet me and make Ashley and the others apologize. Her text message radiated exhaustion: “I’ll come pick you up with Ryan tomorrow. I’ll make Ashley and the others apologize to you. Can you please stop making things difficult for me? It’s so hard. Both you and Ryan put me in such an awkward position.” “I apologize to you. You know I’m someone who keeps my promises. I promised Ryan I’d help him, I can’t just abort the baby now.” “He also told me that once the baby is born, he won’t bother us anymore. It’s just that during this time, he kept saying he wanted to accompany me to the prenatal checkups. After all, I am doing him a big favor.” “Actually, his wife was supposed to go with me, but she’s not around lately. So, Ethan, please try to understand.” 4. She always claimed she didn’t know who to choose between Ryan and me, but her actions repeatedly showed that Ryan was always her priority. On our wedding day, she ditched me to comfort Ryan, who was arguing with his wife. On our anniversary, she ignored me because Ryan was afraid of thunderstorms. On my birthday, she went to celebrate Ryan’s. During holidays, she bought two sets of gifts – one for me, one for Ryan. It seemed fair on the surface, but it was utterly ridiculous. I expressed my dissatisfaction many times. She always promised to change but inevitably repeated her mistakes, even accusing me of being too sensitive. Looking back, the happiest moment between us was the day I proposed. On Skyline View Point, high above the city, under a sky full of stars, I planned a proposal just for us. That moment, the way she looked at me was filled with love, her vows warm and sincere. But now, everything had changed. When Sienna didn’t get a reply from me, she called directly. “Ryan has already booked the restaurant. Everyone’s coming to apologize to you. Don’t be angry anymore.” I responded calmly, “Will Ryan be there too?” “Yes, he’ll be there.” “Okay, come pick me up tomorrow.” If the apology was only for me, what was the point? Sienna’s car pulled up downstairs. When the window rolled down, Ryan was in the driver’s seat. He gave me a slightly apologetic smile. “Ethan, sorry about this. Sienna’s pregnant, so she can’t drive. I drove instead.” I smiled back. “No problem, I understand.” Previously, this would have bothered me, but now, whatever Sienna and Ryan did, I wouldn’t easily get upset anymore. Truth be told, even if Sienna had been driving, the passenger seat wouldn’t have been mine. At the restaurant, Sienna’s friends were already seated, waiting for the three of us. Ashley came over, greeted me, and insisted I sit next to her. “Ethan, sit here. I need to properly apologize to you later.” Her tone sounded more like a warning than an apology. Once everyone was settled, Ashley poured me a glass of wine first, saying it was her penalty. She downed it in one gulp, then began her “apology.” “Ethan, I’m a straightforward person, don’t take it personally. I used to think you weren’t good enough for my best friend.” “But since Sienna is still willing to be with you, then today, for her sake, I’ll apologize.” She poured another glass, held it towards me, and said, “This one is a sincere apology. I misspoke that day. I’m sorry.” As soon as she finished, Sienna’s other friends quickly followed suit with their apologies. Sienna, seeing the atmosphere easing, quickly encouraged everyone to start eating, trying to lighten the mood. But suddenly, Ryan raised his glass of fruit wine, stood up, and addressed me: “Ethan, I also need to say sorry. Sienna cares too much about me, and it’s caused you a lot of grief.” Sienna immediately pulled Ryan back down into his seat. “It’s not your fault, you don’t need to apologize.” Then she turned to me, looking earnest. “I’m sorry. I failed to handle this relationship properly.” I chuckled. “It’s okay. Actually, there’s someone else who’d like to hear your apologies too.” Just as I finished speaking, the door swung open, and a woman in high heels walked in. Ryan instantly panicked.

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On my deathbed, my husband, who had supposedly been “dead for years,” strolled in with his young, beautiful mistress, just to gloat. “Sarah, thanks for paying off all my debts. Allowed me to live it up overseas all these years, you know?” My chest flared with pain. Kevin Davis coolly yanked out my oxygen tube. “Honey, legally, I’m still your husband. So, all your assets? I’ll gladly take them off your hands.” Kevin watched coldly as I took my last breath. I closed my eyes, filled with regret. When I opened them again, I was back on the day my husband faked his death. 1 “Mrs. Davis, please accept my condolences.” Dr. Miller’s voice was low, trying to comfort me. I stared blankly at the figure covered by a white sheet, my mind still foggy. I glanced up at the digital clock on the wall. Somehow, I was back fifteen years in the past! The day Kevin supposedly killed himself! In my past life, Kevin had racked up enormous gambling debts and borrowed heavily from loan sharks. To protect his reputation as a respected teacher, he left a suicide note and staged his death. But even after he “died,” the creditors didn’t stop chasing the debt. To preserve my husband’s lifelong reputation and shield our family from harassment, I took on his burden. I sold both our houses, worked three jobs a day, pinched every penny. After ten long, hard years, I finally paid off the millions he owed. But the toil destroyed my health. At only fifty, I collapsed. As I lay dying, Kevin reappeared. He’d been living comfortably abroad, dodging his debts. The first thing he did upon returning was pull my oxygen tube to inherit my estate! Now, I’m reborn. And I’m going to watch you, you deadbeat scumbag, go straight to hell! 2 My thoughts snapped back to the present. I gathered my emotions, let out a loud wail, and threw myself onto Kevin’s body. “Honey! Don’t leave me!” I sobbed, pounding on Kevin’s “corpse.” I used about ninety percent of my strength, hitting him with solid thuds. Since Kevin was faking death, he obviously couldn’t move. Dr. Miller couldn’t stand it anymore and pulled me up. “Mrs. Davis, please calm down. You can’t bring him back.” I looked at Dr. Miller’s pudgy face, a fire igniting inside me. Kevin couldn’t have faked his death without help. That accomplice had to be the attending physician who declared him dead. Last time, I was too overwhelmed with grief, letting this doctor wheel the supposed body into the morgue. My mother-in-law handled the arrangements; I never even saw Kevin cremated. I just numbly accepted he was gone. It seemed I was the only one they kept in the dark. Fine. This time, I’ll settle the score with both of you! 3 I gathered all my strength and slapped Dr. Miller hard across the face. He was stunned. I howled uncontrollably: “Why? My husband was such a good man! Why couldn’t you save him?!” Like a madwoman, I grabbed Dr. Miller’s collar and started punching and kicking him. In the chaos, I managed to land a few more solid hits on Kevin. “Mrs. Davis, Mrs. Davis, calm down! I understand how you feel, but we need to take Mr. Davis to the morgue now,” Dr. Miller stammered, rubbing his already swelling cheek. I fell silent, staring at Dr. Miller, and said coolly: “Okay. I’ll go with you.” Dr. Miller hadn’t expected this request and looked hesitant. “Mrs. Davis, according to regulations, unauthorized personnel are not allowed in the hospital morgue.” I changed tactics: “Fine, then I’ll stay here with him. Kevin always hated the cold. I can’t bear the thought of him lying in one of those cold drawers.” Dr. Miller looked troubled. My actions were clearly throwing a wrench in their plans. “Mrs. Davis, it’s hot weather now. If Mr. Davis isn’t taken to the morgue, the body will start to decompose quickly.” I replied firmly: “I don’t care.” Dr. Miller grew anxious. But no matter how he tried to persuade me, I refused to leave Kevin’s side. Sweat beaded on Dr. Miller’s forehead. My lack of cooperation was making things difficult for him. He quietly slipped out of the room and made a hushed phone call. I sat silently by the bedside. The thought of Kevin lying under that white sheet, enduring this minute by minute, almost made me laugh. Twenty minutes later, my mother-in-law, Brenda Davis, burst in like a storm. “You jinx! Are you trying to stop my son from resting in peace?” Brenda pointed a finger right at my nose and started yelling. I looked coldly at her fierce, unpleasant face. In my past life, Brenda conspired with Kevin to deceive me, happily living off my hard work. This time, I wouldn’t be so weak. 4 “A jinx? Dad died young; does that make you a jinx too?” My sharp retort left Brenda momentarily speechless. “I don’t care! You can’t stop my son from finding peace!” Brenda moved to push the gurney. I stood in front of it, staring coldly at her. “Oh, God help me! My son just died, and now my daughter-in-law is trying to drive this old woman to her grave!” Brenda plopped down on the floor, slapping her thighs and wailing accusations at me like a common thug. A crowd began to gather, but I remained calm. “This woman! She deliberately wants to keep my son from being buried properly! She wants him to be a wandering ghost, unable to move on!” Brenda got more dramatic, playing to the onlookers. She accused me of being lazy, mooching off them, and bullying her. The bystanders started giving me suspicious looks. I didn’t rush. Copying Brenda, I sat down on the floor and started wiping away tears. “Mom, oh Mom! I married into your family five years ago. I worked tirelessly, taking care of both of you. Look at your hands, so white and soft. Not like mine, dark and rough.” I cried while holding up Brenda’s hand. Facts speak louder than words. Brenda’s hands clearly hadn’t seen a day of hard work. She was plump, well-dressed, a large gold bracelet gleaming on her wrist. I, on the other hand, wore simple clothes and looked haggard. Hardly the image of a domineering, cruel daughter-in-law. Brenda was thrown off by my tactic. “You brat! What nonsense are you spouting?” Brenda pointed at me, yelling. I pretended to be terrified, covering my head and screaming: “Don’t hit me!” My sleeve slid down, revealing the crisscrossed scars on my arm. Seeing this, the crowd immediately turned on Brenda. “Looks more like you’ve been bullying your daughter-in-law, doesn’t it?” “Yeah, you look well-fed, unlike her. She’s so thin, clearly been through a lot.” “Are those bruises on her arm? Should we call the police?” The accusations and criticism rained down on Brenda. She was furious, yelling at the crowd: “Get lost! Mind your own business! This is family stuff!” Brenda stood with her hands on her hips, ready to argue with everyone. And now, it was time for my next move. 5 “Excuse me, are you Mrs. Davis?” Several people in uniforms entered the room. The room instantly fell silent. I wiped my tears and shook their hands. “Yes, I’m Sarah Davis, Kevin Davis’s wife.” “Who are they?” Brenda eyed the newcomers warily. “Oh, they’re from the organ donation center. They’re here to help Kevin fulfill his final wish,” I said casually. “What organ donation? What are you trying to do?” Brenda raised her voice, blocking the gurney. “You know, donating his corneas, heart, liver… to save other people in need!” I explained calmly. Brenda panicked. She stood protectively in front of Kevin, shouting her refusal: “His body is sacred! It came from his parents! I don’t agree!” “Mom, you can’t ignore Kevin’s wishes! He always wanted to contribute to society!” I said righteously. To prove my point, I pulled out the organ donor registration document Kevin had signed from my phone. Thanks to Kevin’s hypocritical nature, always trying to build a saintly image at work, he had actually signed up for organ donation years ago. Brenda’s face flushed red, but she still wouldn’t let anyone near Kevin. Beside her, Dr. Miller was sweating bullets. If Kevin’s fake death was exposed, he’d be the first one to go down. To make it even harder for them to back down, I had another card up my sleeve. 6 “Make way! Is the hero donating all his organs in this room?” A swarm of reporters pushed into the already crowded, small hospital room. “Who are you people?” Brenda was on the verge of tears. “Ma’am, hello, we’re reporters from the local TV station. We heard that a hero’s family wishes to donate their deceased relative’s organs, and we came to cover the story,” a reporter answered with a smile. Brenda was dumbfounded. As the grieving widow, it was naturally my place to take charge. “Everyone, my husband, Kevin Davis, was a middle school teacher. He dedicated his life to educating others and was a man of great integrity. It was my husband’s wish to donate his organs. As his wife, I certainly won’t disappoint him. I have decided to donate all of my husband Kevin’s organs!” My passionate speech earned a round of applause. Camera flashes went off nonstop. Hearing the news, Kevin’s school principal and other administrators also arrived. They wouldn’t miss an opportunity that brought positive attention to the school. The situation had reached its peak. 7 “No!” Brenda clung desperately to the gurney, refusing to let anyone touch her son. “Ma’am, your son contributing to society is a noble act!” People in the crowd tried to persuade Brenda. Seeing that he was about to be taken away for dissection, Kevin finally couldn’t hold it in any longer. “I don’t agree!” Kevin’s sudden resurrection startled many people. “What’s going on?!” The reporters, though experienced, were visibly shocked, but their cameras remained steady. “Kevin! You!” My eyes widened as I pointed at Kevin in feigned shock. Kevin looked furious, glaring daggers at me. “Why aren’t you dead?” Angry and desperate, I slapped Kevin across the face. “How dare you lie to me?” I screamed, seemingly devastated. Kevin awkwardly shielded his face, growling at the reporters: “Stop filming!” But how could reporters pass up such a bizarre story? The scene descended into chaos. A man declared dead suddenly comes back to life! It was undeniably huge news. “Kevin, you… how?” Even the school officials were too stunned to speak coherently. Kevin frowned, stammering nonsensically. As people grasped the situation, they turned on Kevin with angry shouts. “This guy faked his own death to scam his wife! What was he planning?” “His mother must have been in on it too! Poor wife, kept completely in the dark.” “I bet he was planning to run off with money! What a terrible thing to do to his wife!” Kevin wished the ground would swallow him whole. He wanted to run, but the thick crowd blocked any escape. I smiled faintly. Was it over already? Not quite. 8 “Well, well, what’s all the commotion here?” Several menacing men, arms covered in tattoos, pushed their way into the room. Seeing them, Kevin’s face instantly turned deathly pale. “Kevin, pal. You were supposed to pay the interest. What’re you doing in the hospital?” One of the large men clapped Kevin on the shoulder with a humorless grin. Kevin actually collapsed onto the gurney bed. “Who… who are you people?” I timidly stepped forward. The big guy, dangling a cigarette from his lips, said casually: “You must be Mrs. Davis, right? Your husband, Kevin, did some gambling on our turf. Long story short, he owes a bit of money. Borrowed quite a chunk from my associates too. Payment’s been overdue for a few days now.” Kevin hung his head, silent. I looked around at the gawking crowd and the filming reporters, then asked directly: “How much does my husband owe you?” The big man waved his hand dismissively: “Not much. Just over a million bucks.” “Whoa!”

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After being framed for kidnapping a child, my own husband sent me to prison. The day after I went in, he started spending every night screwing his old flame in my bed. Three years of hell turned me numb. When I got out, I was forced to live with a dog and give up my parents’ inheritance. Finally, I signed the divorce papers, just begging him to leave me alone. But then he went crazy, regretting everything, kneeling at my feet, pleading: “I was wrong, I sent that woman to prison, please forgive me, okay?” 1 “Inmate 1556, you’re clear for release.” The guard’s loud voice snapped me out of my daze. Three years behind bars had drained the life out of me, leaving me numb to almost everything. Even seeing Ethan Hayes, my husband, waiting for me—the first time in three years—didn’t stir the intense emotions I used to feel. Seeing me just standing there, dazedly, Ethan frowned impatiently, then rolled down the window and barked. “What? Didn’t three years in prison teach you anything? Do I have to get out and open the door for you?” That familiar tone sent a pang through my long-dormant heart. I quickly reached for the passenger door handle, but he snapped again. “Get in the back.” Stumbling, I opened the rear door, only then noticing the cute little charms hanging from the rearview mirror and dashboard. Ethan always hated childish things like that; anything I ever put up got thrown out. But these were carefully placed. I didn’t even need to guess who they belonged to. Sure enough, a familiar face turned around from the passenger seat, greeting me brightly. “Ava, long time no see!” It was Chloe Vance, Ethan’s old flame. I didn’t answer, just gave her a blank nod. The next second, Ethan suddenly turned, reaching towards me. Instinctively, I covered my head and curled up. “I’m sorry!” Ethan paused. “What the hell are you doing?” I looked up and saw he was just grabbing a water bottle from the back seat. It hit me then—I might be out of that hellhole, but my mind was still trapped there. Ethan scoffed. “Looks like Chloe was right. Trash like you who kidnaps kids really does learn to obey in prison, hahaha.” “Look at you, like a kicked dog. Did they make you bark in there? Did you go ‘woof woof’?” I didn’t argue. Prison is a concentration of malice. I was nearly beaten to death on my first day. Initially, I tried asking the guards for help, but all I got were disgusted looks. Sometimes, they even deliberately covered for the inmates. Before I was arrested, I knew my alleged crime would make me a target inside. But I never expected the prison system itself seemed designed to destroy me. Daily beatings, moved to a new cell block every other week to be tormented by fresh faces. Once, when I was seriously injured and sent to the infirmary, the doctor pressed down hard on my wounds while sneering and pouring alcohol. So, survival meant adopting the most subservient attitude possible. It wasn’t learning to be like a dog; it was being less than a dog. Seeing my lack of response, the contempt in Ethan’s eyes deepened. Chloe quickly tried to soothe him in a soft voice. “Ethan, honey, don’t be mad. Ava’s been cut off from society for three years, she’s learned her lesson. You’ll just have to guide her back to being a decent person.” “Don’t worry, I’ll help you guide her too. After all, she did genuinely love you and take care of you once. I’ll definitely look out for her, for your sake.” Chloe’s eyes seemed sincere. But Ethan just grabbed the water bottle and threw it, hitting my forehead. “Everything that happened to Ava, she brought on herself! She’s just good at playing the victim to fool soft-hearted people like you!” “Disgusting!” Ethan looked like he wanted to kill me. If I hadn’t supposedly kidnapped Chloe’s cousin at the mall, Chloe wouldn’t have rushed and fallen, injuring her leg. Chloe placated Ethan with a kiss on his cheek. “Don’t be angry, Ethan darling. I’ll always be here with you, facing whatever comes!” “Chloe, it’s so good to have you.” 2 It happened on my birthday. I received a rare text from Ethan, asking me to meet him at a restaurant to celebrate. I was overjoyed. I thought maybe this marriage, which only I seemed committed to, finally had a glimmer of hope. I always knew Ethan didn’t love me. He wouldn’t have married me if it wasn’t to save his family’s struggling business. But that night, he said he had prepared many gifts for me at the restaurant. Yet, as wave after wave of customers left, he still hadn’t shown up. Just then, a little girl came up to me and took my hand. “Miss, I’ll take you to him.” Thinking it was part of Ethan’s surprise, I followed the girl to the mall next door. Soon, sirens wailed. The girl suddenly fell, crying. Before I could even help her up, several police officers tackled me to the ground. When I saw Ethan arrive, I desperately pleaded for him to save me. But my frantic explanations were no match for Chloe’s choked words. “Ava, I know you’re jealous of my relationship with Ethan and always wanted revenge on me.” “But if you have a problem, take it out on me! My cousin is just a child!” Coupled with the girl’s terrified crying, I was suddenly accused of child abduction, completely bewildered. The hand I reached out to Ethan was flung away with disgust. “Ava, she’s only six! Can she lie? You are truly vicious!” And then, Ethan personally handed me over to the police. Later, when even the judge handling the case expressed doubts, it was Ethan who hired the best lawyer in the country to convince the judge to convict me. All of it, just to please his old flame. The car gradually entered the city limits and stopped at the old family house. This mansion, originally mine, had been transferred to Ethan’s name the day before I went to prison. The butler hesitated as he walked ahead of me. As much as he wanted to talk to me, he had to watch Ethan’s expression; Ethan was the master of the house now. Not long ago, a maid was fired just because she couldn’t style Chloe’s hair exactly the way she liked. Ethan not only fired her but also ruined her career, blacklisting her in the industry. “Miss Ava, you’ve suffered terribly.” While Ethan and Chloe went upstairs to change, the old butler quickly pulled me aside and pressed an envelope into my hand. I looked up, surprised. “Miss Ava, if it weren’t for you back then, my grandson might not be here today. He’s doing well now. Please take this money.” It was the bank card I had given him before. I clutched it tightly, ultimately pocketing it due to my current desperate situation. Indeed, as long as I was breathing, Ethan would only ever feel disgust towards me. My old room in the house had been converted into a room for Chloe’s pet dog. But he insisted I stay in that room, sharing it with Chloe’s dog. He was humiliating me. What he didn’t know was that even sharing a room with a dog was far better than the conditions I’d endured for the past three years. He wrapped his arm around Chloe’s waist, his eyes full of disdain for me. “Chloe’s and my room is right next door. You’ll stay here tonight. Behave yourself. Don’t you dare disturb our rest.” “And if you hear anything, don’t get any funny ideas, understand?” “Ava, you need to recognize your place now. You have absolutely no right to say no.” He looked at me like I was a dangerous criminal. But when he looked at Chloe, his eyes were always overflowing with affection. Watching him hold Chloe tight, for the first time, my heart felt no trace of bitterness. After all, I had already decided to divorce him. My love for him had died during those three years. 3 That night, I couldn’t sleep. Besides the dog whining, there were the low moans of Ethan and Chloe making love next door. They sounded like wild animals, unleashing buried desires in the dead of night. “Ethan honey, now that Ava’s back, does that mean I can’t stay here anymore?” “But I want to be with you forever. I want you to be the first thing I see when I wake up every day!” Her words, practically a confession of love, hit Ethan hard. He had waited so long to hear this. “Chloe, I feel the exact same way.” “Thank god, thank god I finally have your answer.” This was a message for me. A reminder that they were the perfectly matched pair in this world. And I was just an intruder, an invader. “But Ethan darling, what if Ava forces you to kick me out?” “Her? Dare she? She barely dares to speak loudly to me. You know how she kisses my ass.” “In Ava’s mind, I’m more important than her own life.” The next morning, I knocked on their bedroom door. Thanks to my old phone still working, I had prepared the divorce agreement overnight. As if deliberately trying to provoke me, Ethan opened the door shirtless. His body was covered in love bites and scratches. He held his head high, eyes dripping with scorn. “What do you want?” I silently averted my gaze and handed him the papers. “To divorce you.” Ethan laughed out loud, absurdly, as if he’d heard the world’s biggest joke. “You?” “Divorcing me?” He looked down on me, his tone full of disbelief. “Ava, don’t you know that divorce is something only I get to initiate?” Chloe emerged from behind him, throwing herself into Ethan’s arms. They ignored me, getting intimate right in front of me, leaving me standing there. The sounds of heavy breathing started again, like two animals constantly in heat. After a long while, Ethan finally spared me a sliver of his attention. “Fine, if you want a divorce, it’s not impossible.” “Ava, kneel and beg me.” I froze. I didn’t understand. He had the woman he loved by his side now, why deliberately make things difficult? Shouldn’t he, like me, want to end this marriage as soon as possible? Seeing my prolonged silence, Ethan sneered. “I knew it. This is just another one of your manipulative little dramas.” “Hearing me with another woman every night got to you, didn’t it? If you can’t stand it, move out! Don’t put on an act in front of me.” “Let’s see where you can possibly go once you leave me.” His overwhelming confidence crushed my self-esteem into dust. “Do you really… hate me that much?” I subconsciously voiced the question that had haunted me for three years. Ethan nodded without hesitation. “Of course. Just looking at you makes me sick.” I took a deep breath and pulled the divorce papers back. Pulling back the last shred of illusion I had about him. 4 The company my parents left me before they died… I had already transferred most of the shares to Ethan when we got married. Later, because of my sudden imprisonment, only one of the original senior executives remained. I didn’t know if the others quit on their own or if Ethan forced them out one by one. It wasn’t until he heard me personally say the word “divorce” that the remaining executive finally laughed with relief. “Ava, I stayed at the company all this time just waiting for you to come back! Thank goodness you’ve finally come to your senses. Don’t worry, this time I’ll do whatever it takes to get back what’s yours.” “Including your reputation.” Three years ago, when they framed me, I still clung to the fantasy that Ethan would save me. If I had used every means possible back then to prove my innocence, maybe I wouldn’t have ended up in such a wretched state. But that kind of clarity… Only dawned on me after three years of being emotionally stripped bare by love. Thanks to the butler’s bank card, I rented a small apartment outside the estate. When Ethan realized I wasn’t just putting on an act, a rare hint of panic flickered across his face. “Ava, what do you mean by this?” “Why are you still so manipulative? You have a home, why run off like this? Just to make sure everyone knows I drove you out?” I quietly finished packing my things before turning to address him. “Having a child kidnapper in the house… don’t you find it unlucky?” “After all, I’m the criminal you so righteously handed over yourself.” The moment the words left my mouth, Ethan slammed his fist against the wall, radiating a terrifying aura. Seeing this, Chloe rushed over, tenderly rubbing Ethan’s reddened knuckles. “Ethan, honey, don’t be angry with Ava.” “Maybe Ava just realizes the terrible things she did before, so she doesn’t dare stay near you anymore.” “Why don’t you just agree to the divorce? Out of sight, out of mind, for your own peace.” Chloe whispered softly in Ethan’s ear. One sentence after another, like brainwashing. Persuaded by the woman he adored, Ethan finally relented. He suppressed whatever fleeting unease or anger he felt, reverting to his usual look of disgust towards me. “Chloe’s right. Ava, I agree to divorce you.” “Hurry up and give me the papers. I’ll generously give you some assets, then disappear from this city. Saves me the nausea of looking at you.” His tone was as arrogant as ever. He seemed to assume I would obey him like I always used to, holding out his hand, waiting for me to place the divorce agreement in it. I stared at him for a moment.

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Every time my wife and I fought, she’d buy me a luxury watch. By the time I had collected 99 of them, I decided I couldn’t accept any more, and I asked her for a divorce. It all kicked off one night last fall, sparked by a social media post from my wife’s assistant. “This holiday night, spending it with you, finally feels like home~” The picture showed him at a fancy rooftop garden restaurant. Leaning against him was a woman, half her face hidden in shadow, but her distinct collarbone and the faint hickey on her neck screamed intimacy. Alex then commented: “The boss looks amazing. My Venus.” I glanced at the message Amanda had sent just minutes before, saying she was working late. A faint smile touched my lips as I replied in the comments: “Her technique’s even better.” Shortly after, Alex called, his voice laced with faux injury, explaining it was just some quote he found online, nothing more. Amanda snatched the phone, her voice dripping with sarcasm towards me: “We just grabbed dinner after working late, what’s your problem? Do you have any idea how Alex felt when you said that publicly?” Then, her tone softened towards Alex: “Don’t take it personally. He watches too many trashy romance dramas; thinks everyone’s a rival.” The line went dead. The next day, Amanda came home, and with her, another watch box. This one contained a green watch. “Honey, please forgive me. What I said last night was just to save face.” Staring at the drawer overflowing with expensive watches, I gently shook my head. I had loved her for seven years. I had forgiven her ninety-nine times. This time, I was letting go. 1 When Amanda got home, I was digging into a special extra-spicy, loaded-with-peppers hot pot I’d made just for myself. She never touched spicy food, so for seven years, chili peppers had been banished from our dining table. Amanda walked straight over, grabbed my personal hot pot without a word, and dumped it down the toilet. “I’m allergic to peppers, did you forget?” She then handed me an elegant gift box. “Alex picked it out. As an apology from him. Seriously, look at what you said last night. He’s so much more considerate than you are. You’re older than him, his senior; can’t you be a little more magnanimous?” I didn’t move an inch. She nudged me. “Are you listening to me? Why are you being so petty?” As she spoke, she noticed my eyes watering – from the intense spice – and looked slightly flustered. She mumbled something about getting tissues, but I stopped her. “Don’t bother. I’m going to take a shower.” I went to wash up, avoiding her. When I came out, she was surprisingly still there. Amanda sat on the sofa, the gift box on the table. She seemed calmer. “Honey, I lost my temper earlier. Come see the gift we picked out for you.” Amanda eagerly tore open the packaging, but froze when she saw the color. “Why is it green…” Her words trailed off, a flicker of guilt crossing her face. She quickly forced a smile and tried to explain, “Honey, forgive me. What I said last night was just to keep up appearances.” The excuse felt incredibly flimsy. I didn’t bother looking closely. I ran a hand through my hair, about to bring up the divorce. Just then, her phone rang. She glanced at the screen and immediately answered. “What’s wrong?” Alex’s voice came through, choked with tears. “Amanda, my stomach hurts so bad, and I can’t get a cab to the hospital.” Amanda’s expression turned grave instantly. Without even a glance my way, she grabbed her coat and rushed out the door. I stood there, stunned. A few minutes later, a voice message arrived from her. “You have to accept that watch. Otherwise, Alex will feel terrible, and it’ll affect his work.” I didn’t reply. She sent another. “I’ll be back soon.” The sound of speeding cars bled through the background noise. I didn’t need to guess. She was racing to Alex’s side as fast as she could. 2 After Amanda left, she never came back that night. I waited from late evening until dawn. Nothing. That night, the emotional turmoil triggered a severe angina attack. I was rushed to the emergency room. I tried calling Amanda, but her line was constantly busy. Just as I was about to give up, a notification popped up. Alex had updated his social media status. He shared a photo of himself getting an IV drip, captioned: “Looked into your eyes, knew you were the one. Watching over me through the night, by my side in my toughest moment. Boss, how can I ever repay this kindness? How about… with myself?” The message oozed gratitude and adoration for Amanda. Right below it, a comment from someone apparently working at the hospital: “OMG, I work here! Just snapped this on the sly, totally explosive!” The attached picture showed a frail-looking Alex, with Amanda standing by his bedside, his arms wrapped tightly around her waist. It looked like a poignant movie scene. Another candid shot showed Amanda watching over Alex’s bed, her eyes filled with a tenderness and concern directed solely at him. Even though I should have been used to it, my heart clenched painfully. Almost involuntarily, I dialed Amanda’s number. “Let’s get a divorce,” I said curtly and hung up. I used to be skeptical about the “seven-year itch,” but right then, I had to admit it was real. The exhaustion and disappointment had completely drained my will to continue. My angina attack was brought under control quickly, and I was discharged soon after. Dragging myself home, I had barely stepped inside when Amanda confronted me, furious. “What stunt are you pulling now? Can’t you stop being so unreasonable? He was really sick, shouldn’t I have taken care of him?” “I just had a severe angina attack. I almost died.” I cut her off coldly, my eyes devoid of any warmth. Hearing this, Amanda’s face went deathly pale, her eyes wide with disbelief. She froze, speechless for a long moment. 3 To the outside world, Amanda and I were the picture-perfect couple. Amanda wanted to be childfree, and because I loved her, I respected her decision without argument. So, for seven years, we never had children of our own. Until recently. One night, Amanda came home drunk after a work function. As I helped her onto the bed, she suddenly threw her arms around my neck, her eyes hazy. “Honey, let’s have a baby…” Then she passed out. I carefully removed her makeup and changed her clothes. I thought she genuinely wanted a child with me. I thought she still loved me. Until… Three days prior, my sudden angina attack landed me in the ER. The feeling of being pulled back from the brink still haunted me. Originally, I had made preparations, even got a full physical. I had planned to spend the holiday weekend with Amanda, tell her I wanted to cherish every day we had together even more. My health check confirmed I could provide my half of a healthy child. But now, none of it mattered. On that autumn night, Amanda spent it with her assistant, Alex, even speaking coldly to me in front of him. What hurt most was that green watch she held – a symbol of betrayal. Her words defending Alex were like sharp knives, cutting into my heart again and again. She knew exactly what the color green implied in certain contexts, yet she went along with Alex’s choice. It was chilling. Amanda stood up angrily, her knuckles white from clenching her fists. But she didn’t ask why I hadn’t told her about my condition sooner. Because she had already chosen to discard me, call after unanswered call. I had given her countless chances, hoping she’d come back to me, but she always chose Alex. “Enough, Ethan!” Her voice was filled with anger and contempt. “You’d make up a lie like that just to get my attention!” She shoved me hard onto the sofa. “You’ve been fine for years, and suddenly, right after I hire an assistant, you have a heart attack? Do you think this is some kind of TV drama?” “When did you become like this? Alex is just my assistant! Is it wrong for me to care about my staff? Can’t you stop being so sensitive, watch fewer of those stupid shows, and stop messing with your head?!” She stormed out, slamming the door behind her. Staring at the closed door, I remembered a text message I’d seen five days earlier. Alex had told Amanda he wanted a child. Amanda had replied to Alex: “Baby, I want a child that belongs to us too.” In that moment, I knew with chilling clarity that she seemed to have completely forgotten the vows we once made together. So, her drunken words that night… they were meant for Alex. I looked at the shut door, no longer feeling the familiar urge to compromise or smooth things over. In our seven years of marriage, I had always been the one trying to hold things together. Today, I was completely disheartened. I thought back over the years. She had once given me ten watches as symbols of love. But since Alex appeared, the subsequent eighty-plus watches felt more like milestones marking their relationship. I clenched my fists, nails digging into my palms, fighting back the pain as I texted my lawyer: “Hello, I need to consult about a divorce. As soon as possible.” 4 For several days, Amanda didn’t come home. On the fourth day, my phone finally rang. Amanda’s voice still held a trace of lingering anger, tinged with coldness and distance. “Come downstairs. My mom wants us to come over for dinner.” Before I could respond, she hung up. My mother-in-law had always been kind to me. No matter how much I resisted going, I had to consider her feelings. When Amanda saw I had made an effort to dress up, a sarcastic smile played on her lips. “Well, look at you, all spruced up. And you tried to tell me you almost died. How ridiculous.” My breath caught. Then I managed a small smile and said softly, “Yeah. Right.” She didn’t press the issue, instead turning on the car’s music system. As the music started, a soft voice alert played. “Your little assistant Alex reminds the dear Mrs. CEO, please enjoy the music, but also drive safely, love you~” Alex’s gentle, slightly magnetic voice echoed in the somewhat awkward silence of the car, making the atmosphere even more charged. In the past, I would have immediately demanded an explanation from Amanda, insisting she justify it. It would have ended in another argument. But now, I chose silence. I just sat there quietly, saying nothing. Amanda seemed to realize her blunder, a flash of embarrassment crossing her face. “…Alex said personalized voice prompts are trendy now, so I had him set one up for me.” I nodded slightly, my expression calm and unreadable. During dinner at her parents’ house, my mother-in-law clearly sensed the strained atmosphere between us, occasionally casting questioning glances our way. As the meal drew to a close, she finally leaned in and asked quietly, “What’s going on with you two? Had a fight?” Amanda laughed lightly, naturally linking her arm through mine. “No, Mom, don’t worry about it.” Her mother immediately relaxed, her face filled with relief. “That’s what I thought! All those online rumors about you and your male assistant being too close are nonsense. My Amanda would never do anything to hurt Ethan!” 5 “News? What news?” Amanda looked puzzled. Her mother glanced at me, paused for a moment, then took out her phone and handed it to her. “This. Everyone online is buzzing about a ‘ManXu’ CP – pairing the CEO and her male assistant.” I caught a glimpse of the phone screen. It was a compilation of photos featuring Amanda and Alex, many taken in settings I’d never seen. For instance, one showed Amanda and Alex painting plaster dolls together in a park. One of those identical cartoon figures sat silently on the nightstand in our bedroom. She had told me it was painted by an employee’s child, and she brought it home because she thought it was cute. Thinking back now, it was just another carefully crafted lie. Amanda took the phone, then grasped my hand to explain, “Those photos were all taken during company events. It’s not like what they’re saying online.” “Alex just graduated; I mentored him closely, like his teacher. It’s natural for him to rely on me. Sometimes, when we spend a lot of time together, he even worries you might misunderstand and tells me I should go home and spend more time with you.” I wasn’t particularly interested in her explanation, just replying flatly, “Mm, I get it.” The tension eased slightly from her face, but then I turned to her mother, my voice firm. “I want a divorce from Amanda.”

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On our third anniversary, Ethan forced me to give blood for his old flame’s dog. The long needle pierced my skin, the suffocating feeling of my blood being drawn making me scream in despair. My life hung by a thread. Meanwhile, Ethan and Olivia were busy planning the dog’s funeral arrangements. He didn’t forget to warn me: “You stay in that room and reflect on what you did, otherwise, forget about marrying me!” After I got out of the hospital, I didn’t hesitate. I called my Aunt Carol and agreed to the match she’d arranged overseas. But Ethan, why are you now frantically searching the world for me, spending nights outside my building, repenting? 1 When I was finally let out of the room I’d been locked in, Ethan was helping Olivia move her things in. Silently, I moved my suitcase into the guest room, leaving the master bedroom for her. Only then did Ethan nod, satisfied. “Locked up for a few days, you finally learned your lesson.” My breath caught, my fingertips trembling uncontrollably. Three days ago was our third anniversary. I had excitedly planned a proposal, only to have Olivia show up unexpectedly and ruin everything. The moment Olivia saw me, she smiled. “Wow, you really do look like me. No wonder Ethan’s with you.” It hit me like lightning – the crushing realization that I was just her replacement. I was so stunned I didn’t even notice when Olivia approached Ethan’s golden retriever, Goldie. She gently stroked Goldie’s fur. “Goldie, Mommy’s home.” But the next second, she plunged a sharp pair of scissors deep into Goldie’s body. The dog died right there in a pool of blood. A few tears from Olivia, and Ethan instantly, furiously decided I was the murderer. That same night, he dragged me to the hospital, practically wanting to drain me dry. “Goldie bled to death. You should feel what Goldie felt!” Ethan’s cold, final words echoed in my ears. The feeling of my blood leaving my body, the suffocation, made me shriek in desperation. I explained, begged, apologized over and over… But it wasn’t enough for him. He locked me, weak from blood loss, in that room, alone with Goldie’s lifeless body, forcing me to repent until I broke down. Whenever exhaustion threatened to pull me under, Ethan would play recordings of Goldie barking, constantly grating on my nerves. For three whole days, every time I closed my eyes, I plunged into agonizing nightmares. Fear and despair washed over me like a flood. While Ethan and Olivia were planning Goldie’s funeral, I dragged my weak body to the hospital. I was so close to death, even the doctors weren’t sure they could save me. After being discharged, I immediately called my Aunt Carol. “Aunt Carol, I’ll do it. I’ll go abroad for the marriage arrangement.” 2 I had two weeks before Aunt Carol would come pick me up to go overseas. I had no choice but to return to that house. As soon as I walked in, Ethan forced me to kneel before Goldie’s urn and repent. Olivia stood nearby, eyes red from crying, mourning Goldie’s tragic end. Then she turned, helped me up, and spoke softly, “Sarah, I was so lost in grief over Goldie the past few days, I couldn’t check on you. You don’t mind, right?” “And Ethan… honestly, locking you in that room with Goldie’s body… that must have been so hard for you.” Ethan sneered, “She brought it on herself!” The whole situation felt utterly absurd, and a wave of fear washed over me. The man I had loved for three years wanted me dead… over a dog! After the memorial, Ethan tossed a necklace at me. “Your third-anniversary gift. Making up for it now.” I looked at the necklace – clearly an accessory matching one of Olivia’s expensive designer bags. I sighed inwardly and didn’t reach for it. Ethan’s face instantly darkened. “Don’t like it? Sarah, don’t be so greedy.” I forced a bitter smile and took the necklace. “I like it. Thank you,” I said calmly. Only then did Ethan look satisfied. He left, taking Olivia out for French food, her favorite. I leaned against the doorframe and slowly sank to the floor, bitter tears escaping the corners of my eyes. Ethan wasn’t always like this. For three years, he had cherished me. If I randomly craved those specific tacos from downtown at 3 AM, Ethan would drive across town without hesitation to get them for me. He never forgot my birthday or any of our anniversaries, always planning surprises weeks in advance. Every payday, he’d transfer his check straight to my account, saying he wanted me to feel completely secure. … Until six months ago. Ethan started coming home late, sometimes not at all. Whenever I called, it went straight to voicemail or was busy. Once, I couldn’t stand it anymore and brought lunch to his office. He casually handed the meal I’d spent hours preparing to his assistant – Olivia. Then he urged her to eat. “You have a sensitive stomach, you need to eat on time.” In that moment, a sense of unease and defensiveness gripped me, especially when Olivia smiled and called me “Sarah, dear.” Her eyes held a clear hint of provocation. I asked around and found out the truth: Olivia was the old flame Ethan could never get over. As soon as she returned to the country, she became his assistant. Feeling insecure and desperate, I planned the proposal on our third anniversary, hoping marriage would tie him down. But Olivia’s words – “You look like her” – shattered everything. Three years as Ethan’s substitute. It was time to face reality. 3 Ethan and Olivia came back very late. The sounds drifting from the living room woke me up. “Ethan, this is so thrilling… Aren’t you afraid your fiancée will find out?” Her breathy moans were unbearable. I clutched the blanket tightly, my lips pressed into a thin line. Then I heard Ethan’s careless reply: “Afraid of what? This is my house, not hers.” “Oh, stop~ Aren’t you worried she’ll break up with you?” Olivia tested. Ethan scoffed, absolutely certain. “She won’t. She loves me way too much. Why would she ever leave me?” “Besides,” he added, his voice laced with contempt, “she has no job, no savings… and let’s be honest, who else would want her now? She’s not exactly untouched. Marrying me is her only option.” “Shh, baby, let’s not talk about unpleasant things. Just enjoy the moment.” … Tears fell like broken pearls until they dried up. The noises from the living room finally stopped. When I woke up the next morning, Ethan and Olivia were gone. I started packing my things and realized how little I actually owned. Everything fit into one suitcase. For Ethan, I had given up the chance to emigrate with my aunt, moving alone to this unfamiliar city. Three years had passed. My aunt, focused on her career, was thriving. Me, focused on finding true love, had failed miserably. I gathered all the gifts Ethan had ever given me. Anything useful, I donated. Anything useless, I threw into the dumpster downstairs. It took several trips up and down before everything was gone. Downstairs, I ran into Ethan again. My first instinct was to run, terrified he’d realize I’d thrown out all his gifts. But he casually took my hand. “What are you doing?” I suppressed my panic. “Just taking out the trash,” I said coolly. Ethan gave a distracted “Mm-hmm,” his eyes glued to his phone. Looked like he and Olivia were arguing again. After a moment, he asked, “What did you say?” “Nothing,” I replied quietly. He still hadn’t heard me. Needing both hands to type, he let go of mine and walked towards the elevator by himself. But then his phone rang. His expression changed drastically when he saw it was Olivia. He hesitated for a few seconds before answering. Olivia’s crying voice came through the receiver: “Ethan, you have to come save me! These business partners are trying to get me drunk…” Before she could even finish, Ethan bolted out the door. 4 After Ethan left, I hailed a cab and went to the bank. I transferred the entire inheritance my parents left me into Ethan’s salary account. It wasn’t a huge amount, but it was enough to cover everything he’d spent on me over the past three years. If I was leaving, I was leaving completely, owing nothing. As for what Ethan owed me… I decided to let it go. After leaving the bank, I got a text from Ethan. He told me to meet him at a hotel restaurant. I hesitated for a few seconds, then changed my route and told the driver to take me there. As I approached the private dining room, I heard people singing “Happy Birthday.” The first thing I saw was Ethan and Olivia locked in a passionate kiss. Olivia was wearing an expensive haute couture dress, a diamond sparkling on her hand. I recognized it. It was the gift Ethan had placed in the crystal cabinet in his study a month ago. At the time, I’d foolishly thought it was a birthday present for me and had been happy for days. Now, it was clear it was always meant for Olivia. Another round of false hope, but this time, it didn’t hurt as much as before. Those three days locked in that room had extinguished any love I had left for Ethan. People in the room looked confused when they saw me enter. A few well-meaning guests even asked if I had the wrong room. A sharp pain twisted in my chest. I looked at Ethan, my gaze complicated. So, after three years together, he had never even mentioned my existence to his friends. To the world, he maintained the image of being single. Ethan frowned, accusatory. “What are you doing here?” I lowered my eyes, speechless. I should have known. In three years, Ethan never initiated plans with me. It was always me taking the first step. Olivia smoothly intervened, “Ethan, I invited Sarah to celebrate my birthday with us. You don’t mind, do you?” Ethan’s expression softened slightly. His cold eyes scanned me before he finally let me sit down. I chose a seat in the furthest corner, watching everyone congratulate Ethan and Olivia, reminiscing about their high school romance. “I remember back in high school, Ethan swore he wouldn’t marry anyone but Olivia. I was so bummed when you two broke up. But look, after all this time, you found your way back to each other! Meant to be! Cheers!” “Yeah, Olivia, you better treasure Ethan! When you went abroad, he was miserable for ages. He dated a few girls afterwards, but they all kinda looked like you!” … My fingertips trembled uncontrollably. Hot tears fell onto my hand. No wonder I chased Ethan for two years and he never agreed. The moment Olivia left, he got together with me. So, it was all just to get back at Olivia. My nails dug deep into my palms, drawing blood. A voice message notification popped up from my aunt. I meant to tap ‘voice-to-text’ but accidentally hit the speaker mode. “Sweetie, it’s your birthday today! Did you have cake? Auntie ordered one for you, celebrate with your friends!” The message played out loud. The room fell silent for a moment, the atmosphere turning awkward. Ethan looked surprised, but mostly angry. “Sarah, what is your problem? You know damn well today is Olivia’s birthday, and you pull this stunt? Who are you trying to disgust?” Ethan lashed out without thinking. Hearing this, I couldn’t help but laugh out loud. My own boyfriend, celebrating his old flame’s birthday on my birthday, and wouldn’t even let someone wish me well. What a prize. “What are you laughing at?” Ethan demanded, annoyed. I looked him straight in the eye, calm, and said, syllable by syllable, “Coward.” Anyone could see the tension between Ethan and me. Combined with the fact that I resembled Olivia, it wasn’t hard to guess I was another one of her stand-ins. Only Ethan refused to acknowledge it. “Sarah, oh, it’s your birthday too? Why didn’t you say so earlier…” Olivia tried her usual tactic, feigning retreat to gain ground. I tilted my head, staring into her eyes. “My birthday. What’s it got to do with you?” Crash! The glass in Ethan’s hand shattered at my feet, sending shards flying, embedding themselves deep into my calf. Blood started flowing freely. “Apologize to Olivia!” Ethan roared. The same rage as the day he locked me in that room. But this time, I wasn’t afraid. I couldn’t wait to get out of this place, out of this city. My feet moved faster than my brain. I bolted for the door. But Olivia suddenly ran to stop me. A piercing scream cut through the room as she crumpled to the floor, her face contorted in pain. My eyelid twitched violently. A wave of unease washed over me. SLAP— Ethan struck me hard across the face. I fell to the ground, watching helplessly as the heel of his leather shoe ground viciously into the back of my hand. Cold sweat broke out all over me from the pain. Ethan didn’t stop until my hand was a bloody mess. “If anything happens to Olivia, I swear I won’t let you off the hook!”

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After I was burned and disfigured saving my husband. Julian Astor held me, sobbing, promising he’d always be good to me. But on our wedding anniversary, his secretary showed up with a baby bump and a diamond ring, demanding I step aside. Julian sent the secretary away and voluntarily got a vasectomy. He even took me to do IVF. Everyone in the city praised Julian as a devoted man who had seen the error of his ways and returned to his love. But on the day our child was set to inherit the family business, the secretary ran in, claiming she was the child’s biological mother. I calmly took a sip of my tea, smiling faintly. “Oh, really? I’m curious to hear how you plan to argue that my son is actually yours.” 1. It was the second year after I was burned and disfigured saving my husband. His secretary, Bianca Thorne, chose Valentine’s Day to flaunt her pregnancy and a diamond ring, trying to force me out. Overwhelmed with despair, I stood on the hospital rooftop, ready to jump. Julian grabbed me, holding me tight. “Chloe! I’ll make Bianca get an abortion immediately and fire her. I’ll never see her again, I swear. Please, don’t leave me!” I looked at him, my voice filled with sorrow. “Julian, your love was the only thing keeping me going. But you don’t love me anymore. I can’t hold on.” “Chloe, you’re the only one I’ve ever truly loved!” Julian knelt before me, tears streaming down his face. “I’ll get a vasectomy tomorrow. Please, give me a chance to make it up to you!” Persuaded by everyone around us, I finally decided to give Julian one more chance. He was ecstatic, hugging me tightly, unwilling to let go. “Chloe, I’ll spend the rest of my life making amends, atoning for what I did. I’ll never betray you again!” “If I ever do, you won’t have to lift a finger—I’ll end it myself!” True to his word, Julian had the vasectomy the next day. He also transferred 10% of the Astor Corp. shares to me as compensation. Then, he took me to start the IVF process. He announced that this child would be the heir to the Astor fortune. Eighteen years flew by. Julian spoiled me rotten, making me the envy of the city’s elite social circle. I thought life would continue like this forever. But the unexpected arrived. On the day our son, Ethan, was to inherit the family business, my husband Julian threw a grand succession ceremony for him. The lawyer read out the share transfer agreement from the board of directors. Julian solemnly handed the corporate seal to Ethan, his eyes full of pride. “Son, the Astor family legacy is in your hands now. You are my only child, my greatest pride!” “Do well. Dad believes in you!” Ethan bowed respectfully to Julian, then looked at me. “Mom, thank you for raising me, for all your effort and sacrifice. I’ve decided to transfer 5% of the company’s shares to you as your birthday gift.” “Quick, come up and sign.” The room erupted in applause. Astor relatives praised me for raising such a filial son. Just as I was about to step onto the stage. A figure rushed past me, grabbing Ethan’s hand, crying hysterically. “Ethan, I’m your real mother! The woman beside you, Chloe Fang, she’s an imposter!” “I’m Bianca Thorne, your father’s secretary. Back then…” Her words hung in the air, and Mr. Astor Sr.’s face turned to ice. Julian hurried to my side, his voice trembling. “Chloe, I haven’t seen Bianca since that incident, believe me!” Ethan, standing on the stage, instantly understood who Bianca was. His face flushed with anger, he slapped Bianca hard across the face. “You shameless, despicable homewrecker! Wasn’t it enough that you tried to destroy my parents’ marriage back then? Now you show up claiming to be my mother?” “Who gave you the nerve, huh?” “My mother is Chloe Fang, from the Fang family!” Bianca clutched her swelling cheek, heartbroken. “Ethan, how could you hit your own mother?” “I really am your mom!” Julian strode forward, pulling the woman away from Ethan, his voice furious. “Bianca, if you’ve lost your mind, go see a doctor! Don’t embarrass yourself here!” “Security! Get her out of…” Julian stopped mid-sentence, staring in shock at the documents Bianca held up. “You… how could you be so vicious… You!” He clutched his chest, collapsing to the ground in pain. “Dad!” Ethan’s expression changed drastically. He rushed to perform first aid. “Dad, what’s wrong? Wake up!” “Don’t worry, sweetie. Your father just needs some time to accept that I’m your mother. He’ll come around,” Bianca said, then shot me a provocative smile. “Chloe Fang, how does it feel? Raising my son for eighteen years, only for me to reap the rewards?” “With the son comes the status. I’ll be the rightful Mrs. Astor now!” “And you? Get ready to be kicked out of the Astor family!” Ethan picked up the scattered documents, his lips trembling violently. “How could this be?” “Bianca secretly swapped my mother’s egg during the IVF?” “My mother is Chloe Fang…” I walked up and took my son’s hand, my voice firm. “Ethan, I am absolutely certain you are my son. The documents Bianca provided…” “The proof is right in front of you, and you still don’t believe it?” Bianca glanced at me scornfully, her tone dripping with mockery. “You got burned saving Julian, had to give up your acting career to be a housewife. Then you schemed to have his child to secure the inheritance. Too bad you were just paving the way for me.” “I almost feel sorry for you. Feel like crying yet?” 2. Bianca’s words caused an uproar. Julian’s sister-in-law looked at me sympathetically. “Oh, Chloe, dear, your luck is just terrible. Raised Ethan all these years just for the mistress to benefit. And those company shares you were about to get… gone just like that.” “The dividends alone are worth millions every year. Such a pity!” “Indeed, a pity,” her husband chimed in. “My brother Julian only has this one son. That 5% stake should obviously go to the biological mother. You…” “Ethan,” an elderly relative, Uncle Harrison, spoke up. “Chloe Fang hasn’t given our Astor family any children, and your father had a vasectomy. Logically and emotionally, it’s inappropriate for her to continue living in the Astor mansion. I suggest she move out as soon as possible.” “We don’t want outsiders gossiping about a cuckoo in the nest.” Bianca’s eyes lit up. She nodded at the old man. “I’ve always heard that Uncle Harrison is reasonable and fair. Meeting you today truly impresses me.” “It’s only right,” Uncle Harrison said, turning to Julian, who was slowly coming around. “Julian, since Bianca is Ethan’s biological mother, let’s take care of the family recognition ceremony today while everyone’s here!” With him taking the lead, others quickly agreed. A servant brought a chair for Bianca, practically fawning over her. “Don’t even think about it!” Ethan gripped my wrist tightly, scanning the room. “I only recognize Chloe Fang as my mother. As for Bianca trying to get into the Astor family? Not while I’m here!” “Dad, what about you?” I looked at Julian, waiting for his answer. He avoided my gaze, his eyes settling on Bianca with a complicated expression. After a long pause, he said, “Ethan, don’t be so impulsive…” A sharp pain shot through my heart. Tears welled up. “Julian, you instructed Bianca to switch my egg back then, didn’t you?” “I risked my life, got burned and disfigured for you, and you not only betrayed me, but you also…” “Chloe, absolutely not!” Julian retorted coldly. “I deeply regret cheating back then and causing this mess.” “All these years, I’ve searched for treatments to restore your looks, I reopened a film company for you, supported you until you won Best Actress again. I’ve been doing everything I can to make it up to you. You feel that, don’t you?” “You’re the only one I’ve ever loved!” “Bianca was just… a tool for physical release!” “A tool for physical release?” Bianca looked at Julian, disappointed, her doe eyes filling with tears. “That’s not what you said when you were on your knees proposing to me!” “You said meeting me made you understand what true love was…” “Slap!” Julian struck Bianca across the face, gritting his teeth. “If you keep slandering me, don’t blame me for disregarding your connection to Ethan and sending you to prison!” “You’re so cruel! Just like that, you turn on me and want to send me to prison?” Bianca was utterly devastated, collapsing into tears and lunging at him, hitting him. “I carried a child for you too! Why are you doing this to me?” “It was a boy, four months along, already kicking, sob…” “And you forced me to abort him, sob sob…” People rushed to break up the fight. Ignoring the chaos, I took a report from my purse and handed it to Ethan. “Son, I am 100% certain you are mine. Because I have the DNA test results.” “DNA test results?” Bianca snatched the report from my hand. After reading it, she gasped, “How is this possible? I clearly swapped your egg with mine! Afterwards, I even paid that Dr. Evans $50,000!” “Why wouldn’t it be possible?” I watched her frantic state with a cold smile. “I paid him $100,000. Naturally, he’d do double the work for me.” “What do you mean?” Julian frowned at me. “What else did you have Dr. Evans do?” 3. I took a sip of tea, my voice nonchalant. “Nothing much. I just instructed him to carefully cultivate the embryo, ensuring it would successfully survive.” “The fact that our Ethan turned out so intelligent, capable, and handsome… we really should thank Dr. Evans.” Mentioning his son, Julian’s face filled with pride. “I’ll have someone send Dr. Evans a generous gift later to thank him properly.” “I declare the succession ceremony back on!” “Chloe, come up and sign.” I walked onto the stage, signed the share transfer agreement with a flourish, and gave my son a hug. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Bianca being dragged out by security. Her face was ashen as she stared at me, then suddenly, a chilling smile spread across her lips. “Chloe Fang, you think Julian really loves you? What a joke!” “He once tried to…” Before Bianca could finish, security threw her out. Julian blocked my view. “Chloe, don’t listen to Bianca’s attempts to drive us apart. You know how I’ve treated you all these years, right?” I returned his gaze with a faint smile. “Yes, I understand perfectly.” Julian’s tense brow relaxed. He opened his arms to embrace Ethan and me. “Photographer, take a picture of our family of three!” “Mr. Astor, taking a family photo without me wouldn’t be quite right, would it?” A male voice cut in, followed by Julian’s sister-in-law’s surprised gasp. “Isn’t that Liam Hayes? Chloe’s childhood friend?” “He’s always been at odds with our Astor family. Is he here deliberately to cause trouble?” “I have no interest in causing trouble. I’m here to claim my son,” Liam Hayes said, raising a hand in greeting to the crowd. He strode confidently towards Ethan and held out his arms. “Ethan, come to Dad.” A collective gasp went through the room. First, a fake mother claiming the son. Now, a fake father jumping into the fray. This was explosive! “Liam Hayes, what the hell is wrong with you?” Julian grabbed Liam’s collar, teeth clenched. “Ethan is the son I worked hard to raise! What are you doing, showing up and claiming him?” “Mr. Astor, are you sure he’s your son?” Liam gave a wicked smile, turning to the crowd. “Uncles, aunts, take a good look. Whose son does Ethan really look like?” His words ignited the room. Julian’s sister-in-law covered her mouth, exclaiming, “Oh my god! Ethan’s eyes are exactly like Liam Hayes’—those same distinct eyes! And they both have that little skin tag in front of their ears… This… how is this possible?” “Tsk tsk, besides the eyes, their mouths are very similar too. Look, Julian has thin lips, but Ethan’s are fuller. I thought he took after his mother, Chloe, but now…” Mr. Astor Sr. shuffled forward unsteadily, pulling Ethan closer for a detailed look. He shot me a look filled with resentment. “Chloe Fang, quite the schemer! Our Astor family treated you well! How could you do this? Where is your conscience?” “Julian already had a vasectomy, this was his precious only son! You’re twisting a knife in his heart!” “You venomous woman!” “You’re all talking nonsense!” Julian’s face changed drastically. He let go of Liam and cupped Ethan’s face, yelling, “Look! Ethan’s eyebrows are low like mine, he has cavities like me, stomach problems like me! He’s clearly my son!” “Julian, the paternity test is right here. See for yourself.” Liam tossed the document at him, smiling slightly. “Now, your son is mine. And soon, your company will be mine too!” “I don’t believe it!” Julian stumbled towards me, his voice urgent. “Chloe, you love me so much, you would never betray me like this, right?” “Tell everyone! Who is Ethan’s real father?” “Tell that Hayes guy to get lost, now!” I put down my teacup, my voice flat. “Julian, earlier you asked what ‘double the work’ I had Dr. Evans do. Now you see the answer.” “I secretly had him replace your sperm with Liam Hayes’. Surprise, surprise?” “Impossible!” Julian roared. “You were recovering in the hospital from your burns back then, under tight security by my people! You had no chance to see Hayes! You must be lying!”

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After I got wasted, someone dragged me off to take the fall for them in their car, and I ended up getting hauled in by the cops for questioning. Luckily, they figured out I hadn’t done anything wrong, but the embarrassing part is, I was so out of it, I latched onto the female officer’s leg and refused to let go. Turns out, that cop was my buddy’s sister. And she was into me. Like, really into me, for a long, long time. 1 I got dumped. One drink, and I completely fell apart. “A drink that’s only thirty-seven percent alcohol? Seriously?” The bartender placed a freshly mixed drink in front of me. The liquid shimmered under the pale blue light, like crystal. Me, the guy who never used to touch a drop, had ordered several drinks I’d never dream of trying before. I picked up the glass and downed it in one go. The burn and bitterness exploded on my tongue, and then the damn tears started streaming down my face. Three years. Over a thousand days and nights. Thirty thousand-plus hours. Over three million seconds. All down the drain! I slammed back the last drop in my glass and slammed the glass down hard on the bar, making a dull thud. The alcohol was hitting me. I grabbed my phone and made a call. “Alex, what’s up?” My best friend’s voice came through the phone. “Jake, tell me, what the hell is wrong with her?” “She’s the one who ditched me for some rich kid, cheated first, and she has the nerve to blame me? Saying I won’t find a job, won’t make money, can’t give her a happy life?” I took another huge gulp of my drink, fueled by the booze, and started ranting about my ex. “At the police academy, I aced everything, awards up the wazoo, even did a few heroic things, you know? What right does she have to look down on me?” “Ha! Plenty of girls are into me… what’s she got to be so stuck-up about?” “Yeah, yeah, totally,” Jake agreed. “Alex, you’re a great guy. She doesn’t appreciate you, that’s her loss!” “Exactly!” I slammed my hand on the table. “She’s not worth it!” I was drunk, my head was spinning, not making much sense. After hanging up, I couldn’t even remember what I’d said. I just stared at the bottle. Why am I torturing myself? Why hang myself up over one girl? Thinking this, I took another big swig. It’s just a breakup. What’s the big deal? I stumbled out of the bar. It was already dark. The cold air hit me. My head started to ache, but mostly I felt dizzy. The world seemed to be spinning. I couldn’t tell which way was up, staggering down the street. Just as I was lurching along, someone suddenly grabbed me. “Hey buddy, do me a favor.” A rough, low voice. I turned my head. The guy reeked of booze, his face was flushed red, and his eyes were glazed over. I scoffed. Lightweight. But before I could say anything, he yanked me into a car. What the hell is this guy doing? I tried to fight back, but I was totally limp, no strength at all. He shoved me into the driver’s seat, tossed a couple hundred bucks on me, then took off running, stumbling, nearly face-planting. I was still confused when a cop walked up. He waved at me, signaling me to stop, then tapped on the window. “Can I see your ID, please?” I automatically reached for my wallet, but just then, the alcohol really hit me. My head spun harder and harder… I passed out. … I woke up… in the police station. Blue and white walls, neat lockers, warning signs on the walls came into view. As awareness slowly returned, my blood ran cold. Damn it. I was set up! “You’re awake?” The person talking was in uniform. Tall, fair skin, sharp features, almond eyes, a high ponytail, looking sharp and capable. “Officer, I wasn’t drunk driving! Someone dragged me into the car!” I explained frantically. If I got booked for a DUI, I’d be screwed. “Relax. My colleagues already found the car’s owner.” She handed me some breakfast and sat down beside me. “Eat something first. Get something in your stomach.” Seeing I was still panicking, she opened her laptop, pulled up a video, and put it in front of me. In the video, I was drunkenly walking and singing, even helping an old lady cross the street. Then, just as I reached the intersection, a big guy with a red face dragged me into the car. Then the cop showed up. The woman smiled. “My colleagues pulled the surveillance footage last night. We were going to send you home, but you were clinging to my leg for dear life, wouldn’t leave. We had no choice but to let you sleep it off here.” 2 My face flushed hot. So embarrassing. I never knew I was such a messy drunk! “Officer, uh, what should I call you?” “My last name is Miller.” Miller? “Officer Miller, I was totally out of line last night, I’m really sorry, and for wasting your time, look…” She smiled gently. “It’s okay, understandable. Just finish eating and head home. Your family’s probably worried.” I paused, saw Officer Miller really didn’t seem bothered, nodded, finished my food, and left quickly. I got home late morning. Jake Miller was squatting on my doorstep, playing games on his phone. As soon as he saw me, he jumped up. “Alex! You’re finally back!” “You were gone all night, didn’t answer your phone… I thought something happened to you!” I pulled out my phone, only to realize it was dead. I scratched my head awkwardly. “Uh… spent the night at the police station.” “What?” Jake looked shocked. “What’d you do?” “It wasn’t me! I got dragged into a car last night by some drunk guy trying to get me to take the fall for his DUI. I was so wasted, I passed out. Woke up at the station. I’m worried if this will mess anything up for me.” I sighed, feeling anxious. “Which station were you at?” “The one in the West End Precinct.” Jake started laughing. “No way! My sister works at the West End Precinct. You want me to ask her about it?” “Yeah? Awesome. Thanks, man.” My eyes lit up. “No problem.” Jake dialed a number. “Hey, Sis? My buddy got picked up yesterday, Alex Reed… Yeah, can you see…” That evening, I got a friend request on my phone. I checked the name, saw it was Jake’s sister, and accepted. 【I asked around for you. The car owner was plastered too last night and came up with that stupid plan. He turned himself in this morning.】 【So don’t worry about it affecting anything. But since you’re an academy student, you should probably be more careful in the future.】 I paused, wondering how she knew I was in the academy… figured Jake must’ve told her. 【Okay, got it. Thanks so much.】 Jake’s sister replied quickly. 【No problem. Just buy me dinner sometime when you’re free.】 【Okay, deal.】 I didn’t think much of it, figuring she was probably just being polite. Then I thought about Officer Miller again. Her striking face popped into my head. Maybe I should get her a thank-you gift too? 3 A week later, I got a call from Jake’s sister, Claire. I rushed to the station. Jake was sitting there, cheek swollen, bruised lip, clothes torn up. “Alex!” He ran over as soon as he saw me. “Finally!” I frowned. “What happened to you?” “Got mugged! But I won the fight!” Jake said, flexing his fist. I mentally facepalmed. This idiot. Still so upbeat even like this. “Are you okay? Need to get checked out at the hospital?” “Nah, Alex, just scrapes and bruises. No big deal. But you should see the other guy!” Jake patted my shoulder, looking proud. Just then, Officer Miller—Claire—and two other cops appeared, escorting someone. The person had a hoodie pulled low, clothes ripped, face and arms covered in cuts and bruises. Clearly the mugger. Seeing the guy, I couldn’t help but chuckle. Jake really did a number on him. He wouldn’t be looking normal for weeks. Claire saw me and gave me a small smile. My heart hammered. “That’s him!” Jake, completely oblivious to my reaction, pointed at the man, gritting his teeth. “Little punk! Serves you right for trying to rob me!” “Alright, that’s enough,” Claire cut him off coolly. “Go give your statement.” “Okay,” Jake mumbled, looking put out, and followed the other officers. I waited in the lobby, awkwardly greeted her. “Officer Miller. We meet again. Uh, thanks for your help with this.” Claire looked a little surprised, so I quickly introduced myself. “We met last week, remember? The drunk guy? I’m Alex Reed. R-E-E-D.” No idea why, but I suddenly really wanted her to remember my name. “Alex Reed… Got it.”

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The wind screamed past my ears, tearing the breath from my lungs. A split second before the fall, a billionaire had claimed I was his long-lost granddaughter, whisking me away into a life of unimaginable wealth. He had casually tossed my mother a check with enough zeroes to buy a small island. Without a flicker of hesitation, she signed her name, shoving me out the door without once asking if I wanted to go. Later, my twin sister saw me on television, living in a sprawling mansion, flanked by a security detail. Jealousy is a venom that rots the brain. She used a tearful reunion as an excuse to visit, and the moment my back was turned, she shoved me off the sixteenth-floor balcony. Her face, contorted into a monstrous sneer, was the last thing I saw. “We have the exact same face! Why do you get to be the billionaire’s miracle? Once you’re dead, that empire is mine!” When I hit the pavement, the pain wasn’t just immense; it was an apocalyptic shattering of every nerve in my body. Blood pooled in my mouth, hot and thick. The heavy, metallic stench of iron filled my nostrils as my vision dimmed, my dying eyes locked on the tiny, frantic silhouette of my sister looking down from the penthouse. In those final, agonizing seconds, the truth of my “fairytale” reunion flashed before my eyes. The sterile rooms. The needles. The cage. If I ever get a second chance, I thought, the darkness swallowing me whole, I would rather die than let him take me again. 1 “Are you deaf? I told you to get your sister for dinner!” The shrill, grating voice of my mother, Brenda, shattered the silence. I stood frozen, my mind violently spinning. It wasn’t until a sharp kick landed on my shin that the sensory details of the room snapped into focus—the smell of stale cooking grease, the peeling wallpaper, the faded linoleum. I was back. I was standing in our cramped apartment, mere minutes before the billionaire and his lawyers knocked on our door. A tidal wave of euphoria crashed over me. But the real shock came when my twin sister, Riley, walked out of my bedroom. She was wearing my clothes—a faded, oversized band tee I usually slept in. The moment she met my eyes, a chilling smirk played on her lips. My gut instantly knew. She remembered, too. She had also been sent back. “Sweetheart, why are you wearing her rags? Won’t your skin break out?” Brenda asked, her brow furrowing in confusion. Riley only ever wore the good clothes. If a fabric wasn’t premium cotton or silk blends, she claimed it gave her a rash. So, for eighteen years, I wore the thrift store rejects and her cast-offs. Riley ignored Brenda’s concern, excitedly grabbing her arm. “Mom, that doesn’t matter right now. Come here. I need to tell you something.” She dragged Brenda into the tiny kitchen, their heads bent together in hushed, urgent whispers. Through the narrow doorway, I watched the skepticism on Brenda’s face melt away, replaced by a greedy, ear-to-ear grin that deepened the harsh lines around her mouth. Cold sweat prickled across my skin. Riley was going to steal my identity. She was going to volunteer to be the billionaire’s long-lost granddaughter. But would he buy it? Would he believe Riley was the one he was looking for? What if I was the one dragged away again? Three sharp knocks on the front door made me flinch. My heart hammered against my ribs. I made a silent vow right then and there: if he saw through her lie and tried to take me, I would throw myself out the window before I ever let him put me in his car. Better to end it on my own terms than endure the slow, torturous hell of my past life. Smack! A stinging slap across my cheek snapped my head to the side. Brenda glared at me, her voice a venomous hiss. “From this second on, you are your sister. You keep your mouth shut, you hear me? You say one word, and I’ll beat you half to death.” At the door, Riley pulled it open just a crack, peeking out with manufactured innocence. “Um, can I help you?” She was perfectly mirroring my quiet, timid voice from our past life. She even nailed my wide-eyed, hesitant stare. Mr. Hayes, the icy, suited secretary, stepped inside without asking, holding a thick leather portfolio. Behind him walked Arthur Kensington. Arthur’s sharp, sunken eyes scanned our decaying living room with unconcealed disgust. He lowered himself onto our ratty sofa like a king claiming a dirty throne, immediately doubling over in a fit of violent, wet coughing. Riley hurried over, playing her part. “Who are you? Why are you in our house? Get out before I call the cops!” Mr. Hayes adjusted his wire-rimmed glasses, looking Riley up and down before turning his attention to Brenda. “Ms. Miller. Please review these documents. Your daughter, Wren, is Mr. Kensington’s biological granddaughter. She was switched at birth in the hospital. Mr. Kensington’s health is failing, and he wishes to bring his sole heir home.” It was a poorly constructed lie, riddled with plot holes. The first time I heard it, I thought they were running a scam. Riley and I were identical twins. How on earth could only one of us be switched at birth? But before I could even process the absurdity, Brenda had snatched the supposed DNA test. She pretended to read the medical jargon, but her eyes were entirely locked on the document tucked behind it. The settlement agreement. If she let me go, Arthur was offering her a cool five million dollars as “compensation for her years of care.” Brenda didn’t hesitate. She didn’t ask for a pen; she grabbed the one from Hayes’s breast pocket and scrawled her name with trembling, frantic hands. She was vibrating with the high of a sudden, unearned fortune. “Mom?” I mumbled, playing my part perfectly, letting my voice crack with feigned confusion. “Shut up,” Brenda snapped, not even looking at me. “The DNA test is right here. You’re his granddaughter. No wonder I never could stand you—you aren’t even mine.” She turned to Arthur, her smile practically unhinged. “Mr. Kensington, I only have one daughter now, and that’s Riley. Please, take your girl home.” She couldn’t get rid of me fast enough. She didn’t question the logic of twins. She didn’t ask what I wanted, or if I was terrified to leave with strangers. She didn’t even wonder where her other daughter would theoretically be. Her eyes were glued to the check, terrified that if she blinked, the paper would evaporate. In my past life, I had clung to the doorframe, crying, begging her not to make me go. My fingernails had bled against the wood. She hadn’t even looked back. 2 I stood by the peeling radiator, watching the scene unfold with the detached chill of a ghost. Hayes scrutinized Riley, then let his gaze slide over to me. A shiver racked my spine. Mimicking Riley’s usual arrogant demeanor, I lifted my chin and glared right back at him, my expression radiating teenage hostility. “Which one of you is Wren?” Hayes asked, his voice smooth and clipped. His background check would have told him that Wren was the unloved one, the girl in the hand-me-downs. But because Riley had stolen my ratty t-shirt, he couldn’t tell us apart by our clothes. That was exactly why Arthur had chosen me in the first place. An unloved, neglected child is the easiest to sever from her roots. No one comes looking for the girl nobody wanted. Seeing Hayes hesitate, Riley quickly stepped in front of me, shielding me from their view. “I… I’m Wren,” she stammered, shrinking into herself. “Is it true? Am I really not my mother’s?” She sounded heartbreakingly fragile, but I could see the manic, triumphant gleam dancing in her eyes. After a tense beat, Hayes gave Arthur a subtle nod. Arthur descended into another agonizing coughing fit, his face turning a dangerous shade of plum. For a second, I thought he might just drop dead right there on our cheap rug. My heart was in my throat, terrified he would see through Riley’s act. But he bought it. He slowly nodded. Hayes handed the final copy of the agreement to Brenda. Arthur stood up, leaning heavily on his silver-tipped cane, and offered Riley a grandfatherly smile. “Wren, my dear. Come with your grandfather. Let me spend my final days making up for all the time we’ve lost.” Tears welled up in Riley’s eyes—a masterclass in manipulation. “Grandpa! You finally found me.” She threw herself into Arthur’s arms, but not before shooting me a vicious, gloating smirk over his shoulder. “Sir, we need to leave,” Hayes interrupted, checking his watch. Riley pulled back, wiping her eyes. “Grandpa, could I come by later tonight? I need to say goodbye to my mom. Even if she didn’t love me, she kept a roof over my head. I want to do this the right way.” Arthur frowned slightly, but the performance won him over. He patted her hand. “Very well. I will leave a driver for you. Don’t be late.” Riley nodded furiously, walking them to the door like the perfect, obedient heiress. 3 “Oh my god, honey! It actually worked! They believed you!” The door hadn’t even clicked shut before Brenda started shrieking. Her hands shook so violently the five-million-dollar check made a frantic, fluttering sound in her grip. “Five million! Five million dollars for absolutely nothing!” “Mom, listen to me,” Riley said, dropping the timid-girl act immediately. Her voice was sharp, commanding. “He thinks I’m Wren. You need to get her out of here. Now. Give her some cash and her college acceptance letter. Tell her to leave town today.” “Why?” Brenda asked, distracted by the zeroes. “Because we can’t have loose ends!” Riley hissed. “Once she’s gone, you take this money and buy a luxury condo across the city. Cut your phone line. Even if she comes back, she won’t be able to find you.” They were standing less than ten feet away from me, loudly conspiring how to erase my existence. I couldn’t help it; a dark, quiet joy bloomed in my chest. Walking away from this nightmare was going to be so much easier than I thought. “But… she is your sister,” Brenda murmured, the check lowering slightly. For a fraction of a second, I thought a dormant, maternal instinct had finally flickered to life. Then she sighed. “If she leaves, who’s going to do all the chores around here?” And there it was. The drop from heaven to hell. For half a breath, I thought I was a daughter. I was just losing an unpaid maid. It was liberating, honestly, to let the last shred of hope I had for her love finally die. “Mom, you have five million dollars! You can hire a live-in housekeeper!” Riley argued, exasperated. “Don’t forget, the billionaire wanted her!” Seeing Brenda waver, I decided to give them the final push. “Wait,” I said, stepping forward, my voice trembling with fake indignation. “Were those men looking for me? I’m the real granddaughter? How could you lie to him, Riley? He’s dying! He just wants to see his real family! I’m going to go find him!” I bolted toward the front door. Riley lunged, grabbing a fistful of my shirt. I was chronically malnourished and built like a bird; she easily yanked me backward. Her face darkened, a vicious sneer twisting her features. “You take one step out that door, and I’ll break your legs. I am the heiress now. You are never, ever stealing my luxury life again.” Together, Brenda and Riley shoved me down the short hallway and threw me into my bedroom, locking the door from the outside. To sell the performance, I pounded on the cheap wood. “Let me out! Please! You can’t do this!” “Give it up!” Riley yelled through the door. “Get out of this city and don’t ever let me see your face again! If you try to ruin this for me, I’ll make sure the Kensington family destroys you!” Her footsteps retreated. Once I was sure they were gone, my hands dropped from the wood. I slid down the door until I hit the floor, my tense muscles finally going slack. My shirt was plastered to my back with cold sweat. Riley thought she had stolen a golden ticket. She had only seen the paparazzi photos from my past life—the designer clothes, the galas, the pristine smile. She had no idea what was happening behind the velvet ropes. A dying billionaire searching for a lost granddaughter. It was the greatest lie ever told. A dark, bitter smile stretched across my face. Fortunately, someone else was going to take the fall for me this time. I just hoped Riley enjoyed her “luxury life” when she finally realized what it actually cost. 4 After two hours of muffled scheming, Riley left to meet her driver. A few minutes later, the lock clicked, and Brenda opened my door. On the kitchen table sat a neat stack of cash. Maybe twenty thousand dollars. My mother, true to form, was cheap to her very core. She had just been handed five million dollars, and parting with twenty grand looked like it was physically causing her pain. “Your sister is right,” Brenda said, refusing to meet my eyes. “Take this money and get the hell out.” She scurried into her bedroom and came back out, tossing a few items onto the table next to the cash. My birth certificate, my social security card, and my crumpled acceptance letter to the Rhode Island School of Design. Things I treated like sacred relics, she tossed like garbage. The day that RISD letter arrived, she had snatched it from my hands, threatening to burn it. I had applied entirely to out-of-state schools, desperate for any excuse to put a thousand miles between us. I thought she had thrown it in the trash years ago. My hands trembled violently as I picked up the thick envelope. I hadn’t seen this letter in my past life. I never got the chance. And now, holding it, the reality of my freedom finally sank in. “Stop looking so pathetic,” Brenda sneered. “Take your crap and leave. As of today, I don’t have a second daughter. And don’t come crying to me when you fail. You’re cut out of the will. You aren’t getting a dime when I’m old.” As if I’d ever come back to wipe her drool, I thought. “Mom,” I said, my voice shockingly steady. “Are you saying twenty thousand dollars is the buyout price for our entire relationship?” She stiffened. “Because that old man gave you five million,” I continued, leaning casually against the table. “And we both know his real granddaughter is standing right here.” Since Riley was already gone, Brenda was stripped of her strategist. She was on her own, and she wasn’t smart. “What are you implying?” Brenda hissed, her face flushing. “That money is mine! You little ungrateful bitch—”

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The man accused in the high-profile divorce murder case was looking for a defense lawyer at our firm. My boyfriend Mark’s junior colleague, Chloe, wanted to take the case. She saw it as her big break, a chance to make a name for herself right out of law school. Considering she was fresh out of school with zero real trial experience, I shut her down immediately. Chloe took it as an insult to her abilities. Furious, she quit on the spot and vanished off the grid. Meanwhile, I successfully got our client’s death sentence commuted to life with parole, solidifying my reputation in the legal community. The day the client, Frank Miller, was released on parole, Mark drugged me and delivered me right into Frank’s hands. “If she had just let Chloe handle your case back then, maybe you wouldn’t have done any time at all!” Mark spat. He killed someone. How could he possibly walk free? But Frank bought Mark’s story. He brutally cut my eight-month-old baby from my womb. After smashing the infant’s life out, he mercilessly hacked off my arms and legs. As I lay dying, I desperately asked Mark why he would do this to me. He just glared and spat in my face: “If you hadn’t been so stubborn about keeping the case from Chloe, she never would have stormed off overseas and gotten killed in that bombing!” When I opened my eyes again, I was back on the day Chloe asked to take the case. 1 “Ava, can I take over that spousal murder case you’re working on?” “If I can win this for the client, get him acquitted, not only will I get confirmed early from my probationary period, but I could really make a name for myself in the industry.” Hearing that familiar voice sent a jolt through me. I glanced at the calendar on the wall and instantly knew—I was back. I’d been reborn. In my past life, I knew this case was far too complex for a fresh graduate, an intern, basically. Plus, we were defending a killer. If handled poorly, it could easily tarnish the entire firm’s reputation. So, I turned her down, citing her lack of experience. I patiently explained that I’d give her the next suitable case, but for this one, she should just observe. But she took it as me questioning her competence. She quit in a huff and went abroad alone. Later, in the courtroom, I masterfully argued the case, successfully getting the client’s original death sentence reduced to ten years. My reputation soared. Three years later, I married my boyfriend, Mark. But on the very day the client, Frank Miller, was released, Mark tied me up—eight months pregnant—and handed me over to him, spewing venomous lies: “Frank! If she had just let my girl Chloe take your case back then, maybe you wouldn’t have spent all those years locked up!” I tried desperately to explain that Frank had killed someone; an acquittal was impossible. But Frank believed Mark. He didn’t just rip my baby out and feed it to dogs; he hacked off my arms and legs. As I bled out, I stared at Mark, demanding to know why. He just glared, eyes filled with hate, and cut out my tongue: “If you’d just given the damn case to Chloe, she wouldn’t have run off overseas and died in that terrorist attack! You owe her this!” Only then did I realize Mark had been in love with Chloe all along. Marrying me was just a twisted plot for revenge. Seeing my silence now, Mark frowned, annoyed, and nudged me. “Ava, did you hear me? It’s not like you’re short on cases. Just give this one to Chloe.” Mark’s impatient tone snapped me back to the present. I looked at Chloe, standing there radiating confidence, and sneered, “And how exactly do you plan on getting a murderer acquitted? Are you planning on committing perjury?” The words barely left my mouth before Chloe’s eyes welled up. “Ava, how could you say that! How could you insult me like that? I might not be as experienced as you, but I have professional ethics!” “If you don’t trust me, fine! I’ll just leave!” She made a move to turn, but Mark grabbed her hand. “Chloe, don’t go. This isn’t your fault! If anyone should leave, it’s Ava!” 2 Our argument quickly drew a crowd of coworkers. Chloe squeezed out a couple of tears, playing the victim perfectly. “Ava, I don’t have to take the case, but how could you accuse me of planning perjury? If word of this gets out, how am I supposed to build a career in law?” “Or… maybe that was your intention all along?” The onlookers immediately turned on me. “Ava, you know how crucial reputation is for a lawyer, right? Even if you don’t like Chloe, you can’t just slander her like that!” “And you call yourself the firm’s star attorney? Committing defamation yourself!” “If you don’t apologize to Chloe, she has grounds to sue you!” Apologize? Not a chance in hell. Just as I was about to retort, Mark stepped between us, adopting a peacemaking tone. “Ava, I know you didn’t mean it. Just let Chloe have this case, and I’ll forgive your little outburst on her behalf. It’s just one small case, really. Letting her have it won’t affect your status as our top lawyer. Why are you being so petty about it?” Me, petty? He had no idea how complicated this case truly was. When Frank Miller first came to us, everyone knew he was a killer. They wouldn’t touch the case with a ten-foot pole, terrified it would stain their precious reputations. I was the one who finally took it, under immense pressure. I poured countless sleepless nights into this case, digging up evidence, scouring legal precedents and case histories. Finally, at the first hearing, I managed to secure a chance for a reduced sentence for the client. Now, with the finish line in sight, Chloe wants to swoop in and claim the glory, and they call it a “simple little case”? I actually laughed out loud, my voice cold. “Every piece of evidence, every document for this case, I gathered and organized myself. Why the hell should I hand it over to Chloe?” “If you all want to help her so badly, give her one of your cases!” Mark waved dismissively. “You said it yourself, the best you can do is get him a reduced sentence. But Chloe has reviewed the files and thinks she can get the verdict overturned, maybe even get him acquitted!” “If Chloe pulls this off, it’ll shake up the entire legal world! Think of the business it’ll bring to our firm!” Hearing this, Chloe seemed emboldened. “I’m confident I can do it!” Other colleagues chimed in, chanting, “Let Chloe handle it! Let Chloe handle it!” Seeing their deluded fervor, I stopped arguing and nodded with a tight smile. “Alright. Since you all have so much faith in Chloe, I agree. I’ll withdraw from the case.” As I started gathering my files from the desk, Chloe rushed over, grabbing my arm with a saccharine smile. “Ava, even though I’m taking over, could you maybe leave the files you’ve already prepared for me?” I feigned confusion. “My materials only support a reduced sentence. They won’t get anyone acquitted. I doubt they’d be much use to you.” Chloe’s smile twitched; she seemed unsure how to respond. Mark stepped in again. “Ava, don’t be so stingy. I know you’re attached to this case. Look, I’ll make a decision for you. You can be Chloe’s assistant, help her gather materials. That way, you still get to be involved!” That was hilariously pathetic. “No thanks,” I said flatly. “I’m not interested.” With that, I dumped all the files into the shredder. Mark exploded. “Ava, are you crazy! Don’t you forget who owns this firm! I can fire you, you know!” 3 He thought his threat would make me back down. I couldn’t care less. “Fine by me! Make it today!” My response seemed to stun Mark. His voice softened slightly. “Ava, stop acting like a child. Your reputation only carries weight here. If you leave this firm, you’ll definitely regret it!” Regret it? Have I lost my mind? “Don’t worry,” I assured him firmly. “I absolutely will not regret this! Whatever happens with this case, win or lose, it has nothing to do with Ava Riley!” With that, I grabbed my belongings and turned to leave, chin held high. Chloe, fuming, yelled after me, “Ava Riley, when I win this case and become a legal superstar, don’t you come crawling back, begging us to take you back!” Winning a case for a murderer to become famous? What kind of fantasy world was she living in? Even the killer himself had confessed. When he begged me to take the case, all he asked was for me to do my best to get him off death row, secure the maximum sentence reduction possible. Where did Chloe get the insane confidence she could overturn the conviction? But honestly, even without Chloe’s little drama, I wouldn’t help this killer again. The agony of having my baby ripped out, my limbs hacked off in my past life, still made my whole body tremble. A man who flouts the law and commits such evil doesn’t deserve a reduced sentence! That evening, I posted an update on social media announcing I was no longer representing the defendant in the “spousal murder case.” The news spread like wildfire. Offers from other law firms started pouring in, including some heavy hitters in the legal world. But a message from an old classmate caught my eye. “Ava, since you’re not defending him anymore, could you maybe help the victim in this case?” Through the information my classmate shared, I learned that the killer, Frank Miller, had hidden a lot from me. The victim, Elena Ramirez, had been trafficked and sold to Frank as a wife. When Elena’s father came looking for her, Frank had thugs cut out the old man’s tongue, preventing him from ever telling the truth. Elena eventually had a child and resigned herself to her fate. But Frank not only sold their child, he subjected Elena to daily brutal beatings, ultimately killing her. If all this was true… Frank Miller wasn’t just guilty of murder. He was involved in human trafficking, child abandonment, and aggravated assault. Combined, these crimes absolutely warranted the death penalty. But Elena’s father had no money for a lawyer. During the initial proceedings, he was constantly threatened by Frank’s family. Hearing about the plight of this father and daughter filled me with righteous anger. I clenched my fists. “I’ll represent Mr. Ramirez! Pro bono!” I had to make sure Frank Miller faced the full force of the law – not just for Elena and her father, but for the me and the child who died so horribly in my past life. Two weeks later, armed with all the evidence I’d gathered, I arrived at the courthouse. Just as I got out of my car, I ran smack into Mark and Chloe. Mark flashed a smug, self-satisfied grin. “See, Ava? I told you you’d regret it! And you denied it! Now you’re here with your materials, ready to kiss and make up, right?” Mark reached for the files in my arms, but I sidestepped him. “You’ve got it wrong, Mark. These materials aren’t for you!” Chloe clung to Mark’s arm, sneering, “Stop pretending. You obviously found out we discovered evidence to get Frank acquitted, so now you’re here trying to grab a piece of the pie.” “If you get on your knees right now, kowtow three times, and loudly admit ‘I was wrong,’ maybe, just maybe, I can forgive your earlier rudeness.” I rolled my eyes. “Chloe, if you’re having mental issues, I know a good vet I can refer you to. If he can’t fix you, maybe he can break your legs!” Ignoring the angry shouts erupting from Chloe and Mark behind me, I strode confidently into the courthouse. As I headed towards the counsel tables, Chloe pointed accusingly at me. “Your Honor, Ava Riley has been fired from our firm! I request that this individual, who has no connection to this case, be removed from the court!” The judge ignored her. It was only when I firmly took my seat at the plaintiff’s counsel table that Chloe’s eyes widened in shock. “Ava Riley, what are you doing sitting at the plaintiff’s table?”

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