After my Aunt Lily and Uncle Mark died, my dad took my cousin Jessica in. But she treated him like her personal ATM, bleeding him dry and then accusing him of spying on her, of being a creep… 1. “Sarah, I can’t believe your dad… going after his own niece? Guess the old man’s still got some fire in him, huh? Hahaha!” I was head-down, working on a project proposal at the office. My arch-nemesis, Chloe Davis, suddenly materialized above me, her voice dripping with sarcasm. My blood boiled instantly. I figured she was just trying to sabotage me, snatch the project with some low-blow personal attack. But then she shoved her phone right in my face. Playing on the screen was a viral video – TikTok, probably – with hundreds of thousands of likes and comments: “OMG you guys, you won’t BELIEVE this. My own uncle… sexually harassed me. Spied on me. That old creep is absolutely shameless, lower than dirt! Here’s what happened: two years ago, my parents died in a car crash. My uncle, Michael Johnson – yeah, the disgusting old sicko – said I should come live with him. At first, I was actually happy. It meant I still had family, you know? But just two days ago, I caught him. The creep was spying on me while I was showering, changing clothes. And when I confronted him? He didn’t apologize. He threatened me! Told me if I said a word, he’d beat me senseless and leak the videos he took! That’s when I saw his true colors. I realized he didn’t take me in out of kindness. He wanted to take advantage of me! It all made sense then – why my underwear sometimes seemed like it had been moved around. That pervert is so disgusting! I don’t even know how many times he violated my privacy. So, I moved out immediately. But he’s my only family left, so I felt like I had to just suck it up, forgive him, and carry this burden alone. BUT, listen up everyone, if you’re ever spied on or taken advantage of, PLEASE don’t be like me and suffer in silence. Stand up for yourselves! Fight back against these predators! Call them out online…” I… I was completely numb. This was pure fabrication. Slander. The woman in the video was my cousin, Jessica Miller. Yes, she’d moved in with us two years ago after her parents died, and yes, she’d moved out a couple of days ago. But it wasn’t because my dad harassed her or spied on her. It was because she demanded twenty thousand dollars from him, and he didn’t give it to her! For the two years Jessica lived with us, my dad treated her like his own daughter. He paid for everything – food, housing, everything. She didn’t spend a dime. Sometimes, she’d even cry poverty to get money from him for clothes or makeup. I remember once, Dad worked a construction job for a year, only for the foreman and manager to skip town with everyone’s wages. He didn’t get paid a cent. We were struggling just to eat. When I found out, I lied and said I got a bonus at work. In reality, I gave him two months of my own salary so he could take a break. But when I came back from a business trip? I found him eating instant ramen noodles every day, not even buying cheap veggies. After I pressed him, he admitted Jessica had guilted the money out of him for some designer dress and outfit because “everyone at her new internship wears custom stuff.” I was so furious I couldn’t eat for three days! I don’t even own custom-made clothes! My dad would literally starve himself to make sure she had money, terrified she’d feel like a burden or an outsider. But that ungrateful viper? Instead of being thankful, she pushed her luck. She demanded another twenty thousand dollars from him for a “nest egg,” supposedly for when she eventually got married. And she made it clear any gift money from a future wedding was hers to keep too. Seriously? Was she treating my dad like her personal ATM?! I didn’t even have a nest egg saved up! What gave her the right? Besides, my dad’s just a regular construction worker. He’s been both mom and dad to me for years, working his fingers to the bone. Where was he supposed to pull twenty grand from?! Jessica threw a massive tantrum, screamed at him, completely turned on him right then and there. Called him heartless, greedy, said he cared more about money than family. I almost laughed out loud from sheer rage. Who was the one obsessed with money? Who was the shameless, heartless one?! And now, she had the audacity to post this kind of video? Twisting everything, spreading lies and slander? She’d stoop to this level – this vile, disgusting level – just for money? Does she even have a shred of humanity left? I slammed my fist on the desk! Just as I was about to unleash a string of curses, my boss, Mr. Peterson, called out, “Sarah, my office, please.” His face was grim. He’d clearly seen the video. As soon as I walked in, I started explaining, “Mr. Peterson, please don’t misunderstand. That video is completely false, pure slander. My dad would never spy on anyone. He’s just an honest, hardworking guy…” But Mr. Peterson held up a hand, cutting me off. “Sarah, even if I believe you, what difference does it make? That video already has millions of views. The public fallout is huge, and it’s going to hit you soon. I can’t let this negatively impact the company.” “So, Mr. Peterson, what… what are you saying?” A horrible feeling washed over me. He sighed. “Go home now, Sarah. Sort this out with your father. Let Chloe take over the project for now. Once this is completely resolved, you can come back.” In other words, if I couldn’t make this go away completely, I wouldn’t have a job to come back to. One malicious, slanderous video from Jessica, and my project, my job, were on the line? Panic surged. “Mr. Peterson, I promise you, my dad would absolutely never—” “Enough! Go home and check on your father! He needs you right now.” Mr. Peterson waved me away. I could only bite my lip and walk out. Jessica, you shameless, ungrateful snake. I will make you pay for this! “Wow, you just never know, do you? He seemed like such a quiet old guy, but behind closed doors, he’s a creep preying on his own niece. Tsk, tsk, really goes to show you can’t judge a book by its cover!” The second I stepped out of the office, Chloe’s mocking voice piped up again. Others quickly chimed in: “Exactly! Like father, like daughter, right? Maybe some people are just as twisted and dirty on the inside as their dad. We should probably keep our distance!” “Ugh, puts on a professional front, but comes from trash like that. People like them deserve to be canceled!” “………” Listening to their disgusting words, my fists clenched tight. Suddenly, Mr. Peterson’s sharp voice cut through from his office: “That’s enough! Do you all want your pay docked?” “Sarah, just go home!” I forced myself to swallow the rage. “You just wait,” I muttered under my breath. “The truth will come out.” 2. When I got home, Dad was on the phone. It sounded like one of our relatives, Aunt Carol, and she was laying into him. I could hear her sharp tones from across the room. “…Michael, how could you do such a thing? Jessica is your niece, your own blood! Have you no shame? At your age! I’m embarrassed for you! How are we supposed to face anyone now…” My dad was desperately trying to explain, but he’s never been good with words. He was getting so flustered tears were welling up in his eyes. “Carol, I swear I didn’t! I don’t know why Jessica would post something like that! I didn’t spy on her, really! She’s my niece, how could I possibly…? It’s impossible…” He was trembling, repeating the same phrases over and over. Seeing him like that broke my heart and fueled my anger. I walked over and snatched the phone from his hand. “Aunt Carol! If Dad really spied on Jessica, why didn’t she call the police? Why post a video online? She’s framing him! It’s slander!” My aunt paused for a second. “Well… well, that’s because Jessica’s a sensitive girl, she cares about family, and she’s probably scared you two will retaliate! How could you treat such a sweet girl so horribly…” “Sensitive? Cares about family? Ha! If you think she’s so great, why don’t you take her in? Stop wasting my time!” I scoffed. “You brat… you…! That video has hundreds of thousands of people talking! You think they’re all wrong? Jessica was right, you two are just heartless and ungrateful! You deserve…” “Believe whatever you want online! Just stop calling my dad!” SLAM! I hung up forcefully. Dad immediately started fussing, scolding me for talking to Aunt Carol like that, wanting to call her back. I tossed the phone onto the couch and grabbed his arm. “Dad! Stop! She won’t believe you!” “Then… then what do we do? I can’t just let people think this! What’s gotten into Jessica…?” Dad paced like a caged animal, wringing his hands. “Oh, right! I’ll call Jessica! If I just talk to her, clear things up, it’ll be fine! I’ll get her to take the video down…” He reached for the phone again. I blocked him once more. “Dad, don’t you get it yet? Jessica is an ungrateful viper! She won’t listen to you right now!” Dad shook his head frantically. “No, no, Jessica’s just confused, acting out. If I explain it to her, she’ll understand. She doesn’t really mean to hurt me. I’ll call her, we’ll sort it out…” I felt helpless. “What do you mean, confused? She’s deliberately slandering you! Can you please just stop trying to contact her? What we need to do now is call the police!” “The police? No, no! That would ruin Jessica! Let me just call her, we can talk it through. Let go of me…” Dad pulled his arm free with surprising strength. I was speechless with frustration. Fine. Call her. Let’s see what wonderful things she has to say to you. Dad dialed her number, his voice hesitant and careful. “Hello? Jessica? Honey, I saw that video you posted online… what’s going on? How could you say your uncle spied—” “Why do you care what video I post?! I’ll say whatever I want! You got a problem with that?!” Jessica’s furious voice erupted from the phone before he could finish. “No, Jessica, listen to me. You need to take that video down right now. Your Aunt Carol just called, she said—” “What do I care what she said?! Let me tell you something – no money, no deleting the video! Got it?!” Click. Beeeep beeep beeep… Dad just stood there, stunned, phone still pressed to his ear. “Well? See her true colors now?” I took the phone from his hand and guided him to the sofa. He sat there for a long time, silent. Then tears started streaming down his face. “How could she? How could Jessica do this? I never treated her badly… how could she lie about me like this…?” I knew this wasn’t the time for wallowing. We needed to clear his name, fast. I immediately dialed 911. Dad actually tried to stop me, still holding onto some sliver of hope for Jessica. I snapped, my voice sharp with frustration. “Do you want me to lose my job because of her? Think about what Aunt Carol just said! Think about what your coworkers will say! How are we supposed to live in this neighborhood anymore?” I pulled away from him and made the call. The police arrived quickly. After hearing the story, one officer asked, “Did you record that last phone call you made?” I shook my head. “Okay,” the officer said. “We’ll need to contact the other party involved, Ms. Miller, to get her statement and investigate further. If we can confirm she knowingly spread false information – defamation – we’ll proceed according to the law.” “How long will that take?” I asked anxiously. “It depends on her cooperation,” the officer replied. “This is just a preliminary investigation, so we can’t compel her testimony at this stage.” “So, if she just refuses to cooperate, we’re stuck? Just left hanging while our reputations are destroyed? What about the damage to our lives, the lost income?” I was getting desperate. “We understand your frustration,” the officer said reassuringly. “Rest assured, we will investigate this thoroughly and as quickly as possible, and take appropriate action based on the facts.” Great. Said a lot without saying anything useful! By the time the police finished their investigation, would I even have a job to go back to? After they left, the anger simmered inside me. That viper Jessica. Not only did she cost me my project, but she’d turned our family and friends against my dad. I couldn’t just let her get away with it. Just charging her with defamation wasn’t enough. Not nearly enough. I needed to add something more potent to the mix. But before I could make my move, someone else targeted our home first.

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My fiancé ditched me at our engagement party because he’d fallen for the sweet, innocent new girl at his company. He took her on a reckless yacht trip trying to be romantic, which ended with him critically injured and unconscious. The new girl vanished. For the sake of our families’ intertwined businesses and reputations, I nursed him back to health. But the first thing he did when he woke up? He destroyed my family, made us bankrupt, all to supposedly avenge his lost love. I died on what would have been my third wedding anniversary with Ethan Hayes. Swallowing the nausea churning in my gut, I tried to keep my face neutral as I handed him the divorce papers. The Vance and Hayes families went way back, practically dynasties in this town. My parents had treated Ethan like their own son. After we got married, my family’s company, Vance Corp, trusted him completely, gave him access to everything. He used that trust to collude with our rivals, shorted our stock, and drove us into the ground. Our company collapsed. Grandpa had a massive heart attack. Dad was pushed to desperation and jumped from his office building. Mom withered away, lost in grief. I didn’t want to fight him anymore. All I wanted was for him to sign the papers and let me go. He took the agreement but didn’t sign. “Let’s have one last meal together,” he suggested. Seeing the refusal forming on my lips, he added, “I’ll sign after we eat.” So I sat down. The food tasted like ash in my mouth. I managed a few bites, put down my fork, and waited quietly. He took his time, raising his wine glass to me. “A toast, to thank you for taking care of me all these years.” I just wanted this to be over so I could go home and check on Mom. I picked up my glass and downed it in one gulp. The bitter aftertaste lingered. “Can you sign now?” I asked, looking up at him. That’s when I saw the smile playing on his lips. “Looks like signing won’t be necessary after all. You wanted freedom, didn’t you? Well, you’ve got it. Eternal freedom.” His voice, usually smooth and cultured like a cello, now held a demonic whisper. “What are you talking about?” I scrambled to my feet, but a wave of dizziness hit me. Was I drunk already? But seeing that smirk, I knew. This wasn’t just the wine. He’d drugged me. “Why?” I couldn’t understand. Our families had been close for decades. My parents adored him. I knew I couldn’t win against him; I just wanted to take Mom and disappear somewhere quiet, live out our lives in peace. “Why would you do this to me? To my family!” I screamed at him, my voice raw. I couldn’t think of a single thing I’d done to deserve this. He, on the other hand, had repaid every kindness with betrayal. He watched my staggering form, his expression dark and stormy. “This is what you owe me. What you owe Lily!” Lily? He must have seen the confusion on my face because he sneered. “What, forgotten already? If your family hadn’t insisted on that damned engagement, I wouldn’t have had to take Lily away. She wouldn’t have been lost at sea, her body never even found.” As he spoke, his eyes actually reddened. He glared at me, like I was some kind of monster responsible for it all. It was laughable. Utterly insane. He was blaming the Vances for that accident? I had to laugh, a broken, hollow sound. Six years. Three years tending to him while he lay in bed, recovering. Three years married after he got better. And he’d never forgotten her. It was pathetic. We’d known each other practically our whole lives, but it meant nothing compared to the few months he’d known her. Was he devoted? Or just cruel? “Vance Corporation has paid its price. Now, it’s your turn, Eleanor Vance.” “So, Mr. Hayes,” I spat, anger bubbling up through the haze, “what ending have you planned for me?” “Don’t worry,” he said, a chilling calm in his voice. “Considering you took care of me for a while, I won’t make it painful. Just go to sleep, and you’ll be free. Consider your shares in the company my compensation.” “I’ll arrange a beautiful funeral. ‘Mrs. Hayes, overcome with grief, succumbs to depression.’ ‘Mr. Hayes, heartbroken, mourns his beloved wife.’ How does that headline sound?” Looking at his familiar face, I felt nothing but disgust. My vision blurred. The world tilted. Finally, everything went black. 02 “Ellie, what’s wrong? You look so pale.” The first thing I heard when I came to was Mom’s worried voice. Across the room, Dad and Grandpa were talking to some guests, but their eyes kept flicking towards me. “Mom!” I threw my arms around her, clinging tight. She gently patted my back, comforting me just like she always did when I was upset. Nestled in her warm embrace, listening to her soft murmurs, I wished time could just stop right there. I was back. Somehow, unbelievably, I was back. “What’s this? Ethan’s a no-show, so now you’re throwing your usual princess tantrum?” A sharp, mocking voice cut through the moment. “Honestly, Eleanor. You come from such a good family, why do you have to chase after Ethan Hayes like a lovesick puppy?” I turned around. Standing there was Chloe Sterling, a petite girl with a sour expression. I managed a small smile. Ignoring her usual protests, I linked my arm through hers. “You know what? You’re absolutely right. I’m done with him. I’m taking your advice.” Chloe and I had always been rivals, constantly sniping at each other. But in my past life, after my family went bankrupt, all the fake friends who used to flatter me vanished instantly. Chloe, my supposed nemesis, was the one who actually started checking in on me. As for why Ethan wasn’t here yet… I knew exactly why. This was the year. The year Ethan had that accident – paragliding, I think it was. He was in a coma for days. When he woke up, Lily White was there by his bedside. She had bandages on, scratches on her pretty face. He was incredibly moved. Finding out Lily didn’t have a job, he ignored his family’s objections and hired her as his personal assistant. The very next day, they were splashed all over social media, riding a carousel at an amusement park. It even trended online. Mom heard the whispers around us and squeezed my hand reassuringly. “Ellie, don’t listen to them. You and Ethan grew up together. We all know he cares about you deep down.” I squeezed her hand back, seeing the worry in her eyes. “Mom, I’m fine. Really. I haven’t liked Ethan that way for a long time.” From the look on her face, she clearly didn’t believe me. And why would she? I used to follow Ethan around like a shadow. Saying I was suddenly over him? No one would buy it. “Ellie,” Mom’s grip tightened, her eyes lighting up, “Look, Ethan’s here!” 03 I followed her gaze. Ethan was just getting out of his car, head slightly bowed. The murmurs in the room died down the moment he appeared. We’d grown up together. It was an unspoken understanding between our families that we’d eventually merge the Vance and Hayes legacies through marriage. But Ethan didn’t walk towards us. Instead, he went around to the passenger side and opened the door. He reached in and helped out a girl dressed in a flowing white dress. The whispering started again, louder this time. “The heiress versus the ingenue…” “Looks like the newcomer won this round.” Ethan held Lily White’s delicate wrist and strode towards the main gathering area. Lily clung to his side like a frightened bird. When she saw me, she flinched and ducked slightly behind him. Ethan noticed her movement, followed her gaze to where I stood, and his expression soured. 04 I almost laughed out loud. I really was blind in my past life. I hadn’t noticed any of this back then. The moment Ethan arrived, my stupid, love-struck brain took over, and I rushed towards him. When I saw Lily, I lost it completely, calling her a homewrecker right there in front of everyone. It wasn’t my fault, not really, but my emotional outburst embarrassed the Hayes family terribly. And who got all the sympathy? Lily, the fragile flower. Thinking back, I forced my expression back to neutral. “Hi, Eleanor!” Lily peeked out from behind Ethan, offered a quick greeting, and immediately ducked back again. “Don’t you dare call her that, like you’re family! Who do you think you are?” Before I could even react, Chloe jumped in, fiercely protective. Ethan’s brow furrowed deeply. “Eleanor Vance, is this how you treat the person who saved my life?” Seriously? I hadn’t even said a word, and it was still my fault? How had I never noticed how messed up Ethan was before? “Ethan, it’s okay. I don’t mind,” Lily murmured, pulling at his sleeve. Her voice trembled, a single tear clinging precariously to her lashes. “I grew up poor, in the countryside. It’s only natural that people look down on me.” Look at that performance! So pitiful, so fragile. Any idiot would fall for that, right? I almost wanted to applaud her skill. Predictably, Ethan’s face darkened further. He gently wiped the tear from Lily’s cheek, murmuring soft reassurances. Then he turned back to me, glaring daggers. “Eleanor, you have absolutely no class!” 05 The composure I’d been fighting to maintain finally snapped, and I let out a laugh. Beside me, Mom and Chloe both looked worried. I waved a hand dismissively. “I’m fine.” Lily White was a truly gifted actress. Much more dedicated than Ethan, who couldn’t even be bothered to pretend in front of my own mother. It was pathetic how lovesick and blind I’d been in my past life, completely missing her true colors. I’d almost bought her whole innocent damsel act. Her schemes, her ambition – she hid it all so well behind that sweet facade. She fooled everyone. 06 I remember back then, weak and recovering from the shock of my family’s ruin, I’d asked Ethan why he fell for Lily. “Everyone around me is nice to me because I’m the Hayes heir,” he’d said. “Even your family, even you, Eleanor. Isn’t that why you stuck around?” At the time, his words completely threw me off. I just stayed silent, unable to respond. To him, my silence was proof of his accusation. “That’s why you’ll never compare to Lily,” he continued. “Her love for me is pure. Unconditional.” Looking back now, that whole speech was a massive red flag signaling just how warped his thinking was. So, being the heir to the Hayes fortune was some kind of burden for him? Fine, then give it up! He enjoyed all the perks and privileges that came with his family name but didn’t want any of the responsibility. What a joke. Lily takes care of him for a few months, and he remembers it forever. I took care of him for years, and he forgot in an instant. The watch he wore paragliding, the clothes – all high-end luxury brands. Was it really that hard to figure out he was wealthy? Lily obviously recognized the signs and decided to stick close to him, playing the long game. 07 “Ethan,” Lily whispered, tears welling up again, “Is… is Eleanor laughing at me?” “Maybe… maybe you should just ignore me. I’m not good enough for you anyway.” “Eleanor,” she turned her tear-streaked face towards me, “it’s all my fault. Please don’t misunderstand Ethan. I just mentioned I’d never been to a fancy party like this, and he kindly brought me along.” “Well, look at you, knowing exactly where you stand. That’s something, I guess. Not many people have that kind of self-awareness these days.” Chloe rolled her eyes so hard I thought they might get stuck. “Enough!” Ethan roared, his voice cutting through the party chatter, silencing the entire hall. Lily jumped, feigning fright, her hand trembling as she clutched his suit jacket. Ethan captured her hand, holding it tightly in his own. I, meanwhile, casually picked up a glass of red wine, sipping it slowly as I enjoyed the melodrama unfolding. “Eleanor, can you forgive me?” Lily pleaded, looking at me with those big, tearful eyes. I took another sip of wine, saying nothing. After all, Chloe was the one laying into her. I just wanted to slap her. Suddenly, Ethan lunged forward and smacked the wine glass out of my hand. Red wine splashed onto the polished floor and my dress. “Eleanor Vance, don’t push it!” 08 “What did I even do? Just watch the pity party?” I didn’t react aggressively, just calmly dabbed at the wine staining my hand. Dealing with Ethan’s tantrums for years had unexpectedly turned me into a master of emotional control. “Is this how you treat guests? Is this the kind of manners the Hayes family taught you?” He turned back to Lily, dabbing at her crocodile tears again, before whirling back to me, his voice sharp: “Apologize to Lily! Now!” I couldn’t help it; I laughed again. “Guest? Since when is she a guest?” This time, I deliberately dropped the empty glass I was holding onto the floor. The shattering sound echoed in the now dead-silent room. “You brought a complete stranger into my family’s home uninvited. I should have had security escort her out. Now you’re causing a scene at my birthday party? Really, Ethan, where are your manners?” Last time around, Lily played the victim, Ethan was willfully blind, and I was the fool. The three of us created a trashy high-society drama that everyone gossiped about for weeks. I suddenly remembered something from my past life: I’d seen Lily acting suspiciously at the engagement party, talking furtively to someone bundled up, maybe even handing something over. Not long after that, a major Hayes project fell through spectacularly. It should have been a sure thing, but some small, insignificant company snatched it right out from under them. My gut told me the two incidents were connected. I called Ethan immediately, warned him to be careful around Lily. He blew up at me, accused me of trying to sabotage Lily just so I could force the engagement. It wasn’t until the night he killed me that he finally admitted it. He said it was because of my warning call that he confronted Lily out on the yacht. She got angry and jumped overboard. So, according to his twisted logic, I was the one who killed Lily White. Seriously, what kind of messed-up reasoning is that? He managed to be both the fool and the blind man in that scenario. 09 The upper crust of this city is a small world. Most people at the party were familiar faces, regulars at these events. Even bringing a date usually involves adding them to the guest list beforehand. Now, curious and judgmental eyes were all focused on Lily. Unable to stand the whispers, Lily shrank further behind Ethan. “Eleanor, why are you deliberately making things hard for Lily? Apologize!” Ethan’s inner knight-in-shining-armor complex flared up as he shielded her. His yelling was giving me a headache. I took a couple of steps back, forcing a tight smile. “You know, Ethan, you kind of remind me of a soap opera actor.” He clearly didn’t get the sarcastic reference, probably thinking I was complimenting his looks. “You think flattering me will work? No chance! Apologize!” “Hahahaha! A soap actor! That’s perfect! Hahaha, and he thinks she means he’s handsome!” Chloe doubled over laughing behind me. I couldn’t help the corners of my eyes crinkling in amusement. I really must have been blind. How did I ever think this guy was smart and sophisticated? “You’re mocking me!” His face flushed with anger. “Mom, are Grandpa and Mr. Hayes still in the study?” I ignored Ethan’s outburst and turned to my mother. Mom nodded, looking a bit dazed. I lifted the hem of my dress and headed towards the study. Seeing me make a move towards his grandfather, Ethan hurried after me. “What now? Going to run crying to Grandpa again?” “That’s all you ever do. Same old trick every time.” “Hey! Wait up!” I ignored his shouting and walked straight to the study door. Sometimes, calling in the grown-ups isn’t just for kids; it’s necessary for dealing with adult idiots you can’t reason with. My grandfather and Ethan’s grandfather, old Mr. Hayes, had been best friends since childhood. After Ethan’s parents died tragically, Mr. Hayes, already semi-retired, had to step back in to stabilize the family company. Worried someone might try to harm Ethan during the transition, Mr. Hayes asked my family to look out for him. My parents basically raised him alongside me. And now, Ethan was stubbornly insisting on choosing Lily. Old Mr. Hayes felt deeply indebted to my family because of this whole situation, which meant he usually indulged my requests. “Eleanor, don’t you dare use your birthday to make some unreasonable demand! I’m telling you, I am not marrying you!” So, he’d heard the rumors that Mr. Hayes planned to announce our engagement tonight. I glanced back at him. He really had been sheltered his whole life, completely clueless about the strategic importance of a Vance-Hayes merger. Perfect timing. Hearing the commotion, my grandfather opened the study door. “Ellie, what brings you here? Did you hear your wish is about to come true and came to thank your Grandpa Hayes early?” Ever since I turned eighteen, my birthday wish every year had been to marry Ethan Hayes. “Grandpa,” I said, taking his arm, “I don’t like Ethan anymore. I don’t want to marry him.” At first, Grandpa probably thought I was just throwing another fit. But when he saw the dead seriousness in my eyes, his expression changed, breaking into a wide grin. “Alright then! If you don’t want to marry him, you don’t have to. My dear Ellie deserves much better.” I knew Grandpa hadn’t been happy with Ethan for a while. He only tolerated the idea because he knew how much I supposedly loved him. The engagement announcement was quietly shelved. Later, when the birthday cake arrived, I closed my eyes and made a wish. “I only wish for my family to be safe, happy, and prosperous.”

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“So, Alex, you finally came around?” When I was shown into Harrison Vance’s study, the man, coiled like a panther in the dim light, swiveled his chair and spoke, his voice deep. His smile sent a chill down my spine. I swallowed down the discomfort, keeping my face blank. “I’ve thought it through. I need fifty million dollars.” “And what are you offering in return?” Harrison laced his fingers under his chin, looking entirely too comfortable. “One week. Whatever Mr. Vance wants.” Harrison let out a hearty laugh at that. “Alex Chen,” he said, his tone shifting, becoming almost intimate. “Or maybe I can call you Alex?” “Alex,” he continued, “turns out you’re not that expensive after all.” He stood up then, casually pulling me into his arms. I felt my body stiffen slightly against him, and he slowly, patiently, started loosening my tie, his fingers brushing against my exposed neck. The first time I saw Alex Chen was back in college. Tall and lean, with smooth, pale skin and features that still held a touch of youthful innocence. He looked almost identical to Julian Wells, the golden boy of the Wells family, yet somehow, you could tell them apart instantly. Harrison Vance absolutely adored that face. But this young man wasn’t Julian. Julian Wells was the cherished son, an angel untainted by the world, a delicate flower nurtured in a greenhouse, someone to be cultivated and protected. Alex Chen was different. Taking money he shouldn’t have, dreaming dreams beyond his station. An illegitimate son, thinking he could grab a piece of Apex Corp? Ridiculous. Making him face reality early would be a public service, really. But Harrison didn’t want to do that just yet. He loved that face too much. “Someone like you won’t make it into the upper echelons without leveraging what you have,” he’d said. “I like you. Perhaps we could make a deal.” “You can have anything you want. All I want is you.” He couldn’t wait to see this young man break down beneath him, weeping. It would be a beautiful sight. But he couldn’t rush it. He had to wait, slowly. Harrison waited for two weeks, precisely so that Alex Chen would come to him, pretending it was his own choice, offering himself up willingly. Under Harrison’s mocking gaze, my hands trembled as I undid the buttons of my shirt, like unwrapping a costly, fragile gift. I knew I was walking into an abyss. But there was no turning back now. 2. Two weeks earlier, Harrison Vance had practically handed me a prime piece of real estate. I couldn’t fathom why the shrewd Harrison Vance would suddenly back out at the last moment of the bidding war. “Since Mr. Chen wants this land so badly, I’ll do him the favor. Be the good guy for once,” he’d announced. I never associated Harrison Vance with the words “good guy,” but the documents my assistant provided checked out perfectly. The plot was almost too good to be true. There was an old youth center on it, but it was dilapidated; relocating it should have been straightforward. There was no logical reason for Harrison to let this juicy prize slip through his fingers and into mine. “Sometimes you have to give your rivals a little breathing room. It fosters healthy competition. I look forward to seeing what Mr. Chen accomplishes,” Harrison had murmured close to my ear as he left, his tone disturbingly intimate, stirring up unpleasant memories. I had a bad feeling about it all. Later, I found out exactly what was wrong. My plan was to build a high-end shopping mall, Skyview Plaza, on that land. The architectural designs were commissioned from a world-renowned firm, and leasing negotiations were well underway. Then, out of nowhere, officials showed up, waving evidence that the deed was still held by the youth center’s trust. Apex Corp had no legal right to begin construction. Adding insult to injury, the situation attracted a swarm of reporters, hounding me, demanding to know why I was so heartless as to try and take away the only home these underprivileged kids had. The mall project collapsed. Back at the office, the loss report was already on my desk: fifty million dollars. Eleanor Croft, the matriarch of the family that controlled Apex, slammed the report onto my face. She told me if I didn’t recoup the losses within a month, I could pack my bags and get the hell out of Apex Corp. As the head of the Croft family, Eleanor allowing an illegitimate son like me into the company was already considered an act of extreme generosity. Never mind that she hadn’t given me a single share of stock but had thrown me into a VP position. Never mind that she wouldn’t even let me take the family name. Never mind that I wasn’t allowed to set foot in the main family estate unless specifically invited. If Eleanor Croft’s own son wasn’t severely autistic, a quiet boy lost in his own world, would she ever have let the son of her husband’s mistress spend her money on a top-tier US education, only to bring him back to help manage her company? That day, I tore the giant promotional poster for Skyview Plaza to shreds, then sat amidst the wreckage, burying my face in my hands. Walking on thin ice every day was exhausting. At least now, the ice had finally, completely shattered. “Can we… not do this in the study?” As I stripped off my clothes, I managed to ask, my voice rough with shame. It sounded surprisingly appealing, that raw edge in my voice. Harrison just chuckled softly and pushed me down onto the desk. As waves of unfamiliar pain washed over me, my consciousness blurred through a steady stream of tears I couldn’t stop. In that moment, I felt like giving in: “Mr. Vance… you were right… This is the only way I can survive in that place…” “I don’t just want the fifty million… I… I want more…” Hearing my mumbled words, Harrison paused. He wasn’t surprised. People are greedy, aren’t they? After all, even he had to admit, this body was more delicious than he’d anticipated. 3. I rarely thought about the past. To me, the past was something to be discarded like worn-out shoes. It served no purpose except to highlight how insignificant I was. Growing up, I was always exceptional. Top grades, good at sports, and crucially, I had the looks. Girls were always writing me letters, secretly taking photos of me to sell, blushing as they stood before me confessing crushes. Truthfully, the grades and sports didn’t matter much; they were just bonus points. The girls were captivated by my face alone. Talent is only meaningful when it’s needed. If that’s the case, then good looks are a kind of talent too. But beyond that, I had nothing. I only knew how to spend money, not make it. I had to care for my sick mother. We lived in a cramped, 200-square-foot apartment. I wouldn’t have survived without part-time jobs and odd gigs. Nobody wanted to be friends with someone like that. No girl, once she found out the reality, wanted to stay with me. I studied relentlessly, desperately trying to improve my life. But just like Harrison Vance said, some things can’t be obtained no matter how hard you try. The day after my mother passed away, someone claiming to be from my father’s family showed up at my door, telling me it was time to be acknowledged. How naive I was. How could they have found me so precisely the day after my mother died? How could my father, whom I’d never met, suddenly take such an interest in his illegitimate son? I never met my father. Instead, I met Eleanor Croft. She presented me with an agreement and told me to sign it. Go to a top university, get a degree. If my performance was outstanding enough, I could come back and take over managing the company. It was an incredible offer, dropping from the sky, leaving me dizzy. I agreed almost without thinking. Vice President of Apex Corp, a member of the Croft family circle – titles I’d never dreamed of seemed to be desperately throwing themselves at me. I threw myself into my studies, forced myself to network, did countless things I was never good at before. Eleanor did make me a VP. But she never let me take the family name, and I still never met my father. He had no real power anymore. The President and majority shareholder of Apex Corp was Eleanor Croft. And Eleanor Croft had an autistic son. He looked a lot like me, but his fate was entirely different. Raised in a mansion, born a young master, needing to do nothing yet provided for, happy and secure. “Someone like you won’t make it into the upper echelons without leveraging what you have,” Harrison Vance had said. “You’re just an illegitimate kid. I gave you the VP title, and I can take it away anytime. Don’t think you’ll get a dime from this family. I paid for your education; I didn’t raise a useless bum,” Eleanor Croft had said. I still didn’t understand. Why, after I had accomplished so much, after I had worked so hard to become capable, could others still so easily take away everything I held in my hands? But the thing I was best at in life was bowing to fate. Talent is only meaningful when it’s needed. If this face, this body, is a kind of talent, then let’s use it to its fullest. 4. Seven AM. I woke up. At times like this, I hated the impeccable internal clock forged by years of high-intensity work. Once in the study yesterday, I was already barely conscious. Then, later, he carried me to the bed for two more rounds. Finally, Harrison seemed almost gentle as he carried me to the shower, washing me thoroughly, inside and out. I supposed I should thank him. I heard if you don’t clean up properly afterward, you end up with a fever and diarrhea instead of just aching all over. I pushed myself upright. My entire body felt like it had been disassembled and poorly put back together. He’d applied some kind of ointment back there, but it still hurt. Hurt enough to make me wince. I didn’t understand the point of any of this, but since Mr. Vance enjoyed it, I guess it was a win-win. I managed to get up and head to the bathroom. The clothes I’d arrived in were gone. Opening the closet, I found it stuffed with all sorts of clothes. I picked out the most basic shirt and trousers and put them on. Despite feeling like crap all over, I had to go to the office. Meetings to attend, projects to discuss, yesterday’s mess to clean up. Only after getting dressed did I realize the clothes fit perfectly. The butler was clearly surprised to see me up so early, but Harrison himself was also there, leaning against the wall at the end of the hallway. “Since you’re up, let’s have breakfast together.” I sat down without a word. I disliked milk, but faced with the bowl of cereal and milk on the table, I started eating without complaint. Harrison took his time, just watching me. “How was yesterday?” “It hurt.” “Are you complaining about my technique? Perhaps we should try again tonight?” I didn’t answer, just ate quickly and elegantly. “Eleanor Croft certainly trained you well.” “Can we please not discuss nauseating topics while eating?” Harrison chuckled, then slowly started eating too. “About your request yesterday, I have a constructive suggestion. Want to hear it?” I glanced at him but said nothing. “You stay with me for one month. I’ll help you get 5% of Apex Corp stock.” My hand paused for a second. I swallowed the last mouthful of milk. Then I stood up and walked towards the door. “How long have you been planning this, Mr. Vance?” “About four years, I guess. Since the first time I saw you.” “You’ve prepared thoroughly. You even know my clothing sizes perfectly.” Harrison detected a hint of something – maybe satisfaction? – in my voice, and felt a strange flicker of pleasure himself. “As long as you like it.” “Then your research wasn’t detailed enough. I hate milk.” I walked out. Harrison pursed his lips, folding his hands. “Can you be back by eight tonight?” “I’ll try.” “I’ll have the driver pick you up.” “No need. I’ll drive myself.” I walked straight out without looking back. Such a proud, stubborn little cat. The more he acted like this, the more tempting it was to… utterly break him. Nine PM. I was lying face down on the bed, silent, while Harrison was on top of me, doing whatever he pleased. His movements were rough, merciless. As soon as we got back, Harrison had pushed me onto the bed like a starved wolf, stripping me bare in seconds. Meanwhile, Mr. Vance himself remained impeccably dressed. It went on like this for three consecutive days. I had learned to endure. I tried my best not to show any aversion, just to keep Harrison satisfied. When it was finally over, Harrison patted me. “Alex is getting more obedient.” I controlled my breathing. “As long as Mr. Vance is satisfied.” “Yes, very satisfied so far. But now,” Harrison smirked, pulling me close again, “we’ll see how well you really perform.” The night was still young. 5. I just finished a very long meeting. Harrison had kept me up late last night, leaving me feeling foggy and drained today. But meetings don’t get canceled for that. Nobody cared how I was doing anyway. Men just aren’t built for that kind of thing, are they? I pinched the bridge of my nose and asked my assistant for another coffee. Once this current project was successfully completed, once I had that 5% stock in hand, maybe I could finally catch a break. Just then, my phone rang. It was Maya Lin, a friend from middle school I’d reconnected with after returning from overseas and starting at Apex Corp. She still didn’t know I was a VP at Apex, which kept our interactions refreshingly simple. Maya was a cheerful girl, working as a waitress. She came from a large family that wasn’t well-off, but she lived each day with infectious joy and freedom. I really liked her positive attitude; it was something I’d never possessed. She was my only friend. If “friend” means someone you can be genuine with. “Alex, I have the day off today! Are you free? There’s a new BBQ place downtown that’s getting great reviews. Wanna check it out?” “Yeah, I’m free.” “Great! How about we meet at the restaurant at six-thirty?” “Okay.” I hung up, feeling a lift in my spirits. But just then, my assistant knocked and entered, holding a bouquet. “Mr. Chen, a florist just delivered these for you.” I paused for a second, then took the flowers. White roses, with a small card tucked between the stems. “Six-thirty tonight, meet me at The White House.” The smile vanished from my face. Six-thirty. Harrison sat in a private room at The White House. French cuisine, elegant ambiance, perfect for a date. I pushed the door open. Harrison looked up, a smile playing on his lips. “Alex, you’re punctual.” I didn’t waste time on pleasantries, sitting down directly and unbuttoning my suit jacket. “Going to all this trouble, one might think this is a date.” “Isn’t it?” Harrison chuckled. “Don’t joke, Mr. Vance. This is a transaction between us. Things like this are meaningless.” “Alex, you have a clear head, I’ll give you that. But you also know this is a transaction, which naturally means the buyer needs to be fully satisfied.” Harrison’s smile turned cold. “I hear Alex has a girl he’s quite fond of… Maya Lin, was it?” My hand tightened abruptly on the napkin in my lap. “That’s my private business. Mr. Vance needn’t concern himself.” “How can it be your private business, Alex?” Harrison picked up the decanter, slowly pouring vibrant red wine into my glass. “The agreement is you spend one month with me. If Alex still has time for flirting with little girls during this month, isn’t that a complaint about my… performance?” I wanted to say, “She’s just a friend.” But I knew it didn’t matter what I thought. What mattered was what Harrison Vance wanted. And whatever Harrison wanted, I had to provide. So, in the end, I just said, “I understand.” Harrison didn’t seem inclined to let it go. “The food here is excellent. Try some, Alex. Tonight, when we get back, we can discuss further… how to be a truly satisfactory lover.” 6. Dinner concluded in a tense silence. Harrison was clearly displeased with my rigid demeanor. But his manners were impeccable; even displeased, he remained graceful, his smile fixed. In the car on the way back, he dropped a casual sentence that sent ice flooding through my veins. “I wonder if Alex is interested in… exploring some kinks? Perhaps we could try playing some different games. What do you think?” The look he gave me was filled with naked malice. “I think, after these past few days, Alex should be quite adaptable by now. Consider it my mercy towards you. After all,” he added, the words dripping with false affection, “I like you so much.” My heart turned colder and colder. That night, Harrison subjected me to a new kind of humiliation, forcing me into degrading positions, treating me less like a person and more like a pet to be toyed with.

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My wife went to her high school reunion and didn’t come home that night. Her old flame, Connor, lost some drinking game, and the penalty was picking someone of the opposite sex for a slow dance right there on the spot. He walked straight up to my wife, Sarah. “Can I pick you?” Sarah didn’t say no. So, right there, in front of everyone, they were wrapped in each other’s arms, swaying slowly. Eyes locked, practically dripping sweetness. You could almost see the sparks. Everyone else was looking at me, trying hard not to snicker. I walked over to them, pulling out my phone. “Well, according to tradition, after the dance comes the honeymoon suite, right?” I announced, loud enough for everyone. “Which hotel do you guys prefer? I’ll book you a room!” Jaws dropped. Everyone stared at me. Sarah looked completely baffled, her eyes wide with confusion. “Better hurry, don’t want to miss the magic moment,” I said, waving my phone in front of them. “Time’s a-wasting!” Sarah’s face flushed bright red. She tried to pull away from Connor, but he actually tightened his arm around her waist, pulling her back slightly. Like he was daring me. “Liam, what the hell is wrong with you? Are you sick?” Sarah hissed, her eyebrows knitted together. Seeing a fight brewing, people nearby quickly jumped in. “Come on, Liam, don’t get bent out of shape. It was just a game.” “Yeah, man, just messing around. You’re not gonna take it seriously, right?” Connor flashed a smile as bright as the sun, but his eyes were pure challenge. I sat back down and pointed to a pretty woman across the room. “Come sit on my lap, let’s share a drink real close.” “Hey, screw you! You hitting on my wife?” the guy next to her roared. Connor scoffed. “See, Liam? Sarah and I were playing a game. You’re just being a creep.” I felt sick. Look at these hypocrites! “Enough!” Sarah couldn’t take it anymore. She glared at me like she wanted to eat me alive. “Liam, there was nothing going on! You always have to blow things out of proportion!” “So Connor and I shared a dance, big deal! We’re just friends!” “You come barging in, making a scene! You’re so damn petty! Why do you have to be such a small-minded, insecure man?!” Sarah pointed her finger right at me, yelling. I sighed inwardly. This was all too familiar. With Sarah, whatever she did was right. I couldn’t question anything, or I was the one in the wrong. Maybe our relationship was skewed from the start. Sarah was the girl I worshipped in high school. We reconnected by chance years later, right after she’d been dumped and was drunk off her ass. “Liam, my world’s gone dark,” she sobbed uncontrollably. “I’ll be your light from now on,” I’d said, holding her, my heart aching for her. “Liam, will you marry me?” Overjoyed and barely thinking straight, I agreed. We got the license. After we married, I treated her like a queen, my angel. A year later, she gave birth to our beautiful daughter, Lily. I became even more devoted, catering to her every whim. But she took my adoration as a license to do whatever she wanted. The slightest thing could set her off. She’d scream, yell, point her finger in my face. I wasn’t allowed to argue back. I had to apologize, beg for forgiveness. At home, I couldn’t even stand up to pee. Sarah claimed I’d splash the toilet seat, breeding germs and viruses. She might get some kind of infection, she said. “For my health, you have to sit down to pee!” When I sat there, I felt like a eunuch, like a woman – anything but a man. I didn’t dare stand. If she caught me, I’d face her volcanic wrath. “Liam, how many times do I have to tell you? Why are you still standing up to use the toilet?” “Do you have any sense of responsibility? Can’t you think about me for once?” “You’re unbelievable! Playing games with my health! You don’t love me at all!” The yelling would escalate to throwing things, sometimes even hitting me. I just took it, burying the humiliation deep inside. She was dominant in everything; I yielded in everything. I changed completely for her, inside and out. Old friends said I wasn’t the same person. Only I knew the bitterness I swallowed daily. Predictably, the reunion ended on a sour note. “Fine! Since you want it so bad, I’ll go get a room with Connor!” That was the last thing Sarah threw at me. Whether it was just spite or not, she walked out with Connor in front of everyone and got into his car. The others looked at me like I was pathetic, a piece of wilted lettuce. I just gave a cold laugh and left. What a joke of a reunion. More like a gathering of vultures – not a decent person among them. I drove home, got into bed. But just as I lay down, my phone rang. It was Sarah, sounding panicked. “Liam, oh my God, it’s bad! Connor and I got into a car accident…” Hearing this, I couldn’t help but smile grimly. What could I say? Karma, maybe. “Liam, you have to come, please come… I’m scared…” Sarah’s voice was choked with tears. My first instinct was to ignore it. But then I thought, she’s still my wife, Lily’s mother. She might be hurt. When I got to the scene, she was clinging to Connor’s arm, tears streaming down her face. She just had a few scrapes, nothing serious. But when I turned Connor over, I jumped. His face was covered in blood. Both eyelids were split open. He was badly hurt. Looks like his eyes slammed into the steering wheel. It was a bloody mess. Possible head trauma too. “Did you call 911?” “No, Liam, I… I called you, and then my phone died. His phone broke in the crash… Oh God, this is awful…” Sarah sobbed. What an idiot. First thought in a car crash isn’t 911, but calling me? I’m not a doctor. If I hadn’t come, Connor might have actually died. I quickly called for an ambulance. Even though I despised Connor, it was still a human life. Once the ambulance arrived, I was ready to leave. “Liam, where are you going?” Sarah ran over as I started my car. “Home. To sleep.” Sarah looked furious. “Connor’s been in a serious accident, and you’re thinking about sleeping?!” Huh? I was stunned. I called 911, saved Connor’s sorry ass. That was more than enough, wasn’t it? But Sarah wasn’t satisfied. She demanded, “You have to come to the hospital with me to take care of Connor. You’re stronger than me; I can’t handle him alone.” I just floored the gas pedal and left, leaving Sarah coughing in my exhaust fumes. Back home, I fell straight asleep. Without Sarah next to me, the king-sized bed felt incredibly spacious and comfortable. No worries about my snoring getting me kicked onto the floor. I slept like a log that night, deeply and peacefully. Meanwhile, Sarah spent the night at the hospital. The next day, I found out what happened. Sarah was fine. Connor’s situation was tricky. Luckily, no brain damage. He’d kept his miserable life. Unluckily, his eyes were severely damaged. Both corneas were destroyed. He was probably going blind. Sarah called me, crying her eyes out. I comforted her on the phone while secretly laughing inside. “You go ahead and cry for a bit. I need to take Lily to school.” I hung up and dropped Lily off. Sarah stayed at the hospital for three days straight. I honestly couldn’t understand. Was an old flame really that important? Important enough for a married woman with a child to abandon her home for three days? Thankfully, Lily wasn’t particularly attached to her. She hadn’t even asked where her mom was. On the fourth day, Sarah finally came home. Her eyes were red and swollen, like she’d just finished crying. As soon as she walked in, she was like a different person. She started cooking, then cleaning the house. I stared in disbelief. Had hell frozen over? In five years of marriage, I’d done all the housework. Sarah never lifted a finger. She usually just lounged around playing on her phone. She didn’t even work. Said she was too delicate, got tired easily, couldn’t handle a job. Which was fine, really. Sarah came from money. Her dad left her a huge inheritance before he passed, enough to last her lifetime. And I owned two successful restaurants myself. But her behavior today was completely out of character. “Sarah, what’s gotten into you?” I sat down across from her, curious and confused. Sarah looked at me, wringing her hands, her eyes filled with anxiety and nervousness. “Liam, could you… could you do something for me? A really big favor?” “What is it?” I braced myself. If she wanted a divorce, I was ready to drive her to the courthouse right then. “Liam, Connor’s eyes… they’re ruined. He can’t see anymore.” “Yeah, I know.” “Well…” Sarah fidgeted, stood up, sat back down, sighed heavily a few times before finally speaking. “Liam, could you… could you donate one of your corneas to Connor?” “What?” Her words hit me like a physical blow. I was stunned, speechless. “The accident caused severe trauma to his eyes. Both corneas are destroyed, beyond repair. He needs corneal transplants.” “But there’s a massive shortage of donors right now…” Sarah looked at me pleadingly, cautiously. My blood pressure shot through the roof. How could such a bizarre, twisted woman exist? Asking her own husband to gouge out his eye for her ex-boyfriend! “Sure. When I’m dead,” I said, my voice ice-cold, staring right at her. Sarah frowned instantly. “What’s that supposed to mean?” I couldn’t be bothered to answer. I got up to leave. She grabbed my arm. “Liam, I know it’s a terrible thing to ask, but I owe Connor. It’s my fault he got hurt.” “When he was driving… I… I kissed him. That’s what caused the crash.” “Connor’s suffering so much. If we don’t help him, my conscience will torture me for the rest of my life.” “Liam, please, do a good deed. Think of it as helping me atone. I’ve never asked you for anything like this before, but I’m truly begging you now…” I just stared at her silently, the amusement, contempt, and coldness in my eyes clearly stinging her. She suddenly shot to her feet, spitting out words that would be seared into my memory forever. “You have two corneas! What’s the big deal giving one to Connor?” “You’d only lose one cornea! But Connor… Connor is losing his entire future, his light!” I was shaking with rage. “Since you feel so bad for him, why don’t you give him your cornea?” “What? You want me to do it?” “Are you even a man? Asking a woman to do something like that?” “Do you even love me? You clearly don’t, or you’d never say such a thing!” Sarah became hysterical. I stormed into the kitchen, grabbed a steak knife, and threw it down in front of her. “Fine. I’ll give Connor a cornea. You cut it out.” She actually picked up the knife, looking at my eyes. An immense wave of despair washed over me. This is what happens when you’re a doormat. You give her everything, and in the end, she wants to carve out your eye. “Liam, I… I don’t know how. Let’s have a doctor do it.” Sarah put the knife down and pulled a document out of her purse. “This is a voluntary cornea donation consent form. Just sign it, and then we can go to the hospital for the surgery.” She even had the form ready. This clearly wasn’t some spur-of-the-moment idea. That was it. I finally snapped. I shoved her roughly, sending her sprawling onto the floor, and slapped her hard across the face. “Sarah, you goddamn bitch!”

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I did three years in prison, taking the fall for my little brother. While I was inside, pure luck had me save the son of some billionaire tycoon. As a thank you, the tycoon wired $10 million into an account for me. The day I got out, the first thing I did was call my dad, excited to share the unbelievable news. But the second he heard my voice, click. He hung up. My gut clenched. Something must be wrong at home. I grabbed a cab and rushed over. I was just outside the apartment door when I heard my sister-in-law, Ashley, complaining loud enough for the neighbors to hear: “Couldn’t he have picked any other day to get out? Seriously? Now I missed my prenatal check-up because we had to rush the deed transfer.” Then my mom’s voice: “Honey, it’s for the best. He paid for this place, sure, but with a prison record, finding work will be impossible. What if he just plans to crash here and mooch off us forever?” Ashley scoffed. “If he shows up, tell him to find a rental. I’m not living with an ex-con!” Hearing them, my hand froze halfway to knocking. My heart, which had been pounding with anticipation to see them, just plummeted. It was June, blazing hot outside, but suddenly I felt like I was standing in a freezer. This door… I’d dreamt about walking through this door for three solid years. Now, standing right in front of it felt like standing on a cliff edge. I just stood there for a long moment, unable to move. My parents always favored Ryan, my younger brother. But Ryan… he used to follow me everywhere. I went to prison for him. Surely he wouldn’t want to kick me out? Holding onto that sliver of hope, I finally knocked. Mom opened the door, putting on a surprised face. “Alex! You’re back already? Your dad was just about to head out to pick you up.” She looked me up and down, squeezing out a pained expression. “Oh, you poor thing. Look how thin you are. It must have been hell in there.” If only I hadn’t heard her words from outside the door. If only that concern was real. “It’s okay, Mom. Catching a ride is easy these days,” I said, my voice a little tight. I stepped inside. Ashley immediately came at me, spraying disinfectant like she was trying to hose me down. “Don’t take it personally,” she chirped, “just clearing out the bad juju.” Yeah, right. Her face screamed disgust. She saw me as contaminated goods. An ex-con. Funny, she seemed to forget why I was an ex-con. It was for her and Ryan. I didn’t say anything, just started walking towards my old room. “Don’t bother,” my dad’s voice cut through the air. “There’s no room for you here anymore.” He was slumped on the sofa, chain-smoking. The ashtray was already overflowing with fresh butts. My arrival seemed to have really stressed him out. I stopped, turned to face him. “Dad, I was gone for three years, not dead. Don’t I even deserve a room in my own home?” He stubbed out his cigarette, his voice hard. “The family’s grown, Alex. There just isn’t enough space.” I didn’t argue the point. Instead, I asked, “Where’s Ryan? Does he feel the same way?” Just then, Ryan came out of the bathroom, looking uncomfortable. “Hey, Alex… look, Ashley’s two months pregnant. Things are… tight. Space-wise, I mean.” He hesitated, then added quickly, “But hey, you’re my brother, right? Family first. If you really need a place, I guess… I can clear out the nursery we just set up.” He said it like he was being generous. I nodded slowly. “Okay. The baby’s not due for another seven months anyway. I’ll take the nursery for now.” Ryan’s face froze. He opened his mouth, then closed it, looking trapped. Ashley couldn’t hold back anymore. She stormed over, yelling right in my face. “Are you kidding me? How selfish can you be? Can’t you see we’re crammed in here? You actually want to take the baby’s room? The nerve!” I almost laughed, it was so absurd. “We all fit before. I go away for three years, the baby isn’t even here yet, and suddenly there’s no room? And Ashley, need I remind you? I bought this apartment. Paid in full.” My dad slammed his hand on the coffee table. “Alex! Watch your tone! You think buying a place makes you king of the world? Fresh out of prison and already demanding things?” Disappointment washed over me. “Am I demanding the apartment back? Or are you refusing to even let me have one room?” “I told you already, there’s no room for you! If you need a place to stay, go rent one! We don’t owe you anything!” Dad was practically shouting now, pointing towards the door. A clear eviction notice. “‘Don’t owe me anything’,” I repeated slowly, the words tasting like ash. “Who was it that begged me, tears streaming down their face, to take the fall for Ryan? Who promised that if I did this, I’d be the family’s savior, that you’d spend the rest of your lives repaying me?” “All I’m asking for now is a room in the apartment I paid for. Is that too much? Is this how you repay me?” Each word was heavy, fueled by a churning mix of anger and hurt. Back then, Ryan and Ashley had taken my car, driving recklessly – speeding, wrong way down a one-way street – and hit someone. Killed them. My parents came to me immediately. Ryan had just gotten into a top university, they’d said. His future was so bright. This accident couldn’t ruin him. Me? I was just a clerk at some small company. My future didn’t matter as much. So they cried, they pleaded, they begged me to take the blame. They swore the whole family would be forever grateful once I got out. It wasn’t about getting repaid. I did it because I loved them. I loved my parents, I loved my brother. I was willing to destroy my own life for them. To protect Ryan, I sold my car, emptied my savings account, lost my job, paid the victim’s family compensation, took the conviction, and endured all the public shame. Three years in prison. Three years of hell. I gritted my teeth and got through it. But I never imagined this. Not overwhelming gratitude, not even simple relief. Just… utter betrayal. Rejection. The family I loved, the family I sacrificed everything for… had turned into a pack of ungrateful vultures. “Look, Alex,” Ryan started, his voice laced with frustration, “I know you’re pissed. But these past three years haven’t been easy for us either! Having an ex-con in the family… people talk! They stare! If you move back in, imagine the gossip. Can’t you think about us for a change?” There it was. The brother I’d shielded, the one I’d given everything for, finally showing his true colors. To him, I wasn’t a savior. I was an embarrassment. A burden dragging them down. Any lingering hope I had just… died. This house felt cold, empty. All my sacrifice? A fucking joke. I looked at my brother, this golden child standing taller than me now, and my voice went flat. “Ryan, don’t forget. The one who should be the ex-con is you. The one who brought shame on this family… is you.” “If you really cared about the family’s reputation, you would have confessed back then. Instead, you let me take the hit, you live in my apartment, and now you have the gall to blame me for not thinking about your feelings?” My words hit home. Ryan’s face turned ugly. “I already thanked you for taking the rap! What more do you want? You’re my older brother, isn’t that what older brothers are supposed to do? It was three years, big deal. Why do you keep bringing it up?” He made it sound so trivial. Like me doing three years hard time was the same as letting him have the last slice of pizza when we were kids. A simple ‘thanks’ should cover it. Predictably, Dad jumped to his defense. “He’s right! Older brothers should look out for their younger siblings. Trying to cash in on doing your duty? You’re being petty, Alex.” “Exactly!” Ashley chimed in, rubbing her belly protectively. “You’re just a broke ex-con looking for a handout. If you’re here leeching off us, how are we supposed to raise our child?” Mom nodded gravely, adding her piece with a sigh. “Alex, honey, your father and I are looking forward to being grandparents. And you’re not getting any younger. It’s perfectly normal for someone your age to live on their own, renting if they have to.” One after another, their words stabbed at me. Sharp, cold, relentless. I was beyond disappointed, but my eyes burned anyway. I looked at them, my voice hoarse. “No wonder none of you ever came to visit me. Not once in three years.” “I told myself you were just busy. Too caught up with life. But the truth is… you were just ashamed of me.” I tilted my head back, blinking hard against the tears. Then, looking each of them in the eye, I asked, my voice steady and low, “Let me ask you one last time. Are you absolutely, positively kicking me out today?” “Yes!” Dad didn’t hesitate. Mom, Ryan, Ashley – their faces were set, resolute. No room for negotiation. No trace of affection left in their eyes. I nodded slowly, a heavy finality settling in my chest. “Fine. Then as of today, we’re done. I cut all ties with you.” “I just hope… you don’t regret this.” This family, this house… there was nothing left for me here. The $10 million I’d planned to share? That was off the table now too. Without another word, I turned and walked out. Behind me, I heard Ashley’s voice, shrill with resentment. “Regret what? Cutting ties with a loser ex-con with no future? Don’t flatter yourself!” Leaving the apartment that felt colder than any prison cell, I wandered the streets for hours. Eventually, I checked into a decent hotel. Online, I found a top lawyer and paid for a consultation. The apartment I’d bought outright was in my parents’ names. Could I get it back? The lawyer was optimistic. If I could prove I was the actual buyer – provide payment records, renovation receipts, property tax or HOA payment history – I had a strong case. Luckily, I’m meticulous about keeping records. I had everything. I hired the lawyer on the spot, giving him full authority to handle the case. My goal: get my apartment back. With that settled, I lay on the hotel bed, staring at the nine-figure balance on my banking app. My mind drifted back. Mom and Dad always doted on Ryan. He was the smart one, the one destined for greatness. Me? They pulled me out of high school before I could even finish, told me to get a job to pay for Ryan’s future education. So, I entered the workforce young. Construction sites, waiting tables, factory lines, food delivery – I did every grueling, low-paying job imaginable. The apartment represented nearly ten years of scrimping and saving every penny. When it came time to sign the papers, Mom and Dad laid on the guilt trip. What if I got married and forgot about them? They cried, pleaded, until I agreed to put the deed in their names. We were family, right? What could go wrong? The moment I was out of prison, they transferred the deed to Ryan. Didn’t even save me a closet, let alone a room. I couldn’t forgive my parents. And Ryan… the disappointment ran deep. I’d literally gone to prison for him. And this was his gratitude? Teaming up with Mom, Dad, and Ashley to throw me out on the street. The irony wasn’t lost on me. It was brutal. But dwelling on it wouldn’t change anything. At least fate hadn’t left me completely stranded. I had money now. More than I could probably spend. All my life, I’d worked for my family. Now, with no family left, it was time to live for myself. The next day, I went straight to the sales office of a luxury gated community. They happened to be running a promotion: buy more, save more. So, I bought ten fully furnished houses. Cash. I picked one for myself, hired a housekeeper to cook and clean daily, and settled in. The other nine? Rented them out. I used to dream about being a landlord, living off rental income. I never thought prison would be the path to achieving it. Now, just the rent from those nine houses brought in more money each month than I knew what to do with. Life was, unexpectedly, pretty damn good. About a month later, my dad called. “Alex, have you lost your mind? You’re actually suing us?” “I’m suing the people illegally occupying my property,” I replied calmly. “Wow, Alex. Prison really did change you. Turning on your own family, airing our dirty laundry in public? You’ve got some nerve,” he spat. I could almost picture his face turning purple with rage. “Just following the example you set,” I retorted coolly. Then Mom grabbed the phone. “Alex, even if you get the apartment back, what then? Don’t forget, Ryan just landed a great job at a big company, making six figures! And you? You’re an ex-con nobody will hire. You have no income! You’ll come crawling back to your brother eventually! Are you sure you want to burn this bridge over one lousy apartment?” “Getting the apartment back isn’t about needing it,” I said, my voice flat. “It’s about the fact that you vultures don’t deserve to live in it.” I hung up while they were still yelling. Just as I put my phone down, someone knocked on my front door. I opened it to find a stunning woman standing there. Very attractive, confident vibe. “Hi, landlord,” she smiled. “I’m Chloe, from house number two? Your tenant.” I vaguely remembered her. She was the first person to rent one of my houses. Quick, easy transaction. She saw the place, loved it, signed the lease on the spot. “Right, Chloe. What’s up?” I asked. She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, looking slightly embarrassed. “Well, I’m having a little get-together with some old friends right now. They heard about the mystery landlord who bought ten houses cash… and they’re dying to meet you. I was wondering… would you maybe grace us with your presence? Give me some bragging rights?” She batted her eyelashes, looking genuinely hopeful. My first instinct was to say no – I didn’t really know her. But looking at her pleading eyes, I found it hard to refuse. Seeing me hesitate, Chloe clasped her hands together playfully. “Oh, come on, landlord extraordinaire! Please? I already told them I totally knew you and could definitely get you to swing by. Don’t make me look like a liar in front of everyone!” I have a weakness: I can handle confrontation, but I fold easily when people ask nicely. “Alright, fine. I’ll be over in a bit.” Chloe beamed. “Awesome! We’ll be waiting!” After she left, I ditched my sweats, threw on some decent clothes, and walked over to house number two. I knocked. The door swung open. And standing there, glaring at me, was Ashley. My sister-in-law. Ryan was right behind her. “Alex?” Ashley’s eyes narrowed. “Are you seriously stalking us all the way out here?”

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“Jake, did you hear a word I just said?” I snapped back to reality, still groggy. I’d pulled an all-nighter gaming, got my ass handed to me repeatedly, and then got dragged out of bed before eight. Stumbling downstairs in my pajamas and slippers, I saw a woman about my age—curvy, poured into tight clothes, heavy makeup plastered on. She saw me, smirked, and tossed her hair back. I blinked. “Is this the blind date you set up for me?” Dad had been nagging me about finding a girlfriend again. “Don’t be stupid, Jake. This is your mother!” Dad snapped, yanking at his tie, clearly pissed. The woman actually looked a little awkward for a second, fussing with her hair again. Mom? My brain finally kicked into gear. I rubbed my eyes. My mom was dead. “Chloe, honey, come over here. Say hi to your brother.” Just then, a pretty girl with a dark bob haircut, maybe sixteen, dressed in what looked like a prep school uniform, shuffled forward, fiddling with the hem of her skirt. “Hi… uh… Jake,” she mumbled. I frowned, looking her up and down. Pale skin, cute features. Okay, I got it. The old bastard found himself a replacement wife, and she came with a kid. I scoffed. Mom died of cancer just last year. Back then, he was drowning himself in booze and cigarettes, swearing he’d never remarry. And now? Less than a year later, he brings home this dolled-up tramp to replace Mom. Was he seriously asking for my blessing? The three of them were looking at me with these hopeful, expectant eyes. It made me want to puke. “Married already? Don’t call her ‘Mom’,” I snapped. Dad sucked in a sharp breath. Looked like he was about to blow. Yep, same old control freak. Never gave a damn about how I felt. What a selfish prick. My ‘stepmother’ – Heather, I guess her name was – saw things were going south and quickly put on a fake smile. “Rick, honey, he’s just a kid. Don’t get mad.” “Who the hell are you calling kid? Take a look in the mirror. You think you could pop out a son my age?” I sneered. The little girl, Chloe, immediately ducked behind her mom. Dad waved for Maria, our housekeeper, to take her upstairs. “Wow, Rick,” I kept going, “real protective of the new daughter, huh? What, you like the freebie that came with the package? Getting too old to get it up anymore?” Heather’s face went white. Dad rubbed his temples, looking like he wanted to deck me again. Lucky for him, he’s getting old. I shot the woman a look. “Okay, you can leave. We need to talk.” “Rick…” Heather started, trying to grab Dad’s arm. Looked like she knew what was coming. “Get lost,” I spat, turning my back and heading towards the study with Dad. The second the door clicked shut behind us, Dad slapped me. Hard. My cheek stung. Yeah, take off the suit, and he’s just an animal underneath. I felt numb. “What’s her magic trick, huh? What potion did she give you? You hitting me over her?” He actually looked a little guilty hearing that. “You don’t leave me any dignity in front of people.” Ah, there it was. I nodded slowly. Still the most selfish person I knew. For a second there, I almost thought he was actually falling for this woman. I fiddled with my phone, acting bored. “When did you meet her? How long has this been going on?” “Last year,” Dad mumbled, lighting a cigarette and blowing smoke rings. “She listens, doesn’t mess around. Having a daughter doesn’t matter.” “You mean you’re just scared if she had a son, it wouldn’t be yours, right?” I smirked. He glared. “You little asshole. Stop grilling me. What about you? Still planning on taking that gap year instead of reapplying to grad school?” School, school, school. That’s all he ever cared about. Man barely finished college himself, and here he was lecturing me, a grad student—or supposed to be one. The only thing he ever gave a damn about was my grades. Last year, Mom was in the final stages of cancer. They hid it from me until she only had days left. Bringing this woman home without a word was the same damn thing. I hated it. He never treated me like family. As soon as I got the news about Mom, I booked the first flight back from Europe and hadn’t gone back since. If I had, who knows what kind of crap this woman would have pulled? Probably would’ve been married with a new family photo on the mantle by the time I got back two years later. “Weren’t you talking about me interning at your company?” “You need the degree for that. Finish your Master’s.” “Why don’t you just pull some strings and get me in?” I said, shrugging. I knew he was planning on it anyway; making me wait was just another power play. “You…” His face darkened. Looked like he was about to explode again. I was dead tired and didn’t have the energy for another fight. “I’m not okay with you and that woman,” I said, turning to leave. “It’s not happening.” Walking out, I saw Heather posing for selfies in the living room, chatting loudly on the phone with some friend. Looked trashy and desperate. I threw a couple of sarcastic comments her way. She looked like she was about to cry. Felt good. Yawning, I headed back upstairs to crash. 【02】 I woke up to the sound of furniture scraping against the floor. A bad feeling crept over me. Rubbing my eyes, I saw her—Heather—acting like she owned the place, directing movers to haul stuff into a room down the hall. Chloe stood nearby, looking lost. My blood started boiling. What the hell did she think she was doing? “STOP!” I yelled. The movers froze. Heather and Chloe jumped, looking scared. Then I saw it clearly. They were moving her stuff into Mom’s room. Dad actually agreed to let them stay here? In Mom’s room? This was beyond messed up. Heather took a step back as I glared daggers at her. I stormed into the room. Mom’s things… her personal belongings… Heather had already started putting her own crap everywhere. Mom worked her ass off helping Dad build his business; she barely had time for herself later on. And this woman had taken the makeup, the designer bags, the jewelry Dad and I had given Mom over the years and arranged them on the vanity like they were hers now. “GET OUT!” I roared. My shouting obviously reached Dad. He came out, looking groggy from his nap. Seeing Dad gave Heather some courage. She practically draped herself over him, tears welling up. “Rick…” “Rick my ass! Look what your little girlfriend is doing!” I sneered, staring Dad down. He looked at the helpless movers, then at me. After a long pause, he finally spoke. “What? What’s all the fuss about? It’s just a room.” My vision went red. Just a room? Did he even remember this was where his dead wife lived? I’d spent the last year making sure nothing was touched, keeping it exactly as Mom left it. Even Maria wasn’t allowed in without permission. And now? He dismisses it all with a few words. He wasn’t just disrespecting Mom’s memory; he was spitting on everything I’d tried to preserve. Right. This selfish bastard only cared about himself. He never gave a damn what anyone else thought or felt. Fine. Whatever. I looked at Heather’s slightly smug expression and felt a cold calm wash over me. I smirked. While they stared, confused, I grabbed an armful of her clothes and shoes from the pile and stalked towards the master bathroom. I started stuffing them into the toilet bowl. “Stop! What are you doing?!” Heather shrieked. I wasn’t going to let Mom be disrespected like this. What wouldn’t flush, I’d smash. I grabbed a heavy glass paperweight off the vanity. They just watched me, frozen. “You’re crazy, Jake!” Dad yelled, his face a mask of disbelief. “You’re the crazy one! How long has Mom been gone? And you’re already moving your mistress into her room? Where’s your conscience? She was your wife!” Dad flinched, but his pride kicked in. “Is this necessary? Hurting the living over the dead? What’s past is past.” Past. Dead. Typical him. I threw a punch. He exploded. We started fighting, really going at it, neither of us backing down. He kicked me hard in the side, knocking the wind out of me. As I looked up, I saw Heather filming the whole thing on her phone. Rage surged through me. I scrambled up, snatched the phone out of her hand, and smashed it on the tile floor. It shattered into pieces. Heather screamed and burst into tears. Dad seemed to cool down a bit then. He pointed a shaking finger at me. “Get out. This house is in my name. I’ll do whatever I want.” I spat on the floor. “Fine by me.” Grabbing some clothes, I walked out the front door without looking back. I crashed at my buddy Ryan’s place that night. We drank way too much. I ended up crying, telling him everything. “Damn, man. That’s rough,” Ryan said, shaking his head. “Seriously,” I mumbled, feeling sorry for myself. “How much is this condo worth? Now that I think about it, I’ve been blowing money like crazy, haven’t even bought my own place yet.” The thought of moving out was tempting, but right now, I just didn’t want that woman to win, to get her hands on anything that should have been Mom’s. He lit a cigarette. “Honestly, man, I didn’t even finish college before my dad put me in charge of the company branch. Making decent money now. You going for a Master’s… that’s years you could be using.” He had a point. Starting a business takes time, trial and error. Ever since Mom died, Dad and I had been constantly at each other’s throats. I started thinking hard. Just then, my phone buzzed. A text from Dad. I opened it immediately. ‘Apologize to Heather…’ Apologize my ass. She’s like five years older than me, and he wants me to call her ‘Heather’? Like she’s some respected elder? Please. Whatever hope I had fizzled out. I tossed the phone aside. A minute later, it rang. Dad again. “Heather’s worried about you. She wants you to come home. Says she feels really bad about everything.” I saw red. “Bullshit! I met her once! Worried about me? Give me a break!” “Jake!” he yelled. “If you keep this up, I’m cutting off all your cards!” “Go ahead! See if I care!” I yelled back and hung up forcefully. 【03】 I spent the next day zoned out, playing video games at Ryan’s. Total zombie mode. That evening, I checked my accounts. Sure enough, every single card was declined. All I had left was maybe two hundred bucks in my wallet. My eyelid started twitching. “Hey Ryan, you think your company could, uh… find a spot for me? You know, pull some strings?” Ryan, looking sharp in his work suit, chuckled. “Just hiring you as a regular employee? Where’s the fun in that? Look, I’ve got this subsidiary, about to go public. We’re still negotiating the last twenty percent stake. How about I cut you in? You come on board as a manager?” It sounded amazing. Almost too good to be true. “Seed money is ten million.” Okay, reality check. That meant I needed to come up with at least two million myself. If I were still back in Edinburgh, I could just sell my car, maybe hit Dad up for the rest, and boom, two million. But I was stuck here, stateside. “We actually need someone with international experience, back from overseas,” Ryan continued. “You studied management, right? And you’re my boy.” I hesitated. “How soon do you need the investment money?” “ASAP. Everyone else’s capital is already in. If you can’t swing it soon, I’ll have to cover it, but… it messes up the structure we agreed on with the other partners. Ideally, within two weeks.” He’d laid it all out. Opportunities like this didn’t just fall into your lap every day. I clenched my jaw. “Okay. Give me some time.” I packed my stuff, ready to go home and get the money. If this deal worked out, I could finally tell Dad to shove it, ditch the grad school plans for good. More importantly, I could deal with my dear ‘stepmother.’ Maria opened the door when I got back. She was holding some kind of fancy health smoothie. Seeing me, she muttered, “About time you came back.” Her tone set off alarm bells. I didn’t even bother taking off my shoes, just bolted upstairs. Mom’s room was safe, thank God. But Heather had moved into the room right next to mine. What the hell was that supposed to mean? Was she doing it on purpose? But that wasn’t why I was back. I swallowed my anger. “Where’s Dad?” “In his study. Working,” Maria said. I saw Heather in the kitchen, ‘helping’ Maria with chores. Rolling my eyes, I muttered, “Fake.” I ignored the look on her face and went straight to the study. Pushing the door open, I saw Dad wearing reading glasses, sipping some kind of green health drink, and coughing. My anger instantly softened. I lowered my voice. “Dad, I’m home.” He glanced at me. The first words out of his mouth? “Did you apologize to Heather?” Heather, Heather, Heather. Was he completely under her spell? My face hardened. I changed the subject. “Dad, I’m going into business. With Ryan.” He slammed his hand on the desk. “You’re not going back to school? Why would you go begging for scraps from someone else when you have your own family’s company?” Begging? What the hell? I gritted my teeth. “You won’t let me run the company.” “I told you to finish your Master’s first!” We were at a standstill again. I laughed coldly. “You just want your precious Heather to pop out a perfect little son to replace me, right? You’ve wanted me gone for ages, haven’t you? That’s why you keep pushing me away?” Dad looked like he was struggling to breathe. “You… you damn…” And then, right in front of me, his eyes rolled back, and he just… collapsed. For a second, I froze, completely stunned. Did I push him too far? Did my words do that? “Maria! Maria! Call 911!” …….

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For eighteen years, I lived as the Ashford family’s son, the heir apparent. Then the real son came back. And he set his sights on me. I looked at Ethan Miller, fresh from some small town upstate. His clothes were simple, plain even, but his face? Anything but ordinary. Those cool, almond-shaped eyes were calm, intelligent. He managed to impress the usual crowd of trust-fund kids with just a few quiet words. Mr. and Mrs. Ashford – Dad and Mom, as I used to call them – praised him too. Said that even though he grew up poor, he still had that unmistakable Ashford grace. It was laughable, really. They had no idea their precious biological son snuck into my room every night. Like a stray dog you couldn’t shoo away. 1. My eighteenth birthday party. That’s when Ethan Miller showed up, stunning everyone. The resemblance to Mr. and Mrs. Ashford was uncanny. And to top it off, he’d scored number one in the country on his SATs, personally recruited by the dean of a top university. My parents took his hands. Their smiles were warm, satisfied in a way I’d never seen directed at me. “This is our son, the one who was lost to us,” Mrs. Ashford announced. “He didn’t have our guidance, but he’s turned out exceptionally well.” The pride in her voice was a stark contrast to the usual বিরক্ত annoyance I received. All eyes turned to me, standing on the staircase. Suddenly, I felt like a pathetic clown. I tried to hold my head high, telling myself it didn’t matter. Ethan didn’t look intimidated like I expected. Dressed simply, he carried himself with a quiet confidence. He looked up at me, offered a small smile, and congratulated me on turning eighteen. But today was his eighteenth birthday too. A birthday he’d spent the last eighteen years in obscurity because I, the imposter, had taken his place. I tried to force a smile, walk down to him, calmly state that I was the one who belonged, the one raised as their son. But even fate seemed to despise me. A nearby champagne tower chose that exact moment to crash down. Champagne drenched me, sticking my hair to my face, dripping stickily from my chin. Utterly humiliating. Ethan offered me a napkin, his hand steady, the overhead lights catching the angles of his face, making him seem almost radiant. I heard the whispers around me. “No wonder he always acted out, none of the Ashford class.” “Serves him right.” “Always knew something was off.” I looked at his clear eyes, then at the undisguised disgust on my parents’ faces. Shoving his hand away, I snarled, “Get lost! I don’t need your fake sympathy!” The crow had shown its ragged feathers. The swan, by contrast, looked even purer, more noble. Everything was ruined. My eighteenth birthday. 2. My spectacular meltdown became the talk of the party. Humiliated, I went out drinking. My best friend, Ryan, watched me with an amused smirk. “This isn’t like you, Alex,” he said. “So some kid from the sticks shows up? Even if he is the real Ashford heir, so what?” He had a point. The Ashfords had invested eighteen years in raising me. They didn’t love me, not really, but they wouldn’t waste that investment easily. Not until they were sure Ethan could bring them tangible benefits. They wouldn’t kick me out just yet. I downed my drink, the alcohol burning my throat, staining my lips red. Ryan watched me, his gaze lingering on my mouth for a fraction too long. Suddenly, a drunk guy stumbled towards me, grabbing my chin. “Well, look what we have here,” he slurred. “Pretty thing like you should have a drink with me.” His fingers moved towards my lips. I frowned, annoyed. “Get lost if you don’t want trouble.” He scoffed. “Do you know who I am? Don’t be stuck up. I tell you to drink, you drink.” I almost laughed. The moment my fake identity was exposed, every nobody thought they could take a shot at me, humiliate the fallen prince. I tilted my head, a small, dangerous smile playing on my lips. “Have a drink, you say?” Expressionless, I picked up his glass and moved to smash it over his head. But a hand intercepted mine. The glass shattered, shards embedding themselves in a forearm covered by a white shirt sleeve. Ethan. He calmly picked out the glass, dabbing at the blood with a napkin, his eyes catching the dim bar lights. “Mother asked me to bring you home,” he said, his voice even. Everyone stared. Amidst the bar’s usual chaos, he looked so clean-cut, almost vulnerable, like a rabbit thrown to wolves. The drunk guy, emboldened by alcohol and maybe Ethan’s looks, grabbed Ethan’s arm, then reached for me again. “How much to have both of you for the night?” Caught off guard, I stumbled forward, right towards the scattered shards of broken glass on the floor. My face— 3. Ethan grabbed my other arm, yanking me sideways. Instead of falling onto the glass, I landed on my knees. Directly in front of him. Just like at the party, he looked down at me calmly, making me feel like a fool all over again. I clenched my fists. Getting up, I undid the top two buttons of my shirt. “Hey, asshole,” I called to the drunk. He blinked at me blearily. “You want to pay for me, right? So, who’s better looking? Me or him?” Ethan frowned, probably finding the whole scene pathetic. But my pride was raw. I refused to be second best to him, not here, not anywhere. The drunk looked back and forth between us. I leaned closer to the drunk, lowering my voice, adding a smirk. “What’s wrong? Don’t I look good enough?” Ever since the truth came out, the rivals I grew up with loved using my looks as a weapon against me. “Even if you’re not an Ashford heir, Alex, you could always make a living standing on a street corner, hahaha!” Their sneering echoed in my mind. I wouldn’t back down. I grabbed the drunk’s tie, pulling him closer. Today, I needed to win this stupid comparison. Ryan grabbed my arm. “Alex, stop it! Your father will hear about this and be furious.” People were staring, their eyes drifting towards my open collar. Ethan stepped in front of me, blocking their view. “Come home with me.” His voice was cool, detached, like he was dealing with a child throwing a tantrum over a toy. I scoffed, suddenly losing interest. “Forget it. Let’s go.” I released the drunk’s tie, my face blank. “If I hear one word about tonight gets out,” I warned the onlookers, my voice low and cold, “remember I’m still an Ashford, for now. And I won’t let it go.” Ethan followed me silently out of the bar. The cool night air hit my exposed chest, making me shiver. His quiet voice came from behind me. “Button your shirt.” I ignored him, pulling the collar wider. I turned to retort, but hands shot out from behind, gripping my neck. Suddenly, his face was inches from mine, those cool eyes intense. He stared at the skin revealed by my open shirt, his gaze finally settling on my lips. A strange feeling fluttered in my chest. I pushed him away, eyeing him suspiciously. “What, are you into guys?” 4. Ethan didn’t answer. He just pulled me towards a nearby convenience store and bought antiseptic wipes and bandages. My mind was racing, annoyed with myself. Why had I acted so crazy back there? What was wrong with me tonight? I snapped back to reality. Ethan was kneeling in front of me. I stopped his hand. “What are you doing?” “Your knee,” he said calmly. “You scraped it on some glass.” I looked at him, then at the antiseptic. I’d assumed he bought it for his own arm. “You don’t actually like me, do you?” I asked again, suspicious. This guy was weird. I’d stolen his life, his fortune, yet here he was, patching up my knee, claiming Mrs. Ashford sent him – a woman who couldn’t care less if I lived or died. I brushed his hand away, lighting a cigarette, the smoke curling between us. “Look, whatever your game is, I don’t care about the Ashford money or status anymore. You don’t need to watch me or test me.” Ever since they brought me into this house at eight years old, I knew they only cared about value and profit. I never expected genuine affection. His face blurred behind the smoke. I felt a wave of exhaustion. “You’re good enough,” I told him tiredly. “But you better stay this good. Because the Ashfords will drop you just as easily if you stop being useful.” Ethan picked up a fresh wipe. “Are you tired?” he asked softly. I didn’t answer for a moment. Then, a quiet sound escaped me. “Yeah.” I wasn’t raised by them from the start. Before I turned eight, I lived with my grandma in her small house out in the country. The scent of lilacs filled the air. That was my last real memory of peace. And there was the little kid who always followed me around, calling me “Alex! Alex!” I rubbed my temples. Tonight had dredged up too many feelings. I felt this crazy longing for everything I’d lost. Just then, my phone rang. It was City General Hospital, miles away. The doctor’s voice was clinical. My grandma was dead. 5. I begged the Ashfords to go see her. Just to pay respects. Even just to see her remains. They were dressed impeccably, ready for some gala, dripping in expensive jewelry. Mr. Ashford’s parting words were ice cold. “She’s dead, so what? This party tonight is worth millions.” Beneath the polished surface, pure, chilling indifference. I mocked myself silently. I knew it was hopeless, why did I even ask? I got on the plane alone. Just like when I was eight, brought back to this cold house, my small, childish face reflected in the window. Still alone. Grandma was my only anchor. Now she was gone, there was no reason left for me to stay with the Ashfords. The seat next to me was suddenly occupied. Ethan. His forehead was beaded with sweat, his breathing slightly ragged, like he’d run to catch the flight. “Why are you on this flight?” I asked, startled. He looked out the window, then murmured, “It’s kind of like how I imagined it when I was a kid.” He’d just returned to the Ashfords. I couldn’t fathom why he’d follow me to see my grandma. “What are you talking about? Are you following me?” The plane started to move. I looked at Ethan’s perpetually calm face and felt a surge of irritation. “Are you deaf? You keep showing up out of nowhere, saying nothing.” If the Ashfords weren’t so calculating, I’d almost suspect he wasn’t their real son at all. He always seemed to have some hidden motive. I was about to press him further when the plane lurched violently. Turbulence. Severe turbulence. We were crashing. When I woke up, I was in a hospital bed. Ethan was in the same hospital. A nurse told me he was still in the ICU. If the Ashfords found out I’d dragged their precious son into this mess… I didn’t want to think about it. I walked over to the window overlooking his room. Another nurse stopped me. “You know him, right?” she asked, gesturing towards Ethan’s still form. I nodded. She pulled out a worn photograph. The boy in it looked strikingly like me, maybe five or six years younger. “We found this in his clothes. Looked like you. When they brought him in, covered in blood, he kept telling us to save you first.” I stared at the photo. It was me. Me, before I turned eight. How… how did he have a picture of me from my childhood? 6. The photo was clearly me as a little kid. But I didn’t remember ever having that picture taken. I didn’t even have photos with Grandma from back then. Where did Ethan get it? He definitely had a hidden agenda. Ethan and I spent months recovering in the hospital. Once we were well enough, we went back to Grandma’s little house. It looked just like I remembered. Our old neighbor, Mr. Henderson, was much older now. When he saw us walk into the yard, his eyes lit up with faint recognition. “Alex? Is that you?” His gaze was hazy, uncertain. Then he looked at Ethan behind me, hesitating. “And you… you’re…” Mr. Henderson’s son came out of the house then, interrupting him, saying his dad got confused easily these days. I smiled politely, shaking my head. But inside, the strange feeling grew stronger. I hadn’t changed that much since I was eight, but Mr. Henderson recognized me instantly. Yet he seemed unsure about Ethan. There was definitely something I didn’t know. I glanced sideways at Ethan. Was this guy really the Ashford heir? I went into Grandma’s room. Looking at the simple, dusty furniture, fragments of memory returned. I was sent here right after I was born. My parents – the Ashfords – even though they didn’t know I wasn’t theirs biologically back then, had still basically abandoned me for their ambition and money. Grandma was already old. Besides the checks they sent occasionally, she didn’t have much energy to look after me. I grew up wild, mostly alone. The first word I learned wasn’t ‘Mom’ or ‘Dad’ or even ‘Grandma’. It was ‘cat’. There was a white cat that always slept under a big tree nearby. I’d sit there, dirty and small, holding the cat, trying to make sounds. ‘Cat’ was the word I practiced for a year. Until I met him. He was even dirtier than me. When I first saw him, he was holding the white cat, a fierce look on his face. I thought he was going to hurt it, so I ran up and punched him. He immediately burst into tears. I stood there awkwardly. The other kids in the area avoided me. I didn’t know how to talk to kids my own age. What finally broke the ice was a piece of candy that fell out of my pocket. He was an orphan from nearby. His parents used to beat him. Then they died in an accident, leaving him alone. He drifted around, surviving somehow. He told me he didn’t know his name. I didn’t talk much either, so I just started calling him ‘Buddy’. He only ever called me ‘Alex’. For those eight years of my life, Buddy was more present than Grandma ever was. I wonder… is he still alive? 7. After visiting Grandma’s empty house, we returned to the Ashfords. They threw a huge party to formally introduce Ethan as their son. I watched him, now the center of attention, a faint smile on my lips. Ryan appeared beside me, his eyes scanning my face. “You can still smile? Alex, we grew up with these guys.” He gestured towards the crowd surrounding Ethan. “Now look at them, all kissing up to him.” I shrugged, genuinely indifferent. “So what? I don’t care about anything the Ashfords have.” Ryan paused. “Anything? What about… me?” I didn’t quite catch that. I leaned closer, asking him what he said, my cheek brushing against his lips. We both froze. Ryan’s eyes flickered with something unspoken. He seemed about to say more, but Ethan walked over, interrupting us. “Someone’s looking for you,” Ethan said to Ryan. Ryan walked away. I stared at the wine glass in Ethan’s hand, a knowing look in my eyes. “Having fun tonight?” I asked him lightly. He nodded curtly. “It’s fine.” Good. Because tonight was going to get interesting. After the party, I headed back to my room, but made a detour towards Ethan’s. He was the new golden boy now. The other rich kids were being polite to his face, but I knew they wouldn’t let an outsider steal their spotlight without a fight. As I approached his door, it swung open suddenly. A hand shot out and pulled me inside. 8. “Are you crazy? Let me go!” Ethan had dragged me into his room. Before I could even process what was happening, he’d tied my hands. He stood there, looking physically fine but strangely vacant, his eyes glazed over. “Did you hear me? Untie me!” He stumbled towards me, muttering, “So beautiful.” I frowned. “What’s beautiful?” His fingers, cool to the touch, traced my eyebrows, slid down past the corners of my eyes, lingered near my lips. “All of it. Beautiful.” Was he talking about… me? The idea was absurd. I shifted, trying to sit up, tilting my head. “You really are into guys, aren’t you?” He didn’t answer, just stared at me blankly. Okay, arguing with a drugged guy was pointless. I focused on trying to get free from the ropes. As I struggled, twisting my wrists, my shirt collar loosened. The knot was impossible. Frustration mounted. With a final, desperate tug, I lost my balance and tumbled off the bed. I looked up. Right into Ethan’s lap. My face was inches from his crotch.

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My husband tricked me into the middle of nowhere, planning to chop off my hands and feet and leave me to die. That’s when I found out my little brother was drowning in gambling debts. They were playing cards, laughing and joking: “Once Ashley and her loser brother are gone, her company’s mine! It’s worth tens of millions! Let’s play for high stakes tonight!” Their bets were about which of my limbs to hack off first. As the blade came down, I stopped him. “Let me play a hand with you. If I win, you let us go. If I lose, do whatever you want.” My husband smirked. “What are you going to use as collateral?” I sat up straighter. “My life.” My freshly-graduated brother was sobbing, groveling at my feet, his voice hoarse from crying. “Ash, no! You can’t do this! You’ll die! Please, don’t!” My brother, David, has always been a good kid, idolizing me and my husband, Kevin. Ever since I married Kevin, he’s been like a puppy dog following him around, saying he wanted to learn the business from him. After our parents died, he’s my only family, and trusting Kevin, I didn’t interfere much. A small successful project went to his head and now he was loaded and went to casinos and lost everything, every cent. I shook my head. “You think you have a future after this? They clearly want us dead. This is our only chance.” David looked like he’d seen a ghost, his tears stopping, his body shaking. My heart ached for him, but I kept my face blank. The money he lost, including his car and apartment, added up to over a million dollars. How could a kid fresh out of college be so reckless? Kevin had clearly set this up with his buddies. Kevin’s goal wasn’t just a million bucks, it was my company and my assets. This whole thing was an opportunity to teach this kid a lesson, that he can’t trust everyone. “Ashley, don’t play with them! You’ll die! I’ll… I’ll become a male escort to pay this off!” Hearing those words made my blood boil. That must’ve been Kevin’s idea too. Taking my money and my company, I could accept because I knew in my heart where my company’s foundations started. But they weren’t going to ruin my brother like this, force him to sell himself. It was an outrage. I helped David up, patted his hand, and signaled Kevin to start. David couldn’t stand straight, his eyes pleading. Ignoring him, I smiled. “It’s been a while since I’ve played. Maybe I’ll win.” Kevin smirked, gesturing to the table in the RV. We were in the middle of the desert, where the law doesn’t reach, exposing the worst of human nature. He wasn’t my husband anymore, just an enemy. Kevin’s brother, Mike, and his female assistant, Sarah, were sitting next to him, also in on this scheme. “Ashley, don’t say I didn’t warn you. We’re all pros at the table. You sure you can handle this?” Kevin’s brother, Mike, was a lowlife. Ever since Kevin married me and had money, he’s been partying and drinking. Because of their ages, my brother and him have hung out a lot, and I told him to stay away. But David, being naive, thought Mike was just a bit of a party animal. Now he’d been tricked into this game, risking his life. Kevin glared at my brother. “Kid, you better tell your sister not to play. I was going to let you live, but she’s dragging you to your death!” His usual charm was gone, revealing his true self. Kevin used to be my driver, but we grew close and fell in love, so I married him. Now it all made sense. He got close to me, tricked me, brought me to this remote area, never intending for us to leave alive. David stared at me, his eyes filled with panic. I sat down, smiling. “We’re all going to die anyway. Why shouldn’t I take a chance?” David tugged at my sleeve. “Ashley, just give them the money! We’ll at least live!” I slapped him across the face. “You think they’ll let you leave? You made this mess, you deal with it!” David covered his face, unable to speak. Kevin lit a cigarette, glancing at me with contempt. “Ashley, if you’re playing, what are you betting?” “Your brother already lost over a million and owes me another million. If he can’t pay, I’ll have to sell him as a male escort.” “Or you can transfer your company to me now, all your assets. Then I might consider letting you go.” He laughed cruelly. That must’ve been how he threatened David. Which led David to almost getting hit on the road, only to be saved by me and tricked into this trip. “I have something to bet.” I smiled calmly, grabbing David’s hand and slamming it on the table. “Name your price.” Then, I held up my phone. “I’m recording everything. If you try anything, this video goes straight to the cops.” Kevin glanced at it. “A pair of hands… worth ten grand.” David was terrified, speechless except for his crying. I felt awful, but I had to do this. He needed to learn. “Ashley, you’re cold. Fine. Let’s start.” 2 Kevin wanted to deal, but I stopped him. “My brother lost. I’m the dealer now.” Mike protested, but Kevin smiled slightly. “Okay.” As he said that, Kevin’s assistant nudged Mike, and they exchanged a look. I smiled, this must be their signal to cheat. Pretending not to notice, I dealt the cards, in order, like normal. The rules were a $10,000 ante, with a $500,000 single bet limit. Looking at my hand, as the dealer, I put in the $10,000. Next up was Mike, and he bet $500,000 without looking. Kevin matched the $500,000. “$500,000, unopened.” Then he looked at me with a taunting expression. Sarah giggled. According to the rules, if I looked at my cards, I’d have to double the bet to stay in. Which meant I’d have to put another million out there, but I didn’t have enough chips. I was left with one choice: fold and lose $20,000. They were obviously trying to swindle me, and I couldn’t do anything. Sarah nudged Mike again. “That’s a little rough. You can’t be bullying her for not having enough money?” Mike grinned. “Ashley, sorry. I forgot you were broke.” He said that, but his eyes were full of glee. “I’ll give you a break. Next hand, $100,000 limit.” He reached to take my chips. “Wait!” “I’m in. A million, unopened.” Kevin’s eyes widened. “Ashley! You’re writing an IOU? You don’t have the chips!” Mike chimed in sarcastically. “Ashley, if you don’t know how to play, quit faking it.” David sobbed, moving closer. “Ashley, we’re $800,000 short.” Without a word, I grabbed him and slammed him onto the table. “Kevin, how much is his life worth?” “Ashley!” David was losing hope, crying. Kevin glanced at my brother. “His organs, all together, maybe a million.” “Ashley, you’re trying to get your brother killed…” Mike couldn’t believe it. David screamed. “Ashley! I was wrong, I was wrong! Don’t gamble! I don’t want my organs taken out!” I kicked him away. “You should have thought about this when you were gambling!” “You told me not to gamble. Why did you gamble in the first place?!” I shouted and he began to cry. I felt awful, but I needed to stay cold. I had to make David realize how horrible gambling is. After signing the contract, I had a million. I put in $500,000. “Matching $500,000, unopened!” Kevin was stunned. “Ashley… are you serious?” I smirked. “You were going to chop off my limbs. I think I’m being pretty generous.” “Enough talk. Mike, your turn.” Mike looked at me and then Kevin, frowning. “I fold.” Since I dealt the cards, he wasn’t confident, so he didn’t bet. Kevin folded too. I won the first hand, taking a million dollars. Kevin snatched the cards, clearly furious. “I lost. My turn to deal.” “Fine.” His eyes, that use to show gentle love, were now full of malice and hatred, wanting to eat me alive. “Ashley, I didn’t realize you were such a hard-ass. How about we remove the limit, you down?” “Whatever.” That’s what I was waiting for! “Ashley! Don’t!” David fell to his knees. “Shut up! Your body parts are on loan. Get lost!” “Where was that enthusiasm when you were gambling?” Kevin and his buddies argued amongst themselves, worried I’d listen and not play. I slapped the table. “Get lost! You’re the one who caused this! If you say another word, I’ll tell them to take you apart!” David didn’t dare speak. Kevin dealt, putting a million dollars in. “A million, unopened. You in?” “Yeah.” I pretended to be tough, also putting a million in. Mike put a million in. I sighed with relief, they’ve all fallen for my trick!

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It was already past 1 AM when Mark finally got home. Not long ago, I saw him post on social media: “That year, kissing her cheek felt like forever.” He even added a photo. In the picture, his “one that got away” was sitting in a car, waving goodbye to the person taking the photo. The smile on her face looked almost mocking. Maybe she knew I’d see the picture. Maybe that was the whole point! “Still up?” Mark seemed surprised to find me sitting alone on the couch, watching TV so late. But that was it. As if he didn’t even need an answer, he turned and headed for the bathroom. Last time his high school sweetheart called saying she couldn’t sleep, he went into overdrive, so concerned he didn’t need sleep, chatting and videoing with her all night until 3 AM. And now, his wife of seven years gets a measly “Still up?” – nothing more. He casually tossed his clothes on the floor and went into the bathroom. The shower started running. I habitually picked up his clothes, threw them in the washing machine, went to the walk-in closet, grabbed his pajamas, and put them outside the bathroom door. Over the years, I hadn’t been able to give him a child. I felt so guilty about it, trying to make it up to him by being considerate and kind in every way, paying attention to all the little things. But somehow, the more attentive I was, the further he seemed to drift away. Like that night not long ago, when it was pouring rain, and I braved the storm to bring him an umbrella. He turned around and handed it to his “one that got away.” 2 A while later. Mark opened the bathroom door. He saw the pajamas I’d picked out for him, frowned slightly, and picked them up. “Why these?” “Which ones did you want?” I asked, getting up. “Today’s your ovulation day. Usually, you’re super aware of that.” Mark glanced at me. Before I could answer, he put on the pajamas and went into the bedroom. Seven years of marriage, and I haven’t gotten pregnant. It’s become a shared heartache for us. We’ve been to the doctor multiple times. They said there’s nothing seriously wrong, just relax and try to stay positive. But for seven years, he’s outwardly claimed not to care, but deep down, he desperately wants a kid. So much so that he knows my cycle better than I do sometimes. Every time I’m ovulating, we wear the matching pajamas. It’s a kind of understanding between us, a signal. But this time, I hadn’t gotten those pajamas out. He wouldn’t bother to wonder why. Maybe my thoughts just don’t matter to him anymore. He wouldn’t care. His “one that got away,” though – just a little hint, and he’d drop everything to shower her with attention and concern. I was quiet for a long time, then went back to the bedroom. As soon as I wrapped my arms around him, he impatiently pushed my hand away. “I’m tired. Can you just leave me alone?” In the past, I would have tried to win him over. But this time, I didn’t say anything. I got up silently and went to the guest room. He glanced back at me, and just as I reached the door, he said, “I’m really tired tonight. I’ll make it up to you tomorrow.” He rarely says things like that on his own. But I was already tired, emotionally exhausted. “Don’t bother.” I closed the bedroom door, went to the guest room, and couldn’t fall asleep. 3 Mark and I met in high school. We weren’t that close back then. I was the top student in the class, but my classmate, the slacker, was always jealous and bullying me. One time, she and a couple of her loser friends cornered me in an alley, trying to shake me down for money. Mark saw it, walked by without helping, but he did mutter one word: “Weak.” Maybe that word got to me, because I fought back. The result was predictable: I got ganged up on by three lowlifes, but I went straight for my classmate, scratching her face, knocking out one of her teeth, and breaking her nose. It blew up big. Her parents angrily stormed into the school, threatening to call the cops. I was terrified. Mark stepped up and stood in front of me, facing her parents. “Go ahead and call the cops. I dare you! You don’t want to do that.” “Your daughter’s been bullying classmates, extorting money. You really want the police to get involved in that, you know, find out all the details?” “I don’t know if she’ll do jail time, but she’ll definitely get expelled!” Her parents got scared. Mark grabbed my arm and pulled me away. “Like mother, like daughter. Don’t deal with them. Don’t pay them a cent. If they want to play, let’s play dirty!” I just stared at Mark. He was such a badass. He dragged me back to class. I was on edge all day. In the end, she got a demerit. I just got called to the principal’s office and asked what happened. Her parents didn’t ask for compensation. To thank Mark, I took him out to eat. He didn’t hold back, spending half a month’s worth of my allowance. From then on, I really liked being around him. The year we graduated, I even lowered my test scores so I could go to the same school, the same major. When he found out, he asked me if I had a crush on him. I got nervous and nodded. He smiled. “Good taste!” After we started dating, he started caring about his appearance, buying expensive clothes, spending money like crazy. He often ran out of money. I couldn’t stand to see him suffer, so I saved my money to take him out to eat. Later, I got pregnant. We were clueless. We went to the doctor, who discovered it was an ectopic pregnancy. We were both terrified. When I met Mark’s father, I learned that Mark came from a wealthy family. At the hospital, his father was cold, thinking about how to deal with the situation. Mark grabbed my hand without hesitation. “Dad, I’m going to marry her. If you don’t approve, I’ll be single forever. I’ll never marry anyone else!” His father was shocked. “Are you sure about this?” Mark held my hand tight. “Absolutely, without a doubt!” At that moment, he was my everything, my one and only. Three years into our marriage, I held him tight, crying, and asked, “What if I can’t have kids? Will you hate me?” He said without hesitation, “I’ll love you forever.” We were happy back then. Until Mark’s father got sick, and he was forced to take over as CEO of the company. He started to get distant. I thought that maybe his coldness was just part of the domineering CEO gene buried deep inside him. But then he met his “one that got away.” The way he treated her made me realize that he hadn’t just become cold. It was that we’d been married for seven years, and things had changed. He didn’t need me as much anymore. He didn’t care about my feelings or thoughts. And I didn’t seem to need him as much anymore either. It seemed like we could both let go of each other. Like now, sleeping apart. It seemed fine without the other person. 4 I woke up late the next day, in a daze, already past 9 AM. I was late for work! I jumped out of bed and went outside the guest room, only to find that Mark hadn’t gone to work either. He was in the kitchen, cooking. He hadn’t been in the kitchen in at least three years. Him cooking was unheard of! “Up?” Mark saw me and brought a bowl of chicken congee to the table. “Perfect timing for breakfast.” “I can’t. I’m late for work.” I quickly brushed my teeth, ready to leave. “No need to rush. I already called in sick for you.” Mark’s words made me pause in front of the mirror. He came up behind me, wrapped his arms around me, and rested his chin on my shoulder. “I’m sorry. I was too busy yesterday, and I forgot it was your thirtieth birthday. I promised I’d make it up to you today.” In my mind, I imagined coldly removing his arms from my waist. Like pushing his hand away last night. I thought it would be easy. But I froze, unable to do it. After breakfast, Mark told me to get in his car. I got in the passenger seat, flipped down the sun visor, and a few photos fell out. I picked them up. They were photos of Mark with his “one that got away,” Sarah. In one photo, Sarah had her lips pursed, about to kiss Mark on the cheek. Her lips were almost touching his face, and Mark was smiling. Last year, when his company had their team-building event, I came along. I tried to take a similar photo, but he pushed me away, looking annoyed. “This is a public place. Can you be a little more aware of how you look? Can you keep a little distance?” Mark saw me staring at the photos. His expression changed slightly. “There’s nothing to see. It was just some coworkers messing around, taking silly pictures.” “You keep silly pictures in your car?” I asked Mark, “The year before last, on your birthday, we took a photo together. I thought it was great, but you didn’t like it. You threw it straight in the trash.” “Really?” Mark looked at me. “I don’t remember.” He drove to a trash can and stopped. Mark looked at the photos in my hand, a hint of reluctance in his eyes. But he said, “Throw them away. I don’t care about these.” “These pictures are cute. Why throw them away?” I put the photos back behind the sun visor. Mark gave me a strange look, as if I wasn’t who I used to be. Maybe I wasn’t. In the past, I would have been jealous. Mark would have accused me of being petty. I would have argued with him. But now, I didn’t seem to care. “Fine,” Mark said after a moment, driving away quickly. 5 We went to a lakeside resort area, with beautiful scenery, perfect for a getaway. There was a winery there. The food and wine were excellent. I’d told Mark more than once that I wanted to go there with him, but he always made excuses, saying he was too busy. This time, he brought me there on his own. He stopped the car, looked at me, and said, “I made sure to clear my schedule. I’ll spend these two days with you!” Before I could answer, his phone rang. I saw the caller ID. It was Sarah. He hesitated. I said, “Answer it. Maybe it’s something about work.” Mark answered the phone. It wasn’t Sarah’s voice on the other end. It was a man: “Mr. Evans, something happened. Sarah fell at the office. They’re taking her to the hospital. You need to come see her.” Mark hung up, looking flustered. “I…” “It’s fine!” Before he could speak, I said, “Go ahead. Someone’s hurt. That’s important. You’re the CEO. You should go check on things. You…” “Thank you for understanding!” Mark looked relieved, rushing to say, “I’ll be back as soon as I know she’s okay. We have two days. You won’t mind waiting for a little while, right?” I didn’t say anything. I got out of the car. I watched him leave me, driving away. I wanted to say, “You don’t have to go. There are plenty of people at the company who can help. They don’t need you.” But he was already gone. Gone so fast. I couldn’t see his taillights anymore. At the hotel check-in, the receptionist looked at me, puzzled. “Just one?” My voice was a little hoarse. “Yeah, just one. But give me a room with a king-size bed for two.” 6 I sat on the hotel balcony, looking at the beautiful lake. Watching the couples strolling along the shore. Watching families with kids. It got dark. He didn’t show up. He didn’t send a message. In the past, I would have been impatient, anxious, calling and texting him. But now, I quietly sipped my coffee, not feeling that urge. It got late. I was almost asleep. I vaguely felt someone wrapping their arms around me from behind, whispering in my ear, “I’m sorry. Today was an accident. Tomorrow, we can be together in peace, walking around the lake.” I removed his hand. Mark looked confused. “What’s wrong? You’re not still mad about this, are you?” I turned to look at him. “No. You won’t be here tomorrow.” He stared at me for a long time. “No one can make me leave tomorrow!” He pulled me up, looking deeply into my eyes. “Let’s take a shower together. Today’s your ovulation day, too.” The next morning. We were eating breakfast at the hotel. Sarah called again: “Mark, I’m having surgery today. Can you be here with me? I won’t feel safe without you.” “I’m on vacation with Vivian. I can’t.” Mark answered, glancing at me. I was eating, staring coldly at Mark. My look made Mark, usually so cold and confident, falter and panic. A moment later, another voice came on the phone. “Are you my daughter’s boss?” “I’m Sarah’s mother.” “My daughter’s having surgery, but she says she’d rather be disabled than go into the operating room without you there.” “My daughter broke her leg because she works at your company, working for you. As her boss, you can’t be so heartless and irresponsible!” “You can go on vacation anytime, but my daughter can’t wait! If you have any decency, come over here right now and let my daughter feel safe enough to go into surgery. I’m begging you!” Mark hung up, looking at me, struggling to say something. “Go. She can’t have surgery without you. You’re her doctor.” I stared at Mark, saying it calmly. I thought my words would wake him up. He was just a normal person, not a doctor. He couldn’t fix Sarah’s leg. But he got up without hesitation. “I’ll be back as soon as Sarah’s in surgery!” I stared at him coldly, not saying anything else. Mark opened his mouth, then closed it. Finally, he said, “I know what you’re thinking. Two hours. I’ll be right back!” He left. 7 “Goodbye.” “I won’t wait for you anymore!” I threw the gift I had prepared for Mark in the trash. I left the resort and went back to the office. Last year, the company opened a branch office in another state. The CEO wanted me to manage it. I told Mark about it, and he said, “There’s no need.” “I can take care of you. We don’t need the money. You don’t need to build a career.” “You don’t need to go so far away.” “If you need money, just ask.” But when Sarah mentioned her career, he immediately listened, making her the marketing manager. Back at the office. I told the CEO that I was ready to go to the branch office. The CEO was happy. “Vivian, I’ve always thought highly of you. I’m glad you’re willing to go. I’ll have HR take care of it right away.” “Thank you, sir.” I replied respectfully. I went home to pack, getting ready to leave, and posted on social media: “Moving on.” Lots of friends asked where I was going. I answered them one by one. All day, I didn’t see any reply from Mark. He didn’t come home all day. The next day, I packed my things, ready to leave. Knowing I was moving out of state, friends came to say goodbye: “Vivian, don’t forget us when you make it big.” “Good luck.” “If you have any problems in the new state, give us a call.” One friend looked around, puzzled. “Hey, Vivian, where’s your husband? Why isn’t he here to see you off?” I smiled, saying, “We’re probably getting a divorce soon.” My friends all looked shocked. Following their gaze, I looked back. Mark was standing silently behind me…

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In the seventh year of my marriage to Kevin Sterling, I gave in to temptation and fell for his best friend. This guy wasn’t just good-looking and ripped, he was loaded. He laid all his cards on the table, begged me to ask Kevin for a divorce, and I said yes. Bringing it up with Kevin was surprisingly smooth. He put up a token protest or two, then just agreed. That same day, the other guy and I got hitched at City Hall. And Kevin? He turns around and makes his relationship with his high school sweetheart Instagram official. Then, Kevin finds out I’m married and suddenly he’s crying, wants me back. Too little, too late, buddy. 1. I watched Kevin pack my stuff with a stone face. He’s always been the picture of consideration and thoughtfulness. Anyone who didn’t know the real story would think I was a total jerk, blowing off the perfect boyfriend. Just a little while ago, I confessed I’d cheated and wanted a divorce. Kevin put up a fight, said a few things about how we could work it out, but I stood my ground. Finally, he gave me this wounded puppy look and that was the end of the charade. I didn’t have much stuff, just one suitcase. Kevin opened the door for me, Mr. Manners as always. “If you ever need anything, you can call me,” he said. “Just because we’re breaking up doesn’t mean we’re enemies.” I gave him a tight smile. “I’ll be fine.” I dragged my suitcase out the door, not looking back. Kevin stood there watching me go, and I have no idea how long he kept looking. Downstairs, Jason “Jay” Weber was waiting for me in his car. When he saw me, his eyes lit up. He practically leaped out of the car to grab my suitcase. Jay hefted it a little. “That’s it?” he asked. “You didn’t keep much at Kevin’s?” I shook my head. “I didn’t stay there all that often.” I barely got in the car before Jay’s phone rang. It was Kevin. “Take care of Emily, will you? She’s quiet and a little shy.” Jay cut him off. “Got it, Kev. You don’t need to worry about her.” They chatted about something else for a minute before Jay hung up. Jay turned to me. “What are you in the mood for tonight?” “Mac and Cheese, maybe? I’ve been craving some comfort food.” Jay grinned. “Sounds good. I’ll whip some up for you.” Jay, my own personal ray of sunshine, is the guy I cheated with. He also happens to be Kevin’s best buddy. Unlike a lot of people, Kevin’s still trying to be friends with him. I rolled down the window and rested my chin on the edge, letting the wind mess up my hair. It was like the breeze was blowing away all the crap in my head. The thing is, they both think I’m oblivious but I’ve known for a while that Kevin’s been stepping out. Kevin and I were together for seven years. I know him inside and out. For the last six months, he’s been lying about going on “business trips.” Really, he’s just been hooking up with some chick at a hotel. Every time, I’d get an anonymous text message with the details – Kevin and his girl’s hotel reservation. When we were shopping, he always stopped at the perfume counter to try stuff out. He told me this “Daisy” perfume smelled amazing and asked if I wanted it. But Kevin conveniently forgot I’m super sensitive to smells and really don’t like perfume. He also started buying me dresses that were a size too small, saying I’d gained weight and needed to sign up for a gym membership. I knew my weight; I hadn’t gained an ounce, maybe even lost a few. In the end, he gave me the perfume and the dress anyway, determined to make me take them. I met Jay at the gym, of all places. The gym Kevin signed me up for and the best friend who was conveniently visiting from out of the country. It’s kind of embarrassing, but after all those years, Kevin never formally introduced me to his friends. I was never a part of his circle. After that, Jay started helping me at the gym, gave me advice on clothes, and showed me how to be confident. I started to open up, try new things, and stopped obsessing over Kevin. Deep down, I knew Jay showing up in my life wasn’t random. It was all part of Kevin’s plan. He wanted Jay to seduce me, to give him an out. The gym was just the stage where it was supposed to happen. The first day we met, I accidentally saw a text exchange between Jay and Kevin. Mr. Nice Guy Kevin didn’t want to admit he was cheating, so he was making me the bad guy. I couldn’t figure out why he was going through so much trouble. I don’t have anything to my name, and no family to rely on. He could’ve dumped me without a second thought. All he had to do was break up with me. 2. “Em, want to get married, like right now?” Jay’s voice snapped me back to reality. I nodded, a little dazed. Jay gave me a happy grin. We were stopped at a light, and he squeezed my hand, like it was the most precious thing in the world. I used to doubt Jay’s intentions, thought he’d dump me the second he got what he wanted. Because he’s just too good to be true. Unless Kevin had something to do with it. Getting the marriage license went smoothly. At the same time, I saw Kevin’s Instagram post. He was making his relationship official with Chloe Baker, a sophomore from my old college. I remember her. When I lost my diploma and went back to school for a replacement, Chloe was the driver’s daughter that worked for Kevin’s family. She was really helpful, running errands for me. But Chloe wasn’t the girl Kevin had been cheating with. I frowned, staring at the screen for too long. Jay saw me looking at Kevin’s Instagram post. “I know her,” he said casually. “Kevin brought her around once or twice. I could tell there was something going on.” He watched my face carefully. I just laughed. So Kevin does introduce girlfriends to his friends. He just didn’t think I was worth it. In seven years, I’d never been on Kevin’s social media. “Let’s go home and make that mac and cheese.” Jay’s face lit up. He took my hand. “Okay, let’s go.” I glanced at Jay’s profile. What would Kevin do if he knew I was really with Jay? Jay had agreed to Kevin’s scheme, but I doubt he ever expected to fall for me. Because of the differences between Jay and I. Jay’s from the wealthy Weber family. They’re practically royalty in this town. I’m just a girl from the wrong side of the tracks. Back at Jay’s place, he cooked me mac and cheese. It was awesome, the recipe came straight from his grandpa. Just two months ago, my grandpa died. Kevin was “traveling for work”. When Grandpa was sick, he saw Jay by my side and thought he was my boyfriend. He taught him the family mac and cheese recipe, showed him all the tricks. Grandpa said, “When I’m gone, you can make it for my granddaughter.” Jay grabbed Grandpa’s hand and promised, “I’ll take care of her, I swear.” That’s the day I decided to take a chance on Jay. If only to make Grandpa happy. Because of Jay, my grandpa passed away peacefully. I suddenly teared up. Jay got concerned. “Em, you and Kevin are over. You’re my wife now.” I looked up at him, realizing he’d misunderstood. “I was just thinking about my grandpa.” Jay visibly relaxed. He pulled me into a hug, and I buried my face in his chest, letting the tears flow. Jay paused. “Em, I promise I won’t let you get hurt.” 3. Jay’s friend, Mike, was throwing a birthday party, and he invited both Kevin and Jay. Jay asked me, “You want to go? If you don’t want to, I’ll stay home.” He was looking at me with such worry and tenderness. I know that even though we’re married, Jay’s still a little unsure. He thinks I’m still hung up on Kevin. Those seven years leave a mark that’s not easily erased. I have to admit, I still think about Kevin sometimes. And I always end up comparing him to Jay, and Jay always wins. The more that happens, the more I know that Kevin doesn’t deserve me. “Sure, it’s your friend. He’d be bummed if you didn’t go.” Jay smiled. “I’m married now. I should be focusing on my family.” I poked him on the nose. “Kevin told me you used to be a player.” Jay paused, defensive. “What player? I didn’t play anyone. You know that. You’re the only one I’ve been with.” Jay might have gone to some clubs and knew how to act but I think it was all an act. I thought he was a player too. But the first time we were together, he was awkward and sweet. As expected, I saw Kevin at Mike’s birthday bash. When he saw me, his face changed, but then he saw Jay beside me, and he relaxed a little. Chloe stood silently next to Kevin. Kevin introduced her to everyone. “This is my girlfriend, Chloe.” Chloe gave Kevin a shy smile, and they looked at each other like they were the most in love couple in the world. Mike didn’t know what was going on. All he knew was that I’d cheated on Kevin with Jay, and Kevin had been gracious enough to forgive us. He gave me a dirty look, but kept his mouth shut out of respect for his friend. I went to the bathroom, and Kevin followed me, and warned me. “Em, we can’t be together. Don’t make things difficult for Chloe, okay? She’s not like you. She doesn’t know anything.” I kept my face neutral. “I know. It was my fault. I cheated on you with Jay.” Kevin’s face twisted for a second, but then his tone softened. “Jay’s not a good guy. After you two break up, find someone who’s better for you.” “What makes you think we’ll break up?” Kevin stared, then laughed. “A guy like that? He’s been with everyone.” I saw the contempt in Kevin’s eyes, and I wanted to ask my younger self, how did I not see this before? Love really does blind you. “Kevin, I finally understand what people mean when they say that about you.” I left Kevin there, speechless. Let him figure that one out. Back in the private room, Jay was talking to Mike, and everyone else was hanging out with Chloe, being nice to the youngest one in the group. I walked over to Jay, just in time to hear Mike say, “Dude, why would you steal your best friend’s girl? What’s so great about her? You can have anyone you want. You’re not that shallow, are you?” I instinctively touched my face and smiled. Mike was right, my face is definitely my best feature. Kevin chased after me because of my looks. But why is it okay for Kevin to cheat, but not for me? Jay spoke up. “Mike, you can’t just judge people by their looks. And it wasn’t her fault.” Mike got even more excited. “Are you saying you’re in love with her face? Seriously? She used to be Kevin’s girl! You just don’t do that, bro.” He suddenly saw me and his face turned red. I casually sat down next to Jay and whispered in his ear. “Kevin came to find me.” Jay’s hand tightened around mine, and I smiled. Jay’s more worried about me than I thought. 4. Mike saw Jay and I holding hands and looked confused as he wandered off. He was mumbling to himself. I stared after him. Jay tugged at my hand. “Let’s make it official,” he said. He looked at me hopefully. Jay’s the one who’s been wanting to go public, not me. I don’t really care about being official. I don’t even want to. Everyone thinks I’m not good enough for Jay. They think Jay’s just messing around and that he’ll come to his senses and dump me eventually. But when I saw the look in Jay’s eyes, I remembered all the times he was there for me, and helped me through stuff I couldn’t have handled on my own. “Jay, do you think I’m fat?” Jay shook his head violently. “Kevin signed me up for a gym membership because he said I’d gained weight.” “He bought me dresses that were a size too small.” Jay’s eyes widened, and he finally understood. His face was panicked, and he started to explain. “I really do love you. I know things started…” Started with a lie. With him trying to seduce me. I put my finger on his lips and smiled. “It doesn’t matter.” Jay grabbed my hand, his throat working. The next second, everyone gasped. They were playing a game. It was the King’s Game, and Chloe had to follow the instructions. She had to sit in Kevin’s lap and kiss him in front of everyone. Everyone knows that Kevin’s Mr. Proper. He never does anything out of line in public. He never would’ve played a game like that with me, not even Truth or Dare. Chloe shyly walked up to Kevin and whispered, “Honey, I’m going to kiss you.” Kevin smiled and reached for her. “Come here, sweetheart.” Chloe sat on his lap, and they started kissing. It was more like Kevin was kissing Chloe than the other way around. I finally got it. Kevin does make exceptions. Jay grabbed my hand. “We’re married now,” he whispered. I looked at him, remembering the night before I broke up with Kevin. That’s the way he’d looked at me, begging me to leave Kevin. He offered me all his money if I asked Kevin for a divorce. Jay said, “I’ll always love you, respect you, and cherish you.” Those words made me fall for Kevin’s trap, without any hesitation. I took Jay’s hand and pulled him up. Chloe and Kevin finished their kiss and glanced at us. Kevin looked icy and Chloe looked smug. I cleared my throat and motioned to Jay. Jay’s heart was pounding, and his eyes were shining. His hand was sweaty in mine. “Everyone, I know this isn’t the right time to say this.” “But I have to.” Mike’s mouth dropped open. “Because I feel like you’re not respecting my wife.” Mike jumped up and looked at Kevin, whose face was dark with anger. Jay’s voice was calm as he looked at each person in the room. “Emily and I are married. We got married last week.”

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