It was the thirtieth day of our cold war. Serena, my wife, suggested a trip together to mend our relationship. But the moment we landed, she snapped my ID card in half, smashed my phone, and abandoned me on a deserted island to die. Someone asked if she’d gone too far. She just caressed her belly, a look of disdain on her face. “It’s his own fault for being so petty. I just wanted to use IVF to give Derek a child before he died, and he threw a fit, demanding a divorce.” “The baby’s due in eight months. The island has fresh water and food; he won’t starve. It’s just a little taste of hardship for him.” Eight months later, Serena, cradling her newborn son, felt utterly content. For the first time, she asked her assistant, Mark: “It’s been so long. Hasn’t he caused a fuss about wanting to come back?” She had no idea I died on the very first day I landed on that island. The next thing I knew, my soul was in Serena’s delivery room. Serena, her face pale, gently held the baby, her eyes brimming with maternal love. Her childhood friend, Derek, wiped the sweat from Serena’s forehead, his gratitude overflowing. “Serena, thank you. We have a son now.” I felt a little dazed. So, I’d been dead for this long already. She and Derek’s child had even been born. Serena was just wheeled out when a crowd of people swarmed around, celebrating the baby’s arrival, cheering and showering her with gifts and congratulations. “Serena, this baby is absolutely adorable! He’s the spitting image of you and Derek. He’ll be a heartthrob when he grows up!” These were the same people who used to call me ‘brother-in-law’ with deference, who’d vehemently claimed Serena’s IVF was wrong and accused Derek of faking his illness. Oh, right. They only sucked up to me before because I was Serena’s husband. Serena’s lips curved into a smile, but her gaze kept darting towards the end of the hallway. She picked up her phone and checked it. Then, she frowned, asking Mark, “Didn’t I tell you to buy him a new phone? Why hasn’t he contacted me these past few months? And he hasn’t even complained about wanting to come back?” Mark lied without batting an eye. “Mr. Julian keeps cursing you and Mr. Derek, saying he doesn’t want any contact with you.” The furrow between Serena’s brows deepened. “So stubborn. His temper is truly pig-headed.” “Tell him I’ve had the baby; the mission is accomplished. If he sincerely calls to apologize and agrees to be the baby’s godfather, I’ll bring him back.” I gave a self-deprecating laugh. She still had no idea I was long dead. Nine months ago, Serena aborted *our* baby to make room for her and Derek’s IVF child. She claimed Derek was dying soon and wanted to leave him a child. My spirits crushed, my will broken, I asked for a divorce. Serena gave me the cold shoulder for a month. The first time she initiated contact, she suggested we go on a trip to mend our relationship, promising to abort the IVF baby when we returned. I believed her, only to be left on a deserted island to die. Coming back to myself, Derek said pitifully, “Serena, if Julian comes back, he won’t hit me again, will he? He can hurt me, but please, don’t let him hurt our baby!” He lowered his head, adjusting the angle to specially reveal the tiny scar on his forehead. That scar was from when Derek had deliberately slammed his head against the wall to get that cut when he tried to provoke me, after I’d found out about Serena’s IVF. Because of that, Serena hated me, convinced I’d even bully a terminally ill patient. Serena was devastated, her voice sharp with anger. “If he dares lay a hand on you or our son, I’ll make sure he never comes back!” The others burst into laughter. “Serena, you’re still as protective of Derek as ever. Now that the baby’s born, I remember you and Derek had a childhood pact. You two should be together!” “That’s right, Serena! A child needs a complete mother’s and father’s love most of all! Julian’s so petty and extreme; I’m truly afraid he might harm the baby!” Serena didn’t respond to that. She just clenched her fingers, then looked up at Mark. “Did you send the message? What did he reply?” The next second, Serena’s phone, which was lying beside her, rang. Her eyes lit up. She thought it was me, a triumphant smirk playing on her lips. “Julian, you finally…” The voice on the other end froze her. “Excuse me, are you Julian’s wife? We were wondering if you have time to come to St. Jude’s Chapel to pick up a longevity lock.” Serena countered, “What longevity lock?” The person sighed. “A year ago, Mr. Julian came to our chapel, bowing on his knees with every step, wishing for his seriously ill wife to recover. Later, he returned, saying his wife was well and even pregnant. Our abbot said he had a profound connection with the divine and specially wanted to give him a longevity lock to wish his child peace and safety. But we haven’t been able to reach him for months.” Back then, when Serena was diagnosed with late-stage heart failure, I tried everything to treat her, even begging the heavens for mercy, praying on my knees until my forehead was raw and bleeding. Later, I returned to the chapel, full of joy, believing we had overcome our difficulties and welcomed a new dawn. But in the end, I lost everything. I had nothing. I clutched my chest, a sharp pain radiating from my artificial heart, and let out a bitter laugh. Turns out, even a synthetic heart can ache. The others were stunned by the news. “I can’t believe Julian was so devoted. When you had heart failure, we all thought he’d run away, afraid of the responsibility. It seems we misunderstood Julian…” Suddenly, Serena also clutched her heart, her teeth, white as seashells, biting her red lip. After regaining her composure, she scoffed. “No need. A longevity lock? Just throw it away.” She hung up. She lowered her gaze, gritting her teeth. “This is the difference between Julian and Derek.” “Julian only performs superficial gestures, but Derek directly saved my life! If it weren’t for Derek giving me his heart, I’d be dead already!” “Derek won’t live much longer because of it, but Julian? He only knows jealousy, even causing a fuss about divorce over such a minor thing!” My mouth tasted bitter. I was the one who donated my heart to Serena. The doctor told me that even if I paid a high price for an artificial heart transplant and took medication daily, with current technology, I’d only live another year or two. I didn’t regret it; instead, I was grateful for the time. But when I woke from my coma, I found Serena tearfully thanking Derek for his sacrifice. I tried to explain, time and again, but she just dismissed it as a pathetic attempt to mimic Derek’s sacrifice. It wasn’t until Serena became pregnant that our relationship softened. All because when Derek came to visit Serena, he clutched his chest, his face etched with sorrow, and said, “It’s a shame. I don’t have long left. I probably won’t be able to have my own children, or even see yours, Serena.” Serena immediately and unequivocally decided to give Derek a child. That led to the subsequent tragedy. Listening to Serena’s accusations, the others exchanged glances, and the air immediately thickened with tension. To ease the atmosphere, they all laughed and switched on the TV. “Serena, you just gave birth, don’t get too angry. Just relax a bit.” Coincidentally, a news report came on: “A skeleton of a male was discovered on a deserted island in the Pacific during a drone patrol. This marks a new milestone in drone technology…” Serena suddenly looked up, her pupils contracting. “Which island?”

Someone meekly said, “Serena, I heard the island you sent Julian to is somewhere around that coordinate…” Serena’s brows furrowed, nearly tying themselves in knots. Derek’s eyes flashed. He gently patted Serena’s back. “There are many similar islands, aren’t there? But that skeleton looks remarkably complete, almost like a medical model.” Serena snapped back to reality and scoffed. “Ha, Julian used to fake heart conditions to deceive people. Now he’s even using a skeleton model to scare me? He’s truly enjoying himself too much!” She turned and instructed Mark, “From now on, you are not allowed to agree to Julian’s unreasonable requests! I told you to just give him basic survival supplies, and you still played along with his nonsense!” Mark was drenched in cold sweat, nodding in affirmation. I knew why he was feeling guilty. After tossing me onto the deserted island, Serena had flown off in the helicopter without a second thought. My body and mind were exhausted, and my artificial heart couldn’t bear the strain. I had just pulled out my medication, intending to take it. But that assistant deliberately kicked my life-saving medication, sending it tumbling into the ocean. He’d even sneered, “Ms. Serena is right; you really are a drama queen, still acting like you have a heart condition!” “You, you’ll spend the rest of your life on this deserted island. Ms. Serena and Mr. Derek are having a baby; why would she ever come back for you!” After saying that, he led everyone away from the deserted island with a look of disgust. In the end, I painfully clawed at the ground, my fingernails bloody and torn, my heart stopped, and I died miserably in a foreign land. My body was weathered by wind and sun, torn by scavengers. Even now, the sensation of my heart being squeezed seems vivid before my eyes. Serena’s mood suddenly worsened for some reason. Her expression turned cold, and she rolled over, pulling the covers over herself, beginning to dismiss her visitors. “You can all leave now; I’m tired.” Everyone exchanged confused glances and left the hospital room one by one. Only Derek remained, cooing at the baby and gently holding Serena’s hand, which lay outside the covers with an IV drip. Because it was a natural birth, Serena was able to get out of bed and be discharged in just two days. Derek followed Serena home step by step, cradling the baby and making a pitiful promise. “Serena, I know you’ve hired a postpartum nurse, but I am the baby’s biological father. I have a responsibility to take care of you and our son.” Afraid she wouldn’t agree, he quickly added, “I’m very understanding; I won’t touch anything in the house, and Julian will never find out I’ve been here!” Serena’s fingers, clutching her purse strap, turned white from the force. She seemed conflicted. Derek then clutched his chest, tears welling in his eyes as he weakly said, “Serena, I don’t have long to live. Opportunities to be with you and our son are few. Can you give me this chance?” After a long silence, Serena finally nodded slowly. I watched Derek’s face twist into a sly, triumphant smirk. I lowered my head and gave a bitter laugh. Serena and I used to have a pact: no matter what, we would never bring outsiders into our home. But now, she was letting Derek walk right in. It seemed he was always the exception. As soon as the door opened, the little dog at home rushed forward to welcome Serena. Upon sensing a stranger, he immediately barked a warning, standing protectively in front of Serena. The baby, startled by the barking, began to cry loudly. Serena frowned. “Buddy, settle down!” Derek, however, smiled gently, though his eyes held no warmth. “It’s alright, Serena, I like dogs too.” With that, he crouched down and ruffled Buddy’s head. Buddy was usually gentle; his barking was just his way of deterring strangers, so he didn’t bite Derek’s hand. Serena couldn’t help but sigh. “Derek, you’re still as kind as ever.” Only I saw clearly that Derek’s palm was clutching a handful of Buddy’s yellow-white fur. How much pain Buddy must have been in! Hearing Buddy whimper in pain, Serena’s face changed, and she instantly grew angry. “This dog is just like its owner—an ungrateful, disloyal creature that can’t be tamed!” She pulled Derek away, cradling the baby. Buddy was still whimpering, squatting by the door, biting the bouncy ball I used to play with him, seemingly waiting for me. My nose stung. Buddy was just a little stray, but Serena and I had rescued him together when we were dating. He’d just been abandoned after birth, and Serena and I had taken turns staying up all night, feeding him milk, nursing him until he was grown. He was like our own child. He still didn’t know that his daddy was never coming back. Upstairs, Serena handed the baby to the postpartum nurse and then called for Mr. Henderson, instructing him carefully. “Mr. Henderson, Derek can’t have anything spicy, and no onions, ginger, or garlic. Please tell the kitchen to be mindful. Also, he only sleeps on silk sheets; otherwise, he gets rashes…” Serena rattled on, remembering Derek’s preferences as if they’d been married for ten years. I used to be jealous of her and Derek’s childhood connection, but now it seemed I had thought too little of it. Derek, however, pretended not to know these things. He used the excuse of needing the restroom to sneak into Serena and my bedroom. Buddy, seeing the stranger enter his parents’ room, tilted his head and followed Derek upstairs. Derek sneered at our wedding photo on the table, picking up a marker and drawing all over my face. He jumped when he felt Buddy nipping at his pant leg. The next second, he lashed out with a violent kick. Buddy, a small ten-pound dog, was sent flying against the wall by the heavy kick, then fell to the floor. His limbs twitched a few times, blood spreading from the corner of his mouth, and he whined softly. I was furious. I lunged towards Buddy, but my soul only passed through his body. Derek’s pale, gaunt face twisted into a crazed expression. He scoffed. “Loyal dog, are we? Then I’ll send you to your owner in heaven!” I froze. Derek actually knew I was dead. Could Mark be working for him? Recalling Mark’s disgust for me and his attempts to slander me, I clenched my fists. Just then, Serena, hearing the commotion, walked into the room. She immediately saw Buddy still faintly twitching by the wall.

Derek instantly feigned tears. “I’m so sorry, Serena! The dog bit me, and my heart suddenly ached. I accidentally kicked him. It’s all my carelessness! The dog won’t be hurt, will he?” Serena pressed her lips together, forcing herself to look away from Buddy. “As long as you’re alright. How are you feeling right now? Where did he bite you?” “Pets carry so many germs; it’s not good for the baby. I’ve wanted to have him sent away for a long time. You’ve actually done me a great favor.” With that, she ordered Mr. Henderson to take the dog to the vet, a look of disgust on her face. Derek, however, wasn’t satisfied, his lips twisting into a pout. But he quickly composed himself and tugged on Serena’s sleeve. “As long as the dog’s okay. If Julian found out, he’d probably tear me to shreds. I couldn’t even pay him back if I died!” Anyone who didn’t know better would think I’d somehow bullied him in the past. But Serena’s eyes filled with concern, and she gently cooed, “If he dares do that, I’ll make sure he knows what it means to wish for death.” Derek paused, then tentatively asked, “Serena, my parents want to see our little one a few more times. Will you come with me to visit them tomorrow?” Serena nodded. “Of course. The child will eventually be raised by your parents anyway.” Derek’s chest heaved. He reached out to grab Serena’s hand, whining, “Serena, why are you becoming so distant with me? We—” But Serena pulled away, her tone somewhat cold. “The guest room is ready. You should get some sleep. The baby’s been restless these past few days, and you haven’t been sleeping well either.” But it was Serena who lay awake all night. She kept pulling out her phone, opening our SnapChat chat. When she saw my last message was from eight months ago—my reply of “Okay” to her invitation for a trip abroad—she grew restless. I worried for Buddy’s health, but my soul couldn’t stray too far from Serena, so I could only stare at Buddy’s dog food and toys. The next moment, Serena suddenly walked over to me. My heart skipped a beat. I saw her crouch down and open Buddy’s favorite can of dog food. Then she opened my SnapChat chat. “Julian, I’ve handled everything. Come back. Buddy misses you very much.” Serena had rarely softened like this. This time, I didn’t instantly reply. I could never reply to her messages again. Just then, Mr. Henderson opened the door and returned. Serena saw his empty hands and asked, “Where’s the dog?” Mr. Henderson hesitated. “Six ribs were broken, piercing his heart. He didn’t make it to the hospital… Miss, should we have him cremated?” My heart clenched in agony. When we named our puppy, Serena had said so sweetly, “Of course, we’ll call him Buddy! We’re his parents in his little world, the closest people he has. We’ll protect him and keep him safe always!” Buddy, Buddy… yet he couldn’t even live a safe life. Serena froze, her fingertips trembling. After a long moment, she finally found her voice. “Yes.” “Mr. Henderson, please find me another dog that looks exactly like him. In a few days, when Julian comes home and doesn’t see Buddy, he’ll definitely cause a scene again.” My heart spasmed. She had money; she could find a similar dog. But our feelings? They were irreplaceable. The next day, Serena seemed miles away on the way to Derek’s place, barely patting the crying baby’s back as a mere formality. She pursed her lips, messaging Mr. Henderson, urging him, “Haven’t you found one yet? Hurry up.” When she looked up again, Serena was stunned by the decor of Derek’s house.

I looked at the scene before me and found it absurd. The surroundings were decorated with streamers. A red carpet was laid on the floor. A Bluetooth speaker blared a proposal song. And most striking of all, a banner directly facing the front door read: “Serena, please marry me!” The house was packed with Serena’s and Derek’s friends and family, all looking at the two of them with eager eyes. Serena tightened her grip on the baby, who struggled and cried out loud. Derek’s father chuckled. “Serena, you and Derek had a childhood pact, a promise of marriage. Someone from Julian’s ordinary background simply isn’t a match for you. Now that you’ve had the baby, isn’t it time you married Derek?” Derek immediately dropped to one knee, pulling out a sparkling diamond ring. “Serena,” he declared, his voice full of feigned emotion, “I know I don’t have long to live, but I want to give our child a complete father’s love. I want him to know he was born from love, not some nameless, illegitimate child! Please marry me. I want to protect you and our son until my dying breath!” Seeing this, the crowd, as if on cue, began to loudly chant, “Say yes! Marry him!” My heart felt bitter. So, it had come to this. But Serena’s face darkened. She smacked the diamond ring out of Derek’s hand. “Derek, are you crazy?” Then, without another word, she shoved the baby into Derek’s parents’ arms and stormed out. The atmosphere instantly turned awkward. Derek’s face flushed alternately green and pale. He rushed after her. He grabbed Serena’s arm, his eyes bloodshot. “Why can’t you marry me? Serena, refusing you back then was just my pride. Weren’t you with Julian just to spite me? What’s gotten into you now?!” Serena yanked her arm away, her gaze more resolute than ever. “Julian would be furious! If another man even showed up near me, he’d get so jealous, so petty and stubborn.” “I had an IVF baby with you, and he’s already furious about that. If he found out I accepted your proposal, he’d never forgive me!” Hearing that, I felt a pang of surprise. Derek gritted his teeth, taking a deep breath. The next moment, he clutched his chest, struggling to speak. “But, Serena, what if this is my dying wish? I don’t have much time left. Please, just agree to marry me, just a wedding. After I’m gone, you can still be with Julian. I won’t hold you back for long!” Serena’s eyes flickered with internal struggle. She instinctively reached out, wanting to comfort Derek. Just as her hand was about to touch his chest, she seemed to snap out of a dream. “I’m sorry, Derek. Even if it’s your dying wish, I can’t.” “I know you’re my benefactor, but giving you a child has already repaid you. I hope you won’t overstep.” With that, she turned and walked away. On the way home, she stared intently at the message she had sent last night, which had fallen silent as a stone. Serena irritably questioned Mark, who was following behind her. “Are you sure Julian’s phone can connect to the internet? Why is he still not replying to my messages?” Mark continued to lie. “Ah, well, the people patrolling the deserted island told me Mr. Julian is doing just fine; he’s just deliberately ignoring you.” Serena was furious. “Useless! Go book me a plane ticket, now!” Mark seemed flustered, trying desperately to stop her. “But you’re still recovering from childbirth… Shouldn’t you at least tell Mr. Derek about this?” Serena gave him a scrutinizing look, her voice icy. “What does it have to do with him? Who exactly is your boss?” Soon, Serena boarded the plane. When she finally arrived at the island, fueled by rage, my bare bones still lay exposed on the beach, my clothes long since tattered and ripped by the sea winds. Serena walked towards the makeshift wooden cabin. *Snap*. She stepped on it without a second thought, and I heard a sickening *snap* as my tibia bone broke beneath her heel. Her gaze was suddenly caught by something glinting. Disbelieving, she slowly turned her head. There, on the skeleton’s ring finger, was a gleaming silver men’s wedding band.

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “299247”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #浪漫Romance #现实主义Realistic #惊悚Thriller #重生Reborn #玄幻Fantasy

Julian got a girl pregnant one drunken night. By the time I found out, she was already six months along. He told me to keep the baby, and that everything between us would go back to how it was. I shook my head, stubbornly asking him: “Me or the baby, who do you choose?” That day, he remained silent for a long time, unable to give me an answer. But after I disappeared, he regretted it. Married to Julian for five years, I never imagined we’d end this way. At the hospital entrance, Julian was tenderly supporting a young, beautiful girl down the steps. I stood not far away, my eyes meeting Julian’s, which were filled with a tenderness I hadn’t seen in a long time. He flinched, his gaze quickly darting away from mine. The heavily pregnant girl beside him also looked my way, her eyes instantly welling up with tears. After safely getting her into the car and whispering a few careful words, Julian finally walked towards me. His steps were calm and composed, completely lacking the panic I expected after being caught. He first touched my hand, which was cold as ice, holding it tightly in his palm. “Why are you at the hospital? Are you not feeling well?” He spoke with concern, reaching out to touch my forehead. I pulled away. “Who is she?” Julian didn’t answer my question. Instead, he pulled me into a comforting hug. “Someone unimportant. I’ll explain everything when we get home, okay?” His gentle words, at that moment, finally brought tears to my eyes. I stubbornly lifted my head, desperate for an answer. If he just said it, I would believe him. Julian sighed softly, then slowly wiped the tears from my eyes. “The baby is mine.” My tears froze on my face. I felt like I’d forgotten how to breathe. I bit my lip until it bled, then struggled free from his embrace, stepping back, one pace at a time. It was then that a hint of anger finally crossed Julian’s face. He pulled me close again, looking at me with pained eyes. “Nora, you can blame me, but don’t hurt yourself.” I couldn’t understand why he was acting so loving after doing something like this. As we stood in silent confrontation, The girl from the car got out. “Get back in!” Julian’s voice was cold, devoid of any warmth. The girl looked timidly at him but didn’t leave, a newfound determination in her eyes. “Miss Shen, Julian and I aren’t what you think. This baby was an accident.” She finished with a bitter smile. “If I could, I’d want him gone more than anyone.” My vision blurred with tears, so I couldn’t clearly see Julian’s expression. But knowing him as I did, I could sense that his initial coldness had already softened. “Enough! Stop talking!” Jealousy and resentment surged through me. I screamed, my voice breaking. The girl flinched, swaying, almost falling, but Julian quickly caught her in his arms. I stared at the scene, a thought flashing through my mind. I lunged towards them. Just as I was about to touch the girl’s swollen belly, a powerful force shoved me away. I landed on the ground, lifting my scraped palm, and managed a bitter laugh. Julian looked at his outstretched hand in disbelief, frozen. That day, Julian left the six-month pregnant girl and took me home. But I knew there was no future for us.

Back home, Julian tried to explain. I sat on the bed, motionless, for a long time. He, meanwhile, stood on my room’s balcony, smoking cigarette after cigarette all night. I knew he was trying to make me feel sorry for him, torturing himself. He always knew my weaknesses. As dawn broke, Julian turned and came inside, walking over to me. “Hungry? What do you want to eat? I’ll make it.” I stopped him with a hoarse voice. “Julian, we need to talk.” Julian’s steps faltered. He didn’t turn around for a long time. I knew he understood my personality. I cared about this kind of thing. A lot. Even if he was drunk that night, even if his encounter with that girl was unintentional, I couldn’t forgive him. So, Julian kept it a secret. But no one expected that the stranger he’d met just once would get pregnant. Due to a unique medical condition, she couldn’t terminate the pregnancy. Which led to this situation. Julian eventually left. He was afraid to face what I was about to say. I knew he loved me. If he didn’t, we wouldn’t have been together for so many years. If he didn’t, he wouldn’t have spoiled me into someone who easily got emotional and cried at the drop of a hat. For the next week, Julian didn’t come home. But he still meticulously asked Maria, our housekeeper, every day how I was doing. Maria tried to persuade me: “Madam, you and Mr. Sterling are the most loving couple I’ve ever seen. Just talk things out. “Mr. Sterling, he’s lost so much weight recently.” Maria had been with us for years, and she had never seen Julian and me have a single argument. Even Julian’s mother, who had been displeased with me in the early years, gradually accepted me as her daughter-in-law because Julian and I were so happy together. My phone rang. It was Julian calling. “Nora, Julian’s completely wasted. Could you come pick him up?” “Don’t bother with him!” After hanging up, my inner frustration only grew. Julian’s retreating figure, seemingly hunched, kept replaying in my mind. I still couldn’t bring myself to leave him there alone. After a struggle, I grabbed my car keys. And walked out purposefully.

The VIP room door was ajar. I stood outside, not going in. Julian was indeed drunk, sprawled out on the sofa, completely without dignity. In front of him stood the heavily pregnant girl. One of Julian’s friends looked embarrassed. “Selena, Nora wouldn’t come, and Julian wouldn’t leave, so I had to call you.” The girl smiled faintly and helped Julian lift one arm. He abruptly pushed her away. A few gasps pulled Julian out of his drunken stupor. He looked at the woman in front of him, a smile more painful than a grimace on his face. “Selena, it’s all because of you. Nora doesn’t want me anymore…” Julian kept repeating the same phrase, then started looking for more alcohol. Everyone tried to stop him, but he grabbed a bottle and started guzzling it down like he had a death wish. Suddenly, Selena snatched the bottle from his hand and smashed it on the floor. The room fell silent instantly. Even Julian, who had been throwing a drunken tantrum, stared blankly at her. “Julian, you’re scaring our baby with all this shouting. “Get up. I’m tired. Take me home.” Julian, who practically ruled the city, had never been ordered around like this by anyone except me. Everyone assumed he was furious and held their breath. But in that oppressive silence, Julian said nothing. He slowly got up, picked up his jacket, and quietly followed Selena out. They left together. I hid in the corner, watching the man and woman in front. Suddenly, I laughed. But that laugh was laced with a bitter taste. I followed their taxi to an upscale apartment building. I watched Julian get out of the car and go upstairs with the girl. A light flickered on in one of the higher floors. I sat in my car all night, and Julian never came out. At seven in the morning, he walked back in, carrying breakfast. I watched that incredibly familiar figure. And quietly drove away.

I called Julian back, but I didn’t mention divorce. I looked at the man, who had lost a lot of weight, and quickly averted my gaze. “I didn’t pick you up last night. Where did you stay?” Julian’s fingers trembled slightly. After a moment, he said: “I stayed at the office.” I couldn’t quite describe the feeling in my heart—not much bitterness, But mostly disappointment. When did Julian start lying to me? The man who once promised to be honest with me forever had changed. I didn’t expose him because, to me, it no longer mattered. “She, how many months along is she?” Julian’s voice paused for a few seconds, as if he couldn’t bear to hurt me. “Almost seven months.” After saying that, he knelt before me, burying his head deeply in my lap. His tears soaked my dress. “Nora, I’m sorry. Please don’t leave me.” In my memory, Julian had never cried before. Now, his sobs were violent. Watching him cry, my heart ached too. But I knew, at this moment, I couldn’t soften. “Arrange for me to meet that girl.” We met at Selena’s apartment. Julian waited for me outside the door. Selena gently stroked her belly, her eyes filled with anticipation for the baby. “That night, the lights were off, and I was really terrified. “But the next day, when I saw Julian lying beside me, I actually felt a moment of relief.” Selena chuckled as she spoke. She looked up at me, still maintaining that gentle, lovely demeanor. “Miss Shen, Julian’s and my baby is almost due. Why don’t you just let us be?” With Julian not present, the girl in front of me seemed to transform. Honestly, I wasn’t too surprised. Because the night I went to find Julian, Selena had glanced towards the door. I knew she had seen me that day. She slowly stood up and pushed open a closed bedroom door. Inside was a cozy nursery. “Everything in here was personally chosen by Julian, and he decorated the room himself. “He’s not without hope for this child.” I desperately wanted to maintain my last shred of composure in front of Selena, who was flaunting Julian’s fatherly love to me. But she still provoked me. So, Julian *did* have expectations for this child. He wasn’t indifferent at all. All the strength seemed to drain from my body. I leaned a hand on the dining table, knocking over a water glass. It hit the floor with a crisp *clink*, a sound that echoed in my heart, shattering it into cracks. Julian heard the noise. When he looked, he saw me swaying, and Selena on the floor crying out in pain. That day, I will never forget, Julian’s first choice was no longer me. Selena shot me a triumphant smile, believing she had won. As he brushed past me, Julian hesitated for only a second. Then he went past me, picked Selena up, and rushed her to the hospital.

Julian didn’t look at me as he left. I stood there for a long time, slowly accepting the fact that he had abandoned me. I followed them to the hospital. By the time I arrived, Mrs. and Mr. Sterling were also there. It turned out they had known all along, only keeping it a secret from me. Seeing me, Mrs. Sterling slapped me across the face. “If anything happens to my grandson, I swear I’ll make you pay!” Julian immediately shielded me, pulling me behind him. Seeing this, Mrs. Sterling became even angrier. “Julian, it’s fine if you protect her usually, but now she’s trying to harm your son!” Julian laughed, his voice tinged with suppressed defiance. “So what? If he’s gone, he’s gone.” If they hadn’t kept this child behind his back, why would Nora be so heartbroken and upset? No one knew that when he saw Selena fall, His first reaction was actually relief. He regretted this unexpected arrival. The doctor came out of the room, saying the baby was saved. Mr. and Mrs. Sterling hurried in, showering Selena with concern. Selena, however, kept looking towards Julian, who stood by the door, her expression fragile and pitiful. She dared to scheme against me, so why should I let her have her way? I showed him my swollen left cheek, letting him feel a pang of sympathy, and told Julian: “I don’t want to stay here anymore.” Julian left with me. As I walked out, I looked at Selena, lying in the hospital bed, and returned her smile with one of my own. At least for now, Julian still sided with me. Even if I no longer wanted that favoritism. In the days Julian thought I had accepted the baby, I had already begun preparing to leave. I packed my belongings and prepared the divorce papers. Just waiting for the day I’d leave. That’s right, I would leave on the day Selena gave birth. She wanted me to complete their family of three, didn’t she? Then I would fulfill her wish.

Recently, I’d been having a vague discomfort in my lower abdomen. I went to the hospital that day for a check-up, but I didn’t expect to run into them. I rescheduled my appointment and had the check-up. The moment I got the results, I laughed through my tears. Julian and I had tried for a baby for five years without success. Now, this baby seemed to have come at the most inconvenient time. I walked through the hospital, clutching the pregnancy test results, lost in a daze, unsure how to treat this little life inside me. I knew I should terminate it, but I couldn’t bear to. This decision was harder than letting go of Julian. Then I looked up and saw Julian and Selena emerging from her prenatal check-up. These past few days, neither of us had mentioned Selena’s situation again. He thought my silence meant I had tacitly accepted her presence. “Julian, our baby is so healthy. I’m so happy.” Julian’s voice betrayed no emotion, but his slightly raised eyebrows revealed his good mood. “Hmm, you’re taking good care of him.” They chatted about the baby, neither noticing I had stopped in front of them. The moment Julian saw me, he immediately let go of Selena’s hand, creating a distance between them. After a silent pause, I spoke first. “What a coincidence. Well, I’ll leave you to it. I’m going now.” Julian frantically grabbed me, unwilling to let me go. “Nora, let me explain.” I calmly pulled my hand away from him, without a hint of anger. “I’m not mad. This baby is your responsibility. I understand.” At my words, Selena’s eyes suddenly lit up. “Miss Shen, do you really agree to keep this baby?” Since our last confrontation, I didn’t feel like giving her any pleasantries. “Miss Selena’s baby is due in a few days. Does my disagreement even matter anymore?” The woman immediately panicked, her voice catching with a sob. “I… I was forced.” Saying all this now was meaningless. Without letting Julian follow, I turned and went back to the doctor. Someone had just made the decision for me. On the day Selena went into labor, Julian was called away at four in the morning. Before he left, he leaned close and whispered in my ear:

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “299246”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #浪漫Romance #现实主义Realistic #惊悚Thriller

On my birthday, I received a confirmation text for a couples’ suite reservation, sent to my phone. I waited in my car all night, and finally, I saw my wife and a man walking out of the hotel together. I knew the man. He was Cassandra’s male secretary, Julian. I didn’t like my wife having a male secretary, so I’d asked her to fire him. Now, it seemed, she had only changed his job title, not his position in her bed. Chapter 1: The Test The moment Cassandra stepped through the door, I was sitting on the couch smoking, the floor littered with cigarette butts. Cassandra despised the smell of smoke. I’d even quit for her, once upon a time, but now, I didn’t care if she hated it or not. Yesterday was my birthday, a day meant for family togetherness. I’d prepared a table full of food early, waiting for my wife to come home. In this sprawling city, Cassandra was my only family. Every year, I spent the holidays with her; she was never absent. But yesterday, I waited and waited, and my wife never showed. All I got was that damned confirmation text for a hotel room reservation. If I hadn’t seen it with my own eyes, I wouldn’t have believed it. My wife was cheating, and it was with the male secretary I’d asked her to replace. Cassandra’s brow furrowed almost imperceptibly. “Leo, what’s gotten into you? Are you crazy? I told you I hate the smell of smoke! You were gone for just one day, and you’ve turned the house into a pigsty. It stinks!” As she spoke, Cassandra pulled open the windows and curtains, waving her hands in disgust. Before, whatever she said was law, and I never dared to disobey. Even if others called me henpecked, I’d just smile and say I didn’t mind. But now, I realized. No love meant no love. My obedience meant nothing. Cassandra pinched her nose. “Throw those cigarettes away. And don’t you dare smoke again.” I didn’t obey like before. I slowly raised my eyes to her, blowing out a smoke ring. “Yesterday was my birthday. I waited for you all night. Where were you?” Chapter 2: The Argument Hearing the accusation in my voice, Cassandra’s tone turned sharp. “Where could I have been? Overtime at the office, of course! You don’t earn a dime in this house, don’t I support us?” As soon as she said it, Cassandra seemed to realize her tone was too harsh. She walked to the dining table and lifted the lid of a takeout container. “Forget it. It’s a holiday, I don’t want to fight. I bought you a big platter of shrimp and crab legs. Go wash your hands and eat.” Any lingering warmth in my heart shattered. I let out a self-deprecating laugh. “Did you really buy them for me?” At the hotel entrance, I’d distinctly seen Cassandra handing a takeout bag to Julian, but he didn’t take it. Was this just their leftovers from the hotel? Cassandra’s movements paused. She flung the plastic gloves onto the table. “What do you mean? Is it wrong for me to buy you food? You’re a grown man, just say what you mean. I don’t have time for your games.” I said nothing. After a long moment, I stubbed out my cigarette and slowly said, “I’m allergic to seafood.” Cassandra’s body stiffened, an awkward expression flashing across her face. But she quickly recovered. “Regardless, my intentions were good. You don’t need to make a scene with me. It’s just one birthday, right? We have plenty of other holidays.” In an instant, a memory flashed in my mind: Cassandra, leaning into my shoulder, her eyes shining as she whispered, “Every single birthday, from this day forward, I want to spend it with you.” I pushed myself up from the sofa, dumping all the untouched food from yesterday. As I cleaned, I said, “Cassandra, it’s not just about missing my birthday.” “You cheated on me.” Chapter 3: The Other Man My words were clear and firm, making Cassandra’s face flush from her neck up. I ignored her reaction. “The hotel room confirmation was sent directly to my phone.” “And your lover is your secretary, isn’t he? Quite dedicated, hasn’t changed in years.” The moment the words left my lips, a flicker of panic crossed Cassandra’s face. But she immediately bristled, yelling at me, “I was working hard on a business deal, drinking myself senseless! Julian was the one who took me back to the hotel. You can’t even thank him, and you suspect us? We’ve been married five years, can’t you give me some trust?” I pressed my lips together, thinking to myself that I’d trusted her too much, which was why they’d gone undetected for so long. Cassandra, however, thought her words had worked. “Stop being so paranoid. Dealing with work is hard enough as it is.” I said calmly, “Taking you back to the hotel… and booking a couples’ suite?” Cassandra’s eyes reddened. She pointed at me, accusing, “That was the only room left at the hotel! What was I supposed to do? Sleep on the street? No wonder you were always ostracized before! Who could stand a personality like yours?” I smiled in silence. When people are guilty, they react just like Cassandra. Cassandra continued, “I think I need to seriously reconsider this relationship. I’m moving out for a while.” With that, she turned and left without looking back. Whenever we argued, she would give me the silent treatment, sometimes for a week, sometimes for a month. But the cold war always ended with me giving in first. Cassandra probably thought this time would be no different. But this time, it was. I sent a text to my friend, Mark: “Mark, I need your advice on something… about getting a divorce.” Chapter 4: Divorce Agreement Cassandra and I both came from small towns. We both got into college in the big city. We started a business together, raised investments together. Late at night, I drank myself to the point of stomach bleeding trying to close a deal, and Cassandra swore then that she would always be good to me. Only now did I realize that “forever” has an expiration date. Back then, we were so poor that we sweated through the summer, unwilling to even turn on a fan. After we got married, Cassandra said someone needed to be home, not both of us out working. Because of that, I gave up my career and became a stay-at-home husband. But the ending rarely lives up to the beginning. Sometimes, it’s a complete disaster. When Mark heard I wanted a divorce, he said to me earnestly, “I knew being a stay-at-home husband wouldn’t end well. You didn’t get any benefits, and you lost your career.” As he spoke, he offered to introduce me to a job. “A buddy of mine has an opening for a management position at his company. Want to give it a shot?” I thought about it and agreed, adding the contact info he sent me. After learning more, I tidied myself up and went for an interview at his company. The manager nodded in satisfaction at my resume, and when he found out I’d previously started a business, he hired me on the spot. He told me to start tomorrow. I quickly agreed. Exhausted, I returned home, and a call came through. It was Chloe, Cassandra’s best friend. When I answered, she laughed and said, “Leo, it’s my birthday today! Why is Cassandra the only one here? You can’t disrespect me like that! I’ve sent you the address; we’re just missing one more person.” Before I could refuse, she hung up. I checked the address; it was near home. Plus, it was her birthday, and she’d invited me directly, so I didn’t want to be a spoilsport. I quickly splashed some water on my face and headed out. When I arrived, the lively atmosphere instantly froze. I scanned the room and saw Julian sitting brazenly next to Cassandra. It seemed Cassandra had brought him to her friends’ gatherings more than once. And I, like an idiot, had believed Cassandra had actually fired him. When Cassandra saw me, her smile vanished. She questioned me coldly, “What are you doing here? Didn’t I tell you we needed some time to cool off?” Chapter 5: Provocation I looked at Cassandra’s reaction and realized she’d misunderstood. She thought I’d come to win her back. I’d always swallowed my pride and appeased her, anxiously asking her friends what she liked, just to make her happy. But now, thinking back, one-sided devotion was just being a simp, not love. Cassandra’s friend, Chloe, looked awkward and quickly tried to lighten the mood. “I invited Leo! The more, the merrier, right?” Then she waved at me, motioning for me to sit next to her. I walked over with long strides. After I sat down, Julian turned his head to greet me. “Hello. We’ve met before. I’ve heard a lot about you from Cassie these past few years.” His voice was full of provocation, perhaps thinking I’d get angry, but I didn’t. I raised my glass cordially and nodded. When I didn’t take the bait, Julian eagerly started doting on Cassandra, filling her plate. I ignored it all, quietly eating my own food. Cassandra repeatedly cast guilty glances my way, but I remained silent. Until I stood up and said, “Excuse me, I’m going out for a smoke.” Hearing that, Cassandra shot up from her seat. “Didn’t I tell you not to smoke?” Julian, sitting next to Cassandra, chimed in, “It’s okay, Cassie. Don’t be mad. You haven’t even eaten the shrimp I peeled for you yet.” I turned and looked at Cassandra coldly. “Do you think your words are gospel?” Cassandra froze in place, and ultimately said nothing more. When I returned after my smoke, Cassandra and Julian were being egged on to drink with linked arms. Seeing me return, everyone’s faces froze. Chloe stepped in to mediate. “Alright, everyone, stop it. Leo’s going to get mad.” But Cassandra said in a low voice, “Ignore him. Let’s continue.” Julian looked at me, feigning innocence, and said, “Brother-in-law, Cassie and I are just playing a game. You don’t mind, do you?” Everyone expected me to explode, but I simply crossed my legs and sat down, watching them. “No, I don’t mind. Go ahead.” Cassandra’s face darkened, as if she hadn’t expected me to say that. But Cassandra still, under my gaze, intimately linked arms with Julian and drank. When the dinner was almost over, I bid them farewell. “Everyone, enjoy your meal. I’m leaving now.” Seeing that, Cassandra’s anger flared. She rushed forward and splashed the remaining wine from her glass onto my face. “Weren’t you here to make up? What’s with the attitude? If you’re so tough, why even bother coming?” Everyone gasped. Only Julian looked at me mockingly. “Brother-in-law, Cassie’s mad. You should just give in. Dude, when you’re trying to win her back, you gotta swallow your pride.” I wiped the wine from my face, picked up a bottle of wine, and filled two glasses. I smiled at Julian. “This first toast is for you, Julian. A big thank you for keeping Cassandra warm in bed all these years, being her little boy-toy.” Cassandra’s face instantly went white. “Leo, what the hell are you talking about? Didn’t I explain everything to you?” Chapter 6: Drunk She stepped forward to block me, while Julian’s smile froze. Chloe, seeing the situation, quickly said, “Everyone’s drunk. Drunk words don’t count.” But I shoved her aside, picked up the second glass, and looked at Cassandra. “This second glass, I toast to you, my dear ‘wife.’ You’ve worked so hard, so tired out there, and then you come home and have to put on an act with me. Honestly, your acting skills are impressive.” After saying that, I violently splashed the two glasses of wine, one at Cassandra and one at Julian. The room erupted into chaos. Cassandra’s face and Julian’s hair were soaked. Ignoring Cassandra’s stunned expression, I strode out of the restaurant. As soon as I was out the door, Cassandra chased after me. She grabbed me. “Julian and I were just playing a game! Did you have to humiliate me in front of everyone? What is wrong with you?” Cassandra probably thought I was jealous because of that linked-arm drink, but I genuinely no longer cared. “You’re overthinking it. Even if you and Julian slept together right in front of me, I wouldn’t bat an eye. I’d even offer you protection.” After I said that, Cassandra’s hand struck my face, leaving a clear red mark. “If that’s your attitude, then why did you even come?” Cassandra’s chest heaved with anger, but I just said coldly, “My being here has nothing to do with you. Don’t flatter yourself.” Cassandra, however, thought I was just being stubborn. She looked at me and said, “Okay, let’s pretend today never happened. We’ll both take a step back. I’ll come home with you tonight, alright?” I was about to speak when Julian walked up, putting an arm around Cassandra’s shoulder. “Cassie, I feel so dizzy. Can you take me back to the hotel?” Cassandra glanced nervously at my reaction, then quickly pushed Julian away, explaining to me, “Don’t misunderstand, Julian’s just drunk, he can’t stand steady.” I scoffed. I know a fake drunk when I see one. It was all an act. I casually folded my arms, a mocking smile in my eyes. “Alright, you don’t need to come home tonight. Go take him back to the hotel.” Cassandra hadn’t expected my attitude. She wanted to say something else, but Julian cut her off. I, without hesitation, turned and walked away. The next morning, I arrived at the company for work and quickly familiarized myself with my new position. My colleagues here were friendly, the environment was great, and most importantly, the salary they offered me was very generous. While at work, I received a call from Cassandra. It was the first call she’d made to me since our cold war began. “Where are you?” “Busy.” “What could you possibly be busy with all day besides laundry and cooking?” Watching her relentless questioning, I said calmly, “I went to work.” Cassandra immediately flared up. “Who told you to go to work? Did I agree? I come home, and I can’t even get a hot meal. What’s the point of this marriage?” Listening to her unreasonable words, I scoffed. “I’m not your maid. I’m not obligated to do your laundry or cook for you. Whether or not I work is my right; you have no right to take that away from me.” Cassandra’s voice trembled with rage after hearing my words. She spoke fiercely, threatening, “Leo, if you choose to work, then we’re getting a divorce!” I stayed silent. Cassandra, thinking her threat had worked, said, “If you don’t want a divorce, then come home right now!” My knuckles whitened as I gripped my phone, but I answered with a sense of release, “Okay.” Chapter 7: The Explanation Before, I would have groveled, begged her to stay, because I cared about our relationship. I loved her, so I was willing to compromise. Similarly, my prompt agreement to divorce today wasn’t for any other reason; it was simply because I no longer loved her.

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “299245”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #浪漫Romance #现实主义Realistic #惊悚Thriller

My ex-boyfriend, Julian Blackwood, sweet-talked me into taking nude photos. He promised they were just for him to cherish. I was a little worried, but also secretly thrilled I’d finally ‘won over’ Julian. Until one day, Chloe, a scholarship student, and I were competing for first place. Julian said, ” let her win.” “You don’t want those photos plastered all over the internet, do you?” I froze, nodding numbly. Seven days later, Chloe won first place as planned. Julian deleted all the photos. A huge weight lifted from my chest, and I boarded a plane out of the country. All those years, I’d consider them just wasted. Julian’s words were casual, almost dismissive. “You agree, and all the photos are deleted.” It was the peak of summer, unbearably hot. Yet, a wave of icy dread washed over me, like a punch to the gut. I opened my mouth, my voice trembling. “But you promised me…” Julian cut me off. “Yes, I promised only I would see them.” His gaze was unwavering, his tone low and deliberate. “I won’t break my word.” “Just let Chloe win first place.” I argued stubbornly, my words fragmented. “The singing competition… it’s supposed to be about talent.” “I… won’t give it up.” Julian seemed to have expected my resistance. He pulled my chair closer, encircling me in his arms. Then, he took out his phone. He took my hand and pressed it to unlock his private album. Explicit images flashed across the screen. Julian chuckled softly. “Whisper, your body is truly perfect.” His lips brushed my ear. “This one’s my favorite. You’re all flushed, mouth slightly open, looking at the camera.” “Like a plaything used up and tossed aside…” My fingertips trembled, a sob catching in my throat. “Don’t look.” Julian paused, switching off the screen. His thumb was warm as he wiped a tear from the corner of my eye. “Good girl, don’t be scared. Do you agree?” My fingers unconsciously tightened, my mind a blank. “Okay.” Julian’s eyes curved into a satisfied smile as he stood up. He smoothed my disheveled hair, speaking softly as if nothing had happened. “There’s a class gathering tonight. I won’t be coming home with you.” “I’ll have the driver take you.”

The air conditioning in the vocal classroom was blasting. I pulled my jacket tighter, curling up in the chair. So cold, so incredibly cold. I covered my mouth, stifling my sobs. Julian was the person I trusted most. When I was seven, my parents brought me from our small, rundown house in the countryside to a glittering mansion in the city. But I couldn’t fit in. I was scrawny, small, and always felt out of place. I was constantly bullied. I’d just hide and cry. I thought if I didn’t fight back, they’d leave me alone. Until that day, a group of boys tried to pull down my pants. I cried out, grabbing a dead tree branch. “Don’t… don’t come closer!” They didn’t stop, only grew bolder. That’s when Julian appeared. He brandished a brick, chasing them all away. Then, he offered me his hand. “Whisper, I’ll take you home.” But my legs were like jelly; I couldn’t stand. Julian frowned, a sour look on his face. But he still crouched down. “Get on.” I hesitated for a moment, then climbed onto his back. He carried me, walking with a steady, determined pace. After that, I always shyly followed Julian. For eleven years. Until Freshman Orientation Week ended in college. I gathered all my courage and confessed my feelings. Perhaps Julian’s heart softened. He looked at me with a smile, a regal nod of his head. So, when Julian suggested taking photos. I fought back my fear, asking softly, “Will… will others see them?” Julian held up the camera, gently reassuring me. “No, I’ll keep them treasured.” I hesitated for a moment, then slipped off my nightgown. Posing again and again. But now, that once-cherished intimacy had turned into a blade, stabbing me. I had trusted Julian so much. I finally couldn’t hold it in anymore, bursting into loud sobs. I don’t know how long passed, until no more tears would fall. Julian sent a SnapChat message. He was as thoughtful as ever, reminding me carefully, “You cried today, your throat will be sore.” “Remember to drink honey water when you get back.” I clutched my phone, stumbling home in a daze. On the way, I almost crashed into a big truck. My whole body felt numb, and I tremblingly entered my room’s password. The living room was pitch black. I didn’t turn on the lights, just sat on the sofa, hugging my knees. The clock ticked, hour after hour. The SnapChat notification sound rang out. I mechanically opened it. My best friend, Skylar, her voice serious, “Whisper, tell me the truth.” “Did Julian… take nude photos of you?”

Shame and a suffocating dread washed over me all at once. I frantically turned off the screen. I had promised… The screen lit up again. It was a video from Skylar. My hands trembling, I tapped to play it. In a dimly lit private lounge. Julian was holding a cigarette, his voice lazy. “Don’t worry, first place in the singing competition will definitely be yours.” Chloe, the scholarship student, sat beside him. They were incredibly close. Chloe forced a strained smile. “Don’t joke, Whisper is so pretty and her family is rich, I can’t possibly beat her.” Julian stared at her, lost in thought for a long moment. As if completely captivated. After a while, he spoke faintly. “She wouldn’t dare.” Chloe grabbed his hand, blinking. “Why not?” Julian fell silent. Chloe wasn’t in a hurry. She just reached out to touch a glass of wine on the table. The ambient lights flickered suggestively. Julian sighed, catching her hand. “You’re on your period, good girl, no drinking.” Chloe blinked, gazing steadily at him. Julian crumbled instantly. He squeezed Chloe’s cheek, a helpless smile on his face. “I have nude photos of her.” “Is that enough, my little queen?” The video ended. My heart felt like a gaping hole. Filled with sulfur by Julian’s own hands. Burning with excruciating pain. Skylar’s voice message continued. “Whisper, did you and Julian have a fight?” “How could he…” “And who’s that girl next to him?” “Did he… did he really take nude photos of you?” My throat felt like it was sealed with cement. I wanted to tell Skylar not to worry. But when I opened my mouth, no sound came out. I typed instead. “No, he was just joking.” “Are you still working? Go home early.” My head throbbed, and I collapsed onto the sofa. Chloe… Chloe… I closed my eyes, letting the tears fall freely. During Freshman Orientation Week, Chloe was the freshman representative. She wore a neat ponytail, speaking at the podium. Her voice was strong and clear, her demeanor poised and confident. At that time, I was suffering from heatstroke. Weakly leaning against Julian’s chest. He fanned me, chuckling. “Look at her, full of energy.” “You’re like a sick kitten.” “How will you ever survive without me?” My head was spinning, and I glanced at Chloe. “Julian, I want a popsicle.” Julian poked my forehead, a smirk on his face. “No, you’ll get a stomach ache.” I murmured, burying my head in his neck. Pushing Chloe from my mind. But it turned out Chloe was also a music student. She was cheerful and outgoing, full of passion. As if she had endless energy. And she got along with everyone in the class. Julian would come to pick me up after class, teasing, “I wish you had that much vitality.” At first, I didn’t think much of it. But later, Julian started mentioning her more and more often. The honey water he specifically brought for me. He’d also conveniently give a portion to her. I got angry, questioning him, “Why are you so good to her?” Julian crossed his long legs, rubbing his temples. “Whisper, it’s tough for a scholarship student to pursue music.” “She’s having a hard time, she just pretends to be happy.” “It’s just honey water, what’s the big deal?” But gradually, it wasn’t just honey water. Desserts, snacks, afternoon tea… Julian and I argued more and more. He always said Chloe was pitiful. And that I should be considerate towards her. Until today. Julian, for her sake, threw caution to the wind. My humiliation, my privacy. All became his bargaining chips to win Chloe’s favor. I stared at a solitary star outside the window. I didn’t understand what I had done wrong. Why Julian didn’t want me anymore… I bit my wrist, my mouth filling with a salty, metallic taste. Until the coppery tang of blood emerged. I wearily released my bite. It hurt, so much. I didn’t want to experience this anymore. Julian was right. I was timid and weak. Whenever something happened, I always wanted to retreat into my shell. But I didn’t want to be sad anymore. I opened my phone and booked a flight out of the country for seven days later.

I lay in bed. My temples throbbed relentlessly. But I couldn’t sleep. I took out my phone, searching repeatedly. “What to do if your boyfriend takes nude photos?” “Will my boyfriend send out my photos?” “Intimate photos leaked by boyfriend.” … I read about similar experiences. My heart ached, making it hard to breathe. I pulled the blanket tighter, my fingers stiff as I clicked, “How to save yourself if intimate photos are spread?” The guides were all well-written. Tell family, friends, seek help… Light and airy. It looked so simple. I mentally rehearsed it again and again. But none of it would work for Julian. He wasn’t afraid of anything. And he could handle anything. Tears soaked my pillow. Until I couldn’t hold on any longer and passed out. My sleep was restless. In a hazy dream, I heard the click of a camera.

I jolted awake, clutching my blanket. The room was dim. Only the red light of a camera flashed. Julian was hidden in the shadows. A smile played on his lips, his eyes flushed with a hint of intoxication. “So beautiful.” I jumped out of bed, reaching out to hide. But Julian easily pulled me into his arms. The scent of perfume mixed with smoke rushed into my nostrils. I coughed uncontrollably. Julian tightened his hold, his voice deep. “Don’t move.” “I missed you so much.” My nerves were stretched taut, like a string being plucked repeatedly. I grabbed his sleeve, my voice hoarse. “Delete… them.” Julian pressed me onto his lap. “What’s wrong with your throat?” “Didn’t you drink honey water last night?” “The driver said he couldn’t pick you up, are you still angry?” My stomach churned, a wave of nausea rising. I silently dug my nails into my palms. Struggling to get off his lap. Julian sighed, seemingly helpless. “I saw your phone.” My muddled thoughts briefly cleared. My whole body trembled. My flight ticket… Julian gently patted my back. “Did your friend tell on me?” “Yes, I took Chloe to the class gathering last night.” “It was her birthday, and she had no one to celebrate with. It was just a convenience.” “Whisper, don’t overthink it.” I lost all strength, my voice barely a whisper. “Julian, please delete the photos you just took, okay?” “I don’t like it. I don’t want to take them.” Julian froze. His voice grew cold, laced with anger. “Still making a fuss?” “I knew I shouldn’t have told you.” “How many times have I told you? I just feel sorry for Chloe.” “Niamh Carter, I won’t tolerate you every time.” Julian’s lips moved. Accusations tumbled out, one after another. Like heavy blows raining down on me. Leaving no room for escape. I pushed him away, rushing to the bathroom. My throat burned. I bent over in agony. But I hadn’t eaten all day. Only bitter bile came up. Behind me, hurried footsteps sounded. Julian scooped me up in his arms. His lips were tightly pressed, his expression anxious. “Didn’t you eat properly again?” “I’ll take you to the hospital.” I clutched his collar, sobbing. “No, don’t. Please.” “Julian, please delete the photos, okay?” He looked down, staring at my swollen eyes. A flicker of struggle crossed his face. But the next moment. Julian’s phone, left on the table, rang. He glanced at it, and instantly snapped back to reality. He placed me on the bed, handing me a camera. “I’ll call the family doctor over.” “You rest well.” “You can delete whatever you want from *this* camera.” “As for the nude photos…” Julian paused, tucking the blanket around me. “I’ll delete them for you after the competition ends in seven days.” He stood up, answering the call. His voice was incredibly gentle. “What’s wrong?” “Stay put, I’m coming to you.” The bedroom door was slammed shut. Faintly. I heard Chloe’s cries. The camera felt heavy. A dead weight in my hand. On the screen were photos of me sleeping just now.

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “299244”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #浪漫Romance #现实主义Realistic #惊悚Thriller

My brother-in-law violated me, and my whole family forced me to keep silent. He grew bolder, and when I fought back, he beat me to death. Jade stuffed me into a bag, Mom cleaned up the blood. Dad saw my hand twitch. He grabbed an ashtray and slammed it down on my head with brutal force. When I opened my eyes again, I was at Jade’s wedding, posing for family photos. “Little lady on the left, smile a bit more, don’t be so stiff.” The last bit of air was sucked from my lungs. My mouth fell open, and I screamed silently, lying in the damp earth. Around me, there was endless darkness. In the final moment before losing consciousness, a flash of light appeared. I didn’t blink, just stared straight ahead. The silent world suddenly burst into noise. The smell of rich food and alcohol, polite laughter, crying children, and Jade’s disgusted voice. “Daisy, haven’t you ever had your picture taken? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.” She sneered, muttering under her breath, “Honestly, one bad apple spoils the whole bunch.” I looked at Jade, Preston, Dad, Mom. They were all dressed in festive clothes, and on the big screen, pictures of Jade and Preston’s loving moments played. “I’m sorry, Jade. Should we take another one?” I lowered my head, a slight smile playing on my lips. Yes, I was the vengeful spirit back to haunt them. “Forget it. You’ve always been trouble since you were little.” “Jade, how can you talk about your sister like that? I think she looks just fine! Especially my Jade, you look like a total siren.” “Oh, you think I look like a siren? Wait till tonight, I’ll show you.” “I wish it was our wedding night right now,” Preston said, his gaze fixed on me. Jade blushed and hurried off to greet guests. I felt awkward and started to leave, but he grabbed my arm. “Aren’t you going to thank me?” I forced a smile, timidly saying, “Thank you, Preston.” He patted my head, sighing dramatically, “Still just a kid, huh? What did you hear just now?” “Wh-what? I didn’t hear anything.” Preston smiled, a closed-mouth smile, his thin eye corners stretching outwards, his lips curving upwards in an almost unnaturally deliberate arc. He was thirty-eight, twelve years older than my sister. In my last life, I was completely fooled by that face. I was so happy for Jade that she married this man. Preston was the golden ticket, and we were just clinging to his coattails. Thanks to his generosity, our family’s life had dramatically improved. Preston was our family’s benefactor. I still thought that, right up until the second he started pouring drinks for me. First, he used the excuse that their house was close to my school, suggesting I move in with them. Jade, to maintain her gentle and filial image, even let Mom and Dad move in too. He asked which university I wanted to attend. I said a prestigious one. He looked displeased. “Then we won’t see each other often! Daisy’s growing up, meeting more people. What if she starts disliking her brother-in-law?” I didn’t quite understand back then. Right before my college entrance exams, he brought milk into my room, locking the door behind him. I was forced to drink, then pinned down and violated on the bed. The world spun. Everything receded, then stopped. The first thing I did when I woke up was crawl out to tell Mom and Dad that Preston had assaulted me. They looked surprised for a moment, then shifted uncomfortably. “Why do you smell so strongly of alcohol?” “You little brat, getting into trouble and drinking! And talking nonsense!” Preston knelt before Jade, crying, claiming I had seduced him, and he just couldn’t resist. I screamed that it wasn’t true, lunging at him, wanting to take him down with me. I was slapped. Jade, Dad, and Mom looked at me with alarm. They firmly declared that I had seduced Preston. Because they hadn’t heard any struggles. After that incident, Preston grew even more brazen. Every night, he’d barge into my room like a demon. During the exams, I picked up the paper, but I couldn’t make out a single word. My mind was filled with those filthy images. I submitted a blank test. Walking out of the exam hall, I felt my life was ruined. The boy I liked, Liam, confessed to me, but I didn’t have the courage to look him in the eye. I felt abandoned by the whole world. Preston smirked triumphantly, “Perfect. You’ll be my little bird in a gilded cage.” I slapped him, then used all my strength to bite off his ear. He beat me half to death. Blood gushed from my head as I lay on the floor, my eyes wide and staring. When I died, Jade breathed a sigh of relief. As she put me into a transparent bag, there was a smile in her eyes. Mom wiped away the blood, grumbling about how much there was, only showing annoyance. It had been a long time since she’d done any housework. Dad dug a huge hole in the garden and threw me in. My vision was swimming in red, and my hand feebly twitched. Dad, I was still alive! He saw it. He must have seen it. He pulled the bag closed with a blank expression, kicked me into the hole, and quickly began to bury me. The family I once believed in were all devils who had killed me. Reborn into this life, I swear you’ll pay back double.

Preston slipped me an envelope of money. “Girls need to doll themselves up, buy pretty clothes.” I glanced at my faded, washed-out clothes. He’d already tucked the envelope into my pocket. His hand lingered on my shoulder, slid down my back to my waist, then naturally pulled away. It was his habitual touch. I looked up. He was staring at me, his gaze crude and open. Before I could dwell on it, Mom pulled me away to join the bride for dinner. She held Jade’s hand and mine, praising Jade and belittling me. “Your sister is the one supporting this family. You need to be filial to her in the future.” Jade was beautiful and charming, a real smooth talker, always knowing how to please Mom and Dad. After she started dating a rich guy, she wore gold and silver, constantly buying things for Mom and Dad, making them love her even more. Jade paid for my tuition. Everything about me, she meticulously noted down. “Daisy, you’ll have to pay me back when you grow up, okay?” Everything we ate and used came from Jade’s money. Where did Jade’s money come from? I tore off a chicken leg and bit into it hungrily. Dad, completely drunk, slurred, “Look how successful your sister is! You can’t do worse than her, hear me?” He rapped me on the head. “I hate it when people hit my head.” I stared straight at him, momentarily forgetting to breathe. “Still talking back.” He hit me harder. It was time to go back to school. I’d specifically taken the day off to come for the wedding. Mom stopped me outside. I shrewdly handed her the envelope of money. “You’re not allowed to take money from your brother-in-law in the future, understand? It makes our family look bad.” I nodded. The envelope had a thousand in it, but I’d already taken eight hundred. “Where are you going?” “To school. The exams are coming up soon.” Mom just mumbled “Oh.” The family used to care deeply about my studies, but now they took a hands-off approach. Their focus had shifted to Jade. Or, to be precise, to Preston. There were 73 days left until the exams. I touched the thick stack of test papers, my heart burning. Ms. Albright, our homeroom teacher, with her neat short hair, lectured passionately from the podium. Liam, my crush, was hunched over, taking notes, his bangs almost covering his eyes. I really wanted to brush them back. He looked up, and I quickly averted my gaze, my face burning involuntarily. My heart beat strongly, a feeling like I’d escaped death. But I knew the real danger hadn’t arrived yet.

A few scruffy guys with bleached hair often stood by the school gate, smoking and checking out the passing girls. As I walked past, one of them whistled. I stopped and glared at them. They actually looked away. “Damn it, what are you staring at? Never seen handsome guys before?” I crunched on a candy, my mouth as sweet as honey. “Hey, guys, could you do me a favor?” In a few days, a heavy evening rain would fall, and Preston would “accidentally” drive by and offer me a ride home. Using that opportunity to make me stay at their house. I wouldn’t disrupt the timeline. The unknown butterfly effect was too scary. My goal was to take control. That day arrived quickly. I stood at the school gate, remembering how I’d waited five minutes in the last life. The rain grew heavier, and I, worried about missing the last bus, had flown out, clutching my backpack. My clothes were quickly soaked. Preston poked his head out of his car window. “Daisy, your brother-in-law is here to pick you up. Hurry, get in.” I pretended to be grateful and started to run towards him, but one of the thugs grabbed me. He ripped my clothes, slapped my face. “Help! Mmph…” The thug stared, dumbfounded. “Sis, you’re a savage.” “Say some curse words, will you? And give a sinister laugh,” I whispered, coaching him. Preston approached with a stick. Seeing only one thug, he relaxed a bit. “Get lost, before I call the cops.” I coughed a few times, and the other thugs emerged from the shadows. I leaned close to the thug, whispering, “Beat that man senseless.” A kick landed in my stomach. I collapsed onto the ground, my eyes fixed on Preston. “Preston, save me!” He stood at the intersection, hesitant to move. I broke free from the thugs, lunged at Preston, pinning him tightly. Then I signaled the thugs with my eyes. The beating lasted about ten minutes. The two guys on lookout at the alley entrance barked like dogs – someone was coming. The thugs fled, and I clutched my ripped clothes. “Preston, please don’t tell the family the truth. Just say I fell. I don’t want them to worry. “All I want right now is to study hard.” Preston looked outwardly unharmed, but I’d specifically told them to aim for the fleshy parts. I got into the car. Preston suddenly glanced at me. “Daisy, how did you get mixed up with them?” I shook my head, crying into my clothes the whole way. But halfway there, my legs started trembling uncontrollably. This wasn’t the route home. “Preston, where are we going?” “Central Road is jammed. I took a detour.” “Oh. …Preston, thank you for tonight.” Preston gave me another look and pulled over. Outside, it was pitch black, only the car’s headlights cut through the darkness. It was a deserted village. “Daisy.” “Hmm.” I closed my eyes, feigning a yawn. The silence was deathly. In the dim light, I knew Preston’s eyes were glued to me. I dared not look at him. My teeth bit hard into my lip. The windows were tightly closed, the air thick with a sickening smell. Preston lit a cigarette, took a few drags, then suddenly leaned closer to me. His pale face was expressionless. “Did you… did you also get reborn?” “Preston, what are you talking about?” I frowned. “Reborn?” “Did you get reborn, Preston? Then why didn’t you remind me to bring an umbrella today?” I pouted, feigning annoyance. Preston’s eyes shifted, the flesh on his face relaxing. “Just kidding.” He pulled a bottle of soda from somewhere. “Thirsty?” I took a sip. He watched me, pondering something. I couldn’t let him suspect me, so I took another big gulp. The car suddenly lurched. I seized the opportunity and spat out the drink. The car window was hammered loudly. “Hey, buddy, you picked a real spot to park your car.” It was a taxi driver. Preston got out, wanting to let it go, but the driver wouldn’t. “What if you go back on your word later and try to extort me?” I looked back. There was someone in the taxi. I got out, wanting to get a closer look, but no one was there. The driver sat by the side, smoking, giving us a meaningful look. “Some people, hmph. “Little girl, stay away from guys like him.” Preston pointed at him. “What do you mean?” “You’re so scared of calling the cops. Got other crimes on your conscience, do you?” “Spreading rumors is illegal!” I ran over and handed the driver a bottle of water. Preston’s car had two compartments. I took a bottle from the left one. Just as the driver was about to drink, Preston snatched it back. The water was indeed tainted. If it hadn’t been for that car accident… I shot the driver a grateful look. I said apologetically, “Preston, I still have homework to do, and I have early morning class tomorrow.” Preston, back to his “good brother-in-law” facade, called a taxi. The April air already held a hint of warmth, but as it brushed against me, I hugged myself, shivering. I replayed Preston’s actions and glances in my mind. I was certain. Preston had also been reborn. But rebirth was always predicated on death. How had Preston died? I stayed in the room on the far right of the second floor, right next to Jade and Preston’s bedroom. The walls were an elegant white, and in the center hung a happy family portrait.

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “299243”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #浪漫Romance #现实主义Realistic #惊悚Thriller

“Darling, look! A symbol of our love!” My wife, Stella, blushing prettily, lifted her wrist at the alumni gathering, revealing the expensive couple’s watch. Everyone looked at me with envy, saying I’d married the perfect woman. But they didn’t know. Just the night before, on our wedding night, I’d seen a faded butterfly tattoo on the inner side of her pale thigh. And a string of blurred numbers. Those numbers were the employee ID for a notorious bar: “The Golden Cage.” “Liam, you must’ve won the lottery in a past life to snag a bombshell like Stella Reed!” My childhood best friend, Chris, slurred, his arm slung around my neck, reeking of alcohol. “The queen of our college, man! So many guys chased her, and you’re the one who got lucky!” I laughed, pushing him away, and raised my glass. My gaze, however, drifted uncontrollably towards Stella, who was chatting and laughing with some female classmates not far away. She was wearing a pale yellow dress, her long hair cascading over her shoulders. When she smiled, her eyes crinkled into sweet crescents, making her look gentle and pure, like a blooming lily. Every man in the room had their eyes glued to her. And this beautiful woman was now my wife. A tremendous sense of satisfaction and happiness swelled within me. I downed the wine in one gulp. The spicy liquid slid down my throat, but my heart felt sweeter than honey. After the gathering, I helped a tipsy Stella back to our freshly decorated new home. Her cheeks were flushed, her eyes hazy. Leaning against me, she mumbled drunkenly, “Husband, I love you so much… Marrying you is the happiest thing that’s ever happened to me.” My heart instantly melted. Gently placing her on the bed, I kissed her forehead and softly said, “Me too.” Just as I was about to get up to pour her a glass of water, her long dress hitched up as she shifted, revealing a stretch of snowy white thigh. And, on its inner side, that stark, greenish mark. My movements froze. It was a butterfly, its wings already somewhat blurred, its color severely faded, clearly an old tattoo from many years ago. Below the butterfly, there was an even smaller, almost illegible string of numbers. I leaned closer, squinting in the dim bedside lamp light to make it out carefully. “…7013?” The number exploded in my mind like a clap of thunder. My blood rushed to my head instantly, then turned to ice the next second. The Golden Cage. Number 7013. The code name I thought I’d never remember again, like a lurking demon that had slumbered for years, clawed its way out of the depths of my memory, a wicked grin on its face. Five years ago, while still in college, I’d worked as a part-time waiter at “The Golden Cage” to save up for my sick mother’s surgery. It was a hell on earth, a place of lavish decadence and rampant vice. I’d witnessed countless sordid transactions with my own eyes and remembered the numb smiles on those girls’ faces. Every girl “working” there had an internal number, making it easy for clients to “order” them. They were like products on a shelf, openly priced. And I had a particularly strong impression of “7013.” Because she had the most clients. She was rumored to be the top girl there, code-named “Butterfly.” This was because she excelled at a provocative “butterfly dance” and knew best how to please men. Whenever those bloated, wealthy clients spoke of her, they’d exchange knowing, lewd smiles, saying she was “innocent yet utterly seductive,” the most irresistible poison for any man. I was just a poor student back then, barely daring to even glance in her direction. I’d only glimpsed her back once when the manager sent me to a VIP room to deliver drinks. She wore a revealing dancer’s outfit, her slender waist swaying under the hazy lights, like a butterfly on the verge of shattering. At the time, I only felt pity and sadness, quickly dropping off the drinks and leaving. I just couldn’t reconcile that image of a woman of the night with the pure, gentle wife sleeping peacefully beside me. No, absolutely not! Stella Reed was a junior from my college. We met at a campus job fair. She was pure, kind, and came from a well-to-do family—both her parents were university professors, so she’d been pampered like a princess her whole life. We dated for two years, and she was always very conservative; our most intimate gesture was just kissing. She said she wanted to save her best self for our wedding night. How could such a virtuous girl… how could she be that escort, number 7013? It had to be a coincidence! Yes, just a damn coincidence! I repeated it to myself over and over, trying to quell the rising tide of panic and disgust that threatened to consume me. I stumbled back two steps, my body icy cold, my hands and feet trembling uncontrollably. I stared intently at Stella on the bed, the woman I deeply loved. Her sleeping face was serene and beautiful, a sweet smile still gracing her lips, as if she were dreaming pleasant dreams. But that glaring butterfly on her inner thigh was like a giant mockery, instantly shattering all my happiness. My stomach churned violently. I rushed to the bathroom, throwing up everything until there was nothing left but bitter bile. I clung to the wall, trying to stand. The man in the mirror was pale, eyes bloodshot, looking utterly wretched, like a beaten dog. I turned on the faucet, splashing cold water on my face repeatedly, trying to calm myself down. No, I couldn’t jump to conclusions just yet. Maybe… maybe there was some misunderstanding. I needed proof, proof that could completely convince myself. My gaze fell on Stella’s handbag, placed on her dresser. A crazy thought, completely out of my control, surfaced.

My rational mind screamed at me, telling me this was despicable, a complete violation of trust. But my body, as if possessed by a demon, moved on its own. My hand trembled violently, almost unable to hold the delicate ladies’ handbag. I unzipped it. Inside were a wallet, lipstick, keys… and a very old-looking cell phone. It wasn’t her current, latest iPhone model, but an old Android phone, at least five or six years old, with several cracks on the screen. My heart constricted sharply. Why would she carry such an old phone with her? My trembling fingers pressed the power button. The screen lit up; there was no password. The photo album was empty, nothing at all. Refusing to give up, I clicked on file management. In a folder named “Recycle Bin,” I saw several deleted photos. My fingertip hovered above the screen, hesitating to tap. I was afraid. Afraid of seeing the truth that would utterly destroy me. But in the end, I restored them. The photos loaded one by one. The images were a bit blurry, the lighting dim, the background appearing to be a luxuriously decorated karaoke room. In the first photo, a scantily clad girl was holding a wine glass, smiling at the camera. Her smile was alluring and sultry, completely unlike the Stella Reed I knew. But that face, the face I’d loved for two years, kissed countless times—I couldn’t possibly mistake it! My breath caught in my throat. The second photo: she was hugging a pot-bellied middle-aged man, his hand on her thigh, and she was laughing flirtatiously. The third: she was kneeling on the floor, pouring wine for a man, the low-cut neckline of her dance outfit revealing her cleavage. The fourth… I couldn’t look anymore. The phone slipped from my hand with a *clatter*, crashing to the floor, its screen instantly shattering. All strength drained from me, I collapsed onto the cold floor, my mind a blank. Those photos were like poisoned daggers, each one a fresh stab, slowly flaying my heart. So, my pure, flawless wife—the beautiful woman I’d held so dear, treated like a princess—had such a sordid past. So, all the sweet nothings she’d whispered to me, all the innocence and shyness she’d displayed in front of me, were nothing but an act. She was a master manipulator, an experienced actress! What was I? A clueless fool, a pathetic stepping stone she used to escape her past? No wonder, no wonder she’d always avoided intimacy during our two years of dating. It wasn’t because she was conservative; it was because she’d been around the block, terrified I’d discover the secrets of her body! No wonder she never talked about her college days. Every time I asked, she’d vaguely change the subject. No wonder her parents, despite being professors, had been so eager about our marriage, barely making any demands, only accepting a token wedding contribution. They must have known their daughter’s secret all along, desperate to marry her off to some unsuspecting good guy! All the suspicious points, at this moment, strung together into a clear thread, pointing to a truth that tore me apart. I paced the room like a caged beast, the fury and humiliation in my chest threatening to consume me whole. I wanted to rush over, drag her out of bed, and fiercely demand why she’d done this to me! But when I saw her sleeping face, my steps faltered. That face was still so beautiful, so innocent. I even began to wonder if all this was just a nightmare. No, that butterfly tattoo, those indecent photos, all reminded me, with brutal clarity, that this was not a dream. I painfully covered my face, tears streaming uncontrollably through my fingers. I don’t know how long I sat on the floor, until the sky outside the window turned a fish-belly white. Stella woke up. Rubbing her sleepy eyes, she saw me sitting on the floor and was startled. “Darling, what’s wrong? Why are you sitting on the floor?” She walked over anxiously, trying to help me up. I violently shook off her hand, with such force that she stumbled back two steps, hitting the edge of the bed. She froze, her face filled with bewilderment and confusion: “Liam, you… you hurt me.” I raised my bloodshot eyes, staring intensely at her, my voice hoarse as if from hell: “Stella Reed, how much longer are you going to keep up this damn charade?” She was terrified by my appearance, her face instantly turning ashen: “You… what are you talking about? I don’t understand.” “Don’t understand?” I sneered, picking up the shattered phone from the floor and throwing it violently at her. “Then do you understand *these*?” Stella’s gaze fell on the phone screen. When she saw the photos, the color drained from her face completely. Her body began to tremble uncontrollably, her lips quivering, unable to utter a single word. That look of panic undoubtedly confirmed everything. My heart hit rock bottom. “Why?” I clenched my fists, my fingernails digging deep into my palms, my voice a desperate roar, “Why did you lie to me? What did you take me for? A fool to clean up your mess?” Stella’s whole body jolted. Tears streamed down her face like broken pearls. She lunged forward, trying to grab my leg, but I kicked her away. “Don’t touch me! You make me sick!” My words were like a knife, plunging deep into her heart. She fell to the floor, covering her face, letting out suppressed, painful sobs. “I’m sorry… Liam, I’m so sorry…” she cried, gasping for breath, “I didn’t mean to lie to you… I just… I just loved you too much, I was afraid you’d leave me if you knew…” “Loved me?” I laughed bitterly as if I’d heard the biggest joke. “Is *that* how you loved me? With lies and deceit? Stella Reed, do you know how disgusted I am by you right now?” “No… it’s not like that…” She desperately shook her head, crawling towards me, crying, “Listen to me, please, it’s not what you think… back then, my family had problems, my dad gambled and owed a lot of money, I had no choice but to…” “Enough!” I roughly cut her off. “I don’t want to hear your sob story! All I know is that my wife is a whore who’s been with anyone!” With that, I slammed the door shut, leaving her desperate cries far behind.

I ran through the streets like a madman. The cold morning wind filled my lungs, but it did nothing to cool the burning pain and fury in my heart. I stopped in front of a diner and ordered two bottles of the strongest whiskey. I chugged it down, chasing it with cold pastries. The fiery liquid burned my esophagus and stomach, but I felt no pain. Because the pain in my heart was a thousand times worse. Passersby shot me strange looks, but I didn’t care. I was a joke now, a colossal joke. I thought I’d married the purest angel in the world, but it turned out she was a devil who’d wallowed in the mud. I pulled out my phone and scrolled through photos of Stella and me. In the pictures, she smiled so sweetly, so innocently, nestled beside me like a docile kitten. But now, that face looked full of hypocrisy and filth. I deleted the photos one by one. With each deletion, my heart was flayed anew. When I reached the last one, I stopped. It was our wedding photo. I wore a suit, handsome and upright; she wore a wedding dress, beautiful and moving. We smiled at the camera, radiating happiness. I stared at the photo for a long time, but ultimately couldn’t bring myself to delete it. I tossed the phone aside, picked up the whiskey bottle, and took another long swig. I don’t know how long I drank until my stomach churned, and I swayed as I pushed myself up from the table. I couldn’t just let this go. I couldn’t let her and her entire family play me for a fool. I needed answers. I would go to her parents and expose their family’s deception! I hailed a cab and gave the address of Stella’s parents’ house. It was an upscale faculty residential area, quiet and secluded. I’d been there a few times. Each time, my mother-in-law and father-in-law had been incredibly warm, calling me “dear Liam” as if I were their own son. Now, thinking back, how much guilt and calculation must have been hidden behind that excessive warmth! I rang the doorbell. My mother-in-law opened the door. She froze when she saw me, then smiled warmly: “Oh, Liam, what a surprise! Why are you here so early? Where’s Stella? Isn’t she with you?” I pushed her aside emotionlessly and walked straight in. My father-in-law was sitting on the living room sofa, reading the newspaper. He also greeted me with a smile: “Liam, come in, have a seat.” I scanned the elegantly decorated living room. My father-in-law’s calligraphy hung on the wall, with five large characters that read “Harmony brings prosperity.” I found it incredibly ironic. “I’m not here for a visit,” I said coldly, my voice devoid of emotion. “I’m here to ask you, do you feel a great sense of achievement from playing me for a fool?” The smiles on my in-laws’ faces froze. They exchanged glances, and my mother-in-law tentatively asked, “Liam, you… what do you mean? Did you argue with Stella? Husbands and wives make up, whatever it is, let’s talk it through…” “Talk it through?” I sneered. “Did your precious daughter think about ‘talking it through’ when she was the top call girl at ‘The Golden Cage’? Did you think about this day when you packaged a whore as a sophisticated lady and married her off to me?” The moment “The Golden Cage” left my lips, my in-laws’ faces turned instantly ashen. My father-in-law’s newspaper fell to the floor. His lips trembled, and he pointed at me, unable to utter a single word for a long time. My mother-in-law, with a *thud*, collapsed directly onto the floor. “How… how do you know…” My mother-in-law’s voice was shaking uncontrollably. “How do I know?” I advanced on them step by step, the hatred in my eyes almost tangible. “I also know her code name was ‘Butterfly,’ and her number was 7013! I also know that for money, she would kneel on the floor and lick a man’s shoes! Are you satisfied now?” Every word I spoke was like a heavy hammer, striking their hearts. My mother-in-law covered her face and burst into heartbroken sobs. My father-in-law, trembling all over, suddenly stood up and raised his hand, intending to slap me. I grabbed his wrist, with such force that he let out a muffled groan of pain. “What? You want to hit me? What right do you have to hit me?” I stared intensely at him, enunciating each word. “Was it you, her own father, who personally pushed your daughter into that fire pit?” Stella had said she went there because her family had problems, her father owed gambling debts… My father-in-law’s face turned from white to green, then from green to red, before he finally dropped his arm in defeat. He seemed to age ten years in an instant, collapsing back onto the sofa, clutching his head, letting out a pained groan. “It’s my fault… all my fault… I was blinded by greed, I ruined Stella, and I ruined you too…” He cried tears of regret, his voice filled with remorse, “I’m not human, I deserve to die…” Watching his anguished face, I felt no satisfaction, only a cold emptiness. So, Stella hadn’t lied. She really did go down that path to pay off her father’s debts. But what did that change? The facts were the facts. She had deceived me, and her body had been defiled by countless men. The thought of her once pleasing other men, the thought of her using the mouth that had kissed me to pleasure others, made me sick to my stomach. “What’s the point of saying all this now?” I released his hand, stepped back two paces, and looked at them indifferently. “I came here today to tell you that this marriage is over. You can take your daughter back. Liam Miller cannot ‘enjoy’ her.” With that, I turned and walked out, without a single backward glance. Behind me, I heard my mother-in-law’s heart-wrenching cries and my father-in-law’s desperate pleas. “Liam! Don’t go! Listen to us! Stella had her reasons!” “We’re sorry! Hit us, curse us, do whatever you want! Please, don’t divorce Stella, she can’t live without you!” I ignored them, quickening my pace out of that suffocating place. The sun shone on me, but I felt no warmth at all. My marriage, my life, had, on this day, completely become a joke. Returning to the empty new home, the sight of all the red wedding decorations was unbearable. I rushed over, tearing down the red paper “囍” characters from the walls, ripping them to shreds. Stella wasn’t home. Good. I didn’t want to see her hypocritical face right now. I sat on the sofa all day, neither eating nor drinking, like a soulless statue. Until evening, when the doorbell rang. I thought Stella had returned, and a wave of irritation surged through me. I got up to open the door, ready to kick her out. But standing outside was someone I hadn’t expected. It was Chris. My childhood best friend, and my best man at the wedding. He saw me, froze for a moment, then frowned: “Liam, what happened to you? Why do you look like this? Where’s Stella? She called me, crying her eyes out, saying you don’t want her anymore. What the hell happened?” I looked at him and suddenly laughed. A laugh uglier than any cry. “Chris,” I grabbed his shoulders, staring intently into his eyes, “Tell me, did you know about Stella Reed all along?”

Chris’s eyes visibly darted away. That subtle movement instantly ignited all the suspicions in my heart. “You look me in the eye, you bastard!” I roared, unconsciously tightening my grip. “You’re my best friend! Tell me, were you in on this, too, trying to fool me?” Chris winced from my grip, struggling a bit, a pained and conflicted expression on his face. “Liam, calm down first! Just listen to me…” “Listen to what? That she was forced? That she had her reasons?” I cut him off hysterically. “I don’t want to hear that BS! I just want to know if *you*, my best friend, knew from the start what kind of woman she was!” Chris fell silent. His silence was more devastating than any words. My heart, in an instant, turned completely cold. I violently released him, stumbling back two steps, looking at him in disbelief. “You… you really knew?” Chris sighed, his face filled with guilt: “Liam, I’m sorry. I… I only found out a little while ago.” “How long ago?” I pressed, my voice trembling. “Just… just before you two decided to get married,” Chris said with difficulty. “I accidentally overheard her on a FaceTime call with a friend and found out some… some things about her past.” “Then why didn’t you tell me?” My voice was squeezed out through gritted teeth. “How could I tell you?” Chris looked bitter. “You two were so in love then, about to get married. If I told you, would you have believed me? You’d just think I was jealous, trying to sow discord! Besides… I saw that Stella truly loved you, and she was trying to leave her past behind. I thought, everyone makes mistakes, let the past be the past…” “The past?” I gave a bitter laugh. “Chris, that’s not a scratched finger that a band-aid can heal! That’s a festering wound in my very bones! How can I just pretend nothing happened?” I pointed to my chest, yelling at him: “Do you know what I’ve been through these past two days? I feel like a goddamn idiot! The whole world knew the truth, and I was the only one kept in the dark! I gave all my love, all my trust, to a liar, a whore! You’re my brother, and you just stood by and watched me walk into a trap!” “Liam!” Chris also got agitated. “I admit I was wrong about this! But you can’t talk about Stella like that! She was desperate back then! Do you know how much money her dad owed? Three million! Loan sharks! Those people were coming to their house every day, smashing things, threatening to sell her mom into a black market mine! What could a twenty-year-old girl do?” “So she became a prostitute?” I retorted, eyes red. “There are so many ways to make money in the world, why did she choose the cheapest one?” “Because it was fast money!” Chris yelled back. “Every day she didn’t pay, the interest piled up by thousands! She didn’t have time to earn money slowly! You worked at ‘The Golden Cage’ yourself, you know what kind of place it is! Do you think she *wanted* to? The first time she was forced to take a client, she almost took her own life! Her dad was on his knees, begging her to save the family! What else could she do?” Chris’s words were like a bucket of ice water, dousing me, instantly calming me down a lot. Yes, I had been in that place. I had seen the desperation and numbness of those girls. I had also seen how ruthless loan sharks could be. But… “Then why didn’t she tell me?” I clutched my head in agony. “If she had told me earlier, we could have figured something out together, I could have helped her pay off the debt! Why treat me like an idiot and lie to me?” “She was scared,” Chris’s voice lowered. “She was afraid that if you knew, you’d look down on her, that you’d think she was dirty. Liam, honestly, if she had confessed everything at the beginning of your relationship, would you still have been with her? Would you still have married her?” I froze. I didn’t know. I really didn’t know. My rational mind told me I should. Because I loved *her*, not her past. But emotionally, I couldn’t imagine if, knowing my beloved girlfriend had such an unspeakable past, I could still embrace and kiss her without any reservations, as before. “See, even you’re hesitating,” Chris sighed. “So you can’t blame her. She’s just a pathetic woman who wanted to grasp happiness. She lied to you, that’s wrong. But her love for you was real.” “Love me?” I chuckled self-mockingly. “Perhaps. But this love is too heavy, too dirty. I can’t bear it.” I pulled out the divorce papers I had already prepared from the drawer and slammed them on the table. “Chris, help me give these to her. The house and car are hers; I’m leaving with nothing. I only have one demand: from now on, we’re strangers for life.” Chris looked at the divorce papers, his expression changing repeatedly. “Liam, are you really going to be this absolute? Give her another chance, give yourself another chance, okay?” “No more chances,” I shook my head, my eyes completely dead. “From the moment I knew the truth, all that was left between us was disgust.” Chris tried to persuade me further, but I simply pushed him out the door. With a *bang*, I closed the door, shutting out all sounds related to her. I leaned against the door, slowly sliding to the floor. Tears, once again, streamed down my face against my will. Goodbye, Stella Reed. Goodbye, the love I once thought would last a lifetime. Over the next few days, I moved back into my pre-marriage bachelor apartment and began living like a zombie. I took extended leave, locking myself in my room all day, numbing myself with alcohol and nicotine. Stella called me countless times, sent countless messages. I didn’t answer a single call, didn’t read a single message. I just wanted to completely erase this woman from my world as quickly as possible. A week later, Chris came again. He brought news I hadn’t expected. “Stella Reed is in the hospital,” he stood at the door, his face grim. “Gastric bleeding, plus a relapse of depression. She’s still in critical condition.” “Depression?” I froze, momentarily unable to react. “Yes, she’s had it before. It was… she got it during *that* period,” Chris’s eyes held a hint of compassion. “Later, she met you and slowly got better. This sudden divorce hit her too hard, so it relapsed.”

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “299242”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #浪漫Romance #现实主义Realistic #惊悚Thriller

On our wedding anniversary, my wife told me her company was holding a corporate outing, including a two-day, one-night hot spring spa retreat. After she left, I decided to surprise her by redecorating the house. While cleaning, I swept out a box of emergency contraceptive pills from under our bed. My heart lurched. We had been trying to conceive; why would she be taking these? My wife’s call came in. Her voice was languid, tinged with a slight pant. “Honey, the hot springs are so relaxing, I almost fell asleep.” I looked at my phone, displaying a severe thunderstorm alert – all outdoor hot spring resorts were closed. What kind of “corporate outing” required emergency contraception? “Hey, honey.” On the other end of the line, Chloe’s voice was laced with the languor of just waking up, and a hint of a breathy sigh. “The hot springs are so relaxing, I almost fell asleep.” I clutched my phone, standing in the middle of the living room. The bright new overhead lights illuminated every corner of the home we’d shared for three years, leaving no shadow. “Really? Get some good rest then.” My voice was steady, betraying no hint of the turmoil within. “I just miss you a little.” Chloe chuckled softly on her end. “I’ll bring you back a souvenir when I return.” “Okay.” I hung up. On my phone screen, the severe thunderstorm alert issued by the weather station was still glaring crimson. “Due to strong convective weather, all outdoor hot spring resorts and mountain tourism projects in the city are temporarily suspended.” I tossed my phone onto the sofa, my gaze falling back to the coffee table. Underneath the table was what I had just swept out from under the bed. A box of emergency contraceptive pills. Only one pill remained. The manufacturing date on the box was three months ago. We’d been married for three years, and we started trying for a baby a year ago. She had gotten rid of everything in the house that could potentially affect conception. More than once, I’d seen her cry with disappointment when her period arrived. She said she longed for a child of ours. So, what was this box of pills doing here? I picked up the pill box, turning it over and over in my hands. The unsettling thought grew clearer and clearer in my mind. What kind of “corporate outing” required going to “hot springs” in a thunderstorm? What kind of “corporate outing” required taking emergency contraception? My gaze began to sweep across the living room. This home, which I had personally decorated, intending to surprise her, now felt utterly unfamiliar. I stormed into the bedroom and yanked open her nightstand drawer. On the bottom shelf, tucked away, was an old tablet she rarely used. I pressed the power button. The screen lit up, paused on a hotel booking page. The Grandview Hotel & Suites. In our city. Check-in time: today. Check-out time: tomorrow noon. Reservation name: Marcus Thorne. I recognized that name. It was Chloe’s new boss. She’d been mentioning him a lot lately, saying he was young and promising, and had been very supportive of her career. I clicked on the order details. Executive King Room. The special request note read: “Honeymoon setup, with plenty of roses.” My stomach did a violent flip. I rushed to the bathroom, clutching the toilet, dry heaving. Nothing came up, only searing acid burning my esophagus. A surprise? I was certainly preparing a hell of a surprise. I splashed cold water on my face, looking at the man with bloodshot eyes staring back at me in the mirror. I couldn’t just let this go. I had to see. See it with my own eyes. I changed my clothes, grabbed my car keys, and walked out of that suffocating house.

The Grandview Hotel & Suites was opulent, almost blindingly luxurious. I parked my car across the street and looked up at the imposing skyscraper. Chloe and that man, Marcus Thorne, were somewhere behind one of those windows in this building right now. What were they doing? Were they “almost falling asleep” as she’d claimed on the phone, or…? I couldn’t bear to think further. I walked into the hotel lobby and headed straight for the front desk. “Hello, sir, how may I help you?” The front desk agent’s smile was professional yet distant. “I’m looking for someone. My wife, Chloe Davis. Which room is she in?” “I apologize, sir, but to protect guest privacy, we cannot disclose room information.” I had expected this. I pulled out my phone and displayed a photo of Chloe and me on our wedding day. “She’s my wife. It’s our wedding anniversary today, and I’m here to give her a surprise.” I tried my best to make my expression look sincere and loving. “See, I even brought her a gift.” I held up a paper bag, which contained a bouquet of flowers I had just bought from the flower shop downstairs. A flicker of sympathy crossed the agent’s face, but she still shook her head. “I’m truly sorry, sir, but rules are rules.” I didn’t press the issue. I walked over to the lobby lounge area and sat down, my eyes fixed on the elevators. I didn’t know which floor, which room they were in. I sat there like an idiot, waiting. Time ticked by, second by second. People came and went in the lobby, each with a different expression on their face. Joyful, tired, numb. Only I sat there, a complete outsider. My phone vibrated. It was a SnapChat message from Chloe. An image: a pair of feet soaking in hot spring water, with rose petals floating on the surface. The caption read: “Honey, it’s really so relaxing. Too bad you’re not here.” My hand started to tremble. That picture was expertly Photoshopped. The steam from the hot spring, the delicate rose petals, even her toes looked so relaxed. If I hadn’t known the truth, I would have been touched by her “sharing.” Just then, the elevator chimed “ding.” Two figures emerged. The man was tall and handsome, in a perfectly tailored suit. The woman was petite and lovely, wearing a beautiful dress I had never seen before. It was Chloe. She was clinging to the man’s arm, a radiant smile on her face that I had never seen directed at me. It wasn’t the gentle, domestic smile she usually reserved for me. It was a dazzling smile, full of admiration and flirty charm, the kind of smile only a woman deeply in love could have. They walked past me, heading towards the hotel’s revolving doors. Chloe’s head was affectionately resting on the man’s shoulder. “Marcus, you’re so good to me.” Her voice was so sickeningly sweet, it could melt sugar. I sat on the sofa, unmoving. So, this was her “corporate outing.” So, this was why she lied. I slowly stood up and followed them.

They didn’t leave the hotel; instead, they walked into the hotel’s ground-floor fine dining restaurant. Soft music played in the restaurant, the lighting was dim, and the atmosphere was perfect. A waiter led them to a window-side table. I found a corner table and sat down, hidden behind a large potted plant, from where I could see them perfectly. Marcus gallantly pulled out a chair for Chloe. Chloe sat down, looking up at him, her eyes sparkling like stars. “Marcus, you’re so good to me, I don’t know how I can ever repay you.” Marcus smiled, reaching out to stroke her hair. “Silly girl, just keep doing good work, that’s the best way to repay me.” “Your proposal this time was excellent. I’ve already put in a word upstairs; you’re a shoo-in for department head next quarter.” Chloe’s eyes lit up. “Really? Thank you, Marcus!” “No need to be so formal with me.” Marcus’s gaze was full of adoration. They ordered their meal and began to eat. Throughout the meal, Marcus kept dotingly placing food on Chloe’s plate, and Chloe ate like a pampered kitten, content and docile. Watching this scene, I felt like I was watching a romance movie. And I, was a mere audience member, not even a supporting character. I ordered the strongest whiskey and downed it in one gulp. The fiery liquid burned my throat, but couldn’t extinguish the fire in my heart. I took out my phone, aimed it at them, and pressed record. I wanted to record everything. I wanted her to see what kind of face she showed when she was with another man. Halfway through dinner, Marcus’s phone rang. He glanced at the caller ID, frowned slightly, but answered it anyway. “Hello, honey.” The moment he spoke, Chloe’s face changed. “I’m out entertaining clients, having dinner.” “Yes, I might be home a bit late tonight.” “Okay, okay, I know, you go to bed early.” He hung up, a slightly awkward expression on his face. Chloe looked down, poking her steak with her fork, saying nothing. “What’s wrong?” Marcus asked her. Chloe looked up, her eyes red-rimmed. “Marcus, what exactly are we doing?” Marcus sighed, reaching out to hold her hand. “Chloe, just give me a little more time. There’s no more love between her and me, I’m in the process of getting a divorce.” “Once I sort things out at home, I’ll give you a proper title.” Chloe’s tears fell. “But I…” “No buts.” Marcus interrupted her. “I know you’re upset, but for our future, please bear with it a little longer, okay?” Chloe looked at him, then nodded. Marcus smiled with satisfaction, leaned in, and kissed her forehead. I stopped recording. Enough. This was already enough. I put down my glass, stood up, and prepared to leave this sickening place. Just as I turned, a commotion erupted at the restaurant entrance. A woman dressed in expensive clothes, accompanied by two bodyguards, stormed in, radiating fury. “Marcus Thorne!” The woman’s sharp voice pierced the restaurant’s tranquility.

The blood drained from Marcus’s face. He shot up, looking at the woman at the entrance, his eyes wide with panic. “How did you get here?” Chloe was also stunned, sitting there frozen, at a complete loss. The woman, her heels clicking on the floor, took a few quick steps to their table. She didn’t even glance at Marcus; her sharp eyes were fixed solely on Chloe. “So you’re the homewrecker who’s been seducing my husband?” The woman’s voice wasn’t loud, but it carried a chilling edge. All eyes in the restaurant turned to them. Chloe’s face was ashen, her lips trembling, unable to utter a single word. “Honey, let me explain, it’s not what you think, this is my colleague, we…” Marcus frantically tried to explain. “Slap!” The woman’s hand swung, delivering a harsh slap across Marcus’s face. The crisp sound silenced the entire restaurant. “You shut up!” The woman pointed a finger at Marcus’s nose, yelling, “I knew something was off with you. I had someone follow you for half a month! And you still dare to tell me she’s a colleague?” She finished, then turned to Chloe, her eyes overflowing with scorn and rage. “You look decent enough, so why are you so utterly pathetic, needing to steal someone else’s husband?” Chloe trembled from head to toe, tears streaming down her face like broken pearls. “I didn’t… it’s not…” Her defense was painfully weak. “Still trying to deny it!” The woman grabbed a glass of red wine from the table and poured it directly over Chloe’s head. The crimson liquid ran down her hair and cheeks, soaking her beautiful dress, leaving her utterly disgraced. “Ah!” Chloe shrieked. “Marcus! Your wife is crazy!” She cried out to Marcus for help. Marcus stood beside her, his face ashen, but he dared not say a word. “I’m crazy?” The woman scoffed. “Today, I’ll show you just how crazy I can be!” With that, she gestured to the bodyguards behind her. The two bodyguards stepped forward and grabbed Chloe by the arms. “What are you doing! Let go of me!” Chloe struggled desperately. The surrounding diners began to whisper, some pulling out their phones to take pictures. I sat in the corner, coldly observing the farce. Was this Chloe’s idea of a “better life”? Was this the high branch she was willing to betray me for, to climb? How utterly laughable. The woman’s gaze swept across the restaurant, finally landing on me. Perhaps she thought that among everyone present, I was the most engrossed, the most calm. She walked towards me. Her high heels clicked on the floor, each step echoing like a blow to my heart. “Well, sir, enjoying the show?” She stood before me, looking down at me. I didn’t answer. Her gaze passed over me, landing on the large decorative mirror hanging on the wall behind me. In the mirror, the absurd scene was clearly reflected. And it also reflected Chloe’s tear-streaked face, filled with terror. Following the woman’s gaze, Chloe also saw me in the mirror. Our eyes met. Her pupils constricted sharply. The color drained from her face in an instant. It was a fear and despair even deeper than when she was caught in the act just moments before. She finally saw me. “Alex…” Chloe’s voice was an unsteady tremor. Marcus’s wife followed Chloe’s gaze, looked back at me, then at Chloe again, a cruel smile forming on her lips.

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “299241”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #浪漫Romance #现实主义Realistic #惊悚Thriller

It was my wedding day. Liam and I were exchanging rings when a small, ragged boy suddenly burst into the ballroom. He ran straight to me, crying his eyes out, “Mommy, I promise I’ll be good! Please don’t throw me away again, okay?” I stared at him, utterly stunned. The little boy actually bore a striking resemblance to me. The entire room erupted in whispers. Mr. and Mrs. Hayes, Liam’s parents, looked like they were about to faint from anger. “We thought you were a decent, respectable woman! We never imagined you already had a child with someone else! This is marriage fraud!” Liam’s eyes were red-rimmed. “Anya, I was completely devoted to you. How could you do this to me?” Panic surged through me. I was about to defend myself. Then, a childish voice echoed in my mind. “Grandpa, Grandma, Dad, their acting is really good! This way, I won’t just get rid of the bastard label, I’ll also make sure this bad woman gets a terrible reputation!” I spun around in shock. The little boy was still wailing, wiping tears with his sleeve. He hadn’t said a word out loud. Was I hallucinating? But then, I heard his voice again. “Mommy told me to act as pathetic as possible, the more pathetic the better. For Mommy to have a good life, I have to make this bad woman’s reputation absolutely awful.” The chilling malice in his thoughts sent an involuntary shiver down my spine. A terrifying possibility flashed through my mind. Could it be… I was hearing his thoughts? At that moment, the little boy sniffled, stopping his cries. “Mommy used to say I was her favorite child…” “But then, she started dating.” “Every time she went out with an uncle, she’d lock me alone in the house. Several times I was so hungry I fainted. Luckily, a kind neighbor, Mrs. Thompson, gave me food.” The boy’s gaunt and sickly appearance drew pity from many in the crowd. They dabbed their eyes and began to scold me. “You’re a monster of a mother! You abandoned your own son just to date!” “Liam, you’re also to blame! You’ve been dating her for over a year, you must have gone to her place at least once, right? Didn’t you notice how pitiful this little boy was?” The boy shook his head timidly. “This uncle never came to our house… Mommy brought one… four…” He held up his fingers to count. “Mommy brought a lot of different guys over.” “But not this Uncle Liam, so it’s not Uncle Liam’s fault.” Those few words sent shockwaves through the room, like pouring cold water into a hot oil pan! The entire venue erupted. Stunned, disgusted, and hateful gazes swarmed me. Voices filled with malice bombarded my ears. “I can’t believe it! The bride’s dress is so conservative, but she’s secretly messing around like this.” “I thought Liam had found a good wife, but she’s a total slut!” Liam clutched his chest in anguish, repeatedly pounding it. “Anya! I cherished you, I indulged your every whim! You were hungry late at night for noodles, I drove an hour to get them for you. When you had period cramps, I left my clients and rushed home to bring you medicine.” “Why would you do this to me?” Everyone shook their heads. “Such a good man like Liam, he really got stuck with a rotten apple.” Eleanor Hayes, Liam’s mother, sobbed uncontrollably. “Anya Reed, you demanded an eight hundred eighty thousand wedding fund, and our family scraped together every penny without a second thought. “Tell us, what have we ever done to you that was wrong? How are we supposed to show our faces in public now?” Nasty remarks flooded the air. “Don’t marry a woman like that! Make her return all the wedding fund!” “Each table at this banquet costs thousands. I say, cancel the wedding, and Anya Reed should bear all the losses for the banquet!” Suddenly, I became the target of everyone’s scorn. The little boy peeked at me through the gaps in his fingers. His mouth was tightly shut. But his arrogant voice rang crystal clear in my head. “The bad woman’s reputation is stinking now, I’m truly Mommy’s good boy!” “We’ll be living in this bad woman’s big house soon!”

I was absolutely certain now; I could indeed hear his thoughts. So, he was actually Liam Hayes’s secret son?! This realization was like a knife gouging into my heart, twisting the flesh until it was a bloody mess. The fury of being deceived and manipulated overwhelmed me. My blood ran cold. I almost collapsed! At that critical moment, my best friend and bridesmaid, Chloe Davis, steadied me. She gently rubbed my back, her voice full of concern. “Anya, don’t be afraid. I believe you.” I squeezed her hand, tears welling in my eyes. Having moved thousands of miles away to marry, none of my parents, relatives, or friends were here. They had never approved of Liam. Only Chloe, my friend of just over a year, had said, “Anya, whatever you do, I’ll support you unconditionally. Don’t worry about marrying far away; I’ll find a job here and stay with you.” Now, surrounded by hostility, she was the only one standing by me. My throat tightened. “Thank goodness for you.” Chloe stepped forward, took the microphone from the MC, Mark, and declared loudly: “Everyone, don’t be fooled by a random little boy! He claims to be Anya’s child, but what proof does he have?” “I think he must have mistaken her for someone else.” The little boy’s lip quivered, and he started crying again. Through his sobs, he cried out: “How could I mistake my own mommy?” “I… I have a photo with Mommy!” He pulled a photograph from his backpack. In it, a woman was holding him, smiling at the camera. My pupils constricted. The woman looked almost exactly like me! Before I could speak, Chloe quickly interjected, “Composite technology is so advanced these days, this must be an AI-generated image!” I looked at her gratefully. I remembered when we first met, my parents, with their traditional views, had judged her heavy makeup and wild, brightly colored hair, saying she didn’t look like a “good influence.” But now, everyone else was against me, and she believed me without hesitation. Just then, a man in a plaid shirt at one of the tables raised his hand. “I’ve been in computer-related work for over a decade, and I’m also a professional photographer. I can tell if it’s a composite at a glance.” The guests instinctively parted, clearing a path for him. Mr. Davies took the photo from the little boy, carefully examined it against the light, and then gave a definitive answer. “This photo is real!” I instinctively held my breath, trying to listen for the little boy’s thoughts. But this time, he said nothing. He just furiously suppressed the triumphant smirk on his lips. I clenched my fists, forcing myself to stay calm, and shook my head, denying, “No… that’s not me at all!” “It is you!” A strong, clear voice rang out from the entrance. It was a distinguished-looking middle-aged woman. The little boy turned and, seeing her, sprinted over. “Ms. Jenkins!” The woman stroked his hair, her voice full of sympathy. “Good boy, you’ve been through so much. Don’t be afraid, I’ll vouch for you.” She walked towards the stage microphone. “I live right across from them. I have a security camera installed at my front door. I can prove that Leo’s mother is Ms. Anya Reed, right there on stage.” “I can also prove that Leo’s claims of abuse and her promiscuous behavior are all true!” Someone in the crowd recognized her. “That’s Ms. Jenkins, the Dean of Students from Northwood High! She’s an upright woman who hates lies!” “I know her too! If Dean Jenkins says it, it must be true!” My heart sank. My pulse quickened. As Ms. Jenkins projected the security footage from her phone onto the large screen. The entire hotel ballroom erupted once again.

“They were kissing right at the entrance! How desperate can you be?” “And those men she’s kissing, they’re not even the same person!” “She picked up a mop and started hitting the little boy! She was really laying into him!” “How can a mother be like this? My heart aches for that little boy. He was crying and apologizing, but that woman hit him even harder!” In the video, the little boy cried out, “Mommy… Mommy, I’m sorry, it’s my fault! I was just so hungry that I ate the bread Mrs. Jenkins gave me. I won’t do it again, please forgive me!” “Mommy, it hurts so much, please don’t hit me anymore, Mommy, I beg you!” … The surveillance video hit me like a sledgehammer, leaving my mind almost blank. Just then, I heard the little boy’s thoughts again. “The bad woman would never guess that my mommy just happens to look exactly like her!” “And my mommy is here at the wedding too today!” Like a drowning person clutching at a lifeline, I grabbed onto the only hope I had. Without thinking, I blurted out. “It’s his mother who looks exactly like me, and she’s here in the room!” Silence fell over the hall for a moment. A fleeting look of panic crossed the little boy’s face. But he recovered quickly, his eyes quickly welling up with tears. “Mommy, I’m sorry, it’s my fault. I shouldn’t have come today… I just missed you so much…” “I’ll leave right now… I won’t ruin your wedding with Uncle Liam…” “Mommy… I hope you’ll be happy.” My eyes were practically spitting fire. If I weren’t the one involved, if I couldn’t hear his thoughts. With the little boy’s brilliant acting, I would have been fooled and cursed the person who abandoned him! *Bang!* Among the guests, someone, in a fit of rage, threw a soda can at me. The metal cut my forehead, a burning, stinging pain. “You’re such a liar! Where is she? This person who looks exactly like you, find her! Show her to us!” I covered my forehead, blood seeping through my fingers. With that person taking the lead, many guests began grabbing bottles from the tables and throwing them at me. In a desperate move, I opened an umbrella from the side of the stage, barely deflecting some of the attacks. I was utterly humiliated. Listening to the indignant guests below. “Abuse, abandonment, and cheating on Liam! Damn, this woman is trash!” “Liam, if you’re a real man, call off this wedding, or none of us brothers will ever respect you again!” “That’s right, call it off!” Hiding behind the umbrella, I spoke into the microphone with a cold voice: “This little boy is around six years old. Six years ago, I was still attending university in this city. There are many of my alumni here today. As the student council president, I hosted events almost every week.” “Tell me, has any of you ever seen me pregnant?” The hall fell silent. Someone raised a hand. “I was Anya Reed’s classmate. I can confirm she never took extended leave from school.” Another person stood up. “Yes, Anya was active in various campus activities almost every day, except for the winter and summer breaks.” I felt a slight sense of relief. Then, a familiar voice rang out from behind me. “So, what you’re saying is, Anya had the baby during a break?!” I spun around abruptly. A chill spread from my feet upwards. I looked at Chloe, my best friend, a smile plastered on her face as she continued, “If she gave birth in winter, Anya is so thin, a heavy coat would have easily hidden it. If she had a baby during winter break, and then returned to school after her confinement period…” At that point, Chloe gasped, “Anya, could this possibly be the child you had out of wedlock during college?”

She acted as if she’d just realized her mistake, immediately covering her mouth and giving me an apologetic look. “I’m so sorry, Anya… I absolutely believe you…” All eyes fell on me again. In an instant, I felt like I was stranded on a desert island. And then, an even more shocking revelation echoed in my mind. “Mommy is so smart! She pretended to be the bad woman’s best friend, just to deliver a crushing blow today!” “To make sure Ms. Jenkins’ security camera captured the evidence, Mommy deliberately got the same blonde curly hair as the bad woman and put on that act with me.” “And all those heavy makeups and brightly colored wigs, just so the bad woman wouldn’t recognize her… Poor Mommy.” This news hit me like a massive boulder thrown into water, stirring up a storm in my heart. I blinked my dry eyes, slowly surveying the room. “Since you’re all so convinced this little boy is my child, fine. I demand a live DNA test.” “At the same time, I also demand that Liam and this child undergo a DNA test!” My words rang out, clear and firm. “If he truly is my child, I will get on my knees and apologize to everyone! The wedding banquet will be canceled, and I will bear all expenses myself!” To my surprise, Liam and his parents agreed without hesitation. “Good, I don’t want to wrongly accuse you either. Anya,” Liam looked at me steadily, “if the child isn’t yours, then for the rest of my life, all my assets, even my very life, are yours.” “Consider it my compensation to you.” For a fleeting moment, I wondered if the thoughts I’d heard were just my imagination. But the little boy’s malicious voice quickly pulled me back to reality. “I can’t wait! Once this woman leaves, humiliated, the money Dad and she put into the pre-marital loyalty fund will all be ours!” It was like a beam of light cutting through a thick fog. I finally understood the real reason behind the Hayes family’s elaborate scheme at the wedding! My teeth gnashed audibly. A six-year-old secret son, framing me at my wedding, and trying to steal all my savings and my house! And Chloe, my supposed best friend, her approach from the very beginning had been full of ulterior motives! A surging wave of anger threatened to drown me. I took a deep breath, struggling to remain calm. My hand trembled as I pointed at Chloe. “Furthermore, I also demand that Chloe undergo a paternity test with this boy!” “Because,” I strode over, grabbing a handful of Chloe’s hair, revealing the same hairstyle and color as mine underneath. Then I grabbed a bucket of water, prepared for a wedding game, and splashed it onto her face. “She looks exactly like me. I suspect she is the boy’s real mother!” When Chloe’s true face appeared before everyone, Many gasped sharply. “Aren’t they twins? They look so alike!”

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “299240”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #浪漫Romance #现实主义Realistic #惊悚Thriller

It was a rainy night. I left work early and headed home. The moment the key slid into the lock, I heard it – sounds from our bedroom. Muffled moans, ragged breaths. My hand froze mid-air. Brooke had said she was working late tonight, wouldn’t be home for dinner. But now, there were clearly two people in our bedroom. I pushed the door open quietly. The living room was a mess. A pair of women’s heels tossed carelessly by the entrance, a man’s dress shoes slumped beside the sofa. On the coffee table, two red wine glasses with dark, crimson residue. The bedroom door was slightly ajar, and the sounds grew clearer. “Brooke, you’re so wet… He can’t satisfy you at all.” That voice. I knew it all too well. Ryan, my best friend since childhood, my colleague, the man I trusted most. “Don’t talk about him. Let’s just enjoy ourselves…” Brooke’s voice was so alluring, so *foreign* to me. I’d never once heard her speak to me in that tone. In our three years of marriage, she’d always been distant, cold, as if simply going through the motions. But now, in another man’s arms, her voice was sweet as honey. I pushed the bedroom door wide open. The two people on the bed instantly froze. Brooke shrieked, scrambling to pull the duvet over herself. Ryan rolled over, his face a roadmap of guilt and embarrassment. “Alex, let me explain…” “Explain what?” My voice was eerily calm, even to my own ears. By all rights, I should’ve been roaring, raging, maybe even grabbing a knife. But I just stood there, staring coldly at them. “Alex, we…” “We didn’t do anything!” Brooke cut Ryan off, her voice sharp enough to scrape paint. I laughed. I laughed until my eyes stung with unshed tears. “Didn’t do anything? So you two were naked in my bed, discussing work?” Brooke’s face instantly flushed crimson. Ryan scrambled out of bed, fumbling into his clothes. “Alex, man, this whole thing…” “Man?” I repeated the word, each syllable chilling the air. “Ryan, we’ve known each other for twenty years. Do you really think I’ll ever call you ‘man’ again?” He froze, the shirt in his hand dropping to the floor. I turned to Brooke. The woman I’d loved for five years, married for three. She huddled in the duvet, her eyes darting away, unable to meet mine. “Brooke, I’m asking you, how many times has this happened?” “How many times? I told you, we didn’t do anything!” She was still trying to deny it. I walked to the dresser and pulled open the top drawer. Inside was a box of condoms, clearly well-used. I picked up the box and shook it at her. “Are these ‘work supplies’ too?” Brooke’s face went completely white. Ryan was dressed and trying to sneak away. “Stop!” I called out to him. “Ryan, you think you can just *walk away*?” “Alex, we…” “We’re nothing to each other anymore.” I looked at the man who’d been my brother since childhood. We went to school together, got into fights, got punished by teachers. We were roommates in college. After graduation, I recommended him for a job at our company. I treated him like my own brother, and he was sleeping with my wife in my bed. “You two carry on. I’m leaving.” I turned and walked out. “Alex!” Brooke jumped out of bed, naked, and ran after me, grabbing my arm. I shook her hand off. “Don’t touch me. You’re tainted.” The words slapped her across the face. She froze there, her eyes instantly welling up. “Alex Greene, what right do you have to say that to me?” “What else do you even *do* besides work? All you care about is making money!” “When did you ever care about me? When did you ever spend time with me?” “Ryan at least knows how to make me happy, he buys me presents, he takes me to the movies!” “And you? What else can you offer me besides money?” I stopped and turned back to her. This woman standing before me, accusing me. The woman I poured my entire salary into every month, bought designer bags for, funded her entire lifestyle. The woman I thought was my wife. “Brooke, you’re right.” “I really can’t give you anything but money.” “But starting today, I won’t even be giving you that anymore.” I walked out of the house without looking back. The rain was still falling, icy cold on my face. I stood by the apartment complex entrance, unsure where to go. This place I’d called home for three years suddenly felt alien. That place I thought was my home, turned out to be only *my* home. My phone rang. It was Ryan. I ignored it. It rang again. Still him. I turned it off. Rainwater dripped down my hair into my eyes, salty, like tears. But I didn’t cry. I just felt tired. So incredibly tired. Tired enough to lie down on the ground and never get up. But I couldn’t. I still had things to do. I was going to make them understand the cost of betraying me.

I stayed at a nearby hotel for the night. I didn’t sleep a wink, my mind replaying the scene from earlier. At dawn, instead of going straight to the office, I went to a private investigation agency. “Mr. Greene, I understand your situation.” The detective was a middle-aged man, Mr. Davis, who looked very professional. “We have extensive experience with infidelity cases.” “However, I must warn you, some truths can be far more brutal than you anticipate.” “I want the whole truth.” I pushed my bank card across the desk. “No matter how brutal, I need to know everything.” Mr. Davis nodded, taking the card. “Give me a week.” After leaving the detective agency, I went to the office. Ryan was already there. Seeing me enter, he immediately stood up. “Alex, about last night…” “During work hours, address me as Mr. Greene.” I sat down at my desk and opened my laptop. “Mr. Greene, can we talk?” He walked over, his voice barely a whisper. “Talk about what? Project progress?” I stared at the screen without looking up. “Alex, don’t be like this. We’re friends…” “I said, during work hours, address me as Mr. Greene.” “And please, stay away from me. I’m worried about catching something contagious.” Coworkers started noticing the tension between us. Ryan’s face flushed crimson, and he retreated awkwardly to his desk. At lunch, he followed me again. “Alex, I know you’re angry, but…” “But what? But you couldn’t help yourself?” I stopped and looked at him. “Ryan, tell me, how long has this been going on?” “How long has what been going on?” “Don’t play dumb. You and Brooke, how long?” He lowered his head, unable to meet my gaze. “Over a year…” Over a year. That meant they started their affair just two years into my marriage. And I, like a complete fool, still considered him my best friend. I often invited him over for dinner, had Brooke cook his favorite meals. Turns out, those dinner invitations were just creating opportunities for them. “Alex, listen to me…” “What else do you want to say? That you two are true love?” I sneered. “That you’re in love, so I should just bless your union?” “No, that’s not it. Brooke and I…” “Your relationship means nothing to me.” I looked him in the eye. “But you betrayed me. I won’t forget that.” “Alex…” “And don’t call me Alex. We’re not close.” After work, I didn’t go home. Brooke called me over a dozen times, but I didn’t answer. Finally, she sent a text: “Alex, let’s talk. This isn’t as serious as you think.” Not as serious as I think? My wife cheating on me with my best friend isn’t serious? What *is* serious then? I texted back eight words: “Nothing to discuss. Prepare for divorce.” She immediately called. I hung up. She called again. I hung up again. Finally, I blocked her on SnapChat. The next morning, Brooke was waiting for me outside the office building. She had on a pristine full face of makeup and the Chanel coat I’d bought her. She looked truly miserable. “Alex, why aren’t you answering my calls?” “We’re married. Can’t we just talk things out?” Passersby and our coworkers were all staring. I didn’t want to make a spectacle right outside the office. “Follow me.” I led her to a nearby coffee shop. “Alright, what do you want to talk about?” “Alex, what happened yesterday was an accident.” Brooke reached for my hand. “Ryan had too much to drink, and so did I. We weren’t thinking clearly.” “It was a mistake, a moment of weakness. Don’t take it seriously.” I pulled my hand away. “A moment of weakness? A year-long moment of weakness?” She froze. “How… how did you know?” “Do you think I’m stupid, Brooke?” I looked at her. “Brooke, we’ve been married for three years, and you’ve been cheating for over a year.” “That means our *actual* marriage lasted less than two years.” “And in those less than two years, you never loved me anyway.” She tried to argue, but her mouth opened and closed, and nothing came out. Because I was speaking the truth. Our marriage was a mistake from the start. She pursued me in college, and I thought she liked me. After graduation, she wanted to get married, and I thought she loved me. But now I understood. All she wanted was a man who could provide a stable life. A man who was reliable, decent, and easy to control. And Ryan, he offered her passion and romance. Things I apparently couldn’t provide. “Alex, I admit I made a mistake.” “But we can still start over.” “I’ll change. I’ll cut off all contact with Ryan.” “We can live happily. We can just pretend nothing happened.” I laughed. Just pretend nothing happened? What does she think I am? A doormat? Her personal garbage disposal? To be thrown out and picked up whenever she pleased? “Brooke, do you really think that’s possible?” “Every night, I’ll lie in bed, wondering what you and he did on that bed.” “Every time I see you, I’ll remember that night’s scene.” “Do you really think I can live a normal life with you anymore?” Her face grew paler and paler. “So, what do you want?” “A divorce.” I said it so casually, as if discussing what to have for dinner. “We’ll sell the house, split the money evenly.” “Everything else will be divided too.” “From now on, we’ll be strangers.” Brooke jumped to her feet. “Alex Greene, don’t go too far!” “You bought the house, yes, but I’ve contributed for three years too!” “I did the laundry, cooked, cleaned the house – doesn’t that count for anything?” “And who do you think you’ll find better than me? Without me?” “Look at yourself, what else can you do besides make money?” “Boring, bland, emotionless. What woman would ever truly want you?” Her words were like daggers, piercing my heart. But I didn’t argue. Because she was right. I was boring, bland, and emotionless. That’s why she cheated. That’s why my best friend betrayed me. That’s why I felt like a joke. “You’re right.” I stood up. “Precisely because I’m like this, you should be relieved.” “Leaving me is your escape.” “You can go find those ‘interesting’ men, like Ryan.” “He’ll be leaving the company soon. You two can finally be together, happily ever after.” With that, I turned and walked out. “Alex!” She screamed my name from behind me. I didn’t look back. I knew what she wanted to say. Threats, pleas, or more insults. But it was all useless. My heart felt dead. Dead to her, dead to this marriage, dead to this so-called love. — PAYWALL —

Three days later, Mr. Davis called me. “Mr. Greene, the investigation results are in.” “However, this situation is quite complex. I recommend you come in.” I put down my work and went straight to the detective agency. Mr. Davis handed me a thick file. “Mr. Greene, are you prepared for what’s inside?” I nodded, opening the file. Inside was a thick stack of photos and documents. The first photo made me freeze. It was Brooke and Ryan at a hotel entrance, dated a year and a half ago. Which meant their relationship started even earlier than Ryan had admitted. I continued to flip through. Photos from every angle, every location, every time of day. Hotels, restaurants, cinemas, parks. They were dating, dining, watching movies like a normal couple. And me? I was at home, waiting for her, making her late-night snacks. “Mr. Greene, according to our investigation, your wife and Mr. Ryan’s relationship has indeed been ongoing for about a year and a half.” Mr. Davis pointed to the photos. “And judging by the frequency, they met more than three times a week.” “Sometimes during lunchtime on weekdays, sometimes in the evenings.” “Your wife often used working late as an excuse to meet him.” More than three times a week. That meant she spent more time with him than she did with me. I kept flipping through the photos. Suddenly, I saw a picture that filled me with absolute fury. It was taken the day after our wedding anniversary. I remembered I’d worked late that night, and Brooke said she was meeting up with girlfriends. But in the photo, she and Ryan were embracing and kissing at our favorite restaurant. She was wearing the necklace I’d given her, the dress I’d bought her. Using *my* money to go on dates with another man. “This isn’t even the worst of it.” Mr. Davis flipped to another page. “Look at this.” It was a stack of hotel receipts. Starting from a year and a half ago, there was one almost every month. The room fees were all paid with Brooke’s credit card. My secondary card, to be exact. Which meant she was using *my* money to book hotel rooms with another man. My hands started to tremble. Not from rage, but from a terrifying calmness after reaching the peak of fury. “Is there anything worse?” My voice sounded unnervingly steady. Mr. Davis hesitated. “There’s one more thing that might be a significant blow.” “Tell me.” “Based on our surveillance, your wife and Mr. Ryan have been looking at houses.” “More specifically, they were looking at houses… for their wedding.” I froze. “What do you mean?” “They plan to get married and are preparing a new home.” Mr. Davis handed me another document. “These are their house viewing records, and the real estate agent’s SnapChat messages.” “Your wife told the agent she would be divorcing soon and needed a new house for her wedding.” I read through the SnapChat messages. Brooke wrote that her husband was a boring man, incapable of anything but making money. She’d been waiting for the right moment to divorce. Now she’d finally found true love and was ready to start a new life. The agent even wished her happiness. “And this.” Mr. Davis handed me another printout. It was a screenshot of Brooke’s SnapChat conversation with her best friend. “‘I’m sick of Alex. All he cares about is work and money, no romance whatsoever. Ryan’s different; he knows how to enjoy life, how to treat a woman right. Now, every day I just look forward to seeing him. Being with Alex feels like visiting a graveyard.’ And then: ‘Once I get half the house and the savings, I’m telling Alex everything. He’s such an honest fool, he’ll definitely split everything with me.’” Reading that, I finally understood. This wasn’t just an affair; it was a conspiracy. She wanted to take our shared assets and start a new life with Ryan. And I? I was just a tool in her plan. A cash cow, a temporary placeholder. Once she’d squeezed all the value out of me, she’d kick me to the curb. “Mr. Greene, are you alright?” Mr. Davis asked, concerned. I shook my head. “I’m fine. I’m *great*.” I gathered all the documents and put them back in the file. “Mr. Davis, can these documents be used as evidence in court?” “Yes, they can. We have a professional notarization process.” “Then please arrange that.” I stood up. “Also, I have another request.” “Go ahead.” “Please investigate Ryan’s background, including his financial status, personal debts, and any professional misconduct.” “I want all the dirt on him.” Mr. Davis nodded. “Understood. That should take about a week.” After leaving the detective agency, I didn’t go straight back to the office. Instead, I went to a law firm. “Mr. Greene, based on the evidence you’ve provided, you have a significant advantage in this divorce case.” The lawyer said after reviewing the documents. “However, I advise you not to confront her immediately.” “First, secure your assets to prevent her from transferring them.” “Then, officially file for divorce.” I nodded. “Please help me with that.” “I want her to leave with absolutely nothing.” The lawyer paused. “Mr. Greene, according to family law, even in cases of infidelity, asset division won’t be drastically different…” “She used my money to book hotel rooms with another man. Does that count as misappropriation of marital assets?” I cut him off. “Furthermore, she was planning to transfer assets, and I have evidence of that.” The lawyer reviewed the documents again. “In that case, you can definitely secure more of your rights.” “I will devise a detailed strategy for you.” It was already afternoon when I returned to the office. Ryan saw me and immediately walked over. “Alex, where have you been? I’ve been looking for you all morning.” “Personal business.” I sat down and resumed my work. “Alex, about Brooke…” “I said, personal business.” I didn’t look up. “Also, you’ll be responsible for the project report next week.” “Huh? I thought we agreed you’d do it?” “Plans change.” I looked at him. “Your performance hasn’t been great lately. This will be good experience for you.” Ryan’s face clouded over. The project report was a thankless task, requiring extensive preparation and carrying significant responsibility. If anything went wrong, it would be his fault. “Alex, are you doing this on purpose?” He asked in a low voice. I stopped typing and looked at him. “Ryan, are you questioning my professional judgment?” “No, I just feel…” “Feel what? That because we’re friends, I should go easy on you?” I stood up, raising my voice slightly. Coworkers around us looked over. “Ryan, I’m going to say this again: in this company, I am your direct superior.” “You are simply to execute orders. You don’t have the right to negotiate.” “If you have an issue, you can complain to upper management.” Ryan’s face flushed crimson. He wanted to say something, but ultimately just nodded. “I understand, Mr. Greene.” Watching him fume, I felt a twisted sense of satisfaction. This was just the beginning. I was going to make them understand the cost of betraying me. And there would be more.

That weekend, I didn’t go home. Brooke had sent me countless messages, from apologies to pleas to threats. I didn’t reply to a single one. I stayed in my hotel room, organizing the information I’d gathered. The detective’s report, the lawyer’s litigation plan, and some insights I’d discovered myself. Brooke didn’t know it, but I knew far more about her and Ryan than they could ever imagine. For example, Ryan actually had another girlfriend, working in another city. They’d been dating for three years, and her family was pressing them to get married. But Ryan kept stalling, saying he was too busy with work. It was all because of Brooke. He was stringing two women along, enjoying Brooke’s company while maintaining his relationship with his girlfriend. A classic scumbag move. Another example: Ryan had recently lost a lot of money on the stock market. He’d secretly been taking cash advances on his credit cards to play the market and was now heavily in debt. His monthly salary wasn’t even enough to cover his credit card payments. He’d been frequently asking Brooke for money, claiming it was for investment projects. But Brooke didn’t know that the money she gave him was just going to fill the holes in his stock market losses. Also, Ryan actually had a terrible reputation at work. He often shirked responsibility, blaming others when problems arose. There were several times when projects went wrong, and I was the one who bailed him out. Coworkers were polite to him on the surface, but secretly, they all looked down on him. All this information, I’d observed and accumulated over the years. Before, I considered him a friend, so I tolerated it. Now, all of it became my weapon. My phone rang. It was Brooke. I hesitated for a moment, then answered. “Alex, you finally answered!” Her voice was choked with sobs. “Where have you been these past few days? I’ve been so worried about you.” “Worried about me?” I sneered. “Worried I’d die and you wouldn’t get your share of the assets?” “Alex, how can you say that to me?” “I genuinely care about you.” “I’ve been reflecting these past few days. I know I made a mistake.” “I’m willing to change. Can we please start over?” Her acting was still so good. If I hadn’t seen those SnapChat messages, I might have actually fallen for it. But now, I just felt sick to my stomach. “Brooke, do you really think we still have a chance?” “Of course, we do! We’re married. What challenge can’t we overcome?” “I’ve already made things clear with Ryan. We won’t see each other again.” “I’ll delete his contacts, change jobs, move – whatever you ask.” “Just please forgive me.” She spoke tearfully, and if I hadn’t seen the evidence with my own eyes, I really would have been moved. But now, I just felt nauseated. “Alright, I’ll give you a chance.” I intentionally softened my tone. “Really? Alex, I knew you loved me most!” “But I have a condition.” “What condition? Tell me, I’ll do anything.” “I want to see all your SnapChat messages with Ryan from the past year and a half.” The other end of the line went silent. “And all your hotel receipts, date photos, everything.” “If you truly want to start over, there should be no secrets.” “Alex, this…” “What? Can’t do it?” “It’s not that I can’t, it’s just that I don’t think it’s necessary…” “Then there’s nothing more to discuss.” I was about to hang up. “Wait!” She quickly called out to me. “I can show you, but you can’t get angry when you see them.” “I won’t get angry.” My voice was as calm as still water. “I just want the truth.” “Okay, I’ll come home tonight. We can talk things through properly.” I hung up the phone and sneered. Brooke thought she could still manipulate my emotions. She didn’t know that I was completely over her. Tonight, she would show me some “carefully selected” SnapChat messages. Deleting the most vicious ones, keeping some that looked “harmless.” Then she’d cry and say she was just misled by Ryan, and now she realizes her mistake. A classic cheater’s playbook. Too bad I’d already seen the full version. At 8 PM, I returned home. Brooke had cooked a table full of food, waiting for me. All my favorite dishes, the aroma filling the air. She was wearing loungewear, with light makeup, looking gentle and virtuous. In the past, I would have been touched by such warmth. Now, I just wanted to end this charade quickly. “Alex, you’re back.” She came forward, trying to hug me. I sidestepped her. “The documents?” Her smile faltered slightly. “Let’s eat first. The food’s getting cold.” “I’m not hungry. The documents?” I sat directly on the sofa. Brooke bit her lip, then pulled out her phone from her bag. “Alex, let me just say, these messages might make you uncomfortable…” “Hand it over.” I held out my hand. She handed me the phone, her voice trembling: “Don’t get too upset when you read them. A lot of those were just said in anger…” I took the phone and started scrolling through the messages. As expected, they had been filtered. All the vicious remarks were gone, leaving only phrases like “I’m so conflicted,” or “I feel terrible about Alex.” It made it seem like she was truly suffering from guilt and remorse over the affair. “That’s all?” I handed the phone back to her. “Yes, that’s all.” She watched my expression nervously. “Alex, you see? Even though I made a mistake, you’ve always been in my heart…” “Brooke.” I cut her off. “Do you really think I’m that easy to fool?” She froze. “What do you mean?” I pulled out my phone and displayed the SnapChat screenshots Mr. Davis had sent me. “Look at this.” The moment she saw the screenshot, her face went instantly white. It was the full, unedited SnapChat conversation between her and her best friend. Including the line where she said being with me felt “like visiting a graveyard.” “Alex, this… where did this come from?” “It doesn’t matter.” I put my phone away. “What matters is that you’re still lying to me, even now.” “I gave you a chance to be honest, and you chose to continue deceiving me.” “Alex, I can explain…” “No need to explain.” I stood up. “Brooke, we’re getting a divorce.” “Tomorrow, I’ll have my lawyer draw up the agreement.” “I want the house, I want the car, and I want the savings.” “You’ll leave with absolutely nothing.” Her eyes widened in disbelief. “Alex, have you gone crazy?” “Why should I leave with nothing?” “Because you cheated, and because you used our marital assets to book hotel rooms with another man.” I pulled out the hotel receipts. “These are all evidence, more than enough to make you lose in court.” Brooke stared at the records, her body beginning to tremble. “Alex, we were married. You can’t do this to me…” “Married?” I sneered. “Do spouses betray each other? Do spouses deceive each other?” “Brooke, you stopped treating me like a husband a long time ago.” “And now you’re remembering we were married?” She suddenly threw herself at my feet, clutching my legs. “Alex, I was wrong, I was truly wrong!” “Please give me another chance. I promise I’ll change!” “I’ll cut off all contact with Ryan, I’ll never see him again!” Watching her tear-streaked face, my heart remained utterly unmoved. How many times had she cried those same tears for Ryan? “Brooke, do you know what ‘too late’ means?” I crouched down, looking into her eyes. “It means it’s over.” “You missed your chance to be honest, and you missed your chance to apologize.” “Now, you don’t even have a chance to beg for mercy.” I stood up, dusting off my pants. “Think about it carefully. Either an amicable divorce agreement, or we’ll see each other in court.” “I’ll give you three days.” With that, I turned and walked out. “Alex Greene!” She screamed my name, utterly broken. “You heartless man!” “I gave you three years of my youth, and this is how you treat me?” “You’ll regret this! You definitely will!” I walked out of the house without looking back. Regret? My only regret was not seeing her true colors sooner.

Monday morning, my mood was surprisingly good. My colleagues sensed the change and asked if I had good news. I just smiled and didn’t explain. Ryan, on the other hand, looked preoccupied, stealing glances at me from time to time. Brooke must have told him about the divorce. At 10 AM, Ryan walked to my desk. “Alex, can we step out and talk?” “During work hours, if you have something to say, say it here.” I didn’t look up. “It’s… not very convenient.” He glanced at the surrounding colleagues. “Then there’s nothing to discuss.” I continued typing. “Alex!” He grew agitated, his voice rising. Everyone in the office looked over. “What is it, Ryan?” I looked up, feigning innocence. “Is there a problem?” He wanted to say something, but seeing so many eyes on him, he swallowed his words. “No… nothing.” “Then go back to work.” I lowered my head again. “Oh, and the project report I assigned you last week is due tomorrow.” “How’s it coming along?” Ryan’s face instantly went white. He’d been so wrapped up in Brooke’s affairs these past few days that he hadn’t focused on work at all. Not a single word of the project report was prepared. “I… I’m still organizing it…” “Oh, well, better get on it.” I checked my watch. “You have twenty-four hours. That should be enough time.” Ryan gritted his teeth and returned to his desk. I knew he hated me, but he didn’t dare act on it. At the company, I was his direct superior. Plus, he was guilty and didn’t want to escalate the situation. At lunch, Ryan followed me again. “Alex, please, let’s find somewhere to talk.” His voice was pleading. I looked at him, then nodded. “Fine. Conference room.” There were only two of us in the conference room. Ryan closed the door and turned to face me. “Alex, Brooke told me everything.” “Told you what?” “About the divorce.” He took a deep breath. “I know you hate me, but please don’t make things difficult for Brooke.” “She’s innocent. It’s all my fault.” I almost burst out laughing. Now he wanted to protect Brooke? “Ryan, do you really think you’re a knight in shining armor?” “No, I’m not. I just don’t want to see Brooke get hurt.” “Then why didn’t you think about hurting her family when you cheated?” I looked at him. “Or did you just assume I didn’t deserve consideration?” He froze, opening his mouth to speak but failing. “Let me tell you, what happens between me and Brooke has nothing to do with you.” I stood up. “You should be more concerned about yourself right now.” “Myself?” “Yes, yourself.” I looked at him, my eyes devoid of emotion. “Ryan, do you think betraying me comes without a price?” His expression changed. “Alex, what are you going to do?” “You’ll find out soon enough.” I patted his shoulder. “Oh, and don’t forget tomorrow’s report.” “Mess it up, and your quarterly performance bonus is gone.” With that, I pushed the door open, leaving Ryan alone in the conference room. At 3 PM, I received a call from my lawyer. “Mr. Greene, the asset protection measures are in place.” “All accounts under your wife’s name have been frozen.” “Additionally, a mortgage has been registered on the property deed, preventing her from disposing of it privately.” These were measures to prevent Brooke from transferring assets. Though aggressive, they were highly effective. “She should have received the notification by now,” the lawyer continued. “I expect she’ll contact you very soon.” Indeed, less than half an hour later, Brooke called. “Alex Greene, what the hell are you trying to do?” Her voice was furious. “Why did you freeze my accounts? Why can’t I withdraw any money?” “Because half of that money is mine.” I said calmly. “You have no right to dispose of marital assets before the divorce agreement is signed.” “You’re insane! How am I supposed to live?” “That’s not my problem.” “Alex Greene! You’re going too far!” “I’m going too far?” I sneered. “Brooke, when you were using my money to book hotel rooms with another man, did you think that was ‘too far’?” “When you were planning to take half my assets and marry someone else, did you think that was ‘too far’?” The other end of the line went silent. “I… I wasn’t planning to marry anyone else…” “No? Then what about that condo in [upscale neighborhood] you and Ryan were looking at?” She was utterly speechless. “Brooke, you still have two days left of the three-day deadline I gave you.” “Let me know your decision.” I hung up. My phone immediately rang again. It was Ryan. “Alex, listen to me…” I hung up directly. He called again, and I hung up again. Finally, I turned off my phone. The next morning, Ryan, as expected, hadn’t prepared the project report. “Ryan, where are the documents?” I asked him in the conference room. “I’m sorry, Mr. Greene, I… I was last night…” “Last night what?” “I… I wasn’t feeling well…” “So, being ‘unwell’ means you’re exempt from your responsibilities?” I looked at the other colleagues present. “Colleagues, do you think feeling unwell is an excuse for not completing your work?” Everyone shook their heads. In this situation, no one would stand up for Ryan. “Ryan, as a core member of this project team, you failed to complete the report on time.” “This will affect the entire project’s progress.” “I am officially issuing you a warning.” “Any similar occurrences will result in further disciplinary action.” Ryan’s face flushed crimson, but he didn’t dare argue. Because I was speaking the truth. He simply hadn’t done his job. After the meeting, Ryan followed me. “Alex, you’re doing this on purpose, aren’t you?” “Doing what on purpose?” “You’re deliberately messing with me! Because of Brooke!” I stopped and looked at him. “Ryan, are you suffering from delusions of persecution?” “What do you mean, I’m deliberately messing with you?” “The report was assigned a week ago. This is normal work procedure.” “You failed to complete it, and I’m giving you a warning. This is normal management procedure.” “Where exactly is the problem?” He tried to argue, but couldn’t find a reason. Because procedurally, I had done nothing wrong. “Also, from now on, do not discuss personal matters in the office.” I continued. “This is a workplace, not your private chat room.” “If it happens again, I’ll consider reassigning your duties.” With that, I turned and walked away. Ryan stood rooted to the spot, his fists clenched at his sides. But he didn’t dare act on his anger. Because he was guilty, and he knew it. More importantly, he was now a fish on a chopping block, completely at my mercy. In the afternoon, Brooke called me again. “Alex, let’s meet.” Her voice sounded utterly drained. “I’ve thought it through. I agree to the divorce settlement.” “Good. Tomorrow at 3 PM, at the lawyer’s office.” “No, Alex, I mean…” “Mean what?” “I agree to the divorce, but the asset division…” “Fifty-fifty.” I cut her off. “Brooke, you have no room for negotiation.” “Either accept, or we’ll see each other in court.” “But…” “No buts.” I hung up. Ten minutes later, Ryan stormed to my office desk. “Alex Greene, you can’t do this to Brooke!” The office instantly fell silent. Everyone stared at us. I slowly looked up at him. “Ryan, I warned you not to discuss personal matters in the office.” “I don’t care what’s private or not private! You’re just getting revenge!” His voice was loud enough for the entire floor to hear. “You’re abusing your power to get back at me, and you’re making Brooke leave with nothing!” “What’s the point of this?” People in the office started whispering. Though they didn’t know the exact details, they all guessed the general situation. I stood up, my voice calm: “Ryan, you are shouting loudly in the workplace, disrupting your colleagues’ work.” “You are suspended, effective immediately.” “What?” “Pack your things immediately and leave the company.” “Await further notice from HR.” Ryan froze. He hadn’t expected me to suspend him outright. “Alex Greene, you can’t do this!” “I can. Because I am your direct superior.” I looked at him. “And your behavior just now constitutes serious misconduct.” “Security!” I called out to the door. Two security guards walked in. “Please escort this gentleman out.” Ryan looked at me, his eyes filled with rage and resentment. But in the end, he could only slunk out of the company, humiliated, under the gaze of everyone. Watching him walk away, I felt no guilt whatsoever. This was the price of betraying me. And this was just the beginning.

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “299239”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #浪漫Romance #现实主义Realistic #重生Reborn

My Mother-in-Law Tried to Force Me to Adopt My Husband’s Bastard Child My husband, Caleb, and I had been married for three years, and I still hadn’t gotten pregnant. My mother-in-law, Brenda, showed me my medical report, claiming it proved I had a physical defect that made conception difficult. So, Brenda insisted I go to the hospital where she worked to undergo IVF. For a whole year, I endured 621 injections, so many that walking became a painful ordeal. Yet, I still couldn’t get pregnant, and despair consumed me. Caleb felt terrible for me and suggested I take a trip to clear my head. But when I returned home a month later, I found several used condoms in the bedroom Caleb and I shared! Seeing those condoms, my stomach churned with anger. I immediately called Caleb, who was at work, and roared into the phone: “Caleb! Get your ass home right now! I’m divorcing you!” Caleb rushed home, his face a mix of confusion and panic. “Riley, what did I do? Tell me what’s wrong, I’ll fix it, I don’t want a divorce!” I stared at him, my voice devoid of emotion: “Then why did you cheat?” Caleb’s eyes widened in shock. “Riley, that’s not true! How could I ever cheat on you!” I sneered, pointing to the used condoms in the bedroom: “The evidence is right here, and you’re still trying to deny it! I’m divorcing you, no discussion!” Caleb looked at the condoms, a blank look on his face. He stammered, incoherent: “No… I didn’t cheat… I don’t even know… where did these come from?” I replied sternly: “Stop pretending. There’s nothing left to discuss! We’re getting a divorce!” Caleb anxiously moved closer, gently trying to take my hand. “Riley, don’t you trust me? I really didn’t cheat!” His voice was filled with an uncontrollable mix of hurt and pleading. I violently shook off his hand, stating resolutely: “Tomorrow, I’ll have my lawyer draw up the divorce papers. Make sure you sign them.” Just then, Brenda, who had gone grocery shopping, returned. Seeing Caleb, she frowned disapprovingly. “Caleb, I know you’re happy your wife’s back, but you’re supposed to be at work. Why are you home? Did Riley call you back?” I sneered, not bothering to respond. Caleb anxiously turned to his mother: “Mom! Please, help me talk to Riley! She wants a divorce!” Hearing this, Brenda’s temper flared. She pointed a finger at my face and yelled: “Riley! What is the meaning of this? You’ve been married into our family for three years, and your womb is still empty! You’re the one with the problem, you useless, barren woman! My son is a saint for even putting up with you, providing for you, even paying for you to go on vacation! And the moment you return, you want to divorce him? I never imagined you were such a vile woman!” She didn’t give me a chance to reply, continuing: “My son has treated you well, hasn’t he! Since you married into our family, you haven’t done a single chore! My son works himself to death all day, and if you so much as hint you want his cooking, he’ll make it for you without a word of complaint!” “My son always puts you first, and what about you? You can’t even have a child, and you have the nerve to bring up divorce! You women are truly evil-minded!” Brenda grew more agitated with each word, eventually clutching her chest, looking as if I was about to make her collapse. I watched her coldly, my voice dripping with sarcasm: “Your son cheated, why shouldn’t I get a divorce?” Brenda immediately became agitated: “What are you talking about? My son would never cheat! Are you slandering him?!” Caleb tugged at Brenda’s arm, his face desperate as he asked: “Mom, there are used condoms in my bedroom. Do you know anything about them?” 2. Brenda froze, her eyes flickering. “I… I put those condoms there.” A flicker of guilt crossed Brenda’s face, quickly replaced by a mysterious glint. “They’re special! A good luck charm I found!” I stared at Brenda in disbelief, my eyes wide with shock: “Mom, why would you keep used condoms?” Caleb also looked at his mother, dumbfounded: “Mom! What are you doing! You made Riley completely misunderstand!” Brenda pursed her lips in annoyance. “It’s because you two haven’t gotten pregnant, isn’t it? I was trying to help you! To give you a helping hand!” Caleb looked at his mother, a bewildered smile on his face: “How could used condoms help Riley and me?” At this, Brenda’s eyes lit up, her voice rising slightly with excitement. “Those young neighbors next door, they got pregnant! They always used condoms, but they still ended up conceiving. I picked these condoms out of their trash! I washed them thoroughly! If you two use them, maybe you’ll ‘catch’ their pregnancy luck and get pregnant too!” I stood rooted to the spot, feeling like that sentence was utterly preposterous. Caleb was clearly startled too; he said nothing, and silence stretched in the room. Finally, Brenda broke the stalemate. She looked at me with displeasure, a deep impatience etched on her face: “Fine, if you weren’t so useless and couldn’t get pregnant, would I even bother with this?” The more she spoke, the more agitated she became, accusing me through tears. “I’m at this age, and all I want is a grandchild. Am I wrong? My heart is breaking over this!” Hearing her cry, I instantly felt overwhelmed. Annoyed, I turned and walked back into the room, tossing a remark at Caleb: “She’s your mom, you handle her.” That night, I curled up in bed. Caleb quietly slipped in beside me, wrapping his arms around me from behind. “Riley, I’m so sorry. You went through so much today. Mom is just too desperate for a grandchild, please don’t take it to heart.” I mumbled an absent “Mmm,” and didn’t respond further. Caleb paused, then hesitated, asking: “Riley, why do I feel like your attitude has been strange ever since you came back from your trip?” 3. I frowned, saying impatiently: “I’m too tired today.” The next morning, I was barely awake, sitting at the dining table. Brenda immediately brought over a bowl of dark, murky liquid, saying mysteriously: “Riley, drink this while it’s hot. These are expensive, top-grade medicinal herbs I managed to get my hands on. They’ll help you conceive!” I eyed the bowl suspiciously, unable to believe that what Brenda called “good herbs” were anything legitimate. “Mom, what kind of herbs are these? We shouldn’t drink random stuff without a doctor’s advice!” Brenda’s face immediately fell, her eyes glaring at me. “What do you mean by that? I went through so much trouble to get these herbs, and you’re already disgusted? If you weren’t so useless and couldn’t get pregnant, would I even bother?!” Brenda started to cry and complain again, and I really didn’t want to hear her lecture, so I picked up the bowl and quickly drank half of it. But as the liquid level dropped, and Brenda’s so-called “medicinal ingredients” floated to the surface, I felt a wave of nausea, my stomach churning. “Mom! Is that… placenta?!” I gagged and burst out, spitting up as I confronted Brenda. Brenda saw me vomit everything out and exploded in rage. She immediately furrowed her brows, grabbed the bowl, pinched my jaw, and started pouring the soup down my throat. “You brat, why did you throw it all up? Don’t you dare! I spent a fortune and pulled strings to get this placenta! Finish the rest of it, don’t leave a single drop!” 4. Caleb sat by, his struggle clearly visible on his face. Finally, under Brenda’s fierce glare, he hesitantly said: “Riley, Mom’s doing this for your own good.” I struggled to escape Brenda’s grip, but she had immense strength from years of hard labor in her youth, and I couldn’t break free. Tears mixed with the foul-tasting liquid plastered my face. Brenda watched with satisfaction as all the broth went into my stomach. “Riley, you really need to try harder. I’ve put so much thought into getting you pregnant!” The smell of the placenta soup seemed to linger deep in my throat. I rushed into the bathroom, clutching the toilet and violently vomiting. Caleb stood at the bathroom door, helpless, his face full of guilt and helplessness. “Riley, please don’t blame Mom. She’s just too desperate; don’t take it to heart!” I sneered; every time, he just talked, never actually doing anything. “Enough, Caleb.” I was desperate, but my voice was calm. “Please leave. I don’t want to see you right now.” He opened his mouth, but ultimately said nothing, silently closing the door. Outside, I heard his and Brenda’s voices arguing. Brenda’s sharp voice pierced through the door, clear as day: “What’s wrong with me! I went to all that trouble to nourish her body, and that’s wrong? So what if she threw up? That just means the medicine is working! You don’t know anything! I’m doing all this for the sake of our family’s bloodline!” Ignorant! I felt a chill run through me, unable to breathe. Over the next few days, Brenda’s behavior became much more subdued. She stopped forcing me to drink those dubious tonics and stopped trying strange methods. One afternoon, Caleb was called out by Brenda to buy soy sauce. I was sitting on the sofa, chatting with my best friend. Brenda suddenly sat beside me. She rubbed her hands together, a ingratiating, fake smile on her face. “Riley,” She lowered her voice, sounding secretive, “Mom came up with a new idea these past few days. It’s guaranteed to work, and you won’t have to suffer so much anymore.” My heart sank, and I looked at her warily, not replying. She continued, full of self-satisfaction: “You see, your body… it has defects, you really can’t get pregnant.” She pursed her lips. “That placenta soup was supposed to be a powerful tonic, but there’s still no sign of a baby. Mom’s getting anxious!” I cautiously started a recording on my phone, sensing that what she was about to say would be utterly absurd. “So?” Brenda slapped her thigh, her eyes shining. “Mom figured it out! Why stick to one path when it’s clearly a dead end? Let’s try a different method. Caleb’s body must be fine, his genes must be excellent! The problem, then… it’s with you.” Her hand pointed unceremoniously at my stomach. “Mom met a girl these past few days,” Brenda leaned closer, her voice laced with coaxing, “Old Mr. Smith’s daughter from the next neighborhood, Ashley. Mom saw her, and her physique, you can tell she’s fertile! Big breasts! Big butt! And she’s young, only twenty-one! I specifically asked, and she’s perfectly healthy in every way. Her family is poor; a little money will do!” I stared at Brenda’s face, which was plastered with a righteous expression, utterly incredulous. My voice trembled slightly with anger. “What are you trying to do?” “Oh, it’s obvious, isn’t it!” Brenda looked at me as if I was slow to understand. “Let Caleb try with Ashley! Once Ashley gets pregnant, we’ll bring the baby home after it’s born, and you can just pretend it’s yours, tell everyone it’s yours! How great is that! You won’t have to suffer through injections and medication anymore, and you’ll get a baby for free! Isn’t this wonderful? You won’t have to feel guilty towards our family anymore! Mom is thinking of you, you know!” 5. “Thinking of me?” I sprang to my feet, my anger skyrocketing. “You want my husband to sleep with another woman to have a child, then bring it back for me to raise? This is your idea of ‘thinking of me’? Are you insane?!” Brenda was startled by my outburst, then she grew enraged herself. She stood up, pointing a finger at my nose and yelling: “Riley! Don’t be so ungrateful! Who am I doing this for? Isn’t it so you can keep your place in this family! You can’t have children yourself, and you won’t let me think of other ways! Do you want our family to have no children at all? How selfish can you be! You get a child for free, what more could you be unhappy about?!” The more she spoke, the more righteous she felt, her voice growing louder, her face flushed crimson: “I’m telling you, this is settled! In a couple of days, I’ll bring Ashley over for dinner! You’d better be sensible! Once Ashley gets pregnant, you’ll have a child, and everyone will be happy! If you dare to ruin my plans, I’m not done with you! You useless, barren woman, you have no right to be picky!” “Everyone happy?” I was trembling with rage. “Brenda, listen to me clearly! First, Caleb is my husband, not some breeding stud! Second, I am a human being, not a tool for your family to produce children, nor a tool to raise someone else’s child! Third, your filthy, utterly idiotic idea, don’t even think about it! You dare bring that Ashley woman into this house, just try it!” “How dare you speak to me like that?!” Brenda was completely enraged by my direct address and defiant attitude. She raised her hand to strike me. “You’ve gone too far! Let me teach you a lesson!” Just as her palm was about to land, Caleb stood in the doorway, clutching a bottle of soy sauce. His face was ashen, clearly having overheard the end of the argument. He looked at us, the tension thick in the air, especially at Brenda’s raised hand, and roared: “Mom! What are you doing?!” Seeing her son return, Brenda instantly adopted an utterly aggrieved expression, pointing at me and wailing to Caleb: “Son! You’re finally back! Look at your wife! I kindly tried to help her solve the child problem, and not only is she ungrateful, she curses at me! She said the most awful things! She even tried to hit me! What did I do wrong to marry such a disaster into our family…” Caleb’s gaze darted back and forth between me and his mother. He hesitated, unsure whose side to take. He probably only heard my defiance and Brenda’s tearful accusations. I looked at him, at this husband who once said he cared about my injections and always put me first. Seeing the hesitation in his eyes now, and his instinctive partiality towards his mother, my heart sank completely. I didn’t explain. I just spoke to Brenda, slowly and clearly, every word also for Caleb: “Brenda, cut out your disgusting theatrics. And you, Caleb.” I turned to him, my eyes icy. “Control your mother. Otherwise, between us, there will truly only be a divorce agreement left.” With that, I didn’t spare either of them another glance, turned, and strode into the bedroom. Leaning against the door, my body trembled uncontrollably. Outside, Brenda’s shrill wails and Caleb’s frantic attempts to console her echoed. In that moment, only one thought remained in my mind: I had to leave this house! Leaving that suffocating home, I dragged my suitcase back to my parents’ house. Seeing their haggard daughter, my parents’ eyes welled up with tears. My mom hugged me tightly, heartbroken: “Sweetheart, what happened? Why are you back by yourself?”

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “299238”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #浪漫Romance #现实主义Realistic #重生Reborn