Are you sure you want to give up control of your body through medication and let your secondary personality take over?
You need to understand, once the secondary personality takes dominance, your consciousness will completely dissipate, never to return.
My psychologist, Dr. Evans, gazed at me, her brows furrowed with concern.
I offered a bitter smile, then nodded solemnly.
“Dr. Evans, there’s no need to persuade me further. I’ve made up my mind.”
“Alright, I’ll prescribe the medication now. Take it for seven days to suppress your primary consciousness. If all goes as planned, in seven days, your secondary personality will fully control your body.”
Dr. Evans shook her head as she wrote the prescription, a flicker of confusion in her eyes.
She knew me. In her opinion, I was a woman truly blessed by fate.
She still remembered the city-wide sensation of my wedding five years ago.
Julian, just to marry the Davies heiress, had presented a pre-wedding settlement worth a billion dollars and even established a charity foundation in my name, supposedly doing good deeds for my blessings and good fortune.
He hadn’t signed a prenuptial agreement, and he’d publicly declared that if anything happened to him, all his assets would be mine.
Not to mention last year, when I was diagnosed with lifelong infertility – a major issue for elite families.
Mr. Davies didn’t seem to care; he still cherished me like gold.
How could anyone not envy that?
But no one knew I suffered from Dissociative Identity Disorder, and now, I was letting my secondary personality destroy myself.
“Thank you, Dr. Evans. I won’t be coming back.”
“If anything comes up, you can talk to Julian. He loves you so much, he’d surely move heaven and earth to help you.”
Dr. Evans couldn’t help but add another word.
I just twitched my lips, saying nothing. I rose and left the clinic.
Julian used to love me, but now…
As I walked out of the clinic, a familiar ringtone pierced the air. I stared at the unfamiliar number, my expression warring within me.
Finally, I pressed the answer button, and an intimate, husky voice immediately filled my ears.
“Julian, is my body better than your wife’s?”
Serena’s smug voice was exceptionally grating.
“You’re not even worthy of being compared to Iris! I’m warning you, if you dare to flaunt your victory in front of Iris, I could force you out of the country five years ago, and I can do it again!”
Julian’s harsh warning was punctuated by heavy breathing.
“I wouldn’t dare, Julian.”
Serena’s voice was soft and seductive, and the intimate sounds grew louder, stabbing at my brain.
I couldn’t help but end the call. My face felt cold and wet. I touched it—my cheeks were already drenched in tears.
Distraught, I walked home and curled up on the couch, my thoughts spiraling.
Julian, when you were in bed with Serena, did you ever consider:
That it was Serena’s birth mother who switched me and Serena at birth, allowing Serena to steal over a decade of my life, while I struggled to survive in a hellish foster family?
That it was Serena who first discovered my identity as the true Davies heiress, and fearing I’d be reunited with my real family, she led the bullying against me, pushing me to the brink of suicide?
You once swore you’d make Serena pay, that she’d have no peace for the rest of her life!
*This* is the price you made her pay? Letting her crawl into your bed?
I stared blankly at our wedding photo on the wall, the happy smiles searing my eyes.
I once believed Julian was my soulmate, my salvation.
Now, it all seemed like a cruel joke.
My life has been filled with hardship since childhood, my family ties shallow. And now, even the only love I had has betrayed me!
I’m done with a man who’s been tainted.
I’m done with this life of suffering!
Carefully wiping away my tears, I removed my wedding ring, which I once cherished like a treasure, and placed it in a gift box along with the divorce papers.
Then I booked an express delivery service, instructing them to send the box to Julian in eight days, at noon.
**[截断点]**
Just as I finished all that, I heard the sound of an engine outside.
Julian quickly pushed the door open. The moment he saw me, his cold eyes softened, becoming as gentle as a spring stream.
“Iris, I’m home. Why are your eyes red?”
“Crying? Who upset you?”
Julian instinctively came to my side, pulled me into his arms, and tenderly kissed my cheek.
When he noticed my swollen eyes, his gaze instantly turned cold.
As Julian leaned in, I caught a faint scent of perfume on him—gardenia.
I remembered that scent; it was Serena’s favorite perfume.
He couldn’t even bother to cover his tracks after cheating?
My mood instantly plummeted. I conjured up a random excuse:
“The doctor told me today I’ll never be able to have children. I’m a bit sad about it.”
So that was it!
Julian let out a sigh of relief, then gently reassured me:
“It’s alright if we don’t have children. All that matters is having you by my side.”
“If you ever feel bored, we can always adopt.”
“We’ll see.”
I subtly moved away from Julian. I couldn’t even stand being close to him now.
Six more days, I quietly told myself.
Six more days until I’m free.
After dinner, I went to bed early. Just as I was about to fall asleep, Julian came in with a basin of foot-soaking water.
He gently helped me sit up, then cradled my cold feet and lowered them into the herbal water.
“That herbalist said you were a bit frail and needed to soak your feet every night with his prescribed herbs.”
“But every time I remind you, you don’t do it! You’re so lazy!”
Julian knelt before me, looking up with a helpless expression.
My face remained blank. In the past, I would’ve probably teased, “Don’t I have you for that?”
Now, I had no desire to speak.
Julian noticed my low spirits, frowned slightly, and cautiously asked:
“Iris, what are you thinking about?”
I looked up, staring directly into Julian’s eyes, and said softly:
“I was wondering, if Serena hadn’t tried to bully me to death back then, would I have been able to have children?”
Hearing Serena’s name, Julian’s face momentarily stiffened.
The next second, his eyes filled with pain, and he kissed the winding scar on my right leg.
“That’s all in the past, Iris.”
“I promise you, Serena will not have an easy life.”
Julian said earnestly.
I smiled, my voice sounding distant:
“Julian, remember what you said today.”
“If I ever find out you lied to me, I’ll leave you forever.”
“That day will never come!”
Julian, seeing my cold expression, felt a surge of hidden panic and emphasized.
He would never let Iris leave him!
After he got into bed, he eagerly pulled me into his arms, wanting to be intimate.
“I’m not in the mood.”
I pushed his hand away, turning my back to him.
Julian’s body stiffened, then he gently patted my back and said hoarsely:
“Go to sleep.”
It wasn’t until his breathing grew shallow and steady that he slowly got up, hastily dressed, and drove out.
The moment he exited the bedroom, I opened my eyes.
I tiptoed to the window, standing still, and watched Julian’s car drive away, hidden by the curtains.
Less than three minutes later, Serena’s call came as expected. I answered calmly, and her brazen, provocative words poured through:
“My dear sister, did you not satisfy your husband in bed? Making him come looking for me in the middle of the night.”
“Then again, with all those scars on your body, any normal man would find it disgusting.”
“You have no idea how obsessed he is with my body, calling me ‘baby’ as he holds me.”
“A tainted man like that, and you still treat him like a treasure.”
I endured the sharp, stabbing pain in my heart, speaking with a detached tone.
“I stole your man. Aren’t you upset? Why aren’t you upset?”
Serena on the other end didn’t hear my hysterical rage; she just yelled in frustration.
I clutched my chest, stating coldly:
“I’m giving Julian to you. But do you dare to make this public, to tell Mom and Dad?”
“Don’t provoke me. Julian still loves me right now. Be careful what I might let slip.”
“Then you’ll get nothing at all.”
The voice on the other end paused. Serena then said with a strange inflection:
“Guess why Julian came to me in the first place?”
Then, before I could respond, she abruptly hung up.
Listening to her meaningful words, my mind felt chaotic. What else was I unaware of?
I lay in bed, sleepless the entire night.
At four o’clock, Julian returned from outside, carefully climbing into bed. The gardenia scent on him was even stronger.
In the faint light of dawn, I saw two or three hickeys on his neck, glaringly red!
After breakfast, Julian insisted on dragging me to the office, saying it would cheer me up.
The moment I entered the company, I was met with respectful and envious glances from all the employees.
When we married, Julian had given me half of the company’s shares.
All the employees knew how deeply their CEO adored his wife.
Before Julian left for a meeting, he specifically told Ms. Miller, his secretary, to bring a lot of snacks to my office.
Fearing I’d get bored, he even had the young and lively Ms. Green, another secretary, keep me company and chat.
“Mrs. Davies? Could you share your secret? How did you tame a man like the CEO?”
Ms. Green asked, her eyes sparkling.
I couldn’t help but recall the first time Julian and I met. He fell in love with me at first sight in college and then pursued me relentlessly.
At that time, I hadn’t been recognized by the Davies family yet. The Davies family, of course, didn’t want him to fall for a poor college student like me.
They cut off all his financial resources, threatening him to break up with me.
But he would rather endure family punishment and deliver food than give in, determined to be with me.
I was touched by Julian’s sincerity and agreed to be his girlfriend, to face everything with him.
Later, when I was found by the Davies family, the biggest obstacle between us—our social standing—disappeared.
I thought, with Julian’s love for me, we would grow old together. But I never expected that…
Hearts change in an instant. Julian’s love for me lasted only a few years.
At noon, Julian returned from his meeting. He hurried towards me and asked gently:
“Sorry, I didn’t expect an impromptu meeting. Were you bored waiting?”
“I’ve ordered lunch from The Grand Pavilion for you. After we eat, I’ll take you shopping.”
I nodded slightly.
Soon, a delivery person brought up a large, four-tiered wooden box.
Despite the loose delivery uniform, I immediately recognized her as a woman.
As she placed the wooden box on the table, she didn’t set it down steadily, and the box tilted, causing the soup inside to immediately seep out through the cracks.
“I’m so sorry! I didn’t mean to!”
The girl, wearing a mask, apologized frantically.
I stared at her intently. I would never forget that voice—it was Serena!
Julian also recognized her. His face darkened, and without hesitation, he slapped her:
“What are you doing here?”
“Didn’t I tell you never to show your face around Iris again?”
He glared at Serena, his eyes fierce, as if he wanted to kill her.
Serena tumbled to the floor, her loose uniform riding up, revealing her fair, soft waist.
Julian’s eyes froze for a moment.
Serena knelt on the floor, crying pitifully:
“I know I was wrong, and I wanted to apologize to my sister in person.”
“I’m so sorry, I’ve done so many bad things in the past. Can you ever forgive me, sister?”
I looked down at Serena. Her lips spoke apologies, but deep in her eyes, there was defiance and mockery.
I tugged at the corner of my mouth and said in a detached voice:
“Get out of my sight!”
“I’ll never forgive you!”
“Get lost!”
Hearing my words, Julian cursed her with disgust, even grabbing her clothes and dragging her out himself.
Serena lay on the ground, looking disheveled and miserable. Her bloodshot eyes stared fixedly at me, and she silently mouthed:
“Everything you have will be mine!”
My expression remained calm. Anything that could be snatched away wasn’t worth my treasuring anyway.
Julian returned quickly. With disgust, he told his secretary to take away the food from The Grand Pavilion, then he led me to the cafeteria.
Lunch was sumptuous. Julian patiently picked out fish bones and deboned the ribs.
He meticulously served me, not caring in the least that we were being watched by everyone in the crowded cafeteria.
Employees eating around us cast envious glances. I calmly accepted Julian’s ministrations, mocking him internally:
*Julian, you’re such a good actor!*
Before we even finished eating, Julian’s phone rang twice. I recognized that it wasn’t his usual ringtone.
His expression remained normal as he hung up, but I still caught the anxiety in his eyes. Sure enough, a moment later, he said:
“Iris, an urgent document just came in. I need to go handle it.”
With that, he rose and left without waiting for my reply.
I watched Julian’s hurried back, clutching my phone tightly. Serena had just sent me a message:
“Want to know why Julian lets me crawl into his bed? Follow him.”
I quietly followed Julian, watching his anxious figure, and couldn’t help but mock myself.
He was usually very alert; he’d notice a car following him. Yet now, someone was following him, and he didn’t even know it!
How desperate was he to see Serena?
I waited at the corner, and only when I heard a door close did I slowly approach.
Soon, I saw the words “Storage Room.” I leaned against the wall, listening to the faint sounds coming from inside.
Serena:
“Julian, you’re so cruel. You dragged me out without any mercy. I just wanted to see you.”
Julian’s voice was like ice:
“I’ve warned you many times not to show your face around Iris. Are you deaf?”
“Julian, please! Have mercy! *cough, cough, cough!*”
“I’ll never do it again, don’t choke me, *cough, cough*.”
Julian:
“If there’s a next time, don’t blame me for being ruthless and selling you abroad!”
“Julian, calm down. You can do anything you want today. My dear sister hasn’t satisfied you in days, has she?”
Serena’s husky voice was seductive, followed by the sound of clothes rustling and bodies colliding.
Serena seemed to know I was outside, her cries deliberately dramatic and loud.
I bit my lip, listening to the commotion inside, not even noticing my lip bleeding. I felt a gaping hole tear through my heart.
I’d told myself to let go of Julian, that he wasn’t worth my love.
But why did it still hurt so much?!
Soon, Serena’s smug voice rang out again:
“Julian, you need to push harder, that way the baby will be healthy.”
“Haven’t you always wanted me to give you a child?”
Julian’s hoarse, impatient voice sounded:
“Be quiet! Remember your place. You’re just a baby machine. If you dare…”
Like a bolt of lightning, it struck my mind, leaving me dazed and disoriented.
I don’t even know how I managed to get back to the office without alerting them.
Only one sentence echoed in my mind:
*Give me a child?!*
Disgusting. Truly, utterly disgusting!
I clenched my palms, my stomach churning, the urge to vomit overwhelmingly strong.
I rushed into the restroom and threw up violently into the toilet.
Sitting on the floor, drenched in cold sweat, my eyes were unfocused. I was back in what I considered my hellish sophomore year of high school.
Serena and her gang had cornered me in the restroom, forcing me into a humiliating kneeling position.
Serena gazed at me with malicious intent, muttering:
“If I destroy you, you won’t be useful even if you go back to your real family!”
At the time, I had no idea how I’d offended Serena. I begged pathetically for mercy.
But they still stripped me naked and forced me into ice water for five hours.
By the time I was almost unconscious from the cold, a thick stick, like the handle of a shovel, relentlessly struck my lower abdomen, and then unspeakable, vile things were forced upon my body.
That day, I was sixteen, and I completely lost the right to be a mother.
“Hahahaha…”
I let out a low laugh, the sound dripping with unspeakable sarcasm.
The culprit who made me unable to have children now wants to give me a child?
Julian truly loves me!
And he knows how to hurt me the deepest!
I stumbled to my feet and walked towards the couch. An endless weariness emanated from the depths of my soul. I wanted to sleep.
Just one sleep, and everything would be fine. Preferably, to sleep and never wake up.
That way, I wouldn’t have to face this bleak life.
Without even changing my clothes, I curled up under the covers, wrapping my arms around my legs, and fell into a quiet slumber.
“Iris, wake up!”
I was awakened by Julian’s anxious voice.
I opened my heavy eyes, staring blankly at Julian, whose face was covered in stubble.
“Iris, you’re finally awake! You had a high fever yesterday and slept for a whole day and night.”
Julian looked at me, his eyes now open, and was overjoyed.
He carefully picked me up and held me, feeding me porridge.
“Eat something first to warm your stomach.”
I mechanically opened my mouth, obediently drinking the porridge, docile as a lifeless doll.
But Julian didn’t notice my unusual state at the time. He babbled on:
“Did Serena scare you? I’ve already given orders, she’ll never be able to enter Davies Company again.”
“And I’ve already taught her a harsh lesson!”
“Didn’t you say you liked blue diamonds the most? There’s an auction tonight, shall I take you?”
“Julian, I want to go home and see Mom and Dad.”
I interrupted his chatter, speaking weakly.
Four more days. I wanted to see my family one last time. Since I was found, they’d always been good to me.
Before I left, I wanted to spend a little more time with them.
“Okay, I’ll take you home.”
Julian kissed my earlobe again, saying affectionately.
As he looked up, he noticed my wedding ring was gone.
His eyes narrowed, and he grabbed my right hand, his voice subtly trembling:
“Iris, where’s your ring?”
I glanced at my bare finger and casually lied:
“I got oil on it at lunch. I took it off to clean it and accidentally dropped it down the drain.”
“Oh, I see. It’s fine if it’s lost.”
“I’ll have a new, even more expensive one made for you with blue diamonds.”
Julian’s tense nerves relaxed, and he said grandly.
The Davies and Harrington homes were not far apart. An hour later, Julian took me back to the Davies estate.
The entire Davies family had already received the news; they were waiting at the door to welcome me before I even arrived.
“Iris, you’re back? Why are you so thin? Hasn’t Julian been taking good care of you?”
Mrs. Davies looked at my frail appearance, her eyes filled with heartache.
A faint warmth flickered in my indifferent eyes. Mrs. Davies was the first person to show me kindness after I was found by the Davies family.
She seemed intent on making up for two decades of missed time, indulging my every whim, even going so far as to kick Serena out of the house.
Her intense maternal love had gradually healed my broken heart.
“It’s all my fault, I didn’t take good care of Iris.”
Julian quickly admitted his mistake, his eyes glued to me, overflowing with love.
“It’s just that I haven’t had much appetite, it has nothing to do with him. Mom, let’s go inside!”
I said lightly, linking my arm with Mrs. Davies’s as we walked in.
But I didn’t expect to see someone who shouldn’t have been there in the living room—Serena.
I froze, my hands and feet turning cold.
Hadn’t Serena been ordered never to return to the Davies estate?
Why was she here?
“Is this where you should be? Get out!”
Before I could speak, my brother, Lucas, sharply rebuked her, glaring at Serena with disgust.
Serena stood up, flustered, her expression deeply upset. She bit her lip, bowed to me,
Whispered “I’m sorry,” then scurried off towards the maid’s quarters.
“Mr. Davies, why is she here?”
Julian put an arm around me, coldly questioning Mr. Davies, looking as if he was defending me.
“The Davies family needs to arrange a marriage, so we brought that wretch back.”
“After all, we raised her for so long, she should be put to good use.”
Mr. Davies spoke nonchalantly, his tone describing Serena as mere merchandise.
He smiled kindly at me:
“Don’t worry, my dear daughter.”
“The arranged marriage is with a fifty-year-old man. She won’t have an easy time of it, which will serve as atonement for you.”
“Whatever you arrange, Dad.”
I rubbed my head wearily, speaking obediently.
At this moment, I didn’t want to delve into whether what they were saying was true or false.
I only had four days left and just wanted to spend them warmly and happily.
Even if it was all a pretense!
But it was as if I was abandoned by fate, as if heaven had never treated me kindly.
After dinner, Julian and I slept in the same room.
Sleeping next to him, I felt incredibly uneasy, every cell in my body resisting.
I feigned sleep until Julian was deeply asleep, then quietly rose, walking barefoot and silently out.
Planning to get a glass of warm water, I reached the stairwell and heard Mrs. Davies sobbing:
“When will these days end?”
“Just thinking of my precious Serena living like a rat, unable to show her face,”
“It breaks my heart.”
“Don’t cry. Once Serena has the baby, perhaps for the child’s sake, the two sisters’ relationship can mend.”
Mr. Davies whispered.
“She’s too stubborn. Serena has apologized, but she’s still relentlessly seeking revenge, it’s too much!”
My brother Lucas complained.
Listening to the three of them criticize and blame me, I quietly retreated to the room.
Lying back in bed, I stared at the dark ceiling, unable to sleep for a long time.
It turned out they still loved Serena the most.
They even resented that I insisted on holding Serena accountable, causing me to live far away for so many years.
But all my suffering originated from her. Shouldn’t I resent and seek revenge?
Sleepless night.
The next morning, Julian looked at my haggard face, worriedly stroking my head:
“Why are you so drawn? Iris, let’s get a full physical today.”
“I’m fine, just insomnia, an old habit.”
I subtly dodged his touch, stood up, and went downstairs for breakfast.
The three Davies family members were already waiting at the dining table.
Mrs. Davies looked at the dark circles under my eyes with concern and told the maid to get a cup of hot milk:
“Didn’t sleep well last night? Go catch up on some sleep later.”
Lucas also offered a gift, smiling brightly:
“Sister, your reunion anniversary is in three days. This necklace is just a small token; wear it for now.”
“A bigger surprise awaits in three days.”
I opened it to find a beautiful butterfly hair accessory, its transparent wings poised to fly.
Lucas said tenderly:
“Your early life was lived in darkness. For your later life, brother hopes you can emerge from your cocoon like a butterfly, flying freely without any constraints.”
“With me, your father, as your foundation, my daughter will surely have a lifetime of happiness.”
Mr. Davies also declared confidently.
“Mom and Dad, I won’t let Iris suffer either. Not ever in this life.”
Julian gazed at me with loving eyes.
My fingers, clutching the butterfly, turned white. I wore a perfect smile on my face.
But inside, a huge hole had opened, and a small figure was silently weeping.
What a picture of happiness: a loving family for their daughter, and a devoted husband for his wife.
See how happy I am!
Loved by so many!
I had never doubted their love for me, which is why when I discovered their deception, it was so impossible to accept.
“Thank you, Mom, Dad, and brother.”
“I look forward to your gifts in three days.”
My smile was sweet, but my eyes were empty. No one noticed, they all thought I was genuinely happy.
After breakfast, I excused myself to my bedroom to catch up on sleep. The moment I closed the bedroom door, Serena’s call came in:
“Hahahaha, you heard it last night, didn’t you!”
“Mom and Dad never forgot me. The affection we shared for over a decade, how could a latecomer like you compare?”
“You probably don’t know this, do you? During the years I was abroad, Mom, Dad, and Lucas came to visit me every year!”
I looked at the various photos and videos Serena sent me. They had taken pictures together at famous landmarks all over the world. What a happy family!
And I, happy as I was, felt utterly superfluous!
My head buzzed, a cacophony of voices. I couldn’t hear anything Serena was saying, only my own distant voice:
“I don’t want their love anymore. It’s all yours!”
I calmly hung up the phone, feeling strangely clear-headed, excited, yet with a hint of self-destruction…
I stood in the center of the bedroom, surveying it. This room was painstakingly decorated by Mrs. Davies after I was found.
The large shelf against the wall was filled with gifts they had given me over the years.
I had carefully kept them all.
After standing before these gifts for a while, I threw all these once-treasured items into a box. As the shelf emptied,
I felt my connection to this world grow even weaker.
Struggling, I carried the large box out. Passing the living room, Mrs. Davies asked curiously:
“Iris, what are you doing?”
“Just throwing out some unnecessary things…”
I gave a faint smile, walked straight out of the villa, and tossed the box into the trash, severing the last thread of familial affection.
“Let’s go home.”
I found Julian and said earnestly.
I had once thought the Davies estate was my last haven. Peeling back the veneer of pretense, I realized,
From the very beginning, I had no home. I was always a rootless duckweed, drifting through the world.
“Didn’t you say you’d stay for two days? Who upset you?”
“Serena? Does she dare to show her face in front of you?”
Julian put down his laptop, asking gently, a fierce look flashing in his eyes.
“No, she didn’t dare show her face in front of me.”
I said softly. Serena only dared to provoke me from behind my back.
“It’s just that I miss our little home. That’s my real home.”
*Actually, I’ve never had a home.*
I finished, then silently told myself that in my heart.
“Mom is personally cooking tonight. How about we stay one more day?”
Julian coaxed patiently.
“Alright, just one more day then.”
My eyelids fluttered, my voice betraying a hint of indifference.
In the afternoon, Mrs. Davies indeed went to the kitchen.
I watched her busy figure, wanting to help, but she pushed me out with a smile.
Mrs. Davies looked at me with loving eyes:
“When you were little, your brother often ate my cooking, but you were swapped at birth and hardly had any of it.”
“Now I just want to make up for that regret.”
I looked at the unquestionable love in Mrs. Davies’s eyes, and my throat tightened. I wondered if I was being too demanding?
*I already have this love, what am I being so dramatic about?*
My mind was a mess. I went to the garden to clear my head. A distinctive ringtone sounded again; Serena had sent another string of pictures.
“Look, the food Mom claims to make for you? Half of it is what *I* love to eat!”
“Give up, you’ll never get rid of me! Mom and Dad will always love me!”
I looked at the provocative message, and the smile on my lips relaxed a little.
I gazed up at the starry sky, and my wavering heart firmed.
I want love without a single impurity!
I won’t settle for less!
I’ll never forgive Serena, who stole my life and bullied me.
Nor will I forgive Julian, who cheated, or my family, who secretly kept in touch with Serena!
I don’t want any of it!
At dinner, I was in a good mood, smiling and chatting throughout, appearing very happy.
Julian, who had been constantly watching my emotions, let out a sigh of relief.
He didn’t know why I had been in a bad mood these past few days, but now that I’d recovered, it was good.
Night fell. Julian held me, his hand tentatively stroking my waist, wanting to be intimate.
“I’m tired. I want to sleep.”
I pressed his hand down.
Julian took a few deep breaths, calming his ragged breathing, and said softly:
“I won’t touch you. Just sleep.”
I feigned sleep in his warm embrace, silently counting the time.
Two more days!
Two calm, steady breaths intertwined in the air. A soft knock on the door broke the room’s tranquility.
Feigning sleep, I felt him withdraw his arm and quietly go to open the door.
“Julian, you haven’t come to see me in three days. Don’t you miss me?”
A sweet, cloying voice rang out. I frowned almost imperceptibly, maintaining steady breathing.
“What are you doing here?”
Julian’s hushed voice was laced with anger.
“Julian, if I don’t come to you, when will we ever have a child?”
Serena persisted.
I slowly opened my eyes. Serena’s soft body was wrapped around Julian’s tall frame, an incredibly intimate sight.
“Julian, don’t you want to do it right in front of your wife?”
Serena’s voice was full of seduction.
“Get lost! Have you no shame? *Ugh…*”
Julian groaned, speaking angrily.
“Julian, your body doesn’t seem as tough as your words!”
“Let’s go to the balcony, okay? She definitely won’t find out…”
“She didn’t satisfy you again, did she?”
Julian grabbed Serena’s neck with one hand, his voice harsh:
“If you make a sound, you’re dead!”
Then he picked Serena up with one arm and hurried towards the balcony.
In the darkness, Serena and I made eye contact for a fleeting moment. Her eyes clearly held triumph and mockery.
I slowly closed my eyes, listening to the intimate sounds coming from the balcony, silently mouthing:
*So dirty!*
The next day, I bid farewell to Mr. and Mrs. Davies as if nothing had happened.
Mrs. Davies watched the car drive away, and thinking of my calm eyes, a dull ache suddenly gripped her heart.
She clutched her chest, muttering:
“I have a feeling something is going to happen!”
“What could happen? Business is stable, Iris is well married. What else is there to worry about?”
Mr. Davies said indifferently.
“I hope I’m just overthinking.”
Mrs. Davies sighed softly, still feeling uneasy.
Back at Julian’s villa, my first stop was the bathroom, where I scrubbed myself until my skin was red, almost raw.
I looked at myself in the mirror. My small face was a little sunken, making my dark eyes appear even more lifeless.
I smiled at my reflection and whispered:
“One more day. Goodbye!”
After we returned, Julian was busy arranging a surprise for the next day.
I was found on August 17th, and ever since, that day became my “new birth” celebration.
Every year, Julian and the Davies family would host a grand celebration for me, and donate a lot of money to accumulate good fortune for me.
“Iris, you’re really going to love this year’s surprise.”
On the morning of the seventh day, Julian carefully picked out my outfit. It was a blue dress that shimmered with tiny specks of light.
When I put it on, I looked as gentle as water. On my head was the butterfly accessory Lucas had given me, its upturned wings poised for flight.
“What surprise did you prepare?”
Being pulled out the door, I stood on the street, looking at the quiet road, and asked.
“Just walk straight ahead. You’ll see in a bit.”
Julian gently pushed me forward, his smile soft and encouraging.
It was the last day, and I wanted to live it well, to keep some beautiful memories.
In my twenty-plus years, there weren’t many beautiful or warm memories. I wanted to cling to every single one, no matter how small.
Walking down the street, a five-year-old girl held a brilliant sunflower, smiling brightly at me:
“Happy holiday, big sister! I wish you happiness for the rest of your life.”
A sunflower, symbolizing hope and life.
I looked into her innocent eyes, and my smile became a little more genuine.
I took the sunflower and softly said, “Thank you!”
Every kilometer I walked, someone would offer a blessing.
There were friends I knew, and strangers I didn’t. Each sunflower represented their well wishes for me.
As I kept walking, crystal tears streamed down my face.
From these strangers I had never met, I felt genuine love and care.
It was as if this world wasn’t so terrible after all; there were still people who loved me.
Julian stood at the very front of the path, waiting for me. He looked at me with loving eyes and said softly:
“My princess, it’s time for your next stop.”
I smiled faintly, took his hand, and got into the car. Both sides of the road were planted with sunflowers, a dazzling golden expanse that was exceptionally beautiful.
I intently admired the scenery, ignoring Julian’s constantly vibrating phone.
The car stopped in front of a castle. Julian helped me out, and seeing my surprised eyes, he grinned proudly:
“You once said your childhood dream was to have a castle and be a princess.”
“I made your wish come true!”
“My princess, please enter.”
Julian made a grand gesture, and I stepped into the castle built just for me.
I reveled in the fun, and my long-gloomy mood brightened considerably.
After visiting the last part, the zoo, I was so tired that sweat beaded on my nose. Julian gently dabbed my forehead with a tissue.
I looked at his handsome face and proactively mentioned:
“Today, your phone rang several times. Is there some urgent project at work?”
“No, just some minor things.”
Julian answered reflexively.
“If the project wasn’t urgent, would your secretary dare to call you repeatedly?”
“I’m tired of playing too, and I plan to rest for a while. You should go handle it.”
I said calmly.
Julian’s eyes showed internal struggle, but he finally conceded:
“Mom and Dad will be here soon. Wait for me, I’ll definitely be back tonight!”
“I’ll definitely wait for you.”
My smile was faint. Watching his anxious departure, I knew he wouldn’t return.
Just as I went to the restroom, I saw a picture Serena had sent me:
A pregnancy test result.
I wandered through the castle alone again. As dusk approached, the butler led me to the hillside.
I sat on a rocking chair in front of a wooden cabin, a table laden with food beside me.
The gifts from the Davies family and Julian were placed nearby, but I had no desire to open them.
I gazed into the distance at the foot of the mountain, waiting quietly.
*Ding*. It was a text from Mr. Davies:
[Iris, something came up at the company. Your brother and I are handling it urgently. Your mom has already gone to the castle.]
Fifteen minutes later, *ding*. It was a text from Mrs. Davies:
[Iris, Mom accidentally sprained her ankle on the way. Please wait for Mom a little longer.]
Half an hour later, Julian’s text arrived.
[Iris, wait for me a little longer. I’ll be there soon.]
I let out a soft laugh. I looked at the photos Serena had sent:
My family and husband, who claimed to be delayed, were all gathered around her, their eyes filled with joy at the prospect of a new life.
I lay in the lounge chair, gazing at the dark sky.
The hillside at night was truly silent, only the faint sound of the wind, making me deeply aware that I was utterly alone.
Time ticked by.
The moment the clock struck midnight, brilliant fireworks launched from the foot of the mountain, blooming in the darkness.
The beautiful fireworks illuminated half the sky.
Bright yet fleeting.
My consciousness was blurring. My limbs felt uncontrolled, and my awareness was slowly being swallowed by darkness.
*I’m disappearing,* I thought vaguely.
*Goodbye… No, never again.*
*Julian!*
Time slowly passed. The person lying in the lounge chair suddenly opened her eyes, her pupils obsidian black.
Her eyes slowly opened, pupils black as night. Blair stood up, stretched languidly, her smile icy:
“Iris, I will take over your life and live it well.”
“And make those who wronged you—”
“Pay the price.”
The brilliant fireworks in the night sky extinguished, leaving only chaos in their wake.
Blair expertly dialed a number on her phone, relaying her location to the person on the other end:
“Come pick me up!”
With that, she crisply hung up the phone. She walked to the table and looked at the pile of gifts, casually opening them:
Luxury car keys, jewelry, property deeds…
Blair scoffed at the gifts.
Serena’s coming-of-age gift was five percent of the company’s shares. For Iris, there were only these “cheap” items.
Love or lack thereof had long been evident in the details.
Only Iris, with her craving for affection, would overlook these details and believe the Davies family loved her!
She slammed her palm on the table, overturning it with a powerful shove.
All the gifts scattered across the grass. Grabbing a chair, she smashed it repeatedly. Only then did Blair feel a release of her pent-up frustration.
Casually dropping her phone and a photo, she walked down the mountain alone, her slender figure appearing tiny and solitary in the darkness.
After waiting an hour at the castle gate, the roar of a motorcycle grew from a distance.
The black, heavy motorcycle skidded to a stop in front of Blair.
The man on the bike took off his helmet, revealing a flamboyant, handsome face.
“Zane, long time no see!”
↓ ↓ Download the Novel Master app, Search 【 286927 】reads the whole book. ↓ ↓
NovelShort
