After being harmed, my soul left my body, and I discovered the truth that my whole family wanted to harm me. So I started to fight back. I began to teach my younger brother, distance myself from my fiancé, take control of the family business, and audit my mother's dowry shop. I forced my stepmother and father to make up for the embezzled money, and then set a trap to catch my stepsister Nora and fiancé Max in the act of adultery, spreading the scandal throughout Eighphia. After seeking treatment from a renowned doctor, my health gradually improved. I exposed my stepmother's actions against me, sought revenge, and gradually revealed the truth that it was my own good father who was behind the harm to me and my mother. Through confrontation and covert investigation, I gathered evidence and uncovered a secret that was enough to destroy my father's entire family... I avenged myself and my mother, and also found a fulfilling marriage.
Chapter 1
I was raised in the lap of luxury, yet I almost didn't survive past seventeen.
As I was on the brink of death, my soul unexpectedly drifted away, wandering aimlessly.
It was then that I discovered the truth: my stepmother's meticulous care was a facade, my stepsister's deep sisterly affection was a sham, and my father's lavish affection was also false. They all genuinely wished for my death.
Even my fiancé, whom I had always despised, had been conspiring with my stepsister all along.
By some miracle, I was resurrected and greeted them with a serene smile, "I'm still alive. Are you happy now?"
Chapter 1: Awakening
When I woke up after three months of illness and unconsciousness, the expressions on the faces of those in the room varied greatly.
My stepmother, who was honey-tongued but dagger-hearted, approached with a concerned look on her face. "Haylen, you finally woke up. I've been praying for you every day these past months."
A kind face hides a cruel heart. No wonder I hadn't seen through her true nature before.
Everyone in the room wore masks of false concern, except for my brother-considered rebellious and defiant since childhood. His eyes, however, shone with genuine worry and care.
Had it not been for my nearly three-month slumber, during which my soul drifted out of my body, I wouldn't have known that everyone in the Hayes family, except for my brother Samuel, had been hoping for my death.
"Samuel, come here," I called softly, my voice weak but resolute.
Everyone looked at me in astonishment.
Since our mother's death, I had blamed my brother for her passing, even though he was just a child at the time. I had been obsessed with trivialities and neglected him, leaving him in the care of our seemingly amiable stepmother.
Now, I realized that this had been entirely my fault.
"Between life and death in a single breath. In my haze, I dreamt of our mother. She told me to take good care of Samuel, who has been mischievous and skipping school. Move all of his things to my courtyard tomorrow."
"Haylen, you just recovered. There's no need to rush into disciplining Samuel," my stepmother tried to dissuade me, but I interrupted her firmly.
"My decision is final. There's no need to say more. From today on, Samuel will live with me, and I will take care of him myself." My voice was resolute, leaving no room for debate.
Seeing my determination, my stepmother said no more, only reminding me to take good care of my health.
"It's so great that you're awake, sister. Max will be relieved too."
"He has visited you many times, hoping for your recovery."
My stepsister Nora's tone was filled with joy, as if she were truly happy to see me awake.
Had I not witnessed her and my fiancé Max whispering sweet nothings in her courtyard while my soul wandered, I might have believed her.
"Are you very familiar with Max, sister?" I stared directly at her, watching Nora's face contort for a moment, clearly hit by my words.
But my stepmother quickly stepped in to cover for her. "Max visits every five days. Everyone in the Wallace family knows how much he cares for you."
"Yes, sister," Nora's face twisted for an instant.
A barely noticeable coldness flashed in my eyes.
The dream of everyone with regards to marriage is to be able to find that special someone and settle down with them. Even arranged marriages grant you an opportunity to meet your partner briefly before the wedding. How will you feel about waking up in the morning with someone sleeping next to you who is not just anyone but your legally married partner yet with no memory of how that had happened in just a few hours of going out the previous day? This is the story of Jason Haward and Julia Harrison, two strangers trapped in a marriage they never planned. The quest to find out why led to the unfolding of a mystery which made them realize they are both living a lie. To find out more, read this amazing story of love, betrayal, revenge and murder.
Rachel used to think that her devotion would win Brian over one day, but she was proven wrong when his true love returned. Rachel had endured it all—from standing alone at the altar to dragging herself to the hospital for an emergency treatment. Everyone thought she was crazy to give up so much of herself for someone who didn’t return her feelings. But when Brian received news of Rachel’s terminal illness and realized she didn’t have long to live, he completely broke down. "I forbid you to die!" Rachel just smiled. She no longer needed him. "I will finally be free."
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Joelle thought she could change Adrian's heart after three years of marriage, but she realized too late that it already belonged to another woman. "Give me a baby, and I'll set you free." The day Joelle went into labor, Adrian was traveling with his mistress on his private jet. "I don't care whom you love. My debt is paid. From now on, we have nothing to do with each other." Not long after Joelle left, Adrian found himself begging on his knees. "Please come back to me."
On her wedding day, Khloe’s sister connived with her groom, framing her for a crime she didn’t commit. She was sentenced to three years in prison, where she endured much suffering. When Khloe was finally released, her evil sister used their mother to coerce Khloe into an indecent liaison with an elderly man. As fate would have it, Khloe crossed paths with Henrik, the dashing yet ruthless mobster who sought to alter the course of her life. Despite Henrik’s cold exterior, he cherished Khloe like no other. He helped her take retribution from her tormentors and kept her from being bullied again.
After three secretive years of marriage, Eliana never met her enigmatic husband until she was served with divorce papers and learned of his extravagant pursuit of another. She snapped back to reality and secured a divorce. Thereafter, Eliana unveiled her various personas: an esteemed doctor, legendary secret agent, master hacker, celebrated designer, adept race car driver, and distinguished scientist. As her diverse talents became known, her ex-husband was consumed by remorse. Desperately, he pleaded, "Eliana, give me another chance! All my properties, even my life, are yours."