After the prenatal checkup, I scrolled to that woman's Instagram Story. In the photo, a slender wrist wore an Imperial Green Jade Bangle, the heirloom token passed down through generations of the Sterling family matriarchs. It was the honor Julian Sterling once promised to put on my hand personally at the Grand Gala. Caption: 'Julian says only I am worthy of this green.' In the background, the man peeling shrimp had a ring mark on his left ring finger from wearing a wedding ring for years, but now it was empty. Returning to the empty hillside manor, the servant lowered her head, daring not to look at me: "Madam, the Master said he is busy with the family event tonight and won't be coming back." This is the tenth day he has been out of contact. I stroked my swollen belly with twins, and pulled out the divorce agreement drafted long ago from the study. I won't wait anymore, nor do I want this hypocritical position of matriarch. Chapter 1 Just as I signed the last stroke of my name, the familiar engine roar came from downstairs. The man who claimed "won't be back tonight", at 3 AM, pushed open the door carrying the cold air and someone else's perfume. "What time is it? Staying up late while pregnant, you don't want your life but the kids do." Julian opened his mouth with blame, not half a sentence of explanation, nor half a sentence of concern. I looked at him, the last bit of hope in my heart completely dissipated. "You also know I have children?" I asked back, voice very light, but appearing exceptionally clear in the empty living room. Julian paused, threw his tie on the coffee table impatiently. "Serena, are you starting again? The company has been busy lately, I'm busy off my feet, and have to listen to your sarcasm when I come back?" Busy? Busy peeling shrimp for Lila, busy praising her white hands, busy putting the bangle that originally belonged to me on someone else's hand. I stood up, holding my heavy belly, walked to him step by step. Gaze landed on his left hand resting on his knee. It was bare there, the place where the wedding ring should be, only left a faint white mark. "Where is your wedding ring?" Julian subconsciously shrank his fingers, then picked up the cold water on the table and drank a mouthful casually. "Took it off when washing hands, forgot it at the company sink." Lying. In Lila's photo, he already had no ring on his hand when peeling shrimp. "Then what about the Heirloom Bangle mom left? Next week is the Family Gala, I asked you to take it for maintenance, did you get it back?" Julian's hand holding the water glass stiffened violently. The glass made a crisp sound on the glass coffee table. He didn't look at me, staring at a point in the void, Adam's apple rolled once. "The craftsman said polishing needs a few more days, I'll bring it to you in two days." Another lie. That bangle is currently on Lila's hand, shown off by her on social media, with caption of his deep confession. I looked at this man I loved for ten years, suddenly feeling incredibly strange. Since when did he even lie to me so perfunctorily? "Julian Sterling, look into my eyes and say it again." I stared dead at him, not letting go of any slight fluctuation on his face. Julian finally looked up, face full of irritability and disgust. "Serena, are you sick? Go see a doctor if your pregnancy hormones are disordered, don't be suspicious here! I said it's at the craftsman's then it's there, would I lie to you?" He stood up, looking down at me, seeming to want to use volume to cover up guilt. "Alright, I'm very tired, no time to play with you." Finished, he turned to walk upstairs. Passing by me, he seemed to remember something, steps paused, reached out wanting to hug me like usual. "Okay, stop throwing a tantrum, I'll buy you that bag you liked in a few days." His hand just touched my shoulder, that sweet white peach scent rushed straight to my brain. Stomach churned violently. "Don't touch me!" I dodged sideways fiercely, reaction so big even I was startled. Julian's hand froze in mid-air, face turned black instantly. "Serena, don't be ungrateful." He dropped this sentence coldly, withdrew his hand, and went upstairs without looking back. Sound of water in the bathroom soon rang out. His phone was thrown casually on the bedside table, screen flickering. I walked over, looked at it like possessed. Screen lit up, a special concern WeChat popped up. Remark is 'Lila'. "Daddy, the shrimp you peeled tonight was delicious, Mommy said she missed you very much, come play soccer with Leo tomorrow oh." Every word scraped my heart painful. Daddy. Mommy. Turns out in that "Cloud Top Villa" I didn't know, they are the family of three. And I, am just a tool he uses to deal with the family and carry on the lineage. Bathroom water sound stopped. Julian came out wrapped in a towel, seeing me standing by the bed, face changed, rushed over in a few steps snatching the phone. "Who let you touch my phone? Do you understand respecting privacy?" I looked at his panicked look, suddenly laughed out loud. "Privacy? Julian, what other privacy do you have that I don't know?" Julian confirmed I didn't unlock, breathed a sigh of relief, stuffed the phone under the pillow. "Neurotic." He cursed, lay down back to me, soon uniform breathing came. I stood by the bed, looking at this husband who shared the bed for three years. Tears dried up, heart completely died. Since you want to act, I'll accompany you to finish this last play. Chapter 2 Next morning, the side was already cold. A note was pressed on the bedside table, handwriting flying. "Urgent matter at company, staying at company these days, don't miss me." Don't miss? I looked at those words, pulled the corner of my mouth, crumpled the note into a ball and threw it into the trash can. Of course won't miss. I want to see with my own eyes, how urgent his so-called "urgent matter" is. I changed into light clothes, put on sunglasses to cover red swollen eyes, took car keys and went out. Last night while he slept, I installed a tracker on his car. On the phone screen, that red dot didn't go to Sterling Tower, but went all the way west, stopped at "Cloud Top Villa" in the suburbs. That villa area was bought by Julian three years ago. At that time he hugged me saying: "Serena, this is my tenth anniversary gift for you, when decoration is done, we move in, have a bunch of kids." Turns out, the gift was given long ago, just the recipient wasn't me. Car stopped under the shade outside the villa area. I didn't get off, lowered half the window, looking at that familiar white building from afar. The lawn in the yard was trimmed neatly, sunlight dazzling. Julian changed into casual sportswear, playing soccer with a boy about three years old on the grass. That is Lila's son, Leo. "Daddy! Catch the ball!" The boy shouted in a childish voice, kicking the ball towards Julian. Julian ran over laughing, intercepted the ball agilely, then picked the boy up, lifting him over head spinning. "Leo is great! This footwork follows me!" Laughter drilled into my ears clearly across dozens of meters. Lila sat on the white rattan chair aside, holding towel and water, face hanging gentle smile. She wore a white dress, long hair draped over shoulders, years quiet like a painting. I subconsciously covered my protruding belly. The twins inside seemed to feel my emotion, kicked me hard. Severe cramping pain made me bend down instantly, cold sweat oozing from forehead. I also fantasized such a scene. Julian holding our child running on the grass, and I sitting aside watching them laugh. But now, my dream shattered, shattered into pieces. That man who once said he hated children's noise most, now patiently wiping sweat for someone else's son, teaching him to shoot. That Sterling CEO who said work was so busy he had no time to go home for dinner, now enjoying family happiness with mistress and illegitimate son on a weekday morning. Phone vibrated. It was WeChat from Julian. "Wifey, international meeting tonight, might be all night, you sleep early yourself, remember to drink milk." I looked at this message, looked up at that man handing water to Lila in the distance, stomach felt nauseous. How can he manage to play the deep affectionate husband while setting up a home outside? If not seeing with own eyes, I probably would be kept in the dark for life. Distance away, Julian seemed to answer a call, expression became serious. He put down the child, walked aside to answer, seemed really official business to handle. After hanging up, he walked to Lila, seemed explaining something. Lila immediately showed an aggrieved expression, pulling his sleeve shaking gently. That is her habitual trick, retreating to advance, acting spoiled and weak. Julian indeed bought it. He smiled helplessly, lowered head, placed a kiss on Lila's forehead. At that moment, I felt heart stabbed hard by a knife, then twisted forcefully. Blood dripping. I didn't rush down to catch the affair, nor shouted hysterically. I just took out my phone, adjusted focus, aimed at that pair of "perfect couple", pressed the shutter. Click. Click. Took dozens of photos in a row, and recorded a high-definition video. In the video, Julian kissed deeply, Lila smiled sweetly, child clapping aside. What a warm family of three. I saved the evidence, packed and sent directly to my lawyer. "Lawyer Wang, are these evidences enough? I want him to leave with nothing, not taking a penny." After sending message, I raised the window, started the engine. In the rearview mirror, that white villa became further and further, until disappeared. Julian Sterling, since you gave me such a big "surprise", I should also return a big gift to you. Chapter 3 Grandpa Sterling's 80th birthday, this was supposed to be the most grand banquet in the city for the second half of the year. As the eldest grandson's wife of Sterling family, even if body uncomfortable, I must attend in full dress. To cover pale face, I specially applied true red lipstick, wore a loose haute couture gown, cleverly concealing the pregnancy belly a bit. In the banquet hall clothes fragrant hair shadowy, cups exchanged. I endured soreness in waist, holding juice socializing with elders coming to greet. "Serena ah, this belly looks pointy, must be a fat boy, Julian has luck." "Yeah, Julian this child cares for family, you two have good feelings, really enviable." I maintained a decent smile, listening to these ironic compliments, feeling only ridiculous in heart. Cares for family? Good feelings? If they knew Julian is thinking of another woman at this moment, wonder what they would think. Taking a break, I hid in the lounge on the second floor, wanting to take a breath. Just pushed the door, saw a familiar figure sitting on the sofa, touching up makeup in the mirror. Lila. She wore a champagne dress of same color system as mine, style surprisingly similar. Seeing me enter, she not only had no panic, instead calmly closed powder compact, turned around smiling sweetly at me. "Sister, you also come to rest?" This "Sister", called me nauseous. I looked at her coldly: "Who let you in? Is this occasion for someone of your status?" Lila wasn't angered, she stood up, deliberately tucked her hair, revealing that Jade Bangle on her wrist. Exactly the Sterling family heirloom. Under light, that imperial green stabbed my eyes painful. "Julian afraid I bored alone at home, specially sent invitation to me." She walked to me, shook wrist in front of my eyes, tone full of showing off and provocation. "Sister, Julian said this bangle suits my white skin, you are swollen from pregnancy, wearing it doesn't look good, why not let me keep it for you." I looked at her villain triumphant face, anger accumulated in bottom of heart exploded instantly. "You worthy?" I grabbed a cup of still steaming tea on table, splashed over without hesitation. Splash—— Boiling tea splashed on Lila's feet, wetting her skirt hem and shoes. "Ah!" Lila screamed, retreating repeatedly, embarrassed. "Gave birth to illegitimate son, still so unsteady?" I approached her step by step, voice cold as ice. "This bangle worn by you, dirty, I don't want it. Since you like picking trash I don't want so much, then wear it into coffin!" "What are you doing?!" A roar suddenly came from door. Julian strode in, pushed me away, protecting trembling Lila behind. I carrying twins, center of gravity unstable, pushed by him, stumbled back several steps, waist hit heavily on table corner. Severe pain hit, I sucked cold air, holding table barely stood steady. Julian didn't even look at me, only cared checking if Lila injured. "Lila, are you okay? Scalded?" Lila red eyes, shrinking in his arms, aggrieved tears falling. "Julian, don't blame sister, it's my fault, I shouldn't wear this bangle making sister angry..." What a magnificent white lotus. Hearing this, Julian turned to glare at me, eyes full of disappointment and blame. "Serena, are you crazy? Today is Grandpa's birthday banquet, what are you making trouble here for? Do you want whole city see Sterling family joke?" I endured severe pain on waist, looked straight at him. "You also know this is Grandpa's birthday banquet? Then what is bringing this woman in count as? Announcing to whole world you Julian Sterling favor concubine destroy wife?" Julian face stiffened, then turned angry from shame. "Shut up! Lila just came to send gift, why is your mind so narrow?" "Send gift? Wearing Sterling matriarch token to send gift?" I pointed at bangle on Lila's hand, smiled miserably. "Julian, when you gave this bangle to her, did you think I am your wife? Did you think of children in my belly?" Doorway already gathered many relatives guests hearing sound, pointing inside. Julian couldn't hang on to face, grabbed Lila's hand wanting to walk out. "Simply unreasonable! Settle account with you back home!" He protected Lila, like protecting rare treasure, bumped open crowd strode away. Leaving me alone, standing in center of everyone's sight, like an abandoned clown. Discussion sounds around buzzing like flies. "Isn't that Mr. Sterling's that... how brought here?" "Looks like rumors true, Serena this Mrs. Sterling position afraid not stable." I took deep breath, reached out took off that diamond necklace symbolizing Sterling eldest grandson wife status from neck. Heavy, pressing me breathless. I walked to trash can in corner, hand loosened. Clatter. Priceless necklace fell into filth. I turned around, straightened back, walked out of banquet hall without looking back. Julian Sterling, you forced me. Chapter 4 Back to hillside villa, I started packing luggage. This home, staying one more second makes me suffocate. I put prepared file bag into bottom of suitcase, that's evidence of Julian transferring marital property to Lila, also my last card. Just closed suitcase, door opening sound from downstairs. Lila actually followed Julian back grandly. Two went upstairs one after another, seeing me dragging suitcase at stairwell, Julian froze. "So late, where you going?" I ignored him, lifting suitcase going down. But Lila sharp-eyed saw suitcase in my hand, suddenly like stimulated, rushed up blocking my way. "Sister is having self-knowledge, actively making space?" She said sarcastic words, eyes staring dead at my suitcase. A corner of that file bag accidentally exposed, printed with bank logo. Lila face changed greatly. She knew what that was. If those things exposed, she not only has to spit out swallowed money, even might face jail. "Move." I looked at her coldly. "I won't! What did you take from Julian? Leave the suitcase!" Lila suddenly pounced like crazy to snatch my suitcase. "Let go!" I pregnant, strength naturally not as good as her, pulled unstable by her. Julian stood few steps away, frowning watching this scene, but didn't stop it immediately. "Lila, what you doing? Let her go!" Just then, Lila eyes flashed a trace of vicious light. Borrowing snatching action, she secretly extended a foot, hooked my ankle. Simultaneously, hands pushed hard. "Ah——" I exclaimed, body lost balance instantly. Everything around slowed down. I saw Julian's eyes wide in horror, reaching out wanting to grab me, but grabbed air. I saw that fleeting successful sneer on Lila's mouth corner. Followed by, world spinning. Bang! Bang! Bang! I rolled down from high stairs like a rag doll. Abdomen hit hard on solid wood railing, emitting a dull loud noise. Severe pain. Heart-tearing severe pain swept whole body instantly, as if internal organs all shattered. I curled up on cold marble floor of first floor, even breathing became luxury. A warm liquid gushed from between legs, quickly dyed expensive Persian carpet red under body. Blood. Lot of blood. That's my children... "Serena!" Julian let out a shrill roar, rolling and crawling down stairs. Lila stood at stairwell, suddenly covered face crying loud. "Julian... sister fell down herself accidentally... I didn't touch her... I so scared..." Julian rushed to my side, hands trembling wanting to hug me, but dared not touch me. Hearing Lila's crying, he actually subconsciously looked back, shouted to upstairs: "Lila don't fear, call ambulance first!" Heh. Don't fear? I lay in blood pool, looking at this man I loved for ten years, only felt ironic extreme. My life, children's life, in his eyes, actually not comparable to that murderer's sentence "I'm so scared". Consciousness started scattering, scene before eyes became blurred. I used last bit strength, took out phone from pocket. Fingertip stained blood, drew a shocking red mark on screen. I didn't call 911, nor begged Julian. I dialed that number pinned at top for long time, but never dared dial. Phone connected almost instantly. "Serena? Why so late..." There came brother Sebastian's steady gentle voice. I opened mouth, throat full of bloody smell. "Brother... take me away..." Tears mixed with blood slid down, I used last strength of life, said that curse to receiver. "As long as I live... I want Sterling family everyone... pay with life!" Phone clattered fell, fell in blood pool. Darkness completely swallowed me. Last glance, I saw Julian's terrified face.
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