My husband’s childhood sweetheart was back. Cassidy White. And she was the definition of a bro-girl – all smiles and ‘just one of the guys,’ while her eyes were always on my Ethan and his friends. One day, it was poker night. The next, an all-night drinking session. And always, always, she’d extend her completely boundless ‘friendship’ to Ethan and his buddies. I’d endured it, bitten my tongue, and swallowed my anger, time and again. Until tonight. She swayed, ostensibly ‘tipsy,’ and leaned into Ethan’s embrace, pouting playfully. “Ethan, we practically shared a diaper growing up. After all these years, can’t a brother get a hug?” I watched Ethan’s face flush, an embarrassed, almost shy expression blooming there. That was it. I raised my hand and mentally activated the Allure System, dormant for seven long years. I hadn’t anticipated that restarting the system would take time. And as Cassidy’s actions grew even more brazen, five-year-old Leo, my son, stepped forward. “Mom,” he said, his voice quiet but firm. “Let me handle this.” “I’ve read the original story.” 1. Cassidy was draped against Ethan, laughing. She sensed my cold stare and playfully punched Ethan’s arm. “Oh, Elara, don’t mind me. Ethan and I are like brothers. We grew up together, and I’ve seen him completely exposed. You can just pretend I’m one of the guys.” Ethan reacted even faster than I did. “Cassidy, what are you saying? Elara, please don’t misunderstand, that was just when we were kids. I never let her see anything.” He said the words, but his arm remained wrapped around her. Cassidy, emboldened, pressed her advantage. “You forgot? In college, when you got drunk, I took you home. I didn’t just see you, I even touched!” She slapped her own mouth, feigning a clumsy slip. “Oops, my bad! Elara, don’t take it the wrong way, okay? I’m practically a guy. It’s normal for bros to see each other.” As she prepared to continue, Ethan quickly clapped a hand over her mouth. The movement pulled them even closer, making me feel like an utter stranger in my own home. I swallowed my anger, again and again, but finally, I couldn’t hold it in. I whispered to myself. [System.] [Are you there?] The system responded: [Online.] I gave it a direct command. [Reboot.] After seven long years, I never imagined I’d reactivate the system. But it seemed the seven-year itch was real, even for a woman like me. Could I really not hold a man’s heart? I scoffed, waiting for the reboot to complete. Yet, the progress bar showed a meager [1%]. It would take time. In the interim, I’d have to take matters into my own hands and put this bro-girl in her place. Cassidy, still leaning against Ethan, sensed my rising irritation. She shifted, angling her body even more precariously, as if about to tumble. Just then, my five-year-old son, Leo, who had been standing quietly behind me, walked forward. He placed his small hand on my knee. “Mom,” he whispered, his voice low enough only for me to hear. “Let me handle this.” Leo glanced back at me, mouthing silently, “I’ve read the original story.” Before I could react, he spread his small hand wide and suddenly shrieked, “Aaaah! A cockroach!” A brownish object flew towards Cassidy. Though she claimed to be ‘one of the guys,’ she was clearly terrified of insects. She yelped, dodging frantically, but her precarious posture sent her tumbling to the floor. The brownish object landed squarely beneath her, pinned. Cassidy felt a sticky sensation, a look of revulsion twisting her face. She screamed, “Ethan, control your kid! Why is he playing with cockroaches? He made me scrape my knee!” She reached for Ethan’s arm. “Get me up right now! Take me to the hospital, and you’re footing the bill!” Ethan reacted quickly, turning to scold Leo. But I stepped in front of my son, shielding him. “Only I get to scold my son.” Ethan faltered, but Cassidy wasn’t having it. “Elara, I understand you love your child, but you can’t spoil him too much. He made me bleed! He needs a good talking-to, maybe a smack or two!” Ethan chimed in, “She’s right, Elara. Leo is being too wild.” I scoffed, ready to retort. But Leo, quick as a flash, darted to Cassidy’s side. Before she could regain her composure, he deftly lifted her long white dress. The dress flipped up, covering Cassidy’s face and exposing her bare legs. Leo pointed at her thigh. “It’s a lie! She’s not even hurt!” Then, he turned to Ethan. “Dad, Mom hates it when you touch dirty, inappropriate women.” 2. Childhood innocence. Ethan’s face turned scarlet. Under Cassidy’s gaze, he steeled himself, raised a hand, and slapped Leo. “Don’t be ridiculous!” I couldn’t react fast enough. My small son stumbled and fell. “What are you doing?!” I shoved Ethan, rushing to shield Leo. Ethan, however, turned his face away, saying nothing. Cassidy, seizing the opportunity, interjected, “Elara, don’t blame Ethan. Kids don’t understand, but there’s a limit. I think you need to discipline him properly.” Ethan echoed her. “Elara, Leo needs to know what he can and cannot say. Anyway, I’ll take Cassidy to the hospital first. You go teach him a lesson.” With that, Ethan, unwilling to confront me, hurried out, pulling Cassidy with him. In moments, the vast living room held only Leo and me. I immediately checked Leo’s injuries. Ethan hadn’t held back; half of Leo’s small face was already swollen. “It’s all Mom’s fault.” Guilt instantly washed over me. I resented myself for not activating the system the first time Cassidy showed up. Then, who would dare touch me? But Leo shook his head. He wrapped his arms around my shoulders, whispering in my ear, “Mom, remember what I said? I know the original story.” “I did it on purpose. Otherwise, Dad would have hit you.” – On the way to the hospital, Leo meticulously recounted the original story to me. In short, it was a tale of how Cassidy, after having her fun abroad, returned home to seduce four male classmates from college, ultimately causing their families to be ruined. And Leo was determined to save me because, among the four, Cassidy loved Ethan the most, and at the story’s end, she forced me to jump into a river and commit suicide. “Mom, I love you, and I love Dad. So I don’t want either of you to get hurt.” My little son hugged me, insisting he would drive Cassidy away and protect our family. I silently stroked his head, resolving to have a serious talk with Ethan that night. But I waited until midnight, and Ethan never came home. Instead, I scrolled past Cassidy’s new post on social media. Cassidy White: A true brother feeds you your favorite grilled skewers when you’re sick. Attached was a photo: her leaning against Ethan, a sweet smile on her face. I ‘liked’ the post. Soon after, she posted another. Cassidy White: As a reward, giving my good brother a little treat. The image showed her guiding Ethan’s hand to her chest, her smile overtly provocative. Without a doubt, it was meant for me. I hadn’t realized Ethan had become so… tainted. Just then, Leo stirred. I quickly covered his eyes with one hand. “Time for bed.” [System activation progress: 35%] – Ethan didn’t come home until the next morning, a vivid hickey visible on his neck. I had waited on the sofa all night. As he walked in, I went straight to the point. “What’s on your neck?” Without Cassidy present, Ethan reverted to his ‘good husband’ persona. He instinctively covered the mark. “A mosquito bite.” “That must have been one hell of a mosquito!” Ethan gave a sheepish smile and quickly knelt in front of me, his voice soft. “Elara, don’t be mad. Look what I brought you. I specially ran to the Southern District for your favorite small cake. Cheer up. Leo really was out of line yesterday.” “My son did nothing wrong!” Ethan’s face hardened, about to argue, but I grabbed his ear, telling him to go shower. A shower wasn’t enough. I demanded he scrub himself ten times over with body wash. While he was gone, I followed Leo’s earlier instruction and went through Ethan’s phone. And sure enough, there was a newly created group chat named “Queen Cassidy’s Harem.” I clicked into it. The group owner had just sent the first message. Queen Cassidy: @everyone. As a patient, I’m going to the hot springs resort tomorrow! You guys are coming with me. No refusing a patient’s request. Below, Ethan’s friends had all replied. Only Ethan hadn’t. Seeing this, I opened my camera, exposing my alluring slip dress, and snuggled into the blankets. I snapped a photo and sent it to the group. Ethan: My apologies. I need to spend time with my wife. You all have fun. Immediately, several messages exploded. In the dead of night, Ethan’s friends rapidly spammed the chat. “Ethan, enjoying yourself there.” “Elara, as beautiful as ever.” “Family men are just different.” Their words were already blunt, but I hadn’t anticipated Cassidy’s brazenness. Queen Cassidy: Ethan, got a wife and forgot your bros, huh? And what your wife can give you, I can give you too. Or have seven years passed, and you’ve forgotten my taste? With that, Cassidy sent a photo of herself, barely clothed, to the group. Queen Cassidy: Look at you, acting like you’ve never seen anything before. Ethan forgot, have you all forgotten too? Looks like we need to have a proper reunion. At her words, the men in the group clamored in agreement, seemingly eager to throw themselves at Cassidy. I felt a wave of nausea. Just then, Cassidy texted me privately. Cassidy White: Elara, even if you don’t want him, you should ask Ethan if he wants me. I clenched my phone and blocked her. [System activation progress: 65%] 3. But I hadn’t expected Ethan to be even angrier than Cassidy. He slammed his phone down, shattering it. Shards flew, grazing my face. Blood welled, but he didn’t even look. He roared, “Elara Vance, who told you to touch my phone?” He looked ready to strike. Leo immediately darted in front of me, his small body shielding mine. “Dad, don’t blame Mom.” I covered Leo’s mouth, my voice dripping with cold sarcasm. “Ethan, you’re not even pretending anymore, are you?” For a shamelessly flirtatious childhood sweetheart, he was willing to throw away our seven years of marriage and our son. Ethan sneered. “I’ll ask one more time: who told you to touch my phone?” “I’ll touch whatever I want!” For seven years, Ethan had never hidden anything from me, allowing me to check his phone whenever I pleased. Now, he had secrets. I gritted my teeth. Before Ethan could say another word, I told him to get out. He turned and left. Just then, the villa’s front door opened. Cassidy and Ethan’s three friends, who should have been at the hot springs resort, suddenly appeared. Cassidy was wearing a revealing swimsuit. Sensing the tension in the living room, she feigned charm and dramatically lunged into Ethan’s arms. “My dear brother, had a fight?” She asked, feigning ignorance, her hands and legs wrapping around Ethan, rubbing against him provocatively. My blood boiled. I covered Leo’s eyes with one hand, ready to unleash a torrent of curses. But Cassidy was quicker. “Elara, I told you to ask Ethan’s opinion first. After all, it’s a brothers’ get-together, women shouldn’t interfere. See? You’ve made my brother unhappy.” Her words struck a nerve with Ethan. He gripped her hips, kneading them. “Cassidy, what are you doing here?” His tone was completely different from the one he’d used to scold me moments ago. Cassidy’s face lit up with triumph. “I was afraid you’d only refused me out of politeness, so I changed the plan. We’re going to learn how to swim in your big pool at home.” “Aren’t you touched? Aren’t you going to thank your good friend?” At her words, Ethan’s three friends stepped forward, their voices filled with competitive jealousy. “Cassidy, come swim at my place too.” “Yeah, Cassidy, give me a hug too.” Hearing this, Ethan clutched Cassidy tighter, his possessiveness on full display. He announced, “I’m teaching Cassidy how to swim,” and strode out, his three friends trailing close behind. The living room was suddenly silent, save for the shattered phone, me, and my son in my arms. Leo, I realized, was crying. He sadly climbed onto the sofa, wiping the blood from my cheek, sobbing as he said, “Mom, it wasn’t like this in the original story.” I held him tight, silently checking the system’s progress. [System activation progress: 85%]
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