Everyone says I was the twin who took everything in the womb, so I owe my sister Winnie my whole life. Growing up, she got the big sunny room while I lived in a tiny space next to the servants' quarters. She wore new clothes while I got her hand-me-downs. My parents told me this was fate. I had to accept it. Later, I met Adam Cooper. He pulled me out of the gutter and told me I didn't owe anyone anything. He promised me a grand wedding and said that once I was pregnant, he'd take me home to meet his family. I thought he came to save me. Until I heard him tell my parents, "Once she gives birth, I'll marry Winnie." That's when I understood. I wasn't a beloved wife. I was just a tool to bear my sister's child. The marriage was fake. Five years of love was an act. Even my afe's work was stolen, destroyed, and trampled into the ground. Now I'm lying in a hospital bed. I lost the baby, and the whole world is cursing me. But this time, I'm done being patient. Hazel POV After three years of secret marriage, I was finally pregnant. For three years, Adam Cooper had sex with me almost every night. He said once I got pregnant, he'd officially bring me home to the Cooper family and make up for it with a grand wedding. I was ecstatic. I ran through the pouring rain to his company to surprise him. The door to the CEO's office was slightly ajar. Inside, I could hear Adam talking with my parents. My heart sank. My relationship with my parents had always been bad, and Adam rarely interacted with them either. Why would they come looking for him? I was about to push the door open when my father's words froze me in place. "Winnie is coming back tomorrow. Hazel still isn't pregnant. Adam, what are you planning to do?" I went rigid. Winnie was my twin sister. What did her return have to do with my pregnancy? Adam spoke unhurriedly, his tone nothing like the cold distance he usually showed my parents. "I'll work hard to get her pregnant as soon as possible so Winnie can marry me sooner." My mind went blank. What did he mean, "so Winnie could marry him?" What was he talking about? My mother's voice came through, tinged with complaint. "If Winnie's health wasn't so poor that she couldn't have children, you wouldn't have had to put on this act for Hazel all these years or go through that fake marriage with her." I could barely stand. My whole body trembled. Fake marriage? An act? I shook my head desperately, unable to believe what I was hearing. Adam was silent for a moment before speaking again. "The Cooper family is strict. Only if Winnie has a child will my grandfather agree to let her marry into the family. "It's just... Hazel has had to suffer for it." My father snorted coldly. "What does she have to complain about! It's all Hazel's fault anyway. She took everything in the womb before Winnie was even born, leaving Winnie weak and sickly her whole life. Having her bear a child for Winnie and help her marry you is what she owes Winnie!" I closed my eyes. Tears fell heavily. I looked down at the ultrasound report. The words "intrauterine early pregnancy" stung my eyes. I turned and ran out of the Cooper Corporation building. The rain came down harder, pouring mercilessly on me. I couldn't feel anything anymore. Winnie and I were twin sisters. I was born healthy and strong. Winnie was severely malnourished and has been weak and sickly since childhood. My parents decided I had stolen my sister's nutrients in the womb, so they favored Winnie from an early age. The Jones family wasn't poor, but I never had a good life growing up. All the good food went to Winnie. I could only wear her hand-me-downs. Winnie got the big sunny room. My bedroom was next to the servants' quarters. Even the household staff looked down on me. I never fought back. Never competed. Because my parents told me every day: "Winnie is the way she is because of you. You'll owe her for the rest of your life." I was young then. I believed whatever my parents said. After college graduation, Winnie went abroad for treatment, and I moved out of the Jones house. That life finally ended temporarily. Later, I met Adam. That night I worked late. On my way home, two thugs cornered me in an alley. Adam drove by. He got out and chased them off with just a few moves. He stood under the streetlight in a crisp suit, his features sharp and cold, like salvation descending from heaven. Adam was good to me. I'd always been used to depriving myself, wearing clothes from thrift stores that cost just a few dozen dollars. Adam sent haute couture piece after piece to my home. I rarely ate proper meals. Adam cooked every meal himself and wouldn't eat until he'd made sure I was full. During my period when my stomach hurt, Adam would keep his palm pressed against my lower abdomen all night. I'd always loved dogs, but Winnie didn't like them, so I never had one. When Adam found out, he rescued a stray dog with me. We named it Lucky. Every day we'd walk Lucky together and give it baths. He told me, "You don't owe anyone anything. Parents who don't love you don't deserve your love in return. Not every parent is worthy of their child's love." Two years of dating, three years of secret marriage. Adam made my life better and better. Adam taught me that I wasn't born owing anyone. I deserved better too. It was just that the Cooper family was the top elite family and looked down on the Jones family. His grandfather was old-fashioned and stubborn. Three years ago, we married. He said once I got pregnant, he'd take me and the child home to the Cooper family. When his grandfather saw the child, he'd relent, and then we'd have a proper wedding. I cried with gratitude. I didn't feel wronged at all. Instead, I felt sorry for him being caught in the middle. Today I finally got pregnant. I thought my suffering had ended, but this was the answer I got instead. The marriage was fake. Getting me pregnant was so I could bear Winnie's child. I wanted to ask Adam. What was real? Was all the good he'd shown me just an act? Did he only see me as a tool for bearing children? I thought Adam was my salvation. I never expected he'd drag me into another abyss. Rainwater ran down my hair, mixing with the tears on my face. I couldn't tell which was colder. Adam, since you never really wanted to marry me, then I don't want to marry you either. Mom and Dad, since you've never really cared about me, then I won't care about you anymore either.
Hazel POV I stumbled home in a daze. The moment I pushed open the door, Lucky came bounding over, tail wagging. I crouched down and hugged Lucky, remembering that winter three years ago. That day, Adam and I found Lucky on the roadside. It was so thin its ribs showed, shivering in a cardboard box. Adam didn't hesitate. He took off his suit jacket and wrapped it up. "From now on, it's ours." Thinking of this, a glimmer of hope rose in my heart. Was there any chance I'd heard wrong? Was there any chance Adam was just lying to my parents? Five years together, so many days and nights. How could it all be fake? I let go of Lucky, got up, and went to the study. I pulled out our marriage certificate from the back of the drawer. I'd always kept it locked away carefully in the deepest part of the drawer. I went online and checked the state's marriage records database, typing in my personal information. During those few seconds waiting for the results, I clutched the certificate tightly to my chest. My heart felt like it was about to jump out of my chest. It had to be real. It had to be. The page loaded. The screen clearly displayed: "No marriage registration data found." I stared at those words. My vision gradually blurred. It was fake. I hadn't heard wrong. I laughed. As I laughed, tears fell. My phone suddenly lit up. A conversation window that hadn't moved in years popped up with a message. Seeing Winnie's profile picture, I couldn't help trembling. Winnie wasn't just my twin sister. She was my lifelong nightmare. At first, though my parents favored her, they weren't that bad to me. It was Winnie who framed me again and again. She would slap herself hard, then run crying to our parents saying I'd hit her. She would hide her own things in my room, then find them in front of our parents. She would eat peanuts she was allergic to until her face turned red, then say I'd tricked her into eating them. She would roll down the stairs, sobbing uncontrollably, saying I'd pushed her. The worst time was when we were both supposed to go to school, but Winnie came home very late that day. Her clothes were torn, she was covered in injuries, crying that I'd found several thugs to assault her and she'd barely escaped. That day, Dad broke a clothes hanger on me. Mom stood there the whole time without stopping him once. Frame after frame, in my parents' eyes I went from the older twin who'd stolen nutrients to a born villain who wanted her sister dead. Winnie and I had identical faces but completely different hearts. I thought moving out of the Jones house would let me escape this nightmare, but only now did I understand. The nightmare had never ended. I clicked on the conversation. It was a link to a social media profile. I clicked the link. It was Winnie's private account. The posts went back to college days. As I scrolled through the photos, my fingers grew stiffer and stiffer. So Winnie and Adam had known each other since college. Adam cooked every meal for Winnie himself and wouldn't eat until she was full. When Winnie had period pain, Adam would keep her stomach warm all night. Every time luxury brands released new items, Adam immediately bought them for Winnie. Everything was exactly the same as what Adam did for me. Even many of the things Adam gave me were the same as what he'd given Winnie before. So all his kindness to me was just skills he'd practiced on Winnie. And what Adam did for Winnie was far more than what he did for me. Adam personally learned to make birthday cakes for Winnie. Adam carried Winnie on his back up a mountain for three hours just so she could watch the sunrise from the peak. The year Winnie went abroad for treatment, he flew over dozens of times. Adam had never done any of these things for me. I watched and cried. As I cried, I laughed. I turned off my phone screen. Without further hesitation, I went out early the next morning to apply for a visa. At the end of this month, the results of the IDA International Emerging Jewelry Design Awards would be announced. It was a competition I'd been preparing for half a year. It was crucial for my career, and I was very confident. Once the visa came through and the competition results were out, I would leave this place. Leave Adam. Leave Winnie. Leave all of them. As for the baby in my belly, I hadn't decided yet. After all, it wasn't just Adam's child. It was also the little life I'd been looking forward to.
Hazel POV Before I'd even left the visa center, Adam's call came through. "Hazel, where are you?" Before I could answer, a staff member's voice came from behind me: Your visa materials have been collected. Processing will take approximately ten business days. "What visa?" Adam's tone tightened sharply. "You're applying for a visa? What for?" I gripped my phone, trying to keep my voice normal. "I want to travel and gather inspiration for my designs in a little while." Adam seemed to believe me. His tone relaxed. "I'll go with you when I'm done with work." He paused, then continued, "Come home today. Your place, I mean. Your sister is back. It's her birthday today. We need to go over." My hand clenched my clothes. In the past, Adam never proactively made me go back to the Jones house. He always said, "If the Jones house makes you unhappy, you don't have to go. That's not your home." As soon as Winnie came back, he changed. I said softly, "I don't want to go." "Don't be difficult." Adam's tone grew heavy. "She's your sister. You're still part of the Jones family." So with Winnie back, I was part of the Jones family again. Adam didn't give me a chance to refuse. He picked me up and brought me back to the Jones house without question. The Jones family living room was piled high with gifts for Winnie. As soon as I walked in, Winnie came up to me, opening her arms to embrace me. Her tone was sickeningly sweet. "Hazel! I haven't seen you in years. I missed you so much!" My body went rigid. I struggled to maintain calm. Dad snorted coldly. "Why the long face? Your sister finally came home. Can't you show a little warmth?" Mom took Winnie's hand and turned to Adam with a smile. "Winnie, this is your brother-in-law, Adam." Winnie blinked, speaking sweetly. "I love the necklace Hazel gave me. Thank you!" Adam looked at her, his expression gentle. "I'm glad you like it." I stood to the side, my nails digging into my palms. At dinner, Adam instinctively sat next to Winnie instead of beside me. I glanced at the dishes on the table. All things I didn't like. I wasn't surprised. Winnie loved spicy food. When she was home, the dinner table was always dominated by spicy dishes. I couldn't handle spice. As a child, I often could only drink water. Nothing was different now. Like before, I drank water without eating. I didn't make a sound. Adam had taken good care of me for five years, but with Winnie back, I'd become that Hazel in the corner again. The one no one cared about. "Hazel, you can't just drink water without eating anything." Winnie looked at me with a smile. "Come on, eat. Have more." Mom glanced at me irritably. "Leave her alone. She's perfectly healthy. She doesn't need to eat! Winnie, you eat more!" Adam was focused on taking care of Winnie. He'd completely forgotten about me. The birthday cake was brought out. The whole family raised their glasses to wish Winnie happy birthday, having her blow out the candles and make a wish. Adam smiled, his gaze following Winnie the whole time. I held my water glass, sitting quietly in the corner. The maid brought out a new hot dish. It was scalding. There was water on the floor. The maid slipped, and the bowl flew straight toward Winnie. Adam reacted instantly, swatting the bowl away and pulling Winnie firmly into his arms. The scalding food, deflected by Adam, splashed onto me. I cried out. My arm turned bright red over a large area. Only then did Adam notice he'd splashed the food onto me. His expression changed sharply. "Hazel! I'm sorry. Are you okay?" In the past, if I cut my finger even slightly while chopping vegetables, he'd be so distressed he'd never let me touch a knife again. Adam let go of Winnie and was about to come check on me. Winnie cried out at just the right moment. Some of the soup had splashed onto her fingertip. Adam's attention immediately shifted. He held Winnie's hand, examining it carefully. "Does it hurt? Don't be scared. Let me see." Mom rushed to stand up. "I'll get the burn ointment! Winnie, hang in there!" Dad looked at me with disgust, scolding coldly. "So clumsy! Stop embarrassing yourself. Go change your clothes!" I stood there. The scalding soup dripped down my arm. My skin had already turned bright red. No one asked if I was burned. No one asked if it hurt. The whole family bustled around Winnie's single finger. Adam lowered his head, bringing Winnie's finger to his lips and gently blowing on it. I looked down, turned, and went upstairs. My arm burned with pain. But my heart hurt even more than my arm.
Hazel POV That night, Mom and Dad made us stay over. Mom's reason was that she hadn't seen me in a long time. It was rare for us all to be together. I knew clearly that Mom wasn't asking me to stay. She was keeping Adam there for Winnie. I went back to the guest room early. My room at the Jones house was no better than the servants' quarters, but Mom and Dad would never make Adam stay in a servants' room, so tonight they'd arranged the best guest room. Late at night, I felt thirsty and went downstairs for water. Passing Winnie's room, warm yellow light spilled from the gap under the door, along with voices talking. It was Adam and Winnie. "You were so worried about her earlier. Have you fallen in love with her?" Winnie's tone was pitiful. Adam's voice was as gentle as if coaxing a child. "Don't think like that. I only love you. Being with her is just to have her bear your child. All these years, looking at her face, I've only thought of you." I leaned against the wall, my body trembling slightly. So for these five years, looking at my face, he'd been thinking of another woman. Those late-night embraces, morning kisses, every moment I thought our hearts were connected. He was thinking of Winnie. All the sweet words he'd said, all the gentle looks he'd given me. None of it was meant for me. "When will you leave her?" Winnie's voice choked with tears. "It hurts so much to see you holding her hand. I'm supposed to be your love." From inside the room came a man's low sigh. Even through the door, I could hear the heartache in it. And who it was for. "Soon. Once she's pregnant and gives birth, I'll take the baby to you, and we'll get married." "What about Hazel? Won't she be sad?" A long silence. "I'll give her money and send her away, so you won't be upset seeing her." I see. Money could pay off five years. Even though I already knew the truth, my chest still felt like something was gripping it, squeezing again and again without rest. I didn't listen any longer. I slowly walked to the kitchen for water. The water overflowed the cup. I didn't notice. The hot water spilled over the rim and burned my hand. Water splashed everywhere. I crouched down and quietly cleaned up by myself. No one knew. Before, when I was designing, if a thorn pricked my hand, Adam would frown and spend ages pulling it out for me. Now I was burned, and he was in the next room comforting another woman. Later, Adam came back to the guest room. As soon as he entered, he pulled me into his arms, calling me softly by name, leaning down to kiss me. For three years, as long as I wasn't on my period and he wasn't working late, he wanted me every night. I used to think it was because he loved me, wanted me. Now I understood. He was just eager to get me pregnant so I could bear Winnie's child. I decided this child, I would definitely take with me. I would never leave it for them. The moment Adam drew close, I smelled Winnie's perfume lingering on him. Sweet, cloying. Nausea rolled through my stomach. I turned my head to avoid him. Adam noticed my evasion. He frowned. "Hazel, what's wrong?" I didn't look at him. I spoke softly. "Adam, what if I don't want a child anymore..." Before I finished, Adam's face darkened. "Don't be difficult, Hazel. I can indulge you in anything except this." I asked again, "Then, I want to have the wedding right away. Can you do that for me?" Adam's frown deepened. He was silent for a while, then finally sighed. "You know my family's situation. It's not that I don't want the wedding. I don't want my grandfather to make trouble for you. Be good. Let's focus on trying for a baby, okay?" After he spoke, he tried to approach again. For the first time, I coldly pushed him away. Adam froze. Confusion and panic flashed in his eyes. "Hazel, what's wrong with you?" I looked at the pitch-black night outside the window and spoke calmly. "Today is my birthday." Adam went rigid. Winnie and I were twins, born on the same day. Today everyone remembered Winnie's birthday. Not a single person remembered today was my birthday too. Every year on my birthday, Adam prepared flowers, gifts, and cake in advance. On the day itself, he'd clear his entire schedule and cook for me personally. This year, he'd forgotten completely. Adam stood frozen, hastily reaching for my hand. "I'm sorry, Hazel. I'll make it up to you tomorrow. I'll take you to the beach, okay?"
Hazel POV Early the next morning, Adam and I had just changed clothes and were about to leave when Winnie followed us. She stood in the entryway, fingers twisting her hem, looking pitifully at Adam. "Hazel, are you going out? Can I come with you?" Adam's brow furrowed slightly. His tone softened. "Winnie, be good. Your health isn't good. Stay home and rest." Winnie's eyes immediately reddened, her voice full of grievance. "I don't have any friends here. If you won't take me, I'll just be stuck at home alone." I didn't keep listening. I turned and walked outside. Because I knew Adam would definitely give in. Sure enough, less than a minute later, Adam followed with Winnie in tow. I opened the passenger door and had just sat down when Winnie came to the window, looking pitiful. "Hazel, can I sit in front? I get carsick in the back." I glanced at Adam. His expression was unreadable. He said nothing. I quickly nodded, pushed open the door, and moved to the back seat. Adam seemed momentarily stunned, as if he hadn't expected me to agree so readily. The car pulled out of the Jones family gates. Winnie sat in the passenger seat, chattering nonstop about stories from abroad, college memories, and the shows she was watching. Adam looked at her with a smile, occasionally responding gently. They both seemed to forget there was another person in the car. I leaned back in my seat, eyes closed, palm covering my lower abdomen. At a turn, an oncoming truck ran a red light and headed straight for us. Adam jerked the steering wheel, instinctively pulling Winnie in the passenger seat into his arms. In the massive crash, my forehead slammed hard against the window frame. Warm blood ran down from my brow bone. My vision instantly turned red. Before losing consciousness, I heard Winnie crying, "Are you okay?" Adam responded urgently, "I'm fine. Winnie, are you hurt?" No one asked about me in the back seat. The ambulance came. The emergency personnel opened the door to check for injured. "There are two injured. We can only take one first. The one in back. Head injury, bleeding. Situation is serious." "Take her." Adam didn't hesitate. He pointed at Winnie in the passenger seat. "Take her first." The emergency personnel hesitated, looking at me in the back seat covered in blood, then at Winnie in the passenger seat with only a scraped arm. "Sir, the one in back-" "I said take her." Adam repeated, his tone brooking no argument. That was the last thing I heard before losing consciousness. When I regained awareness, I smelled strong disinfectant. I hadn't opened my eyes yet. My head felt like it was splitting. Then I heard movement nearby. Two nurses were talking in low voices. "These two sisters really have different fates. The other one just has soft tissue contusion and a tiny scrape on her arm. Her boyfriend not only had the ambulance take her first, but made all the doctors stand by to treat her first." "Right? This one got eight stitches in her head, has a concussion, and almost lost the baby. She had to wait in line for over two hours before being brought in. She's been here two days now and the father of her child hasn't even shown his face." "The one in the next room. Her boyfriend stays with her all day, bringing her water and tucking her in." I smiled bitterly to myself. Boyfriend? Right. Adam had always been Winnie's boyfriend, not my husband. I didn't even have a real marriage certificate. I stayed in the hospital for five days. In those five days, Adam never came once. Mom and Dad didn't appear either. I signed my own admission forms, paid my own bills, held onto the wall to go for tests. I moved slowly through the corridors alone. I didn't feel sad. I'd been alone all my life. I was used to it. Then Adam came along, and I thought things had changed. Now I was just going back to life without Adam. On the fifth day, I completed discharge procedures and took a taxi home alone. The moment I pushed open the door, I froze. Winnie was wearing my pajamas, curled up on the couch I'd chosen, covered with my blanket, eating snacks and watching TV. The sound of a spatula came from the kitchen, along with a pungent spicy smell wafting out. Adam was cooking, clearly not for me. Winnie saw me and immediately came over with a smile. "Hazel! My health isn't good. He said the air here is better and told me to move in for a while to recover. You don't mind, do you?" Just then, Adam walked out of the kitchen carrying dishes. Seeing me, a flash of guilt crossed his face, quickly suppressed. "Hazel, you're back. I was just about to go see you at the hospital. Come, let's eat first." I'd been lying in the room next to Winnie's for five days, and he said he was "just about to" come see me? I didn't respond. I gave a self-mocking smile. I didn't see the familiar figure. Usually at this time, Lucky should have bounded over. My heart sank. I stared at Adam. "Where's Lucky?"
Hazel POV Adam's expression changed slightly. He quickly explained. "Don't worry. Lucky is in the storage room. Winnie is afraid of dogs, so I temporarily put Lucky there." I turned and ran toward the storage room. That cramped storage room was less than thirty square feet, with no windows, never seeing sunlight. He actually locked Lucky in there! Was this the same Adam who bathed Lucky and ran with it? No. The man who could unhesitatingly protect Winnie and leave me bleeding without care could naturally lock Lucky in a dark room for Winnie's sake too. This was the real Adam. I pushed open the storage room door. Lucky was huddled in the corner. Hearing the sound, it couldn't even wag its tail, just made a weak whimper. My nose stung with emotion. I picked up Lucky and looked back at Adam, who had followed. "Adam, how long did you lock it up!" Adam's expression stiffened. He was about to explain. Winnie, who had followed behind, immediately shrank her shoulders, her voice tearful. "It's all my fault. I made Lucky get locked up for two days. Hazel doesn't want me here. I should just leave." Adam immediately darkened, grabbing Winnie's wrist. "Don't talk nonsense. I'm in charge of this house. You stay as long as you want." He looked at me with displeasure. "Hazel, Lucky is just a dog. Winnie is your sister." I laughed coldly. "So these two days, you didn't feed it even once, did you?" Adam's brow furrowed tightly. He said nothing. Without another glance at him, I walked straight out with Lucky in my arms. I took Lucky to a familiar pet boarding facility. I knew Winnie well. As long as she lived there, there would be no peace in that house. If Lucky stayed home, it would only suffer. But seeing Lucky lying pitifully in a narrow cage, my heart ached. "My dog is also boarding here recently." A young man nearby spoke up. "I come every day to walk it. If you're comfortable with it, I can walk yours too." I nodded gratefully. "Thank you." After settling Lucky, I went back home. As soon as I entered the yard, I noticed the garden bed where I'd planted lisianthus had been completely dug up and replaced with the red roses Winnie liked. I just looked calmly for a moment before looking away and heading straight to my room. A few minutes later, someone pushed open my bedroom door. Winnie leaned against the doorframe. The sweetness she showed in front of Adam was gone from her face. She lifted her chin and walked in."Hazel, you saw everything on Ins, didn't you?" She lazily sat on the edge of my bed, crossing her legs. "Have you figured out your place yet?" I lowered my head and organized my vanity, ignoring her. But Winnie wouldn't let it go. Her gaze swept around the vanity and stopped on a jeweled crown. It was the first jewelry piece I'd designed myself. I was saving it to wear at my own future wedding. Winnie casually picked it up and tossed it in her hand. "What are you doing? Give it back!" I stood up to grab it. Winnie stepped back a few paces. With a twist of her wrist, she gripped the crown in her hand and asked with a light laugh, "Hazel, after all these years, you still don't understand? You can't beat me at anything." I stared at her hand. "That's mine!" Winnie scoffed. "Who it belongs to is up to me." The words had barely left her mouth when she scratched the back of her other hand viciously with her long nails. Her delicate skin immediately bled. She threw the crown on the floor. Winnie collapsed onto the ground, tears streaming down her face. "Hazel, I didn't mean anything by it. I just wanted to look..." Urgent footsteps came from downstairs. Adam rushed upstairs. "Winnie!" He quickly bent down and helped Winnie into his arms. Seeing her bleeding hand, his eyes instantly reddened. "How did this happen?" "It's all my fault. I wanted to look at Hazel's crown without asking her permission. Don't blame her. It's all my fault..." Adam looked up, staring at me with fury in his eyes. "I never thought you could be this vicious!" Something pressed against the sole of his foot. Adam looked down and saw the crown on the floor. He lifted his foot and stomped down hard on the crown. Adam scooped Winnie up in his arms and left without looking back. I stood there quietly, looking at the scattered fragments on the floor. I once thought I would wear it as his bride. I looked at it for a long while. Finally, I slowly crouched down and gathered the remains into my palm. The sharp edges cut my palm. Blood seeped out. I would never love Adam again.
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