I brought my daughter to a company team-building event. My colleagues, finding her adorable, kept feeding her snacks. Only my young boss studied her with a meaningful look. "Chloe, your daughter looks exactly like a friend of mine." "So much so that I'm suspecting she's his illegitimate child." 1 The young boss snapped a photo of Lily. Then he asked for my permission. "You wouldn't mind if I sent this to my friend, would you? Just to give him a little scare." I shook my head, assuming it was just a coincidence. My colleagues, however, were instantly intrigued. They gathered around me, gossiping non-stop. "Chloe, what does her dad do?" "We... separated a long time ago." "Lily is so pretty. Besides your beautiful genes, her dad must have contributed too. Was your ex-husband super handsome?" "Yeah, he was quite handsome." Even though he wasn't even my ex-husband. "Why did you guys separate? Did he cheat?" "No." "Domestic violence?" "No, he was very gentle." "Then why?" My colleagues all looked pitiful. I offered a bitter smile and didn't answer. My thoughts drifted thousands of miles away to Hong Kong. I was sold by my adoptive father to Liam Sterling to settle a debt. He didn't actually want me. But, afraid my adoptive father would beat me to death, he took pity on me. Not only did he let me live rent-free in one of his properties, but he also paid for my high school and college education. However, during that time, he never saw me again. Until graduation, when my adoptive father, drowning in gambling debts once again, came after me. He told me to go to Liam and ask for money. Little did he know, I couldn't even reach Liam. My usual contact was only his assistant, Kevin Stone. And I didn't want to find him anyway. My adoptive father beat me so badly I was hospitalized, causing me to miss my graduation ceremony. I didn't tell Kevin. But Liam found out anyway. In the crowded hospital room reeking of disinfectant. I saw Liam for the second time. He still carried that imposing, majestic aura. When he lowered his eyes, he was as gentle as jade, yet radiated an undeniable presence. My left cheek was bruised and swollen from my adoptive father's beating; even a slight movement of my mouth hurt. I hid my left cheek, not daring to look Liam in the eye. "Was all that martial arts training I paid for a waste?" His tone was filled with helplessness. "It wasn't a waste," I retorted. I intentionally didn't fight back. Only this way would I have evidence to sue him in court and sever our father-daughter relationship. "Why didn't you contact Kevin?" I kept my head down, my voice barely a whisper. "No reason." Liam sighed. He turned and ordered Kevin to move me to a spacious, private room and hired a caregiver for me. As he was about to leave, I grabbed the hem of his jacket. He looked at me, his eyes devoid of emotion. "Mr. Sterling, I will pay you back." "Have you decided what you want to do?" "Yes, I've already interviewed to be the executive assistant to CEO Richard Vance at Vanguard Corp. I start next week." With the medical injury report, I smoothly severed ties with my adoptive father. I successfully gained my freedom. The salary of an executive assistant was not low, but to pay off my debt to Liam as soon as possible, I remained extremely frugal. After moving out of Liam's property, I chose to live with roommates. My boss, Richard Vance, was not an easy man to deal with. Besides assisting him with work, I also had to manage his personal life. Today, I'd prepare a romantic anniversary surprise for a socialite; tomorrow, I'd order flowers and gifts for a model... It was all part of the daily routine. At an auction, I found myself bidding against Kevin for a pair of earrings left behind by the famous jewelry designer, Anna. After a few rounds, I saw his determination to win. I gave up. As I was leaving, Kevin called out to me. He placed the brocade box containing the yellow diamond earrings into my hand. I froze in place. "Boss's orders." After successfully winning the earrings, he had reported the news to Liam. And casually added one sentence. "Chloe was also at this auction. She was probably after these earrings too." There was silence on the other end of the line for a few seconds before Liam said directly: "Give them to her." I tried to hand the box back to Kevin, but he wouldn't take it. "Your CEO Richard told you to get these, right? How will you explain yourself if you don't bring them back?" The earrings caught the eye of Richard's new girlfriend. Failing to bring them back would result in a severe scolding. I was already used to it. Kevin: "The boss said to give them to you, so they are yours. You can do whatever you want with them." I later learned that when Liam bid on those earrings, it was for a project he was actively pursuing. The beloved daughter of the project lead was particularly fond of Anna's jewelry designs. Acquiring those earrings would have saved him a lot of trouble. 2 I still got scolded by Richard. Because I couldn't bear to give the earrings to him. For many days and nights, looking at those earrings, Liam's calm, restrained face would involuntarily appear before my eyes. However, the earrings were stolen and sold by my roommate. I was so furious I beat her to a pulp, resulting in a trip to the police station. The officer told me to call someone to pay the bail. I looked at my contact list. After much hesitation, I called Kevin. And repeatedly begged him not to tell Liam. But as I followed him out of the police station. The back window of a black car waiting outside rolled down, and Liam's face appeared before me. I was somewhat dazed. It had been over a year since I last saw him. "Are you hurt?" Liam didn't ask why I hit someone. I shook my head. "Did you like those earrings that much?" Liked them enough to ruthlessly beat the person who stole them. I bit my lip guiltily. "They were very expensive." "I heard that person offered to give you all the money from the sale, but you still wouldn't let her off." My head drooped completely. "I'm sorry, Mr. Sterling. I caused you trouble." He was taken aback for a moment, then chuckled softly. "How is this trouble?" Liam pulled out a neatly folded handkerchief and handed it to me to wipe the blood off my hands. "You shouldn't dirty your hands over material possessions." The handkerchief carried Liam's unique, faint fragrance. I couldn't bear to soil it. Liam knew where I lived, but this was his first time visiting. The hallway walls were peeling, dim, and narrow, and the inside was so small it was hard to even turn around. A place that felt cramped for one person housed three. Liam frowned almost imperceptibly. "You've been living in a place like this ever since you moved out of Cloud Lake? Are you really that short on money?" He didn't wait for my answer, ordering Kevin to go upstairs, pack my bags, and move me back to Cloud Lake. Liam refused to accept my rent, so I offered to treat him to a meal. He raised an eyebrow: "Kevin says you're a really good cook?" I didn't expect Kevin to tell him even that. I liked eating and experimenting with food. During college, Kevin visited me at home once, and I invited him to stay for a meal. When I went into the kitchen, Liam followed me. He took off his suit jacket, rolled up his shirt sleeves, and naturally picked up the vegetables to wash them. I was somewhat surprised. "I can do it myself." "I'll help you prep, it'll be faster." He didn't stop moving, his back tall and lean. Very much like the male lead in the manga I read last night. Broad shoulders, narrow waist, leaving much to the imagination. After that day, Liam often brought ingredients to my place to eat together. Gradually, from my initial awkwardness, I reached a point where I could confidently order him around to do chores. 3 Richard got a new celebrity girlfriend. On her birthday, she was on set filming and wanted him to visit her. He didn't have time, so he had me bring flowers and jewelry to placate her. But she had a fiery temper. She took all her anger at Richard out on me. Without warning, she splashed her half-finished coffee right at me. Everyone on set looked at me in shock. Afraid of getting involved, no one dared to step forward. I stood there calmly, letting her vent. Hoping that after she vented, she wouldn't bother Richard anymore. Otherwise, I'd be busy again. I had dinner plans with Liam tonight. While my mind was wandering, a cup of coffee was suddenly splashed onto the celebrity, without any warning. It was still steaming slightly. I turned my head in shock, meeting Liam's sharp, cold jawline. He had one hand in his pocket and casually tossed the empty coffee cup onto the table beside him. This was the first time I had ever seen Liam angry. Even Kevin, following behind him, widened his eyes in shock. I hurriedly pulled out a tissue to wipe the celebrity down. But Liam grabbed my wrist and yanked me away. "I can't leave." If I just walked away like this, Richard wouldn't let me off easily. Liam let go of me, his eyelashes lowering slightly. Our eyes met, and I clearly saw the smoldering anger in his. "You don't know how to fight back now? Chloe, I'm really curious what exactly goes on in your head." "I... she's my boss's new girlfriend. I can't afford to upset her." This was just part of my job description; I didn't feel wronged. Besides, usually, when something like this happens, Richard compensates me with a handsome bonus afterward. There is no job where you don't have to swallow your pride. Dignity is worthless in the face of money. Liam sighed helplessly. "Don't worry, I'll talk to Richard so he won't take his anger out on you." Liam's usual penthouse was near the filming location. I took a shower at his place and changed into clean clothes that Kevin had prepared for me. When I came out, I saw Liam leaning back on the sofa. His eyes were tightly closed; he was asleep. The vest of his tailored suit hugged his waist, faintly outlining the tight muscles of his abdomen. His legs were slightly apart in a relaxed posture, and his whole body exuded a strong, masculine aura. It drew me toward him involuntarily. I stared at his face for a long time, then tiptoed over to gently remove his gold-rimmed glasses. Just as I was about to step back, Liam slowly opened his eyes. With only inches between us, I couldn't help but stare at his lips and swallow. "Mr. Sterling, I was just..." Before I could finish, my words were completely swallowed by his sudden kiss. His kiss wasn't like his usual gentle spring breeze; it carried a dominance, constantly pressing the attack. A long time later, I collapsed weakly against his chest. I don't know when, but I had straddled his lap. We were so close, it felt like we could sense the frequency of each other's heartbeats. My rationality slowly returned, and I tried to get up and leave, feeling somewhat embarrassed. But Liam cupped the back of my neck and pressed me tighter against his chest. "Chloe, will you be my girlfriend?" I looked up in surprise, a smile gradually spreading under his gentle gaze. I nodded frantically. We were young then, believing that as long as we loved each other, we could stay together forever. But we forgot that people from two different worlds, even if their paths accidentally cross, will eventually diverge. 4 In the fourth year we were together, I got pregnant. Liam was incredibly happy when he heard the news. Kevin laughed and said, "Looks like the boss's proposal plan has to be moved up." While I was immersed in happiness, a video was sent to my phone. It was secretly filmed through a crack in a door. Liam sat bare-chested on a sofa, his back to the door. His lean back was covered in crisscrossing, bloody welts. It was a shocking sight. A family doctor was carefully applying medicine to his wounds. Every time the cotton swab touched a wound, his body would tremble slightly. But from beginning to end, he didn't utter a single sound. [My brother loves you very much, but you probably don't understand our family. Our marriages have never been ours to decide.] [Can you really bear to watch him suffer so much for you?] [Chloe, for the sake of him helping you before, let him go.] I never knew that in places I couldn't see, Liam had to pay such a tragic price to make his family accept me. His pride shouldn't be repeatedly broken because of me. When I handed him the abortion paperwork, his eyes instantly turned red. But he didn't ask anything; he just gently pulled me into his arms. He had even come up with an excuse for me. "If you don't want a child, then we won't have one. It must have hurt, right?" "Chloe, I'm sorry. I won't let this kind of accident happen again." I pushed him away coldly. "Liam, not only do I not want the child, I don't want you anymore either." "We... are breaking up." In the dreary, rainy month of February, I left the city that had given me painful memories as well as moments of happiness and light. I came to my adoptive mother's hometown, Seaport City. Back then, my adoptive father was infertile, so they adopted me. Later, due to his business, they moved to Hong Kong and took me with them. Even later, my adoptive mother passed away, and my adoptive father developed a gambling addiction, his personality drastically changing. Before I met Liam, my life was a constant nightmare. Therefore, I loved him, and I was even more grateful to him. Precisely because of this, I wanted him to forever remain the brightest sun, not pull him down from his pedestal. After my colleagues' attention shifted away from me, the topic slowly moved to our newly appointed young boss, Alexander Vance. They said he had been expanding the market in Hong Kong previously. After returning, he spent over half a year at a branch office before coming back to headquarters. I froze. I nervously confirmed with a colleague. "What did you say? The young boss came back from Hong Kong?" "Yeah, oh, you didn't know." My mind was buzzing. I sought out Alexander again. "Mr. Vance, the friend you just mentioned... is his last name Sterling?" Alexander was somewhat surprised. "How did you know?" "Can you still recall the photo from earlier?" After Alexander sent the photo to Liam, he had put his phone away. Hearing my words, he pulled his phone out again. The time limit to recall the message had already passed. Below the photo Alexander sent, there were a few more lines of text. [Doesn't the daughter of an employee at my company look exactly like you?] [I was shocked!] [If I didn't know how strictly you disciplined yourself, I would have suspected it was your illegitimate child!] Coincidentally, a new message popped up on the chat screen that hadn't received a reply until now. [Send me the address.] 5 Alexander finally sensed something was off. "I used to hear people in Hong Kong talk about it often. They said Liam had an ex-girlfriend he treasured more than anything." "To be with her, he didn't even hesitate to break ties with his family." "Who would have thought that woman would eventually dump him." "He was depressed for quite a while over that." Alexander's eyes shifted, staring at me thoughtfully. "Chloe, that woman who dumped him and left... wouldn't happen to be you, would it?" I remained silent. He looked up at Lily, who was currently making my colleagues laugh with delight. He clicked his tongue. "So, Lily really is Liam's daughter!" His voice wasn't quiet, but fortunately, it was noisy around us, and no one was paying attention to our side. "Mr. Vance, could you keep this a secret for me? I don't want Mr. Sterling to know." Alexander shrugged, not understanding but agreeing nonetheless. "This is your private matter. Of course I'll respect your wishes." Alexander replied to Liam's message right in front of me. [Mother and daughter have already left. You wouldn't be able to see them even if you came.] This time, Liam replied instantly. [What is the mother's name?] Alexander replied with a random name. And there were no more messages after that. "Mr. Vance, Mr. Sterling... when did he come to Seaport City?" "Early this year. There are several big projects inland. I suspect he won't be returning to Hong Kong anytime soon." I nodded. Seaport City is huge. Unless it was intentional, the probability of us bumping into each other was very low. My colleagues were all warm-hearted. Knowing I was raising a child alone, they enthusiastically started setting me up on blind dates. Most were young, successful men whose careers had delayed them from starting a family. I rejected them all. I made it clear that I would not remarry. I wouldn't allow my child to live day and night with a strange man. Furthermore, the person I met in my youth was too extraordinary; everyone who came after seemed merely ordinary. Influenced by my mood, Lily was born prematurely at less than eight months. She stayed in an incubator for over two months. Her health was never very good. Once, when she had a recurring high fever that wouldn't break, a colleague told me that praying at Baoming Temple was very effective. I knelt from the front of the temple to the back. Over and over, I begged the gods and buddhas for mercy. I don't know if the deities were truly moved by my sincerity, but after returning, Lily's condition gradually improved. Since then, in my free time, I often took Lily to the temple to offer incense. We'd eat vegetarian meals and listen to the monks chant scriptures. Over time, she became familiar with the monks at the temple. Whenever I worried about her poor health, the monks would comfort me. They said she was a child with a good destiny. And had a long life ahead of her. They told me not to worry excessively. Our planned trip to the temple on Saturday had to be postponed due to a sudden downpour. The next day, when the rain stopped, Lily packed her own little bag. She couldn't wait to drag me out the door. She recently fell in love with a new crispy chocolate biscuit and wanted to hurry and share it with the monks at the temple. It was an overcast day, and there were very few pilgrims. The monks, however, were very happy. They said the assistant of a wealthy businessman had contacted the temple a few days ago, offering to donate a substantial amount of incense money. When the time comes, they could gradually repair the halls in the back that they lacked funds to fix. Lily was taken to the kitchen by her good friend, the young monk Hui An, to watch them make vegetarian buns and Laba congee. So I wandered around the temple by myself. 6 The wintersweet in the temple was in full bloom, filling the air with a rich fragrance. I thought of Liam again. Unconsciously, I raised my hand to touch the yellow diamond earring dangling from my ear. Liam had eventually sent someone to find the earring I lost and bring it back. I heard it took a lot of effort, and he even paid several times the original price. He seemed to genuinely believe that I loved this pair of earrings deeply. Two young women walked past me. Their voices chatting and laughing were unusually clear in the empty corridor. "I wonder what kind of VIP he is for the abbot to receive him personally." "Just looking at his aura and the entourage with him, he must be a big shot." "It's a pity he's already married. I wouldn't even dare to fantasize about him." "How do you know?" "I saw the wish he wrote on his prayer ribbon. It was for his wife and child." "..." As they turned the corner of the corridor, the two voices gradually faded away. I also saw the VIP they were discussing. He walked at the head of the group, listening to the people beside him, occasionally nodding in response. That phrase, "written for his wife and child," echoed in my ears again. The lingering sound swirling for a long time. As if reminding me. Liam... really got married. My legs froze in place. Caught in a dilemma between advancing and retreating, the group had already walked toward me. The abbot recognized me and took the initiative to introduce us. My mind was a tangled mess. I only vaguely heard the abbot say that Liam was going to donate money to repair the temple. So, he was the wealthy businessman the monks had mentioned. Liam's gaze fell on me, as warm and gentle as a breeze, just like before. Behind him, Kevin gave me a slight nod. I averted my eyes and hurriedly excused myself. Fleeing in panic. I found Lily, wanting to take her away quickly. She reluctantly bid farewell to the young monk Hui An. Passing by the prayer ribbon rack, Lily suddenly stopped. "Mommy, our names are up there." She let go of my hand and trotted closer to the prayer rack. Standing on her tiptoes, she pointed to one of the prayer ribbons written in traditional Chinese characters to show me. She only recognized her name and mine on it, because I had specifically taught her. I slowly walked over. When I read the entire message clearly, my eyes couldn't help but well up with tears. [May my wife Chloe and daughter Lily enjoy a life of peace. — Liam Sterling] Lily tilted her head, looking at me full of curiosity. "Mommy, what does it say on there?" "It's... wishing you a peaceful life free from worry." I didn't say the word "Dad" out loud. But Lily seemed to sense something and laughed happily. When we left the temple, it started drizzling again outside. I opened my umbrella and picked Lily up with one arm. Struggling to walk toward the taxi stand. A black luxury car stopped in front of us. Kevin got out of the passenger seat and opened the rear door for us. "Ms. Hastings, please get in." It was hard to hail a cab here, especially on a rainy day. So I only hesitated for a moment before putting Lily inside. The privacy partition slowly rose, instantly dividing the interior into two separate spaces. The rustling sound of rain could be heard outside, but the inside of the car was unusually quiet. Lily tilted her head, observing Liam curiously. Liam also looked at her tenderly. Father and daughter began a silent eye-contact exchange that lasted for two minutes. Liam suddenly looked up at me, asking tentatively. "Can I hold her?" I was taken aback for a moment. And nodded. 7 Alexander's excuse clearly didn't fool Liam. He still found out Lily's identity. I no longer had the need to hide Lily away. He sat Lily on his lap. Lily stared unblinking into his eyes. "Mister, you are really good-looking." Liam gently pinched her chubby little cheek. "Lily is very beautiful too." The image of father and daughter snuggled together was too beautiful, and my eyes couldn't help but grow moist again. I turned my head to look out the window. The car was warm and comfortable, and Lily slowly fell fast asleep in Liam's arms. He spoke softly. "Why did you lie to me and say you aborted the child?" "I wanted to break up, cut the knot quickly." Liam looked greedily at Lily's peaceful sleeping face, remaining silent for a long time. The car stopped, and the rain had also stopped. Liam grabbed my wrist, preventing me from getting out. He asked Kevin to take the now-awake Lily somewhere to play for a while. "Do you hate me that much?" I bit my lip, speaking words contrary to my heart. "Yes, I just hate you." Liam's eyes were bloodshot as he leaned toward me. His grip on my wrist hurt. Seeing me frown, he couldn't harden his heart after all, and loosened his grip slightly. My eyelashes lowered. I caught a glimpse of a corner of a navy blue handkerchief peeking out of his suit pocket. It was the birthday gift I bought for him with a month's salary. Liam said I worked hard for my money, so he cherished it exceptionally. He carried it with him always, but never used it. Now, years after our breakup, he still kept it. I closed my eyes, my heart aching with a sour pain. Liam offered a bitter smile. "Since you hate me so much, why did you still give birth to the child?" "You know I don't have any family left. "So I wanted to have a child of my own, that's all." He let go of me as if deflated, collapsing back against the seat. His gaze stared blankly ahead. A single tear fell silently. "I understand. "You can go." Kevin chased after me and handed me a card. He said Liam gave it for Lily. I didn't take it. I had the ability to give Lily a good life myself. Moreover, what he had given me in the past was already more than enough. Liam disappeared from my life once again. I threw myself into my work, frequently working late into the night. It seemed only this way could I stop myself from thinking about him. Until the nanny taking care of Lily tactfully reminded me that the child needed company. She was right, I really wasn't a good mother. Not only did I deprive her of a father, but now I was even reducing the time I spent with her. Just as I decided to pull myself together, I received a call from Alexander. His secretary had taken a leave of absence, and he asked me to accompany him to a dinner party. This kind of job meant nothing more than blocking drinks for the boss. During the few seconds of my silence, Alexander, seemingly afraid I would refuse, quickly spoke again. "Fifty thousand per glass, no cap. How about it? Isn't that better than burying yourself in overtime at the office every day?" "Okay." In the past, back in Hong Kong, I had drunk my fair share for Richard. Once, when I was drunk, I desperately wanted to see Liam. Dizzy, I ran to his company to find him. But I was stopped at the front desk. Without an appointment, I couldn't see him. I called Liam, but he didn't answer. Seeing I wasn't in a clear state of mind, the receptionist was afraid I would cause a scene. She arranged for me to rest in the visitor's area and even made honey water to soothe my discomfort. I thanked her. I sat alone in the visitor's area. Feeling wronged, holding the honey water, tears streaming down my face. After crying, I collapsed on the sofa and slept deeply.
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