Ten years in prison, and when I get out, I want everything back.

I was reborn three days ago. In my past life, when I was seven, I was abducted and taken to a remote village. My parents, heartbroken, adopted Asher Grey, who was the same age as me. Ten years later, though I was found, my parents had already grown attached to their adopted son. They didn’t care much for me, their biological child. Fortunately, I was exceptionally capable. In five years, I successfully listed the Henderson Group on the stock market, skyrocketing the family’s standing in Bayview City. But not long after, Asher started a fire and injured someone, facing a ten-year prison sentence. My biological parents, to protect him, actually begged me on their knees to take the fall for him. “Liam, you grew up in the mountains and are used to hardship. Your brother is different; he’s been pampered since childhood. Prison would kill him…” My wife, Clara Reed, also repeatedly promised me: “Liam, no matter what happens, Lily and I will always love you and wait for you to come home to us.” I endured ten long years in prison. On the day of my release, fellow inmates were picked up by their relatives. I waited from dawn till dusk, but I never saw a car from the Henderson or Reed families. During those ten years I was imprisoned, Asher took my place, becoming the glamorous CEO. The woman who had vowed to wait for my release married Asher in the second year of my imprisonment. Our daughter even started calling Asher “Daddy.” Discovering the truth, my hair turned white overnight. Not long after, as I lay dying in a muddy alley, my daughter Lily, dressed in luxurious clothes, stepped out of a fancy car. She covered her nose and mouth, her face full of disgust. “Why did you bring me here? I don’t want to see this beggar.” Beneath a black umbrella nearby, my parents stood arm-in-arm with Asher, their eyes cold: “How could we have given birth to such a son? You’ve completely disgraced the Henderson name.” My wife, Clara Reed, stood the furthest away. As I trembled and reached out to her, she turned her face away. Chapter 1 Now, I’m reborn back to the year Asher got into trouble. I’ve decided to abandon everyone first. The moment I returned home and opened the door, I heard my daughter, Lily, crying in the living room. “I don’t want Daddy, I want Uncle Asher! Uncle Asher buys me toys and takes me for ice cream. Daddy always forces me to do things I don’t like. I hate him!” I stood at the doorway and quietly listened, biting my lower lip. A sharp pang pierced my heart. Lily had a sensitive stomach, so even though I managed thousands of employees at work every day, I never forgot to supervise her to eat properly when I came home. But Asher indulged her every whim. The two of them were closer than a biological father and daughter. Years of care only earned me my daughter’s hatred. Reborn, I decided I wouldn’t care about her anymore. I walked into the living room, not even glancing at Lily. My voice was calm as I instructed the maid: “Open the fridge and bring out all the ice cream. From now on, Miss Lily can eat whatever she wants, do whatever she wants. No one is to stop her.” Lily looked up, disbelief filling her eyes: “…Really?” “Really.” I looked at her, my eyes devoid of any warmth: “You want to see your Uncle Asher, don’t you? I’ll take you to him later. You can stay at the family estate for as long as you like this time.” It wouldn't matter if she never came home. Lily cheered and immediately ran off to pack her little backpack. I glanced at Clara Reed, whose beautiful and gentle face had once coaxed me into taking the fall for Asher. Now that I knew how cold-hearted she was, I only felt dull and uninteresting. Clara felt uncomfortable under my gaze, her delicate brows furrowing: “You’re not yourself today. What happened?” I shrugged nonchalantly, pulling at my lips: “Nothing. I just realized I don’t want to live such a tiring life anymore.” Soon, I would fake my death and vanish. The future of the Henderson Group would have nothing to do with me. As for Clara Reed and Lily, they would no longer be my wife and daughter. Why should I exhaust myself, doing all the hard work only for someone else to reap the benefits? A woman’s slender hand rested on my shoulder. Clara kneaded my shoulder, her voice like a soothing melody: “Then when will you spend more time with Lily and me? Liam, even if you don’t work, my assets are enough to ensure you and Lily live comfortably for the rest of your lives. Why make yourself so tired?” My body stiffened. Remembering how she had tricked me into taking the fall for Asher in my past life, I pulled away from her embrace and stared at her intently for a long time. Just as Clara began to feel uneasy, I suddenly smiled, as if the aloofness in my eyes earlier had been an illusion. “Come back to the family estate with me. I have something to announce.” Chapter 2 At the Henderson family estate. The moment Lily entered, she rushed into Asher’s arms, clinging to him affectionately. “Uncle Asher, I missed you so much~” “Uncle Asher, you look so handsome today~” “Uncle Asher’s smile is so nice!” The little tyrant Lily, who usually cried and fussed at home, spoke words like honey in front of Asher. I stood by with a normal expression, my peripheral vision catching Clara looking at Asher, her eyes full of affection. As if sensing my gaze, Clara subtly withdrew her eyes. Just as she was about to say something, Asher, holding Lily’s hand, walked over. They were both wearing matching outfits, one for an adult, one for a child. “Clara, look at the matching outfits I bought for Lily. Aren’t they nice?” As he spoke, he pulled Lily’s hand and made a funny face in front of Clara. Clara paused, and mindful of my presence, her smile was somewhat restrained as she merely nodded. “Lily never wears pink. Only you could convince her.” A hint of triumph flickered across Asher’s face as he looked at me: “Brother, Lily likes me so much, you’re not jealous, are you?” Looking at his innocent and harmless face, the memories of my past life flashed through my mind like a movie reel. My nails dug into my flesh, the pain reminding me to stay calm. … “Liam.” My father, Mr. Henderson’s voice, reached my ears. “Today, all your favorite dishes are here. Hurry and try them.” I snapped back to reality and saw the home-cooked dishes on the dining table. They were all bland, just as I liked them, made to suit my sensitive stomach. In my past life, I couldn’t handle spicy food, but Asher loved it. The dining table was always covered in red, fiery dishes at every family dinner. There was only one exception. Today. For the first time ever, Mr. Henderson personally cooked, preparing a table full of my favorite dishes. Just as I thought I had finally received a little affection from my family, I heard the most cruel words. “Liam, your mother and I discussed it. From now on, you don’t need to worry about company matters. Just take care of the family at home. Everything will be handled by Asher.” At that moment, the pressure in everyone’s eyes made me feel like a thief, stealing something that belonged to Asher. No one remembered that before the company went public, I worked myself into the ICU several times, while Asher was leisurely vacationing abroad. No one remembered that when Mrs. Henderson was diagnosed with liver cancer and needed a liver transplant, it was I who lay on the operating table, just recovering from a serious illness myself, determined to save her. At the dinner table, Lily’s face was red with urgency: “Uncle Asher wants it, so just give it to him! Why are you so stingy?!” Clara’s voice was gentle and melodious: “Liam, even if you don’t work, I can support you and Lily.” Mrs. Henderson waved her hand decisively: “I’m still the head of this household. This matter is settled!” Mr. Henderson’s eyes welled with tears, his gaze earnest: “Liam, as the older brother, you should be more accommodating to your younger one…” On this very day in my past life, I had lost my temper on the spot and broken ties with the entire family. I had declared that unless I died, I would never hand over the company to Asher. Now, my gaze swept over everyone at the table—my mother, my father, my wife, my daughter… and my so-called brother. I smiled calmly and announced first: “Mom, Dad, it’s a good thing. I have something to announce.” “Starting tomorrow, I intend to hand over the company to Asher to manage. I will officially return to focus on family.” This decision instantly transformed the somewhat tense atmosphere into a lively one. Mrs. Henderson and Mr. Henderson gave me smiles I had never seen before. They actively served me food, telling me to eat more. “Liam, we are so relieved to see you being so filial and sensible. But Asher is still too naive.” Amidst Lily’s noisy cheers of “Long live Uncle Asher!”, I looked at the pile of food in my bowl, completely devoid of appetite. I looked up at Clara Reed. Sure enough, her eyes were full of affection as she watched Asher. No one knew when I left. After the family dinner, I never went to the company again. Ten days later, I was running on the treadmill in the gym when my phone suddenly chimed. I opened it to find Asher had tagged me in an Ins post. It was a selfie of him sitting in the CEO’s office. In the photo, he was dressed sharply, mimicking my posture, projecting the image of a business elite. The caption read – Leading Henderson Group into a new era. In less than a minute, the entire family jumped out to support him. Mrs. Henderson: My dear son, work hard. The future of Henderson Group rests on you! Mr. Henderson: Our Asher has grown into such a man… Lily Reed: Uncle Asher is the best! Clara Reed offered only two brief words: Good luck. Looking at these warm, encouraging words, which no one had ever said to me, my eyes stung with a burning acidity. The post-workout fatigue immediately swept over my entire body. I turned off the treadmill. Just as I was about to shower, Asher sent another message. “Brother, the whole family is celebrating my success tonight at Skyview Summit. You absolutely have to come!” “There’s a surprise for you!” Asher’s last message was a photo. In the picture, Clara Reed’s clothes were half-undone, her shoulder slightly exposed. The meaning of the photo was unmistakable. Chapter 3 After half an hour, looking at Asher’s last message, I went directly to Skyview Summit and pushed open the private room door. Familiar voices came from inside. “Clara, when do you plan to divorce him? You wouldn’t have developed real feelings for him over time, would you?” After a brief silence, Clara Reed’s clear voice rang out. “How could I? Liam Vance can’t compare to you at all. If it weren’t for our engagement, why would I have married him? Asher, you’ve just taken over the company, and everything is still unstable. I need to stay by Liam Vance’s side to help you keep him steady.” Just outside the door, I heard every word clearly. My blood rushed back, and I felt a dizzy spell, steadied by a passing waiter. “Mr. Vance, are you alright?” I forced myself to stand firm: “I’m fine.” I raised my bloodshot eyes. Just then, there was a commotion at the entrance. Mrs. Henderson and Mr. Henderson, beaming, were handing out tips to the staff. I watched the scene intently, my eyes growing more and more sore. It wasn't until Mr. Henderson noticed me. He gave an awkward laugh: “Liam, why are you here?” They had purposely kept it from me, fearing I would disrupt the celebration, yet here I was at the banquet hall. Seeing Mr. Henderson’s embarrassed expression and Mrs. Henderson’s displeased look, I felt utterly superfluous. “I came to support my brother. Am I not even worthy of attending a family gathering now that I’m no longer of value?” My voice was hoarse, my eyes dark and moist. My pale face was enough to make anyone feel pity. Mrs. Henderson frowned. Just as a storm was brewing, Lily’s cheerful cry came from behind: “Grandma, Grandpa, I made a handmade award ribbon for Uncle Asher in art class today! I want to give it to my favorite Uncle Asher!” Lily ran over excitedly, mistaking me for Asher. She giggled and threw herself into my arms. This enthusiastic and well-behaved demeanor was something I had only seen from her before she turned one. Back then, the chubby little infant would cling to me all day. But now, the moment Lily looked up and saw it was me, she recoiled as if she’d seen a ghost. She put her hands behind her back, hiding the handmade flower, her eyes filled with disgust and wariness. An indescribable pain drilled into my heart. I stared blankly. Just then, the private room door opened, and Asher and Clara walked out side-by-side. Both their faces changed the moment they saw me. A flicker of panic crossed Clara’s eyes. She immediately separated from Asher, came to my side, and asked softly: “When did you arrive? Why didn’t you come in?” I stared intently at the woman I had shared my bed with for seven years. I had once believed she was merely cold-hearted by nature, but now I realized her coldness stemmed from never loving me at all. This marriage had merely been a forced compromise to protect another man. A sarcastic smile played on my lips, my eyes filled with disappointment: “This is your family gathering. How could I possibly intrude?” At my words, Clara’s expression froze, and an inexplicable tightness swelled in her chest. “Liam, don’t say that…” No amount of comforting words could heal the wound in my heart. I looked at Mrs. Henderson and Mr. Henderson beside me, my voice calm: “I have other matters to attend to. I won’t disturb your family reunion.” As I finished speaking, I suddenly began to cough violently, quickly covering my mouth. Suddenly, a mouthful of fresh blood stained my palm. Mrs. Henderson and Mr. Henderson’s expressions shifted slightly, and Clara also twitched her fingers. Just as everyone was about to step forward to show concern, Asher suddenly clutched his chest and cried out in pain. “Mom, Dad, my heart feels a little uncomfortable…” The moment he cried out, everyone’s attention was drawn to him. Mrs. Henderson hurriedly called an ambulance, Mr. Henderson lovingly massaged his chest to help him breathe, Clara rushed out to buy special medicine, and Lily wept profusely, muttering: “Uncle Asher, no pain, no pain. I’ll make Daddy take your place…” I hadn’t walked far yet. Hearing Lily’s words, my feet felt as heavy as lead. I closed my eyes, gritted my teeth, and forced myself to walk out of the hotel. I hailed a cab alone and went to the hospital. Chapter 4 The doctor said my rage had taken a toll on my heart, and I could no longer get angry. I recuperated at home for several days. Aside from the housekeeper, Clara and the Henderson family were all at the hospital, keeping vigil by Asher’s bedside. No one remembered that I was also sick. On New Year’s Eve, I was home alone, boiling frozen dumplings. The staff had all gone home to reunite with their families earlier, but fortunately, Mrs. Zhang, seeing how thin I had become, had made and frozen some dumplings for me. I silently watched the steam rise from the pot, the only source of warmth in the entire house. A few days ago, the building management suddenly announced that the heating would be shut off. I had contacted them several times, but they claimed they couldn’t restore it. I knew this was likely Asher’s doing. It was below zero degrees Fahrenheit outside, and the indoor temperature was about the same. I was wearing a thick down jacket, dishing out dumplings, when Asher’s FaceTime call suddenly came through. “Brother, we’re celebrating New Year’s on the island. Are you doing okay alone at home?” On the screen, he looked rosy-cheeked, dressed in a well-fitting cashmere sweater that was both warm and stylish. Behind him, Mrs. Henderson and Mr. Henderson were chatting over tea, and outside the floor-to-ceiling windows, Clara was setting off fireworks with Lily. The warm, harmonious atmosphere made one’s eyes burn. But none of that cheer had anything to do with me. My entire family had abandoned me again, leaving me alone at home, while they celebrated the New Year on a warm island. However, I no longer felt sadness. I calmly looked into the camera: “I’m doing great. Sorry to disappoint you.” Asher smirked, a taunt in his eyes: “Brother, I heard you coughed up blood that day. It’s a shame Mom and Dad were so busy worrying about me that they completely forgot about you. I was worried you’d be swindled by some unscrupulous doctor, so I froze your bank account. If you’re really uncomfortable, just drink more hot water, hehe.” Ever since he took over the company, he didn’t even bother to pretend anymore. A figure flashed across the screen, and Clara’s voice could be heard. “Asher, who are you talking to?” “No one, just wishing a friend a happy New Year.” With that, Asher immediately hung up the FaceTime call. But I still heard Clara’s last words of concern: “You have a sensitive stomach; drink less alcohol, you might get stomach pains.” Even a truly devoted couple wouldn’t be this affectionate. I no longer cared who Clara truly loved, but what I couldn’t accept was that the two of them were being so openly intimate in front of Mrs. Henderson and Mr. Henderson, and the two elders either didn’t see it or were already accustomed to it. A sharp pang shot through my entire body, and my eyes stung with acidity. Just then, the doorbell rang. The old butler from the Sterling family arrived with a pile of New Year’s gifts—gifts Mrs. Sterling had prepared specifically for me, to make up for every New Year from my birth to my thirtieth birthday. “Mr. Vance, Happy New Year. Mrs. Sterling wishes you success in all your endeavors, peace, and joy.” I had endured my family’s coldness and betrayal again and again, but seeing these thoughtfully prepared gifts, tears suddenly welled up. In my thirty years of life, my biological parents had treated me as a tool, yet Mrs. Sterling, who shared no blood with me, cared for me like a mother. Deeply moved, I wiped away my tears and said with a solemn expression: “In ten days, I will be at the Sterling family home, on time.” By then, I would usher in my true rebirth. I only unwrapped half of Mrs. Sterling’s gifts before falling into a deep sleep on the sofa. In the middle of the night, there was a noise from the upstairs bedroom. I’m a light sleeper and immediately opened my eyes, seeing a strange figure lurking in the darkness. I suddenly remembered that in my past life, our house had been burgled. That stranger had broken into my bedroom, and when Clara saw her, she assumed I was having an affair, and a rift formed between us. Not long after, rumors of my scandal spread throughout the elite circles. The entire Henderson family shunned me for tarnishing their reputation. Coupled with Asher’s arson incident at the time, they tacitly allowed me to take the fall for him. This time, I reacted quickly, immediately hiding in the downstairs bathroom. First, I called the Sterling family, asking the butler and others to return and help. Just as the stranger from my past life found me and was about to smash a window to break in, the butler and his men pinned her to the ground. I finished giving my statement at the police station and returned home in the early hours of the morning. As I entered, I saw Asher and the others sitting neatly in the living room, waiting for me. Mrs. Sterling’s New Year’s gifts were also neatly arranged in the corner. Asher picked up a limited edition luxury watch, his eyes full of surprise: “Brother, we weren’t home for New Year’s, so who sent you such an expensive gift?” “This watch, if I’m not mistaken, is a limited edition that collectors dream of, isn’t it?” “Brother, you wouldn’t be hiding something from Clara, would you…?” Asher looked meaningfully at Clara Reed, leaving his sentence unfinished. Clara’s beautiful face showed a hint of anger. She looked up at me: “I, I really underestimated you.” Chapter 5 Watching her earnest expression, I found it inexplicably amusing. Even if she didn’t truly care for me, she would still get angry when she suspected me of cheating. If I hadn’t personally overheard her confessing she never loved me that day, I might have believed she harbored some genuine affection. “These gifts belong to a friend of mine. I’m just temporarily holding onto them.” My tone was casual; I didn’t care if they believed me or not. The wound on my arm throbbed, and I wanted to get the first aid kit to treat it, but Clara suddenly grabbed my wrist. The woman wasn’t her usual gentle self. Her eyes were so dark they made her seem like a stranger. Her throat tightened, and a moment later, she pointed at the lady’s shawl on the floor, her voice hoarse: “What kind of woman leaves her shawl at a male friend’s house?” Her grip tightened. As I struggled, I accidentally pulled at my wound, gasping in pain. Clara immediately released my hand, looking at me with an inexplicable expression. “…I didn’t even use much force.” After saying that, she saw the blood seeping from my arm. Her heart skipped a beat, and she frowned, asking, “You’re injured? How did you get hurt at home on New Year’s Eve?” Clara felt annoyed at my clumsiness, yet her fingers twitched, wanting to examine my wound. Before she could touch me, I raised my indifferent eyes and looked at her. Clara’s raised hand froze in mid-air. “Why are you looking at me like that?” After a long moment of staring, I walked to the downstairs bathroom and pulled the door open with a bang. The chaotic mess inside immediately came into Clara’s view. Mrs. Henderson and Mr. Henderson also looked shocked. Seeing their reaction, I let out a disappointed scoff: “The house was broken into. I almost didn’t live to see tomorrow. Yet, from the moment you arrived, all you could think about was catching me cheating, wasn’t it?” Mrs. Henderson and Mr. Henderson exchanged glances, saying nothing further. Clara sighed softly and walked towards me, her voice filled with guilt. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have left you alone at home.” These words were better said after I was dead. My heart felt no ripple. I coldly looked at Asher: “I’m quite curious, actually. This upscale neighborhood is known for its strict security. Why would that woman risk breaking in to steal things on New Year’s Eve? Did she know in advance that I would be home alone tonight?” Hearing this, Asher’s eyes darted away for a moment. He pretended to be calm: “Maybe she had noticed Brother a long time ago and scouted the place beforehand, or maybe Brother knew her from before… who knows.” I scoffed, nodding: “Alright. Since this woman is so dangerous, then let’s launch an investigation.” “Don’t launch an investigation!” Asher suddenly raised his voice. My unusual behavior made everyone look at me. Mrs. Henderson and Mr. Henderson seemed to realize something, their faces instantly paling. As Asher was on the verge of tears from panic, Mrs. Henderson lovingly wiped away my tears. She then turned to me, half-coaxing, half-threatening: “The person has already been caught, what’s the point of launching an investigation? Do you think it’s glorious to blow things out of proportion? Liam, just settle down and don’t be so serious.” Initially, I had thought my parents simply hadn’t seen Asher’s true colors, which was why they always favored him. So I had torn Asher’s mask off for them to see. Who would have thought that even when their biological son was almost ruined and disgraced, they would still choose to side with the perpetrator? Why? I felt a tearing sensation in my head. I stared fixedly at them, my gaze filled with countless invisible knives, severing the last vestiges of my attachment to the Henderson family. A slender hand embraced my shoulder. Clara’s voice sounded in my ear: “Liam, it’s good that you’re alright. I’ll handle everything with the police station. I promise you won’t encounter danger again, okay?” She was also afraid that if I launched an investigation, Asher would be implicated! My heart ached even more. I turned to push Clara away, but suddenly someone heavily bumped my lower back. I fell to the ground with a piercing pain in my spine, far less hurtful than the words Lily cried out. “Bad Daddy! You’re bullying Uncle Asher, you even made him cry!” “Kill you, you bad Daddy!” Lily was held back by Clara, but she still struggled, kicking and hitting me. At that moment, the world around me slowed down. In my eyes, there was only Lily and Clara. The phrase echoed endlessly in my ears. “Kill you, you bad Daddy!” Suddenly, tears streamed down my face. Something inside me swelled rapidly. My heart could barely get oxygen, and the suffocating feeling grew stronger. A few seconds later, I couldn’t hold on any longer, and my vision went black as I passed out. Chapter 6 I woke up again in a hospital room. The warm air I exhaled condensed into a white mist on the oxygen mask. My body felt as heavy as lead, and even moving a finger was incredibly difficult. The nurse beside me saw I was awake and immediately walked over: “Mr. Vance, you’re finally awake! Mrs. Sterling has visited several times these past three days you were unconscious. If you hadn’t woken up, all of us in the hospital would have had to jump off a building!” Her words made me smile. My bloodless lips moved, and I asked weakly: “Besides Mrs. Sterling, did anyone else come?” The nurse shook her head: “No, I’ve been here the whole time, and I haven’t seen anyone else. It was your housekeeper who called the ambulance. Fortunately, the blood clot was removed in time, otherwise, you would have been a vegetable for the rest of your life!” I frowned. I remembered fainting at home, and my entire family had been there at the time. I had been unconscious for so long, and not a single one of them had come to the hospital? A chill snaked up my spine. I recalled the doctor’s warning not to get angry, so I silently took deep breaths, trying to calm my emotions. I lay in the hospital room until evening. During that time, Mrs. Sterling, hearing I was awake, called to check on me. The conversation soon turned to Clara Reed, and her tone became utterly indignant. “That Reed girl, how outrageous! You almost died, yet she’s still fawning over that Asher Grey. I need to teach the Reed family a lesson and get some revenge for you!” I hadn’t quite understood what was going on. While I was still wondering, Asher suddenly sent me a video. In the video, Asher was also in a hospital, wearing a patient gown, his damp bangs plastered to his forehead, his face pale—a pitiable, sickly sight. By the bedside, Mrs. Henderson and Mr. Henderson’s eyes were red and swollen from crying. A woman’s slender, jade-like hand held a spoon, patiently feeding Asher soup. The wedding ring on her left ring finger was the same as mine. Who else could it be but Clara Reed? After Asher drank a mouthful of soup, a small hand reached over and fed him a perfectly peeled orange, without a single strand of pith. A child’s soft voice whispered: “Uncle Asher, please get well soon. I don’t want you to be sick…” So that was it. The reason my family hadn’t shown up for so long was that Asher was also hospitalized, and they were all with him. I closed my eyes, turning off the video. Affection from my family was already a luxury for me. All I wanted now was a moment of peace. However, even such a simple wish was unattainable. Not long after Asher sent the video, the family came, pushing a wheelchair, to my hospital room. “Liam…” Clara’s voice was low and hoarse. She looked at me hesitantly, as if she had something more to say. There were faint dark circles under her eyes. In just three days, she looked much thinner, her face etched with exhaustion. The sight of the entire family present filled me with a sense of foreboding. Before I could speak, Asher knelt by my bed, crying. “Brother, I have a terminal illness. I don’t have much time left.” No sooner had he finished speaking than Mr. Henderson covered his face and wept. Mrs. Henderson sighed softly, patted Mr. Henderson’s shoulder, and looked at me with red eyes: “We came today because we want to borrow Clara from you for Asher, so she can take some photos with him for remembrance before he passes away.” Photos for remembrance? The request was so absurd. I remained silent for a long time, only then realizing I hadn’t misheard. Looking at my family’s expressions—so self-assured, believing I would surely agree—I let out a scoff, my tone laced with sarcasm: “What if I don’t agree?” “Liam, how can you be so cold-hearted! Your brother is dying!” Mr. Henderson rushed over, his eyes bloodshot, shouting at me. The shock and disgust in his eyes were almost overflowing. From my eyes, I saw my own bloodless face. I said calmly: “You can spoil him and pamper him all you want, I don’t care. But as long as Clara and I are still married, I will never agree to such an absurd request. Unless—” I looked up at Clara, my eyes cold: “We get a divorce.” Clara froze for a few seconds. Perhaps it was my illusion, but her pupils seemed to tremble slightly, and a flicker of anger crossed her eyes. A moment later, her red lips parted, her voice cool and clear. “Alright, then let’s get a divorce.” Chapter 7 “I, I’m not just going to take wedding photos with Asher this time. I’m going to have a grand wedding with him.” That day in the hospital room, Clara left me with those words and walked away, supporting Asher. In the cold, empty hospital room, only I remained. I sat lost in thought for a long time, so long that my tears had dried, before finally making up my mind. At dawn, a taxi pulled up in front of a luxurious villa. Dressed only in a thin patient gown, I stepped out of the car, looked up at the house that had been Clara and my marital home, clutched the lighter in my palm, and walked inside. The house was filled with the traces of a family of three. Lily’s favorite doll still lay on the carpet. The crayon scribbles on the wall hadn’t been cleaned yet. Clara’s shawl was casually draped over the back of the sofa. Just a few days ago, the mother and daughter had been playing house in the living room. My throat moved slightly. I averted my gaze and went upstairs. I headed straight for the master bedroom’s walk-in closet. Among the myriad designer suits, I precisely found a plain, inexpensive white suit jacket. This was bought when Clara and I honeymooned in Las Vegas, the year we were first married. That night happened to be a mass wedding in Las Vegas. The entire street was brightly lit. I bought a white suit jacket from a roadside shop and pulled Clara along to join the fun. We were both drunk that night, dancing wildly in the crowd. After one dance, Clara’s hand, resting on my waist, was slow to let go. Her bright, intoxicated eyes looked at me with such tenderness that they seemed capable of drowning a man. She said she thought she was truly in love with me. I didn’t understand then. Now I finally understood what those words meant. It was also that night that Clara became pregnant with Lily. People often say that children born when their parents are in love are exceptionally beautiful. Little Lily had a round face, fair skin, and large, grape-like eyes; she was cute and intelligent. She was indeed a beautiful child. Unfortunately, just like her mother, her eyes and heart were always only for Asher. I took the suit jacket and our wedding photo album to the garden. These two things, once incredibly precious to me, were instantly consumed by leaping flames after I pressed the lighter. When they had completely burned, a gust of wind scattered the ashes. My connection with Clara and Lily was also severed. I was about to leave when there was a sudden commotion at the entrance, followed by cheerful laughter. “Lily, your mom and dad are getting a divorce. How about Uncle Asher being your dad from now on?” His gentle voice, to my ears, was like a knife hanging over my heart. The next second, Lily joyfully shouted: “Okay!” “Lily hates Daddy, and likes Uncle Asher~” “Lily wants Uncle Asher to be Daddy!” Asher, looking smug, spoke even more gently: “Good girl, go take a bath now. After your bath, I’ll reward you with chocolate candy, okay?” His tone was much like someone training a dog. Lily didn’t seem to notice anything amiss. Her tiny figure, not even as tall as a doorknob, walked into the bathroom alone to run her bath. I hid in the guest room, feeling an inexplicable pang of anguish. After parking the car, Clara walked in and was immediately embraced. Asher hugged her slender waist, his voice coaxing: “Clara, I finally waited for this day.” As he spoke, he eagerly began to unbutton Clara’s clothes, whispering alluringly. “I’ve prepared a surprise for you tonight~” Clara’s cheeks flushed, but she pressed down on his hands, gently reminding him: “Lily isn’t asleep yet. Don’t let the child see.” “Lily is a very good girl. She volunteered to take a bath by herself just now,” Asher’s eyes burned: “How about we go back to the bedroom and continue?” Asher wrapped his arms around Clara’s neck. The two embraced and kissed, then headed to the master bedroom. After the master bedroom door clicked shut, I waited a while longer before emerging from the guest room. My pale face looked even more haggard than it had in the hospital room. I looked up at the master bedroom on the second floor, my eyes full of disgust. Just as I was about to leave, Lily’s scream suddenly came from the bathroom. “Ah—!” Chapter 8 “Lily?!” I rushed into the bathroom. Through the swirling steam, I saw Lily fallen on the floor. I quickly helped her up. But the moment Lily recognized my face, she forcefully pushed me away. “Who told you to come back? I have a new daddy now, I don’t need you to take care of me!” Her aloof gaze deeply pierced my heart and brought me back to my senses. Releasing my grip on Lily, I stood up, my expression remarkably calm: “You’re right. Since you have a new daddy, you naturally don’t need my protection.” Before leaving, out of the last remnants of fatherly affection, I reminded her: “Eating candy before bed will make your teeth turn black. Be careful of cavities.” Those were the last words I spoke to Lily. Lily, soaking wet, watched my retreating back, feeling an inexplicable sense of unease. But then she thought of her handsome and gentle Uncle Asher, and she quickly forgot about it. The wedding between the Henderson and Reed families was not a grand affair. After all, this marriage was not considered honorable in society’s eyes. But Asher still donned a suit, looking dashing for the photos, then sent all of them to me. “Brother, my wedding is about to begin. It’s such a shame you can’t make it.” “I look pretty handsome in this suit, don’t I? Clara says I look even better than you did back then~” Receiving these messages, I was on a private airstrip, preparing to board a plane. I carried only a small briefcase, but the documents inside concerned the very survival of the Henderson business empire. I looked at the messages constantly popping up on my phone and gave a sarcastic laugh. I turned, pulled out my SIM card, snapped it in half, and tossed it into a trash can. Then I instructed the people from the Sterling family’s professional security team: “Please announce my passing in half an hour. Make sure my ‘gift’ for Asher Grey is delivered.” The lead team member nodded slightly: “As you command, Young Master.” The helicopter landed in front of me. I stepped onto the cloud ladder laid with a red carpet and took one last look at the Bayview City sky. The sky was azure blue, just as it had been the day I was brought back to my parents. But this time, I was leaving forever. Two hours later, the plane landed. I, as a person, completely vanished. In my place was Liam Sterling, the long-lost son of Mrs. Sterling. Clara Reed and Asher Grey would soon taste the bitterness of being abandoned by everyone. The Henderson family’s business empire would soon be swallowed by the cutthroat environment. I wanted everyone who had ever hurt me to know how cold and hard life was without me sheltering them from the storm! … Asher Grey, arm-in-arm with Mrs. Henderson, slowly walked down the flower-lined path. Lily, dressed as a flower girl, followed behind, scattering handfuls of fresh flowers into the air. Clara Reed watched Asher slowly approach. He was the man she had loved for ten years, yet for some reason, she felt no joy in her heart. My image in a suit from back then kept flashing in her mind. Just then, the wedding screen lit up. My face appeared on the screen. “Hello everyone, I’m Asher Grey’s ‘brother.’ I regret not being able to be here, because—” “I’m already dead.” The hall erupted in an uproar. Clara froze, and the ring slipped from her finger with a clatter. Chapter 9 I displayed my medical report. The words "Stage 3 Leukemia" and "Only one month left to live" were glaring. With a pale, bloodless face, I slowly spoke.