Valentine's Day was her son's birthday, and it marked Charlotte Evans's fifth year of marriage to Ethan Hayes.

That evening, her son, Leo Hayes, made a wish to his father, Ethan, in German: "Ich hoffe, Dad und Mom lassen sich scheiden. Ich möchte, dass Tante Bella meine Mama wird."

Ethan smiled and replied in German, "Dein Wunsch wird sehr bald in Erfüllung gehen."

The "Aunt Bella" her son mentioned was Charlotte's older sister, Bella Evans.

Moments later, Ethan called Charlotte into the room.

He handed her the divorce papers he had already prepared. "Let's get a divorce. I'll give you a billion dollars as a settlement. You withdraw from public life and move abroad."

Charlotte stared at the divorce papers, her throat tightening. "Ethan, did you ever love me?"

Ethan put down the papers and stared right at her. "Charlotte, have you forgotten that you're just the stand-in who married into the Hayes family in your sister's place?"

"Now that your sister is back, of course you have to leave."

His words were like daggers, each one striking Charlotte's heart.

The light in Charlotte's eyes finally faded.

Five years ago, Ethan was in a car accident and fell into a coma. His then-fiancée, Bella, went abroad, refusing to marry him, so the Evans family forced Charlotte to marry into the Hayes family instead.

And she had agreed to the marriage to pay for the treatment of her terminal illness.

That marriage lasted five years. After Ethan woke up, he doted on her and protected her. He would fly back from abroad just to take care of her when she was sick, and he even got jealous of their son, asking her who she loved more...

Charlotte thought Ethan had actually fallen in love with her.

Until today...

"I'm sorry, I lost my composure."

Charlotte slowly calmed down. "These divorce papers, I'll sign them."

Ethan looked at the redness in the corners of her eyes, thinking about how Charlotte had abandoned her acting career to care for him these five years, always at his beck and call, even going out at midnight with a high fever to buy him whatever he craved...

His heart softened, and he added a promise, "As long as you don't interfere with my new life, I'll bring our son to visit you abroad when I have time..."

The heated room was as warm as spring.

The man's matter-of-fact words stabbed into Charlotte's heart, tearing her feelings to shreds.

Ethan left without closing the door. Through the half-open door,

Charlotte saw her son, Leo, cheering outside, saying in German—

"Dad, my birthday isn't over yet! Let's go find Aunt Bella!"

"Aunt Bella played the violin so beautifully last time, and she talks with me in different languages. She doesn't stop me from eating ice cream, either. I love being with her."

"Unlike Mom, she insists on making me sugar-free chocolate cake. I've wanted to tell her for a while that I don't like it. Aunt Bella brings me imported chocolate."

"Mom is always so controlling. She and Aunt Bella are sisters, so why is Mom so annoying?"

Every single word trampled Charlotte's years of devotion into the mud.

But Ethan just smiled and said, "Let's go. I'll take you to see Aunt Bella."

Charlotte closed the door, her face expressionless.

They didn't know that Charlotte spoke eight languages; she understood every word they said.

The son she loved with all her heart was hoping she would divorce Ethan, and called her annoying.

Charlotte made the cake without sugar because she was worried about her son's toothache.

Leo forgot that when a toothache made him cry and roll all over the bed, it was his mother who held him and took him to the hospital.

When he was scared of thunder, it was also her who stayed up all night telling him stories.

When he was sick with a fever, it was still her who cared for him tirelessly.

And for the past five years, for Leo and Ethan, she had given up her own promising future.

But the five years she had devoted herself to them couldn't compare to the three months since Bella's return.

"Ring-ring—"

Her phone suddenly chimed with a notification for a 'priority follow.' Charlotte snapped out of her daze and picked it up. A post from Ethan's Twitter had popped up—

In this life, I will only love one person

The accompanying photo showed him gently holding hands with Leo and Bella, standing in front of the Hayes family gate.

In their five years of marriage, Ethan had never taken Charlotte to the Hayes family home.

He had explained that the Hayes family elders felt Charlotte was just an actress, unworthy of him, and he was afraid she would be mistreated if she went.

So, for all these years, the public had mocked Charlotte, saying she wasn't a true Mrs. Hayes.

Now, Bella had only been back for three months, yet Ethan had publicly taken her to the Hayes family home, posting a photo like this to show off their affection.

Ethan's Twitter post quickly shot to the top of Trending Topics, and the name 'Charlotte' was also dragged onto the list—

Former Best Actress Charlotte's Dream of Marrying Rich Is Over!

Looking at the vile comments, Charlotte plunged into an abyss of despair.

She logged into her Twitter account and posted a hashtag—

Congrats to Ethan on finally being with his true love, and thanks for the one billion dollar divorce settlement

She had loved Ethan and her son with all her heart. Since they didn't want her love, she was done with them both.

"I will leave you."

Leo and Ethan didn't want her.

How ridiculous.

She lived in this world with parents, a husband, and a son, but none of the people she loved cared about her.

They all only liked her older sister, Bella.

When they were kids, Bella danced ballet for their parents, and they were so happy they bought a house for Bella; later, at a ballet performance, she won first place.

She thought she would also get a word of praise from her parents.

But instead, Bella pushed her down the stairs, and she broke her leg, but their parents just said, "Who told you to steal your sister's first place? You deserved it."

From then on, Charlotte knew she didn't have parents.

Later, she had also held out hope for Ethan, giving them all of her love.

But now, all she got in return was being cast out.

If that's the case, then she doesn't want any of them either.

...

An hour later.

Charlotte arrived at Club Azure with a billion dollars.

In the lobby, male models were whispering sweet nothings, tempting and teasing.

It really was the most luxurious club in this city.

Charlotte walked in, grandly waving her black card. "Bring all your new handsome guys over here!

I'm rich, I have a billion dollars!"

As soon as she finished speaking, someone grabbed Charlotte forcefully.

She turned her head and met Ethan's disapproving eyes.

"Aren't you satisfied with causing a scene on Twitter for attention? Now you've followed me here. Is it because you knew I was on the 88th floor throwing a welcome-home party for Bella?"

"Bella is your sister. Why do you always have to go against her?"

Before Charlotte could speak, her son standing next to Ethan added disapprovingly, "Mom, stop doing such embarrassing things. You and Aunt Bella are sisters, why are you so petty?"

"Besides, debasing yourself like this will only make Dad hate you more."

Charlotte felt a sharp sting of pain.

Suppressing the ache in her chest, she shook off Ethan's hand. "I don't have time to interrupt you and Bella's lovey-dovey moments. My schedule is public from now on. If you find me annoying, you can just avoid me."

After saying that, Charlotte ignored Ethan and Leo, and turned to leave.

As Ethan watched Charlotte's retreating figure, a strange sense of irritation washed over him.

...

That night, Charlotte checked directly into the VIP suite.

She called many people into the room and bought many bottles of wine, but she just sat quietly on the sofa, watching them have singing battles and dance...

Giving performance fees of one hundred thousand, two hundred thousand, five hundred thousand...

The laughter from the room could be heard outside, lively all night long.

But Charlotte never smiled once.

Soon, a topic with 'Charlotte' in the name exploded on Trending Topics again.

Shocking!

Ethan spends a fortune on a welcome-home party for Bella!

Heartbroken Charlotte gets drunk and hires male models!

Former movie star Charlotte 'splurges a billion,' parties with multiple men all night!

The comments section went crazy, with all sorts of opinions—

"Has Charlotte become so shameless that she's using scandals to get attention now?"

"Look at the leaked photos, Charlotte is surrounded by men. Isn't she afraid of catching a disease playing around like that?"

"How can a gold digger like her be the sister of the pure and classy composer Bella? Having a sister like Charlotte is just so unlucky!"

"You slut, going after your brother-in-law!

Go to hell!"

...

The internet was a bloodbath, but Charlotte didn't check her phone once.

She just drank, one glass after another.

The next morning.

Charlotte was woken up by a frantic phone call.

The hangover gave her a splitting headache. She fumbled for her phone, and as soon as she answered, she was met with Eleanor Evans's furious insults. "You ungrateful daughter!

You've shamelessly spread this all over the internet!"

"I didn't..."

But her mother didn't give Charlotte a chance to speak. "Because of your own shameless behavior, everyone now knows Bella has a scum like you for a sister. How are the Hayes family elders supposed to treat your sister now?"

"Get out of that filthy place and come back to the Hayes family's house right now!

If you don't fix your image, I'll void your cards!

I'll leave you penniless and you will sleep on the streets!"

After yelling, Eleanor hung up.

But those sharp, cruel words were seared into Charlotte's heart, one by one.

Charlotte rubbed her throbbing temples.

She rubbed her throbbing temples and comforted herself, "Charlotte, don't mind it. You're going to leave this world soon anyway..."

Still, Charlotte went back.

Her bank cards were all under Eleanor's name. She had to go back to get her ID and transfer the cards to her own name.

With only 9 days left, she wanted to use the breakup money to live her final days well.

...

An hour later, Charlotte returned to the home she had shared with Ethan for five years.

The living room was empty and quiet. Charlotte thought Ethan and Leo weren't home.

But after going upstairs, she heard suggestive moans from outside the master bedroom.

A sharp pain pierced her heart. Charlotte's hand trembled as she reached for the doorknob, about to push the door open—

when a small figure shot out like a cannonball and slammed into her, pushing her away!

"Bad mommy!

You can't go in! Daddy said he and Aunt Bella are making me a new baby sister, and you're not allowed to bother them."

Charlotte silently met her son's hateful gaze.

Seeing him spread his arms, blocking her like a righteous protector, Charlotte had never felt so sad. She was such a failure as a person.

In the end, she said nothing and turned to leave.

When you're sad, you have to find a way to be happy.

Charlotte went straight to the bank, withdrew all the remaining money from her card, and then called Club Azure, ordering their seven newest and most handsome men.

"Today, your job is to make me happy. As long as you can make me happy, wherever you want to go, whatever you want, I'll get it for you!"

And so—

They got into a limited-edition sports car, went to the best restaurants, raced on the most dangerous tracks, and bought gifts at the most expensive luxury stores...

They did everything people online said would make you happy.

Finally, Charlotte was tired of playing. She parked the car on the beach and fell asleep inside.

It wasn't until ten the next morning that she was woken up by a call from her son's teacher.

"Hello, are you Leo's mother?

It's already ten o'clock, why haven't you brought him to school yet?

Is he taking another day off today?"

Charlotte said directly, "Sorry, Leo's father and I are divorced. From now on, if there's anything, please contact Leo's father directly."

After saying that, she hung up.

Since Leo was born, Charlotte had handled everything related to his school.

Before Bella showed up, Leo had always been a well-behaved, top-student at school.

After Bella came back three months ago, her son hit someone at school for the first time, and even injured them. She tried to discipline him.

But her son said, "All you ever do is tell me to apologize and admit I'm wrong!

Why should I?"

"Aunt Bella said kids should let out their true nature, that people should be a little selfish, and that being happy is the most important thing. I didn't like him, so I hit him!"

"Someone as useless as you doesn't deserve to be my mom!"

She had taught her son to be polite and to know right from wrong.

Bella had only been back for three months and he had already become like this, even lashing out at her with cruel words.

He and his father were just the same.

But she was leaving anyway. From now on, she'd let Ethan clean up the messes.

As for what kind of person her son grew up to be, it was no longer her business.

But a few seconds after hanging up, Charlotte immediately got a call from Ethan.

"Charlotte, what kind of mother are you?

Did you know our son is at home with a high fever and won't wake up?

Even Bella is more concerned than you. Her eyes are red from blaming herself, and she's been at the hospital taking care of our son."

"Even if we're divorced, you shouldn't take your anger out on the child."

Charlotte was made to feel worthless.

Three months ago, the first time Ethan compared her to Bella, she was so sad she cried her pillow wet, but the next day she still made breakfast for him and their son with a smile.

But now, whether it was because the pain had numbed her or she just didn't care anymore, Charlotte's heart was completely calm.

She just said, "Weren't you and Bella with our son yesterday?

I didn't come home, so what were you two doing?"

Ethan was at a loss for words, then said in a low voice, "You know I'm busy with the company. Bella has been at the hospital with our son all morning. This should have been your job."

"I have other things to do. Get to the hospital right now."

Before Charlotte could answer, Ethan hung up.

Charlotte didn't rush to worry about Leo's health like she always had, and she didn't plan on going to the hospital either.

Her head was pounding from a hangover, and she planned to go back to the VIP suite at Club Azure to rest a bit more.

But as soon as she reached the entrance of Club Azure, she was blocked by a swarm of reporters—

"Charlotte, you've neglected your son since the divorce, and now he's sick in the hospital. Do you even deserve to be a mother?"

"We heard you used your resemblance to your sister to steal her husband. You're both daughters of the Evans family, but they never acknowledged you. Did they know all along how vicious and shameless you are?"

"Your sister is at the hospital taking care of your son for you right now. Don't you feel ashamed?"

What a buzzkill.

Charlotte looked straight into one of the cameras, flashed a casual smile amidst the sea of microphones, and asked, "Did Bella send you?"

The reporters fell silent, looking guilty.

She wasn't an idiot. All their questions were designed to tear her down while praising Bella... Fine, then she'd give Bella something to worry about.

Then she dropped a bombshell—

"You're right, I'm no match for Bella. She went to study abroad to get out of her own marriage, letting her little sister take her place, only to come back and try to steal that sister's husband and child."

Her words sent the crowd of reporters into an uproar.

But Charlotte ignored them, heading straight for the elevator to go back to her VIP suite on the 99th floor.

Unexpectedly, as soon as she stepped out of the elevator, she ran right into Ethan.

Ethan strode forward and grabbed her wrist. "Charlotte, who gave you permission to run your mouth like that?"

"Do you know how the online gossip will demage Bella?"

Charlotte was about to say something, but she felt a metallic sweetness in her throat, and the next second, she coughed up a mouthful of blood!

In the hallway, the snow-white carpet was stained red with blood.

Charlotte, in her red dress, lay in a pool of blood, like a dried rose drained of its life, exquisite and broken.

“Charlotte?”

Ethan's pupils contracted. He clumsily pulled her into his arms, his voice filled with a panic he didn't even realize was there.

“Charlotte!”

Charlotte felt dizzy.

She opened her eyes and met Ethan's panicked gaze. “What's with all this blood?

Charlotte, what are you trying to do now?”

So he could get flustered over me after all?

Charlotte struggled out of his arms, stood up, and laughed. “Can't you even tell, Ethan?”

She pointed to the floor. “It's fake. Just ketchup. You're so tense, Ethan. Don't tell me you were worried I was sick?”

As she spoke, she forcefully wiped the 'blood' from the corner of her mouth.

Ethan didn't love her. He was currently trying to get justice for Bella. If he found out she had a terminal illness and was dying, with how much he despised her, he'd probably just say she deserved it.

Sure enough, Ethan's face darkened instantly.

“Charlotte, stop using these tricks to get my attention.

Even if you're jealous of your sister, you shouldn't have publicly slandered Bella.”

“Bella had her reasons for going abroad back then. She's kind-hearted and won't hold this against you. For the sake of our marriage, if you just publicly apologize to Bella, I'll drop the lawsuit and let this go.”

But Charlotte just smiled, her tone casual.

“If you want to sue me, go ahead. A lawsuit or whatever else, I'll take it.”

...

The next day was Charlotte's birthday.

For her last birthday in this world, Charlotte splurged to book out the entire Skyview Restaurant, the highest and most expensive place in the city.

She was throwing herself a beautiful and grand birthday party, as a sort of farewell to herself.

Before the party started, Charlotte ran into Ethan and their son in the restaurant's lobby.

Ethan seemed to be waiting for her specifically and walked straight toward her.

But his first words were, “Charlotte, cancel your birthday party.”

Charlotte froze for a second, then laughed. “I should cancel it just because you say so?”

Charlotte was obedient and compliant before. Ethan wasn't used to her talking to him like this, and his expression darkened slightly.

“I'm going to be clearing up the rumors about Bella here today.”

Charlotte looked completely unfazed, with none of her former meekness.

“What does that have to do with me?”

Just then, Leo, tugged on Ethan's hand and said in German, “Dad, let's go.

If Mom won't listen, she deserves the embarrassment.”

Ethan's expression turned cold as well. He warned Charlotte in a low voice, “Don't regret this.”

Charlotte said no more and turned to leave.

Regret?

The biggest regret of her life was falling in love with Ethan.

At eight in the evening, Charlotte's birthday party began on time.

On the big screen, a rolling slideshow played the birthday wishes everyone had recorded for Charlotte in advance.

Charlotte, with a radiant smile, accepted their toasts one after another, her slightly tipsy face flushed red. “Thank you all for your wishes. I'm very happy today.”

As the words faded, the large screen switched to a live stream, Eleanor's parents' faces appeared—

"Charlotte deliberately slandered her own sister. Her behavior is despicable, and from now on, we will sever our ties with her!"

The next moment, Ethan and Leo's faces appeared on the screen.

"My mother, Charlotte, abandoned me when I was sick to go fool around with male models. I decide to sever my ties with her!"

"Charlotte and I are divorced. She maliciously slandered my fiancée, Bella. From now on, Charlotte is banned from all Hayes Group properties. I expect her to leave Skyview Restaurant immediately."

Skyview Restaurant happened to be a property of the Hayes Group.

The lively birthday party fell silent in an instant. In the vast hall, there was only the identical, cold expressions of Ethan and Leo on the screen.

The live broadcast screen was quickly switched off, but Charlotte's birthday party couldn't go on.

Charlotte was also escorted out of Skyview Restaurant by Guards.

Her last birthday in this world ended in regret after all.

...

Ever since the birthday party ended, Charlotte had become a public joke, with endless insults directed at her online.

They photoshopped her into funeral portraits and spread slut-shaming rumors about her.

Charlotte was about to leave anyway, so she turned off her phone and paid them no mind.

She shut herself in, holed up in the 99th-floor VIP suite of Club Azure.

In reality, her health was getting worse and worse.

She had no strength and often coughed up blood.

In a daze, she thought she saw Ethan's familiar figure again.

He was holding a bowl of medicine, just like when they were newly married, looking at her gently, staying by her bedside to take care of her. "You're awake. Drink the medicine while it's hot."

"You're here..."

Charlotte reached out her hand instinctively.

"Bang! Bang!"

A knock on the door sounded at that moment.

The medicine vanished, the man vanished.

Charlotte snapped back to reality, laughed at herself, and struggled out of bed to open the door. She thought it was room service, but when she opened it—

The face that appeared behind the door was actually Ethan's.

Confused, Charlotte watched as Ethan frowned, his expression unnatural. "Breaking up with you on the live broadcast was for your own good. Otherwise, your parents would sue you. Actually, if you just apologize to Bella and admit you slandered her, I..."

Charlotte was very weak now, her legs trembling even just from standing. She really didn't want to keep listening to Ethan defend Bella.

She raised her hand to slam the door shut, but Ethan blocked it with his hand and pulled a wedding invitation from his pocket.

"Bella said that no matter what you did to her before, you're still her sister. In four days, she hopes you can come to our wedding and clear up this misunderstanding."

What a misunderstanding.

Charlotte suppressed the bitterness welling up inside her and took the wedding invitation with a blank expression. "Don't worry, I know you're crazy about Bella. I'll wish you a happy wedding."

By the day of their wedding, she would be long gone.

Ethan was stunned for a moment, seemingly not expecting Charlotte to be so agreeable. A strange feeling washed over him.

He opened his mouth, about to say more, but Charlotte slammed the door shut with a 'bang'.

As soon as she was back in the room, Charlotte coughed up two mouthfuls of blood.

Countdown: 3 days.

Charlotte wiped the blood from her lips, looked up at the window, and saw the tallest billboard in the city, which was prominently displaying Ethan and Bella's wedding photos.

A perfect match.

...

For her last three days, Charlotte wanted to live them with a smile.

Night fell.

Fighting her weakness, she put on makeup to look healthier, called for some hired companions, and even hired dozens of bodyguards before heading to the liveliest Club in the city.

It was her last three days; she didn't want to be disturbed by anyone anymore.

However, when Charlotte arrived at the club's entrance with her entourage, she once again ran into Ethan and Leo.

Both of them walked toward her with grim faces, and the coldness radiating from Ethan made people back away.

"Charlotte, if I hadn't paid off the reporters, do you know you would have been on the Trending Topics again today?"

"Your sister and I are getting married in four days. No matter how unhappy you are, you shouldn't come to a place like this and degrade yourself."

Leo said disapprovingly, his small face stern, "Mom, do you really have to steal Aunt Bella's spotlight?"

Charlotte looked at Ethan and Leo, her eyes filling with mockery.

Degrade myself?

She was just trying to make herself happy.

She gave them a brilliant smile. "You two are reading too much into this. I'm just here to have fun, it has nothing to do with you."

"And while I'm at it, I wish Ethan and my sister a happy wedding."

"And congratulations to Leo for getting the mom he's always wanted."

Charlotte said what she had to say and left with her entourage.

She could feel a burning gaze on her back, but she didn't care anymore.

In just three days, she would leave this world for good.

She had worked tirelessly for Ethan for five years. He only had to endure it for three days. He deserved it.

……

Charlotte partied at the club until midnight. After returning to her suite, she happened to pick up Ethan's 88th call.

She swiped to answer. "Ethan, isn't your company very busy? How did you have time to call me 88 times today? What's wrong? Is Hayes Group going bankrupt?"

"Charlotte!"

Over the phone, Ethan's voice was cold. "Get your ass back here now and take the trash you left in the bedroom with you!"

Charlotte paused for a moment, then said casually, "If it's trash, then just throw it away."

There was a choke on the other end of the line. Ethan didn't seem to expect that answer, his tone unable to hide his surprise. "Didn't you put all the gifts I gave you in the bedroom safe? You're willing to just abandon them?"

Charlotte gripped her phone tightly.

See, Ethan actually knew how much she used to love him, yet he shamelessly trampled on her love to praise Bella.

She had clearly blocked out the pain, but her heart still stung for a moment.

She clutched her chest and laughed at herself. "As long as you are heartless, there's nothing in this world you can't let go of."

With that, she hung up the phone.

And Ethan, as if he'd lost his mind, started calling again, one after another.

But Charlotte no longer had the strength to answer. She passed out amidst the incessant ringing of the phone.

……

When Charlotte woke up again, she only had 12 hours left.

It turned out she had been unconscious for several days.

She was about to leave this cold, loveless world.

Charlotte took all her documents and went to an Authority.

"Hello, I'm here to decare me dead."

The staff member gave her a strange look. Charlotte smiled and explained, "I have a terminal illness and I'm going to die soon. My family has also cut ties with me. I'm afraid no one will handle my affairs after I die, so I declare me dead ahead of time."

The staff member checked the hospital certificate Charlotte provided and completed the procedure for her.

An hour later, Charlotte walked back, feeling a sense of relief.

But when she got back and checked her phone, she found she was on the Trending Topics again—

Charlotte at an authority to decare her dead?

Charlotte terminal illness

Charlotte's Twitter comments section was once again flooded—

"Declaring yourself dead? I don't believe you'd actually dare to die. You're just trying to cause trouble right before your sister's wedding. Are you that pathetic?"

"From morning to night, you're either going crazy or faking your death. Just seeing your name makes me want to puke. Even the sewers don't stink as bad as you!"

"A vicious, despicable piece of trash like you, someone even your own parents were desperate to cut ties with, your death would be a cause for worldwide celebration!"

……

Each comment was more vicious than the last, and they were all unique.

Charlotte sighed silently. Notifying the authorities before she died wasn't hurting anyone. These people were so unreasonable.

Messages kept popping up. Charlotte was getting tired of seeing them and was about to turn off her phone to get some peace, when Ethan's ID suddenly took over her notification bar—

"Charlotte, why did you go decare you dead? Are you crazy?"