LOGIN"No," Valerie corrected, her voice cold and precise. "My father never married her. My mother told me she was just the janitor. She bewitched him."A dark suspicion clouded Brian's features. "Are you sure she had no hand in your mother’s death?"She sat up straight, her posture rigid with conviction. "She did. I'm sure of it.""You have my full support, then. Whatever you need. What do you want to do?""I'm going to pull that house down. Stone by stone. It's old, it's rotten, and it's filled with nothing but pain."A slow, understanding smile spread across Brian's face. "Huh," he exhaled, a sound of grim contentment. "When?""Today. That's the real reason I wanted my brother to come.""Does your father know?""No. He would stop us."Without another word, Brian fastened his seatbelt. A mirroring click sounded from Valerie's side. "I like that plan," he said, the engine roaring to life. "Let's go."He put the car in drive and called Leonard, his tone brisk and purposeful. "Meet us at hom
Brian’s heart shattered at the sound. He pulled her tightly against his chest, his voice a soft, protective plea against her hair. "Don't. Don't be hard on yourself, my love. We have each other now. That's all that matters.""China? Beijing?" Her father's question was a blade, sharpened by disbelief and dawning horror. The geography of their separation was so vast, it made the lie they had lived under feel infinitely more terrible. The story was finally unraveling, and the first thread had been pulled. "Yes, Dad," she began, the words feeling like shards of glass in her throat. "I was desperate to get a job to save you and Mom from dying. Then, Jane," she paused, The memories, long suppressed, began to flood her, their weight crushing the air from her lungs. Her voice grew thin, strained, killing intent filling her mind at the remembrance of the name. "She offered to help ... But it was a lie. It was all a lie. She meant evil ..."A heavy silence fell as Valerie’s story concluded. Wh
Beijing - The Sanctuary of Destined GirlsThe air in Mrs. Zhang's office seemed to sparkle, charged with a rare and personal victory. The moment Valerie's invitation had arrived, she had immediately summoned Mrs. Parker, who now stood before her, radiating a similar, profound happiness."You sent for me, Mrs. Zhang," she announced, her eyes bright with curiosity."Yes," Mrs. Zhang replied, her voice thick with emotion as she gestured to a chair. "Please, sit.""Thank you," Mrs. Parker said, settling into the seat while studying her boss' unusually emotional face."We won," Mrs. Zhang declared, the simple words laden with years of struggle and hope. Her composure cracked slightly, her eyes glistening. "One of our girls … one of our precious girls has fully reclaimed her life. She's not just surviving; she's building a future." Mrs. Parker was taken aback by the raw display of feeling. She leaned forward, her voice a hushed, anxious whisper. "Which one? Who are we talking about?""Vale
Monday - Brian's Apartment With Mr. Borodin's family appearance on the television on Saturday, the urge to have a beautiful family and a legalized marriage overwhelmed Brian. While watching the program, he told himself, 'It takes a woman who truly loves a woman to forgive.' Unknown to him, the despicable Jane He looked at Valerie, who was watching by his side, and she smiled weakly. Knowing what was in his mind, he smiled, pulled her closer, and kissed her forehead. "I love you, my wife," he whispered. Instead of responding, she shoved his hand aside in protest. He laughed aloud and she was affected. Her laughter was genuine, void of malice. "We will go to the registry on Monday ..."She was happy to hear that and interjected. "To get married?" She asked anxiously. "No," he said and her face darkened. "To make our intentions known. The wedding will come after a week."She saw her folly and laughed aloud as well. "How can anyone marry so suddenly?"Getting her question, he answe
Mr. Borodin kissed the baby’s forehead, the gesture a casual, effortless display of the joy Jane could not give him. "At first, they are loyal and exciting," he went on, his tone turning clinical. "But with time, they start comparing themselves to your wife, even trying to take her place.""Too bad," the host chimed in, nodding sympathetically."Exactly. They demand the same handbags, the same vacations as your lovely wife. They spin lies effortlessly and see you as little more than a financial safety net. That ugly woman you once found special becomes … entitled. Rude.""That's powerful advice for the men out there," the host said, beaming at the perfect couple."Yes," Clara affirmed, her voice serene."And what do you have to say, beautiful Mrs. Borodin?" the host asked.'Beautiful Mrs. Borodin', the title Jane had clawed for, the identity she had coveted, was bestowed upon this other woman with such casual grace. A fresh wave of nausea twisted Jane’s stomach, hot and sour. She was
"She would have run after her mother," another neighbor interjected. "Very good girl."The words hit Jane not like a slap, but like a shove, pushing her deeper into the spotlight of their scorn. She kept her eyes on the road, but she could feel their stares, hot and heavy on the back of her neck."A failed wedding and now this? The apple doesn't fall far from the tree," a man's voice chimed in, laced with cruel satisfaction.Another woman, emboldened by the collective judgment, pointedly raised her voice as she addressed her friend, "Some people bring their misfortune upon themselves. You can't break a home and expect God's blessing on your daughter."Jane’s composure, a fragile vase she had been clutching internally, began to crack. The whispers were no longer just background noise, they were distinct, sharpened stones being hurled at her. "Maybe now they'll leave this neighborhood in peace," the first neighbor said, finally answering the initial question with a definitive, callous







