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Casting off the Deadweight

Casting off the Deadweight

Short Story · Emotional Realism
By:  InsinuationCompleted
Language: English
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18Chapters
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Synopsis

Tragic Love

Remorse Family

Biological Family

True and Fake Heiress

Bias

On the first day Thea Storme is accepted back to her wealthy family, she signs a betting contract with the fake heiress, Clara Storme. The contract states that if Clara is able to steal from Thea nine times in a row, Thea will have to leave the Storme family on her own. Thea agrees to the bet. On the ninth time, Clara has her eye on Thea's boyfriend, who's a low-income student. She gives him two million dollars and demands that he marry into her family as a live-in son-in-law. "You want me to marry into your family? Sure." Thea raises her head in disbelief. Leonard Falkner taps a finger on the bank card. The moment he meets Thea's gaze of despair, he flashes her a comforting smile. "But I will marry into your family as Thea's husband. I might be poor, but I still have my pride. Except for the woman I love most, I won't lower my head for anyone in this world." That day, Clara cries as she runs out of the house. She even agrees to marry into the Larkin family out of spite. Leonard remains unmoved. He just watches Clara making a fool of herself coldly. But that night, Thea overhears something…

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18 Chapters
Chapter 1
That night, Thea Storme held the ring she had just finished making.By chance, she overheard the helpers addressing her poor boyfriend, Leonard Falkner, respectfully."Mr. Falkner, are you really going to just stand there and watch Ms. Clara become a widow? Mr. Larkin Senior used to be a military commander. He isn't someone we can cross. Once Ms. Clara marries his grandson, it'll be too late!"The gentle look Leonard always wore was gone. What replaced it was a coldness Thea had never seen."I underestimated Clara. I thought marrying her sister would force her to give in. Didn't expect the little thing to have such a temper."Let's do this. The wedding goes on as planned. But before the ceremony, tie Thea up and hand her over to the Larkin family.""This whole thing and my identity stay secret. I'm going to use this chance to smooth out Clara's rough edges."In that instant, Thea felt like she had fallen into an icy abyss. The ring slipped from her fingers and shattered against
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Chapter 2
"System, I don't want to win over Leonard anymore," Thea called out to the system in her mind while wiping her tears.The usual instant mechanical voice hesitated this time."Thea, unbinding will return him to who he was, and you'll also suffer heavy damage.""That's fine." Thea's tone was firm. "As long as I'm breathing, I'm willing to pay any price to leave Leonard.""Thea, wait. Let me think of a way," the system said.The first time Thea met Leonard, both were at their lowest points.After being brought back to the Storme family, she had a brief stretch of better days.Her parents felt guilty that she had been kidnapped by a nanny and ended up in an orphanage. Even if they didn't love her deeply, they tried to make it up to her.But Thea could clearly feel that her whole family favored Clara, the adopted daughter they raised themselves.Clara's room was the biggest and brightest.When she had a mild allergy, Thea wasn't allowed to stay on that floor because Clara said The
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Chapter 3
The system reported to its superiors about changing Thea's target.The weight in Thea's chest finally lifted a little.Upon returning home, she was met by Clara, who was running out with red-rimmed eyes.She shoved Thea aside violently. "Out of my way."Thea's back slammed against the edge of a table. Luckily, Leonard caught her quickly.His face darkened as he reached out to block Clara's path. "Apologize."Clara stared in disbelief. "Who does she think she is? Why should I apologize to her? Leonard, don't go too far."Leonard lifted Thea's shirt from the back to reveal a terrible bruise. His expression turned even colder as he threatened, "Don't push me to do worse."Clara trembled, and tears slid down her cheeks. She looked just like a scared little rabbit.Thea had always hoped someone in this family would stand behind her and back her up.But now that the moment had come, it felt so ridiculous.Could Leonard really do anything to Clara when he smelled exactly like her b
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Chapter 4
In the silence, Leonard's steady voice cut through. "You can't give it to Ms. Clara."Stunned, Thea turned to look at him.He leaned back against the chair, exuding a presence of nobility that far exceeded his standing. A faint smile tugged at his lips as his sharp gaze locked onto Clara."Thea is the real daughter of the Storme family. Clara was adopted. What right does she have to accept that bracelet?"The dining table fell into a heavy silence as a multitude of gazes converged on Thea, making her squirm with discomfort.She quickly tugged on Leonard's sleeve, whispering, "I don't care about that bracelet. You don't have to do this."He smiled at her, then fixed his gaze on Clara with an intensity that was almost obscene. "Ms. Clara, why don't you beg me? Maybe then I'll ask Thea to drop it."A chill ran down Thea's spine.Leonard wasn't standing up for her. He was using her name to force Clara into submission, without a care for Thea's feelings.Penelope slammed her cane o
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Chapter 5
"Oh my god! 1.5 billion dollars? Who can just transfer that much cash on the spot?"Everyone at the dinner gasped in shock.Rowan wiped the cold sweat off his forehead.He answered a call, said a few words, then switched on the speaker.The voice Thea recognized came through clearly. "Mr. Falkner says he won't let Ms. Clara lose. The Falkner family will cover all of her stakes today."Every word hit everyone like a hammer."The Falkner family? You mean that Falkner family?""Who else could pull out 1.5 billion dollars? Mr. Falkner isn't like Thea's fiance. He's a true big shot!""Thea, you'd better give up. The Falkners don't just have money. They hold grudges. If you cross them, life will get rough."Thea's ears buzzed as she stared at Leonard.He just smiled like it didn't concern him while watching with genuine amusement as Clara's tears dissolved into a smile.He was staring at her as if she were a piece of prey.Thea felt the whole thing was ridiculous.She put down t
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Chapter 6
Leonard sounded a little helpless. "I'm almost home already. I'll go buy ingredients now. Do you want potato or seafood chowder?"Clara's face flushed red from anger at his gentle tone.Thea had sharp eyesight. She clearly saw a figure turn and run off.With her goal achieved, she offered a perfunctory response. "You decide."Leonard's indulgent voice came through. "Alright, my queen. Just wait and eat."…Thea went home first.She had only taken a few sips of the chowder when Leonard called out, "Clara, Thea doesn't have much of an appetite tonight. I made her some chowder. Do you want a bowl?"Clara walked over and suddenly flipped the bowl over.Scalding chowder splashed onto Thea's wrist, leaving an angry red mark."I'm allergic to seafood. What are you trying to do?" Clara snapped.Leonard was smiling, but his eyes were full of provocation. "My darling likes seafood chowder, so I make seafood chowder. What's that to you? Who are you to me? Why should I consider you?"T
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Chapter 7
Leonard started, "Thea, I can explain—"Thea's hand shook violently from the force she'd used. Blood splattered across the back of her hand, but she didn't even notice. She reached out to press the nurse call button."We're done," she said coldly.Clara rushed over and grabbed her hand. "Thea, stop hurting him. I know you're jealous of me. You can't stand seeing anyone be nice to me. But you can't do this to Leonard. Even if he's going to be a live-in son-in-law, he's still your husband. How could you embarrass him like that?"A flicker of excitement flashed through her eyes. She pulled Thea's hand and slapped it against her own cheek. "Slap me instead. If you're angry, take it out on me. Just don't hurt Leonard."Thea could have easily broken free, but as she saw Leonard reaching out to help Clara up, her resolve hardened. She followed Clara's pull and slapped her hard.Clara let out a sharp scream, and her cheek immediately swelled.Leonard's features remained taut, yet instea
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Chapter 8
After Thea was sent to the hospital, she banned Leonard from visiting her.A beautiful woman sat by her bedside. "You must be Thea, right? Don't be afraid. I'm Kate Rogers, Dylan Larkin's mother."Thea was surprised.Kate looked young, but her hair was already streaked with gray. Her eyes were red and swollen, clear signs she'd cried many times.She held Thea's hand gently. "Finding a bride for Dylan to bring him good luck is actually just a show for his grandfather."The old man has grown senile. He couldn't accept Dylan's condition, so he kept praying and asking around, and finally someone suggested bringing in a bride to bring good luck to Dylan."After the wedding, I can help you get abroad. You're still young. Do you want to continue your studies?"Thea shook her head softly and squeezed Kate's hand back. "Don't give up so soon, Mrs. Larkin. Maybe I can help with Dylan's condition."…When she was discharged and returned home, she found the Storme residence's living room
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Chapter 9
The moment Thea stepped into the wedding car, the system notified her that her target had officially shifted from Leonard to Dylan.An emptiness settled in her chest, as if something invisible had been stripped away. She instinctively placed a hand over her chest to steady her breath.Curious, she asked the system, "Will unbinding have a significant impact on Leonard?"Without hesitation, the system replied, "Definitely. Although you've helped heal his body and he won't return to that near-death state, his legs were repaired by the system. Now that he's been kicked out, the healing effect will be gone."If Leonard had truly loved Thea, if they had married like ordinary people, had children, and walked through life hand in hand, her first wish would have been to see his legs fully healed.She had planned this long ago.From the moment the Storme family pushed her away, she decided to be someone who dared to love and hate fiercely—to sacrifice for the one she truly loved.But she
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Chapter 10
Thea's wedding car rolled into the Larkin residence.The sprawling mansion was decorated entirely in white. It looked like a newlyweds' home, but also like a church.As Thea stepped out, the entire Larkin family was waiting at the door. Not a single person was missing.At the front stood a dignified elderly man. He was Dylan's grandfather, Gavin Larkin.When Gavin saw Thea, he bowed deeply to her."Sorry, Thea. It's my selfishness that's caused you all this trouble. I know a marriage might not save Dylan, but I refuse to give up even the slightest hope."But don't worry. If Dylan truly doesn't make it, we won't leave you a widow. We'll treat you like family, like my own granddaughter. I'll make sure you get whatever you ask for."Thea was surprised, and she hurried forward to steady Gavin.Her gaze then shifted to Kate, who looked at her with kindness and warmth. That kind of gaze was something her own parents had never given her.A bitter wave swept through her chest.For ov
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