LOGINI decide to get onboard with the latest trend by custom-ordering a merfolk meant to serve me from AquaGene Corp. On the day Lance arrives at the company, the engineer tells me, "It's highly recommended that you be there in person, Ms. Ross. That way, you'll be able to form the initial bond with him." So, I spend one day standing before the eco-tank. As soon as Lance opens his eyes, he doesn't show any signs of wanting to get close to me. Instead, he merely scrutinizes me coldly before turning his back on me. I comfort myself, thinking that Lance is just shy. But one week later, I realize how wrong I truly am. I pay money because I want to buy a partner who can keep me company forever. Turns out I buy myself the biggest trouble of the century instead.
View More"She's the woman I love. From now on, she'll be living in this house with me."
"WHAT did you say?!" Alice's voice cracked as if struck by a storm. She had prepared her most beautiful smile to welcome her husband, Morgan, home from work. Today was their fourth wedding anniversary, a celebration that should have been filled with happiness. However, as Alice opened the door, her intention to greet her husband was shattered into pieces. Morgan had not come alone; he was holding a woman's hand intimately and saying something that deeply hurt her heart. "Was what I said unclear, Alice?" Morgan smiled sarcastically, as if he had no conscience. "Are you joking?" Alice asked in disbelief. Her hand, which was holding a cake, trembled violently, nearly dropping it. "Do you think I am?!" Morgan swatted the cake away, causing it to fall and break on the floor. Alice's eyes widened at her husband's treatment. Her heart was as shattered as the cake she had made with all her sincere love. "So, who exactly is this woman, my husband?" Alice asked again, holding back the pain that pierced her heart. "She's Fiona, the woman I love!" Morgan answered coldly. "And what about me?!" Alice shook her head, tears welling up. "I'm your wife, Morgan! You haven't forgotten, have you? We're not divorced yet, so why are you bringing another woman into our home?" Alice's heart ached as if it had been sliced by a very sharp knife. "Don't ask too many questions. I have something important to discuss with you," Morgan said dismissively. Alice looked at Morgan, occasionally glancing at Fiona. She desperately held back her pain, trying not to let her tears fall. "Are you sure you can divorce her easily? She's loved you so much all this time?" Fiona asked Morgan, deliberately saying it so that the woman near her would know her place. Alice just froze, the words piercing her chest. "I'll divorce her, and she'll agree to this divorce because all she needs is money, not me. She was just a substitute wife for me," Morgan took Fiona's hand as if Alice had never existed. "Morgan, you're too cruel," Alice whispered to herself, watching the painful scene of her husband being intimate with another woman. "Morgan, you're—" Yes, all this time Morgan had only made Alice a substitute wife. And now, the woman he loved had returned. Alice's role as a wife was over. "Alice, our marriage is enough after four years. From now on, we'll separate," Morgan stated, without a hint of mercy. "Don't you have any feelings at all, Morgan? You're divorcing me on our wedding anniversary?" Alice gave a bitter smile, even though her heart was bleeding. Morgan opened his work bag and pulled out a document. "We're getting a divorce, just sign this paper. Besides, I've never loved you," Morgan said while opening the divorce papers. "I don't want a divorce! I love you! Please, Morgan, don't do this!" Alice pleaded, her tears overflowing, hoping Morgan would soften. "But Morgan doesn't love you! Wake up, Alice!" Fiona said, a mocking smile on her face, enjoying Alice's suffering. "Morgan, what's my fault? I've been a loyal wife and have always obeyed you! Is it because that cheap woman has seduced you, huh?!" Alice pointed at Fiona, her anger at its peak. "Don't you dare accuse Fiona! Our marriage was just a mistake in the past, so what's wrong with us divorcing now? And remember, Fiona didn't seduce me at all!" No wonder Morgan's attitude had changed recently. It turned out there was a third person who had ruined everything. "Fiona is my lover; I love her. Don't pretend to be sad. I'll give you plenty of compensation if you agree to divorce me now." Morgan truly didn't care about Alice's feelings, even though she was crying in front of him. "Fiona, please don't steal my husband. Don't be the third person in my marriage with Morgan," Alice approached, pulling Fiona's hand desperately. "What do you want? Morgan and I have loved each other long before you married him. Why are you so shameless? You're the third person, not me," Fiona replied arrogantly. "Let go of her hand! Hurry up and sign these divorce papers! Take this! Don't you ever make things difficult for Fiona!" Morgan slapped Alice because he didn't like Alice saying Fiona was the third person between them. "It hurts, Morgan! Why are you so cruel to me? What did I do wrong?" But Morgan just ignored Alice, as if his slap meant nothing. "Fiona, your hand got hurt when my assistant bumped into you at the company. Does it still hurt? This woman even pulled your hand so roughly?" Morgan was so worried that Fiona would get hurt, even though he had just slapped Alice hard. Alice grabbed Morgan's hand, forcing him to look her in the eyes. "Morgan, I don't want a divorce. I'm sure you're just mad at me. I know you love me." After saying that, Alice ran to her room upstairs, wiping away her tears. Alice entered the room, then sat on her bed. 'We've been married for four years. I thought you had come to love me. They said before that you fell in love at first sight and you were the one who helped me when my parents kicked me out of the house? Morgan, what did I do wrong? Please tell me! Why do you love that woman?' Alice cried alone in her bedroom. When Alice was crying, Morgan came into the room. The sound of his footsteps made Alice look at him. "Are you happy, Morgan? Is this what you wanted? Why have you been hurting me so much lately?" "Alice, get out of this room. This room will be occupied by Fiona and me. Take your things and move to another room." "I can't! We're not divorced yet. You're kicking me out of our room just for that woman? Look, my cheek hurts, Morgan! You used to always care about me when I was sick. Why are you defending another woman and even slapping me now?" "Get out of this room, don't ask too many questions. Go and get the divorce papers from the living room table. From this moment on, and forever, you are no longer my wife." "Let go of me! Don't be so rough." "Just get out of here!" Morgan pulled Alice's hand, dragging her out of the room. "Morgan, please don't sleep with Fiona! Don't divorce me! I love you so much and I'll do anything, but just not this!" When Alice was kicked out, Fiona was in front of the room. She saw Alice crying while knocking on the door. "You should have just known your place. Get out of Morgan's life so he can be happy with me.""No… That's not true. This money is mine," Vivian stammered.But the evidence on the screen was solid.The chat exploded."No way! I almost got fooled by this fake bitch! She actually had the audacity to lure a merman just to ride the wave of hype and exchange him for money?""I knew she was up to no good. Now that she's exposed, she still won't admit it!""How shameless! This move is next-level shady!"Vivian screamed and struggled as security dragged her off the stage.Unable to secure a merfolk and trapped in a predatory contract with mountains of debt, her future was bleak.I rose from my seat and stepped into the focus of the holographic cameras."Based on 30 days of observation data and my personal decision," I said clearly, "the merman I choose to keep is…"I paused for a moment.Lance closed his eyes."Sylas."Applause broke out. Sylas' viewing tank lit up brightly, and a warm smile spread across his face.Lance's tank darkened. He slowly sank, curling up in the c
The room erupted in shock. In an instant, every camera lens pivoted, locking onto me and Vivian.The chat blew up, messages flying by faster and faster."Can't believe Vivian actually has the money! She really wants to take Lance away!""What a surprise! I thought she wouldn't come, but she actually showed up to buy Lance!""Lance should be happy. He doesn't need to get returned now."Countless gazes fixed on me—some shocked, some curious, others eager for the drama to unfold.Lance froze in the water. His eyes were full of complicated emotions.Suddenly, he swam to the very edge of the tank. His voice, amplified by the communication system, echoed through the entire hall. "Please be quiet."Those three words dripped with the deathly chill of the deep sea.Vivian froze, her face going pale."I want to talk to my master," Lance said without even glancing at her. "Please do not disturb."His voice was rough as he called me. ""Master… I haven't forgotten how you came every day
The third week of the observation period had arrived.AquaGene Corp scheduled a merfolk comprehensive ability evaluation.The final test was a crisis simulation to assess the merfolk's emergency response and their protective instincts toward their master.As the simulation began, the lights went out and the water currents grew chaotic.According to the plan, the merfolk were supposed to immediately seek a safe zone and alert the master.Sylas did exactly that. He quickly swam to the safe zone and triggered the emergency communication.But Lance hesitated for a second, then suddenly changed direction and charged toward the safe zone where Sylas was.Not to join him but to collide.With all his might, Lance slammed sideways into Sylas. The unexpected impact threw Sylas off balance and into the more turbulent water.Meanwhile, Lance slid into the safe spot that was supposed to be Sylas'.The whole scene played out in less than three seconds, but the livestream camera caught ever
It was the second week of the observation period, and the score gap was huge.Sylas had 87 points, while Lance's score was negative five.Lance finally realized how serious this was. He began to change. Gone was his arrogance and coldness.Whenever I appeared, he would swim toward me and cooperate with every check. He even started trying to mimic Sylas' behaviors.When I fed them, he awkwardly swam near, his gaze filled with cautious hope.But I ignored him. Like before, my gaze and food were reserved only for Sylas, who took the food willingly.Watching this, Lance finally broke. He opened his mouth, assuming a posture that was nothing short of a desperate plea.My hand, holding the plate, paused for a fleeting second. Then, I tilted the empty plate toward him before leaving.Lance froze there for a moment before slipping back into the shadows of the reef, not coming out for a long time.He even started to sing.Lance's voice was completely different from Sylas'. The latter'






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