All Chapters of No More Living in Her Shadow: Chapter 1 - Chapter 8

8 Chapters

Chapter 1

The smoke from the burning candles in front of my grandmother’s grave stung my eyes, turning them red. A bunch of bright flowers lay on the ground. I stared at them mindlessly, my body like an unthinking machine.The doctor’s words echoed in my head, carrying a hint of regret, “You should get hospitalized soon.”I was twenty-two years old, and I had just been diagnosed with stage three lung cancer.My life was supposed to just be starting, but it was already hurtling toward a desperate end. I gripped the diagnosis. There it was—my name, Lynn May, clearly written on it.Henry Shaw gave me that name when I was twelve, after I came to live with him.The other children at the orphanage called me ‘Little Mute’ because I hardly ever said anything.I still remember that boy, who was a head taller than me, leaning down with warmth and kindness in his eyes.“You’re so small. Let’s call you Lynn from now on.”I cherished that name. After all, one only named something if one cared ab

Chapter 2

Shaw Corporation was officially handed over to Henry three years ago, when his father passed away.However, behind the scenes, most of the company’s burdensome work fell on my shoulders.After his father's death, there was an intricate mess of company politics, with subtle shifts of influence beneath the surface.Henry had to maintain the peace. He could not afford to tear things apart, so I became the one wielding the knife.I was insulted both openly and behind my back. The doctor said my condition had worsened because my body was running on empty.Lately, I had been competing with Elan Corporation for a project. We had been at each other’s throats, with both sides taking losses. I clenched my teeth and pushed through the pressure, only to finally earn a chance to negotiate a win-win deal.“Miss May, Madam Briggs is here too. She’d like to withdraw some money from the company’s account...”As soon as I walked into the office, my assistant hurried to brief me.Henry's moth

Chapter 3

Vivian spoke animatedly about what a perfect match Henry and Lynette were.“When our families join forces, there won’t be any place left for you.“By this time next year, I should have a grandchild.“You can just stay home and change my grandson’s diapers or something.“I can still offer you a meal or two.”Henry and I were supposed to have a child together.If the baby had been born, he would be three years old now.The year Henry’s father passed away, Vivian could do nothing but cry. I had to oversee the funeral while helping Henry deal with the relatives with ulterior motives. The stress caused me to miscarry.We could not let anyone see our weaknesses, so we hid in the hospital room. Our eyes were red.Henry held me in his arms tightly, as though I were his last connection to the world.He wept as though his heart was breaking.“Lynn, I’m so tired…“Lynn, you’re all I have left…”Was it me he really wanted to hold back then? Did he have someone else in mind?Endurin

Chapter 4

This was not my first encounter with hardship. Back when he was still a boy, Henry had no idea how to hide his brilliance, and as a result, he made a few enemies.As the person closest to him, I once found myself cornered in an alley by a group of boys and girls.They carved their cruel words into my skin—’Henry’s lapdog’.Henry had searched everywhere outside the country for scar removal treatments, yet I still bore a few faint white marks over my heart.Without a moment’s hesitation, I slammed the gas pedal and barreled toward the crowd, hoping to break free from their blockade.However, the spikes scattered on the ground punctured my tires.The airbags deployed, disorienting me as the windows shattered.A pair of strong hands, accompanied by mocking laughter, yanked the door open and pulled me out.“Hey, chick! Are you so scared you’re about to wet yourself?”“Go ahead and pee! We’ll get you some new pants!”Their filthy words echoed in my ears, and the flashing lights in

Chapter 5

My resignation was nothing more than a petty act of defiance to Henry.He quickly notified the HR and finance departments to fire me, ensuring I received the statutory severance pay.I accepted the money. After all, my hospital bills were mounting.Henry also had the butler contact me, asking where to send my belongings.“Miss Monroe is getting a new pet.” “Mr. Henry instructed that your old room be converted into a pet space.”I replied, “Just throw everything away. I won’t need it anymore.”The doctor told me to stay optimistic. I had about six months left.I glanced over at Leon, feeling a little helpless.I was utterly alone during my hospitalization. Only this former ‘rival’ had come to visit me.He still insisted I should join his company.“You’ve seen it for yourself. I only have six months left. If I die at your company, you’ll be liable for damages.”Even as I said it, doubt crept in. I had no family left, so who would even seek compensation on my behalf?“Well,

Chapter 6

After moving out of the Shaw Residence, I temporarily settled in an apartment across from Leon’s place.He had a grand villa in the suburbs, but this unit in the city was more convenient for people like him who worked late hours, especially since it was just opposite the company.To make sure he had peace and quiet, he bought both the upper and lower floors, taking up two entire units on the same level.That evening, Vivian called me.“Lynn, where have you been hiding out?!“Henry is getting engaged. I’ll send you the venue details and a list of things we need. You’d better get on it!“The Monroe family is prestigious, and we can’t afford any mistakes…”I interrupted her. “Madam Briggs, I’ve resigned.”She paused for a moment, then let out a cold laugh.“Even if you’ve resigned, you’re still just a servant the Shaw family raised!“Being able to relieve your master’s burden is a privilege for you.”I recalled what Leon had said earlier that day.“They think I’ll stop at noth

Chapter 7

“Don't worry… I'll be gone soon…“I just... don't want to be haunted by Henry even after I'm dead.“Help me... please…“When we meet in heaven, I’ll treat you to a meal…”As Leon heard the struggle in my voice, his eyes grew red.“Okay.“But you have to wait for me if you’re leaving.“Wait for me at the gates of Heaven.“I'm... a little afraid of the dark.”I spent a week in the hospital, and as soon as I could get out of bed, the first thing I did was go with Leon to get our marriage certificate.Somehow, Henry found out about it and blocked the door, refusing to let me leave.He even manipulated Lynette, forcing her to apologize to me and bow with the urn of her cat’s ashes in hand.Vivian rushed over and furiously smacked her precious son, accusing me of being a femme fatale who had bewitched him.Henry shoved her aside, then dropped to his knees.His bloodshot eyes brimmed with sincerity.“Lynn, how can you marry someone else?“We're meant for each other!”I turned

Chapter 8

The road was shrouded in darkness. Leon stumbled along, his footsteps quickening with urgency.His biological mother had been driven out of the Pierce family by Madam Pierce when he was just a child.His older brother treated him like a pet. He would play with him when he felt like it and kick him when he did not.Their father despised this unwanted presence that disrupted the harmony of the family. Whenever he was the slightest bit displeased, he would beat Leon until his skin was raw, tossing him into the basement.It was pitch black with no light to break the endless darkness, and he had no food or water.He could not feel time passing, and all of his senses felt magnified.The silence became so profound that he could hear his own fragile nerves snapping, one by one.Desperate, he pounded on the door, crying out for mercy.No one answered.Slowly, he learned to be quiet.He learned to live quietly, grow up quietly, and turn the world upside down quietly.Later, as s

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