Chapter 11: The Fall

Xie Yao vanished. Shen Zhaoyue exposed Yaoyue Tech's tax evasion and bribery, landing him in jail. She'd wanted a clean break, but he'd trapped her with a non-compete clause, forcing her to stay or starve. Yaoyue Tech, like my mother's company in our last life, was never hers, despite the name.

My wedding to Qi Wensheng was grand. My mother asked if I loved him. I didn't know. I'd loved Xie Yao, but his betrayal made me cautious. I chose Qi Wensheng because he was right for now. Love could come, or not. I wasn't afraid of endings anymore.

Chapter 12: Epilogue

Five years into our marriage, Qi Wensheng and I parted ways. His charm and lack of ambition were issues, but the real dealbreaker was his push for kids, for me to pause my career. His family's pressure—his brother's growing brood—sealed it. When he asked if I felt nothing for him, I admitted I did, but not enough. Xie Yao's lies had changed me. I loved myself, my mother, my work, guarding my heart fiercely.

Maybe that was good. Maybe not. Qi Wensheng would move on, as would I. Life was long, and I'd keep walking forward. That's just how it goes.

The End.