The Lies We Live

My wife was raped and murdered. In a fit of vengeful rage, I stabbed the assailant seven times in the abdomen, resulting in a ten-year prison sentence. Three years later, I was released early. I tore up the succession contract my billionaire father handed me, choosing instead to become a private chef.

But the address for my first job was none other than the scene of my wifes murder C our marital home. My mind a tangled mess, I finished cooking. The sound of a key turning in the lock echoed from the front door. I looked up, and a figure identical to my wife smiled as she pushed the door open and walked in.

##1

I froze, my heart threatening to pound out of my throat. She was holding a mans hand, smiling blissfully as they approached the kitchen table. I knew that man. He was the defense attorney in my rape-and-retaliation case C Arthur Chen.

Arthur pulled her back before she could sit down at the table, smiling as he took a ring from his suit jacket pocket. She gasped, covering her mouth, her eyes wide. Their friends whistled and cheered from the sidelines. A surge of panic hit me, and I stood up, shouting, You cant marry him!

She turned, looking at me with a confused, unfamiliar gaze. Arthur, seeing me, froze, his face abruptly darkening. Ken Stone? What are you doing here?! His gaze dropped to my greasy, disgusting chefs uniform, and a sneer curled his lips. Oh, so Mr. Stone is out of prison. Youre our chef for today. People around chuckled. Is he the one whose wife was raped, and he murdered the assailant in a rage? Hilarious, he used to be a big shot, everyone on the street would greet him. Now hes cooking for us! Arthur took her right hand, smiling as he knelt. Mr. Stone, Laura Lee isnt your deceased wife. Shes my soon-to-be bride.

Laura stood there, one hand playfully covering Arthurs mouth, the other extended towards him. You dont have to say anything. I do.

My wife loved me desperately. If she were still alive, she would never accept another mans proposal. But Laura looked so much like her, even sounded like her I was caught in endless turmoil, then inadvertently glanced up. On the bare forearm Laura exposed as she rolled up her sleeve, there was a tiny heart-shaped birthmark! My heart lurched! This was my wifes unique birthmark, no one else in the world had it!

I rushed forward, grabbing Lauras hand, pointing to the heart-shaped birthmark on her arm. Have you had this birthmark since birth? Arthur grabbed my shirt, tugged hard, and threw me onto the sofa. He pointed at me, impatiently saying, Ken Stone, finish cooking and get out. Im proposing to my girlfriend. Try disrupting it again, and see what happens.

I stood up, holding Lauras arm tightly. Laura, have you lost your memory? How could you forget me? Let me take you to the hospital, please Laura struggled furiously, her face icy cold. My wife was an only child. I didnt believe there could be two people so identical in the world. I tried to persuade Laura to go to the hospital for a DNA test. Arthur walked up to me, raised his hand, and slapped me, pointing his finger at my nose. Ken Stone, you stinking cook, open your eyes and look! This is *my* house, not yours anymore!

This house used to be my wifes and my marital home. But after her passing, I commissioned a real estate agent to sell it for me, to avoid painful memories. I never expected the buyer to be Arthur, a student I had once funded. Even more, I never expected a woman so similar to my wife to appear in our former marital home. I stood in the center of the living room, covering my stinging face, and scanned my surroundings. All the memories unique to my wife and me had been erased. The furnishings had completely changed. Even the eternal rose, symbolizing my wife and my love, had been removed from the wall cabinet, replaced by an object covered with a red cloth.

I was lost in thought. Laura maybe she truly wasn't my wife. Because my wife had promised me that the day the eternal rose withered, thats when she would stop loving me. But eternal roses dont wither, and my wife would never stop loving me. I turned away in despair. Laura, amidst cheers, had the ring placed on her finger by Arthur, and they kissed. My heart ached unbearably, a burning sensation spreading across my back. Before turning to leave, I looked back longingly. Laura, at that moment, made a gesture in the dining area. My pupils dilated violently

## 2

I was convinced Laura was my wife! I rushed over, gripped the wedding ring on her ring finger, yanked it off, and smashed the broken ring onto the ground. I held Lauras hands tightly, earnestly saying, Laura, listen to me, you really are my wife! When I used to make you this dish, I would often put in tiny slivers of ginger. No one could see them, and no one would pick them out directly. Only my wife knew these little details, and all of this proves that you are my wife!

Laura tried to pull her hands away from mine, but I desperately held on. After several unsuccessful struggles, she angrily raised her hand and slapped me. Get out! I wasnt angry; instead, I laughed. There was nothing more joyful than the resurrection of a deeply loved, departed person! I grabbed Laura and was about to leave when Arthur rushed over again, pulling Laura away. He picked up the ring, holding it in front of my eyes. Ken Stone, I told you, Laura Lee isnt your deceased wife, shes my fiance. Its perfectly normal for her to wear my wedding ring. How dare you smash it?

How much do you want for compensation? I asked. Arthur poked my chest with his index finger. This ring cost three hundred thousand, and its a limited edition, the only one in the country. It took me half a year to secure it. You owe me at least a million! I stood there, taking Lauras hand and walking towards the exit. The money isnt an issue, but I dont have that much on me right now. Ill transfer it to you immediately when I get back. Forget a million, I can afford ten million. Get out of the way, Im taking my wife with me!

Arthur stood and kicked me. Ken Stone, do you really think Im an idiot? Three years ago, when you were a boss, you didnt have ten million in cash. Now that youre an ex-con, you suddenly do? I was kicked into a corner, and the red cloth-covered object above my head swayed precariously. Several burly men with full-sleeve tattoos rose from the sofa, clenched their fists, and surrounded me.

I picked myself up and said earnestly, Arthur, I am truly the son of Lord Stone, the wealthiest man in Capital City. Just let me take Laura for a test first. Afterward, Ill immediately transfer ten million to you. I wasnt lying. The Capital City billionaire truly was my father. This secret was known only to the elite of society. I had a very strained relationship with my father since childhood. I disliked everything he arranged for me. Unable to bear it any longer, I ran away from home when I was young. While in prison, he offered to reduce my ten-year sentence to three if I returned home and took over the business. But after my release, I didnt fulfill my promise to take over, so he froze all my bank accounts.

I stood up, pulling Laura, and turned to leave. Arthur raised his fist and punched me in the face. Do you know what a powerful figure Lord Stone is in Capital City? If he tells you to shut up, you breathe softly! His son is this kind of worthless man? You stinking cook dares to bluff me? Beat him up! They raised their feet and kicked me in the head, repeatedly. Laura was also within the attack range. I desperately shielded her behind me, taking all the kicks with my back.

Ken Stone! My wife doesnt need your protection! Arthur bent down, picked up an iron bar, raised it, and brought it down on my head! I hunched over, preparing to take the blow, but Laura suddenly pushed me away. Arthurs wooden stick slammed into Lauras shin, leaving a bruised, swollen mark. Laura! I panicked. I clenched my fists and unleashed a flurry of punches, smashing into Arthurs nose. The burly men stepped back, all looking at me with fear. I pinned Arthur to the ground. He couldnt break free from my grasp, his nose bleeding profusely, angry and agitated.

Darling! Lauras scream reached my ears. I instinctively turned. A wooden stick came flying towards me! With a *thud*, excruciating pain shot through the top of my head. Warm, sticky blood streamed down my face, and my vision blurred. I stumbled and collapsed by the wall cabinet. Laura anxiously cradled Arthurs face. My heart was filled with immense grief and indignation. She wasnt calling out to me *Crash!* The red cloth-covered object above me fell to the floor in front of me. The red cloth scattered, revealing the true nature of the hidden object.

## 3

It was a photograph. Laura stood in a pool of blood, smiling, with Arthur beside her, kissing her hand. The timestamp in the bottom right corner of the photo was the exact day my wife was raped and murdered. The photos title was Moment of Bliss.

My heart trembled with terror, all the blood in my body freezing. Arthur reached out, sneering as he repeatedly patted my face. Well, well, looks like youve discovered the truth. Laura leaned her head on Arthurs shoulder, giggling as she spoke to my stunned self. Ken Stone, three years have passed, and youre still so foolish. Laura, you didnt lose your memory The people around burst into laughter, pointing and mocking my heartbroken expression. Look at him, like a lost dog, haha! He actually believed it, didnt even know hed been completely taken advantage of.

Laura whispered into Arthurs ear, her breath like orchids. Darling, he knows I faked my death. What if he, having stabbed someone before, stabs *me*?! Arthur wrapped his arm around Lauras waist. Then well make him rot in prison for a few more years, or kill him! Arthur pulled out his phone and made a call. Alex, your fathers killer is at my house. He wants revenge. Hurry over.

I crawled up, clutching Lauras leg. Laura, what are you two talking about? Laura raised her leg, her high heel digging into my face. Ken Stone, you stabbed his father to death! Were calling him to get revenge! My lips trembled. Laura, werent you raped? Everything I did was to avenge you! Laura laughed until she bent over, while Arthur watched me with amusement. But Sarah wasnt raped at all. The truth of the matter is, you just went crazy and killed someone!

My standing body began to tremble. How could you two frame me like this? I killed the pillar of a family! Arthur grabbed my hair. Not just that. You also caused a girl who got into a top university to drop out. I roared, Arthur, back then, I funded you to get out of the mountains, and I introduced you to a top law firm. Are you repaying kindness with enmity?! Arthur narrowed his eyes, extended a hand, and lightly slapped my face. Dont talk to me about funding. All my achievements are due to my own excellent abilities. Besides, Ken Stone, your funding of me was earned by Sarah Jensen. Sarah Jensen is my true benefactor. You, Ken Stone, are just a useless tool.

I opened my mouth, a sob escaping my throat. I straightened my head and head-butted Arthur. You adulterous couple, Ill kill you both! Kill us? Do you have the guts to kill us? The burly men on the sidelines grabbed both my arms, yanked hard, and held me spread-eagled, unable to move.

*Ding-dong*. The doorbell rang. Arthur opened the door, leading a small, thin girl inside. Arthur pointed at me, speaking into the girls ear. He is your fathers killer. The girl looked up, her eyes filled with a hatred so dense it seemed to turn to liquid. Ken Stone, you killed my father, I want you dead! She aimed the knife at my chest.

*Plop*. The knife tip entered my chest, stopping half an inch from my heart. The pain was unbearable, my face pale. Alex, Im also a victim. Our real enemy is Arthur. If you kill me, youll also go to prison. Dont throw your life away for this. Arthur is lying to you! Arthur reached out, gripped the girls trembling arm, and gently pushed forward. The knife tip sank another half inch. Arthur stared at my distorted, pained expression, whispering into the girls ear, egging her on. Dont be afraid, Alex. Uncle Arthur is a great lawyer. Uncle will tell the judge in court that you didnt intentionally kill him, it was self-defense. Dont forget, you once had a happy family, you got into your dream university, you should have had a bright future, but Ken Stone ruined everything beautiful for you!

I anxiously said, Alex, after the incident, I transferred all the money from selling the house to you. I didnt mean to harm you. Alex gritted her teeth, roaring, You liar, what money did you give me? I shuddered, looking at the smiling, silent Arthur. Back then, as my defense attorney, he was the one who prepared the compensation process for me Alexs reaction suddenly made me realize he had embezzled the money from my house sale. This house was bought by him. He played a shell game, turning everything I owned into *his* C Arthurs!

Hahahahaha! Arthur stroked Alexs hair, laughing uproariously. Alex cried out, her right hand gripping the knife, plunging it into my chest. But for a long moment, no sharp pain came from my chest. I opened my eyes. Arthur lay collapsed on the ground, a bloody knife sticking out of his thigh.