The following week, Emily's emotions fluctuated like the weather outside—sometimes bright and hopeful, sometimes gloomy and uncertain. She had an interview with a startup tech company, and the entire process felt seamless, almost like a breeze. When the interview was over, the HR smiled at her and began discussing compensation. The salary they offered was one and a half times her current pay—it was like a brilliant ray of light, suddenly dispelling the darkness that had been clouding her thoughts.But then, the HR presented an additional condition, and the optimism drained from Emily's heart. The contract felt like a cold shackle, binding her freedom and dignity. She would need to sign an agreement, promising not to have children within the next two years. If she violated this agreement, the company would have the right to demand compensation. In that instant, Emily felt as though an invisible weight had seized her heart, and she stared at the HR, her eyes reflecting her complex emoti
The morning sun was just beginning to rise on Saturday, casting a soft, pale glow over the city. The early autumn sunlight filtered through the thin clouds, bathing the streets in a gentle, warm light. Leaves had already started turning yellow on the rows of sycamore trees lining the avenue, and a few drifted gently to the ground, adding to the quiet, reflective mood of the day. Emily stood outside the familiar coffee shop, her floral dress fluttering slightly in the breeze. She closed her eyes for a moment, tilting her head upwards, letting the cool morning air brush against her cheeks, as if to prepare herself for the conversation ahead.Inside her, emotions swirled, a tide of uncertainty and determination clashing within her. On the surface, she appeared calm, yet beneath that calm facade was a storm of confusion, sadness, and resolve. Her heart was like those fallen leaves, fragile and ready to be carried away by the slightest gust of wind. She glanced down at her wristwatch, the
The morning sunlight filtered through the half-drawn curtains, highlighting the tidy room that Emily sat in. The warmth of the day contrasted sharply with the sudden chill that crept up her spine as she listened to the voice on the other end of the phone. She'd nearly choked on the sip of water she was taking, her fingers momentarily freezing, the glass suspended in mid-air.“Emily, this is the HR department of the company you’re about to join. Sorry to disturb you. We’re reviewing your entry information, and we noticed that you marked your marital status as 'married' on the form. We need you to provide some basic details about your spouse, including their name, ID number, and contact information so that we can facilitate related insurance processes for your spouse,” the HR representative said, in her polite, professional tone.Emily could almost hear her own heart stop. “Married?” she instinctively echoed, her voice trembling, the word tinged with confusion. A sinking feeling overtoo
When the elevator doors opened, they were greeted by a spacious banquet hall, warmly lit with soft golden lights that filled the entire space. In the center of the hall were tables lined with an assortment of exquisite pastries and drinks, and the seating was arranged thoughtfully around the room. From a nearby wall of glass windows, one could overlook the breathtaking city skyline at night.The hall was already quite lively, filled with well-dressed men and women holding champagne flutes, gathered in small groups, chatting softly among themselves.As Emily and Claire walked into the hall, they noticed quite a few eyes had already fallen on them. Emily had the kind of charm that seemed straight out of an old movie—something of a classic beauty, with a blend of both vintage and modern appeal. Moving under the banquet hall’s lights, she looked like a protagonist from a film, dazzling and composed. No matter where she went, wh
As Emily stepped into the brilliantly lit engagement hall, she was like a dazzling star, instantly capturing the attention of everyone present. Her stunning beauty seemed as if she had stepped straight out of a Hollywood movie, like a goddess descending to earth. Her fair, delicate skin and finely contoured features looked even more flawless under the warm glow of the lights. Her deep, luminous eyes sparkled with intelligence, as if they could perceive all the beauty and sorrow of the world.She wore a custom-made white V-neck gown, with lace and satin woven together like delicate brushstrokes, perfectly outlining her graceful silhouette. The pearls and crystals that adorned the dress added a layer of elegance and sophistication. Her red high heels elongated her legs, making her look both enchanting and poised, exuding endless charm with each step. Her long hair was styled elegantly in a half-up, half-down look, with a few loose strands cascading gently, adding a soft femininity to he
"Polycystic ovary syndrome, difficulty conceiving." The doctor's words were like a cold blade, stabbing deeply into Emily's heart. After hanging up the phone, she felt her world collapsing, as though all the colors had drained from it in that very moment.In just one day, she had experienced two devastating blows. First, she caught her fiancé and her closest friend betraying her with her own eyes. Then, she learned that she might never be able to conceive, while the other woman was already pregnant. The unexpected changes hit Emily so hard that even someone as strong as her needed time to digest such unimaginable turmoil.She stood at the hotel entrance, her heart a storm of anger and sadness, crashing within her like fierce waves, making it almost impossible for her to breathe. She gripped her phone tightly, her fingers pale from the pressure. She needed time—time to adjust her emotions, to rethink her future. As she crossed the street, lost in her thoughts, an ear-piercing car horn
The peaceful morning was suddenly pierced by the shrill ring of a phone. Emily, groggy from sleep, fumbled to answer it. The news on the other end made her instantly alert."Emily, where have you been? I've been calling you for ages. Your grandma had a sudden heart attack yesterday. I called an ambulance and she’s now in the People's Hospital. She needs surgery urgently, please come back soon," her mother’s voice was filled with anxiety and helplessness. Every word seemed to slam into Emily’s heart.Emily had been raised by her grandmother and mother. She knew firsthand the hardships they endured. Without a father, it had always been just the three of them, leaning on each other to get through the toughest of times. Now, hearing that her grandmother's life was hanging by a thread, Emily was overwhelmed by helplessness and fear. She quickly requested leave from work, packed her bags, and booked the earliest flight, desperate to be by her grandmother’s side.As the plane flew high above
Ethan sat in his dark leather ergonomic chair, sunlight streaming through the blinds, casting a dappled pattern across his desk. It was a warm autumn afternoon, yet his mood was anything but bright—a cloud of unease seemed to hang over him, keeping him restless. His fingers drummed against the table unconsciously, making a soft rhythm as if trying to beat away the thoughts cluttering his mind. Documents lay scattered across the polished surface, but he couldn't focus on them—his mind was elsewhere, somewhere that kept slipping from his grasp, and he had no power to bring it back.Ever since Emily had walked out of their engagement party, Ethan had been in a perpetual state of turmoil. Days had gone by without a single word from her, and the emptiness gnawed at him. He thought he'd be able to carry on with his life, to return to normal, to be the same old Ethan he always was. But whenever the world went quiet, his mind filled the silence with thoughts of her. He remembered the warmth of