I Ended It at 99

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My twin sister Kara, who had been missing for years, was finally brought home. After that, all her pain transferred to me.

Whenever she got hurt, I would pass out from the agony.

She even seduced my fianc, Ashton Pierce.

Just so he could hook up with her in my bedroom, Ashton locked me in a dark room for five whole days.

I smiled as I counted the ninety-ninth time he'd hurt me, then left town.

Three years later, he knelt backstage at an awards ceremony. "I was wrong," he begged. "Please, give me another chance."

I laughed softly, my arm linked with my new boyfriend's. "Ashton, do you know what I was thinking during those five days you locked me up?"

His eyes reddened. "You were waiting for me to save you..."

I shook my head. "I was thinking that when you finally regretted it, I had to tell you-"

"The moment you destroyed me, I decided I would personally destroy everything you have."

Sage's POV

On the live reality show, Ashton had done this ninety-eight times. left me to rush over and tend to a tiny scrape on Kara's leg.

Kara acted like she couldn't feel any pain at all, her face full of sweet charm. "Ashton, you're so good to me..."

Meanwhile, I pressed down on my own knee, sucking in a sharp breath of air.

The comment stream instantly exploded.

"That wound looks so painful... Kara is such a strong girl!"

"Cold billionaire and innocent sweetheart... this dynamic is perfect! I'm totally here for it!"

"What's that look on Sage's face?"

At that comment, everyone's eyes turned to me.

Kara twisted around, blinking her innocent eyes at me. "Sage, are you feeling alright?"

"Are you blind? I-"

Before I could finish, Ashton cut me off.

"Kara, why bother talking to her?"

At his words, Kara's fans in the comments went even crazier.

"Can Sage stop making such a big deal out of everything?"

"Look how good Mr. Pierce is to Kara. Sage must be dying of jealousy!"

...

I gritted my teeth as the live comments scrolled past. My body hurt. My heart hurt more.

It all came down to one thing: Kara was my fraternal twin. A genetic fluke in the womb meant every bit of her pain, every last drop, landed on me.

And Ashton? was my fianc. The man I'd grown up with.

There was a time when I was the most envied girl in the city. Spoiled, willful, and still loved by everyone.

But the deepest love, the kind that burned, belonged to Ashton.

Ashton was recognized in elite circles as a genius heir. Broad shoulders, narrow waist, long legs, and a face so handsome it could anger both gods and men.

Those deep, affectionate eyes used to hold only me.

At fourteen, his confession caused a sensation across the entire school. At sixteen, our families held a lavish engagement party. At eighteen, Ashton, as the Pierce family heir, gave me heirloom jewelry worth hundreds of millions.

Until the day I announced my debut, my father brought home a timid girl.

She was my twin sister who'd been kidnapped over a decade ago-Kara.

To make up for lost time, my parents poured all their love into her.

Even Ashton became obsessed with her from the moment he laid eyes on her.

When Kara wanted to travel, Ashton cancelled all his work to accompany her. When Kara got sick, Ashton abandoned me on a mountain film set and rushed back to take care of her. When Kara wanted to enter the entertainment industry, Ashton waved his hand and established a management company for her, providing top resources to launch her career.

When I learned everything, I broke down. Like a madwoman, I confronted Kara.

"Why are you doing this?"

Kara dropped her harmless public persona, her face twisted with malice as she looked at me. "All those years of love and luxury you enjoyed more than me-I'm going to take them back, piece by piece!"

The next second, she deliberately rolled down the stairs, but I was the one who felt the pain.

Ashton, who witnessed that moment, lost his temper at me for the first time.

"You have everything. What's wrong with giving a little to Kara?"

Tears streamed down my face. "She's faking it! Between her and me, you can only choose one!"

Ashton was busy comforting Kara and didn't even look up. "Stop being childish."

That night, negative news about me hit the trending topics.

I knew this was Ashton's warning to me.

So I went to Ashton's place and smashed up his entire house.

"Let's break up."

Ashton just pulled me onto the table with a teasing look, lowering his head to kiss my collarbone, completely certain of himself.

"Sage, you can't bear to leave me."

"Don't worry, I'm just playing around with Kara. After we get married, you'll be the only one by my side."

My face flushed red as I bit my lip hard. "Ashton, if you hurt me ninety-nine times, I won't want you anymore..."

After the live broadcast ended, the director pulled me aside to film promotional content.

When I finished and returned to the dressing room, I suddenly froze in my tracks.

Kara was lying across Ashton's lap. Ashton was stroking her hair with one hand while devotedly kissing her lips.

Crash.

The cup in my hand fell to the floor.

Words caught in my throat. It took me a long moment to make a sound. "What are you doing?"

Kara immediately sat up, her face flushed with apparent anxiety. "Sage, you've got it wrong... please don't fight with Ashton..."

Tears blurred my vision. I swallowed hard, tasting blood in my throat. "Shut up!"

Then I looked at Ashton. "I want to hear you say it."

Ashton casually rubbed his fingertips together and said reproachfully, "You scared Kara."

"Fine. Very good." I nodded, laughing bitterly in my fury. "Ninety-nine times..."

"What?" Ashton asked impatiently.

I looked at him with a dead heart. "Let's break up."

Then I pushed hard through the door and walked out.

"It's all my fault..." Behind me came the sound of Kara crying sweetly against Ashton's shoulder.

"It's not your fault." Ashton wiped away her tears without concern. "I know her. Give it three days and she'll be begging to get back together."

Their words stabbed into my heart like knives.

I laughed mockingly at myself and tossed the diamond ring that represented his promise into the trash.

Ashton, this time I really don't want you anymore.

When I got back, I immediately made a call.

"That movie you mentioned-I agree to sign the contract."

Sage's POV

"Really?" came an excited voice from the other end.

From the very start of production planning, the film had wanted me as the female lead.

But because all the main actors had to go abroad for a year of intensive training, I'd politely declined every invitation.

"Really." I let out a long breath. "When does training start?"

"One month from now, at the Rome Film Studios."

"I'll be there on time."

I hung up and immediately contacted my private doctor.

"I heard they can treat pain transfer syndrome in Italy. Keep an eye out for me."

After handling everything, I lay exhausted on the floor.

This time I was going to completely sever ties with them.

The final day of the live reality show was a pool party. I happened to be on my period.

Before going live, my assistant Hope handed me painkillers with concern. "Sage, maybe you shouldn't record today?"

I swallowed the pills in one gulp. "It's fine, I just won't get in the water."

The broadcast started. The first round was a word-guessing game with Kara's team versus the others.

Since it wasn't my turn, I quietly stood in a corner to rest.

Soon enough, the first round ended.

Kara's team lost.

According to the rules, Kara had to sit on the launcher and get thrown into the pool as punishment.

"Ashton, I..." Kara suddenly sneezed, pouting reluctantly at the pool.

The online comments immediately started rolling.

"Does Kara have a cold?"

"I feel so bad for her. Can't they let our poor girl off?"

"Am I the only one who thinks this is sweet? Kara instinctively looked to Mr. Pierce for help!"

Ashton saw this and gave the director a look.

The director understood immediately. "Kara, if you're not feeling well, we can have another female celebrity substitute for you."

At those words, my hand covering my stomach paused slightly.

I was the only other female celebrity on set besides Kara!

Kara immediately looked at me pitifully. "Sage, could you go in the water for me?"

I rolled my eyes internally. "No."

With that refusal, the comments started attacking me again.

"Why does Sage always have such a sour face? Does being a movie star make her better than everyone?"

"Sage is so classless!"

"If you can't do the job, quit the industry!"

Rejected, Kara looked so embarrassed she was almost crying. Ashton's face darkened as he leaned close to me.

"Kara's health isn't good. Don't be difficult right now."

Those words were like a blade stabbing straight into my heart, making my eyes well up with tears.

I looked up, my voice trembling. "Do you remember what day it is?"

Ashton snorted coldly. "If Kara gets sick from going in the water, you know what I'm capable of."

My whole body trembled as I looked at him.

Ashton used to remember my period dates better than anyone.

I used to get terrible cramps, and Ashton would always have drinks ready for me, even taking me to doctors to keep things under control.

When I was a mess emotionally, Ashton, usually so proud and composed, would set aside his pride just to comfort me. He'd try anything to make me smile.

He said he would take care of me for the rest of my life...

I forced down the bitterness in my heart and choked out, "Fine, I agree."

Sitting on the launcher, Kara raised her chin at me provocatively, looking so smug it made me sick.

With the command, I was launched into the water.

"Ah-!"

In an instant, a layer of blood bloomed in the water. The director quickly cut the feed.

Seeing the blood in the water, Ashton seemed to finally realize what was happening.

Without thinking, he immediately jumped in and pulled me out.

"Let go of me!" I struggled constantly.

"Stop moving!" Ashton carried me all the way to the dressing room.

After forcibly helping me change clothes, Ashton felt deeply uncomfortable. "If you're on your period, why didn't you say something?"

I looked at him quietly. "You're the one who forgot."

"I..." Ashton was instantly speechless.

Suddenly, several staff members rushed in carrying Kara.

Ashton panicked. "What happened to Kara?"

"She fainted from a fever."

Hearing Ashton's voice, Kara immediately started crying and acting cute. "Ashton, I want some peace and quiet. Can you make the outsiders leave?"

"Whatever you want." Ashton anxiously grabbed her hand and, without any hesitation, said coldly to me, "Get out."

Sage's POV

I stood frozen in place, as if under a spell.

Ashton raised his voice. "Didn't you hear me?"

I gave a self-mocking smile and then rushed out the door.

Just as I stepped outside, Hope hurried over. "Sage, I'll have the driver take you home right now."

The car was completely silent. I was leaning against the window with my eyes closed.

Suddenly, the driver made a sharp turn, and my head slammed into the glass.

I jerked my eyes open. "What happened?"

The driver looked panicked. "I'm so sorry, Sage, but... we're being chased!"

I looked back and sure enough, several cars were tailing us closely.

Hope was scrolling through her phone, her face turning pale. "This is bad. Our location got leaked to those extreme stalker fans."

I made a quick decision. "Take a detour and lose them."

"Alright, hold on tight."

The next second, the driver floored the gas pedal. The cars behind immediately gave chase.

It was rush hour, and the roads were packed. Suddenly, a van came barreling out from a street corner without warning.

The driver slammed the brakes. With a loud "bang," a car crashed hard into us.

In the violent impact, I clutched my phone desperately. In my panic, I accidentally called my emergency contact.

"Hello...?"

My heart jumped into my throat.

Ashton answered the phone.

But the next moment, suggestive sounds came through the line.

"Kara..." Ashton was breathing heavily, as if deliberately trying to provoke me.

"Do you want to kiss me again?"

"Mm..."

Regret, resentment... all kinds of emotions instantly flooded over me like a tidal wave.

I raised my hand to hang up. Before losing consciousness, memories kept flashing through my mind.

In middle school, I was pursued by the leader of a gang from another school.

I rejected him, but after my rejection, that delinquent actually came to block me at the school gates.

Terrified, I hid in a storage room and called Ashton with trembling hands.

Soon after, Ashton arrived with a group of bodyguards and gave that punk a thorough beating.

Back then, Ashton was like a hero descending from the sky.

He took my phone and personally set his number as my emergency contact.

"Whenever you're in danger, I'll be there."

Sure enough, promises only matter when there's still love...

The sharp smell of disinfectant filled my nostrils. When I opened my eyes again, I found myself lying in a hospital bed.

Hope sat beside the bed looking exhausted. Seeing me wake up, she finally breathed a sigh of relief. "Sage, you're finally awake!"

"How long was I out?"

"A whole day. Thankfully you only had some minor external injuries."

I looked at Hope with concern. "Are you alright?"

"I'm fine... it's just..." Hope wrung her hands, stammering.

"Just what?" I pressed.

"I'm sorry, Sage. I shouldn't have acted on my own." Hope took a deep breath. "I called Mr. Pierce asking him to come see you, but he said you two had broken up, and if I wanted him to come, you'd have to... you'd have to beg him yourself."

"How confident of him."

I picked up my phone and opened social media, only to see an update Kara had posted.

"Ashton took me to the grand theater to see my favorite dance company. So happy!"

The photo showed Kara sitting in Ashton's passenger seat eating ice cream, while Ashton beside her looked at her with complete adoration.

My heart clenched.

Ashton had severe OCD and hated when people ate in his car.

Hope looked at me with sympathy. "Sage, stop looking."

I smiled at her. "I'm fine. Get some good rest these next few days. We'll be busy again soon."

The night I was discharged, I had an awards ceremony to attend.

While handling discharge paperwork, my manager called frantically. "Sage, get to the makeup room backstage at the ceremony right now. There's a problem!"

Sage's POV

Instantly, an ominous feeling washed over me. "Got it."

I rushed to the makeup room. As soon as I entered, I saw Ashton standing like a star surrounded by admirers, with Kara in the center of the crowd of staff.

And Kara was wearing the new haute couture gown that the luxury brand had sent to me.

My manager beside me sighed helplessly.

My face instantly darkened. I shot Kara a glare and ordered harshly, "Take it off right now!"

But Kara's lips curved upward. She looked at Ashton with a coquettish plea, her voice dripping with sweetness. "Ashton, this dress is so beautiful. Can I wear it?"

That voice seemed to have invisible hooks, trying to snatch away everything precious to me.

A mocking smile played at my lips. "Are you a beggar? Constantly begging for other people's things?"

At my words, Kara's face instantly crumpled, tears quickly filling her eyes.

Seeing this, Ashton frowned at me reproachfully. "Do you have to be so harsh? It's just a dress. What's wrong with letting Kara have it?"

I laughed coldly. "I dare to give it. Does she dare to wear it? This is Chanel's new haute couture piece, and I'm Chanel's global ambassador. At an awards ceremony, if a minor celebrity wears haute couture sent to their ambassador without the brand's permission, do you think she'll have any future in the fashion industry?"

Kara's face instantly turned deathly pale, tears spilling from her eyes. "I won't wear it."

Ashton pulled Kara into his arms, coaxing her gently. "Don't cry. It's just a luxury endorsement. I'll get you one. Will that make you happy?"

In that instant, I felt a sharp pain in my heart.

When I entered the entertainment industry, no one supported me. I got to where I am today entirely on my own.

I didn't say another word. I turned to my stylist. "Where's the backup dress? This one's dirty. Change it."

At my words, Kara's face looked even worse.

"Sage!" Ashton's voice carried a trace of anger.

I didn't even give him a glance as I walked straight into the fitting room.

At the awards ceremony, I won the Best Actress award. In the spotlight of thousands, I made a stunning appearance in the new haute couture gown.

Below the stage, Kara stared at me with hateful eyes, her nails digging into her palms from jealousy.

After the ceremony, Ashton approached me with two glasses of wine. "Congratulations."

I didn't want to talk to him, so I took the glass and downed it in one gulp, saying politely, "Thank you."

However, after walking just a few steps, I felt like a fire had been lit inside me. The discomfort was unbearable.

Then that burning sensation rapidly spread throughout my body.

"Ashton..."

Just because I wouldn't give the dress to Kara, he drugged me?

But by the time I realized it, it was too late.

I kept drinking ice water, trying to cool myself down, but the fire only burned hotter.

The heat came in waves, attacking my nerves. I clutched my dress, breathing heavily.

"Water..."

Suddenly, I remembered there was a pool in the back garden.

I quickly lifted my dress and stumbled outside. The moment I saw the pool, I jumped in without hesitation.

As soon as I hit the water, a wave of coolness washed over me. The burning sensation seemed to ease a little.

But before I could catch my breath, suddenly a swarm of reporters rushed in.

They raised their cameras and started photographing me frantically.

"Stop taking pictures!" I shouted anxiously.

But those reporters acted as if they couldn't hear me, constantly pressing their shutters.

I'd always been spoiled and willful. I climbed out of the water and started smashing reporters' cameras like a madwoman. I roared, "I said stop taking pictures! Can't you hear me?"

The entire scene fell silent for a second, as if time had frozen.

Then someone shouted, "Sage assaulted someone!"

Sage's POV

The scene instantly descended into chaos, camera flashes going wild.

Several reporters excitedly yelled, "This is definitely front-page news!"

I felt dizzy, my entire body extremely uncomfortable. Someone pushed me hard from behind, and I fell heavily to the ground.

"Stop!" A sharp voice rang out.

It was Ashton's voice.

The previously arrogant reporters instantly froze like statues, trembling as they said, "Mr. Pierce."

Ashton strode forward and gently draped his expensive jacket over me.

"It's okay now."

I had no idea what this man was thinking.

He scooped me up in his arms and turned to scan every reporter present.

"Not a single photo from today gets published. Otherwise, you're going up against the Pierce family!"

...

When I opened my eyes again, I saw Ashton asleep with his head on my bed.

I moved slightly, reaching for my phone on the pillow and instinctively opening the news.

The top trending topic hit me right in the face-"Chanel Changes Ambassador."

Just this morning, Chanel had ruthlessly scrubbed all content related to me and made a big announcement that Kara was their new brand ambassador.

Under various gossip accounts, at first there were quite a few passersby and fans indignantly defending me, but strangely, those comments were quickly deleted.

The next second, several messages popped up.

"Sage, what's going on? Right after yesterday's event ended, Chanel would rather pay the penalty than continue our contract!"

"Sage, please reply! The company is freaking out!"

...

I looked at Ashton beside me, feeling as if I'd been plunged into an icy abyss, trembling uncontrollably.

Sensing movement, Ashton opened his eyes and slowly sat up.

"Are you uncomfortable anywhere?"

I laughed coldly, my eyes completely red as I held up my phone and demanded, "Did you do all this?"

Ashton seemed somewhat guilty, instinctively looking away, though his mouth remained dismissive:

"Kara just likes this brand, so I got it for her. It's just an endorsement. I'll get you another one."

I felt fury shoot straight to my head. I slapped Ashton hard across the face and roared, "Who do you think you are?"

Ashton's expression instantly turned ugly. "Sage, there's a limit to throwing tantrums! How many days has this been going on? Didn't I say that after we get married, I'll naturally settle down?"

At his words, I sneered.

He was always like this-arrogant, conceited, looking down on everyone. Everyone used to say Ashton loved me more than life itself, but only I knew that in this relationship, he had always been the one in control, the one with all the power.

I looked at him coldly, enunciating each word. "Not necessary."

Ashton stood up with an ashen face and said harshly, "Fine. Don't regret this."

Then he walked out without looking back.

Shortly after Ashton left, Kara swaggered in.

She looked at me on the bed, a mocking smile curving her lips, her tone dripping with sarcasm. "How does it feel to lose everything?"

I looked at her sharply. "Finally done playing the victim?"

Kara's smile instantly vanished. She stared at me hard, her eyes full of resentment.

"Don't look at me like that. You're the one I hate most! We're twins, so why was I the one who got taken? Why did I end up in some backwoods doing farm work while you grew up a princess in the city? If it weren't for that kidnapping, I'd be the one standing next to Ashton right now."

She smiled again. "I told you, I'm going to take back everything I missed!"

I looked at her like she was insane, saying coldly, "Are you even worthy?"

Kara snorted. "We'll see about that."

After Kara left, I quietly took out my phone, turned off the voice recorder, and pressed save.

Next, I would make sure Kara paid the price!