another century's episode 3: the final

I'm lying here, my body burning from within as the wolfsbane spreads through my veins. Meanwhile, my Alpha mate, Ryan, is giving the antidote I discovered to his childhood sweetheart, Vivian. With what little strength remains, I beg him to spare just a portion of the cure—enough to keep me alive for a few more days while I search for another remedy. Ryan doesn't even glance my way. He snarls, "I can't believe you're faking illness when Vivian is fighting for her life! Control your jealousy before I lose all respect for you!" Under his command, I'm confined to my quarters to "contemplate my sins." In the end, the wolfsbane consumes me completely. When Ryan discovers what he's done, he digs my grave with his own hands, howling with regret that comes too late.

Na-yul had been having a miserable time lately. The workload was already overwhelming when shared among three people, and on top of that, she constantly had to clean up the messes caused by her junior colleague. “…Kwon Si-jin….” That bastard. Kwon Si-jin was a completely hopeless human being. Hopeless in character, hopeless in the words he spoke—a man who knew better than anyone how to trample on another person’s dignity and self-worth with his words alone. And once again today, because of that utterly hopeless man… Grinding her teeth, Na-yul stared at her frozen computer screen for ten straight minutes. It was already 11 p.m. Friday night. 11 p.m. Drawn by the distant glow of light, guided purely by rage and instinct, she marched straight into CEO Kwon Si-jin’s office and flung the door open. “Sir, I really don’t think this is acceptable. I—” “……” “Sir? Are you okay?” Their eyes met in midair. Hot breaths tangled with cold ones. Time seemed to stop completely— Leaving Na-yul face to face with her boss, who was behaving suspiciously late at night during overtime.

Layla Nott has been infatuated with Seth Upton since she was a teenager and even willingly gives him her vast inheritance to help him build Upton Group, transforming the Upton family into one of the most prominent families in Yeldon. However, ever since she married into the Upton family, her health has deteriorated. One day, after a visit for medical treatment, she returns home to find Seth fooling around with her stepsister, Sharon Black. Septh's mother, Susan Upton, is at home and clearly condones the affair. After being humiliated by Sharon and Susan, Layla is left shaken by Seth's confession—he has only ever been interested in her wealth and has never loved her. He has even purchased a massive life insurance policy on her and is now waiting for her death to cash in on the payout. Heartbroken by the revelation, Layla feels her life is pathetic. Impatient for her demise, Seth takes her to the rooftop and pushes her off. As she plunges to her death, Layla swears that if she were given another chance, she would exact her revenge and make sure they pay for their betrayal.

Julia Yates, a funeral shop owner, is pulled into an S-rank horror instance, “Ghost Bride in the Rain,” and bound to a system promising a ten-billion reward if she survives. Forced to kiss the ghost bride, she discovers it is actually Samuel Freeman, an SSS-rank male ghost. Using her skills, she deciphers the rules, clears deadly stages, exposes schemes, and learns his tragic past. She wins the reward—only to be dragged into another SS-rank vampire castle instance.

My husband, Cesare Ferrante, the most feared Don of the Ferrante family, had always hated children. Yet everything changed the moment my stepsister, Bianca Moretti, moved in next door with her six-month-old baby. Suddenly, my husband became obsessed with that child. He personally fed the baby formula, sang lullabies, and carried the baby everywhere he went. Every day, he came home exhausted at dawn, yet his face glowed with joy, as if that baby occupied his entire soul. I became invisible to him. Three days ago, someone forced my car off the road, and I crashed into the median. Blood streamed down my forehead, and my vision swam. I called Cesare 55 times. He did not answer a single call. Instead, he posted a photo of the baby on his social media. [My little angel smiled today!] I had had enough. Tonight at the family banquet, every member of the famiglia was seated around the table. I raised my final toast, then set down my glass. "I want a divorce." They all froze. "Are you insane?" My parents' voices rose in unison. Cesare grabbed my wrist, disbelief written across his face. "Giulia, you want to divorce me just because I was busy taking care of the baby and didn't answer your calls? You're actually jealous of a six-month-old child?" I did not meet his eyes. Instead, I stared at the glaring kiss mark behind his ear. "Since you love that child so much," I said calmly, "I'll make it easy for you. Go be that child's father."

Jessica and Theodore had been in a relationship for many years, and she believed he loved her until she saw his gentle attentions towards another woman. They even quietly registered their marriage, turning Jessica from the official girlfriend into the mistress, which shattered her heart. Later, Theodore did everything for her, but Jessica remained indifferent. It was because on the night he abandoned her, she had been hit by a car, paying with her life to gain a chance at resurrection.

Julia Yates, a funeral shop owner, is pulled into an S-rank horror instance, “Ghost Bride in the Rain,” and bound to a system promising a ten-billion reward if she survives. Forced to kiss the ghost bride, she discovers it is actually Samuel Freeman, an SSS-rank male ghost. Using her skills, she deciphers the rules, clears deadly stages, exposes schemes, and learns his tragic past. She wins the reward—only to be dragged into another SS-rank vampire castle instance.

On her birthday, Elena Swift accidentally found out that her husband was not crippled, but actually from a wealthy family, and he was welcoming another girl back to the country. The explanation he gave Elana was that he wanted to test if she was a gold-digger. While Ethan was waiting for Elena to come back, she was already planning to divorce him. Meanwhile, Clarence Fowler, the richest man in the country, requested her to marry him, because she happened to be able to ease his pain from touch starvation.

This is the ninth year Dante and I have honored the Month of No Masters. The Corinni family's heir apparent believes this will make our relationship last longer. For one month after our dating anniversary each year, he is free, and we stay out of each other's lives. If either of us finds someone more suitable, we are to wish them well. If not, we go back to the way things were after a month. Around me, the men of the family are spraying champagne with abandon. "To another year of freedom! Congratulations to our Underboss on reclaiming his bachelor status!" "The family betting pool is open! Place your bets on the left if you think they'll still get married, and on the right if you think it's over for good!" Through the hazy cigar smoke, I sat on the corner of a leather sofa, a cold observer, as if this whole farce had nothing to do with me. Dante's hand was curled around Scarlett's waist as he brushed past me, whispering, "Don't get any ideas. You'll always be my only Donna." "I'm a kite. No matter how far I fly, the string is always in your hand." I pressed my cold fingers against the gentle swell of my belly, my expression a blank mask. Dante, this time at the family's betting table, I'm putting my money on "the end." I'm going to vanish from your world completely. That kite string you're so proud of? Tonight, I'm cutting it myself.

On her birthday, Elena Swift accidentally found out that her husband was not crippled, but actually from a wealthy family, and he was welcoming another girl back to the country. The explanation he gave Elana was that he wanted to test if she was a gold-digger. While Ethan was waiting for Elena to come back, she was already planning to divorce him. Meanwhile, Clarence Fowler, the richest man in the country, requested her to marry him, because she happened to be able to ease his pain from touch starvation.

Renee Rainsdorf had been with her lawyer boyfriend Owen Tadd for five years. He canceled their wedding fifty-two times—always for the same reason: his intern, Vanessa. The first time, he left Renee waiting alone on the beach all day. The second, he bolted mid-ceremony. After that, every wedding attempt was derailed by yet another "emergency" involving Vanessa. On the fifty-second try, Owen abandoned Renee yet again—this time for Vanessa's sprained ankle. That was the breaking point. Renee finally walked away, packed up, and left Ainsley for good. But the day she left, Owen frantically searched for her everywhere. Back in her hometown of Carverton, Renee rebuilt her life from scratch and rose to become a top lawyer. Owen, however, fell apart without her—his career collapsed, Vanessa bled him dry, and he ended up right back where he started. Five years later, Renee stood at the scene of her old wounds—and smiled toward the future.

Renee Rainsdorf had been with her lawyer boyfriend Owen Tadd for five years. He canceled their wedding fifty-two times—always for the same reason: his intern, Vanessa. The first time, he left Renee waiting alone on the beach all day. The second, he bolted mid-ceremony. After that, every wedding attempt was derailed by yet another "emergency" involving Vanessa. On the fifty-second try, Owen abandoned Renee yet again—this time for Vanessa's sprained ankle. That was the breaking point. Renee finally walked away, packed up, and left Ainsley for good. But the day she left, Owen frantically searched for her everywhere. Back in her hometown of Carverton, Renee rebuilt her life from scratch and rose to become a top lawyer. Owen, however, fell apart without her—his career collapsed, Vanessa bled him dry, and he ended up right back where he started. Five years later, Renee stood at the scene of her old wounds—and smiled toward the future.

The orphan girl Renee was bullied to the point of disability in the family that adopted her, and was forced to marry in place of their biological daughter, Isabelle. The groom, Leander,pretended to be blind to investigate the cause of his parents' death, and he witnessed Renee being bullied. In reality, Renee had the identity of the AI master "Nutien," and Leander turned out to be her long-time mentor. The two progressed from testing each other to trusting one another,joining forces to bring the villains to justice. In the end, Leander proposed, and Renee began a happy life with him.

One month before our Blood Bond Ceremony, my fiancé decided to have a child with his childhood sweetheart to repay a life debt. When I received the pregnancy report bearing both families' blood seals, I realized he had never asked for my permission—he was only informing me. So I tore up our bond and walked away. Two years later, he finally discovered that I was the one who had saved his life. But by then, I was already standing beside another man.

When I was three months pregnant, a pack of Rogues ambushed me. In the last moments before my consciousness began to fade, I begged for rescue through my mind-link to my Alpha mate, Adrian. But he never answered. I was rushed to the hospital for emergency treatment, only to be informed that the Saint-Tier Healer had been forcefully taken South by Adrian to treat Evelyn, his first love, after she lost her mate. When I woke to the pain of losing my pup, my fingers shook as I checked social media, then I saw Evelyn's post: [I knew that no matter how far away I am or how much time has passed, Adrian would always come for me. He even brought a Saint-Tier Healer to ease the pain in my heart.] In the photo, Adrian's dark eyes, which were usually cold and distant, were focused on the woman beside him with tenderness. While I was fighting for my life and losing our cub, my Alpha was protecting another pregnant wolf. I chuckled at myself bitterly. It felt as if the bond mark on my chest was withering away. I then dialed a number without hesitation. "Dr. Clark, I accept the position at the Northern Ancient Wolf Research Institute. Yes, the sooner the better. I won't be holding a farewell

I’ve always felt like Travis Chancer was forced to marry me. Every time we were intimate at night, he’d rather use his hand to get me off than actually have sex with me. I got more and more disappointed and decided to divorce him. But the night before I printed the papers, I heard him on the balcony talking to his buddies. “Bro, I’m not trying to be nosy, but you’re obviously dying for it. Why won’t you touch her? The perfect woman is right there. It must feel amazing.” “Women can’t stand being ignored. If you keep bottling it up, she’ll eventually run off with another man, and you’ll regret it.” He took a quiet sip of whiskey. “But her skin is so delicate, and her waist is so slim… she’s so sensitive. What if I lose control and scare her? “She’s my woman. I have to be careful. If she wants to find comfort elsewhere, she can. As long as she’s still willing to come home, I’ll keep spoiling her.” They snorted. “Don’t act like a saint, man. If you’ve got the guts, stop secretly posting on Reddit.” Late that night, I quietly opened Travis’s browser history. A full hundred entries. The pinned post read: “I finally married the girl I’ve loved for years, but I have a very high sex drive. How can I make her enjoy it without leaving psychological scars?”…

Sylvie Lockwood, the wild princess of the Lockwood Pack, has secretly shared a passionate yet hidden relationship with the cold Alpha Fenrir Saxon for three years. When she discovers his heart belongs to another woman, Elise, Sylvie agrees to marry a dying rival heir and even asks her father to disown her. After Fenrir chooses to save Elise in a deadly accident and Sylvie learns their entire relationship was a cruel scheme, she burns their past behind her and disappears—only then does Fenrir realize the woman he truly loved is already gone.

Fiona marries Nathan to return a favor, but he cheats on her,humiliates her, and pushes her to the edge. She gives birth prematurely, bleeds heavily, and almost dies. Totally disillusioned, she decides to strike back. She announces at a press conference that she is the other woman, fakes her death, and escapes to another city. Five years later, she becomes a famous designer.When Nathan finds out she is still alive, he obsessively hunts her down. He tries to use their child and money to win her back. However, Fiona will never look back.