The Phoenix's Rise Beg For Mercy Mr. Ex

On the day Ethan Carter’s first love returned to the country, he handed me a dissolution agreement. "Seraphina’s health is fragile. She suffered a lot in Europe because of me. I need you to pack up and move out of the Carter Estate. The Southside Villa is yours." "From now on, we’ll tell the public you’re just a distant relative the Carters took in." I stared at him. Five years of devotion, all boiled down to the words "distant relative." I tore the agreement to shreds, turned around, and walked out of his life. Later, at the International Tech Summit, a mysterious female CEO stunned the world with a revolutionary technology. Under the blinding spotlights, Ethan stared at the brilliant tech mogul standing shoulder-to-shoulder with me. His eyes were bloodshot as he begged, "Vivian, please, come home with me!" I wrapped my arm around my new partner's, giving Ethan a cold, detached smile. "Mr. Carter, there’s no room for you on my 'distant relative' list." *** I sat in the grand living room of the Carter Estate, watching the maids quickly take down my photos. In their place, they hung portraits of Seraphina Sterling in her youth, smiling like an angel in the Carter gardens. My phone buzzed. It was a text from Ethan’s assistant, Julian: *“Mr. Carter and Ms. Sterling have landed. Expected arrival at the estate in 40 minutes.”* Seraphina was actually back. Forty minutes later, Ethan’s tall figure appeared at the door. I hadn't seen him in weeks, and his cold, commanding aura seemed even more intimidating than before. Clinging to his arm was Seraphina, the woman who had vanished five years ago, now looking more radiant than ever. "Vivian, thank you for holding down the fort." Ethan’s tone was polite, yet completely detached. He didn't even let his gaze linger on me before turning back to look at Seraphina with pure tenderness. I stood up, keeping a polite, poised smile on my face—the smile expected of the "almost-Mrs. Carter." "Ethan, Seraphina. Welcome home." Seraphina gave a soft, sweet smile. Her eyes swept over the living room before landing on me. "So, this is Vivian? You've grown so beautiful. But..." She paused, her tone laced with a perfect touch of pity. "I heard you’ve been living with the Carters for the past five years? Ethan has been so busy. It’s a good thing his mother had you to keep her company." With a single sentence, she effortlessly reduced my five years of devotion to that of a live-in nanny. Ethan’s brow furrowed slightly, but he didn't correct her. He only said flatly, "My mother has always been fond of Vivian." The welcome dinner, which was practically a public declaration of Seraphina's reclamation of her throne, proceeded in a suffocating atmosphere. New York's elite shamelessly crowded around Ethan and Seraphina. The story of their childhood romance was retold over and over, as if my five years of existence were nothing but an irrelevant typo in Ethan's life story. I watched my fiancé cut Seraphina's steak, his eyes filled with a gentle devotion I had never once received. For five years, I had stood by his side through Carter Enterprises' worst financial crises. I had handled his family’s messy affairs, comforted his difficult mother, and kept a warm meal waiting for him late into the night... As it turned out, none of it could compare to a single frown from his first love. Once the guests finally left. Without looking at me, Ethan walked straight toward his study. "Vivian, in here." His voice left no room for argument. Inside the study. Ethan stood with his back to me, staring out of the massive floor-to-ceiling window. After a long silence, he turned and pushed a document across the desk toward me. "Sign it." My eyes fell on the title: *Southside Villa Deed Transfer and Identity Settlement Agreement.* "Ethan... what is this supposed to mean?" I still held onto a tiny, foolish shred of hope. He finally looked at me. "Seraphina is back." His voice was as calm as if he were discussing the weather. "Years ago, she had to leave everything behind and go abroad because of me. Her health was ruined because of the stress. She has suffered enough." "And?" My nails dug deep into my palms. "The Carters and the Sterlings have generations of history. Seraphina is the sole heiress to the Sterling Group. Her status and everything she went through mean I have to marry her. I owe her the grandest wedding and her rightful place by my side." "Vivian, you’ve done well these past five years, and I’m grateful. But you know your background... You don't have the pedigree to be the matriarch of the Carter family." Every word was a sharp blade, slicing through the dignity and love I had carefully guarded for five years. So, all my sacrifices were completely worthless in the face of my "background." "This agreement is your compensation." He tapped the document. "The Southside Villa will be transferred to your name. Additionally, the agreement states that you are a distant relative the Carter family took in years ago after a family tragedy. It will prevent any unnecessary gossip." He paused, adding, "It's the best arrangement for everyone." "Haha..." I couldn't help but laugh out loud. With a single sentence, he wanted to erase our five-year engagement. To turn me from his fiancée into some charity case he kept hidden away to "save face"? "Ethan Carter," I took a deep breath, looking him dead in the eye. "I am not a bird you can lock in a golden cage, and I sure as hell don’t need to play the role of a pity-case relative to survive!" I grabbed the agreement and ripped it in half, then tore it again and again until the shredded paper scattered like snow on the floor. "We are over. The engagement is off." --- #### Chapter 2 Ethan’s face cracked, showing actual shock for the first time. He took a few predatory steps forward, his towering frame casting a suffocating shadow over me. He grabbed my wrist, his grip so tight it felt like he might crush my bones. "Vivian! Don't be ungrateful!" he growled, his eyes flashing like daggers. "Do you honestly think you can survive in New York without the Carter name? You're an orphan with absolutely no backing. Without the title of my fiancée, you are nothing! How are you going to support yourself? With those pathetic design drafts of yours?!" His eyes flared with cold anger. "You’re just throwing a tantrum! Sign the agreement, go to the Southside Villa, and the Carters will make sure you’re taken care of! Once you calm down, you’ll realize I’m doing this for your own good!" For my own good? Stripping me of my title and locking me away as a "distant relative" was for my own good? I looked at the face I had loved so desperately, now finding it utterly repulsive. "Ethan," I wrenched my wrist from his grip and stood tall. "We are done. I don't want your money, your status, or your toxic family." "As for how I'll survive?" "You'll find out soon enough. And I promise you, I will never regret this!" Without giving him another second of my time, I turned on my heel and walked out. Right outside the study door, Seraphina was leaning against the wall. We locked eyes for a split second before I brushed right past her. I didn't miss the smug, victorious smirk on her face, but it didn't matter to me anymore. Returning to the guest suite that had been my temporary room, I realized this place had never truly been a home. When I started packing, I realized how little I actually owned. Over the last five years, Ethan had gifted me expensive jewelry and designer clothes, but I had rarely worn them. They always felt like heavy armor that didn't belong to me. Right now, they just felt like a silent joke. I opened the closet, ignoring the luxury brands, and grabbed a worn suitcase from the very back. Inside, I packed a few sentimental clothes from my college days, my digital drawing tablet, and most importantly, my thick, weathered design sketchbooks. I also packed a small velvet box. Inside lay a simple platinum band. It was the ring Ethan had given me when Carter Enterprises was facing its worst financial crisis, using a soda tab to propose in his chaotic office. He had said, *"Vivian, I'm sorry this is all I can give you now. Once things get better, I promise to give you the biggest diamond and the most lavish wedding."* Well, the diamond never came. Only a cold "distant relative" agreement. In less than twenty minutes, every trace of Vivian Miller was packed into that single suitcase. No lingering, no hesitation. The head butler, Thomas, stood by the front door, looking deeply troubled. "Miss Miller... are you really... surely Mr. Carter didn't mean..." He obviously thought Ethan had just spoken in anger. "Thank you for looking after me all these years, Thomas," I said with a gentle nod. "I'm leaving. Take care." Behind me lay five years of wasted devotion. Ahead of me was an uncertain path, but it was mine alone. Ethan stood by the study window, a half-burnt cigarette between his fingers, his dark eyes watching the slender figure wheeling a small suitcase down the long driveway. The moonlight cast a cold, sharp silhouette around her, making her look incredibly resolute. Annoyed, he crushed the cigarette into the crystal ashtray. He pulled out his phone and called Julian. "Is she gone?" "Yes, Mr. Carter. Miss Miller only took her personal clothes and design sketchbooks. She didn't touch any of the valuables," Julian reported meticulously. "Hmph." Ethan let out a cold, cynical laugh, confirming his own arrogant theory. "She has no idea how cruel the real world is. Keep an eye on her. Let her struggle a bit and face some rejection. She’ll quickly realize who she actually needs to rely on." He was absolutely certain that Vivian's minor talent in design would never survive New York's cutthroat market without his backing. Without him, she wouldn't last a week. "Also," he paused, his voice returning to its cold, corporate tone. "Announce my engagement to Seraphina to the press. Make it fast, and make it grand. And contact a few major outlets. Leak a story about how 'the generous Carter family is providing a luxurious life and financial security to a distant relative they took in years ago.'" He was going to completely erase Vivian’s name from his future, sealing her fate as a mere footnote. "Understood, Mr. Carter." --- #### Chapter 3 A few days later, New York's high society was rocked by a massive headline: *Ethan Carter, CEO of Carter Enterprises, to marry Seraphina Sterling next month in a lavish ceremony!* The media showered the couple with endless praise. It was as if Vivian Miller, the low-key fiancé who had stood by his side for five years, had never existed. Whenever any curious whispers popped up, they were instantly drowned out by press releases praising the "charitable Carter family for supporting their distant relative." Meanwhile, in a quiet, slightly run-down but spotless studio apartment in Brooklyn. The space was small and simple, but golden sunlight streamed through the window, illuminating the desk. A thick sketchbook lay open, surrounded by fresh concept drafts. I sat at the desk, my stylus flying across the digital tablet, my eyes completely locked in. This chaotic, ordinary neighborhood gave me a sense of peace and reality I hadn't felt in years. Leaving Ethan wasn't an impulsive tantrum. Even while playing the role of his perfect fiancé, I had never given up on my dream of becoming a designer. It was just that Ethan hated me being in the public eye, and he especially despised me taking on "low-class" commercial projects. My work had been locked away in drawers, or published anonymously in small indie forums. What Ethan didn't know was that I had stayed in touch with Ignite Studio, an independent design house. The founder, Leo Harrison, was a senior from my college days—a man who actually understood art and fought for independent creators. My phone buzzed. Leo's name popped up on FaceTime. "Vivian, are you settled in?" Leo’s warm, direct voice came through, filled with concern. "I saw the news. What a piece of work! A distant relative? How did he even come up with that lie? Are you okay?" "I'm fine, Leo. Better than fine," I laughed, feeling a genuine wave of relief. "Honestly, I’ve never felt lighter." "Good!" Leo let out a breath. "Your spot at Ignite Studio has always been waiting for you. And honestly, the timing is perfect!" His voice filled with excitement. "The 'Aura of Tomorrow' International Design Awards just opened submissions! The deadline is in one month. This is a blind-review platform. No family names, no status—only pure talent! Vivian, I know you have the portfolio. It’s time to let the world see what you can do!" My heart skipped a beat. The "Aura of Tomorrow" was one of the most prestigious design competitions in the world, a place where unknown designers could become stars overnight. All the concepts in my sketchbooks—the ones Ethan had called "amateur"—finally had a chance to breathe! "I'm in!" I said without a single second of hesitation, my eyes burning with determination. "Send me the guidelines, Leo. I'm submitting under my real name—Vivian Miller!" "Hell yes!" Leo cheered, slamming his hand on his desk over the call. "I'll email it to you right now! Let me know whatever you need. Bring out your absolute best, your most 'Vivian' work! Let's show those arrogant snobs what they threw away!" Hanging up, I took a deep breath, my eyes landing on a chaotic but incredibly powerful concept sketch on the latest page of my sketchbook. The lines were sharp, the structure futuristic, yet it carried the powerful theme of rising from the ashes. I had drawn it unconsciously in a state of absolute heartbreak the night Ethan handed me that insulting agreement. At the time, it felt like a chaotic mess, but looking at it now, it looked like a wildfire waiting to erupt. "I’ll call it... *The Phoenix*," I whispered, tracing the lines with my finger. It was no longer just a useless doodle. It was my manifesto. My new beginning. Over the next few weeks, I worked like a woman possessed, refining every detail of the design. Meanwhile, details of Ethan and Seraphina’s wedding prep dominated the media. Stories about their custom-designed, multi-million-dollar diamond rings flooded the internet. At Carter Enterprises, Seraphina began acting like the future boss, inserting herself into corporate projects. One afternoon, Ethan was sitting in his penthouse office, looking over a design proposal from one of his subsidiary firms for the upcoming "NextGen Smart Living" tech competition. He flipped through the pages carelessly until his eyes caught a name on the contestant list.