The year I graduated, my two childhood friends-turned-business partners seized the short video trend and launched a channel called A Plum Spoiled by Two Bamboo Horses. It brought them fame and fortune.

Since the account's inception, they’ve used countless ways to publicly "spoil" me, creating a perfect facade for the internet. They were hailed online as the two most devoted men.

But behind the scenes, the one they truly spoiled was the wealthy investor who funded their project in the first place. I was nothing more than a convenient tool—a mere prop in their performance.

I lived a life better described as a glorified nanny.

Once my heart finally broke beyond repair, I made the decision to cancel my ID and disappear from their world forever. I wanted to escape.

But to my surprise, my attempt to leave sent them spiraling.

——

“Hannah, this is for you. Isn’t it romantic?”

Gerald gently covered my eyes with his hand before pulling it away, revealing a sky lit with dazzling fireworks. The colorful bursts painted the night in vivid hues, the spectacle so grand it seemed to light up the entire world.

In the past, I might have been moved to tears by such beauty.

Now, though, all I could feel was a biting, hollow coldness.

Dressed in nothing but a strapless gown on a freezing night that hovered around zero degrees, I stood there. They wanted me to look beautiful on camera, no matter the cost.

So I numbly endured the chill, watching the fireworks that had been "carefully prepared"—not for me, but for their next viral video.

“Click!”

I forced a smile for the camera. Before I could utter even a fake “I love it,” Daniel’s irritated voice cut through the night like a blade.

“Hannah, what’s wrong with you? Can’t you at least try to act more dedicated?”

“Do you think you’re the only one suffering in the cold? Everyone here is freezing just to get this video done!”

I bit back my frustration, wrapped myself in resignation and agreed to reshoot.

Only after filming the scene five times did Daniel and Gerald finally declare their satisfaction. And as if on cue, they both rushed over to Nora.

“Freezing, right? All because of Hannah!”

Daniel grabbed the staff member’s down jacket—originally meant for me—and draped it over Nora’s shoulders without hesitation.

Gerald, meanwhile, took her hands in his, blowing warm air onto her chilled fingers with care.

From my seat off to the side, I watched them fuss over Nora with tender affection and a bitter ache welled up in my chest.

These days, their attention toward me was a performance for the camera—nothing more than a shallow facade. But their care for her? That was real.

I couldn’t help but wonder: where did I lose to her? How did the two boys who swore as children that they would never marry anyone but me turn into this?

But ultimately, none of it mattered anymore.

I had already applied to cancel my ID and once the process was complete, I planned to leave this place for good. I’d go somewhere they could never find me.

Sitting in the car, I finally felt some warmth seep back into my frozen body. The numbness in my lips faded and the pale purple tinge gave way to a healthier color.

Just then, Daniel climbed into the car with his arm around Nora. His eyes flicked toward me, narrowing in annoyance when he saw me sitting in the front seat.

“Move to the back! Who said you could sit here?”

Before I could respond, he pulled me out of the seat and pushed me toward the narrow, cramped third row. He then carefully helped Nora settle into the seat I had just vacated, turning on the heater for her comfort.

“Hannah, are you cold?” Nora asked sweetly, glancing at me in my thin coat. Her voice dripped with concern as she extended the down jacket toward me. “Here, you can have this.”

Her eyes betrayed a hint of smugness. She wasn’t worried about me freezing—she simply found the thick jacket too warm and inconvenient.

“Look how considerate Nora is!” Daniel chimed in. “Hurry up and put it on, or you’ll catch a cold and delay the next few days of shooting.”

With that, he turned his attention back to Nora, chatting with her and making her laugh.

I sat silently in the back row, watching them through the rearview mirror. I said nothing.

I had no words left to say.

I felt my throat tighten, a lump forming that I couldn’t swallow.

Quietly, I opened my phone, double-checked the flight details and prepared to check in online. But before I could complete the process, Nora’s curious voice interrupted me.

“Hannah, where are you traveling to?” she asked, her tone light, but her eyes glinting with something far less innocent.

At her words, both Gerald and Daniel turned their heads sharply, their expressions darkening.

“Traveling? You must be joking,” Daniel snapped, his voice dripping with authority. “We still have several videos to shoot. Where are you finding the time to go on a trip?”

“Hurry up and cancel the ticket,” Gerald added coldly. “From now on, any trips you take have to be approved by the company.”

I stared at them for a moment, the weight of their demands crushing down on me. Resigned, I closed the check-in screen on my phone and gave a perfunctory response.

“Okay.”

Ever since their video channel skyrocketed to fame, my life had ceased to be my own. Every decision, every step, was dictated by their needs.

To the world, it seemed like they had “created” me, gifting me a life envied by millions. A life of glamour, wealth and popularity.

But in reality, I was a puppet, dancing to their every command. They made me feel as though I owed them everything and leaving them was an impossible dream. I should just obey—play the role they had assigned me.

By the time we got home, it was late at night.

Since graduating, I had been living with them. Once upon a time, I thought it was because they wanted me close, to spoil me like they always had. Back then, I truly believed I was the happiest woman in the world.

But then Nora entered the picture and everything changed.

They forced me to give up my spacious, sunlit room for her and shoved me into the small, freezing north-facing one instead. Every day, I watched them laugh and play together right in front of me, while I was reduced to little more than a servant in my own home.

“I’m starving, Hannah! Hurry up and make us something to eat,” Daniel barked as soon as we stepped inside.

The three of them flopped onto the sofa, leaving me to stand there, weary and ignored.

Once, I used to cook for them willingly, going out of my way to learn their favorite dishes. I wanted to make them happy, repay their kindness.

But over time, my efforts became their expectation—a routine they never questioned. In their eyes, cooking, cleaning and taking care of them was simply my duty.

Tonight, however, I’d had enough.

“I’m tired,” I said flatly, grabbing my makeup remover and heading toward the bathroom. “I don’t feel like cooking.”

Daniel’s temper flared instantly.

“Tired? What are you tired of?” he shouted, his voice rising with frustration. “If it wasn’t for your incompetence today, we wouldn’t have had to reshoot so many times! We’ve spoiled you so much and now you think you’re some kind of princess, don’t you?”

He gestured toward Nora. “Nora has a sensitive stomach. Are you really going to let her starve because of your selfishness?”

Spoiled me? The absurdity of his words made me laugh bitterly.

The only "favor" they showed me these days was the carefully constructed illusion they put on for the cameras. Behind closed doors, all that remained were orders, criticism and disdain.

I took a deep breath and swallowed the urge to argue. Soon, I reminded myself, none of this would matter. I’d be gone, far away from all of this.

But before I could retreat to the sanctuary of the bathroom, Nora sauntered in, a smug smile playing on her lips.

“Hannah, are you upset?” she asked, her voice honeyed with fake concern.

I glanced at her coldly. “No.”

“Oh, but you are,” she continued, lowering her voice as she leaned closer. Her gaze sparkled with open mockery. “You’re angry at me, aren’t you? Angry because I stole your two bamboo horses?”

I didn’t reply, but my silence seemed to amuse her even more.

“Hannah,” she whispered, her tone dripping with condescension, “have you ever heard the saying? ‘A childhood friend is never worth mentioning in the face of destiny.’”

She tilted her head, her smile growing sharper. “Everything you have right now—it’s all because of them. Your fame, your lifestyle... it’s all theirs to give. And just as easily, they can take it all away.”

Her words cut deep, each one a deliberate blow.

“All you have to do,” she continued, “is stay obedient. Keep playing the part they’ve crafted for you. Otherwise…” She paused, her eyes glinting with malice. “If the facade crumbles, you’ll be the one to suffer. You’ll lose everything.”

I clenched my fists, forcing myself to remain calm.

Nora’s smile turned triumphant. She knew she held all the cards. As the company’s major shareholder, she had the power to decide my fate.

And she wanted me to know it.

But I simply smiled back—cold, distant and unbothered.

She didn’t realize that soon, none of her threats would matter. Soon, I would be free.

These days, the ones most afraid of "collapsing the house" are not me but them.

Gerald and Daniel have carefully crafted my image as the happiest woman in the world. But in reality, it’s just a ploy to mold themselves into the most affectionate men—a facade they wear to keep their audience hooked.

“Do you think I care?”

Nora’s words were sharp, aimed to provoke me. But my calm response seemed to throw her off.

My lack of reaction chipped away at her smug demeanor and she snapped. “Why do you always pretend so much? If you’re angry, just yell at me already!”

“You obviously want to scold me, don’t you? Don’t you ever get tired of pretending?”

I ignored her rant, focusing on packing up my belongings. There was no point in engaging with someone like her—someone so needlessly petty.

But just as I was about to leave, Gerald walked in.

The moment she saw him, Nora’s entire demeanor shifted. Her eyes welled up with tears and she plastered on an expression of pure vulnerability.

Gerald’s concern was instantaneous. His brows furrowed as he rushed to her side and wrapped a protective arm around her.

“What’s wrong? What happened?”

Nora pointed at me, tears streaming down her face. “I just asked Hannah if she could kindly make us some food…”

She sniffled dramatically before continuing, “I even humbled myself, but she scolded me—said I’m useless, that I can’t even cook for myself.”

Her voice quivered as she tried to move toward the kitchen, muttering in a broken tone, “I’ll prove I’m not worthless. I’ll cook something, no matter what.”

I stood there, stunned at the performance. With acting skills like hers, she could easily land leading roles.

Predictably, Gerald pulled her back, his face dark with anger as he turned to me.

“Hannah, are you out of your mind?” he snapped. “What’s the point of berating Nora over something so trivial? Apologize to her right now!”

I took a deep breath, willing myself to stay calm.

Ever since I was a child, I’ve hated unnecessary drama. I’ve never been one to shout or argue; it’s just not in my nature. All my anger, when it comes, is swift and decisive.

I fixed my gaze on Nora, who continued to cry pitifully. Suppressing my frustration, I muttered a cold, indifferent, “Sorry.”

Her tears dried almost instantly and a victorious smirk flickered in her eyes.

As I turned to leave, she leaned in close, her voice barely above a whisper.

“See? This is how things should be. You can’t fight me. Gerald and Daniel only have room in their hearts for me. You don’t deserve them.”

I clenched my fists but refused to give her the satisfaction of a reaction.

***

The next day, I walked into the police station with my immigration documents in hand.

The staff member at the desk glanced at me, a bit hesitant. “Are you sure you want to do this? Once your account is canceled, your identity will no longer exist in this country. You won’t be traceable.”

“I’m sure,” I replied firmly. Without a moment of hesitation, I signed the papers, erasing every official trace of myself from this place.

It was a clean break—a final step toward freedom.

When I returned to the company, I barely had time to process what was happening.

“Bang!”

The sound of two celebratory cannons echoed around me, showering me with confetti. Cheers erupted as employees clapped and whistled.

“Welcome back, our star!”

Daniel stood at the center of the room, leading the applause. His grin was wide and animated, a signal for everyone to cheer even louder.

Before I could react, Gerald gently placed his arm around my shoulders and guided me toward the stage. Photographers flanked us on both sides, snapping away from different angles.

Looking at the entire setup—the decorations, the applause, the cameras—it was obvious this was just another performance. All of it was for show, designed to dazzle their audience.

On stage, Daniel grabbed the microphone, his voice booming with exaggerated enthusiasm.

“Ladies and gentlemen, let’s hear it for our greatest contributor—Hannah! Without her, this company wouldn’t be where it is today.”

I forced a polite smile, matching the role they expected me to play.

But then something unexpected happened.

Even after the cameras stopped rolling, Gerald’s smile didn’t falter. He turned to me, his expression unusually soft.

“Hannah,” he said gently, his voice uncharacteristically serious. “I know you’ve been unhappy lately. You probably think everything we’ve done for you is just for the cameras—just an act for the audience.”

His words caught me off guard, but I kept my expression neutral.

He continued, “But it’s not just for show. You mean more to us than you realize.”

I stared at him, trying to gauge the sincerity in his eyes.

For a moment, I almost wanted to believe him.

But then, I remembered the past few months—the cold indifference, the constant demands and the relentless manipulation.

And just like that, whatever flicker of hope his words had sparked was snuffed out.