I tried to stand up even though my body was still shaking. I want to leave this place. I couldn't bear to be in a house that only gave me pain and humiliation. However, as I stepped towards the door, Ray's firm voice stopped me in my tracks.

"You're not going anywhere, Lea."

I turned around with eyes already wet with tears. "Why? Don't you want me to go? I'm tired, Ray..." My voice was soft, full of desperation.

Ray glanced at Sabrina, and I caught a glimpse of a sly smile on his face. I knew there was something behind this.

Ray walked over, suddenly wrapping his arms around me. His touch felt cold, not the slightest warmth, just falseness. "I'm sorry, Lea... I got too carried away earlier," he whispered, then gently kissed my forehead.

I was transfixed, confused by his drastic change in demeanor. I didn't understand what he wanted from me. I tried to push her away, but she tightened her embrace even more.

Sabrina who was standing behind her was not happy about all this. I could see the glint of anger in her eyes, but she kept her sweet demeanor in front of Ray.

"You can't leave, Lea," Ray's voice sounded slower and deeper. "My father chose you as my wife... and you know what that means."

I paused, holding my breath. I knew exactly what he meant. If I left, Ray's father-who was now overseas-would be furious. Not only that, Ray wouldn't get a penny of his father's inheritance.

I shook my head, trying to free myself. "Ray... I don't care about any of that. I just want to be free!"

Ray looked back at me sharply. "Free?" he muttered coldly. "If you weren't the woman of my father's choice, do you think I'd be willing to keep you? Don't dream, Lea." His face came close to my ear and whispered, "You're just a tool to me. A source of money. If not for that, I would have divorced you long ago. Sabrina is the woman I want."

My heart seemed to stop beating. The pain that I had been harboring hit me hard again.

I tried to be strong. "Then divorce me, Ray. I don't want to stay here just for money."

But instead of feeling threatened, Ray laughed sarcastically. "Divorce you?" He looked at me with contempt. "You think it's that easy? You'll stay here until I decide everything."

Sabrina suddenly groaned in pain, making the scene even more chaotic. "Ray... my hand hurts," she whined miserably. "Look... the blood is still coming out..."

Ray immediately turned around, took Sabrina's hand gently, and rubbed it attentively. "Patience, dear... I'll take care of you."

I could only watch them with teary eyes. There was nothing I could do but cry. I felt so weak and helpless.

Just then, my parents came into the room. My father and stepmother stared at the scene in front of them with different expressions. My mother looked shocked, while my father, Frans, just snorted coldly.

I gathered my courage and said, "Dad... Ray is having an affair with Sabrina. You saw them-"

Before I could finish my sentence, my father cut in with a sharp voice, "Enough, Lea!"

I was shocked. "Dad, didn't you see them?" I asked in a trembling voice. "Ray is having an affair with my sister!"

Frans looked at me with contempt. "You still dare to talk about loyalty? After all the disgrace you've caused?"

I fell silent, my heart breaking again. "Father..."

"I don't care about their relationship. I support it," I continued in a sharp tone. "Ray deserves a better woman than you. Sabrina is a better choice!"

Dad's words make me barely breathe. I stared at him in disbelief. "How can you support this affair? I'm your daughter!"

Dad leaned closer, then whispered hatefully, "You've become a dirty woman, Lea. You deserve this as a lesson."

I felt like my body was about to collapse. I couldn't believe my father was supporting all of this. Only a small sob escaped my lips. Everyone around me seemed to be enjoying my suffering.

Sabrina smiled slyly again behind Ray's back. I know she won today. But I wasn't going to give up so easily.

"What do you all want? Do you want to see me die? Kill me! Kill me now! I've had it, I'm tired of all this suffering! Please don't kill me like this. Let me give birth to my child first, then you can kill me with satisfaction!" I shouted, with tears streaming down my cheeks.

I stepped unsteadily into the house that once gave me a sense of security. But now, this house contains only hurt and humiliation. I want to leave, away from all this, but where?

Once inside, the sounds from last night's party are still echoing in my head. Sabrina's laughter, Ray's scorn, and Dad's cold stare continue to haunt me. I bite my lip, trying to hold back the tears that keep welling up.

My stomach felt empty, I just realized that I hadn't eaten all day. Last night I was too busy following Ray's wishes, pretending to be strong in front of everyone. With trembling hands, I reached for the remaining bread on the kitchen table and took a slow bite. It tasted bland, like my life had lost its flavor.

In the midst of despair, I picked up my cell phone and dialed the number I'd erased so many times, but always remembered by heart. "Dan, I want to file for divorce," my voice was soft, but firm.

There was a moment's pause on the other end before Daniel's voice rang out. "Lea... are you sure?"

I nodded even though she couldn't see me. "I can't take it anymore, Dan. Please help me," I whispered.

Daniel-my ex-boyfriend turned best friend and lawyer-sighs. "Okay. I'll take care of everything. You have to be prepared for the consequences."

I didn't realize that Ray was standing behind the door, hearing everything. I could feel his piercing gaze penetrating these walls. But I didn't care.

In the evening, the sound of a car stopped in front of the house. I remained sitting on the sofa with a blank stare. Ray came in, carrying a jewelry box and a box of chocolates in his hand.

"I know I went too far," he said with a small smile, handing me the gift. "This is for you, Lea. Sorry about yesterday."

I looked at her expressionlessly. Slowly, I grabbed the brown box, then placed it on the table quietly. I also pushed the jewelry box away.

Ray looked surprised, as if he couldn't believe I was refusing. In the past, I might have melted, but now... no.

"You can't buy me with this, Ray," I said coldly. I saw his jaw harden, but I didn't care. I was tired of all this falsehood.

Ray gave me a sharp look. "You think you can just leave? You're not going anywhere, Lea," he said threateningly.

I straightened up, looking at him straight on. "I'm leaving, Ray. I don't care about your threats anymore."

Before Ray could answer, Sabrina's voice came from outside the room. "Ray, where are you? I need you!"

Ray looked at me sharply, his face full of pent-up anger. I knew what he was going to say, and I was prepared for it.

"You must apologize to Sabrina," she said in a cold tone. "Now."

I looked at her expressionlessly. "Apologizing? For what?"

Ray snorted in annoyance. "Don't play dumb, Lea. You've already harmed him. He got hurt because of you!"

I chuckled, bitterly. "I'm the one who harmed him?" I looked at him sharply, no longer trying to hide the anger I had been harboring. "Ray, what harmed him was your own stupidity."

But Ray didn't care. He stepped closer, grasping my arm hard. "I don't care what you think, Lea. You will bow before Sabrina and apologize."

My heart sank. I knew Ray could be this cruel, but I didn't expect him to go this far.

"I would never do that," I said with a trembling voice, but full of firmness.

Ray took a deep breath, looking at me as if I was just a minor annoyance that he could deal with at any time. "If you won't do it, I'll make sure your life in this house suffers even more."

I smiled sadly. "You think my life here can still be worse than this?"

Ray growled, then pulled me roughly. "Come on, now!"

I held myself up with all my might to keep from falling. "I won't do it, Ray," I said with conviction.

Sabrina emerges from behind the door with a face full of satisfaction, her bandaged arm deliberately shown to me. "Ray, there's no need to push her," she said in a soft, but venomous voice. "I know how hard it is for Lea to humble herself."

I clenched my fists tightly, but I would not fall into their trap. "If you want someone to fall at your feet, find someone else. I'm done with all this."

Sabrina smiled sarcastically, but I could see a flash of anger in her eyes. Ray couldn't hide his disappointment either. "Lea, I warned you..."

I didn't wait for him to finish speaking. I turned and walked away, leaving them to their own anger. I had suffered enough, and I would not give them any more satisfaction.

I let out a long breath. Apparently, I was never really in his heart. I was just a tool that he could utilize.

I picked up my phone again and typed a quick message to Daniel. "I'm ready."