After we got married, I had asked him to make a doll for me, too, but he always brushed it off, claiming he didn’t have the time.

No matter how many times I pleaded, he never agreed. And yet, for Sabrina, he created an entire row.

It was never about time. I just wasn’t worth it.

Each of Sabrina’s dolls wore crescent-shaped eyes and bright, cheerful smiles.

I picked one up and gripped it so tightly it nearly cracked in my palm.

Just because he adored her, she became a dazzling star in the jewelry world.

And I? I became the convict everyone spat on.

That night, father and son returned.

Wesley called me “Mom” in the same affectionate tone, and Reid held my favorite pastries like always.

But what used to warm me now felt ice-cold, like a cruel performance I could no longer applaud.

The next day, after they both left the house, I quietly stepped out too.

I hailed a cab to a deserted swimming facility and went straight to a locker I thought I’d never return to.

After entering the code, I placed it inside a letter with only four words. “I regret it.”

Once, someone had promised if I ever regretted it, he would come for me without hesitation.

When I returned home and stepped out of the car, I saw them at the gate, Reid and Sabrina, with Wesley trailing behind.

Wesley was chattering excitedly, his hands gesturing in the air.

Sabrina was laughing so hard she doubled over while Reid watched her with that soft, indulgent smile I once thought belonged to me.

The sound of the car door shutting snapped them out of their little world; their smiles froze in place, stiff and unnatural.

My gaze landed on the glittering crown atop Sabrina’s head. My brows furrowed instinctively.

Reid's expression faltered for a moment before he rushed to explain, voice light but uneasy.

“Today’s Sabrina’s birthday banquet. She didn’t have any suitable jewelry, so I lent her this crown for the evening.”

Sabrina’s almond-shaped eyes lifted as she let out a soft giggle, covering her lips like it was all too amusing.

“Reid was so thoughtful. He noticed I didn’t have anything valuable to wear, so he rushed over with this crown.”

“Don’t worry, Brielle. I’ll return it just as it is after tonight.”

Their fingers remained entwined, glowing pale and intimate under the afternoon sun.

The sight pierced through my chest like a hundred needles; every breath I took felt like it scraped against raw skin.

Ever since I got out of prison, Reid had never let me appear at any events, not even by his side.

He always said it was to protect me from rumors and gossip.

And I, like a fool, believed he truly had my best interests at heart.

But now, the truth was cruelly clear. He simply didn’t want to be seen with a convict.

When I stayed silent, Reid went on, “This crown would only gather dust if you kept it. Why not let Sabrina have it? She needs pieces like this to elevate her image right now.”

“Reid, do you even hear yourself?”

That crown had been custom-designed by a world-renowned jeweler for our wedding.

Back then, it caused a sensation, gracing the pages of every major fashion magazine.

I wore it only once, on the day we exchanged vows. Ever since, I have kept it behind glass, preserving it with care like a sacred memory.

This crown symbolized the status of the Ashford family’s matriarch.

He gave it to Sabrina, so what did that make me, his lawful wife?

Noticing the color drain from my face, Reid quickly tried to steer the moment elsewhere.

“Come on, it’s just a piece of jewelry, no need to get so worked up.”

“Today is Sabrina’s birthday banquet. Why don’t you come along too?”

Wesley tugged at my hand sweetly, “Mom, come with us. It’s been so long since we went out together.”

But the images from yesterday’s video flashed coldly through my mind.

A chill settled deep in my chest, though my gaze stayed as calm as still water.

“I’m just a convict. If I go, I’ll only ruin your image.”

Sabrina affectionately linked arms with me and said, “Sister, that’s not right. No matter what, we’re still family. Besides, you haven’t seen Dad since you got out.”

At the mention of Dad, I fell into silence. After a long pause, I finally nodded. Only then did Reid and Wesley seem to relax.

The chauffeur brought over Reid’s luxury car. He opened the door for Sabrina with practiced ease.

Just as I was about to step in, Sabrina smiled sweetly and said, “Sister, my dress is a little too big. Why don’t you take another car instead?”

Reid, already seated in the front passenger seat, frowned and added, “Today’s Sabrina’s birthday banquet; her dress must be handled with care. I’ll call a car for you—”

“No need.”

Before he could finish, I had already turned and walked off on my own.

Reid looked stunned for a moment, but Sabrina gently tugged his sleeve.

“Let’s go, Reid. We’re already running late.”

Whatever hesitation lingered on his face vanished in an instant.

He turned to the driver. “Let’s go.”

The car sped away without a second thought.

Every driver in the household had suddenly become “busy.” And I, his so-called wife, couldn’t even get a ride.

Unable to hail a cab from the villa and with the sky growing darker, I had no choice but to walk.

Rain began to fall, the droplets soaking my dress. By the time I reached the banquet, drenched to the bone, it had already been going on for a while.

Reid and Sabrina stood side by side, their smiles radiant, the very picture of a perfect couple.

Dad stood with them, a satisfied smile on his lips, nodding as if proud of the scene before him.

The guests surrounding them showered them with compliments, calling them a match made in heaven.

And? I stood at the entrance, soaked to the skin, my dress dripping water, looking like a drowned rat.

The stir I caused at the door caught Dad’s attention.

He strode over, his face dark with anger. Without a moment’s hesitation, he began to scold me, his words sharp and merciless.

“Who let you come here?”

“This is your sister’s birthday banquet. Haven’t you embarrassed yourself enough?”

“A convict like you, if I were you, I’d have killed myself by now. If you had any decency, you’d divorce and step aside.”

“I’ve already announced today that Sabrina is my daughter. Why are you still clinging to Reid?”

“Dad, I am Reid’s rightful wife!”

“Sabrina is just a poor student we helped out; how could she be your daughter?”

A loud, stinging slap landed on my face, the force leaving my ears ringing.

In that instant, I became the center of attention at the banquet.

“Disgrace!” Dad bellowed.

Sabrina flinched like a frightened rabbit, darting into Reid’s arms for comfort.

And my son, who had once been so tender and close to me, didn’t even spare me a glance.

His small body stood firmly in front of Sabrina, shielding her from me.

“You’re just a convict. What right do you have to question me?”

“If you had even half the sense of Sabrina, you would’ve died in prison instead of making a fool of yourself here!”

The crowd watched closely, some raising their phones, capturing every moment.

I covered my face, consumed by a flood of humiliation that seemed to drown me.

Reid hesitated, a flicker of doubt in his eyes.

“Father…”

“Reid, Chairman Hardin is here. Let’s go greet him.”

“But—”

“Sister Brielle is still Dad’s biological daughter. She’ll be fine.”

Reid hesitated, but ultimately, he allowed Sabrina to pull him away.

With his arm around her, they walked toward the guests, not once looking back.

I stood there, trembling under the mocking stares of the crowd.

That child I had raised with my whole heart didn’t even pause; it just cast me a look of disdain and rushed after Sabrina.

I finally fled, the mocking laughter of the crowd echoing in my ears.

My father’s scolding followed me like a shadow, his words searing into my mind.

“If you knew it would come to this, why did you act that way in the first place? Now, you care about dignity? It’s too late!”

Hiding in a corner of the hotel, I let the tears fall, the sobs silent but deep.

Sabrina appeared with a smug smile curling on her lips, her eyes brimming with mockery.

“Brielle, how does it feel to have everything taken from you by me?”

“Did you enjoy those five years in prison I gave you? All I had to do was shed a single tear, and your precious son switched your design for mine.”

“You didn’t even have to serve five years. Your dear husband was so worried about me suffering that he had the sentence stretched from two to three, then to five.”

“And your father, he publicly severed ties with you, making sure you wouldn’t dare fight back once you got out.”

For Sabrina’s sake, my family, my husband, and my child had all stood by and let me rot in hell for five long years.

Five years.

Five long years of endless beatings and humiliation dragged me from the clouds and into the mud, where anyone could trample me without hesitation.

When the realization hit me that it was all because of her, I couldn’t contain it anymore. I raised my hand, my fingers trembling with rage, ready to strike.

But before I could, Sabrina suddenly crumpled to the floor.

“Sister, I’m sorry! I’ll take off the crown right now!”

Then, before I could react, Wesley shoved me harshly to the ground. My forehead collided with the corner of a table, and a sharp pain exploded through my skull as blood began to drip down my cheek.

Reid rushed to Sabrina’s side, lifting her gently into his arms, his movements tender as if she were the one who had been hurt.

With tears in her eyes, she whimpered, “Reid, Sister got mad at me. I’ll just return the crown…”

But when Reid saw the blood staining my face, his eyes flickered with concern before hardening into ice.

“If it’s been given to you, then it’s yours. A convict like her isn’t worthy of touching such fine jewelry.”

“Brielle, now you’re making a fuss over a piece of jewelry? If anything happens to Sabrina, I’ll make sure you pay the price.”

“Did you hear me?!”

Wesley’s voice cracked through the air as he shouted, “You wicked woman! You don’t deserve to be my mom!”

Reid carried Sabrina in his arms, walking away without sparing even a glance in my direction.

Sabrina rested her head on his shoulder and turned, flashing me a victorious smile.

Watching them disappear, my heart turned to ice.

But thankfully, I had already received word from that person.

Soon, I would be leaving.

By the time I made it home, my body burned with fever, a wave of dizziness making everything feel unreal.

As soon as I walked through the door, my eyes landed on the overflowing trash can.

Inside were all the birthday gifts I had carefully made for him over the years.

Each year, I poured my heart into a handmade gift for Wesley. Even in prison, I had forced myself to create something for him.

A piece of fine jewelry, a fuzzy tiger plush, a hand-knitted sweater.

Now, regardless of their worth, every one of those gifts lay crumpled in the trash, discarded among dirty takeout boxes and crumpled cigarette packs.

When Wesley saw me, he turned away without a word and stormed off, slamming his bedroom door with a deafening bang.

I was too dizzy, too feverish, to care. All I wanted was to get to my room and lie down.

But as I reached my bedroom door, I noticed it wasn’t fully shut.

Through the small gap, I saw Sabrina clinging to Reid, his lips crashing into hers with a fierce urgency.

He couldn't wait to tear off her dress, and in the chaos, her crown was ripped from her head and tossed carelessly to the floor.

It landed in a heap, shattered and bent, the diamonds spilling out as if even they couldn’t bear to stay.

Under Reid’s gaze, Sabrina looked at me with a mocking smile.

Without warning, she bit down hard, causing Reid to groan in pain.

The long-suppressed desire between them burst forth, wild and frantic.

At that moment, I felt completely hollow, as though I no longer existed.

I slid weakly down the wall, sitting on the cold floor, helplessly listening to the sounds of their passion all through the night.

The next morning, Reid emerged from the room, stretching with satisfaction, but froze when he saw me sitting at the doorway.

“Brielle, why are you sitting here?”

“Sabrina was scared, so I stayed with her for a while.”

I couldn’t stop the cold laugh that escaped my lips. Even after everything, he could speak of it so lightly.

“Stayed with her for a while? You stayed with her all the way to her bed, didn’t you? Every inch of her.”

Reid’s face flushed, then twisted with anger.

“Stop being unreasonable!”

“You’re a convict; if I didn’t pity you, I’d have divorced you long ago!”

“Do you really think what I have with Sabrina is that serious?”

Tears streamed down my face uncontrollably.

Yes, he was the powerful CEO, and I was the convict no one could respect.

Seeing my silence, he assumed I’d accepted it, walking away with a carefree step.

After they left, I placed the divorce papers I had already prepared on the table.

Reid, I’ll give you what you want.

Without a glance back, I stepped into the Maybach waiting at the gate.