It didn’t matter anymore; there was nothing in that house worth holding on to.

As I turned to wait for a taxi, a few familiar neighbors walked by, pointing and whispering behind cupped hands.

"That’s her, the one who cheated and tried to leave her husband with nothing."

"Heard she didn’t even care when her son was sick, just ran off to meet her lover..."

I clenched my teeth, refusing to argue. With my parents fueling the gossip in the neighborhood chat, nothing I said would change their minds.

Once I got into the taxi, I booked a random hotel and checked in. Soaking in the warm bathtub, I finally let myself fall apart.

The hot water rolled down my cheeks, but no amount of heat could wash away the sting of betrayal from everyone I once trusted.

Just then, my phone screen lit up. A new message appeared in Kyro’s fishing group chat.

He’d tagged everyone, saying he couldn’t go fishing today, he had something to do.

As I scrolled up, I saw the message he posted on the very day our son was hospitalized.

[Caught a top-quality black koi today. Amazing feel! @Zeus, you catch anything today?]

My dad replied almost instantly.

[You lucky brat. I only pulled up a few worthless little ones.]

[Young folks know how to enjoy themselves. This old back of mine can only manage dinner-sized fish.]

Staring at those words, black koi, my stomach twisted violently.

Just then, my phone buzzed. It was a call from the top-tier lawyer.

“Miss Castillo, all the paperwork’s ready. Whether you choose a contested or amicable divorce, we’ll ensure your best interests are fully protected.”

After I hung up, a wave of relief finally settled over me, and I sank into a deep sleep.

By the next morning, the moment I stepped into the office building, I felt eyes follow me from the elevator to the hallway.

When I pushed open the door to my office, all conversation stopped.

“Director Castillo, the boss is looking for you.”

My assistant kept her head down, avoiding my gaze, then silently gestured toward a box nearby.

One glance was enough; it was packed with my personal belongings.

I walked into the boss’s office. He didn’t bother with pleasantries.

“Eloise, the company has decided to terminate your contract. Here’s your severance.”

“Why? Didn’t we agree I’d take over the Roseville branch after finishing this project?”

He pulled out his phone and turned the screen toward me.

“Your personal scandal has affected the company’s image. It’s already all over the internet, see for yourself.”

Right there on the trending page was a headline screaming accusations of infidelity and trying to force my husband to leave with nothing.

The phrase “Modern-Day Lady Macbeth” burned across the screen like a scarlet brand.

I clicked on the video, and it was surveillance footage from the private dining room yesterday.

From the angle, it was clearly taken from the restaurant’s cameras.

And the only person who could’ve accessed and leaked it was Kyro.

He really meant to ruin me.

Colleagues nearby stared with disgust. A few even raised their voices on purpose.

“So much for pretending to be pure and noble. She’s just a slut!”

“Now it makes sense how she landed that executive role…”

I said nothing. I calmly signed the resignation and walked out with my box.

As I stepped out of the company building, I dialed my senior from university. “You mentioned wanting to open a branch together. Does that offer still stand?”

His voice burst through the line, both surprised and thrilled.

“Of course! You’ve finally decided? When can you start?”

“Three days from now. I’ll head to Roseville.”

After ending the call, I went straight to the mall to buy some clothes.

But the moment I stepped into the women’s section, I heard hushed voices and saw fingers pointing my way.

“That’s her… the shameless woman from the video.”

The murmurs swelled, drawing a small crowd, and the insults came sharper, louder.

“You call yourself a mother? Your kid was sick and you didn’t even care!”

“Your son was rushed to the hospital this morning with vomiting and diarrhea, and here you are, shopping like nothing happened!”

Chad was hospitalized again?

My chest tightened. I didn’t care about the fists and kicks that rained down on me from the crowd. I forced my way through and flagged down a taxi straight to the children’s hospital.

Inside the ward, Chad lay on the bed, his little face ghostly pale. Kyro and Ruby sat on either side of him.

The moment I stepped into the room, the doctor scolded me on sight.

“We’ve told you over and over, no shrimp! Why did you feed him shrimp again?”

“I didn’t…”

Chad turned his weak face toward Kyro and murmured, “Daddy, Mommy made me eat shrimp. She said it’s healthy… that it would help me get better faster.”

“Daddy, can Auntie Ruby be my mommy instead?”

I felt as if lightning had struck me square in the chest.

When had Chad learned to lie?

Ruby cradled Chad gently, her eyes glistening with tears.

“Eloise, what are you doing? Can’t we just talk this out? The child is innocent…”

Kyro finally snapped. He stormed over and slapped me hard across the face.

“Even a tiger doesn’t harm its cub! If you’re angry, take it out on me! Why take it out on Chad?”

I stumbled back, leaning against the wall as my cheek burned with pain.

Just then, Kyro’s assistant burst in and handed me a sleek, elegant gift box.

“Madam, this was specially flown in from Italy by Mr. Morris. Please, don’t create any more drama…”

So he hit me, then offered a bribe?

I let out a cold sneer, took the box, and shoved it into Ruby’s hands.

“Keep it. No point wasting more tricks trying to take him.”

Kyro’s expression darkened. He snatched the box from her, tore it open, and pulled out a glittering jewelry set.

Without hesitation, he clasped the necklace around Ruby’s neck and bellowed at me, “Get out! I’m done humiliating myself for you!”

I turned to leave, but my mother-in-law stepped in front of me.

“Trying to run off? You sent my grandson to the hospital and won’t even cover the medical bills?”

I scanned the code and paid the fees, then turned to Chad, still unwilling to give up.

“Chad… why did you lie? You—”

He suddenly broke into uncontrollable sobs.

“Go away! You’re a bad woman! I don’t want you to be my mommy anymore!”

Ruby’s eyes gleamed with satisfaction, a flicker of triumph dancing in them.

I had no strength left to fight. I couldn’t bring myself to take Chad away anymore.

After all, he carried Kyro’s blood. Maybe that was why it was so easy for him to switch sides.

Three days later, I arrived at the city hall on time. But Kyro never showed up.

Instead, his assistant handed me a new divorce agreement. This time, I was the one leaving with nothing.

“Mr. Morris says if you sign this, he’ll consider letting you visit the child.”

I tore the document into pieces and threw it back at him.

“Tell him—I’ll see him in court.”

I immediately had my top-tier lawyer file a lawsuit, but I hadn’t expected Kyro to move faster.

The very next day, a court summons arrived. He’d beaten me to it, suing for divorce on the grounds of infidelity and child abuse.

On the day of the hearing, every possible relative and friend showed up. All of them stood on Kyro’s side, their eyes filled with judgment and scorn.

Even my parents.

Kyro, dressed in a sharp suit, walked up and leaned in close. His voice was low and cold.

“If you regret it now, it’s not too late. Stop causing trouble and let me keep night fishing, I’ll give you another chance.”

My parents followed, their expressions hard.

“Don’t burn all your bridges. Admit your mistake, and Kyro will still forgive you; we’ll still acknowledge you as our daughter.”

I ignored them all and walked straight to the defendant’s bench.

The trial began. Kyro’s lawyer launched into an impassioned speech, listing every supposed sin I had committed.

The judge scanned through the evidence they had presented and looked up at me.

“Given the defendant’s infidelity and abusive behavior, if there are no objections, this court rules to grant the divorce. Custody of the child goes to the plaintiff. The defendant shall leave the marriage with no assets.”

The courtroom instantly broke into cheers.

Kyro wore the smile of a man who thought he'd won. Ruby even flung her arms around him in giddy excitement.

Just as the judge raised the gavel, I rose to my feet and spoke clearly, each word echoing across the silent room.

“I object. And I have evidence proving the plaintiff is the one truly at fault.”

Since they had no shame left, why should I keep covering for them?