I sat at the gutter, knees pulled to my chest, tears falling freely. The cold concrete pressed into my skin, but I couldn’t feel anything but the ache inside me. Why did I still love him? Why did I still kneel in front of Nora, apologize for something I didn’t do, let Dylan humiliate me in front of everyone?

I hugged myself tighter. The dignity I once had… gone. Crushed under the weight of loving a man who never looked at me the way I looked at him. Dylan had broken everything in me—my pride, my hope, my love.

There was nothing left. Nothing but this hollow shell sitting on the street like a fool. I loved him. God, I loved him. I believed that maybe, just maybe, he'd love me back one day. I deluded myself with fairy tales.

But the truth was always in front of me. He never loved me. He never looked at me even once. He loved her. Nora. His stepsister. I snorted bitterly, wiping my face with the sleeve of my coat.

Nora was right. I was a leech. I clung to a man who couldn’t love me, who used me. The truth was ugly, but I saw it now. Dylan only married me because his father would never allow him to be with Nora. I was the cover-up. The lie he told to the world. And I… I was stupid enough to say yes.

A pair of shiny leather shoes stopped in front of me. My breath caught. I looked up.

“Asher?” I whispered.

Asher Lincoln. Youngest billionaire and successful one in the country. My childhood friend and best friend.

He knelt beside me, eyes scanning my face. “What are you doing outside the hospital like this?” he asked in a cold voice.

I looked away, quickly wiping my cheeks. “Nothing’s wrong.”

He let out a low whistle. “Did you finally realize what a scumbag Dylan is?”

I turned back to him, defensive. “It’s not your business.”

The teasing in his expression faded instantly. His eyes sharpened. “Who slapped you?”

I hesitated, then lifted a hand to my bruised cheek. “I… I bumped into something.”

“I’m not born yesterday, Ivy,” he muttered, rubbing a hand through his hair. “I know a bruise when I see one and I know if it’s a slap. Don’t make me stupid.”

I stayed silent, ashamed. Yeah, I forgot that Asher doesn’t want to be treated as if he’s stupid.

“Until when are you going to be this stubborn?” he asked. “Your family is dying to get you back. And here you are, letting that lowlife raise his hand on you.”

“I love him,” I whispered, more to myself than to him. Like trying to justify what he did and my choice. “That’s why I left. My family didn’t want us together.”

“Of course, you were treated as a princess but then that bastard will do this to you?” Asher’s face turned cold. “And does he love you?”

I froze. My hands clenched tightly. I looked down and I couldn't look at his eyes. Because I know he will know immediately. No, he already knows.

“Answer me, Ivy,” he pressed. “Does Dylan love you?”

He reached out, tilted my chin harshly. “Are you sure he ever did?”

I slapped his hand away, suddenly angry. “It doesn’t matter! I love him!”

Asher stared at me for a beat, then laughed bitterly. “Then if you want to be treated like trash, why not let me do it? I’ll mishandle you the same way Dylan does, if that’s what you’re looking for.”

I stared at him, stunned. “You’ve changed.”

He smirked. “Everyone changes, Ivy. Even you. You used to be strong. You used to be fearless. The Ivy I knew would’ve never allowed herself to be reduced like this. I never knew that love will make you like this. You’ve gone weak.”

I glared. “I’m not weak.”

“Then prove it,” he said, voice firm. “Show me that the Ivy I grew up with is still in there somewhere. Inside that body.”

I looked at him, lips pressed together. I didn’t know what to say.

Asher… he was always there. Always beside me, supporting me in my decisions. My safe place. But for some reason he became harsh and cold. Someone I don’t know.

He sighed and stood, brushing his coat. “If you need help, come to my company,” he said softly. “I’ll be waiting.”

Then he turned and walked away. I watched his back until it disappeared around the corner.

The next day, Dylan didn’t come home. He never did after an argument. And it always started with Nora. By noon, I was in the kitchen, stirring a pot of soup. Trying not to cry. Trying to be normal. I couldn’t think. My heart ached too much.

Then my phone rang. I wiped my hands on a towel and picked it up.

Dylan.

I swallowed hard before answering. “Hello?”

His voice was calm. Too calm. “Come to Soleil.”

I blinked. “Soleil?”

“Don’t be stupid, I know you know Soleil,” he said. “Come. Now.”

The Elite bar. A place only the wealthiest could step foot in. My heart skipped.

“Okay,” I breathed, trying not to smile.

Maybe he missed me, that he wanted to make up, or he was ready to finally love me. But something deep in my gut twisted. I hung up and stared at my reflection on the microwave door and checked myself. Putting a strand of my hair behind my ear then smiled.

But then why was he calling me to that place? Why now? Still, I grabbed my coat. Hope, a foolish, and blinding hope, filled me again.

I stepped out the door. Unaware of the storm waiting at Soleil.

I arrived at Soleil just before sunset, the neon glow of the bar sign flickering above me like a warning.

I clutched my phone, heart pounding. I texted Dylan: ‘I’m here. Where are you?’

His reply came fast: ‘15th floor, room 1015.’

My stomach twisted. Something didn’t feel right. My gut screamed for me to turn back. But my heart, still foolish and stubborn, still felt hope. I stepped into the elevator, watching the numbers light up one by one. Fifteen felt like a hundred.

When I reached the floor, I found the room. My fingers trembled as I knocked. The door opened and then I was shoved inside.

“Hey—!” I gasped.

My eyes widened as I took in the room. Five men were inside the room. And a lot of them are distinguished persons. From CEO’s to film director. I knew them because I met them before but it seems that they don’t remember me.

I stepped back, panicked. Another shove. I turned and saw her. It’s Nora. And beside her was Emma, her mother.

Nora tilted her head and smiled sweetly. “Where are you going, Ivy?”

“Where’s Dylan?” I asked, voice shaking.

Nora shrugged, “In a meeting. It was me who wanted you here, I asked him to call you here.”

My chest tightened. “Why?”

“To get along, of course,” she said with a mocking smile. “But let’s be real. That won’t happen. You’re in the way. And when there’s something in my way... I remove it.”

“What are you talking about?” I snapped.

Her eyes glinted. “It’s easy, really. Tarnish your image, humiliate you just enough. Making Dylan believe that you are intimate with these gentlemen and then… He will leave you.”

“You psychopath… I’m leaving!”I turned to leave, but Nora blocked me.

“Oops, You’re staying,” she said coldly. “You need to make them happy.”

I stared at her and clenched my jaw. “You’re insane. Stop this. What if Dylan finds out?”

She laughed. “So what? As if he’ll believe you. He loves me, Ivy. Not you.”

My hands clenched. “But then you’re still just his mistress.”

The smile slid off her face. In a flash, her hand came down hard against my cheek. I stumbled back. A man grabbed my arm. I yanked it, but he held tight.

“She’s all yours,” Nora said to the group. “Originally, I wanted a few pictures. But now? Do what you want. Just send me the photos when you're done.”

“Nora! You fucking bitch!” I shouted.

She smiled and shut the door.

“No—no! Let me go!” I screamed, thrashing.

“You’re a fighter, eh?” one of them laughed. “But a fierce woman is really satisfying to break.”

Pain exploded in my stomach as a fist landed. My vision blurred. Then another hit to my cheek. I couldn’t move. They threw me on the bed. Hands gripped my legs, my arms so I won’t move. One of them was undoing his belt.

I kicked, clawed, begged. A man hovered over me and was about to kiss me…

“Stop, please, don’t—!”

Suddenly, the door slammed open and a dozen men in black stormed in.

“What the hell—who are you? Get out!”

Then I saw him. I saw Asher. He walked in calmly, too calm, a small smile playing on his lips. But behind his eyes was a storm. A glint passed on his eyes. I blinked once. Twice. Then everything went black.

When I woke up, I was in a hospital bed. My body ached, every part of me felt bruised. I shifted, groaning. That’s when I saw him, Dylan. Sitting beside me. His face was blank, unreadable.

I reached for his hand. “Dylan—”

He slapped it away.

“You’re really cruel, Ivy,” he said sharply. “Your jealousy has no limits.”

I stared at him. “What are you talking about?”

“Nora told me everything,” he said, eyes burning. “How you tried to set up that whole assault.”

“What?” My voice cracked. What is he talking about?

“She told me she hired a man, to do your request on assaulting her.. And he admitted you didn’t pay him so he beat you up.”

“No, no, Dylan, listen to me—”

“You disgust me,” he cut in. “Also, you went to a room full of men? What were you trying to do? Humiliate me? That I let my wife become wanton? How could you, Ivy? I let you in my house and then this?”

“I didn’t do it! Nora and Emma trapped me there!”

“Tsk. You always lie, Ivy.” His voice was cold. He sighed and shook his head. “Why did I even marry someone like you? A lying, conniving bitch?”

I reached for him again. “Just listen—”

“I won’t hear anything you say! I thought you’re a nice woman that would help me!” he snapped. “After I speak with my father, we’re getting divorced.”

I froze. “Divorce?”

He stood. “I won’t press charges if you sign the papers later.”

Then the door burst open. Emma ran in crying, dramatic as ever.

“Oh, my poor daughter!” she wailed, dropping beside me. “Because of you, Nora can never marry. So many people saw her in such shame—”

“What shame?” I whispered. I didn’t do anything.

“She’ll never be able to raise her head because of you. You’re her sister-in-law but why are you so angry at my baby,” Emma sobbed louder, enough for the nurses outside to hear.

I looked at her, stunned. She and Nora was the one who set me up to be violated. And yet… she blamed me?

Outside, the whispers started.

“That’s her.”

“The one who faked being assaulted.”

“She’s always playing the victim.”

“She’s disgusting…”

I clutched my head, pressing my hands over my ears. ‘Stop. Please stop.’ No one believed me. No one listened. I was the villain. Again.

But If they all wanted Nora and Dylan to be together… Fine.

“Okay,” I said softly, voice flat. “I’ll sign the divorce papers.”