Hatred, regret and resentment surged through me.

A suffocating ache gripped my chest as I dropped onto the bedside, sobbing hoarsely. Suddenly everything went dead silent around me.

Gritting my teeth, I forced myself to calm down. I never imagined Timothy had already fathered a child with Rosalia—and that he’d married me only because he was simply afraid to deny his father’s command.

All the sweet romance I'd ever felt vanished in an instant, replaced by fear and despair. A fierce will to survive drove me to dial a number I’d sworn never to touch again.

The phone rang for what felt like an eternity before an aged voice answered. “My dear, have you finally learned to regret?”

My throat tightened, my nose stung. " I can come back, but you must promise to help me destroy everything Timothy and Rosalia have built."

Dad chuckled softly. “Good. That's my girl. When should I come pick you up?”

I took a deep breath, my voice cold as ice, “In three days. I need to clean up everything here first. Also, look into something for me.”

My dad seemed startled, “What is it?"

“I want to know why Timothy is convinced you and Mom are murderers.”

For a moment, my dad fell silent. He replied solemnly, “Claudine, I can only warn you to stay away from Timothy and your mother-in-law Carola.”

With that, dad hung up the phone. It only mande my suspicions deepened.

While Timothy was showering, I called my lawyer again. “I want to divorce Timothy Becker. Prepare all the paperwork.”

He replied promptly, “Understood, Young Miss. I'll deliver all documents personally tomorrow evening.”

***

That night in the hotel bed, Timothy showed no intimacy. Truly, it felt as if our bond had suddenly stopped overnight.

Just as I was drifting off, he suddenly wrapped his arms around my waist. He spoke with his usual passion and softness, “Once we get back, I'll make it up to you.”

A wave of curiosity washed over me. All this time, what had been his true feelings as we played this charade?

My throat felt dry as I forced out a hoarse whisper, “Timothy, did you ever truly love me?”

He didn't answer. His warm, steady breath brushed my ear, mingled with the soft hum of his snoring. That night, I couldn't sleep at all. I laid stiffly in his arms until dawn.

***

We returned home the next day at noon. Timothy had business at his company and went straight from the airport to the office.

When I opened the door, I froze instantly. Rosalia was sitting seductively on the sofa, eating a fruit platter with an expression of pure enjoyment.

She deliberately wore a tight mermaid dress, revealing her slightly rounded baby bump. My mother-in-law Carola was sitting beside her, frowning as she looked around the room.

My back stiffened, remembering my dad's warning from yesterday. Suddenly I felt anxious.

Rosalia turned her head and saw me. She smiled so broadly and with carefree, “Ms. Claudine! You’re back?”

Carola immediately stood up, her face darkening. “You come back without so much as a word? I truly don't understand why Timothy married such an ill-mannered girl like you!”

Anger surged within me, but I bit my lip hard. Before I could speak, a sharp pain shot across my face.

Carola had strode over and slapped my face hard. “Three years of marriage and you can't even lay an egg!” she snarled

Her gaze swept over my flat stomach, followed by a cold snort. “You've picked up those sleazy tricks from those telenovelas, haven't you? You dared to sneak off to the hospital for an abortion?”

My face burned with pain as I covered it, my vision blurring. Yet, fury blazed in my eyes as I glared at her sharp, cruel face. I shout out, “Hey, who's the sleazy one here? You or your son?”

My gaze snapped to Rosalia on the sofa, my teeth grinding. “While your son was kissing someone on some random street in Victory Capital, I got into a car accident and had my baby taken away from me!”

I emphasized, “You should ask Tim why he did this to me!”

Carola frowned angrily at me. She rose her hand, but it froze midair.

“Hitting a bitch like you would just dirty my hands!” she said. “Who knows if that's even Tim's seed you're carrying?”

I lifted my gaze to meet her face, twisted with rage and pointed bitterly at Rosalia on the sofa. “So having an abortion makes me dirty? But seducing a married man doesn't?”

Rosalia's smile froze on her face as she sprang up from the couch. “Ms. Claudine, if you can't protect your child, don't take it out on me!” She then leaned close, whispering in my ear. “Are you angry Timmy didn't take you to Victory Capital?”

Fierce anger flared in my eyes. I raised my hand and slapped her hard. “Shut your mouth!”

Staggering back two steps, Rosalia clutched her face as tears streamed down. With a pout, she whined, “Ms. Claudine, I know you hate me being close with Timmy, but you can't just hit me!”

Carola turned ashen with rage and shoved me hard. “Claudia, if you don't want me here, fine! But you have the guts to treat MY guest like that? How dare you?!”

“She seduced my husband—why shouldn't I teach her a lesson?” My emotions were too intense that the wound on my abdomen tore.

Just as my legs buckled and I began to fall backward, the front door burst open. My back hit into a man's chest as Timothy caught me.

“Mom, why didn't you tell us you were coming?” he asked.

Carola lifted her chin while sneering haughtily. “What? Just because I'm not your biological mother, I can't visit you?”

Timothy looked utterly helpless, his gaze falling on my swollen face. “Claudine, what happened to you?”

I said nothing and pushed him away. This man I once loved with every fiber of my being now felt like an electric shock with even the slightest touch.

At that, Carola scoffed. Meanwhile, Rosalia wiped away tears and began sobbing. “It's all my fault. I provoked Ms. Claudine for no reason...”

Timothy immediately stepped forward, cupping her flushed face and stroking it tenderly. “You're pregnant! Why did you let her hit you?”

What the hell did I just saw? The whole thing before me felt utterly ridiculous! My own husband chose to care about other woman and treated his own wife like a complete outsider?

Timothy's face darkened as he glared at me. “Have you lost your mind? Why did you hit Rosie?” he snapped. “She's only four months pregnant! Are you jealous of her and the baby? You're nothing but a petty woman!”

“Apologize to Mom and Rosie immediately!” he then said with a finality.

I gave a bitter smile, tears spilling from my eyes. “They're the ones who started this! They slandered me out of nowhere, accusing me of carrying another man's child and you want me to apologize?”

I added, “Timothy, you do know you're picking the wrong side? Or are you actually can't tell which one's right and which one's wrong?”

“Enough!” Carola pointed at me and snapped, “Tim is your husband! Why are you raising your voice like that?!”

“Mrs. Becker, please don't be angry!” Rosalia covered her face and pleaded, “Ms. Claudine just lost her baby. She's just upset...”

“Why does she act like the whole world owes her because she miscarried?” Carola was furious and then sternly warned Timothy, “Tim, throw this bitch out immediately!”

Timothy's face turned cold as he grabbed my arm and dragged me forcefully out the front door. “Didn't you hear Mom? Get out! Unless you kneel and apologize, don't ever hope of coming in!”

Timothy then forced me to kneel on the ground. Another sharp pain shot through my abdomen.

Gritting my teeth, my eyes red with fury, I glared at him, “Timothy, shouldn't you explain to me about the child?”

His pupils suddenly contracted, a flicker of shock crossing his face.

Yet the shock vanished as soon as it appeared. He shouted with fury instead, “Claudia! What nonsense are you even on about? Kneel for eight hours and only then you could stand up!”

He then stormed back inside the house, slamming the door shut with a loud bang.

Dark clouds rolled in from the horizon. Fine raindrops hit my face.

Meanwhile, the people inside the house were sitting together and exchanged happy banters.

As I struggled to stand on my feet, my heart turned colder as time ticked.

Staggering out the door, I grabbed my phone and called my lawyer. “Add one more clause to the divorce agreement: Timothy Becker must transfer all company shares to me. He will live with nothing left to his name!”