But now wasn’t the time to argue that.

I steadied myself, drawing a deep breath.

“Michael, you cheated first, and I’ll let that go for now. If you think all these material things are debts I owe you, fine. Take them. I don’t want them.”

“But this ring—I must take it back. Make her return it.”

My solemn tone stunned him.

Perhaps in our three years of marriage, I had never spoken to him so seriously before.

But Olivia, sensing an opportunity, piped up sweetly:

“Michael, she says she needs to ‘answer to some descendants’? What descendants?”

“To me, it’s just a little jade ring. How important could it really be? Unless…”

Her brows furrowed.

“Unless it was given to her by some old lover?”

Her words dripped with implication, and when her eyes met mine, they glittered with provocation.

Michael’s face darkened instantly, his glare piercing me.

“Sophia, you’d better explain. Who gave you that ring?”

“And just what have you been doing behind my back?”

I actually laughed.

When he was still just a lowly salesman, I had married him without hesitation.

In three years of marriage, I may not have been perfect—

But I was at least blameless.

Aside from meeting my cousins each Memorial Day, I barely even interacted with other men.

And he had the gall to cheat, yet accuse me?

“I, Sophia Lane, have lived righteously. I’ve never betrayed you. If you don’t believe me, investigate all you want.”

“And let me say this again—the jade ring was brought out of a tomb at the cost of lives. It’s an heirloom that every year—”

“Investigate? Of course I’ll investigate.”

Michael cut me off coldly before I could finish.

He sneered, glancing at Olivia.

I was confused—

Until Olivia, catching on, pulled several photos from her designer handbag.

I took them.

They showed me, over several Memorial Days, dressed plainly, wearing large sunglasses.

Some shots were at the airport, some at a highway entrance, some near the cemetery.

And in each one, I was seen quietly speaking to—or getting into cars with—different men, also in sunglasses, with distinct builds and temperaments.

The photos were shot at tricky angles, making everything seem secretive, even shady.

“What’s the matter? Speechless? Feeling guilty?”

“Every year on that day, you sneak off to meet these men, hiding yourself like that. What shady business are you doing?”

“Tell me! Who are they? Where are they from?”

I had promised my cousins.

Their identities were far too sensitive to be exposed.

Even our yearly gatherings were absolute secrets.

“You can’t ask. I won’t tell you who they are.”

“Michael, just believe me—it’s not what you think. And besides…”

“Knowing who they are won’t do you any good. You can’t afford to offend them.”

I wasn’t trying to boast.

We were husband and wife—I only hoped he’d back off.

But the words “can’t afford” pierced Michael’s fragile pride like nails.

He slammed the table, roaring:

“Bullshit! Who on earth could I not afford to offend?”

“Sophia, get this straight—I’m Michael Reed, Regional Vice President of Horizon Corporation in the Midwest Region!”

“Who in both corporate and underground circles wouldn’t give me respect? Who could I possibly not afford to offend?”

“Go ahead, tell me—if you don’t name these so-called lovers today, I’ll lock you up and see how you sneak off again.”

I staggered back in horror.

“Michael Reed, are you insane? This is illegal confinement.”

“Illegal? Around here, what I say is the law.”

He closed in, eyes fierce.

“Unless you admit to cheating, sign the divorce papers, and walk away with nothing, you’re not leaving.”

I understood then.

The spying, the intimidation—all of it was because he was afraid I’d take half his fortune, since he was the one at fault. After all, we had signed a prenuptial property division agreement.

Such scheming… it stunned me.

Time with my cousins was drawing near.

Weighing the options, I bit down hard and swallowed my pride.

“Fine. I agree to walk away with nothing.”

With trembling hands, I signed my name on the divorce agreement.

“Now? Is that enough?”

But Michael showed no intention of returning the ring. His face twisted with scorn.

“Those clothes on your back? I bought them. Strip them off before you leave.”

How ironic.

After three years of sharing a bed, I never imagined he could be this cruel.

Choking down the humiliation, I removed my clothes one by one under the mocking stares of Michael and Olivia—

Until only my underwear remained.

“Now? Will you give it back?”

Michael toyed with the jade ring and sneered.

“I only said you could leave. I never promised to return the ring.”

At that, Olivia leaned into his arms.

Both wore mocking smiles, looking at me like I was garbage.

Despair and rage devoured me.

I lost control—like a madwoman, I hurled myself at Olivia, clawing at her wrist to snatch the ring.

She screamed in pain, shoving me away.

I slapped her hard across the face, drawing a wail.

Michael reacted swiftly, seizing my hair and slamming me to the ground.

Agonizing pain ripped through my scalp. I struggled, but it was useless. Despair swallowed me whole.

“Michael, you’re rich. You don’t need this ring. Please, I’m begging you—give it back.”

Sobbing, I pleaded.

“Say I betrayed you if you want, call me what you will. But I need it to honor my grandfather. We were husband and wife—please, just this once, show me mercy.”

Perhaps my pitiful state touched the last shred of conscience in him.

Michael’s grip slackened a little, the savagery in his eyes fading.

But Olivia clutched her face, sobbing louder.

“Michael, my wrist—she scratched me. If you let her go, she’ll run to those so-called lovers and claim we abused her.”

“She says she’s going to honor her grandfather—why sneak around? For all we know, she’s using that as a cover for something shameful.”

Her words jolted Michael back.

His brief hesitation vanished. He yanked my hair again.

“Almost let you trick me, you bitch. You want to honor your grandfather? Fine. I’ll take you myself.”

He dragged my nearly naked body toward the garage.

I fought desperately.

Any one of my three cousins could end his life with ease.

It wasn’t pity for him—I just couldn’t let my cousins be dragged into his mess.

“Michael, I’m begging you. Don’t disturb my grandfather’s rest.”