John was still wearing the same custom gray suit from the divorce office that morning, sitting lazily on the couch with a cold, distant air. Even as he chatted idly with the doctor, it was clear that the divorce didn't bother him at all.

When Sierra walked in, John glanced at her. Her hands clenched at her sides, her eyes full of obvious dislike and contempt.

"You're here," the doctor greeted simply.

Sierra looked away. "Yeah."

"We already went over the details on the phone. Here's a breakdown of the monthly charges. If everything looks good, just fill out your info and sign." He handed her the list.

Sierra took it.

Her heart sank at the numbers. Each month's medical bill was in the hundreds of thousands. If her father hadn't taken all her pre-marital savings, she might have managed for a few more months. Now, with nothing left, there was no way she could cover that kind of expense.

"If that's too much, here are some alternative plans," the doctor added, handing her another document when he seemingly saw how difficult it was for her.

The cheaper options still ran over tens of thousands per month.

Seeing her still lost in thought, the doctor glanced at John.

John gave him a look, and the doctor got the message.

"I'll give you some time to think it over," the doctor said, standing up. "I'll check on the patient. If none of this works, we can talk again when I get back."

Sierra was completely absorbed in the proposed plans. "Alright."

The doctor left, quietly closing the door.

Now, only Sierra and John were left. The room was so quiet, you could hear a pin drop.

"No matter how long you stare at those numbers, it's impossible for you to pay for your mom's medical bills with what you have," John finally said, his tone as calm and indifferent as ever.

Sierra's anger spiked. She glared at him, her eyes blazing.

"Not to mention, you'll have to find a place to live and take care of Tommy," John continued.

"What are you trying to say?" Sierra shot back.

"I can treat this whole divorce as you just throwing a tantrum," John said, walking over to her. "As long as you don't bring it up again, I'll keep paying your mom's bills, and you'll still be my wife."

"And what about Pamela?" Sierra asked.

"You two just stay out of each other's way," John answered coolly. "If you don't want to see her, I'll make sure she stays out of sight."

Sierra's voice turned mocking. "Should I thank you for your thoughtfulness?"

"You should know which choice is best for you," John said, sounding like he was negotiating a business deal. "You've lived in luxury long enough to know that it's easy to get used to comfort but hard to live a simple life."

Sierra understood that all too well.

Before her family lost everything, she had never worried about money. After the disaster, John married her and gave her unlimited access to his credit cards. She never had to worry about a dime.

By all accounts, she should be grateful. Even with Pamela in the picture, John would still give her what she wanted, still treat her with the same attention as before.

But life wasn't just about money. Dignity and self-respect mattered, too.

"Pride and dignity won't pay your bills. The real world isn't as easy as you think," John saw right through her. "Without me, you won't last long in your current situation."

"That's not your problem. Worry about yourself," Sierra snapped.

John couldn't understand her stubbornness.

"If you're done, you can leave. I still need to talk to the doctor," Sierra said, for the first time making it clear she didn't want him there.

John didn't get angry. He just looked at her.

Under his gaze, Sierra felt her defenses crumbling. She gripped the paperwork tightly, forcing herself to meet his eyes, determined not to lose.

"You have one minute to decide," John said lightly. "In this one minute, I'll let everything pass. After that, you're just Sierra Bell. Even if you beg me later, I might not agree."

She turned to look out the window, silently giving her answer.

John didn't stay for long. As soon as the minute was up, he left. He thought Sierra was just being ungrateful. If she wanted to learn the hard way, so be it. She would learn soon that he was doing this for her benefit.

The door slammed behind him, and the sound shook Sierra to her core. She had once thought that even if her relationship with John wasn't passionate, it was real and steady. Now, she couldn't make sense of it at all.

Before she could figure out what her marriage had even meant, the doctor came back in.

Sierra had already composed herself before he could speak. "Dr. Smith, I'd like to take these home and think them over, if that's alright?"

"Of course," Dr. Smith replied. "Just try to let us know at least ten days before the payment's due."

"Alright. Thank you."

Sierra left the hospital with the treatment plans in hand.

Her first step would be to look for a job. If the salary was enough, she would keep her mom at that hospital.

The private hospital belonged to the Henderson Group. They had the best medical equipment and top experts. Because of John, her mom had always gotten the best care. If she had to move, her mom would never get that level of treatment again.

Her mom was the only family member left who truly loved her. Sierra couldn't let anything happen to her.

With these worries on her mind, Sierra headed home.

All the way back, she wondered how to explain the divorce to Tommy. He had always been smart and mature for his age, and she rarely had to worry about him. Still, divorce was a big deal for any child, and she couldn't help but worry about how he would take it.

But her concerns were nothing compared to what someone else had done.

As soon as she walked in, she saw something that made her stomach turn.

Pamela and John were sitting close together on the couch. Pamela looked apprehensive. "This is still your and Sierra's home. Isn't it wrong for me to be here?"

"It's fine," John said quietly.

"But…"

"Sierra's moving out soon," John reassured her. "After that, you'll be the lady of the house."

Pamela looked up at him, their eyes meeting. They were both full of longing. They were so caught up in each other, they didn't even notice Sierra had come home.

"Welcome home, madam," the butler Alfred Rogers greeted Sierra as always.

John and Pamela both looked over. Pamela hesitated, then greeted her, "Sierra."

Sierra didn't even glance at her as she headed straight upstairs. She was afraid that if she looked, she wouldn't be able to stop herself from lashing out.

"Pamela just said hello. Didn't you hear her?" John's voice was cold and distant. "Or have you always been this rude, Ms. Bell?"

Sierra stopped in her tracks.

Ms. Bell?

She turned to look at them, and the words came out sharp. "You're already cheating in our home, and you still expect me to be polite?"

"This is my house. I'll do as I please," John replied calmly. "If you don't like it, move out."

Sierra clenched her hands at her sides.

Even though she knew his heart was no longer with her, hearing such cruel words still felt like a knife stabbing her in the chest.

He was the one who had told her this was her home. What belonged to him also belonged to her.

"John, Sierra is still your wife. Isn't that a bit much?" Pamela tried to mediate.

"I gave her a chance. She's the one who refused it," John replied, looking straight at Sierra.

She looked right back at him.

Neither was willing to back down.

"Sierra, why don't you apologize? If you do, John will surely forgive you," Pamela said softly, fanning the flames without making it look overt.

"It's fine. I'm going to move out without your say-so anyway," Sierra replied, her stubbornness on full display. She ignored Pamela completely. "I can't stand to stay one more second in a place that reeks of scumbags and homewreckers. It's going to make me puke."

She turned and headed upstairs, as if afraid something disgusting might catch up with her.

Bang!

She slammed the door.

Inside Sierra's room, she grabbed her suitcase and started packing right away. She knew this was just John trying to provoke her, but she couldn't stand it any longer.

After packing all her important documents, she went to the walk-in closet.

Staring at all the clothes, handbags, and jewelry, she paused for a moment. Then, she headed straight for the jewelry.

She needed money, and selling those things was the quickest way to get some.

But before she could gather everything, John and Pamela walked in.

"Sierra, how can you treat such expensive jewelry so indifferently?" Pamela's eyes were full of envy as she looked at the countless limited-edition and custom pieces. "Are you planning to sell them?"

Sierra didn't bother hiding her attitude. "None of your business."

Pamela glanced at John before continuing, "But these are all gifts from John. How can you just sell them?"

"Stay out of this," Sierra snapped. She wasn't gentle at all when she was angry.

Finally, John spoke up. "I didn't think you were the type to steal jewelry."

Sierra's hand froze mid-air.

Steal?

"If I called the police, how many years will the sentencing be?" John stared at her.

"First of all, we're not even officially divorced yet. Second, you gave these to me, so how is it stealing?" Sierra shot back.

John took a step closer, his gentle tone hiding sharp words. "How can you prove these were gifts and not just part of my collection?"

Sierra was stunned.

And at that moment, she understood. He would never let her take anything from here. He was determined to cut off all her options.

"If you want to take them, I won't stop you. But once the divorce is finalized, I'll call the police and report a theft," John said coldly, leaving no room for compromise.

Sierra felt her heart shatter. Lips pressed together, she asked John, "Do you really have to be this ruthless and corner me?"

"I just want you to understand this. Without me, your life is going to be a mess." John walked over and looked down at her. "Of course, if you're that desperate to sell something to get by, you can always ask Pamela for permission."

Pamela pointed to herself. "Me?"

"You're the lady of the house now. What happens to these things is up to you," John said, but his gaze stayed on Sierra, making it clear.

If she refused to play along, someone else would take her place.

Sierra's hands clutched into tight fists as she was engulfed in a wave of humiliation.

"If Sierra just wants something to remember us by, that's fine," Pamela added, fanning the flames. "But if it's just to sell for cash, it's like cheapening all the love she got. If it were me, I could never do that, no matter how broke I was."

John looked at Sierra. "Did you hear that?"

Her only answer was to throw the jewelry to the floor.

Crash!

Without another glance, she stormed out.

"Why is Sierra so upset? Did I say something wrong?" Pamela bit her lip, looking all torn up. "Should I apologize?"

"No need," John said.

Pamela hesitated. "But…"

"Go see if there's anything you don't like here. If there is, I'll have it taken away. From now on, everything in here is yours." John gently ruffled her hair.

"Thank you, John." Pamela hugged him.

Out of the corner of her eye, Sierra saw everything.

Even though she knew that the two would make some close contacts, seeing John spoiling Pamela like that still hurt.

He had once told Sierra she was the one he loved most. Now, none of that meant anything.

-

"You're still not finished packing? Planning on staying?" John came up to her, looking down.

Sierra shut her suitcase. "I just wanted to see for myself how a decent person turns into trash."

"Did you get your answer?" John asked.

"I did," Sierra said.

"Then please leave. You're not welcome here," John answered.

For a moment, Sierra almost said, "Aren't you afraid I'll just stay here and never leave, and let Pamela be your hidden mistress forever?"

But then, she remembered that this was exactly what he wanted.

"You don't need to pack Tommy's things. Once you find a place, I'll have them sent over," John said, just as infuriating as ever. "I just hope you don't end up selling his things for your mom's medical bills."

"Not everyone stoops as low as you," Sierra shot back.

John stepped closer, trapping her between his arms. "We'll see. I'm looking forward to watching you try to make it on your own."

Sierra glared at him. She was about to push him away when Pamela appeared.

The moment she saw them standing so close, the smile on Pamela's face vanished. But worried John might notice her jealousy, she quickly forced herself to act casually. "John?"

"What is it?" John turned to her.

"I like everything there. Can I have it all?" Pamela asked, shooting a look at Sierra.

John straightened his back, his firm posture showing how unfazed he was. "If you like it, take it. You don't need my permission."

"But those are all gifts for Sierra. Won't it be wrong for me to take them?" Pamela said, trying to sound conflicted.

"If you really thought it was wrong, you wouldn't have asked in the first place. Since you did, you can stop playing pretend," Sierra snapped, unable to hide her anger. "You're already someone's mistress, why bother worrying about right and wrong?"

Pamela's eyes turned red. "John…"

John's expression instantly turned cold.

He stepped up to Sierra, so close they could feel each other's breath. "Has no one ever told you that the one who isn't loved is the mistress?"

Sierra looked up at him, as if hearing something that shattered all her beliefs.