The morning sun greeted me as I approached the tall building I once admired with pride, a symbol of Elijah’s hard work and my silent sacrifices. Today, that pride was marred with doubt and pain. I smoothed down my dress, a quiet resolve blooming within me. It was time for everyone to know the truth: Elijah’s true wife wasn’t just a shadow in his life.

Mason, Elijah’s former secretary and my person who I hired to help Elijah in building his empire, waited for me by the entrance. His sharp suit couldn’t hide the concern in his eyes. "Are you sure about this Mrs. Wood?" he asked softly, his voice low enough that the passing employees wouldn’t overhear.

I nodded, gripping the strap of my bag tighter. "It’s time, Mason. The truth can’t stay hidden forever."

He escorted me to the top floor, his presence shielding me from curious gazes and whispered speculations. The hum of conversations turned to murmurs as we passed. People stared, wondering who I was and why Mason, once a key figure in the company, was personally accompanying me.

When we reached the CEO’s office, the tension in the air thickened. Mason opened the door for me, but the secretary stationed outside stepped forward to block my path.

"I’m sorry, ma’am, but you can’t—"

Before she could finish, Mason’s firm hand pushed her aside. "She has every right to be here," he stated, his tone leaving no room for argument.

As I entered, the scene before me froze me in place. Elijah and Ruby were entangled, their lips locked as if the world beyond them didn’t exist. My heart clenched painfully, but years of mastering my emotions allowed me to mask the devastation.

“Elijah,” I called softly, yet firmly.

He jerked away from Ruby, the color draining from his face. Ruby stumbled, nearly losing her balance, but Elijah steadied her before turning to me.

"Alyssa," he began, his voice tight. He didn't expect that I will come to the company without his knowing. He glared at Mason behind me.

I smiled, though it felt like shards of glass cutting through my soul. "This is what you’ve been doing behind my back, I see," I said, keeping my tone calm despite the storm inside.

Elijah straightened, releasing Ruby, whose face turned pale. "What are you doing here?" he asked, his voice tinged with both surprise and irritation.

I stepped further into the room, my gaze steady. "Why shouldn’t I be here? I am your wife, after all."

Gasps echoed from the hallway. The door remained open, and curious employees peeked in, their whispers growing louder.

Elijah glared at Mason. "Close the door. Now."

But I raised a hand to stop Mason. "No. Let them hear. Let everyone know who you really are and what is my relation to you." My voice didn’t waver, though my heart threatened to break with each word.

The weight of my revelation left the room silent for a beat. Then, Ruby stepped forward, her delicate hand reaching for mine. "Mrs. Wood," she said softly, tears welling in her eyes. "Please, don’t blame Elijah. It’s all my fault. I’ll do anything to make it right. I’ll even kneel before you if you want."

Her pitiful act ignited a spark of anger within me. My eyebrows furrowed as I pulled my hand away. Before I could respond, Ruby stumbled backward and she collapsed to the floor.

“Ack! My baby!” Ruby wailed, tears streaming down her face.

Elijah rushed to her side, his face contorted with panic and anger. He gathered her in his arms, cradling her protectively. "Ruby, are you okay? The baby—" He looked up at me, his eyes blazing. "If anything happens to the baby, Alyssa, I swear you’ll pay for it!"

I stood there, stunned, the air knocked out of me. I hadn’t even touched her.

“Elijah,” I began, but my voice faltered as he stormed past me, Ruby sobbing in his arms. The sight of them together—the man I loved, the woman who had taken my place, and the child I hadn't known until yesterday—felt like a dagger piercing through me.

As they disappeared down the hall, the employees who had gathered stared at me with a mix of shock and pity. My chest ached, but I forced myself to stand tall.

Mason approached, his hand hovering near my shoulder but not quite touching. "Ms. Straton..." he started, his voice filled with regret.

He called me by my maiden name. Straton, my proud last name before I married Elijah. I was once the daughter of the No.1 tycoon and the most prominent and rich family in the Country, but I threw them away for Elijah who abandoned me just because I can't bear him a child. I wiped my tears.

I walked out of the office with Mason by my side, ignoring the stares and whispers. My steps were steady, my head held high, but inside, I felt as though I were crumbling.

As the elevator doors closed, I allowed myself one deep breath. Today had been about reclaiming my voice, but it came with a bitter aftertaste.

For the first time, I wondered if the man I had loved and supported was ever truly mine—or if I had only ever been a footnote in his story.

The evening shadows stretched long as Mason drove me to the hospital. Jacquelyn’s call had been abrupt and icy, the urgency in her voice unmistakable.

"Come immediately," she’d said. My heart felt heavy with apprehension, and the mention of Ruby only deepened my unease.

As the car pulled up to the hospital, I straightened my back and reminded myself to stay composed. Mason escorted me inside, his silent presence a small comfort amidst the storm brewing within.

When we reached the ward where Ruby was staying, the hostility in the air hit me like a brick wall. Jacquelyn appeared out of nowhere, her face contorted with rage.

"You almost killed my grandson!" she screamed, her voice echoing in the sterile hallway.

Before I could respond, her nails clawed at my arms, her strength surprising for a woman her age. I stumbled back, raising my hands defensively. "Mother, I didn’t—"

"Don’t you dare lie!" she shrieked, scratching at my face now. "You pushed Ruby! She could’ve lost her baby!"

"She fell!" I managed, my voice trembling with frustration. "I didn’t touch her!"

Jacquelyn wouldn’t listen. Her attacks grew wilder, tearing at my hair and leaving burning scratches on my skin. Mason intervened, pulling her away from me with some difficulty.

"Enough Mrs. Wood!" Mason’s voice was firm, but Jacquelyn didn’t relent, her eyes still blazing.

I adjusted my disheveled hair, ignoring the sting of my wounds, and stared at Jacquelyn with a steadiness I didn’t quite feel. My hands balled into fists at my sides. "I told you, I didn’t push her. She fell on her own. You can believe whatever lies she’s spinning, but I know the truth."

Jacquelyn sneered. "You’re a disgrace! A scheming daughter-in-law who only knows how to bring shame to this family!"

Before I could respond, the door to Ruby’s room opened, and Elijah stepped out. His expression was cold, his eyes void of the warmth they once held for me.

"You’re here," he said flatly, his gaze sweeping over my messy appearance before narrowing in distaste. "Apologize to Ruby. Kneel and ask for her forgiveness."

The audacity of his demand stunned me into silence. When the words fully sank in, a bitter laugh escaped my lips.

"I will not apologize for something I didn’t do," I said, meeting his glare with my own.

Elijah’s jaw clenched. "You’re making this worse for yourself, Alyssa. Stop acting like a victim."

I clenched my fists tighter, fighting back tears of frustration. "I’m not acting like anything, Elijah. But I won’t kneel to a mistress just because you can’t see through her lies!"

Jacquelyn lunged at me again, but Mason quickly restrained her. She screamed, "How dare you call her a mistress! You vile woman! My son married a schemer!"

I laughed bitterly, “Isn't that what she is? A mistress?” finally snapping. "And you, Jacquelyn, are a fool. A mother-in-law who protects her son’s mistress and attacks his legal wife? If that isn’t stupidity, I don’t know what is."

Jacquelyn froze, her eyes widening at my words. But I wasn’t done.

"You’re defending a sinful relationship between a married man and his secretary. But why should I be surprised? You did the same thing years ago, didn’t you?" I gave her a cold smile. "Birds of the same feather flock together."

The sound of her slap echoed in the hallway, sharp and cutting. I stumbled to the floor, my cheek stinging, but I didn’t let her see me cry. Jacquelyn didn't know that I knew her past, does she think I didn't know that Elijah is also a product of a sinful relationship too?

"Enough, Alyssa!" Elijah’s voice was a low growl. He stood over me, his eyes filled with contempt. "I’m done with this. I’ll file for divorce."

The word divorce hung in the air, cutting through the silence like a knife. I froze, staring up at him as if I hadn’t heard him correctly.

But the cold finality in his eyes told me he meant every word.

Slowly, I rose to my feet, brushing myself off as though the slap and his words hadn’t just shattered me. I smiled, though tears blurred my vision. "Fine," I said, my voice steady despite the lump in my throat. "Let’s get a divorce."

Jacquelyn looked triumphant, but I ignored her. My focus was entirely on Elijah.

"You’ll have your freedom," I said softly. "But mark my words, Elijah. Everything I gave you—everything that made you who you are today—I will take it all back. Piece by piece, just as you’ve taken from me."

I turned and I walked away, the weight on my chest grew heavier, but I kept my head high. They’d broken my heart, but they hadn’t broken me.

And they just woke up the beast that sleeps inside me.

As the hospital doors closed behind me, I turned to Mason. His concerned eyes searched mine, but I forced a small smile. "You can go home now, Mason. I’ll be fine."

He hesitated, his brow furrowed. "Are you sure, Ms. Straton? I can take you home."

I shook my head politely. "Thank you, but I need some time alone. Please, go."

Mason sighed, defeated, but before he left, he pulled out his phone and sent a quick text. He glanced at me one last time. "If you need anything, call me. I'll take my leave, Ms. Straton."

As Mason walked away, the silence felt deafening. When I stepped outside, the rain greeted me, soft at first, then quickly turning into a downpour. It soaked through my clothes, plastering my hair to my face. I didn’t care.

The tears I’d held back in the hospital finally spilled, mixing with the rain. I staggered to a nearby tree, gripping its trunk as a scream ripped from my throat, raw and anguished.

Why hadn’t I listened to my parents? To my brothers? They’d warned me about Elijah, begged me to reconsider marrying him. But I’d been blinded by love, so desperate to believe in him, to prove them wrong.

Now, standing alone in the rain, I could see how foolish I’d been.

Through my sobs, a resolve began to form. I had nowhere else to go but home. My parents’ home.

The journey to the Straton mansion felt endless, the rain chilling me to the bone. When I arrived, the sight of the brightly lit house brought a fresh wave of tears. The laughter and warmth spilling from within were a stark contrast to the cold emptiness I’d been living in.

I crouched by the gutter, hugging my knees as I stared at the house. My tears wouldn’t stop, my chest heaving with the weight of my regret.

"Alyssa?"

The soft voice startled me. I looked up, blinking through the rain. My mother, Rebecca Straton, stood before me, holding an umbrella. Her face was a mixture of concern and shock.

"Why are you out here in the rain, sweetheart?" she asked gently, crouching down beside me. "Did someone hurt you?"

At her words, the dam broke. I cried like a child, the pain and humiliation pouring out of me. Without hesitation, my mother wrapped her arms around me, not caring about the rain soaking through her dress.

"Come inside," she whispered, stroking my hair. "You’re safe now."

She helped me to my feet and guided me toward the house. As we entered, the warmth of the mansion enveloped me, but it was the sight of my father, George Straton, and my brothers—Axelle, Robin, and Gabriel—standing in the entryway that truly broke me.

I sank to my knees in front of them, sobbing. "I’m sorry," I choked out. "I was so foolish. I chose Elijah over all of you, and I’ve been so stupid. Please forgive me."

There was a long silence before my father knelt beside me, his strong hands helping me sit up. His face was stern but kind. "Alyssa, there’s nothing to forgive. You’re our daughter. We’ll always be here for you."

His words unraveled me, and I cried again. My mother knelt on my other side, holding me close.

"Have you eaten?" my father asked after a moment. His simple question caught me off guard, and I shook my head, the lump in my throat too big to speak.

"I'll ask the chef to prepare something for you," he said, helping me to my feet.

The next morning, sunlight streamed through the familiar curtains of my childhood room. The pastel walls and soft bedding brought a strange sense of comfort, and I realized I was home—truly home.

I freshened up and made my way downstairs. The maids greeted me with warm smiles. "Welcome back, Miss Straton," one of them said cheerfully.

"Thank you," I murmured, my voice still hoarse from the night before.

In the dining room, my family waited for me. The long table was set with breakfast, and the sight of them—my parents and my three older brothers—brought a small, hesitant smile to my lips.

"Come sit," my father said, gesturing to the chair beside him. "Let’s eat together."

I took my seat, feeling a warmth I hadn’t felt in years. As we began to eat, Axelle, my eldest brother and a successful businessman, leaned forward. "We know what happened, Alyssa. Now, tell us—what are you going to do?"

His words hung in the air, heavy with expectation. My other brothers, Robin, a doctor, and Gabriel, an artist, watched me intently.

I set my fork down and straightened my back. The weight of my family’s support gave me strength.

"I’m going to take everything back," I said firmly. "Everything I gave to Elijah—my time, my love, my sacrifices—I’ll make sure he loses it all. Piece by piece."

A spark of approval lit in Axelle’s eyes, and Robin gave me a small nod. Gabriel smiled softly.

"You’ve always been strong," my mother said, her hand resting on mine. "And you have us now. You’ll never face anything alone again."

For the first time in what felt like forever, I felt hope. I wasn’t just a woman scorned. I was Alyssa Straton, and I was taking my life back.