The white walls of the hospital felt colder than usual, almost suffocating. When I woke up, my leg was in a cast, and my heart felt just as broken.

I thought I’d have time to breathe, to heal. But peace never lasts long in this family.

The door burst open, and my father stormed in, his voice like thunder. “What the hell is happening to you, Emerald?”

I tried to sit up, but pain shot through my leg. “Dad—”

“Did you just send the police to our house to arrest your stepsister?” he barked. His glare was heavy enough to crush me. “Do you have any idea what you’ve done?”

“She tried to kill me,” I said, voice trembling but firm. “She pushed me down the stairs, Dad. I could have died.”

Amber appeared behind him, her arm in a sling, tears pooling in her eyes. “That’s not true! I was trying to talk to you, Emerald. You’re the one who slipped! You pushed yourself and now you’re framing me for it!”

I stared at her in disbelief. “You liar! You—”

“Enough!” my father shouted, cutting through both our voices. “Do you hear yourselves? This is a disgrace! Fighting like this in public, dragging our family’s name through the mud!”

“Dad, please—”

Before I could finish, his hand cracked across my cheek. The slap echoed in the quiet room, sharper than the machines around me.

“You will not shame this family again,” he said coldly. “Do you understand me?”

Tears filled my eyes, but my voice came out steady. “I want a divorce.”

He froze. For a second, he looked at me like I had cursed his bloodline. “What did you just say?”

“I said I want a divorce,” I repeated.

His eyes blazed. “Divorce? You think I will allow that in this family? Are you serious, Emerald? Do you want to ruin us completely?”

He raised his hand again, but before it could reach me, my mother rushed in and caught his arm. “Stop it!” she shouted. “She’s hurt! Can’t you see that? Stop hurting her!”

“She’s destroying everything we built!” my father snapped.

“She’s our daughter!” my mother cried, pulling me into her arms. “She’s not even healed yet. Please, just let me talk to her.”

He glared at both of us, his chest rising with restrained fury. “Fix this,” he said finally. “Make her apologize. I won’t allow our name to be tainted by a family scandal. And don’t you dare mention divorce again.”

When he left, the room fell silent except for the steady rhythm of the heart monitor. I couldn’t hold it anymore—I broke down.

“Mom…” I whispered through tears.

She wrapped her arms tighter around me, trembling herself. “I’m sorry,” she said softly. “I’m sorry for being weak. For never leaving your father when I should have. For letting you grow up thinking this kind of pain was normal.”

I cried harder, gripping her hand. “Please, help me. I don’t want to live like this anymore. Nathan—he’s been lying to me. Amber… she’s not innocent. Lorenzo—he’s Nathan’s son. She lied to everyone.”

My mother stiffened. She looked at me, eyes wide, shocked, then whispered, “If that’s true… then ask for help from your brother. Reid will know what to do.”

She cupped my face gently. “I can’t divorce your father, Emerald. But you can. It’s not too late for you. You can still save yourself.”

Her words clung to me long after she left.

Days passed. My leg began to heal, but my heart didn’t. Nathan never came—not a single visit, not even a message. The only thing that came was a blow I didn’t expect.

Scrolling through my phone, I saw his face on social media. Nathan. Smiling. Standing beside Amber and Lorenzo at a restaurant. Their hands intertwined, their smiles perfect. The caption read: Family lunch after a long week.

My blood ran cold. Family. That word was mine once.

How dare they?

That night, I received a message from Reid.

Reid: I heard what happened. Rest for now. I’ll take care of the divorce. Three days. Just hold on, Emerald. After that, everything changes.

For the first time in years, I let myself believe him.

When I was discharged, I returned home. The house felt unfamiliar—too quiet, too empty. I started packing my things, one by one, carefully folding away the pieces of a life that had already ended.

I was almost done when the front door opened. Nathan walked in, the sound of his footsteps sharp and impatient.

“What are you doing?” he asked, voice cold.

“I’m going on a vacation,” I said simply, not bothering to look at him.

“Vacation?” He let out a humorless laugh. “After what you did to Amber? You think I’d let you go anywhere?”

I turned to him, frowning. “What are you talking about? I just got back from the hospital.”

He slapped me, sudden and hard. The shock made me stumble backward, my hand gripping the edge of the bed.

“She was kidnapped!” he shouted. “Amber—and Lorenzo! They’re gone! And the men who did it said it was your brother Reid!”

For a moment, the world tilted. I froze, processing his words. Then, slowly, a strange laugh escaped me—soft at first, then louder, until it filled the room.

“Well,” I said, wiping a tear from my cheek, “are they alive?”

Nathan’s face twisted in disbelief. “What the hell is wrong with you? So, you dare hurt her?” he shouted, pacing furiously. “Even asking your bastard brother just to get revenge because you’re mad? You’re the one who fall down—”

I looked at him calmly, my voice steady now. “So what? Who cares about them?”

He grabbed my arm, furious. “You’ll pay for this!”

“Why would I?” I said, meeting his eyes. “I’m your wife… Or was it because all this time, you’ve been having an affair with my stepsister?”

“Why would I?” I said, meeting his eyes. “I’m your wife… or was it because all this time, you’ve been having an affair with my stepsister?”

For a second, Nathan froze. His eyes narrowed, the fury in them dulling into something colder, something I couldn’t read. “What are you talking about?” he said flatly, though the flicker of guilt in his gaze was enough of an answer.

He exhaled, as if the argument had drained him. Before he could say another word, the door opened quietly. Mr. Santos, our butler, stepped in, his expression nervous.

“Sir,” he said carefully, glancing at both of us. “Miss Amber and young Lorenzo are finally fine. They’ve been taken to the hospital, and they are asking for you.”

Nathan’s eyes shifted back to me, sharp again. “We’re not done, Emerald. Got it?”

Before I could respond, he gestured to the guards standing by the door. “Lock her up. She doesn’t leave this room until I say so.”

My body tensed. “Nathan—”

But the men didn’t hesitate. The door slammed shut, and the sound of the lock sliding into place echoed like a sentence.

For a long while, I just sat there. The silence pressed in, thick and heavy, broken only by the faint hum of the air conditioner and my own heartbeat.

My leg still ached from the fracture, and the bruise on my cheek burned where his hand had struck me earlier. Thankfully, my baby is still alive. Though, I don’t know how long I should keep the baby. Should I?

My mind drifted—back to where it all started.

I met Nathan because of our families. He was handsome, composed, the perfect image of a man any father would want for his daughter. I fell for him first, even when something in me felt he was too guarded, too unreadable. He wasn’t cruel then—just distant. But when he smiled, he could make the whole world fade. Eventually, he fell too—or so I thought.

Now, sitting here with the taste of betrayal still bitter on my tongue, I knew better. The man I loved never existed. The one he truly loved was Amber. My stepsister. The woman my father adored as if she were his own blood.

Maybe I should have listened to Reid. He warned me before the wedding. He said Nathan only married me to please our families. I didn’t want to believe him. I told myself he was just being protective.

But now, I wished I had listened. I wished I had gone with him the day he left. Maybe I wouldn’t be trapped here, in this gilded cage of a life that never really belonged to me.

The sound of the door unlocking pulled me back. I looked up sharply as Amber stepped inside, her eyes red and wild.

Before I could speak, her hand lashed across my face.

“This is your fault!” she screamed, her voice breaking. She hit me again, hard enough to make me stagger back. “Because of your bastard brother! Lorenzo is hurt—he’s in the operating room because of him!”

I held my cheek, tasting blood. “It’s not my fault,” I said hoarsely. “Maybe my brother is just doing what you all deserve.”

Amber’s eyes darkened. “You’re insane!” she shouted. “You ruined everything! Nathan is furious, my son is fighting for his life, and it’s all because of you!”

The door opened again, and this time my father walked in. His face was stone. “You’re contacting your brother again?” he thundered. “After everything I’ve said? How dare you!”

“Dad, listen—”

“Enough!” he barked. “You’ve humiliated this family enough! Because of you, the media are talking, and Nathan’s company is under fire! Do you have any idea what you’ve done to our business by siding to your mafia brother?”

I looked at him, defeated. “I didn’t do anything wrong. I just wanted to leave. That’s all.”

“You will not leave!” he shouted, slamming his hand against the wall. “You will stay here until everything is fixed. You will apologize to your husband and your stepsister. And you will forget this nonsense about divorce! Don’t dare call your brother again!”

I wanted to scream, to fight back, but I was too tired. My father stormed out, ordering the guards to lock the door again.

Hours passed before Nathan returned. His face was blank, but his eyes—those eyes I once thought were kind—were dark with contempt.

“I want a divorce,” I said, my voice steady even as my hands shook.

Nathan laughed under his breath. “No,” he said simply. “You’re not getting a divorce. You’re going to suffer—as much as I want you to suffer.”

I swallowed hard, forcing the words out. “Why are you doing this to me? Haven’t you done enough?”

He stepped closer until I could feel his breath. “You said your stepsister is my mistress, right?” he said quietly, a dangerous smirk curling on his lips. “Well, you’re right.”

Before I could react, the door opened—and Amber walked in. Nathan turned toward her, his eyes softening in a way they never did for me. Then, right in front of me, he pulled her close and kissed her.

It wasn’t a moment of guilt or hesitation—it was deliberate, cruel, a declaration.

Amber smiled against his lips, then turned to me with triumph flashing in her eyes. “You’re such a loser, Emerald,” she said, her voice dripping with satisfaction. “A pathetic little bitch who thought she could win.”

They both laughed, the sound slicing through me like a blade.

When I opened my eyes, the world was white. The steady beep of the monitor beside me echoed faintly in my ears. My whole body ached, as though I’d been crushed and stitched back together. The ceiling light blurred, the smell of antiseptic sharp in the air.

“Emerald.”

My mother’s voice broke softly through the fog. She was sitting beside me, her eyes swollen and tired. “Don’t move yet. Just rest for now.”

I tried to speak, but my throat burned. “Mom… what happened?”

She reached for my hand, holding it gently. I felt her tremble before I even saw the tears. “I’m sorry,” she whispered, her voice cracking. “The baby… you lost it.”

The words sank in slowly, like stones in water. My breath caught; my heart clenched, but no sound came out. I stared at her, hoping she’d take it back, that maybe she meant something else.

But her eyes said everything. The baby—my last small hope—was gone.

I felt the tears slide down my face before I even realized I was crying. The pain spread through me, sharp and hollow, until it was too much to breathe. I wanted to scream, to curse the world, to ask why it kept taking everything from me—but no words would come.

My mother leaned forward, pressing my hand to her cheek. “I’m sorry, my daughter. You’ve been through too much. The trauma, the stress—it was too much for your body.”

I swallowed hard, staring at the ceiling. “So… it’s gone?”

She nodded.

Something inside me cracked, but at the same time, I felt lighter—emptier, yes, but free in a strange, cruel way. The weight that had chained me to that house, to that man, to that lie, was gone. At least now, I wouldn’t have to raise another piece of Nathan.

I wiped my tears, voice trembling. “Maybe it’s better this way.”

My mother’s eyes widened. “Emerald—”

“No, Mom,” I said softly. “It hurts, but… I can’t cry for it anymore. I have nothing left to lose.” I met her eyes, steady now. “But I will make them pay. All of them.”

She brushed my hair from my face, her touch trembling. “I talked to your brother,” she said after a moment. “He’s waiting. He’ll help us.”

“Us?”

She smiled faintly through her tears. “Yes. I’m coming with you. I’m leaving your father.”

For a moment, I didn’t believe her. My mother—who had endured years of silence and humiliation—finally choosing herself.

“He’s been with that woman for years,” she continued quietly. “I told him I won’t live like that anymore. Let him have her. I’m done pretending.”

The words hit me harder than I expected. I felt the tears return, but this time, they were warm—not from pain, but relief. “Thank you, Mom,” I whispered, clutching her hand. “For finally choosing yourself.”

She smiled sadly. “No, Emerald. For once, I’m choosing you.”

For a while, we sat in silence, just holding hands. The hum of the machines and the faint rhythm of my heartbeat were the only sounds in the room.

But peace never lasted long in our family.

The door opened, and my father stepped in—his suit perfect, his expression sharp. “You’re awake,” he said curtly.

“Honey,” my mother said, standing up quickly.

He ignored her, his gaze fixed on me. “I want you to address the media tomorrow. You’ll deny any connection to your brother and also the affair between Amber and Nathan saying it is just a misunderstanding and you have a happy family. Do you understand?”

I hesitated. “Dad, I—”

“You will do it,” he said firmly. “Our name is already being dragged through every headline. Fix this mess, Emerald. Tomorrow morning. And while you’re at it—apologize to your stepsister and to your husband. Publicly.”

I clenched my fists under the blanket but nodded. “Alright,” I said quietly. I didn’t want to argue anymore.

Satisfied, he straightened his coat. “Good. Nathan and Amber will come by later. You’ll apologize in person before the press conference.”

When he left, my mother exhaled shakily. “Don’t let him see you break,” she murmured. “We’ll be gone soon.”

And so I waited.

When Nathan and Amber arrived, their faces wore the same masks I’d seen for years—smooth, practiced, false.

Amber approached first, her arm in a sling, crocodile tears ready in her eyes. “Emerald,” she said softly, “I’m glad you’re feeling better. I never wanted things to get this bad between us.”

I looked at her, forcing a small smile. “Me too. I’m sorry… for everything.”

Nathan placed a hand on her shoulder, feigning concern. “We’re family, Emerald,” he said, his tone almost tender. “Let’s not make this worse than it already is.”

They played their part well—two perfect victims, all sympathy and sweetness. I mirrored their act, smiling faintly, nodding in all the right places.

When they finally left, I exhaled, the smile falling off my face like a mask I no longer needed.

That night, the hospital felt too quiet. The clock on the wall ticked endlessly as I stared at the dark window. My mother sat by the edge of the bed, her coat folded over her arm.

Then, just past midnight, the door opened again—softly this time.

“Ms. Emerald?” a man whispered. “It’s time.”

My mother stood, glancing at me. “Are you ready?”

I nodded.

We followed him through the back corridor, where the lights were dim and the halls were empty. The air outside was cool against my skin as we stepped into the night. A black car waited for us, its windows tinted.

The drive was silent. My mother held my hand tightly, and for once, neither of us looked back.

When the car stopped, I looked up to see the faint outline of a private helicopter waiting at the edge of an empty airfield. As the helicopter lifted off, the lights of the city below blurred into gold and white.

The noise, the lies, the pain—it all began to fade with every meter we climbed.

I leaned back against the seat, closing my eyes. My body was still weak, my heart still raw, but for the first time in years, I could breathe.