Chapter 1

After ten long months of pregnancy,my water broke.

On the way to the hospital,the student I had been sponsoring called my husband.

She confessed that she had secretly admired him for a long time but didn't want to destroy our family,so she decided to end it all.

My husband abandoned me on the overpass,made a U-turn against traffic and rushed back to comfort her.

I bore the pain in my abdomen and walked five kilometers on the overpass before finally getting a cab.

By the time I reached the hospital,my blood had already stained half of my body.

The doctor told me I had arrived too late;my baby was already gone.

I called my husband.

But he said,"Let's get a divorce first.We'll remarry once she's emotionally stable."

"Our child is gone.There's no use dwelling on it."

"But we can save another innocent woman."

I remained silent for a long time,then quietly whispered,"Okay,then we're both free."

The poor student successfully rose in status,while I,feeling disheartened,left for a distant place.

But luck found me.I remarried a kind man and found happiness in a new family.

Three years later,I ran into my ex-husband.

He grabbed me by the neck,fury in his eyes and shouted,"You remarried again?Didn't we agree to remarry in the future?Are you that desperate?Can't you live without a man?"

——

"Alora,you disappeared for three years and now you couldn't resist showing up?You're here for money,aren't you?"

"This occasion is important and I warn you,stay away.Otherwise,you won't get a single cent."

I stood frozen at the airport entrance,the harsh words of the man approaching me cutting through the air.

I stared in shock,unable to move,until I finally recognized him:my ex-husband,Silas Armani.

And walking beside him,was Elvira Conti.

Once,Elvira wore patched clothes.She knelt before me,begging for money to attend college.

I,moved by pity,had helped her,caring for her needs.

Little did I know that the girl from the countryside had been plotting to take my place all along.

Now,after years of silence,she stood before me in designer clothes,a far cry from the girl I had once helped.

It seemed that after pushing me aside,she had successfully won Silas's heart.

Silas cursed me once,twice and it still wasn't enough to ease his anger.

He sneered,his voice dripping with disdain."Back then,I was just trying to help someone and you disappeared out of spite."

"I thought you had more dignity.Why show up again today?"

"Alora,take a good look at yourself.You're just a complete,useless woman now."

"Since leaving me,you've had a miserable life,haven't you?Now you see the value of money,huh?Now you know that a successful husband is your support?"

"Too bad,it's too late.From the moment you acted out of spite,you lost any right to be my wife."

"I'll make this clear:even if you stand before me now,I'll never remarry you."

I shook my head quietly,my voice barely a whisper."You're mistaken.I'm here on business at the airport."

Silas looked me up and down,his gaze heavy with disdain."Business?Can you even afford a plane ticket?"

"If you need money,just ask.Stop trying to hide behind these ridiculous excuses to make yourself look better."

Elvira sneered beside him,her words sharp."Alora,Silas and I are about to get married.Your showing up without shame is really putting us in a tough spot."

"Besides,Silas's company is growing bigger.You don't care about your reputation,but we need to consider the impact."

Silas pulled out a wad of cash with a flick of his wrist and threw it in my face.

"This should be enough to get by for a few days.Now,keep quiet."

He grabbed Elvira's hand and turned away,leaving me standing in stunned silence.

Chapter 2

I was so angry I couldn't find the words.

I wanted to run after them,shout a few things,but then I glanced at the time,my husband's flight had just landed.

In the past,I had always been late picking him up from the airport and I could still remember the sorrowful look in his eyes whenever I showed up late.

Today,I'd been at the gym when it suddenly hit me that I needed to pick him up,so I rushed over,breathless,not even taking the time to change.

Maybe it was because I was sweating and my hair was a mess,but Silas must have thought I was trying to reignite our marriage.

I took a deep breath,steadying myself and walked into the terminal.

I had a husband who loved me,so why let two rabid dogs ruin my mood?

But as soon as I entered the VIP lounge,my brow furrowed.

The usually calm and quiet VIP lounge was chaotic today.

The air was thick with cigarette smoke and men talked loudly and puffed their cigars like they owned the place.

Silas was at the center of it all,surrounded by sycophants who lavished him with praise.

"Silas,your company's on fire!That deal with Accetta Group?It's bound to be a game-changer.You'll be at the top in no time!"

"Don't forget us when you strike it big,Silas.We're counting on you to share the wealth."

Silas grinned,clearly basking in the attention,his chest puffing up with pride.

Next to him stood Elvira,her posture that of a CEO's wife,soaking in the compliments like a sponge.

I choked on the thick smoke,coughing uncontrollably.

A rotund man,balding and gruff,waddled over and sneered,"What are you doing here,country girl?This is a VIP lounge,not your personal resting spot.Get out!"

I pulled out my VIP card,but my irritation was barely contained."I'm not in the wrong place.I paid for this."

The man opened his mouth to retort,but before he could speak,Silas approached.

His voice was cold,his gaze cutting."Alora,is this what you've come to?Begging me for money?Now you're buying your way into the VIP lounge?"

Before I could speak,he tossed a few bills at me,his fingers moving like he had all the time in the world.Without a second thought,he ripped my VIP card in half.

"The money's refunded.You're no longer welcome here.Can you leave now?"

My blood boiled and the words I wanted to scream barely stayed in my throat.

I waved down a lounge attendant,my voice trembling with anger.

The attendant sized me up with an icy look before responding,"If you don't want the refund,by the rules,you're still allowed to stay."

I pointed to the no-smoking sign on the wall."Can you ask them to put out their cigarettes?"

The attendant's gaze hardened further."They've already paid their fines.They're allowed to smoke for the next hour.

"If you can't stand it,you're free to leave."

His words sliced through me,dripping with condescension."Honestly,some places just aren't meant for people like you."

I took a deep breath,forcing myself to keep calm."I'll file a complaint against you."

The attendant sneered,her voice dripping with contempt."Ma'am,the VIP lounge is for VIPs."

"Your status alone means that even if you complain,your words won't carry much weight."

"In short,I don't care.Do whatever you want."

At that moment,Silas glanced at me with disdain,his gaze like a cold blade."Alora,after three years,you've truly humiliated yourself."

Elvira,ever the actress,put on a concerned face,her words dripping with insincerity."Alora,you should leave.Staying here will only make a fool of you."

A curious businessman leaned in,asking Silas,"Silas,do you know her?"

Silas's smile faltered for a heartbeat before he recovered,his voice smooth but tinged with arrogance."When I was younger,I made a mistake.I ended up with the wrong person."

The businessmen around him nodded knowingly."It happens.These women are all the same.They know how to target wealthy men."

"Who hasn't been taken in by a woman or two in their youth?Once you see through them,it's no problem."

Chapter 3

"Now Silas and his wife are deeply in love,having wandered down the wrong paths to finally find each other."

"You have to truly understand how low those gold-digging women can go to appreciate what real love looks like.I suppose there's some lesson in that after all."

The people around me mocked and belittled me without a shred of restraint.

Silas,who had once been my husband,knew I was being wronged,yet not a single word of defense came from his lips.

Instead,he pointed at me with contempt,his voice dripping with disdain."I don't know where she heard that from,but she came here hoping to meet President Ferrari."

"Look at her.Pathetically begging for money."

"Absolutely shameless.It's sickening."

The crowd around me stared,their eyes filled with scorn as they tore into me."Lady,dignity matters.It's time for you to leave."

"This is a business space,not some charity event.You're making people uncomfortable.You won't get a dime."

"You've got arms and legs.Why don't you work for your living instead of always looking for handouts?"

I met their harsh words with cold defiance."I didn't come here begging for money.I just happened to run into Silas."

Silas sneered,his voice dripping with disdain."Your pitiful act of playing coy and you think I'll fall for it?

"Alora,I once loved you,but I've long since run out of patience with you."

He pulled Elvira close,a clear show of possession and shot me a glance."I have someone else now and we're getting married soon."

"As for you,you're neither my first love nor my obsession.You're just a fleeting shadow."

"Seeing you here today only brings one feeling:disgust.Your methods are dirty beneath me."

The first clap came from nowhere;then,the whole room joined in.

The businessmen clapped eagerly,their faces gleaming with admiration.

"Silas is so powerful."

"Silas really knows how to protect his woman;what dominance."

The sycophantic display turned my stomach.

I couldn't bring myself to engage with these people,so I turned to leave.

But Elvira stepped in front of me,blocking my path."Alora,are you just going to walk away like this?"

"Don't you think you owe me an apology?"

I blinked in confusion."What are you talking about?"

Elvira pointed to her high heels,her voice dripping with pride."These shoes?Custom-made,worth thirty thousand."

"You stepped on me earlier and now the surface of my shoe is ruined."

Everyone's gaze shifted to me,their eyes cold and judgmental.

A wealthy businessman sneered,"How can this woman be so uncivilized?"

"She's not just uncivilized but vengeful,too,"another man added.

Silas's eyes locked on me,his expression hardening."Alora,you've really sunk to new lows."

I could only offer a helpless shrug."I didn't step on her."

Elvira's laugh was sharp and dismissive."So now you're calling me a liar?"

"Soon,I'll be the wife of the CEO of a publicly listed company.What's my position?Would I really waste my time making false accusations against you?"

Silas's expression turned icy at her words.

He pointed at me,his voice cutting through the tension."Alora,did you or didn't you step on her?Stop lying and embarrassing me."

I couldn't hold back a bitter laugh."You're out of your mind.What does it even have to do with you?Why is this your embarrassment?"

"Silas,stop flattering yourself.I've already stopped caring about you.I didn't come here for you today."

His face turned pale with rage."Fine.You really don't know when to stop,do you?"

"Then I won't help you anymore.Pay for the damages,or we'll call the police."

The crowd around us quickly rallied behind Silas."We should call the police and teach her a lesson."

I glanced at the time,my heart sinking.I was about to be late picking him up again.

Chapter 4

A moment of silence passed and I finally spoke,my voice steady."Thirty thousand.I'll pay you first."

"But this isn't over.I'll ask the police to investigate."

"If I'm at fault,you keep the thirty thousand.If not,you'll return the money and apologize publicly."

I reached for my phone to make the transfer,but before I could,Silas reached out and knocked it from my hands.

He jabbed a finger toward my face,his tone dripping with contempt."Thirty thousand?Do you even have that much?Stop pretending."

"If you had thirty thousand,why would you be asking me for money today?"

"Alora,are you planning to borrow it online?"

"I never imagined you'd fall this far."

The phone shattered on the floor.

I turned to leave,but they blocked my way,their eyes full of derision.

The waiter locked the VIP room door;his words were formal and cold."We're waiting for the police.No one can leave until this economic dispute is resolved."

I knew beneath his polished tone,it was all just to placate her"important guests."

Everyone's eyes turned to me,their judgment heavy in the air.

I had no choice but to sit in the corner,silent and waiting for the police to arrive.

As my gaze swept over the crowd,I locked eyes with Elvira.

Her gaze was sharp,filled with satisfaction.

I froze for a moment.Was she truly enjoying watching me suffer,the same person who had once helped her?

I had been Elvira's benefactor.

It was something she had proudly proclaimed time and time again.

Ever since I sponsored her college education,she has always been deeply grateful.

Whenever she had a free moment,she would come to my house to clean,cook and even do the dishes.

Though I had a maid,she insisted on doing it all herself.

Even during the New Year,she would kneel to pay her respects,a gesture I tried to stop.

But she insisted it was a tradition from her hometown.

I once believed that good deeds would be repaid,that I had found a grateful,virtuous girl.

But over time,I learned that even a small act of kindness could fester into a deep resentment.

The more I gave Elvira,the more her jealousy bloomed.

The more I offered her,the more entitled she felt,as though I hadn't given her nearly enough.

The more humble and meek she appeared in my presence,the more she sought to trample me underfoot and reclaim the dignity she had lost with me.

She wasn't just ungrateful—she was a scheming,fake woman who would do anything to climb up,no matter who she hurt.

Her frequent visits to my house gave her the perfect chance to get close to Silas.

I had no idea when their affair had started,but by the time I discovered it,my pregnancy had already advanced.

For the sake of the baby,I endured in silence.

But I never imagined that on the day I was about to give birth,Elvira would threaten to slit her wrists,forcing Silas to abandon me on that cold,desolate overpass.

The memories still burned so vividly in my mind and I couldn't help but let out a deep,sorrowful sigh.

I didn't know when it happened,but suddenly,Elvira had squeezed her way to my side.

Her voice was a venomous whisper against my ear."Sister Alora,the tables have turned now."

"All the things you once had,I have now."

"And you...you have nothing."

I gave a slow nod,indifferent."Including that cheap man,Silas?He's all yours now.I don't want him anymore."

"When I used to sponsor you,you'd fawn over my second-hand clothes and bags."

"I didn't expect you'd be so eager to take on a second-hand husband."

Her face twisted in fury and in a flash,her hand shot up to slap me.

I caught her wrist with ease.

She sneered bitterly."No matter what,I've won."

"You and Silas are divorced;your child didn't survive."

"And you'll never see a penny of Silas's inheritance."

"By the way,Sister Alora,you don't know,do you?When I used to bring you coffee,I secretly slipped miscarriage pills into it…"

The words hit me like a slap to the face.

My mind reeled,the painful memories flooding back.The excruciating stomach cramps the day of the miscarriage,the child I never had the chance to meet.

Anger surged through me like wildfire.

I stood up,trembling with fury and slapped Elvira across the face.

But before I could even process what I'd done,Silas was already on me.

He shouted,his voice full of rage."Alora,how dare you hit her?"

He kicked me in the chest with brutal force.

I gasped in pain;the air knocked out of my lungs as I crumpled to the floor.

I couldn't breathe,couldn't even make a sound through the agony ripping through my chest.

But Silas wasn't done.He grabbed a fistful of my hair and yanked me up,his voice cold and commanding.

"Apologize to Elvira."

I opened my mouth to speak,but no words came.

Silas shoved me with all his might,sending me crashing into the corner.

I struggled to rise,but before I could even get my bearings,Elvira kicked the back of my knee,forcing me to stumble.I collapsed,my knee throbbing with sharp,unrelenting pain.

Around us,the wealthy guests did nothing.Some even seemed to watch with eager anticipation as though ready to join in on the torment.

Just then,the door to the VIP room was flung open.

The waiter,his voice dripping with enthusiasm,called out,"Mr.Ferrari,you've arrived."

In that instant,tears welled up in my eyes.

My husband came.