Chapter 1

My husband’s first love, Chloe, framed me for a crime, and he, Daniel, sent me to prison. He resented me for "stealing" his virginity, something he had intended to save as a wedding gift for Chloe.

I gave him what he wanted, willingly signing the divorce papers to make way for him and his first love.

But he thought it was just another one of my attempts to hold onto him.

"If that’s what you want, then I'll grant your wish. Don’t forget, without me, you’re worse than a stray dog."

Two years cut off from society, I’d lost interest in almost everything.

Even when I saw Daniel coming to pick me up, there was no longer that familiar rush of intense emotion in my heart.

My assistant subtly took my black handbag.

First, she seemed surprised by its feather-light weight.

Then, she cast a pitying glance my way.

If anyone had visited me during those three years, my clothes wouldn’t have failed to fill even a small handbag.

Seeing me still standing there, frozen, Daniel impatiently frowned.

"Aren’t you going to get in the car? Are you waiting for me to open the door for you?"

"Three years, and you’re still the same miserable person, aren't you?"

That familiar, contemptuous tone.

It made my long-dormant heart ache once more.

I couldn’t believe that after so much time, his words still had the power to hurt me.

The only difference was, I wouldn’t show it on my face anymore…

If he knew, he’d probably mock me even more, tearing my dignity to shreds until he was satisfied.

My dignity was already hanging by a thread. I didn’t want to lose the last shred of decency I had.

But in his eyes, my self-respect was nothing but disposable trash.

Another woman sat in the backseat.

It was Chloe, Daniel's long-time first love.

The moment I got into the passenger seat, she greeted me warmly.

"Alice, long time no see."

I gave her a blank nod in the rearview mirror.

But I must have upset Daniel somehow again.

His anger flared instantly. The next second, his phone came flying at me.

I cried out in pain, clutching the back of my head.

I couldn’t help but let out a low groan.

"Three years, and you still haven’t learned how to respect people!"

"Aren’t prisoners supposed to be put in their place in jail!"

Prison.

A place where all malice converges. A place with clear hierarchies, where the bottom rung is pure darkness. Men and women alike were treated worse than animals there.

I let the bitterness spread through my heart.

The punches that had rained down on me for three years felt like they were replaying right before my eyes.

They unleashed their pent-up malice without restraint, as if inflicting evil on others could somehow wash away their own sins.

Chloe quickly pulled him into a hug, soothing him softly.

"Alice, after all, has been cut off from society for three years. It’s normal not to be familiar with social interactions. Don’t worry about it, Daniel. I’ll make sure to guide Alice properly after this."

"After all, she once loved you, didn't she? I always have a soft spot for anyone who genuinely loves and cares for you."

Chloe’s eyes were sincere.

Daniel’s eyes reddened with emotion.

He leaned into her embrace, rubbing his head against her, as intimate as a true family.

"If it weren’t for that bitch getting in the way, I wouldn’t have missed out on so much with you."