Chapter 3

The estate was heavily guarded, almost as if they were trying to keep a specific person out.

I squeezed the divorce papers tighter and cleared my throat:

"I’m looking for Ethan Sterling. I am his wife."

The guards looked at each other, then let out sneers:

"What kind of nonsense is that? Everyone knows Mr. Sterling's wife is Lily, the lady living inside."

They looked me up and down, judging my simple clothes:

"A woman dressed like a total cheapskate claiming to be his wife? Who are you trying to fool?"

I bit my lip, refusing to move from the gate.

A few minutes later, a butler-like figure came out of the villa and whispered to the guards.

The guards suddenly pulled out security batons:

"Get lost! Mr. Sterling said he doesn't know anyone named Maya Miller. Beat it!"

With that, they shoved me hard onto the wet ground. One of them even raised his baton toward me.

"What do you think you're doing?"

The sharp screech of tires stopped the guard in his tracks.

Chloe scrambled out of her car and rushed over to pull me up:

"You already caused Lily's miscarriage. You knew Ethan wouldn't want to see you. Why do this to yourself?"

I bit my lip stubbornly, refusing to say a word.

Chloe sighed:

"Fine. Follow me inside."

The guards let us through. We walked through several iron gates and finally reached a grand, vintage-styled reception hall.

The moment I stepped inside, I froze.

The hall was filled with glamorous people, clinking glasses, and a festive atmosphere.

And right in the center of the room hung a massive, beautiful wedding portrait of Ethan and Lily.

It was a wedding reception.

Our former business partners, mutual friends, and college classmates were all there.

The very same people who used to look down on Lily for being a homewrecker.

Now, they were all lining up to offer her their warmest congratulations.

Through the crowd, Ethan spotted me.

His body went rigid. He pushed through the guests and walked over:

"Did Chloe bring you in?"

I remained silent. He let out a heavy sigh:

"Lily has been with me for years without any legal title, and she just lost our baby. She just wanted a small wedding celebration to cheer her up."

"It's our special day. Can you please stop making a scene?"

He reached out, trying to pat my head like he used to, but I flinched away violently.

His hand froze in midair, and his eyes instantly turned cold and disgusted:

"Fine. What do you want this time?"

"Designer jewelry? A penthouse with a river view? Or more shares in my company?"

My heart ached sharply.

Over the years, whenever I wanted a divorce.

Chloe would always tell me that if I wanted to hold onto a man, I had to grab his wallet.

So every time I caught Ethan cheating, Chloe would help me demand an outrageous amount of money and assets.

And Ethan always gave them to me.

But it only made him despise me more and more.

I gripped the divorce papers, about to speak.

Suddenly, Lily rushed straight toward me:

"Why are you still here?!"

A sharp, burning slap landed on my face.

With tear-filled eyes, she glared at me:

"You really are the daughter of a homewrecker. Just like your mother, you are toxic, vicious, and pathetic."

My heart felt like it was hit by a sledgehammer. My eyes went red:

"My mother was not a homewrecker!"

Ethan took a step forward, shielding Lily behind him, and glared at me with fury:

"Enough! How much longer are you going to keep up this drama?"

The impatience and disgust in his eyes were completely overflowing.

I froze.

The next second, someone shoved me hard from the side.

Chloe, now wearing a bridesmaid dress, looked down at me with a cold face:

"Your mother was a homewrecker, Maya. The family she ruined back then... was Lily's."