Chapter 1

Whenever people from Meyruelle praised the 'beauty of the century', everyone would burst into laughter at once, scoffing.

"Not only is she gorgeous, but she has the patience of a saint! She’s even raised two children for her husband’s mistress!"

So when I finally asked for a divorce, not a single person took me seriously.

David Thompson didn't even blink, casually tossing a check in front of me. "Stop making a scene and go buy yourself a couple of bags."

My oldest son didn't even look up from his video game. "Stop bothering Dad. If you're going to get the hell out, just do it. Stop faking it."

My youngest son called his biological mother directly. "That old witch looks like she's finally leaving. Mom, get ready!"

Even the house staff shook their heads, warning me to stop playing hard to get.

However, facing everyone's mockery, I didn't feel any sadness or anger.

I simply dialed the phone number I knew by heart.

"Muriel, our ten-year agreement is up. The debt I owed you for saving my sister's life is officially paid off."

Chapter 1

Muriel Brown remained silent for a few seconds before responding.

"Three days from now, you'll be free to leave."

At the very end, she still choked up as she said, "Aurora, it's been hard on you these past years. I know you did your best."

After all, we had been mother and daughter-in-law for ten years.

I was momentarily dazed. The words "did your best" were something many people had said to me over the years.

With pity, with irony, and even with the intention of watching a good show.

However, I didn't regret it.

It was precisely because I had done my best that only a sense of relief remained when leaving.

Hanging up the phone, my oldest son, Noah Thompson, bumped into me as I walked out.

Seeing it was me, a trace of panic appeared on his face, followed by an angry outburst.

"Are you blind?!

"You're not even hosting my birthday party. What are you doing slacking off here?!"

My brows furrowed.

Neither he nor Carter Thompson had ever wanted my presence at their birthdays. So why were they acting so abnormally today?

Without thinking much, I turned to walk out.

The next second, on the massive screen right in the center of the living room, explicit photos of me were displayed, seductive and obscene.

The parents across the room immediately covered their children's eyes.

They looked toward me with disgusted expressions.

Even though they said nothing, I could guess.

These were explicit photos photoshopped by rivals back when I was an actress.

Once they were released, the entire internet was filled with comments insulting me.

[What a wh*re! Who knows how many big shots she's slept with?]

[One look and you'd know she isn't decent, putting on an act. I bet her face is probably entirely from plastic surgery!]

Noah and Carter were laughing like crazy, pointing at my pale complexion and mockingly saying, "Look at how scared she is. I bet this time it won't take even three minutes before her face is ruined from crying!"

The moment the words fell, David Thompson, having learned the news, suddenly rushed out of the study and turned off the screen.

He furiously grabbed the two sons and began lecturing them.

My ears buzzed. Leaning against the wall in exhaustion, I lifted my hand and lit a cigarette.

Under the effect of nicotine, I slowly calmed down.

The next second, a hand suddenly snatched it away.

"If you keep smoking, how are you going to get pregnant?"

David irritably stubbed out the cigarette, his eyes staring at me with condemnation.

Pregnant?

I chuckled.

Perhaps that was something I used to want.

But did he not remember how I had lost my first child?

While taking advantage of my time going to the restroom, Noah led seventeen-month-old Wes to the courtyard to play.

It was only after I finished washing up that I discovered he was nowhere to be found.

After searching the entire villa from top to bottom, what awaited me was his floating corpse in the backyard swimming pool.

At that instant, my tragic shriek pierced the sky.

I scrambled to fish him out.

Wes's face was completely pale, his hand still clenching the small cake I had made.

I did CPR thousands of times like a crazy person until David couldn't bear to watch any longer.

He snatched him away from my embrace.

I rushed up to grab him back, but he lifted his hand and slapped me.

He said in grief, "Snap out of it! He's gone!"

I knelt on the ground and begged him, my pride lowered into the dirt. "Please give him back to me. I will take him away and never be an eyesore to you guys again!"

Yet he grabbed my face and forced me to watch my son be cremated.

My gaze was blank, just like a puppet's.

Gray smoke continuously drifted out of the chimney.

At that moment, half of my soul departed along with him.

He died too tragically, and now I was afraid.

Seeing my weary expression, David reached out his arms to pull me into his embrace.

He comforted me as if coaxing a child.

"It's all in the past. We always have to look forward. Haven't you missed your period for two months? Go to the hospital to check—"

Before he could finish speaking, the door was suddenly flung open.

Daisy Walker's eyes were red, looking as if she were about to snap as she said, "How could you hit a child?!"

Chapter 2

David instantly let go of me, his panicked expression making it look as though I were the seducing mistress.

Noah and Carter rushed over, like two weak nestlings.

"Boo-hoo, Mom, if you didn't come back, we were going to be beaten to death."

Daisy held them, lodging a heartbroken accusation.

"David, you promised you would never let the children suffer a single grievance. How could you break your word?!"

Even past thirty, Daisy still gave off an innocent and charming impression.

The love between the two of them back then had been intense and spectacular. One was a famous, wealthy heir in Meyruelle, and the other was a sports model.

Everyone had shipped them, but Daisy broke up with him to pursue her career.

David then married me. When kneeling to propose, his eyes sparkled.

"Aurora, you are the one who let me know what the taste of home is."

And I believed him.

However, later, we attended a banquet when a killer raised a gun and fired in our direction.

His instinctive reaction was to pounce on Daisy, who was not far away.

While I lay in a pool of blood, what stood out was his single-minded courage to protect the person in his arms.

That day, I bled a lot.

But what flowed even more were my tears.

David remained silent for a while. When he turned his head toward me, I knew my fate.

"Aurora, say you're sorry."

Perhaps I would've argued my case in the past. Now, though, I only wanted to smooth things over and leave.

Without hesitation, I calmly said to Daisy, "I'm sorry. It is all my fault, so let me return this home to you."

As the words fell, a deathly silence filled the room.

David, who rarely showed emotion, paled for the first time.

Only before he could speak, Daisy's tears flowed down.

"Aurora, are you mocking me? I've already given up the position to you. What are you still putting on an act for? You're breaking my heart!"

Seeing her cry, the younger son, Carter, gave me a vicious push.

Wearing six-centimeter high heels, my foot twisted, and I fell to the ground.

An excruciating pain immediately spread from my ankle.

Carter froze for an instant, then let out a snort. "So fake."

Noah also looked at me for only two seconds before comforting Daisy.

"Mom, don't cry. We'll avenge you."

My heart ached as if pricked by needles. Watching this scene, I couldn't help but remember seven years ago.

Daisy had given the two children a hurried glance, then driven away with her lover.

The boys cried tragically, shouting after her car.

"Mom, Mom, don't go! Please don't go!"

My heart broke as I watched, and I chased after her for them. I lost my slippers along the way, leaving both my feet bloody from the friction.

In the end, completely exhausted, I collapsed to the ground.

The two little ones threw themselves onto me, crying so hard that they couldn't catch their breath.

"We won't chase her anymore. I don't want her ever again. From now on, you're our mom."

I shed tears back then, thinking my sincerity was finally met.

However, three years later, Daisy returned after her race results were a complete mess.

With just one excuse, the two children easily accepted her back, viewing me as a mortal enemy.

Ten years of hard work could not compare to a mention of a hidden plight from her mouth.

My body suddenly left the ground. David brought an ice pack to apply to my ankle.

"Aurora, why must you be so sharp-tongued? Wouldn't it pass if you just endured it a little?"

My fingertips trembled slightly. I thought he was caring for me, but the next second, reality shattered my delusion.

"How can you go back to the banquet like this? When others see you limping, they'll think I mistreated you."

I lowered my eyes and said calmly, "Then I won't go."

Going would only mean being a laughingstock to everyone.

Every person who met me would say, "Mrs. Thompson is so lucky! To have two such handsome sons!"

As soon as they turned around, they would mockingly say, "What's she so proud about? She's just a stepmother. Eventually, she will be driven out."

Daisy, who was secretly rejoicing, had tears in her eyes instead.

"Is it because of me? Aurora, I have never thought of replacing you. You don't have to hint at me in such a roundabout way."

Saying that, she let go of the two children, turned around, and walked outward.

Noah and Carter panicked instantly, the childhood fear of being abandoned sweeping over them once more.

They blocked Daisy, then stared at me with hatred, shouting, "You witch! What right do you have to drive her away? She is our mom!"

David roared furiously at them. "Shut up! Who taught you to talk like that?!"

Then he looked toward me again.

"Since you are injured, stay at your bedroom and rest."

However, the emotion in his eyes wasn't pity or concern for me, but the joy of being able to spend time with Daisy.

Chapter 3

I didn't react and just let him leave.

Before he left, David kissed my cheek like usual.

He whispered in my ear, "Honey, I'll buy you the cannolis you love later."

My eyes suddenly welled up with tears, remembering back to when the children were little.

Every time David secretly brought me cannolis, they would gather around, scrambling to grab them.

"Dad is biased, only buying them for Mom! I want some too, I want some too!"

David would protect me and laugh, saying, "Your mom is biased toward you guys, and I am biased toward your mom. Fair, no?!"

As for me, I'd eat the cannolis with a beaming smile while watching them squabble.

It turns out that we also had moments of happiness.

However, those instants were like passing clouds, dispersing as soon as the wind blew.

Noah and Carter glanced at me, looking as though they felt guilty for the words they had said.

When they began walking toward me, Daisy grabbed them from behind with a sudden jerk.

Her eyes were full of jealousy and hatred as she looked toward me.

After they left, I began packing my luggage.

My gaze landed on the scarf on the bedside table, and my movements suddenly paused.

I picked it up, lightly stroked it, then handed it to Mrs. Lopez beside me.

"Mrs. Lopez, if you don't mind, please give this to your daughter. Young people look good wearing pink."

The corners of Mrs. Lopez's eyes grew red all of a sudden, her voice low.

"Madam, this is something Noah and Carter knitted for a month to give to you. You have always cherished it deeply. I cannot take it."

I shook my head and said nothing more.

While I was minding my own business packing the clothes, photos of David's family of four made the headlines.

[Breaking! Family of four reunites; Changes ahead for David Thompson's marriage!]

[Beauty of the century, Aurora Hill, suffers tragic abandonment. Marriage status on the brink of collapse!]

The haters were like blood-sucking leeches, all rushing below to leave comments.

[Aurora's a notorious sl*t! Based on the things she's done, it's not surprising she was dumped!]

[Exactly! Maybe she's already found someone new. Stop blindly worrying for her!]

[Married for ten years without bearing children, her body was probably ruined from playing around long ago. No wonder she got dumped!]

[No wonder she has no father or mother. She deserves it, even God can't stand this kind of person!]

…

Reading these vicious comments, I couldn't help myself from shivering.

My parents' passing away in an accidental car crash when I was little had always been a source of pain in my heart.

My sister and I grew up relying on one another until she suddenly contracted a severe illness.

It was precisely because Muriel lent a helping hand to save her that I agreed to marry David.

Yet my tragic past experiences were turned into a sharp blade to harm me.

My phone buzzed. Muriel had suddenly sent a text message.

[Aurora, the divorce papers have been processed. After tomorrow, David will never be able to find you again.]

I instantly felt more at ease.

However, the next second, the room door was kicked open.

David and his sons stood at the doorway, boundless hatred churning in their eyes.

My heart skipped a beat.

Before I could speak, a slap sent me crashing to the ground, a tearing pain coming from my scalp.

David grabbed my hair, looking at me with absolute disappointment.

"Aurora, you're just too cruel. How could I have fallen in love with a poisonous woman like you?!"

My head ached as if it were splitting open, and I cried out, "What on earth are you talking about?!"

Noah's fists creaked from being clenched so tightly, tears glistening.

"From this day onward, you're no longer my mom!"

As for Carter, he cried.

"My mom is someone who cares so much about her appearance, yet you left such a large scar on her!"

Seeing the terrified and bewildered look in my eyes, David delivered another slap.

"Even now, you're still putting on an act. She wore your evening gown. Why were there razor blades inside it?!"

With that, he dragged me out with a single yank, throwing me down at Daisy's feet.

Daisy's eyes were slightly red, and there was gauze wrapped around her shoulder.

She looked at me with extreme grievance. "Aurora, why are you treating me like this?! I've never thought of taking this home from you. You have truly misunderstood me!"

Chapter 4

But the moment the words left her mouth, she leaned in close, lowering her voice right at my ear.

"You crazy b*tch. Enjoy it while it lasts, because I’m about to show you exactly who the three of them actually love."

With that, she grabbed my hand and quickly pressed it hard against her wound.

"Ah!"

She let out a piercing scream and fell to the floor. In the next second, all three men rushed toward her.

David immediately held her in his arms. Noah stepped in front of them like a soldier.

Even though I had mentally prepared myself millions of times, seeing this scene still made my heart ache.

The next second, a picture frame suddenly smashed into my head.

Everything went black. When I opened my eyes again, blood was slowly trickling down my face.

Carter was young, after all, and he looked a bit scared after hitting me. Still, he yelled, "Don't you dare hurt my mom again!"

I remained completely indifferent, staring blankly at the photo on the floor.

It was a picture I had taken with them five years into our marriage.

In it, I was happily holding our two children, and David was holding me from behind.

Back then, I thought it was the start of our happiness. However, today, five years later, reality stripped that away and showed me the truth.

The expectations I never should've had finally vanished into thin air.

I stood up. Without a single word of explanation, I turned around to grab my suitcase.

Daisy shrieked at the top of her lungs, "She's coming toward me! Help! Help me!"

Rage flared in David’s eyes, and he blocked my path. A slap came down, and I completely crashed to the ground.

This time, half of my body went numb.

A needle-like pain began to throb in my lower abdomen in waves. That was when I instantly remembered that my period was two months late.

Afraid that I would hurt Daisy again, David dragged me toward the doghouse in the cellar.

Clutching my stomach, I grabbed his sleeve, my voice filled with panic.

"I think I'm pregnant. Don't you remember my period is late? Take me to the hospital, quick!"

David froze in his tracks. When he turned to look at me, I could see the shock in his eyes.

However, because of Daisy, a conflicted look flashed across his face, as if he were trying to figure out if my words were true or false.

Tears poured down my face, and I could barely stand on my feet.

"It hurts so bad... I'm dizzy and nauseous..."

Seeing how pale my face was, pity flashed in Noah's eyes. He spoke up softly, "Let's get a doctor to look at her... She isn't someone who fakes being sick..."

Carter remained silent, but his expression showed that he agreed with his brother.

In the next second, the sound of shattering porcelain came from the living room.

Daisy's face twisted into an ugly scowl.

She could not accept her children and her man showing even a single ounce of feeling toward me, not even pity.

So, she began to scream at the top of her lungs, "If you dare call a doctor for her, I'll smash my head and die right here!"

In an instant, David stopped hesitating and quickly dragged me into the cellar.

My heart sank.

But the moment the door closed, a shadow suddenly appeared behind him and shoved a white cloth over his face.

David’s eyes widened in shock, and he fought back fiercely. However, in less than half a minute, his body went completely limp, and he slumped down.

In the darkness, the crisp click-clack of high heels echoed.

A familiar voice comforted me.

"Aurora, from now on, you are free. Go find your sister."