Chapter 4

The viral posts claimed I had been sleeping with street thugs since high school, undergoing countless abortions.

They claimed I had slept with my college professors to scrape by and graduate.

They claimed that even after getting together with Julian, I had maintained scandalous affairs with dozens of men, and Julian only turned to Chloe because he had reached his absolute breaking point.

There were even countless vile, deepfaked explicit photos circulating under my name.

Public sentiment on TikTok and X completely flipped.

[The bride had it coming! With a woman that dirty, can you blame Hayes for looking elsewhere?]

[Poor Julian Hayes, imagine marrying someone else's damaged goods!]

[Chloe Sparks isn't a homewrecker, she's an angel who saved him from that toxic psycho!]

It was Julian.

Because I refused to issue a statement, he chose this vicious route to whitewash Chloe's name!

Rage shot straight to my brain. Stumbling to my feet, I tried to call Julian, but my phone rang first.

The caller was my father. "Nora, I saw the news online.

"Why do you have to be so stubborn? It's normal for men of status to fool around! Go apologize to Julian right now! Don't throw away a golden ticket into high society over something so trivial!"

An icy chill washed over me. "I am your flesh and blood," I said numbly.

"I was humiliated and discarded, and all you care about is latching onto wealth?"

My father hesitated, then sneered, "Well... if you won't do it, don't blame me."

He hung up.

Seconds later, a notification popped up. My father had posted a video, wearing a remorseful expression as he apologized to Julian.

“It's all my fault. I failed to raise my daughter properly. She's been reckless and promiscuous with random men since she was a teenager...”

His public statement became the final nail in my coffin, confirming every vile rumor.

The crushing pressure on my chest grew unbearable, as if a boulder were suffocating my lungs. With a violent heave, I coughed up a mouthful of blood.

Clinging to my last shred of consciousness, I dialed Julian's number.

His voice was as cold as ever. "Saw the news?"

"Julian Hayes," I asked with a trembling voice, "we were together for twelve years. How could you do this to me?"

He went silent for a brief second before sighing. "Nora, I didn't want it to come to this.

"Come to the hospital and apologize to Chloe. She almost miscarried because of you. The moment she forgives you, I'll clear your name."

I wanted to smash the phone and tell him to burn in hell, but I forced the fury back down my throat.

I still had a life to live.

I couldn't let my reputation and my future be thoroughly destroyed.

Hanging up, I dragged my battered body to the hospital.

Inside the private room, Chloe lay delicately in Julian's arms while he patiently fed her soup, spoonful by spoonful.

Looking at them, it seemed as if they were the ones who had just celebrated their wedding yesterday.

I walked in slowly and muttered, "I'm sorry."

Chloe flashed a sly, mocking wink at me before instantly bursting into dramatic sobs. "Nora, I know you hate me!

"If you don't mean it, you don't have to force yourself! Stop acting like a martyr!"

Julian's brow furrowed immediately. "Chloe got on her knees to apologize to you earlier. Where's your sincerity?!"

Before I could react, he grabbed my shoulder and forced me down onto the floor.

My knees slammed painfully against the icy tiles. The frigid chill seeped into my veins, sending a drilling, tearing ache straight through my lower belly.

I clenched my fists as every drop of color drained from my face.

Noticing this, Chloe gasped in mock concern. "Oh no, is Nora feeling unwell?"

Julian cast a disgusted glance down at me. "Ignore her.

"Playing the fragile victim at her age just to guilt-trip me... it's sickening."

He helped Chloe out of the room.

Moments later, a swarm of paparazzi armed with cameras and bright flashes barged into the room, their dark lenses pointing directly at my face.

The shutter clicks and blinding lights were relentless.

"Are you Nora Vance? Are the rumors of your husband having an affair with his intern true, or is your personal life really that depraved?"

"Do you have a psychological disorder that drives you to cheat continuously? Your own father condemned you publicly—do you feel any remorse as a daughter?"

"What do you have to say in response to Mr. Hayes's actions? Please answer us!"

"Did Mr. Hayes file for divorce because you're a nymphomaniac?"

...

Countless invasive questions came at me from every direction, threatening to drown me alive.

The cameras were shoved right into my face, making my head throb violently.

The pain tearing through my lower abdomen grew unbearable, leaving me unable to straighten my back or utter a single word.

Between my thighs, a warm, thick fluid began to seep out.

The sharp metallic scent of blood filled the air.

Just as my vision blurred and my body gave out, a familiar figure shoved through the crowd, pulling me tightly into a protective embrace.

"Get the hell away from her! Don't you dare touch her!"