Enlyan’s fingers tightened around her phone as the words burned into her mind. Her thoughts flashed back to Damian’s mother's scathing remarks earlier that day.
"You think he’ll stay married to you forever? His first love is back. It’s only a matter of time before he leaves you for good."
Her mocking voices echoed in her ears, each word twisting the knife deeper into her chest.
Tears welled up in her eyes, but this time they weren’t from sadness—they were from anger and resolve. She had endured three years of indifference, humiliation, and loneliness, believing she could somehow change Damian’s heart. But this was the final betrayal.
Next morning,
Enlyan stepped into the towering Blackwood Enterprises building, her heels clicking softly against the polished marble floor. The divorce papers clutched tightly in her hand felt heavier than they should, as though they carried the weight of her shattered hopes and unspoken pain.
She approached the front desk, her nerves barely held in check. "I’m here to see Mr. Blackwood," she said, her voice firm despite the lump in her throat.
The receptionist raised an eyebrow, clearly surprised. Enlyan rarely visited Damian at work; their worlds were kept apart by his insistence.
Suddenly the elevator doors slid open, laughter floated into the lobby. Enlyan froze, her heart sinking as Damian stepped out, his arm brushing against a woman beside him. The woman’s melodic laugh rang out, and the way Damian leaned slightly toward her, smiling and engaged, made Enlyan’s stomach churn.
Damian stopped mid-step when he saw Enlyan. His smile faltered, replaced by a flicker of surprise.
“Enlyan?” he said, his voice low but edged with irritation.
The woman beside him glanced at Enlyan curiously, her expression unreadable. Damian quickly turned to her. “Excuse me for a moment,” he murmured, his tone soft, almost apologetic—a tone Enlyan had never heard directed at her.
He walked over to Enlyan, his movements brisk, and grabbed her arm gently but firmly. “What are you doing here?” he asked, his voice sharp as he guided her to a quiet corner of the lobby, away from prying eyes.
“I needed to talk to you,” Enlyan said, lifting the divorce papers slightly. She hated how small her voice sounded, but the sight of him with the woman had shaken her resolve.
Damian glanced around, his jaw tightening. “You couldn’t wait until I got home?” he asked, his tone clipped.
“I’ll ask once,” she began, her voice trembling but determined, “Who is she?”
Damian’s brow furrowed as though the question itself was an affront. “That’s none of your concern,” he said dismissively, his tone cold and detached.
“You’ve been spending time with her,” she said, her voice rising slightly.
Damian cut her off with a sharp wave of his hand. “I said it’s none of your business,” he repeated, his tone more clipped now.
The sting of his words made Enlyan’s grip on the papers tighten. She took a deep breath to steady herself, and held the divorce papers out to him. “Fine,” she said quietly. “Then let’s not waste each other’s time. Sign these.”
Damian’s eyes flicked to the papers in her hand, then back to her face. For a moment, there was silence, and then he let out a short, humorless laugh. “So, that’s what this is about,” he said, shaking his head. “You think throwing around the word ‘divorce’ will get my attention?”
Enlyan blinked, momentarily stunned. “I’m not doing this for attention,” she said, her voice firm despite the lump in her throat. “I’m done, Damian. I can’t do this anymore.”
He scoffed, stepping closer to her, towering over her in his usual intimidating manner. “You’re bluffing,” he said, his voice laced with mockery. “Do you even know what you’re asking for? You think you’ll walk out of here and everything will be fine?”
“I’m not afraid to start over,” Enlyan shot back, though her voice wavered slightly.
Damian’s eyes narrowed, and his smirk turned cruel. “Start over with what?” he asked. “Your father’s medical bills? Your family’s debts? Do you think anyone else will be as generous as I’ve been?”
The words hit her like a physical blow, and she staggered back a step. “You’re not doing this out of generosity,” she said, her voice shaking. “You’re doing it to control me.”
He took a step closer, his voice low and venomous. “You should think carefully before you go through with this. Once we’re done, I’ll have no reason to support your father. You’ll be on your own, Enlyan. Completely.”
Enlyan swallowed hard, fighting back tears. The man she had once admired, who she thought she could make love her, stood before her as a stranger—cold, cruel, and indifferent to her pain.
“You can’t use my father like that,” she said, her voice trembling despite her best efforts to keep it steady.
Damian’s expression was unreadable. He didn’t even seem to care.
Before she could say another word, the phone rang, and Damian immediately answered it, his tone changing the instant he spoke. “I’ll be there in a moment,” he said, his voice warmer, more familiar.
Enlyan felt a sickening wave of nausea rise in her stomach as she realized who was on the other end of the line.
He didn’t even glance at her as he hung up, his attention fully diverted.
“You’d better not regret this later,” he said, his voice cold and indifferent as he turned away. “I won’t be here when you realize how much you’ve lost.”
He signed the divorce paper And just like that, he walked away.
Enlyan stood there, her heart shattering with each step he took toward the exit, toward the woman who had so easily replaced her in his life. She stared after him, the echo of his words ringing in her ears.
Enlyan’s mind was a blur as she walked out of the building, holding divorce paper, her body feeling light as though the weight of her emotions was pulling her down.
Her lawyer was waiting for her outside and she give him divorce paper and he left.
After lawyer left, a man stepped into her path, blocking her way. His suit was impeccable, his expression polite but detached.
"Mrs. Blackwood," he greeted, bowing his head slightly. "Mr. Blackwood arranged for us to take you home."
Confusion clouded her thoughts. She didn’t understand why Damian would care about her getting home when he just signed the divorce paper. He’d just mocked her, made it clear he didn’t want her anymore. But before she could protest, the man gestured toward a car parked nearby, its engine running quietly.
She hesitated for a moment, but She followed him into the car, her heart still heavy.
As the car began to move, something didn’t feel right. The route they were taking was unfamiliar, and the scenery around her quickly became more desolate. The car’s steady hum filled the silence, but a growing unease curled in her stomach.
“Where are we going?” she asked, her voice trembling slightly.
The driver didn’t answer immediately. His eyes remained focused on the road, his hands gripping the wheel tightly. After a few moments, he spoke, his voice as cold as ice.
“Mr. Blackwood didn’t want the divorce to ruin his reputation, Miss Blackwood,” he said, his words sending a chill down her spine. “But… it wouldn’t be a problem if you died.”
The words cut through her like a knife, and for a moment, she thought she hadn’t heard him correctly. “What?” she whispered, unable to fully comprehend the meaning behind his chilling statement.
“Don’t worry,” the driver continued, his tone detached, “this is all for Mr. Blackwood’s sake. You won’t be a problem anymore.”
Enlyan’s pulse quickened, panic creeping up her spine. She realized then that the car wasn’t headed in the direction of her home. The surroundings had become more isolated, the streets darker, and she had no idea where they were going.
What was Damian thinking?
He wanted her dead?
Why?
Her heart raced as the car continued toward the edge of the world. She tried to steady her breathing, but the fear was suffocating. She had always known Damian was ruthless, but she never imagined he would go this far.
She looked out the window, the ocean in the distance now visible, its waves crashing violently against the rocks. And it was then that she understood—this wasn’t just about her leaving him.
This was about eliminating the problem altogether.
"I'm sorry, Ma'am. It's all Mr. Blackwood's orders. Don't worry, Mr. Blackwood will pick a good cemetery for you." Then he jumped out of the car.
The car drove straight toward the edge of the ocean, the headlights illuminating the dark waters. She couldn’t breathe, couldn’t think, as the realization hit her hard: Damian had arranged for her to die.
With a final, deafening screech, the car plunged into the ocean. The world tilted violently as the water rushed in, swallowing everything around her. The last thought that passed through Enlyan’s mind was a vow—a vow she would never forget.
I will never forgive you, Damian.
Five Years Later"Mr. Blackwood, this is the information about the designer sent by KM Company in London," Damian's assistant, Ertha, said, handing him a file. "She arrived in North City today. Should we send someone to pick her up?""Iris?" Damian asked, narrowing his eyes slightly."Yes, the designer Iris," Ertha confirmed with a quick nod." I heard she’s incredibly famous abroad. The jewelry she designs are like treasures, and her name alone carries weight. If it weren’t for our collaboration with KM Group, they wouldn’t have let her come here"“What else do we know about her?” Damian asked, his tone curt.Ertha hesitated, flipping through the notes. “Not much, sir. KM has been extremely protective of her identity. Iris was a jewelry designer who had risen to fame in the past three years. There are no public photos of her, no interviews, and no social media presence. But her work speaks for itself. She’s renowned not just for her fashion designs but also for her jewelry creations.
"Don't scare your sister," Enlyan’s voice turned firm, making Joxan close his mouth immediately.She exhaled softly and said, "I'll call Mini once we’re out of the airport. We’ll stay at her place for a few days.""Okay," Joxan mumbled under his breath, clearly distracted.Just then, his eyes caught sight of a man in the crowd. His figure was strikingly familiar—tall, imposing, and exuding a cold aura that could be felt even from a distance. The resemblance was undeniable. That had to be Damian Blackwood.His… biological father?Joxan’s gaze flickered toward Enlyan, who was busy searching for a contact on her phone. Without hesitation, he clutched his stomach and groaned dramatically."Oh, Mommy! My belly hurts! I need to use the restroom!"Enlyan immediately looked down, alarmed to see him clutching his stomach so tightly his face was turning red. His legs rubbed together as if he was really in distress."Mommy will take you. Jes, stay here, okay? I’ll be right back."She bent down t
Damian, on the other hand, found himself inexplicably irritated.Why?That woman wasn’t Enlyan. He was certain of it.And yet… why did she feel so familiar?No.He clenched his jaw and dismissed the thought.This woman was nothing more than a stranger.Right?And yet…If Enlyan knew that he had deliberately approached her, she would have been thrilled. She had always worn her heart on her sleeve when it came to him.But that woman just now—there was nothing in her eyes. No emotion. No recognition.Still, her gaze… those eyes…They were just like Enlyan’s.Damian suddenly halted.Ertha, caught off guard, bumped straight into his back. "Mr. Blackwood, I'm sorry!" He quickly stepped back, rubbing his nose.But Damian wasn’t paying attention. His gaze was locked on the direction the woman had gone.She had walked off without hesitation, as if their encounter meant nothing. As if he meant nothing.She disappeared into the bathroom, but the way she moved… that walk.His jaw tightened."Mr.
Meanwhile, Joxan listened to the sounds outside, his small lips curving into a victorious grin.That’s what you get for bullying my mom.This is what you deserve for abandoning us!This is just a small taste of what’s coming. The real reckoning is still ahead!Joxan smirked in satisfaction, but he quickly wiped it away, replacing it with a pitiful sob. “Uncle, please don’t hit me! I really didn’t mean it! Just think of it like being wet by your own son. Please don’t tell my mommy—she’ll punish me!”His voice wobbled just enough to sound believable.Daimon, who had been furiously scrubbing his face, suddenly froze.My own son?The words hit him like a punch to the gut.If Enlyan hadn’t died… would their child be this boy’s age now?That painful memory resurfaced—the day he found the pregnancy report hidden in her drawer. The crushing regret that followed had never left him, and it never would.His gaze drifted to the mirror. He had never looked more disheveled—his damp hair clung to hi
Enlyan hailed a taxi, and it took them to Mini’s place. Even after five years, nothing had changed. Mini still lived in the same house, and the key was right where it had always been. With a sense of familiarity, Enlyan quickly found the key, unlocked the door, and stepped inside with her children.The two-bedroom house wasn’t large, but it felt cozy and inviting. Jessica glanced around, her eyes scanning the space before she quietly asked, “Mom, where’s my room?”Enlyan smiled gently and replied, “Babe, there are only two rooms. The one on the right is the second bedroom. I used to live in that one, so now it’s our room.”But Jessica wasn’t thrilled. She huffed and pouted, “I don’t want to share with my brother. He bullies me!” She screamed in protest.Joxan, already annoyed, snapped back, “Who wants to stay with you? But Mom said so, so we have to.”Enlyan chuckled, not letting their usual sibling squabbles bother her. She wasn’t surprised—they were always like this. She and Mini ha
Joxan clenched his fists. His nails dug into his palms, but he didn’t feel the pain.He hated Daimon.Maybe the punishment at the airport wasn’t enough.Joxan instinctively turned to call Jessica but stopped himself. His sister was too naïve. If she found out anything about Daimon, she would blurt it out to their mother. He couldn't trust her with this.Instead, he let out a deep sigh and pulled out the pinhole camera from his pocket.With a smirk, he transferred the video to his computer—the video of Daimon getting peed on the face earlier.Joxan cracked his fingers and hacked into a remote IP address. Within minutes, he was uploading the footage to major news networks and gossip sites.Let the world see the great Daimon Blackwood in his most embarrassing moment.If Daimon had let the world frame his mother for cheating, then Joxan would return the favor.By morning, Daimon Blackwood’s humiliating scandal would be on every front-page headline.Joxan leaned back in his chair, a sly gr
Joxan’s soul left his body.His eyes went wide in absolute horror.This woman was a menace.That’s it.He snatched something from Enlyan’s luggage and jabbed it against Mini’s arm.BZZZT!"AHH!" Mini jumped up like a startled cat.The room fell silent as everyone stared.Joxan stood up, holding a small taser.Mini clutched her arm, her eyes huge. "Did… did you just electrocute me?!"Joxan huffed. "I got this to protect my mom. Didn’t expect it to work on annoying people too. Not bad, though."With that, he stormed off to the bathroom.He had to scrub his face clean. Immediately.Enlyan finally burst into laughter, holding her stomach. "Oh, Mini, you had it coming!"Mini, still in shock, held her numb waist and groaned. "That little devil! He looks so cute, but he’s a menace!"Enlyan chuckled. "Jo is just… a little overreacting. Just keep your distance next time."Mini narrowed her eyes. "Oh, I will. But this isn’t over."As she turned to leave, she muttered under her breath."Kid, we’
Enlyan exhaled slowly and said in a calm tone, “Joxan knows how to take care of himself and Jessica. You don’t have to worry.”Despite his young age, Joxan had always been mature beyond his years. Back when they lived abroad, he had been the one looking after Jessica, which reassured Enlyan that he could handle things just fine.Mini sighed, reluctantly nodding. “Alright, I’ll admit that.”With that, the conversation drifted into other topics as the two women continued chatting.Meanwhile, across the city, Daimon was livid.In his office, the air was thick with tension as he paced back and forth, fury written all over his face.“Who the hell uploaded this?!” he bellowed, slamming his fist onto his desk.His PR team was nowhere to be seen.“Where are those useless PR guys? What the fuck are they even doing? Did I hire them just to sit around while sht like this happens?!”The next second, his phone went flying through the air, smashing into the wall—barely missing Ertha’s face.Ertha’s
She leaned lazily against the pillows, her posture effortless yet undeniably sensual."A woman who gives birth to your child must love you deeply. And yet, you let her stay in the Blackwood house as an unmarried mother? That’s not exactly honorable, is it?"Her voice was smooth, casual—too casual.Daimon didn’t even glance at her body.His eyes were locked onto hers.Because something about them bothered him.Those eyes—they were different.Where was the jealousy? The heartbreak? The desperate longing?This wasn’t the Enlyan he knew.He had expected anger. Resentment. Pain.But instead, her gaze was empty. Unshaken. Unmoved.It shouldn't be like this.She loved him.She had always loved him.Then why did she look at him like he was nothing but a distant memory?Enlyan met his stare without hesitation.Let him look.Let him search for the woman who used to love him.Because she was gone.The old Enlyan—the foolish, infatuated girl who once worshipped him—had drowned.What stood before
Joxan, however, only smiled."My mom said that every child is an angel sent by God to the world," he explained gently. "So their origins don’t matter. She also asked me to help orphans as much as I can, which is accumulating virtue for myself."Those words.That exact belief.Daimon felt something stir in his chest.It was as if a ghost from his past had just whispered in his ear.A woman... a silly woman... had once told him something like this before.The thought came instinctively, and before he could stop himself, he asked—"What’s your mother’s name?"The moment the words left his mouth, Daimon realized his mistake.Why did he even ask?Joxan paused for a fraction of a second.Then, just as smoothly, he smiled and replied, "Sir, that’s personal information. Besides, are you dropping me at the orphanage or not? I'm going to be late."Daimon blinked.Did a four-year-old just call him out for being intrusive?Him?It was rare for anyone to speak to him like that—let alone a child.Y
When?When would she finally become the true matriarch of this family?How had things spiraled so far out of her control?She watched Daimon with silent resentment as he turned his full attention to Oasis. That brat.Oasis had all of Daimon’s affection.His gentle gaze, his patience, his time. Things Katrina had been fighting for years to get, yet never received.Oasis, oblivious to Katrina’s growing resentment, happily grabbed Daimon’s hand.“Daddy, let’s go! My classmate must be waiting. He’ll think I was lying if we don’t hurry!”Daimon’s expression softened as he effortlessly lifted the little boy onto his shoulders."Alright, let's go!"Laughter filled the air as father and son walked out the door, leaving Katrina behind.She stood there, still gripping the rag in her hands, watching them go.This wasn’t how it was supposed to be.When they arrived at the kindergarten, Oasis practically jumped out of the car before it even fully stopped.Joxan was already waiting.Oasis threw ope
Daimon couldn’t sit still any longer. The pieces were coming together too perfectly, the coincidences stacking up in a way that defied logic. His gut screamed at him, urging him forward.He jumped to his feet, throwing on a casual outfit that, despite its effortless appearance, cost thousands. But he barely noticed. His mind was elsewhere—on her.If Iris was truly Enlyan, she wouldn’t admit it easily. But he had to see her.Just once. Even if she denied it, even if she looked him in the eye and called herself a stranger, Daimon needed to know.Even the smallest flicker of familiarity in her gaze would be enough.Daimon strode out of his room, heading straight for the door when a familiar voice interrupted him.“Dad, are you going out?”He turned to see Oasis, his little boy, bright-eyed and smiling as he hopped down from his chair, abandoning his dinner without hesitation.“Oasis, be careful! Don’t touch your dad’s clothes with your hands covered in rice,” Katrina warned, her voice ca
Daimon wasn’t impressed. His patience, already thin, wavered."Is there any period where her records go silent?" His voice was sharp. "Did she disappear for a while? Any accidents? Travel logs?"Ertha hesitated, tapping a few keys. "Uh… that, my lord, I’m not completely sure about—""You have thirty minutes." Daimon's voice left no room for argument. "I want everything on her. No gaps. No missing details. And Ertha—don’t make me call again."Before the assistant could protest, the line went dead.Ertha stared at his phone in horror. Thirty minutes? He needed a miracle. Or five extra hands.Daimon sat in his dimly lit study, fingers drumming on the polished surface of his desk. The room was silent, except for the soft hum of the city outside. His gaze fell upon a drawer—one he hadn’t opened in years. Slowly, he pulled it open, revealing two things: a divorce agreement and a wedding ring.The only thing he had ever bought for Enlyan.Three years of marriage, yet this ring was merely for
As she finished her meal and took her medicine, she casually turned on the television. Just as the screen flickered to life, a news anchor’s voice filled the room.“In an unexpected turn of events, socialite Katrina Walton has issued a public apology to Miss Iris…”Enlyan's eyes narrowed as Katrina’s carefully crafted image appeared on the screen. The woman, draped in an elegant white dress, had the perfect mix of remorse and vulnerability on her face as she spoke."Miss Iris, I deeply regret my actions… Everything was my fault. My reckless behavior embarrassed you, and I take full responsibility. If you’re watching this, please—I beg you to forgive me. If you wish, you can scold me or even hit me, but please don’t let my mistake affect the company. The Blackwood Corporation is vital to North City’s economy, and Mr. Daimon Blackwood—my soulmate and life partner—has worked tirelessly for its success. I only hope this misunderstanding doesn’t harm the company or the city’s future. If yo
Enlyan grabbed her arm and shook it playfully, trying to soften the mood. “Come on, tell me. Where are they?”Mini let out an exasperated sigh, poking her forehead.“We’re in a hospital, Ely. With your condition, do you really think I’d let the kids stay here? They’re at home. But if you’re feeling well enough, I’ll handle your discharge papers. I’m a little worried about them too”Without another word, she grabbed the discharge papers and rushed through the formalities.Within minutes, they were out of the hospital and heading home.The moment they stepped inside, the comforting aroma of food filled the air. A hint of warm toast, eggs, and something sweet lingered.Joxan was already up, neatly dressed, standing in the kitchen with a spatula in hand. He looked like he had been preparing breakfast, though now his small face scrunched up in surprise."Mom!"Without hesitation, he abandoned the pan, rushing towards her and wrapping his arms around her waist.Enlyan staggered slightly but
The cold, suffocating grip of the ocean wrapped around Enlyan once more.Darkness.Water.Despair.She was drowning.She thrashed desperately, her voice hoarse from screaming. “No! Help! Somebody—please!” But no one came. No one saved her.Suddenly, a sharp gasp ripped from her throat. She was awake, but trapped in the nightmare.Her entire body was drenched in sweat, yet she felt as cold as ice. Her trembling hands reached out blindly, searching for something—anything—to hold on to.Mini caught her flailing hands and held them tightly. "Ely, it's okay. It’s me. You’re safe now. I'm here," she whispered, her voice filled with distress.But Enlyan wasn’t listening. She was still trapped in the past.Her breath hitched, and her fingers dug into Mini’s skin with desperate force. “It hurts! Help me! I can’t breathe—it’s suffocating!” Her nails pressed in so deep that Mini winced, feeling the sharp sting.But compared to the pain in her heart, the scratches were nothing.Mini had never ful
Once they arrived, Mini stayed for a while to check everything before leaving in a hurry.As soon as she was gone, Joxan turned on the computer. He knew there was a surveillance camera at home. If he wanted to find out what had happened to their mother that day, the answer would be in the video footage."Brother, what are you doing? I'm sleepy," Jessica mumbled, rubbing her eyes. She watched as Joxan’s small fingers moved rapidly over the laptop keyboard."Brother, what is this? Who is that man?" she asked, full of curiosity."Can you just shut up and go to bed? I have work to do. Go, I’ll come later," Joxan snapped, frustrated by her questions.But as the footage played, showing Daimon bullying their mother, Joxan's hands clenched into tight fists. His eyes burned with anger.This so-called father—he abandoned them five years ago, and now he dared to hurt their mother again?Joxan couldn’t stand it.He had to do something.But what?He was just a kid.His little fists clenched again.