Chapter 3
I sat in the cold, sterile hospital room, waiting. My fingers trembled as I clutched my phone, rereading the message Jason’s lawyer had sent earlier. “We’ll be arriving in an hour to finalize the divorce proceedings.” The words felt like knives cutting through what little remained of my heart. A knock on the door startled me. My chest tightened when Jason walked in, followed by a man in a sharp suit—his lawyer. Jason looked as indifferent as ever, his face devoid of any emotion, as though the last fifteen years of our lives meant nothing. “Good afternoon, Andrea,” the lawyer greeted, setting a thick folder on the small table beside my bed. Jason didn’t bother with pleasantries. “Let’s make this quick,” he said, his tone cold and dismissive. I swallowed the lump in my throat, my hands clenched tightly under the blanket. “Quick?” I echoed, my voice barely audible. The lawyer pulled out a pen and slid the folder toward me. “These are the divorce papers. We’ve outlined the terms. You’re to leave the house within a week and take only your personal belongings. Mr. Whitman has generously agreed to provide a small financial settlement to help you get back on your feet.” “A small settlement?” I repeated, my voice breaking. My eyes shifted to Jason, who stood with his arms crossed, avoiding my gaze. “Is that all I’m worth to you now?” Jason shrugged. “You’re not worth anything to me anymore, Andrea. Especially now that you’re…” He hesitated, but his next words cut deep. “I heard you’re a barren woman.” My breath caught, and tears spilled down my cheeks, soaking the corner of the divorce papers. I tried to hold it together, but his cruelty was too much. “You’re a monster,” I whispered, wiping my face with trembling hands. “After everything I gave up for you, after all we built together, this is how you repay me?” Jason smirked, his tone dripping with mockery. “Built together? Let’s be honest, Andrea—you rode on my coattails. I did the hard work. You were just there, playing house.” Those words ignited a fire within me. I slammed my hand on the table, my tears drying as rage took over. “Then give me my share of your company,” I demanded. Jason’s smirk vanished, replaced by a look of disbelief. “What did you just say?” “You heard me,” I snapped. “I’m entitled to half of your company. I sacrificed my inheritance, my dreams, and my life for you, Jason. I didn’t just sit around—I helped you build that empire.” Jason let out a bitter laugh, shaking his head. “You must be joking, Andrea. You think you have a claim to my company? You’re delusional.” “I’m not joking,” I said firmly, meeting his icy stare. “If you and your family think you can discard me like I’m nothing, you’re wrong. I’ll take what’s rightfully mine.” Jason stepped closer, his voice low and threatening. “You have no proof, no leverage. You’re a nobody, Andrea. Just sign the papers and move on.” I stood my ground, refusing to let him intimidate me. “You think you can silence me? You think I’ll let you and your family walk all over me?” I pointed at the papers. “I’ll sign those if—and only if—you give me my share of the company.” The lawyer glanced nervously between us, clearly uncomfortable. Jason, however, scoffed, crossing his arms again. “Fine,” he said after a tense silence. “You want a fight? You’ll get one. But don’t come crying when you lose.” “Set the date,” I said, my voice steady despite the storm inside me. “I’ll meet with your family, and we’ll settle this.” Jason smirked again, his confidence returning. “You’re going to regret this.” “No, Jason,” I said, my voice cold. “You’re the one who’s going to regret ever underestimating me.” He turned and motioned for his lawyer to pack up. “We’ll be in touch,” Jason said over his shoulder as he walked out, leaving me alone with my fury and determination. As the door slammed shut behind him, I whispered to myself, “This isn’t over, Jason. Not by a long shot.”Chapter 4The morning of my discharge, I stood in front of the hospital mirror, fixing my blouse and adjusting my blazer. I looked tired, broken even, but my eyes burned with purpose. I wasn’t leaving the hospital just to return home and lick my wounds. I was headed to the lion’s den—Jason’s family home—to claim what was rightfully mine.I knew what awaited me. His mother, Greta, had always hated me. She never approved of Jason marrying me, calling me a gold-digger even though I gave up my wealthy life to build one with him. His two sisters weren’t any better, treating me like an outsider despite the years I spent trying to please them. Today, though, I wasn’t looking for their approval. I was here for justice.The chauffeur pulled up in front of the sprawling Whitman estate. The sight of the grand mansion used to fill me with pride; now, it only fueled my resolve. I took a deep breath, stepped out of the car, and walked up the marble steps.A butler opened the door, his expression ne
Chapter 5Two weeks had passed, and I was at my new rented home, the walls closing in on me as I scrolled through the internet. My name was everywhere, trending alongside Jason’s lies. i had already signed the divorce papers but yet he wouldn’t shut up about how i was a bad wife on the internet , He was turning everything against me . I wanted to sue him for defamation of character but i couldn’t fund a lawyer , Everything was crashing down on me . I grabbed my phone and dialed jason’s number and he picked almost immediately. “ I predicted this call !” Jason giggles.“ These past weeks you have been all on all on the internet saying bad things about me , Jason ! You know how hard i built my influencing career and you are doing this to me ? What exactly do you want !” i yelled out of frustration and he let out of long laughter . “ This is just the beginning! You want 50% of my company right ? Don’t worry i will ridicule you to the extent you would want to hide in a hole !” “ i hate
Chapter 6The helicopter’s blades were loud, filling the small cabin. I sat still, hands tight in my lap, my heart beating fast. My eyes went straight to my mother.She hadn’t changed much—soft eyes, warm smile—but her face carried new lines. Worry lines, guilt whispered. The kind you give someone when you break their heart. My hands gripped my knees, knuckles white, as I fought the urge to turn away.“Mom…” My voice cracked. The word barely left my lips.Her head tilted slightly, her eyes softening. “Yes, baby.” Her hand reached out, trembling, and brushed a strand of hair away from my face.I flinched. It wasn’t her touch that hurt—it was the gentleness in it. The way her fingers lingered, as if afraid I might disappear. My chest tightened.Her eyes roamed over me. My dirty hair. My bony shoulders. The faded uniform that hung off my frame. Her lips pressed together, but not fast enough to stop the quiver. She was trying not to cry.I dropped my head. My fingers dug into the fabric o
Chapter 7 Jason’s POVI sat in my office, holding a glass of whiskey and smoking a cigar. The room was quiet except for the faint sounds of the city outside.I looked around—everything was perfect. Large windows, expensive furniture, everything in its place. The walls were lined with sleek, dark shelves filled with books I never read, trophies I had won, and awards that reminded me of my success.I stood and walked toward the window. The view had always been my favorite part of this office—skyscrapers, busy streets, people moving about their day. From up here, I had a sense of control. Everything and everyone was beneath me.It had been a month since I sent that bitch away and destroyed everything she held dear—her reputation, her dignity, her future.If only she had just remained invisible and done her duties as a wife instead of prying into my affairs, she would still have had the child. She’s the reason my heir is gone.I recalled when she told me she had lost the baby on her way
Chapter 8 Andrea’s POVThe sound of the helicopter jolted me awake. I didn’t even know when I had fallen asleep.“You’re awake,” my mother, Eleanor, said to me.“Yes, Mother,” I said, stretching my body, it ached from exhaustion I could see the estate from a distance. Reality started sinking in, my heart pounding in my chest. The past few hours had felt like a dream—one moment, I was trapped in that terrible place Jason had dumped me, and the next, I was rescued. Now, I was going back to the place I had once called home.My mother placed her hand over my trembling ones, her touch warm and reassuring. I could see the concern in her eyes, the way they searched my face as if trying to read my emotions.“Andrea, breathe. You don’t need to panic. It’s your father we’re going to meet, and I know he will be happy to see you. So, relax.”Her voice was soft and soothing, the way it had always been when I was a child. Mother’s words had always been a source of comfort, but right now, I couldn
Chapter 9 I woke up to the soft warmth of my old bed, the scent of fresh sheets surrounding me. For a moment, I forgot where I was. The room was familiar, yet it felt strange. I still wasn’t used to the fact that I was back home.Looking around the room, my mind drifted back to the facility. I had been there for only a month, but it had felt like years. Bathing only once a week, eating just one meal a day, and sleeping in a bed infested with bedbugs—no matter how much I thought about it, I still didn’t understand what I had done to deserve that kind of treatment. Even to my worst enemy, that torture would have been too much.A knock on the door pulled me back to reality. It was Annabel, holding a cup of coffee.“Good morning, ma.”“Andrea,” I corrected her.“Oh, sorry. Good morning, Andrea.”She handed me the cup, and I took a sip. It tasted just the way I liked it—warm milk with a small amount of foam.“How do you still remember how I like my coffee, Annabel?” I asked, feeling impre
Chapter 10 I stood frozen, my mind replaying his words. “This isn’t the first time I’ve given you a rose .” What did he mean? I turned to him, confusion creeping into my voice. “What are you talking about?” Jake leaned his head slightly, his lips curving into an amused smirk. “You mean you don’t remember? You’re hurting my feelings, Andrea.” Why was he speaking so casually with me, as if we were friends? “You didn’t give me any rose, Jake. You’re just trying to play games with me,” I said, with frustration in my tone. He giggled, shaking his head. “Hmm… Andrea, I thought you were smarter than this.” His smirk deepened. I crossed my arms. “And why are you talking to me like we’re friends? Just because you saved me doesn’t mean we’re best buddies. Just answer my question—did I take a rose from you? Because as far as I know, I don’t remember.” Jake let out an excessive sigh and placed one hand on his chest while the other folded behind his back. Then, in a dramatic vo
Chapter 11 Jake’s POV As I grabbed the steering wheel and drove out of the Sinclair estate, I wondered—did Jason know the gravity of what he had gotten himself into? Andrea was the daughter of one of the most influential men in the city. It just didn’t make sense that he would do what he had done to her. Knowing the kind of man Jason was—someone who did everything for his selfish interests—he would have used her to his advantage. Being Sinclair’s son-in-law would have boosted his ego in the elite world. There was a missing piece in this puzzle, and Andrea was my answer. The conversation I had with Andrea in the garden played in my mind—the way she looked at me, frustrated, curious, and even a little bit amused. Her beauty still shone, but the innocence in her eyes was no longer there. Instead, I saw pain, anger, and something else—strength. That strength was what I needed. I tapped my fingers against the steering wheel. I had saved her, but not out of kindness. No, my reasons
Chapter 83I sat in the car, still trying to make sense of what had just happened. Claire and Jason can’t stand each other—that was one thing I was very much aware of. They were like cats and rats, so the question popped into my head again: Why was Jason walking out of Claire’s boutique?I shifted in my seat, chewing the inside of my cheek. My head was spinning with questions I couldn’t answer. The more I thought about it, the more restless I felt.Sitting here wasn’t going to give me answers. I opened the door and started walking down to the boutique.The receptionist welcomed me with a smile when I got in.“Good afternoon, ma. Welcome to Claire’s.”I returned a polite nod. “Hi, I’m here to see Claire.”“One moment, please.”She picked up the phone, I could tell by the way she looked at me that she recognized me.I waited, arms crossed, eyes drifting toward the hallway. A second later, she looked up.“You can go ahead.”I walked past her desk, my pace steady—even though my thoughts we
Chapter 82“Did you really think I’d let Jason off that easily?” Jake asked, his voice calm but laced with a hint of mischief. “A press conference doesn’t clean up what he’s done. That was just… step one.”I sat up straighter, my eyes narrowing. “What do you mean by step one?”Jake shrugged, a grin tugging at the corner of his lips. “That press conference? That was me killing two birds with one stone. Your name’s cleared. The public believes you. But as for Jason… this is far from over.”“You already gave him the file,” I said slowly, suspicion creeping into my voice. “So what else is left?”He turned to face me more fully, his expression unreadable, eyes sharp. “Did I?” he asked.I let out a frustrated breath, throwing my hands up. “Can you please just stop answering my questions with another question, Jake? You have something up your sleeves. I can feel it.”He chuckled and lifted both arms, rolling up his sleeves dramatically. “I’ve got nothing under my sleeves, Andrea.”“Jake…”
Chapter 81Andrea’s POVI nearly choked on my coffee when Jason’s face popped up on my screen.He looked expressionless . Cold. Like he was reading a script straight off the teleprompter with no soul behind it.But I knew better.Beneath that polished suit and deadpan expression, I could see the cracks. The stiffness in his shoulders. The way his eyes avoided the cameras. He looked like a man holding his breath underwater—desperate not to drown, trying to make it seem like this was all under control.It wasn’t.He was miserable, and he felt like a damn loser for standing up there. I could see it in the way his jaw twitched after every sentence like he had to force the words out without spitting. He didn’t want to do this. This wasn’t some noble act of redemption. He didn’t have a choice.And the way he was acting—like he was one broken, lonely ex-husband who had no choice but to drag my name because of how pained and heartbroken he was? So pathetic. Some things never change. Even now,
Chapter 80 Jason’s POV I stood in front of the mirror, tying the knot for the third damn time. No matter how tight I pulled it or how clean the fold looked, it still didn’t sit right on my chest. My hands paused. I stared at my reflection—sharp suit, clean shave, everything in place—but I still looked like hell. I looked like a man about to step into a war he already lost. “Jason?” Claire’s voice floated in behind me. I didn’t turn. She walked in, her heels clicking against the marble floor. I caught her reflection beside mine—flawless, hair pinned up, makeup soft and polished. She wore a cream-colored dress that hugged her in all the right places. “You look tense,” she said gently, wrapping her arms around my waist from behind. “Everything’s going to be fine.” I didn’t say anything. My eyes were locked on the tie, my knuckles clenched around the fabric. “Jason,” she said again, a little firmer this time. “You’ve got this. Just go in, say what you planned, and walk out. You’r
Chapter 79Claire’s POVJason’s arm was heavy across my waist, his breath warm and steady against the back of my neck. He was snoring softly—completely at peace, like nothing had happened. Like he hadn’t just slammed me against the wall a few hours ago and wrapped his hand around my throat like I was an enemy in his way and not a woman he claimed to love.I lay there wide awake, staring at the ceiling. Every time I closed my eyes, I could feel it again—his fingers digging in, the panic clawing up my throat, the way my legs gave out under me. My heart wouldn’t slow down. My chest still felt tight, like I hadn’t fully caught my breath since.Though he had apologized and promised it would never happen again, could I count on his words? I had never seen him like this before—not toward me. For the first time since we became an item, I was scared. I was terrified of him.I shifted slightly, careful not to wake him. I turned to look at him. He looked so calm in his sleep. Like nothing was ea
Chapter 78 Jason (POV) The bookshelf was upside down, with books scattered all over the floor. The TV remote lay cracked nearby, its batteries having rolled somewhere under the couch. Shards of glass glinted under the light from the broken lamp. One of the picture frames had been smashed to pieces—the photo ripped and tossed across the room. I didn’t care. I grabbed the edge of the dresser and yanked it, dragging it a few inches before slamming it back against the wall, I needed something else to hit. Something else to throw. My whole body buzzed with anger—chest rising and falling, hands shaking. How dare they walk into my office like they owned the damn place Waving that stupid file in my face like it was a weapon. Threatening me. I was sure they were laughing inside, having cornered me. I slammed my hand against the wall. Pain flared, but I didn’t feel it. The door burst open. “Jason!” Claire’s voice rang out, high-pitched and sharp with panic. “What the hell happened?!
Chapter 77Andrea’s POV“Andrea, you’ve barely touched your food,” my mum’s voice cut through the quiet dining room.My fork froze halfway to my mouth. I blinked like I was just waking up from a long nap. The scent of roasted chicken and garlic rice hit me all over again, for a moment i forgot i was having dinner with my parents.“Oh… sorry,” I muttered, setting the fork down slowly. “I didn’t realize.”“You’ve been staring at the wall for the past ten minutes,” my dad said, setting down his glass of water. “Are you alright?”I nodded too quickly. “Yeah, I’m fine.”But I wasn’t here. Not completely. My mind was still stuck in Jason’s office—replaying every word, every twitch of his jaw, every glance exchanged between him, Jake, and me. The way his pride cracked when he saw the file. The look in his eyes when he realized we weren’t bluffing.It was like that memory had taken up all the space in my head. I barely remembered anything else right now.“You’re not letting all this scandal n
Chapter 76 Jake’s POV I pulled the car to a smooth stop in front of the Sinclair house and glanced at Andrea from the corner of my eye. She hadn’t stopped smiling since we left Jason’s office. Andrea leaned her head back against the seat, her lips curved, eyes distant but calm. There was a different kind of peace in her expression now—not the fragile calm that looked like it might break at the edges, but something solid. Like a weight had finally been lifted. I watched her for a moment longer, the corners of my mouth twitching into a satisfied grin. “You’ve been smiling all the way here,” I said to her. Andrea blinked and turned to me, her smile widening just a little. “I’m still taking it in. I didn’t know it would feel like this… standing up to him.” “I told you,” I said, turning fully now to face her. “Jason’s bark is louder than his bite. And today, you proved that.” She opened her eyes and looked at me. There was something different in her gaze now—lighter, freer. Like s
Chapter 75 Jason’s eyes were still locked on the document. He kept flipping the pages aggressively. Each time he flipped to another page, his face grew paler, and his jaw clenched so tight I could practically hear the tension in his teeth.I felt a strange mix of power and control bubbling beneath my skin. This was the moment Jake and I have been waiting for. Watching it happen live, I felt so fulfilled. I turned to Jake, and I could feel he felt the same way through the quiet pride in his eyes.Jake leaned forward casually, elbows resting on his knees. “Why do you look so surprised? Nothing is hidden under the sun,” he said smoothly.Jason didn’t respond. His nostrils flared.“You’ve got a hell of a system,” Jake continued, calm but cutting. “Fake vendors. Shell companies. Offshore accounts. Honestly, it’s impressive… and illegal.”Jason finally looked up. His eyes were blazing red. “Where the hell did you get this?” he demanded.“That should be the least of your problems right now,