Chapter One

“Sorry, but we don’t hire women over 30 here.” The cafe manager told Caroline impatiently as he showed her out. As Caroline walked away wearily, she could hear the manager mumbling under his breath “who in this vicinity would want to patronize my business if I hire an ugly and old waitress?”

Caroline was unhappy to hear that and frowned slightly. She turned around to tell the manager that he was wrong and she was only 25! However, as she did that, she saw her reflection in the window beside her. Her face indeed looked like that of an old woman. It had lost its youthfulness and her face was wrinkled.

Scrawny frame, dry hair, out of style clothes and her eyes that have lost their twinkle had added at least 10 years to her appearance. She realized that she indeed looked like a woman in her 40’s even though she was really only 25.

Caroline sighed and smiled bitterly as she thought of the misfortunes from the past few years. As she walked dejectedly away from the spot, she heard the sound of a car pulling up behind her.

The arrival of an expensive Maybach wasn’t lost on the cafe manager. “CEO Andrew, welcome, welcome!” the manager said subserviently. Caroline abruptly halted in her tracks.

“ Andrew, can you accompany me to the shopping mall after this? Today’s the new arrivals date for the Dior counter.” Jenna said shyly as they alighted from the car. Her hands were wrapped around Andrew’s like a hen protecting her chicks.

Andrew glanced at her and answered with a terse “ok.”

That one syllable made Caroline freeze to the ground! Her head turned slowly…. And her eyes fell on Andrew’s handsome face. It had to be him.

Caroline was shocked, she couldn’t have predicted that this was how they were going to meet again after their divorce 3 years ago. She looked so haggard, and so down on her luck.

Whereas, he was still his proud and collected self, high above the ranks of commoners. Jenna who stood beside him was also as elegant as she was 3 years ago.

They did get together eventually. Then again, with her out of the picture, was it actually a source of amazement?

“Caroline?” Andrew said when he caught sight of her. Shock was written all over his face.

Jenna’s expression changed slightly and she gasped quietly, “oh my god, is that really you, Caroline? What on earth happened to you?”

Caroline snapped out of her reverie. She turned her head away hastily, muttering, “you’ve got the wrong person!”

There was no way she was going to face both of them today. No woman would be willing to face her rich and handsome ex-husband and her beautiful ex-love rival in such a miserable state. And especially not when it was so obvious that the two of them had gotten together!

The comparison was just too obvious, and here she was the loser. Andrew immediately ran after the escaping Caroline and caught up to her. The moment his hand grabbed her shoulder, she screamed as if she was bitten by a scorpion, “Let me go! I’m not Caroline, I’m really not!”

She only had one thought, and that was on how she’d get away from Andrew. She ran into the road oblivious to a speeding car coming directly at her. “Caroline, be careful!” Andrew yelled but it was already too late. The car slammed directly into Caroline.

She landed headfirst and was instantly knocked unconscious. She descended into a long dream…..

* * * *

She dreamt about everything that had happened before she turned 19. The memories that she had assumed she had lost started pouring in.

She realized that the Caroline of the past was no weak lady, and she would definitely not have ended in such a miserable state. She was once the pride of her family, but now…

Thinking back on all the difficulty that she had been forced to endure, tears rolled down her face sadly.

“The patient is still unconscious but her condition has pretty much stabilized. She only suffered from a minor concussion to the head, but one or two weeks of rest should be enough to put her back on her feet. Nonetheless, she will need some supplements due to a prolonged period of malnourishment. I’ll prescribe some other medications and you can ask the nurse to help you get them.”

Inside the hospital ward, the doctor explained in detail Caroline’s physical condition to Andrew. The imposing man frowned slightly. He wondered how Caroline could be suffering from extended malnourishment.

Andrew turned his head to look at Caroline, just in time to notice the tear that was sliding down his ex-wife worn face…. Pain flickered in his eyes slightly as a mixture of emotions surged in his heart. Caroline, what kind of life have you been living after we got divorced?

Synchronically, Jenna, who sat beside Andrew, also stared at Caroline deep in thought. She scrutinized the woman who once had Andrew, but was eventually chased away by her; she was overjoyed. Her heart soared seeing the wretched state Caroline had fallen into.

Caroline, you lost to me once, you’ll fare worse now that you’re old and ugly. I can barely muster the energy to deal with you. You’ll definitely waste away like the trash you’ve become. Jenna might have been apprehensive about a young and beautiful Caroline, but now…

These thoughts gave Jenna confidence so much that she was feeling gracious for her ex-rival. She nudged Andrew gently and said, “Andrew, I’m sure Caroline will be fine. How about we find her a personal nurse or better still, leave her some money. I believe that’s what she needs most now.”

Andrew looked at his fiancé and nodded slightly. “Andrew, it’s quite late. We still have a family dinner to attend tonight to discuss our upcoming nuptials. Shouldn’t we be going?” Jenna asked to test the waters. Only then did Andrew realize such an event was actually in his schedule.

Ever since he got divorced, he hadn’t been interested in anyone else but as the only male heir to the Pierce Family, he had to marry to ensure the Pierce name lived on. Jenna was his childhood friend and his entire family was in love with her.

Andrew was warm towards Jenna but he wasn’t in love with her. But then, he wasn’t in love with a single woman. Even his marriage to Caroline was not based on love since it was an arranged marriage. As long as the wife was biologically a female, he was fine with anyone.

His indifference only deepened after the failed marriage to Caroline. In fact, that morning, he and Jenna went out to check out the restaurants for their wedding reception, and dress shopping.Who knew they’d bump into Caroline. The ex-wife he hadn’t met for 3 years.

Actually, Andrew had once wondered under what circumstances would they meet again, but none of the scenarios he’d envisioned could have matched the bizarre situation today.

Wasn’t she the Roberts Family’s young mistress, how could she have landed in such a pitiful state?