All Chapters of RISE OF THE EX WIFE : Mona's Revenge: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

Chapter 1Mona stood in the corner of the grand ballroom, her presence barely acknowledged by the people around her. It was Emily Caldwell’s birthday party, a celebration that should have felt full of warmth, but instead felt like a performance one in which Mona was the unwanted actress. Samuel’s family, his friends, all of them pretended she wasn’t there, or worse, treated her like an inconvenience.The soft murmur of conversation filled the room, interrupted by the occasional laugh or clink of glasses. The night should have been filled with laughter, but every laugh, every comment that wasn’t directed at her, felt like a painful reminder of her place. The Caldwells didn’t even try to hide their disdain anymore. Mona wasn’t just the “lesser” daughter-in-law, she was the joke. A burden to their perfect, polished family.She shifted uncomfortably, adjusting the glass of champagne in her hand. The cold liquid felt insignificant, yet she needed something to hold onto something to ground

Chapter 3The rain poured mercilessly as Mona collapsed onto her knees in the empty street. Her body shook with violent sobs that tore through her chest like knives. The ruined dress clung to her trembling frame, wine and rain mixing together."Why?" she whispered into the darkness. "Why wasn't I ever good enough?"Her voice broke, dissolving into another wave of tears. She'd lost her shoes somewhere between being dragged out of the house and thrown onto the driveway. But the physical pain was nothing compared to the gaping hole in her chest.*Five years earlier*"Stand up straight!" Emily's sharp voice echoed in her memory. "God, do you even know how to walk properly? What did Samuel see in you?"It was Mona's first dinner with the Caldwells after the wedding. Emily had insisted on "teaching" her proper etiquette, though each lesson felt more like torture."I'm sorry," Mona had whispered then, trying to balance the book Emily had placed on her head. "I'll try harder.""Try harder?" E

Chapter 5The women's shelter smelled of bleach and sadness. Mona stood in line, arms wrapped around herself, still wearing her ruined designer dress."Name?" The intake worker barely looked up from her computer."Mona... Lowes," she said, stopping herself from using her real name. Emily had connections everywhere."First time homeless?"Homeless. The word hit Mona like a physical blow. Yesterday she'd lived in a mansion."Take a shower token. Clean clothes are in the bin. No designer stuff allowed here, attracts the wrong attention."The shower room was basic, cracked tiles, rusty pipes. She peeled off her ruined dress. Five thousand dollars, that dress had cost. Now it was garbage.The donated clothes were old but clean: faded jeans, a stretched-out t-shirt, worn sneakers. Everything slightly too big, making her feel smaller."Bed 47," the worker told her. "Lights out at 10. No exceptions."The dormitory was crowded, filled with coughing and quiet crying. Women of all ages lay on na

Chapter 7 After Lora left, Mona sat on that park bench for hours, staring at nothing. The night grew colder, but she barely felt it. What was cold compared to the emptiness inside her? She pulled the necklace from the trash, her father's last gift now dirty and tangled. Like her. Like everything in her life. "I'm sorry, Dad," she whispered, clutching the key pendant. "I'm so sorry. I failed you." Failed everyone, really. Failed at being a Caldwell. Failed at keeping Samuel's love. Failed at basic survival. The shelter would be full by now. Not that it mattered. She couldn't face Rose's kindness tonight. Couldn't bear to see pity in anyone's eyes. She walked instead, letting her feet carry her wherever they wanted. Past the diner where she'd been rejected. Past the bookstore Emily had bought just to spite her. Past all the places that marked her descent from wife to nothing. The city lights blurred through her tears. When had she started crying again? She couldn't remember the l

Chapter 9The Caldwell mansion blazed with light, crystal chandeliers casting their glow over the gathered elite of society. Emily had outdone herself for Samuel and Lora's engagement party, with ice sculptures, champagne fountains, and enough flowers to fill a greenhouse."To the perfect couple!" Emily raised her glass, standing on the grand staircase. Her designer dress caught the light as she turned to address the crowd. "Finally, my son has found the woman he truly deserves."The assembled guests cheered. Lora stood beside Samuel, radiant in a white designer gown. Her eight-carat engagement ring sparkled as she raised her hand to show it off."I still can't believe he wasted five years with that other one," Sarah, Samuel's sister, said loudly to her friends. "What was her name again? Mona something?""Does it matter?" Emily's laugh was sharp as glass. "She was nothing but a gold-digger who thought she could social climb her way into our world."More laughter rippled through the cr