"You're pathetic!" Brenden sneered, each word cutting deep into Corinna's heart. Years of emotional wounds had drained every ounce of love she once held. "I've wasted enough time on you. If there's a next life, I hope we never meet again." Her words severed the bond between them like a blade. From that moment on, Brenden was haunted by her absence-unable to sleep, longing for the warmth he took for granted.
"Brenden, our Daniela..."
In the stark cold of the morgue, Corinna Roberts knelt, tears clouding her vision. Next to her was the small, charred figure of her daughter, almost beyond recognition.
How was she to bear the grief of losing another child? Just three years ago, a tragic car accident had triggered a premature labor, resulting in the death of her twin son before she could even hold him.
Since then, all of Corinna's affection and hopes had been centered on her another child who survived-Daniela Roberts, who had joyously turned three just the day before.
Only yesterday, Daniela's laughter filled Corinna's arms, her childish voice proclaiming her wish to stay together forever.
Daniela, so young and precious...
Yet now, a harsh male voice shattered the solemn atmosphere. "Corinna, for years I've endured raising this bastard, and you've never appreciated it. Are you really expecting me to grieve now?"
Brenden Roberts' tone was cold, void of sorrow, even as their daughter lay deceased before him.
Not only did he display no sorrow, he even also labeled her as a bastard.
"Do you hear yourself, Brenden?" Corinna's voice trembled, tears welled up in her eyes, her disbelief deepening with each echo of his words.
"You're the one who's lost touch," Brenden retorted, his voice dropping to a sinister whisper, his eyes flashing ominously. "Explain how, Corinna, you bore a child when I had been vasectomized?"
Corinna staggered, struck by the accusation, her shocked gaze locked on him.
What was he implying?
A vasectomy had been performed on him? When?
Reflecting on a specific incident from four years ago, just after their marriage, Corinna vividly recalled how Brenden, in a state of intoxication, had forced himself upon her. He might have forgotten that night due to his drunken state, but for Corinna, the memory was clear and painful, leaving no doubt that Daniela was indeed his biological child.
As Corinna was still trying to come to terms with this revelation, a document fluttered from above and landed on the shroud covering Daniela. Wrapped in the chill of the morgue, Brenden's cold tone cut through the silence. "Sign these divorce papers. From this moment, I break all bonds with you and your family, the Gordons."
His words allowed no space for discussion.
In the stark setting of the morgue, with her daughter's body next to her and the divorce papers before her, every aspect seemed to cruelly ridicule the years Corinna had spent in marriage with Brenden.
This move to cut ties with the Gordon family made it clear.
The four years she had poured into nurturing their marriage were mere trifles to him.
To Brenden, the marriage had clearly been merely a strategic ploy for revenge.
With her lips tightly pressed together and her face ghostly white, Corinna resolutely responded, "I refuse to sign."
Her father was still fighting for his life in the emergency room after attempting to save Daniela. Did Brenden think he could dictate their marriage or its dissolution at his convenience? Why should she agree to his demands?
Corinna was just about to speak when a sorrowful female voice interrupted from the doorway.
"Please forgive me, I never imagined it would end like this. Corinna, my son had no intention of causing harm."
Brinley Quinn, accompanied by her son from a previous relationship-Larry Quinn, stepped into the cold morgue. Her eyes momentarily lingered on the charred remains before quickly masking her emotions.
She then noticed the divorce papers resting on the cloth and her expression subtly changed.
"Why are you here?" Corinna asked, her eyes brimming with tears, her voice thick with contempt as she confronted the woman who had captured Brenden's heart.
If Brinley's son hadn't caused the fireworks disaster, Daniela would still be alive.
Brinley, brushing aside Corinna's hostility, brought her son closer to Brenden, explaining, "The fire was an accident. Larry is just a little boy. I should have watched him more closely."
Brenden casually responded, "It's okay."
His dismissive words stung Corinna, her pain deep and sharp.
Brinley, undeterred, added, "I'm really sorry, Corinna. Larry gets too much freedom from Brenden, you see. Fathers and sons have this unique connection. I'll ensure he's better disciplined."
Father and son?
Did she mean Larry was actually Brenden's son?
Madisyn was stunned to discover that she was not her parents' biological child. Due to the real daughter's scheming, she was kicked out and became a laughingstock. Thought to be born to peasants, Madisyn was shocked to find that her real father was the richest man in the city, and her brothers were renowned figures in their respective fields. They showered her with love, only to learn that Madisyn had a thriving business of her own. "Stop pestering me!" said her ex-boyfriend. "My heart only belongs to Jenna." "How dare you think that my woman has feelings for you?" claimed a mysterious bigwig.
The whispers said that out of bitter jealousy, Hadley shoved Eric's beloved down the stairs, robbing the unborn child of life. To avenge, Eric forced Hadley abroad and completely cut her off. Years later, she reemerged, and they felt like strangers. When they met again, she was the nightclub's star, with men ready to pay fortunes just to glimpse her elusive performance. Unable to contain himself, Eric blocked her path, asking, "Is this truly how you earn a living now? Why not come back to me?" Hadley's lips curved faintly. "If you’re eager to see me, you’d better join the queue, darling."
Janice, the long-forgotten legitimate heiress, made her way back to her family, pouring her heart into winning their hearts. Yet, she had to relinquish her very identity, her academic credentials, and her creative works to her foster sister. In return for her sacrifices, she found no warmth, only deeper neglect. Resolute, Janice vowed to cut off all emotional bonds. Transformed, she now stood as a master of martial arts, adept in eight languages, an esteemed medical expert, and a celebrated designer. With newfound resolve, she declared, "From this day forward, no one in this family shall cross me."
Brenna lived with her adoptive parents for twenty years, enduring their exploitation. When their real daughter appeared, they sent Brenna back to her true parents, thinking they were broke. In reality, her birth parents belonged to a top circle that her adoptive family could never reach. Hoping Brenna would fail, they gasped at her status: a global finance expert, a gifted engineer, the fastest racer... Was there any end to the identities she kept hidden? After her fiancé ended their engagement, Brenna met his twin brother. Unexpectedly, her ex-fiancé showed up, confessing his love...
Three years of marriage couldn't melt Theo's frozen heart. When an art gallery collapsed on Lena, he was off romancing another woman—lavishing her with a private jet. Three steel pins held Lena's shoulder together, but her heart remained broken. She filed for divorce and told everyone that he was impotent. Rising from the rubble, Lena blazed onto the design world's A‑list. She expected him to sail off with his true love—until Theo reappeared at her runway, pressing her against the wall. "Impotent, huh? Care to give it a try?"
Kara Martin was known as Miss Perfect. She was a beauty with good personality and successful career. Unfortunately, her life changed at one night. She was accused of adultery, losing her job, and abandoned by her fiance. The arrogant man who slept with her did not want to take responsibility. He even threatened to kill her if they met again. What's worse, Kara was pregnant with twins and she chose to give birth to them. Four and a half years later, Kara returned to work at a large company. As the secretary, she would frequently face their notorious CEO. Kara thought it wouldn't be a problem, but as it turned out ... the CEO was the father of the twins!