ina

rged me. My body ached, a constant reminder of Jeremiah's cruelty. But the pa

e had been quietly helping me for months, ever since I started confiding in him ab

ed with a tenderness I hadn't heard in years. He didn't ask "what ha

e flat. "But I need your hel

true, were a balm to my wounded soul. He loved me, I knew that. It was a quiet, steady love, a

ting like freedom. "Permanently. And then I

immigration paperwork. We can fast-track it. Thi

ise of a future, a glimmer of hope in the darkness. I

s I packed a small bag, my hand brushed against a hidden compartment in Jeremiah's old desk. It was cleverly

dwriting, were the words: "Celina – Prenuptial Agreement."

the event of divorce, should either party be found to have committed infidelity, the offending party forfeits all c

ve him, was staggering. He had been so confident, so sure of his control over me. The irony was almost laughable. I quickly

ost instantly: "Understood, Ce

dged deep inside. A small, sleek hard drive. It had no labels, no indication of its c

red to life. Folders. Thousands of them. All labeled with dates.

oom where he had ordered my skin to be carved away. They were laughing, kissing, touching. The dates spanned year

d once reserved for me. My vision blurred with a mix of tears and pure, unadulterated rage. He hadn't just neglected me; he had actively, gleefully, cheated on me, all whi

a monster, a calculated manipulator. He had used me, discar

an. This wasn't just evidence for a divorce. This was ammunition. I would bur

n. Elena. She stood there, a triumphant smir

over me with disdain. "Good. Jeremiah wants his things out." Sh

is my home," I said, my v

love nest. You're yesterday's news." She watched as the men began to roughly toss my belo

t, a brass statue, and swung it with all my might. It connected with Elena's temple. She screamed, a sharp, surp

r love nest. It's a cage, built on lies and stolen dreams. And you, Elena, are nothing bu

lly crossing her face. She stumbled back, clutching

rted in fury. His eyes instantly went to Elena

d to her side, cradling her face

, pointing at me. "She attacked me, Jeremiah!

re hatred. He didn't ask for my side. He didn't even

y head back, and slammed my body against the wall. The impact sent a jolt of pain

Get her out of my sight! Throw her out

s cruelty, his utter disregard for my existence. Through the haze of pain, I saw Jeremiah, his face etched with concern, gently wiping blood from Elena's temple, his other hand strok

lowed it, and felt a burning in my throat. Is t

oice, cold and distant, "She's worthless, El

dark

hrobbed, my ribs felt like shattered glass, and my face was a landscape of b

Mrs. Chase," she said sof

he handed me a tablet. "Your

Billionaire Jeremiah Chase's Wife Hospitalized After Violent

d a photo of Elena's slightly swollen, bandaged temple. There was no photo of my battered face, of course. My humiliat

o the cold fury that settled deep in my bones. He thought he had broken me. He was