Chapter 3

Divorce…

I dreamed of divorce.

But Mark would never let me go that easily.

For years, he’d held that one thing over my head, knowing my vulnerable situation.

"It's just your first love ran off; there's nothing to worry about."

Lily said it so casually, and my mind went blank with a loud whoosh.

How did she know about that?!

Seeing me cover my mouth and stare with wide eyes, she quickly rephrased.

"It wasn't your fault anyway. You were the victim. There's nothing to be ashamed of."

"He's always used that to threaten you. As long as you're not afraid, as long as you're not threatened, you'll definitely get a divorce."

That was the first time it felt like someone was truly on my side.

My tears flowed instantly, a dam breaking…

At seventeen, I didn't understand people. A few sweet words, and I believed in "love."

Against my family's objections, I eloped without a second thought.

Later, we ran out of money, and he abandoned me for a wealthy businesswoman.

I returned to my hometown in shame.

My parents were embarrassed; my brother Daniel and his wife Jessica looked down on me.

Eventually, they forced me to marry Mark, with no conditions or expectations.

Six months later, I gave birth to Lily. Everyone said she didn't look like Mark; she was too fair and beautiful.

Mark developed a grudge, and my life, from then on, became a living hell…

I knew it was all my own doing.

But now.

Lily was saying I was the victim.

I couldn’t understand how an eight-year-old could say such things.

"You're too young; you don't understand…"

It wasn't that I hadn't suggested divorce before.

But my family would point fingers at me, calling me trashy.

Mark also threatened to tell everyone that Lily was a Asshole!

I honestly didn't know what else I could do…

"You're just too weak!"

Lily sighed, pulling out a tissue and handing it to me.

"You're not some ignorant woman who hasn't been to school. You should know that no one has the right to dictate your life!"

"You were hurt, and you should have faced it bravely, walked out of the predicament! But what did you do? You gave up, came back to your hometown with a bad reputation, didn't resist your parents' unreasonable arrangements, and after marriage, you chose to endure your husband's abuse. You weren't wrong, but your current situation is all because of your weakness!"

Every one of Lily's words felt like a knife piercing my heart.

It hurt, but it was a sobering pain.

"Yes, you're right. I was weak. Even a child like you understands this, yet I pretended to be foolish for so many years."

Lily then added, "Mom, while Mark is locked up for a few days, let's go back to your parents' house tomorrow. We're going to get even with them. I'll tell you what to do!"