Too Late For Regret: Ex-husband And His Son Wants Me Back — Free Preview

On the other end of the line, Victor Powell’s father, Albert Powell, asked, “Seri, are you sure you want to terminate the agreement and divorce Victor .

Serena Powell held her phone calmly. “I’m sure.”

“Even if Leon’s custody goes to the Powell family, you’re still leaving?”

“Yes. I believe Leon would rather stay with his dad. The Powell family can give him the best education. He doesn’t need me anymore.”

Albert’s voice was low. “Alright. As for the divorce agreement, you can talk to Victor yourself.”

“Okay,” Serena replied.

Albert didn’t hang up right away. “To be honest, I’ve been satisfied with how Victor’s been these past few years with you around.

“So, as a reward, I’ll arrange for you to join the design team in Glonia you’ve always wanted. In a week at most, you’ll be out of the Powell family.”

Serena thought, ‘A reward? Rich people really do live in a different universe. In their world, even feelings come with a price tag!

She agreed. After she hung up, her phone screen was still frozen on a recent Instagram post from her husband, Victor.

Victor had been posting bits and pieces of his daily life for over a month now, but this was the first time Serena had seen them. He had never accepted her friend request on his private account–until now.

In the newest video, their son Leon Powell was playing happily with another kid around his age. The ironic part was, everyone in the comments thought Serena was the one who filmed it.

Someone commented: [Your wife’s really good with the camera. Your son looks so happy.]

Victor’s reply stood out like a slap: [Yeah.]

Serena thought, ‘Yeah? Is he praising Eliza Stone, his childhood sweetheart, for her camera work, or is he just letting people assume she’s his wife now?*

Serena grew up in an orphanage. Seven years ago, when she was still in college, Albert suddenly approached her and offered her three million dollars- to buy seven years of her life.

To pay for surgery for the orphanage director who had been kind to her, Serena reluctantly agreed.

Back then, she had already heard the story of Victor and Eliza. Both of them came from powerful families, grew up together as childhood sweethearts, and were deeply in love. But the year they graduated college, Eliza suddenly vanished without a trace.

When Victor found out Eliza had gone abroad for an arranged marriage, he completely lost it. He started drinking, smoking, and pushing himself to the edge, spiraling into serious psychological issues.

The psychiatrist once said only emotional healing could cure a wounded heart.

To save his nearly deranged son, Albert found Serena, who looked strikingly similar to Eliza, and had her care for Victor to heal his emotional wounds.

From then on, Serena began to get close to Victor on purpose, relentlessly pursuing him. She had that rare mix of innocence and allure. And with a face that looked just enough like Eliza’s, she made sure to stay in Victor’s sight every single day.

When he was down, she would cheer him up. When he got sick, she stayed up all night to look after him. And when his depression hit, she was the only one who ever reached into the darkness and pulled him back,

With time, Victor gradually got used to having Serena around.

Until one day, Serena caught him in the middle of a breakdown, about to slit his wrists. She grabbed the sharp blade with her bare hand and forced to of his grip.

Her hand was sliced open, the cut deep and long, bleeding uncontrollably. The doctor said if it’d gone any deeper, she would’ve lost the use of her hand Because the wound was so severe, even after it healed, a jagged scar remained across her palm.

That was the first time Victor hugged her. “Seri, let’s get married. Okay? Let’s go to city hall tomorrow,” he said.

Serena stood frozen, thinking it was her sincerity that had moved him. But later, when she found Eliza’s wedding invitation tucked in a drawer, the realized it had all happened on Eliza’s wedding day.

Less than two years after they got married, Serena gave birth to Leon. During those two years, Victor wasn’t particularly affectionate, but he treated her with respect. Also, Leon was very close to her–he clung to her more than he did to Victor.

Serena had feelings, after all. She had already come to see this place as her home. She loved both Victor and Leon deeply. It wasn’t about the black–and- white contract anymore. She truly wanted to be with them for the rest of her life.

So for the sake of her family, Serena gave up her dream of being an accomplished designer and became a full–time housewife.

During the day, she cleaned the house. At noon, she brought lunch to Victor. In the evening, after picking Leon up, she cooked dinner for him. At night, she still had to meet Victor’s needs in bed.

She was like a machine that never stopped working year–round, quietly and tirelessly taking care of her husband and son for five straight years.

Serena used to think things would just continue like that. But a month ago, Eliza came back. She was divorced and brought her son with her.

When Victor found out, he rushed to the airport without an umbrella, ignoring the heavy rain. He could even forgive everything Eliza had done in the past, as if none of it mattered anymore.

He thought Serena didn’t know. But she knew everything. Over the past week, Victor had grown more and more impatient with her. He started treating her like a servant, barking orders at her. Even Leon had become cold and harsh toward her.

Serena had argued with them and fought back, but they called her ungrateful and narrow–minded. Then, in the next moment, they gave all their tenderness to Eliza.

Serena only found out about this through Instagram. Ironically, Victor never posted on Instagram. Even back when they got married, he refused to let her announce it on the app, saying it was their private life and he didn’t want outsiders to know.

But ever since Eliza came back, Victor’s Instagram had been full of pictures of the four of them–him, Leon, Eliza, and her son. They all looked so warm and loving, as if they were the real family.

That was how Serena learned that when she was sick, Victor and Leon were out shopping with Eliza. When she was heartbroken, Victor and Leon were celebrating Eliza’s birthday.

Even yesterday, on their wedding anniversary, Victor and Leon ignored the dinner Serena had spent the whole day preparing just to be with Eliza. When Serena tried to stop them, they told her she was being dramatic.

walked out the door-

Serena thought, I should’ve realized it a long time ago. There’s no place for me in this family anymore. I actually believed I could move beyond that contract and stay with them forever–I was being delusional. It’s time to wake up and leave.’

She took a deep breath and wiped the tears from the corner of her eyes with a cold hand.

Just then, the sound of the front door opening came from outside. Victor and Leon were back, the chill of the wind and rain still clinging to them as they came in.

“Seri, Leon fell and got hurt. Take care of his wound,” Victor said, his voice low and steady, calm as always, automatically slipping into that usual commanding tone,

“I don’t want her to do it. She never shuts up and nags the whole time.” Leon’s brows were furrowed tightly, his face full of annoyance. I want Eliza to do coment.

Serena turned to look at Leon, her eyes filled with coldness. “That’s how you talk to your own mother?” she questioned.

Leon was startled by her reaction, completely thrown off. This was the first time Serena had ever spoken to him like that.

Even Victor paused and looked over, a trace of surprise in his eyes.

Leon shouted, “What’s your problem? You’re the one who’s standing there doing nothing. If it weren’t raining and Eliza couldn’t come, I wouldn’t even need you-”

Serena cut in, “Fine. Since you adore Eliza so much, then wait for her to take care of it.”

Leon froze, staring at Serena in disbelief as she walked away.

In the past, whenever he got hurt, Serena would panic, fuss over him, hug him, comfort him–but today was completely different. She just left.

Victor was a little surprised too, but didn’t think much of it. He frowned at Leon and said, “Leon, you need to learn how to handle difficulties in life without letting your emotions get the best of you.”

In the bathroom, Serena stared blankly at the toiletries on the sink.

For the past few years, neither Victor nor Leon had ever had to squeeze their own toothpaste. She always got up a few minutes earlier to adjust the water temperature just right and lay out all their toiletries ahead of time.

She still remembered one time when the water had been too hot, and Victor snapped at her, “Can’t you even get something this simple right?”

Serena looked away. After taking off her clothes, she turned on the shower and let the hot water pour down on her, as if it could wake her up, again and again.

After a long time, she finally turned off the water. The look in her eyes grew more and more resolute. From now on, her life would no longer revolve around her ungrateful husband and son. She was going to live for herself.

When she came out of the bathroom, Leon was in his room. Victor was sitting on the couch, watching that “family” video on his phone. The corners of his mouth lifted without him even realizing, a clear sign of how pleased he was.

Serena let out a mocking laugh and walked over to the drawer. She then pulled out the divorce agreement and walked toward Victor. “Victor, let’s get divorced.”

Victor kept his eyes on the video playing on his phone and mumbled, “Okay.”

Serena placed the divorce papers on the table. “I’ll walk away with nothing. You can have full custody of Leon too.”

Victor was still staring at his phone, seemingly absorbed in the comments under that Instagram post.

“If you don’t have any objections, just sign it,” Serena said.

“Okay.” Victor took the pen Serena handed him. He paused for a second, just as a notification popped up on his phone. With agreement, he signed his name on the agreement.

n glancing at the Serena asked, “Victor, did you even hear what just said to you?”

“What?” Victor shot her an impatient look, tossed the pen on the table, and leaned back on the couch. “Isn’t it about buying insurance for Leon? Just buy it.”

Serena realized he really hadn’t heard a word. All his attention was on his phone. Ever since Eliza came back, she had gotten used to him being like this.

Just then, Victor’s phone started ringing. It was a call from Eliza. He quickly turned around and stepped out onto the balcony to answer it Serena looked at the signed divorce papers on the table and let out a cold snort All it would’ve taken was one glance–he would’ve seen it had nothing to do with insurance. But he didn’t. His mind was filled with nothing but Eliza. He couldn’t see anything else.

Serena put the divorce papers away and went back to the bedroom to pack her things.

Just then, the doorbell rang. When Serena opened the door, she was met with a delicate, innocent–looking face. Her heart skipped a beat in her chest.

It was Eliza. Even though Serena had only seen her profile in Victor’s Instagram posts, she recognized Eliza instantly.

“You must be Mrs. Powell, right? Sorry to bother you this late,” Eliza said. Standing next to her was her son, Oliver Stone, each of them holding a suitcase -one big, one small.

Serena remarked flatly, “What do you need?”

“Is Victor home?” Eliza asked.

“Yeah.” Almost the second he heard Eliza’s voice, Victor rushed out from inside. “I told you I’d pick you up. Why’d you come on your own? Come on in before you catch a cold.”

Eliza let out a dry laugh and didn’t come in right away. Her eyes landed on Serena as she spoke, “Mrs. Powell, I’m having some property issues back in the country, so I’ll need to stay here for a few days.”

Serena smiled and thought, ‘Stay here? Out of everywhere else, she has to move into her ex–boyfriend’s house when he’s already married? What is this supposed to be, taking over my place already? Making herself at home?‘

Before Serena could say anything, Leon came running out of the house, cheering happily. “Eliza, Ollie, you’re finally here,” he giggled.

He pushed past Serena, excitedly trying to welcome Eliza and Oliver inside.

Eliza greeted Leon but still didn’t come in. She kept looking at Serena and asked cautiously, “Mrs. Powell, I’m really sorry. I don’t have many friends back home, so I had no choice but to turn to Victor. You don’t mind, do you?”

Serena sneered, “And if I do mind? Does that mean you’re not coming in?”

Eliza clearly hadn’t expected Serena to say that. Eliza froze, and before she could say anything, a young voice cut in ahead of her.

“What’s your problem?” Leon immediately stepped in front of Eliza to shield her. “It doesn’t matter if you mind. This is Dad’s house.”

Eliza’s expression changed. “Leon, you can’t talk to your mom like that. Your dad and your mom are married. That makes this her home too. She’s the one who raised you. It hasn’t been easy for her, and you should try to understand her.”

“Okay.” Leon lowered his head. Normally, he’d argue back for every word Serena said. But now, because of Eliza’s words, he suddenly quieted down. “I got it.”

Victor went ahead and picked up Eliza’s luggage without waiting for Serena’s response. “Come in,” he remarked.

Eliza looked at Serena apologetically and kept saying, “Thank you.”

Serena just stood there quietly, watching them. Compared to the rest of them, she felt like she was the outsider here.

Serena scoffed a cold laugh in her heart. She wanted to go back to her room and pack her things, but Leon suddenly stopped her, saying, “Where are you going? Hurry up and make dinner. Ollie and Eliza probably haven’t eaten yet.”

“No, it’s fine,” Eliza said softly, trying to remind him. “Leon, that’s not appropriate.”

“No need. I’ll cook today.” Victor was in a good mood and got up from the couch.

Eliza quickly grabbed his arm, then immediately pulled her hand back with a clear sense of boundaries. “Don’t trouble yourself. You guys just go on with what you were doing. I already ate before I came.”

Serena felt nothing but sarcasm inside. She’d known Victor for years. She could count on one hand how many times he’d stepped foot in the kitchen, let alone cooked.

She had always thought Victor simply didn’t know how. But now it seemed he just didn’t think Serena was worth the effort.

“All right, then I’ll help you carry your suitcases to your room,” Victor said. Since Eliza really didn’t want to eat, he didn’t insist. His eyes swept toward the bedrooms upstairs, and a trace of hesitation flickered in the depths of his gaze.

There were four bedrooms in the house. One belonged to Leon, one had been turned into a storage room, and the remaining two were his and Serena’s.

A year ago, Victor had already suggested that he and Serena sleep in separate rooms.

That was why there wasn’t any room in this house for Eliza at all.

Just then, Leon suddenly waved his little hand. “Dad, let Eliza have Mom’s room. It’s big and bright perfect for Eliza and Offie.”

Victor paused for a second.

Eliza immediately caught the subtle shift in his expression and rushed to speak before he could say anything. “No, that’s not okay if there’s really no space, I’ll take Oliver and find somewhere else to stay. I’m so sorry for bothering you.”

“It’s no bother,” Leon said, suddenly pouting. He turned his head and looked at Serena with urgency and grievance, raising his voice. “Say something. What, you lost your voice today?”

Serena looked into Leon’s eyes, full of blame. “If Eliza takes my room, then where am I supposed to sleep?” she questioned

Leon puffed out his cheeks, clearly indifferent, his face turning red as he shouted like it was the most obvious thing in the world, “The storage room has a bed. Just sleep there.

“You should be glad you even have a place to stay. Why are you being so picky?”

Hearing that, Eliza looked troubled. She stepped forward slightly, her eyes full of sincerity and apology.

She looked at Leon as she spoke gently, “Leon, I’m a guest. Your mom is the host. How could I take the host’s room? I’m already thankful she’s letting me stay here. Oliver and I aren’t going to be picky.”

Eliza turned to look at Oliver, who had been quiet the whole time. “Right, Oliver?”

Oliver gave a calm nod.

“Well, Ms. Stone, you really know your place,” Serena replied evenly, going along with her. “So you all can figure out another plan for the room.”

Serena had swallowed her pride for years. She wasn’t going to back down anymore.

Hearing that, Leon was furious. “You’re such a wretch. I knew you didn’t really want Eliza to stay. You’re so annoying.”

He put his little fists on his hips. “But don’t even think about kicking Eliza out. I’ll just sleep with Dad, and Eliza and Ollie can have my room.”

Victor’s eyes lit up. “That works. It’s settled then.”

Leon happily pushed the suitcases toward the elevator, and Victor led Eliza and Oliver to Leon’s room.

Once again, Serena was the extra one. She was used to it. She went back to her room and started packing.

Not long after, Eliza came in with a cup of hot coffee in her hands. “Mrs. Powell, may I come in? Are you packing for something? Going out?”

Serena didn’t respond. She couldn’t exactly tell Eliza she was leaving.

Eliza said, “Leon poured this coffee for you. He may be little, but he’s got a lot of pride. He was too embarrassed to bring it.

Serena didn’t believe for a second that Leon had poured that coffee for her. self.”

If Eliza hadn’t shown up, maybe Serena would’ve believed it. But Leon now hated Serena too much to even get her a cup of coffee.

Serena said, “Ms. Stone, you don’t need to smooth things over between me and teon. The four of you living happily ever after is better than anything else.”

Even though Eliza had played innocent ever since she walked in–and had even stepped in a few times to help correct Leon–Serena didn’t believe that was her true colors, Serena’s instincts told her Eliza was far from simple.

Eliza bit her lip, looking guilty. “Mrs. Powell, did I do something to make you misunderstand me?”

She walked over to Serena anxiously. Seeing Serena folding clothes, Eliza quickly reached out and grabbed her hand.

Eliza said, “Mrs. Powell, if you don’t want me to stay, just say it. I can leave. But please don’t get the wrong idea about me. I never meant to sabotage your relationship with your family. I really didn’t-”

Serena cut in coldly, “Let go.”

“I’m begging you, please don’t misunderstand me, okay? I’ll leave, alright?”

“I said let go.”

Serena had no idea what Eliza was trying to do. Seeing her stubbornly clinging on, Serena yanked her wrist free.

Before Serena could say anything, Eliza, who had been standing just fine, suddenly fell. The hot coffee in her hand spilled onto Serena’s skin, instantly turning a large area red.

“Ow!” Eliza’s sharp cry pierced the air.

“What happened?” Leon and Victor rushed over the moment they heard the noise. The moment they saw the scene in front of them, their expressions suddenly changed.

Victor rushed forward, his eyes tinged red with panic. “Ellie, are you okay? Are you hurt?”

Eliza raised her hand pitifully. Her delicate skin was now marked with a small red burn. “Victor, it’s my fault. I shouldn’t have come today. I upset Mrs. Powell. Please don’t blame her.”

Victor turned to glare at Serena, his eyes filled with anger. “Why did you do this? Ellie’s just here to stay for a couple days.

“It was already bad enough how you kept giving her a hard time, but now you actually laid hands on her?”

Instantly blamed for something she didn’t do, Serena was shaking with rage, knowing full well she’d just been set up. But her mind went blank. She blurted out the truth, “She fell on purpose.”

Serena had thought Victor still had some ability to tell right from wrong. But not only did he lack that now, his face darkened even more.

He yelled, “Serena. How can you be so cruel? Why would Ellie fall on her own for no reason? You did it, just admit it. You’ve really let me down.”

He scooped Eliza into his arms and rushed to the living room to apply medicine to her burn.

Even Leon pointed at Serena’s face and cursed her out, screaming, “You’re such a wretch. I hate you. You’re evil and disgusting. You don’t deserve to be my mom. Just die already. Stop ruining things between Dad and Eliza.”

Serena shoved him away, her breathing heavy. “Leon Powell, you little brat, say that again.”

Leon lost his balance and fell to the floor, tears welling up in his eyes. “You wretch, I don’t love you anymore. I hate you.” With that, he took off running.

Serena’s fingers trembled. It was the first time she had ever spoken harshly to Leon, but she didn’t regret it. She took it as mother.

It lesson to him as his Just then, a dull pain throbbed on the back of her hand. Serena lowered her eyes and looked at the large burn across it, then laughed. Eliza had only gotten a few drops on her and Victor was already that worked up. But Serena was hurt far worse, and no one cared.

Serena’s throat moved with a deep swallow as she walked alone to the bathroom to run cold water over her hand.

The water was colder than usual, and the twisted, jagged scar in her palm seemed even more noticeable now.

Outside, she heard Leon’s cheerful voice. “Yay. We’re going out to eat. Daddy’s the best, Ellie’s the best too, I wish every day could be like this,” he laughed.

“Victor, are you sure Mrs. Powell won’t be upset we’re not taking her?” Eliza asked.

Victor said, “She won’t be. And even if she is, she’ll get over it by the time we’re back.”

Serena turned the faucet up to full blast, drowning out their voices from the living room.

After a long while, she suddenly shut off the water with a loud clack and walked straight into the bedroom, her steps firm and unwavering.

Serena thought, ‘I’ll get over it? No, Victor. You’re never going to see me again. I’ll let you guys be together‘

“Today was so much fun. Eliza, I want to go again tomorrow,” Leon said excitedly, tugging Eliza’s hand as they walked into the living room.

Eliza reached out to pat Leon’s head, her smile bright. “Of course, Leon. If there’s something you want to do, I’ll definitely take you. But everything I let you eat today was just the kind of stuff Oliver eats all the time. Nothing special.”

Leon pouted and started complaining, “My mom never lets me eat those things. Eliza, you don’t even know how jealous I am of the other kids. Their moms are way better than her.”

Serena had just come out of the bathroom and heard the entire conversation. She walked down from the second floor, and the moment she looked up, she saw the ketchup still smeared on the corner of Leon’s mouth.

Serena asked sharply, “If you knew I don’t let you eat that stuff, why did you still eat it?”

Leon looked up at the sound of her voice. The moment he saw Serena, his face turned sour.

Eliza spoke up, sounding apologetic, “I’m sorry, Mrs. Powell. I didn’t know you don’t usually let Leon eat that kind of stuff. But it’s really no big deal once in a while. Oliver eats it too.”

Serena snorted, “Fast food is junk–loaded with fat and salt. It causes weight gain. Leon has a sensitive stomach. What makes you think it’s no big deal? Or do you just assume everyone’s like you people?”

Eliza’s expression stiffened slightly.

Leon shot back, “I’ve never eaten fast food before. It’s just this once because Eliza brought me along. If you want to blame someone, blame me. Don’t take it out on hef.”

Leon’s automatic defense of Eliza made Serena feel bitterly ironic. After everything Serena had done to take care of him, all it took was one fast food

meal from Eliza to win him over.

Eliza explained patiently, “Mrs. Powell, I understand how you feel as a mom. I’m a mom too. It’s normal that kids like fast food. It’s not like they eat it all the time.

“Plus, Leon is fine right now. I just think maybe sometimes you don’t need to be so strict with him.“”

Serena sneered, “Really? And if something did happen, would you take responsibility?”

“Eliza would never be as stingy as you. Ollie eats this stuff all the time and he’s fine. You just can’t stand seeing me happy.” With that, Leon wiped his tears angrily and ran upstairs.

Seeing Leon run upstairs, Victor lost his temper and snapped, “Serena, was it really necessary to blow up over something so small?

“Ellie was just being kind. If you didn’t keep telling Leon what he can and can’t eat, he wouldn’t crave junk food so much.”

They all acted like it was Serena’s fault. She didn’t bother arguing and turned to leave. She thought, ‘Since Victor, as Leon’s father, doesn’t care, why should I go out of my way to cause trouble for myself?

Back in her room, Serena packed up her things and thought, ‘Just a little longer. Once I get through this, I won’t have anything to do with this family ever again.‘

Early the next morning, just as Serena was waking up, she heard a knock at the door. Before she could respond, the door was already pushed open.

Eliza walked in with a smile, holding a glass of milk. “Mrs. Powell, Victor took the kids out. He asked me to let you know you don’t need to prepare any meals for us today.”

Serena didn’t even glance at her. She turned and sat down at the vanity, calmly taking off the bracelet from her wrist.

“I’m not interested in any of that. You don’t need to tell me. And Me, Stone, didn’t anyone ever teach you to knock and wait for permission before entering someone else’s room?” Serena remarked.

Eliza’s fingers tightened slightly around the glass, her knuckles turning pate. “I’m sorry, Mrs. Powell. I wasn’t thinking, I just felt like maybe there’s been a misunderstanding between us.

“When I had issues with my house, Victor invited me to stay here. I didn’t think too much at the time. But don’t worry. Once my place is fixed, I’ll leave with Oliver right away”

Serena could hear the provocation in Eliza’s words. “Eliza, there’s no one else around right now. You don’t need to keep pretending. Do you think that act of yours still works?” Serena turned and looked her straight in the eye.

“Mrs. Powell, I’m not sure what you mean,” Eliza said as she sat down on a stool across from her. She set the glass of milk on the table, rested her chin on her right hand, and put on a troubled expression,

She continued, “I thought you were smart. When you saw me come back, I figured you’d know better and leave.

“I know the Powell family has a lot of money, and you want to stay a bit longer to get a bigger cut. But think about it–do you really believe someone like Victor would give you anything?”

Now that Eliza had dropped the act, Serena smirked coldly. She had no interest in the Powell family’s money. But now, she was genuinely curious about why Eliza had come back to the country.

Serena asked, “Eliza, if you chose to leave Victor back then, why come back now? Is it because your ex–husband broke?”

Eliza’s face darkened. Her hand clenched slightly, but after a pause, she let out a breath. “Serena, stop trying to get a read on me. It won’t be long before Vic divorces you. You’d better start thinking about how you’re going to live after that.”

As she spoke, the smile on her face grew wider. “I’ve only spent a few days with Leon and he already adores me this much. There’s no way he’ll choose you.”

It felt like a sharp knife stabbed straight into Serena’s heart. She thought, “If even the son I gave birth to prefers another woman, then so be it. I don’t want anything anymore.’

Sensing the shift in Serena’s emotions, Eliza got an idea. She stood up, walked over, and snatched the emerald bracelet Serena had just put away.

The emerald bracelet was high–quality, clearly expensive, and easily worth millions of dollars. Eliza hadn’t expected the Powell family to give Serena something this valuable.

“You’re not allowed to touch that.” Serena reached out to take it back, but Eliza dodged her and stepped away.

Eliza turned the emerald bracelet over in her hands, clearly amused. “So this bracelet’s enough to make you lose control. No wonder you’re clinging to the Powell family like your life depends on it. Let me help you out.”

Eliza’s expression shifted instantly as she suddenly hurled the emerald bracelet to the floor. Even with carpet underfoot, the bracelet still snapped apart.

Serena’s expression changed. She rushed over in a panic, picked up the broken emerald bracelet from the floor, and looked it over carefully. Only when she saw that it was still salvageable did she calm down.

With proper jewelry repair, it should be possible to restore it. When Serena returned it later, at least she’d have something to show for it.

Eliza stood there, looking down with open disdain and contempt in her eyes. “You really are pathetic. Sorry. But since it’s already broken, I’ll throw it out for you.”

Caught off guard, Serena let Eliza snatch the bracelet away.

The emerald bracelet was only broken into two pieces–there was still hope to get it repaired. But if Eliza damaged it further, there would be no way to fix

Serena’s eyes turned cold as ice. She stepped in front of Eliza at the top of the stairs. “Eliza, give me the bracelet.”

Eliza glanced toward the front door and heard the sound of Victor returning with the kids.

Just as the door opened, Eliza suddenly grabbed Serena’s hand. Tears streamed down Eliza’s face, and her voice trembled with sorrow as she said, “Mrs. Powell, it’s all my fault.”

A flash of malice and calculation passed through Eliza’s eyes. The next second, she suddenly threw herself backward. Her face was filled with shock and

fear as she tumbled down the stairs.

“Ellie.” Victor rushed forward and cradled Eliza in his arms. “Ellie, are you okay?”

Eliza weakly reached out and grabbed his sleeve. “Vic, don’t blame Mrs. Powell. It’s my fault. I shouldn’t have upset her.”

Serena walked down the stairs and saw Eliza putting on a show. She said, “She broke my emerald bracelet and tried to run. I didn’t push her. She fell on her own.”

Leon started shouting at Serena like crazy, “You wretch. Why are you so mean?”

Victor’s rage exploded. He stood up and slapped Serena across the face. The sound echoed through the villa. The burning pain spread quickly across her cheek, snapping her back to reality.

Serena’s lips trembled slightly. Tears welled in her eyes but stubbornly refused to fall. “I said I didn’t push Eliza.”

Looking at her expression, Victor faltered for a moment. “Seri, what’s happening between us has nothing to do with Ellie. Why would you take it out on her?”

“I told you I didn’t. She’s the one who broke my emerald bracelet first,” Serena said.

“Victor.” Eliza looked at him through teary eyes. “Vic, don’t blame Mrs. Powell anymore. It’s all my fault. I accidentally broke her emerald bracelet. That’s why she got so upset. Victor, I’m hurting all over.”

Only then did Victor snap out of it and remember Eliza had fallen down the stairs. He didn’t have time to argue with Serena. He quickly carried Eliza out to take her to the hospital.

In just a few minutes, the huge villa was completely empty–Serena was the only one left.

Her cheek was swollen and red. Not a single person cared about her injury. They had all rushed Eliza to the hospital to take care of her. To Serena, the whole thing felt like a joke.

At the hospital, Eliza lay weakly on the bed. Victor held her hand with concern and said, “Good thing the injuries aren’t too serious. I really didn’t expect Serena to go that far–actually pushing you down the stairs.”

Seeing that Victor had taken the bait, Eliza hid the satisfaction in her eyes and put on a gentle, understanding expression. “Victor, this whole thing is really my fault. It has nothing to do with Mrs. Powell.”

Victor replied, “Ellie, I know you just don’t want me to fight with her, but what she did was way out of line. I think she really meant to get you killed.”

Eliza shook her head. “Mrs. Powell isn’t like that. She was right–I broke her emerald bracelet, and that’s why she got upset. But I only wanted to take it to get it fixed. Maybe Mrs. Powell misunderstood.”

Victor thought, ‘Serena pushed Ellie down the stairs over a bracelet?‘

His anger flared. “Ellie, stop making excuses for Serena. I know exactly what kind of person she is. She’s just mad because Leon’s getting closer to you.”

“Victor, don’t say that about Mrs. Powell. She’d be heartbroken if she heard you,” Eliza said softly.

Victor looked at Eliza who seemed so kind and understanding. He then thought of the way Serena had acted. He figured the contrast between the two couldn’t have been more obvious.

Victor comforted her, “Don’t worry. I’ll make sure Serena apologizes to you. You’re not going to suffer for nothing.”

“I think I should move out,” Eliza said. “As long as I stay with you guys, Mrs. Powell will keep picking fights with you. I don’t want to be the reason you two keep arguing. I don’t want to come between your marriage.”

She turned her head slightly, letting Victor see the tears falling from her eyes, deliberately triggering his urge to protect her.

Victor explained, “Ellie, things between me and Serena aren’t how you think. Just get some rest and don’t overthink it. As long as I’m here, you’ll always have a place in my house.”

After settling Eliza in, Victor headed back to the villa and went straight up to the second floor, only to find that Serena wasn’t there. He turned and made his way to the kitchen.

In the kitchen, Serena had just grabbed an ice pack to put on her face. When she turned around, she saw Victor storming in, full of anger. He walked straight up to her and slapped the ice pack out of her hand.

“What are you doing?” Serena asked.

Victor grabbed her hand and started dragging her out. “Ellie feels guilty because of you. She’s hurt that badly and still thinking about you. Come with me to the hospital and apologize to her.”

Serena let out a laugh out of sheer rage as she thought, ‘He wants me to apologize to Eliza?‘

She yanked her hand out of his grasp, the love in her eyes completely gone. “Victor, don’t you see the swelling on my face?”

“You brought that on yourself. I don’t care what your reason is. You hurt Ellie, so you’re coming with me to the hospital to apologize,” Victor snapped.

Serena felt like it was all a sick joke. She stepped back and finally saw Victor for who he really was. “In your eyes, no one matters more than Eliza. I’ve been married to you for years.

“I’m the one who took care of you. I was the one by your side during the hardest time of your life. And now Eliza shows up and suddenly I’m invisible?”

Victor flinched slightly at the look on her face. He thought back to how she had truly looked after him back then. It really had been her who stayed with him through the worst period of his life.

He thought, ‘Why do I feel guilty right now?‘

Just then, his phone buzzed in his pocket. Victor pulled it out and saw a message from Eliza.

Eliza: [Victor, maybe this isn’t my place, but I can’t let Mrs. Powell keep hiding this from you. Turns out, she only got close to you because your father paid her.]

Attached below were two photos–one of Victor’s father, Albert, handing Serena a check, and another of Serena passing that check to a man Victor didn’t recognize.

Everything suddenly clicked for Victor. All those memories now felt like a setup. He thought, ‘And to think I actually believed I owed Serena something. Turns out I was just fooling myself.

He demanded, “Serena, tell me–why did you approach me in the first place?”

The question stunned Serena. She murmured, “What are you talking about?”

Victor waved his hand and stepped toward her, his eyes bloodshot. He grabbed her shoulders tightly, his voice turning sharp. “I’m asking you—did you take money from my dad? You got close to me because of the money.

“Everything you did to take care of me was fake. It was all for the money, wasn’t it?”

Serena’s body started to tremble uncontrollably. She couldn’t deny that in the beginning, she had done it for the sake of the orphanage. But over time, her feelings had become real.

She muttered, “Victor, let me explain. I really do love you. If it was all fake, why would I give birth to Leon? I could’ve left once you recovered. Why can’t you believe me?”

“Believe you?” Victor let out a bitter laugh. “I let you stay in the Powell family because I believed you. I married you because I believed you. And now you’re telling me you were only with me for the money?”

Serena felt like something heavy had slammed straight into her chest.