At the wedding, I reached out my hand, but my fianc, Ryan Carter, slid the ring onto the finger of Jessica Miller, my father's mistress's daughter.

My mother's heart seized up with fury, yet Ryan simply met my gaze, a chilling calm in his eyes.

Carter Corp. is going public next month. Since your mother already signed the divorce agreement, leaving with absolutely nothing, I doubt you can offer me any help. My wife can only be the heiress of the Miller family.

My wedding became Jessica Miller's wedding.

My mother died of a heart attack amidst the biting whispers and cruel laughter.

Five years later, Ryan Carter returned home with Jessica and their three-year-old son.

He found me making soup in his kitchen and immediately tried to kick me out.

Samantha Kingston, have you no shame? Are you still dreaming of me marrying you? In your dreams!

With that, he grabbed my collar, his grip like iron, and started dragging me towards the door.

Just then, his aunt, Carol, emerged from the study.

You insolent brat! Let go of your stepmother!

Ryan didnt quite hear her, but Aunt Carols sheer presence made him visibly flinch, shrinking his neck back.

Aunt Carol didn't even give him a proper look, her gaze sweeping over Jessica.

What do you think this place is? A dog pound? Get her out of here now!




Aunt Carol despised home-wreckers more than anyone.

Realizing Aunt Carol had called her a dog, Jessicas eyes immediately welled up.

I know you resent me, but my feelings for Ryan are genuine. Otherwise, I wouldn't have gone through hell and risked my life to have Leo.

She yanked the boy from the corner, forcing him to his knees.

Leo, come here!

Seeing Aunt Carol remain silent, Jessica crawled on her knees towards me, tears streaming down her face.

Five years ago, Ryan and I truly wronged you. But we're a family now; that's an unchangeable fact.

Im begging you, please, talk to Aunt Carol for me. As long as Leo can return to the Carter family, I'll gladly leave with nothing and give Ryan back to you. I promise Ill never bother you again!

Jessica reached for my clothes, but I recoiled, dodging her. She seized the opportunity, collapsing dramatically to the floor.

Before I could react, Ryan violently shoved me.

My back slammed into the corner of the dining table, the pain making my fingertips tremble.

Ryan acted as if he hadnt seen it, tenderly pulling Jessica into his arms, as if she were the one truly hurt.

Jessica, I forbid you from talking nonsense! Leos mother and my wife can only be you.

Samantha Kingston! I cant believe after five years, youre still so merciless! I wouldnt marry you five years ago, and I certainly wont now! The only woman Ive ever loved, and the only woman Ill ever have children with, is Jessica! Get out of here and go back to wherever you came from! Youre not welcome in our home.

I didn't utter a single word through the entire ordeal, only felt my tailbone throbbing.

My father had said those very same words when hed kicked my mother and me out.

Even Ryans eyes held the exact same look my father had given us five years ago.

As if I were the villain, the one whod driven Jessica to desperation.

But five years ago, it was Jessicas mother whod forced my mother and me out, leaving us with nothing.

In the end, it was the victim who was blamed; it was my fault.

I swallowed hard, trying to steady myself, then leaned on my tailbone and offered a faint smile.

Five years, Ryan. No one stays the same.

Just like that stormy night, when I was stabbed through the tailbone by thugs trying to save him.

Five years had passed, and it had healed.

Though it still ached sometimes, it never hurt like it did back then.

Ryan looked at me, surprised, but Aunt Carol slapped him across the face.