I remembered it vividly. At the end of the year before last, my mother's condition had suddenly worsened. She was already in a vegetative state, but her organs had abruptly started failing. Her life had hung by a thread.

Experts had said that a new medical device could replace her blood and provide cardiopulmonary support, potentially reversing her condition if used in time. Coincidentally, the device was developed by Timothy's company. It hadn't been on the market yet and was only accessible through internal channels.

I had thought that it would be easy enough for Timothy to arrange. But when I had called him, he had cut me off, barely giving me the chance to explain my mother's worsening condition. "Tell the doctors to do everything they can for your mother. Money's no issue. I've got something urgent going on here, so I need to go."

He hadn't even had the patience to hear me out before hanging up on me.

Money was the easiest thing for Timothy to offer. It was just like me—easy to obtain, and thus, no longer cherished.

At the time, I had been utterly hopeless. I had wondered what could possibly be more important than my mother's life.

Now, I had my answer. The "urgent matter" he had to attend to that day was taking Daphne to an amusement park.

While I had been in Seavale crying my heart out in desperation, he had been at the biggest amusement park in Davalea with Yasmin and Daphne.

Even though Jonathan had later managed to get the device, saving my mother's life for the time being, the despair and fear of losing her that day would stay with me forever.

I fought to contain the rage and pain threatening to burst forth. I quickly grabbed my laptop to screenshot Yasmin's posts as proof. Everything she used to provoke me that day would be used as evidence when I faced Timothy in court.

Seeing those photos, I suddenly remembered what Linda had said yesterday—that the leaked photos had originated from my workplace.

How was that possible?

I was the editor-in-chief at Seven Star Entertainment. I had to review every article that went out. Were Linda and Timothy mistaken, or had someone in my department acted on their own?

Just then, someone knocked on the door.

Before I could tell them to come in, Timothy barged in and threw his phone onto the bed before me, looking ready to interrogate me. His voice was icy as he demanded, "How long are you going to keep this up?"

I picked up the phone in confusion to see that more photos of Yasmin had been exposed that day. They showed her with Timothy again, though his face was still blurry.

One thing was clear—these repeated leaks felt malicious.

I looked at him calmly. "I didn't do this. Can't you believe me just this once?"

At that moment, Daphne ran in, crying anxiously. "Daddy, Mommy's running away! Hurry up and stop her! Keep her here!"

Timothy's face grew serious at that. He scooped Daphne up and hurried out of my room. I followed them to the living room, wanting to clear things up with him.

There, I watched as he stopped Yasmin from leaving. Daphne clung to her, holding her hand tightly as she sobbed and begged her not to go.

I stood quietly in my corner, watching the family of three. The online community labeled Yasmin a talentless starlet, famous only for hype and her looks, lacking any real acting skills.

But I thought that she was a pretty good actress. After all, she could cry on cue and make it look good.

"Tim, just let me go. I can't take this anymore," she said, her voice full of grievance. "If this keeps up, my reputation will be ruined!"

Before Timothy could comfort her, I said coolly, "You've already brought your illegitimate daughter into my home, and you willingly became someone's mistress. Now, you're saying you're worried about your reputation?"

"Shut up, Josie!" Timothy snapped at me. Then, softening his tone, he said to Yasmin, "I'll handle this, alright? You can't leave. Daphne needs you."

Daphne was genuinely terrified that Yasmin would leave. She sobbed and said, "Mommy, if you go, take me and Daddy with you, okay?"

She pointed at me and said disdainfully, "This lady is so mean. I don't want to stay with her."

Yasmin picked her up as tears continued to stream down her face. "I don't want to leave you, too, sweetheart, but…"

I looked at Timothy calmly. "None of you needs to leave. I'll have a lawyer come over tomorrow to assess our marital assets. I'll take what's mine and go so that I won't keep scaring your precious daughter."

It was clear that Yasmin and Daphne wanted me gone, and I thought Timothy was backed into a corner with this. By leaving willingly, I was being so "understanding" that I was sure he would take the chance to let me go.

Unexpectedly, his eyes turned stormy. He snarled, "You're not going anywhere until this is sorted out!"

I was a bit disappointed, but Yasmin was even more so. She wasn't actually leaving, of course. After some theatrics, she was "convinced" by Timothy and Daphne to stay.

…

At dinner time, Laura knocked on my door and said cautiously, "Mrs. Grant, dinner's ready. Shall I bring it to your room?"

I knew that she'd overheard the argument in the living room and was afraid I'd face more hostility at the table. However, I couldn't let myself be falsely accused.

I wanted to leak all the photos I had and let the world see who exactly the mysterious man with Yasmin was. But since I hadn't done it, I refused to take the blame for it.

I didn't have Laura bring me the food. Instead, I went to the dining room.

Yasmin clearly didn't expect me to show up. She and Daphne sat on either side of Timothy, who was seated at the head of the table.

There was no place for me, huh?

I considered sitting at the far end, opposite Timothy, but that would have put me too far from the food. So, I calmly sat next to Daphne.

A second later, she jumped off her chair, looking startled as she scrambled to Yasmin's side. She looked at me like I was a monster.

Yasmin held her protectively and said to Timothy, "Tim, maybe Daphne and I should eat in the room."

She acted as if she and Daphne were both terrified of me and wanted to avoid me like the plague.

However, Timothy said, "You're not the one who should leave."

He turned to me and warned, "Enough with your jealous schemes, Josie. I told you that they're only staying here temporarily. They won't disturb you."

I curled my lip but didn't respond.

Yasmin put on a pleading look and said, "Ms. York, things between me and Tim really aren't like what you think. Please stop targeting me, and don't hurt Daphne. If her photos ever get leaked, I can't imagine the backlash she'd face."

Timothy's expression grew graver at the thought of Daphne being dragged into this. He gave me a look so sharp it was practically a blade.

I nodded. "You're right about her being innocent in this. Whoever's leaking these photos is shameless to exploit even a child. I'll look into it at work tomorrow and make sure there's an answer for this!"

Yasmin's eyes widened slightly, but she kept her voice gentle. "That might be hard to trace, won't it? Would the person leaking these photos be dumb enough to use their own phone for something like this?"

I smiled faintly. "Don't worry about that. I have my ways! I'll find out which backstabber is colluding with the culprit and playing the hypocrite!"

As soon as the words left my mouth, visible tension flashed across Yasmin's face.

I was determined to conduct a detailed investigation on Monday and root out the traitor at the company. But the next day, I got a call from a company executive. "Josie, our investor has pulled out because of the leak, and we can't even cover payroll. I'm really sorry, but you don't need to come to work anymore."

I stood there in shock for a long time, clutching my phone.

I had accepted Timothy's proposal after graduating from college and had gotten pregnant soon after. My dream job at a news outlet fell through, and he'd held me close, saying, "Don't be sad, Josie. How about I invest in them? No one would dare reject you then."

I had refused, not wanting to be a nepotism hire. Instead, I had joined the chaotic entertainment media industry and worked my way up to editor-in-chief in three years with my excellent performance. Now, I'd been fired over something like this.

The man who had once offered to throw money to secure my dream job was also the one who had made me lose the job I'd gotten.

The disparity between love and indifference was painfully clear. A person's heart could change beyond recognition.

I stormed out of my room and went to the private chapel. Timothy was there, meditating as he kneeled on a custom cushion with his rosary in hand.

In the past, I had adored his serene, ascetic demeanor. I used to love his refined air that seemed untouched by worldly matters. Even when his devotion to religion meant that I had to follow strict rules, I'd never complained.

I marched over, grabbed the rosary from his hand, and demanded, "Is this how the gods have taught you to treat your wife? What gives you the right to meddle in my job?"

He frowned slightly at being interrupted mid-prayer. "That kind of low-class job isn't worth keeping. I'll give you money if that's what you need."

A low-class job?

I had stayed up nights writing articles and hustled for promotions. This was my hard-earned career we were talking about. How could he dismiss it so easily?

I clenched my fists and growled, "You had better get to the bottom of this leak! I'm not taking the blame for it!"

Timothy lowered his eyes. "Yasmin has already let it go. You should know when to quit."

I refused. "Has she let it go, or is she just scared to pursue the matter? Is she afraid that someone will uncover her little staged drama? Are you thinking with your manhood, Timothy?"

He scowled. "Watch yourself, Josie. Remember where you are!"

At that moment, Yasmin, who was ever-present, appeared with a cup of freshly brewed tea for Timothy. She turned to me and said, "Ms. York, Tim stopped you from doing that job to spare you the indignity. I haven't been in the entertainment industry long, but I've seen paparazzi get chased and beaten."

Her lofty tone made it sound like I was beneath them.

I retorted, "Then, have you seen mistresses get their hair pulled and faces slapped? You play the homewrecker with such 'dignity', and you have the nerve to say that my honest work isn't respectable enough?"

She paled, and tears instantly filled her eyes. She choked back a sob.

Just then, Daphne's anxious voice came from outside. "Mommy, Mommy, where are you? I woke up and couldn't find you!"

Yasmin hurried out, and Timothy, who rarely showed his anxiety, quickly followed.

I watched them silently. Then, I returned to my room and started submitting my résumé on a job-hunting app. Being Timothy's wife was less fulfilling than the "lowly" job he had sneered at.

After sending out about 30 applications, I ordered my old favorites—steak, pizza, and foie gras. It had been three years since I'd eaten these.

I was diagnosed with iron-deficiency anemia as a child, and the doctor said that eating iron-rich foods like lean meat was the best remedy, aside from medication.

But to follow Timothy's rules, I had pushed my anemia to the point of fainting just from standing up. All he had done at the time was have a doctor give me an IV drip. He had never once bent his vegetarian principles.

And what had I gotten from that?

…

When my food delivery arrived, lunch was ready.

The well-paid vegetarian chef Timothy had hired was on duty. He personally served the dishes he'd spent all morning preparing, making sure to explain each one in detail.

When Timothy saw me, he said to the chef, "You're very professional. I'll leave my food in your hands from now on."

Was that a jab meant for me?

The lunch seating was the same as the night before. Yasmin and Daphne sat on either side of Timothy, silently declaring that I was an outsider.

This time, however, I didn't sit next to Daphne just to get some food. I calmly carried my takeout to the far end of the table and sat.

No matter how lavish the vegetarian spread was, I didn't want a single bite of it. Why would I stick to grass when I had meat? I wasn't addicted to playing a herbivore!

Yasmin secretly shot me a taunting look to signal that she'd pushed me out of the picture… until I slowly opened my takeout bag, revealing the fragrant steak, foie gras, and pizza I'd ordered.

The table was laden with meticulously prepared vegetarian dishes that the chef had spent all morning crafting. However, it was utterly outshone by my takeout spread.

Yasmin and Daphne, who'd eaten Timothy's vegetarian meals for two days, stared at my food with wide eyes. Yasmin visibly swallowed hard, and Daphne was practically drooling.

Timothy was the only one unmoved. He coldly asked, "Who allowed you to bring that into the house?"

I snorted and retorted, "You bought this villa after our marriage, which means that it's our joint property. Since half of it is mine, why can't I eat what I want in my own home?"

I sauntered to the wine cabinet and grabbed a bottle of exorbitantly priced red wine he had bought at an auction last year. I poured myself a glass.

Under Timothy's murderous glare, I took a seat and elegantly cut into my steak. I took a bite, followed by a sip of wine.

God, it was delicious.

I had lost my marriage, but I suddenly felt like I had everything again.

Naturally, Timothy wasn't one to take provocations lightly. He commanded his bodyguards, "Throw her food out."

As soon as he said that, Daphne tugged at his sleeve, looking pitiful. "Daddy, I… I want to eat steak, too…"

She swallowed hard several times and blinked tearily as she asked, "Why can't we eat meat?"

Timothy was stumped, unable to come up with an answer. Explaining religious practices to a child was like talking to a wall.

Yasmin, eager to please him, quickly said, "Daphne, Daddy means well for us. Eating vegetarian food is good for our health. People who eat meat all the time easily fall sick."

I nodded while savoring my meal. "Uh-huh. Leave all the suffering to me while you guys enjoy your healthy lives."

When I saw Timothy's stormy expression, I smirked. "What's wrong? Are you hungry, seeing me eat all this? You're so eager to toss my food out. Is it because you're afraid you'll lose control of your worldly desires and break your vows?"

He shot me a look before silently eating his vegetarian meal. He no longer told the bodyguards to throw out my food. Yasmin and Daphne grudgingly ate their vegetarian fare, but their eyes kept darting to mine.

This was easily the most satisfying meal I had had in years. By the time I was full, I had no room left for the pizza. It was untouched.

Daphne stared at it and licked her lips, her intentions clear. Kids were innocent, but what if she ate my food and got sick? What if Timothy accused me of harming his daughter?

And so, under Daphne's hopeful gaze, I summoned Laura and said, "Feed this to the strays in the neighborhood."

The light in Daphne's eyes was snuffed out. I could've sworn that even Yasmin looked disappointed.

After all, with the media and paparazzi hounding her, she wouldn't dare leave the villa. That meant that she would have to keep eating vegetarian food with Timothy.

Could she and Daphne be eyeing my leftovers?

The thought almost made me laugh out loud.

I grabbed a napkin and slowly wiped my mouth. As I left the table, I glanced at the spread of vegetarian dishes and said to Yasmin, "You'll be enjoying wonderful days like this from now on. I hope you like them."

If I'd known the consequences this lunchtime stunt would bring, I would never have done it!

…

That afternoon, I visited my mother in the hospital. She had fallen into a coma after a car crash when I was five, and she'd been treated here since.

She lay peacefully on the bed as the doctor told me something I'd heard countless times—there was little hope of her waking up. Maintaining her vital signs was already a miracle.

Even so, I sat by her bed and poured my heart out. I told her about my marriage to Timothy and how I acted carefree while secretly feeling terrified and lost about the future.

In the evening, I got a call from Laura. "Mrs. Grant, something's happened! Please hurry back!"

She sounded like the world had ended, but when I asked for details, she stammered, unable to answer me. An ominous feeling gnawed at me as I grabbed my bag and rushed back to the Grant residence.

As soon as I stepped inside, I heard Laura arguing with Yasmin.

Laura cried, "Put down the vacuum and wait for Mrs. Grant to come back to deal with this! You've gone too far!"

"Can't you see that the floor's filthy? How can I not clean it?" Yasmin's tone carried a casual threat. "You're awfully loyal to Josie, but don't forget who pays you. Do you think Tim will be happy when he comes home and sees this mess?"

I hurried into the living room. Specks of grayish-white ash were scattered across the wooden floor like an untimely snowfall. The rosewood urn, which held the remains of my daughter, lay tilted on the ground. Its lid had fallen open and had a jagged, gaping hole in it. It was as if my baby was silently weeping.

Outside, the night swallowed the last traces of daylight.

My body was stiff as I stepped forward and crouched to touch the scattered ashes with trembling fingers. The tiny grains felt scalding, and my hand shot back as if it had been burned. It was as if my daughter was screaming and demanding to know why I hadn't protected her. She seemed to be telling me how much it hurt.

Just then, Yasmin's voice rang out. "Sorry, Ms. York. Daphne saw you having all that good food at lunch and thought you were hiding treats in your room. She sneaked in there when I wasn't paying attention in the afternoon. She thought there was food in this jar, so she brought it to the living room. She accidentally dropped it and—"

A second later, I stood and grabbed her collar. I slapped her hard across the face like mad.

She screamed and instinctively struggled. "Let me go, Josie York! Tim will kill you if he finds out about this!"

It was too bad she'd underestimated the strength of a mother in despair. I wanted to kill her!

Amid the chaos, I heard Timothy's voice. "What are you doing, Josie? Stop it!"

Yasmin looked like she'd seen her savior. She cried, "Tim, save me!"

But as Timothy moved to pull me away, Laura stepped in front of him. She was probably worried that Yasmin would twist the truth and make me take the fall.

So, she did all she could to stop him. Then, she guided him to look at the ashes scattered across the floor. He froze at the sight of them.