"Bang!"

It felt like a sledgehammer spiked with ice had smashed straight into Leia's skull, scattering every thought she had and leaving her drowning in a hazy fog. Her vision swam, and a sharp, searing pain behind her sternum twisted tight around her heart.

Leia Shaw bit down hard on her lower lip, glancing over her shoulder at the woman standing behind her: Piper Cooper. Piper's smile was nothing but a mocking taunt, stripping every last scrap of dignity Leia had left right off her bones.

Julian Shaw—her husband—was tearing into her in front of Piper, and his string of accusations wasn't even close to finished.

"Leia, I always thought you were sensible. My sweetheart—innocent, full of life."

"When you saved Piper, I felt indebted to you. I spoiled you, took care of you, protected you, gave you everything you ever asked for."

"Until yesterday, when I brought up divorce and you agreed without a second thought. I thought you were just being kind, straightforward. But now I see—this whole thing was just a game to win me over."

"You've let me down."

Disappointment dripped from every line of his face, like he'd never known her at all. Every word sliced into her like a sharpened knife. Leia held his gaze in silence, tears tracking hot and heavy down her cheeks.

This was the first time he'd ever shouted at her. The first time he'd ever doubted her. The first time he'd called her two-faced. The first time he'd admitted all his "generosity" was rooted in guilt over another woman.

Her heart felt ripped clean in half as the tears kept falling. After a long, heavy silence, all she asked was, "Are you done?"

Her question was ice-cold, completely empty of any emotion—and it shook Julian to his core.

He stopped talking...

And she laughed a bitter, hollow laugh. "Yeah, that's me. A deceitful fraud."

"I can't stand how she fakes being pitiful in front of you."

"I can't stand watching you two play the happy couple right in front of my face anymore."

"My heart's already broken. Thanks for two years of a cushy life. Thanks for your guilt. But I don't need any of it."

The room went taut with tension as Julian stared at Leia's face, now stamped with nothing but cold indifference.

The ache in his own chest spiked sharp. He regretted losing his temper, regretted the cruel things he'd said.

She kept going. "So everything you gave me, I'll give it all back. No need to keep reminding me what you've done for me."

"I have my dignity. I have my pride."

With that, she turned to leave.

Silence settled over the room again, broken only by Piper's soft, sniffling sobs.

A minute later, Leia walked back in, holding a pen and a blank sheet of paper. Julian's eyes clouded with uncertainty, and a cold fear began to creep up his spine.

Leia had dried her tears, and she held up the divorce papers he'd had her sign days earlier.

Julian frowned. "You..."

A loud ripping sound cut him off.

She shredded the paper into pieces, letting the scraps flutter to the floor like cold, final snowflakes. Her gaze never once left the man standing in front of her.

She smiled—a beautiful, heart-shattering tragic smile.

"You said you supported me for two years? Well, I'm paying you back. Every last thing. This new settlement covers the one point one million, the car, the house you gave me. Is that enough?"

"If it's not, I'll find another way to pay you back."

Julian felt her words like a dozen daggers to the chest, leaving him gasping for air. Behind him, Piper still smiled that quiet, secret smile.

"Leia..."

He whispered it, everything already slipping out of his control, panic climbing up his throat.

Leia waved a dismissive hand, silenting him, then crossed to the desk and started writing.

Piper stood slowly, tears streaking her cheeks, and whispered to Julian, "Julian, I'm so sorry. Leia's just upset. This is all my fault."

Julian glanced at her, irritation sharp in his gaze, but said nothing.

When she finished writing, Leia walked toward them, pale as a sheet.

She handed him the new papers, voice flat and steady. "Sign it. Tomorrow, we finalize this."

Her words left Julian frozen in shock. Piper stood between them, her surprise masking a hidden satisfaction.

"Leia, can't we stop this madness?"

"Madness? Really?"

Julian cast a skeptical glance at the new settlement terms. "We're sticking to the original agreement. This isn't valid."

"It's unnecessary," she stated firmly.

"Leia, you've crossed a line today. I'm giving you an out. You should take it."

Leia's eyes turned to ice, her tone hard as stone. "Will you sign it? If you don't take this chance now, you'll never get another one."

"Julian," Piper's eyes went wide and pleading.

Leia sneered. "In a hurry, Piper?"

"Leia, that's not what I meant. Don't pressure him."

Piper looked the picture of innocence, tears glistening in her big eyes.

Pressure?

Leia almost laughed out loud. Instead, she just stared right at Piper. "Piper, you got what you wanted. Congrats."

"Leia, you've misunderstood..."

Leia cut her off mid-sentence. "Spare me the act."

Her words left Piper's jaw tightening, visibly annoyed.

Leia's voice was ice. "I'm giving you until the count of three to sign. If you don't, the chance is gone forever."

Turmoil churned in Julian's eyes, the tension in his chest growing heavier by the second.

"Three."

"Two."

"One."

"Julian, sign it!" Piper urged, almost hysterical.

Leia sneered again. "Not signing? Fine. You'll never get another shot."

With that, she turned for the door. "And Piper? Since I'm still Julian's wife, this is still my house. By tomorrow, I want you—this outsider—gone."

"Move out now, or I'll see you in court."

She walked out, slamming the door hard behind her.

Julian was stunned by the transformation. This new, cold, unapologetic Leia unsettled him down to his bones.

A flash of anger flickered across Piper's face, gone so fast no one but her would notice. She tucked her hand into Julian's arm and sobbed, "Julian, what do we do now? She's furious, she wants me gone."

"She won't get her way. Go rest, I'll handle this."

He turned and left the room.

Piper snickered quiet under her breath. "Leia, you think you can get rid of me? Not a chance in hell."

Back in her bedroom, Leia closed the door and slid down her back until she hit the floor. The cold hardwood sent a shiver rippling through her, but she just dropped her head forward.

She didn't cry, didn't throw anything. She was eerily calm, like nothing had even happened.

Suddenly, there was a knock on the door, and Julian's voice echoed through the wood.

"Leia, open up. We need to talk."

His voice cracked straight through her carefully built facade. Tears slipped silent down her cheeks as hot anger surged through her veins.

She shouted, cold and sharp. "Go away."

This was the first time she'd ever told him to leave. The first time she'd ever shouted at him.

"Just breathe for a minute. We have to talk," he urged, gentle but firm.

Leia felt completely overwhelmed. All her pent-up frustration threatened to swallow her whole, the pain in her chest tightening until her fists were clenched so hard her nails dug into her palms.

"If you don't open this door, I'm gonna force it open."

She heard the iron determination in his voice, and for a brief second, she hesitated.

Still no sound from behind the door. Julian Shaw’s nerves were fraying, terrified Leia might do something irreversible. His legs turned to jelly as he sprinted downstairs to yank a heavy sledgehammer off the garage rack. Bursting back up to the door, he barked, "Open up now, or I’m breaking this down."

Silence answered him…

The thunder of the blows made Piper Cooper next door jump straight out of her skin.

Every heavy slam of the sledgehammer against the wood sent Leia Shaw’s panic spiking. Her vacant, glassy eyes suddenly snapped sharp with alertness. She pushed herself up slowly and wrenched the door open.

The door flew open out of nowhere. The sledgehammer was already arcing through the air.

Julian’s heart dropped straight into his stomach, panic blazing in his eyes.

Leia just stared coldly at the metal head that had swept inches from her skull, her gaze blank, unreadable.

Julian wrenched the sledgehammer back at the last second. It hit the floor with a heavy, deafening thud. A sharp, tearing pain twisted through his chest — it felt like something irreplaceable was slipping right through his fingers. If he’d been half a second slower, that hammer would have hit her.

Outside that door, he was a wreck of agony. Inside, she was still ice-cold calm.

He rushed in and crushed her to his chest.

His fear was still screaming through him, his heart hammering so hard he could feel it in his throat. One more inch. He’d almost lost her.

"I’m sorry, I’m sorry — I almost hurt you, I’m so sorry…"

His repeated apologies pulled Leia slowly back to the surface. He held her so tight she could barely draw a breath.

Three words she hated more than anything in this world: I’m sorry. If you don’t want to be sorry, don’t do the things that hurt people. Don’t say the words that cut deep.

Her hands clenched so hard her knuckles whitened at her sides, her voice colder than ice, "Let me go."

He didn’t let go. He held her even tighter, confused by how far gone she was.

In that split second where he’d almost lost her, his heart had felt like it was being squeezed to dust — pain, panic, terror, all tangled together. All he could think was he never wanted to let go of her for the rest of his life.

When he didn’t release her, Leia shoved him away with every bit of strength she had left, "Didn’t you hear me? Let go."

"I’m not a damn puppet you can yank out whenever you want and toss aside when you’re done."

Her hysterical scream left Julian standing there, completely stunned, defeated.

Across from him, the woman’s eyes were bloodshot, her pale face almost see-through. She burned with fury like a wild tigress cornered.

Julian had had enough. He turned and slammed the bedroom door shut, his jaw tight, "How long are you gonna drag this out? I’m so tired of this."

She glanced at him once, ice in her glare, then turned away. Her voice was just as cold, "I’m tired too. So just leave. I need to rest."

"Leia, do you really have to cut me off like this?"

He stepped closer and grabbed her wrist. He knew her — a few soft words, a hug, and she’d always soften, relent.

But this time was nothing like before…

She ripped her hand out of his grip, screaming, "Don’t you touch me. You’re disgusting."

Disgusting.

That one word set Julian off.

He could put up with every mood swing, every outburst, every crazy thing she did — but he couldn’t stand being called disgusting.

"Are you done yet? You’re blowing this way out of proportion. This has to end."

Leia spun around, her eyes ice when they locked onto his, "If you can’t stand me, then leave. Give me some damn peace."

"I…" He didn’t get another word out.

"I know exactly what you’re gonna say."

"And I know what you’re worried about."

"But let me make this clear: Piper is out of this house by tomorrow morning."

Hearing her ultimatum, seeing that flat, unfeeling look on her face, Julian’s temper snapped, "She’s not leaving."

Leia’s hands clenched so hard her joints cracked, fighting the urge to scream and hit something. She spoke through gritted teeth, cold as death, "Fine. If she doesn’t leave by tomorrow morning, I will. Now get out."

With a deafening bang, the door slammed shut in his face.

Leia couldn’t hold it together any longer. She crumpled onto the bed, tears pouring down her cheeks, but she didn’t make a single sound.

After crying until her lungs ached, her phone buzzed on the nightstand.

Seeing "Mom" light up the screen made her heart skip. She swiped at her tears fast, forcing her voice steady before she answered.

She kept her tone even, "Mom, you’re still up?"

"Leia, I couldn’t sleep a wink tonight. I just have this bad feeling. Are you and Julian okay?"

"We’re fine, really. He’s just in the shower right now."

Zoe, her mother-in-law, laughed soft and warm, "That’s good. You two get some rest, and while you’re young, get busy so I can be a grandma soon, okay?"

The mention of a grandchild shattered what little composure she’d scraped together. The tears she’d just choked down came rushing back, hotter than before.

After a long, shaky pause, she said, "Okay, I’ll work on that. You and Dad take care of yourselves, don’t stay up too late."

"Alright, I won’t bug you two any longer. There’s a big surprise waiting for you tomorrow!"

Before Leia could even ask what it was, Zoe hung up.

The ache in her chest just kept getting worse…

That night she lay awake until the sky turned pink, her heart hurting so bad she twisted and turned on the sheets, unable to get comfortable.

And Julian never came back to their room. He spent the whole night in the study.

…

The next day, at first crack of dawn, Zoe showed up grinning, arms loaded with groceries.

Mrs. Thomas, the housekeeper, opened the door for her. She’d gone home early the night before, so she had no idea what had gone down.

The whole Shaw house was dead quiet. None of the three had come downstairs yet.

"Good morning, ma’am! What’s got you in such a wonderful mood today?" Mrs. Thomas said, taking the grocery bags from her hands.

Zoe was practically glowing, "Of course I’m happy! I went to see that top specialist yesterday, he prescribed new medication. Said after three rounds, Leia’s guaranteed to get pregnant. I’m gonna be a grandma soon, haha!"

"That’s such wonderful news, ma’am! Mrs. Shaw is gonna be over the moon."

Zoe smiled as she walked in, then glanced around and frowned in surprise, "Mrs. Thomas, it’s already ten o’clock. Where is everyone?"

Mrs. Thomas glanced upstairs, then leaned in close to Zoe, lowering her voice, "Looks like Mr. and Mrs. Shaw had a fight. Mr. Shaw brought another woman home with him, and they haven’t come down yet."

"What?" Zoe gasped. Her cheerful face hardened instantly into rage. She demanded, "How dare Julian do this? Who is this woman?"

Mrs. Thomas whispered again, "Not sure, but they look real close."

"Unbelievable. Mrs. Thomas, you get started on lunch, I’m going up there to sort this out."

With that, Zoe headed straight for the stairs.

In the master suite, Piper was curled up on the sofa while Julian fussed over her injured foot. One face was dark and quiet, the other glowing with a bright smile.

Zoe was about to head straight to Julian and Leia’s room, but just as she reached the top of the stairs, she heard a door click open.

Leia stepped out. Her eyes were swollen from crying, her face deathly pale. The once bright, lively woman looked completely worn out. She was shocked to see her mother-in-law standing in the hall.

"Mom, what are you doing here?"

Leia said, as she slipped her arm affectionately through Zoe’s.

Having lost her own parents when she was little, Leia grew up in an orphanage and had always craved a mother’s love. She loved Zoe like she was her own mom.

Zoe adored Leia right back. When Zoe was sick, Julian was swamped with work, and Leia took care of everything around the house and all of Zoe’s medical needs without a single complaint. She loved Zoe like family.

Leia was pure, kind, obedient — everything Zoe ever wanted in a daughter-in-law. The only flaw, if you could call it that, was she’d never been very good at small talk with strangers.

Zoe patted her hand, her voice soft, "I came to check on my girl. Look how thin you’ve gotten lately."

"You’re always so thoughtful, Mom. C’mon, let’s go downstairs."

"Wait," Zoe suddenly remembered, and nodded toward the empty guest room down the hall, "You slept here last night?"

Leia nodded quietly. Her best friend Sarah’s face immediately clouded with worry. “C’mon, tell me. Did that jerk hurt you?”

“No!”

“Oh please, look at yourself! You’re dead on your feet, and your eyes are all puffed up like you cried all night.”

“Leia, you’ve always been way too soft for your own good.”

“He brought another woman into this house, and you should’ve called me last night, the second it happened.”

Sarah’s words wrapped around Leia’s heart like a warm blanket, but she had no idea how to break the news that she and Julian were already on the brink of divorce. Sarah had a bad heart, and Leia was terrified this stress would be too much for her. So she just forced a small smile and said, “I’m fine, Sarah. Really.”

“Don’t worry, honey, I got your back.” Before Leia could even move to stop her, Sarah was already marching straight toward the master bedroom.

“Sarah, wait, don’t go…”

But it was already too late. Sarah was already at the end of the hallway. The door wasn’t latched all the way, and through the thin crack, she caught a scene that made her jaw drop.

“Julian… what do you think Leia’ll do when she walks in on us?” The soft, simpering, victimy voice was undeniably Piper’s.

Hearing that sickly sweet tone, Sarah could barely choke back her disgust. She knew this woman—Julian’s first love. Back when Piper got sick and crawled back into his life, Sarah had fought that relationship tooth and nail. When Julian finally let Leia in and married her, Sarah had been over the moon. She never thought this gold-digger would still be hanging around.

“Sarah!” Leia whispered sharply behind her.

“Shh!” Sarah waved a hand to silence her, not taking her eyes off the gap.

Julian sounded tired and dismissive as he answered, “She wouldn’t dare do a thing. If anyone’s leaving this house, it’s her.”

A sharp, stabbing pain shot straight through Leia’s chest, and Sarah’s temper blew right through the roof. She squeezed Leia’s hand so tight her knuckles whitened.

“Julian, you’re so good to me… Maybe we should just move out together!”

“I’m so scared of her, especially after last night. If I hadn’t ducked out of the way fast enough, who knows what she would’ve done to me…”

“Okay, baby, stop crying. Let’s get ready and go downstairs for breakfast.”

Julian tenderly wrapped Piper’s foot before kneeling down to slip her shoes on. That was the last straw for Sarah. This was obscene—Julian doting on another woman, right in Leia’s own home, and this whore had already taken over the master bedroom.

Thinking of Leia’s puffy red eyes and pale, exhausted face, Sarah’s anger boiled over completely.

*Bang!* She kicked the door hard enough to fling it wide open.

Piper jumped, scrambling to cling to Julian’s arm. Julian spun around, stunned—he never expected to see his mother and Leia standing in the doorway.

“Sarah? What are you doing here?” Julian asked, completely thrown off.

Sarah glared at him, ice in every line of her face. “If I hadn’t barged in, I never would’ve seen how low my own son has stooped.”

“Sarah…”

“Don’t you *dare* call me that. Tell me what this intruder is doing here,” she demanded. “Why are you on your knees tying her shoes? Why is she in your marital bed, with Leia still living in this house?”

Sarah’s finger jabbed sharply toward Piper, her gaze icy enough to freeze blood.

Watching her, Leia’s chest swelled with quiet admiration. Sarah was usually soft and kind as could be, but right now? She was an absolute force, protecting Leia like she was her own blood. Leia’s heart ached with gratitude.

Piper’s voice went even sweeter, more demure. “It’s been a long time, Mrs. Shaw.”

“Don’t you *dare* call me that. Pack your garbage and get out. We don’t let intruders or gold-digging frauds leech off my family’s money in this house.”

The words came out so sharp and unforgiving, even Leia was caught off guard.

Julian immediately stepped between them, positioning himself protectively in front of Piper. “Sarah, be reasonable. I brought Piper here. No one has the right to kick her out.”

He flicked a glare toward Leia, disappointment blazing clear in his eyes. He couldn’t believe she’d dragged his mother into this mess.

Sarah was absolutely livid. “You have a wife, and you bring another woman into our home? You’re *despicable*!”

“Sarah, stop calling her an intruder. It’s not as sordid as you’re making it out to be.”

“If it’s not sordid, then send her packing. Right now.”

“Today I’m making this clear: either that woman walks out that door, or Leia and I walk out right behind her. And if that happens, Julian? You are no son of mine. Your father and I will disown you. We’ll pretend we never had a son at all.”

Sarah left zero room for negotiation. Both Piper and Julian went dead silent, stunned into shock.

Tears pricked Leia’s eyes as she stood behind Sarah, completely overcome by this fierce protection. Sarah had always treated her like her own, loved her unconditionally, and now she was fighting for her harder than anyone ever had.

It just hurt that Leia wouldn’t be her daughter-in-law for much longer.

Julian’s handsome face was tight with fatigue, and just as he opened his mouth to speak, Piper cut him off.

“Mrs. Shaw, please don’t blame Julian. He loves you so much—your words are breaking his heart.”

“If you care that much about hurting him, then leave! This whole fake sympathetic act is pathetic.”

Sarah’s tone cut like a knife, and warmth bloomed back in Leia’s chest, the first real warmth she’d felt in days.

Piper couldn’t keep up her sweet act anymore. Tears welled up in her eyes as she leaned into the victim role. “Mrs. Shaw, I know you don’t like me, but I really do love Julian. I beg you to let us be together. If that’s not enough, I’ll kneel right here and beg you.”

Leia wasn’t surprised by the performance. She knew Piper too well by now—meek and heartbroken in front of an audience, cunning and ruthless behind closed doors.

When Piper started to sink to her knees, Sarah just crossed her arms and watched, cold as ice. “Go ahead and kneel. Kneel until I’m satisfied.”

“Sarah, that’s too far!” Julian protested, catching Piper before her knees hit the floor. “Alright, that’s enough. I’ll take you to my other apartment. We’ll sort this out later.”

Piper, still letting tears roll down her cheeks, nodded and let him lead her out.

Sarah smirked after them. “Don’t you forget, Julian—everything you have came from your father and me. Don’t think you can use our money to keep your little mistress.”

“Everything in this house belongs to Leia. Unless she says otherwise, you don’t have a single spot here that’s yours.”

The bold declaration left Leia stunned, her eyes going wide. This went even further than she’d expected.

Furious, Julian glared at Leia as he pulled Piper past her. “Leia, this is what you wanted, isn’t it? You got your way, you drove her out.”

“You really disappoint me. All that kindness and innocence you used to have? It’s gone.”

“Ridiculous.”