I Divorced My Husband After Prison Release

The day Mina Long was released from prison, she didn't walk out. She was carried out on a stretcher. She was so emaciated she barely looked like herself. Her right hand dangled limp. Her legs were mottled with bruises. Three months earlier, false testimony had sent her to prison for a hit-and-run she hadn't committed—the real culprit was Malani, the true Castillo heiress.

In jail, the tendons in her hand—once skilled with a scalpel—were cruelly severed. Her legs, which had danced on international stages, were left crippled by brutal beatings. When hope was almost gone, her husband, Hunter Perry, pulled every string to get her out.

Outside the prison, Hunter froze when he saw the stretcher. Then he rushed from the car and gathered her into his arms. "Mina, I'm sorry. I came too late," he said, his voice trembling as he climbed into the ambulance with her. The usually composed, dignified man shed a tear. Mina had seen him cry only twice before: on their wedding day, and the day their son, Vincenzo, was born.

When that tear touched Mina's face, something inside her erupted. She hadn't cried during the beatings. She hadn't cried when they ruined her hand. But now, she couldn't hold it back. She melted into Hunter's embrace, breathing in the scent that had always comforted her. Despite everything, she still had her husband and son—the family who loved her.

Hunter's eyes were red. "Mina," he vowed, his voice passionate and raw, "I'll find the real culprit who framed you. I'll clear your name!" Nestled against his chest, Mina felt a little of her anguish soften. It didn't matter that the Castillo family had always preferred Malani, or that her former fiancé had abandoned her. She had a husband and son who loved her deeply.

"This is my fault," Hunter said, his voice strained, unable to meet her gaze. "If I hadn't asked you to drive that day, they wouldn't have had the chance to accuse you of a hit-and-run." Mina shook her head. How could she blame him? Hunter was known as the perfect husband. After their wedding, he'd indulged her, turned her into his princess, even encouraged her to quit her job so he could take care of her. As heir to the Perry fortune, he was utterly devoted to her. Everyone envied her good fortune.

But now? Was she even worthy of him? "I may never hold a scalpel again," Mina said through her tears. "I may never dance again…" Hunter's voice trembled as he tried to console her. "Mina, if you can't hold a scalpel, I'll take care of you forever. If you can't dance—maybe that's better. I'd be jealous seeing other people watch you."

Mina forced a bittersweet smile. He'd always admired her legs. Now they were scarred. Would he eventually tire of them? At the hospital, Mina saw her son. Vincenzo was at her bedside, crying uncontrollably. "Mom, I'm sorry. I didn't know my words would be used against you! It's my fault for remembering wrong. I'd give you my legs if I could!"

Mina remembered. Three months earlier, she'd been falsely accused of a hit-and-run. Vincenzo had been a witness—he'd said she went out that day. Vincenzo was usually calm, mature beyond his years. Now he cried like a lost child. No matter how grown-up he acted, he was still just a kid—kids made mistakes.

Her heart ached as she stroked his head. "Mommy doesn't blame you." "Mom, I'll be your legs," Vincenzo sobbed. "I'll explore the world for you." A bittersweet pang hit Mina. She was lucky. Her son and husband hadn't abandoned her. They even seemed to care more.

Her birth family had never made her happy, but she had chosen a loving home. After surgery, she still couldn't feel her limbs. Her throat was dry when she tried to speak. Then she heard Vincenzo's voice outside.

"Dad, Mom seems so pitiful now. She might be able to stand, but she'll never dance again. The doctors say she won't hold a scalpel either," Vincenzo reported. Tears filled Mina's eyes. Her heart sank into despair. She had expected this—but hearing it confirmed was a blow she wasn't ready for.

"Dad, did we go too far—framing Mom to cover for Malani's mistake?" Vincenzo asked hesitantly. Framing? Cover-up? Mina froze. She must have misheard. Then Hunter's cold voice came from the other side of the door. "Malani is a talented dancer. Her reputation can't be tarnished by scandal," he said flatly. "As for your mom, she pretended to be the Castillo heiress for years and made Malani an orphan. This is the debt she owes. Besides, she's the wife of the Perry heir now—what more could she ask for?"

So the ones who had framed her—the ones who'd sent her to prison—were her husband and son? Lying in the hospital bed, Mina bit her lip to keep from crying out. She hadn't chosen to be switched at birth. How could she be blamed for usurping Malani's rightful place all these years? Had Hunter's declarations of love been lies?

Vincenzo sighed in agreement. "Mom's always been against Malani. Maybe this will teach her! We'll make it up to her later," he added. Later? Would there even be a later? Every word reached Mina with agonizing clarity. The betrayal overshadowed even the physical pain of her injuries. The people she loved most had orchestrated this horror—all for Malani's sake.

Outside, Vincenzo's voice softened with concern. "But delaying the surgery made her injuries irreparable. What if Mom finds out and goes mad?" If the surgery had been timely, she might have been saved? Yet they had chosen to delay it. Mina's heart felt torn apart. She could barely breathe.

Hunter's voice turned impatient. "And what if she does find out? She can't return to the Castillo family. She needs the Perry family." His voice took on a pleased tone, as if he was delighted with himself. "Vincenzo, don't you like spending time with Malani? Now your mom can't stop you from seeing her anymore. Isn't that great?"

Vincenzo's voice was youthful and cruel. "Of course I'm happy! Mom's always been such a killjoy. Maybe people without an education are like that—always competing with other women for no reason. When I talk to Malani, Mom even yells at me!" Tears streamed down Mina's face. It felt like her heart was bleeding.

Vincenzo had once told her he didn't like Malani. That was why she'd refused Malani's invitations on his behalf. How was everything her fault now?