Today I was allowed to go home. But to be honest, I still wish Samuel would come to pick me up. Bringing warm food or little flowers, like he used to. But there was no news, even though I called many times.

"Miss Agnes, you shouldn't go home alone at this time of night. No one to pick you up?" the doctor asked with concern.

I shook my head, smiling bitterly. "My husband is probably busy."

Even though I knew... he wasn't coming on purpose.

The sky was already dark when I left the hospital. The night air was piercingly cold. I tried to order a taxi online, but none were available.

"Dizzy," I muttered. Stomach nauseous, head heavy. Probably the effect of the medicine.

Two men approached. Tall, well-built, their gazes suspicious.

"Hello, beautiful. Alone? Want a ride?" said one with an annoying smile.

"Sorry, I already ordered a taxi," I replied quietly as I backed away.

"It's late. It's safer to come with us," said the other as he stared at my body. Disgusted.

"Don't touch me!" I shouted. But they started pulling my arms.

I tried to escape, but they were too strong. They dragged me to the edge of a dark, deserted forest.

"Why here?" I asked trembling. There was no answer.

I fought, screamed, begged. But only the sounds of the night answered. They didn't just destroy my body. They destroyed my dignity.

I don't know how I got home. My body was scarred, my clothes torn. But what hurt the most was not that but the crushing feeling inside my chest.

As I approached the house, I heard laughter from inside.

“Everything went well, didn't it?” Samuel's mother's voice.

"Easier than I thought," Samuel replied. Lightly, as if talking about a normal job.

"He believes you love him," Livia said with a laugh. "He signed the power of attorney so easily."

"She's just a tool. In fact, I poisoned her father's coffee," Samuel said calmly.

I put my hand over my mouth. I wanted to vomit, I wanted to scream. But I just kept quiet. For now, I'll just have to pretend I don't know

When I walked in, Samuel looked surprised. "Agnes? Are you home?"

I nodded. "Sorry to interrupt." My voice was flat, trembling.

"You didn't hear anything earlier, did you?" he asked quickly.

I looked at him. Then shook my head. "No, I didn't. I'm too tired."

"Good," he said, relieved.

Livia came closer. "Why do you look like you just rolled in the mud?"

I looked down. "I fell down."

"Torn clothes, red neck... not like you fell." her eyes narrowed sarcastically, "you look like you just got out of another man's arms."

She leaned closer, her face almost pressed against mine. "Who are you sleeping with, Agnes? Don't tell me you're selling yourself on the streets for the attention you don't get from your husband?"

"What do you mean? I just fell!" I replied softly.

"No! I smell another man," she whispered sarcastically. “Just out of the hospital, looking for entertainment?”

My hands clenched into fists. With all the strength I had left, I slapped Livia's cheek.

“Agnes, you're crazy!” Samuel pushed me to the ground.

“He's the one accusing me of all sorts of things!” I shouted, trying to stand up.

Without warning, Samuel's hand slammed into my cheek. It was a hard slap. I fell, my body hitting the cold floor.

“Livia's my wife!” he shouted, his eyes red. "She's everything to me! Who do you think you are to touch her like that?! You're just a shadow wife. The moment I got tired of you, I threw you away!"

I looked down at him. My lips were bleeding. But I remained silent. Does it hurt? Yes, it does. But it's much more painful to know who the person I used to call husband really is.

I froze. My body froze. But before I could speak, Livia spoke first, her voice trembling, full of tears.

"Never mind, Samuel. It's my fault. I made Agnes angry. Maybe... I shouldn't have married you. Anyone would hate me in her shoes."

I fell silent. Livia burst into tears. Samuel immediately hugged her, not me, his wife, but her.

"I'm sorry, Samuel. I didn't mean to provoke a fight. I can accept that Agnes slapped me."

Her tears fell, but the corners of her lips turned up in a sly smile.

"Never mind, dear. You're not at fault, she is! She's a useless wife. A stupid wife!" Samuel said, rubbing Livia's cheek.

I clenched my fist. That woman had taken Samuel's heart.

"She's lying, Samuel!" I exclaimed. "I wouldn't have started if she hadn't accused me first!"

"Shut up, Agnes! You talk too much!" snapped Samuel.

His shout hurt more than any slap.

"Answer me!" she cried. "You don't like Livia being my second wife, do you?"

I looked at Livia, who was now smiling contentedly. I nodded slowly.

"She's my best friend. She stabbed me in the back. And you, my husband... she took you away from me. How can I not be angry?"

"Shut your mouth!" she snapped. "It's not entirely Livia's fault. I'm the one who loves her! She's more perfect than you."

I looked down. It was useless. Samuel would never defend me.

"He's just... too emotional. I know he didn't mean to hurt me," Livia said, her voice soft as an angel's. But I knew she was a demon.

"Get some cold water to compress the bruises," Samuel ordered me.

Funny. I was the one who got hurt by the broken glass when I fell, but I was the one told to serve him.

Samuel lifted Livia into his arms. Before leaving, he deliberately pushed me. It's a good thing I fell on the sofa, not the floor.

Livia kissed Samuel on the cheek and waved goodbye to me. As if I'm just a maid in this house.

I bit my lip until it bled, then went to get some cold water anyway.

When I entered the room, they were already sitting on the bed. Laughing. Hand in hand.

Samuel turned his head sharply.

"Agnes! Don't know etiquette? Knock first!"

I looked at him. Then said softly, "This is my room, Samuel." he didn't care. Instead, he handed me a medicine box.

"Treat the wound."

"I can do it myself. I don't want to bother Agnes," Livia said.

"It's not about the hassle. I want her to learn responsibility," Samuel said.

I sat down and started applying compresses to Livia's face. She immediately screamed. "Ouch, that hurts!"

Then a slap landed on my cheek. It was hot.

"Slow down! Take good care of her!" Samuel snapped again.

“Sorry...” I whispered.

I held back tears. I wouldn't give Livia that satisfaction.

"Take care of her. I'm going out for a while. Don't hurt her again. She's the wife I love the most!"

After Samuel left, Livia smiled coldly.

“See who he's defending now?”

I gave her a sharp look. "That's enough, Livia. I know you're pretending."

“Remember your wedding anniversary party last year?”

I didn't answer.

“This bed...” she said, patting the mattress, "this is where Samuel and I made love while you were in prison. He says this blanket always reminds him of me."

My hands clenched into fists.

"The ring on your finger? It's fake. The real one is on my ring finger." My tears fall.

"That jewelry from your wedding gift? I have it too. Samuel bought two. He said it suits me."

I was devastated. But beneath the devastation, there was an ember that began to burn. And this time... I won't be silent anymore.

Livia looked at me with pity, then raised her hand to stroke my hair. I brushed it away.

"What a poor life you have, Agnes dear!" she said with a laugh.

She was right. My life was ruined. Not only had I lost my family and my position, but Samuel was all because of Livia.

"You're my best friend, Livia. Please, let Samuel go. Remember our friendship."

"Forget that friendship. I don't want to have a friend who is a convict like you. You're an ex-criminal! You're a criminal!"

Suddenly, Livia pulled my hand roughly into the bathroom. Her grip was painful.

"Look at this bathroom! I did it with Samuel too."

I was shocked, covered my mouth, disgusted by her words.

"Every corner of your house is a witness to our love, Agnes!" she said, pulling my hand out of the bathroom.

"You rot in prison, Samuel and I have fun," she said with a satisfied laugh.

"That's enough, Livia. I don't want to hear it!"

I screamed and cried. Five years of them betraying me behind my back.

"Samuel always made me happy. If it weren't for his request, I'd already have many children with him."

"Shut your mouth, Livia! You're shameless! You took someone else's husband, and you're still proud? You bitch!"

Her slap landed on my face again. I fell down.

"What am I ashamed of? He's sick of you not being able to satisfy him. Oh yeah, this is the last one!" Livia said as she walked towards me.

"Samuel himself wants you in jail, so you won't bother us anymore. He's sick of you!"

I couldn't bear to hear all that, so I left in hysterical tears. This harsh reality was hard for me to accept.

Samuel loved me so much, but he betrayed me so easily. All of his behavior had changed. I remember the first time I met him. He always gave me what I wanted.

I couldn't take it anymore. I left in tears. All my sacrifices for Samuel were in vain. I had taken care of him when he was sick, worked in his place, even sacrificed myself in prison for him. But he betrayed me instead.

I packed my things. Everything from Samuel I left behind. Before I left, I tidied up my room. I don't want him to know that I left because of Livia.

Once everything is in order, I'll get out of this house. I wanted to live happily by letting Samuel go.

"It's better for me to live alone, with my current illness. I don't need Samuel!"

I was already in front of the house. I looked at my house that Samuel and I designed ourselves, now I was going to hand it over to Samuel and his mistress.

Suddenly I remembered that I had left my car keys behind. I went back inside.

As I approached the room, I heard a voice that made my heart pound.

"Slow down, Samuel! You're too rough in this bed,"

"Hang in there, baby. Or I will bite you fiercely."

I froze. From behind the door, I saw them half-naked in bed.

Livia's arrival and Samuel's rude behavior today seemed intended to get rid of me.

"Oh Samuel, can't we use a safety net again?" Livia said with a low moan.

"Okay, I don't want to use a safety net anymore either. I love you, baby, there's nothing like your sexy body! You always satisfy me," Samuel said as he kissed Livia lustfully.

I held my breath, grabbed my cell phone, and recorded everything. I'm not going to get the car keys. I'm going to take a taxi. Their relationship is unforgivable.