I smiled and told him, "Didn't you say this divorce is just a pretense? I believe you."

He froze for a second, guilt written all over his face.

I felt a tiny sense of victory inside.

He should feel guilty after all those years. I wish he would feel that way forever.

The next day, Eric came home really early, carrying a big box.

"Wendy, there's a fancy dinner tonight, and they said to bring your spouse. Will you come with me?"

I took the box and opened it to find a stunning evening gown with a sparkling diamond necklace on top, even bigger than Yvonne's.

"Alright. I'll try it on."

For years, whenever there was a fancy event, he would take me along, but I always had to get my own dress and jewelry. That was the first time he ever bought me a dress.

I figured it would not fit right since he had not paid much attention to me in years. Was I still chubby or had I slimmed down?

However, before I could even think about it, Yvonne barged into the room.

She shoved me aside, grabbed the gown from the box, and ripped it apart.

"Wendy, you don't deserve to wear something this nice! If it weren't for you, it all would've been mine!"

After ruining the dress, she snapped the necklace and flung it at my face, cutting her finger in the process.

I did not get mad. When she pulled out the dress, I could tell it was not my size. I used to be a bit chubby, but I have gotten much skinnier these days.

That size seemed like it was picked for my old body.

If it did not fit, it was no big deal if it was ripped up.

I picked up the pieces calmly, put them back in the box, and without looking up, I told her, "Yvonne, you were the one who rushed off to get married abroad. Why blame me for your choices?"

Just then, there was a knock at the door, and Eric's voice called out, hurrying us.

Yvonne burst into tears, collapsed into Eric's arms, and showed him her bleeding finger.

"Eric, I just wanted to try on the pretty dress, and she said I made everything I touched dirty. She tore up the dress and the necklace, and when I tried to stop her, she hurt me."

Eric spotted the torn piece of the dress in my hands and his face turned red with anger.

He marched right up to me and slapped my cheek hard.

"Wendy! You've gone way too far! I told you that the divorce is just for show, so why are you still being mean to Yvonne?!"

I held my stinging cheek, tears welling up in my eyes.

That was the second time he hit me over Yvonne.

Even with a second chance at life, I could not escape being picked on by Yvonne.

I could not keep quiet anymore and shot back, "Eric. After ten years of marriage, don't you know me at all? Would I really do something like that?

"And be honest. Is this divorce really just for show?"

He looked stunned, as if I had caught him off guard. He stared at me, speechless, without any explanation.

Then he grabbed Yvonne's hand. "I don't have time for your silly talk. Yvonne's coming with me tonight. You should stay home and think about how you can become a better person. If you don't know how, just Google 'how to become a good sister-in-law!'"

With that, he stormed off with Yvonne, not even glancing back.

I looked at the mess around me, dried my tears, and started packing my bags quietly.

In this second chance at life, I would not let them threaten me anymore.

Eric and I were high school sweethearts. I had a crush on him for four years, and we got engaged in our second year of college after I nearly died saving him from drowning.

In my previous life, I knew he had feelings for Yvonne, even though she did not show much interest in him.

I thought that once we were married, he would realize what kind of woman truly deserved his love.

However, I was so wrong, and it had cost me my life.

That night, a wealthy lady who was a good friend of mine gave me a call.

"Wendy, what's up with Yvonne? She's really overdoing it, right?”

"She came and started telling everyone that you and Eric are divorced. She even said you pushed Eric into the river on purpose and then pretended to rescue him, just to make him marry you.”

"There were so many reporters today. You should check it out. It's all over the news."

I answered calmly, "I've seen the news. It's okay. Let it go."

"Don't be upset, Wendy. A few of us already gave her a piece of our mind for you. Honestly, each of us only said one thing, but you should've seen her. She broke down crying like it was the end of the world. Eric looked like he wanted to tear us apart. Tch, what a disgusting pair."

I could not help but laugh, "Thanks, guys. Could you let our other friends know? It's true that Eric and I are divorced."

"What? No way, she really took Eric from you? That's not okay. I need to talk to Daniel. We have to think hard about whether to keep working with Eric or not."

I had worked so hard to help Eric's company by getting in with the wealthy wives' club and bringing in lots of benefits. It was not a club that just anyone could join, and today, just receiving a few harsh words was already being let off easy.

Not long after I hung up, they both came back.

I stepped out of the bedroom to say hello and to tell them I was moving out.

However, before I could get a word out, Eric kicked me in the stomach.

"Did you do this on purpose? You got those women to insult Yvonne, right? That's so low!"

He kicked me so hard that I doubled over in pain, breaking out in a cold sweat.

Yvonne's eyes were puffy from crying, and she ran into Eric's arms.

"I'm sorry, Eric. Wendy doesn't want me around, so I'll just go."

"She's the one who should be leaving! Wendy, I just found out tonight that you were the one who pushed me into the river on purpose!”

"I can't believe how mean and heartless you are! Leave now! I never want to see you again!"

I held back the pain in my belly, struggling to stand up and look him in the eye.

"Eric, you're being so silly. Didn't you ever think that if I really pushed you, why would I almost die trying to save you? You saw me in the hospital, fighting for my life. Who would play a game that could cost them their life?”

"Someone did push you that day, but I was pushed in just like you were!"

With that, I went upstairs and quickly moved my few things, one by one, to the front door of the big house.

Eric looked confused. When I carried out the last suitcase, he finally understood.

He grabbed my arm and asked, "Did you plan to move out all along?"

I pulled away from him. "Isn't this what you wanted? So be it."

My words seemed to make him think twice, and he softened a bit. "Where will you go if you leave? If you say you're sorry to Yvonne for real, I might think about letting you stay."

Before I could answer, Yvonne got upset.

"Eric, she can't take all that! Wasn't she supposed to leave with nothing?"

Right in front of us, Yvonne opened all my suitcases, scattering my things all over the ground.

Eric looked annoyed, but she quickly said, "Eric, I only heard about what happened today. She almost killed you back then. You can't be nice to her and let her take all these valuable things!"

Eric believed her without a doubt, and the next second, he took out a lighter and tossed it onto my pile of stuff.

The flames roared to life in an instant.

"Yvonne has a point, if you're going to leave, then leave everything behind!"

As the fire devoured each item, my heart crumbled into pieces.

'Eric, our decade of love is now just ashes,' I thought.

I climbed into the car by myself, gazing at the house I had called home for so many years as it slowly disappeared from view.

I quickly pulled out my phone and dialed a number. "Mr. Lloyd, I'd like to work for your company."

"I'll come ready with my full commitment, and two of Eric's key clients. Is that enough? I can bring more if needed."

A deep voice answered. "What do you want in return?"

"I have no home and not a single penny to my name."

"Alright. Come to my place."