Stepping into Hardship in Lavish Attire Novel Cover

Stepping into Hardship in Lavish Attire

8.1 / 10.0
After enduring ten years of infidelity from her husband, Jonathan Richards, Zara Clare tolerated everything for her unborn child. But at eight months pregnant, his latest mistress runs her down. Instead of helping, Jonathan sneers at her agony, dismissing it as a manipulative stunt before abandoning her to bleed. The tragedy claims both her baby's life and her mother's heart. Waking up to utter devastation, Zara faces Jonathan's grieving grandfather with a numb soul, demanding her freedom.
Stepping into Hardship in Lavish Attire Summary
After enduring ten years of infidelity from her husband, Jonathan Richards, Zara Clare tolerated everything for her unborn child. But at eight months pregnant, his latest mistress runs her down. Instead of helping, Jonathan sneers at her agony, dismissing it as a manipulative stunt before abandoning her to bleed. The tragedy claims both her baby's life and her mother's heart. Waking up to utter devastation, Zara faces Jonathan's grieving grandfather with a numb soul, demanding her freedom.
Read More

Stepping into Hardship in Lavish Attire Chapter 1

After ten years of marriage, Jonathan Richards had slept with nearly every colleague and friend I had.

I pretended not to see, choosing instead to focus on maternity checkups as usual with my eight-month-old belly. Until one time, I was on my way to a routine checkup when his latest fling drove me down.

I bled uncontrollably and begged him to take me to the hospital.

Jonathan looked at me with a face full of disgust.

"Zara Clare, when did you become so good at faking accidents?" His voice dripped with contempt. "If you think putting on an act will make me care about you, you are wrong. Even if you died in front of me, I wouldn’t spare you a glance."

After saying that, he took his new fling and drove away, leaving me there to bleed out alone.

By the time someone got me to the hospital, the baby in my womb had already suffocated and died.

My mom, unable to bear the shock, died from a fatal heart attack.

When I regained consciousness, my heart was already numb.

Sitting beside me was Jonathan’s grandfather, his face lined with sorrow.

"Let me go," I said flatly. "Whatever I owed the Richards Family, I have paid with my life."

——

My phone buzzed incessantly with incoming messages. I glanced down to find my screen flooded with photos—Jonathan and his mistress, Lily Patricia, tangled in each other’s arms.

While I had been fighting for my life, they had been celebrating in a five-star hotel, their bodies covered in love bites.

In one of the pictures, Lily rested against his chest, her smile full of provocation.

Unaware of the full extent of his grandson’s cruelty, this old man still wanted to make a last-ditch effort. He placed a stack of documents in front of me—ownership shares of the Richards Corporation.

"Zara, Richards is not a bad person at heart. You have loved him for so many years—can’t you give him another chance?" He pleaded. "As long as I'm here, no one will take your position as Mrs. Richards."

I didn’t respond. Instead, I played the video Lily had just sent me.

The sound of two people lingering immediately spread through the hospital room.

Su Shanshan gasped and asked:

‘Richards, do you really not feel bad about leaving Zara on the road like that?’ Lily’s voice was laced with amusement.

Jonathan, his lips pressed against her neck, let out a low chuckle. ‘Why would I? You are the only one I love. Even if she gave birth to my child, she’d never compare to you.’

The crude betrayal made the old man’s face turn ghostly pale. His body trembled, veins bulging in rage.

After a long, heavy sigh, he finally relented.

"The Richards Family has wronged you," he said. "I will handle the divorce. In seven days, you will be free."

His voice softened as he continued, "As for your mom and child’s burial arrangements…"

A nurse walked in, cradling a small, lifeless bundle.

Even fate seemed unwilling to let me continue suffering in this marriage.

My baby had never even taken a breath.

I turned my head away, struggling to steady my breath.

"Bury the child with the Richards Family. My mom's ashes… I will take them with me."

Continue Reading

Stepping into Hardship in Lavish Attire of Contents

Ch. 1 Ch. 2 Ch. 3 Ch. 4 Ch. 5 Ch. 6
Ch. 7
Ch. 8
Ch. 9
Ch. 10
Ch. 11
all

You may also like

New Release Novels

Alpha's Betrayal, Luna's Vengeance Novel Cover
9.4
Betrayed by her mate and the Alpha of their pack, Elara is left for dead in the frozen wilderness. Instead of perishing, she is rescued by a rival faction and discovers an ancient power surging within her blood. Now fueled by a burning desire for retribution, she must navigate dangerous political alliances and her growing feelings for a mysterious savior. Elara will reclaim her honor and ensure those who wronged her face a lethal reckoning.
Giving Him to Someone Who Wants Him Novel Cover
9.0
Irene has loved Alpha Anderson for twelve years, believing they were fated mates. However, during their sacred marking ceremony, Anderson publicly rejects her to claim Leah as his true Luna. He dismisses his previous bond with Irene as a mistake, choosing to exchange vows with another under the Frostmoon. Witnessing this betrayal from the shadows, Irene decides to finally release him. Yet, as she prepares to depart, her absence begins to unravel the Alpha in unexpected ways.
My Husband's Mistress Blames Me for Her Sister's Death Novel Cover
9.7
Amelia gave up her career to marry Benjamin Carter, believing his romantic promises of freedom and the rose tattoo on his chest symbolized true devotion. Three years later, the love is gone. Looking at his distorted tattoo, she remembers the horrific moment he kicked her seven-month-pregnant belly. Driven to her limit, Amelia finally demands a divorce. Yet Benjamin reacts with utter disbelief, arrogantly asking if she is really ending their marriage over a simple tattoo.
My Professor Is My Alpha Mate  Novel Cover
9.3
Lila’s world at Higala Shifter Academy is upended when she discovers her boyfriend, Scott, in the arms of another student. Consumed by betrayal and fury, she impulsively grabs a passing stranger and delivers her first kiss as an act of defiance. The situation takes a shocking turn when Lila enters her next class and realizes the man she kissed is her new professor. This young adult fantasy novel follows the complicated fallout of a rejected heart and an accidental, forbidden connection.
My Step Father, My Desire. Novel Cover
7.3
Emma is a reserved intern at her stepfather's company, but her quiet exterior hides a dark obsession. Despite being a self-described geeky wallflower, she is consumed by intense, forbidden fantasies involving the man she works for. Her fixation began during a business meeting, and now she is willing to cross every line to satisfy her cravings. Emma will stop at nothing to claim him for herself, even if it requires removing her own mother from the picture.
Rebirth: From Devoted Wife to Ice Queen CEO Novel Cover
9.5
In her previous life, she was a submissive wife who sacrificed everything, only to be met with cold betrayal. Now, granted a second chance at life, she sheds her former identity to become a formidable, ice-cold CEO. No longer a pawn in others' games, she navigates the ruthless business world to reclaim her power and dignity. As she builds her empire, she must balance her quest for vengeance with the unexpected arrival of a powerful billionaire.
Chapters
Read now
Share
Minishorts Logo
Read web novels, online fiction, and trending romance stories on MiniShorts. Discover billionaire romance, werewolf fantasy, drama, and fantasy novels, plus selected short drama content inspired by popular storytelling trends.
MiniShorts Youtube
PRODUCTS AND SERVICES
About us
support@minishorts.com
©2026 MiniShorts All Rights Reserved.