Over the next few days, Nick paraded Susie through every high-profile event in the city.

She refused designer gowns and diamond jewelry, choosing instead to wear simple dresses in soft neutral tones. Her long black hair was always either straight or tied up in a clean ponytail, and she never wore makeup. In a world obsessed with glamour, she became the picture of effortless purity.

Nick adored her publicly, calling her unique and irreplaceable. Soon, socialites and heiresses began copying her understated style, and designers started creating new collections inspired by her image.

To treat Susie’s weak eyesight, Nick spent tens of millions flying in the best specialists from around the world. The doctors couldn’t reverse her condition, but they found ways to keep it from worsening.

When they told him there was no cure, Nick lost his temper so badly he nearly injured his own eyes, claiming he wanted to “share her pain.”

Meanwhile, Lisa lay alone in her hospital bed, scrolling through her phone as endless headlines flashed across the screen. Photos of Nick and Susie smiling together, interviews filled with affection and praise. Each one felt like another cut to her chest.

She realized then that Nick’s love wasn’t unique. Everything he had once done for her, he could just as easily do for someone else.

Later that afternoon, Lisa went to visit her younger brother, who had been in a coma for three years. He had been hit by a car on his way to school. Nick had flown in a world-class medical team back then, saving the boy’s life, but only barely.

Her brother never woke up. Machines and medicine were the only things keeping him alive.

Lisa sat beside him and held his hand, tears stinging her eyes. “Carl,” she whispered, her voice trembling, “I’m leaving soon. But before I go, I’ll take you somewhere new.”

She paused, looking at his peaceful face. “I used to think Nick was my happiness, but I was wrong.”

The words poured out of her in a rush. The pain, the betrayal, the exhaustion she had been carrying for years. She stayed like that until well past lunchtime, speaking to him as if he could still hear her.

When she finally stood up, she wiped her tears, gave him one last lingering look, and quietly walked out of the hospital.

Lisa’s first stop was the records office, where she filed paperwork to change her and her brother’s name and start the process of moving abroad. She paid for expedited processing that would be completed within a week.

Next, she went to the private villa Nick had given her — the one he used to call her sanctuary. She gathered every luxury gift he had ever showered her with, contacted an auction house, and arranged to sell them. Then she visited a small law firm to transfer the property back to Nick’s name.

Finally, she returned to their old home. In the stillness of the house, she pulled out the things she had once made for him by hand. They were simple, sentimental gifts — nothing valuable — but Nick had once treasured them as if they were priceless.

Now she tossed them into the fire one by one. The flames rose higher, and in the shifting glow, flashes of their past came back — his laughter, her smile, the way they had once believed their love could survive anything.

But happiness, she realized, was as fragile as glass. When the fire finally burned out, so did everything they had been.

At some point, tears blurred her vision. She wiped them away, turned around, and froze.

Nick stood in the doorway, his expression unreadable. Susie stood beside him, cool and composed.

“What are you burning?” Nick asked.

Lisa hesitated, then answered quietly, “Just some things I don’t need anymore.”

Nick nodded casually. “Find the emerald bracelet I gave you. Give it to Susie.”

Even though she had told herself she no longer cared, her heart twisted. That bracelet had been a family heirloom, traditionally reserved for the first daughter-in-law. And now he was giving it to another woman.

Her fingers trembled slightly, but she managed a calm nod. “Alright. I’ll get it.”

They were divorced now. The bracelet no longer belonged to her.

Susie followed Lisa upstairs. As she looked around at the rows of designer dresses and glittering jewelry, envy flashed in her eyes before she quickly hid it behind a neutral smile.

Lisa retrieved a polished wooden jewelry box and handed it to her, unaware of the cold glint in Susie’s gaze.

“Lisa,” Susie said with a sneer, “you’re divorced. Why are you still here? Don’t you have any self-respect?”

Lisa glanced at her calmly. “You don’t need to worry about me. I’ll be gone soon.”

“I don’t need your pity,” Susie snapped. “You didn’t give me anything — I earned this myself. No one will stand in my way.”

Her voice hardened, her polite façade slipping away.

She pulled out the bracelet, threw it to the floor, and shoved Lisa hard.

“Ah—”

Lisa screamed as she tumbled down the stairs, her head hitting the steps. Blood streamed down her face.

Susie quickly sat down, grabbed a shard of the broken gem, and slashed her own leg. “Mr. Horden! Help! Lisa’s hurt!”

The crash brought Nick running. He took one look at the scene — the blood, the shattered jewelry — and his expression darkened. But instead of rushing to Lisa, he walked straight past her and lifted Susie into his arms.

His gaze landed on the blood running down Susie’s leg. “She did this to you?”

Susie nodded without hesitation, her voice calm. “I know I didn’t deserve the bracelet,” she said softly. “She’d rather destroy it than give it to me. I just didn’t expect her to throw herself down the stairs to frame me.”

Nick glanced briefly at Lisa, then told the staff to tend to Susie’s wound. “I’ll get you bandaged first. I’ll deal with her later.”

Moments later, he ordered the guards to drag Lisa to the living room.

“Baby,” Nick said coldly, looking down at her, “why do you keep disobeying me? I told you not to touch her.”

Lisa forced herself upright, meeting his gaze through the blur of blood. “She pushed me,” she said, her voice shaking.

Nick let out a cold laugh. “Still lying? If you won’t admit your mistake, you’ll be punished the hard way.”

“Nick, please—check the security cameras,” she pleaded, panic rising.

“There’s no need,” he said flatly. “Susie wouldn’t lie to me. You’ve been too jealous lately. It’s tiresome.”

He waved his hand, and the butler appeared, holding a leather whip.

Lisa trembled. His favoritism had turned into cruelty she could no longer comprehend.

The first strike ripped through her skin, and blood soaked her back. She bit her lip to keep from screaming as tears streamed down her face.

Under Nick’s cold stare, she stopped begging. She simply closed her eyes and took the pain in silence.

She remembered the man he used to be — the one who had endured brutal beatings from his own family just to marry her. Three hundred lashes, three sleepless nights, yet he never gave up. Even when unconscious, he had whispered her name, promising that she was the only one he would ever love.

He had once said she meant more to him than his own life, that he would never let her suffer, that the world would know she was his wife.

And now, that same man was standing over her, punishing her for something she hadn’t done — all because of another woman.

Nick Horden, she thought bitterly through the pain, was this really just a game to you?

When Lisa woke up, a full day had passed. The wounds on her back had been treated, and the pain had mostly faded.

Nick sat beside her, lazily smoking a cigarette. Through the haze of smoke, his cold voice broke the silence. “Susie’s upset. You need to make it up to her.”

Lisa stared at him, her face blank. “What exactly do you mean, Mr. Horden?”

The title made his expression darken. He crushed out his cigarette, then brushed her lips with his ash-stained fingers.

“Don’t be like that, baby. Don’t stay mad at me.” His eyes glinted with something dangerous.

Lisa’s heart gave a sharp jolt. For a moment, she remembered what Nick’s grandfather had once told her.

‘Nick only loves people who obey. If you insist on staying by his side, be prepared to act like an obedient pet for the rest of your life.’

Back then, she hadn’t understood. She’d thought his grandfather was only trying to drive them apart.

Now she finally knew what he meant. Nick’s love was obsessive, controlling, and selfish. He was the one in power, and she existed only as his reflection.

She lowered her gaze, hiding the fear in her eyes, and nodded obediently. “I understand.”

“Good girl,” Nick said, satisfied. “Prepare a solo piece. Susie wants to hear you play the violin tonight.”

He stroked her hair like she was a child, then carefully applied ointment to her back himself. His touch was cold, almost clinical, and made her skin crawl.

That night, Lisa put on a long-sleeved champagne-colored gown covered in crystals and diamond jewelry. The chauffeur drove her to the hotel where the banquet was being held.

The event took place at one of the Horden Group’s most prestigious hotels. Nearly everyone from New York’s high society was there.

Most of the women wore simple pastel dresses and light, natural makeup. In contrast, Lisa’s glamorous outfit made her stand out, and not in a good way.

As soon as she walked in, whispers spread across the room.

Disdainful.

Pitying.

Mocking.

“Trying to steal the spotlight? Once a homeless, always a homeless. She looks ridiculous.”

“She’s just desperate for attention now that Nick’s done with her.”

“She’s not half the woman Susie is. What a joke.”

Each word hit her like a blade.

She remembered another banquet years ago when someone had insulted her for being a former homeless, and Nick had responded by having the man’s mouth sewn shut. He had warned everyone that anyone who dared speak against her would disappear from the city overnight.

Now, with Nick no longer protecting her, those same people spoke freely, sneering without restraint.

The gossip finally stopped when Nick and Susie arrived.

Lisa followed the crowd’s gaze. Susie was dressed in a pale satin slip dress, her long hair tied high in a ponytail. She carried herself with confidence, her chin slightly lifted.

In that moment, Lisa understood why Nick was drawn to her. Susie reminded him of who Lisa used to be, bright, carefree, and full of life.

When she had first married into the Horden family, she had been like that too, radiant and bold, never ashamed of her past.

But Nick had told her he didn’t like women who were too loud or too free-spirited. After they married, he had molded her into someone quiet, obedient, and restrained.

Now she realized, painfully, that he had only grown tired of the version of her he had created and fallen in love with the shadow of who she used to be.

Lisa’s expression dimmed, a quiet heaviness settling in her chest. The sight of everyone fawning over Susie made her stomach twist. Without another word, she turned to leave.

“Mr. Horden, didn’t you say you had something prepared for me?” Susie’s sharp, confident voice rang out behind her. Lisa froze mid-step.

Around them, the crowd exchanged uneasy glances, watching Nick’s face closely. No one ever dared to speak to him that way. Even when Lisa had been his favorite, she had always been careful, gentle, and obedient in his presence.

But now, Nick didn’t seem the least bit bothered. Instead, a faint smile tugged at his lips as he allowed Susie’s arrogance to go unchecked.

“Yes,” he said casually. Pulling Susie into his arm, he gestured for someone to approach. A waiter came forward, carrying a violin.

Lisa turned around as the instrument was placed in her hands. Under dozens of watching eyes, she gripped it tightly. Her gaze drifted through the crowd until it landed on Nick, and something inside her went cold.

She had once loved playing the violin and dreamed of joining an orchestra. But Nick had forbidden her from performing for anyone else, claiming her music belonged to him alone.

Now, as she looked at the man who had stolen her freedom and her heart, she gave a bitter smile. So his rules only lasted until Susie came along.

Lisa took a deep breath and began to play Adagio in G minor. The soft, aching melody filled the room, each note trembling with grief. It sounded like heartbreak given form.

The song was her farewell.

From that moment on, she decided she would never love Nick Horden again.

Nick frowned slightly as he watched her. The sadness surrounding her made something inside him twist with irritation and unease.

“Enough,” Susie said suddenly, her tone impatient. She stood up, cutting off the music. “This is too depressing. You’re the one who filed for divorce, not me. Stop acting like the victim.”

Her words were sharp and calculated, disguised as careless honesty.

Lisa met her eyes briefly but didn’t respond. She lowered her gaze in silence.

Susie’s smirk faltered. Her jab had landed on air, leaving her frustrated. She turned toward Nick, her voice trembling with feigned hurt.

“Mr. Horden, did you bring her here just to humiliate me?”

The room fell silent. Everyone was waiting, holding their breath. Nick Horden was not a man who tolerated disrespect especially not in public.

A moment later, Nick let out a soft laugh. He touched Susie’s cheek and said gently, “Don’t be upset. I’ll give you the first dance tonight.”

Susie turned her face away, pretending to be annoyed, but she still took his hand and followed him into the ballroom.

Lisa lifted her eyes and watched them step onto the dance floor together. To her surprise, she felt strangely calm.

She packed up her violin and quietly turned to leave.

But she hadn’t taken more than a few steps before several women blocked her way. Before she could speak, they dragged her toward a quiet corner.

“Well, if it isn’t Mrs. Horden. Oh wait,” one of them sneered, “you’re not that anymore, are you? Do you remember my hand?” She raised her left arm. Her wrist ended in a stump. “All I did was brush against you once, and Nick had my hand cut off.”

Another woman stepped forward and ripped off her mask. One side of her face was disfigured, the skin scarred and pale. “And me. I said you weren’t that pretty, and your man poured acid on my face.”

A third woman glared at her with hatred. “My company went bankrupt because I said you used to be a beggar.”

Lisa’s chest tightened. She knew exactly who had done these things.

Nick had destroyed them to protect her. His love had been obsessive, ruthless. Now that he no longer cared for her, she was the one paying the price for his cruelty.

“What do you want from me?” she asked, trying to pull away.

One of the women grabbed her hair and slapped her hard across the face. “We’re going to make you look just like us. Let’s see if you still think you’re good enough for Nick Horden then.”

“Miss Sanders said whoever makes you suffer the most will get her favor with him,” another hissed.

“Susie Sanders?” Lisa’s eyes widened. In that instant of shock, they pinned her down to the floor.

Rough hands gripped her face. They slapped her again and again, then pulled out a handful of long needles. One woman held her hands down while another drove the needles deep beneath her fingernails.

Lisa screamed in agony, the sound muffled as someone clamped a hand over her mouth. The pain shot straight through her nerves, tears spilling down her face as her body trembled violently.

While they were switching places, she gathered what little strength she had left, shoved one of them away, and stumbled to her feet.

She ran blindly toward the exit, but her heel caught on the carpet. She fell forward, crashing into a towering champagne display.

The glasses shattered with a deafening crash, and the entire room went silent. Red wine and blood mixed on her dress as she lay among the shards.

“Miss Winters, is this some kind of pity act?” Susie’s mocking voice cut through the murmurs as she walked over.

“Susie Sanders, you sent them,” Lisa hissed through clenched teeth.

“Me?” Susie smiled faintly, looping her arm through Nick’s. “Why would I bother? I have a career and a man who loves me. What do you have that’s worth destroying?”

Lisa froze. Every part of her life—her success, her comfort, even her pride—had once come from Nick. Without him, she truly had nothing.

She gave a weak laugh, her eyes filling with tears. “You’re right,” she whispered. “I have nothing left.”

The next second, one of the women lunged forward and shoved Lisa back onto the shattered glass.

Nick frowned slightly but didn’t move.

Lisa gasped, her whole body trembling as pain shot through her.

“Don’t pity her,” one of the women shouted. “She tried to bribe us to hurt Miss Sanders, and when we refused, she pulled this stunt to make it look like Susie was behind it!”

The women who had attacked her stepped out one after another, accusing her of staging everything to frame Susie.

“I didn’t,” Lisa said, her voice breaking, but no one believed her. She had become the target of every hateful gaze in the room.

“You vile woman,” someone hissed, throwing a glass of wine at her.

“Nick doesn’t want her anymore. She’s just a worthless beggar trying to act important.”

“Go crawl back to the gutter where you came from. You’re nothing but a bitter, jealous ex-wife trying to ruin their happiness.”

The insults came harder, louder, followed by more wine glasses smashing near her feet. Everyone knew by now that Nick no longer cared about her. Without his protection, they could finally unleash their resentment. Every person who had once feared him now took revenge on her instead.

Lisa’s gaze drifted across the sea of angry, indifferent faces until it landed on Nick.

He sat there calmly, his eyes cold and distant. There was no sympathy in them—only faint irritation, as if she were an inconvenience, as if her pain were nothing more than another disruption to his evening.

In that moment, the pain in her body faded beneath something worse. Her heart felt like it was being ripped apart.

His silence was the final betrayal.

He had sworn that Susie was just a fling, but here he was, letting her and everyone else destroy her piece by piece.

Everyone around her was shouting, but Lisa could only see him. The light in her eyes dimmed until there was nothing left—just emptiness.

Suddenly, it all felt pointless. The anger, the explanations, the humiliation. None of it mattered anymore.

She no longer wanted to be the proof of Nick and Susie’s love, no longer wanted to be part of this cruel story.

Bracing herself against the pain, she pushed herself to her feet.

Nick didn’t stop her.

She began to walk toward the door, limping with every step. The glass shards beneath her heels cut deeper with each movement, but she didn’t slow down.

She just kept walking—away from the ballroom, away from Nick Horden.