Linda lunged at me, ready to hit.

Just then, Jake walked in.

Linda wailed, "Thank God you're back. Johanna won't admit what she did and claims you're framing her."

Jake glanced at me, annoyed. "Enough drama!"

I rushed up to him. "I signed the divorce papers. Why are you doing this to me?"

He snorted, "Compared to what Sarah's been through, you're lucky. Stop acting entitled."

My heart sank. I always knew that he only cared about Sarah and that my pain meant nothing to him. Still, my chest ached like it was stabbed.

Done with this mess, I grabbed my stuff and went to the study for my heirloom.

It was a bracelet, passed from my grandma to my mom, then to me. It was my most precious possession.

As I picked up the box to leave, Jake grabbed my arm.

"You don't get to take anything from this house," he scowled.

...

He thought for a moment and added, "Unless you help Sarah. She can't move easily."

I was stunned, but he kept going. "You love kids, right? You're all torn up about losing yours. Here's your chance. Sarah's kids are barely a year old. They need someone. Plus, you got all those baby clothes and toys ready, didn't you? Go to the nursery, pack them up, and send them to Sarah."

"No way. Those were for my baby," I protested.

He snatched the bracelet box. "Want this back? Do what I say, or I'll smash it."

I was furious but helpless. For the bracelet, I gave in.

The maids quickly packed up the nursing goods. Linda grabbed my arm, dragging me out.

"Quit stalling," she urged. "Go take care of Sarah and her kids. Mess up, and you're done."

Her grip hurt, and my belly throbbed from the surgery. I protested, "I just had an operation. I'm weak. Can I rest first?"

Unbothered, Jake yanked me outside. "Stop faking. You're not that fragile. Go now. They are waiting."

Then I ended up in Sarah's apartment.

She was propped up in bed, surrounded by expensive supplements. Her kids were in cribs nearby.

Seeing me, she tried to sit up. "I heard you just had surgery. Jake shouldn't have made you come."

He eased her back down. "She's fine. It's just a minor procedure."

He shot me a look and said, "Take good care of them. There are rewards."

"I don't want rewards," I said. "I just want my bracelet back."

Sarah tugged at his sleeve. "It's fine. If she doesn't want to help, don't force her."

Jake patted her hand, glaring at me. "Look at how considerate Sarah is. Then look at you, whining over a stupid bracelet like it's treasure."

"Get in the kitchen and cook. Don't be an eyesore here," Jake sulked.

To get my bracelet, I swallowed my pain and started cooking.

Dinner was barely done when a scream came from the living room. I rushed out and found Sarah sitting on the floor. Beside her was a shattered vase.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean it," she whimpered.

Jake came out of the bathroom and scooped her up. Turning to me, he snapped, "What is wrong with you? Sarah is weak, and you let her place a vase?"

Before I could explain, Sarah sniffled, "It was my fault. Don't blame her."

Jake's face darkened. "She doesn't deserve your kindness. She's just a cheating nobody. Probably knocked up by some random guy. You're too nice, and she's taking advantage."

His words hit like a punch. I thought he'd loved me once. Turned out, he always saw me as trash.

Turning away, he carried Sarah to the bed and made me pick up the glass shards by hand. He even banned me from eating.

My hands trembled as I bandaged them.

Then the kids spiked their fever. Their faces were flushed, and they wailed nonstop. I grabbed medicine and wet towels to cool them down, barely able to get a breath.

Sarah watched me, crying fake tears. When Jake came to her, she threw herself into his arms.

"I failed the kids," she sobbed.

He slapped me. "You couldn't save your kid, so you hurt Sarah's? You're insane!"

My face stung, but it was nothing compared to the pain in my heart. I bit my lip and said, "I lost my child because you insisted on divorcing me. You're the cruel one."

"Enough!" he snapped. "Divorce or not, you're hurting people now."

He was right about one thing. In my past life, even without a divorce, he killed our newborn. He threw us into the sea for sharks to tear apart.

The kids' cries grew louder, but Jake kept berating me.

To calm things, I focused on getting their fever down. After hours, their temperatures finally dropped.

But Jake wasn't done. "You're sleeping on the living room floor from now on. Screw up again, and you'll regret it."

He stormed off with Sarah, leaving me alone. I grabbed two old blankets from the storage room and collapsed on the floor.

Soon, their flirty giggles echoed from the bedroom, each sound like a knife in my chest.

Pain and hatred overwhelmed me. I passed out in tears.

...

The next morning, I woke up aching, weaker than ever.

Jake took Sarah out, laughing. Neither of them paid me any attention.

After breakfast, Jake left for work.

In the afternoon, I got the kids to nap and was about to rest when the doorbell rang.

I opened the door and saw a group of sketchy guys. Their expressions screamed trouble.

Before I could react, they barged in.

Sarah came out with a smirk and faked panic. "What are you doing? Why did you bring these lowlifes here?"

Before I could argue, Jake burst in and shoved me down. He growled, "I stepped out for a bit, and you're causing trouble again."

"I don't even know them," I argued, struggling to stand. "You're so quick to believe her story."

He paused at my words, but a guy with dyed hair sneered, "Johanna, how could you ghost us after hooking up?"

Jake's face twisted. He grabbed my throat. "You're disgusting! Fresh out of surgery and fooling around? That desperate?"

I shook my head, crying, "I'm not."

He wouldn't listen, just dragged me to the storage room and locked me in.

"You stay here and reflect on your mistakes. No more hurting people," he said.

The room was filthy. Mosquitoes bit me, and my belly throbbed worse.

Hours later, the door opened.

Sarah approached me, grinning. "My wedding with Jake is in a few days. Stay out of sight. He says you make him sick."

Then she collapsed, screaming, "I just came to check on you. Why did you push me?"

Jake rushed in, roaring, "You filthy witch! Sarah's already suffering, and you have the heart to bully her?"

Sarah sobbed, "If you hate me, just say it. Why trash me and my children online? They are innocent."

Jake grabbed me. "You've gone too far. Post online that you cheated and that Sarah is innocent. Otherwise, you're not getting your bracelet."

Rage burned inside me, but I held back at the thought of Sarah's disease. Soon enough, they would both pay the price.

I nodded. "Okay. But give me my bracelet first."

Once I had it, I logged in and typed, [Hey everyone, I'm Johanna Burton, Jake Carter's rotten ex-wife. I cheated, got caught, and got divorced. I'm here to clear Sarah Miller's name. She isn't a homewrecker. I lied about her ruining my marriage out of jealousy. It's all my fault.]

The post went live, and I became the subject of everyone's ridicule. Jake despised me even more and kicked me out.

I went back to my parents' house and told them everything. They hugged me, heartbroken.

With their support, I decided to study design abroad and start over.

Soon, I had everything set to leave. The day I flew out was Jake and Sarah's wedding day.

Before boarding, I anonymously sent Jake a copy of Sarah's AIDS diagnosis.