The ugly duckling had become the knight guarding the princess.

But the princess remained lost in her games of love.

She kept rescuing one poor boy after another—until one day, Helena went too far.

She fell for a sleazy man in his thirties, divorced multiple times, and even bore his child.

Eleanor was livid.

She slapped me twice, furious that I hadn’t controlled my wife.

“What good is a man who can’t even keep his woman in line?”

“Clean up this mess immediately, or else…”

“I’ll stop your mother’s treatment and make sure you never see Emma or Lily again!”

With my marriage in ruins, my family was my last lifeline.

I couldn’t lose my mother.

I couldn’t lose the only thread of hope left.

So, I hardened myself and went to find Sean Xavier.

Unlike Helena’s past lovers—arrogant and loud—he was polite, even humble.

He called me “Mr. Rhodes” again and again, his tone dripping with false respect.

“I’m sorry, sir. I never meant to break up your family.”

“I just love Helena too much.”

“If it helps her, I’ll convince her to abort and disappear forever.”

He meant every word.

After taking the hush money, he vanished completely.

That night, after a long absence, Helena quietly entered my room.

She lay beside me in silence. We just stared at each other.

To reward me for fixing her scandal—

and to keep her in the family—

Eleanor, for the first time, agreed we could have another child.

She promised to raise this one herself.

My mother’s health also improved under the family’s private medical care.

I was elated.

I thought the nightmare was finally ending.

I thought happiness was returning.

But just when I looked forward to a new beginning with Helena, she stabbed me.

Watching me writhe in pain, she said coldly,

“When you drove Sean away and killed my unborn child, did you think of this day?”

“Did you ever imagine his pain—or mine?”

“You owe Sean a life. This is your punishment. You’ll never have children again.”

She had my right kidney removed and my vas deferens severed.

I was left broken—both body and soul.

I cried until I couldn’t breathe, unable to accept the truth.

Then came worse news.

My mother’s doctor told me she had learned everything about my suffering.

The shock had worsened her condition—surgery was urgent.

It cost 200,000 dollars, but I had nothing.

None of the Rhodes family’s wealth was in my name.

The watches and jewelry weren’t mine to sell.

Two hundred thousand dollars—for Helena, it was pocket change.

For me, it was the final blow.

I called her, crying, begging for mercy.

I swore I’d do anything—just to save my mother.

Helena laughed coldly. “Samuel, stop pretending.”

“You think I’ll fall for your pathetic lies?”

“You’ll say anything just to compete with Sean for my heart!”

She hung up coldly.

The last thing I heard was the sound of two people lost in passion.

Amid those obscene moans, my mother took her final breath.

While arranging her funeral, I happened to see the day’s headline:

“Wealthy Heiress Spends Millions to Propose to Her New Lover—The Ugly Duckling Is Heartlessly Abandoned.”

The fallen knight was exposed for what he truly was—

and a life had been lost because of it.

Soon after, Helena learned of my mother’s death.

She said nothing, just wired me two million dollars.

To her, that sum was a cheap solution.

She had paid me ten times over—what more could I want?

This was love.

The kind of condescending love only Helena could give.

I should have been grateful and accepted it quietly.

But for me, my last tie to the world was gone.

My body was ruined.

My mother was dead.

I was finally free.

Drained, I asked Helena for a divorce.

The first time, she looked at me with disdain.

“Divorce? You really want to leave me?”

“Without me, you’re nothing.”

The second time, she was mildly annoyed.

“Fine, I’m just having fun—it’s not like I’m never coming back.”

“Sweetie, don’t be mad. I’ll take you to Sanya when I return.”

The third time, she grew furious and tore up the divorce papers.

By the fourth, fifth time…

Helena finally agreed.

Looking superior, she said,

“Sean’s right. It’s good for you to calm down.”

“After suffering outside, you’ll realize how good the Rhodes family is.”

She signed with a flourish, expecting me to beg like before.

But she didn’t know—

this time, I was truly done.

I handed the villa keys to Margaret.

Calmly, I said, “I sold the house. The new owner agreed to keep you on.”

“Margaret, you’re the only one who’s been kind to me here. I wish you peace and happiness.”

Her eyes reddened.

She choked up for a long time before whispering,

“Have a safe journey.”

She didn’t ask where I was headed or what I planned to do.

She only knew that I had finally escaped the Rhodes family’s hell.

After a long silence,

I dragged my suitcase out of the cage that had bound me for ten years—without looking back.

And Helena, lost in a blissful dream,

was suddenly jolted awake by a nightmare.