Whispers from the onlookers rippled through the hall like wildfire.
"She's being forced into a divorce the moment she's sentenced? That poor woman..."
"That arrogant woman must be the mistress. She made the legal wife’s parents faint from rage—it's disgusting!"
"The wife is too soft. She let them walk all over her like that? If it were me, I'd make them regret it the moment I got out."
The murmurs grew louder and more accusatory.
My father noticed that my mother was sobbing too hard, her breathing became erratic, and she collapsed—suffering from acute hyperventilation and suspected cyanide poisoning. Paramedics rushed in and whisked her away in an ambulance.
Chaos erupted at the scene. The public's fury turned toward Derek and Jade.
Jade was quickly losing patience, but she couldn't care less about the gossip. She had already gotten everything she wanted.
She yanked Derek away with her, flashing a smug smile at Attorney Leonel as they left.
Derek, while somewhat moved by the sacrifice I'd made, was secretly thrilled to finally be able to be with his childhood sweetheart openly. In the car, he had already prepared flowers and gifts to celebrate her "homecoming."
Elated, Jade practically jumped into his arms. Their joy was a stark, jarring contrast to the mess of pain and tears they'd left behind in the hall.
—
When they returned to the house, Jade took it upon herself to pack up all Ariella's belongings and dump them in the musty basement.
The wedding photo in the center of the living room was an eyesore to her—it was the last symbol of the life Ariella once had. With a single glance from her, Derek silently gave his consent. Jade tore the frame off the wall and tossed it aside like trash.
Already five months pregnant, Jade's motherly warmth quickly vanished when she looked at Cody, who stood nearby clutching his toy.
With a cold voice, she declared, "We need to make space for the new baby. Cody's room will have to go."
Derek, busy helping her unpack, agreed without hesitation.
With his approval secured, Jade threw Cody's belongings and dragged him up to the attic.
She flung his things carelessly on the damp wooden floor and said sharply, "This is your room now. Don't bother me unless it's important."
Then she turned and walked away.
Cody looked around at the cramped, dark attic, still clutching his toy. A cold draft crept through the cracks in the walls. On the floor lay the shattered remains of the jade bracelet Ariella had crafted for him on his third birthday—Jade had smashed it earlier in a fit of irritation.
He froze, stunned, then accidentally stepped on a shard. With a cry of pain, he fell to the floor, holding his bleeding foot.
However, no one came.
In the past, whenever he got hurt, his mother was always there to treat his wounds. Now, he was left alone—his sobs echoing off the attic walls.
...
Meanwhile, downstairs, Jade basked in the satisfaction of finally having a place of her own in this house. She turned to Derek, giddy with excitement.
"She signed the divorce papers already. Let's get married in a few days, okay?"
She had been waiting for this moment for so long, and when Derek nodded in agreement, her heart finally settled.
Yet ever since returning, Derek's expression had been clouded. Though Ariella had appeared calm and compliant, a lingering fear gnawed at him—that she might one day reverse the verdict and expose the truth.
And just as that fear lingered in his heart.
—
In the hospital's intensive care unit, after a tense emergency rescue, Ariella's mother finally regained consciousness.
"You're finally awake!" Ariella's father cried from the bedside, tears streaming down his face. Fortunately, his wife, who had collapsed earlier, finally opened her eyes.
"Ariel..." was the first word from her lips. The moment she realized her daughter wasn't there, her heart sank again.
Leonel stepped in to comfort them both.
"I've already submitted the paperwork to the court for visitation rights. By tomorrow, you'll be able to visit her. Just one more day."
Even though it was only a prison visit, that sliver of hope was enough to lift their spirits.
Elsewhere, in another hospital wing... In the ICU, Gavin's fingers twitched slightly—then his eyes opened.
Despite the severe trauma to his body and brain, his mind was working fast. The doctor, noticing the change, let out a sigh of relief. After confirming his condition had stabilized, Gavin was moved to the general ward for further observation.
