Aria's POV
“So, you really want to divorce me, huh?” Caleb snapped. “Fine! I’ll give you what you want. But let me make this clear. If we divorce, I will write the agreement. I’ll make sure you lose everything and walk out of this marriage with nothing but shame. I’ll also make sure my mother sees what kind of daughter-in-law she adored, a vile woman who used her own mother’s death to scam money and file false lawsuits!”
Through the flurry of shredded papers still floating in the air, I caught his cold, vengeful eyes, and a small, satisfied smirk curling on Brielle’s lips.
Still, I didn’t say a word. I simply turned and walked out of the law firm.
Back home, I quietly started packing my things.
By the time I wheeled my suitcase downstairs, a large group of people suddenly rushed toward me.
They surrounded me, holding up cameras and phones, shouting as they recorded.
“Look, it’s her, the woman who told her elderly mother to fake an accident!”
“After her mom got hit and killed, she used her death to blackmail people for money. When that didn’t work, she went to court just to keep squeezing more cash!”
“She even forced that poor college girl into depression. She tried to take her life several times!”
“Good thing her husband’s a righteous lawyer who stood by justice instead of siding with his greedy wife! Otherwise, who knows what that poor girl would’ve gone through!”
“And now, because he wouldn’t help her scam people, she’s threatening him with divorce. Look, her bags are packed already!”
Their accusations pierced through the air like knives.
Through the crowd, I saw Brielle and Caleb standing at the back, both watching me with smug satisfaction.
So, this was his plan, using a livestream to destroy me.
And it worked. The reaction was instant.
The live streamers were relentless, spitting venom with every word, and soon my name was plastered all over the internet.
[What kind of monster uses her own mother’s death for money?]
[No wonder her mom died early; karma got her first!]
[Like mother, like daughter! They both got what they deserved!]
[Serves her right. The car hit the right one!]
The online outrage spread like wildfire. Within hours, my photos topped every trending list. People called me names such as “unfilial daughter,” “scammer,” and “garbage woman.” Those labels became who I was.
Then the live streamers turned the crowd against me. Spectators began hurling rotten vegetables and eggs, shouting insults as I forced my way through the chaos.
Despite that, I stepped over trash and broken shells, walked straight up to Caleb, and asked quietly, “Do you really have to go this far, Caleb?”
He frowned, and before he could answer, Brielle spoke up with tears shimmering in her eyes.
“Aria,” she whimpered, “I know your mom’s gone, but I’ve been suffering too! Please, just let me go. Stop tormenting me already!”
Seeing her pitiful act, Caleb’s gaze softened instantly.
Then he turned to me, his tone filled with cold contempt. “Aria, you brought this on yourself. Your mom got hit because she was faking an accident. You shouldn’t have dragged Brielle through endless lawsuits. She even had to pay to fix her car after your mom wrecked it, and she never asked you for a dime. That’s called kindness. But you, you just kept pushing. With a heart as rotten as yours, it’s no wonder your mother died early!”
The words had barely left his mouth when a familiar voice cut through the crowd.
“Who did you just say is dead?” my mother asked sharply, stepping out from the onlookers.
