Chapter 1

I was determined to end my five-year marriage. Abandoned by my husband in Leafshire, I nearly didn't survive. I could still recall crawling out of a chicken coop, covered in feathers and feces, emitting a foul stench. A broken plastic bucket was perched on my head, dripping an unknown, viscous liquid down my hair. I clutched a dark, indistinct object stolen from the coop, my food for the day, which I had wrestled away from the chickens. Refusing to let go of the black object, I stuffed it more forcefully into my mouth, staring blankly at the well-dressed man before me. He was visibly shocked by my appearance. Taking a deep breath, he maintained a polite smile despite his discomfort.

“Mrs. Lambert, Mr. Lambert has sent me to bring you back home.”

I let out a self-deprecating laugh. Mrs. Lambert? Did I still deserve that title? I clumsily wiped my face with the back of my hand, smearing chicken feces and dirt, further adding to my disheveled state. It took a half-hour shower in the airport bathroom to make myself look somewhat human again. Staring at the emaciated, scarred woman in the mirror, I could hardly believe this was once the pampered daughter of the Carr family.

“Ruth?”

The voice that suddenly rang out behind me made me shudder. I stiffly turned around to face Nathan, whom I had once despised. His eyes were filled with disbelief. Perhaps it was because he didn’t expect the once glamorous Miss Carr to have fallen so far. I desperately wanted to flee but was rooted to the spot by his next words.

“I heard Frank...”

I sharply raised my head, cutting him off. “Don't speak!”

He looked at me, about to say more but ultimately remained silent. I boarded the plane home as if fleeing, but I felt as if my heart was being tightly grasped by an invisible hand, unable to breathe. Upon landing, the chauffeur respectfully took me to Frank's mansion. Looking at the luxurious villa, I felt an overwhelming sense of irony. Every brick and tile was steeped in my parents' hard work.

"Mrs. Lambert, please take a rest. Mr. Lambert will be back tonight," the chauffeur said respectfully.

I nodded blankly and walked into the villa.

The empty living room and luxurious furniture constantly reminded me that this was no longer my home.

I collapsed weakly onto the sofa, tears silently falling.

“Frank, what do you really think of me?” I wondered.

I wandered like a ghost through the rooms once filled with laughter and joy.

Every plant and tree here had been a witness to our love.

Now, they had become the prison that confined me.

A series of light footsteps suddenly came from the stairs, breaking the silence of the room.

I suddenly looked up.

There was Sally, wearing my once favorite silk nightgown, walking out of my bedroom.

Her face bore the smile of a victor.

Each step she took seemed to tread on my heart, causing me unbearable pain.

"Well, is it Mrs. Lambert?"

She sneered mockingly, her tone dripping with sarcasm.

"What? Turn over a new leaf?"

I bit my lip hard, saying nothing.

Once, I would have attacked her without hesitation, making her pay for her actions.

But now, I couldn't.

I didn't want Frank to throw me back into that dark place.

"Why aren’t you talking?"

Seeing my silence, Sally became even more arrogant.

"Have you been in Leafshire so long that you've forgotten how to speak?"

I took a deep breath, afraid to look up at her triumphant face.

"What do you want?"

"What do I want?"

Sally laughed as if she had heard a funny joke.

"I want you to kneel and beg me to make Frank forgive you and not throw you out of the country again!"

My body shook violently, disbelievingly staring at her.

She actually wanted me to kneel to her?

"Unwilling?"

As she saw my hesitation, Sally's expression darkened.

"Don't forget everything you have now is because of Frank. With just one word from me, he can take it all back!"