Chapter 3

The newly hired nanny, Mia Collin, stood there with her hands on her hips and spat disdainfully.

"What? You cheated, but can't handle people talking about it? Social media is flooded with photos of you cheating, and a woman like you still had the nerve to scam Mr. Donovan out of millions in alimony. Do you have no shame?" she said.

A bad feeling immediately settled in my chest.

After calling a doctor for Adrian, I finally opened social media on my phone, and the top trending topic read, "Shocking! Mr. Donovan's Ex-Wife Caught Cheating with the Driver!"

The post included several photos of a man and a woman in suggestive poses, heading into a hotel together. The woman in the photos resembled me in every way, from her figure to her outfit, but it was definitely not me.

Public opinion had shifted. It went from criticizing Gabriel for abandoning his wife right after she gave birth to portraying him as the one suffering, having been cheated on multiple times.

My face turned pale, and I forced a bitter smile.

Gabriel completely turned the public opinion around. What a brilliant PR move.

As for me, I hadn't done anything wrong, yet I was forced to endure baseless accusations and insults.

Fuming, I called Gabriel to confront him.

He brushed it off and said, "You don't need to take what people say online to heart. In time, no one will even remember it."

I felt utterly disheartened and let out a scornful laugh.

So, when Katherine got insulted, she couldn't take it and felt wronged. But when it happened to me, suddenly, time was supposed to make everything go away.

I ended the call and was about to call my lawyer when a call from the police buzzed through, sending a shiver down my spine.

"Ms. Carter, the gang that kidnapped you 20 years ago has been caught. You were abducted in Hushville. Your family is currently abroad, and they will be returning to the country soon to do a DNA test with you. Ms. Carter, you can finally go home!"

Officer Rowland, the police officer who had been helping me search for my family, choked up as he spoke.

My broken heart leapt with joy in that instant, tears streaming as I kept thanking him. "Thank you for never giving up all this time. I really appreciate it, Officer Rowland!"

After being trafficked, my life became extremely turbulent. As a beautiful young girl left to survive on the streets, I faced immense danger and hardship. Yet I turned my life around on my own, working odd jobs to put myself through school.

Back then, my struggles seemed never-ending, until I met Gabriel—a man strong enough to lean on. He tempted me with love, and someone starved for affection like me couldn't resist. I threw myself into marrying him, never imagining that I was plunging into an even deeper abyss.

Now it was different. Soon, I would have my family back.

I hired a new nanny to take care of Adrian and, dragging my weak and exhausted body, returned to the house Gabriel and I had once shared. There was nothing here worth holding on to. The only things I wanted to take with me were the designs that belonged to me.

The moment my slightly cold fingertips touched the studio door handle, an icy voice came from behind me.

"What are you doing?"

I turned around and saw Gabriel furrowing his brow. His gaze was cold as he stared at me.

"I'm taking back what belongs to me."

I pointed to the designs on the table. Each sheet was the result of my hard work, the most precious things I had in this house over the years.

"You can't take them," Gabriel said.

He tapped the door panel with his fingers. "I've already given these designs to Katherine for a competition."

I stared at him in disbelief when I heard what he said. "How could you give my work to Katherine?" I asked.

"That's because we admire your talent!" Katherine said.