Three

A hint of mockery flashed in the young woman’s eyes as she glared at Ella. She linked her arm with Richard’s and rested her head against his shoulder.

Ella was stunned when Richard smiled at the woman. Still, she forced herself to dismiss the uncomfortable thought forming in her mind. Perhaps the woman was his relative. Maybe his younger sister.

With that hopeful assumption, Ella managed a polite smile.

“Hi—”

Before she could finish, the woman ignored her and called out to a maid.

“I don’t like the color of these curtains. They’re hideous, and so is this couch. I want everything changed immediately. I’m sure the bedroom is just as bad. Replace everything with the brands I prefer.”

Ella stared at her in disbelief.

The woman had walked into her matrimonial home and was criticizing everything as though she owned the place.

The thought that she might be Richard’s sister faded instantly.

“Who are you?” Ella asked bluntly. “There’s nothing wrong with those curtains. Besides, we’re not renovating the house.”

The woman scoffed and stepped in front of her.

“You’re too slow to figure things out. Anyway, let me introduce myself. My name is Sophie Johnson, and this is my fiancé, Richard. Naturally, that means I have a say in what happens in this mansion.”

Ella’s face went pale.

“Sophie Johnson?”

The name sounded familiar. She took another look at the woman and finally recognized her.

Sophie Johnson—the famous actress from a prestigious family. Her face appeared on magazine covers, entertainment programs, and billboards across the city.

But what was she doing here?

And why had she just called Richard her fiancé?

Ella slowly turned toward him, bitterness spreading through her chest.

“Are you really her fiancé?”

Sophie rolled her eyes.

“I can’t believe you’re still asking questions. Yes, he’s my fiancé, and we’re getting married soon. So stop being a nuisance and sign the divorce papers already.”

Ella’s fingers trembled.

So that was why Richard had suddenly brought up divorce.

He already had someone else.

“Don’t worry, darling,” Julianna said from behind Sophie. “I know how to make her leave.”

Sophie turned toward her and pointed at Ella.

“She has occupied this position for a year. It’s time she returned it to its rightful owner.”

“Of course,” Julianna replied calmly. “You are the rightful owner, and she will be leaving in your place.”

Ella stared at her.

The woman she had called Mother. The woman she had trusted.

“How could you do this to me?” Ella’s voice cracked. “I’ve always been a good wife to Richard, Mom. How could you turn your back on me?”

Julianna’s expression remained cold.

“In case you haven’t realized it, I only cared about you because I thought my son loved you. But now that he has found someone better, I have to support him as his mother. Sophie is far more suitable for him. Her father is a respected businessman, after all.”

Ella stiffened.

She had never felt so small in her own home.

“You have no right to do this to me in my matrimonial home.” She turned toward Richard, desperation flashing in her eyes. “Say something, Richard!”

How could the man who had once promised to love her forever now be preparing to marry a famous actress?

How could their marriage... the marriage she had built her entire life around be ending like this?

Richard’s expression remained cold.

“Stop making a scene and sign the divorce agreement. We need to move forward.”

Ella stared at him, unable to believe what she was hearing. Then, as though her legs could no longer support her, she dropped to her knees.

“What have I done to deserve this?” she pleaded. “Just tell me where I went wrong. What did I do?”

Richard looked down at her without a trace of warmth.

“The only thing you did wrong was being poor. You’re just a commoner, Ella. You were never on my level.”

His words cut deeper than she expected.

Ella opened her mouth, but Sophie interrupted her.

“I’m warning you now. Do as I say, or you’ll regret what happens to your mother.”

Ella’s tears stopped.

Her expression turned cold.

“Don’t you dare touch my mother.”

“Then sign the divorce papers.”

“I already signed them!” Ella snapped. “So leave my mother out of this.”

She rose unsteadily and walked toward the master bedroom. She could barely process what had happened, but one thing was certain: there was no reason for her to remain in the mansion.

As she packed, she realized how little she actually owned. Her belongings barely filled a suitcase. She had spent years building her life around Richard, even giving up her publishing company to focus on their marriage.

Now that marriage had collapsed, she had no choice but to return to the company she had abandoned.

When Ella finally came downstairs with her suitcase, her eyes caught something on the table.

Her pregnancy test result.

Her heart skipped.

She quickly reached for it, hoping no one had noticed. Richard, Sophie, and Julianna were gathered around the dining table, engrossed in conversation.

But before Ella could put the result away, Sophie noticed.

“What did you take?”

Ella closed her fingers around the paper.

“That’s my private business.”

“Private business?” Sophie stepped closer. “I bet you’re trying to steal something expensive. Hand it over.”

“It has nothing to do with you.”

Sophie reached for Ella’s hand and tried to pry her fingers open.

Instinctively, Ella reacted.

She pushed Sophie away.

Sophie stumbled backward and landed on the floor.

“Ouch! My leg!”

Richard’s cold voice rang through the room.

“What the hell did you just do?”

Ella turned toward him, startled.

“I didn’t—”

A sharp slap cut her off.

The sound echoed through the mansion.

Ella’s face turned to the side, her hand flying to her cheek.

For a moment, the room fell silent.

She slowly looked back at Richard, her eyes wide with disbelief.

He had slapped her.

Richard, the man she had loved for years had just raised his hand against her.

And the worst part was that he didn’t even look sorry.