Enzo rushed to her "Mom, are you okay?""Don't touch me!" Lilian barked, slapping his hand away. "This is who you married? A woman ready to kill your own mother? I'm ashamed of you!"Jia stood a few feet away, chest rising and falling.Her voice cut through the rain "I think it's time she heard the truth” Enzo’s head snapped toward the her, eyes wide “ Jia, now is not the right time” Her gaze never wavered as she met his eyes, her tone unwavering "There's no right time for this, your mother deserves to know the truth"Lilian, still on the ground, pushed herself up slowly..eyes narrowing as she wiped the dirt from her hands "What truth?" she sneered.Jia faced her directly "Enzo and I were never married"Lilian's laugh was sharp, incredulous “Do you think I'm someone you can fool?"Jia's eyes flicked to Enzo "You can ask him yourself” Lilian's gaze snapped to her son, her voice low but demanding "Enzo... tell me, is what she's saying the truth?"For a long moment, Enzo stood motio
Jia gave a small shake of her head "I'm not okay" she whispered, the words cracking as tears slipped down her cheeks. She sniffed hard, trying to pull herself back together but it was no use.Silvio reached out and wiped the tears away with the back of his hand "It's okay to cry" he said softly "So tell me... how are you feeling?"Something in his voice—steady, quiet, unjudging—cut through the noise in her chest. Jia let out a trembling breath and slowly, she opened her mouth "I feel... suffocated” she said, pressing her palm lightly against her chest "I'm hurting Silvio, Everyone's against me. The little bit of fame I tried to build over the last few months—it's all gone. Just like that, In a day” Her voice broke "I couldn't even defend myself back there..." Her tears began to fall faster "Even Elena...Jia's voice faltered as she looked away.Silvio caught the shift in her eyes "What happened with your friend?"She didn't answer, the memory from earlier rushed back—every harsh
"They texted—they are already here, Just waiting on the signal” Zara's eyes gleamed "Then what are you waiting for? Give it"The assistant pulled out her phone, typed quickly and tapped send "It's done, ma'am"Zara leaned back, eyes glued to the screen "Showtime"Back in the press conference, Jia felt the pressure like a noose tightening around her neck. The questions had grown uglier, the stares colder. She wanted to speak but her throat burned and no words would come. Her body moved before her mind could catch up. She stood.Then..chaosRaised voices echoed through the room. Heads turned. Gasps followed.Six middle—aged women stormed in from the back, some wielding sticks, others carrying crates filled with eggs, wilted cabbages and raw fish. The scent hit before the shock did."There she is!" one of them shouted, pointing a shaking finger at Jia "This whore has been sleeping with our husbands!"Gasps turned into a frenzy. Flashbulbs lit up the room like lightning "Miss Jia" a r
Jia stood on her balcony, arms crossed as the night breeze brushed past her. The city lights blinked in the distance but her mind was elsewhere.Her phone beeped.She flinched as her eyes darted toward the screen, ever since the scandal, every notification made her stomach drop. Slowly, she reached for it.It was an emailShe tapped it open with reluctant fingers. As her eyes scanned the message, her grip tightened around the device. Her role was being pulled. Just like that.She wasn’t surprised at all, she had expected it Even the carefully worded statement from her company hadn't stopped the flood of hate. Her name was still climbing search charts, tangled in rumors and ridicule. She glanced toward the street below, shadows shifting near the gate. She knew they were paparazzi watching herThe thought of it made her skin crawl.And Thank God Enzo had taken the kids to his parents'.Beep.Another message.Jia's heart gave a soft thud. She hesitated..fingers hovering over the scre
"Please get up Elena" Jia's voice was quiet but firm. She stared down at Elena, who was still kneeling..her hands clasped tightly in her lap Elena met her gaze, her brow furrowing as she slowly rose to her feet "Are you willing to tell me everything?" she askedJia nodded but she didn't immediately speak.She drew in a shaky breath, her fingers trembling as they brushed against the edge of her sleeve. Elena watched her before she reached out..gently resting a hand on Jia's"I'm listening" Elena said, her voice warm as if to reassure Jia that she could speak withoutfear.Jia's gaze dropped to the floor, her lips parted but the words didn't come immediately. Then, in a whisper.. she began "I knew who Silvio was five years ago, my father... he sold me to him” She paused, the words coming out in a rush " I couldn't accept it and I tried to escape with my mother but we had an accident. She didn't make it"Elena was at a loss for words, she opened her mouth to say something, but Jia's
Jia stared at the screen for a moment, her heart pounding in her chest. After a few deep breaths.. she hurriedly freshened up, pulling on a simple outfit that would hide her identity. She needed to get out of there-thankfully, her children weren't home.She drove quickly to the company, her anxiety mounting as she passed the crowd of reporters gathered outside the building. Taking a deep breath..she navigated to the back entrance, hoping to avoid them.When she finally entered the company's private parking lot, she parked in a secluded corner. She didn't get out immediately, instead— she sat in the car, scanning the area through the window. It was eerily quiet, no reporters in sight. Relief washed over her..though it was briefJia took one last steadying breath before opening the door. She was about to dial Elena when she spotted her walking toward the car.Jia's hands trembled as she stepped out, her mind raced—how could she explain everything to Elena?As Elena drew closer, Jia ope