All Chapters of The Ugly Duckling: Rise of the Forsaken Wife: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

"It's been ten years, Julian. Grandfather is getting weaker. His only wish is to have a grandson from you before he dies.""Grandfather always favored you among his grandchildren. He cared for you the most. Didn't you once say that Grandfather meant more to you than your own parents? So why aren't you fulfilling his lifelong wish?""Listen to us, Julian. Grandfather chose you to be the heir. His only wish now is to see you with a child before he goes. It's part of your responsibility—to have a child. This would also strengthen your position among the elders.""Why are you all pressuring Julian? The reason they haven't had a child isn't his fault—it's that woman's! If it were you, could you bear to have children with someone so hideous?""If she were my wife, I couldn't even bear to be intimate with her, not even with the lights off.""It's been ten years, Julian. You've repaid her enough just by being her husband for that long. It's time you two got divorced. Don't pity her. She's liv

The two police officers looked at each other, not fully believing the man's words.The wounds and bruises on the girl's body didn’t seem to come only from the fall.“Her condition is very bad. We have to bring her to the hospital.”The man and woman suddenly panicked.“S-she... she can recuperate at home! There’s no need to bring her to the hospital!” the woman said in a hurry.“But this isn’t a good place for her to recover. She needs medical care,” the policewoman said, gesturing at the dust around them. “This shed is so dirty she could get infected and die from it.”The woman wanted to retort, but her husband stopped her.“We’re grateful. It’s a good chance for Danice to get a check-up. You see, we’re very busy parents. We didn’t keep an eye on her, and it’s our fault that she ended up this way. We’ll truly be grateful for your help.”The policewoman’s fierce expression softened a bit. She nodded and helped Danice up.Danice remained silent as she listened to everything. The events

"...We don't have much evidence against them, so we can't keep them in jail for long. When they paid the bail... we had no choice but to let them out." Jenny, the policewoman, looked both disappointed and angry as she explained. She slapped the table hard, gritting her teeth. "I know the system has many flaws. But to not even bring justice to a kid... I feel like I've failed as a police officer!"The Zagar couple had called a lawyer. After a seven-day investigation, no solid evidence was found. In the end, they were only charged with preventing Danice from receiving medical care—a minor offense. After paying Danice's medical bill and their bail, the Zagar couple was set free.Danice calmly listened to Jenny. Her face showed neither anger nor sadness. Instead, she reached out and gently held Jenny's hand."It's okay. I expected it." Her soft voice, meant to console her, made Jenny even angrier—but not at Danice. She was angry at the justice system that had failed her.Jenny's hand clenc

The door suddenly burst open.Danice, who had been browsing her phone for scholarship opportunities from her hospital bed, looked up to see an obese man storming toward her.At the sight of him, her body immediately stiffened. As if sensing danger, she began to tremble.Danice frowned. She knew this feeling well. It was her body's instinctive reaction whenever she saw this disgusting man. If there was anyone in the Zagar household she despised the most and wished to avoid at all costs, it was him."The policewoman said you looked like a ghost and were dying! But you look perfectly fine to me!" Christopher shouted as he stomped toward her, his heavy steps echoing through the room.Danice quickly sent a messaged. Opened an app on her phone, put it on the bedside table, and made sure its back was facing the door.She looked straight into Christopher's eyes. Unlike the old Danice who used to cower under his glare, she now faced him head-on, resisting the urge to flinch."Dad and Mom are f

Melda expected the police officers to drag them away like before, not even letting them near Danice's room. So the moment they made contact, she immediately shoved the basket of money toward the two officers."You've been working so hard to keep our daughter safe. Please, take this as a token of our gratitude," Melda said with a wide smile.Jenny frowned. Disgust twisted her expression, and she wanted to throw them out immediately. But remembering Danice's earlier request, she swallowed her anger and accepted the basket."Fine. You can go in—but I'm watching you. If either of you so much as raise a hand or raise your voice, I'll arrest you on the spot." She made her threat clear, resting a hand on the gun at her side.The couple paled but quickly forced nervous laughs and nodded.Once inside, Melda and Jovas exchanged a satisfied glance. Sure enough, the lawyer was right—money could move anyone, even the so-called man of justice.Their confidence swelled.When they entered Danice's ro