All Chapters of A Mother Forsaken, a Marriage Broken: Chapter 1 - Chapter 8

"I'm done, Olivia. We're over."I sent Olivia Cruz the text without a flicker of emotion, right after boxing up the last of Mom's belongings. She believed I was sulking. A minute later, she took a screenshot of our chat and posted it online. "Guess some people never outgrow being petty."Her friends, eager to watch the show, piped up in the comments."Like mother, like son. Probably learned it from that hick woman.""He's just a lapdog. Who told him he mattered?""Don't you dare forgive him this time, Olivia. Put him in his place!"Smiling, Olivia replied, "Of course."I slammed my fist into the photo frame. As the glass shattered, blood seeped through my knuckles. I had stood by her for six years, cared for her, and obeyed her every word.She grew up with money, but I came from an average, modest family. If she wanted a designer bag, I had to work two, sometimes three, jobs and save for months until I could place it in her hands. It was all just to see her smile. My palms

This time, Olivia actually lowered herself to explain. "Look, I should've handled things differently, but it was urgent. We could go back for the marriage registration another time, right? Tristan, we can still do it… Next Monday, you'll pick me up, and we'll get it done at the city hall."Even in her apology, her voice carried that same heiress arrogance. Once, I would've given in and pulled her into my arms. Burying my face in her neck, I would've murmured, "Don't ever do it again."But now, my eyes were cold, and my tone carried a mocking edge as I said, "No need. The great Ms. Cruz doesn't crawl back to her ex, does she?"It was the first time I had ever addressed her in such a distant tone. Her eyes widened in disbelief as she drew in a sharp breath and gripped the edge of the table as if to steady herself.Her voice was trembling as she asked, "Tristan, are you going to break up with me over something so trivial?" Trivial? What trivial stuff was she referring to? Was Mom'

Brad recoiled and withdrew his hand before leaving with the others in resentment.I stood there in silence, clutching Mom's funeral portrait, fighting to keep the tears from spilling.I had endured hardships my whole life. I had slept on construction sites and gotten my skin burned under the sun; I had delivered food until dawn and survived accidents. Through all of it, I had never once broken down, clinging to the belief that men should never cry.But Mom's death had me breaking down countless times.Beside me, Olivia sobbed softly. It was only after a long time that she whispered, "Tristan, could you give me another chance?"I calmly met her eyes and saw the fear and unease in them reach their peak. Only then did I answer in a slow, sharp tone, "Why don't you die and ask my mom?"The unconcealable hatred in my gaze made her stumble back, and her face was ghostly pale. "Tristan… you weren't like this before."What was I like back then? My eyes used to be full of love when I loo

On the night of the celebratory gala, I stood under the blinding lights and gave a passionate speech."Look! Tristan's actually the creator of Arcanum Dracon!""No way!""God, it is him! Olivia, look! Hasn't he somehow gotten better-looking? Wait… Who's that woman beside him?"Olivia and her friends were also present among the crowd. Our eyes met across the sea of flashes as my speech reached its climax."To stand here tonight, I owe my gratitude to one person…"Everyone who knew us assumed we hadn't broken up, so they shot her envious smiles."It has to be Olivia!""Wow, she's kept it so quiet. Imagine how lucky she is to have such an outstanding man!"Even Olivia nervously gripped the hem of her dress, but I turned to smile at Marilyn at my side and exchanged a knowing glance with her."...Ms. Russell! Without her sharp eye and faith, Arcanum Dracon would never have been born. Tonight's success belongs just as much to her."Dressed in an elegant high-slit dress, Marilyn ac