After my ex-husband Liam's mentor's daughter was diagnosed with pregnancy, he filed for divorce. "It's just for show, to protect her reputation. Don't overthink it," he said. Even our son chimed in, "We should be grateful, Mom. Besides, that's Dad's baby too. Don't make things difficult for him." Everyone expected me to cause a scene. Instead, I nodded silently. I signed the papers quickly, then married Luke, the man who once saved my life. In my past life, I refused to divorce. Liam and our son abandoned me and fled the country. I became a laughingstock and never recovered. So in this life, I divorced him calmly and vanished from their world. Six years later, at an exclusive yacht party for the elite. Liam and our son pushed through the dancing crowd and grabbed my wrist, furious. "I told you it was just for show! Where the hell have you been all these years?" I was surprised. The next second, my little daughter ran into my arms. "Mommy, who are you talking to? Daddy is looking for you." Chapter 1 When I saw Liam again, I was wearing a satin mermaid gown, sipping champagne on the deck. I had been working on design drafts until late last night and didn't want to show my face. But as the hostess of the yacht, I had to make an appearance. I sighed. Before the glass could reach my lips, rapid footsteps approached from behind. The next second, I was spun around. Liam and I froze. His pupils contracted, voice full of disbelief: "Joy, it really is you! Where have you been all these years?" My expression remained cool. Before I could answer, Chloe exclaimed dramatically: "Joy! You're so thin now! I remember you used to be too fat to be seen in public." Beside her, our son, Noah, chuckled. He had grown taller in the years apart. But the arrogant look on his face mirrored Chloe's perfectly. He understood Chloe's implication and laughed, "Chloe, you're teasing her again. But what's the point? She can't be a model anyway." Noah's tone was filled with disdain, just like countless times before. Mocking my weight, my intelligence, calling me "just a housewife" with no charm. But before marriage, I was a rising star in the fashion world. Major runways extended olive branches, begging for my designs. After marriage, everything changed. Liam constantly criticized me for not being home. He brainwashed me into believing a career woman couldn't be a good wife or mother. One day, he secretly emailed my partners, claiming I was retiring. I woke up and screamed, crying like a madwoman. He calmly told me to relax. From that day on, I was a bird with clipped wings, devoted entirely to the household. In the seventh year, he cheated with his mentor's daughter. He said she was dazzling and reignited his passion. As I was lost in memories, Chloe giggled delicately. "Joy, even if you can't be a model, don't feel inferior. You could apply to be a hostess." "A friend of mine is a hotel manager hiring hostesses. Three thousand a month. Want me to introduce you?" Noah laughed again. "Chloe, stop. My mom is so sensitive, she might cry." He pointed proudly at the stage nearby. "Chloe was invited to walk the runway today for a very famous designer." I froze, almost laughing out loud. Chapter 2 Because I was that designer. This show was the warm-up for my husband Luke's business event. We invited well-known models. I had scanned the list; Chloe's name wasn't on it. Then it hit me. One model had an emergency. Chloe must be a last-minute replacement. But looking at the time, I raised my eyes from my watch and said flatly, "Shouldn't you be backstage prepping?" Chloe's face stiffened, offended by my tone. "Don't pretend you know anything. Do you know more than me? It's still early!" I frowned. With such an unprofessional attitude, no wonder she hadn't made a splash in years. Seeing me alone, Chloe clung to Liam's arm, whining: "Is Joy in trouble? It's not easy to get on this yacht." "I heard people buy scalped tickets to sneak in and fish for rich husbands." Her words were loaded. Liam looked at me with complex emotions, eyeing my dress. He sounded almost sad. "Joy, that dress isn't something you can afford. Did you rent it? Or borrow it?" He pulled out a card and handed it to me. "There's twenty thousand here. You're the mother of my child. I can't watch you go astray." "I thought you left so decisively because you had somewhere better to go. I didn't expect..." His voice trailed off with condescending pity. Chloe covered her mouth, laughing. "Maybe it's a knockoff. Don't be embarrassed, Joy. This money is nothing to us, but it should help you look less pathetic." Just as she finished, a young female voice interrupted. "That's not a knockoff. You can tell by the craftsmanship and fabric. Plus, it's the latest design from Yian, very hard to get." Chloe's face fell. She turned to rage, but saw it was an old acquaintance, Nina. Nina was delighted and hugged her. "Darling! I can't believe I ran into you! How have you been? I lost touch after you got pregnant." She looked at Noah, puzzled. "Is this your son? The age doesn't seem right?" Chloe's expression froze. She forced a smile. Her voice was strained. "There was an accident. I lost the baby." I was surprised, yet not. Liam had low sperm quality. I hid it to protect his ego. I secretly took injections to maintain my pregnancy, suffering a hemorrhage during birth. Liam didn't comfort me. Instead, he berated me during my recovery. I cried for three days until my vision blurred, realizing I couldn't cry anymore. The past was a dirty rag. I sighed internally and pushed it away. Nina laughed awkwardly, offered condolences, and left. I checked the time, planning to leave. Suddenly, Chloe grabbed my arm, nails digging into my skin. Her face crumbled into hatred. "Hearing I lost the baby, you're happy, aren't you?" "It's all your fault! Liam was never home, looking for you! That's why I got stressed and miscarried! You murderer!" I pushed her away reflexively, stunned. He was looking for me? Why? In my past life, wasn't he the one desperate for a divorce? Besides, her miscarriage had nothing to do with me. The sperm quality was poor to begin with. And she dieted excessively. Losing the baby was her own doing. Chapter 3 I looked at the scratches on my arm. Blood was surfacing. My skin is pale; Luke would notice immediately. With his protective nature, I feared trouble. But the next second, Liam angrily blocked my path. He helped the tear-streaked Chloe up and snapped at me, "Joy, apologize!" I trembled, memories flooding back. Once, I put too much salt in dinner. Chloe burst into tears. She claimed I was jealous of her figure and trying to make her fat. Without a word, Liam pinned me to the floor like a dog without dignity. The past was vivid. My nails dug into my palms. But times have changed. I won't let anyone throw dirt on me. I scoffed, spitting out two words: "Dream on." Noah stopped wiping Chloe's tears. He yelled at me in disappointment: "You're so vicious and unrepentant! I don't have a mother like you!" He had said this many times. Birthing him was hard, so I always cherished him. I silently agreed to his unreasonable demands. He thought he could still threaten me. He was wrong. Looking at his stubborn, smug face, I said calmly: "Whatever. You have more than one mom anyway." Noah froze. He opened his mouth, panic in his eyes, tears welling up. Then, he exploded, ripping the amulet from his neck. He threw it into the sea. Then he wailed. "I don't want you anymore! You're a bad woman!" I was dazed for a moment. I got that amulet for him when he was six. He always called it tacky and refused to wear it, often losing it at home. Why was he wearing it now? Chloe hugged him, comforting him. "Noah, I'm your mother now. That bitch doesn't deserve to be your mom." She turned to me, eyes glinting maliciously. "Joy, you don't have an entry badge. Must be a scalped ticket. I was going to let you off, but since you're shameless, don't blame me." She raised her hand to call security. I didn't move. Joke's on her. This yacht is in my name, a gift from Luke. Who dares touch me? But the next second, a hand firmly pressed hers down. Liam looked at me with complex emotions, then whispered something to Chloe. Chloe looked at him in disbelief, face full of resentment. Finally, she nodded reluctantly. Liam's face softened. He turned to speak to me. But Chloe wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him. Liam froze, glancing at me instinctively. I showed no emotion. His eyes darkened, and he kissed her back hard. Just then, my phone rang. Before I answered, Liam's eyes lit up. Surprise colored his voice. "You still listen to this song?" I paused, confused, then remembered. This was "our song" from years ago. I had forgotten. I set it as my ringtone because I liked it. But clearly, Liam misunderstood. His eyes sparkled, wanting to say something. I ignored him and answered the phone. Luke's magnetic voice came through: "Joy, where are you? The show is starting. We need to go on stage." I smiled involuntarily, humming a soft yes. "I'm coming. Hanging up now." Chapter 4 Before my smile could fade, my wrist was seized. "Who is that man?" Liam's jaw was tight, suppressing a volcano. After hours of drama, I had enough. I shook off his hand and walked away quickly. Chloe grabbed Liam as he tried to pursue. She mocked loudly, "Look, she's guilty! Running away like a thief. Liam, ignore the slut!" The voices faded. I didn't even look back. At the staircase, my daughter ran into my arms. "Mommy, who were you talking to? Daddy is looking for you!" I tapped her nose. "Mommy has a mission for you. I need to touch up my makeup. Can you tell Daddy to come find me?" "Okay!" She chirped and ran off. I continued up to the second floor. Suddenly... Security guards swarmed the stairwell. Chloe stood behind them, shouting: "That's her! The stowaway!" The guards approached, voices stern. "Miss, please show your entry badge." As the owner, I didn't need one. I rubbed my temples. "Who is your supervisor? Get him." Chloe laughed mockingly. "Joy, stop pretending. You're dead meat. Get off the boat!" Since meeting, she provoked me repeatedly. I ignored her. Now, I realized there was no need to be polite. I opened my phone to make a call, but Chloe snatched it away. She looked at me triumphantly. "Trying to call Liam for help? Dream on! Shameless bitch, hooking up everywhere." She turned to the guards. "Throw her off! People like her are a plague on this ship!" Afraid of offending a guest, the guards advanced. "Miss, you cannot be here without proof. Please disembark immediately." Two pincer-like hands twisted my arms behind my back, pressing me down like a criminal. Pain shot through me. I broke into a sweat, teeth chattering. "Let go! I own this yacht!" The guards paused, loosening their grip. Chloe burst out laughing. "Security, she's playing you! Why would the owner be on the first floor? They're on the upper deck!" She looked me up and down with disdain. "Look at her. Would a rich man want her?" Chloe's voice was shrill. A crowd gathered. Afraid of trouble, the guards tightened their grip again, dragging me roughly. I struggled, freeing one arm to grab the wall. "Let me make a call! I really am—" Before I could finish, the guard interrupted impatiently. "Crazy woman, stop talking nonsense! Get out!" He yanked my arm, throwing me to the ground. My hair came loose. My ankle cracked as I fell. Piercing pain radiated through my body. My face went white, and I screamed. My phone rang. Chloe looked at it, then threw it into the sea. I stared, wide-eyed. That was Luke's gift, containing important, unbacked-up files. Seeing my glare, Chloe flew into a rage, raising her hand to slap me. The next second, a hand caught her wrist.
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