Chapter 3

The day was a sunny one, as I sat in the hospital room, holding the armrests of my wheelchair so tightly that my hands turned red.

My body was weak, but my mind was not—it was filled with pain and betrayal. That is all I felt. Isabella, the woman I had once loved and given my heart to, had immediately turned against me.

She was not the only one. Haven and Mrs. June, my mother-in-law, had contributed to this by feeding her lies until she believed that I was a complete embarrassment.

A few moments later, my thoughts were interrupted—someone was knocking at the door. I barely had time to think about it before the door swung open.

And there they were.

Isabella and Haven stood side by side, as if they were executioners about to pronounce judgment.

I should have gotten used to the humiliation by now. The cold satisfaction in Haven's eyes, however, made my blood boil.

Isabella did not waste any time. She came up straight at me, holding a piece of paper so firmly that it crumpled under her fingers. Her expression was filled with irritation.

The paper was thrown onto my lap by her. "Can you explain this?!"

My heart pounded in my ears as I scowled, and like a newborn, I had no idea what was happening.

My fingers trembled as I unfolded the sheet, and my breath almost seize when I saw the words on the paper.

I stared at the paper, wondering what this was about again. This was simply not possible. This is a lie.

"This—this is not real!" My voice sounded shaky and sharp. "I do not have any children with anyone, Isabella. You need to believe me!"

Isabella paid no attention to what I was saying. She acted without hesitation.

"Believe you?" Her voice was shaking with anger as she spat. "Not only are you poor and hopeless, but you are also a liar. I regret ever marrying you, marrying poverty—do you expect me to believe that this is another lie?"

"This is just another big lie, Isabella!" My frustration boiled over. "You simply must trust me—someone is carrying out this action."

Then she laughed harshly. "Oh, right. It's always someone else's fault, isn't it?" Her gaze darkened. "You disgust me, you poor thing!"

"Why can't you—"

WHACK!

Before I could react, her hand slammed into my face. The slap echoed through the silent room, leaving a sharp sting on my cheek. 

However, the regrets in her eyes were far worse than the pain of the hit.

"You are a good-for-nothing!" she exclaimed.

And then, suddenly, she grabbed my wheelchair's handles—and pushed.

The entire world tilted. Before I could even know what was happening, my chair crashed into a cabinet. I stumbled forward and hit the cold, hard floor with the impact.

I felt pain in my body, but Isabella stepped closer before I could react.

Then she kicked me.

Once.

Twice.

Again.

It did not take long for the doctor and two nurses to rush in and grab her. "Stop it, madam."

"You are lying! A filthy and disgusting liar!" There was another kick. "You are not only poor, but also a cheat! A child with a different woman?!"

It was so hard for me to breathe. But thanks to the doctors and nurses who came to my aid.

As this was going on, Haven stood at the door, his arms folded, his eyes glimmering with laughter.

"That is enough," he finally said, with no urgency in his tone. "The divorce papers still need his signature."

I lay on the floor like a piece of discarded trash as Isabella stepped back and let out a ragged breath.

"Fine," she whispered. "Johnson, I am done with you. I will see to it that you pay for your actions, you are a worthless fool."

Then she turned and stormed out, leaving Haven with a contented smile.

For a while, I lay there with my pride broken and my body hurting. The doctors helped me get up.

However, this was not the end of it.

I grabbed for my phone as I was slowly and painfully pushed to the wheelchair. I dialed a number I had not called in a while, and my fingers shook.

After ringing, a deep, recognizable voice answered.

"Father," I sounded. "I am done. Tell Isabella my true identity. Tell her absolutely everything."

The other end of the line went silent. Then he asked, "Are you certain, Johnson?"

I took a hard swallow. My pride was already ruined. Perhaps knowing the truth would help her come to her senses. Maybe she would realize what she was doing wrong.

"Yes," I answered. "Perhaps she will ask for my forgiveness."

I hung up the phone and exhaled shakily. Even though I was exhausted, a small glimmer of hope lingered in my chest.

It did not last long.

My phone started ringing again. An unidentified number.

"Hello?" My voice sounded raspy.

"Mr. Johnson?" The man who spoke on the other end sounded professional. "I am Attorney Harris. I am calling to let you know that Isabella, your wife, has formally filed for divorce against you."

I went cold…

The hope that had been in me moments before was suddenly gone.

Her decision was already made.

My grip on the phone tightened, and my knuckles became white.

Gradually, I redialed my dad's number.

I did not hesitate when he picked it up. "Forget it father," I said suddenly. "Do not speak to Isabella. She has made her decision."

A deep sigh. After that, "Understood."

I tightened my mouth. Something inside me shifted, a cold, merciless determination soaking into my bones.

"I'm coming home," I declared.

This time, there was no hesitation.

"We will be waiting," my father responded.

After a few moments, I could hear the distant hum of engines. Wheeling to the window, I peered down.

The hospital entrance was greeted by the arrival of two sleek black BMWs.

There was my ride.

I inhaled deeply and refocused my mind. My eyes were blazing with determination.

It was not over yet.

This was only the start.