Kim_Li_0078

#DARK ROMANCE 
Lin Yueyao spent five years of her youth married to Shen Xiao, a man whose heart was as cold as steel. She believed that her gentleness would eventually melt his indifference, but the only thing that melted was her own dignity.

Every night, she endured his cruel touch, his words like blades, and his silent disgust. But no matter how much it hurt, Yueyao clung on – for the sake of their son, Xuanxuan, and for the sliver of hope that someday he might see her.

That hope shattered completely when his first love, Bai Zhi, returned from abroad. The very night Bai Zhi came back, Shen Xiao left Yueyao alone to dine with her. His gaze, once cold and dismissive, turned tender only for Bai Zhi.

Then, just as Yueyao discovered she was pregnant again, Shen Xiao handed her divorce papers. Abandoned while carrying his child, betrayed by her husband, and discarded like a stain on his life, Yueyao’s world collapsed.

Even their son, Xuanxuan – the little boy she’d nearly died giving birth to, the one she raised with unwavering devotion – rejected her, clinging instead to Bai Zhi with innocent adoration.

But fate was crueler still.

Kidnapped straight from her hospital bed by men demanding ransom, Yueyao realised no one was coming to save her. Her husband hadn’t even noticed she was missing. As she lay in that abandoned factory, trembling in pain, all illusions crumbled.

She was done waiting for love from a man who treated her like dirt.

This time, she would save herself. And when she returned, it wouldn’t be as the pitiful Mrs. Shen, but as a woman reborn from ashes – with a heart no longer beating for Shen Xiao.

But will he realise her worth only when it’s too late?

Love After Divorce: Her Second Chance

The next evening, the crystal chandelier flickered softly in the grand dining hall, illuminating the untouched dishes laid out on the long mahogany table. The braised abalone, stewed duck, and stir-fried greens had long gone cold.

Yueyao sat alone, her hands folded tightly in her lap, staring at the empty seat across from her.

Shen Xuan sat beside her, silent, fiddling with his chopsticks. The child's eyes darted to the hallway every few minutes, hope flickering and fading like a dying candle.

She reached out and stroked his hair softly, "Eat, Xuan'er. It's getting late."

"I want to wait for Daddy, he said he would be at home for dinner..." he mumbled, not looking at her.

Her heart twisted painfully, knowing very well that the man might not show up! "Daddy… Daddy might come back late tonight. So you need to eat and rest up early..."

"Again?" His small voice was flat, devoid of emotion, "He's always with Aunt Bai… right?"

Yueyao froze for a second, her breath catching in her throat. Before she could answer, the front door finally swung open.

Shen Xiao stepped in, loosening his tie with a bored expression.

His sharp suit was immaculate as always, his hair styled neatly despite the late hour. Yueyao's heart clenched seeing him, but she forced a calm smile and stood up to welcome him as always.

"You are home," she said softly, her voice trembling despite her efforts to sound normal. "Have you eaten? I kept the food warm. Xuan'er has been waiting for you...."

"Don't bother." Shen Xiao didn't even glance at her as he walked past, pulling off his cufflinks, "I already ate."

Her smile faltered and she could no longer keep the facade. Shen Xuan lowered his head, pushing away his bowl.

"Shen Xiao," Yueyao called out, her tone sharper this time and frustrated. "Can't you sit down and have dinner with us even once? When was the last time you ate with your family? With your son?"

He froze mid-step, then turned his head slightly to look at her. His eyes were dark and cold, devoid of even annoyance, only indifferent disdain.

"My family?" he repeated mockingly, his lips curling into a smirk. "You think this is a family? Don't delude yourself, Yueyao. You should have known your place by now..."

She clenched her fists tightly by her sides, her knuckles turning white, "I'm not deluding myself. I just… I just want you to spend some time with us. With Xuan'er. He's your son! He misses you every day. You are always flying off on business trips, staying out all night, or spending your time with… with her…"

Her voice cracked as she choked back tears.

Shen Xiao's gaze turned sharp at her last words. He stepped closer, towering over her small figure, "Watch your words."

"Why should I?" she shot back, her voice trembling but fierce. Tears pooled in her eyes but she refused to let them fall. "You haven't had dinner at home in months. You barely speak to Xuan'er. When he was sick with a fever last week, you didn't even come back to see him! When was the last time you asked him about school, or played with him, or even tucked him into bed?"

Her voice broke into sobs as she continued, "When was the last time you looked at me as your wife and not as a burden? When was the last time… you saw me as a human being?"

For a moment, silence fell over the hall. Only the faint ticking of the antique clock could be heard.

Chapter 2;Why should I?