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

Yueyao didn't respond. Her tears fell silently onto her blanket, each drop staining the thin white cotton like tiny wounds.

Bai Zhi straightened her back, seeing her broken. It was just a matter of time before she took over.

Just then, a soft knock came at the door. A nurse stepped in quietly, bowing politely to Shen Xiao before looking at Yueyao with hesitant sympathy.

They knew Auntie Mei was the one taking care of her when she was sick, and now that Auntie Mei was sick, she probably needed to know her condition.

"Madam Lin… the doctor said you can visit Aunt Mei today since you have woken up, but only for a short while. She's stable at the moment, but still unconscious."

Shen Xiao scoffed coldly, pushing himself off the wall he was leaning against, "Visit her if you want, but don't expect her to wake up just to comfort you. You should know there are consequences for your reckless actions."

Bai Zhi clicked her tongue softly, her eyes gleaming with amusement, "Let her go. Maybe seeing Aunt Mei like that will finally teach her some gratitude."

The nurse wheeled a lightweight wheelchair closer to Yueyao's bed.

Yueyao didn't resist as the nurse gently helped her onto it, wincing as pain shot through her bruised hips and thighs. Each movement felt like her flesh was being torn apart, but she bit down hard on her lip until she tasted blood, refusing to cry out again.

She felt nothing anymore. Her entire body moved as if submerged in cold, murky water, so numb and detached from reality.

Shen Xiao walked a few steps behind as they left the wardroom, his polished shoes clicking against the sterile floor tiles with each slow, heavy step. Bai Zhi walked beside him, whispering softly into his ear with a smile.

Shen Xuan trailed behind them, clinging to Bai Zhi's free hand. His teary eyes stared at Yueyao's frail back in the wheelchair, confusion and fear clouding his tiny face.

They soon got to the ICU entrance door..

The ICU doors slid open with a soft hiss, and the smell of disinfectant immediately stung Yueyao's nose. Her blurred gaze locked onto the bed near the window.

Aunt Mei lay there, hooked up to countless machines that beeped in a cold, rhythmic pattern, their lights flashing red and green like distant traffic signals.

Her head was heavily bandaged, tubes snaked from her nose and mouth, and her skin looked ghostly pale under the harsh fluorescent lights.

For a long moment, Yueyao just sat there in the wheelchair, her chest tightening painfully until she could barely breathe.

She forced herself to stand, ignoring the nurse's worried protest, each leg limping forward dragging her deeper into the pit of guilt gnawing at her soul.

"It's all my fault…" she whispered brokenly, tears slipping down her cheeks and dripping onto Aunt Mei's frail, unmoving hand.

Everyone who loved her… everyone who protected her… ended up suffering a painful end, and it was all because of her stupidity.

And here she was, filthy, tainted, broken beyond repair, still alive, while the only person who treated her like family lay trapped between life and death.

Aunt Mei had raised her since childhood, ever since her mother died she was the only person who had stayed by her side through every humiliation, every silent tear behind Shen Xiao's back.

And now… because of her… Aunt Mei might never open her eyes again.

Hot tears blurred Yueyao's vision as she reached out with trembling fingers, brushing them lightly against Aunt Mei's cold, waxen hand.

Chapter 32; Because of her.....