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?" Mr. Zhao's calm voice came through, low and slightly cautious. "Are you… Sure about this? Once the procedures are filed, it will be difficult to retract them if he contests."

"I'm sure," Yueyao whispered hoarsely, her voice trembling but resolute, "Please… just do it. Finalise it as quickly as possible. I want this done within the week if possible."

There was a pause on the other end. Finally, Mr. Zhao sighed.

"Very well. I will begin the process first thing tomorrow. Please… take care of yourself."

"Thank you," she whispered brokenly before ending the call.

She stared down at her phone, her tears dripping onto the cracked screen. For the first time in years, she felt a flicker of relief bloom faintly in her numb chest.

With her decision made, she opened her contacts again and scrolled down to a name she hadn't called in over three years. At such a moment, she needed help.

Her hand hesitated over the call button for a moment as memories of their last fight came rushing back, the screaming, the tears, the final slammed door as she walked out of Fang Lin's apartment in anger and humiliation.

But tonight… she had no one else.

Taking a shaky breath, she pressed 'call.'

The phone rang twice before a cautious, slightly breathless voice answered.

Tears streamed down Yueyao's cheeks at the familiar sound.

There was silence on the other end, followed by a choked sob.

"God… Yueyao… are you okay? Where are you? What happened?"

"I… I can't stay here anymore," Yueyao whispered, her voice trembling with exhaustion and despair, "I'm getting a divorce. I don't know where else to go… I… I just… I just want to get out of this marriage... I know I had messed up, I apologise, I don't have anyone else...." Yes, she knew in such a wide world, she was all alone.

"Stop it," Fang Lin said sharply, her voice cracking with emotion. "Stop apologising... You can come here at any time. My home is your home, and you are always welcome. I will text you the address. Just… get out of there... Now."

"Thank you," Yueyao whispered, her tears soaking into the collar of her dress. "Thank you… Thank you so much…"

She hung up and stood shakily, wiping her tears roughly with the back of her bruised hand.

Her entire body felt like it was made of brittle glass, ready to shatter with the slightest touch, but there was a stubborn light flickering dimly in her eyes.

She wanted out and the sooner she left, the sooner she could regain her sanity.

She got up from the chair and walked over to the closet, and pulled out a small black suitcase from the closet.

She moved quickly, her trembling hands folding her few belongings, a couple of plain dresses, her worn-out winter coat, her documents, her bank cards, and the old jade bracelet her mother had left her before she died.

Finally, she zipped it shut, pressing down on the suitcase with all her weight to close it.

Her chest heaved as she straightened up, staring at the suitcase for a moment, her heart pounding with terrified anticipation. She didn't have much, and this was enough for her.

She would be free. She just needed to walk away from that hell....

She twisted the bedroom doorknob with stiff fingers and pulled the door open. Her legs almost gave out from the weight of the suitcase, but she forced herself to take one shaky step forward, then another.

Chapter 38; She would be free