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

Bai Zhi walked in gracefully, dressed in a pale lavender silk robe cinched at her narrow waist. Her hair was pulled into a sleek low bun, accentuating her delicate jawline. She carried a porcelain bowl, fragrant steam curling into the stale air.

"Yueyao," Bai Zhi cooed sweetly, her voice dripping with false concern, "You didn't eat anything last night. You need to keep your strength up."

Yueyao didn't move. She didn't even blink.

Bai Zhi's lips curled into a faint smile as she crouched down in front of her, close enough for her sweet floral perfume to suffocate Yueyao's senses.

She placed the bowl on the floor and reached out to tuck a stray strand of Yueyao's tangled hair behind her ear.

"Look at you… so pitiful." Her tone was soft, but her dark eyes glittered with sadistic amusement.

Yueyao flinched at her touch, recoiling against the wall. Bai Zhi let out a soft, mocking sigh as her fingers traced the fading bruises on Yueyao's cheek.

"Shen Xiao told me something interesting last night," she whispered, leaning closer until their noses almost touched, "He said he never loved you. Not even for a day."

Bai Zhi paused, studying Yueyao's vacant expression. Annoyance flickered in her eyes at Yueyao's numb silence and no reaction... She wanted to see her wreath in pain.

"He said… every time he looked at you, he saw someone who had ruined his perfect life he could have had with me... The child should have been born by me..."

Something twisted painfully in Yueyao's chest, but her face remained blank. The numbness spread deeper, swallowing the faint flicker of pain until only emptiness remained.

Bai Zhi clicked her tongue softly and straightened, smoothing her robe with delicate fingers.

"Still pretending to be strong? How long do you think you can keep it up?" She tilted her head with feigned pity, "Anyway… eat before you pass out. Shen Xiao doesn't want a corpse rotting in his house. That's a bad omen.."

With that, she turned gracefully and walked out, the door clicking shut behind her.

Yueyao sat frozen for a long time, staring at the steaming bowl of congee on the floor. Her stomach cramped painfully at the scent of chicken and ginger, but she didn't reach for it.

Instead, her trembling fingers closed into tight fists against the thin mattress.

'I don't need their pity… I don't need their food…'

Later that afternoon, the door unlocked again. Heavy footsteps approached, and her body tensed involuntarily.

Shen Xiao stepped inside, wearing a charcoal cashmere sweater over tailored black trousers.

His sleeves were rolled up to his elbows, revealing veined, strong forearms. He smelled of sandalwood cologne and faint smoke.

His eyes narrowed as he saw the untouched bowl on the floor. A muscle twitched in his jaw as he turned to her huddled figure by the window.

"You are still refusing to eat?" His voice was low and dangerous.

She didn't answer. She didn't even look at him.

His chest tightened with frustration. He strode over and crouched down in front of her, gripping her chin hard enough to bruise.

Slowly, she lifted her gaze. Her eyes were dark and empty, twin pools of stagnant water. There was no fear in them. No hatred.... Just… nothing.

"Do whatever you want," she whispered hoarsely, "I don't care anymore."

Chapter 42; Look at me.....