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

Thank you for submitting your preliminary documents for divorce representation with our firm. After careful review, we regret to inform you that Zhang & Li Law Firm will be unable to take on your case at this time.

Due to the nature of the parties involved and considerations outside the scope of our services, we advise you to seek alternative legal representation.

We apologise for any inconvenience caused.

Senior Partner Zhang & Li Law Firm

She stared at the email in numb disbelief. Her chest burned with fresh, suffocating despair.

They knew. They didn't say it outright, but they knew who he was. They knew the power he wielded.

She felt the walls of her prison tighten around her, her throat closing with silent screams she could no longer voice.

Her tears fell soundlessly onto the screen as her trembling fingers hovered over the power button.

Slowly, she turned off the phone and tucked it back under the dresser lining, her hollow eyes staring into the dimly lit room.

'I will survive this… no matter what it takes…'

But for the first time, that thought felt impossibly far away.

She sat there for a long time, the rejected email glaring back at her like a silent death sentence.

Her body trembled uncontrollably as silent sobs wracked her chest. The emptiness in her eyes deepened, swallowed by suffocating, numbing despair.

Slowly, with trembling fingers, she pulled out her hidden phone again. Her vision blurred as she scrolled down to Fang Lin's name.

She had called Fang Lin before… told her she was divorcing Shen Xiao… told her she couldn't live in that house any longer… and Fang Lin, without hesitation, had told her,

"Come to my place. Anytime. Day or night. Just come, Yueyao. You don't need to explain anything."

But she hadn't managed to leave. Shen Xiao's men had blocked every exit, every attempt, every desperate plan.

Now… she knew she wouldn't be able to escape at all.

But still… she needed to hear her friend's voice. Even if just for a moment.

With tears spilling down her cheeks, she pressed 'Call'.

The line rang once before Fang Lin's urgent, worried voice answered.

"Yueyao…? Where are you? Are you okay? I have been so worried....."

"Fang Lin…" Her voice was broken, raw with silent screams, "I… I can't leave… they won't let me… no one will take my case… I… I don't know what to do anymore…"

She heard Fang Lin suck in a sharp breath on the other end, fighting tears.

"Yueyao… listen to me. Don't say that. Don't give up, do you hear me? Don't you dare give up."

"I'm so tired, Fang Lin…" she sobbed, her thin shoulders shaking violently. "I… I can't even breathe… it's like… like I'm already dead…."

"Don't… don't say that," Fang Lin whispered brokenly, "I will find a way. I will find a lawyer, someone who isn't afraid of Shen Xiao. Just hold on, okay? Please… hold on for me. Hold on for yourself."

"Okay…" Yueyao whispered, her voice fading, "Thank you… Fang Lin… thank you for always being there…"

"Always," Fang Lin whispered back fiercely. "Always."

They ended the call quietly, Yueyao's tears still falling silently onto her trembling hands.

She curled up under the heavy duvet, her thin body wracked with silent sobs until her throat burned raw.

But somewhere deep in the suffocating darkness swallowing her mind, a faint flicker of warmth remained.

If she was going to die here… then she would make sure Shen Xiao's victory tasted of ashes.

Yueyao sat on the edge of the guest room bed, her hands folded neatly in her lap.

Chapter 47; Not hope!