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

"Where to, miss?" the driver asked, eyeing her torn clothes with mild concern while his eyes scanned around to see if someone was chasing her.

She swallowed, her voice trembling, "Shanyuan Apartments… Building E…"

The car pulled away from the curb, leaving the silent street behind. Luckily it didn't cost that much to get there...

Forty minutes later, she stood trembling in front of Fang Lin's apartment door, her entire body numb with exhaustion and terror.

She was scared and terrified, and she hesitated for a minute before ringing the bell.

The door swung open almost immediately, revealing Fang Lin's shocked, tearful face.

"Yueyao… oh my god… Yueyao…" Fang Lin gasped, pulling her into a tight, desperate embrace. She hadn't expected to see her tonight and was shocked by her current condition.

Yueyao collapsed into her arms, her body trembling so violently while her teeth chattered.

"You are safe now… You are safe…" Fang Lin whispered, stroking her tangled hair soothingly as she guided her into the warm, softly lit living room.

But before Yueyao could even take a breath and have a seat, before her frozen limbs could register the safety of her friend's presence, a sharp, authoritative knock echoed through the quiet apartment.

How soon was this? Or could Fang Lin be expecting guests? But wasn't it a little bit too late in the night for a guest's visit?

The knock came again, louder, and colder.

Fang Lin's eyes widened in terror as she clutched Yueyao's trembling hands. She knew, very few people knew her place and could show up so unannounced!

"Don't open it… please…" Yueyao whispered, her voice broken with panic, she felt like Shen Xiao's shadows were haunting her, "Please… don't open it…"

But before Fang Lin could answer, a deep, dangerously calm voice floated in from the hallway outside.

"Yueyao… open this damn door right now!"

She didn't need to see him to know. That low, unhurried tone, that quiet authority that coiled around her throat like a noose belonged to her husband.

Fang Lin's grip on her hands tightened painfully as the two women stared at each other, their shallow breaths mingling in the quiet room gazing at the closed door.

"Don't open it…" Yueyao whispered again, her voice raw with terror, "Please, Lin… please…"

But another sharp knock slammed against the wood, making both of them flinch nervously.

"Fang Lin," Shen Xiao's deep voice called calmly from outside, laced with quiet authority. "Open the door. Now."

Fang Lin swallowed hard. Her eyes burned with tears as she shook her head in panic, "I… I can't… Yueyao, I can't… he will…" Fang Lin could tell She Xiao was acting maniacal; if he followed her, then he could do anything.

Before they could move, the lock clicked loudly, the doorknob twisted, and the door swung open slowly under his forceful push with the guards guarding him.

Shen Xiao stood there in the dim apartment hallway, clad in his black wool coat, his crisp white shirt open at the collar.

His dark eyes scanned the room before narrowing coldly onto Yueyao's trembling form, and her body that was wearing fewer clothes.

His gaze was unreadable, calm and silent like a moonless ocean, but the dangerous glint lurking beneath froze her blood in her veins. She had never expected Shen Xiao to behave like this! She had never expected him to hound her like this!

"Yueyao," he said softly, almost kindly, as he stepped inside and closed the door with a quiet click behind him, sealing her fate.

Chapter 49; Where to Miss