Chapter 1
My husband, Jackson Blair, went around calling me a slut just because I refused to let the widow Rosalie Presley move into our home.
By the next morning, my nude photos were all over the internet.
Customers came into the barbecue restaurant every day just to hurl insults at me.
"You slut, do you have an STD or what?"
"Whose bed will you sneak into tonight?"
I broke down and agreed to let Rosalie move in, just begging Jackson to speak up for me.
But Jackson kicked me away with disgust and said in a cold voice, "She cried for three days because of you. Her eyes are swollen. You deserve this."
But when I handed him the divorce papers, he started slapping himself hard across the face.
"I'll clear up all those false rumors about you. I'll make it up to you, too. Please don't divorce me!"
I looked at him with no emotion. "Jackson, I never want anything to do with you again."
***
Smack! A tall and heavyset woman knocked me down with a slap.
Her face was round and angry, and she looked like she wanted to tear me apart.
"You homewrecker! How dare you steal my husband? Don't you have any shame? He barely makes enough to live on, and you're taking what little he has!"
I held my cheek, which was stinging badly, completely lost in the moment.
"I never seduced your husband. I don't even know who he is. People are just spreading lies."
She didn't believe a word. She crouched beside me, grabbed my chin roughly, and spat right in my face.
I looked out the window, watching the street. Jackson usually walked past the restaurant after work, and around this time was usually when he passed by.
Just when I was about to give up hope, I saw him walking by.
I stood up shakily, rushed to the door, and grabbed his arm.
"Jackson, please say something. If you just tell the truth, I'll divorce you and disappear from both your and Rosalie's life forever, okay?"
Even after 10 years of marriage, part of me still couldn't believe he'd treat me so heartlessly.
Jackson looked annoyed, his voice cold and sharp.
"I never planned to end our marriage. I just wanted to teach you a lesson.
"Giselle, since you were heartless enough to turn away a pregnant woman like Rosalie, I wanted you to understand just how hard life can be for a woman."
At that moment, customers from the barbecue restaurant rushed outside, accompanied by the same tall and fat woman from earlier.
Jackson pushed me away again like I meant nothing.
The woman threw a pile of photos at me in anger.
"You still want to deny it? These photos prove everything! Aren't you ashamed? You're married and still chasing someone else's husband!"
One photo slid to my feet. I picked it up and froze.
This photo was taken back in college when I had been drugged and harassed in a bar while desperately trying to secure Jackson's chance to go abroad.
I remembered him fighting off others fiercely back then, trying to take that photo away.
But now, Jackson had made tens of thousands of copies and spread them all just to take out his frustration over Rosalie.
My hands trembled so badly that I couldn't even hold onto the photo. I looked at Jackson, my eyes red and full of disbelief.
"You really... spread this photo around?"
Tears streamed down my face uncontrollably.
The rest of the photos were all AI fabrications. I still thought there might be hope to fix things.
But this one... this picture reminded me of one of the worst times in my life. I felt worthless, trapped in a shadow I couldn't escape. It haunted me for years.
"Answer me!" I cried, my voice cracking in a desperate scream.
For a moment, my pitiful state seemed to soften his gaze. His expression grew gentler, and just as he was about to speak, a phone call interrupted him.
"Jackson, I honestly don't know how to thank you for the six beachfront villas you gave me and the kids."
Chapter 2
"Giselle wouldn't get angry if she knew, right? If she would, you should take it back. I don't want this to hurt your relationship."
Jackson's eyes immediately turned serious again. After trying to calm her down and ending the call, he said sharply, "If you don't go through some pain, you'll never learn!"
After that, he turned and walked away.
I stood there again, feeling lost.
Six beachfront villas?
Jackson feared I was materialistic, so he gave me less than 200 dollars throughout all our years of marriage.
Every expense I had was covered by this small barbecue restaurant. To make a living, my body had long since been worn down to the breaking point.
But Jackson could easily give Rosalie six beachfront villas?!
The sounds around me were loud and angry, but I blocked out the insults.
While they were yelling at me, they even hit me.
I curled up on the floor, letting myself be hurt, tears falling hopelessly.
My lower belly hurt badly, and blood stained the floor.
That was when I realized I was pregnant!
When they saw the blood, they got scared I might die and ran away, still cursing.
I couldn't handle the pain and the mental pressure, and I fainted.
When I woke up, a beggar with a rough beard was touching me, his greasy hands roaming all over my body.
For a moment, I forgot my pain, screamed, and pushed him away with all my strength.
People on the street had gathered in a circle.
Blood was spreading on the ground from my lower belly, but they thought the old beggar had caused it. They took photos and scolded me.
But the beggar only became more aggressive instead of calming down.
"You slut, aren't you trying to seduce me by lying here pretending to sleep? You've been with so many men already, what's one more?" he sneered.
This beggar hadn't been with a woman for a long time and seemed mentally unstable. He even said rude things to me in front of everyone on the street.
He grabbed one of my legs eagerly.
"From now on, you're going to be my wife. Come home with me and bear me a son."
The bleeding all night had left me very weak, and I couldn't fight back.
I felt so hopeless like I wanted to give up on life.
Then suddenly, I saw a familiar face in the crowd—Jackson.
I knew he was the only one who could save me right now.
So, I didn't hesitate and used all my energy to crawl over to him.
"Jackson, are you really going to be so cruel and watch me die without helping?" I said through clenched teeth.
Jackson's expression was serious and dark.
"Rosalie cried nonstop for three days and nights, so you should suffer the same way for three days and nights.
"In three days, I will take care of this."
For Rosalie, he didn't hesitate to make me go through terrible pain.
For a moment, I couldn't even tell whose husband he was anymore.
I took a deep breath and tried to stay calm.
"I'm pregnant and I've lost a lot of blood. I don't know if the baby will survive. Please take me to the hospital first."
When Jackson heard this, he frowned and snapped, "Giselle Stinson, do you think I'd believe you? How did you become like this? You just make up lies to get sympathy! Don't I know your body well? You've been trying IVF for years without success—there's no way you're pregnant now!"
Yes, Jackson and I always dreamed of having a child.
We tried IVF for three years, and each year he would sew tiny clothes for the baby, hoping it would arrive soon.
However, the baby never came, so this time, I was surprised to find out I was pregnant.
Yet before it could enter the world, it was cruelly taken from me.
The old beggar was furious at my refusal, so he slapped me hard and pulled me away.
My heart sank into despair once more.
Just as I was about to give up, Jackson's friend rescued me from the old beggar.
"Giselle, you've got some nerve. How dare you do something like that in public? You're shameless, yet Jackson still wants you!
"If he hadn't called me here, would you really have ended up as the beggar's wife?" he asked, already knowing the answer, his eyes full of sarcasm.
Chapter 3
But I was too weak to argue with him, so I simply pleaded for him to take me to the hospital.
He refused at first.
I warned him that if I died in his care, Jackson would tear him apart.
Finally, he reluctantly agreed to take me to the hospital.
When I got there, the smell of barbecue on my clothes and the dried blood on my lower body made people look at me with disgust.
"That's the wild girl everyone's been talking about online. She's been so reckless that she's covered in blood. If I were exposed like that, I'd be dead already, but she actually dares to show her face openly."
"I can smell her cheapness from far away. Why is she still alive? She might as well just die."
This was nothing less than me being stripped bare and exposed to the public.
I kept my head down, the heavy embarrassment tearing at my heart bit by bit.
I bit my lip, held my stomach, and struggled forward.
At last, I reached the entrance of the obstetrics and gynecology department and waited in line outside for my turn.
Everyone nearby tried to avoid me.
When it was my turn, a patient suddenly pushed past me and grabbed me from my seat.
"Doctor, you can't treat her. We don't agree! She's filthy. We don't want to share a doctor with her."
"Yes, she doesn't care about her own body. If she dies from her illness, it's well deserved. Don't treat her, or we'll report you."
The doctor felt powerless and could only shake his head before letting me go.
A group of people pushed me out, hitting and kicking me like I was a ball.
The crowd slowly broke apart.
I lay there helpless, almost losing my mind as I watched their lips move without hearing a word.
Inside, I cried silently, wondering who could save me. I felt like I couldn't hold on any longer.
Just then, Jackson suddenly showed up at the same entrance, carrying Rosalie in his arms.
When he saw me, his eyes showed concern, and he reached out to help me up.
Rosalie got scared and started crying, hiding behind Jackson.
"Giselle, don't think too much. Jackson only came with me for the prenatal checkup because he cared about me. There's nothing between us."
I showed no expression and felt numb. I just nodded quietly, saying nothing more.
But Jackson didn't like my attitude. He crouched down, grabbed my hand, and said firmly, "What do you mean by this? Didn't I tell you not to make Rosalie cry? She's very sensitive, so you need to speak kindly.
"Get up and apologize to her!"
Did this mean he could control every word I said?
That was ridiculous.
I looked away and remained silent, tears welling up in my eyes.
Jackson looked at me closely. The anger in his eyes slowly faded, and finally, he sighed, as if he had no other choice.
"If you say sorry, I'll stop spreading the rumor right now."
What was the use of stopping it now? I'd already embarrassed myself in front of everyone, and he'd already shared my photos.
But I knew if I didn't apologize, Jackson would make my life even worse than death to teach me a lesson.
I slowly got up, pain in my lower stomach making it hard to stand straight. I bent over and said seriously through clenched teeth, "I'm sorry..."
I didn't owe Rosalie anything, and I didn't owe Jackson anything either. This apology was about keeping myself safe.
Just as I was about to lift my head, everything went black, and I passed out.
When I woke up, I was lying in Jackson's villa.
Next to him stood Jackson's private doctor.
His eyes revealed a mix of emotions.
"You're in no condition to keep the baby safe. At this point, just surviving would be a miracle.
"From now on... you need to take better care of yourself."
He believed I was that kind of woman, but I couldn't say anything to clear my name.
This judgment was already carved into their minds, and no amount of explanation would change what they believed.
Chapter 4
Just then, Jackson suddenly entered the room. The doctor gave him a slight nod and explained, "Mrs. Blair has suffered a miscarriage..."
But Jackson cut him off before he could finish, saying, "Giselle, you've rested long enough. It's time to regain your strength. Rosalie will be living with us from now on, so we're having a welcome party for her tonight. As the lady of the house, you must come to welcome her."
Before I could say no, he tossed a dress to me and left.
That evening, I changed into that dress and went to the party.
I tried to find a quiet corner where no one would notice me.
But as soon as Rosalie saw me, she shouted loudly, "Giselle, you're here? Come over quickly! From now on, I'll be counting on you. Please take good care of me."
Suddenly, dozens of eyes turned toward me.
Their stares made me tremble with fear.
I looked down nervously as Rosalie came over, pretending to hold my hand.
"Giselle, could you please say a few welcoming words on stage for me? Without your greeting, I wouldn't dare move in."
I nodded stiffly, feeling like this was public humiliation.
Rosalie started crying again, and Jackson looked upset.
He stared at me harshly and asked, "Do you still want me to clear your name or not?"
Whether he cleared my name or not, it no longer mattered. I was more afraid of what Jackson might do next.
I dragged my heavy feet as I slowly walked onto the stage.
I clutched my dress tightly.
Though I didn't dare look up at the crowd, I could feel their gazes on me and hear their cruel whispers—hard to bear.
I tried to push away my fear.
"I... welcome Rosalie into our home."
After saying that, I quickly left the stage—then suddenly, the sides and straps of my dress tore open!
I was almost exposed in front of everyone.
Laughter erupted, and harsh insults flew my way.
"Just like a shameless woman, flaunting herself in public!"
"What does she think of Jackson? He's so kind. If it were me, I'd have divorced her long ago. Anyone who wants a woman like this can have her!"
My mind went blank. I scrambled to cover myself with a rag.
Jackson's face showed no emotion as if this were all planned.
My heart felt like it was breaking, and I struggled to breathe. Why was this happening to me?
Why was it that, even after I'd agreed to everything, I was still the one to be thrown into despair?
I squatted on the floor, shaking all over. I was so sad that I couldn't even cry.
Jackson walked slowly toward me, crouched down, and said in a cold voice, "Giselle, this is the only way you'll fully accept Rosalie and lose the courage to go against her.
"I'm doing all this to make sure Rosalie isn't wronged, so my deceased buddy could rest in peace.
"Be good. I will end this tonight. From now on, I'll treat you ten times better, even a thousand times better, and give you all my love."
I looked into Jackson's eyes with a faint smile, thinking he must be crazy.
Just as he reached to lift me up, Rosalie suddenly groaned, clutching her stomach.
"I'm about to give birth, Jackson, save me!"
Without hesitation, Jackson left me behind.
"Take Giselle home!"
He hurriedly gave orders to his friend, Charles Reece, before rushing Rosalie to the hospital.
Charles helped me up, his eyes full of disdain.
As I walked past the crowd in the stands, dozens of cameras turned toward me, and people whispered behind my back.
My vision blurred, shadows overlapping before my eyes.
One by one, these attacks crushed my spirit long ago.
I pulled away from Charles' grip and ran as fast as I could.
When I reached the hallway, I didn't hesitate and jumped down from the upper floor.
At that moment, I felt free.
Jackson had just taken Rosalie to the operating room and was a bit worried about me, so he was picking out a gift to cheer me up.
Right after placing the order, he got an urgent call from Charles.
The voice on the other end was scared, "Jackson, Giselle... she jumped off the building!"