I Divorced My Husband After Prison Release

In his haste to leave, Hunter Perry accidentally dropped his wallet on the floor. Almost on instinct, Mina Long picked it up. She remembered how, when they first married, Hunter had carried an old, beat-up wallet. She'd pinched pennies and saved up to buy him a new one as a gift. His reaction had been cool, but something in him seemed touched. "This is Mrs. Perry's first gift," he'd said. "I'll carry it with me always."

But the wallet on the floor wasn't the one she'd given him. Clearly, he was still using the old one. Curiosity got the best of her. Mina opened it—and found a photograph.

It was a picture of Malani Castillo and Hunter Perry. They looked younger, like it had been taken years ago. Malani wore a Victorian-style gown, her arms wrapped around Hunter, grinning at the camera like she didn't have a care in the world. Hunter wore a gentle smile, warmth radiating off him.

On closer inspection, Mina realized the photo had been altered. Hunter had cut out Malani's wedding photo and pasted it beside himself. Exhaustion crashed over Mina, as if Hunter's smile were mocking her. After all these years of marriage, he'd never once hung their wedding portrait in their bedroom. Love lives in the heart—that was what he always said.

Now she understood. She wasn't worthy to stand beside him in wedding white. Malani was the bride he truly wanted.

In the bottom right corner of the photo, in Hunter's elegant handwriting, were the words "My Love," followed by a date. Their wedding date—the same day Malani had left the country.

As the memories tangled together, Mina lay on the bed and laughed without a sound. Everyone envied her for marrying the perfect husband, for living some fairy tale. But who would've guessed that, in Hunter Perry's heart, it was her sister Malani he treasured above all?

As the sun sank below the horizon, neither Hunter nor Vincenzo showed up all day. Weariness settled over Mina's heart—the meaningless marriage she'd endured for years had finally run its course.

Watching the sunset, she called her older sister and said, "I've made up my mind. I'm ready to go back to my roots." A year ago, a phone call had revealed she wasn't an orphan after all. After a beat, she added, "But give me three months."

Three months later would be Thanksgiving. Her grandmother had been the only one in the Castillo family who'd ever been kind to her, and Mina wanted to say a proper goodbye before leaving the city. Three months would be enough time to get her health back and divorce Hunter Perry.

Across the ocean, at the Gibson Estate—home to the world's wealthiest family—Naomi Gibson hung up the phone, disbelief written all over her face. Turning to the other three in the room, she exclaimed joyfully, "Our little sister has agreed to come home!"

Once her health improved, Mina was discharged from the hospital. When Hunter saw her on crutches, his eyes filled with tears. He helped her into their home, eased her onto the couch, and wrapped his arms around her. "It's all behind us now, Mina. From here on out, we're a happy family."

Happy? They'd deceived her this deeply and still expected her to find joy? Vincenzo came darting over like a little bird, exclaiming, "Mom! Welcome home!"

In his excitement, he accidentally pressed on her injured hand. Mina inhaled sharply. Vincenzo jumped back, showing barely any real remorse, and asked, "Sorry, Mom, are you alright?" Expressionless, she shook her head. She didn't want to confront them, and she didn't have the energy to engage.

As father and son watched TV in the living room, Mina retreated to her room. She wanted to take—or destroy—anything that belonged to her. But the house was practically empty of her possessions.

Mina smirked knowingly. The outcome didn't surprise her. Her presence in the household was negligible, just like her significance in Hunter and Vincenzo's lives—disposable.

But one item was missing: the necklace she'd entrusted to Hunter before going to prison. It was her grandmother's only keepsake. The necklace was the one thing in the house worth taking with her, yet it was nowhere to be found.

"Mom, Malani is here to see you!" Vincenzo's voice from outside interrupted her thoughts. Mina walked into the living room and found Malani holding a gift, smiling as she sat comfortably on the couch. Cheerful chatter filled the room. But the moment Malani saw Mina, she went quiet, and a sudden awkwardness fell over the scene.

Noting Mina's silence, Malani quickly distanced herself from Hunter, trying to downplay things. "Mina, don't get the wrong idea. Hunter and I are just good friends. You have no reason to be jealous." Hunter's expression turned cold and impatient. "Malani stopped by specifically to see you after hearing you were discharged."

Ignoring them both, Mina sat in a chair farther away, unwilling to argue, choosing instead to act as if she didn't notice them. "Mina, this is a gift for you," Malani said, approaching with a box in hand. "I remember you used to love this..."

Opening the box, Mina found an evening gown inside—one she had indeed once adored. Her eyes narrowed. Her legs would never dance again in this lifetime.

"Miss Castillo, I won't be needing this," she replied, her tone flat. "Oh," Malani exclaimed, covering her mouth a beat too late as she glanced at Mina's legs. "Sorry, I forgot. Sorry, Mina. I'm as oblivious as any guy—no delicate thoughts like you ladies have. You're not angry, right?"

Mina offered a cold smile and finally lifted her gaze to meet Malani's. All she found was malice in Malani's eyes. The irony was overwhelming. In a calm voice, Mina said, "No worries. I stopped dancing a long time ago. Keep your gift; I won't need it."

Gifts she didn't need. A husband and son she didn't want anymore.

Malani chuckled softly and placed the gift down. That was when Mina noticed the necklace hanging around Malani's neck, swaying with her movements. Mina's eyes widened, her fingers curling instinctively. This was her grandmother's necklace!