The Unbroken Glow

"You want to split the property? Go talk to Mr. Chapman, your trusted lawyer," I said.

Jeffrey's face turned to stone. "Is this about that bracelet? I'll get you ten more," he said.

Suddenly, I felt so drained. That bracelet was a family treasure, supposed to bring luck. It worked for him when he was sick, but then, to him, those bracelets might as well be paperweights.

I swallowed the rising tide of emotion. "Ms. Kane is high society, a perfect fit for Mrs. Shaw.

"I know she's got a place in your heart, and Yoana adores her.

"The Shaw family's got more than enough people to wait on them—"

He gave a mocking snort and looked at me like he had me all figured out. "You might not have the best manners, but you sure know how to play dirty.

"Elaine's just my sister. No need to go after her."

I frowned and unclasped the pendant necklace. "Your grandma gave me this family jewel. Now, I'm giving it back."

His eyes narrowed.

"Rebecca, I can let this slide because you're Yoana's mom.

"You better clarify things at the press conference tomorrow and publicly apologize to Elaine.

"If you don't, you can kiss your life as Mrs. Shaw goodbye."

The door slammed shut, and the decoration I had hung there crashed to the floor.

It was the dreamcatcher he had made, the one he gave me for my 20th birthday.

I could not help but smirk bitterly.

A decade had passed, long enough for the decoration to crumble and our love to scatter like dust in the wind.

With my parents gone, I thought he was my lifeline, but he turned out to be just another pitfall.

"I knew you wouldn't have the guts to leave Dad, you pathetic woman."

Yoana's voice drifted down from upstairs. How long had she been listening?

I scowled, struggling to accept my daughter's harsh words, even as I resolved to walk away.

I climbed the stairs, my gaze locked on her.

"Who taught you to talk like that?"

She looked back at me with a sneer, a mirror image of Jeffrey's own contempt.

"Ouch, did that sting?"

I inhaled deeply, trying to find my words.

"When I married your dad, I had no idea he—"

"Daddy, save me!"

She acted as if she saw something terrifying and collapsed on the floor with tears streaming down her face.

"Mommy's mad because I helped Ms. Elaine. She's going to hit me.

"I'm so scared. I won't do it again, I promise."

Jeffrey, for reasons unknown, came back just in time to witness the scene, his expression stormy.

"Rebecca, Yoana is your flesh and blood.

"I thought you were only petty. Now, you seem downright cruel."

Yoana ran into Jeffrey's arms, a smug smile hidden on her face.

The cut on my forehead was a dull ache, but it was nothing compared to the shattering pain in my heart.

She was the child I had carried for nine long months, the one I had nearly died bringing into the world.

For years, I poured my heart and soul into everything for her.

Yet, when it all came crashing down, she hated me so much that she probably wished I would just disappear.

Jeffrey shot me a nasty look.

"Looks like it's time for a little lesson."

The bodyguard—who was only doing his job—chucked me into the storage room. Yet, I said nothing.

The room was a dusty, broken-down mess, and I could not help but let out a wry laugh.

When we first moved in, Jeffrey had cameras everywhere in the villa.

He said it was because I was too sweet and innocent, and he did not want anyone taking advantage of me.

Little Yoana could barely talk, but even she would stand in front of me, fists up, ready to defend me.

However, that was then, and it was like they had all wiped it from their memories.

At dawn, I was hauled out of the storage room, a complete mess.

The sneering maid wiped my face like I was something stuck to her shoe.

"Mr. Shaw wants you at the press conference.

"Such bad luck, so early in the morning."

I brushed the comment off and climbed into the car on my own.

I knew those people were all about which way the wind was blowing, and I knew Jeffrey was the puppet master behind it all.

As he stepped out of the car, Jeffrey's face twisted like he smelled something foul.

"Look at you, all filthy. What a sight."

"Jeffrey, Rebecca and I will go and get changed," Elaine said, her voice smooth as silk, a smile playing on her lips.

Jeffrey nodded, clearly impressed.

"Always thinking ahead, aren't you?"

In the changing room, Elaine gave me a look like she was queen of the world.

"Dress up all you want, but a country girl's still nothing but trash."

I would have gone toe-to-toe with her in the past.

However, at that moment, I only wanted to wrap up that nightmare and head back to where I belonged.

So I ignored her and stood up to leave.

She yanked me like I was a challenge that she would have to face.

"Your husband and daughter have turned their backs on you, and here you are, still clinging to your titles as Mrs. Shaw. What's the point?"