My father had no choice but to marry me off to him, but on the condition that he would become our family's live-in son-in-law.
Julian was the son of his father and his ex-wife. Ever since his father remarried, he had been treated coldly.
But my family was wealthy, and I was the precious daughter my parents cherished. Having him as our live-in son-in-law was something his father eagerly agreed to.
And so, we got married.
But I was unhappy-I liked his younger brother.
Out of resentment, I made things difficult for him in every possible way. At night, I forced him to sleep on the floor and never allowed him onto the bed.
During meals, my brother and I ridiculed him, humiliated him, and forbade him from taking food.
When he came to bring me an umbrella on a rainy day out of kindness, I berated him.
I simply couldn't feel at ease without lashing out at him.
Yet, he was an odd one-he seemed to have no temper. No matter how my family and I mistreated and humiliated him, he never got angry and always maintained a calm and gentle demeanor.
To be honest, he was quite good-looking. But back in school, he was too introverted, always ranking at the bottom academically, repeating grades multiple times-someone everyone would shake their heads at.
His younger brother, on the other hand, was different. He was bright, handsome, and an outstanding student, a school heartthrob.
Thinking about how my budding romance with his younger brother was cut short because of him, I grew even more frustrated.
Late at night, I climbed out of bed and kicked him awake on the floor. "I'm thirsty."
He got up immediately and went to get me some water.
He was thoughtful-knowing it was autumn, he even brought me warm water.
But the moment I remembered how he had taken advantage of me that night, a surge of anger boiled within me. I raised my hand and poured the entire cup of water onto his face.
Even then, he didn't get angry-he simply walked into the bathroom silently.
Watching his tall, silent figure, I felt a tinge of guilt. But as soon as I recalled how he had ruined my entire future, that guilt vanished.
And so, I tormented and humiliated him for three years.
But three years was long enough for many things to change-like my family going bankrupt, like me developing feelings for him, and like... him asking me for a divorce.
When he handed me the divorce papers, he said his first love had returned.
I admit, at that moment, my heart ached as if a giant hand had gripped it, making it hard to breathe.
But having been spoiled since childhood, my pride wouldn't allow me to show a hint of sorrow in front of him. I decisively signed my name on the divorce papers.
As soon as I finished signing, his cool voice sounded beside me, "Do you need me to send a driver for you?"
I was stunned for a moment before I realized-
Yes, this mansion where I had lived for over twenty years no longer belonged to my family.
My family had gone bankrupt. Everything had been sold off.
And he-the man who once schemed to marry me, the live-in son-in-law we all looked down upon-had, unbeknownst to us, built his own company and was now thriving. He had even bought this mansion.
But I had no right to blame him or ask for a share of his wealth because he had built everything himself through patience and hard work. He had never used a single penny from our family.
He watched me quietly, without urging me.
Yet, his calmness made me recall all the ways I had mistreated him, and for the first time, I felt ashamed.
After all, in situations like this-where I had fallen and he had risen-he should have sought revenge for all the humiliation he had suffered.
But he didn't. He remained just as gentle as before.
I quickly said, "No need. I can go back on my own."
Then, flustered, I rushed out.
His indifferent voice followed behind me. "Did you come to see me for something?"
"No," I replied without looking back, running out of the courtyard.
Rain started to fall outside, and I clenched the small gift in my hand.
Today was our third wedding anniversary.
I had never treated him well before, but now that I realized my feelings for him, I had wanted to celebrate it properly with him.
But instead, what awaited me was a divorce agreement.
I chuckled self-mockingly, letting the downpour drench me completely.
The next day, I fell ill, curled up under the blanket, too weak to get up.
Outside, loud noises and commotion erupted.
Dragging my feeble body out, I saw my father sitting on a peeling old wall, saying he didn't want to live anymore.
We were now living in a rundown apartment complex-dirty and messy but cheap.
My mother was crying hysterically, saying if my father jumped, she would jump too.
With a throbbing headache, I tried to console my father. "It's just bankruptcy. As long as we're alive, there's always hope."
But then, my father suddenly fixed me with a piercing gaze, making my heart sink.
Then, he said, "Go and beg Julian for help. He's our son-in-law. He will definitely help us."
My mother quickly chimed in, "Yes! Even though we weren't good to him before, he'll surely help us for your sake. Go ask him."
I forced a bitter smile.
They still didn't know that he had already abandoned me.
I refused, but my father threatened to end his life.
Left with no choice, I finally agreed.
Before I left, my mother used the last of our money to dress me up-a deep V-neck dress, sexy pointed-toe heels.
She even hired someone to do my makeup and style my hair.
Looking at my reflection in the mirror, I let out a self-deprecating laugh.
I didn't look like I was going to beg for help-I looked like I was going to seduce someone.
But even if I stripped naked in front of him now, he probably wouldn't spare me a glance.
I still couldn't understand-why did he sleep with me that night at the reunion?
Was he drunk and mistook me for his first love?
Pushing away those messy thoughts, I decided to go through the motions, just to prove to my parents that he wouldn't help us.
I found out he was at his company and headed straight there.
My parents waited downstairs, hoping for 'good news.'
Seeing their hopeful expressions, I didn't know what to say-just felt a little bitter.
When I reached his office floor, people shot me strange looks, whispers of mockery filling the air.
I ignored them, straightened my back, and walked in.
But the moment I saw him, my confidence crumbled, and my shoulders hunched slightly.
He sat in his chair, exuding an air of nobility, smiling at me...