Jeruel arrived at the hospital drenched in sweat, her chest heaving. She had sprinted furiously, her heels clacking on the pavement, refusing to wait for a taxi. Jack had pulled up beside her halfway, the sleek hum of his car cutting through the quiet of the night. Without a word, she had jumped in, and together they sped toward the hospital. Her mind raced with every passing second.Inside the hospital, Jeruel pushed through the automatic doors, her sharp gaze darting across the waiting room. Fluorescent lights flickered overhead, casting a sterile glow on the gray walls. She spotted Alexander slouched in a chair by the secretary’s desk, his head bowed, his shoulders hunched. He looked up as she entered, his eyes tired and red-rimmed.“Jeruel,” Alexander said, standing quickly. His voice trembled with urgency. “I—”She didn’t let him finish. Her gaze dropped to Jack, who had followed closely behind her. Alexander’s eyes widened, lingering on the stranger, his confusion momentarily ec

Alexander stood in front of the bathroom mirror, a new man. The once-dull eyes that had been haunted by fear, regret, and humiliation now gleamed with a quiet confidence. The mirror reflected a transformation he hadn't anticipated—a transformation that wasn’t just physical but emotional.The past few years had been spent in the shadows of Jeruel and her family, beaten down by their neglect and scorn. But now? Now, things were different. His phone, vibrating with the buzz of new possibilities, was a reminder of that.He took a deep breath, steadying himself. There were important things to do. First, check on Zoe, his daughter—the only one who mattered in this chaotic mess. Then, he’d pay off the hospital bill. That was a priority. And finally, the divorce papers. He couldn’t delay signing them any longer, but he was ready. After all, the woman who had torn him down had no hold over him now.In the hotel room, Alexander sat on the edge of the bed, the weight of his newfound wealth sinki

As Jack stood there, watching the doctor waver, he felt a rush of satisfaction. The man’s hesitation was palpable—fear flickered behind his eyes, caught between the threat of Alexander’s legal action and the undeniable allure of Jack’s money. Jack knew which choice would win out. Who would really believe this “Mr. Poor Alexander” could take legal action?Jack’s lips curled into a sly, almost cruel smirk. He leaned forward slightly, his voice laced with mockery. “Doctor, are you actually afraid? Or is it just the thrill of watching ‘Mr. Poor Alexander’ play dress-up in a thrift store suit?” His words sliced through the air, calculated and precise.The insult hung between them, sharp and stinging. Alexander felt the old instinct to retaliate rising in his chest. He wanted to lash out, to let the anger flood him. But he held it back, his breathing steady, his mind clear. This was not the time.Years of humiliation and betrayals had sculpted him into something different—someone who had le

(Flashback to 6 Years Ago)Alexander’s hands trembled, his heart racing as he stared at the phone in his hand. Beads of sweat dotted his forehead, and despite being in the comfort of his own home, there was no air cool enough to ease the suffocating feeling in his chest. His eyes were fixed on the recent news update: “Sheet Coins will not be launching.”The news hit him like a ton of bricks. He had bet everything on this cryptocurrency, pouring in all his hopes after the devastation of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) had decimated his farm. His livelihood, his future, had crumbled to dust with his livestock, and now this investment had been his final shot at rebuilding—his last thread of hope.Now, that hope was gone. What was he supposed to do now? How could he tell Jeruel that he had gambled their entire life savings on a failed crypto launch?His chest tightened as panic surged through him. This was a disaster. How could he explain this to her? Jeruel, his wife, had trusted him. She h

Alexander said nothing.If Jeruel had any sense left, she'd be on her knees, begging for forgiveness. The Alexander she once knew—the one who tolerated her sharp words and humiliations—was gone. The man before her now had been tempered by fire, hardship, and a will as unyielding as steel. He didn’t need to justify himself to her or anyone else.He took a step further, his footsteps echoing sharply against the polished floors.“Where do you think you’re going?” Jeruel’s voice, dripping with bitterness, sliced through the air. "You fool!"Alexander didn’t flinch. He didn’t need to.Jeruel’s face twisted with contempt. "Do you think a place like this serves penniless men like you? The consultation fee alone is $1,500. Do yourself a favor—stop fooling yourself and find a lawyer within your lowly means. Not that it’ll help—you can’t win this case."Alexander paused, his back still turned. Her words bounced off him like rain against armor. He turned slowly, locking eyes with her.“Jeruel,”