Yulia had three nights of vivid, steamy dreams in a row.

After getting a taste of excitement, she found she no longer wanted to play the pure and innocent girl. She could only blame him for being so skilled, leaving her both physically and mentally captivated, replaying the rush he’d given her over and over.

Damn it, she could walk just fine now, but still, she couldn’t shake his dismissive tone from her mind...

Blushing, Yulia got up, intending to freshen up in the bathroom when her phone rang unexpectedly.

At this hour, with dawn still far off—who would be calling?

Seeing the caller ID, her heart sank.

Of course. News of her divorce could never stay hidden from her mother, the woman who practically ruled their world.

The Sanders Residence

Yulia’s car had barely pulled up when someone tapped on her window. Turning, she saw her father standing outside. She quickly turned off the engine and stepped out.

“Dad.”

Jackson Garrett looked at her with a mix of concern and disappointment.

“Let’s talk inside. Your mother’s been waiting up for you all night—she’s not in a forgiving mood. Be careful with your words.”

Yulia’s heart dropped as she looked toward the front door, taking a deep breath.

Inside

Zinnia Sanders sat upright on the couch, her expression cold and unforgiving.

Yulia approached slowly, bowing her head slightly. “Mom.”

“Kneel when you speak.”

That was all Zinnia said.

Yulia’s gaze flickered. Seeing the look in her father’s eyes urging her to comply, she let out a sigh and knelt down.

“Why did you get a divorce?” Zinnia’s eyes were sharp and full of reproach. “I told you, marriage is not a game! What gave you the nerve to divorce Yannick without informing us?”

Yulia kept her head down.

This marriage had been a mistake from the beginning. If her mother hadn’t forced her into it, none of this would have happened.

“We weren’t suited for each other—why shouldn’t I have divorced him?”

“Yulia.” Jackson called out to her gently, his tone filled with worry.

Zinnia stood up and grabbed the feather duster from the coffee table. Yulia lifted her gaze to meet hers.

“Are you really going to hit me like when I was a child?”

Zinnia’s raised hand froze in midair. She’d never seen this defiance in her once obedient daughter’s eyes before.

For a moment, Zinnia looked at Yulia as though she didn’t recognize her.

After all, Yulia had always been the dutiful daughter who silently endured everything.

Jackson stepped forward, taking the duster from her hand. “Please, sit down, Zinnia. Let Yulia stand. There must be a reason behind all of this. Just listen to her.”

Fuming, Zinnia sat back down, still bristling with anger.

Jackson pulled Yulia up, but Yulia chose not to sit, remaining quietly by his side instead.

“Tell me, why did you get a divorce?” Zinnia asked, her patience wearing thin. “Do you know what this has done? You've ruined the entire family's reputation!”

Yulia found it laughable. From start to finish, her mother had never once asked how she was doing, or whether she was okay.

Her divorce had not only embarrassed her proud, aloof mother, but also caused her to lose face with the people who had admired her.

The marriage to Yannick had been orchestrated by her mother. Just after graduating from university, she was chosen by her mother to marry Yannick.

At the time, Yulia, naive and inexperienced in matters of love, had thought it was a good match—socially equal, attractive, and Yannick seemed like a solid choice.

But no one had warned her that behind Yannick’s refined, gentlemanly facade lay a disgusting character.

“Who cheated?” Zinnia asked bluntly.

Yulia scoffed.

“Who do you think?”

“Ha, who else?” Zinnia shot up from her seat, her eyes venomously scanning Yulia, as if she were looking at a defective product.

“You can’t even hold on to one man, and you still have the nerve to divorce him?”

The words hit Yulia like a slap, and in that moment, she felt a deep, crushing sense of despair towards this cold, unforgiving home.

Her mother, fully aware that it was Yannick’s fault, was instead blaming her for not keeping him faithful?

“Not everyone can be like you, juggling both career and family with such ease, Professor Sanders. I, Yulia, am not that capable. I’m sorry to disappoint you.”

Yulia’s words were sharp, filled with ice. The vast living room felt colder than ever, as if frozen solid.

“Listen to this—this is the daughter you raised!” Zinnia shouted at Jackson.

Yulia caught a glimpse of her father, his head lowered in defeat.

She’d never understood why her father, a man not lacking in ability, stayed stuck in her mother’s shadow.

Was it love?

“It was my choice to get a divorce. If you want to know why, why don’t you ask your proud student? But the answer might just make you faint from anger.”

With that, Yulia grabbed her bag and turned to leave.

“Where are you going?” Zinnia screamed.

Yulia tugged at her lips in a brief, dry smile.

“To find someone who actually cares about how I’m doing.”

With that, she stormed out.