Sophia stood still not sure of what she was feeling, her grip tightening around the divorce papers. She looked at Ethan and she could feel his cold gaze on her.

"Sign it," he repeated, his tone firm this time.

Sophia’s heart beat fast against her chest. The paper she was holding wasn’t just a contract—it was the end of everything she had tried to fight for, everything she had believed in.

Sophia had spent all her life by Ethan’s side, supporting him, sacrificing for him, and now, he was tossing her away like she meant nothing to him.

Her hands trembled slightly as she flipped through the pages, reading through the terms.

No alimony.

No property.

No assets.

Nothing.

Everything belonged to Ethan.

Sophia let out a bitter laugh that almost seemed like she was about to cry.

"So, this is what I meant to you? Less than nothing?"

Victoria scoffed, arms crossed. "Oh, please, Sophia. You should be grateful. Ethan could’ve had you thrown out without giving you a penny, but at least he’s giving you a choice."

"A choice?" Sophia’s voice, with rage. "This is a death sentence." She looked at the paper she was holding and back at Ethan who didn't seem to care

Ethan sighed, looking at his watch. "Enough of the dramatics. Sign it and leave."

She felt her nails dig into her palms. For a brief moment, she considered tearing the papers apart, refusing to bow down to his harsh attitude. But then, she looked at Ethan’s face—calm, unaffected, as if she was nothing more than an inconvenience he wanted to erase.

He didn't care.

That’s when she realized the truth.

Ethan had never loved her.

Whatever they had, whatever moments she had cherished—they had meant nothing to him.

Her lips curled up in anger but she tried to have it suppressed. Slowly, she reached for the pen on his desk.

With each stroke of ink, her heart shattered.

When she was done, she dropped the pen and looked up at him. "Happy now?"

Ethan glanced at the papers, smirking. "You finally did something smart, Sophia."

She clenched her fists, resisting the urge to slap that smirk off his face.

Victoria walked over, plucking the papers off the table with a satisfied grin. "Now that that’s settled, you can get out."

Sophia turned to Ethan. "At least let me pack my things."

Ethan tilted his head a bit. "You don’t own anything here. Everything in this house was bought with my money. You walk out with whatever you came in with—nothing."

Sophia felt the last piece of her heart break.

Ethan pointed towards the door. "Leave."

A lump formed in her throat, but she refused to cry. Not in front of them.

With a deep breath, she turned and walked towards the exit.

She stepped outside, the cold night air hitting her skin like a slap.

And just like that, it was over.

The mansion, her home, her marriage—it was all gone.

The sound of the heavy doors closing behind her was deafening.

Sophia stood there, her arms wrapped around herself as she faced the harsh reality of being all alone.

She had nothing.

Nowhere to go.

Then, the first raindrop fell.

She looked up, watching as the dark sky rumbling, rain pouring down in thick sheets.

Perfect.

Tears mingled with the rain as she walked down the long driveway, her feet dragging against the pavement.

Her car? Taken. Her phone? Confiscated. All she had was the thin dress clinging to her rain-soaked skin.

She walked aimlessly, her body shivering from both the cold and the sadness that engulfed her soul.

After what felt like hours, she reached the city streets, her legs barely carrying her forward. They were tired and weak,then just as she was about to crumble from fatigue, a sleek black car pulled up beside her.

The tinted window rolled down, and a deep, smooth voice called out.

"Need a ride?"

Sophia turned her head slowly, her face drenched in rain. She looked like a lost puppy.

The man inside was unlike anyone she had ever seen. Sharp features, piercing blue eyes, and an aura of quiet authority that sent a shiver down her spine.

She hesitated, but something about the way he watched her—calm, calculated—made her pause.

"Who are you?" she asked warily.

The man smiled slightly. "Someone who can help you."

Sophia let out a humorless laugh. "Help me? I don’t even know you."

"True," he admitted. "But I know you, Sophia Carter. And I know what Ethan did to you."

Her breath caught in her throat, face turned pale.

How did he know?

Has he been watching her all this while?

The man leaned forward gently, his eyes filled with promise. "What if I told you that I could give you something better than just leaving with nothing?"

Sophia swallowed. "What do you want?"

His lips curled into a smirk. "I want to give you a second chance. A new identity. A new life."

Her pulse quickened. "And why would you do that?"

"Because, Sophia," he said smoothly. "I believe in revenge. And I think you do too."

She sucked in a sharp breath.

Revenge.

It was the only thing keeping her from collapsing.

Sophia looked at the stranger one last time, her mind racing.

Then, she made her decision.

She was going to make them pay, Sophia looked at the strange man and without another word, she stepped into the car.

And as the door shut behind her, she knew—this was just the beginning.