In front of my husband’s family, my mother-in-law said that by getting married I had “moved up in life.” I filed for divorce right then and there… But the next day, in front of the judge, they discovered who I really was.

Up at the second-floor window, I saw Cordelia’s furious silhouette watching me as if I were a defeated servant fleeing the grounds.

I offered a small, private smile because they thought I was leaving in ruins.

They had no clue that the woman they spent three years humiliating was about to become the most talked-about person in the financial world.

Part 2

That night, I packed my entire existence into a single leather suitcase.

It was almost comical how little of that house actually belonged to me, consisting only of clothes, a few worn books, and some old family photos.

Everything else had been bought with Harrison money, and they never missed an opportunity to remind me of that fact.

The designer lamps, the car in the driveway, and even the silk sheets on the bed were all leased from their arrogance.

I was zipping up the bag when Tyler appeared in the bedroom doorway looking annoyed.

“Are you seriously going through with this little tantrum?” he asked.

“Yes, I am.”

“You’re being incredibly dramatic over a few words at dinner.”

I let out a short, dry laugh that lacked any humor.

“Dramatic? Your mother insulted my dignity in front of the whole family and you joined in on the fun.”