"Evelyn, honey, why are you crying?" My mother-in-law was instantly frantic. "Did that *wench* Daniela give you a dirty look?" A venomous glare shot in my direction.
Years ago, before my family fell, she had treated me like her own daughter.
Now I was just a *wench* in her mouth.
"No," Evelyn sobbed, gasping for air. "It's... it's my mother. She scolded me today."
"Tell us, why would she scold you?" My father-in-law leaned forward, brow furrowed with concern.
"My parents think I'm an embarrassment." She choked on the words. "They said I have no status, no title. They said I'm no different from a *mistress*, and because of me, they can't show their faces in public!"
"Don't cry, Evelyn. I'll handle this!" My mother-in-law's finger trembled as she pointed it at me. "You. Divorce Lucas immediately! Agree quietly, and we might let you stay in the servant's quarters. Refuse—" Her eyes narrowed. "—and you're out of the Dickerson family tonight."
My father-in-law's voice was ice. "Hurry up and sign the papers. Stop occupying the position of Mrs. Dickerson."
Lucas looked at me, his eyes heavy with guilt, yet his words were ruthless. "Daniela, a marriage certificate is just a piece of paper. We don't need it to be family. In my heart, you'll always be one of us." A pause. "You've held the title of Mrs. Dickerson long enough. Just give it to Evelyn."
"Okay. As you wish."
My face was a mask of calm.
But Evelyn wailed even louder. "If we just divorce like this, people will still say I stole your husband! They'll call me a homewrecker!"
Lucas thought for a moment, then turned to me. "Daniela, post a statement on Weibo. Say that you were the one who pursued me aggressively back then, and that *you* were the third party who ruined my relationship with Evelyn."
"Okay."
Of course, *what* I actually posted would not be up to him.
