Repurposing My Anniversary Gift

I threw the marriage certificate at Cedric's face and roared, "Cedric, I'll ask you one last time. Who is your real wife?"

"Of course it's Queenie!" Cedric kicked my knee hard, pressing my head down and forcing me to apologize to Queenie.

With a thud, blood started to gush out from my forehead.

Cedric showed no restraint at all. Pulling my hair, he whispered in my ear, "Nicole, don't blame me. If you want to blame someone, blame yourself for being the adopted daughter of the Steward family!" He suddenly pressed my head hard against the ground.

Looking at him in this new light, I could not stand it anymore. I took out my phone, ready to call the police. "Cedric, I'll make sure you regret this!"

However, Queenie slapped my hand away before I could call the police. "Nicole, I knew you were shameless, but I never expected you to stoop so low. Being a mistress is one thing, but how dare you pretend to be someone else's legal wife! You're really shameless!"

Her sharp nails grabbed my cheek without mercy. "My parents treated you like their own daughter. How could you do this to them?"

They did treat me like their own daughter, but they kicked me out of the house and even accused me of taking their biological daughter's place after Queenie was found.

Our parents had arrived on the scene. I thought they would at least stop Queenie out of consideration for our past relationship, but I was destined to be disappointed.

Queenie's mother, Fiona Dundley, stood aside with disgust as if I were something filthy. "You wretch! We adopted you out of pity, yet you dare to bully our Queenie! How could you be so shameless?"

Queenie's father, Harold Steward, stepped forward, grabbed my hair, and slammed me hard to the ground. "Hurry and apologize to my precious daughter!"

My heart felt like a sharp blade had pierced it, and my blood instantly ran cold.

Queenie watched with satisfaction before saying to the staff beside her, "Didn't you hear? My husband said he doesn't know her. Get this liar out of here right now!"

The surrounding staff immediately swarmed forward, pinned me to the ground, and dragged me outside like a piece of trash.

Trying to curry favor with them, the manager threw trash at me and ordered the security guard at the door, "Remember her face! Don't let her or the dogs like her inside our store anymore!"`

He looked at Queenie with a fawning expression. "After all, only someone as beautiful, kind-hearted, and tasteful as Ms. Steward can appreciate the charm of our products. Cheapskates trying to pass themselves off as wealthy don't deserve to enter our store!"

Queenie nodded in satisfaction.

Cedric watched me get dragged away with a fleeting look of guilt in his eyes. He then walked over to Queenie and showered her with concern.

They threw me out at the jewelry store entrance.

The moment the door slammed shut, I closed the door on my relationship with Cedric, too.

I struggled to get up. My wrists were bruised, my body was covered in scrapes, and blood was seeping from my cheek.

Before I could even get up, a figure suddenly appeared. Queenie grabbed my hair, forcing me to look at her with eyes full of amusement. "Nicole, look at yourself now. Don't you look like an unwanted stray dog? You thought you had a home, but you ended up all alone!"