Shattered Vows, My Ex-Wife's Hidden Life Blooms

Roselyn occupied a velvet armchair in the spacious living room.

Across from her, Jenifer sat with a saucer in hand while her manicured nails struck against it at regular intervals.

The gesture made her irritation obvious.

Without a word, Roselyn pushed a document over the glass coffee table.

Jenifer took the papers and looked through them.

As soon as she reached the end of the document, her eyebrows shot up. She slapped it down onto the table.

Thirty million dollars? Jenifer's sharp voice shattered the silence. "Have you completely lost your senses, Roselyn? What have you ever done for the Riley family that makes you think you're entitled to that amount? This is nothing but blackmail!"

Not a single change appeared on Roselyn's face.

She opened her designer handbag and removed a silver flash drive. Then she set it down in front of Jenifer.

Every claim I've made can be verified, said Roselyn. "The drive contains records proving Adrian moved substantial marital assets into an offshore account under Emma's name. It also contains internal correspondence detailing how Riley Group dealt with tax issues connected to a major development project from last year."

Jenifer's face immediately lost all color. Her grip tightened against the armrests.

I'm only asking for what is legally mine. On top of that, I deserve compensation for the emotional harm I've endured. Roselyn settled back into her seat as she spoke. "If you choose not to agree, these documents will be submitted together with my divorce filing. The moment that happens, they'll become part of the public record. I imagine both the media and the IRS will be very interested in reviewing them."

Jenifer stared at her, breathing hard.

Only then did she understand how badly she had misjudged Roselyn. For years, she had seen Roselyn as someone weak and obedient.

You're a snake, Jenifer spat through clenched teeth.

You should know—I learned it from watching people like you, Roselyn retorted.

Jenifer's expression hardened. If information like this ever got out, Riley Group could lose hundreds of millions in value. Compared to that, thirty million dollars was nothing.

Fine. Jenifer gave in reluctantly. "But you're signing a nondisclosure agreement first. Then pack everything you own and leave Adrian's house."

I have no problem with that, Roselyn agreed.

Without hesitation, she accepted the NDA from Jenifer, signed it, and stood.

You have three days to transfer the money into my account. If that deadline passes, the files will be released automatically.

Leaving the house behind, Roselyn headed for the exit. The oak door shut behind her with a heavy sound.

The moment she settled into her car, a slight tremor ran through her hands.

She had succeeded.

Instead of going home, she drove to her office.

Long before she became Adrian's wife, Roselyn had helped establish a medical AI technology company as one of its founding engineers.

After the marriage, however, fewer and fewer people viewed her the same way.

She walked through the familiar hallways. The efficient, professional atmosphere felt completely different from the endless conflict surrounding the Riley family.

Outside the office of Gerald Hardy, the company's operations director, she paused and knocked on the door.

Surprise flashed across Gerald's face when he saw her. "Roselyn? I wasn't expecting you. Come in and have a seat."

From her bag, Roselyn took out a white envelope and handed it over. "Gerald, I've decided to step down from my nonexecutive board position. For now, I'll also be transferring my voting rights."

As Gerald reviewed the letter, a frown slowly appeared. "Does this have something to do with Mr. Riley's affair?"

My health is the reason, Roselyn answered. She offered no further explanation. "Right now, I need time to rest."

After signing the paperwork, Gerald let out a sigh. "No matter what happens, there'll always be a place for you here."

Thank you. For the first time that day, Roselyn truly felt grateful.

After leaving his office, she made her way toward the elevators.

A hand suddenly caught the doors before they could shut completely.

Nate Robinson stepped into the elevator. As Adrian's executive assistant, his arrogance rivaled that of his employer.

Mrs. Riley, Nate sneered as his gaze swept over her.

What brings you here? To see Mr. Riley? You know he can't stand it when you follow him around.

Roselyn felt her stomach tighten. To steady herself, she rested a hand against her abdomen and kept her breathing under control.

I'm here to complete the process of leaving the board, Roselyn replied calmly. "And from this point forward, you'll address me as Ms. Hudson."

A moment of surprise crossed Nate's face before he burst out laughing. "Leaving the board? Is this another one of your attempts to get attention? Does Mr. Riley even know you're doing this?"

Roselyn kept her eyes on the elevator doors and didn't look at him. "That's not something you need to concern yourself with."

When the elevator reached the lobby, the doors opened.

Without another word, Roselyn stepped out. Behind her, Nate remained where he was, still wearing that disdainful look.

Once she returned to her car, Roselyn pulled out a notebook.

She crossed off the second item on her list—secure financial compensation. Then she placed a check mark beside the first item—sign the divorce agreement.

Below the four items, she wrote something new. "Freedom Countdown: 30 Days."

A vibration came from her phone.

A message appeared on her phone from her cousin, Stefan Hudson.

Roselyn, there's a private dinner happening tonight. Would you like to come with me?

For several seconds, Roselyn looked at the text.

Exhaustion weighed on her. The stress and the tumor had left her body aching.

Even so, she needed to start rebuilding her connections.

She needed to find the version of herself that existed before Adrian became part of her life.

Her fingers moved across the screen. "Where is it, and what time does it start?"

Silence filled the house when Roselyn arrived home. In the hallway, Donna Flynn, the elderly housekeeper who had always been kind to her, was busy dusting.

The moment Donna saw her, concern showed on her face. Roselyn's pale appearance was impossible to miss.

Mrs. Riley, are you alright?

Donna, I'd rather you call me Roselyn. I'm alright. Just a little tired. Actually, I'll be moving out soon.

Shock spread across Donna's face. "Moving out? Oh dear... I'm sorry to hear that."

Donna understood better than anyone how Roselyn had been treated under that roof.

You don't need to be sorry. A smile appeared on Roselyn's lips. Though tired, it was genuine. "This is the right decision."

Roselyn headed for the guest room upstairs.

A suitcase came out, and she started packing her belongings.

Everything Adrian had purchased for her remained exactly where it was.

Her gaze settled on the closet after it had been emptied. At that moment, something she hadn't felt in years stirred inside her—anticipation.

Sitting down on the edge of the bed, she opened her laptop and began writing an email to the mentor who had guided her in the past.

Is there still room for me on the new AI diagnostics project we talked about last year?

The email was sent. Before two minutes had passed, a response arrived.

Roselyn! We've been waiting for you.

After closing the laptop, Roselyn sat quietly for a moment.

Goodbye, Adrian, she whispered to the empty room.