My Ex-Wife's Hidden Identity

sed her tear-streaked face, but it offered no comfort. Her heart was shattered, and her mind was a chaotic whirlpool

ouse echoed behind her. Her mother-in-law, Linet, and even James, now all strangers to her. Rita clenc

ely illuminating the cracked walls and rusted door. Rita had never set foot in such a plac

ke hung heavy in the air. Heads turned as Rita stepped in, her disheveled appearance and tear

rtender asked, his rough voice

" Rita muttered. "

the counter. Rita downed it without hesitation, the burning liquid

men in the corner who had started watching her, their eyes gleaming with malicious intent. Among them was Linet's cousin, a man known for

the men murmured, his voice l

eaned against the counter beside her, his smile too wide to be friendly. "Hey there, beautif

er glass away. She tried to stand, but her le

grabbed her arm, his grip firm and unrelenting. Rita's stomach churned w

s a feisty one," one of them said, grabbing her other arm. Panic s

he shouted, he

back door, their intentions clear. Rita fought harder

harp eyes narrowed as he took in the scene, and without hesitation, he rose to int

e a blade. The men paused, turning to face him. His fierce gaze and

one of the men sneered, ti

ollar and thrown him against the wall. The other men hesitated, weighing their options, but the stranger's unyielding sta

d up at the man who had saved her, his dark eyes filled wi

tly. Tears welled up in her eyes as the reality of what h

her his hand. "Let's get

man, and why had he stepped in to help her? But her exhaustion and fear left her l

ave, clearing her head slightly. She turned to the man, her c

s lips curving into a faint smile. "You should

itted, her voice barely above a whisper. She

htful. "You look like you've been through a lot,

th in his eyes and the kindness in his voice were undeniable. She

away, Rita stared out the window, her thoughts a whirlwind. She didn't know who this man w

ndow. The strong man beside her remained composed, his focus on the road unwavering. Yet, Rita's

shattered so thoroughly that even a helping hand felt like a weight she couldn't bear

e. The man glanced at her, concerned. "Rita, you're not

e he could stop her, she pushed the door open and stumbled out into the street. The man jum

night, her heels clattering against the pavement. The dim streetlights bar

y meant well. She didn't need saving, she needed to survive on her own. The man's

vement, tears streaming down her face. She fumbled for her phone, hoping to call someone for help. But when she pulled

unfamiliar and menacing. The night grew colder, and the streets seemed emptier with

The space beneath it offered some semblance of shelter, though it was far from comforting. Broke

despair as tears spilled freely. The weight of her circumstances crashed over her, her husband's betrayal, her

She clutched her knees to her chest, trying to block out the overwhelming darknes

ade, replaced by a heavy sense of emptiness. The cold seeped into her bones, but she refused to move. Her

idge's steel beams. The warmth of the sun was faint but enough to rouse Rita from

e wrinkled and dirty, and her makeup streaked down her face. She