STIGMA

Abandoned Ex-Wife: Now Untouchable

Tao Yaoyao

My five-year-old daughter was dying in the ICU, her heartbeat replaced by the continuous, electronic scream of a flatline. I gripped her cold hand, my throat sealed shut by a terror so absolute I couldn't even cry out. I dialed my husband Grayson's private number, the one reserved only for me and his assistants. He declined the call instantly. A second later, a text buzzed against my palm: "In a meeting. Do not disturb. Stop calling." Five miles away, Grayson was at a luxury gala, adjusting his silk tie and laughing with Belle Escobar. He told her I was just being "dramatic" and using our daughter's "fever" as an excuse to avoid the event. He had no idea Effie's heart had already stopped. When I finally reached our penthouse, soaked from the rain and carrying Effie's small socks in a plastic bag, Grayson didn't even look at me. He snapped at me for ruining the hardwood floors and asked if I'd left Effie with the nanny just to "feel sorry for myself." Three days later, while I buried our daughter in a small, lonely ceremony, Grayson was at the Hamptons. Belle posted a photo of him golfing with the caption: "A mental health day with the boys." He didn't even attend the funeral, but he returned home demanding I clear out Effie's room to make a study for Belle's son. The injustice burned through me until there was nothing left. I swallowed a handful of sleeping pills, desperate to join my daughter. But instead of the darkness, I woke up to blinding lights and the scent of Grayson's expensive cologne. I was standing in a ballroom, wearing a blue silk dress I had already burned. Above me, a banner read: "Happy 5th Birthday Kaiden & Effie." I was back, exactly one year before the tragedy. This time, I wasn't going to be the grieving wife. I was going to be their worst nightmare.

Modern Parenting Ex-wife Drama

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"Elliana, remember what I told you. Until you turn twenty, never show your beauty or your talents."

For fifteen years, Elliana Marsh lived by her mother's final words. She made herself look plain and acted like she knew nothing—just to blend into the background.

But today was her twentieth birthday. And she was ready to let go of the old Elliana and showcase her true self.

She filled the tub with warm water, added some bath salts, and set her makeup remover nearby. Just as she started undressing for a long, relaxing soak to wash off the ugly makeup, a loud knock ruined the peace.

Irritated, she threw on a robe and opened the door.

Melody Ahmed, the maid, stood there, nose in the air as usual. "Elliana, what are you sneaking around in here for? It's Miss Jones's wedding day. If you don't show up, people will start whispering and potentially tarnish the Jones family's image. Go to the front hall, now!"

Elliana smirked derisively. This maid had never been polite to her. Saying she sneaked around was hardly accurate. Truthfully, she had been pushed into that back room for fifteen years since her mother's death. After her mother's passing, her stepmother, Kiara Jones, and her father and Kiara's illegitimate daughter, Paige Jones, wasted no time joining the Jones family and took over everything.

The worst part? Not even Elliana's father, Darin Jones, treated her the way she deserved.

"I'll go change," Elliana said calmly.

Melody scoffed. "What's the point? With that ugly face of yours, no dress can save you. Move it! The Evans family's already here. The City Hall staff members are on-site to collect the materials to register the marriage between Mr. Evans and Miss Jones. Mrs. Jones wants everyone present for the big moment."

Elliana's lips curled into a cold smile.

The Evans family was the most powerful in Ublento. Cole Evans, their heir, was a business genius. Paige was the city's favorite socialite. Of course, their engagement was all over the news. People called them a perfect couple. A match made in heaven. Every compliment in the book was used to describe them. Social media was going wild. Everyone was waiting for their grand wedding.

Kiara made it sound proper and grand, but Elliana knew the truth—she was simply dragged out to watch Paige shine.

Elliana got changed and followed Melody to the front hall.

The Jones family's residence looked like a palace, dressed in over-the-top luxury to celebrate Paige's big day.

Everyone in the room wore elegant outfits, except Elliana. She stood out like a sore thumb in a cheap white T-shirt, ripped jeans, and hideous makeup. She didn't just clash with the scene—she crashed it.

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