Five years of marriage. Ten years of devotion. All it took was one afternoon for Jillian Jarrett’s world to crumble. Standing in the shadows of a glamorous gala, Jillian watched her husband, Killian Quincy, dote on his mistress while their son—the child she birthed and raised—pretended she was a stranger. Looking at her own reflection—haggard, worn-out, and dressed in rags compared to the elite crowd—Jillian realized she had traded her once-brilliant future for a man who didn't even see her. The "Golden Girl" of the past died that night. When Killian threw the divorce papers at her, expecting a fight, she did the one thing he never anticipated: She smiled and signed. No longer the submissive daughter-in-law or the invisible wife, Jillian walked away without a backward glance. She reclaimed her throne in the business world, her beauty blooming like a flower after a long winter. She didn't need a son who disowned her; instead, she poured her love into a daughter who truly deserved it. Soon, she became the most coveted bachelorette in high society, with billionaire suitors lining up to claim her hand. But as the news of her remarriage broke the internet, the man who once scorned her finally broke. On a night of torrential rain, the powerful, cold-blooded Killian stood drenched at her doorstep, clutching their son’s hand. His eyes were bloodshot, his voice cracking with a desperation he had never shown before. "One more chance, Jillian... please," he rasped, pinning her against the wall as he begged for the love he had so recklessly thrown away. But this time, Jillian only had one question: "Ten years of love ran dry, Mr. Quincy. Why are you crying now?"

Chapter 1Jillian Jarrett never expected to catch her husband cheating at a banquet.Killian Quincy stood tall and straight in a crisp white shirt and tailored black trousers, his broad shoulders and narrow waist cutting a striking figure. With his sharp brow and prominent nose, a faint, cynical curve to his thin lips made the aura around him feel as cold as frost.The woman beside him wore a red slip dress, Killian's black suit jacket draped casually over her shoulders. Her long, brown wavy hair cascaded down, looking effortlessly glamorous and sophisticated.Four-year-old Connor Quincy stood between them, holding each of their hands."Dad, Sylvia, the banquet is about to start. Let's go in."Jillian's mind went completely blank; she hadn't expected her son to be here too.She opened her mouth to call out his name, but her throat felt as though it were stuffed with cotton, rendering her utterly speechless.As if sensing her gaze, Connor turned his head, his eyes cutting through the noisy crowd to land squarely on her.Jillian gripped her fingers so tightly her knuckles turned white, a faint glimmer of hope rising in her chest.The hostess followed Connor's gaze and asked warily, "Con, why is she staring at you? Do you know her?"Connor lowered his head, his voice very light. "I don't know her."The hostess frowned in displeasure."Who brought her in? Why is she staring at our VIP guests?""I don't know. Probably someone's nanny," another person chimed in."Go see what's going on," the hostess instructed a staff member, shooting Jillian a look of sheer disgust.Killian noticed the commotion and turned his head, locking eyes with her.His indifferent gaze swept over her without a hint of embarrassment at being caught, nor did he show any intention of explaining himself. Instead, he placed a hand on the red-gowned woman's back and guided her away.It was as if he deliberately wanted to shield her from Jillian's sight.A staff member approached Jillian. "Ma'am, please show your invitation, or I will have to ask you to leave."Overwhelmed by a wave of inadequacy, Jillian lowered her head, her fingers nervously twisting the hem of her jacket.Daniel Langley had originally offered to provide a gown for her, but she had declined, afraid she wouldn't look good in it.She had left the house wearing only an oversized women's jacket and jeans, looking completely out of place in the glamorous, star-studded banquet hall."She's with me," Daniel said, stepping forward and handing over his invitation."My apologies, Mr. Langley," the staff member nodded respectfully before turning away."What happened?" Daniel asked.Jillian shook her head.It felt as though an ice pick had been driven into her chest, the dull ache spreading through her limbs and leaving her in too much agony to speak.She always knew she wasn't good enough for Killian, so she had anticipated that he would never acknowledge her in public.She just never expected that her own son would pretend not to know her.Seeing her silence, Daniel sighed and glanced up, just in time to catch Killian escorting the woman away at the end of the corridor. Instantly, everything made sense."How about I take you home first?" Daniel asked."No, I'm fine." Jillian forced a tight smile.Earlier that afternoon, Killian had mentioned he was taking their son to the family estate and told her she didn't need to come.She had casually informed him that she would be accompanying Daniel to an industry networking event.At the time, Killian had merely thrown out a cold, single word: "Whatever."He couldn't have cared less about her plans.She just hadn't expected to run into them here."Killian is probably just putting on a show. Don't take it to heart," Daniel comforted her softly on their way out.Jillian pressed her lips together.No, Killian was serious.The way he looked at that woman held a tender, lingering affection reserved only for lovers.It was a look she had never once seen directed at her.Five years ago, when she showed up at his door heavily pregnant, Killian was forced to sign the marriage papers with her.In his mind, this marriage was nothing but her calculated scheme.He despised her to the core.For the past five years, Jillian had clung to the hope that he would eventually fall in love with her, while simultaneously agonizing over whether he had other women on the side.She never thought her worst nightmare would unfold right before her eyes.Jillian originally thought she would handle it well, but she couldn't explain why she felt so devastated.A suffocating wave of despair washed over her, making her feel as though she were dying.When she returned to The Yale Residences, Killian and their son weren't home yet.Jillian kept her head down as she changed her shoes. The industry event had ended quite early, so the three of them probably had other plans.Looking up, she caught Mrs. Zeller sneaking a bite of the Beluga caviar.A flicker of panic crossed Mrs. Zeller's face, but she quickly regained her composure."Where have you been, coming back this late?" she demanded sternly.Exhausted, Jillian bypassed her and headed upstairs."You didn't cook, you didn't do the laundry. Don't you know Connor has school tomorrow?"Mrs. Zeller's sharp voice trailed after her.Jillian's footsteps faltered on the stairs for a moment before she continued ascending.Mrs. Zeller wasn't just an ordinary housekeeper. She had raised Killian from childhood, and he treated her like a second mother.Flaunting her elevated status, she found fault with Jillian at every turn.She claimed to be helping with the child, but in reality, she handled every single aspect of Connor's life.Even when he was a baby, she insisted on washing every single cloth diaper by hand.She also personally managed Killian's meals, wardrobe, and daily routines."Sleep, sleep, sleep. All you do is lie in bed all day. Aren't you afraid of turning into a fat cow? If you hadn't trapped him, our boss would never have married a woman like you."Downstairs, the sound of Mrs. Zeller slamming things around echoed loudly, clearly intended for her to hear.Slam!Jillian's response was shutting her bedroom door, leaving Mrs. Zeller to roll her eyes at the second floor.Utterly drained, Jillian sat down at her vanity table and stared at the woman in the mirror.A slightly heavier figure, a blurred jawline, dark circles, and faint yellow spots at the corners of her eyes—compared to her graduation days, she looked as though she had aged three decades.And this was after she had intentionally put on makeup for the afternoon event.She was actually only twenty-seven, but how had she gotten so old?Wasn't marrying the man you loved supposed to bring happiness?Jillian raised a hand to touch the faint lines around her eyes, wanting to ask herself if she had been happy these past few years. Before the answer could even form, tears streamed uncontrollably down her face.After crying it out, she felt a little better.Jillian pulled out her phone and made a call."Hello," Daniel answered, still driving."Daniel, you mentioned before that you wanted me to work at your company. Is that offer still valid?"Daniel paused in surprise. "Of course.""However, new hires need to undergo training abroad for two to three years, after which you'll be assigned a specific role based on the company's needs. Would that...""I can do it," Jillian stated firmly.This time, Daniel fell silent.He knew just how much Jillian loved Killian. Back then, to earn the Quincy family's approval, she had poured all her energy into that household, never working a single day outside.Such a suffocating environment wasn't something one could simply walk away from overnight."Come see me at the office on Monday. We'll talk then," Daniel said."Okay, thank you, Daniel.""No need to be polite with me."Hanging up, Jillian let out a long sigh. The heavy ache in her chest eased significantly, replaced by a liberating sense of breaking out of a cocoon and seeing the light again.She knew deep down she had been trapped in this cage for far too long.Yet every time she wanted to break free, she would always shrink back at the very last second.She couldn't bear to leave Killian, nor could she bear to leave her son.She constantly told herself that as long as she did a perfect job, perhaps one day the Quincy family would accept her.But really, how was that ever possible?Five years ago, she woke up to find herself in Killian's bed.Killian looked at her as if she were a pile of garbage.That look was something she would never forget for the rest of her life.Just as Jillian was about to lie down on the bed, her phone dinged.Natalie had sent a photo in the family group chat—a candid shot taken from behind of Killian and his lover.Killian wore his crisp white shirt and black trousers, while the woman in the red dress had his oversized men's blazer draped over her shoulders.Killian's prominent, well-defined hand rested lightly on the woman's waist.The handsome man and beautiful woman looked like a perfect match even just from their silhouettes.Natalie texted: "Killian, is this your girlfriend? When are you going to introduce us?"The family group chat was dead silent.Jillian stared at the screen, and a second later, the photo was retracted.A pale, powerless smile surfaced on her lips.Everyone in the Quincy family knew she was in this chat.It was just that absolutely no one cared about her feelings.In their eyes, she was worse than a mere puppet.Her phone rang again.It was Sienna."Come to the estate for dinner tonight."Without waiting for a reply, she hung up immediately.By the time Jillian rushed to the estate, she spotted Killian's car parked outside.Sienna summoning the whole family over had to be about that photo.As Jillian stepped into the living room, she heard Connor's innocent, childish voice ring out: "Then are my mom and dad going to get a divorce?""Silly boy, don't listen to Natalie's nonsense!"After reassuring him, Sienna scolded Natalie, "What kind of rubbish are you spouting? You act out of line all day long, teaching the child bad things."Natalie grinned mischievously. "Alright, I won't stick around to chat. I'm leaving."Passing by the doorway, she walked right past Jillian as if she were invisible, humming a tune as she went.Jillian stepped inside. "Sienna."Sienna gave a curt nod."Eleanor has gone upstairs to rest. I'm the one who asked you both to come."Out of the corner of her eye, Jillian caught sight of Killian sitting in a single armchair. He sat with his legs apart, leaning forward, flipping through a magazine as if none of this concerned him.His strikingly handsome, chiseled features were flawless from every angle, yet an aura of cold detachment radiated from him, instinctively keeping people at bay.The old Jillian always courted disaster; every time she saw him, she couldn't suppress the urge to get closer.Even when he treated her with disgust, she happily accepted it."You all know Natalie's personality. What happened today was just her making a joke. Nobody is to take it to heart, and nobody is to mention it again, understood?"Killian stood up and strode toward the door. He had never liked listening to Sienna's nagging."Dad..." Connor chased after him, grabbing his hand.Only the two women were left in the living room.Sienna let out a heavy sigh, leaning back as she gave Jillian a blatant, scrutinizing once-over."Killian is a businessman. Mingling and putting on a show at social events is entirely normal.""We don't expect you to help Killian with his career, but the very least you can do is fulfill your duties as a wife. Dress yourself elegantly and keep the house spotless.""Being Mrs. Quincy was never meant to be easy. If you think a marriage certificate means you can just sit back and relax, you are sorely mistaken.""Consider this a lesson. From now on, learn how to be a proper wife to Killian."Jillian stood before her with her head bowed, her legs growing numb from standing so long.A bitter smile tugged at her lips. How amusing—Killian was the one cheating, yet she was the one getting lectured.Having finished her reprimand, Sienna waved her off. "Alright, you can go."That submissive, compliant demeanor reeked of lower-class mediocrity, and it irritated Sienna just to look at her."Go find Killian," Sienna immediately instructed a servant the moment Jillian left.Jillian went looking for Connor.She hadn't had a good look at him all afternoon, and right now, she missed him terribly.Guarded by a few servants, Connor was standing by the pond with a children's fishing rod.Jillian walked over."Mom," Connor said, turning around to greet her.Crouching down, Jillian ruffled her son's hair and planted a kiss on his beautiful cheek."What did Natalie say to you earlier?" she asked softly.Connor frowned. "Nothing."Jillian paused, then pressed, "Then where did Dad take you this afternoon?"Keeping his eyes fixed on the water, Connor whined, "Ugh, Mom, stop asking. You're scaring all my fish away."Jillian stopped talking, the dappled light reflecting off the water making her face look ghastly pale.She bit her lip, swallowing the dense, overwhelming bitterness welling up inside her.Connor had been born with a weak constitution, so she had stayed home to take care of him.Despite his frailty, the boy had inherited Killian's temperament. He was much more mature than kids his age and shared the same icy detachment.He used to be very clingy with her, but for some unknown reason over the past two years, he had slowly begun to distance himself.Killian walked into the living room.Sienna's tone was full of helpless regret. "I really like Sylvia too. I often think how wonderful it would have been if you had married her. But your marriage to Jillian is already a fact. If only for Con's sake, you need to keep a lower profile."Chapter 2Jillian Jarrett never expected to catch her husband cheating at a banquet.Killian Quincy stood tall and straight in a crisp white shirt and tailored black trousers, his broad shoulders and narrow waist cutting a striking figure. With his sharp brow and prominent nose, a faint, cynical curve to his thin lips made the aura around him feel as cold as frost.The woman beside him wore a red slip dress, Killian's black suit jacket draped casually over her shoulders. Her long, brown wavy hair cascaded down, looking effortlessly glamorous and sophisticated.Four-year-old Connor Quincy stood between them, holding each of their hands."Dad, Sylvia, the banquet is about to start. Let's go in."Jillian's mind went completely blank; she hadn't expected her son to be here too.She opened her mouth to call out his name, but her throat felt as though it were stuffed with cotton, rendering her utterly speechless.As if sensing her gaze, Connor turned his head, his eyes cutting through the noisy crowd to land squarely on her.Jillian gripped her fingers so tightly her knuckles turned white, a faint glimmer of hope rising in her chest.The hostess followed Connor's gaze and asked warily, "Con, why is she staring at you? Do you know her?"Connor lowered his head, his voice very light. "I don't know her."The hostess frowned in displeasure."Who brought her in? Why is she staring at our VIP guests?""I don't know. Probably someone's nanny," another person chimed in."Go see what's going on," the hostess instructed a staff member, shooting Jillian a look of sheer disgust.Killian noticed the commotion and turned his head, locking eyes with her.His indifferent gaze swept over her without a hint of embarrassment at being caught, nor did he show any intention of explaining himself. Instead, he placed a hand on the red-gowned woman's back and guided her away.It was as if he deliberately wanted to shield her from Jillian's sight.A staff member approached Jillian. "Ma'am, please show your invitation, or I will have to ask you to leave."Overwhelmed by a wave of inadequacy, Jillian lowered her head, her fingers nervously twisting the hem of her jacket.Daniel Langley had originally offered to provide a gown for her, but she had declined, afraid she wouldn't look good in it.She had left the house wearing only an oversized women's jacket and jeans, looking completely out of place in the glamorous, star-studded banquet hall."She's with me," Daniel said, stepping forward and handing over his invitation."My apologies, Mr. Langley," the staff member nodded respectfully before turning away."What happened?" Daniel asked.Jillian shook her head.It felt as though an ice pick had been driven into her chest, the dull ache spreading through her limbs and leaving her in too much agony to speak.She always knew she wasn't good enough for Killian, so she had anticipated that he would never acknowledge her in public.She just never expected that her own son would pretend not to know her.Seeing her silence, Daniel sighed and glanced up, just in time to catch Killian escorting the woman away at the end of the corridor. Instantly, everything made sense."How about I take you home first?" Daniel asked."No, I'm fine." Jillian forced a tight smile.Earlier that afternoon, Killian had mentioned he was taking their son to the family estate and told her she didn't need to come.She had casually informed him that she would be accompanying Daniel to an industry networking event.At the time, Killian had merely thrown out a cold, single word: "Whatever."He couldn't have cared less about her plans.She just hadn't expected to run into them here."Killian is probably just putting on a show. Don't take it to heart," Daniel comforted her softly on their way out.Jillian pressed her lips together.No, Killian was serious.The way he looked at that woman held a tender, lingering affection reserved only for lovers.It was a look she had never once seen directed at her.Five years ago, when she showed up at his door heavily pregnant, Killian was forced to sign the marriage papers with her.In his mind, this marriage was nothing but her calculated scheme.He despised her to the core.For the past five years, Jillian had clung to the hope that he would eventually fall in love with her, while simultaneously agonizing over whether he had other women on the side.She never thought her worst nightmare would unfold right before her eyes.Jillian originally thought she would handle it well, but she couldn't explain why she felt so devastated.A suffocating wave of despair washed over her, making her feel as though she were dying.When she returned to The Yale Residences, Killian and their son weren't home yet.Jillian kept her head down as she changed her shoes. The industry event had ended quite early, so the three of them probably had other plans.Looking up, she caught Mrs. Zeller sneaking a bite of the Beluga caviar.A flicker of panic crossed Mrs. Zeller's face, but she quickly regained her composure."Where have you been, coming back this late?" she demanded sternly.Exhausted, Jillian bypassed her and headed upstairs."You didn't cook, you didn't do the laundry. Don't you know Connor has school tomorrow?"Mrs. Zeller's sharp voice trailed after her.Jillian's footsteps faltered on the stairs for a moment before she continued ascending.Mrs. Zeller wasn't just an ordinary housekeeper. She had raised Killian from childhood, and he treated her like a second mother.Flaunting her elevated status, she found fault with Jillian at every turn.She claimed to be helping with the child, but in reality, she handled every single aspect of Connor's life.Even when he was a baby, she insisted on washing every single cloth diaper by hand.She also personally managed Killian's meals, wardrobe, and daily routines."Sleep, sleep, sleep. All you do is lie in bed all day. Aren't you afraid of turning into a fat cow? If you hadn't trapped him, our boss would never have married a woman like you."Downstairs, the sound of Mrs. Zeller slamming things around echoed loudly, clearly intended for her to hear.Slam!Jillian's response was shutting her bedroom door, leaving Mrs. Zeller to roll her eyes at the second floor.Utterly drained, Jillian sat down at her vanity table and stared at the woman in the mirror.A slightly heavier figure, a blurred jawline, dark circles, and faint yellow spots at the corners of her eyes—compared to her graduation days, she looked as though she had aged three decades.And this was after she had intentionally put on makeup for the afternoon event.She was actually only twenty-seven, but how had she gotten so old?Wasn't marrying the man you loved supposed to bring happiness?Jillian raised a hand to touch the faint lines around her eyes, wanting to ask herself if she had been happy these past few years. Before the answer could even form, tears streamed uncontrollably down her face.After crying it out, she felt a little better.Jillian pulled out her phone and made a call."Hello," Daniel answered, still driving."Daniel, you mentioned before that you wanted me to work at your company. Is that offer still valid?"Daniel paused in surprise. "Of course.""However, new hires need to undergo training abroad for two to three years, after which you'll be assigned a specific role based on the company's needs. Would that...""I can do it," Jillian stated firmly.This time, Daniel fell silent.He knew just how much Jillian loved Killian. Back then, to earn the Quincy family's approval, she had poured all her energy into that household, never working a single day outside.Such a suffocating environment wasn't something one could simply walk away from overnight."Come see me at the office on Monday. We'll talk then," Daniel said."Okay, thank you, Daniel.""No need to be polite with me."Hanging up, Jillian let out a long sigh. The heavy ache in her chest eased significantly, replaced by a liberating sense of breaking out of a cocoon and seeing the light again.She knew deep down she had been trapped in this cage for far too long.Yet every time she wanted to break free, she would always shrink back at the very last second.She couldn't bear to leave Killian, nor could she bear to leave her son.She constantly told herself that as long as she did a perfect job, perhaps one day the Quincy family would accept her.But really, how was that ever possible?Five years ago, she woke up to find herself in Killian's bed.Killian looked at her as if she were a pile of garbage.That look was something she would never forget for the rest of her life.Just as Jillian was about to lie down on the bed, her phone dinged.Natalie had sent a photo in the family group chat—a candid shot taken from behind of Killian and his lover.Killian wore his crisp white shirt and black trousers, while the woman in the red dress had his oversized men's blazer draped over her shoulders.Killian's prominent, well-defined hand rested lightly on the woman's waist.The handsome man and beautiful woman looked like a perfect match even just from their silhouettes.Natalie texted: "Killian, is this your girlfriend? When are you going to introduce us?"The family group chat was dead silent.Jillian stared at the screen, and a second later, the photo was retracted.A pale, powerless smile surfaced on her lips.Everyone in the Quincy family knew she was in this chat.It was just that absolutely no one cared about her feelings.In their eyes, she was worse than a mere puppet.Her phone rang again.It was Sienna."Come to the estate for dinner tonight."Without waiting for a reply, she hung up immediately.By the time Jillian rushed to the estate, she spotted Killian's car parked outside.Sienna summoning the whole family over had to be about that photo.As Jillian stepped into the living room, she heard Connor's innocent, childish voice ring out: "Then are my mom and dad going to get a divorce?""Silly boy, don't listen to Natalie's nonsense!"After reassuring him, Sienna scolded Natalie, "What kind of rubbish are you spouting? You act out of line all day long, teaching the child bad things."Natalie grinned mischievously. "Alright, I won't stick around to chat. I'm leaving."Passing by the doorway, she walked right past Jillian as if she were invisible, humming a tune as she went.Jillian stepped inside. "Sienna."Sienna gave a curt nod."Eleanor has gone upstairs to rest. I'm the one who asked you both to come."Out of the corner of her eye, Jillian caught sight of Killian sitting in a single armchair. He sat with his legs apart, leaning forward, flipping through a magazine as if none of this concerned him.His strikingly handsome, chiseled features were flawless from every angle, yet an aura of cold detachment radiated from him, instinctively keeping people at bay.The old Jillian always courted disaster; every time she saw him, she couldn't suppress the urge to get closer.Even when he treated her with disgust, she happily accepted it."You all know Natalie's personality. What happened today was just her making a joke. Nobody is to take it to heart, and nobody is to mention it again, understood?"Killian stood up and strode toward the door. He had never liked listening to Sienna's nagging."Dad..." Connor chased after him, grabbing his hand.Only the two women were left in the living room.Sienna let out a heavy sigh, leaning back as she gave Jillian a blatant, scrutinizing once-over."Killian is a businessman. Mingling and putting on a show at social events is entirely normal.""We don't expect you to help Killian with his career, but the very least you can do is fulfill your duties as a wife. Dress yourself elegantly and keep the house spotless.""Being Mrs. Quincy was never meant to be easy. If you think a marriage certificate means you can just sit back and relax, you are sorely mistaken.""Consider this a lesson. From now on, learn how to be a proper wife to Killian."Jillian stood before her with her head bowed, her legs growing numb from standing so long.A bitter smile tugged at her lips. How amusing—Killian was the one cheating, yet she was the one getting lectured.Having finished her reprimand, Sienna waved her off. "Alright, you can go."That submissive, compliant demeanor reeked of lower-class mediocrity, and it irritated Sienna just to look at her."Go find Killian," Sienna immediately instructed a servant the moment Jillian left.Jillian went looking for Connor.She hadn't had a good look at him all afternoon, and right now, she missed him terribly.Guarded by a few servants, Connor was standing by the pond with a children's fishing rod.Jillian walked over."Mom," Connor said, turning around to greet her.Crouching down, Jillian ruffled her son's hair and planted a kiss on his beautiful cheek."What did Natalie say to you earlier?" she asked softly.Connor frowned. "Nothing."Jillian paused, then pressed, "Then where did Dad take you this afternoon?"Keeping his eyes fixed on the water, Connor whined, "Ugh, Mom, stop asking. You're scaring all my fish away."Jillian stopped talking, the dappled light reflecting off the water making her face look ghastly pale.She bit her lip, swallowing the dense, overwhelming bitterness welling up inside her.Connor had been born with a weak constitution, so she had stayed home to take care of him.Despite his frailty, the boy had inherited Killian's temperament. He was much more mature than kids his age and shared the same icy detachment.He used to be very clingy with her, but for some unknown reason over the past two years, he had slowly begun to distance himself.Killian walked into the living room.Sienna's tone was full of helpless regret. "I really like Sylvia too. I often think how wonderful it would have been if you had married her. But your marriage to Jillian is already a fact. If only for Con's sake, you need to keep a lower profile."Chapter 3Jillian Jarrett never expected to catch her husband cheating at a banquet.Killian Quincy stood tall and straight in a crisp white shirt and tailored black trousers, his broad shoulders and narrow waist cutting a striking figure. With his sharp brow and prominent nose, a faint, cynical curve to his thin lips made the aura around him feel as cold as frost.The woman beside him wore a red slip dress, Killian's black suit jacket draped casually over her shoulders. Her long, brown wavy hair cascaded down, looking effortlessly glamorous and sophisticated.Four-year-old Connor Quincy stood between them, holding each of their hands."Dad, Sylvia, the banquet is about to start. Let's go in."Jillian's mind went completely blank; she hadn't expected her son to be here too.She opened her mouth to call out his name, but her throat felt as though it were stuffed with cotton, rendering her utterly speechless.As if sensing her gaze, Connor turned his head, his eyes cutting through the noisy crowd to land squarely on her.Jillian gripped her fingers so tightly her knuckles turned white, a faint glimmer of hope rising in her chest.The hostess followed Connor's gaze and asked warily, "Con, why is she staring at you? Do you know her?"Connor lowered his head, his voice very light. "I don't know her."The hostess frowned in displeasure."Who brought her in? Why is she staring at our VIP guests?""I don't know. Probably someone's nanny," another person chimed in."Go see what's going on," the hostess instructed a staff member, shooting Jillian a look of sheer disgust.Killian noticed the commotion and turned his head, locking eyes with her.His indifferent gaze swept over her without a hint of embarrassment at being caught, nor did he show any intention of explaining himself. Instead, he placed a hand on the red-gowned woman's back and guided her away.It was as if he deliberately wanted to shield her from Jillian's sight.A staff member approached Jillian. "Ma'am, please show your invitation, or I will have to ask you to leave."Overwhelmed by a wave of inadequacy, Jillian lowered her head, her fingers nervously twisting the hem of her jacket.Daniel Langley had originally offered to provide a gown for her, but she had declined, afraid she wouldn't look good in it.She had left the house wearing only an oversized women's jacket and jeans, looking completely out of place in the glamorous, star-studded banquet hall."She's with me," Daniel said, stepping forward and handing over his invitation."My apologies, Mr. Langley," the staff member nodded respectfully before turning away."What happened?" Daniel asked.Jillian shook her head.It felt as though an ice pick had been driven into her chest, the dull ache spreading through her limbs and leaving her in too much agony to speak.She always knew she wasn't good enough for Killian, so she had anticipated that he would never acknowledge her in public.She just never expected that her own son would pretend not to know her.Seeing her silence, Daniel sighed and glanced up, just in time to catch Killian escorting the woman away at the end of the corridor. Instantly, everything made sense."How about I take you home first?" Daniel asked."No, I'm fine." Jillian forced a tight smile.Earlier that afternoon, Killian had mentioned he was taking their son to the family estate and told her she didn't need to come.She had casually informed him that she would be accompanying Daniel to an industry networking event.At the time, Killian had merely thrown out a cold, single word: "Whatever."He couldn't have cared less about her plans.She just hadn't expected to run into them here."Killian is probably just putting on a show. Don't take it to heart," Daniel comforted her softly on their way out.Jillian pressed her lips together.No, Killian was serious.The way he looked at that woman held a tender, lingering affection reserved only for lovers.It was a look she had never once seen directed at her.Five years ago, when she showed up at his door heavily pregnant, Killian was forced to sign the marriage papers with her.In his mind, this marriage was nothing but her calculated scheme.He despised her to the core.For the past five years, Jillian had clung to the hope that he would eventually fall in love with her, while simultaneously agonizing over whether he had other women on the side.She never thought her worst nightmare would unfold right before her eyes.Jillian originally thought she would handle it well, but she couldn't explain why she felt so devastated.A suffocating wave of despair washed over her, making her feel as though she were dying.When she returned to The Yale Residences, Killian and their son weren't home yet.Jillian kept her head down as she changed her shoes. The industry event had ended quite early, so the three of them probably had other plans.Looking up, she caught Mrs. Zeller sneaking a bite of the Beluga caviar.A flicker of panic crossed Mrs. Zeller's face, but she quickly regained her composure."Where have you been, coming back this late?" she demanded sternly.Exhausted, Jillian bypassed her and headed upstairs."You didn't cook, you didn't do the laundry. Don't you know Connor has school tomorrow?"Mrs. Zeller's sharp voice trailed after her.Jillian's footsteps faltered on the stairs for a moment before she continued ascending.Mrs. Zeller wasn't just an ordinary housekeeper. She had raised Killian from childhood, and he treated her like a second mother.Flaunting her elevated status, she found fault with Jillian at every turn.She claimed to be helping with the child, but in reality, she handled every single aspect of Connor's life.Even when he was a baby, she insisted on washing every single cloth diaper by hand.She also personally managed Killian's meals, wardrobe, and daily routines."Sleep, sleep, sleep. All you do is lie in bed all day. Aren't you afraid of turning into a fat cow? If you hadn't trapped him, our boss would never have married a woman like you."Downstairs, the sound of Mrs. Zeller slamming things around echoed loudly, clearly intended for her to hear.Slam!Jillian's response was shutting her bedroom door, leaving Mrs. Zeller to roll her eyes at the second floor.Utterly drained, Jillian sat down at her vanity table and stared at the woman in the mirror.A slightly heavier figure, a blurred jawline, dark circles, and faint yellow spots at the corners of her eyes—compared to her graduation days, she looked as though she had aged three decades.And this was after she had intentionally put on makeup for the afternoon event.She was actually only twenty-seven, but how had she gotten so old?Wasn't marrying the man you loved supposed to bring happiness?Jillian raised a hand to touch the faint lines around her eyes, wanting to ask herself if she had been happy these past few years. Before the answer could even form, tears streamed uncontrollably down her face.After crying it out, she felt a little better.Jillian pulled out her phone and made a call."Hello," Daniel answered, still driving."Daniel, you mentioned before that you wanted me to work at your company. Is that offer still valid?"Daniel paused in surprise. "Of course.""However, new hires need to undergo training abroad for two to three years, after which you'll be assigned a specific role based on the company's needs. Would that...""I can do it," Jillian stated firmly.This time, Daniel fell silent.He knew just how much Jillian loved Killian. Back then, to earn the Quincy family's approval, she had poured all her energy into that household, never working a single day outside.Such a suffocating environment wasn't something one could simply walk away from overnight."Come see me at the office on Monday. We'll talk then," Daniel said."Okay, thank you, Daniel.""No need to be polite with me."Hanging up, Jillian let out a long sigh. The heavy ache in her chest eased significantly, replaced by a liberating sense of breaking out of a cocoon and seeing the light again.She knew deep down she had been trapped in this cage for far too long.Yet every time she wanted to break free, she would always shrink back at the very last second.She couldn't bear to leave Killian, nor could she bear to leave her son.She constantly told herself that as long as she did a perfect job, perhaps one day the Quincy family would accept her.But really, how was that ever possible?Five years ago, she woke up to find herself in Killian's bed.Killian looked at her as if she were a pile of garbage.That look was something she would never forget for the rest of her life.Just as Jillian was about to lie down on the bed, her phone dinged.Natalie had sent a photo in the family group chat—a candid shot taken from behind of Killian and his lover.Killian wore his crisp white shirt and black trousers, while the woman in the red dress had his oversized men's blazer draped over her shoulders.Killian's prominent, well-defined hand rested lightly on the woman's waist.The handsome man and beautiful woman looked like a perfect match even just from their silhouettes.Natalie texted: "Killian, is this your girlfriend? When are you going to introduce us?"The family group chat was dead silent.Jillian stared at the screen, and a second later, the photo was retracted.A pale, powerless smile surfaced on her lips.Everyone in the Quincy family knew she was in this chat.It was just that absolutely no one cared about her feelings.In their eyes, she was worse than a mere puppet.Her phone rang again.It was Sienna."Come to the estate for dinner tonight."Without waiting for a reply, she hung up immediately.By the time Jillian rushed to the estate, she spotted Killian's car parked outside.Sienna summoning the whole family over had to be about that photo.As Jillian stepped into the living room, she heard Connor's innocent, childish voice ring out: "Then are my mom and dad going to get a divorce?""Silly boy, don't listen to Natalie's nonsense!"After reassuring him, Sienna scolded Natalie, "What kind of rubbish are you spouting? You act out of line all day long, teaching the child bad things."Natalie grinned mischievously. "Alright, I won't stick around to chat. I'm leaving."Passing by the doorway, she walked right past Jillian as if she were invisible, humming a tune as she went.Jillian stepped inside. "Sienna."Sienna gave a curt nod."Eleanor has gone upstairs to rest. I'm the one who asked you both to come."Out of the corner of her eye, Jillian caught sight of Killian sitting in a single armchair. He sat with his legs apart, leaning forward, flipping through a magazine as if none of this concerned him.His strikingly handsome, chiseled features were flawless from every angle, yet an aura of cold detachment radiated from him, instinctively keeping people at bay.The old Jillian always courted disaster; every time she saw him, she couldn't suppress the urge to get closer.Even when he treated her with disgust, she happily accepted it."You all know Natalie's personality. What happened today was just her making a joke. Nobody is to take it to heart, and nobody is to mention it again, understood?"Killian stood up and strode toward the door. He had never liked listening to Sienna's nagging."Dad..." Connor chased after him, grabbing his hand.Only the two women were left in the living room.Sienna let out a heavy sigh, leaning back as she gave Jillian a blatant, scrutinizing once-over."Killian is a businessman. Mingling and putting on a show at social events is entirely normal.""We don't expect you to help Killian with his career, but the very least you can do is fulfill your duties as a wife. Dress yourself elegantly and keep the house spotless.""Being Mrs. Quincy was never meant to be easy. If you think a marriage certificate means you can just sit back and relax, you are sorely mistaken.""Consider this a lesson. From now on, learn how to be a proper wife to Killian."Jillian stood before her with her head bowed, her legs growing numb from standing so long.A bitter smile tugged at her lips. How amusing—Killian was the one cheating, yet she was the one getting lectured.Having finished her reprimand, Sienna waved her off. "Alright, you can go."That submissive, compliant demeanor reeked of lower-class mediocrity, and it irritated Sienna just to look at her."Go find Killian," Sienna immediately instructed a servant the moment Jillian left.Jillian went looking for Connor.She hadn't had a good look at him all afternoon, and right now, she missed him terribly.Guarded by a few servants, Connor was standing by the pond with a children's fishing rod.Jillian walked over."Mom," Connor said, turning around to greet her.Crouching down, Jillian ruffled her son's hair and planted a kiss on his beautiful cheek."What did Natalie say to you earlier?" she asked softly.Connor frowned. "Nothing."Jillian paused, then pressed, "Then where did Dad take you this afternoon?"Keeping his eyes fixed on the water, Connor whined, "Ugh, Mom, stop asking. You're scaring all my fish away."Jillian stopped talking, the dappled light reflecting off the water making her face look ghastly pale.She bit her lip, swallowing the dense, overwhelming bitterness welling up inside her.Connor had been born with a weak constitution, so she had stayed home to take care of him.Despite his frailty, the boy had inherited Killian's temperament. He was much more mature than kids his age and shared the same icy detachment.He used to be very clingy with her, but for some unknown reason over the past two years, he had slowly begun to distance himself.Killian walked into the living room.Sienna's tone was full of helpless regret. "I really like Sylvia too. I often think how wonderful it would have been if you had married her. But your marriage to Jillian is already a fact. If only for Con's sake, you need to keep a lower profile."