Chapter 4

I wandered aimlessly on the streets for a long time until my legs felt like they were weighed down by concrete.

My phone had shut down for a long time due to a dead battery.

I was penniless and had no one to turn to in the city.

As night fell, the city's neon lights flickered on one by one, but none seemed to light up for me.

Just when I was about to lose all hope, I felt a crumpled card in my pocket.

A few years ago, I worked in a textile factory. The manager's wife, Wendy Lewis, gave me the business card back then.

She once fainted due to low blood sugar when she came to have an inspection in the factory. I noticed her situation, fed her some candy, and helped her to a ventilated area to rest.

She specifically came to show her gratitude to me afterward and gave me that business card. She told me that I could reach out to her if I ever faced difficulties.

I had thought it was just a polite gesture and stuffed the business card into my pocket without much thought. I had never imagined that it would become my lifeline one day.

I used a public phone on the street to dial the number.

The phone rang for a long time before it was answered, and I heard Wendy's warm voice. She sounded slightly puzzled. "Hello, who is that?"

"Hello, Wendy, it's me, Kristy Wright. I used to work at the factory..." My voice trembled with emotion.

Wendy paused for a moment and remembered who I was. "Oh! Kristy. I remember you now. Why are you calling me from such a number? Didn't you marry that doctoral student? How is everything going?"

Her words broke through my emotional defenses, and I choked up.

I briefly explained what happened to me. I told her how I divorced Rhett and was now homeless.

Wendy was silent on the other end for a long while, and then she exploded with anger.

"Rhett Mason! I always thought he was not a good guy and a real smooth talker, but I never imagined he'd be so despicable. Kristy, don't be afraid. Where are you right now? I'll come to pick you up immediately."

Half an hour later, Wendy found me and drove me to her home.

It was a place not spacious, but clean.

She brought me some warm dishes, and as she watched me devour them, her eyes turned red.

"Eat slowly, dear. Look at how much weight you've lost."

After eating something and taking a hot shower, I changed into the clean clothes Wendy offered me. I finally felt alive again.

I told her everything, including Emeline's betrayal, the fake medical report, and the boy.

Wendy was so angry that she pounded the table.

"This isn't just a divorce. It's fraud! As a lawyer, Emeline breaks the law. It's a scandalous betrayal of her profession. And Rhett used such cruel means to dump you. Isn't he afraid of karma?"

My eyes were red, and my voice was hoarse. "Wendy, what should I do? I have nothing now."

Wendy held my hand, and her gaze was firm.

"Who says you have nothing? You have your strength, your freedom, and your dignity. That's priceless. Didn't they say you have a family medical history? We'll first prove you don't have that. You said that the fake medical report was from your hometown clinic. Right? Let's go back to your hometown and start from the source. I don't believe such an elaborate lie has no cracks."

Her words were like a beacon, illuminating my dark world.

She was right. I couldn't just let go of Rhett and Emeline.

I had to peel away the disgrace they pinned on me with my own hands.