FROM EX-CONVICT TO WIFE OF A RENOWNED LAWYER

Have you ever regretted making a decision?

The decision I made seven years ago got me into this, and I regret it.

The heavy prison gates creaked open, and sunlight shone a blinding white directly on Fiona Robison's tear-filled eyes.

Two years. Two years stolen and wasted on a crime she didn't commit. She has finally been released. Yet, it wasn't pure joy that filled her. It was a bitter cocktail of longing, disgust, and hatred. All of this for two different people.

She clutched the worn photograph in her pocket-the image of her son, Rowan Watson, his gap-toothed grin-a glaring contrast to the harsh reality that she had experienced in prison.

Taking a shaky breath, she hailed a cab, ignoring the tremor in her voice.

"Tanglin," she rasped, the word a foreign taste on her tongue.

She highlighted in front of a sprawling mansion with a big iron gate. Despite the steely resolve hardening within her, a tremor ran through her hand as she fished out a crumpled twenty-dollar bill for the fare.

"Here," she mumbled, her voice rough.

"Thanks, lady," the driver grunted, barely sparing her a glance as he zoomed off in his cab.

Stepping into the house, she held her eyes closed and took a deep breath, savoring the familiar scent of her home that had now become foreign to her nostrils.

"Home at last," she murmured.

Suddenly, a blur of brown and blue shot through the opened door, with a high-pitched sound shattering the air. Before she could react, a small body collided with her legs, wrapping tiny arms around her waist.

"Mama!"

Looking down, Fiona felt a sob rise in her throat, and at the same time, her heart was filled with joy, seeing Rowan clinging to her like a lifeline. He was four years and six months old when she left for prison, and now he was a far cry from the gap-toothed boy in the photograph-his hair, a mess of windblown brown curls, framed a face streaked with dirt and tears, his bright blue eyes mirroring her own silver gray. He was the one for whom Fiona felt a longing.

"Mama!" He cried again, his voice thick with emotion. "You came back!"

Fiona dropped to her knees, engulfing him in a tight hug. The fabric of his clothes felt rough against her sallow skin. Tears, long held back, streamed down her face, hot and salty.

"I'm here, sweetheart," she whispered, her voice choked with emotion. "Mama's here now." She patted him slightly.

Rowan clung to her, his small body trembling. Even at six and a half years old, the confusion and pain of her absence were etched on his face. Fiona rocked him gently, her heart overflowing with a cocktail of love, relief, and simmering anger directed at Jackson Watson, her husband, who never came to see her in prison, not to mention bringing Rowan to check on her.

She pulled back, wiping away his tears with her calloused thumbs. "Look at you! You've gotten so big," she beamed, tracing the dirt smudged on his cheek.

Rowan sniffled, a wide, wobbly grin splitting his face. "I missed you, mama."

"I missed you more, Row. More than you can ever imagine." She cupped his baby-fat cheeks.

"I told Dad that I wanted to come to where you were, but he said he was busy and couldn't leave work," Rowan blurted as a matter of fact.

Fiona's heart clenched, hearing that her husband couldn't leave his work to come check her up in prison for a whole two years when he was the reason why she had served a jail term. She gulped down nothing in her throat.

"Where is dad?" Fiona asked, getting to her feet as she held onto Rowan's hand. One would think that Rowan would disappear if she ever let go of his hand.

"They are in the lounge," Rowan responded, gesturing in the lounge's direction.

Fiona's hand tightened around Rowan's as a cold dread pooled in the pit of her stomach as she searched her memories for any company Jackson must have gotten because they don't normally have visitors except for Jackson's mother and his sister, who often visit them.

"They?" she repeated, her voice barely above a whisper. Rowan nodded again, his innocent eyes searching hers with a huge grin on his face.

Taking a deep breath, Fiona steeled herself and brushed off the thought that was running through her head. Confusing herself that it must be her mother-in-law or perhaps her sister-in-law. With her chin held high, they walked towards the lounge, her heart pounding slightly against her ribs.

The lounge door swung open, revealing a scene that ripped the breath from her lungs. Jackson, looking more handsome with his styled, dark brown hair, sat on a plush couch, his arm wrapped possessively around a woman with a protruded baby bump. She was pregnant.

Well, it wasn't just any woman-it was Alaina Preston, Fiona's best friend, the one she had confided in about her troubles with Jackson.

Before Fiona went to prison, she could perceive scents of women on his clothes, and she could ask him about it, but he always assured her it was because he mingled with business associates, and it was nothing to worry about.

A wave of nausea washed over Fiona. The scene felt as if a whole bucket of ice was poured on her head, drenching her. Her gaze darted between Jackson's cold hazel eyes and Alaina's carefully painted face, a mask of betrayal hiding what Fiona knew once was genuine friendship and love.

"Fiona," Jackson drawled, his voice dripping with mock surprise. "We weren't expecting you so soon. So... It's been two years." He said it sarcastically.

Before Fiona could speak, Alaina stood up, her designer dress swishing around her legs. Her sharp green eyes fixed on Fiona, and a practiced smile appeared on her face-the same smile she uses when greeting Fiona.

"Looks like we've got a visitor. Well, you're welcome," she purred, extending a perfectly manicured hand.

The word slammed into Fiona like a physical blow.

In her own home?

The house she bought with her hard-earned money?

A visitor?

Rage ignited within her, like a volcano ready to erupt. But this wasn't a prison. This was her life, as well as her home. She wouldn't crumble.

With a dangerous gaze, Fiona ignored Alaina's outstretched hand.

She scoffed. "Jackson," she called, her voice dangerously low. "Do I really deserve this from you?" Her voice echoed, betraying her emotions as she tried hard not to break herself. Even though she felt like the ground was closing in on her, but not in front of them. She wouldn't give them that impression.

"You left me in prison for two damn years. I suffered because of the crime you committed. I was beaten and tortured by other inmates for what I knew nothing about," she bawled, as tears won the battle against her.

Jackson snickered as a sly smile found its way to his face. "Fiona, what did you expect me to do? Wait for you? An ex-convict?" He aircoated the last word.

Fiona's heart shattered like a broken mirror, hearing Jackson call her an ex-convict.

"You don't expect me to live under the same roof with you when you've slept and mixed up with other criminals like you are in prison," Jackson snorted coldly, his voice void of emotions and love that he had always shown Fiona years back.

Fiona gasped. "You called me a criminal?" Her teary eyes widened in surprise, not believing Jackson would utter such despite the fact that he had committed the crime that led her to prison. Well, what was she expecting?

A small, sad smile curled up on Fiona's face. Her reaction stunned Jackson and Alaina, who were expecting her to break down with what Jackon had said, but little did they know that she doesn't give a f*ck about them anymore. The only thing that broke her was Alaina, whom she never expected to meet with her husband, and to top it all, she was pregnant. Obviously for him.

She gulped down the bitterness clinging in her throat. "Jackson, you don't deserve me, nor do you deserve the luxurious life I have given you." Her voice was strong and unwavering.

"Well, since I am back now, I would like to take back what's mine. The company I put you in charge of a few years back because you were jobless. The company you invaded the taxes and made me take the blame," she demanded, trying hard to gain composure over her inner turmoil.

Just as Jackson was about to respond to Fiona, a feminine voice laced with disgust reverberated through the walls of the lounge.

"Who do you think you are?"

"Are you insinuating that my son ran the company down when you were the culprit?"

Fiona, recognizing the voice, swallowed hard and whipped her head around to meet the smug face of Brenda, Jackson's mother. During the years of their marriage, Brenda was the most caring and loving mother-in-law, but right now to Fiona, she was the direct opposite of what she used to be.

Fiona need not be told that things have changed since she left for prison. She turned away from her as soon as she took a glance at Brenda, who felt nonexistent with the unkind gaze Fiona shot her.

Brenda seemed very shocked by Fiona's reaction because years ago, Fiona would miss no opportunities to please her.

Fiona's jaw clenched tight, but her voice remained steady. "Who am I?" She bit her lower lips, her gaze moving between Jackson and his smug accomplice Alaina. "I am the rightful owner of Veritas Holdings." She stated.

She shifted her gaze to Brenda, who had just joined them. "I just put your ungrateful son in charge!" she gritted, aircoating the 'ungrateful'. "And now I am back to claim the rightful owner of what belongs to me," Fiona glowered silently.

Jackson's eyes widened in disbelief, while Alaina's carefully constructed facade crumbled into a sneer. Perhaps Jackson never expected that Fiona could call her an ungrateful son. During the years that they were married, Fiona never got into an argument with him, not to mention challenging his mother. Jackson seemed so surprised that Fiona gave his mom a counterattack.

What has she turned into in prison? Jackson thought to himself.

Brenda scoffed. "Don't be ridiculous, Fiona," she spat, her voice dripping with disdain. "You ran the company into the ground! All those unpaid taxes nearly ruined everything. Now you come back, tail tucked between your legs, expecting to waltz back in like nothing happened?"

Fiona met Brenda's venomous gaze head-on, a glint of amusement dancing in her eyes. "Actually," she countered, her voice laced with quiet power, "your son was in charge of the company while I was a full-time housewife taking care of Rowan and our home. How was I responsible for invading those taxes? Well, maybe your son didn't tell you; he was responsible, then he blamed me for it." Fiona simmered with rage, even though she tried hard to keep her anger in check because of her son's presence, but she seemed to be failing.

"Lies! You were the one responsible! My son would never be involved in an act that would tarnish the image of his company!" Brenda scowled defiantly.

Fiona snickered. "His company?" She shook her head in amusement. "The truth is the company was never truly Jackson's. Yeah, he was the face of it, but ownership has always been mine."

Fiona shifted her gaze to Jackson. "You haven't explained to your dumb mother? Huh?" She half-yelled, giving Jackson a once-over.

Jessica and Alaina gasped in shock, surprised that Fiona called her mother-in-law dumb.

Jessica pointed her index finger towards Fiona, irritation twisting her face. "You will not." She was interrupted by Jackson, who stepped forward closer to Fiona, a cruel smile twisting his lips. His familiar cologne hits Fiona's nostrils, flooding her mind with memories of their happier times.

"Enough of this charade! Fiona," he said, his voice tinged with condescension. "You willingly signed the ownership papers two years ago before you went to prison. You remember, don't you?" A sadistic smirk curled up on Alaina's face, hearing what Jackson had said.

A vein throbbed in Fiona's temple as Jackson's words hung heavy in the air. Confusion was obviously watched in her demeanor.

Jackson excused himself from the rest, then came back a few seconds later with a worn leather folder, snapping it open with a flourish. Inside, a single sheet of paper lay nestled against the folder.

The room held its breath as Jackson held the document out towards Fiona. Her heart pounded nervously at each turn of the page.

What is he up to?

What's in the paper? Fiona thought.

With trembling hands, she reached out and gingerly took the paper. TRANSFER OF OWNERSHIP AGREEMENT was boldly written on the paper.

And beneath, the bold black letters of her signature seemed to mock her from the page.

How did her signature get on the transfer of ownership document?

An intense pain filled her heart. It was as if someone was carving a hole in it with a chisel. The tears she had fought back started glistening once again.

Betrayal, sharp and icy, coursed through her veins. She looked up at Jackson, his face a mask of triumph. Brenda, with a smug smile plastered across her face, preened beside him. Alaina, eyes gleaming with a predator's satisfaction, took a step closer, clinging onto Jackson with a sadistic smile plastered on her face.

As the glistening tears in her eyes flowed down freely, a choked sob escaped her lips. The weight of her naivety and the crushing realization of Jackson's deceit threatened to consume her whole.

Then it dawned on her that Jackson had done the same thing just like two years ago. He forged documents granting Fiona significant control over the company's financial decisions two years ago, whereas in truth Jackson had control over those decisions since Fiona put him in charge of her company. He had also presented employee witnesses, testifying to Fiona's involvement in the tax evasion that led her to prison.

Tears streamed down her face-a cruel echo of the emotional storm twirling within her.

Fiona raised her head to meet Jackson's cold gaze. "Ja- Jackson," she stammered, her voice echoing the tremor in her hands and heart. "You stole my company." Her heart clenched.

Jackson smirked, his coldness radiating like a glacier. "Stole? No, Fiona. You signed the papers."

Fiona shook her head in disbelief, not believing what was happening. She reached out a trembling hand, tracing the signature at the bottom of the document. It looked exactly like hers-a perfect copy.

"This can't be real."

"What do you mean?" Jackson snapped, his voice sharper than usual.

"My signature..." Fiona paused, her voice barely above a whisper. "It doesn't feel right. I haven't signed anything like that in years." She shook her head from side to side. The lump in her throat felt like twice the size of a pea.

Alaina scoffed. "Don't be dramatic, Fiona. You're just upset, and maybe you have forgotten because you stayed long in prison," she smiled softly with a mocking grin.

Fiona ignored her. Her gaze darted between Jackson and the document, a chilling suspicion forming in her gut. "There's something wrong here," she insisted, her voice gaining strength. "I don't remember signing these papers."

A tense silence descended upon the room as the air crackled with unspoken accusations.

Jackson cleared his throat. "Look, Fiona," he said, attempting a placating tone, "we can go over the paperwork with a lawyer if you want. But these are the official documents transferring ownership."

"A lawyer, huh?" Fiona echoed a dangerous glint in her eyes. "Yes, a lawyer sounds perfect. One who specializes in forgery, perhaps?"

Jackson squared his shoulder like an arrogant peacock. "Forgery?" He paused, with a smug look on his face. "Did you think I am a criminal like you are?" The venom in his voice could make blood turn cold.

Fiona held the document up. "This signature. It may look like mine, but it's not." She glowered with a broken voice.

Jackson remained silent, trying to put on a facade as his jaw clenched tight. He knew Fiona wasn't a fool who wouldn't know what she had done, but he couldn't let her win. He had to claim ownership of the company whether Fiona liked it or not.

"You stole my company, Jackson," Fiona continued, her voice trembling with a mix of anger and sadness. "But you did it through a lie. A clever one," she smiled sadly.

"Fiona, you see, the truth is hard to believe. Just so you know, I am now the rightful owner of Veritas Holdings, and there is nothing you can do about it," Jackson said with a tone of finality.

Fiona, having caught on that she had been won over, held Rowan's hand in her sweaty, trembling ones. She had hoped she could take over her company and restore its reputation.

Her father gave the company to her when she was eighteen years old. It now dawned on her that she had been a pawn in Jackson's love game. Seven years wasted on an ungrateful husband.

Her eyes went down to Rowan. "Let's go," she mumbled under her voice to Rowan, who was clinging to her and watching the scenes.

Just as Fiona turned to leave the lounge defeated, Jackson's voice halted her movement.

"One other thing, Fiona," he said as he paused, crossing his arms on his chest. "I should have asked for a divorce before sending you to jail, but I guess now is the right time. Let's divorce!" Jackson declared, his voice laced with hatred.

Fiona stood rooted to the ground. She was expecting a divorce. If Jackson hadn't been quick enough to demand a divorce, she would have done that first. After all, what's there to stay in a deceitful marriage for? She turned and wore a small smile across her face, trying all hard to be strong for Rowan, who was clinging to her. She felt like a dagger was plunged into her heart, seeing Alaina and Jackson hanging all over each other, but what would she do?

"Like I said earlier, Jackson, you don't deserve me." Her voice was firm, strong, and unwavering. Even though she felt betrayed by her husband and best friend, she wouldn't allow them to see through her helplessness.

Jackson fluttered his eyes. He'd expected Fiona to fall to her knees and beg him to take her back, knowing she had nothing to fall back on. Jackson had claimed ownership of every little thing she had. Jackson smiled wickedly, relishing in Fiona's helplessness. He knew when she felt hurt, but he didn't care.

"I wonder if you're just slow-witted naturally or just pretend you are, maybe because you were blinded by love," he paused and took a confident step closer to Fiona. His imposing six-foot-one-inch figure towered in front of Fiona's five-foot-six-inch stature.

"Our marriage was an act of convenience. It was useful to me at that time, and now I don't need it anymore. Thanks to you, all of these wealths," Jackson gestured with his arms wide open. "I never loved you in the first place," Jackson blurted.

Fiona gasped. "You... never... loved... me?" She arched her brow, her palm becoming sweaty at the same time.

Jackson smirked cockily. "It's so obvious that you're slow-witted. I wonder how I ended up with you," he said, paused, and got closer to Fiona, his cologne hitting her hard. "I used you, Fiona. I was with you because of your money," Jackson stated.

At that moment, Fiona's heart felt like a cracked vase, leaking blood instead of water. It felt like a heavy stone sinking in water because she couldn't believe that the man she had sacrificed everything for and burned bridges with her father would eventually tell her he never loved her. She's been a fool for love.

Her voice quivered, but she tried hard to gain composure. "I will sign the divorce agreement, but on one condition."

Alaina and Brenda wore smug looks, both mirroring the look on Jackson's face.

"What are your terms, Fiona?" His cold voice echoed.

"I will have custody of Rowan."

Jackson's face looked distorted, as an obvious frown marred his features. He shook his head from side to side before he responded.

"He stays with me!" His voice was commanding and intimidating.

Fiona countered. "You took everything away from me, and now you want to take him,huh?" Irritation laced in her voice. "I can't let my son live with gold diggers," she said, moving her gaze between Jackson and Brenda before she continued.

"I can't let him grow up with a betrayal," she snorted coldly, giving Alaina a killing glare.

Just as Alaina caught on to the fact that Fiona had called her betrayal, she marched forward and attempted to land Fiona a slap, but Jackson held her back.

"Don't you dare call me that!" Alaina, who had been silent for a while, yelled, hate dripping in her tone. Her eyes were glowing with rage, and they were also throwing daggers at Fiona.

Fiona ignored her and directed his gaze to Jackson. If Rowan hadn't been with her at the time, she would have known how to deal with Alaina, but she doesn't want Rowan to witness violence because he is so small.

"I can't leave Rowan with you," Fiona repeated. You would know she is not willing to give up with the look on her face.

Jackson thought for a while before he spoke. His voice was rigid and final: "Joint custody and nothing else."

Fiona gulped down nothing in her throat and responded. "Fine," Fiona grasped the divorce paper and pen from Jackson, read through it, and then appended her signature. She returned them to him and grabbed Rowan's hand once again, ready to leave.

"Take it!" Jackson retrieved a small leaflet from the bar counter in the lounge, then scribbled something on it. He stretched it forward to Fiona.

"This is compensation. Since you don't have anything to fall back on. It would help a little. Not like I care about you though, but for Rowan. I want him to be okay," Jackson said, his voice low and gentle this time, perhaps because of Rowan.

Fiona took the check from him and verified the amount he wanted to compensate her with. Ten million dollars. That would really go a long way for her and Rowan, Fiona thought. She stared down at Rowan, then back to the check in her hand. If she had ever been told that she would be a single mother, she would have denied it, but here she was already a single mom at twenty-eight years old. She raised her head to meet Jackson's cold gaze.

She shook her head with a mocking grin, then squeezed the check and slammed it against Jackson's face.

"You want to compensate me with my hard-earned money, huh?" She bellowed.

"Rowan and I don't need anything from a golddigger like you, thanks. Enjoy the fortune with your mistress," she said with a tone of finality and turned away, leaving Jackson, Brenda, and Alaina gobsmacked by her sudden outburst.

"Fiona..." Jackson called and tried to run after her, but Alaina dragged him back.

"She should be happy you offered to compensate her," Alaina said. "Don't let her take your generosity for vulnerability." Alaina took the check from the floor with a concealed smile on her face.

"She is such a fool to reject such a great offer. What a scumbag she is," Brenda snorted derisively.

Jackson stood rooted to where he was. His body might have been present with them, but he was far gone in his thoughts. He was thinking of how Fiona could survive as a single mother with nothing since he took everything she has.

"Jackson!" Alaina nudged him back to reality with her shoulder.

Outside their home, Fiona and Rowan were seen walking out of the gate, dragging behind them luggage bags that contained their belongings.

Just as Fiona was about to step out of the gate, she bumped into someone who was also trying to make their way through the gate. Fiona raised her head to meet the killing gaze of Claire, her sister-in-law, who never misses an opportunity to show how much she despises her.

With an unkind gaze, Claire poked Fiona up and down. "Look who is back from prison, wow! An ex-convict in my brother's house?" She spat with disdain.

"You think my brother was going to live with a criminal?" She tutted, "Nah! Never, I can't let him." Claire continued with her mean-spirited comment.

Fiona, who just stared at her like she was looking at a ghost.

"Has your tongue been cut off in prison? Say something b*tch." Claire glowered as her hand shot out, aiming for Fiona's face. But before her fingers could connect, Rowan, the protective one, stepped between them, his small body acting as a shield.

His voice, surprisingly loud for a kid, echoed through the air. "Don't hit my mom!" he shouted as his eyes turned red with anger.

Claire froze, her hand hanging in the air. A look of surprise crossed her face, quickly replaced by anger. She sneered at Rowan.

"Look at this little brat," she fumed. "Get out of the way, you shrimp," Claire hissed. Her voice was low and menacing. She tried to shove Rowan aside, but Fiona grabbed her by the arm.

"Don't you dare lay a finger on him," she yelled, her grip on Claire's arm surprisingly strong.

"Get your filthy hands off me!" Claire bawled, fighting to break free from the grip. Fiona shoved her away as they both made their way outside the gate.

"You will regret laying your hand on me," Claire shouted from inside, stomping her feet towards the main house.

"Mama, don't you love Daddy anymore?" Rowan's voice snapped Fiona out of the daze she was in. She never expected him to ask such a question. She crouched down in front of him, then cupped his cheek.

"Row. I still love dad, okay?" She lied after thinking of a possible response to his question.

"Well, you don't have to lie to me, mama. I hate Daddy, too, because he made you cry."

Fiona instinctively pulled him into a warm embrace, stroking his windblown curls for what seemed like an eternity.

"Let's go to Grandpa's house," Fiona pulled away.

A big smile appeared on Rowan's face. "Do I have a grandpa?" He probed, searching for answers in Fiona's eyes.

Just as Fiona was about to respond to Rowan, a black Mercedes-Benz AMG halted in front of them, prompting Fiona to stand up from her initial position.

Fiona tried to look through the car's window; maybe she would be able to see who was the person that drove in front of them, but she couldn't because the window was all tinted.

"Who could this be?" She thought to herself.