At a jewelry competition, someone swapped my design with a missing antique. I was sentenced to five years in prison.

I didn’t know that my husband and son had designed all of this until I saw the video.

In the clip, my ten-year-old son looked up and asked, "Dad, I swapped Mom's design, so Della could be the champion. Did she like it?"

Franklin spoke in a low, serious voice, "It's your mom's fault for being selfish. Della grew up with nothing. That award meant everything to her. Your mom already had everything, but still had to compete. She brought this on herself."

I felt like my heart was bleeding. So all the agony I endured was handed to me—by the very people I loved the most.

"Dad, don't worry. All these years, I played the part perfectly. That dumb woman had no idea.

"After Della's birthday party in a few days, we'll be able to be together for real."

Franklin's voice held a note of caution. "Be careful. Don't slip up in front of her. We still need her to attend Della's birthday party.

"Your grandpa will be revealing Della as the Mooney family's second daughter that day. Your mom has to be there, or else rumors will fall on Della. With your mom attending, Della won't get as much attention."

But Sean didn't care.

"With you around, who's going to dare say anything?"

"Sean!" Franklin scolded him.

"Fine, fine, I'll do what you want! I'll tell her! As if she deserves that much face.

"If it wasn't for Della, do you think someone like her, what right does some ex-con have to call herself my mom?"

I stared at the boy on the screen. He stood tall like a pine tree, but his eyes were cold and filled with disgust. He was nothing like the little boy who used to fall asleep in my arms.

Every word from their mouths felt foreign and cruel.

Five years ago, I was taken away and put in jail because of what happened during the competition.

For all those days and nights, 1,800 in total, I suffered cruel treatment no one should ever go through.

When I got out, I found out that my mother had died from grief, and my father had long since disowned me publicly.

Wherever I went, people pointed and whispered, their judgment following me like a shadow.

Even the maids at home looked down on me, showing not a shred of respect.

When I stood on a rooftop, ready to jump, it was Franklin and Sean who gently talked me down.

They told me they believed in me, that they would make me right.

They stood in front of me, shielding me from cruel words and looks.

I saw them as the hope in my darkest days and gave them everything I had.

But now, I found out that all my pain and loss in these five years was just to clear the path for a girl we sponsored out of charity.

Tears spilled like a flood, splashing across my phone screen.

I used to believe they cared about me, but now I realize they only helped out of pity after taking advantage of me.

I hurriedly hid my phone and ran into the study, like a wounded animal looking for a dark corner to hide.

When I stepped into the study, my eyes landed on a line of dolls sitting neatly on Franklin's desk.

Each doll looked incredibly real, and they all had a small tear-shaped mole beneath the corner of their eye, identical to Della Sutton's.

Franklin was a top-tier luxury designer. His dolls were legendary and priceless.

After we got married, I asked him to create one for me too, but he always brushed it off, saying he was too busy.

I never got even one, but Della received an entire collection.

It was never about time. I just wasn't worth the effort.

All the dolls he made for her had gentle eyes and sweet smiles.

I gripped one tightly, my hand trembling with rage.

Because he cares about her, she's now famous and admired in the jewelry industry.

And? I've turned into the disgraced ex-con everyone spat on.

That night, Franklin and Sean came home.

Sean called me "Mom" like always, and Franklin brought back my favorite dessert.

Moments that once warmed my heart now chilled me to the bone.

The following morning, once they left the house, I did too.

I took a cab to an old, forgotten swimming pool and found the storage locker I once thought I'd never need.

After typing in the code, I placed a note inside. It only had three simple words.

"I regret it!"

That person once told me that if I regretted it, he would come and get me right away.

When I arrived home and stepped out of the car, I unexpectedly ran into Franklin and Della at the entrance, with Sean trailing behind them.

Sean was chatting animatedly while gesturing, Della was laughing so hard she bent over, and Franklin wore a fond smile.

The sound of the car door closing made them freeze, their smiles instantly disappearing.

I noticed the crown on Della's head and frowned.

A flicker of discomfort crossed Franklin's face, and he quickly said, "Today is Della's birthday. She didn't have any nice jewelry, so I lent her this crown for the day."

Della's eyes twinkled as she smiled softly, her hands covering her lips.

"Thanks to Franklin for being so considerate. I didn't have any fine jewelry, so he lent me this crown just in case.

"Chelsea, don't worry, I'll make sure to return it once the party is over."

Their intertwined hands glistened in the sunlight, and it felt like needles were poking at my chest, each breath sharp with pain.

Since I got out of prison, Franklin has kept me away from any social events, both big and small, and he hasn't appeared with me in public either.

He claimed it was to shield me from the gossip.

I foolishly thought he genuinely cared for me, but now I realize it was more about not wanting to be seen with me, as a prisoner.

When I remained silent, Franklin carried on, "This crown would just collect dust if left with you. Why not give it to Della? She could use it to decorate her place."

"Franklin, do you even realize what you're saying?" I heard my voice shake.

This crown was designed by a renowned jewelry designer for my wedding to Franklin.

It caused quite a stir and was featured in fashion magazines.

I wore it only once, on my wedding day, and have since kept it in a display case, carefully preserving it.

This crown represents the position of Mrs. Wagner.

He gave it to Della, so what does that make me, his legally married wife?

Noticing my displeasure, Franklin quickly shifted the topic, saying, "It's just a piece of jewelry. Why make a fuss over it?

"Today is Della's birthday party. You should come too."

Sean also gently took my hand and said, "Mom, you should go. It's been a while since we've gone out together."

Images from the video I saw yesterday flashed in my mind.

A cold feeling spread through me, but my gaze remained steady, almost lifeless.

"I am a prisoner, and if I go, your reputation will suffer."

But Della, in contrast, lovingly held my arm.

"Chelsea, what you're saying isn't right. We're still family, after all. Besides, you haven't seen your dad since you got out."

When she mentioned my father, I went quiet for a long while, before finally agreeing. Only then did Franklin and Sean seem relieved.

The driver brought Franklin's private car, and he quickly opened the door for Della.

As I was about to get in, Della smiled and said, "Chelsea, my dress is too big. Why don't you take another car?"

Franklin, sitting in the front seat, frowned. "Today is Della's birthday party. The dress needs to be handled with extra care. I'll call a car for you."

"No need."

Before he could finish speaking, I left on my own.

Franklin appeared a bit confused, but Della's voice soon interrupted, "Let's go, Franklin. It's getting late."

His hesitation faded, and he turned to the driver, saying, "Let's go."

The car immediately sped off.

The Wagner family's drivers were suddenly busy, and as the wife of a wealthy family, I couldn't even manage to drive one of their cars.

I couldn't hail a taxi in the suburban villa area, and with the sky darkening, I had no choice but to walk.

The rain poured heavily on the road, and by the time I arrived at the party, drenched, the event had already been underway for some time.

Franklin and Della stood together, both smiling widely, presenting the perfect image of a couple.

My father, standing nearby, smiled with approval.

The guests around us were showering compliments, praising them as a perfect match.

However, the security guard stopped me, my dress still dripping, looking like a drowned rat.

The scene I caused at the entrance startled my father.

He stormed over with a grim expression, scolding me harshly, "Who told you to come here?

"It's your sister's birthday. Don't you feel embarrassed?

"A convict like you, I'd have killed myself if I were in your shoes. If you have any sense, you'd divorce him right away to let them be happy.

"I've already made it clear today that Della is my daughter. Why are you still holding on to Franklin?"

I shot back, "Dad, I am Franklin's legal wife!

"She is just a struggling student supported by our family. How could she possibly be your daughter?"

A sharp slap landed across my face, the impact ringing in my ears.

In an instant, I became the center of attention at the party.

"You brat!" my father yelled furiously.

Della flinched and huddled close to Franklin like a scared rabbit.

Meanwhile, my son, who always treated me kindly, wouldn't even glance in my direction. Instead, his small frame stood firmly in front of her.

"What right do you, a convict, have to question me?

"If you had even a bit of the sense Della has, you should've rotted behind bars rather than showing your face here!"

A crowd began to form. Some people even lifted their phones to record the scene.

I covered my face, drowning in shame.

Franklin, a trace of hesitation in his eyes, finally spoke, "Dad..."

But Della interrupted him, "Franklin, Mr. Zedillo just arrived. Let's head over now."

"But..."

"Chelsea is still Dad's biological daughter. She'll be fine," Della pressed on.

Franklin looked uncertain for a second, but in the end, Della tugged him away.

He kept one arm around Della, shielding her gently, and walked off without turning around.

Left behind, I stood there, shaking as people stared and whispered.

The son I had raised so carefully didn't stop. He gave me one cold look, full of dislike, then walked off with Della.

At last, I fled through the crowd's jeers, unable to bear it any longer.

My father's voice still rang in my ears.

"If you cared so much about saving face, you should've thought of that before! Too late for regrets now!"

I was hiding in a quiet corner of the hotel, quietly crying, when Della came after me.

She wore a satisfied smirk, and her eyes gleamed with cruelty.

"Chelsea Mooney, how does it feel to lose everything to me?

"Did you enjoy the five years in prison I gifted you? I only had to cry once, and your precious son swapped out your work without hesitation."

She laughed with joy as she spoke, but her eyes were filled with scorn.

"You didn't even have to stay in prison that long. But your beloved husband was so scared I'd be mistreated that he pushed to make your sentence longer—from two years to three, and then five.

"He even got Dad to post an article cutting all ties with you, just so you wouldn't have the nerve to go against me when you got out."

Because of Della, the people I loved—my family, my husband, and even my child—stood by and watched me suffer in that nightmare for five years.

Five years! For all that time, I was insulted and beaten, torn from a life of respect, and pushed into the dirt where I was treated like garbage.

Thinking about how she caused it all, I couldn't take it anymore. I raised my hand, ready to slap her.

But before I could touch her, Della dropped to the floor.

"Chelsea, I'm sorry! I'll give up the crown, okay?"

Right then, Sean shoved me violently to the ground. My forehead struck the table's corner, and warm blood began to slide down my face.

When Franklin came rushing in, he gently pulled Della close like she had been hurt instead.

She whispered, pretending to be sad, "Franklin, Chelsea is mad at me. I should return her crown..."

The moment Franklin saw the blood on me, the concern in his expression froze, turning completely cold.

"Once I give it to you, it's yours. But a convict like her, what right does she have to touch such fine jewelry?

"Chelsea, are you seriously getting picky about jewelry now? If something happens to Della, you'll regret it. I promise you that."

"Did you catch that?!" Sean yelled at me too, saying, "You're a terrible woman! You don't deserve to be my mom!"

Then Franklin lifted Della in his arms, completely disregarding me, and turned to leave.

Della rested against him and threw me a triumphant smile.

As I watched them leave, my heart turned as cold as ice.

But at least, I had finally received news of that person.

And soon, I'll be gone from here.

When I arrived home, I was feeling dizzy, and my body felt like it was burning up.

As soon as I walked inside, I noticed the trash can by the door was overflowing with items.

My eyes landed on an object I recognized instantly, and I realized it was the birthday present I made for Sean every year.

I would always create a handmade gift for Sean. Even when I was locked up, I never gave up on making something special for him.

Sometimes it was expensive jewelry, other times it was a soft tiger plush or a sweater I knitted myself...

But now, those items, regardless of their worth, were discarded in the trash, squished together with greasy fast food wrappers and crushed cigarette packs.

When he saw me return, Sean turned away and walked off, slamming the door shut behind him.

I was still feeling lightheaded and couldn't care less about him. All I wanted was to get to my room and rest.

However, when I reached the bedroom, I noticed it wasn't fully shut.

Through the small gap, I saw Della in Franklin's arms, and he was kissing her passionately.

Franklin seemed desperate to remove her restraints and even pulled the crown off her head, tossing it carelessly to the floor.

The crown bent out of shape, and its diamonds scattered.

Della lay beneath Franklin, looking at me with disdain.

Suddenly, she bit down, causing Franklin to groan in pain.

The emotions I had been holding back for so long finally broke free.

At that moment, my heart shattered completely.

I collapsed weakly against the wall, sitting on the floor, listening to the sounds of their joy throughout the night.

The next morning, Franklin came out of the room, stretched lazily, and froze in place at the door.

"Chelsea, why are you sitting here?

"Della was scared, so I stayed with her for a while."

I couldn't stop myself from scoffing. After all this, he could still act as if nothing had happened.

"For a while? You've been with her all the way to the bed, haven't you? You've been all over her, haven't you?"

Franklin's face shifted between red and pale, then quickly turned to anger.

"Stop being unreasonable!

"You're a prisoner. If I didn't feel sorry for you, I would have divorced you a long time ago!

"Do you really think Della and I would go this far?"

Tears began to fall uncontrollably.

Yes, he is a handsome and powerful CEO, while I'm just a prisoner, despised by everyone.

Seeing me silent, he assumed I had given in and left without hesitation.

After they all left, I placed the divorce papers I had prepared earlier on the table.

"Franklin, I'll do what you want," I thought bitterly.

I turned and got into the Maybach waiting for me at the door, never once looking back.

Harvey Rowland sat in the car, his expression serious.

"Have you made up your mind? I don't like people who go back on their promises."

I gave a quiet nod and said firmly, "I never go back on my word."

Harvey's face remained emotionless, yet his lips curled up just slightly.

Before long, Harvey took me aboard his private jet, and we flew out of the country.

Franklin and Sean hadn't even realized I was gone.

They were too busy enjoying a vacation with Della.

A month later, they returned from their trip.

That night, just as Franklin and Della were about to be intimate, they noticed the protection was missing.

With practiced ease, Franklin called out for me from the room.

"Chelsea, go get some protections. I need them now."

He repeated himself multiple times, but there was no reply.

Sean stuck his head out to check and searched the entire house, but he couldn't find me anywhere.

Finally, one servant came forward, speaking nervously, "Mrs. Wagner has been gone for a month.

"When you left, she left too, and she hasn't returned since."