Chapter 1

"Gama, here's a cheerful letter for you to sign."

Audie, Gama's mother-in-law, placed a 4A sheet of paper on the coffee table in her home. Across the table sat a man wearing casual clothes.

"Divorce? What does that mean?"

Gama Immanuel was shocked as he stared in disbelief at Audie and his wife, Sierra.

"You don't understand what I'm saying? Then you don't need to understand it; you better sign it now; after that, I will have the freedom to match my daughter with a man who is much better for me. Raising my status to a high level. Unlike you, the poor failed man who has brought disgrace to my entire family!"

The words were jarring to hear.

"Disgrace?" Gama furrowed his brows. "Is that what you have in mind for me?"

Back when they were first married, Audie and her late husband were in debt due to gambling losses; it was Gama who saved them. And now that Gama was left with nothing after three years of his company going bankrupt, his mother-in-law kicked him out today.

"Of course," Audie said as he placed a magazine on the table featuring a photo of a distinguished gentleman. The title, Gama: Jordan Low, is a prosperous young businessman with over a trillion dollars in assets. Jordan is the ideal match for my daughter, a man who can elevate our social status. He is the individual we want most in E. 'Ador. Unlike you, a man destined to fail, who has only tarnished my honourable reputation."

Gama fell silent, and Audie frowned.

"I know you're not happy. You've done a lot for my family, but my late husband has repaid you for all your kindness during your six years of marriage. In the end, it's you who owes me a favor."

"You're considering this marriage based on profit and loss?" Gama tried to calm his emotions. "Fine if that's what you want, but I also want to hear the truth for myself from Sierra."

"Why not? My decision is final. Sierra is my daughter, and she will do everything I say. Besides, it's just a trivial matter; there's no need to ask her opinion."

"A trivial matter?" Gama was dumbfounded, staring at Sierra, demanding the truth of that statement. "Really, Sierra? Our divorce is a trivial matter?"

"Gama, let's not delay any longer. The sooner the better for all of us." Audie handed Gama the divorce papers. "You just need to sign this and leave my house after that. And inside this card, there's ten thousand dollars that you can use for your living expenses; it's more than enough for a poor person like you. Look, what have I done for you? Haven't I been very good to you?"

"I don't need money; I just need answers from your daughter. Sierra, let me ask you one last time. Are you sure about this?" he asked, hoping that a sound of rejection or doubt would change the course of her decision.

 Although her eyes reflected doubt and indecision, Sierra's answer shattered Gama's hopes. "Yes, Gama. Maybe this is best for us."

Gama felt an emotional blow after hearing Sierra's decision. Although she nodded, accepting the decision wisely, the pain in her heart was hard to hide. Her expression reflected a sense of loss and disappointment, yet she tried her best to understand and respect Sierra's decision.

"You heard it yourself, right? Let's get this over with as soon as possible." Audie thrust the divorce papers in front of Gama.

Gama, though offended, was ready to sign the papers. However, a startling sound echoed throughout the room before the pen touched the paper.

"Stop it!" shrieked Sierra, breaking the silence. Astonished and questioning looks enveloped the room.

A disturbed Audie immediately asked the reason behind Sierra's change in demeanour. "What's wrong, Sierra?" he asked, his face showing astonishment.

"I don't want a divorce," Sierra replied firmly, tearing the agreement to dramatize her decision.

"Sierra, what are you doing? Why are you tearing it?" Audie protested angrily. She grabbed Sierra's hand violently, but Sierra brushed it away, showing that violence could not change her decision.

"It was my decision, ma'am!"

Silence fell over the room, and Gama's face reflected a mixture of shock and relief at Sierra's unexpected decision.

"Sierra, you dare go against your mother?" Audie asked in a disappointed and angry tone.

Sierra could only stare at Audie sadly. "I'm sorry, Mom," she said, her lips trembling, hinting at her helplessness before her mother.

Sierra still did not remain silent. She looked down and continued, "Mom, I did it for Grandpa. I can't ruin it," Sierra said as she stood up and climbed the stairs, leaving a tense silence.

Barbara, Sierra's older sister, could not hide her shock. "Sierra, are you out of your mind? Are you maintaining your marital relationship because of Grandpa's request? Come on, even if you break it, Grandpa won't rise from the grave and demand justice from you!" Barbara said in a sarcastic tone.

The statement startled Sierra, halting her steps as she tried to control her offended feelings.

"That's why I didn't do it, Sis. If Grandpa could live again, I would have done it a long time ago. But, divorced or not, Grandpa and Dad will never live again." Sierra said softly, trying to unlock the understanding in Barbara's heart.

"Sierra, come on, don't joke," Barbara said nervously, taking Sierra's words as a form of joke or not serious.

"Who's kidding, Sis? I'm serious," Sierra insisted, still holding back her anger.

"I'm doing this for your own good, Sierra. For the good of our family. You should know that!" Barbara said, trying to defend her actions.

"What good are you talking about?" Sierra could no longer contain her emotions; her voice rose, creating tension between them.

"You molded me, Sierra? I'm your sister, and you shouldn't be doing this to me, let alone defending this useless failure," Barbara said nervously, pointing at Gama, trying to defend her position.

Hearing that, Sierra let out a long sigh. "Before you talk, you better look at yourself. Your husband is no better than Gama!" said Sierra, firmly questioning the morality and authority of Giorgio, Barbara's husband.

Barbara looked at Sierra sarcastically at that moment. "Don't be crazy, Sierra. Are you comparing my husband to Gama? That's not appropriate; my husband doesn't deserve to be compared to a failure like him!" said Barbara, rejecting her husband's demeaning comparison.

 "Then prove it. Your husband, Giorgio, has a position and should be able to take this family to the level you want, but what does he deliver? Your husband is nothing more than a man enslaved by the company above him. So, what can you be proud of?" Sierra's words were delivered sharply, hoping to wake them up. However, the hatred growing in their hearts made them blind to reality.

"Sierra, why are you finding fault with us? Your husband is at fault, not us. Everyone knows he's much better than your stupid and useless husband, so stop saying things that aren't about Gio!" snapped Barbara, angry and crying at Sierra's words.

Sierra descended the stairs quickly, approaching Barbara, her gaze sharp and full of emotion. "You're angry? Can't take anything I say? Then what have you done to Gama?" she asked sternly.

Sierra continued, letting go of everything in her heart. "You were always putting my husband down, criticizing, blaming, and insulting him. Did I ever get angry? No, I never got angry at all. So, why are you angry now?" Sierra vented her emotions.

"Well, because she deserved it!" replied Barbara nonchalantly.

This time, Sierra's temper exploded, "What angle do you see it from?" she asked sternly.