Rewriting My Heart's Fate

Chapter 524

"Isn't that Evelyn? I heard she just got out of prison," one of the passersby whispered.

"Tsk, she's probably done for in the community now," another replied.

"Someone like her should've left the fashion industry ages ago," a third chimed in. "And she's still acting like a queen?"

I ignored their sneers, and stumbled all the way home.

It had been two years. Would there still be any warmth left in the house? Had Zachary grown taller? Did he cry himself to sleep at night, missing his mother's embrace?

And Ethan-was he busy at work? Was he still pulling all-nighters, skipping meals?

The more I thought about it, the heavier my heart became. Tears streamed down my face, and my legs felt like they might give out. I nearly collapsed under the weight of it all.

Finally, I reached the door to our home. My hands trembled as I punched in the familiar code. The door clicked open. The house was dark. It was silent and lifeless.

My voice wavered, echoing through the vast, empty space. The only response was

a torrent that I couldn't hold back. They

child, my husband-my dearest family, the ones who consumed my every thought-were gone, with no sign of

from my throat, anguished. Why did this happen? I only ever wanted to protect them, and yet, this was what I got in return. Why did fate

to protect you. Ethan, where are you? I miss you

bathroom. When I caught sight of myself in the mirror, I saw a woman who was gaunt and broken. A bitter, mocking smile

What about now? I couldn't even hold on to my own family. My pride

my body and turned on the shower. As the hot water cascaded down to me, I

steady stream was mixed with my tears, hoping the water could wash away the stain of the past two years the humiliation, the despair, the

I could erase the filth of my memories. I wanted all of

I once was. The

a raw,

as if I was

into the echoing