Reclaiming My Worth

When the city code enforcement officers were chasing me and my daughter away from our street stall, my ex-husband stepped in to help.

He sighed, Let's get remarried. Lily is still young; she shouldn't have to suffer like this.

I agreed without hesitation.

After returning, I stopped being jealous or throwing tantrums.

Lily stopped fighting for her father's attention against the daughter of his childhood sweetheart.

When he stayed out all night with his childhood sweetheart and her daughter, neither my daughter nor I called to check on him.

When we ran into them outside, my daughter and I tactfully avoided them.

We became exactly the sensible, understanding family he wanted.

But instead of being happy, his eyes turned red. "Wifey, why aren't you angry?"

"Lily, why don't you act spoiled with Daddy anymore?"

After completing the remarriage paperwork, we went home.

Jason trailed a step behind us. Lily and I were standing at the door.

"Why don't you go in?"

I said calmly, "The passcode was changed."

Just then, the door opened from the inside.

Hannah, wearing an apron, scolded playfully, "What took you so long? Bella asked several timesMiss Xu?"

I nodded politely.

"Miss Xu, please don't misunderstand. Jason has been busy with work lately, so I came over to make him some soup."

"I always forget the passcode, so Jason changed it to my birthday. I'll change it back right away."

But she made no move to do so, her eyes unable to hide the smugness.

"Daddy!"

A small figure threw herself onto Jason's legs.

Hannah hurriedly covered the girl's mouth, acting as if she were afraid of me.

"Bella, didn't Mommy tell you to call him Uncle Jason?"

Jason looked over awkwardly.

Seeing that Lily and I didn't make a scene like before, a look of surprise crossed his face.

There were many new things in Lily's room.

Hannah bit her lip lightly. "Bella sometimes sleeps here..."

The small hand in mine tightened. Lily said softly, "Mommy, I can change rooms."

My heart, which had been calm, suddenly ached.

In the past, whenever she saw Jason caring for Bella, she would pout and cry, shouting, "Daddy is mine alone!"

Every time, Jason would scold me for not disciplining her properly.

Now, she just quietly looked at her changed room.

Children are sensitive; she had learned that only those who are favored can afford to be spoiled.

Jason frowned.

Hannah quickly said, "I'll take the things away. Miss Xu, you and Lily, please don't be angry with us"

The mother and daughter huddled together, trembling slightly, looking pitiful.

In the past, I would always be provoked by her suggestive words and end up arguing with Jason.

But now, I just watched indifferently without speaking.

Jason suddenly spoke up, "Don't come in and out of my house freely in the future. As a single mother, people will gossip."

After packing up, Bella said with a sob, "Daddy, Bella wants you to drive us."

Jason hesitated and looked at me.

I smiled. "You and Miss Hannah have been friends for so many years; you should drive them."

He opened his mouth to say something, but I turned to boil water.

Before leaving, Jason hurriedly said, "Wait for me to come back. We need to talk properly."

Only after they left did Lily and I completely relax.

Soon, a message popped up on my phone.

Hannah: [So sorry, Miss Xu. Bella is used to Jason watching cartoons with her. He'll be back a bit late.]

That familiar "so sorry" again.

I smiled and replied briefly: [Okay.]

Jason didn't return until the next day. I was reading a bedtime story to Lily before her nap.

I didn't question him.

Making a scene or getting jealous like before would only cause him to be dissatisfied with me and would implicate Lily.

After Lily fell asleep, Jason handed me a box.

It was the black diamond necklace I had wanted but lost to another bidder.

If it were before, I probably would have been ecstatic and hugged Jason.

But now, my heart was very calm.

I used to love jewelry.

But after moving into the low-income housing, a thief grabbed my necklace and pulled me down the stairs, leaving me bleeding from the head.

From then on, I realized these things were flashy but useless, and could even cost me my life.

Not getting the enthusiastic reaction he expected, Jason's expression shifted slightly. "Let me put it on for you."

I smiled and dodged. "Thank you, but I don't like wearing jewelry anymore."

He stiffened.

I went to the kitchen to cut fruit. When I came out, Jason was gone.

In the afternoon, I took Lily out.

Money had been tight for the past two years, and Lily often wore hand-me-downs from the landlord's daughter.

Now I could finally buy her clothes that fit.

When we entered a children's clothing store, we ran into Hannah and her daughter.

And Jason.

The sales clerk was attentively introducing items to them. "Mr. Jason, Mrs. Jason, this is the new arrival from yesterday. It suits little Princess Bella perfectly."

Bella screamed, "I want this one!"

Jason smiled and swiped his card.

"Ma'am, do you need anything?"

A sales clerk approached me.

I said softly, "I want to buy a couple of outfits for my child to wear now."

Jason and the others looked over.

I pretended not to see them and pulled Lily inside.

When we came out after trying on clothes, Hannah and her daughter were gone.

Jason looked at me with a complicated expression. "Today is Bella's birthday. I bought her clothes as a gift..."

"Mm, wish her a happy birthday for me."

After speaking, I turned to the puzzled sales clerk. "Pack both of these sets."

Just as I was about to go pay, Jason grabbed me.

I quickly pulled my hand away.

The sales clerk's gaze shifted back and forth. "Ma'am, you and Mr. Jason..."

I smiled. "We're acquaintances."

A clatter sounded behind me.

"Mr. Jason, you dropped your phone!"

I turned back. Jason was staring at me intently. "What nonsense are you talking about?"

I was confused. "Aren't you going to celebrate their birthday?"

He continued to glare at me, his chest heaving violently, but he didn't say a word.

I didn't understand, but I didn't dare provoke him, so I pulled Lily and walked out.

Just as we stepped out of the store, Jason grabbed me.

He asked in a low voice, "You're just going to let them misunderstand our relationship?"

I laughed. "Aren't you the one who cares most about Hannah's reputation?"

Jason choked on my words. It took him a while to speak. "Why are you different from before?"

I used to make a fuss over things like this.

Jason was always impatient. "Stop being unreasonable. It's not easy for Hannah as a single mother. With the title of Mrs. Jason, no one will bully her."

But now, what was the point of fighting with Hannah over these things?

I just wanted to raise Lily well and give her the comfortable life she deserved.

I said calmly, "Isn't this what you always wanted?"

Jason's face turned livid, and he stormed off.

I didn't care. I took Lily to eat and drink, and bought quite a few things.

This life without worrying about livelihood felt like returning to before the divorce.

After getting married, I became a full-time housewife.

Everyone around me envied me. I had a wealthy father and married a self-made young talent.

I once thought I would be this happy forever.

Until Hannah got divorced.

The first time Jason missed Valentine's Day, he told me he was working overtime at the company.

But as soon as he got home, Hannah delivered his tie.

I was confused.

He just pinched the bridge of his nose. "Hannah works at the company. She dropped it off on her way."

I wanted to ask more, but seeing how tired he was, I couldn't bear to.

I lived a life of leisure at home, while he worked so hard outside.

It seemed I really shouldn't suspect him.

I told myself there should be basic trust between husband and wife, and I shouldn't be blindly jealous.

But later, more and more such incidents happened.

On our wedding anniversary, Jason left me alone in the restaurant to rescue Hannah, who was being given a hard time by her landlord.

During a sudden rainstorm, Lily and I were trapped at the early learning center, while Jason drove Hannah and Bella home.

Lily caught the flu and had febrile convulsions. I couldn't reach Jason and took her to the hospital alone, only to see him there with a team of experts looking at Bella's scratched hand.

Every time, Hannah would proactively message me to report.

[So sorry, Miss Xu. Jason said he wouldn't let me live here anymore and arranged for me to stay at his property.]

[So sorry, Miss Xu. It's all because I felt dizzy. Jason will pick you up right after dropping me off.]

[So sorry, Miss Xu. Jason is just too nervous about Bella. I'll scold him later.]

I couldn't stand it anymore. I questioned Jason time and again: who exactly were his wife and daughter?

At first, he explained patiently.

"We've known each other for so many years. I help where I can."

Later, he became increasingly impatient.

"Your family is rich; you don't understand the hardships of people at the bottom. Can't you be more understanding of her?"

"It's not easy for Hannah as a single mother. Why do you have to target her?"

"Don't you have the ability to take care of yourself? I have so much work to do, and I still have to revolve around you two?"

"If you can't teach the child well, get someone else to do it! Learning to bully others at such a young age, she'll become a menace!"

Lily and I no longer waited for him to come home with anticipation.

Because as soon as he returned, arguments greeted this small family.

Lily became more and more silent.

Even the kindergarten teacher asked me if something had happened at home.

What made me finally decide to divorce was the day of Jason's company annual party.

He told me he was working overtime.

I was always tired and sleepy during that time, so I forgot about the annual party.

Until I scrolled past a local post on social media.

[The boss and lady boss of Hengda Tech are such a perfect match. Like a couple from a romantic drama.]

The attached photo showed Jason and Hannah standing side by side at the annual party.

I called Jason five or six times, but no one answered.

The seventh call finally connected, but Hannah's voice came from the other end.

"Miss Xu, Jason is very busy right now. You can tell me whatever it is."

I asked her to put Jason on the phone.

She laughed coquettishly. "Miss Xu, I'm Jason's secretary. He has no secrets from me."

"Did you know, many people today said I'm more suitable to be Mrs. Jason."

Trembling all over, I hung up the phone and rushed to the annual party venue in my slippers.

Hannah had her arm around Jason's waist, leaning her whole body into his embrace.

Furious, I pulled them apart and glared at Jason. "This is what you call overtime? Is hugging her also overtime?"

Hannah came over to pull me. "Miss Xu, I drank too much, don't misunderstand"

I shook off her hand and glared at her. "Don't touch me! Homewrecker!"

I didn't use much force, but she cried out and fell to the floor.

"Sarah Xu! Are you crazy?"

Jason shoved me hard, then solicitously helped Hannah up, carefully checking her condition.

My lower back hit the corner of a table, painful enough to bring tears to my eyes.

Hannah's eyes were red, holding back tears.

"It's all my fault. Don't fight because of me..."

Jason quickly comforted her. "It has nothing to do with you. She's crazy."

Then he turned to me and said coldly, "Sarah Xu, I've told you many times. Hannah's mother entrusted me to take care of her on her deathbed."

"Do you know how hard it is for her to raise a child alone? As a woman yourself, how can you be so vicious as to insult her with terms like 'homewrecker'?"

His gaze toward me was cold, even tinged with disgust.

"My patience with you has limits. Stop while you're ahead."

"Don't make me regret marrying you."

As soon as he finished speaking, a buzzing sound filled my ears.

I looked at Jason in disbelief.

I wanted to say, You are my husband, Sarah Xu's husband. How can you side with an outsider?

I wanted to say, Don't you know Hannah provokes and shows off to me every time?

I wanted to tell him her true colors revealed on the phone just now.

But something blocked my throat. After a long while, I only managed to say, "Then let's divorce."

The moment the words left my mouth, I felt a sudden release.

I didn't even want to care about Hannah's gloating expression.

Jason froze, then sneered. "Sarah Xu, what can you do besides threaten divorce? Is there nothing else in your life besides jealousy?"

With that, he supported Hannah and left.

That day, I went home and sat in the living room until dawn.

It wasn't until Lily cried loudly that I realized there was blood between my legs.

The second child who had quietly arrived, quietly left.

A week later, Jason and I went through the divorce procedures. I got custody of Lily.

Later, my dad's company ran into trouble. Several cooperative projects were maliciously stolen, and within half a year, he had to file for bankruptcy.

My dad had a heart attack and was hospitalized. Despite several resuscitation attempts, he passed away.

I used the remaining assets to pay the employees' wages, transforming from a rich heiress to a single mother in low-income housing.

Lily suffered a lot with me.

Countless times I woke up crying from dreams, regretting that I had harmed her.

This time, I wouldn't revolve around Jason and get jealous.

As long as I could provide a good life for myself and Lily, I would turn a blind eye even if Jason found ten "Hannahs."