How a Crippled Heiress Tore Down Her Husband's Empire novel Chapter 3

"Samuel said this bracelet was blessed."

"Even if I'm alone, wearing it gives me the courage to keep going..." 

Watching Lily's pitiful act, Samuel's eyes softened with pity. 

"If I gave it to you, then it's yours..." 

"Give it back," I interrupted coldly. 

"That bracelet belongs to me." 

Back when I first lost my arm, Samuel struggled with insomnia, tossing and turning every night. 

So, as soon as I could manage with my prosthetic, I climbed 1000 steps up to that chapel in the mountains, despite the pain shooting through my healing wounds. 

I went there to get this bracelet, said to bring peace and protection. 

I prayed with all my heart, asking God to watch over the man I loved. 

And now, the bracelet I'd poured my soul into obtaining had been casually handed to someone else. 

I stumbled toward Lily, ignoring the champagne soaking my clothes. 

The bracelet was still on her wrist. 

I grabbed it, pulling hard enough to leave red marks on her skin. 

Just as I was about to yank it free, Samuel roared and kicked my stump. 

"Ah—!" 

My damaged limb hit the corner of the table, sending a dull ache through the bone that had yet to fully heal.

I collapsed to the floor, my face pale with pain. 

Seeing me like this, Samuel showed no remorse. 

Instead, he exploded in rage: 

"It's just a damn bracelet! How dare you lay a hand on Lily?"

"You've gone too far!" 

"You want the bracelet? Fine, take it! Have it all!" 

Samuel grabbed a steak knife and slashed the bracelet in one swift motion. 

The beads scattered across the floor. 

He looked down at me, then snatched a bouquet of lilies from the table and hurled them at my face—knowing full well I'm severely allergic to pollen. 

The bracelet wasn't just precious because of those endless steps. 

It was because I'd collected each bead from different places, each one carrying a piece of my heart. 

"Help... me..." 

I thought that was the end, but when I opened my eyes again, I was lying in a hospital bed. 

Turns out, two curious receptionists had come upstairs to check and found me in critical condition. 

I stared blankly at the white ceiling, my thoughts a tangled mess. 

Then my phone buzzed with a notification—a voice message from Lily. 

Gone was her sweet tone from earlier. 

Now, her voice dripped with sarcasm: 

"Emily, you're one tough cookie. Still alive, huh?"

"Let me tell you something—while you were climbing those steps for that bracelet, Samuel was praying you'd die up there."

"He's been wanting to dump you, the cripple, for a long time." 

"Do yourself a favor and step aside." 

I saw her latest post on Instagram—a photo of her and Samuel holding hands, fingers intertwined. 

I forced a bitter smile. 

Since everything was already set in stone, it was time for me to bow out gracefully... 

"Mr. Carter, please draft the divorce papers."