THE ABANDONED WIFE

Her face and body were drenched as she was splashed with water. She blinked her eyes repeatedly and immediately woke up. She saw her mother-in-law standing with her arms crossed, a smug expression on her face.

"Do you think you're some kind of princess who can just sleep comfortably until now?" Victoria yanked Caroline's hair harshly, causing her to cry out in pain.

"What did I do wrong?" Caroline asked softly, trying to free herself.

"You're asking what you did wrong?" Victoria glared at Caroline, her grip on Caroline's hair tightening.

Caroline was feeling unwell, which was why she wanted to rest for a bit. From morning until night, she was constantly ordered to do house chores like a servant. Her husband, Johan, allowed her to be treated this way and tormented in this house.

Johan didn't care about her. His attitude was nothing like it had been early in their marriage. They had been married for three years, and initially, Johan often defended and protected her. However, over time, his concern for her disappeared.

"What's going on, Mom? Why is it so noisy in here?" Suddenly, Johan entered the room and saw his mother and Caroline in conflict.

"Look at your wife, lazing around and still sleeping! She should be working, taking care of the house first."

Seeing Caroline still sitting idly on the bed, Johan immediately scolded her. He berated her harshly in front of his mother.

"You heard what my mom said, didn't you? Stop being so lazy like this." Johan grabbed Caroline's hand to pull her up.

Victoria smiled, satisfied with Johan's actions toward Caroline. She was constantly treated like this. Only tears could convey her pain.

"I didn't mean to be lazy in this house. I just don't feel well. I'm always told to do housework all day long." Caroline cried bitterly in front of Johan.

A wife should be loved and cared for by her husband. But Caroline Margareth's fate was different. She was constantly oppressed in her husband's house. Her mother-in-law didn't like her presence there.

After getting married, she should have been happy. But instead, she faced oppression from her mother-in-law in this house, and her husband sided with his mother.

"You're such a useless wife! I deeply regret marrying you!" Johan shoved Caroline, causing her to fall to the floor.

Johan even kicked her stomach. He no longer had any conscience. Victoria was delighted to see her son treating Caroline this way. Not just once, but twice, Johan kicked Caroline in the stomach.

"I'm sorry." Caroline's voice was barely audible, even to Johan.

"What did you say just now?" Johan grabbed Caroline's chin roughly.

It was unclear what had come over Johan. He seemed furious as he looked at Caroline. His face turned red, and he slapped her hard across the face.

Johan and Victoria continually tormented Caroline. As a husband, instead of protecting her, Johan hurt her. He slapped Caroline again, leaving bruises on her face. She was in pain before them. Her hair was also pulled hard by Victoria. At this point, she couldn't fight back.

"Johan, you should divorce Caroline right now! She's completely useless in this house. All she does is laze around."

Suddenly, Johan dragged Caroline's body to the front yard. Victoria followed behind her son.

"Why are you treating me so badly in this house?" Caroline cried in front of Johan and Victoria.

"Because you deserve all this," Victoria replied firmly. "You're not a good daughter-in-law for me."

Even before marrying Johan, Victoria didn't like her. Yet, Caroline still chose to marry the man she loved, Johan Charlotte. At that time, she was blinded by love.

"Especially since you can't give Johan a child, which makes me even angrier with you! You're such an incompetent wife!" Victoria slapped Caroline hard across the face.

Blood trickled from the corner of Caroline's mouth as a result of Victoria's slap. Johan also dragged her body roughly.

"You'd better leave this house right now! My mother and I don't need you here. You're the root cause of all the problems in this house." Johan spoke harshly to Caroline.

Not wanting to be kicked out of the house, Caroline clung to Johan's legs, begging not to be thrown out. She apologized if she had made mistakes, promising to do anything to stay in the house. However, Johan and his mother were adamant about forcing her out.

"Your tears won't work on me anymore." Johan kicked Caroline's body, forcing her to let go of his legs.

Caroline's face turned pale. Her entire body felt hot. She no longer had the strength to resist. Johan dragged her out of the house and threw her out.

"I'll take care of our divorce. Don't ever come back here."

Caroline tried to stand amidst the pouring rain. Slowly, she walked away from Johan's house. Suddenly, she felt a sharp headache. Finally, Caroline collapsed on the ground, her body weak and unconscious.

***

"What's the condition of that woman now?"

Benjamin Charles sat relaxed in his room, smoking a cigarette. He spoke to one of his loyal subordinates who had entered the room.

"She's still unconscious, Sir."

On his way home, Ben had found a woman collapsed on the street in a pitiful state. Her body was covered in bruises, as if she had been abused. He had immediately taken her to his home and called for his private doctor.

"When she wakes up, let me know immediately." Ben ordered his subordinate to keep an eye on the woman.

"Understood, Sir."

With a gesture of his hand, he signaled his subordinate to leave the room. Ben walked to the balcony and enjoyed the fresh air outside. He couldn't stop thinking about the woman.

"She's so beautiful," Ben muttered, admiring her beauty despite the bruises on her face.

***

Caroline felt a cold compress on her forehead. Slowly, she opened her eyes and looked around. She was shocked to find herself in a luxurious room.

"Where am I?" Caroline tried to sit up slowly.

Suddenly, a maid entered the room. Dressed neatly and politely, she approached Caroline. The woman asked about her condition.

"How are you feeling, Miss? Does your head still hurt?"

"It doesn't hurt anymore," Caroline replied politely.

"That's a relief."

Caroline grabbed the maid's wrist and asked, "Where am I now? Who brought me here?"

"Mr. Charles brought you to this house."

'Mr. Charles? Who is he?' Caroline thought to herself, her curiosity about the man named Benjamin Charles growing stronger.