Innumerable memories flooded Rose''s mind like relentless nightmares, leaving her heart in turmoil.


    She made her way to the fridge, retrieved a chilled bottle of water, and drank it all, hoping to quell the


    unrest within her.


    At this moment, a thud emanated from the fitting room, jolting Rose. Hastily, she approached and


    rapped on the door, concern evident in her voice. "Ms. Sparks, is everything alright? Ms. Sparks?"


    No one responded. Rose felt something was off and barged into the fitting room.


    "Ms. Sparks!"


    rissa had fainted, her upper body exposed. rissa''s back was covered with bruises and scabs


    formed by old injuries.


    Rose was stunned for two seconds before she swiftly took off her coat to cover rissa''s body. Then


    she carried her up.


    "Ms. Sparks, wake up!"


    As rissa gradually regained consciousness, Rose''s relief was palpable, yet her concern lingered.


    "How did you get these injuries, Ms. Sparks?"


    Avoiding Rose''s probing gaze, rissa turned away, tears brimming in her eyes.


    "Are you being abused? Did Josh do this to you?" Rose''s eyes zed with fury, their depths tinged with


    scarlet intensity.


    "Ms. Emerson, this is a private matter. Please don''t ask."


    rissa struggled to get up. She frantically wore her clothes. "I will transfer the money to you shortly. I


    will ask my assistant to collect the gown from you. Sorry for the trouble!"


    As rissa prepared to flee, Rose''s voice cut through the air, "Ms. Sparks, domestic abuse isn''t a


    singr event—it recurs, relentlessly haunting its victims. You understand more than anyone the


    anguish and torment you''ve endured all these years.


    "Are you truly willing to spend the rest of your life with that pretentious bastard? No matter how much


    you endure, your body will inevitably falter under the strain. Are you resigned to the possibility of


    meeting your end at his hands one day?"


    "Then, what am I supposed to do? Do I have a choice?"


    rissa finally broke down, unleashing the pent-up hatred she had suppressed for so long. "I''m barely


    clinging to life as it is. If I fight back, I''ll only end up dead." "Bullshit!" The domestic violence had struck


    a nerve in Rose. She shrieked, "You will end up dead if you don''t retaliate! Ms. Sparks, it''s still not too


    late for you. As long as—"


    Before she could finish, the door mmed shut, cutting her off.


    Rose''s features hardened, her body tensing with suppressed fury as an unsettling idea took root in her


    mind.


    N?velDrama.Org: owner of this content.


    Just as rissa''s car made its way out of the studio, a sleek luxury vehicle swept in. Disregarding the


    marked parking areas, it brazenly parked sideways in front of the studio, demonstrating utter arrogance


    and a disdain for the rules.


    "Mom, what sort of dump did that awful woman pick to live in? It''s so remote, and the drive was pure


    torture!" A woman d in a pinkce dressined as she stepped out of the car, her eyes


    brimming with disdain as she stretched in difort.


    She was Jamie Emerson, Rose''s sister from another mother.


    "It''s because the housing in this area is affordable. That despicable woman is probably pinching


    pennies, maybe even saving for her dowry,"mented a stout, stern-faced middle-aged woman


    walking closely behind. She was Lydia Carney, Jamie''s mother.


    "She parades around as a designer just to boost her status and snag a wealthy husband. Otherwise,


    she''d be nothing but a shameful illegitimate daughter. If the truth were toe out, who would even


    consider marrying her? She''s nothing but a source of embarrassment and disgrace."