The Wife Who Jumped on New Year's Eve

Chapter 24

Joanna Taylor and Sean Yates stepped out of the banquet hall, the dappled light casting shadows over their reunion.

Sean looked remorseful.

"Joanna, I'm sorry you had to face all that alone."

"My parents had me dragged back home, and the paternity test took time."

Joanna's gaze softened.

"It's alright. Knowing you're safe puts my mind at ease."

Sean's eyes burned with intensity, and a faint blush crept onto Joanna's cheeks.

He took her hand.

"Trust me, I won't let anyone hurt you like that again."

"Let me take you home first."

Joanna hesitated.

"That's... a bit sudden."

Sean's expression turned earnest.

"I want you to know—you deserve the best this world has to offer. And I want to give you everything I can."

In the end, Joanna agreed.

But the moment she stepped into the lavish Yates mansion, an unfamiliar weight pressed down on her.

The butler welcomed her warmly, yet Joanna caught the fleeting, odd glances exchanged among the staff.

Sean gave her hand a reassuring squeeze.

"Wait here. I'll talk to my parents first."

Joanna nodded.

"Alright."

After Sean left, a woman in an extravagant gown strode in, her eyes brimming with innate arrogance.

The moment she spotted Joanna, her lips curled into a mocking smirk.

She marched straight to Joanna, scanning her from head to toe.

"So, you're the divorced woman clinging to Sean?"

"Know your place. How dare you think you belong here?"

Joanna's mind went blank. Memories of Crystal Lynn's torment resurfaced—humiliation and pain she thought she'd buried. But given the chance, they clawed their way back.

She forced composure.

"And you are...?"

The woman scoffed.

"Bianca White. Sean's fiancée—the second daughter of the White family."

"You? Just a shameless homewrecker. Have some dignity and leave before you embarrass yourself further."

Joanna's nails dug into her palms.

"If that's the case, let Sean tell me himself."

"Miss Taylor, I'll speak for him."

A dignified woman descended the staircase.

"I'm Sean's mother."

"My son spent years away from home. He's kind, capable—but naive in matters of the heart."

"You're beautiful, Miss Taylor, and clearly resourceful. But the Yates family won't accept a daughter-in-law like you."

"And as for your... past—divorce, a child—no decent parents would approve."

Her tone was polite, laced with condescending cruelty.

Finally, she slid a check across the table.

"Five million. Take it and leave."

Bianca clung to Mrs. Yates' arm.

"Thank you for standing up for me."

The last flicker of hope in Joanna's heart died. This cold, unfamiliar world made her feel like an intruder.

She'd been wrong before. She wouldn't make the same mistake again.

With quiet dignity, she shook her head.

"I respect your decision. Keep the money—spend it on your future daughter-in-law."

She refused to be dragged into this mess.

Even if fate had played her for a fool again, walking away was all she could do.

As Joanna left, Mrs. Yates watched her retreating figure, eyes dark.

Good. She knows her place.

If she'd insisted on clinging, I wouldn't have been so lenient.