The Wife Who Jumped on New Year's Eve

Chapter 5: "Please! Stop!"

Joanna Taylor collapsed to her knees, forced down by the bodyguards' unyielding grip. She threw herself forward, slamming her head against the gravel—once, twice, again—until blood streaked down her face, mixing with dirt and tears.

"I was wrong, okay? I admit it!" she cried, voice raw with desperation. "Let's get a divorce—go ahead and marry Crystal Lynn!"

"I won't fight for anything else, I swear! Just let me keep Grandma Wilson and Lily! Please..."

Her sobs cracked the cold morning air, but all they earned was a look of annoyance from Ryan Bennett.

Still jealous of Crystal? Even now?

She used to be so composed. When did she become this… unhinged?

But when he saw the blood soaking her hairline, he hesitated, taking a step toward her.

Then Crystal whimpered behind him.

"Ryan… my ankle. I think I twisted it," she said, her voice tremulous and soft.

He turned instantly, kneeling to cradle her delicate foot, his focus shifting without a second thought.

Whatever concern he'd had for Joanna vanished like smoke.

This woman's gone off the rails. Crystal saved my life—she's gentle, patient… the complete opposite of Joanna now. Why can't she just move on?

Let this be her wake-up call. Crystal's always dreamed of a lily garden here. She deserves it.

The bulldozers roared to life.

Joanna screamed, thrashing against the guards, eyes wide with terror.

Why?! Why are you doing this?

She wasn't just heartbroken—she was obliterated.

All she'd wanted was one last reunion. A quiet dinner with Grandma and Lily. Then, she could've gone to join them.

But now—Ryan was erasing even their graves. Erasing them.

Within minutes, the peaceful hill was a mess of overturned earth and crushed memories.

Grandma Wilson and Lily were gone. And soon, the entire mountain would bloom with lilies that Joanna would never look at without tasting blood.

The guards finally let her go. She stayed on the ground, shaking.

Hatred like she'd never known before surged inside her, hot and suffocating.

She hated Ryan's cruelty. Hated Crystal's smug manipulation.

But most of all… she hated herself.

For being weak. For letting it all happen.

Her fingers closed around something cold—she'd hidden the knife in her bag days ago, just in case.

With a scream, she lunged at Ryan.

A guard tackled her instantly, the blade flying from her grasp, clattering against a stone.

She fought wildly, possessed by grief and rage. Her eyes, bloodshot and burning, could've set the world on fire.

Ryan stared at her, stunned.

She really tried to kill me.

The woman before him wasn't his wife—not the one he remembered, anyway.

She was a ghost in a tattered hospital gown, blood on her face, madness in her eyes.

When did she become this?

Something flickered in his chest. Not guilt—just… unease.

But he pushed it down.

She has no one left. Grandma's gone. Lily's gone. She's still mine.

The guards dragged her home. Ryan told the staff to keep a close eye on her.

But Joanna didn't cry. Didn't scream. Didn't move.

She just held the half-burned drawing to her chest like it was her lifeline—staring into space, hollow and silent.

Outside her room, Ryan paused. He called over one of the maids, his voice low.

"How does Joanna treat Lily? What does she usually do around the house?"

The maid hesitated, glancing at him nervously.

"She… she's been angry a lot lately. Especially after Miss Crystal moved in. She barely pays attention to Miss Lily…"

"Most days she just shops for designer stuff or… yells about Miss Crystal in her room."

Her voice trailed off, shame coloring her tone.

Ryan's doubt evaporated.

I shouldn't have second-guessed Crystal. Joanna's lost it. She's selfish. Unstable. A terrible mother.

I can't let her fool me again.

He nodded stiffly.

"Keep her under control. No more outbursts. New Year's is next week—don't let her leave the house."

"And don't let her go anywhere near Crystal."

"Yes, sir." The maid bowed politely.

The second he turned his back, her face shifted into a smirk.

Crystal just wired me twenty grand.

My family's about to have the best damn New Year ever.