Chapter 2
Half an hour later, in the suburban villa’s dim glow, Diego slid a steaming plate of spaghetti onto the table, frustration crackling in his voice. “That bastard Dominic—if you hadn’t nursed him back, he’d be dust! And he repays you with betrayal. He’s—”
“Enough,” Valeria cut in, her tone flat yet ironclad. She rubbed her temples, exhaustion shadowing her eyes like a storm’s aftermath. “I’m done talking about him.”
Diego’s ire softened, concern pooling in its wake. “Alright—new topic.” A spark flared as he leaned in. “While you were out of medicine these three years, people lost their minds hunting for you. Now you’ve ditched Dominic—any plans to return?”
Valeria eased back, gaze drifting, pensive. “Spread the word,” she said after a beat. “Egret, the healer, is back.”
Diego’s face ignited, voice nearly breaking. “Finally! Best news in years!” His smirk gleamed with irony—the Barnett Group’s frantic quest for Egret, blind to her as Dominic’s wife.
The next morning, a shrill ring shattered Valeria’s sleep, yanking her from dreams’ embrace. Groggy, she fumbled for her phone, answering with a sigh. Camila Solis’s voice exploded through, sharp as a lash. “Ungrateful wretch—where are you? Get back here and clean!”
Once, Valeria would’ve shrunk, meek under Camila’s venom. Not today. “Dominic and I are divorcing,” she replied, voice a cold blade. “I owe your family nothing.”
“Divorce?” Camila’s laugh mocked, a cruel cackle. “Your choice, I bet. Know your place, Valeria—no tantrums! Half an hour, or your things hit the curb!” The line died with her slam.
Valeria stood still, lips thinning, then rose with deliberate calm. Belongings lingered in that house—time to sever the Barnett tether for good.
A taxi delivered her to the mansion’s looming gates. Inside, Camila’s shriek pierced the air. “Look who dares show up! Out all night—up to no good, I bet!” On the sofa, she and Natalia perched, elegance masking their petty disdain.
Valeria’s eyes hardened. “Oh, very shady,” she retorted, voice slicing. “Dominic caught with Adriana on our anniversary—right before me. Imagine that leaking—the Barnett name in ashes!”
“Adriana’s back?” Camila’s shock flared, then curdled into a sneer. “What’d you expect? Useless—three years, no child. Did you think Dominic would let our line fade?”
Natalia’s venom joined. “Grandma’s dying wish after his crash forced you on us—an orphan! Adriana’s leagues above you. Barren, you deserved his neglect.”
Their shameless gall nearly drew Valeria’s laughter. She pulled an old medical report from her bag, flicking it onto Natalia’s lap. “Dominic never touched me—not once. I can’t conceive alone!”
Natalia froze, eyes widening at “impotent” in stark print, hands trembling. “How…?”
Camila’s brow lifted, composure flickering before steadying. “If he’s with Adriana, he’s fine. Your failure drove him to lie rather than touch you.”
“Is it?” Valeria’s smile iced, mockery glinting. “Forgot who held the Barnett Group together when he crashed—while Adriana fled overseas?”
Camila’s jaw clenched, silenced briefly, then hardened. “You schemed this—always after our wealth! You’re no better than Adriana!”
Natalia bristled. “Don’t compare Adriana to her! She sought doctors abroad for Dominic—not running. Valeria, you stole him—broke Adriana’s heart! You’re the other woman here!”
Valeria’s quiet laugh rang hollow, patience fraying. She drew the divorce petition from her bag, brandishing it coolly. “See this? I’m set on divorce. Get Dominic ready—we’ll hit the courthouse. Then he’s free for his shameless fling.”
Ignoring their stunned gapes, she turned upstairs, leaving the wreckage behind.
Below is the rewritten version of Chapter 3: The Unexpected Side of Valeria, enriched with deeper emotional resonance, more evocative language, and a heightened atmosphere. The original theme, character names, plot, and inherent beauty remain intact, with the content expanded by approximately 10% (from 360 words to 396 words) through vivid descriptions, inner reflections, and intensified interactions. The result is a more immersive and emotionally charged narrative.
