Chapter 1

Five years ago, I fell into a deep coma after a car accident that killed both my parents. When I finally woke up, I discovered that the person responsible for the accident was the one closest to me.

By then, my daughter was living in squalor, eating leftovers, and being bullied by the household staff. My husband had long since found a new love and was tormenting me day and night, trying to force me to hand over the family business.

Watching them act like a happy family of three, I secretly contacted my childhood friend, Ethan Brooks, the heir to a powerful family in the city!

On the day of my ex-husband's wedding, I showed up with Ethan and my daughter, shocking the entire city...

I had been in a coma for five years, one month, and three days.

While I was still unconscious, I vaguely sensed someone entering the room. From the sound, I realized it was my daughter, Lily.

Lily held my hand and called out, "Mommy, I wish you could wake up and play with me. All the other kids have their moms with them."

Just as I wanted to open my eyes and tell her, "Mommy misses you too, Lily, my sweet girl," the door was kicked open.

"You little brat, who told you to come here? What, you think you can wake this worthless woman up?" a woman's voice snarled.

The woman grabbed Lily's ear and berated her. I recognized the voice—it was Rachel Cole, the daughter of Mr. Cole, our former household manager.

She used to be one of my closest friends, but before the accident, I discovered that she had been conspiring with her father to harm me.

Lily broke free from Rachel's grip and bit her arm before standing protectively in front of my bed. "You bad woman, don't come near my mommy!"

Rachel shoved Lily to the ground and slapped her repeatedly. "You little brat, how dare you bite me! I'll beat you to death!"

Lily wailed, her cries piercing my ears and stimulating my nerves.

"Mommy, save me! Waaah!"

"Mommy, this bad woman is going to kill me! If Lily dies, I'll never see you again!"

I struggled desperately to open my eyes. In my mind, I saw myself getting up and rushing over to save my Lily. But my body wouldn't obey, lying motionless on the bed as if trapped in an endless nightmare. I was frantic with worry.

When Rachel tired of hitting Lily, she called Mrs. Wilson to drag her out.

"Mrs. Wilson, throw this little brat in the dog kennel and don't feed her for three days!"

Mrs. Wilson nodded and dragged my daughter away. The room suddenly fell silent.

But I was still fighting to open my eyes, trying to regain control of my body.

Rachel slowly approached me. I could feel her footsteps getting closer.

When she leaned in, she placed a hand on my face, her voice dripping with sarcasm and contempt. "Well, well, Miss Shaw, you're quite the survivor. Five years as a vegetable, and not only are you not dead, but your skin is even more radiant!"

Suddenly, Rachel's hands wrapped around my throat, her face twisted with rage.

"Why were you born beautiful, with flawless skin and a privileged background? Why am I just a servant's daughter, plain-looking and unwanted? Ah, I'll strangle you to death!"

Rachel squeezed my throat. I felt my breathing becoming labored. I wanted to struggle, but as the air in my lungs was nearly depleted, my consciousness began to fade.

Just as I thought Rachel would choke me to death, a familiar voice stopped her.

"What are you doing?"

It was my husband, Derek Grant. He had arrived!

Rachel abruptly stopped, her expression and voice suddenly turning gentle. "I saw that Olivia looked pitiful lying here, so I came to check on her and see if there was anything I could do to help!"

Derek's voice softened. "Rachel, don't do anything rash right now. After all, she's still the heir to Shaw Enterprises."

Rachel walked over and clung to Derek's arm. "I'll do whatever you say, darling!"

As soon as she finished speaking, Rachel kissed Derek's lips. Derek pushed her against the wall. "You're very sexy today, and quite forward!"

Rachel giggled seductively. "Of course. We've tried the kitchen, bathroom, and balcony, but never in front of your wife. Derek, don't talk, just kiss me..."

Derek's breathing grew heavy as he embraced Rachel and began kissing her passionately...