Betrayed by her husband and “sent back to the factory”, her mother did not welcome her and even said bitter words that made me collapse…
Betrayed by her husband and “sent back to the factory”, Lea dragged her suitcase back to her mother’s house. The whole barangay whispered:

— “She was kicked back by her husband, I heard she was caught cheating.”
— “It was the husband who cheated, not her. But it’s not unfair—if a woman knows how to keep her husband, how can she go out!”

The last person Lea expected to protect her… was the first person to trample on her self-esteem.

Nanay Rosa, seeing that her daughter had not yet had time to say anything, glared and said:

— “I’m asking you, how did you live that your husband was so bored that he cheated? Men get bored and go somewhere else. No one has time to ruin a happy life!”

Each word was like a knife. Lea tightened her grip on the suitcase strap, her throat choked.

For three years as a wife, Lea cooked, did laundry, and took care of her in-laws like her own parents. Even when she was pregnant, she still bent down to wash dishes and clean the house. After giving birth, she took care of everything by herself—Marco was busy… busy on a “business trip” with a close female colleague.

She had seen strange lipstick on her collar, had read flirty text messages, had asked—had cried—and then kept quiet. The response was denial, even threats:

“If you say anything more, I’ll tell your mother everything.”

Today, her mother knew for sure. But instead of opening her arms to hug her ragged daughter, she coldly said:

“My daughter is worthless, so she was sent back to the factory.”

Lea’s heart, after being broken so many times, finally broke into pieces. She smiled faintly:
— “If I’m at fault, it’s because I tried to live well. Because I believed in my family. Because I thought you would understand…”

That night, Lea left the house that was her childhood—and also the place where her last illusion ended.

She didn’t come back. Not because of pride, but because she understood: A woman who knows how to stand up from betrayal and rejection is the one who truly takes control of her life.

Three years later…

The barangay was filled with news again:
— “She was dumped by her husband the day she was… she drove back to visit the village!”

— “Huh? Lea? My God, what did she do to be so rich?”

The shiny black car stopped in front of Nanay Rosa’s house—a place where there was no room for the tears of a betrayed daughter.

Lea stepped out: her hair neatly tied up, a simple white dress, light makeup but her demeanor was cold and proud.

Nanay Rosa stood on the porch, her hands shaking:
— “You… are back?”

Lea nodded, not smiling. She put the gift bag on the table, her voice calm:
— “Tonic for Mom. I heard the ladies at Home for the Aged say that Mom often gets dizzy.”

Her mother was confused:
— “Home for the Aged… what do you mean?”

— “Yes. I have booked a place at a nursing home in Quezon City: private doctor, portioned meals, weekly staff to take you for walks, yoga. You should have enough here.”

Nanay Rosa’s face paled:
— “You mean… kick Mom out?”

Lea curled her lips:
— “I’m just giving you back the way you ‘welcomed’ me back.”

At the same time, Marco—her ex-husband—was trading land in Cavite and had just gone bankrupt after a silly deal. His new wife left, leaving behind two small children. Hearing that Lea had returned to the village, he couldn’t help but come to her:

— “I… miss you. I was wrong. Can we start over?”

Lea looked at the person who had made her lose all her self-respect, her heart turned cold:
— “Do you miss me or the director’s chair at my company?”

Marco lowered his head, silent. Lea smiled slightly:
— “No need to be ashamed. I was once fired like a freeloader. Now I also know what ‘returning to the factory’ means.”

She turned her back. This time, she was the one who walked first. Every step was steady, no longer clinging to the past.

Because the woman who was once left behind—maybe fell—but once she stood up, she would make the whole world look at her.