

Sophia Sidney, a devoted housewife, believes patience and sacrifice can hold her family together—until one phone call shatters everything. Her husband, Liam Howell, is caught in a hotel scandal with his long-time first love, Candice Gosse. When Sophia rushes to his side, she is met not with remorse, but blame.Heartbroken and furious, Sophia demands a divorce. What truly destroys her, however, is realizing that the two children she raised with her own hands choose Candice over their own mother. In that moment, Sophia understands she has already lost her place in this family.She leaves the country, cutting all ties. Only after she's gone does Candice reveal her true face, and the children begin to miss the mother they once took for granted.But love has turned to ashes. This time, Sophia will never look back.

Growing up as a girl from the slums, Sophia encounters the most incredible opportunity in her darkest hour: she's chosen as the heir of the largest organization in the world! As Sophia steps onto this glorious but dangerous path, she'll have to face many trials. Even with the immensely powerful Louis by her side, her victories must come with sacrifices. Sophia will have to rely on her own efforts to truly rise from the ashes...

After seven years of marriage, Kelly Jones’s husband, Eric Brown, remains cold and distant.Still, Kelly faces everything with a smile because she loves him deeply. On her birthday, she flies abroad to be with Eric and their daughter, Sophia Brown.To her devastation, she discovers that Eric has taken Sophia to meet her stepsister, Bella Jones—and Sophia even asks Bella to replace Kelly as her mother.Utterly heartbroken, Kelly finally gives up on him.

Yvette, emotionally damaged and with antisocial tendencies, uses her corporate power to hire the world's top detectives to investigate after her sister Sophia's suicide by jumping. And when she uncovers Sophia's husband's affair back home, she launches a ruthless revenge.

Grace Smith's father, Lucas Brown, brings his illegitimate daughter Sophia Brown into the Smith family using a fake paternity test and falsely claims that Grace is not their biological daughter. Grace's birth mother, Helen Smith, never doubts this deception and even tortures and mistreats Grace for Sophia's sake. Sophia schemes to have Grace sleep with a homeless man, but unexpectedly, Grace encounters Eric Moore, a powerful figure in the city. When Grace has nowhere to turn, she seeks Eric's help after discovering she is pregnant with his child. They have a flash marriage, and from then on, Grace enjoys a life of being doted on by her wealthy in-laws while getting revenge on those who wronged her.

Cyrus Campbell, originally the heir of the wealthy Campbell family, breaks with his family for his wife Sophia Smith and survives by delivering food for five years. Unexpectedly, Sophia Smith is vain and materialistic, influenced by her friend to develop an ambiguous relationship with her former lover, Simon Harrison. She even chooses to visit Simon’s grandmother who only has a cold, missing the final moments of Cyrus’s critically ill grandmother.

Monica Chester once foolishly trusted Hugo Shields and his daughter Julia, neglecting her own child, Sophia. Julia's schemes left Sophia disabled, and in the end Monica was betrayed, imprisoned by the Shields family, and died in despair. But when Monica wakes up in 1980,she severed her ties with the Shields, devoted herself to protecting Sophia, and used her sewing skills and past-life experience to rebuild their lives. With the support of a wealthy livestock breeder, she and her daughter found happiness—while the Shields family finally paid the price.

Sara Lynch, who was about to graduate from college, was overweight, plain-looking, and poor. Her only joy was sending gifts to male streamers online—until they heartlessly abandoned her for wealthier fans. Just as she hit rock bottom, Sara unexpectedly bound with a "Tycoon System," which instantly transformed her into a glamorous and wealthy beauty. Reborn and radiant, she soon realized that those once-unattainable streamers were no big deal. Now, Sara savored the sweetness of being pursued and embraced her new, wonderful life.
![[ENG DUB] A Strained Marriage](https://acfs3.goodshort.com/dist/src/assets/images/pc/common/f901131c-default-book-cover.png)
Quinci once faked an affair and left Hadley after her father's imprisonment. Six years later, she was a struggling single mother with a critically ill son and crippling medical debt. When they met again, Hadley—now the heir to a fortune—mistook her for a gold digger and scorned her at every turn. Only after learning the boy was his own son did he uncover the truth, leaving him shattered with remorse.

College student Joyce Reed is framed by her cousin and ends up spending a night with Jeremy Robinson, a powerful figure in Harbor City. Wracked with guilt over betraying her boyfriend, she later discovers that he had long been cheating on her with her best friend.Furious after learning the truth, Joyce impulsively marries Jeremy—only to find out that his true identity is far more shocking than she imagined…

Nicole's daughter clung to life as husband Zack chose Yolanda's child over hers. After learning of Zack's deceptions, Nicole sought justice, leading to a public fallout with Yolanda. Amidst grief and Zack's infidelities, Nicole fought for her daughter's legacy. Zack's realization of his mistakes came too late, ending in his tragic demise. Nicole found new purpose in charity and love with Harrison.

Quinci once faked an affair and left Hadley after her father's imprisonment. Six years later, she was a struggling single mother with a critically ill son and crippling medical debt. When they met again, Hadley—now the heir to a fortune—mistook her for a gold digger and scorned her at every turn. Only after learning the boy was his own son did he uncover the truth, leaving him shattered with remorse.

As a child, Sherry Louis was rescued from the streets and adopted by Tyler Louis.Foreseeing a family calamity, her master took her in, trained her in martial arts, and sent her abroad for experience. Years later, she had risen as the Divine Phoenix. Upon learning of her foster father's death and the oppression of her siblings by their relatives, Sherry returns home. Now a formidable force, she is ready to confront and crush all who stand against her family.

Five years ago, Rachel Summer married Leslie Fuller, only to be neglected after the wedding. When Leslie went bankrupt and became paralyzed, he thought the materialistic Rachel would abandon him, yet she stayed and cared for him devotedly. At first, Leslie believed she loved him, but after learning the truth, his defenses crumbled. Determined to win her heart for real, he resolved to rebuild his fortune so Rachel would never leave his side.

Clarissa Yowell once saved Julian Slater's life. In return, he promises that if he ever becomes emperor, he'll make her his empress. Now that he has finally ascended the throne,everyone is eager to know who the new empress will be. Clarissa is certain it's her—how could it not be? But in the end, she's the last to find out that the woman Julian chooses is his childhood sweetheart, Sophia Lynch.

At the age of 6, Natalia's parents were killed by Vivian (indirectly), leaving her brother mentally disabled. Natalia cared for him, learning survival skills through fights and thievery. When able to support her brother, Natalia, seeking revenge, infiltrates Vivian's life as therapist Julia. She seduces Vivian's husband, manipulates their relationship, gathers evidence of infidelity, and confronts Vivian. Natalia then gets close to Vivian's son to uncover her crimes and avenge her parents.

The talented young basketball player Henry Kirby was guaranteed a spot in the national team by his high school. However, on the eve of his enrollment, he was brutally assaulted and left disabled by Gideon Johnson,his mother's adopted son. Gideon's motive was to seize the guaranteed spot for himself. The mother, who had always favored Gideon, deliberately delayed Henry's treatment to ensure Gideon could take his place in the national team. Upon learning this devastating news while confined to his hospital bed, Henry was utterly heartbroken.

Justin Stockwell is paralyzed in a car accident caused by his brother Dustin's betrayal, becoming bitter and violent. Dawn Whiting becomes his caregiver for the high salary to pay her child's medical bills, enduring his abuse. Justin realizes Dawn resembles a woman from a one-night stand years ago and discovers she had a son, Taylor. To confirm if Taylor is his child, he goes to a club and shockingly finds Dustin there—his betrayer brother is now Dawn's fiance. Learning Dawn is indeed his past lover, Justin plots to claim both her and the child.