Chapter 4

The air in the car turned icy.

Edward’s throat bobbed as if he were swallowing down a wave of fury.

Finally, he glared at me with pure venom. "Because you deserved it!"

"Honestly, when I first met you, I liked you."

"But then you just had to have me. You made my mother use her illness to force me into this marriage!"

"I am sick of it! I’m sick of being controlled! I wanted my freedom!"

"I told you I didn't love you, but you insisted on marrying me anyway."

"So don't blame me for treating you like trash. You brought this on yourself!"

Edward screamed his lungs out.

He threw himself back against the leather seat, panting heavily.

I listened quietly. I wasn't even shocked. I just found it incredibly pathetic.

Looking at his enraged face, I offered a sincere apology.

"I’m sorry for wasting your years."

"But we’re divorced now. I won't bother you ever again."

Edward didn't reply, but his scowl deepened.

Even after we signed the papers and returned to the mansion, Edward remained dead silent.

I didn't want to annoy him, so I stayed in my room.

At dinner, it was the same four people: me, Eleanor, Edward, and Chloe.

Only this time, Edward and Chloe weren't acting lovey-dovey.

Under the dining room chandelier, a flash of green caught my eye. The bracelet on Chloe's wrist looked horribly familiar.

That was... my mother's antique emerald bracelet!

My heart stopped. I stood up abruptly, lunging forward to grab Chloe's wrist.

"Give it back!"

"That’s my mother’s bracelet! Who gave you permission to go through my jewelry box in the master bedroom?"

Chloe shrieked in pain as I gripped her wrist.

But a split second later, a smug, victorious look flashed in her eyes.

She sobbed hysterically.

"What do you mean, your bracelet? Sarah, what are you talking about?"

"I bought this myself a few days ago!"

"Edward, she’s hurting me! Make her stop!"

Edward slammed his hands on the table and stood up.

Hearing Chloe’s cries, he forcefully slapped my hand away.

"Sarah! Have you lost your mind? Let her go!"

"I knew you wouldn't let things go quietly!"

"It’s just a stupid bracelet! If Chloe says she bought it, she bought it! Stop making a scene!"

I glared at Edward, my voice cracking with desperation.

"Making a scene? Edward, open your damn eyes and look at it!"

"I wore this exact bracelet on our wedding day!"

Edward glanced at the emerald piece. It did look familiar. It probably was mine.

Just as he was about to tell Chloe to give it back to avoid a hassle, Eleanor slammed her hand on the table. She stood up and pointed a trembling finger at Chloe.

"You thief! I’ve seen that bracelet before. It belongs to Sarah. Give it back to her right now!"

"Edward, I swear, if you defend this trash one more time, you are no longer my son!"

Edward’s rebellious streak flared instantly. He pulled Chloe behind his back protectively.

"I said it’s Chloe’s, so it’s hers."

"It’s just a piece of jewelry. I’ll buy Sarah a better one at the auction tomorrow."

"Stop bullying Chloe!"

Bullshit! That was the last piece of my mother I had left.

Even if he bought me ten thousand of them, none of them would be from my mother.

Losing all control, I lunged at Chloe again, desperate to claw my mother's heirloom back.

Edward shielded her, and even Eleanor joined the scuffle, trying to pull Chloe away.

In the chaos, to keep me away from Chloe, Edward swung his arm back and shoved me hard—

A massive force hit my shoulder.

I didn't expect him to push me so violently.

My heel caught on the rug. I lost my balance and fell backward.

CRASH!

My lower back slammed violently against the sharp, wooden edge of the heavy dining table.

An agonizing pain exploded from my spine, paralyzing my muscles and stealing the air right out of my lungs.

Taking advantage of my fall, Edward grabbed Chloe’s hand and headed for the door.

"Stop, Edward, you coward!"

"Get back here! Stop them!" Eleanor screamed, calling for the security guards.

But Edward ignored her and dragged Chloe out of the house.

Eleanor turned around, intending to comfort me, but her voice died in her throat.

There was a body lying by the table.

I was pooling in a dark, terrifying crimson stain, my face as white as paper.

"Sarah! Oh my god, Sarah!" Eleanor screamed before blacking out.

I was rushed to the ER. The red surgery light stayed on for a grueling twenty-four hours.

Meanwhile, Edward knew he had gone too far.

The next day, he brought Chloe to an upscale auction, intending to buy an expensive piece of jewelry to replace my bracelet.

As they sat in the private VIP room, watching the server present the diamonds, the door was violently kicked open.

It was Eleanor.

Abandoning all her aristocratic elegance, she pushed past the bodyguards and stormed into the room.

She was holding a small, white clinical memorial box.

SLAP!

Eleanor raised her hand and delivered a savage blow to Edward's face.

"Open it!" she hissed.

Edward clutched his burning cheek. Seeing his mother’s devastated face, a sudden wave of dread washed over him.

As he hesitated, Eleanor screamed again.

"I said, open it!"

Edward’s hands trembled as he slowly lifted the lid.

The moment he saw what was inside, his pupils dilated in absolute horror. He let out a strangled shriek.

"No—"

The tears Eleanor had been holding back finally streamed down her face.

"Look closely, Edward. That is your four-month-old daughter."

"And you killed her."