Chapter 5

I froze, my mind going completely blank.

Ethan walked over and grabbed my arm. His voice was incredibly calm, as if he were discussing the weather.

"It was an accident, Chloe. Hailey is too weak to get an abortion."

"Keeping the baby will give her some security. Don't worry. You will always be the mistress of this house."

A flash of malice crossed Hailey’s eyes, but she quickly masked it with a fragile, apologetic look. She took a step toward me.

"Chloe, I’m not trying to take anything from you. I won't cause any trouble."

"I only cleared out the old things for my baby. You’re a mother too. You should understand."

Understand?

My dog was killed, my daughter was hospitalized, I nearly choked to death from an allergy, and my parents’ memories were reduced to ashes.

And now, she was pregnant with my husband's child, forcing me into a corner.

Why should I understand?!

The bottled-up pain and humiliation of the entire night exploded.

I raised my hand and slapped Hailey hard across the face.

The sharp sound echoed in the garden. Hailey froze, her eyes instantly filling with tears.

Ethan shoved me away, his eyes filled with profound disappointment. "I’ve given you all the respect and dignity you deserve, Chloe. But you are just too small-minded to tolerate anyone else."

That night, Ethan stripped me of all my authority in the house. He ordered the servants to put Hailey’s needs first.

For the next few days, I was treated like a maid in my own home.

I had to cook Hailey’s meals and prepare her herbal teas. If she wasn't satisfied, she would dump the hot liquid onto my hands, forcing me to start over.

She would purposely smash glass cups on the floor, and I had to clean up the sharp pieces bare-handed.

For Lily's sake, I endured it all.

But Lily was a sensitive child. She saw the exhaustion and sadness in my eyes.

She would often grab the hem of my shirt, using her soft, tiny hands to gently rub my blistered palms, whispering, "Don't be sad, Mommy."

Looking at her pale, sweet face, the last of my patience broke.

We had to leave this toxic house.

I printed out the divorce papers. While waiting for Ethan to return, Lily ran through the front door, holding a stray puppy.

The puppy looked almost exactly like Buddy.

Lily held it tightly, her eyes shining with pure joy.

Hailey happened to come downstairs. Seeing the dog, her face darkened. She marched over to kick the puppy out.

Lily clung to the dog, refusing to let go.

In a fit of anger, Hailey kicked Lily’s leg hard.

My heart stopped. I rushed forward to shield my daughter, but Hailey grabbed my wrist, pinning me against the staircase railing.

Seeing me trapped, Lily panicked. She lunged forward, scratching Hailey’s arm to pull her away.

During the struggle, Hailey gave a violent shove.

Lily lost her balance. Her tiny body rolled violently down the stairs.

My eyes widened in horror. I threw myself forward to catch her, but I lost my footing too.

The world spun. The last thing I heard was my daughter's terrified scream, and then, darkness.

"Chloe!" a voice screamed before I faded out.