Chapter 3

Austin's face hardened. "All this drama over a minor slip of the tongue? Ever since Chloe and Lily moved in, you've done nothing but throw petty tantrums."

My heart felt like it was being shredded. Petty tantrums? The psychological abuse, the exploitation, the humiliation—all of it was just a "petty tantrum" to him.

The silence in the room grew suffocating.

Chloe's eyes darted around. Suddenly, she grabbed Lily and lunged toward the drywall, screaming, "Austin, don't fight with Claire! It's all my fault! We'll pay you back in the next life... Ryan, we're coming to join you!"

Her acting was flawless, her face a perfect mask of tragic despair. She secretly pinched Lily's arm, and the little girl let out a piercing, ear-splitting shriek.

I watched the spectacle with complete numbness. This theatrical performance happened at least three times a month.

Panic flashed in Austin's eyes. He rushed over, grabbing Chloe by the waist and pulling her back. "What the hell are you doing?!" he roared.

Chloe shuddered, casting a fearful, sideways glance at me. "I know... Claire hates us. She wants us dead."

Austin spun around, grabbed my arm roughly, and dragged me forward. "Apologize to her. Now."

I held Leo close to my chest. He was clutching my shirt so hard his knuckles were white. I stared back at Austin in dead silence. I had done absolutely nothing wrong. Why should I apologize?

Austin's brow furrowed into a tight scowl. The sound of Lily's hysterical crying was making him lose his mind. Without warning, his hand flew out and struck my face.

SLAP!

The force of the blow nearly knocked me off my feet. A bright red handprint bloomed on my cheek. My ears rang, and the last remaining piece of my heart shattered into dust.

I suddenly remembered our wedding day. Austin had sworn before God and our family that no matter what happened, he would never lay a finger on me. He had promised to love and protect me. He had forgotten every single word.

Even Austin seemed shocked by his own action. He reached out, his hand trembling slightly. "Claire... does it hurt?"

The boy in my arms let out a furious cry. Leo shoved Austin's hand away with all his might. "Don't touch my mom! You're a bad dad! I hate you!"

Austin stumbled back, his eyes narrowing. "Who taught you to speak to your father like that?"

Chloe, wiping her fake tears, chimed in, "Who else could it be but Claire? Austin, you're away at work all day, so you don't know. Claire is always whispering poison into Leo's ear, turning him against you. She's ruining the boy."

Austin's expression darkened. He reached out to snatch Leo from my arms. "From now on, Chloe will raise Leo. I won't let you turn him into a bitter, toxic brat like yourself."

Let Chloe raise him?

A memory flashed in my mind, making my blood run cold. A few months ago, I had to go to the hospital to care for my mother-in-law for a few hours. I had left Leo at home.

When I unlocked the door, I found Leo kneeling on the hardwood floor, picking up sunflower seed shells with his bare hands.

Chloe had been lounging on the sofa, eating seeds and barking orders at him like a slave owner. Lily had been throwing heavy plastic toys at Leo's head for fun. One toy had cut his forehead open. He had been sobbing on the floor, bleeding, while they laughed.

I had rushed him to the ER, where he got five stitches.

When I confronted Austin, what did he say?

"It's just kids playing. Don't be so dramatic."

Panic surged through me. My chest tightened. I couldn't let him take my son. I would rather die.