Chapter 4

The next morning, I grabbed my suitcase and walked into Leo's room for one last look.

The familiar baby scent was still in the air. It felt like he was still here, smiling at me.

Suddenly, the click of high heels broke the silence. Chloe walked in.

She looked around the room, a smug, vicious smile on her face.

"So, your little brat is dead. You must be devastated, Clara. But honestly... I think it’s hilarious!"

I froze. Chloe knew.

She knew Leo was dead! That was why she had accused me of lying when I went to ask Ethan for the hospital deposit!

Seeing me shaking with rage, Chloe's smile grew wider and more twisted.

"I had to get rid of him. He was always whining 'Daddy, Daddy' around Ethan. It drove me crazy! Now that he’s gone, Ethan can focus entirely on me."

My fingernails dug into my palms so hard they drew blood. A wave of murderous rage washed over me.

Before I could think, my hands were wrapped tightly around her neck.

"Chloe Bennett! How can you be so evil?!"

But Chloe didn't panic. She choked out a laugh and shook her finger at me.

"Oh, this is nothing."

"Clara, don't think you're going to run to Ethan and tell him. I'm sending you to join your son right now."

With a sudden burst of strength, she broke free, grabbed a small diffuser from her bag, and placed it on the desk.

Before I could react, she slipped out of the room and locked the door from the outside.

Within minutes, a thick, sweet, suffocating scent filled the room.

Every breath I took felt like inhaling razor blades.

I tried to smash the window, but Ethan had installed shatterproof glass. My hands were covered in blood, but the glass wouldn't break.

As my consciousness started to fade, I heard Ethan's voice in the hallway.

Like a dying person catching a lifeline, I banged on the door with all my remaining strength, coughing up blood.

"Ethan! Save me! Please!"

"What's that noise..." Ethan's footsteps approached the door.

But in the next second, Chloe's voice stopped him.

"Clara must be mad at me for spending so much time with you. She's probably playing sick to get your attention."

Hearing this, Ethan took his hand off the doorknob and knocked on the door impatiently.

"Clara, enough. If you want to play games, do it alone. I'm going on vacation with Chloe for the next three days!"

The toxic gas seeped deep into my lungs. My throat was burning, and I couldn't make a sound.

I kept tapping on the door weakly, but Chloe's loud, shrill voice drowned out every sound I made.

"Ethan, let's go to the island! You haven't taken me on vacation in forever."

"Alright, alright. You're more spoiled than Leo was."

Their laughter faded down the hallway. I collapsed onto the floor, my vision going black as I finally closed my eyes.