Chapter 3

"Who told you to open this door? Today is Mr. Rodriguez and Miss Miller’s wedding!"

"What if Lily runs out and ruins Miss Hailey's mood?!"

Before I could even hold my daughter tighter, a sharp, angry voice echoed from the stairs.

"Mrs. Brown, I didn't open it. It was..."

"Then who did?!"

Lily instinctively shrank back into my arms, trembling.

I held her close and walked out of the basement, coming face-to-face with the nanny.

She gasped, stepping back. "Sophia? What are you doing here?"

"Julian and I aren't divorced yet. By law, you should still call me Mrs. Rodriguez."

"And who gave you permission to lock my daughter in a dark basement?!"

The nanny stammered, "It... it wasn't me! It was Miss Hailey's orders!"

I looked down at Lily. Her skeletal little hand was gripping my shirt tightly.

She was wearing filthy, ragged clothes that looked like they hadn't been washed in weeks.

"I'm taking Lily to get a bath. Where is her room?" I carried Lily and tried to walk upstairs.

But the nanny blocked my way. "Mrs. Rodriguez, there is no room for Lily here."

"No room for Lily?"

"Yes. Miss Hailey said Lily is disobedient, so she has to live in the basement."

"What?!"

I couldn't believe my ears. Lily had been living in that dark, cold basement for years.

Looking at her tiny, frail body, I gently pulled up her shirt. My heart shattered. Her skin was covered in bruises, old scars, and fresh welts.

"Does it hurt, sweetie?"

The moment my fingers lightly touched her skin, Lily winced and tears rolled down her cheeks.

My own tears fell freely.

Before I could say anything, the front door opened. Julian and Hailey were back.

Seeing me, they both froze.

"Sophia? You're out of prison?"

Hailey put on a fake, sweet smile and tried to step forward. I pushed her away and stared straight at Julian.

"Didn't you die in that car crash?"

"Why are you standing here, perfectly fine? Don't you owe me an explanation?"

"Julian."

I tried to keep my voice steady, but I couldn't stop shaking.

At the sight of Hailey, Lily hid behind my back, trembling in terror.

"Sophia, let me explain. I had no choice back then..."

"No choice?"

I looked at the little boy standing next to him, and then at Hailey.

What a beautiful excuse.

My three years in prison, and my daughter's three years of torture, just so their little family of three could live happily ever after.

"Ew, you smell like trash! Get out of my house!"

"You're not allowed here! And take this little beggar girl with you!"

Suddenly, Hailey's son, Henry, rushed forward and shoved me hard.

Caught off guard, I fell to the floor.

"Mommy!" Lily cried, trying to help me up.

"Henry, stop that!"

Hailey scolded the boy half-heartedly, but she didn't actually do anything to stop him.

The boy whined, "These two beggars are making our floor dirty! Kick them out, Mommy!"

He threw himself onto the floor, throwing a tantrum.

Julian looked at me with an uncomfortable expression. "Sophia, why don't you take Lily and leave for now? I'll explain everything to you later."

"Daddy..." Lily timidly reached out her tiny hand, trying to grab the edge of his pants.

The next second, Henry rushed over and shoved her away. "Go away, you little beggar! Don't touch my daddy!"

Lily fell backward, her head striking the sharp corner of the cabinet. Blood instantly began to pour from her forehead.

"It hurts... Daddy, my head hurts..."

Lily cried, reaching out to Julian again, but he coldly stepped back, letting her hand fall.

"Mrs. Brown, kick them out."

Six years of marriage, and my daughter and I meant absolutely nothing to him.

How pathetic.

"This way, please," Mrs. Brown said, rolling her eyes.

I picked up Lily and walked out of the house, step by step.

Behind me, their disgusted voices followed.

"What a parasite. She smells so bad."

"Exactly. She spent three years in prison. Did she really think Mr. Rodriguez would still want her?"