Chapter 4

Back at my apartment, my mother called me repeatedly. I ignored them all.

But a second later, a video message arrived from an anonymous number.

I immediately knew who sent it.

With a heavy heart, I clicked play.

My mother's familiar voice echoed from the speaker:

"Oh, my dear son-in-law, I know it's all my daughter's fault.”

“Please don't hold it against her. She only said she wanted a divorce to get your attention. She didn't mean it! You can't divorce, especially now that she's pregnant..."

I began to shake.

My toxic family had always been a wound I couldn't heal, a nightmare I tried to hide.

There were so many painful things I had never shared with Ethan.

But my own mother had just laid bare my deepest vulnerabilities to him.

Chloe had sent the video, and I could easily picture her smug, mocking face.

My mind went entirely blank, my hands and feet turning ice-cold.

When I snapped out of it, the video had finished playing.

I scrambled up, grabbed my keys, and ran out the door.

Catching my reflection in the elevator mirror, I saw my tear-stained, disheveled face. I looked pathetic.

I drove straight to the house I used to share with Ethan.

The moment I punched in the door code and walked in, I saw my mother on the second-floor landing, practically begging Ethan on her knees.

And right next to them stood Chloe, watching the show with amusement.

Anger flared in my chest. I rushed up the stairs and pulled my mother up. "Mom, what the hell are you doing?!"

Seeing me, her eyes lit up as if I were her savior. She grabbed my hand.

"Oh, you're finally here! Hurry up and apologize to Ethan! This was all your fault anyway. Apologizing won't kill you!"

She pushed down on my shoulders, trying to force me to my knees.

Ethan frowned, his tone cold and indifferent.

"No need. She should apologize to Chloe. After all, Chloe is the one she insulted."

"Yes, yes, of course! Apologize to Chloe right now!" My mother dragged me toward Chloe, bowing on my behalf.

My patience evaporated. I threw her hand off and screamed, "Enough!"

My mother froze, staring at me in shock.

Ethan's frown deepened, while Chloe shrank back behind him.

"Hazel, don't be mad. Your mom is just doing this for your own good."

"Exactly!" My mother beat her chest dramatically. "Everything I do is for you! You're already damaged goods, and you still want a divorce!"

Chloe chimed in, "Maybe you guys should leave. I don't think Hazel is going to apologize anyway."

My gaze swept over Ethan's neck, catching the fresh, unmistakable hickey near his collar. I let out a mocking laugh.

"Apologize for what? For interrupting your little bedroom sessions?"

All three of them went silent.

My mother was the first to snap back. "Shut up! If you don't apologize, you're no longer my daughter!"

I looked at her coldly, my heart suddenly finding a strange, peaceful stillness.

"Fine," I said quietly.

"Then please, stay the hell out of my business."

Ethan let out a dark chuckle, his piercing black eyes locking onto mine.

I was exhausted. I just wanted to go back and sleep.

But apparently, no one was going to let me leave that easily.

As I turned to go down the stairs, Ethan reached out to block me, and my mother lunged forward to grab my arm.

I struggled to break free, losing my footing in the chaos.

During the scuffle at the top of the stairs, I felt a foot intentionally kick my ankle.

And then, I fell.

As I tumbled down, the last thing I saw was the smirk playing on Chloe's lips.