Chapter 4

The living room went dead silent.

Then, Dylan let out a harsh laugh.

"Chloe, I've given you a way out."

"Don't be ungrateful."

Beatrice quickly pulled his arm. "Watch your tone, Dylan. Don't scare her."

But when she turned to me, her voice was freezing cold.

"Chloe, Dylan has provided you with a beautiful life. You don't even have to work. What more do you want?"

I pointed to my bleeding head. "You call this a beautiful life?"

Brenda sighed dramatically.

"I've mediated dozens of couples, Chloe. Arguments happen. If you throw him in jail today, you'll regret it tomorrow."

My voice shook. "I won't regret it."

Richard's face darkened completely.

"Your brother's salon just opened, didn't it?"

"If our friends and business partners find out you got divorced over a little fight, how do you think your parents will face the community?"

I felt like I had been plunged into freezing water.

None of them cared about my pain.

They only cared about saving Dylan from consequences.

Brenda shoved a pen into my hand.

"Just sign it, dear."

"Sign it, go to sleep, and everything will be fine tomorrow."

I stared at the pen, my fingers completely numb.

Just then, the doorbell rang again.

This time, Dylan didn't move to open it.

He glared at me, realizing what was happening.

"You called someone, didn't you?"

I didn't say a word.

He scoffed and marched over to yank the door open.

Leo was standing in the hallway.

When Dylan saw him, he burst out laughing.

"Well, well."

"Look who's here. The little sissy came for a midnight stroll?"

Leo's face was ghostly pale.

But the moment he saw the blood on my forehead and neck, tears gushed from his eyes.

"Chloe..."

My heart ached terribly. "Leo, leave. Just go!"

Leo shook his head violently.

He stepped into the apartment, his voice trembling so hard it was barely audible.

"I'm taking you home."

Dylan leaned against the doorframe, looking down at him with sheer amusement.

"Taking her?"

"With what? You gonna hit me with your designer handbag?"

Beatrice frowned. "Leo, this is adult business. Don't interfere."

Leo ignored her completely.

He walked over and stood right in front of me. Even though his legs were visibly shaking, he shielded me with his body.

Then, he pulled his phone out of his bag.

He started recording.

He pointed the camera at everyone in the room.

"My sister is not signing that paper."

Brenda's face paled. "What are you doing? Put that phone down!"

Leo sniffled, wiping his nose with his sleeve.

"No."

"My sister is hurt. She's going to the hospital, and we are calling the cops."

The smirk wiped clean off Dylan's face.

"Say that again?"

Leo's hand was shaking so badly he could barely hold the phone.

But he raised his voice. "You beat her. That's domestic violence."

Dylan took a slow, threatening step toward him.

"Leo, do you really think I won't lay a hand on you?"

Leo instinctively flinched back, but he held the phone higher.

"Stay back! I'm recording everything!"

Dylan sneered. "Recording? Let's see you record this!"

He lunged forward to grab the phone.

Leo screamed and tried to dodge.

"Leo!" I cried out, throwing myself forward to pull Dylan away.

But Dylan shoved me back onto the sofa.

A sharp, stabbing pain shot through the back of my head.

Leo's eyes were red from crying, but he clutched the phone to his chest, refusing to let go.

"Get off of me!" he screamed.

Dylan gritted his teeth. "You think you're a man now?"

"Get the hell out of my house!"

Leo cried out in pain as Dylan grabbed his wrist.

Suddenly, Leo swung his designer handbag with his free hand, closing his eyes and slamming it repeatedly into Dylan's face.

Dylan was furious.

He raised his massive hand, ready to strike.

Leo squeezed his eyes shut and screamed at the top of his lungs:

"Babe! Get in here and kick his ass!"