Chapter 5

"Not only your son's eye, but your kidney as well. Justin gifted them to me. You and your son are like a personal organ bank from Justin to us!"

Suzanne's face twisted with rage, and the wild gleam in her eyes almost made me lose my mind.

Nolan couldn't bear it. He pulled free from my arms and charged at Suzanne. "You wicked woman! You have no right to say that! You can't hurt Mommy!"

In a flash of rage, Suzanne yanked Nolan's ear and twisted it. "You little one-eyed fool!"

I lunged forward and shoved Suzanne as hard as I could.

Just as I brought my hand up to hit her, a sharp slap connected with my face.

Justin's face drained of color as he stared at his reddened hand from the slap.

"Claire, I didn't mean it…"

His eyes glistened with tears as he trembled, brushing my cheek gently. "Does it hurt? I really didn't…"

"Justin!" Suzanne cried, clutching his hand as tears poured down her face. "I'm so scared."

Marcus's eyes filled with tears as he clutched Justin's leg. "Mr. Ford, they're picking on Mommy and me."

The pain in Justin's eyes gradually faded, replaced by a heavy disappointment. "Claire, haven't I given you enough? Why do you keep going against Suzanne and the others? Calm down. I'll take Suzanne and Marcus somewhere else to stay."

As he walked away without a word, Nolan instinctively called out, "Daddy!"

Justin paused briefly but didn't look back. Once they were gone, Nolan gave up completely. He no longer cried or struggled. He simply pouted and blew softly at my face. "Mommy, does it hurt? Is it still sore?"

Nolan's worried gaze shattered every ounce of strength I had been holding onto.

"Nolan, it hurts so much. It really does."

Countdown: 5 hours.

I printed the divorce papers I had prepared and set them on the coffee table, so they would be the first thing Justin saw upon entering.

On the way, I received a photo from Suzanne.

She and Marcus were taking a selfie in front of the floor-to-ceiling windows of a luxury suite, and in the reflection, Justin could be seen carefully making the bed in the background.

I didn't reply. I quietly saved the photo and forwarded it to my lawyer. "New evidence."

Countdown: 3 hours.

I helped Nolan get dressed and led him in tidying up the toys in the room.

Countdown: 1 hour.

I took Nolan and headed to the airport by cab. On the way, I finally received a text from Justin.

"Claire, I was in the wrong last night. I let my impulses get the better of me. I've already said sorry to Suzanne for you. You and Nolan should avoid them as much as possible from now on."

He sent two elegantly wrapped gift boxes along with the message. "I bought gifts for you and Nolan. I'll be home soon."

Nolan glanced at my phone and coldly said, "Mommy, let's go."

I nodded and turned off the phone.

Meanwhile, Justin came home, drained from staying up all night. "Claire, Nolan, I'm back."

He frowned at the empty house as a sense of dread began to rise.

He reached for his phone to call, but as he turned, he accidentally knocked the documents off the table. "Divorce papers?"

Justin's face went ashen, and he almost fainted.

The doctor's urgent call came through immediately. "Mr. Ford, it's serious. Mrs. Ford has discovered our secret. The hospital has already received the lawyer's notice."