Chapter 3

Evelyn added, [And don't be too sad. Five years from now, we're still together.]

Her tone made it sound as though she were granting me some tremendous favor.

I hung up numbly.

My stomach cramped violently.

But I was dazed and empty. I only wanted to go home.

The moment I pushed open the door, the warm lamp in the living room pierced my eyes.

Evelyn came out with the last dish, her tone flat.

"You're back? Wash your hands and eat. Don't make a scene next time."

Marcus hugged Evelyn from behind. "Evelyn, what happened?"

She stroked his face affectionately. "Why are you curious about everything?"

Seeing this again, I felt nothing.

I walked past Evelyn on my own and went into the bedroom.

She seemed to notice something wrong with me.

But just as she reached for me, Marcus gently placed his hand over hers.

I closed the door and looked quietly at the little porcelain urn.

It held Daisy's ashes.

It was my only remaining tie to her.

I had just picked it up when the door suddenly opened and Chloe poked her head in.

"Ryan, aren't you eating?"

I said nothing and turned to leave.

When Chloe saw what I was holding, she burst into tears and reached for the urn.

"Uncle Ryan, why are you taking Daisy away? Daisy is my sister!"

The moment she cried, the bedroom door flew open with a bang.

Marcus rushed in anxiously.

"Ryan, if you have a problem, take it out on me! Don't touch my daughter."

He yanked hard and pulled Chloe with him, snatching the urn out of my hands.

The next second, the urn slipped and smashed to the floor.

Ashes scattered. The fan blew them everywhere.

My only remaining tie to Daisy was destroyed too.

Hatred surged straight to my head. I raised my fist and swung at Marcus.

But just as my hand brushed past his face, Evelyn angrily grabbed my wrist.

"Ryan! There's a child here! Stop acting insane!"

I tried to shake her off, but Evelyn held tight.

Marcus covered his mouth, lifted his head, and stared at me with hatred.

He strode over and drove a fist into my abdomen.

"How dare you lay a hand on Evelyn?"

Another punch struck my head.

My vision went black. My legs shook.

Even Evelyn's cold face blurred into overlapping shadows.

I sighed, and my body fell backward.

When I opened my eyes again, I was lying in a hospital bed.

Evelyn sat beside me, her voice gentle.

"Ryan, why didn't you tell me you have gastritis?"

I closed my eyes in silence.

Only then did Evelyn belatedly remember that I had been diagnosed with gastritis earlier that year because I had drunk in her place at a business dinner.

But later, she forgot.

Evelyn lifted one of my hands and pressed it against her cheek.

"I'm sorry. Tell me what you want as compensation. Anything."

My breathing was almost nonexistent.

"I want a divorce."

Evelyn shook her head cruelly.

"No, Ryan. You can't leave this room.

"There's some online controversy about your role in the rescue.

"It's bad for you and Marcus, and it's bad for my company's development.

"When this stops spreading, I'll let you out."

"What are they saying?"

Evelyn sighed.

"They think Marcus guided you into saving Chloe."

"He didn't."

I gave a cold laugh.

Evelyn held my hand tenderly, coaxing me.

"I knew you wouldn't be that impulsive."

"Then can you issue a statement for Marcus and me and explain everything?"

I looked into her eyes and only felt sorry for Daisy.

"No. Because you were the one who guided me into saving Chloe."