Chapter 3

Winnie pulled me roughly off the bed and dragged me outside. She walked so fast that my leg hit the door frame hard with a thud, and the pain made me shiver instantly. However, she just glanced back at me and continued dragging me outside.

When I arrived at the hall, she threw me to the ground. I felt as if all my bones were falling apart. Just as I was about to stand up, my dad rushed over and slapped me several times.

A bloody stench that nothing could contain gushed up.

I looked up to see Sean sitting next to my mom, looking vulnerable.

My mom shot me a furious glare. Her dark eyes were filled with disgust and hatred toward me. It was as if she could not satisfy her hatred even if I suffered a thousand beatings.

My gaze was so indifferent that my dad threw a punch at me, which made me cough up blood.

Blood splashed all over his hands and face, and he was momentarily stunned. I collapsed from exhaustion, and blood began to ooze from my nose.

Winnie rushed forward in terror, anxiously asking, "What's wrong? Why did you vomit so much blood?"

I looked at her. Her hands were shaking as if she were genuinely worried about me. I pushed her hands away. Just as I was about to get up, I began to cough up blood again.

Fear finally appeared in my dad's eyes. He shook his head and said, "I...I just slapped him a few times. I didn't do anything else!"

With that said, he asked with a rare tone of concern, "Klose, what's wrong? I... I'm taking you to the hospital now..."

My mom also came over and asked, "What's wrong? Quick, help Klose up."

My daughter, Cynthia, also rushed over, sobbing, "Dad, you're bleeding so much. Are you going to die?"

My dad snapped, "Don't spout nonsense!"

Just then, Linda suddenly came out, holding a bag. She angrily said, "Mr. Klose, how could you scare Mr. Morgan, Mrs. Morgan, and Ms. Lowe with a blood bag?"

'Blood bag? What blood bag?' I wondered.

Before I could react, my mom had already rushed over to Linda. She took one glance at what she was holding and threw it to the ground in a fit of rage.

She angrily cursed, "Klose! You're indeed cunning! How dare you try to use blood bags to trick us into sympathizing with you!"

I smiled bitterly and shook my head. I had clearly learned my lesson, so why did they not spare me?

Winnie crouched down, looked at me with disappointment, and asked, "Klose, how did you become like this?"

My dad furiously kicked me and said with disgust, "You rebel! You're indeed a wild brat from the countryside. You're unscrupulous and cold-blooded! You're not even half as good as Sean! No, you're nothing compared to Sean!"

I said nothing, only swallowing the blood I was about to spit out.

Cynthia, who had thrown herself into my arms, pushed me to the ground in disgust. She frowned and said, "Dad, I thought that you'd changed. You're so mean. I don't like you anymore!"

Then, she ran over to Sean, lay on his lap, and said, "I want Uncle Sean to be my dad!"

I felt disheartened as I clenched my hands tightly — even though my nails were piercing my palms.

Winnie sighed, raised her hand to wipe the corner of my eye, and asked, "You know how hard it is to be betrayed by the person closest to you, so why did you do it? Sean's reputation is now ruined, and our company's stock is in turmoil. This is all because of you. So not only must you apologize, but you must also make amends."

I wanted to say I knew nothing, but Sean started sobbing, "Forget it, Winnie... Klose has repeatedly hurt me. I'm afraid asking him to apologize will only make him hate me more. I don't know why Klose hates me so much, but... I'm willing to let it go for Dad, Mom, and you, Winnie."

My mom said heartbrokenly, "Sean, you're just too kind. That's why he bullies you. Don't worry. We'll always be by your side. With us protecting you, he'll never have the chance to hurt you again."

After saying that, she looked at me coldly and warned, "Listen carefully. For the sake of the Morgans' and the Lowes' reputation, our two families have already reached a solution. You and Winnie will get a divorce tomorrow, and then she and Sean will get married. We'll announce publicly that Winnie and Sean have already gotten their marriage certificate. It's only because you're in poor health and you like her that we've hidden this from you."

I looked at Winnie and asked, "Did you agree too?"

Winnie avoided my gaze, frowning impatiently. "It can't be helped. You caused this."

She said after a pause. "But don't worry. This is just a temporary solution. Once the storm is over, I'll divorce Sean."

I looked at her. Even though I had tons to say, I no longer had the strength to speak.

Perhaps she felt guilty, or she felt my silence was a form of defiance; it irritated her. She said gloomily, "Whether you agree or not, I..."

I retorted slowly, "Congratulations and have a happy wedding."