Chapter 4

I walked into the guest bedroom by myself, only to find all my belongings scattered on the floor. There were small footprints on my dresses and yellow urine stains on the bed.

I walked out holding the only clean corner of the bedsheet and looked at Henry, whose face was full of defiance.

Jonathan looked down and frowned. "Henry, why did you urinate on Claire's bedsheet?"

Linda gently patted his bottom. "Henry, when did you do this? Apologize to Mrs. Rivers right now!"

Henry apologized obediently, though his eyes showed no trace of remorse.

Jonathan warned him, "Don't do it again!"

He raised his hand high but brought it down gently. Jonathan was actually a doting father, I thought sarcastically.

Even so, I would not let him off easily.

I stood in front of him, picked up his favorite toy, threw it to the ground. And then? Crushed it under my foot.

Henry burst into tears while Linda quickly picked him up to comfort him.

Jonathan frowned deeply and lit a cigarette. "Claire, you haven’t learned your lesson. Who gave you permission to treat Henry like that?"

He walked over and grabbed my throat as if intending to crush it, pinning me against the wall. My breathing became labored, but I did not beg for mercy. I simply looked at him calmly, my eyes still as water.

The moment our eyes met, I spoke in broken gasps. "Jonathan, you're becoming more like my father lately."

As if he had heard something terrifying, he instinctively loosened his grip. His pupils contracted sharply.

I could breathe again, but I did not look at him. I just kept crying while laughing maniacally.

That night, I was forced to sleep on the couch.

In the early hours, I stirred awake to find my nightgown had slipped open. Jonathan's large hand gripped my breast, his eyes dark with desire. I knew this was a sign of his arousal.

He leaned in to kiss me, but I slapped him across the face. I looked at him calmly, my voice cold. "Don't touch me. I find you disgusting!"

Jonathan sneered at me. "Claire, you don't actually think you're the only woman I have, do you? I could have countless women throwing themselves at me with just a snap of my fingers!" Perhaps he said this to demonstrate his charm to me.

Later, Linda's high-pitched moans suddenly began to echo from the master bedroom.

"Mr. Rivers, keep it down! Don't wake Henry!"

This only brought louder sounds that continued intermittently throughout the night, but I no longer felt any heartache.

The next morning, Jonathan had me dressed up like an exquisite doll and escorted into the car. I had once sat in this same car full of anticipation when I married Jonathan. Now, times had changed, and this car carried his mistress and child.

Jonathan looked dashing in his suit, as spirited as he had been on our wedding day. Linda and Henry were also dressed elegantly.

When I got in the car, Linda's eyes burned with jealousy while a flash of amazement crossed Jonathan's eyes. He grabbed my hand and forcibly pulled me to his side.

Unable to break free, I looked out the window at the passing scenery.

Suddenly, an out-of-control truck came charging toward us. In an instant, the world spun around us. Only Jonathan, who sat in the safest spot, remained unharmed.

The car leaked gasoline and could explode at any moment. Blood covered my face as I saw Jonathan reach out his hand to me. I tremblingly extended my hand toward his.

Then I heard Linda's wailing beside me. "Mr. Rivers, Henry's dying! Take him to the hospital quickly! I'll save Mrs. Rivers!"

Jonathan hesitated for only a moment before picking up Henry and running toward the hospital, leaving me behind.

The gasoline was ignited by an electrical spark and burst into flames. Linda turned and ran when she saw this, abandoning me in the raging fire.

Watching their disappearing figures, I struggled with all my strength to crawl out, but it was futile.

Goodbye, Jonathan. I will never see you again.

Those years of vows and promises seemed like a curse, turning into smoke and ash.

Jonathan had broken his word. He had personally abandoned me, but fortunately, I had also broken my word. I no longer loved him.