Chapter 3

Fred dragged me off the bed and took me outside.

He was walking too fast. I could not follow, and I hit my leg against the door frame with a loud thud. I whimpered in pain.

However, he only glanced at me and continued to drag me out.

When we reached the living room, he let go of me so forcefully that I fell to the floor. I felt as though my bones had shattered. Just as I was about to stand up, my mother rushed over and slapped me.

I could taste blood in my mouth.

I looked up and saw Diane crying pitifully in my father’s arms. My mother was staring at me viciously.

Her dark eyes were filled with disgust and hatred for me.

It seemed like she wanted to tear me to pieces.

Perhaps I looked too indifferent because she raised her hand to slap me again.

I could no longer hold back as I threw up blood.

The blood splattered across her face and her raised hand. She was momentarily stunned.

Her hand stopped next to my cheek. I could feel it brush past my skin.

I could not help but hold her hand and place it on my cheek as I cried.

I wanted my mother to caress me like she did Diane, instead of coldly slapping me in anger.

My mother pulled back her hand as if she had been electrocuted.

I fell onto the floor in exhaustion. Blood oozed out of my nose.

Fred was startled and rushed forward. He asked anxiously, “What’s wrong with you? Why are you throwing up so much blood?”

I looked at him. His hands trembled.

He looked as though he was really worried about me.

I pushed his hand aside. Just as I tried to get up, I threw up mouthfuls of blood again.

I finally saw fear in my mother’s eyes.

She shook her head and said, “I… I only slapped her a few times. It wasn’t my fault!”

After that, she asked in concern, which felt out of character for her. “Daphne, are you okay? I… I’ll take you to the hospital…”

My father also walked over to me and asked, “What’s wrong? Quick, help Daphne up.”

My son, Sammy, also threw himself at me and sobbed. “Mommy, you’ve lost a lot of blood. Are you going to die?”

My mother yelled, “Don’t say that!”

At the same time, Mrs. Jane suddenly walked out with a packet in her hand. She said angrily, “Ms. Daphne, why are you scaring your mother and Mr. Fred with blood packs?”

‘Blood packs? What blood packs?’ I thought.

Before I could make sense of it, my mother rushed toward Mrs. Jane. She glanced at the item in Mrs. Jane’s hands and threw it onto the floor angrily.

She yelled, “Daphne! You’re such a scheming, trashy person! You’re using blood packs to gain sympathy!”

I smiled bitterly as I shook my head. I was already on my best behavior. Why were they still coming after me?

Fred crouched down and stared at me in disappointment. “Daphne, when did you change so much?”

My father angrily returned to Diane’s side. He said in disgust, “Despicable! A feral child who’s cunning and cold-blooded!

“You can’t even compare to Diane!”

I did not say a word. I swallowed the blood that I was about to throw up.

Sammy, who had been in my arms, pushed me away in disgust.

He frowned and said, “Mommy, I thought you’d changed your ways. You’re so evil! I don’t like you anymore!”

After that, he ran back to Diane’s side. He pressed himself against Diane’s thighs and said, “I want Aunt Diane to be my mommy!”

I was heartbroken. I clenched my fists tightly. My nails bit into my flesh, and I could not stop my tears.

Fred sighed. He wiped my tears away and said, “You know better than anyone how hurtful it is to be betrayed by the person closest to you.

“Why do you still pull such stunts? Now, Diane’s reputation is ruined. Our company’s stock is also unstable.

“It’s all because of you. Not only do you have to apologize, but you also have to come up with a contingency plan.”

I wanted to say that I was unaware of everything, but Diane started crying. She sobbed and said, “It’s fine, Fred… Daphne harmed me so many times. I’m afraid that if we force her to apologize, she’ll only hate me more.

“I don’t even know why she hates me so much, but… I’m willing to let it go for my parents and for you, Fred.”

My mother said in concern, “Diane, you’re too nice. That’s why you get mistreated by her.

“Don’t worry, your father and I will always be by your side. With our protection, she can never hurt you again.”

After that, she stared at me coldly. “You better listen! To protect our and Fred’s reputation, we’ve come up with a plan.

“You and Fred should get a divorce tomorrow, and he’ll marry Diane.

“We will then make a public announcement that Fred and Diane got married long ago. But we kept it a secret from you because of your health and because you liked Fred.”

I looked at Fred and asked, “Do you agree to this too?”

Fred avoided my gaze. He frowned and said impatiently, “It’s out of my control. You’re the one who started this mess!”

After a pause, he said, “But don’t worry. This is only a stalling strategy. After the crisis is over, Diane and I will get a divorce.”

I stared at him. I was at a loss for words.

Maybe he felt guilty or thought that my silence was a form of protest. It made him really unhappy. He said with an icy look, “If you agree to this, I’ll…”

I slowly said, “Of course. Congratulations! I hope you have a happy marriage.”