Cold Evidence And The Final Decision

Their eyes collided inside the dimly lit surveillance room. The atmosphere instantly became tense.

Xandes stood tall in the doorway, staring at Tere with a furrowed brow and a suspicious gaze. The man was still wearing his expensive suit, as though he had just finished handling business on the day of his daughter's death.

"What are you doing in the security room this late at night, Tere?" Xandes's voice was heavy and cold, filled with the intimidating tone he usually used to subdue anyone he was speaking to.

Tere did not move an inch from in front of her laptop screen. Her fingers, hidden beneath the desk, curled tightly into fists, restraining the overwhelming urge to slap and claw the face of the savage man standing before her. However, Tere forced herself to remain in control. It was not time yet.

"I just wanted to see my daughter's face one last time," Tere replied flatly, without any overflowing emotion. "But it's strange... the CCTV footage from the time Ana fell is missing. Completely erased."

Xandes's eyes blinked rapidly for a split second, a small reaction of surprise that Tere managed to catch. However, Xandes quickly regained control of his expression, replacing it with an indifferent look.

"The mansion's security system was undergoing an automatic update last night," Xandes's alibi flowed smoothly from his lips, without the slightest hint of guilt.

"Some files were corrupted and automatically deleted. You don't need to keep looking into things that don't matter anymore, Tere. Ana has already been buried."

Things that don't matter?

The words struck deep into Tere's chest, destroying every last trace of kindness she had ever possessed. This man truly did not consider his daughter's life valuable.

"Is that so?" A faint smile, so cold and terrifying, formed on Tere's pale lips. "Then you must have been very busy, making sure the system was clean last night."

Xandes waved his hand impatiently. "Don't start accusing me based on your unreasonable suspicions. I just came from Felicia's place."

"I know," Tere cut in quickly. "You're always there for them."

Xandes let out a long sigh and stepped closer. "Listen, Tere. I know you're grieving and your emotions are unstable," Xandes said gently. "But no matter what, Ana is gone. This was her fate. You can't keep being so rigid and blaming circumstances."

Tere slowly turned toward him. "Fate?"

Xandes sighed. "Don't complicate everything, Tere. I lost Ana too. She's my daughter."

"Really?" Tere asked softly.

Xandes's gaze hardened. "What do you mean?"

"Nothing." Tere lowered her eyes, hiding the hatred that was nearly spilling over. "I just find it strange hearing those words from you."

"I won't let you keep torturing yourself over what happened," Xandes said. "You have to accept reality. Ana is gone."

"And you've accepted it?"

Xandes fell silent for a moment.

"Of course it isn't easy," he answered eventually. "But life has to go on. I can't abandon all my work just to keep mourning something that can't be changed."

Tere smiled faintly. "I understand."

Xandes stared at her for several seconds before saying, "I know you still love me. That's why you shouldn't make any decisions while your emotions are still unstable."

Tere's fingers clenched beneath the desk.

"Don't worry," she replied softly. "I won't make any rash decisions."

Xandes looked satisfied by her answer.

He had no idea that Tere's decision had already been made.

"Once your emotions settle down and things get better," Xandes continued shamelessly, "we can try for another baby. We're still young, Tere. We can have another child to replace Ana."

Those words struck Tere's heart once again. The life of her little daughter, who had suffered from blood loss on the cold floor, was now being reduced by Xandes to nothing more than a broken object that could be replaced by buying another one from a store.

Tere stared at Xandes for a long time. The corner of her lips lifted into a cold smile.

"You're right, Xandes," Tere said softly, her voice so gentle that the hairs on the back of Xandes's neck suddenly stood on end for no apparent reason. "Ana is gone. Let's see... how quickly you can find a replacement for Ana."

Xandes frowned, sensing something strange lurking beneath his wife's tone, but his ego dismissed the suspicion. "Good. I'm glad you're finally starting to think rationally. Now get yourself together and go to sleep. I still have work at the office."

Xandes turned around and walked out of the surveillance room without looking back, certain that Tere would remain the obedient wife he could control.

However, the moment Xandes's figure disappeared down the hallway, Tere's expression changed completely.

Tere walked out of the surveillance room and headed toward Ana's bedroom. The small pink door slowly opened. The familiar, gentle scent of baby powder still lingered in the air. Ana's favorite teddy bear still lay on the bed, her storybooks were neatly arranged on the shelf, and her little dresses still hung gracefully inside the closet.

Her chest was once again crushed by an unbearable tightness, but this time, Tere did not let her tears fall.

With calm yet determined movements, Tere placed all of Ana's belongings into a box. Every doll, every piece of clothing, and every little photograph was placed inside with great care. After sealing the box tightly, Tere went to the master bedroom, pulled out two large suitcases, and packed all her clothes and important documents.

There was not the slightest hesitation. No fear. Her decision was final.

Tere dragged the suitcases and Ana's memory box toward the back door of the mansion and loaded them into the trunk of her private car.

After making sure all her preparations were complete, Tere sat inside the dark cabin of the car. She turned on her phone screen, then pressed a single number.

The call connected on the second ring.

"Good evening," Tere greeted coldly when she heard the voice of her personal lawyer on the other end.

"Good evening, Mrs. Tere. How may I help you?" the lawyer's voice sounded gentle.

Tere took a deep breath before giving her instructions.

"File my divorce lawsuit against Xandes tomorrow morning. Include all the evidence of his infidelity and other violations that I have already sent you, and make sure all the divorce documents are completed without leaving the slightest loophole."

"Understood, Mrs. Tere. I will process it right away."

The call ended. Tere stared at the photograph of Ana in her hand, then shifted her gaze toward the mansion.

Xandes... you think you can protect them just by deleting the CCTV footage? Tere thought with a faint smirk on her face. Let's see how long you can hold out.

Tere pressed down on the accelerator, driving her car through the darkness of the night and leaving that mansion behind forever.