Chapter 4

"Mr. Walker is coughing up blood!"

A flash of panic shot through Aria’s eyes. She made a move to head down the stairs, but Tom immediately held her back.

"Aria, I really envy Mr. Walker. The moment he sheds a little blood, everyone gets heartbroken over him."

He sniffled, even letting a couple of tears fall. "Unlike me... Anyone can just bully me as they please..."

Aria’s heart instantly broke for him, and she leaned in to kiss away his tears. "Don't worry, Tom. I won't let anyone who bullies you get away with it."

However, when she turned her gaze back toward me, it was like she was looking at a piece of dead meat.

"Lock him in the basement. Let him think over what he’s done."

A crowd of people dragged me away like a tattered rag, throwing me into the basement and leaving a long smear of blood across the floor.

The dust rushed into my face, making it hard to breathe.

I clutched my stomach from years of severe malnutrition, which had triggered acute gastric issues, and the twisting pain was unbearable.

Sitting in the basement were our wedding photos and all the gifts Aria had once given me.

These proofs of our past love felt exceptionally mocking right now.

Forcing myself up with the last of my strength, I grabbed a wooden rod and smashed the wedding photos to pieces before completely blacking out.

I was shocked awake by a bucket of freezing water.

"Conrad, you sure sleep soundly."

I opened my eyes to meet Aria’s grim expression.

She threw a servant’s uniform onto the ground. "Tomorrow is Tom's birthday. You will wear this uniform and serve him."

The blood clots blocking my throat kept me from speaking, so I could only stare at her, completely numb.

Tom carried himself like a coddled heir, even having a cashmere rug rolled out just for him to walk into the basement.

He clung to Aria's arm, acting spoiled. "But Mr. Walker is so good-looking. If he stands next to me, it'll make me look ugly. What should we do?"

Aria’s eyes filled with doting affection. "Isn't that simple, my little prince?"

She had someone bring over a knife, and without hesitation, she slashed it across my face several times.

This face, which she had once been obsessed with countless times, was now slashed beyond recognition.

Blood instantly erupted, drenching my entire face. The agony had me thrashing and rolling on the floor.

When I caught a glimpse of my reflection in a shattered piece of glass and saw the horrific sight, an ear-piercing shriek tore from my throat.

"Are you satisfied now?" Aria asked, tossing the knife to the floor as she looked at Tom with deep affection.

"Tom, you will always be the most handsome."

Tom covered his eyes in mock terror, yet he couldn't stop giggling. "Mr. Walker, you really look like a monster now."

I clutched my face, laughing and crying all at once.

Then, that set of legal documents was tossed right in front of me. Aria crouched and patted my blood-soaked cheek.

Her voice actually carried a rare hint of gentleness as she said, "Conrad, as long as you behave yourself, everything will get better after tomorrow. When the time comes, I’ll find the absolute best medical team for your mom."

Like a drowning person catching a final piece of driftwood, I held the documents tightly against my chest.

Aria had no idea my mom was already dead and had no need for any more treatment.

And the contract she assumed was for a hospital was actually the divorce papers I had prepared.

Finally, I could leave.

…

The next day, guests arrived in an endless stream.

Dressed in the servant's uniform, I knelt on the floor, staring blankly at the entrance with a hollow expression.

People passing by would jump in fright at the sight of me. Once they realized who I was, they spared no mockery.

"What kind of monster is that? He looks disgusting!"

"What do you mean, monster? That's Ms. Carter's husband..."

"Pfft, ugly as sin. It's only because Ms. Carter and Mr. Robinson are so kind-hearted that they mercifully let him stay around as a watchdog."

"Well, after today, he probably won't be Ms. Carter's husband anymore. I heard Ms. Carter is going to make a massive announcement tonight."