Chapter 3

3.

When I walked out of the funeral home, my eyes were completely hollow and devoid of light.

I couldn't believe that the tiny box cradled in my arms held the ashes of my child with Ethan.

A child we had once longed for so desperately.

I mechanically dialed Ethan's number, but every single call went straight to voicemail.

I should have known better. During all those days I spent in the hospital, Ethan didn't even send a single word, yet I had actually foolishly hoped he would pick up.

What an absolute delusion.

I smiled bitterly and hugged the urn a little tighter.

Don't be afraid, baby, Mommy is taking you home.

I placed the urn on the altar in our living room.

And lit two eternal candles.

May you never meet such a useless mother in your next life.

When I finished everything, I collapsed onto the bed and fell into a deep sleep.

In my dream, Ethan was holding me tightly, happily planning our future together.

"I hope we have a little girl. Big eyes, just like yours. Pretty."

I was an orphan, and Ethan had grown up in a cold, distant household.

I thought we were saving each other, and I eagerly looked forward to building a real home with him.

Ethan, our baby is gone...

A shattering crash jolted me awake.

I followed the noise out of the bedroom and found the living room completely wrecked.

Chloe was giggling as she smashed a vase heavily onto the floor.

Porcelain shards flew everywhere.

Ethan frowned with a gloomy expression, but his words were full of concern. "Play all you want, just don't hurt yourself."

Chloe made a cute face, acting totally spoiled. "These things are so ugly! I hate them anyway."

"Besides, when I move in, this place is getting completely renovated anyway. I might as well have some fun now."

My heart twisted with wave after wave of agonizing pain.

This was our bridal home. To give me a sense of security, Ethan had specifically put my name alone on the property deed.

Every single thing here had been decorated by my own hands.

Ah, right. It was all given to me by Ethan anyway. Now that he didn't want me anymore, none of these things belonged to me either.

Ethan rubbed her hair. "As long as you like it, anything goes."

Only then did Chloe break into a genuine, happy smile.

But the moment she sat down, her eyes landed on the urn on the altar.

"What is this unlucky piece of junk! It's so filthy!"

With that, she picked up the urn and raised it high above her head.

"No!"

I lunged forward.

But it was ultimately a step too late.

The scattered ashes took away the very last shred of my sanity.

My eyes turning bloodshot, I leaped onto Chloe, and we tumbled into a chaotic mess.

This scene made Ethan completely snap. He grabbed my arms and hurled me violently aside, shielding Chloe.

Porcelain shards pierced my flesh, leaving blood smeared across the floor.

Chloe's hair was disheveled as she curled up in Ethan's arms, trembling like a frightened bunny.

"Nora, apologize."

Ethan had been in the business world for years; I refused to believe he couldn't see Chloe was faking her sickness, yet he chose to play blind and deaf, stubbornly standing on her side.

Resentment filled my chest, but my tears fell uncontrollably.

"Ethan Miller! That was your child!"

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