Chapter 3

2

Hearing this, Julian just laughed with contempt.

"Wasn't lying on social media about our son being in trouble enough for you? Now you're playing hard to get?"

"Where is he hiding? Is he playing along with your little act? That little liar!"

I trembled with rage. "Julian, what are you saying? Toby is your son, too!"

Toby was a timid and insecure child because he'd grown up without a father's love. He couldn't even talk to his classmates normally.

He was always blaming himself. "It's my fault. I embarrass Daddy, that's why he doesn't like me. It's all my fault…"

In our son's eyes, his father could do no wrong.

But in Julian's eyes, our son was nothing but a mistake.

Spending another second with him made me sick. "Enough, Julian. I'm leaving. My lawyer will send you the divorce papers."

Sophie's voice was full of false distress. "It's my fault you're getting a divorce. Julian, you can hit me. I feel so awful."

She clutched her chest, pretending to be in pain.

Julian glared at me. "What the hell is wrong with you? You know Sophie's mental state is fragile! Are you trying to provoke her on purpose?"

He stepped closer, and his eyes finally landed on my blood-stained hands.

"What's that? Red paint? Ketchup? Still trying to play the victim!" He grabbed my hand.

A bloody fingernail tore off. I cried out in pain.

Julian froze. "Clara, you don't have to hurt yourself like this just for an act. That looks like it hurts."

I said nothing, just yanked my hand back.

The wounds on my fingers ripped open again, splattering blood.

Julian actually looked away, unable to watch. The sight of my bloody hands probably wasn't pretty enough for him.

"Don't be like this. I know you're mad I left Toby that night. How about this? I'll do a session with him next week. Happy now?"

The ice in my heart spread.

Our burned-out house was a hundred yards away. Our son died right there, and he still had no fucking clue.

How little did he care about this family?

I pushed him away. "It's over, Julian."

He stood there, stunned.

He couldn't understand. In the past, his empty promises were always enough to make me look at him with hope.

Now, all he saw was my back as I walked away.

Julian’s eyes flickered, and he started to follow me, but Sophie quickly stepped in front of me.

"It's all my fault, Clara. You and Toby went through all this trouble to put on a show, and I got sick and stole Julian away. You can hit me, yell at me! I deserve it!"

Sophie grabbed my injured hand, making it bleed even more.

I held the little bear in my arms protectively.

Her eyes lit up. With a swift motion, she slapped the teddy bear out of my arms, and her sharp stiletto heel came down hard on it.

The little bear was crushed.

A hot rush of rage flooded my head. I raised my hand.

A shrill scream cut through the air.