Chapter 3

3

Leo suddenly dashed into the kitchen and stood in front of me, shielding me.

"I won't let you talk to my mommy like that! This is our house! Get out!"

Melody's son didn't hesitate. He kicked Leo hard in the shin, sending him sprawling to the floor.

"This is my Daddy Sterling's house! He told me you're just stray dogs living here. You're the ones who should get out!"

I rushed to help Leo up, my heart breaking for him. Just as I was about to snap back at her, the door opened again.

Killian walked in, his face full of concern.

Melody's son immediately threw himself onto the floor and began wailing like he was being murdered.

"What happened?" Killian demanded.

He rushed over and scooped the boy into his arms, kissing his forehead with genuine affection.

He didn't even glance at his own son, who was still sitting on the floor, crying in pain.

"Daddy Sterling, I was hungry and asked for food, but the mean lady told the boy to hit me! It hurts!"

Melody added with a sob, "Killian, you don't have to hide it anymore. I can tell that's your son. It's our fault for being here. We shouldn't have bothered you."

Before I could utter a word of explanation, Killian spun around and slapped me across the face.

"I've let you live in this villa for years. I've provided everything for you. Have you still not learned your place?"

He turned his fury toward Leo. "And you! Is this how your mother raises you? To bully others? From now on, you are forbidden from calling me your father!"

Killian's eyes were bloodshot with rage. I had seen this look too many times.

Years ago, if I accidentally touched a Lego set Melody had given him, he would scream at me for hours.

If I even mentioned her name, he would smash everything in the house to pieces.

I didn't bother defending myself. What was the point? He didn't see us as human beings anymore.

But my silence didn't satisfy him.

He grabbed me by the arm like I was a piece of trash and dragged me into the bedroom, slamming the door behind us.

"My grandmother says you want a divorce?"

He pulled out the divorce papers I had already signed and slapped them against my face.

I forced a twisted, miserable smile. "Yes. Isn't this what you've always wanted? Once I'm gone, you two can finally be a real family."

He leaned in close, a cold, predatory look in his eyes. He gripped my jaw so hard I thought it might snap. "You think you can just escape your punishment? Think again!"

"You seduced me into touching you. You insisted on having that brat. Do you really think I'll let you off that easily?"

A cold dread settled in my stomach. I began to sob, begging him. "Please, just let us go. It's been eight years. Haven't you punished us enough?"

Suddenly, the door was pushed open.

Melody stood there, tears streaming down her face.

"Killian, am I interrupting something? I'm so sorry. I shouldn't have come back. If it weren't for me, you wouldn't be fighting. Maybe I should just leave."

She turned to go, and Killian immediately chased after her, pulling her into his arms and whispering sweet things to calm her down.

"Where would you go? I can't have you and your son out on the streets. My home is your home. I'm the boss here. You stay. I'll make sure Jade takes good care of you both. Don't worry."

My heart felt like it had been dropped into a bucket of ice. I started to laugh at the sheer absurdity of it all.

He was keeping me here just so I could be their maid.

He truly knew how to torture me. He wanted me to spend every day watching the man I loved dote on another woman. It was a fate worse than death.

"Milo is hungry, isn't he? Come on, I'll take you guys out to eat. Don't cry anymore, buddy."

The three of them walked out of the house together, looking for all the world like a happy family, as if they hadn't just destroyed me.

Once they were gone, I called the Matriarch again.

"Matriarch, it's time for you to take responsibility for the mistake you made all those years ago."

"I only have one request. Help us get away. Make sure Killian Sterling never finds us."