Lydia screams.
བ
But I don’t stop.
When I raise my hand for the third time–a strong hand grabs my wrist.
I freeze, then quickly turn my head.
Philip stares at Lydia, now collapsed on the floor sobbing. His face goes pale with rage.
James roughly pushes me aside and carefully lifts Lydia into his arms.
They don’t look at me–just like three years ago.
Lydia trembles uncontrollably, her hands covering her face.
Philip watches her with anguish, and when he turns to look at me, hatred flashes in his eyes.
“Apologize!”
My throat tightens. My voice shakes: “You know what they did-”
But before I can finish, Philip cuts me off, his tone ice–cold.
“I said apologize!”
James has lost his patience.
He grabs a glass and smashes it at my feet.
‘Stop playing the victim. Damn it, apologize now!”
I stand there in a daze, my head buzzing.
They don’t see the clothes scattered across the floor, or that humiliating video.
They only see my raised hand.
The room falls silent.
Only Lydia and her friends‘ excited snickering, while the estate servants sigh sympathetically.
This house never belonged to me–not even for a second.
I laugh, but it’s just helpless.
Chapter S
As I calmly turn to leave, the butler tries to speak up and stop me.
But the next second…
Philip and James’s voices ring out simultaneously.
“Don’t stop her! Let her go!”
“She’s been spoiled all these years, thinks the world revolves around her!”
“If she won’t listen, she can go back where she came from!”
Hit me where it hurts most–those who know you best know exactly where to aim.
But I show no reaction. I simply walk calmly out the estate gates.
I get in a taxi to the hospital.
With the doctor’s confirmation, I sign my name without hesitation.
But the next moment, my phone buzzes incessantly–calls from Philip and James.
As if they’ve learned the truth and are desperately trying to make amends.
But I ignore them.
I simply turn off my phone.
When the anesthetic enters my bloodstream, I feel no fear–only relief.
In the estate’s main hall, Philip and James both wear unusually serious expressions.
After a long while, Philip turns and asks: “Any word from Clara?”
[ames is clearly frustrated and snaps back:
‘Do you have to ask every minute? Can’t you see she’s not answering my calls?”
Philip’s expression darkens further. He suddenly stands up:
“It’s so late already. She’s being completely unreasonable. We said a few words to her and she threw a tantrum.”
Philip’s gaze falls to the side–he and James have folded the scattered clothes piece by piece.
They both lost control earlier, said harsh things. Now both men regret it.
Lydia enters carrying two glasses of whiskey.
Chapter 5
“James, Philip, have a drink and relax,” she suggests with a smile.
In the past, the three of them loved drinking together–those intimate moments were unforgettable.
But this time, under her expectant gaze, both men shake their heads simultaneously.
“We quit drinking.”
Lydia freezes instantly.
Before she can ask why, both men suddenly stand and head for the door.
“Where are you going?”
Lydia blocks their path, demanding loudly.
Philip tries to remain patient as he explains: “We’re going to find Clara. She’s been gone for hours and still won’t answer her phone.”
Lydia grits her teeth, her face still stinging with pain.
Her heart fills with hatred, but she forces herself to stay calm.
“She just stepped out for a bit. It’s no big deal.”
James sighs heavily.
“But she won’t answer her phone. She’s pregnant–she can’t be wandering around.”
The two men who once worshipped her are now both speaking up for another woman.
Lydia’s jealousy reaches its peak.
She laughs coldly and speaks:
“This is just one of her little tricks! Women love playing these games, acting hard to get–what’s the big deal?”
