Chapter 5%
“Solomon!”
Sylvie knelt on the floor, her trembling hands clutching the child tightly, tears streaming down her face as she desperately wiped at the scrape on his forehead.
“Don’t scare me, Solomon, open your eyes and look at me…”
At that moment, Brynn rushed in, his eyes landing on Sylvie, crying as she held Solomon.%
“What happened?!“E
“Brother, I saw it with my own eyes! Sister–in–law pushed Solomon down the stairs!!”
Sylvie finally gathered the courage to speak, her voice breaking like a pear blossom drenched in rain.%
“She doesn’t like Solomon, fine, but why would she hurt him?”
Brynn suddenly scooped Solomon up, his face painted with concern.
In his arms, Solomon weakly tugged at his sleeve and whispered pitifully, “Daddy, I’m fine. Auntie didn’t mean to. I fell by accident.“% Hearing that, Brynn’s eyes shot daggers at me, a strange chill creeping into his gaze.
“Natalie, when did you become so vicious?! You’d better pray nothing happens to the child.“%
He stood before me, his voice low and dangerous:
“I’ve spoiled you too much. If anything happens to Solomon, don’t ever show your face in front of me again.“%
That sentence hit me like a hammer.
I stayed silent; not a word escaped my lips in my defense.
Brynn hadn’t seen what really happened, yet he so easily believed the words of that woman and her child.2
A chill slowly crept through my limbs, creeping from the soles of my feet all the way to the top of my head.%
The man I had believed loved me for seven years now saw me as a villain, convinced that I had intentionally harmed someone.% As the car carried me home, my mind was a whirlwind.”
Finally, I reached for my phone and dialed my father’s number.
The call connected quickly, and I could hear the lively chatter of a dinner party in the background.
“Hello? Baby? What made you think of calling Daddy?“!
“Did something upset you recently? Or do you miss me? Want to come home and stay with me for a few days?“%
But now, it was clear ! was wrong. I should’ve listened to him from the beginning. My throat was dry.%
“Dad, that marriage alliance you mentioned before, does it still stand?”
There was a clear pause on the other end, followed by a hearty laugh.
“Of course it does! Why the sudden interest? I just so happen to be having dinner with the old man from that family. His son’s been single for seven years, and the old man’s about to lose his mind!“%
Just as my father’s voice faded, I heard a familiar male voice from the phone, laughing lightly.”
“Uncle, you can’t just expose me like that.”
But I didn’t recognize who it was, or perhaps I just didn’t care anymore.”
I closed my eyes, my voice hoarse yet firm as I spoke, “Go ahead and make the arrangements as soon as possible. I’ll sign without hesitation. I’ll cooperate.”
There was a brief pause on the other end, and then my father’s voice grew more cautious as he moved to a quieter spot.%
“Baby, something’s happened between you and Brynn? You’re not joking, are you? Haven’t you two been married for seven years? Are you getting a divorce?“%
I didn’t even know how to respond to his questions.%
How could I explain that we were never even married in the first place, so where would a divorce come from?
“I was never married to him ”
I cut him off before he could say more and sent him everything the private investigator had found.
“Dad, go ahead with the marriage arrangement. This time, I’ll do whatever you say “%
With that, I hung up The screen dimmed, reflecting the pale, hollow look on my face.
