Chapter 5
Hanging up, images of my daughter’s brutal death and desecrated body flashed through my mind.
Rage boiled up inside me. Without hesitation, I returned to the complex and went straight upstairs to Vanessa’s door.
It was slightly afar. Vanessa’s smug voice drifted out:
“Camden, you did great today. Otherwise daddy might’ve felt sorry for that nasty woman. Here’s your reward-a human bone bracelet.”
“Mommy, this bracelet smells gross, just like that mean lady’s daughter. But you’re so smart-knowing that little bitch always played by the flower beds downstairs, then dropping the toy car right on her head! Now no one can steal daddy from me!”
“Of course! Mommy practiced for ages to make sure I’d nail it in one shot. I’d love to see Raven’s face when she finds out-bet she’ll cry her eyes out! What’s so special about being the legal wife? I’ve got her wrapped around my finger!”
My whole body shook with fury. I couldn’t take it anymore. I burst in and tackled Vanessa to the ground.
Camden froze in shock. Vanessa screamed hysterically as I pinned her down.
You murderer! I’ll make you pay for my daughter’s life!”
My eyes blazed red as I raised my hand, but the next second I went flying across the room.
Declan held Vanessa protectively, glaring at me in rage:
Raven, how much crazier are you going to get?!”
Dec, I felt bad for Miss Carter losing her child, so I was telling my son to be good to her from now on. But she heard that and accused me of showing off, then
ried to kill me!”
If she really can’t stand having us around, Camden and I will just leave. Better than getting murdered by her someday. But I’ll miss you so much…”
amden joined in the act, crying about not wanting to leave daddy.
eclan pulled them close, looking at me coldly:
Raven, you’re even more heartless than I thought. Just because you lost your daughter, you want to tear other families apart?!”
Vanessa was generous enough to forgive your slander, even willing to have Camden be good to you. Instead of being grateful, you repay kindness with cruelty re you even human?!”
suddenly burst into bitter laughter, snatching the grayish-white bracelet from Camden’s hand:
I’m not human? I’m heartless?!”
Declan, open your damn eyes and look! This is a bracelet made from your daughter’s ribs! Twenty-four ribs-all of them dug out!”
Vanessa killed our baby, then desecrated her body. She’s an anim—”
Before I could finish, Declan grabbed an ashtray and hurled it at me. Blood instantly poured from my forehead.
fis eyes were frozen ice, like he wanted to freeze me through:
I’ll say this one more time-our baby’s death was Camden’s accident. Vanessa had nothing to do with it! You’re useless, couldn’t even protect your own kid. I haven’t blamed you for that, so don’t push your luck!”
You think I don’t know? You had our baby cremated early today. I was wondering why-now I get it. You wanted to frame Vanessa and were afraid I’d catch you lying!”
“Using your own daughter’s body like that-you’re disgusting!”
Watching him choose Vanessa so firmly, I realized how absurd this whole scene was.
I lost all desire to argue and turned to leave, but Declan blocked my path:
“You slandered Vanessa and hurt Camden first, then attacked them again today. Now you think you can just walk away? Not happening. Apologize now!”
“Or you’re not leaving this room!”
After years of marriage, I knew that look. Declan wasn’t joking.
Everything in this room disgusted me. I couldn’t stand another second.
I looked at Vanessa numbly, each word adding to my humiliation:
“Miss Wells, I’m truly sorry about earlier.”
At Vanessa’s signal, Camden ran to the bedroom, grabbed a baseball bat, and swung it hard at my knee.
Pain dropped me to the floor. Vanessa snickered triumphantly:
Oops, sorry about that. Camden’s gotten used to beating stray dogs downstairs every day. He gets antsy if he doesn’t hit something. Don’t take it personally, Miss
Carter.”
But just saying sorry doesn’t seem quite fair. I’ve got an idea…”
he smiled meaningfully, then stomped on my hand, grinding it under her heel.
ones cracked. Even the bracelet made from my daughter’s ribs got crushed to powder.
orgetting my own pain, I crawled on the floor crying, carefully collecting every speck of bone dust before stumbling toward the door.
lood from my forehead and hand dripped steadily.
eclan looked conflicted, instinctively starting to follow, but Vanessa tugged at him pitifully.
Dec, are you feeling sorry for her? You didn’t see-Raven hit me several times with that hand. I only stepped on it lightly. I was being merciful.”
If we don’t teach her a lesson now, she’ll keep bullying me and my son. You promised to be our protector. Were you lying to me?”
y the time I’d burned all of my and my daughter’s belongings and left home again, Declan still hadn’t appeared. Laughter echoed from upstairs.
low heartwarming.
gave the divorce papers to the security guard to pass along, then walked to the complex entrance.
Rolls-Royce Phantom that had been waiting honked its horn.
knew the person who would help me get justice for my daughter had finally arrived!
