Chapter 4
“You know Luna is my whole world,” Valerie sobbed, covering her face with both hands. “Back then, I took beatings just to protect her. If anything happens to her now because of my carelessness, I won’t forgive myself.”
Hearing her cry, Clayton felt a sudden wave of irritation rising in his chest.
He said, “The doctor said she’s fine. Don’t beat yourself up. Honestly, getting her out of that mess is already brave. I’ve got stuff to deal with. You stay here and look after Luna, okay?”
A bad feeling crept up Valerie’s spine. She asked cautiously, “Are you worried Audrey will be mad? I can take Luna and leave. I swear we won’t cause you any trouble.”
“You don’t have to leave,” Clayton replied, rubbing his temples. “It’s something at the firm.”
The real reason Clayton had Audrey sent to Ashwood Mental Hospital on her birthday was because she cut Valerie’s hand. Valerie’s reputation was just a minor cause.
He thought getting Audrey out of the picture would calm Valerie down, and then maybe she’d agree to drop the charges. If Audrey ended up with a record, she’d be blacklisted from half the job market.
Clayton had connections at Ashwood–his law firm handled some of their legal affairs. He personally asked the manager to put Audrey in a quiet, nicer section of the hospital and told him she just needed time to cool off.
“Audrey is not the kind to hold grudges,” Clayton added absentmindedly.
Valerie almost lost control of her expression. She opened her mouth to say more, but Clayton had already turned around and left the ward.
Carson, waiting outside the ward, walked down the stairs with Clayton. Carson said, “Look, man, don’t take this the wrong way, but Valerie’s got a
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Chapter 4
strange look in her eyes when she sees you.”
Clayton shot Carson a look that could freeze hell. He warned, “Say that again, and you’re not my friend anymore.”
“Alright, alright.” Carson raised his hands in surrender. “I’m done. Just keep your eyes open. Audrey’s not your match, but she’s been really good to you.”
Clayton’s eyes flickered, then he turned around and left the hospital. Carson stood there watching him leave and shaking his head.
None of the guys in their circles planned to get married, and they definitely hadn’t supported Clayton’s impulsive marriage just to spite his family for arranging an alliance for him.
But Audrey’s devotion after they got married made a few of them reconsider the whole bachelor lifestyle.
When Clayton brought Valerie back into the picture and started putting her first in everything, Carson warned him not to keep Audrey in the dark.
On Audrey’s birthday, Clayton had planned to finally come clean. But they were a bit late, and the accident happened.
Once Valerie was sure the two men had left, the soft worry and guilt drained from her face in an instant. Her whole expression turned cold as she looked at Luna lying on the bed.
She muttered, “Useless. Couldn’t you have eaten a few more chestnuts? You are in no danger. Clay didn’t even care to stay.”
Luna’s small frame shrank into itself. Her head was too big for her frail body. She stared at her mother, her eyes wide with fear and confusion.
Just minutes after Clayton walked out, Audrey stepped into the hospital.
Carson spotted Audrey and assumed she was there to give Valerie a hard time. He was about to call Clayton when he overheard two nurses
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Chapter 4
whispering nearby.
The first nurse said, “Oh my, no one can stop them? Beating people is illegal.”
Another nurse replied, “A 10–year–old or so boy died there last year. His folks spent six months in court. In the end, they called it an accident and got a little compensation.”
Carson walked over and said behind them, “You two work here or just gossip for a living?”
The nurses giggled upon seeing Carson. He was kind of a big deal around here, returning from abroad with a flashy resume.
The first nurse explained, “We were talking about Ashwood Mental Hospital, Dr. Wilson. That place is hell. I don’t get why some parents send their kids there just to get them beat up.”
The other nurse added, “The owners have people backing them. If someone gets hurt or even dies, they just throw money at it. That woman had bruises all over. Hope she gets some justice.”
Carson’s brows furrowed upon hearing that. He knew Clayton had sent Audrey to Ashwood.
Lots of kids had behavioral issues, tech addictions, and attitude problems. It was said Ashwood could straighten them out.
Carson didn’t think giving troubled teens a little tough love was a big deal. As far as he was concerned, a place like Ashwood Mental Hospital had its uses. Plus, Clayton knew the manager there, and Audrey was an adult, so surely they’d treat her differently.
“You can’t write off a whole institution just because of a few bad stories. If it exists, there’s a reason,” Carson said before heading back to his office.
That conversation made him forget all about calling Clayton.
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Chapter 4
Meanwhile, Audrey sat in a park, holding her injury report. The staff at Ashwood didn’t dare beat her outright, but they played all kinds of mental games and messed with her food.
When she caught wind of her release, she used a bathroom break to rough herself up a bit. The bruises looked terrifying but weren’t actually deep.
She waited until nearly 4 p.m. before spotting a familiar figure rushing by. Audrey stood up and called out, “Mr. Sanchez.”
Leo Sanchez, Ashwood’s manager, was in his forties with a beer belly. He strode like he had something urgent to do. He glanced at Audrey and instantly looked annoyed.
“Audrey? What do you want?” he snapped, not even bothering to call her
“Mrs. Patel“.
Audrey crooked her finger at him, signaling for him to sit on the bench.
Leo’s face turned grim. He snapped, “If you’ve got something to say, spit it out. I’m busy.”
“Are you rushing to Little Dreamers Preschool to pick up your lovechild?” Audrey raised her voice.
Leo’s face turned an ugly shade of red. His eyes were filled with panic and fury.
No one was supposed to know about the kid he had with his mistress, but he didn’t know how Audrey found out.
The park was full of parents with their kids. If anyone heard that, word would spread fast, and he couldn’t risk that kind of heat falling on his son.
Grinding his teeth, Leo walked over and sat stiffly on the bench. “Now, talk.”
Audrey waved the medical report and tossed it onto his lap. “While I was locked up at Ashwood, I was abused–physically and emotionally–by
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Chapter 4
your staff. I want compensation for medical bills, nutrition recovery, and psychological damage.”
Leo’s eyes nearly popped out at the number–150,000 dollars. He growled, “This is extortion.”
Audrey let out a cold chuckle. “Call it what you want. If you think I’m bluffing, I’ll go straight to the cops or the press. You pick.”
A smirk flickered in Leo’s eyes. He knew Clayton’s law firm represented Ashwood. Clayton had personally called to make sure Audrey “learned her lesson“. He was sure that Clayton would help her with the lawsuit.
“Does Mr. Patel know what you’re up to?” Leo asked.
Audrey thought, ‘Trying to use Clayton against me? I used to care about his feelings, but now, I’d skin him alive if I could.‘
She folded her arms with a sneer. “Did Clayton also tell you I’ve got violent tendencies? Kinda like being legally insane.” Her voice dropped lower. “So tell me, what would happen if I lost my mind and stabbed your son? Who would the law blame then?”
Leo’s face drained of color. Audrey’s file did say she had a history of extreme behavior. His staff also reported she was stubborn as hell. When they locked her in solitary, she still refused to admit anything.
Leo thought bitterly, ‘This woman is really insane. Ashwood only exists because my father–in–law pulled strings. If they find out I’ve got a mistress and a secret kid, I’m toast.
‘Valerie’s about to become Mrs. Patel, anyway. Once the divorce goes
through and Audrey’s out of the picture, I’ll stash my kid somewhere and deal with her then!‘
