Chapter 3

By the time I reached the penthouse, the sky was dark with heavy gray clouds.

I went upstairs to pack my documents.

Opening the bottom drawer, my eyes fell on an old, scratched thermos.

The paint along the edges had peeled off years ago.

It was the thermos Damian had used that rainy night three years ago to bring me wontons.

Over the years, we moved homes multiple times and threw away countless old items.

I had kept only this thermos.

Because back then, Damian truly loved me.

We were broke, exhausted, and bruised by life.

But his love had been real.

I ran my fingers along its cold rim, picked it up, and set it on the desk.

Then, I slipped my passport, marriage certificate, and bank cards into my purse.

As I started down the stairs, the front door clicked open.

I thought Damian was back.

Instead, I saw Victoria walking into the foyer, draped in Damian's tailored coat.

Behind her was a young girl who looked like her assistant.

Victoria’s face was slightly pale, but there wasn't a trace of weakness in her eyes.

She kicked off her heels, sank onto the couch, and poured herself a glass of warm water.

The assistant asked nervously:

"Victoria, are you sure you're okay?"

Victoria let out a soft laugh.

"What could happen to me?"

"I adjusted the freezer temperature beforehand, and I locked the door from the inside myself. Do you think I'm stupid enough to freeze to death?"

My feet froze on the stairs.

The assistant bit her lip.

"What if Mr. Hayes finds out?"

Victoria waved a dismissive hand.

"He won't check."

"Chloe is an idiot. Even if she explains a million times, Damian will never believe a word she says."

My fists clenched until my nails bit into my palms, numb with pain.

The assistant lowered her voice:

"Someone at the hospital mentioned Chloe went to the OB-GYN clinic today..."

Victoria went quiet for a moment.

Then, she smirked.

"Pregnant?"

"Damian despises her right now. He'll hate that kid just as much."

Standing in the shadows of the staircase, I pulled out my phone and tapped voice memo.

Victoria’s mocking voice drifted up:

"Women like Chloe are so pathetic."

"They honestly believe suffering with a broke man means he'll cherish them forever."

"But once a man hits the top, all he wants is to bury his past."

"Every time Damian looks at her, she just reminds him of how pathetic and desperate he used to be."

Suddenly, the assistant gasped, pointing. "Someone's there!"

Victoria snapped her head up.

Seeing me on the stairs, her face warped in horror.

"Chloe!"

"Are you recording this?!"

I didn't utter a word.

Her panic lasted barely three seconds before turning into a vicious sneer. "Chloe, you think an audio clip will save you?"

"Damian will never choose you over me!"

She lunged up the stairs to snatch my phone.

I stepped back, guarding the phone against my chest.

In the middle of the scuffle, the heavy front door swung open.

Both of us froze and looked toward the foyer.

Damian was back.

He still smelled of hospital antiseptic, looking weary. But the second he saw Victoria barefoot on the stairs, his brow furrowed with concern.

"Victoria, why aren't you resting at the hospital?"

Victoria didn't answer him.

Instead, she grabbed my wrist, shoved it violently against her own shoulder, and threw herself backward.

I hadn't even pushed her.

Yet she tumbled down the wooden steps like a broken ragdoll.

"Ahhh!"