Chapter 5

"After you came back, you had nightmares every night. Every time I touched you, you'd scream, you'd go crazy.

"I knew it wasn't your fault, but I'm a man, I have... desires. The more you acted that way, the more I..."

He didn't finish, but I understood.

"Later, Ava came to the house to keep you company. That night I came home drunk from a business dinner. She was lying on the couch wearing your pajamas... I couldn't help myself."

"After that, it happened more and more. I felt more and more ashamed to face you.

I started lying that I was working overtime, lying to you that... that I'd lost my ability to have children. When you went for IVF, I felt guilty, but I couldn't stop you."

"After you got pregnant, I wanted to live a good life with you.

But Ava started going on blind dates, started getting close to other colleagues. She said if I didn't make a statement, didn't make a choice, she'd just marry someone random."

"I had no choice." He lowered his head like a criminal confessing, "I really had no choice... so I arranged that car accident."

After listening, I didn't cry or make a scene.

My heart felt like a piece had been carved out, cold wind howling through it.

"What compensation do you want?"

He looked up at me, guilt and pleading in his eyes, "The house, money, whatever—name it."

"Okay."

I heard my own voice, so calm it didn't sound like mine.

"I want my child. You already have your own child. Give me back my child, okay?"

After a few seconds of stunned silence, he nodded.

"Christina, actually Ava mentioned giving Richards back to you too.

Don't worry, she raised him really well—obedient and well-behaved. Once Ava and I finish our wedding, I'll bring him to see you."

I said okay and watched him leave.

For the first time, I felt life had something to look forward to again.

But just as I finished treating my wound and got anti-depressants before returning to my hospital room, I saw the last person I wanted to see.

Ava sat on the couch, as if waiting for me.

Seeing me, she didn't even bother to stand up, getting straight to the point:

"Christina, I heard you want Richards back?"

I nodded.

She smiled, "Fine. Then come be my bridesmaid tomorrow.

As long as you come, I'll let Richards call you mom. You probably don't know yet, do you? This child only listens to me now."

As she spoke, as if afraid I wouldn't believe her, she opened her phone and held it in front of me.

"Look, I only said it once and he remembered."

On the screen, a tender little face appeared.

It was my child—eyebrows like mine, lips like his father's.

But that little mouth opened and closed, crisply calling out, "Christina, bitch!"

I felt like someone had slapped me across the face. My whole body trembled uncontrollably as I pointed at her.

"You... how could you teach a child to say such things?"

But the cold smile on her lips instantly transformed into grievance. Her whole body staggered backward, supporting herself on the armrest with one hand while the other covered her belly, pleading in panic.

"I'm sorry, it's all my fault... please don't hurt my child..."

Before I could react, the door burst open.

Guillermo rushed in, shoving me aside and lunging to protect her.

"Ava, are you okay?"

I was pushed backward, my forehead slamming hard into the corner of the bedside table.

Ava nestled in his arms, tears streaming down her face, shaking her head grievously.

Then he carried Ava away in a panic, leaving only one sentence.

"I'm warning you, stay away from Ava from now on. I won't let you hurt her."

I lay on the floor, blood from my forehead dripping onto the white tiles one drop at a time. Everything started going black as I slowly lost consciousness.

When I opened my eyes again, I hastily changed into the bridesmaid dress Ava had left behind and rushed to their wedding venue!

But when I arrived, my parents and Guillermo, who were greeting guests, all looked as if facing a great enemy!

My dad instinctively blocked Ava. My mom snorted coldly, her face stern as she demanded:

"Christina, didn't you say you were going to die? What are you doing here!"

Guillermo frowned tightly, and the little boy behind him suddenly rushed over, smashing a bottle of red wine on me!

"You're that bitch Christina, aren't you?"

"What are you doing here? Are you trying to steal my dad back from Ava?

"Get lost! Today is their big day. I won't let you ruin it!"