Chapter 4

A few days later, a pile of things appeared at my doorstep.

Thrown in a messy heap.

All my belongings from the Chase house.

I saw my favorite teddy bear lying in the dirt.

I stared at it for a long time before picking it up.

This was the token of love between Dominic and me.

The night we made it official, I suddenly wanted a stuffed bear.

It was too late—most shops were closed.

Dominic ran six miles before finding a store that sold them.

It was such a cheap bear. I'd seen plenty of more exquisite, cuter stuffed animals.

But I'd fallen for this one specifically, making it my favorite thing.

I took a photo and sent it to Dominic.

"You're quite the actor when it comes to playing devoted."

He didn't reply for half the day.

"Honey, it wasn't me. I would never do something like this!"

I didn't want to hear his excuses anymore. I blocked him directly.

That evening, torrential rain poured down outside, raindrops hammering against the windows.

Accompanied by the doorbell.

I opened the door. Dominic stood there, soaked through.

Water dripped from his clothes. His hair covered his eyes, his lips pressed in a tight line.

"Come inside first."

No matter how I pulled, he wouldn't budge.

"No. Honey, I won't come in unless you forgive me."

"Then stand outside."

I shut the door directly.

Soon after, I saw Dominic leave on the security camera.

I laughed coldly. What a fool, still believing in him.

The rain lasted all night. When I opened the door the next morning, Dominic was standing there again.

Still wearing yesterday's clothes, still soaked through.

"Honey, can you forgive me now? I stayed outside all night."

Dominic's voice was full of grievance.

"What are you pretending for?"

Just as I was about to continue, Chloe appeared.

She rushed over in a panic, helping Dominic up.

"Are you insane? You made Dominic stand in the rain all night. Have you lost your mind?"

"You have physical problems yourself, so you take it out on everyone else. Aren't you disgusting?"

Dominic pretended to look hurt, seemingly holding Chloe back but not saying a word in my defense.

They made me laugh with anger. I didn't want to waste any more words on them.

Chloe held up her phone to my face.

"Look at the disgusting things you've done. Dominic puts up with you, but other people won't tolerate your princess attitude."

The phone showed a video.

The subject was Rosie.

Rosie was being interviewed by reporters, telling them how I'd rejected her because of the birthmark on her hand.

She cried as she spoke, looking utterly pitiful.

The orphanage director was there too, revealing my cold attitude that day.

The entire internet was attacking me.

"Oh my god, Rosie is so adorable. How could she say such things? Making such a small child go through this—how traumatic."

"She's so young but already so mature. She finally had a chance to escape that life, only to encounter this."

"I really feel for her. If you didn't point out that birthmark, I wouldn't even notice it. This woman is deliberately causing trouble."

Everyone was cursing me. They even exposed my identity.

Every day people threw eggs at my family's company entrance. The company stock plummeted. I was under siege from all sides.

Seeing my parents come home looking worried, I wanted nothing more than to tell the public the truth immediately.

I reassured them:

"Don't worry. At the press conference, I'll make them pay."

On the day of the press conference, many reporters camped outside waiting for me.

As soon as I appeared, cameras and microphones were shoved in my face, flashbulbs constantly going off.

I ignored them and walked expressionlessly to the stage.

Soon after, Dominic's family appeared too.

My former in-laws looked at me with disgust, not even sparing me a glance.

Behind them was Chloe, holding Rosie in her arms.

Perfect. Everyone was here.

As soon as I sat down, reporters swarmed forward:

"Ms. Caldwell, what's your take on the orphanage incident?"

"Ms. Caldwell, did you really refuse to adopt Rosie because of the birthmark on her hand?"

...

I took the microphone and spoke slowly:

"I did indeed refuse to adopt Rosie because of the birthmark on her hand."

The room instantly erupted.

I continued:

"I have two things to show everyone."