Chapter 4

Sweat soaked my clothes.

But evaporated just as quickly.

Dehydration left my mouth parched, my lips cracked, and my head spinning.

I thought of my daughter.

She was in this very weather, alone on that rooftop, calling out to no one, crying for help that never came.

Her tiny life, slowly slipping away, eventually dying of dehydration.

She must have been so desperate, so in pain.

She surely wished her mommy and daddy would suddenly appear like superheroes, handing her a bottle of water and a popsicle.

"I bought watermelon and popsicles, and various cold drinks, everyone can have them for free!"

Alex's shout broke my thoughts.

He had someone bring a cart of watermelons and three portable ice chests, offering relief to everyone around.

"Alex, you're so thoughtful."

Chloe took the cold drink Alex offered, a happy smile playing on her lips.

"It's nothing, just what I should do."

Alex smiled, then distributed cold drinks and popsicles to Chloe's family.

"This young man is so capable."

"He's eighteen times better than some scumbag!"

Mr. and Mrs. Thompson praised him profusely.

The surrounding residents also gave thumbs up.

Only I felt sick to my stomach.

Alex took a popsicle, walked up to me, and sneered in a low voice, "Hot and thirsty, aren't you?"

"Just call me 'Dad,' and I'll give you some. Otherwise, you'll just end up like your daughter, baked to a crisp."

"I even recorded how pathetic she looked back then. I rewatch it every night..."

My eyes were bloodshot. I spat a bloody phlegm at Alex, cursing, "You monster!"

Chloe rushed over, glanced at the bloody phlegm on Alex's face, and immediately lashed out at me.

"Leo Thompson!"

"Alex was kindly offering you a popsicle, and you repay his kindness with cruelty, you ungrateful jerk!"

"I must have been blind to ever fall for someone like you!"

Still not satisfied, she raised her hand to slap me.

"Keep your filthy hands to yourself!"

Just then, a playful female voice cut through the air.

Everyone looked over.

It was Maya, the nanny, who had returned, followed by a team of police officers. They immediately untied me.

Chloe was furious, glaring at Maya. "You homewrecker, you actually dared to come back!"

"I've seen shameless people, but never someone this shameless. Being a homewrecker and then having the nerve to call the police!"

Alex also cursed her with disgust.

Mr. and Mrs. Thompson's fists clenched, grinding audibly, as if they wanted to tear Maya apart.

"Anyone can talk big."

"What evidence do you have to call me a homewrecker?" Maya asked.

"I... I saw it with my own eyes!" Chloe gritted her teeth.

"So, you have no evidence, huh?"

Maya's lips curved into a smile. She turned to the police officers and said, "Chloe Thompson and Alex slandered me as a homewrecker and deliberately assaulted Leo Thompson."

"Please arrest them!"

At her words, I, who had played along, also smiled.

The show was just beginning!

Alex immediately panicked. "You homewrecker, you're actually playing the victim! You're utterly despicable!"

"Can't afford to live anymore? A homewrecker being so arrogant!"

Chloe frowned, looking at me. "Leo Thompson, if you're still a man, admit it!"

I took a sip of the cold drink Maya handed me. "I'm innocent, why should I admit to anything?"

"If you think I cheated, then show me the evidence."

Hearing me, Chloe threw the popsicle in her hand, indignantly saying, "I saw you two intimately close on the sofa with my own eyes!"