Chapter 3

After months of both physical and mental torment, I went into labor prematurely at seven months.

There was no doctor, no pain relief, and an impatient care worker standing by, barely paying attention.

I was in so much pain that my whole body convulsed. With all my strength, I gave birth to a baby boy. I named him Charlie, hoping he would bring light into my dark life.

Charlie became my only reason to keep going, but it also brought me even more pain.

The care worker refused to take proper care of him, often leaving him hungry and crying, and leaving him in a soaked diaper.

I could only secretly feed Charlie and wipe him down with a clean cloth whenever the care worker wasn't paying attention.

One time, Charlie was crying so hard that the care worker got annoyed and tried to hit him. Desperate, I rushed over and grabbed the care worker's leg, begging. "Don't hit him. Hit me instead."

But all I got was a kick and some nasty words. "A crazy bitch's brat, who'd ever care about a kid like that?"

Every day, I waited for Richard to come and take me away, for him to finally see the truth, for him to accept Charlie as his son.

But he never came.

Those miserable days dragged on for two whole years.

Finally, on New Year's Eve, when the care workers were drunk, I grabbed Charlie and made a run for it, escaping the mental hospital.

Once I was out, I wasted no time. I went straight to the court and filed for divorce.

It wasn't until after three years of living apart that I finally got the divorce approved.

The pain shooting through my feet was getting unbearable. I was about to buckle.

The crowd around me kept growing, and the whispers and pointing felt like a tidal wave crashing over me.

I clenched my jaw, refusing to let myself collapse.

Just as I was about to pass out, Richard's voice cut through the noise. "That's enough."

I looked up, and somehow Richard was already standing right in front of me, his expression hard to read.

Vivian held onto his arm, sounding annoyed. "Richard, she still hasn't admitted she was wrong."

"Forget it," Richard cut her off, pulled a few sheets from his pocket, and threw them at my feet. "Divorce certificate. Sign it, and you can go."

I stared at the divorce certificate lying on the ground. There was no joy in my heart, only endless relief.

I struggled to leave, but my feet buckled, and I sank back down.

The gravel had already embedded itself deep in my flesh; every movement felt like being flayed alive.

Richard's brows furrowed, as if he wanted to say something, but he swallowed it back.

Collapsed on the ground, I reached out with trembling hands, picking up the divorce certificate and the pen. My fingers shook as I scrawled my name across the page.

The pen rasped softly against the paper, marking a messy end to ten years of feelings, like a careless period at the end of a long, painful sentence.

Once I finished, I used the wall for support, struggling to stand up inch by inch.

My legs were so numb I could barely feel them, but the piercing pain was a brutal reminder of the humiliation I'd endured.

I didn't even look at Richard or Vivian. I turned and left.

"Susan," Richard called after me, his brows furrowed, and his voice had a slight tremor. "Your leg..."

I paused for a second, but didn't turn around. "Appreciate your concern, Richard. Isn't this exactly what you wanted?"

My voice was steady, completely flat. "You got what you wanted, and I got what I wanted. We're even now."

Vivian instantly wrapped herself around Richard's arm, snuggling up to him and pouting in a sugary, flirtatious voice. "Richard, leave her alone. She's only acting this way to get your pity.

"Just like back then, she cheated on you, but still tried to claim Charlie was your kid. Honestly, you really deserved better."

The guilt in Richard's eyes disappeared in a flash, replaced by a cold, mocking look. "So eager to leave. Are you going to see your affair partner and that illegitimate kid, aren't you?"

I froze, then whipped around to glare at him, my eyes burning with hate. "Richard, insult me all you want, but don't you dare drag Charlie into this. He's innocent."

He sneered, cold and mocking, "That brat wrecked everything between us. What makes him so innocent?"

I looked at that ruthless expression on his face and suddenly couldn't help but find it laughable.

I didn't bother arguing with him anymore. I knew nothing I said would matter.

I hailed a cab and gave the driver Charlie's kindergarten address.

Sitting in the back seat, I watched the scenery race past outside the window, and finally, I couldn't hold back my tears anymore.

I was finally free.

At last, with Charlie by my side, I could begin a new chapter in life.

The cab stopped at the kindergarten entrance. I paid the fare and hobbled in.

Charlie spotted me and immediately ran out of the classroom, throwing himself into my arms. "Mommy, you finally came to get me. I've been waiting for you forever."

His little hands wrapped around my neck, his soft cheek pressed against mine, and his warmth gave me instant strength.

"I'm sorry I'm late, Charlie," I whispered, my voice trembling with emotion as I hugged him tight.

I really thought better days were finally ahead for Charlie and me.

But I never imagined Richard wasn't done with me yet.