Chapter 5

Layla stood frozen in place, stunned.

Daniel had always said it was just a marriage of convenience, that there were no feelings involved.

If that were true, why was he so frantic?

Mia's collapse threw the entire Smith household into chaos.

Daniel summoned the family doctor, gripping his collar with a threat. "Save her. If she dies, you won't live either."

The doctor trembled as he began treatment.

In her fevered dreams, Mia was dragged back into many painful memories from the past.

During the second year of her marriage, Daniel's actions had driven her into depression.

The doctor warned it had progressed to physical symptoms; she needed hospitalization or her life could be at risk.

That day, on her way home, she received another call from Chloe.

Chloe berated her, saying the Smith family had never had such a useless daughter-in-law, one who could just sit by while her husband spent night after night away from home.

Mia looked at the entertainment headlines. There was Daniel again, this time with a young model in his arms, a girl who bore a slight resemblance to Layla.

Because of Chloe's opposition, Layla couldn't return to the country, so Daniel deliberately sought out women who looked like her.

It was his way of rebelling against his family and tormenting Mia.

And he succeeded. Mia was utterly disgusted.

While Daniel was tangled in one scandal after another, Mia hid in her room every day, silently taking her medication.

It was from that time she knew there was no future left for her and Daniel.

Even now, years later, the memory made her shudder.

Mia remained unconscious for a full day and night. When she woke, she saw Daniel sitting nearby.

He was draped in a blanket on the sofa. Seeing her awake, the tension in his face eased slightly, but he quickly resumed his haughty demeanor.

"Mia, you were in the wrong here. Don't think fainting gets you off the hook. I will not compromise on Matthew's discipline.

"Since you clearly don't know how to raise him properly, Layla will take over his education."

Mia's freshly closed wounds split open again from agitation.

Daniel frowned at the sight, but before he could speak, Mia turned on him with a furious, almost wild glare.

"Daniel. Are you handing my son over to Layla? Do you want him dead? She killed my mother! Now you want her to kill my son, too?"

Over the years, with Lincoln's care, her depression had been under control.

But now, because of Layla, it had been triggered again.

Her body trembled uncontrollably; an overwhelming urge to slam her head against the wall seized her.

Daniel's face darkened at her outburst. "Mia, what happened back then was an accident. Stop holding onto Layla's mistakes."

Mia's heart twisted with pain.

Layla had tortured Gianna to death, yet Daniel dismissed it so lightly.

Of course. He never cared about Mia's well-being, let alone Gianna's.

Daniel had his favorites, but she was never one of them.

Gritting her teeth, Mia forced herself out of bed to search for Matthew.

Daniel blocked her path. "You're in no condition. Stay put."

Mia shoved his hand away, looking at him with scorn. "Mr. Smith, acting like this might make me think you actually care about me."

Her words made him release her instantly, as if he'd heard the most absurd joke. "Care about you? Mia, don't flatter yourself."

A bitter laugh escaped Mia. "Good. Because I stopped caring about you a long time ago."

She turned and left, searching the entire mansion. She finally found Layla and Matthew in the basement.

Layla was yanking Matthew's hair, slapping his face hard, then slamming his head against the wall.

Matthew was beaten to within an inch of his life, whimpering weakly, "Mommy... help me..."

In an instant, Mia's vision turned red. She rushed forward, shoving Layla away with frantic strength and gathering Matthew into her arms.

"Matthew, I'm so sorry... I failed to protect you..."

But Matthew was already semi-conscious, unable to even respond.

Seeing Matthew she had cherished for years tortured like this, Mia rose. She turned and slapped Layla so hard that she stumbled to the floor.

She raised her hand to strike again, but Daniel, who had just entered, caught her wrist.

"Mia. You're bullying her again."

His eyes were fathomless, just as they had been years ago, holding no one but Layla.

In every situation where he had to choose, she lost completely.

"Is it that you're truly blind, Daniel?" Mia's voice broke with hysteria. "Look at what she's done to Matthew! And you still defend her?"

Daniel's gaze shifted to Matthew, and for a moment, he seemed to falter.

But Layla burst into tears. "Daniel, he is just so stubborn. Ms. Johnson has spoiled him. I was only trying to get him to behave.

"Everyone has been through this. Why is it that when it comes to Matthew, everything has to be so delicate?

"If we don't teach him discipline now, the world will teach him an even harsher lesson later. I did it for you and for Matthew's own good."

She had committed the most vile act, yet she washed her hands of any blame.