Serena’s POV
‘Adrian, you asshole!’
I clenched my teeth so hard they ached, my fingernails digging into the wooden cabinet wall until it splintered beneath my grip. Tears spilled uncontrollably down my cheeks, hot and relentless.
So it turned out—from beginning to end—I was nothing more than a cover-up, just a pathetic excuse to hide their incest!
So it turned out—all that sweetness, every apology, every so-called attempt to make it right—it was nothing but a performance for them, just so they could screw around behind my back without a shred of shame!
For Pete’s sake, they were being intimate on my hospital bed right next to my comatose son!
In the darkness, my tears finally ran dry.
I don’t know how long it was before the room fell completely silent.
When I heard the soft click of the door closing, I began to move, inch by inch, forcing myself to push the cabinet door open.
Cold air rushed into my lungs. I crawled out in a tangle of limbs, disheveled and trembling, bracing myself against the bedframe to catch my breath.
‘Clarissa. Adrian. I will make you both pay for this—down to the last debt!’ I swore.
Just then, the door opened again. A nurse entered, startled at the sight of me bound to the bed. She rushed forward to unbuckle the leather restraints on my wrists.
Instinctively, I turned my head—my eyes landing immediately on Ethan.
The heart monitor… was gone!
There was no steady beeping sound anymore!
My breath hitched. I stumbled forward, nearly tripping over myself.
“Ethan?!”
My throat felt raw as I reached out, trembling, to check for his breath.
A moment later, my world collapsed into a bottomless void.
“Doctor! Doctor!”
My scream tore through the air, ragged and frantic. My whole body shook as the nurse slammed her hand on the emergency button. Finally, the doctor arrived with a crash cart and emergency equipment.
But the moment the probe touched my son’s small and still body, the doctor’s expression shifted. He slowly shook his head, the verdict final.
“The patient’s heart has been stopped for over thirty minutes… I’m sorry.”
“No… no, that’s not true!” I shook my head violently, my lips trembling so badly I could barely speak.
I collapsed over Ethan’s icy body, sobbing until my voice broke apart.
The nurse’s own eyes reddened, but she could only gently pull me away so the doctor could begin the formalities.
I stood there, hollow and empty, until a familiar figure walked into the ward.
Adrian approached me with his usual gentle, caring tone, wrapping his arms around me as if to comfort me.
“Don’t be afraid,” he murmured. “I’ve already arranged the best funeral hall for Ethan. He’ll have the most dignified farewell. In another life, he’ll be born into a good family.”
His voice was calm—too calm, as if Ethan had merely caught a fever, not… died.
And the faint scent of Clarissa’s perfume clung to him, making my eyes turn to ice.
The heart monitor had been unplugged—this must have happened while they were in the middle of their filth just moments ago!
I said nothing, only pushing him away in disgust.
His fingers twitched, a sudden unease flashing in his eyes. He opened his mouth as if to speak. In the end, he swallowed the words.
Behind him, Clarissa smiled faintly, tugging open her blouse. Her pale skin bore a trail of red marks, fresh and fading.
I froze, my gaze locked on her smug, triumphant expression. My fingertips dug into my palms until they throbbed purple with hate.
The next thing I knew, the cremation was done.
When I left the crematorium, I cradled a small porcelain urn against my chest—Ethan’s ashes. My hands were so cold they’d lost all color, but I didn’t dare loosen my grip. It was all I had left of him.
Adrian stood beside me, still on the phone with the funeral company, making arrangements.
I just ignored him.
I simply held the urn close and returned quietly to my parents’ home.
I acted so… normal, Adrian didn’t notice where I’d gone.
When I came home, the house was empty. Taking the opportunity, I went straight to the study. In the drawer, my old spare phone still lay there.
I opened my contacts and found my lawyer’s number, sending every bit of evidence I had.
[Is this enough to put Clarissa in jail?]
The reply came almost instantly. [More than enough. Child abuse leading to death, intentional homicide. She’ll spend the rest of her life behind bars.]
I pressed a hand to my temple, taking a deep breath.
[Then prepare the divorce agreement as well. Deliver it to the hospital.]
Adrian, this is my last "gift" and "surprise" for you.
