Liam's mother immediately embellished the story, pointing at the blood-soaked, weeping Vanessa and my disheveled state: "Liam! Look at this! This wicked woman! She stole Vanessa's family heirloom and tried to harm her unborn child! She mustn't be let off so easily!"
Liam's gaze fell on me, a complex mix of emotions—shock, suspicion, and a barely perceptible hint of… annoyance.
Finally, his Adam's apple bobbed. He didn't ask me anything, didn't defend me, but simply held Vanessa and sternly told the bodyguard, "Take Vanessa to the hospital!"
He actually… didn't stop them!
He just tacitly accepted that his parents could do whatever they wanted with me, that I was the culprit!
Watching his resolute, unwavering departure, I felt my entire world collapse before my eyes.
My heart felt like it had been gripped tightly by an invisible hand, then crushed. The pain was so intense I could barely breathe; even my fingertips felt icy cold.
I was roughly dragged to the backyard by Foster's bodyguards, the cold whip lashing my body repeatedly, old wounds compounded with new ones, the pain nearly making me faint.
Liam's parents stood by, watching coldly. Liam's mother was particularly scathing, saying, "We've investigated your background! An orphan with no parents, relying on your looks to cling to our Liam! You're such lowly trash, you're not even worthy to shine Vanessa's shoes! If you know what's good for you, get out of here! Don't force us to take action, or we'll make you lose all your dignity!"
My consciousness gradually blurred amidst the excruciating pain and humiliation, finally fading completely into darkness.
When I awoke again, I was still on that cold bed. My wounds had been hastily treated, but the pain was still unbearable.
As soon as I opened my eyes, Liam pushed open the door, grabbed my wrist without a word, and tried to drag me out.
"Liam! What are you doing! Let go of me!" I struggled weakly, the pain pulling at my wounds and sending cold sweat down my face.
Liam, however, seemed oblivious to my suffering. Without a word, he half-dragged, half-carried me to the hospital and shoved me straight into the blood collection room!
"Draw her blood. Vanessa lost too much blood and was traumatized. They have the same blood type; she needs a transfusion to stabilize her condition." He commanded the nurse coldly, his tone brooking no argument.
I stared in disbelief, my voice hoarse and broken with weakness and shock: "Liam! Can't you see all these whip marks on my body?! I just escaped death! How can I have my blood drawn like this?!"
Liam took a deep breath, trying to suppress his agitation, and said in his usual coaxing tone, "Clara, be good, just a little, it'll be fine. Vanessa is pregnant, she can't be hurt, you can't just leave her to die..."
"I won't! Why should I use my blood to save her?! Why?!" All the pent-up grievances, anger, and despair exploded at that moment, and I screamed in despair.
She carries the bone marrow of my five children in her veins, and now she wants to drink my blood? What kind of absurd thing is this?!
My resistance completely enraged him.
Liam lost his last shred of patience, gripping my wrist tightly and roaring, "Why?! Because Vanessa was injured because of you! You owe her this! It's your fault! You're going to draw blood today, whether you like it or not!"
He forcefully restrained my struggling body, forcing the nurse to draw blood.
The needle pierced my vein, and I convulsed in pain, my already weak body suffering even more.
The nurse, observing my condition, hesitated, "Mr. Liam, this young lady is too weak, we can't draw any more..."
"Keep drawing! Not enough!" Liam's voice was icy.
Finally, due to excessive blood loss and excruciating pain, I fainted again.
When I woke up, I was still alone in the room.
The nurse told her that Mr. Liam was in the next room taking care of Ms. Vanessa.
He hadn't come over, only sent me a message.
[Clara, I know you're still angry. But Vanessa's injury was your fault, and you must take responsibility for it.] "Calm down first. Stop making a scene, I'll love you forever." Love you forever?
Seeing those words, I suddenly laughed.
I laughed until my whole body trembled, until my wounds burst open and bled, until I couldn't even cry.
His love was to allow his parents to whip me until I was covered in bruises.
His love was to force me to donate blood to save the woman who killed my child, even though I was on the verge of death.
His love was to say "forever" while conspiring with another woman to take everything from me!
This kind of love is too cruel, I, Clara… cannot afford it.
I've already accumulated enough disappointment; now even despair seems superfluous.
After a few days of recuperation, my body had recovered somewhat. I didn't tell anyone and quietly completed the discharge procedures.
Just as I returned to the villa, my phone rang.
“Miss, is everything settled over there? We can collect the ashes today. The cancellation of the donation agreement has been submitted to the hospital, and Liam should receive the news soon. The heir's banquet is all prepared. It's time to go home.”
I stood in the empty living room, looking around, my gaze calm and unwavering.
This was once what I thought was home; now, only betrayal and filth remained.
I took a deep breath, my voice clear and calm: “Yes, everything's taken care of. I'll be right back.” Hanging up the phone, I quickly packed a few of my belongings, placed the glass jar filled with the ashes of love letters on the living room table, took one last look at this place that held five years of nightmares, and turned away without hesitation, leaving no trace.
I'm going home with my children.
And what Liam and Vanessa owe me, I will make them repay a thousandfold.
