"Ugh!" Clara gasped in pain, the warm blood instantly soaking through her pajamas, trickling down her waistline and sticking to her skin, both cold and painful. She tried to push herself up, but the excruciating pain in her back made her tremble all over, even her fingertips twitching.
Vanessa simply fell lightly onto the soft grass, scraping her elbow and drawing a tiny bit of blood. Her eyes were already red, tears streaming down her face like broken beads, her voice choked with emotion: "Thank you, Lila , it doesn't hurt... I just lost my balance."
Lila rushed over, her little arms tightly wrapped around Vanessa 's neck, blowing on her elbow with a pained expression: " Does it hurt, Teacher Vanessa ? Daddy, quickly help Teacher Vanessa up! This naughty fat woman is bullying you!"
Vanessa raised her wet eyes and looked at Liam , who was walking quickly towards her. Her voice was soft and gentle: "I just... thought Clara 's necklace was so beautiful and wanted to admire it up close. I didn't expect to bump into Clara ... It's all my fault for being so clumsy."
Liam frowned, his gaze sweeping over Clara's bleeding back, but without pausing, he walked straight to Vanessa and carefully helped her up. His hand naturally encircled Vanessa 's waist, his fingertips even gently massaging her back, as if soothing a frightened animal— Clara hadn't seen him act this way in five years. The last time he was so gentle was when she twisted her ankle while dancing.
Vanessa casually placed her hand on Liam 's shoulder, her fingertips deliberately brushing against his neck, causing Liam's body to stiffen slightly, but a hint of tenderness flickered in his eyes.
Hearing Vanessa 's words, Lila 's face turned bright red with anger. She turned around and glared fiercely at Clara on the ground , like an enraged little animal: "You fat bastard! How dare you push Teacher Vanessa ! You're so fat, like a pig, while Teacher Vanessa is so thin, how could she possibly push you? You're just jealous that Teacher Vanessa is prettier than you, so you pushed her on purpose!"
Clara endured the sharp pain in her back, her voice weak but firm: "I didn't push her, she fell over on her own and pulled me down."
"Enough!" Liam 's gaze turned completely cold, like a knife chilled to ice, piercing straight at Clara . " Clara , apologize to Teacher Vanessa ."
“I did nothing wrong!” Clara looked at him in disbelief, tears finally streaming down her face. The pain in her back and the coldness in her chest made her feel like she was suffocating. “ Liam , look closely! My back is bleeding! She pulled me on purpose, that’s why I fell!”
Liam didn't even glance at her again, his eyes filled with disgust: " Clara , you've disappointed me so much. Vanessa is a guest, and Lila is here. Can't you be a little more understanding? Don't always think so badly of people!" He lowered his head and said gently to Vanessa , " Vanessa , your hands are for playing the piano, they're very precious. Don't take it to heart. I apologize on her behalf. Now I'll take you to the hospital to treat your wound."
had she finished speaking than Lila suddenly rushed at Clara , her small fists raining down on Clara 's chest and arms: "You dared to bully Teacher Vanessa ! You dared to lie! I'll beat you to death, you wicked fat woman!" She wasn't very strong, but every punch hit Clara 's sore spots, especially the dull pain in her chest, which made it hard for her to breathe.
Suddenly, Lila 's little hand grabbed Clara 's diamond necklace and yanked it down hard—with a "snap," the clasp broke, and the broken diamond pendant fell onto the grass, rolled a few times, and stopped at Vanessa 's feet.
Lila picked up the broken necklace and presented it to Vanessa like a precious treasure , her eyes sparkling: " Teacher Vanessa , here you go! Such a beautiful necklace, that wicked fat woman doesn't deserve to wear it! You look better in it!"
Vanessa quickly waved her hand, her tone deliberately declining: " Lila , this won't do. This is your mother's necklace; the teacher can't take it."
"Take it." Liam 's voice rang out, carrying an undeniable force. "It's a token of the child's affection, consider it her mother's apology to you. It's just a necklace, nothing serious."
Clara stared at the ballet pendant lying in the grass, her heart feeling as if it were being torn apart. She remembered seven years ago, when Liam went to three jewelry stores to buy this necklace and even had their initials engraved by the designer; she remembered when the necklace got caught on her dress during dance practice, and Liam carefully untangled it for her, saying, "I'll help you wear it from now on, don't hurt my princess"; she remembered when she gained weight during her pregnancy and couldn't wear the necklace anymore, and Liam smiled and said, "When you lose weight, I'll buy you an even bigger diamond."
But now, he not only watches as someone else takes her necklace, but he also says, "It's no big deal."
The wound on her back was still bleeding, and every movement felt like being pricked by countless needles. Clara sat on the ground and suddenly laughed, laughing until tears streamed down her face. Her laughter echoed in the empty garden, carrying endless sorrow and self-mockery.
This is the daughter she gave birth to after a brush with death and the risk of severe bleeding—who beat and kicked her for the sake of outsiders and destroyed what she cherished most. This is the husband who promised her "I will protect you for life" back on stage—who turned a blind eye to her wounds for another woman and even forced her to apologize to the perpetrator.
