“Mrs. Thorne, your brain aneurysm is in a delicate spot, and there’s already been some bleeding. You need surgery as soon as possible. If it ruptures, your life will be in danger.” “How much will the surgery cost?” “A conservative estimate would be two hundred thousand dollars.” Two hundred thousand? The Vance family went bankrupt, my father had a stroke, leaving us with a mountain of debt. Everything I owned, every single valuable thing, went to fill that gaping hole. Where am I supposed to find two hundred thousand now? And here, in the Thorne family, I, their daughter-in-law, am treated worse than a dog. By the time I left the hospital, it was already dark outside. I hadn’t walked far when my phone rang. A cold male voice spoke. “Get to ‘The Nightfall’.” His tone was a command, giving me no room to refuse. I looked at the medical report in my hand, then thought about our current relationship. I bit my red lip, then nodded and replied, “Okay.” The Nightfall was Veridia City’s most infamous high-end club. When I arrived at the private room, it was packed with men and women, exuding an air of lavish decadence. The man in the center of the room swirled his drink. Seeing me enter, he snapped his fingers, and the room instantly fell silent. He lifted his gaze to me. “Come here.” I hesitated, then walked over. The moment I got close, he yanked my wrist, and the next second, I was pulled into his embrace. “Asher, let me go!” Asher held me tight with just one arm. “Mrs. Thorne, are you sure you want me to let you go? Think about how much the Vance family still owes me, and then think about your father’s medical bills.” At his words, I stopped struggling. “Can you… can you lend me another two hundred thousand?” The man looked at me as if I’d told a joke. Finally, his gaze settled on my makeup-free, gaunt face. “What part of you is worth two hundred thousand?” With that, he pinched my chin, forcing me to face the people around us. “Why don’t you pick a man, spend a night with him, treat him right, and maybe you’ll get two hundred thousand.” “Do you have to humiliate me like this?” “Humiliation?” Asher sneered, his cold lips brushing my ear, his voice like it came from hell itself. “Compared to what your Vance family did to me back then, what’s this little humiliation?” I closed my eyes in agony. **截断点** The Vance and Hayes families were old acquaintances. Asher and I were childhood sweethearts, and in college, we were *that* couple everyone envied on campus. But the year we were supposed to go study abroad together, the Hayes family suddenly went bankrupt. Asher’s father couldn’t handle it and committed suicide by jumping from a building. I went to beg my father to help the Hayes family, only to accidentally discover that my father was the real culprit behind their downfall. I didn’t know how to face Asher, so I broke up with him. Blissfully unaware, Asher couldn’t believe I would leave him at his lowest, most difficult moment. He knelt in the rain outside the Vance mansion all night, pleading with me not to go. But my father took the opportunity to finish him off for good. By the time I arrived, Asher had already been beaten unconscious. I fought desperately to protect his head, but I suffered a severe blow myself, leaving me with lasting aftereffects. To stop my father from going to extremes, I could only agree to an arranged marriage, marrying into the incredibly influential Thorne family. Who knew that six years later, Asher would return to Veridia City as a business magnate, and the first thing he did was completely destroy the Vance Corporation… Just then, someone chimed in from the side. “Mrs. Thorne, Mr. Hayes is doing you a favor! Everyone knows Mr. Thorne’s eldest son is crippled, and your children were conceived through IVF. Has he ever satisfied you in all these years?” After the man spoke, everyone burst into laughter. Amidst the laughter, I clenched my fists tightly and calmly said, “Okay, then I’ll pick one.” 2. Asher’s face instantly darkened. My gaze quietly swept over everyone present, as if I were truly making a selection. Finally, I looked at the man who had just spoken, “You’ll do.” The man was ecstatic. I was known as a great beauty in Veridia City. To have a night of passion with me, let alone two hundred thousand, he wouldn’t mind spending two million. “Then I won’t be polite.” The man stood up, walked to Asher, and tried to lead me away. The next second, he was kicked to the ground, spilling drinks everywhere. The man ignored his messy state and looked at Asher in fear, asking confusedly, “Mr. Hayes, what are you…” “Get out!” Asher’s face was grim. He abruptly stood up, grabbed my throat, and snarled, “I can’t believe how cheap you’ve become!” “Isn’t that exactly how you want me to be?” I retorted, my eyes red. Asher tightened his grip. A pure, smiling face flashed in my mind. *My Asher, we promised we’d be together forever.* But now, everything had changed. Just as I thought I was about to die, the door to the private room was pushed open, and a tall figure walked in. “Asher, let Ellie go!” Asher seemed to snap back to reality and released his hand. He grabbed a tissue from nearby, wiped his hands, and threw it to the ground with a look of disgust. I stumbled up and walked towards the door. “Starting tomorrow, you’ll come to The Nightfall to work until the Vance family’s debt is paid off.” The man’s words instantly plunged me into hell. I gripped the doorknob. “If you don’t come, you’ll face the consequences.” I pulled open the door and walked out. “Ellie, are you okay? Asher just has that temper, don’t take it personally.” The woman followed me out, blocking my path. “Oh, and I’m pregnant with Asher’s child. We’re getting married soon.” I looked at Skylar Dawson’s happy smile, feeling a bit dazed. “Ellie, you’ll bless us, won’t you? After all, we’ve been best friends for over twenty years.” Best friends? The three of us grew up together. How could I have been so blind back then not to notice that Skylar always liked Asher? Skylar looked into my eyes. “You know you and Asher can’t be together, right? After all, it was your father who ruined his family and destroyed his life. You probably don’t want him to know the truth, do you? Given his temper, your father wouldn’t just be having a stroke.” “I wish you two an eternity together, growing old side by side.” I smiled weakly. Hearing my words, Skylar’s lips curved, and she chuckled softly. “It’s best you’re sensible. I’ve been with Asher all these years, fighting alongside him. No one is more important than me in his heart. I’ll ask him to remember your old friendship and not be too harsh on you.” Returning to the Thorne family villa, it was already past ten o’clock at night. As soon as I walked in, a small figure rushed into my arms. “Mommy, I’m hungry.” I looked down at his red eyes, my heart aching as I wiped away his tears. I hadn’t eaten all day either. “Mommy will make Leo some noodles, okay?” Leo Vance nodded happily. I took him into the kitchen, found some ingredients, and cooked two bowls of clear noodle soup. Leo’s mouth watered, and he swallowed several times. Just as I was about to carry the noodles out, a figure appeared in the kitchen. Brenda Thorne, Julian’s mother, looked at me coldly. “Have I not told you that no one is allowed to cook after ten o’clock in the Thorne house?” “Mom, I know, but Leo is hungry…” “Dump the noodles!” Seeing her stern expression, Leo buried himself in my arms. “Leo is hungry, Leo wants to eat noodles!” “Eat what?” Brenda snorted. “Don’t think I don’t know you sold all your dowry to cover the Vance family’s debts. Let me tell you, you won’t get a single penny of the Thorne family’s money!” Leo cried louder for his noodles. Brenda walked over and dumped both bowls of noodles into the nearby trash can. Seeing the noodles gone, the child cried even harder. “Cry, cry, cry! All you do is cry!” Brenda snapped impatiently. “The Vance family made you cry until they went bankrupt. Are you trying to ruin our Thorne family too? Both of you are nothing but bad luck!” Leo immediately cowered in my arms, terrified. After Brenda left, I searched for a long time and finally found a bag of crackers. After coaxing the little guy to eat them, I took him back to his room. Even in his sleep, Leo was still whimpering. My heart ached as I stroked his cheek. No matter what, I had to survive! 3. After he fell asleep, I returned to my bedroom. As I switched on the light, I saw Julian Thorne sitting in the middle of the room. I gasped, clutching my chest. “Why didn’t you turn on the light?” “Where were you?” “The hospital.” “Did you go to Asher?” I didn’t answer. Julian wheeled his chair over to me, his eyes cold. “Did you go to him?” “If I didn’t go to him, he would have come to me anyway.” I scoffed. “He hates me. He’ll never let me off easy.” “That’s just an excuse. You want to rekindle your old flame with him, don’t you?” Julian glared at me furiously. “I knew it all along! You look down on me deep down!” “I don’t.” Julian’s gaze was icy. “Get into bed.” Under his intense stare, I could only close my eyes and lie down. Julian braced his hands on the edge of the bed and moved onto it. He tore at my clothes. He bit and nipped at my skin, making me wince in pain. “Can you… can you lend me two hundred thousand?” Julian’s movements froze. He looked at me with dark eyes. “Did you used to charge Asher to sleep with him too?” “I…” “You’re truly disgusting!” Julian immediately lost interest. He got back into his wheelchair and left the bedroom. I redressed myself. I never imagined I’d be stumped by two hundred thousand dollars one day. The next morning, I dropped Leo off at kindergarten, then called my mother, Martha Vance. I didn’t know what Asher had done, but any money that entered my account was immediately transferred out. All the money from selling my dowry was with Martha. As soon as she heard I needed money, Martha exploded. “What’s the situation with the Vance family now? Where am I going to get two hundred thousand? If the Thornes don’t care about the Vance family’s survival, surely they’ll care about yours?” Before I could speak, Martha was already cursing the Thorne family on the phone. I hung up bitterly, looking at the car parked by the roadside. This was the only valuable thing I had left to sell. I contacted an agent. Because I only needed cash, the car, originally worth a million, was undervalued by the buyer to two hundred thousand. After withdrawing the cash from the bank, I didn’t waste a moment and rushed to the hospital. Just as I reached the hospital entrance, Asher’s call came in. “Mrs. Thorne, your son is so cute.” I clutched my phone. The next second, Leo’s childish voice came through the phone. “Mommy, where are you? I’m scared.” “Leo!” My face instantly turned pale. “Asher, you can take whatever revenge you want on me, but please, I beg you, don’t touch my son!” “That depends on your performance.” Asher’s voice was cold. “Roll your ass over to The Nightfall in half an hour.” I dared not delay and immediately took a cab to The Nightfall. A bodyguard led me to an office. Asher was sitting in a chair, and Skylar Dawson was in his lap, her arms wrapped around his neck. They were intimately close, and his face held a rare gentle smile. My heart tightened, and I clenched my fists. “Where’s my son?” “What’s the rush?” Asher’s face turned icy. Skylar slid out of his embrace. “Mrs. Thorne, you have money but you’re not paying your debt. What are you planning?” Asher looked at me with cold eyes. I instinctively hid my handbag behind my back. Skylar noticed my movement and smiled. “Ellie, you’re not thinking of abandoning everything and running away, are you?” Asher’s face darkened at her words. I shook my head. “I’m not.” “Then what’s in your bag? Take it out.” 4. I involuntarily backed away. Asher strode over to me, grabbed my throat, and pinned me against the door. “You think you can just walk away? Do you think I’d let you off that easily?!” “I… I didn’t… Asher, please, I really need this money…” I spoke with difficulty, tears streaming down my face and landing on his hand. Asher’s eyes paused. Watching me cry in pain, he felt no sense of satisfaction. Skylar’s eyes darkened. “Ellie, back then when Asher’s mom needed money for treatment, I was working at a club, earning it glass by glass. And what were you doing then? You were marrying into the Thorne family in grand style!” Asher’s expression instantly turned cold at her words. He tried to snatch my handbag. I clung to it desperately, refusing to let go. It was my only hope now. “The hardships Asher and I endured, you should taste them too, shouldn’t you?” Skylar looked at me triumphantly. Seeing me refuse to let go, Asher said coldly, “If I can’t touch you, then I’ll just have to go after your son.” At his words, I despairingly gave up struggling. Asher threw the handbag to a bodyguard. As he released me, I slumped to the ground like a rag doll. “Give me back my son.” “Whether you can take your son home safely depends on your performance tonight.” Asher looked at me with disdain and instructed the bodyguard, “Take her to work.” I wiped away my tears and followed the bodyguard out of the office. “Asher, you won’t feel sorry for her, will you?” Asher looked out at the endless dark night, clenching his fists tightly. “Why would I?” A small figure walked into the office. Leo ran to Asher’s side. “Uncle, where’s Mommy?” “Your mommy is working. She’ll take you home in a bit.” “Is this…” Skylar looked at Leo’s small face, her eyes filled with undisguised shock. “My son.” Asher picked up his jacket. “Keep an eye on him.” Skylar examined Leo again. The child’s features were indeed five or six parts similar to Asher’s. She clenched her fists tightly. *I can’t believe she didn’t get rid of that child and actually gave birth to him!* In the changing room, I put on a sexy bunny girl outfit. As I turned around, I saw Asher suddenly appear behind me. I instinctively took a step back, only to see Asher take out his phone and snap a photo of me. I rushed forward, trying to snatch the phone, but Asher deliberately raised his hand and scoffed, “What do you think Julian Thorne’s reaction will be when he sees this photo?” I struggled to grab it, but I wasn’t used to high heels. I stumbled and fell into Asher’s arms. Asher instinctively tightened his grip around my waist. The familiar scent, and the captivating softness, left Asher momentarily dazed. He lowered his head. When his gaze swept over the hickey on my collarbone, the desire in his dark eyes vanished, replaced only by endless coldness. “Mrs. Thorne, I’m truly surprised by your forwardness!” I pulled away from his embrace. “Asher, I’m the one who wronged you. Please, don’t hurt anyone else.” Asher stared at the mark on my collarbone, gritting his teeth. “Why wouldn’t I hurt the people you care about? How else will you feel pain?” I followed a group of people into a private room. I was already beautiful, and after being dressed up, I looked like an angel. Every man in the private room tried to take advantage of the opportunity to touch me. I sat next to a pot-bellied man, tugging at my skirt which barely reached my knees. The man reached out to touch my leg. I instinctively recoiled. The man’s face darkened. He directly pulled out a stack of bills and threw them on the table. “One touch, one stack for you!” That stack was ten thousand dollars. Thinking of Leo’s innocent little face, I clenched my fists tightly. I had to survive! 5. The man placed his hand on my leg through my skirt. Seeing that I didn’t pull away, he picked up the money and patted my face. “That’s more like it.” Then, the man tucked the money into my cleavage. I suppressed my revulsion and didn’t flinch. If this was what he wanted to see, then I would give it to him. Seeing my reaction, the man’s hands started to become more brazen. *Bang!* The private room door was kicked open, and the noise inside instantly ceased. Seeing the man’s hand on my leg, Asher’s face was terrifyingly cold. He took a few quick steps and dragged me out of the private room. I forcefully yanked my hand away from his, furious. “Mr. Hayes, what are you doing? Weren’t you going to make me entertain and sell smiles to pay off my debt? If you drag me out, how am I supposed to pay you back?” As I spoke, I pulled the stack of money from my cleavage. The next second, the money was snatched away. Then, my face was stung by the bills, and the scattered banknotes fell to the ground. Ignoring the pain, I bent down to pick them up. A luxurious leather shoe stepped on my hand, making me gasp in pain. Asher bent down, lifted my chin, his dark eyes glinting with malice. “Where’s your pride? Where’s your dignity? Is there anything you won’t do for money?” I looked directly into his eyes. “Isn’t this what you want?” “I should have seen it clearly long ago. You’re nothing but a gold-digging slut!” Asher pushed my face away. “You won’t get to keep a single penny you earn at The Nightfall!” Asher stood up and left. Soon, someone came and picked up all the money from the floor before leaving. I gave a bitter laugh, then changed back into my own clothes and left The Nightfall with Leo. For the next few days, I went to work at The Nightfall on time every day. Unlike the first day, the men who approached me only bought me drinks; no one dared to lay a hand on me anymore. Occasionally, I’d get a small tip, but I could only keep a tiny fraction of it. With such meager income, I couldn’t possibly raise enough for the surgery. Just then, the Thorne family hosted a grand charity gala. As Julian Thorne’s wife, I naturally had to attend. Julian personally took me to get my hair and makeup done. Dressed elaborately, I was beautiful and undoubtedly the center of attention. Until Asher arrived at the banquet hall with Skylar Dawson. Leo saw them and instinctively hid behind me. But the two walked step by step towards Julian and me. Julian’s face was livid. “What are you doing here?” Asher smiled, looking at me. “Of course, I’m here to deliver a grand gift to Mr. Thorne.” My face turned pale. Asher snapped his fingers, and countless photos rained down from the air. They showed me in various sexy outfits, drinking with different men. I instinctively bent down, pressing Leo tightly into my embrace. Everyone present gasped at the photos. Brenda Thorne trembled with rage. She took a few steps forward and *smack!* slapped me across the face. My ears rang. “You shameless woman, doing such things behind Julian’s back!” Brenda wasn’t done. She furiously pulled at my clothes and hair. “Eating our Thorne family’s food, using our Thorne family’s things, and you dare to betray my son? I’ll tear you apart today!” I instantly became disheveled and pathetic. Julian’s chest heaved with anger. He didn’t spare me another glance, turning his wheelchair and leaving the venue. The Thorne family relatives all rushed over. Some pulled Brenda away, while others took the opportunity to bully me. My expensive gown was quickly torn to shreds, and my exquisite makeup smeared. I just desperately protected my child. I looked at Asher outside the crowd, my vision gradually blurring. The boy in my memories who would love and protect me was long gone. Watching my pathetic state, Asher’s dark eyes grew even darker. Why didn’t he feel happy at all? Seeing that Asher’s expression wasn’t right, and people had vented enough, Skylar quickly went over to help me and Leo up. As she did, she whispered with a smirk in my ear, “As grand as your entrance into the Thorne family was, that’s how pathetic your exit will be. This is all your own doing.” I squeezed her arm hard. The next second, I fainted. 6. At the hospital. Seeing Skylar return, Asher’s eyes flickered. “What did the doctor say?” The doctor said she had a brain aneurysm and needed surgery urgently, or she could die at any moment. But she wasn’t foolish enough to tell Asher that. “Nothing serious.” Skylar clutched his arm, looking pitiful. “Asher, are you feeling soft towards her?” Asher’s eyes darkened a few shades. “No, I’m just afraid she’ll die too easily, and get off too lightly.” I happened to be walking past the hospital room door. Hearing Asher’s words, my numb heart still twinged with pain. Noticing my presence, Asher turned around. Seeing my body covered in injuries, his dark eyes darkened further. “If you’re not dead, get your ass back to The Nightfall tomorrow to work.” Skylar gave me a triumphant look, then walked away, holding Asher’s arm. Leo rushed into my arms, crying. “Mommy, what happened to you? I’m so scared.” “It’s okay, Leo, Mommy’s fine.” My eyes red, I hugged him tightly. Because I had no money, I dared not stay in the hospital for too long. The next morning, I took my child back to the Thorne family home, only to find our luggage already thrown outside the door. Brenda Thorne stood before us, arms crossed. “You actually have the nerve to come back! Go get the divorce papers with Julian right now. You’ve done such a disgraceful thing, you’ve completely shamed our Thorne family. Get out!” A black sedan pulled up beside us. The driver loaded our luggage into the trunk. Seeing the scene before me, I gave a weak smile, then turned and got into the car with Leo. On the divorce agreement, I left with nothing but my son. So, at the civil affairs office, the divorce was finalized smoothly. Julian didn’t say a single word to me from start to finish. My son and I stood by the roadside with our luggage. Leo held my hand. “Mommy, did Daddy abandon us?” I looked at his innocent face, my heart aching as I stroked his cheek. “Daddy, he…” Leo hugged me tightly. “Mommy, don’t cry. Daddy doesn’t like me anyway. I only need Mommy.” We found a small motel to stay in. I rummaged through a hidden compartment in my suitcase and found a diamond necklace. This was Asher’s coming-of-age gift to me, and a token of our love. I still remembered the intense look in his eyes when he gave it to me. *”Ellie, my heart for you is like this diamond—it will never change.”* Now, it was all gone, never to return. Though alone, for Leo, I had to survive! I took Leo to a pawn shop. The owner, seeing my injuries and a child with me, deliberately drove the price down. “Diamonds are supposed to hold their value, and this one’s quite old.” The owner said slowly. “I can give you ten thousand, at most.” “Twenty thousand. Not a penny less.” I took the necklace back, about to leave. The owner quickly pressed down on the necklace. “Let’s discuss it again.” The owner tried to pull the necklace, but I refused to let go. “Alright, alright, twenty thousand it is.” Half an hour later, I left the pawn shop with Leo and headed straight for the nursing home. Martha Vance was furious when she heard I wanted to temporarily leave Leo at the nursing home. “What, the Thorne family won’t even keep the child?” I didn’t answer, just said coldly, “I’ll probably be away for a week.” “I have to take care of your father! Where do I have time to take care of a child?” Martha’s face was grim. “Throw him on the Thorne family’s doorstep. I don’t believe they won’t take care of him.” Leo, hearing this, buried his head in my arms. “Mommy, Leo doesn’t want to be separated from you.” “Leaving the child here, where are you planning to go?” Asher’s voice suddenly rang out, and my face instantly turned pale. 7. Seeing Asher, Arthur Vance, who was in a wheelchair, immediately became agitated. He mumbled incoherent sounds, his eyes wanting to tear Asher to shreds. Asher smirked triumphantly. “Mr. Vance, why are you so agitated? You should have thought of this day when you stood by and watched the Hayes family fall, kicking us while we were down. You should thank me for leaving you alive.” “Asher, what do you want?” I anxiously blocked Asher’s view. Although I hated Arthur, he was still my father, and he had already fallen so far, so it was his just deserts. Asher’s face darkened a few shades. “Of course, I’m here to reclaim what’s mine.” Asher snapped his fingers, and several bodyguards stepped forward, immediately restraining Leo and me. Martha Vance quickly said, “What are you doing?” Asher said slowly, “In Veridia City, is there anyone who can stop me from doing what I want?” Leo and I were escorted back to a luxurious villa. Leo cried as he was led to a room by a bodyguard. I tried to follow, but Asher blocked my way. “He’s just a child! Take it out on me!” “Ellie, you sold the necklace Asher gave you. What were you planning?” Skylar Dawson walked over, the diamond necklace in her hand. “Were you trying to escape?” “This is my property. I can do whatever I want with it…” Before I could finish, Asher grabbed my neck, his eyes furious. “Your property? You don’t deserve it!” “This was Asher’s sincere heart.” Skylar dangled the necklace. “Is it really only worth so little?” “Where’s the money?” Asher’s face grew even darker. I shook my head. “If you don’t tell me, don’t blame me for being unkind to your son!” Asher released me and turned to walk upstairs. “No!” I clutched my neck and said anxiously, “Leo, he’s…” “Asher, why bother with a child?” Skylar quickly interrupted me. “Just keep her locked here, and with money, she can’t run away.” I was taken to a servant’s room on the first floor. Leo was also brought back to me. Skylar walked into the room, wrinkling her nose in disgust at the musty smell. “Asher and I will be getting married very soon. Don’t worry, once we’re happily married, I’ll plead with him to let you and your son go.” I held Leo, remaining silent. Skylar looked at the small face so similar to Asher’s, a cruel glint flashing in her eyes. She composed herself and lowered her voice. “Ellie, you simply don’t know how much Asher suffered all these years, how hard he worked to get where he is today. If it weren’t for your Vance family, he wouldn’t have had to endure any of it.” My eyes flickered. It was precisely because I knew, that I accepted all of his revenge. “You have to let him vent a little.” Skylar said earnestly. “Don’t complicate simple things. The child is innocent. I promise you, Asher won’t hurt the child.” After Skylar left, Leo was already asleep in my arms, exhausted. I placed him on the bed, thinking to myself, if Asher knew Leo was his child, he definitely wouldn’t let Leo stay with me. So, after Skylar interrupted me, I quickly suppressed that thought. I must get the surgery done quickly and take Leo away from here! 8. Late at night. Asher returned to the villa, drunk. From afar, he saw a figure busy inside the villa. I was carrying a bucket of water, wiping the stairs step by step. Skylar had said I didn’t need to work at The Nightfall, but I couldn’t be useless at the villa, so the cleaning duties had fallen to me. Finally, having wiped the last step, I wiped the sweat from my forehead. Suddenly, a figure hugged me from behind. Smelling the strong alcohol, I struggled in fright. Asher, however, held me tighter, softly murmuring, “Ellie…” A familiar yet distant “Ellie” made my body stiffen. “Do you know how much I missed you?” Asher inhaled my scent, wishing he could meld me into his own body. “Asher, let me go, you’re drunk.” “Only in my dreams can I miss you without restraint.” Asher whispered softly. I closed my eyes in agony, pushing him away with all my might. Asher grabbed my wrist, pinned me against the wall, and kissed me fiercely. My eyes widened. The possessive kiss gave me no room to breathe, and I couldn’t break free. “What are you doing?” Skylar’s voice rang out. The man’s movements finally stopped. Skylar rushed over, pulled Asher away, and *smack!* slapped me across the face. I covered my face. “He was drunk and harassed me.” “You slut! Don’t think I don’t know what you’re planning!” Skylar glared at me furiously. “I’ve given him everything all these years! No one can replace me! No one!” Skylar laboriously helped Asher to the bedroom. Asher frowned, looking very uncomfortable. Skylar poured him some water and helped him drink it. Asher mumbled something. She leaned closer. “Ellie…” *Eleanor Vance!* Skylar clenched her fists tightly. Although she didn’t want to admit it, the more Asher hated me, the more she knew it meant he loved me. If he knew Leo was his child… No, absolutely not! The next morning, I let Leo play with toys in the room. I silently cleaned the entire villa, and also looked for ways to escape. Asher had stationed bodyguards at the entrance. These past few days, my head had been throbbing. I knew I didn’t have much time left. Skylar appeared at the top of the stairs, looking at me with an unreadable expression. “Ellie, do you want to see the wedding dress Asher personally picked out for me?” I snapped back to reality, but didn’t respond. I intended to leave, but Skylar walked directly over to me. She grabbed my hand and led me to a room on the second floor. In the center of the room stood a pure white wedding dress, surrounded by many wedding photos. In the photos, Asher and Skylar posed in various ways, both smiling happily. “Are you envious of me?” I blinked my stinging eyes. “Skylar, I sincerely wish you both happiness.” “You’re such a hypocrite!” Skylar sneered. “You must be dying of jealousy inside, otherwise why would you seduce Asher when he was drunk?” “I didn’t!” Suddenly, Leo’s crying came from downstairs. I tried to leave. Skylar grabbed my wrist. “We haven’t finished talking. Where are you going?” “Mommy! I want Mommy…” Leo cried even more sadly. I pulled my hand free and rushed downstairs. Skylar chased after me. She saw the bucket of water left at the bottom of the stairs and deliberately grabbed me. In our struggle, I kicked over the bucket. Water flowed down the stairs. Seeing the bucket roll towards Leo, I quickly pushed Skylar away. “Ah!” With a scream, Skylar slipped, tumbling down the stairs.
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