Chapter 7
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The girl named Sophia, was about the same age as Mia. She was sitting in the backseat of Liam’s car, holding a nearly melted ice cream cone.
Blair, sitting in the passenger seat, playfully hit Liam on the chest, pretending to be annoyed. This made Sophia burst into laughter as the melting ice cream dripped all over
the seat.
Liam was not upset at all. The three of them just laughed even harder.
Liam had always been meticulous about cleanliness and never allowed me or Mia to eat anything in his car.
One time, we were stuck in traffic and Mia was starving. I could not bear to let her go hungry, so I gave her a chocolate bar.
A few crumbs melted and fell onto the seat. Liam immediately lost his temper, throwing
both me and Mia out of the car.
I stood helpless in the middle of the heavy traffic, holding Mia.
Watching as Liam drove away without hesitation, Mia burst into tears, begging.
“Daddy! Don’t leave Mommy and me! It’s all my fault! I’ll be good, I promise I won’t dirty Daddy’s car again!”
Remembering that moment, I smiled bitterly and closed my eyes as tears flowed down my
cheeks.
My foolish belief that love could get us through anything was what gave Liam the chance to take Mia’s life.
When I opened my eyes again, I felt a surge of determination.
“Don’t worry, Zac, it’s not over yet. I’ll make them pay for what they’ve done.‘
I stayed outside the ICU for three days and nights, and finally, the good news came. Mia’s condition had stabilized, and she could be moved to a regular ward for observation.
Only then did I truly feel relieved. Seeing a hint of life return to Mia’s face, I gently kissed her forehead.
“Zac, I’ll leave Mia in your care for a few more days. I need to go home and pack up some things.”
Zac looked concerned. “Do you want me to send a few people with you?”
I shook my head.
“Don’t worry, Zac. I won’t go soft.
1/2
Chapter 7
“Just help me with a few things and be ready.”
+25 BONUS
A few hours later, I returned home. The first thing I did was throw the divorce papers onto
the table.
Liam and Sally were not home, so I picked up a suitcase and began packing up Mia’s and my belongings.
There was not much. After all, we had lived frugally all these years. But I carefully packed away the little crafts Mia had made and placed them in the suitcase.
Just as I finished, I heard the door open. Liam stepped in and he immediately spotted the divorce papers on the table.
“Layla, if you want a divorce, fine. I won’t fight for Mia’s custody. But you have to promise not to press charges against Blair. If you keep that promise, I’ll walk away with nothing, and we’ll act like none of this ever happened.”
I looked up at him, finding it laughable.
“Walk away with nothing? How much of this household’s wealth did you actually earn? “With all the witnesses and evidence, do you really think I need to fight you for custody?”
Realizing he was exposed, Liam dropped the act and rushed forward, slapping me hard across the face.
“How dare you! After all these years, if it weren’t for you two dragging me down, I would’ve
His slap was vicious, leaving a metallic taste of blood in my mouth.
“You would’ve what? Become a freeloader?
“I have nothing more to say. You don’t want me to press charges against Blair, right? Fine, meet me at 8 p.m. in Room 701 at the Lancaster Hotel. We’ll discuss the terms.”
With that, I grabbed my suitcase and left.
“Liam, get ready for the show I’ve prepared for you tonight,” I thought to myself.
That evening, Liam arrived at the hotel right on time. As he reached the seventh floor, he found me waiting for him by the elevator.
He glanced around suspiciously, seeing only one staff member nearby.
“Layla, what are you up to? You’re not seriously trying to seduce me, are you?” Liam asked. I could not help but burst out laughing.
+25 BONUS
Chapter 8
