Chapter 3

I lay on the floor for half an hour. I still couldn't believe Chloe would treat me this way; she must have been forced by Scarlett.

I decided to find some food; I hadn't eaten since last night.

Suddenly, I noticed Scarlett's spare phone left at home.

Normally, I wouldn't dare touch it, but now I needed answers.

The phone had no password. Inside, there were tons of videos and photos.

I saw intimate photos of Scarlett and Derek. She was smiling, brighter than I'd ever seen her.

And then there was more explosive stuff.

Scarlett had checked into multiple hotels, wearing lingerie, entwined with Derek on large beds.

I pressed down hard on my own wounds, wanting the pain to be more intense, to make myself think clearly.

Every time, Scarlett used instruments on me, leaving me covered in wounds. In severe cases, I'd have exposed bone.

I was often rushed to the hospital.

Scarlett would claim that bystanders intervened and injured me.

Meanwhile, when I played along with her act, I always feared hurting Scarlett, holding back most of my strength.

I thought my sacrifices would be seen.

Instead, I was a complete clown.

There were also videos of Chloe.

Derek laughed, asking, "What if Mommy kills Daddy?"

Chloe replied, "If he dies, he dies. Then I'll have a new dad, and my new dad will be a million times better."

Derek then asked, "Who would you choose as your new dad?"

Chloe smiled sweetly, pointing at Derek, and said, "You, of course!"

Scarlett and Derek burst out laughing; they looked more like a family than we ever did.

"Chloe, if this really happens, what will you do?" Scarlett's expression turned serious.

My daughter replied, "I'll testify for Mom. I'll say Dad tried to kill Mom, and me too, and Mom was just acting in self-defense."

Scarlett chuckled softly. "Such a good girl!"

Derek asked from the side, "Is Alex's life insurance all set?"

Scarlett replied proudly, "Already bought it."

My hands trembled uncontrollably.

I never imagined Scarlett was planning to kill me.

I quickly transferred all the evidence and factory reset the phone.

Scarlett and Chloe returned.

"Alex, have you learned your lesson and become a good boy?"

I looked at Scarlett with a cold gaze.

Scarlett thought I had finally wised up. She pointed at Chloe and said, "Come on, hit her, slap her face hard."

I understood. Scarlett was forcing me to escalate the "abuse." Her fans were no longer satisfied with me just hitting her.

I refused.

Scarlett frowned. "Alex, you're getting bold, aren't you? Not listening to me anymore? Are you really not afraid I'll take Chloe and throw her into the ocean?"

Chloe began to shiver with fear. She said, "Dad, please listen to Mom. I don't want to leave you."

My heart was completely unmoved. I already knew my daughter's true colors.

I hated myself for not seeing through Chloe's terrible acting sooner.

Seeing my silence, Scarlett said coldly, "Alex, what do you want?"

I slowly uttered two words. "A divorce!"