Chapter 4

I didn't want to go out and face the mocking stares, but in two days, it was Grandma Vivian's birthday gala, and I had no choice but to attend.

The gala was held at the Caldwell family estate.

As soon as Caleb and I arrived, I saw Serena Thorne holding Grandma Vivian's arm, chatting intimately with her.

She had the usually stern Grandma Vivian laughing heartily.

They looked like a perfect family.

I glanced at them, then turned to look at Caleb.

I saw his eyes filled with tenderness, clearly moved by the heartwarming scene.

Noticing my gaze, Caleb uncomfortably explained, "Serena is a guest Grandma Vivian wanted to invite. I couldn't stop her."

"If you don't want to see her, we can go upstairs and wait after we've given Grandma your gift."

I said nothing, but Caleb had already pulled me forward.

After offering birthday wishes, he instructed a servant to bring over the gift.

"Grandma, this is a birthday gift Layla spent six months meticulously preparing for you herself. It's full of her heartfelt wishes for you, and I hope you like it."

Hearing this, Grandma Vivian shifted her gaze from Serena.

She gave me a casual glance and said faintly, "You're very thoughtful."

Seeing Grandma Vivian's attitude, I couldn't help but smile bitterly.

From the first time Caleb and I married, Grandma Vivian never liked me.

After Caleb and I got divorced, and the Caldwell family and Serena were dragged onto social media, she disliked me even more.

After our "remarriage," to spare Caleb from being caught in the middle, I had spent six months carving a custom-made sculpture representing longevity and good fortune, intending it as a birthday gift to make her happy.

I never imagined that before the gift was even presented, I would uncover the truth about our remarriage and prepare to leave.

Before I could fully react, Grandma Vivian had already pulled back the red cloth covering the gift.

A delicate urn was starkly revealed.

Grandma Vivian's face instantly darkened. She suppressed her anger, saying, "Is this the 'heartfelt wish' you spent six months preparing?"

My heart leaped.

Grandma Vivian was a traditional woman.

Presenting her with an urn at her birthday gala was nothing short of a provocation.

But how had my sculpture turned into an urn?

I instinctively looked at Caleb. Before the gift presentation, he was the only one who had handled my gift.

But I didn't get an explanation from Caleb. Instead, I heard Serena's gleeful voice:

"Layla, why would you give such a gift? Are you unhappy with Grandma Vivian?"

"Grandma Vivian, please don't be angry. It's not worth getting upset over someone so insignificant. Come see the gift I prepared for you."

She clapped her hands, and immediately someone brought over a gift.

When it was opened, it was my meticulously carved sculpture.

My heart sank.

There was nothing left to misunderstand now.

Clearly, Serena wanted to play another cruel joke on me, so she had Caleb switch out my birthday gift, making me offend Grandma Vivian.

I squeezed my palms tightly, feeling only a chilling emptiness in my chest.

I didn't participate in the rest of the birthday gala.

Instead, Serena and Caleb stood on either side of Grandma Vivian, chatting and laughing with guests, looking every bit like the Caldwell family's daughter-in-law.

My heart was bitter.

With the heirloom bracelet meant for the family's daughter-in-law on her wrist, she certainly seemed like the Caldwell's daughter-in-law, didn't she?

Finally, the gala ended. Just as Caleb and I were about to leave, Grandma Vivian had Mr. Davies, the butler, stop me.

Mr. Davies held up a whip and said, "Ms. Hayes, Grandma Vivian has decided not to dwell on the incredibly offensive 'gift' you brought. However, as a Caldwell daughter-in-law, you must learn respect. You will be disciplined according to family tradition to ensure you remember this lesson."

Seeing the whip covered in barbs, Caleb couldn't help but frown.

He opened his mouth, but in the end, he only said, "It's just a few lashes, Layla. Endure it. Don't make Grandma upset again."

I had long since abandoned any hope for Caleb. Hearing his words, I simply nodded, my voice hoarse. "Okay."

I was quickly led to the family shrine. Mr. Davies wielded the whip, lashing me again and again.

The whip sliced through the air, striking me brutally. As it recoiled, its barbs tore away flesh.

After nine lashes, I was covered in blood.

Before I lost consciousness, I calculated the time. Two more days.

The final two days.