Chapter 3

I didn't go to the hospital.

The next day, David brought my parents to my place.

The moment I opened the door, my dad's hand shot out, connecting with my face.

"You monster! You dare show your face here!"

He was trembling with rage. "Leo had a high fever last night, crying for his mom, and where were you? Is your heart made of stone?"

My mom, supporting my dad, cried as she spoke to me. "Scarlett, please come to the hospital with us. The child is innocent. Even if you and David have issues, you can't take it out on the child."

David stood behind them, looking at me with a pained expression. "Darling, I know I messed up. I shouldn't have called Chloe. Please come back with me? Leo needs you."

He acted so genuinely that even my parents believed him.

I covered my stinging cheek, looking at the three of them. "Are you done talking?"

My dad froze. "What kind of attitude is that?"

"If you're done, then leave. I need to rest." I pointed to the door.

"You!" My dad raised his hand, intending to strike me again, but my mom held him back tightly.

David also stepped forward, shielding me. "Uncle, please don't be angry. It's all my fault. I didn't handle things well, and I hurt Scarlett."

He turned, his eyes red, looking at me. "Darling, you can hit me or yell at me, but please don't abandon me and Leo. We've been together for so many years, how can you just throw it all away?"

He reached for my hand, but I stepped back, avoiding his touch.

"David, stop acting. Aren't you tired?"

David's face stiffened for a moment, then was replaced by an even greater sorrow.

"Scarlett, how did you become like this? You weren't like this before. You used to love Leo so much; you'd do anything to give him the best."

"Yes," I nodded. "I used to be quite foolish."

My parents, seeing my imperviousness to reason, were utterly disappointed.

My mom, tears streaming down her face, said. "Scarlett, if you insist on this divorce, then don't ever set foot in our home again. We'll pretend we never had a daughter like you."

My dad pointed at David and declared. "From now on, David is our true son!"

I looked at them, and the last flicker of warmth in my heart vanished. "Fine."

That single word made my parents and David freeze.

They probably thought that by threatening me with family ties, I would compromise.

Just like every other time in the past ten years.

Unfortunately, this time, they were wrong.

After seeing them off, I received a call from my lawyer.

"Ms. Scarlett, David's side has received the court summons. But he leaked to the media, claiming you abused Leo and, due to marital disputes, refused to give him a blood transfusion, leaving him critically ill."

I opened my phone. The news was everywhere.

"Wealthy Wife's Cruel Jealousy: ‘I Won't Save My Own Son!'" "Where Is a Mother's Love? Heartbroken 8-Year-Old: ‘Mommy Doesn't Want Me Anymore!'"

The comment sections were a blaze of fury.

My photos, workplace, and home address were all exposed.

A group of self-proclaimed activists had gathered downstairs at my company, holding banners, demanding I be fired.

Soon, I received a call from my boss, who told me not to come into work for a while.

That afternoon, Chloe called me.

Her voice sounded gentle and innocent. "Scarlett, please don't blame David. He was just pushed to his limit by you."

"Leo isn't doing well; he needs his mom. Can you... please come back and see him?"

"What standing do you have to call me?" I asked.

A few seconds of silence on the other end. "I... I'm Leo's aunt, and your friend."

"Friend?" I laughed. "Chloe, are you even worthy of that title?"

With that, I hung up.

Not long after, my phone buzzed with a photo from Chloe.

In it, Leo lay in a hospital bed. Chloe was bending over him, gently wiping his face.

David and his mother stood close by, watching them with tender, doting looks.

The scene was a picture of perfect harmony, so bright it stung the eyes. Beneath it was a message:

"Scarlett, we're all waiting for you to come back."