Chapter 6

Evelyn had barely sat up on the hospital bed when her phone buzzed. It was a message from the hospital. "Ms. Shaw, due to conduct issues that have seriously damaged the hospital's reputation, we are terminating your employment effective immediately." She stared at the screen and let out a bitter laugh. When they needed her, they treated her like a star. The moment they didn't, she was discarded like trash. She had been in the hospital for three full days, and Howard had not once shown up. When she finally returned home, Evelyn reached for the door, but her hand froze in place as Howard's voice thundered through the house. "I'll not divorce Evelyn. Stop bringing it up!" Howard slammed his fist onto the table, shattering the glass instantly. His mother, Beatrice Sterling, sat stiffly on the couch with a look of contempt and scorn directed at Evelyn. "That video of her being humiliated by all those men has spread across all of Nordia. If you refuse to divorce her, are you seriously going to wait for her to have a bastard child and call it the Blackwood heir?" Howard's face darkened as he tore the divorce papers in front of him to shreds. "I made Evelyn take birth control from the very day I found her. I'm not touching her again, and she's not having a child. Anne will be the one to give me an heir." Evelyn's hands gripped the door handle so tightly her veins bulged. Howard's version of love was revolting. Later that night, with the cold wind lashing at the windows, she stood by the glass and dialed Emmi's number. "Sell every single share I own in Blackwood Group." Although confused, Emmi didn't dare ask any questions. "Got it. Your divorce from Mr. Blackwood is already in its final stage. You should receive the certificate within ten days at the latest." Evelyn nodded. "Handle it quickly. I have to leave in ten days." Just as the words left her mouth, the bedroom door burst open. Howard stood in the doorway, staring at her with a dark and terrifying expression. "Where are you going?" Evelyn tightened her grip on the phone and opened her mouth, but a knock came from downstairs before she could speak. As soon as Howard went downstairs and opened the door, Anne threw herself into his arms, wearing a sorrowful expression. "Howard, ever since Mom's surgery, she's been having constant chest pains. What should I do?" He held her close, comforting her, but his eyes snapped sharply to Evelyn. "Why is Anne's mom having such serious complications? What did you do during the surgery?" Evelyn let out a cold laugh. "I operated on her brain. If her chest hurts, you should ask her yourself." "Howard, I heard there's a plant called the Abyssal Heartgrass deep under the sea that can ease any kind of pain. Since Ms. Shaw says my mom's condition isn't her fault, I'll go find it myself. She's the only mother I have. I can't just stand by and watch her suffer." Anne turned to leave, but Howard pulled her back into his arms. "You don't know how to swim. You'll drown if you go underwater." Then his gaze locked on Evelyn. "Evelyn, Anne's mother is suffering because of you. Go and find the Abyssal Heartgrass for her. Think of it as a way to make amends."