Chapter 6

On the day Clarisse was discharged, Theodore was exceptionally gentle. He helped her into the car, buckled her seatbelt, and adjusted the seat just right to make sure she was comfortable. "Clarisse, once you're home, just rest. Don't tire yourself out. You have to take care of your health. I've got something urgent to handle at the office, but I'll be back soon, I promise." His voice was soft and worried, but Clarisse just nodded slightly and closed her eyes. The car soon pulled up at the villa. Clarisse got out, making her way toward her room to rest. But as she stepped into the living room, she caught a glimpse of something on the carpet out of the corner of her eye. It was Caleb. He lay still, his eyes closed and his face as pale as paper. Clarisse froze, her heart tightening nervously in her chest. Did she hate him? Of course she did. His existence had shattered the happiness she once thought she had, dragging her into misery. He was the root of all her pain. But no matter what, a child was still innocent. She couldn't just walk away. She sighed, hurrying over to check on him. Just as she bent down and was about to see if he was alright, Bianca burst through the door, shrieking, "What do you want to do to Caleb?" She shoved Clarisse hard, sending her crashing into the sharp corner of a table. A piercing pain ripped through her stomach. She barely had time to catch her breath before Miranda stormed in, grabbing a fistful of her hair and slapping her hard across the face. "You wicked woman! How dare you lay a hand on my grandson?" Miranda said furiously, her eyes piercing like knives. Clarisse's cheek burned, the taste of blood filling her mouth. Her ears rang, and her vision went black around the edges. The pain and humiliation made her tremble uncontrollably. "Mom, stop!" Theodore's voice rang out suddenly, surprising everyone, as no one knew when he had come back. Theodore immediately rushed over, pulling Clarisse behind him to shield her. "What happened?" He frowned at Bianca. "Theo!" Bianca sobbed, pointing at Clarisse, her voice shrill and accusing. "It was her! I saw her kneeling next to Caleb, and he wasn't moving at all… "I was terrified! She must still be angry about Caleb pushing her into the pool last time! She wants revenge! If anything happens to Caleb, I have nothing left to live for!" Theodore's frown deepened, his gaze sharp as he looked at Clarisse trembling behind him. "Clarisse, why…" Before he could finish speaking, he noticed her swollen face and a trace of blood on her lip. She pressed her lips tightly together, her body trembling with pain, but her eyes were hollow—filled with exhaustion and utter despair. Theodore felt as if something had stabbed his heart, sending a sharp pain through him. His words caught in his throat. "We'll take Caleb to the hospital first. Everything else can wait until he wakes up." He bent down and scooped Caleb up in his arms, striding out the door. … At the hospital, Clarisse leaned against the corridor wall, pain stabbing through her stomach and face. She watched from a distance as Theodore comforted the weeping Bianca. Miranda glared at Clarisse from across the waiting room, her eyes cold as daggers. Finally, the doctor broke the suffocating silence. "The child is awake. The family can visit now." Everyone rushed into the hospital room. Caleb lay pale and weak on the bed. "Caleb!" Bianca ran to the bedside, grabbing his little hand, her voice choked with sobs. "Tell me. Did someone hurt you? Was it her? Is it because she's angry you pushed her into the pool last time?" Her words were heavy with accusation as she glanced toward Clarisse, who stood at the door. Miranda pressed, "Don't be afraid, sweetheart. Just tell me. Was it her?" Under their intense, expectant gazes, Caleb looked at Clarisse and nodded, pointing at her with a trembling hand. "It… It was her. She pushed me…" "I knew it! You wicked woman!" Miranda's shriek rang out as she raised her hand for another slap. Clarisse felt a chill sweep from the soles of her feet up through her body, her blood freezing in disbelief as she stared at Caleb on the bed. At the last moment, Theodore stepped in front of her and stopped Miranda's slap. But his eyes were filled with disappointment, and his voice was low and weary as he said, "Clarisse, Caleb is just a child. He doesn't lie. "I've told you so many times. It's almost over. Why can't you just be understanding?" He closed his eyes briefly. When he opened them, his gaze was ice-cold. Without any warmth in his voice, he pointed toward the hospital corridor and said, "Go outside and kneel by the door. Don't get up until Caleb and Bianca forgive you."