Chapter 10

Glass shards were buried deep in the bodyguard's arm. He took the hit to shield Sophie at the last second. Emily was yanked backward, and a familiar figure stepped forward. “Sophie! Are you okay?!” James rushed over and pulled Sophie into his arms, face dark with rage. “James… I was so scared, she nearly killed me…” Sophie clung to him, sobbing like her whole world had shattered. “Daddy…” The child ran over, wrapping his arms around James's leg, crying loudly. “That bad woman tried to hurt me! She wanted to hurt Mommy too…” James's gaze snapped to Emily, pure fire blazing in his eyes. “You bitch!” He kicked her hard—Emily fell right onto the jagged glass. She stared at this “happy little family,” her chest tightening with sharp pain. She didn't care anymore. She just wanted to take Oliver and leave for good. Dragging herself over the floor, leaving a trail of blood behind, she hugged a small urn tightly, wiping it again and again with her sleeve. Blood from her sliced-up hands stained the urn a dark red. Tears fell silently as Emily stood up, whispering through clenched teeth, “I'm sorry, Oliver. Sis is taking you away now…” Watching her walk off with the urn, her back looked heartbreakingly fragile. James felt something twist painfully inside. But when he remembered what he saw outside the café, his expression turned even colder. “Stop right there! Who said you could leave?” Emily didn't respond, her steps calm and unwavering. Veins bulged on James's forehead. He stormed forward and grabbed her arm. “Move again and I swear I'll break your legs.” He squeezed so hard it felt like her bones might crack. That's when everything inside Emily snapped. “Let me go! You're all monsters! What you did to Oliver—you'll pay for it! I swear!” She completely lost it, screaming and sobbing, her face wild with grief. James felt a pang in his chest. His arms loosened a little, and without thinking, he pulled her in. “You bastard, James…” His throat tightened; he held her close. “Emily…” Nearby, Sophie's face dropped. She was seething. She picked up a piece of glass and lightly sliced Ethan's hand—he instantly burst into tears. “Daddy… it hurts…” James turned at once when he saw the blood on Ethan's arm. He quickly pulled away from Emily and rushed to check on the boy. Emily scoffed bitterly and turned to leave. Realizing what she was doing, James's face darkened again. He shoved Ethan into Anna's arms and bolted after her, grabbing her shoulder. “Where are you going? Running back to your side guy?” Just picturing how she'd smiled at that man made him lose it. Emily's heart had long gone cold. She sneered, “Whatever you think.” “You slut!” James slapped her so hard she hit the ground, urn nearly flying from her hands. She scrambled to catch it, but he yanked her hair and dragged her backward. “You cheat on me, hurt my woman and my kid—and you think I'll let that slide?! Looks like you didn't learn your damn lesson!” His voice was ice-cold and sharp enough to cut. She screamed in pain as he pulled harder. “Let me go, James… please…” He dragged her straight through the shattered glass, slicing deeper into her skin with every inch. Sweating from the pain, she could barely breathe before he threw her onto the bed. “Ah—” Her vision blurred, but his grip clamped down on her jaw. “Now you feel pain?” His eyes were blazing like venomous snakes. Her clothes were torn apart, and without a second's pause, he forced himself into her.