Chapter 4

Ethan's face was turning red from being choked, and Sophie shrieked in panic. “Daddy, it hurts... am I gonna die?” Ethan sobbed. In a flash, James rushed forward, yanked Ethan out of her arms, and without hesitation, kicked Emily hard. She hit the ground, the bandage over her stomach instantly stained with blood. Seeing James's frantic expression, Emily let out a laugh, tears welling up as her lips curled mockingly. “You crazy—how dare you hurt my son!” Sophie lunged at her, scratching like mad, but James pulled her away. His eyes were cold, unreadable. “Take Ethan to the hospital first. We'll deal with her when I get back.” The three of them rushed out, leaving Emily lying there in a pool of blood, laughing and crying at the same time. Dragging her battered body up, she knelt on the steps and started collecting Oliver Anderson's ashes one tiny bit at a time. Blood trickled down the stairs, thick and heavy. Her vision blurred as consciousness slowly slipped away. When she came to again, blinding white walls pierced her eyes, and the sharp smell of antiseptic flooded her senses. “Emily! You're finally awake!” The voice was clear, gentle—exactly how she remembered it. She turned her head. That familiar face was full of worry. Daniel? What was he doing here? “You're back?” she asked, forcing a weak smile. Daniel Ellis had grown up with her. He'd moved abroad five years ago and hadn't returned since. “Yeah. Landed yesterday afternoon,” he replied, but his eyes were tight with suppressed anger. “I went to your place to see you, and found you passed out, covered in blood. What the hell happened?” Emily's expression shifted, and she gripped Daniel's hand. “You brought me here? Did you... did you see Oliver's urn? Where is it?” Daniel stiffened as he held her back gently. “Wait... what did you say? That was...” He couldn't finish. Seeing the devastation in Emily's eyes, his anger blazed. “Where the hell was James? That's how he looks after his family?” Emily shut her eyes, silent as tears slipped into her hair. Daniel sighed, brushing her tears away softly. “Don't cry. From now on, you've got me.”Emily was clearly holding on by a thread. Not long after, she finally passed out from exhaustion. Daniel gently pulled the blanket over her, his hand pausing on her cheek for a second before letting out a quiet sigh and walking out of the room. Before long, the door, which hadn't fully closed, creaked open again. Even in her sleep, Emily somehow sensed something was off. She stirred, half awake, eyes meeting a pair of cold, furious ones. James stood there, face dark and tense, rage practically sparking from his eyes. Emily instinctively scooted back under the covers, but he yanked them away in one harsh motion. His hand shot out, gripping her neck, voice low and menacing. "Hooking up with your side guy in a damn hospital? Real classy, Emily." "Side guy"? "Hooking up"? After three years of dating and five years of marriage, that's all he thought of her? Her chest tightened, the bitterness rising. “We didn't do anything. Daniel and I are clean. You don't get to insult us like that.” “Clean? Were you holding hands just for fun, then?” He sneered, jerking her wrist harshly. “Don't forget your place — you're a married woman. Start acting like it!” "A married woman?" Emily let out an empty, tired laugh. “Thanks for the reminder. Almost forgot.” James's jaw clenched, a vein twitching on his temple. Without warning, he dragged her out of bed and toward the bathroom. “What the hell are you doing?!” Emily panicked, struggling, but he just shoved her into the bathroom. “Wherever he touched you — scrub it off.” Cold water splashed against her skin like knives. She twisted, trying to get free, but there was no escape. “You dare mess around again, I swear I'll break your damn legs.” Emily trembled, voice cracking, “Why do you always act like I'm filthy…” “You screw around with Sophie all the time — and I'm not even allowed to talk to anyone else?!” James froze, a horrible image suddenly flashing through his mind — Emily in another man's arms. He shoved her against the sink so viciously her whole body jolted, pain shooting through her waist. His face was inches from hers now, eyes dark and unreadable. “Oh really? So now you're fantasizing about sleeping with other men?” “What are you trying to do?!” Her voice shook. She pushed him, desperate to get away. But James caught her without effort, lifting her back up and pinning her against the cold counter. “My wife's this damn thirsty? Guess it's my job to help.” The tear echoed loud — her hospital gown ripped straight down the middle, her pale skin suddenly fully exposed. And just then, the bathroom door burst open…