Chapter 4
590words
Every inch of me screamed in agony, as if my bones had shattered beneath my skin.
I don't know how long I lay there before finding the strength to move.
Night had fallen completely.
Cold wind cut through the kennel in waves, sending alternating chills and fever through my broken body. My throat felt like sandpaper.
With what little strength remained, I dragged myself up. Each movement tore at my wounds, cold sweat breaking out across my skin.
I crawled from the kennel toward the house. Once inside, the warmth gave me just enough strength to stand, to stagger toward the kitchen for water.
As I reached the living room, the front door swung open.
Victoria stepped in, elegantly dressed, makeup flawless, radiating glamour.
Her perfection stood in stark contrast to my battered, bloodied state—a princess and a beaten mutt.
She startled at the sight of me, then frowned. "Why are you inside?"
She dug through her designer bag, pulling out a tube of ointment. "Here. It's imported. Works well." Her tone was the same one you'd use with a stray.
I didn't move.
Alexander stormed in behind her, snatched the tube, and hurled it at my face with a sharp crack.
"Ungrateful piece of shit! Need another lesson, do you?"
He drew back his foot to kick me when Victoria caught his arm. "Enough, Alex. I'm exhausted. Let's go upstairs."
I stared at the ointment on the floor and smiled—a smile more agonizing than tears.
For two days, I lay in the basement.
Surviving on tepid water and the occasional stale roll Mrs. Wang tossed my way.
My body throbbed with pain, but it was nothing compared to the ice in my heart.
I drafted the divorce papers and signed my name.
Nathan called: "Are you ready?"
"Yes. Day after tomorrow."
After hanging up, I stared at the document. Black ink on white paper—the end of five years of hell.
Tomorrow was Lily's birthday party. Victoria had rented an entire hotel ballroom for the occasion.
This would be my final act before walking away.
No matter what Victoria had done, Lily was still my daughter. I didn't expect to take her with me—I just wanted to see her one last time, to wish her happy birthday.
…
The party was in full swing. Lily twirled in her princess dress, surrounded by laughing children.
She clutched Victoria's hand, proudly introducing her to friends: "This is my mom!"
Victoria was about to greet the other parents when a boy pointed at me lurking in the corner. "Is that your dad? The retard? Haha!"
His shrill voice cut through the chatter, plunging the room into sudden silence.
Every head swiveled toward me, faces showing shock, disgust, pity…
Victoria's smile vanished, replaced by cold fury. She shot me a venomous glare and nodded to the security guard.
Before the guard could move, Lily's face flushed crimson as she stepped forward.
She shoved the boy hard. "You're a liar! My daddy is NOT stupid!"
In that moment, a pathetic flicker of hope warmed my chest.
My daughter still had a place in her heart for me—her real father.
I stepped forward from the shadows, wanting to touch her hair, to tell her daddy wasn't stupid after all.
But when Lily saw me, she turned away sharply.
Pointing at Alexander who had just arrived, her voice rang out with fierce pride: "You're all stupid! Look! THIS is my dad! He's tall and handsome and WAY better than your dads!"
