Chapter 5

For the next few days, I went to the Nightshade Club on time every day. Unlike the first day, although the men still plied me with drinks, no one dared to touch me inappropriately anymore.

Occasionally, I’d get a small tip, but what I could actually keep was a tiny fraction. With so little money, there was no way I could cover my father’s surgery costs.

Just then, the Blackwood family hosted a grand charity gala.

As Adrian’s wife, I naturally had to attend. Adrian personally took me for styling, full gown and makeup. I was transformed, radiant, becoming the center of attention that evening.

Until Julian walked into the ballroom, holding Sophia’s hand.

Leo instinctively hid behind me the moment he saw them.

But they walked steadily towards Adrian and me. Adrian’s face darkened. “What are you doing here?”

Julian smiled, looking at me. “Of course, I’ve come to deliver a grand gift to Mr. Blackwood.”

My face instantly went pale.

He snapped his fingers, and countless photos rained down from the air. In them, I was wearing revealing outfits, entertaining men at the Nightshade Club, sitting with different strangers.

My first instinct was to bend down and shield Leo tightly in my arms.

The ballroom instantly erupted in an uproar.

Mrs. Blackwood rushed forward, her hands trembling, and slapped me hard across the face. My ears rang.

“You shameless woman! How dare you do such a thing behind Adrian’s back!” Still not satisfied, she started pulling my hair and clothes. “You eat our food, use our money, and still dare to betray my son. I’ll rip you apart today!”

I was instantly in a disheveled mess.

Adrian’s chest heaved violently. He didn’t look at me again, turning his wheelchair and leaving the venue directly.

The Blackwood relatives also crowded around. Some pulled Mrs. Blackwood, urging her to calm down, while others sneered and took the opportunity to humiliate me.

My gown was torn, my makeup long since ruined. I just desperately shielded Leo, watching Julian outside the crowd, my vision blurring. The boy who once loved and protected me was long gone.

Julian watched my pathetic state, his eyes growing even darker. He didn't feel the satisfaction he’d expected.

Sophia, seeing this, quickly came over, supporting Leo and me.

She leaned close to me, chuckling softly. “How glamorous you were when you married into the Blackwood family! Now you’re so utterly broken, it’s all your own doing.”

I squeezed her arm tightly. The next second, I completely lost consciousness.

When I woke up, I was in the hospital.

Julian was talking to the doctor outside the room.

“What did the doctor say?” he asked.

The doctor told Sophia that I had a cerebral aneurysm and needed surgery as soon as possible, or my life would be in danger at any moment.

But Sophia didn’t tell him the truth.

She clutched Julian’s arm, looking fragile. “It’s nothing serious.”

“Julian, you’re not feeling soft for her, are you?”

Julian’s face hardened. “No. I just don’t want her to die so easily. That would be too good for her.”

I had just reached the door and heard his words. My heart, which I thought had become numb, still ached.

He noticed me and turned around. Seeing my body covered in bruises, his eyes darkened slightly. “If you’re not dead, then get your ass to the Nightshade Club for work tomorrow.”

Sophia walked away triumphantly, her arm linked with his.

Leo rushed into my arms, crying, “Mommy, what happened to you? I’m so scared.”

“Shh, it’s okay, Mommy’s fine.” My eyes were red, and I hugged him tight.

I didn’t have extra money and couldn't stay long at the hospital. The next morning, I took Leo back to the Blackwood house, only to see our luggage already dumped at the doorstep.

Mrs. Blackwood stood in front of the door, arms crossed, staring at us coldly. “You actually have the nerve to come back? Go file for divorce from Adrian right now. You’ve done such things, you’ve utterly disgraced our Blackwood family. Get out immediately!”

A black sedan pulled up beside us, and the driver quickly loaded our luggage into the trunk.

I looked at the scene before me, a tired smile on my face, and turned to get into the car with Leo.

On the divorce papers, I left with nothing, only asking for custody of my child. So, everything went smoothly at the courthouse.

From start to finish, Adrian didn’t say a single word to me.

My son and I stood by the street with our luggage. Leo held my hand. “Mommy, is Daddy leaving us?”

I looked at his innocent face, gently stroking his cheek. “Daddy, he…”

Leo hugged me tight. “Don’t cry, Mommy. Daddy doesn’t like me anyway. I only need you.”

We found a small motel to stay in. I opened a hidden compartment in my suitcase and took out a diamond necklace.

It was Julian’s coming-of-age gift to me, and our token of love.

I still remembered that day, he looked at me, his eyes incredibly sincere. “Chloe, my heart for you is like this diamond, it will never change.”

But now, that promise was utterly worthless.

Though I was all alone, for Leo’s sake, I had to survive.