Chapter 2

Every time my hands struck the iron door, a layer of skin peeled off.

Blood beads sizzled out, and my throat felt like it was on fire.

But I still clung to what little strength I had left, constantly begging for help.

"Dad really died in prison!"

"He's already been tortured to death by you! Are you going to force me to death today too?"

Tears streamed down my face uncontrollably.

Extreme dehydration made my throat so hoarse it was bleeding.

Mom ignored me, just nodding angrily.

She gritted her teeth and yelled at Dad's chat window.

"Fine! Real nice, Xavier!"

"Look what you've taught our child! Making him lie and say you're dead, and now teaching him to say such unlucky things about himself!"

She threw her phone down in frustration.

Hearing my constant cries for help only made her angrier. She yelled at me impatiently.

"Stop pretending! The heating system in there is broken! The temperature can't even be adjusted—you learned this act from your father!"

"I'm only doing this to force your dad out!"

In her rage, Mom's whole face turned purple.

At that moment, Ethan Shaw timidly stepped forward and patted her back to calm her down.

"Vanessa, forget it. Don't make Xavier go to prison for me. He must still resent me from last time. I don't want to come between you."

Mom's anger immediately dissipated. She turned and gently patted his back, soothing him.

"It's not your fault. Xavier has a dirty mind and is suspicious of our relationship."

"You're different from Xavier. He's already been in once, so going through more hardship won't matter."

"Besides, I've already made arrangements at the prison. He's living quite comfortably in there."

Nearly every inch of my skin was burned, and breathing became more and more difficult.

But after hearing Mom's words, I laughed coldly, laughing until tears fell.

Making arrangements meant having people beat Dad to death?

When I went to collect the body, Dad's entire body was covered in fresh wounds mixed with old scars and blood. Several of his bones had been pulled out.

He couldn't even... close his eyes!

He died with his eyes open, and even after death, Mom still insulted him!

Thinking of Dad, my sobbing grew louder uncontrollably.

Mom clicked her tongue impatiently.

"It's all my fault for spoiling them both."

"Xavier's sulking and won't show up, and Connor's fighting with me too. The sauna room is just a bit dark, that's all. No need to be so dramatic and cry."

I froze in place again.

She said... she spoiled us?

Spoiling us meant making Dad go to prison for her first love?

Spoiling us meant leaving me alone in the villa without checking on me for three years?

During those three years, she seemed to have forgotten she had a son. She didn't send money and couldn't be reached.

My tuition and living expenses all came from going to class during the day and delivering food at night.

I counted down the days on my fingers.

I kept telling myself that once Dad got out of prison, once I got into college, everything would be better.

But what I waited for was the news of Dad being beaten to death.

What I waited for was Mom willing to sacrifice her own son's life for her first love again!