Chapter 3

Matias stood at the stairway, holding an empty cup, a hint of cunning in his eyes.

"Dad said if you do something wrong, just apologize."

He tilted his head and smiled.

"Sorry."

I stood there, tea dripping down my cheeks, my face burning painfully.

The study door opened. Fiona came out, saw me, and frowned.

"What happened?"

Matias ran over and took her hand.

"I accidentally spilled the tea."

Fiona looked down at him and smiled.

"It's okay. I won't blame you."

She looked up at me, her tone indifferent.

"Go change your clothes. Don't catch cold."

I said nothing, turned and walked to the water dispenser, filled a cup with cold water, and walked in front of Matias.

The next second, I threw the entire cup of water in his face.

"Now that's fair."

Matias screamed and staggered backward, falling to the floor, bursting into tears.

"Are you insane?"

Fiona's expression changed instantly.

"William, how can you be so petty? Even targeting a child?"

Thiago also came over after hearing the commotion, crouched on the ground holding Matias, tears falling.

"William, if you're angry, come at me. Don't bully the child... Matias is still young and doesn't understand..."

"Enough!"

I shook off Fiona's hand and stepped back.

"Get out! All three of you, get out of my house!"

The living room went quiet for a moment.

Fiona stared at me, then suddenly smiled—a cold smile.

Soon, she turned and went upstairs, heading toward my son's room.

My heart skipped a beat.

By the time I rushed up, it was too late. Fiona had pulled Marcus from under the covers.

He was only wearing thin pajama pants, his face full of fear.

"What are you doing!" I was frantic.

"You want fairness, don't you?" She looked at me. "Matias got splashed, so Marcus should have a taste too."

With that, she dragged Marcus downstairs.

Thiago held Matias, his voice trembling.

"Fiona, don't do this... the child is so young..."

But Fiona paid no attention, pushing Marcus in front of Thiago and handing him a cup of boiling water.

"Splash it."

I rushed to catch up. "You dare!"

Thiago froze. Under Fiona's cold gaze, he bit his lip and took the cup.

Inside was freshly poured boiling water, steam rising.

"Fiona, I'm sorry... I really can't..."

As he spoke, his hand trembled and the entire cup of boiling water poured over Marcus's face.

"Ahhh—!"

Marcus's scream was like a knife, cutting into my heart piece by piece.

He covered his face, rolling on the ground.

"Marcus!"

I rushed over and held him. His whole body was shaking.

"Daddy... it hurts... Daddy..."

Fiona stood there with no expression on her face.

Thiago was crying beside her—whether from fear or acting, I couldn't tell.

"Fiona, you're not human!" I slapped her across the face.

She didn't dodge or fight back, just looked at me with cold eyes.

"When you're done hitting me, go to the hospital. Don't waste time here."

I rushed downstairs holding Marcus.

I couldn't get a cab, so I ran holding him.

Wind rushed into my ears. Marcus's crying grew weaker and weaker.

"I'm here, Marcus, don't be afraid. I'm here..."

I don't know how long I ran. My shoes fell off, the soles of my feet were scraped raw, blood prints on the asphalt road.

The emergency room lights were bright.

When I handed Marcus to the doctor, my legs went weak, my vision went black, and I knew nothing more.

When I woke up, my nose was filled with the smell of disinfectant.

I was lying in a hospital bed with a needle in my hand.

The nurse saw me wake up and breathed a sigh of relief.

"Your son is fine. You got him here in time. There won't be any scarring."

I closed my eyes.

The nurse paused.

"Did you have a car accident eight years ago? Your kidneys are having problems now. You need surgery immediately."

I opened my eyes, my heart shocked.

My old illness had flared up at this critical moment.