Chapter 5

Watching her earnest expression, I found it strangely amusing.

Even though she didn't genuinely care for me, she would still be angry if she suspected me of cheating.

If I hadn't overheard her confession that day, I might have actually believed she held some genuine affection for me.

“These gifts belong to a friend of mine. I’m just holding onto them for now.”

My tone was casual; I didn’t care if they believed me or not. The cut on my arm was stinging, and I wanted to get the first aid kit to treat it. Just then, Seraphina suddenly grabbed my wrist.

Her grip was unlike her usual gentleness, her eyes dark in a way that felt alien to me. She swallowed, then, after a moment, pointed at the lady’s shawl on the floor, her voice hoarse: “What kind of woman leaves her shawl at a male friend’s house?”

Her grip tightened. When I struggled, I accidentally pulled on my wound, wincing sharply in pain.

Seraphina immediately released my hand, looking at me bewildered.

“...I barely used any force.”

Then, seeing the blood seeping from my arm, her heart skipped a beat. She frowned and asked, “You’re hurt? How could you get hurt at home on New Year’s Eve?”

Seraphina was simultaneously annoyed at my clumsiness and yet her fingers twitched, wanting to inspect my wound.

Before she could touch me, I raised my cold eyes to meet her gaze.

Seraphina’s raised hand froze mid-air.

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

After a long moment of silence, I walked to the downstairs bathroom and yanked the door open with a bang.

The chaotic mess inside immediately came into Seraphina’s view.

Mrs. and David Hayes also looked utterly shocked.

Seeing their reactions, I scoffed in disappointment. “Our house was broken into. I almost didn’t live to see another day, and all you’ve been doing is trying to catch me cheating, haven't you?”

Mrs. and David Hayes exchanged glances, then fell silent.

Seraphina sighed softly and walked towards me, her voice filled with guilt.

“I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have left you alone at home.”

These words were better left unsaid until I was dead.

My heart was completely unmoved. I coldly looked at Caleb.

“I’m actually quite curious. Security in this upscale neighborhood is famously strict. Why would that woman risk breaking in on New Year’s Eve to steal something? Did she know in advance that I’d be the only one home tonight?”

At my words, Caleb’s eyes flickered for a moment. He feigned composure. “Maybe she’d noticed you before, scouting out the area. Or maybe you already knew her, who knows…”

I snorted, then nodded. “Alright. Since this woman is so dangerous, let’s file a police report then.”

“Don’t file a report!”

Caleb suddenly raised his voice.

My unusual behavior made everyone look at me.

Mrs. and David Hayes seemed to realize something, their faces turning pale. As Caleb was on the verge of tears, Mrs. Hayes lovingly wiped his tears, then turned to me, half-coaxing, half-scolding: “The person’s already caught, what’s the point of filing a report? Do you think it’s glorious to blow things out of proportion? Asher, just let it go. Don’t be so petty.”

I had always thought my parents simply hadn't seen Caleb’s true colors, which was why they always favored him.

So, I had tried to tear off Caleb's mask for them to see.

Who would have thought that even with their biological son almost having his reputation ruined, they would still choose to side with the instigator?

Why?

My head felt a tearing pain. I stared at them, my gaze filled with countless invisible blades, severing the last vestiges of my attachment to the Hayes family.

A slender hand wrapped around my shoulder, and Seraphina’s voice whispered in my ear: “Asher, it’s good that you’re alright. I’ll handle everything with the police station. You won’t be in danger again, okay?”

She was also afraid that if I filed a report, it would eventually implicate Caleb!

My heart ached even more. I turned to push Seraphina away, but then someone bumped hard into my lower back. I fell heavily to the ground, a piercing pain shooting through my spine, though it was nothing compared to Daisy’s crying words.

“Bad Dad! You’re bullying Uncle Caleb, you made him cry!”

“Die, you bad Dad!”

Daisy was held back by Seraphina, but she still struggled, kicking at me with her legs.

In that moment, the world around me slowed. My eyes saw only Daisy and Seraphina, and in my ears, that one phrase echoed repeatedly.

“Die, you bad Dad!”

Suddenly, tears streamed down my face.

Something inside me swelled rapidly. My heart could barely pump oxygen, and the suffocating feeling grew stronger. After a few seconds, I couldn't hold on any longer, and my vision went black as I passed out.

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