Chapter 3

For a moment, the world spun around me, my head buzzing, and my body felt like dead weight, collapsing onto the police station chair.

Mrs. Carter, seeing my state, couldn't bear it and pulled me into her embrace. Finally, Mr. Carter spoke.

"Chloe, it's our fault. Our family failed to raise Ethan properly."

I covered my face with my hands, large tears rolling down my cheeks, and I sobbed, gut-wrenching cries tearing from my throat.

Fifteen years ago, my parents died, leaving behind a vast inheritance. My relatives swarmed me, like vultures circling prey.

At that time, Ethan and I were practically childhood sweethearts. Mr. and Mrs. Carter stepped in, helping me secure my parents' legacy.

The day Mr. and Mrs. Carter brought me home, Ethan held my hand, his eyes filled with love and a firm determination to protect me.

He had promised then that he would be good to me forever, that he would always protect me.

But after our son was born, he grew increasingly distant and busy. Until I saw him, the man who claimed to be in a meeting, with his arm around Madison Miller, splurging cash at the mall.

I screamed, demanding to know why he was doing this to me, but he just shoved me away in disgust, looking down on me with contempt.

"Enough. Look at yourself. You don't hold a candle to Madison."

In that moment, I suddenly understood that all the love we once shared had vanished like smoke.

Yet, a sliver of hope lingered in my heart. I quietly stayed home, caring for our child, managing Ethan's life, hoping that one day he would change his mind.

But this time, for Madison Miller, he actually laid hands on his own child.

Mr. Carter lowered his head, his face etched with sorrow, his voice choked.

"Our child was killed by him. How could our family produce such an animal?"

"Tomorrow, after Liam's cremation, if you wish to leave, take his ashes with you. Our family has wronged you greatly."

I struggled to my feet, bowing deeply to Mr. and Mrs. Carter.

"Thank you for your help all those years ago. I'm taking Liam and leaving this place. I won't be coming back. Please take good care of yourselves."