Chapter 3

Sure enough, seeing his pitiful state, my father stepped forward and slapped me.

"Don't you dare put on such a disgusting act here."

"Do you think putting on this pathetic show will make us feel sorry for you, or make Ashley come back to you? Don't dream about it!"

My mother, Mrs. Miller, quickly comforted Caleb, then said to me coldly,

"Alright, someone's already found you. If you don't come back with us now, the outside world will start saying we mistreated you, and it wouldn't be good if those busybodies figured out what happened back then."

"Come back with us now!"

Seeing that I didn't move, my father interpreted it as a challenge to his authority.

He angrily kicked me, hitting my unhealed wound square on.

Blood seeped through, and my father's hand, which was raised to hit me again, froze in mid-air.

After a moment, he slowly lowered his hand.

My mother's voice also took on a hint of worry.

"What are those injuries on your body?"

I gritted my teeth, my body still trembling slightly from the intense pain.

Caleb, seeing this, a flicker of panic crossed his face.

"Dad, Mom, Leo must be so angry he's hurting himself, like they do on TV."

He said, wiping away tears as he walked up to me.

"Leo, please don't make Dad and Mom worry. Don't be so careless with yourself."

He sounded sincere, but then he leaned close to my ear and whispered,

"Why didn't those people just beat you to death? So useless!"

After that, he feigned concern, giving me a few more insincere warnings.

My parents clearly believed Caleb's words again, and my father scoffed,

"If he wants to harm himself, let him. Caleb, don't be too kind. Let's go, ignore him!"

With that, they turned and left with Caleb.

They didn't see the triumphant smirk Caleb shot me as he looked back.

After they left, I closed the door, retrieved the first aid kit, and, enduring the pain, changed my bandages.

Just as I finished, Mike knocked and came in.

He rubbed his hands, his face full of difficulty.

"Sigh..."

He paused for a long time, as if choosing his words carefully, then finally spoke again.

"It's not that I don't want you to stay, it's just... sigh, those people from the city came to talk to me. My kids are still young, and I just can't risk it..."

At that point, what more was there for me to understand?

I didn't blame him. I knew he had done his best.

I thanked him again, and to avoid burdening him, I moved out that very night.

As soon as I left, Ashley arrived with a moving company.

Seeing her, my suspicions were confirmed. I frowned and spoke.

"Ashley, what's the point of this? Why threaten innocent people?"

Ashley's eyes darted away, glancing at Mike's house, then she said,

"Leo, I don't want to either. You're forcing my hand."

"Just come back with me. I'll help you get out of this mess. What's so hard about that?"

I didn't answer. The atmosphere became instantly oppressive. From that small town to the city, we drove in silence.

When we arrived, it was a small apartment, and my parents were already waiting for me on the sofa.

Seeing them, I instinctively wanted to leave, but Ashley slammed the door shut.

My father spoke first.

"Where are you going? Haven't you disgraced us enough?"

My mother scoffed.

"For a murderer like you, it's a blessing we're even giving you a place to hide."

"I know you're upset about Ashley marrying Caleb, but look at yourself. Do you think someone with a criminal record like you deserves Ashley? Until the wedding, you'll stay here. You must report to us before going out and wear a mask!"

My parents' words almost made me laugh out loud.

"Dad, Mom, me? A murderer? A disgrace?"

"About what happened back then, you yourselves know..."