Chapter 5

Dad came home at 9 p.m., and of course, Denise was with him.

The sight of Mom lying on the floor, her face pale and lifeless, only caused him to frown slightly as he said, "Now you know what pain feels like, huh? Do you even remember when you sent those fake documents to Denise's company, accusing her of plagiarizing a famous designer? You got her fired. Do you know how much that hurt her?"

"Did you know Denise's depression worsened because of you? She almost jumped off a building!"

His tone turned condescending. "So what if you've been suspended? It's no big deal. Maybe it's even better that you're not a doctor anymore. Now you'll have time to stay home and take care of Mary. You were always too busy with your job and never cared for her properly. If she weren't so mature, she would have abandoned a mother like you long ago."

Hearing Dad use me to torment Mom, my anger exploded. Hatred surged through me, overwhelming every thought. I couldn't take it anymore.

I rushed at him, furious, shouting, "Get out! Get out of our house! I don't want a father like you! You can't keep hurting Mom! I won't let you!"

I tried to push him, claw at his face, but it was useless. No matter how hard I fought, he didn't feel a thing.

He looked at Mom's increasingly pale face with disdain, and then, with a sneer, he said, "Alright, stop crying. Here's what you need to do: apologize to Denise, go with us to her company, and tell them you Photoshopped those images to frame her. Do that, and I'll forgive you. We can go back to living like we used to."

He continued, "You're just too selfish, always making a fuss over nothing. I'm trying to help you. You need to learn how to be a better person."

Before his words could fully settle, Denise chimed in.

"Ethan, don't say that about Nicole. She's just used to being treated like a princess. After all, with her degree and her job as a doctor, she probably thinks the whole world should worship her."

Denise's voice took on a cruel edge. "But she doesn't understand—people as wicked as she is always meet the worst ends."

Their words were like daggers, cutting deeper into Mom's fragile heart. I was terrified, afraid she might break under the pressure.

Desperate, I rushed to Mom, wrapping my arms tightly around her as she slowly rose to her feet.

"Mom, please... please calm down. Let's just ignore these two. They're garbage. They're not worth it," I begged. "Mom, I'm begging you, don't do anything reckless."

My heart raced, my desperation rising like a tide I couldn't hold back. But then, to my shock, Mom let out a bitter laugh.

Without warning, she lunged at Denise, grabbing her hair in a vicious grip. Mom's voice was like ice as she snarled, "Denise, if I'm so evil, then let's go to hell together."

Before anyone else could react, Mom pulled a syringe from her pocket and aimed the needle at Denise's neck.

"Denise, you wretched woman," Mom spat, her eyes blazing. "Mary would love nothing more than to watch you pay for your sins with your life."