My Husband Faked Our Marriage So I Destroyed His Empire Chapter 04
When Adrian saw Chloe cry, he instinctively stepped in front of her.
When he looked back at me, his eyes were full of reproach.
“Evie, we’re family. Why can’t you let things go?”
“Do you have to speak to your sister like that?”
My father walked over as well. He did not even look at me.
“Evie, apologize to your sister.”
“Everyone is watching. Don’t embarrass the Shaw family.”
I did not apologize.
I did not speak.
I simply picked up my bag and walked toward the door.
“Evelyn Shaw, where do you think you’re going?” my father roared behind me.
I ignored him.
Playing innocent. Smearing my name.
That trick had worked on eighteen-year-old Evelyn, because back then, I still cared about my dignity.
Now, I did not care.
I only wanted to leave.
Just as I reached the door, Chloe blocked my way.
“Leaving so soon, little sister? Aren’t you going to visit the ancestral hall? Haven’t you always thought you took your mother’s memorial tablet and ashes with you?”
My whole body stiffened.
Chloe lowered her voice, venomous and soft.
“The ashes you took from the Shaw family weren’t your mother’s at all.”
“Not long after she died, I had her real ashes scattered into the river.”
“You’ve been crying over a few cans of powdered milk all these years.”
I shook with rage.
“Shut up. Don’t you dare insult my mother.”
“I’m only telling the truth.” Her smile widened. “Here’s another secret. Adrian loves me. The child in my belly is his.”
“Your mother was a mistress, and you’re a mistress’s daughter. You and your mother were born to be stepped on by us.”
Rage burned through me. I lost control and raised my hand to slap her.
Chloe grabbed my wrist first and deliberately slammed herself into me.
Then she let out a piercing scream, threw herself backward, and dragged me down the steps with her.
“My stomach! Adrian, save me!”
The commotion was too loud.
Two people rushed over at once.
My father.
And Adrian.
They ran to us, but neither of them even glanced at me, though I lay on the floor with my arm scraped bloody and my leg throbbing with pain.
Both of them threw themselves toward Chloe, their voices shaking.
“Chloe! Are you okay?”
“Sweetheart, don’t be afraid. Dad’s here. The doctor is coming.”
My father supported Chloe, his face full of panic and heartache.
Adrian took off his jacket and covered her, bending over to shield her, his face tight with near-hysteria.
No one looked at me.
No one asked if I was hurt.
I pushed myself slowly to my feet. Pain drilled through my right leg. Blood had soaked through the hem of my dress.
I did not cry. I did not scream.
I limped toward the door alone.
Adrian helped Chloe up. As he turned, his gaze brushed over my pale face and bleeding leg. For half a second, his steps stalled and his brow twitched.
My father saw it too. His throat moved, hesitation flickering across his face.
Then Chloe whimpered weakly and clutched Adrian’s sleeve.
“Adrian, it hurts… my stomach hurts…”
“Dad, I can’t breathe…”
That half second of concern vanished instantly.
Adrian pressed his lips together and still turned away, helping Chloe leave as quickly as possible.
My father followed right behind him, never once looking back at me.
I looked up and saw Lydia standing at the top of the stairs, her voice full of contempt.
“Looks like you’re even more useless than your mother.”
I clenched my palm so hard my nails dug into my skin.
The sharp pain cleared my head completely.
Only after their car disappeared from sight did I brace myself against the wall and slowly make my way out of the Shaw estate.
I hailed a taxi.
“Take me to this address,” I said calmly. “I’m going home.”
The driver saw my blood-soaked leg in the rearview mirror and startled.
“You’re badly hurt. I should take you straight to the hospital.”
His eyes were full of concern.
“Where’s your family? Why isn’t anyone with you?”
I shook my head.
“They’re busy.”
“Please take me home. I can handle it.”
In the enclosed taxi, I heard him sigh quietly.
A stranger cared more about me than my husband and father did.
But it no longer mattered.
I checked the time.
Three hours until the private jet Grandpa had sent would land.