The Day I Died, My Husband Went Crazy

Chapter 2 Leaving Without Looking Back

Dolly clutched Vivian's hand, her small face filled with panic. "Mom, did the bad guy bully you again?" she asked.

Vivian's chest twisted with pain as she met her daughter's anxious gaze.

As a husband and as a father, he had failed completely. Throughout Dolly's childhood, the role of a father had never included him.

Vivian drew a slow breath and crouched down, gently pinching Dolly's soft cheek. "Mom will take you away from here. All right?"

The man's cold, cruel words flashed through her mind. He had said in front of everyone that Dolly was a bastard.

He knew exactly how much influence his words carried in Seaport City. He also knew what that kind of talk would do to a child.

Hating her was not enough. He did not even care about a daughter who shared his blood. That heartless, mocking cruelty shattered the last of her ten years of endurance.

Dolly froze for a moment, then carefully wrapped her arms around Vivian. "Dolly doesn't want a bad dad either," she said softly.

Vivian's eyes fell on Dolly's pale, slender arm. The burn scar left behind was twisted and ugly. It had happened before Dolly was even one year old, when a knocked-over cup of hot water had splashed onto her.

That night, Julian had come home drunk, grabbed Vivian's arm, and demanded to know why she had forced Sandra Sterling away.

"If you weren't so desperate and shameless, how would that bastard exist? Sandy left. She will never come back. I will make you suffer a hundred times, a thousand times more than I did."

He had roared those words, reeking of alcohol, his breath spraying against Vivian's face and making her tremble with fear.

"You're drunk. Drink some water," she said. Vivian had instinctively tried to change the subject, forcing down her panic as she handed him the boiled water.

"You really are shameless." His eyes were bloodshot, hatred completely undisguised, as his fingers slowly closed around Vivian's fragile throat.

Dolly had been frightened by the shouting in the living room and burst into tears. Julian snapped. He grabbed the hot water from the table and strode toward the child.

"Stop!" Vivian's legs went weak. She was too late to stop him as he poured the hot water over Dolly.

"A bastard born from a cheap woman." He laughed cruelly, openly savoring the sight of Vivian breaking down.

Vivian pulled Dolly into her arms and dropped to her knees, begging the man who had snatched away her phone.

"It's my fault. I was reckless and ruined everything. Please… Dolly is still little. Take her to the hospital." Her whole body shook as she slapped herself again and again.

As long as Julian was no longer angry, she was willing to risk her life.

Dolly was still so small and fragile, and it hurt her deeply. She hated herself for waking up so late, and she hated herself for boiling that pot of water that day.

"Mom, don't cry." Chubby little hands clumsily wiped away her tears, patting her back again and again. "Don't cry. Dolly will always stay with Mom."

Vivian steadied her breathing and stroked Dolly's hair. "Dolly will go stay with Grandma for now. Mom will come get you soon. All right?"

She still needed time to erase every trace of herself. From this day on, she would have nothing to do with that scum ever again.

There were not many belongings in the rental. She quickly sold the properties under her name at prices below market value.

Once the funds were transferred, Julian called. "The next company is pressing for payment. When are you sending the money?" His tone was lofty, as if he were handing out charity.

Vivian's heart clenched faintly. She buried the hatred deep inside. "Soon."

There was a brief silence on the line. In the end, he could not hold back. "You already sold the houses. What are you keeping the money for?"

Vivian let out a quiet sigh, her voice tinged with weariness. "Julian, in these ten years, what have Dolly and I ever been to you?"

Julian gave a cold laugh. "Vivian, know your place."

The call ended. Vivian sat in silence on the sofa in the rental.

The visa to leave the country would still take time. For now, she had no choice but to continue playing along with Julian. It was revolting. She raised a hand to her chest, the tightness making it hard to breathe.