Chapter 3
787 Words
When Lily became more and more worked up, Jason finally spoke, "All right, both of you, stop arguing. The nurse will complain again. Clara... Clara, just hold it for a moment. It is only a quick wipe down. It will be over soon."
I looked up in disbelief and met his pleading eyes.
He knew I always softened when someone pleaded with me, so he used this trick every time he made me angry.
This time, almost against my own will, I compromised again.
The moment I took the basin, Lily grabbed the kettle and poured all the water into it.
"More hot water. Otherwise, he might catch a chill later, and I would feel terrible."
As she spoke, she took off Jason's shirt and even raised her brows at him.
Jason lowered his head and pressed his lips together. The muscles in his chest tightened slightly.
I frowned and was about to speak.
Suddenly, Lily reached under the basin and lifted it hard.
Scalding water poured all over me. The exposed skin on my body quickly turned red and swollen.
"What are you doing? Do you know this is illegal?"
I trembled with anger. It was obvious she had done it on purpose.
"Why are you shouting? Do I look like someone you can scare? You were clearly the one who didn't hold it steady, and you still have the nerve to blame someone else?"
Lily looked completely unconcerned and made sarcastic comments while rolling her eyes.
"Clara, I know you are upset, but you can't just make accusations like that. Lily is not that kind of person. You must have seen it wrong."
I stared at Jason in disbelief.
I was burned like this, yet he didn't even glance at me. All he cared about was keeping the peace.
The look he gave me even carried blame, as if I was the one making trouble.
I could not bear it anymore and took out my phone.
"Fine. Then I'll call the police."
Smack.
The next second, Jason slapped my hand hard.
My phone flew out and hit the floor with a heavy c***k.
The area around the hairline fracture on the back of my hand instantly swelled. The pain was so sharp that tears fell before I could stop them.
Jason let out a breath of relief, then turned to coax Lily. His voice was full of gentleness and flattery.
"Lily, go back for now. I'll handle this."
Lily glared at me and slipped away guiltily.
Only then did Jason take my hand and examine it carefully.
"Clara, does it hurt? It is my fault. I hit too hard just now."
His tone and expression were both familiar to me, but now, looking at him, I only felt that he was a stranger.
I closed my eyes, then pulled my hand back.
"Jason Cole, I don't want to keep living like this. I know you love money. I can make money myself too. Really, I can endure anything. I just want us to live an ordinary, stable life. Is that so hard?"
Tears kept falling. I looked at him helplessly.
The gentleness on Jason's face vanished in an instant. A cruelty I had never seen before appeared in his eyes.
"Make money yourself? Do you think it is that easy? In this society, without connections, anyone can step on you. You say I love money? When your mother was sick, didn't I give you all my savings without hesitation? I am not asking you to help me, but can you please stop holding me back? Do you know how hard it is for me to fight my way up out there alone?"
I fell silent.
That year, my mother had been diagnosed with cancer. She needed a new treatment device.
Each session cost several thousand dollars. I could not afford it at all.
When I was completely desperate, Jason rushed back from another city.
He took care of everything. He discussed the treatment plan with the doctors, paid the bills, and comforted me through it all.
I owed him for that.
When Jason saw that I said nothing, his tone softened.
"I am doing this for our future. Lily still thinks I am single. There is a signed divorce agreement in the bedroom safe. Go home and sign your name. Don't worry. To make you feel secure, I will leave with nothing."
He gently put an arm around my shoulders and coaxed me in a soft voice.
"Once I get access to her resources, we will remarry immediately. Clara, just bear with it for a while. I will make sure you live a good life. Trust me."
I gritted my teeth and said nothing more.
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