Before Grace could reply, Melanie sat on the sofa’s armrest and put an arm around her. “My dad is visiting his younger brother, so we decided to stay with you.” What? Did she just say that they were also moving in?Melanie gave me a smug look. "You see, we don’t get to spend much time with Chloe."I restrained my rage and acted aloof. “Gee, that’s so thoughtful of you.” My dad stared at my face silently. My mother seemed to sense that the mood was off. She tried to lighten it up, saying, “Mel, you’re looking prettier by the day. Are you seeing anyone?”Melanie announced shamelessly, “Yes, and we’re finally getting married after many years.”I wanted to rip her tongue out. “That’s wonderful news! Don’t forget to invite us to your wedding.” My mom smiled warmly. “You’ll be the first on my list!” Melanie looked at me as she chuckled tauntingly. Gritting my teeth, I silently swore at the bitch."We would’ve married sooner if my boyfriend's ex-wife hadn’t been such a pain,"

I looked at him baffled.“Wasn't the divorce trial scheduled for today? Why wasn't there a hearing today? Why’d you cancel it?” He stared at me impassively, but his tone showed displeasure. Had he gone to the courthouse? No one knew we had postponed the trial. The only logical explanation was that he had been there.“Something came up, so I had to reschedule it at the last minute,” I explained. “Are you having second thoughts again?” His face grew stern. "How could you even consider it after what he’s done?"I was much calmer than he was. I took a few sips of my glass of lemonade and said, "I might not be able to get a divorce anytime soon." He fixed his eyes on my face. “Why not?” “There’s nothing I can do. Matthew is using my parents to blackmail me,” I said helplessly. “I didn’t expect him to stoop so low.”"Do you plan to let him manipulate you forever?" “My hands are tied, okay? My father just had a stroke. I'd rather be humiliated than risk upsetting him." We fell

I knew she was up to no good, likely trying to provoke me. I chose not to react and started the car.She looked at me and asked, “What’s the matter, Chloe? Are you upset?” “What do you think? I feel like throwing up when I see you,” I said plainly. “I feel the same about you!” She glared at me. “Listen carefully. You better move out of the apartment, or you’ll regret it.”I didn’t even glance in her direction. “Dream on! Don’t forget what happened to Henry. I can send you to jail, too, since I have proof of everything." She lost her composure. "Don't push it, Chloe!""You’re the ones pushing it! How dare you come to my house? Do you think I'm scared of you?" I looked straight at her. "You're a slut like your real mom!"Then I added with a snort, “Are you even good enough to stay in that apartment?” “Chloe, don’t forget what I can do to your parents and Ava!” she said maliciously. I stiffened, knowing well that my family was my weakness. She and Matthew would stop at nothi

I raised an eyebrow at Melanie, then led my family into Snow World. I even acted lovey-dovey with Matthew. Melanie was furious, but she dared not react.After visiting the Underwater World, I let Ava take part in the lucky draw. “Surprisingly," she won a prize—a free trip to Celestis Island for three.I had always wanted to visit a tropical island, and my parents shared my enthusiasm. Then I went to the organizer to learn more about the itinerary. We discussed the trip plans at home, and Matthew encouraged me to go with my parents.He said, “Have fun, okay? I’ll pay for all the additional expenses. Stay there for a few more days if you want."I eagerly planned the trip and got an extra ticket for Ava. Then, based on Atlas’s plan, I got Adrian to set a date for the divorce trial. Once we were on the island, I would make an excuse to return for the hearing. The night before our departure, I had packed everything and was talking to my parents in the guest room. Ava ran over to me

I looked at Matthew. "If you still have a conscience, take her away before something happens to my dad!"Matthew looked at my dad and saw that his face was pale. He instinctively put his hand on Melanie's shoulder. “Cut it out, okay?”Melanie, eager to cause trouble, didn’t care. "Stop playing the victim. Give us back everything that’s ours! Matt bought the house for me, and you fucking stole it. Have you no shame?” She smirked as I helped my dad, who looked weak. Grace looked distressed and somewhat flustered. “Mom, take Dad back to your room,” I said with concern.However, my dad composed himself and held my hand. “Don’t worry, I’m stronger than you think.”He glared at Matthew and said, "I trusted you with my daughter's happiness and helped you with your career. I don’t care how you treat me or my wife, but is this how you treat my daughter?"Matthew guiltily averted his eyes. "It's okay if you don't love her anymore," my dad continued. "But she's the mother of your chi

"Dad?" I cried out in panic, with tears streaming down my face. "Dad!"My desperate cry made everyone present feel suffocated, including Matthew, who quickly called an ambulance.The apartment echoed with mine, my mom’s, and Ava’s worried cries. Ivanna arrived simultaneously with the ambulance. She knew what had happened at a glance.I entrusted my mom and daughter to her while I followed the ambulance to the hospital. Inside, the medical staff worked to provide emergency treatment for my dad. Though trembling, I found my phone and called Atlas.I pleaded, "Please, find a doctor for my dad.""Which hospital are you in?" Atlas asked directly."Foswood General Hospital!”"Got it!" He hung up, and I hoped my dad would pull through.After arriving at the hospital, the nurses rushed my dad to the emergency room. I leaned against the wall and slowly slid down to the floor. My heart ached as I clutched my chest. My parents had raised me, yet I didn’t repay their kindness.I prayed my

I looked at Atlas with concern and said, “Matthew’s petty, so be careful of his retaliation.”"You're overthinking it," Atlas replied, gesturing for me to return to the emergency room.When we arrived, my mom asked, “Where’s that scumbag?”"Gone!" I replied.The emergency room lights had been on for two hours before they finally went out. A doctor emerged and informed us, "Your dad’s life isn’t in danger anymore, thanks to the timely arrival. However, you must ensure he doesn't get too agitated."The doctor’s words put us at ease.After exchanging a few words with the doctor, Atlas instructed me, “Hide this from all outsiders, and just say he hasn’t woken up yet.”Then, he got my dad a VIP ward and asked my mom to stay with him. That would make others think my dad hadn’t awakened yet, effectively stopping the Murphys from visiting.My dad wore an oxygen mask when the nurses moved him to his room. He was pale and in a pretty poor condition. Tears welled in his eyes as he looked

It got harder for me to breathe, and my eyes widened. My will to survive made me claw at his hands, gripping my throat. Our love for each other had vanished, and the man before wanted to kill me.My vision blurred as I suffocated. Matthew threw me aside like a ragdoll as I was about to lose consciousness. Soon, I crashed into the corridor wall and almost blacked out.I clutched my throat and coughed as I struggled to breathe. Meanwhile, Melanie and Grace stared at me indifferently.Melanie smirked and said, “Do you know what karma is, Chloe? Hahaha! Matt, you should’ve done that long ago. She’s asking for a beating.”Matthew basked in her praise, seemingly forgetting his pitiful appearance at the hospital the night before.“Will you give it to us now?!” he roared, “I thought you’d be useful and secure the project through Atlas, but you’re a worthless schemer. Do you think Atlas would have feelings for you?”"You're finally speaking your mind, you bastard!" I glared at him.“Did

Ivanna nodded and called her assistant to bring the reporters over. I told her, “Put me down and take pictures of everything.”She followed my instructions and gently let go before taking pictures of the assault from various angles. Soon after, she called the authorities and my lawyer, Adrian.Seeing Ivanna’s actions, Matthew grew agitated. He yelled, “You caused this, Chloe! Even if you call the cops, nothing will change. You’re in my house, and we’re still married. So what if we fought?”“I’ve had enough of your excuses!” Ivanna retorted and threw the knife at him.Startled, Matthew bolted to the master bedroom while narrowly avoiding the knife.Ivanna noticed my distress and cried. However, I smiled and reassured her, “Don’t cry. I’m not dead yet. It’s too late for him to stop now.”When the authorities arrived, I showed them my house ownership certificate and ID before telling the media about the assault.The scandal of Matthew’s previous affair had yet to subside, and this

For some reason, I felt warm when he scolded me.When he started the car, I asked him where we were going, but he didn’t answer. Instead, he pinched my chin and examined my face. I blushed and pushed his hand away before glaring at him and the driver. "What are you doing?"Atlas raised the car’s partition to give us some privacy. I thought ATL Empire provided excellent employee benefits. It didn’t surprise me since Atlas was an assistant to someone important. He said, “Show the bruises.”“Uh, that’s okay. You’ve seen everything already!” I avoided his gaze and tried to hide my discomfort.However, his tone turned harsh again, “So, are those pictures fake? Will you show me your injuries, or should I force you?”My breath quickened as the situation became too intimate. After all, I had bruises in private areas that I dared not show him."I—" Before I could finish, Atlas held me and pressed his hand against my back. I couldn’t help but moan softly.He lifted my shirt without warn