Chapter 5

In the end, Ronald and I parted on bad terms, and I didn't bother asking Flora to pick me up.

I had the housekeeper bring my suitcase upstairs and then collapsed onto the couch, exhausted.

Thinking about everything that happened five years ago, I felt both frustrated and unwilling to accept it.

Before I turned eighteen, I was the envy of everyone as the young lady of the Scott family. But by the time I was twenty-two, I had become a pitiful outcast, thrown out of my own home.

That was also the year I got married, only to be despised by my husband, Raymond.

Fate had completely abandoned me.

Now, to avoid losing completely, I had to take care of Ethan for Emily.

An outcast of the family, nothing more.

I laughed quietly to myself. 'Caroline, you're so useless.'

"Mrs. Brown, Ms. Brown is here."

I frowned and stood up.

Why was Alicia Brown here?

Ever since I married into the Brown family, they never really accepted me. No matter how hard I tried to win their favor, I never received any kindness from them.

Especially Alicia. If it weren't for her relationship with Raymond, I would have suspected she was in love with him, twisted by unrequited love.

Every time I went to the Brown Villa, she found a hundred ways to make trouble for me.

In the past five years, she had never come to see me unless it was to order me to take care of her daughter.

Despite my reluctance, I went out to meet her.

But I didn't expect Emily to be with her. Emily was holding Alicia's arm, maintaining that calm facade she always wore.

She was also holding Ethan's hand.

I instantly understood. She had found herself a backer.

She was also telling me that no matter how hard I tried to please the Brown family, it was useless. She could easily achieve what I couldn't.

Alicia looked at me with the same familiar disdain.

"You're still shamelessly staying in a place that doesn't belong to you. Emily, let's go inside."

Alicia, holding Emily's hand, deliberately pushed me aside as they walked in.

I followed them indifferently. Alicia and Emily sat boldly on the main couch.

Alicia looked up at me and said coldly, "Why are you still standing there? The guests are here. Aren't you going to get us some water? Coming from a humble background, you haven't picked up any manners all these years."

I replied coolly, "Alicia, have you forgotten that Emily and I share the same father? She trusts you so much, and your words might hurt her feelings."

Alicia didn't expect my attitude to be like this.

After all, I used to be extremely submissive to her.

Her face darkened, and she sneered.

"Since when did you become so eloquent?"

"I never knew you could be so affectionate with Emily, the mistress. No matter how much you dislike me, I'm still your brother Raymond's wife."

My tone grew colder. "But since you're here to drop off Ethan, then please leave."

Alicia, always proud, couldn't tolerate such cold treatment.

"Caroline, what's with that attitude? Raymond will never like you."

"Oh? But my name is on his marriage certificate. Does it matter if he likes me or not?"

I crossed my arms, speaking with utter indifference.

Emily hid the jealousy in her eyes and softly persuaded, "Alicia, let's go. As long as Caroline can take good care of Ethan, I don't mind."

I just glanced at her lightly.

She was so much like Clara.

The same hypocrisy, but it seemed all men loved women like them.

Alicia patted her hand.

"Emily, you've been wronged. Don't worry, she won't stay by Raymond's side for long."

I watched them coldly, not bothering to argue.

Ethan, who had been sitting on the couch, suddenly ran over to me. He grabbed my hand and bit down hard.

Ethan was strong, and my hand quickly started bleeding.

Instinctively, I wanted to pull my hand back, but when I saw his eyes, so much like Raymond's, I felt deflated, like a punctured balloon.

Ethan's presence reminded me of how absurd and ridiculous I had been all these years.

I turned my face away. The physical pain was nothing compared to the emotional sting.

If only I had married Raymond purely for his money from the start.

Emily stood up, and Alicia pulled her along, sneering.

"Caroline wants to be a good stepmother, does she? For a woman who would do anything for money, this little pain is nothing."

"Let's go."

Emily nodded reluctantly. As she passed by me, she whispered, "Caroline, the show is just beginning."

I ignored her, while Ethan glared at me with hatred.

"Bad woman."

"Dana, prepare a room for Ethan."

I ignored his hostility.

He was just a child, after all.

The more I fussed over it, the more awkward my situation would become. Everyone was waiting to see me fail.

Even if it was just for Diana's medical bills, to disappoint Ronald, or to not lose face in front of Clara and her daughter, I had to treat Ethan well.

Dana Webb looked worriedly at my bleeding hand.

"Mrs. Brown, your hand..."

"I'm fine."

"Take him downstairs."

I returned to my bedroom, exhausted. My hand burned with pain, but I didn't apply any medicine.

Only this self-inflicted pain could bring me some comfort.

I didn't know how long had passed when I opened my eyes. It was already midnight. I went downstairs, and Dana was busy in the kitchen.

"Raymond hasn't come back?"

"No, Mrs. Brown."

I nodded and took a sip of the hot tea beside me.

"Where's Ethan?"

"He's already asleep."

"I see."

I didn't stay long and went back to bed.

Maybe it was because I was in a bad mood, but I slept deeply.

Until Dana woke me up, looking anxious.

"Mrs. Brown, there is a call from the Brown Villa. They want you to go over now."

"Now?"

I rubbed my temples.

"Got it."

It was probably about Ethan. I didn't waste any time and changed clothes before heading to the Brown family.

There weren't many wealthy families in Skyview City, and the Brown family was one of them.

Their wealth had been accumulated over four generations, and even the Brown Villa bore the marks of time.

The architecture spoke volumes about the family's heritage.

As soon as I entered the main hall, I felt the familiar malice.

Harper sat in the center, with Alicia beside her.

Alicia rolled her eyes.

"Mom, look at her. She's getting more and more unruly."

Harper looked at me, her face no longer kind.

"Caroline, you're an adult, and you insisted on bringing Ethan here. I thought you were smart enough, but it turns out you're just foolish."

"Kneel down. Butler, bring the item."

Harper spoke with her unique authority, devoid of emotion.

I instinctively clenched my palms.

The Brown family still upheld some traditional family rules, like corporal punishment.

"Mother, I don't know what I did wrong."

"You don't know?"

Harper glared at me.

The butler had already brought the item.

It was a wooden board, but with nails protruding about an inch wide.

She gave a signal.

The housekeeper pressed me down without a word.

Harper turned her back.

"Then kneel until you realize your mistake."

The pain in my knees made me break out in a cold sweat.

The nails pierced my already surgically repaired knees, causing excruciating pain.

"Mr. Brown."

Suddenly, a strong force pulled me up, and I faced Raymond's cold expression.