Chapter 8

Emily bit her lip.

"Caroline, you're mad, aren't you? That's why you pushed Ethan down the stairs on purpose. Look, I can give up everything and disappear forever, as long as you take good care of Ethan."

"I'm giving you this chance now, stepping aside willingly..."

I couldn't listen anymore. I raised my hand and slapped her hard across the face.

"Don't look at me like that. Every second you've been in front of me, I've wanted to hit you."

I said it without any emotion.

"Emily, do you really need to brag about how you stole Raymond from me? You know exactly how Ethan fell."

Emily covered her face, looking at me in shock, tears streaming down her cheeks, making her look pitiful.

"I'm Ethan's mother. How could I possibly hurt him? Caroline, if you're upset, go ahead and hit me again."

Emily grabbed my hand and tried to place it on her face.

I wasn't going to miss this chance. I gathered my strength again, but my slap didn't land on Emily's face.

Raymond grabbed my wrist midway, his grip so strong it felt like he was going to crush my bones.

But the pain in my wrist was nothing compared to the pain in my heart.

"Caroline, don't go too far."

"I'm going too far?"

I turned my face away from Raymond's icy stare.

"You knew me, I'm Caroline, I'm a shrew."

"Emily insisted on coming to me, saying I could do whatever I wanted to her. I'm just doing what she asked."

Raymond's fingers were cold, chilling me to the bone.

"Go to the hospital and take care of Ethan. When he's discharged, you can bring him home. Until then, you can't do anything else."

Raymond was used to giving orders, his tone always brooking no refusal.

"Raymond, why?"

I didn't care that we weren't at home, looking at him with a wounded expression.

"Is that really how you see me, as someone so heartless?"

"Isn't it?"

Raymond's tone was icy.

"And as for this job, you're not suited for it."

Flora, standing nearby, was thoroughly angry.

"Raymond, what do you mean? How is Caroline not suited for this job? Don't go too far. Don't forget, you're not divorced yet."

"Ms. Lynn," Raymond raised his wrist and glanced at his watch, speaking without any emotion, "Instead of worrying about others, you should worry about your family's business. Even your father wouldn't dare speak to me like this."

With that, he didn't bother to look at me again and left the film company.

Emily touched the side of her face where I had slapped her, speaking with some provocation, "Caroline, what's the point of not getting a divorce? This is just the beginning."

I looked at her coldly.

"So what? Right now, you're just a mistress."

"I advise you to be more restrained. Aren't you afraid Raymond will see your true colors? He hates being deceived the most."

Without Raymond here, Emily didn't bother to keep up the act. She said indifferently, "Do you think Raymond will believe you?"

"Caroline, you don't understand men. The unattainable is always the best. You've already lost to me."

Flora couldn't stand it anymore and stepped in front of me, looking at Emily with some mockery.

"What are you bragging about? Don't take us for fools. You're just afraid Raymond won't completely abandon Caroline, so you're using these petty tricks between them."

"No matter how much Raymond dislikes Caroline, they've been married for five years, and their marriage could last even longer. Only a woman without ability clings to the past."

"Caroline competing with someone like you is simply lowering her standards."

Flora pulled me out of the film company, noticing my distraction.

"Are you really going to take care of Emily's kid?"

"If I don't, it'll just give them more ammunition. Flora, I need to support my mom. As long as I don't expect Raymond's love, being Mrs. Brown can bring me endless value."

Flora looked at me with pity.

"You... never mind, my own life is a mess. Come on, I'll take you there."

When I arrived at the hospital, Ethan was still unconscious, his forehead wrapped in bandages.

I sat beside him, waiting for him to wake up, but I accidentally fell asleep.

I was woken by a scream. When I opened my eyes, Ethan was standing on the bed, looking at me warily.

"What's wrong? Don't stand like that. You just hit your head, you might still be dizzy."

I was about to step forward when Ethan threw a cup at my head.

Instinctively, I touched my head and saw my hand covered in blood.

"Ah!"

The whole room was filled with Ethan's heart-wrenching screams. I didn't dare approach him and could only call for a doctor, but Emily and Raymond arrived faster than the doctor.

"Ethan, what's wrong? Don't be scared, Mommy's here."

Emily hugged Ethan, starting to cry again.

"Ethan, I'm sorry. It's all my fault. I shouldn't have left you alone. Let's never be apart again, okay?"

I stood silently watching their performance.

Now I understood why Emily had gone to such lengths to teach Ethan to fall down the stairs.

She wanted to drive a wedge between Raymond and me, and move into the mansion.

It was so blatant.

"Raymond, Ethan has been with me since he was little. He's not used to this strange environment. He just fell down the stairs. I can't leave him alone with Caroline. Can I stay with you for a while? I promise I'll leave once he's stable."

I couldn't help but laugh. Noticing Raymond's displeased look, I spoke calmly.

"Don't look at me like that, Raymond. I'm just laughing at how you can't see through a woman's little tricks. From the beginning, all I wanted was your money. Taking good care of Ethan not only earns me a good name but also a lot of money. Why would I push Ethan down the stairs?"

"Ethan got hurt, and Emily naturally suggested moving in. It's clear who benefits the most from this."

Emily clung to Ethan, looking at Raymond with grievance.

"Raymond, are you going to doubt me because of Caroline's words? Ethan is my biological child. I would never do such a thing to hurt him."

"I can overlook who actually pushed Ethan down, but I just want to take care of him for a few more days."

"Move in tonight with your luggage."

Raymond's handsome face showed no extra expression, as if he were commenting on the weather.

In just three days, Emily could move into the home Raymond and I shared.

Even if I didn't love Raymond, I couldn't stand such humiliation, let alone when I loved him deeply.

"Raymond, you said you wouldn't let her move in."

That was our home, the one I decorated myself.

I closed my eyes in embarrassment.