Chapter 4

Two days later, Dashiell and Ember returned with the babies.

"Darling, you're not well enough yet, and you can't handle both twins, so I asked Ember to come help with the children."

"She'll take care of the boy, and you'll take care of the girl."

Ember, with her fair, smooth skin and crop top, looked up at me with a smug expression.

There wasn't a hint of post-pregnancy exhaustion about her.

We both had babies, yet my face was disfigured, and my entire body was swollen.

Her toned, unblemished abdomen was thanks to my...

Dashiell placed our daughter in my arms, but I found myself staring at the boy in Ember's embrace.

After a month and a half, this was the first time I'd seen both children.

Behind them was an older woman who introduced herself as the nanny.

But I knew she was Ember's mom.

Dashiell was in the kitchen, preparing a meal.

The nanny and Ember only fed the boy, while the girl on the bed cried loudly from hunger.

"Aria, why aren't you feeding your own child? Poor thing, how can you neglect her like that?"

She reached out to take the baby, shoving scalding hot milk into her mouth.

The child spit it out, burning her tongue.

Dashiell heard the commotion and rushed out, finding me frozen in place.Furiously pushing me away, she shouted:

"The child is crying, why aren't you taking care of her?"

I looked up at him, my heart already shattered.

He then picked up our daughter and comforted her himself.

"Mr. Stratton, you're so great. The nanny likes you two. You and Miss Bennett look like a real family."

Dashiell glanced up at me, wanting to explain.

I finished my meal and walked into the bedroom.

Dashiell followed me in.

"What's wrong, darling?"

I replied coldly, "I'm not feeling well. Go look after the child."

He hurriedly brought me water, but in his haste, the pill hadn't fully dissolved.

Without saying much, I silently drank the water.

He told me to go to sleep early, removing my hearing aid and tucking it into his own pocket.

He walked out of the bedroom, locking the door behind him.

I closed my eyes, the pain in my heart intensifying. My entire body felt like it was being cut by knives, unable to distinguish between different pains.

"Honey, I want to... She's just a deaf woman anyway..."

"Honey, please love me..."

In the silent environment, the voices outside the door became even clearer.

The woman moved closer to the man. His breathing quickened, but he pushed her away, "But your mom..."

"She took the two kids next door. Don't you want me? I still have breast milk..."

"I want to do it in your house.The sounds from outside the door were unbearable.

"Look how badly our son bit me."

"Let hubby kiss it better."

The bedroom door shook with the impact.

I was forced to listen to their lovemaking, unable to escape. I clamped my hand over my mouth, biting my lip until it bled.

Tears streamed down my face, the disfigured part stinging unbearably.

"She's taken so many pills anyway, you've got her under your thumb."

"No need to be nice to her anymore, she's just a pathetic lapdog."

Why? Why don't they love me, but still keep me trapped?

The next day, Dashiell left for work.

Only Ember, the nanny, and I remained at home.

"Oh my, the little boy really likes me. He doesn't even want you to hold him."

Ember raised her head proudly, showing off.

She stopped pretending and shoved the girl to the ground.

"Oh dear, Melody must have seen your disfigured face and got scared."

"Ugly freak, you shouldn't come out and frighten people."

She nodded, and the nanny came over to grab me so I couldn't run.

I struggled desperately, but it was no use.

"Stop struggling. My mom's strong. What right do you have to be Dashiell's darling? That position is mine."

She lit a candle, the flame growing brighter and brighter.The scorching candle wick dripped onto my stomach, causing me to cry out in pain before a foul-smelling rag was shoved into my mouth.

The torture lasted for three agonizing minutes, with the candle wick dripping near my wounds, making the already ugly scars even more horrifying.

"Don't even think about calling the cops or snitching. I'm telling you, Dashiell is on my side."

"You little orphan, isn't this what you deserve? To be our plaything?"

After they were done, the woman released me.

I painfully returned to my room to clean and disinfect myself, choosing not to tell Dashiell.

Ember was right, he wouldn't care anyway.

I went out to get my visa.

Only three more days, the plan was in motion... I touched my uneven face.