Near my house?
I found it a bit strange. Normally, he would co directly to my place. This ti, was it to avoid suspicion?
Well, that’s fine too. So things really need to be clarified.
For example, Mason Hawthorne’s proposal that day—I could never agree to it.
After arranging a ti with Julian Sinclair, I prepared dinner for the two kids early in the evening.
Once they finished eating, I noticed it was nearly ti and said, "You two stay ho and do your howork. I’ll be out for a bit and be back soon."
The two little ones nodded obediently.
I stepped out and arrived at the nearby café within a few minutes.
Outside the café, I saw Julian Sinclair sitting by the window.
The dim, yellow lights cast a faint golden glow over him, making him appear as exquisite and aloof as a sculpture.
His slender fingers were lightly tapping the coffee cup, his expression seed a bit tense, lost in thought.
My heart couldn’t help but race a little faster.
The unease of not seeing him these days turned into an uncontrollable flutter upon encountering him today.
I pushed the door open and walked in. He lifted his gaze to , an emotion flickered through his eyes.
"Have a seat."
Julian Sinclair spoke, his voice still deep, but with a hint of businesslike detachnt.
An inexplicable anxiety rose in .
As soon as I sat down, Julian Sinclair drew a stack of docunts from his briefcase and pushed them in front of .
"I’m now Timothy Xavier’s attorney. This is the divorce agreent. Take a look."
His words felt like a bucket of ice water pouring from my head to my feet.
I instantly felt a chill all over, completely taken aback.
My heart ached as if hit by a blunt object, making it nearly impossible to breathe.
Why?
Why Julian Sinclair?
Perhaps in their world, there are no eternal enemies, only eternal interests.
I forced myself to stay calm and opened the agreent.
The divorce agreent’s terms were almost identical to those Timothy Xavier proposed at the furniture store that day, asking to ’give up all property’ and ’relinquish custody of Doris.’
It even included an extrely strict visitation clause: two visits per year, requiring the guardian’s consent.
I slowly looked at Julian Sinclair, a faint bitter smile on my lips, and asked, "Do you think this is fair to ?"
Julian Sinclair’s eyebrows furrowed slightly and he said, "Haven’t you always wanted a divorce? Now that the opportunity is here, what’s the dilemma? If you’re not satisfied with the property aspect, I can compensate you. However much you need is not a problem."
"You compensate ?"
His calm, indifferent tone stabbed my heart. I replied, "Who are you to , that you’re compensating ? What about my daughter? What are you compensating for her?"
He avoided my gaze, his voice lowered, "This child was raised by Timothy Xavier. Even if she’s upset with him now over so issues, in her heart, his position far surpasses yours. Even if you gain custody, what significance does it hold?"
With undisguised disappointnt in my eyes, I suddenly recalled Mason Hawthorne’s proposal that day.
To hurry up and divorce, and be with Julian Sinclair.
Exactly! A man like Julian Sinclair has his pride. How could he possibly allow his lover to bring along a child?
My throat felt choked, tears threatened to spill, and I said, "Mr. Sinclair, up until today, whenever I faced troubles, you would always appear by my side. Many, many tis, I considered you my salvation. But I forgot, you and Timothy Xavier belong to the sa class—their circles have no eternal enemies, only eternal interests. You helping him, I don’t bla you..."
He seed accustod to the world’s coldness; even as my words tore painfully through my heart, his tone remained unchanging and he simply uttered, "Once you’ve signed the papers and the marriage is ended, you can start a new life. Isn’t that a good thing?"
I wiped away the tears at the corner of my eyes and said, "Not long ago, my daughter was slandered and abused—Timothy Xavier couldn’t protect her. If I also abandon her, staying with the Xavier Family won’t lead to any good for her."
"What you care about is just your and Timothy Xavier’s child."
His tone carried a weight as if reminding of sothing.
I nodded and said, "It doesn’t matter whose child she is; she’s my daughter, and of course I care about her! You’re Timothy Xavier’s lawyer; you can help him fight for property and custody. But on what grounds do you ask not to care about my daughter?"
Julian Sinclair’s cold gaze seed to see right through , and he said icily, "Ultimately, you just don’t want the divorce. Why find excuses? Is it still about that child you care? What you truly care about is Timothy Xavier."
If it were before, I would have imdiately denied it, for fear of him misunderstanding .
But now, he had beco Timothy Xavier’s attorney—they belonged to the sa world.
A person who can’t discern right from wrong doesn’t deserve my explanation.
"Attorney Sinclair, please go back and tell Timothy Xavier, if he wants to sign, he should and the divorce agreent. Otherwise, I’ll see him in court. I believe that the law will uphold justice."
With that, I stood up and walked away.
At the doorway, I couldn’t help but turn back for a glance.
Julian Sinclair remained seated, his gaze lowered, his expression unreadable.
I exited the café, tears suddenly and uncontrollably stread down.
A chill seeped slowly from within, making it hard to breathe.
I thought that having witnessed so much between Timothy Xavier and , at least Julian Sinclair would understand .
But reality gave a hard slap in the face.
I suddenly realized that Julian Sinclair, acting as Timothy Xavier’s attorney, coming with him to pressure , brought a pain that was a hundred tis heavier than all the harm Timothy had done to .
In my mind, I couldn’t get rid of the image from New Year’s Eve, under the fireworks, where he stood in the glow, as gentle as the breeze, telling he wished for my happiness.
I couldn’t count how many tis he offered his hand to first, leading out of one quagmire after another.
But now, all that warmth had turned into the sharpest knife, stabbing the softest part of my heart.
From the mont I entered the café to the mont I left, within less than half an hour, it felt as if I had lost everything.
...
In the café.
The waiter softly reminded, "Sir, would you like a refill of your coffee?"
Julian Sinclair snapped back to reality and said calmly, "No need."
After the waiter left, he took out his phone and called his mother: "This is the first and last ti I’ll compromise with you. We shouldn’t be too ruthless—Zoe Ellison’s four years of marriage shouldn’t end with her losing everything."
On the other end ca Diana Caldwell’s weak voice: "Julian, I know Zoe’s had a hard ti. I asked you to be Timothy’s lawyer, not to bully her. I just... want her to give up on you. I can see she has other feelings for you. But with your kind of relationship..."
Julian Sinclair interrupted impatiently, "She hasn’t signed the divorce agreent, but you’ve already achieved your goal. She hates . She’ll have no other thoughts about ."
"That’s good," Diana finally breathed a sigh of relief and said, "Mom will go to the hospital tomorrow for the clinical trial. Thank you, Mom will definitely cooperate with the doctors for treatnt."
...
At night.
I put the two kids to sleep, but I couldn’t sleep at all.
Even until dawn, I tossed and turned in bed.
Random thoughts flashed through my mind, like my marriage with Timothy Xavier, Sophia Kendall abusing Doris, Julian Sinclair’s aggressive coercion at the café...
Perhaps my depression had relapsed.
Early the next morning, after dropping the kids off at kindergarten, I drove to the hospital to see a psychologist.
It had been a long ti since I’d last seen a psychologist.
After listening to my account of recent events, the psychologist provided so counseling and prescribed antidepressants.
As soon as I stepped out of the consultation room, I saw Julian Sinclair’s assistant, Leo Grant, approaching.
Why was he here?
When he saw , a look of unease clearly passed through his eyes, and he even wanted to turn and leave.
But now, we were already face to face, so he could only greet awkwardly: "Miss Ellison... it’s... such a coincidence..."
"What are you doing here?"
I blocked his way.
Because the direction he was heading only led to one consultation room, the one I had just visited.
Leo paused and said, "Miss Ellison, it’s... inconvenient for to say. Could you... please not make it difficult for ?"
I imdiately realized, "Is it about ? You ca to see my doctor, trying to get my consultation records."
"Miss Ellison, this..."
Leo sighed and said helplessly, "I don’t know what happened between you and Attorney Sinclair, why he’s helping President Xavier. Anyway, he sent to get your consultation records as evidence of your depression."
My heart sank heavily.
Maybe because Julian Sinclair always appeared refined and gentle to , I sohow forgot his profession.
A grim reaper in the legal world!
No wonder he could turn black into white.
I laughed bitterly and said, "Once you have evidence of my depression, you can claim I have psychological problems and am unfit to take care of the children, right?"
Even if Timothy was unfaithful, a judge would never grant custody to soone with depression, who could potentially have suicidal tendencies at any mont.
Though, I’ve never thought of ending it all.
Leo didn’t expect to catch on to Julian Sinclair’s intentions so quickly. He could only apologize, "Miss Ellison, I’m really sorry, I’m just doing my job. Maybe you could try speaking with Attorney Sinclair. Honestly, if Attorney Sinclair gets involved, you won’t stand to gain anything in the divorce case with President Xavier."
I suddenly realized how naive and laughable my words ’the law will uphold justice’ seed in Julian Sinclair’s eyes.
Seeing I didn’t respond, Leo hurriedly said he had things to attend to and quickly headed towards the consultation room I had just left, afraid I’d make any other demanding requests of him.
And I, dazedly left the hospital.
Julian Sinclair was crueler and more terrifying than I imagined.
Leo suggested I plead with him, but I, a woman with nothing, what could I possibly offer?
Suddenly, Mason Hawthorne’s words from that day echoed in my ears.
But quickly, I nipped that thought in the bud.
Because I couldn’t do such a thing.
Even if we divorced, I couldn’t beco another man’s mistress.
...
I returned to work, forcing myself to focus on my tasks.
But recently, due to the news of Serena Sawyer’s miscarriage, even my colleagues were gossiping about the scandal.
At lunch in the cafeteria, Victoria Monroe sat across from and congratulated .
"It seems Timothy Xavier has decided to divorce you."
After all, this morning, Timothy Xavier already promised publicly that whether Serena Sawyer had a miscarriage or not, he would be responsible for Serena Sawyer and marry her.
So Victoria Monroe naturally thought that if Timothy Xavier dared to say so, he must have divorced .
Actually, in the past, as long as Timothy Xavier divorced , it didn’t matter whom he married, and I didn’t care about giving up property and custody of the child either.
But after this miscarriage, I’ve seen clearly how malicious Serena Sawyer is, and if she becos Doris’s stepmother, Doris’s life will be ruined.
She would not only lead Doris astray, but could also use those vicious tricks to destroy Doris.
Therefore, I must fight for Doris’s custody.
Victoria Monroe kept lanting while scrolling through entertainnt news: "Truly, good people don’t live long, but bad people live for a thousand years. Look at the Sawyer Family, doing so many shaless things, yet still thriving."
I didn’t respond, but I believed that their retribution would co.
However, it will co sooner or later.
...
Neither Doris nor Sharon knew about the upheaval outside. The two of them stayed inseparable at my place, becoming good friends.
Sotis, when the two children laughed and played in the room, I would quietly watch them, finding it increasingly hard to part with them.
But that evening, not long after I took them ho, the doorbell rang.
Standing at the door was a stranger in a Chanel suit.
Upon seeing the surveillance image, Sharon exclaid in surprise: "Why is Mom here?"
Only then did I realize that the woman at the door was Mrs. Hawthorne.
I opened the door, and Sharon stood by my side, cautiously and carefully calling out, "Mom."
Mrs. Hawthorne glanced at her, then her arrogant gaze fell on as she said, "I’m here to take Sharon back."
Hearing this, Sharon’s expression showed so disappointnt.
I was montarily stunned and said, "Why don’t you... co in first?"
We need to clarify if it’s Mason’s idea or if sothing happened in The Hawthorne Family.
After all, wasn’t Mrs. Hawthorne quite unwelcoming towards Sharon?
But Mrs. Hawthorne didn’t co in, she looked disdainfully at my ho and said, "No need. I’ll leave as soon as I take Sharon!"
Once said, she frowned at Sharon, her tone strict, "Co over here!"
Sharon shrank her shoulders in fear but dared not resist, only silently moving to Mrs. Hawthorne’s side with her head down.
Seeing this, I held onto Sharon and said to Mrs. Hawthorne, "Does Mr. Hawthorne know about this?"
Mrs. Hawthorne sneered and said, "I am Sharon’s guardian. If I take her ho, do I need Mason’s consent? No wonder you raise such a malicious daughter, using children to harm Serena and cause a miscarriage! If our Sharon stays here any longer, I fear she’ll follow your example!"
Serena Sawyer?
I suddenly realized that Mrs. Hawthorne knew Serena Sawyer.
Not only that, but Serena must have said sothing to Mrs. Hawthorne.
This manipulation tactic, she always uses it so easily.
Sharon suddenly spoke softly, "Mom, Auntie Ellison isn’t like that. She never hard anyone, she..."
A slap landed on Sharon’s face, and Mrs. Hawthorne roared harshly, "No manners! How did I teach you? When adults speak, children should not interrupt!"
Tears welled up in Sharon’s eyes, her shoulders silently trembling, and she dared not make a sound even while crying.
Fury surged from the depths of my heart, rushing straight to my head.
I had considered before that Sharon might not have it easy at The Hawthorne Family, but to see firsthand Mrs. Hawthorne’s readiness to slap a child outside, this was harsher than I imagined.
I imdiately reached out, shielding Sharon, pulling her behind .
"Mrs. Hawthorne, Sharon was entrusted to personally by Mr. Hawthorne. You’re taking her away like this, I can’t explain it to Mr. Hawthorne. Either, you let Mr. Hawthorne call , or let him pick up the child in person. Otherwise, I can’t let you take her today."
Upon hearing this, Mrs. Hawthorne’s eyes narrowed dangerously, her lips curled into a sinister smile, "Do you think invoking Mason can suppress ? Let tell you, for Mason to stand firm in The Hawthorne Family, he needs the support of The Young Family!"
Just after she finished speaking, without giving further opportunity to speak, she stepped forward, trying to push aside and grab Sharon hiding behind .
Just in this chaotic mont, Doris suddenly scread, raising a small plastic stool and charging over.
Though the stool was light and harmless, her fast and fierce stance caught Mrs. Hawthorne off guard.
"This is my mom’s house! If you dare to bully my mom and Sharon, I’ll smash you!"
Doris’s face flushed, raising the stool higher, resembling an angry little lion.
Mrs. Hawthorne was forced several steps back, her face alternating between blue and white.
She pointed at , her voice trembling slightly, "Such an unruly child, truly, you taught her! You’ll pay for this!"
Leaving these harsh words, she glared fiercely at and Sharon, stomping away in her high heels, almost fleeing.
I breathed a sigh of relief, quickly turning to crouch down, hugging the two children, saying, "It’s alright now."
Sharon couldn’t hold it any longer, her tears fell in large drops, yet she kept saying, "I’m sorry, it’s all my fault..."
Before I could speak, Doris said, "You’re silly, clearly that bad woman hit you, bullied you, why are you apologizing?"
I gently tugged Doris’s hand, signaling her to stop speaking.
I touched Sharon’s cheek, red from the slap, and asked tenderly, "Does it still hurt?"
Sharon shook her head, then said worriedly, "Mom will definitely co back."
Doris puffed her cheeks angrily and said, "What are you afraid of her for? If she dares to co again, I’ll smash her!"
I sighed, comforted Sharon for a while, and then called Mason Hawthorne.
But no one answered.
That evening, everyone had little appetite due to their poor mood.
After a simple dinner, I said to Sharon, "Go to bed early tonight. I’ll call your dad again tomorrow."
Just then, there was a knock on the door.
I thought it might be Mrs. Hawthorne coming back, unwilling to give up.
But to my surprise, it was actually two uniford police officers knocking at the door.
One of them showed his ID and said, "Are you Ms. Ellison? Sharon’s mother, Jessica Young, has reported that you are illegally detaining her daughter. Please cooperate with us by coming to the police station, and Sharon needs to co along."
"Illegal detention?"
I calmly explained, "Officer, this is pure slander! Sharon was entrusted to by her father, Mason Hawthorne."
Sharon also hurriedly explained on my behalf, "Auntie Ellison didn’t detain !"
The officer said officially, "You need to co to the station with us and explain there. If you’re innocent, we won’t wrong you."
Doris’s little face went white instantly. She hugged my leg and shouted to the officer, "Don’t take my mom! My mom didn’t abuse Sharon; she’s even better to Sharon than to ! She cooks for us every day and takes us to and from school!"
I quickly squatted down, held the terrified Doris in my arms, and softly said, "Doris, don’t cry. Mommy’s just going to explain things to the police and will co back soon. Listen to : while I’m gone, don’t open the door for anyone, even if you know them. Can you promise that?"
Doris sniffled, gripping my clothes, and nodded vigorously.
After comforting Doris, I took the equally nervous Sharon and left with the police.
...
anwhile, Doris was feeling restless at ho.
She finally had her real mom, and now mom was taken away by the police.
Holding her children’s phone tightly, Doris thought long and hard, her chubby face filled with a serious expression.
Even though she was disappointed in Dad now, even hated him,
she couldn’t find anyone else to help Mom.
What if that bad woman bullied Mom like she hit Sharon?
Thinking of this, Doris pressed her dad’s number.
Before long, the phone connected, but surprisingly, it was Serena who answered.
Hearing her voice, Doris felt both scared and angry.
She didn’t call her by na, and directly asked on the phone, "Where’s my dad?"
"Doris, you pushed your mom down the stairs, and now you don’t even call her ’Mom’?" Serena said, "It seems your real mom has really spoiled you! Within just a few days, she’s turned you into soone who doesn’t recognize even your closest relatives!"
As a child, Doris was provoked by her words and shouted angrily, "You’re lying! My mom is a good person; you’re the bad one! Hand the phone to my dad, I need to talk to him!"
Serena leisurely said, "What do you need from your dad? He’s in the temple praying for your dead brother, and he doesn’t carry a phone when he prays. Doris, don’t you owe your mom an apology?"
"Go to hell!"
Finished with a furious outburst, Doris hung up, tears streaming down her face, nearly overwheld with anger.
She never expected this wicked woman to slander her and try to steal her dad!
Even though she disliked her dad now, she couldn’t let her dad be taken by a bad woman!
With that thought, Doris called Nanny Lowell.
"Miss Doris?"
Nanny Lowell’s tone was particularly surprised.
Doris urgently said, "Is Dad in the temple? Nanny Lowell, please tell Dad my mom was taken away by the police!"
Upon hearing this, Nanny Lowell imdiately agreed, "Alright, Miss Doris, don’t worry. I’ll find Master right away."
After hanging up, Doris waited anxiously.
A few minutes later, Dad’s call indeed ca through.
Doris, although aggrieved and tearful, didn’t imdiately lose her temper with Dad, because she still relied on Dad to save Mom.
She recounted the incident of Mom being taken away, and Timothy paused and said, "Wait for Dad at ho, I’ll be there soon. Rember, until I arrive, don’t open the door for strangers, understand?"
Just then, Serena’s voice ca over, "Timothy, where are you going? It’s so late, don’t leave, okay? I’m scared alone... thinking of all that blood, I rembered our child. I even... I don’t dare close my eyes... I’m so afraid of the dark..."
Hearing this, Doris sensed Dad’s hesitation.
She feared Dad might change his mind.
"Dad, are you coming or not? If you don’t, I’ll go rescue Mom myself! I’m not afraid of the dark!"
Hearing this, Timothy was imdiately anxious, "Doris, wait for obediently at ho, and do not go out! Dad’s coming right now, I promise within twenty minutes."
As she hung up the phone, Doris wiped her tears, a hint of satisfaction appearing on her little face.
See!
The bad woman wants to take Dad from her! That is absolutely impossible!
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