Chapter 3
Facing the police, Declan remained as cold and indifferent as
ever.
He answered every question with calm composure, showing no emotion whatsoever.
The investigation lasted the entire day, and ultimately the police closed the case, ruling Emma’s death a suicide.
Afterward, the officers noticed the injuries covering my body and immediately demanded sternly: “Mr. Declan Hamilton, your actions constitute domestic violence. I have the authority to arrest you!”
Declan let out a cold laugh that made my entire body tremble.
Seeing my terrified expression, the officer grew even more furious, suddenly standing up and shouting at Declan: “I’m arresting you right now on charges of domestic abuse!”
Then he gently took my arm and softly comforted me, saying it was all over.
I forced a grateful smile, but didn’t dare relax for a moment, keeping my eyes fixed on Declan’s every move.
Declan glanced at me sideways, his eyes full of contempt.
He said: “Officer, this is merely a family dispute. Perhaps you should review this medical report before making your decision?”
He pulled out Ariana’s paternity test results.
Like a desperate rabid dog, I collapsed at Declan’s feet, my nails digging desperately into the back of his hand.
The moment the officer’s fingers touched the paper, I heard a drowning-like gurgling sound escape from my throat.
I was suffocating. I wished I could die right then and there.
They would surely abandon me, condemn me, all because of Ariana’s test results.
“Please…” I clutched desperately at the hem of the officer’s uniform.
Declan released his grip on my hair, and I crashed onto the table like a broken rag doll.
Sure enough, the officer’s eyes widened instantly, his face changing color dramatically.
He looked at Declan in shock, while Declan responded with complete seriousness: “Family dispute. Minor matter.”
The officer sighed deeply and spoke the words that filled me with despair: “You two go home. For family disputes, we
recommend internal mediation. As for Ashley’s injuries, they were caused by accidental bumps and falls.”
He too released the hand that had been ready to save me.
Tears of despair slid down my cheeks as I completely lost strength and collapsed to the floor.
A look of satisfaction crossed Declan’s face as he kicked at my head with the tip of his shoe and spat.
He said: “Let’s go, Ashley. Time to resolve our family dispute.”
I cried and screamed as Declan dragged me out of the police station by my hair.
Just as I was struggling and wailing, a strange man appeared.
I lifted my tear-stained face and looked up at the newcomer in confusion.
It was Vincent, Declan’s boss and the owner of the
pharmaceutical company.
Having learned that Declan hadn’t come to work today due to the investigation, he had personally come to the police station.
Seeing me lying disheveled on the ground, Vincent reached out his hand, wanting to wipe the blood from my face.
Seeing this, Declan stepped on my face and ground his heel against it repeatedly.
He said: “This slut wants to find another man to be her daddy. We already destroyed her uterus long ago. Don’t touch her, sir. I’d hate for her to dirty your hands.”
Vincent gasped in shock, then bent down and whispered a few words in my ear that only we could hear.
My face instantly lit up with hope, and I nodded carefully.
After being dragged home covered in injuries, before I could even tend to my wounds, Declan burst through the door and stared at me intensely: “What did he say to you?”
Seeing me shake my head frantically, Declan immediately pulled out his belt and began beating me savagely.
I was beaten bloody, but still refused to speak.
Only when the belt broke from his violent strikes did he finally
stop.
Watching Declan’s retreating figure, I let out a long breath.
Vincent had said he was willing to fund my college education and help me escape this hellish family, on the condition that I couldn’t tell Declan and Monica about it.
We agreed to meet in three days. Just three more days, and I could finally escape this place!
When I woke up again, my body still ached terribly, but hope had ignited in my heart-the force that would keep me alive.
Just then, I noticed the light was still on in Declan’s study, and I heard a voice from inside that was both strange and familiar.
“Ashley is your daughter. If you can’t raise her properly, just let me raise her instead.”
It was Vincent’s voice!
My whole body stiffened, terrified that the hope I’d barely managed to kindle would instantly be extinguished.
I quietly hid on the balcony outside the study, peering through the glass into the room.
I spied secretly, and my blood instantly turned to ice.
I saw Ariana’s paternity test results!
Finally, I understood why Declan hated me so much!
