Chapter 3

I still remembered the disgust in Ethan's eyes back then.

He had said, "A malicious woman like you doesn't deserve to carry my child."

Now, five years later, he wanted me to give him a baby.

But... I couldn't have children anymore either.

If Ethan found out, would he kick me out?

What about the burial plot...

With that thought, I silently vowed never to let Ethan find out the truth.

Suddenly, Chloe screamed and took a few steps back, her eyes red. "Eliza, if you don't like me, you can just say so... Why did you step on my foot?"

The maid beside her pointed at me accusingly. "Ma'am, Chloe already has a foot injury! Stepping on her like that... she's going to be in pain for days!"

"How could you..."

Confronted by these two drama queens, I raised an eyebrow in surprise, then immediately apologized. "I'm so sorry, it was an accident."

I was long used to Chloe's double-faced antics. In the past, I used to complain to Ethan about how manipulative she was.

Of course, Ethan never believed me. He always accused me of being crazy with jealousy, claiming I was maliciously misinterpreting an innocent girl.

Even though this "innocent girl" was a month older than me.

So, I didn't bother explaining to Ethan. I just offered a sincere apology.

Not far away, Ethan's face darkened.

Seeing him look over, and assuming he was about to berate me like the old days, I said proactively, "I know it was an accident, but I did hurt Chloe."

"I accept my punishment. I'll go to the attic now."

With that, I turned toward the attic stairs.

There was a small confinement room in the attic, a punishment room Ethan had specially built for me to "reflect" on my actions.

Every time I "hurt" Chloe or disobeyed him, he would lock me in there.

Twenty-four hours, with no food or water.

At first, I would fight and scream. But later, because I lost my baby in that room, I developed severe claustrophobia.

Since then, I would only sob and beg on my knees.

Fortunately, I was no longer afraid of the dark.

During the earthquake, I had been trapped in a tiny, pitch-black space shielded by Julian's body, covered in his blood.

Yet, in those final moments of his fading life, I had felt the most passionate, unconditional love.

He had cured my deepest psychological trauma.

Only, the price had been far too high.

Without realizing it, my eyes welled with tears.

When Ethan grabbed my wrist, this was what he saw: standing meekly with no resentment, only a faint hint of vulnerability.

Like a lost fawn abandoned in the wild.

A sharp pang hit Ethan's heart. The anger that had just flared up was instantly extinguished.

He asked helplessly, "When did I say I was sending you to the attic?"

I looked flattered and surprised. "Oh? I really don't have to go?"

My reaction pierced Ethan's eyes.

He actually felt a wave of regret for how he had treated me in the past.

He explained awkwardly, "I locked you up back then because you were too stubborn. You refused to admit your mistakes, so I wanted to teach you a lesson."

"Now, you didn't do it on purpose, and you apologized sincerely. There's no need for punishment."

Saying this, he looked at Chloe, who was standing nearby, and smiled gently. "Besides, Chloe is so kind. How could she want you punished over something so minor?"

Chloe's mask almost cracked. She looked at me with a strange, unfamiliar expression.

A stiff smile pulled at her lips as she nodded. "Yes, Eliza. You're making me look like the bad guy here."

I shook my head and quickly explained, "I didn't mean it that way. I'm just used to..."

Chloe immediately looked aggrieved. "I knew it. Eliza still blames me. It was my fault back then for being immature and lacking boundaries, which caused problems between you two."

"Eliza, I'm sorry. I formally apologize to you."

Ethan looked at me suspiciously. I knew he was wondering if I was about to stir up drama again.

Having just escaped punishment, I wasn't about to let Chloe drag me back down.

I said with utter sincerity, "Of course not! I stopped caring about those things a long time ago."

"By the way, didn't you always love my steak?"

"I'll go to the grocery store right now, buy the ingredients, and make it for you."

"Once you eat my steak, you can't bring up the past anymore, okay?"

My words stunned Chloe, stopping her performance right in its tracks. She watched in awkward silence as I rushed out the door.

Before she could even speak, Ethan walked right past her and chased after me.