Chapter 4

Stella's POV

I returned home in a daze, my mind completely blank. I hadn't done any such thing. I had no idea about that recording. But Ethan wouldn't believe me. He would only think I was making excuses.

I sat anxiously on the sofa waiting all night. It wasn't until dawn that the front door was violently flung open.

Ethan stormed in radiating fury. "Stella!"

He grabbed my chin, applying so much force he nearly crushed my bones. "Do you know Vivian tried to kill herself?! If I hadn't arrived in time, she'd be a corpse by now!"

"It wasn't me..." I said with difficulty. "I didn't play that recording..."

"It wasn't you? Are you telling me she synthesized a recording herself to ruin her own reputation?!" He sneered and abruptly released his grip. "You keep hurting her. You must pay the price!"

Those words stabbed into my heart like a knife.

"Stella, hold a press conference immediately. Publicly apologize to Vivian and admit you forged the recording!"

I felt heartbroken but still looked at him defiantly. "I didn't do anything wrong. I won't apologize!"

Ethan sneered. "Fine. Quite stubborn. In that case, the Sinclair Group's overseas project will shut down completely today. Also, the special medication your father's using at the hospital will be immediately discontinued."

"Ethan!" I looked at him in disbelief, trembling all over. "Are you insane? That's my father's life!"

"You forced my hand." He looked at me coldly, like an emotionless machine. "Apologize, and the medication resumes."

For my father's life, I gave in.

Under the spotlights, countless cameras pointed at me. My face pale, like a soulless robot, I stood before the microphone.

"I'm sorry. I was jealous of Miss Sullivan and forged the recording. I apologize to her." I mechanically recited the script the PR department had prepared, each sentence crushing my self-respect.

The flashbulbs were blinding. The reporters below attacked me with the most vicious language. "Miss Sinclair, how could you do something so malicious?" "Are you psychologically twisted?"

And Ethan stood not far away, watching me coldly, even thoughtfully draping a coat over Vivian Sullivan, who had just been discharged from the hospital.

In that moment, my heart died completely. The man who once said "whoever hurts Stella, I'll make their whole family die" had now personally pushed me into hell and destroyed my reputation.

That evening, Ethan actually brought Vivian Sullivan back to our house.

"Vivian was traumatized and her mental state isn't good. She'll be staying at home for a while." His tone was flat, as if discussing the weather.

I had no energy left to argue. "Whatever." Anyway, we were already going through divorce proceedings. Soon, this wouldn't be my home anymore.

Vivian looked at me, a smile curling her lips. "Stella, I'm hungry. Can you make me some pasta?"

Ethan looked at me. "Didn't you hear?"

How ironic that I'd fallen to the point of cooking for my husband's mistress. I pulled at the corners of my mouth and mechanically walked toward the kitchen.

In the kitchen, the water had just started boiling.

Vivian suddenly walked in and closed the door behind her. The vulnerability on her face instantly vanished, replaced by undisguised arrogance. "Stella, Ethan loves me now. You have to serve me like a servant."

I chopped vegetables expressionlessly, not even giving her a glance. "Are you done? If so, get out."

Vivian's gaze shifted and suddenly landed on the table. There lay the bracelet I'd casually removed when washing my hands. The only thing my mother had left me, and my most treasured possession.

Vivian sneered and suddenly reached out to grab the bracelet, deliberately smashing it hard on the floor.

The crisp sound of shattering echoed in the kitchen. The fine bracelet instantly broke into several pieces.

"What are you doing!" I shouted angrily, my brain buzzing as I shoved her hard.

Vivian deliberately fell backward, hitting the cabinet heavily, then let out a shrill scream. "Ah! It hurts!"

Ethan rushed in at the sound. Seeing this scene, his expression changed drastically. He rushed forward and shoved me hard. Caught off guard, my waist slammed heavily into the corner of the table. The pain made me gasp, cold sweat instantly breaking out.

"Stella, what are you going crazy about now!" Ethan roared.

"She broke the bracelet my mother left me!" I pointed at the broken bracelet on the floor, my voice choked with tears, my eyes full of despair.

Vivian hid in Ethan's arms, crying softly and gently. "Ethan, I didn't mean to. I was just trying to help get a bowl and accidentally knocked it off... Stella pushed me, my waist hurts so much..."

"Over a broken bracelet, you assault someone?" Ethan looked at me coldly, his eyes full of disgust. "Stella, you're becoming more and more vicious."

A broken bracelet? That was the last keepsake my mother left me!

I looked at him and found myself unable to breathe. I suddenly felt that explanations were meaningless, because for someone unloved, even breathing was wrong.

"Since you like pushing people so much, go stand outside tonight. You can come in when you're ready to admit your mistake." Ethan issued his cruel order.