Waking Up From Lies

I told the lawyer everything that happened, which led to her sighing in resignation.

“Letters of forgiveness issued by the victim’s family are legally binding. It has also been five years since the case, so it’s practically impossible to hold Verde Sala accountable in the eyes of the law.

“But have you thought things through about the divorce?”

“Yeah. Since he loves Verde so much, I’ll help them get their wish of being together,” I answered without hesitation.

“What about Cain?”

I fell silent for a moment. I had nearly died giving birth to Cain, and he was my only family left.

I wanted to say that I did not want him either, but I just could not steel my heart to do so.

He was young. As long as I explained things to him, it would be fine.

Just as I was about to reply, Elwood and Cain came back with smiles on their faces.

When Cain saw me on the phone, he came over curiously.

“Who are you talking to, Mom?”

Elwood gave me a searching look as well.

“It’s nothing. Just a friend. We’re catching up.”

I hung up and ate the cake Elwood bought for me.

I loved it in the past, but I found it disgustingly sweet at present, just like this rotten marriage.

Elwood looked at me eagerly. “Is it good? If it is, I’ll buy it for you again next time.”

Cain turned to me as well, and I smiled.

“It’s nice. But you don’t have to.”

Elwood immediately tensed up nervously and asked me why.

I shook my head. “The doctor told me to cut down on these things.”

He sighed in relief. “I’ll get the cake for you again after you’ve recovered, then.”

I looked down at the draft of the divorce agreement on my phone screen.

There would not be a next time, Elwood.

…

The next morning, I got a call from Cain’s teacher. She asked me to attend the school’s sports meet.

Usually, Elwood was the one who attended such events, since I could not move my legs.

Thinking that Elwood had forgotten about it and worried that Cain felt lonely, I hurried to school.

When I arrived, before I could even say anything, a teacher walked over and asked politely, “May I know who you are?”

“You called me this morning to attend the school’s sports meet. I’m Cain’s—”

Before I could finish speaking, realization lit up in the teacher’s eyes.

“You must be his nanny. Cain mentioned that his parents hired a pitiful person to take care of him.”

My smile froze. So, I was just a nanny to him?

Right then, Verde walked over. She dismissed the teacher with a wave and regarded me in disdain.

“Look at how pathetic you are. You’re so pitiful.”

She crossed her arms and leveled me with a provocative look.

“So?”

“Stop pretending to be all high-and-mighty, you piece of trash. I’ll tell you the truth. You could have been walking already, but because I said that I wanted to become the principal dancer, Elwood bribed the doctor to use the wrong medicine on you, which is why your legs are completely gone. You won’t be able to stand up again.

“Seriously… It troubles me that he loves me so much, you know?”

I trembled uncontrollably, and anger spread through my heart. I wanted to rip her to shreds.

When Verde saw this, she suddenly took a step to the side and fell down the stairs.

The next second, someone shoved me to the floor, and a man’s enraged voice came from above.

“Are you crazy? If anything happens to her, I’m going to make you pay dearly.”