My ex-husband and child cried and begged me to come back novel
Eliza frowned: Then... what about Liam ? And what about Lila ? I heard that surgery is very risky. Are you really sure?
Clara turned her head, her gaze passing through the caf's floor-to-ceiling windows to fall on her own reflection in the window .
Even a loose sweatshirt couldn't hide her protruding belly and thick arms; her waistline had long since disappeared into her bulky silhouette.
She raised her hand to stroke the blurry reflection on the glass, and gave a self-deprecating smile: "I'm divorced . I 've lived these past seven years without ever truly being myself. I want to start over and live a different life."
Eliza opened her mouth, but in the end, it only turned into a sigh.
Clara seven years ago , the most dazzling ballet fairy on the stage. On the day she won the international gold medal, Liam knelt on one knee with 99 white roses in his hands, and the purple diamond ring shone brightly under the spotlight. He vowed to protect her for the rest of his life.
But who could have imagined that in just seven years, the moonlight of yesteryear would have fallen into dust and become something even it despised?
Clara returned home, there was a pair of unfamiliar stiletto sandals in the entryway. The delicate, off-white heels clashed with the uniform flat shoes in her shoe cabinet.
She tiptoed upstairs. The door to the master bedroom was ajar, and an embarrassing sound leaked out from a narrow crack.
Liam stood by the window with his back to the door, his expensive custom-made suit casually tossed on the carpet, his shirt mostly unbuttoned, revealing his well-defined back.
Heavy, panting breaths mixed with suppressed groans came through the phone screen, his voice, thick with lust, pierced Clara 's ears with each word: "This waist... if only I could pinch it and do it again..."
Clara turned away expressionlessly, her fingertips icy cold.
Since giving birth to Lila three years ago , she has suffered from hormonal imbalance syndrome, gaining weight from 90 pounds to 150 pounds in two months. She can no longer wear the ballet dresses she used to wear with ease, and even marital relations have become a luxury. Liam would rather relieve himself than touch her at all, as if her fat was some kind of monster.
The sound of footsteps coming downstairs startled the people in the living room. Lila , carrying a strawberry cake, ran to the top of the stairs. The moment she saw Clara , she didn't hesitate to throw the cake at her. Cream and strawberry jam smeared onto her off-white skirt, sticky and glaring.
"Why are you back, you fat woman!" Lila frowned, her tone full of disgust. "You're so fat and ugly, just looking at you ruins my mood for practicing! Where's Teacher Vanessa ? I want Teacher Vanessa with me, I don't want you, you fat mom!"
Clara felt as if she had been stabbed in the heart with an ice pick, a sharp, persistent pain.
daughter, whom she gave birth to after a night of struggling on the operating table at the risk of severe bleeding .
To save Lila's career , she gave up her rising ballet career, underwent hormone therapy, and was forever separated from her slender figure.
But now, this child, whom she risked half her life for, is using the most vicious words to express her disgust at her appearance.
She took a deep breath, suppressing the sob in her throat, and said in a calm, even voice, "This is the house I bought. If you don't want to see me, you can leave."
"How dare you talk to a child like that?" Liam 's voice came from upstairs. He had straightened his clothes, his face still showing lingering lust, but his eyes were full of displeasure as he looked at Clara . "Didn't we agree that you wouldn't come back before Lila finished her piano lesson?"
Clara was stunned.
She bought the house with the prize money from a ballet competition years ago , personally oversaw the renovation, and even raised the initial capital for Liam's business by selling the jewelry left by her mother.
She carried the child for ten months, risking her life to give birth, and she single-handedly took care of all the household chores and meals. But now, she even needs the permission of this father and daughter to go back to her own home.
Now that youre back, go make dinner. Liam s gaze swept over her plump figure, his disdain undisguised. Vanessa must be tired taking Lila to class, so we need to make something nourishing. You dont know anything else, so all you can do is run around in the kitchen.
Clara looked at him and suddenly smiled, her eyes stinging with tears. Seven years ago, she casually mentioned wanting to eat pineapple buns from the south of the city. He drove three hours through the night, braving the heavy rain to buy them, carefully tucking them into his arms, afraid they would get cold or soft. Seven years ago, she twisted her ankle while practicing dance. He stayed by her bedside without leaving her side, feeding her water and food, massaging her to reduce the swelling, and saying, "From now on, I will be your legs."
But now, he feels it's superfluous to even glance at her, treating her only as a nanny who can cook.
The door clicked open, and Vanessa entered, holding her key. Today she wore a white knitted dress with a perfectly low neckline, revealing her delicate collarbones. The hemline barely covered mid-thighs, swaying as she moved, outlining her slender waist and shapely hips. With each breath, the soft rise and fall of her chest swayed in the warm yellow light, like a silent allure.
Lila immediately threw herself into her arms, nuzzling her neck with her nose: " Vanessa smells so good! Lila loves Vanessa the most! Daddy loves Vanessa too , right? Would you like Vanessa to be Lila 's mom? She's much better than this fat woman!"
Vanessa smiled gently, looked up at Liam with a hint of shyness in her eyes, then squatted down and gently pinched Lila 's cheek: " Lila, don't talk nonsense,Clara is still here. We should go practice the piano, or we'll fall behind."
As she crouched down, her neckline slipped slightly, revealing a glimpse of her skin. Liam 's gaze lingered on her, his Adam's apple bobbing involuntarily, and his breathing becoming heavier.
Clara stood there, staring at the jarring scene before her, feeling a chill run through her body. Ever since Vanessa came to teach Lila to play the piano, this family had completely changed.
Lila kept insisting on changing her mother, and Liam 's attitude towards Vanessa became increasingly ambiguous. He gave her expensive jewelry, drove her to and from work, and even, at her urging, actually got a divorce certificate with her.
He said he was just trying to appease Lila , and once the child calmed down, he would withdraw the divorce application.
Vanessa led Lila toward the piano room. As she passed Clara , she deliberately slowed her pace and said softly, "Clara, don't be too sad. Women should pay attention to their figure. Mr. Huo actually likes slender girls. I've been practicing yoga recently. If you don't mind, I can teach you a few shaping poses."
Her voice was gentle, but her tone carried a condescending sense of superiority, like a fine needle piercing Clara's most painful spot.
Liam was about to follow when Clara grabbed his sleeve.
"What is it?" He turned around impatiently, his gaze still lingering on Vanessa 's retreating figure.
Clara 's fingertips trembled slightly, her voice carrying a final glimmer of hope: "Are you free on the 10th?"
The 10th was the last day of the cooling-off period for divorce. If he went to the Civil Affairs Bureau that day to withdraw his application, they could go back to the way things were. A faint flame still lingered in her heart, hoping he would remember their past affection and turn back to her.
Liam frowned and replied dismissively, "I don't know, I've been very busy lately. Vanessa said there's an art exhibition downtown, and I have to go with her that day. What's up?"
Clara abruptly released her grip, and the flames were completely extinguished.
It turned out he wasn't busy; he was just too busy to pay attention to her, too busy to remember this day that was so important to their marriage. Watching his hurried departure, a bitter feeling welled up in her throat, and she couldn't utter a single word.
Back in her room, Clara locked the door and pulled a dusty box from the bottom of the wardrobe.
She opened the box, and inside was her old ballet dress. The pristine white tulle was still brand new, though she could no longer wear it. Beside it lay her international ballet gold medal trophy and a pair of ballet shoes with worn-out toes. She picked up the shoes, her fingertips tracing the patterns on them, remembering herself spinning and leaping on stage back then, and tears finally streamed down her face.
She took out her phone and dialed a number she hadn't heard from in a long time.
"Hello, it's me, Clara ."
A burst of ecstatic cheers came from the other end of the phone: " Clara ! You finally contacted me! I thought you were going to be stuck in that house for the rest of your life! You should have done this a long time ago. You're a natural ballerina, a top star who should have risen again long ago! When are you coming back to Paris? The company still has a place for you!"
Clara sniffed, her voice soft but with unprecedented determination: "We'll be leaving in seven days. But I need to go to Germany first for surgery, and then I'll rejoin the team."
"Okay! We'll wait for your news!"
After hanging up the phone, Clara began packing. She carefully placed her old trophies and dance shoes into her suitcase, then threw away all the loose, oversized clothes in her closet. For seven years, she had given up her dreams for her family, sacrificed herself for her children, only to be met with disdain and betrayal in return. Now, she was going to live for herself.
Halfway through tidying up, there was a knock on the door, and Liam walked in. He saw the trophy in the box, paused for a moment, and asked in confusion, "What's this? When did you get something like this?"
Clara looked at him and suddenly felt incredibly ironic. He had actually forgotten that this was her proudest achievement, something he had once held dear and flaunted to everyone. She didn't answer, only saying lightly, "Nothing, just some useless old stuff."
Liam didn't ask any more questions. His gaze fell on her packed luggage, and he frowned: "Where are you going?"
" Just tidying up some old things that I don't need anymore ," Clara said calmly .
"Liam, come here for a second... " Vanessa's voice called from outside. Liam didn't ask me again, turned around and went out the door.
I watched Liam 's departing figure and gave a self-deprecating smile.
The door was gently pushed open, and Lila tiptoed in, carrying a glass of milk.
It was wrong of you to disturb my piano practice today. Lila raised her chin slightly, her tone carrying an arrogance beyond her years, much like how Liam spoke to her. Drink this, and I will forgive you.
She turned her head and handed over the milk, but deliberately avoided looking at Clara's face, as if looking at her for even a second would offend her eyes.
Clara's fingers tightened slightly as she gripped her phone, a bitter feeling rising in her heart.
She remembered that when Lila was three years old, she would run over with milk in the same way, only then the child would softly call "Mommy feed me," rest her chin on her knees, stare into her eyes and say "Mommy is the prettiest."
But now, the little dumpling who used to cling to her has become the one who hates her the most.
She wanted to refuse, but then she thought of her three-year-old daughter and that this might be the last time she would drink milk poured by her daughter, so she eventually took the cup.
The milk was slightly cool to the taste, with a strange, cloying sweetness. Clara frowned, but still forced herself to drink it down.
She thought that even if it was the last time, she wanted to preserve some of the warmth between mother and daughter.
That night, Clara was trapped in a hazy, half-awake state.
The bedroom door wasn't closed properly, and Liam's voice, mixed with suggestive breathing, drifted in, clear as if right next to his ear: "That waist... it's so damn thin... Teacher Vanessa, you're even more alluring than when she wore a dance dress back in the day..." This was followed by the rhythmic rustling of fabric and Vanessa's soft, sweet laughter: "Mr. Liam, be gentle... Lila's still in the next room..."
Clara spent a chaotic night, unsure whether it was a dream or reality. Her heart felt like it had been struck by a heavy hammer, the pain almost suffocating her.
She vaguely remembered that seven years ago, Liam had whispered the same thing in her ear, saying that her waist when she danced Swan Lake was "God's masterpiece" and that he would give her the best things in the world.
But now, his sweet words are given to someone else, his tenderness to someone else, and even the desire he once showed only to her has become a knife stabbing her.
The next afternoon, Clara was woken up by her cell phone ringing.
A strong wave of dizziness washed over her. She propped herself up on the headboard, her head feeling heavy as if it were filled with lead. She raised her hand to touch her forehead, and the burning heat made her heart clench.
I turned on my phone, and the screen showed 3 PM.
Married for seven years, she has been getting up at six o'clock every day to make breakfast in order to take care of Lila, and has never slept for so long. Even when her wound became infected after giving birth to Lila, she forced herself to get up and breastfeed the baby. Now she is sleeping so soundly, which is unusual and makes people uneasy.
"Awake?" Liam's voice came from the other end of the phone, with Vanessa's laughter and Lila's chatter in the background. "You said you were tired last night, so I didn't wake you and let you sleep a little longer." His tone was perfunctory concern, as if he were talking to an unimportant servant.
"I'll go to the kitchen tonight to prepare a few dishes. Lila and I will come back to eat, and Vanessa will also be there."
Clara rubbed her throbbing temples, her voice hoarse: "I don't remember having a piano lesson today, why did she come?"
There was a pause on the other end of the phone, followed by Vanessa's sweet voice: "Mr. Liam, Lila said she wants to play hide-and-seek with us. If Clara isn't happy about it, I won't go..." The grievance in her voice was like a fine needle, precisely stirring up Liam's emotions.
Liam's patience ran out instantly, and her tone became impatient: "Just prepare when I tell you to, why all this nonsense? Lila wants Vanessa to come, can't you, as her mother, just go along with her? We'll talk about the rest when we get home."
Before Clara could utter another word, the phone was abruptly hung up. The busy tone rang, as if mocking her unrequited love. Clara slowly got up and walked to the mirrorthe woman in the mirror had a puffy face, dark circles under her eyes, and loose loungewear clung to her body like a thick layer of cotton. She raised her hand and pinched her arm; it was all soft fat, and the firm muscle lines she used to have when she was a dancer were nowhere to be found.
"Let's just consider this one last meal for them before I leave." Clara sighed at her reflection in the mirror, her fingertips tracing the water stains on the surface, as if caressing the shattered past.
As evening fell, the front door opened. Liam led Lila in, Vanessa linked arms with him, and the three of them walked in, chatting and laughing. Vanessa held a drawing in her hand, a "family portrait" drawn by Lilait included her father, Vanessa, and herself in a princess dress, but Clara was nowhere to be seen. Liam took the drawing, smiled, and ruffled Lila's hair: "Our Lila drew so well, even better than her kindergarten teacher."
The scene was too jarring. Clara stood in the kitchen doorway, feeling like an intruder. The table was already set with dishes: spicy chicken, boiled fish, and Mapo tofuall the spicy dishes that Liam and Lila loved. Over the years, to cater to their tastes, Clara had forced herself to transform from a girl from Jiangnan who couldn't eat spicy food into someone who couldn't live without chili peppers at every meal. Stomach medicine was always kept in the table drawer, but they had never asked her, "Does your stomach still hurt?"
"Wow! It smells so good!" Lila sniffed exaggeratedly, and before everyone could sit down, she eagerly picked up her chopsticks and grabbed a piece of spicy chicken.
Vanessa suddenly teared up, covered her mouth, and coughed softly, her chopsticks hovering in mid-air, unwilling to move. Liam immediately put down his cup and anxiously felt her forehead: "What's wrong? Did you choke on the chili?"
IIm currently controlling my sugar and oil intake, so I cant eat anything too oily or spicy Vanessas voice trembled with tears, which streamed down her face like a broken string of pearls. Its all my fault. I didnt explain things clearly to Aunt Su beforehand, and she did all that work for nothing
Liam's gaze instantly turned cold as he glared at Clara: "Clara, didn't I tell you that Vanessa needs to maintain her figure? I asked you to cook healthier dishes, can't you understand human language? So many chili peppers, are you trying to kill her?"
Lila's face fell, and she slammed her chopsticks on the table, yelling at Clara, "Teacher Vanessa doesn't eat spicy food! Why did you make so many spicy dishes? You bad woman!" She pointed to the kitchen and ordered imperiously, "Teacher Vanessa loves seafood, go and make it for her again! Steamed shrimp, garlic scallops, and cream of mushroom soup!"
Clara stood rooted to the spot, her body ice-cold. Liam and Lila both knew she was allergic to seafoodthree years ago, she accidentally ate a shrimp, her throat swelled up instantly, and she nearly choked. Liam had even frowned and said, "How could you be so careless?" But now, they had completely forgotten. She remembered how she hadn't touched spicy or greasy food for three years to practice dancing, and now she was sacrificing herself for them, only to receive nothing in return, not even a simple "Remember you can't eat spicy food."
This is too much trouble for Clara Vanessa tugged at Liams sleeve feigning concern, but a smug smile lurked in her eyes. Actually, Ill just have some plain porridge
"No!" Lila interrupted her, slamming her little hand on the table. "Teacher Vanessa can't eat this awful stuff! That fat bastard does nothing all day, not even a proper meal. What else can she possibly do!"
The words "fat bastard" hit Clara like a hammer blow, making her vision blur. She trembled with rage, grabbed the chopsticks from the table, and slammed them to the floor: "Why should I redo it? I've had enough of this!"
The chopsticks fell to the floor with a crisp sound. Liam's face darkened. He stood up and walked over to her, his tone authoritative and leaving no room for argument: "Clara, can't you be a little more sensible? Lila is still young, and Vanessa is a guest. How can you be less reasonable than a child?"
With Liam backing her up, Lila seemed to have been set ablaze. She rushed to the dining table, her little hands sweeping haphazardly across the plateswith a "crash," the entire table of food was swept to the floor. Red chili oil splattered onto Clara's arm, the scalding heat sending a burning sensation through her. She instinctively pulled her hand away, only to see Liam immediately shield Vanessa behind him, as if afraid the oil would splash onto her.
"Your cooking is awful! And you won't let Teacher Vanessa eat! You bad woman!" Lila shouted, jumping up and down, her little face full of disgust. "I put sleeping pills in your milk! That way Teacher Vanessa can go to kindergarten and be my mom! All the classmates say Teacher Vanessa is beautiful and gentle, she's like my mom! Unlike you, you only deserve to be an ugly, fat maid at home!"
The words "sleeping pills" struck Clara like a thunderbolt, leaving her frozen in place. She finally understood why she had slept for so long, and why she had woken up with a splitting headachethat glass of milk wasn't a "gift of forgiveness" at all, but a tool her daughter had used to scheme against her! She turned to Liam in disbelief, her voice trembling, "What did Lila just say? You know?"
A flicker of panic crossed Liam's eyes, but he quickly regained his composure. He reached out to pull Clara's arm, his tone casually indulgent: "There's a parent-child activity at kindergarten today. If you go looking like this, the other kids will laugh at Lila. Your daughter has self-esteem too. You're her mother, you certainly won't hold a grudge over something like this." He paused, as if bestowing some favor: "However, it was definitely wrong of her to give you sleeping pills. I've already criticized her, so please don't dwell on it."
"You criticized her?" Clara felt a wave of suffocation. Looking at Liam's familiar face, she suddenly felt utterly alienated. "Liam, is this how you raise your daughter? Teaching her to use sleeping pills to scheme against her own mother? What's wrong with my appearance? I only became like this because I developed hormonal imbalance after giving birth to her!"
Seven years of forbearance, grievances, and resentment erupted completely at this moment. Clara grabbed the remaining dishes on the table and smashed them on the ground"Smash!" Ceramic shards flew everywhere, and soup splashed onto Liam's suit pants, leaving a messy stain.
"Clara, what's wrong with you!" Liam's gaze was as cold as ice. "Lila is still young and doesn't understand things. Can't you be a little more tolerant? Besides, Teacher Vanessa is right here. Don't be unreasonable!"
"Nonsense?" Clara laughed angrily, tears finally streaming down her face, her voice trembling with rage. "Fine, I'll leave! I'll leave right now and never get in your way again!"
Unable to bear the suffocating place any longer, she stumbled out of the restaurant, even forgetting her suitcase in the entryway. In the garden behind the manor, a cool evening breeze blew, but it couldn't dispel the excruciating pain and nausea in her chest. Clara sat in the veranda, looking at the withered roses outsidethe roses she had planted herself, the ones Liam used to water every day, saying, "The roses must be worthy of my Clara." But now, the roses were dead, and their love was dead too.
She gasped for breath, trying to calm her turbulent emotions, when she heard soft footsteps behind her. A scent of perfume wafted on the breezenot her usual light gardenia, but Vanessa's sweet, cloying rose fragrance.
"Clara?" Vanessa's voice sounded from behind, with a hint of deliberate gentleness. "It's so late, aren't you afraid of catching a cold by yourself here alone?"
It was Vanessa 's voice, her sweet tone laced with deliberate gentleness, like a sticky sugar coating concealing a poisoned needle. She walked step by step to the pavilion in her high-heeled sandals, her skirt sweeping across the grass, kicking up bits of grass clippings. When she stopped beside Clara , she deliberately adjusted her collarrevealing the pearl necklace Liam had given her yesterday, creating a jarring contrast with the diamond pendant around Clara's neck.
"Are you alright?" Vanessa bent down, her eyes filled with a blatantly fake concern. "Children say things without thinking, Clara , don't take it to heart. Lila just likes me so much that she spoke a little harshly. You're her mother, you certainly won't blame the child, right?"
Clara didn't respond, or even look up. She knew Vanessa all too wellevery time she stirred up trouble, she used "for the children" as a shield, portraying herself as an understanding victim. She just stared at the cracks in the pavilion pillars, cracks Lila had made when she was learning to walk. Liam had laughed then, saying, "These are our family's keepsakes," but now, even that "souvenir" felt ironic.
Vanessa 's gaze fell on Clara 's neck. It was a platinum diamond necklace with a pendant of a miniature ballet shoe, the toe of which was set with small diamonds, and the heel engraved with tiny " C & L "it was a wedding anniversary gift that Liam had given her seven years ago. He had knelt down on one knee and placed the necklace around her neck, his voice fervent: "This is for my ballet princess, and only you deserve it."
Clara , your necklace is so beautiful. Vanessa s voice was full of undisguised amazement, even a hint of greed. She subconsciously reached out, her fingertips almost touching the ballet shoe pendant. The cutting of these diamonds looks incredibly valuable
"Don't touch it!" Clara almost instinctively raised her hand to block, her palm slamming against Vanessa 's wrist, her tone as cold as ice. This was the only thing she had left that connected her to the beautiful past, her only spiritual sustenance after giving up the stage, and she would never allow anyone to tarnish it.
Vanessa 's hand froze as her hand was blocked, a flash of resentment crossing her eyes, only to be instantly replaced by aggrievedness. Just then, Lila's clear voice called from afar, " Teacher Vanessa , where are you? Daddy bought a strawberry cake, and I want to eat it with Teacher Vanessa !"
Upon hearing Lila 's voice, Vanessa seemed to suddenly lose her balance, her body jerking forward with a sharp scream: "Ah!" Her hand precisely gripped Clara 's wrist, using the force to pull Clara towards herthe two collided heavily, Clara 's back slamming unprepared against the edge of a marble statue beside the pavilion, the sharp stone tearing through her fabric and piercing her flesh.
"Ugh!" Clara gasped in pain, the warm blood instantly soaking through her pajamas, trickling down her waistline and sticking to her skin, both cold and painful. She tried to push herself up, but the excruciating pain in her back made her tremble all over, even her fingertips twitching.
Vanessa simply fell lightly onto the soft grass, scraping her elbow and drawing a tiny bit of blood. Her eyes were already red, tears streaming down her face like broken beads, her voice choked with emotion: "Thank you, Lila , it doesn't hurt... I just lost my balance."
Lila rushed over, her little arms tightly wrapped around Vanessa 's neck, blowing on her elbow with a pained expression: " Does it hurt, Teacher Vanessa ? Daddy, quickly help Teacher Vanessa up! This naughty fat woman is bullying you!"
Vanessa raised her wet eyes and looked at Liam , who was walking quickly towards her. Her voice was soft and gentle: "I just... thought Clara 's necklace was so beautiful and wanted to admire it up close. I didn't expect to bump into Clara ... It's all my fault for being so clumsy."
Liam frowned, his gaze sweeping over Clara's bleeding back, but without pausing, he walked straight to Vanessa and carefully helped her up. His hand naturally encircled Vanessa 's waist, his fingertips even gently massaging her back, as if soothing a frightened animal Clara hadn't seen him act this way in five years. The last time he was so gentle was when she twisted her ankle while dancing.
Vanessa casually placed her hand on Liam 's shoulder, her fingertips deliberately brushing against his neck, causing Liam's body to stiffen slightly, but a hint of tenderness flickered in his eyes.
Hearing Vanessa 's words, Lila 's face turned bright red with anger. She turned around and glared fiercely at Clara on the ground , like an enraged little animal: "You fat bastard! How dare you push Teacher Vanessa ! You're so fat, like a pig, while Teacher Vanessa is so thin, how could she possibly push you? You're just jealous that Teacher Vanessa is prettier than you, so you pushed her on purpose!"
Clara endured the sharp pain in her back, her voice weak but firm: "I didn't push her, she fell over on her own and pulled me down."
"Enough!" Liam 's gaze turned completely cold, like a knife chilled to ice, piercing straight at Clara . " Clara , apologize to Teacher Vanessa ."
I did nothing wrong! Clara looked at him in disbelief, tears finally streaming down her face. The pain in her back and the coldness in her chest made her feel like she was suffocating. Liam , look closely! My back is bleeding! She pulled me on purpose, thats why I fell!
Liam didn't even glance at her again, his eyes filled with disgust: " Clara , you've disappointed me so much. Vanessa is a guest, and Lila is here. Can't you be a little more understanding? Don't always think so badly of people!" He lowered his head and said gently to Vanessa , " Vanessa , your hands are for playing the piano, they're very precious. Don't take it to heart. I apologize on her behalf. Now I'll take you to the hospital to treat your wound."
had she finished speaking than Lila suddenly rushed at Clara , her small fists raining down on Clara 's chest and arms: "You dared to bully Teacher Vanessa ! You dared to lie! I'll beat you to death, you wicked fat woman!" She wasn't very strong, but every punch hit Clara 's sore spots, especially the dull pain in her chest, which made it hard for her to breathe.
Suddenly, Lila 's little hand grabbed Clara 's diamond necklace and yanked it down hardwith a "snap," the clasp broke, and the broken diamond pendant fell onto the grass, rolled a few times, and stopped at Vanessa 's feet.
Lila picked up the broken necklace and presented it to Vanessa like a precious treasure , her eyes sparkling: " Teacher Vanessa , here you go! Such a beautiful necklace, that wicked fat woman doesn't deserve to wear it! You look better in it!"
Vanessa quickly waved her hand, her tone deliberately declining: " Lila , this won't do. This is your mother's necklace; the teacher can't take it."
"Take it." Liam 's voice rang out, carrying an undeniable force. "It's a token of the child's affection, consider it her mother's apology to you. It's just a necklace, nothing serious."
Clara stared at the ballet pendant lying in the grass, her heart feeling as if it were being torn apart. She remembered seven years ago, when Liam went to three jewelry stores to buy this necklace and even had their initials engraved by the designer; she remembered when the necklace got caught on her dress during dance practice, and Liam carefully untangled it for her, saying, "I'll help you wear it from now on, don't hurt my princess"; she remembered when she gained weight during her pregnancy and couldn't wear the necklace anymore, and Liam smiled and said, "When you lose weight, I'll buy you an even bigger diamond."
But now, he not only watches as someone else takes her necklace, but he also says, "It's no big deal."
The wound on her back was still bleeding, and every movement felt like being pricked by countless needles. Clara sat on the ground and suddenly laughed, laughing until tears streamed down her face. Her laughter echoed in the empty garden, carrying endless sorrow and self-mockery.
This is the daughter she gave birth to after a brush with death and the risk of severe bleedingwho beat and kicked her for the sake of outsiders and destroyed what she cherished most. This is the husband who promised her "I will protect you for life" back on stagewho turned a blind eye to her wounds for another woman and even forced her to apologize to the perpetrator.
Liam had already scooped Vanessa up in his arms and was walking briskly towards the villa. Vanessa rested her head on his shoulder, a victorious smile playing on her lips. Lila followed behind like a shadow, turning back to glare at Clara before leaving and muttering, "You nasty fatso."
No one looked back at her, no one asked her if she was in pain, and no one cared whether she could stand up again.
Clara slowly reached out and picked up the ballet pendant from the grass. One of the diamonds had been chipped off, making it look particularly broken in the moonlight. She clutched the pendant tightly, the sharp edge of the diamond piercing her palm, drawing tiny beads of blood that mingled with the blood on her back.
She looked up at the warm yellow light shining from the villa, which had once been her home, her whole world. But now, all that remained was a facade of tenderness and a chilling indifference.
Clara took a deep breath, the last trace of lingering affection in her eyes completely extinguished. She vowed in her heart: she wanted neither this cold-hearted man nor this ungrateful child. From this day forward, she would live only for herself, for the Clara who had once shone brightly on the stage .
The pain in her back continued, but her eyes grew increasingly resolute. She slowly pushed herself up and walked step by step toward the outside of the manorthere lay her suitcase, her plane ticket to Germany, and her new beginning.
Clara, supporting herself on a pillar in the pavilion, slowly stood up. The wound on her back burned like fire; every step pulled at her flesh, and the seeping blood had stained the back of her loungewear a dark brown, sticking to her back, cold and astringent. She took out her phone, her fingertips trembling slightly from blood loss, and dialed her private doctor's numberthe one she had hired with her ballet competition prize money years ago, who had been responsible for her family's health for years. This doctor had been by her side during her dance injuries and prenatal checkups.
"Doctor, I have a back injury and I need you to come and treat it." Clara 's voice was weak and strained; the sharp pain in her back forced her to lean against the wall to keep her balance.
After a few seconds of silence on the other end of the phone, Dr. Zhang's troubled voice came through: "Madam, I'm so sorry... Mr. Liam just called me and said that Ms. Vanessa was injured outside and asked me to go to the city's central hospital immediately. He also specifically emphasized that Ms. Vanessa 's hand is used for playing the piano and cannot be scarred, and that I must handle it myself... Could you... wait until I get back from the hospital?"
There are doctors in the hospital, of course. Clara sneered, her laughter filled with sorrow. Dr. Zhang, I am also the master of this house. I will double your consultation fee for coming today, and I will also give you an extra tip for your trouble. She knew Liam s priorities all too well Vanessa s minor scrape was extremely precious, while her bleeding back could only wait a while.
After hanging up the phone, Clara slowly walked back to the villa, leaning against the wall. The living room was empty; no one asked where she had been, no one cared about her wound. She found the first-aid kit herself, clumsily unwrapped the gauze, and tried to bandage herselfthe wound on her back was invisible, so she could only feel her way around. When the alcohol swab touched the wound, the pain made her shudder, and tears almost welled up in her eyes. Before, when she injured herself while dancing, Liam would carefully treat her wound, blowing on it and scolding her, "How could you be so careless?" But now, the person who would have cared for her was by another woman's side.
After the wound was finally bandaged, Dr. Zhang arrived. While re-treating the wound, Dr. Zhang couldn't help but sigh, "Madam, this wound is quite deep; any later and it might get infected. Mr. Liam ... didn't he see it?"
Clara didn't speak, she just closed her eyes. She didn't want to mention Liam again ; every time she did, it felt like a stab to her heart.
After her wounds were treated, Clara drifted off to sleep. The pain in her back kept recurring like waves, making her sleep restless. Her dreams were filled with scenes from seven years agoshe was standing on stage in her dance dress, Liam applauding her from below, his eyes shining brighter than a spotlight. Suddenly, the stage collapsed, and she fell into darkness, all she could hear were Lila 's curses and Vanessa 's laughter.
She was awakened by a commotion. Opening her eyes, she saw the living room was crowded with peoplenurses were pushing wheelchairs and physiotherapy equipment, and several doctors in white coats were busy moving various medical devices into the guest room. Vanessa sat on the sofa, a small bandage on her elbow, being carefully supported by Liam , who asked softly, "Does it still hurt? The doctor said you need to do physiotherapy for a few days. I'll move the equipment home so it'll be more convenient for you."
Mr. Liam , this is too much trouble for you Vanessa s voice was trembling with tears, her eyes red. I only scraped my skin, and youve gone to such lengths. Its making me feel bad.
Clara leaned against the bedroom door, looking at the expensive medical equipment, then down at the gauze on her back that was faintly bleedingher wound was ten times worse than Vanessa's , yet she had to find the first-aid kit to treat it herself, without even receiving a word of concern.
Liam turned and saw her, the gentleness on his face instantly fading, and he gave a perfunctory explanation: " Teacher Vanessa is injured, so it's more convenient for her to recuperate at home. Consider this an apology on your behalf."
She just scraped her hand. Clara s voice was as cold as ice as she glanced at the equipment. Why are you making such a fuss? You never even mentioned bringing this equipment home when I broke my leg while practicing dance.
Liam 's expression darkened, somewhat displeased: "Those were those days, and these are the present. Vanessa 's hands are different; they're for playing the piano. What if she injures her bones and it affects her career?"
Lila ran out of the guest room, threw herself into Vanessa's arms, and pointed at Clara , shouting, " Ms. Vanessa , you stay here! Don't mind that fat woman, she's just the maid, she has no right to interfere with us!"
Lila , stop giving Mommy nicknames all the time. Liam said this symbolically, without any reproach in his tone, but rather with indulgence.
Clara, too lazy to argue with them, turned and went back to her bedroom. She knew Liam 's temper all too well; whenever Vanessa was involved , she was always wrong.
The next morning, as Clara stepped out of her bedroom, she saw Liam leaning against the sofa, iPad in hand, his fingers flying across the screen. Sunlight streamed through the French windows, illuminating his handsome profile, but his gaze was fixed on the screen, and he didn't even notice her approaching.
Clara , come here for a second. Liam only looked up when Clara walked to the sofa and pointed to the iPad screenit was full of information about high-end villas in the city center, with the lowest price being tens of millions.
Clara could speak, she saw Liam pick up his phone, tap the screen a few times, and then the phone beeped C he had transferred a 10 million yuan deposit to the real estate agent.
Clara , Id like to discuss something with you. Liam put down his phone and pointed to the documents on the coffee table. Lila has been studying piano very diligently lately, and Id like to buy her a villa with a practice room so that Vanessa, her teacher , can live there and provide convenient guidance. This is a gift agreement between the couple, and as a token of our gratitude, the villa will be registered in Vanessas name.
Clara stared at the agreement, the words "Gifts: Liam , Clara " particularly jarring. She suddenly remembered seven years ago, when she wanted to buy an imported piano, priced at only a few hundred thousand, but Liam hesitated for a long time, saying, "We'll buy it later"; she remembered when she was pregnant and wanted to eat imported fruit, Liam said, "Too expensive, ordinary fruit is just as good"; but now, he bought Vanessa a villa worth tens of millions without even blinking an eye.
"You've already paid the deposit, why are you asking me?" Clara sneered, her fingertip tracing her name on the agreement. "Also, have you forgotten that we're divorced? The cooling-off period isn't over yet, but we're no longer husband and wife. I won't sign this agreement."
Liam paused, seemingly only then remembering the divorce. He scratched his head, his tone carrying a hint of casual apology: "Sorry, I forgot." He paused, then asked, "When does the cooling-off period end?"
"Number 20." Clara 's voice was completely flat.
Liam breathed a sigh of relief and reached out to take Clara 's hand, but she instinctively dodged it. His hand froze in mid-air, a hint of displeasure flashing in his eyes, but he quickly concealed it: " Clara , after all, Professor Vanessa is a guest. It would be impolite to neglect her. I might not be able to take care of you lately, so please bear with me."
Lila is still young, and its understandable that shes a bit willful, but she is still our child. Please dont take it to heart, he added, his tone pleading.
Clara frowned and interrupted him, "You don't need to say these things." She added in her mindafter all, I'm leaving soon, and these things will no longer concern me.
Liam closed the iPad, her tone suddenly softening: "Okay, let's make some light dishes tonight. Lila and I have been staying home with you lately, okay?"
Clara looked at the hypocrisy in his eyes and found it laughable. Staying with her? It was just an excuse to stay home with Vanessa . She pointed to her legher knee was scraped and swollen from yesterday's fall. "My leg is injured, I'm still recovering, and I can't cook for a while. Let the maid prepare."
Liam 's lips suddenly curled into a cruel smile, his eyes filled with contempt: "You can walk, can't you? What? You still want to keep dancing ballet with those legs of yours?" He paused, his tone undisguisedly insulting: "Which ballet dancer weighs 150 pounds? Clara , you should face reality."
Clara 's heart with precision . She remembered when she weighed 90 pounds, twirling on stage in her ballet tutu, with Liam shouting "My ballet princess!" from the audience; she remembered practicing dance late into the night, with Liam bringing her late-night snacks, saying, "Your legs are the most precious thing in the world"; but now, he was using her most prized legs and dreams to insult her.
Clara clenched her fists, her nails digging deep into her palms until beads of blood appeared. She wanted to retort, but her throat felt blocked, and she couldn't utter a sound.
"Sorry, I was just joking." Seeing Clara's pale face, Liam stopped smiling and apologized perfunctorily. "Since you have trouble walking, you should rest at home. I'll take Lila and Vanessa out to eat."
After saying that, he picked up his coat and walked straight to the entrance without even asking, "Do you want something to eat?"
Liam left, Clara wasn't sad at all. Instead, she lay down on the sofa and took out her phone to search for information about liposuction. She carefully looked at the surgical risks, postoperative recovery time, and even contacted a hospital in Germany to confirm the surgery time Liam and Lila were no longer in her world ; she just wanted to leave this suffocating place as soon as possible.
Liam didn't return until evening with Lila and Vanessa . They were carrying various luxury bags, their faces beaming with smiles, clearly having had a great time. Clara lay sprawled on the sofa, not even lifting her eyelids.
Lila entered the door, she found her slippers still lying haphazardly in the entryway. In the past, Clara would arrange her slippers at a 45-degree angle every day, with the toes pointing towards the door, and would warm them up with a heater beforehand; now, the slippers were scattered haphazardly on the floor, covered in dust.
"Fat lady! Why don't you tidy up the house!" Lila instantly lost her temper, throwing the toy in her hand on the ground. "Aren't you going to come and change my, Daddy's, and Teacher Vanessa's shoes? Are you doing this on purpose?!"
Clara slowly raised her head and looked at her coldly: "Why should I? Do I owe you anything? I used to help you clean up because I considered you family, but not anymore. From now on, you'll have to do your own things."
Liam frowned but didn't say anythinghe clearly also thought Clara was "immature," but didn't want to argue in front of Vanessa .
Lila got even angrier and pointed at Clara 's nose, yelling, "You eat my dad's food! You drink my dad's water! You should be working at home! You owe us everything!"
Who said I eat his food or drink his water? Clara stood up, the wound on her back throbbing again, but her eyes were incredibly firm. The down payment for this house was paid with the prize money I won when I won a gold medal in ballet; the wages of the maids in the house were raised by selling the jewelry my mother left me; even the food and clothes you eat and wear were mostly bought with my own savings. I dont owe you anything!
Liam finally spoke, interrupting her. He walked over, ruffled Lila 's hair, and said in a soothing tone, "Mommy was just saying that in anger, don't pay any attention to Mommy."
"I wasn't saying that out of anger!" Lila suddenly burst into tears, which streamed down her face like a broken string of pearls. "I don't want a fat and ugly woman to be my mother! I want Vanessa to be my mother! Vanessa is so gentle and beautiful, why wasn't I born from her!"
Clara like a hammer blow . She remembered three years ago, struggling for three hours on the operating table, nearly dying from severe bleeding, to give birth to Lila ; she remembered Lila crying at night when Lila was just a month old, and her mother holding and comforting her all night long, without closing her own eyes; she remembered crying tears of joy for a long time when Lila first called her "Mama." But now, her own daughter wanted someone else to be her mother.
Vanessa stood to the side, a look of surprise on her face. She quickly walked over, took Lila 's hand, and said with a deliberately guilty tone, " Clara , don't blame Lila . It's all my fault. I just wanted to be nice to her, buy her snacks, and play with her. I never thought it would make her think like this... It's all my fault for being too patient, making Lila feel like I'm more like her mother." As she spoke, she wiped her eyes, as if she had suffered a great injustice.
" Vanessa , what are you pretending to be a good person for!" Clara clenched her fists, her nails almost digging into her flesh. "You think I don't know you're doing this on purpose? You're deliberately trying to please Lila , deliberately acting weak in front of Liam , just to steal my place!"
Clara , dont be rude! Liam frowned, his tone authoritative and leaving no room for argument. Vanessa is just trying to be kind, dont think so badly of her! He looked down at Lila gently, his voice softening considerably: Lila , do you really want Vanessa to be your mother?
Lila nodded vigorously, tears still streaming down her face, but her determination was unwavering: "Yes! I want Vanessa to be my mom! I don't want this fat woman as my mom!"
Clara looked at the scene before her and felt a chill run through her body. Her back still ached, but her heart ached even more, as if she were about to suffocate. She finally understood that there was no longer a place for her in this home. She took a deep breath, and the last trace of lingering affection in her eyes vanished completelyon the 20th, she would leave immediately and never look back.
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