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 headache—that 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 outside—the 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 breeze—not 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 collar—revealing 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 well—every 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 her—the 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, that’s 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 hard—with 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 bleeding—who 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 stage—who 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 manor—there 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 number—the 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 herself—the 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 ago—she 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 people—nurses 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 you’ve gone to such lengths. It’s 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 bleeding—her 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."