The buried pain from all these years suddenly surged back to me like an inescapable nightmare. I bit my lip hard, trying to contain it. How could I ever forget the day I nearly lost my life, and the child I never got to meet, all because of this vile man?
Indirectly, he had almost killed his own child, hadn't he?
And now, here he stood, daring to accuse me of hiding our child from him, as if he wasn't a monster himself?
Tears began streaming down my face, soaking my onceresilient features. I didn't want to break down in front of him, but the years of heartbreak, loneliness, and bitterness erupted inside me like a flood. Even now, Alain hadn't changed at all. He was still the same vile person who destroyed everything in his path.
Seeing me in such a state, Alain showed no sign of remorse. If anything, there was a hint of satisfaction in his cold eyes. Isn't it said that if someone still feels pain, it means they still care? Maybe he thought my love had turned into hate. If I had "behaved" back then, maybe he wouldn't have divorced me. It was all my fault, right? According to him, my stupidity was to blame.
Alain sneered coldly, "Don't drag the past into this, Elwyn. I don't want to waste time, and there's no chance of reconciliation. From now on, I'll take my son and raise him myself. Stop causing trouble."
"Who said I wanted to reconcile with you? I'm not as filthy as that promiscuous whore, Anna. Only an idiot like her would treat trash like you as a treasure."
"You dare call me trash?" Alain's face darkened with fury. He had always seen me as beneath him, so how could he tolerate being insulted by someone he thought so little of?
But I wasn't the same woman I had been five years ago. Wiping my tears fiercely, I glared at the man who had wronged me for so long. Exhausted, I no longer had the energy to argue. I stepped toward him, pushing him, my voice shaking with anger, "Get out! Get out, you bastard!"
But my strength was no match for his. Alain didn't budge an inch. Instead, he shoved me aside, sending me crashing to the floor. I lay there, my hair disheveled, my clothes wrinkled, my dignity in shambles. Alain straightened his collar with disdain, looking down at me as though I were beneath him.
His cold gaze burned through me, making me feel small, humiliated. I bit my lip until I tasted blood. Why couldn't I hold it together in front of him? Why did I let him get under my skin like this?
My anger boiled, clouding my thoughts. His arrogant stance brought back memories of five years ago, when he forced me to sign the divorce papers, leaving me with nothing. Now, he was using the same arrogance to take my son from me!
Alain, you devil.
Without thinking, I slapped him across the face, hard. The sharp crack echoed in the room, and for a moment, time seemed to freeze. Alain turned his head slowly, touching the burning spot on his cheek. His expression was one of shock.
"Get out!" I screamed, my voice trembling with rage. "Don't make me call the police!"
Alain grabbed me, pulling me close, his hand viciously gripping my hair. "Do you think you can scare me?"
Suddenly, something kicked him. We both looked down and saw Dennis. My sweet boy was trying to protect me, weakly hitting Alain's legs with his little fists. I gasped in horror and quickly pulled Dennis into my arms.
"Sweetheart, go inside," I said, my voice trembling. "Mommy and this man need to talk…"
"He hit you!" Dennis cried, his eyes wide with fear and anger.
"This is grownup stuff, Dennis. Please, just go inside."
I raised my voice, which I rarely did, and it startled him. He stood frozen for a moment, then suddenly bolted for the door. I stood there, stunned, before realizing what had happened. I chased after him, shouting, "Dennis, come back!"
But he didn't stop. He just kept running.
Alain blocked the doorway, his voice low and dangerous. "We're not done yet. Don't walk away from me."
"Are you insane? Do you think it's okay to argue like this in front of a child?" I screamed, desperate to make him understand.
"If there's anyone to blame, it's you for raising him so poorly! My perfect son has turned into a rude brat because of you!"
I felt a surge of helplessness. How could he still think like this after everything? How could he stand here and blame me for everything, after all the pain he had caused?
Looking out the door, I realized Dennis had run off somewhere. Maybe it was for the best. He didn't need to witness this bitter argument. He didn't need to see his father in this light. Perhaps it was better for him to have no father at all than for Alain to claim that role.
I looked back at Alain, my tears still flowing. But now, there was something different in my gaze.
"So, how's life with that whore treating you?"
Alain's face twisted with anger. "Since when did you start using such filthy language?"
I smirked, regaining my composure. "And a traitorous scumbag like you is any better? After all these years, the only thing that's changed is your skin's gotten thicker. Impressive."
Alain frowned, clearly displeased with my words. But I didn't care anymore. His scorn couldn't touch me like it used to. Let him sneer. Let him look down on me. I wasn't the same broken woman he had left behind.
Alain, however, still clung to his arrogance. "Do you really think you can compare yourself to Anna? We're happy, Elwyn. You? You're so dull, I doubt anyone would ever fall for someone like you."
I laughed, shaking my head. "Good. You and Anna deserve each other. You're perfect for one another, bound to torment each other for the rest of your lives."
Alain's face hardened, but I could see the truth in his eyes. He hated hearing it, but he knew I wasn't wrong.
Finally, his voice dropped, cold and dangerous. "I didn't come here to argue. I'm taking my son with me. Now."
"Are you sure he's yours?"
In my anger, the words slipped out before I could stop them. Alain's face turned deathly pale, and in an instant, his hand was around my throat.
"What did you just say?" he growled, his grip tightening. I clawed at his hand, gasping for air, but it only made him angrier. Just as I thought I would pass out, the door burst open. Both of us turned in shock to see Dennis standing there, panting, with a tall figure beside him.
That man's piercing gaze made Alain's blood run cold.