Chapter 1 My Wife Has Violent Tendencies

As the heavy door of Ashwood Mental Hospital creaked open, a pale, slender woman stepped out. She was Audrey Patel. She covered her aching stomach and dragged her feet to walk, while the murmurs behind her followed like shadows.

Someone whispered, "Mr. Patel's such a saint. He still sticks with her after she went nuts and hurt others with a knife."

Another person said bitterly, "If my wife pulled a stunt like that, I'd kick her out the same day. She's a total disgrace to Mr. Patel."

Someone else chimed in, "If Ms. Patterson's father hadn't passed away, and she hadn't moved in with her uncle, she would've married Mr. Patel ages ago. Audrey would never have had the chance."

Audrey squinted against the harsh light and gave a bitter little smile.

Everyone knew the story. She was an orphan girl from some no-name town who somehow married Clayton Patel, a big-shot lawyer with a spotless image. People all said she won the lottery.

But now, with a reputation for being violent and unstable, fired from her job and fresh out of a mental hospital, she looked even more out of place next to Clayton.

Audrey thought bitterly, 'They all think I don't deserve him. Funny thing is, the one who stuck me in that hellhole and slapped that label on me was my perfect husband himself.'

It was July. The sun blazed down, but Audrey felt chilly all over, especially her heart.

Ashwood had a glossy cover story—something about correcting troubled youth and improving their mental state. But what went on inside was a nightmare.

Audrey, a 23-year-old grown woman, had been locked in there for a month because her husband claimed she was a danger and needed to have her mind straightened out.

During the past month, she was punished, starved, locked in pitch-black isolation—until she cracked, until she agreed she was wrong and promised to change.

Now, standing outside, breathing free air again, she watched Clayton hang up a call. His handsome face twisted with irritation.

"Zoe's ran a bath for you. Let's go home and wash off the bad luck," Clayton said to Audrey.

Audrey dodged the hand he reached toward her shoulder.

Clayton was always well-groomed with tailored suits and expensive cologne. But today, he didn't smell like his usual scent. Instead, he reeked of something sickly sweet, like overripe fruit. That scent made Audrey sick.

Ignoring Clayton's grim face, Audrey pulled open the passenger-side door and got in.

The driver, who'd already opened the back door, glanced at Clayton in confusion.

Clayton watched her, his lips pressed tight. He thought she was clearly still sulking after a month of confinement. He figured she wasn't used to that kind of strict environment, so she threw a tantrum.

Though he had his reasons, he still went too far to send her in against her will. So, for now, he didn't blame her for her little temper.

He sat in the back seat. The driver closed the door and started the car.

Audrey turned to the window and closed her eyes. The whole thing a month ago appeared in her mind.

It was her birthday that day. Clayton brought home a special guest—his childhood friend, Valerie Patterson, and her three-year-old daughter, Luna Patterson.

While Clayton went to get the cake, Valerie grabbed a fruit knife and pressed it to her wrist, threatening to hurt herself if Audrey didn't give Clayton back to her.

Tears streamed down Valerie's face as she said she and Clayton were meant to be, that she came back to fix what they once lost.

Audrey lunged to stop Valerie and tried to snatch the knife just as Clayton walked in.

Valerie stumbled into Clayton's arms, sobbing like she'd just survived a war. "Audrey, please don't hurt Luna. Clayton and I haven't done anything. You're getting it all wrong."

Audrey stood frozen with the knife still in hand, her mind blanking out.

Valerie, still clinging to Clayton, glanced up at Audrey with a smug glint in her eyes. "Clayton only let us move into your house 'cause we had nowhere else to go.

"I swear I'll pay back every penny he lent to us. Just don't scare my baby, okay? She's got autism."

Clayton wrapped his arms around Valerie and Luna and shot a cold stare at Audrey. "Valerie's hands are for painting. How could you hurt her?"

Little Luna, who watched the whole thing, just curled up tighter in Clayton's arms, shaking like a leaf.

Audrey let out a dry laugh, more from rage than amusement.

She thought to herself, 'So that's her game. She used my birthday party to air out her affair with Clayton. Either I suck it up and pretend my husband's got no side piece, or I pack my bags and quit the game.'

Audrey turned to Clayton, her voice firm. "Believe it or not, she cut herself."

"No way," Clayton shot back without missing a beat.

He was convinced no one knew Valerie's talent with a paintbrush better than he did. She would rather die than damage her hands. No chance she'd hurt herself just to frame Audrey.

Audrey scoffed and pointed straight at Valerie. "Then tell me, why did you let them live in the house I bought and even gave them money? You're keeping her and her kid on the side, and I'm supposed to just be cool with it?"

Clayton's colleagues and a couple of his friends were right behind him. Being embarrassed like that in front of everyone clearly rattled him.

"My hand... Clayton, it hurts," Valerie whimpered, holding out her bleeding wrist, swaying like she was about to faint.

Guilt flashed across Clayton's face, but it was gone in a blink, replaced by anger. He barked at his assistant, "My wife has violent tendencies. Send her to Ashwood Mental Hospital."

Thinking back on it, Audrey put on a cold smile, sneering, 'To protect that woman's reputation, my husband threw me into that filthy place.'

Clayton must've caught that mocking look on her face, because for once, he tried to explain himself, "I sent you to Ashwood to keep things from getting worse. You scared Luna.

"She had a fever for days. They've had a hard time. You shouldn't trash Valerie like that."

Audrey opened her eyes, her gaze turning icy. "I picked the house. I pay the mortgage. They're living in it and spending money from MY husband. Yeah, clearly I screwed up. I should've been more generous, huh?"

Clayton took a deep breath and said, "Vally doesn't blame you. She's already dropped the charges. It won't affect you."

Audrey sneered, thinking, 'Won't affect me? Due to my so-called violent tendencies you pinned on me, I lost my job three days after staying at Ashwood.'

Clayton and Valerie went way back. Years ago, both Valerie and Clayton's fathers got sick. Valerie's father gave up his shot at treatment and donated his kidney to save Clayton's father.

After that, Valerie and her mother moved out of town to live with her uncle. The night she turned up again, she was on the run. She was beaten by her husband, so she took her daughter to leave.

Clayton just happened to be on a business trip in that exact city. He swooped in like a hero, took on Valerie's divorce case, and brought her and her daughter back to Ironhaven.

*****

The car slowly rolled into Hightower Homes. Audrey didn't wait for it to stop but opened the door, got out, and headed straight for the elevator without a glance back.

She took a long shower and changed into clean clothes.

When she came out, Zoe was carrying dishes from the kitchen. She said with a smile, "Dinner's almost ready, ma'am. Mr. Patel picked all your favorites."

Clayton was on the couch going through some documents. He looked up over the rim of his gold-rimmed glasses and said, "Dry your hair first. I'll wait to eat with you."

Anyone walking in might've thought he was the picture of a devoted husband, setting aside legal briefs to dine with his wife.

But Audrey knew this was just his usual trick: slap you across the face and then hand you a candy.

Clayton took off his glasses and walked to the dining table. Pulling out a chair, he said, "It's a bit late today. I'll have Zoe buy your favorite fish tomorrow."

Audrey sat down without a word and picked up her fork.

Clayton was good at keeping his emotions locked up and hardly ever spoke more than necessary. Most of the time when they were together, Audrey always babbled him with some online gossip just to fill the silence.

Each time, Audrey would laugh out loud, yet Clayton was just calm and would sometimes give her a look to remind her of being composed.

Now, Audrey didn't even look at him. Worse, when he tried to serve her some food, she just picked it up and tossed it back onto the plate.

Chapter 2 Don't Keep Pushing

Clayton tried to serve her more food, but Audrey stood up, dumped her utensils in the sink, and walked straight to the bedroom.

They had a nanny at home, but Audrey liked doing things herself. She used to cook Clayton's favorite meals and laid out his suits for the day. Zoe came in for an hour daily just to tidy up.

She used to think it was a sweet little routine between them, yet now, recalling what happened, Audrey felt like she was out of her mind in the past.

Clayton's mother, Lillian Patel, always thought Audrey was after Clayton's money. She made Clayton hand over half his paycheck every month for her to keep and said she'd return it when she was sure Audrey wasn't a gold digger.

Their finances had basically been split fifty-fifty since the wedding. And outsiders still loved gossiping about how Audrey married up, about her being some clingy, fame-hungry wannabe.

Audrey put up with all of it because she loved Clayton. But now? Now she couldn't believe how blind she used to be.

The husband she always felt proud of, the man who once stood for justice, fighting tooth and nail for unpaid factory workers, now threw his own wife under the bus to protect another woman's reputation.

Clayton's hand froze in the air, and he clearly felt the weight of her cold shoulder. He wiped his mouth with a napkin and knocked gently on the bedroom door. "Audrey, I can explain that thing."

From inside, Audrey let out a bitter laugh and thought, 'If you had anything to say, why didn't you say it a month ago in front of your coworkers, your friends, and in front of her? What's the act for now?'

She remembered that look in his eyes that night was nothing but irritation, and he said to her, "You can leave Ashwood once you calm down."

He even said, "Vally and Luna have had it rough. If you're gonna make things worse for them, then maybe it's time you felt what being truly alone is like."

He knew she was an orphan, and he always knew he was her only lifeline. But instead of standing by her, he sided with Valerie and crushed what little hope she had left.

When Valerie watched Audrey being dragged into Ashwood, she didn't even try to hide the satisfaction in her eyes. She smiled, as if saying, 'Say what you want, Clayton won't believe you. The more you fight it, the crazier you'll look.'

Audrey tried to break free from the nurses and scrambled back toward the hallway. With just one door between them, she heard Valerie sweet-talking Clayton, "Clay, the doctor just said I can't draw anymore, but I can still have other jobs. Audrey only hurt me 'cause she loves you too much."

Audrey didn't hear what Clayton replied because she was already forced into a room with bars on the windows.

She'd clenched her teeth and thought, 'If Clayton wants to play savior, he better chain himself to her for life. Just don't drag decent people down with them. I'm not interested in his lame excuse.'

Clearly thrown by Audrey's sudden silence, Clayton loosened his tie, feeling irritated without knowing why. He raised his voice to say, "Why do you hate Vally so much? She's just a friend."

Audrey didn't buy that for a second. She couldn't believe he still pretended not to know how Valerie felt for him.

After all, Valerie was jobless, divorced, and took her three-year-old daughter with autism back to Ironhaven and stepped into their life.

Audrey sneered inwardly, 'What kind of friend pushes others to divorce? What kind of friend throws herself into the arms of another woman's husband?'

If things kept going like this, Audrey knew she'd finally go crazy one day.

She suddenly flung the bedroom door open and sneered, "Your family owes Valerie. That's your business, not mine. You want me to take care of your parents, but now I'm supposed to repay your debt too?"

She thought bitterly, 'Just because I married a superior and famous lawyer, I should play the good wife role? I didn't get any benefit from this marriage but got hurt mentally and physically.'

She looked him straight in the eye and said firmly, "You were scared people would talk trash about her, so you told them I was violent and unstable. Her father saved your father, so you wanna sacrifice my reputation to protect her name?"

Her voice shook with rage. "What right does she have to live in the house I bought and spend the money my husband gives her? What right do you have to send me to that darned mental hospital?"

Audrey had been holding her rage all in for too long, and now the dam burst. She let all her rage and her heartbreak out.

She hated Valerie for twisting the truth, but even more than that, she hated the man who once promised her a warm and safe home. She took a shaky breath, wiped her face, and realized her cheeks were wet with tears.

Clayton's expression turned more serious. He hadn't expected her to be this furious. Lowering his voice, he said, "I know you lost your job, but I'll support you. Once Vally and Luna settle down, I'll hand over the rest of my paycheck to you."

Audrey let out a long breath, feeling tired. She thought to herself, 'If I fall for his crap again, I'm the dumbest woman ever. You betrayed me once, and what makes you think I'll believe your promise again?'

She'd seen through him completely. Clayton's heart had already gone rotten. He'd always side with Valerie. This time, she was sent to Ashwood Mental Hospital. But she didn't know if she had a fight with Valerie again, what her heartless husband would do to her.

After all, she had no family. Clayton, as her legal guardian, had the power to do whatever he wanted.

Audrey looked at Clayton. Her eyes contained no more softness, no love, just a sheet of coldness.

She said, "Don't bother dangling carrots in front of me. I got fired due to Valerie. You're gonna pay me 150,000 dollars. Then we get a divorce. You can play house with whoever you want after that."

"I'm not divorcing you," Clayton shot back without hesitation.

Yanking off his tie, he flung it onto the couch. His chest felt tight, like he couldn't breathe. He thought, 'She wants a divorce over something so small? What the hell is wrong with her?'

The tie hit a decorative piece on the coffee table, knocking it to the floor. It shattered with a sharp crash, broken into pieces.

For once, the always-composed lawyer Clayton raised his voice. "You lost your job, and I'll make it right. But divorce? Out of the question."

He thought he'd already lowered himself enough. He was Clayton—the admired, respected, and untouchable top-tier lawyer. Now that he was trying to meet her halfway, Audrey should've known when to quit.

But Audrey's eyes were colder than ever. There was even disgust in them.

Clayton suddenly felt something slipping out of his grasp. He couldn't name it, but the feeling irritated him more than he cared to admit.

He muttered, "It's all in the past. Can't we let it go?"

"Clay? Is Audrey back?" Valerie's voice rang out as she walked in, decked out in a Chanel dress, a Coach bag on her arm, and a pair of shining high heels.

Valerie was five years older than Audrey, but she dressed younger and more fashionably. Audrey had always been practical—saving every cent to pay off the mortgage early, never splurging on luxury brands.

However, Valerie, a jobless single mother with a sick toddler, strolled in head-to-toe brands. It didn't take a genius to figure out who was footing the bill.

She stopped at the entryway, pretending to be shocked at the pieces on the floor. "Audrey, if you've got a problem, take it out on me. My hand's ruined already. Go ahead and slash me again if it makes you feel better.

"That piece is a foreign art exhibit, you know? Clayton really likes it. It cost a few grand."

Audrey let out a laugh that was anything but amused. "Valerie, with that kind of imagination, you seriously missed your calling. You should be stalking celebs for gossip sites. I bought that piece, okay? How this involves you?"

Before Valerie could get a word in, Audrey turned to Clayton. "You heard her, right? That thing's a foreign exhibit, cost 6,000 dollars. You broke it. You gotta pay."

Valerie's eyes filled with tears instantly. She turned those helpless, wounded eyes toward Clayton. "Clay, I thought you guys were arguing about me, so I—"

Clayton clenched his fists, feeling fed up. "Vally's already forgiven you for what you did to her. You don't need to keep pushing."

Chapter 3 Clear The Mess

Valerie gently touched Clayton's arm and said, "Clay, it's fine. I know Audrey hates me. I'll just leave now."

But she didn't move a muscle. Instead, she looked up at Clayton with wide eyes, full of dependence and reluctance.

Clayton picked up the broken pieces and placed them on the coffee table. He was afraid Audrey might lose it again and end up hurting Valerie.

Clayton and Audrey got married just after they met each other. Back then, he was pissed at his family and randomly asked Audrey, who'd just dropped off a file at his law firm, if she'd marry him.

Audrey's reaction was unforgettable. She was first shocked, then pure joy. She told him she was an orphan, just landed a job at a foreign company, and didn't have much to offer compared to him. She promised she'd work hard, catch up to him, and be worthy.

Clayton made sure to sign a prenup, and the two of them got their marriage license without much fuss.

In the year since, Audrey worked her ass off at the office and at home. She arranged everything well, made his favorite meals, and never once complained.

Clayton could see how much she loved him in her eyes. He enjoyed being the center of her world. He believed she'd never actually leave him, and everything she said was just because she was angry.

Clayton said to Valerie, "Vally, can you go back for now?"

"Huh?" Valerie looked like she'd just been slapped.

Her eyes went wide in disbelief, and she thought, 'Is Clayton seriously kicking me out for Audrey?'

"I need to talk to Audrey. I'll come see you later," he added, looking at her with a gentler gaze, like trying to soothe a sulking child.

"Alright, I'll wait for you," Valerie said, but her heels didn't budge.

She turned to Audrey with a smile that barely masked her bitterness. "Audrey, Clayton and I have known each other since we were kids. If anything were going to happen between us, it would've happened a long time ago. Don't you think?"

Just then, Zoe burst through the door, breathless. "Ms. Patterson, come here, Luna collapsed. Her face is blue. I didn't dare move her."

Valerie let out a sharp gasp and spun toward Clayton. "What should I do? She had an episode yesterday too. Clayton, I'm scared."

Clayton didn't hesitate. He turned around and went toward the living room. "Calm down. Let's take her to the hospital right away."

"Thank goodness you're here," Valerie said, sticking close to him. "Feel my hands. I'm freezing."

As Clayton grabbed his car keys, he suddenly thought of Audrey. His hand paused mid-air.

He turned back and looked at her, saying. "Vally is still new to Ironhaven. She doesn't know the hospitals here. I'll take Luna to see the doctor first. Can we talk later?"

Audrey stared back at him, her face blank. She didn't give him any response.

Clayton frowned, and Valerie instantly took his arm and said, "What if something happens to Luna? If she dies, I won't want to live."

Without another word, Clayton grabbed the keys and rushed out the door.

Valerie followed right behind him, but before stepping outside, she turned around and shot Audrey a smug little look—one that screamed, 'See? You lost again, Audrey. I'm the one Clayton cares about above all.'

Audrey stood by the window and watched as Clayton carried Luna to the car, and Valerie slipped into the passenger seat. To any outsider, they'd look like a perfect family.

Audrey thought bitterly, 'How ridiculous. Her own kid passed out. Instead of checking on her, that woman ran straight to Clayton.

'What if he weren't here? Would she watch her daughter die? Either Clayton's too blind to see through this pathetic act or he enjoys playing her hero.'

Zoe then left too, and the house finally went quiet. Audrey went back to the bedroom and started packing her things. She wasn't going to keep tolerating this broken marriage—not for another day.

Clayton was a lawyer. If he refused to divorce, she'd have to sue him, and she knew she'd be at a disadvantage. But she wasn't scared. It was hard, but it didn't mean it was impossible.

Back when they got married on impulse, Clayton suggested they take a year to get to know each other before becoming a "real" couple. Audrey agreed, but on one condition—she'd buy her own house with her own money.

Now, she felt relieved that she made that decision. At least she still left herself a way out.

Audrey took out her suitcase and started packing her clothes and documents. Then, she opened her jewelry box on the vanity. Inside was the diamond necklace Clayton bought her. The diamond wasn't huge, but it cost over ten grand.

She'd barely worn it, afraid it looked too flashy. Now, all she could think was how stupid she'd been.

She never asked Clayton to stop giving money to his parents. During holidays, she always paid out of her own pocket to buy his parents some gifts to avoid conflict.

She didn't spend a dime of Clayton's money, yet Valerie and her kid were living off Clayton just fine.

Audrey took a deep breath, opened a drawer, and grabbed the incident report and withdrawal form from Ashwood Mental Hospital, along with the clean bill of health the doctor gave her when she was discharged.

Then she hailed a cab and went straight to the apartment she bought herself—only to find the lock code had been changed.

Furious, she called the police. The police showed up with the building's property manager in tow.

The manager looked nervous as hell and explained, "Mrs. Patel, Mr. Patel told us that woman and her daughter would move in."

Audrey held up her property deed and declared, "I'm the legal owner here. No one can move in without my permission. That's trespassing. Officer, I want the door opened under your supervision. If they damaged my place, I'm holding them and this property company accountable."

The manager wiped the sweat from his forehead and called in a locksmith. When the door swung open, even the police and the manager looked stunned.

The house was originally done in minimalist style—white walls, light tiles, nothing fancy. Audrey didn't have enough budget to renovate it, but it was clean and livable.

Audrey once ordered all the furniture online. Clayton told her the dimensions were wrong and the stuff had to be returned. Thus, they didn't move in yet.

But now, they really couldn't move in.

The floor was covered with takeout boxes, trash bags, soggy delivery containers, and so on. The once-pristine walls were scribbled with markers in every color. There were dark stains everywhere—god knows what caused them.

In the bedroom, bras and stockings were tossed all over the place. The air reeked of some cheap fruity perfume.

The plants Audrey had bought to clear out the formaldehyde were crammed onto the balcony, dried up like museum specimens.

With the police and building manager present, Audrey snapped photos of everything for evidence. Then she called a moving company. In front of everyone, she packed up all the junk, sealed it in boxes, and had it shipped off to Clayton's place in Hightower Homes.

When that was done, she asked the police for a formal incident report, changed the lock, and headed to her office to deal with her resignation procedure.

*****

At Ironhaven Medical Center, Clayton's good friend Carson Wilson pulled some strings to get Luna checked out fast.

After the exam, the doctor said, "She had an allergic reaction that led to temporary airway obstruction. You'll need to figure out what triggered it. She got here in time, so she's currently fine. Still, don't take it lightly."

"Thank you, doctor." Valerie's eyes were full of tears. She clung to Clayton and said, "Clay, I don't know what I would've done without you."

But she noticed Clayton seemed distracted. Normally, the moment Valerie started crying, Clayton would be right there comforting her. Yet just now, when she tried to lean on him, he actually dodged a bit.

Valerie's heart dropped, and she thought, 'No. I can't let him slip away. Clayton is mine. I have to keep him mine.'

Through tears, she said, "This is all my fault. I shouldn't have left Luna outside like that. But you know what Audrey did last time.

"Luna already has autism, and she's still scared from that scene. I didn't have a choice but to leave her in the living room."

Chapter 4 Audrey's Fight Back

"You know Luna is my whole world," Valerie sobbed, covering her face with both hands. "Back then, I took beatings just to protect her. If anything happens to her now because of my carelessness, I won't forgive myself."

Hearing her cry, Clayton felt a sudden wave of irritation rising in his chest.

He said, "The doctor said she's fine. Don't beat yourself up. Honestly, getting her out of that mess is already brave. I've got stuff to deal with. You stay here and look after Luna, okay?"

A bad feeling crept up Valerie's spine. She asked cautiously, "Are you worried Audrey will be mad? I can take Luna and leave. I swear we won't cause you any trouble."

"You don't have to leave," Clayton replied, rubbing his temples. "It's something at the firm."

The real reason Clayton had Audrey sent to Ashwood Mental Hospital on her birthday was because she cut Valerie's hand. Valerie's reputation was just a minor cause.

He thought getting Audrey out of the picture would calm Valerie down, and then maybe she'd agree to drop the charges. If Audrey ended up with a record, she'd be blacklisted from half the job market.

Clayton had connections at Ashwood—his law firm handled some of their legal affairs. He personally asked the manager to put Audrey in a quiet, nicer section of the hospital and told him she just needed time to cool off.

"Audrey is not the kind to hold grudges," Clayton added absentmindedly.

Valerie almost lost control of her expression. She opened her mouth to say more, but Clayton had already turned around and left the ward.

Carson, waiting outside the ward, walked down the stairs with Clayton. Carson said, "Look, man, don't take this the wrong way, but Valerie's got a strange look in her eyes when she sees you."

Clayton shot Carson a look that could freeze hell. He warned, "Say that again, and you're not my friend anymore."

"Alright, alright." Carson raised his hands in surrender. "I'm done. Just keep your eyes open. Audrey's not your match, but she's been really good to you."

Clayton's eyes flickered, then he turned around and left the hospital. Carson stood there watching him leave and shaking his head.

None of the guys in their circles planned to get married, and they definitely hadn't supported Clayton's impulsive marriage just to spite his family for arranging an alliance for him.

But Audrey's devotion after they got married made a few of them reconsider the whole bachelor lifestyle.

When Clayton brought Valerie back into the picture and started putting her first in everything, Carson warned him not to keep Audrey in the dark.

On Audrey's birthday, Clayton had planned to finally come clean. But they were a bit late, and the accident happened.

Once Valerie was sure the two men had left, the soft worry and guilt drained from her face in an instant. Her whole expression turned cold as she looked at Luna lying on the bed.

She muttered, "Useless. Couldn't you have eaten a few more chestnuts? You are in no danger. Clay didn't even care to stay."

Luna's small frame shrank into itself. Her head was too big for her frail body. She stared at her mother, her eyes wide with fear and confusion.

Just minutes after Clayton walked out, Audrey stepped into the hospital.

Carson spotted Audrey and assumed she was there to give Valerie a hard time. He was about to call Clayton when he overheard two nurses whispering nearby.

The first nurse said, "Oh my, no one can stop them? Beating people is illegal."

Another nurse replied, "A 10-year-old or so boy died there last year. His folks spent six months in court. In the end, they called it an accident and got a little compensation."

Carson walked over and said behind them, "You two work here or just gossip for a living?"

The nurses giggled upon seeing Carson. He was kind of a big deal around here, returning from abroad with a flashy resume.

The first nurse explained, "We were talking about Ashwood Mental Hospital, Dr. Wilson. That place is hell. I don't get why some parents send their kids there just to get them beat up."

The other nurse added, "The owners have people backing them. If someone gets hurt or even dies, they just throw money at it. That woman had bruises all over. Hope she gets some justice."

Carson's brows furrowed upon hearing that. He knew Clayton had sent Audrey to Ashwood.

Lots of kids had behavioral issues, tech addictions, and attitude problems. It was said Ashwood could straighten them out.

Carson didn't think giving troubled teens a little tough love was a big deal. As far as he was concerned, a place like Ashwood Mental Hospital had its uses. Plus, Clayton knew the manager there, and Audrey was an adult, so surely they'd treat her differently.

"You can't write off a whole institution just because of a few bad stories. If it exists, there's a reason," Carson said before heading back to his office.

That conversation made him forget all about calling Clayton.

Meanwhile, Audrey sat in a park, holding her injury report. The staff at Ashwood didn't dare beat her outright, but they played all kinds of mental games and messed with her food.

When she caught wind of her release, she used a bathroom break to rough herself up a bit. The bruises looked terrifying but weren't actually deep.

She waited until nearly 4 p.m. before spotting a familiar figure rushing by. Audrey stood up and called out, "Mr. Sanchez."

Leo Sanchez, Ashwood's manager, was in his forties with a beer belly. He strode like he had something urgent to do. He glanced at Audrey and instantly looked annoyed.

"Audrey? What do you want?" he snapped, not even bothering to call her "Mrs. Patel".

Audrey crooked her finger at him, signaling for him to sit on the bench.

Leo's face turned grim. He snapped, "If you've got something to say, spit it out. I'm busy."

"Are you rushing to Little Dreamers Preschool to pick up your lovechild?" Audrey raised her voice.

Leo's face turned an ugly shade of red. His eyes were filled with panic and fury.

No one was supposed to know about the kid he had with his mistress, but he didn't know how Audrey found out.

The park was full of parents with their kids. If anyone heard that, word would spread fast, and he couldn't risk that kind of heat falling on his son.

Grinding his teeth, Leo walked over and sat stiffly on the bench. "Now, talk."

Audrey waved the medical report and tossed it onto his lap. "While I was locked up at Ashwood, I was abused—physically and emotionally—by your staff. I want compensation for medical bills, nutrition recovery, and psychological damage."

Leo's eyes nearly popped out at the number—150,000 dollars. He growled, "This is extortion."

Audrey let out a cold chuckle. "Call it what you want. If you think I'm bluffing, I'll go straight to the cops or the press. You pick."

A smirk flickered in Leo's eyes. He knew Clayton's law firm represented Ashwood. Clayton had personally called to make sure Audrey "learned her lesson". He was sure that Clayton would help her with the lawsuit.

"Does Mr. Patel know what you're up to?" Leo asked.

Audrey thought, 'Trying to use Clayton against me? I used to care about his feelings, but now, I'd skin him alive if I could.'

She folded her arms with a sneer. "Did Clayton also tell you I've got violent tendencies? Kinda like being legally insane." Her voice dropped lower. "So tell me, what would happen if I lost my mind and stabbed your son? Who would the law blame then?"

Leo's face drained of color. Audrey's file did say she had a history of extreme behavior. His staff also reported she was stubborn as hell. When they locked her in solitary, she still refused to admit anything.

Leo thought bitterly, 'This woman is really insane. Ashwood only exists because my father-in-law pulled strings. If they find out I've got a mistress and a secret kid, I'm toast.

'Valerie's about to become Mrs. Patel, anyway. Once the divorce goes through and Audrey's out of the picture, I'll stash my kid somewhere and deal with her then.'

Chapter 5 I'm Her Family

"Fine. I'll pay your medical bills." Leo said through clenched teeth.

Audrey tossed a pen onto his lap and said, "Sign it. Can't have you crying later that I blackmailed you."

Leo hunched over the paper, his expression murderous. But when he looked up again, his face had smoothed out. He then transferred the 150,000 dollars to her account without a word.

The second Leo stepped out of the park, Audrey sent a message to Leo's wife.

She sneered to herself, 'Think you'll come back for revenge? Keep dreaming. That money wasn't hush money. It was compensation. What Ashwood does behind closed doors will all be shown to the public.'

*****

On his way home, Clayton stopped to grab a coffee. Audrey used to say that coffee store had the best flavor and the price.

Just thinking about how happy Audrey would be with the coffee made him smile. But the smile froze the moment he stepped off the elevator.

The hallway outside his apartment was jammed with cardboard boxes, stacked so high that they nearly blocked the door.

One of them had soaked through at the bottom and was leaking something that smelled awful.

Clayton called the manager and then learned that Audrey had moved all of Valerie's stuff out of the new house and dumped it here.

Clayton's face went cold as ice. He wondered, 'She just stayed at Ashwood for a month. I made sure she was taken care of. She didn't even go through the actual rehab program like others.

'I just said she's not the kind to hold grudges, and she did this.'

Clayton immediately called his assistant, Carter Kemp, and ordered him to find a place for Valerie fast. He didn't want her and Luna out on the street tonight.

Carter found a spot in the complex next door and brought a couple of coworkers over to help move the boxes.

Jade from the firm showed up to lend a hand too. She asked, "Mr. Patel, I heard Luna was hospitalized. Is she okay? What a poor kid. Seeing her mom get beat up like that, no wonder she got autism."

She peeked into the apartment, didn't see Audrey, and lowered her voice. "Isn't Audrey going too far? Kicking Vally and her daughter out like that is heartless."

Clayton instinctively replied, "That apartment belongs to Audrey."

Jade scoffed, "So that gives her the right to bully others?" She bent down to lift a box, not noticing the dark look on Clayton's face.

She added, "She has no family and no background. If you hadn't taken pity on her, she would've stayed stuck at the bottom forever."

Lawyers had this special kind of social image, just like doctors or cops. They brought hope when people hit rock bottom. And Clayton, with his high-profile wins for the underdog, was seen as almost heroic.

Lawyers could reach both the working class and the elite. The job itself was a ladder. Jade thought without Valerie stepping away, Audrey would've never gotten a chance to marry a man like Clayton.

"Jade." Clayton's tone went ice-cold, his eyes sharp. "Audrey is my wife. I'm her family."

Hearing that, Jade turned pale, and she muttered inwardly, 'I thought Mr. Patel was into Valerie. Didn't think he'd actually defend Audrey.'

"Jade, come on, I've already made two trips," Carter cut in, trying to shift the tension. "If we drag this out any longer, Luna's gonna be out of the hospital before we're done."

Jade carried a box into the elevator, still fuming. She sneered in her mind, 'Audrey just got out of Ashwood and already thinks she can throw Vally's stuff out? She really thinks she can throw a tantrum at Mr. Patel?

'Once he dumps her, she'll beg for scraps. For women like her, marrying a guy like Mr. Patel is like winning the lottery. And instead of holding onto that ticket, she's just out here lighting it on fire.'

"Ugh, what the hell is in this box?" As soon as the elevator doors opened, Jade dropped the box. Takeout containers rolled out across the floor. She complained, "Did she seriously pack trash into these boxes? What is wrong with her?"

She glanced over her shoulder, worried Clayton might've followed. When she didn't see him, she kicked the box hard and said, "Carter, I got my clothes tainted. I'm going home to change."

Once everything was done, Clayton sat alone in his car, exhaustion dragging down his face.

That case he'd been working on recently had been a mess, so he left Audrey in Ashwood a few extra days just to deal with it. The second he had a breather, he brought her home and even asked Zoe to cook her favorite dishes.

He honestly didn't get it. He had promised that once Valerie and Luna settled down, he'd hand over the rest of his salary to Audrey. He couldn't understand why Audrey still threw a tantrum like this.

Frustration flared in his chest, and he thought, 'Just because I took Luna to the hospital, she dumped all of Vally's stuff here? Valerie's been through enough already. Luna's got serious autism for God's sake. That woman is unreasonable.'

He glanced at the cup of coffee in the passenger seat—the one he bought for Audrey. His jaw clenched. Without a second thought, he grabbed it and chucked it out of the window into a trash can.

*****

Audrey spent the night in a budget hotel. Her new house was a mess after Valerie's stay and needed repainting before she could move in again.

She had already made up her mind about the divorce, so she wouldn't drag it out. To her, men were seasoning, but money was the main course.

Sprawled across the bed, she browsed a job website on her phone. She used to work as an admin at a trading company, but maybe the timing was off, and she couldn't find anything in that field.

It was just summer break, so tons of people were hiring tutors online. Audrey had done tutoring back in college, so it would be a choice for her now.

After a month in Ashwood on one meal a day, her stomach wasn't used to full portions. She had too much during lunch, and now, she felt like using the toilet.

Sitting on the toilet, she kept scrolling her phone. That was when an Instagram notification popped up on the screen.

It was a post from Valerie. The photo showed a double bed. In the corner, there was an unopened condom. Sitting on the edge of the bed was a blurred figure—but anyone familiar could tell it was Clayton.

The caption said: [Grateful for you. My dreams do come true.]

Audrey dropped a comment: [Thanks for collecting the trash.]

Clayton's call came through almost instantly. "Audrey, you threw out Vally's things, and now you're mocking her online? Are you trying to push her and her daughter over the edge?"

Audrey said lazily, "Oh, speaking of throwing things out, I'll send you photos later. Valerie trashed my apartment. Since you let her move in, you can pay for the damage." Then she added, "And how exactly did I mock her?"

Clayton snapped, "You liked her post."

Audrey retorted, "She posted it. Wasn't that the whole point? For people to like and comment?"

Clayton warned, "Audrey, stop being difficult. Because of your stupid comment, she's crying. Luna's scared out of her mind."

Audrey pulled the phone away from her ear, rolling her eyes, a smirk full of mockery playing on her lips.

Then, she brought it back and said, "Clayton, just transfer the compensation to me, and let's get a divorce soon. Otherwise, I've got plenty of ways to make Valerie's life miserable."

Clayton shot back, "I'm not agreeing to a div—"

Before he could finish, she hung up.

Clayton tilted his head back, shut his eyes for a moment, and dragged himself back to the bedroom.

Valerie was still holding Luna and wailing loudly. Luna just stood there, frozen and trembling faintly from fear.

When she saw Clayton walk in, Valerie tried to stop crying. "Clay, it was just one photo. I didn't mean to provoke Audrey. I just wanted to capture the moment, you know?"

"Audrey didn't mean anything harsh. Don't overthink." Clayton handed her a tissue and added, "It's late. You and Luna should get some rest. I'll come back tomorrow."

As Clayton turned to leave, a flash of cruelty flickered in Valerie's eyes. Without missing a beat, she shoved Luna hard.

Chapter 6 Valerie's Dirty Tricks

Luna fell at Clayton's feet after being shoved hard by Valerie. Valerie quickly rushed over, shouting, "Luna, are you alright? You don't want Clayton to leave, right?"

She pinched Luna's waist, making the little girl shiver in pain. Luna lowered her head, too scared to look at Clayton. Then, another sharp pinch made her finally reach out and grab Clayton's sleeve.

She knew if she kept Clayton stay, she wouldn't get hurt. So, she held on to him tightly.

"Clayton, Luna's terrified of that scumbag. She won't get close to any other man except you," Valerie sobbed. "The doctor said being with someone Luna feels safe with will help her get better."

Clayton looked at Luna, his heart aching. He thought, 'A three-year-old kid who's seen her father beat her mother must scare her a lot. If Luna's condition improved even a little, maybe Valerie would find it easier to take care of her.'

He picked Luna up. Luna had never been held up at this height, so she clung to Clayton in fear, her little hands wrapped tightly around his neck.

Clayton gently patted her back and comforted, "There, there. Let's go get something to eat, okay?"

Valerie then stood up and said, "I'll change her clothes. Just wait for us in the living room." She then took Luna from Clayton's arms.

When Clayton walked out, he made sure to close the door.

As soon as the door clicked shut, Valerie's worried expression faded. She leaned down and whispered fiercely to Luna, "You better make sure Clayton stays tonight, got it?"

Luna shivered all over and nodded.

Valerie quickly changed Luna's clothes and took her out.

After dinner, Clayton drove them home. As soon as they walked in, his phone rang. It was a colleague telling him that new evidence for a case he was handling was found.

Clayton turned to Valerie and said, "The law firm needs me. I have to handle something."

Valerie thought, 'The firm never needs him at a convenient time. It just happens when we arrive home. Does he think I'm stupid? He doesn't want to stay. He's going home to comfort Audrey.'

By the time Valerie snapped out of it, Clayton was already gone. She kicked Luna to the floor and snapped, "Idiot. What did I teach you?"

Luna's lips trembled as she backed into the corner, too scared to make a sound. Valerie yanked her by the legs and dragged her into the bedroom. Failing to find a needle, Valerie grabbed a handful of toothpicks and jabbed them hard into Luna's butt.

Luna couldn't hold back her screams and cries.

"Shut up," Valerie hissed while jabbing another toothpick in. "Try making a sound, and you won't get food for three days."

*****

By the time Clayton finished his work and got home, it was close to one a.m. When he opened the door, he found the place dark and empty.

He thought with irritation, 'I only had a few words with Audrey, and she didn't even come home? I really shouldn't have been so nice to her. She doesn't even know her place now.'

He then told himself, 'Anyway, Audrey is an orphan. She has no one else in Ironhaven except me. She'll be back in three days.'

Audrey's absence quickly became the talk of the office.

Jade moved her chair and started to chat with a coworker behind her. "Emilia, do you think Audrey's lost her mind? Mr. Patel just forgave her, and now she's throwing a tantrum again.

"Since she's out of work, she could be a full-time housewife and take care of Mr. Patel. Can't believe she chose to run away from home. Let's see how long she'll last before she regrets it."

Jade thought, 'Audrey's pretty, sure, but she's broke, has no power, and no family—basically a bottom-dweller. Mr. Patel's got it all. His father is a big shot, his mother is a proper high society lady, and his older brother married a leader's daughter.

'It's such a powerful family. If it weren't for Mr. Patel's family issues, he never would've married someone like Audrey.

Jade sighed to herself, 'Actually, Valerie was Lillian's top choice as Clayton's wife. She is graceful, beautiful, and gentle. Too bad things turned out this way. If I were a man, I'd have chosen Valerie too.'

Emilia, who had worked with Audrey more closely, liked her bright and lively personality. After hearing Jade's gossip, she waved her hand and said, "I think sending Audrey to Ashwood Mental Hospital was a bit too far. She's his wife after all."

Emilia, at 35, looked at things from a more experienced angle. She thought no woman could stand having her husband keep another woman.

If her husband dared to pull something like that, she'd not only storm his workplace but also go to his mother's house, making sure everyone in the neighborhood knew what a disgusting thing he'd done.

Jade snorted, "If Mr. Patel hadn't gotten home in time, Valerie's hand would've been chopped off. He's only sending her off to reflect for a few days. That's nice enough to her."

Emilia didn't reply but just flipped through her paperwork, lost in thoughts. 'Valerie's family did a favor for Mr. Patel's father. Since Mr. Patel's father is so capable, he should at least help Valerie find a job or something as repayment.

'She came back with her daughter, but no matter how hard things got, she couldn't just keep hanging on to a married man.

'Besides, she's an adult, and she has a kid. At least she should know how to take care of her kid and no need to always pester Mr. Patel. Mr. Patel's great in court, but his personal life's a mess.'

The elevator door opened, and Valerie walked out. With flawless makeup, she entered the law firm, her hips swaying gracefully.

"Hi, Jade, Emilia. Is Clayton in his office? He left something at mine last night," Valerie said to them, making it sound like Clayton stayed at her place last night.

Jade got up and walked over, linking her arm with Valerie's with a big smile. "Oh, I was wondering why Audrey ran off. She's still acting high and mighty, waiting for Mr. Patel to beg her to come back."

"What? Audrey ran away?" Valerie feigned shock, her face showing a mix of worry, frustration, and guilt. "I didn't mean to break Clayton's favorite figurine. My hand wasn't even useless. There's no need for Clayton to make Audrey apologize to me."

Jade raised her voice slightly. "Vally, you're so generous to others but cruel to yourself."

Valerie's eyes filled with tears, and she bit her lip. "If it weren't for Luna, I would've never come back with Clayton. Luna's only three and a half, and she already has autism. I... I..."

Her voice trembled, and her words choked up.

Jade patted her shoulder and comforted, "I know Audrey. When she first came to the firm, she couldn't even speak when she saw Mr. Patel. Bet she played all the tricks she got to land Mr. Patel."

Jade added, "She's just acting tough. Give her three days, and she'll come back herself. Don't let it get to you, Vally."

Jade rolled her eyes and thought, 'Audrey can't even keep a job, and everything—her food, her rent—is paid for by Mr. Patel. There's no way she can make a living in Ironhaven on her own.'

Emilia sighed, starting to take notes while thinking, 'Valerie could easily work as the receptionist at the firm. If she asked, anyone there would help her out. But she's clinging to Mr. Patel instead.

'Luna's pitiful, sure, but that doesn't mean she should step into someone's marriage. Before Valerie came back, Audrey worked hard, made Mr. Patel lunch every day, and their marriage was just fine.

'Ever since Valerie came back, Mr. Patel has ditched Audrey a few times. Anyone with eyes can see things aren't right.'

After meeting with a client, Clayton rushed back to the firm with Carter. Carter casually asked, "Mr. Patel, is Ms. Patterson starting to work at the firm today?"

"Yeah." Clayton nodded.

He had seen the photos of the new house sent by Audrey. He admitted it was a mess, but that was what a house with kids looked like. And with Luna having autism, he couldn't just take away her right to draw or write.

Chapter 7 Apply To Be A Tutor

Clayton understood Valerie's struggles, and he also understood why Audrey was upset when she saw the mess in her new house. That was why he was willing to pay the full compensation.

By the time Clayton reached the law firm, it was nearly 2 p.m., and his stomach was acting up.

Audrey knew about his stomach issues. She would always make sure to arrange his meals carefully and pack him lunch every day. When she was on a business trip, she'd make sure to order something light and easy to digest for him.

But during Audrey's stay at Ashwood Mental Hospital, his stomach had flared up three times. Last night, he had something spicy with Valerie, and now, he was dealing with acid reflux and a dull pain.

After Jade comforted Valerie, she went off to handle her own work. Valerie didn't rush into Clayton's office but waited by the elevator.

When Clayton came out, she smiled and walked toward him. "Clay, you haven't eaten yet, right? The roast lamb at the restaurant across the street is amazing. Let's go try it."

Clayton instinctively frowned and headed toward his office. "Nah, I'll grab some stuff at home later."

Valerie's eyes turned serious. "Has Audrey come back? You're still going to cook for yourself?"

"The nanny will make it." Clayton then diverted the topic. "By the way, have you picked a preschool for Luna?"

Clayton knew people in the education department and had them recommend a few good options. Since Luna had autism, with the right people watching over her, she wouldn't be bullied by other kids.

When Valerie heard Clayton ask about Luna, she clenched her fists and replied, "Thanks, Clay. Without you, I really wouldn't know how to handle it.

"That scumbag wanted a boy, and when he found out I was having a girl, he either hit me or yelled at me. Luna survived because of her own strength. I lived in fear every day and still have nightmares till now."

Valerie was good at holding back tears, letting them gather in her eyes before they finally spilled down her cheeks.

She tilted her head back, a smile breaking through her tears. "You pulled me out of the mire and gave Luna and me a new life. As long as you're with us, I'm not afraid of anything."

Clayton's movements slowed as he searched for something. He mused, 'If it weren't for Mr. Patterson donating a kidney to Dad, Dad wouldn't have survived this long. Their family has done a lot for us. I can't just ignore it.'

He thought about Luna and felt sorry for such a small kid to face such hardship. He finally spoke, "Our families have ties. No more words like thanks, okay? If you ever need anything, just let me know."

Valerie bit her lip, her eyes glinting with a hint of calculation. "Audrey doesn't want to come home because of me. If I ask you for help..."

Clayton put his briefcase down and looked at her. "She's not as mature as you and still throws a tantrum from time to time. But she understands me."

Valerie seemed to relax, and her smile grew brighter. "You're going home to grab some files, right? Let me come with you and cook for you."

Clayton walked to the cabinet and took out the files he needed. Without looking back, he said, "Don't bother, Vally."

Valerie took a step forward and insisted, "You helped us find a house yesterday, and I didn't get a chance to thank you. I don't have much, but I can cook you a meal.

"Luna made a mess of Audrey's new house. Even though she hurt my hand, I still want to apologize for Luna's sake."

"That's something she owes you." Clayton closed the cabinet and paused. "Fine, let's just go back together."

He figured that Valerie was hurt by Audrey, and Luna messed up Audrey's house. That seemed like enough to balance things out.

Thus, they left the firm together.

Jade leaned over to Emilia. "Emilia, Clayton and Valerie are meant for each other, right? Audrey should just step out."

Emilia watched them enter the elevator side by side, yet her expression was disapproving. But her boss's personal life was none of her business.

*****

Meanwhile, Audrey spent the whole morning meeting with three parents who wanted tutoring for their kids. One complained about her background, another complained that her husband always kept his eyes on Audrey, and the last one had their deal snatched away by someone else.

Audrey followed the GPS to the fourth house. The parent there offered the highest tutoring fees.

It was in a high-end neighborhood with spacious distances between the buildings. All the houses were duplexes, and the employer's place occupied the first two floors with a large yard.

Audrey was about to knock when she heard a woman's distressed voice from inside. "Ivan, what do you want me to do? You asked for chicken legs, I went out and bought them, worked hard all afternoon, and now you say you don't want them.

"I became a full-time housewife just to take care of you, and now you can't understand me, and you even hate me. My heart hurts so much."

Suddenly, the door swung open, almost hitting Audrey in the face. She quickly took a step back.

A teenager, about her height, walked out with a cold expression. His T-shirt had cola stains on it.

"Ivan, if you walk out that door, I'll kill myself right now," the woman inside screamed hysterically.

The teenager shot Audrey a look of contempt and kept walking.

"Dumbass?" Audrey muttered as she passed him.

The teenager stopped in his tracks, turned his head, and looked at her. He smiled and called out, "Berserker?"

His eyes lit up for a brief moment before quickly dulling again. He turned back and continued walking.

Audrey grabbed his arm and asked, "Is your mom looking for a tutor for you? I'm here for the job. Let's talk. Mutually beneficial, you know?"

Brooke Gomez came running out. Seeing her son being held by a pretty woman, she eyed Audrey suspiciously and asked, "Who are you?"

"I'm here to apply as a tutor." Audrey released Ivan and took out her credentials from her bag.

Brooke immediately yanked Ivan back inside. "Sorry, we've already found someone."

Ivan pointed at Audrey. "Keep her."

Brooke stared at her son and asked, "What did you say?"

Ivan was expressionless, not even lifting his gaze. "We've tried so many tutors. I'm tired of it, okay? I think she's fine."

Without another word, he turned and went back inside.

Audrey sensed that Brooke had some kind of inexplicable hostility toward her, but she still stepped into the house.

They agreed that the first lesson would be free of charge, and if they were both satisfied, each lesson would be 120 dollars.

Audrey walked into Ivan's room. He was lying on the bed, playing games with a blank expression. Seeing Audrey, he simply said, "You can't help me."

Audrey pulled a chair over and sat across from him. "What if I could expose the crimes at Ashwood Mental Hospital?"

The game controller dropped from Ivan's hands with a clatter.

He lowered his head, and though Audrey couldn't see his expression, she could see his back arch in pain.

*****

Brooke quietly cracked the door open, peeking through the gap to see her son and Audrey sitting at the desk.

Audrey said, "Finish this test. I gotta see where your basic skills are."

Ivan picked up the pen without a word.

Brooke was filled with confusion and disbelief. Her son had a serious rebellious streak, and with her husband busy with business, she had no choice but to send him to Ashwood Mental Hospital.

She just picked him up last week, and since then, he'd been quiet, giving her the cold shoulder.

She thought to herself, 'Ivan's temper is terrible. He's offended several tutors. Yet today, he's listening to this woman? Do they know each other already? Could she be Miguel's mistress?'

Chapter 8 The Rebellious Teenager

The door clicked shut softly. Ivan glanced back with a disdainful grunt.

"Don't get distracted. Just get to work." Audrey gave his head a light tap.

When Audrey first came to Ashwood Mental Hospital, they wouldn't let her sleep at night, and in the morning, they dragged her out for a run. When she refused, two attendants physically hauled her out to the track.

It happened to be the same time Ivan, who also refused to cooperate, was punished. Without thinking, Audrey rushed to his side.

Audrey grew up doing heavy chores at home, so she was strong. Plus, she joined the boxing club in college. Though she could easily take down a few men, she wasn't afraid of hitting women.

The staff was wary of Clayton, so they only dared to abuse her in secret. But with so many people on the track, they couldn't retaliate, and Audrey left a few of them with bruised faces.

She told them, "I'm here because I have violent tendencies. If you lay a hand on him, don't blame me for going off."

Ivan was amused by her words and muttered, "What a berserker."

Audrey shot him a sideways glance and sneered, "Dumbass, don't you know how to fight back?"

With Audrey blatantly protecting Ivan, people at the mental hospital only dared to starve Ivan but not to punish him anymore.

When Ivan's mother picked him up, he tried to say goodbye to Audrey, but she was locked up due to a high fever and didn't get the chance to see him.

Ivan tossed the test paper at Audrey and grabbed the game controller again.

Audrey browsed through it and kicked him out of the chair. She didn't expect him to miss all the correct answers.

"Dear, are you tired? Have some fruit." Brooke knocked and entered with a fruit tray.

She saw the test paper and said to Audrey, "His foundation is really poor. His studies have always been a headache since elementary school. Valebrook Middle School is in this district, so he was admitted there."

"I'll help him." Audrey placed the fruit aside and said, "Mrs. Gomez, I'm gonna teach Ivan now. Please don't distract him with food. It'll only break his focus."

"Okay." Brooke nodded and left, but she returned five minutes later. "How about some water?"

Ivan scratched his head, clearly annoyed.

"I'm not asking you. The teacher's been talking for so long. Bet her throat is dry," Brooke muttered, leaving again in dissatisfaction.

Ten minutes later, the door knocked again.

Brooke said, "Madam, I told my husband that if Ivan's willing to learn with you, we'd hire you to tutor him. I just wanted to learn more about your academic background."

Audrey took a deep breath, and she seemed to understand why Ivan was so rebellious.

She gave Brooke a smile. "Mrs. Gomez, can we talk about that after class? Each lesson only lasts forty minutes. Students need to focus during the time."

Brooke seemed a little embarrassed. She opened her mouth to say something, but in the end, she just nodded and left.

Ivan spun the pen in his hand, sneering at Audrey. "I thought you were gonna use violence on my mom."

"You want me to hit your mom?" Audrey asked, raising her eyebrows.

Ivan shrugged. "She's hopeless. She never considers anyone else's feelings. If you don't do things her way, she cries and throws a fit."

Audrey gently patted Ivan's head, saying, "Just focus on your studies. I'll take care of the rest."

Just as Audrey finished grading his test, Brooke came back in and said, "Oh, please go ahead. I'll just listen from the side."

Audrey ignored her and pulled out similar questions for Ivan to resolve. Ivan clearly didn't want to, but he still obediently picked up the pen.

He resolved five questions of the same type, yet he still made mistakes.

"Nice effort. You're actually pretty smart." Audrey encouraged him while taking out a candy from her bag as a reward.

"I'm not a kid," Ivan grumbled, but he still unwrapped the candy and popped it in his mouth.

Audrey walked to the living room with Brooke. Just as she was about to ask Audrey about her marital situation, Brooke's husband, Miguel, came home.

"Honey, this is the tutor I interviewed today," Brooke said, taking her husband's bag and observing the exchange between him and Audrey.

"Hello," Miguel said, looking a bit tired. He waved to Audrey and suggested her to sit down. "Since Ivan's willing to have you tutor him, please come every day. My wife has already discussed the price with you."

"Yes." Audrey nodded.

Brooke handed Miguel a glass of water. He took a sip and continued, "Ivan's currently ranked 1200 at school. There's a test at the end of the month. If he moves up even one place, I'll give you a 300 dollar bonus."

Audrey glanced at Ivan, who was leaning against the door. He avoided eye contact with Audrey because he was always stuck in the bottom twenty, so it wasn't an easy task.

"Okay, but I have one small request," Audrey said.

Miguel said, "Go ahead."

She said, "I don't want to be disturbed while I'm tutoring Ivan. If I am, there'll be an additional charge for another lesson."

Miguel paused for a second and then looked at Brooke. She awkwardly stood up and said, "Almost forgot I'm baking something."

Miguel's gaze turned complicated, and once his wife was in the kitchen, he spoke, "My wife is a bit controlling, but I'll talk to her. As long as Ivan shows improvement, your request is no problem."

"Great, then I'll come at this time tomorrow. Is that okay?" Audrey asked, looking at Miguel.

Ivan cut in, "Let's have one class in the morning and one in the afternoon. I want to have two classes a day."

Brooke came back from the kitchen and heard Ivan's words. Her doubt toward Audrey was raised again. She said in a calm tone, "Ms. Henderson must have other students. She can't just teach you alone."

She forced a smile and added, "Let's start with one lesson a day. If his scores improve, we'll switch to two."

"That's okay." Audrey took out a printed contract, and they both signed it.

Today was supposed to be a free trial lesson, but Miguel insisted on giving Audrey 100 dollars. After confirming the time for tomorrow's class, she was ready to leave.

Ivan still had plenty of questions for Audrey, but with his parents around, he couldn't ask.

Audrey made a quick stop at her new house. The cleaners had already finished their work, and the walls were repainted. She opened the windows to air it out. It'd be ready to move in by tomorrow or the day after.

*****

As soon as Clayton walked in the door, he instinctively reached for the thermos on the table.

He talked a lot, and his throat often felt sore, so Audrey always made sure to have various soothing drinks ready for him.

But today, the thermos was empty, and Clayton's heart sank a little.

Valerie's cooking was hard to judge. Not only did the dish get burnt, but the soup nearly exploded. In the end, they had to order takeout.

After having dinner and cleaning up the table, Valerie rushed to the balcony and chatted with Clayton, "Hey, I heard the price of houses here is pretty high. Your place must be worth over a million, right?"

"Yeah," Clayton replied while sipping the honey water he made for himself.

It was the same thing, but somehow, the honey water he made tasted worlds apart from the one Audrey made.

He poured her a glass and handed it over.

Valerie took it and asked, "Clay, has Audrey moved out? I didn't realize how possessive she is. I'm responsible for this too. You're married, and I still ask for your help with my divorce case."

Clayton checked his watch, thinking, 'I didn't expect a simple meal would take so long. At this time, the office is already closed.

'Should've just ordered takeout at the office, instead of coming home. The pots and pans that got burned have to wait for Zoe to clean up tomorrow.'

"The law firm is there to serve people who need it," Clayton said, taking a sip of water. "Hey, Luna's probably about to get out of school, huh? You should go pick her up. Don't keep her waiting."

Valerie didn't realize that Clayton meant she should leave. She walked up to Clayton, looking conflicted. "Clay, there's something I need to talk to you about."

Chapter 9 Be My Witness

Valerie glanced at Clayton before looking down and continuing, "When Luna was enrolled, the teacher asked for parents's information."

She hesitated for a second before adding, "That jerk doesn't deserve to be Luna's father. At the last daycare center, the father's section was left blank, and someone even called Luna a bastard without a father."

"Which one? I can hold them accountable." Clayton's expression clouded.

"Forget it. Luna's already transferred to a different school. I just don't want this to happen again. You know Luna has autism, so I'm thinking..." Valerie trailed off, not sure how to continue.

Seeing that Clayton didn't pick up on her hint, Valerie forced a smile and added, "With you around, no one will push us around. The law office should be closed by now. Could you come with me to pick up Luna?"

Valerie watched Clayton's face closely and continued, "It's her first day. All the other kids have their parents pick them up. Luna loves you the most. When she sees you, she won't just randomly throw tantrums."

"Random tantrums?" Clayton's tone grew serious. "She has autism. If she's throwing a tantrum for no reason, it could be because she's not feeling well. Why didn't you tell me sooner?"

"Audrey left home because of us. I was afraid..." Valerie's eyes turned red again, and she let out a dramatic tear, a classic move to tug at Clayton's heartstrings.

Clayton froze for a second and said in a cold tone, "We did nothing, so you don't need to blame yourself."

*****

As Audrey was leaving her new house, she ran into her neighbor Marlyn and her grandson, who was in middle school.

Marlyn's son and daughter-in-law worked out of town, so she was raising her grandson. A few years ago, she was in good health, but recently, she injured her knee and couldn't pick him up or drop him off at his tutoring class.

She didn't want him going alone, and hiring a tutor was too expensive.

Audrey thought tutoring could be a good way to make money. At the current market rate, one class cost 100 bucks, and if she taught four classes a day, that would be 400 dollars.

It was pure profit. She didn't need to invest much in preparation either, so it was a profitable business.

She agreed with Marlyn to tutor her grandson for half the market price once she moved in.

There was a large supermarket near her new house, and as Audrey was shopping for bedding, she ran into a familiar face.

Jade was talking to a sales assistant about fabrics when she spotted Audrey.

"Must be nice not to work. Squandering your husband's money feels good, right?" Jade said, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Still waiting for your hubby to beg you to come home? Sad, he's already with Valerie."

Audrey picked up a more expensive pair of pillows next to her and gave a cold laugh. "Did you buy your law degree, or did you actually pass the exam? Without evidence, you're just gossiping. I can sue you for that."

Jade didn't expect Audrey, usually so mild-mannered, to snap back.

She turned pale with anger and fired back. "You can keep talking. I tell you what, Mr. Patel stayed at Valerie's place last night, and today he brought her back to his house. The one who's not loved is the real mistress. Just wait to get kicked to the curb."

"It's me who's going to kick him." Audrey's eyes flashed with disdain. "Since you've proved that Clayton cheated on Valerie, I'll need you to be my witness in court."

Audrey used to laugh off the condescending attitudes from people in the law firm because of Clayton. But now that she was done with that jerk, she had no reason to play nice with them anymore.

Jade stood there, speechless, her face shifting between shades of livid and pale.

She fumed inside, thinking 'Even if Mr. Patel prefers Valerie now, he's still married to Audrey. Infidelity makes him the wrongdoer.

'If my gossip ends up costing Mr. Patel more in the divorce settlement with Audrey, not only will Valerie blame me, but the Patel family will have my head too.

'Going to court? Audrey's going to file for divorce? No way. She cares too much about Mr. Patel to file for divorce herself.'

Jade lost all interest in shopping and immediately walked away.

Audrey, on the other hand, selected a new set of bedding and had the staff note down her address for delivery the next day.

*****

The next morning, Audrey went to her new house to pick up the bedding. The latex paint was fresh, and there was no smell at all.

She also bought a few household items to put in the house. As she was looking around, she realized there were some decorations she could grab from Hightower Homes since she'd paid for them anyway.

When she opened the door, she was greeted by a pile of shoes in the entryway. Lillian and Clayton's niece, Riley Patel, were sitting on the couch watching TV. Luna, looking expressionless, was curled up at the edge of the couch.

Clayton and Valerie stood by the fish tank and fed the fish together. Valerie was shoulder to shoulder with Clayton. She picked up the fish food from his hand and sprinkled it into the tank. They looked almost like a couple.

"This goldfish is the one I gave you all those years ago, huh? I thought it was dead, but you've kept it alive so well," Valerie said, her face almost pressed against the tank.

Lillian looked at them and grinned. "Clay keeps everything you give him properly."

When Lillian saw Audrey at the door, her smile instantly faded. She sneered, "Oh, the hostess finally comes back, huh? I thought you had some backbone and went back to Emberholt."

Clayton heard the noise and turned to look. He asked in a cold tone, "Why did you come back now?"

Riley snorted, "She probably heard Vally was here and came back to mark her territory. I thought she didn't care about Uncle Clayton."

Riley was only 13, but the whole Patel family, from the youngest to the oldest, had always thought Audrey was just lucky to be with Clayton.

"Audrey, I didn't know you were coming. Zoe made the dishes according to Mrs. Patel's taste," Valerie said, carrying a plate of candy, as if she were the lady of the house. "These chocolates are from abroad. Try them."

Audrey scanned the room, and her eyes landed on the candy. She smiled and said, "Did you take these chocolates from my vanity?"

Valerie's smile froze, and she awkwardly explained, "Oh, we have guests here, so I thought I'd serve them."

"You're already causing trouble with Vally the moment you walk in. It's just a box of chocolate. Is it really worth this?" Clayton's expression clouded.

Clayton thought, 'She's been away for two days, and the moment she comes back, she starts to cause trouble.

'Vally asked me before she took the candy. She was just trying to be polite since my mom and niece were here. Why does Audrey have to make it so serious?'

Audrey grabbed the box and dumped all the chocolates into her bag. "I bought these chocolates for someone else, not for you guys."

Riley planned to take the chocolates home. Seeing Audrey's action, she shouted, "You eat and wear everything Uncle Clayton buys for you. How could you say you bought them?"

Audrey tossed the box onto the table. She glared at Clayton, her voice sharp. "Clayton, am I living off you? Everything I eat and wear is bought by you? Have I been depending on you this whole time?"

Clayton's gaze grew more complicated. The Audrey standing before him felt like a stranger. The feeling of losing her grew stronger.

He clenched his fist, suppressing his frustration and irritation, and snapped, "Audrey, do you really have to talk to my family like this?"