Chapter 8

Julian's silence spoke volumes.

Tears streamed down Mia's face uncontrollably.

Her voice trembled as she spoke. "You knew all along? Why didn't you tell me?"

"If you had warned me, Anna would still be alive!"

"My Anna..."

She broke down completely, consumed by grief.

Julian looked at her with a puzzled expression. "What are you talking about? I thought you and Liam were just having a child for fun. Did you actually take it seriously?"

"Besides, your daughter's death was your own doing. What does it have to do with me?"

Mia's face turned pale.

"What did you say?"

"Wasn't it you who said that daughters should be raised in poverty, or they would grow up to be materialistic?"

"You told me Liam was just a poor country boy who might have ulterior motives for getting close to me, so I should be cautious. That's why I strictly controlled his expenses."

"I trusted you!"

Julian let out a mocking laugh.

He leisurely lit a cigarette.

Exhaling a puff of smoke, he continued.

"Are you some mindless puppet? You believe everything I say?"

"I did mention raising her in poverty, but I never said to give her only two hundred dollars a month."

"Liam worked three jobs every day, and your daughter collected bottles to sell for money."

Lowering his voice with malice, he added, "Do you know what other kids called your daughter?"

"An unwanted rag, worthless, to be thrown away after use."

Mia felt as if she had been struck by lightning.

She had never heard about any of this.

She muttered to herself, "Why didn't you tell me?"

"Why didn't you say anything when you were struggling so much?"

But she had forgotten.

She had been told countless times.

Each time, she dismissed it as greed and refused outright.

Julian looked at her with a strange expression.

"Mia, what's wrong with you? Didn't you look down on Liam too?"

"He was just a country bumpkin. Good riddance."

"And that little brat's death is a relief, one less burden!"

He took a step closer, his smile suggestive. "Mia, let's not waste any more time. The night is young..."

Finally, Mia saw him for who he truly was.

The first love she had grown up with.

His heart was filthy and ugly.

Yet, Liam had always loved her, respected her, and put her first.

As Julian reached out his hand, Mia grabbed a pair of scissors from the table.

She screamed at the top of her lungs, "Get out! Get out of here!"