After returning from the hospital, Oliver and I fell into a cold war. He even refused to let me leave the house.
According to him, without any family and being unable to care for myself, I couldn't survive without him.
He was terrifyingly cold-hearted, detesting me yet pretending to love me in public.
He came home on time every day and ate with me.
On this particular day, I noticed a ring on his ring finger when he returned. It was the style I hated the most. But it was Eleanor's favorite.
"Can you take it off? It's really disgusting." Oliver paused, put down his bowl, and silently removed the ring, placing it in his pocket.
But he refused to throw it away. I couldn't eat any more, setting my bowl aside and leaving the dining table.
"Charlotte, let's get married." Oliver suddenly called out from behind me.
In the past, I would have been delighted. But I knew these were not his sincere words.
It was a crucial period for Oliver's company to go public, and they feared any scandal.
His wanting to marry me was not a repentant act or a change of heart.
I turned around and mocked him, "You want me to marry you, stabilize the situation for you. After you make a successful IPO, you can divorce me and live happily ever after with Eleanor?"
"Oliver, you're dreaming."
I never expected Oliver's revenge to come so swiftly. When I woke up from my nap, I heard a commotion downstairs.
Opening the door and stepping out, I found many strangers in the house.
Eleanor had arrived at some point. She sat in a chair in the dining room with her arms crossed, wearing my slippers, directing people to move things. She was acting every bit like the lady of the house.
"Throw everything in the house away, including the bed, the bedding, and the clothes in the wardrobe."
The baby room, which had remained shut since we lost our child, was now open. The things I had carefully prepared were being tossed out.
"What are you doing?" Hearing my voice, Eleanor lifted her head and suddenly grinned.
"You're awake?"
"Oliver asked me to call people to dismantle this nursery and renovate it anew."
"So you won't be sad seeing it."
"Oh, and this room will be empty, suitable for someone to live in. I can stay here from now on."
My head buzzed, my heart rate accelerating as blood rushed to my head.
Barefoot, I ran down the stairs through the mess and saw the dismantled pieces of the baby crib. Inside were scattered the little clothes and shoes Oliver had picked out with me at the mall for our child.
The cross necklace I had bought for the baby, which hung on the bed, was missing.
"Where's the necklace?"
Eleanor shrugged, "It annoyed me, so I threw it away."
"Where did you throw it?"
"Somewhere in the garden, or maybe in the pool. It's an insignificant thing, why would I remember?"
"If you can't find the necklace, I will kill both you and Oliver."
I shoved her approaching figure harshly, not bothering to put on shoes, and ran straight towards the garden.
Eleanor stood at the window, mocking me coldly. "Charlotte, look at yourself now."
"Are you worthy of Oliver?"
"His company is about to go public. As the CEO of a listed company attending various high-end events, he needs a graceful and gentle wife. But you're mentally handicapped; apart from publicly wetting yourself, what else can you do?"
"Please, don't use the the bond forged in adversity you both faced before to chain him down."
"How much money do you want? Oliver and I will give it to you, just let him go, okay?"
"Look at yourself, what right do you have to demand that he keeps liking you?"
As dusk approached, I knelt in the overgrown shrubs of the garden, searching everywhere, ignoring Eleanor's provocations.
My white pajamas were now dirty. My calves and feet were scratched.
When I couldn't find it in the shrubs, I turned and headed for the swimming pool.
As I got up, I suddenly collided into someone's embrace.
Oliver held me tightly, his voice cold and stern, "Why have you made yourself so dirty?"
I turned and fiercely grabbed his clothes, demanding in a fierce tone: "Oliver, I just miscarried, and you're already desperate to dismantle the nursery?"
Thunder rumbled in the distance, signaling an impending rainstorm. The air was suffocating.
Oliver touched my face, turning his head away guiltily, unable to meet my gaze. "The child is gone, keeping the room will only make you sad."
Eleanor suddenly ran over and started crying, "Mr. Grant, she seems to hate me. Her eyes are scary when she looks at me..."
Oliver didn't respond, but his gaze remained fixed on her.
Refusing to witness their affectionate gazes, I violently pushed Oliver away and turned towards the pool. "Charlotte, it's dangerous there…"
Oliver grabbed my wrist, trying to hold me back. An inexplicable rage ignited within me, and I bit down hard on his wrist, hearing Oliver groan in pain.
He didn't move, nor did he release me. The scent of blood slowly seeped out.
Rain finally broke through the clouds, falling in a drizzle. Ripples appeared on the water's surface.
Eleanor pretended to be anxious as she came over, holding an umbrella for me.
"Listen to Mr. Grant, go inside, okay? You'll catch a cold and wet your pants again…" As she finished, she looked at me provocatively, pleased with herself for winning Oliver's trust.
The rain grew heavier, and the water in the pool began to overflow. The dark water, unlit by the lights, resembled a beast's gaping maw.
I suddenly grabbed Eleanor's hair and pushed her into the pool.
"Charlotte!" Oliver barked, crouching down to pull me back.
He couldn't move me. Because I had put all my weight on Eleanor.
Eleanor was submerged in the pool, her black hair floating as she struggled violently.
Within moments, her struggles weakened. I lost my strength and released her.
Eleanor lay on the edge of the pool like a dying dog. Oliver's face was pale as he pulled Eleanor out.
He sat on the edge of the pool, holding her in his arms, patting her back urgently, "Spit it out, it'll be fine once you do it."
His hands were trembling, his words jumbled.
Eleanor's eyes didn't even open as she started to sob.
"Don't let me see her... I don't want to…"
Oliver's eyes were filled with anger. "Charlotte, go back inside!"
Then he soothingly patted Eleanor, "I'll take you to the hospital."
"You can still talk, huh?" I lunged at Eleanor again.
"Charlotte!" Oliver intercepted my arm, shielding Eleanor.
In the next moment. With a splash. I lost my balance and was pushed by Oliver into the deep waters of the pool.
Water surged towards me from all sides. It engulfed my senses.
Before sinking to the bottom, I saw Oliver's cold gaze.
Because I had hurt Eleanor, he had used force against me.
