I Took His Blame, He Took My Child

After three years behind bars, my sole focus upon release was to earn enough money to pay for my daughter Bella's surgery. She was born with a congenital heart defect. With a friend's help, I landed a janitorial job at a company newly opened by Jessica Anderson, who is currently Glenn Hurley's fiancée. Today was the company's opening ceremony. The scene brimmed with elegance and glamour, glasses clinking in celebration—so at odds with the faded janitorial uniform I wore. Suddenly, my foot slipped and I lost my balance. The water in the bucket I was holding splashed out, soaking the fresh flowers arranged nearby. "Are you blind?" A sharp male voice suddenly rang out. I looked up to see a man in a designer suit glaring at me with anger; he was Freddy, a friend of Glenn. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to." I hurriedly pulled out a cloth, intending to wipe the water stains off the petals. Before my hand even touched the flowers, Freddy kicked my knee. "Is a simple sorry enough?" Looking down on me with disdain, Freddy said, "These are imported flowers carefully chosen by Jessica. Can you afford to pay for them?" The guests around quickly gathered, their murmurs nonstop; my cheeks burned, but I could only grit my teeth and endure. "If you want to keep this job, you must publicly kowtow to Jessica three times to apologize." Freddy crossed his arms, toying with his words. Kowtowing to apologize? My pride was shattered in an instant. But when I thought of Bella, growing weaker in the hospital and the urgent medical bills she needed, my clenched fist slowly relaxed. "I will kowtow." I said hoarsely. I took a deep breath and pressed my forehead heavily against the cold floor. With a dull thud, the sound sent a shiver across my scalp. "The second one." Freddy's voice was laced with mockery. Gritting my teeth, I struck down once more. Just as I was about to strike a third time, a familiar figure appeared among the crowd. It was Glenn. He wore a perfectly tailored black suit, standing tall and handsome, his face unreadable, his eyes cold as ice. "Mr. Hurley, you're here." Freddy immediately put on a flattering smile. Glenn ignored Freddy, fixing his gaze on me with undisguised contempt. "Lisa, you're like a bad penny." His tone was icy. I lifted my head, staring at the man I once deeply loved—who hurt me the most—and felt my heart twist in pain. "I only want to earn money to provide for my family." I said quietly. Glenn sneered, "You? A woman who killed her own family—how can you possibly provide for your family?" His words pierced my heart deeply. The nightmare from three years ago flashed before me, and my face instantly drained of color. At that moment, Jessica appeared, dressed in a pristine white gown, walking over with grace. She gently linked her arm with Glenn's, her eyes fixed on me with a trace of false tenderness. "Glenn, let it go. Lisa didn't do it on purpose," Jessica said, "It hasn't been easy for her either. This job must mean a lot to her." Glenn turned to Jessica, his voice softening considerably. "Jessica, you're just too kind, which is why people like this take advantage of you." Jessica lowered her head, her expression full of grievance: "I just feel that since we're all one family, there's no need to make things so harsh." One family? She actually still has the nerve to say we're one family. I stared at her hypocritical face, my stomach twisting in turmoil. Glenn's expression darkened. "Lisa, get out. You're not welcome here." I pleaded hurriedly, "I need this job, please." Glenn's gaze was filled with contempt. "Do you really think you have the right to beg me?" Freddy fanned the flames beside him: "Mr. Hurley, there's no point wasting words on such an ungrateful woman." After speaking, he stepped forward and grabbed the collar of my janitorial uniform. With a ripping sound, he tore my janitorial uniform off violently. I was wearing only a thin tank top and underwear, my bruised and scarred body exposed to everyone. Those were marks of abuse sustained in prison, secretly orchestrated by Jessica. A chorus of gasps rose around me, hateful and mocking eyes fixed squarely on me. My whole body shook as I hurriedly wrapped my arms around myself, tears of humiliation streaming down uncontrollably. Glenn saw the wounds on my body; his eyes flickered briefly, but he quickly resumed his cold stare. "Disgusting." He said coldly, then turned and walked away with Jessica. I collapsed to the ground, tears blurring my vision, as endless mockery and whispering filled my ears.