Chapter 7
The next day, an uninvited guest arrived at the apartment.
Odessa stood at the door, looking down on Marina and her son with an arrogant demeanor, two tall bodyguards behind her.
She tossed her hair. “Don’t misunderstand-I’m not here to bully you. Magnus assigned these to me, saying he was worried someone might harm me. I couldn’t
refuse.”
Marina was seething with hatred but didn’t dare act. Tomorrow she could leave with Eli-she didn’t want to cause more trouble.
“What are you here for?”
“I brought gifts for you both,” Odessa’s red lips curved upward. “Magnus said Eli will be raised by me from now on. I came to win over the little one.”
The bodyguards actually brought out many Lego sets. Eli cowered behind Marina, shouting, “Go away! I hate you!”
Odessa wasn’t angry, covering her lips as she laughed. “Eli, I’m your mommy now. If you hate me, you’ll be punished!”
Marina protectively held Eli, politely asking her to leave.
But Odessa raised her eyebrows. “Don’t rush-I haven’t given you your gift yet!”
Then a white porcelain urn appeared in a bodyguard’s hands. The golden inscription made Marina’s pupils contract.
It was her mother’s name!
She lost control, lunging to grab it, but caught only air.
‘Give it back!”
Odessa smugly waved her hand, commanding, “Kneel!”
Marina already despised both Odessa and Magnus. Even if she died today, she had to get her mother’s ashes back.
She grabbed Odessa’s throat so quickly the bodyguards couldn’t see it coming.
A crisp slap landed on Odessa’s face. “You dare hit me!”
‘Hit you! I want to kill you! Pay with your life for my mother!” Her grip tightened with such force that even the bodyguards panicked.
But she was quickly pulled away. The bodyguards restrained Marina while Odessa bent over coughing violently, eyes bloodshot.
Go! Dump that thing in the toilet and flush it!”
Marina’s eyes were splitting with rage. “You wouldn’t dare! You monster!”
The bodyguard actually entered the bathroom. Marina panicked and began pleading. Odessa laughed wildly, savoring Marina’s anguished despair.
She watched helplessly as all the ashes were poured into the toilet. “No! Please! I’ll kneel for you! Please don’t!”
Then Eli rushed forward. Odessa kicked him away and personally pressed the flush button.
“Your mother deserved to die! You all deserve to die! Now your mother’s gone-who’s next?”
Odessa’s laughter was ghostly and chilling.
“What’s all this commotion?” The door suddenly opened as Magnus entered, frowning.
Odessa’s expression changed faster than flipping pages. She immediately covered her face and nestled into Magnus’s arms to complain.
“I came to bring Eli gifts, but… Marina slapped me and taught Eli to hate me…”
The bright red handprint instantly ignited his fury.
Eli didn’t dare approach Magnus, crying as he defended his mother. That’s not true! It was this bad woman-she took Grandma and…”
“Silence!” Magnus’s face darkened. “Is this how you’re teaching Eli?”
Marina stared blankly at the bathroom, which he took as admission.
He exploded with rage. “Slap her 99 times now! Teach her a lesson!”
The bodyguards immediately acted. Eli went crazy with fear, but his small body blocking the bodyguards was useless.
Soon Marina’s face was grotesquely swollen. She made no sound of pleading.
Ptui!” A tooth mixed with blood fell to the floor.
Magnus couldn’t bear it anymore and demanded, “Marina! Apologize to Dessa now and I’ll spare you!”
Her mouth was too swollen to speak, but she still stubbornly shook her head.
After 99 slaps, even the bodyguards’ hands were sore, let alone Marina.
he collapsed unconscious on the floor. When she woke, Magnus sat cold-faced beside the hospital bed.
Dessa is kindhearted. She’s allowing you to stay in New York and visit Eli regularly. I’ll also provide financial compensation. Your mother’s death was an ccident, so behave yourself. I won’t mistreat you or Eli!”
le knew Marina’s stubborn nature-he’d originally been attracted to her unyielding spirit, but now it was a headache.
le expected Marina to refuse or explode in anger, but she didn’t.
er voice hoarse, she answered with difficulty, “I agree… Today’s my birthday… Could Eli come keep me company…”
lagnus was surprised by her sudden change, but figured perhaps her mother’s death had brought some enlightenment.
his was good news anyway.
> he had Eli brought over.
e told Marina to rest well, that he’d check on them later, then left.
[arina watched that tall figure disappear from the doorway as the last light in her eyes died.
ix years, and he hadn’t even remembered her birthday.
he forced herself to stand and hugged Eli. “Baby, we have to go. From now on, you’ll only have Mommy…”
li nodded through his sobs. “Mommy, don’t worry. I’ll take care of you for Grandma!”
ler chest filled with bitterness-Eli understood everything!
Larina contacted Gideon and rushed to the airport with the new identity information he’d provided.
ast as she and Eli were about to enter security, those familiar black-clad bodyguards came running toward them.
he ran quickly with Eli, but more bodyguards appeared ahead-they were trapped.
li broke free from her hand, looked deeply at her once, then ran toward a less crowded area.
He looked up at her, mouthing his goodbye.
Mommy, wait for me to find you!”
Marina was pushed through security by a tour group, watching helplessly as Eli was taken away.
She boarded the plane to California in a daze, looking down at New York’s glittering lights. Everyone she loved was left behind there.
The engines roared, carrying her endless longing across the ocean toward freedom and hope.
