BuzzNovelEven after applying an ice pack, the marks on Vera's face were still impossible to miss.
“Let it go, Vera. Your mom's held on this long,” Carla murmured, gently touching Vera's cheek, her eyes rimmed
with red.
Vera shook her head. “I'm going to keep looking for a lawyer. We'll leave tonight. I'm worried he’ll show up and
interfere with your recovery.”
Watching Vera hurriedly pack their things, Carla found herself unable to voice any words of comfort. Her
daughter was fighting so hard for her-how could she, as a mother, keep dragging her child down?
“Did you take out that card?”
“I did.” While packing, she’d gone back to her room and grabbed the debit card and checkbook Carla had hidden
away.
“That's good. There's not much in there, but a few thousand dollars should help us get by for a while. So what if |
can’t walk? I'll work from home, maybe knit things to sell, or set up a table at the market. There are plenty of
ways to make a living. Things will get better for us, you'll see.”
Vera paused, then turned to Carla with a smile. “Yeah, things will get better. Once we settle in at my place, I'll
show you around. On weekends, we'll go shopping or just take a walk. It'll get better,” she repeated, as if she
needed the words to steady her own pounding heart.
Once they'd finished packing, Vera went to settle the discharge paperwork. But when she returned, she found a
commotion outside the hospital room-voices shouting, people crowding around.
Vera's face paled. She rushed forward, pushing through the crowd. Sure enough, it was Hamlin,
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇt“Divorce? Dream on!” Hamlin spat. “You two think you can just dumpand walk away? Not a chance! If you
dare run, | swear I'll cafter you with a knife. I'll kill you both, then I'll kill myself. You'll never get rid of
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10:04
me!”
A small knife glinted in Hamlin’s hand, catching the fluorescent light.
“Hamlin, what have | ever done to you? Are you out of your mind?” Carla’s eyes were wide with terror; the man
before her was more frightening than any nightmare.
“Go ahead, then! Let's see who comes out alive!” Vera shoved Hamlin aside and stood protectively in front of
Carla.
“Vera, don’t!” Carla pleaded, terrified that Vera's defiance would push Hamlin over the edge.
“I'm telling you, you can leave, but your mother stays! If you try to sneak her out, | swear I'll kill you both!”
Hamlin’s threats sent a fresh wave of panic through Carla. Years of insults and beatings had left deep scars-her
hands were slick with sweat, trembling uncontrollably as she
stared at the knife.
Fortunately, the chaos didn’t last long. Someone had called the nurses, and soon security arrived to drag Hamlin
away.
“You'll never escape me, Carla! Try to divorceand I'll take you down with me!” Hamlin kept screaming as
they forced him out. Vera clamped her hands over Carla’s ears, rubbing her back, trying to soothe her.
“Mom, we're leaving right now. The city’s huge-he won't find us. Don’t be afraid.”
I ) won )
Vera, | can't go. | cant...” Carla's
whole body shook as tears Spgmed
down hes face. Fhe Yelrdr
obehvhelmed her, snapping whatever
,
resolve she'd managed to hold onto.
wy .
It's okay, Mom, | promise. You have
»
to trust me,” Vera Raa
a 9 . 5 . p
eyes ree withiears: he didn't
KhioW w at more she could say to
,
calm her mother’s shattered nerves.
« ) ) »
| can't. | can't leave...” Carla sobbed,
shaking her head and Chutcbing Her
efrs; retresting into her own world.
Vera could only hold her, wishing she could somehow shield her mother
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10:04
Chapter 393
from all the pain.
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