The incident made the papers the very next day. Strangely, Dad didn't get angry at Mom the way he had before. Instead, he started coming home more often, and for the first time, he never mentioned Bella's name again.
I didn't understand why, until one late night when I overheard Mom speaking to the butler in the study.
"Bella's child died under that chandelier. Her face was ruined too. I suppose Mr. Pearson decided she was no longer of use, so he cast her aside. Now he's preparing to return to his family, to you and the young master," the butler said.
Mom stared out the dark window, her voice was cold. "Let's hope so."
In the days that followed, Dad really did change. He came home early, bringing me piles of toys and treats.
Mom's jewelry case filled quickly, and those designer clothes could hardly fit into the wardrobe.
Mom seemed to have also felt Dad's change, and the smile on her face gradually returned.
One day, Dad said he wanted to take us to visit Grandpa and Grandma. Their home was far away; and we drove for hours.
When the car reached a bridge, Dad suddenly stopped.
I thought he wanted to enjoy the view.
But in the next heartbeat, the doors flew open. Mom and I were dragged out.
Gone was his gentle facade—he looked at us with naked killing intent.
"Gianna, I told you Bella was no threat to your position, but you targeted her again and again. Because of you, she can't bear children anymore, and her face is ruined beyond recognition. Do you have any idea how deeply that destroyed her?"
"I've been coming home every day, treating you and Justin well, just so you'd let your guard down—so you'd agree to ride in this car today without your bodyguards."
With that, he gave the order. His men seized me and hurled me into the raging river below.
The moment I hit the water, Mom clutched me tight, her scalding tears falling onto my face.
Above the roar of the current, I still heard Dad's voice.
"Justin, don't blame me for being cruel. Your mother refuses to behave and is leading you astray. This is just a little lesson for both of you."
As the icy water swallowed me whole, I suddenly understood the words my mother once whispered, sitting alone in her room with red-rimmed eyes, staring at the wedding photo of her and my father in their youth.
"Times change, and people change with them."
My father's heart had grown as cold and indifferent as that river.