Chapter 4 You Ruined My Family

Natalie's POV: "After your accident, they tried everything they could—called in favors, pulled every connection—to get you rescued. But they ended up getting swindled by scammers and lost all their savings. I did everything I could to talk them out of it ... but nothing worked. Then, when the news came that you were presumed dead, everything changed. That morning, I had just finished a long emergency surgery and stepped out of the ER when I got the call ... their house had caught fire, and ... they were gone." Mike didn't spell it out, but I understood clearly. My parents had spent everything they had trying to bring me home, only to be deceived. And when they were told I was dead, they lost all hope ... and chose to end their lives. The light around me began to fade, and a crushing sorrow overwhelmed my heart. "Natalie!" I heard someone shout before everything went black and I collapsed. ... "Natalie, you've always made us proud. "If you're ever exhausted, just come home. Mom and Dad will always be here, waiting for you. "Natalie, be strong ... live a good life ... " I jolted awake from the darkness, gasping for breath as my eyes flew open. That little night light on the bedside—it was still there, just like before. This was my home. The home that had been ripped away from me. Outside the door, Mike and Sia were arguing. "Why did you let her stay here? Do you still have feelings for her or what? "Mike, don't forget—I'm your wife. You have a daughter now! "Are you really going to let her tear our family apart? I won't let that happen!" Sia's voice was sharp and deliberate, loud enough for me to hear every word. For three long years, I held on to the belief that once I returned, the nightmare would end. That the people I loved would still be waiting. That I would be welcomed home, into warm arms and familiar smiles. But my parents ... they were gone. Gone forever. Mike betrayed me. Everything I once had—was gone. My home, my husband, even my identity—ripped away like a cruel twist of fate. The world I returned to was nothing like the one I left behind. Panic surged through me like a tidal wave. Run away! Run away! Leave this place that suffocates me! I shot up from the bed, my mind consumed by a single, urgent thought—Run. I had to get away from all of this. As I stepped out of the bedroom, I nearly collided with Sia. Her eyes were blazing with fury. "Why did you come back?!" she spat, her voice trembling with rage. "Our family was perfect until you showed up. Why didn't you just die out there?" She was screaming like she'd lost her mind. "Get out! Get out of here! You're the monster that ruined my family!" Sia yanked the door open and shoved me hard. I stumbled and fell, crashing to the floor. "Waaah! Mommy!" a child's frightened cry rang out from the nursery. Their daughter, half-awake and confused, ran out, her tiny feet pattering against the floor. "Sia! Stop it—you're scaring her!" Mike snapped, scooping the little girl into his arms as he glared at Sia. The commotion drew the neighbors out, doors creaked open, and curious faces peeked through doorways. Some even pulled out their phones to start recording. "Oh my goodness, what's going on now? Why are you fighting?" "Wait, who is she? Is that the homewrecker who broke up their marriage?" another neighbor asked. Just then, the little girl burst into tears. "Bad woman! Why did you come to my house? Why are you trying to steal my daddy from Mommy? You're a bad woman! You're ruining our family!" The little girl's outburst only added fuel to the fire, and the neighbors' murmurs turned into pointed accusations. "Slut! Shameless whore! Destroying someone else's family!" Was I the one destroying someone else's family? No—this was my family. My home. I was the one who had been cast aside. I opened my mouth to defend myself, but I couldn't speak. I turned to Mike, hoping he'd speak up for me.