My Mad CEO Husband's Redemption
💔💔💔Charlee dedicated ten years of her youth to supporting the blind Ethan, helping him rise to become a business tycoon, only to be met with his cold threat: “Break your legs to fulfill my first love’s wish.”
To save her ailing daughter, Candy, she swallowed her pain and agreed. Yet, she never expected that Candy would still be pushed to her death by his mistress, Emelia’s cruel words.
Chapter 1
My husband Ethan Reed said he'd kill our daughter if I didn't break my legs.
I had no choice but to agree. But the next day, my daughter still lost her life.
It was because of Emelia Hayden, Ethan's lover. I questioned her what she had done.
Emelia smiled indifferently.
"I just said Ethan didn't like her and she'd be a burden to you if she was alive.
"She really loved you. After hearing that, she killed herself."
I seized Emelia's neck in a fury. "You killed my daughter, Emelia! Go to hell!"
Ethan pushed me away and made me apologize to Emelia.
They forgot I got them everything. Now I was gonna take it all back.
***
"Charlee Sampson, break your legs in three days for Emelia."
Ethan sat on the sofa with crossed legs. His tone was as cold as always.
I had just finished a business meeting. Upon hearing that ridiculous demand, I was dumbfounded for the moment.
Emelia was Ethan's first love and a renowned interpreter in America.
I helped her get where she was, but nobody knew it.
Since Ethan and I got married, Emelia had been around a lot.
Within only one month, Ethan was swayed and showed affection for her.
I lifted my head and asked, "Why should I fulfill her promise?"
"Ethan, don't you feel it's absurd?"
Five years ago, Emelia swore she'd give up her legs if Ethan could succeed in business.
Now the Reed Group was a top company in Seattle.
Emelia should be the one to fulfill the vow. What had it to do with me?
Ethan stood up and looked down at me.
"She swore in your name. So, you should break the legs.
"Charlee, it's quite simple. Don't you get it?
"I've married you and she's lost her love. Just a pair of legs. Can't you do that for me?"
I felt a pang of pain in my chest.
Just a pair of legs?
It was easy for Ethan to say that.
After all, he wouldn't lose anything. Surely he couldn't feel the pain.
As I stared at him quietly, Ethan became a bit grumpy.
"That's the deal if you want Candy to get the right marrow."
I shivered all over at once.
"You're using our daughter to threaten me?
"Ethan Reed, are you insane?"
I rushed forward to thump his chest, tears welling up in my eyes.
At the moment, I hated myself for marrying the wrong man.
I knew it wouldn't end well, but I still fell in.
After he lost his eyesight in an accident, I was there to help him and encouraged him to start all over.
Ethan eventually recovered, and I took care of him, both in his work and everyday life.
Ten years passed in the blink of an eye. He still showed no concern for me.
Even though I had given my all, I still couldn't win his heart.
My hands gradually became weak.
I fell to the ground and nodded in tears.
Ethan wanted my legs. Would they be happier if I gave them my life?
Thinking about faking my death in three days, I felt somewhat better.
"Good girl. There you go."
Ethan's face softened. He wanted to caress my head.
I dodged him and noticed that his hand stiffened in the air.
A sound rang out.
It was the exclusive ringtone Emelia set for her call.
I saw Ethan take the call and crack a smile I'd never seen.
Then, I moved all my belongings from the master bedroom to the guest room and drafted the divorce agreement.
Ethan was chatting so merrily with Emelia that he didn't notice my actions.
After he finished his phone call, he just went out.
I wanted to stop him but he seemed to hear nothing and vanished from my sight quickly.
I couldn't help smiling bitterly.
He probably couldn't wait to meet Emelia.
I put the divorce agreement in the most eye-catching place in the master bedroom so that he could see it as soon as he came back.
Then, I pulled myself together before going to visit Candy in the hospital.
Candy was diagnosed with aplastic anemia. This disease was quite tormenting. Candy would have a fever from time to time.
I put my hand on Candy's forehead to check her temperature.
Luckily, her temperature was normal for now.
"Mom, I haven't seen Dad and Uncle Nathen for a while. Are they really that busy?"
Candy's eyes were full of confusion.
I didn't know how to respond to her and could only say with a reluctant smile, "They're too busy. They'll come to see you when they have time."
I caressed Candy's soft cheeks.
Disappointed as Candy was, she still nodded to show her understanding.
"Mom, I'll try my best to get well so that you won't be worried.
"Mom, don't cry. I'll feel sad when I see you cry."
Candy wrinkled her face and also wanted to wipe the tears off my face.
It was then that I realized that my face was bathed in tears.
I wiped my face randomly.
"OK, I won't cry. And you, don't be sad either."
Finally, I put Candy to sleep.
Seeing her sleeping face, I cried again.
Candy didn't know her father used her to threaten her mother to break her legs.
And she still wanted to get well so that her mother wouldn't be so sad.
But how could I not feel sad?
I might have to part from Candy for a long time three days later.
I felt so sorry for Candy and I did love her very much, but I really had to divorce Ethan.
"I remember there's an unexhibited painting among Mom's relics. Go find it and Emelia needs it in three days."
I was still drowned in sorrow when I heard an arrogant voice from behind.
I turned around to look at my brother, Nathen Sampson.
"It's my mother's relic. Why would I give it to Emelia? Who does she think she is?"
Candy was still sick. However, as her uncle, Nathen came here actually for Emelia.
At this moment, I was glad that Candy was asleep.
Otherwise, Candy must have been really sad if she found herself so neglected by her uncle.
Nathen was displeased.
"Emelia wants to display her collection to prove that she's not only an interpreter but also an art connoisseur.
"How could she keep up her appearance without Mom's painting?"
I lowered my head in silence.
My mother was a famous painter.
Her painting was quite valuable.
But there was only one painting of hers never exhibited before, because the painting was my back.
Mom said this painting belonged to me.
After she passed away, that painting carried all my memories of her.
"Charlee, give me the painting!
"Otherwise, I'd move Mom's grave away. I can assure you that you can't find it forever!"
Chapter 2
Nathen's voice was icy cold with a threatening tone.
It felt like my heart was stabbed. It hurt so much.
He was my brother!
He even promised Mom on her deathbed that he would take care of me for the rest of my life.
But ever since he met Emelia, he had changed completely.
He was supposed to be my shield, but he protected Emelia instead.
After the pain faded, I forced myself to push Nathen out of my mind.
"Without me helping me behind the scenes, do you think she can be an interpreter? She's more like a laughingstock!
"Nathen, you don't have to threaten me. Even if you remove Mom's grave, I believe she'll guide me to her.
"Stop wasting your time on me about the painting. Why don't you paint it yourself? You had studied with Mom for years. You must have learned the basics, have you?"
Maybe my words hit a nerve. Nathen immediately lashed out.
"I'll paint it myself! Charlee, I didn't expect a cold-hearted person like you to come up with a good idea."
"Forget it. Anyway, your legs will be broken in three days. I won't argue with you."
I told myself not to care, but his mean words still made me mad.
I was cold-hearted just because I didn't give the painting to Emelia?!
Over the years, they had taken my giving for granted.
In the end, I kicked him out, saying Candy needed to rest.
I sneered in my heart, "Nathen, if you really painted that drawing, both you and Emelia would be the laughingstock."
I was about to drive home after visiting Candy in the hospital.
But as soon as I got in the car, a thin figure hit my car.
She screamed in pain.
I quickly got out of the car and saw Emelia lying in a pool of blood, her face pale.
"My stomach... the baby..." she cried.
I stood there, shocked, watching what was happening.
I was sure I didn't press the gas, and Emelia just hit my car.
She did it on purpose!
At that moment, she was holding her stomach with one hand and frantically reaching for her phone with the other.
I saw the name flashing on the screen. She was calling Ethan.
It wasn't long before Ethan showed up.
Without hesitation, he picked up Emelia and rushed to the hospital.
I hesitated for a moment, but I didn't follow.
Emelia obviously did it on purpose. If I went to check on her, it would just make me look guilty.
I felt uneasy all the way home.
In the morning, the bright sun woke me up and Ethan stormed into my room.
He had a sneering smile on his face. "Emelia lost her baby, and you slept like a baby."
My heart sank.
This was probably exactly what Emelia wanted.
She wanted to worsen the situation between Ethan and me.
Yet, was it really worth using her own baby like this?
Before I could further process it, Ethan stepped right up to me.
"Charlee, you got her to lose her baby. Do you think your kid will be okay?"
My eyes widened. I stared at him like he was a monster.
I grabbed his collar, demanding, "What did you do to Candy? She's your kid too!
"Ethan, if you are angry, take it out on me! Just don't hurt Candy!"
Even a fierce tiger wouldn't harm its own cubs.
But humans could be way more ruthless than any wild animal.
Especially Ethan, who seemed to have completely lost his mind at this moment.
"Relax. I won't kill her. I'm just going to stop her medicine for a few days.
"Don't forget what you need to do two days later. Candy is still waiting for a bone marrow transplant in the hospital!"
I stared at his face, but there was no emotion.
What he did was brutal. How could he be so chill about it?
"Ethan, I didn't hit her. You just accused me without even asking. Is that fair?
"It was supposed to be between the three of us. It had nothing to do with Candy. Why are you treating her like this?"
In the end, I was so mad that I felt like I could bite him to pieces.
I really lost it this time!
I jumped at him and bit his neck as hard as I could until I tasted the blood.
Ethan held me in his arms without even crying in pain.
He just gently patted the back of my head.
"You messed up, but I don't want to punish you. She'll take the blame for you.
"I'll show you how it feels this time. If it happens again, you'll know it."
I pushed him away coldly and dashed straight to the bathroom to rinse my mouth.
Everything about him just made me sick.
I rushed to the hospital to see Candy.
The nurse told me Candy was missing.
I was stunned and grabbed her by the shoulders.
"Missing? What do you mean she's missing?
"How could Candy just disappear? Where could she have gone?"
The nurse looked at me with sympathy.
"Ma'am, please try to stay calm. If we knew where she was, she wouldn't be missing.
"We only know someone came looking for her before she went missing."
I asked who it was, and she pointed behind me. "It was her!"
I followed her gaze and felt a chill run through me.
It was Emelia!
I didn't have time to wonder how she could be walking around after just having a miscarriage. I rushed over and shouted, "Emelia, where is Candy? Where did you take her?"
Emelia looked at me, puzzled. "Charlee, isn't Candy your daughter? If she's missing, why are you asking me?"
I stared at her coldly. "The nurse told me you came to Candy before she went missing."
Emelia casually brushed her hair back. "Yeah, she was adorable, so I chatted with her for a while. But it's not my fault she went missing."
I clenched my fists.
I didn't believe Emelia would say anything nice to Candy.
She must have said something to upset Candy, which was why Candy left the hospital alone!
Candy was so sweet. How could she do anything to make me sad?
I questioned, "Emelia, what exactly did you say to Candy?"
Emelia's eyes teared up and her voice softened. "Charlee, I didn't say anything special to Candy. I just told her how adorable she was.
"You can't blame me for your daughter going missing. It's not my fault.
"I lost my baby because you hit me. We're both mothers. How could I ever hurt a child?"
With that, Emelia choked up with tears.
Ethan strode over and gently wiped her tears with his hand. "Charlee, apologize to her!"
I took a few steps back.
I said firmly, "Ethan, you might not care about Candy, but I do!
"It's clear that Candy's missing is related to her. There's no way I will apologize to her!"
Ethan whirled around, his eyes sparking with fury.
He snapped, "Candy is just missing. Even if she is dead, you still need to apologize to Emelia!"
Chapter 3
I was totally shocked. I couldn't believe what was happening.
I turned and sprinted out of the hospital.
Ethan didn't give a damn about Candy.
It was better to search for Candy myself rather than just waste my breath with him.
I roamed the streets, calling for Candy and asking passers-by if they had seen her.
I was so freaked out that I even forgot to call the police.
When I noticed a crowd gathered in front of a tall building, a weird feeling hit me.
I couldn't help but walk toward the tiny figure lying in a puddle of blood.
She still wore her hospital gown and the bracelet I made.
"Candy... Candy..." I crouched down and whispered her name.
Candy didn't answer.
She lay face down, a gory mess of blood and flesh.
The onlookers looked at me with pity.
For a second, the image I had seen on the screen and what was right in front of me started to blend.
My heart ached. I wanted to touch her with my trembling hands, but I didn't dare.
I covered my mouth with my hands and then hugged her tightly.
"Candy! My Candy!" I cried out, my voice cracking, but Candy didn't respond at all.
It was pouring, and people were starting to scatter.
An umbrella popped up right over my head.
Then, Emelia's mean voice cut through the air. "With a mom like you, she really had a miserable life. She'd be better off dead.
"Maybe she will have a better life in her next life."
I lifted my head, my eyes burning with sadness and rage.
I asked again, "What the hell did you say to Candy?"
It must have been something really bad for Candy to leave like that.
Emelia just smirked, "I just said Ethan didn't like her and she'd be a burden to you if she was alive.
"She really loved you. After hearing that, she killed herself."
Emelia sighed, looking sort of sorry.
I seized Emelia's neck in a fury. "You killed my daughter, Emelia! Go to hell!"
Emelia's umbrella dropped to the ground.
She struggled against my grip. "Let go... Let me go!"
I tightened my grip and had just one thought in my head.
I wanted to kill her and make her pay for what she did to Candy!
"T-Ethan, s-save me..." She reached behind me, but I didn't care. I just wanted to strangle her.
"Charlee!" I heard Ethan's voice.
A sudden, sharp pain pierced my neck, and everything went dark.
When I came to, I was in the hospital.
Nathen stood in front of me, accusing me, "You can't even look after a kid. Charlee, you are so useless!
"Candy was really unlucky to have a mom like you. No wonder she didn't want you!"
His words were as mean as Emelia's. Yet, he was my real brother, my blood relative.
I clutched the blanket, feeling that familiar pain in my chest again.
"Candy was killed by Emelia! She said something to hurt Candy. That was why Candy couldn't handle it!"
Nathen stared at me in disbelief. "What are you talking about? Emelia adores kids. She would never hurt Candy.
"Charlee, you can't pin the blame on Emelia just because you failed to take good care of Candy.
"I'm warning you. If you keep trying to pin this on her, I won't consider you my sister!"
My heart sank, feeling time crawl by for the first time.
There were only 24 hours to go.
In 24 hours, I would finally get rid of these guys.
I did my best to give Candy a decent yet small funeral.
I surrounded her with the flowers she adored and her favorite toys.
I kept touching her portrait, whispering, "Candy, I hope you will never suffer from illness in heaven. And next time, be born into a family that loves you, so you won't have to feel this pain again.
"I love you, but it's me who hurt you.
"It's my fault for marrying your dad, and I'm so sorry you had to suffer with me."
The more I said, the sadder I became.
Finally, I couldn't help but hold her portrait close, tears clouding my eyes.
"Charlee, I'm sorry for your loss." Emelia walked in, trying to act concerned.
I wiped my tears and put on a stern face. "What are you doing here? Get out!"
She was the one behind Candy's death.
No matter how much Ethan and Nathen stood up for her, it didn't change how much I hated her.
"Charlee! What's with your attitude?" Seeing me like this, Nathen finally lost it.
He looked at me angrily, as if he was about to give me a piece of his mind.
My chilly gaze moved from his face to Emelia. "I heard you're taking an interpreter exam soon. It's really important for you, right?"
Emelia raised her chin, looking proud. "So what?"
Clearly, she didn't get how serious it was yet.
I chuckled, "Ms. Hayden, you have probably noticed my daughter just passed away. I don't feel like working right now.
"Since you're so capable, why don't you take the exam three days later?
"I'm sure you'll do just fine with your skills."
With that, I dropped my gaze and softly wiped Candy's portrait.
Emelia's expression changed abruptly.
Her fists clenched as if she couldn't believe it.
They dared to hurt Candy. All of them should pay a price!
Emelia was furious. Yet, she remained silent and looked at Nathen.
She was counting on Nathen to back her up, even if she didn't say anything.
"Charlee! Don't you dare say that again!" Nathen glared at me as if I was his enemy, not his sister.
I retorted, "Why not? Candy is gone. What do you think you can threaten me now?"
Emelia's expression shifted again, but she had nothing to retort.
I didn't have any weak spots left for them to use against me.
Instead, Nathen started yelling, "Charlee, you're so vicious. Are you really trying to make things difficult for Emelia?"
I took a sip of water casually.
"So what? My daughter passed away, and I'm in mourning. It's normal that I don't feel like working.
"Besides, this is between Emelia and me. It's not your concern."
Nathen tried to say more, but Emelia cut him off.
She took a deep breath and asked bitterly, "What do I need to do to get your help with the exam?"
I looked up at her.
"It's easy. Just kneel down to Candy and keep apologizing until I say it's enough."
Next Chapter
