The Names on Her Grave

Being Taken Away

"Give me back all the income from the works I created at the music studio over these years. From now on, we owe each other nothing."

Jessica froze for a moment before her expression darkened even further.

"It's only a bit of money. As long as you stay with me, you'll never have to worry about such things for the rest of your life. Why are you making such a big deal out of this? Christian has a child to raise. It hasn't been easy for him.

"Just treat it as taking pity on him and stop obsessing over this matter." As she spoke, she pulled a checkbook from the drawer and tore out a blank check. "Write whatever amount you want yourself. Just stop causing trouble for me."

"I don't want your charity." I refused to take the check. "I only want what belongs to me. My copyrights and the honors I earned from those awards, I want all of it back."

Jessica looked at me with a sinister gaze.

"How dare you! Don't forget that I was the one who gave you food and shelter. Right now, half the business industry in Tylen City answers to me. If you insist on tearing things apart, don't blame me for forgetting our past."

At that moment, my entire body stiffened, and my heart finally turned cold.

I had witnessed her ruthless methods countless times in the business industry before, but I had never imagined that one day she would use that same cruelty against me.

…

Just as the tension in the room reached its breaking point, Christian suddenly let out a startled cry, "Jessica, something's wrong! Our baby's asthma is acting up!"

In that split second, Jessica's face changed instantly.

I was no longer at the forefront of her mind. Instead, she hastily scooped the child into her arms and rushed outside.

When she passed by me, she even hollered for security.

"Throw this lunatic out. Don't let him set foot inside the company ever again."

I stood frozen in place as I watched them disappear into the distance, feeling as though every ounce of strength had been drained from my body.

Now that I was thrown out onto the roadside, I couldn't help but look at the city I had lived in for five years with hollow eyes. Suddenly, the familiar streets looked like yawning monsters instead.

Only one thought remained in my mind, and that was to leave this place as soon as I could.

…

Then, I returned to the house I had shared with Jessica for five years and quickly packed my belongings, carefully placing my parents' keepsakes at the very bottom of my suitcase before pulling it toward the door.

The moment I opened it, two police officers were standing outside.

"Don't move! Who are you, and what are you doing here?"

I froze.

"My name is Christopher Thomson, and I've lived in this house for five years. I'm just packing my things and leaving."

The officers pulled out a copy of the property ownership documents and placed it in front of me.

"The registered owner of this house is Christian Wyven. He personally reported that you entered his property without permission and attempted to remove valuable items. Please cooperate with our investigation and come with us."

My mind went blank.

I had never imagined that even the house I'd lived in for five years belonged to Christian.

I wondered how many things Jessica had hidden from me.

It didn't matter how hard I tried to plead my case; the officers insisted on treating me like a thief and taking me away.

During the struggle, my suitcase fell to the ground. It had burst open after being dragged roughly across the floor, scattering everything inside. My parents' photograph crashed onto the ground, and the glass shattered everywhere, scratching the photo beyond recognition.

Even the bracelet my mother had never once taken off fell and snapped cleanly into two pieces.

"That's mine!"

I tried to bend down to pick it up, but the officers restrained me.

"Don't move. All of these items are considered stolen property until the matter is clarified. You're coming with us!"

I had no way to defend myself.

Once we got to the precinct, the officers followed standard procedure and took my statement. Afterward, they called Jessica to verify my identity.

"Ms. Jessica? This is the local police department. We currently have a man named Christopher Thomson here who is suspected of stealing items from property belonging to Christian Wyven. We'd like to verify his identity with you, as well as clarify the relevant circumstances."