She Quit Her Family and Found Herself novel Chapter 184

After Sylvie ran out clutching the duvet, Herbert sat frozen on the bed, staring blankly at the pile of torn clothes on the floor. Then, his gaze shifted, and the dried patch of dark blood on the sheets violently stung his eyes.

Down in the living room, little Miles had no idea what was going on. He only knew that his grandmother, his aunt, and even Callie were acting very strange.

"What's wrong with Dad and Sylvie? Are we still going to the zoo?" His mind was entirely fixated on the trip.

Sylvie had called his grandparents' house last night, saying she wanted to take him to the zoo today with his grandmother and aunt.

He hadn't been to the zoo in forever, and getting to go with his favorite person made him beyond excited.

Valery looked at her innocent grandson, thought of the two people throwing clothes on upstairs, and sternly ordered Callie, "Take Miles back to his room for now."

Thinking his grandmother was canceling the trip, Miles immediately threw a tantrum, crying, "No! I want to go to the zoo!"

"Miles Jewell, stop this nonsense and go to your room!" Valery snapped, losing her temper at him for a rare first time. The conversation they were about to have was strictly for adults, and the boy could absolutely not be present.

"Mom, why are you yelling at him? He didn't do anything wrong!" Cora immediately stepped in to protect the boy.

Valery rubbed her throbbing temples, sighing heavily.

Just then, a fully dressed Herbert and Sylvie slowly descended the stairs, one after the other.

Sylvie's legs were visibly weak. Her steps were unsteady, and she nearly tripped several times.

When she stumbled again, Herbert reached out from behind and steadied her. "Careful."

Sylvie flinched violently. Her face went pale as she forcefully pulled away from his grasp. "I'm fine. I can walk by myself."

Gripping the banister tightly with both hands, she pressed her lips into a thin line and stubbornly made her way down.

It took heavy coaxing, but Callie finally managed to get Miles back to his room.

Before leaving, the housekeeper couldn't help but say a word in Sylvie's defense. "Mrs. Jewell, please talk things out properly. Mr. Jewell drank a lot last night... and Ms. Sinclair, she's just a sweet, innocent girl."

With Miles gone, a suffocating silence fell over the living room.

Sylvie's eyes remained red as she wept silently.

Though Callie's defense had been a bit disjointed, the implication was crystal clear to everyone.

Sylvie was an innocent, unmarried girl who had never even been in a relationship. She didn't know how these things worked.

Herbert had come home blackout drunk last night. He had forced himself on her in a drunken stupor.