Chapter 245

Chapter 245

Tatum tried to play crazy, using mental illness as an excuse to escape punishment. She thought that as long as she convinced everyone she had psychological problems, she could dodge the consequences.

But the court's review was exceptionally thorough. Multiple psychiatric evaluations had been conducted in advance, all reaching the same clear conclusion:

Tatum suffered from depression, but at the time of the assault, she possessed full mental capacity and understanding of her actions.

The ploy failed. It only made things worse.

The court delivered its verdict: Tatum was guilty of intentional assault.

This outcome effectively destroyed Tatum's entire future.

In the gallery, Susan collapsed. Her eyes turned bloodshot, and she looked almost deranged.

After the trial ended, she broke free from the court staff trying to restrain her and charged at Elena like a woman possessed, her eyes filled with venom as she screamed.

"Elena, you're heartless! You're an ungrateful wretch!"

"The Knight family treated you so well! We loved you like our own! And now you just stand there and watch Tatum's life get destroyed? You'll get what's coming to you!"

Facing Susan's hysterical screaming and curses, Elena showed no anger. Her expression remained calm and composed.

She looked at the nearly crazed woman before her, and her heart ached.

Once, Susan had been warm and caring toward her, treating her like a daughter.

Now, they stood on opposite sides like enemies.

Elena lowered her eyes slightly, her tone sincere, not perfunctory—speaking from the heart:

"Mrs. Knight, I'm sorry for all the trouble during this time."

She wasn't apologizing because she'd done something wrong.

She was acknowledging past kindness and putting a dignified end to the chaos the Knight family had created.

But Susan wasn't having it.

She laughed coldly, the venom in her eyes intensifying, her voice shrill and cutting:

"Sorry? You think 'sorry' makes everything okay? Elena, drop the act!"

She stepped closer, staring Elena down, each word a dagger:

"You're a mother now too. Your child is so young. Haven't you put yourself in my shoes?"

"What if someday someone schemes against your child like this, drives them into a corner, destroys their entire life—how would you feel?"

"The Knight family poured our hearts into you! We treated you like our own daughter, protected you, helped you, and what did we get?"

"You turned around and threw Tatum into hell! She was our family's benefactor! You're nothing but an ungrateful wolf!"

Susan grew more agitated with every word, spittle flying as she spoke, all traces of her former dignity gone.

Felix stood nearby, listening to his mother's accusations and curses. The guilt and helplessness he'd been suppressing finally exploded.

He couldn't take it anymore. He reached out to restrain his spiraling mother, his voice hoarse: "Mom, stop!"

"Elena never wronged us. We wronged her."

"Tatum targeted her, hurt her, again and again. Elena showed incredible restraint. This time, Tatum was in the wrong."

"Elena didn't wrong me, and she didn't wrong the Knight family."

"From start to finish, it was all my wishful thinking. I wanted to protect her. I failed to control Tatum, and that's what led to this disaster."

His words stabbed into Susan's heart like a blade.

She stared at her son in disbelief—watching him publicly defend the woman who'd hurt Tatum, watching him completely take Elena's side. Even now, after everything, his heart still belonged to this woman who'd deceived her!

Susan's anger and pain boiled over. Her fury erupted.

She raised her hand and slapped Felix hard across the face.

The sharp crack echoed in the quiet courthouse entrance.

A clear handprint bloomed instantly on Felix's cheek, the corner of his mouth reddening.

He didn't get angry. He just lowered his eyes.

Susan looked at the mark on Felix's face, at the exhaustion and resignation in his eyes, and her rage drained away, leaving only searing pain. Trembling, she pointed at Felix, unable to form a complete sentence.

Finally, she shot Elena one last venomous glare, glanced at Felix's swollen face, clutched her chest, and stumbled away from the courthouse entrance, sobbing.

After Susan left, only Elena and Felix remained.

Felix raised his hand, gently rubbing his stinging cheek, bitterness flooding his eyes.

He looked up at Elena, his voice low, carrying a hint of pleading:

"Elena, walk with me for a bit?"

Elena didn't refuse.

After all, they'd known each other for years. Past kindness still counted for something. Even after today's ugliness, they didn't have to become complete strangers.

She nodded lightly and followed Felix, walking slowly along the tree-lined path outside the courthouse.

The evening breeze blew gently, carrying autumn's chill.

They walked side by side in heavy silence, the atmosphere oppressive and awkward.

Finally, Felix broke the silence.

He looked at Elena's profile, his tone full of concern:

"Kian knows you're alive now. He knows about the child. I'm not sure if he knows the child is yours, but Kian plays hardball. He won't let this go. Sooner or later, he'll come after you for custody."

"Chloe can't have children. He won't let her go without one."

"I know you just want a quiet life. You don't want to get dragged into this mess. If he gives you trouble later, I can help. I can protect you and Nora. I won't let anyone hurt you."

As he spoke, his eyes were sincere, clinging to one last thread of devotion, still wanting to protect Elena one more time.

But Elena simply shook her head, her tone calm yet firm, directly rejecting his offer: "No need, Felix."

"I tried hiding. Besides these past few months, I hid for five whole years before that."

"But fate doesn't seem to want me hiding forever."

"Everything that's happened recently—every single thing—has forced me to step forward, forced me to face all the trouble head-on."

Elena lifted her eyes, her gaze steady, without a trace of retreat:

"Five years is enough. I don't want to hide anymore. I can't afford to."

"Whatever comes next—whether it's Kian or other problems—I can handle it myself."

Felix looked at the determination in her eyes, at how she'd shed her vulnerability and become independent and strong. He understood clearly that he no longer had any standing, any right to stay by her side.

He curled his fingers, his knuckles turning white, forcibly suppressing the bitterness in his heart as he said quietly:

"Then let me drive you home. It's late. The roads aren't safe."

"No need." Elena refused again, stopping and turning to face him, her tone detached yet carrying a sense of final farewell. "Felix, take care."

With that, she didn't linger. She turned and walked toward a taxi at the curb, got in, and disappeared completely from Felix's view.

Felix stood there, watching the direction she'd gone, not moving for a long time. The evening wind tugged at his coat, filled with loneliness and desolation.