“Congratulations. You’ve finally gotten what you’ve always wanted by any means necessary.”
Isa’s face twisted momentarily, her voice turning sharp: “What nonsense are you talking about? Chuck married me because he loves me! I was in a good mood, so I agreed to let you live!”
This couple shared certain traits–they both gave people headaches when they lost their temper.
I calmly asked her to leave: “Are you finished? If so, can you leave now?”
Isa didn’t move. Suddenly, she laughed.
She reached out and snapped the fresh, beautiful lisianthus on the table, throwing it to the ground and crushing it.
“It doesn’t matter what you say. You have nothing now. Just struggle through life from now on.”
Watching the flower petals scattered across the floor, a dark fire ignited within me.
I decided to tell her something she would otherwise learn in the future.
“Who says I have nothing?”
Isa turned back, confused.
I spoke slowly, enunciating each word: “Chuck signed an agreement with me before the surgery. If the operation succeeded, all assets in his name would belong to me.”
“Thanks to you two, I’m now not only healthy but also wealthy.”
Chuck had begged me to sign this agreement, promising he would honor it no matter what.
To be honest, I was afraid I might survive but lose everything.
Fortunately, I had prepared thoroughly.
After I gave him a harsh reality check, he lost control and returned to what was once our home.
Tasked Aunt Cynthia to secretly go there and bring Chuck some things.
When Aunt Cynthia returned, she gave me an “OK” gesture. I knew the plan had worked.
She told me Chuck had passed out on the sofa, reeking of alcohol, clutching our engagement photo.
On the TV played “The Final Documentary” that Lucien had made for me, on repeat.
In the footage, with tears in my eyes, I told the story of Chuck and me over ten years, my voice both gentle and desperate.
Dio
80.0%
Chapter 9
On the coffee table lay an agreement that had been hidden behind the photo–written by Chuck ten years ago for our “future selves.”
He wrote it the night I miscarried.
That year, I lost our baby because of his career. He knelt before me, crying, and promised: if he ever betrayed Willow, he would leave with nothing….
I knew all along that unless he was willing, I couldn’t get much from him.
Sometimes retreat is the best advance–why should they spend my money?
Isa’s expression became a spectacular show–first blank, then shocked, finally panicked.
“Impossible! You…”
Her finger pointed at me, trembling uncontrollably, as if she wanted to tear me apart.
I smiled and asked: “Why so upset? You only love Chuck, not his money, right?”
Isa suddenly collapsed to the floor, clutching her chest and gasping for air like someone drowning.
I pressed the call button.
Soon nurses arrived and took away the woman who was nearly unconscious.
She had been discharged early, rushing to get married before fully recovering. Naturally, she couldn’t handle the
shock.
Such a shame about
my
flowers.
The ones Lucien had sent.
[Lucien, someone ruined your flowers.]
The moment I sent the message, a video call request popped up.
Still uncomfortable with video calls, I switched to voice.
Lucien wasn’t pleased: “Why won’t you let me see you?”
“Do you want to see the flowers or me?”
With his motives exposed, he decided to go all in.
“You, of course.”
“In your
dreams.”
A week after surgery, we resumed contact, but I wouldn’t let him visit.
Chapter 9
Though hope grew stronger each day, even the slightest risk made me uneasy.
Until my condition stabilized completely, it was better not to meet.
Lucien couldn’t persuade me and had to accept it, but he had couriers deliver various gifts every day.
Aunt Cynthia noticed the feelings between us and was delighted: “Looks like the blind dates I prepared for you won’t be necessary.”
I blushed, too embarrassed to speak.
Chapter 10
