Before Liliana could finish, Zane pulled Jessie into his arms. “If you don’t want to acknowledge people like these as your parents, then just cut ties with them.‘
To most people, severing ties with one’s parents was often seen as the ultimate act of defiance. That was because it was one’s parents who gave one life. So, no matter how badly one was treated, one should never say such a thing.
Zane hadn’t been there when Jessie declared she would sever ties with her parents. He simply couldn’t stand seeing her being treated like this and wanted to be on her side without question.
From the moment she was born, Jessie had never had anyone who would stand by her this unwaveringly.
Phillip’s face stiffened. “Mr. Stafford, with all due respect, this is a family matter. I don’t think you—”
“Jessie is my fiancee now. Her business is my business. If she’s been wronged, it’s an insult to
me.”
Wallace wasn’t about to miss this chance to kick them while they were down. “Mr. Stafford, before you arrived, the entire Hickman family ganged up on Ms. Hickman and even went as far as to accuse me and her of having an inappropriate relationship.
“You and Ms. Hickman went out of your way to prepare all those gifts for them with such sincerity, but frankly, they don’t deserve any of them!”
No one in the Hickman family could utter a single word in rebuttal.
Brandon had already passed out from blood loss at that point, while the Hickmans were too preoccupied with saving themselves to care.
“Since they don’t care for them, take everything back.”
“Yes, sir!” Wallace replied firmly.
Before leaving, Wallace made a point to loudly mention all the gifts they were bringing back at the front door.
“Jeez, what a pity. Some people just aren’t destined for a good life. We’ll be leaving with the one billion dollars in cash, ten properties, ten luxury cars, and all the priceless treasures now.”
Phillip’s face turned red, then paled.
Yes, the Hickman family was wealthy, but by high society standards, they were barely considered entry–level. The value of Zane’s gifts was practically worth more than half the
Hickman family’s net worth.
“Mr. Stafford, there must be a misunderstanding here. Jessie is our biological daughter. How could we not care about her? We’re bound by blood to Jessie. Whatever the misunderstanding is, we can talk it through. There’s no need to go as far as cutting ties.”
Zane’s expression remained frosty as he gave Phillip the cold shoulder.
Phillip quickly approached Jessie, speaking earnestly. “Jessie, I know you’ve had your
grievances with us over the years, but at the end of the day…”
Jessie glanced over to meet his eyes, stating coolly, “If you want my forgiveness, have Anna
leave the Hickman family.”
Just a second ago, Phillip was trying to make peace. But now, his expression was grim, and he asked, “Jessie, must you be so unforgiving toward Anna?”
“You’re asking me to tolerate the woman who destroyed my marriage? Don’t you find that a bit absurd, Dad? So, what’s your decision?”
Jessie glanced at Phillip before shifting her gaze to Liliana. Both of them wore conflicted expressions.
Jessie had already predicted such an outcome. She gave a cold, emotionless smile. “If you both hated me so much, why did you even have me? From today onward, I’m no longer a part of the Hickman family, Mr. and Mrs. Hickman.”
Her voice echoed in the living room, her words clear and unmistakable.
Liliana couldn’t help stepping forward, but Anna suddenly dropped to her knees and clutched her leg. Sobbing, Anna uttered, “Mom, Jessie has Mr. Stafford now. If I get kicked out of the Hickman family, I’ll have nothing left…”
Her tears were very convincing, enough to tug at Liliana’s heart. They were both her daughters, but Anna had always been the favored one.
That was the moment Jessie finally saw this family for who they really were, and she felt no
more emotional ties to them. She took off her bracelet. It was the only gift Liliana had ever given her. But even that gift had merely been a freebie from something Liliana had bought for Anna. Still, Jessie had worn it for years.
She used to always tell herself that Liliana loved her, just not as much as she loved Anna. But from now on, she would never lie to herself again.
“You can have this back.” Jessie placed the bracelet on the table, held Zane’s hand, and walked out of the Hickman residence.
Just as they walked out, Liliana unexpectedly rushed forward. “Jessie, I do love you. I just
never knew how to get along with you. I…”
Jessie replied expressionlessly, “Mrs. Hickman, you should save those words for Anna. Let‘ go, Zane.”
Holding Zane’s hand, Jessie got in the car and left the Hickman residence, never intending t
return.
