Chapter 4

I laughed. Tears welled up uncontrollably, blurring my vision.

I looked at this man, both familiar and strange, my heart gripped by an invisible hand, aching so much I couldn’t breathe.

I drained the red wine in the glass.

The harsh liquid burned my throat, scorching a path to my stomach, and the pain in my chest intensified.

I stumbled, steadying myself on a nearby table.

“Eduardo, to inject capital into your company, did you touch the money we saved for our marital home?”

That money was the last inheritance my parents left me.

Eduardo’s face instantly changed.

He took a step forward, trying to grab me, but Susan held him back tightly.

“What nonsense are you talking about! That money was clearly given voluntarily to support Eduardo’s career!”

I ignored her, my gaze fixed on Eduardo.

“Answer me.”

His eyes darted away, his voice dry. “The company had some cash flow issues. I just temporarily borrowed it. It’ll be paid back soon.”

“Temporarily borrowed?” I laughed, tears streaming down my face.

“You used my money to bail out your mistress’s company. How ‘temporary’ of you.”

Susan’s face cycled through shades of green and white, then she shrieked, “You’re slandering me! Eduardo loves me; everything he does is for me and Ronald!”

“To make you completely give up, he already transferred that rundown old house of yours into my name!”

“That’s the only thing I had left from my parents!”

My vision swam, and I nearly lost my footing. That old house held all my memories of home.

Eduardo had once sworn he would protect it with me.

But now, he had given it to another woman.

“Ellis, you forced my hand!”

Eduardo finally exploded in anger, shaking off Susan’s hand and rushing towards me.

“I told you long ago, if you just listened, everything would be fine!”

“Why do you have to make such a scene? Why do you have to ruin today?”

He grabbed my shoulders, shaking me hard.

“It’s just a house! I can buy you ten, a hundred houses later!”

“What are you even arguing about!”

The searing pain in my chest nearly suffocated me.

I grabbed his shirt, using every last bit of my strength.

“Eduardo… my medication… I need my medication…”

He paused, then seemed to understand something, a cynical, cold smile twisting his lips.

“Playing this card again?”

“Ellis, do you think I’ll believe you’re faking illness every time?”

“I’m telling you, that trick won’t work anymore.”

He pried my fingers away, one by one.

“Since you love to act so much, you can do it alone here.”

He steadied the wobbling Susan and walked towards the door without looking back.

“Ronald’s tired. Let’s go home.”

My body hit the cold floor with a heavy thud.

I watched their embracing figures walk away, my vision gradually blurring.

Before my consciousness faded into darkness, I thought I saw the hall doors burst open.

A familiar, aged figure, raging with fury, rushed towards me.

“Ellis!”