Chapter 5

When the prenuptial agreement was placed in front of my mom, her hands wouldn't stop shaking.

Carter sat across from her, his voice smooth and polite. "Helen, this is just to protect both sides. Chloe won't be treated unfairly after we marry."

My mom didn't understand legal jargon, but she understood one specific clause.

*If the marriage is called off due to the bride's actions, the bride must return the engagement ring and reimburse all wedding expenses.*

She asked carefully, "What counts as 'the bride's actions'?"

Sera, sitting beside Carter, explained gently, "For example, if Chloe’s emotional instability damages the family reputation."

My mom’s face went completely pale.

I slammed the agreement shut. "We're not signing this."

Carter looked at me. "Don't be reckless."

"I said, I’m not signing it."

His voice remained calm. "Chloe, the invitations are already out. If you make a scene now, what will the relatives think of Helen?"

That single sentence hit my weakest spot.

My mom had been excited about this wedding for months.

Whenever the neighbors asked, she would proudly tell them that Carter was a good man and that I was lucky.

I couldn't bear to imagine her face if she found out the truth.

Sera slid the pen toward me. "Chloe, just sign it. Carter would never hurt you."

I stared at the pen.

There was a scratch on the cap. It was a graduation gift I bought for Carter years ago.

He had told me he used that exact pen to sign his first big business contract.

Now, it was being used to force me into a corner.

Suddenly, my mom clutched her chest, gasping for air.

I jumped up in terror. "Mom!"

Carter stood up too. "Get her to the hospital."

On the way, Carter drove incredibly fast.

For a second, I thought he actually cared.

Until Sera's call came through the car speakers.

Her voice was panicked. "Carter, my ankle hurts so bad. I'm all alone at home."

Carter gripped the steering wheel, silent for two seconds.

I stared at him. "My mom is in the back seat."

"I know," he said.

But the car still pulled over at the next intersection.

He called his assistant and told him to meet us, then turned to me. "He’ll go with you to the hospital. I’ll get there as soon as I can."

I couldn't believe my ears. "Carter!"

He didn't look at me. "Sera is terrified of pain."

My mom leaned against me, weakly patting my hand. "Chloe, it’s fine. Let him go."

Even now, she was trying to save face for him.

I suddenly realized how pathetic my persistence had been.

At the hospital, the doctor said my mom had suffered an acute panic attack and needed to be admitted for observation.

When I went to pay, my card was declined.

The receptionist said, "This card has been frozen."

It was the secondary card Carter had given me for wedding emergencies.

I called him.

When it picked up, Sera's voice came through. "Chloe, Carter is wrapping my ankle. He's busy right now."

I said, "Put him on."

Carter took the phone. "What's wrong?"

"The card is frozen."

"I had my accountant freeze it."

His voice was cold. "You’re too emotional today. Take some time to calm down. My assistant will handle the hospital bills."

I gripped the phone tight. "My mom is waiting to be admitted!"

There was silence on the other end for a few seconds.

Then I heard Sera whisper in the background, "Carter, is Chloe still blaming me?"

Carter sighed. "Chloe, stop using Helen to guilt-trip me."

I couldn't say a single word.

My mother lying in a hospital bed had become nothing but a bargaining chip to him.

I had to text every contact in my phone to borrow enough money for the deposit.

At 2:00 AM, I went back to the house to pack some clothes for my mom.

The master bedroom door was ajar.

Carter was standing by the bed, tucking Sera in.

Sera asked, "What if Chloe refuses to sign the prenup tomorrow?"

Carter replied, "She will."

"Are you that sure?"

"She can't live without me."

Standing outside the door, my fingers went completely numb.

Sera asked again, "Do you love her?"

Carter was silent for a very long time.

So long that I thought he wouldn't answer.

Then I heard him say, "She’s suitable for marriage."