When I heard what Hector was about to do, I lost control.
I struggled hard to break free from the bodyguards’ grip, my knees scraping against the ground.
“I’m sorry, I was wrong. I know I was wrong. I will pay for the ring, no matter how much it costs, I will pay!”
“Grandpa is in the ICU getting treatment. He doesn’t have much time left! Please don’t let him die with his eyes open. I’m begging you, Hector!”
Hector’s gaze trembled for a second, showing a slight sign of hesitation.
He knew that I was raised by Grandpa and Grandma, and that I shared a very deep bond with them.
Elliana then cried softly at the right time.
“Brother Hector, my hand hurts so much. It seems like it’s injured…”
Seeing the miserable state of his adopted younger sister, Hector suddenly pushed me away coldly.
I lost my balance and hit the washbasin, feeling a rush of dizziness.
“If I don’t teach you a lesson, you will never learn your limits.”
Hector spoke into the phone, his voice cold.
“Didn’t you hear what I said? Turn off the oxygen supply now!”
Soon, a long, flat tone from the machine echoed through the speaker, and my whole body went cold along with that sound.
I could not help but remember the past, when Hector first came home with me.
The proud young master, dressed in costly clothes, had squatted in the leaking kitchen, helping Grandma pick vegetable stems.
He stayed with me at the hospital, read aloud from a paper for Grandpa, cooled the oatmeal bit by bit, and fed him.
Grandpa’s weak hand held onto him, his dim eyes filled with tears, saying Veena has suffered, you must be kind to her.
Hector made a promise by the sickbed, saying he would give me a place to belong, would treat Grandpa, and let him witness my grand wedding.
A liar.
Hector, all along, had been a liar.
To teach me a lesson, he ordered the butler to have people throw me into the cold room and seal the door.
The freezing temperature of minus eighteen degrees sank into my bones. I huddled in the corner, my teeth trembling, my mind slowly slipping away.
The butler laughed coldly outside the door.
“Miss Holloway, you really think some lady’s check is real? You don’t know this is all just a trick on you, right?”
“Mr. Rivas decides who he marries with one word. What test or no test?”
I only felt extremely cold, so cold, and I did not know if my body or my heart felt colder.
Elliana sent me a message to provoke me.
“I should thank you instead. I can easily marry my brother.”
She wore the bridal gown I had made over three years, lay in the wedding room I prepared with Hector, her collarbone covered with unclear and bright red marks.
Soon, someone posted that Hector was about to hold an engagement ceremony with Elliana.
The comments were all full of mockery toward me.
They laughed at me for taking that matriarch test for seven years, only to end up with nothing.
They mocked me for trying so hard to get close to Hector, only for him to grow tired of me anyway.
It was as if they had finally witnessed my humiliation, and they happily pressed on my pain.
Hector then sent me a message, as if being kind.
“Elliana’s ex-husband has been bothering her. The engagement ceremony is just for show.”
“After her ex-husband goes abroad, I will formally marry you.”
I stared at those few lines on the screen as tears fell uncontrollably.
Why?
Why was I always the one chosen last?
Hector, why did you believe I would remain here, still waiting for you?
Quick footsteps echoed outside the door. Grandma rushed to the cold storage and hit the lock with her cane in panic.
Her hands shook as she opened it. She saw my body, cold and purple, my fingers stuck in midair, and she did not dare reach out.
I held back my tears and grasped Grandma’s hand.
“I broke up with him and gave him all the money.”
Grandma, who had always been composed, cried deeply at that moment. Her hot tears fell onto the back of my hand.
Sorry, Grandma. From then on, I would not let you feel such sorrow again.
I hurriedly took Grandma to the hospital. Grandpa was still holding onto his last breath.
When his cloudy eyes saw me, they lit up at once. His branch-like hand held mine, his voice thin and weak.
“Veena, you and your Grandma must be happy……”
The monitor stretched into a long tone.
I broke down and cried out loud, while Grandma held back her grief and pulled me into her arms.
The next day, Hector and Elliana held a grand and public engagement.
Grandma and I packed up the few things we had at home. Holding Grandpa’s urn, we walked hand in hand toward the airport.
I deleted everything related to Hector, snapped the SIM card, and threw it into the airport trash can.
Hector, I would not stay in this game with you anymore.
I would not love you anymore.
