Verity's POV
“Don’t worry. What’s in the past is in the past. Didn’t you say it was all just a misunderstanding? I’m not that petty.
“You two talk. I’ll head home and wait for you.”
He let out a sigh of relief and escorted me to the car.
On the way, his buddies from the police department looked at me with sympathy in their eyes.
I ignored them, got in the car, and booked an abortion appointment for two days later on my phone.
When I got home, I burned every single thing Monty had given me over the past five years.
As the last little flame went out, I heard the delivery guy calling from outside the door.
The buyer’s name: [Monty]
The recipient: [Sylvie]
I signed for it on his behalf.
When I opened the package, I saw maternal and baby products inside—premium stuff from all the top brands.
Soon, Monty’s message came in.
[Verity, I ordered a package—office supplies. I accidentally had it sent to the villa. Don’t open it. I’ll move it to the department when I get back.]
I replied with a random emoji, then taped the box shut again.
I’d already made up my mind to leave.
I couldn’t even be bothered to call him out on that pathetic lie.
That night, he claimed he was out investigating a case, so he couldn’t come home.
But Sylvie, who’d been on hiatus on the internet for a while, suddenly posted a status update.
She was in a luxury hotel downtown.
In the candid photo, Monty’s police shoulder badge stood out clearly.
The wedding ring on his finger had been taken off, leaving a visible tan line.
In the reflection of the wine glass, the woman was beaming, and the man’s eyes were full of affection.
Just like she’d wanted, I gave the post a like.
Then I packed my suitcase.
The next afternoon, Monty finally sent a message.
Told me to go to his parents’ villa.
The moment I walked in, his parents noticed I came empty-handed and their faces turned cold.
“Monty works day and night at the police department, and you, his wife, can’t even bring a little gift to show respect to us? Who are you giving that attitude to?”
One of their relatives looked at me with obvious disapproval.
“You’ve been married five years and still act like you’re some rich girl from the Raleighs? Wake up, darling. That company’s been bankrupt for five years! If Monty hadn’t used every cent of his savings to pay off your debts, you’d probably still be a stripper today!
“They’re your in-laws now. Your parents are gone, and they’re all you’ve got. Have some manners, will you? People might think it was our Monty begging to marry you!”
Just then, Sylvie showed up at the door, arms full of health supplements.
Monty’s parents instantly broke into warm smiles and went over to greet her.
“Oh, Sylvie, you’re here! You must be exhausted from the flight. Have your sister-in-law cook for you later, okay? You rarely come home—go rest upstairs for a bit.”
“You always bring so much stuff! We’re already getting old, we don’t need all this. You two should save your money for yourselves.
“You really are so thoughtful. Not like some women, who show up just to demand things and talk about their dead parents after five years. My, my, how unlucky does that sound?”
Despite her words, Lavinia, Monty’s mom, didn’t stop collecting the gifts from Sylvie.
Sylvie gave a sweet smile and gently linked arms with Lavinia.
“Mom, don’t say that. It’s been five years since the Raleighs’ case, and there’s still no killer. It’s understandable if Verity isn’t okay. She’s already hurting, so let’s not rub salt in her wounds. We’re all family, after all—we even share the same last name now.
“Oh, and I heard she’s pregnant, too! It’s a double blessing today, Mom!
“Let’s not have her cook, okay? What if Monty gets upset when he finds out?”
The moment Monty’s name came up, the smile on my mother-in-law’s face froze for a second.
“Gets married and forgets his mother… sounds like my son, alright!”
