Isla's POV
Marina’s face immediately darkened. “It’s not that I care about money itself. But wherever the money is, that’s where love is. Miss Isla, if you want something, you should fight for it yourself.”
I let out a cold laugh. “That’s the first time I’ve heard someone dress up gold-digging like it’s something noble.”
“No need to be jealous,” she said, stepping closer. “In the end, it all depends on Mr. Vale’s choice. As for these things...” she waved her hand at the movers “...I’ll gladly accept them.”
Then she pointed at the top shelf of the cabinet. “That trophy looks nice. Take it down and pack it too.”
My head snapped in that direction, and my breath was instantly caught in my throat.
That was my mother’s trophy.
“Don’t touch it!”
I shoved past the worker and clutched the trophy to my chest.
Marina nearly stumbled from the impact. Her face twisted in anger. “Isla! Are you seriously making a scene over a stupid old trophy? It’s not like it even belongs to you! You’re just an actress! If I take Mr. Vale’s things, what does it have to do with you? Grab it from her!”
“You dare!” I shot back and raised my hand high.
Her face immediately went pale, and she shrank back and threw her arms over her head. “Ah!”
“Isla!”
Suddenly, my wrist was seized in a firm grip.
I turned around, only to see Dominic looming over me, his expression filled with disapproval. With a sharp flick of his arm, he shoved me back against the wardrobe.
“Mr. Vale!” Marina cried, running straight into his arms, her shoulders trembling just enough to look pitiful.
He pulled her tighter against him and scolded me. “Isla, it’s just a trophy. Why go this far?”
I stared up at him, stunned. “Dominic, what did you just say?”
Only then did his eyes drop, finally noticing what I was clutching.
It was my mother’s last honor. Her last gift to me.
Even in the days when we couldn’t afford food, when I pawned every piece of jewelry I owned, I never once thought of selling it.
Just then, Dominic’s face shifted, a flicker of conflict in his eyes. But looking away from me, he again defended his girl. “Marina’s your junior. She can’t actually hurt you. There’s no need to overreact.”
“Can’t hurt me?”
A bitter laugh tore from my throat. “You call emptying out everything of value from my house ‘not hurting me’?”
Marina’s face went white.
Only then did Dominic seem to notice that most of my valuables were already packed and carted off under her direction.
“Dominic,” I said, my voice shaking with rage. “This woman even tried to take the five-gram ring you gave me when we had nothing. And you still believe she doesn’t care about your money?”
“Mr. Vale!” Marina suddenly spoke up, her tone sharp. “If you really believe her, then I’ll walk away right now. Everything you’ve ever given me, I’ll return it, every last thing.”
She then spun around as if to leave, but Dominic caught her wrist.
Her eyes flashed with tears, her voice full of righteous fire. “Yes, I wanted that ring. Because it was something you gave her! I’m not the kind of woman who can just smile and act generous while the man I love hands gifts to someone else. I still get jealous, even if it’s just a worthless scrap of paper, I want it to be mine. But Mr. Vale, if you think that means I’m greedy for your money, then fine. I’ve got nothing else to say.”
Watching her perfect performance, a sharp and bitter laugh escaped my mouth. “Wanting to be a whore and still setting up a shrine to virtue? You really do want it both ways, huh?”
“And I suppose you don’t?” Dominic suddenly snapped his head toward me, his voice rising in a roar.
I froze.
At that moment, Marina finally stopped struggling, so he took the chance to pull her tighter into his arms, holding her close as his tone softened. “Enough, just let it go.”
I glared at him, my chest aching. “So, in your eyes, I’m the one who wants it both ways?”
He paused for a moment.
