Now, I look at the lifeline on Ethan’s palm—faint and near breaking—and exhale softly.
“Don’t worry. I won’t interfere between you and Lillian Hart.”
Whether it’s Ethan’s death or the downfall of the Caldwell family—none of it concerns me anymore.
I will continue cultivating my path in Buddhism.
Let them bear the consequences of their worldly karma.
Seeing the calm in my expression, Ethan frowned slightly.
“Didn’t you once love me so much you’d rather die than let go? You’re really willing to give the title of Mrs. Caldwell to Lillian?”
I couldn’t help but sneer, but gave no reply.
I knew too well—no matter what I said, he wouldn’t believe me.
Just like when I first told him Lillian and I had never met him.
But because she cried a single tear, he believed I forced her into the lake.
Each time he remembered it, he would charge into the dungeon—punching, kicking, slicing my flesh to watch me bleed.
I told him I married him because I loved him, that I wanted nothing else.
But he insisted I was greedy for status and wealth.
He took a knife and carved the word “cheap” all over my body.
Remembering it, I pulled my hand back with all my strength and walked away, expressing cold.
I returned to the quiet courtyard on the outskirts, continuing my spiritual practice.
But the Caldwell family, unwilling to let go of their last hope, moved next door.
When Ethan saw me again, his face was as dark as storm clouds.
“Rachel, I really underestimated you. You claim not to love me, yet behind my back you’ve bewitched my family.”
“I’m warning you—no matter what tricks you play, it’s useless. Lillian and I already have our marriage certificate. I’ll protect her and our child this time!”
I said nothing, only stared at the black aura surrounding him.
In just a few days, his condition had worsened.
Last time, he had two or three years left to live.
Now, he has less than a year left.
Curious, I quietly calculated with my fingers.
My face went pale.
Lillian is a dark spirit. She brings death to all—father, mother, husband, son.
With all her past abortions, her sins are too heavy.
Anyone close to her will suffer.
If Ethan had avoided marrying her, he might’ve had a few years left.
But the deeper his entanglement with her, the faster his life force will burn out.
Thinking of how Caldwell elders had once treated me kindly, I wanted to give them a warning.
But before I could speak, Ethan shoved me hard.
Off balance, I slammed into the wall with a loud thud.
Without a glance at the blood trickling from my forehead, he turned and flung scalding tea at me.
“Stop looking at me like that. Your pitiful gaze makes me sick!”
The hot tea mixed with blood dripped slowly to the floor.
I wiped my forehead in silence, swallowing the words I’d meant to say.
“You’re right. I was too sentimental.”
“You and Lillian truly are a perfect match.”
Ethan’s expression softened slightly.
“Glad you finally understand. Lillian’s moving in this afternoon. Once the baby’s born, we’ll hold a grand wedding.”
“If you dare speak nonsense to my parents, I won’t show mercy.”
Seeing the hatred in his eyes, I sighed inwardly.
He still didn’t know.
The child in Lillian’s womb is indeed fated to be born.
But even with divine mercy, Ethan likely won’t live to witness that day.
I returned silently to my meditation room.
That afternoon, Lillian moved in.
Ethan drove her himself, his car tearing through the middle of my medicinal field.
Lillian rolled down the window, smiling smugly.
“Rachel, I’m so sorry. I only mentioned casually that those weeds ruined my mood. I didn’t think Ethan would take it so seriously.”
