Vanessa didn’t answer right away. She just extended her hand toward my mother’s oxygen tube with a cold, detached look on her face.
"Stop with the nonsense, Gabriel," she said flatly. "Just tell me, are you going to do it or not?"
A wave of despair washed over me, like I was floating outside my own body, watching everything happen from a distance.
I met her cold gaze and nodded, barely able to speak.
"I’ll do it..."
Vanessa gave a small, almost cruel smile as she took Keith’s hand, pulling him away from me. Before leaving, she glanced back over her shoulder, her eyes like ice.
"Get it together. The reporters will be here soon."
As the door clicked shut behind them, I caught a glimpse of the smug satisfaction in Keith’s eyes. The sight made my stomach churn.
Once they were gone, I collapsed to my knees beside my mother’s hospital bed. Tears streamed down my face as I finally let everything go.
When Vanessa and I first got married, she was just a poor girl from a modest background.
My father, seeing her potential, took her under his wing, teaching her everything she needed to know about running a business.
After his passing, he entrusted her with the family company, confident that she was capable of managing it.
But that was before ambition turned her into something else.
Six months ago, Vanessa's ambition led her to make some dangerous enemies. Her rivals kidnapped her, and it was my mother—putting herself in great personal danger—who rescued her.
However, during the rescue, my mother was seriously injured and ended up in the ICU. Even when she was awake, my mother held my hand and continued to defend Vanessa.
"Gabriel, don’t blame her," my mother’s fragile voice said. "She’s under immense pressure trying to live up to your father’s legacy. She just wants to succeed in the business and has made some enemies along the way, but that’s understandable. Don’t blame her. As long as she treats you and Lara well, even if I die, it will be worth it…"
But this woman—this monster who had once been my partner—had not only harmed my mother, she had played a direct role in the death of our daughter.
I bit down on my lower lip, the sting of blood pulling me back to the present. Then, I took out my phone, my hands trembling as I dialed the number I knew by heart.
"Gabriel, what are you mumbling about in there?!" Vanessa’s voice rang out just as I ended the call.
She stormed into the room, her eyes narrowing when she saw the phone I had quickly tucked behind me.
"Can’t I say a few words to my mom?" I snapped back.
Vanessa glanced at my phone, suspicion in her eyes, but before she could approach, Keith called out from the hallway.
"Vanessa, the reporters are getting impatient. Is Gabriel not ready yet?"
Vanessa sighed, irritation clear in her posture. "Alright, alright, Keith, don’t rush."
She quickly crossed the room, nestled herself into Keith’s arms, and tried to soothe him, her voice soft. Then, without warning, she turned and grabbed me by the collar, yanking me out of the room.
"Gabriel, don’t even think about it. Your mother’s life is in my hands!"
Two minutes later, I was surrounded by a sea of reporters. The bright flashes of cameras and the noise all felt overwhelming.
The questions hit me like a tidal wave.
"Mr. Crawford, a few days ago, you identified Keith Turner as the murderer of your daughter in court. Do you have new evidence today?"
"Mr. Crawford, we’re all parents here. If you have proof, we’ll stand by you and fight for justice!"
Vanessa, standing to the side, pointed toward my mother’s room with eyes full of triumph.
"Honey, the reporters are asking you..." she said, her voice soaked in sweet sarcasm.
I felt my blood boil, but I forced myself to stay calm. I turned toward Keith, and without thinking, I dropped to my knees. My heart was pounding in my chest as I looked up at him, my voice hoarse and broken.
"Keith Turner, that day in court, I wrongly accused you. My daughter’s death had nothing to do with you..."
Hearing that, Keith smirked, his eyes cold with contempt.
"You wrongly accused me? Then you’d better apologize properly," he sneered. "You’re not just going to let this go, are you? You think our reputation means nothing?"
My lip was already raw, blood dripping down my chin, but I felt nothing.
I was numb.
Seeing that I hadn’t moved, Vanessa leaned in, her voice a low whisper in my ear.
"Gabriel, I’m starting to miss our mom. Maybe I should go see her..."
Her words cut deep, but I couldn’t find the words to respond. How much lower could this woman go?
