Chapter 2

"Noel, please forgive me. I'm begging you to return the wristwatch."

My voice wavered as I swallowed my dignity. Throughout our three-year marriage, I had never humbled myself like this before him until this moment.

He appeared satisfied, caressing Brianna's hair as he inquired, "How does that sound? Are you content now?"

Brianna nodded gently, accepting the timepiece. She then approached me. "Nellie, why create such a fuss? Noel cares deeply for you. If you had only heeded his words, he wouldn't treat you poorly."

She knelt before me, leaning in close, flashing a grin only I could detect—a silent, mocking smile. Suddenly, she recoiled dramatically, feigning innocence. "Nellie, I was merely trying to help you both! How could you say something so cruel?"

"Cornelia!" Noel's expression hardened, his tone harsh. "You're still misbehaving right in front of me?"

He snatched the watch from Brianna's grasp and hurled it to the ground, growling, "I offered you a chance!"

I remained motionless, gazing at the broken watch on the floor. My chest constricted as I hurried to gather the pieces, clutching them in my hands. Tears clouded my vision, and my voice broke as I wailed, "This belonged to Mom! It's the only thing she left me—the only thing!"

"Are you still going on about this?" Noel sneered. "You couldn't handle our brief absence, so you're attempting to manipulate me by claiming your mother's gone? And you call yourself a good daughter? I can't believe you'd say anything to make me feel guilty, Cordelia. It's revolting!"

"Precisely," Brianna added. "The day we departed, Auntie even phoned and joked about chest pain. I know she just wanted us to return. Honestly, I wouldn't be surprised if you instructed her to do so."

"My mother had a heart condition!" My voice quivered as I shouted, tears streaming down my face. "She called you for assistance! But you disregarded her! And by the time I arrived home, my mother was already gone!"

The memory from the security camera footage remained vivid in my mind—Mom's faint pleas for help from behind a locked door.

She was crying out for help, but no one came to her aid. When I finally broke the lock, all I discovered was her lifeless body curled up in agony on the floor, her nails cracked from scratching the surface.

My husband and Brianna had locked my disabled mother in that room to die so they could fulfill some childhood promise to each other!

"Cornelia, do you even comprehend how much Rian has sacrificed for your mother these past months?" Noel's voice was icy. "I simply wanted to take Rian away for a few days to relax. Is it really necessary for you to create such drama? And break the door? You think this will make me believe your absurd lies?"

He laughed bitterly. "You... and your mother—ugh, liars, both of you! Brianna informed me your mother was faking her paralysis. How long did you intend to keep deceiving me, huh?"

I had heard this accusation before. Back then, I argued, pleaded with him to trust me, and suggested bringing in doctors if he doubted me.

But he just snapped, "Why would I believe you over Rian? She's a professional nurse with no reason to lie. She's not like you! You'd say anything to get me to support your mother, even if it meant letting her feign paralysis for two years. You're unbelievable!"

Now, standing there, hearing it again, I lacked the energy to fight.

Oh, how ironically sad it was...

I silently collected the broken pieces of Mom's watch and placed them in my pocket. Without uttering a word, I turned towards the master bedroom and began packing my belongings.

Three years of this marriage had exhausted me. The distrust, the accusations, and the constant struggle—it was over. Mom was gone, and I had nothing left to cling to.

Shortly after, Brianna entered the room, her voice soft but pointed. "Cornelia, where's Auntie? She's still my patient, you know."

I ignored her, continuing to pack.

But that lunatic suddenly knelt before me, her voice trembling as if on the verge of tears. "Cornelia, please. Auntie's safety is crucial! You wouldn't hide her somewhere, would you? Right? What if... what if something happens to her?"