Chapter 4:

The messages have remained unresponsive.

I think he must still be enjoying himself, probably with his phone turned off.

After my father-in-law passed away, everyone was busy arranging the funeral. My mother-in-law was so devastated she couldn't get out of bed, leaving me as the only pillar in the family.

I couldn't reach Nate Grant.

The decorations originally prepared for my father-in-law's birthday celebration were all taken down. The red silk was replaced with white silk, and the red lanterns turned into white ones.

Luke Grant, the youngest son overseas, also returned home and cried uncontrollably over his father's coffin.

"Son arrived too late, couldn't see you one last time! Dad! Daddy!"

Even though the youngest son has always been abroad, I have a good impression of him, especially since I helped fund his overseas studies.

So, he respects me a lot.

"Sister-in-law, where is my brother? Why isn't he here at a time like this?"

I didn't know how to explain. Should I tell him his brother is off with his lover having fun?

Right then, Nate finally turned on his phone and replied to my message, with a few cold words: "Fine, then let's divorce."

Soon after, he called me, and his brother happened to be next to me.

His brother wanted to talk to him, so I put it on speaker.

"Why couldn't I reach Dad on the phone? What do you want? I told you and Julia to bring gifts to celebrate his birthday."

Luke was left dumbfounded.

"Sister-in-law, what's going on? What's my brother talking about?"

I suddenly felt so exhausted.

I listened in silence, not wanting to say a word to him.

Luke seemed to notice something was wrong too.

"Can you hear me?"

From the other side, her tone became impatient again: "Remember to tell Dad, I told you that even if you want a divorce, wait until after my dad's seventieth birthday. Don't anger my dad."

Now he's getting all filial.

A day and a night without eating, my throat was hoarse and I couldn't speak.

Completely exhausted in mind and body.

Luke spoke on my behalf: "Brother, where are you?"

"Oh, Luke's back? That's good, that's good, big brother will be home soon too. It's been a long time since I've seen you, I miss you terribly."

Without waiting for Luke to respond, I hung up the phone directly. Hearing Nate's voice now makes me nauseous.

"Sister-in-law? What's going on with you and my brother?"

"I don't want to talk about it, and please don't ask."

I turned off the phone and continued to busy myself arranging the memorial hall. Regardless of everything, I needed to ensure my father-in-law's last journey was peaceful.

Seeing my troubled expression, Luke didn't dare to press for answers, and just remained by my side, helping out.

Sorting through my father-in-law's belongings, emotions surged again as I remembered the happy days when he was around, and how he died with his eyes open, longing to see his son one last time.

I couldn't help but break down in tears once more.

At this point, my mother-in-law came over to comfort me. Instead, it was she who urged me to open up, saying she would always consider me as her own daughter.

She even produced my father-in-law's will, which was meant for me. I glanced at its contents and hurriedly tried to decline.

Just then, Nate returned, hand in hand with his former lover, all flamboyantly dressed, but the moment he stepped back into the house, his expression changed.

Seeing all the relatives and friends wearing solemn faces, dressed in black and white, and the red silk, previously hung by him over the door curtains, turned white.

"What are you all doing! Sophia! Come out! What are you doing! Where's my dad?"

I emerged in my mourning clothes and saw Nate in a loud suit with Julia in a striking red off-shoulder dress, drawing everyone's gaze, with whispers all around.

As Nate saw the memorial hall, the coffin, and the portrait of his father, he finally understood everything, his face turning ashen like a pig's liver.

He kept stepping back.

"No, it's not possible... you're lying to me, Sophia! Tell me... how could my dad be dead? Did you kill him?"