Only when the room fell completely silent did she finally slip into a deep, exhausted sleep.

The next morning, a rough shake from William jolted Maria awake.

The moment her eyes opened, his voice cut through the haze. “Nothing to ask? It was your niece last night.”

Maria shook her head. “Pay me what you owe. Double it as compensation for distress.”

William scoffed, eyes glinting with provocation. “Can’t handle it already? This is just the beginning. If you don’t want to keep suffering, just come clean about what happened back then.”

His fingers rubbed together unconsciously—a telltale sign, Maria knew, of anxious anticipation.

A wave of bitterness rose in her throat.

She knew exactly what he was hoping for.

But she couldn’t say it.

Looking away, she shrugged with feigned indifference. “You’re overthinking. The walls here are paper-thin. I couldn’t sleep with all the noise. If you hired me just to make me listen, you might as well pay up and let me find another man.”

As she spoke, her hand rose to trace his jawline, her tone dripping with mock regret. “A woman in her thirties has needs, you know. It’s heartbreaking to be teased and left unsatisfied.”

Instantly, William’s ears flushed red—whether from anger or embarrassment, she couldn’t tell.

He slapped her hand away, furious. “Fine! You want money? Then clean up the mess next door!”

Yanking her to the doorway, he shoved her hard.

Maria stumbled forward into the room.

The sight that greeted her stole her breath—a punch of shock and aching sorrow.

The layout was identical. Every detail matched the dream home he’d promised her five years ago.

But now, this room meant for their future lay littered with the evidence of his nights with her niece.

The bed, the sofa, the balcony—every surface bore their traces.

Behind her, William watched her rigid back, a surge of vengeful satisfaction washing over him.

But before he could savor it, the ever-present bitterness drowned it out again.

Eyes red-rimmed, he flung a thick wad of cash onto the floor. “Clean this up!”

With a final, resounding slam, he shut the door.

Maria sniffed, fighting back tears, and bent to pick up the scattered bills.

One tear escaped, hitting the wooden floor with a silent splash.

“Auntie, why do you do this to yourself?” Diane’s voice cut in, sharp and sudden.

Maria stiffened, quickly schooling her expression back to neutrality as she looked up.

Diane stood wrapped in a towel, her skin marked with the blooming traces of recent passion.

The sight stung like a physical blow. Maria turned her head away. “Just earning a living. Aren’t you here for the money, too?”

Diane let out a cold laugh, striding forward. She pulled out another stack of bills and slapped it hard across Maria’s face.

“You think all women are as shameless as you? I’m here because I love him! If you abandoned him back then, why come back now?

“You took the last of the money and caused his father’s death! After that, William was destroyed. He hit rock bottom, tried to end it all—he even jumped off the North Bridge five times!

“And you? You vanished. Not a word. But now, just when he’s starting to get back on his feet, you show up? I’m begging you, just let him go. Leave him to me!”

Diane’s words drained the color from Maria’s freshly slapped cheek, leaving it pale.

Maria’s nails dug into her palms, the sharp pain grounding her as she wiped the blood from her lip.

“No.”

“Why not? You left!”

Maria spoke slowly, each word deliberate. “Because I was with him for thirteen years. I took care of him since he was ten.”

She could endure William’s cruelty toward her. But this stand-in, this replacement—what right did she have to posture and preen?

A stubborn, bone-deep pride refused to let her yield.

“But you killed his father! There’s a life between you now!” Diane pressed. “Unless… there’s something about that night you’re not telling?”

Maria spread her hands. “So what if I did? He still loves me, doesn’t he? Look at the pathetic way he fawns over me. What am I supposed to do?”

Suddenly, she noticed the woman who had just been hysterical was now smiling.

A sliver of unease wormed its way into Maria’s heart. Then, from behind her, William’s voice sounded.

“Maria. You really are heartless.”

Maria whirled around.

The man she’d once shielded with her whole being now stood there, looking utterly broken and desolate.

His eyes were bloodshot, his voice cracking. “In your eyes, am I just a dog you can whistle for and send away?”

Panic seized her completely. She took a step forward, desperate to explain, but William kicked her legs out from under her.

Her head cracked against the sharp corner of a table. Blood welled in her mouth, flowing freely.

Raw, overwhelming terror swallowed her whole. She was terrified—terrified he’d discover she was sick.

But William didn’t even glance at her. He took Diane’s hand and walked away.

“William, Auntie seems to be—”

“Leave her! A pathetic dog like me isn’t fit to care for his master!”

The self-loathing and hatred in his words were daggers, twisting in Maria’s chest with a sharp, aching pain.

She wanted to explain. But what could she possibly say?

All she could do was find a grim, twisted comfort in the thought:

At least he didn’t find out she was dying…

Maybe that was for the best.

Yes. For the best.

When Maria opened her eyes again, it was to the incessant vibration of her phone.

She blinked dazedly at her surroundings. Darkness had fallen, and she still lay on the floor, alone and forgotten.

A bitter smile touched her lips as she picked up her phone. On the screen was a post from Diane—a grid of nine photos showing William embracing her, both smiling with sweet, unguarded happiness.

*Another perfect day! Thank you, William, for the treats!*

So, while she’d been unconscious, William had spent the whole day with Diane.

They’d gone to the movies, shopped at the mall, visited an amusement park, even shared a kiss on a Ferris wheel and made a wish to be together forever.

Everything he was giving Diane now were promises he’d once made to her.

Back then, their love had been rejected by both families. William had run away from home for it, and the two of them had squeezed into a ten-square-meter basement apartment, dreaming about the future together. He’d promised her everything would work out.

But now, everything had changed.

Like a form of self-punishment, Maria scrolled through the photos again and again. A dull, heavy ache settled in her chest—a strange mix of sorrow and relief. He was finally moving on.

Lost in the bitterness, her vision blurred with tears.

Suddenly, her phone rang.

She quickly wiped her eyes. “Hello?”

“Be extra vigilant these next few days. Oliver is making his move soon, likely within forty-eight hours. Signal detection puts him near your location, but he’s masking his source. Stay careful.”

Maria frowned. “Understood. I’ll be on guard.”

Scott hummed in acknowledgment. “I found the gravesite you asked about. While there’s still time, go see it tomorrow.” He couldn’t help adding, “You know, you still have a chance. And back then… it wasn’t your fault. Your brother-in-law betrayed your sister first. You have every right to seek justice. You—”

“That’s enough, Scott. Thank you. But the grudges of the last generation end with me.”

She didn’t want to discuss it further. “I’ll meet you at the cemetery tomorrow,” she said, then hung up.

William didn’t come home all night. Maria, for her part, was glad for the quiet and managed one of the few decent nights of sleep she’d had in a long time.

The next morning, she met Scott at the cemetery.

Seeing her sister’s headstone placed right beside her brother-in-law’s, Maria’s brow furrowed instantly. “What is this?”

How could her sister be buried next to that traitor?

Scott sighed. “It was your sister’s wish. She… forgave him. And it was also for William’s sake.”

Maria let out a cold laugh. “Hah! My sister was a fool.”

No sooner had the words left her mouth than William’s furious voice rang out from nearby. “Maria! How dare you show your face here?!”

Before she could react, she was shoved roughly aside. Then, a kick sent her crashing to her knees on the hard ground.

Scott stepped forward, alarmed. “What are you doing?!”

William’s eyes held nothing but murderous intent. “Stay out of this if you want to live.”

Scott started to protest, but Maria, still on the ground, stopped him with a sharp look.

Seeing their silent exchange, William’s anger flared even hotter. “Maria, you bring your lover to my parents’ grave just to insult my mother?! Have you no shame?! Apologize to my parents!”

He forced her head down, pressing her forehead toward the earth.

Maria’s eyes burned red. “Apologize for what?”

His father had killed her sister! He’d betrayed both their families! She would never apologize.

The defiant anger in her eyes only enraged him further. He turned and ordered his bodyguard, “Make her kowtow. Make her apologize to my parents.”

Leaning down, his voice dropped to a low, venomous threat. “If you don’t apologize today, you’ll kowtow until you die.”

On his command, the bodyguard grabbed her hair and slammed her forehead against the ground—over and over, a dozen brutal impacts, until Maria’s face was a mask of blood and William finally ordered him to stop.

The sight of her battered state sent a sharp pang through William’s chest. His hands trembled uncontrollably, a sour ache twisting inside him.

He fought it down, grabbing the front of Maria’s shirt and hauling her up. “Stay away from my parents’ grave from now on!”

Maria stared directly into his tormented eyes and laughed, a raw, pained sound. “She was my sister. What’s wrong with me visiting? And I’m your elder. Show some respect!”

William shoved her away violently. “My elder? An elder who killed my father and indirectly caused my mother’s death?!”

He stood up, looking down at her with cold contempt. “Fine. Since you’re my elder, you can do me a favor.”

Without another word, ignoring her fresh wounds and disheveled state, he dragged her to his car. He drove at breakneck speed to a private, high-end custom atelier in the suburbs.

Shoving her inside, he gave her a twisted, humorless smile. “Auntie, help your nephew pick out a wedding suit. Since you took my parents’ lives, it’s only right you take over their duties, isn’t it?”

Maria, her wounds barely bandaged, winced from the shove and the throbbing in her head.

When she opened her eyes and looked around, her breath caught.

Every single gown in the studio… was a design she had once sketched for herself and William.

The room was packed with clothes in every color—all of them brought to life from the sketches she had drawn during those three years in the rented apartment.

It had been one of her few small passions, and he had remembered every detail.

Maria ran her fingers over the fabrics, her heart torn between joy and pain.

How could he be so foolish?

She turned, about to speak, but William cut her off.

“Auntie, take a look.” He gestured casually. “Which one do you think would suit your niece for the wedding?”

“This one, perhaps?”

At his signal, a servant wheeled in an extravagantly ornate white wedding gown.

Maria paled at the familiar sight.

It was the dress she had designed—the one she was meant to wear at her own wedding to William.

“It’s not… appropriate, is it?”

William gave a cold laugh. “Why not? Your niece wearing the wedding dress her aunt designed—you must be overjoyed.”

Forcing a smile, Maria replied, “But the size isn’t right.”

“It can be altered.”

As he spoke, William brought out more items: the groom’s suit, the engagement party attire, sketches for the venue layout, the schedule, even the wedding invitations.

Everything Maria had once designed for their future together now lay spread across the studio floor—every detail she had crafted for the life they were supposed to share.

And now William presented it all to her, asking:

“How would these work for Diane’s and my wedding?”

Watching her expression darken filled him with grim satisfaction.

He even dragged over an old wooden desk, pushing her into the chair before it. Pulling out a blank sheet of drafting paper, he said, “Ah, right—the most important part. You should handle this personally. The wedding rings. Sketch a pair. Consider it your gift to me, your nephew, and your niece.”

He pressed a pen into her hand, his gaze locked on hers.

Maria stared at the desk, her eyes growing red.

It was the same table from the rented apartment.

In one corner, carved faintly: *F & Y forever*.

She hadn’t thought he’d kept it.

And now he wanted her to design his wedding rings on this table, steeped in their shared memories.

The standoff stretched on until the onlookers grew uneasy.

An assistant stepped forward. “Mr. William, perhaps this lady isn’t suited for the task. We could bring in some finished designs for selection.”

William laughed—a sharp, bitter sound. “Ha! Not suited? She’s perfect for it!”

“Let me introduce you all. This is my aunt, Maria. The woman who seduced her own nephew. Not suited? She’s the ideal person! Whether as family or as an ex, giving a wedding gift fits perfectly, doesn’t it?”

Instantly, every eye in the room turned toward her.

Whispers broke out; curious and judgmental stares landed on Maria like stones.

She sat rigid, hands trembling, wishing the floor would swallow her whole.

Seeing her reaction, William plucked the pen from her grip. “Feeling good now? Anything to say?”

Maria managed a strained smile. “Seeing my nephew get married? Of course I’m happy. May you have a long and joyful union.”

“But if you want ring designs—that’ll cost extra.”

The room erupted into murmurs. Fingers pointed; voices rose.

“They said she left for money back then. Looks like it was true.”

“Mr. William is too kind. Why keep someone like her around? If I were him, I’d make that gold-digger pay.”

“You can tell just by looking—trash like her deserves to die.”

William’s temper snapped. “Shut your mouths! Who gave you the right to criticize her? Get out and get back to work!”

Ignoring her resistance, he pulled Maria into a side room.

“You know that’s not what I was asking, Maria. Don’t you understand?” William felt like he was losing his mind. “What really happened back then? I know you’re not that kind of person!”

For a moment, seeing the agony on his face, Maria wanted to tell him everything.

But the taste of blood rising in her throat reminded her—she was dying.

Her fingers clenched until they ached. “Want to know? Pay up. Give me the money, and I’ll talk.”

Her indifference made his blood boil.

His hands shook. “Fine. Money. You want money? I’ll give it to you. Walk from here back to the family villa. Do that, and you’ll get your payment. Otherwise, that little friend of yours—Scott’s family—will be bankrupt by morning.”

Maria stiffened. “You can’t drag innocent people into this!”

Scott was one of her few remaining friends. She couldn’t let him be destroyed because of her.

William let out a bitter laugh.

Why did she care so much about this Scott guy?

“I’m dragging them in. If you don’t want his family ruined, start walking.”

Outside, thunder cracked, and rain began to pour in sheets.

William hesitated, wondering if he should retract the command.

Then he heard Maria say, “Fine. I’ll walk.”

Rage burned through his last shred of reason. “Good. Go on, then! It’s ten kilometers. If you give up halfway, I’ll bankrupt the Carters for sure.”

He hauled her to the entrance and shoved her out into the downpour.

Maria stared at the closed door, a bitter smile touching her lips.

He hated her so much.

The man who once despised using power to coerce others was now threatening her with it.

He must truly loathe her.