"Sofia!"

Martin was furious.

He rushed over, shoving me aside to protect Emma.

I fell hard onto the floor, my head throbbing.

After regaining my composure, I endured the pain and slowly stood up.

Thankfully, Mom was unharmed.

"If you apologize now, I'll pretend none of this happened. Otherwise..."

Seeing me stand up, Martin's cold voice followed.

"Otherwise what?"

"Martin, we've been together for so many years. Do you remember how my mom treated you back then?"

"You can treat me however you want, but at least show some basic respect to my mother!"

I stared at him, speaking each word clearly.

Martin was stunned.

Six years ago...

Martin's parents had died in an accident, leaving behind an unresolved case. There were rumors they had embezzled millions of workers' severance pay, causing countless families to lose everything.

The Green family fell apart, and the heir, Martin, went from being on top to rock bottom overnight.

Amid the scheming of certain individuals, even basic survival became a challenge for him.

At that time, Emma's parents conveniently sent her abroad.

Suddenly, he had no one to rely on.

The once unreachable heir of the Green family became a struggling student, mocked and scorned wherever he went.

It was me who spent all my scholarship money and savings to help him, standing by his side.

We worked part-time jobs together, earning money, studying, and facing rumors together.

At the worst of it, the entire school isolated him, and I became so depressed I almost couldn't bear it.

It was my mom who, outraged, confronted the school leaders, even threatening them with her life.

That was how he managed to finish his studies.

Back then, with tears in his eyes, he swore he would never forget what we did for him.

Later, the Green family's turmoil settled, and his parents were cleared of all charges.

He became the heir of the Green family again.

After standing strong beside him through it all, he quickly rose to become the youngest head of the family.

Everything was perfect again.

That was when Emma returned.

One day, she stood in front of Martin without saying a word, and just like that, he left me, running toward her and embracing her tightly.

From that day forward, Emma was always between us.

I had given him my heart for years, stood by him through storms, yet Emma was the first to bask in the sunshine and rainbows.

I understood—Emma was his first love, someone he had grown up with, a memory from before his parents' death.

But I never expected Emma to be this kind of person.

At business events, she accompanied Martin.

At family gatherings, I stood on the sidelines, watching them hold hands while Emma sweetly called everyone "Uncle" and "Aunt."

She was always by his side, and I was left to confide my sorrows to my mom at home.

Everyone knew I was his girlfriend, but the one always by his side wasn't me.

"My face hurts so much..."

While Martin and I stood there stunned, Emma began to whimper, her eyes reddened with tears.

"Regardless of the reason, hitting someone is wrong," Martin said, his tone becoming firm as he saw her in this state. "I'll make sure Emma apologizes to Auntie, but right now, you need to apologize to her!"

"And if I refuse?"

"Sofia, don't push your luck."

"I won't apologize."

As soon as I said that, Emma, who had been crying on the floor, suddenly stood up and slapped me across the face.

I stumbled, feeling a kick from someone, and soon after, I fell to the ground, instinctively protecting the box in my arms.

I was kicked a few more times until Emma, exhausted, finally stopped.

"How dare you hit me! Hardly anyone dares to hit me in this lifetime!"

I felt pain in several places on my body. Seeing Emma's high heels, I knew I'd end up with quite a few bruises.

"Stop pretending. Emma is fragile. Her hits couldn't possibly hurt," Martin said impatiently, glancing at me as I lay on the floor.

His eyes fell on the box I was holding, and a look of frustration crossed his face. "It's just this damn box. If she wants to see it, just let her!"

As he spoke, Martin hooked his foot under the box and kicked it open before I could stop him.

White ashes scattered everywhere.

"What's this?"

Emma pinched her nose, her face full of disgust. "It smells awful."

Martin frowned, staring at the white powder in thought.

As for me, my mind went blank.

"Alright, it's even now. I'll arrange another wedding. As for Auntie's illness, I've hired the best doctor from abroad."

"If she's sick, I'll cure her. If she's not, the truth will come out. You know I hate being lied to."

"For the next few days, stay home and behave yourself. Don't cause any trouble."

"Once you realize your mistake, come find me. Do you hear me?"

Martin ordered, holding Emma's hand as he spoke to me.

"Mom, this isn't your house. We should go..."

I didn't respond, just knelt down carefully, scooping up the ashes while muttering to myself.

At that moment, Martin froze, his entire body stiffening.

He stared at the ashes in disbelief, his lips trembling. "Is this... Auntie?"

"I'm sorry, Auntie. I'm sorry, Sofia. I didn't know... How could this happen? I thought she was just pretending to be sick to get us to marry..."

"This doesn't make sense..."

Martin, lost in confusion, looked at the ashes scattered on the ground, still trying to help me gather them.

I pushed him away with all my strength.

"Stay away from my mom!"