I maintained a calm expression, unruffled by the situation.

Ethan frowned, "Rachel, what on earth is going on with you?"

"Are you really going to break up with me over something so trivial?"

Raven's smile widened, radiating a confidence that almost made me want to punch her.

Raven and Ethan grew up in the same neighborhood, practically childhood sweethearts.

They had even been engaged as kids, but when Raven went abroad for college, that engagement was effectively canceled.

However, they stayed in touch, maintaining a close relationship.

After Ethan and I had been together for a year, Raven returned to the country and boldly met me.

Ethan referred to her as his closest childhood friend.

Knowing their history, I tried to be understanding and held no objections.

My belief was simple - to love someone means to be forgiving.

At first, Raven and Ethan met infrequently—just casual outings like shopping or watching movies.

But as my work became busier, their meetings intensified.

They began going out to bars, KTV, and various upscale venues, often returning home at dawn.

I was too preoccupied with work to think much of it.

My mother, however, warned me several times, saying it was inappropriate for Ethan to be seen with other women so often. She suggested I have a serious talk with him.

I took her advice and approached Ethan about my concerns.

He accused me of being overly dependent on my mother and suggested that she was just paranoid.

He insisted that his relationship with Raven was purely platonic, like that of siblings who grew up together.

In a fit of anger, he said, "If you and your mom don't trust me, then fine, let's break up!"

At that moment, I was deeply in love with him and, lacking any solid proof, I compromised.

I even reassured my mom, telling her that their relationship was as innocent as that of brother and sister, and that she was overreacting.

With a sigh, she dropped the subject, realizing I was her only family left.

Seeing Raven's smug expression, I coldly stated, "Ethan, I'll say this one last time. Let's break up."

"Rachel, you must be out of your mind!" Ethan replied impatiently. "Fine, I'll call your mom right now and let her weigh in!"

"No need for that; she won't pick up."

"That's ridiculous! She wouldn't dare ignore my call!" Ethan scoffed. "Don't forget, with just one call, I can cancel all those appointments with the top specialists I arranged after hearing about your mom's heart condition!"

The Gray family is wealthy and influential. After learning about my mother's heart issues, Ethan had contacted some of the most renowned specialists in the country and scheduled consultations.

What he didn't know was that my mother was already gone, resting in an urn, no longer needing any doctors.

Seeing me silent, Ethan snorted and pulled out his phone.

The call connected quickly, but when he heard the ringtone echoing from the urn, he froze in shock.

"Rachel, how did your mother's phone end up with you?" Ethan asked coldly, staring at me.

I remained silent, not saying a word.

"Rachel, Ethan asked you a question. Why are you acting like a mute?" Raven suddenly spoke up, her expression blank.

"Rachel, Ethan and you are from completely different worlds. The fact that he's willing to marry you is a blessing from heaven. Don't be so ungrateful."

"Answer his question!" she demanded.

I looked at her with disdain. "And what if I don't answer?"

"If you don't, I'll make you regret it today!" Raven said menacingly. "Ethan is the most important person in my life. I won't let anyone bully him, not even his wife!"

A touch of emotion flickered in Ethan's eyes as he linked arms with Raven. "Don't be like that, Raven. Let's talk this through."

"Ethan, since you've been back, there's something I've been wanting to say for a long time," Raven turned to him. "I can't hold it in any longer. Rachel is completely unworthy of you. Since she wants to break up, let's just let her go!"

Ethan pursed his lips, staying silent.

I suddenly understood - Raven's previous social media post, there was an 80% chance Ethan couldn't see it.

Seeing neither of us respond, Raven pressed on, pointing at me. "Adams, I'm giving you one last chance. Answer Ethan's question!"

I replied coldly, "I refuse."

"Fine, you're forcing my hand!"

Raven suddenly slapped me hard across the face.

Caught off guard, I staggered from the blow. The urn I was holding, covered in black cloth, fell to the ground and shattered.

An old flip phone appeared in front of everyone.

The missed call displayed on it was from Ethan's number.

Seeing the ashes scattered on the ground, Raven and Ethan both froze.

"You beast, I won't let you off!"

Enraged at witnessing my mother's urn break, I struggled to my feet and shoved Raven hard.

Raven let out a piercing scream as she fell to the ground in a heap.

"Raven!" Ethan was stunned.

He probably never imagined that I, always gentle and honest, would actually raise a hand against someone.

Especially his first love.

"Ethan, stop her!"

"Rachel's gone mad, she's really lost it!"

Hearing Raven's pig-like screams, Ethan snapped back to reality and immediately ordered his bodyguards to grab me.

My eyes were bloodshot as I stared fiercely at Raven.

Ethan didn't even glance at me; he hurried to help her up, concern etched on his face. "Raven, are you okay?"

"You bastard, Rachel!" Raven shrieked hysterically.

"What are you all waiting for? Get her!"

The two bodyguards exchanged glances, but they didn't move.

They were Ethan's men, not Raven's.

Ethan took out a tissue and gently wiped the dirt off Raven's dress, then turned to me with a cold stare. "Rachel, apologize to Raven!"

"Not a chance!" I gritted my teeth. "I'd rather apologize to a beast than to her because she doesn't deserve it!"

Raven started to cry like a spoiled child. "Ethan, look! Rachel not only hit me but also said I'm worse than a beast!"

Ethan's expression darkened completely. "Rachel, both of you are at fault this time, but you shouldn't have hit her so hard."

"If you just apologize to her, we can forget about this."

My anger remained, and I stayed silent.

Ethan raised his voice. "I'll say it one last time. Apologize to Raven!"

I stood my ground. "Raven, I will never forgive you!"

Ethan signaled to his bodyguards, and in the next moment, a massive fist slammed into my stomach.

The pain blurred my vision, and I doubled over.

Ethan's face was as cold as ice. "Rachel, this is just a warning. If you don't apologize, I'll have my bodyguards beat you until you do!"

I gasped for breath, my gaze even colder. "Even if you beat me to death, I won't apologize to her."

"Rachel, don't push me!" Ethan took out his phone. "Do you want me to call and cancel all your mother's specialist appointments right now?"

"Go ahead, do whatever you want."

He paused for a moment. "Don't you care about your mother's health?"

Looking at the ashes scattered on the ground, tears streamed down my face as I shouted, "I don't care! There's no one left in this world that I care about!"

"Rachel, I'll make you understand what regret means!"

Ethan dialed a number and said coldly, "Shawn, immediately cancel all of Rachel's mother's specialist appointments!"

"Um..." Shawn's voice came through, sounding a bit awkward. "Mr. Gray, those appointments were canceled the day before yesterday."

"What?!" Ethan's brows furrowed in anger. "Why did you take it upon yourself to do that without my orders?"

"Mr. Gray, it wasn't my decision. It's because Rachel's mother has already passed away."

Upon hearing this, Ethan's expression froze. "W-What? Say that again?"

"Rachel's mother passed away just three days ago."