Chapter 8
My mother–in–law’s piercing shriek emerged behind the police. “It was you! You filthy bitch! You killed my son!”
I shrank back, revealing the grotesque wound on my arm.
The police immediately stepped in to block her. “Mrs. Hamilton, please calm down! The evidence on site matches Ms. Sutton’s statement exactly.”
“I want to see the surveillance footage!” she screamed hysterically, yanking at her pearl necklace. “My son would never! Show me the-”
The police cut her off. “It was Ms. Williamson who broke into the villa with a gas can. Ms. Sutton was caught in the explosion, trying to stop it. We also found Ms. Williamson’s phone upstairs–filled with numerous indecent videos. We have reason to believe she came for revenge.”
At the mention of the videos, disgust twisted the officer’s expression.
I lowered my gaze to conceal the cold smile in my eyes.
Those videos were the result of three months of meticulous planning. I had someone discreetly videotape each man Marcus employed to humiliate Nina.
Upon hearing this, Marcus’s mother collapsed to the ground.
I struggled to my feet and embraced her, my tone falsely tender as I comforted her. “It’s okay, Mom. You still have me.”
Then, in a whisper against her ear, I added, “A life for a life…”
When she heard this, she instantly shoved me away, her eyes burned with
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Chapter B
hatred and she growled, “You bitch! Arrest her! She killed my son!”
“I believe my mother–in–law is suffering from a breakdown. The shock has affected her mind.” I wailed softly, turning to the police.
The verdict day came three months later.
I walked out of the courtroom dressed in black, holding Marcus’s portrait in my hands.
His mother, who was seated in the gallery, experienced a severe cerebral hemorrhage and was taken to the hospital.
Meanwhile, Nina sat in the psychiatric ward’s visiting room, facing the wall and murmuring to herself. Her body was thin, and her red nail paint had mostly come off, but she kept frantically scratching at the wall.
“Marcus, look at how cute our baby is.
Suddenly, she turned around. Her hollow eyes fixed on me. “Where did you hide the baby?”
I chuckled and said, “Nina, you’d better really be insane. Otherwise, the death penalty’s waiting for you.”
She shuddered but continued mumbling about the baby.
A nurse gently shook me and woke me. “Mrs. Hamilton, how are you feeling today?”
I smiled softly. “Much better.”
After a series of tests, the attending doctor respectfully informed me, “Mrs. Hamilton, you’re well enough to be discharged today.”
Before the operation, the doctor advised me, “Your uterine wall is already very thin, and this may be the only child you will have in your
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life.
But I just smiled and signed the consent form.
Marcus had dragged me to the operation table the first four times, and this was the only time I had come willingly.
ever
I didn’t want any links to him, if it meant I’d never be a mother again.
This was my fifth abortion and the only one I chose for myself.
The housekeeper packed my bags, and we drove to the nursing home. The sunlight here was warm and soft.
Marcus’s mother sat slumped in a wheelchair, drooling onto her expensive silk scarf. The stroke had left her entire right side paralyzed and she couldn’t even pronounce simple words.
“Mom.” I leaned in to wipe her mouth. “Did you know that Marcus left everything to me in his will? Including this house, which you’re living in.”
Then, I purposely slowed my words. “And I… aborted his only child.”
Hearing this, her eyes shook violently, and a hoarse noise escaped her throat.
“Don’t be upset.” I smiled and adjusted her IV drip. “The doctor said you would live at least another 10 years. I will take good care of you.”
Suddenly, her left hand gripped my wrist, and her nails drove into my flesh, shivering with hatred or maybe a plea.
I pried her fingers off one by one, unfazed, then pressed the call button. “Nurse, my mother–in–law’s having another episode.”
When the nurse came, I instructed, “Increase her meds. Make sure she stays quiet–don’t disturb the other residents.”
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- 2.
Chapter B
As I stepped out of the nursing home, Abigail was already waiting for me at the entrance, clutching a brand–new set of law textbooks. The Harvard University acceptance letter gleamed in the sun.
“Emily.” She linked arms with me. “I found a secret account under Hamilton Group. They’ve been wiring money to Nina for years.”
I squinted at the Hamilton Group in the distance.
The glass wall reflected the dazzling light, just like a dazzling diamond
ring.
“There’s no rush.” I patted her head gently. “Let the finance department keep sending the money. After all, mental hospitals aren’t cheap.”
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Especially this one, with its fondness for using electric shocks as punishment.
I visited the ruins of the villa alone again.
When the firefighters discovered Marcus’s body, he was curled in a fetal posture, holding our wedding photo in his arms.
The glass frame had blood smeared across it. “Emily, you’re free now. Don’t forget me.
I felt nothing after learning this.
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I never intended for things to end like this. A peaceful divorce would’ve been enough. But I’m a widow.
I stood in Hamilton Group’s top–floor office, looking down at the city through the floor–to–ceiling windows while the lawyer read out the final inheritance confirmation behind me.
“Based on forensic analysis and scene investigation, it is confirmed that Mr. Marcus Hamilton died in the arson committed by Ms. Nina
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Chapte
20 Youth
Williamson. Ms. Sutton, as the sole legal successor, shall inherit all assets of Hamilton Group.”
I softly traced Marcus’s picture on the desk, sliding my fingertips across his gorgeous face.
I had taken that photo myself back when we were at our “happiest“.
The only decent thing he ever did in this lifetime was leave me all his wealth. Power and money do have their charm. It was no surprise he was so obsessed with control.
But starting today, no one will ever control me again.
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