I looked at him, helpless. "You’re really something, Matthew. She publicly went after your mom, and you're still defending her?"Maybe my words hurt Matthew's pride too much, or perhaps he saw that the neighbors could not handle the situation. Without asking what had happened, he yelled at me. "I didn’t see her going after my mom. What I did see was you hitting her. You've simply gone too far!"Matthew embraced Melanie, presenting himself as a real macho man protecting his little woman. "Chloe, this is a family matter for us. Get out. Don't act like you’re better than us!"The neighbors were all in shock and began criticizing him. "Matthew, are you insane? Aren't you going to ask what happened?""Exactly! He's a heartless son. How could he allow someone to mistreat his mom?""Are you really her son? You're actually protecting this animal when your mom is in such shape?""I'd say the beating was too light!"Matthew directed all his anger at me. "Chloe, this is what you want
I exclaimed, "Mom!"Just then, Melanie yelled, "She's just faking it! That old hag! Serves her right!"I crawled over, grabbed Grace, and shook her. "Mom... wake up. Don't scare me! Mom..."No matter how many times I called her, she wouldn't open her eyes. I shouted to the people inside, "Call an ambulance! Quickly! Mom, wake up! Don't scare me! I'll take you to the hospital..."I was frantic. I couldn't bear the thought of her dying like this. I reached out to check, and her breath was faint.Matthew stood there dumbfounded, staring blankly at his mother. She was lying on the ground, unresponsive.Meanwhile, Grace’s forehead continued to bleed. Despite the chaos, I couldn't care less about my own appearance.I searched for my bag, panicking. The bewildered bodyguard finally reacted, helping me support Grace.Finally, I took out my phone and called Atlas. As soon as he answered, I cried uncontrollably. "Atlas, please help me find a doctor. Grace might not make it! Get the bes
My words caught everyone's attention, and they looked at me in disbelief."Call the cops?"The neighbor I had entrusted seemed to grasp the situation. He immediately picked up his phone and made the call.I kept my gaze on Melanie, who stood coldly and impatiently beside Matthew. After a while, I picked up my phone and called the cops.Before they arrived, Atlas had arranged for us to see the body. Matthew didn't move. He stayed on his knees, wailing, refusing to look up."Matthew, go see your mother!" I said it coldly, but he remained motionless. "This is your last chance."His hands on the ground tightened, but he didn't lift his head."Grandma... I want Grandma!" Ava's cries were heartbreaking. After some thought, I stood up slowly and headed inside. Ivanna and Lauren stood by my side. "We'll accompany you.""I want to see Grandma!" Ava cried. "Mommy, I want to see Grandma too!"I smiled sadly and said, "Be good! Mommy will go for you. Grandma wouldn't want you to cry."
All eyes turned to the furious Matthew. An elderly neighbor spoke up. "What are you trying to do? You're a monster.""Shut up!" Matthew roared, angrily approaching while pointing his finger at me. "Chloe, what more do you want? My mom is dead... Dead!"He let out a hysterical yell, then angrily advanced. However, when he saw Atlas standing beside me, he abruptly stopped. He glared at me and continued, "How dare you take her away? Do you want to ruin my family? I still have to handle the funeral. She has to stay to handle the funeral!"My gaze was icy as I said, "Your mom doesn't want to see her."I left the hospital with my family, leaving Matthew shouting behind.Back home, my mom asked, "What about Grace’s funeral? What should we do?"I glanced at my mother, leaning weakly into her embrace. "Mom, we've already sent her off. She has a son. I've done what I could and what I shouldn't do, too. I have a clear conscience. It's enough now."Everyone understood what I meant and nod
I didn't know whether to admire Grace's shrewdness or blame her for being confused. She had been suppressed and bullied by the Murphys her entire life, but it seemed she had also become shrewd. What a wise move she made.But what difference did it make? Her fate couldn't be changed now.I glanced at the date on the report and couldn't help but chuckle.Grace knew the outcome well in advance—even before she arrived to see Ava. After seeing the results, I assumed she realized the pain and longing she felt for Ava. She ultimately made the best decision for her final journey.I didn’t want to consider what would happen if the results on that paper were different. People make mistakes, and this may be her way of making amends.Her life was pitiful, and even in death, she had nothing. Perhaps the only things left were the ones in front of me.I reached for the bank book, chuckled, and slowly opened it.When I saw the set of numbers, I was genuinely surprised. The amount was a consider
I hadn’t seen Matthew since Grace’s passing. He appeared ashen, evidently worn out and not well-rested. He seemed defeated and didn’t mince his words, “Let Melanie go. My family and I have laid my mom to rest.“Melanie didn’t attend the funeral as you wished. It’s been a week now, so you should let your anger go.”I could tell Matthew was emotional, but I scoffed, wondering what he meant by “as you wished.” Still, I glanced at him indifferently and refused to retort. I hadn’t felt the need to engage with Matthew since his mom’s passing.When he noticed my indifference, his tone turned colder, “We have a child together, so how could you watch a son cry his mom daily? What gave you the right to denounce me so bitterly?”Matthew’s expression was righteous as he struggled to contain his emotions. I calmly looked at him and spoke distantly, “You came to the wrong place. You shouldn’t be here if you want your wife to return. Go to the cops instead. Melanie’s release isn’t up to me.”Mat
I felt relieved after hearing Matthew’s words. I smirked at him and leaned into my chair, saying disdainfully, “That was what I wanted to tell you. If you’re a real man, live up to your words. Again, go to the cops if you want Melanie back. Don’t shout at me in my office.”“I dare you to keep up this act!” Matthew then left in resentment.I watched his departing figure and snorted, muttering, “If you’re a man, stop stirring up trouble for no reason.”Suddenly, I heard a commotion outside. I was surprised and quickly walked out, only to see Ivanna and Matthew quarreling.It turned out Matthew happened to encounter Ivanna as he left. Ivanna had come to bring me something at that moment. The two met at the elevator and became hostile.I walked over and pulled Ivanna away. She had walked right into Matthew's trap. He was about to unleash all his suppressed anger on Ivanna.However, Ivanna was not one to back down. She pointed at Matthew and scolded, “Who the hell do you think you are
When I dragged Ivanna back into the office, she was still resentful. She turned back to curse him again, “Go to hell, you fuck!”Inside, Ivanna asked me, “Why haven’t you taken action? Have you gone soft again?”I stood by the window silently and gazed into the distance. My voice was faint and hollow, “Grace told me not to lay a hand on him when she was alive.”My words angered Ivanna. She said, “I knew it! You did become soft again. Must I remind you of how Grace died?”I couldn’t bear to look into Ivanna’s piercing eyes.Ivanna continued, “I watched the entire video. Grace wouldn’t have confronted Matthew if he hadn’t protected the idiot who beat his mom. Melanie’s push caused Grace’s death, yet you’re still showing mercy. Matthew’s an accomplice for protecting Melanie.”I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. Ivanna’s vivid narration played in my mind. Of course, I remembered my fury at that moment.Ivanna shouted at me, “You feel sorry for your mother-in-law, but she died b