Chapter 4

Maddox, who was always busy with work, did something unheard of—he spent the entire afternoon with Cecilia. He even ignored every call that came in.

Only Cecilia could receive this kind of treatment. When we went out for our anniversary, he could not even sit long enough to warm the seat before taking a call and leaving without a word.

I supposed the favored always acted with impunity.

Maddox kept finding ways to make Cecilia laugh. The man who was always silent and indifferent around me suddenly became a chatterbox.

As the sky darkened, his patience started wearing thin. He kept glancing at his watch over and over.

By the time night had completely fallen and I still had not appeared, Maddox lost his temper.

He called me repeatedly, but no one answered. Frustrated, he sent a furious voice message.

"Rhea, you've truly gotten bold, haven't you? How hard is it to do something so simple? Cece is in the hospital because of you—you cannot just walk away from this!

"Don't forget whose money you're spending! Who has been keeping you fed!

"You want to keep acting out? This time, even if you crawl to me like a dog and beg, I will divorce you!"

A simple thing, he said. So, in Maddox's eyes, making chicken noodle soup was nothing more than a trivial thing.

Yet every time, I would wake before dawn to carefully select the best ingredients. I would spend hours simmering the broth to ensure the perfect taste.

Maddox's chest heaved violently, and his eyes were bloodshot with fury.

Cecilia first flashed a victorious smile, then quickly lowered her head, putting on a pitiful expression.

"Maddox, don't be mad at Rhea. She is probably still blaming me. I do not even want the soup anymore, okay?

"Maybe Rhea is right, I am just a shameless homewrecker.

"But Maddox, I really can't let you go. Even if Rhea kills me, I will still feel the same way."

Maddox's eyes widened in disbelief.

"Rhea actually called you shameless? I knew it—she just wants you dead! I will not let her get away with this!"

With that, he stormed out in anger.

Cecilia called after him, pretending to sound distressed.

"No, Maddox, I don't want you two fighting over me. I already promised Rhea that once I recover, I will leave the country again. I won't cling to you anymore. Otherwise, she'll never let my family go."

Maddox let out a cold scoff.

"If it weren't for me, Rhea wouldn't have that kind of power."

The moment Maddox stepped out, he ran straight into my mother. She was holding a mop, wiping the hospital floor.

I was stunned. So was Maddox.

"What are you doing here?"

There was not even a trace of respect in his voice.

My mother's eyes flickered with anger as she replied, "I'm working here as a janitor."

Maddox let out a cold laugh.

"Doesn't Rhea give you enough money every month? You're still short on cash? What, are you trying to guilt-trip me now?

"You people are never satisfied. How much more do you plan to take from me?"

My breath caught, and my mother's face darkened. I had never once taken Maddox's money to support my mother.

Even though I did not have a stable job, I knew how hard life was for her. She was not in good health as she had a heart condition—just like me.

So, I worked freelance jobs, illustrating for various clients and teaching children how to draw. It brought in a modest income.

Maddox gave me a monthly allowance of 800 dollars, but it was never enough. I had to supplement it with my own earnings, some for my mother, some for household expenses. I never told Maddox about it.

My mother gripped the mop tightly as she said, "I won't allow you to slander my daughter like this!"

Maddox remained indifferent.

"I suppose the apple doesn't fall far from the tree. With a mother as twisted as you, of course your daughter turned out disgusting.

"Let me tell you—I don't want to see you in this hospital ever again. Now, get lost!"

My mother trembled with rage, but just as she was about to speak, she suddenly collapsed.

Maddox proceeded to kick her twice.

"Old woman, you're just like your daughter—always putting on a show. Haven't you two had enough?

"What is this now? Trying to scam me? Or are you copying your daughter and playing dead?"

Anyone with the slightest medical knowledge could see that my mother was not faking it. Her body was convulsing, and her breathing was rapid. There were obvious signs of distress.

A passing doctor noticed and immediately called for medical staff. They rushed over, lifted my mother onto a stretcher, and wheeled her into the operating room.

I was frantic, like a cat on hot bricks. But as a spirit, there was nothing I could do. My temples throbbed violently.

I knew very well that a heart attack could truly be fatal.

Maddox, however, remained completely indifferent.

"Let's see how long you two can keep this act up."

Just as he was about to turn and come after me, he was stopped by the doctor who had just run into the operating room.

"Dr. Jagger, please sign the consent form for surgery. The patient has a hereditary heart condition, and she has no other relatives left."

Maddox froze mid-step, his expression darkening.

"What are you talking about? I have nothing to do with those Simpson folks! If you need a signature, go find Rhea. I'm not dealing with their mess!"

The doctor frowned.

"You don't know? Ms. Simpson passed away on the operating table a while ago. She developed an infection during surgery, along with heart complications. I assumed you were already aware."

Maddox staggered back two steps, his face draining of color.

"No… That is impossible. She was just pretending, wasn't she? Losing a kidney would not kill her!"

The doctor let out a weary sigh.

"Ms. Simpson also had a hereditary heart condition. Do you… really not know?"