Chapter 4

The paramedics arrived quickly.

After a quick bandaging, Melanie rushed straight to Bethany's hospital room.

As soon as she entered, she saw the head nurse preparing to remove Bethany's breathing tube.

"Stop! All of you, stop! I'm Raymond's wife, and this hospital belongs to the Johnson family. Who gave you permission to touch my mother?"

Melanie's voice was sharp and commanding. She bit her lip so hard that it bled.

The head nurse looked troubled. "Mrs. Johnson, this was Mr. Johnson's direct order. We can't go against it. Maybe you can try talking to him again…"

The call connected quickly, and Raymond's impatient voice came through. "What now?"

Melanie sniffled, her voice trembling slightly. "Raymond, didn't you say that if I knelt and apologized, you'd help my mom? They're about to remove her life support. Can't you—"

"I can't," Raymond cut her off coldly. "Even though Trace wasn't hurt this time, I'm still not happy with your attitude. Don't worry. I've already checked with a doctor. Your mother won't die just because I'm removing her life support."

"But she's already brain dead. The doctor said—"

Raymond frowned, not wanting to hear another word. He interjected, "What the doctors say doesn't matter. I still need to put Trace to bed, so I'm hanging up."

As the call abruptly ended, the head nurse helplessly shrugged and removed Bethany's breathing tube.

Her heart rate spiked on the monitor, the urgent beeping sounding almost like a cry of anguish. Brain-dead patients could only survive on ventilators.

"No… Please no!"

Restrained by the staff, Melanie could only watch as Bethany trembled and seized on the bed before going completely still. By the time the doctor confirmed her death, only three minutes had passed.

In just three minutes, Melanie's last remaining family was gone. And the one responsible was Raymond, the man who once swore he'd take care of her forever.

At that moment, Tracy updated her social media with an ultrasound photo and the caption, "Congratulations! Someone's officially going to be a dad!"

Laura Becker, Raymond's mother, was the first to like the post. "You're amazing, Tracy! You got pregnant so easily, unlike a certain someone who keeps failing. Next week, have Raymond bring you home for dinner."

Tracy responded with a shy emoji.

Melanie's mouth twitched. If anyone seemed like a mother-in-law and daughter-in-law, it was them, not her.

Tears soaked Bethany's death certificate as Melanie sat alone in the morgue until dawn.

There were 28 days left until her divorce from Raymond would be finalized. In the following days, Melanie handled Bethany's funeral arrangements alone.

The embalming, cremation, and burial all took a full seven days to complete.

During those seven days, Raymond didn't come home, whereas Tracy's social media was updated like clockwork.

Raymond went with her to prenatal checkups, picked out a crib with her, and got protective charms for her and the baby.

Everything Melanie and Raymond had once dreamed of doing together, Raymond did with Tracy.

On the ninth day after the divorce agreement was signed, Raymond uncharacteristically bombarded Melanie with accusatory texts. "Where did you take your mother? I was just messing around. Did you really have to hide her?

"My mom is right. You're spoiled. Bring your mom back to the hospital at once. Don't let her pay the price for your stubbornness."

Speechless, Melanie simply replied, "There's no need."

Because of that short reply, Raymond rushed back to the villa that night. Clutching Melanie's hand, he ground his teeth in fury.

"What did you mean by there's no need? What, are you trying to cut ties with me? I'm warning you, Melanie, you—"

"Congratulations on your upcoming fatherhood," Melanie interrupted him, her gaze mocking.

Raymond let go of her hand, sinking onto the couch with a guilty look. Then, his features softened at a passing thought. "You only moved your mom because of Tracy's pregnancy, huh?

"You were afraid I'd ignore you because of her, so you did that to get my attention. Melanie, you don't have to do that. Even if Tracy has a child, you will always be my one and only wife. That will never change."

Raymond curled his lips into a smug smile. Then, he pulled out a red tourmaline bracelet from his pocket, acting all magnanimous.

Melanie had seen that bracelet on Tracy's Instagram. It was a one-of-a-kind auction piece.

Tracy thought it looked old-fashioned and had casually thrown it in the trash, claiming only old women would wear it.

Raymond, seeing Melanie zoning out, thought she was shocked and thrilled. With a smile, he continued, "Since you've gone to so much trouble to win me over, you can come to the gathering at Johnson Manor tomorrow."

Melanie furrowed her brows. Just as she was about to refuse, Raymond asked, sounding oddly curious, "What was that thing you made me sign last time? I never got a notification for the purchase."

Melanie's heart skipped a beat. She unconsciously clenched her hands.

So he didn't know that he'd signed a divorce agreement. That was for the best. At least she wouldn't have to get tangled up with him anymore when she left.

With that in mind, Melannie adopted a dismissive tone. "It's nothing. I just didn't want it anymore."

Raymond didn't dwell on it. As he stared at Melanie, who was dressed plainly, a warmth spread through his chest.

Just as he was about to say something else, Tracy called. "Raymond, the baby is kicking me again. Come keep me company."

Raymond instinctively turned to Melanie.

In the past, Melanie would have thrown a huge tantrum if she heard that, demanding he stay, or she would have pushed him out of the villa and slammed the door to make her anger clear.

But this time, Melanie did nothing. Without uttering a single word, she turned and went upstairs, leaving Raymond staring at her slender back.

"Melanie!" Raymond called after her, a mix of anger and frustration in his voice. "Did you not hear that? Trace wants me to keep her and the baby company."

Melanie nodded, her steps unbroken. "Go ahead. Drive safely."

Raymond froze, momentarily stunned. In the end, Tracy's irritated voice snapped him back to reality, and he hurriedly replied, "I'm on my way."