Chapter 4

I clenched my jaw so hard my temples throbbed.

Other than being a top OB-GYN, Daniella was also the daughter of a real estate magnate.

My hometown hadn't been touched in so many years, yet the moment I returned, it was suddenly marked for redevelopment. Anyone with eyes could see what was going on—Daniella was doing this purely to help Jackson vent his spite.

I ground my teeth and spat out, "Get lost! Don't make me say it twice!"

The moment the words left my mouth, a cold voice came from outside the gate.

"Jackson knows your mother is critically ill, and that you're too proud to accept my money even though you need it. So, out of the kindness of his heart, he asked me to include your house in the redevelopment zone. Yet, instead of thanking him, you're being so rude?"

I turned around and met Daniella's displeased gaze.

Kindness? What kind of kindness was that? It was nothing more than her wanting revenge for Jackson and forcing me to submit.

I spread my arms wide, blocking them from moving forward.

"As long as I'm around, you can forget about tearing down my mom's home! You'll have to step over my dead body first!"

"Dani, if Allen doesn't appreciate the gesture, let's just go," Jackson said with an aggrieved tone.

This only made Daniella even angrier. She ordered her bodyguards to grab me, then barked, "Tear this place down! Don't stop until everything is leveled to the ground!"

I watched helplessly as my parents' belongings were destroyed. I struggled desperately, but the bodyguard twisted my arm sharply, and cold sweat dripped down my chin.

Just then, I saw Jackson walk out holding Mom's urn.

"Give that back!" I roared. "I won't stop you from tearing the house down!"

Daniella looked a little surprised at my sudden submission. "What is that? Why do you care so much?"

Before I could tell her that those were Mom's ashes, Jackson suddenly let go, and the urn hurtled toward the ground. I lunged forward to catch it, my knees and elbows scraping against the ground, leaving them scratched raw.

"Get out! All of you, get lost!"

Daniella pulled the visibly aggrieved-looking Jackson behind her.

"It's just a worthless jar! Jack didn't do it on purpose! Why are you throwing a fit again—"

I cut her off through gritted teeth. "Those are my mom's ashes!"

Daniella froze, her eyes widening in shock. She immediately ordered the demolition to halt and called the hospital. When the call ended, her expression was grave.

Just when I thought she would feel a shred of remorse, she suddenly ordered her men to wrench the urn from my hands.

I clutched onto it desperately.

"What are you doing, Daniella?" I screamed hysterically. "This is my mother's urn! Let go! Tell them to stop!"

But I was no match for the bodyguard's strength.

Daniella took the urn from me and looked down at me as I writhed in agony on the ground, her eyes filled with cold detachment and immense disappointment.

"Even now, you're still lying. I just called the hospital. Your mother is perfectly fine. You really disappoint me, Allen."

I lay on the ground, my eyes bloodshot.

"Daniella, I'm not lying," I pleaded desperately. "My mom is really dead! Please give the urn back to me. Please, I'm begging you…"

But she refused to give me another glance. Right before my eyes, she raised the urn and smashed it on the ground. The moment it shattered, the ashes caught the wind, brushing across my face.

It felt as if Mom was giving me one last gentle caress, right before scattering into the air.

In that instant, something inside me broke completely.

I crawled forward, trying to scoop up whatever ashes remained while my tears fell in heavy drops.

Daniella grabbed my bloody hands, reprimanding me. "Allen, there's a limit to how far you can play the victim!"

I looked up at her, numb. "Why, Daniella? Why? My mom's already dead. Why do you still have to treat her like this?"

She knitted her brows tightly. "What nonsense are you talking about? Your mother is clearly alive and well!"

"Allen, is this about the perpetual candle? Are you still mad?" Jackson asked, smirking.

I didn't say anything. I just kneeled there, motionless, like a hollow shell.

Just as Daniella lost the last of her patience and was about to order the excavators to flatten the only home I had left, her assistant called.

The voice on the other end was trembling.

"Ms. Dooley, we've checked. Mr. Hensley's mother indeed passed away a week ago…"