Chapter 3

The entire room fell silent.

I turned around in disbelief. Even now, he still had the nerve to blame me?

Before Grayson could say anything, Callista stepped in to defend him, looking aggrieved on his behalf.

"Mrs. Strickland, Prof. Strickland is indeed very busy. If you wanted a wedding, couldn't you just talk it over properly? Why force him like this?"

The other students all sided with Grayson as well.

"Exactly. A wedding is just a formality. Why be so old-fashioned about it?"

"Prof. Strickland is swamped with classes every day. He must be exhausted. But her? She has no ambition, chooses to be a stay-at-home wife, lives off his money, and does nothing else. And still, she can't even take proper care of her mother-in-law."

"What could she possibly even do without Prof. Strickland?"

In an instant, all the female students were criticizing me. It was as if they were the face of the modern, independent woman, while I was nothing but a parasite clinging to a man, deserving of judgment.

But none of them knew the truth.

Every bite of food, every drop of oil, every piece of paper in this house came from me scrimping and saving.

Even Kathy's medical fees came from me working part-time grading papers online.

Meanwhile, every penny of Grayson's salary went into taking his students out to enjoy their lives… and into the little love nest he shared with Callista.

My fingers gripping the suitcase handle gradually turned pale. Thinking of everything I'd given over the years, I couldn't help but let out a cold, mocking smile.

"You're right. Prof. Strickland does have a reputation for being refined and elegant. And yet, he's still not above messing around with his student."

Then, I turned to Grayson. "You're just as filthy as the feces and urine from your mother. From today onward, I'm done dealing with either of you."

I turned and started to leave, dragging my suitcase behind me, but several students suddenly blocked my way.

"What do you mean by that? We were just speaking the truth, and now you're slandering people like that? We're just here to learn from Prof. Strickland. How can you make it sound so dirty?"

I slowly turned my head, my gaze landing coldly on Grayson. I must've looked like a completely different person. It was like the proud, brilliant woman I once was had finally returned.

Grayson's breathing hitched. When he glanced down at the marriage certificate I had thrown earlier, a flicker of unease crossed his face.

But then he thought back on how meek and hardworking I'd been for the past six years, enduring everything without complaint, and he reassured himself that my words just now were only a fluke. In reality, I couldn't possibly leave him.

So, he pulled out 200 dollars from his pocket and tossed it onto the table.

"A wedding is just inviting others for a meal. If you really want one, go rent a wedding dress and wear it.

"I'm taking the students to the Silent Bridge by the lake to enjoy the winter scenery. I hope that by the time we get back, dinner will be ready and everything will be back to normal."

With his slender, uncalloused fingers, he pushed his gold-rimmed glasses up, then grandly led the group out.

The very moment the door slammed shut behind them, the sound of shattering glass came from Kathy's room.

I instinctively rushed in.

Blood was rapidly dripping from her thin, withered wrist, pooling on the floor beneath her. I hurriedly called for an ambulance.

Amid the piercing wail of sirens, Kathy pleaded weakly, "Lia, you're a good kid. Grayson just lost his way for a moment. I won't burden you anymore… Please, don't blame him, okay?"

A loud buzz exploded in my head, and a sharp ringing filled my ears. I swallowed the "Mom" that almost escaped my lips and asked, my voice trembling, "So you've known all along? He secretly told you before he and Callista got married?"