Chapter 4

The sound of sobbing grew clearer by the second.

I slowly opened my eyes, just to see my parents standing beside the bed, alive and well.

A wave of overwhelming regret surged through my chest. I yanked out the IV and threw myself into my mother's arms, breaking down in tears.

"Mom, Dad… I'm not marrying Richard!"

My parents, who already knew the whole story, didn't hesitate to echo what I said.

"You're not marrying him!"

But nearby, Richard's mother, Clara Wakefield, chimed in, trying to smooth things over.

"Ruth, don't be impulsive. Richard's just… a little immature right now. Once you're married, he'll settle down."

I shot her a cold glance.

Because of my engagement to Richard, my father had already poured a lot of resources into the Reynold family, which was teetering on the edge of bankruptcy.

Clara, who had once sold all her jewelry to cover their debts, was now lavishly adorned with luxurious jewelry again. It was all thanks to our money.

The bag on her arm alone cost half a million. It was one she had specifically picked out by a personal shopper.

And now, while I lay in a hospital bed, she showed up in full makeup, dressed to impress.

I remembered how, in my past life, after my family went bankrupt, I had begged her for help.

She refused to even take my calls, claiming she was "too busy with skincare treatments."

Looking at her now, I saw it clearly: this mother-and-son duo were classic ingrates. Selfish and disgusting.

Gone was the obedient young woman they once knew. I met her words head-on, without mercy.

"He's almost thirty years old. Don't you think he's a little too old to be immature now?"

Clara flushed with fury, her expression stiff. But with my parents present, she couldn't lash out.

Just then, the door swung open, and Richard strutted right in.

Right behind him was Elise, dressed in a pristine white gown.

The moment Clara saw her, her face went completely pale.

My father exploded, roaring at Richard, "Who told you to come in here? Is this the maid's daughter who slandered my child?"

Before my father could lunge forward, Richard stepped in front of Elise, shielding her like a knight and declaring righteously, "Ellie is my true love. Mr. Sanders, I've never had feelings for Ruth. The child… was just an accident."

Even my mother, a dignified university professor, was trembling with fury.

I quickly comforted her and gently held back my father before he exploded again.

"Perfect timing," I said coolly. "From this day forward, the ties between Sanders and Reynold families are finished. I sincerely wish you and your true love a lifetime of happiness… and lots of children."

Clara panicked, waving her hands. "Wait, wait! Let's not be so hasty…"

I interrupted with a cold smile, "Mrs. Reynold, there's no need to act all innocent. You had my dad's secretary file for reimbursement of Elise's return flight to Jiora, didn't you?"

In my past life, part of the massive debt we owed was thanks to this scheming woman.

Her face turned red, the embarrassment practically written across it.

"Ruth, you shouldn't push things too far," Richard snapped. He had always acted high and mighty in front of me. And now, even in front of my parents, he still tried to humiliate me.

"All you Sanders do is pressure us with money. What else do you have to offer? Don't make me lose all respect for you."

"Oh? Someone's full of pride, I see," my father sneered coldly.

"Well then, since Richard here is so noble and above material things, starting today, all business collaborations between our families is over. The Sanders family will no longer give the Reynold family a single cent of support."