All Chapters of Her Final Payment: A Noose: Chapter 1 - Chapter 9

After leaving Hudson Corporation, I sat by the roadside, holding Mom's urn. In her suicide note, she instructed me to place her ashes in any simple jar, saving the cost of an urn to help Gregory Hudson pay off his debts.On the big screen in the square, Gregory appeared.The news anchor reported, "After three years out of the public eye, Gregory Hudson, CEO of Hudson Corporation, has appeared at the ceremony with his fiancee, Sophia Wagner."I stared at the screen. Gregory was brimming with pride and confidence. Tears welled up in my eyes. Mom and I had spent years working ourselves to the bone to pay his debts. In the end, all we received in return was a lie.I sat there in silence until night fell, then Gregory called. His voice was as gentle as it had always been. "It's late. Why aren't you home? Where are you? I'll come pick you up."I opened my mouth instinctively, but no words came out.If this had been before, I would have answered with irritation, blaming him for interr

As long as it was from Gregory, the good son-in-law she would someday have, Mom would be pleased. However, I knew that was history now. I closed the box and handed it back to him. "If you ever get the chance, you can give it to her yourself."Gregory frowned slightly. I had always made the choice he expected most, but my politeness now felt unfamiliar to him. Unease flickered in his eyes as he grabbed my hand and squeezed gently. "Mrs. Jackman's condition—"At that moment, Sophia appeared and looped her arm through his. "Greg, I want to stay in that room!"She meant my room."That room is already occupied," Gregory replied, then immediately turned to explain to me. "She's a friend of mine. She's staying here temporarily because of work."He stared at me, waiting for me to object. I nodded without hesitation. "Let her have the room. I'm going to stay with Mom."Gregory paused, and Sophia didn't give me a chance to change my mind. She charged into the room before I could stop

Under Gregory's relentless questioning, Steven hesitated before answering, "Three days ago, Ms. Jackman submitted her resignation unexpectedly. She claimed she needed to go back to her hometown. I assumed it was done under your instruction."Everyone at the company believed Gregory and I were a couple. As someone rumored to become Gregory's wife, I was treated with utmost courtesy. No one dared to interfere with anything I wanted to do.Before Gregory could speak, Sophia's voice cut through with contempt. "Back to her hometown? She sure runs fast!"Gregory frowned. "What are you doing here?He didn't want Sophia to hear any more than necessary."What's it to you? Afraid I'll get in the way of your reunion with your lover?" Sophia snapped, her voice laced with jealousy."Stop with the nonsense. Are you here on business? If not, leave and don't get in my way!"Sophia was about to explode at his words when a phone call from the assistant came in, bringing news that shocked everyone

I thought time had erased it all, that his name would never reach me again. But somehow, he was still trying to find me.I looked away and distracted myself by lightly swirling the latte. The creamy milk blended with the coffee's bitterness, reflecting the tangled mix of emotions inside me.I pulled myself back to the present, telling myself that my new life couldn't be defined by the past.Over the years, I had changed. I left everything familiar behind, abandoned that land full of pain, and stepped into a completely new world.I set out on a long journey, traveling to the places Mom had once dreamed of. I stepped onto lands she had only known through photographs.I felt the sea breeze on my face on the beaches of Mamba Island. I savored romantic coffees in the streets of Veridia. I witnessed the great migration across the Umbala plains.I took in every landscape with all my heart.Along the way, I met people from all walks of life and listened to countless stories. I slowly be

"Who built this new memorial for Mom?" Ryan asked softly, reading the hesitation on my face.I didn't have an answer. I truly didn't. I would never have imagined anyone would create such a grand tribute for Mom. Then my thoughts immediately settled on one person—no one else could have done this.On Mom's memorial was carved her likeness from her youth, with a quiet smile, as if life had never touched her with hardship. Candles and flowers were carefully arranged in front, clearly showing that someone visited often to honor her memory.I didn't care who had done this out of sentiment. I carefully took out the photos I'd collected over the years and walked her through the places I'd visited, the people I'd known, and the memories I'd made along the way. I reassured her that I was fine and that she had nothing to worry about. I also introduced Ryan, hoping she could feel my joy from afar.As I held up the last photo, a familiar voice came from behind me."Hailey."I turned to se