Chapter 3

I pushed open the front door. My dad was ironing the shirt I needed for tomorrow’s interview.

My mom brought out a warmed glass of milk. Our home was filled with a comforting scent.

Seeing them so healthy and vibrant, my eyes welled up, and tears streamed down my face.

My parents, confused, looked at me with concern.

Just then, Asher’s mom, Mrs. Hayes, arrived at our door.

The moment she stepped inside, she grabbed my hand, her eyes brimming with tears.

“Aubrey, dear, I know you’re the most sensible one.”

“Asher has been completely charmed by that wicked girl. His father and I, we’ve always believed you are our future daughter-in-law.”

“Please, talk some sense into him. Being with that woman will only ruin his future.”

I subtly pulled my hand away.

In my previous life, she had begged me just like this, only to later tell Asher that I was just jealous and meddling.

“Mrs. Hayes, he’s your son. I can’t control him.”

Mrs. Hayes’s face stiffened, then she cried even harder.

“How can you say that?”

“You’ve always wanted to go to Cambridge with Asher since you were little, haven’t you? You worked so hard, so afraid of falling behind him?”

“Don’t you feel bad seeing him completely give up his Cambridge future?”

“He could even get someone else in with him!”

My phone suddenly rang. It was Asher.

I answered in front of Mrs. Hayes and put it on speaker.

Asher’s icy voice came through the phone.

“Aubrey, did my mom come to find you?”

“I’m warning you, I will never let you ruin my life again.”

“Whether I go to Cambridge or not, I will absolutely never take a vicious woman like you with me.”

Mrs. Hayes heard her son’s words and instantly fell silent, her face fluctuating between pale and flushed with embarrassment.

I looked at her and said, every word distinct.

“Did you hear that?”

Then, I hung up.

Mrs. Hayes stood there, dumbfounded, unable to speak for a long time.

My dad walked over, frowning.

“How could Asher talk like that?”

“What has our Aubrey ever done to him?”

My mom also looked displeased.

“All these years, for the sake of our children’s friendship, our family has provided significant business support to your Hayes Corporation.”

“If Asher chooses someone else, then our business dealings will be a different matter from now on.”

Mrs. Hayes’s face turned green and white.

“No, no, Asher is just confused for now.”

“Aubrey, don’t worry, I’ll talk to him properly later.”

I looked at her coldly.

“I don’t care for his charity, either.”

Mrs. Hayes stomped her foot in frustration.

“But without Asher, how will you get into Cambridge?”

“Your grades are so bad, you cried every time there was an exam.”

“Besides following Asher, what other way do you have?”

I smiled faintly.

“You don’t need to worry about that, Mrs. Hayes.”

My dad walked over, his tone serious.

“Since Asher isn’t willing, then forget it.”

My mom nodded too.

“Exactly. My daughter is so outstanding, why should she have to rely on anyone else?”

Seeing their reaction, Mrs. Hayes slinked away.

She reached the door but reluctantly turned back.

“Aubrey, are you really not going to reconsider?”

“Without Asher, you really can’t get into Cambridge.”

I closed the door, ignoring her desperate pleas.

My parents looked at me, their eyes filled with affection.

“Sweetheart, don’t listen to her nonsense.”