Chapter 5

I used to believe that if I was patient enough, compromised enough, I could earn Mrs. Hayes’s approval.

But now I understood that it was all just my fantasy.

Later, when Brandon and I were about to get married, Mrs. Hayes, fearing I would embarrass myself at the wedding, hired an etiquette teacher for me.

To keep my orphan persona intact, I had to pretend I had never learned such things.

And how could Mrs. Hayes pass up such a perfect opportunity to pick fault?

“Aubrey, look at her posture, her demeanor! Then look at you, no proper way of standing, no proper way of sitting!”

“Aubrey, why are you so slow to learn? You can’t even master such simple movements. How will you ever be Mrs. Hayes?”

…

During that time, I looked at myself in the mirror, haggard and tired, the sparkle in my eyes gone.

I also questioned whether my decision had been correct.

For Brandon, I had hidden my identity, endured humiliation. Was it really worth it?

It was also then that Brandon was hit by a car while saving my sister.

I rushed to the hospital, terrified to see Brandon’s clothes covered in blood.

“Don’t cry, don’t cry. Just a scratch on my leg. The blood gushed a bit, but it’s actually not serious.”

Pale from blood loss, the man, to comfort me, even got out of bed and danced.

I was pulled along, frantic. “Brandon Hayes, do you want to lose your leg?! Get back in bed!”

“Don’t worry, Aubrey. How could I bear to be crippled and make you lose your happiness for the rest of your life?”

His strong arm wrapped around me, and with his incredibly alluring eyes, he coaxed me into his playful antics.

I couldn’t help but ask, “You rushed out to save my sister. Weren’t you afraid of being crippled, or… dying?”

Brandon lazily lowered his gaze, casually playing with my hand as he replied, “I didn’t think that much at the time. I just had one thought: I can’t let my Aubrey lose her only family.”

He took my wrist, pressing a slow, light kiss there. My pulse could feel the tenderness and deep affection within it.

“I want to take little Aubrey home and take care of her for life. How about it?”

It was also then that Brandon got a long scar on his leg, which dispelled all my hesitation.

I looked back at the room, filled with memories. A silent tear fell.

Brandon Hayes, if you were going to deceive me, why didn’t you deceive me forever?

As soon as I went downstairs, I heard Mrs. Hayes’s furious shout: “Bitch!”

I didn’t know who had angered Mrs. Hayes this time. As I walked towards the sofa to grab my bag, Mrs. Hayes suddenly grabbed a stack of photos from the coffee table and hurled them at me.

The sharp photos flew like blades. I raised my hands to block them, but my cheek was still scratched.

Mrs. Hayes’s words came like a machine gun: “I told you a long time ago, you need to keep a close eye on your man! But you, all you do is go out and work odd jobs!”

“What’s your measly pride worth? Look, Brandon’s heart has been completely stolen by that vixen!”

I covered my wound, looking down at the photos scattered on the floor.

They were all of Brandon and Serena.

In various dating spots: the movie theater, the golf course, holding hands, kissing in restaurants…

Those intimate gestures were like sharp knives, stabbing at me.

I tilted my head back, forcing the tears back, suppressing the roiling emotions in my mind.

Among Mrs. Hayes’s stack of photos, there were even pictures of Brandon and Serena, arm-in-arm in their wedding attire at the bridal shop, from just an hour ago.

I used to naively believe that Mrs. Hayes, as chairman of Hayes Enterprises, and Brandon, often had differing opinions on company management, so he had to listen to her.

I never thought Mrs. Hayes hired people to constantly watch Brandon. It was a good thing I wouldn't be her daughter-in-law anymore.

Otherwise, having a mother-in-law like that, being controlled all the time, would be suffocating.

Mrs. Hayes saw my silence and her rage escalated. “I’m talking to you! Are you deaf or mute?!”

“Aubrey, you have no family background, no abilities, and now you can’t even hold onto a man! What good are you?!”

Mrs. Hayes grew more and more agitated. “And that Serena King! The shameless vixen! The bitch! I should have ruined her reputation back then!”

I didn't want to get involved in Brandon's affairs anymore and planned to make things clear to Mrs. Hayes. "Mrs. Hayes, I…"

“You shut up! I don’t want to hear your excuses!”

Mrs. Hayes grew even more agitated, picked up the vase from the table, and smashed it forcefully onto the floor.

“Ah!”

I couldn’t dodge in time. A shard of the vase hit my foot, tearing my stockings and leaving a bloody scratch on my skin. It stung painfully.

I hastily retreated, looking in horror at the frenzied Mrs. Hayes, her face contorted, terrifying like a demon.

“Mrs. Hayes, calm down!”

Mrs. Hayes was not yet appeased, and swept other items off the table. Soon, the floor was a mess.

I had a bad feeling and wanted to leave.

“Stop her for me!” Mrs. Hayes shrieked.

Two bodyguards rushed forward, grabbing my arms, one on each side, holding me firmly.

I struggled fiercely. “Let me go! What are you doing?”

Mrs. Hayes didn’t listen at all. “Drag her into the bathroom! Douse her with cold water! Wash out that idiotic brain of hers!”

The bodyguards, without a word, dragged me into the bathroom and roughly pushed me into the bathtub.

“Splash—”

The icy water rushed over me. A bone-chilling cold seeped into every pore. I shivered uncontrollably, my teeth chattering.

“No… please…”

I curled my body, covering my head with my hands, trying to avoid it. “So cold… stop spraying…”

“Cold? This is nothing! Keep spraying her!”

Mrs. Hayes stood at the bathroom door, looking at me, drenched, a twisted delight on her face, but her eyes were empty.

“Ah…”

I don’t know how long they sprayed me. My body grew colder and colder, my consciousness blurring.