Chapter 4

David's face instantly darkened. He took a deep breath, his voice heavy. "Scarlett, I just want to ask you to go see her. She really likes you, she keeps talking about you, saying you're exactly the daughter-in-law she always imagined. Just… have some pity for an old woman, and go see her, okay?" His voice trembled slightly, and his eyes were glistening.

I placed the book back on the shelf and turned to leave.

"Scarlett Stone!" David's voice suddenly rose sharply. "Are you really so heartless?!"

People around us started to stare. I stopped, meeting his slightly displeased gaze with a calm stare. "Mr. Miller, please watch your words."

"Between us, there's nothing but a failed blind date. You're causing a disturbance in public, and it's making me uncomfortable."

His chest heaved violently; he was clearly furious. "Fine, fine, fine," he repeated three times, a dark, brooding look in his eyes. "Scarlett Stone, I won't forget this."

With that, he turned and walked away quickly, his back view showing a touch of humiliation.

That evening, I received a call from an unfamiliar number. On the other end, a frail, elderly female voice asked, "Is this... Miss Stone?"

I immediately recognized it as Eleanor Miller, David's mother. "Hello, Mrs. Miller," I replied politely but distantly.

"Oh, Scarlett," Eleanor sighed dramatically over the phone. "I know, it's our David who doesn't have the good fortune to be worthy of such a wonderful girl like you."

"But, but I just want to see you, to say a few words to you in person. Otherwise, my heart feels so heavy... I'm afraid I won't... I won't get over this." As she spoke, her voice started to break with tears.

I held the phone, silent. In my previous life, she was always like this. Whenever David wanted something from me, she would conveniently get sick, heartbroken, or couldn't go on. And I, time and again, softened, time and again, compromised.

"Scarlett, dear, I'm not asking for anything else, just for you to come to the hospital and see this old woman, please?"

"Just... have pity on me." Her voice was full of pleading, as if I had no choice but to agree.

I took a deep breath, knowing that if I didn't deal with this once and for all, they'd stick to me like a bad rash. "Alright," I agreed. "Send me the address. I'll be there tomorrow afternoon."

After hanging up, I looked out at the dark night sky, my eyes growing colder by the second. David, since you and your mother insist on putting on this show, I'll gladly play along. This time, however, I'll be writing the script.

The next afternoon, I arrived at the city hospital as planned. As I reached the entrance of the inpatient department, I saw Chloe waiting there. She was wearing a simple white dress and light makeup. Seeing me, she immediately came forward, her face full of concern.

"Scarlett, you're finally here! Mrs. Miller... she hasn't eaten since this morning, she's been constantly asking for you." She naturally linked her arm through mine, as if we were still inseparable best friends.

"Really?" I gently pulled my hand away. "Then let's go in quickly. We shouldn't keep her waiting." Chloe's eyes flickered, but she quickly resumed her gentle, kind demeanor, leading me towards the病房 (hospital room).

As she pushed open the door, a strong smell of medicine wafted out. Eleanor was lying weakly in the hospital bed, and David sat beside her, feeding her water. Seeing me enter, Eleanor's eyes immediately lit up, and she struggled to sit up. "Scarlett, Scarlett, you're here..."