He Betrayed Me, He Went to Hell

Chapter 4

Lucian snatched the records from the nurse's hand and threw them violently onto the floor.

His eyes were cold and hard, and his voice turned even more icy.

"There is no need to show me these forged documents. Aurelia receives ten thousand dollars every month for living expenses. How could she possibly fail to pay the bills? If you are going to make up stories, at least make them believable."

Ten thousand dollars? All I felt was a cold, bitter laugh rising inside me.

Every single month, that money was taken away by Margot through every trick and scheme she could think of.

If I ever refused or objected, she would take her anger out on Milo.

Lucian turned and walked away.

The nurse rolled her eyes and muttered under her breath, "What a total lunatic."

But I remained where I was, my spirit refusing to move.

I had not even been able to look at my mother one last time...

"Mother..."

I struggled with all my strength, trying desperately to pull myself free from the invisible pull that kept me near Lucian.

Four hours earlier, while Lucian had been sitting and sharing a festive meal with Margot, my mother had been lying there.

She had spoken again and again about how important it was that we all sit down and eat together for Thanksgiving this year.

Instead, she died on that very day.

My heart ached so sharply it felt as though it might burst apart, yet I had no choice but to drift further and further away, following Lucian against my will.

"Sir! Wait a moment, please!"

The nurse suddenly hurried after him. In her hands she held an old, yellowed diary.

"This belonged to Esther Ellison. Before she passed away, she asked us to be sure to give this to her next of kin. And also... regarding Mrs. Ellison's body..."

Lucian grabbed the diary from her and walked off without looking back, cutting her off before she could finish speaking.

Once he was seated in his car, he tossed the book carelessly onto the back seat.

It fell open, right to the very last page.

The moment I saw my mother's handwriting, tears filled my eyes.

My dear Aurelia, by the time you read this, I will have gone. Do not be sad. I will be watching over you and loving you from heaven. If Lucian ever treats you badly or unfairly, show him this diary. Tell him that it was I who saved his life years ago. It was my leg that was broken and lost in exchange for his life being spared. There is a memory card tucked inside the cover. If he does not believe you, show him what is on it.

'But Mom... I am already dead too.'

My entire being was overwhelmed by deep sorrow and a bitter, cruel irony.

All this time, Lucian had demanded that I give in and tolerate Margot again and again, all because he claimed he owed a debt of gratitude to someone who had saved his life.

And now it turned out that the person who had truly saved him was my own mother.

His phone rang sharply, breaking the silence. Lucian answered with obvious impatience.

The voice on the other end sounded unsteady and trembling.

"Lucian... I think I have found the bodies of your wife and Milo..."

"Is this another stupid prank?" Lucian snapped.

The voice shook even harder. "No, no, it is real! I am sending you the photos right now!"

The very next second, it felt as though Lucian's heart had been seized and crushed tight in a fist.