Hearing this, my heart skipped a beat. I looked over at Mason and saw his evasive expression. In that moment, I understood everything.
So what had my three years of sacrifice meant to the Reed family?
Was I just a clown desperate to marry Mason?
No wonder Elise said I was using my help as leverage..
My voice trembled: “Mason, is what she’s saying true?”
Mason’s expression flashed with discomfort before he struggled for a few seconds and turned defensive.
Does it really matter if it’s true or not? Riley, the issue here is that you’re bullying Elise. Don’t try to change the
ubject.”
Elise’s expression turned guilty, and she spoke tearfully:
Auntie, I didn’t mean to treat Mason that way three years ago, it’s just… hearing you talk about what happened back hen makes me want to cry.”
Auntie, please don’t argue with Riley because of me. After how I treated Mason three years ago, I don’t deserve to
>e here.”
watched Elise’s performance silently, laughing to myself.
les, three years ago when Mason went bankrupt, Elise made him get on his knees and bark like a dog for a hundred lollars. I was the one who paid to restore his dignity.
Sweetheart, don’t say that. Your condition now…”
Before Mrs. Reed could finish, Mason interrupted:
Mom, that’s enough.”
‘Elise, I don’t blame you for what happened three years ago. Just stay here comfortably and don’t worry about any of this.”
He seemed eager to change the subject. Then, Mason bent down and yanked me from the bed like I was a lifeless doll, dragging me toward the door.
The force made me stumble, and a wave of dizziness washed over me.
As I steadied myself against the wall, I could hear Mrs. Reed and Elise whispering inside the room.
15:29
Chapter 7
“Sweetie, all you need to do is stay happy and deliver that baby safely.”
Elise responded weakly: “Auntie, do you really not blame me?”
“Of course not. What I said was specifically for Riley to hear. I just can’t stand how Riley used her disgusting money to pay off my son’s debts and then forced him to marry her.”
I stood outside the door, listening silently, remembering how grateful Mrs. Reed had seemed when I was the only one who helped them after their bankruptcy.
Yet it felt absurd now.
Mason heard it too. After a pause, he said:
“Don’t take what my mom says to heart. You know that since her health problems started, her personality has become quite extreme.”
“For now, you should move to the other house. Elise is pregnant, and my mom isn’t well–your presence here is affecting their mood.”
“The pregnant woman takes priority–you understand that, right?”
My expression remained wooden, showing no anger or resentment, just complete detachment.
Mason, seeing my numb expression, felt something was off. He cleared his throat and added:
“Riley, no matter what kind of person you are, I promised to marry you, and I will.”
I nodded mechanically.
Seeing my response, the man immediately relaxed–she’s still the same Riley, who only wants to marry him.
I was hastily driven from the Reed mansion.
As I left, Mason merely gave me the address of the new house before rushing back to comfort Elise, whom I had supposedly hurt with my harsh words.
My hands were empty, and the clothes on my back were too thin to withstand the slightest chill.
Three years ago, I came to the Reed house with everything I owned. Three years later, all I could take away was the baby in my womb.
But now, I didn’t want the baby either.
15.29
