"I met the new sister-in-law. She's lively and knows how to keep things light. Gray’s always smiling around her. Oh, and by the way, do you remember who Li’s first love was? Turns out the new sister-in-law is her sister—her real sister. What a coincidence," Harold's brother said with a smirk. The young woman beside him chimed in, "Men always fall for the same type, don’t they? So romantic."
"I heard Li’s first love died in a car accident. Quite the tragedy, really—something straight out of a sad movie. Makes people miss her," she continued. Then, turning to me, she added, "Sister-in-law, you really seem like the classic villain in those stories, the kind that doesn’t last more than a few episodes before they’re written off.”
I forced a chuckle, though the sting of her words lingered. Just then, I met Harold’s eyes—cold, distant, and unyielding.
"You seem to be in a good mood," he said, his voice low. "You don’t go home, but let yourself be ridiculed here? I’ve brought Ashley to the hotel; you can leave now."
Ashley, who had come with us, waved sweetly at me, her eyes narrowing in a fake smile. "Now that we’re here, why don’t you apologize to me? After all, my sister had her accident because she was devastated to hear about your engagement to Mr. Gray."
How absurd. No one with any sense would believe Ashley's words, but before I could respond, Harold frowned and snapped, "Sara, apologize."
The air felt thick with tension. I stood there, weighing my options. If I truly loathed myself, staying would only invite more abuse. I knew the right move was to turn around and leave, without hesitation.
But before I could act, Ashley slapped me, hard. "Since you won’t speak up, I’ll silence you myself," she spat. "Remember, you’ll always carry a life on your conscience, and I have every right to make you pay for it whenever I want. Every time I see you, I'll make you suffer."
Her boldness came from Harold’s backing, and she knew it.
I was about to strike back when Harold grabbed my wrist, stopping me.
I couldn’t help but laugh bitterly. "Harold, what gives you the right to treat me like this? You resent marrying me, but instead of facing Anton, you take it out on me, again and again."
Harold's face twisted with anger. "Walter, I’ve had enough of your act! Don’t think I don’t know what’s going on between you and my eldest brother!" he shouted, voice shaking with rage.