It was my connections, my begging, my favors that got him into this hospital. My parents even swallowed their pride and asked an old friend to secure him advanced training at a top institution.

Everything he is today — every ounce of that so-called brilliance — was built on my family’s efforts.

And now they dared to tell me I wasn’t worthy of him?

“You’re just self-employed,” my mother-in-law continued, mistaking my silence for hesitation.

“Even if you have to quit your job, just stay home and give Lucian a child.

“Now that your sister is gone, you’re your parents’ only daughter. When they pass, everything will be yours — and you can leave it all to your children. Isn’t that better than working yourself to the bone?”

I felt fury rise like a tide in my chest.

So this was their dream — to have me chained to their son, handing over my family’s legacy like a dowry?

I laughed coldly. “The only people dying here are you — and your whole family!”

Before she could respond, my sister stormed out from the next room, wielding a broom like a weapon.

“You still have the nerve to come here?” she shouted, swinging the broom at them with all her strength.

My in-laws froze in shock, too stunned to dodge.