She sent a picture—used baby bags and torn wedding dresses piled in a corner.
“Auntie, you won’t blame me, right? We didn’t mean to leave you at the bridal shop. It was really that Uncle Marcus was too anxious and had to...”
“Auntie, I think Uncle Marcus should leave you some public grain, don’t you?”
At that moment, Marcus' name flashed on my screen.
I hung up immediately.
But he refused to give up, repeatedly calling back.
With shaking hands, I answered.
"Lila, there’s an emergency at the company, and I might have to work overtime tonight." His voice was just as rehearsed as ever.
I could feel the hollow emptiness of his words.
"Got it," I replied, my voice flat, and hung up.
For the next few days, Marcus didn’t come home.
I took the opportunity to quietly pack up my things. I came with nothing, and I would leave the same way. I couldn’t take anything with me—nor did I want to.
On the third morning, the assistant arrived in a hurry, his face pale with urgency.
"Madam, Mr. Rivers has been working overtime at the company. He suddenly fainted this morning and was rushed to the hospital."
I remained silent, the words barely registering.