Chapter 3

"Mistake? What mistake have I made?"

I shot back.

"If you still want to remain a Reed, and be Mrs. Reed, then do as I say. Otherwise, don't bother coming home!"

Mr. Reed's face darkened. He delivered his harsh ultimatum, then got into his car and drove away.

I clenched my fists.

Even if I was as obedient as a dog, wagging my tail at their slightest gesture, overjoyed by a scrap they threw me.

Even if I offered my life, I still wouldn't get their approval.

Celeste's status would always be higher than mine.

The weather bureau had announced a possible hailstorm today, but I didn't call the Reed family to beg for forgiveness as I usually would.

I refused to be threatened, refused to compromise anymore.

I thought about finding shelter back inside the hotel, but the security guard stopped me.

It was definitely the Reed family's doing again.

They wanted to force me to behave like a dog.

I still refused to comply, walking alone on the street. My phone was in my car, so I couldn't call a ride.

The sky grew darker, and finally, the hail began to fall.

I had nowhere to hide. I let the hailstones pelt me, feeling like I was being stoned.

My head was bleeding, and I collapsed onto the ground.

My white wedding dress was stained red again.

Suddenly, I felt ridiculous. Seven years of my youth had led to this pathetic, desolate end.

My consciousness started to fade.

"The choice I gambled my life on... in the end, it was wrong..."

I finally succumbed and passed out. When I woke up, I was in a hospital's VIP room.

My entire body was wrapped in bandages.

I asked the nurse and learned that a patrol officer had happened to pass by and saved me. Otherwise, I might have been killed by the hail.

After all, my old wounds hadn't fully healed, and now I had new ones. Even a person of iron couldn't endure it.

"Mr. Reed, there's already someone in this room. She's very badly injured."

"So what? The last VIP room is for Celeste! I'm Jacob Reed, the heir to the Reed fortune, and the hospital has my family's shares. Who dares defy me will be fired!"

Suddenly, I heard Jacob and a nurse arguing outside.

Before I could even process it, the door flew open. Jacob stormed in, carrying Celeste in his arms. Without so much as a glance toward the bed, he yelled, "You! Move the patient in this bed to another room, now! I'll take full responsibility for any consequences!"

"And I want Celeste taken care of immediately! Or everyone gets fired!"

Only when his orders were given did he finally look up and saw me.

He froze, startled. "What are you doing here?"