However, there was no time to linger. I gritted my teeth, struggled to my feet, and ran with all my might toward the Patel house next door.

I couldn't worry about my frostbitten feet sinking into the snow, becoming raw and bloody. I just remembered to keep running forward without stopping.

Though we called them neighbors, their house was actually a kilometer away.

The freezing air stung my throat, but I didn't dare slow down.

Because I knew that in my previous life, there had been more than just one intruder who broke in!

When I finally collapsed in front of the Patels' iron gate, I pounded on it desperately, shouting hoarsely, "Nathan! Open up, help! Intruders broke into my house, please save my mom!"

The iron gate creaked open, and Nathan stood there frowning.

He wore a warm cashmere coat, but his face didn't show a trace of warmth.

He looked down at me kneeling in the snow and slowly said, ”Mia, your acting skills have really improved lately."

His tone was mocking with a hint of scorn.

Blood rushed to my chest as my head spun.

"Nathan! I'm not playing around or joking. My mother is fighting for her life!

"Please send someone with me to save her."

He looked me up and down, taking in my disheveled appearance and injuries with exaggerated wonder, "If James hadn't told me you might stage some home invasion drama out of jealousy toward Michelle, I might have believed you."

I frantically explained, "Don't listen to him! This is real!

"I already called the police, but they haven't arrived yet. Please, my mother's been stabbed. She won't last long!"

In my previous life, those three intruders took out their anger on my mother afterward.

My mother and I fought desperately, and we were both tortured and badly injured.

I was assaulted, and my mother ended up dead.

This time around, I couldn't let my mother die because of me!

I took out my phone to show Nathan my call to emergency services, but he showed no sign of believing me.

Instead, he continued with cold mockery, "You're playing quite the elaborate game this time, aren't you? Even called the police?

"Staging a home invasion? This act is so convincing, I almost believe it. I have to admire your determination.

"Nathan! Have you lost your mind?! This is real!"

I screamed in desperation, tears blurring my vision.

However, my cry couldn't earn his trust.

He turned to leave, but I grabbed him.

"Please! My mother really needs help! If you don't go now, she might die, she really will die!"

He looked down at me, his expression completely cold, "Mia, James specifically told me to ignore, no matter how much of a scene you make."

His coldness cut into my nerves.

Before Michelle appeared, Nathan had been my childhood sweetheart, always gentle and caring toward me.

Even after our engagement, he had been incredibly doting.

But after that woman showed up, everything changed.

Nathan grew increasingly cold toward me, and even my brother began to distance himself.

To please Michelle, my brother did all kinds of foolish things.

Just because another company's name was the same as Michelle's pet dog, he maliciously ruined their business, which is what brought this disaster to our family!

I knelt desperately in the snow, pleading, “Nathan, I'm begging you! Just take someone to my house and check, please!

"You can even break off our engagement if you want, just please help!"

I was nearly at my breaking point.

I prayed over and over in my heart that Nathan would show even a shred of conscience.

I hoped for the sake of our past relationship that he would save my mother.

The butler, who had watched me grow up since I was little, finally felt some sympathy.

"Sir, perhaps you should take some men to check. Miss Cooper wouldn't lie about something like this."

Nathan hesitated for a moment. I seized the opportunity and began desperately bowing my head to him.

My forehead hit the freezing ground with dull thuds.

"Please, please, save my mother!"

Nathan finally spoke, his tone still cold, "I'll take some men to check.

"But, Mia, if this turns out to be something you staged, I'll make you pay for it."

I looked up sharply, a glimmer of hope in my eyes.

No matter what, as long as he agreed to go!

After calling for several security guards, his phone rang at the worst possible moment.

It was my brother.

Nathan glanced at me and put it on speaker.

James’s lazy, cold voice came through.

"Mia didn't come looking for you, did she? Don't listen to her. Someone just used my mom's phone to call and threaten me with murder. It's ridiculous."

I felt like I'd fallen into an ice cave, my blood freezing solid.

I couldn't believe that my brother, who once promised to protect me for life, could be so heartless.

For the sake of a woman, he ignored our mother's safety and turned a deaf ear to my pleas.

Fury and fear mixing together, I screamed at the phone.

"James! Have you lost your mind?! Do we have to die before you'll believe me?! You've seen what happened to Mom and me before!"

He laughed coldly, “That was just your scheme to gain power!

"I asked Mrs. Mendes at home, and everything is fine there.

"You're ruthless and vicious. I won't believe you this time!

"If anything happens to Mom, it's your own fault!"

My heart completely sank.

Mrs. Mendes had gone home on leave a week ago. How could she possibly know what was happening at our house?!

I was about to argue when the line went dead with a beeping tone.

Nathan's expression darkened completely. He looked at me with disgust, “So you were lying! Someone grab her and break her legs. Teach her a lesson!"

Several guards moved forward, preparing to seize me.

Fighting through the intense pain in my legs, I shouted, "You wouldn't dare! When my father returns, I won't let any of you off!"

The guards exchanged uncertain glances, hesitating.

Nathan laughed coldly, casually picked up a baseball bat, and walked over to me.

Looking down at me from above, his eyes filled with mockery and contempt.

"They don't dare, but I do."

I looked up at him in despair. The gentle affection we once shared seemed like an illusory dream.

I couldn't believe he would treat me this way.

I fearfully tried to back away, but he kicked me to the ground.

A sharp pain shot through my stomach, and before I could recover, he viciously struck my already injured left leg with the bat.

"Ahh!"

I screamed in agony, my body shaking violently as the excruciating pain nearly made me faint.

He just stood coldly to the side.

"This is the price for lying to me."

Just then, my phone rang.

He bent down to pick it up, a mocking smile curling at his lips.

"Let me hear who's calling now."

"Hello, is this Miss Cooper who called emergency services?

"We've arrived at your home. The intruders escaped during the struggle, but your mother is in critical condition and needs immediate medical attention."