But Jane shoved my hand away and said with feigned innocence, "Mrs. Brock, Ms. Brock wanted my wedding dress. I didn't give it to her, and now she's upset. But Mr. Dillon had it custom-made for me. Even if I had let her have it, it wouldn't have fit her."

The moment she said that, Mom's face went pale. She clearly understood what Jane was implying.

Her chest heaved violently, and her gaze was full of disappointment and pain as she looked at Philip.

She started to speak but suddenly clutched her chest, coughing violently as she struggled for breath.

"Mom! What's wrong? Mom!"

Panicked, I grabbed her and shouted, "Doctor! Someone help!"

The doctors and nurses rushed in, scrambling to get Mom into the operating room.

The OR doors shut, and the red warning light glared, making my eyes sting.

Just then, Jane stepped up to my side. Her tone was still dripping with feigned innocence as she asked, "Ms. Brock, did I say something wrong again? I just wanted to apologize. I didn't expect Mrs. Brock to react so strongly…"

Her pretentious act made my blood boil.

I couldn't take it anymore. I raised my hand and slapped her hard across the face. "Shut up! If anything happens to my mom, I'll make you pay!"

Philip immediately stepped forward, shielding Jane. His gaze at me was icy with anger. "Elyse Brock, are you crazy? Jane just spoke the truth. Why did you slap her?

"Your mom has been in surgery more times than she's eaten in the past few years. Even if this hadn't happened, she'd still be in the OR eventually. That's just her fate!"

His words were like a poisoned blade stabbing straight into my heart. I couldn't believe he had actually said that.

The moment Philip realized the cruelty of his words, a flicker of panic crossed his eyes as he hurried to explain, "Elyse, that's not what I meant. I misspoke. Don't take it to heart—"

"Get out!" My voice was hoarse.

Through my tears, I pointed toward the door down the corridor. "Out! Both of you!"

Seeing my bloodshot eyes and hysterical state, Philip opened his mouth to say something. But in the end, he just guided the crying Jane out the door.

The corridor was now empty. I leaned against the cold wall, letting my tears fall freely.

I didn't know how long I stayed there, waiting. Finally, Dad rushed in. And finally, the OR light went off.

…

Third-Person POV

On the wedding day, the sun was shining brightly. Philip walked into the office as usual.

Colleagues came up to him, smiling. "Mr. Dillon, congratulations!"

He froze in his tracks, a look of utter confusion washing over his face. He didn't understand what the congratulations were for.

Since yesterday, all the messages he had sent Elyse had gone unanswered, and she hadn't picked up his calls either.

He felt a twinge of unease but couldn't bring himself to make the first move.

Frowning, he called over an employee.

The employee approached him and asked respectfully, "Yes, Mr. Dillon?"

Philip frowned, sounding annoyed. "Everyone's congratulating me. For what?"

The employee looked puzzled. "You don't know? Ms. Zamora announced at the office yesterday that the woman who kept bothering you, Elyse, is marrying someone else today. We figured you're finally free of her, so we're congratulating you on your freedom."