I felt deeply uncomfortable and sick to my stomach. With Ryan by my side, I accompanied Emily on her final journey.

I touched the photo, remembering how, after every argument with Grayson, Emily would come over to hug me and wipe away my tears. She was so young, but she already knew Grayson didn't love us.

Emily would say, "Mommy, don't be afraid. If Daddy won't spend your birthday with you, I will."

She was my little sweetheart, never Grayson's.

That night, I returned to my place to find Grayson drunk and lying there. He reached out to grab me.

"Violet, don't leave me. You're still so young. We can still have our own children," Grayson said.

Grayson, do you really have no heart?

"Can we start over, Violet?" He pulled at me, gripping me tightly.

"No, Grayson."

Grayson's tall shadow loomed over me. His breathing was heavy. When he heard my words, he actually started crying.

"Why can't you just be a little more compliant, Violet? Will it kill you to give in?"

With a loud bang, Grayson kicked something nearby.

I had long lost any expectations for him. What did he mean by giving in? Emily was gone, and there were no ties left between us.

"You can tear up the divorce agreement, but I'll keep sending them. It's just a waste of a few sheets of paper."

"There's nothing between Mila and me. Why don't you believe me?"

Grayson was very frustrated. His eyes were red as he looked at me, asking what it would take for me to believe him.

"I know you mind about Mila, but..." Grayson hesitated. He paused and said it wasn't what I thought.

"I don't mind. What I care most about is Emily. Do you know, Grayson? Emily wanted to see you one last time before she died, but you refused her."

Grayson's whole body went rigid. He seemed to lose all his strength and slid down the wall.

He collapsed outside the door like a drunkard, murmuring, "I'm sorry, baby. It's me who let you down."

How ironic. Emily had humbly begged him before, but Grayson treated her like that.

What's the point of late remorse?

I went back inside, locked the door, and curled up on the sofa. The house was empty, with no more sounds of Emily's laughter. As soon as I closed my eyes, tears would fall.

I remembered receiving Emily's urn and knowing she would never come back to me.

I felt so sick and nauseous. The light of my life had been extinguished, and I no longer wanted to continue this long journey of life.

The next day, when I went out, I saw Grayson still sitting there.

He heard the door open and stood up excitedly. He was still wearing the same clothes from the day before. The usually fastidious Grayson had spent the night there.

How ironic.

"I'll take you..."

I took out the divorce agreement, coldly saying, "No need. Just sign it, Grayson. I'm telling you clearly, there's no chance for us anymore."

"Violet, what do I have to do for you to give me a chance?"

"Can you bring Emily back to life?" I looked at Grayson. He fell silent, and his phone kept vibrating. I saw Mila's name on the screen.

Grayson irritably hung up the phone, but the caller wasn't giving up and called again.

Grayson answered the phone, "I'm not a doctor. If you have a problem, talk to a doctor, okay? Are you done?"

"..."

The person on the other end seemed shocked by Grayson's harshness and started crying. Grayson said he would change and wouldn't give Mila more chances in the future.

"Can you give me some time? I'll handle it. I really have my reasons, Violet."

"Not necessary."

I really didn't want to argue with Grayson. If he had looked back at me before and given me even a little sweetness, I would have been happy.

But not anymore. I needed to go to the White residence to handle the remaining matters.

I never expected Mila, that crazy woman, to directly block my car. I slammed on the brakes and swerved sharply.

"Are you crazy? If you don't want to live, don't drag me down with you." I glared at Mila.

She ran over like a lunatic, using her body to block my car.

"Do you know why the White family still accepted you after your family went bankrupt? Your dad traded his life for your wealth."

?

What did she mean?

I looked at Mila. She laughed. "You're so stupid. Did you really think Grayson loved you? He just wanted to keep you in place."

"Just say what you have to say."

Mila's madness was related to Grayson's attitude. I knew Grayson's recent actions had provoked this woman.

"Go ask your dad if he was the one who committed the murder. He took the fall for the White family to secure your position as Mrs. White."

"You're pretty disgusting too, climbing up on your father's blood and flesh."

Mila said that the rumors in our circle were true. It was my father's bloodstained hands that boosted me up.

"Do you think you're much nobler than me? If it weren't for you, I would be Grayson's wife. Think about it, has Grayson ever said he liked you?"

My heart felt uneasy. I didn't fully believe Mila's words.

Ever since my family went bankrupt and my father went to prison, I became the murderer's daughter. But Ryan protected me, saving me from being humiliated.

What if what Mila said was true?

I went to see my father, but he refused to see me again. Since then, he hadn't seen me, no matter what I tried.

I had no choice but to go to the White residence first.

"You've made up your mind about the divorce, right? Violet, don't worry about the property division. The White family won't treat you unfairly."

Ryan was especially kind to me. I hesitated, the words on the tip of my tongue.

"That scoundrel Grayson doesn't know your worth, but we do." Ryan sighed and wiped the tears from the corners of his eyes. "Poor Emily. I should never have insisted on you marrying him."

Ryan apologized to me and the Smith family.

"Is it because of my dad?" I finally asked, "Did he take the fall for the White family?"

"Is it because of my dad?"I finally asked, "Did he take the fall for the White family?"

Ryan's expression changed suddenly.

"Yes, but it was your father's choice. I know it's hard to believe," Ryan said, instructing someone to bring a box down from upstairs.

I took the box and opened it with trembling hands. Inside was a handwritten letter from my father. It was his confession.

He chose this path willingly. The Smith family was already failing, with too much debt to cover. He used his life to secure a future for the Smith family. He expressed his concern for me, asked the White family to treat me well, and said he knew I liked Grayson. He hoped the White family would keep their word.

As I looked at the familiar handwriting, I thought of the happy times when the three of us were together.

But after I started middle school, my parents' relationship changed. They often argued, sometimes even breaking things at home.

In front of me, they pretended to be loving.

Their relationship had long been broken. I talked with my mom back then and knew she had someone else. I could accept their divorce.

In this era, there's no need to stay together for the sake of the children.

But my mom sneered and said I didn't understand. She couldn't be happy in this circle.

After that, my mom rarely saw me. Instead, Grayson's mom often bought me gifts and took me out.

"I respect your choice," Ryan sighed. "This matter couldn't be hidden forever. If you want to overturn the case, I can help you."

Maybe Ryan felt guilty about Emily's death. I told him I wanted to see my father.

"Alright, I'll arrange it."

I got to see my father, but he refused to revisit the old case. He said I didn't need to worry about it.

"I did it willingly. Don't come to see me anymore. Our bond ends here."

My father kept his back to me. I couldn't understand what he wanted, or how he could be so heartless.

"I don't need you to use your life to pave the way for me, Dad. I really don't. I haven't liked Grayson for a long time... I..."

I didn't want to live alone and miserable. I wanted my own family. But my family had been broken since middle school.

My father said coldly, "It wasn't for you. Don't feel guilty. I did it for myself."

I didn't know how I left that day. The glaring sunlight shone on me as I walked.

Emily was gone, and so was my little family.

My parents were estranged from me. My family was shattered.

I walked down the street like a puppet, when suddenly there was a screech of brakes. Grayson pulled me to safety.

His eyes were red, "Are you okay?"

I had nearly been hit by a car. Grayson held me tightly and said he was scared to death. He told me it was better not to go out for a while because my mental state was too unstable.

I struggled to speak, telling Grayson, "I didn't deliberately hide your mother's death from you."

Tears fell from my eyes, and Grayson froze for a moment. He gently wiped away my tears and spoke softly.

"I know, I don't blame you."

Grayson was like me. His family was also broken. But he was luckier than me. The White family hadn't gone bankrupt, and his grandfather was still alive.