I Chose to Leave, and He Completely Regretted it

After being locked away in a mental hospital for three long years, I suddenly received a message from my adoptive brother, saying he was coming to pick me up.

I stared blankly, my pale face dazed.

"Don't do anything disgraceful once you're out. If you cross the line again, don't expect us to treat you so kindly next time."

I nodded quietly and followed him out. I stood at the overgrown gate, weeds brushing against my legs.

From day to night, I waited.

Until a pair of familiar shoes finally appeared before my eyes. I moved my stiff limbs and followed him into the car.

Luther Hawthorne just stared at me, the frail woman in front of him, in silence. His silence felt heavy with thoughts. Just as he opened his mouth and was about to say something, a clear voice shattered the moment.

"Mommy."

The girl's voice was so gentle, yet it struck Luther like thunder.

Bathed in moonlight, Luther saw a little girl standing behind me, staring at him with fear.

He stared at her face. His voice was low and trembling as he said, "That night…"

I stepped in front of her, blocking her from view. "She's not your child."

A sneer twisted across his face as his teeth clenched. "You really can't help yourself, can you? So eager to throw yourself at someone else?"

I let out a bitter laugh, the pain in my chest threatening to choke me. "I was adopted, so there are no blood ties between us. What right do you have to care?"

I threw his words back at him word for word.

Luther scoffed in a sarcastic tone. "I hope you keep your word. I'll provide for you. As long as you behave, I won't abandon you again."

I did not respond. I just listened to the faint breathing of my daughter beside me, her tiny hand wrapped around mine.

Anna suffered from congenital heart disease.

The only reason I came out this time was for one thing. It was to give her my heart, to exchange one life for another.

I did not need his support and I did not need him in my life anymore.

The car was silent the rest of the way.

Soon, we arrived at the Hawthorne Family estate.

Wilma and a few other maids who used to be close to me saw me from a distance and immediately started whispering.

"Oh my God, even after having those inappropriate thoughts about her adoptive brother, she still managed to get out of the mental hospital."

"Looks like she's been properly taught a lesson."

I let out a quiet, bitter laugh.

If it had been before… I would have stormed over to argue, to defend myself.

However, after three years of being broken, humiliated and worn down in that place, what pride did I have left? My only reason for breathing now was to save my daughter.

As we passed the garden, I paused. The sunflowers I once planted with my own hands were gone, replaced by a sea of vibrant red roses.

Feeling my gaze linger, Luther explained, almost reflexively, "Juliette's allergic to sunflowers…"

I said nothing. Just tightened my grip on my daughter's hand and walked inside.

The moment we stepped into the inner hall, I saw red wedding banners posted everywhere.

A charming woman noticed our footsteps approaching, so she turned around in excitement and chimed in, "Luther, look! Should we hang this pretty charm here?"

As soon as she saw me, Jenna Hale, she hurriedly stepped forward and held my hand. "Jenna, you are back!"

I begged Luther so many times to let you come back to witness our happiness. I did not think he would actually pick you up."

"I'll be your sister-in-law from now on."

I calmly tried to pull my hand away, but she clung on unexpectedly tight, causing me to feel a sharp sting. My face must have gone pale.

She noticed and let go in a panic. "Jenna, I'm so sorry. About what happened back then…"

Just those two words' back then' were enough to make Luther's expression darken.

His eyes turned red as he asked coldly, "Jenna, do you have to be so resentful all the time?"

Before he could say another word, I looked at them with an apologetic gaze and offered a gentle smile. "Luther, Juliette, I wish you both a lifetime of happiness."

Luther froze in place.

And I turned around, leaving him nothing but the sight of my back.