Their conversation was clearly heard through the door.

Russ whispered, “Edie, isn’t this too much for Lionel? If he doesn’t want to do it, then don’t do it. It doesn’t matter if I don’t drink the soup.”

Edie sighed. “Russ, he has been spoiled in the Hoffman family for so many years. I must change his temper. Since you want to marry me in the future, you must follow the rules of the Meyer family; otherwise, how can you raise our children well?”

She continued, “The Meyer family is a medical family and they have always been the most concerned about being kind to others, but he is too straightforward... My mother has never liked him very much.”

Russ asked in confusion, “Edie, why don’t you break up with him directly?”

It suddenly became quiet outside.

I held my breath and leaned against the door motionlessly.

Yes, since I was so unbearable in her eyes, why should she tolerate me?

The silence lasted for a long time and Russ urged cautiously, “Edie?”

Edie’s calm voice pierced my heart like a knife. “The background of the Hoffman Family is one of the best in Asobert and it has helped my career a lot over the years…”

I covered my chest tightly and tears could no longer be controlled. So that was it. For so many years, she had always been interested in the Hoffman family, not me.

In a trance, I remembered that year when my grandfather had a sudden heart attack; it was Edie’s bold surgical plan that saved his life.

I fell in love with this young and promising doctor with superb medical skills at first sight. I just gave her a banner to express my gratitude, but I didn’t expect her to start pursuing me crazily.

She never took the initiative to ask for help from the Hoffman family and those secret operations were arranged by me without telling her. How ridiculous, I was still worried that she would refuse to accept it after knowing it.

The kitchen door was pushed open. Edie was obviously startled when she saw me and then frowned. “You cry like this for making soup? Get out, it’s annoying to watch!”

I stood up and staggered toward the bedroom despite the dizziness.

The moment I pushed the door open, a chill instantly climbed up my spine.

The bed sheet was changed to the black silk style that I hated the most.

The photo of me on the bedside table was replaced with a photo of a strange baby.

In the closet, there was not a single piece of my clothes left.

Edie’s voice came from behind. “The guest room is too small. It’s inconvenient for Russ to take care of me. He needs to live in the master bedroom now.”

Russ added timidly, “Lionel, you shouldn’t mind, right? Don’t worry, I’ll…”

“Oh.” I interrupted him directly, “Where are my things?”

Edie looked away. “I asked the servants to move them to the utility room. The nearest guest room will be converted into a baby room. You can choose a guest room to live in.”

I was silent for a while and nodded. “Okay.”

In the utility room, my high-end suit was thrown on the ground casually and my watch accessories were scattered in the dirty corners, like garbage that no one wanted.

I took a deep breath and looked at Russ, who followed me in, with sarcasm. “Are you so impatient? You can’t even wait for me to leave?”

A trace of embarrassment flashed across his face and then he changed to an innocent expression. “Lionel, what are you talking about? These were all cleaned up by Edie’s servants. I didn’t do anything.”

I sneered and pointed to the shoe prints on the high-end suit on the ground. “Did the servants do this too?”

“So what if it’s me?”

He suddenly lowered his voice, a vicious light flashed in his eyes, but he pretended to be afraid and retreated.

“Lionel, please let me go!”

After saying that, he suddenly screamed and pretended to fall backwards.

Edie rushed in and supported him.

Russ immediately hugged Edie and sobbed, “Edie, I didn’t do anything. Why did Lionel push me... Fortunately, you came, otherwise I would…”

“I didn’t push him!” My throat tightened and I explained subconsciously.

Edie’s eyes were full of anger and she grabbed my hair and slammed my head against the wall.

“Do you think I will believe it? Russ is so kind that he would frame you? When did you become so vicious!”

Her hand strength was amazing and my eyes went black. I struggled desperately to squeeze out a few words.

“I really... didn’t…”

“Enough! I don’t want to hear your quibbling!” She laughed in anger and pushed me to the ground fiercely. “Go back to the Hoffman Family and be your eldest master! When you know you are wrong, come to see me again!”

I staggered to my feet and looked at her in disbelief.

At eleven o’clock in the evening, she actually wanted to drive me away?

I remembered that in the past, even if I just went out for a walk late at night, she would insist on accompanying me.

But now, she raised her chin high, not even giving me a glance.

My nose suddenly felt sour.

How many times had she gotten angry with me today for Russ?

No matter what I said or did, it was wrong in her eyes.

And today should have been the day we got our marriage certificate.

I closed my eyes, didn’t even take my clothes and fled this suffocating place without looking back.

***

As soon as I got back to the Hoffman Family’s house, my phone vibrated.

It was a video sent by Russ.

I knew I shouldn’t click it, but my fingers pressed the play button uncontrollably.

In the picture, Edie was lying in Russ’s arms and Russ gently kissed her earlobe.

She closed her eyes, her face full of enjoyment and tenderness, but her voice was a little regretful.

“Russ, if I had met you earlier, I would not be with Lionel. You are so talented in medicine, pure and motivated. And what about him? He relies on the background of the Hoffman Family to do whatever he wants and does nothing all day long. The Meyer Family has been practicing medicine for generations. If I really marry him, my reputation will be ruined sooner or later.”

Every word was like a poisoned needle, accurately piercing my most vulnerable part.

Relying on the family’s relationship in the medical field, Russ easily became her personal disciple and was recognized as her friend.

This was what she called “talented”.

And I gave up the family resources, started from the grassroots and climbed step by step to the position of Hoffman Group’s investment director.

In her eyes, it became “not doing my job”.

It turned out that in her heart, I had never been good for anything.

How could she really like me?

I put down my phone and my tears soaked the pillow.

I tossed and turned all night.

Just after dawn, Naomi called.

“Hubby, did you sleep well?”

Her voice was filled with undisguised joy.

“I just landed in Qille. I was so excited that I couldn’t sleep for more than ten hours on the plane. I can’t believe I’m really marrying you.”

Her tone suddenly softened. “Hubby, I’ve started to miss you. Do you miss me?”

Hubby?

This title made me sober instantly.

Then I remembered that I had obtained a marriage certificate with Naomi in a fit of anger yesterday.

“Hubby? Why don’t you say anything? Do you... regret it?”

Her voice was filled with a thousand points of grievance.

“No,” I answered softly.

I grew up with Naomi. Although I was not sure if she really loved me, at least I knew her inside and out.

The Shepard Family was well-matched and was indeed a suitable marriage partner.

The person on the other end of the phone was obviously relieved and regained her energy.

“I will be back tomorrow! Let’s go choose a wedding ring! Although the marriage certificate is in a hurry, none of the ceremonies, such as the proposal and the wedding, can be missed! Just follow me with peace of mind, be a groom and leave the rest to me.”

I couldn’t help but chuckle and agreed to her arrangement.

This was Naomi.

Beside her, she would arrange everything and I only needed to follow.

And Edie...

I always remembered her hurried back and I even took the initiative to bring up the marriage certificate.

At that time, she frowned and said, “It’s only five years. Isn’t it too early to get married?”

The difference between love and not love was so clear.

For a whole day, there was no news from Edie.

Instead, her mother couldn’t wait to call me, her tone full of superiority.

“You know everything about Edie and Russ, right? Now that Edie is pregnant with the eldest grandson of the Moore family, we will never let her down and will definitely let Russ marry her. Fortunately, Edie didn’t get the marriage certificate with you yesterday. This is God’s will!”

She continued, “I have long said that you two are not suitable. The Hoffman Family has been doing business for three generations and our Meyer Family has been practicing medicine for generations. The family backgrounds are not compatible at all, don’t you think?”

I sneered, “Auntie, Edie and I have broken up. If you don’t have business in the future, please don’t contact me again.”

The other end of the phone was obviously stunned, probably not expecting that I, who had always been gentle, would reply like this.

She was about to get angry and I decisively hung up the phone.

She called several more times immediately.

I blacklisted her without hesitation and then blocked all contact information of Edie.

I deleted all photos with her and the five-year love also dissipated.

The next day, when I was choosing a wedding ring in a jewelry store, I unexpectedly met Edie and Russ.

She was enthusiastically customizing a set of expensive jewelry and also customized a longevity lock for her unborn child.

Seeing me trying on the ring, Edie’s face suddenly darkened.

“Lionel! I asked you to go home and reflect on yourself, but you came to buy a wedding ring? Do you think I will still marry you with such an attitude?”

She grabbed my hand roughly, took off the ring and returned it to the clerk.

“We don’t buy the ring, thank you.”

The edge of the diamond cut my finger and blood immediately gushed out.

The clerk hurriedly wanted to treat the wound for me, but Edie stopped him coldly.

“It’s just a minor injury, don’t bother.”

I ignored her. After wiping off the blood, I said to the clerk, “Please help me change the ring.”

Edie grabbed my wrist and roared, “Didn’t I make it clear enough? You are not allowed to buy a ring today!”

Customers around me began to whisper, “The handsome guy holding her hand is her husband, right? This mistress is quite arrogant. He dared to come to choose a wedding ring openly.”

“How shameless. He wants a name after being a mistress. Isn’t he being bullied by a woman?”

Seeing this, Russ pretended to persuade, “Lionel, stop making trouble. I feel embarrassed when so many people are looking at me. Otherwise, I will give you the ring that Edie just bought for me. See if you like it?”

The clerk also advised, “Sir, why don’t you buy it today... If you make trouble like this, our store will not be able to do business at all.”

Edie’s hand tightened more and more and it seemed that she was about to drag me away by force.

I struggled to break free.

“Edie, what does my wedding ring purchase have to do with you? Please stop interfering!”

“It’s none of my business? Okay, I officially announce the cancellation of the engagement and you never have to buy a wedding ring again!”

After that, she pushed me hard.

Just as I staggered and was about to fall, a pair of hands held me firmly.

Naomi’s voice rang in my ears. “Husband, I’m late.”