Chapter 6

Forever in Love? I stared at the drone hovering in the sky, lost in thought. Hale stepped in front of me. "Lyanne, yesterday was my fault," he said softly, his voice tender beneath the glow of neon lights. "But you have to believe me. Even if Mona was the one who saved me, the person I love is still you. So, there's no need for you to lie."

A sudden urge to cry welled up inside me—not from being moved, but because of what he said. How could he, after bullying me over and over again with my parents and sister, still claim to love me?

"What's wrong?" Hale asked when I remained silent. He reached out, his slender fingers pinching my cheek gently. "You're so thin. Why don't you eat a little more?"

I looked at him. "Seven years in prison... surviving was hard enough. Do you really think I could have managed to put on weight?"

Hale met my gaze and shuddered, as if only now remembering it was his hand that sent me to prison. Before he could say anything, the door of the Phantom parked nearby opened, and a familiar voice called out. "Hale, Lyanne, don't just stand outside—it's cold out here." It was Mona.

My heart sank further. Hale explained, "Mona insisted on coming with me to see you. She wanted to thank you for being so gracious, for letting me marry her. Come on, let me take you back." He grabbed my hand and led me into the car.

Inside the car, Mona glanced at my worn-out clothes as I climbed in. Her voice carried a tinge of pity. "Lyanne, don't Mom and Dad transfer money to you every time? I heard from Chloe that you're still working at a restaurant. That's not good. If people see, they might think Mom and Dad are biased and don't treat you well."

She removed a bracelet from her wrist and held it out to me. "Lyanne, if you're short on money and feel embarrassed to ask Mom and Dad, just tell me. This bracelet was a birthday gift from Mom—it cost over three million. It should be enough to help you for a while."

Three million... I looked at the luxurious bracelet she offered, a bitter smile forming in my heart. A single gift worth three million. I couldn't help but remember when I was in high school, needing three thousand for tuition. I went to my mom for help, and she said, "Do I owe you anything? You should be grateful I gave birth to you. Why are you always asking me for money?"

From that moment on, I never asked my family for another cent. As for what Mona claimed about the finances transferring money to me, that simply wasn't true.

"They've always been biased. Just look at what you're wearing and compare it to me," I said, pushing away the bracelet she was offering. "Don't play this game with me. I'm not fifteen anymore—I won't fall for it."

When I was fifteen and first joined the Miller family, I wanted to get along with Mona. But time and time again, she framed me. Every bad thing she did was pinned on me, and by the time I realized, it was too late.

Tears as big as pearls rolled down Mona's cheeks. Hale immediately moved to shield her. "Lyanne, Mona meant well. Even if you don't want the bracelet, there's no need to say such harsh things."

This was the man who claimed I was the one he loved most. Yet every time Mona and I clashed, he always took her side.

"Hale," I said, enunciating each word, "does being poor mean I have to accept charity? Does it mean I have to be endlessly grateful?" Even I have my dignity.