The Hayes family already had Sarah.
My mother told me they adopted her to comfort themselves after losing me.
But their favoritism showed me I was the
<
outsider.
When Peter had his accident, they dropped the pretense of fairness and ordered me to
marry him in Sarah’s place.
I refused. They threatened to withhold the
money for my foster mom’s treatment.
I agreed to the marriage and signed papers
cutting ties with the Hayes family.
On my wedding day, seeing Peter broken, my
anger faded.
Maybe it was my own past, but I felt sorry for
him, orphaned and injured. I tried to connect
with him.
With my care, he recovered in two years.
<
But his eyes still tired easily.
So I believed him when he asked for my
cornea.
He just wanted to use me and our baby.
I lost the baby. I lost any love I had for Peter.
My foster mom’s surgery was over. She was
in ICU.
The doctor handed me the bill. Her funds
were gone.
I looked at my four–digit bank balance. My
heart sank.
I asked Dr. Zhao to look after her and walked
out, phone in hand.
<
He stopped me. “It’s no use.”
“What?” I stared blankly.
His eyes softened with pity. “Your mother…
she might not make it. There’s no point
adding more money to her account.”
It was like a thunderclap. I couldn’t process it.
No point.
Patrick heard about my mom from the doctor.
After a long pause, he said: “They say she
has maybe seven days. That’s when Peter’s
surgery is scheduled. Stay until then. I’II
ensure your mother has the best care
possible for those seven days, and I’ll take
く
care of the arrangements afterward.”
A practical transaction. How could I refuse?
After I agreed, he was silent again.
“I’m sorry, but to guarantee Peter’s surgery
goes smoothly, I have to eliminate all risks.”
“I understand. No need to explain.”
He sent a car to take me home.
As soon as I walked in, I went on high alert.
Sarah was with Peter, so he wouldn’t be back
for a while. I could relax, just a little.
Then the front door was kicked open.
く
Peter’s voice echoed before he even stepped
inside: “Summer! Get your ass down here!”
He’d fired all the staff after Sarah complained
about them.
I was his maid now.
I unclenched my hands and went down, kneeling to change his shoes.
He stepped on my shoulder, forcing me to my
knees.
I obeyed. He smirked. “That’s it, good dog.
Talking to my uncle has consequences.”
He’d put broken glass under my knees. Sweat
dripped down my face, but I didn’t make a
sound
く
He seemed bored with my silence. He
stepped into the living room. “Get up. Take
care of me and I’ll give you a two–fifty raise.”
I was Mrs. Knight in name only. I hadn’t seen a dime.
But being his maid paid seven grand a month.
I used to cherish that money, for my foster
mom.
Now I just said, “Whatever.”
His face darkened. He grabbed my throat, a
cruel smile twisting his lips. “Still haven’t
learned your lesson, have you? Why can’t you
be more like your sister?”
Like Sarah? A bully? A backstabbing two
L
Like Sarah? A bully? A backstabbing two-
face? Someone who’d spread her legs for cash and power?
I scoffed. “I wouldn’t know where to begin.”
My hoarse voice and lack of resistance seemed to spark his interest.
He dropped me, watching me crumple to the floor.
“We’ll have some fun after my surgery. Enjoy these last few days of peace.”
His eyes were sharp. I looked away, silent.
My lack of reaction bored him again. He
kicked me and left.
<
I got up, treated my wounds, and said
goodbye to him in my heart.
I had two days of peace.
On the third night, Peter called me to the club.
The lights and noise were overwhelming.
Peter had his feet up on a table, Sarah draped across his lap. He gestured with his sunglasses toward a glass.
“Sarah wants to bury the hatchet. Drink this.”
He knew I couldn’t drink alcohol after the
miscarriage. He was just being cruel.
<
Sarah glared at me, snuggling closer to Peter.
“Honey, is she still mad at me?”
He frowned, tilted her chin up, and kissed her. “Smile. I like it when you smile.”
“You’re terrible!”
Their public display of affection meant
nothing to me.
“Last chance. Drink.”
Peter was losing his patience.
I stayed silent.
“Fine. You want it the hard way?”
He smirked and signaled to his guards.
<
The next moment, the bungee jump video
played on the big screens.
He’d even edited it for comedic effect. The
crowd roared with laughter.
Everyone stared. I was a clown in the
spotlight.
Peter watched me intently.
I felt nothing, just a vague appreciation for
the club’s sound system.
“Shut up!”
Peter exploded, kicking the table over. Glass
shattered.
fall
L
He stalked toward me, kicking shards of glass
out of his way.
“Summer Hayes!”
