Chapter 16
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Chapter 16
He hung up and immediately booked a high-end restaurant in Metropolis via his phone.
7 PM.
Mary stood at the restaurant entrance, hesitating for a long time.
She hadn’t wanted to come, but Ralph’s text held just one line:
“Mary, sign the property transfer documents while you’re here.”
She took a deep breath and pushed the door open.
Yet as she passed the VIP section by the window, her steps froze.
Her parents and brother sat around a table with a birthday cake.
Today was her brother’s birthday.
“Sis?
Y-you’re discharged?”
1 Her brother spotted her first, stunned for two seconds before springing up.
Kathleen’s smile vanished instantly, her voice tight: “Mary, when did you leave the hospital?
Ralph never told us! We heard he’s busy caring for you, so we didn’t invite you two. Waiter, bring another chair!”
Mary’s lips trembled into a smile.
Throughout her hospitalization, her family hadn’t visited once.
She said coldly, “Ralph and I are divorced. Do you really need that chair for me?”
“What?
Divorced!”
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Kathleen shot up, shrill: “Mary!
Have you lost your mind?
The Walkers’ fortune-you just throw it away?
Apologize to Mr. Walker now!
Beg him to remarry you!”
“You ungrateful girl!”
Jordan Thompson charged forward, hand raised-
Slap!
A stinging blow landed on Mary’s cheek.
Her face burned, ears ringing, as Jordan’s hysterical shout followed:
“Your brother’s getting married!
Without the Walkers’ support, how will he afford the wedding home?
The dowry?”
“You went silent to work as a war nurse-if you’d died, we’d be martyrs’ family!
Since
you survived, why not stay obediently with Ralph?!”
Mary cupped her face, then suddenly laughed.
Her
eyes turned icy: “My return serves one purpose-to cut ties with
“What?!
You dare cut ties?
Rebellious brat!”
As Jordan raised his hand again, an arm seized his wrist.
A frigid voice cut through from behind:
“Who gave you the right to touch what’s mine?”
you all!”
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Ralph appeared, impeccably suited, gaze terrifyingly sharp.
The Thompsons fell silent.
He shoved Jordan aside, pulling Mary behind him as he scanned the family.
Kathleen paled, forcing composure: “R-Ralph, it’s a misunderstanding-”
“Misunderstanding?”
Ralph had heard every word from afar!
He dialed his phone: “Terminate Kyle Thompson’s position. Submit his embezzlement evidence to the police.”
“Brother-in-law!
No!”
Mary’s brother panicked, pleading: “Dad hit her, not me!”
Brother-in-law, you can’t pin this on me! If you want to take it out on my sister, lock up our dad! He hit someone with his car last year and fled the scene!”
“Kyle, Kyle… how could you…..
“1
Jordan clutched his aching chest, breathless with rage at his son’s betrayal.
Kathleen immediately supported Jordan, rubbing his back while scolding Dorothy. “Ungrateful child! How utterly heartless! Look what you’ve done to your father! Beg Ralph to rescind his orders this instant!”
Jordan was clearly angered by Mary’s brother, yet Kathleen instinctively blamed her.
Mary indifferently looked away and fell silent.
Ralph completely lost patience. “Get out!”
The Thompsons finally fled in panic, leaving the dining room in silence.
Ralph turned and gently cradled Mary’s face. “Did it hurt?”
His fingertips traced her swollen check, eyes clouded with guilt. “I arrived too late.”
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Mary turned her face aside. “Don’t bother.”
She met his gaze calmly. “There’s nothing left between us.”
Ralph’s hand froze mid-air.
After a long pause, he laughed bitterly. “Unless you’re the judge sentencing me to death, as long as I breathe, nothing’s impossible.”
Unable to resist, Mary followed him to the private room upstairs.
Crystal chandeliers bathed the space in soft light.
Ralph pulled out a chair for Mary before sitting opposite her.
Servers promptly brought dishes-all Mary’s favorites.
“Eat something first.”
He ladled soup into her bowl. “You’ve grown thinner.”
Mary stared at the steaming bowl, lips trembling. “Ralph, why pretend? You know I’m worthless to you now.”
“No financial value. No reproductive value.”
Ralph leaned forward intently. “Mary, you’re my only true value.”
Suddenly, he opened a video on his phone.
Footage showed Ralph’s mother in a nursing home.
The wheelchair-bound woman slapped her caregiver, who retaliated by force-feeding her.
Ralph watched impassively, then swiped to another clip.
His sister Katherine Walker and nephew Donald Walker crammed into a dilapidated apartment. Donald yanked Katherine’s hair as she typed frantically, climbing onto her back until she shoved him off with furious screams….
All captured by Ralph’s private investigator.
He met Mary’s eyes heavily. “For years, they drained me like parasites. Layer upon layer of pressure choked me-until I transferred it all to you, seeking solace from your wounds.”
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“But Mary, I see my error now.”
“Whether they thrive or crumble, I wash my hands of them. Every second I wasted on those leeches, I’ll pour into us-into atoning, rebuilding, and fighting for our future.”
Snapping his fingers, Ralph signaled a server.
A flower-laden cart rolled in, bearing their wedding vows atop the blossoms.
Mary’s mind flashed to their tiny pre-marital apartment, where they’d drafted those promises by lamplight.
Ralph had caught Mary’s spelling mistake back then. Just as she was about to drink three glasses as penalty, he snatched them away, declaring all his wife’s drinks were his to handle.
Scenes flashed through her mind.
Mary’s eyes moistened as she choked out, “It’s too late. The pain I’ve endured these years can’t be undone. I’ve no heart to work on a relationship.”
