Chapter 10%
Even Mariah–who had once doted on Warren the most–pushed him away in disgust.
A flicker of resentment flashed in his eyes. Once again, he resorted to his old tricks, feigning pitiful weakness.
But this time, none of them–not Sherina, not Cherry, not even Mariah–fell for it. Their hearts had hardened.§
I didn’t recognize them at first, not until I caught Sherina staring blankly in my direction.
The moment our eyes met, I realized who they were.
I immediately looked away, and didn’t spare them another glance.
After the engagement, my father gave the three of them a generous sum of money. Yet they proudly refused, claiming they wanted to repay the Gray family for raising them all those years.
I simply laughed at that.
Over the years, they had burned through at least tens of millions from the Gray family.
Now that they’d left, with what means would they repay us?}
As the final burst of fireworks–worth millions–lit up the night sky, Meredith took my hand and led me down the wedding aisle. Cheers and blessings rang out all around us.
Among them, someone handed me an unsigned letter.§
The moment I saw the familiar handwriting, I knew who it was from.
Without a word, I tossed it to the ground and let the crowd trample over it.}
Meredith watched me the entire time, smiling faintly.
Near the end of the ceremony, she placed a document before me.§
“I willingly transfer all my assets to my husband, with no regrets.“>
The crowd gasped in disbelief. Even I stared at her, stunned.} Meredith’s smile didn’t falter. “Don’t you want to marry me?“}
I couldn’t find the words to respond.
Still holding my hand, Meredith calmly signed my name on the document herself.
“I swear, I’ll hold nothing back from the man I choose to spend my life with.“}
Everyone knew–Meredith meant every word.
After we were married, she insisted on continuing her rehabilitation. In time, her legs became no different from anyone else’s.
I once said we would wait a few years before having children.}
But Meredith broke through that barrier–proving with action that we didn’t need IVF.
Three years later, we had two children–a boy and a girl.>
We shattered the Gray family’s eighteen–generation “only–son” curse.
Dad told me that Sherina and the others had gone abroad after a failed business venture, drowning in debt.
Warren was hit by a car, both his legs were crushed. With no money for treatment, he returned to the countryside, where he married into a rough, domineering family. He was beaten daily and barely fed.”
On the other hand, the three of them still remembered my birthday every year, sending gifts from abroad–thoughtfully chosen, clearly with effort.
But I wasn’t moved, and remained indifferent.
Until the day I saw Meredith holding our children’s hands, walking toward me, bathed in sunlight.
That was when I threw those so–called “gifts” into the trash, and finally smiled.§
The people in front of me, they were my real happiness.
(The End)%
