Chapter 7

I was utterly stunned, and it took me a long time to snap back to my senses.

After a while, my gaze focused, and I saw that the person in front of me was Thomas' grandmother, Olivia Murray.

Thomas looked just as stunned, his expression completely frozen.

He hurriedly reached out and grabbed Olivia's arm, trying to stop her.

"Grandma, what are you doing? Who told you to come here?" he blurted out.

Grace was right behind her, looking totally panicked and helpless.

"Thomas, I couldn't stop her. Olivia just wouldn't take no for an answer," she said nervously.

Olivia glared at me, her anger practically boiling over.

"She almost ruined the family bracelet that's supposed to go to my future granddaughter-in-law!

"So young and already messing with my grandson. She got off easy with just a slap!"

People passing by stopped in their tracks, hanging back just enough to watch the drama unfold and gossip among themselves.

The place erupted with noise, and for a while, all I could hear was a loud buzzing in my ears.

Growing up, due to a mild blood-clotting disorder, I couldn't afford to get hurt, not even a scratch.

When my brother was still around, he always had my back.

After he was gone, my dad never let anyone so much as touch me.

I had been taught since childhood to respect the elderly.

But my father and brother had also taught me from a young age that I could fight back no matter who bullied me.

My mind was torn between conflicting thoughts. In the end, my out‑of‑control emotions won out.

Thomas grabbed his grandma, shooting a quick look at my face, still burning from the slap, while everyone around us stared like we were the main event.

He was overwhelmed by embarrassment and guilt, and his voice wavered. "Nina, my grandmother is old and confused. I apologize to you on her behalf."

He glanced nervously at the crowd, waving his hand to get them to back off. "Alright, folks, show's over. Nothing to see here," he said, trying to sound calm.

My eyes were burning with rage, and I let out a cold, mocking laugh. "Really? Nothing to see?" I sneered.

Without hesitation, I stepped forward and landed a hard slap right across Olivia's face.

Olivia was held back by Thomas, unable to fight back or even step away.

She jolted like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, her whole body trembling with rage.

Her face turned bright red as she glared at Thomas and snapped, "Well, what are you waiting for? Grab her!

"Just as I thought, motherless brat! I'll teach her a lesson myself today!"

People all around were gasping in disbelief. "She looks at least seventy or eighty, that old lady. Getting slapped at her age, that's just crazy."

Thomas let go of Olivia and shot me a look, his brows furrowed.

"Nina, come on, I told you my grandma's just not in her right mind. She's still your elder. You really didn't have to hit her like that," he said, sounding helpless.

I stared at him.

I suddenly remembered the day we first got together. The heavy snow had just cleared.

He stood among the newly bloomed flowers. I looked at him, captivated by his sharp brows and bright eyes, unable to look away.

But now, as I looked at his face again, I realized I felt nothing at all. All I felt was disgust, and regret for wasting five years on someone who never deserved me.

I let out a bitter laugh. "So just because she's old and out of line, I'm supposed to just keep my cool and take it?"

Was I supposed to obey him quietly forever and put up with unfair treatment all the time?

So furious and worked up, Olivia started coughing violently.

"You little vixen! You've been seducing after my grandson for years!" she snapped.

Her face turned purple, like she was about to pass out.

But right then, I just couldn't take it anymore.

"Me? Seducing him?

"Who was the one who stopped my senior from pursuing me and blocked the guy who gave me flowers?

"Who was the one who dated me and promised to marry me?

"Who spent five years with me?

"Why don't you ask your so-called innocent grandson first?" I shot back.