Chapter 4

Declan frowned, rubbing his temples in frustration. "It's just a ring. Name your price."

I slapped the table, anger practically boiling over. "That's my grandma's keepsake. It's priceless!"

Suddenly, Tommy sprang up and bit down hard on my hand. Pain shot through me so fast that I couldn't stop myself from crying out.

"Tommy, are you alright?"

Declan swooped in and scooped Tommy into his arms, glaring at me like I was some kind of monster waiting to hurt his kid.

His eyes were wide with fury, like he wanted to burn me alive right then and there.

Tommy was everything to Declan and Susan—he guarded that boy like nothing else in the world even mattered.

"Why can't you just let Tommy have his way for once? Your grandma's been dead for ages. Does it even matter anymore?" Declan said, his tone full of annoyance.

My chest tightened so hard that it felt like I could barely breathe. I let out a broken laugh and shot back, "Well, if you're not going to give it, I'll just take it myself."

Ignoring the pain in my hand, I lunged at Tommy like a madwoman, grabbing for the ring hanging on his chest.

Suddenly, Declan slammed his foot into my right leg, sending me sprawling sideways.

I crashed against the stone bench, everything went dark for a split second—then my vision was nothing but red.

"Why are you losing it over some dead person's junk? Bringing nothing but bad luck," Declan sneered, full of contempt.

He spat hard on the ground, then flung something cold and heavy right at my face.

"Get out of here tomorrow." His voice was icy and final.

I grabbed that ring in a panic, completely ignoring the pain in my hand, tears streaming down my face. Then I laughed at myself.

At the crack of dawn, I slapped some bandages on my wounds, not even bothering to make them neat, then started tossing my stuff into a battered old suitcase.

When I got back from the factory, Declan was lounging on the couch, skimming the newspaper.

I limped over with my crutch, nudged the flower pot aside, and he didn't even glance up—didn't lift a finger to help me.

I handed him the seven-year-old contract. "Sign it."

He barely looked at it, annoyance written all over his face. "What's this?"

"The promise from seven years ago. Time's up. We both need to honor it," I said, keeping my voice cool and steady.

The room went dead silent.

Declan snatched the contract out of my hands, skimmed it, then let out a sharp, scornful laugh. "Mary, my parents fed you, clothed you, raised you from nothing, and now, after just a few years, you're done here?

"You really think this counts as gratitude? What a joke. All they did was raise an ungrateful brat."

Just hearing him mention his parents made my heart clench.

I swallowed the ache and kept going. "Your parents gave me more than I could ever repay. I won't ever forget it.

"I've tried my best these years to pay it all back. Sure, nothing I did could measure up to the kindness they showed me, but at least I did my best to take care of you and your son."

Declan jumped up, looming over me so close that I could feel his breath. "Mary, you owe me. No matter how long you live, that debt's never getting paid off.

"Even if you go to Redfield Community, remember, it's because I put you there. Don't even think about running away on your own."

He tore the contract to bits without blinking, that cold, superior smirk plastered on his face.

"Forget about escaping from me," he spat. "You're not going anywhere."

Right as we were locked in a tense standoff, someone outside yelled loud enough to shake the house. "Mr. Rivers, the hospital just called and said Susan is awake!"

The news hit Declan like a thunderbolt—he snapped to attention instantly.

"Susan's awake?" he blurted out, voice buzzing with energy.

He shoved me out of the way and burst outside, where a noisy crowd was already gathering, everyone scrambling and yelling as they rushed off towards the hospital.

Suddenly, the whole place was empty—it was just me standing there.

Honestly, maybe that was better. Now I could slip away quietly, with no one watching.

Gripping my suitcase, I stepped outside and stole one last look at the yard where I'd spent so many years.

This place had seen all my worst memories. It was a cage that trapped me for half my life.

Turning away, I felt a calm I'd almost forgotten.

The sudden roar of a car engine snapped me out of my thoughts.

My eyes darted up in shock, and I couldn't believe what I was seeing—Tommy was sitting in the passenger seat, even though he was supposed to be heading to the hospital to see Susan.

Before I could react, the car lurched forward, barreling straight toward me.