Chapter 4
Maximo Myers strode forward, his grip like iron as he seized her chin, forcing her to meet his gaze. "Behind that pretty face lies such a deceitful heart."
"Arlette Myers, you truly deserve to be put in your place!"
Arlette’s voice was weak, drained of any hope. "I never hurt her."
"Why would Winnie risk her own safety just to set you up?"
"You couldn’t stand her from the start."
Maximo’s eyes were bloodshot, glinting with something unsaid. It was unclear whether he was anguished by Winnie’s plight or mourning the past they shared.
"You cozied up to me for wealth! You never loved me! It was always about the money! You wanted to prevent Winnie from claiming her share of the Myers’ assets!"
"Arlette, do you even have a soul?"
A tear slipped down his cheek. His gaze never left hers.
Arlette exhaled slowly, "If you’ve already made up your mind, why even ask me?"
Maximo took her words as an admission, and the fury he had tried to control erupted suddenly. He let go of her sharply, pulling out a check and throwing it in her face.
"This is for the pain Winnie supposedly caused you! You love money so much, you can stay by her side."
"Enjoy it!"
The edge of the paper scratched her skin, leaving a tiny spot of blood. Ignoring the pain, Arlette picked up the check, her thoughts consumed by whether her parents’ estate would be enough to cover the last payment.
Her cracked lips curled into a sad smile.
Tears stung her eyes, but a broken laugh escaped her throat.
It was enough.
It would cover the final payment.
"Happy with your money?"
"If you hadn’t hurt Winnie, the entire Myers fortune could’ve been yours! Our child would be running around by now!"
Arlette’s fingers paused, his words like salt in a wound. "You destroyed your own child, Maximo."
"Even wild animals protect their young," she whispered.
"Shut up!"
"A woman like you isn’t worthy!"
Maximo hollered, slamming the door as he left. The loud “bang” echoed through the room.
Arlette lay on the hospital bed, clutching the check, her mind wandering to the man who once loved her deeply. Silent tears flowed down her face.
It was over.
After that day, Maximo never returned, his absence permanent after their heated exchange. Arlette, knowing she was no longer his fiancée, didn’t expect his return.
She focused on her recovery and sorting out her parents' affairs.
By the third day, when she could walk again, only a single day remained before the deadline for the last installment. She requested her discharge from the hospital.
Dr. Warren Kennedy tried to convince her to stay but eventually called Maximo. As soon as "discharge" was mentioned, the sound of clinking coffee cups and Maximo’s distant voice echoed over the line.
"Who does she think she is? Let her leave on her own."
Dr. Kennedy quickly explained that Arlette still needed continuous heart monitoring and lung imaging to prevent potential complications.
"If untreated, it could be life-threatening."
There was a pause from Maximo’s end.
Arlette hurriedly spoke up, "Maximo, please let me go. I’m okay, nothing will happen to me."
"You think I’m worried about you?"
Maximo’s voice carried a hint of hidden resentment. "If you’re so eager to redeem yourself, I’ll allow it."
The call ended abruptly.
Feeling powerless, Dr. Kennedy finalized her discharge.
"Foolhardy," he muttered.
Arlette carefully stowed the check, rushing to meet the escape group. In Lark City, the Myers Corporation held immense sway, but luckily, the organization assisting her had support from powerful figures in the capital.
If she wanted a chance at life, she needed to pay the balance immediately. Only this group could help her slip out from under the Myers' control.
"Miss Myers, please be patient. We will craft a believable 'death' plan for you within three days."
"No one will question your departure."
Arlette felt a heavy weight lift off her shoulders. The tension that had been winding tight within her finally eased, and even the lingering aches seemed to vanish, her steps lightening.
On her way back to the Myers residence, a faint smile played on her lips.
After three months of autonomy, a once-promising graduate of the esteemed art academy had been reduced to washing dishes in a small diner. Later, she was forcibly taken back to the Myers estate by Maximo.
With unfounded allegations, the siblings had trampled on her dignity, freedom, and health.
But now, she was on the brink of liberation.