Chapter197
When I received my cancer diagnosis, I began planning for my mom’s future.
My brother, Remy, wouldn’t care for her.
So, instead of using the money for treatment, I gave it to Laura, hoping she could hire help when she was older.
She, however, saw my gesture as nothing more than a performance.
The party ended, and Remy wanted to leave, but Laura refused.
She was waiting for my monthly allowance: $10,000.
Her friends, overhearing this, tried calling me, but couldn’t get through.
Laura flew into a rage, flipping a table. “I told her to marry Antonio, and she resisted. Now she’s living comfortably and abandoning Remy and
me.”
Her words brought it all back.
She had forced me to marry Antonio, a murderer.
He had served time for killing his ex–girlfriend and ex–wife, but his wealthy family secured his release.
Laura was a paradox. She claimed to love me, yet I was always the one giving.
Remy always came first.
Then, Antonio arrived at the party.
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“Antonio, what are you doing here?” Laura asked, her eyes lighting up with anticipation of a gift.
“Grace said she wouldn’t give you your allowance. I thought that was wrong, so I brought it without her knowing.”
Laura embraced him. “I knew you were more family than she is.”
Antonio smiled warmly.
No one knew he had murdered me just hours earlier.
I looked at Laura and Remy, feeling nothing.
I had never been truly seen by them.
Antonio had proposed to Laura on my behalf.
To pay off Remy’s gambling debts, Laura had forced me into the marriage, threatening suicide.
She held a knife to her throat. “Grace, this is for your own good. Antonio is rich. You can be a housewife.”
I protested, “But he killed his ex–wife and ex–girlfriend.”
“People change. Antonio explained it was a misunderstanding. You know
I love you. I would never hurt you.” She sounded so sincere.
Tears welled in my eyes. I relented and married him.
He became abusive. We even ended up at the police station once.
Laura always blamed me.
She said all mothers loved their children and that everything she did was for my own good.
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Even when Antonio nearly killed me, she feigned ignorance.
Finally, I understood. Laura didn’t care about me; she resented my happiness.
She’d have been better off without me.
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Antonio, after taking a cheerful photo with Laura and Remy, departed.
As soon as they were in the car, they began counting the money, oblivious to the bloodstains on Antonio’s jacket.
Then it hit me.
Laura hadn’t wanted me at her party; she had wanted my money.
I followed Antonio home.
The crime scene was spotless. He bagged my medical record and medication. Then he found a diamond ring — my wedding gift from Laura.
She had claimed it was a family heirloom from my grandmother.
I had always treasured the ring as a symbol of her love.
How could she not love me?
Why would she give me such a pricey ring?
I reached for it, wanting to feel that love one last time.
But Antonio snatched it away and left.
I followed him to a pawn shop.
The employee said after examining the ring, “$10 at most.”
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Antonio was incredulous. “Impossible! My mother–in–law gave it to my wife. It’s valuable.”
The employee shook his head. “It’s not diamond. It’s plastic.”
Antonio accused him of lying.
The employee called the police.
Furious, Antonio lunged at him.
In the struggle, the ring was stepped on, the diamond shattering.
Antonio screamed for compensation.
The employee handed him $10. “Real diamonds don’t shatter that easily.”
It made sense. A real diamond wouldn’t break like that.
The ring was worthless.
I finally saw how cheap and gaudy it looked.
I recalled the day Laura gave it to me.
She had taken Remy shopping, buying him $300 sneakers.
Then she’d slipped the ring onto my finger.
I had been so thrilled, so moved by its supposed value. I had deemed it too precious to wear, storing it away in a box.
I covered my face.
How foolish I had been!
Laura’s love had always a counterfeit.
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