Chapter 8
The next day, Edward and I drove to the police station to assist with the investigation. Inside, my mother was making a scene, crying and wailing.
“Kate, I can’t believe I raised you for all these years, only for you to send your own family to the police.”
I chuckled bitterly to myself. They’d never truly treated me as family, yet here they were, using that word to manipulate me–it was laughable.
Natalia, meanwhile, continued her snide remarks at the police station, full of sarcasm.
“Kate, are you satisfied now seeing me like this? Did you know all along that this worthless man was pretending to be a billionaire and deliberately kept it from me?”
I nearly laughed out loud.
“Natalia, dear sister, weren’t you the one who refused to believe me and even said I’d end up marrying a poor nobody? How is this my fault?”
“May you and your billionaire‘ live happily ever after.”
With that, I left, ignoring their angry curses behind me.
Since my parents hadn’t committed any crimes, they were allowed to go home after cooperating with the investigation. Natalia and Jack, however, each received a year in prison for defamation and theft.
I decided to pack up everything I had left at my parents‘ house. Since they only had eyes for Natalia, there was no reason for me to keep coming back.
On the day I went to move my belongings, my parents held onto me tightly, refusing to let go. My mother brought out a box of her treasured bird’s nest and tried to push it into my hands, but Edward stopped her.
He looked at me and asked, “Kate, do you want it?”
Seeing my mother’s desperate attempt to win me over, I shook my head.
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Chapter 8
“Mother–in–law, Kate said she doesn’t want it, so no need to insist,” Edward said calmly.
With tears streaming down her face, my mother cried, “Kate, how could you do this to us? Now that you’re living a good life, you’ve forgotten your father and me.”
“This bird’s nest is expensive; I hardly ever eat it myself, yet here you are, refusing it.”
Edward wasn’t having any of it.
AMO
Mother–in–law, if Kate wants bird’s nest, I’ll buy it for her. Keep yours for yourself.
“I’m still addressing you as ‘Mother–in–law‘ for now, but if you don’t let go, don’t blame me
for being rude.”
With that, Edward took my hand, and we headed toward the car. Just as I was about to
close the door, my father grabbed it, stopping me.
“Kate, you’re unbelievable! How could you treat your mother like this? Your life may be
good now, but Natalia is still in prison. Neighbors, come judge this situation for yourselves!”
Some neighbors, drawn by the commotion, came closer to watch.
Hearing my father’s words, my anger flared up.
“Enough! She brought it upon herself. You’ve favored her since we were children, and even
now, despite her mistakes, you’re blaming me.”
The neighbors murmured amongst themselves.
“I heard Kate’s married to a billionaire now–what an achievement. I always knew she’d
outshine Natalia, and look, Natalia’s still in jail.”
“I’ve known Kate since she was little. She was always destined for great things.”
Seeing the neighbors siding with me, my father couldn’t hold back, shouting, “This is my good daughter, who’s married a billionaire and now wants nothing to do with her real
parents!”
I stared at him in disbelief, and Edward couldn’t stay silent any longer, shouting, “Enough! You’ve never cared about Kate, and now you’re trying to latch onto her. Kate deserves
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A Losing Game of Love
$5.8%
Chapter 8
better than parents like you.”
The neighbors began speaking up for me.
“That’s right, Martin. We’ve been neighbors for decades. We all know how you’ve treated Kate; you’re not fooling anyone here.”
“Yeah, Martin, you two have no shame. This story is all over the internet, and now you’re trying to guilt–trip her?”
My father pulled out his phone, finding that the video of Natalia’s wedding fiasco had gone viral online. Embarrassed, he could only drag my mother away, heading home in defeat.
