Two days passed in a flash. The day Loretta was discharged, the Gladstone family coincidentally returned from their vacation.
But the moment they stepped back into their social circle, whispers had already spread.
"They didn't even visit her."
"Yet they still want the marriage to bring them benefits?" Everyone within the circle knew that Kevin had taken care of the families of his late wives. Even his dead francie family were not left out
"How cold…"
"Using her like that…"
The words followed them quietly. Polite smiles hid judgment.
Some were even bold enough to deliberately call Mrs. Gladstone and ask about Loretta's condition.
Mrs. Gladstone was furious, so she was forced to contact the hospital and found out about her discharge.
Yet the pressure built quickly. The Gladstone family's reputation mattered.
And so—No matter how tired they were, the Gladstone family drove straight to the hospital a few minutes after arriving home.
Loretta stood by the window in her hospital room, already dressed.
A small bag sat beside her. The nurse had helped her arrange everything. Now Kevin's bodyguard was finishing the discharge procedure.
Her mind was filled with the things she wanted to do once she was out of the hospital when the door was pushed open.
She turned around, thinking the bodyguard had returned and that they would leave, but she was shocked to see the Gladstone family of three. What surprised her more was that they seemed to have come straight to the hospital after returning from the vacation.
"Loretta," Mrs. Gladstone called softly.
That gentle tone sent a shiver through Loretta's heart. She wondered what this mother of hers wanted this time.
Loretta's fingers tightened slightly as she raised her face to meet her mother's.
Mrs. Gladstone was shocked to see the look on Loretta's face. It was calm and distant, like looking at a stranger. This was a version of her daughter that she was not used to.
The words she was about to say next stuck in her throat for a few moments.
Behind Mrs. Gladstone stood Mr. Gladstone and Isabella.
"How are you doing, dear?" Mr. Gladstone took the initiative to speak, seeing that his wife was just staring.
Loretta looked at him. She did not know how to answer that question. After all, after been hospitalized for so long this was the first time they were pending to care.
Mrs. Gladstone snapped out of her daze and stepped forward, her expression full of concern.
"I heard you were being discharged today," she said. "How are you feeling?"
Loretta said nothing. She continued to look at the family of three, wondering what they wanted.
An uncomfortable silence stretched.
Mrs. Gladstone's smile stiffened slightly.
Then she continued.
"I'm sorry I didn't come earlier," she said gently. "The trip had already been planned before you fell ill. And Isabella—" she glanced back, "—she was very shaken by everything that happened."
Isabella lowered her head at the right moment.
Perfect timing.
Loretta watched the performance quietly.
Then a small smile appeared on her lips.
"Oh," she said softly. "I understand." She wanted them to go straight to why they had come to see her. She did not believe that they had suddenly grown a conscience.
Mrs. Gladstone relaxed slightly, she stepped closer.
"Come back home with me," she said, her voice full of care. "Let mother take care of you."
Silence.
Loretta looked at the hand reaching toward her. Then she took a step back. The movement was small but clear.
Mrs. Gladstone's hand froze mid-air. She was secretly annoyed by Loretta's behavior, but thinking that they were in public and anyone could be listening in, she did not dare lose her temper.
"I know you are angry with me, but come home with Mum, okay? I will personally take care of you until you are fully recovered," she said.
Mrs. Gladstone knew her daughter had always wanted her attention. She hoped that by saying those words, she would move Loretta into coming back with them.
"I don't remember," Loretta said calmly. She could see clearly that her mother was putting on an act. "Having a mother."
The room went still.
Mr. Gladstone frowned slightly.
Isabella's head snapped up, "How can you say something like that. Would you not be breaking mum's heart?"
Loretta hearing this could not help but chuckle. This was the most hilarious joke she has heard. Mrs Gladstone herself already said she wish Loretta was not born how could her heart be broken by her words.
Mrs. Gladstone's expression cracked for a second, but hearing Isabella's words she put on a wrong look.
"Loretta," she said, her tone dropping slightly, "don't be childish."
Loretta let out an soft laugh.
"I almost died," she snapped, shocking everyone in the room, including herself. She had thought that nothing her mother said would hurt her again, but she really couldn't help it. "And the first thing you call me is childish?"
Her voice was not loud, but every word landed heavily.
Mrs. Gladstone's face tightened.
"You're misunderstanding—"
"No," Loretta cut in gently. "I understand very well."
"The severance letter," she said. "Did you forget?" she asked not wanting to continue talking to them.
Mrs. Gladstone's eyes flickered.
"I signed it," Loretta continued. "You signed it. He signed it." She nodded toward Mr. Gladstone.
Her gaze returned to her mother.
"From that moment, we became strangers."
Her voice remained calm.
"And now…" she tilted her head slightly, "Mrs. Gladstone must be in the wrong room. Your daughter is standing next to you."
Silence.
Mrs. Gladstone's lips pressed into a thin line. She did not want the news of the severance letter to spread. "You're still my daughter," she said.
Loretta smiled, but there was no warmth in it.
"No," she replied softly. "I stopped being your daughter the moment you decided I was worth less than her."
Her eyes shifted briefly to Isabella.
Isabella stiffened.
"I didn't—" Isabella started.
Loretta ignored her. She opened her mouth to speak, but her mother spoke first.
Mrs. Gladstone's patience began to crack. "Enough," she said. "People are already talking. Don't make this worse."
Ah.
Loretta nodded slowly, finally understanding why they had suddenly shown up. It was all for reputation.
"I see," she said. Touching her bag.
"I won't make it worse," she added.
Relief flashed across Mrs. Gladstone's face but before she could speak—
Loretta continued.
"I simply won't go with you."
The relief shattered.
"You—" Mrs. Gladstone's voice sharpened. "Do you want people to think we abandoned you?"
Loretta met her gaze. A quiet pause.
Then she asked, "Didn't you?"
The words fell lightly, but they hit hard.
Mrs. Gladstone went silent. For once, she had no answer.
Loretta turned around and face the window. She really could not look at this hypocrites anymore.
Mr. Gladstone stepped forward. "You were the one who asked for the severance letter. Your mum and I only agreed so that you would feel reassured," he tried to smooth things over.
Loretta turned and looked at him. She had never blamed him for all the hurt she suffered. After all, he was not her biological father and had only adopted her because of his marriage to her mother.
Loretta used to think that perhaps he was even ignorant of some of her mother's actions, but his statement confirmed one thing, he did not care for her one bit.
"You can leave now. Someone is already processing my discharge," she said.
The three of them looked at each other, but no one moved. Seeing this, she spoke again.
"Don't worry, I will still marry him." A pause "After all… that's the only thing you care about."
Seeing they were not leaving, she walked over to the bed and picked her bag. She did not want to continue staying in the same space as them.
She walked around them and left the room. The door closed behind her.
Leaving the three of them standing there
Speechless.