Chapter 5

"But I've already paid you back for the burial plot."

Ethan chuckled.

“But I am the buyer on the contract, and I have the right to decide who to bury with it.”

"Besides, if it weren't for me, your mother would have been buried in your old home in the countryside. It's only been this convenient for you to pay your respects to her these past few years. Don't be so ungrateful."

When my mother passed away, there were no more spaces available in this cemetery.

But I want to bury her closer so I can visit her more often.

Ethan told me to leave everything to him and to put my mind at ease.

I know it's not cheap here, and I don't want him to keep spending money.

I saved up my entire year's salary and bonuses and transferred them to him. He was still unhappy at the time, blaming me for being too calculating with my wife.

But now, he's calculating every single thing.

Vanessa stepped in to smooth things over:

"Claire, don't worry. Although there are no seats available right now, as long as you apply for a waiting list, there will be a seat sooner or later."

"I'll help you send your aunt's ashes to the storage facility."

She bent down and picked up the urn, and I was about to speak to stop her.

The next second, Vanessa's hand suddenly loosened.

The jar shattered instantly, scattering ashes all over the ground.

Vanessa feigned panic and stepped back:

"Sorry, I didn't mean to, the jar was too slippery, I lost my grip..."

But I could clearly see the provocation in her eyes.

And when he retreated, he deliberately stepped over his mother's ashes.

I couldn't take it anymore and rushed up to her, raising my hand angrily.

But before the slap could land on her face, Ethan grabbed my wrist and forcefully pushed me down.

His eyes were filled with rage:

"Claire, are you crazy? It's just a pile of ashes, you can just pick it up, why bother with that?"

"Vanessa already said she didn't do it on purpose, how have you become so unreasonable? This is not like her at all!"

Ethan took the money from his assistant and threw stacks of it at my face.

"I'll return the money for the cemetery plot to you."

"You're an adult, you should know that returning things to their rightful owner is only right and proper. Don't try to take advantage of others!"

I looked at the face I once loved so deeply.

Remembering his mother's passing, he personally took charge of the funeral arrangements and kept vigil throughout the night.

He said a son-in-law is like half a son, and he would love me well on behalf of his mother.

But now, everything seems so ironic.

"Alright, Ethan, stop wasting time here."

"I heard everyone's prepared a welcome party for me. Let's head to the company!"

The rough ground scraped off a layer of skin from my palm.

Blood dripped onto the ground

Ethan didn't even look at me, and left with Vanessa's hand.

I bought a new urn and carefully placed my mother's ashes inside.

After cancelling the hotel room reservation, I obtained a divorce agreement from a lawyer.

As I left the law firm, Vanessa popped up a friend request on WeChat.

I wanted to refuse, but my hand was hurting so badly that I accidentally clicked "accept".

Claire, you really have nothing to feel wronged about. After all, you were just a substitute for me. If I hadn't rejected Ethan's proposal and married someone else, he would never have married you.

The places he takes you to, the things he does with you, are all things we've done together before. And anything we haven't done, he won't do with you unless I allow it.

Even your miscarriage due to the car accident was deliberately arranged by him.

Immediately afterwards, she sent an audio message.

I nervously clicked on it, and heard her tearful sobs:

“Ethan, I haven’t even had a child with you yet, I can’t stand a substitute surpassing me.”

Ethan quickly replied: