Chapter 5

Sophia's POV

When I woke up, I stared at the white ceiling of the hospital room, feeling somewhat dazed.

As if I'd had a dream.

I forced myself up. Pain from my lower abdomen and wounds all over my body cruelly reminded me.

The person closest to me in this world was also gone.

My eyes were dry. I'd cried all my tears.

"You're awake. Drink some water first."

Ethan pushed open the door holding a glass of water. There were faint dark circles under his eyes.

"You've been asleep for three days. Drink some water first."

I ignored his outstretched hand.

"Where's grandma?"

Ethan frowned and set the glass aside.

"It's too hot. Grandma has already been cremated. Her ashes are at home, waiting for you to go back and bury them."

My nose stung. I remembered before I got married, Grandma held my hand.

"You must be happy for a lifetime."

When I was born, my parents despised me and abandoned me on the street.

It was grandma passing by who couldn't bear it. She brought me home, raised me personally, and found every way possible to let me attend school.

Some people didn't understand. They mocked her, saying what good was it for a girl to study well? Better to marry someone rich.

But Grandma always told me from childhood.

"People can't rely on others for a lifetime. Knowledge belongs to you. No one can take it away."

I failed Grandma's expectations. I lost myself in this relationship.

I didn't even see the old woman one last time.

Ethan stepped forward and pulled me into his arms.

"Sophia, you still have me. I told you, I'll give you a family."

Give me a family?

It was my poor judgment that made me trust the wrong person, letting Ethan destroy my family!

Ethan moved his lips to say something, but was interrupted by his phone ringing in his pocket.

"Get someone over... yes, it's been too long... not good for the baby..."

The voice came in fragments, but I could still tell it was Lily acting cute with him.

Before, I would have been mad with jealousy, would have questioned him, gotten angry. But now my heart felt no ripple.

Ethan glanced at me beside him, then finally nodded in agreement.

"I know. Do it your way for now. I'll come back now."

After hanging up, Ethan stood, gently adjusting the blanket corner.

"Rest well. I'll come check on you later."

I closed my eyes, ignoring him.

Ethan stood in silence for a while, then finally turned and left.

My fingers curled. My hand gripping the clothes trembled slightly.

Ethan, I have nothing left.

I gritted my teeth and forced my body up. I took a cab home. I had to let grandma rest in peace.

Then I would find Ethan and divorce him.

When I reached the villa entrance, strange sounds came from inside. The air was filled with an odd smell.

My heart sank. A bad feeling washed over me.

When I opened the door, the scene before my eyes broke my heart!

The living room had been temporarily converted into a cold white memorial space.

White lilies surrounded the space. In the center stood a dark urn, with an enlarged photo beside it

It was grandma.

Then, a strange man grabbed the photo and tossed it into a metal tray. Flames shot up, swallowing the familiar face in an instant.

"No!"

I screamed and ran over, trying to reach into the fire to grab the photo.

"Stop Mrs. Pierce."

Ethan's calm voice came from nearby.

Bodyguards immediately stepped forward, holding me firmly outside, not letting me near the fire.

"Ethan!"

I lost it.

"Grandma is already dead! What more do you want?!"

Lily shrank back and clung to Ethan's arm. Her lips, painted with bright gloss, pouted slightly.

"Sophia, I just got pregnant with Mr. Pierce's child and now this happens. People say your grandmother's ghost will haunt me. We need to get rid of the bad energy."

"Absurd!"

I was so angry my lips trembled. I looked at Ethan.

In my memory, Ethan hated this kind of thing most.

The only exception was praying for their child.

I still remembered that day. Ethan was soaked through with rain, but the cross he took out from his coat was perfectly clean and dry.

"Sophia, the only exception is you."

But now, looking at Ethan less than five meters away, I blinked my dry eyes.

I was no longer that only exception.

Ethan stared at me steadily, his tone calm and cruel.

"Lily has been having nightmares and can't sleep. She just needs a ceremony."

He paused, then continued.

"Don't worry. Grandma's ashes have already been burned once. They won't burn away completely."

What does "won't burn away completely" mean?

I suddenly felt the man before me was terrifyingly unfamiliar.

That was my only relative, and the grandmother he promised to take care of for a lifetime.

"Mr. Pierce, time is almost up."

A man in ritual robes stepped forward from behind.

"The lingering anger won't go away. An evil spirit is clinging to her. Miss Lily is pregnant and weak. She's already been possessed."

Hearing this, Ethan withdrew his gaze and turned to look at them.

"Continue."

The man was heavily equipped. He took out a bag of white phosphorus from his pack and threw it expressionlessly into the urn.

"No! No! Grandma!"

My eyes turned completely red. I pushed through the crowd blocking me and rushed forward.

"Watch out!"

Before I could get close, the white phosphorus contacted the high temperature and suddenly ignited in the air.

The urn exploded. A small piece of porcelain flew past my cheek. White ashes were blown everywhere by the intense heat.

Through the hazy white dust, I saw Ethan holding Lily tightly in his arms.

He used his back to shield her.

I suddenly remembered when the lab had a chemical explosion before, he also held me in his arms like this.

Even if his back was burned, his first concern would be whether I was hurt.

Blood rushed to my head. Something sweet and metallic surged in my throat. I spat a mouthful of blood onto the ground.

Ethan, the price of loving you is too high.

I don't want to love you anymore.

I'll give you a gift you'll never forget.