Awaiting Love's Spring Blossoms

But now, I had far too much on my mind to waste more emotions on Mark. I glanced at the time, grabbed my things and headed to the mall to buy a new suitcase. After wandering around a bit, I picked out a pink one—the color Mom had always loved.

I suddenly heard a familiar voice while dragging the suitcase to prepare for the crematorium.

"Mark, my foot hurts so much…"

I looked up and saw Mark, with Chloe in his arms. He was gently rubbing her nose before lifting her up effortlessly, all under the curious gazes of bystanders.

I froze in place and suddenly, a memory hit me—the day I begged Mark to go with me to the hospital. Back then, he had been impatient just because of a single word of urgency, shoving me out of the car when I was still pleading. I had fallen, bloodied and in pain. I was unable to get up and wanted him to help me.

"You're not young anymore," he had said coldly, watching me struggle. "Stop pretending. No matter how pathetic you look, I'm not giving you a single penny."

"Chloe is waiting for me," he continued. "When you learn to be as well-behaved and understanding as her, you can ask me for things."

His harsh words and indifferent departure still stung, but now, watching him tenderly care for Chloe, it was like seeing two completely different people.

I clenched my teeth and tried to walk away, but Mark called out to me. He reluctantly set Chloe down.

"So, you're spying on me now?" he asked, his voice tinged with guilt. He then noticed the suitcase in my hand and sneered.

"You spend money like it's nothing. I never promised you a honeymoon trip. Why would someone like you need a suitcase anyway? You never leave the house. Always wasting money on nonsense."

Before I met Mark, I had loved to travel. I had explored half the country by myself. But after I met him, I spent all my money supporting his business ventures. Once his company became successful, he started taking Chloe on exciting trips while I was stuck at home, always in the kitchen.

I am so tired of living like this.

Ignoring his anger, I spoke coldly, "If I want to buy it, I can buy it. Your money is half mine."

I had invested half a million dollars in his business. Two hundred thousand of that had been my mother's savings, money she had put aside as my dowry. Eight years of my life were wasted. But now, I wanted that money back. I needed it to give my mother a proper farewell, to ensure her dignity in death.

"Rachel, you are so shameless," Mark spat, smashing a pendant for dispensing in my face. Then he grabbed Chloe's platinum bag, flaunting it in front of me. "Do you really think I am poor with this amount of money?"

"I am not stingy," he sneered. "You just don't deserve it!"

He raised his voice, drawing the attention of passersby. "There are so many things to do for the company. I will spend money on Chloe because she is worth it. She deserves my appreciation for her hard work. But you? You are useless. Always lazy, always causing trouble. You can't even handle the simplest things. All you know is to fight over jealousy and disgrace people!"

I pressed my hand to my forehead, feeling the warm trickle of blood from where the pendant had hit me.

My silence seemed to make Mark think I was once again backing down. He softened his tone.

"Fine, fine. You can buy it. Just stop playing the victim. I am not that bad and not short of money. I'm happy to spend it on the wedding. As long as you well-behave, I won't…"

But then, out of nowhere, Chloe burst into tears.