Her Final Payment: A Noose

As long as it was from Gregory, the good son-in-law she would someday have, Mom would be pleased. However, I knew that was history now.

I closed the box and handed it back to him. "If you ever get the chance, you can give it to her yourself."

Gregory frowned slightly. I had always made the choice he expected most, but my politeness now felt unfamiliar to him.

Unease flickered in his eyes as he grabbed my hand and squeezed gently. "Mrs. Jackman's condition—"

At that moment, Sophia appeared and looped her arm through his. "Greg, I want to stay in that room!"

She meant my room.

"That room is already occupied," Gregory replied, then immediately turned to explain to me. "She's a friend of mine. She's staying here temporarily because of work."

He stared at me, waiting for me to object.

I nodded without hesitation. "Let her have the room. I'm going to stay with Mom."

Gregory paused, and Sophia didn't give me a chance to change my mind. She charged into the room before I could stop her, and only then did Gregory notice the luggage in my hands.

He pressed his lips together, holding my hand tightly, with guilt written across his face. With Sophia urging him along, he finally said, "I'll visit Mrs. Jackman tomorrow."

…

With my luggage in hand, I returned to Mom's place to gather her belongings. However, the moment I stepped into her room, I couldn't hold back my tears.

Her room was large enough to hold many things, yet small enough to hold only the memories of Gregory and me.

Photos of the three of us hung on the walls. On the desk sat the small, cheap duck toys Gregory and I had given her. In the corner, the milk I had brought remained untouched, carefully set aside for us.

The bracelet Gregory had given her was polished to a shine and carefully stored in its box. Everything else—countless handmade trinkets, endless embroidery, and a small mountain of purses—belonged solely to her.

She had scrimped and saved to help Gregory pay his debts, all so I could have a happy future.

In a rush of grief and anger, I shredded the photos and smashed the toys. Still, I couldn't bring myself to destroy the photo of Mom holding our hands. I hid it at the bottom of the box, packed the rest, and returned to the office to complete the handover.

At the office, I found Sophia sitting in my chair. My coworkers watched silently, as if they were spectators to a showdown between us.

As I walked up, Sophia crossed her legs and tossed a check onto the desk. "Ten million dollars, and this spot is mine."

I calmly picked up the check and put it away. "Fine, I'll pack up."

Everyone assumed I had sold out for a trivial gain and shook their heads. I paid them no mind and quietly packed my things.

Just then, Gregory walked over and noticed me carrying my luggage. His face darkened as he asked, "Where are you going?"

"I—"

Before I could answer, Sophia jumped in. "I bought this spot."

Gregory frowned at me. I held up the check. "I accepted the money."

He froze, glancing at Sophia's triumphant smile. His face shadowed over, and the air around us grew heavy. He didn't say a word, as if he had given in.

Only after I was gone did Gregory push Sophia away. In front of everyone, he struck her across the face and snapped, "Don't you dare humiliate her again. Got it?"

After leaving the building, my phone buzzed nonstop with Gregory's messages.

"The specialists I hired are on their way to Mrs. Jackman's room."

"Tonight, we'll visit her together."

"I'm craving your cooking."

A smile tugged at my lips, but it carried a sharp edge of sorrow.

"Goodbye, Gregory."

I took all my luggage and headed for the airport. Just as I was about to board, his messages came pouring in.

"Hailey, the specialists are at the hospital. Why isn't Mrs. Jackman there?"

"Hailey, where did she go?"

"What happened to her?"