I Woke Up and the Dream Was Over

Amber cried out in pain, instantly drawing all of Jeremy's attention.

He turned to me, his voice cold. "Are you satisfied now?"

The entire household erupted into chaos as everyone rushed to support Amber, even urgently calling for a doctor. As they were leaving, Christine didn't forget to turn back and scream at me. "You cursed wretch!"

I stood in place until my legs went numb before finally making my way to the maid's room. The exhaustion, both physical and emotional, crushed me completely. I collapsed onto the narrow single bed and fell into a deep sleep.

I didn't know how much time passed before I was jolted awake by rough hands yanking me up.

Jeremy's eyes were bloodshot as he dragged me off the bed. "Maisie! How can you be so vicious?"

I wasn't even fully awake before his furious accusations came crashing down on me.

"You know Amber is weak now, and that she's allergic to almonds. Eating them could kill her. Yet, you deliberately had the pastry shop send her almond croissants. You're so spiteful. You could've killed her!"

I was stunned. Almond croissants? When had I ever ordered such a thing?

I laughed in exasperation. "If I really wanted her dead, would I use such an obvious method? Isn't that practically inviting myself to get caught?"

"If it wasn't you, then who? Your name is clearly written in the shop's records!" Jeremy roared, slamming an account book down in front of me. "Maisie, I'm disappointed in you."

Disappointed? If anyone had the right to be disappointed, it was me. Every time Amber was involved, he never hesitated, believing her without question and pushing all the blame onto me.

"Think whatever you want," I said flatly, no longer interested in arguing. "If you think I did it, then report it to the authorities."

With that, I shoved past him and walked straight out of that nauseating house. Then, I immediately sent word to Giselle.

Not long after, Christine stormed into my hotel room. "Maisie! How could I have given birth to such a malicious daughter? What has Amber ever done to you that you would try to kill her like this?"

I listened quietly until she finished screaming, then spoke calmly. "Mother, do you know? The first year after I was brought back into the Liddell family, I secretly hired a doctor to perform a DNA test. Because I couldn't believe that a mother could be so cold to a daughter she had lost for decades."

Christine's breath caught in her throat.

I continued, "The results confirmed that you are my biological mother. But I felt not even an ounce of joy. Because I finally understood that blood alone decides nothing. 20 years of favoritism had already seeped into your bones. In your heart, Amber is your only daughter."

"You're talking nonsense!" Christine snapped, though guilt flickered in her voice.

"Am I?" I didn't press further. I only said quietly, "Mother, this is the last time I'll call you that. From now on, you have only one daughter, and that's Amber. I will sever all ties with the Liddell family."

With that, I chased her out. I felt no sorrow, only a lightness I had never known before, like someone who had carried an unbearable burden for far too long and finally laid everything down.

Three days later, Giselle's reply arrived swiftly. Her letter was filled with excitement.

"Maisie, everything is ready! The embroidery workshop in Kingstown is up and running. The embroiderers and illustrators I recruited for you are all top-tier talents. Your land, shops, and funds have also been discreetly transferred under your name. Just say the word, and we can officially begin."

At the end of the letter, she added one more line, "But are you truly willing to let go? Of everything in Bergdorf, and Robert."

Willing?

I closed my eyes. The twisted expressions of the three of them by my bedside flashed through my mind. When they conspired against me, had they spared even a shred of reluctance?

Jeremy once said I was soft-hearted. I used to believe I would hesitate too.

I smiled, but my eyes were ice cold. Now, my desire to cut everything off had long surpassed any lingering attachment.

Jeremy thought he could toy with me as he pleased. Well, it was time I gave him a gift in return!