Let Go of Love and Hate

So this was Veronica’s revenge.

She always knew how to make others do her dirty work.

She knew my grandfather only cared about Linwood Holdings and the power it clung to.

Threatening the partnership was enough to turn him into her executioner.

The belt struck again and again until my skin split open.

Only then did Grandfather call Veronica—through a video chat—so she could inspect the results.

“Appreciate the effort, Mr. Linwood,” Veronica said casually, like she was rating a service.

“The Linwood disciplinary standards are truly… impressive.”

Her gaze slid to me—cold, sharp, unreadable.

“Michael Linwood, the fact you didn’t get locked up after the crash was already a mercy for the sake of both families.”

“As long as you swear to behave from now on—stop hurting Andrew—I’ll drop this. Agreed?”

She forgets this wasn’t the first time she’s seen him beat me like this.

The first time, years ago, she stepped in front of me.

Her face bloody as she screamed at my grandfather:

“If it’s resources you want, Grey Corporation can provide them.

But if you ever force Michael into a marriage again—if you touch a single hair on him—

I will erase Linwood Holdings from this city.”

How strange…

My body bleeds—

Yet it’s my heart that aches.

I dragged myself up, stared into the camera, and let my lips curl into a cruel mockery:

“Keep dreaming.”

Grandfather’s face drained. He seized a heavy glass ashtray and hurled it at my head.

“Veronica Grey just gave you a way out and you spit on it?! You want to ruin us all?!”

Blood blurred my vision—yet the moment I saw Veronica, any trace of surrender burned away.

Her face darkened.

Seeing Grandfather lift the ashtray again, she suddenly snapped:

“Enough!”

“This is your final warning, Michael. Don’t test me again.”

She hung up—almost like she was the one running away.

Once the partnership was secure, Grandfather lost interest in further punishment.

He ordered Aunt Wendy, our longtime housekeeper, to take me inside and treat my wounds.

As she dabbed my torn skin with ointment, she muttered fiercely:

“Mr. Linwood has no right… All these years, Grey Corporation only kept Linwood afloat because of the sacrifices you made. Outsiders don’t know—but he does. How dare he speak to you like that…”

My phone vibrated.

Andrew Clark had sent a message—

A photo of Veronica kneeling before him, tenderly washing his feet like a devoted saint.

His text:

“Still not giving up?

Vera only loves me.

Even if you try everything—she’ll never be yours.”

“Tell her the truth if you want—Linwood and Grey will destroy you.

In her heart, you will always be the murderer who stole her mother.”

Aunt Wendy burst out:

“Andrew is a thief! A fraud! He doesn’t deserve her kindness! Seven years—how long will you keep hurting like this? Tell Veronica everything!”

I shut the screen off and whispered:

“Aunt Wendy… I made her a promise.

So I’ll keep it.”

Everyone thinks Veronica and I are sworn enemies.

But nobody knows…

We used to be everything to each other.

After the crash, Veronica needed brain surgery.

The risk: partial or complete memory loss.

She refused—

So I kissed her again and again, whispering that everything would be okay.

The day patients were allowed visitors…

I ran to her room with fruit and homemade soup—excited like a fool—

Only to find her curled in Andrew Clark’s arms.

She hurled everything I brought at me—

Watching coldly as it shattered across the sterile hospital floor.