My Mistake for Giving You My Remaining Years

“Sienny, after you leave the industry, your focus should be on supporting your husband and raising children. Being the daughter-in-law of the Scott Family is far more complicated than you might think,” Esther said with an air of authority.

“And as for Elena—you’re too softhearted. Keeping her around will only bring disaster to your marriage with Ethan.”

Elena didn’t wait to hear the rest. She turned and left quietly, her heart sinking. Esther and Sienna shared the same goal: to drive her away. They would stop at nothing to make it happen.

Her mind was a chaotic mess as she wandered aimlessly, eventually reaching the gates of the old estate. She tripped over something she couldn’t see and fell hard onto the ground.

Tears welled up in her eyes, blurring her vision, and through the haze, she saw Sienna standing before her.

“Still playing the pity card? Do you think this will let you stay by Ethan’s side forever? I’ve been meaning to ask—when are you planning to move out?” Sienna’s tone was sharp, her posture exuding the authority of someone who considered herself the rightful partner.

Elena felt suffocated. Sienna stood tall, lecturing her as if she were already Ethan’s legitimate wife. It was just one step away—soon, Sienna would officially claim that title.

Looking down at her scraped palms, Elena let out a faint laugh. “What if the Scott Family found out that on the day of the accident, it was you who tipped off the paparazzi? That you deliberately orchestrated the chaos to stage a car crash, almost costing Ethan his life? Do you think you’d still be able to marry him then?”

Sienna’s face froze for a moment, but she quickly recovered, letting out a chuckle. “You know quite a bit. Unfortunately, it won’t make any difference.”

The blaring sound of a car horn cut through the air.

A car came barreling toward them, out of control. In an instant, Sienna’s expression changed. She shouted, “Ellie, watch out—”

With all her strength, she pushed Elena aside, stepping directly into the car’s path.

Bam!

As Sienna was hit, Elena saw Ethan sprinting toward them, his eyes bloodshot with panic as he yelled for someone to call an ambulance.

He held Sienna tightly in his arms as he carried her away, not sparing Elena even a glance.

Elena’s initial fear and shock gradually gave way to bitter self-mockery. So this was how it was—no matter how much fondness Ethan might have shown her, the most important person in his heart was still Sienna.

The contract had only promised that she could win Ethan’s affection. It had never guaranteed that he wouldn’t marry Sienna.

In the cold, sterile hallway of the hospital, Elena curled up on a bench, waiting outside the room.

Though Sienna had taken a hard fall, the car had braked just in time. She wasn’t seriously injured, only shaken from the experience.

The incident at the gates of the Scott Family estate left the entire family furious.

Esther stormed into the hospital, her anger blazing. Without warning, she slapped Elena hard across the face.

“It’s because she was trying to save you that Sienny ended up in danger! How many lives do you think you have to trade for her peace of mind?”

Elena was stunned by the slap, unable to react. When Esther raised her hand for a second strike, Ethan arrived just in time to stop her.

“Ellie is a victim too! How can you treat a child who’s just been through such a scare like this?” Ethan said firmly.

“Child? Ethan, take a good look. Do you really think she’s the kind of well-behaved child you imagine? What kind of ‘good child’ would harbor such filthy thoughts toward someone twelve years her senior?”

Boom!

Elena’s mind went blank, as if it had exploded. Each word from Esther was like a sharp slap to her face, cutting deeper and deeper.

Ethan drove the dazed Elena home in silence. When they arrived, she remained motionless, lost in her thoughts.

He gently took her hand, startled by how cold her palm felt.

“Ellie, we’re home. Don’t be afraid—I’m here,” he said softly.

Her tears, held back for so long, finally broke free, spilling down her cheeks uncontrollably.

“Ethan, is liking someone really so filthy?” she asked, her voice trembling.

Ethan had once accused her of being filthy too, telling her to leave if she ever had such thoughts again. It was the first time he’d spoken so harshly to her, shattering the confidence she’d always had in her feelings.

It was just an age gap. She had never thought that something as simple and pure as liking someone could be considered so shameful.