You Walked Away When I Needed You Most

Mr. Linwood quickly sensed the danger—Ethan was becoming completely entangled in Sabrina’s web. Fearing his son would be ruined, he rushed to arrange our marriage.

At the time, I had just completed my PhD and had been offered a coveted position at the National Laboratory. But because of this sudden engagement, I gave it all up.

Over the next thirty years, I devoted myself—mind, body, and soul—to the Linwood family. I poured all my knowledge into the company’s pharmaceutical R&D, personally pushing Linwood Pharmaceuticals from a regional name in Bridgefield into one of the nation’s top three pharmaceutical giants.

And what did I get in return?

Illness from overwork. Betrayal. A fire that consumed me. Death without even a place to be buried.

To Ethan, our marriage was a shackle that tore him away from his precious Sabrina.

But to me—it was a sacrifice. A repayment of the debt I owed to the Linwood family for raising me.

And now, with everything I remember from my previous life, I have made up my mind.

I turned to face Ethan, who still looked at me like I had ruined his world. I walked calmly to the door, opened it, and said evenly:

"Since your heart was never in this, our engagement is void. You're free to go."

Ethan’s eyes widened in disbelief, as if the words had slapped him.

"You schemed for years just to become the young madam of the Linwood family," he accused. "Now that you're finally about to succeed, you're suddenly having a change of heart? Don't act so noble!"

I looked at the suspicion in his eyes and felt a familiar exhaustion wash over me.

In my past life, I had bent over backwards out of gratitude to the Linwood family. I had tolerated Ethan’s disdain, even his cruelty, like a loyal dog begging for scraps of affection.

But under Sabrina’s manipulative whispering, the entire elite circle in Bridgefield saw me as nothing more than an opportunistic orphan—someone who cozied up to the Lin couple in order to climb the social ladder by marrying a second-generation heir.

As long as Ethan’s heart remained with Sabrina, anything I said would sound like a lie.

I smiled bitterly and shook my head. “Say what you want. No matter how lowly you think I am, I always saw you as family. Even if we can’t be husband and wife, I have no desire to become your enemy.”

For a moment, Ethan faltered. His expression softened into something hesitant—something almost innocent. For the first time in years, I caught a fleeting glimpse of the boy who used to call me ‘sister’ and follow me everywhere.

“Fine,” he said slowly. “I’ll trust you… just this once.”

He quickly changed into casual clothes.

With my help, Ethan snuck out through the security net the Linwood family had set up around the estate. He disappeared into the night without a trace.

By the time Mr. Linwood found out, Ethan had already reunited with Sabrina—and the two had posted a video online, kissing in a hotel bed, proudly flaunting their reunion on Instagram Story.

Enraged, Mr. Linwood smashed his phone on the spot and had no choice but to announce the postponement of the wedding.

It wasn’t until the next day, just before noon, that Ethan returned.

He walked hand-in-hand with Sabrina, grinning smugly. His collar was deliberately loose, revealing hickeys all over his neck. The message was clear: the night had been passionate.

“Dad,” Ethan said shamelessly, “Sab and I love each other. The rice is cooked. Who knows—maybe your grandchild is already in her belly. Just give us your blessing!”

They acted like I wasn’t even in the room. Clinging to each other, whispering sweet nothings, flaunting their love like a trophy.

Mr. Linwood’s face was thunderous. “You’re blinded by obsession—throwing yourself into a pit of fire!”

But in the end, he could do nothing. He turned to Sabrina and warned, “Now that you're part of this family, you’d better behave. No more reckless scandals that embarrass us!”

Ethan, taking that as a green light, grinned from ear to ear.

Sabrina, ever bold, cast a sideways glance at me and sneered.

“Since Ethan and I are getting married, there’s no reason for you, an outsider, to stay in the Linwood family anymore.”

Her words caused both Mr. Linwood and Ethan to stiffen. Ethan frowned slightly and tugged her sleeve. “Sabrina, that’s enough.”

“What do you mean, enough?” she said, shaking him off. “Every time I see her face, I remember how she shamelessly tried to steal you away from me. It disgusts me!”

She turned to me with eyes full of scorn, lips curling into a malicious smile.

“Unless, of course, you want to crawl on your knees and bark like a dog—swear loyalty to the Linwood family forever. Maybe then I’ll throw you a bone and let you stay!”