Suffer at the Brink of Death  Matthew could only hang his head, unable to argue.


    “You’re aman, and you can’t even protect your mother? She raised Mnie, and this is how she’s repaid? Mnie, Mnie... Is the whole Murphy family indebted to her?”  My words were bitter, but I just couldn’t keep quiet at a time like this.


    How did I ever fall for such an idiot? "Do you know how humiliated she has been her entire life? Her husband cheated on her right in front of her, keeping his mistress under the same roof. In the end, she had to raise that woman''s bastard child.”


    Iwas enraged, even yelling words I never thought I would say. My outburst surprised me. €? .


    “Now, this despicable Mnie, along with that woman who brought her a lifetime of shame, are ganging up on her. How could Grace not fall ill?” Matthew looked at me without saying anything back.


    "Ask Mnie why she insists on taking Grace to the hospital. Does ite from a sudden sense of duty to treat her right and save her life?" I red at Matthew.


    He remained silent, and I went on.


    “No, she doesn’t! She wants to abandon your mom in the hospital to fend for herself. Matthew, are you brain-dead? If she dies, you''ll never have a mom again.”


    [ grew angrier with every word, almost screaming, “Why do you even need to ask me about this? Get out, get out!” Matthew''s once-handsome face was now twisted in pain.


    “Chlo, please don’t be angry. I-1''ll do as Mom wishes, but she said she wants to see Ava!”  “I’ve never once stopped any of you from seeing Ava. But do you want to see her? You only want to use her as a bargaining chip. Even such a young child can see through it! Take a moment to reflect on what you''ve all done.”  I continued, “She’ll be back soon. I won’t stop them from seeing each other. You don’t need to be the one to remind me. Now go!”Exclusive content ? by N?(v)el/Dr/ama.Org.


    My chest was burning with anger as | sank into the couch.


    It felt like an eternity, but I finally heard the door close as he left. There was a lump in my throat as I sighed heavily.


    As came downstairs and sat beside me. He pulled me into his arms. “Don’t be upset. If you don’t want to see them, then don''t!" “I just feel so sorry for Grace. At the end of her days, she still has to endure such mistreatment," I sighed.


    “That’s her fate. They''re all in your past, aren’t they?” As’s words were calm, but they hit home.


    I leaned into his embrace, feeling the tension dissipate.


    The next day, I went to the office early,


    but I didn’t see Ryan. He had suddenly gone back to Monora with Joyce.


    Carol gave me a note he had left for me, with just the itinerary written, saying it would be a week.


    I wanted tough. Couldn’t he just call and say it?  Maybe Ryan was right. Perhaps he felt that there were things he couldn’t express over the phone.


    I wanted to give Ryan a chance, but our perspectives were ipatible. Maybe this was for the best. We could only find closure by not forcing things.


    I sighed and folded the note, but then I heard amotion outside the office door, and the voices became increasingly loud...