As soon as I walked into the ward, I knew—
she had already gathered the full ten million.
That long-lost ease and confidence of hers was something no one could fake.
A hint of urgency surged in my chest, but I kept my usual calm, as if nothing in the world could shake me.
Marielle sat beside my bed, affectionate as though she hadn’t owed me anything for the past twenty-plus years. She gently held my hand, asking about my injuries with concern. Then she took out a black card from her bag and solemnly offered it to me.
“Aria, what I promised you—your mother will do everything to fulfill it.”
Her voice was soft, even a little joyful. “Here is ten million. Take it, and we can put everything behind us. Don’t hold on to the past anymore, all right?”
A breath of relief escaped me instantly
