Chapter 2 Then Let Her Die

Brynn drew in a long breath, steadied the ache inside her chest, and shifted her gaze toward the window.

Warm sunlight flooded the city below, and the roads pulsed with steady movement.

A memory surfaced of how the now-renowned B&R Law Firm had once occupied nothing more than a cramped little office.

During that time, she sold her only house so Richard could afford the rent.

Now, he owned the entire floor.

She recalled that the day they chose this office had also been bright with sunshine.

"Why don't we call the firm B&R?" Brynn had suggested.

"It makes no difference to me," Richard had answered with a blank expression. "You can name it."

Brynn had leapt into his arms in excitement, only for him to push her away without hesitation. "I don't enjoy being hugged," he had said.

Still, Brynn had laughed as though nothing was wrong. "But I want to hug you."

She once carried dreams far too big for her own shoulders and told Richard she would help him become the finest lawyer in town. He claimed the title didn't matter to him and insisted that her happiness meant more.

She fulfilled her promise. But every word he spoke had been nothing but a lie.

......

Brynn owned so many personal items at the firm that she needed quite a long time to gather everything into boxes.

Throughout the years from the firm's creation until now, she has stood behind Richard, organizing plans and managing every detail.

Even though Richard's name sat on the ownership papers, the company carried her sweat and effort as well.

The employees quietly watched Brynn pack but traded confused looks among themselves. None dared ask questions.

Everyone clearly knew what had happened at the wedding.

Still, Richard was their employer, and no one would risk gossiping unless they wanted trouble.

Right when Brynn taped up the final box and reached for her phone to call a moving service, it started ringing.

The caller ID showed Richard's mother, Michelle Yates.

Brynn answered and pressed her lips together.

"Hello, is this Miss Morgan?" Michelle's housekeeper spoke anxiously. "Mr. Yates isn't responding to his phone. His mother suddenly became ill and was taken to the hospital. Can you come right away?"

"Alright, I'll go now," Brynn replied without hesitation.

When Brynn arrived at the hospital, she saw Michelle sitting upright on the bed, eating an apple the housekeeper had just peeled for her.

Brynn stepped into the room, and Michelle's pale features tightened with a mix of worry and irritation. She immediately lashed out, asking, "What's wrong with you and Richard? How could you treat something as important as a wedding so carelessly? Canceling it on the very day-do you realize the scandal it will create?"

Sweat gathered along Brynn's brow. Watching Michelle muster enough force to scold her made it clear the older woman wasn't gravely ill, only overwhelmed by anger over the ruined ceremony.

"Michelle, please try not to let this upset you," Brynn said gently.

"How am I supposed to stay calm?" Michelle snapped, her frown deepening as her breathing turned uneven. "We both know Richard is stubborn and unpredictable. Why didn't you talk sense into him? Why allow him to act so recklessly?"

Brynn steadied herself and spoke with care. "Rena jumped from a building earlier today."

Michelle's eyes widened. "What did you say? Is Rena safe?"

"She's alright. Richard already brought her to the hospital," Brynn said.

Michelle pressed a hand to her chest, relieved. "You nearly frightened me. Thank goodness nothing happened to her."

Once she understood the situation, she gradually settled down and urged Brynn to clean up the fallout from the canceled wedding so Richard wouldn't face more difficulties.

After speaking for quite a while, her weakened body ran out of strength, and she drifted into sleep.

"Miss Morgan, thank you for coming. I'll manage things here, so you may return to your work," the housekeeper said in a timid, apologetic tone.

Brynn looked toward Michelle, who was already asleep in the bed, and replied, "From now on, please don't call me about anything concerning Michelle. I-"

Before she could finish, the housekeeper rushed to explain again, "Miss Morgan, please don't be upset. Mrs. Yates didn't mean those harsh words. She speaks bluntly. She helped raise Miss Davis, so her affection leans toward her. But she truly likes you as well..."

Brynn gave a faint, aching smile. Even the housekeeper recognized Michelle's preference for Rena.

"I'm not upset with her. Richard and I are no longer together, and his affairs have nothing to do with me anymore. If anything comes up about her, contact Richard," she said calmly.

After saying that, she turned away without acknowledging the housekeeper's startled look.

When she walked out of the hospital room and lifted her eyes, she noticed Richard and Rena standing a short distance away.

Brynn held Richard's gaze. Every time she looked at him, she found no flaw in his striking features.

That was the truth. If he hadn't been so impossibly handsome, she would never have fallen for him so completely.

"Why aren't you dealing with the fallout from the canceled wedding? People keep calling me instead," Richard said, his brows drawn together.

Brynn felt a sharp ache in her chest when she heard his words, understanding at last that he had never cared for her. He only needed someone to tidy up whatever chaos he left behind. Naively, she had persuaded herself for years that these moments meant affection.

Even so, they had created memories that once felt bright. Every one of them had been precious to her, giving her the courage to keep going through disappointment after disappointment.

But clarity finally told her that it was time to let go.

"Brynn, I'm really sorry I ruined your wedding today. Truly, I apologize," Rena said, her sweetness artificial as she clung to Richard's arm. Her voice turned gentle again. "Richard, look, I already apologized. You won't stay angry with me, right?"

"Alright," Richard responded with no trace of emotion before giving a small nod.

Rena's expression brightened with satisfaction, and she shot Brynn a proud, taunting look.

Brynn met Rena's gaze with cold indifference. These little performances were tricks Rena relied on far too often.

In earlier years, Brynn would have confronted Rena directly.

Now she simply lacked the desire to fight.

She shifted her attention away and said in an even tone, "I'm heading back to the company to finish packing."

As she stepped past him, Richard caught her wrist.

She turned around and met the depth in his gaze.

"I need to discuss-" Richard started to say.

Before the words were complete, Rena suddenly sagged into him, her body slack.

Richard reacted instantly and held her upright. "What's happening?"

"I'm getting lightheaded. Maybe it's because I haven't had a blood transfusion in so long..." Rena whispered faintly.

Hearing the phrase "blood transfusion" made Brynn tense without meaning to.

Rena lived with a congenital blood condition that required regular transfusions. Her blood type was extremely rare. And Brynn shared that same rare type.

Back when Brynn was innocent and trusting, she agreed to donate blood, believing Rena was merely Richard's cousin.

Later on, she continued doing it because she thought it would make Richard smile.

In those early days, she had been foolish enough to believe that anyone important to Richard deserved her devotion as well. She eventually lost track of how many times she donated blood for Rena.

Richard turned toward her without hesitation. "Brynn, prepare for another transfusion. Rena will need it soon."

At that point, Brynn nearly let out a bitter laugh. It almost seemed as though Richard wanted both a caretaker for himself and a walking blood supply for Rena.

"I'm not doing it," she answered with absolute resolve.

Richard's brows tightened. "Her condition is dangerous. Without a transfusion, she might not survive."

"Then let her die," Brynn replied calmly.