Chapter 5: Breaking Points

When I woke up, three days had passed.

The person by my bed looked up, eyes red. Hannah hovered near the window, worry etched across her face.

"Shannon, are you okay?"

Mark sat at my bedside, helping me drink some water. His hands were gentle, but his face was hard to read.

I looked into his eyes, my heart aching a little, but my face stayed blank. I sipped the water, the taste metallic.

Mark took out a handkerchief from his pocket, inside were fragments of the shattered ruby bracelet.

"Miss Lane said she wanted to give it back, but when you pushed her, the bracelet broke. You really went too far!"

I took the fragments, my fingers trembling. I touched my own wrist, missing the familiar weight of the bracelet, and for a moment I was back on my wedding day—my mother’s hands at my wrists, her words of blessing. My nose stung, tears filling my eyes as I sobbed quietly. The shards glittered in my palm, sharp as the pain in my chest.

Mark pressed his lips, told the staff to look after me, and left to rest. His footsteps faded down the hallway.

Hannah came in to take care of me. She set a warm mug of chamomile on the nightstand and smoothed my blanket.

"Ma’am, Mr. Harris personally cared for you these days, day and night. He’s been attentive!"

I lowered my head. Mark was probably guilty for not saving me and felt bad. I gave a bitter smile and put away the handkerchief. In my mind, I replayed the image of him cradling Dana, not me.

"Are all the staff contracts counted?"

"There are twelve left in the house after all these years, all loyal to your mother."

I nodded and coughed softly. My body still felt weak, but my resolve was harder than ever.

Not long after, Carter and Brooke came to see me. They tiptoed in, faces anxious.

"Mom, you finally woke up!"

"Mom, mom, I won’t argue with you anymore!"

I looked at the two kids, feeling lost, and smiled faintly, gently stroking their faces. Their cheeks were warm, but the bond felt threadbare.

Hannah understood my look.

"Carter, Brooke, go out. Your mom needs to rest."

That night, Mark came.

"Shannon, that day I jumped in to save Dana—everyone saw. I’ve decided to give her a title."

I sat on the bed, silent. The moonlight spilled in across the quilt.

Mark suddenly grew angry, his voice cold.

"Who are you giving attitude to lately? If you want to blame someone, blame yourself! Why did you touch the kids’ trust funds—what are you up to?"

I didn’t answer, looking at him coldly.

"So she won’t be a tutor anymore, right?"

Mark stood up.

"Right. From now on, you’ll call her your sister. Just don’t be jealous or treat her badly!"

I did some accounting with him.

"Since she’s going to be family, and I paid her double for tutoring, return half to me—just a few thousand dollars."

Mark stared at me, jaw clenched, silent fury in his eyes. After a moment, he had someone bring me a check. Tears stung my eyes, but I refused to let him see me cry.

"Fine! Shannon, I’ll ask the court for a decree—Dana will become my wife, equal to you!"

Mark left angrily.

I watched his retreating back for a long time, gripping the check, feeling like it was the only thing tethering me to reality.

"Hannah, take this check and go buy a nice house."