Chapter 16

Bianca was struck dumb, rooted to the spot. It took her a long moment to process Yanny's words, a flicker of disbelief crossing her face. Since when had Yanny become so sharp-tongued?

Seeing that Bianca's face turned green with anger because of her words, Yanny couldn't help but laugh at herself inwardly.

If only she had found the courage to fight back like this from the beginning, she might have spared herself years of quiet suffering.

Without affording Bianca another glance, Yanny bypassed her, ascended the stairs to retrieve her belongings, and left the manor.

Bianca watched her retreating figure, the sound of her own foot stomping against the polished floor a sharp crack in the heavy silence.

She immediately pulled out her phone, her thumbs flying across the screen as she fired off a series of furious messages to Ethan, tattling like a wronged child.

Yanny returned to the apartment from Smith Manor. It was only a half-hour drive, but it felt unusually long.

As she approached her front door, a familiar, imposing silhouette materialized from the shadows of the hallway.

Ethan was leaning against the doorframe, one hand shoved casually into his pocket, the other holding a cigarette between his fingers.

Upon hearing the sound of high-heeled shoes, he frowned and glanced at Yanny, his eyes filled with impatience and boredom.

Yanny's lips, once soft, pressed into a thin, hard line. Her own expression turned to ice. 'What is he doing here?'

Yanny didn't want to greet Ethan. He took out the key from his bag and was about to open the door when Ethan's cold voice immediately came, "Have you become capable? Daring to talk back to my mom?"

'Talk back?' A humorless scoff escaped her. She knew it. He wasn't here out of concern. He stood there like an interrogator, his posture radiating judgment, as if she were a criminal in the dock.

Her face remained a placid mask, but her voice was flat and devoid of emotion when she answered. "If a normal response is considered 'talking back,' then is my only option to endure everything in silence?"

For too long, she had been weak, too afraid to speak her mind. Was it so wrong to finally consider her own feelings?

She was a living, breathing person, not an emotional placeholder for his family.

He had never once cared for her emotional state, yet he expected her to manage everyone else's. In his eyes, was she even a person at all? A profound chill settled deep in Yanny's bones, and her eyes began to sting with unshed tears.

Seeing the subtle shift in her expression, a cruel smirk twisted Ethan's lips. "What's this? Who are you trying to guilt-trip with that pathetic, wronged look?" His words were designed to wound, each one a calculated jab. "When you were shamelessly begging to marry me, did you ever stop to think this day would come?"

Yes. She really was a fool.

The memory of her own giddy joy at the prospect of marrying him now felt like a cruel joke. Any defense she could offer was useless.

"Yes, I regret it," she said, her voice trembling slightly before she steadied it. "If I had known this would be the outcome, I would never have married you."

She would have let her affection remain a secret, buried deep in her heart, rather than stand before him now and endure this cold contempt.

The situation had left her so utterly defeated, with no idea how to salvage an exit. All she wanted was to leave with a shred of dignity. Was he determined to deny her even that? A heavy weight settled in her chest, and her gaze grew distant, unfocused.

Ethan's brow tightened into a severe line. "Regret?" He shot back, his voice laced with incredulity. "What gives you the right to say you regret it?"

"Why shouldn't I have the right? I regret it now! Is that so wrong?" Yanny's voice rose to a near-shout, her patience finally snapping.

"You begged for this marriage, so you have to endure it!" Ethan sneered. His hand shot out, his fingers wrapping around her wrist like a manacle. His eyes locked onto the wedding band on her finger as if it were something filthy.

"Since you're so full of regret, who are you putting on a show for, still wearing this ring?" His gaze was a blade, sharp and cold.

Yanny's heart constricted. With a swift, jerky motion, she pulled the ring from her finger and clenched it tightly in her palm, the metal digging into her skin. "I forgot to take it off. It's off now. I won't wear it again."

Ethan's face darkened, her immediate compliance somehow stoking the nameless fire of his anger even further.

"Please, Mr. Smith, be generous. Sign the papers as soon as possible so we can have a clean break," Yanny said, forcing the words out through the storm of emotions churning inside her.

'A clean break?' The words dripped with icy disdain from his lips. "I refuse."

"I've told you before, you are in no position to ask me for a divorce. Did you think the Smith family was a place you could just come and go from as you please?"

"And your resignation letter? I've rejected that as well."

Yanny's eyes widened, a fresh wave of red flooding them. "Why? Isn't this what you wanted?"

"You have a contractual obligation to fulfill as part of our business arrangement. You will remain at the company. I forbid you to leave."

His tone was absolute, leaving no room for argument.

He flung her hand away from him as if it were contaminated. "If I don't see you at the office tomorrow, I have plenty of ways to ensure you show up on time." With that final threat hanging in the air, Ethan turned and strode away.

Yanny finally let out a long, shuddering breath. He wasn't bluffing. If he refused to accept her resignation, she was trapped. She couldn't formally leave, and she certainly couldn't start looking for a new job.

The next day, Yanny arrived at the office as usual. The familiar hum of the workplace was punctuated by hushed whispers as her colleagues noticed her presence. They had all witnessed the ugly scene yesterday; her return was the main topic of discussion.

"I really thought Ms. Spencer was gone for good. I can't believe she showed up today."

"Mr. Smith probably wouldn't let her go. I mean, she's managed the company so well for years. You can't deny her competence."

The two colleagues spoke in low tones, but their furtive glances in her direction were impossible to miss.

Yanny pressed her lips together, a sour feeling twisting in her stomach.

She had barely settled at her desk when Ethan appeared, dropping a towering stack of files onto her workspace with a heavy thud. "Even if you're planning on running away, you'll properly hand over all of this first. If you don't finish it today, don't even think about going home."

The stack was a mountain. It was utterly impossible to get through it all in a single day.

Yanny rubbed her temples, steeling herself. For the sake of her freedom, she would endure it.

After a quick trip to the breakroom for a cup of coffee, she returned to her desk and began the arduous task, flipping through page after page, her eyes scanning for errors and inconsistencies.

The entire day bled away in a blur of black ink and white paper. By the time the official workday ended, she had only managed to get through two-thirds of the pile.

The office gradually emptied, the sounds of keyboards and ringing phones fading into a heavy silence. Soon, only Yanny remained, a solitary figure hunched over her desk under the cold fluorescent lights.

Just a dozen or so files left. She had to finish them tonight, so she wouldn't have to come back tomorrow.

Running on the last dregs of her willpower, she pushed through. It was well past ten o'clock when she finally reviewed the last page. Exhausted but relieved, she neatened the stack, packed her belongings, and stood up to leave.

But as she took a step toward the office door, the world dissolved into blackness. Her vision tunneled, and her legs gave out from under her. She collapsed to the floor in a heap.

By sheer chance, Ethan's executive assistant, Ace Parker, had returned to do a final check of the office and lock up. He saw her lying motionless on the floor and rushed to her side. "Ms. Spencer? Ms. Spencer, are you okay?" He called out, gently shaking her shoulder.

There was no response. Ace frantically called her name a few more times before pulling out his phone and dialing 911.

It took over twenty minutes for the paramedics to arrive. Ace helped them lift Yanny onto a stretcher and accompanied her in the ambulance as it sped toward the hospital.

Upon arrival, Yanny was rushed into the emergency room. As the doctors took over, Ace stepped away and made another call, his voice tight with urgency.

"Mr. Smith, it's bad news. Ms. Spencer collapsed in the office. She's at the hospital now!"