Chapter 8

Nathan's face pales as he hands me a document.

"Ruth, I found out."

I took the paper with a trembling hand.

Open, word for word like a sharp blade, pinning me to the pillar of shame.

"Frank he ... how could he ..."

I mumbled, my eyes going black.

On the document, there was proof of how Frank had counted my parents' company back then.

Step by step, ruthless.

My parents couldn't take such a blow and eventually chose to jump.

And I, for one, became the only survivor of this conspiracy.

But also imprisoned by him in the prison called love.

"How can he ... how can he ..."

I covered my chest as tears broke out.

Nathan held me tightly in his arms.

His arms are the only thing I have to rely on at the moment.

"Ruth, you still have me."

His voice was low with heartache and pity.

I clutched at his lapels and let my tears soak his shirt.

The heart was in its throat as the loving smiles of my parents kept replaying in my mind.

I hated, hated Frank's viciousness, hated my own stupidity.

Sally's "help" made the divorce proceedings go surprisingly smoothly.

I looked at the bright red divorce papers with mixed feelings.

Frank stood across from me, eyes red, and tried to take my hand.

"Ruth, I was wrong, please give me another chance, I can't live without you ..."

I looked at him coldly as I shook off his hand.

"Frank, do you regret it too?"

He froze, his eyes filled with disbelief and panic.

"Do you regret that you killed my parents for profit?"

I took a step closer to him, my voice cold and piercing.

"What ... are you talking about?"

Frank blanched and took a panicked step back.

"Frank."

I looked straight into his horrified eyes and said, word for word.

"It's time to settle my parents' score with you!"

The bright red divorce papers lay on the table, stinging like hell.

I got my share of everything that belonged to me, the villa, the real estate, every bit of it was a record of my parents' efforts.

I knelt at my parents' graves, my eyes blurred with tears.

"Dad, Mom, I'm sorry, my daughter was wrong ..."

"Ruth, take this information, it might be useful."

Nathan handed me a document.

I looked through it, and inside were details of Frank's company, financial statements, project contracts, everything.

"These are ..." I looked up at him in surprise.

"I know what you're trying to do,"

Nathan interrupted me.

"Ruth, you were never a canary, you just gave up soaring for love."

His words, like a key, unlocked dusty memories.

I was once a proud daughter of God.

I gave up the family business, I gave up school, I gave up everything for Frank.

Now, I'm going to take back everything I've lost, little by little!

I dove headfirst into my study and wasted no time in studying the information.

The knowledge once given up for Frank is now a blade of vengeance.

Frank's company, in my eyes, is full of holes.