“Bettina Reese, you’ve really gone all out just to get some attention, huh? Even pulling the whole ‘I’ll die right now’ stunt. Today’s supposed to be YSensing the nurse’s pitying look, Bettina Reese tightened her grip on the phone and let out a cold, sharp laugh.
"Leo Turner, have it your way. From now on, I’m not your mother. You never deserved that. And tell Victor Turner this for me—I hope that bastard and that woman rot together in their ‘happy life.’"
She hung up, her strength draining as she slumped back onto the hospital bed.
"Nurse, I want to be discharged."
*
Victor Turner and his family strode into the house in high spirits, only to find Bettina Reese sitting quietly in the living room. The moment they saw her, disdain flashed across their faces.
"Bettina, I thought you had some backbone. But look at you—crawling back all beaten down. Without the Turners, you’re nothing."
Victor smirked, smug as ever. "Considering we’ve been married so many years, I’ll let the past slide. Just kneel before Yaya and apologize, and I’ll pretend none of this happened. You can keep playing the role of the high-and-mighty Mrs. Turner."
"Mom, if Dad hadn’t taken pity on you and brought you back from the countryside, you wouldn’t have had a single good day in this house. Don’t push your luck. Know your place."
Father and son spoke one after another, both using that lofty tone, as if letting Bettina stay in the Turner family was some huge favor she ought to be grateful for.After hearing that, she tugged at the corner of her mouth in a cold, crooked smile, and under everyone’s stunned gaze, she snapped the front door shut with a sharp click.
When her in‑laws were sick, she paid the bills and stayed up all night taking care of them.
When the boy she raised got himself into trouble, she emptied out every bit of her dowry to clean up the mess.
Even the job that Antonia Batley held now was one Bettina Reese had taken the exam for in her place.
She had poured everything she had into the Turner family, and in the end, all she’d done was pave the way for someone else.
Her chest burned with anger. “A good life? This kind of so‑called good life, I’m done with it.”
“Everything you eat, everything you drink—tell me, which part of it wasn’t bought with my money?”
“I raised your precious son for over twenty years, the one you two produced behind my back. What you owe me… it’s about time you paid it back.”
The moment the Turners saw the lighter in her hand, their faces went pale. Only then did they notice the sharp, stinging smell of gas filling the air.
“Bettina, you crazy woman! If you want to die, don’t drag me with you!”
Victor Turner’s eyes went bloodshot. He didn’t even stop to wonder how she’d uncovered the truth—he just grabbed Antonia Batley and Mrs. Turner and bolted for the door.
A second later, a thunderous boom tore through the air, and flames swallowed the little western‑style house whole.
Bettina heard the screams rising around her. Her lips curled faintly, and she closed her eyes as darkness washed over her.
*
1969, Hushi.“Bettina, Comrade Antonia’s been raising a kid all on her own. If you’ve got even a bit of conscience left, you should give her your spot at the bookstore.”
“You made such a scene and embarrassed her in front of everyone. How’s she supposed to show her face there now?”
“Go apologize to Comrade Antonia right this minute, and while you’re at it, transfer that little townhouse next door to her as compensation.”
Victor Turner barked out each sentence while yanking Bettina Reese by the wrist, trying to force her to bow her head.
Bettina’s brows twitched, a chill flashing in her eyes.
Snapping out of the haze of memories, she seized Victor’s hand, and the second he loosened his grip from the pain, she swung back and slapped him hard across the face.
“So damn annoying.”
The sharp crack echoed in the room, leaving everyone stunned, staring like they’d just seen a ghost. No one had expected her to actually hit him.
Antonia Batley reacted first. She rushed over, clutching Victor’s arm as if terrified he’d fall apart, biting her lip as she said softly, “Bettina, I get that you’re upset with me. If you don’t want to apologize, fine, I’ll leave. But Victor’s still a man of the unit… If word gets out that you hit him, what will his comrades think of him?”
She sounded so considerate, every line painting herself as someone thinking only of Victor.
And sure enough, Victor was instantly moved, his resentment toward Bettina growing even deeper.He kept telling himself he was just looking after his fallen comrade’s widow and kid, yet Bettina Reese made such a fuss about it. She even slapped him in front of everyone. To him, she was getting more and more unreasonable.
Looked like he’d spoiled her so much she’d forgotten her place.
"Then hurry up and get out. If you’re leaving, leave."
Bettina Reese gave a cold laugh and tossed Antonia Batley’s luggage to the doorway, leaning against the frame as she watched her with lazy indifference.
Antonia was still the same as ever—soft voice, sweet smile, but every word edged like a blade.
And those fools with no brains? She had them all dancing in circles.
"Enough! Bettina, there’s nothing dirty between me and Comrade Antonia. You’re thinking way too much."
"You’ve kept picking on her over and over, and she’s never held it against you. But you just keep pushing, and now you’re even trying to kick her out. Doesn’t matter to you if a widow and her kid starve, huh? When did you get this cold‑blooded?"
Victor Turner glared at me, looking like I’d broken his heart.
"I’m cold‑blooded? Not handing my job over to Antonia makes me the villain now? Victor, you’ve got some nerve."
"You already gave your allowance and our marital home to her and her kid—fine. But now you’re eyeing my things too?"
"Work, housing… tsk. I’m surprised you didn’t just reach straight into my pocket. What, were you begging in your past life and still can’t quit the habit?"Victor Turner’s face went from pale to flushed, completely stunned. It was the first time Bettina Reese had called him out like this, right in front of everyone, and the blow to his pride made it hard for him to believe what he was hearing.
Antonia Batley just stared, dumbfounded, not understanding why Bettina suddenly felt like a different person altogether.
But she still needed Bettina to give up that job. Otherwise, her bloodsucking parents would really ship her off to some fool in exchange for a bride price. She had to push harder.
“All my fault, really. Ever since Michael Evans passed, I haven’t even managed to take care of myself or my kid. I’ve had to trouble Victor, and now it’s caused more misunderstandings. I’ll leave. Even if my parents sell me off to some idiot, I’ll take it. As long as Bettina’s happy, that’s enough.”
Antonia sniffled, picked up her bag from the ground, dropped those vague, pitiful words, and made to leave.
Victor grabbed her arm before she could take two steps, guilt rising in him like a tide.
Michael had died saving him. Looking after his buddy’s wife and kid was something he felt he owed.
Bettina was his fiancée, so of course she should shoulder that responsibility with him.
It was just a job—what was the big deal? Why was she acting like he’d asked for the impossible?
He could support her from now on. No need for her to be out working. And she still wasn’t grateful.
“Don’t go,” he said firmly. “I promised Michael I’d take care of you both. I’m not going back on my word.”“Bettina Reese, I’m giving you one last chance. Apologize to Comrade Antonia Batley and transfer the house, and I’ll pretend today never happened. Otherwise, I may have to rethink where we stand.”
Victor Turner’s eyes were a mess of emotions, but that last line carried a clear threat.
“Sure,” Bettina Reese lifted a brow, lips parting without a hint of hesitation.
“That’s better. Comrade Antonia is kind‑hearted, she won’t hold your past mistakes against you. You really ought to learn from her…”
Victor Turner finally relaxed, a smug smile creeping up—he’d known she’d cave.
But moments later, that smile vanished.
“We’re ending this marriage.”
