Chapter 1 Chapter 1

"The groom is leaving with another woman. Anybody in their right mind wouldn't be able to accept it. Is she really going to let them have their way?" Someone else sniggered. "She and her mother are a curse to men. They can't even keep a man by their sides. How embarrassing!" Beneath the altar, the guests criticized me. Mom was so mad at Isaac Pudley that she passed out and toppled on the floor. "Mom!" I shrieked and repositioned her before applying first aid on her by doing chest compressions. The crowd was startled, but nobody stepped forward to give me a hand. Flustered, I turned to Isaac and begged, "Isaac, will you please take my mom to the hospital first?" Isaac watched everything while holding Megan Ericsson. He swept his cold gaze over Mom and said impatiently, "Every day, you said your mother was dying. How much longer are you going to keep pulling this act? "Megan's depression could cost her life, and she'll be triggered again if another person sits in the car. Are you trying to kill her?" All he had on his mind was Megan. Even when my mother had passed out, he couldn't care less about it. He had completely forgotten that it was all thanks to my mother's retirement fund that he could start his business and build his wealth. How could anyone be this heartless? Mom didn't recover consciousness even after I applied CPR on her for a while. Seeing this, the crowd slipped into chaos, and someone called emergency services. The scene was abuzz. When Isaac wanted to leave, Megan stopped him hesitantly. After he coaxed her several times, she said in a pretentiously soft voice, "Isaac, I feel weak. Since Mrs. Steiner doesn't need her wheelchair, may I use it instead?" Instantly, everyone turned to me with complicated looks in their eyes, while I stared unblinkingly at Isaac. Mom and I were utterly embarrassed that the wedding was interrupted. Was he even going to snatch Mom's wheelchair for Megan? When Isaac felt Megan trembling in his arms because she was too weak, guilt washed over his eyes, and he looked at me. "Emily Steiner, your mother doesn't need the wheelchair now anyway. You won't mind letting Megan use it for a while, will you?" I felt bitter. How could I have forgotten that Megan was his childhood sweetheart? For her sake, he could abandon me time and again during my birthdays, sick days, and when Mom was in critical condition. Megan was a person who could ruin my wedding with Isaac eight times. How could I compete with her? Still, I didn't want to let them have it. Perhaps Isaac already knew my answer. He said again, "A few years ago, you promised me you'd grant me 99 favors. Let's take this as one of the favors, okay? There are still more than dozens to go, aren't there?" Tears welled up in my eyes at his statement. Once, when Mom was critically ill, he was the one who begged for my hand in marriage from her. He sold all of his assets and raised money for Mom's treatment. Out of gratitude, Mom agreed to his request, and I asked him how I could repay him. Scratching his head, he answered nonchalantly, "Mrs. Steiner already gave me your hand in marriage." I was persistent. "My mother doesn't speak for me." He felt my sincerity. "Well… Do me 99 favors with no questions asked, or after I've hurt you 99 times, we can write off this gratitude." During the four years when we were engaged, Isaac never asked any favor from me. But within the one year after Megan showed up, he used up 96 favors. This time, he was wrong. Firstly, there weren't dozens more favors. Secondly, I wouldn't agree because this concerned Mom's life and death. To my surprise and before I could reply, Isaac snatched the wheelchair and placed Megan on it. "Remember to keep this in the tab." Seeing the way he acted, I didn't want to waste my time arguing with him and carried Mom on my back. As I brushed past Megan, I caught a glimpse of the eerie smirk on her face. The next second, she put out her foot and tripped me. I fell heavily on the floor, and my chin hit a tile. Pain traveled to every part of my body, and Mom flung off from me. The crowd gasped in shock, and I hurriedly protected Mom. Next to us, Megan chirped annoyingly, "Emily, even if you want to get Isaac's pity by faking a fall on a flat surface, you shouldn't have used your mother in the act. Mrs. Steiner is still pretending to be unconscious." One of the guests echoed along, "She's not a good daughter. Mrs. Steiner has already passed out, but she's still jealous over a man. What a tramp!" Isaac couldn't bear to see me in such a pathetic state and wanted to help me up. But he put down his hand when he heard that. "Emily, hurry and get your mother up. This is embarrassing." Megan tugged his sleeve. "Alright, Isaac. Don't be mad over such a small issue. Accompany me to the hospital to get my prescription." Seeing that I didn't argue and limped while carrying Mom on my back, Isaac pushed the wheelchair and caught up to me. "Should I get someone to help you carry Mrs. Steiner?" he asked in concern. Megan chuckled softly. "You're as strong as a bull, Emily. Why can't you carry a person today? You're not trying to get in my way on purpose, are you?" Isaac drew a distance from me upon hearing this, disgust flickering in his eyes. "Emily, why did you turn into such a petty person? You know that Megan's condition is acting up, but you're walking so slowly on purpose. "Get out of the way if you can't walk anymore. Don't block the path!" Was I being petty? He once praised me for being understanding, as I never suspected anything despite the concern he showered on Megan. He even treated me well because of this. Afterward, he abandoned me countless times because of Megan. When I merely asked about it, he called me petty and said I was being inconsiderate to a patient. Until now, our relationship had gradually changed because of Megan, and his heart was no longer the same. It took a long while before the ambulance finally arrived, and I placed Mom on the stretcher. When I wanted to hop into the ambulance, Megan stopped me again. "Emily, I need to go to the hospital, too. Let me have your spot." Gritting my teeth, I turned to Isaac, who looked awkward. To my surprise, he stopped her. "We don't need them. I'll send you to the hospital, okay?" Only then did the car door close. … An hour later, I sat outside of the emergency room, crying. Alas, Mom didn't make it through and had passed away during resuscitation. The doctor said the ambulance had arrived too late. If it had been ten minutes faster, the situation wouldn't have ended this way. While I sat outside of the ER in a daze, Isaac showed up. I was filled with sadness. At the thought that Mom would have survived if it wasn't because of him and Megan, I wanted to slap him across the face. Unexpectedly, I had just raised my hand when he grabbed it in excitement. With a delighted face, he said, "Emily, thankfully, you were kind enough to stop the wedding and let us leave. Meg's condition was severe earlier. But thanks to your consideration, she's saved." As he spoke, he saw that the light above the ER door was turned off. Hence, he said lightheartedly, "Looks like Mrs. Steiner is fine as well. Take care of her for now, and I'll visit her once I'm free. "I promise you that our wedding will proceed smoothly next time. Mrs. Steiner will witness our wedding, my bride." After speaking, he trotted off, not knowing that I'd be leaving after repaying him the favors. Also, Mom would never see the day when I get married.

Chapter 2 Chapter 2

When I had Mom cremated, Isaac was still by Megan's side. I brought home Mom's ashes and packed her belongings as the house helper watched my odd behavior in confusion. Just then, the bridal store employee delivered the gifts from Isaac again—they were two wedding gowns. He even specially asked her to pass the message that one gown was to apologize for the interrupted wedding, whereas the other was the compensation for taking Mom's wheelchair. The wedding gowns were in full display, and the bridal store employee glanced at me with bright eyes. "Mrs. Pudley, Mr. Pudley has bought all of the latest designs in our store as gifts for you. You're so lucky!" I was expressionless and so upset that I wanted to bawl my eyes out. None of them knew that this was Isaac's way of making up to me out of habit every time he hurt me. My eyes were lifeless as I watched them hang the gowns on shelf numbers 96 and 97. The entire room was filled with wedding gowns, and only two more spots were left in a corner. I looked away, fully aware that I could soon leave. I placed Mom's ashes and belongings on the table in the hall and simply packed my stuff. After I placed the suitcase in a corner of the room, Isaac returned with Megan, carrying the supplements he just bought for Mom. He had always been so detailed and thoughtful. In a trance, I felt as though he wasn't the person who refused to save Mom. However, I was conflicted the next second. Megan saw Mom's urn and suddenly screamed from fear. Her depression had acted up again, and she knocked off the urn with her hand. The porcelain urn shattered, and the ashes scattered across the floor. My eyes widened, and I dashed forward to shove her aside, shouting hysterically, "Get lost! Don't touch my mother!" Terrified, Megan snuggled into Isaac's arms and choked, "I'm sorry, Emily. My depression acted up again. But do you hate me so much that you bought a prop to scare me?" Furious and heartbroken, Isaac reprimanded me straight in my face, "Emily, you know that Megan has depression. Are you planning to scare her with this silly toy? "You're always up to no good. Apologize now! If you know what's better for you, I can even make up the wedding. Otherwise, your mother will never see you get married!" Scurrying across the floor, I gathered the ashes into the urn box and yelled at him at the top of my lungs, "Isaac Pudley, these are my mother's ashes!" Isaac grew up without a mother. Since we started dating, Mom treated him like her own, and he would help out at her food truck every day. When Mom was bedridden for a long time, he took care of her patiently, too. Since he treated Mom like his mother, I thought he would have some reaction upon hearing my explanation. However, he was merely stunned for a second, and a disdainful smirk tinged his lips. "Meg said that your mother is still alive. Why are you still pretending otherwise? "Moreover, she's your mother, not mine. Even if she's dead, it's none of my concern." Out of the blue, Megan held her head and started crying as she uttered the most sickening statement, "Emily, why are you lying to set me up? Mrs. Steiner just called me a tramp over the phone last night and wanted me to leave Isaac. "I'm sick and shameless, harassing Isaac because I'm a tramp. I should've taken Mrs. Steiner's advice and died…" Mom had passed away two days ago, so Megan was clearly lying and slandering Mom. But Isaac bought into such a ridiculous lie. "That's bullshit—" I quickly refuted, but Isaac kicked me, along with my grievances. "Emily, you and your mother make me sick. If you don't apologize to Meg, you'll remain on the floor today." My head struck the wall violently, and blood trickled down. I glared at him, and he was panic-stricken. Coming to a stop, he changed his mind. "Forget it. Don't be an eyesore here with your bloody head, lest it trigger Meg again." Meg again. Meg was the only thing in his mind. If that was the case, he could spend the rest of his life with her after this. Gritting my teeth, I picked up the urn box and returned to my room upstairs. Behind me, I heard Megan's gentle voice saying, "Isaac, will it upset Emily that we saw through her lies?" "She gets what she deserves and has no right to be upset over it." I shut the door tightly, cutting out the sarcasm from outside. My father passed away a long time ago, and it was Mom who brought me up while running a food truck. But I couldn't even protect her ashes as they were scattered on the floor. Perhaps this was a sign from Mom that it was time to let go of all these promises. I shouldn't stay here any longer. I cried alone for a long time before picking up the calendar on the desk. I circled the date today and marked it with the number 98. Without me realizing, someone opened the door, and Isaac was already next to me. Before I could close the calendar, he snatched it from me. As he stared at the red circle that had pierced through the paper, frustration built up in his chest. "What do you mean by the number 98 on the red circle?"

Chapter 3 Chapter 3

Hurriedly, I snatched back the calendar and closed it. "It's nothing. I was daydreaming." My calmness seemed to take Isaac by surprise, and something popped up in his mind. "You should stop daydreaming. The last time, you almost got run over by a car." He meant that time during college. I was engrossed in my thoughts because of a clothing design, walking around in a daze. While I was crossing the street, I turned into the fast lane from the sidewalk. During the dangerous moment, it was Isaac who saved my life. I bought him a meal in return, and our feelings blossomed after we took turns buying meals for each other. Even though I knew he had the wrong idea, I didn't explain myself and nodded perfunctorily. Memories of our relationship during college brought a smile, which I rarely saw, to Isaac's face. "Alright. Don't be moody anymore. Come over and take a look at this. I'm sure you'll like it." He brought me downstairs and snapped his fingers. A few house helpers presented a luxurious wedding gown to me. "Emily, you're going to be the prettiest bride. I'm sorry I hurt you because of Meg earlier. This wedding dress is my apology. I promise to give you the grandest wedding," Isaac confessed his feelings for me in front of everyone, and the house helpers swooned in envy. In contrast, I appeared composed. "Put it into the closet." Isaac looked a little awkward when I showed a lack of enthusiasm. "Don't be mad at Meg. You're at fault, too. "Your mother is still alive, but you lied and said the urn carried her ashes. Your mom will reprimand you as well if she hears this." I laughed in exasperation because he didn't even believe that Mom had passed away. If he believed me, he would have found out the truth by checking with the hospital. Instead, he only listened to every word Megan said. I felt that I had been speaking to a wall. I snorted coldly at him. "I did nothing wrong." Isaac's face crumpled, and he found me unreasonable. "Do you think that Meg and I are making things difficult for you on purpose?" "What else, then?" I snapped calmly. "You have a problem!" he seethed and slammed the door hard, leaving in a huff. I bet he went looking for Megan again. Sure enough, Megan kept sending me pictures and short videos afterward to show off. I blocked her and went to bed. … The next morning, I held a simple funeral for Mom, as we didn't have many friends or family. I also invited Isaac to the funeral, thinking to close this chapter properly before moving on. His reply was simple. "Okay." However, he didn't show up even when the funeral was almost over. Instead, Megan turned up with a group of thugs. Seeing the shock in my eyes, she chuckled softly. "Are you surprised to see me?" The aggression they carried with them gave me a bad feeling. "What are you planning to do by showing up with these people?" "Of course, I'm here to wreck this place. Do it!" With a wave of her hand, the thugs dashed into the funeral hall and started thrashing everything within. Flowers were scattered on the floor, the wreaths were stomped on, and they even destroyed Mom's picture. The place was a complete mess. "Stop! I'm calling the police if you continue!" I yelled with all my might and placed myself in front of the urn, shoving them aside angrily. Their batons landed on me, and my head bled as I crumbled to the floor from the pain. Grabbing me by my hair, Megan raised my head and forced me to look her in the eyes. "It's time for that old hag to die. Otherwise, she'd continue draining Isaac. "Isaac said you're just a housewife. He's done and bored with you, but he couldn't chase you away. So, I had to do him this favor." A housewife? Was that the word Isaac used to describe me to her? Before our engagement, I was a renowned fashion designer. After Isaac's career kicked off, he didn't want me to tire myself working and promised to provide for me. That was why I resigned. But now, he claimed that Mom and I were his burden. Whatever. I was going to leave anyway. Still, I couldn't let Megan have it easy. Seeing that I was in a daze, Megan snorted in disdain and turned to the thugs. "Throw her into a coffin and nail her inside with her mother—" Before she finished speaking, I picked up a sharp piece of wood and stabbed her shoulder. Then, I gripped her throat tightly. It was an extreme counterattack. Megan screamed in pain, but I cut off her voice suddenly. Shocked, the thugs planned their next steps, and I threatened menacingly, "Scram, all of you! Or else, I'll kill her right here, and you won't get a single penny." Megan kept shaking her head and pleading, but the thugs ran away in the end, and I breathed a sigh of relief. A few seconds after I released my grip and tossed Megan on the floor, someone slapped me before I realized what was happening. My head jerked to a side, and my ears were ringing as I heard Isaac's furious roar. "Emily Steiner, how dare you stab Meg! Did you not listen to everything I said before?" I glared at him with bloodshot eyes. "She wanted to bury me alive!" My shouting made him diffident, and he turned to Megan. As though she had found a beacon of hope, Megan hugged him and wailed, "Isaac, I was just kidding, but Emily wanted to kill me for real!" Holding Megan tightly in his arms, Isaac turned to me and berated me, as though I had done something atrocious. "She's sick and pulling a joke on you. How could you take her seriously and even injure her?" I had lost count of the times such an obviously faked scene had occurred. Regardless, Isaac sided with Megan blindly. I couldn't be bothered to listen to his lecture, so I said indifferently, "Isaac Pudley, this is the last time." Isaac's heart galloped at the sight of my stoic expression, feeling as though he had missed something important. Noticing the injuries on my head, he released Megan and said, "Forget it. I'll take you to the hospital first." After the words left his lips, he reached out to me, but Megan suddenly placed her palm on her shoulder and cried, "It hurts so badly! Isaac, Emily stabbed my shoulder. The pain is killing me!" Panic washed over Isaac when he saw Megan's bloodied back, and all the concern he had for me evaporated. He picked her up and headed out, saying, "I'm sending her to the hospital. Get yourself an ambulance and call me after you're treated. I'll pick you up." I watched him disappear from the door and called emergency services before I finally hopped onto an ambulance. Right after the ambulance came to a stop in front of the hospital, I received a text from an unknown number. "I won't let him pick you up." Next came Isaac's call. "Meg is severely injured. She needs someone by her side. I'm not free to pick you up now, but I'll make time to visit you afterward. I promise you." Sounds of Megan whining echoed from the other end of the line. Isaac hung up without asking me how I was doing. Alone, I went through surgery, paid the bill, recuperated, and then stared into space blankly. Isaac never visited me once, but I could always find him and Megan acting intimately in a corner at the hospital. What a lovely couple they were. I contacted a property agent and sold the villa I was living in. Isaac had bought the villa with his first big profit after he received money from Mom to launch his career. That was the time when he loved me the most, so I was listed as the sole owner of the property. I thought we would build a blissful family. Never did I imagine that I would be selling the villa in the end. The agreement was swiftly signed, and the agent said they would take care of the moving. Only then did I leave. Back at home, a house helper displayed the 99th wedding gown Isaac bought for me. I hung it on the last spot in the wardrobe. After paying their salaries and dismissing them, I drew a circle on the calendar and wrote the last number—99. I left a breakup note for Isaac. "My mother has passed away, and I've repaid your kindness. Let's call it an end, Isaac." After placing Mom's death certificate, the calendar and the note on the coffee table, I grabbed my suitcase and left for the airport. I simply picked a flight, checked in, and boarded the plane. The moment the plane flew across the sky, only then did Isaac return home in exhaustion, but the villa was empty. Confused, he called me. His gaze ran past the post-it note on the coffee table. When he wanted to pick it up, an emotionless, robotic female voice said from the phone, "Sorry. The number you have dialed is unavailable…" Then, he saw Mom's death certificate. A realization hit him, and he grabbed my post-it note. When he read the words written on it, his eyes widened.