Chapter 42: No Right to Refuse

"You can't say no." Matthew declared, his voice leaving no room for argument.

"Back off, Matthew," Ursula snapped, her anger cutting through the once-charming air, leaving her trembling with rage.

Was this the same man she'd spent three years pining for?

Why did he insist on tarnishing her memories instead of leaving just one untainted image of him? If he didn't love her, he should have just let her be.

"I'm preparing a draft contract to ensure you don't back out." Matthew continued icily. "Fail to meet the conditions, and you can kiss your five million goodbye." He was resolute, no one deceived Matthew and just walked away, especially not with his money.

Ursula felt a chill. Was he serious about the contract? She had to meet his three conditions, or the check would bounce.

Why hadn't she cashed it earlier? She'd foolishly believed he was different.

How naive she'd been, thinking he might have a shred of affection for her. Now, she saw the truth, and it cornered her.

She despised her own naivety, her arrogance, but she couldn't afford to lose that five million.

"Propose something else." she demanded, her voice expressed the icy void in her heart.

Matthew frowned, the distance in her tone reminding him that she'd orchestrated this mess. "This is my only term," he stated flatly.

She had never won against him, and now she'd lost more than ever—her dignity. "Fine, I agree," she conceded coldly.

She'd made her choice the moment she agreed to his deal, hadn't she?

Yet her heart ached, as if pierced by countless knives, a pain so deep she couldn't escape it.

Then, Matthew tensed, feeling a drop on his hand like a scorching tear. For a moment, he doubted himself.

Ursula bit her lip, holding back her emotions. She began to weave through the crowd, then broke into a run.

In her heels, she stumbled, her ankle twisting beneath her. The fall wasn't to marble, but it hurt all the same.

Ignoring the swelling in her ankle, she slipped off her shoes and limped outside. The physical pain was nothing compared to the ache in her heart.

She had to get away from this place.

Reaching the hotel fountain, she could no longer contain her tears. They fell silently, more heartbreaking than any cry.

Matthew, the lawyer, had bound her with a contract. Without agreement, the money for Adam's surgery was out of reach.

But Matthew was with Dylan now. Was this his revenge for her threats?

What could she do? Flee with Adam? But what about his illness...

She had no choice but to comply.

"Crying by yourself? That's pretty sad."

Ursula looked up to see a figure on a bench. He'd been watching her.

"You're still a mess," he noted.

"You again?" Ursula's voice was hoarse.

"I thought you'd call." he said, recalling their previous encounter.

Shen Yao had left the dull party early and stumbled upon Ursula, crying alone like the scared kitten.

"Two meals now." he said, half-joking.

Ursula, confused and pained, looked up at him.

He seemed to soften at her lost expression. "You're not getting home like this," he stated.

Realizing her disheveled state, Ursula apologized. "I'm sorry to bother you, Mr..."

"Shen Yao." he introduced himself.

"Thank you, Mr. Shen," she said.

Without waiting for her consent, Shen Yao picked her up. "Too slow."

Ursula was too overwhelmed to protest.

On their way, Timothy called, concerned. Ursula lied, claiming illness, and refused his offer to visit.

Hanging up, she felt a twinge of guilt for deceiving Timothy, unsettling her all the more.