"Ruonan, it's time to divorce him. I don't want to ever see you suffer in his hands anymore. It's time to end all this nonsense."
"Aunt Lin, I'm fine, I'm sure I'll be free someday." Chen Ruonan spoke in a tiny hoarse voice and sighed heavily with tears rolling down her cheek as her back laid on the hospital bed. Her body bruised all over, her eyes swollen red looking like the color of a beetroot.
Chen Ruonan never prayed for anything so much other than freedom. To be free from her toxic and cruel marriage with Wang Wei.
"No human being who behaves like him will ever change; don't you get it. He doesn't love you since you married him because of your mother. I can't believe she isn't here right now. Today is the third day you've been admitted to the hospital." Aunt Lin sobs angrily holding onto Ruonan's hand.
"Ruonan, listen to me, you have to get out of that marriage as soon as possible. And you're leaving with me immediately you're discharged from the hospital." Aunt Lin declared strongly with her gaze on Chen Ruonan.
"Where has your mind gone to? Have you lost your senses? Why would you talk back at him?" A slender figured woman with black wavy hair rushed into the hospital ward as she approached Ruonan trying to give her a hot slap, but she came across an expression that made her stop in action because Aunt Lin glared at her in disgust.
"Is your daughter the only investment you have? Don't you have any shame? She's barely breathing and you're here blaming her not to talk back at him. Are you even her mother?" Aunt Lin screamed loudly.
Lady Chen scoffed and ignored her younger sister before turning to face her daughter on the bed. "Oh, my poor baby, I'm sure all of this will be over soon, okay?" Running her fingers through Ruonan's hair. "You just need to endure for a little bit longer. Once I have all the money they promised, you'll divorce him and then we can travel to any country of our choice and celebrate the victory." Lady Chen said smiling at Ruonan whose eyes is barely seeing anything.
"You just have to continue to be the good girl that you are."
After Ruonan heard her mother's words, she realized a few things, that her mother's promise to her was all a lie to achieve her goals, and her marriage to Wang Wei is all but a deal between them. Now that the truth has been revealed, Ruonan made her decision right away.
"Lady– Chen? I'm– I'm" Ruonan took a deep breath before she continued her conversation; "I'm divorcing him, and I'll immediately move to another state with Aunt Lin." She smiled slightly before closing her swollen eyes to sleep.
Aunt Lin smiled at once Ruonan announced to her mother herself. She believes that Ruonan isn't a weak person but instead she's growing stronger. "You heard that yourself, didn't you? She's going with me. You've damaged her enough, and- it's time to let go."
"Do you think you can take her away from me?" Lady Chen screamed loudly not believing her ears. She has always gaslighted her own daughter into believing everything happening to her is right, but things are starting to change. "She's my daughter and I'll do whatever I want with her. She owes me everything including her life. I've spent my money and everything on taking care of her and it's time to pay me back." Lady Chen scoffed.
"Now I see why she hasn't called you mother in years." Aunt Lin scoffed. "She owes you?"
"Have you ever done anything meaningful for this poor child. You never even care about her dreams to become a fashion designer before sending her off to get married to that animal at age 21."
"She's not going back to that animal's house; she'll live with me from now on while I help her to build her dream to become a fashion designer. Two years of hard Labour in that marriage is enough."
Aunt Lin glared at her sister before glancing at Ruonan sleeping in peace. "Go away!" She screamed loudly while lady Chen strode out of the room in anger.
"Poor child, your mother is a terrible woman." Aunt Lin cries out in pain while caressing the bruises on her niece's face and body.
She has always known Ruonan to be an outstanding and smart girl from a very young age but right now she doesn't recognize that little girl anymore.
As Lady Chen descends the hospital elevator coming out of the entrance she received a call on her phone; "dearest son-in-law, how's your day going?" She chuckled softly.
"Cut the crap, did she agree to come back to the house?" Wang Wei screamed loudly.
"Son-in-law, you know how stubborn your wife is, but don't worry I'm sure she'll return home soon. But I hope the contract still stands?" Lady Chen smiled sheepishly still waiting for an answer.
"The contract still stands only if Ruonan returns to my house. My mother has been suffering alone managing the house herself. If she doesn't come back, consider our deal over." Wang Wei ended the call without waiting for her response.
"Hmph! It's not like you're that hard to deal with." Lady Chen scoffed as she approached the latest G-wagon car waiting for her.
She opened the passenger seat at the back and the car moved swiftly. She's out enjoying with her new lover.
"Ruonan, you can open your eyes now, she has left." Aunt Lin checking outside the window to confirm her sister leaving the hospital.
"Aunt Lin! I need water." Ruonan in a hoarse tiny voice.
"Yes, I'll get it for you." Aunt Lin quickly stood up to get the glass of warm water.
After Ruonan was handed the glass of water, she only took a few sips before she dropped the glass on the bedside table. With her throat hurting badly, she didn't feel like eating anything.
"Ruonan! Thank you for taking the courage to speak out earlier. I promise to take good care of you; I'm sure you'll get better soon." Aunt Lin speaking with tears rolling down her cheeks.
"Aunt Lin, I– I want to study. I want to continue my studies to become a fashion designer after my divorce with Mr Wang." Ruonan managed to speak quietly with tears in her eyes.
"I'll try my best to sponsor your education; you don't need to worry."