When the Dream Finally Died

"Or what?" Ryann lifted her gaze.

The chill in her eyes made Suzanne flinch for a split second. Then she lifted her chin again. "Or I'll have Colby send him straight back to the psych ward. And this time, he'll never get out."

Ryann set the scissors down and stood. "Suzanne, have you ever thought about what would happen if Colby found out everything you've done?"

Suzanne's expression shifted. "What are you implying?"

"Nothing," Ryann said calmly. "Just a reminder. Every lie has a due date."

"You—" Suzanne was about to explode when the doorbell rang.

The maid opened the door. Two bodyguards walked in, escorting Charlee.

He was dressed neatly, but his face was pale. His right arm hung stiffly at his side, his gaze dull and unfocused.

Suzanne stepped closer, scanning him from head to toe, then laughed.

"Well, if it isn't the piano prodigy. What happened to your hand?" she sneered as she reached out toward his right arm. Ryann slapped her hand away.

"Don't touch him."

Suzanne's expression darkened.

"Let me tell you the truth. Colby didn't bring him back to make you happy. He brought this trash home so I could vent my anger. Hold him down. Beat him," Suzanne ordered.

The bodyguards hesitated, glancing at Ryann.

"Who dares!" Ryann stepped in front of Charlee, shielding him.

Suzanne sneered. Then suddenly, she lifted her heel and drove it hard into Charlee's stomach. He let out a muffled cry, clutching himself as he collapsed onto the floor.

"Suzanne!" Ryann's eyes went bloodshot as she shoved her.

Suzanne screamed and fell backward, her lower back slamming into the edge of the coffee table. Blood instantly spread beneath her.

At that moment, the front door flew open.

Colby rushed in. The second he saw the scene, his face drained of color.

"What happened?" he asked.

Suzanne burst into tears. "Colby, help me! Ryann tried to kill our baby!"

Colby's pupils shrank. He whipped his head toward Ryann.

Ryann shook her head violently. "I didn't! She stepped on Charlee's stomach first—"

"Enough!" Colby roared. He rushed to Suzanne, scooped her into his arms, and before leaving, cast Ryann a look colder than ice.

"We'll settle this when I get back."

He carried Suzanne out, his footsteps fading fast.

The living room fell silent.

Ryann stood frozen, staring at her trembling hands, then suddenly laughed.

"So that's how easy revenge is," she murmured. "One small push, and they're already unraveling."

Charlee tugged gently at her sleeve. "Ryann… go… don't worry about me…"

Ryann wiped away her tears and took his hand firmly. "No. We're leaving together."

They ran for the back gate.

Just as promised, a black sedan waited in the alley. Ryann helped Charlee into the car. The door shut, and the vehicle sped toward the airport.

An elderly member of the Fowler family, who had been waiting there all along, handed the siblings their finalized divorce papers and newly prepared IDs.

Ryann clenched the thin stack of papers tightly and finally exhaled.

Goodbye, this disgusting city.

Goodbye, Colby.

As she boarded the plane, her phone buzzed with multiple alerts.

"Willis Group suspected of large-scale tax evasion."

"Suzanne Price exposed for bribing witnesses and fabricating evidence—police launch investigation."

"Suzanne Price's true background revealed—nightclub escort photos leaked."

#Colby Willis accused of shielding his mistress and enabling criminal acts."

Ryann curved her lips into a faint, mocking smile.

"Colby, your real nightmare has only just begun," she murmured.