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590words2026-01-26 09:06

Because of Nathan Brooks's first love, I was forced to leave Bay City, wandering alone for three months.
My grandmother's condition worsened, but Nathan discontinued her medical funds.
His reason was that his first love wanted a necklace from an auction, and he needed the money.

He used my grandmother's emergency funds to buy her a priceless diamond necklace.
Later, my grandmother died—the only person who ever truly loved me was gone.
When I saw Nathan again, I was bearing scars, unable to speak.
He asked if I'd learned my lesson.
My new boyfriend put his arm around me.
"She doesn't need to learn any lessons."

"She's perfect as she is."
...
Holding my grandmother's urn, scarred and battered, I returned to downtown Bay City and ran into Nathan emerging from a mall.
Claire clutched his arm, chattering excitedly, while Nathan listened quietly, occasionally flashing a smile.

I froze, my eyes fixed on the diamond necklace around Claire's neck.
The pale pink diamond gleamed in the sunlight, dazzling my eyes with its brilliance.
That million-dollar necklace was bought with my grandmother's medical savings.
Noticing my gaze, Claire glanced over. Surprise flickered in her eyes, followed by a smirk as she took in my scars and tattered clothes.
"Sarah Collins?"
Her voice drew Nathan's attention. His gaze fell on me, and he paused, then frowned, striding over.
"What?Have you finally decided to come back?"
I met his gaze but said nothing.
I couldn't speak any longer.
"What's wrong with you?You've only been gone a few months, and you've let yourself fallen apart like this?"
Nathan seemed irritated, but I couldn't understand why.
Wasn't this exactly what he had caused?
Three months ago, at a charity gala, Claire had mocked me.
"Your parents were useless, taking their own lives and leaving you with their debts and a dying old woman."
"If it weren't for Nathan, you think you'd be standing here?"
"Sarah Collins, know your place. You're no better than a nobody now."
Her words had barely finished before her scream echoed through the hall.
By the time Nathan arrived, blood was streaming from Claire's forehead, and I still gripped a shattered wine bottle.
Penniless, without any spare piece of clothes, Nathan threw me out.
I wandered for three months, surviving by any means necessary—scavenging from trash cans when I had no money, sleeping on park benches or in hidden alleys.
Drunken men beat and humiliated me;even stray dogs shunned me.
I thought if I endured, the treatment for my grandmother would save her, and I could start over.
I was mistaken.
She died.
Remaining silent, Nathan's face hardened.
"Sarah Collins, looks like three months out there didn't teach you proper behave."
"Guess I'll have to find other ways to control you."
Claire chuckled, stepping up with false concern. "Nathan, don't be too hard on Sarah."
"She's been through enough. She won't have fits anymore, right?"
She looked at me, eyes filled with smugness.
I shot her a cold glance, saying nothing.
Nathan laughed, exasperated. "Fine, Sarah!The Collins family's bankrupt!You're not that spoiled heiress anymore!"
"Face the reality—only I can save you now."
He was correct.
My family was bankrupt, my parents had taken their own lives, and now my grandmother was gone.
I had nothing, and no one would ever love me again.
Nathan ordered me to get into his car. I clutched the urn and shook my head.
I didn't want to go back or get involved with him anymore.
All I wanted was to lay my grandmother to rest.