Chapter 5

The next day, Minerva took the signed consent form and went straight in for the abortion procedure. Her body was weak afterward, and she had no choice but to stay in the hospital for a few more days to recover. During this period, Benedict continued to appear in Rowena's Instagram posts. The Benedict who had once hated taking photos now appeared in selfie after selfie, smiling beside Rowena. The Benedict who had always refused to set foot in an amusement park was now a VIP guest there, with Rowena on his arm. The Benedict who had never touched street food was suddenly seen sitting at a tiny table on the roadside in a tailored suit, eating skewers—again, with Rowena. Everything he had never wanted to do with Minerva, he was now doing with Rowena. Then came the final blow. Rowena posted a new Instagram post with the caption, "Having a great brother-in-law is such a blessing." Right below it, Benedict left a like. Minerva closed her eyes and turned her phone face down. It was fine. Soon, she would be gone from this place. On the day of the Robertson family's banquet, Minerva saw Benedict again. As usual, Rowena was clinging to his arm. Maybe it was because of their last confrontation, but Rowena didn't even bother pretending anymore, and Benedict, who had once claimed he "only saw Rowena as a sister", clearly didn't mind at all. Minerva didn't spare them a second glance. She walked straight inside. Just as she stepped into the living room, a sharp voice rang out. "I haven't seen you in days, and you've already forgotten your manners?" Startled, Minerva turned and saw Benedict's mother, Alison Foster, glaring at her with cold eyes. Her heart sank. The Robertson family was strict about rules, and Alison was especially harsh. As the future daughter-in-law whom Alison had never approved of, Minerva had always lived under her scrutiny. Every time Minerva returned to Robertson Mansion, Alison would find a new excuse to punish her, always under the guise of "teaching her proper manners". Sure enough, the next second, Alison started nitpicking. "Look at what you're wearing, and how dare you walk in front of Benedict?" Minerva's hands, hanging loosely at her sides, clenched into fists. In her past life, she endured it all for the sake of peace. She never wanted to put Benedict in a difficult position, so she swallowed every harsh word Alison threw at her and accepted every ridiculous rule. But now, she didn't want to endure any of it because she wasn't even Alison's daughter-in-law anymore. So, she said nothing. She simply turned and headed upstairs. "You've completely lost your mind! Did you not hear me talking to you?" Alison slammed her hand down on the table with a loud crack. "Someone, prepare the things I need to discipline this woman!" Just as Benedict and Rowena walked in, they saw the housekeeper forcing Minerva to her knees while Alison stood looming above her. One glance and Benedict immediately understood—Minerva must have upset his mother again. So, he said nothing. He just led Rowena over to sit on the couch. Watching it unfold, Minerva felt nothing but cold disappointment. Of course. Whether in her past life or this one, he would never stand up for her. Steaming hot water was poured into the mug Minerva held in both hands. The scalding liquid rose quickly, spilling over the rim and cascading down her skin. Her once-fair hands turned an angry red in seconds, and blisters began to rise on her fingers. Minerva's face went pale from the pain, and she instinctively tried to drop the burning mug, but the housekeeper's hands clamped down on hers, forcing her to hold it.