Her Engagement Test Cost My Mother’s Life

To clear my girlfriend's debts, Mom and I worked ourselves to the bone. It cost Mom her life C she got lung cancer.

When I rushed to the hospital with the money to pay for her treatment, I found her gone. She'd taken her own life, leaving only a single letter:

Kolt, don't waste money treating me. Use it to pay off Scarlett's debts. She loves you. I wish you both a lifetime of happiness.

Clutching Mom's ashes, I handed Scarlett the sixty thousand dollars Mom had left.

Back at the office, I walked in on her talking to a few creditors. It wasn't what I expected.

"Scarlett, Kolt has passed all your tests. What's next on your agenda?"

Scarlett's assistant, Brandon, suddenly spoke up:

"Scarlett, he might be able to tough it out with you, but we still need to see if he can handle prosperity."

Scarlett pursed her lips:

"Next, I need to know if he's truly sincere. If he doesn't covet my money once he knows who I really am, I'll marry him."

I looked at Mom's ashes, dissolving into a weeping mess.

My girlfriend's pre-wedding 'test' cost my mother her life.

And I? I swear, you'll all pay for this!

Leaving Su Corp.

I sat on the curb, clutching Mom's urn.

Mom had asked for her ashes to be placed in the simplest, most unadorned container, just to save every last penny for Scarlett's debts.

Suddenly, Scarlett's face appeared on the giant screen in the plaza.

The news anchor reported:

"Just moments ago, Scarlett, the CEO of Su Corp, who had mysteriously disappeared for three years, attended a gala with her fianc, Brandon."

I stared at the screen, at Scarlett, radiant with confidence.

Tears streamed down my face.

So all those years Mom and I poured our hearts and souls into working, just to pay off her debts...

It was all just a lie.

I sat there for what felt like ages, until Scarlett called that evening.

Her voice was just as soft and gentle as always:

"It's so late. Why aren't you home yet? Where are you? I'll come pick you up."

I instinctively opened my mouth, but no words came out. Just silence.

Before, I would've probably been a little annoyed,

complaining that she was interrupting my work again.

But now, that intimate tone... I couldn't bear it.

Scarlett's voice held a hint of urgency:

"Kolt, where are you right now?"

"Working."

Scarlett froze, as if just remembering that I'd been working tirelessly until late every night, all to pay off her debts.

She'd promised to marry me once the debts were cleared.

And to settle down, build a real life with me.

Just as Mom had hoped.

Today, she was supposed to reveal her true identity to me.

"I... I have something to tell you. I'm actually the heir to Su Corp."

"I... I'm coming to pick you up right now..."

I hung up, hailed a cab, and left.

I had no expectations left for Scarlett.

When I finally snapped back to reality, my own tears were reflected in the car window.

On my phone, Scarlett's messages popped up, one after another.

I didn't look. I didn't want to.

Today was supposed to be the start of our new life together.

But her lies had turned my mother's suicide into a cruel joke.

Five years of struggle, all for a ridiculous truth.

Scarlett, I'm not marrying you.

That night, I didn't go home. I checked into a hotel.

Scarlett messaged me all night, called countless times.

I didn't check. I didn't answer.

The next morning, I arrived at the company early.

To prepare my resignation letter.

The company was a subsidiary of Su Corp.

And I was just an ordinary accountant.

Five years ago, I first met Scarlett when she joined the company too.

After we started dating, I introduced her to Mom.

Mom approved of our marriage. As we were planning the reception,

Scarlett told me she was deep in debt and had been fired from her job.

To help her pay it off, I took on every side gig I could find.

Mom also worked herself to the bone. Her already worn face grew even older, etched with more lines.

I never imagined this company... it was *hers*.

I let out a bitter laugh, mocking myself.

Just then, Scarlett walked in.

I calmly pulled out the resignation agreement I'd already printed.

Scarlett came to stand beside me.

Under her watchful gaze, I calmly signed the resignation agreement.

She looked at me, her voice gentle:

"Are you done?"

"I'm done."

Scarlett bit her lip slightly, seemingly unaware of the change in me.

She cleared her throat.

"Kolt, could you come with me for a moment?"

The moment Scarlett called me away, my colleagues immediately started whispering.

"Oh my God, have you guys seen the news? Scarlett is the CEO of Su Corp!"

"Kolt's practically the CEO's husband now, but his expression..."

"You don't get it. It's just a lovers' quarrel, they'll patch things up."

Everyone thought I was about to become the CEO's husband.

But they didn't know I just wanted to leave, forever.

In the office, Scarlett reached out as if to grab me.

I took a step back.

"Ms. Scarlett."

Scarlett frowned.

"Why didn't you come home last night? Are you still mad at me?"

I shook my head.

"I went to see Mom."

I didn't go back because I didn't want Mom to ever see her again.

She could have lived if she'd just gotten treatment.

But she chose to end her own life, just so she wouldn't be a burden.

Scarlett seemed to sense a strange shift in me.

After a moment of silence, she spoke:

"Tonight, let's go see your mom together."

As she spoke, she seemed to remember something, and her gaze became hesitant.

She slowly handed me a card.

"There's a hundred thousand dollars on it. Get your mom some new clothes, consider it..."

I stared at the bank card, but I didn't take it.

What she owed us couldn't be repaid with money.

Seeing my silence, a flicker of panic crossed Scarlett's eyes. She was about to speak when

a ringtone interrupted her thoughts.

Scarlett pulled out her phone, glanced at me,

hesitated for a moment, then left.

I knew this was probably another one of her 'tests' for me.

Testing my sincerity, testing if I was after her money.

But I no longer cared.

After that, I submitted my resignation.

Mr. Davies didn't seem surprised by my sudden resignation request.

"Kolt, you're leaving? Did Ms. Scarlett make other arrangements for you?"

I bit my lip, feeling a surge of bitter irony.

Everyone thought I was about to become the CEO's husband, stepping into high society.

They all envied my 'luck'.

They had no idea I'd lost my mother forever because of it.

If I had a choice, I'd rather have never met Scarlett.

As I was leaving the company, I saw Scarlett with her assistant, Brandon.

Catching my eye, Scarlett instinctively began to explain;

"This is Brandon, he's my..."

Before she could finish, Brandon wrapped an arm around her.

"Fianc."

I stayed silent. Then, Brandon spoke again:

"Excuse me. Could you move aside?"

A glint of challenge flashed in Brandon's eyes.

I silently took a step back, clearing the way.

Scarlett looked at me, hesitation in her eyes, as if she wanted to say something.

But Brandon pulled her away before she could.

That evening, I went to church to pray for Mom.

I stayed until my prayers were done.

Scarlett never showed up. She never even asked.

I didn't care.

Whether she knew about Mom's death or not, it didn't matter anymore.

I figured Mom, in heaven, if she knew the truth,

wouldn't want to see her either.

Five years of misplaced trust. It all ended right here, right now.

In the early hours, I returned home.

Scarlett wasn't back. I didn't care.

As I was packing my bags,

the news was reporting on the Su Corp CEO, Scarlett, attending a gala with her fianc, Brandon.

I watched the 'perfect' couple, feeling nothing.

Bags packed, I was about to leave.

The door opened, and Scarlett appeared.

The moment she saw me, Scarlett rushed over, grabbing my hand.

"Where were you last night? Why didn't you answer my calls?"

I stiffened, then pulled my hand free from Scarlett's grip.

"Last night, I was with Mom. I didn't want to disturb her rest, so I turned off my phone."

At the mention of Mom,

Scarlett remembered what she'd said that day, and a look of guilt crossed her face.

"I'll arrange for the best doctors to take care of your mom."

Then, she pulled out a box and pressed it into my hand.

"This is what I promised to give your mom."

I opened it instinctively. Inside was a bracelet.

It was the genuine version of the bracelet Mom had cherished so carefully.

I froze.

Once, Scarlett had held Mom's hand,

and promised with utmost sincerity that one day, she'd give her the priceless original.

Mom's eyes had been full of laughter then. She didn't care if the bracelet was real or fake.

As long as it came from Scarlett, from the daughter-in-law she approved of.

She would be happy.

But I thought, *that was before*.

I closed the box and handed it back.

"If you get the chance, give it to her yourself."

Scarlett frowned slightly.

Every time, I used to make the choice she expected, the one she hoped for.

But my politeness now felt alien to her.

A flicker of unease crossed her face. She grabbed my hand, squeezing it slightly.

"Your mom's health..."

Just then, Brandon appeared, wrapping an arm around Scarlett's shoulder.

"Scarlett, I want to stay in this room!"

She was pointing at *my* room.

"This room is taken."

Scarlett said, then quickly explained to me:

"He's a friend. He's just staying for a bit because of work."

As she spoke, Scarlett stared intently at me, as if expecting me to refuse.

But I just nodded, agreeing without a second thought.

"Let him have the room. I need to go stay with Mom."

Scarlett froze for a moment. Brandon, not giving me a chance to reconsider, immediately rushed into the room.

Only then did she notice the luggage in my hand.

She bit her lip, holding my hand tightly, refusing to let go.

The guilt in her eyes deepened.

Finally, urged on by Brandon, she spoke:

"Tomorrow, I'll go see your mom."