Olivia stood frozen, watching. I saw her waver. A half-step forward. A flicker of conscience battling her obsession.
"Olivia! Make them stop!" My voice cracked. "Mom is dying! She loved you like a daughter—how can you do this to her?"
"Don't listen to his nonsense." Spencer's hand landed on her shoulder, smooth and steady. "Don't sympathize with him. It's all an act."
His words froze her in place.
"Damn it," she muttered. Her eyes hardened again. "I knew you were lying."
In that instant, whatever love I had left for Olivia Swanson turned to ash.
A roar tore from my chest—raw, primal, pure rage. Ignoring the pain, I scrambled up, grabbed a jagged shard of broken vase, and slashed it through the air at the guards surrounding me.
The guards scrambled back, startled by the murderous look in my eyes.
"Come on!" I brandished the shard, blood dripping from my forehead. "If you're not afraid to die, come and get me!"
No one wanted to risk their life against a madman. They parted like the Red Sea.
I wasted no time. I scooped my mother up and sprinted for the exit.
Olivia chased after us. This time, she didn't block the way—the "auspicious hour" had passed. She even handed me her phone to call the ambulance.
"Husband, you two go home first." Her voice was breathless. "I wanted to discuss this with you yesterday, but I knew you wouldn't agree to the body display."
She grabbed my arm, eyes pleading. "But do you know? I owe Spencer a life debt. Years ago, when I was dragged into that alley... he saved me from being raped. He was severely injured in the process. He can never have children because of me."
Spencer Delgado was castrated saving her?
I paused, stunned. The revelation was heavy, but reality didn't offer the luxury of processing it.
"Fine," I said through gritted teeth. "Just help me get Mom to the hospital."
Before she could answer, Spencer rushed out and grabbed her wrist.
"Olivia! Get back in there. The customers are saying they'll leave if the model doesn't return."
He wanted her to go back and lie on that table?
I looked at Olivia, certain she would refuse. My mother was critical. Surely, she would choose us.
But she nodded solemnly, as if facing a war. "Okay. I'll go back and stabilize the situation."
"Olivia!" I shouted.
She didn't turn back.
She walked away decisively. Cleanly. Without a single glance at her dying mother-in-law.
At that moment, I finally woke up.