Chapter 4 Completely Severing Ties

Was Emily hospitalized?

In her past life, Laura would have been a mess of panic and guilt by now, rushing to the hospital in tears to wait on Emily hand and foot.

But after getting a second chance at life and seeing her so-called family for who they really were, she couldn't even be bothered to fake it.

"Got it."

Flat and dismissive—like it wouldn't matter to her even if someone had died.

Charles felt his blood pressure spike. "What kind of attitude is that? Do you have any family feeling left in you at all? Do you have any idea—your mom's blood pressure shot up to two hundred because of you. The doctor said if this keeps up, her kidneys."

"Fine. Which hospital?"

Charles's tone softened slightly, and he gave her the name.

Laura hung up and took one last look around the studio before getting up and leaving.

She was going, of course.

Not to take care of Emily, though. She had things to say to their faces—so they'd stop calling her with this useless nonsense.

In her past life, she had been far too weak, completely at the Garcia family's mercy.

This time, she was going to make it clear—she wasn't someone they could push around anymore.

She took a cab to the hospital. As she reached the door of the room, she caught Ella's voice from inside.

"It's all my fault. I shouldn't have... I shouldn't have..." Ella was crying so hard she could barely breathe. "But Laura didn't have to do that, Mom. Your health..."

Laura felt sick to her stomach. She didn't want to hear another word. She pushed the door open.

Inside, Charles was sitting by the bed. Ella was draped over Emily, sobbing. And all three of her brothers were there.

Liam stood by the window, his face dark. When he saw her walk in, he looked like he wanted to tear her apart.

Her second brother Nicholas Garcia and third brother Blake Garcia were on the sofa—one scrolling on his phone, the other watching her with cold eyes.

"Everyone's here," Laura said, leaning against the doorframe with a casual smile. "What is this, a family meeting?"

"Liam too. Looks like things got sorted out."

"How dare you smile?!" Liam stormed over and jabbed a finger in her face. "You actually called the cops on me? I'm your own brother!"

"My brother?" Laura tilted her head. "Now you remember that? The way you've always treated me, anyone watching would think you were my enemy."

Liam's cheek twitched with rage, but he couldn't find a word to say.

"Good thing everyone's here. Saves me the trouble of tracking you down one by one." Laura reached into her bag and pulled out a piece of paper she'd already prepared. She unfolded it and set it on the cabinet beside the bed.

"What's that?" Charles frowned.

"A declaration of severance." Laura said each word clearly. "Starting today, I have no ties to the Garcia family whatsoever."

"You never raised me for a single day when I was little. After you brought me back, I gave everything I had for this family. I don't owe any of you a thing."

"This document is my final word. Moving forward, your fates mean absolutely nothing to me. It doesn't matter if you strike it rich or wind up homeless, alive or dead—I wash my hands of all of you."

The room went dead silent.

"Are you out of your mind?" Nicholas stared at her in disbelief. "You want to cut ties with us? Do you know what kind of name the Garcia family has? People would kill for a connection to us."

Liam narrowed his eyes. "Laura, you said it yourself."

"I did." Laura looked at these people she was supposed to call family, and said slowly, word by word: "I hope you heard that. Keep it in mind."

"Laura, don't do this." Ella grabbed her hand, eyes full of tears, and dropped to her knees. "Don't do this. It's all my fault. I'll leave. I'll leave the Garcia family. Just please don't go."

"Save the act." Laura shook her off. "Ella, that might work on other people. It doesn't work on me. I know exactly who you are."

"Who do you think you're talking to?!" Blake finally spoke up, stepping in front of Ella. "Ella already apologized. What more do you want? Are you going to be happy only when she's dead?"

"Yeah, I want her dead," Laura said it without flinching. "She loves taking things from me, doesn't she? This time I'm giving her the whole Garcia family. Is that enough?"

"You!"

"Enough!" Charles roared, his face livid. "If you want to leave, then leave. The Garcia family doesn't need you. But those paintings you made for Ella—they're gone, they're gone. Ella's exhibition is going ahead as planned."

"Really?" Laura raised an eyebrow and laughed coldly. "She found a new ghost painter already? Or are you planning to reel me back in and keep using me?"

Ella's eyes flickered. She looked down and said nothing.

Laura understood. They hadn't found anyone yet.

"None of your business!" Charles snorted. "You think everything falls apart without you? Get out. Get out right now."

"Dad, please calm down." Ella rushed over to support him, putting on a show of concern. "Laura's just acting out. She'll come around."

"Sorry to disappoint, but I don't think I ever will." Laura turned and walked out.

She paused for just a moment at the door. "This time, I'm the one leaving you."

Then she walked out of the hospital without looking back.

Outside, Laura took a deep breath. She felt light all over.

Like she'd finally put down something that had been weighing her down for years.

Her phone buzzed. A message from Lena: [Laura! Guess what? That idiot Ella is actually out looking for a ghost painter! And she's offering serious money!]

Laura smiled and replied: [How much?]

Lena: [A hundred thousand dollars a painting. She wants five paintings. That's five hundred thousand total!]

Five hundred thousand dollars—enough for a middle-class family to live on for a year. Ella wasn't holding back.

And the Garcia family was more than happy to spend it on her.

Laura let out a quiet laugh, with a bitterness she couldn't quite put into words.

Laura: [She hasn't found anyone yet, has she?]

Lena: [Nope. It's your style, after all. Looks easy to copy if you don't know what you're looking at, but any professional knows how hard it really is.]

Laura stared at her screen. Then, all at once, something clicked. A plan took shape in her mind.

Laura: [Lena, do me a favor. Find a middleman and tell them you know a ghost painter willing to take the job. Send that painting I gave you as a sample. Then tell her the price is double.]