Chapter 10: Fever Dreams

**Chapter Nine**

The nine-year-old boy before me, his eyes full of hatred.

He was my Ethan.

The one who had accompanied me for half a lifetime and promised me the next one.

Why was he now saying he didn’t want to?

My heart ached as if twisted tight. I held back as long as I could, but I still couldn’t contain it. Biting my lip, tears poured down.

Ethan frowned, his palm slightly reaching forward before he stopped himself and pulled back.

He hesitated just a moment—fingers twitching, as if fighting the urge to reach for me. But the distance remained, thick and impossible.

"Even uglier when you cry. Obviously unlucky."

"Grandma, let’s go."

Grandma Shaw looked embarrassed.

"This child, talking nonsense. In my opinion, Rachel looks so pleasant."

"It’s just unfortunate the child has no affinity. This marriage can’t be forced. Mr. Lee, this is a small token from our family. Rachel’s good marriage is still ahead."

Grandma Shaw left generous gifts and hurried out with the Shaw family.

Judge Shaw looked back at me, curious.

"Why is this Rachel Lee crying so sadly?"

Ethan snorted coldly.

"Someone greedy for wealth and status—her plans just fell through, that’s all."

Judge Shaw coughed awkwardly and reached out to cover Ethan’s mouth.

"Don’t talk nonsense."

"I really don’t know what kind you want."

Watching the Shaw family leave through the main gate, I couldn’t hold back anymore. I collapsed to the ground, covered my face, and sobbed.

He said I was greedy for wealth and status.

So that’s what he thought of me.

All that mother-son affection was just my wishful thinking.

Now that we’d lived again, with Ethan’s abilities, he could easily save his family from that disaster.

He’d still rise steadily and achieve great success, just like before.

And with his grandmother and Judge Shaw still alive, with the whole family together, he’d do even better.

He didn’t need me anymore.

He’d never need me again.

Once that thought crossed my mind, my whole body ached with it.

Seeing me cry like this, my parents were terrified.

My mom comforted me:

"This marriage wasn’t that great anyway. That Judge Shaw is gone most of the year—wouldn’t that be like being a widow? Could he really take you to D.C.?"

My dad agreed: "Right, living in D.C. wouldn’t be good either. The city’s tough, they say you get a mouthful of smog every time you step outside, and you can’t see your parents. We’d miss you too."

They didn’t understand. It wasn’t about Judge Shaw at all—it was because of Ethan.