Meng Kexin never expected that the seemingly fragile Lena Su would suddenly explode with such force.
Just as she was about to fight back, a noise came from the doorway.
Her expression changed in an instant. She looked pitiful, her voice soft and trembling as she cried out:
"Lena, I know you resent me. You hate that I testified against you two years ago for the arson. But it was Ethan's mother, Lena! Even if you were my best friend, I couldn't lie for you. If you're in pain, then go ahead and strangle me. Let me die to redeem you."
Lena couldn't believe it. Even now, with the truth about to come out, Meng Kexin still tried to throw dirt on her.
Rage surged through her, and her hands around Kexin's neck tightened.
Just then, Ethan Mo stormed in, full of fury.
"Lena Su, what the hell are you doing?!" he shouted angrily.
He had just heard everything from outside the door. He couldn't believe that back then, in order to clear her name, Lena had actually tried to make Kexin lie for her.
How could she have become so vicious?
Lena, already weak, was sent flying with Ethan's shove.
Her head slammed hard against the edge of the table and then crashed onto the floor.
Dizziness blurred her vision. By the time she regained some clarity, blood was already streaming down her temple and dripping onto the floor in crimson splashes.
But she didn't seem to feel any pain.
Her eyes were fixed on Ethan—on the arms he wrapped so protectively around Meng Kexin.
The man she had loved for fifteen years had just hurt her to protect another woman.
What a joke. What a cruel, ridiculous joke.
Lena suddenly began to laugh.
It was wild, broken laughter—so sharp it echoed painfully in the heart.
"Ethan Mo, do you even know? It was Meng Kexin who set that fire. She hated that I was by your side. She hated that your mother wanted you to marry me. She wanted to burn us both to death!"
"Your mother died trying to save me. I owe the Mo family my life. I've always been willing to repay it. But you? You love and protect the real killer. Aren't you afraid your mother's soul will never rest in peace?"
Ethan froze. Lena's words seemed to strike something deep inside him.
He looked down at Meng Kexin in his arms—tears shimmered in her eyes, her lips pale and trembling. She looked like she was trying so hard to endure her pain.
"Lena… I wronged you back then. If you can forgive me, I'm willing to bear whatever consequences."
That look of sorrow, of silent endurance, reminded Ethan of the words he'd just heard outside the door.
"Lena Su, that's enough! Kexin is so kind. She's willing to die to atone for your sins, and you still dare to slander her like this? You really are a venomous woman!"
Kind? Lena stared at him in disbelief.
Venomous?
She laughed bitterly in her heart. This was the man who didn't even hesitate to kill their unborn child—how could he possibly believe a few of her words now?
She saw it clearly—Meng Kexin, nestled in his arms, had a smirk at the corner of her lips.
It was smug, taunting. A silent mockery.
Even if Lena knew the truth, no one would believe her.
The fury and heartbreak overwhelmed her—Lena suddenly coughed up a mouthful of blood.
She stared blankly at the red pool spreading on the floor.
Her voice was faint, no longer hysterical or desperate—just tired. So tired it sounded as if it drifted from a dream.
"Ethan Mo… will you only believe me when I'm dead?"