"Can I still call you ''sister''?"


    The young boyy on the hospital bed, his voice barely a whisper. His once vibrant features were now dulled by illness, yet his dark eyes shone with hope.


    When M hesitated to respond, he chuckled softly, "If you don''t like me calling you ''sister,'' how about... Mimi?"


    ...


    Mimi.


    The name sent M spiraling into memories. Suddenly, she was transported back years ago, to a time when a young man, tall and straight as a sapling, stood basking in the sunlight. His face was a blur, but the warmth of his smile was unmistakable.


    His voice was gentle and clear-


    "Mimi."


    "How about I call you Mimi?"


    "I want a special name that only I can use. Is that alright, Mimi?"


    She could hear her own voice replying, "Alright."


    From that moment on, time twisted and turned, and fate took its course. She and the young man were separated, lost to each other for years.


    ...


    Eugene noticed her distant expression and nudged her back to reality, "What''s wrong? Is calling you Mimi not okay either?"


    M quickly masked the surge of emotion that had threatened to surface, forcing a smile. "I don''t like that name. Just call me ''sister''."


    Eugene didn''t press the issue, offering a gentle smile. "Alright."


    M lingered in the hospital room a little longer, but her mind was in turmoil. After reminding Eugene to take care of himself, she left.


    As she drove through the thick night, she realized that despite it being mid-winter, she was drenched in cold sweat. Memories had been stirred up, refusing to be suppressed.


    Suddenly, she recalled something. At the recent Lockwood family gathering, Rnd had mentioned an old acquaintance would be returning.


    M bent forward, burying her face in her icy hands. Her heart ached with the weight of the past, her deep sigh echoing in the car.


    "Green Mountain..."


    ...


    After being threatened by Lysander, M hardly slept a wink.


    The next morning, despite the dark circles under her eyes, she went to see the legal team her great-aunt had arranged for her.


    She still wanted the divorce.


    She had realized that she was no longer the timid student she had been years ago. Now, she had more courage and capability.


    Back then, even under the oppressive force of her family, even when they tried to sell her off for a dowry, she had found the strength to escape.


    Now she was stronger than she had been then, so why couldn''t she face this?


    As soon as she met thewyers, she asked if it was possible to finalize the divorce before the new year. She and her great-aunt had finally been reunited, and she wanted to celebrate.


    Thewyers exchanged nces, and the middle-aged woman leading the team spoke first-


    "Ms. Suthend, we understand your situation."


    "You signed a prenuptial agreement, and unfortunately, the terms are not in your favor. Dividing the assets will be difficult. However, we are confident we can secure the divorce for you, but achieving this before the new year might be challenging."


    "There are only a few days left until the holidays, and the court will be on recess."


    "The court is currently reviewing the case, and we have been urging them to expedite the process, but with such tight timelines, the hearing will most likely be postponed until after the holidays."


    M frowned, "Is there any way to speed things up?"


    The woman replied, "There is, if you can reach a private settlement. It could be done in a matter of days."


    If she could settle it privately, she wouldn''t have needed to sue.


    Feeling frustrated, M said, "Please continue to press thewsuit process and expedite it as much as possible. I''ll also think of other ways."


    "Oh, and one more thing." She added, "Please don''t let my great-aunt know about the prenuptial agreement."


    If her great-aunt found out, she would explode and might even take it out on the Montgomery family.


    Speaking of the Montgomery family...


    M suddenly remembered someone. Although she couldn''tmunicate with Lysander, there was someone in the Montgomery family who never thought highly


    of her. Maybe they could help her with the divorce.


    As she thought of this person, her phone rang.


    It was her father-inw, Conrad, requesting a meeting to discuss matters.