Chapter 3 Sever the Past

After saying that, she turned and left without a moment's hesitation.

These family members who only knew how to exploit and take from her—she was done with them for good.

The heavy door slammed shut behind her, and the living room fell into a long silence. Aurora stood there, her expression slowly shifting from anger to something complicated and hard to read.

She moved her lips, finally muttering under her breath, "Ungrateful wretch!"

Steven frowned, a vague sense of unease creeping into his mind.

Elizabeth's behavior today was completely different from what he'd expected. She should have been crying and begging for forgiveness, kneeling and pleading for everyone to forgive her. But instead, she'd just left, clean and simple.

"If Father comes back and asks about this..." Aaron spoke up in a low voice, a hint of worry in his tone.

It was Raymond who had decided to bring Elizabeth back in the first place. He'd been seriously ill at the time, unable to find a matching bone marrow donor, and it was ultimately Elizabeth who had donated her marrow and saved his life.

If he found out they'd just let Elizabeth walk away like this, he'd definitely blow his top.

Steven rubbed his temples, his tone full of irritation. "Don't worry about her. She's talking tough now, but once she struggles to make it on her own out there, she'll come crawling back sooner or later."

He paused, a cold glint flashing in his eyes. "Aaron, contact the orchestra director. Don't let Elizabeth take the stage for the principal cellist audition in three days."

Aaron froze for a moment, then nodded. "I'll arrange it right away."

Claire leaned against Steven, and hearing this, she secretly rejoiced.

The principal position would end up in her hands after all.

So what if Elizabeth was talented? With the Wilson family backing her, Elizabeth didn't stand a chance at competing.

But she didn't show any of these thoughts on her face. Instead, she cried even harder. "It's all my fault that Elizabeth left in anger. Once she calms down, I'll go apologize to her myself and convince her to come back."

Steven patted her back tenderly. "This has nothing to do with you. She's the one who doesn't know when she has it good."

Aurora stepped forward and pulled Claire into her arms, soothing her gently. "Claire, you don't need to apologize, and we won't go looking for her either. If we don't teach her a lesson, she'll just think she can throw tantrums whenever she wants and everyone will indulge her."

"Just rest up and focus on preparing for the audition." Aurora stroked her hair, her tone especially gentle. "Remember, you'll always be my most beloved daughter."

Claire buried her face in Aurora's embrace, and at an angle others couldn't see, she quietly curved her lips into a smile.

So what if Elizabeth was the Wilson family's biological daughter? In this family's hearts, from beginning to end, there had only ever been her.

As long as she played the victim a little, everyone would hand her the best of everything on a silver platter.

She nodded obediently. "I understand, Mom."

Meanwhile, Elizabeth walked out of the Wilson family estate. The biting cold wind hit her face, sweeping away all the frustration that had been weighing on her heart.

She took a deep breath and flagged down a taxi.

"Hello, to the nearest hospital, please."

The taxi drove away from the upscale villa district. Elizabeth leaned back in the seat, closed her eyes, and sorted through her plans for what came next.

She'd been used to working part-time jobs to support herself since childhood, and even after joining the orchestra, she'd kept up the habit of saving. Her savings weren't exactly generous now, but they were enough to get her through for a while.

She planned to stay in a hotel temporarily, then slowly look for a place to rent. The wound on her hand needed to be treated as soon as possible—she couldn't let it affect the principal audition in three days.

Lost in thought, her phone vibrated in her pocket. She glanced at the caller ID. It read: Lonnie.

Looking at that name, Elizabeth's feelings grew complicated.

Lonnie Caldwell was someone who'd grown up with her at the orphanage. The woman who had taken away two babies back then had been a widow living alone, and after giving birth, she'd quietly disappeared.

Elizabeth had been sent to the orphanage right after birth. Lonnie had also grown up there, three years older than her. For as long as she could remember, he'd always protected her.

Because of her good looks, she was often bullied by other girls at the orphanage, and every time, it was Lonnie who stepped up to chase away the troublemakers.

When they were young, he'd held her hand and promised to protect her for life.

When she was eight, Lonnie was taken away by his biological father. That's when she learned he was an illegitimate son of the Caldwell family.

Later, she was adopted by Azalea Gray. Her teacher recognized her musical talent and carefully taught her to play the cello. She practiced desperately, hoping that one day she could stand on equal footing with Lonnie.

After she was brought back by the Wilson family, she felt she was finally worthy of him. She confessed her feelings, and they got together.

Elizabeth pressed the answer button but said nothing.

Lonnie's gentle voice came through the phone. "Elizabeth, I heard you had a fight with your family and left on your own?"

Elizabeth let out a cold laugh. "Where did you hear that?"

Lonnie hadn't expected this kind of attitude from her. After a brief pause, his tone remained calm. "Elizabeth, I'm just worried about you."

"Worried about me?" Elizabeth's tone was flat. "So what exactly did you hear?"

"Someone said you ruined Claire's birthday cake and even pushed her." Lonnie sighed softly. "Elizabeth, I know you feel wronged, but what you did really wasn't right. Listen to me—go back and apologize, give up the principal position, and your family will forgive you."

Elizabeth closed her eyes. In her past life, he'd said the same thing to her. Back then, she'd thought he genuinely cared about her and had foolishly agreed.

In the end, Claire had smoothly secured the principal position and performed alongside Lonnie on stage. Everyone praised them as the perfect duo.

Heartbroken and discouraged, she'd applied to orchestras overseas. She'd finally managed to establish herself abroad when Claire showed up again, bringing Lonnie with her.

Later, Claire offended the mafia. When things went south, everyone protected Claire and helped her escape—Lonnie among them. She'd called his name over and over, hoping he'd turn back to save her, but he never stopped.

"I won't give the principal position to anyone."

Pulling herself out of those chaotic memories, Elizabeth's tone was ice-cold.

Lonnie was surprised by her blunt refusal, and his tone took on a hint of helplessness. "Elizabeth, don't be so stubborn. Claire has depression and her emotions are already unstable. You shouldn't compete with her. You're stronger than her—what's the harm in backing down a little?"

What's the harm in backing down a little.

Elizabeth had heard that phrase countless times in her past life. The Wilson family said it. Lonnie said it too. As if just because she had a strong personality, she should naturally keep compromising, keep sacrificing. She didn't need anyone's special protection, yet she was the one abandoned by everyone, time and time again.

"Lonnie Caldwell."

She spoke his full name. On the other end, Lonnie clearly froze. Elizabeth had never addressed him this way before.

Elizabeth's eyes turned cold as she stated the decision she'd already made. "Let's break up."

The phone instantly fell into dead silence. After a long moment, Lonnie's voice carried disbelief. "What did you say?"

"I said, let's break up." Elizabeth's tone was firm as she repeated, "Starting today, we're done."

Lonnie's tone grew heavy. "Elizabeth, don't joke around. I'll pretend I didn't hear that."

"I'm not joking." Elizabeth found it almost laughable—he was so full of himself, so certain she couldn't leave him.

"If you didn't hear me clearly, I can say it again. This time, I'm definitely breaking up with you."

Lonnie's breathing gradually quickened, full of confusion. "Why? We've always gotten along well, haven't we?"

Elizabeth had no desire to watch him fake affection anymore. She cut straight to the truth.

"Lonnie, do I need to spell it out for you?"

"What's really going on between you and Claire—you know better than anyone!"