I Stopped Loving Him When He Let Me Bleed Out novel Chapter 71

"You're lying."

Finn stepped back.

"I don't believe a single word you just said."

He turned around and headed for the door.

After a few steps, he stopped, not looking back.

"I'll uncover the truth about what happened four years ago myself."

He walked out.

The moment the door clicked shut behind him, the living room lights flickered.

Yolanda sat on the sofa and picked up her teacup.

Realizing the tea had gone cold, she slammed it back down.

The china hit the marble tabletop with a sharp clatter.

Chloe, standing off to the side, flinched.

Yolanda glanced at her.

Seeing that the tear tracks on her face hadn't dried yet, she waved her over.

Chloe let herself be pulled along like a marionette, sitting down beside her.

Yolanda held a handkerchief, gently wiping her tears with a soft tone.

"You did very well today. I'm highly satisfied."

Chloe sat stiffly, too terrified to move.

"Don't worry, he won't do anything to you. You are York's mother, after all," Yolanda said, tossing the handkerchief aside and looking at her.

"Remember to listen to me. Finn will sign the marriage papers with you. I will throw you the grandest wedding. You will be the official, recognized daughter-in-law of the Fletcher family, and you and Finn will have a child of your very own."

Her voice seemed to carry a certain hypnotic charm.

Chloe's body gradually relaxed, her emotions stabilizing.

She began to yearn for the future Yolanda described, her eyes lighting up.

She imagined the picture-perfect scene.

Finn standing beside her, York calling her mommy, while she held an even smaller baby in her arms.

Ideally, a little girl.

A family of four, whole and happy.

She nodded eagerly.

"I'll listen to you. I'll do whatever you say."

Yolanda smiled.

Finn immediately sat up straight, his voice tightening.

"What happened to her?"

"She's been reported. Academic fraud and stealing someone else's residency spot. The report was submitted to Medical Affairs—application forms, transcripts, an email from a foreign mentor. The evidence is solid. It's really bad."

"What evidence?" Finn's voice went ice-cold.

"The application form has multiple suspected alterations, the transcripts are problematic, and the email from the overseas mentor is harshly worded, questioning her academic abilities. The whistleblower used their real name—it's the student whose spot was allegedly taken. The materials were thoroughly prepared; this wasn't a spur-of-the-moment thing."

Finn's fingers tightened.

He stared out the windshield into the rainy night. The wipers had stopped, and the rain blurred the glass completely, obscuring everything.

He suddenly remembered Yolanda's words.

"Who do you think secured her spot to go abroad? A fresh graduate with zero backing—how on earth did she stand out from so many applicants?"

"Finn, are you still there?" Isaac asked.

"Yeah."

"What are you going to do?"

Finn took a deep breath, pulled out a cigarette, and lit it.

The flame sparked briefly in the darkness.

He slowly exhaled a ring of smoke: