CHAPTER 136: SOURCE OF DESPAIR

Yeri finally remembered where she had seen this woman before, back when she dined with Lianna at Brizola Restaurant. On their way out, they had bumped into Dr. Neri and this woman.

Just then, Sean called out for his father, and Zahn Neri excused himself, leaving only the two women behind.

The moment Zahn turned his back, Vanessa’s gentle demeanor vanished. She looked at Lianna with thinly veiled contempt.

Vanessa began her provocation in a soft, almost mocking tone, how she spent more time with Zahn Neri than his own wife did, how they were always together even after work, and even hinted inappropriate moments.

Her words were clear: she was implying there was something more between her and Zahn Neri.

Yeri could feel Lianna’s nerves tighten, her pulse quicken. Yet, despite the provocation, Lianna remained calm, not giving Vanessa the reaction she seemed to crave. That calmness only made Vanessa more unsettled, her agitation growing as her attempts failed to land.

Yeri’s chest tightened with unease. Something about this woman felt dangerous. She was obviously scheming.

Sure enough, as she prepared to leave, Vanessa suddenly brought up Sean. At that, Lianna’s mask slipped for a moment, she reacted.

Vanessa’s lips curled smugly.

"Sean was actually the one who invited me today," she said sweetly. "Even when Brother Zahn and I arrived, he couldn’t wait to start the party. He asked me to stand beside him..."

She paused, tilting her head. "You don’t mind, do you? Nowadays it isn’t about blood ties, but about who the child genuinely loves and sees as family. Don’t you know? Sean once told me he wished I was his mother."

Yeri felt Lianna’s body trembled, biting her lip as the cruel words sank in. She forced herself to steady her breathing, but the pain in her chest was indescribable.

For any mother, her child was the bottom line.

She inhaled deeply, lifted her chin, and stared directly into Vanessa’s eyes. Her voice was steady, but laced with steel.

"You are not the first woman who has tried to provoke me. Sean is a child, he would like anyone who shows him kindness. If you have even a shred of decency, don’t use a child to sow discord."

The words landed like a slap. Vanessa’s face soured, but then, as if a thought struck her, she abruptly smiled. She reached out and grabbed Lianna’s hand, her tone sugar-sweet.

"Mrs. Neri, don’t misunderstand. Brother Zahn and I are only friends..."

But as she spoke, her nails dug sharply into Yeri’s wrist. The sudden sting made her flinch and yank her hand back. Vanessa seized the chance to stumble backward dramatically, letting out a sharp scream.

Every head turned toward them.

Vanessa quickly put on a pitiful expression, and a few women rushed to help her up.

"Are you alright?" one asked.

"What happened?" another pressed.

Vanessa looked embarrassed, brushing at her gown as if dusting off nonexistent dirt. She forced a gentle smile.

"Nothing... I just lost my balance."

But one sharp-eyed guest scoffed loudly, "You’re too kind. I saw Mrs. Neri shove you."

The whispers spread like fire, and soon contemptuous glances turned toward Yeri.

"What’s going on?" Zahn’s voice cut through the chatter as he strode over.

Vanessa lowered her gaze, feigning unease.

"Brother Zahn, don’t worry. Mrs. Neri didn’t mean it. She just misunderstood our relationship. She’s your wife, naturally she’ll feel jealous."

Zahn’s brows knitted as he turned to Lianna, waiting for her explanation.

"She’s sowing discord between me and Sean," Lianna replied indifferently.

Yeri smacked her forehead inwardly as she uttered those words.

Lianna’s words, though true, sounded cold and vague. Coming from a woman rumored to be unstable, it only confirmed what the crowd wanted to believe, that she had lashed out in jealousy.

Worst, hadn’t she already hinted earlier at being jealous of Zahn’s "date"?

Sure enough, the murmurs thickened.

Vanessa pressed on, her eyes glistening with false tears.

"Mrs. Neri, I wasn’t sowing discord. I would never take your place. It was my fault...I shouldn’t have stood beside Sean. How about we sing happy birthday again, to make up for it?"

Guests exchanged knowing glances, their judgmental voices hushed but cutting.

"So that was it? She got mad just because of that?"

"Such a shallow reason. Really ill-mannered."

"Poor Vanessa. If people misunderstand and think she’s Dr. Neri’s mistress, won’t Mrs. Neri ruin her life?"

Zahn’s expression grew darker. He grabbed Lianna’s arm firmly. "You should go back first. Haven’t you caused enough trouble?"

Lianna let out a bitter chuckle.

"Trouble? Have you ever listened to me?"

Yeri felt her chest ache, Lianna’s suppressed grief clawing at her. She was unraveling, her emotions surging, breaking past the numbness she had built for years.

Then came a small tug at her legs.

Yeri looked down, it was Sean. His little hands pushed at her, his face twisted in anger.

"Go away!" he shouted. "If you’re not happy here, just go away! I don’t need you!"

Yeri’s body trembled. She forced a smile, her voice trembling uttering Lianna’s exact words. "Baby, it’s not like that. How could I not be happy celebrating your birthday?"

But Sean turned away from her arms, pushing harder. "Go away, go away! I don’t want you here!"

Her vision blurred as tears spilled freely.

Yeri’s throat tightened painfully.

In that moment, she understood. This was the heart of Lianna’s despair.

A husband’s cold indifference she could endure. A mother-in-law’s cruelty she could bear. But if even her child rejected her, what reason was left to live?

A mother lives through hardship for her child. A child is her hope, her reason to endure, her light in the darkest hours. But when even that child pushes her away, what remains?

Nothing but emptiness.

Then, the banquet hall grew eerily silent. Guests froze mid-motion, their voices cut off as if a curtain had fallen. Then the walls themselves began to crumble, the illusion tearing apart.

Yeri knew she had reached her limit. She had seen enough. It was time to end this nightmare and seal the door.

Her eyes glowed faintly red as she coldly fixed them on Zahn Neri.

"You... the first spark and fountain of her sorrow, shall be erased from the chambers of her heart. From this moment on, your presence will no longer bind Lianna Neri. She shall tread her own sovereign path and the past will no longer be her shackles, remain only as memory.

A crimson seal spread across the floor, cracks splitting open as blood seeped from the crevices. The frozen guests began to shatter, fragments falling like porcelain.

From Lianna’s chest, Yeri reached in and pulled a faint red light. She crushed it in her palm effortlessly. It was Lianna’s despair, the poison that had spread like wildfire within her.

Now it was gone.

The hall shook violently, fragments of glass and shadow raining down. Yeri staggered back, she had no time to linger.

This place was collapsing around her, and if she didn’t escape quickly, the backlash could consume her.

---

When Yeri opened her eyes, the world spun violently. She barely had time to realize she was awake before a hot metallic taste rushed up her throat. Blood spilled from her lips, and she quickly covered her mouth with her hand.

Staggering, she forced herself up and stumbled into the bathroom. Her trembling fingers twisted the faucet, and cold water splashed into the sink as she washed the crimson stain away.

Slowly, she lifted her head, meeting her reflection in the mirror.

The sight made her heart sink. Her skin was pale as a ghost, her lips drained of color, her body shivering like a fragile leaf in the wind. Every muscle beneath her skin pulsed with sharp pain, as though her entire body was rebelling against her.

A weak chuckle escaped her.

"...Isn’t this the same as before?" she murmured to herself.

For years she had endured these symptoms without understanding why. Back then, she thought it was just a frail body, an incurable weakness. But now she knew. Her awakening had given her strength but every time she used her ability, it drained that strength and dragged her back into this sickly state.

Sweat drenched her back and forehead. Her grip tightened on the sink as the spinning worsened, her organs throbbing, her veins burning like fire.

This time it wasn’t just her muscles, it was her entire body screaming in outrage.

Barely making it back to bed, she collapsed beside Lianna, who was still fast asleep. The clock showed past 5 a.m. Yeri curled under the blanket, her face twisted in pain.

Did she regret it?

No. She hadn’t done it only for Lianna. She had done it for herself too. She finally had the answer she wanted.

It was both good and bad news.

The good? Her abilities were still usable.

The bad? Every use shaved off her life. If she ever pushed herself too far, she might die before achieving her goal.

Not long after, her vision blurred as sleep dragged her down again.

---

When Lianna woke, she blinked in surprise at her surroundings. She was still in Yeri’s room. She must have fallen asleep here without realizing.

Sitting up quickly, she thought to apologize later when Yeri was awake.

The Zhi family had been nothing but kind to her. They welcomed her warmly, never once making her feel like a burden.

Lianna could tell that Yeri had grown up in a loving, peaceful home with caring parents. It was a life she herself never had and wanting to return the kindness in small ways, Lianna tried to help with the house chores.

When she reached for the mop to clean the hallway, Madam Zhi immediately stopped her.

"Lianna, you’re a guest. If you do this, I’ll feel very uncomfortable and Yeri will too."

Lianna lowered her gaze shyly, her lips curving into a small smile. "I’m sorry, I didn’t think about that."

Madam Zhi waved her hand kindly. "Don’t apologize too quickly. If you’re bored, why not join me in the greenhouse? Do you like gardening?"

Lianna’s eyes lit up. "Yes. I love gardening. At home, I used to plant peonies."

She trailed off as a memory tugged at her, the peonies that had withered and were later pulled out by servants. They no longer existed. The thought left a faint ache in her chest.