The Price of Redemption Chapter 1

Married for seven years, Julian Frost spent every Christmas with Layla.

That Imposter who occupied my identity for 15 years.

On the first Christmas Eve, he took away the Elderberry Syrup I boiled while coughing blood, said Layla was in the North, heating was too dry.

I endured high fever and smiled: "Then Mr. Frost, cash it out for me."

That night, my account had an extra $10 Million.

At midnight of the second year, he lit up half the city with fireworks for Layla in a no-fireworks zone.

I took a picture of him lowering his head to pay the fine at the police station, exchanged for a Hudson River view villa.

At the third year's family dinner, I sat alone at the end of the table, listening to aunts' ridicule.

"The real heiress is not as good as a fake phoenix."

"So what if she's the biological daughter? After all, she grew up in the Riverdale Lane slums, can be dismissed with money."

I smiled, recorded the audio and sent it to Julian, next day, received the Vintage Emerald Necklace I had eyes on for a long time.

Just like this, every year I used his absence, exchanged for abundant real gold and silver.

Until this year, Julian unprecedentedly stayed for Christmas.

On the way to the family dinner, before I could speak, he actively handed over a share transfer agreement worth hundreds of millions.

Presumably, this reunion dinner is a Hongmen Banquet (a trap).

But, it doesn't matter.

I calculated the "compensation" I begged for these years, enough to buy down the Riverdale Lane in their mouths.

Outside window fireworks exploded, time to leave.

From now on, every New Year beats the old year.

* * *

Julian Frost sighed in relief after watching me sign the sky-high price agreement.

"Layla is back, this home, will have two hostesses in the future."

"Layla is responsible for accompanying me, you are responsible for taking care of home and child."

"You sisters just live peacefully like this, okay?"

Right, such big spending was originally for this.

I raised my eyes: "Sure, Mr. Frost compensated so generously."

"If I still don't know my place, I would be insensible."

Julian seemed touched: "Luna, don't worry. The title of Mrs. Frost is forever yours, the decency you deserve, won't be a cent less."

I sneered, stepped into the Frost family old mansion.

At a glance, saw daughter kneeling alone in front of Layla, forehead still had blood mark.

Aunts were surrounding and jeering.

"Lily, quick call Little Mom, call then you have good days in future."

"Relying on your biological mom, useless."

Daughter bit her lip, just didn't open mouth.

Layla lost face, reached out and pinched Lily's chin: "You girl, why don't know what's good for you!"

Julian beside saw this, said nothing.

I rushed forward pushed Layla away, hugged Lily into arms.

Looked up, saw the woman wearing a wedding ring same style as mine, just the diamond was a circle bigger.

"Layla, you..."

My words not finished, Julian already strode forward, blocked in front of Layla.

"Luna, speak nicely."

"Didn't you agree just now? Calling Little Mom is also should be."

I looked at him nervous for Layla, just like when I was made difficult by Layla back then, he defended me.

Really, feng shui turns.

I smiled: "True."

"However, I agreed, but Little Aunt becomes Little Mom, letting Lily change addressing also needs a fee."

"Right, Mr. Frost?"

A trace of impatience flashed in man's eyes: "Money again!"

Then eyelids didn't lift, signed a check handed to Lily.

Exchanged for daughter's awkward "Little Mom".

Layla's smile hadn't unfolded yet, froze after seeing the amount on check.

Julian detected, immediately put a jade pendant on Layla's neck.

Full room exclaimed.

That was the token Frost family passed to the eldest daughter-in-law.

When married back then, mother-in-law wanted to put on me, but stopped by Julian, said he would keep for me.

He didn't give, I then asked myself.

So, third year Christmas Eve dinner, after suffering enough ridicule, I named and asked for that set of town-field Emerald jewelry.

Heard, can offset ten of this jade pendant.

...

Christmas dinner started, I was still arranged at the end of table.

Layla sat at main seat, welcoming everyone's compliments.

She smilingly echoed then looked at me.

"Sister, remember you love eating crab most, I specially let Julian air transport best butter crab, you eat more."

I looked at that plate of tempting crab, fingertips trembled.

Yes, fifteen years old taken back to Lin family, liked crab most.

That was fresh sweetness never tasted in Riverdale Lane.

Until one year, relying on parents' doting, Layla who always squeezed me suddenly stopped.

Even invited me to a private crab restaurant I liked most, said want reconcile.

I ate crab meat, listened to her say "sisters deep affection".

Woke up again, was in abandoned warehouse outside city, whole body naked, blue and purple.

Since then, crab's fresh sweetness and pain despair bound dead together.

Remember, that time was Julian kicked open door found me.

Also him personally sent crying defending Layla away, swore not let her near me again.

He even smashed whole table crab feast, hugged me said: "This life not allow you touch that dirty thing again!"

And at this moment, this man was peeling crab shell, putting crab meat into my bowl.

Movement was patience never had before.

"Luna."

His voice low: "Matter passed so many years, should put down."

Full table silence, everyone watching my reaction.

I smiled picked up crab meat, sent into mouth.

"Yes, should put down, calculating again makes me look petty."

Grease fat choking people.

Julian relieved heavy burden.

That night, I had high fever.

In groggy saw in phone, Layla's Instagram post.

Again full city fireworks, but this time woman said: "Finally back, he said, this life won't let me leave again."

Photo corner, is Julian's back hugging her shoulder.

Almost simultaneously, phone vibrated, bank account received a huge amount.

Really fair.

I propped up body, called lawyer: "That last street shop in Riverdale Lane, buy it for me."

"Also, draft a divorce agreement."