The Wild Wind Finds Its Way Home

Three years into our marriage, I ruined one hand for him, and Grandma sold off her jewelry for him.

But in the end, for the sister of his so-called lifesaver,

he gave my marital home to her for free, and for her sake, he drained Grandmas blood right after she came out of the ICU.

I finally saw him for what he was. I dissolved the marriage unilaterally and bought a one-way ticket to London.

But after the divorce, he went insane trying to win me back...

Sophie Reed POV

In the third year of our marriage, I went to the bank to close our joint safe-deposit box.

The teller looked at the holder names in the system and smiled politely. Mrs. Foster, closing a joint safe-deposit box requires your husband Brandon Fosters co-signature.

Calmly, I took back my ID. No need. Im not Mrs. Foster. My name is Sophie Reed, and Im single now.

Just an hour ago, I had watched Brandon Foster sign an equity transfer agreement with my own eyes, transferring 10% of Foster Techs original sweat equity shares to Nina Young for free. Nina Young was the younger sister of his late best friend, Shawn.

Seven years ago, Brandon Foster had nothing. It was my Grandma who sold her jewelry to help him buy his first piece of hardware equipment.

Five years ago, when he was short on the down payment for a precision machine tool, I hid it from him and risked my life street racing through a stormy night to raise 200,000 RMB, breaking my left wrist and leaving it with permanent hidden damage.

Three years ago, when Brandon Fosters company was on the verge of bankruptcy, it was me again who risked my life driving at high speed in an overseas evacuation zone to save Old Mr. Zahn, securing hundreds of millions in investment from Zahn Group for him.

But for the past five years, as long as Nina Young crooked a finger, Brandon Foster could abandon me when I was sick, cancel every date, and even transfer my marital home to her outright, all because of one sentence: Shawn saved my life with his. I have to take care of Nina for the rest of her life.

I tolerated it for five years.

Until today, when I saw that equity transfer agreement, and finally, completely gave up.

I pushed open the bank doors and walked straight into the drizzle outside.

But before I could reach the curb, my phone began to vibrate wildly, along with an alert from the bank system warning of an abnormal change in our joint assets.

Two minutes later, a black Maybach screeched to a stop in front of me, cutting me off.

The car door was shoved open roughly. Brandon Foster stepped out, carrying a chill all over him, strode toward me, and grabbed my arm. His grip was so hard it nearly crushed my bones.

Sophie Reed, are you done making a scene?!

Brandon Fosters brows were locked tight, his eyes full of irritation and panic. You havent come home for a week. You wont answer my calls. Now youre even running to the bank to clear out our joint assets! Do you know the security alert went straight to my phone? What the hell are you trying to do?

I lowered my eyes and looked at the hand he was gripping. It was my left hand, and numbness spread from my fingertips through the cracks between my bones.

Let go of my hand.

My tone stayed flat, unshaken.

Nothing got under Brandons skin like my blank, unperturbed stare. It made him feel a terror he couldnt control.

He took a deep breath and used his usual tone to cover his guilt. I know youre angry about me buying Nina a car, but Nina is Shawns only sister. Shawn died saving me back then! So what if I protect her a little more? Do you really have to blow it this far out of proportion and use our seven years together as leverage?

Before he could finish speaking, the phone in his arms rang sharply. Nina Youngs name flashed across the screen.

Brandon Foster answered, and Nina Youngs soft, tearful voice immediately came through. Brandon... my car broke down on Ring Road. The people behind me keep honking at me. Im so scared, and my stomach is starting to hurt again...

At the words stomach hurt, Brandon Fosters expression changed instantly. He didnt even bother questioning me anymore and spoke urgently into the phone. Nina, dont be scared. Lock the doors and stay in the car. Im coming to pick you up right now!

After hanging up, Brandon Foster shoved me aside and hurried back toward the car, his tone an unquestionable order. Sophie Reed, stop messing around. Nina is timid, and her stomach illness is acting up again. I have to go. Whatever it is, well talk when I get back!

The Maybach sped away, its exhaust dispersing into the rainy mist and splashing dirty muddy water across the ground.

I stood in the cold rain and slowly exhaled.

I took out my phone and dialed that special encrypted number.

Ms. Reed, hello.

On the other end was the person in charge of the Foreign Ministrys Special-Region Consular Protection Emergency Defensive Driving Unit, his voice precise and formal. Regarding the special driving assignment application for high-risk regions that you submitted, we have passed the preliminary review. Since the area is on the brink of war and the risk level is extremely high, are you sure you want to accept the deployment?

I looked toward the corner where the Maybach had disappeared. There was not the slightest fluctuation in my voice. Im sure.

All right. Given the danger of your mission, the protection driving unit has the right to provide you with family separation privilege, including enforcing a unilateral divorce for you in the backend through the national security channel. Do you need to activate this privilege?

Yes.

I stroked the scar on my left wrist. Within half a month before departure, help me get divorced.

Understood. The unilateral compulsory divorce procedure has been initiated and will take effect in half a month.

After hanging up, I put my phone back into my bag and walked calmly into the curtain of rain.

Sophie Reed POV

Three days later, Brandon Fosters assistant forcibly dragged me to Foster Techs new product launch.

Sophie Reed, todays launch determines whether the company can secure follow-up investment from Zahn Group. Miles Zahn is sitting in the audience today.

In the backstage corridor, Brandon Foster adjusted his suit while pressing down on my shoulders, half coaxing and half forcing me. Sit obediently in the audience and let the media capture footage of us looking like a harmonious couple. I cant have any negative news about relationship problems, understand?

I stood quietly in the shadows, not even bothering to nod as a pretense.

But when the staff led me into the venue, I realized there was no seat for me in the most central VIP seats in the front row.

In the seat representing the company family representative sat Nina Young, perfectly composed.

She wore a white haute couture gown and was speaking softly and gently with the investors below the stage.

As for me, the staff led me all the way to the very corner, behind the media section.

Hey, why are you sitting here?

A female employee who didnt know who I was came over and tapped the table in front of me, her attitude arrogant. These rows are reserved for partner media. Dont get in the way here. If you damage the equipment behind you, can you afford to pay for it?

I looked up at her without explaining, then stood coldly and stepped back into the dim exit corridor behind me.

The launch began soon after, with thunderous applause.

When it came time for the ribbon-cutting ceremony, Nina Young walked gracefully onto the stage under everyones gaze and stood beside Brandon Foster as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

The two of them held the golden scissors together, and the flashbulbs flickered like daylight. Below the stage, a familiar business partner teased suggestively, Mr. Foster, Ms. Youngs white dress... Anyone who didnt know better would think today wasnt just a product launch, but your wedding ceremony too.

A burst of knowing laughter erupted through the venue.

Brandon Fosters body stiffened onstage.

His gaze swept over the front row in near panic, trying to find me. But the front row was empty. I wasnt there at all.

Facing Miles Zahn, the investor below the stage, Brandon Foster gritted his teeth. In the end, he did not open his mouth to clarify.

He merely curved his lips as if accepting it, revealing an ambiguous smile, allowing Nina Young to quietly lean a little closer to his side.

Standing in the shadowy corridor, I calmly watched the whole scene unfold.

The last flicker of feeling inside me died away for good.

I lowered my head, unlocked my phone, and logged into the airlines internal ticketing system.

Because the driving unit had already submitted the compulsory divorce application for me, my household registration status had been changed in the backend to single, pending deregistration.

Without hesitating for even a second, I directly clicked to confirm a one-way flight to London half a month later.

At the same time the ticket confirmation chime sounded, the launch was announced over.

I turned and was about to leave, but at the corner of the corridor, Brandon Foster rushed over and blocked my path.

Brandon Fosters tie was crooked, and his eyes were filled with panic and the irritability of being interrupted.

He stared hard at the phone in my hand, whose screen had not yet gone dark, and interrogated me. Who were you texting just now? Was it those thugs who drive street races? How many times have I told you that youre not allowed to contact those people anymore?

His expression was agitated, and he reached out to snatch my phone.

I calmly and unhurriedly put my phone back into my pocket, then lifted my eyes to look at him.

It has nothing to do with you.

I brushed his hand away and passed him coldly, walking toward the exit.

Brandon Foster froze where he stood, an icy sense of losing control curling through his chest.

Sophie Reed POV

When I left the hotel, the rain outside grew heavier again.

I hailed a taxi by the roadside.

I did not return to the luxury apartment Brandon Foster had bought. Instead, I went straight back to the old shop on Old Street.

This was where they had started their business.

Five years ago, Brandon Foster had still been a poor boy guarding this little general store, and I had been the only helper here.

But now, all that remained were old parts covered in dust and one dim hanging lamp.

I sat beneath the lamp, unbuttoned my cuff, and laid a warm towel over my left wrist, massaging it again and again.

Just now in the corridor, Brandon Fosters rough pulling had made the old injury begin to ache faintly again.

The old shop was so quiet it was a little frightening.

I looked at the empty measuring cup for medicine sitting on the corner of the table, and my eyes warmed.

After Grandma developed moderate Alzheimers disease, she often failed to recognize people.

Last month, she had just undergone major heart surgery. Now she could only stay in a nursing home on the outskirts of the city.

Back then, when Brandon Foster didnt have the money to buy his first piece of equipment, Grandma had hidden it from me, sold her jewelry, and pressed the money into Brandon Fosters hands.

At that time, Brandon Foster held the old womans hand, his eyes red, calling her Grandma over and over, swearing that once he had money in the future, he would treat her like his own grandmother and take care of her.

But ever since Brandon Foster made his fortune, the number of times he went to the nursing home could be counted on one hand. And the Grandma in his mouth gradually became the polite, distant Mrs. Reed.

Before the towel on my wrist could cool, the half-closed wooden door was pushed open.

Brandon Foster walked in. The air of the nouveau riche around him looked painfully out of place here.

Sophie Reed, why did you leave me alone in the corridor without even saying a word?

Brandon Foster sat down on the wooden chair beside him, his tone carrying a trace of impatience he was forcing down.

I turned slightly without speaking, only laying the warm towel over my wrist again.

Brandon Foster tugged at the corner of his mouth, softening his tone a little. Once Zahn Groups investment comes through, Ill buy you a big flat in River Bay. From now on, you wont have to suffer in this dark, damp place anymore.

My expression remained flat, my voice cool and mild. Are you done?

Youre always like this. You cant even say one nice thing.

Brandon Foster sighed, his tone tinged with helplessness. Tomorrow Ill have the construction crew come over and tear down this old shop. Ninas new car is always getting scratched in the public parking spaces. She complained to me a few times, so Im planning to rebuild this place into a private garage for her. Its sitting empty anyway.

Tear down the old shop.

Tear down the place where they had started from nothing, all to build Nina Young a private garage.

I did not argue with him.

I stood up, walked to the old writing desk, pulled open the bottom drawer, and took out the property ownership certificate inside.

I walked back and threw the certificate in front of Brandon Foster.

Here. I looked at that property ownership certificate. You can call someone to tear it down tomorrow.

Brandon Foster stared fixedly at the property deed, a flash of pathetic panic crossing his eyes.

The instant I handed over the ownership so cleanly, he suddenly felt that something was slipping completely out of his control.

To hide that inexplicable panic, Brandon Fosters tone sank. Sophie Reed, everything I do is for our future, but you insist on throwing a tantrum with me over this old shop. Without me, how are you supposed to survive on your own?

Building a private garage for another woman was for our future?

Even that excuse was so absurd I found it laughable.

I said nothing, not even half a sentence to defend myself.

I no longer cared how he judged me.

Suddenly, the phone in Brandon Fosters arms rang sharply. Nina Youngs name flashed across the screen.

He answered, and Nina Youngs hysterical sobbing voice instantly filled the silent shop. Brandon... my car was maliciously smashed and scratched up at the intersection near the old shop. The windows are shattered too. Im so scared. Hurry over...

Brandon Fosters expression changed. He whipped his gaze toward me, his eyes sharp.

He snatched the property ownership certificate off the table, stood up, and left one irritated sentence behind. Im going out for a bit. Whatever it is, well talk later.

The door slammed heavily shut.

I withdrew my gaze.

Outside, the sound of the rain grew louder and louder, beating against the worn window lattice.

Twenty minutes later, the tightly shut wooden door was kicked open violently from the outside with an ear-piercing crash.

Brandon Foster rushed in, wrapped in damp, cold rain. Water was still dripping from his suit. His eyes were bloodshot as he stared at me, his voice trembling hard. Sophie Reed, when did you become so despicable?!

Sophie Reed POV

Nina Youngs car hood was completely scratched up. The surveillance footage caught Grandma Reed at the scene!

Brandon Foster roared, grabbed my collar, and shoved my whole body hard into the shelf beside us. Its bad enough that youre targeting Nina. Now youre even using an old woman who just had heart surgery? You actually incited her to run out in the pouring rain and smash a car for you?!

My back crashed against the metal rack with an ear-splitting metallic shriek.

My mind went blank in an instant.

Grandmas illness had flared up... Wearing her hospital gown, she had walked all the way from the nursing home in the outskirts back to the old shop in the heavy rain.

The instant I was shoved, I instinctively used my left hand to brace myself. A crisp crack came from my wrist joint, and a wave of searing, dislocated pain crashed over my whole frame

Cold sweat broke out all at once. My face turned deathly pale, and my fingertips trembled violently, but I did not make a sound.

Brandon Foster glanced at my slightly shaking wrist, his brows tightening, but his tone was still perfectly self-righteous. Stop pretending in front of me. Im sick of your little martyr act. For what happened today, you must give Nina and me an explanation!

I pressed down hard on my trembling wrist, the pain so intense even my breathing shook.

It was at that very second that the phone in my palm vibrated sharply. It was an urgent text from a caregiver at the nursing home: [Ms. Reed! This is bad! A group of people just forcibly took Grandma Reed from her ward. They said the old lady is suspected of deliberately damaging someone elses property and that theyre taking her away for confrontation!]

I didnt even have time to rub my throbbing wrist. I shoved Brandon Foster away and rushed out of the shop.

Outside, rain poured down in sheets.

When I arrived at the private car wash Nina Young had mentioned, I could hear the sound of a high-pressure water gun from far away, along with Nina Youngs delicate laughter. Spray more cold water on her. Wake the old lady up a little. She scratched someone elses car and cant even say sorry. How disgraceful at her age.

Inside the empty, damp car wash, Grandma was wearing a thin hospital gown, pinned tightly to a cold metal chair by two bodyguards.

The high-pressure cold water gun was aimed straight at the old woman, the icy water blasting against her pale, withered face.

The old womans entire body shook violently. She could barely breathe, her lips had turned purple, and all she could make were faint moans.

Stop!

I rushed over like I had lost my mind. But before I could get close, an arm appeared out of nowhere and blocked me hard.

Brandon Foster stood firmly in front of Nina Young, his face tense as he said to me helplessly, Calm down. Nina was just too anxious. Mrs. Reed really was at the scene. Its perfectly reasonable for Nina to want an explanation. Once this is cleared up, Ill naturally send the old lady back.

Rain hit my face. I had no time to wipe it away. My gaze went straight past Brandon Foster and landed on the old woman shrinking back on the metal chair behind him.

Mrs. Reed?

My voice was so hoarse I could barely speak.

I looked at Brandon Foster, my eyes full of grief. Brandon Foster, back when you didnt have the money to buy your first machine tool and cried in her arms, what did you call her? Do you still remember? And now you call her Mrs. Reed?

Brandon Fosters expression froze, and a deep flash of shame crossed his eyes.

Nina hid behind Brandon, shoulders trembling, her eyes red as she cried pitifully. Brandon I wasnt trying to hurt the old lady. She was the one who scratched my car with her cane first I just wanted to ask her what was going on.

Under everyones stunned gazes, I walked forward calmly, snatched the water gun from the bodyguards hands, and hurled it hard onto the ground.

I held Grandma, who was nearly unconscious, tightly in my arms. The old womans body was as cold as a block of ice. I wrapped her in my coat, carried her on my back, and step by step, walked out into the pouring rain.

In the late-night storm, not a single taxi passed by.

The old womans body temperature was draining away rapidly in my arms. The dislocated bones in my left wrist ground violently against each other, the pain so sharp that every step felt like I was treading on blades.

I had no idea how many times I fell. My knees were scraped bloody, but I still clung desperately to the unconscious old woman in my arms.

When I finally stumbled through the doors of the public hospital emergency department, my whole body crashed heavily to its knees on the cold marble floor.

With my uninjured right hand, I clutched a nurses coat and begged, Doctor, please save my grandma Please

The stark fluorescent hospital lights blurred everything in front of my eyes while my left wrist hung limply against the floor, a horrific dark bruise was spreading all up my wrist.

The hospital room was deathly quiet.

Drained of all strength, I leaned against the glass window outside the ICU, staring without blinking at the old woman whose body was covered in tubes and monitors.

The doctor had told me privately just now that when the old lady had been brought in, her body temperature was dangerously low. A severe lung infection and excessive shock had triggered acute heart failure.

Even though she was now in the ICU receiving conservative treatment, her life could be in danger at any moment.

My swollen, trembling right hand rested lightly over my left wrist, which was completely dislocated and deformed. A sharp, piercing pain pulsed there in waves.

But it was as if I couldnt feel pain at all.

Sophie Reed, are you done making a scene? I had to ask the nursing home before I found out you were here.

At the end of the hallway, Brandon came striding over with a fruit basket and premium ginseng in hand.

Nina was just too anxious. Shes young and doesnt know better. Ive already scolded her. Ive had my secretary cover the old ladys hospital bills and follow-up recovery expenses this time. This ends here. Stop clinging to it and come home with me.

I didnt even turn my head. I stared blankly at Grandma behind the glass, my voice as faint as a thread. Okay.

I couldnt even be bothered to explain another word. Because I knew that the unilateral divorce procedure the Foreign Ministrys protection driving unit was handling for me would take full effect in ten days.

All I wanted now was to wait until Grandmas vital signs stabilized, then take her to London immediately and leave this filthy city forever.

Brandon assumed I was the same as always, that as long as he gave me an out, I would obediently lower my head. He smiled in relief and reached out to touch my hair. Thats more like it. Once Im done with this busy stretch, well bring Grandma home together.

I tilted my head slightly and avoided his hand. Then I closed my eyes and stopped looking at him.

Brandon seemed a little embarrassed. After giving a few instructions, he turned and left.

But I had underestimated how vicious those two could be. They had no bottom line. They could even trample every drop of blood and bone from others for their own sake.

Two afternoons later, I hurried back to the ward with a newly issued lab report in hand.

But the entrance to the ICU was already in chaos. Several doctors and bodyguards were forcefully pushing Grandmas hospital bed toward the elevator.

My heart tightened. I rushed over like a madwoman and blocked the bed. What are you doing?! My grandma cant be moved. She has severe heart failure!

The nurses eyes darted away. She was so anxious that her eyes had gone red. Ms. Reed, Im sorry Mr. Foster gave strict orders. We have to take the old lady to the top floor. Ms. Young had an accident during an ocean party. She lost a lot of blood, and the blood bank was critically short of Rh-negative blood. In the entire hospital, only the old lady is a match

It felt as if a thunderbolt had struck me in broad daylight.

She just came back from being rescued in the ICU! Drawing her blood is the same as killing her!

I used my body to block the bed with everything I had, my hoarse voice warping out of shape.

Just then, Brandons hurried footsteps came from the elevator.

He walked over with a dark expression and yanked me aside.

Sophie Reed, stop making trouble!

Brandons voice was full of irritation and urgency. Shawn only had one sister. I cant just watch her die! Theyre only taking a little blood from the old lady. Nothing will happen. I asked the doctors. As long as they control the amount, it wont be fatal. If there are any consequences, Ill take responsibility!

Youll take responsibility? What are you going to use to take responsibility?!

I gripped his sleeve tightly, my eyes bloodshot. Brandon Foster, touch your own conscience! How did my grandma treat you back then?!

Sophie, now isnt the time for this!

Brandons face darkened completely. He didnt even bother to give me another explanation.

He waved directly at the bodyguards and doctors behind him, his tone cold and resolute. Take the old lady upstairs. Transfer all the doctors from the cardiology department and the emergency department to the top floor. Fully cooperate with Nina Youngs surgery!

Brandon Foster!!

My scream echoed through the hallway, but my swollen, deformed left hand had no strength at all. I could only watch helplessly as Grandmas hospital bed was pushed into the elevator.

And Brandon didnt even look back once. He disappeared to the top floor with everyone else.

The vast intensive care area instantly fell into dead silence.

All the doctors and nurses on duty had been forcibly transferred away by Brandon.

An hour later, the cardiac monitor in the ICU suddenly let out a sharp, single tone.

Beep

That piercing sound was like a razor-sharp knife, instantly slicing the world inside my chest to pieces.

Like a madwoman, I shoved open the doors of the ICU.

There were no doctors on duty. No nurses to resuscitate her.

In the empty sterile ward, only the cold machine rang out in a monotonous, ear-splitting cry.

I staggered to the bedside. My knees gave way, and I crashed heavily to the floor.

Grandma

Trembling, I reached out with my right hand and grabbed the shriveled hand resting on the bedsheet.

That warm hand that had once held mine as I grew up was now rapidly losing its warmth, turning cold and stiff.

The back of the old womans right hand was covered in massive purplish bruises left behind by a rough, excessive blood draw.

At the needle mark, there was even a dark red strand of blood that had already clotted before anyone had the chance to wipe it away.

Grandma Open your eyes and look at Sophie. Were going to London. We wont stay here anymore

Without warning, tears surged out, huge drops smashing onto the old womans lifeless face.

I pressed my face against Grandmas cold forehead, desperately trying to warm her with my own body heat. But all I touched was a deathly chill, like stagnant water.

The grief was so extreme it jammed in my throat, turning into hopeless sobs.

In this world, the only family member who had loved me with all her heart died in a room without a doctor.

And the person who had drained her blood was the lover I had spent seven years of my youth lifting up with my own hands.

Just then, in that almost suffocating stillness, the phone in my soaked pocket suddenly lit up.

Numbly, I slid open the lock screen.

On the screen was a photo Brandon had sent.

Brandon was sitting beside the bed in a luxurious ward on the top floor, holding Ninas hand with the utmost tenderness.

Beneath the photo was a message from Brandon: Sophie, Nina is out of danger. I already had the caregiver send the best supplements over to the old lady. Once this busy period is over, well bring Grandma back to the new house together.

I stared at that line of text. Tears mixed with blood slid from the corners of my eyes and fell onto the white bedsheet.

Ha haha

A very soft, very broken laugh slipped from my throat.

Brandon Foster, the blood debt between us is settled.