Chapter 3 Mary Was Cursed

Michelle sensed a significant change in her son but didn't inquire much.

She having laid in the hospital for nearly a year, it was natural for James to change after such suffering.

She also refrained from asking about Virgil's condition to spare James additional pain.

Back at the rental, James paid off the overdue rent and then moved out with his mother under the cover of night.

This was not only to avoid harassment from online loan companies but also to prevent retaliation from Brian and his ilk.

James had the strength and confidence to protect himself, but a gust of wind could topple his mother.

He rented a small room in Massachusetts for Michelle to recuperate temporarily.

Michelle's health improved, and the medical expenses were less pressing, but James was still not at ease, burdened by substantial online loans.

Moreover, he was consumed with finding Virgil to confirm his fate.

On the fifth morning after discharge, Michelle felt much better and could take care of herself.

James turned on his phone, which had been off for five days, and was immediately flooded with dozens of messages.

Then, a call came in.

He put in his earbuds and answered. Soon, Mary's icy voice came through. "Are you finally turning on your phone? I thought you had absconded with the money."

"These few days, no phone, no replies to messages, no one at home. What exactly have you been up to?"

"If you don't want to stay in the Smith family, then get lost."

James quickly tried to explain, "I'm sorry. I've been staying with my mom these days; she just got discharged and needed someone to take care of her."

"The phone was off because the debt collection agency was calling non-stop, 24 hours a day. I was worried it would stress her out, so I turned it off temporarily."

He asked softly, "Do you need me for something?"

Despite the cold treatment he had received from the Smith family over the past year, James knew he had no right to be angry, as they had once given him the money he desperately needed.

Hearing that James was taking care of Michelle, Mary's voice softened slightly, "Send me your location, and I'll come pick you up."

James was slightly surprised. "Are you back from your trip?"

A week ago, the Smith family went on an overseas trip, leaving James alone to house-sit.

"Don't you understand what I'm saying? Send the location," Mary said.

Then she hung up impatiently.

James had no choice but to send the location.

Half an hour later, a red BMW stopped in front of James.

The car door opened and out stepped a dazzling beauty.

The woman was dressed in black, with delicate features, fair skin, and a cool but sensual demeanor.

Especially her pair of snow-white legs, long, rounded, and full of allure as she walked.

Many passersby gaped, their breathing involuntarily quickening.

Mary was the most beautiful woman in Rosewood City, and she was James's wife.

"Putting your mom  in such a shabby place, you really are a filial son, "Mary said.

Her sarcasm towards James was as sharp as ever, but she still handed over several bags of supplements and said, "These are for Aunt Michelle to help her recover."

"Wasn't she  supposed to have surgery? Why did she refund the money?"

She tossed a bank card over and said, "Take it for Michelle's treatment!"

James quickly declined. "No need, she's much better now, no surgery needed..."

"Take it if I tell you to take it. Keep it for her regardless."

Mary interrupted James without courtesy. "So you don't have to borrow money and lose face."

"Don't give me that pride act. If you had any pride, you wouldn't have married into the Smith family and taken ten thousand dollars a month for medical expenses."

Her tone carried a hint of scorn, and James's retreat, his so-called dignity, was nothing but a facade.

Mary's words struck James hard, but before he could throw the bank card back, Mary had already slipped back into the car.

James, holding the supplements and bank card, called out, "Thank you. Are Mr. and Mrs. Smith  back?"

Mary's voice was as indifferent as ever. "What does it matter to you if they're back?"

"Go give the stuff to Aunt Michelle. I have something to tell you."

James didn't speak again, took the items to Michelle's rented room, and then left after a brief goodbye.

As soon as James got into the passenger seat, Mary floored the accelerator and sped off.

His body jerked involuntarily, and his left hand accidentally brushed Mary's thigh.

Smooth and delicate.

At the same time, a message appeared in James's mind.

[Status: Malevolent force entered the body, bringing bad luck and threatening death to loved ones.]

[Cause: A cursed amulet acquired during an overseas trip.]

[Repair or destroy?]

James wanted to say repair, but before the thought could take shape, Mary's eyes turned icy.

He quickly moved his hand away.

He wanted to help her dispel the evil force, but that required physical contact, which she would never allow.

So he could only offer a kind warning: "Mary, you've been cursed. You need to find a master to resolve it."

Mary scoffed, "I haven't seen you for a few days, and you've acquired new skills. Did you learn how to read fortunes now?"

James awkwardly replied, "No, you really have a malevolent force around you. You were cursed during your trip."

"Do you have an amulet on you?"

He blurted out her situation in one breath.

"Shut up! You're the one who's cursed. You're the one facing a bloody disaster!" Mary said.

She was furious and said, "I'm perfectly healthy. If you curse me again, I'll throw you out."

He said helplessly, "I'm not cursing you..."

"Then shut up," she said.

Her gaze was sharp, and she said, "Don't babble when you don't know anything; you are only a cook; can you read fortunes?"

James wisely kept silent.

Seeing him quiet, Mary grew angrier. Not only was James incompetent, but he was also cowardly. What use was he?

However, a flicker of doubt crossed her mind; how did James know about her amulet?

After all, she kept it close to her heart. Could this scoundrel have been spying on her and then using it to deceive her?

That must be it.

Mary made a judgment. Then, her face grew even more disappointed.

Not only was James incompetent, but he was also a lecher.

"James, this month, once I'm done with my affairs, I want a divorce," Mary said.

Her eyes were more determined than ever.

"Whether you agree or not, I'm divorcing you." She added.

A year ago, the Smith family had a streak of bad luck, and Mary herself was seriously ill. Out of necessity for a lucky charm, they brought James into the family.

Over the past year, the Smith family's misfortunes dissipated, and Mary's health recovered. The Smith family then contemplated discarding James, the bothersome plaster.

The Smith family looked down on James.

Mary's pity for James turned into disdain; she saw no value in him.

Hearing about the divorce, James remained silent, his gaze turning somber.

He's become a social outcast.

Mary asked, "Do you know why my families are all disappointed in you?"

"It's not because you're poor or because you married in, but because you're too weak and useless."

"For the past year, aside from doing chores, you haven't done a single thing right; you're just too pathetic and incompetent."

"I really don't want to spend my life with a man like you, even if you were just a tool for the Smith family to ward off bad luck."

"Don't worry, when we divorce, I'll give you another 70,000 dollars."

"That way, you won't have to worry about Aunt Michelle's medical bills."

Mary's voice was emotionless. "Let's part on good terms, don't make me completely despise you."

Let's part on good terms.

A pain flickered through James's eyes.

He faintly remembered that snowy dusk, the little girl with braids in a red dress, the girl who saved him with a bag of hamburgers.

Eighteen years had passed in a flash, but he still remembered the girl's face, her kindness.

That was the biggest reason he agreed to marry into the family.

The 70,000 dollars was important, but more importantly, James wanted to repay the past kindness.

Otherwise, selling himself would be worth less than 70,000 dollars.

He sighed inwardly and thought, 'Perhaps it's time to let go. '

"Did you hear me?" Mary asked.

Seeing his distant look, she spoke up impatiently,"I want a divorce..."

Before she could finish, James, who had been silent, suddenly perked up his ears and sat up straight.

He leaned against her, his powerful presence restraining her movements.

In the next second, he turned the steering wheel with his left hand and pressed her long thigh with his right.

The BMW, which was about to stop at a red light, suddenly accelerated like an arrow shot out.

"James!"

Mary screamed, "Have you gone mad?"

As the car charged across the intersection, a dump truck swept in, smashing into six vehicles and leaving wreckage scattered everywhere.

Screams erupted.

Mary pushed James away, slammed on the brakes, and turned to look.

Blood and carnage lay all around.