He Does Not Deserve My Devotion-Chapter 57: The Truth from Five Years Ago

「The Sheridan Residence」

The Sheridan family had moved back into their old villa, but all the valuables inside had been mortgaged or sold off to cover their debts. Now, they couldn’t even afford to hire a maid.

Hayley Vance and Wendy Sherman were scrambling in the kitchen to prepare dinner. When hot oil spattered onto Wendy’s hand, she threw down her apron in a fury. "Mom, I can’t live like this anymore! I want my old life back!"

Hayley Vance said, "Wendy, be patient. After tonight, we’ll have money."

Wendy’s expression softened slightly. "Mom, what if Nina Walsh doesn’t show up today?"

Just as she spoke, the doorbell rang. Hayley smiled smugly. "See? She’s here. Wendy, go get the door. Watch what you say, don’t give anything away."

Wendy went to open the door. Outside stood Nina Walsh, dressed in a light-colored casual outfit. She wore no excessive accessories, only a simple necklace with a round pendant gracing her swan-like neck.

Her posture was upright, her expression serene. She had the confident yet gentle air of a pampered heiress who had never weathered a storm.

Wendy pouted with jealousy and said sarcastically, "Congratulations. Now that you’ve latched onto Julian Sinclair, Maelie’s soaring. You’re really something else."

Nina didn’t even look at her, walking straight inside.

Wendy felt like she had punched a fistful of cotton—utterly frustrated and powerless.

When Nina entered, Brian Sherman and Hayley Vance were already seated at the dining table. Hayley greeted her with effusive warmth.

"Nina, you’re here! Sit, please, sit. It’s been so long since we’ve all sat down for a meal as a family. I made your favorite dishes today, you must try them."

Nina sat down across from Brian Sherman. As Hayley fussed over her, Nina pushed her plate and bowl aside. "My surname is Walsh. I’m not part of your family. Just say what you want."

Brian slammed down his chopsticks. "What’s with that attitude? You reported me, and I haven’t even settled the score with you yet. We were kind enough to invite you home, and you’re giving us this sour face?"

"Brian, don’t talk to her like that." Hayley quickly tried to placate him, then turned back to Nina. "We’ve had too many misunderstandings as a family. After this recent disaster, your father has realized that a family must be harmonious to prosper."

Hayley picked up a wine glass from the table and pressed it into Nina’s hand. She took one for herself and said pitifully, "Nina, I know we’ve done many things to wrong you in the past. I apologize. Can you forgive me?"

Nina held the glass, her expression unmoved.

Hayley shot a look at Wendy, who reluctantly picked up her glass as well. "Sister, I was immature before and did a lot of wrong things. I apologize. Please forgive me."

The mother and daughter held up their glasses and apologized in unison, but Nina still showed no reaction.

Hayley and Wendy exchanged a glance. Hayley took the lead, downing the wine in her glass. "Nina, please forgive us. We’re sincerely sorry. We want to make it up to you. You can ask for anything you want."

Wendy chimed in with her agreement.

Nina glanced at the glass in her hand, then at the two women across from her, whose eager eyes were fixed on it. A thought instantly clicked in her mind—’There’s something wrong with this wine.’

She lifted her gaze and looked quietly at Brian Sherman.

Brian’s face was flushed with anger. "Don’t tell me you expect me to apologize with a drink too? No w—"

He didn’t even get the word out. Hayley rushed over, shoved a glass into his hand, and gave him a frantic look. ’Don’t forget what’s at stake tonight.’

Looking extremely reluctant, Brian raised the glass and downed it.

Nina was now even more certain. ’There’s definitely something wrong with this wine.’

"Nina, look, even your father has apologized. Just accept our apology and drink this." Hayley nudged the glass toward her.

"I didn’t hear him apologize," Nina said coolly.

Brian froze, about to leap from his chair, but Hayley pressed him down again and shoved another glass into his hand.

Humiliated, Brian had no choice but to down another glass. "I was wrong in the past. Is that good enough for you?"

"And what about my mother? Were you ever fair to her?" Nina added.

This time, without Hayley’s prompting, Brian poured another glass himself and said flatly, "I wronged your mother."

Brian had downed three glasses in a row. This was the absolute limit of his submission.

"Your apologies... I’ve heard them."

Nina raised the glass to her lips, and all three of them stared at her, their gazes fixed on her every move.

"But I don’t accept."

With a sharp CLICK, Nina set the glass back down.

Brian’s reason snapped. He shot to his feet, pointing at Nina’s face and cursing loudly, but Hayley blocked his path.

"Nina, it’s okay if you don’t forgive us, but don’t be angry with your father. This is all my fault. You and your father are still daughter and father. Blood is thicker than water..."

"Enough..." Nina cut off Hayley’s phony act. "Let’s get to the point. Why did you ask me here? I’m in a hurry."

Nina remained perfectly composed, her words firm and unwavering, as if she wouldn’t even flinch if the sky were falling.

Brian had lost all patience for beating around the bush. "Don’t think we don’t know about the little bastard in your belly. There’s no way you and Declan Grant will ever get married. Since that’s the case, let your sister marry him instead. Don’t worry about how we’ll swap you out. All you have to do is follow my instructions and lure Declan Grant out tonight."

’They really take me for a fool.’ Brian’s plan was obvious: he wanted Nina to lure Declan Grant out, then use some scheme to get Wendy into bed with him, forcing the issue and making Declan marry her.

"Fine," Nina agreed readily. "But I have one condition."

"What condition?" 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝒆𝔀𝒆𝙗𝓷𝒐𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝓶

Nina pointed at Wendy. "I want her to kneel and apologize to me. She was the one who hit and killed someone with her car five years ago, not me."

Five years ago, her mother, Rose Walsh, was gravely ill, and they had no money for treatment. Nina had no choice but to beg Brian Sherman for help.

Brian refused to help, not giving her a single penny. With nowhere else to turn, Nina could only kneel at the Sheridans’ front gate, begging for his mercy.

Her presence disturbed Wendy, who was celebrating her birthday party. Enraged, Wendy deliberately drove the sports car Brian had given her right at Nina.

Nina got up to dodge, but Wendy was relentless, chasing her down in the car.

But Wendy was a poor driver and had been drinking heavily. The car struck a pedestrian on the road.

After the incident, Brian used two million in medical funds for Nina’s mother as leverage to make Nina take the blame and turn herself in.

For her mother’s medical expenses, Nina willingly took the fall, losing all contact with the outside world.

Two years ago, when she was released from prison early, Brian not only forbade her from seeing her mother but also used it as leverage to force Nina to get close to Aiden Sinclair.

Later, Nina found out that Brian had never fulfilled his promise. He had never given the two million in medical funds to Rose.

Her mother, Rose Walsh, had passed away from her illness in the second year of Nina’s imprisonment.

Her mother had endured countless hardships to raise her for over a decade, and yet, Nina never even got to see her one last time.