Chapter 3

After that, the headquarters contacted Octavia three more times.

During the conversations, she learned something unexpected: the military was involved in the project. Once it succeeded, every participant would receive corresponding rewards—some might even enter the National Institute of Technology.

Of course Octavia was tempted. But each time, she declined because of Holden.

At least now she still had a chance to salvage it.

Octavia thought it over, then slowly nodded. "I'm sure."

David hesitated briefly. "I'll need to run this by my superiors first. Go home and wait for word."

His superior was probably Ignatius, right?

Well, he really was overthinking this. Knowing Ignatius's personality, he'd probably be thrilled to see her leave as soon as possible.

With that thought, Octavia placed the completed application form on the desk and nodded lightly. "Thank you. Please notify me as soon as you hear anything."

"Got it. You can go now." He waved her off dismissively.

Octavia turned and left.

Once her footsteps faded, David dialed a number.

The moment it connected, he immediately put on a fawning tone. "Mr. Grimaldi, Octavia just submitted an application. She says she wants to—"

"As long as she's not in Seaside City, I don't care what you decide," Ignatius cut him off. "The longer her assignments away, the better. Try to keep her stationed out of town permanently."

With that, he hung up.

David hadn't expected Ignatius's dislike for Octavia to run so deep.

He shook his head, glanced at the application form, and stamped it approved without hesitation.

"Octavia, headquarters has approved your application. In thirty days, your transfer order will come through. Start preparing your things."

Octavia had just reached the villa entrance when David's call came in.

Just as she'd expected, the application was approved.

Her lips curved silently. "Alright. Thank you."

She ended the call and pushed the door open. A low, complaining voice drifted from inside.

"Veda, why is Mom so annoying?" Holden said. "She never comes home, and when she does, she just wants to boss me around and pick on Yvaine. It'd be so much better if Dad divorced her."

The nanny, Veda, looked deeply uncomfortable, stammering without knowing what to say.

Holden glanced at her and continued, "Veda, don't be afraid of her. If she dares yell at you, I'll make Dad kick her out."

Octavia listened to his matter-of-fact tone, and her heart turned cold, then colder.

The child who used to cling to her, calling her "Mommy" in that soft, sweet voice, seemed to have vanished. What remained was a knife that only knew how to protect Yvaine.

"Mom?"

Holden had turned around at some point. Seeing her standing there startled him.

Guilt flickered across his small face, but he quickly puffed out his chest, ready to speak. "You—"

Octavia didn't acknowledge him. She walked past him and headed straight upstairs.

Holden's words died in his throat. First came anger, then a sharp, uneasy feeling.

Why wasn't Mom acting like she usually did today?

He looked down at the ice cream cone in his hand. If this were before, she would've had Veda take it away and launched into a long lecture about how too much sugar was bad for his teeth.

Did she not see it?

Or did she just… not care anymore?

Something twisted in Holden's chest. He got up and ran to Octavia's room. Seeing her pull out a suitcase and start packing, his unease began to grow.

Several times he worked up the courage to ask, but somehow the words wouldn't come.

Not until Octavia's calm gaze landed on him. "Do you need something?"

Her tone made him feel like a stranger.

Holden suddenly remembered how Octavia used to look at him—always smiling, even with a trace of pleading. "Holden, Mommy's home."

"Holden, let's not eat those snacks, okay?"

"Holden…"

Back then, Holden had found her so annoying. He'd wished she would just leave him alone forever.

Now his wish had come true. But inexplicably, Holden felt angry.

"Why are you ignoring me?" he demanded.

"Are you some kind of superstar everyone has to acknowledge?" Octavia said flatly. "I'm not going to be your mother much longer. I don't have to coddle your feelings."

Not going to be his mother?

Even if Mom and Dad split up, she'd still be his mom!

She was the one who didn't want him anymore!

The thought made Holden feel strangely hurt. "Fine! I don't care anyway!" he shouted.

He threw out the words and ran.

"Holden…" Veda hurried after him.

Octavia didn't react. She kept her head down, placing her clothes and documents into the suitcase one by one, mentally calculating where she should stay during the next month of transition.

With only that much time, renting a new place seemed like too much trouble.

Time slipped by as she pondered.

At some point, Veda came back, her face full of worry. "Mrs. Grimaldi, Holden's locked himself in his room and won't come out. What should we do?"

Octavia didn't even look up. "You should ask his father or his new mother."

Veda froze, then left without a word.

Not long after, the sound of an engine rumbled outside.

Octavia's hands paused briefly before she resumed packing. Then the door suddenly slammed open. Ignatius stood in the doorway, radiating cold fury.

"Octavia, what the hell is wrong with you?" His voice was icy. "First you push someone, now you're telling Holden you won't be his mother. You think this little stunt is going to threaten me?"

Octavia finished folding the last piece of clothing and looked up calmly. "First, I didn't push anyone. Second, not wanting me as his mother—that's something Holden said himself."

Her tone was mocking. "Mr. Grimaldi is so capable. Surely you haven't forgotten what your own son said?"

"You're seriously holding a grudge against a child over this?" Ignatius looked incredulous. "Whether it's getting a new mom or some divorce agreement, kids say that stuff all the time. You're actually taking it seriously?"

But those were Holden's truest thoughts.

Octavia buried the desolation in her eyes, enunciating each word. "Yes. I'm taking it seriously."

Hearing that, Ignatius felt both absurd and strangely panicked—like something was slipping out of his control.

He frowned. "Stop being unreasonable. I can pretend today didn't happen, but only if you go to the hospital and apologize to Yvie."

"Apologize to her? Impossible." Octavia refused outright.

"Octavia, don't be ungrateful." Ignatius's voice hardened. "This is an order, not a discussion. If you keep this up, I don't mind finding someone else to be Mrs. Grimaldi."

"Then do it." Hearing that line again, Octavia felt none of the old panic or anxiety. Instead, she felt relief.

Five years ago, a twist of fate had forced her to marry Ignatius. In the five years since, public opinion about her had been endless—but without exception, it centered on her being a gold digger, calculating and opportunistic, clinging to wealth.

Octavia had tried repeatedly to prove herself and make the marriage work. But clearly, she'd failed.

If that was the case, she didn't want it anymore.

"Octavia, don't you dare regret this!" Ignatius's voice turned frigid, his oppressive presence bearing down on her.