Chapter 3
Chloe's POV:
I moved into the apartment with Anna.
After barely sleeping the night before, I'd just closed my eyes to rest when my phone alarm went off.
4:00 PM. School pickup time.
I jolted awake. For a few seconds, I just stared at the screen. Then I turned off the alarm, my expression blank.
Noah wasn't my responsibility anymore.
I had no idea that at that very moment, Noah was still waiting for me at the kindergarten gates.
All the other kids had been picked up. He was the only one left.
Noah kicked at the ground, muttering to himself. "Why isn't Mom here yet… Oh well, Ms. Brown will come get me!"
He immediately used his kids' smartwatch to call Vivian.
"Ms. Brown, can you come pick me up from kindergarten?"
Vivian paused, then answered eagerly. "Of course! Wait by the gate, okay? Don't wander off."
After hanging up, a smug smile spread across her face.
If Chloe kept refusing to pick Noah up, this was the perfect chance to bond with him.
Sooner or later, she'd push Chloe out of this family completely.
I had no idea any of this was happening. I'd just submitted my resignation from Miller Group's online design team.
The confirmation prompt appeared on my screen. I didn't hesitate. I clicked 'confirm.'
I wasn't the useless housewife Noah thought I was.
All these years, while caring for the kids, I'd never abandoned my career.
I'd been working as an online designer for Miller Group under a pseudonym. I was a core member of the company's flagship design project.
Ethan never knew.
I'd tried to tell him once. But he always brushed me off impatiently, saying he was too busy to hear about "little things" like that.
Eventually, I stopped trying.
I pulled my focus back to the screen. My company alias was 'G.'
The moment I submitted my resignation, the work chat exploded.
[G, are you sure about this? You're really leaving? Your designs have always been outstanding.]
[Yeah, the new product launch is right around the corner. Without you as a core member, it's going to be really hard to move forward.]
Reading my colleagues' messages, my chest tightened.
After all these years in the design department, these people were what I'd miss most. Even though we only worked online and they didn't know my real identity, I could feel their sincerity.
[Thank you all. I've thought this through. I won't be changing my mind. I wish everyone the best for the future.]
Shortly after I sent that message, the department manager, Ryan Smith, replied.
[G, you're a core member. Your resignation requires the CEO's approval. Please print a hard copy of your resignation letter and mail it to me.]
My faint smile faded. I typed back: [Understood. Thank you, Mr. Smith.]
The next morning, I mailed out the signed resignation letter.
Unease settled in my chest. My real name was on that application.
Once Ethan saw it, he'd know who I was. What if he refused to let me go?
I spent the entire morning waiting for Ryan's response. Leaving Miller Group was my final step in leaving Ethan. If he didn't let me go…
A new message popped up in my chat with Ryan. I clicked it immediately.
[Mr. Miller has approved your resignation.]
Relief flooded through me. But confusion followed close behind.
Ethan didn't notice my name?
I hesitated, fingers hovering over the keyboard. Finally, I typed: [Did Mr. Miller say anything about my resignation?]
Ryan's reply came quickly. [No. When I went in, he was on the phone with Vivian. He barely looked at it before signing.]
My hands clenched into fists at my sides.
Even a critical personnel change—a core team member leaving—mattered less to Ethan than a phone call from Vivian.
Still, maybe it was for the best. If he'd actually looked, I might not have been able to leave.
Just as I was about to close the chat, the landline rang. This time, it was my father.
I picked up quickly. "Dad."
His voice was warm and gentle. "Chloe, have you really decided to come home?"
My tone was firm. "Yes. Once I finish handling the divorce, I'll be back."
"Good. Your mother and I will be waiting for you."
I silently counted down the days in my head. Soon, I'd be back with my family.
Noah's POV:
The next day after school, Noah waited at the kindergarten gates again. Chloe didn't show.
Instead, Ethan pulled up in the Maybach.
Noah opened the door and climbed in, confused. "Dad, why are you picking me up? Mom hasn't come in two days."
Ethan rested one hand casually on the steering wheel. "Your mom sent a message. She won't be picking you up anymore."
Noah's eyes widened in disbelief.
Chloe used to be the first one there. She always asked him a million questions about his day at kindergarten. It annoyed him. But now that she'd stopped coming, he felt… off. Still, excitement quickly took over.
"Dad, does that mean Ms. Brown can pick me up now?"
Ethan nodded. "Sure."
"Yes! I love Ms. Brown!"
The car pulled into Maplewood Manor.
Noah pushed open the door. Once again, Chloe wasn't home.
The housekeeper was tidying up, but the familiar smell of cooking was gone from the kitchen.
Noah stood in the entryway. Slowly, it hit him—he hadn't seen Chloe in days. Where had she and Anna gone?
He sat on the sofa, staring blankly at his smartwatch. He used to think Chloe was annoying and overbearing. But now, he felt strangely… uncomfortable.
He looked at the contact labeled 'Mom' on the screen. Before he could stop himself, he pressed the call button.
Chloe's POV:
When I saw Noah's name on the caller ID, I couldn't believe it.
Anna and I had been at the apartment for days. Neither Ethan nor Noah had sent a single message or made a single call.
But I answered anyway. "Noah, what's wrong?"
The moment the call connected, Noah regretted it. Chloe had always revolved around him. Why had he called first? It made it seem like he needed her.
He covered quickly. "I… I pressed the wrong button."
A flicker of sadness crossed my face.
Of course. I shouldn't have expected anything different.
"Noah," I said softly, "do you want to meet up with me?"
I was leaving Emerald City with Anna soon. After that, we might never see each other again.
"No." His answer came fast and sharp. Then he hung up.
I stared at the darkened screen and let out a quiet sigh.
Maybe it was better this way. If we didn't meet, I wouldn't have to feel the pain of letting go.
