Chapter 4

James was going on a business trip.

Well, calling it a business trip was just a cover—he was really taking Sophia on vacation.

Before leaving, he was changing his shoes in the entryway when Cleo hugged his leg and acted cute.

"Daddy, I want to go too!"

"Not this time. Daddy's going to work."

James patted Cleo's head, but his eyes drifted toward me standing at the top of the stairs on the second floor.

"Be good at home and keep an eye on Mom for me."

"Don't let her run around, and don't let her call strangers."

Cleo nodded hard, like a dedicated little agent.

"Don't worry, Daddy. I'll watch her!"

James smiled with satisfaction, picked up his suitcase, and walked out the door.

The moment the door closed, I let out a long breath.

Finally, he was gone.

I turned my wheelchair around and went back to my room.

The housekeeper was in the kitchen preparing lunch, and Cleo was watching cartoons in the living room.

No one was paying attention to me.

I pulled out a suitcase I'd already packed from under the bed.

It was small, only big enough for a few clothes and documents.

But that was enough.

I took out my phone and dialed a number.

"Come up."

Five minutes later, the doorbell rang.

The housekeeper went to answer it, and several uniformed movers walked in.

"Who are you looking for?" The housekeeper looked suspicious.

"Ms. Johnson called us."

The lead mover walked past the housekeeper and went straight upstairs.

"What are you doing!"

The housekeeper tried to stop them, but I called out to her.

"Let them move things."

I appeared at the top of the stairs, holding that small suitcase.

"Mrs. Emily Smith, this... Mr. James Smith didn't say anything about this."

The housekeeper started to panic.

She was James's person, specifically hired to watch me.

"He doesn't need to say anything."

I looked at her coldly.

"This is my house. I can move whatever I want."

"Also, you're fired."

The housekeeper was stunned.

"Mrs. Emily Smith, what are you talking about? Mr. James Smith hired me..."

"This house is my premarital property."

I cut her off and threw a copy of the property deed in front of her.

"Now, please leave immediately."

The servant looked at the copy on the floor, her expression changing.

Finally, she gritted her teeth and pulled out her phone to call James.

"It won't work."

I said calmly.

"He's on the plane. His phone is off."

The servant was completely stuck. She could only curse under her breath as she gathered her things and left.

Cleo watched this scene and burst into tears.

"Mommy, what are you doing! Are you kicking Indigo out? Then who's going to cook for me?"

Looking at Cleo crying and throwing a fit, the last bit of reluctance in my heart disappeared.

"Cleo."

I called her name.

"From today on, no one's going to wait on you."

"You need to learn to grow up on your own."

"Because I don't want you anymore."

Cleo froze, her crying stopping abruptly.

She seemed unable to believe that the mother who had always let her bully and hit her would say such a thing.

"You're lying! Daddy said you can't live without us!"

"It's you who can't live without Daddy."

I corrected her.

"And I can only live if I leave you all."

The movers carried me downstairs, wheelchair and all.

I took one last look at this home I'd lived in for seven years.

Every inch of the walls, every piece of furniture, was soaked with my blood and tears.

Now, it was all over.

The car started and drove away.

I sat in the back seat, watching the scenery fly by outside the window.

The sky was so blue, the clouds so white.

So this is what freedom tastes like.

Three days later, James came back.

He was all smiles, carrying a limited-edition toy he'd bought for Cleo.

Sophia was holding his arm, and they were laughing and chatting.

"Thanks to you, we closed that deal."

James playfully tapped Sophia's nose.

"That's because you're so charming."

Sophia giggled.

They walked to the front door of the villa, and James took out his key.

"Honey, I'm home!"

He called out habitually, waiting for that meek voice to respond.