Chapter 2

After that, David took Ella and Hannah to the restaurant.

I went upstairs. When I took off my heels, my ankles were swollen and red, covered in blisters.

When the antiseptic touched the wounds, I sucked in a breath.

I never liked heels, but David did. Over the years, I forced myself to wear them to please him.

Looking back now, I realize how foolish I was.

After treating my wounds, I slipped on comfortable flats and threw the heels away.

This time, I wasn't going to cater to anyone.

With that thought, I took out my phone and sent a message to a major corporation that had been pursuing me: [I've agreed to the collaboration.]

The reply came instantly: [Victoria, you've finally decided. Set the date. We'll be ready.]

This corporation was the leading enterprise in Larkhaven. Their CEO had always valued my expertise. Their offers were very attractive.

But I had turned them all down.

Because David needed me. The company's operations and all its new products relied on my core research.

I gave up my future, working tirelessly for him.

But once the company grew stronger, he kicked me to the curb.

It was then I realized that devotion wasn't always reciprocated.

Thinking of this, I replied: [I'll report tomorrow.]

I bought the earliest flight and began packing.

As I packed, I realized I couldn't even fill a suitcase. The closet was full of David's suits. My clothes were few and worn.

The only thing of value was the watch he had given me—an old model from over a decade ago. I treasured it. It was a gift from David, bought with his first bonus.

Back then, he smiled brightly as he gave it to me, promising to love me forever, saying one day he'd buy me everything.

But once he had money, he never bought me anything nice again.

On our seventh anniversary, I asked him for a proper anniversary gift.

He got angry, scolding me for being wasteful.

After that, to "correct" my spending, he set a strict budget. Any expense over a certain amount needed finance approval.

The man I loved had become a stranger.

When did everything change? Maybe when Ella appeared.

He restricted every penny I spent.

But for Ella, he was generous. When Ella said, "I want this," he bought her a limited edition smartwatch worth millions.

He was always clear about boundaries with me at the office. But with Ella, he let her call him David casually. He took her out during work hours...

As I was thinking, the watch slipped from my hand and fell.

I picked it up and saw the surface was scratched, revealing cheap material inside.

The watch was fake.

I couldn't help but laugh. This relationship was a mistake from the start.

At least now, it wasn't too late.

I threw the watch away and cut up all our photos.

Just then, my phone rang. An Instagram update from Ella.

In the photo, David was holding Hannah, letting her messy hands touch his expensive suit, looking at her with doting eyes.

Ella was leaning against him, feeding him a bite of food, and he ate it without disgust.

It was so ironic.

He had always been a clean freak. Once, when our daughter accidentally spilled juice on his shoes, he yelled at her and locked her in a room.

And when I once mistakenly used his glass, he smashed it in front of me. "How disgusting!"

But he only had a problem with our hygiene.

I let out a cold laugh and gave a 'like'.

That only strengthened my resolve to leave.

Once finished, I went to bed.

I hadn't been asleep long when I was woken by knocking.

It was David. He hated using the passcode, so he always had me open the door.

Before, he never even needed to knock. He'd just shout, and I'd run.

But now, I just turned over and continued sleeping.

The next second, David angrily kicked the door open, flipped the light on, and shouted, "Victoria, are you deaf? Why didn't you open the door!"