Chapter 4

I stood in the rain, my finger hovering over the keypad.

For three years, our home's passcode had always been the anniversary of my mother's passing.

I tried entering Chloe’s birthday.

"Beep—"

The lock clicked open.

Pushing open the heavy wooden door, a wave of the cheap perfume Chloe loved hit my face, completely clashing with the elegant, classic decor of my villa.

The living room was in absolute chaos.

My prized vinyl records were scattered carelessly on the floor, some even bearing visible shoe prints.

In the antique vase I had bought at an auction, someone had stuffed cheap, plastic flowers.

Chloe was standing in front of the full-length mirror in the center of the room, wearing the haute couture gown I had prepared for an upcoming charity gala.

The dress was far too large for her, so she had crudely pinned it back with plastic clips, wrinkling the delicate silk.

Ethan sat on the sofa, holding a cup of hand-drip coffee, watching her with a face full of adoration.

"Ethan, do I look pretty in this?" Chloe spun around, holding up the hem.

"Beautiful. You were born to be a princess," Ethan’s voice was filled with pampering warmth.

Hearing the door open, both of them turned.

Seeing me standing at the door drenched in rain and holding a duffel bag, the smile on Ethan’s face vanished. He frowned and slammed his coffee cup onto the glass table.

"Why didn't you knock before coming in?"

He questioned me with the authority of a master, making me look like an unwelcome intruder in my own home.

Ignoring his question, my gaze locked onto Chloe.

"Take it off," I said, my voice eerily calm.

Terrified, Chloe shrank behind Ethan, grabbing his sleeve tightly.

"Audrey, I was just trying it on..."

"Take. It. Off," I repeated.

Ethan stood up, shielding Chloe behind his body.

"Audrey Vance, don't cross the line."

"It's just a dress. What's the big deal if Chloe likes it and keeps it?"

"Do you have to show us that miserable face the moment you step through the door?"

He pointed toward the bedroom at the end of the first-floor hallway.

"Chloe will be moving into the master bedroom. She’s easily scared and gets nightmares, and the guest room doesn't get enough sunlight."

"Pack your things and move into the maid's room on the first floor."

The maid's room.

He took away my rights in this house so casually, believing he was being incredibly generous.

I stared at him, finding the entire situation absolutely absurd.

This was the man I had loved for three years, the man for whom I had almost died on the operating table trying to give him a child.

I didn't scream, and I didn't cry. I simply turned around, grabbing my bag, and walked back out into the rain.

Ethan was completely enraged by my silent defiance.

He marched to the door and roared at my retreating back.

"Audrey Vance! If you walk out of this door today, don't expect me to ever comfort you again!"

"Do you still think you're some high-and-mighty heiress?"

"Without me, you can't even keep this home together!"

I stopped my steps and slowly turned around.

The rainwater ran down my face, freezing cold.

"Ethan, did you forget?"

"The deed to this villa only has my name on it."

Ethan let out a harsh laugh.

"So what? All the executive power of the company is in my hands."

"With one word from me, you’ll be a penniless nobody tomorrow!"

The moment the words left his mouth, a sharp, wailing siren echoed outside the gates.

Several police cruisers and court enforcement vehicles pulled up right outside the courtyard.

The doors opened, and Marcus, followed by several court marshals, walked briskly toward the house.

Ethan froze, his smug grin stiffening on his face.

"What is the meaning of this?" he stammered, instinctively taking a step back.

Marcus walked over to my side, respectfully handing me an umbrella, before turning a cold stare toward Ethan.

"Mr. Hayes, Ms. Vance has officially revoked all assets held under your name."

"This includes all company shares, the vehicles registered under the company, and this very villa."

"You and Miss Mills have exactly ten minutes to pack your things and vacate the premises."