Chapter 3

Wesley looked at me, a contemptuous sneer escaping his lips.

"Leave? Lena, if you leave me, can you even support yourself and the child? Go back to your room. Stop embarrassing me in front of all these people."

With that, he gave the servants a look.

Several people rushed over, grabbed my arms without a word, and pushed me toward the bedroom.

The door was locked from the outside.

The room's soundproofing wasn't great. I could still hear their discussion.

"I really don't know what Mrs. Wesley is making a fuss about. She has such a good life, but she has to make Mr. Wesley lose face in front of reporters."

"Isn't it just raising a dead woman's child? She's a parasite living off her husband's money. Can't she just endure it?"

Parasite?

When I got together with Wesley, he was still a poor guy.

I gave him all my savings to start his business.

I stayed up all night drinking and socializing for his company to close the first big deal.

And I chose to step back and become his support when he was too busy to manage his life.

But now, in everyone's eyes, I'd become a parasite dependent on him.

I slid down against the door and sat on the floor. The noise outside gradually stopped.

Wesley opened the door, and his step inside kicked me in the waist.

It didn't hurt, but it was like giving me an outlet.

Tears welled up in my eyes. Just as I was about to cry my heart out, a piece of clothing covered my head.

"Don't cry. Lena, I remember you're good at mending. Help me fix this garment."

I pulled the clothes off my head. It was a white women's blouse with slight wear at the cuffs.

My tears froze in my eyes. Now I couldn't cry anymore.

A huge sense of humiliation hit me head-on. I was so angry I wanted to laugh.

I recognized this garment.

There were two walk-in closets in this house.

One held clothes for me and the two children.

The other held clothes for Wesley and Lester.

Lester was dead, yet Wesley insisted on letting someone who didn't exist in this world leave traces in his life.

I took a deep breath and threw the clothes heavily to the ground.

"Wesley, I'm not joking with you. I've had enough of this life. Let's divorce."

I said it with certainty, but Wesley acted like he hadn't heard.

He unbuttoned his shirt and spread his arms.

"Come help me change. Hurry up. I just promised Michelle I'd tell her a bedtime story."

I walked up to him but didn't move.

I just repeated very softly.

"I'm leaving with the child."

This time, he finally looked at me properly.

The undisguised contempt in his eyes hurt me all over.

"Just tell me what you want to buy this time. Lena, I've told you countless times—if you want something in the future, just tell me directly. Don't play these ridiculous roundabout games."

As he spoke, he pulled out a card and stuffed it into my collar.

"This should be enough for you to spend for a while."

With that, he changed his clothes himself, pushed past me, and went to Michelle's bedroom.

The bank card hit the floor with a clack. I stared at it for a long time before laughing at myself.

So in his eyes, I really was no different from a nanny who needed to be paid off with money.

I wiped away the tears about to fall, turned around, and went to Willett's room.

He was awake, staring blankly at nothing.

Hearing me open the door, he turned his head, his mouth pouting pitifully.

"Mom, did you fight with Dad again?"

I shook my head.

"Not really, but Mom wants to separate from Dad. Will you come with me?"

My son's eyes lit up. "Really?"

"Mom, I'm just like you. I'm not happy here at all."

"Every time Michelle gets upset, Dad scowls and scolds me. If Michelle and I want the same thing, Dad will only buy it for Michelle. The toys I play with now, the books I read—they're all things Michelle didn't want and threw to me."

He counted on his fingers, his lowered voice somewhat excited.

"If we leave here, will my things be only mine from now on?"

My eyes grew intensely sore.

My son should have been cherished by everyone, but he'd been forced to live in Wesley's favoritism all along.

He wasn't happy. The last reason I had for maintaining this marriage was gone.

This divorce—Wesley and I were definitely going through with it.