Chapter 2

My mom smiled warmly and patted my hand.

Once she was settled, my phone buzzed. It was a text from Vincent:

When are you coming back? Which button do I press on the washing machine?

Also, the HOA just called. The quarterly fee is due. Pay it.

I stared at the screen, finding it almost comical.

When I handled all these chores, he acted like they magically did themselves. Now, he didn't ask a single question about my sick mother, yet he had the audacity to bark orders at me.

I rolled my eyes and ignored him.

Vincent couldn't take being ignored. A barrage of texts flooded in, followed by frantic phone calls. Finally, I answered.

"Evelyn, why aren't you answering my texts?"

"Didn't see them."

He choked for a second, then snapped, "Well, you're hearing me now! Pay the HOA bill, and tell me how to run the damn washer!"

I let out a cold laugh. "How is that my problem? Why don't you hire a live-in housekeeper with your precious three thousand dollars? I'm not coming back. The month is ending anyway, so save your money."

"What the hell does that mean?"

"It means I resign. I'm not your maid anymore."

I hung up and blocked his number.

Within minutes, he texted me from an unknown burner number, furious:

Evelyn, stop throwing a tantrum! Is this all because I didn't give you extra cash?

Fine! I'll give it to you! Unblock me right now!

You think you're so smart? Just you wait!

I half-expected him to show up at the hospital to check on my mom. He never did. Until the day she was discharged, he never showed his face once.

That completely killed the last shred of sentiment I had left.

I logged into the company HR portal and formally requested a transfer to our branch in my hometown.

Once the paperwork went through, I took an afternoon off to head back to the apartment to clear out the rest of my belongings.

After just five days away, the place looked like a landfill.

Greasy takeout containers covered every flat surface. Piles of laundry—dirty and clean mixed together—were dumped across the sofa.

Shaking my head, I walked straight into the bedroom closet, cleared out every single item that belonged to me, and grabbed our marriage certificate.

I packed everything into moving boxes and scheduled a courier to ship them out.

Looking at the hollow, half-empty apartment, I wiped the sweat from my forehead and breathed a deep sigh of relief.

Just as I grabbed my purse to leave, the front door clicked open. Vincent walked in.

He looked terrible. His face was shaved, but his shirt was crumpled, his hair greasy, and the arrogant swagger was completely gone.

Seeing me, he froze, then exploded. "So you finally decided to come crawling back!"

I frowned. "I just came to get my things."

I moved toward the door, but he grabbed my arm tight. "Where do you think you're going?"

"My mom was just discharged. I need to take care of her."

"Your mom again! Do you even remember you have a husband? It's always your mom, your mom! What about me?!"

I yanked my arm out of his grip. "What about you? What does that have to do with me? I told you, Vincent, we're done."

"What are you talking about?"

"It means I don't want your pathetic three grand anymore. Go hire a housekeeper to wait on you hand and foot. I'm going to take care of my own mother. We don't owe each other a dime!"

I spun around and walked out. He sprinted after me down the hallway, but I was already in the elevator. By the time he reached the curb, I had pulled away in a cab.

Through the rear window, I saw him standing on the pavement, screaming at the top of his lungs, "Evelyn! If you walk away now, don't ever come back!"

Music to my ears.

The transfer was finalized. I moved my mom back to our hometown—a quiet, comfortable city just a twenty-minute commuter train ride away. It was familiar, peaceful, and close to all her old friends.

The moment I checked in at my new office, Vincent texted me from another new number.

He was clearly trying to prove how amazing his bachelor life was without me. He sent photos of every single meal.

You didn't appreciate having three grand handed to you? Look at me now. I'm living like a king!

Pure freedom!