Chapter 7: She Would be Leaving Soon

Ella stared at that ring. She felt the entire world spinning.

That ring. Alexander had never taken it off since their wedding day.

But now, it was in Jessica's hand.

"Mommy?" Leo tugged at her hand. "What's wrong?"

Ella looked down at her son. She saw his worried little face. She suddenly snapped back to reality. She forced herself to stay calm. Her voice trembled slightly. "Nothing, baby. Let's go."

"This ring is so beautiful." Jessica said behind her. Her voice was full of showing off. "But Alex took it off last night for convenience."

Ella's back stiffened. She didn't turn around. She just held Leo's hand and continued walking toward the door.

Sitting in the car, Ella's hands trembled as she gripped the steering wheel. She looked in the rearview mirror. She saw Leo sitting in the back seat. His little face still showed worry.

Ella bit her lip. Tears blurred her vision. She blinked hard. She forced herself to concentrate on driving.

At the school entrance, Ella helped Leo arrange his backpack. "Be good at school. Mommy will pick you up this afternoon."

"Mommy," Leo suddenly hugged her. He said softly, "I don't want to go home. That auntie is at home. I don't like her."

Ella's heart tightened. She hugged her son tight. "Very soon she won't be. Baby. Mommy promises."

After watching Leo walk through the school gates, Ella sat in the car. She finally couldn't hold it together. Tears flowed down silently. She covered her face with her hands. Her shoulders trembled.

But she couldn't stay like this. She took several deep breaths. She wiped away her tears. She started the engine and drove home.

Before she even entered, she heard commanding voices from inside.

"This sofa is too hard. Replace it. That lamp is too dark a color. I don't like it. The curtains need to be changed to off-white too. This blue looks depressing."

Ella pushed open the door. She saw the living room in chaos. The butler William and two servants were moving furniture. Jessica stood at the master bedroom doorway. One hand rested on the door frame. The other hand gently stroked her belly. She was directing everything.

"What are you doing?" Ella's voice was cold.

Jessica turned her head. Her face wore an innocent expression. "Oh, Ella, you're back. I just had William help me change some furniture. The soft furnishings in the master bedroom make me uncomfortable. Not good for pregnant women."

"The master bedroom?" Ella walked over. She saw servants moving out the nightstand she and Alexander had chosen together when they were newlyweds. "That's my bedroom."

"It's mine now." Jessica said with a smile. "Alexander said I'm pregnant and need good rest. The master bedroom is most comfortable. Best lighting. So he's letting me stay in the master bedroom."

Ella's face turned even paler. She turned to William. "Alexander really said that?"

William looked troubled as he lowered his head. He avoided Ella's gaze. "Sorry, Madam. The master just called with specific instructions. Miss Jessica is carrying the Blackwood family child. Her health is most important. He said... all changes in the house should prioritize Miss Jessica's needs. If she finds something uncomfortable, we can replace it freely."

Everything prioritizes Jessica's needs.

Ella stood there. She watched the furniture being carried out. That nightstand—she had spent a month selecting it because Alexander said he liked minimalist style. That lamp was her gift to him on their first wedding anniversary. That bedding set—she had personally selected the color because Alexander said blue made him feel calm.

Now, all of it was being removed. To be replaced by things Jessica preferred.

"Mrs. Blackwood?" William asked carefully. "Should we continue?"

Ella looked at the furniture. She suddenly laughed. That smile was so cold it made William shiver.

"Continue." She said. Her voice was very calm. "Since Mr. Blackwood said so, then continue."

She turned and went upstairs. She walked into the master bedroom. Jessica still stood at the door. Her face wore a triumphant smile. "Good that you know your place."

Ella ignored her. She walked straight to the closet and began packing her clothes. One by one. Folding them. Putting them in a suitcase.

"What are you doing?" Jessica frowned.

"Moving out of the master bedroom." Ella said calmly. "Since this is now your room, of course I need to move out."

Jessica froze for a moment. She clearly hadn't expected such cooperation. But soon, her smile deepened. "Good that you know your place."

Ella didn't respond. She continued packing. She packed clothes, cosmetics, a few books, and that photo of Leo from the nightstand. Everything else, she left behind.

Half an hour later, she dragged her suitcase out of the master bedroom. She temporarily placed the luggage in a guest room. It was the smallest room in the house. The lighting was worst too. But Ella didn't care.

She would be leaving this place soon anyway.