Chapter 3

Tears streamed down Jillian's face as she complained about me, attracting the attention of our neighbors. They gathered around the entrance of the house and began criticizing me.

"I didn't think Sienna was the type to have an extramarital affair. She looks so prim and proper."

"You can tell that she has poor character since her own daughter dislikes her so much."

In everyone's eyes, I was a total loser. Not only did I have questionable morals, but I was also abandoned by my husband and hated by my daughter. My entire life was a complete failure.

Worried that I would do something drastic if I let my emotions get the better of me, Kelvin stepped forward to smooth things over.

"It's all a misunderstanding. Jillian's just making up stories. You don't need to concern yourself with our family matters."

His words infuriated Jillian.

"Why are you sticking up for Sienna, Daddy? I'm trying to help you!"

I didn't expect Jillian to call me by my name after I forbade her from calling me "Mommy".

"You understand now, don't you, Sienna? This divorce is going to happen whether you like it or not. I won't give you a chance to change your mind!"

Kelvin finally scolded Jillian, though it was more for his own sake than anyone else's.

"You shouldn't stick your nose into the grown-ups' matters. Stop causing trouble and go to your room."

Jillian's eyes reddened in an instant. However, instead of being angry at Kelvin for berating her, she directed her ire to me.

"It's all your fault, Sienna! I wish I didn't have such a horrible mother! Why are you still trying to drive a wedge between Daddy and me even though you're getting a divorce? This is the first time Daddy's ever scolded me…"

I shook my head at Jillian's genuine hatred toward me.

"You raised such a sweet daughter, Kelvin," I said. "I'm sure you're going to have a wonderful time when you bring your mistress home."

Uninterested in preserving Kelvin's reputation, I sent a message to the neighborhood group chat to explain the situation.

I told everyone that we were getting a divorce because Kelvin cheated on me. Anyone who believed Jillian's lies and slandered me would be receiving a letter from my lawyer.

Kelvin immediately began panicking. He snatched my phone out of my hands and deleted the message. When he noticed that I had picked up my suitcases and was about to leave for a hotel, he grabbed me anxiously.

"You can't leave, Sienna. Where will I look for you if you suddenly change your mind at the last minute and refuse to get a divorce?"

I glared at him before knocking his hands away. "Don't worry. I'm more impatient to get that divorce certificate than you."

There was no one else in the world who wanted to be rid of Jillian more than I did.

…

Jillian sent a threatening message to me after I left.

"Don't even think about coming back to seduce Daddy. I'm keeping a close eye on you!"

She even sent me a video of her burning all the photos I had left behind.

I blocked her number.

In my past life, I exhausted myself participating in drawn-out negotiations with Kelvin because I was desperate to win custody of Jillian.

I felt much lighter now after letting go of her without any regrets.

I started working out and taking care of my appearance again. I even threw a party for myself to celebrate that I had freed myself from such a toxic environment.

By the time the cooling-off period ended, I looked radiant. My condition was even better than it was before I divorced Kelvin.

Jillian scrutinized me with wary eyes. "You're really willing to pull out all the stops to convince Dad to take you back, Sienna. I can't believe you actually got plastic surgery. You should just give up. Daddy won't change his mind. I'm going to be the only one in his life in the future!"

She looked as if she had emerged victorious in a battle as she linked arms with Kelvin.

I simply pressed a kiss to the divorce certificate before I waved it at them and left.

…

Eager to start my new life, I swiftly bought a new house.

I didn't expect the police to show up on my doorstep in the middle of the night a few days after I moved in.

"How could you abandon your daughter on the streets, Ms. Sienna Breeson?"

"My daughter?" I asked, feeling utterly confused.

Jillian suddenly squeezed past the police officer and dashed into my house. She whipped her head from side to side before asking, "Did Daddy drop by to look for you? He didn't come home tonight. You must be hiding him from me!"