Part 2: The Humiliation

Avery lifted her head. Through the raindrops that blurred the streetlights, Rose Reed’s face appeared clearly—elegant, cold, and dripping with cruel satisfaction. The woman always managed to make her shiver whenever they stood face to face.

Even after spending so long as part of the Reed family, Avery had never gotten used to those disdainful eyes.

“Hey, Avery. Have you gone deaf now?” Rose stepped forward, her gaze sweeping over the simple handbag clutched in Avery’s left hand. “Tch, it’s not that I care, but where are you going? Does someone like you have something important to attend to at night like this?” she continued to mock.

Avery stared back without flinching. The cold raindrops on her skin felt like blades slicing her.

“You don’t need to worry about me, Mrs. Reed,” Avery replied, her tone calm—almost too calm—rising above the roar of rain pounding against the black umbrella above her. “I’m leaving. I have severed my ties with your son.”

Rose let out a low chuckle, the sound like shards of ice scraping together.

“Oh, yeah? What a wise decision, certainly. I’m a bit surprised, though. Why aren’t you crying and begging, or have you?” She laughed and clapped as if she just said something funny.

Avery froze, giving nothing away.

“Well …” Rose breathed, “I hope Oliver will finalize the divorce as soon as possible. Honestly, you have always been a disgrace to the Reed name. So, this is a good news. But tell me, where exactly are you going, though? Now I’m really curious!” Rose reached her hand out, attempting to touch baby Adelia’s cheek as she nestled warmly in Avery’s arms.

Avery slapped her hand away instantly, hugging Adelia closer. That move was an unforgivable insult.

“Don’t you ever touch my daughter,” Avery hissed, her bright brown eyes blazing. “Where we’re going is none of the Reed family’s business.”

“So rude! Mannerless peasant!” Rose barked.

At the mansion’s doorway, Oliver finally moved. He hurried over, his eyes squinted in a dramatic way as if suddenly realizing the scene before him was real.

“Mom, go inside. You’ll get cold!” Oliver ordered, sounding slightly frustrated.

Rose turned briefly, giving her son a look of annoyance.

“Why did you come out here, Oliver? You didn’t come just to witness them leave, did you?” She shifted her attention back to Avery. “I trust you were informed of the rules, Avery. You leave this place exactly as you came— with nothing. Remember, everything you had, came from the Reed family.”

Avery lifted her chin. She had removed all her jewelry and left her car keys inside. The only things she possessed now were the housedress she wore, some clothes in the bag, and Adelia. She had prepared herself for this empty departure.

“I left everything on the vanity table,” she replied flatly. “Necklace, bracelet, ring. Even this umbrella belongs to you, but for now I need it so my daughter doesn’t get cold.”

Rose smirked, satisfied. “Good, how obedient. And what about that bag? Who’s to say you didn’t hide and try to steal something valuable from the house?”

Oliver’s irritation surfaced. “Mom, stop. I’m sure she wouldn’t dare. She must have only her clothes and the baby’s, right?” He glanced at his soon-to-be ex-wife.

Rose shot him a sharp glare, silencing him. Then she pointed at Avery’s bag.

“Open that bag, Avery. Here. Right now. I want to see what’s inside. A sly one like you might deceive Oliver, but not me!”

Avery shut her eyes for a moment. Her pride shattered—not because of Rose, but because Oliver now stood silently at his mother’s side, doing nothing as her dignity crumbled.

“So, this is how the fairy tale ends,” Avery thought bitterly. Forced to unzip her own belongings under the rain, in front of the man who was supposed to love her, commanded by a woman who always despised her. Yes. A perfect ending to a nightmare chapter.

Deliberately steady, Avery set the bag down on the wet stone floor, keeping Adelia protected and dry. She unzipped it wide.

Inside were only a few freshly washed baby clothes, diapers, and some of Avery’s casual wear. No jewelry. No cash. Nothing valuable as Rose suspected.

“Are you satisfied?” Avery asked, exhaustion masking the fire beneath her gaze. “What were you expecting? Gold? Money? I told your son, the most precious thing I carry is only my daughter.”

Rose nodded, victorious smile appeared on her face despite finding nothing. It was never about evidence—humiliating Avery was triumph enough.

“Good. Leave now. And never dream of becoming part of the Reed again. The sooner you go, the better!” Rose spat. Though her spit landed on the ground, Avery felt it strike her face.

Avery closed the bag, lifting it again, then turned to Oliver for the last time.

“Take care of yourself, Oliver,” she said. There was no love, no hatred. Only dry farewell. “I hope you get everything you ever wanted. Because from this moment on, you will never have me again.”

Oliver reached out as if he forgot what he did before. “Avery, at least wait until the rain stops. Let me—”

“What, Oliver?” Avery cut him, her voice sharp as a knife. “Let you and your mother humiliate me even more? No. You wanted me leave, you made me. I’d rather be soaked through the heavy rain than stand here any longer!”

Avery turned. She took a deep breath, tightened her grip on the umbrella and Adelia, and stepped past the gate. Beyond the towering iron bars, the street was dark and empty—no taxis, no cars. Only the suffocating sound of heavy rain.

She walked without direction. Her legs ached, but her instincts as a mother pushed her forward, away from the poisonous luxury and betrayal.

Fifteen minutes passed. The bag in her hand grew heavier. Her thin dress clung cold against her skin, sending chills through her. But on her shoulder, where she supported little Adelia, she felt warmth—her daughter, her only warmth in this cruel world.

I’m free.

The words should have felt liberating, yet Avery only felt hollow. And afraid. Where would she go? The house her parents inherited to her before they died was too far, and she had no money for a bus—let alone a taxi.

Adelia stirred, then whimpered.

“Are you cold, Sweetheart? I’m sorry. You should never have to suffer like this. It’s all mama’s fault,” she whispered. The baby’s soft cries grew louder against the storm’s noise.

“No, this won’t do. My baby can’t go through this. I need to find shelter, even temporarily,” Avery murmured.

She looked at the dark sky for a moment. Then, a name flashed in her mind.

***