Chapter 3

Patricia continued complaining to Samson. "Your wife and kids tried kicking me out and even called me a dirty old hag!"

She then slapped her thighs and wailed loudly as if she had been utterly wronged.

Samson frowned and looked at me.

He asked, "Is Mom telling the truth? What were you kicking up a fuss for? Can't you just behave yourself on Christmas day?"

I chuckled out loud and met his gaze.

His face was still well-preserved, looking as youthful as it had ten years ago. However, his behavior and demeanor had changed. He was now a completely different person.

It was also winter when we got married ten years ago.

He would always rush home eagerly after work and even bring me little gifts every day. We were poor and thrifty back then, but at least we were very happy.

He used to buy me my favorite snacks, pull my hands into his, and whisper gentle nothings into my ears.

"I'm sorry that you have to suffer with me, darling. I promise that I'll give you a better life and make you the happiest person on earth after I've struck it rich. When that time comes, I promise that I'll always stay right by your side."

His warmth and his promises to me were real back then. However, the doubt and annoyance in his eyes now were also just as real.

Ten years had transformed this man, who used to love me to the moon and back, into a selfish monster.

I lowered my eyes and didn't bother explaining myself. I just gently patted Janice on the back.

Samson sighed and softened his tone with me.

"Alright, that's enough. Mom's not young anymore. You should be more thoughtful and considerate of her. I know that you're annoyed and frustrated, but can't you see that I'm already back?

"I'll just spend the rest of my time at home with you and the kids from today onward, okay?"

He was still as perfunctory and dismissive as usual, and I couldn't be bothered to argue with him or even expose him for his lies anymore.

"You shouldn't blame it all on Alexa like that, Sam."

Maya's voice suddenly sounded from behind him. She stepped out and hooked her hands around Samson's arm, giving me a smug, defiant look.

"It must be hard on her to take care of three kids at home by herself. It's normal for her to be in a terrible mood. It's just that her rudeness and horrible attitude toward her elders are quite embarrassing, don't you think?"

She had Samson's scent on her, and it stung my nose very badly.

Patricia immediately nodded repeatedly as if she'd finally found someone to agree with her.

"Exactly! You're still the best at being kind and understanding, Maya! You're not like some people who think they're all that even after giving birth to three moneysuckers, eating and living on Sam's penny, and thinking that gives her the right to step over other people's heads!"

Maya covered her mouth and grinned lightly as she swept her gaze around the house I'd kept for ten years.

"This house belongs to Samson. Don't you know how tired he is working all day just to keep your mouths fed?

"And you, Alexa. You haven't worked a day in your life, and you don't contribute a single thing to this household. Yet you still have the nerve to throw tantrums whenever you like and to trouble Sam like this?

"You really ought to be ashamed of yourself."

I looked at her, briefly glancing at Samson's slightly pleased yet uncomfortable face, my lips curling slightly upward.

"Fine."

They were stunned.

I picked up all three of my daughters and turned toward the bedroom.

"What do you think you're doing?"

Samson let go of Maya at once and ran up to me to stoop me.

"I'm packing up my things and leaving with the girls. Since this house belongs to you, and you're having a hard time making a living to feed the four of us who don't even deserve to live here, we'll just leave and stop causing trouble for you."

"Alexa Cohen!"

Samson grabbed my wrist and exclaimed, "Are you out of your mind? You are my wife! Where do you think you're taking my daughters to?"

"Your wife?" I turned around to glare at him coldly. "Do you mean to tell me that you still acknowledge me as your wife?

"Then what did you think you were doing taking your 'sister' out on a worldwide trip and fucking each other's brains out when your wife and three daughters were waiting for you to come home to them for Christmas?"

"You're spouting nonsense!" Samson roared, his expression changing. "There's nothing going on between Maya and me at all! What the hell do you mean by causing such a huge fuss on Christmas day with your filthy thoughts?"

"My filthy thoughts?" I echoed, laughing out loud. "I have seen every photo and spending record, and everything is as clear as day to me!

"Did you ever stop to think about what would happen to us when you were lavishly spending all the money that I and the girls scrimped by to save up?"

Then, there was a loud, resounding slap.