Chapter 2

I did not want a divorce.

Why should I? I had given everything to our family.

When Orion’s parents got sick, I was the one who took care of them. Meanwhile, Orion was out traveling.

I raised our son by myself and helped him grow into a successful person. He did not even talk to his dad until he was eighteen.

Yet, my son said I was an ignorant country bumpkin.

I shouted and demanded that they treat me fairly. Even the neighbors came out to see what was going on.

Eventually, they gave in, and the four of us later went on a hike.

That was when they all tried to push me off a cliff.

I grabbed my son’s leg and held on tight.

I begged him to save me for all the years I had raised him.

However, he looked down at me with disgust and angrily told me the truth.

“You’re not my real mom. Your baby girl died when she was born. My real mom was too weak to take care of me, so they gave me to you.

“If I had a choice, I never would’ve wanted you to raise me!”

At that moment, I completely broke down.

I realized I had spent my whole life paving the way for others.

Suddenly, I regretted everything. Why did I give up my dreams just to become a housewife?

In the end, my son kicked me off the cliff without hesitation.

When I opened my eyes again, I was back in the year I graduated.

As I walked back to school, I saw Claudia complaining loudly with a frown.

Orion did not say a word to defend me.

Sofia was beside them, and she gently rubbed Claudia’s back to calm her. Then, she looked up and saw me.

“Look, Julia’s back. She probably didn’t mean to upset you.”

She reached out to take my hand and kindly said, “Come on, apologize to Mrs. Spencer.”

I stepped aside and dodged her hand.

Orion looked surprised and confused. “What’s your problem?”

Claudia looked even more upset. “Forget it.”

Not long after, she pulled out two gift boxes from her pocket with a smile.

One was for Orion, and one was for Sofia.

The three of them held hands like one big happy family and completely ignored me.

Sofia looked at me nervously.

“But… Julia didn’t get one…”

Claudia snorted, and Orion pulled out a stack of cash from his pocket.

“She doesn’t need it, but you do.

“You’re alone. It’s not easy. Take this money.”

I had not planned on getting involved. But when I saw that, I ran up and tried to grab the money back.

“Orion! You’re giving my money to your first love right in front of me? Did you even ask me first?”

Orion looked annoyed and pulled the money away from me.

“You have plenty of money. I just took a little.

“She lost her parents and lives by herself. It’s not easy for her. How could you not help her?”

I got so angry and laughed.

She was an orphan, but so was I.

His family was poor, so he took my money to help her.

Sofia looked scared and started to tear up.

“Don’t fight because of me. If she doesn’t want to give it, I won’t take it.”

Then, she covered her face and ran off.

Orion immediately ran after her. Right in front of me, the two of them went back and forth for a while before Sofia finally took the money.

I tried to chase after them, but Claudia grabbed my arm tightly and held me back.

“Our family doesn’t welcome small-minded women like you!”

I could not break free. In the end, it was Orion who stepped in and pulled us apart.

He looked at me coldly. “Julia, I’m really disappointed in you.”

Then, he shook his head, like he was giving up.

“Fine. If you don’t want me to give her money, I won’t anymore.”

I knew they would never let go of me. To them, I was just an ATM.

After they left, I rushed to the bank since Orion knew my PIN.

When I checked my account, I saw that a lot of money had been withdrawn for no clear reason.

This was not the first time Orion had done this.

I changed the password right away and went back to school to talk to my teacher.

She had helped me a lot in the past. Thanks to her, I won many awards.

When I told her I wanted to apply to grad school, her face lit up. She asked if I wanted to enroll in Jovia University of Science and Technology with her to do mechanical research with her former professor.

She would be leaving next month, and she even offered to teach me for free.

My eyes lit up.

That was my dream school!

So, I quickly said yes.

On the way home, I checked the train ticket prices for next month.

The price was affordable to me.

I clenched my fists tightly against my chest.

Soon, I would finally be free.