I Regret Ever Loving You

The breathing on the other end of the line grew rapid for two seconds. Hugo snorted in anger."Fine, Mia. You've got some nerve."After hanging up, I opened my messaging app and texted a lawyer.Me: [Hello, Mr. Nichols. I'd like to consult about divorce procedures.]…When I put my phone down, the housekeeper was already helping me pack."Madam, are you sure you don't want any of these?" She stood in the walk-in closet, staring at the wall lined with luxury goods.Those were all things Hugo had bought specifically for me to attend banquets. He had once said, "Mia, I don't care what you were like before. Since you married me, you need to cover up that poor, unlucky stench of yours. Don't embarrass me."Thinking of that, I shook my head and spoke lightly, "I don't want any of the luxury items or gowns. Just pack up whatever's left."The housekeeper looked troubled."Madam… other than these, there really isn't much left to pack…"I froze for a moment, then couldn't help laughing

"Hello? Mom!"A familiar child's voice came through the line. It was Avery, my son.My eyes reddened instantly, my heart melting all at once."Avery, when are you coming back? Mommy misses you."The other end of the call was noisy, like an amusement park. Even so, I caught Avery's voice immediately."But I don't want to see Mommy."The tears in my eyes froze. I asked in disbelief, "Avery… what did you say?"His voice was as clear as ever, striking my heart with brutal force."I said, I don't want to see Mommy."My grip on the phone tightened unconsciously. I took a deep breath and coaxed him gently, "Mommy knows you're having fun right now. You go enjoy yourself first, okay? Come see Mommy after you're done playing. No matter how long it takes, Mommy can wait."Avery didn't hesitate. He had that same coldness he'd inherited from Hugo."No. Daddy said you made him angry. You're a bad mom! I don't want to see you anymore. Don't look for me again. I don't want you to be my momm

Only that day, the sun came out. The sky was a clear, brilliant blue, the breeze gentle and warm—just like my mood.An indescribable joy and excitement filled my heart.I arrived at the Hudson family estate early in the morning and waited a full three hoursbefore someone finally came out to open the door.When the butler saw me, his expression was far from pleasant. But I didn't care. At the time, my entire mind was occupied by the child I was about to see.Inside the main hall, I waited again—no idea for how long. It wasn't until the clock struck twelve that Hugo's mother appeared, holding three-year-old Avery in her arms.The moment I saw his soft, childish face, my eyes reddened instantly. This was the child I had endured humiliation for, just to keep him safe. The child who had been taken from me the moment he was born.Hugo's mother, upon seeing me, mocked me as usual."If it weren't for Hugo speaking up, I'd never let a poor, unlucky woman like you see my grandson. Rememb

"Every day, you'd trot along behind them, asking this and that. Back then, I thought to myself: this girl is definitely going places."The professor stopped there. I lowered my eyes and quietly took a sip of my drink.After the dinner ended, I didn't rush to leave. When most people had gone, I pulled my notebook from my bag."Professor, I want to start studying again."He looked startled, took the notebook, and flipped through it carefully for a long time. When he finally set it down, his face was lit with a broad smile."Mia, I knew I wasn't wrong about you. I've read your notes. They're very forward-looking. When I get home tonight, I'll think it over and recommend a few good research institutions. You can try interviewing with them."Just then, Dexter suddenly spoke up."May I take a look?"It was the first time he had spoken to me all evening.I nodded and handed him the notebook. Dexter pushed up the gold-rimmed glasses on his nose, his expression serious."Are you inter

Hugo's expression softened slightly, though his face was still tight with discomfort.The apartment was barely forty square meters to begin with, and I had stacked it high with books, making it feel even smaller.He sat reluctantly on the small sofa, probably the first time in his thirty-plus years that he'd felt so awkward.He picked up a random book and flipped through it, pausing in surprise."I thought you'd lost interest in these a long time ago."I took a bottle of milk from the fridge, warmed it, and handed it to Avery."All right, we've seen each other. There's nothing more to do, so you can take Avery home now."Avery clutched the bottle, glancing uncertainly at Hugo.He lifted Avery onto his lap, speaking softly, "Mia, can't we ever go back to how things were?""How things were?" I leaned back lazily on the sofa. "Keep being your fake wife in title only? Forget it. I'm tired of it."Avery seemed to understand our conversation."Mommy, I was wrong. You should go hom