Chapter Four

When they reached the warehouse store, Vanessa went straight to the manager in charge of bulk orders.

She handed him her list and asked him to check stock and arrange delivery as soon as possible. Rice, flour, oats, pasta, and cooking oil were only the beginning. As he reached the hundreds of cases of canned meat, canned vegetables, and freeze-dried meals, followed by enough drinking water to require truck deliveries, his smile slowly froze.

He read the list again, then looked up at the woman standing alone in front of him, his expression suggesting he thought she might be out of her mind. These were hardly quantities for an ordinary household, yet she was still adding toiletries, cleaning products, and emergency supplies, as though she intended to move the entire warehouse into her home.

“Ma’am, are you sure these quantities are correct?” he finally asked, pointing to the long column of figures. “This would keep a lot of people supplied for a very long time.”

“I’m buying for a camp in the mountains. Restocking is difficult, so we’re ordering extra,” Vanessa said casually. She pointed to the address at the bottom of the list. “Please check the expiration dates and deliver everything here in batches. If anything isn’t in stock, arrange a transfer from your warehouse. I can pay up front.”

The suspicion hadn’t entirely left his face, but Vanessa had already taken out her card. She clearly had no intention of explaining further.

She didn’t care what he thought, nor did she need a stranger to understand how important these supplies were. In forty days, people would fight to strip these shelves bare. Every extra case of food and water she ordered now could save her another dangerous trip into the heat later.

Once the payment went through, the manager’s warm smile returned. He began contacting warehouse and delivery staff. Vanessa confirmed the address and delivery times, then forwarded the orders to her contractor and asked him to arrange for someone to receive them. After that, she pushed a cart toward the nearby retail aisles.

With the bulk supplies ordered, she could finally pick out a few things she actually liked.

She chose a bottle of her favorite sauce, then coffee, jam, and a few packs of chocolate. At the refrigerated section, she stopped for fresh mushrooms, cream, and a steak for dinner. A faint smile crossed her face as the cart filled. This time, she didn’t have to remember Susan’s preferences or put something back because Leo didn’t like it.

She was comparing two kinds of coffee when a shrill argument broke out at the checkout.

Her hand went still around the package. She knew that voice all too well. Looking up, she turned toward the registers.

Veronica was gripping her shopping cart and refusing to move aside for the customers behind her. The cashier explained that unless she had another way to pay, they would have to suspend the transaction.

“It’s not that I can’t afford it! There’s just something wrong with the card!” Veronica protested, her face flushed.

Someone behind her sighed impatiently. Another customer gathered their items back into a basket and moved to the next checkout lane.

The stares were making her increasingly uncomfortable. She lowered her head and fumbled for her phone, intending to make Andrew sort it out. Then her gaze caught on Vanessa nearby.

Her tense expression immediately relaxed. Even her search for the phone stopped.

Susan had been right. That woman couldn’t bear to leave them. Barely any time had passed, and she had already come looking for her. She must have discovered how difficult life was on her own but felt too embarrassed to go straight home. Now she was hoping to pay for Veronica’s groceries as a way of making peace.

“My daughter-in-law’s here. She’ll pay.” Veronica slipped the card into her bag and lifted her chin at the cashier, her confidence restored. “I told you there wasn’t a problem. You were all so quick to rush me.”

Vanessa pushed her cart into the next checkout lane and began placing her items on the conveyor belt. Veronica immediately followed, shoving her overflowing cart alongside Vanessa’s.

“So you’ve finally come to find me?” She gave Vanessa a deliberately chilly look. “Don’t think buying me a few things means we’ll forgive you that easily. You’ve upset Andrew terribly, and Susan’s suffered too. One grocery bill won’t make up for all that.”

She turned to the cashier and motioned for her own items to be brought over. “Put these on her bill too. Vanessa, pay for this first. You can apologize properly to them when we get home.”

“I’m paying for my own items separately,” Vanessa told the cashier calmly, placing the last item on the belt.

The expectant look on Veronica’s face froze. She glanced at the cashier, then back at Vanessa, frowning as though reminding her of something obvious. “My card isn’t working. Didn’t you hear me? Just pay the bill. Stop wasting everyone’s time.”

“The supplementary card has been canceled.” Vanessa glanced at her and took her own card from her bag. “Andrew and I are divorced. I won’t be paying your expenses anymore.”

Veronica’s frown deepened. People nearby were looking over, and the air of superiority she had only just recovered began to slip.

“Haven’t you had enough of this tantrum? Andrew only signed because you insisted. Are you really going to carry on like this?” She looked at Vanessa’s purchases, her tone growing more reproachful. “You have money for all this, but none for the household bills? Leo’s tutoring fees still haven’t been paid. Did you know that?”

“Ask Andrew and Susan about Leo’s tutoring. He’s their child.” Vanessa’s gaze dropped to the hand Veronica had planted on the edge of her cart. “I’m leaving. Please move.”

“Vanessa!” Veronica’s voice rose, drawing more attention. Unwilling to let everyone see that she couldn’t even control her own daughter-in-law, she forced down her anger and leaned closer. “Don’t think this will make us come begging. Andrew’s already told you—once you’ve spent all your money and want to come back, an apology won’t be enough.”

“You’re the one who can’t pay her bill, not me.” Vanessa glanced at Veronica’s overflowing cart, then back at her. “If you don’t need me, let go and pay for your own shopping. Blocking my way won’t make that card work again.”

Vanessa pushed her cart toward the exit. A message from the construction crew had arrived: the first shipment of materials was on its way to the villa. She needed to return and confirm where everything would be installed. She had no more time to waste here.

Veronica stood rooted to the spot, her face scarlet. Someone nearby soon reminded her impatiently that other people were waiting to check out. She looked at the unpaid groceries and hurried away.

She’d only just been paid. That was why she was spending so freely, Veronica told herself. How much could a few bags of shopping cost? Once Vanessa had to pay for hotels and rent, she would realize she had no right to put on airs.

“Veronica! Oh my goodness, hello!”

Veronica forced a smile at the approaching woman. Mrs. Vance was one of the wealthiest socialites in their community, her diamond earrings swaying as she drew closer.

“Oh… hello, Mrs. Vance,” Veronica said, smoothing her silk blouse. “I just popped in for a few things.”

“I thought I saw Vanessa a moment ago. Has she already left?” Mrs. Vance glanced toward the doors, sounding distinctly excited. “I wanted to congratulate her in person. Why aren’t you together?”

“She has things to take care of,” Veronica answered vaguely before seizing on the word. “Congratulate her? What for?”

“The villa on the hill, of course! The beautiful one with the large grounds, opposite your son’s complex.” Mrs. Vance leaned closer. “I know the real estate agent. She just told me the sale officially closed today.”

Veronica struggled to maintain her smile. “What does that have to do with Vanessa?”

“She’s the one who bought it.” Mrs. Vance stared at her in surprise. “You didn’t know? Two million dollars, paid in full. Apparently, she offered twice what the other buyer did so she could get the house quickly. The construction crew is moving in today, too.”

Veronica’s fingers slowly curled, her nails pressing into her palm. She remembered how calmly Vanessa had paid at the register. Then she remembered Andrew’s absolute certainty the night before: Vanessa had nothing but her latest paycheck. She couldn’t even afford more than a few nights in a hotel.

“You’re sure… it was Vanessa?”

“Of course. The agent specifically mentioned her name—Miss Axerold.” Mrs. Vance smiled. “I even asked why she wasn’t using her married name. Still, your family is so fortunate. Two million dollars, just like that, and now she’s spending even more on renovations. You’ll be moving in once it’s ready, I assume?”

Veronica opened her mouth, but nothing came out. Only moments ago, she had dismissed Vanessa’s purchases as reckless spending out of spite. But two million dollars wasn’t a paycheck. It wasn’t a little nest egg that a few days away from home would exhaust.

If Mrs. Vance was telling the truth, everything they had said the night before about Vanessa coming back to beg had been wrong.

“Veronica, are you all right?” Mrs. Vance finally noticed her expression. “You don’t look well.”

“I… I’m fine,” Veronica managed, her teeth clenched so tightly that both they and her jaw ached. “I just… need to get home.”

She didn’t even wait for an answer. Veronica rushed to her car, climbed behind the wheel, and slammed the door hard enough to make the glass rattle in its frame.

Vanessa wasn’t short of money. She had millions, and she was using her maiden name to build herself a palace right across the street. Meanwhile, Veronica had been cut off from every cent.

She stamped on the accelerator. Tires screeched against the asphalt as the car shot out of the parking lot. Her hands clenched around the steering wheel until her knuckles turned white.

That’s our money! she screamed inwardly, every red light driving her closer to a frenzy. How dare that ungrateful bitch squander millions right under their noses?

She swung into the apartment driveway and braked hard, practically throwing herself out of the car. She charged up the stairs like a madwoman, kicked open the front door, and let out a bloodcurdling shriek that rang through the living room.

“Andrew!” Veronica screamed, her voice hysterical. “Andrew, get in here right now!”