Chapter 4

The moment I reached the airport, Eric's call came through.

"Is it time for my birthday trip?" he asked.

After a moment's silence, a bitter smile tugged at my lips. "Yup."

Unsurprisingly, he didn't try to stop me. It seemed he hadn't even noticed I'd left.

I had quietly saved money from my side work in fashion design to book this trip.

It was meant as a birthday gift for Eric and to celebrate our tenth wedding anniversary. Though the destination wasn't finalized, my heart was set on the peaceful banks of the Solane River.

From the other end of the line, Layla's joyful voice burst out, "We're finally going on a holiday!"

For a brief moment, I escaped into a wistful daydream.

As I held Layla close, I leaned against Eric as we shared a quiet, romantic coffee by the Solane.

Maybe this long-awaited trip could be the graceful end to our story.

Just then, Eric's voice snapped me back to reality. "Anna, the houseplants need your care. If they die, Shirley will be upset. Layla and I will go without you this time."

"Mom, my goldfish needs you too!" Layla piped up.

Just as the call was about to end, her voice echoed once more. "Mama Shirley."

It dawned on me that I had been deceiving myself all along.

Perhaps the joy of the Solane was never mine to experience. Maybe it was my own greed that led to my downfall.

Before boarding, I sent Eric a message. "Your gift is on the dining table. Happy birthday."

"Okay," he replied.

I decided to leave so that he and Layla could have the chance to pursue their own happiness.

Though I was letting go, a part of me still loved them, and a spark of joy remained alive within me.

…

On my third day in Parisoir, I finally persuaded myself to walk to the Solane alone.

Wrapped in the golden hues of the setting sun and a gentle breeze, I quietly sipped a cup of coffee.

For a fleeting moment, my sadness faded.

But when I raised my eyes, I was met with Eric's cold and disapproving stare.

"Anna, you're such a coward, aren't you?" he snapped.

He must have finally found the divorce papers.

"Why must you act out and use divorce as a threat?"

My breath quickened, but I did my best to stay calm.

"I didn't—I—"

"Enough!" Eric snapped, cutting me off sharply. "If you didn't do it, then why did you follow me here?"

While disdain clouded his eyes, it was his pride that burned the brightest.

He was convinced I'd never walk away.

Suddenly, Layla rushed over, holding an ice cream cone.

"What are you doing here? Who told you to come?" she snapped.

I blocked out her words.

My mind was consumed by the fear of when she had previously fallen ill and passed out.

"Sweetheart, you shouldn't be eating ice cream," I said without thinking.

In response, Layla flung the cone to the ground in anger. "Whatever! I don't need a nag like you bossing me around."

She refused to listen, pulling out two lollipops and quickly shoving them into her mouth.

"I'm not just eating ice cream. I'm having candy too!"

She had cavities, and the dentist had advised her to cut back on her sugar.

I wasn't trying to stop her without reason. I was genuinely concerned for her health.

Nonetheless, children often favored indulgence over the quiet discipline of love.

"You should just divorce Dad already," Layla said firmly.

She turned to Shirley with a hopeful smile on her face. "Mama Shirley, will you marry Dad and be my real mom?"

Each word struck like a dagger, slicing through my chest and leaving me hollow.

A victorious grin played on Shirley's lips as she savored the moment.

I forced a bitter smile. "Fine."

The pain became too much to contain. I sank to the floor, sobbing uncontrollably.

Eric stepped forward and extended his hand.

"Shirley's been in a foul mood from all the online hate, so I took her out for some fresh air. There's no need to be so petty," he said dismissively.

I shoved past him, my legs shaky beneath me.

Behind me, Shirley's mocking voice cut through the air. "She doesn't look too well, does she?"

Eric shrugged coldly. "It's fine. She can't live without me anyway. This is just another tantrum she's throwing. I'll talk to her once we're back home."

…

Two weeks slipped away after that.

Unable to track me down, Eric finally decided to call.

His voice trembled with panic. "Where the hell did you disappear to? I'm done with all this drama. Get your ass back here!"

Meanwhile, I was too drained to fight or raise my voice.

I didn't want him anymore. Neither he nor his home belonged in my life any longer.