Chapter 11

The HR interviewer frowned as she read the résumé in her hand. “Thirty years old?” she said, looking up from the paper.

Her eyes moved from the document to the woman sitting quietly across from her.

Gloria sat straight in the chair, her hands folded on her lap. She looked calm on the outside, but inside she was nervous. The interviewer looked at her again, clearly surprised.

“Well… I have to admit,” she said slowly, “you look younger than thirty.”

For a brief moment, Gloria felt hopeful. But the interviewer suddenly sighed and placed the résumé on the desk.

“But unfortunately, I’m sorry, I can’t hire you.”

The hope in Gloria’s chest disappeared instantly. She forced herself to smile politely.

“That’s alright,” Gloria said quickly. “I can do anything. I’m willing to learn. Even if it’s a small job.”

The interviewer shook her head. “No. There’s only one opening here, and it’s for a receptionist. The age limit is twenty two.” She pushed the résumé back toward Gloria.

“You’re already past that age.”

Gloria stared at the paper for a moment before picking it up.

“I suggest you try somewhere else,” the interviewer continued. “Maybe a daycare center or a server in any restaurant. They might accept someone your age, even without much job experience.”

Gloria felt embarrassed hearing those words, but she didn’t argue.

“Thank you for your time,” she said quietly. She stood up and left the office. Outside the building, Gloria walked slowly down the hallway and stopped near a water fountain. She refilled her bottle and took a few long sips.

She leaned against the wall and took out her phone.

“It’s already been three days…” she muttered to herself.

Five days of searching for a job. Five days of rejection.

Gloria knew there were some jobs that might accept her, but they were all low-paying jobs. Even then, every time she applied, there was always someone better. Someone younger. Someone more attractive. Someone with a university degree. She sighed deeply.

“I don’t even have much money left,” she whispered.

Just then, her phone vibrated. A new message appeared.

When she saw the sender’s name, her face immediately darkened. Victor. Her husband. She knew he wouldn’t let her live her life in peace.

She opened the message: Hey Bitch, giving up already?

You’ll come back soon anyway. A stupid woman like you thinks you can survive outside? Bring Annabel back and beg me properly. Maybe I will forgive you. But that would be after punishing you for trying to walk away from me.”

Gloria clenched her teeth. “That bastard,” she muttered angrily. Her fingers moved quickly across the screen as she typed her reply. “In your dreams.” She sent the message and locked her phone. Then she looked at the time and realized it was already late.

She needed to pick up Annabel from school.

Gloria stood outside the school gate, waiting with the other parents. Soon, the students began walking out. She searched the crowd until she spotted Annabel. But something was wrong. Annabel wasn’t smiling like she usually did. Instead, the little girl walked slowly with her head down, clearly upset. When Annabel saw her mother, she didn’t run over like usual. She simply walked toward her with a pout on her face. Gloria knelt down in front of her and gently touched her head.

“What’s wrong, sweetheart?” she asked softly.

Annabel looked down at the ground.

“Mommy… I pushed Mira today.”

Gloria blinked in surprise.

“Mira? Your friend?” she asked. “Why did you push him?”

Annabel hesitated before answering.

“He said Daddy kissed Miss Patricia, our class teacher.”

Gloria froze. But Annabel continued speaking, clearly confused.

“She said she saw them herself. Because her mummy and Miss Patricia are best friends and daddy came to pick Miss Patricia from their house yesterday.

The little girl looked up at Gloria. “Mommy… that’s not true, right?”

Gloria didn’t know what to say. Because the truth was… it was true. Gloria knew her.

They met during a parent-teacher meeting last year.

Even back then, Gloria noticed Victor staring at the teacher more than necessary. A year later, the teacher called her. She told Gloria that she and Victor had been seeing each other. The teacher sounded awkward on the phone. She said she only told Gloria because Victor claimed his wife was already used to his affairs. “He said it doesn’t matter,” the teacher had said.

At the time, Gloria felt heartbroken. But after so many affairs, she eventually stopped feeling anything. Ms. Patricia was just one of many women Victor had slept with. No woman was special to him.

“Mommy?” Annabel called again. Gloria forced herself to smile.

“Of course that’s not true,” she said gently. She held Annabel’s hand and started walking toward the taxi she had called.

“Maybe Mira was just teasing you.”

Annabel looked unsure but nodded. “Okay, Mommy.”

They returned to the house where they were staying. Annabel sat beside Gloria on the bed while watching TV.

After a while, the little girl spoke again.

“Mommy, when can we leave this place?”

Gloria looked at her. “Why? Do you not like it here?”

Annabel shook her head. “There are scary people outside,” she said quietly. “Can we go home instead?”

Gloria felt a pain in her chest. “We can’t go home yet,” she replied softly. Daddy had to go abroad this morning. Remember? He told us to go on a picnic.”

Annabel frowned. “Then can we go to another place for the picnic?”

Gloria hesitated. “That will have to wait for now.”

Annabel looked disappointed. She pulled the blanket over herself and turned away. Soon, she fell asleep. Gloria sat quietly on the edge of the bed. She knew she didn’t have enough money to rent a bigger house and she couldn’t go to her mother’s house either. Her younger sister and her family were already living there. And if her mother found out what happened, she would definitely call Victor and beg him to take Gloria back.

Gloria slowly opened the drawer beside the bed.

Inside was a business card. She picked it up and stared at the name. Lukas Anderson. Victor’s older brother. She knew Lukas Anderson was famous for dating actresses and models, but despite that reputation, he had been surprisingly polite to her that day.

Gloria stared at the card for a long moment. “Maybe he’s the same as Victor,” she murmured. “After all, they’re brothers.” But right now, she didn’t have many options.

She looked at Annabel sleeping beside her. Then she made a decision. “I have to try.” Gloria saved the number into her phone. Tomorrow morning, she will call Lukas Anderson . Even if that decision might change her life completely.