Chapter 6

SARA'S POV

The next morning, I was back home, already packing my things from the mansion Derek and I shared.

It was time I took charge of my life. Besides waiting around for Derek to respond to my request for a divorce seemed like I was giving him the upper hand again when I could easily just get out of his space.

I had to take back my dignity, and moving out was my first step.

Packing wasn't so difficult. I didn't exactly have much to pack. Ever since I got married to Derek, I had not gotten much for myself. Derek gave me separate allowances for the three of us. But I prefer to spend my money on Derek and Danielle instead. 

As I was packing my books into a box, I saw the picture of Danielle cutting her birthday cake. She had two missing front teeth and was smiling big. It was a photo from last year, and the cherished memories it held still lingered before my eyes.

I brushed my fingers lightly across its surface, then quietly returned it to its place.

Now that I’ve chosen to leave, perhaps it’s best to let go of what belongs to the past.

In the end, I packed only a few of my most worn clothes, some essential daily items, and my design books, then drove away from the mansion.

I felt a pang in my chest. I was leaving the Mansion I had spent the last five years in with my husband.

Granted, it was a loveless marriage but I had come to call it home.

I was too young back then to stop my relatives from dividing up the inheritance and the company my family had painstakingly built. In the end, I only received a small share.

Thankfully, Derek was generous in providing an allowance, and over the years, I still managed to save a portion of my own share. That money was enough for me to begin a new chapter in my life.

I was at my old college apartment an hour later. 

I was glad I had renewed the lease after marriage. I had no idea why I had. Maybe somewhere in my subconscious, I knew I wasn't quite done with this place.

The smell of mold and untouched furniture welcomed me like an old friend. Dust clung to the air, and the faint scent of forgotten memories lingered in the corners. I opened the Windows, letting sunlight pour in as I dropped the keys on the counter.

I smiled at the memories I had made on the blue couch. I had a lot of friends there. Ones just as weird and awkward as me.

It took me three travels back and forth to get all of my belongings into my apartment and a day and a half to get settled in.

Derek still hasn’t replied to me these past few days, but I expected as much. He’s always so busy, and personal matters are always the lowest priority for him.

Since I’ve already moved out and started living my own life, I don’t mind waiting a little longer. These days, aside from work, I’ve tried to spend all my free time getting myself up to date on what was going on in the fashion world.

I felt alive again.

DANIELLE'S POV

“No running in the house, Danielle. The floors are still wet,” Bethany, Danielle's grandmother, scolded good-naturedly.

Danielle didn't listen. She was all too happy to be playing around with the house puppy, Ignoring the maids’ warnings too, and dirtied the newly cleaned floor.

Danielle was having the time of her life in her home.

She had not seen her mother in days, but she didn't care. She was absolutely free without her around. 

After all, her grandparents and grandma treated her like a treasure. Her grandpa wasn't alive but she was sure if he was, he would have done the same as well. Only her Mother scolded her and only she restricted her from doing certain things. 

For the past few days, she hasn’t been scolded like her mother would, or told to do what she didn’t want to do. 

She could call Alyssa whenever and wherever she liked. She and Alyssa would speak for a long time and she doesn’t have to be bothered if her mother could come to stop her from speaking with her.

Aside from that, she had also listed a lot of items she wanted from her dad and he bought them for her. Her mother wasn’t there to stop her from demanding. Her father didn’t mind spending on her and spoiling her. 

As for Alyssa, she had also promised to buy her a pink boot and also a pink coat.

Not only that, she now has the opportunity to go out with her Father and Alyssa without her hiding from her mother.

Alyssa had promised another date with her and she could not wait to go out with them again. Danielle was so excited that she didn’t care if her mother was available or not.