005| Leaving the Past Behind

~TYLA~

I stared at the papers that the lawyer handed me.

“Are you sure about this?” he asked gently.

This time around, I nodded. And without a second thought, I signed them.

After that, I handed the papers back to him, and he looked through them again.

“Did you include Kenny’s custody there?” I asked, only to be sure.

He nodded. “Yes I did. But it’s clear that Wilsons may be unwilling to let you take him.”

For a moment, I replayed all that happened in the hospital, my heart tightening at every turn.

Yet, I forced a smile.

“Do your best, please. I will not abandon my son.”

He nodded, standing to shake my hand. “I will deliver the documents myself.”

I smiled. “Thank you, Philip. I appreciate it.”

For a moment, Philip paused. It was clear he had something else to say.

“Go on, Philip… what is it?”

He smiled then. “Well, I was wondering if you were ready to start again. I am still managing the properties, and they are already making a fortune… but, of course, I have also been investing the profits.”

I smiled at him. “Of course. I am back now.”

He nodded. “Then, I will reach out to the others and tell them you are back. As you may know, Kresten has been managing the tech company… I’m sure he would be glad to hear you are ready to take over.”

I nodded. “Thank you for your help, Philip. I’m sorry it took so long.”

He shook his head, laughing lightly. “We are glad to have you back, Tyla.”

When I arrived home, everywhere was quiet… the kind of calm that had a way of sending shivers down your spine.

The maids came out to greet me, led by the head maid.

“Welcome back, Madam.”

But the irony of it.

All I could think about was how they dutifully served Olivia this morning.

Even in their hearts, I was clearly a replacement… and they were ever ready to serve the next shinning Lady brought into the family.

I smiled at them.

Even at that, I had nothing against them, they were clearly doing their job.

“Is anyone home?” I asked gently, making my way up the stairs.

“Madam, only the young master is home.”

For a moment, I faltered. Kenny was back alone.

But I didn’t let that ruin my plan. I nodded at her and continued up the stairs.

The house felt unbearably cold, not physically, but psychologically.

It was as though every corner of it was calling at me to leave, just like it did every single day… and yet, I had tried to keep it warm, hoping that one day it would accept me as part of it.

But this time, I wasn’t waiting around to be chosen, or loved.

I am choosing myself.

I headed straight to my room, not even stopping at Matt’s door like I used to, or peeping into Kenny’s to see if he was up.

My things were very small, a testament of the kind of life I led here.

No gifts, no fancy clothes the wife of a wealthy man was mostly with.

The few clothes and other accessories were the ones I brought for myself. Most of them were short or revealing.

I laughed at myself.

All this I had done just to get him to look at me twice.

But he never did.

Even Kenny's birth had been an accident… one that happened because his grandma led me to drug him on our wedding night.

One of the reasons why he despises me till date.

I took the whole revealing clothes and called the head maid.

“Burn them all… do not leave even one behind.” I told her.

She looked stunned at first, but she bowed anyway.

“Right away, Madam.”

With that, I shut my door, and resumed packing.

Having burned the clothes, I had only a little left. But I felt better, a lot better.

I packed up everything of mine, leaving behind everything else that wasn’t.

Then I rolled my suitcase out of the room.

I didn’t stop to look around, or to try to memorize this place.

Because I was sure I wouldn’t miss it.

And it won’t miss me either.

However, as I headed toward the staircase, I stopped short in front of Kenny’s room.

Even though my brain warned me against it. I couldn’t stop myself from wanting to see him.

One more look. He was my son anyway. The only one I would regret leaving behind.

At least until I had full custody of him.

But the moment I lightly opened the door, I froze.

Kenny wasn’t asleep. He was on his bed, making a call on his tablet.

But the moment he whispered the name, I frowned.

“Aunt Olivia, would you buy me more snacks when you come next time? Mom doesn’t let me eat snacks.”

The next moment, he giggled, kicking his feet in his excitement.

My hold on his doorknob tightened slightly.

I wanted so bad to pull him into a tight hug for the last time.

I wanted to tell him everything.

But i knew he wouldn’t understand... he was still a child.

I forced a smile, before lightly and closing his door again.

After that, I placed my hand on his door, taking a deep breath to calm my racing heart.

“Be a good boy for mommy, Kenny. I love you.”

Hesitating only for a brief moment, I turned and left, pulling my almost empty bag away.

The maids didn’t ask where I was going, but I was sure they were wondering.

As I left the house, I spotted the smoke going up into the air.

The clothes have been burned… just like my past.

I smiled again, and this time, I left the house… leaving even the car behind.