Chapter 1 The Price of Freedom

For ten years with Felix, I had lived without dignity. He was infamous for being a player, and because I kept forgiving him without limits, I became the laughingstock of everyone around us.

On the day he officially became the heir to his family's fortune, he dumped me. But when I looked at the hundred million dollars sitting in my bank account, I couldn't help but smile.

My mother had fully recovered, and I had the money in hand—so I readily agreed to the breakup.

Everyone was stunned when they watched me leave without a second thought.

"No way. Did she really just leave?"

"She didn't even hesitate. Something's off."

"Right? She used to love Felix so much—she'd have died for him!"

All eyes turned to Felix, whose expression had turned beyond grim. He let out a cold snort and mocked loudly, "Kathy, stop playing hard to get. You've loved me for so many years, you think I'll believe you can let go just like that?"

His childhood sweetheart, Eleanor, echoed, "I guarantee you'll regret it in a few days. And when you come crawling back to beg Felix, he won't take you back."

Felix frowned, hesitated for a moment, then added, "I'm not going to go soft on you."

I gave a cold laugh and quickened my pace. Whatever they said now meant nothing to me.

Back then, Felix had fallen for me first and pursued me relentlessly. But I wasn't interested in him at all, so I kept my distance.

Yet, everything changed when my mother fell gravely ill and needed expensive treatment, while my father—deep in gambling debt—was being hounded by loan sharks.

When I couldn't scrape together a single penny, Felix's mother offered me a large sum of money—on the condition that I devote my youth to staying by Felix's side.

From then on, I accompanied him through every stage of his life, tutoring him, guiding him. Even when he turned arrogant and unruly, drifting from woman to woman, I endured it all in silence.

For ten years, I stayed by his side, playing the simping fool that everyone despised, working myself to the bone like a servant. I poured my heart and soul into him, using my top-student mind to guide a once hopeless delinquent into becoming a proper heir worthy of his family name.

Now, he was successful in every way and no longer needed me. I had earned what I came for, and it was time to go. From now on, my heart would finally be free to soar.

So no, I wouldn't be sad just because he'd discarded me—because I never needed love to begin with.

…

At the airport, as I boarded my flight with my luggage, my phone buzzed with a string of messages from Felix.

'Where did you go? Why aren't you answering my calls? Call me right now!'

'Kathy, stop being childish. Come back and apologize, and I'll forgive you.'

'We might not get married, but at least we can still be friends. Be sensible.'

Every word carried a commanding tone. He clearly believed I would react the same way I always had—no matter how he mocked or humiliated my feelings, I'd eventually crawl back, apologizing just to stay by his side.

Not this time.

I gave a small shrug and tossed the phone straight into the trash can—along with the pathetic life I'd once lived.

There was nothing left in this town to miss. My gambling father died years ago. I'd sold the house, and now, with my mother healthy again, we were heading overseas to start anew.

Leaving wasn't an escape—it was the beginning of my freedom.