Chapter 4

By the time Allison made it back to Fairfield, it was already midnight.

The sprawling villa was completely dark except for the motion-sensor light in the foyer. No one even bothered to leave a light on for her.

It was a fitting reflection of her seven-year marriage to Daniel. She had never truly been part of the Halls, and none of them had ever genuinely accepted her.

She used to tell herself their coldness didn't matter. She even bent over backward to please them, all so Daniel would never feel caught in the middle.

She convinced herself that her own little family was enough. As long as she had a husband and a son, she had a home.

Now, she realized it was all a lie she had told herself.

She didn't turn on the lights. Instead, she felt her way upstairs to the bedroom she supposedly shared with Daniel.

Calling it their bedroom was generous. In seven years of marriage, they rarely slept in it together. Most nights, Daniel stayed in his study or slept in the guest room next door.

Allison had always assumed Daniel was just naturally distant. He was quiet, controlled, and never seemed interested in physical intimacy. She told herself he was simply too focused on his research, his teaching, and his company to care about anything else.

That was how he became an associate professor and founded his own private research lab and company by the age of 26.

Now, at 33, he was a major name in the tech industry. His company had multiplied in value, making him one of the country's most successful young entrepreneurs, and he was expected to earn a full professorship that year.

Apparently, Daniel wasn't cold, restrained, or uninterested in intimacy.

He simply never wanted her.

At that moment, Allison felt like the past seven years of her life was one big joke.

She pulled out her phone and stared at Elliot's number for several seconds before finally pressing call.

He answered after a few rings. His voice was tired, but the excitement in it was impossible to miss.

"Allie, you're calling this late. Does that mean you've made your decision?"

"Yes." Allison closed her eyes and paused. "I have."

In those few seconds, countless thoughts raced through Allison's mind. When she opened her eyes again, all emotion had vanished from them.

"I'm coming back to the institute."

Elliot burst out laughing.

"That's great news!" His exhaustion disappeared in an instant. "Hearing that just gave me enough energy to pull two more all-nighters!"

Allison pressed her lips together, unable to put her feelings into words.

"I'm calling Dr. Maxwell right now. He'll be so happy he might recover on the spot."

"Calm down. It's the middle of the night," Allison said quickly. "I'm going to see Dr. Maxwell tomorrow. I'll tell him myself."

Elliot paused. "Right. Of course. I got a little carried away. You should be the one to give him the good news."

Then, as though something had just occurred to him, he added something.

"Actually, a tech company contacted me recently. They want the institute to provide technical support for components used in quantum resonator gyroscopes.

"You developed the technology, and you're the only one who can oversee the specifications, precision requirements, and technical standards. I turned them down, but they seemed desperate.

"From what I can tell, the company's future may depend on this project. Would you be willing to meet with them?"

Allison hadn't officially returned to the institute yet, much less resumed her work. After being away for seven years, she wasn't even sure how quickly she would be able to adjust.

"Not yet. We can talk about it later."

"Alright. It's your call."

Elliot sighed, and when he spoke again, his voice was sincere.

"It's been seven years. I'm really glad you've finally decided to come back. Welcome home."

"Thanks," Allison said softly.

Something seemed to catch in her throat, making it painfully tight.

After ending the call, she sat on the edge of the bed and stared blankly around the room.

There was almost nothing of Daniel's in it. In seven years of marriage, they had never had a wedding or even taken a single wedding photo together.

Suddenly, the entire marriage seemed completely meaningless.

Daniel wasn't the safe haven she had thought he was.

Allison took a deep breath and finally made her decision. She stood, pulled a suitcase from the walk-in closet, and began packing.

She was going to divorce Daniel and move out.

As she packed, she didn't shed a single tear. Someone once told her that tears never solved anything.

Allison packed until the early hours of the morning. By the time she woke up, sunlight was already pouring into the room.

Normally, she was up at dawn every day to make a healthy breakfast for Daniel and Philip.

But neither of them came home the night before.

At the thought of Philip, the only person in the world who shared her blood, a thousand tiny needles seemed to pierce Allison's heart.

She couldn't forget the way the boy planted himself in front of Camila at the wedding, fiercely protecting her as he tried with all his might to make Allison leave.

At that moment, Allison felt something between them break.

To Philip, she wasn't his mom anymore. She was just the woman who had hurt Camila.

When Allison entered the kitchen, the housekeeper, Julia Ross, was moving briskly between the counter and the stove, too busy to notice her.

"Julia, what are you making?" Allison asked, glancing toward the stove.

Allison usually made breakfast herself, so Julia was rarely in the kitchen this early.

Julia jumped at the sound of her voice. The spatula slipped from her hand and clattered to the floor.

"Mrs. Hall... You're back. I didn't realize you were home." Julia looked visibly uncomfortable.

"You were already asleep when I got back last night."

Allison didn't think much of Julia's reaction. She walked over to the stove and found that Julia had prepared an elaborate, well-balanced breakfast.

When Allison first married Daniel, she didn't know the first thing about cooking. Eager to settle into life with the Halls, she paid a premium to hire Julia, a highly qualified housekeeper.

Julia was bilingual and certified as a chef, nutritionist, and postpartum caregiver. Everything Allison knew about cooking, she learned from her.

Julia had helped Allison tremendously over the years. After seven years together, Allison had come to think of her as family.

Just the night before, she even considered asking Julia to come with her after the divorce.

"Why are you making so much food this early?" Allison asked.

Along with the elaborate spread of healthy dishes, there was also a pot of bone broth that had clearly been simmering for hours.

Julia hesitated, stumbling over her words. Under Allison's questioning stare, she finally admitted the truth.

"Mr. Hall asked me to make it. He said he'd stop by to pick it up."

Allison froze. "Daniel asked you to?"

Julia nodded. "He said Ms. Dixon was in the hospital. The doctor said she was malnourished and needed something nutritious."

Allison immediately caught the familiarity in Julia's tone. "You know Camila?"

Julia panicked, realizing too late that she had revealed too much. Still, she nodded.

"Yes. She's a very nice person. She often brings me gifts from her hometown."

Allison gave a bitter laugh. "So Camila comes here often, and no one ever thought to tell me? Julia, who exactly do you work for?"

Julia's expression stiffened.

"I work for you, but I work for Mr. Hall, too. Besides, Ms. Dixon really is a good person. She even helps me around the house when she visits. I didn't tell you because I was afraid you'd get the wrong idea about Mr. Hall. Ms. Dixon is actually…"

"That's enough!" Allison couldn't bear to hear Camila's name again.

She stared at Julia for a long moment, unable to speak. The wound in her chest seemed to split open even wider.

Just then, a car pulled up outside. A moment later, Daniel stepped into the foyer.

"Julia, is the food I asked you to make for Camila ready? She's extremely weak and refuses to eat anything. She said she only wants your cooking."

He spoke as he headed toward the kitchen, then stopped short when he saw Allison.