Chapter 4

Anton left.

After we wrapped up, Maya and I headed out.

Across the street, Steven and Anton were waiting. Neither looked happy.

Steven reached out for my hand—stiff, awkward.

I stared at it.

It had been so long.

Back when we were in love, he held my hand everywhere.

Said he wanted the world to know I was his.

But somewhere along the way, that stopped.

One day, during a walk, he let go and said my hands were too rough.

Never touched them again.

And now, even as he took my hand, I saw it—

that flicker of disgust.

These hands?

They got rough building the life he claimed to want.

And he still found a way to blame me.

I quietly pulled my hand away—and took Maya's instead. We walked right past him.

Steven's face darkened, but for once, his voice was calm.

"Come home. Stop the drama. Do you really want this family to fall apart?"

I stepped back, smiled.

"Oh, so you DO know the family falls apart without me? Funny. You and Anton only lived comfortably because Maya and I sacrificed everything to hold it together."

He didn't answer, but the impatience on his face said it all.

Typical Steven—always brushing off my pain.

No matter what I said, I was just the problem in his eyes.

Anton stepped in, voice low.

"Let's talk at home, Mom. Don't make a scene here. Dad and I will up your allowance. Just come back. Take care of us and Fiona. It's better than being someone else's maid, right?"

That's when it hit me.

They weren't here out of guilt. They came to drag me back—back to being their unpaid maid, their nurse.

I wasn't wasting another second on people who never valued me.

I calmly repeated what I'd said in the kitchen.

Steven's face shifted. Panic flickered. He grabbed my hand. "Erica, I'm not divorcing you!"

Anton jumped in. "Mom, be serious. I checked—you don't even have a job. You really think Maya can keep supporting you?"

All I saw in their eyes was blame.

Maya moved beside me, ready to defend me, but I held out a hand.

I looked them both dead in the eye. "I'm retaking the bar. I'm going to be a lawyer again."

They stared—then burst out laughing.

"Erica, seriously? You think you're still that top lawyer? After all these years as a housewife? Your brain's full of grocery lists and recipes. You really think you can pass the bar? That's ridiculous."

I didn't flinch. I met Steven's gaze head-on.

"Yes. I will be a lawyer again. Because I know I'm smart enough. And you—my soon-to-be useless ex—if we ever face off in court? I'll win."