All Chapters of Can't Pay Me to Stay: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

Wendy's POVI returned to the gilded cage I had once called home.Despite the lingering pain in my body, I began packing.I opened the door to the massive walk-in closet. It was packed with the latest designer collections, while rows of jewelry gleamed from their velvet boxes.I'd worn these things like armor, putting them on with trembling hands just to make sure I didn't look too out of place beside Colin. However, in his eyes, they were nothing more than proof of my vanity.Now, I had no use for any of them. I'd already contacted a luxury resale service to sell everything, and every cent I earned would go to an anonymous scholarship foundation.Colin would probably never know how the money he considered so vulgar had quietly changed the lives of other young women.I reached into the back of the closet and pulled out an old suitcase with frayed edges.Seven years ago, I'd dragged it through the front door when I first arrived. Now, it seemed to be the only thing I wanted to t

Wendy's POVAva had left.Simon came running up to me, his chin held high as he made his announcement."Ava has a fashion show overseas in a few days, and Dad is taking me with him for a whole month!"He looked at me expectantly. "Mom, hurry up and pack my bags!"In the past, I would have carefully sorted and packed all his belongings, making sure not to leave anything behind.This time, I simply turned to the nanny, Stella Parker, who was standing nearby."Stella, could you take care of that for me?" I asked calmly.Simon froze, clearly caught off guard by my reaction.Colin came downstairs. He slowed for a moment before walking over to me, then went silent.When he finally spoke, there was an unusual note of reassurance in his voice."You haven't really gone anywhere in a long time."He hesitated before adding, "Why don't you... come with us?"Simon immediately tensed and stared at me with obvious reluctance.I shook my head slowly."No, thanks," I replied, my voice fl

Third-Person POVA trip to clear her head?Colin repeated the words in his head while clutching his phone. His brows relaxed a little.Maybe that was precisely what Wendy was doing. She'd mentioned wanting to travel countless times before, but he had always rejected her suggestion, using his busy work schedule as an excuse.It might be good for her to go on a trip and take her mind off things.After convincing himself of that, he ended the call without asking Victoria any further questions. He leaned against the floor-to-ceiling window in his hotel room, gazing out at the unfamiliar city lights.It was rare for him to have so much time on his hands. There were no back-to-back work commitments keeping him occupied. Yet the sudden quiet only made him painfully aware of the feeling that something important seemed to be missing from his life.The figure who had always been there in the background, quietly taking care of everything so he could devote himself to work without distracti

Colin marched forward and grabbed my wrist, his grip shockingly strong."Where have you been for the past three months? Do you have any idea—"His words cut off abruptly. Perhaps it was because of how calm my gaze was. He swallowed hard, an inexplicable panic churning in his eyes.Suddenly, he yanked me into his arms, hugging me so tightly that I could barely move."Come back..." His voice trembled almost imperceptibly.At almost the same moment, Simon burst into tears and rushed over to wrap his arms around my legs."Why did you leave me, Mom? I missed you so much..."Once, these tearful words and desperate embrace would have melted my heart in an instant. Now, they only filled me with a profound sense of exhaustion.Slowly but firmly, I pushed Colin away. Then I crouched down and calmly looked at Simon, who was bawling his eyes out."Simon," I said, my voice devoid of emotion. "You have Ava now. You like her more, and she's better than me in every way, isn't she?"Simon fro

Wendy's POVAfter three years, I reached my first significant milestone as a fashion designer in Eunovia. My collection, which I'd named Shattered and Reborn, was shortlisted for one of the industry's most prestigious international awards for emerging designers.The inspiration behind the collection came from my experiences throughout those seven arduous years and my eventual escape. It featured extensive use of torn fabrics that had been painstakingly stitched back together with gold thread, symbolizing destruction and rebirth.The colors gradually shifted from dark, oppressive shades to bright, warm hues, reflecting the state of mind I'd finally achieved.On the day of the finals, I stood beneath the spotlight. Looking out at the fellow designers and audience members from around the world, I felt a strange sense of calm."This collection was inspired by a chapter of my life." My voice passed through the microphone and rang out across the venue. "I once believed my worth lay in b