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Chapter 4
His face was cold and emotionless, like I was just some disobedient little pet he could easily discard.
He tossed the words at me carelessly, like he didn't expect them to mean anything. "Lily, you're smart enough to know if you leave the Grant family, you'll have nothing."
Then, with an air of indifference, he dropped another bomb. "I've already found a prettier little dog for you. They'll bring her over soon."
His voice dripped with false generosity as he added, "If Oliver is too much trouble, Sophia can help look after him. I've had rooms prepared for her here."
It was clear what he expected: gratitude, then dutifully arranging everything for Sophia as if I were nothing more than a servant. But I was over it.
"Have the housekeeper deal with all that. I need to go," I said firmly.
Sophia, ever the charmer, stepped out from behind Alexander with a coy smile. "If I'm not wanted, maybe I should leave," she said, her tone dripping with feigned humility.
She barely took a step before adding, "I understand. Someone like me, remarried with a child, could never be good enough for you, Miss Evans."
Before she could leave, Alexander stopped her with a hand on her arm.
"Don't sell yourself short," he said, his voice low and smooth, his gaze flickering over to me. "A woman's happiness depends on how a man treats her." And with that, he pulled Sophia into his arms.
The unmistakable sound of their flirtation echoed from the study, the suggestive murmurs hanging in the air.
Oliver shot me a look, his little face twisted in contempt. "I want Aunt Sophia to be with my dad. She's not like you. You only care about money and status."
My heart sank as I stared at the boy I'd raised with so much love. I forced myself to ask, "Is that really how you feel?"
"Of course!" He answered immediately, not even flinching.
He sneered, eyes filled with pure disdain. "You're the one who seduced my dad for his wealth and status. You're the reason my mom died of a broken heart!"
His words cut through me like a knife. "You're an evil woman, and I'll never forgive you. Someday, I'll make you pay for what you did to her."
I saw the protective amulet hanging from his neck, the one I'd prayed for when he was sick, the one I'd crawled miles to obtain. It was a symbol of my love for him, for the child I had cared for as my own.
And now, it was all meaningless. A few words from an outsider had turned him against me completely.
"There are some things you'll understand when you're older," I said, my voice steady despite the ache in my chest. "But it doesn't matter if you never understand... because from now on, we'll never see each other again."
Under Oliver's confused gaze, I made a phone call.
Minutes later, a man on a motorcycle pulled up, coming to a smooth stop beside me with effortless style. The Grant Corporation logo on his jacket caught the sunlight, and I couldn't help but think back to the first day I'd set foot in this house.
I swung my leg over the bike and took a deep breath.
I knew what was coming next: the women, the new faces that would replace me. But none of it mattered anymore.
The man, ever professional, nodded respectfully. "Miss Evans, I've serviced your bike."
"Thank you," I murmured, swinging onto the motorcycle, feeling the weight lift off my shoulders as I finally prepared to leave.
Oliver stared at me, his mouth slightly agape. "You..."
I didn't answer. Instead, I focused on the road ahead, feeling a sense of freedom I hadn't known in years.
As I gripped the handlebars and prepared to ride away from this prison, Oliver raised a toy gun and aimed it at me, his small hand pulling the trigger.