Chapter 6
Terence’s fever finally broke, and soon he was back on his feet, always running over to check on Cassidy.
“Mommy, Cassidy’s all wrapped up in bandages. Was she really hurt that badly?”
“I’ll take good care of Cassidy. She’ll be running around with you before you know it.”
Simeon came by almost every day, often bringing fruit and snacks the
kids loved.
Sometimes he’d run errands for me, and when I was busy caring for Cassidy, he’d take Terence downstairs for some fresh air.
He was always respectful, never crossing any boundaries, keeping a
careful distance.
He even asked Ernest for some herbal medicine to help me recover. “Taking care of two kids isn’t easy. You have to take care of yourself, too.”
I looked at Simeon, grateful, and nodded.
Once Terence had fully recovered and Cassidy was out of danger, the specialists Ramon had promised finally arrived.
By then, the winter snow had melted, and my children and I didn’t need them anymore.
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During this time, I’d come to realize so much–I wasn’t a woman who needed to cling to Ramon to survive.
Icould provide for myself and my kids, and I had the right to pursue my own happiness.
I quit my old job, the one that kept me working overtime year after year, and sold the house and car that had haunted me with nightmares.
That house held five years of marriage. There had been brief moments of sweetness, but mostly it was Ramon’s indifference, the housekeeper’s bullying, and the sound of my children crying.
With the money from the sale, I bought a secondhand home with a small yard in a quiet, affordable city.
It was far from the mess of the past, with fresh air and friendly neighbors a perfect place for the kids to heal and grow up.
I saw another news report: Brittany had been discharged from the hospital, safe and sound.
Out of boredom, I read a little more. Her “car accident” hadn’t even left her with a sprained ankle–it was all just an act.
I tapped “not interested.” I never wanted to see news about those two again.
When it was time to move, Simeon came to help.
The housekeeper was still there.
She was wearing my silk blouse and lipstick, and as soon as she saw
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me and Simeon, she struck a smug pose, her voice dripping with sarcasm, “No wonder you’ve been gone so much lately. Guess you found yourself a man on the side. Those poor kids–what bad luck to end up with you.”
I looked at her disgusting face, but felt no anger–just indifference.
For years, she’d lorded it over this house, using Ramon’s favor as her shield.
She’d thrown my underwear in my face, dumped my meals on the floor, badmouthed me right in front of Ramon, and even secretly pawned my mom’s wedding gift to me.
I’d tried to kick her out, but Ramon went crazy, dragged her back, and said she was “the only person who made him feel safe.”
Now I understood–it was all for Brittany.
Ramon knew everything, but chose to let it happen. He wanted me to
suffer.
I stared at the housekeeper, expressionless. “Don’t think that just because Ramon’s been faking illness, you’re really Mrs. Riley. He’s been busy tormenting me all these years–I haven’t had time to deal with you.
“I hired you to take care of my kids and clean the house, not to act like royalty and abuse your employer.”
I pulled a copy of her employment contract from my bag and tossed it in front of her. “It’s all spelled out. Your job is to look after the kids and keep the place clean–not to bully us or play tyrant.
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“As for your salary over these years, you’d better pay back every cent. If you don’t, I have enough surveillance footage to make sure you regret it.”
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