Chapter
Suddenly, I was filled with a profound regret for quitting my career to become a stay–at–home husband after we married. I had given up everything I’d worked for. And now, I was just someone to be used, abused, and discarded at will.
After a moment’s thought, I pulled out my phone. Swallowing my pride, I made a call to my old professor.
After I got his answer, I started packing.
A few minutes later, there was a knock at the front door.
“Excuse me, is Daniel Song here? I’m looking for Daniel Song.”
Seeing a strange woman at the door asking for me, a jolt of unease shot through Cassandra. A bad feeling began to creep in
Just as she was about to speak, I emerged from the bedroom, pulling a suitcase behind me.
“Anna, I’m here.”
As I reached the door, Cassandrá grabbed my wrist, her eyes wide with panic.
“Daniel, what is the meaning of this?”
I wrenched my arm free and looked at her, my voice perfectly calm. “It means that from now on, if you two want to eat, you’ll have to make it yourselves.
Her face went pale with a sudden, Inexplicable fear. Before she could speak, I turned and walked toward the woman at the door, a genuine smile spreading across my face for the first time in what felt like ages.
“It’s been too long, Anna. Thanks for coming to get me yourself‘
Anna’s professional demeanor melted away, replaced by a look of heartfelt sympathy. “You should have called the Professor and me a long time ago. No one gets to bully you while we’re around.”
Her words were a clear jab at Cassandra. As she spoke, she shot a pointed glance in her direction.
A wave of warmth spread through my chest. Even after all these years, my professor and my old senior colleague were still looking out for me.
Anna took the suitcase from my hand. “If you’re all set, let’s go. The car’s waiting outside.”
I nodded and started to follow her.
Cassandra, frozen in shock, finally snapped back to reality. She rushed forward, blocking my path, her eyes burning into mine.
“Daniel, what is going on? If you have to leave, at least tell me what’s happening! What do you mean by just walking out like this without a word?”
The way she said it, you’d think I was the one who had abandoned her. That she was the long–suffering victim.
I laughed, the sound sharp with irony, and tilted my head. “Weren’t you the one who told me to get out? It’s only been a few minutes. Did you forget already? If your memory is that bad, Cassandra, you should see a doctor. You wouldn’t want to get early–onset dem-
entia.”
Hearing me insult her, Scott, who had been watching the drama unfold, leaped to his feet, ready to defend his queen.
“Daniel, what did you just say? How dare you talk to Cassie like that!
This time, I didn’t have to hold back. I grabbed his arm, yanked him forward, and swept his feet out from under him.
“I only put up with your crap before because of Cassandra,” I said, my voice low and dangerous. “You think you can still act like a
1709
spoiled brat in front of me now?”
Scott hit the floor hard, his face meeting the tile. The nose he’d paid a fortune for was now grotesquely
burst into tears.
