Chapter 2

"Divorce? Are you kidding me? You? You actually have the nerve to ask for a divorce?" Jocelyn was the first to snap out of it.

Her bony, trembling hand pointed at me, and she just kept stammering, "How dare you..." but couldn't even finish a sentence.

Gavin finally snapped out of it too.

His face flushed with anger and shame. He stepped closer, jabbing his finger in my face as he started yelling.

"Do you think I'm too soft on you? You eat my food and live in my place, and now you're smashing plates and acting like you own the place? This is my home. You don't get to throw your weight around here!" he shouted.

The anger inside me was blazing. I shoved him out of the way, stormed into the bedroom, and threw some clothes into a suitcase. Then I scooped up Sharon and made a beeline for the door.

But just as I reached the doorway, Gavin lunged and snatched the suitcase from me. I tried to grab it back, but he held on tight, refusing to let go.

His face turned thunderous, like he was about to explode.

"Stop the drama, Julia. Haven't you embarrassed yourself enough already?" he snapped.

Realizing I couldn't pull the suitcase back, I just let go and stared him down coldly.

"Gavin, you were the one who chased after me. I had a career, too. I quit it for you, for this family, just so I could take care of you," I said, my voice icy.

"Back when you got laid off, it was my money that started your business. I busted my ass for you, running myself ragged so you could have everything you have now. Do you have any conscience? Is this how you repay the person who saved your ass?" I snapped.

My voice rose as years of bitterness poured out. By the end, I was practically screaming, my voice cracking.

All that screaming, all that hurt—Gavin just slapped me, hard.

A sharp, loud crack echoed through the room.

My cheek went numb instantly. When I looked up, Gavin's face was contorted with fury, almost monstrous.

He shoved his finger in my face, roaring, "Get out. Get out of my house, now!"

That was the final straw. Every last bit of hope inside me shattered. I grabbed my suitcase and stormed out without looking back.

Jocelyn tried to stop me, but Gavin shouted at her.

"Let her go. She's gotten too comfortable—so comfortable that she's forgotten her place," he snapped.

"Let's see where she ends up. She's just an orphan. She's got nowhere to go," he sneered.

It felt like someone had grabbed my heart and squeezed it tight. I stumbled, barely able to catch my breath. The people who know you best always know where to aim to hurt the most.

Jocelyn chimed in, her tone full of smug superiority.

"Don't you forget, ever since your parents died in that car accident, you had nowhere to go. Gavin was kind enough to give you a roof over your head and food to eat. You're no better than a servant in this house. How dare you talk back to me?" she spat.

"This is our house, not yours. If you admit your mistake and beg for forgiveness, maybe we'll let you stay. Otherwise, take your good-for-nothing daughter and get out!" she snapped.

I stared at Gavin in disbelief. He just kept his head down, silent—obviously agreeing with every word Jocelyn said.

I let out a bitter laugh, tears streaming down my face.

"Gavin, you make me sick," I said, my voice cold and full of disgust.

His expression turned stormy.

"Julia, if you walk out that door today, don't you ever come back," he growled.

I held Sharon close and walked out without looking back.

I was barely holding myself together as I walked out, but once I actually stepped outside, I just stood there, completely at a loss.

The sad truth was, I really had nowhere to go.

Back in my sophomore year, my loving parents died in a car accident. Just like that, my whole world collapsed. I became angry and difficult, and all the guys who once pursued me vanished without a trace.

That was when Gavin was there for me. He stayed by my side for half a year, patient and understanding, helping me out of the darkness.

He held my broken world in his gentle hands. I desperately clung to the warmth and care he gave me, like it was the only thing keeping me from drowning. He made me feel connected to the world again, made me believe I was still loved.

So when he got laid off and wanted to move back to his hometown to start a business, I never hesitated to follow him. I used every cent my parents had left me to help him get started.

He was the one I considered family, the person who stood by me when I needed someone most. So I wanted to give him everything I had.

I still remember handing him my bank card. His eyes went red, his hands shook, and he pulled me into a tight hug.

"Julia, I'll build a home for you again. I'll take care of you for the rest of my life," he promised.

I really thought we could spend our whole lives supporting each other.

But just moments ago, it was that same man—his face flushed with anger, pointing at me and yelling, "Get out of my house!"

I took a deep breath, choking back the mess of feelings swirling inside.

I found a tiny apartment to crash in with Sharon.

*****

The moment I stepped out, Gavin had already frozen our joint account and canceled my supplementary credit card. I had to scrape together every last cent I had left just to cover the first month's rent.

With no money for daycare, I had no choice but to bring one-and-a-half-year-old Sharon along as I hunted for a new job.

I'd helped Gavin build his company from the ground up—handling clients, managing operations. I thought that experience would count for something. But day after day, I sent out resumes and heard nothing back.

A few companies called me in for interviews, but the moment they saw I brought Sharon with me, they all turned me down.

Today was no different. As soon as I sat down, the HR manager across from me frowned and shook her head.

I jumped in before she could say anything, my voice earnest and pleading.

"Please, just give me a chance. I've got experience in sales, logistics, you name it. Let me show you what I can do," I pleaded.

But she still refused, her reason blunt and straightforward.

"Let's be honest, you're in your thirties. You won't pick things up as fast as younger applicants, and with a kid, we can't expect you to work overtime when needed. For the same pay, why wouldn't I just hire a fresh grad?" she said matter-of-factly.

"Just give up on this idea. Go home and focus on raising your child," she said, waving me off.

I was left speechless.