Chapter 3

Helen looked a bit embarrassed, let out a cold snort, and said, "Obviously."

Seeing me sign the papers so quickly, Ryan cut in, "Helen's nothing like you, always making trouble. She even bought Hadley a big gold bracelet. I'll treat her well when I grow up."

I followed his gaze to the gold bracelet on Hadley's wrist. She awkwardly tried to hide it. "Every cent she spends on you comes from our joint assets. I just don't bother arguing about it."

"My sweet grandson will buy me one, too." Hadley brushed it off.

I didn't bother arguing anymore. I grabbed the signed papers and went upstairs to pack my things. Their laughter echoed from downstairs. As I came back down with my luggage, I saw Helen walking in with Ethan.

"Hey, Hailey, I really can't talk my way out of this. Ryan kept bugging us to come over," Helen said, trying to play it cool.

I shot back coldly, "First off, I'm three years younger than you. Second, if you want to come over, just do it. You don't need to check with me. Honestly, being the other woman isn't exactly something to brag about."

Helen's face went green with anger, and Stephen immediately stepped in front of her. "Hailey, don't be so shameless. Get out of my house right now."

Ryan chimed in, "Yeah, washed-up woman, don't ever come to my house again."

I gave a cold laugh, picked up my luggage, and walked straight to the door. "Relax, I wouldn't stay here another minute if you begged me."

I stared at Ryan, the boy I used to hold in the palm of my hand. The sting in my palm kept reminding me. He was just someone I wish I'd never had.

Ryan thought I'd back down again and tried to shove me as he did earlier. But this time, I grabbed his wrist and slapped him.

I snapped, "Ryan, now that the papers are signed, we're nothing but strangers. Try laying a finger on me again and see what kind of nobody you really are."

Ryan wailed, tears streaming down his face. "You old hag, you were never fit to be my mom. We're done for good. When you're old and broke, don't even think about begging me to take care of you."

Stephen looked like he wanted to jump in, but honestly, he and Ryan are cut from the same rotten cloth. I sneered, "You still want your company to go public?

"Parading your mistress and bastard son around before the divorce is even final? If the press catches wind, your stocks will crash, and you'll lose everything."

Stephen's face went ashen. He tried to shove Helen and Ethan out, but Helen, pale-faced, just grabbed Ethan and went inside to check on Ryan.

"I was just worried Ryan might get scared without his mom today, so I came over to look after him for a couple of days," she said.

Stephen nodded in a hurry. "We'll go get the divorce papers done tomorrow."

I didn't say a word, just hauled my suitcase out of the place I'd lived for fourteen years and headed straight to my own little apartment.

I hadn't had a job in years, but the shares I owned were more than enough to keep me afloat.

Thinking about it, I went ahead and canceled all the family cards. Ryan's tutoring, Hadley's beauty treatments, all paid for by me. And they had the nerve to call me a freeloader.

I let out a cold laugh and canceled every single card. Seeing the refund hit my account, I finally felt a weight lift off my chest.

Hadley's gold bracelet, medical card, beauty treatments, regular check-ups, health consultations, and rare herbal supplements cost me over 30 thousand dollars a month.

Now that I'd cut them off, let's see if Helen was really willing to cough up that kind of cash.

The next day, I showed up at the courthouse looking fresh and flawless, makeup on point.

Stephen did a double-take when he saw me, probably remembering how I used to be.

I didn't even bother hiding the mockery in my eyes. Helen nudged him, trying to snap him out of it.

Stephen, clearly pissed, just signed the papers without a word.

The moment we got the divorce papers, Helen's eyes lit up with excitement. "Hailey, don't worry. I'll take good care of Stephen and Ryan from now on."

Ryan strutted over, acting all high and mighty. "Don't regret it. I've got a new mom now, and from now on, I'll only be good to her and Dad."

I mocked without hesitation, "She has her own son. Does she really need your bit of filial piety?"

Then I turned to Helen. "It's obvious you're older than me."

With that, I walked out without looking back.

Looking at the divorce papers and my bank balance, I smiled to myself, satisfied.

Spending money on myself really is the best feeling.

Turns out I spoiled them rotten. Barely two days had passed before they were calling me up, demanding answers. "Hailey, why did my beauty membership get cut off? And what happened to Ryan's allowance card?"