Chapter 3

Martha flinched but nodded.

"It's true, ma'am. We saw it clearly. Ava only took what belonged to her before the marriage. Everything else is untouched."

Eleanor stood up abruptly and marched straight to the master bedroom.

Vivian followed closely, keeping her face composed, but a flicker of unease flashed in her eyes.

My room had always been neat. Now, it was completely barren.

The nightstand was cleared. The vanity was stripped.

In the walk-in closet, the expensive gowns, limited-edition bags, and diamond sets sat in perfect rows. Not a single piece was missing.

Only my everyday clothes and a few old books were gone.

Eleanor ordered Martha to run a full inventory of the estate's valuables.

Minutes later, Martha returned. "Nothing is missing. Ava only took her own luggage."

Standing in the empty room, Eleanor’s face flushed red, then pale.

"Fine, she left. Who is she trying to impress with this high-and-mighty act?"

But Eleanor knew the truth stung. She had always looked down on me, certain I was leeching off the Sterling name. Now, I had walked out cleanly, refusing even a single parting gift, making Eleanor look like a fool in front of her own staff.

The maids and security personnel kept their heads down. None of them expected the quiet, commoner wife they had secretly judged to walk away with such absolute dignity.

Vivian quickly grabbed Eleanor’s arm, her voice sickeningly sweet.

"Mrs. Sterling, please don't be upset. If Ava wants to leave, it's her loss. I'll be here with you."

Eleanor’s expression softened slightly. "You've always been the thoughtful one." Eleanor patted her hand. "She talks a big game about not wanting Sterling money, but didn't she still take the ten million Ethan offered? At the end of the day, she's exactly what I said she was. A gold-digger."

The smile on Vivian’s face instantly froze.

Ten million dollars?

She stood rooted to the spot.

Yes, she had bribed Noah and pressured Nathan. She had used Ethan’s office clearance to forge the documents and mimic his texts.

But she had absolutely no authorization to touch Ethan’s personal accounts. She couldn't just magically wire ten million dollars.

Where did that money come from?

A terrifying realization coiled in Vivian’s stomach.

Was that money already set up by Ethan? Did he never intend to divorce Ava at all?

Vivian forced a smile, but her fingertips were ice cold.

She had wanted Ava to throw a tantrum, to humiliate herself, so Vivian could take her place.

Instead, Ava had left cleanly—and vanished with ten million dollars.

The situation had completely spiraled out of her control.

Meanwhile, my parents and I had touched down in Austin.

The air was warm and humid, the pace of life a world away from New York. No judging eyes from the Sterling estate, no suffocating rumors.

I bought a spacious lakefront property near Lake Austin. The natural light was gorgeous, with more than enough room for eight kids to run around. Outside the windows, the lake shimmered through the trees; inside, the sound of my parents chatting filled the halls.

I contacted a High-Risk Maternity Center in Austin. The hospital confirmed my high-risk status, setting up intensive monitoring, NICU prep, and a scheduled C-section plan.

Leaning back on the couch, I gently rubbed my flat stomach, a smile touching my lips.

When these babies were born, I would watch them grow, show them the world, and give them the best life possible. I would never have to shrink myself for anyone ever again.

This peace was worth infinitely more than the title of Mrs. Sterling.

Six months flew by.

I spent my days in Austin resting and preparing. My belly grew rounder by the day, and the eight babies were developing perfectly. I took daily walks, read books, and sorted through tiny clothes and shoes. It was a quiet life, but a deeply happy one.

Far away in New York, Ethan had finally wrapped up his six-month overseas project.

When his private jet touched down at JFK, Noah was waiting on the tarmac. The assistant was pale, his palms slick with cold sweat.

Ethan stepped out in a crisp black suit, his sharp features radiating an unapproachable, icy authority.

He got into the back of the car and asked flatly, "What happened at home over the last six months?"

Noah stiffened. "Mr. Sterling... Ava signed the divorce papers and left."

Ethan’s eyes darkened instantly. "When did I ever ask for a divorce?"

The silence in the car was deafening.

Upon returning to the estate, Ethan walked straight into his study.

Sitting on his desk was the forged marital settlement agreement and the court filing confirmation.

Ethan looked down.

On the signature line, the handwriting was sharp and decisive.

Ava Bennett.