Chapter 3

I finally understood.

This wasn't just about money. They were selling me off.

They were using my marriage to trade for their own gain and everyone else's benefit.

"Is my happiness just a stepping stone for them?" I demanded.

"Stepping stone? That's such an ugly way to put it," my mom shot back. "We're family. Family should always have each other's backs.

"If you're doing well, isn't it your duty to support your family?"

I was so furious I couldn't even speak.

"You're going tonight. No excuses," my mom said firmly. "If you don't go, I'll really jump off the building." She played her trump card again.

I was silent for a moment. "Fine, I'll go."

On the other end, I could hear my mom's smug laugh. "That's my girl, Maddie. It's all for your own good," she said.

After hanging up, I turned to Alex. He'd been quietly listening the whole time, not saying a word.

"You heard all that?" I asked.

He nodded, his eyes aching for me. "Do you want to go?"

"Of course I have to go," I replied, a cold smirk curling at my lips. "How could I possibly miss out on an opportunity like this?"

"But I'm not going alone." I looked at him and said, "You're coming with me."

At seven o'clock sharp, we showed up at the entrance of the restaurant at Lambert Hotel.

I was arm in arm with Alex, right on time.

My mom was sitting with a woman dripping in jewels, and next to them was a young guy with slicked-back hair and a baby face.

The guy had to be Charles, the Lowe Group's golden boy.

When my mom saw me walk in with Alex, her face instantly darkened. "Maddie, you—"

"Hey Mom, I'm here," I said, cutting her off with a bright smile.

"And who's this?" Charles' gaze shifted to Alex.

"This is my boyfriend, Alex Bowman," I announced.

I deliberately stressed the word "boyfriend," making sure everyone heard it loud and clear.

Charles' expression darkened. "Boyfriend? Miss Fuller, your mom never mentioned you had one."

"She probably forgot," I replied with a smile.

"Let's grab a seat, Alex," I said to him.

I led Alex straight to the seat across from Mr. Lowe and sat down.

The air was so thick with awkwardness one could cut it with a knife.

Mom was so mad her lips were trembling.

Charles let out a cold laugh, eyeing Alex. "And where do you work, Mr. Bowman?"

"I run a small company," Alex replied calmly.

"Oh? A small company?" Charles' tone dripped with even more contempt. "What do you do, anyway? How much do you even make in a year?

"You probably can't even buy Miss Fuller a branded bag, can you?"

"Whether I can or not is really none of your business, Mr. Lowe," Alex shot back, cool as ever.

"All I know is, I'm not the kind of guy who lives off his parents, blows cash partying, and knocks up random girls."

Charles' face went ghostly pale. "You're talking nonsense!"

"Is he?" I asked, whipping out my phone and tapping play on a video.

On screen, a young girl was sobbing, calling out Charles for hooking up with her and then tossing her aside.

"So, Mr. Lowe, should I upload this and let everyone see the real you?" I asked.

"You!" Charles was so pissed he could only point at me, totally speechless.

Mom was stunned. She never expected me to pull something like that. "Maddie, are you out of your mind?"

She turned to Charles and his mother. "Mrs. Lowe, Mr. Lowe, I'm so sorry. Maddie—" Mom stammered.

I stood up and took Alex's hand. "Mom, I've told you before. I have a boyfriend, and I love him.

"This is my life, and I get to make my own choices. You don't get to boss me around, and you definitely can't use me as a bargaining chip for cash.

"From now on, I'm not letting you control me anymore."

Mom was shaking with rage, jabbing a finger at me. "If you leave with him today, I'm disowning you."

"Fine," I replied, staring her down.

I grabbed Alex's hand and walked out of the restaurant without looking back.

As we stepped out of the hotel, the evening breeze brushed against my face, and I felt incredibly relieved.

For the first time in over twenty years, I finally felt like my own person, not just an extension of my mom.

"We're really leaving?" Alex asked, still a little stunned.

"What else were we supposed to do?" I shot him a grin. "Stick around for dinner?"

He looked at me, his eyes filled with heartache, admiration and a trace of concern. "So what's next for you? Your mom..."

"I'm moving out," I said calmly.

Honestly, I've had enough of that place. This isn't just some rash move. I'd been thinking about it for a long time.

My mom's obsession with controlling me was downright toxic.

As long as I was still living at home, this nightmare would never end.