Chapter 4

As I dragged my suitcase downstairs, Lily was lounging on the couch in the living room, snacking on fruit.

When she saw me, she shrank back and darted behind Matthew.

Matthew immediately shifted to soothe her. "Don't be scared, Lily. I already sent the bad person away."

Bad person? So, in my own home, I was the villain now?

After saying that, Matthew glanced at me, his eyes silently urging me to leave.

And under that expectant gaze, I walked out of the home we had shared for ten years.

*****

The villa in the western suburbs was far from the city, and at night, it was so quiet you could hear the wind whispering through the trees.

I stood alone in the empty living room. I hadn't brought much, just two suitcases with my most important papers, a few clothes, and that pregnancy test showing "positive".

Matthew and I had been married for ten years. At first, we both wanted to prove ourselves to our parents and show them we could make it on our own.

We also wanted to enjoy our little world together, just the two of us. So we kept putting off having kids.

By the time we finally started thinking about it, we'd already taken Lily in.

For Lily's sake, we decided to wait a few more years before trying for a baby. But somehow, that wait just stretched on and on, all the way to today.

I hadn't told Matthew about the pregnancy. I was worried that Lily's possessiveness might get out of hand, and she could try to hurt my baby.

Even if Matthew and I ended up divorced, I'd still keep the baby with me. After all, the Bennett family needed an heir.

Around nine that night, Matthew showed up.

He brought some snacks, looking relieved and a little eager to please.

"Charlotte, have something to eat," he said, setting the food down on the table. Then he walked over, reaching out to hug me.

I moved aside and sat down on the couch. Charlotte asked, "How's Lily doing?"

"She calmed down a bit after seeing the divorce papers," Matthew said, following me and sitting down beside me.

"Is that so?" I replied, my tone indifferent.

Matthew took my hand, and this time, I didn't pull away right away.

"I know this is not your fault today, but please try to understand me. Let's just hang in there for two more years. When she turns eighteen, I'll give her some money and let her go her own way," he said.

He sounded so sincere, his eyes even glistening with tears.

If this had happened before, I probably would've let this go again.

"Okay," I mumbled, gently pulling my hand away. "I'm really tired, I just want to get some sleep."

Matthew studied me, searching for a reaction, but eventually just nodded. "Okay, get some rest. Let me know if you need anything. I should probably check on Lily. After this mess, I'm worried she'll hurt herself. I'll come by tomorrow."

"Sure," I said, rising to my feet, my voice calm and surprisingly soft. "And tomorrow, we can go straight to finalize the divorce. Once it's legal, she won't have any reason to make a scene. It's better this way, for everyone."

A look of conflicted relief washed over Matthew's face. He stepped closer, as if to hug me again.

But I shifted just out of reach, and his arms closed on empty air.

He looked at me, eyes deep and sincere. "Charlotte, thank you... for always putting me first. Marrying you was the luckiest thing that ever happened to me."

I didn't respond to his gratitude. I just turned and headed for the stairs. "Drive safe," I said.

It wasn't until I heard the car engine start up and fade away downstairs that I finally let out the breath I'd been holding.

Always putting you first? Matthew, I didn't want to do that anymore.

*****

The next morning, Matthew showed up early to pick me up.

He opened the car door and automatically put his hand above my head to keep me from hitting it.

"Watch your head," he said softly.

He'd done this for years, since we first started dating, through all our years of marriage. That part of him never changed.

But some things had changed long before.

"Mm," I answered calmly, my tone unbothered.

On the way to the courthouse, Matthew turned on some soft music, the same piece we'd played at our wedding.

"Charlotte, do you remember?" His voice was gentle, almost dreamy, as the music filled the car. "When we were kids playing house, all the boys wanted to be your groom, but you only wanted me."

"I remember," I said softly. "You told me you'd marry me when we grew up."

"Marrying you was truly the happiest thing in my life," Matthew said softly, his voice thick with emotion. "You have no idea how many people were jealous of me."

Matthew spent the whole drive reminiscing about all the warm, happy moments we shared as childhood sweethearts.

I occasionally joined in, bringing up a few memories of my own.

Matthew looked genuinely moved all over again.