Chapter 7
When she woke again, the sharp scent of disinfectant filled her nose.
Maxwell stood by the bed, cold and expressionless. "When Chloe wakes, you'll apologize to her."
The words pierced like ice. She had nearly drowned, yet his first concern was another woman.
"She dragged me in," Wendy said hoarsely. "Why should I apologize?"
His brows furrowed. "Still lying? You were jealous because she gave Arthur the shirts. You tried to push her, but fell in yourself."
She looked at him—this man she had loved half her life—and saw not one trace of concern. Only anger. Only blame.
Six years together, and not an ounce of trust.
She gave a small, steady laugh. "If you don't believe me, check the surveillance footage."
He hesitated, frowning. Something about her calmness unsettled him.
"You... " he began, but his phone rang.
"Dad! Aunt Chloe's awake!" Arthur's delighted voice came through.
The frost on Maxwell's face melted instantly. "I'm coming."
He hung up and turned back to her, voice once again cold. "You need to reflect on your behavior. I won't tolerate my wife acting like a jealous fool. Arthur deserves a better mother."
Then he left without a backward glance.
Wendy watched him go, her eyes as still as a dead sea.
It didn't matter. Soon she would be neither Mrs. Woods nor Arthur's mother.
Another text chimed. *Your flight departs in three hours.*
She checked herself out of the hospital.
On her way out, she passed another room—and stopped.
Inside, Maxwell was feeding Chloe porridge, his gaze soft and tender.
Arthur suddenly appeared at the doorway, glaring at her. "Don't you dare go near Aunt Chloe! It's your fault she's sick, you bad mom!"
It was the first time he had ever looked at her with such hatred.
So this was how deep Chloe's influence ran.
Wendy's fingers trembled. Then she crouched down, meeting her son's eyes gently.
"Remember to open your birthday gift," she said quietly. "It's the last thing I prepared to make you happy."
He turned away with a snort. "Who wants your stupid gift? Just stay away from Aunt Chloe—that's the best gift you can give me."
She smiled faintly. His wish was about to come true.
An hour later, suitcase in hand, Wendy arrived at the airport.
“Uncle Bush, send the pool surveillance to Mr. Woods.”
She sent the message to the butler, then broke her SIM card and tossed it into the trash.
As the plane rose through the clouds, golden sunlight wrapped her in a gentle glow.
Wendy smiled—truly smiled.
“Maxwell, Arthur... I no longer want to be wife or mother.”
“From now on, I'll live as Wendy—and we will never meet again.”