Chapter 8 · He Threw Me Out on the Highway, Then His Car Went Off the Cliff

Chapter 8

The Rowe house sat in the wealthy district on the east side of the city.I used to think this was my home.Now I understood that I had only been the housekeeper.The car pulled up to the familiar wrought-iron gates, and Sophia rang the doorbell.Margaret answered the door.She froze for a second when she saw me, then her face twisted with venom and spite."You have some nerve showing up here. You're the one who killed my son," she said.She blocked the doorway like a guard dog protecting its food."I'm here for my kids," I said, my voice icy.I wasn't about to waste words on her.Margaret snapped, and her voice went shrill, "Your kids? They carry the Rowe name and Rowe blood. What does an outsider like you have to do with them?"David's not even cold in his grave, and you're already here, not even paying your respects, just trying to snatch the kids and the inheritance? Let me tell you, Emily, as long as I'm alive, you'll never see those kids again!"I watched her throw a tantrum, but I felt nothing inside.Just then, Sophia stepped forward from behind me and handed Margaret a printed document."Hello, ma'am. I'm Sophia Chase, Emily's lawyer," she said, her voice calm but commanding.Her voice wasn't loud, but it carried an undeniable authority."Under the law, now that David is gone, Emily is the children's biological mother and their sole legal guardian."What you're doing is unlawful. If you refuse to let her take them, we can call the police right now and have you charged with unlawful detention."Margaret was out of her depth, and the word charged stopped her cold.Just then, Richard stepped out of the house, his face dark."A lawyer? Charges? This is family business, so what does an outsider have to do with it?" he snapped.He didn't even look at Sophia, and his eyes landed on me like knives.He said, "Emily, you've really grown some guts. David's barely gone, and you're already bringing in a lawyer to go after us?""Richard, I just want to take my kids. That's my right as their mother," I said, meeting his gaze without backing down.I met his gaze, not backing down an inch."Right? What right? Look at the children you raised. They cry for their father every single day. What kind of mother are you?" Richard shouted.My heart clenched."Let me in. I need to see them," I said, my voice steady but firm."No!" Margaret screamed again. "You heartless woman, you'll just scare the kids!""Mr. and Mrs. Rowe," Sophia said, her voice even colder than before."Let me remind you that yesterday at the hospital you tried to take Emily's personal property, and there's already a police report on file."If you block my client from exercising her legal rights again, I'll call the police a second time. If this blows up, it won't look good for anyone."Family matters should stay private. I'm sure you understand that better than I do, Mr. Rowe."Sophia's words hit Richard right where it hurt.He cared more about the Rowe Family's reputation than anything else.Richard's face went pale and then flushed, and he glared at me like I was his worst enemy.As we stood there, the door upstairs suddenly cracked open.My son, Ethan, poked his head out, and his voice came out small.He said, "Mom?"My heart twisted, and I almost burst into tears."Ethan!" I called out, my voice trembling.I shoved past Margaret, who was still standing there in shock, and rushed upstairs.My daughter, Lily, came out right behind him with her eyes red and swollen."Mom!" she cried out.The two kids clung to my legs, sobbing their hearts out."Mom, Grandma said you didn't want us anymore. She said you killed Dad."Ethan's small voice went through me like a blade.I crouched down and pulled them into a tight hug, my voice shaking."Silly kids, how could I ever not want you?" I said, my voice trembling."Dad's gone to a faraway place, but from now on, I'll protect you."As I comforted the kids, my hatred for the Rowe Family hit its peak.They weren't only trying to take my money. They wanted my children, and they wanted to ruin the way my children saw me.I brushed away my tears and helped my two kids to their feet."We're going home," I said.Margaret stepped forward to block me, but Richard grabbed her arm and held her back.He stared at me, and his eyes were cold enough to freeze the room."Emily, you'll regret this," he said.He forced the words out through clenched teeth.I shot him a frosty smile."The one who regrets won't be me," I replied.I took my children by the hand and walked out of the home I had poured eight years into without looking back.The sunlight outside had never seemed so dazzling.*****Sophia set the kids and me up in a high-end serviced apartment she owned.It was a cozy two-bedroom apartment, warmly decorated and with tight security."You'll stay here until everything's sorted out. It's safe," Sophia said.She handed me the access card and, with her usual efficiency, started calling the court to get the assets frozen.I took the kids to shower and change.The hot water seemed to rinse off the fear they had carried out of that house.I made them a simple dinner, told them a story, and watched them fall asleep beside me with tear tracks still on their faces.I kissed their foreheads, feeling more determined than ever.I had to win for them.When I stepped out of the bedroom, Sophia was already done with her work and waiting for me on the living room couch."Everything's ready. The court's asset freeze order kicks in at nine tomorrow morning. All the Rowe Family's accounts will be locked down," she said."Once they figure it out, they'll definitely come looking for you. Just ignore them and let me handle everything," she added.I nodded, feeling a wave of gratitude."Sophia, thank you," I said."There's no need for that between us," she said, waving it off. "You're the only real friend I have."After eight years of numbness, her words thawed something in me.Just then, my phone rang.It was an unknown number.

Chapter 8