Chapter 3
I let the phone ring and ring.
It eventually stopped on its own. A minute later, it started ringing again.
Only then did I slip on my earphone and answer.
"Hey, Mom." I said.
My voice was calm, completely flat.
On the other end, Mary's voice exploded like a firecracker.
She yelled, "Helen! What the hell do you think you're doing?
"Why did you go to City Hall?
"Are you seriously divorcing Eric? Are you out of your mind?"
I held the phone away and rubbed my ear.
When she finally paused, I spoke calmly.
"I'm not crazy, I know exactly what I'm doing.
"So you got the notice already? The process is pretty efficient." I said.
Mary was surprised at my calmness.
She paused for a couple of seconds, then her voice shot up even higher.
"How dare you! Eric barely walked out the door, and you're already rushing to get divorced?
"What are you really up to? Were you just waiting for this moment all along?" Mary demanded.
"What has the Holden Family ever done to you? Why are you treating us like this?"
I chuckled quietly. "Mom, that's just pointless. Don't you already know exactly how you've wronged me?"
"For the past five years, hasn't half my income gone to patching up your family's problems?
Lisa wants a new bag, she comes to me for cash. You lose at playing cards, you come to me for money." I added, "The seed money of Eric's so-called companies all came from me.
I am even paying the mortgage on the house you're living in now. Is that still not enough for you?"
Mary's breathing grew heavy. "This is your duty." she shot back, as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.
"You married Eric! Your money is basically our money! We're family!" She shouted.
I've been putting up with her shameless logic for five years.
Back then, I swallowed it all, just to keep the peace, just for the so-called "love" Eric always talked about.
But now, I can't take even a single word of it.
"No offense, but from today on, we're not family anymore.
"From now on, my money has nothing to do with you.
"And as for the mortgage on that house, I'm stopping the payments next month." I added.
Mary started screaming on the other end.
"You wouldn't dare!" she shrieked.
"Helen, there's no way you're getting a divorce! Eric won't agree! I won't agree! None of us in the Holden Family will agree! Just give it up!" she yelled.
"Whether he agrees or not, that's for the law to decide. Whether you agree or not, that's none of my business. And as for the rest of your family, I couldn't care less." With that, I ended the call without a second thought.
Silence at last. The world felt peaceful again.
I sank into the back seat of the taxi, letting my gaze drift out the window.
The cab was already rolling into Eastside.
The buildings outside looked newer, taller, and way more luxurious.
Willow Estates, the city's most well-known rich neighborhood.
Eric really went all out.
Was he using my money to make it for himself and Vivian?
But thinking about it, I didn't feel a thing.
When I don't love anymore, there's nothing left to hurt.
All that was left was pure disgust.
My phone buzzed again. This time, It was Lisa.
I hung up and blocked her number right away.
Almost immediately, a text popped up.
Lisa: [Helen, you crazy witch! How dare you talk to my mom like that? Just wait! My brother's gonna make you pay!]
I just hit delete. No use wasting breath on a mad dog.
The taxi rolled to a stop at the entrance of Willow Estates.
I paid the driver and got out.
The security guard at the entrance stopped me.
"Excuse me, ma'am, who are you here to see?" he asked.
I took out my phone and called the management office.
I'd already found the number earlier.
"Hi, I'm the owner of the car in Building 7, license plate 1365EL, My car's parked out front, but it looks like it's blocked. Could you send a security guard to check it out for me?" I said.
My ride's a white Porsche. I bought it myself, before the wedding.
Back then, Eric wanted to show off in this car, so I handed him the spare key.
The management office responded right away: "Got it, ma'am. Please wait a moment. We'll send someone over right away."
I hung up and gave the security guard a friendly smile.
"I'm the owner here." I told him.
The guard wasn't fully convinced, but he let me through anyway.
I followed the signs and headed straight to Building 7.
There, in the parking spot downstairs, sat my white Porsche.
A thin layer of dust had settled on the windows. Looks like Eric drove it here yesterday and hasn't driven it since.
He was really good at acting.
He didn't even drive the car away. Was he afraid I'd trace him through the records?
Too bad for him. I'd already installed a tracker in the car.
I did it six months ago, the first time he didn't come home all night.
I stood in front of the car, quietly watching.
My gaze lingered on the entrance of Building 7.
I wonder if he's up there right now, with Vivian, celebrating the beginning of their so-called "perfect future".
The security guard walked over. It was the same guy from the entrance earlier.
He checked out my car, then sized me up.
"Ma'am, your car's not blocked." he said.
I nodded.
"Maybe my friend made a mistake." I replied, "Thanks."
I turned around, ready to head out.
Just then, my phone screen lit up for the third time.
An overseas call was coming in.
The contact was still saved as "My Husband."
Eric finally couldn't stay out of it any longer.
The real battle had just begun.