Chapter 4

"Dad, do you really want her to have anything to do with our family? I'm cutting her off, so she won't cling to me for support when she's old!" Hadley snapped.

Seriously, with someone like him, I'd rather travel back in time and strangle him myself than ever count on him to take care of me.

Staring at my own son, the one I'd raised with my own hands only to have him turn into my enemy, I felt only a cold, bitter emptiness inside.

Ever since he was little, I put my heart into everything. His meals, his clothes, nothing was ever done carelessly.

When it came to his character and upbringing, I never slacked off. I was always by his side, even with his studies, worried he'd hit a rough patch.

I honestly didn't think I did anything wrong. If I had to point fingers, it was the Madron family's deep-rooted ungratefulness that was to blame.

Maybe breaking away from this family ahead of time was actually a blessing in disguise.

After signing all the papers, I stepped out of the city hall and shot Derick a smile.

"Well then, let me congratulate you and Irene in advance on your upcoming wedding," I said, my voice dripping with irony.

Sure, the sudden divorce stung, but as I watched the soft glow of the sunset, I couldn't help but feel a surprising sense of freedom.

From now on, I wouldn't have to stress over my headache of a son or bother with a husband who never bothered coming home.

At last, I could finally put myself first and live my own life.

There was a thirty-day cooling-off period before the divorce was finalized, so I needed to find somewhere to stay in the meantime.

After thinking it over for a moment, I picked up my phone and called Vergil Barton.

He was Derick's arch-nemesis, and his fashion brand was always churning out amazing designs.

If it weren't for the Ode to the Emerald collection propping Derick up all these years, Barton Group would've swallowed him whole and left nothing behind.

Vergil had once tried to poach me through a headhunter, but I turned him down for Derick's sake.

Honestly, he was the best shot I'd had at a fresh start.

Vergil showed up even faster than I expected. When he saw me, he looked surprised for a moment, then flashed a knowing smile.

"So it's you, Ms. Caldwell," he said.

I didn't beat around the bush.

"I want to join your company as the chief designer," I said, getting straight to the point.

He noticed the divorce papers in my hand, raised an eyebrow, and offered his hand.

"Looks like someone really missed out, and I get lucky with this catch," Vergil said with a knowing grin.

I smiled and shook his hand, just a brief touch before letting go.

"Looking forward to working together," I said.

Teaming up with someone sharp was just so much easier.

Vergil made sure everything went smoothly for me, and getting back into the swing of things at work was way easier than I'd ever imagined.

Even though I hadn't picked up a paintbrush in ages, it felt like I'd never put it down.

After all, the real reason I spent three months abroad was to soak up the latest fashion trends and make sure I never got left behind.

It was laughable that Derick thought I was just off sightseeing and shopping.

Design ideas came pouring out of me like a flood, and before I knew it, I'd launched a brand-new collection for the Barton Group.

Looking over those sparkling fashion sketches on my desk, I felt totally satisfied.

Guess I really did my best work when it was for something I actually loved.

The new collection went live the same day my thirty-day waiting period ended.

Early that morning, I got ready, put on my best makeup, and smiled at myself in the mirror.

Without all that family drama weighing me down, there was nothing stopping a woman from being absolutely radiant.

Derick was even more impatient than I was.

When I got there, he was already waiting at the registry office entrance, holding hands with a tall woman whose makeup was flashy and over-the-top.

When Derick saw me, he paused for a moment, then gave the woman's hand a comforting pat before heading my way.

Derick said, "Wow, you've really changed in just a month.

"Come on, let's get this done."

I wasn't in the mood for his empty chit-chat, so I just turned and walked into the city hall.

An hour later, I walked out with my freshly minted divorce certificate in hand, and there was Hadley, standing next to that glammed-up woman.

He was clutching the latest gaming console, beaming at her like he'd just won the lottery.

When he saw me, he made a face, then turned to her and started acting all sweet.

"Irene, you're so good to me! Don't worry. From now on, you're the only mom I'll ever have," Hadley said, shooting me a smug look.

Then Hadley arched his brows at me, flashing a cocky grin like he was showing off his win.