Chapter 6

That meal tasted especially good. In the afternoon, I went to the best postpartum recovery center in the city, toured it, and booked a top-tier forty-day package on the spot using the deposit Mr. Lewis had sent.

I didn’t so much as blink when swiping the card.

That money should have been spent on me and my child in the first place.

Only after arranging my way out did I head back slowly. Before I reached the neighborhood gate, Agent Alex called again, thrilled. Mr. Lewis had already put the full seven hundred thousand dollars into escrow, and all that remained was the title transfer.

"All that’s left is to fix a date and head to the housing bureau to complete the property title transfer. Are you available the day after tomorrow morning? Let’s get this sorted out promptly,"He said.

I looked at the familiar building not far away and felt my last trace of attachment disappear. "The day after tomorrow works," I said. "Let's do it then."

By the time I got home, it was getting dark. Mary stopped talking the second she saw me and snapped, "You call that a checkup? You were clearly out hiding from us all day." I ignored her completely and walked straight toward my room.

David followed me with a placating smile. "You're back, honey. Tired? I saved you some food." He reached for my bag, but I shifted aside. My coldness left him embarrassed, his hand hanging awkwardly in midair.

"Sarah, are you still mad at Mom? She's blunt. Don't take it so hard."

I stopped and looked back at him. "David, you think she's being direct?" My cold gaze made him nervous.

"I... I know Mom went too far," he muttered, "but she's doing it for Jamie, and for this family."

"Family?" I repeated with a faint laugh. "In your heart, is this still our home?"

"Of course," he said anxiously. "It's your home, my home, Mom and Dad's home, and Jamie's. We're family."

I smiled. So in his heart, this place had long since become the Carter family's home, and I was an accessory expected to keep giving in.

"I'm tired. I want to rest." I said nothing more and went into the room, locking the door behind me. David was left outside. "Sarah, open the door. Let's talk this out. Don't do this. You're scaring me."

I ignored him and quietly packed some seasonal clothes, my important documents, and the hospital bag I'd already prepared.

I stuffed everything into a big suitcase. By the time David finally gave up knocking and walked away, it was already hidden under the bed.

Soon Mary's complaints drifted in from the living room again. "Look at her attitude! She’s giving me the cold shoulder. Only a pregnant woman, acting like everyone has to wait on her hand and foot.

"David, mark my words.Don’t spoil this woman. Step up as a man and discipline her."

David responded in a timid, indecisive tone. "Mom, Summer might’ve had a tough prenatal checkup today. She’s maybe in a bad mood…” “Nonsense. She’s being overly dramatic.”

I zipped up my suitcase and tucked it under the bed. Once done, a huge weight lifted off my chest.

That night, I slept especially well.