Chapter 5

Cayson demanded, "Did you do that on purpose? Who said you could show up in front of her?

"Didn't I warn you that Adrienne can't find out about us? Sophia, you overstepped."

But there wasn't a hint of blame in his voice.

Sophia was sobbing, unable to speak clearly. "I just missed you."

Sophia's words seemed to ignite something in Cayson, and he moved even harder.

Time seemed to stretch on forever. Just when Adrienne thought she was about to suffocate, the door finally opened.

Cayson, smelling strongly of cologne, scooped Adrienne up in his arms. "Honey, the door got stuck. I called someone to get a locksmith. Are you alright?"

"Get a doctor," he shouted.

Cayson scooped Adrienne up and carried her to the couch, handling her like she was a priceless treasure, terrified he might hurt her.

Adrienne turned her face away to dodge Cayson's kiss.

A tear slipped down Adrienne's cheek as she caught the eyes of the staff.

The staff looked at her with subtle sympathy in their eyes.

Adrienne pushed herself up and scanned the room. Sophia was gone.

Cayson wiped away the tears at the corner of her eyes and squeezed her hand tightly. "Sweetheart, I've already told them to let her go.

"She won't ever work for any of my companies again, so you can rest easy.

"Once the doctor comes and gives you a proper check-up, we'll head home."

But before Adrienne could say anything, Cayson's phone rang.

Adrienne glimpsed his screen. Sophia had sent him a sultry, barely-clothed selfie.

The next second, Cayson shot to his feet and said, "I've got some business to take care of at the office.

"I need to head out now. I'll have the doctor take you home later."

As he was leaving, Adrienne couldn't help but notice the obvious tent in his pants.

Adrienne quietly watched Cayson's back as he left, and suddenly, a numb ache spread through her heart.

Cayson didn't get home until two in the morning.

Adrienne was sitting in the living room, a stack of papers on the coffee table.

She spoke up. "These are Corey's test papers. The teacher said a parent needs to sign them, and he insisted it had to be you."

Cayson didn't think much of it. Corey looked up to him, and whenever there was something going on at school, he always wanted Cayson to be there.

So Cayson didn't even bother to look at the papers. He just signed his name on each one.

The next day, the Bush family's mansion was brightly lit and bustling with activity.

It was Corey's fourth birthday, and he was dressed in a smart little suit, looking every bit the little gentleman as he politely thanked everyone for their gifts and birthday wishes.

When Adrienne gave Corey his gift, he was absent-minded, barely paying attention.

He even forgot to open Adrienne's present, just gave a half-hearted "thanks," his eyes fixed on the doorway, as if he was waiting for someone to arrive.

Cayson noticed Adrienne's disappointment and pulled Corey over.

Cayson asked, "Is that how you treat your mom when she gives you a present?"

Corey pouted, clearly unhappy. "But I'm waiting for Mommy Sophia. I mean, Sophia to come."

Before Cayson could say another word, there was a commotion at the door.

Sophia walked in wearing a dress that looked almost identical to the one Adrienne had worn yesterday, the one that ended up torn apart, but there was something different about it.

Just a single pearl on the dress was worth one million dollars, and the whole gown was adorned with hundreds of them.

Adrienne had seen the design for this dress in Cayson's study before.

It felt like a heavy stone was pressing down on Adrienne's chest, making it hard for her to breathe.

Corey rushed into Sophia's arms like a bird finally returning to the deep woods, unable to hide his excitement.

"Sophia, you're finally here," he called out.

Cayson noticed Adrienne's sour expression and leaned in to explain quietly, "Sophia used to be Corey's tutor at his tutoring class. I only found out about it recently.

"Corey really likes her, so he sent her an invitation. He was afraid you'd be upset, so he didn't tell you."

Adrienne wasn't sure how to react. Whatever expression she wore, it was anything but pleasant.

She stumbled, and Cayson quickly reached out to steady her.

"Let me take you upstairs to rest," he said softly.

Adrienne didn't refuse. She glanced back at Corey, who was clinging to Sophia without a care in the world, and a chill seeped into her heart.

Adrienne had originally wanted to spend one last birthday with Corey before walking away for good.

But now, it was obvious Corey didn't need her anymore.

Whatever lingering feelings Adrienne had for this family disappeared entirely.

After taking Adrienne to her room, Cayson left in such a rush that he even forgot his usual gentle reminders.

Adrienne picked up her phone and called someone else. She said, "Yeah. Let's go today. No more waiting."

She added, "I'm never coming back."