Chapter 5

Back home, I sat on the sofa, spacing out.

The new set of watercolor paints on the coffee table now just felt like a wasteful luxury.

The translation project was still open on my computer screen. Flora said there was some pay, but it wasn't much. It was hardly enough to solve my immediate financial crisis.

Just then, the doorbell buzzed.

I peeked through the peephole. Hector stood outside, a folder in hand.

"Mark from property management told me about your utility bills," he said the moment he stepped inside. "You messed up something this basic. How do you expect to live on your own?"

I bit my lip, fighting the urge to snap back.

How did he know? Did the property management go out of their way to inform him? The feeling of being watched made me feel utterly uncomfortable.

"I've already handled it," I said coldly.

Hector placed the folder on the table. "This shows how to set up autopay and includes notes on property management. I printed a copy for you. Just follow the steps."

I looked at his neatly prepared documents, feeling a swirl of emotions I couldn't quite untangle.

On one hand, I appreciated his thoughtfulness. On the other hand, his concern made me feel both belittled and invalidated.

"Thanks, but you didn't have to do this," I said, without touching the folder. "I can learn to handle these things on my own."

Hector furrowed his brow and added, "Sia, must you always be this stubborn? Is it that hard to accept a little help from others?"

"It's not about being stubborn, but a matter of principle," I said, meeting his gaze. "Hector, we're divorced now. That means I need to learn to stand on my own, not keep relying on you."

"But you can't shed twenty years of habits like that," he said, his voice rising. "Do you think divorce is just about moving out? Life is complicated, Sia."

"I know it's complicated," I said with a trembling voice. "I can't even pay my bills, and I might miss next month's rent. But I need to face this. If I stay under your wing, I'll never find myself."

Hector froze, utterly taken aback by my sudden outburst.

The room fell silent, save for the sound of my ragged breathing.

"I just wanted to help," he finally murmured, a wounded look in his eyes.

"I know," I said, massaging my temples wearily. "But sometimes, the best help is letting go."

*****

After Hector left, I messaged Flora to ask for an advance. The moment I hit send, shame hit me. Just ten days in, and I was already borrowing money. Was that independence?

Flora replied right away: [Of course. The editor approved a partial advance. Also, there's a literature salon this Friday. Want to come? You might meet future clients there.]

I stared at the screen, my eyes welling up. This was the help I needed—not Hector's rescue, but real support, with opportunities and respect that treated me as an equal.

Friday came quickly. I sent Flora the draft, and her reply was full of exclamation marks: [Amazing, the editor is thrilled. You'd never guess you haven't done translation in twenty years. They want to work with you long-term.]

Buoyed by good news, I arrived early at the café. Through the window, I saw Hailey with a tall young man in a white T-shirt. He listened closely, nodding and smiling, and I found myself liking him immediately.

The moment I stepped inside, Hailey, beaming, waved me over. "Mom, this is Ryan Collins, my boyfriend. Ryan, meet my mom."

The boy immediately stood up and politely extended his hand. "Hello, Ms. Lynch. Hailey often talks about you," he greeted.

I shook his hand, noting his neat nails and warm, dry palm. "Nice to meet you, Ryan," I said. "Hailey never mentioned she'd bring her boyfriend. You made me nervous for a while."

Hailey stuck out her tongue playfully. "I was afraid you'd overreact. When Dad found out, he ran a full background check on Ryan's entire family tree," she added.

I sighed inwardly. Classic Hector—always investigating, questioning, and controlling. No wonder Hailey chose to introduce her boyfriend to me first rather than her father.

Once our coffees arrived, we chatted. Ryan, a top physics student, showed maturity beyond his years. Hearing about my translation, he said, "What a coincidence. My professor needs help translating materials on science history. Interested?"

This unexpected opportunity thrilled me. After exchanging contact information, Ryan said somewhat shyly, "Ms. Lynch, you're quite different from how Hailey described you."

"Oh? What did she say about me?" I asked with a curious smile.

"She said you were a super strict mom, never letting her do much of anything," Ryan replied, suddenly realizing he'd let it slip and awkwardly trailing off.

Hailey nudged him under the table, but I just said with a smile, "She's right. But now, I'm learning to be a different person, and hopefully, a different kind of mom, too."

After seeing Hailey and Ryan off, I hurried home to change for the literary salon Flora had mentioned. Before my wardrobe, I chose a navy dress Hector once gifted but never wore. Today, I would wear it and begin a new chapter of my life.

The salon was upstairs in a quiet bookstore. Attendees ranged from their twenties to their seventies. Flora smiled warmly and said with enthusiasm, "This is Sia, my college classmate and star of our department. She's ready for her comeback as a translator."

Nervous and sweating, I was surprised at how easily the literature discussion flowed. I named famous poets and recited poems. Their amazed reactions helped me regain the confidence I hadn't felt in years.

A middle-aged man with round-framed glasses walked over and said, "Ms. Lynch, I'm an editor at Literary Review. I hear you're translating a novel by Marguerite Duras. Would you be interested in writing a commentary for us?"

The invitation caught me off guard, leaving me both surprised and flattered. Just as I was about to respond, my phone buzzed in my hand. Hector's name flashed across the screen. I hesitated for a moment, then declined the call.

"I'd be delighted," I said, smiling at the editor. "It would be an honor to take on this opportunity."

At this moment, I felt a new Sia emerging. I was no longer just someone's wife or mother, but an individual in her own right, with her own thoughts, talents, and worth.