The day I left the Lu mansion, Logan Lu leaned against the doorframe. Watching me pack my bags, he gave a mocking half-smile: “What’s wrong?” “Did you realize that even giving birth to my kid couldn’t force me to marry you?” “So you decided he’s useless now, and you’re not taking him with you?” Before I could speak, Leo Lu, who had been eavesdropping outside the door, walked in. He carefully poured the money from his piggy bank into my hand. “Mom, you need to take good care of yourself.” “And, can you please promise me that you are never coming back?” “Aunt Stella said she’ll only agree to be Leo’s mom if you leave for good.” Chapter 1 Leo finished his plea. His dark, round eyes blinked up at me, practically bursting with hope. Logan lowered his voice, the tone laced with warning. “Leo Lu.” “Is that how your school taught you to speak to your mother?” Leo hung his head, pouting. “But last time, Aunt Stella asked Dad if he was falling for Mom, and you said you weren’t.” “And I don’t really like her either…” “So if Mom wants to leave, just let her go, okay…” His words no longer hurt me. A week ago, on his sixth birthday, he insisted on celebrating with Logan and Stella Song. I realized I was suddenly free of my anxiety and attachment. I didn't try to stop him at all. Even when I passed that restaurant in the evening. And heard him introduce Stella to the violinist as his mother, my heart remained calm. Chapter 2 Because I was packing, I was squatting. My eyes were level with the small figure of Leo. I accepted his piggy bank money and gave a slight nod. “Okay, I promise you.” I didn’t refer to myself as “Mom” anymore, quietly stating: “I won’t ever come back to this house.” “And I am no longer your mother. Leo, you’re free.” He seemed surprised that I agreed so easily. He stared at me blankly for two seconds. Then he burst into a smile. “Yay!” “Aunt Stella will be my mom now!” He ran out, shouting that he was going to call Stella with the good news. I packed my last item of clothing. I closed the suitcase and stood up. Logan had been silent the whole time. But as I walked past him, he grabbed my arm. His eyes were half-closed, unreadable. “Ava Tang, ‘not loving you’ doesn’t mean ‘hating you.’” “I’m used to you after all these years.” “What’s the point of this dramatic exit?” By the end, his voice was tinged with irritation. I wanted to explain, but it felt pointless and overly sentimental. So I simply pulled my arm back and instructed him: “Take care of Leo.” I dragged my suitcase out of the Lu mansion. It was a long walk out of the gated community. The weather was poor. A cold wind swirled the fallen leaves onto me. It felt easy to let myself look pathetic. But I didn’t look back, not even once. Chapter 3 I had rented an apartment in advance and quickly found a job. Based on my old major, I applied to be an art teacher for an after-school kids’ program. On my first day of work. I walked into the office and saw several female teachers huddled around a little girl. “Chloe, darling, does your Uncle Ace like desserts?” “And, tell me, what kind of girls does he go for?” “Oh, Chloe sweetie, is he picking you up tonight?” The girl was expressionless. “Teachers, you asked me to come here to discuss issues with my painting style, didn't you?” The teachers exchanged embarrassed glances. “If there are no issues, I’ll head back to class.” The girl turned, saw me. She gave a brief greeting, “Hello, Teacher.” And then walked straight out. Chapter 4 The teachers were very friendly to the new arrival. After showing me the ropes, they brought up the girl again. “You wouldn’t know it, but that kid’s uncle is Ace Harrington.” “He and Logan Lu are known as the city’s most eligible bachelors.” “Oh, wait, I heard Logan Lu is already with his girlfriend, Stella Song, who just got back from overseas.” “So now, it’s just Ace Harrington left.” Hearing Logan’s name again, I felt calm, as if he were a stranger. But Ace Harrington... I sighed silently. He was Logan’s business rival. He always disliked me, and every time we met, I was guaranteed to be the target of his sarcasm. “Pathetic, aren't you? Logan and Stella’s kissing photo is trending, and you don’t even dare to speak up.” “What did you get from being with Logan? A title? Status?” “Ava, why the hell don’t you look around at other people?” I’d better stay away from the girl named Chloe. If Ace found out I worked here, he might use his connections to get me fired. Chapter 5 Logan called while I was packed into a subway train on my way home. “Hello?” The noise on my end made him pause. After a few seconds, he asked, “Where are you?” “On the subway.” He gave a barely audible laugh. “Riding the subway?” “Ava Tang, this is what you get for being stubborn.” I gripped the overhead bar and only asked, “Do you need something?” The sound of his footsteps, even distorted by the poor connection, was slow and measured. Just like him. I could almost picture him walking from his desk to the floor-to-ceiling window. “Leo has a fever.” He said, “Tell me your address. I’ll come pick you up and bring you home.” “No need.” I looked down. “The Lu family will take good care of him.” “He doesn’t need me.” Logan’s voice deepened slightly. “Are you really going to abandon him?” “Ava Tang.” He sounded incredulous. “Just because he said he prefers Stella?” Logan never seemed to understand my feelings for Leo. Even though I explained countless times. I took the morning-after pill after the accident, but he never believed me. Because I had been in love with him for years. So he was convinced I deliberately got pregnant with Leo to force him to marry me. In his mind, my feelings for Leo weren't deep. He was just a tool, a bargaining chip. He couldn’t know that my fear of Leo growing to prefer Stella had driven me to countless nights of heartbreak and anxiety. The subway reached the transfer station. The carriage suddenly emptied. “That’s not it, Logan.” I found a seat, my aching legs finally getting a rest. I said softly: “It’s because he genuinely prefers Stella.” “And I don’t want to force myself anymore to try and win him over.” Logan tried to say something else. The next second, Leo’s voice came through the phone, confirming my words. “Dad! Leo’s fever is gone!” “Can we go see Aunt Stella tomorrow?!” Logan cleared his throat. “Ava Tang, listen to me…” I hung up the phone. And got off at the next stop. Shaking off the phone call.
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