Ana's POV
Ridley's expression hardened as he watched me grip my cane tighter, hobbling several steps back from him.
I could see something dark building behind his eyes.
Since my release from prison, I'd grown bolder, more resistant. And here he was, still convincing himself that we could have some semblance of a normal marriage.
"Ana, what game are you playing now?" Ridley's eyebrows drew together, his voice cutting and condescending. "It's just a piece of jewelry. You've completely lost it."
I met his stare with ice in my veins. A cold numbness spread through my ribs. He'd always understood exactly how much that pendant meant to me, yet he dismissed it like trash.
In the end, that's all I was to him too—disposable. But whatever. I'd be gone soon. His emotions, or lack thereof, were irrelevant now.
"Mom, can you stop being such a drama queen?" Hughes copied Ridley's scowl perfectly. "You're acting totally unhinged. You don't even seem like a real mother."
That actually pulled a laugh from me—harsh and acidic.
I fired back, "So being a mother means I'm never allowed to get upset? Being a mother means I can't have emotions?"
Hughes went rigid for a beat, then thrust his chin up. His eyes held no affection, just doubt and coldness.
"If you're going to keep acting like this, then you're not my mother anymore." He snorted, grabbing Aileen's hand with conviction. "I'll just make Aileen my mom instead. She's smart; she has dignity. She's nothing like you—just some stay-at-home wife."
My stare turned to steel. Inwardly, I thought, 'If I hadn't married Ridley, if I hadn't had Hughes, I'd be completing my PhD right now.
'I sacrificed that dream to raise Hughes properly. And now he stood there telling me I wasn't qualified to be a mother simply because I didn't continue my education?'
The whole situation felt like a cruel punchline. The child I'd carried for months, the son I'd poured everything into, had become exactly like Ridley—heartless and cutting. A sardonic smile touched my lips. "You're absolutely right. I'm not qualified to be your mother."
Ridley's face went dark. "What's that supposed to mean?"
A moment of internal conflict flickered through me, but I still addressed Hughes calmly. "I won't be your mother anymore. You can choose anyone you want."
I gave him one final glance, my tone soft. "Just don't have regrets later. And look after yourself. Your health is delicate, so don't push yourself too hard—"
"I never wanted you as my mother in the first place," Hughes erupted, his cheeks burning crimson with fury. "If I could choose, I'd pick Aileen every single time!"
He grabbed a Lego creation from the shelf and hurled it to the ground. Fragments exploded across the floor. "Nobody wants you around. You complain like some bitter old woman. You said you're not my mother, so stop trying to control me!"
The shattered Lego spread in chaos across the tiles.
My chest constricted as I stared at the wreckage. That had been Hughes's birthday present, something we'd assembled together, brick by brick.
I clamped my lips shut, decisive and final. If he rejected me, then I had nothing more to offer. He wanted Aileen as his mother? Perfect. I'd grant him that wish.
Aileen pressed her hand to her mouth. "This is entirely my fault. I'm so sorry, Ana. If I'd realized how much you despised me, I never would have remained in this house."
Ridley's composure shattered. His face turned glacial as he seized my wrist, his fingers digging in painfully. "What the hell is your problem?"
My smile warped with disdain. "My problem? My biggest error was marrying you.
Ridley, I want a divorce." My voice wasn't raised, but it resonated, sharp enough to reach every corner of the room.
For his supposed soulmate, Ridley had destroyed me.
Now I was finished. I'd give him and Hughes the freedom they craved.
Ridley's frown deepened further. A bitter laugh escaped him. "Prison really did scramble your brains, didn't it?" His voice was arctic, his grip on my wrist relentless as he stared down at me. His gaze was razor-sharp with frost.
Ridley had always been aloof, but in all our years together, I'd never witnessed him this enraged.
"Ana, you think you can survive without me?" His tone could have frozen blood. "I'll cancel every single one of your cards until you apologize."
I almost wanted to laugh. I opened my mouth, ready to reveal that I'd be leaving soon anyway, but before I could speak, Aileen released a small whimper of distress.
Ridley immediately released my wrist and rushed to Aileen's side. The sudden movement nearly sent me tumbling, and I had to clutch the sofa to keep my balance.
When I raised my head, I saw Aileen slumped against Ridley, her voice fragile. "Ridley, my leg is throbbing terribly. What if I can never dance again?"
The concern flooding Ridley's expression cut deeper than his crushing grip on my wrist ever could. I exhaled quietly, my lips forming a cynical smile.
Perhaps this was simply fate. I'd vanish from this house like a ghost, not even granted the opportunity for a real farewell.
"I'll arrange for someone to prepare the divorce documents. Ridley, meet me at the courthouse to sign them." My voice was emotionless, and I refused to look in their direction.
Gripping my crutch, I limped toward the exit, my silhouette small and fragile. A spark of something crossed Ridley's features, but he buried it immediately.
——
"Well, what a disaster," Aileen murmured, her eyes flashing briefly before she masked it with an innocent expression. "Honestly, women can be so theatrical.
Everyone understands that you and I are merely friends. After all, I'm already married.
"Why don't you go make peace with her? She pushed me, but I'll survive. I'm not nearly as delicate as she is."
Ridley felt that familiar agitation building inside him. He lowered his gaze, his voice thick with annoyance. "Unnecessary. Let her have her tantrum. She has no connections in Veridia; she can't cause real problems. You, however—your legs need protection."
This wasn't Ana's first jealous outburst over Aileen. Usually, some jewelry or flowers resolved everything.
She had no real family in Veridia, and now, with her body broken, she had no options left.
This was simply her method of demanding more attention from him. After all, he was responsible for her situation. The minimum he could do was attempt to compensate.
Hughes approached and put his arm around Aileen. "Exactly. That's her pattern. Dad and I have been too lenient with her. She'll settle down soon and return home."
He glanced at the destroyed Lego fragments littering the floor and felt his chest tighten. Then he reasoned with himself, 'She adores Dad and me too much to actually leave. She must be talking like that because she's angry again.'
——
Ana's POV
When I emerged from the Collin residence, reality struck—I'd left empty-handed, without even money.
Ridley was correct. If he blocked my accounts, I was trapped. In Veridia, I truly had no refuge.
I stood at the sidewalk, supported by my crutch, my thoughts wandering, when a deep masculine voice spoke behind me. "Ana."
My pulse stuttered. I pivoted around.
A man stood casually against his car, the dark paint highlighting his bronzed complexion. His platinum hair was swept back but with several locks tumbling across his brow, catching the light. His eyes held that magnetism, that compelling kind of allure.
He appeared effortlessly sophisticated, his mouth curving into a subtle smile. His attention drifted momentarily to my damaged leg, lingering just briefly before he inquired, almost nonchalantly, "Need a lift?"