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Chapter 4 Deciding to Leave

Eric's life was like being trapped in a tiny box, just like a fragile doll, stuck dealing with his illness.

Luna often felt the world was just too cruel. Why did all the bad stuff have to happen to her family?

Her parents died when they were young, leaving just her and Eric to fend for themselves.

Her mother's siblings used various excuses to deceitfully take away the two properties that were left behind.

In the end, Luna and Eric were left with only a small amount of money from their parents' car accident.

Luna, being pretty sharp, held onto that money tightly, making sure no one else could take it.

But that cash only covered Eric's basic medical bills.

Luna had to juggle part-time jobs while studying and taking care of Eric.

When she went off to college, there was nowhere for Eric to go, so she left him at Ella's place.

Eric was a good kid. Even though he had some intellectual disabilities, he was obedient, didn't cause trouble, could eat on his own, and take care of his hygiene.

Except for needing help with bathing and making sure he didn't fall in the bathroom, he could mostly manage on his own.

But Ella claimed he was hard to take care of and needed special attention, saying he was disobedient in everything.

Using that as an excuse, she demanded Luna pay $3,000 a month for looking after Eric.

Luna put up with it, as long as Ella treated Eric well, she could handle anything.

Even though Eric lived in the smallest room in the house, with no windows and no sunlight, Ella wouldn't even push him out to the balcony to get some sun, often just locking him in the room.

Every time Luna came back during summer break, she'd find Eric staring blankly, like he had no soul.

Luna always thought that once she had a stable job and a dorm room, she could move out with Eric.

But now it seemed like Ella's whole family just wanted to exploit them.

Luna didn't want to put up with it anymore. She wanted to take Eric away, fearing he would uncover Ethan's intentions and Ella's malicious thoughts.

Even if they left, as long as she and Eric were together, there was nothing to fear.

Touching Eric's cheek, Luna piled their packed bags by the door, planning to leave the next morning when no one was home.

At Lee Villa, Charles got a call from his mom, Ashley Murphy, as soon as he walked in.

"Mom, you need to rest in the hospital. Don't call me so late," Charles said, frowning.

"Knowing my situation, yet you still don't give me peace of mind. If you and Anna got married, would I have to worry so much? You were supposed to get the marriage certificate today. Why didn't you go? Are you trying to drive me crazy?" Ashley scolded him.

Charles replied, "Mom, I didn't meet the Anna you mentioned, but I did get married."

Ashley was stunned for a moment, then asked, "What do you mean? If you didn't marry Anna, then who did you marry?"

Charles's marriage was always a big concern for her.

"To a stranger, but it was an accident," Charles admitted.

"Then get a divorce. You can't just let it be," Ashley said, shocked.

"We've agreed to get a divorce in a month," Charles said calmly, though he no longer wanted a divorce. Rather than being constantly pressured by Ashley to get married, he figured he might as well stay married to Luna.

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