Chapter 2

Theodric signed decisively.

"As you wish. We'll register the divorce next Monday."

He just agreed—didn't say a single word to try to keep her.

Camilla's gaze remained fixed on his left ring finger.

That wedding band had been removed at some point. Only a faint mark remained on that slender finger.

It seemed he'd wanted to be rid of her for a long time too.

She was about to say something when Theodric's phone rang.

After answering, his brow furrowed tightly.

"You fell again?"

"Where are you?"

"Wait for me."

As he spoke, he grabbed his jacket and headed out, his steps hurried, the worry in his tone impossible to conceal.

Camilla swallowed the words at the tip of her tongue.

The sound of a car engine soon came from outside.

She'd wanted to remind him about caring for Ollie, but she'd just tell the housekeeper instead.

After putting away the divorce agreement, Camilla stood and picked up the suitcase beside her.

Before leaving, she glanced toward Ollie's room upstairs.

After all, this was the son she'd risked her life to bring into the world, the child she'd loved with all her heart for four years. She truly couldn't bear to leave him.

But thinking of what Ollie had said that afternoon—"I wish Serena were my mom instead"—her heart twisted like a knife.

She bit her lip, steeling herself, and left the villa without looking back, dragging her suitcase behind her.

Cleo, the former housekeeper she'd rehired at a high price, was already waiting at the gate.

"Mrs. Clifford, what's all this..."

Camilla walked over with her suitcase and placed the villa keys and a notebook in Cleo's hands.

"Cleo, Theodric and I are divorcing. I'm asking you to take care of Ollie from now on. This lists his food allergies and preferences. Thank you."

"Divorce?" Cleo's eyes widened in disbelief.

Cleo was from Clifford Manor. After Camilla married Theodric, because he'd said he wasn't used to having servants around, she'd sent Cleo back to the manor.

All the household work at Serenity Villa had fallen entirely on Camilla.

But how could Theodric, pampered since childhood, possibly be unaccustomed to servants?

It was just him deliberately making things difficult, wanting Camilla to give up.

Only now did she see it clearly.

She smiled at Cleo. "I'll explain things to his parents. I'm leaving this in your hands, Cleo."

With that, Camilla loaded her suitcase into the rideshare car she'd booked in advance.

Then she pulled open the back door, got in, and left.

As the taillights gradually disappeared at the end of the street, Cleo let out a deep sigh. "This is going to cause big trouble..."

The rideshare stopped in front of Clearview Apartments.

A young woman in bear-print pajamas was dozing on the sofa in the apartment lobby.

Seeing Camilla enter, her eyes lit up. She jumped up and rushed over. "You're finally here!"

Camilla hadn't expected Niamh Jenkins to wait for her at the apartment entrance.

"Didn't we agree you'd leave the key with the building manager and I'd pick it up myself?"

Niamh was Camilla's college classmate. The two had been fairly close during university.

But after graduation, when Camilla married Theodric, she'd spent every day revolving around Theodric and Ollie. She'd lost touch with all her old friends.

This time contacting Niamh was only because she'd posted about a rental property on social media.

Since Camilla needed to rent a place, she'd reached out.

"I wanted to see you! You're renting from me—of course, I have to greet you personally!"

Niamh was still her lively self. She linked arms with Camilla and headed upstairs.

As they walked, she introduced her apartment. "I just bought and renovated it. The location and transportation are both great—perfect for you."

It was a one-bedroom apartment. Niamh had personally participated in the design, decorating it with a strong artistic flair. Camilla was very satisfied.

After they sat down, Niamh asked carefully, "Camilla, did you have a fight with your husband?"

Camilla shook her head. "I'm divorced."

Niamh's eyes widened in disbelief. "Why? Your child is already so big—how could you still divorce?"

Camilla hesitated, feeling it would be inappropriate to dump her problems on Niamh right after reconnecting. She forcibly suppressed that urge to confide.

But Niamh seemed to think of something and asked, "Is it because Serena came back?"

Camilla fell silent.

Niamh angrily slapped the table. "That bastard Theodric! Your child is already this big, and he's still hung up on his first love! How pathetic! Good riddance—Camilla, I'll introduce you to better men!"

Camilla was amused by Niamh's righteous indignation. Warmth flowed through her heart. "Thank you, Niamh."

"Who are we to each other? We may not have kept in touch for years, but the feelings are still there. It's late now. Let me help you unpack, and you should get some rest."

Niamh stood up and accidentally knocked against Camilla's bag.

A crumpled medical report fell out.

Camilla's pupils constricted. She tried to rush over and pick it up, but Niamh was faster.

She grabbed the report and scanned it, then looked at Camilla in horror. "Camilla, you—!"

Camilla's heart sank. This was bad.

Back in his room, Ollie carefully stored the rainbow candy Serena had given him in his little box, his eyes crinkling with joy.

Mom always said he had cavities and wouldn't let him eat candy.

But other kids could eat it.

Serena was better. She said boys should eat whatever they wanted.

Mom was the one who was wrong. She just stayed home doing chores—she didn't understand anything.

He carefully hid the little box in a drawer, then sprawled on his bed playing with his tablet.

He waited for Mom to come up and help him wash up and tell him a bedtime story.

But he played until he was drowsy, and Mom still hadn't come up.

Just as he was about to pout and cry, the bedroom door opened from outside.

He stopped his crying motion and looked toward the door.

Mom was so slow!

Making him wait this long—he wouldn't forgive her!

"Bad Mommy, you—"

His voice cut off abruptly when he saw Cleo at the door. "Cleo?"

Cleo walked into the bedroom, looking at Ollie lovingly. "Ollie, tonight I'll help you wash up and put you to bed."

Ollie frowned, his little face scrunching unhappily.

Was Mom angry because they'd hung up on her this afternoon, so she wouldn't even come help him wash up?

Mom was so petty!

He didn't want Mom either!

He said nothing, just kept his face scrunched as he obediently washed up and went to bed.

The next morning, because he'd eaten too much candy yesterday, his cavity started hurting again.

Seeing someone unfamiliar instead of his mommy before him, he immediately burst into tears.