Chapter 5

I was just a fool in everyone's eyes.

At the hotel, I slept.

Estimating when the plane would be about to land, I finally turned on my phone.

Sure enough, a few minutes later, Liam's call came through. "Baby, did you land safely?"

"Yes, I'm at the hotel."

"Good. Have a great time. I'll pick you up from the airport when you get back."

"...Okay."

After hanging up, I went to a bank.

I withdrew all the money from my accounts in cash, then went to a department store and bought a suitcase, along with some change of clothes.

Then, I took the suitcase back to the hotel, ready to pick up when I left.

After packing the things I needed for my departure, I thought of my cat, who had been boarded at the vet clinic due to ringworm.

It was when Liam and I first met, because we found this dying stray kitten together.

We took the kitten to the vet for treatment, and it took three months for it to fully recover.

When we picked it up, he said, "Stella, from now on, we're its mom and dad. You give it a name."

At that time, I was only 18, unexpectedly thrust into cat-motherhood.

And he'd effectively branded me as 'the mother of his son'.

Later, I learned that Liam had liked me for a long time. He had intentionally placed that stray kitten on my daily route to school, just waiting for me to find it.

When I confronted him, Liam complained somewhat helplessly, "I kept trying to 'accidentally' run into you, but you treated me like I was invisible. I had to resort to this last-ditch effort. What could I do? I love you so much; I can't imagine anyone else."

You couldn't imagine anyone else?

That wasn't true.

Besides me, you had Chloe.

You loved me, but you loved her too.

In your mind, you gave me affection and status, and her the child, seemingly fair.

But Liam, I'm not a pushover.

If the love you give isn't pure anymore, I'd rather not have it.

You don't have to be constantly on edge, hiding things from me, and I'll have my peace and freedom.

I went to the vet clinic and saw the little cat.

The vet smiled and asked, "How come the cat's dad isn't with you? You usually come together."

I said calmly, "He's busy."

"Oh." The vet said, "The cat's ringworm has completely healed. You can take him home today."

But I said, "I don't plan on taking him. Could you please find a reliable adopter for him?"

"Are you planning to have children?"

"Why do you ask?"

The vet's smile was a little bitter. "Many cats and dogs here are like that. Their owners plan to start a family, so they decide not to keep pets and leave them here for adoption."

Yes, I was going to have a child soon.

But it wasn't mine.

I was actually a little reluctant to let him go.

After all, I had raised the kitten for so many years; we had a bond.

But if I was leaving, the cat would be difficult to take with me. Plane cargo travel is too long; I was afraid something might happen to him.

"Please, help me find an adopter as soon as possible."

"Oh, by the way, a young lady came in today and played with the cat for a while. She seemed to really like him. I'll contact her and ask."

The vet contacted the person, who immediately expressed great willingness to adopt the cat.

She said she'd come pick him up now.

I waited at the vet clinic for a while and met the adopter.

She was a very sweet and innocent young girl, and she genuinely loved the cat.

I agreed and even gave the girl some extra money.

She didn't want to take it. "I'm just adopting him; I can't take your money. Please take it back."

But I insisted on pressing the money into her hand. "The cat is getting older, and he has a genetic condition. He'll need medical care in the future, so this money is for his future vet bills."

The girl finally accepted it, thanked me, and left with the cat.

My phone chimed with a message.

\[Liam: Baby, did you have fun today? I miss you so much.]

I sneered.

I replied directly: \[Then I'll fly back to you now. Pick me up at the airport in three hours.]

Liam replied quickly: \[No, don't let me disrupt your trip. Have a good time. I can wait.]

I almost scoffed aloud.

Men. Your affection is so cheap.

You can't even stand such a small test, yet you pretend to be so deeply in love.

\[Liam: Did you take any good pictures? Show me some beautiful photos of my wife.]

I searched online for a few pictures of tourist spots, removed the watermarks, and sent them to him.

\[Liam: Why is it all scenery, no pictures of my baby?]

\[Me: I'm tired. Going to sleep now.]

\[Liam: Okay, get some rest. Love you.]

I slept at the hotel for three days, resting and planning my next steps.

After leaving here, I wanted to visit the Nordic countries to see the Northern Lights, then go to Africa to see the wildlife and savannas.

After that, I'd booked a remote island.

The island belonged to a small nearby country and couldn't be bought, so I leased it for a hundred years.

That was the home I chose for myself.

From now on, I'd live facing the ocean, with the warmth of spring all around me.

On the morning of the fifth day, I didn't check out. Instead, I extended my reservation for two more days.

To store my luggage when I left.

Then, I took a taxi to the airport.

Not long after, the driver arrived.

He grinned. "Mrs. Anderson, you're finally back! Mr. Anderson has been talking about you non-stop these past two days; we were all getting tired of hearing it."

I didn't say anything, just got into the car.

Fake words were enough to hear once; I didn't want to respond, to avoid hearing more lies.

Upon arriving home, everything had returned to normal.

It was as if I had never left.

Liam gave me a big hug. "Welcome home, honey."

Mrs. Davis also cheerfully said, "Mrs. Anderson, Mr. Anderson instructed me this morning to buy all your favorite ingredients. Today, I've cooked all your favorite dishes."

Liam came closer, nuzzling me gently. "They say absence makes the heart grow fonder, and I guess he felt that way. Your period should be over by now, right? Tonight... should we go to bed early?"

I pushed him away. "I'm tired."

"You sleep, I'll do my thing."

He was about to cling to me again, but the next second, the front door was pushed open.

Chloe stood outside, looking a little flustered. "Oh, Stella, you're back?"