I sat alone in the dining room, staring at a table full of dishes I had spent the entire day preparing. The third wedding anniversary, and I was still waiting for Lucas to come home. My phone lit up with a message from him: he said he had something to tell me. I let myself hope it might be a gift.
At eight o’clock, I heard my son’s laugh outside. I ran to the door, but Colin barely looked at me as he rushed past. “Mom, just leave me alone. ”
He was halfway up the stairs before I called out that I’d made his favorite blueberry cheesecake.
He turned, eyes bright for just a second. “Save it. I want to take it to Ella tomorrow. It’s her favorite.
”
Ella Whitfield. The woman Lucas had never been able to forget. Lucas walked in behind him and dropped a folder onto the coffee table. “Sign it.
”
It was a divorce agreement. The world tilted. I couldn’t breathe, but I managed one question. “What about Colin?
Can he stay with me? ”
Lucas laughed, cold and cruel. “Are you really going to use our son to manipulate me again? ”
“You married me because you were carrying my child,” he continued.
“All these years, you haven’t changed a bit. ”
“You’ve got it wrong. I was set up back then. ”
“Enough, Yulia.
”
He sat on the sofa, lit a cigarette, and watched the smoke curl. “Three years as Mrs. Grant still not enough for you? ”
Tears streamed down my face, but I forced my voice to stay steady.
“Fine. Let’s divorce. I wish you happiness, Mr. Grant.
”
I signed my name, slipped off my wedding ring, and went upstairs to pack. I stopped in front of my son’s door. I knew Lucas would never give me custody, but I had to try. I knocked.
“Colin, can I come in? ”
No answer. Through the crack, I heard him on the phone. “Ella, come early tomorrow.
I saved you a piece of blueberry cheesecake. ”
I pushed the door open. He looked up, annoyed. “Mom, don’t you know it’s rude to barge in?
”
“Colin, would you ever consider living with me? ”
“No! You’re useless. All you do is spend Dad’s money and nag.
I wish Ella were my mother. ”
His words sliced through me. This was the child I carried for nine months. I smiled bitterly.
Some people are just never going to warm up to you. I walked out of the villa under cold moonlight, carrying nothing but a suitcase. Once, I had given up everything for love. From now on, I would live for myself.
I went straight to the small apartment I had kept for my own, the place I went to cool off after fights with Lucas. I never thought it would become my refuge. The next morning, I took a taxi to Grant Group and submitted my resignation. I had joined the company only to be closer to Lucas.
Now that we were divorcing, there was no reason to stay. Lucas’s private secretary, Chris White, wiped sweat from his forehead. He was one of the few people who knew about my connection to Lucas. “Please wait a moment.
I need to ask Mr. Grant. ”
“Why? When I joined, Mr.
Grant personally approved my application. ”
He still hesitated. I returned to my desk, frustrated. Then the elevator doors opened.
Lucas and Ella walked out side by side. “What are you doing at the company? ” he asked, annoyed. “I’m still an employee here.
”
Ella tried to slip away, but Lucas grabbed her wrist. “You’re my special consultant. No need to hide. ”
Special consultant?
I had nearly ended up in the hospital for a major project, and he gave her that position for nothing. Chris came over with my resignation report. “Ma’am, you are discussing your resignation with Mr. Grant?
”
Lucas sneered. “What trick are you trying to pull now? Are you planning to quit and go whining to Grandma? ”
“I’m not that despicable, Mr.
Grant. ”
He signed the papers without another word. “Just don’t come crawling back. ”
“No need to worry.
”
I took the report from his hand and walked out through the gates of Grant Group. The sun hit my face, and I felt completely free. My phone rang. It was Ruby, my best friend.
Her voice was frantic. “Julia, it’s an emergency. I need your help. ”
“What’s wrong?
”
“I took on an oil painting restoration, but the damage is so severe no one can fix it. That client has a major partnership with my family. If I can’t restore it, my grandfather will kill me. You were once the most brilliant restorer.
I know you stopped taking commissions after you got married, but I have no other choice. ”
I stayed silent. “Please, just help me this once. ”
“Okay.
I’ll restore it. ”
The next morning, I arrived at Ruby’s studio. Everyone was waiting for me. “This is Yulia Foster, my best friend,” she said.
The painting on the table was badly damaged, the paper yellowed. Everyone stared at me, doubting that someone my age could fix it. The moment my fingers touched the paper, I forgot all the pain. This was who I really was.
Everyone watched, stunned. “My god, how did she do that? ”
“I told you she’s a genius. ”
“Ms.
Foster, I’ll pay 200,000. Please restore my painting. ”
“I’m willing to pay 500,000. ”
Everyone wanted to give me orders.
Ruby grabbed my hand. “Yulia, have you thought about coming back? ”
“I’ve left Grant Group. I want to go back to my old life.
I just don’t know if you’ll hire me. ”
“That’s wonderful. I’ll set you up with projects, only take 10% commission, and you’ll get 30% of the shares. ”
“The shares aren’t necessary.
Without you, this studio might not even exist. ”
“I promised you this. It’s rightfully yours. ”
I looked at her serious face, my nose tingling.
“If you’re touched, just help me turn our studio into something big,” she said. I laughed and nodded. That evening, we held a celebration dinner. I drank a bit too much and stepped outside to clear my head.
A woman appeared in front of me. It was Amelia, Lucas’s sister. She frowned with pure disgust. “Yulia?
What are you doing here? How much have you had to drink? Remember who you are. Running around with those low-class friends is a disgrace to the Grant family.
”
I used to tolerate her for Lucas. But we were divorced now. I didn’t have to please anyone anymore. “I’m hosting important guests the day after tomorrow.
Come early and cook chicken soup for them. ”
“Sorry, I’m busy. ”
“What? ”
“I really don’t have time.
Find someone else. ”
“Fine, Yulia. Don’t come crying later. ”
She stormed off.
A male colleague came out, saw her, and walked over worriedly. I waved him off. “I’m fine. Let’s go back.
”
Amelia had taken a picture of the two of us walking into the hotel together. She sent it to Lucas. “No wonder you’re so cocky. So you found someone else.
”
The next day, Lucas called. Not about Amelia, but his grandmother’s birthday. “Grandma keeps asking about you. Join us for dinner.
”
In the entire Grant family, only his grandmother truly cared for me. I had to go. “Fine. I’ll be there.
”
On the day of the birthday, I brought a gift to Grant Manor. The moment I walked in, I saw Ella sitting next to Lucas’s grandmother. Colin sat beside her, dressed like a little prince. Amelia turned her head and mocked me.
“Ella, I’ve always wanted you to marry my brother. If it weren’t for someone…”
I ignored the jab and went straight to Lucas’s grandmother. “Happy birthday. ”
“My dear, you’ve lost weight.
Are you overworked? ” She held my hand, her eyes reddening. I almost cried too. After offering my wishes, I was about to leave.
But Amelia blocked the doorway, holding up her phone and shouting, “Everyone, look at this photo! Yulia cheats on my brother! ”
All eyes turned to me. Ella covered her mouth in fake shock.
“That can’t be real, can it? She doesn’t seem like that kind of person. ”
A smirk tugged at her lips. Lucas walked over with a dark expression.
“What’s all the noise about? ”
“Lucas, look at this. Who knows how many men she’s been messing around with? If you ask me, you might as well divorce her and save yourself the embarrassment.
”
I looked at her calmly. “The man in that photo is already married. And he’s not nearly as handsome as Lucas. Do you think I would be seduced by him?
Or do you just like this kind of thing? ”
“You! ”
Lucas’s grandmother stepped in. “Stop fighting.
I believe Yulia. She is not that kind of person. ”
After the banquet, Amelia still didn’t let up. She pulled Lucas aside.
“Lucas, look at this house. How can it function without a woman? Colin needs someone to take care of him. Isn’t Ella perfect?
Let her move in. ”
“Isn’t that a bit inappropriate? ”
“Come on. She’s your first love.
And she’s good to Colin. Yulia is gone. You can’t stay single forever. ”
Lucas thought about Colin, who had been down lately.
He sighed. “Fine. I’ll talk to Ella. ”
Ella moved into the Grant house the next day.
She stood in the living room like she owned it. “Lucas, I’ll take good care of Colin. Don’t worry. ”
Colin ran downstairs, saw her, and his eyes lit up.
“Ella, you’re really moving in? That’s great! ”
She crouched and patted his head. “I’ll be with you every day.
”
“Hooray! That’s really great. ”
Lucas stood on the stairs, watching, saying nothing. On her first day, Ella started redecorating.
“Those ornaments are too tacky. Replace them. ”
“Miss Whitfield, these are Mrs. Grant’s things.
”
“She’s no longer Lucas’s wife. Put everything into storage. ”
The housekeeper obeyed. The photos, ornaments, even the spice jars I left in the kitchen were all stuffed into cardboard boxes.
“Aunt Ella, this vase looks good here,” Colin said. “Good boy, Colin. From now on, you and everyone else will listen to me, okay? ”
“Okay.
”
Lucas came home, saw the changed living room, and froze for a moment. But he said nothing. He walked into Colin’s room and noticed the drawing of the family of three was missing from the wall. “Where’s the drawing?
”
“Ella said it wasn’t pretty, so she put it away. Dad, I think she’s way better than Mom. ”
After returning from the party, I threw myself into restoring paintings. I received a major commission: the restoration of Professor Shaw’s late wife’s portrait.
My first big project since my comeback. “Julia, Professor Shaw is a big name in the industry. If you do this well, our studio will become famous overnight,” Ruby said. I put on my gloves and began.
A young man walked into the studio. He was tall, handsome, with a gentle smile. “Excuse me, is Ms. Foster here?
I’m Professor Shaw’s grandson, Darian Shaw. ”
“That’s me. What can I do for you, Mr. Shaw?
”
“Grandpa asked me to check on the restoration. And I’ve never seen your technique before. It’s extraordinary. ”
“You flatter me.
”
“I truly mean it. I hope we have a chance to work together in the future. ”
We shook hands. His hand was warm, his gaze sincere.
I didn’t know that this person would change my life. A few days later, Ella’s true colors began to show. Colin came home from school with his homework and went to her. “Ella, I don’t know how to do this problem.
Can you teach me? ”
She didn’t look up from her phone. “Go ask your father. I’m busy.
”
Colin walked away, disappointed. The cook was off, and no one was cooking. “Ella, I’m hungry. ”
“Order takeout.
I don’t want to cook. ”
The takeout arrived. Colin took a bite and frowned. “This isn’t good.
I want blueberry cheesecake. Mom used to make it for me. ”
“You want blueberry cheesecake? It’s too late now.
I’ll have the cook make it for you tomorrow, okay? ”
Colin lowered his head. “Mom always made it for me. ”
Lucas came home late.
When he opened the door, he froze. The living room lights were on, the TV playing. Ella’s bedroom door was shut tight. Colin sat alone on the sofa, hugging a pillow, his eyes barely open.
“Colin, why are you here alone? Where’s Ella? ”
Colin rubbed his eyes. “Ella said she’s tired from work, so she told me to watch TV by myself and wait for Dad.
”
A wave of complicated feelings washed over Lucas. When Julia was still here, no matter how late he came home, the lights were always on and warm food was always on the table. “Let’s go. Time for bed.
”
“Dad, I feel awful. ”
Lucas touched Colin’s forehead. It was burning hot. He rushed to find Ella.
“Ella, Colin has a fever. Didn’t you know? ”
Ella was startled awake. “What?
Colin has a fever? I didn’t know. Lucas, I’m sorry. I was just too tired, so I crashed first.
”
Lucas didn’t bother knocking again. He picked Colin up and rushed out of the house. For the first time, he felt disappointed in Ella.
