When I saw the dead bird in the box, a look of disgust flashed across David's face.

“Your daughter came to ‘apologize,’”

I said calmly.

David furrowed his brows even deeper:

“She’s also your daughter.”

I scoffed, almost breaking down:

“She hates me, David! She killed my bird.”

“Alright, let’s go inside. Tomorrow morning, I’ll have a proper talk with her. You can bury the bird. She’s just a little girl, it was a joke.”

David, unaware of my emotions, just wanted to cover up Emma's mistake.

I dodged his touch and walked toward the garden with the bird.

I couldn’t let my bird stay outside all night, getting ruined by other animals.

David followed behind, complaining about my stubbornness, but still stayed with me as I buried it.

After burying the bird, I walked back into the house.

The family dinner was already over, and the guests had all left.

The night had deepened, and the wind had picked up.

I couldn’t help but sneeze, and David quickly supported me.

We walked into my room, and he asked me to sit on his lap — I felt a wave of disgust.

“What do you want to do?”

I asked coldly.

David sighed:

“Ashley, it’s just a bird, I’ll buy you a new one, okay?”

“I’m leaving, David. I’m leaving tomorrow.”

I said firmly.

David stiffened:

“Emma is still just a child. I don’t trust anyone else to take care of her. Besides, where will you go? You have no one else.”

I shrugged:

“That’s my business. I no longer have a place here.”

David sighed:

“How about you give me a child? That way, I can guarantee the future for you and the child. If you give me a child, no one will speak ill of you, and Emma can have a brother or sister.”

I smiled bitterly.

For these nine years, I had been humble to the dust, abandoning all my pride.

But in the end, he only wanted me to give him a child.

In the end, it was all to protect Emma and trap me in this house.

“I’ve already told the maid all the things to look out for with Emma. She’s been studying with the family tutor. She no longer needs me.”

I said.

David kissed me, and didn’t press me further:

“Rest for now. Tell me your decision tomorrow morning.”

That night, I couldn’t sleep.

I packed my luggage, my mind full of the image of my beloved bird.

The sun quickly rose. I took a quick shower, dragging my suitcase out the door.

Finally, I was leaving.

Slow claps echoed in the yard, followed by a familiar, mocking voice:

“Ah,”

Nora drawled, leaning against the pillar, her delight unhidden.

“You finally figured it out?”

I sighed, feeling physically and mentally exhausted.

Nora was David’s mistress, and Emma’s favorite person after Lily.

I ignored her and kept walking forward, but she blocked my path, eyeing me with interest.

She crossed her arms:

“Nine whole years, you’ve been like a maid in this house, waiting for a man who never loved you. Now, after all these years, you’re finally leaving?”

She laughed lightly:

“You’re really dumb, only now realizing David and Emma will never love you. In this house, you’re just a worthless object.”

I met her gaze, my expression calm and unchanged. Those emotions had long been dulled by time:

“Then enjoy it.”

“Do whatever you want, it’s no longer my concern.”

Her smile grew more arrogant:

“Oh, I will. Don’t worry,”

She leaned in close and whispered:

“I’ll be moving in soon, replacing you.”

Before I could respond, the front door was suddenly pushed open.

David walked out, followed by Emma.

The next second, Nora’s attitude made a completely.

She gasped dramatically, dropping to her knees, desperately grabbing my skirt like it was her lifeline.

“Donna, don’t go!”

She cried, her voice full of despair.

“Emma needs you. No one else can take care of her.”

I looked down at the scene she was putting on for me, numb.

“Emma loves you, she really loves you!”

She continued crying, her voice choking.

“She’s still just a child! Please, don’t leave her. I apologize for everything I’ve done, please.”

David impatiently sighed loudly, clearly losing patience.

“Stop talking nonsense! Don’t make a scene here, go inside.”

His gaze remained cold, just like before.

“If you want, I’ll buy you another bird. Don’t make things difficult for Nora.”

I clenched my fist, about to speak, but Emma ran to Nora, hugging her.

“Nora, get up.”

She whispered softly, wiping away her fake tears.

Then, she turned her head, her gaze landing on me, burning with intense hatred.

“You’re the one who used evil to kill my mother! Now you want to hurt Nora too! You’re just jealous, no one loves you, you evil woman!”

When Emma looked at Nora, her expression softened immediately:

“Don’t be sad, be my mother. Ashley doesn’t deserve to be in my life. She should have left long ago.”

She looked back at me, her eyes filled with disdain:

“Ashley, your heart smells just like sewer water, so my dad will never love you.”

She smiled cruelly, “I’m happy you’re leaving.”

I swallowed the lump in my throat, and took one last look at the child I had raised for nine years, treated as my own.

“Nine years, and you still hate me this much. I guess there’s no reason for me to stay anymore.”

Without saying another word, I turned and resolutely walked forward.

Just as I was dragging my suitcase toward the gate, Emma picked up a gun and aimed it at my head.