"Oh, let me guess—you're about to say you gained weight because you were overworked after having me? That all the meds ruined your body?" Talia rolled her eyes. "Please. You're just lazy. Stop blaming me. Bianca had a kid too—why is she still slim?"

And just like that, it clicked. The real reason Talia never let me attend her school events. I used to think she was being considerate, that she knew crowds drained me. But no. She was just ashamed of me.

The perfect family I once believed in? Nothing but broken pieces.

"Sign the papers, or we'll settle this in court," I said, exhausted.

Talia scoffed. "You think threatening Dad with divorce will work? Have you seen yourself?"

Hudson let out a frustrated sigh. "Do you really have to make such a big deal out of this?

"Fine. Do whatever you want. But you're still coming to the hospital tomorrow. If you don't, don't expect a dime next month.

"Oh, and Bianca doesn't like hospital food—make something light for her. You cook all day anyway. One more meal won't kill you."

Talia groaned. "I was supposed to have a celebratory dinner with Bianca tonight. What a buzzkill." She shot me a look of disgust. "Let's go eat out. I can't stand pretending to be a sweet daughter to this old woman any longer."

Given her words, it almost felt like they and Bianca were the real family—while I was just the outsider. The disposable maid.

That night, I packed my things and left for good.

The night I left, I joined a job recruitment group and landed an hourly tutoring gig. My trial lesson was set for 8 AM.

After the session, both the kid and the parents were happy. They signed a six-month contract on the spot.

Stepping out of their house, I switched on my silenced phone—99+ missed calls from Hudson.

For a second, hope flickered. Ten years of marriage. Was he actually worried about me?

I called him back.

Before I could say a word, Hudson's voice exploded through the speaker.

"So now you're pulling a runaway stunt? Gabriel's transplant is TODAY! Get to the hospital NOW, or I'll freeze all your bank cards! Let's see how long you last without money!"

Talia's voice chimed in. "Get back here and take care of me and Dad! KNOW YOUR PLACE!"

Just like that, any hope I had shattered.

"I see."

Hudson's tone shifted slightly. "Good. Then get back here—"

I let out a cold laugh. "No, I finally see the truth. You never once saw me as a person. Hudson, I don't owe your first love's son my kidney.

"And let me remind you—I married you, I didn't sell myself into servitude. I am not your maid. Or Talia's.

"Sign the divorce papers. Custody of Talia is yours. If you refuse, I'll sue."

I ended the call and blocked his number.

Half an hour later, Hudson froze all my bank accounts and even changed his phone number—just to gloat.

[So, struggling without money? Come back now, and I'll forgive you! The house is a mess with no one to clean it!]

Pathetic. That house wasn't my home anymore. I wasn't going back.

With what little cash I had left, I got a new number and rented a tiny shared apartment way outside the city. The commute was brutal—four hours a day—but I threw myself into my tutoring job, relearning the skills I'd abandoned years ago.

Two days later, just as I reached my student's neighborhood, Hudson and Talia ambushed me at the entrance.

"I heard you're working as a tutor here," Hudson said, frowning. "Do you have any idea how embarrassing that is for me? Quit and come home. Taking care of me and Talia is your real purpose in life."

Unbelievable.

My voice stayed flat. "Did you sign the divorce papers?"

"Divorce?" He scoffed. "Are you still not done with this tantrum? You abandoned your own child to tutor someone else's? Talia's schoolwork has been neglected for a week—she's already falling behind!"

"Exactly!" Talia glared at me. "Some kid named Micah Johnston took first place, and I dropped to thirty-sixth! I've never been out of the top three before! Everyone at school is laughing at me! This is all your fault! I'll never forgive you!"

I let out a short laugh. Like I needed her forgiveness. Could it pay my bills?

And this wasn't even my fault.

Micah Johnston... My student.

So, my work was already paying off. A slow smile spread across my face.