Chapter 8

Soon, Anne sauntered over with her socialite friends, wearing mocking smiles.

They quickly surrounded Allen.

Anne smirked. "What does it matter that you've been married to my sister all these years? Here you are, watching her lovey dovey with Will."

She crossed her arms, voice dripping with contempt. "I've told you before—my sister loves Will. You were just a distraction to help her get over him. If you had any dignity, you'd have left by now. How can you keep clinging to her like this?"

Allen had no interest in their games. He needed to finish packing and leave quietly. Without a word, he turned away.

But the group persisted.

"What, trying to be Cinderfella? Keep dreaming!"

"If Will hadn't gone abroad, do you think someone like you would ever have married into the Foster family?"

"Know your place!"

"Do yourself a favor and leave with some dignity."

Their taunts grew crueler as they started shoving him.

"Nothing to say?"

"Don't you dare ignore us!"

One of them, drunk and angry, pushed him hard.

CRASH!

Allen stumbled backward into a champagne tower. Glass shattered everywhere. Champagne mixed with blood from his cuts, creating a shocking scene that stopped everyone in their tracks.

The ballroom fell silent.

On stage, Serene's eyes widened in horror. She immediately dropped Will's hand and rushed to Allen's side.

She knelt beside him, face tight with anger as she called for their private doctor. Her sharp gaze swept the crowd.

"Who did this?!"

No one spoke.

Before she could press further, a security guard hurried over. "Ms. Foster, Mr. Anderson is in severe pain. You need to come quickly!"

Serene frowned, torn. "Is it serious?"

"He's doubled over in pain."

For the first time, Serene hesitated. She glanced at Allen, uncertainty clouding her face.

"Allen, I..."

Allen knew what was coming. He struggled to sit up, his expression distant.

"I understand. He's sensitive to pain, and you're used to taking care of him."

His calm words left her speechless.

Allen pulled himself up, swaying slightly. "Go to him. Have the doctor see him first. I'll manage."

Something about his response unsettled Serene.

He'd always been accommodating, but this calm felt different—too detached, as if he'd already left her world entirely.

It wasn't like him. He used to look at her like she was his everything. When had that changed?

Will's pained cry echoed from across the room.

The conflict vanished from Serene's face. With a quick glance at Allen, she said, "I'll check on you later. I'll make it up to you."

Without waiting for his response, she hurried to Will, murmuring comforting words.

Allen watched her go, a bitter smile touching his lips.

Anne and her friends mistook his expression for heartbreak.

"See?" Anne sneered. "Thought playing victim would win her sympathy? She still chose Will."

"If you have any self-respect, you'll leave the Foster family voluntarily."

Ignoring them, Allen asked a staff member for an empty room to clean and bandage his wounds. After changing into fresh clothes, he limped away from the gala.

---

Back home, Allen finished packing and left the signed divorce papers on the table.

Just as he opened the door to leave, he found Anne standing there with medicine in hand.

She scowled. "Where are you going? My sister sent these for you. I don't know why she's wasting time on you when she should be with Will. She's been so worried, she made me track you down!"

"Give them to Will," Allen said quietly, moving past her.

Only when she noticed his suitcase did Anne's expression change. She grabbed his arm. "What are you doing?"

"Isn't it obvious?" Allen's voice was steady, his eyes empty. "I'm leaving. Your sister loves Will, and you've always wanted him as your brother-in-law. I'm giving you what you want."

Anne stared at him, shocked. Everyone knew how devoted Allen was to Serene. How could he just walk away?

Her voice shook. "You're bluffing. You love my sister too much to leave. You're just trying to make her feel guilty. Well, it won't work."

Allen met her gaze calmly. "The divorce papers are on the table if you don't believe me. Unless... you've changed your mind about wanting me gone?"

Anne dropped his arm, face flushing. "As if! I can't wait for you to leave. When you're gone, I'll throw a party! My sister will be so much happier."

Her words rang hollow, but Allen didn't linger. "Congratulations, then," he said softly, walking out.

Anne watched him go, an unfamiliar anxiety growing in her chest. For the first time, she felt like she was losing control.

"Allen!" she called after him. "Where are you going? Aren't you going to tell my sister?"

Allen paused, glancing back at her and the house behind her.

For five years, he'd played the perfect husband, sacrificing his dreams and identity for Serene. He'd endured humiliation and neglect, all to repay a debt.

Now that chapter was over. Freedom beckoned.

For the first time in years, Allen smiled—genuinely, freely.

"I'm going to live a life that's truly mine," he said.

With a wave, he walked into the night, moonlight illuminating his path.

The Fosters and Serene were now just memories in a closed book.

Goodbye, Foster family.

Goodbye, Serene.

Carrying his suitcase, Allen disappeared into the night, finally free.