"I... I lost my temper just now. I'll take you to a doctor." Hudson grabbed my arm, reaching for the side of my swollen face."Get lost!" I shook him off.After dropping Micah off, I went to get my injury treated alone.When I walked out of the doctor's office, Hudson was waiting outside. The moment he saw me, he rushed over. "Luna, does it still hurt? I was wrong to hit you. If you're still upset, you can hit me back—I won't fight back!"I ignored him.He reached for the prescription slip in my hand. "What medicine do you need? I'll get it for you.""No need." I dodged his hand. "Just sign the divorce papers.""...Don't say things like that in anger." He looked uneasy. "I admit I've neglected you lately. I'm sorry. Please, don't do this."I met his gaze coldly. "Then I'll see you in court."***The next day, when I arrived for Micah's tutoring session, his mother suddenly asked about my alma mater.Then she said, "I can tell you're talented. Staying a private tutor seems li
"Luna, let me explain!" Hudson grabbed my arm, desperate. "I'm already looking for other ways to help Gabriel. I wasn't—"I didn't want to hear another word. If I listened any longer, I might throw up everything I ate yesterday.I kicked his leg, yanked my arm free, and bolted straight into the subway station.***The next day, I headed to the company. Since it was my first day, there wasn't much to do—just getting familiar with the workflow and meeting the team. By the end of the day, I had settled in well enough.That evening, as I got home, my landlord was waiting outside with a smile. "Ms. Lanford, I'm really sorry, but I can't rent this place to you anymore."I'm renovating it for my son's wedding. But don't worry! I have another place for you—same rent, same conditions!"I nodded. As long as the price stayed the same, I didn't care where I lived. Without much thought, I packed up my few belongings and left with him.But instead of another rental, he drove me straight into
A week in, and I had the company's workflow down cold.Closing my first big deal hit different—it wasn't just a win. It was proof that my life was finally mine to control. Not some fragile, fleeting sense of "family warmth," but real, solid fulfillment.One late night, after wrapping up overtime, my phone buzzed with an unknown number. Figuring it was a client, I answered—only to hear Hudson's voice."It's me. Don't hang up. Talia's condition got worse. She needs surgery. She's been crying, asking for you. Can you come?""...Wasn't it just a scratch? How does that turn into surgery?"His guilt was palpable. "I've been... busy with Bianca and Gabriel. I hired a caregiver, but since I wasn't around, the caregiver neglected her. Didn't change her bandages right, let the wound get wet... and, well, now this."A pause, then, softer—"She's been crying for your milk pudding. Can you—""No." I shut that down fast. "I'm not your maid. I don't owe her midnight snacks.""But she always us
I continued, "Talia Shea, I've never believed in gods or fate. But six months ago, when I found out you had kidney failure, I prayed every single day. I begged the universe to take me instead, so you wouldn't have to suffer."And when I learned our kidneys matched, do you know how happy I was? Because it meant you could live."I would've given you my kidney without hesitation. Hell, I would've given my life for you!"I fell silent, bitterness clawing at my chest. "But you lied. You were never sick. You and Hudson set me up just so I'd donate my kidney to Bianca's son..."I just don't get it, Talia. What did I do to deserve this? Was it because I wasn't beautiful enough? Because I was overweight?"Did you hate me that much? Enough to betray me like this—for a total stranger?"I let out a hollow laugh. "Your father works hard, I know that. But haven't I also given my all to this family? I poured my heart into everything—your food, your clothes, your home."And yet, to you and your
I was ready to take Hudson to court, but the next day, he showed up with the signed divorce papers himself."I didn't change much—just the asset division. You get seventy percent, I keep thirty. Talia's staying with me, after all." He studied me for a second, then reached into the back seat, pulling out a mango mille-crepe cake. "Talia made this. Want some?"I snapped photos of the papers and sent them to my lawyer. At his words, I glanced up. "I'm allergic to mangoes. We lived together for over ten years, and you never noticed?""I... I'm sorry." He looked flustered, then chucked the cake straight into the trash.Once my lawyer confirmed everything checked out, I looked at Hudson. "You're free now, right? Let's go finalize this."His head dropped. After a long pause, he muttered, "Okay."The drive was silent. When we pulled up in front of the lawyer's office, he finally spoke. "I need to say something. Bianca and I—""No need." I cut him off. "When she first came back, I was je
A few days later, it was Micah's birthday. I brought him a homemade cake.His eyes lit up as he snatched it and hid it away. "Not letting my classmates see this. They'll devour it. I'm taking it home."I laughed. This kid sure knew how to make someone feel good. It was just a cake, not some rare treasure.We were chatting when—bam—someone walked straight into me, spilling their drink all over my clothes. Great. I grabbed my spare outfit and headed upstairs to change.As I passed a quiet corner near the banquet hall, a hand shot out from behind a potted plant, grabbing me."Mom—"Talia.She looked like she was about to throw herself at me but froze when she saw my expression—cold, detached. Instead, she clung to the hem of my clothes, trembling. "Mom...""I'm not your mother anymore." I pulled away.Tears streamed down her face. "Please! I know I messed up! I'll change, I swear! Just don't leave me!"Funny. There was a time when a single tear from her would break me. Now? I fe
Another day passed before the doctor finally emerged, wiping sweat from her forehead. "The surgery was a success, but the patient is extremely weak. He'll be in a coma for a while."He was alive. That was all that mattered.After the operation, Hudson was moved to the ICU. Talia and I could only watch him through the glass each day. Two weeks later, he finally woke up and was transferred to a regular ward. I took extended leave from work to stay at the hospital and care for him.During that time, I heard about Bianca. A week after her arrest, Gabriel passed away. When she got the news, she bit through her own wrist in the detention center.She was gone.***"Luna!"Hudson jolted awake, eyes darting around in panic as he grabbed my hand. "Don't go!""I'm right here. Where else would I go?" I gently pried his fingers off and adjusted his bed. "Since you're awake, have some pumpkin soup."He clutched my hand again. "I had a nightmare... I dreamed that when I woke up, you were gon
Six months ago, they told me my daughter, Talia, had kidney failure. That only I could save her.But the night before surgery, I found out the truth—Talia was fine. The real patient? Gabriel, the son of my husband's first love, Bianca Tuck.It was all a lie. A setup. Hudson had planned everything, and Talia—my own daughter—had played along. I was the only fool left in the dark.In that moment, ten years of marriage, ten years of sacrifice, shattered.I slammed the divorce papers on the table. Didn't even ask for custody. I was done.Hudson frowned. "Lying was wrong, but is divorce really necessary? All I wanted was your kidney. You'll live with one—Gabriel won't if he doesn't get a good match."I shut my eyes, exhaled slow, then shoved the papers back at him."Sign it."
Another day passed before the doctor finally emerged, wiping sweat from her forehead. "The surgery was a success, but the patient is extremely weak. He'll be in a coma for a while."He was alive. That was all that mattered.After the operation, Hudson was moved to the ICU. Talia and I could only watch him through the glass each day. Two weeks later, he finally woke up and was transferred to a regular ward. I took extended leave from work to stay at the hospital and care for him.During that time, I heard about Bianca. A week after her arrest, Gabriel passed away. When she got the news, she bit through her own wrist in the detention center.She was gone.***"Luna!"Hudson jolted awake, eyes darting around in panic as he grabbed my hand. "Don't go!""I'm right here. Where else would I go?" I gently pried his fingers off and adjusted his bed. "Since you're awake, have some pumpkin soup."He clutched my hand again. "I had a nightmare... I dreamed that when I woke up, you were gon
A few days later, it was Micah's birthday. I brought him a homemade cake.His eyes lit up as he snatched it and hid it away. "Not letting my classmates see this. They'll devour it. I'm taking it home."I laughed. This kid sure knew how to make someone feel good. It was just a cake, not some rare treasure.We were chatting when—bam—someone walked straight into me, spilling their drink all over my clothes. Great. I grabbed my spare outfit and headed upstairs to change.As I passed a quiet corner near the banquet hall, a hand shot out from behind a potted plant, grabbing me."Mom—"Talia.She looked like she was about to throw herself at me but froze when she saw my expression—cold, detached. Instead, she clung to the hem of my clothes, trembling. "Mom...""I'm not your mother anymore." I pulled away.Tears streamed down her face. "Please! I know I messed up! I'll change, I swear! Just don't leave me!"Funny. There was a time when a single tear from her would break me. Now? I fe
I was ready to take Hudson to court, but the next day, he showed up with the signed divorce papers himself."I didn't change much—just the asset division. You get seventy percent, I keep thirty. Talia's staying with me, after all." He studied me for a second, then reached into the back seat, pulling out a mango mille-crepe cake. "Talia made this. Want some?"I snapped photos of the papers and sent them to my lawyer. At his words, I glanced up. "I'm allergic to mangoes. We lived together for over ten years, and you never noticed?""I... I'm sorry." He looked flustered, then chucked the cake straight into the trash.Once my lawyer confirmed everything checked out, I looked at Hudson. "You're free now, right? Let's go finalize this."His head dropped. After a long pause, he muttered, "Okay."The drive was silent. When we pulled up in front of the lawyer's office, he finally spoke. "I need to say something. Bianca and I—""No need." I cut him off. "When she first came back, I was je
I continued, "Talia Shea, I've never believed in gods or fate. But six months ago, when I found out you had kidney failure, I prayed every single day. I begged the universe to take me instead, so you wouldn't have to suffer."And when I learned our kidneys matched, do you know how happy I was? Because it meant you could live."I would've given you my kidney without hesitation. Hell, I would've given my life for you!"I fell silent, bitterness clawing at my chest. "But you lied. You were never sick. You and Hudson set me up just so I'd donate my kidney to Bianca's son..."I just don't get it, Talia. What did I do to deserve this? Was it because I wasn't beautiful enough? Because I was overweight?"Did you hate me that much? Enough to betray me like this—for a total stranger?"I let out a hollow laugh. "Your father works hard, I know that. But haven't I also given my all to this family? I poured my heart into everything—your food, your clothes, your home."And yet, to you and your
A week in, and I had the company's workflow down cold.Closing my first big deal hit different—it wasn't just a win. It was proof that my life was finally mine to control. Not some fragile, fleeting sense of "family warmth," but real, solid fulfillment.One late night, after wrapping up overtime, my phone buzzed with an unknown number. Figuring it was a client, I answered—only to hear Hudson's voice."It's me. Don't hang up. Talia's condition got worse. She needs surgery. She's been crying, asking for you. Can you come?""...Wasn't it just a scratch? How does that turn into surgery?"His guilt was palpable. "I've been... busy with Bianca and Gabriel. I hired a caregiver, but since I wasn't around, the caregiver neglected her. Didn't change her bandages right, let the wound get wet... and, well, now this."A pause, then, softer—"She's been crying for your milk pudding. Can you—""No." I shut that down fast. "I'm not your maid. I don't owe her midnight snacks.""But she always us
"Luna, let me explain!" Hudson grabbed my arm, desperate. "I'm already looking for other ways to help Gabriel. I wasn't—"I didn't want to hear another word. If I listened any longer, I might throw up everything I ate yesterday.I kicked his leg, yanked my arm free, and bolted straight into the subway station.***The next day, I headed to the company. Since it was my first day, there wasn't much to do—just getting familiar with the workflow and meeting the team. By the end of the day, I had settled in well enough.That evening, as I got home, my landlord was waiting outside with a smile. "Ms. Lanford, I'm really sorry, but I can't rent this place to you anymore."I'm renovating it for my son's wedding. But don't worry! I have another place for you—same rent, same conditions!"I nodded. As long as the price stayed the same, I didn't care where I lived. Without much thought, I packed up my few belongings and left with him.But instead of another rental, he drove me straight into
"I... I lost my temper just now. I'll take you to a doctor." Hudson grabbed my arm, reaching for the side of my swollen face."Get lost!" I shook him off.After dropping Micah off, I went to get my injury treated alone.When I walked out of the doctor's office, Hudson was waiting outside. The moment he saw me, he rushed over. "Luna, does it still hurt? I was wrong to hit you. If you're still upset, you can hit me back—I won't fight back!"I ignored him.He reached for the prescription slip in my hand. "What medicine do you need? I'll get it for you.""No need." I dodged his hand. "Just sign the divorce papers.""...Don't say things like that in anger." He looked uneasy. "I admit I've neglected you lately. I'm sorry. Please, don't do this."I met his gaze coldly. "Then I'll see you in court."***The next day, when I arrived for Micah's tutoring session, his mother suddenly asked about my alma mater.Then she said, "I can tell you're talented. Staying a private tutor seems li
"Don't you dare hurt Ms. Lanford!"Micah suddenly jumped in front of me, his small body shielding mine."Mom! Dad! Come out here! Someone's bullying Ms. Lanford!" he shouted. "I heard everything! Talia was the one who refused to acknowledge Ms. Lanford first!"She called that woman 'Mom' and said Ms. Lanford was just a maid! After being treated like that, why should Ms. Lanford risk her life to save her?"I pressed a hand against my swollen cheek and slowly got to my feet."You're a good kid. I'm fine. Stand behind me," I murmured, gently pulling him back before turning to face Hudson.His gaze wavered. "Even if Talia said those things, you still should've saved her! She's just a child—kids say things they don't mean! As her mother, how could you hold a grudge against your own daughter?"I didn't answer. I just stepped forward—then slapped him.Once. Twice. Three. Four. Five times.Each crack echoed through the air.Hudson staggered back, stunned. "You've lost your mind! You
Minutes later, the police arrived and took down the attacker. Once things calmed, I took Micah to the hospital—only to run into Talia being brought in by the authorities.Her arm was slashed, and both Bianca and Hudson were hovering over her."Why did you run and leave me behind? And why did you push me before you ran?!" Talia screamed, hysterical. "I trusted you! I was so good to you! How could you do this to me?!""I..." Bianca hesitated for half a second before throwing herself into Hudson's arms, sobbing dramatically. "Hudson, I was terrified! Gabriel still needs me—I couldn't afford to get hurt! I didn't do it on purpose!"Talia, please forgive me! If you don't, I might as well die—"Hudson pulled her close, his face full of sympathy. "That's enough, Talia. Stop overreacting. You're fine, aren't you?"Bianca already feels awful, and Gabriel's still sick. Do you really want to push her over the edge?"Talia looked ready to explode, but his sheer stupidity left her speechless