Chapter 3
Natalie moved in the very next day and immediately ordered the servants to redecorate the living room.
“This sofa is too somber,” her slender fingers brushed over the leather, turning to Gabriel with a gentle smile. “Gabriel, can we replace it with something in cream?”
Without even blinking, Gabriel instructed the butler: “Do as Natalie says.”
Cassidy stood at the staircase landing, watching workers carry out the sofa she had carefully selected just six months
ago.
Ethan and Emma followed Natalie like shadows, excitedly pointing at various items. “Auntie Natalie, these pillows need to go too! Mom bought such ugly ones!”
Natalie stroked their heads affectionately. “Alright, we’ll change everything.”
Cassidy’s fingers tightened momentarily before relaxing again.
Those pillows had been hand–stitched by her during pregnancy, filled with hypoallergenic down cotton specifically because the children had sensitive skin as babies.
Yet now they were unceremoniously tossed into the garbage.
In the following days, the house became increasingly unfamiliar.
At the dining table, Natalie sat in what had been Cassidy’s place, tenderly serving food to the children.
Gabriel occasionally poured her coffee himself, his long fingers gently pushing the cup toward her, his eyes showing a softness Cassidy had never received.
In the evenings, the living room lights would dim, and the four would huddle on the sofa watching movies: Emma curled up in Natalie’s arms while Ethan leaned against Gabriel’s shoulder, their laughter constantly filling the room.
When Cassidy passed by, they wouldn’t even glance at her, as if she were invisible.
More laughably, Gabriel, Ethan, and Emma had once been impossibly fastidious about their living standards.
But now?
She watched Natalie carelessly toss Gabriel’s million–dollar Patek Philippe watch on the coffee table, face down, while he lovingly put it on without complaint. She saw the children happily wearing school uniforms that Natalie had simply thrown in the washing machine, collars still stained with yesterday’s sauce. She watched Natalie pass off takeout as home–cooked meals, with none of them calling her out…
Even more absurd was how they pampered Natalie-
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Screw You. Ex! My New Lifex Hotter Than Your Monet
Chapter 3
“Natalie, don’t touch these chores,” Gabriel stopped her from clearing the teacups, his long fingers gently pressing on her wrist. “Your hands are meant for playing the piano.”
“Auntie Natalie, let me carry your bag!” Ethan eagerly took her limited edition handbag, his fawning expression something Cassidy had never seen on her son’s face.
“Miss Hayes only needs to rest,” the butler respectfully offered Italian handcrafted slippers. “Leave everything to us.
How ironic.
She had been the family’s unpaid housekeeper for six years, completely taken for granted. Yet the moment Natalie arrived, she became the princess on a pedestal.
The servants whispered among themselves:
“The master is so good to Miss Hayes, I’ve never seen him treat Mrs. Westbrook that way.”
“The children adore her too. I bet this house will soon have a new hostess!”
Cassidy had already grown numb, no longer caring about anything, simply quietly packing her belongings.
Until that afternoon when her phone suddenly began vibrating frantically.
‘Madam! Young Master and Miss have had an allergic reaction at school! An ambulance just took them to the
hospital!”
When Cassidy arrived at the hospital, both children had been rushed to emergency.
Gabriel stood in the hallway, his suit jacket casually draped over his arm, his tie hanging loosely around his neck,
cold fury simmering in his eyes.
‘Cassidy,” his voice was low, suppressing rage. “What exactly are you doing?”
Cassidy was taken aback. “What?”
‘They’re allergic to mango. You know that, right?” Gabriel stepped closer, his tall figure looming over her. “Why did you let them drink mango juice?”
‘It wasn’t me!” Cassidy met his eyes. “I never bring mango into the house.”
Ever since the children’s first allergic reaction to mango landed them in the hospital, she had been incredibly vigilant–warning everyone repeatedly about their allergy, even personally reviewing the school cafeteria menus.
How could she make such a basic mistake?
‘Not you?” Gabriel sneered. “Then who? The servants? Or did they try to poison themselves?”
Cassidy opened her mouth to speak, but a nurse interrupted: “The children are awake.”
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Screw You, Ex! My New Life’s Hotter Than Your Money!
Chapter 3
In the hospital room, Ethan and Emma lay pale–faced in their beds. When they saw their parents enter, something flickered in their eyes.
“What happened?” Gabriel demanded sternly.
The children exchanged glances, then simultaneously pointed at Cassidy: “It’s Mom! She bought snacks with mangu”
Cassidy froze, staring at them in disbelief. “What are you saying?”
