Chapter 2
After signing the divorce papers, Cassidy stopped managing household chores.
No longer did she rise at 5 a.m. to prepare nutritious breakfasts for the children or stay up late making hangover soup for Gabriel after his business dinners.
All the duties she once considered her responsibility were now left to the servants.
At first, no one noticed the change.
Until Ethan was late for school and got scolded by his teacher, Emma couldn’t find her homework notebook, and Gabriel’s pocket watch stopped ticking.
The servants scrambled to keep up, yet couldn’t match the hostess’s standards.
Unwashed dishes piled in the kitchen, children’s toys scattered across the living room, and pressed shirts were never quite smooth enough… the once–immaculate home gradually fell into disarray.
When Gabriel pushed open the bedroom door, Cassidy was leaning by the window, reading.
Sunlight filtered through the curtains, casting dappled shadows over her.
“How long do you plan to continue this?” he stood at the doorway, his voice low.
Cassidy closed her book and looked up at him. “Continue what?”
“Why have you stopped taking care of the household?” He stepped closer, the faint scent of ambergris lingering in the air. “Are you still angry about what happened?”
“I’m not angry,” she placed the book aside. “I just don’t want to do it anymore.”
Gabriel narrowed his eyes, his long fingers tapping on the table. “Why?”
‘I’m tired,” she replied calmly. “We have servants. I don’t need to do everything.”
She recalled her previous life, rising before dawn every day.
Gabriel’s coffee had to be exactly 85°C, his sandwiches toasted to golden perfection. The children’s clothes required hand–washing, even their socks needed perfect pressing.
But what did it get her? Nothing but Gabriel’s tenderness toward Natalie, the children’s affection for “Auntie Natalie,” and ultimately, her lonely death alone in that mansion on her sixty–second birthday.
“Cassidy,” his voice grew colder. “If you’re throwing a tantrum, just say so. Don’t act like a three–year–old.”
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Chapter 2
She gave a slight smile. “I’m not throwing a tantrum. I just need a break.”
Before he could respond, the door burst open.
Ethan and Emma charged in, their faces flushed with anger.
‘Mom is so lazy!” Emma shouted shrilly. “We want Auntie Natalie to take care of us!”
Ethan joined in. “Auntie Natalie is more loving, more hardworking, a million times better than you!”
Gabriel’s gaze remained fixed on Cassidy, seemingly waiting for her to back down.
But she just took a deep breath and said quietly, “If you think she’s better, then invite her over. I don’t mind.”
The air instantly froze.
And Gabriel’s expression darkened completely.
‘Are you sure?”
Cassidy took a deep breath. “Absolutely.”
‘Daddy, let’s go!” Emma tugged impatiently at Gabriel’s sleeve. “I want Auntie Natalie to come right now!”
‘Now that we have Auntie Natalie, we don’t need you anymore!” Ethan made a face at Cassidy. “You can leave this
house!”
Gabriel gave Cassidy one last look. Seeing her unmoved, he turned and left with the children, his footsteps heavy.
Cassidy stood motionless, listening to the car engine fade into the distance, and slowly closed her eyes.
Soon, she would grant their wish–leaving them completely, leaving this house forever.
