Chapter 4

I didn't answer my mother. I only gave the three of them a cold look, turned, and walked straight into holding.

I knew that from that day on, the mother who had loved me was long gone.

And I would have to face all of it alone.

What she didn't know was that while I was in holding, I'd already requested a phone call, and that call, of course, went to my father.

After I told him where I was and what had happened, he said right away that he would come back immediately.

"Ava, I'm so sorry."

"Back when your mother and I divorced, she promised she'd take good care of you. That's the only reason I left."

"I never imagined she'd treat you like this."

His words came fast down the line.

He told me he would come get me the moment he could.

"Dad, I don't even have a job anymore."

I said it into the phone.

When he heard that, he told me not to worry.

He told me that over the years he'd built a company, and everything he had was mine.

"Ava, the truth is, I reached out to your mother a few years ago."

"She told me back then that you were doing well, and asked me not to disturb you."

"But every month, I sent your mother money."

At that, I froze.

My mother had never told me any of this.

In that moment, I just stood there, stunned.

"Sweetheart, don't worry. I'm coming home right now."

With that, he hung up.

And once the call ended, I finally felt calmer.

It was only a week of administrative detention, so all I had to do was sit quietly in holding for a week.

What I didn't expect was that the very next day, I'd see my boss.

He came to holding, and he brought a termination agreement.

"Ava, the company has no choice. You made a mistake, so you have to be let go."

"As for all the results you brought in before, those are voided too."

I nodded and said, "Understood, sir."

I knew this was Nora and my boss's doing.

I'd closed the deal, and the company was supposed to give me a decent share. Now that I was the one at fault, there was no chance they'd pay me a single commission.

He'd saved himself a large sum.

And Nora had walked away with the project lead position.

I said nothing more and signed the agreement.

Then I went back into holding.

Over the next few days, my mother came to see me almost every day, but I refused to see her every time.

As for her, I was done. Completely.

My father arrived at holding on the third day. He told me he'd be waiting outside, and the moment I was released, he'd take me away.

I gladly accepted.

Finally, on the day I got out, my father was there to take me the moment I walked free.

I brought him straight home, packed everything up, and left with him.

At the airport, I opened my phone and happened to see it on the screen: my mother having a meal with Nora and Lance.

I smiled and gave the post a like.

When it came to my mother, I couldn't be bothered anymore.

But I hadn't expected that the moment I liked her post, her call came through.

"Ava, you're out?"

"I'm having lunch with your Uncle Lance. Go home and think about what you've done. I've already spoken to Nora. She'll arrange for you to come back to work at the company."

I smiled and said, "No need."

"Ava, what's that supposed to mean? Are you still angry?"

"Wait till I get home. I'll set you straight."

My mother shouted at me, furious.

I only said, cold and flat, "By the time you get home, I won't be there for you to see."