Chapter 9

At seven o'clock the next morning, the massive foyer of the Christian estate was dead silent.

A single, silver Rimowa aluminum suitcase stood upright near the front door, its metallic surface gleaming in the early morning light.

Audrey sat on a high stool at the kitchen island. She was wearing a soft cashmere travel set, her hair pulled back neatly. She held a mug of black coffee, the heat radiating into her palms.

Directly in the center of the marble island, perfectly aligned, sat the brown manila envelope. The words Divorce Settlement were printed in bold black ink across the front.

Resting directly on top of the envelope, pinning it down, was a platinum ring featuring a flawless, five-carat pear-shaped diamond.

Her wedding ring.

Outside, the crunch of tires on the driveway broke the silence. The heavy engine of a luxury SUV idled, then shut off.

A few seconds later, the electronic keypad on the front door beeped. The heavy door swung open.

Willow walked in, dragging her feet. She was followed closely by Colton's private driver, who was carrying her overnight bag.

Willow stopped in the foyer. She stared at the silver Rimowa suitcase, her brow furrowing in confusion. She ignored it and walked straight into the kitchen.

She looked at Audrey, her face twisted into a scowl of pure exhaustion and entitlement.

"Kelsey's guest bed is too soft," Willow complained loudly, dropping her coat onto the floor. "My back hurts. Go run the bath for me. Make sure the water is hot."

Audrey slowly lowered her coffee mug. The ceramic base clicked sharply against the marble countertop.

She looked at Willow. Her eyes were completely hollow, devoid of the maternal warmth that had defined her existence for the past ten years. She looked at the girl as if she were a stranger on the subway.

"I am not running your bath, Willow," Audrey said. Her voice was quiet, steady, and terrifyingly cold. "I am not doing anything for you. Ever again."

Willow's mouth dropped open. The sheer finality in Audrey's tone pierced through her bratty exterior. Her face flushed red with sudden, defensive anger.

"Why are you always so mean? !" Willow screamed, her voice echoing off the high ceilings. "You're just jealous! I wish Kelsey was my real mom! She's a thousand times better than you!"

The words hung in the air, vicious and cruel.

Audrey didn't flinch. She didn't gasp. Instead, a short, dry laugh escaped her lips.

She stood up from the stool. She looked down at Willow, her expression completely detached.

"As you wish," Audrey said softly. "From this moment on, you are free."

Audrey turned her back on her daughter. She didn't look at the diamond ring. She didn't look at the envelope. She walked straight out of the kitchen, her footsteps echoing sharply on the hardwood floor.

Willow's anger faltered. A sudden, cold spike of panic hit her chest. She turned her head and looked at the kitchen island.

She saw the brown envelope. She saw the words Divorce Settlement. And she saw the massive diamond ring sitting on top of it.

Even at ten years old, Willow knew exactly what a discarded wedding ring meant.

The color drained from Willow's face. She spun around and ran toward the foyer.

Audrey was already at the front door, her hand wrapped around the handle of the Rimowa suitcase.

"Where are you going? !" Willow yelled, her voice trembling with genuine fear now. "Are you leaving? Are you abandoning me? !"

Audrey paused with her hand on the doorknob. She didn't turn around. She only turned her head slightly, offering Willow a profile carved from ice.

"You abandoned yourself, Willow," Audrey said. "Good luck."

Audrey pushed the heavy door open and stepped out into the freezing morning air.

A massive, black Maybach sedan was idling in the driveway. A driver in a sharp suit immediately stepped forward, took her suitcase, and opened the rear door for her.

Audrey slid into the back seat. The heavy door slammed shut, instantly cutting off the sound of Willow crying in the doorway.

The Maybach began to glide smoothly down the driveway. Audrey didn't look back at the mansion. She didn't look back at her daughter.

She pulled her phone from her pocket. She opened her contacts, selected Colton's number, and hit Block. She did the same for Willow's number, and then for the mansion's landline.

She locked the screen and leaned back against the leather seat, staring straight ahead as the car carried her toward Manhattan.