Page 19

Valeria

I stared in bewilderment at the money spread on the table. Zyon said that Chester won twenty thousand dollars from my three thousand, and it was all there, on my dining desk.

It was my ticket to freedom. Zyon had gifted me my independence, the way out of the hell Chester trapped me in. Twenty thousand was enough to rent an apartment, pay for Zara’s school, and find a nanny to care for her while I was at work. It was more than I ever dared to dream of.

On the other hand, I’d never felt so embarrassed and ashamed of my actions.

Zyon, even unknowingly, saved my ass from an abusive husband while all I ever did was accuse him of horrible things and blackmail him.

His behavior didn’t make sense, but I was extremely thankful for it.

He had no idea how much he helped me. My dignity and pride would never allow me to ask him for anything, but he did it without one word from me.

I would be forever grateful and committed to him for this offer.

However, a tiny voice in my head whispered to me to be cautious because it could be another trap.

Zyon could employ me out of pure deviousness as a punishment for the things he considered my wrongdoings.

He could make me his toy because I would feel bound to him, and he would use me for his entertainment.

But everything looked better than my life with Chester.

And if Zyon decided to bully me, I would survive it, knowing my girl was safe and I was doing it for her .

I packed the money back into the envelope, stored it in my purse, and left to pick up Zara from school.

Initially, I intended to visit the doctor because of my bruised head, but I decided otherwise.

I had to disappear from Chester’s reach before he would return home from the hospital.

His idiotic actions gave me the perfect opportunity to leave him.

So, I swallowed some painkillers and proceeded with the new plan.

“Where are we going, Mommy?” Zara asked from the backseat of my brand-new car, glancing around in awe. I was astonished by the elegant interior, too. Everything was in black leather mixed with crimson red here and there. Every feature was automatic. The car was probably more intelligent than me.

“I need to arrange something, honey,” I replied, looking at her in the rearview mirror as she played with the seatbelt. “I have a new job, and they need me to bring something to the office. You’ll stay with Grandma, okay?”

“Does it mean we’ll move out?” she whispered, staring at me like a deer in headlights. I stopped at the red light, turning to her.

“Move out?” I echoed, watching her closely. Her big, innocent, almost silver eyes scanned my face nervously, and I gently took her tiny hand. “Why are you asking this, Zara?”

“Dad showed up at Grandma’s house the other day,” she said, her eyes watering, making my heart clench.

“He wanted money from her, but she refused to give him any, so he broke some plates and called her nasty names.” She gulped, a tear fell on her cheek, and I squeezed her hand supportively, hating my husband more with every word that left her lips.

“Granny said you should find a new job and move out.”

I sighed heavily, turning back to the front because of the green light.

But the thoughts about my catastrophic marriage didn’t leave me.

I’d hoped Zara didn’t know about Chester’s violent nature.

But he went so far as to abuse his mother while his daughter was with her. He didn’t have any boundaries.

However, it brought another idea to light. Maybe she would help me with Zara after I moved out—that way, I wouldn’t need to hire a stranger to care for my baby girl.

“Zara.” I stopped her when she exited the car and wanted to run to the door where Lisa, my mother-in-law, was already waiting. I crouched before her, noticing how extremely thin she was, and my voice wavered. “We will move out. I promise. ”

“Okay, Mommy. I love you.” She hugged me tightly, bringing tears to my eyes. The feeling of guilt grabbed my heart, and I didn’t want to let go. My poor girl lived in hell with me without me seeing it. It was about time to put an end to our undeserved suffering.

“Thank you, Lisa,” I said sincerely when Zara bolted to the garden to play. My mother-in-law lived in a beautiful, cozy house she built with her husband years ago. She offered Chester and me to stay with her many times after her spouse died, but we always refused.

“Anytime, Valeria.” Lisa gently patted my shoulder, her face reflecting love. We had a great relationship. She was like a mother to me, but I never wanted to drag her between her son and me. Our marriage was our problem, yet she deserved to know the truth this time.

“Chester is in the hospital,” I whispered, checking to make sure Zara wasn’t around. Lisa's eyes broadened in shock, and she prompted me to continue. “He has a dislocated shoulder, some cracked bones, and bruises all over his body. He pissed off someone big time.”

“Money?” Lisa muttered, shaking her head and sighing exasperatedly when I nodded. “It is getting worse, Valeria. What are you planning to do?”

“I’m leaving him,” I admitted, expecting a scolding from her, but to my surprise, she smiled encouragingly.

“Do you need money? Or a place to stay?” she questioned, waving at Zara, who yelled at us from the treehouse to let us know that her friend from the neighbor’s house had joined her.

“I’ve got it covered. Lisa, thank you,” I said, feeling happiness and love toward that woman wash over me. I wouldn’t have thought she would take my side against her son. “But I will need help with Zara. My new job requires work at night.”

“Of course, sweetheart,” she stated sincerely, embracing me. “I’m so sorry,” she muttered into my hair, and I squeezed her in my arms.

“It’s not your fault. I should’ve done it a long time ago.” I pulled away and looked at my girl, playing carefree in the treehouse. “Chester will freak out when he finds out. Zara can’t be around to see it. ”

“He won’t let you go easily. I’m sure you know it,” Lisa uttered, concern written all over her aged face.

“I’m prepared for a fight,” I stated, clenching my palm into a fist just thinking about my husband. “I found an apartment on Staten Island that is available immediately, and tomorrow, I have a meeting with a divorce lawyer. I won’t let Chester ruin my and Zara’s future.”

“I see you have everything sorted out.” Lisa smiled sadly, hugging her torso and hanging her head low. Her grey shoulder-length hair fell into her face, and I noticed her shoulders tremble. She was crying.

“I’m sorry,” I muttered, pulling her into a hug. Chester was an asshole, but he was still her son. “I just can’t live like this anymore. He’s sucking the life out of me. Zara is afraid of him. It’s not healthy for any of us.”

“I understand,” she breathed, pulling away and wiping her eyes. “I only wish I’d raised him better. That’s all.”

“It’s not your fault,” I repeated with all the seriousness I was capable of. “He’s an adult and makes his own choices. You’re not responsible for anything he does.”

Lisa acknowledged my words with a slight nod, yet I knew she was thinking otherwise.

But I didn’t hold her accountable for Chester’s behavior or gambling habits.

He was a forty-five-year-old man who should know that every action had consequences.

He was mistaken if he thought he could behave like a mannerless monkey, and I would bear with him.

I stayed because I didn’t have money, and he scared the shit out of me, but I wasn’t afraid anymore.

The new job and knowledge that Lisa was on my side gave me the strength I needed to fight.

I left Lisa’s house feeling lighter and with a slight smile on my lips. Her pain bothered me, but her support meant the world to me. I thought I was alone, but thankfully, I wasn’t.

In the following hours, I signed the contract for the new three-room apartment and packed all the necessary things from my old home. Clothes, toys, a few flowers, and some paintings were safely stored in boxes, waiting for the moving services to pick them up first thing in the morning.

In the evening, I called Chester to check up on him and find out when the doctors said he would leave the hospital, but he didn’t tell me anything useful.

He barked at me and accused me of not caring for him because I didn’t come to visit him.

He was right, but I played the excellent wife role and apologized, promising I would definitely come tomorrow.

I decided to spend the first night in the new flat alone. The place was calm and empty, furnished only with a queen-sized bed in the bedroom and a sofa in the living room, but I’d already ordered a new bed for Zara, two closets, and a TV.

Zyon gave me enough money to arrange it to my liking, but I didn’t want to invest everything in furniture. I needed to save something just in case the new job blew into my face. One could never know what working for Mr. Zhumagulov would bring.

I quickly showered, grinning happily at my reflection in the mirror.

It’d been a long time since I felt so good.

Like a heavy boulder was lifted from my shoulders.

I knew Chester would rain fire on me for daring to leave him, but I was too ecstatic to care.

It was over. I ran away from his claws, and I would never come back.

My phone ringing disturbed my musing, and I answered it, checking my appearance in the mirror.

It was Alice who had ignored my calls all day, but with her father in the hospital, it was understandable.

Briefly, I told her the news, and she squealed in happiness at my decision.

I gave her my new address, and she promised to visit me soon and catch up.

I had so much to tell her that couldn’t be discussed over the phone.