Chapter 4
"Who cares?" I said coolly.
In my past life, I never stayed married to Zhou Zeyu for the sake of being Mrs. Zhou.
It was because of blood ties—our son.
"Pack your things and get out of my house!" Zhou Zeyu growled, hurling the signed divorce papers at me.
I had already packed.
I'd been ready for this moment for a long time.
Quietly, methodically, I'd prepared every detail of my exit.
I turned and went upstairs.
Zhou Yiran—Ethan—had come home from school with Zhou Zeyu. Word had it his teacher told him to reflect at home for two days before returning to class.
He'd been hiding in the corner, eavesdropping.
As I reached the top of the stairs, I heard his footsteps behind me.
"Are you really divorcing Dad?" he asked, his voice uncertain.
"Happy about it?" I replied mildly, hauling my luggage. "No one will be in charge of you anymore. You can do whatever you like."
"Aren't you afraid that once you and Dad get divorced… no one will want you?"
I looked at him, amused.
"Who told you no one would want me?"
"Grandma and Dad. They said you're not good enough for Dad. That no one would want you after the divorce. And that you don't even dare to divorce him."
I couldn't help but laugh.
I'd already seen Zhou Zeyu for who he truly was. I just hadn't expected his mother to be so two-faced.
She'd always put on an act—playing the kind elder, criticizing her son's flaws in front of me, pretending to acknowledge my sacrifices in raising Ethan.
But behind the scenes? She saw me as a free babysitter. Nothing more.
It didn't matter anymore.
None of them did.
"If you promise not to care about me anymore," Ethan said seriously, "and not care about Dad or Auntie Lin either, I'll go help you beg Dad. Maybe then he won't divorce you."
"No need." I touched his head gently. "Take care of yourself, okay?"
Because from this moment on, his life would no longer include me.
I picked up my suitcases and walked out the door.
I didn't look back.
I moved into a fully furnished apartment I had rented in advance.
It was near A University.
I was planning to go back to school—to pursue graduate studies.
Zhou Zeyu and I had been classmates in college. I'd given up my place in a prestigious graduate program to help him start his business.
Later, after our son was born, I focused entirely on our family.
But deep down, I always regretted never getting my master's.
Or my doctorate.
Now, after being reborn, I finally understood—
You have to live for yourself.
No one else will.
The day after I left the Zhou family villa, Lin Yaqi posted something on her Moments feed.
She had added me on WeChat back when I still attended company events with Zhou Zeyu. She once complimented my earrings, so I shared the link.
Later, I saw her wearing a pair just like mine—only hers hadn't been purchased.
Zhou Zeyu had given them to her.
Now, her post read:
"Poverty limits my imagination. Is this backyard meant for playing soccer?"
She'd attached a photo of the Zhou family's massive garden.
The message was clear:
She was no longer the hidden mistress.
She had officially taken my place.
I gave her post a like, just for show.
Bitch and dog, what a perfect match.