Chapter 4
When I chose to marry Mason, I never imagined it would end like this.
It was chaotic, and I was exhausted.
When I was still a small–time actress, he knelt on one knee and proposed, offering me a contract from the top film company as part of his proposal.
But we actually held our wedding after my fame exploded.
At that time, I believed it was his deep love for me.
I thought he was willing to stand in my shoes and consider things from my perspective.
It was his way of showing the world that I had become a big star through my own efforts.
So, I was deeply grateful for his support and took the huge risk of announcing our marriage when I was at the peak of my fame.
But now, it seemed that all he wanted was to show Harper, who was far across the world, just how exceptional and desirable his new wife
was.
He wanted her to see how devoted I was, even willing to sacrifice my career for him.
I was lost in my thoughts.
I remember the first night he stayed out all night after we got married. I was frantic at home, unable to focus on my tight schedule and only thinking about confirming his safety.
Eventually, after a sleepless night, I waited until Mason stumbled in, completely drunk.
Without hesitation, I canceled two appointments so that I could take care of him and tend to his needs without a second thought.
I have never forgotten that evening.
The golden sunlight of the setting sun poured onto the bed.
Mason, who had just woken up from a deep sleep, instinctively pulled me closer and embraced me.
“Charlotte, let’s have a baby, okay?”
I agreed.
And so, we had Anna.
But when I later learned the truth, I realized that the reason he stayed out all night was because Harper kissed another man abroad.
His desire for a child was nothing more than a manifestation of his growing desire for revenge against her.
2/5
Chapter 4
From the beginning to the end, he never had an ounce of genuine affection for me–only manipulation.
The plane flew across the twilight line.
Outside the window, everything turned pitch black.
I held Anna, who had fallen into a deep sleep, and swallowed the overwhelming bitterness in my heart.
XXXXX
Because Anna’s cold hadn’t fully recovered, the thirty–hour journey was much easier than I had imagined.
For the most part, she obediently slept under the effects of the cold medicine.
Even when she woke up, she would quietly listen to the storybooks I had downloaded for her in advance.
When we landed in Acria, the agent I had contacted earlier was already waiting at the airport.
“Why the sudden change in plans?” he joked. “Luckily, I had some free time today. Otherwise, I’d have to let two beautiful ladies like you fall into the hands of my most detestable competitor.”
He said this lightheartedly, and as usual, he guided us toward the baggage claim area.
3/5
Chapter 4
“I guessed you’d have a lot of luggage, so I specially arranged two trolleys for you.”
I looked at him and smiled politely, “No.”
“Hmm? What?“.
“We don’t have any luggage, so please just take us to the
accommodation.”
The agent looked surprised but tactfully didn’t comment further.
Instead, he suggested taking us to the largest local supermarket.
56
After we had bought all the necessary daily supplies, we headed back to the place I had already arranged.
The new place wasn’t big, but it was completely different from the cold, lonely home we had left behind.
Anna loved it. As soon as we walked in, she rolled around on the long, fluffy carpet in the living room, chuckling so hard she almost fell over.
Seeing her so happy, I finally let go of the tension I’d been carrying for over thirty hours.
The long journey, thousands of kilometers, had all been for her
smile.
Chapter 4
For both of us, leaving Mason inevitably meant a drop in the quality of life.
But I couldn’t bear to continue humiliating myself in front of him, willing to be a tool he could discard at any moment.
5/5
I couldn’t stand the idea of my young child and me not even receiving the basic respect we deserved.
I stroked her head, patiently teaching her a new word. “Mommy…”
Anna smiled but didn’t say anything.
Instead, she leaned in and kissed me on the cheek.
I touched her head and smiled in return.
