Chapter 5 Once Again Became the One Left Behind
"For her, I gave up the researcher position that was almost mine. I gave up the study abroad opportunity my advisor recommended. I gave up all social activities and work that might have affected taking care of her. And what did I get?"
"What did I get?" she asked again.
As she continued, her voice trembled, as if she wanted to pour out all the grievances she had bottled up over the years.
"What I got was, on my birthday, my daughter telling everyone there that someone else deserved to be her mother more than me! What I got was you, fully knowing it would hurt me, still choosing my birthday party to celebrate another woman's success and even asking me to toast her!"
"Vincent, I'm not made of iron. I get tired too. I get hurt. I even question whether these past six years were even worth it at all!"
Vincent froze.
He had never heard Daisy say so much in one breath, nor had he ever seen her express her long-suppressed pain so openely.
He felt uncomfortable and thought her making such a scene here was undignified.
But just as the words were about to leave his mouth, he met Daisy's eyes.
They were misty with tears. Seeing her like that, his words got stuck in his throat.
The lounge area was quiet. Ethan had already excused himself when they started talking.
Vincent let out a soft sigh. Just as he was about to say something to comfort her, his phone rang. He glanced at the screen. It was Vanessa.
He answered immediately, "Hello, Nessa?"
Vanessa's weak voice came through, broken and unsteady, with what sounded like other people speaking in the background.
"Vince, where are you? My stomach... it hurts so bad. I think I drank something cold earlier. Can you come and take me to the hospital?"
Vincent frowned. "Does it hurt badly? Don't move. I'll be right there."
He hung up and looked at Daisy, his tone rushed and impatient. "Nessa's not feeling well. I need to take her to the hospital."
He added, "Just calm down on your own. Luna's still waiting for you at home. Don't disappoint her."
Without waiting for her response. He turned and strode away, his figure quickly disappearing into the stairwell.
Daisy stood there, staring in the direction he had disappeared, motionless.
The emotions that had just surged up had nowhere to go, as if she had been venting to a mirror.
This was her husband. As long as another woman needed him, he could leave without hesitation, completely forgetting that he had come here to take her home.
Things like this had happened countless times over the past six years.
Daisy let out a self-mocking laugh.
"Are you okay?" Ethan walked over.
Daisy slowly exhaled and forced a smile. "I'm fine. Sorry you had to see that."
"I've already seen enough," Ethan said dryly. Then he handed her a business card. "Let's find another time to properly discuss the investment."
"Tomorrow morning at ten?" Daisy suggested.
"Sure, just come directly to my company." After a pause, Ethan added, "Do you need a ride home?"
"No need." Daisy shook her head. "I can manage on my own."
Daisy didn't go back to the Blacks'. After deciding to divorce Vincent, she had no intention of returning. Going back would only mean being a free nanny, ordered around as it was expected.
After some thought, she went back to quickly pack a few things, then drove to an upscale neighborhood in the western part of the city and knocked on her best friend Shawn Collins' door.
Shawn came to the door in pajamas, her hair messy. Seeing Daisy, she paused for a moment before her eyes widened. "Dais? What are you... doing here at this hour? Come in, quick!"
When she noticed the small suitcase in Daisy's hand, Shawn gasped. "Hey, what happened? Did you and Vincent fight? Did he kick you out?"
As she spoke, she pulled Daisy inside and shut the door.
The house smelled faintly of fast food and paint. Shawn's family ran an investment trading company, and she herself was a freelance illustrator with a reversed sleep schedule. This was her most active time.
"He didn't kick me out. I just don't want to go back anymore." Daisy set down her suitcase, took off her heels, and stepped barefoot onto the soft carpet.
Here, her constantly tense nerves finally relaxed, and the heavy weight pressing on her heart lifted.
This feeling of being tired yet relaxed was hard to describe. As soon as she came in, she collapsed onto the sofa.
Seeing her like this, Shawn snapped her fingers and went straight to the wine cabinet. She opened two bottles of red wine and placed glasses in front of Daisy.
"Come on, tell me what happened. Is it because of that Vanessa again?"
Daisy smiled bitterly. "Not entirely because of her. Mainly it's me. I'm tired. I want a divorce."
Shawn had known about her situation for a long time. She put an arm around Daisy's shoulders. "Divorce him. You must. Why keep a man like that? If you ask me, you're divorcing him too late!"
"If he hadn't held you back, you'd probably have your PhD by now. Who knows how many papers you'd have published!"
Daisy leaned on Shawn's shoulder, her nose tingling.
"Did he try to stop you?" Shawn asked.
"He didn't take it seriously at all. Let's not talk about him. Today I went to see my senior, Ethan, and he might be willing to invest in my project."
As she spoke, Daisy picked up her wine glass and took a big gulp.
The red wine went down her throat, a tingling sensation spreading through her chest. She suddenly felt free and drained the glass.
"Ethan? That handsome senior whose family owns a pharmaceutical company?" Shawn's eyes lit up as she raised her glass. "That's great news!"
"You know what? Right now, you should forget all those terrible men for now and focus on your career. Need help? I may not understand your high-tech stuff, but I'll talk to my dad and get him to invest in you."
"You don't have a place to stay right now, right? Perfect. Stay here. It'll liven up the place."
Daisy felt warmth in her heart.
"Shawn, thank you."
"What are you thanking me for?" Shawn refilled her glass. "Come on, let's drink till we drop tonight! Let's celebrate our Chief Expert Daisy's glorious return, focusing on making money and making that terrible couple furious!"
The glasses clinked with a crisp sound.
-
In the hospital emergency room.
Vanessa lay on the hospital bed, her face still pale, but at least she was stable now.
The doctor went over precautions while Vincent stood by the bed, somewhat distracted.
His phone lay quietly in his pocket with no new calls or messages. He called the butler to ask if Daisy had gone home. The butler said she had returned once to pack and then left again.
She hadn't even checked on their daughter.
This was really... too much, he thought. She wasn't a child anymore, yet she was acting like one, running away from home.