Chapter 3

3

My father-in-law waved his hand impatiently. "Fine, fine! If Liam's salary isn't enough, use our pension. If that's still not enough, borrow it from Suri! Just go cook! I'm starving!"

I insisted on getting the cash first. Once the bills were in my hand, I went to work.

It didn't take long for me to finish the meal.

When I put it on the table, they weren't happy.

The in-laws complained it was too greasy. Liam complained there wasn't enough protein. They all agreed I wasn't putting any heart into it like I used to.

"You want more heart? No problem. Pay extra."

That shut them up instantly. My mother-in-law muttered, "What kind of daughter-in-law acts like this... she isn't even divorced yet and she's already stopped working..."

I didn't let that slide. I snapped back, "Old lady, I'm not your daughter-in-law. Miss Rivers over there is your daughter-in-law!"

The mother-in-law glanced at Suri. Her previous affection was gone. She rolled her eyes and mumbled something under her breath.

I couldn't hear the exact words, but I knew they were nasty. Suri threw her fork down, tears welling in her eyes.

Usually, a beautiful woman crying would earn sympathy. But everyone at the table was too annoyed to care. Even Liam didn't look at her.

Suri pouted for a long time, but when she realized Liam wasn't going to comfort her, she looked even more devastated.

What was happening? Liam used to adore her!

I watched the drama while eating a steak I had prepared for myself in my room.

I ate the good meat and gave them the scraps.

Why shouldn't I? Studying is hard work. When Liam questioned me, I answered calmly, "If I don't eat well, I can't study well. If I don't study well, I won't pass the exams. And if I don't pass, I won't divorce you. If you want to stay married, I can start eating what you eat."

Liam had nothing to say to that.

A few days later, the three children came home from their boarding school.

As soon as she walked in, Jade threw herself into Suri's arms.

"Mom, I missed you so much! I have so many secrets to tell you. Do you remember Hunter? He came to see me yesterday. He wants to take me on a trip. He said I'm the love of his life..."

She twisted her body shyly. Suri patted her shoulder encouragingly.

"I support you going on that trip. True love is never wrong. Don't listen to what others say. They're just jealous that you have a man who loves you!"

Jade nodded in agreement.

Suri then looked at me with a smirk.

"I'm right, aren't I, Sienna?"

I nodded. "Oh, absolutely. I was so immature before, trying to break up such a sweet couple. I know better now. If you want to go on a trip with him, I won't stop you."

In my past life, I had refused to let her go away with Hunter. Hunter eventually got bored and dumped her because he couldn't get what he wanted.

She blamed me for that, convinced I had ruined her chance at true love.

The two sons also crowded around Suri, telling her how much they missed her. One said he wanted to drop out to join a gang, and the other said he was the school bully now.

They said their teachers and their "Ex-Mom" didn't understand them. Only their new mom truly supported them.

Yes, they called me "Ex-Mom" and called Suri "Mom."

I guess the father's ex-wife is just an ex-mom to them.

As Liam listened to their nonsense, his frown deepened. Just as he was about to scold them, Suri stopped him.

"Liam, the children have their own minds. Why should we interfere? Whether they want to be a boss or fall in love, we should support them unconditionally. Don't make the same mistakes Sienna did."

Sienna. That was me.

My strictness had made the children resent me. Suri's lack of boundaries made them happy. In my past life, I forced them onto the right path, and they all became successful. In return, they accused me of stealing their dreams.

Fine.

I wanted to see what kind of lives they would lead without me pulling them back from the edge.

I didn't care about these ungrateful brats anymore. But out of a lingering sense of duty, I asked one last thing.

"Liam and I are getting a divorce. Does anyone want to live with me?"

There was total silence.

"No one? Good. Then from now on, we have no relation to each other."