Chapter 2

Jennifer stopped managing the household after the divorce agreement was signed. She no longer woke up at five in the morning to make nutritious breakfasts for the kids, nor stayed up late to tend to Leonard's drunken self after his business dinners. All the chores she once took for granted as her duty were now handed over to the household staff. No one noticed anything unusual at first. Then, Yannick was late for school and scolded by his teacher, Yvonne couldn't find her homework notebook, and Leonard's pocket watch stopped ticking. The household staff scrambled to fix things, but no one could meet the standard Jennifer had upheld. Dirty dishes piled up in the kitchen, toys were scattered across the living room, and ironed shirts were never crisp enough. The household, which had once been impeccably organized, was now slipping into chaos. When Leonard pushed open the bedroom door, Jennifer was leaning by the window, reading a book. Sunlight streamed through the sheer curtains, casting shadows over her figure. "How long are you planning to keep this up?" Leonard asked from the doorway in a low tone. Jennifer closed her book and looked up. "I'm not doing anything." "Then why are you ignoring everything at home?" Leonard stepped closer, and the faint whiff of cologne could be smelled. "Are you still mad about what happened last time?" Jennifer placed the book aside and replied, "I'm not mad. I just don't want to bother anymore." Leonard narrowed his eyes and tapped his finger on the table. "Why?" Jennifer said calmly, "I'm tired. We have staff at home, so there's no reason I need to do all of this." She recalled how she would get up before dawn every day in her past life. Leonard's coffee had to be precisely 185 degrees Fahrenheit, and his sandwiches had to be toasted to a golden, crisp perfection. The children's clothes had to be hand-washed, and their socks were always ironed perfectly smooth. And what did she get in return? Leonard was only gentle toward Samantha, and the children got closer and closer to Aunt Sam. And on her 62nd birthday, she died alone. Leonard said coldly, "Jennifer, if you're upset, just say it. Don't act like a child." Jennifer had a wry smile on her face. "I'm not upset. I just want to rest." Before she even finished speaking, the door was flung open. Yannick and Yvonne burst in angrily. Yvonne shouted, "Mom's too lazy! We want Aunt Sam to take care of us!" "She's gentler, works harder, and is a million times better than you!" Yannick chimed in. Leonard's gaze stayed fixed on Jennifer's face, as if he were waiting for her to yield. But she simply took a deep breath and said softly, "If you all think she's better, then bring her here. I don't mind." The place went completely silent. Leonard's expression darkened completely. "Are you sure?" Jennifer took another deep breath. "I'm very sure." Yvonne eagerly tugged at Leonard's sleeve. "Let's go, Dad! I want Aunt Sam to come right now!" Yannick made a face at her. "We don't need you anymore if she's coming! Just leave! Get out of this house!" Leonard looked at Jennifer one last time. When he saw the indifferent look on her face, he turned and left with the children. Jennifer stood where she was, listening to the sound of the car engine fade into the distance before she slowly closed her eyes. Very soon, she would give them what they wanted. She would leave them all and leave this household behind.