Chapter 5

After Eva moved in, Timothy poured all his attention into her. Now that I knew the full truth, I stopped hoping for anything from him. On my way downstairs to get some water, I passed by a door that wasn't fully shut, and through the gap, I heard Eva's voice. "Timothy, I heard that the lucky charm passed down in your family is really powerful. The baby's been kicking me a lot lately and I couldn't sleep well. Can I please wear it?" she asked. The second I heard that, my hand instinctively went to the lucky charm hanging around my neck. It represented the status of the Hayes family's matriarch. Timothy had placed it on me on the day we got married. He told me it would belong to me for the rest of my life, because there would never be another Mrs. Hayes. His voice snapped me out of that memory. Through the narrow gap, I saw him kiss Eva softly on the cheek before saying affectionately, "Sure, I'll get it back from her. You can wear it for now." A sharp pain stabbed through my chest. I couldn't even remember what he once promised me. But it didn't matter. He clearly didn't remember either. I took a step back and was ready to go downstairs, but the sound must've startled Timothy. He came out and looked surprised to see me. After glancing behind him, he quickly pulled me into a corner. "Tessa, you probably heard everything just now," he said, looking a little unsure. But my heart was already numb. After a pause, he finally said it. "Eva's been having trouble sleeping lately, and she's pregnant, too. Could you let her wear the lucky charm for a bit?" I nodded, but right then, a wave of pain hit me. Fighting through it, I said calmly, "I can give it to her, only if you agree to one thing." He only heard the first half of my sentence, and joy lit up his face. He reached out to pull me into his arms, but I smoothly stepped away. He smelled completely like Eva. It made me sick to my stomach. "Tessa, I'm glad you're finally being reasonable. After she gives birth, I'll give the lucky charm back to you. Don't worry, no one can ever take your place." He sounded genuinely pleased. So… he did still remember what the lucky charm meant. I gave a cold, silent laugh. "Don't get too happy yet. Whether she returns it or not doesn't matter. I just need you to sign this." With that, I went upstairs, grabbed the divorce papers, flipped straight to the signature page, and handed them to him. "Don't be angry. Eva's not going to keep it forever. I told you I'll give it back after she gives birth." He coaxed me softly and didn't even glance at the papers when he signed his name. And just like that, with the divorce agreement finally in my hands, the frantic beating of my heart finally settled. I hadn't expected it to be this easy. He smiled at me and said, "I know I've neglected you these past few months. If there's anything you want to buy, just buy it. I'll pay for them." He said it so generously, but I just gave a faint, tight-lipped smile. He probably thought I was just looking for an excuse to get something out of him. That was why he signed the divorce papers so easily. I reached up and removed the lucky charm from around my neck, then handed it to him with a blank expression. Seeing how calm I was, he hesitated for a moment, but still took it and held it tightly in his hand. "Don't worry. It'll go back to you after Eva gives birth." He said it again, like he wanted to make sure I believed him. But I couldn't care less anymore. "She can wear it for as long as she wants." He was so moved that he hugged me on the spot, but I quickly pulled away. He didn't seem to mind. Clutching the lucky charm, he walked straight toward Eva's room. Moments later, I could hear cheers from inside. I just stood there quietly, staring out the window. I would leave this place for good tomorrow and start afresh, leaving the past behind.