From Neglected Wife to CEO’s Obsession novel Chapter 101

Mom always said raising someone else’s child is a thankless task. If that child grows up and leaves, well, that’s just fate. But the worst is when all that love ends up turning into resentment.

Cindy, the daughter I loved with everything I had, was never really mine.

It’s not that I let her go. She’s the one who’s choosing to walk away from me.

Kailynn passed me a tissue. I wiped my face, trying to pull myself together. My voice came out steady, even though my heart was a mess. “Cindy, you’re grown now. You know what you want. I was wrong earlier, and it won’t happen again. I won’t get in the way of your choices anymore. I won’t be your mom anymore. Don’t cry. Go home.”

I turned and walked off before I could take it back.

Remy’s voice followed me, urgent and pleading. “Avery, please, you have to believe me. There’s a reason for everything I’ve done—it was all to protect you. Give me half a year, and I’ll tell you everything.”

I stopped, a sharp ache stabbing through my chest. I looked back, forcing a cold, sarcastic smile. “What’s this, Mr. Swanson? Got your memory back? Dropping the act now?”

Remy’s face went gray and lifeless, like all the color had been drained out of him. His eyes were dark and haunted, full of pain I couldn’t even begin to understand, and the shame of being called out in front of everyone.

“Remy, whatever we had is over. Let’s leave it at that. If you won’t sign the papers, that’s fine. There are plenty of lawyers out there—I’ll find someone to take my divorce case.”

I turned away, and only when the elevator doors slid shut behind me did that burning sensation between my shoulder blades finally fade.

I held it together until I got into my office. The second I closed the door, my back suddenly felt so heavy I couldn’t stand straight anymore. I curled up on the couch, the pain in my chest making me feel small and breakable.

Cindy’s words had cut right to my core. It felt like my whole world was coming apart.

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