A woman who loses her favor and crumbles is just that—a woman defeated.
"You all have a good time celebrating," I said with a bitter smile. "Excuse me."
Without waiting for a response, I turned and left the company.
Behind me, their laughter echoed, unabashed and cutting.
"Did she leave because she's upset?"
"Let her be. She'll come around."
"Women like her just need a little coaxing when the time comes. We've known her since forever—she's as predictable as they come."
Their words trailed behind me like ghosts, each one etching itself into my mind.
***
Back at home, Nora didn’t waste any time.
She sent me dozens of photos from the party—each one flaunting her position as the princess adored by Gerald and Daniel.
I stared at the images coldly before deleting them, along with her contact information.
Then, with quiet determination, I grabbed a suitcase and began packing. A few clothes, my essentials—just enough to get by.
Before leaving, I made one final call.
It was to a trusted friend, asking her to release the video I’d prepared at the company’s fan meeting tomorrow.
With that, I left the house, the weight of years spent under their control finally lifting.
Sitting in the airplane seat as it took off, I exhaled deeply, relief washing over me.
It was all over now.
Gerald, Daniel—you thought I couldn’t leave you.
But the truth is, without me, you will crumble.
Meanwhile, Gerald and Daniel were still indulging Nora late into the night.
Drunk and boisterous, she clung to them as they stumbled into the house, her laughter filling the space.
“I drank too much,” Nora cooed. “I’m thirsty... I want honey water.”
Daniel, ever eager to please her, immediately turned toward my room and shouted, “Hannah! Didn’t you hear that? Nora’s thirsty! Hurry up and make her some honey water!”
He waited, expecting a response.
But silence greeted him instead.
Nora giggled, feigning concern. “You two, really... She must be upset! How could you gamble about her in front of everyone? Poor Hannah, what if her fragile little heart breaks?”
Gerald smirked, waving off her comment.
“Don’t worry,” he said confidently. “She’s not that fragile. Watch—give me a minute and I’ll have her downstairs, making your honey water in no time.”
Stumbling up the stairs, he swaggered toward my room, flinging the door open.
“Hannah!” he called out, his voice still tinged with amusement. “Didn’t you want a vacation? Fine, I’ll be generous. Three days—take three days off. How about that?”
The silence that followed was deafening.
His drunken bravado faltered as he realized the room was empty.
Not just empty—bare.
Gone were the small traces of my presence.
He rubbed his eyes, disbelief washing over him. Ever since I’d lived with them, I had never stayed out overnight.
“Where... is she?” he muttered, his tone shifting from confusion to frustration.
His anger flared instantly, his brows knitting together in disbelief.
“You’ve got some nerve staying out overnight!” he growled. Pulling out his phone, he dialed my number.
The robotic voice that greeted him was like a slap to the face.
“The number you have dialed is no longer in service.”
His grip tightened on the phone as the realization hit.
“She blocked me? She blocked me?!”
Fury surged through him as he cursed loudly at the empty room.
“Hannah! If you have the guts, don’t come back! And when you do come crawling back, don’t think we’ll forgive you!”
Slamming the door shut, he stormed downstairs, his frustration palpable.
***
Nora looked up at him, feigning innocence.
“Hannah didn’t come back?” she asked, her tone laced with mock curiosity.
Daniel leaned back on the sofa, smirking.
“Where could she go?” he scoffed. “At this hour, she’s probably curled up in some dingy hotel room, crying her eyes out.”
Their laughter echoed through the house, full of arrogance and confidence that I’d come crawling back.
But they didn’t realize—this time, I wasn’t coming back.
This time, I was done being their puppet.
