The next day, I went to see Erving with the divorce papers in hand. He was busy helping Anya plan her art exhibition.
He personally handled even the smallest details—proof enough of how much she meant to him.
I placed the document on his desk. Without even glancing at it, he picked up his pen and signed his name.
As I took the papers back, my chest tightened painfully. I clenched my fists and said coldly, “Erving, my mom is gone. All because of you—”
“I know.” He cut me off without looking up. “Anya suddenly felt dizzy that day. It was an emergency. I didn’t have a choice.”
He said it so casually, as if the person who died wasn’t his mother-in-law but some stranger who had nothing to do with him.
Then he added, “You can fill in any amount you want for compensation. If it’s not enough, let me know.”
I froze, staring at him in disbelief.
So that’s what he thought—I came here for money?
In his mind, my mother’s life could be erased and replaced by a few numbers on a check?
Before I could speak, the office door opened softly.
Anya walked in.
The moment he saw her, Erving stood up and hurried over to steady her, his tone instantly gentle. “Why didn’t you wait for me in the studio? Don’t come over here by yourself again.”
Then he turned back to me, introducing her as naturally as if we were all family. “I’ve decided to have Anya move into the villa. She’s not in good health. It’ll be easier for me to take care of her if she’s close by.”
In an instant, my blood turned to ice.
I remembered years ago when he bought that villa, holding my hand as we walked through every room. He’d smiled and said, ‘This is the home I built for us. Everything’s arranged the way you like it. Only you, me, and your mom will live here.’
And now, he was bringing in the woman indirectly responsible for my mother’s death!
“What if I say no?” I asked.
His expression darkened immediately. He instinctively pulled Anya behind him. “Mandy, why are you being so petty? Anya saved my life. If she hadn’t pushed me out of the way back then, I would’ve been the one in the hospital. She’s sick now. What’s wrong with letting her stay here?”
Right on cue, Anya’s eyes reddened. She even pretended to leave. “Erving, am I causing trouble? Maybe I should just go back to the studio. I’ll be fine on my own.”
“Don’t go.” He stopped her and shot me a sharp glare filled with disappointment. “How far are you going to push her? I don’t need your permission for this, Mandy.”
Then, he turned to his assistant. “James, go prepare a room.”
With that, he led Anya away. As they brushed past me, I caught the fleeting smirk at the corner of her lips.
When I returned to the villa, there was already a suitcase sitting in the entryway—hers.
I pretended not to notice and went straight to my mom’s old room.
I wanted to look through her belongings. But the moment I stepped in, I realized the amethyst necklace from her bedside table was missing.
That necklace had been a gift from my dad, a symbol of their love. Mom had worn it until the day she died. It meant everything to her.
I looked for the personal assistant. He hesitated before reporting, “This afternoon, only Ma’am Anya went into that room. She said she wanted to look at Ma’am Georgia’s things… for artistic inspiration.”
Before he could finish, I was already heading for the living room.
There she was, sitting gracefully on the couch, her fingers stroking the amethyst necklace now resting against her neck. She smiled brightly. “Erving, this necklace is beautiful. It suits me perfectly.”
“Give it back to me!” I shouted, rushing over and reaching for it.
But Erving moved fast, shoving me away before I could lay a finger on that woman.
The impact made me stumble and crash into the coffee table, pain shooting through my elbow.
He held Anya protectively in his arms, glaring at me. “What the hell are you doing?!”
Anya flinched, her eyes filling with tears. “Mandy, I’m sorry… I just thought the necklace had an artistic feel. I didn’t mean to take it. I’ll give it back right now…”
She started to remove it, but Erving stopped her hand.
“No need.” He frowned at me, irritation flashing in his eyes, tinged with contempt. “It’s just a necklace. The diamond ones I’ve bought you cost far more than this. Mandy, do you really have to act so greedy and fight with Anya over it?”
Then, he remembered the divorce papers earlier that morning, his tone grew even colder. “I already signed your settlement. If the money’s not enough, just say so. Now, stop embarrassing yourself here.”
I stood there frozen, tears spilling down uncontrollably.
In the past, he would’ve dropped everything to comfort me. But now, he didn’t even glance my way.
He just took Anya’s hand and led her upstairs.
His final words were brutal. “Don’t be afraid. With me here, she won’t dare do anything.”
The vast living room felt unbearably empty.
From upstairs came that familiar gentle coaxing voice of his, only this time, the one he was comforting wasn’t me.
I reached into my pocket and caressed the divorce papers, then slowly closed my eyes.
‘Thank god,’ I thought, ‘Just nine more days, and I’ll finally be free.’
