Nothing Has Ever Changed

“Did you know Amelie is pregnant?!

“She’s having twins! I won't be Daddy's only child anymore! Then I’ll have nothing left!

“Can't you just divorce Daddy and leave already? If you leave, Daddy will come home! Amelie told me she'll treat me like her own son. That way, I’ll be the eldest son and still get to keep everything for myself!

“Stop being so selfish, Mom! You know nobody likes you, so why do you keep clinging to Daddy anyway? Leave for my sake, won’t you?!”

Mateo's voice was sharp and piercing. He made his point very quickly and decisively to Eden.

It was not difficult for her to connect the dots and understand what Amelie’s stomachache was about.

Twins.

“You’re going to be the death of me, Mom!

“I’m going to throw myself off the building if you don’t leave. You want to try me? Daddy is going to hate you, and Granny is going to chase you out!”

Eden was stunned into silence for several seconds. Then, Mateo dropped his toy hammer and ran to the balcony, where he hovered one leg over the ledge with only one hand gripping the railing. His face was contorted with rage and hate.

Eden suddenly lost the strength to speak. She stared at Mateo, who was threatening to end his life just to get rid of her, and felt swept over by a wave of exhaustion and lethargy.

After a long silence, she finally spoke, “Fine, I'll go.”

It was bound to happen sooner or later.

She never planned to stay anyway.

Thereafter, Cedric wore a smile on his face everywhere he went. His usual menacing aura had melted away due to sheer joy.

It was no surprise that any man would be glad to have a few more children.

He was home less often than before, but whenever he did come home, he would bear countless gifts. He would prattle on and on about the things he would do for Eden, even though he never intended to fulfill them, all just to make up for his guilt.

Eden neither exposed him nor played into it.

After a long wait, she finally received a call from a staff member at the orphanage.

“The paperwork for the handover of the orphanage is sorted out. You can start working any time now. When would you like to come in?”

Eden sat on the couch and thought for a moment before answering, “Tomorrow.”

Suddenly, Cedric’s voice came out of nowhere, “What’s tomorrow, Eden? Are you going to be busy?”

He approached and habitually pulled her into his arms.

“Nothing important, just meeting a friend.”

Cedric noted with a nod and was just about to speak when his phone rang. After he answered the call, the look in his eyes shifted dramatically.

After hanging up, he hastily left behind instructions while preparing to leave.

“Eden, there’s something I need to attend to at the office tonight. Make sure you get some rest.

“I’ll be back as soon as I’m done. Once I come back, I’ll take you on a trip, alright? It’ll be just the two of us.”

With that, he turned and left.

He was home for less than five minutes before being called away by Amelie. It went to show how possessive she was.

Eden kept a calm composure until Cedric was out of the house. Then, she slowly got up and started to pack her luggage.

The same night, a package arrived.

She opened it, which contained two divorce certificates.

When she held them in her hands, she felt a heavy, sinking feeling. A month ago, when she first decided to file for divorce, the fact still stung her. Now that it had been finalized and while looking at the certificates, she felt nothing but relief.

The past month had been incredibly tiring. At last, she could get away from all this chaos, leave everything behind quietly, and do something meaningful for once.

Then, she called over Mateo, who had been sulking and ignoring her the entire time. She proceeded to show him the divorce certificates with what seemed like sweet relief.

“Mateo, this is what you wanted.

“Your father and I are divorced, and your father has full custody of you. Amelie will be your new mother soon.”

Mateo had been spewing curses and insults at her for so long. He must be glad to finally get what he wanted.

However, he seemed completely taken aback.

Eden smiled faintly and interpreted his reaction as him being struck silly with joy.

Then, she handed him the divorce certificate and said, “Why don’t you hand this present to your father?

“From now on, you two are free from me.”

With that, she saw no reason to stick around. After carefully putting away her divorce certificate, she dragged her already packed luggage and left the house.

She got into the car and drove away.