Twelve Years Later, His Canary Flew Away

I wrapped my arms around myself, curling into a ball in the darkness.

The truth was, I could live without him.

I was not the canary he spoke of, not some pretty vase, not a woman incapable of surviving on her own.

In fact, it was the other way around. Ever since we were kids, whenever I chose a different path from him, he would grow restless and agitated, and my presence was the only thing that could calm him.

So I moved forward with my own plans, quietly becoming his only safe harbor, all while being careful not to challenge his position.

Soren wasn't wrong. He had always been part of my life's plan.

As long as he didn't cross a line, I was willing to compromise for the sake of our love.

But that didn't mean I was a doormat.

I wiped my tears and tore up every document related to our Northern Europe escape plan.

He had his ambition, and I had my principles.

From now on, I would pay his decisions no mind.

Just as I composed myself, my phone rang.

It was Marco, Soren's right-hand man.

"Abby, the Boss sent me to pick you up. There's an important gathering tonight."

I hung up on him.

A second call. A third.

Finally, Marco sent a voice message. "Stop being childish. Monica saved you a seat. It's a big night, and it's rude of you not to show up."

A few minutes later, a message from Monica herself arrived.

"Abby, darling, I heard you weren't feeling well. I'm so sorry for taking up Soren's time."

"If you'd like, we can talk alone sometime. I don't want our family alliance to affect our friendship."

Her acting was flawless. It made my stomach turn.

Before I could delete the message, the group chat I shared with Soren lit up.

"What's her problem? Can't stand to see the Boss with another woman?"

"Honestly, with the Boss's status now, she should know better."

"Acting all jealous and petty like this... that's not what a smart woman does."

I don't know if they forgot I was in the group chat or simply didn't care, disrespecting me so openly.

I was about to start cursing them out when a message from Soren popped up.

"Abby, what the hell are you trying to do? Monica is asking why you're not here. What am I supposed to say?"

"You're embarrassing me in front of everyone."

"Abby, I'm saying this one last time. Things just run smoother when you're not around, so Monica doesn't have to awkwardly make excuses for you. Disappearing like this makes the alliance look weak."

"Besides, have you made up your mind? This opportunity in Italy is a once-in-a-lifetime shot. I need a definitive answer from you before the party ends tonight."

I stared at the messages, and suddenly, something became clear.

For him to say such hurtful things so easily meant he didn't care about me at all anymore.

With that, I stood up and walked to the safe, entering the code.

Inside were the asset transfer documents I had been secretly preparing for years, and a one-way ticket to Northern Europe.

Originally, I had bought two.

Now, I could go alone.

I opened my phone's settings and, one by one, blocked Soren and every single one of his men.

Then I changed the access codes to all the properties we shared.

Today was the day I took back my freedom.

I'd actually considered Monica a friend when she first appeared, posing as an art buyer.

"Abby, your work has so much soul. I'd like to acquire a few pieces. Price is no object."

Back then, Soren had even warned me that Monica looked like trouble and that I shouldn't get too close to her.

I made a real effort to smooth things over between them.

But then came the charity auction, where Monica shed her modest coat to reveal a stunning blood-red gown.

Soren never told me to stay away from her again.