Chapter 4
Back at the church, both his phone and SIM card had been destroyed.
At first, he’d intended to let Estela know–she was still his wife,
after all.
But lately, it seemed all the special treatment he’d given her over the years had gone to her head.
A little lesson wouldn’t hurt.
Unaware of any of this, Estela slept soundly through the night.
The next morning, she returned to the Leon Group and submitted her resignation.
It went through without a hitch.
When Vance had placed her in the company, it was a low- level, nominal role. No one really knew her true identity.
So once she completed her handover, she could leave cleanly.
When word got out, a coworker remarked with a knowing smile, “Must be for your kids, huh? They’re what, four? Five? That age clings to their mom like glue. You always had their pictures on your desk–and that necklace with their little faces on it. You’ve always treated them like treasures.”
Estela paused.
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She had loved Vance–deeply. And naturally, she loved the two children they had together. Even now, separated by cities, she still cared deeply for Rowena and Josh.
But.
She shook her head, offering a small smile. “It’s not about them.”
And that was the truth.
The Leon Group was massive and well–connected internationally, but its focus–construction and real estate–was never her passion.
Before, as Vance’s wife, she hadn’t questioned it. The
expectations from the Leon family left little room for her own ambitions.
But now that she had chosen to leave him, she needed to choose her own future.
Her gaze drifted to her phone, where a headline flashed across the screen. [National Heritage Expo: The Fragrant Arts.]
Perfume blending. Coffee ceremony. Modern erpretations of traditional craftsmanship.
omething about it caught her eye.
Without hesitation, she texted her cousin, Wilford Warren: [Any chance you can get me a ticket to this event?]
He responded almost instantly. [Of course. But aren’t you always too busy? Between the Leon family and the kids, when do you ever have time for this kind of thing?]
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[I do now.] Estela replied calmly. [I’m divorced.]
There was a pause.
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[Wait–seriously?] Wilford’s response came with a stunned breath. [You actually divorced into that Leon family?]
The same Leon family who had built a private rooftop amusement park in the heart of Zrefast–just for their grandchildren. No outsiders allowed.
Back when Estela’s parents died, the only reason the Leon family even considered the marriage was because her grandfather Keven Warren had once done them a great favor.
Otherwise, no way would they have let Vance marry the daughter of a university professor.
Even if that professor’s father was none other than Keven–the renowned scholar of classical arts.
[If it doesn’t feel right, walk away.] Estela replied lightly, with a
smile.
Wilford couldn’t tell if he admired her courage or pitied her choices. Maybe a bit of both.
Wilford: [But… what about Rowena and Josh? Can you really let them go?]
Estela glanced at her phone.
When the kids had moved back to Zrefast, she’d made sure they each had a phone–just in case they missed her and wanted to call.
But over the past year, unless she reached out first, neither of
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them had ever called her.
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They had everything now: a powerful family name, a life of privilege. and a woman they already saw as their mother.
‘So why should I keep clinging to a connection that only exists in blood?‘ she wondered.
*****
Back in Zrefast, inside the Leon family’s estate, the nutritionist gently reminded the children, “Josh, Rowena, did you forget what Ms. Warren said? No being picky with food. Your bodies are still fragile–you need a balanced intake of fat to grow up healthy. And no overdoing it with sweets.”
Josh hesitated, looking uncertain.
But Rowena waved it off like it was nothing.
“Mom already missed her check–in call! She won’t know anything. Besides, Phoebe said kids should be happy! And right now, the thing that makes me happiest is eating all these cupcakes!”
Just then, a light laugh floated down from upstairs.
Phoebe came down, smiling as she walked over and gently tapped Rowena on the forehead. “You little troublemaker.
tever Rowena and Josh want, they can have.”
er!”
ebe, you’re the best! I wish you could stay with us
Their innocent cheers made Phoebe’s smile deepen.
The nutritionist frowned. She opened her mouth to object,
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but when her gaze landed on Phoebe, she hesitated–and fell
silent.
At first, she had assumed Estela was the lady of the house. But now it was clear: Phoebe moved around the Leon family like she belonged. The kids were clearly attached to her.
If she upset Phoebe, it might not sit well with Vance.
Josh, meanwhile, was conflicted.
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