Chapter 1 Chapter 1

Maya stared at me, stunned. Steven and Anton? Ice-cold. "Erica, seriously? At your age, and you still can't handle the truth?""Mom, stop the drama. You and Maya aren't young anymore. You don't even know how to do anything. What would you two even BE without me and Dad?" I looked at the two men I'd spent my life holding up. All I saw was annoyance. This house I'd poured everything into? Yeah—there was no room for me here. Then Fiona Osborne let out this weird shriek and flipped the dining table. All the food Maya and I had cooked? Smashed. Gone. Steven Mandel didn't even glance my way. He just scooped Fiona up like she was some fragile doll and led her back to her room. I just stared, dazed. In all our years, he'd never been that gentle—with me. Anton Mandel glanced over, face blank. "If you're done making a scene, clean up. I'm going to bed." They both walked off, one after the other. Maya and I were left in the wreckage, tossed aside like the trash on the floor. My chest tightened. Had they ever seen me as family? But my body moved on autopilot. The second Anton spoke, I dropped to my knees and started cleaning. Glass sliced my hand. Blood hit the floor. My first instinct? Wipe it up fast—before Anton freaked about the mess. Maya bolted for the first-aid kit. Steven stormed out. "Why are you running around? There's a sick person trying to rest!" Maya tried to explain. "Erica's bleeding—""It's just a scratch," he snapped. "Stop overreacting." I looked at my hand. The cut wasn't deep, but the Steven who used to fuss over a papercut didn't even flinch. He grabbed the first-aid kit from me. Said it had to stay ready—for Fiona. It hit harder than the glass. Maya wiped her eyes and helped me up. "I'm leaving with you, Erica. We don't need these heartless men." Maya used to be a broke student I sponsored. She stayed with us for a bit, then accidentally got pregnant with Anton's kid. They got married, just like that. But over the years, we clicked. She wasn't just my daughter-in-law—we were real family. I walked into the study and pulled out some paper. Drafted two divorce agreements. One for her. One for me. Once, I was a top lawyer. Now, after all these years, I was finally looking at divorce papers again— This time, for myself. After a long night, the papers were finally done. "Why isn't the place cleaned up? And where's breakfast?" Steven's and Anton's voices echoed from the other room. Maya and I slid the divorce papers in front of them. They didn't even blink. Just tossed them aside. "What are we supposed to do with these useless sheets? Where's breakfast?""Come on. Dad and I are working. You two just sit around expecting us to take care of everything. What more do you want?" He really had no idea. Every morning, I'd wake up three hours early just to make breakfast. Hit the market, haul back fresh produce, cook from scratch. Didn't matter. They were picky. Always had something to complain about. Only Maya ever backed me up. After they left, I'd clean the entire house. Steven had control issues—everything had to be just so. If he saw any of my stuff? Straight to the trash. Said my things were junk. Anton? Total neat freak. I scrubbed that place top to bottom almost every day. Fifty years. I did it all, exactly how they wanted. They worked, sure. We moved into nicer homes. But I was the one scrubbing floors—every time. Then I got older. Anton made Maya quit the job she'd held for over a decade—just to help me keep the house running. I used to get it. They worked hard. So I never complained. I figured they saw me too. But now I know the truth. To them, Maya and I were just unpaid maids. I didn't bother arguing. I bent down, picked up the divorce papers they'd tossed aside, and handed them back. "You think we're a burden? Fine. Let's get divorced."

Chapter 2 Chapter 2

Steven glanced at the papers, scoffed, and brushed past me without a word. I couldn't even remember when he stopped talking to me. Back when we were in love, he couldn't shut up. When I flew out for a trial once, he stayed on the phone all night—just to hear me fall asleep. Now? He couldn't even spare a single word. I finally got it. This relationship had rotted a long time ago. Anton frowned, pure disgust on his face. "You're too old for this drama. If you wanna leave, go. You two old women won't last a day without me and Dad." I never thought the kid I raised would turn into a knife aimed straight at me. That was it. Steven and Anton had cut the last thread. I was done. But I needed money to walk. So I "accidentally" spilled milk on Anton. He freaked and bolted to his room. I grabbed his wallet and keys from his jacket. Maya and I hopped in his car and left. Goodbye to the house I'd kept spotless for fifty years. The cash we swiped from Anton barely covered a small apartment. After rent, we had just enough to scrape by for a few months. Maya and I had both been housewives. No jobs, no backup. Time to figure things out. I told her I was retaking the bar exam. The life I gave up for Steven and Anton? I was taking it back. Maya's eyes lit up. "That's so cool, Erica. A seventy-year-old lawyer—every woman would be proud of you." I smiled. "What about you?" She looked down, fiddling with her hands. "Honestly... I don't know. If I said I like making desserts and taking care of people, would you think I'm useless?" Maya wasn't like me. I gave up my career because I loved Steven too much. She loved taking care of people. Anton once promised he'd open a dessert shop for her when she quit her job. Then he said her food sucked and bailed. "Of course not, Maya. No one's useless. Even housewives have value." Without us keeping everything together, Steven and Anton wouldn't have gotten anywhere. Maya broke down, hugging me tight. We cried in each other's arms. Not for them. For us. The phone rang, cutting through the silence. Anton's name lit up. Even after everything, a tiny part of me still hoped—he was my son. I picked up. Anton's voice exploded through the speaker. "What are you two doing? You were already out of line this morning, and now there's no dinner?" Steven jumped in. "Where'd you take Maya? Didn't I tell you to take care of Fiona?" And just like that, the last bit of hope snapped. We'd been gone one day. All they cared about was dinner. Fiona. Not once did they ask if we were okay. They just assumed we'd come crawling back and keep serving them like nothing happened. And I kept thinking—what gave them the nerve? Then it hit me. We did. Our love. Our tolerance. Our silence. It made them bold enough to keep hurting us. They started yelling: "Anton and I are taking Fiona out for dinner. You two can go hungry and think about what you've done.""Mom, you've really crossed the line. If there's no breakfast tomorrow, Dad and I are cutting off your allowance until you shape up!" I'd never been more grateful we left. Who knows what their next "punishment" would've been? I stayed calm. "The divorce papers are on the table. Sign them and come find us. Otherwise, don't contact us again." Silence. Then I heard Anton whisper, "What should we do?" Steven scoffed. "Ignore them. Just two useless women. They'll come crawling back in a few days."

Chapter 3 Chapter 3

We hung up. Maya sobbed beside me, calling them heartless. I swallowed the bitterness and held her, comforting her until she finally fell asleep. Only then did I let myself rest. In my dream, I saw the beginning. Steven and I, just starting out. I was a top lawyer. He was a quiet rookie, thoughtful and sweet. He brought me lozenges after court. Waited to drive me home. One night, I was attacked. He saved me. Later, he confessed. I said yes without a second thought. Back then, I believed he'd be gentle with me forever. But after we had Anton, he asked me to quit my job—said the family needed me. I loved my work. Still gave it up. For him. For us. By year two, he changed. He mocked how I dressed, said I couldn't compare to the women back at the firm. Said I didn't understand him. I started shrinking, swallowing everything just to keep the peace. I kept deceiving myself that his bad attitude towards me was due to the exhaustion from work. I lived like that for decades. Then, on our fiftieth anniversary, he brought home his first love. Someone he hadn't seen in years. That part of the dream jolted me awake. The sky was still gray. Out of habit, I got up to buy groceries. At the door, I ran into Maya, just waking up. We locked eyes, said nothing, and went back to our rooms. How could I forget? We'd left that house. No more 5 a.m. wake-ups. No more cooking for Steven and Anton. No more stressing if they'd approve. I climbed back into bed. For the first time in fifty years, I slept easy. Not caring about others' feeling. And Maya? She looked lighter too. We sat in the living room, tossing around ideas for the future. Maya said she was thinking about doing domestic work—save up, maybe open a dessert shop. I nodded. Housework's still housework. At least this time, she'd get paid. And honestly, no boss could be worse than Steven or Anton. She landed a job fast. Her employer, Mrs. Futrell, was young, pregnant, and easy to be around. Maya said she actually liked it—except for Mr. Futrell. Apparently, he kept pressuring his wife to quit and stay home. But the wife stood her ground. Hearing that hit me hard. If only I'd been that brave back then. Maya and I had settled into our new life. Way easier than catering to Steven and Anton. She worked during the day. I stayed home, hitting the books for the bar exam. Until today. Maya said Mrs. Futrell was hosting big guests and asked if I could help out. I said sure and tagged along. What I didn't expect? Steven and Anton—right there in the living room. First time seeing them in three days. I stepped out with a dish, and we all froze. Steven looked older than when I left. The man who used to obsess over details had mismatched his bowtie. Anton's shirt was wrinkled. Without Maya and me, they were clearly falling apart. Mr. Futrell asked if they knew me. Steven didn't even blink. "Mr. Futrell, how could I possibly know your maid?" It hit like a knife. My hands shook. The plate nearly slipped. Even with the divorce, that coldness still cut deep. Fifty years together—and he wouldn't even admit I was his wife. Anton? Just as cruel. Wouldn't say a word. Not even to his own mother. So I didn't acknowledge them either. After fifty years, we were nothing but strangers. Back in the kitchen, I didn't even get a word out before Anton stormed in. He glared at me. "Do you know how much you embarrassed me and Dad?" I blinked. Maya and I were earning honest money. What was so shameful about that? Or maybe, to Anton, anyone doing housework was beneath him. Just like I used to be. He grabbed Maya's arm, yanking her toward the door. "We're going home. Don't you EVER humiliate us like this again!" Maya fought back, refusing to budge. I didn't hesitate. Grabbed a skillet and slammed it down on his hand. He let go, eyes wide with shock. My only child. My pride and joy. And this was the first time I'd ever laid a hand on him. I stepped between him and Maya. "We're doing the same work here we did for you at home. Was it embarrassing THEN—when we cooked and cleaned for you every day?" Something shifted in his face. Guilt, maybe. I turned away. "Go home. Sign the divorce papers with your dad. Then we'll talk."

Chapter 4 Chapter 4

Anton left. After we wrapped up, Maya and I headed out. Across the street, Steven and Anton were waiting. Neither looked happy. Steven reached out for my hand—stiff, awkward. I stared at it. It had been so long. Back when we were in love, he held my hand everywhere. Said he wanted the world to know I was his. But somewhere along the way, that stopped. One day, during a walk, he let go and said my hands were too rough. Never touched them again. And now, even as he took my hand, I saw it— that flicker of disgust. These hands? They got rough building the life he claimed to want. And he still found a way to blame me. I quietly pulled my hand away—and took Maya's instead. We walked right past him. Steven's face darkened, but for once, his voice was calm. "Come home. Stop the drama. Do you really want this family to fall apart?" I stepped back, smiled. "Oh, so you DO know the family falls apart without me? Funny. You and Anton only lived comfortably because Maya and I sacrificed everything to hold it together." He didn't answer, but the impatience on his face said it all. Typical Steven—always brushing off my pain. No matter what I said, I was just the problem in his eyes. Anton stepped in, voice low. "Let's talk at home, Mom. Don't make a scene here. Dad and I will up your allowance. Just come back. Take care of us and Fiona. It's better than being someone else's maid, right?" That's when it hit me. They weren't here out of guilt. They came to drag me back—back to being their unpaid maid, their nurse. I wasn't wasting another second on people who never valued me. I calmly repeated what I'd said in the kitchen. Steven's face shifted. Panic flickered. He grabbed my hand. "Erica, I'm not divorcing you!" Anton jumped in. "Mom, be serious. I checked—you don't even have a job. You really think Maya can keep supporting you?" All I saw in their eyes was blame. Maya moved beside me, ready to defend me, but I held out a hand. I looked them both dead in the eye. "I'm retaking the bar. I'm going to be a lawyer again." They stared—then burst out laughing. "Erica, seriously? You think you're still that top lawyer? After all these years as a housewife? Your brain's full of grocery lists and recipes. You really think you can pass the bar? That's ridiculous." I didn't flinch. I met Steven's gaze head-on. "Yes. I will be a lawyer again. Because I know I'm smart enough. And you—my soon-to-be useless ex—if we ever face off in court? I'll win."