Lilith looked at her mother, who was always giving her those critical words and accusing looks.

She asked, “What if it is about Hendrix?”

“Stop being so naïve,” Qiana replied, getting up with her familiar, lecturing tone. “How many times do I have to tell you? It’s not easy for men working hard outside; you need to be understanding and considerate, not throw a fit every time something doesn’t go your way.”

For two years, Lilith had quietly endured Hendrix’s indifference and coldness, but each time she voiced her pain, Qiana shut her down with the same scolding words. The only thing that kept her going was the way she’d fallen for him at first sight and the feelings that kept her bound, deeper and deeper. Now she wondered, if Hendrix hadn’t cheated, would she have ended up as submissive as her mother?

Qiana, nearly fifty, looked more like she was in her thirties. She was youthful, fit, and had the kind of beauty that other wealthy wives envied—at least in public. But at home, Lilith saw a mother who had no real voice, always watching her every move, trying not to step out of line. There was nothing Lilith envied in Qiana’s way of living, putting on a show for others only to lose her dignity in private.

“Just go home and apologize to Hendrix,” Qiana added, taking her seat again. She looked at Lilith’s face, slightly saddened, with a mix of disappointment and some sympathy. With a gentler tone, she added, “A woman’s life depends on her husband. You have everything because of Hendrix, don’t you?”

Lilith could only think of Hendrix’s contemptuous words ringing in her head. “Fifty thousand a month just for spending money. You get to water the plants, play house, and sleep with me. Is this not good enough?” Every time she recalled it, her heart ached as if it were breaking all over again.

She was willing to be a housewife for Hendrix. She could even endure his arrogance, as if he was always looking down on her. But she wouldn’t keep up this life if he didn’t love her—not while he broke her trust.

Lilith bit her lip, squeezing her fingers tight around her skirt, her expression hardening with resolve.

“Oh, Mom, do you think so little of yourself—and other women?” A voice called from upstairs. Her younger brother, Hudson Johnson, strolled down, rolling up his sleeves casually. “Isn’t it supposed to be about equality these days?”

Qiana’s tone softened; there was a hint of affection. “Stay out of this, you brat!” Hudson was two years younger than Lilith, the apple of their mother’s eye.

Lilith had heard the story a hundred times. The day she was born, and the Johnson family found out she was a girl, everyone was disappointed. So much so that Qiana hadn’t nursed her, immediately preparing for another pregnancy. A year and a half later, Hudson arrived, securing Qiana’s position in the family. Whenever Qiana told the story, Lilith felt bitter. But all she saw on her mother’s face was pride—a pride that she’d given the Johnson family a son to carry on the family name.

Their values would always clash. Even now, if Lilith exposed Hendrix’s affair, Qiana wouldn’t take her side.

“What did Dad want me back here for?” She had to leave before her mother said something that pushed her to announce she was ready to divorce Hendrix.

“He was away on a trip and brought back some specialty goods. He wanted you to take them to the Fosters when you all have dinner together.” Qiana sat down, sensing Lilith’s impatience to leave, and continued in a long-winded tone, “You’ve been married for two years now and still aren’t pregnant. Your dad wants me to take you to a doctor for a checkup.”

Just a few days ago, Charles had seen the news of Hendrix’s grand celebration for Xenia’s birthday, and now he was worried about the stability of Lilith’s position as Mrs. Foster.

Mentioning children felt like a fresh wound for Lilith. Hendrix had given her a bottle of birth control pills, watching her take them after every time they were together. He said he was too focused on work to think about kids now, maybe in a few years.

As painful as it was, she was thankful now. Without kids, divorcing would be much easier.

“Maybe someday,” she said.

Lilith stood up and urged Qiana to get her the specialties. Qiana chattered on while gathering things.

“Don’t take this lightly. Hendrix is so exceptional; there are plenty of women after him. If you have a baby soon, he’ll publicly acknowledge your marriage and put an end to other women’s hopes!”

As Qiana kept talking, she noticed Lilith’s silence and pulled the items back. “I’ll find a reliable doctor for you to get checked. You have to go!”

“I’ll think about it later,” Lilith tried to brush it off.

But Qiana wouldn’t hand over the items until she agreed. Lilith relented, “Fine, I’ll go after you make an appointment. I need to leave now.”

Hudson found an excuse to grab his coat and followed her out.

“Hey, you didn’t drive?” Hudson, who was two years younger, was in a black sports car. Usually, Lilith would park beside his car when she came home, but today it was empty in the yard.

Lilith went to the passenger side and opened the door, saying, “I didn’t drive. Where are you going? Just drop me off at the bus stop.”

Hudson got in, started the engine, and glanced at Lilith.

As they pulled out of the Johnson Family apartment and into traffic, he asked, “Lilith, is something wrong?”

“Why do you ask that?” Lilith replied nonchalantly, “What could be wrong with me?”

Hudson, carefree but observant, pointed out, “Usually, when Mom nags, you just push back a little, but today you’re avoiding it. The more you avoid, the more it shows there’s something going on.”

Lilith hadn’t realized she was behaving that way.

She suddenly regretted getting in Hudson’s car, feeling confined in the small space with just the two of them. A sense of vulnerability washed over her.

Caught by Hudson’s observation, she didn’t know how to respond.

“When you graduated college and got a job at a top design firm, I was really happy for you. But then you chose to get married and be a housewife. I could tell you weren’t as happy anymore, even if you didn’t say it.”

Hudson scratched his head, a bit shy, “I’m not good with sentimental stuff. I don’t know exactly what’s going on, but I just want to say there’s more to your life than just marriage...”

Lilith understood what he meant. All her energy was focused on Hendrix, so her bad mood was definitely related to him.

Hudson urged her not to revolve her life around Hendrix.

“Hudson, you’ve got some philosophy figured out. Have you thought about how to plan your own life?”

She subtly changed the topic.

“Dad wanted me to join the company, but I didn’t go. That’s not my goal. I’m working with some friends to develop a game. Don’t think I’m not serious about it. The gaming industry is really lucrative now. Once I succeed, I’ll support you. Why should we put up with Hendrix? Just because he says something, you should stay home and give up your dreams?”

Hudson spoke passionately, his eyes shining like when Lilith first received the job offer.

The Johnson Family favored boys over girls, so Lilith had always felt slighted. But she shared a deep bond with Hudson. When they were younger, Charles would only bring back treats that Hudson liked. At first, Hudson didn’t understand what that meant; as he grew up, he realized it and would secretly ask Lilith what she liked, then request it from Charles.

So, Lilith could talk to him about anything, including her dream of becoming a great designer.

Hudson’s words pushed away Qiana’s negativity, and a smile gradually appeared on Lilith’s lips.

She got out near Yara’s apartment, and after watching Hudson’s car drive away, she carried the two boxes of gifts toward Yara’s home.

Just as she reached the entrance of the apartment complex, her phone buzzed in her bag. She pulled it out to see it was a call from the Foster Family estate.

“Mrs. Foster, it’s bad! The Estate is on fire. Madam Foster—” a frantic voice from the staff came through.

Lilith tightened her grip on the gift boxes. “What happened? Didn’t Grandma go to the mountains?”

“Don’t ask. Please, contact Young Master Foster and have him come back quickly!”

The Madam Foster mentioned was Hendrix’s grandmother.

Lilith hung up, waved for a car, and called Hendrix.