Sheena fell silent. The man’s words left her stunned. “A nanny?” she repeated in a near whisper.

Julio nodded firmly. “Yes, a nanny. All this time I’ve hired several people, but Alea always refused. She never wanted to be close to anyone, let alone be left alone. Only me. But just now, I saw it with my own eyes—she connected with you immediately. That hardly ever happens.”

Alea, still holding Sheena’s hand, nodded quickly. “Yes, Daddy! I like Auntie Sheena. I want Auntie Sheena to live with us.”

Sheena looked at the little girl. Warmth and bitterness rose in her chest. For a moment, Ghani’s face flashed through her mind. The child she had carried, given birth to, and raised with all her heart, now rejected and humiliated her in front of so many people.

“Ghani has already made his choice,” she thought. “Then I must also have my own path. I will divorce Gevan, and I will not take Ghani. He no longer acknowledges me as his mother.”

Sheena took a deep breath. She looked at Julio with calmer eyes. “If Alea agrees… I don’t mind either.”

Alea immediately cheered softly and hugged Sheena tightly. “Yay! Now I have a new friend!”

Julio smiled with relief. He reached into his suit pocket and pulled out an elegantly designed business card. “Here’s my card. Julio Muller.”

Sheena accepted it hesitantly, reading the name printed: Julio Muller — CEO of Muller International Holdings.

As if sensing her doubt, Julio explained, “Alea and I have only been living in this city for a few months. My company is in the investment and property sector. Perhaps you’ve heard of it.”

Sheena shook her head slightly. “I’m sorry, I don’t really follow business news.”

Julio gave a faint smile. “That’s fine. What matters is that you know I’m serious about this offer. I want Alea to be happy. If she’s comfortable with you, then I want you to be part of her daily life.”

Sheena finally observed the man properly. He was nearly two meters tall, with a strong, athletic build like someone who exercised regularly. His jawline was firm, his skin bronzed, and his eyes were a bluish green—sharp yet gentle when they looked at his daughter. The suit he wore fit perfectly, accentuating both his authority and his handsomeness.

For a moment, Sheena could understand why Julio commanded respect. His aura was completely different from Gevan, who only knew how to maintain appearances.

“So… I’ll be working at your house?” Sheena asked cautiously.

Julio nodded. “Yes. We can discuss the details later. The salary certainly won’t disappoint you. But most importantly, you won’t be treated as inferior. You’re not a servant. You’ll be a friend to Alea.”

Alea lifted Sheena’s hand high in the air. “Auntie Sheena is my friend now! Hooray!”

Sheena couldn’t hold back a small smile. “Alea really makes Auntie touched.”

Julio crossed his arms, watching their interaction. “I don’t know why you agreed so quickly. But whatever the reason, I’m grateful. At least now I can feel some relief. I can’t always be by Alea’s side—my work often consumes my time. With you, I’m sure she’ll be safe.”

Sheena lowered her gaze briefly. “I should be the one thanking you. Maybe this is a new path for me.”

Julio extended his hand. “Then, welcome aboard, Sheena.”

Sheena looked at his hand for a moment before taking it firmly. “Thank you, Mr. Muller.”

“Just call me Julio,” he said with a faint smile.

Sheena turned to Alea, smiling warmly though her eyes were still swollen.

In her heart, Sheena thought, “I can no longer hope for Gevan or Ghani. But perhaps… with Alea, I can still feel the love of a child.”

***

Sheena arrived at the Daxon residence in the late afternoon. Her steps were steady, though her chest still felt heavy. Seven years of devotion, seven years of swallowing humiliation—now it was enough.

Once inside her room, she immediately took a large suitcase from the wardrobe. Clothes and a few personal belongings were folded neatly. She didn’t own much. Almost everything in this house belonged to Gevan’s family.

Sheena took a deep breath. “It doesn’t matter. I don’t need anything from them. I just want to leave with my dignity.”

A few minutes later, Sheena dragged the suitcase out of the room. Just as she reached the living room, she saw Gevan, Claudia, and Ghani returning home. They were laughing together, still carried away by the school event earlier. Madam Medyna was already sitting gracefully on the sofa, sipping tea.

The moment Ghani saw Sheena with the large suitcase, he shouted, “Where’s the ugly one going with that huge suitcase? Running away?”

Claudia covered her mouth, pretending to laugh politely, while Gevan merely raised an eyebrow with a mocking look.

Sheena stopped in the middle of the room. Without responding to Ghani’s insult, she took a brown folder from her handbag. With calm steps, she handed it directly to Gevan.

“What’s this?” Gevan asked in confusion as he took the folder.

“Divorce papers,” Sheena replied briefly, her eyes fixed firmly on him without hesitation.

The room instantly fell silent for a few seconds. Claudia looked shocked, while Madam Medyna almost choked on her tea.

Then loud laughter erupted from Gevan’s mouth.

“Divorce? Hahaha… are you serious, Sheena? You think you can just leave this house? Where would you live? On the streets? Don’t be ridiculous.”

Sheena held back a smile. “Don’t worry. I know where I’m going. All I need now is your signature.”

She placed a pen on the table. “Sign it, Gevan.”

Claudia glanced curiously, while Madam Medyna sneered. “Sheena, who do you think you are to file for divorce? With no family, no wealth, and that ugly face of yours. Even if Gevan wanted to divorce you, he wouldn’t throw you out. At least you’d still be a free maid in this house.”

Sheena turned to her, grinning coldly. “Thank you for the offer, Madam. But I’ve served enough here. Seven years is more than enough.”

Medyna’s face flushed with anger at being belittled. “Insolent woman!”

Meanwhile, Gevan, still leaning back on the sofa, finally shrugged. “Fine, if that’s what you want.” He grabbed the pen and signed the papers without much thought. “There. Satisfied now?”

Sheena took the papers back. “Thank you. Tomorrow we’ll meet at the civil registry office to collect the marriage certificate. I want everything settled officially.”

Claudia smiled with satisfaction, though also surprised at Sheena’s firmness. She clung to Gevan’s arm coquettishly. “Darling, that means tomorrow you’re officially free from her.”

Ghani, who had been listening, immediately stood with a cold face. “Then leave quickly, ugly! I don’t ever want to see your face in this house again!”

Sheena turned to him, looking at her son intently. Pain struck her heart, but her smile did not fade. “Very well, Ghani. I’ll go. I hope you’re happy with your choice.”

But Ghani shoved Sheena’s suitcase roughly. “Stop talking! Get out now!”

Claudia giggled behind her hand, while Gevan only smirked as Sheena stumbled.

She straightened herself, gripped the handle of her suitcase firmly, and stood at the doorway. Her eyes swept over each person in the living room.

“I promise, one day you will all regret treating me like this.”

The room fell silent. Claudia’s smile faltered, while Gevan raised an eyebrow as if challenging her.

Sheena glanced once more at Ghani, who was still scowling. A bitter smile curved on her lips. She said nothing more. With steady steps, she left the house.

The door slammed shut behind her.

Inside, Claudia turned to Gevan. “You really just let her go like that?”

Gevan chuckled. “Let her. She won’t survive without me. Sooner or later she’ll crawl back.”

Madam Medyna added coldly, “That woman is arrogant. Ungrateful. She’ll come to her senses soon enough. Just watch.”

Meanwhile, Ghani exhaled in annoyance. “Good riddance. Now my friends will never know I had an ugly mother.”