Chapter 3The Girl Who Came Back

The room was silent. No one spoke.

Lucas stared at me, as if judging whether my words were true or false.

Chloe seemed about to say something, but Lucas was already standing in front of me. "Where is your husband?"

I pursed my lips. "He's been busy lately, so he didn't come."

Whispers and snickers rippled through the room. However, out of respect for Lucas, the guests didn't laugh too openly.

Lucas's face was livid. In the end, he said nothing and just sat down next to Chloe.

I ate the meal without tasting anything.

Everyone else was praising how perfect Lucas and Chloe were together, while I just wanted to take Lily back to rest.

The rent here wasn't too expensive; I could afford it.

I didn't want to go abroad again.

The dinner ended quickly.

I wanted to leave, but Lucas stopped me, saying he had something to tell me.

In the end, Lucas and I stayed in the private room.

Chloe was there too.

Lucas looked at me with cold eyes, his words as temperature-less as his expression.

"Jane, since we both have families now, I hope you won't disturb me in the future."

Chloe covered a smile with her hand. "Lucas, don't be so harsh on Jane. She's a grown woman now; she knows what not to do."

The couple played off each other perfectly.

And I was excluded from their understanding.

They never believed my promises.

But I nodded anyway and bowed. "I won't, ever again."

Neither of them spoke as I turned and left with Lily.

Lucas called an assistant to drive me, but this time, I refused.

Back at the rental, Lily suddenly whispered and asked if the uncle and auntie today hated her.

They say children are sensitive and know everything.

I shook my head. "They don't hate you, Lily."

They just... hated me.

Lily seemed to have many questions but didn't ask. She just hugged me and said, "Mommy, you worked hard."

The tears I held back all day threatened to fall.

But I couldn't cry in front of her.

So I tilted my head back and forced them down.

After putting Lily to sleep, I suddenly received a text.

It was from Chloe.

"Jane, if you have time, let's talk."

I frowned, wondering why she didn't just text me what she wanted.

Chloe didn't send another message.

Until right before bed, when I got a call from her.

"I'm downstairs at your place. I just want to ask you one thing."

"Do you still have thoughts of going abroad recently? Lucas and I actually both hope you stay overseas. Plus, your husband is abroad, right? It's better to go back."

I was confused, but after processing it, I found it funny.

The only thing that would make Chloe call me late at night was this.

They hated me that much.

They couldn't even stand being in the same country as me.

I glanced at sleeping Lily beside me.

Going downstairs, I saw Chloe standing under a streetlight.

Standing in front of her, I took a deep breath before meeting her eyes. "I don't plan on going abroad anymore."

For Lily's sake, I wouldn't drag her through more travel.

Chloe laughed lightly.

With no one around, the disdain in her eyes was unconcealed.

"Jane, I know you need money right now. If I give you a sum, would you be willing to leave?"