Chapter 4
852 Words
I didn't dare let any expression show, just lowered my head further. He pinched my cheek, "Don't miss me too much."
I forced a smile, "I'll be sure to wait patiently for your return."
He seemed satisfied, leaning down to kiss my forehead, "Good girl."
Early the next morning, Ethan took his team to the pack border. By noon, Chloe, the housekeeper, came to find me.
"That new girl, Zoey, did go to see Alpha James," she said. "You make 90 grand a year, and the work doesn't seem too much, so she offered to take over for just 40k. She even claimed she's more hardworking and would be better than you."
My voice trembled slightly, "What did Alpha James say?"
Chloe sighed, "Of course he didn't agree, but the girl knelt on the floor, claiming she was young, energetic, and that you were ungrateful—complaining that you just coasted on Ethan's coattails and acted stuck up. A few others chimed in, praising her work ethic. Alpha James was annoyed, so he asked us senior staff for our opinion. We all thought that if you stayed by Ethan's side any longer, you'd end up sick from the stress. Someone offering to replace you might be a blessing in disguise."
My nose stung, and I almost burst into tears. All these years, at least someone cared about what I wanted.
I went to Alpha James's study to thank him. He took off his glasses and sighed, "You've worked hard these years. I know Ethan's tendency to torture people. You're a good girl; if you want to leave, then go. Your employment contract has been terminated, and I've prepared some money for you. To compensate for your years of service, I've also had your rank officially changed to ordinary werewolf. No one will look down on you anymore. Leave Moonridge, go somewhere where no one knows you, and live a good life."
I thanked him, my eyes red-rimmed. He wiped his glasses, "Go now, before he gets back."
I was on my way back to pack my things when Zoey arrived with her entourage. She was pulling a suitcase with two maids trailing behind her, standing straight as if she already owned the place the moment she stepped into the main villa. She walked up to me, chin tilted, wearing a smug smile.
"Alpha James has agreed. I'll serve Ethan from now on."
She paused deliberately, her eyes raking over my face, "You don't need to keep up the act. Alpha James has been wanting to replace you for ages. An Omega maid pulling a high salary while sulking around... you were going to be kicked out in a couple of days anyway."
Her tone didn't sound like someone starting a new job; it sounded like she was confronting a rival. Looking at her, I felt no anger, only sheer joy. She had actually taken the job. Finally, I wouldn't have to do food tasting, wouldn't have to worry about which dish was poisoned or that I might die at any moment.
Seeing my silence, she frowned, "What's with that look? Not convinced?"
I said quietly, "No."
"Then hurry up and clear out."
My room was right next to Ethan's. If he couldn't sleep in the middle of the night, he'd make me come over to keep him company. If he wanted to read, I had to stay. If he threw a tantrum at night, I had to kneel by his bed to listen and soothe him. I'd spent years in that small bed, never having a peaceful night's sleep. If she wanted it, I was more than happy to give it to her.
I agreed and turned to pack. Annoyed by my compliance, she pushed harder, coldly ordering her two companions, "Go! Throw all her things out!"
I froze. She grabbed my wrist, her eyes locked on the bracelet. "And this."
She reached out to slide it off. Instinctively, I tried to pull away, but she sneered, "What? Can't bear to part with it? You're already getting kicked out—why are you still flaunting Ethan's things?"
She was surprisingly strong, pulling until my wrist ached. When the bracelet finally slipped off, a wave of relief washed over me. She eagerly clasped it onto her own wrist, holding it up to the light to admire it, her face beaming with delight.
"It definitely looks better on me. Something like this belongs to someone more suitable."
I remained silent. Inside the room, my pillow, blankets, and clothes were all tossed into the hallway. Standing at the doorway, she looked down at me, "Alright, pack your stuff and get out."
I knelt on the floor to gather my things, feeling not a hint of humiliation. I was happy.
The moment I stepped out of the villa, I looked up at the sky. After a day of gloom, a sliver of light broke through. I suddenly wanted to laugh and cry at the same time. I was finally free!
But just then, the guards by the main porch suddenly stood to attention.
"Ethan is back!"
- Writer
