No More the Billionaire’s Canary

Chapter 4

Perhaps he was in a good mood. Aside from the initial roughness, I didn't suffer too much after that.

Early the next morning, Francis left the estate. At noon, while I was having lunch, Madam Harris arrived.

She was in her fifties, but her figure and poise were impeccably maintained—the very picture of a refined aristocrat.

She didn't make things difficult for me. Instead, she pulled out the contract we'd signed three years ago. "It's been three years, and you still haven't given Francis a child. We can consider this contract terminated."

My hands trembled with excitement, but I dared not make a sound.

Madam Harris, however, mistook my silence for sadness. Her tone softened even more. "I know these past few years haven't been easy on you."

She handed me the contract. "I know my son's temper, Luna. You've been through a lot. You're a good girl, but the Harris family needs a mistress who can bear children. You don't have to repay the money. The contract is void. You're free. Before Francis comes back, find a place where no one knows you and start over."

That single sheet of paper weighed a thousand pounds in my hands. This was the closest I'd ever been to freedom. With tear-filled eyes, I thanked her and turned to pack my things.

After three years in the Harris estate, I had surprisingly little to call my own. I took none of the valuables, just a few pieces of clothing.

That was when Lily Lane showed up. She had two maids trailing behind her, carrying her belongings. She looked at me with undisguised smugness. "I heard you're about to be kicked out of the Harris estate. So this room will be mine from now on. Once I give Mr. Harris a child, I'll be the don's legitimate wife. As for you..."

She paused deliberately, letting her gaze trail over my face. "You'll be remembered as the loser who got thrown out." Her triumph was written all over her face, as if she were already the don's wife.

I wasn't angry. In fact, I could barely contain my joy.

No more walking on eggshells, no more being his caged pet. I was finally free. She saw me smile instead of breaking down, and her face twisted with anger. "What's that supposed to mean? Are you mocking me? Don't think you're safe just because you're with Mr. Harris. He hasn't even seen me yet. The moment he does, he'll drop you like a stone."

I nodded and said, with complete sincerity, "I hope you're right."

I genuinely meant it. I was grateful she was willing to take this disaster off my hands. But she didn't believe me.

"You—" Her face flushed red, then pale. She waved her hand furiously and barked, "Someone! Throw her things out!"

The maids looked at each other, hesitating. They'd worked in the estate long enough to know that Francis had always pampered me to the bone, spending god-knows-how-much every year just to keep me happy.

Seeing them stand there frozen only enraged Lily further. She stormed over, swept all my belongings off the bed, and stomped on them for good measure. "Everything here belongs to the Harris family. And you think a kicked-out nobody gets to take any of it with her?"

Then her eyes landed on the necklace around my neck. Without a moment's hesitation, she reached out and yanked it off. "This necklace is worth tens of millions," she said, holding it up. "Mr. Harris bought it for the lady of this house. And since I'm the lady now, it's mine."

She fastened the imperial-green jadeite necklace around her own throat and admired herself in the mirror. "Some things," she declared, "take the right kind of woman to pull off. Not just any stray cat or dog can wear something like this."

The moment that necklace was torn from me, I felt the chains that had bound me for so long fall away. That necklace had been like a leash Francis used to keep his pet in check. When he was pleased, he'd give you a prettier, fancier one. When he wasn't, he'd chain you to the bed and have his way with you.

Now, that leash is finally off my neck. I was free.

I didn't take a single thing with me, except the bracelet I'd arrived with. I strode out the door.

The moment I stepped past the estate gates, a weight lifted off my shoulders.

Free.

I was finally free.

I wanted to laugh. But as I laughed, tears started streaming down my face.

I knew, though—these were tears of joy.

And then, in the distance, I heard the rumble of an engine.

"Mr. Harris is back."