Chapter 5 Leaving Home
1165 Words
The moment Aira stepped in the door, Matthew rushed up to her.
"Aira, are you familiar with Mr. Graham?"
"The Graham family is famous, but before today, I had only heard of them," Aira replied nonchalantly, not exactly lying—she hadn't known him before.
Alice came rushing over, blocking Aira's way. "Impossible! If you didn't know him, how did he know your name? And you're wearing his jacket!"
Aira sneered at the persistent Alice. Since she came looking for trouble, Aira wouldn't hesitate to teach her a lesson.
Raising her hand, she slapped Alice hard across the face—a fitting return for what happened at the party!
"Did you forget your brain somewhere when you woke up this morning? Who I know is none of your business! Is Erwin not enough for you? Are you looking for another man to flirt with?"
Aira planned to pack up her and her mother's belongings—everyone in this house made her sick, and she couldn't endure it any longer!
"Alice, you're just like your mother—you always steal from the others and have a special fondness for trash!" Aira turned and walked upstairs.
"Ah! How dare you hit me!"
Alice lunged at her like a madwoman, but the butler, Eric, intercepted her.
Aira's eyes stung slightly. Eric's father had been her grandfather's most trusted assistant, and in this house, only Eric was still willing to stand up for Aira and Irene. She nodded at him, about to thank him, when Matthew cut in.
"Aira! Our family is facing hardship, and as a part of this family, shouldn't you help us through it?"
'Ridiculous—when you were trying to sell me to Trevor, did you consider me your family?' Aira thought angrily.
"Hardship? All you want is to sell me off to someone else again." She didn't listen to anything more they had to say—soon, she would be out of here.
After packing her things, Aira looked at the check, initially intending to look up information on Benjamin but giving up.
It was just a night of indulgence. She wouldn't cling to a man because of that. Besides, what was there to expect from love?
Erwin had also been handsome, rich, and powerful. He was gentle when he treated Aira well, but when he betrayed her, he didn't hesitate to strike where it hurt most.
The less she knew, the better—just remain ordinary friends. The more feelings she invested, the more painful it would be when she got hurt. Thinking of this, Aira put the check away.
Suddenly, she received a new message.
Unknown: Your mother also wanted to escape this house once but failed. Look at what you brought home today—your mother is saying hello to you.
It was that mysterious sender!
Aira tensed. What she brought home today? She quickly turned and saw Benjamin's jacket hanging on the coat rack. She had planned to wash it before returning it to him.
Upon careful inspection, she found a lily-of-the-valley symbol sewn inside—a mark her mother used as her signature! But her mother's work had always been for women!
Unknown: I'm sorry about what happened today, but you must get into the company. There are problems with their finances, and you'll want to know where the money is being secretly funneled.
Who was this mysterious person? How did they know so much? Aira took a picture of the lily-of-the-valley mark. And Benjamin—what role did he play in all this?
Someone knocked on the door, and Aira hurried to hide her phone.
It was Matthew.
Seeing Aira not opening the door, Matthew put on a sorrowful expression. "Aira, I know you hate Alice and think she and her mother ruined this family, but you must understand—men like me can never have just one woman. But no matter what, you are still my daughter, my closest family."
How could anyone be so shameless? Sure, Alice and her mother were detestable, but the real culprit wasn't them. The only mistake her mother ever made was marrying Matthew!
Aira yanked the door open, staring coldly at Matthew.
Matthew gave her a fawning smile. "Aira, you don't need to do anything—just help me arrange a meeting with Mr. Graham. Just once is enough!"
"You want to see him? Who do you think you are?" Aira scoffed. "You're just a man who rose on his wife's coattails and then betrayed her."
Matthew hated when people mentioned how he had used his wife to get where he was. Without thinking, he raised his hand to strike.
"Mr. Manson, please calm down." Eric caught Matthew's raised arm and positioned himself protectively in front of Aira.
Aira's eyes misted. In this house, aside from her mother, only Eric would protect her unconditionally.
Unable to break free from Eric's grip, Matthew could only point at Aira with his other hand. "You wretched b***h! You wouldn't even exist without me! You're just as filthy as your mother! No wonder you were slept by a stranger, no wonder you gave birth to a dead kid—"
Before he could finish, Aira had slapped him across the face. While Matthew cried out in pain, clutching his cheek, she lifted her knee and kicked him hard between the legs. Matthew fell to the ground, motionless.
"You're unworthy of being a father!" Aira spat.
It had been so long since she felt this good! She should have beaten him up a long time ago! Seeing Matthew in such a miserable state, Aira even let out a laugh.
Eric picked up her suitcase, following her quickly outside.
"Haha, Eric, I haven't been this happy in a long time!" At the door, Aira stopped, her eyes sparkling as she looked at Eric.
"I hope you can be this happy every day," Eric said gently, though his words held a hint of restraint.
"Eric, you're the best." Aira hugged him.
Feeling her warmth, Eric patted her back softly as if holding the world's most precious treasure.
"Eric, why haven't you left this place yet?" Aira asked in a low voice.
Why did he choose to stay in a house full of lunatics?
Eric let her go, smoothing her hair. "This is your grandfather's request."
"Aira, next time we meet, you must be even happier." Her childhood companion gave her a small smile, said his farewell, and closed the car door for her.
As the car started moving, Aira looked back at his gradually blurring figure, feeling a strange sadness. It seemed like she no longer knew him. He used to be so cheerful as a child, but somewhere along the way, he had become so silent.
Eric saw the sadness in her eyes but only waved, watching her leave.
"Resilient, brave, and vengeful—that's what your mother taught me," Eric whispered in a voice she couldn't hear. "I hope you can really escape, Aira. Good luck!"
- Writer
