By the time she returned home, it was past nine, and unusually, Zachary and Ivy were both there.
Perhaps the recent events had made them wary of going out, and they were exceptionally well-behaved at home.
Genevieve, however, had been distracted these past few days, often found sitting by the window, lost in daydreams for hours.
She could still recall the scenes of the past; Magnus had never looked at her with such a cold gaze before.
From that day on, they were like strangers, even under the same roof. He no longer shared a bed with her but slept in the guest room instead.
He stopped initiating conversations with her; she had become invisible in his world.
Ivy and Zachary began to notice something was amiss and would ask what was wrong, but Magnus would dismiss them, citing stress from work.
He had given Genevieve just three days, and time was swiftly passing, yet she had no intention of leaving.
She had used up all her secret savings to pay off Zachary’s debts. How could she, accustomed to a life of luxury for so many years, adapt to a life of poverty now?
Her family was very ordinary; her father was a stern teacher whose monthly salary barely covered the household expenses, let alone provide a luxurious life for Genevieve.
After learning that Genevieve had been kept by someone else and worked in bars, he had cut off all contact with her.
Even after she moved into her current residence, she had no contact with her family; that home was no longer an option for her.
Having lived with Magnus for twenty years, he had become her family. How could she bear to leave now?
She couldn’t bear to cut ties with her family or give up the luxury that had seeped into her bones.
She didn’t want to leave, and by any means necessary, she was determined to stay; she couldn’t stand being looked down upon.
While she was lost in thought, Aurora came home. Magnus, who had been listlessly watching a TV drama, brightened up at her arrival.
“Aurora, you’re back.”
“What are you doing back?” Zachary asked instinctively.
Magnus gave him a cold look, “This is her home, where else should she go?”
“Dad, don’t forget that Aurora only comes back now and then. If this really was her home, why wouldn’t she come back every day? Who knows what she’s up to outside every day!” Ivy said sarcastically.
Aurora, facing their cold mockery, didn’t get angry but responded gently, “Sorry, I’ve been back for so long yet never invited you to my place.
I bought a villa by the sea; it’s small but peaceful. I like the quiet and stay there every day. You should come visit sometime, Dad.”
“Aurora, you’re impressive. Those seaside houses aren’t cheap, and you managed to buy one without spending a penny of family money. You really have some skills,” Magnus said, growing fonder of this daughter.
“Dad, what are you saying? This is my home, and I’ll come back to see you often.”
“Good child, you must be tired with all that’s been going on at the company. You should go rest early,” Magnus said, noticing her weariness.
“Alright, I’ll go rest then,” Aurora replied, and the father-daughter moment was deeply touching.
Once she had gone upstairs, Ivy sarcastically remarked, “What did she say? She likes the quiet? What, does she think we’re too noisy?”
“Are you not? Aurora didn’t say a word about you from the moment she entered until she left. How many words did you manage to say?” Magnus spoke up for Aurora.
“Dad, you’re getting more biased by the day.” Ivy stood up from the sofa, visibly upset, and marched upstairs.
Zachary also felt disinterested and headed upstairs, Magnus’s voice trailing behind him: “You’d better prepare well and learn more from your sister. The interview is just around the corner.”
“Hmph.” Zachary snorted coldly and slammed the door shut.
“Not much skill, but a lot of bad temper,” Magnus muttered, dissatisfied.
With only the two of them left in the room, Magnus figured the others wouldn’t come down and addressed Genevieve:
“I gave you three days to move out, and you haven’t started packing?” His tone was devoid of warmth.
The inevitable had arrived, and Genevieve wished that Magnus’s words that day had been just spoken in anger.
These past few days, knowing he was upset, she had endured without provoking him. Now, hearing him bring up the matter of her leaving again, Genevieve couldn’t stay calm.
She knelt before Magnus, “Magnus, please give me another chance. I promise nothing like this will happen again.”
“No man could accept what you’ve done. I chose to keep this matter confidential instead of exposing it, allowing you to decide the reason for your departure. I’ve given you the utmost respect. If you’re not grateful, don’t blame me for dismissing you in the harshest way possible.”
Tears streamed down Genevieve’s face as she weakly clung to Magnus’s pant leg, “Magnus, I really didn’t want that. Please, for the sake of our two children, forgive me this time.”
“If you really cared about the children, you would leave on your own. At least you could depart with some dignity. Otherwise…” This was the only time Magnus had been so decisive.
Seeing that she couldn’t sway him even in her pitiable state, Genevieve resignedly said, “Alright, I understand. I’ll leave and never trouble you again.”
Magnus finally looked at her directly. Had she really compromised? This was unlike her.
“Alright, first thing tomorrow morning you will…”
“I’ll leave, but I have one condition.”
“What is it?”
Genevieve wiped the tears from the corner of her eye. “Ivy and Zachary are about to interview for positions at the company. This is their only chance to get in. I don’t want my situation to distract them. I’ll go, but I hope to talk about this after their interviews, regardless of whether they get in. You won’t need to tell me to leave; I’ll do it myself.”
Hearing that Genevieve was thinking of the children, Magnus pondered for a moment before slowly nodding. “Fine, I’ll give you a little more time. Once the kids are settled, you’ll leave.”
“Yes.” Genevieve looked at the man so close yet felt he was miles away.
The man who once looked at her with such warmth now regarded her with icy detachment.
Unseen, Aurora watched everything, aware that Genevieve was merely buying time, using the children as shields, perhaps planning another move by the time she was supposed to leave.
She couldn’t just wait around; she had to take this chance to completely overthrow her, or there would be no opportunity once Genevieve regained her footing.
This battle had to be won; failure was not an option.