For Magnus, she had broken every limit she had ever set for herself. Genevieve, a clever and calculating woman, had once planned to marry the right man to secure her future. A marriage certificate would have safeguarded her rights.
But Magnus was different. She had been willing to choose him, even without the guarantee of marriage. She believed he would never betray her. Even without a certificate, she had felt secure.
For twenty years, she lived a life of comfort and luxury. But after those twenty years, everything crumbled. She lost it all and returned to the poverty she had once escaped.
She didn’t mind being poor again, but her children didn’t deserve to be dragged into this mess. Genevieve had already made up her mind.
When she stepped out of the shower, Ivy was already lying in bed.
“Mom, do you think Zach will really be released?” Ivy asked, her voice filled with the innocent doubt of a child.
“He will. I promise,” Genevieve said firmly.
“Is Dad going to help him? I knew it! He wouldn’t just abandon us after all. We spent twenty years together,” Ivy said, still holding on to the belief that Magnus was her father.
Genevieve thought back to how she had knelt for hours in the Montgomery family home, only to be met with Magnus’s cold indifference. He had made it clear he wanted nothing to do with her.
“Ivy, listen to me,” Genevieve said softly. “When Zach comes back, you both need to change your ways. Get jobs, live honestly.
“Your dad left you two houses. You’ll have a place to live, even though it won’t compare to how we lived in the Montgomery family. It’s still better than most. As long as you don’t waste money, you’ll be fine.”
“Mom, I understand. Dad still cares about us,” Ivy said, assuming Genevieve was talking about Magnus.
“Ivy, no. I’m talking about Paul. After his divorce, he kept a few properties. He left them for you and your brother.”
“Him? He’s not my dad! If it weren’t for his twisted demands, we wouldn’t be in this mess!” Ivy snapped, her anger flaring. Her hatred for Paul was second only to her hatred for Aurora.
“Ivy, no matter how you feel about him, Paul is your father. This isn’t his fault.
“When I chose to be with him, I knew he had a wife. I was the one who agreed to it. When you two were born, he was genuinely happy.
“But I used him as a stepping stone to get to Magnus. I never thought about how low my actions were or how much harm I caused.
“It’s only now, after everything, that I see how cruel I was, how many terrible things I did. I owe Paul an apology. Over the years, he’s secretly helped you both in ways you don’t even know.
“He’s your biological father. If you’re ever in trouble, you can ask him for help,” Genevieve said, her voice tinged with regret.
She thought about how her life could have been different. If she had settled for a simple job, married an honest man, and lived a quiet life, it might not have been luxurious, but it would have been peaceful.
But she had been consumed by greed, chasing wealth and power, manipulating men to achieve her goals. The misery she faced now was her own doing.
“I only have one father. Magnus Montgomery is my dad,” Ivy said stubbornly, refusing to accept the truth.
Genevieve sighed deeply. There was no point arguing. Some lessons could only be learned through hard experience.
“Mom, what’s wrong? You’re acting strange tonight,” Ivy said, sensing something unusual in her mother’s tone.
“It’s nothing. I just think it’s time for you both to grow up. Without the Montgomery family’s protection, you’ll need to learn to survive on your own. If I’m not here anymore…”
“Don’t say that, Mom! Why wouldn’t you be here?” Ivy interrupted, her unease growing.
“Silly girl, I can’t stay with you forever. One day, I’ll have to leave. But it’s late now. Go to sleep. Zach will be back soon,” Genevieve said, stroking her daughter’s hair to calm her.
Ivy nodded, still feeling unsettled. But exhaustion overtook her, and she soon fell asleep.
Genevieve watched her daughter’s peaceful face, tears welling in her eyes. “I’m sorry, Ivy. I have no other choice. This is the only way to save Zach,” she whispered.
—
The next morning, Magnus opened the door to find Genevieve standing outside. She wore a simple dress, her face bare of makeup. She looked just as she had when he first met her years ago.
Back then, her appearance had been deceptively pure, and he had fallen for it. Now, seeing her again, he frowned in irritation.
“What are you doing here?” he asked, his voice cold.
Genevieve noticed the disdain in his eyes and smiled bitterly. When had things between them fallen so far?
Even before she spoke, he already looked at her with disgust. Her face was pale and fragile, and Magnus assumed she was trying to play the victim again.
But she simply shook her head. “Don’t worry, Magnus. I’m not here to cause trouble. I’m not asking you to help Zach. I just wanted to see you one last time.”
Magnus was skeptical. After all her lies and schemes, he couldn’t believe a word she said.
“See me? Why?” he asked, his tone laced with suspicion.
“Magnus, I know you hate me. I know I deserve everything that’s happened. I approached you for money and status. I hurt your wife and daughter. I lied to you countless times.
“But there’s one thing I’ve never lied about.”
“And what’s that?” he asked, his brows furrowing.
“My love for you. I’ve loved you for twenty-two years.
“Because I loved you, I stayed by your side, even without a title. Because I loved you, I accepted that your heart was never mine-that you only stayed with me out of responsibility.
“Because I loved you, I gave up the chance for true love.
“I don’t regret meeting you. These twenty-two years were the happiest of my life.”
Her sudden confession left Magnus speechless. He didn’t trust her. “Is this another one of your games? Do you think I’d believe you now?”
“Believe me or not, it doesn’t matter. I just wanted to tell you I’m sorry.
“Sorry for my greed. Sorry for my selfishness. Sorry for destroying your family and derailing your life.
“I don’t expect your forgiveness. I just wanted to say it to you in person.”
Her eyes were clear, free of the scheming and pretense he had grown used to. They carried a sorrow that came from seeing the highs and lows of life, from knowing it was all fleeting.
“You…” Magnus started, but he didn’t know what to say. Should he blame her? Her life was already in ruins. Forgive her? He had lost everything he truly cared about.
“This is your key,” Genevieve said, handing him the house key. “I won’t bother you anymore. The children aren’t yours, and I don’t expect you to treat them as you used to. But if they make mistakes, I hope you’ll be lenient.”
Magnus stared at the key, confused. “What are you planning to do?”
“I’m leaving,” she said simply.
“Where?”
“To where I belong.”
Suddenly, she stepped forward and hugged him tightly. It was a farewell, filled with finality.
Magnus didn’t push her away. He heard her whisper in his ear, her voice trembling with emotion. “Thank you for taking care of me all these years. I love you.”
Before he could respond, she let go and ran off. A taxi waited outside. Without looking back, she got in and drove away.
Magnus stared at the key in his hand, then at her disappearing figure. He had a sinking feeling about what she was going to do.
She had brought this upon herself, he thought. But instead of feeling relief, his chest felt heavy.
In the taxi, Genevieve sobbed uncontrollably. The driver hesitated before asking, “Ma’am, where to?”
“The police station,” she said, her voice barely audible.
The car pulled away, leaving the Montgomery estate behind. Genevieve’s tear-filled eyes lingered on the shrinking house. It held so many memories, but now, it was all slipping away like a dream.
“Ma’am, we’ve arrived,” the driver said.
Genevieve handed him a hundred-dollar bill and stepped out. She removed the necklace Magnus had once given her and, as she passed a storm drain, let it fall through the grates into the darkness below.
It was over. All of it. The years of struggle, the schemes, the lies-nothing but a fleeting dream.
“Goodbye, Magnus,” she whispered.
Walking into the police station, an officer greeted her. “Ma’am, are you here to file a report?”
“No,” she replied, her voice steady. “I’m here to turn myself in.”