The Life of Freedom I Long For

Felix and I had been inseparable for ten years, and everyone thought we would end up married.

When he got into fights at school, I took the blame and got expelled in his place. When he slept with countless women, I delivered birth control pills and breakup money in his place. I had always played the part of the shameless doormat, and everyone believed I loved him more than life itself.

But the moment he took over as the heir to his family's fortune, he dumped me. He looked at me with scorn and disdain. "Kathy, maybe once upon a time we were in love, but it's been too long. You're dull, and you've drained away every ounce of my affection. I don't want to spend the rest of my life with you, so get out of my sight. I'm going to marry someone I truly love."

Everyone was waiting to watch me fall apart. But when I saw the hospital's proof that my mother had been cured, and the extra hundred million dollars in my bank account, I genuinely smiled.

"Fine. I'll leave," I said.

The truth was, I had stayed with a player like him only because of a business deal. Now that I had the money, it was time for me to walk away.

The Price of Freedom

For ten years with Felix, I had lived without dignity. He was infamous for being a player, and because I kept forgiving him without limits, I became the laughingstock of everyone around us.

On the day he officially became the heir to his family's fortune, he dumped me. But when I looked at the hundred million dollars sitting in my bank account, I couldn't help but smile.

My mother had fully recovered, and I had the money in hand—so I readily agreed to the breakup.

Everyone was stunned when they watched me leave without a second thought.

"No way. Did she really just leave?"

"She didn't even hesitate. Something's off."

"Right? She used to love Felix so much—she'd have died for him!"

All eyes turned to Felix, whose expression had turned beyond grim. He let out a cold snort and mocked loudly, "Kathy, stop playing hard to get. You've loved me for so many years, you think I'll believe you can let go just like that?"

His childhood sweetheart, Eleanor, echoed, "I guarantee you'll regret it in a few days. And when you come crawling back to beg Felix, he won't take you back."

Felix frowned, hesitated for a moment, then added, "I'm not going to go soft on you."

I gave a cold laugh and quickened my pace. Whatever they said now meant nothing to me.

Back then, Felix had fallen for me first and pursued me relentlessly. But I wasn't interested in him at all, so I kept my distance.

Yet, everything changed when my mother fell gravely ill and needed expensive treatment, while my father—deep in gambling debt—was being hounded by loan sharks.

When I couldn't scrape together a single penny, Felix's mother offered me a large sum of money—on the condition that I devote my youth to staying by Felix's side.

From then on, I accompanied him through every stage of his life, tutoring him, guiding him. Even when he turned arrogant and unruly, drifting from woman to woman, I endured it all in silence.

For ten years, I stayed by his side, playing the simping fool that everyone despised, working myself to the bone like a servant. I poured my heart and soul into him, using my top-student mind to guide a once hopeless delinquent into becoming a proper heir worthy of his family name.

Now, he was successful in every way and no longer needed me. I had earned what I came for, and it was time to go. From now on, my heart would finally be free to soar.

So no, I wouldn't be sad just because he'd discarded me—because I never needed love to begin with.

…

At the airport, as I boarded my flight with my luggage, my phone buzzed with a string of messages from Felix.

'Where did you go? Why aren't you answering my calls? Call me right now!'

'Kathy, stop being childish. Come back and apologize, and I'll forgive you.'

'We might not get married, but at least we can still be friends. Be sensible.'

Every word carried a commanding tone. He clearly believed I would react the same way I always had—no matter how he mocked or humiliated my feelings, I'd eventually crawl back, apologizing just to stay by his side.

Not this time.

I gave a small shrug and tossed the phone straight into the trash can—along with the pathetic life I'd once lived.

There was nothing left in this town to miss. My gambling father died years ago. I'd sold the house, and now, with my mother healthy again, we were heading overseas to start anew.

Leaving wasn't an escape—it was the beginning of my freedom.