Filed to story: Mia Bowen and Timothy Barrett Novel
Her heart was in a mess, though. Had her family really found her?
“What are you up to now, Mia?”
At this moment, Timothy stepped out of the villa in a loose bathrobe. He’d been kind enough to let her stay for a few more days so she could process everything. Yet she’d already packed her things to leave while he’d been in the shower.
Timothy saw the things that were strewn over the ground. They were all regular clothing. Mia hadn’t taken a single branded item with her.
Hadn’t she married him because she wanted those things? He couldn’t believe she hadn’t taken any of it.
Timothy’s gaze landed on the dirty recyclable bag, and he frowned. “Are you playing hard to get again? Whose pity are you trying to win again? It’s not like Grandma’s here!”
He hadn’t let her down in any way throughout their three-year marriage, aside from not having feelings for her. He’d never been stingy with her.
Even with the divorce, he was going to compensate her a huge sum. It was more than enough for her to live a comfortable life.
Did she really want to leave, or was she just putting on an act?
Mia held her phone tightly, still processing the news of her family having found her. In the past, she’d dreamed of her family finding her one day so she wouldn’t be alone anymore.
She was distracted by these thoughts, but in Timothy’s eyes, this was a silent admission.
Maya pretended to limp as she approached them. “Tim, she packed her things to leave but went to the kitchen to get that dirty recyclable bag to put her stuff in. She refused to listen to me no matter what I said.”
Kaleb chimed in, “I wanted to tell Mrs. Barrett not to use that bag, sir, but she refused to listen. She even threw the clothes all over the ground.
“Honestly, she has a branded suitcase, yet she’s using that recyclable bag to garner pity. If people were to hear about this, they’d think the Barrett family was mistreating her.”
A poignant silence filled the air. Mia stood there motionlessly as she listened to Maya and Kaleb frame her. She fixed her gaze on Timothy, wanting to know what he would say.
He gave her a sharp look and asked coldly, “Don’t you have anything to say?”
It was as she’d expected. A trace of mockery flashed in her eyes. “They’ve already said everything there is to say. I’ve got nothing.”
Timothy wouldn’t believe her regardless of what she said, anyway. There was no point in wasting her breath.
“Haven’t you learned to be content with what you’ve got, Mia? What else do you want?” In Timothy’s eyes, Mia was nothing but a woman who’d married him for his money.
Mia gave up. She said bluntly, “All I want is to be a trophy wife that spends all your money. Look at those other trophy wives—they either go shopping or have high tea and spa days.
“After marrying you, the kitchen is where I’ve spent most of my time, and the furthest I’ve gone is the market. I’ve spent three years as your wife, yet getting kicked to the curb is all I’ve gotten. You’ve wasted three years of my life!
“Now that I’ve signed the divorce papers, I don’t wanna be your slave anymore. What’s so wrong about that?”
Mia felt like a weight had been lifted off her chest now that she’d vented her frustrations in one go. As expected, life was much better when one chose to be rude.
“Are you done?” Timothy asked.
There was a trace of confusion in his eyes. He’d given her a credit card that was specifically meant to pay for their household costs, and she had a million dollars as her monthly allowance.
Every season, he would also have Kaleb bring Mia the latest clothing items from all the biggest fashion brands. He’d even paid for her uncle’s hospital bills.
Now that they were divorced, he’d compensated her a huge sum, which was enough for her to live out the rest of her life without having to worry about money.
Timothy felt like he didn’t owe her anything. But why did she still think it wasn’t enough?
“Nope. I have plenty more to say.”
“Go on, then!”
“I can, but you’ll need to pay me.”
Timothy pursed his lips. “Are you that much of a gold digger, Mia? Being too greedy isn’t gonna get you anywhere.”
It seemed that everything boiled down to her thinking she’d gotten the short end of the stick and hadn’t been compensated enough.
Timothy was rather disappointed as he met Mia’s stubborn gaze. Her eyes were clear and bright. He honestly couldn’t understand why such a greedy, materialistic liar had such clear eyes!
Timothy had never thought about marrying Mia. But since he’d already had, he could’ve put her upbringing and poor background behind him as long as she knew her place. He had more than enough money to support her, anyway.
Yet she’d caused trouble time and time again. Now, she couldn’t even be bothered to put up an act anymore. She’d revealed her true colors!
Timothy should’ve felt like a weight had been lifted from his shoulders, but when he saw the divorce agreement that she’d signed, he couldn’t help feeling powerless.
There was deep sorrow hidden in Mia’s eyes. She pretended she didn’t care because she didn’t want Timothy to trample on her dignity even as she was leaving.
When Maya saw that things were getting out of hand, she quickly said, “Mia, were you so quick to sign the divorce agreement because you already found someone new?”
Timothy’s expression turned cold. He watched Mia like a hawk, his gaze appraising.
Mia took in the mistrust on his face and said, “Yeah, of course. As long as my new man is good enough, why would I be hung up on an ex?”
Anger filled Timothy’s gaze. “Have you been cheating on me while taking my money?”
Mia glanced at the clothes strewn on the ground. “I’ll return those to you, then.”
She’d only taken the few pieces that didn’t stand out so much. She hadn’t even touched the branded bags and accessories.
Timothy didn’t even spare them a glance. His gaze was fixed on her as he said, “I also bought those clothes that you’re currently wearing.”
“I’ll return them to you, too.”
Timothy stared at her with a cold gaze. Meanwhile, Maya’s eyes lit up. She sneakily took out her phone, wanting to record such an exciting scene.
Mia stood there and decided to risk everything. She slowly undid the buttons on her shirt, revealing her delicate collarbones. Her cleavage was also vaguely in view.
Timothy’s pupils constricted. He hadn’t expected her to really try to take her shirt off.
His expression was steely as he snarled, “That’s enough! You’re the most shameless woman I’ve ever met, Mia Bowen. Get the fuck out of here. I don’t want to see you ever again!”
With that, he turned and stormed back into the villa. Even from behind, he was as icy as always.
Mia stopped. A trace of mockery flashed in her eyes. Hadn’t he been the one to tell her to strip?
Her palms were clammy with sweat. She’d really been ready to risk everything.
Maya lowered her phone, feeling rather disappointed. Then, she said haughtily, “You might be cheap enough to strip, but think about whether there are any rich men who are willing to watch. Otherwise, you’d be stripping for nothing.
“It’s all your fault for having such a shitty upbringing. Just live out the rest of your life as a regular peasant, and stop dreaming about rising through the ranks by marrying upward.”
Mia clutched the recyclable bag and sniffled. Sometimes, she genuinely envied people who’d been born into good families.
Whenever she was bullied, she would imagine her family descending from the heavens and getting revenge for her.
But she knew things like that only existed in TV shows. Even if her family had found her now, there was no way something like that could happen.
At this moment, they heard a buzzing sound as a helicopter landed on the grass not too far from them.
Several tall, burly bodyguards got out and marched toward Mia, looking menacing.
When Timothy heard the noise from inside the villa, he stood at the door to see what was happening. He watched as the bodyguards stood before Mia.
They said respectfully, “Ms. Bowen, we’re here to pick you up!”
The bodyguards were there to pick Mia up?
She looked at the helicopter and thought about how Patricia had told her that her family had sought Patricia out.
Had these bodyguards really been sent by her family?
Mia pinched her face, feeling like she was dreaming. There couldn’t really be a helicopter here to take her home.
She’d been dreaming for the past 20 years. Was it really coming true now?
Maya looked at Mia mockingly. “You’re a great actress, Mia. Where did you find these extras? They do a pretty good job. Look, once a peasant, always a peasant. No matter how hard you try to conceal it, you can’t hide how poor you really are.
“I can’t believe you even rented a helicopter for this! I bet this is your first time getting into one, you country bumpkin!”
Before Mia could say anything, the bodyguard standing beside her gave Maya a hard slap. The force of it made her lose her balance and fall to the ground.
Maya shrieked, “How dare you instruct this guy to slap me! Do you know who I am? Do you know who my brothers are? I’m gonna have you and your family’s lives for this!”
Mia smiled at how crazed Maya looked. “Well, my brother’s Voldemort.”
She turned and headed toward the helicopter. Behind her, Timothy growled, “Stop right there, Mia!”
She faltered, then continued toward the helicopter without looking back.
As Timothy watched her get further away, he sped up to run after her. But Maya clung to him, saying pitifully,” Look at her, Tim! She even dared to have her man slap me!”
Timothy didn’t spare her a glance. His gaze was frosty and complicated as he watched Mia’get into the helicopter. She’d actually left!
“Tim, she must’ve already found someone new. Why else would she have this rich guy send a helicopter to pick her up right after she signed the divorce papers?” Maya said.
“Shut up!” Timothy narrowed his eyes. He thought Mia was only putting up a strong front to make him mad. He hadn’t expected her to really find someone new.