Jay's hands trembled as she slammed the bedroom door behind her, eyes blazing.
"Lucas… how could you?" she demanded, voice sharp, almost unrecognizable.
Lucas didn't flinch. He lounged lazily on the bed, arms crossed, smirk curling on his lips.
"I married you for your inheritance," he said casually, as if stating a fact. "And everything else… was just convenient."
Jay froze.
Her chest tightened, a fire igniting deep inside her.
Convenient? A means to an end?
Her self-respect, buried for so long, hit her all at once.
"Kaisan," she said softly, turning to her son. "Pack your things, baby. We're leaving."
Kaisan blinked, small hands fumbling with his backpack.
"Yes, Mom," he whispered.
Lucas laughed, dark and cruel. "Leaving? You're nothing without me, Jay. Just remember that."
Jay's jaw clenched. Her eyes flashed, voice like ice.
"Nothing? You really think I'm nothing?"
She stepped closer, hands on her hips, eyes locked on him.
"Listen carefully. I am Kaisan's mother. I am his world. I am everything he needs. And I am not… nothing. You hear me, Lucas?"
Lucas raised an eyebrow, smirk fading slightly, but pride still in his stance.
Jay ignored him. She swept past him, pulling Kaisan gently along.
"Come on, baby. Let's go," she whispered.
Kaisan clung to her hand, small and trembling, but he trusted her completely.
Lucas called after them. "You'll regret this, Jay. Don't think you can survive without me!"
Jay stopped at the doorway, head held high, eyes fierce.
"Survive? I've been surviving every day for years without your love, without your care. And now… we leave. You're the one who can't survive your own conscience, Lucas. Goodbye."
Kaisan tugged at her hand, small face wet with tears.
"Mom… are we really leaving him?" he whispered.
"Yes, baby," she said, brushing his hair from his forehead. "We are. And I promise… we'll never look back."
They stepped out of the house together, hearts pounding, the weight of years lifting slowly from their shoulders.
Jay's eyes burned with clarity, her spirit unshaken.
Kaisan stayed close, small hand in hers, learning courage from her strength.
And as the front door clicked shut behind them, Jay whispered to herself, voice soft but unwavering:
"We're free now, Kaisan. Free… and nothing can take that away from us."
Kaisan clutched Jay's hand, still trembling from leaving Lucas behind.
"Mom… where are we going?" he asked, eyes wide.
Jay smiled gently, a secret spark in her eyes.
"You'll see, baby. Just trust me."
As they drove, Kaisan couldn't stop asking questions.
"Are we staying with Grandma?"
"No, baby."
"Are we… going somewhere safe?"
"Yes, very safe."
After a short drive, they stopped in front of a beautiful, sunlit house.
Kaisan blinked. "Mom… this is… ours?"
Jay nodded, smiling softly. "Yes, baby. Ours. Forever."
He stepped forward, small feet bouncing on the pavement.
"But… Mom… I thought we didn't have money. How… how did you—"
Jay laughed quietly, brushing a strand of hair from his face.
"Shh… don't worry about that. There are things about me you don't know yet, baby."
Kaisan tilted his head. "Like what?"
Jay opened the front door and stepped inside.
"This… is our new home. Just for us. Safe, warm… and happy. And you know… I've been handling a company all this time."
Kaisan's eyes went wide. "You… own a company? All this time?"
Jay nodded, kneeling to his level. "Yes, baby. And today, I decided it's time we have a proper home. Just for us. No one can hurt us here."
Kaisan ran around the living room, exploring every corner.
"This… is amazing! Mom, it's perfect!"
Jay smiled, watching him, heart swelling.
"Yes, baby. Perfect… just like you."
She picked him up, spinning him gently.
"You see… we can start over. No fear, no pain. Just us. You and me. Forever."
Kaisan hugged her tightly, small arms squeezing her neck.
"I love you, Mom. I'm so happy."
"And I love you, Kaisan," Jay whispered. "More than anything. And I promise… from now on, we only have happiness."
Outside, the sun shone warmly, the breeze soft against the walls of their new home.
Inside, laughter filled the rooms, small and bright.
Jay knew this was only the beginning.
A new life.
A life she and Kaisan would build together.
Safe. Strong. Free.
Forever.