“I’m completely sure. Prepare the lease.”
That night, I called a luxury moving company.
“I want you to move all my belongings from my current apartment to the penthouse of the Salarium building tomorrow,” I told them. “And I want you to hire decorators to make the place impeccable.”
The cost of the service was more than I used to spend in three months, but I no longer cared.
The next day, as the movers were packing my things, I received a call from Ethan. He had just returned from his honeymoon.
“Mom, where are you? I went to your apartment and there are moving trucks outside.”
His voice was worried—but not for me, for his plans to ask me for more money.
“I’m moving, Ethan,” I replied calmly.
“Moving? Where to? Why didn’t you tell me anything?”
I could hear Ashley in the background asking what was wrong.
“I didn’t think it was necessary to inform you. After all, as you made very clear at your wedding, I am not your real mother.”
There was an awkward silence.
“Mom, don’t be dramatic. You know I love you. It’s just that… well, Carol has been like a second mother to me.”
Those words confirmed what I already knew. To Ethan, I was replaceable.
“Ethan,” I said, “if you need me, my new number is with Mr. Miller. He has all my updated information.”
“Mr. Miller? Why do you have a lawyer? Mom, you’re scaring me.”
For the first time in months, I detected insecurity in his voice.
“I’m just putting my affairs in order, son. At 70 years old, it’s the responsible thing to do.”
I hung up before he could respond.
That afternoon, I settled into my new home. The penthouse was a dream come true. From the terrace, I could see the entire city spread out at my feet. The decorators had done an excellent job: elegant furniture, silk curtains, a kitchen equipped with state-of-the-art appliances. I poured myself a glass of French wine, a bottle that cost more than I used to spend on a week’s worth of groceries, and sat in my new living room.
For the first time in decades, I felt in control of my life. No more living and waiting for scraps of affection from Ethan. No more accepting humiliation from Ashley. No more being invisible to Carol.
On the third day in my new apartment, my phone rang. It was an unknown number.
“Stephanie, this is Carol, Ashley’s mom.”
Her voice had lost all the fake sweetness from the wedding.
“I need to speak with you urgently.”
I smiled. It was starting.
“Of course, Carol. How can I help you?”
There was a pause.
“Ethan told me you moved and that you have a lawyer. Ashley is very worried. Did something happen?”
The concern in her voice was music to my ears. After decades of being ignored, now they needed answers from me.
“Nothing serious happened,” I replied calmly. “I just decided to make some changes in my life. At 70, one learns that life is too short to waste on people who don’t value you.”
Another longer pause.
“Stephanie, could we meet? I think there’s been a misunderstanding.”
A misunderstanding. How interesting. When they humiliated me at the wedding, there were no misunderstandings. When Ethan asked me for more money the next day, there was no confusion. But now that I had disappeared from their lives, suddenly everything was a misunderstanding.
“Of course, Carol, but you’ll have to come to my new apartment. I don’t go out as much as I used to.”
I gave her my new address. The Salarium building was known throughout the city as one of the most exclusive. I knew Carol would recognize the address immediately.
“The Salarium building?” she asked, surprised.
“Yes,” I confirmed. “Penthouse, 25th floor. The doorman will announce you.”
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