Chapter 9 - The New Foundation
Six months after the divorce decree was finalized, autumn returned to the city, painting the streets in brilliant shades of gold and amber.
My freelance design business had reached unprecedented heights. Having rebranded under my maiden name—Elena Vance Creative Consulting—I had just secured a major international contract with a European tech conglomerate, doubling my annual revenue.
I sat on the private balcony of my apartment, sipping a warm cup of herbal tea, looking out over the magnificent city skyline as the evening sun dipped below the horizon.
The apartment was entirely mine. Every piece of furniture, every splash of color on the walls, and every quiet, peaceful second belonged to me and me alone. No unannounced visitors banging on the door. No screaming children tracking mud across my rugs. No arrogant mother-in-law demanding obedience from a woman who built her own empire.
My phone chimed on the patio table.
It was a text message from an unknown number. I almost deleted it without reading, but my curiosity flickered.
“Elena, it’s Garrett. I know I have no right to text you. I just wanted you to know... Mom had to move into a government-subsidized senior facility in New Jersey. Tabitha lost custody of the kids to her ex. I’m working two jobs at a warehouse just to pay off the remaining legal debt. I think about how good we had it every single day. I was an idiot. I'm so, so sorry.”
I stared at the screen for a long, quiet moment.
There was no satisfaction in his ruin. Just a cold, undeniable truth: choices have consequences, and loyalty given to parasites will always result in a host being bled dry.
May you like
I didn't reply.
Instead, I tapped my finger on the screen, selected Block Contact, and watched the number disappear into the digital void forever.
