---
Lin Yue stood silently, her figure unmoving as her mother snatched the documents from Lin Chengbi's trembling hands as the dusty wind swept through the old compound.
The sound of rustling paper was loud in the tense air.
Her mother's eyes darted across the bold title: RELATIONSHIP SEVERING AGREEMENT.
The words were like slaps across her face. Her eyes darted to Lin Yue, incredulous, then darkened with rage.
"You little bitch! What the hell is this supposed to mean? Huh? Cutting ties with us? Are you out of your damn mind?" her voice shrilled like metal scraping concrete.
She took a step forward, waving the paper like a weapon. "Where do you even get the guts, you useless thing?! You want to cut ties?!"
Lin Yue met her gaze, calm and resolute. "Yes," she said coldly.
For the first time in her life, she saw genuine shock on her mother's face—followed by rage.
Perhaps they had grown too comfortable and top used with the Lin Yue who kept her head low, who endured everything in silence, who was always willing to sacrifice herself for a family that never truly accepted her.
Maybe they thought she would always remain that obedient, weak-willed girl.
But she wasn't that girl anymore.
She had someone to protect now—her baby.
Her mother's face twisted into fury. "Where did you get the guts?! After everything we did for you! After raising you, feeding you—"
"Feeding me scraps and beating me like a dog," Lin Yue cut in, her tone flat. "Don't pretend you ever cared. Let's just end this."
Her mother breathed heavily as she raised a hand to slap her, but Boss Li's impatient grunt cut through the drama.
He was seated with his legs lazily crossed, banged his hand on the armrest of his folding chair and stood up, scowling.
"I don't give a rat's ass about your family drama," he growled. "I want my money. Now."
His glare turned to Lin Chengbi, who had turned pale as a ghost. "Pay up, or I swear, I'll make you regret ever breathing."
Lin Chengbi's eyes flicked to Lin Yue, and in a blind rage, he raised his hand toward her. "You little tramp! You have money, don't you?! Pay up, or I'll beat you to death!"
But Lin Yue didn't flinch.
She looked him squarely in the eye. "Try it. If you dare."
Her voice was calm, but it cut like ice.
She then turned to Boss Li and said," You want money. Tell him to sign the papers."
Boss Li tilted his head as he stepped forward, sighing like a man who was getting bored.
He reached into his pocket and pulled out a wicked-looking knife, its blade gleaming.
Without hesitation, he pressed it lightly to Lin Chengbi's throat. "Enough. Sign the damn paper or pay me now. Your choice."
Lin Chengbi froze.
Sweat began to trickle down his temple.
Even in all his arrogance, he could tell that Boss Li wasn't bluffing.
Trembling, he turned to his wife, who handed the document back in silence, her face stunned and angry.
Lin Yue's lips curled slightly as she extended a pen.
"Sign it."
Trembling, Chengbi took the pen from her hand and scrawled his name angrily on the bottom of the agreement.
The signature was jagged, full of resentment
Lin Yue took the document back and tucked it carefully into her bag, her heart finally light.
Relief seeped into her veins like warm sunlight after years of cold shadows.
"Remove my name from your household registry immediately," she said, each word firm. "If not, I'll take legal action."
Her mother's face was thunderous.
Lin Chengbi spat at the ground.
But she didn't care.
She turned to Boss Li. "Where should I send the money? Give me your account number."
He nodded, pulling out his phone.
Within minutes, the money was transferred.
As her phone chimed confirming the transaction, she walked away without sparing them another glance.
Out of that house. Out of that hell.
Forever.
---
Outside the compound, she hailed a cab. The ride was silent. She didn't speak, didn't cry.
Why would she?
They were not worth her tears anymore.
She just looked out of the window as the streets blurred past, her hand resting protectively over her belly.
For you, little one. I'll give you the life I never had.
---
As she stepped out of the car and climbed the stairs to her small unit, she felt as though her shoulders were lighter than they had ever been.
She entered her small house.
She looked around the house.
But it was hers.
Hers and her baby's.
But she needed to do something.
To avoid future troubles.
Then, she made up her mind.
She walked to the table and picked up her phone.
Her hands shook slightly as she scrolled through her contacts.
She found the name.
Mo Yuwei.
She pressed dial.
The phone rang only twice before Mo Yuwei picked up.
"Lin Yue?" came the familiar, warm voice.
Lin Yue took a deep breath. "Yuwei... I need your help."
---