Chapter 9

(Cassie's Perspective)

Over the next few days, my phone constantly vibrated with incoming messages. I chose to ignore her texts, never responding.

One day, she sent images of a "New Parents Program" enrollment form, with her and Max's names written side by side.

Accompanying this were numerous messages detailing his excitement about their future together and his involvement. Another message listed gifts he had purchased for her and their baby - items he had previously claimed we couldn't afford when I suggested starting a family.

I didn't shed tears or raise my voice. Instead, I contacted the housekeeper and calmly asked her to collect all the presents Max had ever given me - the costly jewelry, designer handbags, and fragrances. "Donate them to charity," I said matter-of-factly.

She looked surprised but complied, gathering the items. As I watched her leave with the boxes, I felt a sense of liberation, as if I had cut a tie that had been binding me to him.