She Quit Her Family and Found Herself novel Chapter 98

"Stay away from me. Your perfume is making me sick."

"You—!" Cora gasped, completely caught off guard. She had fully expected her sister-in-law to break down in tears, throw a fit, or at least desperately try to win Miles' affection back. Instead, she had just called her nauseating!

Cora's face cycled rapidly between flushed red and pale white as she instinctively sniffed her own clothes. It was high-end perfume, not nauseating at all!

Hulda took one final look at Miles. The boy was happily accepting spoonful after spoonful from Sylvie, the two of them giggling and smiling like a picture-perfect mother and son, completely oblivious to her existence.

Her eyes dimmed, but she didn't utter another word. She turned around and walked out of the room.

When a heart is battered enough times, it still aches.

But she had finally learned how to endure the pain without letting it consume her from the inside out.

As she passed the Lounge Room, she could hear Herbert and Wade still deep in conversation. She quickened her pace, practically sprinting to the foyer. Pausing only to throw one last glance at the imposing Jewell Estate, she pushed the heavy doors open and stepped out into the night.

It felt like a final, absolute severing of ties with the family.

The moment she crossed the property line, the crisp, unchained night air filled her lungs, instantly clearing the suffocating weight that had been crushing her chest.

Taxis rarely passed through the exclusive neighborhood around the estate, and ride-shares weren't allowed past the main gates.

Since she didn't own a car yet, her only option was to walk to the main road to hail a cab.

Fortunately, the walk wasn't too grueling; twenty minutes would get her to the intersection.

But the inconvenience was a stark reminder that she needed to buy a car as soon as possible. Without one, navigating her new life was going to be a nightmare.

About ten minutes down the dimly lit road, the roar of an engine approached rapidly from behind. High beams cut through the darkness, blinding her momentarily.

Suddenly, the sleek car slowed to a crawl and pulled up right beside her.

Just as she was squinting at the familiar shape of the Panamera, the passenger window rolled down, revealing Justin's face. "Hulda?"

"It's pitch black out here. Why are you walking alone?" He glanced up the road toward the Jewell Estate, quickly connecting the dots.

Before he could stop himself, the words slipped out: "Do you want a ride?"

The second the offer left his lips, Justin froze.

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