Dear Billionaire, I'm Not Your Wife Anymore! - Chapter 6: Chapter 6

My father, Hall Avery, was once one of the country's top medical doctors.
Before his death, he had cultivated many outstanding medical talents. But I knew his greatest regret was not being able to personally establish an independent laboratory to make public the scientific research achievements he had never completed in his lifetime.
This wish had now been passed down to me.
I closed my computer, rubbed my temples, and planned to return to the room to sleep with Mia.
Just past midnight, I heard the sound of keys being inserted into the door lock—Braden was home.
In the past, every time he came home late, I would go downstairs to care for him, asking if he had been drinking, if he was tired, thoughtfully making him sobering tea or warming a glass of hot milk to help him sleep.
Marriage teaches women many skills, like reading people's expressions and taking care of others... but ultimately, it only turned me into a thankless servant.
Footsteps stopped at the door. I quickly closed my eyes and pretended to sleep.
The door opened gently, and a familiar tall figure approached the bedside. The air carried a faint smell of alcohol and a familiar women's perfume—Linda's.
He leaned down to tuck Mia in and kissed her forehead.
I still didn't move. A warm, light kiss landed on my forehead, but I stiffened like a block of ice.
As soon as he left, I immediately got up, pulled out a wet tissue from the bedside table, and vigorously wiped away the skin he had kissed.
A man who had just been intimate with another woman—I found his kiss disgusting.
Over the next few days, I tried to focus all my attention on my daughter.
I made an effort to be gentle and patient, rebuilding the connection between Mia and me. After all, she was the child I had raised with my own hands. Her love for me had never disappeared; it had just been replaced by someone else. As long as I was willing to accompany her and understand her, she would rely on me again.
Friday noon, I had been writing experimental proposals in the study all morning. When I went downstairs for water, I turned around and came face to face with Braden.
He was also coming upstairs from downstairs, and we looked at each other.
I didn't say anything, just walked past him toward the kitchen.
"Still angry?" His voice carried displeasure.
I paused and turned to look at him: "What am I angry about?"
"Nothing." He snorted lightly and went upstairs.
I was stunned for a moment.
He was referring to... that?
After a few minutes, I finally realized what he meant.
Half a month ago, I had impulsively torn up his passport to prevent him from going abroad with Linda for Christmas.
We had a cold war for a week, and finally I took the initiative to go to his room while Mia was sleeping, using marital intimacy to exchange for brief peace.
He was just alluding to that incident.
But I knew that no matter how much I tried to stop him, Braden would still insist on taking our daughter abroad to spend the holidays with Linda.
Just as I was lost in thought, my phone rang.
Seeing the caller, I smiled genuinely: "Senior Leo?"
"Charlotte! I've read all your papers—they're incredible!" Leo's enthusiastic voice on the other end made me feel, for a moment, that my years of dedication had finally been acknowledged.
"Thank you for your affirmation," I replied softly.
"Are you free these few days? I can fly over to see you and discuss this in depth."
"Sure, let's set a time." I paused: "Let me contact you after I pick up my child."
After hanging up, I carried my tea cup toward the door, preparing to leave to pick up Mia.
Just as I reached the second-floor living room, I heard Braden on a call.
"My flight is Monday, yes, I'll bring Mia."
I stopped in my tracks, pausing at the entrance.
"Whatever gift you want, just ask."
I ducked behind the entrance hall. Braden's footsteps moved toward his room, and his final words drifted over: "I'll satisfy all your wishes."
My heart stung, and though I said I didn't care anymore, anger was still there.
This time, I would absolutely not let my daughter go abroad with them, and I would never give Linda another chance to get close to my daughter or brainwash her.