Chapter 8

...

A company gala was in full swing.

As Daniel's companion, Siena dressed up and clung to his arm.

Kimberly, on the other hand, hadn't even received an invitation. But she came anyway with a single purpose: to deliver the custody waiver.

Her flight was scheduled to depart in just two hours, and time was of the essence. She navigated through the crowded ballroom for any sign of Margaret.

Then the stage lights flared dramatically, revealing Daniel standing at the center, flanked by Siena and Henry.

The employees whispered below, "Guess the rumors are true. Our boss is a romantic, always tied to the same woman."

"Isn't he already married?"

"Yeah, to some small-town nobody. No feelings there. Siena is his true love."

Kimberly ignored the whispers and continued her search. She even checked the stairwell, but Margaret was nowhere to be seen.

As she turned back, Siena's voice came. "Did you even get an invite? Only one companion is allowed per guest. Guess who won? Me."

Her gentle façade was dropped, replaced by a twisted expression of triumph and malice. She hissed, "Daniel will always pick me over you."

Kimberly was unfazed. "I don't have time for your silly games."

Siena smirked, then shoved her hard.

Kimberly lost her balance, tumbling down the stairs and crashing to the floor. The custody waiver was still grasped tightly in her hand, the paper crumpling under the force of the fall.

Pain surged through her body, old wounds flaring with the new. She grunted in agony, unable to move.

The noise startled everyone in the hall.

Daniel rushed up, pausing at the scene. Then he rushed to her side and carefully helped her up.

"What happened? How did you end up like this?" he asked with a frown.

Kimberly looked back at Siena, who seemed unrepentant at the top of the stairs. Far from it, she whined, her voice trembling with feigned pain, "Ow, my ankle hurts!"

"Dad, Siena's foot is hurt!" Henry shouted. "Check on her!"

Daniel hesitated, looking at Kimberly with concern, but she forced herself to stand still.

"Don't worry about me," she said evenly.

Daniel faltered. "I'll check on her and come back fast."

Kimberly shook her head, finally finding Margaret in a quiet corner of the ballroom.

Margaret gasped at her state. "What happened? You're a mess, with blood on your clothes."

Kimberly brushed it off and handed over the custody waiver. "Here, take it."

Margaret skimmed through the document and sighed, "Maybe I shouldn't have signed you to this deal in the first place. We dragged you in and left you like this. We failed you. You can go."

Kimberly's voice trembled with emotion. "Thank you."

...

She boarded the plane, battered but joyful.

She was free, no longer bound by the contract. Finally, she belonged to herself again.

The morning light streamed through the window. Her life shed its darkness, and a bright future waited for her ahead.