Chapter 8: Choosing Pride

“Maya, help me get discharged.”

“You just woke up. Why are you rushing to leave?” Maya asked, surprised.

After what Easton said, Ellis couldn’t let him look down on her. She wanted to have some pride, after all.

“Can I stay at your place for a while?” Ellis asked.

The sudden change of topic left Maya confused. “You want to leave the hospital and come to my place? Why?”

Ellis didn’t own any property and couldn’t immediately find a place to live. Staying with a friend would give her some comfort and peace of mind.

“I need to live separately from Easton until the divorce is final,” Ellis explained.

Maya finally understood and felt sympathy for her. She agreed to have Ellis stay with her but insisted Ellis stay in the hospital for a few more days to recover fully.

Three days later, after a doctor’s check-up, Ellis was cleared for discharge.

As they handled the paperwork, Maya glanced at the bill. The total was 521,230 dollars. A six-figure amount meant little to Maya. But when Ellis grimaced while paying, Maya was confused. “Only five hundred dollars, and you’re hurting?”

Ellis nodded. “Yes, of course.”

Since she was serious about the divorce, she refused to spend Easton’s money, so she was using her card. Her status increased after marrying Easton, but she was still from an ordinary family. Her parents passed away early, leaving no inheritance. Even being adopted by Easton’s aunt hadn’t brought her any fortune. She was relying on her salary and holiday gifts to cover the costs.

It was easy to get used to luxury after being thrifty, but hard to return to a modest lifestyle. If she didn’t cut back on her spending and start saving, her savings might run out soon.

“Hey, you’re still Mrs. Hudson right now. Stop saving money for Easton; spend what you need,” Maya said, though inside she cursed Easton and Victoria. How shameless those two were!

Yesterday, they were seen attending a party together, and news about them was all over the place, while poor Ellis remained in the hospital, forgotten. So far, not a single member of the Hudson family had visited her, including Sophia, who often professed her fondness for Ellis as a daughter-in-law, and even her adoptive mother had been absent.

Maya suspected that the Hudson family had already made up their minds to let Victoria replace Ellis. Easton was heartless! Now that he was the head of the Hudson family, everyone had to follow his orders.

“No!” Ellis said firmly, pressing her lips together. “When we get to your house, could you help me draft another divorce agreement?”

“I can draft as many agreements as you need, but Easton has to agree. Are you going to ask him to have his lawyer discuss it with me?” Maya wanted to help Ellis get what she deserved, but she doubted Easton would spend time discussing the divorce.

“I’m going to Hudson Group tomorrow to talk to him.”

“Wait, you’re going back to Hudson Group?” Maya asked, confused.

Ellis had worked at Hudson Group since her graduate internship, assisting Easton. Now that they were divorcing, Maya couldn’t figure out why Ellis would want to go back. Maybe Ellis wasn’t determined to leave after all?

“I’m quitting, but I still need to handle the paperwork and get my salary and bonus,” Ellis explained, determined to claim every bit of what she’d earned.

“But didn’t you miss work while you were in the hospital?” Maya asked. “Most companies consider that job abandonment after three days. Will you still get paid?”

“I took leave.”

“Ellis, you’re acting differently. Why are you suddenly worrying about money like any regular person?” Maya asked, puzzled.

“I am a regular person; I just got lucky enough to marry into wealth. But the reality of living in luxury wasn’t easy, and now I’ve fallen back to where I started.” Ellis had never forgotten her humble beginnings and never forgot her simpler life.

“You seem different from the Ellis I know,” Maya said, reflecting on the change. “You used to be obsessed with getting Easton’s love, but now you’re acting so clear-headed that it’s like you’re someone else.”

In Maya’s car, Ellis rested her chin on her hand and gazed out the window. She wasn’t sure if she was truly clear-headed. Even though she had decided to divorce, she knew she couldn’t erase Easton from her heart right away. What she had to do now was gradually step away from Easton’s life and get used to a world without him.

Once they arrived at Maya’s place, Maya led her to the guest room, apologizing. “My house might feel cramped for you.”

Chapter 9: The Price of a Prenup