“Alright.”

I stood up, my decision already made. “Then let’s go to the beach.”

That night, I barely slept. When dawn was about to break, I quietly got out of bed.

My mom had been sleeping restlessly and when I moved, she woke up, “Anne, why are you up so early?”

“Mm. Go back to sleep, Mom. I just need to take care of something. I’ll be back soon.”

I had already booked a reliable long-distance driver-for-hire service. After paying in advance, I asked him to drive the car I’d brought yesterday back to the underground garage at home.

Then I grabbed my bag, which contained all my important documents: my ID card, marriage certificate and that motor vehicle registration certificate.

On the owner’s line, my name was printed clearly, Anne Wright. It was the car my parents had bought for me, fully paid, before I got married.

After I upgraded to a new car, Liam primarily drove the old one. He drove it with complete ease, probably long forgotten whose car it truly was.

I sat in the hotel lobby lounge, pulled out my phone and without hesitation, called a used car dealer I'd contacted before.

“Bill, it’s me, Anne Wright.”

“You rememeber the car I mentioned earlier? I’m ready to sell it now. Same price we talked about before. Or even a little lower. But I want to close the deal immediately, full payment. The car’s parked in the scenic area lot.”

My voice was calm, without a trace of hesitation. On the other end, Bill clearly paused, but upon hearing my urgency and willingness to negotiate, he quickly agreed.

Half an hour later, I met him in the parking lot. He checked the car, verified the papers, made the transfer and handed me the payment.

The whole process was quick and clean, almost shockingly so. When my phone buzzed with the bank notification showing $300,000 had been deposited into my account, the car that Liam had driven for years was no longer mine.

“Thanks, Bill.”

I quickly put my phone away, my face showing no emotion. I didn’t return to the hotel.

Instead, I walked straight to a nearby travel agency.

Brightly colored promotional posters adorned the glass door, [National Day Exclusive, Customized Island Getaways, Ultimate Experience, Ready to Go!]

Without hesitation, I pushed the door open and pointed directly at the poster. “Two people. Comfortable itinerary, good service. Departing today, leaving right now.”

The receptionist paused for a moment, then enthusiastically began to explain. I interrupted, "Could you please speed up the process? The price is not a problem.”

Swipe card. Sign papers. Done.

Three hundred thousand dollars was half gone in a flash, exchanged for two tickets to the azure island and a stack of exquisite high-end hotel vouchers.

When I returned to the room, Mom was already already awake, sitting on the edge of the bed, lost in thought.

“Mom,” I took her hand, “Pack your things. We're leaving.”

“Leave? Where? Aren't we waiting for Liam and his mom?” My mom looked bewildered.

“No. We’re not waiting. I'll take you somewhere nice to relax, just the two of us."

She looked at my determined expression, then at the wooden comb I had thrown into the trash last night and seemed to understand something.

After packing my limited belongings and getting into the reserved taxi with my mother, my phone began ringing like a death knell.

The screen flashed Liam again and again. As soon as the call connected, his impatient questioning came flooding in. “Anne, where did you drive my car? We’re heading to the next scenic spot soon. Bring it back now!”

My voice stayed calm and composed when answering, “I didn’t drive it away. I sold it.”

There was silence on the other end of the line for a few seconds, followed by his furious roar, "Sold? What did you say? Say it again! You sold the car? Anne, are you crazy? Why did you sell my car?"

I sneered and spoke calmly, "Your car? Liam, after driving it for so long, you seem forget about something now. That car is registered in my name, black and white on paper."

There was a choke on the other end, clearly stuttering at the words. After a long pause, he finally spoke. "That… that doesn’t mean you can just sell it by yourself! Why didn’t you ask for my permission? How can you decide on your own?"

"That’s my own my property, why should I need your permission?"

Without waiting for his response, I continued, "Also, just to let you know, I've signed my mom up for a tour and we're on our way to the airport. About your next trip, you handle it yourself."

"Tour? Airport? You...you..."

He was completely stunned. When he came to his senses, he exploded with even louder shouting, "Anne! Get back here! Right now! Do you hear me? If you dare leaving me, you will..."

I didn’t give him another chance to speak. I cut the call off. My fingertip tapped the screen, turning off the phone decisively.

The taxi reached the airport quickly. After checking in, I took my mother’s arm and walked toward security.

"Anne, is it really okay for us to just leave like this? Liam...." My mom asked quietly and gripped her boarding pass.

"Mom, it's okay." I squeezed her hand, my voice firm, "From now on, we only need to think our own feelings."

As soon as I finished speaking, a familiar roar came behind us. "Anne! Stop right there!"

Turning around, I saw Liam and his mother. Their hair looked messy and panting.

He strode over to me. "Anne! How dare you selling the car and running away! I am still your husband, remember?"

“You've completely lost your mind, Anne!” His mom caught her breath. “Give us the money from selling the car! Come with us to buy it back! And cancel that tour package!”

“Give the money to you?”

I raised an eyebrow, then continued with calm but sarcastic tone, "For what? For you to show your devotion to your mom again? Or just curious where you will abandon my mom again? In some deserted place?"

"Cut the nonsense!" Liam waved his hand rudely, refusing to respond. "The car is family property. You just say sell it? How are we going to go back? Tell me!"

My lips curled slightly and I deliberately slowed my speech, repeating his words clearly, word for word, "Anyway, you can read the signs, right? Just follow the directions and take the bus back yourself."