Leave My Tyrant After I Wake Up

The three o'clock afternoon sunlight streamed through the floor-to-ceiling window, casting long streaks across the floor. I held a freshly brewed cup of black tea in my hand, Shawn James sat on the leather sofa opposite me, his tie slightly loosened, his expression colder than usual. When he spoke, his voice was flat, but his words cut through the air like a dull knife. "Mary, I'm going to marry Rose." My hand holding the teacup didn't tremble; I even gently blew on the rim to cool it. In the past, hearing this, I probably would have cried and begged him to reconsider. But not anymore. Last night, I suddenly "awoke." It was like waking from a ten-year dream, during which I was Shawn's most obedient shadow, the vicious villainess willing to do anything in everyone's eyes. Only after waking from the dream did I truly see how absurd the past ten years of my life had been. I looked up at him, my tone as calm as if I were commenting on the weather: "Got it." Shawn seemed momentarily stunned, probably not expecting that reaction from me. He frowned. "Don't you have anything to say?" "What's there to say?" I smiled faintly and set down my teacup. "Congratulations on your wedding?" His expression darkened even more as he pulled a bank card from the inside pocket of his suit and placed it on the coffee table. "There's five million in here. Consider it... a breakup settlement." I glanced at the card, its golden surface shimmering in the sunlight. Ten years of my youth for five million, and with the house and car he gave me over the years, it doesn't seem like such a bad deal after all. I didn't immediately take the card; instead, I stepped forward a little, my fingertips gently brushing his wrist. Shawn's body tensed briefly, a complicated emotion flashing across his eyes. "Shawn James," I whispered, "One last time—consider this the wedding gift I'm giving you." He didn't refuse, or rather, he was used to my compliance. But he probably didn't realize I remained composed the entire time, without a shred of the obsession I once had. After it was over, I put on my clothes, took the bank card from the table, and slipped it into my bag. He leaned against the headboard, watching me pack, his voice hoarse: "Are you really just... indifferent about this?" My hand hesitated as I buttoned my coat, then I turned to look at him: "What, you want me to cling desperately?" He said nothing, just stared at me, his eyes dark and unreadable. I ignored him, grabbed my bag, and walked out of the villa where I had lived for five years. That night, back at my own apartment, I reviewed all my assets. Two apartments downtown, a supercar, plus five million from today, and the savings I'd set aside—adding up to nearly twenty million in total. I sat on the carpet, looking at the various property deeds and bank cards spread out before me, and suddenly, I laughed. Ten years of youth—worth it! All the feelings I invested, all the grievances I endured, I'll just consider them tuition fees paid. Starting tomorrow, I'm going to live my own life—no longer Shawn's accessory, no longer that ridiculous supporting villainess. The night outside the window was deep; stars flickered behind the clouds. I turned off the light, lay down in bed, and for the first time felt the future brim with hope.