Chapter 2 " Wow ! You actually said yes ? " " Yeah . Being a judge isn't much fun , but the resignation takes ten days . Once it's done , I'll come over . " Her senior , Arnold Zimmer , had gone to Hamburg right after graduation to start a law firm . He'd invited Valerie many times . Back then , she'd just married Theodore , so she'd put the idea aside . " And ... did you talk to your husband about it ? " A faint , mocking smile touched her lips . " I don't have a husband anymore . " Not only was she without a husband now - she wasn't even married . It was a little sad . There was a brief silence . Arnold was smart ; he could guess what had happened and didn't press further . " Arnold , I'll go to Hamburg under two conditions . If you agree , I'll sign a lifetime contract with Aston Law Firm . " First , help me erase all my records in New York , including my mother's . Second , I want to immigrate to Hamburg with my mom and my son . " Arnold's voice lit up . " Okay ! That's nothing for me . Vallie , I can't wait to have you on board ! " 0.00 % 09:40 Chapter 2 28 Votes When the call ended , Valerie leaned against the cold wall , her face wet . Less than a minute later , her phone rang again - Theodore . The same voice he used in court , but with a different tone . Distant , cold . " Did you get to Los Angeles ? " " Yeah . I'm here . " After she'd finished her onboarding at the court , she'd told him about this " surprise . " " I booked your flight back to New York for the day after tomorrow . Take Andrew around for two days . I'm leaving for a month - long business trip tomorrow . I have no time to keep you company . " Valerie let out a bitter laugh . Just got here , and he was already sending her away - probably rushing to take Olivia on an island vacation . " Theodore , let's meet . " He clicked his tongue . " I'm busy , Vallie . Can you stop being so stubborn ? " Before she could say another word , the line went dead . She stared at the dark screen , feeling the last bit of light in her heart go out . He didn't love her . He didn't love Andrew . Fine - she'd take Andrew and vanish from his world . Dragging her feet to the hotel , she opened the door and was wrapped up in a soft , eager hug from Andrew . 17 82 % 09:39 Chapter 2 " Mommy ! I missed you so much ! " Her lashes trembled . Holding back tears , she kissed his cheek . 17 299 Wandere " Andrew , would you like to live overseas with me ? No Daddy there - just Grandma and me ... " Andrew wore a bright smile and nodded innocently . Valerie and his grandma were his whole world . " And if you never see Daddy again ? " __ He pouted , then planted a kiss on her cheek . " Wherever Mommy is , that's where I'll be . " She hugged him tight , finally feeling a flicker of peace . She didn't tell her mother - Dorothy Yost's high blood pressure couldn't handle the news . She'd wait until after the move . The next day , she submitted her resignation to the court's higher - ups . Her assistant and fellow clerks were stunned . " Ms. Nelson , did you win the lottery ? Becoming a judge is so hard , and you're just quitting ? " Valerie smiled . " I thought about it . I'd rather go back to my old work . " " True . Attorneys make way more here in Los Angeles . Guess you'll be Attorney Nelson now - take care of me , huh? " Valerie didn't tell her she was moving to Hamburg to practice law and that they'd never meet again . Los Angeles was a place of heartbreak . She'd never come back . 37.51 % 09 40 C Chapter 2 Before the workday even ended , she got a call from an unfamiliar number . The moment she picked up , Andrew's cries filled her ear . " Is this Andrew's mother ? He got sick from something he ate at our daycare . He's running a mild fever ... Do you want to take him to the hospital ? " Daycare ? A fever ? Her heart skipped . Without even asking for leave , she rushed there . All the way , she tried calling Dorothy over and over . No answer . She had no choice but to take the weak little boy straight to the hospital . Thankfully , it wasn't serious . They gave him medicine , and he was already doing better after taking it . She couldn't help but ask , " Did Grandma drop you off at daycare ? Where did she go ? " Andrew's gaze fell , his tiny fingers fidgeting . After a moment , he finally said , " Grandma went to make money . She said you work too hard , so I should stay here and be good ... and she'll buy me ice cream . " Her mind went blank , vision dimming . Dorothy probably thought she and Theodore had fought over money and wanted to help . Half an hour later , Dorothy finally called back , voice low and tinged with nervousness . " Vallie , I'm working as a nanny at an employer's house right now . Did something happen to Andrew ? " A lump rose in her throat . She couldn't say a single word of blame . 57.84 % 09 : 401 Chapter 2 11 Palsy Her voice was hoarse . " Andrew's fine . Are you tired ? Where are you ? I'll come pick you up after work . ' Dorothy let out a small breath , her tone brightening . " This employer was introduced by Theodore . Don't worry ! I told him I was recommending a friend and didn't say it was me ... I just wanted to help you two out . " Theodore ? He could drop one and a half billion on a heart - shaped blue diamond for Olivia , yet pretend to be broke in front of them . How long was he planning to keep up this poor son - in - law act ? Without thinking too much , Valerie took Andrew and headed to the address Dorothy sent . It was in the famous neighborhood of Los Angeles - elegant surroundings , with the city's most stunning night view . The price tag was beyond belief . She found the number and pressed the doorbell . Andrew , curious as ever , pointed to the plaque and read aloud , " Olivia's ... Manor ... The words made her heart jolt . The black - and - gold plaque really did read " Amora Olive Manor . " Creak . The door opened , and her throat clenched like a giant hand had seized it , cutting off her breath .