I Escaped My Stingy Husband
My daughter Stacy and I, no matter what we want to buy, have to explain the purpose and price to him beforehand and get his approval before we dare spend any money.
That afternoon, I took Stacy to the convenience store at the neighborhood gate to buy a homework notebook.
Passing by the accessories section, Stacy's eyes suddenly locked onto a pink hair clip the hairpin decorated with a tiny pearl, glowing softly under the light, priced at five.
"Mom, this hairpin is so pretty, I want it." Stacy tugged at my shirt, her eyes shining bright, her voice full of hope.
I ruffled her hair, thinking it was just five, no big deal, and smiled, saying, "Okay, Mom will buy it for you."
We didn't get a chance to tell Mike Collins beforehand; we just paid and went straight home.
It was just after seven when Mike Collins got home from work.
He had just taken off his shoes when his eyes caught the pink hair clip on the coffee table, and his once calm face instantly darkened.
"Who told you to waste money like that?" He walked over, picked up the hairpin, his voice cold as ice in the dead of winter, without a hint of warmth.
Stacy got scared and quickly hid behind me, her small hand gripping my clothes tight, whispering softly, "Dad, I like this hairpin..."
"Just because you like something, you think you can break the rules?" Mike Collins abruptly cut her off, his eyes sharp and fixed on me, his tone full of blame, "You're the mom, and you don't even know how to teach your kid properly? Have you forgotten the rules at home?"
I clutched the edge of my shirt, my palms sweaty, quietly explaining, "It was only five, I didn't think it was a big deal, and Stacy really liked it..."
"Not a big deal?" He sneered coldly and slammed the hairpin back onto the coffee table with a loud 'snap.' "I'm the one in charge of this family! Without my permission, not a single cent can be spent recklessly! Do you even see me as the head of this household anymore?"
Before I could say anything more, he grabbed my wrist and then pulled Stacy's arm, dragging us forcefully toward the basement.
He pulled my wrist so hard it hurt like hell, and Stacy was so scared she started crying, but he didn't loosen his grip at all.
The basement was dark and damp, filled with a musty smell, and only a tiny window in the corner let in a faint bit of light.
He pushed us inside and locked the door from the outside.
"You'll stay here and reflect for three days. Think carefully about what the rules are, what should be done, and what shouldn't." His voice came from outside the door, then the footsteps slowly faded away and disappeared at the stairwell.
Stacy held onto my arm, sobbing, "Mom, I'm scared... I'm hungry..."
I touched her head, tears I couldn't hold back fell down, dripping onto her hair.
I forced down my pain and fear, softly comforting her, "Sweetie, hang in there. Once Dad cools down, he'll let us out."
But during those three days, Mike Collins didn't come to see us once, nor did he bring a single bite to eat or a sip of water.
Stacy and I were so hungry we couldn't bear it anymore, so we pressed ourselves against the window crack and caught the rainwater leaking in to drink, barely holding on.
Stacy's face grew paler day by day, and her eyes lost all their spirit. Watching that hurt me like a knife stabbing my heart, but there was nothing I could do.
On the morning of the fourth day, the basement door was finally opened.
Mike Collins stood at the door, his face still ice-cold.
I leaned against the wall and slowly stood up; my legs were weak and trembling non-stop, and I nearly fell.
Stacy held my hand tightly and whispered, "Mom, my leg feels numb."
I was helping Stacy walk into the living room when I heard Mike Collins on the balcony, talking on the phone with a tone I'd never heard beforesoft, even a little flattering.
"Ruby, did the box of hair ties you ordered arrive? It's enough that you like them; the price doesn't matter, as long as you're happy." He smiled and spoke softly, careful not to scare the person on the other end of the line.
I froze, then turned my head toward the sofa. There was a big cardboard box piled up on it. The box wasn't sealed tight, and I could see all kinds of hair ties insidesome studded with rhinestones, some with bows. They looked expensive; even one of them was worth several times more than Stacy's pink hair clip.
Stacy tugged my hand, looking up with her little face, and whispered, "Mom, that lady's hair tie is so much more expensive than mine. Why is Dad so nice to her?"
My throat tightened, and I couldn't say a word. All I could do was hold her tighter.
Later, I found out that the woman named Ruby Walker was Mike Collins' first love.
She also had a son, two years older than Stacy, named Leo.
One time, Ruby took Leo to a mall near our place. Leo was running around in a toy store and accidentally knocked over a model car on display a limited edition luxury car model priced at 200,000.
The car owner came to Ruby and asked her to pay for it.
I thought Mike would be angry since 200,000 isn't a small amount, but when he heard the news, he didn't even frown. He just grabbed his bank card and went straight to pay the owner.
When it was time to pay, he even smiled and said to Ruby Walker, "Kids don't understand things, it's normal for them to make mistakes, don't scare Leo, I'll handle the money."
He didn't say a single word about being tight with money the whole time, like two hundred thousand was just twenty.
Stacy stood beside me, watching Mike Collins gently stroke Leo's head, and quietly asked, "Mom, why isn't Dad angry when the boy messes up? I just bought a hairpin worth five, and Dad locked us up."
I crouched down, pulled Stacy into my arms, and tears fell silently.
I couldn't explain to her why, even though it's the same kid, Mike Collins treats us so differently. I also couldn't explain why her dad's heart belongs to someone else, but never to me and Stacy.
After coming up from the basement, I couldn't sleep all night.
Every time I closed my eyes, I saw Mike Collins' cold glare, heard Stacy's frightened cries, and remembered his gentle tone when he talked to Ruby Walker.
I lay in bed, staring at Stacy sleeping beside me.
Her little face was still pale, her brows slightly furrowed, like she was having a bad dream.
I gently touched her forehead and suddenly realized I couldn't keep going like this.
Mike Collins doesn't love us at all. To him, this home is just a place where he can control everything however he wants and vent his emotions whenever he feels like it.
I can't let Stacy suffer because of me anymore. I can't let her grow up in such a cold, unfair environment.
I have to take Stacy and get out of here. Even if there's just a tiny bit of hope, I have to try.
The next morning, after Mike left for work, I dug out an old phone from the bottom drawer of the wardrobe.
That's the phone I used before I got married. It still has Professor Young's number saved in it.
Professor Young was my mentor in the Design Department. She took really good care of me back then, and I was always getting scholarships. She should remember me quite well.
But after I got married, I completely threw myself into home life and slowly lost touch with Professor Young.
I held the phone, my finger hesitating over the dial button for a long time.
I didn't know if Professor Young still remembered me or if she would even be willing to help.
But the moment I thought about Stacy's pale little face, I took a deep breath and pressed the dial button.
After the phone rang a few times, Professor Young's warm voice came through: "Hello, this is Professor Young."
Hearing the familiar voice, my nose tingled and tears almost fell. Choking up, I said, "Professor Young, hello... I am... I was your student before."
"Oh? Who is this? It's been so long, I can't quite remember." Professor Young's voice was very gentle, without a hint of impatience.
"I used to study design, do you remember? The student who often stayed late in the design studio and kept asking you questions." I quickly added, feeling both nervous and hopeful.
"From the Design Department?" Professor Young paused, then suddenly smiled. "Is she the girl who used to always get scholarships and was super serious about her sketches? Named... Cindy Lynn?"
Tears welled up instantly, and I nodded vigorously. Then, realizing she couldn't see me, I quickly said, "It's me, Professor! I'm Cindy Lynn. Professor, I'm in a bit of trouble right now and want to ask for your help. Are you available?"
I briefly explained my situation but didn't dare go into too many detailslike being locked in the basement or how Mike treats Rubyafraid she'd worry and that I'd break down if I said more.
I'm just saying Mike Collins treats me and the kid badly. I want to take the child and leave, but there's nowhere to go and no job.
Professor Young was silent for a moment, then said, "Cindy Lynn, if you're willing, come work at my company. I just started a small design firm and happen to need a designer. I can also arrange a place for you to stay. Get settled first, and we'll talk about everything else later."
I didn't expect her to agree so quickly. I was both touched and excited, and quickly said, "Thank you, Professor! Thank you so much! You really saved me!"
After hanging up, I gripped my phone tightly, finally feeling a bit of hope, like seeing a glimpse of light in the darkness.
I hid my old phone and started secretly planning my escape, thinking that when the right moment came, I'd take Stacy and leave.
But that night, something unexpected happened.
After dinner, Stacy suddenly said she felt dizzy, and before I could even react, she just straight-up passed out.
I was terrified. I grabbed her in my arms, didn't even bother putting on a coat, and ran to the apartment gate, trying to hail a taxi to the hospital.
When we got to the hospital, the doctor checked Stacy, then frowned and said to me, "The kid is malnourished and, on top of that, was scared earlier, so her body is too weak. She needs to be admitted for a few days for observation and to get some IV fluids to boost her nutrition. You should go pay the hospitalization fee first."
Hearing the words "hospitalization fee" made my heart sink.
I barely had any money on me. Mike Collins never gave me any spending money; all the cash at home was in his hands.
I could only grit my teeth and call Mike Collins.
The phone rang for a long time before he picked up, sounding really annoyed: "What is it? I'm busy."
"Stacy's been hospitalized. Come over and pay the hospitalization fee." My voice trembled a little, both scared he'd get angry and worried about Stacy.
"Hospitalized? What happened? She was fine just now, how come she's hospitalized?" His tone grew even more impatient, like Stacy being hospitalized was a huge bother.
"The doctor said she's malnourished and shaken up, needs to stay for observation. Come quicklyI don't have any money with me." I tried to keep my voice steady.
"How serious can it be? It's just malnutrition, can't she get better at home? You handle it; I'm busy with a client right now, no time." After he finished talking, he didn't wait for me to say a word and just hung up.
The busy signal 'beep beep' came through the phone. I stood in the hospital hallway, holding the phone, feeling completely cold inside.
I called relatives and friends again, but either they said they didn't have any money themselves, or they said they didn't dare mess with Mike Collins, afraid he'd cause them trouble, so none of them were willing to help.
I sat on the bench in the hospital hallway, watching people come and go, all rushing somewhere, and no one noticed my helplessness.
I felt utterly hopeless, like I'd been thrown back into that dark, damp basement with no sign of hope anywhere.
But just when I was about to give up, I remembered what Professor Young said and thought of Stacy's pale face when she fainted.
I can't give up. I have to take Stacy away from here and make sure she lives a good life.
I gritted my teeth, stood up, walked over to the nurses' station, and asked if Stacy could be admitted firstI promised I'd pay the hospitalization fee tomorrow.
The nurse felt sorry for me, and seeing Stacy's poor condition, she talked to the head nurse and agreed to let Stacy stay first.
That night, I stayed by Stacy's bedside, watching her sleeping face, secretly swearing that once Stacy gets better, I'll leave Mike Collins as soon as possible and never come back.
Stacy stayed in the hospital for five days. During those five days, Mike Collins never came once, nor did he call me even once, as if our daughter didn't exist at all.
I looked after Stacy every day in the hospital and would rest by her bedside at night.
Thankfully, Stacy was recovering well. On the fifth day, the doctor said she could be discharged.
After we left the hospital, I started packing my things in secret.
I didn't dare pack muchjust a few clothes Stacy and I usually wear, and the design sketches I made before we got marriedmy only hope and the confidence I had for finding a job in the future.
I packed all my stuff into an old backpack and hid it behind the wardrobe, waiting for the right moment.
Mike Collins has been busy with something lately, always coming home late, sometimes not coming home at all overnight.
I guess he might be with Ruby Walker, but honestly, that's actually a good chance for me.
That night, Mike left just after seven and, before he went, he only said to me, "I'm not coming home tonight," then walked out without looking back.
After he left, I quickly grabbed the backpack hidden behind the wardrobe, put it on, and woke Stacy up.
Stacy rubbed her eyes and asked drowsily, "Mom, what's going on? Where are we going?"
"We're going to a new place where no one will bully us, and there will be lots of fun things to do." I gently stroked her head and smiled, trying to keep my tone light so she wouldn't be scared.
Stacy nodded, half understanding, and obediently held my hand.
I locked the door and quietly slipped out of the neighborhood with Stacy.
It was drizzling outside and a bit cold, so I pulled Stacy into my arms, hailed a taxi, and headed straight for the train station.
In the taxi, Stacy was lying on my lap, quietly asking, "Mom, are we ever going back?"
I held her close and said firmly, "We're not going back. We're going to a new place to live a better life."
After five hours on the train, we finally arrived in the city where Professor Young lives.
By the time we got off the train, it was already daylight.
As soon as I stepped out of the train station, I saw Professor Young nearby, holding a sign that said "Cindy Lynn," looking around.
She saw me and quickly came over, took the bag from my hand, and smiled, saying, "Cindy Lynn, you must be tired from the trip. Come on, let's go rest at the place I've already prepared for you."
Professor Young took me to a small apartment just near the company, only a ten-minute walk away.
The apartment wasn't big, but it was clean, with a bedroom, a living room, and a small balcony.
There was a double bed in the bedroom, a sofa and a coffee table in the living room, and a few pots of green plants on the balcony that made it look really cozy.
As soon as Stacy walked into the apartment, she ran to the balcony, looked at the trees outside excitedly, and said, "Mom, this place is so beautiful! There are so many trees, and even little birds!"
Looking at her smiling face, I finally felt a bit at ease, like a heavy weight I'd been carrying for a long time had finally lifted.
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