He Chose Her—So I Chose Me / Chapter 3: Goodbye, Son—Hello, Freedom
He Chose Her—So I Chose Me

He Chose Her—So I Chose Me

Author: Malik Williams


Chapter 3: Goodbye, Son—Hello, Freedom

← Prev

"Mom, maybe Hailey was a little harsh, but even if her attitude was bad at first, you still shouldn't have called her a slut."

"Besides... She's just jealous. Because she cares about me."

"She's my girlfriend. I can't just ignore her feelings. How about this—since Hailey minds you sitting in my front seat, just don't ride in my car anymore. Don't make things harder for me."

"And... Hailey's crying. Just apologize to her and this will be over."

Wow. He really had the nerve to say that.

It was Hailey who started it, but he insisted on taking her side. Even making me, his own mother, lower myself and apologize to her.

And the car he drives? I bought it.

But now, he won’t even let me ride in it—just because his girlfriend might get jealous.

Raising this son was a waste.

I asked bitterly:

"Tyler Miller, are you sure about this?"

"Are you really taking Hailey's side?"

Hearing this, Hailey piped up again:

"What do you mean? Are you still fighting me for a man? Making your son choose between his mom and his girlfriend—what kind of mother does that?"

As she spoke, Hailey started crying again, putting on a whole show.

Then, as if making a huge sacrifice, she said:

"Tyler, since your mom hates me so much, I'll just leave, so you won't have to be stuck in the middle."

After that, I heard chaos over the phone.

My son begged Hailey not to go, but she wouldn't listen. She slammed the door and left.

After Hailey left, my son broke down:

"Mom, what do you want from me? Will you only be happy if you ruin my relationship with Hailey?"

"I'm telling you, I love Hailey—she's my whole world. No matter what, I'll always stand by her. Please stop making things hard for her, okay?"

"If you keep giving Hailey a hard time, I won't acknowledge you as my mom anymore!"

He hung up on me.

He ran out after his precious Hailey—he couldn't bear to let her cry alone on the street.

But, as cruel as his words were, he did say something that made sense.

He said he wouldn't acknowledge me as his mother anymore.

If he's willing to cut me off for his girlfriend, why should I keep sacrificing for him?

If Hailey is so jealous she won't even let me sit in the front seat, what happens when I'm old and have nothing left to give? Will she just kick me out?

I don't even want to imagine it.

So after thinking it over, I decided to cut my losses.

If Tyler Miller won't acknowledge me as his mother, then I won't acknowledge him as my son.

Let him have what he wants.

He won't let me sit in the front seat? Fine—I'll take back the car I bought him, so nobody can sit there anymore.

He wants me to avoid suspicion? I'll avoid it completely!

I'll kick him out of the house. That way, Hailey won't have to worry about me living under the same roof.

And I'll cancel his credit card.

After all, if sitting in the front seat is crossing a line, then spending my money is even more out of bounds, isn't it?

Honestly, that made me feel a whole lot better.

The agent saw that I'd finished my call and came over.

"Ms. Bennett, are we still signing the contract?" he asked, looking a little nervous—he must have overheard my call and thought the deal was off.

I just smiled:

"Of course I'm buying. But there's no need to wait for my son—I'll just sign my own name."

Now that I've seen my ungrateful son's true colors, why shouldn't I treat myself better?

For the rest of my life, I've decided—I'm spending my money on myself.

As for Tyler Miller, my ungrateful son, let him earn his own money to support his precious Hailey. I'm done serving them.

After signing the contract, I went to the bank. Canceled Tyler's credit card.

Then I went home, found a housekeeper to pack up all of Tyler's things, and put them outside the door. Honestly, I felt a strange sense of relief watching those boxes by the door.

At the same time, I hired a locksmith to change the locks, making sure Tyler couldn't come home again.

After all that, I happily took a hot bath.

I sipped coffee and listened to music. As the warm water washed over me, I felt all my troubles melt away.

Looking back, I realized I hadn't felt this relaxed in a long time.

Twenty years ago, after my husband, Mark Bennett, died in an accident while saving someone, I took on all the family burdens myself.

Raising a young son, caring for elderly in-laws and my own parents, and working hard to build my career—I haven't had a single day off in twenty years.

All these years, my biggest goal was to save up enough for my son's house, car, and wedding, and to see him happily married with children.

That way, I could face my late husband with no regrets.

But Tyler Miller has truly let me down.

He made me feel like all my efforts were a joke.

I'm exhausted.

I don't want to keep sacrificing for him.

From now on, I want to live for myself.

But I'd barely soaked for a while when my phone rang.

It was Tyler.

As soon as I picked up, he demanded:

"Mom, why did you cancel my card?"

"Can you stop being so stubborn? I finally calmed Hailey down and took her shopping for a bag at the mall, but when I tried to pay, the clerk said my card was declined. Do you know how embarrassing that was?"

"Hurry up and transfer me five thousand dollars—Hailey and the sales assistant are waiting!"

I stared at my phone, barely able to believe the entitlement in his voice. I took a slow breath, feeling the steam from my bath swirl around me, and for the first time in years, I felt something like peace. Let him wait. Let them both wait. I’d done enough for one lifetime.

← Prev

You may also like

He Chose Her Over Me—Again
He Chose Her Over Me—Again
4.7
Emily always thought she’d be the Howell bride, until Chris shattered her trust—sacrificing her happiness for his mentor’s orphaned daughter. Humiliated, overlooked, and expected to give up everything for Lily, Emily finally refuses to play the gracious loser. When Chris announces his own engagement to Lily out of duty, Emily must decide: will she keep living in someone else’s shadow, or claim her own future—even if it means breaking every rule of Chicago high society?
He Used Me, Then Chose Her
He Used Me, Then Chose Her
5.0
Natalie thought sharing a bed with her childhood best friend meant they were more than just 'buddies.' But when Ethan chooses another woman for a blind date, Natalie is forced to confront the truth: she was never the one. As humiliation and heartbreak threaten to swallow her, Natalie must decide if she’ll finally put herself first—or keep playing the part everyone expects.
He Chose Her Over Me
He Chose Her Over Me
5.0
Natalie always believed her childhood love with Derek would last forever—until a wild outsider named Aubrey crashes into their lives, stealing his affection and her family's loyalty. Betrayed and replaced, Natalie must fight for her place in a small town where secrets, jealousy, and heartbreak simmer beneath the surface. She’s about to prove she’s nobody’s backup plan.
He Chose Her Over Our Baby
He Chose Her Over Our Baby
4.9
Natalie’s world shatters when her husband, Gavin, abandons her and their newborn to chase after his ex in a war zone. As everyone expects her to save him, Natalie must decide whether to rescue the man who broke her heart—or finally put herself and her daughter first. Torn between betrayal and freedom, she faces the ultimate test of love and self-worth.
He Chose His Mistress Over Me
He Chose His Mistress Over Me
4.8
Rachel lost her family and clung to Ethan, the only man who ever showed her kindness—until the day he declared his secret lover would become his second wife. Humiliated and cast aside, Rachel is forced to plan their wedding, all while the whole town watches her heartbreak. But with the annulment papers signed, she realizes she doesn’t need anyone’s pity—least of all Ethan’s—and vows to reclaim her life, no matter how many rumors or rivals stand in her way.
He Was Meant for Her—But Chose Me
He Was Meant for Her—But Chose Me
5.0
He was supposed to fall for someone else. I was supposed to be the villain—until fate, a stubborn transmigrator, and a broken story system rewrote our lines. When I deliver a love letter for the third time to Carter Hayes, the boy I grew up with (and maybe secretly loved), I spark a confession that upends everything: Carter likes me, not the 'main girl.' But our world isn’t real—it's a story fighting to snap back into place, and every choice risks erasing us for good. As mysterious tasks, forbidden kisses, and heart-stopping resets threaten to tear us apart, I have to ask: Can love survive when the universe demands we play our roles? Or will the villain finally get her happily ever after—no matter what the script says?
He Chose Her After I Slapped Him
He Chose Her After I Slapped Him
4.6
After five years together, Rachel’s world shatters when her boyfriend Jason drifts away—and a single slap destroys his last shred of love for her. Now, as Jason turns to the perfect new woman and Rachel is branded the 'jealous supporting character,' she must watch her memories become someone else’s future. But when her heartbreak is broadcast like a reality show, will Rachel find the strength to reclaim her own story—or will she always be the girl he left behind?
He Chose Her at the Altar
He Chose Her at the Altar
4.9
Natalie thought her marriage to small-town golden boy Derek would heal old wounds—but his heart is still haunted by another woman. When betrayal resurfaces at her own family’s doorstep, Natalie must decide: keep pretending for the sake of her daughter, or finally break free from a love that was never truly hers. Will she ever be more than his second choice, or is heartbreak her only inheritance?
He Chose His Assistant Over Me
He Chose His Assistant Over Me
4.8
When my husband Marcus betrayed me with his bright-eyed assistant, my heartbreak went viral—turning my plea for a new husband into a national sensation. As the world watched, I spiraled through illness, betrayal, and the agony of being replaced by the very woman I once pitied. Now, with nothing left to lose, I’m ready to reclaim my light—even if it means burning down the life we built together.
He Chose My Rival Over Me
He Chose My Rival Over Me
4.8
Natalie Carson thought marrying Derek would finally make her whole, but a shocking twist gives her a second chance—and a glimpse at the betrayals lurking behind small-town smiles. Now, with only twelve days to reclaim her future and her family's legacy, she must defy the man she once loved and the rival who stole everything. Will Natalie break free, or is her fate already sealed?
He Chose Her Right in Front of Me
He Chose Her Right in Front of Me
5.0
Natalie thought her marriage to Caleb was the start of her Southern fairytale—until his true love returned and shattered everything. Betrayed by her husband, scorned by his family, and haunted by gossip, Natalie must decide if she’ll keep fighting for scraps of affection or finally break free. In a town that never forgets, will she reclaim her dignity or let heartbreak define her?
He Was Meant for Her—He Chose Me
He Was Meant for Her—He Chose Me
5.0
What if you were just a side character—until the main guy fell for you? Savannah Reed is the notorious 'mean girl' sidekick, tasked with delivering love letters for a time-hopping girl desperate to fix a broken romance script. But when Carter, her childhood friend turned brooding main lead, confesses with a single look, Savannah’s world cracks open: secret photos, drunken birthday wishes, and a love so fierce it might just break the rules of reality. As the author of their universe intervenes and a ruthless app threatens to erase everything, Savannah must choose—play her role or fight for a love that was never meant to exist. If destiny is just a script, can real love rewrite the ending?