Shayne jumped to his feet, exclaiming, "That's impossible!""So much has happened these past few days." I locked eyes with him. "First, Zach has firmly chosen Luna..."Shayne, always calm and restrained, now spoke with a fearful tremor in his voice. "That's just him being immature, honey. I've never crossed any lines with her. You can be angry at Zach or blame me, but you can't leave me."By the end of his sentence, he was almost pleading.But again, he shifted the responsibility onto Zach, seemingly unaware that all the hurt I endured stemmed from his silent acquiescence and indulgence. He couldn't see how, after all these years, the love I had for him disappeared entirely the moment I fell down the stairs."And then," I continued, "even though you promised me you wouldn't keep in contact with her, it turned out that you two are still in touch."Shayne opened his mouth, but no words came out. It was obvious he hadn't expected me to know about what he was doing behind my back. He
Holding his tongue, Shayne eventually left the room with Zach.…Not long after they left, I received a call from the nurse. She asked about how we should handle the remains of the child that had never fully formed. They knew my condition wasn't good. Since they were worried it would upset me, they called my husband first. But when they couldn't reach him, they had no choice but to contact me directly, asking me to come in and sign the necessary documents.After explaining everything, they asked when I could head over.My health wasn't great. I really shouldn't be moving around. But this would be my first and last time seeing the child I would never have. If I delayed this any longer, my baby might feel hurt...And so, I told them I would go right now.I signed some documents when I arrived. After a long wait, they handed me a small box. With the tiny box in my hands, I took a taxi to the cemetery, bought a plot for the child, and buried the child there.I should have left aft
Shayne cautiously asked, "Honey, you don't mind, do you?""Oh, she made your 'honey' fall down the stairs and miscarry, but you're worried about her getting beaten by her ex-husband!" I scoffed, "You're a saint, really.""Honey!" Shayne stood up in anger. "I know you're upset about losing the baby. However, you need to understand that Zach was the one who called you to the stairwell, and you slipped. It had nothing to do with Luna. Her life is in danger. As a woman, you're making snide remarks instead of sympathizing with her." He shook his head. "I misjudged you! Anyway, whether you agree or not, Luna is moving into our house."With that, Shayne stormed out.See?This was Shayne. No matter how much I was hurt or trampled on, even if I didn't retaliate and only vented a little, he always thought I was in the wrong. I used to love him, and I would compromise for him.But not this time.I turned my cold gaze away and quietly lay on the hospital bed, staring at the pale ceiling.I stayed
"If they really get married, will Zach still have a good life? Aralyn, even if you don't think about yourself, you have to think about Zach. He's your flesh and blood. Can you bear to see him suffer?"My past self definitely couldn't.I prioritized him in everything for fear he would suffer even a little.But what did I get in return?He would hurt himself and me just to make me, as his mother, step aside!I didn't feel the urge to explain; I only mentioned briefly, "The mistress treats him well."My mother was dissatisfied with my rebuttal. "Can anyone treat him better than his mother?"I sneered. "Probably, since he now calls the mistress 'Mom'."My mother furrowed her brows, clearly not expecting Zach could act so outrageous. Not knowing what to say, she held my hand in silence.At this moment, I felt the urge to confide. "Shayne and Zach like the mistress. In this family, I have long been an outsider. Since that's the case, I don't want this kind of family anymore.""Sill
I finally got a good look at the man in front of me.His features were handsome enough to rival a star, but his demeanor was cold.Just standing there, he exuded an air of superiority that kept others at a distance.If I had known him, I would definitely remember his face.But after thinking hard, I still couldn't recall where I might have seen such a face. "Do I know you?" I asked.The man, fearing I might misunderstand, proactively explained, "You fell down the stairs the day before yesterday. We took you to the emergency room."Before he told me this, I had always thought Shayne who was right behind me saved me after hearing the sound of my fall.I lowered my gaze.So, it wasn't Shayne…I looked at the man in front of me. "Thank you for saving my life."This was no small matter.Of course, a simple verbal thank-you wouldn't suffice. "I don't know how I can repay you."A smile appeared in his eyes. "Actually, I happen to need your help with something."Since giving bir
As if afraid I would misunderstand, Julian quickly added, "Of course, I'll pay you a salary."But I was not divorced yet. If I were to leave Shayne and Zach abruptly to take care of a stranger's child, it might negatively affect Julian.I wasn't sure how to respond."I understand your situation..." Julian mentioned as he handed me a sleek, black business card embossed in gold. "And I know you'll need time to think it over, so there's no need to rush to give me an answer."After I absentmindedly took the card, Julian got to his feet."I'll take my leave now," he said.As I watched him as he turned to leave, I bit my lip.I didn't have money or a place to stay. After the divorce, I might end up homeless.But now, this incredible opportunity had landed in my lap.I had to seize it. "One week," I suddenly announced, prompting Julian to pause and look back at me in confusion.I quickly explained, "I just need one week to finalize the divorce. After that, I'll come to your house
Luna thanked everyone as she accepted the gifts. In the end, she was so overwhelmed that tears of joy began to fall. Her voice trembled as she spoke, "I never thought my dream would come true. I've actually become a real family with all of you. I'm so happy.""Don't say that," Shayne clumsily comforted her, seemingly couldn't bear to see her tears. "Let's eat first. The food will get cold otherwise."In high spirits, everyone was about to head to the dining room when Shayne suddenly stopped. He turned around, and that was when he saw me standing at the door. The smile on his face froze instantly. When he stopped, the others also turned to look. Their faces turned sour when they realized that I had come home.I looked at them, a fire of uncontrollable anger igniting within me. It hadn't even been seven days since I lost my child… The very people who caused my miscarriage weren't feeling any guilt at all. Instead, they were gathered here, enjoying themselves as if nothing had happen
Tired of compromising, I countered coldly, "I don't think I've done anything wrong."Hearing this, Shayne immediately stood up.I ignored him and turned to head back to the bedroom."Aralyn!" Luna suddenly called out to me at that moment.I turned to look at her.Luna was a beautiful woman. Even with just light makeup and her hair casually tied up, she was still stunning.Seeing that I didn't answer her, she hurriedly informed me, "I only made breakfast for four today… Sorry. They used to go to my house for breakfast in the mornings. I forgot that this isn't my house…"Luna's eyes were downcast as she spoke, her tear-filled gaze making her look pitiful and lovable."You didn't do anything wrong!" Shayne couldn't stand to see Luna cry. "There's no need to apologize to her."Tears as big as pearls began to fall, and Luna lamented, "But Aralyn doesn't like me. If I don't seek her forgiveness, I'm afraid she'll blame me. She already took my room last night. Today…She shot a quic
"I believed it. Kelly even said that if Stephanie really wanted to break up with me, she'd move out of my place."Even though we weren't married and we were just dating, we were already living together. Kelly said if I used moving out as a threat, Stephanie would cave."The more Shayne listened, the more silent he became. How could Spencer be even dumber than he had been back then?But seeing his friend hurting, he didn't have the heart to rub salt in the wound.Shayne asked, "You didn't seriously believe what Kelly said, did you?""Yeah." Tears slid down Spencer's cheeks. "But before I even had the chance to threaten her, Stephanie had already packed up all her stuff and left me."That day I came home, full of confidence, thinking that as soon as I spoke up, she'd make up with me. But… I opened the door and saw that all the photos of us hanging on the wall had been taken down."The woman who used to wait for me at home with dinner ready was gone. Everything that belonged to her
"I didn't say anything before because I thought there was no point," Spencer said.Spencer wasn't stupid. If he couldn't even see through all of that, he had no business running a company. He just never took it seriously before.He figured Stephanie would just throw a small tantrum at most, and that would be it. He never thought it would lead to such serious consequences.He continued, "Did you really think I was that dumb? That I couldn't tell what you were doing?"Kelly stayed silent.Spencer couldn't be bothered to say anything more to her. He got in his car and drove away.He arrived at a bar, ordered a few bottles of liquor, and then called Shayne. "Are you free? Come find me. I'm in a bad mood."Shayne had just gotten home, planning to spend some time with his wife and kids. But hearing Spencer's tone, he immediately said, "Okay."He turned to Luna and said, "Spencer's looking for me. I'm heading out for a bit."Luna, exhausted from a full day of work, didn't feel like d
Kelly froze. "She's really willing to break up with you?"Spencer nodded. "She told me not to go looking for her anymore."As he spoke, it felt like needles were stabbing his heart.He had always been certain that Stephanie loved him. He had been so sure that she would never leave him.So, he had gotten arrogant, thinking no matter what he did, she would always forgive him.But he had forgotten that…Stephanie was human, too.She could get hurt, too.Spencer said, "She wasn't just throwing a tantrum. She thought it over carefully and decided she'd be better off without me."Seeing his pained expression, Kelly moved closer and pulled him into a hug."She really doesn't know how lucky she was," she said. "Meeting a guy as good as you and still letting you go? Isn't she scared someone else will swoop in and steal you away?"To Spencer, her words were like kicking him while he was down. "But I only like her. I don't want anyone else."Kelly knew that if she asked now, "What abo
Spencer asked, "Just because of one little argument?""In your eyes, maybe it was just a little argument," Stephanie said calmly. "But for me, it was the last straw that broke the camel's back. In this relationship, I was the one who always gave more."No matter what Kelly did, the one who ended up hurt was always me. You only had to take her side and blame me to settle everything. So, to you, it was always just small stuff."She continued, "Nobody wants to spend their whole life being wronged like that. I don't either. So, after that day, I really thought it through…"How much love do I still have left for you? Is it enough to keep tolerating you and her? The answer was no. I even realized at that moment that I didn't love you anymore."Forget tolerating both of you. Even just dealing with one of you felt unbearable. Then, I thought, since it's gotten to this point… We might as well break up."When Stephanie said this, her eyes carried a relaxed smile. "I just haven't figured ou
Shannon shook her head. "That's why I really don't think much of Luna. If it weren't for our son liking her…"Patrick understood how Shannon felt. "Honestly, we did wrong by Luna before. Once she's willing to come back, we should make it up to her as much as we can."Shannon was unwilling, but seeing Patrick insist, she could only mumble, "Fine, we'll do what you say.""Okay."…Hannah noticed that over the past few days, Patrick and Shannon hadn't contacted her at all, and she immediately found it strange.In the past, the two elders were very close to her son, almost seeing him every day. What was going on now?After putting her son to sleep, Hannah took the initiative and called Shannon. "Mrs. Cunningham..."Shannon frowned and glanced at Patrick, speaking in a low voice, "It's a call from Hannah."Patrick's face darkened almost instantly, but he forced himself to hold it in. "Don't tell her we went to see Rowan, and don't let on that we know the truth. If she wants to fool
Rowan shook his head. "If it were really that simple, that would be nice."Patrick didn't understand why Rowan said that.Rowan continued, "Before Luna and I divorced, she had already guessed you were lying, so she made it very clear to Mason…"If I chose to come back and help you, she would divorce me. If I stayed with her, she would continue living the hard life with me."Patrick hadn't expected the truth to be like this. His face turned even uglier. Shannon was also in pain.Rowan tilted his head up, staring at the ceiling. "But in the end, I was too scared the company would fall apart, so I chose to go back. To completely cut ties with me, she went and started dating Shayne."At first, Luna still had hope for him. After all, they had truly loved each other for so long.But over time, through all the back-and-forth, she probably realized he was never going to change, so she finally gave up completely.Recently, the comics she created have been doing very well. Because of tha
Rowan said, "Come on, I'll take you to eat."Patrick followed behind Rowan and asked, "Have you thought about what to do with Mason in the future?"Rowan didn't take the question seriously. "Why would I?""He's your only child. If you don't acknowledge him, you'll end our family line."Rowan didn't know why, but looking at the streetlights and the thinning crowd around him, he felt unusually calm. "Isn't this exactly what you wanted?"When they reached the restaurant, he handed the menu to his mother. "See what you want to eat."Shannon picked a light vegetarian dish and said, "We just didn't expect Hannah to lie to us!"Rowan crossed his legs and repeated her words. "You didn't expect Hannah to lie to you?"Patrick ordered two meat dishes before saying, "Exactly. Who would've thought she would dare lie about something like that?"Rowan stared at his father. "So, just because you said it, even if you had doubts, you really thought I cheated on her with Luna…"Shouldn't you ha
Willow stared at me in shock for a long time before finally asking, "You can really do that?"I nodded. "Yeah. As long as you want to, you can keep in touch with her as much as you want."Willow jumped up excitedly. "That's awesome!"Just then, there was an urgent matter at the company that needed Julian's attention. After taking the call, he happened to overhear my conversation with Willow.He immediately got an idea. "During summer break, if you want to hang out with Pamela every day, she might not have that much free time."Willow's smile disappeared instantly. She asked, "Then, what should I do?"He guided her, "Do you think there's an excuse that could make both of you improve and leave her mom no reason to say no?"She followed his lead and quickly figured it out. "Studying?"He didn't give it away directly. "Oh?""Daddy, how about you hire a tutor for me during summer break? I can get a head start on school! Then, I'll ask Pamela to join me. Her mom will definitely agre
Alice raised her voice and asked, "You two already broke up, and he's still coming around asking you to apologize?"Stephanie shrugged. "What else could it be? You don't think I'd made all that up just now, do you?"Alice had never thought that, but Spencer's behavior still struck her as outrageous. "Do you need me to help you?""No, it's fine." Stephanie had already moved on, so she needed to handle it herself. "I can deal with it."With that, she walked out of the hotel.Spencer saw her come out and quickly stepped in front of her. "Can we talk?"He expected Stephanie would agree, but she gave him a glance and asked, "What do we have to talk about?""I know you're upset because of her, but can you be the bigger person? If you just apologize to her, a lot of things can be smoothed over."She looked at him, confused. "Why should I be the bigger person?""Because you're my girlfriend!" He tried to persuade her.Hearing that, Stephanie couldn't help but laugh out loud. "It look