Our Thirtieth Wedding Anniversary is His First Love’s Birthday

###Chapter 1

Margot, Im willing to accept your job offer. I want to leave Richard.

The mans cold voice came through the phone. Have you really thought it through? Thats thirty years of a happy marriage.

Happy? No. It was a complete lie. The man I loved for thirty years had already registered his marriage with my sister when we were young.

Last night, I had a high fever of 39.8C. I called Richard and the children more than ten times, but no one answered.

Half-conscious, I used his secondary card to order some fever medicine.

Early in the morning, I was woken up by the neighbors outside the wall, talking loudly on purpose.

She cheated on her husband while he was on a business trip and even secretly bought birth control pills. Shes really stupid and dirty!

She always acted like a good wife and mother. Turns out, at her age, she plays the wildest games. No shame at all!

I hurried out of bed, wanting to call Richard and explain.

In my dizzy state, I bumped into the bedside table. Papers fell all over the floor. A yellowed marriage certificate dropped by my feet.

The names printed on it were Richard and my own older sister, Margareth.

I could barely breathe.

For thirty years, every time I mentioned getting a marriage certificate, Richard would frown impatiently. Its just a piece of paper. What does it prove?

My children also tried to persuade me. Mom, youve been together for so long. Why care about the formalities?

So it was not that formalities did not matter. It was that in Richards spouse column, I was never qualified to be there.

I sat there at the edge of the bed, stunned. I thought about how I had spent most of my life working hard, waking up early and sleeping late to serve my husband, raise our children and take care of the grandchildren. In the end, I was just an outsider.

Tears flowed down silently and I could not stop them.

Now, since that was the truth, I would let them have each other.

I wiped away my last tear and answered Margot coldly.

Ive made up my mind. But I have one condition. Help me investigate Margareths whereabouts over the past thirty years.

After hanging up, I booked the earliest one-way ticket for five days later.

Later, my most beloved grandson was killed. I completely disappeared from Richards world.

Why was it that he and our children ended up kneeling before the whole world, crying and begging me to come back?

***

When I found that marriage certificate, my fingers trembled as I held it and checked it again and again. In the photo, the two people leaning sweetly against each other were the young Richard and Margareth.

The date was twenty-five years ago.

At that time, Richard and I had already been together for five years. Our son had just started kindergarten and our daughter had just been born. How foolish I was. I actually thought that was the happiest time of my life.

I sank down by the bed. Suddenly, I laughed out loud, but tears rolled down my face.

No wonder every time I mentioned getting a marriage certificate, his expression would change at once. His voice was always full of impatience. Isnt the good life I give you enough? What can one piece of paper prove?

Later, when the children heard about it, I thought they would stand on my side.

But as soon as my son walked in, he threw his coat onto me. His cold face looked exactly like his father when he was young. Dad is busy every day. Cant you stop making trouble?

Even my daughter-in-law looked disapproving. Its just a certificate, Mom. Why do you have to take it so seriously?

My daughter held my arm and acted spoiled. Mom, with or without that paper, Dad loves you the most.

I felt like I could not breathe.

He was busy, but wasnt I busy too?

In Richards eyes, there was only his company. He did not like strangers in the house. For thirty years, all the housework, raising the children and even helping him deal with difficult company matters were all on my shoulders.

I was like a spinning top that never stopped turning.

I only asked for a simple ceremony. Was that really so hard?

But looking at my childrens faces, I chose to stay silent in the end.

I never thought that from the very beginning, all of this had been Richards lie and his way of escaping responsibility.

The afternoon sunlight fell on my face through the window, but it could not warm my frozen heart.

In a daze, I suddenly heard Margareths sweet, playful voice from downstairs. Richard, you actually bought negative trending news about Hermione for me.

Richard let out a low laugh. His voice was like an ice spike stabbing into my heart.

If her reputation is ruined, shell behave and stop making things difficult for you.

My heart hurt until it felt numb. So after giving everything for thirty years, I still could not compare to his first love turning back once.

Thirty years ago, twenty-eight-year-old Richard was just a poor young man. My sister, who claimed she was independent and would never marry, left himher fiancwithout looking back and went far away.

I married him in her place. I gave birth to his children and stayed by his side as he built his career. In other peoples eyes, we were a loving and perfect couple.

Until a few months ago, when Margareth had had enough fun outside and came back, everything turned upside down.

As the sun set, Margareths sweet laughter downstairs finally faded away.

Richard was in the living room, making a phone call. His voice carried clearly upstairs.

Hurry up with the yacht I bought for Margareth. It has to be the best. Her fifty-eighth birthday party will be held on it.

Hold it together with the Hawthorne Groups anniversary. Only that kind of grand event is worthy of her.

A yacht?

From the time I married him at twenty-five until now at fifty-five, he had never even given me a proper piece of jewelry.

On our tenth wedding anniversary, I carefully mentioned that I liked a sapphire necklace. But he scolded me harshly.

Several thousands dollars? Are you crazy? How did I end up marrying such a vain woman?

He seemed to forget that not long ago, I had knelt in front of a client to apologize for a deal he messed up. I drank so much that my stomach started bleeding.

Now, he told his assistant to buy jewelry worth hundreds of thousands, just to make the woman who once abandoned him smile.

I gave a bitter smile, put the marriage certificate back where it was and checked my flight ticket again.

Heavy footsteps came closer, filled with open annoyance. Do you know how badly people are talking about you outside? Youve almost ruined the Hawthorne Familys reputation!

My heart felt like it was being cut with a dull knife. Where did those dirty rumors come from? Wasnt he the one who knew best?

His eyes suddenly stopped on my phone screen.

A flight ticket? Where are you going?

###Chapter 2

I endured the sharp pain in my chest and said softly, Next month, my friend is having a birthday. She invited me to go.

Only then did Richard snort lightly. He walked to the sofa and sat down, then, as usual, stretched his feet out in front of me.

Like I had done countless times before, I bent down skillfully, took off his leather shoes and put on his soft house slippers. His voice, full of dislike, fell from above me.

If you could learn even half of Margareths grace and manners, I wouldnt have to clean up your mess all the time.

My hands suddenly stopped.

At that moment, I finally saw the truth. For all these years, I had only been a hardworking servant by his side, not his wife.

Yes. Margareth was the woman he truly cared about. Her face was delicate, her features refined and though she was approaching sixty, she moved with a grace and elegance that spoke of careful self-care.

How could these rough hands of mine and this pale, tired face worn down by life, ever catch his eye?

Richard loosened his tie and calmly accepted my service, as if it was only natural.

I looked up at him, my voice trembling. Richard, do you remember what day this weekend is?

He lowered his head and played with his phone, not paying attention. What could be so important?

My eyes burned. I clenched my teeth to stop them from shaking. Its our thirtieth wedding anniversary.

Richard paused and finally looked up from his phone.

He had really forgotten.

Seeing the disappointment in my eyes, he cleared his throat awkwardly. Hermione, sorry. I have to go on a business trip that day. I cant stay with you.

That was the day he was going to hold a grand birthday party for Margareth.

I knew he would never choose me. But why did my nose still sting, as if tears were about to fall? Compared to staying by Margareths side, our thirty years together were as light as dust.

Even our wedding had been deliberately set on Margareths birthday.

I could not hold it back anymore. My lips trembled as I opened my mouth. You and Margareth

I was just about to question him about the marriage certificate when Margareths special ringtone suddenly rang.

Without thinking, Richard answered the call at once. Realizing I was still there, he turned slightly and covered the phone, but Margareths crying voice still came through.

Richard, I wanted to cook porridge for you, but I burned my hand It hurts so much!

Richard jumped to his feet. Dont move. Im coming right now!

He rushed toward the door. When he reached the stairs, he seemed to remember me and quickly turned back. Theres an urgent matter at the company. I have to deal with it. Ill make it up to you for the anniversary next time. Dont you like Japanese food? Ill take you to the best restaurant.

But the one who liked Japanese food was my sister. My stomach had long been ruined from years of cooking for him. I could not even eat raw or cold food anymore.

Thirty years had passed and he still remembered her preferences deeply. But everything about me had never stayed in his heart.

In his hurry, Richard knocked over the ceramic vase on the coffee table.

It was something we made together during our only private trip. He once said he would treasure it for a lifetime.

I stared blankly at the broken pieces on the floor. It was like the sincere love I had given in half my lifeshattered, never able to be put back together.

Richard did not even look at it. His figure quickly disappeared into the night outside.

Fine. I will let you have each other.

I pulled the wedding ring off my ring finger and threw it hard into the trash can. Then I walked to the safe in Richards study and entered Margareths birthday.

With a click, the door opened.

I wanted to take out a document. More than twenty years ago, I had given Richard the share certificate of the Hawthorne Group for safekeeping.

But when the safe opened, what I saw inside made my blood freeze instantly.

###Chapter 3

A velvet box rolled to my feet. I opened it. Inside was a pair of expensive diamond rings I had never seen before. Their bright light hurt my eyes.

Then a stack of saved ticket stubs and photos fell out.

My hands trembled as I checked the dates. Tears ran down my face, but a strange, bitter smile pulled at my lips.

On top was a yellowed cruise ticket. The date was the day my daughter was born.

Richard said he had an urgent business trip. But in the photo, while I was bleeding heavily during a difficult childbirth, he was kneeling on a sunset deck in the Aegean Sea, putting a diamond ring on Margareths finger. His eyes looked as devoted as a believer.

The next one was a ticket to the Louvre. The date was my thirty-second birthday.

That night, I waited in a restaurant until it closed, only to receive a message from his assistant saying, Mr. Hawthorne is accompanying an important client. But he had booked the Eiffel Tower restaurant to make Margareth, that client, happy.

Ticket after ticket, photo after photo, it felt like knives stabbing into my heart.

The day my parents died in a car accident, he was in Bali, kissing Margareth passionately while she wore a bikini. They looked like a perfect couple.

On our twentieth wedding anniversary, he was feeding pigeons with her in Prague Square. Time had left fine lines on their faces, but the way he looked at her was still so intense that it shocked me.

All of these places were places I once dreamed of visiting.

Whenever I mentioned traveling together, he would only reply coldly, Its boring. I dont want to go.

So it was not the scenery that was boring. It was me.

My eyes stopped on the last card. It was a pregnancy checkup card from a high-end private hospital, dated three months ago.

On the back of the card were Richards familiar words:

Its okay that the baby is gone, my love. This time, we will never be apart again.

Suddenly, everything felt so ridiculous.

Three months ago, he was on a business trip for a whole month.

At that time, his wrong decision almost caused the company to lose tens of millions. I stayed up for three days and nights to fix it. My stomach hurt so badly that I curled up on the floor.

I called him, my voice shaking. Richard, I feel very unwell. Can you come back?

He only sounded impatient. If youre sick, see a doctor. What can I do?

So during that month, he had been accompanying Margareth to pregnancy checkups and arranging the best nutritionists in the world to take care of her after her miscarriage.

My stomach churned. I rushed into the bathroom and started retching violently.

I splashed cold water on my face and looked up at the woman in the mirror: pale yellow skin, empty eyes, looking old and worn out.

No wonder he would not even spare me a proper glance.

But he forgot that I was once bright and full of life, young and beautiful. Who drained away my youth?

After drying my face, I returned to the study and took out the share agreement.

Then I dialed a familiar number again. The man was Richards biggest rival and the person he hated the most, Margot Ward.

Besides business cooperation, Ill give you a big gift, I said calmly, in a voice that even felt strange to me. Twenty percent of Hawthorne Groups shares. I believe you would be interested.

Margots tone turned playful. Oh? Youre really willing to give it up? Thats Richards lifeline.

Willing? I let out a bitter laugh. What he did to me was ten thousand times worse than this.

Hearing the tremble in my voice, Margot became serious. What exactly did he do? Hermione, tell me. I will help you.

That simple care from someone outside the family made the wall around my heart collapse in an instant.

After listening to everything I said, there was silence on the other end of the phone. Then his steady voice came again.

I understand. Hermione, I stand on your side unconditionally. Well meet in five days.

Thank you, Margot.

Just as I hung up, a burst of rough footsteps rushed in.

Cant you even handle such a small thing? Youre useless!

###Chapter 4

Before I could react, my son Daniel rushed in front of me. He immediately started scolding me.

Its raining so hard outside. Why didnt you pick up the kids?

Only then did I remember. So many things had happened today that I forgot to pick up my twin grandson and granddaughter from school. I was the one who always picked them up, so the school bus did not wait for them.

Seeing the two small figures behind him, soaked through and shivering, guilt filled my heart at once.

I was about to apologize, but Daniel did not stop.

This is so annoying. And you even caused that ugly scandal. Do you know how much effort Dad put in to suppress it? Did you really do something shameful?

I looked up at him in shock. Even my own son thought of me this way.

I didnt do anything! Shame and anger made my voice shake.

My daughter-in-law wiped the childrens hair and glanced at me sideways. No wonder Dad doesnt like taking you out. You dont dress well, you cant even pick up the kids properly and now youve embarrassed the Hawthorne Family.

My eight-year-old granddaughter, Dyna, shouted, I want to change my grandma. I want Grandma Margareth to be my grandma!

Grandma Margareth is pretty and gentle. She buys us lots of gifts. Unlike you, you are stupid and ugly and today I got laughed at in school because of you!

My sons face turned completely dark. Mom, can you just stop causing trouble for once?

I stood there, frozen, as if a bucket of ice water had been poured over me.

These were the children I raised with my own hands. Their faces twisted and blurred before my eyes, so strange that it made me dizzy.

A small warm hand quietly held my cold, shaking fingers.

I looked down. It was my grandson, Leo.

He looked up at me with bright eyes. Grandma, its okay. I know the way home. No matter what others say, youre the best grandma.

Stop it. Dyna threw her schoolbag at me. Im starving. Go cook! I want Hawaiian pizza. If not, Ill go find Aunt Margareth!

I gently rubbed Leos soft hair, then looked up at the otherstheir faces full of dislike, as if everything was only natural.

Suddenly, I did not want to tolerate anyone anymore.

I looked at my granddaughter calmly. No need to change. She is already your grandmother.

Then I turned and walked upstairs. I took out the marriage certificate.

The moment my son and daughter-in-law saw it, their faces changed. You where did you find that?

Their faces showed panic, embarrassment, guilteverything except surprise.

So they had known all along, yet had conspired to hide it from me. Even worse, they had sided with their father, working to keep me from my own life.

I took a deep breath. Strangely, I did not feel much disappointment. Only anger was burning in my chest. I walked quickly back to my room and started packing my luggage.

Daniel chased after me and blocked the doorway. Mom, can you stop making trouble?

I did not stop packing. Im not making trouble. Im giving you what you want.

Seeing that I was serious, he became nervous. His tone softened. Its just a piece of paper. Why take it so seriously?

I looked at his face, so much like Richard when he was young and suddenly laughed.

Take it seriously? I felt it was unbelievable. How can you even say that?

I pushed his arm away from the doorframe and picked up my suitcase. Dont call me Mom. Legally, Margareth is your mother.

My cold tone, colder than ever before, made the children start crying. My son grabbed his hair in frustration and shouted, At your age, if you run away, who knows what ugly rumors will spread again? Youll regret this sooner or later!

No rumor can be worse than being stabbed in the back by your own family. You should go and please Margareth instead.

I didnt expect Hermione to still dislike me so much. Forget it, Ill leave!

Margareths tearful voice suddenly came from the doorway.

Richard followed behind her and pulled her into his arms. No. Where do you think youre going?

Margareth pretended to push against his strong chest, her crying even more pitiful. The world is big. Theres always a place for me. Its better than staying here and being pointed at by Hermione, accused of ruining someone elses family.

You did nothing wrong. The one at fault is this unreasonable woman!

Richards eyes were like knives cutting into me. You dont need to attend the Hawthorne Group banquet in a few days. Ill let Margareth go in your place.

The hatred in his eyes was open and clear.

My whole body turned cold. I threw the marriage certificate at him with force, my voice hoarse.

Im unreasonable? Then what is this?

###Chapter 5

A flash of panic crossed Richards eyes, but he quickly forced himself to look cold.

Back then, Margareth had just broken up and got drunk. She grabbed a random man on the street and said she wanted to marry him. I was afraid she would regret it, so I went with her to register the marriage.

He looked at me with blame in his eyes. Is this small matter the reason you kept targeting her after she came back?

A small matter?

He gave the promise I begged for all my life to her so easily, just because he was afraid she would regret a moment of impulse.

And now he still had the nerve to accuse me for her sake?

Its all my fault, Margareth said with teary eyes. Hermione never liked me since we were young. Richard, lets get divorced. You can go register with her instead!

Dont talk nonsense! Richard tightened his arms around her. At our age, what divorce? I will never let you suffer this kind of grievance!

What a loving couple.

He was so afraid she would suffer even a little. Then what about the thirty years of grievance I endured?

I was about to leave when Margareths elbow suddenly hit my shoulder on purpose.

Caught off guard, I fell and rolled down the stairs.

Hermione, y-you did that on purpose, didnt you? You threw yourself down the stairs just to frame me again?

Through the dizziness, I heard Margareths shrill voice above me.

Richard immediately followed, calm and decisive. Dont worry. We all saw it. She fell by herself.

He took her hand and walked downstairs. When they passed me, he didnt even slow down.

Maybe youre really not fit to remain the mistress of the Hawthorne Family. If you keep acting this immature, losing this position and the childrens respect is your own fault.

I had landed on the shattered pieces of a broken vase. My elbows were slashed open, thin lines of blood seeping out.

Yet he only worried that Margareth might get cut. He scooped her up in his arms, not sparing me a single glance and strode away.

Grandma is bleeding

Leos trembling cry was quickly muffled by his mothers hand.

I lay on the cold floor, so numb that I couldnt even feel the pain.

After a long time, I forced myself up. Silently, I cleaned the wounds with iodine, wrapped them in gauze and went back to packing.

The cuts became inflamed. That night, I developed a high fever. Shivering, I dialed my daughter Jassys number.

It rang for a long time before she answered, her voice lowered.

Mom, Im accompanying Auntie at the spa. You know shes in a bad mood because of you. Theres medicine in the drawer. Just take it yourself.

Before the call disconnected, I heard her laugh lightly.

Auntie, let me help you apply the essential oil.

I curled up on the cold bed, tears soaking through the pillow.

After an unknown stretch of time, my phone screen lit up. It was a new post from Jassy.

In one photo, she was attentively massaging Margareths shoulders.

In anothera family portraither father, brother, sister-in-law and Jassy herself were gathered around Margareth like stars orbiting the moon, having breakfast at a top luxury hotel.

The caption read: May time treat my goddess gently.

The last flicker of light inside me went out.

Even disappointment felt like a luxury.

In a daze, I remembered years agomy soft, sweet little girl stubbornly raising her tiny fists to pound my back after I came home exhausted.

Mommy worked so hard. I will love Mommy forever.

A cold draft slipped through the crack in the window, scattering that illusion.

I would never find my Jassy again.

I slept in a feverish haze for a whole day and night. Not a cup of water. Not a single word of concern.

When I woke, I gathered all the gifts Richard had ever given me, along with everything my son and daughter had given and handed them to the only housemaid in the home.

Just then, Richards call came inshrill and relentless.

Make a honey yam cake and bring it to the company immediately! Hurry!

His urgent tone made me think his asthma had flared up again.

All these years, whenever he felt unwellno matter how lateit was always me who made it fresh by hand and delivered it personally.

Richard would eat it with his coffee, a smile blooming on his face.

Hermione, I want to eat the honey yam cake you make for the rest of my life.

In moments like that, I truly believed we were in love.

Silently, I walked into the kitchen.

Unfortunately, there was no rest of my life. This would be the last time.

Carrying the food container, I stepped into Richards officeonly to see Margareth reclining sideways on the leather sofa.

She wore his shirt loosely draped over her body, the buttons undone, her bare legs exposed. There was a lingering charm in her eyes; even at her age, she was still alluring.

And the beige lace cover I had carefully sewn and spread over that sofawas tossed onto the floor, stained with something suspicious.

Rage surged through me. I strode forward. On what grounds did you throw away my things? I stitched that piece thread by thread!

Margareth covered her mouth, looking innocent. Oh I thought it was some cheap roadside item. I accidentally stained it. Im sorry, Hermione. Ill buy you a new one.

Richard walked out of the lounge, adjusting his cuffs, his tone indifferent.

Why compensate? It was old junk that shouldve been thrown out long ago.

Old junk that shouldve been thrown out long ago?

That cushion

He had once complained the sofa was too hard. I chose the softest yarn I could find and, through countless nights of his late returns, endured the ache in my neck and shoulders, crocheting for months before I finished it.

He walked over, ignoring my ashen face and took the food container from my hands.

Suddenly, Margareths gaze fell on my neck. Her voice rose slightly.

Isnt that our family heirloomthe Tears of the Galaxy diamond necklace? Im the eldest daughter. It should belong to me.

I covered the necklace and stepped back.

This was left to me by our parents! You have no right

Before I could finish, Richards hand was already reaching toward the back of my neck.

###Chapter 6

Click. The clasp of the necklace was yanked open.

The chain slipped free and was gently placed into Margareths palm.

If you like it, wear it, he said softly. It was yours to begin with.

Her fingertips brushed over the diamond, a radiant smile blooming on her face. Her gaze slid past his shoulder and landed on meopenly triumphant.

I stood there, my neck suddenly bare, nothing left but cold air against my skin.

When Margareth left years ago, she never once came back to see our parents. More than twenty years ago, when they died in a car accident, I called her in tears, begging her to return. But she refused to even attend the funeral.

She only said, They were old anyway. People die sooner or later. Dont interrupt my date with a handsome French guy.

And now, she wore our parents keepsake around her neck, acting every bit the rightful heir of the Summers Family.

Give it back! I lunged at her.

Richard reacted instantly. He shifted to shield Margareth behind him and swung his arm, striking me.

I crashed to the floor. The wound on my hand split open again, beads of blood seeping out.

Its just a necklace. He looked down at me, his eyes icy. Are you done making a scene?

Just a necklace?

When my parents passed away, I was devastated beyond words. He had personally put that necklace around my neck, knelt before their graves and sworn:

Mom, Dad, dont worry. Ill protect Hermione for the rest of my life. If I break this oath, may heaven strike me down.

His lifetime was laughably short. Before my parents were even laid to rest, he was already someone elses husband.

I pressed my bloodied hand against the floor and struggled to stand.

Richard, that was the last thing my parents left me!

He looked utterly impatient. Hermione, who are you putting on this hysterical act for? Havent you embarrassed yourself enough?

Only then did I realize the doorway was crowded with whispering employees.

She cheats and makes a scandal out of it and still has the nerve to come here and cause trouble?

Margareth is so elegant. She and Mr. Hawthorne are the perfect match. How could that old, washed-up wife compare?

I opened my mouth to defend myself. I didnt cheat. I was framed!

But my voice was weak and powerless, drowned out by even more contempt and speculation.

Suddenly, Margareth began breathing rapidly. One hand clawed at her own throat while the other pointed at the smashed honey yam cake on the floor.

There are peanuts in this Im allergic to peanuts Hermione knew

But she had never been allergic.

Stop acting, Margareth! I roared.

Richards eyes instantly turned bloodshot. The tip of his shoe slammed viciously into the shin that had once been broken.

You vicious, poisonous woman!

A piercing pain shot through me. I collapsed again beneath the desk.

There, crumpled at the corner, lay a wrinkled, semi-transparent lace bra. The stains on the cushion were exactly what I had thought

Covering my mouth, I remembered a rainy night more than ten years ago. Richard had nearly been hit by a drunk driver.

Instinctively, I shoved him away. I was the one who got struck instead, my left leg fractured.

Ever since then, every damp and rainy day made the bone ache faintly.

Back then, he had stayed by my bedside for three days and three nights, heartbroken and devoted.

Now, he struck that very injury with precisionusing it to trample me.

And while waiting for me to arrive, he had been that impatient.

Disappointment reached its limit. I lifted my head calmly.

Lets divorce, Richard. Oh, no need. Congratulations. You should give her the grand wedding she deserves.

Shut up! he snapped like a beast whose tail had been stepped on, cutting me off in fury. Stop using these ridiculous tricks to get my attention. Look what youve done to Margareth!

Then, in a rush to carry the allergic Margareth to his private helicopter, he handled her with the utmost careas if she were some priceless treasure.

No one is allowed to disturb me!

I watched as the helicopter disappeared toward the hospital. Then, limping, I walked out of the Hawthorne Group building. Every step felt like I was treading on knife blades.

No car would take me. The drivers recognized me. One even rolled down his window and spat in my direction.

Old slut. Go look at yourself in a mirror.

The setting sun stretched my shadow long across the pavementlong, cold and utterly alone.

I walked for five full hours. My feet felt like they were about to break before I finally made it back to that cold, luxurious home.

It was already pitch dark.

On the dining table sat a slice of Black Forest cake my grandson had left for me. Beneath it was a note:

Grandma, take good care of yourself. Love you, Leo.

Beside the words was a crooked little heart.

The freezing weight in my chest thawed by that tiny warmth, though only half.

I picked up a spoon. Just before it reached my mouth, a shrill ringtone exploded through the silence.

Hello, is this Ms. Summers? This is the city police. Weve been unable to reach your family. Please come to the station immediately.

A sense of dread clenched around my heart.

May I ask what happened?

As the officers words fell, a loud buzzing filled my head.

The cake slipped from my hand and shattered on the floor.

###Chapter 7

We found a severely injured child. Hes in critical condition. We believe he may be your grandson, Leo Hawthorne. Please come to the hospital immediately to confirm!

No. No!

Leo was my life. Nothing could happen to him.

I rushed out of the house like a madwomanonly to crash straight into Richard at the door. His eyes were bloodshot, veins bulging at his temples like a beast driven mad.

Go apologize to Margareth. He seized my wrist, his grip so tight that it nearly crushed the bone. Do you have any idea she almost died? Shes still being resuscitated!

Crying, I clutched at him. Leos been hurt! Hes at the hospital. Please, save him first!

Shut up! he roared. Hermione, do you have any bottom line at all using your own grandson as an excuse?

He dragged me violently toward the car.

Im not lying! Leo

A hard slap struck my face. My vision went black. He shoved me into the car and a bodyguard sealed my mouth with tape.

At the hospital, the sharp smell of disinfectant filled the air.

My son and daughter were already there. Richard had actually mobilized all the hospitals top specialists, crowding them into Margareths emergency room.

Down the corridor, a small body covered in blood, face unrecognizable, was rushed past on a stretcher.

Medical staff shouted urgently, The child needs surgery immediately! How much longer will the people inside take?

Staring at that small body soaked in blood, my heart seemed to stop.

I struggled wildly, muffled cries breaking from my throat. Leo!

Richard saw the blood-covered child too. His steps faltered for a brief second.

Just then, my son frowned and said, I just spoke to Dyna. The two kids are vacationing at a classmates villa. Theyre perfectly fine. Mom, just to get Dads attention, youd even curse your own grandson?

My daughters eyes were filled with disappointment. Have you really become this vicious, just to drive Auntie away?

The last trace of doubt in Richards eyes vanished, replaced by icy disgust. If you keep talking nonsense, Ill have you sent to a psychiatric hospital!

Tears streamed down my face. I dropped to my knees, bowing over and over, knocking my forehead against the floor in desperate pleas.

He merely gave the bodyguards a look.

I was dragged into an empty hospital room nearby and locked inside. No matter how I pounded on the door or begged, there was only dead silence outside.

I didn't know how long passed before voices sounded beyond the door.

Congratulations. The patient is out of danger.

Almost at the same time, from farther down the corridor came a doctors exhausted, heavy sigh.

The child wasnt treated in time Time of death confirmed.

The world collapsed with a roar in my ears.

Through the crack of the door, I saw Richards tightly furrowed brows relax, light returning to his eyes. My son and daughter wore relieved smiles as well.

They were celebrating that womans rebirth.

And Leomy little sunhad died on that cold stretcher.

At last, the bodyguard unlocked the door.

I collapsed onto the floor and suddenly began to laugh. The sound was hoarse, shattered, almost inhuman.

Richard glanced back unintentionally and met my frenzied smile. Something in his chest jolted.

Could it be?

No. Our son had confirmed it. It was this woman making trouble, lying again.

He forced down the flicker of unease and strode into the ward, taking Margareths hand, his voice gentle, Its all over now. At the banquet in two days, Ill make it even more grand for you.

Inside me, there was nothing left but the fire of revenge.

***

I claimed Leos body.

After the cremation, I had his ashes compressed into a tiny diamond and wore it at my neck, resting closest to my heart.

Two days later, the luxury yacht glittered with lights. Margareths birthday banquet was held in extravagant splendor.

Someone quietly turned on a livestream.

On camera, a man well past fifty knelt on one knee on the deck, slipping a massive diamond ring onto her finger, his gaze filled with devotion.

My son and daughter-in-law smiled and applauded. Congratulations, Dad, on finding the love of your life again.

My daughter wiped away emotional tears, captured in a close-up shot.

I watched the screen of my phone in silence, the corner of my lips curving into a cold arc.

A message came from Margaretha photo of Richard passionately kissing her.

[The love returns to its rightful owner. Thank you for thirty years of free nanny service.]

I calmly deleted the message, touched the ashes-diamond resting against my heart and walked out of the villa that had imprisoned me for half my lifefor the last time.

A black sedan had been waiting for a while. I got in, opened my email, selected several files and scheduled them to be sent at midnight.

Happy 30th anniversary.

I removed my SIM card, snapped it in half and tossed it out the window like something no longer wanted.

At that very moment, Richard was absently rubbing the velvet box in his pocket. Inside was a pair of pearl earrings that I had glanced at a few times while shopping before. He had someone purchase them, intending them as compensation for our thirtieth anniversary.

He knew I had always been easy to appease. He believed a little sweetness like this would be more than enough to coax me.

Imagining the look of surprise on my face when I received the earrings, Richard unconsciously curved his lips into a faint smile.

He had no idea that when the clock struck midnight and the magic of the night dissolved, he would receive the most magnificent gift of his life.

And my flight was already heading toward a dawn that no longer held him.