Chapter 1

"Help! Mrs. Wilson has fallen into the lake!"

A chorus of insincere cries for help echoed through the vast villa garden. The housekeepers by the lake appeared frantic with their chaotic footsteps, but none genuinely intended to rescue her.

Linda Felix felt the icy water envelop her body. Soon, a warm trickle of blood seeped out, as if something was being torn from her insides.

Before she lost consciousness, she saw her imposter, Ida Clinton, whom her mother-in-law, Joanne Clay, had painstakingly brought in.

Ida stood with her arms crossed in the pavilion as she watched the scene unfold with a victorious stance.

Another set of footsteps approached. Through her blurry vision, Linda caught sight of her husband. His tall figure sparked a flicker of hope.

She wanted to call for help, but being submerged in the water, she couldn't utter a word.

William Wilson's steps were slow and unhurried. He squatted by the lake and watched Linda struggle with cold and indifferent eyes.

The clear water was now stained red from the blood flowing out of Linda's body, turning the small man-made lake a ghastly crimson.

Linda's vision blurred further as her strength faded. Darkness enveloped her as she passed out, and the last image of William's indifferent, mocking smile burned into her mind.

Voices of the unpunished, fearless housekeepers floated through the air. "Isn't Mrs. Wilson a strong swimmer? How could she not get out of such a small man-made lake?

"I bet she's trying to gain Mr. Wilson's sympathy again. After all, Mrs. Wilson always loved these petty tricks."

Almost everyone in Osmo knew Linda—Mrs. Wilson—was just a figurehead.

William didn't care for her. He married her only because, at the time, he had just taken over Wilson Group and needed the connections to compete with other companies.

Linda had appeared then. She was Felix Group's heiress and the apple of John Felix's eye. Her requests were never denied.

At 19, she proposed an engagement to William. Under pressure from the company and family, William agreed. They got married when she turned 20, and it had been four years since.

With Felix Group's support, William quickly stabilized Wilson Group and expanded his business empire.

Meanwhile, after John's untimely death, Felix Group steadily declined. They now fully relied on Wilson Group just to avoid bankruptcy.

Everyone in Osmo was waiting for William to kick Linda out of the picture. They anticipated her downfall, and Linda knew she was a joke herself.

She had once hoped that her unconditional love over the past four years would thaw his icy heart. Unfortunately, William had no heart.

From the moment she fell into the lake and saw William's indifferent eyes, Linda's hope shattered, and her heart died.

15 years of love was nothing but a long, vivid dream, and now marked its end.

…

Linda awoke to excruciating pain and the sound of machines beeping around her. She slowly opened her eyes and recognized the sterile hospital surroundings.

Before she could react, a cold, emotionless voice greeted her, "You're awake."

The familiar voice jolted her awake, and memories from before she lost consciousness rushed back.

Instinctively, Linda clenched the bedsheet until her veins bulged and her knuckles turned white.

William stood by the bed as he glanced down at her. The chill indifference in his eyes sent shivers through her, piercing her to the bone. His expression was inscrutable and devoid of any hint of emotion.

Linda let out an abrupt chuckle. It was followed by a slight wince as it pulled at her wounds.

She remembered how she used to face William's coldness with a smile and had always run to him eagerly.

It was like playing with fire and getting burned. Linda had brought this upon herself.

Her one-sided love, carried with naive bravery, ended today. Her love now turned to bitterness that lingered in her throat.

Linda took a deep breath and forced a stiff smile. Her voice carried a hint of forced toughness, which seemed particularly ridiculous in the face of her obvious weakness. "You still don't believe me, do you?"

William's lips twitched, and his eyes flashed with clear derision. "How could I believe you?"

He gripped her chin to force her to meet his gaze. "Didn't you claim you saved me from drowning years ago? If you could swim with someone heavier than you to the shore, why couldn't you get out of a shallow man-made lake?"

William scoffed. "Linda, your suicidal stunts only work on those who love you. Pulling it off once or twice might have been interesting, but doing it over and over? You're not just exhausting yourself, but you're exhausting me, too."

Her chin hurt from his grip. Linda wanted to break free but was too weak to struggle. "I said I was pushed in. My clothes were heavy, and I couldn't get up. Do you believe me?"

Linda knew very well he wouldn't believe her. With that, the love in her eyes vanished.

William released her, and she slumped back against the pillow with a red mark on her pale face. Her demeanor evoked sympathy.

"Do you think I'm a fool?" William's words implied he didn't believe her.

Linda mocked herself internally. She stubbornly demanded an answer despite knowing the truth. It was excruciating, like stabbing herself in the heart.

She questioned herself if she could sink any lower.

"Since that's the case, Mr. Wilson, I'll return your freedom." She forced herself to sit up. "Let's get divorced."

The words, simple yet heavy, weighed on her. However, William remained unfazed, with only his gaze still icy. His coldness seeped into her and froze her heart inch by inch.

Linda's eyes were empty and devoid of any emotions. "What's wrong, Mr. Wilson? Are you so used to being married to a witch like me that you can't bear to leave?"

As soon as she finished speaking, a diagnostic report landed in her hand. But before she could read it, William started, "Linda, you actually used our child as a bargaining chip. You're quite ruthless, huh?"

Child? What child?

Linda glanced down at the report. Tears she thought were long gone resurfaced. "Intrauterine pregnancy of 61 days, complete miscarriage."

That single line felt like a series of daggers stabbing into Linda's already shattered heart. Each dagger twisted and pulled out, leaving gaping wounds that bled profusely.

They had a child, and she hadn't known. However, William thought she had used the child as leverage.

"It's unexpected, isn't it, Linda? After four years of scheming, your plans finally backfired." His handsome face was cruel. "The child is gone, and you have only yourself to blame. You've killed the child!"

Soon, another document landed on the white sheet—divorce papers.

Chapter 2

A black fountain pen was dropped onto the document with a soft clink.

Linda stared at the pen absentmindedly before she picked it up. With trembling hands, she removed the cap and signed her name on the divorce papers.

With all her remaining strength, she threw the document toward William.

A single tear fell onto the diagnostic report in her hand, and it spread like smudged ink on paper. It wasn't just the end of this fruitless love affair that hurt her, but the loss of an innocent child.

Linda forced a smile and sighed softly. "From now on, we have no further ties. Mr. Wilson, I'm truly sorry for wasting four years of your life. From now on, you're free."

William remained silent. He bent down to pick up the divorce papers from the floor and walked out of the ward.

As soon as he left, Linda broke down and wailed uncontrollably. Her pale hands that gripped the rough hospital blanket were now marked with red imprints.

After a long time, she placed her hand on her flat abdomen. She still couldn't believe that this place had once held a tiny life that lasted only 61 days.

Seeing the diagnostic report in front of her, the hatred in Linda's eyes boiled. Despite all her efforts and sacrifices, William never loved her. To him, she was merely a scheming woman who deserved her fate.

Thinking back, her apparent weakness over the past two months wasn't due to illness but early pregnancy symptoms.

Joanne, who had given birth before, was the one behind her fall into the lake. It dawned on Linda that Joanne and Ida were the ones who had killed her child. They were the true villains.

But, no matter who the killers were, she vowed to make them pay. Even if she was at fault, they had no right to harm an innocent child.

…

Two weeks later, Linda was discharged from the hospital.

She seemed like a completely different person and was no longer the gentle and mild-mannered woman she once was. She had become cold and distant. Her eyes were unsettling, radiating a glacier's chill.

Anyone who came near felt as if they were being caught in a snowstorm.

The bodyguards at the villa's entrance tried to stop her, but her fierce gaze made them hesitate. They were left powerless to prevent her entry.

Linda made her way through the Wilson residence smoothly.

Joanne was out, and Ida was sitting on the stairs with a cup of tea, casually enjoying the scenery. It was the perfect spot to view the small courtyard Linda had created.

Seeing Ida sitting there with an air of superiority, Linda's hatred boiled once more. As she walked past the living room, she noticed a cup on the table with an extinguished cigarette butt inside.

It was a cup she had specially made for William while studying in Jasper City. But now, it was repurposed as an ashtray.

Linda picked up the cup and slowly approached Ida from behind. She smashed the cup against Ida's forehead, and the cup shattered into pieces on the floor.

Ida winced in pain and turned around with blood streaming from her forehead. The blood soon stained her pale face like crimson roses against a blanket of snow.

"Linda, how dare you?" Ida's hand moved to strike back, but Linda quickly restrained her wrist.

Linda gripped Ida's throat. "How dare I? Did you ever think about that when you hurt my child?"

"You're mad!" Ida struggled and screamed, "Help! Linda's gone mad! She's going to kill me!"

She proceeded to cry louder, "Help! Someone!"

The more Ida struggled, the tighter Linda's grip became. Having been kidnapped and returned to her parents, Linda had learned judo and close combat, giving her strength far beyond that of an average woman.

"Ida, do you and Joanne hate me that much? You're the real imposter. I've been more than patient with you.

"If it weren't for my desire not to upset Joanne and have her hate me more, do you think you'd still be living at the Wilson residence as William's sister?

"I've been more than kind to you. Even though I knew you were impersonating me, I treated you with respect throughout my three years of marriage to William.

"I've always dealt with you as I would with anyone else. I honestly can't think of any way I've offended you—how could you not see my forbearance?

"I, Linda, have never been ordinary. I didn't want to hurt you, but you chose to harm my child. You shouldn't—and have no right at all—to lay a finger on my child!"

Linda's rage was palpable, and Ida couldn't hide her fear. She never imagined that the once gentle and submissive Linda could turn into such a monster in just half a month.

Ida feared Linda might actually kill her. Linda was truly out of her mind.

Hearing Ida's cries, the housekeepers immediately dropped their work and rushed in. They froze at the sight of Linda—who had once been bullied and submissive since her marriage to the Wilson family.

She was now a full-blown demon standing at the top of the stairs, gripping Ida's throat.

The Linda they knew was gone. She seemed as if she had come straight from hell, ready to drag anyone who angered her down with her.

The sheer terror made them freeze, and they could only watch Ida's face flush red.

Just then, the sound of a car braking was heard. William had returned.

Linda knew it was William as she knew him better than anyone. But it didn't matter even if he was back. It didn't change the fact that her child was gone.

Ida, knowing William had returned, felt a glimmer of hope, as did the housekeepers. William wouldn't stand by and watch Linda kill someone in the villa, especially not his "savior".

"Linda, William is back! Let go of me now! If you lay a hand on me, William will make you pay a hundredfold!" Ida, feeling bolstered by William's presence, dared to confront Linda.

Half of Ida's body was suspended in the air as she glared at Linda.

As Linda tightened her grip, her voice grew colder. "Oh, really? I'm curious to see whether William can be fast enough to stop me from throwing you down the stairs."

As William got out of the car, the crying housekeepers rushed to him and knelt in front of him. "Mr. Wilson, please save Ms. Ida! Ms. Felix is trying to kill her!"

William entered the house quickly to confront Linda. He grabbed her wrist and shoved her away.

Instantly, Ida fell to the ground, and the housekeepers hurried to her side to apply the pre-prepared medication to her bleeding forehead.

Linda, yanked off balance by William, nearly stumbled but was steadied by his firm grip on her wrist.

Once she was steady, William looked at her with a scowl, his face reflecting clear disgust for her.

He coldly warned, "Linda, what the hell are you doing? The Wilson residence is not a place for your tantrums!"

Chapter 3

Linda sneered. Her eyes, which usually sparkled at the sight of William, were now dull and lifeless.

"Tantrums? What a perfect word," she muttered softly. "William, do you even have a heart?"

Linda pointed at Ida, who sat on the couch surrounded by housekeepers. "To you, Ida is always pure, kind, and your savior. But she's not. She's the one who pushed me into the lake.

"She's the reason I lost my child! You're defending the person who killed your child—do you know that?"

A tear fell to the floor, catching the light. "And yet, you still think I'm just throwing tantrums." Linda's once-bright eyes were now filled with hatred.

William's frown deepened as he listened. Ida, who had just finished treating her wound and regained her composure, rushed to defend herself.

"Linda, stop lying! This is the Wilson residence, not a place for your baseless accusations. I've always been honest and upright. I don't resort to underhanded tactics, nor do I need to.

"You fell into the lake yourself because you wanted to gain William's sympathy. How could you accuse me of pushing you? How can you lie so easily?

"I have nothing against you, and I don't want anything from you. What could I possibly gain from pushing you? And if I didn't like you, I'd just avoid you. Why would I risk committing a crime?"

Ida turned to William and added, "William, you can't believe her lies."

William remained silent as he fell deep in thought. The housekeepers surrounding Ida glared at Linda as if trying to bore holes into her.

"Mr. Wilson, Ms. Ida was admiring the camellia flowers and wanted to pick some for your study," one housekeeper said.

"When she reached the pavilion in the backyard, she saw Ms. Felix jump into the lake. Ms. Ida didn't even go near her.

"But even though Ms. Felix can swim, she didn't get out of the water on her own. She just floundered there, even when a housekeeper tried to pull her out with a lifebuoy. She was unfazed and insisted on waiting for you to return."

Linda glanced at the housekeeper who had spoken. Joanne was the one who brought her back, and she had been taking care of Ida since she came to the Wilson family.

Naturally, she would defend Ida. They always protected their employers.

Ida nodded vigorously while tears welled up in her eyes. "William, Linda's father passed away at the beginning of the year, and now her uncle's family has taken over the Felix Group.

"She's no longer the Felix family's heiress and no longer has the power she once wielded. Without her biggest support, she's desperate to hold on to you to keep her title as Mrs. Wilson.

"To keep this title, she gambled with her unborn child to gain your sympathy. After all, you two have been married for three years, so there's some affection there.

"By using the child to gain your sympathy, even if you eventually divorce, she can secure more alimony and drive a wedge between us and Joanne.

"Plus, William, even if I really have feelings for you, I've been living in the Wilson residence for four years now. Don't you think I could have easily made my move based on my relationship with Joanne?

"Why would I need to go to such lengths? Besides, if Linda had told us about her pregnancy sooner, wouldn't we have treated her like a queen?"

Ida's words were reasonable and well-timed. She accused Linda of using the child to evoke sympathy and proved her innocence. Even Linda almost believed her.

Then Ida added sorrowfully, "What a poor child. He was only two months old."

Ida knew the details of Linda's medical reports and naturally knew how far along the pregnancy was.

Linda let out a chuckle. Their words were logical and convincing. She had no room to retort, and of course, William would never believe anything she said.

Reflecting on her three years of marriage to William, Linda had never used her family's status to act superior in the Wilson family or tried to sow discord.

Even knowing that Ida was an imposter Joanne had brought in to replace her, she had done nothing to harm her.

Linda never intended to use the child's death to get more alimony or frame anyone. How could she ever have harmed her own child?

Linda wanted to say something but couldn't find the words. She clearly understood one fact—the cold Wiliam in front of her would never believe a word she said. So, why humiliate herself further?

Her hands clenched into tight fists. Linda's heart felt as if it was being wrapped in silver threads. The threads were tightening and tearing her heart apart until it was irreparably broken.

"William, you believe in Ida too, right?" Linda forced a stiff smile as her bloodshot eyes met his cold, piercing gaze.

The housekeeper, siding with Ida spoke again, "Why wouldn't Mr. Wilson believe Ms. Ida? Should he believe you instead? You're nothing but a wicked woman!"

Linda's patience finally snapped. She glared at the housekeeper. "It's not your place to speak here!"

William remained silent. His brows were tightly knitted, and his eyes were full of coldness and disgust. He turned to look out the window where the camellias were in full bloom.

No words were needed as his actions said it all. He didn't believe Linda.

Linda's mind raced. Of course, she was the wicked woman in his eyes. Why would he have believed her? Wasn't this the inevitable outcome?

What was Linda hoping for? What was there to expect?

Who would have thought that the kind-hearted Ida, the Wilson family's adopted daughter and William's childhood savior, could be so despicable behind the scenes? No one would ever have believed or even imagined it!

On the contrary, Linda was known to be jealous and malicious. To others, she couldn't even stand other people's happiness. When she was hurt, they thought she deserved it and was unworthy of pity.

Linda felt her strength drain away. Her legs went weak, and her steps faltered.

After a long silence, William said, "Linda, I don't want to see you anywhere near me again."

With that, he left the villa without a backward glance.

As Linda watched his departing figure, she forced herself to move despite the discomfort wracking her body.

However, before she could leave the Wilson residence, Ida, who had seemed so frail moments ago, now blocked her path with a triumphant look.

Ida laughed heartily. "Linda, I've never seen anyone as foolish as you," she declared arrogantly with crossed arms. The blood stains on her face did nothing to diminish her victorious demeanor.

Chapter 4

Ida was basking in her triumph. Linda was no longer Mrs. Wilson. She was divorced from William, and Felix Group had lost its power. Ida felt like Linda had lost everything.

With a sneer full of sarcasm, she said, "Linda, did you really think sacrificing everything to William for four years would make him love you?

"So what if I wasn't his real savior? With Joanne's help, I'll eventually become his true savior once you're out of the picture."

Linda was in too much pain to respond. Her pale hands hung limply by her sides, clenched tight.

Sweat trickled down her forehead as her face turned ghostly pale. She bit her lips hard, trying to endure the agony coursing through her body.

Noticing Linda's condition, Ida laughed, and the housekeepers around her joined in.

"Ms. Felix, with acting skills like yours, you should try show business. It's too bad Mr. Wilson is gone—he'll never see your brilliant performance again."

Ida laughed again. "Linda, are you still dreaming? Do you still think you're the Felix family's pampered heiress? Let me tell you, you're not. Your father, who gave you that status, is dead.

"Your company is no longer under your control, and you're no longer Mrs. Wilson. You're just a pathetic fool, a lost soul with nowhere to go. You're nothing now!"

Ida repeated this taunt until Linda's head spun and her vision blurred.

The housekeepers looked at Linda with contempt. They weren't going to waste this opportunity.

"Ms. Felix, why did you overestimate yourself? Mr. Wilson won't believe a word you say. Think about it—after four years of marriage, you've exhausted all his trust."

Linda gritted her teeth and tried to move away as she planned to leave the Wilson residence.

But before she could take a step, she collapsed onto the cold floor, next to a recently retracted foot. It was the housekeeper who had spoken earlier, now wearing an apologetic facade. "Sorry, Ms. Felix, I didn't see you there."

Pain seared through Linda's limbs, nearly drowning her in despair. Every inch of her body, down to her bones, felt like it was burning.

Seeing her condition, Ida squatted down and lifted Linda's chin with her finger to force her to meet her gaze.

Her voice was soft but laced with mockery, while her tone was sympathetic but her words cruel. "Linda, do you realize how pathetic you are now? You're like a rat scurrying through the streets. Everyone wants to get rid of you!"

In a split second, she released Linda's chin and stood up with a housekeeper's help. After taking the handkerchief offered to her, she wiped her fingers as if she'd touched something filthy. Ida's face was twisted in disgust.

Linda's eyes were bloodshot, a stark contrast to her ashen face. She tried to get up, but the pain in her waist was excruciating.

"Are you still trying to get up, you dead rat? How delusional." Ida sneered.

At Ida's signal, the housekeeper delivered a brutal kick to Linda's abdomen.

Linda gasped, and the pain left her too weak to move.

Ida feigned shock and theatrically scolded the housekeeper, "What's wrong with you? Don't you know Ms. Felix just had a miscarriage?"

She rubbed her chin thoughtfully. "It must be incredibly painful, huh?"

Linda glared at Ida and the housekeeper with her eyes burning with fury.

Satisfied with her performance, Ida decided it was time to stop.

"Alright, that's enough. There's no need to drag this out. Even if William were here, he wouldn't even pity you. There's no point in wasting your acting skills."

At that moment, a commotion erupted at the door.

"My patience has limits," Samson Lynch declared as his cold eyes swept over the unmoving bodyguards at the door.

Finally, his patience waned. "You have two choices—let me in, or I'll take you down, and you can come to my company for compensation."

The bodyguards remained unmoved. With a deadly glint in his eyes, Samson swiftly took them out and entered the Wilson residence.

Seeing Linda on the floor, he immediately scooped her up.

"Linda!" he exclaimed while cradling her and glaring at Ida. "Ida, expect my revenge. Mr. Felix is indeed gone, but Linda is not alone."

Facing Samson's threat, Ida smirked, showing no sign of guilt, and was even more defiant. "John is dead—who will protect her now? You? Who are you?"

Feeling Linda growing weaker in his arms, Samson carried her out of the villa.

Linda was conscious but couldn't speak. At first, she heard Samson's voice, but it soon faded into the air, becoming a distant echo.

…

While in a hospital bed, Linda had a long, vivid, and blissful dream. It was filled with memories that weren't just her solo performance.

Despite William's words, he had come that day, and her worries vanished the moment he appeared. It was the most stunning smile she had in days, and it was as if she had witnessed the most beautiful moonlight in the world.

But it was just an incredibly vivid dream. How could dreams turn into reality? In the end, he didn't come.

The sharp smell of disinfectant filled her nostrils. It felt oddly familiar to Linda.

Accompanied by the medical machines' rhythmic ticking, she slowly opened her eyes. The pain engulfed Linda, almost drowning her.

Samson, who had been by her side, immediately stood up when he saw her awake. "Linda, you're awake."

His eyes were filled with concern that Linda hadn't seen in a long time, not since John's death.

"Samson…"

"How are you feeling now? Do you need a doctor to check on you?" Samson asked while pressing the nurse's call button. "You've been asleep for a whole day and night. Did you know that?"

Linda was surprised. "Did I sleep that long?"

"Yeah, and you scared me half to death."

Linda forced a faint smile. She hadn't realized how long she'd slept and only knew she'd been in such a blissful dream that she didn't want to wake up.

A doctor came to examine her and advised her to rest well.

"I feel much better now," Linda said.

Samson sat on a nearby chair. "You didn't even complete your recovery period. So, what made you run out in the middle of this freezing weather?"

Linda's face was still pale, and her lips were dry and cracked. She said to Samson, "Thank you, Samson."

"There's no need for thanks between us. It was thanks to you and your family that I could return to the Lynch family and have the life I have now."

Samson avoided mentioning John's name as he was aware that Linda was too weak to handle any emotional stress.

He helped her sit up, propping her against the pillow. "Have you divorced William? What happened?"

Chapter 5

Samson was still in Usna when his assistant informed him about Linda's accident. He was overseeing an important contract for the Lynch Group that demanded his presence.

As soon as the contract was signed, his assistant told him the situation was dire. So, Samson booked the next flight home without hesitation.

Upon landing, he learned Linda was at the Wilson residence and headed straight there without comprehending what had happened.

Everyone knew about Linda's love for William. Despite knowing this relationship would never bring her happiness, she stubbornly persisted for four long years.

If William could achieve the divorce so easily, her perseverance would have been a joke.

Linda's expression fell at the mention of the divorce. William's cold gaze still haunted her.

Samson handed her a cup of warm water, which she held tightly.

Linda remained silent, and Samson patiently waited for her to speak, knowing she would in time.

"Samson…" Linda pursed her lips and handed the cup back to him.

There was too much history and complexity in her tormenting marriage with William to explain in a few words.

She took a deep breath and said vaguely, "I've loved him long enough. I'm exhausted, so it's time to let go."

She had loved him for four years and sacrificed her dignity, only to be seen as a clingy, wicked woman. Since that was the case, it was better to end it now.

Thinking about the lost child, tears welled up in Linda's eyes. This was the result of her four-year struggle in the marriage. She tearfully caressed her abdomen, lamenting the child she never got to feel.

Seeing Linda's profound sorrow, Samson was at a loss for words to comfort her. He decided to stay silent and keep her company in the ward.

"Linda, come live with me in Novena," Samson suggested after a long silence, handing her a letter. "This is from Mr. Felix."

Linda took the envelope in a daze, and Samson continued, "Mr. Felix knew you wouldn't stop until you hit rock bottom.

"He loved you and wanted you to pursue what you wanted. He saw everything you've been through these past years."

With trembling hands, Linda opened the envelope and took out the letter.

"My dearest Linda, if you're reading this, it means you've finally run out of patience. I know these past few years have been incredibly tough for you, enduring a failed marriage.

"You gave everything to a man who once promised you the world, but whether he remembers you or his promise, you've held up your end. You've loved him long enough. You're remarkable.

"Your love is so great that William doesn't deserve it. While your mother was still conscious, she always worried about you suffering and asked me to leave you and Chloe a safety net.

"She always said that she only saw light in your eyes when you looked at William. Since you saw him as your light, you should follow it. Later, we realized you treated him as the direction and destination of your happiness.

"As your parents, we had no choice but to support you wholeheartedly. It was the only thing we could do for you.

"My girl Linda, I don't know how long your love can sustain you. My health won't allow me to see you find clarity, so the best I can do is ensure you have a safety net.

"By the time you read this letter, you'll be utterly disheartened and will have met Samson. I don't want you to stay in Osmo anymore.

"I've arranged a home for you in Novena and left you and Chloe a substantial sum of money—enough for you both to live happily for the rest of your lives.

"If your uncle wants the company, let him have it. I don't want you to bear such burdens. Material possessions can come and go.

"Remember, whether we're still with you or not, face the world bravely. We will always support your decisions. Linda, you and Chloe are the light your mother and I have left behind.

"We don't seek your brilliance. We just want you and Chloe to live a peaceful and happy life. Lastly, always remember that we love you dearly. John Felix."

Linda's eyes blurred with tears as she finished reading the letter. Reflecting on the past, she realized how stubborn she had been.

In her youth, she had so many choices, but only William mattered. Later, she decided it had to be him.

Her parents initially opposed her decision, but they fully supported her when their efforts to stop her failed. Every step she took was on the path they paved for her.

If Linda could go back 15 years, she thought she wouldn't have saved William. If she hadn't, her life might not have been so tragic.

She wouldn't have clung to him because of a promise, only to end up in this mess. But now, it was too late for regret.

Samson spoke at the right moment, "Mr. Felix visited Novena before he passed. He arranged a home for you and Chloe and gave me some orders to pass this letter to you. Now, I've done everything he asked."

He wiped away her tears and added, "Linda, it's time for you to grow up. You can't live like this forever. Mr. Felix wanted you and Chloe to be happy. Listen to him this time and live for yourself.

"I'll always be here to support you until you can fully embrace this world and don't need me anymore."

Linda lowered her head to look at John's handwriting. Perhaps the best ending for her and William was for her to leave and never look back.

She thought for a moment and made her decision. "Alright. Samson, I'll go to Novena with you and never return."

Linda closed her eyes, and images of the people and events in Osmo flashed through her mind. It was time to say goodbye. Ending things here wasn't such a bad way to close this chapter.

But even if Samson hadn't come today, Linda had already decided to leave once she recovered. She would either go to Flomont to find Chloe or find a quiet place to live her life.

Finally, before leaving, Linda wanted to see the man she had loved for 15 years one last time. She had to say goodbye to that impossible love and put a period at the end of her story.

Linda stayed in the hospital for two weeks before being discharged.

By then, Osmo was covered in heavy snow. The green belts along the streets were blanketed, and there were puddles of melted snow on the road.

Wrapped in a scarf, Linda walked alone into the wind. Under the snow, her thin figure evoked pity.

At that moment, her phone rang. It was a call from her uncle, Tom Felix.