Chapter 1

It was already past 9:00 pm when Wendy Sanders came out of the police station.

She turned on her phone, and it was instantly flooded with concerned messages from her friends and colleagues. However, not a single one was from her husband, James Frank.

Her weary expression took on a touch of desolation.

When she opened the door to her home, their housekeeper, Zelda Jade, who was also their son's nanny, froze upon seeing her. "Mrs. Frank, why are you… Oh, I mean, are you alright?"

Wendy stared at Zelda's guilty expression and merely pressed her lips together. Without saying a thing, she made her way upstairs.

As she opened her son's door, she could hear him talking on the phone. "Auntie Jenna, I did exactly what you said! Will the police really lock Mommy up?"

Ethan Frank gestured animatedly as he chirped, completely unaware that Wendy was standing at the door.

Wendy listened in silence. It was only then that she realized that, even though Ethan had known that he was allergic to peanuts, he had secretly added crushed peanuts to his lunch and then called the police, accusing Wendy of harming him in order to get her in trouble.

He went to all that trouble just to get Wendy locked up, all so he could celebrate his birthday with his father and his aunt, Jenna Sanders.

When Ethan was finally done chattering with Jenna and turned his head, he saw Wendy standing there.

As his face froze, the shock and displeasure in his eyes became evident. He blurted out, "Why didn't the police lock you up?"

Wendy felt her throat tighten. She fought back her sorrow and asked, "Do you want me to be locked up that badly?"

She never knew that the son she'd raised with all her heart for five years harbored such hatred for her.

"If you let me go out with Daddy and Auntie Jenna for my birthday, I won't have the police take you away," Ethan said with a mockingly generous look.

He added, "Mommy, I really don't get it. You and Auntie Jenna are both Grandma and Grandpa's daughters, but why can't you do anything? All you do is go to work and cook. You're not elegant at all.

"Auntie Jenna is different from you. Do you know how many people envy me when she takes me out? She's pretty, stylish, and super gentle.

"Even Daddy thinks she's way better than you. Mommy, can you just go to work and not come to my birthday celebration?"

Ethan continuously praised Jenna before finally revealing his true intentions.

Wendy felt a crushing weight on her chest. She asked, "So, you're saying it's okay for me to be locked up because of your lie?"

"It's not like you'll be locked up for long." Ethan pouted impatiently and complained, "You're not going to lecture me again about this, are you? Auntie Jenna never nags me, even when I do something wrong. You're so annoying."

Wendy said nothing more. She merely stared at Ethan for a long time before leaving his room without a word.

Behind her, Ethan's anxious voice rang out. "You're not going to make a fuss tomorrow and stop us from celebrating, are you? Mommy, if you dare to stop us, I'll never talk to you again! And I'll get the police to take you away!"

He shouted so loudly that even Zelda heard him as well. She looked troubled and went over to Wendy. "Mrs. Frank, Ethan's still little. He doesn't know what he's doing. Please don't be upset."

Wendy merely hummed in response.

Back in her room, she called James. She wanted to know whether he knew about this.

The phone rang for a long time before James finally picked up. His voice was cold as he said, "I'm in the middle of something important. You're—"

"James, are you ready?" Jenna's voice came through.

Wendy's grip on her phone tightened. "Alright, I won't bother you anymore."

She hung up before he could say anything else.

In the six years that they'd been married, she hadn't actually spent much time together with James. He was always busy, flying around the country and abroad, while she had to work irregular hours as a doctor.

Every time she took leave, it was to accommodate James and Ethan. Yet, at some point, without her noticing, her willingness to accommodate had become a burden to them.

As a matter of fact, James and Ethan began to wish that she wouldn't take time off. She should've realized this sooner.

In the past, she would've pressed for answers. Why was he with Jenna so late? Was everything related to Jenna suddenly an important matter?

She would've also insisted on finding out whether James had secretly approved of Ethan's actions of consuming peanuts.

However, she was just too exhausted that day. She had already lost all desire to fight.

...

The next morning, she got up, canceled her leave, and went back to work.

Her colleagues were surprised to see her. "Dr. Sanders, isn't today both your son's and your birthday? Why did you cancel your leave and come to work?"

"Yeah, Dr. Sanders. Don't tell me you're skipping the celebration because of what happened yesterday with your son?" Another colleague chimed in.

A third person agreed. "Kids can be such troublemakers."

One colleague chuckled wryly. "Last time, my son made me so mad over his homework that I gave him a spanking. Guess what? He called the police on me! When I got home, I spanked him again."

Her colleagues and the surrounding patients laughed.

Wendy smiled along with them. How she wished Ethan had just been throwing a tantrum.

Around noon, a colleague asked if she wanted them to bring her something for lunch. She shook her head.

Ethan might not remember because he was still young, but James would surely remember that today was her birthday as well. Maybe, just maybe, they were planning a surprise for her.

However, all through her afternoon shift, James never even sent a message.

Not long after, she saw Jenna's post on her social media feed, and the last bit of hope in her heart vanished.

At an upscale restaurant, birthday candles illuminated Ethan's tender, beautiful little face as he closed his eyes to make a wish.

Ethan's voice in the video rang out. "I wish Mommy would never come to my birthdays again. And I wish Auntie Jenna could always stay with me. Also, I hope Daddy and Auntie Jenna are always, always happy together!"

Whatever Ethan was saying in the video, Wendy could no longer hear. She had raised that child with her own two hands.

Until the second half of this year, James had always been busy. Then, he began spending time with Ethan all of a sudden. Within just half a year, Ethan became entirely biased toward James.

She would be lying if she said she wasn't jealous. But more than that, she had been glad to see them bonding.

She thought James had finally come to his senses and realized the importance of family. But later, she found out Jenna had returned six months ago, and Ethan had just been an excuse for them to meet more often.

She had raised objections with James more than once, only to be scolded for having impure thoughts. But was she really the one having impure thoughts?

Wendy had never wanted Ethan to be sad. Even when she suspected James and Jenna were involved, divorce never crossed her mind. As long as Ethan could grow up in a happy family, she could endure anything.

But now it seemed that she was the one making Ethan unhappy.

"Dr. Sanders, Dr. Hendrix is asking for you." One of her colleagues snapped her out of her daze. She quickly wiped away her tears and headed to the director's office.

"Wendy, have you thought this through? Are you really giving up the opportunity to further your studies abroad? It won't be easy to get another chance like this." Gregory Hendrix sighed.

He added, "You're one of the promising young doctors our hospital is focused on developing. If you miss this, your chances for future promotions will be slim."

Gregory had been her mentor in university and had always valued her. He had spoken to her when the notice for this program first came, but for the sake of James and Ethan, she had refused without hesitation. But now…

"I'll go, Dr. Hendrix." Wendy changed her mind.

Gregory didn't realize at first. "I know you've always prioritized family over work, but… Wait… What did you say?"

"I'll leave on time, one month from now," she said.

Chapter 2

Gregory was ecstatic when he heard what Wendy said. He even insisted she take the afternoon off to properly celebrate her birthday.

Wendy walked out of the hospital feeling empty and lost. She couldn't help but check her phone repeatedly. Just a single birthday wish from James or Ethan would've made her happy, yet no one remembered.

As she wandered through the streets, she suddenly received a notification on her phone. She opened it eagerly just to realize it was a birthday greeting from a shopping app.

Wendy stared at it as tears welled up in her eyes.

However, she was never one to be overly emotional. She quickly pulled herself together and called her parents. "Mom, Dad, want to have dinner tonight? I'll make the reservations."

There was a long silence on the other end before a heavy sigh came through.

Her mother's voice, Mary Compton, came through. "Wendy, I know you're upset that Jenna and James are celebrating Ethan's birthday today, and you're trying to make things difficult for her, but she's your sister. Can you really bring yourself to treat her like this?

"Think about it. If you hadn't gotten pregnant before marriage, Jenna would be the one married to James now.

"Don't you see? James doesn't love you. Even after having a child, the one he loves is still Jenna… Please, Wendy, for my sake, let them be."

So, that was what her parents, Mary and Chris Sanders, thought of her. That was how they saw her.

However, all she wanted was to have dinner with them, just someone to spend her birthday with. All her hopes were reduced to dust, as if something inside her broke completely.

Wendy listened quietly.

Was she hurt? At some point, she had gotten used to it.

Her parents had always favored Jenna, and they would always use the fact that Wendy was two years older than Jenna as a reason to make her give in. If Jenna was upset, it must be Wendy's fault.

If making Jenna happy meant letting her hit Wendy, her parents would even help hold Wendy down to let Jenna vent her anger.

While her parents never deprived her materially, they never once considered her feelings, just like her husband and son.

Was she disappointed? Perhaps she would be in the past. Now, she only felt numb.

Her stomach growled. So, she found a small diner and stepped inside, only to realize it was the one she and James used to frequent during their university days.

As soon as she walked in, the owners, Doug Pruitt and Connie Phelps, recognized her and greeted her warmly.

As Connie brought her a plate of Alfredo pasta with extra bacon, she beamed.

"It's been ages since you've come by. Missed the taste, right? Eat while it's hot. Oh, right! Miss, did you end up with that handsome guy?" Even after all these years, Connie still remembered James.

Wendy froze mid-bite. "No."

Connie visibly relaxed, breathing a sigh of relief. "That's good. I can't tell you how many times I wanted to warn you back then not to trust him. Sure, he was good-looking, but he's a scumbag.

"You should know that he was only dating you to get close to your sister. I always wanted to say something, but I was afraid you'd think that I was meddling. Good thing you were smart."

Connie rambled on about people and things from the past, and Wendy merely smiled.

As it turned out, her parents, her friends, and even bystanders saw things for what they really were. She alone had been blind, thinking James had changed only because she'd been too busy.

On her way home, she happened to spot James and Jenna in James' car. With Jenna in the passenger seat, the two chatted merrily, exchanging looks so intimate they could've been mistaken for lovers. Ethan was sleeping in the back with his belly exposed.

Wendy instinctively reached for her phone. She called James but immediately hung up.

She shook her head. It wasn't her place anymore.

As the light turned green, she sped home and drafted a divorce agreement. If she could choose again, she would never have slept with James the night he was drunk. She would never have become pregnant, and six years of her life wouldn't have been wasted.

At 10:00 pm, James returned with the half-asleep Ethan, who mumbled sleepily, "Daddy, why do we have to come home to sleep? I want to sleep with Auntie Jenna."

If only Wendy weren't around, he wouldn't have to be apart from Jenna.

James said nothing to correct him, silently going along with what Ethan said.

"Wendy?" James' voice drifted up from downstairs. It was clear that he wanted her to bathe Ethan.

Wendy didn't move.

Then, she heard Zelda say, "Mrs. Frank must have fallen asleep. I'll bathe Ethan."

Zelda took Ethan into her arms. She looked hesitant, glancing at James several times. Then, she cautiously asked, "Mr. Frank, today is Mrs. Frank's birthday as well. Did you not celebrate it with her?"

James froze for a second before replying indifferently, "She's almost 30. What's the point of celebrating? Besides, she's busy at the hospital."

Zelda sighed and said nothing more.

As his dismissive tone reached Wendy's ears, she merely smiled wryly.

He seemed to have forgotten all about the grand birthday celebration he'd held for Jenna a few months ago. What had he said then? "A woman's every birthday is important. She has to be happy."

Wendy's heart felt hollow. She finally realized that love, or the absence of it, had always been painfully obvious.

After Ethan was done with his bath, he asked James, "Will Mommy be mad that we didn't celebrate her birthday?"

Mad? As far as James could remember, Wendy almost never got angry. The only two times she had ever been mad were both over Jenna. But after he lost his temper at her once, she never brought it up again.

He was quite satisfied with Wendy, simply because she would always go along with whatever he wanted.

He answered nonchalantly, "Don't worry. Even if she gets mad, she'll get over it quickly."

"Yeah! Mommy loves being a doormat." Ethan giggled.

A doormat?

Wendy stared blankly at the ceiling, unable to sleep all night.

James didn't return to the master bedroom. The next morning, Wendy wanted to talk to him about the divorce, but he had already taken Ethan to school.

Whatever. She applied for staff housing at the hospital and began packing. She was married for six years, so she had a lot of belongings.

After nearly two hours of packing, she realized most of her belongings were just memories. That left a bitter taste in her mouth.

In the end, she left with just a few changes of clothes and some medical textbooks.

The divorce agreements were sealed in an envelope and placed on the vanity. When she shut the door, the gust of wind blew the envelope behind the vanity and into a crevice.

...

On her first night in the dorm, Wendy thought she wouldn't be able to sleep in the unfamiliar place. Surprisingly, she had the best sleep she'd had in six years.

Since it was only temporary, she didn't bother decorating or buying anything unnecessary.

Life went back to the simple routine she had during her student days. That was until her phone rang with an urgent tone.

Chapter 3

Wendy was half-asleep when the ringing woke her, her mind blank for a moment.

Once fully awake, she suddenly realized it was 5:30 am. Time to get up and make breakfast for James and Ethan.

James had a sensitive stomach, and Ethan was a picky eater, so she was the one who made them breakfast every morning.

Sometimes after working a night shift that ended at 6:00 am, even though the hospital would provide breakfast, she'd still rush home on an empty stomach just to make sure James and Ethan ate properly.

She did this for six years without fail, but she had forgotten that people could change.

In the beginning, James and Ethan would feel sorry for her. They'd give her kisses and hugs, acknowledging her hard work. Then, they got used to it, and after that, they began to reject and resent her.

They started to prefer fried chicken and hamburgers. They picked up a taste for sugary drinks and snacks. Then, they began to despise the food she made.

Truth be told, this alarm was no longer necessary. She just couldn't bear to let go.

With a bitter smile, Wendy deleted the alarm and turned off her phone to go back to sleep.

...

Meanwhile, Ethan was tugging on James' arm with excitement. "Daddy, let's go out to eat! I want fried chicken! If we don't leave now, Mommy will come back and make us eat her food again!"

James knew how much Wendy had done for them over the past six years, but the unchanging routine had also become dull and tiresome to him. So, he agreed to Ethan's request.

At 7:00 am, James wondered why Wendy wasn't home yet. He assumed that she was working overtime, so he didn't think much of it and took Ethan out.

Zelda ran after them, trying to stop them. "Mr. Frank, you have a weak stomach, and Ethan's health isn't the best. It's better to eat at home. Outside food isn't healthy."

"Zelda! Don't be annoying like my mom, okay?" Ethan hopped into the car and made a face at her. "Careful or I'll get Daddy to fire you!"

Zelda's reminder was what Wendy would always say.

Ethan believed that Wendy was just being cheap and made up excuses to keep him from going out to eat. Jenna was the one who told him the "truth".

Word of Wendy's upcoming overseas study plans spread like wildfire. Many of her colleagues were surprised.

Wendy was known for being extremely devoted to her family. So why the sudden change?

This program was said to last at least three years. Could Wendy really bear to be away that long?

If they weren't mistaken, there was a three-month program before, and Wendy didn't even go to that one. And now she was choosing to join a three-year one?

Her parents, both veteran doctors at the same hospital, soon heard the news too.

They didn't believe Wendy would make such a decision until Wendy confirmed it herself. "Yes, the name list for those who are joining the program has been released. I'll be leaving in less than a month."

"Why?" her parents asked.

Wendy lowered her gaze. "Isn't this what both of you always wanted?"

Mary and Chris were silent for a long while before asking, "Did James agree to this?"

"I trust you'll make sure he does. Although… I don't plan to tell him before I leave," Wendy said/

She knew that her parents only cared about whether Jenna and James would end up together. Now that she had given them their answer, there was nothing else left to say. She ended the call then set off on her rounds.

Right after she ended the call, Jenna called Mary and Chris to tell them she had successfully gotten the job as James' personal assistant. She also invited them to dinner.

Mary asked, "Jenna, have you spoken to your sister recently? She—"

"Mom! I'm telling you some good news. Can you not mention such a downer? I'll send you the address. Don't forget to come tonight! Oh, and invite Wendy too."

In the end, Mary and Chris didn't invite Wendy.

At the restaurant, they saw James and Ethan already there.

After they'd eaten most of the meal, Chris thought of Wendy's three-year trip and started to say, "James, do you know that Wendy…"

Even though they hoped Wendy would allow Jenna and James to be together, they weren't sure how James truly felt.

After all, if he really wanted to be with Jenna, divorcing Wendy wouldn't be hard. Yet, over six months had passed, and he hadn't made a move. \

Did that mean he didn't want a divorce? If so, Jenna wouldn't be happy even if she did marry him.

They hoped to use the trip to test James' stance.

But before Chris could finish, Jenna cut in, "Mom, Dad, what were you about to say? It's such a happy day, so let's toast James since he's the one who gave me this job."

She wrapped her arm around James' and was being openly affectionate. Nonetheless, the look she gave Mary and Chris was cold and warning.

They understood what Jenna was trying to tell them and, from the way she and James interacted, if James didn't plan to marry her, he probably wouldn't be so permissive.

Just then, Ethan threw his arms around Jenna and planted a kiss on her cheek. "I want to be with Daddy and Auntie Jenna forever!"

Mary and Chris pressed their lips together, swallowing their words.

James noticed their hesitation. "You were saying something about Wendy?"

Mary and Chris quickly snapped out of it. "Oh, it's nothing. Cheers!"

They should let their children live their own lives, so they were going to stay out of it.

Jenna later sent photos from the dinner to Wendy, taunting her, "Whatever I lost, I'm taking it all back!"

Wendy looked at them and simply deleted it.

She found it funny. James had pretended to pursue her back then just to get close to Jenna, so she was sure Jenna knew this. Yet, at the time, she'd been flirting with another rich heir and missed her chance with James. So, how was all of this Wendy's fault?

"What are you thinking about? You were spacing out. It's rare for you to get off work early. Aren't you going to pick up your kid?" A colleague leaned over, looking at her curiously. "Dr. Sanders, you've been a little off lately."

Wendy merely smiled.

After work, she went to the market and bought some fruit and vegetables. She spotted some fresh peanuts and grabbed a few pounds on impulse.

No one in her family knew she loved peanuts.

As a child, Jenna didn't like them, so their parents never bought any. After marriage, Ethan was allergic to them, so she never had them at home either.

Now that she lived alone, she could finally eat them again.

While she was roasting the peanuts, her phone rang. It was a number she hadn't seen in so long that she thought they'd never speak again in this lifetime.

"I heard you're coming to further your studies in the middle of next month." The voice on the other end was cold. "Since you're coming anyway, why were you keeping it from me? Were you too scared to tell me?"

Wendy lowered her gaze. "I was planning to reach out once I arrived."

The other end fell silent.

Just when Wendy thought he might hang up, the man finally spoke in a distant voice. "Do you remember our bet, Wendy? You lost."

"Yeah, I admit defeat," Wendy said.

Right after she said that, the man's breathing grew sharp.

His voice turned harsh and cold as he snapped, "You admit defeat? Wendy, how could you admit defeat? What did you promise me back then? Believe it or not, I—"

"Is it so bad that I admit defeat?" Wendy cut him off. "Isn't there a saying that goes, when love fails, work thrives? Who knows, maybe this time our new drug research will succeed. I thought you'd be thrilled to hear this."

Her voice was light and calm. He didn't detect the sorrow or reluctance in her voice at all and asked uncertainly, "You've really let go? Won't you regret this?"

"Nope." She hung up before taking the peanuts out, peeling them one by one and arranging them in a neat pattern. The nostalgic smell of peanuts filled the room.

It had been so long that it brought her back to the half-year she spent abroad as an exchange student. That was when they had first met.

Chapter 4

None of that mattered anymore.

Wendy let out a self-deprecating laugh and mechanically stuffed the peanuts into her mouth.

The rich, nutty flavor mixed with the faint saltiness of her tears spread across her tongue. It was so bitter it nearly took her breath away.

When James and Ethan got home, the house was still dark. No matter how late they came back before, Wendy would always leave a small lamp in the living room for them. Yet, that night, it was pitch black.

With a frown, James turned on the light, glancing toward the second floor.

Zelda quickly came downstairs to hold the nearly-asleep Ethan. She hesitated for a moment before looking toward James.

After hesitating for a while, she finally said, "Mr. Frank, Mrs. Frank isn't back yet. Maybe you should call and check on her."

"She's not home?" James looked a little surprised.

"No, she hasn't been back since last night. Mrs. Frank has never done something like this before…" Zelda sighed lightly.

She had seen Wendy's pain with her own eyes. But as a mere housekeeper, she knew it wasn't her place to speak.

Ethan, still half-asleep, rubbed his sleepy eyes and muttered, "Daddy, is Mommy not coming back anymore? That's great! Can we get Auntie Jenna to live with us starting tomorrow?"

"Bring Ethan to bed." James spoke in a low voice, then walked out and got into his car.

In the car, he called Wendy. "You're still at the hospital?"

"Yes." She sounded tired.

James waited, expecting an explanation. However, Wendy said nothing else, and the silence irked him. "You were just on a night shift last night."

"So?" Since Wendy had been asleep earlier, her voice was still soft with drowsiness. Yet, her words came out far sharper than usual.

She said, "I left the divorce agreements on the vanity. If you've signed them, just send me a copy through a courier. I'm staying at the hospital for a few days."

"Divorce agreements?" James sounded stunned. "What are you throwing a tantrum about now?"

"You know I would never use divorce as a threat," Wendy replied calmly. "James, this marriage was a mistake from the start. I won't get in the way of you and Jenna anymore. You can have Ethan. I only want the money I earned myself."

James finally understood what was happening, and his tone turned impatient. "Wendy, are you really that petty? What's wrong with Ethan being close to his aunt? Jenna and I have a normal relationship.

"Last night was just a celebration dinner for her getting a new job. What's there to be upset about? Why are you always so dirty-minded? Why can't you just accept her?"

It was the same words all over again.

Wendy couldn't help but let out a cold laugh. "Think whatever you want."

Then, she ended the call without waiting for his reply.

It felt like all the blood had drained from her body. She leaned quietly against the headboard, the chill in her chest spreading to every corner of her limbs.

Her phone buzzed again and again with messages from James. "Come home once you're done with this nonsense. Don't you think it's humiliating to stay at the hospital? Don't go looking for trouble with Jenna again, or I won't let you off, you hear me?"

Wendy didn't reply to a single one.

James stared at the screen, his expression growing darker. Then, he hit the gas and drove home.

Sure enough, he found the divorce agreements wedged in the crevice behind the vanity. Wendy's signature at the end was neat and deliberate, so it was definitely not done in a fit of rage.

But why? Wasn't she the one who had schemed so hard to marry him in the first place?

…

The next morning, Ethan woke up and ran to Wendy's room to look for her. When he saw no one there, he ran to James.

"Daddy, Mommy's not here. She's not coming back anymore, right? Can we bring Auntie Jenna here to live with us?" There was an unmistakable joy in his voice.

"I'm calling Auntie Jenna right now. The annoying lady is finally gone!" As he spoke, he turned on his smartwatch.

"Eat your breakfast." With furrowed brows, James shot him a look.

"Daddy…" Ethan said nervously.

When James saw Ethan shrink back nervously, he pursed his lips and softened a little. "Just eat. You've got school soon. We'll talk about Auntie Jenna after."

"Okay!" Ethan cheered and dug happily into his food.

Zelda, who had been cleaning nearby, couldn't help but shake her head. She felt deeply sorry for Wendy.

...

Meanwhile, Wendy had barely slept after being woken up by James' call the night before.

She headed to work exhausted only to run into her parents at the hospital entrance.

When they saw the dark circles under her eyes, they immediately assumed she had another fight with James over Jenna.

Mary sighed and began, "Wendy, I thought you'd understand after what I told you yesterday. Why are you still being so stubborn? You've had James for six years, so why can't you just give him back to Jenna?"

Chris chimed in with a stern tone, "Your mother is right. If you hadn't gotten pregnant back then, they wouldn't have… Besides, you should know by now that James' heart isn't with you. What's the point in clinging to him?"

Wendy looked at her "well-meaning" parents with cold eyes and felt a sharp ache in her chest.

She leaned lightly against the wall for balance, lips trembling from suppressed anger. "Dad, Mom, are you saying it was my fault that Jenna and James didn't end up together? Don't you remember? She ran off to another guy, got pregnant, and went abroad to have an abortion. Do you—"

"Shut your mouth!" Chris cut her off sharply. After he glanced around to make sure no one had overheard, he stepped closer, his face stormy. "How could you slander your sister like that? She's never even been married!"

The panicked Mary snapped, "Exactly! Wendy, a woman's reputation is everything. If you still see us as your parents, you'll keep this to yourself. Otherwise—"

"Otherwise, what?" Wendy's voice was cold as she fought back the sting in her eyes.

She couldn't understand. Jenna and her were both their daughters. How could they be so blatantly biased?

Mary realized she'd gone too far and backed down a little. "Wendy, for our sake, can't you just let James go and give him back to Jenna?"

Wendy's lip was bitten raw, the taste of blood flooding her mouth. Having been up all night and skipped breakfast, she was starting to feel dizzy.

"You can rest easy. I've already asked James for a divorce," Wendy said.

"Really?" Chris and Mary's eyes lit up, but they still sounded doubtful. "Wendy, you're not lying to us, are you? You…"

Wendy didn't want to hear another word from them. She fought off waves of dizziness and walked away while supporting herself against the wall, her knuckles turning white from how tightly she clung to it.

When did her life start falling apart like this? She just couldn't make sense of any of this.

"Dr. Sanders, are you okay?" A passing nurse rushed over to steady her. "You look awful. Is it low blood sugar?"

Without waiting for a reply, the nurse handed her a piece of chocolate. "Here, eat this. It might help."

"Thank you…" Wendy said in a hoarse voice, her hand tightening around the small piece of chocolate.

She couldn't understand how a passing nurse could tell she was unwell at a single glance, yet her own parents, who were doctors with over thirty years of experience, couldn't.

Chapter 5

Wendy dragged her exhausted body through a full day of consultations. It took all her strength just to make it through her shift.

After she grabbed a quick bite to eat, she returned to the dorm and collapsed into bed.

All the day's fatigue was washed away in her sleep, so even when her phone vibrated in the evening, it didn't wake her.

...

Back at the villa, James stared at the unanswered call, his face as dark as thunder.

"Daddy, didn't you say we'd pick up Auntie Jenna today?" Ethan blinked his bright eyes at him, pleading, "Auntie Jenna just called me and said she was going to sleep with me."

Even Jenna knew he was afraid to sleep alone, yet Wendy insisted on making him sleep by himself under the excuse of independence.

James pressed a hand to his aching stomach and said with a frown, "We'll talk about it tomorrow."

He went to the kitchen to talk to Zelda. "Zelda, bring me my stomach meds and some warm water."

Zelda quickly dropped what she was doing and brought over the medical kit, but after she searched for a while, she only found painkillers.

She explained, "Mr. Frank, ever since we cleared out the expired medication, we haven't restocked stomach medicine. Mrs. Frank used to handle all your and Ethan's meals, and your stomach issues haven't flared up in a long time."

James' expression stiffened, then quickly turned furious. "Why are you telling me all this? If there's no medicine, why can't you buy more?"

Zelda stood up and, before leaving, looked at Ethan with concern. "Ethan still needs to bathe tonight. I might be a bit late getting back."

"It's fine if he skips a bath for one night." James clutched his stomach harder as the pain intensified.

After Zelda left, sweat beaded on his forehead from the pain. He grabbed the painkillers and swallowed them.

Without Wendy, he didn't even realize that stomach pain was one of the few conditions where one shouldn't take painkillers. So, even when the sharp cramps started, he had no idea he'd made it worse.

Ethan was thrilled that he didn't have to bathe tonight, but when he saw James in pain, he asked worriedly, "Daddy, does your tummy hurt a lot?"

He hopped off the couch and brought over a tub of ice cream.

"Auntie Jenna said if it hurts, putting something cold on it helps. Ice cream will definitely make you feel better!"

James curled up in agony, unable to hear a word he said. He hadn't expected that missing just one day of Wendy's cooking would send his body into such a spiral.

Ethan saw James trembling in pain and knowing Zelda had gone out to get medicine, he tried to cheer him on. "Hang in there, Daddy! Once Zelda's back, you'll be able to take your medicine!"

The ice cream in his hands was starting to melt. He hesitated before taking a lick. It was sweet.

Ice cream was an irresistible temptation for a child. Before long, he'd eaten the entire big tub.

By the time Zelda returned, she found them both curled up on the couch. As one was drenched in cold sweat from pain, the other was crying and calling for his mother.

Startled, she immediately called for an ambulance.

How had everything gone to hell in just an hour? No, that wasn't right. Things had been falling apart ever since Wendy left.

Soon, the flashing lights of an ambulance carried the nearly unconscious pair to the hospital.

...

Back at the dorm, Wendy awoke suddenly to the vibration of her phone.

She answered the call, still groggy. The voice of the on-call doctor sounded urgent. "Dr. Sanders, come to the ER right away."

Hearing such urgency, she assumed a patient with a serious condition had arrived. Since Wendy was a doctor who stayed closest to the hospital, she quickly got dressed and rushed over.

In the ER, the father and son had stabilized under treatment and were transferred to separate rooms.

Wendy entered the duty room. "What's the situation?"

The on-duty doctor, Yara Lennox, pointed to a room across the hallway. "Two cases of acute gastroenteritis."

She frowned. "That's not anything serious, right?"

"It's your husband and son." Yara continued in surprise, "Do you not stay in contact with your family while living in the dorms? Did you really not know they were brought to the hospital?"

Wendy thought she had misheard. "They… have gastroenteritis?"

"Zelda, who brought them in, said one had stomach issues and took painkillers, and the child ate a whole tub of ice cream…" Before Yara could finish, Wendy turned and headed for the pediatric ward.

She couldn't care less about James, but Ethan was the child she carried for ten months. No matter how disappointed she was in him, her maternal instinct still caused her to worry.

On the hospital bed, Ethan looked pale, and his brows were furrowed.

Zelda was tending to him. When she saw Wendy, she exclaimed in surprise, "Mrs. Frank, you came."

Wendy took the wet towel from her hand. "Allow me."

Ethan was drenched in sweat. Wendy carefully wiped down his still trembling little body, her brows knitted tightly.

Zelda pleaded, "Mrs. Frank, please come back. Without you at home, they have been eating outside, and now this happened…"

Her words stirred something in Wendy. Then, she heard Ethan mumbling and leaned in. "Mommy's here, Ethan. Don't be afraid."

"Auntie Jenna… My tummy hurts…" Ethan weakly said.

Wendy froze, a self-mocking smile appearing on her face.

She had thought Ethan would need her most in moments of pain and vulnerability, but in reality, he had already pushed her out of his world.

Wendy silently finished wiping Ethan down, checked his temperature, and turned to Zelda. "I'll write you a meal plan. Until Ethan recovers, please follow it exactly."

With a nod, Zelda cautiously asked, "Mrs. Frank, when will you come home?"

"I won't." After she dried her hands, Wendy made her way to the door before glancing back at her son, who looked a bit more comfortable. "If anything comes up, call me."

Zelda sighed. "Alright."

As Wendy shut the door and was about to leave, a cold and familiar voice came from behind. "How long are you going to keep this up? Ethan is sick, and you still won't come home?"

Turning around, she looked at James with a detached gaze.

"Caring for him isn't my responsibility alone. You can't even take care of him as his father. What right do you have to criticize me?"

That one sentence left James momentarily speechless. When had she ever spoken to him like this, especially when it was about Ethan?

"This is all because of your stubbornness." His already pale face grew more sullen, revealing his haggard state. "If you can be this heartless, then don't ever come back!"

Wendy couldn't help but laugh. "Just sign the divorce papers, and your wish will come true."

"You—" James gritted his teeth, but before he could finish, a cloying voice interrupted him.

"Wendy, James is already this sick, and instead of feeling sorry for him as his wife, you're blaming him? He didn't want Ethan to be sick either." Jenna walked up and supported James, looking at him with nothing but tender concern.

Chapter 6

James said nothing, merely dropping his arm.

Jenna didn't let go. Instead, she linked her arm through his. "James, are you alright? I'm sorry for being late. I'll take care of you and Ethan tonight."

There was a striking contrast between her soft-spoken words and Wendy's icy expression.

As James stared at Wendy's face, a sharp pang pricked at his chest, but it was quickly drowned out by irritation.

Before this, Wendy would rush to his side at the slightest frown. When did she change?

"I'm fine," he said coldly before looking away. "If a certain someone doesn't want to fulfill her duties as a mother, then she shouldn't be here getting in the way."

To him, all Wendy's repeated antics were just pathetic attempts to get his attention. James wasn't about to let her have her way.

Hearing this, Jenna glanced at Wendy, her lips curling ever so slightly. "Wendy, didn't you always pride yourself on being a good wife and mother? Surely you're not the kind of person James is talking about?"

The two of them seemed to be working in tandem, trying to tear off her calm facade and watch her lose control.

But Wendy said nothing. She stepped past James without even glancing at them and headed straight for the nurses' station.

Being ignored made James' breathing hitch, and his expression stiffened.

Jenna caught that and said guiltily, "Wendy must've gotten upset because of me. I was just really worried when I heard you and Ethan were sick."

Her large eyes brimmed with tears, her voice catching with emotion.

James snapped out of his daze and looked down, his tone soft. "It's not your fault. She's just overly sensitive and petty. Ethan doesn't like that about her either."

His voice wasn't loud, but in the silent, empty corridor, every word reached Wendy's ears.

Her hand paused mid-signature, the tip of the pen pressing down hard, causing ink to seep into the prescription sheet.

The nurse quickly reprinted a new one and placed it carefully in front of her. In a small voice, she said, "Dr. Sanders, don't worry. I'll pay special attention to your son."

Wendy double-checked the medications and signed the sheet. "Thank you. If there are any issues, contact me right away."

The nurse nodded and took the updated sheet, then asked, "Do you want to check your husband's prescription as well?"

"No." Wendy capped the pen. "I'll let Dr. Lennox know about the prescription changes. Thanks for your help."

Ethan was still just a child. Of course she cared for him. As for James, whether he lived or died, it was none of her concern anymore.

She walked out of the emergency department and exited through the front doors. A gust of cold wind blew past, making her clutch her thin jacket tightly. She had left in such a rush that she'd put on the wrong outerwear.

A car pulled up in front of her. Mary got out and grabbed her arm, looking worried. "What happened? Jenna suddenly said she was rushing to the hospital. Did something happen to Ethan?"

Wendy looked at her, the scene from earlier that afternoon flashing through her mind. Without her realizing it, her gaze turned cold. "Gastroenteritis."

"How could you let such a young child get gastroenteritis? What kind of mother are you? And where are you going now? Aren't you going to stay with Ethan? Don't you care?" Mary's barrage of criticism made Wendy laugh out of sheer frustration.

"And what kind of mother are you?" she snapped, her chest tight with rage. "You really think none of this is your fault?"

No sooner had the words left her mouth than Chris shouted, "Is that any way to speak to your mother?"

He raised his hand and swung at Wendy with force.

Wendy couldn't dodge in time. She instinctively raised her arm to block, but the expected pain never came. Instead, a familiar scent filled her nose.

As she looked up, she found a tall figure standing between her and Chris. It was James.

He had caught Chris' hand. "Ethan's awake. Jenna's with him. She told me to come get you two."

Chris looked at James in surprise, then sullenly lowered his hand. Without a word, he and Mary went upstairs.

Wendy stepped back, but James grabbed her arm. "Whether it's being a mother or a daughter, Jenna's better than you at both."

His cold words pierced Wendy's heart deeply. That must mean that, to him, even as a wife, she was no match for Jenna.

Wendy flung his hand away, her eyes full of disgust as she glared at him. "If I'm not good enough, then go ahead and have her replace me. You just have to sign the agreements."

"Replace you?" James sneered. "You really think you're that important? If this is how you want it, don't come crawling back later."

At that, the icy look in Wendy's eyes faltered slightly.

James knew that look all too well. He thought she was about to drop the act and show weakness, but he didn't want to give her the chance. As such, he turned to leave.

"James." As expected, her voice rang out behind him.

He stopped in his tracks, not turning back. "If you want me to forgive you, then just this once, an apology will be enough."

Wendy ignored what he said, simply remarking, "Ethan is your child too. If you genuinely care about him, take proper care of him. Make sure he doesn't eat anything he shouldn't."

James froze. That was all she wanted to say? He spun around angrily, but Wendy was already gone.

His jaws clenched, and he stared into the distance, his expression darkening.

...

Early the next morning, just as dawn broke, the pediatric ward rang out with a flurry of urgent nurse call bells.

The nurse rushed in with equipment to find Ethan vomiting uncontrollably on the bed, eventually retching up bile.

Jenna, who had been sleeping on the nearby bed, opened her eyes groggily and was startled by the chaos around her. "What's going on?"

No one answered. She only heard one nurse say, "Notify Dr. Sanders right away. The child's condition just got worse!"

The words jolted Jenna fully awake. She rushed to the bed, alarmed. "What's wrong with Ethan?"

Not that she really cared about him. She just didn't want Wendy to pin this on her.

One nurse shot her a glare. "What kind of care were you giving? The child pressed the call button himself!"

Jenna's face turned pale. She stared at Ethan, now wearing an oxygen mask, and muttered reflexively, "I'm not the nanny or anything…"

Before she could finish, she saw James rush in.

Instantly, she changed her tone. "This is all my fault! I was just so tired that I closed my eyes for a bit. I didn't expect this—"

"Out, out! Don't get in the way!" the nurse snapped, eyes darting to the door. "Where's the doctor?"

James furrowed his brows tightly. "What's wrong with Ethan? I'm his father."

"He must have eaten something that made his condition worse," the nurse replied.

Hearing this, James turned to Jenna. "Where's Zelda?"

Jenna stood frozen, biting her lip, unable to say a word.

Last night, she had purposely dismissed Zelda so she could be alone with Ethan and badmouth Wendy. To curry favor with Ethan, she'd even given him milk candy.

But with Ethan in this state, how could she possibly tell the truth?