On the way back to her room after completing her checkup, Samantha bumped into Lydia in the hallway.

Lydia looked a little stunned when she saw Samantha. She fixed a gentle smile on her face, saying, "Ms. Knott, Harry and Joseph left to buy lunch for me. Do you have some free time? Let's talk."

As Samantha looked at her, she was suddenly overwhelmed with the desire to find out what Lydia had to say to her.

The sun was shining brightly in the sky above the yard. Lydia ran her fingers gently through her long hair before she started speaking in a nostalgic tone, "Harry and I went to the same college. At the time, he searched the whole city to buy a limited edition artbook for me.

"When I was down with a fever, he watched over me for three days and three nights.

"When I casually said that I wanted to eat the food from a Frandalian restaurant that was located in the south of the city but was too lazy to travel that far, he acquired the entire store for me. He had the chef personally cook for me whenever I wanted."

Samantha was quiet as she listened to Lydia, but her heart felt like it was being squeezed by an invisible hand. It turned out that Harry wasn't incapable of loving someone. He just didn't love her.

She had lived with him for 50 years in her past life, but he couldn't even remember her birthday. Lydia had only suffered a small burn on her skin, but he had been so anxious as if the sky was crashing down.

"We lost contact when I moved abroad and only started speaking to each other again recently." Lydia's eyes sparkled gleefully when she noticed the upset expression on Samantha's face. "Don't worry. We're just old friends. We just have a meal together every now and then. Don't misunderstand."

Samantha tempered her emotions before slowly lifting her eyes to look at Lydia. Her voice was calm when she said, "I won't misunderstand. Besides, I've already filed for divorce. It doesn't matter to me if you want to have a meal together, travel together, or get married and have a family together."

She rose to her feet and prepared to leave after saying her piece, but Lydia suddenly grabbed her hand and stopped her. "Listen to me, Ms. Knott. You're misunderstanding—"

Before Lydia could finish her sentence, she suddenly lost her balance and fell backward. She dragged Samantha with her, and they fell into the pond together.

Samantha's entire body was immediately submerged in the icy water. She didn't know how to swim and struggled wildly to stay afloat. Water rushed into her nostrils, nearly suffocating her.

She saw Harry dashing in their direction through her blurry vision. He didn't hesitate for even a second as he dove into the water and hauled Lydia out of the pond.

Meanwhile, Joseph used several tissues to wipe the water dripping from Lydia's face. He didn't spare a single glance at Samantha, who was still struggling with all her might in the pond. "Are you okay, Ms. Yeager?" he asked.

"Help… Help me!" Samantha shrieked, clawing her fingers against the wall of the pond.

Harry only glared at her coldly. His voice was colored with loathing when he asked, "Did you push Lydia into the pond on purpose?"

Samantha was shaking violently.

She tried to explain herself through trembling lips, but Joseph interrupted her impatiently, "I saw what happened, Daddy. She's the one who did it. Leave her be. She's paying for the consequences of her own actions!"

A few good Samaritans tried to help Samantha, but Joseph threw his arms out to stop them. "Don't save her! That's my mother, and she deserves what's happening to her!"

Samantha's heart was frozen to the core. She sank beneath the water's surface, choking on the water rushing into her lungs as she slowly lost consciousness.

When she woke up again, she was alone in her hospital room. She slowly pushed herself up into a sitting position, grabbed her phone, and booked a flight ticket out of the country.

When the airline company called her to confirm her itinerary, she calmly answered, "Yes, I want to leave in a week's time."

The words had just left Samantha's lips when the door was thrown open. Harry and Joseph stood at the entrance, staring at her unwaveringly. "Where do you think you're going?"

Samantha calmly looked at Harry and Joseph, who were standing at the entrance of the ward. "It's only natural for me to leave this place since we're divorcing. I want a fresh start."

Harry and Joseph exchanged a look. Disbelief was written all over their faces.

"Stop causing trouble, Mommy." Joseph frowned impatiently. "Aren't you doing all of this just to catch our attention?"

Harry looked at her coldly. "You should know when to stop."

Not bothered enough to explain herself to them, Samantha said in a disinterested tone, "It's up to you if you want to believe me or not."

It was obvious they didn't believe her.

Harry ordered, "Apologize to Lydia."

She raised her head to look at him. "I didn't do anything wrong. Why should I apologize to her?"

Harry's glare turned icy. "You made her fall into the water. Don't you feel any remorse?"

Samantha started chuckling suddenly, her eyes reddening. "Will you take Lydia's side forever? Have you ever considered my feelings?"

"Of course!" Joseph answered without hesitation. "Ms. Yeager is wise, gentle, and kind. How can a housewife like you, who spends all day in the kitchen, ever compare to her?"

His young face was filled with disdain. "No matter what happens, it must certainly be your fault!"

Harry added coldly, "You behave suspiciously all the time, and you don't respect Lydia. You won't admit it when you've done something wrong. You have no manners at all." He pinned her with a hateful stare. "A mother like you will only lead a child down the wrong path."

He grabbed Joseph's hand and led him away after he was done speaking. Before they disappeared from her sight, Joseph turned his head to glare at her. "You'd better apologize to Ms. Yeager quickly!" he demanded.

The door slammed shut behind them.

As Samantha sat on the bed, she felt like she couldn't breathe. It was as if there was a heavy weight pressing down on her chest. However, she didn't shed any tears this time. She looked at the sun shining brightly outside the window and smiled.

Since they were so fond of Lydia, Samantha would let her take up the position of Harry's wife and Joseph's mother. She wasn't going to lift another finger for them.

…

Samantha's wounds eventually recovered during her stay in the hospital. No one dropped by to visit her, but she had gotten used to it a long time ago.

Coincidentally, the day she was discharged from the hospital was also her birthday. She stood at the entrance of the hospital and savored the feeling of the sun on her face. It was warm but not blinding.

She suddenly recalled how in her past life, although she had yearned for it for 50 years, Harry and Joseph never once remembered her birthday. Sometimes, she would excitedly prepare a feast for herself, but they would either return home late or not return at all.

Even when she called them and asked them to come home, they would just carelessly have a few bites. They wouldn't even bother wishing her "Happy Birthday".

Samantha had stopped expecting anything from them in this life. She dropped by a bakery and bought a small butter cake for herself. She stuck a few candles in it before closing her eyes in the empty villa. "I'm going to live for myself in this life," she murmured.

The moment she blew the candles out, the villa's door swung open.

"Mrs. Wright, Mr. Wright asked me to pick you up."

Samantha lifted her head to see Rosalia Finch, Harry's secretary, standing in the doorway. She looked like she was just smiling out of formality.

"Pick me up?" She frowned. "For what reason?"

Rosalia's smile was unchanging. "It's your birthday today. Mr. Wright and Mr. Joseph have prepared a surprise for you."

Samantha was stunned before she scoffed. "You must have made a mistake."

"I didn't," Rosalia said determinedly. "Today is May 20th, which is also your birthday. Mr. Wright made special note of this."

Samantha stared at Rosalia for a few seconds. She couldn't help but think that the situation was ridiculous. There was no way that Harry remembered her birthday.

But Rosalia sounded so confident in herself. She even reached out to help Samantha up to her feet. "The car is waiting, Mrs. Wright. You shouldn't make Mr. Wright wait too long."

Using the excuse that they were running out of time, Rosalia dragged Samantha into the car. It eventually stopped in front of the grand hall of a high-class hotel.

Samantha was stunned when she pushed open the doors to the hall.

The entire grand hall was decorated in a beautiful and romantic manner. The crystal chandelier glittered brilliantly under the lights while a family portrait that was hand-drawn by Joseph was projected on the wall.

An intricate, two-tiered cake sat on the cake stand while a candle that read "28" was stuck on the top layer. The guests gathered around Samantha when they noticed her arrival. They were all smiles as they gave her their blessings.

"Happy birthday, Mrs. Wright!"

"Mr. Wright and Mr. Joseph must have poured their heart and soul into the preparations. You're so lucky!"

Dazed, Samantha was rooted to the spot. She felt like she was dreaming. She looked at Rosalia in confusion, asking, "Where's Harry and Joseph?"

"Mr. Wright and Mr. Joseph will be here soon," Rosalia answered with a smile. "Why don't you take a look at their gift first?"

She handed an exquisite gift box to Samantha. The people surrounding them egged Samantha on, encouraging her to open it. She hesitated for a moment before flipping open the cover.

A diamond necklace was nestled within the silk-lined box. The main diamond sparkled dazzlingly under the lights.

"Oh, my God! Isn't this 'Starlight Tears' that appeared at an auction a month ago? I heard it was sold for eight figures!"

"Mrs. Wright is being spoiled rotten by Mr. Wright!"

"It's no wonder Mrs. Wright willingly gave up on her career to become a full-time housewife. If I were in her shoes, I would do the same!"

Rosalia offered to help Samantha put the necklace on under the envious gazes of the guests. "You should try it on, Mrs. Wright."

Samantha simply stood there in a daze. In the next second, the diamonds touched her skin. They were cool to the touch. Was everything that was happening real? She nearly believed it was.

But in the next second, the grand hall's doors were thrown open.

"Who allowed you to wear that necklace?"

Harry's icy voice cut through the false warmth permeating the atmosphere like a blade. Samantha turned to see Harry and Joseph with Lydia in tow. The three of them stood in the doorway, wearing matching darkened expressions.

Joseph lunged at Samantha and yanked the necklace off her neck.

She hissed when she felt the sharp metal slice her skin, leaving a bloody trail in its wake. She immediately clamped a hand on her neck. The pain had thoroughly snapped her back to reality.

"What the hell are you playing at?" she demanded, her voice trembling.

Joseph pinned her with a loathsome glare. "I should be asking you that question. Daddy and I prepared this birthday banquet for Ms. Yeager. Who allowed you to be here?"

Samantha was stunned while the guests immediately fell silent and exchanged glances with each other.

"Today is Lydia's birthday. We prepared this banquet for her," Harry added coldly.

Samantha started laughing suddenly. Everything made sense now.

Rosalia had made a mistake. The banquet wasn't meant for her at all. After all, none of the outsiders would have guessed that Harry and Joseph would choose to celebrate Lydia's birthday instead of hers when they shared the same birthday.

The envy in the guests' eyes rapidly morphed into pity. Someone whispered, "This is way too awkward…"

Samantha inhaled deeply before turning on her heel, preparing to leave.

"Ms. Knott!" Lydia called out suddenly. Her voice was gentle when she said, "Since we coincidentally share the same birthday, why don't we celebrate it together?"

Samantha didn't bother turning her head before answering, "No need."

Lydia's eyes reddened in an instant. She looked at Harry with a troubled expression. "Did I offend Ms. Knott somehow? It seems like she doesn't really like me…"

Harry's gaze turned glacial. He stepped forward and blocked Samantha's path forward. "Lydia invited you to join her out of the goodness of her heart. Why are you giving her attitude?"

Joseph rushed forward and grasped her wrist. "That's right! You used to complain about wanting to celebrate your birthday all the time! Why are you throwing a temper tantrum now?"

Samantha couldn't help but feel that the entire situation was utterly ridiculous as she looked at them. "Since when have I ever complained about wanting to celebrate my birthday?" She scoffed. "Tell me. When have I ever done that?"

Harry frowned. "Stop being difficult and stay."

It wasn't a request—it was an order.

Samantha closed her eyes. In the end, under the sympathetic gazes of the surrounding onlookers, she was forced to stay. She sat in a corner and watched Harry and Joseph orbit Lydia. They cut the cake for her and gave her presents.

Their gentle smiles made Samantha's eyes sting. Meanwhile, she was left by her lonesome.

When it was time for the cake-cutting ceremony, Lydia suddenly approached her and grabbed her hand affectionately. "Shall we cut the cake together, Ms. Knott?"

Samantha tried to retract her hand, but Lydia had a death grip on it. In the next second, someone collided into the champagne tower next to them, causing the glasses to crash to the ground.

Harry's first reaction was to lunge at Lydia and protect her in his embrace. As for Samantha, her entire body was covered in cuts from the broken pieces of glass that ricocheted in all directions. She collapsed to the ground.

Fresh blood flowed from her forehead, getting into her eyes and blurring her vision. The last thing she remembered seeing was Harry and Joseph anxiously checking on Lydia to see if she was injured.

Meanwhile, no one bothered to check on Samantha even as she lay in a pool of her own blood.