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.