Then, I suddenly remembered that that day was the day my mother was cremated.

I explained the whole story and completed the discharge procedures early.

The attending physician was worried, but could not persuade me to leave, so he offered to accompany me.

When the staff handed me the urn, the devastation I expected never came. Instead, I felt a shackle that had bound me for ten years finally break free.

I let out a soft sigh, bid farewell to the doctor and returned to the Bradley Family alone to pack my things.

As soon as I walked into the living room, I saw Nadine and Julius sitting on the sofa.

Seeing me come back, Nadine hurriedly zipped up her skirt. But the red marks all over her body still revealed the intensity of the battle just then.

I was not sad, nor angry.

As if I saw nothing, I walked into the bedroom with an expressionless face.

As I came out, Julius had already left, only Nadine was left sitting there drinking.

Seeing me come out, she slowly raised her head. The dim light shone on her face and no expression could be seen as she asked, “Alvaro, where did you go today?”

“It's none of your business.”

I did not want to say more, but Nadine suddenly smashed the wine glass.

She strode up to me and yelled, “Why are you pretending to be so pure and innocent? Don’t think I don’t know that you're fooling around with that pretty girl.

“Alvaro, can’t you bear the loneliness? Are you blaming me for ignoring you during this period of time? If so, I will help you!”

As she said that, Nadine roughly tore off my clothes and pulled my hand towards the bed.

I was taken aback by her actions.

Struggling hard, I said, “Nadine, are you crazy? I just had the surgery!”

Nadine, lost in her fury, refused to listen and sank her teeth into my shoulder.

I shoved her away with force and slapped her.

Enraged, Nadine would not back down. She grabbed a wine glass from the table and hurled it at me.

The glass shattered with a loud crash and a thin trickle of blood slowly trailed down my forehead.

For a moment, Nadine froze, her rage replaced by shock as she instinctively reached out to support me.

I stumbled back a few steps and tried to speak, “Why don’t you know how to hide…."

But my body could not hold on and I fell down.

I did not know how long it was before I was woken up by the quarrel between Nadine and Mr. Bradley.

I realized that I was back in the hospital.

Seeing that I woke up, Mr. Bradley seemed relieved. 

But Nadine looked at Mr. Bradley with displeasure as she said, “This is the good husband you picked for me, leaving the children to go out on a date with a vixen.

Mr. Bradley was so angry that he was shaking all over as he scolded, “What date? Do you know what Alvaro did yesterday…."

“Grandpa,” I interrupted Mr. Bradley. “It’s all over.”

Mr. Bradley understood what I meant and said no more. He just looked at Nadine with a look of disappointment.

Nadine waved her hand indifferently as she responded, “Since she is awake, there's nothing for me to do here. Julius is still waiting for me, so I'm leaving first.”

Mr. Bradley hit her with his cane as he yelled, “You beast! I don’t care where you go today, but you must come to the Bradley Manor with Alvaro tomorrow…."

Before he could finish his words, Nadine's figure had disappeared at the door.

Mr. Bradley sighed deeply and his back became more hunched.

He handed me the signed divorce agreement while blaming himself, “Alvaro, it's my fault for not educating the younger generation well.

“But the child is also your own flesh and blood. I hope you can see him off to his last journey.”

I looked at this old man with completely white hair and could not bear to refuse.

The next morning, I came to the Bradley Family's Manor dressed in black.

I had been taking care of this child since birth. It was a pity that it passed away forever before I could see him grow up.

I gently wiped away the tears from the corners of my eyes.

‘That's fine, Alvaro. In that way, you won’t have any worries and be reluctant to leave,’ I muttered in my heart.

After all, I had given my best to this marriage. So when it was time to leave, all I felt was exhaustion, not regret.

Nadine did not show up until the child was buried.

I did see a photo of her and Julius trying on wedding dresses on the trending searches.

Julius sent me a message with a proud look on his face. [So, what if you two have a child? Nadine still chose me in the end.]

[By the way, did you think that Nadine was taking care of you while you were in a coma? In fact, she was with me the whole time. We were in the bed next to yours and unlocked many new positions.]

In the video, my face was pale.

It formed a sharp contrast with Julius's rosy face.

I did not reply, but silently forwarded all the messages and videos to Mr. Bradley.

Then I took off my wedding ring.

Holding my mother's ashes, I whispered, “Mom, let's go home.”

***

It was not until night fell that Nadine returned to the Bradley Family's Manor, reeking of alcohol.

As soon as she opened the door, she was shocked by the wreaths everywhere.

“Who died? Could it be Alvaro's mother?”

She was still in shock and looked flustered.

“Why didn't you tell me about this big thing earlier? Where's Alvaro? He must be very sad now. I want to go and accompany him.”

Mr. Bradley, who could no longer bear it, handed over the divorce agreement. It hit Nadine in the face.

Mr. Bradley who had been suppressing until that time finally burst out, “Alvaro has left with his mother's ashes. Today is your son's seventh day!”