In the end, Gary let go of Dana and said awkwardly, "Get some rest. There is still work to do at the office, so I'm going back for some overtime."

After that, he left, almost as though something was chasing after him.

Dana watched him disappear out of the doorway, and her tears surged.

Back then, whenever she worked late, he would show up with something hot to pick her up. He remembered everything she liked. When she got sick, he stayed by her bedside all night…

Those real kindnesses once made her believe she would have a lifetime of happiness.

But seven years of love had ultimately come to an end.

Dana wiped her tears, pulled out her phone, made an appointment to reissue the divorce certificate, and bought a plane ticket that was scheduled to leave in three days.

-

Early the next morning, noises from downstairs woke her.

She went down and saw Sandy standing in the living room, several suitcases piled up beside her.

Kelly snaked her arm around Sandy's and said sweetly, "Sandy, you've finally made it!"

Sandy smiled and patted her hand, then turned to Gary as she said softly, "Gary, my mom is worried that I can't settle in, so she packed a lot of things for me. I'm sorry for this."

Gary replied easily, "We grew up together. Your mom has looked out for Kelly and me for years. You don't need to be courteous with me."

When Kelly noticed Dana, the smile on her face turned cold at once, her tone dripping with bitterness. "Why are you standing there with that nasty face? Sandy is living here to keep me company from now on!"

Sandy stepped forward, gentle and warm. "The psychologist said Kelly can't handle stress, so I came to stay with her so she can be happier."

Dana said nothing and just looked at them quietly.

Gary spoke in a low tone, "Dana already agreed to it."

"This is my house. Who cares if she agrees or not?" Kelly said with a sneer. "If she doesn't like it, she can move out."

Then she turned back to Sandy, her voice sweet again. "Let's go. I'll take you upstairs, and we can pick the best room."

Not long after, heavy thuds started coming from upstairs. Dana went up and found a disaster outside her bedroom. Her clothes and bags had been tossed onto the floor along with the bedside lamp, decorative paintings, and more.

Everything she and Gary had carefully chosen together had been dumped out like trash.

Kelly stood in the middle of the bedroom with her hands on her hips, directing the house staff as they moved things around.

Sandy lingered by the doorway and slowly said, "If I share a room with Kelly, I might disturb her rest. But if I stay too far away, I can't take care of her in time. This room is the closest to hers, so..."

Gary walked over, glanced at Dana, and was about to say something.

However, Dana cut in first with a calm voice, "It's fine. You can stay in whichever room you want."

She crouched down and started gathering her things.

"Dana," Gary looked down at her, guilt in his voice, "You'll have to stay in the guest room for now. After a while, we can redecorate the room..."

"You already let her move in. Where I sleep makes no difference," Dana said.

Gary fell silent, his gaze landing on a rabbit plush on the floor.

It was the prize they had won on their first date at an amusement park. He bent down to pick it up, his voice tense. "This was from our first trip to Dreamland, and we stood in line for half an hour just to win it. You don't want it anymore?"

Dana paused for a moment and eventually said, "Just throw it out. It's too old, anyway."

"Dana..." Gary held the plush and hurried after her. "What's going on with you? You weren't like this before..."

"It's nothing," Dana answered Gary, her voice carrying a faint, bitter tone. "I'm just making room for you two for Kelly's illness. Isn't that what you wanted?"

Gary opened his mouth, but no words came out.

Dana was in the guest room putting away clothes when Kelly's voice rang out, sharp and impatient. "Dana, where are you? Get down here and make dinner!"

Dana went downstairs. Gary, Kelly, and Sandy were all sitting on the living room couch.

The moment Dana appeared, Kelly glared at her. "Why are you so slow? Just how lazy are you? Can't you see we're all hungry? Go make dinner!"

Dana's gaze swept over Sandy. "Ms. Miller is here now. Let her do it. You'll definitely like her cooking more, anyway."

Kelly snapped back at her, "Sandy's precious hands are for playing piano. How could you expect her to do chores?"

She then turned to Gary, acting all hurt. "Gary, look at her! She eats our food, lives in our house, and now, she won't even cook us a meal! Does she have any conscience at all?!"

Sandy put on a troubled expression, her voice still gentle. "Kelly, don't be upset. I have never cooked before, but I'm willing to try for you. I'm just afraid it won't taste good."

Gary's tone softened. "Sandy, just sit."

He then stood up and turned to Dana. "Dana, you go. Sandy has never done this before. She shouldn't be in the kitchen."

Dana's chest felt like it was being crushed by something, and she could feel the pain. She remembered when they were dating, Gary would hold her hands and look at her with tenderness. "Your hands are meant for painting. I'll never let you work hard."

But now?

It was as if Dana had been born to do chores, while it was suffering for Sandy to just step into the kitchen.

Gary seemed to realize his words were unfair, so he softened his tone. "If you're tired, have Mrs. Johnson help you."

Dana said nothing as she turned and walked into the kitchen. She said to Mrs. Johnson, "Please handle dinner today."

Then, she leaned against the kitchen door, making no move to do anything herself.

The next day at breakfast, Kelly suddenly set down her fork, her eyes glittering. "Gary, I never got to go to your wedding. What a shame... Why don't you have another wedding? Between you and Sandy? I want to be the bridesmaid."

Gary froze, his fork suspended in midair as he shot a quick look toward Dana. Then, he frowned at Kelly. "Kelly, stop it."

"I'm not joking." Kelly's lips quivered and her eyes reddened. "What if my depression acts up one day and I'm suddenly gone? I would regret never seeing my own brother's wedding! I would not be able to die in peace..."

Sandy reached out and gently patted Kelly's hand, sounding conflicted. "Kelly, don't say that. You'll get better. And... Dana... that would not be appropriate."

Kelly immediately turned on Dana. "Dana, you won't mind, right? I missed my brother's wedding before, and now, I want to watch him marry Sandy. You won't interfere and leave me with regrets for life, would you?"

Dana slowly set her fork and knife down, her tone calm. "It's fine. If you want to have a wedding, go ahead."

All three of them stared at her, stunned.

Gary's voice shot up, full of disbelief. "What did you say?!"

Kelly froze for two seconds before clapping excitedly at the dinner table. "You said it yourself, Dana! Don't regret it later and go crying to my brother again!"

Dana stood up and calmly said that she wouldn't before walking toward the stairs. She had barely stepped onto the second floor when someone yanked her wrist hard. "Dana, do you even know what you're saying?"

"Wasn't it Kelly who brought it up?" Dana looked at Gary, who was visibly tense. "If you want to do it, then do it."

"That was only for Kelly's benefit." Gary hurried to explain. "It's just for show. If I refuse, she'll make a scene again, and I..."

"It's fine." Dana nodded lightly without rebuking him. "I have no objections."

Looking at her calmness only made Gary more uneasy, and he still did not let Dana go. After a few seconds, he softened his tone and made another promise. "Just give us a little more time, okay? When Kelly's doing better, I'll go with you to resubmit our marriage paperwork, alright?"

Dana smiled. "Alright."

Only then did Gary heave a sigh of relief as he subconsciously squeezed her hand. Dana quietly pulled her hand free and headed to the guest room.

Gary lowered his hand as a sense of unease crept over his heart, but he forced it down.

After breakfast, Gary left for work.

Near noon, Dana came out to get a glass of water.

Kelly was curled up on the sofa, scrolling through her phone with Sandy beside her. Without even looking up, Kelly said, "Dana, make me an iced Americano. Cut up some watermelon too."

In the past, Dana would have done it without a word.

Today, Dana did not answer.

Kelly's face darkened. "Are you deaf? I'm talking to you!"

Sandy quickly stepped in. "Kelly, don't get mad. I'll do it."

She went into the kitchen and made a cup of instant coffee.

Dana remembered how she had ground coffee beans and brewed it fresh for two years only to be scolded for not trying hard enough. But now, Kelly accepted that cup of instant coffee with a bright smile. "Sandy is the one who really gets me."

Dana turned around, wanting to head back upstairs

Kelly stopped her again. "I'm going for a walk in the garden. Bring my parasol. And wipe my white sneakers from yesterday clean."

"You like Ms. Miller," Dana said with an even voice. "Let her do it."

Kelly was about to explode but Sandy grabbed her arm. "I'll get the umbrella. Don't let this ruin your mood."

Kelly shot Dana a hard glare. "You're coming with us too. Stop hiding in your room and slacking off."

Dana wanted to refuse, but Kelly's expression made it clear that refusing meant another outburst. She had no choice but to nod.

The three of them went out with Sandy holding the umbrella over Kelly, and Dana followed behind. When they reached the arched bridge in the garden, Sandy suddenly slipped and pitched toward Kelly.

Dana lunged on instinct, grabbing Kelly's arm and pulling her toward the safer side.

Kelly whipped around and shoved Dana hard. "Watch where you're going! Are you trying to drag me down with you?"

Dana lost her footing completely and toppled over the railing, splashing into the river. She could not swim, and she flailed her hand around in panic as she choked on mouthfuls of water.

She fought to keep her head above the surface and saw Kelly and Sandy standing at the edge of the bridge, making no move to help.

As her vision blurred, she saw them smile as they turned around and slowly walked away. She swore they were skipping with excitement…