"System, I want to go home."

The system responds to Tabitha Samson immediately.

"Understood, Tabitha. Exit procedures are now activated. You'll be able to leave this world in half a month."

Weirdly enough, the system, which has always followed its own programming, pauses for a few seconds. It soon brings up a question, its tone slightly confused.

"You have a husband who dotes on you and a son who always takes your side, Tabitha. Isn't this your home? These people are your family, you know."

The moment Tabitha hears the word "family", her gaze slowly fixes on the TV before her.

A live broadcast from the airport appeared on the TV, showing Kieran Lowe, CEO of Lowe Group, arriving with his son, David Samson Lowe. The man walked forward briskly with the boy in his arms.

Reporters jogged after him, crowding close with their microphones. "Mr. Lowe, we heard you wrapped up a meeting in Francovar yesterday and flew back overnight. Why the rush? Is something important going on?"

Kieran, who was usually stern and unreadable in public, looked into the camera and smiled with rare gentleness. "It's my wife's birthday today. Of course, my son and I had to come back to celebrate with her. In my world, she's my absolute top priority."

David lifted the gift bag he was holding and waved it excitedly. "Look, Mommy. Daddy and I got you presents! We'll be home soon!"

The reporters tried to ask more, but Kieran said he was short on time and refused further questions. He slipped away, leaving only his retreating figure on camera.

The reporters sighed, envy on their faces.

"Mr. Lowe's devotion to his wife has never changed. Ten years later, he's still as deeply in love as he was on day one. What an incredible husband."

"Even their son has picked it up perfectly. With a husband and son like that, Mrs. Lowe must be incredibly happy."

Tabitha Samson turned off the TV and forced a bitter smile. Happy, huh? A month ago, she would've agreed without hesitation. Now, she could barely bring herself to say she was happy.

No one knew, but she was actually an outworlder. Ten years ago, she had come to this world with a mission—to save Kieran, who had watched his parents die when he was a child.

When Tabitha first met him, he was still a gloomy teen who shut himself off from the world. It took her three years to slowly guide him out of the shadows, until he grew into the man he was today—the CEO of Lowe Group.

When Kieran finally took full control of the company, her mission should've been over. However, when the system asked if she wanted to leave, she hesitated.

She couldn't stop thinking about how he would hold her tightly and beg her not to go. On top of that, she couldn't imagine what would happen if he lost her, too, after already losing his parents.

So, she made her choice to stay in this world and marry him.

At the wedding, Tabitha had once told Kieran solemnly that she would disappear from this world should he ever betray her. He had held her hand and promised there would never be such a day.

His love for her, he said, was eternal.

After they were married, just as he had vowed, his love remained intense and unwavering. For every anniversary, big or small, he would put aside all his work to stay with her.

When he was out at social events and other women tried to get close, he would have them escorted away without a second thought.

When she gave birth, complications nearly took her life. She was in the operating room for 24 hours. He knelt outside the doors for just as long, praying for her safety.

When she was finally wheeled out, he ignored his legs, which had long gone numb, and stumbled to her bedside. Clasping her hand, he broke down in tears.

"This is all my fault, Tab. I never should've asked for a child. We're not doing this again. I can't bear to let you risk your life like that."

To show his determination, Kieran had a vasectomy that very day.

When it came to naming their son, he selected David for the first name and Samson for the middle, declaring it a symbol of his love for Tabitha.

Growing up under Kieran's example, David had become a little man in his own right when it came to caring for Tabitha. At such a young age, he would cut fruit into small pieces and feed it to her.

If she accidentally cut her finger, he would blow gently on the wound in worry, then rush to find a bandage to patch it up.

Outsiders often joked that in the Lowe household, it wasn't David who needed care—it was her. He would puff out his chest proudly at that. "Mommy, you're the person I love the most. Of course, I will take care of you."

Kieran laughed, ruffling his son's hair with equal pride. "My wife doesn't have to do anything. All she needs is us—her husband and son."

Tabitha once believed, with absolute certainty, that she would be happy forever. But vows scattered like dust in the wind. Long ago, time had washed it away.

The father and son who had once loved her so deeply had now built another home outside, with a female assistant. Time after time, they went to their little family reunions behind her back.

Her husband of seven years would hold Summer Dabney's waist and call her "baby" in a soft, intimate voice, while the son she had carried for nine months would curl up in Summer's arms and sweetly call her "Ms. Dabney".

Even yesterday, they hadn't gone to Francovar for a meeting but to Cendraland to ski with Summer. The words spoken at the wedding had finally come true.

The moment Tabitha learned the truth, she made her decision. She would leave this world and the family who had deceived her.

She stared at the cake in front of her as it slowly melted and whispered, "They're no longer my family. I'm leaving them."

As the words fell, two voices spoke simultaneously. "Who's leaving?"

Tabitha looked up and saw Kieran and David standing in the doorway. David hopped down from Kieran's arms and ran straight into hers. "Mommy, who did you say was leaving?"

"A friend of mine," she answered softly. "Her marriage fell apart, and she's planning to leave her husband and son."

David tilted his head and pressed a firm kiss to her cheek. "So sorry about your friend. Luckily, Daddy and I will always love you."

Kieran hung up his coat and came over, wrapping them both in his arms. His voice was as gentle as ever. "David's right, Tab. We're a family. We'll always be together."

Tabitha didn't answer. Her long lashes hid the bitterness in her eyes. Forever? Perhaps not.

Seeing the cake on the table, David quickly pulled the gift bag from his hand. "Mommy, this is the present Daddy and I picked out for you!"

Kieran took the gift box from the bag and opened it. Inside was an emerald necklace.

"Tab, work in Francovar was hectic," he said somewhat apologetically, leaning in to put the necklace around her neck. "I know, David and I got back a little late. Don't be mad at us, okay?"

The moment he leaned closer, Tabitha caught a strong scent of gardenia. She never wore perfume. Her stomach lurched violently, and she shoved them aside to rush into the bathroom before retching repeatedly.

Kieran had always been overly attentive to her health. Even a slight cough would send him into a panic. The scenario then prompted him to call a doctor immediately.

Tabitha pressed down on his hand, her eyes red from gagging. She stared at him without blinking. "I'm fine. I just thought about my friend's family, and their behavior disgusted me. Kieran, if you ever stop loving me, I'll—"

"Impossible."

Kieran cut her off before she could finish. He stepped forward and wrapped her tightly in his arms, as if he wanted to fuse her into himself, never to be separated again.

"Tab, don't you know how I feel, still? In this lifetime, you're the only woman I'll ever love. I'll never let you leave me."

David clenched his small fists, his expression serious. "Don't worry, Mommy. Dad and I would never do anything to hurt you. I'll keep an eye on Daddy for you. If he ever does something wrong to you, I'll tell you right away. I'm always on your side!"

That made Kieran laugh. "Is that how you see me, you little brat?"

David shot him a glare. "I love Mommy the most, so I'll do anything to protect her."

…

Listening to their playful bickering, Tabitha didn't smile. It felt like a knife was twisting in her chest, slicing her heart bit by bit.

Kieran said he loved her, yet he clearly had a mistress. David said he would protect her, yet he helped his father cover up his lies. She couldn't tell anymore whether their words were true or just another deception.

The next morning, Kieran, as always, made Tabitha breakfast. His eyes were full of indulgence as he set it before her.

"Tab, how about we go to the ski resort after breakfast? We came home late yesterday. Let us make it up to you—we'll spend the whole day celebrating your birthday."

David handed her a cup of freshly squeezed juice and wrapped his arms around her waist, pouting. "Come on, Mommy! Skiing is so much fun!"

Tabitha had no real interest in skiing, but by the time breakfast was finished, Kieran and David had already packed all the gear and dragged her into the car.

When they arrived at the resort, she finally understood why they had insisted on coming. The moment she stepped out of the car, she saw Summer standing at the entrance, scanning the area.

After Kieran and David got out of the car, Summer's eyes lit up. She ran over, casually took the scarf from around her neck, and draped it around David's. Then, she handed an insulated bottle to Kieran, her eyes sparkling as she looked at him.

Tabitha watched silently, taking in her fluid, practiced movements.

David was usually protective of himself, despite his age—he rarely let anyone outside the Lowe family touch him. Kieran, on the other hand, never took a beverage from any woman but Tabitha ever since someone spiked his drink six years ago.

He cleared his throat, his tone slightly awkward. "Tab? This is my assistant, Summer Dabney. She arranged the ski trip, and I thought having her with us would make things easier. That's why she's tagging along."

David jumped in at the right moment. "Yeah, Mommy, we just need to have fun. Isn't that great?"

Was it really about convenience, or was it so he could be with Summer every moment? Honestly, Tabitha no longer had the energy to figure out the truth behind their actions.

It was only then that Summer seemed to notice Tabitha, timidly reaching out for a handshake. "Hello, Mrs. Lowe. I hope I'm not interrupting your family time."

Observant as she was, Tabitha quickly noticed the emerald bracelet on Summer's wrist. "What's that you're wearing?"

Summer lifted her pale wrist, her face lighting up with happiness. "Oh. It's a gift from my family."

Over the past ten years, Kieran had given Tabitha countless pieces of jewelry. She could tell at a glance that the bracelet and the necklace from yesterday were meant to be a matching set.

Her lips curled into a sarcastic smile. "Your family really loves you, huh?"

Kieran and David had split what should've been one complete set of jewelry into two halves—one for her, one for Summer. It was the same with their hearts, too.

Summer smiled brightly. "Yeah. They always tell me they love me and spoil me as though I'm still a child."

Perhaps worried Tabitha might notice something, Kieran and David fussed over her all the way.

She cleared her throat slightly, and Kieran immediately took off his coat and draped it over her shoulders, pouring the hot water from the insulated bottle to her lips with careful attention.

David, on the other hand, removed the scarf from his neck and, like a tiny adult, wrapped it around hers, reminding her to keep warm.

However, Tabitha didn't want anything tainted by Summer's perfume. She said she wanted to rest at the hotel and walked off. Kieran and David exchanged a glance and, wordlessly, chose to accompany her back to the hotel.

It wasn't until evening that Kieran's phone rang. Quickly, he silenced it and glanced at Tabitha on the bed. Seeing she was unresponsive, he quietly exhaled in relief.

Summer's name kept flashing on the screen. Beside him, David tugged at his sleeve and whispered, "Daddy, I want to see Ms. Dabney."

Kieran quickly gestured for him to be quiet. They locked eyes and tacitly agreed to slip out of the room. The moment the door clicked shut, Tabitha opened her eyes, pulled on her clothes, and followed them.

The father and son hurried down the hall and finally stopped at Summer's door. The moment the door opened, she threw herself into Kieran's arms, her voice trembling with hurt.

"Kieran, you're finally here! I was so scared being alone in the hotel today. I don't expect you to stay by my side all the time as you do with Mrs. Lowe. All I ask is two hours of your day."'

Her big, watery eyes looked up at him, and he immediately gave in. Seeing her tears softened his heart, and he pulled her into his arms to comfort her.

"How will two hours be enough? David and I will stay with you through the whole evening."

David chimed in. "Ms. Dabney, we came as soon as Mommy fell asleep. We really wanted to spend time with you, too."

Summer looked touched, but then her expression fell, as if she recalled something sad. "I was really cold today, but you only had eyes for Mrs. Lowe. You even ignored the scarf and insulated bottle I prepared for you…"

Worried she would be sad, David immediately stepped forward and grabbed her hand. "Don't be sad, Ms. Dabney. Daddy and I were wrong. Here, let me warm you up. My hands are way warmer than the scarf."

Kieran teased her gently, nudging the tip of her nose. "You jealous little thing, getting upset over something so small. I know you didn't have enough fun skiing in Cendraland, so I picked this place just for you. Aren't you happy?"

At that, Summer tilted her head and planted a peck on the corner of his mouth. "Thank you, Mr. Lowe."

Kieran's gaze darkened instantly. He cupped her head, and their lips met in a deep, passionate kiss. David covered his eyes and ran into the room. "Okay, I'm out!"

After a long moment, Kieran finally let go. Summer's face was flushed, and she slapped his chest lightly. "Hey, David was just here, you know."

He grabbed her hand, pressed it to his lips, and left a soft kiss. "Come on. It's not like he hasn't seen it before."

With that, he looped his arm around Summer's waist and closed the door behind them.

Behind a nearby pillar, Tabitha was already in tears. Although she had long known about their betrayal, seeing it with her own eyes cut deeper than she imagined.

Every word, every gesture felt like a blade, tearing her heart to pieces. The so-called birthday celebration was nothing more than a way to soothe Summer's dissatisfaction from the previous ski trip.

Tabitha crouched down, pressing a hand to her chest. Kieran's and David's words from last night still echoed in her mind.

"I'll never let you leave me…" Kieran had sworn.

Too bad, she had made up her mind to leave them for good.