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.

The next morning, when Tabitha woke up, Kieran and David were walking into the room with breakfast in their hands.

Seeing her awake, Kieran naturally placed the tray within her reach, his eyes full of affection. "David and I wanted you to sleep in a little longer, so we got up early to pick up breakfast for you."

David pumped his legs and climbed onto the bed, leaning against her shoulder. "We were only gone for a while, but I already missed you so much, Mommy."

Tabitha could still feel the lingering chill from the figures beside her, and a trace of self-mockery rose in her eyes.

They had clearly been away all night and had just gotten out of Summer's bed, yet they spun the story that they had gone out to buy breakfast. She hadn't realized how good their acting was until now.

After breakfast, Kieran and David wasted no time and took her straight to the ski resort. Summer was already there, fully dressed in her ski gear, waiting at the entrance. However, Tabitha had no interest in skiing.

Kieran glanced at her with concern, then cautiously asked, "Tab, what's wrong with you? Did David or I do something to upset you?"

Tabitha shook her head. "No. It's just my friend. Her issue's been weighing on my mood."

Only then did Kieran relax. He lowered his head and placed a gentle kiss on her forehead. "Don't worry, Tab. The same thing would never happen to our family. If you don't feel like skiing, then…"

Before he could finish, Summer's hesitant voice cut in. "But Mr. Lowe…"

Seeing the longing in Summer's eyes, Kieran hesitated, the words on his lips making a U-turn. "You should wait for us here. David, Ms. Dabney, and I will go ski a few rounds and be right back."

David didn't say a word, but Tabitha noticed his hand had quietly made its way to the hem of Summer's coat. Maybe he wanted to have their precious family time a little too badly that he wasn't worried at all that Tabitha might notice.

She nodded in silence.

And so, Kieran instructed the hotel staff to take good care of her. He then took the gloves from his bag and carefully put them on her hands. "It's freezing here, Tab. I don't want you catching a cold. If you feel unwell, call me right away."

David followed along seriously, checking the zipper on her coat. "I don't want you to catch a cold either, Mommy."

Watching them focus all their attention on Tabitha, Summer couldn't help but feel bitter. "Mrs. Lowe, they really do love you so much, don't they?"

At that, Tabitha looked up at her and caught a trace of jealousy in Summer's eyes that she hadn't managed to conceal in time.

Tabitha simply smiled, a hint of implication in her words. "I'm sure your family feels the same toward you."

After all, the fact that Kieran and David were playing house with Summer behind her back was proof enough that they had never truly considered her feelings. What they cared about most was being with Summer.

As soon as that was said, a deep rumble rolled in from the distance. The ground beneath their feet shook.

Tabitha was about to ask what was happening when she looked up and saw a vast stretch of blinding white crashing straight toward them. People scattered in all directions at once. Chaos erupted everywhere.

Instinctively, she reached out and grabbed the hem of Kieran's coat. The very next second, she watched it slip from her grasp as he turned and ran toward Summer.

David, who had been standing in front of her just moments ago, sprinted in the same direction.

"Summie!"

"Ms. Dabney!"

A looming darkness descended, and heavy snow slammed down on Tabitha.

In the final instant before she lost consciousness, she saw the man who had once said he loved her, and the boy who had sworn to protect her, holding another woman tightly in their arms.