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.

When Tabitha came to again, a whole week had passed. Seeing her open her eyes, the nurse hurriedly called the doctor.

"Mrs. Lowe, you're finally awake! Your husband and son practically scoured the entire city for doctors. To pray for your safety, Mr. Lowe even donated ten million dollars to a charity foundation, hoping that all the blessings would return to you.

"I'm sure they'll be thrilled to hear that you're awake!"

No sooner had the words left the nurse's lips than Kieran and David pushed the door open. They immediately hugged Tabitha tightly, fear and relief written all over their faces.

"Tab, you're finally awake. Do you have any idea how worried I've been this past week?"

David's eyes were red as he choked out, "Mommy, I was so scared I'd lose you forever."

Both Kieran's and David's tears dropped on the back of her hand.

Despite that, Tabitha was barely moved by their tears. All she felt was irony.

When danger came, the one they instinctively protected was Summer, not her. It was impossible for her not to feel heartbroken.

She had given Kieran her whole heart, loved him with everything she had, and raised David with her own hands from the very beginning. Yet Summer, who had only been around for a few short months, had managed to erase all of that effortlessly and take her place.

Seeing Tabitha's reaction, Kieran and David felt a pang of unease. They each hurriedly explained, "Tab, it was so chaotic that day that I couldn't tell who was who. That's why I protected the wrong person."

"Mommy, Daddy and I will never let you be in danger again. This was all our fault."

Tabitha, still weak from just waking up, felt nothing but exhaustion. She had no energy to expose their clumsy lies. She just needed to wait one more week before she could leave this place and these two liars.

In the following days, likely out of guilt, Kieran and David never left her side in the hospital. Naturally, Kieran's phone never stopped ringing, buzzing with calls day after day. Not once did he answer.

One day, Kieran's phone vibrated with a new message. His eyes narrowed, and his expression shifted ever so slightly. A few seconds later, he turned to Tabitha with an apologetic look.

"Something urgent just came up at work, Tab. I need to work it out."

David pressed his head close to the screen, saw the message, and immediately said, "Mommy, I'll go with Daddy to the office."

Tabitha took in their expressions carefully. What could require David to go to the company? It was obviously Summer.

After receiving her nod of approval, they hurriedly left. Meanwhile, Tabitha got out of bed and followed them. Around the corner in the hospital hallway, she saw Summer crying incessantly as she threw herself into Kieran's arms.

His expression darkened slightly. He pried her hands away and spoke with unmistakable warning. "What are you doing here at the hospital? I told you not to show up until Tab has fully recovered. Stay home, and do not show yourself in front of her!"

At that, Summer only sobbed even harder. She buried herself against his chest, clutched his waist, and said pitifully, "I just miss you two so much. It's been ten days. We'd agreed that you'd spend at least two hours with me every day."

David saw Summer crying and became so frantic that he jumped in to explain, "Ms. Dabney, Daddy and I miss you, too. But Mommy hasn't recovered yet, so we need to stay with her."

He turned to Kieran. "Daddy, say something to make Ms. Dabney happy!"

Feeling the dampness against his chest and hearing David's pleading, Kieran ultimately sighed and softened his demeanor. "Alright, easy. It pains me to see you cry. Tell you what—I'll spend the next two days with you, alright?"

Her crying stopped immediately. "Really?"

It wasn't until Summer received his definitive answer that she smiled through her tears. She wrapped her arms around his neck, her eyes screaming affection.

The light in Kieran's eyes went out, his Adam's apple bobbling. The next second, he cupped her head and pressed his lips fiercely against hers. They kissed with a clinging intensity, as if to pour out all the longing of the past ten days.

David quickly covered his eyes and turned his head away, chuckling. "I can't watch this!"

Tabitha returned to her ward like a puppet with its string pulled. Tears slipped from the corners of her eyes and soaked into the pillow. She bit down hard on her lower lip, refusing to let a single sound escape.

Repeatedly, she told herself to wait just a little longer. Soon, she would be able to leave, and this would be the last time she ever cried for Kieran and David.