Only a thin door separated me from Jacob, and I never wanted to see him again.

My phone vibrated.

It was a message from Jacob. [Juli, get some rest. Don’t worry about the funeral arrangements—I’ll make sure your mother has a grand farewell.]

I replied with a simple answer. [Hmm.]

Then, I sent a message to my lawyer, [Draft a divorce agreement for me.]

The funeral was grand.

Because of Jacob’s status in the business world, many people came to pay their respects.

He truly did what he promised—he gave my mother a dignified send-off. But all I wanted was for her to be alive. Even if it meant living a quiet, unnoticed life.

'Mom, I miss you so much.'

I knelt in front of her portrait, silently shedding tears.

Suddenly, a mocking voice sounded behind me.

"Juliana, everyone dies eventually. My condolences."

I froze.

When I turned around, I saw Wendy standing there.

She wore a black trench coat and held a bouquet of white roses, clearly here for the funeral. But beneath her coat’s collar, a flash of bright red fabric peeked through.

This was my mother’s funeral. I didn’t want to make a scene and disturb her peace in the afterlife.

Suppressing the fire in my chest, I merely nodded.

But Wendy didn’t leave. Instead, she casually tossed the white roses in front of my mother’s portrait.

Staring at the photo, she sighed regretfully.

"Auntie never got to find the person who blinded her before she died. Isn’t that such a pity?"

I responded coldly, "Justice sees all. I’ve hired someone to continue the investigation. The culprit won’t escape."

For a brief moment, panic flickered in Wendy’s eyes. But she quickly recovered, letting out a chuckle. "After so many years? I doubt that you’ll find anything."

She sighed dramatically. "I wonder if Auntie was able to pass away peacefully."

Then, as if suddenly realizing something, she covered her mouth with a giggle.

"Oh, my mistake. Auntie was blind—she had already 'closed her eyes' long ago."

Rage boiled inside me. Without thinking, I raised my hand and slapped her hard across the face.

Wendy let out a sharp scream and collapsed to the ground. Her cry immediately drew the attention of all the guests.

Clutching her cheek, she began to sob pitifully. "Jacob and I were just ordinary college classmates. If you don’t like me being around him, I’ll stop seeing him."

"Juliana, I know you’ve never liked me, but I came today to pay my respects."

"Causing such a scene at a funeral... How can Auntie rest in peace?"

I opened my mouth to speak, but before I could say a word, Jacob rushed over.

He didn’t ask what had happened. He didn’t even hesitate. All he did was hold Wendy up with a look of deep concern.

I stepped forward. "Jacob, just now—"

Before I could say anything more, he cut me off, his voice furious. "Get out!"

He shoved me forcefully.

I staggered back and fell to the ground. The bouquet of white roses Wendy had brought landed beside me—its thorns pierced into my palm.

It hurt.

But Jacob didn’t notice.

Instead, he towered over me, berating me mercilessly.

"Juliana, is this what you call being magnanimous?"

"How many times do I have to say it? Wendy and I are just normal classmates."

"I’ve tolerated your jealousy before, but today is your mother’s funeral! Can’t you at least act with some dignity?"

"Honestly, I’m embarrassed for you."

With that, Jacob helped Wendy to her feet and walked away—leaving me there, alone.

I never imagined that the man who had once been so gentle and caring would humiliate me like this in front of my mother’s portrait, without even listening to my side of the story.

The murmurs of the guests reached my ears.

"That Juliana... She has no manners at all. She’s really not worthy of Jacob."

"A woman like her will ruin three generations."

"Jealous, paranoid, stirring up chaos at home. I really don’t know how Jacob puts up with her—poor man."

"If she can get violent at her own mother’s funeral, imagine what she’s like on a normal day!"

I couldn’t defend myself. Tears welled in my eyes as I silently tidied up my mother’s memorial table.

At some point, Jacob had come to stand behind me.

"Juli, I spoke too harshly earlier. I came to apologize."

I turned around and stared at him.

His voice was gentle, but his expression was cold—completely devoid of warmth.

Sure enough, he added, "But you went too far with Wendy."

"No matter what, she was a guest."

"Do you know how many rumors are spreading right now? They’re all against you."

"I’ve been trying to explain things for you, but it’s not working. Listen, if you come with me and apologize to Wendy, she’ll clear things up. That way, your reputation won't be ruined."

A bitter laugh escaped my lips, and I replied sarcastically, "I won’t apologize. I don’t need that kind of reputation."

Jacob’s patience wore thin. His face darkened as he stepped closer, his voice dropping into a low growl.

"You made a mistake. You should own up to it. Don’t you think you owe Wendy an apology? Juliana, when did you become so shameless?"

I closed my eyes, letting the tears slip down my cheeks.

Jacob had always been gentle to me. He had never spoken to me like this before. But today, he had lashed out at me twice.

Both times—because of Wendy.

I opened my eyes, my vision blurred by tears.

Jacob’s face was hazy, out of focus.

Then again, had I ever truly seen him clearly?

My voice trembled. "Jacob, did you really never find out who blinded my mother?"

He stiffened for a moment before shaking his head firmly. "There were no leads. And now that she’s gone, what’s the point of bringing it up?"

A hollow, bitter smile spread across my lips.

Jacob didn’t care what I was thinking. He grabbed my wrist and dragged me into another room.

"Wendy, Juli is here to apologize," he announced.

I looked around. The guests were all there.

Every pair of eyes watched me with interest.

Jacob leaned in and whispered, "I gathered everyone here to clear your name."

Clear my name? Or force me to bow my head in front of everyone—so I could "compensate" Wendy for her supposed grievances?

Jacob gave me a slight push, forcing me toward her. "Go on. Apologize."

I said nothing.

Wendy, playing the magnanimous victim, smiled gently. "There’s no need for an apology. I understand. Juliana is going through a difficult time."

Someone started clapping. Soon after, the entire room was filled with applause.

Under the cover of the noise, Wendy leaned in and whispered so only I could hear.

"Juliana, do you know why your mother was blinded?"

"Maybe it was because you stole someone else's happiness."

"Do you really think you deserve Jacob?"

A deafening roar filled my head.

Without thinking, I grabbed the nearest object and hurled it at her face.

I couldn’t hear anything.

I couldn’t see anything.

All I could think about was my mother’s muffled sobs in the dead of night—the sound of her pain after she had been hurt.

By the time someone pulled me away, Wendy’s face was already swollen.

Jacob stormed over, his eyes bloodshot with rage.

He slapped me hard—twice.

Then, without a second glance, he carried Wendy away.

The guests shook their heads in disappointment before quietly leaving one by one.

The once-crowded funeral hall was suddenly empty.

I held my mother’s memorial portrait, staring at the vacant space around me.

Maybe this was for the best.

I had been deceived by this fake love for too many years.

My mother’s funeral didn’t need these hypocrites anyway.

The ceremony ended in a rush, and I became the joke of the city.

Someone even leaked the incident online, where it spread like wildfire.

Now, everyone knew Jacob’s wife, Juliana, was an unfilial disgrace. A crazed woman unworthy of respect.

But I didn’t care.

My heart had long since died. Nothing could stir it anymore.

I met with my lawyer, obtained the divorce papers, and asked him to investigate my mother’s injury and her medical records from when she was hospitalized.

As for me, I returned home to pack my things.

Once the divorce was finalized, this place would become Jacob and Wendy’s love nest, wouldn’t it?

I didn’t want to leave a single trace of myself behind.

The thought of it made me sick.

As I sorted through my belongings, I realized that I had kept a lot of things about Jacob.

The autumn leaf he once casually gave me. The calendar from the day we first met. An old phone filled with our past conversations.

Even the fridge held remnants of our relationship—the first cup of milk tea he ever bought me, a leftover piece of cake from our engagement party.

Jacob used to complain that I kept too much trash. However, I always corrected him, telling him those were the memories of our love.

But looking at them now—he was right.

They were trash.

I threw everything into the garbage.

As I continued packing, I stumbled upon a thick photo album belonging to Jacob.

Curious, I flipped it open.

Inside were printed screenshots—pages and pages of messages between him and Wendy.

He had carefully preserved their conversations, turning them into a photo collection.

Every message was soaked in his longing for her.

[Wendy, I married her, but my heart belongs to you.]

[Wendy, even when I’m with her, I think of your name.]

[Wendy, I never turn on the lights when I’m with her. That way, I can pretend it’s you.]

[Wendy, I bought you a seaside villa. You’ve suffered at the hands of that mother and daughter for so long—this is the least they owe you.]

[Wendy, I want to give you all my money. I know it’s crude, but it’s the only way I can make it up to you. Please, don’t refuse me anymore.]

[Wendy, I hate her. She trapped me, keeping me from being with you.]

I slowly closed the album.

A silent, bitter smile curled my lips.

So, Jacob did have a heart—he just never used it on me.

This album had been sitting on his bookshelf all along. I had been too stupid to check. Too foolish to ever doubt him.

Or maybe Jacob never cared if I found out.

If I had caused a scene, demanded a divorce, wouldn’t that have been exactly what he wanted?

Then he’d be free to be with Wendy.

Fine. I’d give them what they wanted.

By the time I had thrown away everything, it was already late at night.

I signed the divorce papers and called Jacob.

He didn’t answer for a long time, but when he did, he hung up immediately.

I sent a message instead. [Can you come home? There’s something I need to discuss with you.]

Thirty minutes later, my phone rang.

His voice was filled with fury. "Juliana, you know Wendy is injured, and you’re still calling me home? What’s your problem? Are you really this cruel? This petty?"