August's face grew even more grim. He stared intently at me, clearly not expecting my indifference towards this clay figure he once cherished.

My unusual behavior unsettled him. Yet, he remained convinced that I would not leave him, especially now that we had a child.

He looked at me deeply and said, "Fine, do as you please."

Then he coldly ordered, "Wanda didn't eat well at dinner. After you're done cleaning up, go buy her a mango cake."

I didn't even lift my eyelids. "I'm not going."

A deathly silence instantly filled the air.

August said eerily, "After your mother passed away, the hospital sent her belongings to me."

My head snapped up to look at him.

Getting the reaction he wanted, he curled his lips in a satisfied smile. "If you want them back, go buy that cake for Wanda now."

After stepping out of the room, I leaned against the wall for a long while.

Just like the ninety-nine times before, he always knew how to find my weakness and exploit it.

When my mother was alive, he used her surgery fees to threaten me. Now that she was gone, he was still using her belongings against me!

The hatred burned like a wildfire in my heart.

I took a deep breath, trying to calm my breathing. However, I knew that soon, I would no longer be subjected to August's threats.

Luckily, I knew a store that was still open at this hour. The only problem was that I had rushed out too quickly and forgotten my key.

The late autumn night wind was piercingly cold. I pressed the doorbell repeatedly from the outside while holding the box.

Once, twice, three times ...

Still, no one answered.

Just as I was about to turn and leave, the intercom system emitted a sharp beep. Immediately after, the sound of two people's hurried, heavy breathing came through clearly.

"Ugh, August, wait a moment!" Wanda's voice was sugary sweet. "The doorbell's ringing. I should go let Doctor Yager in."

"Don't bother with her." August's voice was hoarse. "Who told her to forget her keys?"

"But she went out to buy cake for me," Wanda said with feigned sympathy. "It's so cold out there and she just had a baby. Her body must be weak … "

"She's weak, you said?" August sneered. "She puts on that act of not caring about anything all day long. Isn't she supposed to be so strong?"

"I've been too kind to her lately, leading her to believe that just because she had a child, she can give me attitude!"

The passion in his voice had vanished, replaced by a cold tone. "Just let her stand outside in the wind. It'll be a good way to sober her up."

"You're so mean!" Wanda's voice grew even sweeter. "You wouldn't treat me like this in the future, would you?"

August gave a low chuckle, his tone becoming intimate and husky. "You're different. You, my little fool, are truly delicate. Without me to take care of you, your life would be a mess. How could I ever bear to treat you that way?"

I listened quietly until the intercom system clicked off.

History repeated itself, but I no longer felt heartbroken. It was as if a wound that had been repeatedly torn open had finally become completely dead and numb.

The reason I knew a shop was open at this hour was precisely that it had happened before.

That time, to buy a cake for his mistress, I searched from the south to the north of the city at two in the dead of winter. When I got back, I couldn't get in, so I rang the doorbell for an hour in the cold wind. Finally, I spent the night curled up in the garage, developing pneumonia from a high fever.

Back then, his mistress was a college student facing final exams. Afraid I might infect her, he locked me in my room for an entire week and wouldn't even let me go to the hospital. From then on, I developed a chronic illness.

Actually, I knew he heard the doorbell ring that time, too. He was just busy with his affair, too lazy to open the door for me and didn't care if I caught a cold.

In the past, I always clung to the hope that one day he would see my grievances and my endurance. This time, I held no more expectations for him.

However, it was already 4 a.m. Only two more days until my freedom.

I placed the cake box by the door, then turned and walked away without the slightest hesitation.

The next day, August opened the door with a furrowed brow. "Where were you last night?"

I looked at the untouched cake at the doorway. "I couldn't get in, so I spent the night in the hospital duty room."

"Do you really think I'd believe that?" He squinted his eyes. "If you don't want to come home, then don't come back at all. Wanda likes the master bedroom anyway, so you can move out today."

"Okay," I answered decisively.

August's frown deepened almost imperceptibly. After a pause, he picked up the cake from the floor and shoved it into my hands. "Wanda and I are going out. You can have this."

After they left, I threw the cake into the trash bin.

Walking into the master bedroom, my gaze swept over the wedding photo on the wall.

Six years ago, August had pointed at a mermaid-style wedding dress in a shop window and said, "Baby, you'll look so beautiful in that I can't take my eyes off you."

So, when we took our wedding photos, I deliberately chose that style. Sadly, the groom didn't look at me once.

I took a deep breath and put down the photo frame. Since I had decided to leave, I wouldn't leave a single trace behind.

After packing up, I went out with the divorce papers.

When I returned in the evening, August kicked the trash bin right in front of me. "What do you mean by this?" he demanded coldly.

I glanced at the cake, spilt all over the floor and said calmly, "I'm allergic to mango."

"How would I not kn … " August's words cut off abruptly and his pupils widened sharply.

At this point, he suddenly remembered.

Once, when I accidentally ate a mango, he had carried me on his back, rushing through the rainy night for three blocks.

While waiting for me to get my stomach pumped, his face was more frightening than mine, the patient's.

It's just that he hadn't cared for so long that he had forgotten.

August took a deep breath and asked again, "Where's the wedding photo?"

"I took it down."

"Why?"

"Doesn't Wanda want to sleep in the master bedroom?" I retorted calmly. "Wouldn't she feel uncomfortable seeing it?"

His expression grew complicated. "You didn't need to go that far."

The corner of my lips couldn't help but curl into a mocking smile. What things hadn't he forced me to do that were far worse than taking down a wedding photo?

Just then, the TV suddenly broadcast an entertainment news segment. "The president of the Carter Enterprise has booked the cross-sea bridge to host a grand fashion show celebrating the birthday of an unknown model, sparking speculation about their relationship."

He stood up abruptly. "Don't listen to that nonsense. It was just Wanda's birthday wish."

"Birthday wish?" I questioned, my eyelashes trembling slightly. "Then do you still remember the wish you made on my birthday?"

Six years ago, on my birthday, we could only afford a discounted cake nearing its expiration date.

When I blew out the candles, he borrowed a wish from me. "From now on, every year, August Carter will throw Eleanor Yager the grandest birthday party ever!"

But for the next five years, he never celebrated my birthday with me again.

Hence, birthday wishes really don't come true if you say them aloud.

"What?"

Looking into his bewildered eyes, I suddenly felt utterly exhausted. "Nothing."

I turned to leave, but he grabbed my wrist. "You should come tomorrow too. Consider it a chance to relax."

I found it bitterly ironic. August had forgotten the promise he made to me, yet he wanted me to witness him fulfill it for someone else.

I smiled wryly and pulled my hand back forcefully. "That's unnecessary."

Alas, he wouldn't accept my refusal. "It's settled."

The next afternoon, the stylists arrived right on time. I let them doll me up like a puppet.

After all, once tonight was over, everything would end.

When I arrived at the cross-sea bridge, it was already dark, yet the bridge was as bright as day.

My phone vibrated, so I moved away from the crowd to a quiet corner.

"Your information and traces have all been wiped clean," Dr. Lockhe said, his voice was deep and sharp. "Come directly to the south parking lot when you're done."

"Thank you." I suddenly felt a long-lost sense of excitement.

"You're welcome," Adrian Lockhe chuckled lightly. "See you there."

Just as I hung up the phone, August's cold voice suddenly rang out behind me. "Who are you agreeing to 'see there' with?"

My back stiffened and I slowly turned around. I tried my best to keep my voice steady as I said, "I have a follow-up appointment."

August's gaze was piercing, making sweat almost bead on my forehead. "Troublesome," he urged impatiently, "Hurry up, the show's about to start."

Wanda was just an unknown model, yet tonight she was the center of attention. Thanks to August's devotion, the cross-sea bridge was closed for her and the industry's elite gathered in her honor.

That girl made her grand entrance in a haute couture gown, her smile radiant and dazzling. Then, August stepped onto the stage and tenderly placed a priceless necklace around her neck.

Whispered discussions rustled from behind me.

"Mr. Carter is really devoted to Miss Yates!"

"Shh! Mrs. Carter is here!"

"Why is she here, too? Isn't she embarrassed?"

"I heard she just had a baby. Isn't this a slap in the face?"

"So what if she had a baby? She's still not favored!"

If this were the past, those words would have cut me to the bone, but now I listened indifferently, just hoping the event would end quickly.

"Dr. Yager, you really have plenty of free time!" someone called me out.

Soon, Wanda appeared behind me. Her voice dripped with triumphant smugness. "August never threw a show like this for you, did he?"

I gave a faint nod, but she scorned at me instead, "Don't pretend it doesn't matter. August couldn't care less."

Afterward, she instantly lowered her voice. "He doesn't care about you or your child."

My hand clenched the railing so hard my knuckles turned white. I no longer cared about August, but my child was my bottom line.

"Don't you dare mention him," I warned coldly.

Too bad, Wanda only grew more aggressive. "Not only will I mention him, but in the future I will also …

She then laughed maliciously, "Care to guess?"

Slap!

A resounding slap landed across her face.

So many cameras flash at once to capture the moment and the surroundings fall abruptly silent.

In the next second, August rushed over to shield Wanda. "Eleanor! Have you lost your mind?"

"I warned her not to mention my child," I replied coldly.

He frowned, lowering his voice. "Apologize to her immediately. She's not like you; she's a public figure. Her reputation matters."

I stared straight at him. "So, for the sake of a reputation everyone knows belongs to a mistress, you can sacrifice me?"

The crowd erupted in an uproar, whispers rising around us.

Wanda gritted her teeth in hatred. Her eyes shifted and she suddenly clutched her chest. "August, my heart … it hurts so much."

August immediately panicked. "Don't worry, I'll take you to the hospital right away!"

He turned and ordered his assistant, "Go bring the child!"

After the car drove for a while, he suddenly felt something was wrong. When he told them to bring the child, I only looked at him quietly and didn't try to stop them.

A sense of unease, stronger than ever, gripped him. He couldn't help but yell, "Turn around!"

The driver froze, hesitating, "Mr. Carter, aren't we taking Miss Yates to the hospital?"

"August, what's wrong?" Wanda asked in a weak voice.

That man gritted his teeth. "Stop the car. Take her to the hospital first."

With that, he leaped out of the car and sprinted toward the cross-sea bridge. But when he returned, breathless and panting, I was nowhere to be seen on the bridge.

Just then, his phone rang.

"August, the person you sent to pick up the child has arrived."

"Grandma?" He grabbed onto the call like it was his lifeline. "Do you know where Eleanor is?"

"I don't know," Julie's voice sounded weary. "What I need to tell you is … that child ... was gone from the moment it was born."

In the south parking lot, a black car had been waiting for a long time.

I looked back once at the brilliantly lit cross-sea bridge, then got into the car without a second thought.

The engine roared to life, carrying me away as I completely said goodbye to the past.