Time seemed to slip by quickly. Over the past several days, Sebastian and Christian had barely been home, always busy spending time with Lucy.

One morning, Bianca received a call from the agency handling her fake death, asking her to come in and sign some paperwork.

She gathered her things and was just about to leave the house when Christian, who hadn't been home in ages, suddenly showed up and blocked her way.

"Mommy, where are you going?" he asked.

"I just have some things to take care of. I'll be back soon," Bianca replied, trying to step around him, but Christian clung tightly to her leg.

"Don't go, Mommy. I want to go to the mall and pick out a new toy. Will you come with me?"

Before Bianca could react, Christian had already dragged her out to the car.

Later, the car sped down the road and soon pulled up in front of a large shopping mall.

As soon as they stopped, Bianca looked out the window and noticed two lines of employees standing at the entrance, as if they were waiting for someone.

The moment she stepped out, she was immediately surrounded by armfuls of purple wisteria and cheerful employees.

"Happy birthday, Mrs. Lowe!" they called out in unison.

Confetti rained down as the massive digital screen at the mall lit up with a message. "Happy 30th Birthday, Bianca Lane!"

Stunned and speechless, Bianca was swept into the mall by the enthusiastic crowd.

Onlookers outside the mall watched with envy and amazement.

"Wow. Mr. Lowe really loves his wife," someone whispered.

"I heard he ordered the whole mall to close two weeks in advance just to set up this surprise for Mrs. Lowe," another chimed in.

"That's right! Word is, Mr. Lowe picked out a super expensive gift for Mrs. Lowe. I wish I could catch a glimpse! And their son even helped plan the whole thing!"

"What a picture-perfect family." Someone sighed.

All the gushing and gossip drifted into Bianca's ears, but she showed no expression. The bitterness inside her was hers alone to bear.

Inside the grand atrium, a warm spotlight lit the stage where Sebastian stood, dignified and polished, waiting at the end of a red carpet.

When Sebastian caught sight of Bianca, his whole demeanor softened. He came down from the stage, took her hand, and dropped to one knee.

"Bianca, happy birthday. I love you," he said, his voice filled with sincerity.

The entire mall erupted in cheers.

"Bianca, I know Christian and I upset you before, so we're truly sorry. Today is your birthday. Can you forgive us?" Sebastian said, glancing at her hopefully.

Christian tugged at Bianca's sleeve, looking up at her with wide, apologetic eyes. "Please don't be mad, Mommy. Daddy and I have been planning this surprise for weeks. Happy birthday, Mommy. Please forgive us."

Standing there, Bianca felt a wave of sorrow wash over her. They didn't understand that some things, once broken, could never truly be fixed.

Seeing she was still silent, Sebastian reached into his jacket and slowly opened a small gift box. Under the lights, a dazzling gold heart-shaped locket sparkled, adorned with vibrant emeralds and rubies that caught every glimmer.

People in the crowd gasped with admiration.

"No way! That's the Celestis Heart locket! It's breathtaking!"

"I heard it's one of a kind. Mr. Lowe found it in a private collection in Valedale and paid a fortune! They say whoever receives the Celestis Heart locket will find love that never fades!"

"I'm so jealous! Mr. Lowe really went all out for her."

Yet despite all the excitement, Bianca remained unmoved. No matter how rare or extravagant the gift, her heart had already gone cold. There was no turning back.

A hush spread as everyone realized Bianca hadn't responded, and a quiet wave of confusion rippled through the crowd.

Just then, a soft yet cool voice called out, "Sebastian."

A tall, elegant woman appeared at the entrance.

Lucy walked into the mall, her long, dark hair cascading down her shoulders, and her red lips vivid against her elegant white coat.

Sebastian and Christian glanced up, their faces flashing briefly with surprise and delight. Christian's excitement nearly made him shout her name, but Sebastian quickly covered his mouth.

All eyes turned to Lucy as she calmly approached Bianca.

"What a lovely locket," Lucy remarked with admiration, staring at the golden Celestis Heart locket in Bianca's hands.

The employees exchanged puzzled glances. After all, Sebastian had specifically reserved the entire mall and strictly forbidden entry to anyone who wasn't invited. And yet, Lucy not only showed up, but she even had the nerve to speak to Bianca with that smug attitude.

Everyone held their breath, unsure how to react.

"You're so lucky, Mrs. Lowe," Lucy said sweetly. "This locket is incredibly rare. I heard Mr. Lowe spent billions to get it for you. He must truly love you."

Her words sounded complimentary, but Bianca heard the thinly veiled sarcasm. She remained expressionless, refusing to engage.

Lucy turned gracefully, her voice now inquisitive. "I heard Mr. Lowe upset you. Is that why you're unhappy?"

Sebastian's face darkened, but before he could speak, Lucy cut him off. "Mrs. Lowe, please don't stay mad. I'm here to apologize for Mr. Lowe. Actually, the night before, he was with me..."

She paused deliberately, letting her words hang in the air.

Gasps of disbelief rippled through the crowd, eyes wide with shock.

"...and several colleagues, working on a new project," Lucy finished, causing everyone to breathe a sigh of relief.

Of course, Sebastian wouldn't betray his beloved wife.

Lucy laughed lightly. "Mrs. Lowe, don't be so petty. Give Mr. Lowe a bit of space."

All eyes shifted expectantly toward Bianca, awaiting her reaction.

In the corner, Sebastian's expression turned grim as Lucy quietly stepped closer to him while everyone's attention was on Bianca.

"What do you think you're doing here?" Sebastian hissed fiercely.

Lucy leaned seductively toward him, her voice low and enticing. "I was just worried that things might not be going well between you and Mrs. Lowe, so..."

As she spoke, Lucy discreetly slipped her hand into Sebastian's jacket.

Feeling his response, she smirked softly, boldly guiding his hand beneath her own coat, whispering provocatively, "...I came to cheer you up."

Sebastian's eyes darkened with desire. "You're playing with fire," he growled quietly.

He gripped her firmly, quickly glancing around before touching her more boldly. Lucy blushed, struggling to hold back the soft sounds escaping her lips.

Finally, Sebastian pulled his hand away and acted as if nothing had happened.

On stage, Bianca had seen every move. Her nails dug deep into her palm, unaware of the blood trickling down her fingers.

"Mr. Lowe, put the locket on Mrs. Lowe! We'd love to see how beautiful it looks on her," an employee called cheerfully, breaking the tension. Others echoed their approval.

Seizing the moment, Sebastian stepped forward, gently lifting the locket and gazing lovingly at Bianca. "Let me put this on you, honey."

Just as he moved to fasten the necklace, Bianca suddenly stepped back, visibly repulsed.

Confused whispers filled the audience. Never had they seen Bianca openly reject Sebastian like this. What exactly did Sebastian do to make her this angry?

In the awkward silence, Lucy's clear voice rang out again. "Mrs. Lowe, you're so difficult to please."

Sebastian froze.

With a soft laugh, Lucy continued, "Mrs. Lowe, if you don't want this beautiful locket, maybe you could pass it on to me. My fiance and I are getting married soon, and it would make such a lovely gift. Would you be willing to?"

Sebastian shot Lucy a dangerous look, warning her silently.

But Lucy ignored him, putting on a pitiful act. "My fiance can't openly show his love for certain reasons, but he gives me everything. So, Mr. and Mrs. Lowe, could you please give me this locket?"

Lucy suddenly took Bianca's hand, pleading dramatically. Bianca stared at her coldly, wary of whatever game Lucy was playing.

Sebastian finally snapped, his voice tense with anger, "Ms. Hart, this locket is my wife's birthday gift. Know your place and leave, now."

Lucy suddenly fell to her knees, tears streaming down her face. "Bianca, please! Let me have it!"

The crowd murmured, shocked and confused. Some condemned Lucy's audacity, others criticized Bianca's arrogance.

Meanwhile, Bianca clearly heard Christian's inner thoughts. "I feel so bad for Lucy. How could Mommy be so petty over a locket? Why did she have to make Lucy beg like that? I hate Mommy."

Bianca stared in disbelief at Christian. He hated her just because she wouldn't give Lucy the locket. Was this really the boy who once cherished her above everything?

Sebastian stepped protectively in front of Bianca and snapped, "Lucy, who do you think you are? How dare you ask for something that belongs to my wife? Get out of here now!"

Stunned by Sebastian's fierce reaction, Lucy trembled, her eyes welling with tears. "Sebastian..."

"Get out!" Sebastian roared, cutting her off harshly.

Lucy stared at Sebastian in disbelief. She scrambled to her feet, sobbing as she ran from the scene.

Sebastian watched silently as Lucy disappeared, then turned gently toward Bianca, placing the locket in her hand. His voice softened as he said, "Honey, this is yours. No one else has the right to take it away from you."

Bianca responded coldly, "Understood."

Cheers erupted around them, streamers filling the air as everyone celebrated the apparent reconciliation, wishing Bianca a happy birthday.

However, Sebastian stood quietly in the corner, distracted.

As the celebration ended and people dispersed, Sebastian's phone buzzed nonstop. He ignored it, but seemed restless.

Just before they reached their car, Sebastian hesitated, quickly glanced at his phone, and said apologetically, "Honey, something urgent came up at work. I have to go."

Hearing that, Bianca remained silent.

Interpreting her silence as agreement, Sebastian quickly turned and left without looking back.

Halfway home, Bianca suddenly realized she'd left something behind at the mall and told the driver to turn around.

Just as the car stopped again at the entrance, her phone buzzed with a new message.

It was an explicit video. The main characters were unmistakably Sebastian and Lucy.

Lucy sat provocatively on the edge of the sink in the restroom, her reflection clearly visible in the large mirror as Sebastian stood in front of her, tangled passionately.

"Go easy... I can't take it," Lucy moaned breathlessly.

"You had no problem teasing me earlier, but now you can't handle it?"

The phone slipped from Bianca's trembling fingers, hitting the floor sharply.

The restroom in the video was from this mall.

Lucy, dressed in black lace lingerie, had her legs wrapped around Sebastian's waist. Their faces flushed, bodies damp with sweat.

Breathless with desire, Lucy whispered seductively, "Sebastian, who's better? Bianca or me?"

After a brief pause, Sebastian's voice, heavy with lust, replied, "You, of course. Bianca's too boring in bed. You're much more fun."

Lucy laughed triumphantly.

Once they finished, Sebastian reached behind Lucy and fastened a necklace around her neck.

Seeing this, Bianca's eyes widened in shock. It was the Celestis Heart locket he'd just gifted her moments earlier.

"This is for you," Sebastian murmured tenderly. "Next time, don't ask in front of everyone. If you want something, just tell me privately."

Lucy smiled in delight. "But how will you explain this to her?"

"I'll just give her a fake one," Sebastian replied casually.

Outside the restroom, Bianca clenched her fists so tightly that her fingertips turned white. She leaned against the wall and slid down slowly, her chest tightening so painfully she could barely breathe.

She stumbled forward aimlessly, only to find Christian standing nervously nearby.

He visibly panicked at the sight of her. "Mommy? Why are you here?"

Bianca stared at Christian and asked coldly, "Why are YOU here? Didn't you say you were going home?"

Christian stammered nervously, "I... I was using the restroom."

His obvious lie made Bianca's already crumbling heart grow even colder.

Then, clearly and painfully, Christian's inner thoughts reached her. "Daddy told me to guard the restroom door and make sure Mommy doesn't see him with Lucy."

Bianca felt her breath catch, her fingernails digging sharply into her palm. The boy she'd lovingly raised was now lying to her.

She recalled how Christian had once sworn passionately, "I'll never lie or make Mommy sad like the main character in the storybook. I love Mommy the most, and I'll always protect her."

Remembering this, Bianca's eyes turned red. Holding back her tears, she looked at Christian and said, "Christian, tell me honestly. Are you hiding anything from me?"

He froze for a split second, doubt flickering through his eyes as he wondered if Bianca had figured it out.

But then, he stubbornly answered, "Of course not. I told you, I'd never lie to you."

A shudder went through Bianca's body, and she turned away abruptly, walking home, numb and shattered.

She sat motionless in the empty house for an entire day and night. Then, she stood and lit a large fire in the living room, burning every gift and piece of clothing she'd ever lovingly made for Sebastian and Christian, along with every family photo hanging on the walls.

Flames danced brightly, consuming smiling faces.

Bianca remembered her birthday five years ago. Sebastian and Christian had both rushed to give her their gifts, nearly getting into a fight over it. In the end, Christian lost and burst into tears.

Four years ago, when Christian finally won a gold medal in the Math Olympiad, he and Sebastian gave Bianca a big surprise. She was so overwhelmed with joy that she burst into tears.

Those joyful moments were vivid, but now, they were meaningless ashes.

The fire roared, and thick smoke billowed through the air.

Finally, Bianca pulled the heaviest thing from the safe—seven thousand handwritten love letters Sebastian had written when pursuing her.

Back then, he wrote her a love letter every single day for six years, never missing a day.

Without hesitation, she threw them into the flames. Thick smoke filled the entire house.

Suddenly, the front door burst open.

"Honey?"

"Mommy!"

Sebastian and Christian rushed in, shocked.

"What are you doing?" Sebastian shouted.