The woman stood up with a smile. "Mrs. Cooper was here first, so she should choose first. I'll wait outside."

She turned and said softly, "Shawn, Sharon, let's go."

Shawn lingered, still staring at Steven with a trace of confusion in his eyes. Sharon, her eyes brimming with tears, looked back at every step until her mother finally picked her up and carried her away.

The VIP room fell into an eerie silence. Even the once-enthusiastic store clerks stood frozen, too afraid to utter a word.

Breaking the silence, Lucy smiled. "Why is everyone so quiet? Am I that terrifying?"

The store manager let out an awkward chuckle. "Of course not. We just worry these styles might not be to your liking."

"I like them. I'll take this one. Do you have a plain band for me to try on for size?"

"Yes, absolutely. I'll bring it right away."

The clerks quickly filed out, leaving only Steven and Lucy in the room.

The stillness was almost tangible—so quiet that even a needle dropping to the floor would have been deafening.

Bzzz—

Steven's phone vibrated.

He didn't move.

A few seconds later, it rang outright.

Lucy, flipping through a catalog in boredom, spoke without looking up. "Why aren't you answering? What if it's something important from work?"

After a brief hesitation, Steven picked up his phone and stood. "I'll take this outside. I'll be back soon."

"Mm."

He left quickly.

Almost the moment the door shut behind him, Lucy's own phone vibrated.

A text from an unknown number.

[Mrs. Cooper, come to the underground parking lot. You'll find what you want to know.]

She didn't take the elevator.

Instead, she walked down the stairs to basement level one.

From a distance, she could already hear Steven's voice, sharp with anger. "How many times have I told you? Don't show up in front of Lucy. Do you not understand?"

A woman's voice, choked with tears, answered. "I understand. But the children don't. They just miss their daddy. Especially Sharon—she's been crying so much her voice is hoarse. Do you know how much that hurts me as a mother?"

Sharon didn't understand the undercurrents between the adults. She only knew that her parents seemed to be fighting.

With a wail, Sharon burst into tears. "Daddy, don't fight with Mommy! It's all my fault! It's because I'm bad…"

Her sobs doused Steven's anger like a sudden downpour.

Kneeling, he carefully pulled her into his arms, using the softest part of his sleeve to wipe her tears. "It's not your fault, Sharon. Don't cry."

Shawn asked outright, "Dad, why did you say you don't know us? Is it because of that lady with you? Who is she?"

Steven took a deep breath. "I have my reasons."

Shawn, stubborn and unwilling to let things go, pressed further. "You're always not home with us and Mommy. Is it because you're with her? Is she a mistress?"

His response was immediate. "She's not."

His tone toward the woman turned cold. "Where did he learn that word? Did you teach him?"

Tears spilled down the woman's face as she covered her mouth. "Shawn and Sharon have grown up without their father around. Their teachers say they're more sensitive than other children. Is it so strange that they understand things beyond their years?"

At that, Sharon's cries grew louder. "Daddy, the kids at school say I don't have a dad. I tell them I do, but they've never seen you, so they don't believe me. No matter what I say, they just laugh at me…"

Shawn didn't cry, but his voice tightened with emotion. "Daddy, I learned the word from TV. There was a kid whose father was never home because he had another woman outside. The show called her a mistress."

Steven's expression shifted.

The anger in his eyes dulled, replaced by something heavier. Guilt.

From the shadows, Lucy observed it all, taking in every flicker of emotion on his face.

No matter what he felt for that woman—love, convenience, obligation—the children were undeniably his.

And as a father, how could he not be moved by their accusations?

Sure enough, Steven crouched down, pulling both children into his arms. His voice softened. "Daddy's been busy with work, that's why I haven't been around. But next time there's a school event, I'll be there. I promise."

Shawn eyed him suspiciously. "Really?"

Steven nodded firmly. "Really. I'll make sure all your classmates know you have a daddy."

Sharon clung to his neck, rocking side to side. "Daddy, come with Mommy too! The other kids' parents go together. And Daddy, you have to hold Mommy when we play games!"

Lucy lifted her head slightly.

She wanted to hear his response.

Steven didn't even hesitate. "Okay, Daddy and Mommy will go together."

Sharon beamed. "And Daddy has to hold Mommy!"

A warm smile spread across Steven's face. "Alright, Daddy will hold Mommy."

Lucy had heard enough.

She turned and left.

Back at the jewelry store, the VIP room was empty.

She picked up her bag and walked out.

The store manager noticed and hurried after her. "Mrs. Cooper, have you decided on the rings?"

Lucy smiled. "From now on, don't call me Mrs. Cooper."

The manager let out a nervous chuckle. "But… you are Mrs. Cooper."

Bzzz—

Her phone vibrated again.

The same unknown number.

[The ring you picked? Steven already promised it to me. The designer will engrave our initials on the inside. It's lasting and unchangeable, just like what between me and Steven. My initials will be on his ring. We have two children already. Sooner or later, Steven will leave you for us.]

Lucy typed only five words in reply.

[I don't want him anymore.]

Stepping into the home she had lived in for six years, Lucy felt an eerie sense of detachment, as if she had stepped into a distant past that no longer belonged to her.

But she had no time to dwell on sentimentality. In half a month, Camille would arrange for the accident at sea. There was still much to prepare.

First, a ticket.

If she booked a flight under her name, Steven would undoubtedly track her down.

So, she grabbed her ID and headed out.

As she passed through the living room, her mother-in-law was scrolling through her phone. Out of the corner of her eye, Lucy caught a glimpse of the screen—it was filled with children's toys.

She was probably picking out gifts for Shawn and Sharon for Children's Day.

Noticing her passing by, the older woman quickly locked her screen. "Lucy, are you heading out?"

Lucy nodded. "Just running some errands."

"Why don't you wait for Steven to come home? He can drive you."

"No need. He has more important things to handle. I wouldn't want to trouble him."

Right now, he was likely enjoying domestic bliss with his beloved wife and children.

A son and a daughter—the perfect little family.

They were the real family.

Lucy hailed a cab to the local office and handed over her documents. "Hello, I'd like to change my name."

The clerk glanced at her, then gently advised, "Miss, are you sure? Changing your name means updating your bank accounts, phone records, academic certificates—everything. It's quite a hassle. Besides, your name is already quite lovely."

Lucy smiled. "Please, just process it."

Seeing her resolve, the clerk nodded. "Alright. Here's a form—please fill it out."

She completed it carefully, pausing at the section for "New Name."

After a moment's thought, she wrote: Alina Eira

With her new identity, she would be far away from Steven, from all their memories.

Once the name change was processed, she immediately applied for a passport under her new identity. Then, using it, she booked a flight to Iceland.

When the "Ticket Purchased Successfully" confirmation appeared on her phone, a wave of relief washed over her.

It was finally coming to an end.

Turns out, giving up wasn't that hard after all.

By the time she returned home, Steven's voice was thundering through the house. "Keep searching! If anything happens to Lucy, you'll answer to me!"

The entire villa was eerily silent.

His rage hadn't subsided. "Why are you all just standing there? Go! Find her!"

His mother tried to calm him. "Getting worked up won't help. It's a lawful society. Nothing bad will happen."

"Mom, I don't care! I'm going to look for her myself."

Just as his staff rushed out, they ran straight into Lucy.

Leading the charge was Steven's assistant.

Seeing her, the man nearly wept with relief. "Madam, where have you been? Mr. Cooper has been losing his mind!"

The household staff chimed in. "Yes, Madam! If you hadn't come back, he would have turned Hartemis City upside down looking for you!"

Before Lucy could respond, she was pulled into a crushing embrace.

Steven's grip was suffocating, his arms so tight around her that she could barely breathe.

"Lucy, where did you go? I searched everywhere, the jewelry store, home—Mom said you went out, but you didn't tell me anything. Were you trying to scare me to death?"

Lucy pushed against him. "Let go."

"I won't!" His possessiveness was absolute. "Lucy, what's wrong? You've been acting strange lately…"

"It's just hormones. Mood swings."

"That's not right. Your cycle isn't due until the end of the month."

"It came early."

Steven finally exhaled, loosening his hold. "Lucy, next time you go anywhere, just tell me. I'll go with you. Don't ever disappear like this again."

She turned her face away, unwilling to meet his gaze. "I just needed some air. It's nothing."

Her mother-in-law, watching from the side, sneered, "Exactly. She's a grown woman. What could possibly happen to her? You don't need to hover over her every second—there are other people who need your attention, too."

Steven frowned. "Mom, stop."

Lucy let out a soft chuckle. "She's right. You should focus on your priorities. No need to keep me company."

"How could I not? I promised I'd always be with you."

She tilted her head, eyes glinting. "Then how about this—on June 1st, when you go on that business trip, I'll go with you?"

Steven stiffened.

He let out a dry laugh. "Didn't you say you didn't want to go?"

"I changed my mind. Thought I'd go to Maldove and watch fish."

His expression turned unnatural. "Lucy, I—"

"I'm joking." She laughed lightly. "I already said I wouldn't go. Focus on your work."

She pushed him away and walked inside.

Behind her, she heard him sigh in visible relief.

"Lucy," he called after her, "our wedding anniversary is in two weeks. What do you want? I need to make it up to you."

"I don't want anything."

"That's not an option. It's our most important day."

She smiled faintly. "Didn't you already buy me a pair of rings? Where are they? Let me see."

Silence.

He had bought them.

But in the end, they weren't for her.

They were for the mother of his two children.

Just then, her phone rang.

Lucy answered. "Hey, Camille."

"Lucy, I've arranged the rescue boat for you. Everything is secure—you don't have to worry."

She wasn't far from Steven. And he had heard every word.

His brows furrowed. "Rescue boat? What rescue boat?"

"Camille invited me to go boating in the park. I told her I was afraid of the water, that I didn't want to go. She went through the trouble of arranging a rescue boat anyway," Lucy replied.

Steven laughed. "What's so special about boating in the park? Someday, I will take you out to sea on a yacht."

Lucy gave a quiet nod.

There was no "someday."

Whatever they had built over the past ten years would come to an end on their wedding anniversary this year.

"I'm tired. I'm going to bed."

"I'll come with you—"

"No need. I haven't been sleeping well. I want to sleep alone in the guest room."

Steven watched her silhouette fade into the distance. A strange unease crept into his chest.

Something about Lucy had changed. She seemed indifferent to everything now, including him.

Even if it was because of her period, she had never acted like this before. Not once.

Was it because of the children? Had she realized something?

Steven took out his phone and dialed a number.

The call connected quickly. A woman's voice came through. "Darling…"

"Marilyn, you're my secretary. Watch your words."

On the other end, Marilyn let out a soft sigh, then corrected herself. "Mr. Cooper."

His voice was cold. "Be more careful from now on. You and the children cannot be exposed yet."

Marilyn's voice trembled as she started crying. "I've been hiding for five years. I never wanted to expose anything."

"If that's true, why did you take the children to see Lucy today? I warned you. She can't see you, and she definitely can't see the children."

"It wasn't me," she said, her voice shaking. "It was the kids. They kept crying to see their father. Steven, I don't care if you don't love me, but Shawn and Sharon—they are your children. They need a father."

Steven fell silent.

When it came to the children, he had nothing to say.

"This is my last warning," he said. "Lucy must never find out about you or the kids. Other than that, I'll give you whatever you need."

"I understand," Marilyn whispered. Then, hesitantly, "Can you spend more time with me? I've followed you for so long, nameless, invisible. It's not just the kids who feel wronged. I do too."

"I'll try." Steven sighed. "Get their things ready. The wind in Maldove is strong. Make sure they don't catch a cold."

"Don't worry. Everything's packed. They're so happy. This year, their daddy will finally spend Children's Day with them."

At the same time, in the master bedroom, Lucy was packing.

Her phone buzzed with a message from Marilyn.

This time, it was a recording.

She tapped it.

The first second, she knew.

It was Steven's voice.

His voice was gentle. He told her to pack the children's things. He was worried about the strong winds in Maldove.

A father's love was as deep as the ocean, huh?

Lucy set down the phone and continued packing.

But the messages didn't stop. They came one after another.

[Steven already agreed. From now on, he'll spend every Children's Day with them.]

[The four of us are going to Maldove together!]

[What are you still holding onto? Do you plan to guard that empty title of 'Mrs. Cooper' until you die?]

[Because of you, the children have grown up without a father. The other kids in kindergarten call them bastards. Can you really bear that?]

The phone kept vibrating.

Lucy switched it off.

When Steven walked in, she had already packed all her clothes, neatly stacked in the corner.

He frowned. "Lucy, why are you packing?"

"You're just in time." She picked up a small, beautifully wrapped box and handed it to him.

Steven smiled. "A gift for me?"

"Yes. Open it on our anniversary."

He shook the box gently. It was small, delicate. "Jewelry?"

"Mhm."

Her wedding ring.

Steven never gave her the ring he promised for their anniversary, but she had one for him.

She was returning it now.

Along with everything else—the years, the love, the sincerity.

Steven was completely oblivious, of course. He looked genuinely happy. "Thank you, honey. After this business trip, our anniversary will be just around the corner. I'll make sure to spend it with you."

Lucy smiled.

She didn't say a word.

By then, the anniversary he would be celebrating would be the news of her death.