“Sign here.” Yvonne flipped the papers to the last page, hiding the content on the first few pages as she handed them to Justin. Her voice was so soft that it was almost inaudible.

Justin glanced at it, assuming it was just another request for jewelry or property. He wanted to end the farce as quickly as possible, so he signed without a second thought.

Once it was done, he looked up. “Sophia’s not in good health, and no one is at her place to take care of her. She’ll need to stay here for a few days.”

Yvonne nodded numbly. “As you wish.”

She took the papers and left without looking back.

…

At the law firm, the lawyer carefully checked the divorce agreement and nodded. “The signature is valid, Ms. Johansson. After about a month, your marriage with Mr. Quinn will be legally dissolved.”

Yvonne gripped the papers so tightly her fingertips turned white.

Finally… it was about to end.

…

That evening, when Yvonne returned to the villa, the living room was filled with laughter.

Sophia sat on the couch with Milton and Travis on either side, leaning against her as she told them a story.

“And in the end, the prince kissed the princess awake, and they lived happily ever after.” Sophia gently stroked the two children’s heads.

Milton looked up. “Ms. Shaw, you’re so much gentler than our mom.”

Travis nodded. “I wish you could be our mom…”

Yvonne stood frozen at the doorway. Her chest felt as though it had been stabbed. She kept her face blank and headed upstairs to take a shower in the guest bathroom. The warm water washed over her body but could not chase away the chill in her heart.

She closed her eyes and told herself that she did not have to worry. That wish of theirs would soon come true.

She had barely settled into bed when the mattress dipped on the other side. Justin had finished his shower and climbed in beside her.

Yvonne faced away from him, completely still.

Suddenly, he leaned over, wrapping an arm around her waist. His lips brushed the back of her neck. She froze for a moment, then shoved him away sharply!

Justin frowned.“You’ve gotten your compensation. Your brother didn’t suffer any serious harm. How long are you planning to make a scene?”

When Yvonne was about to speak, there was a knock on the door. Milton’s little head peeked in. “Dad! The weather forecast said there’s going to be a thunderstorm tonight! Didn’t you say Ms. Shaw is scared of thunder?”

Travis squeezed in behind him. “Dad, come keep Ms. Shaw company! She’s scared!”

Justin glanced at the darkening sky outside and got up without hesitation. Before he left, he tossed a single sentence over his shoulder, “You’ll be sleeping alone tonight.”

The door was not fully closed, and from the next room came the faint sound of laughter.

“Justin, you’re here?” Sophia’s voice was gentle.

“Dad! The story Ms. Shaw told us was so good!” Milton exclaimed.

Travis whined, “Dad, can Ms. Shaw stay here forever?”

Justin gave a soft laugh. “Alright.”

Yvonne lay in bed, listening to their laughter. She slowly closed her eyes.

…

The next morning, when Yvonne went downstairs, the kitchen was filled with cheerful chatter.

Justin stood at the counter with an apron on, his long fingers gripping a spatula. Sophia was beside him, leaning in to catch the aroma from time to time. Her eyes curved into crescents.

Milton and Travis gathered around their legs, looking up and chattering nonstop.

“Justin, I didn’t expect you to still remember the food I like after all these years.” Sophia’s voice was gentle, carrying a hint of emotion in her voice.

Justin glanced at her. He had never shown Yvonne such gentleness. “Not a single moment forgotten.”

He plated the sunny-side-up eggs and pushed them toward her. “Try it. See if it tastes different.”

Sophia took a bite. Her brows and eyes relaxed. “Even better than before.”

Milton immediately raised his hand. “Ms. Shaw, I’ll cook for you when Dad’s busy!”

Travis bounced along, “Me too! I’ll make it even better than Dad!”

Sophia laughed and ruffled the boys’ hair. Even Justin’s normally stern features softened with a smile as he watched them.

Yvonne stood at the top of the stairs. She gave a wry, self-mocking smile. Justin was born with a silver spoon and had been living in luxury, while their two sons were pampered and fussy. All these years, they had kept her diligently running the household.

Yet…

Even someone like Justin, whose hands had never touched kitchen equipment before, could cook for the one he loved. Even children as spoiled and demanding as Milton and Travis could behave with such consideration.

Yvonne had always been humble and servile in front of them, while they willingly bent for Sophia. The one who loved more was always left utterly defeated.

Justin turned around with breakfast in hand and finally saw Yvonne.

“You're awake?” His voice was calm. “We’re heading out soon. I had no time to make you anything, so you’ll have to cook for yourself.”

Yvonne did not say a word. She knew it was not that he did not have time. He had just wanted to focus on cooking for Sophia.

The aroma wafting from the kitchen twisted her stomach, but she said nothing. Quietly, she walked over and made herself a simple bowl of oats.

After breakfast, Justin and Sophia were taking the two kids to the amusement park.

Milton suddenly shouted and grabbed them. “Wait! We have something for you!”

Milton and Travis raced upstairs and came down a moment later, each holding a matching T-shirt. Anyone could tell at a glance that they were wearing matching family outfits.

Sophia hesitated for a moment. “Uh… is this really appropriate?”

Milton looked up at her with a stubborn expression. “But to us, you’re our mom.”

Justin ruffled his son’s hair and said to Sophia, “The kids are being silly. Just go along with them this once.”

Sophia nodded as her cheeks tinged pink.

The four of them changed into matching outfits and stood together.

Justin and Sophia wore navy T-shirts, while Milton and Travis had the miniature versions. All of their shirts had a cartoon design on the chest that read: [Mom & Dad love their little ones.]

Sophia suddenly glanced at Yvonne. “Yvonne, why don’t you come too?”

Yvonne shook her head. “No, thanks.”

“But you are their mother… It wouldn’t be right if you didn’t come.” Sophia stepped closer and, without waiting for an answer, grabbed her hand. “Come on. A family should stick together.”

Yvonne was pulled into the car against her will.

The amusement park was crowded and noisy. The four of them in matching outfits made a striking enough scene to draw constant attention.

A young girl blushed and approached, asking for a photo. For once, Justin did not refuse.

“Your wife is gorgeous!” The girl looked at Sophia with admiration. “And the kids are so adorable!”

Justin did not deny it. Sophia lowered her gaze shyly, and Milton and Travis puffed up proudly.

Yvonne followed behind them like an invisible ghost, watching them being surrounded and praised. She watched Justin’s hand naturally rest on Sophia’s waist and heard the two kids call Sophia ‘Mom’ over and over again. Her heart ached until it went numb.

By evening, they arrived at the Ferris wheel.

A staff member smiled at Justin and Sophia. “You two are perfect together! They say if couples kiss at the top of the Ferris wheel, they’ll never part.”

Milton and Travis exchanged a sly glance and grinned mischievously. As the cabin rose slowly, the city lights flowed like a river beneath them. As it neared the top, the two kids suddenly darted behind Justin and Sophia and shoved them hard.

“Ah!” Sophia yelped. She tumbled into Justin’s arms.

Their lips met amidst their surprise, and both froze for a moment.

Sophia tried to pull away in a panic, but Justin, almost instinctively, cupped the back of her head and deepened the kiss.

Milton and Travis stifled their laughter behind their hands while secretly flashing a victorious sign.

Yvonne watched the scene unfold, and it felt as if her heart had been ripped from her chest.

The two sons she had brought into the world, the very children she had raised with all her love, were pushing Justin toward another woman right before her eyes.

Justin’s kiss was long and deliberate before he finally let Sophia go. A thread of intimate tension lingered between them like a silver wire.

Sophia’s cheeks burned crimson, and she lowered her gaze in embarrassment.

“Sorry.” Justin’s voice was husky, almost tender. “I lost my balance just now.”

Then, he looked at Milton and Travis. “What are you two doing?”

Even though his tone was stern, Yvonne knew him too well. Beneath that voice and that look, he enjoyed the kiss more than anyone could ever know.

Justin turned to Yvonne and offered an explanation. “It was an accident. The kids were just being playful. Don’t read too much into it.”

Yvonne shook her head slowly. “I’m not reading into it.”

She really was not.

Be it the father or the sons, she did not want any of them anymore.

After the Ferris wheel ride, they went to watch the parade of floats. The night was alive with dazzling lights and laughter, and the floats moved slowly through the crowd.

Then, chaos struck. One of the horses pulling a float got spooked, rearing and charging into the crowd!

“Watch out!”

In the chaos, Yvonne saw Justin and the two kids rush to Sophia, shielding her tightly under their arms. She was left alone, shoved down by the panicked crowd.

Agonizing pain exploded through her body. A horse’s hoof crushed her ribs, and a wheel rolled over her legs. She heard the sickening snap of bone. Her vision went black. She lost consciousness.

…

When Yvonne woke, the hospital room was silent. She forced herself upright. Every movement sent jagged waves of pain through her ribs and legs. Cold sweat dripped down her temples.

Her hand reached for the phone on the bedside table. Right then, the screen lit up. It was a social media notification from Sophia.

The photo showed Justin and the two kids at her hospital bed. One held a cup of warm water while the other held medicine. Justin was gently tucking her in.

The caption read: [It feels so good to be loved.]

Yvonne tugged bitterly at the corners of her mouth and set the phone down.

The doctor entered, flipping through her reports. “Ms. Johansson, you’ve fractured three ribs and have a hairline fracture in your left tibia. You’ll need to stay a few days for observation.”

He looked around. “Where's your family? Someone needs to sign for you.”

Yvonne answered calmly, “I have no family.”

The next few days, the room remained empty.

The nurses looked at her with pity, occasionally slipping her an extra box of painkillers.

It was not until her discharge day that Justin finally arrived. He was late, as always.

“Sophia got a fright and couldn’t be left alone these past few days.” Justin’s voice was indifferent. “How’s your recovery? Do you need to stay a few more days? I can bring the kids over to help take care of you.”

Yvonne shook her head. “No, thank you. Don’t let me get in the way.”

Justin frowned slightly. He had always been so busy with work, yet even an hour with him could brighten her for days. Now, she was rejecting him?

He did not dwell on it. Instead, he instructed the driver to head to a high-end designer boutique downtown.

Inside, lights glittered across the showroom. Justin held up dress after dress against her.

Yvonne murmured, thinking that he was trying to make up to her, “No, I don’t need this. I don’t like any of these—”

“Don’t like them?” interrupted Justin, “Sophia’s birthday is approaching. I’d like to commission the perfect dress for her.”

He studied her figure. “You’re roughly the same size as her. I brought you to try them on.”

Yvonne let out a bitter laugh. She was laughing at her own foolish hope, laughing at how he knew exactly where to hurt her to cause the most pain.

For three hours, she was a puppet, trying on one dress after another under his scrutinizing eye. Finally, he chose a diamond-studded mermaid gown.

“This one.”

Back home, he tossed her a paper bag. “Picked this up for you while I was at it.”

Yvonne glanced inside. It was a freebie from the boutique—a plain black dress with a tag that read 'Gift with Purchase'. She took it and let out a faint, emotionless hum. Once she was in her room, she tossed it straight into the trash.