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.

Over the next few days, Yvonne barely left her room except to eat.

All she wanted was for the divorce to be finalized as quickly as possible. She ignored Justin and the boys’ endless attempts to please Sophia as though she could not see them at all.

Soon, Sophia’s birthday arrived.

Justin had originally planned to throw a lavish party, but Sophia gently refused. “Let’s just celebrate at home. I don’t like big crowds.”

Milton immediately chimed in, “Perfect. I don’t like outsiders trying to suck up to us anyway. It’s better when it’s just our family.”

…

On the day of Sophia's birthday, the villa was decorated in a warm, extravagant style. The maids bustled about, and Justin personally placed a birthday hat on Sophia’s head.

“Make a wish.” Justin’s gaze was full of tenderness.

Sophia clasped her hands and closed her eyes in the candlelight. After she blew out the candles, Justin and the two boys presented their gifts.

Justin gave her a set of antique jewelry. Milton handed her the key to a limited-edition sports car. Travis proudly presented the deed to a private island.

Sophia’s eyes turned red with emotion. “Thank you… all of you.”

She suddenly looked toward Yvonne, who had remained silent until now. She put on a sweet smile. “Yvonne, what gift did you prepare for me?”

Every pair of eyes turned toward her.

Yvonne met Sophia’s expectant gaze and answered calmly, “I didn’t prepare one.”

She had no desire to and no intention of doing so.

Milton’s expression instantly darkened. “Mom! How could you do that? You knew today was Ms. Shaw’s birthday!”

Travis pouted. “You don’t even have basic manners!”

The two boys exchanged a glance. Suddenly, Milton’s eyes lit up. “Wait! Mom has tons of nice things Dad bought her. Let’s pick one from her room and give it to Ms. Shaw!”

Travis nodded immediately. “Good idea!”

Before Yvonne could react, the boys had already dashed upstairs toward her bedroom.

“Wait!” Yvonne’s expression changed drastically. Ignoring the fact that her leg had not fully healed, she staggered after them.

When she pushed the door open, the boys were already rummaging through her room. Jewelry boxes had been overturned and drawers pulled open, their contents scattered everywhere.

“Found it!” Milton suddenly shouted, holding up a silver necklace with a small crescent moon pendant. “This one’s pretty!”

Yvonne’s pupils shrank. It was the last gift Henry had given her before he died.

“No!” She rushed forward to grab it back. “You can’t take that! Your Uncle Henry gave it to me!”

Milton nimbly dodged aside. “It’s just a necklace. You can ask Uncle Henry to buy you another one later.”

Her voice trembled. “He’s already dead!”

Travis rolled his eyes impatiently. “You’re lying again. It was just a dummy last time! Uncle Henry’s obviously traveling. He even said he’d bring me back a gift!”

Then, he leaned over the railing and shouted downstairs, “Ms. Shaw! We found Mom’s gift for you! You’re going to love it!”

Yvonne reached out desperately for the necklace, but Milton shoved her hard. “Why are you being so stingy?!”

Yvonne's foot slipped, and she tumbled down the stairs. The back of her head slammed against the steps. Blood instantly spilled from her temple. She lay in a pool of blood. Her vision blurred as a loud ringing filled her ears.

“Mom!” Milton and Travis panicked and ran downstairs.

Milton’s voice trembled. “I-I didn’t mean to… It’s your fault for trying to grab it…”

Travis burst into tears. “Mom, you’re bleeding…”

Justin strode over when he heard the noises. His expression changed instantly when he saw the scene. “What happened?”