To make this complicated bracelet, the wound on my hand had not fully healed after a year. It would still hurt when it touched the water.

When Shirley received it, she was delighted and said she would keep it for the rest of her life.

But now she just raised her hand and said lightly, "I drank too much yesterday. When I shook dice with Easton, I accidentally hit the table's edge and broke a little. It shouldn't be a problem, right? Don't make a big deal out of nothing."

"This is what Jaden and I made ourselves," answered me.

Hearing this, Easton interrupted, "Isn't it enough that the sentiment is there? How much can a cheap bracelet be worth?"

Shirley patted me on the shoulder and said, "That's right. At worst, I'll ask someone to bring some Phoebe wood for you and Jaden to play with."

She clearly understood the significance of this bracelet, yet she treated our heartfelt intention as mere entertainment and equated it with casual handicrafts.

"That's right. Perhaps I am no different from a fun maker in her heart." I thought.

After six years of marriage, this marked our first joint celebration of our wedding anniversary and the first birthday Jaden spent with her since his return. Disappointingly, she displayed little enthusiasm for the special occasions and was even prepared to abandon them at a moment's notice simply because of a phone call from someone else.

To her, Easton was more than just a friend.

But as a mother, she overlooked Jaden's fragile health and brought him to the top of a mountain filled with allergens. When she left, she didn't leave the emergency kit for Jaden.

I could do nothing but watch our son die in front of me.

My mother had been advising me for a long time not to send Jaden to Boston. Even though he could potentially receive a superior education there, Shirley didn't prioritize his well-being or education as much.

At that time, I laughed at my mother and said that Shirley was Jaden's biological mother. How could she be so cruel? Now that I thought about it, it was my fault!

"Thank you very much."

I shook off her hand and was about to go upstairs with an expressionless face. She got angry when she saw me being so indifferent.

"Why are you so indifferent to me today? Did I offend you?"

"And, where's Jaden?"

I suddenly stopped.

It was ridiculous. This was the first time Shirley took the initiative to care about Jaden after he died.

I recall that day vividly, standing atop the mountain, as I consoled him, saying, "How on earth could Mom miss your birthday party? Mom loves you more than anything. She must be planning something special, a big surprise for you!"

Unexpectedly, it was a big "surprise"!

"Late love from a mother is worth less than dirt," I sneered bitterly. "Do you even recall Jaden? I'd begun to think you'd given up on him as your son long ago!"

Stunned, Shirley immediately retorted, "He's my son. What are you talking about!"

"I see. You're still angry, aren't you? Are you blaming me for leaving without saying goodbye that day?"

"But you know, Easton has just returned from abroad. We hadn't seen each other for many years, and to help me transport a batch of goods, he was seriously injured outside. I can't leave him alone, can I?"

Shirley shook my arm, tilted her head, and said, "You can understand me, right?"

A long time ago, I repeatedly compromised my principles and lowered my standards, goaded on by her display of vulnerability.

However, my concession resulted in Jaden's cold corpse lying in my arms.

I didn't dare to gamble anymore.

I gently brushed her hand away and said calmly, "Shirley, let's get a divorce."

She obviously didn't expect that I would say that. Her pupils dilated in shock, and my image was reflected in them.

"Malcolm, is it necessary? Are you willing to divorce me?" She said.

"Right, we're getting a divorce."

2.

Shirley took a deep breath and said, "If we divorce, what will Jaden do?"

"Can you raise him well? Can you give him an excellent education? Let me tell you, your mother won't agree."

"Malcolm, don't mess up your peaceful life, okay?"

Seeing that I was silent, Shirley frowned. "Why don't you call Jaden and let him decide."

"Jaden won't come," I answered.

Upon hearing Jaden's name, a lump arose in my throat unexpectedly, and my jaw tightened instinctively as though trying to restrain a surge of emotions.

However, Shirley suddenly became agitated. "What do you mean Jaden won't come?"

"Where did you take Jaden? Will you vent your anger on him about what happened between you and me?"

Shirley snorted. "Don't think I'll let you go just because you threatened me with Jaden. I have my freedom and social circle. Malcolm, you won't understand!"

I gazed intently at her exquisite features as if seeing her anew. Despite caring for Jaden for countless years, I felt a thousandfold more accountable than she ever had in the role of a mother.

But from what she said, did she think that I would attack Jaden and use him to threaten her?

It was so ridiculous.

People in her circle can only commit such a despicable act, and I disdain even to consider it!

"Malcolm, don't torture Shirley like this. Hand over, Jaden!"

Easton's words were cruel as if his son was lost.

Upon hearing this, Shirley was naturally profoundly moved. Thinking of our son, tears rolled down her cheeks. She said, "Malcolm, give Jaden back to me."

They echoed each other as if I had done something heinous.

Thinking of this, I couldn't help sneering. "What if I say no."

When I finished speaking, Easton rushed forward and grabbed my collar. "Repeat it!"

"Don't be like this, Easton!" Shirley hugged his arm.

The scene immediately became chaotic, but it was evident that Shirley was on his side.

I stumbled from the push. The small jar in my hand swayed, and the lid almost flew off.

While the two weren't paying attention, I tried to protect it. Rage burned in my chest.

If it weren't for Jaden's wish to have his final resting place here with Shirley, I wouldn't have returned his ashes.

"There's something I've been hiding in my heart for a long time." Easton pointed at me. "Shirley, do you think a coward like Malcolm is really suitable for you?"

"Your son has the same surname as him? Why? Does Malcolm have any assets?"

Easton's lips curled in disdain. "A useless man that emerged from a gutter. If he desires a divorce, why not just let him go?"

When I looked at Shirley again, it was as if she had been persuaded. She was sizing me up as well.

It was ridiculous that I entered the National Defense base after graduating. Without her pleading, I wouldn't have given up my career and gone to her company to be closer to her.

But now, she allowed her friend to call me a useless man?

It was ridiculous!

"It's not that I can't live if I leave Shirley!" I thought.

Easton's shouting continued. "Malcolm, are you mute? If you want a divorce, get divorced as soon as possible. Don't get close to Shirley in the future, or I'll hit you every time I see you!"

I smiled, my pale face making me look sinister. Shirley called me, "Malcolm, where are you going?"

This time, no one stopped me. I went straight upstairs.

I placed Jaden's urn in the wedding chamber that belonged to Shirley and me and lit a candle on top of it. The master had said that the child's spirit could witness the occasion in this manner.

I meticulously gathered the toy car that brought Jaden joy during his playtime and his cherished drawing book and carefully packed them away.

When I went downstairs, they were still there.

I wanted to leave with Jaden's urn, but Easton blocked my way again.

"Malcolm! I won't allow you to make her so sad. If you're a man, stay and make it clear!"

"I've made myself very clear," I stated indifferently. "The relationship between her and I ends here."

"Then what are you holding in your hand? Hand it over!"

It was unknown what was on Easton's mind. He actually wanted to steal Jaden's urn!

I couldn't dodge in time and kicked him in the crotch. He spun around in pain and ordered the servants around the living room with a grimace, "Catch him! Don't let him go!"

Shirley's face darkened. She turned on her phone and said flatly, "David, bring my son back immediately, no matter what method you use."

"Let go of me!"

How could I escape the encirclement of more than a dozen people alone? In an instant, I was pressed to the ground by two fat servants.

"Clap clap."

Easton squatted down and slapped my face. However, Shirley had no intention of stopping him. Instead, she was happy to see it happen.

"I should teach you a lesson so you can know whether this family is named Lampson or Lupton!"

Shirley patted Easton on the shoulder. Only then did Easton step back, revealing Shirley's figure. Her face was full of pity and a trace of arrogance.

"Malcolm, I still care about you, so can you stop messing around?"

My eyes were cruel. Easton looked at me and pulled out my jar with brute force, throwing it to the ground.

In an instant, grayish-white smoke rose in all directions, and Shirley took a few steps back in disgust.

I witnessed the whole process, and my mind went blank.

When I came to my senses, I broke away from the crowd and got up. I took the fruit knife on the coffee table and pounced on Easton.

"I'll kill you!" I raised my knife high.

"Malcolm, don't mess around!" screamed Shirley.

I couldn't kill him, but as soon as I raised the knife, Easton's face immediately turned red. The blood on the tip of the knife was particularly dazzling.

"Malcolm! Don't you even care about Jaden!"

Shirley must find it hard to believe that a gentle and elegant man like me would not only hit someone, but also teach a lesson to the man she claimed to care about the most in the world.

"Stubborn! Malcolm, it seems that you won't be able to see Jaden in the future!"

Shirley's anger was so intense that her features contorted. She furiously redialed David's number and demanded, "Listen carefully, from now on, do not allow Malcolm to see Jaden again without my express consent!"

There was silence on the other end of the line for a few seconds before the voice spoke again, "Ms. Lampson, I just found out... Mr. Jaden Lupton's record has been closed."