Ethan let out a deep sigh. "We’ll adopt a child from an orphanage."

"NO!" Her voice was shrill, her eyes stabbing into me. "That is not an option."

I clenched my fists. "Then what?"

"The heir to this family must be of Anderson blood. Not some child off the streets."

I bit my lip. "But I… I can’t get pregnant again, Mom. How could—" My voice broke.

"That’s your problem, Zoey." My mother-in-law's gaze turned even colder.

"Find a way… or bring your dead baby back to life."

I froze.

In an instant, all the air in my lungs vanished.

She left the room, but her words still echoed in my mind.

*****

A few days later, Ethan suddenly asked to talk.

"I've been thinking about Mom's request regarding an heir," he said.

I scoffed, already predicting where this conversation was going.

"And what’s the solution?"

"I've found the best solution for all of us."

I stared at him sharply, my forehead creasing. "What do you mean?"

At that moment, the front door suddenly swung open.

A little boy ran inside and immediately hugged Ethan as if answering all my confusion.

"Daddy, I missed you!"

My heart plummeted to my stomach as I saw the child I had once seen in Ethan’s photo gallery now standing before me.

Ethan stiffened, his body tensing. I saw him bite his lip as if wanting to take back the boy’s words.

"Zoey, I'm sorry. Don't misunderstand."

Ethan's voice wavered.

He took a deep breath, then looked at me. "Zoey… let me introduce you. This is Jackson."

I didn't move. Didn't blink.

Ethan swallowed hard. "Jackson… is my nephew. I've already explained to him that I'm his uncle, but he's just used to calling me Dad."

The child looked up, his big eyes full of cheerfulness. The same eyes as Ethan's.

Even without a DNA test, I knew—Jackson was not his nephew.

A smile formed on my lips. A forced smile. A smile that felt like a slap to my own face.

"Oh? Really?" My voice sounded light, but my world was shaking.

Before I could react, Mrs. Sophia had already stepped forward.

She gazed at Jackson with pride, as if the boy were the long-awaited prize.

"So, this is the heir of the Anderson family?"

Ethan nodded. "From now on, he will live with us."

Mrs. Sophia crouched down and pulled Jackson into her embrace. "Of course! A wise decision, Ethan."

I remained frozen.

Then Ethan touched my shoulder, his voice gentle, trying to soothe me. "Zoey, don’t worry. Just focus on your recovery. Jackson has had a babysitter caring for him since he was little. I'll bring her here."

Before I could respond, the door opened again.

Someone walked in.

I held my breath.

Nora.

She stood at the doorway, smiling. Wearing a babysitter’s uniform.

"Hi, Zoey. Long time no see."

I stared at her without blinking.

My fists clenched.

"I'm Jackson's babysitter. I've been taking care of him for years and have earned the family's trust. From now on, I'll be working here."

My heart pounded violently.

She was once my best friend.

Now, she was the woman who had destroyed me so effortlessly.

I took a deep breath, trying to calm the storm raging in my chest.

Ethan stood beside me, looking awkward as if he sensed the sudden tension filling the room.

"Mom, are we going to live here?" Jackson's innocent voice made my heart sink.

Mom? He called her that. Nora.

I stared at him intently, then shifted my gaze to Nora, who still wore that sweet expression.

For a moment, she looked surprised, but her face quickly regained composure. She lowered her head slightly, gently stroking Jackson’s hair.

"Sweetheart, you must be polite. From now on, we’ll live here, but remember what I taught you, okay?"

I saw her glance at me with a meaningful look.

I crossed my arms over my chest, struggling to hold myself back.

"Don't get the wrong idea, Zoey. Ever since I started taking care of Jackson, he’s always called me Mom. You see, he lost his parents when he was little."

Her voice was so natural as if there was nothing wrong.

I gave a thin smile.

"Oh? So you've been teaching him to call you Mom for a long time?"

Her expression flickered for a split second, but she quickly masked it.

"It wasn't me who taught him. He got used to it on his own. He just needed a mother figure."

My smile widened. "Really? Then you must be very close to him, huh?"

Nora nodded, still pretending to be calm.

"Of course. I’ve been taking care of him for years."

I glanced at Ethan, who was rubbing the back of his neck, clearly uncomfortable with this conversation.

Then I looked back at Nora. "In that case, welcome to my home, Babysitter Nora… and Jackson."

I heard her breath hitch for a fraction of a second before she forced another smile.

Ethan looked uneasy. He glanced at me briefly before shifting his gaze to Nora, as if sensing the tension between us.

"Zoey," he called softly, trying to ease the atmosphere.

"I know this is sudden, but I hope you can accept it. Jackson needs someone who understands him, and Nora has been taking care of him for a long time. She knows him best."

I let out a bitter chuckle. "Oh? So now you think I’m not good enough to take care of him?"

Ethan was silent for a moment, his face visibly tense.

"That’s not what I meant. I just want to make sure Jackson doesn’t feel out of place. This is for the good of all of us."

I stared at him deeply, searching for something in his eyes—hesitation, guilt, or maybe even the courage to confess. But all I found was a faint trace of despair.

Nora gave a small smile. "Ethan is right, Zoey. I’m not here to replace you. I just want to help."

Help? I didn’t believe that for a second.

"With only one functional hand, I don’t think you’re capable of taking care of Jackson," she said bluntly.

She was openly mocking me. I shot her a sharp look, but Ethan gently took my left hand.

"Zoey, I need you to trust me. This is for your health. Once you recover, you can take care of Jackson."

His hand was warm, but it felt foreign.

I used to trust Ethan completely.

But now?

I slowly pulled my hand away. "Alright," I said flatly. "You've already made your decision, haven’t you? So all I can do is accept it."

Ethan looked at me as if trying to make sure I was really okay. But I didn’t give him the chance.

I turned away, my eyes landing on Jackson, who still stood close to Nora.

****

I stood at the doorway, watching a scene that had become increasingly frequent.

Ethan came home from work, carrying several branded shopping bags in his hands. Without hesitation, he handed the gifts to Nora and Jackson.

“This is for you, sweetheart.” Jackson cheered excitedly.

“Do you like it?” Ethan gently ruffled the boy’s hair.

Jackson nodded, opening a box containing expensive sneakers. Meanwhile, Nora received a designer handbag with a faint smile.

“Thank you, Ethan,” Nora said softly.

My chest burned with the anger I struggled to contain.

“Is this your new habit?” I asked coldly.

Ethan turned to me, smiling as if I had simply misunderstood.

“Sweetheart, this is just a reward for Nora. She’s been taking good care of Jackson.”

I crossed my arms. “And Jackson? Do you have to shower him with expensive gifts every day?”

Ethan sighed. “I just want him to feel loved. He lost his parents, Zoey. You know why.”

Ethan was busy drowning Nora and Jackson in attention and gifts, while I became more invisible in my own home.

My baby was gone, yet it wasn’t me he embraced, it wasn’t me he comforted.

Ethan had never given me gifts.

But what did gifts mean if they couldn’t bring my baby back?

"Zoey, in a few days, there will be a party to introduce Jackson as our family's heir. Let’s start preparing. I want you to choose the decorations," Ethan said, just as I struggled to suppress my anger.

****

I stood beside Ethan, in the place that was supposed to be mine. But tonight, I was nothing more than an ornament next to him—just a wife in name.

On the other side, Nora stood beside Jackson, her hand gently patting the boy’s shoulder. At a glance, they looked like a perfect little family.

Ethan raised his wine glass, his voice ringing throughout the room.

“From today on, I want you all to know that Jackson is part of the Anderson family. He is the heir I will protect and raise to the best of my ability.”

Cheers and applause filled the room, accompanied by hushed whispers that stabbed into my ears.

"Finally, the Anderson family has a male heir."

"Poor Zoey, she couldn't give Ethan an heir. Such a pity."

"Nora is just a babysitter, but look at how she stands beside Ethan. They look more suited for each other."

My fingers curled into fists at the sides of my gown. I wanted to scream, to shove away every sympathetic gaze and whispered judgment that stripped me bare.

I turned and walked away, unable to endure it any longer. But as soon as I stepped into the empty hallway, another set of footsteps followed me.

I stopped.

"Nora."

My fists tightened, my breath unsteady.

Nora gave a faint smile. "How does it feel to be pushed aside, Zoey?”

I glared at Nora, ready to fight.

"Shut up, or I'll slap you!"

She let out a small laugh.

"With what hand? Your right hand is bandaged. I doubt you have the strength to do it."

I lifted my left hand, ready to strike her face—

Blood.

I froze.

Nora had slammed her own head against the table and collapsed onto the floor. Her scream echoed through the room.

Suddenly, the door burst open. Ethan appeared. His gaze immediately landed on the blood trickling from Nora’s temple.

"Nora!" Ethan ran over, kneeling beside her.

Nora sobbed, her hands trembling. "Ethan... she was angry… I was scared… Zoey said I took her place. Maybe because Jackson refuses to call her Mom, she got jealous of me."

I gasped. "She's lying! I didn’t—"

"Enough!" Ethan's voice exploded. "Nora came here to help you recover. Can’t you see that?"

I stared at him, my chest rising and falling as the fury inside me burned.

"Fine. But why does it have to be Nora?" My voice was low and cold. "Why is everything happening so suddenly?"

Ethan frowned. "What do you mean?"

I stepped closer.

"My accident. My baby’s death. And Jackson suddenly appeared in our lives. You want me to believe all of this is just a coincidence?"

Ethan took a sharp breath, his expression hardening. "Zoey, stop. This is fate. Who would want an accident? Who would want to lose their baby? Do you think I’m not hurting?"

I let out a bitter laugh. "If you're hurting, then why am I the only one left to bear it alone?"

"Enough!"

A hard shove hit my shoulder. I stumbled.

Pain shot through my abdomen.

I looked down—my gown was wet.

Blood.

My surgical wound had reopened.

Ethan stiffened, his face turning pale. He reached for me, but Nora's voice stopped him.

"Ethan… my head hurts… I can’t take it…" Nora sobbed weakly.

Just then, Jackson ran in, his eyes widening at the sight of blood on Nora's face.

"Mom! Why are you hurt?" Jackson rushed over, panic written all over his face before turning to me with a look filled with hatred.

"You!" His voice trembled. "You must've hurt Mom! You're evil!"

I shook my head weakly, but my voice was trapped in my throat.

Ethan didn’t think twice. He immediately lifted Nora—without hesitation, without even glancing back at me.

Meanwhile, I stood there, swaying, as warm blood continued to seep, dripping from my body onto the cold floor.

****

I sat on the hospital bed, staring at the fresh bandages wrapped around my abdomen. My surgical wound had reopened—just like the wound in my heart that never truly healed.

My phone vibrated. Ethan’s name.

I picked up.

"Zoey, where are you?" His voice was frantic.

I smiled faintly. "I'm fine, Ethan."

"Don't lie. I know you're hurt."

I swallowed hard. "Just a small wound."

But the much deeper wound was in my heart.

Ethan fell silent for a moment. Then his voice softened.

"Zoey… I'm sorry. I shouldn’t have—"

I waited.

"To make up for everything… our wedding anniversary is coming up. I’ll throw a grand party for you."

I froze.

The anniversary I had always looked forward to.

I once dreamed of celebrating it while holding my little baby. Now, all that remained was emptiness.

I took a deep breath, then let out a small chuckle. "Really? You want to throw a party for me?"

"Yes. I want to make you happy."

How ironic. It took three years and losing everything for you to finally want to make me happy?

But I hid the bitterness in my voice.

"Alright! I can’t wait for your surprise, Ethan. I’ll stay at a hotel for a while… and prepare a gift for you."

"It won’t be a problem, right? If I don’t see Jackson first? And Nora…" I sighed softly. "I’ll buy her a gift too. As an apology."

Ethan paused. "Are you sure? Will you be alright at the hotel alone?"

I chuckled. "Don’t worry. I just want to prepare in peace. I’ll be there… and I’ll bring a surprise for you all."

Silence.

"Alright… I’ll be waiting, Zoey."

I ended the call, staring at the screen as it slowly dimmed.

Moments later, my phone vibrated again. Mr. Gerald’s name appeared on the screen.

"Everything is ready," he said briefly.

I nodded slowly. "Thank you."

Then, I booked a flight ticket.

A single ticket.

To somewhere far away from here.

****

The day had arrived.

Music filled the air, lively and grand. Crystal glasses clinked in celebration. The chandeliers cast a dazzling glow over the guests.

But one thing was missing from this party.

Me.

In the middle of the room, Ethan stood restlessly. His eyes scanned every corner, searching for the one person who should have been there.

He reached for his phone, dialing my number once again.

The dial tone rang endlessly.

No answer.

His jaw tightened. His grip on the phone grew firm.

Then, someone tapped his shoulder.

"Ethan..." His friend’s voice was cautious.

Ethan turned quickly, his face filled with hope. But all he received was a white envelope being handed to him.

"I've looked everywhere. Zoey isn’t here."

Ethan’s world seemed to stop. "What do you mean? Zoey said she would come. She was preparing a surprise for tonight!"

His friend gave him a heavy look. "She did leave something. This… is from the hotel."

Ethan stared at the envelope. His hands trembled as he tore open the seal.

His eyes immediately caught the words on the paper.

Just one sentence.

[I’m leaving. Don’t ever look for me again, Ethan.]

And beneath it… my signature.

Along with neatly attached divorce papers.

His knees weakened. His breath caught in his throat.

The clinking of glasses, the soft piano, the laughter of the guests—everything suddenly felt like torture to his ears.

The world tilted beneath his feet.

His hands clutched the letter tightly, as if squeezing it hard enough could somehow turn back time.

But the reality was… I was already gone.

And this was my anniversary gift to him.

For the last time.

Happy anniversary, Ethan. Enjoy your party… without me.