The next day, Josie arrived at the kindergarten to process Kira's withdrawal.

The teacher looked surprised. "Why the sudden decision to withdraw her?"

Josie replied, "Kira's grandparents live overseas. I'm planning to emigrate with her."

Just as she finished speaking, Graham appeared behind her, his face clouded with tension.

"Emigrate?" he repeated sharply.

The teacher was about to respond, but Josie cut in smoothly, "I said her grandparents moved abroad. If time allows, I'd like to take her to visit them."

For some reason, Graham seemed relieved.

He placed a folder on the desk. "These are Cami's enrollment documents."

The teacher smiled as she accepted the papers, full of praise. "Mr. Holloway, you're so thoughtful. Cami may not be your biological daughter, but the way you handle everything for her, I say you treat her even better than a real parent would."

To Josie, the words pierced like needles. Graham had never done anything like that for Kira.

If not for his recent run-in with Allison's daughter, he probably wouldn't even know which kindergarten Kira attended.

She couldn't help but speak. "Yes, Mr. Holloway really is a wonderful father."

Those last two words, she said with deliberate weight.

Graham faltered for a moment. He didn't snap back as expected. He simply stood there, silent.

Later that afternoon, Josie went to the art museum. A few of her pieces were on display there. She had come to take them down.

But as soon as she entered, she saw Graham standing with Allison.

The two stood side by side. Allison laughed with relaxed elegance, surrounded by several of Graham's acquaintances from the art world.

"I heard you've been secretly married for years," someone teased. "So this must be your wife?"

"A perfect match, truly—no wonder you kept her hidden. She's a beauty."

As the compliments floated through the air, Graham simply smiled and laced his fingers with Allison's, as if sealing the moment.

He made no move to correct them.

Standing in the back, Josie let out a quiet, self-mocking laugh.

So this was it.

From beginning to end, the one he had wanted to marry was always Allison.

Now, with the whole world watching, he was finally living that dream—appearing with her in public, hand in hand, no longer hiding.

And she—Josie—what had she been?

What, exactly, had the past ten years meant?

A heart already gone cold began to ache again. Her eyes reddened.

"Graham," she called softly.

He turned toward her, his gaze sharp and impersonal, a silent warning in his eyes.

"What is it?" he asked flatly, his tone distant, drawing a clear boundary.

The words she'd meant to say died on her tongue.

She had wanted to remind him—tomorrow was Kira's birthday. She had hoped he would remember to come home.

But now… it felt pointless.

Allison glanced at her and asked lightly, "Graham, do you know her?"

Without hesitation, Graham replied, "Not really."

Those two words landed like a knife.

Josie swallowed the bitterness rising in her throat.

Then Allison, as if twisting the blade, smiled and said, "You must be one of Graham's friends? We're getting married soon—we'll be sure to invite you."

Josie turned sharply to look at him, stunned.

Graham avoided her gaze, eyes shifting away.

Allison went on, almost too casually. "Before I went abroad, Graham and I made a ten-year promise. If I returned after ten years, he would marry me.

"I thought it was just something we said at the time. But I never imagined… he'd really wait ten years for me.

"So now I'm back—to keep my promise."

Josie felt as if something had clutched her heart in a tight, merciless grip. She couldn't breathe.

She had stayed by Graham's side for ten years. Ten years of trying to warm a frozen heart.

But it hadn't been her fault. It hadn't been that she hadn't tried hard enough. It was simply because Graham had been waiting for Allison all along.

No matter what she did, it would never matter. In his heart, there had only ever been one person—Allison.

The realization made Josie laugh bitterly. Her voice cracked as she said, "I wish you a happy marriage."

With that, Josie turned and walked away.

Graham watched her back retreat into the distance. A strange tightness gripped his chest, an uncomfortable weight he couldn't quite place. He stood there, dazed, for a long moment, until Allison tugged gently on his sleeve.

"Graham, what are you thinking about?"

He blinked out of the fog. "It's nothing," he said, distracted. "I just remembered there's something I need to deal with at the office."

Without waiting for her response, he turned and left.

…

That evening, Josie returned home and began preparing dinner.

Kira sat quietly in the living room, drawing with intense focus.

Suddenly, the door opened.

Josie assumed it was the housekeeper, but then she heard Kira's delighted voice:

"Mr. Holloway!"

She lit up, eyes wide with joy. "You came home!"

Josie hadn't expected him. Ever since Allison's return, Graham had rarely come back to this house.

And now, unexpectedly, he was home just in time for dinner.

Kira's smile was impossible to hide. She ran to him, only to hesitate midway, uncertain whether she was allowed to get close. So she stood off to the side, carefully watching him.

Something in Graham's expression shifted.

From behind his back, he pulled out a plush toy and handed it to her. "This is for you."

Kira stared at it, stunned.

After a long pause, she asked in a small, tentative voice, "It's really for me?"

He nodded.

The toy was identical to the rabbit plush that had been torn.

Graham's expression softened for once. "Cami didn't mean to tear your toy. This is her way of making it up to you."

Kira blinked, confused by what he meant.

Then he continued, "The school's holding an art contest in a few days. Would you mind giving your spot to Cami?"

Her smile froze in place.

She looked at the toy in her hands, realization dawning. This wasn't a gift. It was an exchange. A bribe.

She had never truly received anything, not without condition.

Her eyes turned red as she lowered her head.

Graham went on, "Cami just got back from abroad. She needs time to get used to the new environment and new people. We should be kind. It's just a little contest. You can enter again next time."

Kira bit her lip. Tears fell silently, one after another.

The rabbit plush in her hands now felt unbearably heavy.

She asked, voice trembling, "Did you give me this… just so I'd quit the contest?"

Graham's brows drew together. "It's not a big deal. What's wrong with giving a new classmate a chance? Have I ever taught you to be so selfish?"

Josie couldn't bear to hear another word. She walked over and scooped Kira into her arms.

The rabbit plush slipped from Kira's grasp and fell to the floor, but she didn't reach for it. She just buried her face in her mother's shoulder, weeping.

Josie carried her into the bedroom, tucked her in gently, then returned to pick up the plush toy. She walked to Graham and handed it back.

"No need for this. Kira won't be participating."

Graham looked genuinely surprised. "You're okay with it?"

He had assumed Josie would stand up for Kira. He hadn't expected her to agree so quickly.

Josie's tone was flat. "We weren't planning on joining anyway."

Because soon, she would be taking Kira far away from here.

'Graham, you have one chance left,' she thought bitterly.

A long silence filled the room.

Graham noticed the redness in Josie's eyes and, for some reason, it unsettled him.

He placed the rabbit plush on Kira's desk. Then, turning to Josie, he said, "This was my fault. I owe Kira an apology. If there's anything she wants in the future, just let me know."

Josie's heart trembled.

She had long since given up on Graham. But as a mother… she still wanted her child to have a happy birthday.

She called after him before he could leave. "If you really feel sorry, then just spend tomorrow with Kira. You know how much she's always wanted to be close to you."

He paused at the doorway.

After a long moment, he agreed. "Alright."

Josie let out a breath she hadn't realized she was holding.

At least, just for a while, Kira could feel a little happiness.

…

The next morning, Kira woke early and waited eagerly in the living room, her eyes full of anticipation.

"When is Mr. Holloway taking me to the amusement park?" she asked, clutching her little backpack.

Children were easy to please. Just one trip to the amusement park was enough to make them forget all the past disappointments.

But noon came and went, and there was still no sign of Graham.

Call after call went unanswered.

The light in Kira's eyes dimmed by degrees—expectation giving way to disappointment, sadness, then a smile that was far too composed for someone her age.

"It's okay," she said softly. "Mom, let's go on our own."

Josie's heart ached as she looked at her daughter.

Even if he didn't show, she had already decided—she would give Kira a joyful day, no matter what.

But just as they arrived at the amusement park, a familiar voice rang out behind them.

"Do you want orange-flavored candy, or apple?"

Josie froze. Slowly, she turned around.

And there was Graham, standing at a stall, gently cradling Cami in his arms, asking which flavor she liked best.

Kira's eyes instantly welled with tears. Her lips quivered as she bit down hard, trying to stay quiet.

Josie could barely believe what she was seeing.

When Graham noticed them, his expression shifted abruptly.

He quickly handed Cami to the nanny and strode over, grabbing Josie by the arm and pulling her aside.

"What are you doing here?" he demanded, voice cold and full of contempt, like she was some stain he couldn't wash away.

Josie held back her tears. "Do you even remember what day it is?"

He scowled, convinced she was just stirring up trouble.

He had warned her not to appear in front of Allison with Kira. And now she had the nerve to show up here, of all places?

"I don't care what day it is," he said sharply. "Just leave. Now."

With that, he took her wrist and began dragging her toward the exit.

But before they could get far, a familiar voice interrupted. "Graham?"

He froze instantly.

Letting go of Josie, he cast her a warning glance before turning back with feigned ease.

Allison approached with Cami in tow, her gaze briefly flicking toward Josie, sharp and knowing.

"Well, if it isn't Kira's mother. What a coincidence. Did you come to play, too?"

Graham's eyes burned into Josie's face, as if daring her to say something she'd regret.

Josie gave him a bitter smile. "Yes. It's my daughter's birthday."

Graham's face stiffened.

Only then did he remember—he had promised to spend today with Kira. So this wasn't her showing up to make a scene. She had brought their daughter here to celebrate her birthday.

A flicker of unease passed through his eyes. He looked down at Kira—her eyes red, her small body trembling.

Something inside him cracked.

Allison, catching the moment, smiled sweetly and took his arm. "Well, what a coincidence. It's also Cami's birthday today. Graham even reserved the entire restaurant at a hotel to celebrate Cami's birthday."

Josie laughed softly, the sound hollow and full of irony.

So that was why he hadn't shown up.

He hadn't forgotten—he had simply chosen to celebrate someone else's birthday instead.

To him, Kira meant nothing.

There was no longer any reason to stay.

Josie took Kira's hand and turned to leave.

But just then, Allison made a suggestion. "Since Kira and Cami are classmates, and we happened to run into each other today, why not celebrate the girls' birthday together?"